Author / schrackert

by schrackert

Dear Joe | January 15, 1943

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Dear Sweetheart,

I hope you will forgive me for not writing the last couple of days. I’m a bad girl, but I do love you in the bottom of my heart. I really want to make you happy and if in my letters I’m even a bit sour Betty just remembered we have our off days. Sometimes I’m like you are.

They certainly give you kids a workout. I bet by the time you get back you will really be able to handle me. Probably even out swim me. I’m wonderfully happy you could get to see some of the fellows from home.

I was worried for a minute after reading your Sunday evening letter, informing me of your plan to call here Thursday night. You see, I didn’t get home until 10:30 from downtown and then I got your letter. I just screamed to mom to see if you had called and I missed it. Please darling don’t take chances with something so important and expensive. At least send your letter Air Mail. I get those in at least three days, otherwise 4 or 5 days. Darling I would like to talk to you also but please don’t cut yourself short to call. I’ll send you 1 dollar tonight to help you out. By the way what happened but you didn’t call? Liberty cancelled. Were you a bad boy? I don’t really mean that. Did you get your picture taken? I hope.

Darling what would you like for Valentines Day besides me? Candy or maybe another box or just what would you appreciate for the day? I hope you want me, but of course you can’t have me, at least until you get home. Please, don’t take me wrong. Darling are you taking care of your cold like a nice boy? Take care of yourself for me. I love you and want to keep you in good health and spirits. While I’m not with you please take good care of yourself until I can do my job.

Now I’ll tell you what I’ve been doing. Last night I was shopping with Miller and Bernice. We had a good time. As good as I could have without you. Sweetheart I got my diamond back today. It is so beautiful. Anyone would love it. Even me. Sweetheart I love you and still plan the day. Darling I want you to call if you can but please don’t run yourself short and please let me know beforehand. I have lots of this to do this evening so I’ll have to cut it short to lay off until I get it. God bless and take care of yourself for me. I love you and I am a good girl even if I’m out with the girls. We have fun but it isn’t like when we are together. I have a different kind of fun when I’m with you. It’s just something you can’t explain in words isn’t it?.

Love,

DeLores (your future wife)

P.S. I’ll write a nice letter Saturday night. I’m staying home so I’ll be good. More later.

by schrackert

Dear Uncle Joe : January 7, 1943

Nothing beats a letter from a kid. Especially if that kid shares your birthday, is a decade older than your dad, and grew up scaring you and your cousins with his knuckle sandwich (“See this finger? See this thumb? See this fist? Better run!”). I thought I’d share a couple of letters written by my “Uncle” Norman (technically my dad’s cousin) and his brother and sister. If you’ve been following the letters, these are Hi and Alice’s kiddos. Stormin’ Norman is an Ackert institution of a man. We love him.

By the way, Annette and Norman both mention Dodo in their letters. I wonder if that’s a what they called my grandma. Seems like it could be a nickname for DeLores…

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Dear Joe,

I hope you like theNavy. I like school. Today we didn’t have anything to do. There is a girl that got hurt sledding down a hill. She is in the hospital and I guess that she is going to be back in the next 2 or 3 weeks.

Bernhard

annette letter

Dear Uncle Joe,

How are you? I am fine. I like school. I like to work in school. I have fun in school. How do you like the Navy I am outside all the time. I have a pair of two runner skates. But I am going to get a pair of one runner skates. I hope you sent grandma and DoDo a letter every week or month. Oh boy I am having fun. My father and mother and us kids are feeling very good. But some of us have a cold.

Love,
Annette Ackert

norm letter

Dear Uncle Joe,

I am glad you liked the letter I sent you. Mother and Daddy got Bernhard and I a new pair of skies Monday. Annette is going to get a new pair of skis too.

Almost every morning it’s about one above or 5 or 10 below ZERO. Wednesday Bernard and I got to school just in time. In the morning we have reading, arithmetic, grammar, spelling, then it’s time to eat lunch. In the afternoon we have music, social science, afternoon reading, then drawing and then it’s time to go home. Its now 7:15 so I guess it’s time to sign off.

