Tag Archives: Gladys R. (Foster) Yegerlehner

Gladys – February 9, 1970

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

118 Juniper Court
W. Lafayette, Ind. 47906
Feb. 9, 1970

Dear David, Bonnie & Debby,

The best time I could get out of NY on the 27th was or rather is to arrive Boston at 3:24 PM American. Will drop you a line if there is any change. The best flight back on the 3rd will be at noon from Boston. May change that, but we have time to do that. Would rather have an earlier flight if possible. That was the best time to make connections in Chicago to Lafayette.

We are having snow today and the temperature is around freezing. Norma Zell was coming here for lunch – then she had a committee meeting to attend, but called and said she was afraid to start. When Dad came home for lunch he said the country roads were slick – he had heard. The forecast is for freezing rain. I rather think I will stay home today. I have been driving, but don’t have to go out, so think it will be better to stay in. Dad put some mail in the box for me, so I really don’t have to go out. I am typing this with my left hand. Have to keep my right arm in the sling, or if I don’t it gets a little grouchy – like it starts to ache, and feels like it is going to swell – or do something else uncomfortable.

Get me an appointment with Drew for a shampoo and set on Sat. the 18th.

Lea, Bob and our Japanese friend Akiko are coming for the Purdue-Illinois game Sat. They are coming on Friday evening. We are planning a Hoke-Pan dinner for them on Fri. Akiko will go back to Tokyo at the end of the school year. She will return to her teaching position at University in Tokyo.

Since this is no fun to write with one hand, and since I am so slow in getting things done – and I have a few things to do, I will save my conversation until I get to Rockport. However, I will add, I am bringing material for bathrobes for Bonnie and myself. I hope Bonnie can make mine while I am in Rockport. Also will bring dress material for myself which I will not be in a hurry about.

Love Mother

(by left hand)

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/07/30/gladys-february-9-1970/

David’s Diary – January 1, 1970

1 Reply

[Editor’s note: While previously posting a week’s worth of entries, going forward posts will be assembled based on word count. For example, if one day’s entry reaches 1,000 words then one day=one post. Otherwise, posts may be three to five days combined.]

Thursday, 1 January 1970

One of my first deeds of the new year was to wish Debbie Happy New Year when she came running into the bedroom as I was getting up—around 9:00. We took Debbie downstairs to introduce her to her new “gym”; she didn’t want anything to do with it at first, but after some breakfast she showed more interest, and began using the slide. After I had breakfast I took a leisurely bath, washed my hair; Dad was working on the coat rack in the front hall. I helped some on that too. And we took a few photos of Debbie playing on the gym. We all got ready to go, and left the house about 11:30. Drove to King’s Grant Motel in Danvers for the folks to make (by wire) motel reservations for their trip home. Then we drove back to Gloucester and had lunch at Captain Courageous restaurant. Returned home, continued work on the coast rack; about the middle of the afternoon I went to Gloucester to see one of Jim Bussey’s parishioners (Mrs. Stickney). The rest of the day I spent relaxing, working on coat rack, painted, had supper, scraped paint off window, glued chairs, watched football games (RSY’s desire), took photos of Mom + Sully. Headed for bed around 11:30. In the evening called Larry Carter re: when he and Marva are coming—they’ll spend part of Saturday with us. OBLO c. 12:20 Θ

Mother reports that John insists that the new decade doesn’t begin until next year—1971—which I also insisted with Bonnie—she disagrees. But in any case the 1970s do begin today; what kind of decade will it be? Some commentator has observed that in the 60’s we came to recognize + realize many of our problems + crises—and that we must move toward solution in the 1970’s. We can only hope—but with Nixon, Agnew + Mitchell, and their types—blind, insensitive, wrongheaded, guided by outmoded views of the world—hope might be in vain. I. F. Stone wonders if we will be a “free” nation in 1976. I do wonder what the quality of life will be then, and the mind-set of the American people. Will we fail because of a lack of great leadership; the problems are so massive, the need for great leaders so desperate—who will resist all simplistic and repressive solutions; racism, pollution, over-population, nuclear weapons—any of them can spell ruin and disaster if unchecked. We are now in the crisis period—lacking the leaders, and lacking the right popular mood—for overcoming the crises. I am afraid that the 70’s will be as frightful and as terrifying as the 60’s.

