Week of Postcards: Japan

Konnichi Wa!

I'm having a great time in Japan. Everything is so different from the U.S. Everything is so small...the cars...the roads...the food...the people...everything! And the trains are so crowded. Just when you think not one more person can get on, 20 more squeeze on. I've never been more smoosed in my life. The food isn't as bad as I had anticipated. Some of the stuff is disgusting, but most of it is actually pretty good. The taxi drivers are crazy. I'm sure one of them is going to kill me before I get home. Tomorrow I'm leaving for my host family & a week at a Japanese high school. Sayonara!

Anna

Week of Postcards: Aalborg

June 3/95

Dear Lottie -

It has been a long trip - left home over a month ago. We spent today in Aalborg - after a couple of days in Finland. Also spent 2 days with the Copenhagen relatives and another 2 days with Ilse. It's all been quite wonderful - Tomorrow we leave for Frankfurt & home.

Love Bets & Ken

Week of Postcards: Chicago

11/9/91

Dear Aunt Lottie,

It is cold here in Chicago, but thankfully, dry. Didn't need to buy the boots. Spent today downtown & saw the incredible, huge, French Impressionist collection at the Art Institute. Money, Renoir, Van Gogh, Toulouse Lautrec, Picasso, O'Keefe (she blended right in), Degas, Modigliani, Pissaro - could've spent days there instead of hours. See you soon, love always,

Robin

Week of Postcards: Nurnberg

10/29/93

Dear Lottie -

We've had a great time motoring through Europe with the Lameanders. Main stops have been Nurenberg, Vienne, Budapest and Prague. Many interesting sights - tell you about it later.

We hope to catch a plane to Dover, Delaware tomorrow & start winding west.

Much love

Betty & Ken

Week of Postcards: Costa Rica

Hello from Costa Rica. I'm having a great time and couldn't be more happy. I miss all of you guys, but I'm really glad that I came. The picture on the front is of Jaco Beach. It is a beautiful beach except for right now since it just got hit by Hurricane "Ceasar" two days ago. Everything in Costa Rica is crazy right now because of the hurricane. I just want to again thank you for your help with sending me here. Because without your help I would not be here right now.

I love you, Marian

Please don't be just half awake

P.S. May be you had better send kodak pictures to your father's address.

Dec. 12, 1948

Marie dear -

I received your note dated Nov. 30th and thank you for sending the short letter to let me know that you had received my letter. That was a nice verse in-side the card you sent me and you wrote at the top a Thanksgiving message and thank you very much. Hope you take care of your cards that are sent you Marie.

You asked about Martin. Yes Martin is coming a few days before Christmas.

I think Marie that you are careless about the kodak pictures not to have taken care of them at the time when you wrote. You know I reminded you different times about the kodak. Hope pictures are ready now.

I wrote to Betty last Sunday and I sent a sample of the kind of material I would like the dress to be. I haven't heard from her having written 2 letters to her now since she wrote.

Marie I thought you would sent more money to the storage Co, without my reminding you. I worry about my belongings. How can I help it? Marie in this letter I will write things which concern me and please don't be just half awake. Marie I wish to be dismissed from the hospital when Martin comes. If the hospital people think I should pay some thing I wish that could be arranged. Have you written to Mr. Mullen? I do some work here each day (ward housekeeping tasks). Now please respect my wishes.

Do you remember how that family you worked for when you were going to Mason School would help those in their family. You know they moved to California. I wish you could think back through the years and trp to realize all that work that I did for you and the other members of our family (?). If I had been working and earning money I would be quite independent now. (?) So please pay attention. I wish that we help each other we whoe are the members of this family. I am enclosing a sample of the dress in case you didn't know the kind I like. Black and write checked size 42 or 44. Mother.

Daily Chatter

We look happy because we are

March 22 (late 1960s)

Dear Dad

I received today both your letters and the package. Thank you so much for the mustard jar! No, I haven't changed my mind about it - I still love it - even more now! It goes so well with all my dishes and entertaining things! Thanks again!

Both of us are working hard - this week is mid-term exams. All the students come crying to the profs or come to study in the library. And they worry a lot, too.

Enclosed is a picture of us. It was taken at our house - we had friends in for dinner. We look happy because we are. We had just found out about great event and so naturally we were elated. We still are! It has made us so happy! We always were, but even more so, now. Anyway - I hope you like the picture.

