Tag Archives: World War II

This is “unusual” weather (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Dec 15 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

Tues eve. and just before time for Fibber – will try to get something written. I went to Club this afternoon and then did some Christmas shopping. Clara Molter stayed with the baby. He fussed yesterday after his 2 P.M. bottle and acted hungry so today I put a full can of carnation in his formula. He was much better today. Clara was giving him his bottle when I left and when I came back about 5:30 she said he had been good all the time I was gone. In fact she was able to do the ironing. When I have her stay with him I have some work to be done because he isn’t any trouble and that way I get a little lift which I always seem to need. I never seem to get caught up but I suppose I do as much as the average person with a small baby and two others to think about. I know if you were here I would have to keep help – which I would gladly do if you could be. It seems to me I am not very efficient, but when I

[page 2] stop to think about it – you helped so much when John was a baby and we always had extra help after Mark came, so maybe I am not so slow after all. I do spend a lot of time with David, but after all he will grow up so quickly I must give him all the attention possible. He weighed 11 lbs 2 oz this morning.

Marks is about normal again. He didn’t want to go to school this afternoon. I took his temperature and it was exactly 98 6/10 – so I told him he should go because there really wasn’t any excuse for him staying home. He went and I saw him going home after school (I was uptown) and he seemed to feel as gay as usual. I ordered a new suit for him for Christmas and it came today. It is supposed to be a Navy uniform but I hardly think the color of blue would conform to Navy regulations. It seems more a cross between a Navy & Army uniform because it has a leather strap across the front & back with a leather belt. It looks like the Army uniforms Earl Roberts had on. His tool chest came but it wasn’t complete – due to shortage of certain things containing metal.

[page 3] The band is giving a concert Monday, so I will try to go and hear John play. He has sold me a ticket. Clara has promised to stay with the baby. The High School gave the entertainment at Club this afternoon. 7th grade sang, Glee club sang and the band played. I think they have a good band teacher this year.

Hume Sammons died today about noon. They were taking him to the hospital. I didn’t know he had been sick.

Mrs. Plummer called to tell me she had a letter but I had yours of 5 – 6 – 7 – and knew you had written her. She said she was going to write you and enjoyed your letter very much. She said for John to stop on his way home from taking his piano lesson Sat. for something – which makes me think of Christmas shopping. I am going to give potted plants this year which will relieve me a lot running around, wrapping, etc., trying to find something suitable for everyone. – – a pause – – went down to take some clinkers out of the furnace. I don’t like to trust the boys to that job all the time. Maybe I should hire someone to do the job but it doesn’t take much time once a day or so. I was thinking about how much I have written about

[page 4] the weather – but it snowed again today, but it isn’t quite so cold. Unless we have an early spring this is going to seem like a long winter. It has seemed long already and the really cold weather started Thanksgiving day. This is “unusual” weather for Ind because we would ordinarily have had a thaw by now.

Wed Morn – I went out and started the car this morning to see if it would still go. – I haven’t had it out for over a week and was afraid the battery would be down – but it started. I must get some meat so think I’ll have Dorothy go with me to Sheldon. It is so slick around town I don’t like to drive alone – The sun is shining this morning and it isn’t too cold. I am trying to get the humidity up but that seems like a big job I have pans of water on the radiators but that isn’t very effective. Wish we had regular humidifiers. Up until this cold weather the humidity outside was sufficient.

David is sucking his thumb trying to go to sleep. He takes a short nap before his bath every morning. I must go mix formula and get ready for his bath & bottle, and I am trying to get this ready for Carl to take when he delivers the mail.

Love – Mother –

© 2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/28/this-is-unusual-weather-gladys/

It’s too darn hot (Roscoe)

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In 1942, Roscoe and Gladys would not have been familiar with Cole Porter’s musical “Kiss Me Kate.” The musical did not premiere on Broadway until 1948. Roscoe’s letter reminds me of the song “Too Darn Hot.”

Letter transcription:

Dec. 14, 1942

Dear Mother,

It’s almost too hot to write but I’m doing it anyway. Here while back when I was writing about hot it just hadn’t started yet and besides that breeze don’t seem to know how to blow anymore. It’s about like that Sunday we spent at Norfolk only hotter if one gets out in the sun and too the humidity seems to be high – Towels don’t dry and unless clothes are hung in the sun they don’t dry and even then it may take some time to get a heavy towel dry.

