Friday Photo: Ruth

Happy 1 Year Anniversary to the Blog!

Hope you've enjoyed reading Ruth's letters...and a few other things...

Merry Xmas and a wonderful New Year to all of you

Dear Bob, Lottie, Roxann, Melody, Jill, Mark, and Jackie.

Xmas time is here again but were not making many plans this year.

Seems none of your children here so we just celebrate along maybe Potters will be here for dinner. Buts just seems to me the holidays belong to your own family not to outsiders.

Jessie goes to Clements and Marvin and Marie to Harolds so that leaves us alone.

Its really cold here last few days and no snow but lots of sickness. I think we would feel better if it would snow.

His pen wouldn't write so he took mine but writes for me.

Were both been sick with colds and I still am. He stayed in bed one day but Ive been up doing the work everyday.

Sure hope you have a nice Xmas and Santa is real good to you too.

I have box of candy from girl scouts and can of candy bought from church so thats enough for us.

Sure hope you can send us a nice big leter for our Xmas don't think anything would be nicer, unless you could come have dinner with us. That sure would be just wonderful. but guess Im just dreaming Haven't heard from Martin for so long wonder why he dont write. last we heard just before Fathers day and I wrote said why dont you go get a card send to Dad for fathers day he sure would enjoy that so he did and send him a keytag for his ear keys and thats last we heard from him so not too much difference between you girls and him.

We done pretty good with our cards but not nearly as good as last year.

Hope you all have a wonderful time Xmas and Santa is real good to all of you were sending 2.00 not much but that Social Security check dont stretch very far either. Insurance on house come due in Dec so that come from the cards. But glad were able to see them for me both enjoy selling and meeting old friends.

Merry Xmas and a wonderful New Year to all of you. Lots of love from Dad & Dora

Easter, Birthdays, & Backyard Initiation Celebrations

3-20-86

Lottie & Bob -

Some pertainent information:

1. Received tax stuff rom Betty today and delivered your packet to Henry so he could do your tax work as his time permits. Told him to send everything to you (including stuff from Betty) when it is ready.

Important 2. John has a new unlisted phone number

3. We will be leaving for Wichita Falls very early Mar. 25 and return Mar. 31 - evening. Our tax appt. is Apr. 3.

4. Sonya is excited about the Wichita Falls trip and can't believe she is going to Dallas.

5. Also the announcement is official - Steve, Cindy, Stevie, and Sonya will go to Europe with major cities Copenhagen, Amsterdam, London, Paris - June 27 - July 10.

6. Ricky, Kim & Collyn gave us a surprise visit this evening. We just had the sound movie back in time to show it. It is really quite good except for the tiny part I took of you. It is good of you dishing up potato salad but, alas, your nice face isn't showing, Lottie. Good shots of Bob.

6. Hope you get the package of books O.K. for distribution. We have sorted, mended, shelved and even did some discarding of out whole library. Things are looking up!

7. Today is Jane's birthday and tomorrow Frank's. Our two households will go out to dinner tomorrow, Mar. 21. Then on Mar. 22 all the family that can will be at Steve's & Cindy's for Easter, birthdays, & backyard initiation celebrations.

8. Love you guys and appreciate all your help in the refurbishing projects.

Love,
Marie & Frank

P.S. The grape vine wreath has been put back in its spot in the living room. Ruthie & Jane in their enthusiasm to make "the new room" the best room in the house had snatched it temporarily.

So I can't iron this letter before I send it.

Omaha, Nebr.
Feb. 10, 1944

Marie -

I have written 1 letter and sent a card Tuesday but haven't heard from you lately. Why don't you answer my letter? I remember your birthday is Saturday so I thought I would write a few lines and wish you a happy birthday. When you were born it was cold and snow like we are having in Omaha at the present time. It began snowing last night and has been snowing all day it seems. I haven't been out doors at all today. This snow reminds me of a poem which goes like this - The snow had begun in the glooming, And busily all the day, Had been heaping over ledge and highway.

That is all I remember at present.

I wish you would send me that poem type-written. I thought of it after I had written the few lines about snow.

Have you had any snow in Chicago?

I am glad your father brought me some coal yesterday.

