Grandma - Oct. 14, 1941

Dear Ted,

Guess how late I slept this morning. Until nearly 10:00! Of course you remember I got to bed sort of late last night. I'll have to admit though that when I sleep late like that I never feel as ambitious as when I arise early. Are you surprised to hear me admit that? I guess you think I'm a lazy “sleepy-head” but honest – I'm not. Usually on my day off I can't sleep very late. It's only when I'm really tired out that I can. Tomorrow I'm going to get up early and clean the house while mother finishes the ironing. I wouldn't want you to think I merely loafed today after I finally did get up though. I cleaned the rugs in the living and dining rooms, went to the grocery, washed some clothes by hand, ironed them (plus some other clothes), and baked some cupcakes, among other things. Aren't I wonderful? (I'm joking – not bragging, please, about being wonderful). I finally shampooed my hair – after 2 ½ weeks. Isn't that terrible! That's the longest my hair has gone without a bath for ever so long. Mother braided it all pretty and I put up the front curls so now I'm all fixed up for awhile.
Marian (Manney) is over again. She brought her embroidering and worked on it. Adyllis is knitting a baby sweater for a friend of ours. Mary Evelyn is knitting a sweater for herself. Mother is idle for a change. Isn't that a “homey” picture? Oh yes. If I weren't writing to you, I'd be loafing around too. See, you come in handy once in awhile to keep me from being lazy. Aren't you flattered? (I'll bet).
A bright idea struck me tonight while I was watching Adyllis knit. I've decided to knit a sweater for Dolores Jean for her birthday in January. If I start now I ought to be able to finish by then. I'm really serious about it though. Don't you think it's a good idea? Mary Evelyn wants to knit her a pair of mittens. We'll see how that comes out later. From now on my spare time (if I have any) will be well taken care of.
There's something I've been wanting to tell you ever since I saw LH and I kept forgetting. LH thought you might interested in knowing that he recently secured a set of Vincent's Word Studies – Greek you know. He said you would know what they are. I don't myself but they are evidently rather valuable. He's been wanting them for quite some time. It is a second-hand set but in excellent condition. He only had to pay $2.00 and for a new set he said it would have been $7 or $8. He is very much pleased with the transaction and I guess he has a right to be. He told me to tell you about it and I finally remembered.
It sounds to me like you had a lovely reception Friday night. If you got lots of canned vegetables, I can tell you what to do with part of them. You know you can make pretty good soup from even canned vegetables. If you want help (especially when it's time to peel the onion), just call on yours truly. I'm kind of an expert – remember? No kidding though, I heard of a way today on the radio to remove onion odor from dainty white hands (or any other kind of hands as far as that is concerned). Want to know? Well, I'll tell you. You take plain dry mustard and rub well into above said hands and then rinse with warm water. Sounds simple and it's supposed to be sure-fire. I'll really have to try it some time.
I guess you'll have to think of some more dire punishment for Mary Evelyn. She likes the one you already suggested. Besides, she just now stuffed a pencil, a ball of cord, and a paper sack down my back just to be mean. I warned her you were keeping a record of her misdemeanors but she just laughed. What can you do with someone like that? I'll confess I've about given up.
Have a nice time at the convention tomorrow. I'll be thinking about you and praying for you.

Love,
Dolores

Grandpa - Oct. 14, 1941

My Dear “Dodo,”

Less than an hour ago I received your “note” of last Friday night. No foolin', I really enjoyed it very much in spite of the briefness. Thanks so much taking the time from your busy program to write me. This letter may turn out to be only a note because I just have to take some time this evening to prepare for the service tomorrow evening at Muskegon. You wouldn't want me to be embarrassed by getting up there and having nothing to say would you? I hope that will not be the case. My plans are to work tomorrow AM and take the PM to make final preparations and get there. I really won't mind if it continues (it is raining here now) to rain so we can't work because I have several things to do here before I leave.
This has been another day spent working away from home. That is the reason I didn't get your letter until this evening. I too appreciate coming home after a long hard day's work and finding a “swell” letter waiting for me. You come home and find your sisters and parents waiting for you – and perhaps a letter – but there is no one here when I come home except your picture and your letters. Really, Hon, that means a lot to me.
So the Mayfields were pleased with the idea of us coming down there some Sunday? Of course November 1st will be OK, if you can't get a weekend off before that. I shall be glad to plan that way and you can do accordingly. But as you say, there is a “catch.” I was afraid LH would want me to preach if we came to his place. It might be a good excuse to persuade the people here that they should let me go for the evening service. And on the other hand it hardly seems fair to expect you to listen to me both Sunday morning and evening. Do you think you could stand it? I will try to settle the matter with LH when I go down there to go hunting. And I will be waiting for November 1st to arrive.
As you know I will be away tomorrow evening, but I will do my best to get a few lines written sometime – perhaps after I get home. Until then ---!!!

