The Dean's List and Three Awards

(click to enlarge)

Another Little Envelope - 3x3

These envelopes hold tax receipts...

Doctor receipts...

And amazing tiny treasures...

War in the middle of Greyhound

Ruth's travels took her to Phoenix and Tacoma...

...Colville and Portland...

...Omaha to Lincoln and back again...

And then you find a tidbit about Martin heading off to war...

Who did Frank vote for and did you vote?

Lincoln, Nebraska

Nov. 9, 1952

Dear Marie,

I received the little card about the birth of your baby. Why didn't you write a letter also as it is your turn to answer my letter? But I suppose you have had so many things to think about. Hope you and the baby are as well as can be expected. It should please your father what you named your baby. Who is the baby's first name after if any-body being such a common name?

I am still here as you can see by this paper. Your father has not been here since the last part of May. And I have not been down town for about a year now. I wish to send you something I made but would rather send it my-self the way I like. Now Marie it seems you could help me if you knew how important it is to me, if you would co-operate. It was nice of you to write that I had your permission to go to Lincoln but could you write and ask if I could have town patrol as it is called? You could write this in the letter to me and I will show it to the Dr. who comes on this ward. I told him about you and your baby.

Marie there is something else I wish to write to you about. Now I am able to take some kind of a job. I can iron well as you know. Then plain sewing. And lately I have learned how to sew carpet rags a new way. I would not expect much for my work but would be so thankful if you will write to me that I have your permission to take a job. I don't support you would consider me to come to live with you even though I could help you wish your house-work and I would not expect any money just board and room.

Please let me know if you have heard any news about Martin. I am worried about him. Pardon me, but if you should wish to send me any gift, would you send me some money. That is what I need as I still have not got any glasses for me eyes which I need very much. Please write to your sisters to send me money in case they desire to send me any-thing. Thank you very much.

Now please write as soon as possible. I did not attend church services to-day. I was reading the papers this afternoon. So much of interest to read about the past election. Who did Frank vote for and did you vote? I was wondering if Martin when to vote too?

Hope this letter finds you blissfully happy. I will now come to a close and remind you to write and answer my questions.

Bwest wishes to all.

As ever,

Your, Mother.

P.S. Marie if you can not afford to send me any money please write that you give permission to get town patrol and also that I may take a job.

No New News

May 5, 1964

Dear Mother,

Hope this note finds you well and happy. No new news except that I'm knee deep in mid-term examinations and term papers.

Happy Mother's Day and write soon.

Love,

Betty

The guardian was the man to see

Lincoln, Nebr.

August 3, 1953

Dear Marie -

I thought that I would write again and remind you that it is your turn to write to me. I hope that you received my last letter.

Your father was here for a short visit a few weeks ago.

I don't suppose you intend to come to Nebraska this summer. I have written about suggestion in coming here you know.

When your father was here he said that they had been up to Blair about a month or 6 weeks before they were here. My brother expressed the same views as those which he had written to me. And that is that my children should help me and if you don't believe me why don't you write and ask my brother. I do my very best in explaining about why I am staying here because some one from my family has not come for me.

I have written to Elin also and she wrote and said "Perhaps one of the other children could look into this. Have you wrote and asked any of them? I haven't heard from any of the girls for a long time." Un-Quote. This letter as dated July 22nd 1953. Marie please cooperate in helping me to be released from the hospital. Elin wrote that she guessed that Marilyn would graduate in September. I would like to be out there then in Washington state then. So please write at once to Elin and Ray.

Now when your father was here I said that I would like to see my guardian. For as you perhaps know a guardian was appointed for me. Now you said that when you were here that the Dr. told you that somebody from Nebraska needs to sign for me. Your father said the guardian was the man to see.

It is necessary for me to have a place to go to when leaving the hospital. If Elin can not come here I wish that Martin would. I haven't written to him since you send me his address, which I wish to thank you for Marie.

