Tag Archives: Helen Washburn

Cokes Would Be In Order (Gladys)

1 Reply

June 4, 1944 envelope

Letter transcription:

June 4, 1944, p. 1

Kentland Ind.
June 4 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

Will start a letter this evening and maybe I’ll have something to add tomorrow – Howard & Ursula came to see me this afternoon. Helen is home and is going to come over and see me. She lived in Kansas City, Mo., 10 yrs. If she comes tomorrow I’ll tell you anything that might be of help to us. Howard asked me if we would rent our house. I told them our little attempt with Smiths – They agreed with me our house is well worth $45.00 – said they were getting $40.00 for theirs in the country. Mrs. W. said she thought our house should be worth $50.00 – The new

June 4, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Ag teacher is looking for a place & Mrs. Z. asked me if we were considering renting. I told her I didn’t know yet – we would have to see about “Mo.” first.

Arlene came up and Lucile brought Jimmy so we really had “open yard” this afternoon. Mark got the idea cokes would be in order so he & Virginia loaded up some bottles and went to the Station and bought cokes with his money – without consulting me. I had the same idea so was glad he had acted before I told him to. Jimmy Ed & David both got a share of their mother’s cokes – Jimmy is a veteran coke drinker but David seems to like the stuff pretty well too – Arlene has a new girl – one that seems to be the answer to all her desires for a helper – She even lives there and so Arlene has a little more time off.

June 4, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] When Arlene loaned us the “Thum” bottle, she decided to pour a little out in something in case she might want to dab a little on Donnie “in case” – The only thing she saw at the time was a “shot glass” so poured some in it. She told Bill what she had done and he told everyone she was trying to break him by putting “Thum” in his glass. I am certain that would break anybody of anything – after getting the tiny bit in my eye.

I wrote to Ruth M. today. You should drop your folks a line now and let them know you are in your new location. As soon as I get news from you of a house I’ll call for train reservations.

Love Mother

June 4, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] Monday afternoon –
So far I haven’t talked to Helen. I saw Coke this morning and strange as it may seem they haven’t any K.C. connections. I thought perhaps they would know someone there.

I cleaned half the basement this morning – Try to finish the other this evening. David got an ink bottle this morning and spilled ink from davenport to kitchen so J. & M. cleaned living room & dining room floors – however it needed to be done. The house looks like the one at Lake Forest – I have rugs all over the place to catch the black marks –

Hoping to see you soon –
Love Mother

David, Jimmy Ed Johnson & Donald Funk, dated June 4, 1944

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/21/cokes-would-be-in-order-gladys/

A Skating Contest (Gladys)

1 Reply

: January 5, 1944 envelope

: January 5, 1944, p. 1

: January 5, 1944, p. 2-3

: January 5, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Jan. 5 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

No mail today but five letters Monday. It is cloudy today. It was foggy this morning then there was a little sleet. It is just a typical grey, overhanging winter day.

Yesterday was Washburns 50^th Wedding Anniversary. They held open house at Howard’s. I took David and went out about 4 P.M. Helen is here from Neb. She doesn’t live in Calif. now. I suppose you have been in the former Canine house (the one Howard bought). Yesterday was the first time I had been in the house. It is almost exactly like the other house they lived in except the porch on this house is enclosed and can

[page 2] be used summer and winter. What a play room that would make. About the Anniversary, there were many beautiful flowers in all colors of yellow and orange to represent Golden. Also beautifully decorated cakes, in white and yellow. Tea and coffee were served. Mrs. Bessie Dixon and Mrs. Ruben Hess poured. I saw Mrs. Carrold Bledsoe there. She said they were living in the tenant house. They were living on the place when it was sold.

Last night the boys (J & M) went to the pond. Bob Shurttler sponsored an a skating contest. I think one of the McCartney boys won the prize. Mark is still learning to skate, so didn’t enter the contest.

David is taking his nap. He was so busy all morning.

[page 3] I wanted to take him over to see Jimmy Ed, this being J.E.’s birthday. I called Lucile this morning and she said Jimmy had a temp. last night and some cold so I won’t take David over. I’ll go over and take Jimmy’s gift. David’s cold last week kept us from getting the boys together. They seem to get along pretty good.

I went over to the locker last night (afternoon) and turned in ration points for the hog (1/2). The weight was 96 lbs. That took 233 points. I turn in advance points in this case.

