Tag Archives: Kentland

Thanksgiving Week

Letter transcription:

Nov. 29-1965

Dear David and Bonnie –

I am writing again in Wilmington. Will spend the night here and then go home in the morning. We have had a full week. Last Tuesday we went back to Kentland—stopping in Kankakee to shop and eat. It was about 4 PM when we reached Kentland, so after a short siesta I went to the office and after we had dinner I was ready to fold. Wed. we started preparing food for the homecoming. John came home about 2:30. Lea & Bob came in time for dinner. Mark, Shirley & children arrived later in the evening. Lea & Bob left to go to Bob’s parents in the afternoon (Thurs). M. & S. stayed until Fri. afternoon. John left to return to Champaign after church

[page 2] Sunday. Dad & Aunt Ruth & I went to Clay City to attend the Alumni Tea. None of the Yegerlehners were there, so we went out to see Clarence. Aunt Clara is not well. She had an operation for cancer last summer and also had cobalt treatments. In Sept. Clarence and Clara visited Aunt Ruth & Clara seemed fine. They had stopped to see us, but that was while we were away. Aunt Ruth was quite surprised to see how thin Clara is. Uncle Clarence told Dad she isn’t able to retain her food much of the time. We went on down to see Ralph & Faye. Faye said she is quite upset over Clara’s condition. Evidently from what Faye told us the cancer wasn’t all removed. I have never seen Clara as thin as she is now. Just a shadow of her former self.

[page 3] Duane has a church in Rockford, Ill. now. He was in Shelbyville, Ind.

We stopped in Brazil to see Vic & Beulah. They told us Marie had been married recently. I called her and she and her new husband, Mr. Shewmaker, came to Vic & Beulah’s to see us. All in all we had a very nice day, except for seeing Aunt Clara in such a poor condition.

Today I made statements and mailed them as we were ready to leave town. Aunt Ruth folded them and stuffed envelopes. I ran the amount on the adding machine and when I showed Aunt Ruth how much it amounted to, she said she could see why I would spend a day making them. (Not that we will collect one third of the amount.)

[page 4] Mrs. Myers didn’t get to spend Thanksgiving with us. She was upset and couldn’t eat. I went to see her the next day and she was feeling much better. She was looking in a Sears catalogue and wanted to order a bathrobe. I told her not to buy anything until after Christmas. I found one that I thought was quite pretty at Ashton’s, so bought it for her for Christmas. I was wondering what I would give her—now I have that taken care of. I think she is going to have to go to a nursing home because I think she shouldn’t be alone. I think she is thinking that way herself now. I have had a full day, so think I will soon take a bath & retire.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/02/23/thanksgiving-week/

Getting Aunt Ruth

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Letter transcription:

11-22-65

Dear David & Bonnie –

I am writing this in Wilmington. I have come to get Aunt Ruth. We plan to go back to Kentland in the morning. Mark & Shirley & children and John will come home for Thanksgiving and incidentally Dad’s birthday. I hope you remember to send Dad a remembrance. Mark & Shirley will go back home Friday but I think Aunt Ruth will stay and go to Clay City with us next Sunday. The High School is having an Alumni Tea and Dad said he would like to go. We haven’t been down to see any of the family this year so if we get to go we’ll visit relatives besides attending the Tea.

Yesterday we attended the open house for the parsonage and as I am on the Commission of Worship, took a part in the

[page 2] ceremony. Dr. Baily was in attendance. He asked me if you are attending Yale and of course I told him you are at B.U. and also assisting a history professor at Emerson—I think I put it this way, “he is attending B.U. and also teaching at Emerson.” Dr. Bailey complimented our congregation on the fine parsonage we have secured (and paid for). He said it was one of the best in the district—this is for our size church.

I asked Mrs. Myers to spend Thanksgiving Day with us, after Doris told me they were going to be out of town that day. She was a little hesitant about it, but I thought if she is able to come she shouldn’t be alone. She is a little discouraged about her recovery. I stopped to see her Fri. & Sat. and she was wearing her pjs & robe.