The weather here is great. Averages are in the high 70's during the day. Today the wind is blowing. About 25 mph. It doesn't happen very often, though. Usually we have just a little breeze from the south at about 7 mph. We like Tulsa. It's such a pretty, nice, friendly town. We're so glad we moved here!

Please do me a favor. Tell your family to write. Nobody in Tacoma ever writes. We enjoy the letters so much, especially yours! Keep writing! We love you!

I should sign off now. I have many things to do yet this evening. Please write again soon. Better yet - why don't you come visit us? We have lots of room and we'd love to have you down! We'd like to show you our town and what we like best of it, and show you off to our friends. After all, not everyone has such a nice dad! Come on down when you can!

God bless you and everyone! We love you all!

Jill & Tibor

Mark sits up alone, has three teeth, is very alert, overweight and short.

December 3, 1948

Dear Marie,

Sorry to hear about your leaving Phoenix. It's always difficult to make a change, but, who knows, perhaps it's for the best. Time will tell.

I really don't know what to say about my coming to Phoenix. I have planned on it ever since you were here. However, Bob has not been working since last May. I worked all summer and fall as cashier & hostess at the Club, taking the boss's wifes place while she was ill. However, she is back working now, so that kind of let me out. They let the week end waitress go, so I'm taking her place. It's just as well, though - I can earn as much in two days as waitress as I did in six days as hostess. It isn't much, but it pays the grocery bill.

Right now Bob has a bee in his bonnet to go to trade school to learn carpentry. It is a two-year course (daytime). He can qualify under the G.I. Plan, so it won't cost anything. Only loss of time and loss of earning power. Needless to say, a house is definitely out of the question uneil our economic situation is settled. Likewise, a trip. I can scarcely afford to jeopardize my earning power as long as Bob isn't working. If Bob gets a job, and things look better here, I'll pack up the kids and be down. Other than that, I don't know what to say.

The children are all fine. Melody has been under a doctor's care. Remember how knock-kneed she is? It seemed to get worse, with one foot turning out as she walked. She didn't seem to be able to run or skip without falling. I've had her to two specialists. One thought she would have to wear braces but the last doctor, a joint specialist, prescribed a different kind of corrective shoe. He made a picture of her legs and said to bring her back in three months. If she doesn't improve, he thought she should have braces. He called it an uneven growth of her knee joints. (Not a lack of Vitamin D or poor assimilation as Dr. Clay diagnosed.) Did I tell you about her being terribly sick last summer. She had pyclytis (a kidney infection) and ran a temperature of nearly 106 degrees for three days. Dr. Clay was out to the house once. She was sick for over a week, and it took her down quite a lot. She's all right now though. Roxy says the mumps are going around - there are ten in her room who have it - that's all we need, you know.

Melody takes dancing lessons. Roxanne is taking piano from Emmy Colton. She came home tonight all excited - she is going to see a solo "Jesus Loves Me" on the Christmas program in Sunday School. Quite an honor, considering the size of the group. She is doing very well in school. Her report card was all "S's" (or A) with an S+ in reading!

Jill is talking and developing. Just now we looked in the bedroom and found she had gotten out of her own bed and crawled in our bed to sleep. The Dickens.

Mark sits up alone, has three teeth, is very alert, overweight and short. His passion is food!

I just finished making a dress for Mom, and intended buying a couple of slips. However, as per your suggestion, I shall get 1 slip, 1 nightgown and 1 unionsuit instead. Good idea! It's a nice dress - I hope she likes it - shirtwaist style, pockets, long sleeves, and pink and blue with little flowers.

Martin wrote a short letter. he seems lonesome. Write to him - I know he's appreciate it. He's going to go back to Nebraska for Christmas, I understand.

How very sweet of you to remember dolls for our girls. I'm looking forward to dressing them and I know they will enjoy so practical a doll. Thanks a heap!

It's getting late - guess I'll be trudging off to bed. Oh - almost forgot - since you were here we've gotten new rugs for the living & dining room - also an electric Westinghouse dryer (wonderful!) Bought another acre, too. Bye, bye bank account.

Bye, bye, Marie

Love,

L.

I could cry.

August 5, 1951

Dear Marie,

I received your welcome letter dated July 24th and was glad to hear that you all arrived back to your home safely.

To-day is Sunday and I have been to church services. I wore the white waist Lottie made for me and the black jumper. Also carried the fan which you sent me.

Thank you for writing to Martin. I wish that you could have gone by the way where he is, on your return to Arizona. How I wish that he would write to me or to you. I am worried about him and can not help but wonder how he is. And remember how dear he was to us all when a baby.

