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

Finances and inertia are holding them up

April 8, 1955

Dear L and Family,

Just a brief note to accompany the pictures I finally got developed from our stay with you last summer. The enclosed two were the only ones worth sending. The few others we took were pretty punk - you know how kids look in the shade with wet hair. The enclosed two are swell for the record, don't you think?

Will you be going down to Portland when the new Pritchett arrives?

I'm enclosing a letter from Pop and Dora. It is in answer to the proposal that he take his extended tour of his kids this spring and summer. I get the idea that finances and inertia are holding them up. Do you think there would be any chance of we kids chipping in to help make the trip possible? Frank said he would rather do that then put money on a fancy tombstone someday. Anyway let us know if you have any ideas.

We're ready for Easter with a fresh outfit around (not everything new, but everything freshened & presentable). The girls have their first nylon dresses. Today it is Ruthie's birthday. We must get ready soon now, for we are going out to dinner & taking her favorite girl friend along.

Main news from our family is that Frank started a new job this week. Running the Children's Home, though a very rewarding experience, was far too time consuming. it really was a 24 hr a day responsiblity. Frank is now an audio-visual sales engineer to churches & schools. It is a good deal with a guaranteed wage plus commission.

Are you working, L? Does Bob still like his job?

Happy Birthday to Mark! I remembered his birthday was April 7! Wish we could all be together more often.

Love, Marie & all

Feb 16 1955

Dear Marie and Family.

Received your card and letter and two dollars yesterday and thanks so much for them. Dollars are sure money to us now - we get by and thans about all.

Got a letter from Martin today and one from Albert so we were both happy for I was waiting for a letter and when it dont come I get so blue.

Lars got more medicene today from the Dr he caught cold and I told him he best do something before it gets bad then it hangs on so long.

Well Marie I just dont know what to tell about his eyes I put those drops in every night only missed twice since he started so I've done best I could. sometimes it seems he sees better he says it clearing well I sure hope so.

Now that trip sounds so nice but guess its only a dream cant see how we can take it he said if his eyes get so he can work then we can go next year.

Sure glad you had a nice visit with Bill & family.

Guess your like we do love company never too much for us.

Martin didn't write much. Said he got a letter from Ruth and would write to her too.

Lars laughed when he called her Ruth.

I wrote and gave her Martins last address but we havent heard from her since I wrote.

Lars didnt give her his right address and her letter come back then she wrote and I ans. and copied the address.

Well I sure hope he does write to her.

Sure has been cold here we took car out two weeks ago & shopped & paid bills and then we stayed home then Monday we went out paid more bills & got pumpernickel and some groceries it was such a beautiful day but hes been in so cold so he had to take cold then we went out yesterday and this A.M. so hoarse so I thought it was best thing to do he isnt sick but I didnt want him to get bad.

Just cant get him to go to a Dr so I won.

Friday A.M. Well its raining this morning so maybe some snow - will go I do hope so for its piled on each side of the road or street.

My arm bothers me I think I hurt it before Xmas hanging up clothes I have to reach so high to reach the ends of line and I had a big wash so needed lots of line next day hurts and now if I reach up for put arm back of me sure hurts I havent hung my coat up since Xmas he does it for me and he ties my apron too. he says it just rheumatism well maybe. But I use the dust mop and mop the kitchen I mopped all over the house other two days then waxed floors and it didn't hurt and when snow come I took snow shovel and cleaned part of walks and it didn't hurt a bit but if I reach with my right arm I nearly scream hurts so bad so I think I hurt it. At the time our Dr was in hospital several weeks and I was waiting for him then snow come and we didn't go out so there always an excuse.

Sure hope this storm is just a rain but radio last night said blizzard so I'm dreading it.

Time to put news on and give him his morning coffee in bed then he can ge up and have breakfast. We enjoy that mornng coffee in bed.

Must close now - write soon.

love to all

Dora and Dad.

He goes to an eye specialist Dr Maynard Greenberg in Medic Arts Building he supposed to be one of the best in Omaha. He bought him a new norelco electric shaver yesterday and he tried it out this A.M. sure likes it fine he wansted one but said couldnt afford it I said theres going to be money when you and I are gone and why not get it now if you want it.

From Pops and Dora

Oh sometimes I get so sick and tired of the T.V.

Postmark: 21 Mar 1966

Dear Lottie, Bob, and Family.

I wrote to Marie and Albert. Now must write to you, Betty, and Ira. Sometimes I feel just like I counldnt write then again I dont mind, but if I expect to get letters I must write. There sure was a big write up about that son-in-law-of yours. I want to send paper to Ruth then Ill send it to you unless they sent it to you - picture of him and Jill. I hope Jill sent paper to you. I meant to wrte and see if I could get couple extra papers but I just didnt write.