[page 3] She did get dressed the day she had her hair washed and set. She still complains about not having any strength. At her age, that asthmatic attack didn’t do her any good.

Aunt Ruth has a very nice apartment with living room, kitchen, bath & 2 bedrooms. The heat is electric, which is very convenient. She as a good view, being on 2^nd floor. I think she is quite settled here—she lives just across the street from Methodist Church but of course you know she attends Presbyterian.

Mark called us last night. Kirk had an ear infection and they took him to the Dr. They promised him he wouldn’t have to have a shot but the Dr. said the infection was so bad he should have a shot of penicillin. Kirk told us over the phone he had a shot.

[page 4] Mark said he insisted on having a band aid on the place where he had the shot.

Aunt Ruth has color T.V. but there is something wrong with the aerel (sp.) and she doesn’t get the best reception.

We are going to see the local movie—if we decide it is worth seeing.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/02/22/getting-aunt-ruth/

A Stone Fence

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Letter transcription:

November 14, 1965

Dear David and Bonnie:

Your last “line” received.

Today I had to attend a meeting at the church in the afternoon and since Dad was on a baby case at the hospital and the recorder was on I stopped to see Mrs. Myers for a few minutes. So far she hasn’t worn anything since her return from the hospital but pjs and housecoat. She said she has an appointment for a shampoo Monday, so she will get back into her clothes again. She complains of weakness and I know she isn’t very strong. You don’t need to mention anything in your letters to her about what I write about her, but I think she is going to have to go to a nursing home sooner or later. Mrs. Borman is getting ready to open a home in the place where Krulls used to live (where Funks office used to be). Mrs. M. was asking me about it today. I think she would be much better off to go to a Methodist Home like Wesley Manor. Regardless of where she goes, I think it is going to come to that, simply because she is not able to be alone. You know she has all her eggs in one basket, namely AT & T and there has been some unpleasant news in the papers recently about the company and the stock has declined in price some, however, not enough to alarm a person. She told me today she was upset about it. She even contemplated selling, but I told her the capital gains and taxes would not leave her much. Harold had told her the same thing. I told her if she wanted to secure her future, she could go to a nursing home like Wesley and she would be taken care of, regardless of the stock market. It would cost her something to enter and she would have to pay something to stay there, but if she signed her stock over to the home they would take care of her. There is a home at Earl Park that is very nice and only a person with her means could afford to enter. I don’t know what her decision will be, but I feel she is trying to decide what to do. In the past she has been very adamant about entering an institution, but I think she is beginning to realize that is what she needs. Now don’t mention any of this in your letters to her.

We are still studying the stereo situation. While Dad was at the hospital this evening and after I had had a siesta, I listened to one record of Cosi Fan Tutte—then Dad came home and we had a snack. We decided we didn’t need much to eat today. We have been eating walnuts. The Mercurios gave us canned fruit, fresh apples, almonds and English walnuts and I have been shelling the nuts and the result has been—too many nuts eaten.

Next Sunday the parsonage will be consecrated. Since I am on the Commission of Worship I had to help plan the program. Dr. Bailey will be here to preach in the morning and be present at the open house and consecration service in the afternoon. You know, or you will in time, a consecration service cannot be held until a building is paid in full.

Joy Funk is going to be married Jan. 15. Some of Arlene’s friends had a shower for her Saturday. I saw Nancy at the shower. She and Don are living in Rensselaer. I told her you and Bonnie will be home for Christmas. I suppose you and Jim and Chuck and some of the crowd will want to have a party sometime during the time you are home. Jim tried six times, his mother told me, to call you the day he was in Boston.

The McClures and Bob and Ruth Ford and Dad and I are going to give the Johnson’s a house warming next Thursday night. We have been wanting to have it since they moved, but since we were away the month of Sept. and too busy in Oct., it had to be put off until next week. I suppose you know they live on N. 6^th Street (where Jack Spencer used to live).

