Mark is artistic...

Here I Am

I HOPE

MARCH 5, 74

DEAR MOTHER.

I AM SENDING YOU A $ DOLLAR MONEY ORDER FOR MARCH, 1974. I WILL GET A SHIP IN 2 OR 3 WEEKS - I HOPE.

YOUR

SON,

Martin

Riot Squad

Dear Mr & Mrs

June 24, 1941

Dear Mr & Mrs -

Your news was quite a pleasant surprise - and may I offer you both all the best wishes in the world.

Naturally there are a thousand and one questions I would like to ask, but instead will only hope that you two will write and let us know your address and tell us how you get along on your new venture.

I know that you will be happy and from experience I can assure you that each day and each week will bring you more happiness than the last.

There's an old line that just about tells you what I'm trying to say - "May the worst day you ever have be better than the best year you ever had."

Bob

P.S. That goes for me, too, kids. All the luck and happiness in the world to you both. Let us know when you get our package. I had the store send it out, so I'm rather anxious about it. Write soon, won't you, and give us all the details!

Love from us both,

L & B

Friday Photo: Kindergarten!

1953-54

Mark Johnson, far right bottom row

(Mary-Baby)

Her New Pukeproof Pad

January 1980

Monday PM

Hi Mom & Dad

Just wanted to write and thank you again for everything this past weekend. I only wish we'd had more time - all that strenuous shopping wore me out!

Marian is still sick. She shared her dinner with me in south Seattle. Fortunately she was laying on her new pukeproof pad so it wasn't such a disaster. Dad, I'm infinitely grateful for that gift!!!

Then she did it again when we got home - I'd used Ma's super duper foolproof medicine hold and no sooner said "Aha! I got you!", the she got me - allllllll over! Today she's been pretty sleepy so I think she's on "the road to recovery"!!

Anna loves her pjs - She cried real tears when I made her get dressed today.

Forgot to tell you just how much the girls like their lamps, too. Its one less thing to fight about (light on or off) at bedtime.

And I forgot to put up your hair. Sorry ma...

Also, I'll bring the b'day cake on the 23rd - if you'd rather I do something else just let me know.

Love, J & all

Lars P Jensen, age 85 years

Thanks for being my mom

To-day is a beautiful day.

Omaha, Nebr.

Oct. 2, 1947

Marie -

I received your letter dated Sept. 16th and I was delighted to hear from you. I have intended to write sooner. To-day is a beautiful day. I am still here but expect to leave here soon. It will seem wonderful to breath air in the big out-of-doors. I have not been out side very recently. I go to the sewing class in the afternoon except Saturdays. I am now crocheting on a hot pan holder. It is the 8th article I have made. Also I changed the way a dress I have was made in the front.

You asked me in your letter what my intentions were. Well I asked your father to go and talk to the Dr. about my being released from the hospital. He did go one time but I wished that he would go again. I was thinking that I oculd stay out at his house for a short time. But I haven't been out to his house and I wished we could agree about on matters so to speak. So the next time your father comes out I think I will tell him that I may go out to Clearview home which is about 10 miles West of Benson. There was an article in last night's paper about the County hospital which said being this department was crowded some patients is to go to Clearview. I have worded this as near as I can remember. Thank you for writing that my wishes are the main thing to be considered.

Now about shoes I think it would be better to buy them here. So Marie would you send me the money which I will appreciate very very much. Also I need money for other things and you know Marie you haven't sent me any money since I have been here. And didn't you write at one time that you were going to send me $10.00 a month?

So Marie as I will be needing money how about sending me ten dollars the next time you write? The money and valuables are kept in a safe for patients. And I may leave here soon so could you send your letter with the money air mail and have the letter insured with a return card made out? No it would not be a suitable place in your father's garage to store things. My things are stored Marie and I wish I could go and get my sweater you sent me some time ago. I like the long sleaves in it.

It was nice that you had a pleasant vacation on your trip. Were your children with you?