Last Friday Feb. 4th I went to the Creighton dispensary and then the following Tuesday had an X-Ray taken of my chest. Before I had the X-Ray taken I went to the T.B. association and received a letter. I don't remember if you have been there or not. I know Betty has. So now I have been through that. After I had been to dispensary I went to see the lady who has charge of family welfare. She has given me some assistance. I told her what your address was. I hope you didn't mind. Have you heard from her? Well I sincerely hope you can arrange to come to Omaha for good reasons. Just think it is now over 2 years since I began living alone. Do you remember? I am glad I have been able to have the elective light during this time. But right now my iron cord don't work. So I can't iron this letter before I send it. I'll put the letter on the table light and hope it destroys all germs.

Oh by the way have you called at my cousin's address. Please answer about this as I asked you in letters I have written before.

And please answer about those pictures you had taken out at Yakima Washington last September. I haven't received any of those pictures taken. And please have a stamp picture taken and send it to me this time. Marie you must have neglected to send your father any birthday gift.

Tuesday evening we went out to the Admiral and saw "Ida Lupino and Dennis Morgan in 'The Hard Way". It was really quite good and your father thought so too.

I read some time ago where Ida Lupino lives her roles. And that she has insomnia. Also has a great dane (dog). She seems so serious and oh she can certainly dish it out. In this picture also was an actress who could have been about my age. I heard somebody else say that they had notived how along all the late pictures there is some-one in the picture of an older generation. Oh yes that is perhaps to show the younger people how they may look at about middle age. No-body stays the same do they? But I heard one time that men don't. Well at any rate it goes on and on from one generation to another. Did you ever read or hear how France and Germany have had wards for the last 5 hundred years? Your cousin Joseph is out at Fort Ord, California. I gave Betty the address so she could write him a letter if she wishes to do so.

Oh there is so much snow in front of my back door I can't open it.

Oh your father told me the last time I saw him that Corrine H. was in the hospital. Had a baby boy but it didn't live. That was a case where it didn't take much brains to get married. The man she married had been married before and had one child.

This is from a story I read Quote "It is astonishing how little training or brains a girl needs to get married." Unquote.

Please answer me about the apron.

Did you ever stop to think you have to be reasonable what I mean is when you begin thinking things out?

You really should write your father after each time that you receive the money.

Have you asnwered Elin's letter?

I can hear the wind blowing to-night.

I must close and do I need to remind you to write?

As ever,
I am,
Your Mother.

P.S. Could you please send my mother some doughnuts? Thank you.

Friday Evening.

Marie -

I didn't send this letter yesterday so I will add a few more lines. I thought perhaps I would hear from you to-day.

I thought of a few lines of a poem and it seems quite the way I feel.

Lead kindly light amid th enclustering gloom,
Lead Thou me on,
I do not ask to see the distant scene,

The night is dark and I am far from home.
One step enough for me
Lead Thou me on.

Please correct mistakes.


And now wishing you many happy returns of the day.

Do you still have that pretty birthday card I have you back in 1940? It was pretty enough to frame.

You Just Have the Wrong Attitude

Lincoln, Nebr.

Oct 23, 1957

Dear Marie -

I have been waiting to hear from you. I wish you would take time to write a few lines and answer my letters.

I was going to write and let you know about my-self. On Oct. 7th 1957 the book-keeper who takes care of the books for the people I work for was here. I talked to her about my social security. And she told me that I could draw 30 dollars a month if I was unemployed. And $25.00 if employed.

Now Marie you said quite some time ago that I could come out to Arizona and I have been planning to come now that Frank is better I am glad to hear that.

Marie I could pay you for what you will do for me.

And something else I have cut out some aprons and one I have basted stitches on temporarily. That way it wouldn't be difficult to see how I wish the aprons sewed. And the one can be an example for the others. Now I would like for you to sew the aprons and hoping it isn't asking too much. I was thinking they could be Christmas gift for each of your sisters and one for you and my-self one. You see I don't have a machine to sew on here.

Take out the basting stitches a few at a time. The pockets are different and you could sew bias tape around them. You can sew the kind and pick out the pocket you like best for your-self. I hope you don't mind me writing that I intend to send you the aprons before asking you. But you are so slow in writing. It must be about 5 months since I heard from you.

I wrote and mentioned to Lottie that I would like a black fountain pen. This pen isn't very good.

I wrote to the Coast Guard but haven't received any answer about Martin. I don't think the Red Cross can help me as I had hoped they would. Have you any suggestions about Martin? I think you should have taken far more interest in Martin when Martin was with you and then living with Lottie. You should have talked things over seriously. Now according to the dictionary - serious means - thoughtful, grave in manner or disposition; not jesting, in earnest, as I am serious about this; gravely important, as we have suffered serious losses. I haven't heard from Martin for a long time.

