Now It Just Goes On And On And It Is Politics

Lincoln, Nebr.

Dear Marie - 

I received the package which you sent me and many thanks dear. I haven't opened it yet.

The wash cloths that I sent, well I started to sew them together or a dish-cloth and then I thought that it made them too thick. I marked 1 so that if you want to sew it together you can. The little box I sent you is greetings cards and I meant to write before,  that you could open the box as you may wish to send come of the cards away.

I wish to thank you for writing the 2 letters in my behalf. Your letter was written Nov. 29th.

I am sorry to hear that you were bothered with your ears. I hope your ears are better now and do go to a Doctor as soon as possible. 

Marie there were different matters I wished to discuss with you. But you and your sisters had so much to talk about. I didn't like the way we had to hurry that last day at all. Pardon me if I repeat anything.

Marie I heard that if a patient had left the hospital and had been out and employed for 2 years that the hospital wouldn't have anything to say (the hospital I mean) would leave the patient alone. Now it just goes on and on and it is politics. When I talked to the minister I asked him if he knew if when a patient had been employed for 5 years if they could be released? He answered "that the hospital had had me under their thumb long enough."

I like to have Mr. attorney know that facts and be on my side. So I call him because I can not receive any letters from any attorney while I am here. Both Mr. and Mrs. Schultz just go into a rage and tell me that I can just go back to that hospital. I have stood mis-treatment here because I never want to again live there. I have told the attorney that I will pay him for services. Now I asked the attorney to please ask if there is a place so I can stay at the Blair hotel. I want to leave here the second week in January. I will be 70 years of age Jan. 6, 1960. Please, please Marie write to Mr. attorney that you give your consent to let me go to Blair and rest for a few weeks. And that I don't need to be supervised by any-body. That as time goes on I will talk matters over with my family.

I don't see how I make this any plainer. And if you would like to see me happy you will oblige my wishes. Thank you.

Marie when you father and I were first married we would visit with the relatives. The relatives showed me a picture of your father when he was a little boy about Johnny's size. And your father was holding a hat seemed to me and not smiling. It was a real photograph. Now Marie I am asking you to have your little boy's picture taken that way. Also put in a little frame and send it to your father for his birthday Jan. 10th. 

Friday Photo: Happy Birthday, Minne!

Minne Johnson Isley

1960

birthday = tomorrow

In Honor of Home Opening Weekend in Seattle

Elin seems to write with a pencil always.

Lincoln, Nebr.
May 31, 1960

Dear Marie -

I wish to thank you for the Mother's day greeting card and the check. I appreciate what you sent Marie very much.

I sent Martin a birthday card also, but no answer. Has he wrtitten to you lately? I intend to call your father and then I will ask if he has heard from Martin. I suppose you will send something to your father for father's day. Or if you come when your work is over at school you could let him know that you will bring a present. Like a frame for his parent's picture would be ideal. Or perhaps if you prefer you could waite until you come and see about the size. You can ask him to see the pictures then measure for the correct size as near as possible.

I received a mother's day greeting card from Lottie, Betty, and also Elin.

Did you have your little boy's picture taken as I asked you to. Then how he could pose with a hat? Then have it put in a frame for your father?

My brother Garfield came for me last Saturday and we went out to Weston. I planted 5 packages of flower seeds and marigold plants. Also a white rose bush. I hope they grow. I was going to send you the envelopes but couldn't find them when I arrived back to Lincoln. My brother took some pictures which he said were colored and that he had 2 left. I told him to save them until you came and, meaning to take your picture then.

Now Marie you must come as soon as possible for it is most important. And please will you write or call Elin to come about the same time so we can be together. Elin wrote a few lines with a pencil when she sent the mother's day car so I sent her a pen and handkerchief recently. Elin seems to write with a pencil always.

I know brother Garfield will be glad to see her, meaning Elin so please co-operate. Will you?

I suppose Betty and Lottie don't plan to come or have you heard anything different?

Now I suppose you are tired but hope it isn't asking too much to inquite at the employment office as I asked you to do. You could first ask what place they have in the line of house-work. You could say that I would be plain cooking, washing, ironin and cleaning. And as I said older people and a small family. Find out what they would expect. And I could perhaps do day work and  have a room some-where else. That way it would seem more like having a little freesom. And it would be marvelous after being here for over 6 1/2 pears. So find out about day work.

Marie I will call you next Sunday afternoon that will be June the 5th. Then please let me know what you learned at the employment office. As I said I would like for you to come here and then we could go back the same time. I hope your family will co-operate being you help make the living.

The flounce I mean is similar to that which I sewed on your apron which I sent you. Show the apron to the dress-maker why don't you? The flounce should be bout that wide as on the apron.

I have a new short coat, black dress and slip. Do you have a black slip? Would you care for one? As I mentioned before I have a pocket-book I will give you, or Ruthie.

And Marie as you said "something you wished should be done for Martin. Yes indeed that certainly is the truth. But the family are the ones to help each other. No our-siders. We the members of the family should be loyal to each other and faithful.

