Tag Archives: Arlene Funk

Cold & Flu Season (Gladys)

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: December 13, 1942 Envelope

: December 13, 1942, p. 1

: December 13, 1942, p. 2

: December 13, 1942, p. 3

: December 13, 1942, p. 4

: December 13, 1942, p. 5

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Dec 13 1942

Dear Daddy –

Sunday afternoon and while David takes his exercise on the bath table in the sun will try to write – John and Mark are in the living room and John is reading to Mark. Mark had only two degrees fever and that I think is just the afternoon rise because he didn’t have any this morning. He was very hungry when we ate lunch and ate like he had been working. He seems to feel fine and it is a job to keep him quiet but I told him he couldn’t go to school in the morning unless he is entirely free from a temperature. Since it is so cold I think I will keep him home tomorrow unless he can ride to school. Mr. Zell often takes the children. I would do that myself but can’t very well and leave the baby alone and I don’t want to take him out. He has had a slight cold. I mentioned the rattle in his breathing. It finally came down and he had quite a bit of mucos in his nose. I didn’t want anything serious to develop so I called Dr. Cole

[page 2] The baby was running a little temperature but not much, however with both the mucos condition and temp. I thought something should be done. Dr. Cole said to give him sulfa-diazine and use manneus oil in his nose and grease his chest with camphorated oil. I followed the instructions and the mucos condition is better – however he still has a little but it drains and doesn’t bother his breathing . He still has a slight temperature in the afternoons but by evening it recedes and is normal. He has seemed to feel fine and has taken his formula every day and gained right along so he must be “ok.” I didn’t mention any of this before because I didn’t want you to worry about it and too If I had written every day you might have gotten a letter or two and missed one, and that would have made you wonder about how things were and since he seemed so good through it I didn’t want to make a mountain out of a mole hill – When I would take his temperature and watch it so closely I would remember how you used to get so disgusted with certain anxious mothers who were always taking their children’s temp. and wish they would break the thermometer

[page 3] once or twice his temp. did rise to 100 but it usually kept around 99 to 99 3/5. All the aforementioned took place during the past week. He slept every night except for his regular feedings and in the day time too. He wasn’t off schedule any. I will confess I was pretty worried about him but kept telling myself since the temp. was slight and that he could breath[e] easily it wasn’t serious. I knew too if necessary I could call Dr. Cole which I did do twice and if necessary could go down to Laf. with him A baby is so helpless and delicate as far as medication is concerned. I was some “put out” that he would get a cold, but there is so much cold around that it really isn’t any wonder. I had a little sinus condition myself and my throat bothered me some – so he could easily have gotten the bug from me, But I keep asking myself – how could he keep from it when I have to handle him myself. I keep gargling but it doesn’t entirely get rid of it. I went down & had Dr. M. swab my throat and it seemed well for a day or two. It doesn’t bother me any except it feels raw at times – Oh me – I hope I haven’t been too boring about all our aches and pains because we are all able to be up and going. In fact I feel better than I have felt in a long time and as I said about the baby he seems to feel first rate weighs 11 lbs now

[page 4]It is colder today and of course there is still the snow we had two weeks ago plus several additional layers. I helped John with the furnace last night and took out clinkers. I go down nearly every day and stir things up. I leave the coal heaving to the boys.

Arlene came to see me for a few minutes yesterday. She brought two suits Donald had outgrown – he weighs over 15 lbs now. She told me Rosemary is to have a baby in April. Just as Arlene left Parttens’ came. They thought the shells pretty nice and the necklace makes a hit with everyone who sees it. I got a quarter of beef from Harold so paid him. Mary said people who have their own meat won’t be held to meat rationing. We now have ½ of 265# hog and 122 lbs beef in the locker (the beef less two pieces I took last Sat.) Zells have chickens and when they are large enough for frys I think I’ll get a dozen or so and put in the locker.

The brush & comb you sent came Sat. I like it very much and I will probably have to get the boys a set so they will leave mine alone.

