Tag Archives: Arlene Funk

The Most Cheerful Letter (Gladys)

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September 24, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 24, 1945, p. 1

Monday Evening

Dear Daddy –

I just went down and started a fire. It was so warm yesterday we let the fire go out. I cleaned out the ashes so it’s ready for another week, unless we have a cold snap and have to have more fire – in that case it will need cleaning oftener. Hope they get that burner soon. I won’t look for it for two or three weeks yet.

Coco told me that Nate Baer is on the Nevada – that is if it hasn’t arrived yet. Her sister is here now. I don’t know when she is expecting to see him, but soon. Maybe you will get to see him while he is in San F.

Dorothy came out this afternoon to see David’s birthday things. They had to go to Chicago yesterday afternoon so they couldn’t be here for the party. Dorothy says she is going up to visit her mother next week. She is going to take Bobby and stay a week. I told her if I could get someone to stay with J. & M. I would take David and go to San F.,

September 24, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] but I suppose you would get orders if I did. However if you should get orders to go out I think I would want to. Let’s just hope something is done soon so you will get to come home.

It has been cloudy and rainy all day – not exactly the kind of weather to boost one’s morale – if it happens not to be so high. I suppose it’s the letdown after last week-end and working a little too hard on David’s party.

Tomorrow is club opening at Mrs. Washburn’s. Just hope the weather is a little more on the sunny side. Nelly wanted to sell me a brown hat to wear but I didn’t get brown purse & gloves to go with my suit so I decided to wear my black hat & “things.” I washed my hair this evening and have it pinned down. I think I’ll have to get another perm. This one seems to have lost its pep.

David had a spill this evening and hurt the inside of his mouth. He keeps hitting his teeth. Just hope he doesn’t know them loose. He was up early this morning and wound up like a clock. He told John a wild tale. Today he was playing and talked

September 24, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] about an imaginary person. It made me think of the way John used to make up names of people he played with. David had to stay in today because of the rain. I tried to take a nap but every time I would drop off to sleep he would bounce up on the couch by me and awaken me. He said he would take a nap too but that didn’t last long.

John said Smith was back in school today but not feeling too chipper. John says he mispronounces so many words. He said some word in particular today and John said he had a notion to correct him (but he didn’t). John is working on Latin tonight. He is really having to dig to catch up with this class, but I think he will make it OK. Mark has been going to bed for the past 20 minutes, but I don’t believe he is in bed yet.

I don’t know what to tell you about the purse. Alligator is very good, but I hate to pay that for a purse. I would like to have a smart looking one, but that is a little high. However, those do run high. Bill brought Arlene a new bag from Chicago. I don’t know what he paid for it but he said

September 24, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] the one he wanted to get was $35.00. She said she would have had a “fit” if he had paid that much for a purse. I said Mrs. Swarts showed me one for $12.50 she claimed was genuine leather. I said I didn’t believe it at that price, but Arlene argued that we used to buy real leather purses for $2.95 – adding that it was usually the dollar ones we bought. So much for that.

I saw the Mullen bride & groom in town this evening when I went to buy groc. I haven’t seen anything about Joe Bill being discharged, so he must still be in.

Marg Carlson says Eddie is coming back to run the paper so she is retiring. She doesn’t seem to know when Pinkie will be home.

John mailed some letters for me today and Tony said he heard you were coming back. I said he should have asked where he got his information, but John said he told him you would more likely be sent out again.

I am afraid this hasn’t been exactly the most cheerful letter, but I’ll try to do better.
Love Mother

Tues. eve – Just back from club & yours of the 22^nd handed to me at the P.O.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/06/07/the-most-cheerful-letter-gladys/

David’s Birthday (Gladys)

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September 23, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 23, 1945, p. 1

9-23-45

Dear Daddy –

The party is over and we have had a little supper. We put David to bed before we ate because he ate ice cream & cake and drank punch and then after refreshments he kept eating candy so I didn’t even try to get him to eat supper. We just had some ice cream & cake that was left – I snitched a sandwich but J. & M. didn’t want anything else. Dorothy came out early – they had to go to Chicago this afternoon – and brought David’s gift. She had Lucile Jones bake him an angel food besides. I put the birthday trimmings on it. I baked one too but it didn’t look as smooth as the one Lucile made. I asked Dorothy about ice cream and since the drug stores are closed Sun. afternoons, she had Betty Lou bring the ice cream out from the restaurant before they left for Chicago. I was afraid it wouldn’t keep in the frost chest if I put it in last night. Arlene overslept so she didn’t get here with her youngsters until the party was nearly over, but since we had two cakes, I sent cake home with her and gave the children their favors. I fortunately found some candy that was wrapped individually and different shapes so it made nice favors. Altogether David received $5.00 and several nice toys and a pr. of corduroys. Lucile gave him a telephone with a dial that works – it looks like a real phone. It was quite popular with all the children. Arlene brought a little pull toy – a wagon with two hares that bob up and down like the push toy I got for him. She also gave him the corduroys. Statons brought a pull toy and

