Dearest Folks:
I had been wanting to write you for two nights but at both times something interrupted my schedule, now perhaps I can get the letter written. Yesterday I had some different and delightful experiences and at the same time got rid of some of the sluggishness I am developing behind a typewriter. Yesterday was pass day and instead of following the usual routine of passing a monotonous day at a show I took a hike and finally ended my itinerary at a convent. Together with a fellow from New York, we talked the cook into throwing together a makeshift lunch of two sandwiches and two tomatoes, then put on our ‘elephant hats’ and loaded with plenty of film, started on a foot inspection of the island or what we could see of it in a day. We started from camp and walked through fields of blue and white morning glories and grass shoulder high, and groves of tall, straight eucalyptus. The dew was heavy on the grass and we (were) drenched and tired when we finally reached a highway but nevertheless ready to tackle another field. After about a half an hour’s walk and talk, together with a few snapshots, we came across an Hawaiian community that adjoins a ranch….this is inextricably a part of the island’s history and development.
If you have made reference to “Born in Paradise” you can visualize much better where we were. Walking on further we came upon the ranch with its large layout of stables, corrals, buildings and beautiful horses. I saw the ‘Paniolos’ and their characteristic joviality that Miss Von Tempski so often wrote about. As I saw all this it didn’t take but a meager amount of imagination to feel the color of the old ‘Laus’ and festivities that must have been so colorful and unique. Surrounding the ranch home was a broad expanse of lawn ornamented by dreamy willow trees, shrubs and hedges of brilliant orange flowers. Together with the old touch there is the new with the concrete drives, lawn lights and automobiles. We took a lot of pictures and glamorized them as much as we could for our amateurish abilities. I hope they develop fairly well. Finally we had to leave this place, so we choose a quiet tree shaded road and started to look for the Von Tempski home that was built for them after her father gave up managing the ranch. While we were walking along gazing in all directions like a couple of immature ostriches, a person cantered by who said hello in a woman’s voice and kept on going. The person was dressed in dungarees and was riding a lively, wiry sorrel. We had an idea it was Miss Von Tempski and felt sorry for ourselves because we weren’t able to meet her. About a mile further she came by again, but this time stopped long enough to ask us if we were making an inspection tour, so that was the chance we wanted. We introduced ourselves and she returned, then after a few brief words she rode off again. She is not the author but a younger sister. Finally we came to her home and like a couple of burglars walked into the yard and looked around like a couple of FBI men. We took several pictures and marveled at the natural beauty, the broad rolling lawn and exquisite flowers. About this time it was getting dinnertime so we sat down with our backs against a log and took the lunch from under my helmet and took our time eating. During the afternoon we kept on walking and finally at suppertime, ended up at the Catholic convent where we were invited to supper. I had a few qualms about going in after my observations of the nuns and their straight-laced manners, however my companion knew them well and was a regular visitor so he promised to stand by me all the time. I became more at ease and even helped me cook supper and wash dishes. I was a little taken aback by their good humor and consideration and interest. Finally I was at complete ease with them and we were slinging sarcastic comments the rest of the evening. The meal was the best since I left home. After supper I played Chinese checkers with Mother Superior who kept the game lively with her witty remarks and good-humored excuses for losing the first round. She is a very good player and plenty hard to beat. She is very kind but you can never get the best of her in an argument. Later we played bridge and I soon found out I was playing with someone who really knew the game. Sister Jerome was my partner and she kept us ahead all the time. She was well up on the modern slang and knows baseball like Joe MacCarthy. After it was all over with, I made a quick turnabout on my impressions of Sisters and especially the ones I met tonight. They are completely human and could take any amount of ribbing. Before supper we helped them correct English papers and it was a big kick to see some of the interpretations of the comparison of adjectives that the kids with the screwy names thought were right.
Well this ended my day and it was a full and worthwhile one. I hope the pictures I took will give you a better idea of what happened.
The Free Press came yesterday but it didn’t take me more than ten minutes to read it although I haven’t thrown it away yet. Dan seems to be getting a lot of orchids from the women. Had a letter from Dick today after quite a delay and I will answer it right away. I guess this is finis for tonight, but I will never let go as you say ‘Mom might regret later’. I’m not homesick; it is just a deep yearning—but the longer I’m away the more I will appreciate the place I left.
Goodnight and I really hate to say it.
Love,