Love,
Norman David Ackert

P.S. I called Dodo tonight and found out how she was. She said she was fine. Daddy and mother are very fine. And Bernhard and Annette are just fine. Well I guess it’s about time to close it’s just 20 minutes after 7 o clock. Love Norman D.A.

by schrackert

Dear Joe | January 8, 1943

Hello My Darling,

How are you this fine evening? Well I hope. I’m very tired as I stopped downtown and spent my whole check on bills. I gave to Twin City $10.00; Hoff $5.00 and your jeweler $5.00. By the way, his records show you owe him $16 and some cents. Is that what you thought it was? I’m having him make my ring a bit larger as it is very tight and also having J.A. and D.A. and the date put in it. By the way, do you remember the date? Just wonder if you remember the most wonderful one so far in our lives together (or at least on the most important).

I hope you O.K. my doing about the ring and is it all right or I mean is he alright to trust with my ring? I think now I should have asked first but when I’m downtown I don’t always have it on and I was there and everything . Darling he can be trusted with my diamond, can’t he? Mom was a bit put out with me because I left it with him, but after all you bought it from him and he’s a friend of yours. It is ok, isn’t it? I’m very worried about it so please let me know. I came home anyway and mom was cleaning house and I made a bit to eat and we had supper. Then we did dishes and we started closing the K. Mom got me down and I really gave the mopboards a work out. I just finished and I’m a mess. I bet  you can just about imagine.

I’m sorry I didn’t write last night but I got one off this afternoon from work so you shouldn’t miss. I got your letter of the 5th and I am sorry I ever sent you that sad letter. I really should not have but you know me. Try to make those cold tablets last as I’ve spent most of my check paying bills so I just haven’t got the money to buy it to send. I still haven’t been able to put any money away. I guess I’m just no good. It’s going to be a struggle for you to teach me how to hold on to the stuff. You’re so good at it. Have you gotten the box as yet? Did you find the dollar in the money belt?

Darling I’m just so tired I can’t write anymore. Try to forgive me for doing so badly but my hand burns from wringing the old mop rag. Remember darling I love you and I think of you all the time. God bless you and keep you. I’ll write more tomorrow. I just can’t go on anymore tonight.

Love,

Your wife DeLores

P.S. I’ll be all right after a few hours of sleep. I’m just tired so don’t worry about me.

P.S.S. These are all kisses for my darling.

LOVE

by schrackert

Dear DeLores | January 10, 1943

Dearest Sweetheart,

I hope you are feeling fine this Sunday. I really feel pretty fine outside of a slight cough. It isn’t bad at all so don’t worry about it.

I just couldn’t write last night. We had our organized athletics yesterday and I was all in. We started out in the afternoon by running about 3 miles, then over the obstacle course, then double time back to the drill hall to play basketball for an hour and then swim. They sure are trying there hardest to make real men out of us. It turns you out but I have been able to stand it so far.

Yes, dear, I am trying very hard to get good marks in my tests. I am going to study my Blue Jackets Manual today as we are going to have a test on half of it some time this week.

I really feel pretty lonesome today. It just seems that I have been away from you for ages. I know it must affect you the same way too. Darling I don’t know when or if I’ll get a leave right away but I know you will wait for me. I look forward always to the day when we will be married. I can’t seem to end the words in my vocabulary to express the love in my heart for you. I love you so much. You are the power behind the man with the gun that keeps him going. Your faith and love in me gives me the extra punch when the going is tough. I just seem to sense that you are here with me all the time. I know that our true love will carry us both through these hard times. Love is truly the most wonderful thing in the world. Especially when it is so wonderful and great like ours.

Have you heard where Bud is? I hope he is fine and not too far away. I suppose by now he is across. If you write to him please send him my regards and loads of luck.

How is Addie? I suppose she likes her new job a lot better than down at Cuday’s. Say hello to my future sister-in-law and I hope she’ll excuse me for not writing. Tell everyone back home that I’ll write them as soon as the Navy gives me a little time.

Well, darling, I’ll close for now but will write some more a little later in the day. Please take care of yourself dear. I love you very much and here is a little kiss for my one and only.

Your loving sailor man,

Joe

by schrackert

Dear Joe | January 6, 1943

The last letter introduced a friend of my grandparent’s… Will Lehner. He’s come up a few times now, and in this letter my grandma sends my grandpa a few pictures. Who is this guy they speak so fondly of but isn’t family? I asked my dad, and it turns out Will is a close friend of both of theirs from high school. My dad thinks he remembers Will being my grandma’s dance partner. He stayed very close friends with my grandparents throughout the years and they think he even came to my grandma’s funeral two years ago.

Will is a pretty remarkable fellow. He enlisted in the Navy in 1938. In the early morning on December 7, 1941, Will was on the gun crew of the USS Ward patrolling the entrance to Pearl Harbor. He fired the very first shots of World War II, intercepting and sinking a 2 man Japanese submarine at 6:40 am… an hour and 20 minutes before the actual attack on Pearl Harbor. Wow. That’s all I have to say about that.