A woman called me to tell me her nephew is where you are – Pharmists mate 3/c – I think his name is Mulligan. She didn’t know where he is stationed but he wrote home that he had

[page 4] met you. This aunt was in Boonie’s and he told her about your letter to him about meeting Col. W. – and putting this and that together figured out her nephew’s whereabouts. You know Boonie has a yen for figuring things out, although I know he misses sometimes.

I just straightened out the bank figures – I had made a slight error or two – but the balance at present is $336.12 – but there are quite a few bills to pay yet – Ins., groc., etc. When I get them all paid I’ll give you the bal. I got three $37.50 bonds bought Dec. 31. – I bought 7 – $18.75 in July and the above mentioned, which makes $243.75 in Bonds for 1943.

I think David is waking up and I have been writing and figuring and no nap.
Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/20/a-skating-contest-gladys/ ‎

One Year Ago (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: July 30, 1943 envelope

: July 30, 1943, p. 1

: July 30, 1943, p. 2

: July 30, 1943, p. 3

: July 30 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R. S. Yegerlehner USNR
Navy 60
F.P.O. San Fran. Calif.
July 30, 1943

Dear Mother,

I remember one year ago today early in the morning, but I’d rather pass that scene rather rapidly because it is a little shall I say saddening – I remember also the hard tiresome ride that day – The longest hardest ride I’ve ever had. I remember the disappointment at not finding Lentz that night. The meeting of he and I next morning & our reporting next day. The the furious next several days – getting this and that etc. And then on the last day meeting Hicky and going to Helen W. and then the long train ride and finally getting aboard ship. The long interesting, tiresome and exciting sea voyage – often talking with Walsh and wondering how long it would be before our letters would get back home and our speculation as to our destination was something to marvel at = for we didn’t know.

[page 2] I remember how when land was sighted we added finishing touches to letters and went ashore. How good the terra firma felt under foot again. The stamp shortage – finally after a few days we were permanently located in a goat pasture. The wild scramble to see as much as could be seen of the Island – Swimming and shell collecting – where was our mail finally after about 1 ½ months our first letters came – but no word of babies arrival. Our first letters came the day he was born, but the news reached me much later. I remember getting settled to the humdrum of routine again – Then the slicing off of our personnel. Friends leaving for different areas – The final disbanding of our unit. Then the drab months with no change in the daily schedule – day after day. Drs. P & W and I trying to amuse ourselves to keep from getting on each other’s nerves and possibly not doing so well at times – but in general doing a good job of it. Then I remember while doing the regular routine one morning a big shot coming in and motioning to me and informing me I had been selected – you can take just enough clothes for a change or two – draw field packs – field rations – first aid kits and numerous first aid bandages and emergency medical

[page 3] supplies – That was something – reactions – excitement, anticipation, responsibility, importance and possibly some fear. I remember as long as the preparations were being made everything was swell but I also remember that letters were hard to write – to crowd out the million and one non writable things and include only the things that would not cause alarm. Those I repeat were hard to write. Finally aboard another ship – maybe the atmosphere a little more tense than then the last ship. We landed a much more interesting historical place this time. Now more days of preparation, and again to sea – another new land – my memory is still good but I’m not at liberty to reveal the entire extent of it. I remember the days spent in the channels around our new home – the jungle trips – The fishing trips – the call it exploring trips. I remember the indescribably non light nights – beautiful tropical moons, and the black nights when one has to push the darkness aside manually

[page 4] in order to get thru. I remember the work to get set up again – The usual long wait for mail – the anticipation and anxiousness as to whether our mail was getting home. I remember the taste of cold spam, cold meat & vegetable hash. The taste of rain water chlorinated. The fun we had with our own laundry our bucket bathes and ofen of necessity our ocean dips. Then I remember our first locally killed fresh beef. The rank taste because of lack of refrigeration and freshness – then one day a fresh onion – Then a fresh egg – not many of them – fresh potatoes fresh apples, oranges and the most exotic thing fresh celery. Never a time when I don’t remember appreciating mail and an equal appreciation of pictures – Then I remember writing a kidding note relative to a picture of my wife in comparison to another officer’s wife and I remember her answer and I hope she didn’t mean it for I was only kidding, and then I remember last night thinking of the wife and of and the mother of R.S. Yegerlehner’s boys – Love Daddy

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/11/10/one-year-ago-roscoe/

Grand Piano (Gladys)

