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...

Dora had such a pretty flower that would bloom at different times.

Omaha, Nebraska

Feb. 15, 1970

Dear Lottie -

I received your letter for Dec. 1969 in which you wrote that I hoped I was enjoy - the groceries. Yes thank you very much and later it turned very cold. So I surely appreciated the food. I was out doors only when necessary. Thank you for the check for my birthday.

Now I much write that I haven't felt like writing letters since you were here and then your father's death. At this time I have written only 2 letters before this one. One was to Martin and the other to my neighbor who is now on vacation.

Yes I went down to talk to the Social Security office on a Monday in December I think it was. The lady looked at your (late) father's chart also.

Thank you for the type-written letter about your past-events dated Christmas 1969.

Thank you very much for the pictures. Betty should have faced the camera so as to see who. Now your father is in the eternal rest. Don't you feel like half an orphan now? I feel like a widow which I am.

The flower pot I sent you last Friday is the 1 the chrysanthemums came in. I thought you could have it as a memory when at a time your father was still among the living. Perhaps you could have a stand for the flower and may-be you have a special kind. You know Dora had such a pretty flower that would bloom at different times. It was beautiful I thought. Remember?

Thank you for the valentine greeting card which is very pretty.

This morning I listened to a church program that comes on I think 8 o'clock. This is in the morning. An the station plays Jim Reeves records which are wonderful to hear. This morning as in other Sunday mornings the played I quote - "Supper Time."

"And some of the fondest memories of my childhood were at supper time, when my mother would call come home son."

I stopped by to see Dora one afternoon when I came from town. She was sitting in a wheel chair with a belt around her waist. In her stand drawer were greeting and sympathy cards. I don't know who told her but she said your father said before he died "he wanted to see his girls and their mother."

The time to be kind is when people are among the living. Not when it is too late.

Lottie I know that is hard to realize.

At this time I don't know when I expect to travel.

Thank you for asking me dear.

When you send a greeting card why do you write the letter so to speak with-in? Why not use paper the same as I do?

I was down to see Mary 1 evening and we had jello and cake which I brought and Mary served tea. I said it could be for valentine's day. She said she was going to a party wich Campbell's Soup Company was going to give. Mary worked for Campbell's Soup Company for 20 years.

Let me know when the flower-pot is delivered.

I will now close for this time.

As ever

I remain,

Your Mother.

The Ironing Board and The Hammer

Omaha, Nebraska

May 20, 1970

Dear Lottie -

I received the beautiful mother's day greeting. Also the check. One letter is dated April 23rd and the other May 4th. I answered the letter for April and then after I had written I received the last letter from you.

You asked me if my neighbor is home again? No she is still down in Georgia.

I did  no know that the Durand's had taken a trip to Europe. How could they afford it? I think they should try and look up their ancesters in England and France. Don't you? When they are abroad.

I am pleased to hear that you will be staying at Betty's house and I am sure she is looking forward to your stay.

I seems like a good arrangement for Jean to stay in your  house while you are in Portland. I suppose Jill and Bob will be there over the weekends so to speak.

I was over to see your father's house and I may have written that in my other letter.

I surely hope that betty could take care of the money your late father let Wiens borrow. They could pay back in small amounts. Don't you say so? Just because a person is good hearted is no sign another should take advantage. Did you know both of the Wiens girls are married?

I was glad that I was here when the census papers came to be filled out. Later a lady came to ask questions.

I haven't heard from Dora's relatives. I been thinking about writing to Albert and ask if he got his late mother's wedding ring. I talk to the Grievious once in a while. They are polite don't you think so? I suppose Mattie still has late Dora's ironing board and some-one has the hammer that was in the pantry drawer.

I hope about the social security that it will come my way. So much to consider.

Be sure and save that magazine I sent with the Lennon family picture on the cover. There is a reason.