Will you kindly write to your father to come to Lincoln as soon as possible please? It is important, something I wish to see him about. I thought that when I could come out to Arizona you could see how I get along in 2 weeks. That is what they said out at the hospital when I was there years ago now. Then if a patient got along all right they could stay on the out-side as the hospital people called it.

Now when I talked to Mrs. Leopold she said that she had heard from you, and that you said I would still be under the hospital. Why, was I ever surprised Marie about you. I could hardly believe it. You just have the wrong attitude. When I think of all the education you have and then how wrong you are in important matters. It don't seem to do any good to try and explain. I have wished for you to understand me better by the clippings. I have sent you or my point of view.

Oct. 7th 1957 the lady I work for said to me, "Quote - You have one son-in-law who is a lawyer and one son-in-law who is a minister. They are supposed to teach what is right." And I couldn't remember all she said but she can talk on that subject on and on.

I am so unhappy here so weary I can't keep the tears back as I write this.

When you receive this letter please write a few lines to your father asking him to come to Lincoln to see me. You know he may pay some attention to you when you write to him.

Let me know how you like the clippings.

Not so long ago there was an article in the paper about how people should sign for a person who was on parole. The article was by a Doctor.

Please answer as soon as possible and read over my letter as you write. Thank you.

I would like my freedom from the hospital.

The articles about the churches and prison are for Frank.

Please excuse me if I have repeated anything.

I will now close for this time.

As ever,

I am

Your Mother.

Ruth's Christmas Letter, 1951

Lincoln, Nebr.
Dec. 17, 1951

Dearest Marie -

I received your welcome letter and the money enclosed also greeting card. Later received the nice little letter from your little girl [Becky?] and thank you for all. About the money you sent it pleases me very much that you wrote quote "Anything you choose to do with that gives you pleasure will give us pleasure." Un-quote.

I hear from Martin and oh was I ever glad to hear that he is now staying with Lottie. So you may send the present you intend to to send him in (care of Lottie.) I too am going to give him some-thing. I am hoping that your father will come soon and I wonder if you did me the favor I asked of you when I last wrote. It was to call your father by long distance telephone and ask him to come and visit me. I have been staying from church instead of going. The reason so that I would be here if any company should come. At least one reason that I have not been attending as I had been going.

Last week the O.T. department had a program. They gave out little paper dogs and am enclosing the 1 I picked out. Refreshments were served also.

In a letter I received from Lottie she wrote that Bob was going to visit his siter and brother in Omaha. I hope that your father's car is in order and also that your father and Bob will come to visit me for sure. Now when you receive this card if you have not alrady called your father please do so at this season. Thank you dear. And you wrote "Now we all wish you the very best Christmas of all." My wishes are expressed within this card.

Write soon.
Mother.

P.S. The little dog is for Ruthie
Thank your little girl for the penny enclosed.

Elin's Christmas Letter, 1964

1964
Colville, Wash-
Sat.

Dear Mother:

Thought I'd better write a note in this Xmas card. We are fine.

We have had some terrible cold weather. It was 19 below zero the first part of last week. To-day its 10 degrees above zero.

I received the Oakland papers. Thank you for sending them. I felt awfull sorry about hearing of Mrs. Nylander's death. I got a letter and card from Elizabeth the other day. She said in her letter her Dad died in 1962. I guess he was at a Rest Home in Omaha. Elizabeth & Family live at Grandview, Wash. This is the first I've heard from them in a long time. One thing nice about Xmas you hear from friends and relitives you don't hear from the rest of the year. I haven't heard from Lottie, Marie or Betty yet at this Xmas season but there's time yet.

I have been working steady. I do Baby sitting. I go at 8 A.M. in the morning and work till 5:15 P.M. at nite.

I work for a girl that works in a dentist's office.

I take care of a 13 mo old Baby so I'm kept pretty busy. Last nite I took care of 2 children while their folks went Xmas shopping.

It's really beautiful out now with all the new hallen snow.

Really look's like Xmas.

Guess I'd better get this in the mail as the mail comes early. Hope you have a good Xmas & hope you hear from all your family at this Holiday Season. I'm gong to make out a card to Garfield to-day also.

Merry Xmas - and a happy New Year -

Love Elin and Family -

Martin's Christmas Card

May the blessings...