It is with Love,
Ted

Grandma - Oct. 13, 1941

Dear Ted,

I just got home from work and since everyone has gone on to bed this is a nice quiet time to sit down and write my daily little “chat” to you. I beg your pardon – everyone else has not gone to bed. Father is still up tending the fire and snatching a cup of coffee or a snack (I'm certainly starting out good as far as mistakes are concerned), or something. Anyway, I can at least concentrate tonight.
I was very happily disappointed at work today. Usually half a dozen people dispute the charges on their calls and try to start an argument when I give them the charge but today not a single person did that. That seems very unusual to me and especially since there is a new tax (federal) on long distance calls which is considerably higher than formerly. It went into effect while I was away (guess where). Everything considered (including the other operators), my day at work was most uneventful and much less trying than usual.
This morning we walked into church to find it beautifully clean, carpeted and with the floors refinished. I think I told you before that we were going to do it didn't I? Well, it was accomplished (no credit to myself, understand) and really it improves the church no end. Besides all that, there were artificial palms at either end of the platform and 3 beautiful bouquets of flowers arranged on the alter and platform. In spite of all this improvement, our Sunday School attendance dropped to 102. Isn't that awful? We're going to do our best to build it up though.
In my Sunday School class there were only 7 until they added 4 younger boys who were “teacher-less”. The class was good in spurts more or less. One time they would listen and answer questions and talk and the next time they would be fooling around and then pop some silly remark. I suppose I can't expect much else from them since they're young but it does seem peculiar that they are much better behaved for an older person. Of course I don't mean I really think it's peculiar because I know they don't have as much respect for me for the simple reason that I'm not enough older than they are. I really can't blame them too much. They like to tease me and joke with me outside of class because I can take it and they don't consider me much different when I stand in front of them as their teacher. That is my only objection to teaching that particular class and I think I'm justified, don't you? Of course as long as they want me to be assistant, I'll do my best. I wish you'd tell me how you would handle the kids if you were in my place. Will you? Please don't think I'm complaining about all this. Really I'm not, Ted.
It was such a lovely day here today. I didn't get to enjoy it much though. Right after dinner (when the dishes were done of course) I was so drowsy, I just went upstairs and slept until time to go to work. Isn't that some way to enjoy a beautiful day? Probably next Sunday when I don't have to work it will rain, or snow or sleet, or something dreadful like that. Let's hope not.
It's so quiet now. Father went to bed a little while ago and I don't hear a sound from upstairs. Even the animals are quiet. All I hear is my pen moving over the paper and every once in awhile I hear that funny sound the electric clock makes. Remember?
It's after 12:00 now and I'm beginning to get sleep again. I'll bet you're deep in slumber by now after a good day's work. I sincerely hope it was a really good day for you.
Keep up the splendid work, and I'll be waiting for your letters. I wish I could do something about your getting mine every day regularly, but I don't know what else it would be. Any suggestions?

With love,
Dolores

Grandpa - Oct. 13, 1941

Dear Dolores:

Hello again! I would much prefer to walk in on you tonight rather than to write, but that seems out of the question. Really, I wish you weren't so far away. It would be grand if I could see you two or three times each week, but no doubt I appreciate if far more when I do see you. As much as I like your picture, I still prefer to have you.
I have been thinking about you several times today, Hon. This PM at 4:00 it occurred to me that you were probably just going to work. That is just when I started to work – after a little nap I set down at my desk and spent the remainder of the PM studying and writing letters. One of the letters was to LH. I suggested that we go hunting next week instead of this week since I have so much to do here. If we do that, I will be going down there after my evening service one week from tonight. If he has conflicting plans, I will arrange to go down there the last day of this week. Right now my plans are to hunt Wednesday morning with a couple of men from the church. I know you think I am cruel to go out and shoot those pretty birds. Don't scold me, please. Maybe I don't even get a chance to shoot one.
In your last letter you asked about the other room I have been working on. It is a back-room off from the kitchen. It has been used for a kitchen by some of the folks who lived in this house but I use it more for a store-room. You know, one of those places where you put things that really have no particular place. With the new paper it is greatly improved, but it needs painting badly. I am hoping to get that done in the near future.
Would you be interested in what the “preacher” spoke about today? This morning his text was found in Heb. 5:11, speaking of Enoch it says “that he pleased God.” The object was to point out ways in which the believer can please God. It is a very interesting study. In the evening service the text was taken from Isa. 38:1. It was the command given to Hezekiah, “Set thine house in order, for thou shalt die, and not live.” Special attention was given to how Hezekiah set about to prepare for death. If you would like to know more about it, write the pastor and he will gladly give your more details. You know his address I am sure.
Dolores, I wish you were going to be here to go with me to Muskegon Tuesday PM. The service for which I am scheduled is at 7:00. I'm not thrilled over the idea of making the trip alone, but I can do it. It would be far more pleasant having a good traveling companion. I rather think I will come right home after the Young People's meeting since early Wednesday morning we will be out hunting.
If this letter seems a bit “hazy”, it won't be strange. I am trying to listen to “Take it or Leave it” on the radio. It is rather hard to concentrate. Anyhow, I have written enough haven't I? If I think of something more, I'll add an amendment in the morning.
Closing with Love,
Ted

P.S. Do your people think we are foolish to write every day? I hope not. Personally, I like it very much. Let's keep it up.