September 23, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] a set of graduated blocks. Dorothy gave him a Mickey Mouse toy that turns somersaults. He likes cards so much and seemed to enjoy his cards very much. Mark gave him a magic slate this morning and he was quite delighted with it. John gave him a card with a dollar. When he saw the bill I said, “What is that?” He answered “Money.” He put his pennies in the birthday offering and planted three flags in the sand. He is so much more grownup acting than the little Smith boy (McCloud) who is just a day or two younger, but David has been with J. & M. whereas the Smith children are younger. I had the boys bring up that old play table from the basement and with a good dusting off and a white table cloth it served perfectly for the little folk to eat their refreshments. Also brought up that old bench and with a covering it served for chairs. Martha, Myra & John Hufty, Jimmy Ed and David had a good time at a table by themselves. John, Mark, Jimmy, Betty & Virginia were seated in the den at a card table and the mothers were seated at the dining room table. I placed the play table by the south dining room wall so the mothers could keep track of the children. Everyone seemed to have a good time. The children played with the toys and the mothers visited. After the rain and cool weather yesterday it was so warm today we stayed out in the yard except when we came in to eat. It has been warmer today than it has been for some time.

Mrs. Washburn in Club President this year and is having the opening meeting at her home in the country. Lucile dropped club so said she would keep David for me. I told her I was planning to go. I kept Karen & Jimmy not long ago and she said she would keep David for me sometime.

September 23, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] Dorothy didn’t get to go to Laf. last week so she said today she is planning to go sometime next [week]. They are serving Rotary Thurs. evening. Nick served them Thurs. noon last time, but they would rather have evening meetings. John & Gladys are opening Wed. this week. I wonder if Rotary will go there. It’s a cinch John will have all the business he can handle – so maybe he won’t want special dinners.

John is doing homework and keeps asking me for words. Mark said he had a headache and wanted an aspirin but I told him I didn’t think he needed one – so he went out of doors and came back in much improved, he says.

So far my thumb is still stiff – It seems to have affected the joint. The allergy is gone and it’s about all peeled off but I can’t bend it very far. I can use it but without bending it much. Jimmy had another attack of asthma and Lucile thinks it was caused by red beans. She said they had chili for supper and that night Jimmy began to stop up – the next day he was in the kitchen and ate two red beans she was preparing for lunch. She said while chewing the second one he began to cry and said it burned his mouth and wanted to spit it out – He had a severe attack after that. In checking back Lucile said they had had beans before another attack of asthma he had.

David was so tired I think he must have gone right to sleep. I haven’t heard a sound out of him since he went to bed. John decided this was a perfect day for the birthday. It has been warmer than any Sept. 23 in the past 3 years. I remember last year it poured down rain in Mo.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/06/03/davids-birthday-gladys/

Strings Attached (Gladys)

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September 19 (or 20), 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 19 (or 20), 1945, p. 1

9-19-45 [sic 20?]

Dear Daddy –

After a warm day yesterday we had a thunderstorm last night. It is sunny today and brisk after the rain. David is playing out in the sunshine and getting along very well by himself. Martha doesn’t come over so much. He is learning to grab and hold on and when he doesn’t give up to her she tells him she will go home if he isn’t nice to her. This morning he didn’t seem to mind her leaving. He stayed with me in the kitchen while I was getting lunch ready. I had to go get groc. before lunch. Saw Dorothy and she was still not so good. She said she needed a good Dr. I also saw Geneva Simons and she said they had all had the flu and I asked if they had ever had the baby’s tonsils taken out – she said no, they were waiting for you to come back.

The Gas Co. sent us our meter refund less the $1.53 – guess they woke up after so long. They hadn’t rec’d my not when this was mailed. The whole amt. was $8.36 – less $1.53 – ck. for $6.83.

Had a letter from your Mother. Our letters crossed too. I had written her Tues. Uncle Wes wrote her that you were coming home so she knew something about it before getting my letter.