Dad bought a new humidifier for his office and brought the old one here to the house. It runs constantly and is quite noisy, but I am getting used to it. Since it makes the air so much better (so they tell me) I won’t complain.

This morning I took my tape recorder and gave R. Zell’s class the first lesson in “Acts, Then and Now.” I couldn’t do much today but that, because there wasn’t any foundation for discussion. I handed out the books and questions today, but if they are as responsive next Sunday as they were today, I may give the tape to Russ and tell him to run the tape or do anything he wants to do with it. When I came home after Sunday School I asked Dad if he had even talked to a stone fence. I said that was the feeling I had talking to that group. They were about that responsive. I could use an hour or more giving those lessons,

[page 2] but while we were away in Sept., someone decided an hour was too long for a S.S. class, so they decided to cut it back to 45 minutes, and have a closing service. When we got the order of service changed to church first, we eliminated the opening of S.S., which to my way of thinking was not necessary—then someone had to get this closing service thrown in, and for what reason I have yet to discover. Had we not been away, I think they would not have succeeded in making that change. I wasn’t here to keep the hour for S.S. lesson.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/02/21/a-stone-fence/

Sewer Work

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Letter transcription:

November 7, 1965

Dear David and Bonnie:

Sunday evening and I am alone for the present. Dad had to go to the hospital to give an anesthetic. We have had a restful afternoon, which we needed I think I should be able to face next week.

One night last week the weatherman said we would be able to see the comet at about 4 AM, so Dad set the alarm, but since Chicago is on standard time and we are on eastern time, Dad set the alarm too early. At any rate we started at about 4 o’clock to watch and after going out several times, Dad finally gave it up, but I went out one last time and by standing in the shadows of the trees on the north side of the lawn and looking to the southeast I thought I could discern a faint light, like a beacon, so I came back in and told Dad. We both went out again and decided that must be it. We should have driven out south of town and I am sure we would have gotten a better view. There is a good picture taken of it from a mountain in Hawaii – in Life magazine this week. Also Life has an article about Tillich.

I have been stopping to see Mrs. M. almost every day. I think she is gradually getting back to normal, but she still isn’t quite as strong as she was before.

Last summer when attending School of Mission I took the tape recorder along and recorded the lectures on “Acts-Then and Now.” I used the tape in teaching the book in my S.S. class. I became careless one day and said I would give the lessons to R. Zell’s class and they voted today to have me do just that. Now I have to make arrangements to have someone take my class for the next 5 weeks. I feel a little better about the class today than when I wrote last. The attendance was up today and the group was in a discussing mood, which always helps.

We are back where we started from on the hifi. It was too much trouble to keep the records changed at the office and the record player wasn’t being used enough to keep it there, so we brought it back home. However, we aren’t out of the stereo market yet. I think Dad will build one. Bun tells me that is the best way to get a good stereo. I am not interested in buying an expensive piece of furniture, when we have plenty of cabinets in which to place a record player. We brought all the records back home, including of course the new popular records. If Dad can get the parts, we will probably have a stereo by the time you come home for Christmas.

Joy Funk is going to be married Jan. 8^th. Some of Arlene’s friends are having a shower for her Saturday afternoon and I have been invited. It is a linen shower and that means I will probably have to go to Lafayette to get something. Did I write that Don and Nancy were married Oct. 2^nd? They are living in Rensselaer and Don is going to school. Jim Johnson had to make a trip east for the Company he works for and we gave him your telephone number. His dad said he tried all day to get you, but without any success. I didn’t know just when he was going or I would have let you know the exact time he would be in Boston.