Friday, 2 January 1970

Up twice this morning—once before 7:30 to see the folks off. As soon as they left I went back to bed. Up again after 9:00. Had breakfast. I went to the Building Center to get more screws + coat hooks. Came home and got to work—tried to put hinges on Debbie’s crib, but had difficulties. Turned to the painting of the coat rack. But I stopped this about 11:45 to get ready to go. Shaved, had lunch, left here shortly after 12:30. Got gas, picked up Karen Haskell, headed into Boston. We picked up Loyd Starrett at 100 Milk Street, went to Andover-Newton. From c. 2:15 til about 3:00 we discussed Steve Winckler with Dr. Walter Telfu. After leaving A-N returned to Boston, went to Cokesbury (Loyd took subway back to work) the[n] came on home—arrived about 5:00. We [went] to Lord’s—to pick up Debbie, home about 5:30—relaxed, (Debbie went to sleep) fixed supper, watched news. About 6:40 left (with Debbie) for Gloucester to pick up Bonnie, got home about 7:15—had supper watched some TV—finished painting, put up hooks. Relaxed; feeling very weary. Late in the evening I began putting some thought into Sunday’s Communion message. Tried to get ideas from a book by Lumpkin—very insipid; I hate preaching on communion—or Easter—or Xmas; I would like to ignore the NT interpretation of Jesus! (which is hard on such occasions)/ Bathed, read briefly in bed; LO 12:35.

Saturday, 3 January 1970

Up about 9:15. Had breakfast, then met the 10:17 train from Boston, to pick up Larry Carter, whose main reason for coming to Rockport was David Milke’s wedding. I hadn’t seen much of Larry for a long time, so it was good to get together again. I put up the remaining coat hooks while we chatted—as usual the subject got around to politics and religion. Larry’s wife Marva couldn’t come today because of the pressure of her studies. After lunch we continued our visiting until about 2:00, when Larry left for the wedding. Until he returned about 5:00, I worked on sermon, making phone calls, began a list of “things to do”, had a short visit from Homer Orne, did some sanding on Debbie’s gym. When Larry arrived we got into discussion again (also, in transferring Debbie to Bonnie—I was holding her—my glasses got knocked to the floor, and the left stem broke; so I was without glasses for several hours while the glue did its worked—rather uncomfortable)  Much of our discussion today was about race, but we got into our customary tangle over theology; I frankly don’t understand Larry’s position now—he seems to be trying to be theistic and non theistic at the same time; I told him that the question of God no longer really concerns me—it’s irrelevant; theology bores me. Had supper together. Took Larry to the train at 6:20. Stopped for milk; returned home and began work again on my sermon and tomorrow’s service—and my Sunday School lesson; bathed, OBLO, c. 1 AM.

Debbie on completed “gym,” February 1970

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/07/20/davids-diary-january-1-1970/

David’s Diary – December 29, 1969

1 Reply

Monday, 29 December 1969   

Up about 9:00; had breakfast, shaved. Spent the morning in my study, filing, straightening up, etc. We got a call from Mom a few minutes before 11:00. They were a few miles east of Sturbridge. When Bonnie got home from grocery shopping, we put the food away, I carved up t[w]o roasts—then we had lunch; just as we were finishing about 1 o’clock, the folks arrived. They had brought a bed for Debbie + a hobby horse. We got those put together. Bonnie went to work. The folks relaxed; then went to get their car washed + to do odds + ends. I studied until they returned. Then we set about preparing for supper; played with Debbie; watched CBS news; had supper when Bonnie got home; in the evening we took a lot of pictures; showed our slides, sat around talking; went to bed, LO about 12:50.

Tuesday, 30 December 1969

Up about 8:30. Had breakfast—then Dad and I got to work on our project for the day—making a “gym” for Debbie—she can crawl into it, climb on it, slide down it. We went to the Building Center, got the wood, came home and got to work. We relaxed for a short while after lunch, I read I.F. Stone, and took two photos of RSY on the couch with the cat! [1] Then we spent the rest of the afternoon on the “gym”—had to make another trip to the Building Center after 4:00. About 6:00 we stopped for supper. I shaved, then went to get Hazle Lord, who baby sat while the 4 of us went to the show: Bob + Carol + Ted and Alice—a rather good satire. Then we got home about 9:00. I took Hazle home, saw Barb for a few minutes. Came home; relaxed, socialized, bathed about 11:30.  OBLO, Θ – 12:30.