We got the tree decorated last night. I let Mark come down and watch. We put those lights on that we used outside last year.

The boys are upstairs now listening to The Shadow and I am trying to listen to Wm L. Shirer but David is awake and wanting attention so must close

Love Mother

Over

[page 5]Mon noon and everybody fine. Mark didn’t go to school but he hasn’t any temp. and it is pretty cold so thought I would keep him home till noon – He feels fine.

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/24/cold-flu-season-gladys/

Packages arrived (Gladys)

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: December 9, 1942 Envelope

: December 9, 1942, p. 1

: December 9, 1942, p. 2

: December 9, 1942, p. 3

: December 9, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Dec 9 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

This was a red letter day. Ruth wrote that she was sending two boxes so I sent Mark to get them – that is he got them as he came home from school, but they weren’t the boxes she sent. One was from Jim and the other the one you sent Oct. 16 – and the necklace is beautiful. Mark said, “I didn’t know Daddy could do things like that.” I said you had never had time before – and of course didn’t have access to sea shells. The bath mat is very nice too and after it goes thru the Bendix will use it on the bath table. I will count the necklace as a special Christmas gift. (The money being a trifle?) The money will stay put in the bank acct for a while. I would get a coat if I had time to go shopping but that is something I don’t want to buy in a hurry. If we maintain a bal. in the bank around what it is now, don’t you think it would be wise to do something with it. There really isn’t any point to leaving that much lie around idle, is there? Let me have a suggestion. (770.00)

[page 2] Going back to the subject of boxes – Jim’s was well wrapped and marked, do not open until Christmas but I wanted to dispose of the large box and store the things away in less space. There were gifts for all – Two records, a book on opera, a book on building model airplanes, a wooden toy and a box of expensive soap. I want to send Jim something but that is a problem I haven’t solved yet. It seems like I am not doing much shopping this year. I ordered Readers Digest for your folks. Ordered a Navy pin for Mother. John ordered his gift at the Foster shop. I sent for Mark’s yesterday. I am going to give Arlene, Dorothy & Lucile some kind of plants, and that about takes care of everyone. I must get a tree while there are some for sale. I understand there is a shortage of Christmas trees this year. Mark wants one to reach the ceiling. John suggested getting a small one but Mark protested so loudly I will get a large one if possible. I haven’t bought any Greetings this year and haven’t decided whether to or not. With the mails so heavy this year I thought I would not send greetings, unless we get so many I get an urge – which I haven’t had yet. I don’t know what you think about that but it will [be] too late by the

Dorothy Krull c1960

[page 3] time I get an answer to this letter. I am enclosing a picture taken of the house, I took after the first snow Nov. 29 – and this is Dec 9 and the first snow still on, only covered with more. The picture of the baby was taken in the den with only the outside light. It isn’t as clear as I would like but you can see he is growing – comparing it with the previous pictures. He is getting a little large for the basket but will try to use it for a while yet. Mark was standing by the basket holding a rubber elephant trying to amuse David so he would hold still – but he is still too small to pay much attention to such things. I think I’ll get a flood light bulb and see what I can do with inside pictures. We can’t get a picture out of doors now of the baby – the weather being what it is. I haven’t been out since Monday so haven’t much in the way of outside news. Dorothy was here a few minutes this evening but was in a hurry – since they haven’t any kitchen help she has to be “on duty” at meal times. She got to see the necklace and thought it very nice. You must have spent a lot of time on it as well graduated as the shells are. I’ll have to get a new plain black dress to wear this on.

[page 4] Helen Washburn Knollin in home. I talked to her a little at Club Monday but intend to see her again. She said she wanted to talk to me and tell me more about your visit with her. I suppose she will stay over Christmas. I also talked to Mrs. Reinhart and she said as far as they knew Henry is still at Moffett Field – Hope you have written to him by now, since he was anxious for some word about you. Mark is upstairs practicing on his horn. He was given first cornet part in the band and it made him very proud. He does a good job playing “Silent Night.” John had to practice on the Sax but soon finished and then on the piano. He is working on another composition. Maybe he will write something if he keeps on. This piece he is on now is pretty.

