Sweater I knit for myself this last December

When I read letters like this one, I realize how much I am like my grandmother. There are differences of course, but today, I am looking at the similarities. Since my grandmother has confined herself to bed rest the last few days, she has been enjoying two of my favorite activities, reading and knitting. Now granted, she did not have the option of the television (or any of our other modern tech toys), but she still chose to read and knit.

I know my grandmother was a pretty big reader. My father once wrote, “as I was growing up, I rarely saw her without a book in her hands during her leisure hours. She was a voracious reader–and not of ‘women’s books’—she was a serious reader in pursuit of learning. She favored history and biography.” I am also a voracious reader but I like to escape to distant worlds; worlds created in fictional futures, distant pasts and all sorts of fantasies in between.

I also enjoy knitting which I do throughout the year although my participation in the craft ebbs and flows with the seasons. Some years I knit presents like crazy for Christmas and birthdays then do nothing the year following. This year I did not knit presents for others, but I did spend the month of December knitting myself a sweater. All I need to do now is sew on the buttons. At this point, maybe I’ll be able to wear it next winter.

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Aug 28-1942

Dear Daddy-
The boys are in school and right now I am alone. Just had company but they are gone now. I finally had to go to bed. I feel pretty good as long as I stay down but if I try to get up I soon get all fagged out. I saw Dr. C. just a week ago and everything was normal so there isn’t anything to worry about. I will just have to keep off my feet. I have been reading and knitting in bed so pass the time pretty well. I am trying to get John’s sweater finished but can’t work on it very long at a time. I am afraid I will not

(page 2) have enough yarn so may have to finish with some other kind for the trimming.
After all the storms we had it is so humid and close it feels like another storm is brewing. It is so sticky warm. There is a haze all around so I think we will have more rain.
Clara Molter is going to work for me. She is going to come mornings and do the work and get the lunch. She won’t have to stay all day but I won’t need her only for the work since I can go the bathroom and move around some. She said she would stay with the boys when I go to the hospital. She is so capable I think I can go and feel relieved.

(page 3) Alma and the Wright girls came yesterday. We exchanged books and the difference was .35¢ so that was what Mark’s books cost. He sold some to Dean and he has some money now. He feels very rich. John was able to get two used books after all so so far we have only spent about 1.65 for his. However there are two that haven’t come in yet and they will cost about $2.00 or more. He was going to take his birthday money and buy his books but I told him to get stamp with his money. I hear the band rehearsing now. He took his horn to school this morning so I imagine he is helping to make the noise I hear.
Mrs. James just came over and said Arlene went to the hospital last night-Haven’t had any report yet but surely will have

(page 4) before long. Bobby is out playing with Jimmy and keeping Mrs. J busy. They are dynamite together.
I have been in bed since the Zell’s moved in so haven’t been able to call. I think I’ll send the boys over to make a call for me. Mrs. Shirk came there the other evening and took Mrs. Z and the children out.
Bob & Clarice came out last night. Bob said he had written you. Clarice was out again this morning to see if there was anything she could do.
Had a letter from Mother and she said Jim is coming home soon and that they will be up to see us. I sent him some negatives and thought he could have his picture gallery made. I don’t know what he will do with so many pictures of himself.
Love Mother