Monday, August 31, 2009

It Feels Like Spring March 28, 1944

March 28, 1944

Dear Mother,
I'll bet you're all glad to have your taxes out of the way at last.
Laugh at Rosalyn a couple of times for me. She's slipping, letting Dad get one over on her like that. Ask her if she goes around giving dimes to everyone.
I wonder if anyone has heard of Dave Yuroff lately. I wanted to visit him while I was in Louisiana, but fate decreed otherwise. If you hear anything about him, let me know.
Spring looks like it's here to stay. I hope. Sunday I sat out in the sun all day. It felt like home dozing with the sun shining and a breeze blowing.
This letter might seem awful short, but I want it to get out in the next mail. More soon.

Love to all
Kenneth

Thursday, August 27, 2009

The Sun Is Shining March 24, 1944

March 24, 1944

Dear Mother,

Thank you for the card. It was nice. I've been wondering if my letters are getting through to you. Most of them are regular letters, so there's no record of them. Some of your letters don't sound as though you were getting my letters. I hope I'm wrong.
The name of the place sounds pretty good to me. If the place is as good as it's name it's going to be OK. You have a good idea for a book to keep to keep the names of prospective visitors to the Sky Ranch in. Some of those names might also be on our mailing list for the factory. I think we will have time for both, don't you?
The sun's shining and it feels like spring out. I think I'll get out and get a breath of fresh air, so till later.
Love
Kenneth

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Times A Wastin' - March 21, 1944

March 21, 1944

Dear Mother,

Maybe I'll be able to finish this letter. This will be the fourth one I've started. The other three didn't sound right.
I think I'll change dentist, this one has too good eyes. So far he has filled three teeth and he said there was at least four more. And I thought I had good teeth!
Rosalyn only bowled 92! I'm surprised. She should do better than that with all the practice she is getting. How about Dad, doesn't he do any bowling any more? If he doesn't get in some practice he won't even be good competition for me. Oh Yeah.
We get most of the good programs on the radio. The main difference is that most of the programs are recorded. The recordings are made four or five months before we hear them. We don't have to worry about commercial plugs in the middle of a program.
That sounds encouraging about the dam. With work that far advanced they are pretty sure to finish it out. I'd like to see that aerial photo. It should give a fair idea of what that lower 160 acres looks like. A lot of tramping could be saves if it's a good photo.
I've really got a racket now. All I do is wash a few dishes three times a day. It takes about an hour to wash the dishes and clean up then the rest of the time is free. I get a lot of rest with this job. It's getting a little monotonous now. I'm anxious to get back to the shops again.
Times a wastin, and there's work to do. I'll have to stop now. So till a later date.

Love to all
Kenneth

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Went To The Dentist Today - March 10, 1944

March 10, 1944

Dear Mother,

Did you know that time is flying by. March is here and going into yesterdays awful fast.
I took a trip to the dentist today. His drill wasn't working very well so he only filled one tooth. He has me down on his date book for another visit next Friday.
Did Dad get his teeth taken care of? If he hasn't see that he gets on the move. Tell him if I have to suffer I want someone else to suffer too. I feel mean today.
Are you doing anything this afternoon? Well that's swell, I've got a nice washing here I could use some help on.
I think Dad will be making a big mistake if he buys a cross cut saw. He'll have to take the seat off of his and work instead of riding. He's putting on too much weight for me to be pulling him any more.
How did the tax return come out this year? Puggie should have had a lot of fun with hers. This is her first isn't it? Everything has it's draw backs, even making money.
That wash is still waiting, so let's get busy.

Love
Kenneth

Monday, August 10, 2009

Feeling Some Better - March 6, 1944

March 6, 1944

Dear Mother,
I'm sorry to hear about Lucy Shoup. She wasn't so old was she? It's been a long time since I last saw her but she seemed to be in good health.
Who gets Lucy's land? That was a pretty nice piece of land she had.
O these teeth I've got four with small cavities starting. I've had more trouble in the past three months than all the rest of the time in the army. I think it's something missing in the diet over here that makes teeth decay so fast. After getting these four filled that should fix me up for a while.
Thanks to somebody for the box of camels. They tasted good after this English candy.
Have you had a chance to get any work done on the car yet? I hope it's not in too bad shape. Although siting around the way the car has is harder on it than if it ran quite a bit.
This over here is a smokers paradise if he's in the armed forces. Cigarettes are sold for five cents a pack. That's quite a savings for some of the fellows.
Don't get lost when you look over the place. You might try your best to give me a word picture after you finish with your exploring.
I was doing pretty good on the 5th, 6th and 7th. A few days earlier I wasn't feeling too hot. I didn't get sick enough to vomit but I sure didn't feel like running any races.
I'll be seeing you.

