Letter from Frances on Sewing, Gas Rationing, and Thanksgiving

On November 19, 2014 By AnnIn Family, Lester1 Comment

Council Grove

November 19, 1942

Dear Brother—

We aren’t very busy this morning so will try and get a letter written to you. It surely is a pretty day but it feels more like spring than fall. The weather is so warm and it is rather windy. It has been quite foggy some mornings but was nice and clear this morning. Yesterday the fog was quite bad. Gloyd brought me to work and we could hardly see to drive. Leo Dike ran into a bridge on his way to Delavan and smashed a rear fender, broke a spring and broke the door handles off the car but no one was hurt any. Gloyd went down home yesterday and today to shuck corn. He said they should get the west field done this week. The corn is pretty good although he said it was rather thin and really should have been replanted. He said it would be nice shucking in the big field.

Paul Robert has the chicken pox but he isn’t sick at all. Gloyd said he was running in and out all day yesterday. I guess he didn’t feel very good Saturday but Sunday he felt better so got ready and went to Sunday School.

They had a party for Sam Edmiston’s Tuesday evening. They have sold their farm to Miles Sheaffer and are going to move to Texas.

Gloyd’s folks, Aunt Della and Helen came over last evening for awhile. I have borrowed Mrs. Pickett’s sewing machine so she came over to use it. Her iron has played out too so she wanted to use my iron. We sewed and ironed and Helen took a bath so she could use the bathtub. I discovered I had sewed part of my dress together backwards so Aunt Della ripped for me. I have been trying for a week to get it made but haven’t met with much success yet.

We got up about 5:15 this morning and Gloyd left shortly after six. I stayed up so I got the house cleaned and the dishes washed before I came to work this morning. It will be nice to go home at noon and not find a table full of dirty dishes. When Gloyd isn’t working he gets dinner and washes the dishes and one day last week he cleaned the house and made the bed and did a good job of it, too.

We went out to Harry’s for dinner Sunday and took the folks and Aunt Della. Gloyd had to work that evening so we came home about six. Gloyd went to the selectee party that night. I didn’t feel like going so stayed home alone. There were 29 left Monday morning. I am getting to be the worst kind of a fraidy cat but I just can hardly stay alone anymore. I was alone again Monday evening while Gloyd went to drill but he wasn’t so late then. I guess I will get Helen to stay with me after this when Gloyd is going to be gone. They said awhile back that a hump backed boy here in town who isn’t too bright was around peeking in windows. Helen was just sure he was over there one evening. I always keep my doors locked when I am alone and here lately I pull the shades at dark. We girls don’t get together anymore on Monday evenings since Dale left. Nellie’s husband never did go to drill and Maurice hasn’t gone since he came back from Leavenworth. Gloyd is the only one that is still in. The State Guards are finding it impossible to keep their enlistment up to what it should be. The army has taken so many of the younger men there isn’t much to recruit from any more. This training is doing the boys some good though. Dale has already been put in charge of one squad and I wouldn’t be surprised but before long he will have some stripes.

Benny Linn was home last week and got married while he was here. He married Irma Scott.

Gloyd is going to try and get back in time this evening so he can register for our four gallons of gasoline. I couldn’t do it. Seems it has to be the same one who signed the registration certificate.

We had a fight over on the east side the other night. One fellow got his arm cut quite bad. The paper said he lost a gallon of blood but I imagine they over estimated the amount a little.

We went to the show Tuesday night and saw “The Big Shot.” It was better than we had expected it to be but not too good at that. I haven’t heard whose name was drawn last night.

The senior play was at Dunlap last night but I don’t believe Wallace was in it. He and Mother went though. Dad stayed home with Paul.

Gloyd and I have just gotten over some terrible colds. We just took them all at once and they left about the same way. Gloyd went to the doctor but I kept on going. Seems to be a lot of them around.

We are going to have a blackout here sometime next month. Guess we will just have to sit in the dark a few minutes.

Seems like I have about run out of anything to say. It is noon anyway. Maybe I will think of something before I come back after lunch.

Later–

When I went home at noon your letter was in the mailbox so I will answer it, too. I tried to call Mother but the Dunlap line was busy so I will try again this evening. If I don’t get through I will send your letter down with Gloyd. I imagine he will go back tomorrow.