 Wednesday, 31 December 1969

Up about 9:00. Had breakfast—then we got to work on the day’s assignments; first of all Dad Bonnie and I made a trip to Gloucester which took all morning. We went to Mals, Sears, + Gloucester Building Center—gradually we found most of what we had set out to buy. We got back home around noon. After lunch, Dad + I got to work on Debbie’s “gym”, after a trip to Rockport Building Center for “washers”—and fixing kitchen faucets. We spent all afternoon on the gym—keeping an ear open for Debbie (we were in the basement, she in her room) while Bonnie + mom went out shopping; we had supper at 6:30, watched CBS news. In the evening Pop + I returned to working on the gym. As we got close to finishing we brought it upstairs; relaxed, had pop-corn. Watched Johnny Carson show to celebrate the coming of the new year—they telecast the view of Times Square in NYC. Then we all turned in; OBLO, 12:20.

Roscoe, Rockport, 1969

[1] He hated cats.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/07/19/davids-diary-december-29-1969/

David’s Diary – December 22, 1969

1 Reply

Monday, 22 December 1969

Up about 9:00 after Θ+. Had breakfast, then got to work: reading in Lindblom. Bonnie went shopping. When Debbie napped I shaved, read some more. After the mail man came I went to see Mrs. Bonne and her mother-in-law re: German translation of the wedding ceremony. Went to Mals for throat lozenges—then went to see Hannibals. Home about 1:30 for lunch. Then the remainder of the afternoon, for the most part, was spent reading in Lindblom. Played with Debbie a while. Began working on supper about 6:30, watched CBS news. We ate when Bonnie got home from work. After supper I again took up Lindblom; about 9:00 we phoned Mom + Dad—they wanted to know if we wanted baby furniture they can bring. Also phoned Paul + Marty; they don’t know when they’ll be coming; read til 11:00; relaxed; read in bed—fighting sore throat; LO 12:30.

Tuesday, 23 December 1969

Up about 8:30. Had breakfast, shaved—my throat very sore, but I couldn’t put off any longer making calls. The car wouldn’t move—the emergency brake was frozen again. So I walked to Mill Brook Park. Saw Ethel Leary, Anna + Alvina, Gertrude Parsons and Ellie Martin. Came home about 11:00. Had coffee with Bonnie + Cameron Sesto. Looked through the mail when it came. Grandma + Emil arrived just as we were having a late lunch. In the afternoon I did more calling: on Lucy Patience, Grace Harris + Louise Rich; didn’t see Esther Longley—then went shopping on Bear Skin Neck—last little something for Bonnie. Came home, relaxed—napped; Roy Lee arrived to look at the car about 6:00. Bonnie went out to consult with him (my throat too sore)—he’ll have the car towed tomorrow; had supper, CBS news. In the evening showed several boxes of slides, relaxed, bathed about 11:15, OB read; LO 11:55.

Wednesday, 24 December 1969

Up about 8:30. Had breakfast after reading in Lindblom for a while. The day was a leisurely one. Relaxed and read, off and on. I tried to stay inside as much as possible to help my throat—which is much better. Roy Lee sent a tow truck to take our car away—he brought it back early in the afternoon. I read and napped in the afternoon—late in the afternoon Bonnie urged us to unwrap the presents—which we did—took many photos of Debbie. After the gift exchange I ran off bulletins for this evening’s service. Had supper around 6:00, watched CBS news. We left for the church after 7:30 (Debbie stayed with Sestos). We were all home by 9:30. We relaxed around the tree—had a snack—Bonnie + Emil played Scrabble. I watched 11 o’clock news   bathed, OBLO c. midnight.

