Saturday

8-21-43

Lady mine,

Here is a short note from you this morning written at two AM. Little bug that is no time too be writing a letter even to me. Your quotation of the temperatures however leaves me practically burned up/ Every time that it gets over a hundred SA it really is on the hot side. Hold on though my sweet for there is only a little over a month to go before things will start to change towards fall. That is the loveliest time in Texas.

Well, Stoffer’s party is over and completed as of last night. As you would expect it was a nice one and everyone enjoyed it. Just fifteen of us, all officers of the staff or command with Gen. H as the top man. We first had cocktails with yours truly drinking vermouth and soda which turns out to be a very nice tropical drink. After cocktails came dinner with all the trimmings and selected by a man in the food business. Cantaloupe balls cocktail with shrimp cocktail sauce on them. I never heard of it before but it was really good. Then came planked steaks (on the plank) smothered in vegetables with a border of toasted mashed potatoes. The steak was a beauty and at least an inch and a half thick. Followed by a tomato salad the dressing, some kind of mustard dressing made them very good. This all followed by a parfait and coffee. Of course there was champagne of a very good variety, though I don’t know what kind, all during the meal. After that and since no one collapsed there were a few impromptu speeches some good and lots which were not so good. I spoke last and briefly remembering my latest admonition are talking to much. It didn’t take but about two minutes. How’s that for improvement professor. The party then broke up and the general retired with Gabe and I where gave proceeded to beat him a game or so of dominoes. Exciting eh? It was a nice party though and enjoyed by everyone. It made me wish like the devil that I had had you sitting up the table from me someplace ready for the family eye to go home at a reasonable hour.

I played golf again yesterday afternoon and cannot report much in the way of improvement. I was terrible and am getting mad. Ill get that score down or break an arm and I mean from now on out. What I need to do is get bunches of old balls and go out and practice each stroke separately till I get the feel of it. That is a lot of trouble though and the fun is being able to go out and play when there is time. Anyway balls are scarce.

I had a letter this morning from Guatemala and the lighters are ordered and should be along before long. I hope that everyone has the insides to put in them. I have been looking around to pick up some but have been unable to find any. The cases will cost 5.25 each and I know that you could not get them for at least fifteen dollars in the states, if that. I am anxious for you to see them. I will forward them airmail upon receipt. I hope that you will be pleased with the project. I know that you will like yours. They will certainly be unique in the states and should attract lots of attention. Go easy on accepting orders from people for some like them for I know they will wan them. They might go good for Xmas presents so let me know as far in advance as possible if you think so. They would make nice gifts and from our point of view very reasonable yet unusual.

I haven’t been able to find out a darn thing about the income tax my dear and I sure would like to find out where we stand on it. I feel that we will be treated to advantage but I can’t get a start on it for no one seems to be able to interpret the darn thing. It’s getting over my head. Take a couple of hours off and worry about it Toots even though it won’t do any good. Then again don’t bother for it will get all screwed up in its own way anyway.

I should be out where little Henry Willard is about the first of Sept. and will look him up so that you can make a report. His mother is angling to get him transferred to Guatemala but I believe that he is better off where he is. He sure can’t get in any trouble there I know.

Your pop sends loads of love dearest.