Seems as if we might be having a little domestic trouble last night. One of the boys started snoring and one of the others got up and went over and poked him and woke him up and he didn’t like it very well. Guess one can do things like that at home but the wife poking isn’t like a stranger. The fellow said I was going um puf – – – but that didn’t bother him so I wasn’t

[page 2]disturbed. Thanks. Seems a shame to awaken one fellow so the other can go to sleep. Hope nothing comes of the whole situation. Don’t believe I would wake anyone even if I couldn’t sleep all night long.

I only got one letter written last night besides yours and that was to the folks. Seems I wasn’t in the mood and when that happens I just as well not try. The next letter I’m going to write will be to the Krulls but I’m not in the proper frame of mind just yet. Getting temperamental don’t you think. May not that – could be just the weather.

A November Reader’s Digest just came into our possession and I’ve practically finished it in the last day or two. Nov. isn’t very late – guess you have the Dec. and possibly the Jan. by now. Or has the subscription run out? It’s up to you now if you

[page 3] want to renew it. We seem to get them here Ok, but a little old but what’s the difference. It sprinkled just a little this A.M. We don’t know if that is the beginning of the rainy season – which is supposed to start sometime this month or whether it’s just another sprinkle. We could stand some rain but I’m afraid when it starts will be wishing for sunshine in a big way.

J. Edward Barce, circa 1960

J. Edward Barce, circa 1960

I never did hear from Ed. Barce while at Moffett Field. I wrote him a letter but didn’t get an answer and of course I didn’t know his address. I didn’t write H. Reinhart either. I just supposed that he probably was gone and the letter would have to be forwarded. Don’t you think that’s a pretty good excuse? The best I can think of on the spur of the moment. It’s a little hard to write when there isn’t much to write about as you will note I’ve been doing the past few days, but writing home is different. I’d be glad to get a letter from you even if

Henry W. Reinhart, circa 1960

Henry W. Reinhart, circa 1960

[page 4] you only wrote the date etc.

Of course, more is appreciated but I know it must be hard for you to compose each day. Even John’s letter was appreciated and about the only thing he told me was that you didn’t have meat for dinner that day. It’s hard for them to write much on V-mail because their writing is large and those pages are small. Hope you have the money letters by now. Seems as if that those letters were the only ones missing from your list when your last letter came.

There was no mail this A.M. but this P.M. delivery may be better to us. We hope. So Solong

Love Daddy

P.S. No mail this P.M.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/27/its-too-darn-hot-roscoe/

JAMA renewal (Gladys)

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Letter transcription

Kentland Ind
Dec 14 – 1942

Dear Daddy,

This came thru the mail this morning and I thought I would just write my daily letter on the back and send it on. I don’t remember your mentioning the renewal for J.A.M.A. so thought I would let you handle it. I rec’d another card from the Army Exchange about a gift – that makes three, so you will know your orders are being filled. I do hope you get the gifts we sent you, because we have the ones you sent and are having sent and it won’t seem fair for you not to get ours. No letters today but will probably get two or three tomorrow. Mark is home yet this afternoon but he is normal as far as temp. is concerned, but it is so cold thought it would be better for him to stay home today. He has been very restless so will no doubt be more than ready to go to school tomorrow. It is still very cold. I haven’t been out much. Can’t take the baby out because it is so cold and there is so much snow and ice couldn’t get through with the buggy.

Krulls were here yesterday evening. They had all been over to the pond. Buddy was trying to learn to skate. They wanted to see the necklace and other things. Dorothy is coming out this afternoon to bring some flood light bulbs – we are going to try some pictures in the house.

If I didn’t know better I would think David is trying to cut teeth. He is trying to chew his thumb & drool. He has a preference for the left thumb and Mark is afraid he is going to be left handed. He sometimes goes to sleep sucking his thumb but not all the time. It is nearly 2 P.M. and he is getting hungry. – The Pause that refreshes – Just fed the baby and he is on the bath table kicking. If I can get a good picture of him this evening will make a few Christmas cards for the family & our special friends – I was looking over last year cards last night and the Beaver’s made last year folded up and made the envelope.