The bridge club Lucile is in is having a surprise for her at Arlene’s. They got her the same gifts they gave Arlene – baby scales and baby bed spread. Lucile is very large even with her fur coat on she[is] definitely in “that class.” She is very conscientious about obeying Dr. orders to the letter. I think she east exactly what he tells her to and nothing more. I do hope she has a good baby, but as sensible as she is she is no doubt get along. She said she didn’t want anyone to watch her bath[e] the baby until she learns how.

It is past 9 A.M. – so must get this finished and get the family started to bed.

Love Mother

P.S. The other shells were very nice – none were broken.

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/17/packages-arrived-gladys/

Letter interrupted (Gladys)

1 Reply

: December 8, 1942 Envelope

: December 8, 1942, p. 1

: December 8, 1942, p. 2

: December 8, 1942, p. 3

: December 8, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Dec 8 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

Will have a minute or two before I take D. upstairs for the night. The boys are in bed listening to Red Skelton. They enjoy that program so much I allow them to listen, tho it is too late for them to be awake. Mark has such a hard time getting up in the mornings. It takes him a few minutes to get awake. The baby doesn’t bother him when he cries for his 6 A.M. bottle, and sometimes, mostly, he gets loud before we get the milk warm enough.

Didn’t get much written last night so will finish now before starting lunch. David is asleep after his 10 A.M. bath & bottle – and I have his pants hung up to dry. I put the things in the Bendix before I bathed him then after he went to sleep I went down & hung them up. They dry so quickly on the lines in the basement I don’t bother trying to dry them on the radiators.

Today is just a plain wintry day with snow slightly dirty from soot.

[page 2] I should have gotten a picture of yesterday morning’s scenery. It was gone by mid-afternoon. The sun was so bright the snow soon melted off the trees & shrubs. I think it was the most beautiful yesterday I have ever seen.

Every time I see a Dagwood that I think you would appreciate I cut it out and if you have gotten the others I have sent you will know why. Now this one might give you an idea of how you could have dealt with the insulation salesman. Remember?

The V-mail I use I get at the P.O. They just hand us a bunch when we ask for it – however it can be bought at the stores – but why buy it when it is free. I haven’t written any V-mail lately. I have left that for the boys and just keep to the regular air mail myself.

Had a letter from Ruth M. today and she is sending us some gifts for Christmas. She said it wasn’t intended for a gift exchange but she wanted to help make our Christmas Merry since we can’t go and they can’t come. Also had

[page 3] a letter from Ruthie Y. They want to go home but don’t know whether they will or not. They may come over here. I hope they do because the boys think we need some company.

I rec’d a card from the Mohawk Brush Co. that had been sent at your request – and also that a gift is being sent – so far it hasn’t arrived. I am to advise them is it doesn’t come within 2 wks.

The boys got quite a thrill from their V-mail greetings. Mark took his to school and showed it around. He surely does a lot of talking about his Daddy and one of the Krug boys was evidently jealous of the things Mark shows & talks about because he said something Mark didn’t like and Mark was in quite a state. The Krug boy ended by saying, “I threw up all over your Dad.” So I told Mark to tell him he also ruined the top of that treatment cabinet. You surely remember that incident, don’t you?

– – – Will try again to finish this. Had to stop & answer the telephone and that took a few minutes then I had

[page 4]to get lunch ready. The boys are still eating but I am thru & I thought I would get this ready for Mark to mail.

Arlene called me and said she had a suit Don has outgrown and want to give it to David. I told her there was advantages to Donald being larger than David – – the advantage coming my way. David is now 23” long and as near as I could figure this A.M. weighs 10-10. He was kicking so that I couldn’t be sure. I tried orange juice, Tomatoe juice – to no avail – he would throw up – then I tried prune juice and he has had it two days and kept it down both times.

The bank bal is around 770 – but there are some Ins prems. To be paid within a month – (Jan 28).

No letters today but probably will get two or three tomorrow.