Last night Arlene called me and asked if I could come down. Bill was out of town but came home while I was there. He said they got Dale Jones discharged. However he had been in the Army 3½ yrs. with 23 months overseas.

September 19 (or 20), 1945, p. 2

[page 2] Bill had been in Indpls. Yesterday and had called on the Gov. He said the Gov. didn’t get up to the Lodge with Ira Dixon’s party – but Bill said a number of his “Henchman” did. (That’s what he said.) Bill seems to think he could so something. However I told him I didn’t think so. Anyway I would rather just wait – because thinking of the past, people around here didn’t think much of the trips to Wash. to keep certain corn men out of service. I think you have expressed the same feeling in the past – just wait and get out on your gown then no strings attached. I think some people would enjoy reminding you that they had done so much for you. What am I yapping about? You haven’t suggested anything like that.

The Nu-Joy wreckage is getting cleaned up fast. They were burning some of the debris yesterday and there was such a high wind, they had to call the fire dept. So much of the equip. that wasn’t entirely burned was moved up to the Nu-Joy hotel or barn.

David is pestering around so I must go out in the yard with him (as promised).

Love,
Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/27/strings-attached-gladys/

Sprained Ankle (Gladys)

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September 7, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 7, 1945, p. 1

9-7-45

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Sept. 4 & 5 came this a.m. with cks. which I will deposit today and which will boost our balance up to $578.31 (plus $47.00). Thanks – I do want to pay for the new burner if possible when it is installed. The furnace is going fine – that is we have a fire this morning and a washing going. No school today so the boys are here to help me. I told you in yesterday’s letter that Loughridge came out yesterday to find the trouble and the wire to the air had been cut so he spliced it and fixed things up.

Arlene had a wiener roast yesterday for Bobby’s birthday – however she didn’t mention it being his birthday – but it leaked out and he received gifts from all his guests. Earlier in the afternoon Arlene sprained her ankle. At the time it didn’t hurt, but as the time passed it got so bad she couldn’t put her weight on it. It got to paining her so terribly that we thought she might have a broken bone. It being Thurs. PM was a problem about getting a Dr. They wouldn’t even try to call M. because they said he wouldn’t do anything. They didn’t want to call Van because they wanted an X-ray. Bill tried to get Rumkorf but he said he was leaving for somewhere and that was that. Bill finally called Altier and he told him to bring her down. I stayed down there with Donna (the girl) until they got back. There was no break but the Dr. said it was worse than a break. The ligaments were badly torn and that she would have to keep off her foot two or three weeks. I told you she is 6 months pregnant and the girl she brought home from Wis. is homesick and wants to go back next week. She is going to have to find

September 7, 194,5 p. 2

[page 2] someone to help her. She told me the day before that she had been so terribly ill at the beginning of this pregnancy and that she had had to rest so much. She came near having a nervous breakdown early in the summer. I told her last night maybe it was a good thing this happened to her so she will get plenty of rest. She said she guessed the Lord was taking care of her so she would rest.

About the travel business. I haven’t given it much thought because of J. & M. being in school. I wouldn’t relish the idea of a trip but had thought if you just stay on & stay on David & I might come out However I think all these Drs. just like you are going to raise up in arms if something isn’t done, but fast. The only thing to do at the present time is to wait – but not too long before someone does something. It always looks darkest just before the dawn, to quote a proverb or something.

—Just stopped to hang up some washing. It seems hot out in the sun – I suppose we will have some warm days but it cools off in the evening. It is a good day to dry clothes, and since I am washing today that is quite important.

Your Reader’s Digest came today. I’ll send it with both local papers. If you don’t want me to send the papers or magazines just let me know. (Hope it won’t be necessary much longer).

I think the Bendix has stopped again, so will go hang out some more clothes.

—I went down to see Arlene and she was feeling better, tho still having some pain. Bill found a “maid” for them this morning, so that will help some. It’s the woman who did work for Mary & Bernard. Mary let her go – she was not pleased with some things and Arlene told Mary she couldn’t be so fussy in these times. Mary retorted “you sound just like Bernard.” Evidently Bernard had told her the same thing, but she let her go anyway. Mark is going to the Fair with Zells, but not until later this afternoon.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/12/sprained-ankle-gladys/

Pictures from Missouri (Gladys)

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September 5, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 5, 1945, p. 1

9-5-45

Dear Daddy –

This being fair week the stores will be closed today, Thurs. & Fri. PM’s. School will be closed Fri. Mark wants to go out for the day with Buddy – but what they can find to do out there a while day is a mystery to me. Mark went yest Monday evening with Statons so he may have changed his mind by now. The mail hasn’t been delivered yet, it being just past 9 o’clock. I finished the dishes and put dough to raise in the sun by the piano – the only place I could find. I promised the boys hot rolls for lunch.

