This letter was a nice surprise because it was written on a Sunday. Typically Gladys did not write on Sundays. The family attempted to take some pictures of the baby that afternoon but he would not cooperate. Currently, this picture of Gladys is the only one that has survived from November 8th, or at the very least, been discovered so far.  We also get a look at her new perm.

Letter transcription:

Kentland Indiana
Nov 8 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

We are having an unusually warm, sunny Sunday. It was so nice we took the baby out for some pictures but he wasn’t in a mood to have his picture taken and squirmed and squinted so I doubt if the pictures of him are good. I took one of John & Mark and they were going to take the last one of me and I turned it too fast and think I turned it too far. Mark is in a bad mood at present – he wants a sharp knife and can’t get one right now. John as usual is entertaining himself at the piano composing & David is grunting with satisfaction from his 2 P.M. bottle.

Floyd called me from Wick’s last night. He was on his way to Laf. [Lafayette] to meet Ruthie – she had been home this week while he was in Blue Island. Said he had received a notice from the draft board and doesn’t know whether he the Co. will get him deferred or not. Said he has to go to Chi [Chicago] this week so I suppose he will know by the end of next week what he will do.

Bob [Hufty] was out yesterday – wanted to know if I had any word regarding the radiogram. To date I haven’t but if you got it I suppose I will hear from you about it soon. In a previous letter I explained why we sent it. You kept writing that you weren’t getting any mail and after we had sent the message to the coast, I got a letter that you had rec’d my letter of Oct. 5.

Yesterday Betty Lou [Krull] & Mark went out and gathered bittersweet and sold it to the neighbors – net income 30¢ ea. I had given Mark his 50¢ weekly and as usual he couldn’t think ahead of the present and bought 75¢ of stamps – results – broke for another week. John stayed home and helped me clean some. I did the bathroom upstairs. He cleaned the windows then the windows in his & our room. We gave Betty Lou & Buddy [Nick Krull, Jr.] some shells. The coral piece was broken some but I think I can glue it back together and mount it on something to use for an ornament on the coffee table or mantle. Wish I had another one to make a pair. Maybe there is one in the other box you have sent.

I think I’ll have to take John to Laf. during Thanksgiving vacation for an eye exam. Then it will be time for the baby to have a checkup. He weighed 8-4 this morning. He is making a steady gain, tho not fast – will in time fill out at this rate. If I had a buggy would take him out this afternoon.

Love,
Mother

© 2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/13/november-8-1942-gladys/