"It's like throwing one's money away"

Omaha, Nebr.

Jan. 23, 1947

Marie -

I received your letter to-day also money enclosed. Also received your letters dated Dec. 4, Dec. 19 and Jan 8th. Also Christmas card and birthday card with the letters also the money. And the pictures of your two little girls for which I thank you and all I have mentioned above.

Now I will try and answer each letter Marie for I have much to write about.

I am quite busy and the days have been short but now are longer. I try to accomplish much work as possible and there is so many things to do.

Your father ordered 1 ton of coal for me while the weather was below zero. I payed the man to carry the coal in for me. I have a little wood for the time being. Yes I am still receiveing County Assistance.

I let Dora read the letter you wrote. What about your father buying a house? So Marie do you mind writing and asking Dora any questions?

In the letter you wrote Dec. 19th you said you would send me more money and I can't express in words how I appreciate it. I have had quite a time trying to buy cotton stockings. I hope I have success the next time. I ask for stockings down town. I did buy a pair of rayon ones and oh it is like throwing one's money away because of the poor quality.

I had already heard about Lottie's baby when at the time your letter was received. Don't you think if Lottie had stayed in the hospital for 2 weeks the baby perhaps would not have caught such a cold? I have sent you, Lottie and Betty the same advise about taking care of your-selves at a time when you give birth to a child. Think it over or have you forgotten already?

I do not know if you want me to repeat the lines to refresh your memory? Let me know the next time you write please. Will you?

Yes I know that Betty has been with Lottie and I am glad she was able to travel while in a delicate condition her-self. Remember how undecided I was about Betty going out to Tacoma to be with Lottie when her first baby came? You were living in the up-stairs house where you moved from the little flower apartment. And there Betty and Martin went to live with you for the first time.

That was nice that you could have a tree at the house where you live. Did you have a star or an angel up at the top of the tree? In case you remember you may answer.

Perhaps by this time you have sent the baby quilt to Betty for her baby. It was beautiful.

I am selling things that I don't need. You know the davenport that you covered? Well I had no use for it. So I called different furniture stores if they would want to buy it. And no one was interested so I thought I would have it taken apart and perhaps have a table made from the wood. So when a furniture man came out who repairs furniture said how much would I want for it. Then said he had a side-board that he would trade for it and $4.00. So that is what I did exchanged as I have written above. I cleaned the davenport first and brushed the top part that you covered with that green material.

Louis Palmo as you know was in a German prison camp but is now discharged from the Army. I think he is married though I don't know for sure. I have seen him with a nice looking young lady up at Safe-way store a few times. And this lady is dressed real nice. I saw Anna May a few weeks ago and she looked rested and real happy. As for as I know she is still single.

G. Palatto is still working down at Neilner's store. And Mildred has been keeping company with a young man who has been in the service. As far as I know at this date she is still single and 25 years of age.

Corrine H. was in Omaha but she left again. She has had 3 children and 1 died. Her husband has been in the service also.

Josephine Cannon has been married 2 times and has 2 children and the last I heard she was separated from her last husband and was going to get a job.

I talked to Mary T. a while back and you know who I man. Joe Monari's relatives. I said some thing about the house being painted where she lives because I am not quite sure which house she lives in. She said yes, and that her father painted the back whils she painted the front of the house.

In the letter you wrote to-day you asked me why don't I write. Well it seems I have been so tired and when I wrote I wanted to write an interesting letter to you, Marie. I hope I have succeed.

And now about Betty's having a baby I think she could just as well have waited longer. I hope she don't take air any more and that she can nurse her baby. I have a card I intend to send her about a speedy recovery with dark pink roses on it. I think the card is pretty. And by the way I want to thank you for the nice Christmas and birthday cards you sent again.

I stayed at home Christmas day, but I was to the Lutheran Women's home on Christmas Eve. Perhaps you remember I used to speak about the Scandinavian Home, well the Lutheran Home is the same. The day before I stopped and asked the lady if I could come and she asked another lady and yes I could come. Oh they served such a de-   food in Swedish style. All the way from white lute fish to rice pudding with I think 3 nuts in pudding. After-wards there was piano playing by a lady who played with-out notes I think. Then later bible reading and singing of Christmas songs. Then there was a tall tree and persents were given out. And candy passed aroud and I ejoyed the evening. It seemed like such a change to me. And you know at this time I wish to mention that I had hoped that at some-time when you had the time that you could go with me up there. But the time never came. And while I was married to your father I found no time my-self to go there. So you can image what a change it was for me. I can remember a time hen we were living at the apartment on Capitol Ave. and we had just moved from Dow City. You were a baby and I was on the street car carrying you. The lady up at the Home was on the street car too and I spoke to her. She said for me to come and see them some time and bring your little darling along who was you.

This year I did not receive any-thing from Mrs. Bergquist. They have moved now. I received from the World-Herald an order that I could buy for 2 and 1/2 dollars worth which I did, at a grocery store.

P.S. Please write soon.

From, Your Mother.