Tag Archives: Shirley (Ward) Yegerlehner

The Town’s Sewers

Letter transcription:

April 28, 1965

Dear David and Bonnie:

This has been a busy week so far and I have one more day of going to do. Conference at Lafayette tomorrow (Woman’s Society). I am planning to go with Joan Fields, since there are only two of us going from here. I gave a program at Rensselaer for the Presbyterian Woman’s Society today. I used slides from Hong Kong and Bali. Also took along some articles which had been purchased in H.K. The slide projector worked fine—it has been giving us some trouble—until I was almost thru, so since I had been going for an hour, decided to call it enough. We always tell people we do not charge for our programs, but the President gave me a check and said she thought I should have at least that much ($10.00) for my trip. That makes $48.80 we have received besides gifts—pair of gloves, floral arrangement, etc., etc. I think we will take that amount and put it into a new screen—one that is larger than the one we have.

Your stocks are as follows: GM 108 5/8 Sperry 14 Echlin 13 and I am not sure what Bankers is worth now—probably 5 or 6. Those quotes are as of 4-27-65.

Dad had to attend a meeting at the Town Hall for a decision on the new sewer system. I am tired and about ready to go to bed, but thought I had better get this off to you first. Our town is being torn up and the digging machine is in front of the office now and it looks like they are digging deep enough to bury our office and we are hoping it doesn’t slide of its foundation and go down. All the streets in town that are being torn up will, of course, have to be repaved. In some places quicksand has been struck and that always makes much more work because of the fill. Dad had a good idea, he thought it would be a good place to throw all the old junk automobiles around here. We may not have to be torn up out here at the house. They tell us the sewer system that was installed when we built will be sufficient and I that is correct. When I see all those mountains of dirt around town where the digging has been done, I am ready to settle for what we have. Dad will have the answer when he comes home, I hope. That is why he is attending the meeting—it just concerns this part of town.

Dad finally got the chests of drawers remade for Shirley and Best Way is shipping them to Roselle. I called Shirley this evening to tell her that the shipment has been started. It usually takes a week for something to reach them from here. Both of the children had to talk to me. Becky talks so fast I can hardly understand here. Kirk is talking more. I was afraid they would be sick after they were here Easter, but evidently their big day didn’t hurt them. Crazy Foam was a part of their Easter gift and they had a great time playing with it. There were two cans, but Mark wouldn’t let them take any home with them. Becky got rid of one can that day.

Finally I am having something done with our couches. Mr. Schuh is remaking two to look alike and the old one that has been in the living room for years is going to be moved out to the family room. Maybe some day I will chuck it and get a new couch with a decent built in bed. Dad got the unit in our bedroom finished and a desk unit for my office. If I thought you wouldn’t need that old desk in your bedroom some day, I think I would get rid of it. It does come in handy at times. John used it when he spent Easter vacation at home. He had some work to do. He showed me the paper he read at the Linguistics meeting he attended in Chicago several weeks ago. Of course, there wasn’t much about it that meant much to me because it was about the Javanese language.

Last weekend we went to Indianapolis to attend a BlueCross-Blue Shield meeting. On Sunday morning I had planned to go to church with Jim, but he was ill and called up to tell me he wouldn’t be around to get me, so I started to attend the Broadway Methodist and saw two women who had been at the dinner the night before who were headed for a church on the north side and went with them. It was a Church of Christ—and when I was telling Bob Fields about my experience, he said he had heard it called the Acapella Church of Christ, because they have no organ or piano. They evidently do not believe in having a musical instrument in their church, but the song leader used a tuning fork or a pitch pipe, or something—and both Bob and I agreed that was a musical instrument. I think the next time I will just quietly go get a taxi and go to Broadway. You would have a hard time leading the singing, I am afraid, the way that song leader did Sunday (unless of course, your singing voice has changed).

