Tag Archives: Norma Zell

Cokes Would Be In Order (Gladys)

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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/

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.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/31/renting-the-house-gladys/

Strong Woman (Gladys)

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April 19, 1944 envelope

April 19, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-19-44

Dear Daddy –

The mail carrier was around earlier than usual – in fact before we had breakfast, so I had your letter mailed yesterday to read before breakfast. It is nice and sunny today. I will have to take David out for a walk. He does love to go out of doors. Martha came over to ask if I wanted anything from town (her mother was going) and David cried when Martha left. I gave him a cookie and that fixed things up pretty fine. I have been upstairs cleaning some this a.m. I didn’t go into spring cleaning, just dusted and straightened and cleaned the bathroom floor. I think I’ll have to get back on my vitamins. I feel a little out of pep after I work a while.

April 19, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] I just have one unicap left. I think I’ll get another bottle. I believe they help me as much as anything I have taken. I think I forgot to tell you I got a heart reaction from the last liver & Vit. B shot I took, so am afraid to try that again for a pick-up.

Our neighbors arrived home from Fla. yesterday. It was nice in the morning but by mid afternoon it had clouded up, turned cool and rained, but the weather is ideal this morning so maybe they won’t feel a chill.

Mrs. Zell had their car yesterday and I went to town with her and got David’s milk. She was having dinner guests (Shanlaubs) so I helped her get ready for them. She didn’t have the house straightened up at 4 PM and I didn’t have anything in particular to do so helped her. She is having a birthday party

April 19, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] for Virginia after school today. It is for the girls in the 5^th grade. This is one party J. & M. will miss, no boys invited.

I think I’ll go see Mrs. Krull today about cutting a suit down for John. I wish I knew someone your size who would buy some of those things and just buy John a new suit. I am going to have to do something soon if he keeps growing because his legs & arms are getting too long for the suit he has now.

Bun Walkup delivered some peat moss to Statons yesterday. I told him to haul our clinkers the next time he hauls trash. He was asking about you. Thought you hadn’t been home long enough to be back on duty. He said Iva Jean wondered how I held up under your being away. I suppose she was greatly

April 19, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] relieved that Bun didn’t have to go. I told Bun to tell her I am a “strong woman” – however I don’t feel that way at all sometimes, but I don’t go around sounding off my weakness. She would find out like anyone else whose husband is in Service who we stand it. It isn’t easy.

So far today David hasn’t had any accidents in his panties, but that isn’t his fault. I have been trying to watch him. He woke up about 1 a.m. and I put him in bed with me. He was wide awake and kept bothering me so I put dry pants on him and put him back in his bed. About 7:45 he woke me and I put him on the toidey. He had a B.M. After breakfast I put him on and he went, then again while I was working upstairs. It is time to check again – He just ran by me and I missed it – pants wet. I made thumbs stalls but didn’t get them just right – he can slip them off – but he hasn’t been bothering his thumb at all so maybe our battle is about over.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/23/strong-woman-gladys/

Tulips Peeping Thru (Gladys)

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February 22, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-22-44

Dear Daddy –

No mail delivery today so we didn’t score anything. It is very warm and the snow is melting – There is some left where it had drifted but it will soon be gone. The tulips are all peeping thru and some are an inch or more above the ground. I suppose it won’t hurt now. They came up some time ago during a warm spell and we covered them with leaves but the leaves were blown off. Mrs. Zell fertilized all our shrubbery in the back. Now with the snow melting and all the moisture around them they should get off to a good start this spring. I will be glad to get out in the yard again and turn the earth up and get flowers started. The house should be painted this spring – I noticed several places peeling – and it looks as dirty as several years accumulation instead of just two.

There is no school this afternoon due to Rev. McCloud’s funeral and no school Fri. P.M. due to some kind of teachers’ meeting. Mark is out in the yard “tending” David. Two of his classmates are out with him. How they can find anything amusing to do I don’t know, because I told them to keep off the grass.

February 22, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] It is so wet that if they run and play on it now they make holes, etc., and it needs care instead of destruction. I want to get some grass seed before long and sow again. I sowed a little last spring. I believe it helped some.

David loves to sit in his buggy and watch children play. By spring he will have to be put down on the ground so he can do things too. He certainly kept busy this morning doing some things I didn’t want him to do. I was ironing and he would get into things then just stand and look at me when I would tell him to get out. I could persuade him sometimes to get out, then again I would have to get up and use more personal methods. He is a tease, and I wasn’t wanting to be teased with all the ironing I had to do. He will be 17 months old tomorrow – is 32 ½” high and weighs 25 lbs.

