Pvt. Oliver E. Bilhorn
36722105
Hg. Det. Dam L Mailed 7 Sep 1943, 6 PM
Via Air Mail
Labor Day, Sept.5-1943
“Singing Grove”
Dear Ollie,
How does
this name for our country home sound to you? We have about decided so to name
it. Phil has always favored the word “grove” and, with my deep love and
understanding of trees, I have been quite in accord with his idea, but the
problem has been to hit upon the best adjective, to adequately describe our
“Grove” and lovely gardens, our breezy, sunshiny days, our silvery, starry
nights, the wide-open spaces, and skies--, all so alive with God’s presence,--and
peace. The music of the birds, the murmuring
of the leaves, the hum of air-planes, the chirp of the crickets, the lowing of
the cattle, the contented hens, the singing of my tuneful Girl Scouts (yes and
“Barkey”!) the song of the rain and well—even the racing winds to me all “sing”
and it seems that “Singing Grove” best expresses all these phases of the “Song”
I continually hear.
Phil’s dear
old Aunt Mary out west after visiting us a few years ago, referred to the farm
as “The Ranch”. We used to speak and
sing of our “Home on the Range”, and we still do. Then, when my beloved flowers, each
springtime and summer, brighten our hearts and everything so, I get to calling
our peace “Country Gardens”—and will continue to do so, I suppose, although
Phil loves the idea of a Grove and it has been our thought to develop here,
gradually, a small arboretum. We now
have more than thirty varieties of interesting trees which my Girl
Scouts study and we all enjoy. Since
“Pearl Harbor” however we have had our efforts and thoughts deflected, and
concentrated on the raising of food, the sharing of our resources, and on being
“prepared” to help until this awful war shall be over, and Peace come
again to all men—everywhere!!
Our crops
have done quite well in spite of the late wet spring and the harvesting goes on
apace. We walked Sunday amid the corn
all up and down the land and surely God has supplied the “growing.” They’ll be filling sills here tomorrow. We’ve waited the combining of the oats and
rye and the bailing of the straw. The
corn needs more sun to ripen it and the soy beans are still wailing [?]. The farmer and his sons have been very busy—we
have been very busy harvesting our vegetables and fruits. Just now it is tomatoes. I hope we’ll be having fresh ones when you
get home. They are so good! Our early apples are all cared for now but
the later ones are bending the branches almost to the ground. We have grapes almost ready, but only four
pears.
We are all
looking forward to your furlough- - and are waiting to hear how your “physical”
comes out. I’ve a bunch that they won’t
let you go (out of the army I mean) because you are able to contribute the help
needed by your chaplains and the men- but even if they do let you go you’ll
find plenty of jobs begging for you. I’ll sure that the dear Lord who has watched
over you and all of use “while we have been absent, one from the other” will
continue to do so- and will “place” you where He wants you.
Things at
home are going along nicely—though everywhere—there is emptiness where our
“Boys” have been before, but we are all carrying on—and God is watching over us
all.
I had
mother out here today. ( [?] in and got her, and after a good dinner of fried
chicken- etc--) and a quiet afternoon visit with just Phil and me and a nice
little supper—I took her home- (my driving quota and more for the week) but it
was worth it.
I’m sorry
that I’ve been too weary and overworked to write often—your lovely pillow tops
for which I thank you so much, is a daily reminder of you and the
letters I wish to write- - and your letters of the past- also yours to mother-
I read and re-read- and it helps to keep you near. I love the little booklets you
send. Thanks for everything. I am glad
that you are getting caught up in your correspondence. I’m afraid I never will. Louisa was so pleased with your
letter. She came home with me Friday
P.M. I got tomatoes. She stayed over night and I returned her to P.K. Ridge on
Saturday. The Smiths came out all noon
Saturday and have now returned. We won’t
see them here much now. Bobby will
return to school tomorrow. Their visit
was pleasant but there has been much extra work for me with four extra
to clean up after and cook for-but-they’ve enjoyed it all- I think. I shall not repeat the arrangement another
year. It’s too “exhaustion!” You see, our idea was to have good country
experience together-a man to help Phil and Elsie to give me a hand—and in
return we gave them a huge garden space. They concentrated on their garden and
have quite a bit of to keep for the winter and then Lloyd was at his business
so much he hadn’t much time to help Phil.
Elsie had the two youngsters literally “hanging” on her all the time-so
all she could do was help with the extra sized meals and that with 2 kids under
my feet as well as hers! There wasn’t
much time to “fellow hipping” together as we had hoped for evenings we were
tired and had to retire early. It was an
interesting experiment and they had a good time I think—with little or no
expense to them. They are nice folks-but
I’ve been too tired down by them- all summer. How [?] freedom- - - and my Scout work will
be beginning now too.
We are
watching with interest the progress of the war. I hope and pray
that things are soon culminate and end!
Boy! What a day that will be! The day of Victory!!!—for everyone—on
earth! But the sinners who have caused the wars!!
It has
turned quite cool here- I hope that you are not still too bothered by the heat.
The South is a grand place to be in winter- and in cool weather-and it is so
“softly beautiful” to me- always! Yes the skies are lovely there! I’m glad that
you are experiencing life in a different climate. It helps in life to sample various
kinds…until we fully appreciate “where we are!!”…Thanks for the folder of camp
views. Thanks for spending time chatting with us. We’ve loved it. Am enclosing
something to help on your furlough fare-or to spend as you wish…and please
do! I will spend a part of Sept 13th
with mother. Have written this while
very sleepy in bed. Hope you can catch
its spirit of loving wishes and thought for you!
As
ever-your “sis” Xenie
With
love from Phil.