Thankfully, the letters that Gladys wrote between August 29^th and October 14^th did make an appearance.  I know a lot about my grandmother’s life during that time because the letters did survive. However, at this point in the narrative, they were missing in action. I wonder if they traveled around like my grandfather’s laundry. How many interesting places have they wandered in the past 71 years?

Letter transcription:

Oct. 25, 1942

Dear Mother,

Just now received your letter dated Oct. 14^th. That is regular mail. At present then letters from Aug 29 to Oct 14^th are missing and lots of questions as to how often mail is coming. When the first letter came etc are still missing. In fact all that you wrote in that interval are missing. Which makes me wh wish I had those letters. Of course, you and the boys are Ok and that is the main thing and that was only 9 days ago so that helps although it isn’t as well as being there as you know. I don’t know what happened but this snail sorta slipped in on us. Thanks for the slip. There was only a few of us that got mail. Thanks to the one a day letter and the air mail stamp. I guess we can afford that much. (12¢ each day). I’ve asked and re asked how the bank balance stood but still no answer but there is probably lots in the intervening and in the mail post Oct 14. So I’ll just wait. And I still don’t know how often you get your mail.

Glad to hear that Davie is coming along – remember 5-7 ounces per week is sufficient. I can’t advise you on the formula because I don’t know how or what the feeding is. I suppose that is in the mixed up mail also, but by now, you have my new address and maybe that will help. If not we will be getting Christmas mail on July 4 and “vice virtue.”

I’m wondering which way Joe R. went and you didn’t send his address so I can’t write to him. Maybe you have sent it before. I figure there are some 30-35 letters missing so that probably accounts for lots of missing information.

On Fri night it started raining and has been at it pretty regular since. It’s the wettest rain. No big drops but it seems to come in continuous sheets and the mud. Our floor isn’t good but the mud certainly gets deep with only

[page 2] one sweeping per day and since we don’t have a broom it has to be done by the boys who take care of the tents once each day.

This is my regular day for writing to the folks so after I finish I’ll try to get a line to them. Of course I haven’t received any mail from them since in Aug also and that makes it a little hard to write.

Somehow some where some ham was obtained today and we had chipped ham gravy-potatoes, pineapple, buttered beets & cream of Tomato soup for dinner. Today One of the best meals we have had. Last night for supper we had spaghetti over which there was huge quantities of extremely highly seasoned chilli. Well I ate it. Our desert was chocolate pudding. So all in all I didn’t eat too much at that time, but we did get a bottle of beer and that has lots of strength. So didn’t fare so badly.

That cold weather sounds good, but this reminds one of a dark fall day which is expected to turn cold afterwards but it won’t. We know now it will either be rainy or clear tomorrow but not cold.

Well, guess I’ll write to the folks. It’s about 1630 now so will try to start theirs before chow and church. Will let you know if anything further developes.

Nothing further developed – went to church and slid around thru the mud.

Lots of Love

Daddy

© 2013, copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

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