Tag Archives: John F. Yegerlehner

Mrs. Henry Molter (Gladys)

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April 30, 1944 envelope

April 30, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-30-44

Dear Daddy –

April just about gone – It rained this morning, but it’s warm. I took David to church this morning and he behaved very well. His lip looks fine and baring falls will look normal again soon. I have noticed however that one front tooth is pushed back out of line. Dr. M. examined his mouth rather thoroughly for loose teeth but they seemed intact. Sat. when he took the stitches out he said as soon as his mouth heals to take him to the dentist. It wasn’t the broken tooth that got pushed back but the other one. Dr. M. said he felt like doing something to me for allowing him to fall and cause the bleeding around the stitches, but someone would have to carry him around all the time to keep him from falling. Dr. M. was afraid there would be a scar but after he got the stitches out it looked pretty smooth.

The sun is shining now. I hope it keeps shining so I can take D. out after his nap. He is getting quite a tan. Was out so much yesterday.

Mark went with Zells to Morocco to see a show last night. John stayed home and did homework. I ironed something I couldn’t do on the ironer. I thought after I went to bed David might be getting the measles. He would cry in his sleep – did that several times, but finally settled down. It will be two weeks Mon. since he was exposed. I am hoping he is going to sail thru.

I got a suit for John in Laf. but had to send it back because the sleeves were too short. I went to the tailor here to see about getting a suit made for him but Mr. Corbin said he wasn’t able to do much now so wouldn’t take the job. I thought I may go to Laf. again

April 30, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] next week and try again to get a suit and Mark a pr. of shoes. Mark doesn’t have school Tues. I asked Lucile if she wanted to go but she said she had a woman coming to help clean Mon. & Tues. and couldn’t go before the last of the week. I asked Dorothy if she could go to Evanston one day to house hunt and she said a week from Thurs. – but I hope you will have found something before then. I do hope you can find a cottage on the Lake. I think that would be much better for the summer.

Mark has been working on a plane for Bobby and I have had to keep after him to finish it. He says all he has to do now is cover the wings then he will be thru. I told him he couldn’t go out today until he finishes it. He starts a plane and if I don’t keep after him he forgets all about it and the plane never gets finished.

Al thought yesterday that Smith would be in town and if so would bring him out – If they came it was while we went Sheldon to get some meat. I brought all of Clara’s lima beans back and took them to Henry’s (instructions). Mrs. Molter was home alone so I put the beans in the refrigerator. Mrs. M. doesn’t walk. I knew she was an invalid but didn’t know her trouble. She said she had arthritis in her spine. The local Dr. is Glick. She has had operations and been in the hospitals for treatments but doesn’t improve. I was surprised to see such a young woman. I have heard Rose & Clara speak of Henry’s wife but had never met her before. I suppose you have met her. I know you were on two calls to see Henry.

May add a P.S. later.
Love Mother

P.S. Took David for a walk – Stopped at Johnsons & we walked with Lucile & J.E. awhile. Ed took a picture of D. & his mother – hope it’s good. I called Lila and had a little gab. She asked me if one of letters was late. I told her I would wring Joe’s neck.

YEG1944-04-30 Gladys Yegerlehner (R) David (middle)

Gladys, with Jimmy Ed and David (R)

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/10/mrs-henry-molter-gladys/

A Week Since (Gladys)

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April 29, 1944 envelope

April 29, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-29-44

Dear Daddy –

Doesn’t seem possible that it has been a week since we were anxiously waiting for you to come home. Just hope we can look for you next Sat. After I wrote to you yesterday, I took David out in the yard with me and he fell down smack on his lip and made it bleed. Then after we came back into the house he fell again and made it bleed again. I put sulfa powder on it and took him to the Dr. this morning. He took the stitches out and in spite of everything it looks pretty good. The swelling from the bumps yesterday is about gone. We have been trying to keep him from falling today. I put him in the Taylor Tot and Mark pushed him around this morning and has him out now. Buddy came out to play with Mark. He will get a taste of what it’s like

April 29, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] to push the baby around.

Al came out this morning with our mortgage exemption for me to sign. He wanted to know if we were going to rent the house to Smiths. I said we would but if we wanted to come back would want the house. I told him we couldn’t say anything definite about how long they could have it. He wanted to know how much rent and I said just enough to meet the payments – between $45 & $50. He said they didn’t have any other house in view. I asked him if he knew of any rental agencies in Evanston or Chicago. He said he didn’t, he is just new in this business.

