Sunday, September 27, 2009

Rival For The Coffee Pot - June 5, 1944

June 5m 1944

Dear Mother,

Don't tell me you are still having snow and freezes. That doesn't sound like spring weather to me.
How does the "old man" like his new job? It sounds alright to me if he doesn't have to be on the road a lot. Don't let him put on airs now just because he went to college. Has he started selling magazines to work his way through college yet?
What's the news from the posters down south? It it's not favorable the best thing to do is as you suggested-forget about the posters for the time being. You and Dad use your own judgement.
It sounds like your going to have a rival for the coffee pot when I get back. The army is teaching me to drink the stuff. You have to drink something and coffee is used chiefly. Some times I almost think I'll get to like the stuff.
That's all the news for now- More later.
Love to all of you.

Kenneth

Friday, September 25, 2009

On Guard Duty - May 31, 1944

May 31,1944

Dear mother,
Is Grandmother still with you? If so how is she feeling? Much better I hope.
I suppose you're having some of this warm weather also. It's even too hot to enjoy going to town. I went in last Sunday and nearly died of thirst. Here you can't go to the corner drug store or a nice cool air conditioned bar for a tall refreshing drink. Right now I could go for a nice thick milk shake - Ahhhhhhh.
The package with the little deck of cards arrived yesterday. I have been making good use of the cards while on guard today. They are easy to carry and real handy to have.
It doesn't look like I'll have a chance to pick up anything for Puggie's birthday. Do you think you could find something for her? It seems sort of early to think of her birthday but time seems to fly and mail is so slow. What ever you find you can do will be OK with me.
It's almost time for my guard shift to be relieved - so I'll have to say good-bye now until another day.
Love
Kenneth

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Finally Got Your Letter - May 23, 1944

May 23, 1944

Dear Mother,
Your letter from Piedmont got to me at long last. Some of the mail is coming thru pretty good but every once in a while I get a letter from the old address. Usually these letters are about a month and a half late. They make good reading under any circumstances.
It's a good thing the Sky Ranch is located on high ground, or you would have to paddle your own canoe in all that high water. It shouldn't take long for the dam to fill up the way water comes down that river.
I'm glad Dad has decided not to take that overseas job. It didn't sound so good from what you wrote. You keep him home so he can help you with the place.
Main St., Piedmont, MO. Those American cars sure look good after seeing these Limey cars. Just between you and me these cars look like a cross between an Austin and a Peakiness.
I've got to head for chow now. If chow is missed here it's bad that's all. Restaurants are conspicuous by their absents.
Love to all the gang.
Kenneth

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Thanks For The Pictures-May 16, 1944

May 16, 1944

Dear Mother,

Your pictures of the place caught up with me today. From the looks of that view from the hilltop, the name fits to a "T". I have the picture of the spot where the house is to be located. I like the looks of the large trees in front. By the way what the devil is that hanging on the small tree in this picture. It's got me bothered.
Where was Stubby on that trip? I don't see him in any of the pictures. That's unusual unless he stayed at home. That don't sound right either.
St. Louis must be pretty wet from the looks of third street. The water didn't get any ways near you did it? It doesn't know weather to rain or shine over here. This country would run a weather man batty.
You better tell Dad to do something with that misplaced chest of his. If he's not careful he'll get to looking like a first Sargent. And that ain't good!
Your rose received and delicate aroma noted. I was just wonder where the red roses came from if Dad gave you snapdragons and carnations.
I don't think much of those over seas jobs you wrote about. This stuff of seeing the world isn't what it's cracked up to be. Just between you and me there isn't a thing to see over here that you can't see in the good old U.S. Besides somebody should be on the spot when this is all over to start putting our plans into action. I'm hoping Dad can get what he wants around St. Louis.
Love from me to all the family.

Kenneth

Thursday, September 17, 2009

After Leaving The Hospital - May 11, 1944

May 11, 1944

Dear Mother,

That little poem of the Ozarks is pretty good. Sounds like our place being described.
Dogonit you're getting my curiosity aroused. I can't hardly wait to see what the place actually looks like. Maybe I'm getting spring fever of something. It's nice enough here right now to get spring fever.
Boy oh boy if my mail ever catches up it will be a wonder. I have been moving from one replacement depot to another sense leaving the hospital. It shouldn't be long before I have a permanent address again. But until I do just keep writing to the 32nd General Hospital. Mail can be forwarded easier from there than it could if I gave you all the different A.P.O. numbers I'll likely have before being assigned permanent.
How did the job at the Ord. depot work out? Sounds like a good deal to me.
Thanks for the card of the twenty-second.
By the time you and Dad get through you will know more about building a house than I do. I hope you have some good plans thought up both for our home and the cottages.
It's time for retreat once again. Thinking of you with love.
Kenneth

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

The Money Orders April 25, 1944

April 25,1944

Dear Dad,
I sure am glad the money orders got there in such a hurry. Saving money over here has been easy. Drinking a few beers at a pub is about the only thing there is to do over here. I don't care much for the British beer so once or twice a week is all I care about going to town.
Now that you've gotten a good look at the place, what do you think of it? Does it come up to all expectations? I hope so.
Mother said you might take another job with the government. It would be nice if you did.
Until later good luck
Kenneth

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Painting Signs - April 25, 1944

April 25, 194

Dear Mother,

I'm glad you got the money order all right. It was a surprise to hear they got there so fast.
It looks like I made a mistake when I told them I could draw. They are taking advantage of it. Today I painted two large signs for the Hospital. Tomorrow I have a master set of letters to draw for stencils. It gives me something to do and I can keep my hand in with the old drawing set.
I think you have something on that scrapbook. Those ideas will come in handy when we start building. If you run across any ideas of things to make out of plastics save them. Especially things from scrap sheet plastic. I think we will use plastic for some of our work. Maybe it will replace all of the metal we have been using.
How about "Signs of the Times" are they still publishing a magazine? If they are we should start getting copies again if you're not already.
I suppose you have been down to the place looking around. Does it still look as good as before? Maybe it looks better now especially with spring flowers out.
That's all for now Folks.

