Dead People in the Basement: April 2010

Thursday, April 29, 2010

"Thankyou very much for the rock collection"

"We are anxious to see see your Norby story"

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

$45.00

10/4/1974

DEAR MOTHER.

I AM SENDING YOU $45.00 DOLLARS FOR THE MONTHS OF AUGHT OCTOBER AND SEPTEMBER.

YOUR SON,

Martin

European Adventures: "Plans have changed a bit"

"I'd dearly love to see a real Norwegian farm and home."

More Lottie & Marie European adventures...just don't tell the Swedish & Danish relatives that Norway was on the itinerary.

Monday, April 26, 2010

"Marian learned to roll over and over and over"

June 29, 1979 (from postmark)

Tuesday

Hi Dad -

Just talked to Mark yesterday. This Monday, the man sez. Today I will order the lumber. Could you send up 2 thousand? (We'd like to borrow 4T total). I'm not sure if the lumber man wants cash or if he'll send a bill - and if it's cash he's gonna take all of Stan's paycheck - and then some! Also the cabinets should be done by the end of the week, too, and I know he wants cash.

This weekend we got the store room emptied (and Marian's room filled) and spent Saturday at the swap meet. We cleared over $80 - not bad for a bunch of junk! Came home with a fantastic sunburn - my face was swollen 'til today - especially my forehead - I looked kinda freaky.

Stan's putting an Amity kit on the kitchen cupboards today and yesterday. Crazy man - he just woke up yesterday and said he had decided to do it - I didn't even nag or even ask.* Weird. Usually he sneaks out to the garden every chance he gets. Anyways, they look gorgeous. *As a matter of fact, I had a box of cherries ready to can that morning - of course, they're still sitting in the frig.

The varnish finally dried on the picnic table - I'm not about to put another coat on it - it'd be August before we could have a picnic. So far, we've eaten outside every day- even breakfast! (It's usually warmer outside than inside. You know me - I pick the warmest possible spot.)

Marian learned to roll over and over and over - 'til she bangs her head on something and cries. Cute kid. She also eats 3 meals a day now. She's pretty cheap to feed though - lots of applesauce!

Anna and Elisabeth have learned to pick everything! The only good strawberries are in the middle of the bed anymore. And they eat all the snowpeas before I ever get there. And every day Anna pulls a carrot up - "Still just a top with no bottom" she says. She'll have them all pulled up before there are any ready to eat! Dumb me - I couldn't figure out why they wouldn't eat much lunch or diner - I thought they should be real hungry since they're outside all day!

Every day the kids ask when Uncle Mark and Grandpa are coming. They're really looking forward to your visit. Anna keeps checking on when Aunt Marie and Grandma are coming too - I don't think she remembers Marie - but I told her that Marie was bringing new clothes and she can hardly wait! If I don't muzzle her she'll probably greet her at the door with "Where's my new stuff?" No, on second thought, that's something Elisabeth might do - but never Anna.

Well, my test is about over. It's so warm in my testroom today I'm about to fall asleep.

Take care - see you next week - love, Jacque

Denmark Adventures, continued...

"I hope there won't be snow in the mail box."

Lincoln, Nebr.

Feb 1965

Dear Marie -

Enclosed you will find greeting card and money order. Perhaps you and Frank can arrange to go out and have a steak dinner the 12th of February.

We had oyster soup in the evening when I was in Omaha with oyster crackers at your father's house.

I was intending to cal you over the telephone last Sunday. It snowed here so I didn't call as you know I telephone from the drug store or at an out-door telephone.

I surely hope that you can some day move to Portland in the not too distant future. But plan as early as possible - why don't you?

I am intending to write to Frank and send him a little book. Hope Frank arrived back to his home safely.

Also I would like to know Becky's correct address. As near as I can read it - it is 4801 North 14th Pl Phoenix, Arizona 85014. Does the Pl stand for Place? I thought that I would send Becky's gift.

And I was thinking I would send you some things which can be put in your mail box.

Don't forget to answer when I call if Pl stands for Place. I like to write the address correct you see.

This pen isn't very good so excuse writing.

With love and best wishes.

In haste) I will send birthday present later.) Mother.

Monday Morning)

We did not get any mail for 2 days. Schools were closed. Please excuse in being late with sending the enclosed birthday greeting card. Also a clipping about the snow.

I read one place it was the most snow that fell at one period in history.

Please ask Frank to write for the family if you don't wish to take time.

I hope there won't be snow in the mail box.

Let me know when you receive this letter. Write soon.

With love and best wishes.