Thursday, 25 December 1969

Up about 9:00 after Θ. Another day of relaxation and reading. In the morning Bonnie and Grandma + Emil played Scrabble. I took some pictures from pages in the Westminster Bible Atlas—also took several on a new roll of Debbie, Bonnie + Grandma. G + Emil had lunch with us, but by about 2:00 they left. They wanted to get home before dark—they had planned to stay tonight, but there’s a storm on the way. I napped in the afternoon, read further in Lindblom. We had supper about 6:30. In the evening I had a call from Alan Federick (in NY!), also called Mrs. Myers in Kentland. Early in the evening I went to see Mrs. Bonne who had worked on getting a translation of the wedding vows. Most of my evening was spent with Lindblom—reached half-way point. Watched 11 o’clock news for storm report; relaxed, bathed; OB read in Lindblom; LO, 12:53.

Friday, 26 December 1969

Up about 10:00 after Θ. First thing: shaved, then had breakfast, then went to Gloucester to see Margaret Stickney—one of Jim Bussey’s parishioners—read 2 psalms, offered prayers. Quite a storm was raging—heavy wet snow—changing to rain. Then I went to Alan Federick’s—from NY on the phone he had asked me to check on his mail—good thing I did—it was getting drenched. Came home, had late lunch. Bonnie went to work I spent the afternoon with Debbie, tried to collect thoughts for sermon—was feeling pretty lethargic. Began working on supper about 6:30. Made some date bars. Bonnie got home about 7:15; we had supper about 8:00  I left for Wesley Church for wedding rehearsal; couple was late—so rehearsal went late; just relaxed when I got home, practiced German—still lethargic; bathed; OB read; LO, 12:45.

Saturday, 27 December 1969

Took several pictures of Debbie in her mother’s shoes.  Up about 9:00. Shaved, had OJ for breakfast; prepared for wedding. Left here about 10:20. Wedding was at 11:00. I did pretty well with the German part (the bride might not have thought so!) The couple was Walter J. Johnson, Jr. + Hannelore Ollech. I was home about 11:30. Letter from Pat Harry. Helped Bonnie take down the Xmas tree. Had lunch—then went on errands—to dump and to the church. Then the rest of the afternoon was devoted to the sermon. Shortly after 6:00, Bonnie comment[ed] on gas or oil smell—so we checked the basement—found it flooded!  about 5 inches of water. When we were finishing supper, Ernie Niemi arrived with a pump—it worked all evening; and I worked all evening on getting the sermon ready (played with Deb) doing bulletins, prepared service; bathed; OBLO, 1:30.

Sunday, 28 December 1969

Up about 9:00; had breakfast, shaved, practiced my sermon. Left for the church about 10:40. 28 in attendance; preached on “What have we learned?”—reflecting on the 1960s—touched on Vietnam. After getting home had lunch, set about straightening up my study; got a phone call from Mom in Utica, NY.—the heavy snow has slowed them down—they won’t be here til tomorrow. I then relaxed, took a nap. Got up about 3:45—had meeting at 4:00—to discuss Youth Group seminarian. This meeting was long—wasn’t over til after 6:00. Came home, phoned Andover Newton’s field work man; had supper. Left here at 7:20 for Riverdale Church—Methodist Men—very poor turnout—5 laymen, Landon Lindsay + myself. Picked up Alan Federick’s mail on way home; helped Bonnie fix oven, relaxed, watched 11 o’clock news, bathed; OBLO, c. 12:20 Θ.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by David Madison and Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/07/18/davids-diary-december-22-1969/

Gladys – December 17, 1969

2 Replies

 

Letter transcription:

12-17-69

Dear David & Bonnie,

Since Dad has the duty the 26th we will plan to leave here at 7 a.m. on the 27th. We should, weather permitting, get to Rockport by the evening of the 28th. We will plan to start back on the morning of Jan. 2 – so we will be with you 4 days.

If you want us to, and if we can fit it into the car, we will bring the large baby bed along and also a hobby horse which Becky, Kirk and David have used. If you do want either let us know. The hobby horse and bed are both in good condition, and should do Debby as long as she will need either. Please let us know in time to bring them.

I went to Kentland Monday and took Mrs. M. her gifts for Christmas. She said she would be alone for the first time on Christmas day. I said we could bring her here, but she thinks she couldn’t stand the trip. Doris and Harold are not going to be home for Christmas. I wish we could bring her here, but she only gets out now to have her hair done and to the foot Dr.

