Grandpa - Oct. 24, 1941

Dear Dolores:

Comfortably seated at my desk in my PJ's and lounging robe I once more indulge in the writing of my daily epistle. I wish you could see how comfortable I really am – but perhaps it is better that you can't see me. There is something I would like better than having you see me. That is for me to see you. It seems like ages since I left you standing by the drive while I drove away with your sis. Just a little over a week and we will be meeting again – I hope! We will, won't we? I am planning that way.
So you think it was a bit silly for me to invest in an alarm clock? If I must explain, here goes. It isn't that I need the alarm to wake me up. When I don't have an alarm I am waking up all times of night wondering if it is time to start the day. Thus, my rest is badly broken. By having an alarm I can sleep soundly with no thought of concern about the time I shall arise, but rather I can rest assured that at the proper time the alarm will sound and then I will know it is time for action. Do I make myself clear? Please explain to your mother so she won't think I was mentally unbalanced to obtain such a piece of property. I can see how you would both think it strange for me have such an unnecessary article as an alarm clock.
I spent the greater part of the day at the Sunday School convention in Grand Rapids. Four ladies from the church went along with me. Was I out-numbered?! But I had a good time. Most of them felt they should get home so we didn't stay for the evening service. It was about 6:00 this evening when we returned. LH was there but he was so busy that we scarcely had time to speak to each other. I also had responsibilities that took some time. A nominating committee was elected to select officers for the coming year and I was so unfortunate as to be chairman of that committee. The convention was quite well attended and the program was interesting.
When a group of ministers get together you can well imagine that there is no small stir. Today it seemed that they were intent on teasing a certain “single” preacher. Guess who? Try like they would, they didn't have much success teasing me. When one good brother asked me where my wife was, I informed him that she was at home caring for the family. Some task, don't you think?
Dolores, don't you think I should have some extra work so as to keep my mind and hands from becoming idle? Perhaps I do. The prospects for a busy future are very good. Today I received a request from one of our pastors to hold a revival in his church which is north of Hastings, Mich. He would like to have two weeks of special meetings if it can be arranged. The possible date is from Nov. 2 to Nov. 16. Of course I couldn't be there until Nov. 4th or 5th since I am planning to be in Dayton, Ohio at that time and I don't want to be engaged in meetings at Thanksgiving time. You know why, don't you? I haven't given him a definite reply, but if the people here are willing to spare their preacher, I think I will arrange to go.
Besides revival meetings, I also have prospects of another job. You never could guess what doing, so I'll explain. I had heard it suggested that along toward the holiday season extra clerks would be needed in the J.C. Penney store here in Allegan, so I went this evening to investigate. Imagine my surprise when the manager of the store told me they were already looking for extra help and asked me if I could come tomorrow. I have already made plans for the day so of course I had to tell him I couldn't. He may want me Saturday and perhaps every Saturday for a while. After a while he thought I would be needed several days a week. They are going to let me know later. I told him that I wouldn't be able to work all day Sat., Nov. 1st for reasons that are obvious. I'll let you know how the plans work out. Of course this isn't to influence your arrangements at all. It is getting late and I must write my mother yet tonight, so this is “ME” signing off.

