Hello, I am Annette, Louise’s slightly older sister. If you have read her hello, then you know she traveled with me, my spouse and little boy Patrick to the grand Leadville Colorado. Let me tell you a little of myself. I married my husband Tim Murphy because he was oh so handsome! He is of Irish descent with rich dark hair like ripe cherries. Mama says that I was oh so silly to say a man has hair the color of cherries. Let us just say, with his cherry hair, pale blue eyes with shards of silver and fair skin he is very tasty. Mama was not happy with this match. She was furious as she had invested a great deal of our family’s finances for me to be taught by the nuns to prepare me for a proper marriage. Many girls are not taught to read, write, and do sums as well as to sew and be competent in needlepoint. She did the same with Louise. She had to with Louise for my sister is what you can charitably call handsome. Frankly, I think Mama sent her along with me in hopes of finding a man desperate for a woman. Such a man will appreciate her handsomeness. Louise wants us to open a dress shop to bring in income as if I need more work. Taking care of a sick husband and a child isn’t enough? When I married, the priest said for better or worse, I did not know it would be immediately for worse. My handsome husband is tired and grumpy all the time. Bring me this, bring me that. I know he is angry and unhappy at himself for being ill. This terrible country we are in has sapped all his strength. What started out as a adventure has turned into a nightmare. The green dust that grinds into you pores alone can make one mad. Constantly sweeping and cleaning just to survive. I am sure you do not wish to hear me go on and on with my complaints. Perhaps Louise has a point. Opening a dress shop and perhaps becoming atelier would do me good. We would meet the ladies and visitors of the town, hear the gossip, and perhaps make a fine income. Chastain’s has a nice ring to it!!