I hope Martin is all right and that he can attend school which is closest to where Lottie lives. I wrote to Lottie but haven't heard from her in answer to my letter. Please write to her and ask her to write to me.

I mush close and please write as soon as you reeive this letter. And also enclose money.

I have been writing this letter with the tablet in my lap.

Also when you write to Betty remind her to write to me some time. I haven't heard from Elin yet.

Good-by for this time.

I am, As ever

Your Mother.

In care of County hospital.

P.S. I hope I can arrange to buy the shoes after you send the money Marie. And thanking you in advance.

Oklahoma's corn and tomato crops

July 14 1966

Dear Dad -

Good to hear from you. Happy to hear all the news from up there.

You mentioned Mel was visiting Rox on Orcas Island. What are they doing there? Did they move or something?

As of today we have received two very indefinite postcards from Mother and Jacque. We sure hope to hear more soon. We'd better.

By the way - why hasn't Mark cashed that check we sent him in April. He'd better do it before it gets too old. Besides, it tempts me to overdraw on our account when I know there is still that two hundred to back up a hot check. Thanks.

I'm getting bigger every day! My abdomen measures 41 inches now - even bigger than my rear end! My clothes are getting bigger, though I've lost weight. Hooray! I'm feeling good for the most part, but I'm having a few distressing problems: I'm perpetually water logged and I tore a muscle in my back - right between a couple of ribs. It hurts, and now I can't lft or stretch until it healds - about another month to six weeks. I tore it at work lifting some books while taking inventory about a month ago. I'll learn better some day.

This heat wave were having certainly is bad. Oklahoma's corn and tomato crops are pretty much gone. It's too hot for me. I do wish it would rain.

Must go - I see the postman down the street. God bless you! Write again soon!

Much love from

Jill

Our work here grows more interesting by the day

UNITED STATES ARMY

28 Oct 1944

Dear Durands -

Thank you so much for your combined letter - and my apologies for not being more prompt to answer.

Melvin was down for a weekend, and we had quite a visit. It was good to see him again, and it was pretty rough on us both to say goodbye. He is back on his ship, and by this time may be in action again.

Our work here grows more interesting by the day - We are studying all phases of communication, attending classes day and night, and the training I am receiving will be valuable after this affair is finished.

Jean wrote that you had called, and she was pleased to have the opportunity of talking with you.

Things at home are going smoothly, according to L's letters. Melody Jean is feeding well, and growing pre schedule.

I'll not try, however, to give you the news from Tacoma - L can do that much beter than I.

I was happy that you, Marie, could take Ruthie to Tacoma with you. I feel certain that her presence had a great effect on Roxy, and helped her grow - for she has developed so much in the past few months.

Must write a lot of letters, and time is limited, so 'bye for now - Let me hear from you when you have an opportunitity - please!

Sincerely,

Bob

Oh, Christmas Tree! (in February)

I wore my hat

April 29, 1951

Dear Marie -

To-day is Sunday afternoon and I may write if I wish. First may I thank you for the pretty Easter card and the money enclosed which you sent me? I attended church services to-day from 2 to 3 o'clock and I wore my hat which was given to me when I attended a style show.

It is Betty's turn to write to me and I hope she and her family are all well. Have you heard from her recently? I did not have any letter from her at Easter time.

I sent Elin a birthday card last Sunday. Would you write to her and remind her to send me a Mother's day card?

Lottie sent me an Easter card also and later I received a box of cookies. Will you kindly send a few lines to her and let her know that I received them and thank her very much.

Thank you for sending an Easter greeting card to my cousin Anna.

I received a letter from Dora post-marked April 15. This is the 1st letter I have written since D. wrote about Martin. I have no heard any-thing since. Please let me know if you have heard anything about Martin because I am worried. Surely you understand.