Marie I thought that your father would come to visit me to-day but I did not have any company. I could cry. Will you please write at once and ask him to come by next Sunday. It is important. It seems that I write about this over and over again. When you were here I thought you were the one I could depend on but I am disappointed. I hope when I write next time my letter will sound cheerful.

I don't think you should write that about Dora. Did you think she acted that way when we were all together? Have you ever heard Dora say that she didn't think we could get along? That is an excuse. I want to go and see about my things before the 15th for it is important. I wish you would send a telegram to your father when you get this letter and ask him to come for me next Sunday. Please Marie do this. When I was at the County hospital your father would come out and bring what I asked him to in the letters which I wrote.

I will explain to your father where to take me when he does come to visit. How long I must wait here!

Now I hope you will do as I asked you what I have already written. Pay attention as the time is nearing the 15 of August.

I must now close for I have not much time to finish this letter to you. And don't forget to hurry. Best wishes.

As ever,

I am,

Your,

Mother

The Lars and Ruth Jensen Family

click to enlarge

Friday Photos: Greetings Album

A mystery of a photo album...

Mom has really been putting on the pressure to come out West

Tacoma, Washington

January 3, 1958

Dear Marie, and All,

The Kids got a new (new, to us, that is) typewriter for Christmas, so I'll try my rusty fingers at it. I've scarcely touched a typewriter for nearly twenty years, but I'm really quite amazed at the fact that I had not forgotten the keyboard.

Thank you so mcuh for remembering us at Christmas. The youngsters are writing their own letters. We were delighted with the card announcing the renewed subscription to Arizona Highways. It is surely a beautiful magazine! The pictures are simply breathtaking; worth the price of the magazine, even if one didn't read a word. Thank you again - you can be sure we shall all enjoy it.

Everyone at our house is about the same. We had a awfully busy time at Christmas. We were "involved" in four programs - each, of course, requiring a certain costume or outfit or props to have ready. Then, each club or organization that anyone belongs to has a party - more food, gifts and certain clothes to have ready. Roxy and Melody have more than their share of social life too. It all adds up when everyone in the gang, including them, has a party within three weeks. To top it all off, Roxanne was general chairman for the Luther League All-Nations Festival the Sunday after Christmas. This is a full dinner open to anyone. The kids decorate booths representing each country, and serve a dish typical to that nation. It's all worked out so that a well-balanced meal is the end result. They served about 150 people, and cleared around $80.00. The girls did the serving, the boys lugged booths and table and washed all the dishes. But I worked like a dog directing activities, and keeping the food hot in the kitchen.

Which reminds me - out church had a very clever idea last Spring for the Mother and Daughter Banquet. I have an extra program here in the drawer, I'll send it along. It's not original, but I suppose you have to be on the prowl for ideas all the time.

Mom has really been putting on the pressure to come out West. She sayd that Mrs. Schultz will buy her ticket. I just don't feel that I can have her just now. For one thing, I'm just finishing up a two-week vacation and couldn't possibly take any time off. Besides, I was back there just five months ago. She would, of course, like to be released from the hospital; which probably wouldn't be a good idea; but couldn't you manage a two-week vacation for her. She said she shoul go now, because they start housecleaning in February.

I'm glad (whoops, forgot to indent) your church is going well. it really must be a challenge to start from scratch on such a big project. But I know your family can do it - and I'm sure it really takes the whole family too.

Well, I must go. This is my last day at home before I go back to work, so I must make it count. My projects for today are to have a jumper for Melody and for a king-size ironing. Also do my neighbor's hair. She is a semi-invalid, and can't put up her own hair. She can't sit under a dryer either, so it doesn't help to go to the beauty shop. So I go over about once a week. I know she appreciates it.

Do write. And a very Happy New Year to all of you!

Sincerely,

L.

I don't think the picture good

Omaha, Nebr

Wednesday

Mar 21, 1946

Marie -

I received your letter and the family picture also the hot water bottle and the $5.00 money order. Thank you very much for all of them. Marie I don't think the picture good and don't have any made like them again. Have some pictures taken by another photographer and this time please have your mouth closed. Don't look at the camera and wear a dark dress. Please try and arrange to have them taken soon and then send one to my cousins if you will. Thank you. I am enclosing a card to thank you again for what you sent.

If you like the card don't you think it would be a good idea to put them in a scrap book?

The clippings that I sent that I thought looked like Robert Taylor was that Fred Knotts?