Love to everyone
Kenneth

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Rehabilitation - April 20, 1944

April 20, 1944

Dear Mother,

When mail comes it really comes. I just received a bunch of letters dating from March 20 to April 6. I almost missed supper I was so busy reading.
It's too bad that Dad is leaving the depot, but maybe it's for the best. At least the breathing spell will give you a good chance to look over the "Sky Ranch." Dad should be able to get something paying a little more than civil service was paying anyway.
Boy! Oh! Boy! you have sure had some sweet weather this spring. From your letters and what I have read in the papers some of the states are still having snow.
Every time I move my muscles complain for all their worth. I have been taking exercises and going on road marches. They call it rehabilitation, in short getting ready for duty. After two months of laying in a hospital those old arms and legs are really soft. If my calculations are correct I should get released some time next week. I hope.
How does the old buss wagon run now? That boy works cheap enough. I don't know just what he did but if he fixed half the things wrong it's very reasonable.
Thanks for the nail clippers. It sure came at a good time. My nails were at the point where they had to be cut or I would have been arrested for carrying dangerous weapons.
Razor blades are always appreciated. The P.X. rations us two blades a week. It gets pretty rough on the face towards the last of the week. I think I have the situation well in hand. By shaving every other day it's not too bad.
As much as I would like to keep rambling on, it just isn't to be. The nurse is on her way to turn off the lights.
Since all good things must end this is a good place to say,
Love to all
Kenneth

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Time Flies - April16, 1944

April 16, 1944

Dear Mother,

Time sure flies. Here it is the middle of April already. And I'm still resting.
I'm now officially transferred to the detachment of patients here at the 32nd. General Hospital. It wont be long now before I get back to regular duty now. I'm working at the recruiting office, making charts. It's a little like old times, drawing and painting.
It seems funny going to bed before dark. With the double summer time they have over here it doesn't get dark until around ten o'clock. Our bed time is about nine o'clock so it's pretty light when we hit the hay.
Until further notice write me at the hospital here.
Love
Kenneth

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Easter Sunday April 1944

Easter Sunday

Dear Mother,

What are you doing this Easter? I hope the sun is shining on you today. It's pretty damp over here today. I had hopes of taking a long walk in the sunshine today. The best laid plans of mice and men oft times go astray.
I'm glad to hear that you got the car fixed. You're going to take that trip to the Sky Ranch soon now if you want to beat the leaves. Do you think you will be able to get some pictures of the place? I would like to see some if films can be obtained.
I feel the same as you and Dad. We don't have to sell so until we need the money our best bet is to hang on to all the land. Dad must be painting quite a picture of the place to get everyone so hot to visit it or buy part of it. At least it shows that he is still a salesman.
So you're going to be a white collar worker for the Red Cross. (your not the only one who folds bandages. Every once in a while the Red Cross brings a lot of gauze into the ward and we spend the afternoon folding bandages.)
My transfer isn't official yet but my C.O. sent my clothes to me and my papers are in. So I'll be getting my mail at the 32nd General Hospital - A.P.O. 165, that is for a while at least. I hope to go back to the same outfit again when I get discharged - but who knows!
Well I think I'll go out and get a bit of air even if it is damp out. I want to get back before blackout, cause it's really black here during blackout. Until later lots of love.

Kenneth

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Still In the Hospital - April4, 1944

April 4, 1944

Dear Mother,

It should be pretty warm around St. Louis by now. It's not bad here. If the sun would come out it would be real nice.
Do you remember that I wrote and told Dad that I had a touch of pneumonia? Well they have never let me out of the hospital yet. It's been a little over two months now since I first came in. They are keeping me here because they are afraid that I will have another attach if I get out while it's so damp out.
That's enough for you to worry about for one day. So I'll bring this letter to a close, and amble down to see what gives at the show. I hope it's a good picture.
Love to all including Stubby.

Kenneth

This Crazy Mail April 1, 1944

April 1, 1944

Dear Mother,

This mail situation is a little mixed up. One day I get a letter written in March and the next day I get one written in February. It's good getting them no matter what order they come in.
I would like to have seen Richard. From what you wrote I guess nobody recognized him. It's been a few years since we swam together.
So Floyd and Eula have a girl. I wonder who she will look like. Black hair or blond that is the question.
I'm going to send some money orders home this coming week. Probably in Dad's name since he is out were he can cash them. Let me know if they arrive or not.
It's a nasty day out, drippy and slushy. It should be a good night to stay in and catch up on sleep.
Until next week so-long and love to all.

Kenneth

Friday, September 4, 2009

My Letters Must Be Hold Up - March 29, 1944

March 29, 1944

Dear Dad,

I'm sorry to hear that my letters aren't going through. I've been writing fairly regular, but evidently the letters have been hold up somewhere along the line. There is no reason to worry because letters are sometimes hold up for security reasons. Given time the mail goes through sooner or later.
I haven't been in a position to send any money home this past month. Maybe I will get a chance soon now. I hope so. That's a good idea getting lumber and have it seasoned. I hope it won't be long before we can start building.
How's things going at the depot? Let me give you a little friendly advise, Don't go giving dimes to everybody you hear ask for them! ha ha!
Strange as it may seem this month is almost gone - so is this page.
Until next month yours sincerely.

Kenneth