Chicago Ill. Wednesday Evening

Hello Ollie:

Well to star this letter out, everyone here is all in tonight. Today has been a very hot day and in fact the last 3 days. Looks as though we may get a rain storm tonight. I am sitting out here on the porch and the mosquitoes are as big as horse flies and they sure bite. I am sitting here in the rocker writing you and I know if you would listen, I am sure you could hear me chewing my gum. It really annoys me.

Well Richard is not home and will be home next Wednesday we hope. He was to come home this week but they were going into Philadelphia, to see World Series or something and the Liberty Bell Valley Forge, and I know he will enjoy it. So I told him to stay, it really is educational for him. But we sure miss him.

As far news here only we hear about the boys’ and girl’s they are so thrilled school was out last Friday for Catholic School, This week for others and the public school next Friday. So they are all full of plans for the summer and so patient for next Friday.

I have started my canning ho I have canned 6 pints of strawberry preserves. I don’t really think there will be much to can this year because of the weather. I plan on canning about 12 quarts of apricots next week. They still keep at the top price 25¢ per pound. So that would be quite expensive. Oh yes I must tell you I am a full fledge carpenter now. I build a sand box about 8 ft by 10 ft in the back yard for Richard. By the time I was finished I had 3 neighbors helping and 1 base. ho So we have some sand box for Richard when he comes back. ho he enjoys to play in sand and I really prefer that to a bicycle as he really wants a bike bad. If he gets one I would probably end up out as Dunning ho as these young boys on bikes just seem to dare the cars & take so many chances.

I see in tonight’s papers about 250 boys names that were killed in action in Africa. Sure seems a shame. But to whom am I to judge. Three boys here from our neighborhood. I feel sorry for the boys’ parents. But all we can do is pray for them in our prayers.

Ollie between swatting these mosquitoes and writing I really don’t know what I have written. But I know you will understand. Ollie please forgive me for not visiting your Mother but when I get home at night, get dinner ready, do dishes and darn sow and mend the evening is gone, and on Sunday, I appreciate the day with welcoming arms and the day goes by so fast I seem to accomplish nothing in my way. Mrs. Kyps niece works here in the silk factory and in the evening when I see her go by and I get to talk with her. I always inquire about the neighbors on Kedzie and your Mother.

We received our new ration books and my Ollie you have to be a Philadelphia attorney to understand them. But we really shouldn’t complain as that is just a small part for us civilians to do when you boys are doing and giving up to do for us.

I receive a letter from my brothers each week. My oldest brother is in Williamsburg Virginia the others in Camp Callan—San Diego California. They seem to like it fine but sure are 2 homesick boys. They were never away from home over 3 days and one is 27 and the other 22. So is really very tough on them.

Well Ollie you must write us about yourself and what all you do. We surely enjoy your letters and the card you send we had the camp pictured that way in our minds from your good letters.

Ollie, you should read this letter by the installment plan. ho These mosquitoes are really eating me alive for sure.

So Ollie, write soon we love to get your letters and in our prayers every nite we always ask God for his richest blessings on you.

Bye-Bye

Richard’s Mother

Richard read your card I sent it on to him and he wrote back.

Mom be sure and answer Ollie cause I know he wants to hear from us.