It would be nice if Irma and Howard were close enough so you could go see them but I don’t suppose you have much time. It is better to be busy. I have found from experience there isn’t anything harder to do than do nothing. There is always plenty I could be doing now. I have also found that everything doesn’t have to be done at once. Work is one thing that will wait and I have learned that I can’t keep my housework all done like I used to do and work here all day too. So the housework usually has to wait until Sat. night after work or Sunday morning. I still work at the store Saturday night. I believe I will enjoy living more if I take things a little easier.

No, I haven’t gotten my glasses changed yet but I am getting along all right. We got our grocery bill paid and Sims. It won’t be long till we have our debts all taken care of.

Aunt Cora is planning a Thanksgiving dinner at George’s if nothing happens. She has been home a couple weeks and was gone for five. She had a nice trip and a good visit with Charley’s.

Well, I guess I better quit. I have done a little work this afternoon and there is a little more to be done yet. Helen and I came back a little early today. I had a dress to exchange. It will have to be made over but it was a bargain anyway.

Take care of yourself and write when you can

Love and Best Wishes

Frances and Gloyd

P.S. Irma didn’t like it either.

P.P.S. Wayne is an M.P. but doesn’t like it. Says he wishes he had waited to be drafted. Paul wants to get on the switchboard. He thinks he is too old to climb poles.

P.P.P.S. If I had an extra quarter I would send it to your buddy for the nice compliment. The grey hairs in my head didn’t show in the picture.

Note from Boston dated November 17, 1942

On November 17, 2014 By AnnIn Family, LesterLeave a comment

November 17, 1942

Dear Folks,

At last I have time to write a letter. Five of us came down to Boston for a few days to attend a fire-fighting school. We didn’t get here in time to start in the first day so will just get in on the last day of it. Don’t know what we will do this afternoon. We have spent half the morning trying to get our baggage and have finally got it. We didn’t have blankets of any kind last night and it got cold in here. We covered up with our peacoats and still froze.

Had a good breakfast of grapefruit, oatmeal, doughnut, an egg, toast, potatoes, bread and butter. That is more than we have aboard ship, especially after we have been out for a day or so. We are up there for practice in drills and gunnery. Two days is the longest we have been out of port. We will be there for some time yet.

I like the country fine, it is very pretty with the islands, rocky coasts and tree-covered hills. But I don’t like the town. There isn’t anything to do in it. I’ve been on liberty there only once. I’ve got rocks from three different places for you, mom.

I don’t have your letters with me so don’t remember what questions you asked me. It is rather hard to write letters and not say something that would be censored. We aren’t supposed to mail anything ashore though we can send post cards with the name of the town if they are censored. We are in the bay that was on the card I sent you. Howard’s ship is still there but he was transferred, wasn’t he?

I received Frances’ package and one from Josephine but I haven’t opened them yet. Hope I get a chance to do some shopping pretty soon. We get liberty only about once a week, don’t get off the ship until sixteen thirty and have to be aboard by one forty five. Quite a number of the boys are “aos”, so the rest of us have to stand more watches. I can’t complain though because I haven’t stood many watches yet. It gets a little chilly but not too bad, sixteen above the other night. We were issued woolen underwear, heavy socks, and a suit of clothes that are rain and wind proof. I don’t think it will be too bad this winter.

Have you ever received the cacti that you were supposed to get?

It is fifteen hundred now and all of us have been asleep all afternoon. We haven’t anything to do except write letters as we can’t go out on liberty until sixteen-thirty. Two of our officers are here also and one of them tried to get liberty for us at noon but didn’t succeed.

I must try to write some more letters so will say good-bye to all.

Love to all

Lester

November 13, 1942

On November 13, 2014November 13, 2014 By AnnIn Family, LesterLeave a comment

November 13, 1942

Dear Sis,

I got your package the other day but haven’t opened it yet as I thought I would keep it until Christmas. Thanks a lot anyway.

Say, if you see Irma, tell her I don’t think much of the town where she spent the summer. Did she like it? If Howard hadn’t been transferred, I might have been able to see him sometimes.

Saturday night.

Last night I was showing one of my buddies some pictures that were taken the last time I was home. When he saw your picture he asked if I had a picture of my other sister. I told him I didn’t have any other sister and he said “I thought you said your sister was twenty-seven years old.” He guessed you to be eighteen. He says “Your dad looks pretty young.” It was Wallace!

The four Harris siblings. Wallace, Lester, Frances and in front, Paul.