The company that has been installing the sewer tile is about ready to leave town. They are supposedly putting the street back like they found them, but all it amounts to is a little strip of paving down the center, or in some cases, one side of the street. Our town still looks pretty torn up from the work this past summer. We never did get anything out our way. I think we will probably be hooked up as is. There is quite a story back of why they didn’t work out here. Seems our neighbor to the east wouldn’t give their consent to have the digging machine go near their back yard. Dad says however, they couldn’t have stopped them if the Company would have gone right ahead and dug. Right of eminent domain. I think the trouble was that our Town Board didn’t quite know what to do. They didn’t secure easements. They just took for granted that they had easements all over the town. Quite complicated. The sewage plant is being built and most of the town will be hooked up to it when it is finished, even if our end of town isn’t.

The United Church Women (I am Secretary-Treas.) had a meeting last Friday. World Community Day and one of the projects was to make sewing kits. I have to get those ready to send in the mail today to Napanee, Ind., so must get busy.

Love Mother

Your check received – sorry I forgot to mention it.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/02/20/sewer-work/

International Silver

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Letter transcription:

November 1, 1965

Dear David and Bonnie:

Thanks for the birthday greeting. Mark and Shirley and the children also remembered me. John brought me Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte. We listened to it on the portable, but that didn’t really do it justice. John thinks I had better get a good record player before you get home for Christmas. I intend to get one, but as I told John not until I see just what I want. Dad gave me a card last night and some $ with a verse. John stayed over until this morning to go home. He said I had all the money I wanted and couldn’t see anything special about a gift of money. Dad said it was the verse that was important. At any rate I was happy. The money was for me to buy a new record player.

Mrs. Myers is home from the hospital. I have stopped to see her twice. She is feeling much better, but still complains from weakness. I have invited her to come to dinner Christmas day.

Last Friday evening I helped (I had directed the organizations of the drive) with the UNICEF drive. We had very good results and I sent a check to UNICEF today for $194.57.

United Church Women of Kentland will have World Community Day this coming Friday at our church. I was given the task of presenting the program. One rehearsal Thursday for a skit and that will be the largest part of my work. Jeannette Batton is going to read a sermon which I heard in Santa Rosa at a Presbyterian Church. Our friends the Mercurios attend there and she sent me a copy.

Dad has finished the beds he was making for John and John slept on one the two nights he was home. He didn’t take them home because he said he has things stored in his spare bedroom while he is getting the painting done in his house. Lea has been helping him by doing the tedious woodwork. He evidently isn’t in any hurry – since he doesn’t have to be about getting the painting finished. He said he was going to do his own bedroom next. He is painting over wall paper and I can’t say I blame him for wanting to get that room painted next. The wall paper is very “busy” and not very restful.

We had a financial statement from International Silver today. They are going to give a 5 for four split to stockholders. Stock has to be held by Nov. 10 and the split will occur Dec. 1. The last time I bought, Jim Beatty wasn’t too happy about us buying more, but I won’t complain. He thought we had enough. I see your stocks (except Echlin, and I think in time it will gain some) are doing well. We bought some bonds from International Silver last May. It was a special offer to stockholders. Today the first coupons were due. I didn’t think to take my key (we keep those in the bank safety box) along to get those coupons out and cash. Will have to do that tomorrow.

Dad has been so very busy since we have been back the past month. I feel like we need another vacation now, but with the baby cases he has booked, he won’t be taking any time off at present. I think we will take a vacation during the summer months in 1966.

The time has changed, but Kentland stayed – as did the rest of Newton co. on eastern time, so the TV shows are one hour later now. Now nearly all of Indiana, except Lake county and a county in the extreme S.W. corner of the state, is on eastern time. Since so many people wanted eastern time, I am glad the town decided to stay with the rest of the state.

I must get this ready to mail. Must stop and see Mrs. M. and also stop at Sanders and see Rozanne’s new baby girl.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/02/19/international-silver/

Order of Service

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Letter transcription:

Kentland, Indiana, October 24, 1965

Dear David and Bonnie:

Dad is spending his afternoon at the hospital. Since he had the duty, he had to go when an accident occurred. He spend so much time over there last week, he spent all of two evenings at home. In spite of his heavy duty away from home, he is about ready to finish the beds he is making for John. John is coming home next weekend and he wants to have them finished by then. John is coming home to escape the little Halloweeners around Champaign. I like to think he is coming home for my birthday.