I went to Brook with Norma yesterday – their locker here is full and she had corn to put in, so took it to their Brook locker. I took your brown suit to the tailor at Brook. Lucile said Ed took an overcoat to have a hole repaired and that he did good work. I also stopped at the upholstery place. T seems hard to find the man but I talked to his wife. She said he had enough tapestry material to cover a davenport – someone ordered it and then didn’t take it. It is turquoise (a greenish blue) flecked with a rose flower. I thought if perhaps he would make me a good price on the job I might go ahead with hit. Since he doesn’t have much other material to work with he should be able to get this job done. She (his wife) says he restyles furniture, and from the looks of things I don’t think he is very high in his prices – but I have heard he does good work.

The roll of film I took in Mo. turned out about 50%. There was one miss – I forgot to turn the camera

September 5, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] and lost one picture. I’ll enclose what I think you will care to see. My picture was not good, so I am not sending it. I hope by now you have received the first pictures I sent – David’s & our group.

Yours of Aug. 30 just came – had been misspent to La Fontaine, Ind. I was glad you could get out for a while. We haven’t had much social life since coming back, but that isn’t exactly necessary see we see people we know every day and the boys are in school. I go to town every day or so in the afternoon and visit a little while with the crowd in at Krulls. Lucile called me this morning to give me a bit of news. Arlene had bridge club last night and announced that she is having a baby in 3 months. I don’t believe anyone knew it – however I thought Arlene was looking unusually good and “plump.” She must be different this time because she usually gets very large. She says she is going to have 6. Mark wondered if we could have a little baby girl – not adopted – but one of our own. I said “why” and he said he thought it would be nice. I said “is it because of Karen,” and he grinned and said “yes.” He thinks Karen is tops. I told him to take the matter up with you when you come home.

Uncle W. & J. stopped on their way to C.C. They are to be here for dinner the day they return home – sometime next week. They wanted to know if there was anything they could bring back and I said some evergreens.

Mrs. Capes called me about something and she said Doris is in San F. Her husband, a Dr. in the Navy has ship duty and is out now in the Pacific. Mrs. C. thought you might call Doris (Mrs. Wm. Douglas) W.9718.

David is trying (not too hard) to take a nap. He is on one of his tears today and I doubt if he goes to sleep. If he doesn’t take a nap he will go to bed earlier tonite. It has been very cool, but is getting warm today – the temp. is supposed to get up to 90°.

I’ll try to get a camera and take this other roll and send you some brand new ones – (Hope you get back by then.)

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/05/08/pictures-from-missouri-gladys/

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/

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

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

One Injury After Another (Gladys)

1 Reply

August 29, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

August 29, 1945, p. 1

8-29-45

Dear Daddy –

Sons 1 & 2 got started in school and purchased books available. Cole wanted John to come back this afternoon to discuss band. I think John has consented to play the piano for the band. He doesn’t talk much and was so unhappy about the way school has been changed since he was here I didn’t try to get much out of him. I told him the only thing to do was make the best of things. There is no good in encouraging him to be unhappy. I think after he gets started things will iron out. Mark not having been there before didn’t have any complaints to make.

Dorothy came out this afternoon with Bobby. She is on a diet (Nick calls it a lazy person’s diet). She wouldn’t drink a coke with us. She has a booklet and is supposed to lose so many pounds in so many days.

We are still canning, but not enough to hurt anyone. Arlene had some tomatoes she couldn’t take care of, so after dinner this evening I put six quarts in the oven to cook. It didn’t take me long and makes good juice. The twelve qts. I have canned were all very ripe so should be better than the ones we canned last year. [written on side] The Ration Bd. issued us 35 lbs. canning sugar.

David got over his ear bit and got two on his forehead between his eyebrows – he has twin headlights. Yesterday he ran into a door

August 29, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] and got a black eye. This afternoon he was playing his “notas” and I heard him cry – I ran in to see what the trouble was – he had slipped over the back edge of the piano bench but his left foot was caught under the edge of the piano and he was practically hanging by his left foot. Tonight he was supposed to be in bed asleep when we heard him yell – John went up and he had fallen out of bed. I said he was probably riding the side of his bed.