If we continue to be as busy as we have been I won’t have time to write many letters so you may have to exchange with the folks. I have received some Christmas cards already so guess I will start addressing mine pretty soon.

In one letter you mentioned that I had been in the service a year. I didn’t think about it until the next day. In some ways the time seems quite long. However, each day passes in a hurry. My work is different all the time so it doesn’t get monotonous as some jobs do.

Have you changed those glasses yet?

I can’t think of much to tell you. I can’t tell you about the weather here, whether or not I am getting liberty, where we are, etc.

I must go to chow now so will drop this in the mail-box. If you can call mom tell her you heard from me. I have about a dozen letters to write and will probably write a couple of them.

Love,

Lester

Though all are blissfully unaware, the seconds keeping ticking away. The countdown is on for the last few weeks of Lester's life. — Though all are blissfully unaware, the seconds keeping ticking away. The countdown is on for the last few weeks of Lester’s life.

Letter from Frances dated November 12, 1942

On November 12, 2014 By AnnIn Family, LesterLeave a comment

Council Grove, Kansas

November 12, 1942

Dear Brother,

There is so much noise up here today I can hardly hear myself think so if there are more mistakes than usual you will understand the reason. I didn’t know until I got your card whether you would be likely to get a letter if I sent one but after your card came yesterday and I knew where you were I felt better. Mother said she mailed you a letter Monday so I suppose you have it by this time. How do you like traveling on the water? I don’t suppose you will be able to tell us much about where you are or what you see but try and remember everything so you can tell us about it when you get home.

The weather turned cold last Monday afternoon and did the wind ever blow. By next morning the wind had gone down though and since then it hasn’t been bad. In fact the sun has been shining and the air is crisp and cool. I was afraid we were in for a storm Monday night. We went down to Lillian’s for a shower for Irma. Gloyd stayed with dad while Mother, Josephine and I went on to the shower. We had a very nice time and she got a lot of nice things. There were about 30 women there and four or five men. They served ice cream, cake, cookies, and coffee. Mother made the ice cream and it sure was good. I guess Irma was leaving Wednesday morning. Hazel Woodmansee was going with her to Washington, D.C. That made it nice for Irma because Hazel is a good traveler.

We went to Emporia Saturday night. Mother, Paul and Charlotte went with us. We left here about six and did our shopping as soon as we got there then we ate supper before we came home. I got a couple dresses to make but haven‘t gotten them made yet. Maybe I will get started tonight. Gloyd is going to ask his mother to let me borrow her sewing machine and I will be able to get a lot more done if I have the machine at home than if I have to go over there to do it. I wish I could buy a sewing machine. Seems like I need one worse all the time. I looked in Topeka Wednesday afternoon for a dress but it seems they are so high to get them already made.

Charlotte stayed all night with us Saturday night then she and I went down to her place early Sunday morning and finished moving her furniture so her aunt and uncle could move in where she had been living. She stored most of her furniture upstairs. Her husband passed his physical examination okay but Maurice didn’t pass his and he came back the next day. Dale is still in Leavenworth but hopes to get sent out soon. The folks had a letter from Wayne yesterday. He finally got sent out. I believe he is in Big Springs, Texas, now. Paul likes his work fine.

Gloyd has been sick with a cold since Tuesday morning. I don’t know where he got it. He just had it when he got up Tuesday morning. He felt worse yesterday so went down to Dr. Campbell yesterday afternoon and let him work on him. He didn’t feel very good yet this morning but went to work about 10:30 and seemed to feel better at noon. He had to go to work again at 1 this afternoon.

We went to the show Tuesday evening and saw “It Happened in Flatbush” and a comedy “Tireman Spare My Tires”. They were both very good. The comedy was about as good as any we have seen.

Well, I had a big long interruption. Now I’ll see how much I can get done. Seems like I don’t know much news to write any way. We had to work yesterday and everything else in town closed but we don’t have to work Thanksgiving. We don’t get paid only for the days we work so I guess it is just as well that we work. There will only be 24 working days in November and that won’t make a very big Christmas check I am afraid. We had thought my check this time would just about get us out of debt but Gloyd hasn’t worked much these last two weeks so the car payment will have to be made out of mine and that will slow things up a little. Gloyd will have a lot of work around Christmas and that will help.