Mrs. Myers is still in the hospital. I asked Dad this noon when he was going to dismiss her and he said he didn’t know. He thinks she isn’t well enough to go home and be alone. I went over to see her Friday afternoon and took her a lovely lavender mum plant. Just about the time I was ready to leave Bethel and Mrs. Pronger came and Mrs. P. had a mum plant almost exactly like the one I had taken. I asked Mrs. M. how she got along on the hospital bed and she said it was quite uncomfortable. Bethel said she had to take Mrs. P. back to Kentland so I arranged for her to take some foam rubber back to the hospital (one of the pieces I had bought for the beds in your room). I asked Dad how she liked her bed and he reported that she was much more comfortable. Harold and Doris were out of town when Mrs. M. got sick and Dad sent her to the hospital. They were back in town last Sunday and Harold talked to me about her after Sunday school. He was planning on taking a trip the next day – he and some of his friends have been going on fishing trip in Ky. Every fall – and was wondering if he should cancel his trip. Mrs. M. persuaded him to go. Well, he started, but got ill himself and his fishing trip ended abruptly in a hospital. Doris went to get him Friday. I know Harold and Doris are both glad to have Mrs. M. in the hospital. They have both been trying to get her to go in for a check-up. They say they know she hasn’t felt well for a long time.

Dad said you had better to go [to] your Health Center (B.U. does have one doesn’t it) and have your bumps checked. My lump was not a hard one, but my wrist was as sore as if a rock had been removed, instead of liquid. Mark got a hard knock on his and it disappeared. Let us know what you need to do. If it isn’t urgent, Dad will take care of them when you come home.

Our Church voted to change the order of service, so we have Church first now. We usually have a large church attendance, but the S.S. attendance has been cut. I suppose some people just won’t spend that much time in worship. I could always use all the time allotted for S.S. class, but I was in a minority. The second Sunday in Sept. the first two hour service was held (from July to first Sunday in Sept. there was ¾ hour church and ¾ hour S.S.). While we were away, someone who thought 1 hour was too for S.S. got a commission (I suppose Education Commission) to reschedule the time, so now we are supposed to have ¾ hour S.S. then a closing service. The way I feel now, I could give up my class without any qualms. Attendance is down and interest seems to have fallen. Of course, if I analyzed the situation I would probably have some good reasons why attendance was down today. The first Sunday we were back, I didn’t stay for S.S. because the family was home and after church we came back home. I had Juanita Kain substitute for me and there were 18 in the class that day. Last Sunday the attendance was down (8). However, the group attending today were all interested and (8) every one took a question for next Sunday, so maybe things will pick up. Also got several to promise to help clean the nursery Tuesday AM. I have always thought it more important for children to be in Church than in S.S. (in view of some of the teachers we have had in the past). I feel that the adults who would attend R. Zell’s class then walk out before church were robbing themselves. I am sure, with all due respect to R. L. and the time he spends preparing his lessons, I would rather listen to a minister give a sermon. My idea has been that if my class would rather attend Church than S.S., I would rather they attend Church. I am sure Rev. McClure is better equipped to give them a religious education.

This coming week I have promised to assist in the UNICEF drive and next week I have charge of the United Church Women program at our Church.

Last night the Rotary Club had a fish fry at the old gym to raise money for their scholarship fund. We attended and after eating fish, french fries, and ice cream besides slaw, I have decided my digestive system be in pretty good order. Not one bit of trouble.