Marie I thought you could take a taxi cab and go and see where Home Ave., used to be. I have written that I would like to know that the house looks like and if the same house is there.

Mrs. Lyons dies a few weeks ago at the Imanual hospital. Last fall she sold her house to Minnie's for 2 thousand dollars cash. The house is now rented for 28 dollars a month to some people who don't have any children.

I have been trying to do some washing to-day. Also airing some bed clothes.

Marie being that I try and answer your questions why don't you answer a question I have asked 2 or 3 times before. It is this about the furniture I have here. I would wish for you to take some of the pieces and we can decide that when you some which I hope you will Marie.

I certainly wish that you could come to Omaha for a few weeks and help me with some work. You could leave the children with Mrs. Durand and I don't think it would be so hard if you only will try.

The weather is pleasant here now. You know you havea few things here. Try and inquire where you think you are doing to be sent from Chicago.

I haven't seen your father for about 2 weeks now. At that time he gave me 20 cents. Now Marie I need money again so please could you send me more. I don't like to ask you and I don't each much. But I need to eat some food and I am supposed to drink milk.

Please answer soon as possible Marie. Have you heard from Lottie or Elin recently?

I must now close and say good-night.

I am, Your Mother.

Love your granddoder

Self-Improvement Group

Lottie Jensen Johnson (middle)

You Are All So Slow

Aug. 24, 1952

Dear Marie -

I answered your letter and I asked you to write with-in 3 days but so far I have not had any reply. I wish to thank you for the short letter I received from your little girl. I may write an answer to her letter and you can read it to her later. I am still here and may go out out-of-doors each day. The letter pleased me very much and thank your little girl for me for it was news to me.

Marie you kniw it is Lottie and Betty's birthday in a few weeks. I intend to sent them something I make for a gift. I thought that it would be as well as sending a birthday card. But it seems you are all so slow about letting me know when you receive something from me. So I was intending to wait until the social worker can mail them for me and have a return card made out. You see all the extra work for me because you don't abide by my wishes. I have explained this to the attendants and others here. I still have you package tied and ready to send. When I do write and ask you about this which I may have wrote, you don't answer. I get weary of writing the same over again.

When I write about if you can please help me about being dismissed you have never written than you will do all you possible can have you? And yet you are well educated. Do you like to ignore my writing and asking you about being dismissed? When it is my wishes that I write about why can't you consider them serious?

I thought I would copy a few lines from my cousin Anna's letter and pardon me if I have written it before. Quote "I sincerely hope you will soon be able to join your family/" Unquote. Then in another letter cousin Anna wrote in part "But, Ruth, dear now I must talk about you. I am wondering how you are and if everything turned out as you expected and wanted it to." Then in another letter cousin Anna wrote in part, "You did not say anything about your health and I have asked specifically about it in my last two letters to you. The fact that you did not say leads me to believe that you are now every much better as you spoke of soon going home. I sincerely hope that you have improved greatly and that you will be able to enjoy these nice spring days."

Now in my cousin Anna's family that are devoted to their family. What would my relatives think if they knew how I have asked you to be of help to me and especially when I may leave here and you or the other members of my family don't come for me.

Please write about Martin to me or remind Lottie.

From Mother.

P.S. This is Sunday evening and your fathr did not come here to-day.

Hong Kong, China, Iraq, and Poland...at the dinner table

January 4, 1958

Dear Marie, et all.

We really hit the jackpot on Christmas when we opened your gifts. The girls blouses are just darling - and fit perfectly. Mark and Jacque love their thing - she is so sure the pearl in the necklace must be a real pearl, she has everyone agreeing with her.

How nice of you to remember Bob and I too. I just love the measuring set. Bob is going to put hooks over the sink to hang them. Thanks so much for everything. You shouldn't have sent us anything at all - I know you've had extra expenses this year.

Sorry to hear that Frank is unable to be with you. We hope and pray for his full recovery - and soon. We had a note form Durands at Christmas too; Frank worries about you being so alone.

We had a nice Christmas even though Betty and her family couldn't come up. We had some foreign students from the college here for dinner. One of the girls was from Hong Kong and had just arrived in town. Ours was the first American food she had tasted. One boy (also Chinese) was a fabulously talented pianist who is training for the concert stage. One boy, from Iraq, was here several times, and we all learned a lot first hand about the political situation in his country. Also, a girl form Poland, was here for a week-end.

Do write, Marie, and a Happy New Year!

L.

The Really Big One!