Love Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/15/letter-interrupted-gladys/

First Anniversary of Pearl Harbor (Gladys)

4 Replies

: December 7, 1942 Envelope

: December 7, 1942, p. 1

: December 7, 1942, p. 2

: December 7, 1942, p. 3

: December 7, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:
Kentland Ind
Dec 7 – 1942
Dear Daddy –
After receiving four letters this morning I should be able to write a little better – also I went to Music Club this afternoon. My first Club meeting since Sept 22 – then I only attended the luncheon. Mrs. Shirk told me while I was at club that they called Dr. M. and he refused to go. Also several have told me similar stories. I didn’t know this until Clara M. worked for me last week but Mrs. Cunningham said he wouldn’t come when she called him for Frank and she called Dr. G. In case you missed my letter telling you Frank died. Some people seem to think it is your patients Dr. M. is independent with, but he always talks about missing you and wishing you were back. There is something funny.
We are still “enveloped” in winter weather – and tonight that is literally the truth. When I came home about 5 P.M., I noticed a fog rising off the snow and it kept moving up and over from the meadow across the street, and it is all around now. This makes such dangerous driving. I heard that all the hotel rooms are full tonight. I suppose anyone reaching town after the fog started

[page 2] decided to stay over rather than try to drive – since the roads are so slick. I don’t know how 41 is beyond town but in town it is covered with filmy packed frozen snow and is slick as glass. I won’t try to drive until the roads are safe.
The Lbr. Co. sent more coal out today – but Bun didn’t deliver it. Denver Perkins was helping. I don’t know who the other was. So we will have enough coal to meet the demands of this cold weather.
You keep mentioning the Federal tax so you surely haven’t rec’d my letters explaining about it. Agnes advises not to pay it – says it may be cancelled after the duration, but if you still insist on paying it I will. I just turned the papers over to her and she sent them in. If you get this – and want me to pay – mention my letter of this date (Dec 7).
Mrs. Roberts called and she had a letter from Joe and he wants you to write to him. I suppose you have since I sent you his address.
Mrs. Tilton told me this afternoon that Bob has entered officer’s training. I was trying to talk to someone else when she told me so didn’t catch all the details.
Red gave Coke a new record player for Christmas and she is going to have John over to hear a complete opera. The opera is on in Chicago now and I wish I could take John but with travel as it is now he will have to get his over the radio & on record.

[page 3]Tues. A.M. Will write a few lines more while D. takes a nap before bath time. If you have been getting my letters in which I mentioned the weather you will think I am a little strong on the subject but every day it is a little different. Last night I mentioned the fog – now this morning all the trees and shrubs are so thick with snowy ice they look like they have cake frosting on the. It is very beautiful. I can’t remember when we have had so much snow and weather like this so early in Dec. Maybe reading this will make you feel a little cooler.
Dorothy and Mildred Morton were going to Indpls [Indianapolis] today but I doubt if they go. There is still a lot of haze in the air and I imagine the roads are still slick as glass.
I am ordering Mark’s Christmas gifts today – Now I know you won’t approve but he wants ice skates and I am not keen on getting them but he wants them so much. Maybe I should be firm and say No! but if you could hear him. He says if he can’t have anything else he still wants skates. I am also getting him a tool chest and hope I can get him interested in doing shop work.

[page 4] They are buy stamps at school today. You know I got them to agree to buy $5⁰⁰ each out of their tens. They get such a big “kick” out of buying stamps in large quantities at school.
You said you had your mother’s box and I was trying to count how many were sent to you. I sent three (one was your laundry). Ruthie one, Ruth M. one, the Clubs of Kentland one, Boonie another one, and the Statons said they were sending one but don’t know whether they did. The Funks sent the pen & pencil set and I can’t think of who else, but these are the ones can recall now. But, all those had you first address except one or two of mine had “White Poppy” but since they were sent in Oct you should get them.
It is time to bath & feed the baby, then get lunch and do a few other necessary things.
Dr. Bushnell from Chicago is the one Joe met. Bushnell is in the Army.
Love Mother
P.S. – The V-mail greetings to J. & M. came today
©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/14/first-annivers…-harbor-gladys/

More about babies and meat rationing (Gladys)

3 Replies

: December 4, 1942 Envelope front

: December 4, 1942 Envelope back (I wonder how long it took for this one to make it?)