Love Mother

(over)

You were correct about Kirk’s birthday. I sent him a toy which didn’t get to him on his birthday but he did get the card I sent. According to Shirley he did have a big birthday. I am enclosing a washing instruction tag that was on the red dress. Also some S & H stamp.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/02/18/order-of-service/

The Only Doctor

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Letter transcription:

Oct. 17-1965

Dear Bonnie & David –

Dad is watching “My Favorite Martian” and I decided to communicate via letter. I called George Murphy and he promised to try and trace the desk. He thinks is may be lost but if it is – its insured, so if the old one can’t be found perhaps you will get a new one. I wish you could take the big one in your room. I am in a mood to get rid of things. In other words I am in a cleaning mood. Things have to go. Wish you could use some of things I want to get rid of (bad grammar). You started a trend. Dad is building twin beds for John’s spare bedroom. I have the foam rubber – bought it the last time I went to Lafayette. John will be home Oct. 31 for weekend, but I doubt the beds will be ready by then. Dad has been having to work pretty hard – he is the only Dr. taking

[page 2] care of patients at the hospital from Newton Co. – Kresler, Schoonveld & Parker are all on vacation. He had to take Mrs. Myers to the hospital last night. He said she was having asthma. She had an appointment in our office Monday but since she is in the hospital won’t get to keep it. I haven’t asked him how long he is going to keep her hospitalized. Drop her a letter or card. Since the radio reception at the office is so full of interference we decided to take the record player to the office and Dad has it hooked to the speakers – just like the radio was. We bought a few records, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, The King & I, Flower Drum Song, and a few others. Now I am going to get a stereo for home. The portable record player works but not automatically. You were inquiring about it. Do you need one? By the way, don’t buy any

[page 3] more records before Christmas. Have you acquired any since Das Rheingold?

The Fields have a new baby – Lynette Sue, born Oct. 10. They are pretty happy about getting a girl.

The African student Jim (can’t remember his last name) was married while we were away. Rosemary Murphy was going to give his bride-to-be a home this summer but for some reason she wasn’t in Kentland (to my knowledge). If she was it was only a short time in Sept. Jim is still in school in Terre Haute and now that they are married have an apartment.

Dr. Gery’s wife passed away last week. She had been ill since 1957. His daughter was killed in an automobile accident last April. She had been married a short time. He has a son who is in school at Purdue. Dad has always thought so much of Dr. Gery. He thinks he is one of the best.

[page 4] Since all the other Drs. were taking off, we didn’t go to the medical meeting this year. Dad said he didn’t really care. Since I am looking forward to a vacation next summer I really didn’t care too much either. We haven’t decided yet where we will go, but we plan a summer vacation because of A. & E.

In case I forgot – John’s address is 2510 Lawndale, Champaign, Illinois. Tele. (area code 217) 352-0743

Did you take the while towel set that Lea & Bob gave you or did you leave it here? Shirley said they left their set just like it here but I can only find one and it is with your other things. If you can remember, let me know,

Love Mother

L.B.J. Ranch

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

10-11-65

Dear David & Bonnie –

John, Lea & Bob, Mark, Shirley, Becky & Kirk were here for the weekend. Kirk is talking – saying nearly everything – even tho some of his words come out a little hard. Seems he can’t say sc. He was holding a screw (I presume from his truck). We asked him what he had and he said “grew.” Of course that got a big laugh from everyone. I hope he is still as cute by Christmas time as he is now. Becky is quite interested in Kindergarten and talks so fast I can hardly understand everything she says. John said he would meet you at the airport. I will come along if possible.

[page 2] I mailed you a letter from Stonewall, Texas. They told us at a little store that Stonewall and not Johnson City was the hometown of L.B.J. After seeing Stonewall, we thought Lady B. should begin her campaign there. She considered it nothing more than a dump and could certainly do with a little clean-up of its own. We drove down the road that led to L.B.J. Ranch and were told if he was there we would not be allowed to continue. We knew he was at the Ranch – had heard it on the news but we drown down Texas Highway 1, and at a certain point there was a road closed

[page 3] sign and a parked car, so we turned around and went back to the highway we had left.

