Category Archives: World War II Letters

No Radio (Roscoe)

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September 3, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 3, 1945, p. 1

Sept. 3, 1945

Dear Mother,

I’m on the ward but wouldn’t have to be since it is Labor Day but in order to get breakfast one has to be there by 0830. It is now about 1000 but I want this to be sure and get off in the mail which I suppose leaves around 12 as it does on Sun.

In one of your letters you mentioned the fact that I heard all of the discharge stuff over the radio. I haven’t heard a radio since I left home. They have them on the wards but my room is too far from it and anyway they don’t listen to much news.

I see by this AM paper the army is cutting down on the points and lowering the age. I just don’t know how or when the navy is going to start but they will have to before long if they intend to get rid of all they plan on in the

September 3, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] next few months. I do get very discouraged at times but it just can’t last indefinitely since the “shootin’” has stopped and these new boys just coming in certainly will have a tour of duty. We have right here at this station about 8-10 brand new. There are also several fellows just like me who have been out before and are wondering what is coming next.

The show last night was “Bedside Manners” – pretty good. Tonight – “Ten Men from Westpoint.” I saw it on the Islands – again in N.Z. so I hardly think I’ll see it again because in the first place it wasn’t good. I didn’t recognize the name the second time in N.Z. so just stayed thru for lack of something else to do.

September 3, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] So far today there has been no mail but I’m hoping it arrives by 1030 as it does on other days.

I think in a few days I’ll be able to send some dough home but I’m not sure when the travel money will come and I still don’t have that watch. The ship store officer is a Jewish Dr. and I’m not certain. Their watches are two prices – one around $30.00 and the next up to $77.00. That seems a little high. I think before I pay that I’ll use the old N.Z. one I now have.

I wrote the folks yesterday – wishing Mom a happy birthday also. I haven’t been off the place to buy a card. It seems that

September 3, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] was about all the letters I could scrape up in one PM.

I’d keep reminding Chet once in a while about that burner. He should know all about that type furnace since it is practically the same as Nick’s down to the controls, etc. He claims he is going to reduce the heat bill for Nick. I believe I’d try to get the fuel oil from either Standard of Schub – unless you could work out a 3 way deal. I’ve thought of the burner because it is so cold here, seems like the dead of winter only without snow.

Well, lots of love
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/05/no-radio-roscoe/

High Temperature (Gladys)

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September 2, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 2, 1945, p. 1

9-2-45
Dear Daddy –

Our David is running a temp. Last night when I went upstairs I went into his room and he was awake but not saying anything. I thought it was odd that he wouldn’t be raising a racket. I thought he felt hot and took him into our room and took his temp. I couldn’t get an exact reading but in the short time I could keep it under his arm it went up to over 100. I kept him in bed with me. He didn’t sleep for a long time. I got up and got half an aspirin for him. Once he looked up at me and said, “You have brown eyes.” Finally after 2 a.m. he dropped off to sleep. He woke up this morning at about 8:45. He didn’t have but 101 2/5 when I took his temp. this a.m. but now (2:15) he has 103 – rectally. He has a number of mosquito bites and that is all I can diagnose so far. I am sure his throat isn’t sore because he wants to eat. There are mumps around but he hasn’t any swelling. I called Dr. M. and told him all about David, but didn’t ask him to come out yet. If his temp. continues I’ll ask him to come out and see him. There is summer flu around too so he may be having a round of that, or it may be all those bites. We have sprayed and swatted but he still gets bites.

Mark has gone with the Washburns for the afternoon. They have an exhibit (or two) at the Fair. I think tomorrow is the first day officially, but you know there is always a crowd on the Sun. before. John stayed home from S.S. & church this morning to help me. I didn’t come downstairs until time to get dinner – John insisted he bring my breakfast up to me so I just stayed upstairs with David all morning.

Yesterday we cleaned and waxed all the floors downstairs. Mark did the most of that work.

September 2, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] I washed blinds and John cleaned windows. The floors look pretty good now. The upstairs need to be done but that will have to wait a little while. One blind slat to the front living room window had been broken, but repaired. A glass had been broken out of the front door and one piece of the quarter round (or whatever it is that holds the glass in) had been broken in taking it out, but painting will take care of that. Also that window we broke in the kitchen door has been broken and different piece used to put it back. All these minor things are showing up as I clean. Nothing serious.