With love,
Ted

Grandma - Oct. 23, 1941

Dear Ted,

I'm all sung out. After prayer meeting tonight, (which, by the way, was very good and quite well attended) they asked me to practice with the octet – which I did. They are practicing for our Homecoming (or Rally Day) on November 2nd. They know I probably won't be there but they wanted me to sing tonight anyway – I guess to get used to it so I can sing with them later. They seem to want me to, so the least I can do is to do my best. It's no longer an “octet” though. There are 11 or 12 so that makes it a young chorus. It's a lot of fun. I like to sing. Tomorrow night I am to go and practice with the same 4 that I told you about last week. My! I'm a busy young lady. Please don't get the idea that I think I'm good or that I have a wonderful voice. I don't. As I said before, I just like to sing.
I'm happy to hear about the nice time you had with the Mayfields on Monday. And I'm glad you didn't make a couple hundred mile trip for nothing. You know what I mean, don't you? A trip that large deserves 3 rabbits. I'll forgive you this time. What I can't see is going out in your own garden and shooting a “pet” - practically. Didn't you have any remorse of feeling whatsoever? I suppose you didn't – being so “hard-hearted”. You're not hard-hearted when it comes to the young ladies though, are you? Don't ever let me hear of you flirting with such young ones again. You must remember you are supposed to be grown up now. You wouldn't “rob the cradle”, would you? Of course I can't blame you too much. Dolores Jean is awfully sweet. I love her myself. Just you be careful. Understand? This is your old grandma giving you this wonderful advice. Aren't you glad for it?
I want you to know that I really appreciate what you did Monday night. I'm serious now, too. I feel flattered that anyone as swell as you thinks that much of me. And let me say here that I think quite a bit of you too. (I may tell you some time how much).
Mother is sitting across the table from me writing to her “other son” who is in the Army Air Corps and stationed in Hawaii. I told you about him, didn't I? Mary Evelyn is sitting at the end of the table counting her latest accumulation of new nickels. She's saving them for Christmas. She has saved nearly $12 worth since May. Not bad, eh? Before she counted her money, she was figuring out her pay check. She has been working a lot of overtime and will continue to do so until after election on Nov. 4th. She gets time and a half for overtime so her pay check will be quite a bit fatter this week. So much work is rather hard on her though. She loses her sweet (?) disposition and it tells on her nerves. Fortunately, it will be for only 2 weeks longer.
It's way past my bedtime again. I wonder if I'll ever get to bed at a decent hour again very soon. Maybe Friday – unless something else pops up. I hope not. If it doesn't, I vow right now I'm going to bed early – and I do mean early. You wait and see.
Father stirred the fire up and it's really warm in our house right now. That doesn't help keep my eyes open either. Since I don't have any toothpicks handy to prop them open, I'm going to give in and “toddle” off to my most inviting bed. Until tomorrow then -
Love,
Dolores

P.S. Please forgive me if I've kidded you too much about the your hunting. I think you know I don't mean it all, don't you?

Grandpa - Oct. 23, 1941

Dear Dolores:

Look, Hun, do I have the proper heading on this letter? This must be Wednesday night because I just came home from prayer meeting a while ago. Really, I didn't know I made such a mistake last week. I will admit that I was “quite” tired last Thursday night but I didn't realize I had gotten mixed up on my days. You have forgiven me, haven't you?
The last two letters I have written you were hastily written and I neglected to mention something that I really intended to write. Since I finally got caught up on my sleep (partly, at least) I will attempt to do better this time. Last night I slept nearly nine hours. I should be caught up, shouldn't I?
I was sorry to hear that Uncle Sam thinks he needs your brother in training camp. My sympathy is extended to your mother. She will certainly be making her contribution to the defense program with three sons in training. Perhaps I could go for Hordy. I thought last winter I might be drafted, and I would have been had it not been for my theological training and intentions to take pastoral work this fall. It isn't fair for the government to take your mother's last son and exempt “worthless” preachers, is it?
Tomorrow is our Sunday School convention at Grand Rapids. I expect to be there most all day. This isn't the Pittsford district, but LH will be there because he is on the program. I asked him to come down after the service tomorrow evening and spend the night with me. It would be quite a trip to drive from Grand Rapids to Pittsford. I am hoping he will come but I doubt very much if he does. Could you guess why? His darling wife wants him to come home, and I think he will want to go home to be with his wife and daughter. I wouldn't blame him at all. If I had as nice a wife and daughter as he has, I would never want to leave home – at least not without taking them along. Those are my honest sentiments.
Now to go to the other extreme so far as family life is concerned. I had a rather strange experience yesterday, but I guess it is all in a preacher's life. A man with whom I was working out in the field discovered I was a minster and began talking about his family troubles – and he surely has plenty. Before he was finished he just poured out his heart and told me everything. The strange part of it was that I didn't have to ask any questions. He volunteered all the information. He has quite a tragic story. They have a family four small children, and there has been illness in the family, and his wife has left him alone with the children several times. Right now they are back together. It's a long story. I couldn't give you all the details. As soon as I can find time I want to call there and make some effort to establish happiness in the home. I'm not sure what success I will have. The least I can do is try.
I was happy to hear that you are making definite plans to come out the weekend of November 1st. And you want me to help you decide what bus you should take. That is rather difficult for me to do because I am selfish enough to want you to come as soon as you can. Really I would like it very much if you could get here fairly early Saturday, but I wouldn't be so unfair as to ask you to take the bus from Dayton at 3:05 in the morning and spend all that extra time traveling just on my account. It would be a much easier trip for you to take the 8:45 bus, wouldn't it Dolores? You do whichever way you prefer. If you didn't arrive in Kalamazoo until 4:55 PM that wouldn't give us much time out here. I shall be glad to meet you anytime of day or night. If you find that other arrangement can be made, be sure to let me know. I suppose I'm not helping you much to decide am I? Really, I'm sorry.
All the evening it has been raining quite hard here and it is still going strong. This'll be a good night to sleep I'm thinking. I am nearly there now, so, Good Night!

