Marty will have to do the best he can at Parkland

January 9, 1943

Dear Folksies,

It's Sunday night, and sorry to say, many Sunday nights have gone by since we've written any letters. We haven't quite gotten settled down after Christmas.

We've all had colds. Mine, I guess is the worst, I've had it for over a month and can't seem to shake it. Roxanne has been sick this week - stomach flu. The same thing as when she was ill in Yakima. She's been on a very light diet, and just as cross as two sticks. Today she felt better, so I put her back on a partially straight diet, and she simply ate like a horse.

Roxy says quite a few words now. Such as "see, dropped it, here it is, here you are, where, hello, hi, boo, peek, bye, mamma, daddy, Martin" and understands, and will carry out a simple commands. Like "shut the door, put this back, put it in the hamper, come here, and go see so-and-so"

I had a wisdom tooth pulled this week too. Hurt for a few days but is all right now.

A Christmas card came from Hastings and thought you might be interested. Needless to say, I do not intend to send one back, so I'm sending it on to you.

By the way, I have heard not one scratch from that darned photographer in Yakima. I sent the proofs in the first part of October and have written again some weeks ago asking about them but have heard nothing at all. May I suggest that you write Rev Blickenstaff and ask him to do a little bird-dogging on the deal. I had planned to write the Better Business Bureau, but a personal contact with them and the photographer would be much better. Mom wrote that you and Elin had offered to chip in on the bill. That is not necessary; we set aside the money for this months ago. However, I'd appreciate it is you would write Rev. B - you know them better, so it would be best for you to do it. (If you think it's a good idea.)

The research on Martin seems to have petered out. Neither the doctor or the principal thought Martin would be any better off at Marymount - so that seems to be out. The doctor thought Martin should be analyzed by the school analyst in town, but Mr. Ford (the principal) didn't think the analyst knew her business, and knew personally of too many cases in which she was wrong. He asked if Martin had even been psychoanalyzed, and I said "yes". He thought that would have been much more thorough that the regular school analyst. There were two schools discussed - one a class at Roy (a small town near here) but this was really for feeble-minded kids and Mr. Ford didn't think he belonged there. The other was a class at Central Grade School in town which dealt with problem and handicapped children, and seemed to be just the thing for Martin. However, it's way in town, and impossible and impractical from a standpoint of time and transportation. So I guess Marty will have to do the best he can at Parkland. There is just nothing else to do.

Sometimes he's good at home, and sometimes he's terrible, but on the whole I think he's improving. Spontaneous obendience is what we're working on more than anything else for that's the root of most of his trouble.

Here I am already to the fourth page and have not thanked you for your nice Christmas gifts. The rugs Mrs. Harris made are perfect. They are a beautiful blue, and go well with everything in Roxanne's room. The photograph book is just what she needs and we hope we can get those pictures put in in? the not too distant future. (Incoherent, isn't it?)

Bob appreciated the tie rack as did Martin. He put it up himself on his closet door, and was pleased as punch with his effort. God job, too. We are reading "Robin Hood" to him at night when he is a good boy. We're half way through, so you see, he's been pretty good. He eats up every word too.

Thanks again for all your nice gifts. I'm afraid ours to you this year were very meager. And by the way, did you get the other package of your slips and shoes? I had them both insured so let me know if you didn't get both boxes. Marty's bathrobe with baseball mitts and the baby mittens came too. Thank you.

Better close now, it's nearly ten-thirty, and I've got to take a bath before I go to bed. So adios.

Marty said he would write, but don't expect his letter till you get it.

L.

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: Reunion in Yakima

As directed in Ruth's letter...

1943 - Yakima, Washington

Martin Jensen, Elin Jensen Johnson, Merrilyn Johnson Koslin

Frank Durand, Marie Jensen Durand, Charlotte Jensen Johnson, Stan Johnson

Ruthie Durand Dent, Roxanne Johnson Cumming