1 Reply

: July 30, 1943 envelope

: July 30, 1943, p. 1

: July 30, 1943, p. 2

: July 30, 1943, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 30 – 1943

Dear Daddy,

Fri. and no letters – but had several earlier this week and won’ be disappointed about none today & yesterday. Ruth & Romaine went home – Wilma, Dad, John & Mark went along – Wilma driving our car – otherwise Ruth & Romaine would have had to go to Chi. On the bus then down to Wilmington from there on the train – I talked to Ruth M. about getting the piano – she thought it was the thing to do so I had it brought up today – and they took the old piano back so you won’t need to worry about the old piano being in the garage when you come home. It is sitting in front of the French doors and looks very “grand.” I paid 100⁰⁰ down – got $15 for the old piano and had to pay half the hauling which cost me 6⁰⁰ – so I still have 185⁰⁰ to pay – I am going to pay the Ins. loan off when I get a reply to my letter and if I have enough

[page 2] left will finish paying the piano now. Your Mother stayed with David & I while the others went to Ruth’s. I fed David and thought he would go to sleep but he is still awake. We all agree he is very good to be in a cast. He just about manages to sit up and I imagine he will manage to stand before the cast is off. With all the rubber protectors taped on around the edges he is “smelling.” There was a little skunk in the movie “Bambi” called Flower – That was what Ruth said we would be called David before he got the cast off. Dad sat out in the yard with him this morning and would blow smoke to entertain him. David would laugh every time. Dad says he is the best baby he ever saw. He gave him his bottle last night. Mom, Dad, Wilma & John are going home in the morning. I don’t know yet how John will come home but they can take him to T.H. and he can go to either Laf. or Watseka.

Helen Washburn is home for a few days. She lives in Omaha, Neb. Now. I promised to take the baby down to see her tomorrow afternoon She wanted to know if you had seen Hickey.

[page 3] Funks have a camp at the Fair Grounds for the detasslers. Nick is managing the meals. The cooks are from the Frat houses in Laf. (By the way I think most if not all the Frat houses at Purdue have been taken over for Military.) There was a broadcast from the Fairgrounds today – Al Cast, Bill & Carl Funk & Mr. Zell all had talks to give – I don’t know what else I was too busy to know anything of the kind was going on and after it was over John said he knew about it. It was on the Dinner Bell hour. Nick just keeps their restaurant open certain hours now – so he can run the cooking out there. Bill wanted Krulls to go on a vacation with them. Dorothy said if they did they would just close up while they were gone, but so far they haven’t taken said trip.

I hear David still singing – He can reach up and get the bottom of the venetian blind and swing it. I wish he would go to sleep so I could catch a nap but he seems to be wide awake.

After the first of Aug. will give you a financial report.

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/11/09/grand-piano-gladys/

No Remarks About My Looks (Gladys)

3 Replies

: July 8, 1943 envelope

: July 8, 1943, p. 1

: July 8, 1943, p. 2-3

: July 8, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
July 8 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Yours of June 8 – 11 – 14 – 15 – 17 & 19 – (the postmarks were these dates) came today – That about catches up the back mail – I was glad to get them because I learned you had rec’d pictures. And about the seed I sent them air mail but can’t understand why it took so long. No remarks about my looks. If that’s the way you feel I won’t send any more pictures of myself – if you

[page 2] don’t know what I am referring to – you said your commander’s wife looks like me – then added “poor woman” – The last picture I sent of myself was blurred, John shook the camera when he took it – so that’s for your remark.

It is cool today and quite windy. After all the rains we have had since last Sat. our weather has changed from being so hot & humid. I am glad for Mother that it is cooler – She won’t be so uncomfortable in the hospital. I am to go down tomorrow to see her and get a report. I would go today but Dr. Cole may not be around this being Thurs.

[page 3] and I want to talk to him when I go. Also I am getting short of gas. By taking the boys to Wilmington & going after them I used a little more. I still have on ticket (4 gal) to run on till July 21 – and I may have to make several trips down.

You mentioned in one letter John Simons & A. D. Washburn – I never learned Mr. S. trouble, but they are back home – have been for some time. I think Mr. W. is about the same. I saw him sitting on their porch one day not long ago. Helen has moved from San F. & lives someplace – I think Nebraska, but not just sure. She was home once this summer but I didn’t see her.

[page 4] Had a letter from Watsons – Wayne’s mother has had a stroke and they have been busy helping take care of her.