Still having wonderful weather. Imagine 81 on March 16. I went to Salvation Army Golden Age Club on Wednesday had a nice program and an awful crowd every seat was take and they brought in folding chairs to have seats enough. Sure wish Lars could go too but he cant. Me or he rather raked yard and I picked up trash and burned it and oh that night I dont think there was a single mustle in my whole budy that wasnt sore. And I sure ached but he didnt even complain did say he was tired and I know - I was.

Well so your grandma at last, I told Lars now he was great grandpop now.

Oh sometimes I get so sick and tired of the T.V. seems he puts it on so loud it just roars and then I turn my ear phone off. Havent heard from Martin last letter he was on vacation and wanted his history magazines by air mail. I keep them until I hear from him sometimes I air mail one others its 9 to 5 but I keep them until he writes and says send them by return air mail so I do. I take care of all his papers that come here then I air mail them to him when he says to.

Well today is Sunday and we have been home alone all day seems every one has forgotten we even exist. Lars complains his stomach hurts so bad but he wont go to Dr. Just takes Alka Seltzer and Asperin but I just now fixed him some water vinegar and Soda and he said it didn't even make him belch so what can I do.

Planned on going to Lincoln this nice weather but weather man keeps saying rain this PM.Well Ive been caught in rain coming from Lincoln and I dont care to start when it says rain so best stay home.

We are sick one day well next and sick next

Well how does it work to be grandparents. Feel any different. Well 30 years from now they dont even know you exist. Oh well wait another 40 then be there turn.

Must close now. Write soon.

Guess Im just in a disagreeable mood today. Got letter from Marie and she sent pictures of Betty anf family and Ruthie and Kathy she sure is a sweet little Redhead a perfect doll.

love to All

Dad and Dora

Thanks for the Valentine too.

I hate the sight of a patch

Dear Lottie and Family

Just a few lines to thank you for the nice Fathers Day Gifts. Oh everything was just fine. Tell all the grandchildren they couldnt of found a nice gift that pleased him more than that candy. Honor hound candy I have strict instructions do not put any of that in that candy dish for the kids to eat it all up go to the store and get some other candy for that. For I want this candy for myself so I bought a pkg of candy put in there for me & any kids that come in for that other is his.

That cover for the day bed is grand I wanted a new cover but he thought that old one I made out of the drapes woman next door gave me was just fine seems hes so afraid we will spend a dollar ever since I got the money Marvin gave me. he wasn't so afraid to spend a dollar before but since we got that hes just positively miserly. there I got it off my chest. but its true.

Those cushions are so nice. everything was so nice and thanks for all of them its 10:30 and Im just taking care of his eyes and next comes his back. he didn't get up till 9:30 and I said breakfast first eyes & back later. but I get hungry and he needs the sleep so why not favor me too when I leave him sleep. This letter sounds like I'm out of sorts this a.m but Im not. Ive stayed home all day the 4th both Sunday and Monday I told him Id rather stay home I dont care for the fireworks but Jessie always did. Clements had to take her to fireworks every 4th she wanted us to go too but I didnt want to and neither did Lars he said just a big jam.

Seems we both miss Jessie so much for me picker her up nearly every Sunday at church then here for dinner take her home in evening then we were there once and sometimes twice every week and its lonesome without her. Then I dont or rather Lars dont have any one to do his patching and neither would Martin every time she come over he always brought out something and start to fix it and she would take it and fix it for him for I wont patch and never would and I dont care. I hate the sight of a patch. I darn his sweaters and dont mind but I will not patch them.

I told him next time Ruth come I was going to tell her to patch it I wont.

I intend to write to Mrs Schultz and have Ruth come on bus like she did before then we can take her to Blair and next day take her to bus Station then she can get to go to Blair and go see her friend out on West Maple and any place else she wants to go.

Sure wonderful you girls could all be together. I bet you all enjoyed it. we would enjoyed it too but our traveling days are over now. Lenas aunt in Elsie Nebr celebrated their golden wedding anniversary there I wrote it so you just laugh and say she meant well but just dont spell like she used to do.

O yes does Bob still have his coin collection. well I got a 1932 penny and if he wants it Ill send it to him.

So Albert & Lena and Lena's Aunt in Taft come to Elsie then drove on here but her aunt went on Bus to see another Sister.

They come Tues a.m. had dinner took Mrs B to Bus stattion back had lunch next day Lena went shopping I went along and Thursday they left and I was in bed rest of day and Friday I was so tired not sick just lazy tired.

Weve had so much rain.

Write oftener for we do get awful lonesome too. and a nice letter is lots of pleasure.

Jeans said we missed the 4th so there taking us on a picnic Sunday instead.

Lots of love to all of you and Thanks for the nice things write soon Dad & Dora

Letter of Pop's Death