Our U.N.I.C.E.F. sales this year, so far has been almost $4,300.00, which is about $700.00 more than last year – in spite of all the John Birch members here in Lafayette and their hate literature. Dad said he thinks they helped promote the sales.

Looking forward to seeing you the 28th –

Love Mother

P.S. I wrote to Irene & Joyce we would be in Rockport and asked them to come and see us. I haven’t heard from either, so don’t know if they plan to come. If they do, we will go to Capt. C. in G. for dinner.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/07/17/gladys-december-17-1969/

Gladys – November 3, 1969

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Nov. 3, 1969

Dear D, B, D,

We went to Champaign for a long weekend. Dad was MD for freshman team at Champaign and Purdue’s freshman team really lost, but the big team won by a large score. We had tickets for the Saturday game. We picked up our little Japanese friend – (the one we sat by on the plane coming from Tokyo to LA, in August – she is on the staff at U of I for a year – then she will go back to Tokyo – she is studying and working at U of I) on Friday evening and took her out to Lea and Bob’s place for dinner. The family all had gifts for me and a cake which was a little early, but I unwrapped gifts and when we explained that it was my birthday, she gave me a gift she had brought along – which we couldn’t decide whether she had originally meant for me or for Lea – but at any rate it was a very beautiful Christmas tree ornament – a ball wound with several different colors and very beautiful designs made by the different colors and the way the threads were interlaced.

Tomorrow after Dad gets off at the S. H. C. we are going to Kentland to get the key to the office. Dr. Imperial had moved to his new office building. We have offered the building for sale to the people who live across the street, the Johnsons and also to Sid Lee who owns the apartment house on the corner next to the office. Just hope one of them decided to buy the place, because we don’t want to be bothered with it. It would cost too much to make it into a dwelling, or two apartments and it would require too much attention from 42 miles.

We plan to go to Mark’s next Sunday. We had wanted to go there Oct. 19th for Kirk’s birthday, but had something going on at church – after an extensive campaign – we raised $170,000.00 for 1970 budget. They were shooting for $140, but were very happy about the $107, and when you consider the last time pledges were made a year and a half ago, only 86 thousand was pledged. I think the $107 should look good.

I know the Bylers are in New York – as the missionaries we met in Karachi said, he was kicked upstairs. Just wish he could help me get some money for a little girl in Penang Louise introduced to us. She is trying to get a scholarship to study in Jackson, Tenn., at Lambuth College for 4 years. I did some inquiring when we came back and was directed to Miss Margaret Swift in the Crusade Division, but so far we haven’t gotten very far. If you can be of any help tell me what to do.

[page 2] I typed a letter for Dad and made so many errors, you would think he had done the typing himself.

I have a two day meeting to attend at Geneva Center, Rochester, Indiana, Wed. and Thurs. The Division of Christian Outreach – and I am Chairman of Section on Social Witness. Dad gave me a new tape recorder for my birthday – it is also a radio on which one can record while listening – say to an opera or anything interesting you would want to record. It is a Longines.

Love Mother

Pills for 5 months sent yesterday. You should have them by the time you get this. I sent them first class.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/07/09/gladys-november-3-1969/

Gladys – October 14, 1969

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

October 14, 1969

Dear David, Bonnie and Debby,

Have sent one package of pills and will send more. Dad says there is another kind available which he prescribes now – take three weeks – off one week. If you want some of that kind, will send. Let me know. Also ordered the note paper, but couldn’t have it sent to you. It has to come to me and I will send it on. It should be here in a week or so.