When I started writing it was very clear and sunny and now it is getting dark and looks black in the north. I wonder if we will get a rain, snow or what. Looks like something is brewing.

Sat. is Mark’s birthday. I think I will have a surprise party for him. He is talking quite a lot about his birthday. Said he wanted another watch but I told him no because he didn’t take care of the one he had. I got him two new shirts and gave them to him and told him they were for his birthday but I really intend to get him something else.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/22/tulips-peeping-thru-gladys/

Death of Rev. McCloud (Gladys)

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February 20 & 21, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-20-44

Dear Daddy –

Another wintry Sunday P.M. I was going to take David out for a walk but a fine snow is coming down – so fine it is almost a rain, so unless it lets up we will stay in or go in the car. I thought we might go out to the greenhouse. Rev. McCloud died yesterday and I would like to send flowers. Rev. McCloud suffered a heart attack last week and I understood he would have to be in bed for sometime but he was up getting his breakfast yesterday morning when he died. As active as he had always been I never thought about him having heart trouble. He used to play tennis every summer –

The snowing stopped so I walked for a while with David & Mark then we came back and went out to the green house and ordered flowers to send to McClouds. Then we stopped at Plummers. Mr. P. was in bed – had been sick with near pneumonia. They won’t get to go to Fla., because they were to go about the time he got sick a week ago, and he isn’t able to be up yet. I think Mrs. P. is rather disappointed because they can’t go. She has been working pretty hard since he has been down, taking care of the chickens, furnace, etc. Then they got a quarter of beef and she canned it. I hadn’t seen her since Christmas eve and didn’t know about Mr. P. being ill. I thought

February 20 & 21, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] they would be in Fla., but saw the flowers in the window so knew they were home.

We came back home and listened to the radio all evening. David Diedam came about 7 P.M. and played with Mark a while. Mrs. Z. came over and invited us to eat fried chicken with them tomorrow evening. They have kept chicken in their refrigerator since the middle of Jan. We had baked chicken today that we put in the locker almost a year ago.

Mon. A.M. Yours of Feb. 8 & 9 came today. Had a leak in the upstairs bathroom. Had to call Mr. Monroe – The leak was from the flush box. It had run out on the floor and soaked down on the ceiling in the dining room before I discovered it but it is fixed now and not much damage done. The other side of the dining room ceiling has water marks from the bath tub. I hope to get some painting done this spring & cover the water marks.

It is nice out today. Sun shining and snow melting. I want to take David out after he wakes from his nap. He was a little busy body this morning. Wouldn’t stay put anyplace – just kept going from one thing to another, getting into things he knows he should stay out of. He is beginning to talk more. When he wants to do something to get attention, he gets your picture and says “Da.” He knows he won’t get scolded

February 20 & 21, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] for that. He has been saying Ma-Ma the last two days. We are trying to get him to say mother. He can say John & Mark, not quite plain, but we know what he is saying. I have to keep the bathroom door closed (downstairs) to keep him from playing at the lavatory. He climbs up on the clothes hamper and does things.

Irene borrowed some coffee this morning – Said her mother is away but I didn’t ask any questions. I suppose she has gone to Ft. Wayne to stay with Margaret. Irene isn’t working now – Dorothy said Irene was to rest a month before she goes back to work. I can’t imagine Irene staying home and doing hum drum house work. Not that it is that to me – but I am geared differently from Irene. I imagine she will return to the factory.

I have been wondering what the men getting married in foreign lands will do about their wives when they are ordered back to the States. Will Bob be able to bring his bride back with him if he is sent back here before the war is over? He won’t mind staying down there now but what a situation to be ordered back here soon and have to leave his wife. Of course it isn’t any worse than your situation but it would seem a little ironical if he got traveling orders now when that is what you want. I think I hear little David getting awake.

February 20 & 21, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] I knitted a suit for James L. – I want to get it mailed today. I wanted to send it for his birthday which was in Jan., but I didn’t get it started in time. I made this suit in dark blue. I want to make one for David in red. He still has dark brown hair and his eyes are so dark they almost look black, so he should wear red. D. & Jimmy make a good contrast. Jimmy is so fair and his hair is so blond it is almost white.

–Pause to take D. up and set him on the toidey – it worked – saved a diaper. He is busy now playing with a box – much more interesting than a toy – Toys are something to throw down and leave on the floor while a good box is playing with.

