Pictures Archives - Page 2 of 2

23 March 1943

Dearest Folks:

I have settled my conscience by writing my overdue letters so now I can turn to you and give you a resume. I had a long letter from a gal in Washington, one of these prefabricated jobs that was pretty amusing. She is a faithful correspondent. Night before last I saw the show “In This Our Life’ which I thought was for duper and teaching than the story itself. I suppose you are beginning to plan the garden already and to undertake spring cleaning. I believe Dad’s next best pursuit is gardening. Although the first day comes in without much adieu here, I did remember the day. It was a very hot one. Next month I hope to have my pictures taken before I get out of camera range. You probably have the things by now. I wish I could be there to see Phil in his trunks. I hope they fit.

I’ve come to the end of the rope tonight which is little more than a note. Nancy’s lesson on the off-tune, yellow stained piano keys would be like a symphony from Raikmaninoff. You’ll never know how much I miss home.

Love,

20 March 1943

Dearest Dad:

It’s high time I sat down and once again wrote you a letter. I received yours a couple of days ago and I believe it was the only one during the week.

This is Saturday night. Although it’s been many weekends since I’ve enjoyed a civilian weekend, I was especially reminiscent on the subject tonight. I listened to The Hit Parade and some dance music and that helped recall those lost day of follies. Right now Fred Allen is on and it is always a marvel to me that both of us can listen to the same program. In a loose sort of a way it forms a feeling of nearness.

Next month I hope that I can have a few photographs taken. Good photographers are not in abundance but their work is acceptable. They are all Japanese, who all seem to possess a curious mania for cameras.

The bridge foursome got together again tonight and it was a successful session for me. We just finished a few minutes ago. I believe I am improving regardless of the dubious tutelage.

I hope that you have received the knick-knacks by now and it was too bad they couldn’t be there for Mom’s birthday. I am doing considerable reading and it seems that I can never read enough. There is such an infetertmable number of articles in my brain and the resulting consciousness of my inadequacy is very depressing.

Well I’ve come to the end of another very brief letter. Physically I’m very well and have not been on sick call since being on the islands. For all I think of you I should be able to write more and I do hate to stop. I’ll write tomorrow. A million times I’ve gone over the first day when I get home.

Love,

24 February 1943

Dearest Folks:

I just finished an erratic game of contract bridge and now before I and another day (go by), I’ll write you a few lines. I believe my game has improved considerably since I was home—at least I seem to be pretty good.

This would be an especially appropriate night for a Moss housewarming. It’s cold, dark, and gives a house that added cozy touch. I hope I never grow old enough to always want to sit in on another.

I had a letter from Mrs. Carroll today and one from Mrs. Lewellen a while back. I will answer them right away. I wrote Mrs. Peters sometime ago after I let it go for too long. I hardly knew what to say and hope that what I wrote was alright. Have not heard from Dick for some time. I can imagine quite how he feels and like you, I do hope that he hits it as lucky as I have.

I was a little surprised about your course but I had suspected that you would eventually do something. I only hope it doesn’t evolve into anything strenuous because it’s time you started on your fifty year rest.

The gal in the picture is one that entertained at our camp. [no picture was included in the envelope]

My letters are getting to be models of brevity and drabness because the day to day pattern is so routine that a letter has become a project.

Goodnite and remember that faith is a lot of ammunition.

Love,

9 February 1943

Dear Folks:

I have one of those seldom felt feelings that so rarely finds itself with me and that is to write and write some more and make a night of it. But sadly there isn’t much to put down so perhaps my ardor will diminish before very long. I bought another picture that was taken while Joe Brown was here. I believe this shot was taken when he was doing a caricature of Hitler. The picture gives a stage door view of our plush lined, soundproofed theatre. I believe you can spot me hugging the far left edge, and I was really much happier than the camera shows. Everyone in the shot looks pretty happy and he did make a real hit. Also a few days ago I sent you a Honolulu paper as a matter of interest, but I haven’t found the bridge set yet but I’ve just started to look.

Last night I saw ‘Kings Row’ and in my estimation it lived up the billing I had heard previously. A lot of good lessons in the show other than the story itself. The newsreel showed the final game of the World Series.

I had another red letter day on mail getting about five or six including one from Gladys Davis and Wylma whose correspondence is steadily increasing. And now I am this far (and) I am stumped for anything else. I hate to stop here because I know you want me to write about a lot of things you want to know and must wonder about but I’ll have to have something to talk about when I get home. I’m really very fine and think the climate is the best yet. It looks like this is the best I can do tonight.

Love,

31 January 1943

Dear Folks:

Now is a swell time to get off a few lines to you when everything is quiet and another day is done. As usually happens I just got back from the show and saw a World Series game in the newsreels. Today was Sunday but I spent most of it behind a typewriter or in the office. It was a beautiful day to get out with a camera but I didn’t but in lieu of that, here is a picture that was taken when Joe E. Brown was here last week. Of course you can spot him in the center and if you look close in the left upper corner you can see me. I’m standing almost in front of the guy with the open jacket. I think it is a good shot don’t you? The portion of the building in the center background is our projection booth.

In a couple of days I will be on pass and will get the table set you mentioned. I’m glad my bonds have been arriving. I was beginning to get a little worried. Soon I will send you a Honolulu paper. Perhaps you would like one and on the other hand, maybe you can get a little more scope of the islands. I hope you have received the other things by now.

I really can’t think of much to write about except anything very perfunatory (?). Today we had a very swell dinner centered around delicious ham. Last night I attended a party at my old battery and was even called upon to give a speech. It was a good deal with lots of beer and the other accessories of cheese, etc.

Guess this is quits tonight. Wished I could think of something to end this properly but I can’t, but I do think about you all the time.

Love,

26 January 1943

Dear Folks:

It wasn’t a half hour ago that I finished a letter to you but it wasn’t enough to dissolve my guilty conscience completely so I’m back at it again. I have a few pictures that you can keep on record until I get back. The picture of me jumping into the pools lacks plenty of the glamour side but the guy caught it just right and when I wasn’t expecting it. The building is the bathhouse and the panoramic views are of the ball field adjacent to the pool. The place is much prettier than pictures. It doesn’t show the broad lawn or the flowered hedges, nor the clouds over the hills. The place I am at now is more suitable to my palate if you will recall my favoritism for fruit. Here in camp are avocadoes, oranges, limes, pineapple, papayas, and many banana trees and probably more that I have forgotten.

I went to the show tonight and saw a newsreel antedated to October or so. But the picture was good and the mosquitoes were hungry. “King’s Row” is currently showing and I don’t want to miss it.

I know these two letters won’t suffice for my negligence but I’ll double up on the next week and hope that the tray will please you.

I never go to bed without thinking about you and realizing what I failed to appreciate. Every time I see a lady with four or five jewels getting on a bus I can see you ten years ago.

Love,