The Sunday School Class party is this Fri at Hufty’s. I am going to go if I can get someone to stay with the baby – If not attending to him for feeding & changing. He is a little spoiled this afternoon and doesn’t want to stay put very long at one time – He is getting so long he nearly fills the basket.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/26/jama-renewal-gladys/

The mail was better today (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Dec. 13, 1942

Dear Mother,

Nick Krull, circa 1960

Nick Krull, circa 1960

The mail was better today. Got two letters dated Nov. 25 from you, and one dated Oct. 14 from you – a package from Boonie – (a box of candy) a letter from John – V-mail and two birthday greetings from Nick & Dorothy. One of the greetings wasn’t very nice and Dorothy wouldn’t have her name to it so she sent another with both their names. I guess all of our mail will finally get here. John said he was down in the dumps because didn’t have meat for dinner. After all if a fellow is hungry he isn’t very happy.

I’ve written the folks their usual weekly letter today. Wrote it just before chow and it is after church now. We had a visiting Chaplin give the sermon tonite a change now and then is pretty good.

Today has really been hot. I believe it’s the hottest day we have had even in our hut it was hot. We’ll have to get us an electric fan now – maybe – again it seems pretty definite that we probably will stay here for some time – and now that you

[page 2]know where we are it won’t be so bad. Today’s letters were the first with the new address and I suppose the next ones will have the addition that were attached a day or two after the first address came out. Fred got a package from his wife – Had – candy – nuts a pipe – cigarettes etc. The peanuts were very tough but still good. I’ll have to write the Krulls and the Boones and I almost forgot – Otto Paul. His letter would come thru. I’ve already wrote you about that so you tell Boonie and he can send him the stuff and I won’t have to write.

I wrote Joe Roberts the other day but didn’t have to use all the address left off the San Francisco part. The P.M. told me here it wasn’t necessary to send it back to San F. If Mrs. R. don’t know where he is you should tell her because I wrote it to you. Wish I could go over from Christmas but it’s to[o] far to paddle a row boat. He should get my letter in pretty short order, but it would be as hard for him to get over here

[page 3] as me there.

Dr. Huth took some pictures the other day and we developed them in the Xray tank and today we tried printing some of them. I’d almost forgotten how it was done but we got a few out. Our fixer solution isn’t quite right for pictures because they turn yellow around the edges. It seemed I was the only one who knew anything about printing and that wasn’t much because it‘s been years & years since. I had the carpenter make the frame. I think I told you something of that last night – well we had no glass so we just had two boards one with a hole slightly smaller than the film. In time we should get pretty good – especially if we can get the Corpsman to do the work. I’m going to have to have a Corpsman when I get home to do the work for me. It’s just like having a colored maid. Maybe I’ll get over being lazy. I hope.

Have a boy in the hospital now with hands just like yours used to be. Of course, we have no zimocol but I’m giving him Hcl just the same. He got his washing his hands

[page 4] in some kind of soap he thinks. Or maybe he had to wash dishes. Could be the same as yours and maybe not.

The original four members of the Rotary Club: Paul Harris is on the far right, while Silvester Schiele (Roscoe’s uncle) is second from the left.

Guess you were somewhat honored to have Paul Harris as your guest even though it wasn’t but a little time. Wish I could have been – there- It’s a little late now but you must get that in the paper. I mean it – call Bart and tell him Uncle was along and Paul H. The founder of Rotary was with him. Make a nice little story. Things like that don’t happen every day. Maybe you have already done so – if not do it. I can read it too if and when the paper gets here.

Well, must stop and rest – work or write another letter – don’t know which –

With lots of Love

Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/25/the-mail-was-b…r-today-roscoe/

Cold & Flu Season (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Dec 13 1942

Dear Daddy –

Sunday afternoon and while David takes his exercise on the bath table in the sun will try to write – John and Mark are in the living room and John is reading to Mark. Mark had only two degrees fever and that I think is just the afternoon rise because he didn’t have any this morning. He was very hungry when we ate lunch and ate like he had been working. He seems to feel fine and it is a job to keep him quiet but I told him he couldn’t go to school in the morning unless he is entirely free from a temperature. Since it is so cold I think I will keep him home tomorrow unless he can ride to school. Mr. Zell often takes the children. I would do that myself but can’t very well and leave the baby alone and I don’t want to take him out. He has had a slight cold. I mentioned the rattle in his breathing. It finally came down and he had quite a bit of mucos in his nose. I didn’t want anything serious to develop so I called Dr. Cole