I wonder what we will have for supper tonight. We have been living on soup this week and I believe we would both enjoy something different tonight. We missed a good dinner last Sunday by not going down to Uncle Loren’s but Gloyd had to work that day and I needed to help Charlotte and by the time Gloyd got through in the afternoon it was too late and we were too tired to go so we slept the rest of the afternoon. I slept by spells. Gloyd came home and woke me up. Then we went to sleep and one of the Mullins came over and knocked and woke me up but I didn’t go to the door so she came back after while and woke me again. I still didn’t go to the door but something else woke me about five-thirty so I decided it was time to stay up and get supper. I went to bed early that evening though. Last night we went to bed about seven-thirty then Gloyd couldn’t go to sleep so he got up and listened to the radio until about ten-thirty. We have Wallace’s little radio now and it sure is nice. We have enjoyed ours but it never has worked so very good.

The payroll came back approved the first of the week but I don’t know whether the big check has come yet or not. I hope it gets here by Saturday anyway. My check this time will be about fifteen dollars bigger than I had expected it to be. Of course there will be the ten per cent taken out for bonds but that is all right.

We haven’t been going so much the last two weeks so it doesn’t seem like there is much to write about. I suppose you knew that Ernestine and Joe were married. She went to Kansas City and they were married there. We saw her in Emporia Saturday night and she said he was supposed to come home in three weeks.

This seems like it has been a long day and I sure will be glad when five o’clock comes. I expect it is time for me to get busy now so I will close for now. Hope you will be able to write to some of us before long and let us know where you are and how you are getting along. I imagine you received our Christmas package some time ago didn’t you? If there is anything we can send you at all I wish you would tell us and maybe we can get another package to you before Christmas.

Write when you can.

Love and Best Wishes

Frances and Gloyd

Letter Posted November 8, 1942

On November 8, 2014 By AnnIn Family, LesterLeave a comment

Dear Folks.

Today is the fourth of November but I’ll probably write a few lines when I have the opportunity as I don’t know how soon this will be mailed. I’m feeling fine and haven’t been too seasick!

Mom, did you get the little cactus plant yet? I bought one for you the other day and the florist was to send it to you. There were some in pretty vases but he was afraid they wouldn’t stand shipping. I hope this isn’t the same as any that you have. If I had liberty now I could get you a rock to go with the cactus.

I don’t know of any boy that won’t get anything for Christmas, though there will probably be a few who won’t get a box. I know lots of the fellows but only a few quite well.

I won’t be writing often because there isn’t much news I can tell you. We will get our mail fairly regular now, I think.

Do you have the corn shucked yet? Has it been cold yet?

Paul, I enjoyed your letter. Yes, I have been taking more rides, three times during last night.

Love to all.

Lester

Gherardi on the Move

On October 31, 2014 By AnnIn Family, LesterLeave a comment

From: Lester F Harris F 1/C

USS Gherardi

c/o Postmaster

New York, N.Y. Saturday nite October 31. 1942

Dear Folks,

I received your letters a couple of days ago but the past week has been quite busy for all of us so I haven’t been able to get any letters written. A couple of weeks ago I was caught up on nearly all of my correspondence but I’m behind again now. Be sure to use the new address as we are leaving soon. I think I’ll have a chance to send some letters again in a few days.

We went out to Chesepeak Bay on Thursday and came back Friday afternoon. The water was smooth and we had a nice trip. We saw lots of ducks in the river and bay. Suppose we could have hit any of them with our five inch guns and machine guns?

The weather was clear most of the way and there was some very pretty scenery along the river. We saw a three-mast sailing boat that was fishing. It was a novel and pretty sight.

Paul asked what kind of a bed I sleep in. Well, it is just the width of the mattress I sent home. It is made of steel tubing and the bottom is wires spaced about four inch each way with springs at the ends. It is pretty comfortable. Three of them fold up real close together during the day. At night when we let them down there isn’t room to sit up or draw up our knees. A few of the boys have awakened during the night and tried to sit up suddenly and they bump their heads.

I can’t find your letter right now and I can’t remember any other questions you asked. One of the boys is going ashore pretty soon so I’ll send this with him. He is a young “rebel” from Georgia and you can sure tell that he is from the south.

I think I will send a suit of dress blues home if I have a chance as I want to keep one good suit and I don’t need two suits now.

Wallace, I’ll try to look at the radio equipment and talk to some of the fellows about it. I was in the radio room the other day but I was checking the ventilation and didn’t notice the radio much. I do know that you would need to know Morse code for this work.