We were in Kentland last week (Wed.). Saw Mrs. Myers and then had dinner with Dr. Imperial and his wife. Since it is hard to guess the ages of some people – especially a person like Dr. I. I would hesitate to say how old he is, but he has a very good looking young American wife. They were just recently married. We went to the Country Club for dinner and he asked us if we wanted something before eating. I said ginger ale would do for me, but Mrs. I. refused anything, saying she did not drink (and I think smoke). He was laughing about her mother coming to visit and about the beer he had in the refrigerator. He had a beer before we had dinner. He is building a new office next door to Geo. Kingsley’s home. Geo. is trying to sell his place, since they are living in Monticello – have a home on a lake. Since he (Dr. I.) is moving to a new place there were some thinks he wanted from our building. Some thinks we let go and other we kept. Such as wall cabinets. When we hear about what he charges and how he won’t make house calls or deliver babies – I think he certainly set a new pace for Kentland. Dad used to charge $1 for a person to get a shot for allergy (if they furnished the medicine) and Dr. I. charges $5 for the office call and $3 for the shot. He (I have heard) charges $25 for a house call if he makes one. Dad saw Mrs. Myers the last time we were in Kentland and gave her two Rx for a bowel condition she had. She said last week that had taken care of her. He saw her this trip and assured her that the swelling in her left arm is to be expected. She said while we were there that she didn’t trust anyone but him. I don’t know what we will do with the building in Kentland. We may try to sell it, or make it into two apartments. I hate the thought of doing anything like that. I would rather try and sell it for a small sum, than to be bothered with running to Kentland to have the work done for remodeling.

Trinity is conducting a stewardship campaign. We have a minister helping from Marion, Indiana, who has had success in this type of campaign. He has gotten many people involved and I think that will help, because it will apprise more people of the financial status of the church. At present we have been operating on a deficit balance. I haven’t seen the most recent treasurer’s report, but every one so far has been with a balance of just a few cents. After helping to collect money to pay for a gift for the first minister’s 25th wedding anniversary (in June), my observation was that Trinity should have no money problems. We were able to buy a service of 12 in the silver pattern they chose, a silver tea service and give them $43 and pay for the reception, which amounted to about $50 or $75.

We are planning to go to Champaign for my birthday – will be going the 31st, so will miss all the little trick-or-treaters. That is the weekend of the Purdue-Illinois game and, of course, we have tickets. Just hope the weather is not as cold as it was the last time we went there for a game. I mean, when I attended. We have been over there to one this fall and Dad attended and it was hot. We have a weather report tonight that cold weather is due here tonight. We have all our little citrus trees in the house.

I wish you would write Mrs. Myers a letter. She does enjoy hearing from you and wonders when you do not write, why she doesn’t hear from you, so please one of you take time to write. I see I am running out of paper.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/07/05/gladys-october-14-1969/

Gladys – September 1969

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Dear David,

We are spending weekend with John, Bob & Lea. Dad, Lea & Bob are attending a football game and John and I are listening to an opera (Louisa Miller) and talking. On our way home from Tokyo we sat by a young Japanese girl who said she was coming to Champaign to U. of I. She is on the staff and is working in the computer dept. of the University. We are going to get her at 5 PM and take her to Lea’s for dinner. She is very shy and is a little timid about her English. I am sure she won’t feel too much out of place, because we will all do our best to make her feel welcome.

This week has been centennial week at Trinity, but since we were invited here for the weekend decided we wouldn’t be missed in the anticipated crowds

[page 2-3] at the church Sat. & Sunday.

Talked to Mrs. Myers recently and the Rx Dad gave her seemed to clear her trouble, but said she didn’t feel too good generally. I think it will just be a matter of time until she will have to give up her apt. and live in a nursing home. Her hips gets gradually worse. I think she will have to be in bed in the not too distant future. She went to Lafayette sometime during the summer to see Dr. Stahl and he said her hip bone is deteriorating and there is nothing can be done about it.

Would love to see Debbie and her Mother & Dad, but can’t say now when that will be.

Love Mother

P.S. had to go to Indianapolis last Monday to attend meeting (Director of Project Equality in Indiana and North Indiana Conference Director). I have been appointed Coordinator for Project Equality in North Ind. Conf. On the way home a piece of plaster board on the highway was thrown into the front end of the Mercedes and besides making a dent, it broke the right turn light. I am glad I was driving a heavy car. I am afraid a lighter car would have been jolted. After the meeting I went down to Mark’s. They had gotten moved into their new house. They are now in Glenn’s Valley and both children (Kirk & Becky) go to same school – within walking distance of their home.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/07/01/gladys-september-1969/

Gladys – September 1, 1969

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

118 Juniper Court
West Lafayette, Ind. 47906
Sept. 1, 1969

Dear David, Bonnie and Debbie,

Enclosed find check for $20.00 – $10.00 for each of you for your birthdays.