Love,
Your Ted
(The “pest” from Michigan... I like punishment too!)

Grandma - Oct. 22, 1941

Dear Ted,

Imagine my very pleasant surprise to pull two letters (along with other mail) out of the mailbox this morning. Four in two days. Quite a record for you but I love it – as long as I get one tomorrow. Of course if you got home too late from your hunting trip last night I won't. We'll see. I'm not going to ask you how your hunting excursion turned out. I'll no doubt hear tomorrow or the next day. I know you went because one of your letters was postmarked “Hillsdale”. I'm quite a detective, aren't I? Also the other one was mailed from Battle Creek so I suppose you went through there. Am I right? They were your Saturday and Sunday letters by the way.
You said something in one of your letters about the bus going through Ft. Wayne. I think I told you yesterday that one of them does. I found out today that I would have to change buses there (after an hour's stop for lunch). However, the same bus does not go on to Grand Rapids so I guess the meeting place is Kalamazoo. OK? If you didn't live in such an out-of-the-way place, I might be able to get there sooner. Are you glaring at me? It might be better at that if you did come to Dayton to meet me as you casually suggested in one of your very recent letters. I hope the uncertain marriage of my brother won't have to occur that weekend. We'll soon know. I don't think it will be that soon though.
You said once that maybe I wouldn't be able to stand two sermons from you in one day if you preached for LH when we go over there. Wouldn't I have to bear up under two sermons if we stayed in Allegan? Really, I'm sure I can take it. In fact, I'd love it. So go ahead if you want to. From now on it's up to you. Maybe you have already made up your mind.
Why, oh why, did you buy an alarm clock! I was “bowled over” when you told me about it. Why my dear fellow, you're an alarm clock yourself. Did you actually buy it for the alarm or because it was pretty? Please explain yourself. I told mother and she was as dumbfounded as I. Really, Ted, 7:15 AM is not late. Take it from one who knows.
I went to the funeral today of that young fellow I told you about. His mother especially asked mother to go when we were over there on Sunday and since I was off today I went with her. It was such a sad funeral. His family really took it awfully hard. I felt sorry for them especially since there's no comfort one can give them. They are Lutherans and you know what that means. The preacher had a good sermon and good thought and you can give him credit for preaching to the living instead of dwelling on the deceased. I say his sermon was good but it didn't go gar enough or deep enough. What I mean is his thoughts were good as far as they went. I think you understand what I mean, don't you?
They are reading some of Fibber McGee's old love letters on his program. They're really rare. Did you hear them?
I've had a 2 hour interruption since that last paragraph. Our minister called and asked whether it would be all right if he and wife came out for a “short” (2 hr.) while. Of course we said “yes”. He wanted to talk with us regarding the transfer of our church letters. It was about 9:45 when he called but I dashed upstairs to change my clothes. You see I was in a cotton affair and had those play shoes on and I didn't want them to find me that way. I wasn't exactly ashamed but I didn't feel dignified, so to speak. I know you'll say I shouldn't be wearing clothes that I didn't want the preacher to see but that isn't what I mean. If you ever see the outfit I had on, you'll understand.
Since it is now midnight and I'm coming to the end of the page and I must get up early tomorrow (6:45), I'd better close. Do you agree?
Yours with love,
Dolores