Is it cold yet? I haven’t worn my peacoat yet and my Jersey only one morning.

Do you have much corn to shuck yet? Tell Frances that I am leaving and I’ll try to send her a letter from my next port.

Love to all.

Lester

The Creative Life

On October 29, 2014October 31, 2014 By AnnIn WritingLeave a comment

I write my life. Since the age of ten when I wrote my first story and was instantly hooked, I have been infected with a mysterious contagion for which there is no cure. Writing stories, poems, novel manuscripts and memoirs has been part of my life ever since. Yet I don’t live to write. I live. And I write. I write my life.

Through young adulthood, curiosity led me to question things. Whether any purposeful meaning existed or not, I asked, “What does this mean? Why am I here? What am I to do with my life?”

The search for answers helped sharpen my powers of observation until nearly everything holds metaphorical parallels to some facet of the human condition. I watch a moose lunge exhausted through shoulder-deep snow and I learn the dangers of choosing an easy path.

I stand in a downpour and hear the rain plummet from…

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October 28, 1942 Letter from Frances

On October 28, 2014 By AnnIn Family, LesterLeave a comment

Council Grove, Kansas

October 28, 1942

Dear Brother,

Had thought I would get a letter written to you yesterday but I was kept busy all day and didn’t get it done. I did remember that it was a year ago yesterday that you enlisted. Does it seem like it has been a year to you? In lots of ways it seems a long time and than again the time has gone quite fast. We still have lots to be thankful for and are lots better off than so many people. Mother called me Monday evening and said they thought maybe you had sailed but since they didn’t know for sure I am going to write and hope it will get to you. We are getting a package ready to send you for Christmas so I hope it will reach you okay. There isn’t much we can send so it won’t be very large but we are thinking of you anyway and wish you the best of luck. I hope you will see lots of interesting sights and enjoy all your travels. Be careful and don’t take unnecessary risks.

We had a hard freeze Monday night and the leaves are all falling now. It is nice to walk these mornings through them. The temperature went down to 22 that evening. It has warmed up since but it is cloudy today and seems to be getting a little colder. I hope it doesn’t freeze.

Gloyd’s dad has been sick with pneumonia since Thursday but he is getting better and is able to be up some now. He was quite sick though. Wayne left Friday morning but he is still in Leavenworth as far as we know. He is to be sent to Fort Worth. We were over there for supper Thursday evening and Harry’s were down. Dad took so sick that Harry’s stayed all night and I stayed all night the next night. No one stayed Saturday and Sunday but Harry came back Monday.

We went to Americus Saturday evening and Gloyd went to lodge. I stayed with Thelma. Irma hasn’t come back yet and doesn’t know if she will come. Howard is stationed in New York and they told him he might be there for the duration so she is staying with him. She still is not very well but had thought she would come back and get their car if Thelma would go back with her. Thelma said she couldn’t go back there just to buy her a ticket on the train and come home.

We went to the show last night and saw “True to the Army” with Judy Conova and Jerry Collona. It was a good show and one I enjoyed a lot.

We have been up so much lately and on the go all the time I hardly have time to get my work done. We went up to Ingmires Sunday for dinner and came home and went to Gaston’s for supper. The rest of them went to the show but we went home and I ironed and Gloyd went over to his folks awhile. Monday evening we went back to Gaston’s and stayed while the men went to drill then they decided to play pool after the drill so it was quite late again. Tonight we are going to stay home and wash. Last week we didn’t have a night when we could wash so we sent it to the laundry and I am going to send it every once in a while but I think I can do it this week. I don’t think I will do much of it this winter. It doesn’t cost much to get it done and everything comes back ironed except the starched things. It doesn’t take long to do them.

I asked Gloyd last night if he cared if I asked Mr. Kling if I could work Saturday evenings and evenings before the Christmas rush. He said he thought I had enough to do but if I wanted to to go ahead. Oh I musn’t forget to tell you I got a raise today. Starting the first of November, I will get $2.75 a day. That isn’t bad for just working a month and getting a raise but some of the girls are getting over three dollars now so I hope to get another raise some day. This will help though. They are going to start taking ten per cent out for war bonds though. But that is perfectly all right with me. If I could I would buy more.