Love Mother

P.S. Mrs. Floyd (Louise) Hoover passed away Sun. a.m. She has had a long history of health problems, but her death was caused by chicken-pox and pneumonia.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/02/02/the-towns-sewers/

The Minister’s Raise

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

April 7, 1965

Dear David and Bonnie:

We have been looking for that letter. At last spring has arrived, and we hope to stay. Two weeks ago the ground was covered with snow, but Dad got the lawnmower ready just in case and after rolling the yard today thinks it will be ready for mowing next Thurs. That is going to make a long summer.

The town is being torn up for the new sewer system and I suppose it will be a year or more before we recover from the torn up streets—that is, get the repairing all taken care of. The digger is at present travelling down North Second Street and from the rate of progress being made, we figure they will either be in front of the Church Easter Sunday or maybe in front of the office. At least the town is catching up with the times a little. We have been giving programs again. We are to go to Indianapolis tomorrow to give a program for Uncle Jim and Aunt Thelma—I think it is their S.S. class. Since Indianapolis is on Eastern Time and we are on Central Time, we will have to leave here by 2:30 to get to Jim’s by 5:30. If I have to go alone, I will spend the night with them, but Dad is planning to go with me. He has surgery scheduled for Friday AM, so we plan to come back Friday night. Of course, we gain an hour coming back.

We received a magazine from Malacca today. It is all about the school and I suppose Bonnie knows what I am referring to. I presume they are not too upset over the situation. We heard the Foundations had to leave Indonesia. John was afraid of that, from all the news he had received from his friends still there. All the news we get about invasion attempts seems to indicate they haven’t been successful. (Indonesia into Malaysia)

For about two weeks I was having a little battle with a flu bug. I finally got over it, but the day we had quarterly conference here (which was held at 2 PM following a carry-in dinner) I came home after church and after a light lunch, went to bed for the rest of the afternoon. Dad had been up all night at the hospital and didn’t feel like going, so we gave in to our feelings and stayed home. The Finance Committee and Pastoral Relations Committee didn’t quite get together before the meeting and have things worked out like it is the custom to do and the minister wasn’t offered a raise and I am told that amounts to asking him not to return. At a Board Meeting this last Monday evening (Dad and I went to the Hospital to give a program for the Nurse Association) the raise was brought up and a vote was taken, 10 for and six against. Joan was in our office and told Dad she wasn’t sure they would be back. She indicated they weren’t sure, so I don’t know where the matter, or rather how it stands at present. Since I am not on any of the committees I had nothing to do with it one way or another. There are a lot of opinions on the matter. One group wants a change and another group thinks we could do a lot worse. I was with a group of women Tuesday and after hearing their tale of woe about the minister they have, I think we could do worse. Well, come June we will know. I have been going to the Presbyterian Church on Thurs. mornings to attend a Lenten series prepared and presented by Rev. Watson. I have been recording the lessons and will have to use at some future time if I need them. In appreciation we are going to have the Watsons come to dinner one evening. I had promised Joan we would have them come some evening for Rock Cornish Hens and Wild Rice, so I think we will have them come the same evening. I used the tapes in my S.S. class and several of my members liked Rev. Watson’s lessons. They seemed to think he was

[page 2] easy to listen to. Today was the last session and several of the Presbyterian ladies told me they think he is extra special and they know they won’t be able to keep him. I agreed with them. He hasn’t been out of Seminary very long and I imagine after a year or two more here he will be invited to a larger church.

John is coming home next Thursday for Easter vacation. Mark and Shirley and the children are coming for the day, Easter, that is. Aunt Ruth may come if she doesn’t go to Des Moines. I haven’t heard from Lea, but I told John to call her and invite them to come. We will probably stop at Floyd’s tomorrow for a minute or two and will ask them to come also. Wish you could be here, but I know that isn’t practical, but will expect to see you several times this coming summer.

Dad is finishing the job of separating the chest of drawers he took out of our bedroom. He is fixing it for Shirley to use in her bedroom. She thought it would be better in two small chests than in the one large one.