Grandpa - Oct. 22, 1941

Dear Dolores:
So Uncle Sam let you down last week, did he? “Such things ought not so to be.” By this time you should know that it wasn't because I failed to write. I promised to write whenever I received a letter and I did exactly that. I mailed you a letter every day last week – I really did. Perhaps you got two Monday and Tuesday also. You should have received two on Tuesday. At least that is the way I had it planned. I received two letters today myself. Was I glad for them!!
Incidentally, speaking of letters, I believe I should offer a suggestion. May I, please? Of course this is selfish – I know it is – but you'll see why. You find it difficult to concentrate on what you are writing while trying to listen to a radio program. That is also true of my own experience. Want to know what I do? That's right! I turn the radio off. Apparently you don't and consequently I get a short letter. Honey, I'm not scolding, really I'm not. Please believe me. Your letters are “swell” and I like them so much, but I'm just selfish enough to want you to think of me while you are writing instead of a radio program. Now, that is selfish isn't it? You understand me don't you, Dolores? I hope so.
Of course I have no right to say anything about short letters because you write longer letters than I do. Please don't make them any shorter, will you?
I have made temporary arrangements to have someone preach for me Sunday evening, Nov. 2nd, so be sure to let me know if our plans have to be changed. LH wouldn't take “no” for an answer in regard to me preaching for him that evening. Prepare for the worst.
Do you know what I did just a few minutes ago? Counted the letters I have received from a very lovely person in Dayton, Ohio. I have just 25. How many do you have?
I surely enjoyed being at the Mayfields' yesterday. They certainly are very fine people – and are they ever a happy pair? Of course there are three now and that adds to their happiness I am sure. I would like to give your more of the details of the visit there but I'll wait and tell you all about it. It would take me so long to write all of it.
Do you get tired of my woeful story of how weary and worn I am? I”ll bet you do. Hereafter, I will refrain from any mention of that item, but just so you will understand why this is all “jumbled up” I will remind you that I'm still quite a lot behind on my sleep. I have been working out all day so there has been no chance to sleep and the last two nights – for me -have been far too short. Perhaps I will be able to write a “decent” letter if I get rested again. With this I'll close and get some of that much needed sleep. I'm sending regards to your people and my special love for you.

Ted

Grandma - Oct. 21, 1941

Dear Ted,
I was more than glad to find that it was Uncle Sam and not you who failed me on Saturday. Yes, sir, I got 2 today. It was awfully nice but I'm like you – I like 1 every day. I'm sure it wasn't your fault that it happened that way. It was just one of those things.
Ted, you really must have been awfully tired when you wrote Thursday night. You see, you headed it “Wednesday” night and I know you meant Thursday because you had already written 2 on Wednesday. Remember? It was hunting day I believe. It just “shows to go you” that you should either go to bed earlier or not work so hard – or both. But honestly, your letters are not dull and uninteresting. Please believe me.
Now --- I have good news (I hope). I found out today that I can definitely have my weekend off. Isn't that swell? But – I have a problem I want you to help me solve. It's regarding which bus I should take. I won't be able to get off on Friday so I'll have to wait until Saturday to come up. As far as I'm concerned, Grand Rapids is out. I mean by that, I can do better going to Kalamazoo. As far as that goes, Battle Creek is out too. The same bus goes to both Kalamazoo and Battle Creek. Here's how it is – I'll make a little chart. There are only 2 buses possible unless I traveled all night and I didn't inquire about that. Here's the schedule:

LEAVE DAYTON ARRIVE KALAMAZOO
3:05 A.M. ----------------------------------------- 2:15 P.M. (?)
8:45 A.M. ----------------------------------------- 4:55 P.M.

The question mark means that father got that part of the information and didn't write it down and consequently forgot the exact time. Very typical of him, eh? If we should decide on that bus, I'll find out for sure. On the earlier bus I would get there nearly 3 hours earlier but would have to start over 5 hours earlier. It goes a different way (via Toledo) and necessitates a 1 ½ hour layover there besides other shorter ones. The later bus goes through Ft. Wayne – a more direct way. Which would you suggest? The family has me going around in circles until I don't know quite what to do. I'm glad there is nearly 2 weeks to decide. I also inquired about trains but the only one I can get leave at 10:15 AM and would not arrive until 7:11 PM. It goes by way of Detroit only. Again I didn't inquire about night trains. I don't exactly relish the idea of traveling alone at night. Let know soon what you think about all this controversy and I'll continue to think it over. I don't mean I have to think over the part about coming – that's a settled question. The thing I mean I'll think over is the bus questions. See?
Did I ever tell you what a big kick mother got out of your hunting trip – the first one? She said you often hear stories about fellows who go out and tramp around all day (practically) and then come home and shoot a rabbit in the backyard (or garden), but she didn't know it actually happened. She has told several people. I hope it wasn't supposed to be a secret. Was it?
Speaking of hunting, I hope you had better luck with LH today. I suppose you went. You said you were. Do you think it's funny that I wish you good luck in regard to shooting poor, defenseless animals and birds? Well, I'll tell you. If you really enjoy it, I certainly wouldn't want you to tramp 20 miles very often with no results. Honest I wouldn't. I've got a little heart – maybe too much where the animals and birds are concerned.
I know I couldn't fill another page tonight so I'd better stop about here.

