Letter transcription:

February 27, 1966

Dear David and Bonnie:

Was ist los? Denken Vater und Mutter nein sprechen zee Duetsch? Ihr meinung ich versteche nicht.

Don’t worry about our German. So what if we can’t speak it perfectly! Cousin Joyce took her dictionary along and said she forgot about grammar and had a wonderful time talking to the relatives in her own way. They seemed to enjoy her visit. We have decided to fly to Zurich and rent a car and take about two weeks in Switzerland and just see the country in our own way. Floyd and Ruth were here today (Floyd was taking Ruth back home). Floyds, the two Ruths and Helen (Ruthie’s sister) went to Florida together for two weeks. He was telling us about a friend of his in Lebanon who went to S. and rented a VW and had a good time seeing the country. He said he found that there is a lot of English spoken. He didn’t have any trouble. I think we will know enough by the time we go to get by very well.

There has been someone or more than one perhaps in Kentland driving around town shooting at windows. Several windows on Main Street had been hit. One evening last week Mrs. Myers’ living room window was hit. I stopped in to see her Friday (after attending the funeral of Mrs. Van Kirk) and saw where the shot (we think it was a bebe) hit the window. It sent glass across the room—not much, but some. She was pretty well shaken. She called the Prongers and Harold and they went to her apartment. She called here and Dad told her to call the sheriff. I think it was reported to the authorities, but as Dad says, it is hard to catch someone like that. They will eventually get caught I hope.

There are meetings at our church tonight—Lenten services, to be conducted by Rev. Watson, McClure and Stevenson. Watson is going to teach Ephesians and McClure Tests of a Living Church. I think Stevenson has a topic about Your God is Too Small. I haven’t decided yet whether I will sit in the Watson or McClure class. I would like to hear Watson, because I listened to his Lenten lectures last year. I would also like to hear what McClure has to say about the Tests of a Living Church. If it wasn’t so much trouble I would get Watson’s lecture on tape and sit in McClure’s class. However, I have my Interpreter’s and can read what it has to say about Ephesians.

The story of our stereo is long and complicated. We are not satisfied with it at all. The amplifier we had when you were here proved not to be stereo. We have another one which is stereo, but we have a rumble that is quite noticeable, even when listening to Das Rheingold. Janssen said he would do what we want. He said he would keep ordering sets until he gets on that is satisfactory. Also one of the speakers gets mushy. Dad has tried everything possible to find the trouble. We have that extra turntable (the one we gave to hospital and which was not satisfactory, because no one there seemed to know how to take care of records). My good little stereo radio is out there now and I am using a small radio from Sears (on loan). The help at the Hospital want to keep my radio. I will get something out of the deal, but at present things are in a state of confusion. As stated above we have the turntable and an extra amplifier, as a start on your stereo. We think the trouble must be in the amplifier we now have. The extra amplifier is on its way from Chicago and when we get it hooked up and we still have the rumble, I may tell them to take it all back. Will let you know what we do. Don’t worry about not getting your stereo. We will eventually get one for you.

Saturday was Mark’s 33^rd birthday. I called him. The baby is getting along first rate. The other children were well, and Shirley feels fine. Last Sat. a week ago I called and when Mark answered I said “Guten Morgen, mein sohn.” He replied, “I am sorry, but I think you have the wrong number.” When I told him it was his Mother speaking he said it was too early in the morning for such talk. He said I had gotten him out of bed. Little David requires a 2 o’clock bottle, and since Mark gets that bottle for him, I think he was getting a little extra sleep that morning.

One of these days, when I am in the mood, will send you the money for the operas mentioned earlier.

I talked to M. Beatty last week one day. She now lives in Chicago (Jim’s mother) and she has been to Petra. She was telling me about her experiences. She says if you like that sort of thing, not to miss it. I wrote to Louise and Mac and inquired if they would be interested in seeing it. Since we will be in S. until about Aug. 1, we might be able to make connections with them.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
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