: December 4, 1942, p. 1

: December 4, 1942, p. 2

: December 4, 1942, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Dec 4 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

Yours posted Nov. 26 rec’d this morning – along with the Christmas greeting & picture card. I think your artist and poet are to be congratulated. Mark said, “Isn’t it beautiful?’ He was very indignant with Tommy Britton because Tommy told Mark his father is in New Caledonia. Mark said, “Tommy no longer than your father has been in the Army he couldn’t be in N.C. yet.” I saw in the paper that Eddie is stationed at Camp Grant in Illinois, so I told Mark and that calmed him down some. Personally, the positions could be reversed and I wouldn’t mind but they aren’t so we must make the best of things as they are. We are still “snowbound” and it has been on long enough it is losing some of its beauty due to the smoke & soot settling over it. It is bright and not quite so cold but still not warm enough to take the baby out and my throat is a little scratchy so must keep myself in too. I have been gargling and think I can hold it down.

I haven’t been anyplace except to see Dr. C. and did a little shopping on one trip down since. I went to that Club luncheon Sept. 22 so am planning to go to a Tea at Nellie’s next Monday. It is the Christmas meeting of the Music Club. I was on the Christmas meeting committee in the Literary Dept. and forgot all about the meeting until it was over but didn’t feel bad

[page 2] about that because I talked to the chairman sometime ago and told her not to count on me. In the first place they shouldn’t have put me on the program till later in the club year.

I saw Arlene yesterday and she had just mail[ed] a V-mail to you. You never mentioned getting their other letter with the pictures, so I suppose it was in the Oct 27 to Nov 11 gap. While I was there Louise took Donnie up. He is 3 mo old and can almost sit alone – weighs 15 lbs. David can do a lot of things we think good for a 2 mo old baby but he isn’t developing as rapidly as Donald but Donald is an unusually large baby for his age. John was watching David this morning and said he hear him coo. He smiles at us when we talk to him. Right now he is not in a very good humor but I think he will soon go to sleep – – he did.

Since you have started to receiving the Enterprize they should get to you regularly and you can get every detail that I can’t put in the letters I write. I imagine you read it pretty thoroughly.

I got a quarter of beef from Parttens – they didn’t want to sell any more and half a hog to be put in as soon as it is ready – to be butchered next Tues. Zells are taking the other half and I am going to let them use the locker while it lasts. However they won’t have much to put in because they are going to take

[page 3] their sausage home and Mrs. Z is going to can it and they will take their cured meat. Nick had been using the locker but hasn’t had anything in for a long time and I think he has his own now. I don’t know how they will manage rationing locker meat. Maybe we are on our honor to do our own rationing. I bought a chicken and on Sunday we had it baked – Monday sliced cold – Tues – chipped with noodles – and had an extra for Tues dinner – Clara Moulter helped me that day so I think we did well enough with that. I cut a sirloin steak in half at noon and we each had a piece – tho John & I could have eaten more – we get along. Meat rationing won’t bother Mark.

David’s bottle is warm and it is 10 P.M. – and I must get to bed – or I will be so sleepy in the morning I won’t want to get up. This 2 A.M. business gets to be a habit – but it makes me awfully sleepy when I should get up.

Sat morn – No letters this morning but hardly expected any today since I got one yesterday and that brought them up to date. John has gone to take his piano lesson. David had had his bath & 10 A.M. bottle and Mark is waiting to go to town so must sign off and get lunch started. I am enclosing the end off a blotter in case you haven’t a better calendar. Geo. Fulton is going to send one.