I saw Johnny Cash on the last program of the season. He sang a song that he sang when he was 12 years old in a church. His moher played the organ whle he sang. Real nice.

And now for a different subject. Hope you don't mind. There is a a who write a column in the Benson paper. In part writes -

Quote "I can't recall having discussed common-law marriages in the past and I shall now take care of this oversight. A common law wife is as you probably know a woman who lives with a man for a number of years with neither one ever having energy or ambition enough to get around to aplying for a marriage license. the law makers of many states felt sorry for such stupid misguided women and decided they needed protection. Consequently, if you can prove you lived as a man and wife for seven years or more, you're alsmost as good as married and entitled to inherit" Un-quote.

Write soon and let me know that you have received this letter. With love and best wishes and thank you again for check, letters, and greeting cards.

As ever

Mother

Lottie Went to College

I love the variety of courses...

 Spring 1967: Modern Drama

Summer 1969: Principles of Counseling Students

Educational Measures & Evaluations

Summer 1969/70: Supervising School Publications

Realism

Comedy

Satire

Summer 1969: Human Values

Winter 1970: Teaching Workshop

Summer 1970: Photography

Spring 1971: Design Stitching

Summer 1971/72: Latin American Fiction

Modern American Humanities

Summer 1972/73: Social Dialogue

Stra Mot Urb (??)

Hemingway/Faulkner

Spring 1973: Current Trends in English

Her GPA: 3.65

Graduation - John L. Durand

Dora's Death

"Pop, I'm glad you can vote this election even if you vote for Kennedy."

Text editted per request of family member's wish not to be included in this blog.

"I had been to see Dora the same day she died"

Omaha, Nebraska

May 4, 1970

Dear Lottie -

I received your welcome letter and the contents with-in. Oh thank you so very much and I certainly appreciate it. I sent you a little magazine one day and hope you received it. I had folded back some pages where on those pages may be something of interest. I am glad if you liked the things I sent. The afghan I sent was made by my neighbor. She is Danish and translated the letter I received from Denmark. Remarkable!

I was thinking that you planned to come to Omaha when you school was out and wasn't that what you meant? Well I surely hope what money you earn you put in the bank in your account and at some later day, go to visit your relatives or ancestors in Denmark. When you write to Paula please ask her if she received a gift from me?

I had been to see Dora the same day she died. I feel very much in mourning. The services were by a Morman young minister. The services were longer than they were at your father's funeral. She had a number of beautiful flowers. I went with Grevians and Wiens to the cemetery and the minister spoke a few words there also. I am reminded of Abraham Lincoln's favorite poem - "Oh why should the spirit of moral be proud."

Are you wearing black or dark clothes when you dress up? I am. A custom of years ago.

You may ask Jackie if she would like one of those small tea kettles. Thank you.

With love and best wishes.

I am, as ever Your Mother.

P.S. Excuse Writing

Continued -

I haven't heard about the social security yet which you mentioned.

Those pictures which you sent taken at the funeral - well could you please have some more taken for me? I can't find the ones you sent. Thank you.

It is Martin's birthday on May 11th. Send him greeting card. Will you?

Money may be the husk of many things, but not the kernel. It brings you food but not appetite; medicine but not health; acquaintances, but not friends; servants but not faithfulness; days of joy, but not peace or happiness.

"Please send Lars old radio"

December 21, 1970

Dear Mother,

You may keape my radio but please send Lars old radio. Please send it by Railway Express please. Also please seand what insded and in the back my old radio please. The Railway Express is at Burlington or Union train terminals. I am also sending you 90 for the last 6 months and 20 so you can send me Lars old radio.

Your son,
Martin

P.S. I am sending you packing for the radio. So put Lars old-radio in a box with the packing. And send it to.

Martin Miles Jensen
364 8th Av.
New York, NY ZIP-10001

P.S. The packing will come to you in two boxs. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Martin

These three pieces of paper, cut from magazines, were included in the envelope.