As ever, Mother.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Report Card!

Unlike the previous one, this report card is real...

Friday, April 23, 2010

Photo Friday: The Busy Bees

Thursday, April 22, 2010

"There are no trains running..."

Oakland, Nebr.

June 29th 1944

Marie -

I thought I would write a few lines to let you know I am at Oakland. I have been here over 2 weeks. It is real quite here. There are no trains running on the North Western rail-road. I suppose you know that the reason is because repairs have to be made on the tracks. Really is seems like I were on a vacation.

I had a letter from Dora but not any letter from your father. I hope he don't work too hard.

Please write. I am writing my address to Betty.

Good-by for this time.

I am, Your Mother.

Radio Settings

FYI...If you are in Tacoma and come across my grandmother's car in the junk yard...the radio is pre-set...

1. Jazz PLU

2. Easy Listening

3. Rhythm & Blues

4. Country

5. KING Classics

6. 98.9

7. 101.5

8. Jazz & Oldies 106.9

9. 104.9 Country

10. 101.7 Buzz Talk

Marian

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

"I am Ruth"

Question #1: Who is Margaret? Margaret Norby?

Question #2: How did this letter make its way to Lottie or Marie (and then into the boxes of items in the Basement)?

Observation #1 (confirmed from multiple letters): Taking turns on letter writing was quite important to Ruth!

Omaha Nebr.

Dec. 20, 1966.

Dear Margaret -

It is really your turn to write to me. If you are rested and feel beter why don't you try to write letters?

I am now living in Omaha. I sent you a number of Oakland papers and hope you looked them over. I do not take the Okalnad paper any more. I read Omaha papers.

I hoe you can go out-of-doors and take walks. The weather is wonderful at the present time.

Marie and Lottie were here to visit me this summer. Both are school teachers.

I thought I would send you the enclosed greeting card because it reminds me of the scenery down by the old mill in Oakland. But I don't suppose you remember it or the bridge by the mill.

Hope you will write and let me know that you have received the greeting card from me and this short letter.

My address is on the envelope.

Sincerely,

I am Ruth

P.S. Excuse writing

I never realized the telegram came on tape and then glued to these forms. But this appears to be just how it was done.

1940 Oct 14

)MA263 11 TOUR=NW SEATTLE WASH 16 339P

JEAN M JOHNSON=

1330 FIRST NATL BANK OMAHA NEBR=

ARRIVED SAFELY NOON TODAY. PLEASE TELL LOTTIE WILL WRITE SOON. LOVE=

BOB.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

"When you hear from your relitives and friends"

Northport Wash

Dec 17th 1956

Dear Mother:

Well I guess its been my turn to write for a long time. Now that its Xmas a letter in a Xmas card always is welcome with the Xmas greeting card.

We are all O.K.

I have enjoyed the Oakland paper very much. There is a lot of news of different ones I used to know years back.

Thanks a million for sending it.

The town must of changed a lot in recent yrs according to the paper.

The weather is quite nice here for the time of the year. Last year was such a hard winter.

I am thankful we have plenty of good wood to burn. Ray got a lot of wood this fall so we were prepared for winter.

I got a nice letter and Xmas card from Elizabeth. I was so happy to get it. Two of her boys are in the service. One is in the Air Force and one in the Coast Guards. Her girl lives in Calif.

She has 4 children 3 boys and one girl. The youngest one is home. He must be about 15. They live at Grand View Wash. I guess its close to the coast.

I think Xmas is the most wonderful time of the year when you hear from your relitives and friends.

I guess Stanley and Marilyn will be home for Xmas.

Stanley goes to college here in Wash & Marilyn is nursing in Spokane. This is Stanley's 2nd year in college. He wants to be a doctor. I really think he's got it in him. He says the studies are getting awful hard but I know he's putting all he's got into it. How is the weather in Nebr.?

It usually is pretty cold this time of the year.

I hope you hear from all the family this Holiday season. Here's wishing you a very Merry Merry Xmas & may the New Yr hold a lot happiness for you.

By Now & Again

Merry Merry Xmas

Love Elin and Family

Question: Is Elizabeth a friend or a relative?

Quotable

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Daughter-in-Love

Easter Greetings (yes, a week late)

Saturday, April 17, 2010

"The Golden West"

Kearney, Nebraska

Aug. 3, 1939.

From Mrs. Ruth Jensen

_____________________

Please try and send me a kodak picture of yourself. Or have one taken. I would like to show the nurse as well as have one of you taken out in the Golden West so to speak.

From Your Mother.