Love Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/09/more-about-bab…tioning-gladys/

Here’s the money (Gladys)

2 Replies

: December 1, 1942 Envelope

: December 1, 1942, p. 1

: December 1, 1942, p. 2

: December 1, 1942, p. 3

: December 1, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
December 1, 1942 –

Dear Daddy –

Received the three money letters this morning and two others – Thanks – You certainly made two little boys happy – I was glad to get the gift but didn’t have quite the reaction Mark had. John was more quiet about his tho no less appreciative. Mark thought of more ways to spend his and had to take it to school to show off, then so he could stop at the P.O. on his way home and cash it. We had been looking for those letters since last Wed and the mail man came along just as Mark had started to school. He came dashing back in the house with his hands full of letters and so excited – He said “here’s the money.” Then I had to go to the door and sign for mine and David’s. David isn’t much interested in his – his main interest is in that bottle every 4 hrs. I couldn’t get his orange juice down him this morning. Now don’t think I am like some of those Mothers you used to get out of patience

[page 2] with when I do get the juice down he throws it right back up – so what’s the use? I’ll consult Dr. C. about giving Vit C by tablet.

Raymond Bower is home. I saw him in town yesterday but didn’t’ have time to talk to him so don’t know anything about his duties or where he has been.

It was cloudy yesterday and the wind was icy cold but I took David out for an airing. He was wrapped except for his face. I think he should get fresh air every day if possible and I think the walk to down does me some good too, since I haven’t much social life now.

You mentioned receiving the birthday cards. I sent a letter – mailed it the same time as the cards and that was why I didn’t write a note because had just written a separate letter but in the future I’ll write something if there is occasion for a card. I wish you would get your birthday box. Maybe if I had just sent a box of candy like Boonie did you would have rec’d it by your birthday.

I can’t give you a financial statement in this letter but will have the bank statement by tomorrow and after I get the allotment and add the gift I got today will give a full report.

[page 3] Clara Molter is here today cleaning some. She ironed the chair covers and has washed the kitchen walls and venetian blinds and is about to get through out there. It is after 3 P.M. and I suppose she will soon want to go home but it was a load to get that much done. I cleaned up the basement somewhat last night. It was so dirty. I don’t know whether this coal is dirtier or whether it was because there had been any cleaning done down there for so long. I do wish we could have finished closing off the furnace room and gotten a little more finishing done, but what’s the difference – since things are as they are now? That will be something for us to do when you come back. I am about to make a slight change in the den. Since I have to use it for a nursery in the day time it is so crowded and hard to keep the rug clean, think I’ll take the rug up and move a few things out. Will let you know what I do when and if I do anything. I won’t spend much money whatever I do but think I can make the necessary improvements without much expense.

[page 4] You should be getting the Enterprize. Bart has been sending it for several weeks. He also has written you – said he gave you all the gossip he could think of. I am short on that kind of news. You should be getting letters regularly – I send them all by air mail and use this thin paper so won’t exceed the ½ oz. Just hope you get our Christmas box. As I said before it isn’t much but as good as we could do with restrictions being what they are. If I had know about the mosquito cream, sardines, & crackers I could have included them in the Christmas box. I’ll try and get sardines if I can. Clara said she got some at the Grab – it Here store, so I’ll try there.

Arlene said they sent you a letter with some pictures and also a pen & pencil set but you have never mentioned receiving anything from them. She called today for your address. Their baby is almost a month older than David but much larger. However he was larger when he arrived – and David isn’t doing bad. He weighed 10-3 this morning and is 10 weeks old. He is making a more rapid gain now than he did at first. To be 6 – 3 ¼ when we came home 8 weeks ago I think he is doing OK.

Will try to dig up some news next time – Thanks again for the gifts

& Love – Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/01/heres-the-money-gladys/

November 20, 1942 (Gladys) Part II

2 Replies

: November 20, 1942 Envelope

: November 20, 1942, p. 1

: November 20, 1942, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov 20 – 1942

Dear Daddy – I wrote one letter this afternoon but thought better get one started tonight because with going to Laf. [Lafayette] tomorrow don’t know whether I’ll have time to write in the morning. Otto Paul wrote to find out you [your] address. He wants to write you about the medicine he used to get from you. Do you remember I sent your address & told him it may take some time to get a letter to you & get an answer back, but I thought he could try. I wrote to Flickinger about the Ins. beneficiary addition and I have to send the policies in. I will send them tomorrow. Have the letter ready to mail.