It’s 11 PM and I should get to bed. No school tomorrow because of teacher’s institute but school Friday. David wanted to go to school with J. & M. this morning.

Thurs. a.m. We have 6 qts. of corn ready for the locker and that’s enough corn. Yours of Aug. 26 posted the 27^th came this a.m. Also a letter from Mrs. Moneyhan asking for certificates of vaccination for Bud (Francis Jr.) & Madelyne – She wants separate certificates. She needs Madelyne’s by Sept. 6 – her address is Mrs. Madelyn Moynihan, 19 Mt. Vernon St., Somerville, Mass. She wants you to write to Mont – his address is Lt. Francis C. Moynihan U.S.N.R. Staff Air Pac – Sub Com Fwd ℅F.P.O. San F. Calif. Box 24. Madelyn says she misses Mo. and would love to be back there (OH Brother!!). Their new baby is a girl. [written on side] she says it was last Aug.

Well Daddy, I hope your new duty is soon over. From what we are hearing in the news, it won’t be long – Of course we are so anxious, any time will seem long.

Love Mother

Enough Playing (Gladys)

1 Reply

August 27, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

August 27, 1945, p. 1

8-27-45

Dear Daddy –

Will write this evening while I have time to sit down and concentrate – if that is possible with the radio going. J. & M. listening to Dr. I.2. I sent your khaki pants & shirt and in another package David’s picture wrapped in last week’s hometown papers and a family picture. I was downtown and saw Ellsworth. He was quite confident you would soon be home. Said he didn’t have enough points. We heard more news over the radio about Navy men being discharged. You said you were going to be traveling today, so in case you missed it – we heard it twice – a very large number of enlisted men and officers are to be released and that the point system is to be revised, that is, overseas duty to receive extra points. I suppose you have heard the whole thing. You should get your gold braid by now since it went out Sat. afternoon.

I am planning to take John to Laf. tomorrow. Lucile wants to take Jimmy down and see Dr. Ade if possible. He is still having quite a lot of asthma & hay fever. Dr. M. increased the phenobarb to ½ tablet a dose instead of ¼.

Mark is to take a music lesson tomorrow. He really hasn’t practiced enough but I think maybe I’ll get him setted a little more after school starts. He was gone nearly all day with Buddy & Sammy. He cut the lawn early, then the three went to Washburns until noon then this afternoon they went down to Krulls to help Bud cut the lawn so he could play. I told Mark he had to stay home tomorrow. Two days in a row is enough playing (Sun. & Mon.).

Funks were to come home Sun. but so far I haven’t seen any of them. I imagine they will get home in time for school Wed.

I sent the Russells David’s picture and wrote them a letter. Also answered Mrs. Thrailkill.

August 27, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] We have been fighting mosquitoes. I sprayed with flytox last night and thought I had all, but I was nearly asleep and heard one. I thought I got it but evidently I missed – David got a bite on his left ear and it was swollen today but not quite as bad as the one he had when you left.

Gen. De Gualle spoke over the radio from Chicago this evening. We listened, but since he spoke in French we didn’t get much until the interpreter came on. John caught a few words.

Krulls came out last night to get Buddy. He came out to play with Mark after supper. Bobby had quite a time crawling around and the fuel pot by the fireplace was the first thing he started for. I put it back of the screen. Dorothy allowed him to play out of his pen while they were away, so I think she won’t be able to keep him in it now. He likes to get around too well to stay in a pen.

Next day – Back from Laf. Lucile talked to Dr. Ade and made an appointment to take Jimmy down Sept. 11 for allergy tests. She didn’t have an appointment to see him today but I took her in with us and she talked to Dr. while he was getting ready to work on John. He says John’s lenses need a slight change. He is to go back Fri. for a recheck. You will probably not get this letter when you should because it is too late for it to go on the regular mail, but will send it out on the late train. The piano tuner came today. Nothing had to be done but the regular job. He was thru by 11 o’clock. He was going to do Zells & Shirks too.

Irene is back from the hospital. She said they got rid of the blood clot, but the Dr. didn’t give her any hope as to when she would be rid of phlebitis. Irene says she is going to start a petition. If you are tired of me talking about that – let me know. Arlene came up today. She is looking fine – says she feels rested now. She has a girl staying with her from Wisconsin. Bobby starts to school tomorrow. Mark is a little worried about starting at the high school.

Love Mother