It will soon be Mother's day and I suppose that you wish to send me some gift. I was going to write and let you know that I would appreciate some money. I can then try and see about some glasses for my-self. If you send a Mother's day card there may be space in-side where you could write also on the back of the greeting card. Will you send a greeting card soon as you can and hope that you don't mind if I remind you? It would be wonderful if your father would come for me on mother's day.

My best wishes to you and family.

My address is on the envelope.

Love from your Mother.

I AM GONGING TO GET A SHIP

5/5/73

DEAR MOTHER.

I CAN NOT COME TO OMAHA AT THIS TIME. BUT WILL COME LATER THIS YEAR. I AM GONGING TO GET A SHIP THIS MONTH SO I CANT'S COME TO OMAHA. I AM SENDING YOU A MONEY ORDER FOR $75.00 DOLLARS FOR MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE AND JULY.

LOVE,

Martin

Around the World with Minne

Jill's Baptism

click to enlarge

I am still in the dark

May 21, 1942

Dear Mason Street Family,

It was good to hear from you again - and just think I'm answering only two weeks later. Quite a record for the Jensen family.

Your proposed schedule for coming out sounds find. It will be convenient to us and if it is to you too, that's swell. By the way, what is the arrangement for Martin for the summer? Are Marie and Frank going to be in Omaha?

Jean wrote that she had seen Marie one noon hour. Said Marie promised to call her and have lunch together sometime. Have you had an opportunity to get together yet?

Mom wrote that Pop has changed jobs and is now working for the Omaha Bakery. How come? And since when?

By the way, what happened to all the branches of the Parrish family when they moved out. I hadn't even known Mr. Parrish had died.

That's pretty good about Frank's brother getting married. Marie and Frank should be right in their glory and make the most of the situation.

Now I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings or seem ungrateful, but frankly, I don't think much of the names Lobert and Bertie. I still think Hepsibah is much nicer. Incidentally, we still aren't decided on a name.

I sent a little polo shirt for Martin's birthday. Let me know if it came all right. I am now working on his others.

Our friend, Mrs. Kitchen was sick in bed for two weeks, so Bob and I moved over and kept house while she was incapacitated. They have two little kids and Meade (Captain Kitchen) was not home. He just arrived Saturday after three months at Fort Knox. Evelyn is all well now and we came home Friday. I had Martin's present all wrapped and ready to mail over there, but no address. That accounts for his birthday gift being late - I had to wait until we got home to look up 3151.

Mom wrote that she disapproves of your coming out. I hope you can iron out this difficulty. Knowing how set of mind she can be, I know that is not easy. She gave us no reasons for not wanting you to come, so I am still in the dark as to why. I wrote her this morning, and did my best to win her over. We are still expecting you, but if there should be any change, let me know as soon as possible.

By the way did I tell you I got a new watch for our anniversary? And did I thank you for your sweet telegram? I meant to, of course, for it was certainly nice of you.

Anyway Betty - hope to see you the middle of June sometime.

Love,

Bob & Lottie

Friday Photo: Hugh

Hugh Cumming

early 1970s

A Boat

by Mark Johnson

Today is mid-summer's day

Omaha, Nebr

June 21, 1946

Marie -

I received your letter yesterday and I was glad to hear from  you. I suppose by the time you were through packing you were very tired. You didn't mention in your letter what day you left Chicago. I suppose you can notice if the air is fresher there than in Chicago. Especially after the rain one can notice how clean the air seems. We have had rain here also and the roses down at Neff's are very pretty. You know how nice their yard is in the summer time. That reminds me that today is mid-summer's day which means that it is the longest day in the year. In some foreign countries they have quite a celebration on the 21st of June.

Marie I think that will be a good idea if you will come sooner than the Durands and we can visit and talk things over. Then you can take the train and let me know in plenty of time so I can meet you. There was an article in the paper about Frank and I will let you see it when you come as I saved it.

Have you heard from your sisters lately?

I hope you have your pictures along with you.

I suppose this is the first time you have met Frank's aunt. Is there a lake close by?