[page 2] The baby was running a little temperature but not much, however with both the mucos condition and temp. I thought something should be done. Dr. Cole said to give him sulfa-diazine and use manneus oil in his nose and grease his chest with camphorated oil. I followed the instructions and the mucos condition is better – however he still has a little but it drains and doesn’t bother his breathing . He still has a slight temperature in the afternoons but by evening it recedes and is normal. He has seemed to feel fine and has taken his formula every day and gained right along so he must be “ok.” I didn’t mention any of this before because I didn’t want you to worry about it and too If I had written every day you might have gotten a letter or two and missed one, and that would have made you wonder about how things were and since he seemed so good through it I didn’t want to make a mountain out of a mole hill – When I would take his temperature and watch it so closely I would remember how you used to get so disgusted with certain anxious mothers who were always taking their children’s temp. and wish they would break the thermometer

[page 3] once or twice his temp. did rise to 100 but it usually kept around 99 to 99 3/5. All the aforementioned took place during the past week. He slept every night except for his regular feedings and in the day time too. He wasn’t off schedule any. I will confess I was pretty worried about him but kept telling myself since the temp. was slight and that he could breath[e] easily it wasn’t serious. I knew too if necessary I could call Dr. Cole which I did do twice and if necessary could go down to Laf. with him A baby is so helpless and delicate as far as medication is concerned. I was some “put out” that he would get a cold, but there is so much cold around that it really isn’t any wonder. I had a little sinus condition myself and my throat bothered me some – so he could easily have gotten the bug from me, But I keep asking myself – how could he keep from it when I have to handle him myself. I keep gargling but it doesn’t entirely get rid of it. I went down & had Dr. M. swab my throat and it seemed well for a day or two. It doesn’t bother me any except it feels raw at times – Oh me – I hope I haven’t been too boring about all our aches and pains because we are all able to be up and going. In fact I feel better than I have felt in a long time and as I said about the baby he seems to feel first rate weighs 11 lbs now

[page 4]It is colder today and of course there is still the snow we had two weeks ago plus several additional layers. I helped John with the furnace last night and took out clinkers. I go down nearly every day and stir things up. I leave the coal heaving to the boys.

Arlene came to see me for a few minutes yesterday. She brought two suits Donald had outgrown – he weighs over 15 lbs now. She told me Rosemary is to have a baby in April. Just as Arlene left Parttens’ came. They thought the shells pretty nice and the necklace makes a hit with everyone who sees it. I got a quarter of beef from Harold so paid him. Mary said people who have their own meat won’t be held to meat rationing. We now have ½ of 265# hog and 122 lbs beef in the locker (the beef less two pieces I took last Sat.) Zells have chickens and when they are large enough for frys I think I’ll get a dozen or so and put in the locker.

The brush & comb you sent came Sat. I like it very much and I will probably have to get the boys a set so they will leave mine alone.

We got the tree decorated last night. I let Mark come down and watch. We put those lights on that we used outside last year.

The boys are upstairs now listening to The Shadow and I am trying to listen to Wm L. Shirer but David is awake and wanting attention so must close

Love Mother

Over

[page 5]Mon noon and everybody fine. Mark didn’t go to school but he hasn’t any temp. and it is pretty cold so thought I would keep him home till noon – He feels fine.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/24/cold-flu-season-gladys/

Things about the same (Roscoe)

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Letter transcription:

Dec. 12, 1942

Dear Mother,

Sat. P.M. and things about the same as usual. Same old hot etc. This is about the middle of the P.M. and nothing much to do for some time. Last night show was The Aldrich Family – pretty good show but like the radio – don’t think I’d like it too often. There probably won’t be a show tonight due to a combination smoker and boxing show between army and navy. I’d rather have a movie rather than the smoker but I guess it isn’t what I’d rather have. Anyway I don’t have to go unless I want to so I’ll suit myself.

I have a comic book to read – read one yesterday P.M. and saved this one until today. It’s mighty heavy work but I guess I can take it. Hope it’s not the same as the one you said you were sending or I thought you said you were sending. Some of the surprise will be taken out of the

[page 2] Christmas package if it’s the same. There has been no mail again today but we hear that there is plenty around but being around doesn’t help much.