I am going to leave the baby with Arlene tomorrow. That will be much simpler than trying to take him along. Mark is going to stay there too and help take care of Bobby so that will even the score some. Arlene told me that Bobby got some matches

[page 2] and struck them. He told her he didn’t even burn his fingers. I don’t know what she did with him but I know she wasn’t too pleased over the affair.

I had Newell Lamb witness the ins. papers that had to be sent in with the policies. He has a huge fleurscent [fluorescent] light in the front office. I asked him about the one you had in the back. Said it wouldn’t work then added that someone had snapped the switch by the front door – and of course it was turned off. They finally discovered what was wrong with the light. You remember the time Jean Gilmour turned off the light for you when she got impatient waiting in the reception room?

It is about time to take David up to bed – and am I sleepy. I think I’ll go to sleep in a hurry – if I can get him to take his bottle in a hurry. Sometimes he hurries and sometimes he is so slow. I have to close the garage door yet. I think I hear rain. I suppose it will get cold now. Well this weather has been very warm. Will write more tomorrow if I have time.

Love Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/22/november-20-19…gladys-part-ii/

November 18, 1942 (Gladys)

1 Reply

: November 18, 1942 Envelope

: November 18, 1942, p. 1

: November 18, 1942, p. 2

: November 18, 1942, p. 3

: November 18, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Nov 18 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

David and I are alone again this evening. John & Mark have gone to band practice. Mark goes along for observation. Betty Lou & Mark were together all afternoon and Betty stayed for supper. After giving David his 2 P.M. bottle we took several pictures and believe got some good ones. Will know tomorrow and if they are good will put one in this letter. It was such a warm sunny day we walked to town and back with the baby. He slept a while then woke up and cried so hard I brought him back home and gave him his orange juice. He was quiet a while then began crying again. I gave him his bottle at 6 and he has been quiet. I put him in the den and turned the light off. He isn’t asleep but isn’t making any fuss. I want him to acquire the 6 P.M. bed time habit.

This wind I have been writing about quieted down but now it is foggy. It was foggy until about noon then cleared off enough to hang out the baby clothes. Now the fog is all around again. The wind took some more branches off the west tree in the front yard. I wonder if there will be any limbs left if we have many more wind storms.

[page 2] I saw Chuckie Harlan this afternoon. Lorene said the operation corrected his eye trouble – however he is still wearing glasses. I didn’t ask her who did the operating but his eyes did look much better. I suppose that is what Wilson’s will do for Susan.

While walking saw Bernard Funk. He looked at the baby and was telling me that Arleen had left Donald with them today while she went to Laf. He said he weighed their baby & Donald – Eveline is 7 months old and weights 17 lbs and Donald is 2 ½ mo old and weighs 14 ½. I wonder what he will weigh at one year. Someone had evidently been hunting and left a pheasant at Bills. When John and I came home I saw a beautiful bird lying across the mail box. I wouldn’t mind having some of the feathers. Maybe to put on a hat. I imagine Earl will get some this fall – if he can go hunting. He said when they were here he would be able to get gas enough to drive to work but that would be all.

Had a letter from your Mother & she said she wanted to come up. Kenneth promised to bring her but he is busy getting his corn crop in. They will have to come this week if they come before gas rationing. I figure by having the tank full at the beginning and just driving enough to get my 4 gal a week and keep the tank fuel maybe we can make a trip home sometime when the baby is older.

Newspaper clipping from January 1942

[page 3] There was a letter from the F.B.I. inquiring about a man wanted for kidnapping. This man seems to be in bad health and the letter describes his ailments – seems he has been to different Doctors and I imagine a lot of Drs. got the same letter. I will return the letter to the Bureau and inform them you have been away since May and no way of having any information on “Clarence V. Stevens.” His picture and finger prints are in the Post office, same as came with the letter.

