A Clock and Two Spoons

Lincoln, Nebr.

April 16, 1957.

Dear Marie -

It is your turn to write to me again.

I hope you send Martin a birthday card. Don't forget the date May 11th.

I intend to send you a few things. Don't have them just now ready. The clock is one that was given to me. Now I don't need it as I have another one. I think it needs oiling. Perhaps the children can make use of it. Hope it arrives in good condition. The spoon that has the red string on it I thought could be for me when I come out to visit you. The other one is for you.

I hope you can be at home on Mondays as I may call you up dear.

Hope Frank is improved by this time in health.

Now Marie when I come please don't think of me as a visitor. I wish to help you with your work you know that in ways that I can. Perhaps by this time you cant think of what my cousin Anna's brother's names is. I mean besides Elmer. Please let me know dear.

The picture of the ladies with the scarfs is to show you how you can make one for yourself with the material I sent.

With love,

Mother

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)