Griswold Ia. Dec. 16” 1943

Dear Kenneth: - Your letter mailed the 7” reached us the afternoon of the 13”. The date you came to us. Seems Dec. is the month for the J. Ken. Family and here’s a “Happy Birthday” some what late. Seems I haven’t caught up with myself since digging out Aunt A’s apt. Tuesday of last week I fixed a lunch and we went over early and stayed late, got the rooms cleaned out that the Krisingers want. The pile of junk had carried down for Fred is dumped into a large hole in the pasture he’s trying to fill up. Then there were lots of things we didn’t want but were too good to throw away as we filled baskets of food- over here is sort out for the Red Cross and Salvation Army boxes.

We’re truly glad it was last week and not this- a cold wave began Sunday night with a shift of snow and each morning since finds it below zero. Eliz. came over Sat. eve and went back at 2 Sunday. After Christmas Maureen says she is going to find work in a warm climate – weather here hinders her progress in flying – another guy will go with her.

Speaking of progress- the Big Bud is hovering over the Lauren household, will light about their first child is about a year old.

John Lautis’ baby is named John Richard. Have you forgotten the name Clovis? Hall may yet have same little Clovis. I expect you had a letter from Nola letting how she helped A. and F. get started for Calif. Had a card from Salt Lake City, nothing since.

Christy was coming to Sydney yesterday- Barbara and the baby were to leave on the 20th. A caller from Barbara asked me to go down and see them but of course we can’t. Sometime in the near future (we hope) his line is to run thru here from Shenandoah to the northern part of the state. We feel is will make us very independent about going or coming as we please – except for knowing what to do with Bobby.

Mrs. Tom Gillins was here a couple of hours- she’s now calling at Bobby- Hessie isn’t a lot well- for some time has complained of numbness in her hands and feet. Saturday he lower limbs were affected and Mr. Johnson of Elliot ordered a complete rest- her sister-in-law – a widow from Hancock is with her. I haven’t been over since Monday evening- some say it is her heart- others the kidneys – I’m ready to believe it is both. For some time I’ve thought there was something worrying her- this is the first time I’ve said it- the other day Mrs. Tye and Irene Croghau told me they thought Fred was losing money all the time and it was worrying the life out of her.

We had a good time at our aid at Vallie’s. Tuesday I had charge of the program- something else that took some of my time- yesterday we moved downstairs and for the rest of the winter expect to be comfy and save on the fuel problem. Coal is still a scarcity.

Chas. Seeley is not far from Honolulu his mother told me and gave me this address:

Pvt. 1-C Chas. S. USNC-

Co. A- 5” Auth. Corps.

Fleet- P.Co. San Francisco

A Macedonia man got your car- I put your check in the bank and sent deposit slip to Claire. Lowell hasn’t come with his money yet.

Thought the Co. Bluff’s plane crash would interest you knowing the air field and the C. B. kills. The nearness to us makes it seem more sad.

Dad is getting ready to go down town- it is too late for this to get in the P.M. mail- it will be there for the morning and reach you sooner.

E. brings her packages here for us to mail as she hasn’t any time to go to the post office there. And I forgot to put her Omaha address on yours. We hope you will have a very merry Christmas- will try and write again before then. You take care of yourself in every way and lots of love.

Mother