The Settlement

By all appearances in this photo my father seems to be "settling into" his life on the farm.....maybe going a little odd in the process. 
In letters to his mother back in Switzerland it is clear that he is quite "homesick".  He writes about constructing a new room to the house so there will be space for her as at the moment there is not.  I recall the original farm house which was 2 bedrooms with a small living room and kitchen.  There was a full attic to the house which you accessed through a narrow flight of stairs that were in the closet in one of the bedrooms.  The attic was not a welcoming space and that was where my father slept and planned to install another bedroom for his mother.  This room was never made.
He also writes that when Augustin arrives they hope to build a new house if they can get the wood and nails.  This home would be constructed using a small cabin as the beginning and would eventually become the home of Augustin and Renee. 
He reassures his mother that his English continues to improve and the neighbors have taken upon themselves to correct him which he appreciates.  He states that he has started to write a little in English.
The letter ends with another request that she come to Canada.  He assures her that Michelle (his sister) will soon be married and independent and John (his younger brother) will be occupied with his studies at University that will take all his time. 
Renee is under a lot of pressure to leave Switzerland and return to Canada.