I have several letters to answer. Had a letter from my little friend in Kyoto today. I had sent her a Christmas card and she thanked me for that and wants us to come back to Kyoto. We plan to go in 1966, and I am sure we will stay at the hotel where she works. We are going to the west coast in Sept. Had a letter from a friend of Dad’s who lives in Reno and he wants us to stop there for a visit with him and his family. Aileen wrote from L.A. that she has made arrangements for a place for us to stay when we visit her. Also had a letter from friends in Hong Kong one day last week. They had been living in a house which belonged to a minister from United Church of Christ (Duane’s church). Seems United minister was away on furlough. He must have returned, because the Bylers said they were in an apt. building and their apt. is on the 17^th floor. They also said with a view like that who needs trees, (or for that matter grass).

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/02/01/the-ministers-raise/

Lenten Season

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Indiana
March 16, 1965

Dear David and Bonnie:

We hope David is over his infection. Since we didn’t hear any more about it, we presume you have recovered.

The weather is fair this morning, but we keep having some snow. Yesterday morning there was a fresh fall and the ground was well covered, but by mid afternoon most of it was gone. However, we still have some of the drifts that the blizzard left two or three weeks ago. Everyone seems to be anxious for spring to come and the weather forecasters keep telling us spring will be here March 20^th. I remember last year spring wasn’t quite here March 29. I have been attending a class Rev. Watson is conducting at the Presbyterian Church—a series of lessons for the Lenten Season. I took the tape recorder last Thurs. and got about 30 minutes. I didn’t think about getting a larger tape until after the session. I did take along an extra tape the hospital administrator had given Dad, but unfortunately I had it wound the wrong way and I didn’t get much sound. I went to Sears and ordered a 7” tape which records 4 hours, so I am ready for the rest of the sessions. Yesterday I used a part of the tape for my SS class. Rev. Watson, I think, is a very good teacher. We were all so interested in what he had to say we didn’t ask any questions. At any rate I didn’t. I wanted to hear him and not some of the other class members. When I saw in the paper that a class was going to be conducted I called the Watsons and asked if they had a study book, but Rev. said it was something he had put together. I took the Gospel parallels along and saw that he also had a copy. His, he had used in Seminary and had it marked (or underscored) with colored pencils (for source). I am planning to take the recorded to Mrs. Myers and let her hear it. I think if Rev. Fields ever gets the recorder, he is supposed to use, repaired, I will try and take his sermons to her like you used to do. She complained of trouble with her lame leg the last time I saw her. She says it keeps giving her more trouble, which is to be expected, in view of the condition of her bones. She went to see Dr. Stahl last year while we were away and he told her there was deterioration going on where he had put the pin.

I called Aunt Ruth M. last week. She is staying home. Romaine had asked her to come back to Des Moines for a visit, but she decided she would rather stay home. She is wanting to sell her house, but so far hasn’t had much luck. I told her to come and visit us, but she didn’t indicate that she would in the near future. Dad is tied up with baby cases and duty at present, so we won’t get away for a while. Dr. Kresler, Dr. Schoonveld, and Dr. Gary are going to be away from March 21 to 28, so Dad feels he has to stay around while they are on vacation. We would like to go to Chicago some time this spring and see Lord Him. That was being made when we were in Cambodia. It opens March 24.

Shirley as a job working at the library in Hoffman Est. She works Saturdays and evenings, so they can’t come down like they used to do on Friday evenings. We haven’t seen them since the weekend of Feb. 6^th. I sent the children their Easter gifts (maybe a little early) from Sears. When I ordered the tape for the recorder I saw some things for children in the catalogue, so decided to take care of them a little early.

Our TV isn’t performing to suit Dad, so he had Bun pick it up this morning. I asked Bun to get a new needle for the record player. The one I had to put in the record player when you were home was in the cabinet and Bun put it in and we played a record and it was OK. It must not have been put in correctly the first time.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/31/lenten-season/

Worst Winter Storm

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

February 26, 1965

Dear David and Bonnie:

We have just had (according to the weather men) one of the worst storms in 20 years. It even kept Dad home all day yesterday. Our driveway was filled, and the drifts were almost as high as the trees by the hedge in front. We could see the tips. The wind blew for about 24 hours and hard. The inside of the garage floor was covered with snow and we even had snow drifts inside. I had one flash bulb, so took one picture of the west end of the garage. Even our cars were covered with snow from that driving wind blowing the snow in around the garage door. Dad just called me from the drug store and thought I shouldn’t try to get my car out today. We had one path made to his side of the garage so he could get out this morning, and that one path made a mountain of snow by the street. I am content to stay at home, since the temperature is just about 5 above this morning. We have mountains of snow in the yard. The trees on the west side, the small ones on the inside were completely covered – just see the tips. Dad went out yesterday afternoon and took several pictures. The way the wind swirled around the house we had snow on the south windows – like a window decorator had been at work making snow scenes for Christmas.