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Hello Darling Sweetheart,

Just got home and read your two wonderful letters. I also got your menu and it is certainly beautiful. Mom says I should have it framed for us. What do you think? I sort of agree with her.

Darling please don’t worry about my seeing Will and Ken. Mrs. Lehner had some kids over there last night, me included. Will hasn’t changed much — a little older. He wears a mustache, not bad. I don’t even know if it tickles. I didn’t try it. Aren’t you disappointed? I’m not. I’m very selfish. I’m saving them for us so I don’t run out. Will has taken to drinking pretty much and he insisted I have one with him. It was weak and only one. Please don’t be angry but I couldn’t tell him no after all this time.

News, Will met me up at the drug store so I wouldn’t have to walk down alone and Helen was with him. She holds on as if she is glued to him. All evening he invited her in front of everyone and everyone was talking about her behind her back. I only had a few words with him alone, but he said he would call and give me the dope. He did say however that he wasn’t worrying about it as life is too uncertain at the present time. He has asked her for the ring but she thinks it can still work out for them together. I really don’t think Will does.

Will got away from her long enough to meet Florence Saul or something like that. He said you know her. She lives up your way. He had try little to say about the war. But he said a sailor should not be married. He said it is too hard or something. I guess he meant it was hard to get along without. I think my husband is strong enough to control his, well, you know what. Ken is as bashful as ever, takes a few but not like Will. He is really off, but he can take care of himself. So much for the kids except they are leaving Saturday morning so I won’t be able to see them off. It would have only made more confusion anyway.

In your first letter tonight you were on my neck for not writing and in the second vica versa. Anyway, I do get a letter off almost every day and I can’t see why you don’t get them for a couple of days and then get 3 at once. Just another mystery. Anyway we are both doing our best and that’s all either of us can do. If your studying should be done, I’ll understand if you put it first. I just want you to make good. Very good.

I’m glad to hear you saw Mill and know there are a few of your friends out there with you. Have you seen Don D. as yet? You kids from school should get together some time. I mean if they give you any time off out of K.P.

Will is the best cook on his ship I hear. Not a bad catch for some gal, but not me. I can’t see what I even saw in him other than a friend. Oh well! We must live and learn.

Darling, about sending anymore for a couple of weeks I think not unless you really need them. You see, the government is only giving us $60 a year for clothing with the little I’ve got I’ll have to get a few things first. Please don’t think I don’t think enough of you to give up anything, but you should have enough for a few days.

Darling I won’t be angry about the luncheon cloth. I am a bit disappointed because you said you had left $.50 on it but it isn’t enough to get mad over. I hope you don’t think I’m going out too much. It helps to keep me from getting lonesome somehow. How do you suppose your mom found out about our plans? I’m very sorry too that she had to hear, but we can’t cry over spilled milk. I guess it was better now that I didn’t call her after all. Please write to her though and to Hi too if you possibly can. They would like to hear. They ask about you every day. I have to get to bed early tonight as it was 1:00 by the time I got into bed. Darling, I love you and you alone. By the way, Bob Law is enlisting in the Navy also. He expects to leave next week. Also to Idaho. I’m very tired so I’ll sign off for this time.

Love,

DeLores

Darling, if you ever go out, please take care of yourself in every way and I rust you to the end. This picture of the kids were taken in the spring so they aren’t too new, but it’s an idea. I love you darling and may God e with you always. Keep your chin and head and heart light.

Love,

Your future wife, “Me”

P.S. Say if you should get a leave in March maybe it might just be March 3, hmmmmm? Any day would please me but I’d like that one special. Anyway, we’ll see won’t we? Just so it is. See you soon!

xxxxxxxxxxxx

by schrackert

Dear DeLores | January 4, 1943

Before sharing Grandpa’s letter for today, I wanted to post a picture of the adorable man. Love him.

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Hello Darling,

I sure was glad to receive your letters. I received three of them today.

That certainly is wonderful that Will and Ken got home. Boy! It made me feel plenty bum that I couldn’t be home to see them, but I’m in the Navy too and don’t have anything to say about what I do. I bet you really were glad to see them. You tell me just how they look and are, won’t you? Give them my best wishes and regards and tell them that after this thing is over with we’ll all get together again. I sure bet that Will’s mother was happy. I don’t mind at all that you see Will. I sure ought to be able to trust you now dear. I know you didn’t really mean it such as you were going out with him. I take it that you would probably go some place as old friends and I’m glad that you know what to do. Just use your own judgement and remember me and I’m sure you won’t do anything that I wouldn’t like.

