Rural Electrification came to Manitoba in the 20s I think. In the late 50s I recall Grandpas farm had a hydro-pole on it with a yardlight, by which I could see the hiway's snowblower coming from the end of the driveway,about an eighth mile away. The snow was higher than the snowblower so I couldn't see the unit until it broke thru, and came on the yard. I remember tobogganing off the barn roof, and with my cousins, around Christmas time building a huge network of caves and igloos. 'course huge is relative; in 1960 I was 7 and probably barely 4 ft tall.
There was a light in the barn, but in the house grandma lit a lamp after the sun got low, so Ima guessing they didn't have hydro in the house. I know they heated with wood, and by morning it was mighty cold in that old log cabin. And in winter, you wanted your guts to be empty before dark cuz it was a long, cold, dark,scary dash to the outhouse if you hadda go.
Every morning somebody had to fetch water from the well. In winter someone had to pour boiling water, the last of yesterdays water, into the pump,and I had to start stroking. My other grandpa had a well under the kitchen, and an inside pump. I much preferred to visit there,lol. I got loaned out as slave labor, but I never knew better, nor did they ever overwork me, nor did I ever resent it; it was just part of life.
I don't remember sweating,lol.
Fun times.