We attended a ball game in the astrodome. We have friends living in Beaumont, Texas, we visited. Also stopped to see the Georges. They are completely remodeling a house they bought for the lot. Nell and their daughter Merry are doing much of the work and it looked like they would still be working on it for some time. All in all our vacation was grand while it lasted. Dr. K. is leaving for the rest of October this week – so Dad says

[page 4] we won’t be able to attend the medical convention this month. Stacie is attending a small college in Va. I was told it has an enrollment of 300 and she is enrolled as a freshman. Evidently she didn’t get along too well in Greencastle last year.

I hope you aren’t doing too much – what with your Emerson position – but who am I to worry about people working too much, since I live with that sort of thing all the time.

Love Mother

Home Again

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Oct. 4 – 1965

Dear David & Bonnie –

Here is a check which was opened by your Dad. He didn’t look at the name, I thought you might be able to use it.

Dad came home from Rotary and has been going thru junk mail and magazines which accumulated while we were away. He is in the living room half way watching the program – or the coverage of the Pope’s visit. I have watched it in part. I wanted to see the Michelangelo statue at the world’s fair which was shown during the Pope’s visit to World’s Fair Vatican Pavilion, but as usual our T.V. wasn’t behaving too well. We didn’t go to Rome on our trip so didn’t get to see it there. That should be a good excuse for us to visit Rome.

I have been so busy trying to catch up with desk work today. I haven’t made much contact with anyone. I did call Mrs. Myers, I promised her I would stop and see her tomorrow. We bought Becky a doll in Disneyland and the Indiana with a drum-like the one he has worn out – for Kirk – and I want to take that doll for Mrs. M. to see. It is for Becky’s birthday and the Indiana is for Kirk’s.

While in Champaign John took us to see Cat Balleau. That was very funny and if you get a chance and haven’t seen it do go. Also the scenery in Lord Jim is beautiful – and although the movie has changed the story it is worth seeing. If you haven’t read Lord Jim it won’t bother you. The pictures which we took in Cambodia are the same as some of the background used in the picture. That is something else – the locus of Lord Jim is Indonesia. The Georges saw Lord Jim and when we told them we were in Cambodia when the picture was being made, they said that explained a few things. Nell said she knew that couldn’t have been made in Bali but there was a funeral scene just like some of the pictures we have and like they also have.

Our vacation was really wonderful. We stopped in San Francisco (Sebastapol), Los Angeles, Reno, Odessa, Tex., and Beaumont, Tex. for visits and really enjoyed seeing friends and relatives, and we felt they were all glad to see us. Everyone insisted that we come to the west coast (except Juanita) to retire (now). Juanita said they were going to Laredo, Texas, to retire.

Love Mother

Yellowstone

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Sept. 7 – Waiting at Yellowstone for Old Faithful to erupt.

Dear David & Bonnie – We spent last night at Sunset Motel in Cody and drove here this a.m. We plan to drive on to Livingston, Montana, to spend tonight, then go to Glacier Int. Park next day. The scenery out this way is very grand, then we drive though some of the towns and see such heaps of junk and lack of zoning (So much for philosophy). We are wearing heavy clothes because the weather is quite nippy. We were bundled up Sunday night when we attend the passion play at Spearfish S.D. Dad even wore a pr. of wool sox. After putting on several layers of sweaters and our car coats, we took blankets along and wrapped ourselves so we kept warm. We were warned when we bought tickets to dress as for a ball game. We saw all kinds of blankets and other warm wrappings. Since we are going on to another Nat’l Park I decided I needed wool slacks so bought a pair in Cody this morning. Also found a sweater to match the skirt I bought at Loebs—the cranberry red. I have yarn to knit one, but bought one to use until I get the other one made—

We saw Old Faithful give a spectacular performance and then drove to Livingston Montana where we will spend the night. Tomorrow we will drive to Glacier International Park then on to Grand Coulee Dam, then over to the coast and down. I called John last night. He was getting ready to paint the inside of his house. He had purchased a garbage disposal & dishwasher. The last time

[page 2] we saw John he had just purchased his bedroom furniture and kitchen table, stove & refrigerator. We plan to stop there on our way home to see his place. Will drop you a card once in a while.

Love Mother