Wrote to the Walkups last night and I don’t owe anyone any letters at present. In fact I’ve gotten so few since Dec. 1 that is isn’t hard to answer what few that have arrived. Maybe more will come thru the latter part of Dec. We still have the 5:00 P.M. delivery today and that may bring something.

One of the boys just came in with a loaf of French bread. Those long hard crusty loaves. I think the crust OK but the inside isn’t so hot. In fact, I’ve almost stopped eating bread. Probably haven’t eaten over ½ dz slices since arriving on the Island. Even on the boat coming over I didn’t like bread – because it was baked in U.S.A. Then frozen and served

[page 3]  that way and the whole thing tasted much like ice box food. That was true of all the food we had. We have lamb 2-3 times per week and that is pretty hard to get down but it’s fresh meat. Some just won’t eat it but I at least eat some.

This whole letter up to now is a mess but that’s more or less the way I feel right now. You know those days come now and then and then things get better etc.

There was a ball game this P.M. but I had to take a bath etc – it being Sat. Doesn’t take that long for a bath but it is pretty far to walk and return in one afternoon –

I’ll finish later & we did have a show – don’t remember what the name was but something about a Saint. No P.M. mail

Love Daddy

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/24/things-about-the-same-roscoe/

Keep the home fires burning (Roscoe)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Nov. [Dec.] 11, 1942

Dear Mother,

Esquire magazine cover - 1940s

Esquire magazine cover – 1940s

Up to now there is no mail but we still have the P.M. delivery as this is now early afternoon chow. I’m writing this just prior to a slight nap I think. Have to be like the natives – take a nap in the heat of the day. I was just reading in Esquire magazine where all great men seemed to become greater with the coming of snow – Washington at Valley Forge, Lincoln in the last winter of the war and I can’t see where one would get much “pazaz” in this kind of weather. That wasn’t all I read in Esquire. Really is a good magazine for tired worn out sailors. There was another article but I can’t seem to remember it – guess it wasn’t really worth while coming from the Esquire as it did.

It’s really fun to look at some of our magazines – Some 1927 etc. The adv. are funny. Especially women’s hats and automobiles. There is some similarity between those and our today’s models.

[page 2] and too they generally tell what is being advertised. Don’t know what got me on to this line. Just the heat I suppose.

I wrote Ruth M. last nite in answer to her greeting and letter combined. I think I answered her last letter but couldn’t think of a thing I had written but I remember addressing an envelope. It would be real funny if they got an empty envelope. It’s almost time for some new mail from you because now it has been 7 days since getting late mail. And still no packages. It will probably be that way until after Christmas.

Two weeks from today is Christmas and I hope you have the money and things by then. You told me the boys had their bonds before the money I sent had a chance to get there but I suppose they will have other things in mind and if they are saving stamps they will no doubt buy a few out of the ten. V-mail must be slow going in the direction. I haven’t written much but it

[page 3] seems ages in going. I sent each of the brothers and sister a V-mail greeting but haven’t had a chance to hear from them as yet. Guess I told you that before.

Dr. Huth (Dentist) as taken some pictures and we are trying to get some printing paper to have so that we can print them ourselves. We can use the Xray solutions. We don’t have a printing frame fixed up yet because of lack of glass. I suppose we could get some in town but that would cost us, and glass is something you don’t need in tents or huts, so we can’t even break a window to get a piece.

Our beer is now extinct except for some isolated cases – like the one I have hidden under my bunk. There was quite a bit here but it didn’t last long. There are still some cokes left but I don’t care for warm coke. Just about as some have warm water. Occ – we get a glass of cold water but as a rule it’s warm. Even in the showers it isn’t cold. Seems the water mains are so near the surface and the sun so warm it warms the water. And why

[page 4] put the pipes deep in the ground because it never freezes.

Last nite just about Sun down Dr. Porterfield and I walked up over a little hill and off in a distance we could see a heavy blanket of clouds. We were looking down on it – out of this cloud comes a mountain top. Was real pretty but I can’t describe it.

I suppose I’d better take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas because the mail may be a little slow even this may not get there. I’ll miss being there you’ll know but I’m thankful I can still write you and you me. So keep the chin up and the home fires burning as I know you can do.

Lots of love and best wishes
Daddy

P.S. no mail today – Some got old mail but I already have that.