I have been thinking I might get Dorothy or someone to go with me and go to Evanston or someplace around there one day and house hunt. What do you think?

April 29, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] John has the Opera on. It is being broadcast from Chicago. I wish I could have taken John up for this particular opera, but Miss Smith said the house was sold out weeks ago – that is tickets under $5.50. If we were all in the upper brackets a little $5.50 wouldn’t bother us.

No mail today. Not even a circular. I suppose two or three of yours (letters) will come Mon.

– – Just had a hair cutting job – Martha wanted her bangs cut – but that didn’t take very long. I forgot about the haircut I was supposed to do last weekend until after you left. You no doubt have visited a barber there.

Another pause to take care of David and get him ready to go back out. Yesterday in Laf. he didn’t want to go in the elevators – when I came home and told John, he thought

April 29, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] it was “cute” or something like that. He says he can remember the time I made him ride in the elevator and get over his phobia. He said you weren’t along. I remember the time myself. It was in T.H.

I attended class party last night at Simisons. I was talking to Clarice and Smith is the man Huftys were talking about the evening we were there. I told her we were considering renting our house to them and she said she was glad because they were anxious to find a place. This man Smith has a lot to live up to because I think Bob and a few others pulled hard to get him.

I should write your Mother and tell her about David’s fall or should I say falls. I think by tomorrow it should be healed enough for him to be turned loose.

I must get busy.
Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/08/a-week-since-gladys/

Trip to Lafayette (Gladys)

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April 28, 1944 envelope

April 28, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-28-44

Dear Daddy –

Just back from Laf. Got my glasses welded (75₵). Got John a suit and a few other odds and ends. Took David along but he was “nasty” most of the time. Dorothy didn’t have any shopping to do after she saw the Dr. so we started home about 3:30. She said she had only gained 3 lbs. the past month and seems to be in good condition. She is to take Marie Steinbaugh to Chicago next Wed. and said the last time she was there the Dr. told Mrs. S. that one lung had collapsed. She isn’t very good.

Two letters came this morning. You told about the $250.00 house. I wonder how they think Navy Doctors can pay that much rent.

April 28, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] I feel the same as you do about moving up. This is too near to be so far, “or something.” If you find any place at all that will be suitable, take it and we will move up.

Spring is in the air. Gardens and fields are being plowed. Mr. Z. is working on the garden we had last year. Someone disked (?) the corn field across the way, this morning, so I suppose there will be another corn field. If we aren’t here to look at it guess it doesn’t make much difference to us.

I see Jimmy S. playing with the Z. children. Jimmy & Ma have been to Monticello this week. I have a good guess the Ma worked on the cottage this week. I should be working on this place but I run out of pep so soon after I get a good start.

April 28, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] I certainly appreciated the things you went into detail about our sons – but I suppose those are the things other people think about when they rent. But at the rental prices around there they could refurnish after renting out a few months.

Mr. Z. is using the Turnpaugh horses and Mark is going out with him when he takes the horses home. He (Mark) wants to put out a little garden. If he could just keep some of the enthusiasm he gets when he wants to start something. This morning I cleaned up one of his messes he made in the basement. I burned a bunch of trash he had let accumulate. He was so quick to go buy the airplane for Bobby and start building it but it isn’t finished yet and I have to

April 28, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] remind him every day to work on it.

I hung out two washers of clothes this morning and they are still hanging so must go take them down. I’ll take D. out and let him run around in the yard while I work. John is going to town to get the paper and mail this.

Dorothy said Harold F. went to the clinic in Chicago yesterday. I don’t know what the findings were.

I can’t think of any news right now. You will have the news I am anxious to hear.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/06/trip-to-lafayette-gladys/

Ice Cream for Supper (Gladys)

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April 27, 1944 envelope

April 27, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-27-44

Dear Daddy –

No letter this morning – I suppose the train was late or for some reason or other it didn’t make connections. It is very windy and I hung drapes out to air. I am not sure I will hang them again. I should have washed those other woolen blankets. The sun has been shining but the wind is very sharp. Lucile walked out with Jimmy but didn’t stay long. Then David & I walked down to the highway, then back to Mrs. Krull’s. Louise is here this week with her children. Mrs. Krull is sewing for Louise so can’t make a suit for me for some time. I looked at B & B for a suit for John

April 27, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] this morning, but they haven’t much selection. I took David to the Dr. this a.m. – he said to bring him back today. He said it looked good (that is as good as it could after what it had been thru – the lip of course). He said to bring him back in two days to have stitches out.

