My dear children De and Joe,

Received your welcome letter and money order. I put $10 at St Paul House, $20 at Ed Hoffman, $5 at Newmans, $45 at K Wright Studio. Balances are Saint Paul House: $134, Hoffman $182, Wright $15, Newman $20. They are mailing your pictures tomorrow. So that sent it down in swell shape. I gave Wright Studio an extra $5. They were very nice about it but the St Paul house gave me the department’s regular. For them or I will pay it. I don’t like that place one bit.

Honey, mother hasn’t been feeling very good. So tired. I get home but will try and do better. Eileen has her leg in a cast, poor little thing. I am as sorry for her. Darlene said tonight she will have to go and see and Dar has such terrible back ache. Jerry is so cute you should see him drink beer.

Honey I miss you so much. Never that Hello mom when you came darling in but hope it will be different soon. Emalene wrote me such a nice letter. She likes you so much and she hopes that you like her too. She fell in right with Joe so very nice.

Dad got a c. book now so so we can go places closely. Anyway. He wants to know about your ration book. Will you take care of it or what shall we do. Don’t loose your canning sugar. Our garden is up. And flowers look nice. Dad has much work. I have to work Saturday 5 hours again. I think I will get Dad a watch for Dad’s day if I can make it. The gang will be here Sunday afternoon to celebrate his birthday, which was the 17th. But he doesn’t know it.

I just can’t like Kathryn for some reason. She never thanks us or wrote a line or anything. I tried to be nice to her. Frances is on her way out. Maybe you will see her out there. I am glad everything is under control so far. To be sure you can write Mother about ti, your best friend always. Don’t forget. How is Joe? I haven’t written to him but my letters are for him too.

No dear, we didn’t get to take a picture but Dad did look very nice. He looks so nice in brown. I wish Emalene could have seen him. His hair is so white.

Honey, I will wait until you are back to get that purple hat. Don’t be angry with me your account is in arrear $10 yet at Hoffman so I put it on that account. You are a very sweet girl to think of Mother and I love you for it. When we get this down then we can talk turkeys. What do you say?

Edward has his car fixed up. It has a new rebuilt engine so it runs nice. We bought a ton of coffee. Will get after 1 of [can’t read]. So I have that to pay for. Bought 2 bonds this month. Picking up a bit. I have a new baby canary, yellow with a V on his beak so we call him Vic. He can sing so nice. Only 3 months old. Nothing else to do but take care of pets.

I will try and find you some pictures if I get these. I any taking her for her coats to Bannon’s Saturday. Well honey dear, I must write to Bud yet so will close.

Love to you and Joe. God bless you both.

Love always,

Mother

P.S. I called Mrs. Lehner and you must write to her right away. She will feel better about it. Did you get Will’s letter that forwarded your Rev Ubersghultie [so unclear] was here Monday he wanted your address so you will hear from him.

Blog Note: the c. book likely is referring to ration book for gasoline, and with sugar scare, the note to guard the sugar was important for future garden canning.