Grandma - Oct. 12, 1941

Dear Ted,

Honestly, I've just about given up trying to understand your mail service. Here I try my best to get a letter to you every single day and what happens? I ask you to ask me. Is that any way for Uncle Sam's postal employees to treat us? I was awfully disappointed about it really. I thought I had things regulated but somebody double crossed me. I get your letters every day. It's so much nicer that way.
LH still wants you to go hunting with him the first day if possible. I told him you were still planning on it with much anticipation but that you might not get to go the first day. He said he would write you and I told him that you would probably write him also. You two really ought to get together some way. I know you'd just love another “little” chat, wouldn't you?
The girls last nite were very curious (and interested). They fired questions and wanted to know all about this and that and the other thing. I told them just so much – you know. You wouldn't want me to tell all, would you? I knew you wouldn't. I just gave them a sort of skeleton outline of how and where we met and of our trip. They wanted to know what you looked like, and what you were like and stuff like that, like all girls ask other girls. Maybe you don't understand exactly – never having been a girl yourself. Anyway, I told them how swell you are – honest I did. Did you know that I think you're swell? Well, I do. I'm glad you didn't send any of your love to anybody else here. I guess I'm sort of selfish where that's concerned. Am I? Or do I have right to be?
I had fun with the “gang” last night but guess what my family did. They deserted me and I believe they had a better time. The Mayfields stayed until this morning so there was a whole gang over at Manneys. They made homemade ice cream and everything and I had to miss it. I was sort of disappointed – but how! Gladys brought Dolores Jean over for a little while so the girls could see her. They thought she was darling and no wonder. Honestly, she gets sweeter all the time is seems.
If this letter sounds mixed up or incomprehensible up to now it's because I'm trying to listen to the radio and write at the same time. Somehow it's not working out so well tonight. I can't seem to concentrate or write what I want to. Do you ever get that way?
Do you remember me talking about how I was at “inward” at work – you know, taking calls coming in to Dayton? Do you also remember I told you I didn't like it very well and I was getting tired of it? Well, next week they changed me. I get to take outgoing calls. I'm so glad about it. It's so much more interesting. They let me do it this afternoon and the time passed so much more quickly. I was sleepy anyway and it certainly was a big help. Honestly, Ted, next week I vow I'm going to get more sleep. I'll have a good start Monday and Tuesday because I'm off both days. Boy, am I going to “sleep in” both mornings!
Next Thursday night we are going to have Sunday School class meeting at our house. We weren't supposed to have it until about December but this month's host backed out so they asked us if we would take it. Naturally we consented so that's one night with less sleep. Then there'll probably be Friday night. We want to go to the football game which will be out of town this time. Wednesday nite of course is prayer meeting but that doesn't last very late. It looks like I'll have to sleep Monday and Tuesday, doesn't it?
I still don't think this letter is very interesting and I think I'd better stop before it gets any worse. I don't know what's wrong with me tonight. This must be my “off day”. Or maybe I'm kind of lonesome for someone. Could that be it, do you suppose? I'll probably feel better tomorrow and I promise you I'll try to do better. I hate to send you this letter but I want you to have one and it's the best I can do tonight. I hope it's not too bad.
I still have some studying to don on my Sunday School lesson. It's a good lesson, isn't it? I believe it will be fairly easy to teach too.
Good-night again. I think of you a lot. Do you mind? I knew you wouldn't.

Love,
Dolores

Grandpa - Oct. 12, 1941

Dear Dolores:

Are you surprised that I am keeping my promise by answering your letters the same day I get them? You may not be but I really am surprised to find myself writing tonight. Of course I had every good intention of writing this evening since another of your letters came today but while trying to do some studying a couple of hours ago I fell asleep. It was so hard to get woke up that I thought surely I would never be able to get this far toward accomplishing my desires. Of course I will not be able to mail this out tomorrow but it will keep and I can add more to it tomorrow night. Will you mind? I hope not.
Really, Honey, I was more than pleased to get your letter today, but don't ever again ask such a foolish question as whether I would prefer to have you send the pictures or bring them in person. The answer is obvious. I am sure you know what it is – now, don't you? And you are really serious about coming out here for over Sunday when you can get the proper days off? That's swell! Make it as soon as you can. Just let me know when and where to meet you and nothing will stop me. After seeing your picture the people here are anxious to meet you.
How did you find the Mayfields? Fine I hope! I would like very much to see them. I still haven't written LH to make plans to go hunting. My time is pretty well taken next week so I doubt if I will be able to get down there before the following week. I suppose I will have to be content to hunt here for a few days – or perhaps I should say a half-day. That is probably all the time I will have. I'll try to write LH tomorrow.
Tomorrow is Sunday again. It will not be entirely a restful day for me but I'm going to get some??? of that much needed rest, if I possibly can. I can at least sleep until 7:00 in the morning. Is that awful?
Until tomorrow night ---!!!
Yours with Love,
Ted