—Just came up from cleaning out the furnace – I mean clean. Took everything out and started a new fire. Mark carried out a full can of clinkers this morning. Now there is almost another full can. That is the first entire cleaning job it has had I think since you did it in July – but I will see to it now that is doesn’t go so long. Can’t understand how it kept from ruining a pin. Just hope after all that effort it doesn’t do something like that now.

Thurs P.M. – was rather tired last night after my furnace work but feel fine today. It is so warm it is like summer. The sun is so bright I just had to wash out the days wash – couldn’t resist the urge to get them in the sun while I can

[page 4] Didn’t get any letters yesterday or today. Maybe I will tomorrow or this evening. I have to get the serial no. from the tires so I can register for my gas card. I could get the no. from every tire but the left front and the no. is turned to the inside. It’s a good thing you gave me power of attorney because the owner has to sign for the gas card.

Arlene was going to make an appointment for me with Dr. Cole Sat. but he isn’t going to be in but have to take John down to broadcast with the band and to see Dr. Ade. I really don’t need to see him (Dr. Cole) yet because I think I can feed the baby for a while yet without further instructions. The little rescal is beginning to gain so fast now. Weighed over 9 lbs this A.M. Arlene is going to keep him for me Sat. She insists and since she knows how it’s done and has Louise I think I’ll leave him. It is such a job to take him along because of fixing the bottles and then I would have to take someone else along to hold him while I drive.

Since I started this last night and haven’t been out yet today haven’t any fresh news. It is so nice I will take David out again & maybe I can collect something to write about tonight. No paper today so no news from that source. I hear a bell ringing. Must be the Methodist or Presbyterian, I suppose there is a funeral but don’t know.

Will try to write again tonight with lots of news –

Love Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/20/november-18-1942-gladys/

Gas Rationing (Gladys)

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Gas rationing was big deal for the people on the home front. For Gladys and the boys, living in Kentland, they did not need to use the car much. In most situations, the family could walk to their destination. Rationing did limit visits to relatives in Terre Haute and Clay City or trips made to Lafayette for shopping or doctor’s appointments. Had Roscoe been at home, he would have received a different rationing allowance for his occupation. It is hard to imagine only using 4 gallons of gas a week. In 2013, the typical American uses many times that in a single day.

V-mail dated November 9, 1942

Letter transcription:

Lt. (J.G.) R.S. Yegerlehner
Navy S.S.A. (White Poppy)
c/o Postmaster
San Francisco Calif

Mrs. R.S. Yegerlehner
Kentland
Indiana
11-9-42

Dear Daddy –

It was raining rather hard at noon so I took the boys & Zell girls back to school. Stopped in town and got some groceries – Also was able to get ¼ lb coffee. That is how scarce it is here. I haven’t been drinking coffee since I was in the hospital so didn’t need it for myself but got it for Mother. I understand gas rationing will start Nov 22 – and we will get 4 gal a week. Of course people having to drive to work will get more. I think we will have enough for the driving we do. I take the car out enough to keep the battery charged. Will have to make a trip to Laf. Soon to take the baby down to Dr. C and have John’s glasses checked. The baby weighed 8-6 this morning. He shows a gain of about 14 oz in two weeks. That according to your letter is enough. He is getting regulated pretty good now – sleeps lots & is good when awake. He won’t take orange from a bottle so I give it with a spoon. I think that will help when I start him on Pablum – he will have an ‘idea’ of what a spoon is for. I am going to teach him to drink out of a cup as soon as possible. He is so tiny yet compared to Funks baby. He weighs over 13 lbs and it just 3 ½ weeks older than David. Arlene said they sent you some pictures. I have too but don’t know whether you have rec’d all or not. I sent you stamps twice. I rec’d two letters today & two Sat. The boys each rec’d theirs and answered. Hope you get all the letters with stamps & pictures & your commission. I have rec’d all the letters you sent I am sure.

Love Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/06/05/gas-rationing-gladys/ ‎