John was quite impressed with Debbie’s reaction to the brightly colored blocks which Lea said you had bought with the money I had sent for her birthday. I asked John what he gave her and he said nothing – that he doesn’t give his nephews and nieces birthday gifts. He has always given them Christmas gifts, but not for birthdays. I have also put $10.00 in Debbie’s savings account for her birthday. That is something I have been doing since Becky arrived. Becky reminded me when we were there over the weekend that she would be having a birthday the 10th. I also reminded her that I had bought her birthday present in Japan and it was on the way.

The house that Mark and Shirley are buying is only two years old. The couple have been divorced and are living in other states, hence the delay in getting the final settlement and the key. We looked at the house from the outside and I would say it is in the same class as Bob and Lea’s house. The big difference is that Bob and Lea are on a lake. However, there is a woods and a field back of Mark’s. They will have a very nice large yard for the children to play in and the children will only be a few blocks from school. Shirley will have to take them the 5 miles, beginning tomorrow, to school until they can get moved. The house is brick – light buff – and has some landscaping. It has been vacant since July 1st, so Mark will have a man sized job getting rid of the weeds all around the house. There is a large living room, family room, kitchen, three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a small den and a two car garage. There is an area around the side of the garage and back of the house that has been fenced and has a cement floor. There are morning glory vines growing all over the fencing. We can’t figure what that area was used for. Dad suggested they could put Kirk and David in there at times. Shirley said she thought it had been used for a dog, but Mark didn’t seem to think they needed a dog – since there are several in the neighborhood already.

Dad has washed and waxed his car and mine today. We had thought the forwarding company was going to ship our car via auto transport (that was what we were told by the company in Indianapolis), but I got a call Tuesday evening that the Mercedes had been cleared through customs and that I could pick it up at any time. We got a flight out of Indianapolis Wednesday evening – spent a night in a motel near the airport in Newark and Tuesday morning had the car and were on our way home. In the papers which I received there was an authorization for a car wash job – $35.00-, but I didn’t order that because the Company in Indianapolis said – when they had told us the car could be shipped that they would wash the car – it was covered with cosmoline to protect it during shipment. It took two washings to get the cosmoline off, but I still think $35 was a pretty high price for a car wash job.

John Janssen was married to Lana Farlow Saturday evening – in the Christian church in Rushville. The minister gave a different sort of marriage ceremony – it amounted to a lecture. The Janssens told us last night – they stopped here on their way home – that he lectured John and Lana one hour Friday evening before he would consent to marry them. Also they had to rehearse the wedding three times on Friday and he ordered that no pictures be taken at certain times during the ceremony. However, friends of Janssens from around Kentland and other points north didn’t hear his prohibitions, so flash cameras were flashing all

[page 2] around the church. I didn’t have my instamatic along, so I was not guilty.

Today Dad had the duty, which so far hasn’t amounted to any work, but he still had to be here. The day isn’t over yet, so he may have to do something Health Center wise yet – but I am hoping he will not. He had to have Friday and Thursday covered by another Doctor for us to go to NJ, but since there isn’t much going on now, I rather think it wasn’t asking too much to get away those two days.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/06/27/gladys-september-1-1969/

Roscoe – July 31, 1969

2 Replies

 

Letter transcription:

Dear Kat, Debbie, Bonnie & Dave,

We arrived at the Bangkok airport on A.L. Flight #750 and would you believe Sunalinee Nikathanonta and a girl friend were there to meet us – They really were! This girl Sunalinee, I had seen the day she left Purdue. She graduated this spring and came in to me to get the shots she needed to go to Peru, Japan, & Hong Kong also Thailand. I told her we were going to be in Bangkok and she said she would meet us. Where upon I got out of the room, but she got the flight number, etc., and she really was there. She explained, Sunalinee that is, that she had been back only one week and since she had been away 3 years she was a little rusty on her driving and had brought her girlfriend along, but Sunalinee was doing the driving. Now we have had wild rides but this was something else. I’m beginning to think the Buddha religion might be the best, since we made it to the hotel safely. Someone or something surely must have protected. I had thought that in Karachi maybe it was Mohammed that was protecting & maybe their religion was the thing. I really know someone had to protect those people. Here was a fellow riding down the street with a bicycle loaded with bottles & cans and about the time I would close my eyes & listen for the crash – crash and/or the tinkle-tinkle all that was heard was a “huh-huh,” a wave of the hand and the cycle which seemed to have a hinge in the middle scurried on down the street and “squeezed” between two more cars, a camel cart or another cycle, etc. – Allah was there??