Here is a short poem -

We cannot know how much we learn
From those who never will return.
Until a flash of unforeseen
Remembrance falls on what has been

I have told Mrs. Shultz my brother Garfield and I think the attorney that you can't come until about the middle of July.

Now please listen closely when I talk to you over the telephone. If you wish I would send you $10.00 to help pay the fare. Lottie sent that amount for mother's day gift to me.

I will receive my wages in a few days. I think I will call your father then.

When I ask you about the employment answer so I can hear you. Also tell me that you are coming I pray.

Enclose is 6 clippings.

With love and best wishes,
I remain
Your Mother.

P.S. How I wish Martin would help me so I wouldn't need to ask you to favors for me.

Mother.

Also told him to have the plumbing fixed.

Spring 1960 (based on where postcard was located in the boxes)

Lincoln, Nebr

Dear Marie -

I sent you a package this afternoon. I may call you by long distance telephone next Sunday afternoon and hope you will be at home.

I called your father up and asked him if he had, had the T.V. fixed and he said yes. Also told him to have the plumbing fixed.

Excuse pencil. Hope to talk with you Sunday afternoon.

Mother.

I am enclosing 2 clippings about vacations

Lincoln, Nebr.

June 28, 1960

Dear Marie -

It is your turn to write isn't it? I haven't heard from my brother since I wrote to him.

Marie I was thinking since you mentioned about perhaps you could ride in a car with some-one. One way to come would be that way, share expenses. Now that summer is here I was thinking perhaps you had better come here instead of me going from here to some place.

How I wish you could come by Elin's place and then take Elin along with you. I have some very important matters to talk over with Elin and you also. But you know Elin hasn't been back here since she left Nebraska. It would be wonderful if you could come in your own car with Frank you 2 boys your-self and Elin. Please try to please me and grant my wishes.

I wish to let Mr. Attorney to help me also. And he may soon go on a vacation. So please let me know next Sunday when I call if you can come. I will not mind if it costs 50 dollars I will gladly pay you if you will agree to help me leave this place for good and the hospital. Thank you.

I am enclosing 2 clippings about vacations.

Excuse me for writing with my pencil.

And tell me Sunday when I call about plans in coming. I have been so patient waiting.

In haste,

With best wishes,

I am

Your Mother.

"I have lost most of my ambition."

Blair
Aug. 24 – 1960

Ruth –

First of all I wish to thank you for the Birthday gift. I didn’t expect anything. I use size 10 ½ or 11 socks.

I don’t have anything to call up about either.

A year ago tomorrow – Aug. 25th – that my house keeper Ida passed away.

We have had quite a little rain lately.

Did Marie show up this summer? I suppose that she has plenty to do with her own family.

Margaret is about the same. She doesn’t write very often. I visit her about once a month or so. I don’t know when she will be able to come home.

My legs bother me some. Don’t know if I got arthritis or what.

You have a very nice place to live.

I have lost most of my ambition.

I suppose that you will go to the State Fair.

There hasn’t been much news in the Oakland paper lately.

Again thanking you; from Bro, Garfield

"I suppose every one down there is interested in politics"

Ruth -

Thank you for the candy. Don't know why you did it. Not much news. Try to keep busy cleaning the house. Had it painted last week. Nice weather isn't it. It is good to keep busy. I suppose every one down there is interested in politics.

So long Bro Garfield

Blair Nebr.

Oct. 13 1960

(from postmark)

New (and unknown) Relatives!

I've never heard of Cousin Elmer or Cousin Charles in Chicago. Hmm...

While Great-Grandmother Ruth is quite direct (if you haven't figured this out by now, well...re-read the letters), I find her approach quite amusing. She knows what she wants. She says what she thinks. She has opinions (while some a bit odd) and makes sure we all know them.

Good for her! And...oh, Lordy...

AB

Lincoln, Nebr., Oct 2, 1960

Dear Marie –

I hope that you write to Mr. Attorney and Mrs. Hardin for me. You know I have been waiting for you to do that for me.

I intend to send you the material I spoke about soon. I thought perhaps it would make a nice skirt for Ruthie. Bur make pleats you know a few, but not gathers.

I hope Ruthie is feeling better. Why don’t you have her get rested up by staying at home? Perhaps such an arrangement could be worked out where she could do her school work at home. Why don’t you get busy and see about it? Don’t wait now.

Encourage Ruthie to see your side of the picture. And why not go to the library and get book or books and read up on the subject of what the cause may be?

I was reading an article about out bad eating habits inherited. The last lines were – “As long as we live, we must work to develop out best selves, both mentally and physically.”

Marie, I would like to call you by telephone next Sunday afternoon. Please tell me then that you have written to the persons I mentioned at the beginning of my letter. I hope then that Mr. Attorney will take action. When he writes to you does he encourage you to help me? I hope so.

Did you ask your dressmaker about flounce pattern? Please tell me Sunday when I call by telephone. And can you remember what my cousin’s name in Chicago was besides Elmer and Charles? Would you mind thinking about it at times until Sunday?

I will now come to a close and remember Sunday afternoon I intend to call you by telephone.

With love,
I remain,
As ever,
Mother

(In haste)