Today is Mark’s birthday and I couldn’t get out yesterday to send him a card, so called him last night. He said he would rather forget about birthdays – since he is 32. He thinks he is getting old, from the way he talks. They are all fine, except for the usual bumps and bruises the children get. Shirley has a part time job working in the library in Hoffman Estates. I think she really wanted something like that, and I am glad she got the job. She was talking about it the last time they were here and was afraid she wouldn’t be hired because they have two small children. It seems they are reluctant to hire a person with small children.

I have figured your intangible tax, which amounts to $4.00 so will buy the stamps and affix to your stocks. That will be your Easter gift. We also figured ours – I got Dad to help me – and it is considerably more.

Dad finished the desk unit and I am using it. It is a table a little lower than the desk for the typewriter and adding machine and has two drawers on the left side. It really adds a lot of room to the desk and makes my work here easier or organize.

Someone called last night for you. Dad answered the telephone and told the person calling that you didn’t live here any more, that you are married and live in Boston. I don’t know who it was since Dad didn’t inquire. I think a number of people were stranded here, because all the highways were closed. We kept the radio going yesterday to get the Rensselaer station as to road conditions. The roads to the hospital were closed all day and the staff that went to work at 11 o’clock Wednesday had to stay on because they couldn’t get away and the 7 o’clock staff couldn’t get there Thurs. AM. We hear according to the weather forecasters the storm is heading your way and by the time you get this you will probably be in the midst of it. We keep telling ourselves we should have gone away this winter, since nothing like this happened while we were away last year. However, I think I wouldn’t want to try to go to Indonesia now and I know we couldn’t go to Cambodia. John had a letter from a friend in Indonesia and he said things are getting worse all the time and the Foundation may have to withdraw. A petition was being circulated against the Foundation and the person responsible for petition had been to this Country on a scholarship. We don’t think much of his gratitude.

Love Mother

P.S. Mrs. M. was quite pleased to receive the Valentine card. I picked up a Sears Catalogue for her Monday and left it at her apt. She was at the beauty parlor getting a permanent. I talked to her over the phone

[page 2] after coming home from the office. She was very glad to get the Sears C. She hadn’t had one before. I think she will use it quite often. Just happened to think of something else – Addie Padgett had been living in the cottage back of us. Lask week I suppose she thought winder was over so she moved back to the country. I just hope she didn’t get sick and need help because she was probably snowbound with the storm. When she moved in over here she talked about buying the house and making it her home. I know Esta would prefer to have her in town.

Do you want me to renew Opera News for you?

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/30/worst-winter-storm/

Severe Cold Wave

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Jan. 29-1965

Dear David & Bonnie,

I just happened to think I didn’t answer one of the questions in your letter. Your Blue Cross Blue Shield expires July 1-1965.

We are having another severe cold wave, but at least it is without snow and ice. Last weekend Mark & Shirley were without electricity 30 hours. They have a gas stove and by keeping the oven going could keep warm. They have had more severe weather this month than has been here. While all the ice was breaking electric and telephone wires, we were just having cloudy skies. From all we heard on the news the Chicago area had a lot of damage.

We haven’t seen Mark’s since Christmas, but they plan to come next weekend. We are planning to go to Champaign Feb. 20^th to see the play “Oliver.” John is getting tickets for us. I just hope that one baby case doesn’t keep Dad home. I plan to go weather permitting and Dad plans to go “if.” Aunt Ruth is back in Wilmington and if Dad can’t go, I may go get her, since John has our tickets purchased.