I really trust you with my life, dear. I know you really are being as true as I am and that is as good as gold. Our love is really true and great and will carry us through anything. Please give them my sincere feelings. You know how I feel toward WIll. He is my best pal and tell him that he’ll always be very close to me. I can’t really put it into words, but it is in my heart. I’m going to write him a letter tonight at his home. I think he’ll get it before he leaves. Don’t give him too many kisses. I’m just kidding dear. I know you won’t give too many of ours away.

I’ll be very glad to get your box. Don’t worry anything from home tastes like a million. I’m sure I won’t complain on the cookies at all. I’ll just be very happy to get them.

So it cost you $1.56 for that medicine. Well you can feel good at heart because it was worth 100 times that to me and the fellows out here. It really helped and you are having a part in keeping the sailors health.

Darling, don’t be angry at me, but when we had that little argument I cashed in that slip for that tablecloth at the Mart. I was kind of down in the heart at the time. Don’t be sore at me. I’ll buy you a better one yet. Just wait. I’ll see that my wife has everything I can possibly earn with my two hands.

I am very much in love with you. You are all I talk about. I don’t really seem to be able to put it in to good words. My body and soul love you a whole lot. I’m trying my hardest to be a man about everything and as long as I know you love me as you do and are behind me all the time, I’ll keep on plugging with my chin to the grindstone.

I received a letter from my mother today and it sounds like she has gotten wind of our plans. Well, it is too bad that she had to find out just now but there isn’t anything anyone can do about it. We’re two people very deeply in love and I’m sure that marriage is made for us. I know we can make a go of it. You know that our love is stronger than anything so I hope we’ll find lots of happiness in the future.

Boy! Our company sure is getting the dirty details. We have been good on all the inspections so we aren’t on the “shit” list. We have to start another week of K.P. tomorrow morning. The boys don’t like it at all, but we have to do what we are told and make the best of it.

I haven’t heard anything about when we get done with training but I suppose it will be sometime in February or March. We still don’t know about a leave, but I’ll keep on praying and you keep on too and maybe God will see to it that I get it so we can get married.

Say hello to Iris and everyone for me. I sure wish I could find time to write to them all but you come first and then I have to study. By that time I’m usually about all in and the bunk really feels good. Tell them the circumstances and I hope they’ll understand.

You wanted to know how I liked the Navy. Well, it isn’t too bad. Boot camp is supposed to be pretty tough and it is. I really think I’ll like it a lot better than the Army. When I get into my rating I think I’ll be better. As a whole, the Navy isn’t too bad. If I had to go into some service, I’m not at all sorry that I picked the Navy.

Yes! I know that you really look forward to my letters. I try very hard to get one off every night to you and I have been doing pretty good. You just try and write as often as you can too because your letters are all I look forward to every day. I know you’ll try and get one off every night.

Well! I’m just about out of news for tonight, so I’ll have to sign off. Take good care of yourself and I hope you don’t have too much trouble with you know. I love you dearly and I shall always be the fine guy you want me to be. Loads of all my love and a bunch of kisses.

Bye by darling,

Your sailor husband to be, Joe

by schrackert

Poppy Seed Hamantaschen | take one

My grandpa Joe was Jewish. His mother, my great grandma, Esther Lieberman, apparently made really delicious poppy seed hamantaschen. I never had her cookies. When I was growing up, my dad would stop by Cecil’s Deli in the Highland Park neighborhood of Saint Paul to buy poppy seed hamantaschen to bring home. It was always a really special treat. There are no words for how delicious these cookies are. Seriously. Drive there now and buy one. You’re welcome.

You can imagine how excited I was to find the article below in grandma’s recipe box! Is it possible I could make the flying unicorn of delicious cookies!? Well… I will save you the suspense of wondering and tell you that this recipe is a total flop. They are not the cookies of my dreams. But I am now on a quest to recreate Cecil’s hamantaschen. I might start here next (this blogger gives a GREAT history of this amazing food).

In case you want to re-create my horrible disappointment, here’s the recipe!

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I would bet money that Cecil’s makes their poppy seed filling from scratch. I’m going to try that next time. For now I used the standard Solo poppy seed filling. It’s overly sweet and filled with corn syrup. But it tastes like every poppy seed coffeecake you’ve ever bought.