Dorothy is going to Laf. tomorrow and I plan to go. I am going to take David along. I don’t want to leave him with anyone with such a lip. He may get it bumped with me but I don’t want that to happen for anyone else.

Had a letter from your Mother. Eel river is out and the road north is under water. I suppose by now it is going down. Uncle Geo. had a stroke and Dad and the boys went up to see him. He is better now.

April 27, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] John is at a wiener roast at school. He came home to get cokes out of the refrigerator and said it was so windy they were going inside to have their party. They had intended having it out on the grounds. I told him they should come over and use our fireplace and he reminded me that it is full of clinkers.

Mark wants us to have something “extra special” for supper since John is having a picnic supper. He suggested ice cream and make sodas. We have some cokes but I told him he could have the soda. I have had one coke today and I believe that is enough. Arlene had Donnie & Bobby in the wagon – had been to the filling station for cokes – and David and I were walking along and she asked me in for a coke.

April 27, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] David wanted a taste but that was all. He kept saying words and they thought he was progressing very well in his talking. He closed the nursery door and Donnie said, “You’re bad.” They said he says that to everyone about everything. David made a puddle on the nursery floor (at home) and took me to see it. He has seen me mop up his puddles and thought that was what should be done.

Mark is wanting to go to town to get his ice cream so will let him go and mail this and get the paper.

Hope you have found us a place to live. Wish I could be up there to look around but you & Joe together should be able to find something –

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/04/ice-cream-for-supper-gladys/

A Split Lip (Gladys)

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April 27, 1944 envelope

April 27, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-27-44

Dear Daddy –

The fall David had Monday was minor compared to one he got this morning. I was upstairs and sewing in the little room. He would play around the machine then go into J. & M.’s room – was closing their door, etc. He came in where I was then ran into their room and the next thing I knew I heard a crash and ran in to see – He was lying under the radio. I don’t know how it happened, but he must have climbed up on one of the beds and then over to the radio and pulled it over on him. I suppose there was something on the radio he wanted. He sustained a jagged gash across the upper lip that took two stitches to close. The cut almost went thru. The inside was cut, both upper and lower but no teeth loosened. There was a small place on the left eye lid but not bad. I noticed this afternoon one finger on the left hand is bruised at the end. He was bleeding and crying and I couldn’t take him in the car by myself

April 27, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] so we called Dorothy. She came out and we took him down to Dr. M. Dorothy W. had the table ready (I had called the Dr.) and she wrapped a sheet around him to keep his arms down and started to work cleaning the places and finding the extent of the cut. After finishing with the stitches Dr. M. examined him all over for possible broken bones, but found nothing else wrong. When I got back to the house J. & M. were home for lunch. They had gone thru the house looking for me and found the overturned radio. David went to sleep and slept until about 1:30 – I tried to feed him but he wouldn’t eat much. The bandage got wet and when I put a dry one on I thought Dr. M. had done a pretty good job closing up the opening. After his nap I took him out for a walk. He seems to feel pretty good in spite of everything. His upper lip is swollen at least twice its normal size. He keeps drooling and I have to keep a bib on him. He isn’t sucking his thumbs – but he

April 27, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] had quit the thumb habit before his fall. I decided to give “Thum” a try. Arlene said she used it once on Donnie and he quit. She had the bottle she bought for Donnie and wanted to send it up so I thought it was worth a try. I profited from her experience. She told me not to put as much on as she had (she had coated both thumbs) so I just put a small spot on both thumbs and that was enough for a taste – David got one small taste and kept his thumbs out. I put the first on one evening when I was getting him ready for bed. The next morning I heard him sucking his thumb – I got up and took him to the toidey and told him I would put more stuff on his thumbs so he didn’t put them in his mouth again. Yesterday noon I spotted both thumbs and he wouldn’t get his hands near his face – Last night after his bath I

April 27, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] put a spot on each thumb again and this morning he wasn’t sucking his thumbs or hadn’t been until his fall. I hadn’t mentioned the Thum experiment because I wanted to wait and see what the results would be.

Seems this letter has been mostly about David, but he had a lot to talk about. Mark has gone over to the High School to a track meet and John has been busy getting things assembled for a party his class is having. He is Treas. And has to spend the class money for them.

I am enclosing a V-mail that came from Ed Lentz.