I am afraid this letter has been rather jumbled, but I started on it so many times & I didn’t have a very good train of thoughts any time I started.

I want to start planning flower gardens for spring. I haven’t thought much yet about a vegetable garden. It is nice to have vegetables all summer but almost more work than I care about. If the boys could carry on without my supervision, but they couldn’t last year. John doesn’t like gardening and Mark won’t work consistently unless he has someone with him all the time – It is almost compared to getting blood out of a turnip – except that he can work but doesn’t care to.

Love – Mother

: February 20 & 21, 1944 (envelope front)

: February 20 & 21, 1944 (envelope back)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/19/death-of-rev-mccloud-gladys/ ‎

Wiggle Worm (Gladys)

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: February 7, 1944 envelope front

: February 7, 1944 envelope back

: February 7, 1944, p. 1

: February 7, 1944, p. 2-3

: February 7, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-7-44

Dear Daddy –

Yours of 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 & 28 came today. Also a letter from Pauline and Aileen. Aileen sent a picture of herself. She looked very good, but said she has a cold. She always writes interesting letters. I would love to visit her sometime. I had sent her some pictures and she said I looked as young as I did 18 years ago. I was thinking the same thing about her. She said growing up with a family must be my answer. However I don’t agree with her about me. I can see what the mirror reflects, but that doesn’t worry me.

It was fairly warm (32°) this morning and sun was shining and I hung some white

[page 2] things out on the line. They must be dry by now. I hate to dry white things in the basement when there is any sunshine. It is cloudy now. I wanted to take D. out for a walk but it doesn’t look very inviting now. We started showing him picture books and he seems to enjoy them. I don’t know whether we will be able to get him to sit still long enough to read to him. Martha Jane says he is a wiggle worm. She likes to come over and play with him when Bobby or Jimmy aren’t around. I told Mrs. Zell I had often wondered what you would think of D. He is so very different from J. & M. in his constant urge to move about. J. & M. weren’t lazy or not normal but we could hold them and entertain them without being on the move all the time. You might call it

[page 3] perpetual motion. Maybe it isn’t as bad as that – He does pretty good in church or when we are in the car but when he is home wants to be moving about most of the time. When J. & M. were this age I don’t remember that we had to particularly watch them, but D. needs someone on guard most of the time and added to all the foregoing he has all the charm one little fellow needs to make us all pushovers for him.

I expected Lucile out this afternoon. I am to give Jimmy a haircut. She doesn’t want to take him to the barber shop with so many colds around. I have given him one haircut. His hair is so blond it doesn’t show so much when he needs a hair cut like David’s does. David’s hair is a very pretty shade of brown and still curls when it is washed but the curls flatten when he has a cap on.

[page 4] Glad you have a watch. Did your old one fall apart? Hope this one will do until you can get back and get a better one. I still have the watch you gave me before we were married. I have thought about getting it repaired, but think maybe it would be better to put that much on a new one and I won’t do that now. I don’t want one that much.

I can see Bobby out playing. He is certainly the out-of-door type. He hasn’t a playmate just now but seems busy in their garden. I think Jimmy must be away and Martha for some reason isn’t out with Bobby.

I have to write Ruth M. & your folks, so must get this finished
Love
Mother

P.S. The card you rec’d from Cinda – she was visiting her brother near Bern, until Christmas.

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/11/24/wiggle-worm-gladys/

Local Military News (Gladys)

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: February 3, 1944 envelope

: February 3, 1944, p. 1

: February 3, 1944, p. 2-3

: February 3, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Feb. 3 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

No letters again today, but have up to Jan. 21 letters, so can’t complain.

It is foggy today and not cold. The sun came out for a little while but it’s cloudy again. It was so foggy this morning we could hardly see the trains go by. David likes to watch the trains. He isn’t tall enough to see them so unless he is in his bed we lift him up so he can watch. When the boys come in and give him their caps, he takes them to the closet to put away.

[page 2] I hope he keeps the good habit when he is old enough to put his own clothes away. He has a habit of pulling his bye-bye clothes out of the drawer most any time during the day. Unless it is bye-bye time, Mother has [to] put the things back and say, “No, not now.”

I see in the Democrat this week that Lt. Dale Jones has been promoted to Capt. and is in England. Gene Wilson is overseas, no address given. John Milligan is in the same place Floyd Remsburg and John Couch are stationed, somewhere in the S.W. Pacific. Pinky’s 10 furlough is up and he has gone back to Grenada, Miss.