Jimmy Ed is still under the weather – now that it is cool again maybe he will get better. I hope the tests he takes from Dr. Ade will help them find relief for him next summer.

Hazel Farris called from Goodland today and wanted to know if you were back. Said she heard you were to open your office the first of Sept. She said she wished you were back because she wanted you to take her case. She just returned from the hospital – had X-rays made for something.

I suppose it is reasonable to assume that there will be Drs. released each month with the Officers (11,00 in Sept.). I wonder if they are going to release according to your entrance – if so, you should be one of the first. I guess time will give us the answer.

Tomorrow is Labor Day but there is school. I wish John could have gotten the course he wanted. He seems to think Smith hasn’t worked out things as well as his predecessor did. It used to be that Band could be taken by anyone – now the schedule conflicts so much that some can’t take band every day. Some of the members can only be in band Mon. & Fri. I try to keep neutral on the subject, but it seems “our John” hasn’t taken to the new Supt. Maybe he heard too much from others before school started.

Sun 5:45 PM David’s temp. is down and he is acting normal – must have been the mosquito bites, since nothing else has shown up. It’s time to “stir up” something to eat. Have cream of wheat for David.

Love Mother

September 2, 1945, p. 3

Mon. morning & Labor Day. J. & M. are at school. David has no temp. this a.m. and seems normal. Must have been the bites. It’s fairly cool this morning – fair and the temp it to raise. I noticed an article in the paper that gives the figures by month for Officers release – Sept. 11,000, Oct. 16,100, Nov. 21,100, Dec. 26,000 – Jan. to July ’46 – 256,900 monthly.

I called Smith yesterday and talked to him about John’s course and he suggested John take Jr. English so he could take Latin – since it’s soph. English that conflicts with Latin. He was to go talk to him this morning. I do hope he gets it changed. I had quite a little chat with Bertha too.

Arlene just called to borrow some bacon – She is preparing for a picnic for this evening – said they were going out with Bernards. I have borrowed sugar from her and she has borrowed eggs, cake flour & now bacon. She sent the eggs back with the girl when she came for the bacon. Her girl, Donna is high school age but doesn’t care to go. She is a little lonesome. I told Arlene she needed someone her own age to be with. I think we will have a picnic in the backyard and have her come up.

It’s time for me to get lunch started.
Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/04/high-temperature-gladys/

483 Patients (Roscoe)

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September 2, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 2, 1945, p. 1

Sept. 2

Dear Mother,

This will be short – I just found the mail goes out at 12 and it is about that now. I had to get up at 0600 this AM to meet 483 patients and we just now got sorta squared away.

Your letters of Sept. [sic August] 27 & 30 came today and I have a couple of certificates to the Moynihans for their kids – hope they get there in time but if their mail is as slow as ours I’m afraid. However that letter of Sept. [sic August] 30 didn’t do bad.

September 2, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] I may do some letter writing this PM but that is not too certain. It all depends on my feelings. I didn’t get too much sleep last night because I was on watch – didn’t have to get up but slept in a room where the phone rang several times trying or rather waking the O.D.

Since the mail is leaving soon I’ll simply say
Lots of Love
Daddy

P.S. and promise to do better next time and by the way the gold braid did come but no other packages as yet –
What Ink?? This is a borrowed pen. I haven’t been to the room to get mine.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/03/483-patients-roscoe/

Word from the Philippines

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September 1, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 1, 1945

Manila, P.I.
1 Sept. 1945

Dear Sis & Co. –

Just a line to let you know where I am. Enjoying good health even tho it is hot down this way. Enclosing some Japanese occupational money for the Boys think they will enjoy receiving. Most of it is for the Philippines but some is Dutch money. The value is

Centavos = ½ ₵
100 centavos = 1 peso
1 peso = 50₵

I am not sure as to the value of the Dutch money but I think a gulden is the same as our dollar.

Be sure to let me know where Jake is sent. This is someplace, all shot up, in almost complete ruins. Our next stop is Japan.

Love Jim

Jim Foster’s letter with the enclosed money

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/02/word-from-the-philippines/

Convoy Duty (Roscoe)

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September 1, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 1, 1945, p. 1

Sept. 1
USNRH
San Francisco 12
Calif.