1954

Jill Johnson Mattingly

Friday Photo: Santa

1952

Jill Johnson Mattingly

Mark Johnson

Jacque Johnson Burkhalter

from left to right

Elin's Christmas Card, 1965

note Ray and Elin's names on the front of the card

Nathan's Santa Letter, 1977

I was unaware that Santa hurt his neck in 1977...

Dear Santa,

I am sorry that you hurt your neck. So, can I take your place Christmas night?

Sighed,
Nathan

P.S. I am 7 years old. If I get to go only want 2 helpers and all of the reindeers especially Rudolf. My cousin Sara wrote this. By!

There is a cookie for yoy!

Ruth's Christmas Letter, 1949

Dec. 21, 1949

Marie dear -

I received the 2 cards from you this morning and I was pleased to hear from you. Thank you very much for the pretty handkerchief and for the present you are sending.

I received a box from Betty which was kind of her.

Martin and your father were here to visit me a few weeks ago. I was glad to see Martin as you can well image [imagine]. I expect them to come and visit some time soon when weather is fair for traveling. I am thankful for Martin has returned safely. Pardon me if I repeat anything I have written before. Yes I wish you would wrote and answer my letter as you wrote you would on the card. If there is anything I need I will let you know. But what I wish is that I may be dismissed. I was here last Christmas also you know.

Mother.

Christine's Christmas Letter, 1942

Oakland
dec 29 1942

Dear Marie & Husband

I thank jau sa much for the nice box af good tings to eat. Wonder have jau can fine time for all vork. Garfield David vas her Christmas day. I have recieved over 40 cards a box candy from Elin. Glad to here from  Elin. I am well but et is hard to valk upp town My hart is veek and in walking et also hurth my back ve have Sunchan and nice weather we have recieved visit from Chicago a Jaung Lady her name is Rutie Durand She came to stay ve like to have her She is pruttie Thanks for the Picture

I have 2 more letters to writ sa I can not writ a lang letter Thanks for all and Gad bless oss all

Love and greetings
from me,
Jour Grandma

Martin's Christmas Card, 1949

Christmas Program: "Jesus wants me for a sunbeam"

click to enlarge

Ruth's Christmas Letter, 1942

Oakland, Nebr.
Dec. 24, 1944

Marie - 

I received your letter and the $1.00 and thank you very much. I received this postal card from Elin and I am sending it to you. I was so anxious to hear from her if she received the dresser. I even sent a night letter to her about it. Let me know what she sends you for Christmas presents will you please?

I received a pair of bed room slippers from your father a few days ago. They were just the kind I like and they fit me too. That was thoughtful of him to think I needed them.

Don't you miss Betty now? I do and I remember last Christmas day we went to the Muse theatre to see Alice Faye, and Betty Grable in another picture. Both were in technicolor.

It has been quite cold weather here and now the ground is covered with snow.

I haven't had an card or letter from Lottie real lately. I sent her that little Christmas tree that had been yours. I put it in a shoe box and I hope that they all will enjoy the little tree. So now you know where it is and I think nice that, that the little tree is still in the family. If you wish to, you may sent Lottie's letter but I hope to hear from her soon.

So you have one of those sno suits for your little girl? I hope so for I think they are so pracitcal and you remember we sent more than 1 pair to Elin for her children when they were small. I wonder if her children wore them out. Don't you?

I have a few more things to do here and I hope, I hope that I can soon go to Omaha. I am over at Mrs. Backlund's some-times.

Please write soon and read over my letter as you answer it. I will close now and say good-by.

As ever,
I am,
Your Mother.

P.S. (Please excuse pencil.)

"There is a list of folks I know"

click to enlarge

Garfield's Christmas Letter, 1950

1950

Dear Marie & Family

Thanks for the letter received some time ago.

I plan to retire Oct 1st. Yes I would like to travel out that way some time.

We are having nice weather now, no snow on the ground although we had a cold speel a couple of weeks ago.

Hope that all is well with you and the rest of your family.

With love & sincere greetings from Garfield, Dave, and Ida

Friday Photo: Father & His Daughters

1958

Lottie Jensen Johnson, Betty Jensen Pritchett Light, Lars Jensen, Marie Jensen Durand

In Memoriam: Lars Peter Jensen

click to enlarge

Are squirrels a part of the 12 Days of Christmas?

1950s

Jill Johnson Mattingly

Again...October 31...Reformation Day???