I have been reading some in Anchor Genesis. It really is full of information—some that is over my head—but much that I do understand. I took the other one (Epistles) for Mrs. Myers to read and since I have all I can read at present I am leaving it with her until she has finished reading it. I stopped to see her yesterday. She doesn’t get out much in this weather, but did manage a week ago to get to Watseka to have her feet worked on.

[page 2] Haven’t got Dad started on the record cabinet project yet, but will get around to it in the near future. I really need one since my records and albums more than fill the available space in the rack and cabinet of record player. Have been listening to Handel’s Messiah today. It is so beautiful and I can listen to it while I work—(working on the books today.) Just finished taxes yesterday. It is always such a relief to get that chore finished. Let us know if we owe you anything on taking you as a dependent.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/27/severe-cold-wave/

Enclosed Will Explain Itself

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Indiana
October 26, 1964

Dear David and Bonnie:

The enclosed will explain itself. Just keep the $150 and put in your savings account next year.

Wow! What a letter. What could I write again that would get me another? It was worth the effort to get the epistle. Just don’t worry your ‘little old head’ about how your mother votes. I think my vote will be counted in the right column. I really liked all the facts and figures you gave me. It was just like having a contemporary history lesson. I think Dad thought you had gone off the deep end, but I told him you are a preacher. I was with a friend this afternoon and read her portions of the letter and did she sit up and take notice. She thought you were simply wonderful. She said she would like to hear you deliver that from a pulpit. That is enough bragging for this time.

Tomorrow, Wed., Thurs. and Fri. I am scheduled to attend sub-district meetings. This is my last year and when it comes to 4 meetings in a row I think 4 years is enough. I just hope I am not asked to take anything for next year. I can say no the next time. I kept refusing to serve on the Board of the Wesley Manor, but after conference was over found I had been appointed. Just so they don’t call a meeting when I can’t attend. I talked to Rev. Fields about if after I discovered I had been appointed and he said there were only two meetings a year for board members.

Mark and Shirley had planned to come this weekend, but I am going to Clay City to give a program for St. Peter’s Church (United Church of Christ) for Uncle Clarence and since I will be leaving at about 2 o’clock Mark said they would come another time. John plans to come home since it will be my birthday, but he will probably be leaving to go back to Champaign at about the same time I leave.

This afternoon I went to the school and gave a program about UNICEF for the school children. We have our UNICEF drive Thursday evening. We had a very good turnout last year and from the enthusiasm from the children today, I am hoping for good results this year.

Dad is going to Lafayette Wed. evening to give a program for the Clinic. I won’t go along, since it is an all male meeting (except for a woman MD or two). He was running through his pictures about half an hour ago when he had a call. One of the State Police called about a transient. He is back now and ready to try and look at his pictures again.

We have the “Japanese Garden” almost all the way around the house now. I am going to get some more little evergreens Wed. At last we have gotten around to the place where we have decided to have the terrace on the east and south sides of the house taken out and think we have found a place where can get rid of the broken up cement. The Holleys use it in building bridges and at present they have several bridge contracts.

Since I have to start early in the AM for the first meeting, I had better get this finished and ready for bed.

Love Mother

(over)

The “History of Civilization” belongs to Mark but he will send it to you.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/18/enclosed-will-explain-itself/

Very Quiet After Sunday

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Sept. 4 – 1964

Dear David & Bonnie –

The suit coat arrived – I took it to the cleaner & Dad wore the suit last night. We went to Watseka to give a program for the Nurse Assn. Dr. & Mrs. Roberts also attended. The group thanked us and invited us to give another program next month since we just got as far as Bali with the program last night.

Mark and Shirley went home this a.m. They were going to stop and visit with Aunt Ruth. I talked to her over the phone before they started. She said Romaine and Tye had been with her until yesterday. I have promised to go get her sometime and bring her over here for a few days. I hope she gets to the place she can drive her car. I think all she needs is a little confidence in herself.

Mark and Shirley waxed my car yesterday. However, since we are having a long dry period I am afraid it won’t do much good.

John took a load of things to Champaign Tues. He is

[page 2] coming back today to spend weekend and take rest of his things back Sunday.