About that $150.00 house – I hope we don’t have to pass up many offers. Was it a furnished house? Could we have kept roomers? Did you talk to Joe about sharing the house? This sounds like a lot of questions in a row but I am interested in finding a house – and I am ready to move anytime. – Of course the boys should get a least two more weeks of school but could miss the last few days.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/02/a-split-lip-gladys/

All Alone Tonight (Roscoe)

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April 26, 1944 envelope

April 26, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

4/26/44

Dear Mother,

I’m all alone tonight – I mean Joe is on duty and I’m in my room alone – I hear others moving about in the house but I’ve been working on my correspondence course so have been busy.

I didn’t get a chance to go to the Lounge this eve so did not get your letter but will get it the first thing in the AM. I’ve been writing correspondence and seemed to have gotten into the habit of writing small and close together. That’s a mistake because I’ll have to write too much or use fewer pages.

Today at noon I sat down at a table and there were 3 strangers and in the course of the self introductions one fellow said his name was Glick and when I gave mine he was very surprised and gushy. He loudly and proudly announced to the other two that I practiced in his home town and that I had been practically around the world, etc., since joining the Navy – said he had kept in touch with me thru his Mother since I joined the Navy glub glub. He invited and half pushed me into the dental Dept. after the meal to have a talk. Really he is or seems to be a very fine individual with much common sense, etc.

I got another call from the housing today. She had another house – from the description on the phone it seemed a miniature hotel lacking only mail service and elevators – $250 per mo. I wasn’t interested. She did say she thought there would be some good Lake properties open in a short time and I’m going to try to get Joe interested. At present he just doesn’t seem much interested because he doesn’t want a house until the last of May.

All the places ask about children and their ages, etc. You know it’s funny how people feel about how destructive other people’s children are. We would hate to rent our house to a family with a bunch of mean brats that would hack and hew the furniture, the

April 26, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] decks, the bulkheads and more destruction too numerous to mention. Now take our children. There is John – he’d probably hammer the stranger’s piano out of tune not to mention the scratches his feet might make keeping time to the music, and also probably dribble and splatter around the head – he being tall and his aim not good – for that matter Mark might splatter a little because he aims and fires before he can get a good look at the whites of their eyes – of course little D. would just scatter his period head or no head and I mean way ahead. John might also would not reshape chairs, davenports, etc., from the contortious positions he assumes while reading. Shrubbery, lawn, etc., would never suffer due to Mark and his outdoor activities, nor would walls be darkened by his hands which he always cleans before coming into contact with clean walls, linen, etc. David I know would never pick up a pencil and write or mark on anything or object – too busy sucking his thumbs. Maybe I’d better stop analyzing my offsprings but books have been written on less subject matter than I’ve put forth but I’m not a book writer.

I’m partially out of my trance now. I do hope I can find something in the next two weeks because I don’t like living this way. This is too near too far. I’d just about as soon be out of the country when you are so near but so far. I’m not making that too plain but I hope you can read between the lines.

I think I’ll wash my head – (I mean hair) and go to bed –
Love Daddy

Horace Maxwell Glick (1906-1959) Image via Find A Grave (posted by Alana Knochel Bauman)

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/01/all-alone-tonight-roscoe/

Renting the House (Gladys)

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April 26, 1944 envelope

April 26, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
4-26-44

Dear Daddy,

In a manner of speaking you had better get us a place to live – I have taken the first step in renting our home – Now this is the situation – I saw Ira Dixon, was looking for Al but thought Ira would know whether Smiths have a house – and according to Ira the “powers” were very much worried about the housing situation for the new Supt. And said if we would rent ours it would help them out a lot. He also said there was only Mr. & Mrs. Since the daughter teaches school and isn’t home. I told Ira we didn’t know how long you would be on the present duty but thought it would be for a few months at least. He said there was to be a school board meeting tonight and he knew they would welcome this news. Financially speaking

April 26, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] it would help us out about $45 or $50 a month. How much should we ask if we do rent?

Both J. & M. are doing home work and both jiggling the table. Mark explodes once in a while and makes the table move. He has so much trouble with the arithmetic. He thinks the book is off – not him. He mowed most of the lawn this evening. Link was out mowing and hired Mark to do his the next time. Said he would give him a dollar. It finally cleared off and I washed white clothes. I put your Christmas presents in and except for a few spots are in pretty good shape. I didn’t soak them in bleach but put the stained pieces on the grass and the sun did a good job bleaching them. I got the pictures back we took Sun. I am enclosing one of David and two other pictures of the rest of the family.