I hope Lottie has written to you about Martin because Martin had been to visit Betty. Lottie's letter was dated July 20, 1953.

Marie I was thinking I would ask you to write to the office from where Martin is in service or rather where you got his address. To ask if they would talk to Marin and ask him if he would come back here and take me out to Washington. So please write to Elin and ask her to please say I may come or call her by long distance or send a telegram and have an answer from her. May-be I could go out there along if I don't find any other way. Please write by the 10th of August for it is important to me.

From, Mother.

P.S. If I should her from anyone of the family I will let you know the next writing day.

Sailors Union of the Pacific

I'm sure the agent was quite tired of hearing from Ruth...

You Can Never Have Too Many Flowers

Sent to the Johnson Family at the death of Lottie Jensen Johnson, June 997

We cannot hurry the National Maritime Union in their reply

Week o' Clippings: Golden Statue

Week o' Clippings: The Younger Generation

Week o' Clippings: Blackout

Week o' Clippings: Roadtrip at 103

Week o' Clippings: The Dionne Quints

Week o' Clippings: Everyone loves California

Week o' Clippings: Columbus

Week o' Clippings: Volkswagen Births

and Many, Many More

Friday Photo: Driver's Licenses

I got my new license last month. The photographer said, "Cute!" after the shot and I was excited. Yeah...what photo was she looking at?

Why do all license photos make us look like we are lining up for a dose of bitter medicene?

I will follow instructions dear

Lincoln, Nebraska

Jan. 17, 1953

Dear Marie -

I wrote to you and thanked you for what you sent me for Christmas and also wrote to Mrs. Durand. Hope letters were received as well as the 2 hospital highlighht papers. It is Bettty and Lottie's turn to write to me. Kindly send them a few lines and remind them to write to their mother.

Marie I had waited and waited to hear from you until your letter came dated Dec. 9, 1952. And thank you for an interesting letter. But now dear, I hope you are not as busy as you have been during the past month. So may I please have your attention about being released from this hospital. And you know have only the space on this sheet of paper.

I am pleased to hear that you are feeling quite well. It was swell that Mr. and Mrs. Durand could come out and be with you.

I hope you will let me know if you hear anything from Martin. Where do you suppose he can be? I am worried about him. Have you did anything to help locate him? Did you wrote to Lottie or Betty what I wrote before to you?

Marie I am thankful that you wrote and answered me about being released. As you know I have been here 5 years the first day of this coming April.

Marie you wrote that you wish that you could help. Now I have been thinking of a practical way and sort of out-lined it in the following sentences. Well first I talked to Dr. Davis since I received your letter. I said to him that you wrote that someone from Nebraska had to sign for my release. But now Dr. Davis said - "that you could sign for me, but that you would have to come for me." And some time ago I think I wrote that the Supt. don't care if I am released. So you see Marie what depends on you.

Now perhaps you haven't thought out some way so I'll explain. I was thinking that Mr. and Mrs. Durand could stay with the children and keep house while you come out here. And perhaps Frank could come with you and also the baby. When I am released let me go with you for I am able to help with different things about a house and you may tell me what your ideas and ways are. I will follow instructions dear so please co-operate. Please try and come as near April 1st as possible. Hope all the Durand's will co-operate.

Please oh please answer at once. Best regards to Frank's parents and best wishes to all. Mother.

I will be so glad to hear your voice.

Lincoln, Nebr.

Dec. 20, 1965

Dear son Martin -

I received the money which was $50.00 and thank you dear. When I went down to the city I cashed it and then I sent the money from the post-office to the attorney up at Blair. But the money wasn't accepted and he sent it back. Now I have the money and would you wish to have it sent back or you could figure out about 15 dollars a month in advance? I appreciate what you send more than I can express in words.

You may call me over the telephone about the same time as you called before. I will be so glad to hear your voice. I hope you like the socks I sent you.

My greetings are enclosed with-in the greeting card.

Let me know when you can come to Nebraska to see your parents.

As ever, I am

Your Mother.