To come to a new Country or region and settle

there, not being native to that place  

An excavation in the earth where you extract or

take out minerals like, iron ore, coal, gold etc. 

"Matti's shift at the mine the day after Wilho's 

death left him shaking inside." (pg. 16)

A person who works in the mines, often a very

dangerous job  

"As the miners started down the drift toward their

work sites, a mule snorted on the tracks behind 

them." (pg. 16) 

A tube or cord filled or soaked in combustible material (blow up), for lighting an explosive

like dynamite 

"He picked up the sack of blasting caps and the roll

of fuse that he stored away from the dynamite for

safety's sake....I'll trim the fuses while your gone."

(pg. 6)  

Unreasonable, hard to deal with and set in their

ways 

"Timo was tall like Uncle Wilho, and bull-strong and stubborn like Father." (pg. 12)  

An animal that is 1/2 donkey 1/2 horse, they're

often stubborn and strong work animals; bray is a

loud noise they make

"...he heard a mule bray." (pg. 6)

"...but I could trade a pair of mules and a farm wagon." (pg. 29)  

A large bird resembling a duck, that lives mainly in

water, known for their beautiful call or sound;

Minnesota's state bird  

"Then a pair of loons started calling to each other

across the bay." (pg. 55)  

Root Cellar  

Underground pit or cellar dug into the ground, stores

vegetables or canned foods to keep cool  

"The last two projects that Father and Matti

completed before winter were the root cellar.."

(pg. 131)  

Population of people from Finland; their language 

spoken is Finnish; often called Finns 

A popular Finnish word that means strength, courage,

and stubbornness all wrapped into one 

"That's it", Father said. "Show us your sisu." (pg. 2)

"...the mosquitos and gnats vicious."Sisu, Matti,"

Father said when he.." (pg. 61)  

A very popular well known poem in Finland that gives

courage and strength to its people  

As the steel rang, Father recited his favorite lines

from the Kalevala." (pg.3)  

Someone who lives on, and farms land owned by 

 someone else  

"...Father's wages as tenant farmer back in Finland

had been low, at least he and Matti.." (pg. 4)  

"He rode the mine cage into the bowels of the 

earth before dawn, and he didn't come up until 

after sunset." (pg. 4) 

An elevator or cage, used to take miners up/down

into the deep dark mines; usually packed men into

them very tight, and they wobbled a lot  

Rocks and minerals found in the earth used primarily

to make steel, dark colors such as yellow, purple, grey

and red are found  

"...it seemed as if Matti had barely washed off the

 red iron (ore) dust from one shift when it was 

 time to go underground again." (pg.12) 

A small room or house that's filled with hot steam,

Made popular by the Finnish, the steam bath is made

by pouring water over hot rocks;  

"When I get my homestead the first thing I'll build 

is a sauna, so I can take a proper bath."

"Father believed that the heat of  

a sauna could mend both body and spirit.." (pg.8)  

A house, usually a farm house, that's connected with

other buildings and land, that's owned by a family to 

create a home that's all theirs 

"If we can hang on just a little longer, we'll be 

on our homesteads before you know it." (pg. 10)  

A store where you can go to trade items; a variety of

goods are available to buy and sell 

"...sign hanging form the eaves that read

WINSTONS TRADING POST AND EMPORIUM." (pg. 26)  

The Finnish believe this to be a magical artifact that

brought good luck, or equal amounts of gold, grain,

and salt; also a lake in Minnesota  

"Best of all, it's on the shore of a lake called 

Sampo. Can you believe it?" (pg. 34)  

"The whole family rode to the train depot to say

goodbye to Aunt Hilda." (pg. 35)  

A tree; its bark is water resistant and strong, it can

be easily cut, bent, or sewn making it a

valuable building, crafting, and writing material 

"...with moss covered sheets of birch bark." (pg. 38)

"To pass the time he tried weaving a knapsack from

birch bark.." (pg. 182)

A plank, log or timber used as a support or as a

track for sliding or rolling heavy objects; sliding or

slipping over a surface, usually sideways  

A holiday celebrated by Europeans on June 24th after

the longest day (summer solstice), they play games,

sing and dance 

A strong alkaline substance from wood

ashes that's used to make soap  

"You're lucky you don't have to make the lye 

by hand out of ashes." (pg.130)   

A fragrance or smell found in nature  

A process where you break apart and sort fibers such

as cotton or wool by smoothing and straightening  

"Carding the raw wool into "logs" for Mother's

spinning wheel was a never ending job." (pg. 156) 

To cut, chop, or hack at something like hay or grass

using an ax or cutting tool  

A simple saying that's usually well known and

repeated, expressess a truth and common experience into a memorable form  

"As usual Father answered with a proverb:

"Even the greatest king must learn to kneel." (pg. 127) 

"Matti's teaching sessions were a welcome break

from the monotony." (pg.182)