Dear Mother,

I’m writing this with a borrowed pen on account we had inspection today and I forgot to take my pen out of my gray shirt and I’m writing this while on duty. This being Sat. everyone is off duty except those who have some special duty and my special duty is convoy watch – The thing I have to do is meet any and all ships bringing in patients between now and tomorrow at 1000. Otherwise I just sit where I can be reached by telephone.

This mail system is terrible. I finally did get one letter today, yours of Aug. 29. That was the one of Wed. I wonder if mine are coming to you in such in irregular fashion. I presume you are writing every day the same as I have been.

In this inspection today I was on the other side from what I had been in Liberty. All the Drs. and nurses, corpsmen, etc., were inspected by the Captain & Ex. It was cold and a heavy fog was present. It has been foggy now for several days – clears a little in the day time but early in the eve the fog comes in from the bay and by morning the sidewalks are wet just as if it had rained and the cold is very penetrating. Many of the personnel

September 1, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] develop terrific colds when they arrive but so far I have escaped. Maybe I haven’t been here long enough or something.

You wrote of the travel money. I should be getting that one of these days. I’m to see them Tue. – I went in last Thur. but they didn’t want to mess with it until next Tue. with Monday being a part holiday. That should be more than enough for the insurance to Laf. Live and I should get it before Oct. 7.

Don’t send that picture for me to make for a few days yet. We think we are going to move into our new quarters the first of the week and then I can tell more about the room, etc. You can get it ready because I do want it because there is too much time with nothing to do. The show was fair last night. Irene Dunn in Over 21, but I would have gotten along just as well not to have seen it. The officer seats are in the back and the building is constructed so that the screen cannot be raised too high so one has to sit on a hard chair and try to see over around & across several heads up front. Reminds one of the K.C. Music hall only the seats are not as good.

My (jg) friend is on duty today also as the Junior O.D. – He is a big Irishman from N.Y. and rather funny in more ways than one but a

September 1, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] very good and hard worker. He has now spent about 12 days in the navy and the fog around him is lifting in minute quantities. I have to help him dress and also give him the once over after he has finished. I think he has in a way adopted me as his God Father – anyway he is not the smart kind and will in time make a good officer. His dad and brother are Drs. in Northern New York. He went to Med. school in Canada and came directly to here from an internship there so he has a few of the “bloody” expressions of the British.

I see this is Sat. Sept. 1. The day of the old S. meeting at Bowling Green. I hope it’s a big success. I remember how I used to look forward to that day but somehow I got over enjoying things like that. Sometimes I wonder just what I do enjoy other than being with the family – Not golf, not swimming, etc. Well I guess being with the family is sufficient, pardon me, I don’t know exactly how those last sentences got there. I guess it was because several of the Drs. were talking about the week and I didn’t

September 1, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] see any reason to be elated because it was to be a holiday. Maybe it means a little more sleep but that is not too possible unless one wants to miss breakfast. It’s over at 0815 and there is no other place around so it’s either get up or go hungry.

I’m taking the San Francisco Chronicle – have it delivered here on the ward. There is no other way of getting a paper and for several days I was completely lost – with no paper and no radio. We all hope there will be a radio in the lounge of our new quarters. I’d like on in my room but that would be something extra to pack if & when I get orders.

I may not get a chance to write tomorrow until late. There is rumors of a convoy of between 4 & 5 hundred early in the AM so I may spend most of the day down on the dock and the rest around here getting my ward in shape. I know I’ll get plenty of patients for there are 113 empty bunks and they probably will be all filled. Then maybe I can get a trip to Great Lakes to bring them there. I’d like that especially if the C.O. could give me a day or two off which I understand some of them do.

Well Dear I’ve written about all I can stand for the time being –
I Love You
Daddy

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/01/convoy-duty-roscoe/

Demobilizing the Navy (Gladys)

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August 31, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

August 31, 1945, p. 1

8-31-45

Dear Daddy –

We had quite an electrical storm last night and it’s beginning to blow this evening. The lightning and thunder kept me awake until after 2 o’clock. I would just get to sleep, when bang a crash of thunder would awaken me. I felt a little dragged out this a.m. I am sleep now, so think I’ll turn in pretty soon. Lucile called me today and said Jimmy was so bad last night he couldn’t sleep. They were up with him all night. I told her if she wanted to go someplace with him I would keep Karen. She said they would wait now since the season is so near over. I think the people who go away come back about the second week in Sept. Angus is to come back Sept. 8. Lucile had me buy a toy lamb for Jimmy today and I stopped to leave it when we came home. She had all the doors and windows closed and fans going. Jimmy was lying on the studio couch. Karen was raising a howl, but Lucile just lets her howl. She wants her eats when it’s time and it was just past 6 PM. Now John’s glasses are taken care of. He is to get them one day next week. We took David along and he was a little “dinker.” We bought Donnie Funk a birthday gift – and David could hardly wait to take it to him this evening. We missed his birthday by two days but he was very pleased to get something. Little Joy is growing up as rough & tumble as the boys. She is so short – much shorter than David and

