Harlem Springs, Ohio

Jan. 30, 1943

 

Dear Ralph,

 

            Don’t think I have forgotten you because I haven’t written to you. I started a letter last Sunday but I never got it finished. Pop got tired of seeing me trying to write to you, and not knowing what to say, so Monday morning when I came in from doing my work, Pop had his letter nearly finished and had told you nearly everything so I didn’t finish mine.

            Then Ila and Bobby came down and Ila said she had written to you and made you candy. Pop mailed them both that evening.

            Marjorie brought me a frame for the picture. I can see you whenever I come into the room, but I would rather have the real thing.

            Marjorie worked at the store all week. She says she is learning to talk to people and also to talk over the phone. She eats her dinner and supper at Clyde’s.

            She stayed here two nights.

            She took the crate of eggs up Saturday morning. When she stayed those nights, it seemed more like a year ago when I had to get you up. She is harder to get awake than you were. She said “It was a crime to wake her up, she was sleeping so good.” I had to make some more cookies to fill the (your) bucket up again.

            She said Clyde had her type a letter to Earl Anders. He is in North Africa. He has a Frenchman for a buddy. He wanted them to send him a flash light and some candy bars.

            I saw in the paper when Robert Searlott had gone to some camp. Searlott’s had four boys, and now only one is left and he would have to register with this younger lunch.

            Donald P. goes tomorrow.

            I haven’t been anywhere since you left, but to the community house to Misa Woodruff evoking demonstration. Ila and Bobbie and I went. Ila took Bobbie on the sled. We nearly froze to death. it was so cold in there. Addie was there and she was so cold she got sick and was sick several days. Ail had the flu too and he missed work two or three days.

            Myilla and Ross have moved into Waller’s house. They stored there furniture in a room at Trot’s.

            Junior had a job but lost it and is back home. I suppose you know Walter and Lerdtha are living in Canton and both are working. Lerdtha is in a restaurant and Walter is at Her cules.

            Billie Elliot’s have a baby girl.;

            Pop has the old paper all off the room now. He had it all off but a little on the ceiling and I finished it when Pop went to Grover’s to shred fodder. He had it handed in and Pop and Allen both said it would spoil it was so wet. The room is all ready to paint now. I am going to have it painted like the kitchen, and when he comes he can paint bed room, sitting room and kitchen.

            Ail was pretty muddy today and it is raining tonight. It will soon be Groundhog Day. Billie thinks it is now. He talks about every time I go to the collar. I had him out in the box one day.

            One night that Marjorie was here. Pop woke me up and told me there was a noise in the cellar. I went down and Bobbie was sitting on top of Bunnie’s barrel.

            I have Billie and Whistler together now. Everything is all right on the farm but the little lamb. It died I waited to cremate it but Pop gave it to Croke to fell, so I didn’t say anything. Harold White wanted to know where you were so Pop gave your address to Mary and here is his

 

Private Harold B. White,

Company A 611th T.D. Battalion

Camp Bowie, Hutment No. 7 Texas

 

Harold said he wanted to go some place where it was warm and when he got up one morning it was 8 degrees below zero.

            Today is Mrs. McConnell’s birthday. She is 86. She saw in the paper where you had to go to camp, and she wrote me a nice letter. She is back in Canton at Charles Burriere.

            Bobbie and Norma are alright. Marjorie took Norma to school one morning. Charley Nobb brought Norma home one evening and when she got out of the car she said “You’re Welcome.”

            My but that tickled Charley.

            I have just listened to Phil Baker’s

            “Take it or leave it”

Pop is asleep.                           18o 30’ o’clock

 

            Monday Noon

                        You write such good letters that I am almost ashamed to send this. Ila called up this morning and said she had written to you. She said she would like to read what I had written. I told her she wouldn’t get too. Pop is at Jimmie’s now.

            He is going to mail this, this afternoon. How is your arm? I hope you don’t get sick, and I am glad you like it. Write whenever you can. I send them over and over. Mom.

___________              ___________

Battalion                        Artillery