Love,
The little “pest” from Ohio
(Boy, am I asking for punishment)

Grandpa - Oct. 21, 1941

Dear Dolores:

Would you venture to guess what time it is? I doubt if you would even come close. It is now exactly 1:25. You will wonder, of course, why I am up at such an unearthly hour. It isn't that I just haven't gone to bed yet. I suppose I must explain, so here goes!
As I had written you of my plans you will know that I spent yesterday (Monday) hunting with LH. After eating supper with the Mayfields I began my journey homeward, stopping to see my mother on the way. At 10:30 in the evening I had my mind all made up to stay there over night, in fact I even had my shoes off ready to go to bed. Then, I changed my mind again. Could you guess what influenced me? It was the letter that I was sure was waiting for here. After 10:30 I started out on nearly a hundred mile trip – alone – tired and worn from the day's hunting trip and having had only 3 ½ hours sleep the night before. Now do you believe me when I say I look forward to your letters with great anticipation? You should. I made the trip OK, but I got so sleepy that I had to stop once and “nap” beside the road. Several times the guard-rail came awfully close to the car. That's what happens with sleepy drivers. But, I arrived and found the letter waiting.
You wouldn't expect me to give a detailed account of the day would you, Hun? Especially when I'm so much in need of sleep. It goes without saying that I had a “swell” time. LH got one pheasant and I got three rabbits. Both of us missed several pheasants, but it was fun just shooting “at” them.
When I was ready to leave the Mayfields, what do you think happened? I was given a kiss from a very sweet girl and her name is Dolores. That was a real send off – but it would have been far better if it had been from another Dolores I know. Guess who? No kidding, I believe that Mayfield baby is the sweetest child I have ever known. And why not? Look at her name-sake. That is reason enough. I wanted to bring her home with me and I believe she would have come but her parents objected. Strange, isn't it?
This will at least take the place of a letter, I hope??? Even though I recognize that it is a feeble attempt. There is much more I could write, but you know the reason why I don't. Very soon it will be time to get up.
With Love,
Ted

Grandma - Oct. 20, 1941

Dear Ted,
Would you like a bite of my apple? It's delicious - it was grown just a few miles south of Dayton. Or would you care for a drink of Mary's cider? She generously offered you some. It was made from the apples on the same farm where we get the apples. Mary claimed she was eating the same thing I was only she didn't have to chew it. Bright, isn't she?
We had a most delightful visit with the folks from Detroit. However, their "business" was just about what I feared. Hordy is on defense work and is really needed at the shop. They sent in deferment papers for him in regard to the draft but it seems the board will not recognize them. The only chance he has left is to appeal his case again in person and he thinks he has a slight chance. Otherwise he will be called in about 2 or 3 weeks. In that case he wants to get married before he goes. They are both set on it, so far be it from us to oppose them. They wanted to get our opinion of where they should get married and how, etc. We are going to get them some information in regard to blood tests here, etc before they decide definitely. I know it will be hard for mother if her last boy is taken. None of us like it of course and it will be just as tough on the Gruenebergs. They think so much of him. I surely hope he won't need to go.
One of my favorite compositions is being played on the Ford Hour right now. It's "Finlandia" by Jean Sibelius. Know it? I just love it. Do you ever get to hear any of the Ford program? It is on from 9 till 10 PM. It's really a beautiful program.
Did I ever have a time teaching this morning! Give me the younger girls any time. I would even rather teach the young people's class and I didn't think that would ever the be case. I talked and talked - to myself most of the time. Why are girls that age (about 12-14) so difficult to keep interested? Their attention is so easily diverted. I suppose if you could answer that question you'd be glad to, wouldn't you?
"Take It Or Leave It" is now on the radio and I'm having much more difficult concentrating. Music is so much more soothing and helpful for concentrating.
Before I forget it, Mrs. Grueneberg asked me to say "hello" to you and send her regards. Isn't that thoughtful of her?
Honestly my mind is almost a blank tonight. I know what you're thinking - tonight? (or all the time?) Sometimes I wonder myself.
If you'll forgive me again, I think I'll cut this shorter than usual. I'm making so many mistakes anyway. I hope I hear from you tomorrow.
Love,
Dolores