I hope Marie you will come now by train ahead of the others and please Marie come as soon as possible and I hope you are rested by the time this letter reaches you. Marie I was thinking that it would be better to take a train that arrives in Omaha in the afternoon. So I think that when you receive this letter plan ahead what day you are going to leave and then write and let me know what time the train will be in Omaha. I would rather you come on the train that arrives in the afternoon and if not in the afternoon why in the evening will be all right too. So here is hoping you have the best of arrangements about your trip.

I must close now and walk down to the corner and mail this.

So good-by until I see you in person.

As ever, I am,

Your Mother.

P.S. Your father received a shirt from Betty for father's day, also card.

We now have an opportunity

click to enlarge

MAY 11, 1974

DEAR MOTHER.

I AM SENDING YOU $45.00 DOLLARS IN A MONEY ORDER THAT IS FOR MARCH APRIL AND MAY. AND A BOTTLL OF FRIIVEH PERFUME FOR YOU ON MOTHERS DAY.

YOUR SON,

Martin

Bobby Bripun's Birthday Party

Human Talking Machine

I have received 3 Christmas cards

Note the red censor pen

Dec. 19, 1948

Marie dear -

I sent you a Christmas card with the letter I wrote and hope you received it. I have received 3 Christmas cards so far and I wonder if I will receive as many as I did last year. Don't you wonder if you will receive the high number of about 100 that you received last year?

I sent my brother Joe and Blanche a greeting card and enclosed that article you sent about Joe Norby.

Marie I wish to remind you that I don't want you to forget to send Martin the dictionary. And please pick one out that has plain and large letters. Now please pay attention and respect my wishes. Send the dictionary and the kodak pictures to Martin to your father's address. Also sent to kodak pictures for me to 2511 Emmett Street. Thank you.

I am hoping that I may be dismissed when Martin comes. It is now 5 1/2 months since you were here Marie. How I wish I could breathe some fresh air. (?) It seems almost embarrassing to mention in each letter that I write about being dismissed from the hospital. But I wish that there wouldn't be some excuse brought up. I feel so weary at the present time. (?)

You haven't answered my question if you have written to Mr. Mullen. I wish you would pause and think about my problem. Must I remind you again to please respect my wishes. Is it to much to ask? But if I may be dismissed when Martin comes I shall try to remember to write you as soon as possible. And I will tell you then about my belongings which are in storage. Oh I hope my things are safe.

I had a nice card from my brother Garfield and I am wondering if he will help me and if I can stay at his house. He has enough room. 

Please write soon Marie and perhaps you had better send your letter air-mail. I must close with Christmas greetings to your all. Be sure and send my cousin Anna in Chicago a card and handkerchief.

From Mother. 

Recipes: Fried Chicken, Pork Chops, and Lemon Sauce

Feb. 10, 1952.

Dearest Marie -

I have written to you but I have received no answer. So being that it is your birthday Tuesday I thought that I would write and wish you a happy birthday. I would like to see you a greeting card but I don't think I have any at the present time. I have hemmed 2 dish towels and did some fancy work on them. Now I am making a white apron which I intend to send you and excuse me that the gifts will be late for your birthday but hope I may send them when I have the apron ready. That is mail them myself.

As you see by the stationary I am still here. I wrote to Martin and Lottie last Sunday also my cousin Anna in Chicago. I have not heard from Lottie when Bob was here a month ago yesterday. Would you please write a few lines to Lottie to answer my letters. Thank you.

When I wrote to Lottie I sent her a recipe for beef soup and I hope she will send the recipe to you and please remind her when you write to her. Being that it is soon your birthday I thought you may want to prepare something special and maybe have chicken.

Lemon sauce.

3 egg yolks

1/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup melted butter

Juice 1 lemon

1/3 cup whipped cream

Directions. Beat egg yolks slightly; add sugar and cook in top part of double boiler over boiling water, stirring until thick. Pour in melted butter, and let stand until cold. Add lemon juice then whipped cream.