Getting back to Bangkok – after arriving & registering at the hotel our host Sunalinee informed us we were to be taken out to a Thai restaurant for some Thai food. We arrived at the hotel at 6:00 PM and at 7:00 the phone rang & she and her party were ready to go. This time we were to ride in the car with Boonlest Pheruk and his girlfriend Samporum Sruyakorin. I didn’t pronounce those names either. Anyway this was another wild adventure. It was explained that the traffic was “a little bad” and believe me “a little” was not the proper words to use. We went thru Chinatown. This was a one way street. To me it looked like a six land highway but at times they were seven cars abreast with cars parked on both sides. Of course, there were the usual cycles both human & motor powered squeezing in & out but we made the journey to the eating place. We were told the population of

[page 2] Bangkok was 3 million. I’m convinced of that number.  I believe each person has 2 cars and both of them were downtown. Either the maid or the butler had the other car and they were all downtown. Most of these car horns are blowing at regular intervals. I have never heard an oriental cuss. I think they just get in their car do down the street like h— and blow their horns when they are mad and many really had a mad on that night. We have been around quite a bit in that whole 10 miles or so I didn’t see a single person I knew but it was getting rather dark and after all most of those people were foreigners, and another thing it was getting dark. The sun goes down at a reasonable hour here and it comes up the same way. At home the sun goes down at 9 or so. When it is 10:00 PM here is is 10:00 AM in New York according to the big clock in the Bangkok airport. In other words Bangkok & Boston have the same time. Here it is 12 hrs ahead of them.

When we got here we were home sick & decided not to go any further. Our next stop is Malaysia and we will be ½ nearer home. I suppose you have received word from us some places along the line. We have to write to keep from getting homesick – wanta Bet!! Nothing else to see wanta bet!!?

Oh! Yes the Thai food. I guess it all had a name. Some of it looked familiar & some didn’t, some was good & some was ?? The geography & history of some would have been nice to know but others I wouldn’t even have wanted to know the incorrect spelling. The pace was an open air indoor outdoor affair – much noise and much hot-hot. The “hotness” outside could not always equal the hot inside. I looked down inside my shirt once and saw a drop of sweat on my stomach & just then I swallowed something hot, the drop of sweat vaporized just like a drop of water on a tri plate with a blow torch under it. I didn’t eat more than three more bites of that liquid fire. Naturally, we said it was good.

The ride back to the hotel was uneventful. We had a good night’s sleep and breakfast on the veranda. This overlooked a river and we enjoyed the traffic – small boats, barges, large boats, sail boats, etc. I presume ach had a purpose out in the stream but one wonders if there were that many purposes in a town such as this. We didn’t have much time since we had to be at the air port 1 ½ hrs. before plane time and it takes 45 minutes to get there. The Thai people are looking forward to the visit of Pres. Nixon in the next few days. I’ll just bet he doesn’t get the thrill out of the trip from the airport that we did. Our fiend said good-bye last night and promised to call us at the hotel where we will stay on our way to Hong Kong after going to Penang to Indonesia. I hope she keeps her promise and does not try to meet us at the airport. Anyway we are off to Penang.

Hope you are the same

RSY

(over)

After giving Louise the pictures – (we viewed them one evening) I read your letter again and decided you meant for me to leave the duplicates here. I didn’t remember what you had said in your last letter since I was hurrying to finish our preparation to leave so when you received letter from Penang you probably wondered what was going on.

Getting ready to go out to dinner with a Chinese couple from church Mac & Louise attend. Have been seeing much here in Penang. Hope my camera has been working properly.

Love, Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/06/21/roscoe-july-31-1969/