We are invited to a Halloween party Friday night at Dikes. We will probably just play cards until late then have lunch and go home. I can stay up all right at night but the next morning is when it is hard on me. Gloyd had to go to work at six this morning so I went back to bed awhile. It doesn’t get light until so late now that it really does seem early. We will be coming to work in the dark one of these mornings.

Seems like I can’t think of much to write these days. There really isn’t much doing around here. Everyone registered their trucks, trailers and pick-ups last week and registration of cars and trailers is coming next month then I guess there will be less than ever doing when every one has to stay home.

Some of the wives think they will go with their husbands when they leave but everyone looks at things differently. Gloyd and I both feel that as much as we would like to be together the best thing is for me to stay here where I know people and where I have a good job than to go along. We would have a hard time living on army pay in a big city and I would have to work anyway so I might as well stay here. We probably wouldn’t get to be together very much anyway. If I can keep things together here we feel it will be better than breaking up entirely. It is hard to do but at least we will still have our home and if Gloyd does have a furlough or get to come home anytime he will have a place to come. I don’t feel that I want to go back home and just sit down and wait and I know the time will go faster if I am working. I do hope I can get someone to live with me. I don’t want to stay alone if I can help it.

Well I guess this is all for this time. Hope we hear from you soon. Write as often as you can and take care of yourself.

Love

Frances and Gloyd

Ten Reasons to Write a Book

On October 22, 2014 By AnnIn Healing, Loss and Grief, WritingLeave a comment

Formatting complete, In the Shadow of the Wind is now available wherever electronic books are sold. I take a few moments to reflect on the many and varied rewards gleaned through the process of writing the book. If you’ve been tinkering with a story of your own, not quite sure you are ready to dedicate the time required to finish it, I assure you it’s well worth your efforts. Here are ten of the unexpected joys I’ve discovered in my own journey which you may enjoy as well.

ONE

You will find great satisfaction. If you spend time polishing your words, seek and listen to honest critiques, and complete all the steps required in the countless revisions, you’ll find you’ve created a quality product to present to readers. It is a good feeling.

TWO

From across the country, your family may reconnect with a celebration of your work. Your older sister may depart with a hearty hug and the words, “I am really proud of you.”

Your younger sister may call, laughing, to say, “I want to set the record straight. We do indeed wear underwear!”

Your sister-in-law may write, “I have read the whole book and it is wonderful.”

You may hear from cousins. “I enjoyed it very much. You did a wonderful job telling your story. I cried and I laughed.”

THREE

The book may open new conversations with your grown children. One daughter may brag about you on Facebook. “My mom is a published writer!! So proud of her.” Another daughter may announce, “I learned something, Mom. Now I understand.”

FOUR

Friends from your other career may endorse your book. From Missouri, “I’m at school tuning but I really want to be home reading your book! It’s good.”

From Illinois, “I enjoy every page. This is a real story and you tell it marvelously. What a gift.”

From Texas, “Your diversity is amazing. When a writer can move her readers to laughter, then tears, she has written a worthy story. It was a great read!”

FIVE

Your collection of endorsements grows with each reader.

“It didn’t suck! In fact, your book is excellent. I want another copy to give a friend.”

“I loved it! It was like you were here talking to me. Is there another book coming?”

“It’s a page-turner.”

“I began reading your book and could not put it down.”

“Buy Ann’s book. It’s well worth it.”

“I just finished reading In the Shadow of the Wind; thanks for sharing your life, heart and soul with readers.”

And perhaps my favorite, “Smiles. . .tears. . .and peace. Thank you, Ann.”

SIX
Readers begin to share their own stories, prompted by a scene in your book.

One friend may share how she is nursing two juvenile black squirrels right now.

Another friend may share how a dream of her deceased father woke her from a sound sleep to discover her infant son in respiratory distress.

Another friend may share how her departed mother sent a message of love through a random card sent by a friend in a correctional facility.

You may be invited to lead a discussion of spiritual experiences and healing stories at your church.

SEVEN

Watching your book bloom with a life of its own is as thrilling as it is terrifying. With a bit of awe, you ponder how its appeal spans generations with praise from readers your parents age, through your own generation, to young adults your children’s age.

EIGHT

Your community of friends expands exponentially. You re-connect with lost friends and make many new friends through your writing adventure. Each person in your list becomes a cherished gem in your life story.

NINE

Completing the book is an adventure in building confidence. It may open doors to a whole new world and a whole new you. You may ponder the unforeseen influence each of us has on others. The personality your friends perceive in you may have elements opposite the way you view yourself. Ultimately, you realize your impact on the world is a complex blending of both perceptions.