Had a letter from Jim. He has finished his training he had to take when he was promoted to C.P.O. and is waiting placement. He thinks he will get a 10 day leave and come home but I don’t know when but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him any time – Thelma is going to go back to T.H. Jim is sure he will be sent out soon.

Had to go & get Mark started hoeing – The ground is just right for such today. I think we will soon have potatoes to eat – corn, beans, tomatoes, carrots are all coming along fine. I love to work out in the yard & garden but haven’t time today.

Don’t worry about the double bike riding – J. & M. ride separately.

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/09/26/no-remarks-about-my-looks-gladys/

Forgot the pictures (Gladys)

2 Replies

: December 19, 1942 Envelope

: December 19, 1942, p. 1

: December 19, 1942, p. 2

: December 19, 1942, p. 3

: December 19, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.

Dec 19 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

To begin with if you received the letter I sent yesterday you probably wonder what happened to the pictures I promised or rather said I enclosed – well I was in a hurry to get the letter ready to mail and forgot the pictures – so here they are. The weather today hasn’t done anything unusual but it looks like more snow will fall. This present snow is very dirty. After the slight thaw and freeze the snow has a crust that can be walked on.

I went to the class party at Hufty’s last night. My mystery Pal was Pauline Hiestand. Dorothy stayed with the children. The party didn’t hold so late so I didn’t have to keep Dorothy as long as I thought I might. Nick and Buddy came out after Nick closed the restaurant. I tried to go in the car but couldn’t get out of the drive way due to ice – I couldn’t get the car either way so I walked to the party. When Nick came he got the car out of the rut and put it in the garage. I haven’t had time to get it out today but have an idea it is still to slick to get out of the drive. We have had more continuous cold weather this Dec. than sometimes have all winter.

[page 2] Mrs. Washburn & Helen came up this morning to see me. I was getting ready to bathe the baby so they had a chance to see him awake. He was in a very good mood. Helen said how good he was. Since they have to travel when they can get train accommodations they can’t stay over Christmas, but leave Sun. I showed them the shells, necklace and moneys. Helen thought the necklace very pretty. I wore it to the party last night and everyone I showed it to thought it unique. I wore a while blouce so the necklace had a good background.

I had three letters from you this morning dated Dec 9-10-11. So glad you rec’d the pictures. After Christmas I am going to have Hubertz make some and maybe you can get a better idea of how David looks. He looks more like your baby picture every day – I think. I just gave him his bottle and he is feeling pretty good. He still doesn’t sleep thru at night without a bottle but he wakes up so hungry I don’t know what to do but feed him, so guess I’ll keep on until he can sleep through.

John is listening to the opera this afternoon. I was trying to write so sent him up to his room so I could concentrate better. He is to play for Sunday School – in the adult Dept. tomorrow. He was asked to play something so made a medley

[page 3] of Christmas carols. He didn’t go take a music lesson this morning due to having been in Thurs & Fri. He was glad of an excuse not to go because Miss Smith is using Bair’s piano and John says it is so badly out of turn he can’t endure the sound. Mr. Simons is in St. E. for observation so Miss Smith can’t go there now – I suppose Mrs. Simons has closed the house and is staying with her married daughter in Lafayette. I haven’t heard anything about what Mr. Simons trouble is.

Mark has gone to town to do some of his Christmas shopping and buy a few more greetings for me. I didn’t do much about greetings this year. I bought a few at the variety store and sent to friends & relatives we always send to. I sent 16 with pictures of David. I was going to send you one of those pictures but ran out before I was thru so thought I would have a better one made for you.

Had a letter from Ruth M. today. She said she would like for us to come over if possible. If it weren’t for this unusual weather we are having I would try to go over some time during Christmas vacation but with the baby so small I am in favor of staying home till warmer weather.

David received a Christmas greeting from Dr. & Mrs. Cole. Their greeting this

[page 4] year is a picture taken of their cocker spaniel out in front of their house by the sign post. You remember they have the sign post by the driveway. It has the outline of the horse & buggy with their name underneath. You mentioned taking the serum along when I take David for his shots – I had thought of that – because it is still good and will be then and it is the combined shots. I won’t take him for shots until March (6 mo old).

I told you in a previous letter the boys bought 5⁰⁰ each worth of stamps out of their 10⁰⁰ – I wrote to F & R about what a kick Mark got from the 10⁰⁰ – Floyd said he bet that 10⁰⁰ looked bigger to Mark than next year’s budget to Congress. I think John appreciated his just as much but he isn’t so much to demonstrate. You can appreciate that. After Christmas I am either going to buy a coat or put “my” money in a saving acc’t and also take out most of the bank acc’t and put on interest somewhere. We really don’t need enough in the checking acc’t only to meet the monthly needs and any allotment will take care of that I think.