August 31, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] she would run up to David and push him. We measured David & Donnie and David is as tall as Donnie but much lighter. David would soon learn the art of self preservation if he played with those children. They are a lively lot.

The town seems to be going for Bendix laundrys. Nick & Dorothy said they were to get the first and today Arlene says they have one ordered. Bill took Arlene’s washing machine to the Lodge and now she is without one. Coke Foulkes tried to get a B. right after the war started but couldn’t so I suppose she will be ready for one soon. All of those people could have had one when we got ours. In some ways we are smart, eh what?

Mark went with the Washburns to the Fairgrounds this evening for a little while. I suppose they were taking things out for display. John says he doesn’t care to go at all. I don’t either and certainly don’t intend to take David.

John talked to Smith today about changing his course and carrying two solids he wants to take – (Latin instead of Geography). He would have to take Latin every other class & English likewise, because Jr. Latin & Soph. English meet at the same time. Smith said no – John says he knows he could do it. I wish you could have contacted Smith that day you & John went over there. Maybe you could have helped to iron things out. John is going to play the oboe for band and piano for the Glee Club.

You rec’d a bulletin from the U. of Buffalo on Postgraduates Course for Practitioners – Sept. 24 & 29. You also rec’d some adv. from Cole Chem. Co. on Derfule, etc., etc. Those companies are not going to miss an opportunity if they can help it. Seems good tho, to get things thru the mail for Dr. Y.

Love Mother

August 31, 1945, p. 3

I’ll finish my letter on this. Yours of Aug. 29 came today. We heard some good news this afternoon. Adm. Denfeld – head of demobilizing the Navy talked on a program. He said 11,000 officers would be released in Sept. – I wonder if you will be in the first group??? At any rate so many more will be released

August 31, 1945, p. 4

each month – the number to be increased every month and by Navy Day in Oct. a huge figure. 24,000 is the goal for Dec. Those are some of the figures I caught. Maybe you heard that broadcast too. It’s logical to assume that as the force is decreased the Drs. will be too. Had a letter from Ruthie Y. They haven’t gotten their apt. yet, but living in a room at

August 31, 1945, p. 5

the Methodist minister’s home. She went to Dr. Kizer for a check-up. He said not so much any one thing as a number of things – low blood count – low blood pressure. He is giving her medicine and she is to rest every day. Her chest hurt so they made an Xray

August 31, 1945, p. 6

but everything was OK. I think she must have the chest pain like I had from a run down condition. I have to go with Mrs. Wood to the church at 4 and it’s 3:45 now. Here’s hoping for your early return

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/04/30/demobilizing-the-navy-gladys/

Mail Deliveries (Roscoe)

1 Reply

August 31, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

August 31, 1945, p. 1

Aug. 31, 1945
USNRH
Aug. 31

Dear Mother,

The mail deliveries here seem to be only one step ahead (only) of foreign deliveries. Your letter written Sun. & Mon. just arrived I mean just the one letter. The Sunday with the completed issue as of Mon. We have only one delivery and that means if a letter gets into S.F. after about 0700 it will not be delivered until the next day. My friend the (jg) who went to Med. school in Canada received a letter from his girlfriend written on the 28^th and mailed at 11 PM that night. He received that today also. Anyway I can look forward to Tue., Wed., Thur. & Fri. letters which are now on the way.

The two main issues of your letters have already been discussed, and I presume are satisfactory. I mean to a certain degree. I mean we both agree on the oil instillation and the other – the petition I have written my feelings on that. I don’t believe a petition would be of any value whatever and it could be a little against me so don’t be

August 31, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] too enthused about that. One of the Drs. said he had heard on the radio that the army was going to discharge 13,000 out of 45,000 so the navy will have to do likewise before too very long. The reason I think a petition would do no good is because I can count several here just like me – age, dependents, length of service, rank, etc. If one could get out that easy what would keep the others because you know there isn’t a one but who could get a petition – so that’s that.

