Griswold, Iowa

January 9, 1944

Dear Kenneth:

Your good letter came last Tuesday (January 4) I sent it and one from Aunt Alice to Omaha. The first we’ve had from her since they went to California, this time. Elizabeth brought them back last night and I’m putting yours away for your son. Your son - doesn’t that have a grand sound. We were always eager to hear from Claire but now we are doubly so and her letter telling about the baby is alas going to be saved for him. I hope her letters to you are going through more promptly now that the Christmas rush is over.

Mrs. Davis called me New Years night to tell me your card reached them that day and Marcella was so pleased with it.-wondered about the name of the flower on it etc. They wanted me to come some afternoon to see their more then 80 cards. I’m going sometime this week.

Tomorrow night is Masonic and Star joint instillation. Mrs. Weir and I expect to go- her husband isn’t any more enthused about it thank Marie [for her] aid and Mrs. S.F. Eva Van’s funeral is Tues. P. M with the Waveland Township Telephone Co. oyster supper at 6. Now that is something Dad really enjoys going to. Last week I puttered around doing odds and ends of things-only wrote one letter-the one to accompany yours to Omaha. E. left at 2 o’clock this p.m. a clear cold day-no end. Maureen hasn’t done any soloing yet- very recently more flying hours were added before she can. She thinks she has a wonderful instructor, this Freddy Clark that used to live northwest of here. While meandering around town with Maud Rousseau the other p.m. she said- isn’t it too bad the girls have “Taney.” Their land lady wants them to find another place because of him. I asked how she knew this-she had a letter from Francis a few days before. In one letter from Aunt A. she stressed being upset trying to find another apartment. How Maura McC. was phoning hither and you for them. They seem to enjoy being near Nora. I hope they get re-located near her.

We haven’t heard from Long Beach since sending the Farm Sale Contracts to them. Since this 80 was sold I met Arlie on the street – he asked if it was true. Said he wrote them offering $80 per a cash. I said, would you have given $90 rather then lose it – he said I expect I would. When I said it was too bad Wasmer didn’t see before closing the deal – he said ask him if he’d give $90 and he told him no-but he thou’t the other fellow wouldn’t give that much either so he had no one to blame but himself.

Phyllis Cable has a baby girl about a month old – named Glenna Susan – the first name you understand and the second for his mother – the former Susan Blair. She and the baby are at home – the sister Maydelle was supposed to adopt it, but after all these years of married life - she’s going to have one of her own. The clipping of twins are Otis Gustin’s grandsons – Otis is getting an old age pension – he has nothing to do now but keep himself looking cleaner and stand around on the street. When summer comes – Otto Palmer will have to furnish more benches for these new pensioners

Mrs. O’Conner is still in bed with her Flu complications. I haven’t been over –we’re trying to keep well and away from it. I go in to see Hessie often. She had been doctoring with Johnson of Elliott. Perhaps you didn’t know that Fred B. and Doctor Wear have been on the outs – decidedly out – for 2 or 3 years. They and Hessie remained friendly though. The other afternoon (Wed.) I opened their kitchen door with my usual greeting “Hi- anybody home.” To my surprise Doctor Ware said yes, Mrs. Hall you stay in the kitchen for a little while. When ready to leave he called for me to open the dining room door for him – his hands were full of instruments and what not. Then Hessie told me she felt so bad all forenoon that after dinner she asked Fred if she couldn’t call Ware. He said do whatever she thought was best – so she called him and Fred went up to his barn to avoid meeting him. She’s on a strict diet – is taking some medicine and a shot of something in one of her lower limbs. Some of the neighbors think because two of her brothers died last year of internal cancer - that is her trouble. I won’t make a guess though I know there is something wrong. They’re getting along alone – the sister in law had to leave a week ago.

Griswold and vicinity escaped the ice and sleet last Tuesday and Wednesday. Della Grinnell said they went to Co. Bluffs Wednesday morning and from near the deinstitute they had to “crawl into C. B.” Elizabeth said only parts of Omaha were icy. She’s wearing an “E pin,” as are all modification folks- I said I hoped she or Harold would lose theirs- I’d give it and they’d get another to replace it.

Gale Swanson came to that … and took E. To lunch one day – he severed his relations with the Co. last Friday – is going…school somewhere. He was in the car with Maureen when she stopped for E. I heard him say to her as he got out, to help her in – “I came down to kiss you goodbye Betty” and he did that very thing. He then walked east as they drove away. I’m going to miss him – I always feel relieved to know he was with the girls when they left here on stormy Sunday evening. Thanks for the atlas – we can locate Pacific places now.

In a letter before Christmas and from…Lewis of Portland, Oregon – she wished Claire to get in touch with her niece – Mrs. Ralph Holland in Laramie. I told Claire about her. Paul … sister of Lara… - called me up while spending Christmas here – she said she tho’t my daughter in law a very sweet girl.

Getting back to weather – This is the driest winter in years – Those .. winter wheat [I] think it is done for. Guy doesn’t have any. I’m informed a romance is budding .. Virginia and Harry.. Guy exchanges work with Harry more than anyone else – They should know each other very well by now. They went on our farm the winter of ‘35-‘36.

I think I’m ready to leave you for this time. Take good care of yourself in every way and speed the day when you can come back to your wife and son. We are still enjoying good laughs – from people addressing us as grandma and grandpa…everyone we’re years younger – Mrs. Ross our grandson I’m [going to miss] the days I was caring for my wonderful nice babies.

Lots of love – Mother.