Love
Kenneth

Friday, August 7, 2009

Some Spare Time - Feb 20, 1944

Feb 20, 1944

Dear Mother,

I've got spare time for a change, so will try to answer these letters that came in the other day.
Did Dad get his raise? I sure hope so. Of course it also adds to the income tax. From what I hear that tax is going to give somebody a nice headache.
Do you mean to say you haven't had a cold this winter? That's a little different than usual. Usually you have a cold all winter. Keep up the good work. I'll knock on wood for you.
The watch arrived safe and sound the other day. It seems to run alright. It stopped a couple of times at first buts going right to town now. Thanks to all of you for a mighty fine present.
How did the car run? I suppose it still purrs right along. You never did say what the score was on tires. I didn't think they were in shape to go to Springfield and back.
Vanita's package finally arrived. It sure took it's time. I guess she's a little worried for fear something happened to the package. I'll have to write and let her know that all's well.
If you ever get a chance send me a finger nail clipper. I lost the one I had, and you can't buy them over here.
Don't freeze with all that snow and cold.

Love
Kenneth

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

In the Hospital - Feb 18, 1944

Feb. 18, 1944

Hello Dad,

Thought I might write to you and find out how things are going.
Is there anything new on the place? You should be getting a check for twenty dollars a month from the government. That will take care of the payments on the place. I forgot who's name the allotment is in, but it doesn't make any difference.
What's the remaining balance? I forgot to keep track of the number of payments that have been made.
I had an idea the other day and thought you might see how it struck you. There should be quite a few billboards around St. Louis and Southeastern MO. that are empty. If a person could buy several of those boards in good shape, and just keep up the ground lease they might become pretty good assets in the next year. Of course they would have to be picked up dam cheap. I imagine that any being sold that way would be by small concerns pretty hard hit by the war.
I'll try and get a hundred dollars to you next month. If you and Mother like the above idea the money will be available. If you don't like the idea, well the money can be put in the bank or used as you see fit.
I've been in the hospital for a couple of weeks. I had a light case of pneumonia, not very bad. I'm on light duty for a while yet, and then back to the outfit.
After I get back, I'm going to make out a power of attorney to you. Then you can transact any business in my name if you care to.
Let me hear from you soon.

Love
Kenneth

Monday, August 3, 2009

The Money In England - Feb 12 1944

Feb. 12, 1944

Dear Mother,

You probably think I'm awful forgetful not writing any oftener than I do. To tell you the truth sometimes you will receive several letters close together and then maybe none for a while. It simply mean that there are times when we are real busy and haven't much time for anything. Other times we have more time to ourselves, and use it accordingly.
Thanks for the box of chocolates. they did a lot of traveling but they sure tasted good. The little Bible was also appreciated.
I got a package from Grandmother and one from Floyd and Eula. The poor things were badly battered from all their travels, but still intact. Vanita's package hasn't gotten here yet, but it shouldn't be long now.
What's new on the place, anything? The grand total should be slowly creeping downward little by little. Have you had a chance to get down that way any more? It would sure be swell if they started work on that dam again. We would be sitting on the high pillar then.
I'm going to have to learn to use American money all over again by the time I leave the British Isles. Over here you always have a pocket full of change. They don't have any paper money less than ten shillings or approximately two dollars. Until you get used to the way they ask for money you might just as well not know the different denominations. They ask for two and six and you wonder weather their crazy or if it's you. but finally you learn that they want two shillings and six pence or about fifty cents. We find the easiest way to learn the money is to play poker with it. That will teach you after you short change yourself a few times.
That's all for now. Cheerio old top.

Love
Kenneth

Sunday, August 2, 2009

A Short Note Jan 21, 1944

Jan 21, 1944

Dear Mother,

Have you finally gotten over your New Years eve party? I don't have to worry about such things over here. I haven't been able to drink enough beer in one evening to even get feeling good.

I think that tooth I had pulled left a little piece in there yet. There is a sharp point sticking up in the spot where the tooth was. Of course it doesn't interfere with my eating, that's the main thing.

Vanita's package hasn't caught up with me as yet. I'll let you know if and when the packages get here.

Tell Dad to get that tooth of his out or else.

Love

Kenneth