TEN

With a project completed, you can turn to a new project, renewed and ready to tackle another story. Yes, there is another book coming.

Weekend at the “Y”

On October 19, 2014 By AnnIn Family, LesterLeave a comment

Monday evening October 19 – 1942

Dear Folks.

I received your letter today, in fact I got five letters today so I will be quite busy if I get all of them answered. Three of them were ones I would have received Saturday afternoon but I went into town before mail call so didn’t get them until this morning. One of the fellows had kept them for me so I could have them sooner.

It rained nearly all day Saturday but I went on liberty anyway. A buddy and I got a room together at the “Y” for seventy-five cents apiece. Saturday night he went roller skating while I saw the show “Across the Pacific”. We get in the shows for twenty-eight cents which is very reasonable since many of the theatres regular prices are fifty to seventy-five cents.

Sunday morning I slept until nine-thirty then got up and went to a church close by. I was the only sailor there though there were three army officers there too. That church service seemed more nearly like those at home than any I have attended in the past year. As soon as I stepped into the vestibule, an usher greeted me and shook hands. As I started down the aisle another usher met me, spoke, and showed me to a seat. The church services lasted from ten-forty five ‘til twelve fifteen but it was very interesting.

After the services I went back to the room at the “Y” and my buddy had just awakened so we went out to dinner together. For dinner I had pork chops, mashed potatoes, baked beans and ice cream. After dinner we walked out to the Franklin Institute which is a museum of mechanical inventions. Wallace would have enjoyed it a lot. We spent all afternoon there then went to the show “My Sister, Eileen” in the evening. After the show I came back to the ship while my buddy went roller skating again. I don’t know what time he got home.

I bought a sweat shirt Saturday afternoon. It should be very warm.

I thought my bonds were to be mailed to you every three months, three bonds at a time but it doesn’t matter, just so you get them. August was supposed to be the first month so guess it is okay.

I intend to make out an allotment tomorrow and will probably have it sent to the Americus bank. That is the only way I’ll be able to save any money and I do want to have something to start on when I get out of here. I’ll have to pay an income tax this year unless I can get married. I’d probably do that if I could get a leave to come home.

It is sure nice that you have been having fair weather. We are still in our shirt sleeves though some of the boys think it is cold and have to wear their sweaters or peacoats. Wonder what they will do when we get up in the North Atlantic? Maybe I’ll be the one who gets cold then. The leaves are starting to fall but aren’t turning colors yet. I’d sure enjoy having a picnic in the timber but I guess that will have to wait. Some of the boys are getting five day leaves but I can’t get one because the officers say I need ten days to go home and they aren’t granting anything over five days. Oh well, I guess all things come to he who waits. I’m waiting. Almost one of my four years is gone and it hasn’t seemed so long.

Yes, quite a few folks are in Washington. I didn’t know that Leslie Rutledge was there until Alice told me but she didn’t know his address. I would like to go to Washington again but guess I had better save my money. I had a letter from Alice today and she sent a picture of Irene and Anne which I am going to have Josephine put in my album. You can have her show it to you if you wish. It was taken before I was there but it is raining just like the day I visited there.

No I haven’t seen any cranberries, in fact I don’t even know if they grow around here but I don’t have a chance to see them even if they do. I haven’t seen any farms around close and on the trip to Washington the farms I did see were rather small. Lots of the land seemed to be swampy. No, I don’t have much trouble getting around in the cities now. In fact I’m sorta like the Indian who was wandering around in the forest when he met a white man who asked if he were lost. The Indian replied “Me all right, wigwam lost.” Of course, I don’t always know just where I am or East from West but I always get back to the ship on time.

We are rationed pretty close on food but it is cooked good, the best navy food I’ve ever eaten. We don’t go hungry, in fact I can’t begin to eat as much as I could a year ago.

Yes I have my job learned fairly well but all of us have enough to learn yet. I have charge of the refrigeration and the heating system with a chief over me and others who will help if I need them. The others have specific jobs and I’ll help them if they need help so you see we have to know something about nearly all of the ship.

I have a lot of letters to write tonight so guess I’d better get started on some of them.

Paul I believe you have a birthday soon, haven’t you? About Friday, maybe? Happy birthday, brother.

Love to all,

Lester