It looks like my great grandfather John Henry Yegerlehner suffered from hayfever. I had not known this prior to this letter. I know my father suffers from it. I suffer from it, too. Although, I did not experience hayfever as badly in my youth, only in my adulthood has it afflicted me. Since I moved to Sacramento, the trees have conspired against me. Sacramento is nicknamed “the City of Trees”. We have several beautiful old oak trees across the street from our house that are at least 100 years old, and probably even older than that. In Sacramento, it seems like something is always blooming. It seems somewhat odd that John Henry would shut himself up in the basement of all the places he could go in the house. I wonder, what sort of things would he do down there while trying to avoid the outside air?

Letter transcription:
Kentland Ind
Aug 16-1942

Dear Daddy,
Another quiet and restful Sunday afternoon. John has had musical programs tuned in all afternoon and Mark has been working on his hobby-making solid models. Boonie gave him a sharp blade just for cutting solids and he cut his hand twice so I thought it was time for him to stop for today. He has made several models but it is one way to keep him quiet and anything that

(page 2) will keep him from jumping around so much is worthwhile. Someone else fell off a horse this morning so he is cooling off about riding so much.
Had a letter from your mother yesterday and she said Dad was starting to get hay fever. There were some samples come thru the mail. If I thought they would help him I would send them to him but I suppose he will just sit in the basement as usual and try to keep away from the outside air. John was sneezing around yesterday

(page 3) morning and I thought he might be starting something but I didn’t notice anything this morning.
I saw in the paper that Tresa Fitzgerald was found dead in bed. She was buried last Thurs. I haven’t had any more word from Mrs. Reed since you talked to her in Sheldon. She evidently hasn’t sold any of her property.
–a slight pause—
The Johnsons were out walking so they stopped in and while they were here Mrs. Byfield and Marvel came. They were on their way to Remmington. Geo is still in Chicago and

(page 4) of course Mrs. B is hoping he won’t have to leave the States.
Dorothy said today she thought Nick would be in service in six weeks.
Was out in the yard showing Lucile & Ed the flowers and saw Bill arrive home, so Arlene will be much relieved now (to a certain extent).
The Parttens’ were here last night. I told them I was sure you hadn’t seen Ocie. Mary had written to her and had an answer.
I think I forgot to tell you Virginia + Jim have a new baby girl. He was home after the baby came for a day or two.
Love Mother