Camera 616

Please send me a roll of films 2 ½ x 4 ¼ The camera 616 – 8 exposures. Those will fit Dr. Huth’s camera and maybe I can get some good pictures for you. Thanks.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/22/keep-the-home-…burning-roscoe/

Mark is upstairs in bed (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Dec 11 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

Mark is upstairs in bed – He said he didn’t feel good when he came home – so I took his temperature and it was 100 – I gave him ½ a sulfadiazine tablet and will give him another before I go to bed. When Dr. Cole examined him while I was in the hospital he said he wouldn’t take his tonsils out but gave him sulfadiazine – so I had Jack Byrne look up the prescription and get the dosage. Mark said he ached so thought I would try to nip the “flu” in the bud. He said he felt like he was taking the flu. He went to town thru the snow without his overshoes and I think he got his feet damp. When he came back and I discovered he didn’t have his overshoes on I made him change his shoes but evidently his feet were cold the “bug” had started to work. They come in thru the garage and leave their rubbers there and I had no idea he had gone out without them. He said, “the sidewalks are cleaned off,” but we can’t get away from the house without getting in the snow because it snowed again today. You

[page 2] mentioned the weather taking a beating. It certainly has from here but this snow is something to write about. Just before noon there was a flurry started and lasted until after the children came home. Great flakes coming down in swirls.

We were going to decorate the tree this evening but since Mark has to stay in bed and I am too tired to bother with it – it will have to wait another day.

I rec’d a card from the Revlon Prod. Corp that you are sending me a Manicure Case. Your Christmas cards are all very nice – (the three rec’d).

I finally sent out your sardine, crackers, mosquito cream, chewing gum – and in case you miss yesterday’s letter – the box of chewing gum was put in by Jack Byrne. He said to tell you that was their weeks allowance since chewing gum is hard to get. I also sent Jim his gifts and a box to Thelma.

I saw in the paper that Wayne Walker is home for a 30 day furlough. He has been in Australia since soon after he enlisted. That give me hopes – Maybe it shouldn’t – that you will possibly get to come home for such a furlough sometime.

[page 3] David is asleep – as usual this time of day. After his 6 P.M. bottle he looks around a while and usually by 7 he is sound asleep. He weighed 10-13 this morning. Two weeks ago today we went to see Dr. C. and he weighed 9-13 so he has kept up his ½ per week average. He should – he takes 5 oz every 4 hrs and it takes 12 oz Carnation for the 24 hrs.  When we came home 9 weeks ago he was getting 7 oz carnation in 24 hrs and now it is almost double that.

The skaters have come into their own this winter. Betty Lou & Donna Dennis went together to skate this evening. Betty said they have a flood light for the night skaters and build a fire too. Nick got Buddy skates last year but he has never learned to skate – said he didn’t like the falls.

You should be getting a letter from Uncle Wes. I can’t understand why you never have heard from him. He was here the day your Mother & Kenneth left – the day your Noumea address came – and he took it down. He said he was going to send you a bunch of maps. In fact I had a note from him and he had sent them. His address is 2028 W. 110th St.

I mentioned this before but will again – I think you should write the Sisters at St. E. and thank them for my care at the hospital. I am going to send a Christmas greeting, and add a thank you.

[page 4] I take it for granted that you got my letter telling you I didn’t have a bill to pay when I left the hospital.

John went to town this evening and bought David’s gift – a plate cereal bowl and cup. Mark got him a Panda. Jim sent him a wooden toy and Ruth M. sent something for him in her box but I think it is some piece of clothing.

I looked thru the paper for some news item to include but don’t see much. Thad Pence is having a public sale – going to retire. C.D. Gilmore & James Oppy are victims of falls, suffering from cracked ribs. Joe Fletcher is moving the auto license branch office in with Prairie Realty Co. John Simons is in St. E. for observation. You will get all this when the Enterprize gets to you.

It has been so wintry this week I haven’t been out much and I have been trying to ward off a sore throat. It comes and goes. I got some powerful gargle at the drug store last night and it is much better.

I am about to run down so will sign off. Maybe there will be some letters tomorrow since there were none today.

Love Mother

Sat P.M. – Mark is better – In fact he is hard to keep in bed and I think by this evening I will allow him to come down and watch John decorate the tree, but will keep him away from David. A greeting came for you so will send it on to you (From St. E.)