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The recipe called for the juice and zest of two oranges and one lemon. I only had clementines, so decided to use four. I didn’t remember tasting citrus in my Cecil’s hamantaschen, but I humored the recipe.

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The recipe also called for Crisco, which meant I had a chance to whip out the WONDER CUP (hear angels singing, dang this kitchen gadget is amazing).

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Finally, after mixing up your dough, track down your nearest cute toddler to help roll out the dough. Or don’t. They really can’t help themselves from putting their fingers in your perfectly round cut outs, which really does make forming perfect little cookie hats pretty tricky.

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I have these awesome biscuit cutters. I used the 3 inch and change one. Roll your dough to 1/8th of an inch. My dough was WAY too wet. I added flour until it seemed manageable. I also refrigerated the dough for a couple of hours. It was still pretty difficult to work with.

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Here we are with the filling. I used a tablespoon as my poppy seed scoop.

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Here are my somewhat not perfect hats. Notice they look nothing like Cecil’s.

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When I ran out of poppyseed filling I decided not to open a second can. Instead, I filled them with chocolate and peanut butter chips. They’re fine. They didn’t melt. It’s a decent vehicle for eating chocolate and peanut butter chips.

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Here are my final cookies. They are fine. They are nothing special. The search continues.

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When I got to the end of the dough and couldn’t cut out 3 inch circles any more, I used a small biscuit cutter to make little cookies. I thought they’d be perfect for my 2 year old. I put a few more of the chocolate and peanut butter chips in. They are actually a pretty good toddler cookie. Not too sweet.

If I were actually taking the time to THINK about this, I probably should have grabbed some dried cherries and walnuts out of the cupboard instead. It would have gone better with the slightly citrusy dough– almost like a little scone.

In fact, I think these little toddler cookies with fruit and nuts might be the only reason I would pull out this recipe again.
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Poppy Seed Hamantaschen

1 Cup Shortening

1 Cup Sugar

4 Eggs

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

Juice and part of rind of two oranges

Juice and part of rind of one lemon

1 Teaspoon Salt

4 Cups Flour

4 Teaspoons Baking Powder

Cream together shortening and sugar. Add the eggs one at a time. Then add vanilla, orange, and lemon. Combine dry ingredients separately. Add to wet ingredients.

Roll out dough on a floured surface to 1/8th of an inch thick. Cut dough into 3 inch circles. Place filling in the center and fold edges together to form a tri-cornered hat. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

by schrackert

Dear Joe : 12/23/1942 and 12/25/1942

Hello my sweetheart,

I guess I better not start out the same way again tonight. It will only be a few lines again. I am more tired than ever tonight. That party we had at work was really work. More trouble. The milk man gave us the wrong ice cream order. We got the Navel Reserve order instead of ours. We called the milk company and they said we should use what we had. We ordered Bricks of Christmas design and we got Bricks Assorted instead. Then we called the Navy and they were going to send a station wagon over to us and exchange the ice cream. It was 12:00 and they hadn’t come. Well I was in the middle of an argument about where we were going to eat — in Dope or Fabric. Fabric won. It was supposed to be our party.

Oh, well back to the ice cream. Bernice went over to the Guard Room and on the way she met the milk man. As luck would have it he had 8 bricks with him so we exchanged the stuff with him. I still don’t know if the Navy got their ice cream. Who cares?

Well the party after all turned out very well. Mr. LaMont gave a very brief talk and also passed a 1/2# box of candy. Or I should say gave it to us and I passed it.

12.25.42

12/25/1942

Well it’s Christmas again. A very different kind of Christmas than I’ve been used to. From all outward appearances it was just another day. I got up about 10:00 o’clock. Mom and I made dinner and cleaned up the house. It was dinner for just the three of us. No company for a change. We had turkey and it was very good, but some how it didn’t go over so well. We (mom, dad and I) went over to Darleen’s last night. Spent the evening with them. I went to sleep on the floor. Somehow I haven’t any pep. I guess I haven’t you to get me started.

I got a few things or Christmas. Mostly from Mother as usual. She gave me my 2 pair of pillow cases that I ordered and 4 beautiful print hankies. Dar gave me a bath and guest towel and wash cloth. I gave her a slip and Jerry 50 cig and the baby a pair of slippers. I received two cheap guest towels from Helen. Addie got nice ones and hankies from the kid. I guess I just don’t rate. I gave them a slip to Helen, carton of cig to Ed. Donald overalls and Eileen a sweater. Well I tried to do my part anyway.

