They won a Blue Ribbon

March 11, 1957

Dear Mother,

Sorry not to have written sooner. I keep awfully busy with the house, the children, and working, it's hard to find time when it's quite enough to write a letter.

You asked for Merrilyn's address. It is: Miss Merrilyn Johnson, West 423 4th Avenue, Spokane, Washington.

As you notice, she spells her name a little differently.

This past week we've been busy at our house with a Meal Preparation Contest which Melody had entered under a 4-H program. She and a partner planned, served, cooked, and cleaned up for a luncheon of six people. The contest was held at the High School. They won a Blue Ribbon, and did a very nice job.

This week Roxanne and her partner are practicing for thie contest which will be held next Saturday. It's the same deal.

Jill isn't a 4-H-er, but rather a Girl Scout, and this week she's busy selling cookies. If she sells the most in her troop, she will get a week free at camp this summer. So she's hustling, and hoping.

Mark drew a pacture of a horse for you, but it has been temporarilty mispaced. If he finds it by the time I'm through with this letter, I shall enclose it. (He can't find the horse, but here's a weasel instead.)

I haven't written to Marie about your plans to go there, and I haven't heard from her for a while. As you know, I have said my plans for next summer are not definite. It was conversation between Betty and I. No definite plans have been made, so please don't get excited about tentative plans. Next summer is a long way off. I have a home, a job, and five children, and a trip is mighty expensive. Please don't keep harping on the subject - or you'll take all the fun out of it before I do go. Don't try and make plans for me - I know how myself.

Whether you know it or not, you are really quite lucky to have a job and social security too. Prices are pretty high on the "outside" - board and room is a big item. Try to be pleasant and cheerful where you are. Remember, no place is perfect, no person is perfect. The best any of us can do is to try to adjust ourselves to our surroundingings. You try to do the adjusting - I'm sure many people in your life have tried to accommodate you, haven't they? Remember, you get back what you give.

The weather here is as changeable here as Spring usually is. The early flowers are starting to bloom, andthe lawns are getting greener. One day, we have snow flurries, and the next day the sun shines. As soon as it really warms up they'll be so much to do outside. I'd like to put in a new lawn this year - and that's a big deal.

Thank you for sending the box of cereal and the money for a rose bush. The only trouble was that the kids are up the cereal the day it arrived, and by the time I got your letter explaining the box top was gone. However, I shall try to get seomething for the yard with the money. Thank you, I'll let you know what we get.

What did you buy with the $10.00 we sent for Christmas? I intended for you to get a dress, or underwear, or a pair of shoes - things I know you need. Let me know what you did with the money.

As ever,

Lottie