Art Kenney is home now. Says he is on his way to the Pacific. He was wishing you would

[page 3] be home before he left, but evidently that won’t be. I heard over the radio news today that the Army is going to bring the men back for a furlough who have been out 18 months. That is news, because that is the first I have heard about the Army having such a program. It wasn’t so very long ago that an announcement was made that the Army promised no leaves for the men in the Pacific, but the Navy men would come home after 18 months.

Mrs. Zell told me yesterday that Bob Schurtter’s application for a commission in the Navy has gone thru and he is waiting now for his appointment. There was some mistake about

[page 4] it and he thought he hadn’t been accepted, but that was cleared up.

I think I wrote this before, that Al Cast is going to resign from the school system and take over Ellsworth’s business while E. is in the Army. E. is still home on deferment.

I hear a faucet dripping – so I must go and shut it off.
Love Mother

Dear Dr. Yegerlehner

2 Replies

: February 3, 1944 envelope

: February 3, 1944, p. 1

: February 3, 1944, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
2/3/44

Dear Dr. Yegerlehner,

We planned to send you a Christmas greeting, but lots happened around here about then and mothering but mere essentials got our attention. Although we have not met, it seems I know you fairly well by knowing the rest of your family.

Mark and I do some swapping of work. Not long ago we cleared off and burned the gardens one evening after school. Another evening he burned brush and helped me saw up a maple top on Rinehearts lot to the North of our lot.

Ed Johnson and I had fun fixing up the electric train. Ed did some soldering and I got a new screw for the engine. Last Sunday all of us had dinner with your family. While the women decided some big problems, Mark and I put the train in operation here. He said he had some trouble this week but changed transformers and all is OK.

We want to tell you how much Virginia appreciated your letter last fall. She has faithfully kept it. It seemed to ease her. All of us regretted the whole incident so much.

You probably know Al Cast is going into Prairie Realty at the end of this school year.

[page 2] “Socky” is reported to be due for service soon, so I suppose Al will take over. Al and I were closely associated last summer on Farm Labor work. He is tactful and can put a lot of “fire” in the job when he wants to, so I think he’ll make good. The back porch “chorus” will be short at least one voice when Wilson leaves.

Sometimes I’m doubtful about being in the good grace of your family, especially you, after hearing reactions to other specimens known as county agents. I do work though and even get dirty at times. We are trying to do a lot of 4H club work including livestock and cropwork. Much of our time in the past 2 years (even before I came here) has been spent in helping farmer with labor and production efforts. The favorable weather, and the fact that farmers know no hours have done the job. Better seeds and methods have helped some I hope.

Speaking of active service, I passed my final physical last Tuesday. When I am called will depend upon how my Employer’s policy works out with Selective Service. Purdue (my Employer) has been requesting that experienced men stay on, but I know nothing except Army-Navy Doctors say I’m healthy.

Our office often helps organize “Drives.” Attended Red Cross planning session today. County Quota is $11,500, 150% of last March. Ira Dixon handles publicity. I know he would appreciate any story of Red Cross activity you have thought outstanding.

All of us join the members of your family wishing you a speedy return to the States.

Sincerely,
Russell Zell

Groundhog Day (Gladys)

1 Reply

: February 2, 1944, p. 1

: February 2, 1944, p. 2-3

: February 2, 1944, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-2-44

Dear Daddy –

No letters today, but had yours of Jan. 21 yesterday. This being ground hog day we were anxious to see what the weather would be. Not a trace of sun all day. In fact we had quite a little rain. We planned to go to Laf. to shop. Lucile called and said she had such a cold she didn’t feel like going, so Mrs. Z., Martha and I went. Alma W. kept D. for me. Lucile was going to take Jimmy Ed and David to her sisters, but since she couldn’t go, I called Alma and asked her to go along but she was working at Mrs. Stevens during the noon hour and said she would rather keep D. at home so after she got

[page 2] thru at the Restaurant took him to her house. She brought him home about 5 – He took a nice long nap for her and when he woke up she said he acted very “cute.” When I came home he acted very “smart” just like J. & M. used to do after being away from home for an afternoon or evening.

I don’t remember whether I mentioned it or not, but David can climb upon the studio cough on his own power. I went to see about him and there he said, looking as pleased with himself as he could.