I have the humidity up a little this afternoon due to towels, diapers, etc., on the radiators. The towels sour in the basement before they dry so bring them up here. You won’t get this until after Christmas so hope you rec’d some of the boxes –

Love Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/09/04/forgot-the-pictures-gladys/

Just a week until Christmas eve (Gladys)

1 Reply

: December 17, 1942 Envelope front

: December 17, 1942 Envelope back

: December 17, 1942, p. 1

: December 17, 1942, p. 2

: December 17, 1942, p. 3

: December 17, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Dec 17 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

Just a week until Christmas Eve. Seems like it is getting here rapidly and I still have some things to do. If we don’t go to C.C. (which I doubt our going) I will have to make some preparations for Christmas dinner, etc. Since Ruth & Earl can’t come here & Ruth & Floyd are going home we will probably have no company. I had a letter from Mother today and she said Thelma is going to Norfolk for Christmas. I haven’t heard any more about Jim coming home in Jan. I sent him two gifts last week and one to Thelma. I rec’d two boxes from her today. Jim’s came last week. We have been getting boxes every day and since the mail is so heavy we have to go to the P.O. to get packages. I couldn’t imagine where the two today were from. I didn’t expect any from Thelma since Jim had sent each of us gifts in his box.

The weather I wrote you about

[page 2] this morning changed somewhat. The blizzard stopped and by noon the sun was shining and all was quiet. This afternoon the snow began to thaw and I went to town in the car and the streets were getting very slushy. There is quite a wind now but I think it isn’t a cold wind.

Arlene called a while ago and said she was coming up for a little visit. I went to town this afternoon and did a little shopping for her. Louise wasn’t there and she couldn’t leave. She said Donnie weighs over 16 lbs now. David weighed 11 – 4 today.

John is taking his turn being sick. There wasn’t any school today due to the blizzard this morning and the boys were home. By noon John said he didn’t feel so good. He was hungry and ate quite a good lunch. After eating I waited a while and took his temperature. It was 100 – I gave him ½ and at 6:30 ½. His temp. went up to 101 but he doesn’t seem to feel so bad. He drank a glass of orange juice for supper. I hope I can elude that little “bug.” I am trying to be careful so maybe I will be able to get by.

[page 3] I took a roll of pictures of the baby to try and get one to put on Christmas greetings. Out of 8 I got one that will do. I found some greetings at the variety store that the picture will fit in so will send a few to our close friends, Maces, Watsons, Mutch’s, Dolores, your Mom & mine and one to Mrs. P. After Christmas I am going to have the photographer make a picture of David and also one of myself for you as you requested.

Fri – John is much better but I didn’t allow him to go to school today. He is getting restless and that is a good sign. He is hungry so that is another good symptom.

The pictures are the ones Mrs. Zell took the morning I wrote about how beautiful & scenic it was. I was out of film that morning so didn’t get any with our camera. To get the full beauty one would have to take pictures with a movie camera.

The papers came today but have been too busy to read. Hume Sammon’s funeral was this afternoon. The Puetz have a baby boy – born Dec 13 – weight 6-9.

[page 4] After all the varied weather yesterday there was a little freeze and it was slick on streets where there isn’t much traffic. I went to town but drove very carefully and slowly. There wasn’t many cars on the streets so didn’t have much traffic to encounter.

I am going to the class party tonite and Dorothy is coming out to stay with the family. It was her suggestion. I wouldn’t ask anyone to do that but she offered her time. I have Clara M. engaged for Mon nite – the band concert – Arlene is having a party Sun nite so will have to get someone to come then – I haven’t been out much and it seems like everything is coming together. After Christmas there won’t be much going on so will stay home. I am going to take Bobby Funk to the concert Mon. nite. Arlene’s bridge club meets and she can’t take him so I told her Mark & I would take him. John of course will play in the band. It is about time for Mark to come home so will get this ready for him to take to the P.O. Helen W. Knollin has been here but is leaving Sun. She & her husband are in Chi. Now but will be back here tonite & tomorrow.

Love Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/09/01/just-a-week-un…mas-eve-gladys/

Packages arrived (Gladys)

3 Replies

: 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/