This place will seem very quiet after Sunday – after all the company we have had this summer.

Alma has stopped several times this summer. She has recently been to visit her sister in Missouri. We received a letter from her this week and she was getting ready to return to Crown Point.

I have a basket of work waiting for me on my desk so I think it would be a good idea for me to get to work.

Love Mother

The Funeral

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

9-1-64

Dear David & Bonnie –

The past week has been rather full. Mark & Shirley left Kirk with us Monday. He got quite attached to John and John to him. Friday night Aunt Ruth called and told us Uncle Earl had passed away. Floyd came Sat. a.m. and went over to be with Aunt Ruth. Tye & Romaine couldn’t get there until Sat. evening. They drove. Sunday Steve brought Aunt Ruth here and in the afternoon we drove to Wilmington. Friday afternoon Shirley & Mark came back to get Kirk and he wasn’t quite sure he wanted to have anything to do with them. Shirley said she thought he was mad at them for leaving him. Lea & Bob came the same day, so we had a family reunion for a little while. Lea & Bob stayed but M. & S. took Kirk and went to get Becky. They are coming back today. John just left to go to Champaign with his car loaded. He bought about

[page 2] $200.00 worth of household goods, and took most of his things on this trip.

Yesterday we attended the funeral. Dad & John went to Wilmington Mon. a.m. So many of the Clay City relatives were there, Clarence, Clara, Ralph, Kenneth, Mary Lois, Duane & Joan and a number of Mutchler relatives. Since I had been with Aunt Ruth the better part of one week (Aug. 18 to 21) and had gone over Sunday afternoon, John & I came back home shortly after the funeral was over. Some of the relatives didn’t arrive until just before the funeral so they stayed longer. Ruth & Floyd stopped here on their way home at about 7:30 and they said they were the last to leave. Tye & Romaine were gong to stay in Wilmington a day or two.

I have to give a program at Williamsport tonight and as of this minute haven’t decided what I will give and before Mark & his family get here I think I had better get my program ready. M. & S. are going to be here until Thurs. then they are going back home (to mow lawn, etc.). Mark has a new job with All American Ins. & Casualty in Park Ridge – which will be closer home than his present job.

Love Mother

Heat Wave

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

Monday August 3, 1964

Dear David & Bonnie:

Long time, no letter. There is a package here for you and since it was large and light of weight and not very securily wrapped I looked in to see if I should send it on – it is a picknic basket. Do you want it sent on? If you do I will send it. John has gone to Urbana today on business. He had to make a trip over last Thursday. We had planned to go to Chicago. Dad got the baby-case out of the way (he has a little time now until the next one scheduled) so we (Dad and I) went and stopped at Aunt Ruth’s. Romaine and her children were there (Tye had to make a trip to Chicago on business, so we missed seeing him). We had a nice visit with them, then went on to Mark’s. Becky came home with us and Friday evening Mark and Shirley stopped for her as they were going to Wards. She seemed to have a very nice time and yesterday when they stopped on their way back home she didn’t want to go with them, but wanted to say here. It has been very hot here – in fact I think we have set some kind of record again. You know the Midwest is always having some kind of first in weather. Mr. Harris told me this morning that every window fan and air conditioner they have has been sold. I think from the way he talked every dealer has sold out. I talked to Mrs. Myers one day last week and she was having a bad time with the heat. She said it was the first time it had bothered her. She told me she had tried to buy a window fan and couldn’t get one. The weather forecast is for cooler this evening. I hope so for all the people who do not have air conditioners. We are going to give a program for the Nurse Association at the Hospital tonight and I think it will be a rather warm evening. The air conditioner at our office wasn’t functioning properly and the repair man from Sears was working on it this morning. Dad told me at noon if he didn’t get it fixed he was going to cancel out the afternoon appointments. He hasn’t come home, so I presume it has been put in order. I decided to buy myself the Interpreter’s Bible and Dictionary. The dictionary came today, but I haven’t had time to look it over. I brought back 23 Genesis study books and have distributed all but two. I am in a dilemma. I still have 3 families. I just didn’t bring enough copies back with me. However, I know some of those books will not be opened. – Yesterday afternoon Dad had a telephone call from one of his Commanding Officers (in South Pacific). He was stopping at Tri-Way so Dad asked him to stop and see us. He told us how much he thought of Dad and what a morale booster he had been during the war. Mark and Shirley and children came just as he was leaving so he got a chance to see them. Of course John was here too, so he got to see all of us but you and Bonnie. Please excuse lack of paragraphs, but I got so used to writing this way to John, I hope you don’t mind. Last week (Sat. to be exact) John helped me and we sent out the statements. Isn’t such a bad job when there is some help. He even used my old typewriter. He has his work spread out all over your room. He is doing some work on Indonesian language (I think). His work at U of I will be in Linguistics and with graduate students. He may try to find something in housing on this trip. At present he will be staying at Bob & Lea’s. He asked me if I knew what Bob taught. I replied, “Business English.” He said, “He teaches people how to write junk mail.” I suppose it needs to be well written because once in a while someone will read it. My afternoon is getting away from me, so must bring this to a halt. I want to stop and see Mrs. M. before I go to the office.