You mentioned D. picture – sure hope you send some of all. I don’t know how I missed getting them. I’ve looked thru all my pockets thinking maybe we had put them there but no soap.

I’m writing this at my room. I hurried up here with my laundry. It all came back and they seem to do a good job. 2 shirts, 3 trunks, 2 undershirts, 1 hank, and 6 pr. of socks, total 75₵. It is a little high but it is pretty good service.

It is time for me to get back to the ward so
lots of Love
Daddy

A Smelly Evening (Gladys)

1 Reply

August 30, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

August 30, 1945, p. 1

8-30-45

Dear Daddy –

I just wrote Madelyn M. and told her I had forwarded her request to you. Thought I would start another letter to you. It is hot today – supposed to get to 90°. Last night we were sitting peacefully in the living room when we got the awful odor of skunk. I went out in the yard – John wouldn’t venture out – but I told him it wouldn’t be that close. I saw Irene out – she was smelling “Mike.” I told her if he had been around a skunk she couldn’t get that close to him. It finally cleared, but I was beginning to believe it would last all night.

The Ration Board sent me coupons for 35 lbs. sugar. I was surprised. I only had 3 -13 stamps to turn in. Lucile J. said she wouldn’t humiliate herself to ask for sugar. This Board hasn’t been too nice to some people. I guess we haven’t any complaints to make. I saw Harold P. yesterday and he is going to have a beef killed killed in Oct. so we will soon have meat. Hope we get our oil burner by Oct., too. I will be so glad to get that basement cleaned, but it’s no use as long as we keep burning coal. After we get the oil put in then it can be cleaned & kept clean.

August 30, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] David is taking his nap and must have gone right to sleep. It was so warm this morning he just wore panties. He will soon get his sun tan deepened if this weather continues.

Mark told us that he promised Mr. Cole he would play in the band. He got his horn out this morning and wants to polish it. I made him practice his piano lesson, two or three times. He at present is out riding with Sammy Washburn on his bike (each boy on a bike).

The news about the Navy is good we think. I just wonder if after they get Japan signed, they will start demobilizing rather rapidly. We heard a lot about the subject last night. Of course, every time we hear anything coming on a newscast concerning the subject we sh everyone so we won’t miss a word.

Arlene was picking flowers this morning to take to the Country Club. The Funks (Wm.) and Casts were on the decorating committee. It’s celebrity day and I think there is a dinner tonight.

Fri. afternoon – Yours posted 27 & 28 came. You should have David’s picture (& ours) by now. The gold made good time if you got it Mon. I didn’t mail it until Sat. afternoon. I am waiting for the car. Sondergraths are working on it. Something wrong with the distributor. I am taking John back to Dr. Ade for recheck. Maybe he should have gone on the bus, but school is in session and it takes so long to go on the bus. The appointment was made for today by the office girl when I called for the first appointment. They do that as routine. Jimmy Ed was pretty bad last night. They were up with him all night. Also there was an electircal storm and that didn’t help matters any. It’s hot & humid today.

Love Mother

Dinner with the Stanichs (Roscoe)

1 Reply

August 30, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

August 30, 1945, p. 1

Aug. 30, 1945
USNRN
San Francisco 12
Calif.

Dear Mother,

It seems the mail must be crossed up for I didn’t receive any today but I suppose I’ll receive 2 or three tomorrow. I think it’s the way the letters clear out of Chicago or either how they unclear here.

Well, I went out to the Stanishs’ last night and we had a real old get together. It was just he and I but it seemed we had so many things to talk about. They have one boy 7 years old – red headed sandy faced. His mother is a pretty decided blond but not dizzy. They came from a small town in Montana and are just plain country people at heart. He was an engineer before the war and had lived in Los A. for a time.

Their home now is in one of the gov. projects. They have 5 rooms fair size. All utilities furnished for $41.00 per mo. The only drawback is the ice box in the kitchen. It really isn’t what one would want to town but very nice for what they need it for

August 30, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] at the moment. We didn’t play bridge or anything just talked. He came after me at 6:00 and we had a small drink and then about 7 we had fried chicken and all that goes with it. After chow – we talked some more and I thought I should go home at about 11:00 but they said no. So about 12:30 she made some coffee and he brought me home about 1:00. I don’t think they visit much around there so are a little glad to have someone in. They would like very much to have another child but for some reason nothing happens. She has relatives living in St. Louis whom she visits when he is out. He came back before I did but went out again – you remember just before Easter of “43. She thanked you for the flowers and also for the money we sent. Well so much for the people and the visit.