Fried chicken.

Chicken should be rolled in salted flour, browned in butter, steamed slowly for 1 hour, hot water added, then cooked down low with the lid off until brown.

Pork chops

Should be rolled in salted flour and cooked in a deep skillet with plenty of fat. Then fried quickly to a rich brown, turned and browned on other side, steamed gently for 20 minutes.

Hope you will like the above recipes Marie.

There has been so much in the papers about the royal family and I have been reading what was of interest I thought. Have you read the news from England in papers out there?

Thank you again for writing that you give me permission to go to the city. I surely hope I may soon. And oh will you kindly write to your father to some for me as he said he would. Or call him by telephone. Marie if you write very soon could you send me 1 or 2 dollars please. Thanking you in advance. Best wishes. And please write soon.

As ever, Your Mother.

P.S. Please may I remind you to write Street or Avenue after Diamond.



I hate the sight of a patch

Dear Lottie and Family

Just a few lines to thank you for the nice Fathers Day Gifts. Oh everything was just fine. Tell all the grandchildren they couldnt of found a nice gift that pleased him more than that candy. Honor hound candy I have strict instructions do not put any of that in that candy dish for the kids to eat it all up go to the store and get some other candy for that. For I want this candy for myself so I bought a pkg of candy put in there for me & any kids that come in for that other is his.

That cover for the day bed is grand I wanted a new cover but he thought that old one I made out of the drapes woman next door gave me was just fine seems hes so afraid we will spend a dollar ever since I got the money Marvin gave me. he wasn't so afraid to spend a dollar before but since we got that hes just positively miserly. there I got it off my chest. but its true.

Those cushions are so nice. everything was so nice and thanks for all of them its 10:30 and Im just taking care of his eyes and next comes his back. he didn't get up till 9:30 and I said breakfast first eyes & back later. but I get hungry and he needs the sleep so why not favor me too when I leave him sleep. This letter sounds like I'm out of sorts this a.m but Im not. Ive stayed home all day the 4th both Sunday and Monday I told him Id rather stay home I dont care for the fireworks but Jessie always did. Clements had to take her to fireworks every 4th she wanted us to go too but I didnt want to and neither did Lars he said just a big jam.

Seems we both miss Jessie so much for me picker her up nearly every Sunday at church then here for dinner take her home in evening then we were there once and sometimes twice every week and its lonesome without her. Then I dont or rather Lars dont have any one to do his patching and neither would Martin every time she come over he always brought out something and start to fix it and she would take it and fix it for him for I wont patch and never would and I dont care. I hate the sight of a patch. I darn his sweaters and dont mind but I will not patch them.

I told him next time Ruth come I was going to tell her to patch it I wont.

I intend to write to Mrs Schultz and have Ruth come on bus like she did before then we can take her to Blair and next day take her to bus Station then she can get to go to Blair and go see her friend out on West Maple and any place else she wants to go.

Sure wonderful you girls could all be together. I bet you all enjoyed it. we would enjoyed it too but our traveling days are over now. Lenas aunt in Elsie Nebr celebrated their golden wedding anniversary there I wrote it so you just laugh and say she meant well but just dont spell like she used to do.

O yes does Bob still have his coin collection. well I got a 1932 penny and if he wants it Ill send it to him.

So Albert & Lena and Lena's Aunt in Taft come to Elsie then drove on here but her aunt went on Bus to see another Sister.

They come Tues a.m. had dinner took Mrs B to Bus stattion back had lunch next day Lena went shopping I went along and Thursday they left and I was in bed rest of day and Friday I was so tired not sick just lazy tired.

Weve had so much rain.

Write oftener for we do get awful lonesome too. and a nice letter is lots of pleasure.

Jeans said we missed the 4th so there taking us on a picnic Sunday instead.

Lots of love to all of you and Thanks for the nice things write soon Dad & Dora