April 26, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] I am still going without glasses, but hope to get to Laf. some time this week. Dorothy is going Fri. – I presume, to see Dr. Cole. Said she had to be there by 1:45. I would like to go sooner but if I can go with her think I should save the car, tires, gas, etc., for possible driving this summer.

Lucile called me today. Jimmy is all over his measles and they have put him down again. Said if it is warm tomorrow will take him out of doors. She didn’t want to take him to Laf. tomorrow – thought it too soon to take him with other people. Dr. said he might expose someone. David hasn’t shown the slightest sign of measles yet but he could start any time now. I took him out for a long time today just in case he starts

April 26, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] anything he will have had today out. Mrs. Zell offered to keep him so I could attend club but I told her to go and I would keep Martha, so she did. I took David & Martha out and Bobby joined us for a while, then he turned “nasty” and I told him to go home. He seems to get along nicely for a while then as Beulah says he goes “bosoik.” I think a little or a lot of applied psychology at the right times would help the little man a lot. I know that old touch system still works here with David. I ask him if he wants me to spank and he says “no.” I put training panties on him today and he got along pretty good. He was wet both times when I brought him in from playing but that wasn’t his fault.

I didn’t get much done today so am going to try and work some this evening –

Love Mother

Wed. a.m. It is cloudy and forecast is rain. Mark is out now mowing – he didn’t finish last night.

Radio Interference (Roscoe)

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April 25, 1944 envelope

April 25, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Apr. 25, 1944

Dear Mother,

Just listening to Fibber & Molly and trying to write but haven’t made much headway. Again the orchestra is playing so I’ll write until they start talking again.

Your letter came today – This afternoon – I suppose you had just as well pay the coal bills and get things cleared up a bit. They have to be paid sooner or later so – .

I’m learning things around here every day – namely – many of the Drs. back from foreign duty have stopped here only a short time and are then transferred to some other duty – in the States. I’d hate to rent a house and pay a month’s rent before moving in and then hav not use it because of being transferred. But I have not rented one yet so I don’t need worry about that, and what you suggested about the weekend – why not just move up period – Let the kids board out or leave school early – but I guess we don’t need to cross that bridge just yet.

You have a few days to wait as yet for D. and the measles as I told you

April 25, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] in last night’s letter.

Bob Hope is now on and I’m not just sure what I’m writing. Vera V. is now on and I can’t concentrate.

Just re-read your letter and I think I’ve answered all the questions – I started this letter about one hour ago but I’ve had too much radio interference.

I hate to think of it but this is a must – a bath in the tub. It’s a little cold in here but I’ve gone long enough now. Just about can’t stand myself anymore but I know of no other solution.

Joe is writing now and Bob Hope is over and I’ve about run down so must get going on that bath. I’ve been thinking – If I don’t have OD duty week after next I’m going to try to get off. It may be only a try but I’ll let you hom know later –

Love Daddy

P.S. Red Skelton is on now.

Cut Lip and Puffy Nose (Gladys)

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April 24 & 25, 1944 envelope

April 24 & 25, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-24-44

Dear Daddy –

Will start writing this evening while I have a little time – not that I am rushed any time, but just finished dishes and John is working on another “dangerous room” so will sit here at the table where he is working & write. Mark is upstairs working on Bobby’s plane. David isn’t asleep yet, but has had a bad time. While I was starting supper he came running into the kitchen and fell face down. He cried like he was hurt and upon examining his face saw he had bursted his upper lip and made his nose bleed. His lip is hanging over and his face is a little swollen. I wouldn’t be surprised if his nose is broken the way it looks. Is there anything to do in case it is? He looks a little funny with his lip hanging down and puffy nose. I couldn’t see anything in the doorway he could trip over but he trips easily and where the linoleum ends there may be a rough place he could catch his shoe on.

I went to town and mailed Mrs. Stanish a money order and incidentally cashed the M.O. I took from you. I may need that to buy new glasses. Mr. Rinard said he couldn’t fix my glasses and didn’t have any frames like them. So far I haven’t had any headaches but haven’t done any close work yet. My eyes feel a little tired. While in town saw Geo. Monroe and he had been out here after I went to town, but he looked at the belt and it is about ready to break. He has ordered a new belt – I hope it doesn’t break before the new one comes – unless it gets warmer. It is very cool here and must be positively cold where you are. I was going to put my fur coat in storage if I went to Laf. but unless it warms up will need to wear it.