Love Mother

John’s Homecoming

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

July 27 1964

Dear David & Bonnie:

I have read the enclosed. It couldn’t be forwarded, so I thought I would see what it was all about – I don’t do that to letters, but since this was a circular type of thing I didn’t want to spend postage on it if was not something you would want. Since it is from New York, you probably don’t want it. I am deep in the heart of getting things caught up, since my week off (which I enjoyed very much).

John was on the train and we headed for Kentland via Lafayette as soon as possible. We stopped at the VW place and he bought a new car and drove the rest of the way home by himself. I took him to Morocco the next day to get his car license and renew his driver’s license. The Motor Co. loaned him a license plate so he could drive the car home. He is working on some of his papers and using the tape recorder. He brought several tapes home with him. He has one he made of a Javanese street singer and little boy. He said man and boy were passing his house one day singing and playing drum and he asked then in so he could record. We have listened to it once. He is going to the U of I next Monday to see Prof. and take care of any business at hand. He plans to stay with Bob and Lea. He is also going to look for a place to live (apt or house). We plan to go to Mark’s one day this week and hope Dad can take Thurs. off so he can go with us. (Dad plans to go if Sandy Puetz Smith has her baby before Thurs). John was quite impressed with Kirk. He thinks he is very bright. He said Kirk would start to crawl over him and he would say, “Kirk, I am going to give you a bath and put you to bed” – and that would send him away, (for the time being). John asked me if I had heard of the Soaky bath. They give the children bubble baths which have been dubbed Soaky. They both like the soaky baths and never object to having one. Mark told he last Sunday they went to the beach and that the children loved playing in the water. John said to get Kirk excited, all one has to say is “Let’s go to the beach.” Probably like the excitement over Grandpa’s little dog. Kirk is going to stay here while M. & S. vacate.

I have launched my class on the study of Genesis by Charles F. Kraft. I was so sorry I didn’t know what a good teacher we would have last week. I would have taken our tape recorder along and gotten his entire series of lectures on tape to use in my class. However, I think I have been able to generate a little enthusiasm by my description of the lectures. I talked to Rev. Marrs a time or two. He said he doesn’t believe in the Virgin Birth and from the way he lectured I know he believes in the theory of evolution.

John and I just hung the bamboo drape on the west bedroom window. I didn’t think to ask Dad to do that little chore yesterday and this afternoon after the sun got around John decided upon my suggestion that it would be a good idea. You will begin to think I have hidden talents. First I write and tell you I took all the old wax off the linoleum and now I tell you we hung a drape. Just necessities. I am not interested in a full career of that kind. John has some pictures (slides) that belong to the Georges (the people who have been working with him the past 2 yrs.) which were taken in Bali and Java. Some of the scenes are from places where we had been and we are going to have some duplicate slides made for ourselves. They were they during a special festival last December.

I have a desk full of work staring me in the face, so must get this finished and get to work.

Love Mother

P.S. Have promised to loan Legend of Virgin Conception to a friend to read.