I got a new red dress this P.M. Mrs. Z. got a new hat and few other things. I tried to shop for David but didn’t find anything I wanted. I bought a gift for Louise Glen’s baby girl. I never saw prices so high on children’s things as they are now. I know if we had girls I would make

[page 3] their clothes. Mrs. Z. and I looked at little girl things with Joy Funk in mind and came home without anything. I am knitting her a little jacket, but ran out of yard, so thought I would get something else, but found some yarn I might use to finish the jacket I am working on.

I saw the Funks in Laf. today. I knew they were going. I think they took Joy back for her first visit to the Dr. Also I suppose Louise went to the Dr. She is expecting her baby in the spring. She is still staying with Funks. However I don’t believe she doesn’t the work she used to do. Theresa Ann Lubberty helps after school. You remember her, but you wouldn’t know her now. You couldn’t believe how she has grown-out – must weigh 175.

[page 4] Mr. Zell passed his physical but I don’t know whether he will have to go. Purdue says the county agents are to stay put. Merle Ford passed his physical, along with Jr. Morton and several others in this community. I understand Jr. is in the Navy, but don’t know about Ford.

Mrs. Roberts called me yesterday – just to talk a few minutes and find out any news I might have. I told her I wasn’t too sure about the 18 mo. business and she said Joe had written the same. I told her we would just have to wait and see.

I just worked on the check book and our balance at present is $123.40, but I have to pay groc. bills out of that, and buy a bond for D. The bal. will be below $100 – before I get thru. Also Portteus is going to let us have half a beef and I may have to pay that yet this month, but there isn’t anything else I know of now. Ins. paid up at present.

Love – Mother

Joke Box (Gladys)

1 Reply

: January 24, 1944 envelope

: January 24, 1944, p. 1

: January 24, 1944, p. 2

: January 24, 1944, p. 3

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
1-24-44

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Jan. 5 & 12 came today. So glad you rec’d the box but I sent two so maybe you will get another one yet. – It was similar to the other – not much in either but better than nothing at Christmas, however late. Now about those chasers, etc. – Those were John’s idea of a joke. I told him what you wrote about them and he said to tell you it was only for a laugh. They were in the box from the boys. The box I sent didn’t have any in it. David is better – No measles, etc., but he still coughs. Dr. M. was out to see Martha Zell so I asked him to see D. again. He says his cough is bronchial and if it doesn’t ease up in a few days he will give him a whooping cough shot. I am still giving him sulfamerazine today and to give it to him tomorrow – just twice a day. David is somewhat spoiled from this cough. At first when he had temp. we kept him on the couch and entertained him and now he wants me to hold him most of the time he is awake. He is in his bed now and should be going to sleep but is watching a train go by. When J. & M. come home noon and evening they have to let David take their caps off. He puts the cap on his head then expects us to applaud. He is very conscious of his “public” and knows when to act cute. Dr. M. said to give you his regards and to write to him. He has been out several times during this winter to see D. – twice this time.

There is a music club meeting today but I am not going due to David’s “disposition.”

[page 2] He is a little “touchy” and I don’t like leaving him when he feels this way. However I have a change to go to Laf. tomorrow and would like to go for several items. Dorothy’s mother is here visiting and she said they would keep him for me. It all depends on how he feels by tomorrow. Dorothy is home from 11 a.m. till 3 p.m. and that would cover most of my time away. Mrs. Z. had planned to go tomorrow but Martha has a cold and she can’t leave her or take her along.

Had a card from Uncle Wes. They are in Fla. He wants your address so he can write to you. His address is 103 Osceola Ave Clearwater Fla. In case you want to write to him before he writes to you. I am sending him your address today.

It isn’t cold today but cloudy – I am glad for the warmer days. It’s kinder to the coal. The good coal is getting low and no more to be had I am afraid, but maybe we can get along with the other by spring – but I know the pins broken in one month by the Ind. coal.

My Christmas cactus is about as late as your boxes. It is just blooming – but doing better than last year – it didn’t bloom at all.

I just had a “round” with D. I had put him to bed without anything on but pants & shirt but he wouldn’t go to sleep – so I dressed him and put him back in bed. I don’t like for him to cry because it makes him cough so I can see he is going to be a little spoiled by the time this cough is gone. I took his temp. when I dressed him and it’s normal, so he should be in the pink in a day or so, if we can do something to relieve the cough. He certainly doesn’t act like there is much wrong with him, the pep he has.

[page 3] Here’s hoping you do get home at the end of your 18 mo. but if not the only thing to do is be patient – It certainly will be grand when you do get home.

“Love Mother”