April 24 & 25, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Mrs. Dixon is on a committee with me and I called her today. She had just returned from Fla. – arrived this morning. She knew you were back and said she supposed she would miss seeing you. She and Nettie were in Fla. three months and would come back in weather like this.

Tues. a.m. – I am sitting in the “powder room” on the hamper. David is on the throne and I am trying to keep him quiet. His upper lip still hangs down some but his nose looks quite natural. He seems to feel pretty good so no measles yet. He woke me at 6:30 and I took him up and put him on the toidey. He had gone thru the night dry. So far this morning he is still wearing same pants. – – A pause to dress David. I put panties on him – I hope I am not too optimistic.

It is still cloudy today but looks like it may clear off. I will have to wash and dry things indoors if this rain keeps up. The grass has grown so much this week it will have to be cut wet I am afraid. The back yard is quite “thick” looking. I broke the news to the boys but didn’t get much reaction. I suppose I will have to take the lawn mower down to John Krug and have it oiled and sharpened. He keeps the old “hunk of junk” in pretty good shape.

I noticed we have one tiny blossom on the Forsythia bush. That is the yellow flowering shrub we see early in the spring usually, but it is late this year. The Lilac bush Onargo set out for me last fall is showing signs of life. The Spirea has opened out since you were here Sunday. So much for the horticulture.

If it keeps clearing, David will get to go out in the yard while I hang up clothes. It was too cold yesterday to take him out. I am going to watch him closely for signs of measles and I don’t want him to get cold or get a cold if he is having measles (or otherwise).

The sun is out now so must get a tub started.
Love Mother

Birds and Bees (Gladys)

1 Reply

April 24, 1944 envelope

April 24, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-24-44

Dear Daddy –

Another “gray Monday.” It has rained and there is quite a wind today. My neighbor braved the weather and hung out clothes, but I didn’t wash any today.

We came home about 4 o’clock yesterday. After we came back I was going to take David for a walk, but the wind was so strong we didn’t stay out very long. I don’t want to do anything that might not be so good for him if he is taking measles. This is the 8^th day and no signs so far, but I’ll watch him closely. I would like to go to Laf. sometime this week. I didn’t get to town this morning to see Mr. Rinard about my glasses, but

April 24, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] I doubt if he can fix them. I will try to go down this afternoon. I think I’ll wait until J. & M. get home from school, so I won’t have to take David. I don’t want to expose anyone, and we might do that if we don’t keep David home.

Yesterday on the way home Mark asked me how a Dr. could tell when a woman was going to have a baby. I told him a woman had to tell the Dr. first, then he wondered how the woman knew. I was floundering around for a suitable answer and he said, “Oh I get it, after a woman gets married, she gets a seed that grows.” Now the next time you are home I want you to do some more explaining to Mark. That was the first time he had asked such a question and I wasn’t very well prepared to answer him.

David is in bed, but hasn’t gone to sleep yet. His bowels were normal again this morning. I put him on the toidey after breakfast

April 24, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] and he had his stool. So far that has been all today. He wanted to go bye-bye this morning. He could see the car in the garage and would point to it and say “car.” Once this morning he took his overalls off and put them in the drawer. I think he is going to sleep now, after an hour of playing in his bed.

I opened the box of candy yesterday and it is quickly vanishing. Maybe it is just as well for me to have help on it – I might eat too much if I didn’t have help.

I wrote Mrs. Stanish a letter and will get the M.O. to put in it this afternoon. I didn’t mention the flowers. I suppose if Vince wants her to know how they were ordered he can tell her. I wrote Reader’s Digest your new address. Called Monroe & left word for him to come out and look at the belt. So far he hasn’t come.

April 24, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] David is awake and I measured him – he is 33 ¾” – ¾” taller than a month ago.

I am cleaning out the desk and found T. J. Murphy’s letter – his address is 1508 Banks Place – Lakeland Fla. – in case you want to write to him.

I found the coal bills – $25 & $22 – should I pay them? I paid the Hancock Ins. $70.70 and Mrs. Stanich and our balance is $184.00 – However in another week the $200.00 will come and I can dep. $170.00. Maybe we should pay those bills now (?)

I just had a thought, idea or what have you. In case you would find an apt. now and would have to take it in order to get it, maybe we could come up for a week-end, even if you had duty – Just an idea, in case something comes our way. I think I could drive thru without assistance of anyone else. Of course the chances are we won’t get one so soon, but in case we do it would be a pleasant way to spend the week-end.

John & Mark are home and I must go to town –
Love Mother