I sent your 3 kids each a nice hankie. Just a small remembrance. I went to church the afternoon to see the kids say the pieces. very tiresome but duty demands. Demands what? I’m just a praise sucker. Joe, I sincerely hope you’re with me next year to keep me from spending so much unappreciated money. Please don’t think I’ve forgotten you completely. I’ve just been too busy to get your cookies in the oven. I have almost everything together to make up your box. I know that doesn’t hit the spot but try to be patient with me. I received your try sweet letter yesterday and it made me very happy and sad. Darling I miss you more every hour. Sweetheart, I know it must be hundred times harder for you to be way out there all alone, but I’m lonesome for you too. Darling, we must be married when you come home. At least we will be sure of one another. Then you won’t have any question in your mind as to how true is my DeLores.

I know you trust me but I still want you to be all mine. Sweetheart, I love you so dearly. I just can’t put it in words anymore. It just won’t express my true feelings. You know how I felt when you left, well just double it and add a million and a bit more and you may have it.

Have you heard if boot camp will be 12 weeks or not? Please let me know as soon as you do hear. I hope you are feeling better than you were when you did when you wrote me last. Those darn shots are truly bad stuff aren’t they? The only comfort both of us have is that when I get you back you’ll be more perfect than before. Poor excuse but we must have some encouragement.

I love you my darling but I must sign off for this time. I will do my best to write every day from now on. I have been so busy Christmas shopping and all. God Bless you my sweetheart. Keep your chin up and I will too. Loads of love and kisses from your future wife.

Love,

DeLores

P.S. I mean all the love in the world to the man of my dreams. Take care of yourself for me.

by schrackert

DeLores Ackert : Defense Worker on the Home Front

Three years ago, Kare11 did a story on the WWII gliders that were built in Minnesota. Since so many men were off fighting in the war, Grandma was one of many Minnesota women who worked in the factory to build these engineless aircrafts.

In the shot below, Grandma displays some of the twine she “stole” to remember her time working in the factory. Damn, she’s a spitfire and I love her.

(By the way, if you look closely you can see my wedding picture in the collage behind Grandma!)

kare11

In these love letters Grandma talks a lot about her work at the factory. Grandpa calls her “a defense worker on the home front.” It’s really exciting to see the factory brought to life through this story.

I am so glad this video exists… mostly because I forgot how much I loved my grandma’s laugh.

Excuse me while I go watch it five more times.

by schrackert

Dear Joe : 12/22/1942

Hello darling,

Just a line to let you know I’m still alive. I have been awfully busy tonight. I just washed my hair so writing while it dries a bit. Mom and I went out to Wards tonight to do that last minute shopping. The store was almost empty.

I don’t remember if I told you, Bernice and I planned a party out at work. Well, it’s coming off tomorrow. More work. A couple of days ago Alice said something about having to go places so often because of the cold. She said that whoever had her name should give her a baby diaper, so that’s what she’s getting. Well she will be surprised. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow night.

Mom wants me to have a bite with her, so I’ll continue in a few minutes. Back again in less than 5 minutes. Fast work.

We are having ice cream and cake for the party. Nice, huh?

Well sweetheart, I didn’t hear from you today, but maybe tomorrow. I can dream, can’t I? I bought you a make shift razor tonight. Hope it will serve the purpose when you get it. Don’t worry, I didn’t spend a fortune. You can’t find one to spend a fortune on. How are you feeling? O.K. I hope. I suppose you are still getting shots here and again.

I suppose you have gotten both cards by now. I’ll explain. I couldn’t make up my mind which, so I sent both. Simple isn’t it? I feel in awful good spirits today. No special reason, just do. Hope you can keep up the old peper as I never fear you will. My love at home will keep you strong and yours does make me strong. I never lose you for a minute. I just tuck you in my heart and there you stay. I love you so much and I admit it’s hard being so far apart, but…

Bud we think is on his way across Africa. Although we haven’t heard from him. Alice and Hi are going to get Bernice and her clothes tomorrow night and move her in with your mother. It will make company for both of them.

You still haven’t said whether or not I should call and try to make friends with your mother. Do you write to her as often as you do me? I would like to know, especially if I intend to talk with her. I would not want to hurt her. If you can’t write her every night write as often as you can Well, I guess I’ll put my hair up and turn in for the night. 5:00 comes so early when you go to bed at 10:00. I’ll write more tomorrow.

God bless you.

Love,

DeLores

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12.22.42 d