May 30^th 1944

My dear John Milton:

I have written to papa and Adelaide and now you’re next.

Phillip Weinstein has been home on his first furlough and was to go back to-day. Camp Grant, Ill. He has been twice to see us and is trying to get here in the McGuire Hospital, but of course that remains to be seen. You might know how that is, or do you?

Elizabeth came in last Tuesday and on Wednesday we went to the cottage for Papa’s birthday. As Ben writes you, we had planned to take Ola and Iris before I knew Elizabeth was coming, so that didn’t change our plans, we all piled in including the two children of Ola’s (you know) and we did have a very nice day. I believe we all enjoyed it and fortunate for us who picked cherries, it wasn’t too hot.

We are indeed very much surprised to see those three small trees of pretty ripe cherries, so the four women and two children picked, and it wasn’t so bad.

Elizabeth didn’t stay down there but came back and the next day went on to Washington. The next day I put up the cherries. They were really very nice and your Daddy is tickled to death with his crop. Does he love that place.

How about that umpire detail, are you thru with it and was it so bad? It seems you are always running into some men you have been with before, well that’s fine. I guess that is one of the few interesting things about this affair you and thousands of others are in, is the fact when you least expect it you run across some one whom you have known before and that helps to keep up the excitement and un-expectancy of every day living.

Allow me to remind you of Father’s day June 18^th. which perhaps you are already hearing about, and am sure if where you can, will send a card.

[Edited for Content]

Are you having some nice hot weather these days? We haven’t done so bad; several days have been right hot, but so far the nights have been swell for sleeping. I think by now all your clothes have been cleaned and tucked away for safe keeping and I’m sure nothing can happened to them, but I hope you are never going to need them again. By the way, have you gotten you summer suit and knife we mailed you? Hope nothing happened to them.

Ben has a half day today; its Memorial Day if you don’t happen to already know it so

he is out in the yard picking around and running that motor that is in the cellar.

I guess this is all now and here’s hoping you are well and everything with you is all-right.

Love and best wishes,

Mother.