[page 5] I am sending you this “Nation’s Business” notice – I hardly think you want it renewed but here it is.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/21/mark-is-upstai/

A tree eleven feet high (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Dec 10 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

Received two letters today dated Nov 30 & Dec 1 – Always makes me feel better when you have rec’d mail. Maybe by now you have the last bunch of pictures I sent. I thought they were better of David and too he could pose a little better. I put another one in yesterday’s letter and tho it isn’t very clear you and compare and see his is growing. We took several but that was the only one on that roll that turned out. There was one a double exposure but you wouldn’t be able to tell much about it. I have those sardines & crackers & cream (mosquito) to send but haven’t packed them yet – will try to do that this afternoon. I haven’t been in a hurry about it because the Christmas mail is so heavy I don’t believe it will travel very fast.

We had some more weather this morning. At least it is warmer. There was another light snow and now it looks like a thaw is starting. If it doesn’t freeze now. It would be awfully slick if we would have a freeze before this snow leaves. This has been unusual weather for the early part of December.

I haven’t been in town since Monday so don’t know if there are any Christmas decorations. I doubt if there will be much done this year.

[page 2] I told Mark we would get a tree this afternoon after school. He is so anxious to get one and since it is just two weeks till Christmas eve it isn’t too early.

You mentioned the tax business again. You surely didn’t get the letter in which I explained about it. Agnes advises not to pay it but if you insist I will go ahead and take care of it.

It is getting lighter outside – I think the sun is about to shine thru – Maybe it will come out strong enough to melt the snow. After several cloudy days – the sunshine is very good to see. I thought I would get the car out but may walk. I haven’t been out due to a scratchy throat but I feel O.K. today and think I need some air.

The packages Ruth M. sent came today and Mark is to bring them home as he comes from school. He is getting the usual thrill from anticipating Christmas. He has set 10 P.M. Christmas eve as the time to open gifts. I am glad he is so cheerful about it. I am afraid things would be a little flat around here at times if it weren’t for Mark. Not that we droop around – I don’t believe in carrying my feelings on my sleeve, but he is always so gay it does help a lot. I was amused at the way he wrote you about his report card – if you got the letter – he said he was afraid you weren’t going to like it very well because he had lower grades than the first 6 weeks.

It is about time for J & M to come home from school and D. is waking from a nap so will probably need dry pants.

[page 3] 9:30 P.M. went to the drug store and did some Christmas shopping. I got Jim a box of writing paper and a box of soap. The soap has a military design on it. I also got a box of cologne & talc to send Thelma. I told Jack Byrnes I was sending you a box and he said, “Will you do me a favor?” and walked over to a box he was unpacking and took out a box of chewing gum – he said their week’s allowance. You know chewing gum is scarce here too. Maybe this will be enough to last you a while. The little container of dental floss is one I found in your old brown suit the last time I went over your suits. Sorry to say the moths had nested in two pr of pants but they aren’t beyond repair – and there are extra pants of the ones they worked on. I have your closet well fortified now so think I have the little beggers taken care of. I went thru your things earlier in the fall and all was well, but I didn’t re-spray them or put in any moth crystals and we had so much warm weather so long that I think of lots of things took second growth, hence the visit to your closet by the pests.

You will probably get tired of reading about the baby’s orange juice – but as I mentioned before I tried orange, then

[page 4] tomato and he would toss it every time. You recall I wrote I talked to Dr. M. about the juice question. He said put him on prune juice – I did – but he didn’t like it either and since I have his bowels regulated with the dextri-maltose I don’t favor prune juice – also not much Vit C – so I am staring him on Vit C tablets. He gets A & D from the Oleum Percom.

Mark brought home a tree eleven feet high (or tall) and I didn’t favor paying 2⁰⁰ for a tree then cutting it off – so sent it back and now we have one that is just the right size. We put the lights on but no decorations yet. We aren’t supposed to use lights this year so we won’t decorate the front door like we did last year.

About the money situation – as I have repeated several times and as you can tell by the bank bal I am not spending anything – only living expenses – so the bank acc’t is really getting the lion’s share. I feel like we should live as carefully as possible so when you come back we will have a substantial reserve fund. I really haven’t any desire to buy anything while you are away – and too we are urged every day on the radio not to do any un-necessary buying – to put everything possible in bonds. I feel the same as you do about not wanting to start out again with our “noses to the grindstone” – so much for that. It is time for David to get awake for his 10 P.M. feeding.

