Burning Desire: Christmas Memories

Burning Desire: A Ride on the Bus

Friday Photo: Melvin Johnson

Melvin Johnson

1940

brother of Robert Johnson

Friday Photo: Nash Motors

Nash Motors

1940

Bob Johnson, seated, back to camera

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.

Friday Photo: Lottie & Bob, Married 1 year, 8 mo

Lottie & Bob

Christmas 1940

Married 1 year, 8 mo

Monterey Cabins, Pacific Highway, Route 7

(click to enlarge)

Telegram

I never realized the telegram came on tape and then glued to these forms. But this appears to be just how it was done.

1940 Oct 14

)MA263 11 TOUR=NW SEATTLE WASH 16 339P

JEAN M JOHNSON=

1330 FIRST NATL BANK OMAHA NEBR=

ARRIVED SAFELY NOON TODAY. PLEASE TELL LOTTIE WILL WRITE SOON. LOVE=

BOB.

"But very soon you must leave your teens behind you."

Oakland, Nebr.
Sept 11, 1940

Lottie -

I received your letter and was glad to hear from you. I received the things you sent and wish to thank you very much. Also thanks for flash light Marie brought. I intend to send you a letter birthday present but I haven't finished making it yet. I will send it soon as I can. I am sending you the story about the girl who was 19 years of age because that is now your age. But very soon you must leave your teens behind you. I thought the other story interesting as well as the fashion sheets.

I forgot to send the sample of the color of thread I wanted but thank you for what you sent. I will send a sample next time.

About the Reader's Digest I will say I just don't care for them. At present I have several magazines which I haven't yet read. But I would subject that you take the Reader's Digest and sell them to Kieser's book store which is not far from the Loyal hotel. Then with the money take it to help pay for a dictionary. I need a dictionary very much. Thanking you in advance.

You asked how Margaret is. G and Mrs. Nelson were up to see her a few weeks ago. G said she is not so good. Your cousin's address at Bancroft is Miss. Marie Norby. Route No. 2. Bancroft, Nebraska.

We had a letter from Elin a few days ago. She asks in her letter is Lottie is still in Omaha. When I write I will send your address.

Elin writes "Quote - We are all well except Marilyn. She got her finger hurt about 2 weeks ago. She was playing and got her 3rd finger in 2 gears. The Dr. seemed to think she would have a good finger. It tore the nail off. To-day school started here. Marilyn isn't going to start till her finger is healed better." (Unquote)

It was Marilyn's birthday the 11th of Sept. and she was 8 years old. Perhaps you would like to send her something in care of Elin. Address - Mrs. Ray Johnson, Kettle Falls, Washington (in care of the mines)

Wishing you many happy returns of the day for your birthday.

Write soon,
As ever,
I am,
Your Mother.

P.S. Let me know which part of this letter you liked best and then in order.

A Mother's Valentine

Confirmed: Men Are Apes

It is quite clear that Marie (Jensen) Durand (my great-aunt) was the letter writer of the family, or at least of the daughters. And my great-grandmother, Ruth Norby Jensen, replied to everything.

Most letters are great descriptors of life in the 1940s...or 1960s...or even 1990s (not written by Ruth, obviously). It makes me think about all that I write that doesn't get kept by anyone. Where will it go?

Oh, this blog is getting saved, isn't it? Hmm...

AB

Oakland, Nebraska

Oct. 11, 1940
Marie,
Received your letter after I had written the one to you. I was glad to hear from and that you all are well. How did you like the last letter I sent with the different clippings? When you answer my letter please look up the last one and answer the questions I ask. I have mentioned this before. As I start to write you I read your letter over. Please do the same next time.
Well the time is growing closer when the young men will have to register. For the Burt County draft board Judge Stauffer is going to be attorney for the county. I believe in military training for young men. I read an article in a paper some time ago which I thought was very good. It said that at this time young men needed this discipline very much which this training gives. Frank has his parents and brother to talk over his opinions with hasn’t he? Again, I repeat that I believe in military training for young men 100%.
I was reading in the paper about who was the most attractive women or men. And the answer was a woman was because a woman resembles a child while a man has the likness of an ape. I think this so very real how men resemble the ape.
Please don’t give Martin any spankings. I know I have mentioned this before but talk to him. Remember my mother never spanked Garfield, but talked and explained about the different problems which came up.
I haven’t answered Elin’s letter yet but intend to before long. Dave returned Tuesday evening and so far hasn’t any work. Sometimes my mother waits on both of us and it reminds me of when I was a child and for a few minutes it seems I am a child again. Think of those little children in the countries where war is going on how they must part perhaps with their mother on this earth. G.’s house – Keeper’s mother died when she was born! I am reading a continuous story in a little paper about a pair of twins and how much they think of their mother. They are nineteen years of age and both wish to stay with their mother. I cut out to-day’s story and let Betty read it but please save it don’t destroy the clipping.
I am sending another clipping which I think is interesting and save it too or send it back. Some day when I am well and keep house for you I hope you may take a rest cure, for rest heals any wounds you know.
Write soon. I will answer Betty’s letter later. Let Betty read this no one else. Tell Martin hello from, Mother.
P.S. I hope you changed the clothes after Dave slept in the bed. I changed them before Martin slept in the bed. (Important)

And an enclosed clipping for Martin. Ruth includes a lot of clippings in letters and most appear to have been saved.