Joanne

= Diary of Adalyn Rosseau   =

= = Dear Diary, =It has been a long, five month journey after settling here in New France. The population increases every day, from newborns, to new settlers. I moved here for a purpose, to start a new and fresh life. I am only a habitant, so I farm for a living. During my free time, I entertain myself by watching the crops grow since I do not know how to read or write. Corn, cabbages, squash, onion and many other vegetables. My job is to harvest the fruit trees, our small tobacco patch and fruit bushes. Once they grow ripe, I pay our debt by giving almost half of our crops to the seigneur and the church. My family has to work hard every day to cut down the trees that block us from growing more crops but the trees don’t go to waste. We built our house from the logs that were cut down from expanding our farm. Even our furniture is made of wood! We have wooden spoons and plates but I promised the children, that once we receive enough money, we will be able to buy some pottery dishes and metal spoons. The only thing that is not made of wood is our stoned fireplace and chimney. = =Sometimes I wish to ship back to France because living on a farm is such labour and we lack of fashion sense. Us women, in New France wear much shorter skirts than back home. The men wear an overcoat tied with a traditional woven sash with knitted toques. The only time we wear such pulchritudinous clothing, is when we go to church. I have always wished to learn how to read and write, so I could memorize the prayers and catechism properly. Even if life can be rough here in New France, it’s been an exquisite experience and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. = = = = = =Bibliography: = Moore, Christopher. //Mathurin Brochu of New France//. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 17-18. Lunn, Janet. //The Story of Canda//. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 56-57. Baduri, Douglas. //New France & the Fur Trade//. N.p.: n.p., n.d. 33-34. Neering, Rosemary. //Life in New France//. N.p.: n.p., n.d.

_  Dear Diary, I’ve noticed my neighbour, **Ambros Heidel, has been sulking lately. He will not answer my questions and stare off into space. I wondered what was going on so I went into town to ask his close friend, Helen. Just my luck, she was buying groceries at the local market. She greeted me with sympathy and exclaimed that she was pregnant with her 9th child. Unlike me, Helen was sent here by King Louis XIV to increase the population.  ** **After explaining the issue with Ambros, Helen started explaining Ambros’s problem like she knew every little detail of his life. It’s not surprising for Helen for she’s known Ambros for an extensive length of time. I could not believe what I was hearing, I felt such large amounts of pity. Quickly waving goodbye to Helen, I ran straight home, searching for some leftover crops and knocked on the door of Ambros. He gave me the same cold eyes and without thinking, I ran to his kitchen and started setting some corn, strawberries, plums and many other vegetables and fruits on his table leaving a note that said to give it to his seignuer. He seems to be in a better mood, recently. It has brang my spirits up and because of this, I wish to help those in need more often. **