Love – Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/19/a-tree-eleven-feet-high-gladys/

Packages arrived (Gladys)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Dec 9 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

This was a red letter day. Ruth wrote that she was sending two boxes so I sent Mark to get them – that is he got them as he came home from school, but they weren’t the boxes she sent. One was from Jim and the other the one you sent Oct. 16 – and the necklace is beautiful. Mark said, “I didn’t know Daddy could do things like that.” I said you had never had time before – and of course didn’t have access to sea shells. The bath mat is very nice too and after it goes thru the Bendix will use it on the bath table. I will count the necklace as a special Christmas gift. (The money being a trifle?) The money will stay put in the bank acct for a while. I would get a coat if I had time to go shopping but that is something I don’t want to buy in a hurry. If we maintain a bal. in the bank around what it is now, don’t you think it would be wise to do something with it. There really isn’t any point to leaving that much lie around idle, is there? Let me have a suggestion. (770.00)

[page 2] Going back to the subject of boxes – Jim’s was well wrapped and marked, do not open until Christmas but I wanted to dispose of the large box and store the things away in less space. There were gifts for all – Two records, a book on opera, a book on building model airplanes, a wooden toy and a box of expensive soap. I want to send Jim something but that is a problem I haven’t solved yet. It seems like I am not doing much shopping this year. I ordered Readers Digest for your folks. Ordered a Navy pin for Mother. John ordered his gift at the Foster shop. I sent for Mark’s yesterday. I am going to give Arlene, Dorothy & Lucile some kind of plants, and that about takes care of everyone. I must get a tree while there are some for sale. I understand there is a shortage of Christmas trees this year. Mark wants one to reach the ceiling. John suggested getting a small one but Mark protested so loudly I will get a large one if possible. I haven’t bought any Greetings this year and haven’t decided whether to or not. With the mails so heavy this year I thought I would not send greetings, unless we get so many I get an urge – which I haven’t had yet. I don’t know what you think about that but it will [be] too late by the

Dorothy Krull c1960

Dorothy Krull c1960

[page 3] time I get an answer to this letter. I am enclosing a picture taken of the house, I took after the first snow Nov. 29 – and this is Dec 9 and the first snow still on, only covered with more. The picture of the baby was taken in the den with only the outside light. It isn’t as clear as I would like but you can see he is growing – comparing it with the previous pictures. He is getting a little large for the basket but will try to use it for a while yet. Mark was standing by the basket holding a rubber elephant trying to amuse David so he would hold still – but he is still too small to pay much attention to such things. I think I’ll get a flood light bulb and see what I can do with inside pictures. We can’t get a picture out of doors now of the baby – the weather being what it is. I haven’t been out since Monday so haven’t much in the way of outside news. Dorothy was here a few minutes this evening but was in a hurry – since they haven’t any kitchen help she has to be “on duty” at meal times. She got to see the necklace and thought it very nice. You must have spent a lot of time on it as well graduated as the shells are. I’ll have to get a new plain black dress to wear this on.

[page 4] Helen Washburn Knollin in home. I talked to her a little at Club Monday but intend to see her again. She said she wanted to talk to me and tell me more about your visit with her. I suppose she will stay over Christmas. I also talked to Mrs. Reinhart and she said as far as they knew Henry is still at Moffett Field – Hope you have written to him by now, since he was anxious for some word about you. Mark is upstairs practicing on his horn. He was given first cornet part in the band and it made him very proud. He does a good job playing “Silent Night.” John had to practice on the Sax but soon finished and then on the piano. He is working on another composition. Maybe he will write something if he keeps on. This piece he is on now is pretty.

The bridge club Lucile is in is having a surprise for her at Arlene’s. They got her the same gifts they gave Arlene – baby scales and baby bed spread. Lucile is very large even with her fur coat on she[is] definitely in “that class.” She is very conscientious about obeying Dr. orders to the letter. I think she east exactly what he tells her to and nothing more. I do hope she has a good baby, but as sensible as she is she is no doubt get along. She said she didn’t want anyone to watch her bath[e] the baby until she learns how.

It is past 9 A.M. – so must get this finished and get the family started to bed.

Love Mother

P.S. The other shells were very nice – none were broken.

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/08/17/packages-arrived-gladys/