I’m writing this shortly after noon day chow. The mail goes out at 4:00 so I want to go to the P.O. before that time. The only other

August 30, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] delivery collection is at 8:00 in the morn. So if I don’t get there before 4 it just stays in the P.O. over night.

There isn’t much doing around now – I have 12 patients on a 126 bed ward and many of the other wards are the same. I imagine will probably get several patients in the next few weeks – possibly some prisoners from Japan. That is if they are in need of prolonged medical attention. However that is only a guess on my part.

Stanich thinks he will be getting out in a month or so. That was encouraging to me because if they begin to let out line officers they will cut down on the staff before too awful long at least I hope that is true. They seem to be very confident that they will be going back to White Fish, Montana in the near future. I asked what kind of heat fuel they used there and they said “wood”

August 30, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] There is no coal and I guess oil heat hasn’t been adapted around there. They have a gas heater in their house here. It’s just a new house and the lawn is all ploughed up and very dry and when the wind blows the dust sure goes places.

I hope I haven’t bored you with all the talkie talkie about these people but when one gets out for a few minutes and sees something different it’s really news.

There is a clinical conference of all the Drs. this PM at 1:30 – Just the routine hospital staff meeting. Some cases will be discussed and possibly they will have some dope on our moving. I’d like a table to write on and a few little things like that although I have done without before so maybe I shouldn’t complain.

Hope to get some of your back letters tomorrow
Love Daddy

Mouse Traps (Gladys)

3 Replies

August 29, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

August 29, 1945, p. 1

8-29-45

Dear Daddy –

Son 1 & 2 went to school this a.m. John was up early. He had set the alarm, but David was awake early so the alarm never rung. John said he still couldn’t see much but they will just get their assignments this morning and go buy books, so by the time he is ready to study I think he will be able to see. Did I tell you Dr. Ade is making a slight change in his glasses? Dr. Ade now has one nurse and another woman who takes appointments. She dresses in white but I hardly think she is a nurse. I was standing at the appointment window waiting on her and she answered the telephone – she was talking to Dr. Hunter and she said Mr. Hunter, then corrected herself and said Dr. Hunter.

Martha is over here playing with David. They are out in front with a trike and a wagon. I took David’s table & chairs out and Martha took some of the toys but they aren’t interested in them. I would like to get David a wagon, but it’s not the best time to buy now – prices are still too high and materials aren’t as good as they should be a little later. Zimmerman has a wagon $5.00 – large enough to do David a long time – but it’s made of wood and won’t stand the “gaff” I am afraid.

Yours of Aug. 25 (mailed 26^th) came just now and I had to stop and read it. Mark isn’t working on the picture – he got it out and had

August 29, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] the long table in the basement all to himself – but after he got the materials scattered out all over the table, just left it. I kept after him to work on it but he wouldn’t so I finally told him if he wasn’t going to work on it, to put it back in the box. I knew if he didn’t it would gradually all get lost. If you want it I’ll send it to you. I wish you had started on that project a little sooner – you could have had several nice pictures for the living room – but you didn’t – so that’s that. I was “sort” of casting around yesterday for pictures for David’s room, but didn’t have much time for browsing. We have hung the one Jan sent him for Christmas – the glow in the dark.

I haven’t started on any “project” yet this a.m. Have the beds made & dishes washed – I think I’ll wash the dirty clothes – just have a yen to use that Bendix. Nick & Dorothy think they should get theirs soon. – I think I’ll browse around a little in the attic. I am sure Mark got the mouse holes fixed. I set traps and caught two mice after he closed up the holes and the traps are still set. That’s a relief. I put that good mattress out there and I would not like for the mice to use it.

My canning spree seems to be about over. What with 20 qts. beans, 6 tomatoes, 16 qts. Peaches & 7 qts. corn in the locker I have about reached the end. We haven’t tried to do anything to the floors yet. I think some bruce cleaner & wax is about all they need. Your travel money will more than cover your Laf. Life prem. $60.52 due Oct. 7.

I haven’t been down town yet so haven’t any late news.
Love Mother