Darkness

Did I mention my grandmother was a writer?

Date Unknown

Wash Cloths & Old Underpants (that's enough about me)

Well now I know converting old T-shirts, socks, and cloth diapers (when I was a kid...not now) into rags is an inherited trait.

I was always mortified when my mother would turn random cloth items into dust rags. Mommmmm...someone might know this used to be my favorite "Foxy Girl" T-shirt! And is that my old pair of underwear (the ones you handmade out of silky orange fabric)? It's being used to wash the car? I...am...so...embarrassed...

AB

Lincoln, Nebr.
July 6, 1955

Dear Marie –

I sent you a package and hope that you received it.

I hope you like the wash cloth. I wrote and asked you if you would like the stockings but you didn’t answer me? You and your girls can use them for dusting or cleaning. But you can cut them up the seam so they will be larger. The stockings were sent to me when I was in the hospital by you and your sisters most all of them. The brown dress is also one that you or your sisters sent me and no doubt you can make use of it in cleaning windows perhaps.

The blue waist is one I had made over from a dress that was given to you when you worked at Preglers. Miss Julian or the late Miss Julian made the waist for me. I thought I could perhaps use the belt and ties so I cut them off. It is the worst material to iron that you ever saw. I am sending some clippings and hope you will enjoy reading them.

Oh about that blue waist again. Perhaps you can use some of the snaps in the waist! The waist can then be perhaps useful as a cleaning rag I am wondering if you remember the waist which was your dress in the beginning.

I thought you would like to read some more about Mrs. America so am enclosing an article about her. I have seen her over T.V.as well as in person.

Also the article about the young birds. When I first went to Omaha to find work I called with another lady at Mrs. Doorly’s house as she wanted some help. I can remember her saying that she was having a dinner party that evening. I don’t recall how it was but I didn’t go and work for her. And then the article about Eugenie Whitmore whom I have seen in person at a place where I was employed. And do you remember that great big range or stove we had out on the farm? Well that stove used to be the Whitmore’s stove.

I have some papers and clippings I would like to keep for my-self. And Marie would you kindly do me a favor? If I sent them to you please keep them until I know where I will be living? I wish to leave here. The social worker has not called yet. I wish you would come this summer Marie to visit me please.

I have sent all my daughters a wash cloth now with their initial since I have been here. Your father was in Lincoln for a short visit not long ago or rather since he returned from his trip.

Please write. Mother.

Snowflake Hand

I've made Turkey Hands and Feather/Headdress Hands, but never a Snowflake Hand.

Compliments of artist Mark Johnson

Pomp, Circumstance, & Y2K

Yay Betty! Amongst the letters I found this article regarding her high school graduation. Betty, do you have a date on this?

And if you look on the back side, you get a slice of life. But someone forgot to tell the editor that Y2K was coming in 2000. '93 refers to 1893.

Wanted: One Trunk Lock

Oakland, Nebr.
Oct. 27, 1944

Dear Marie –

I hope you arrived in Omaha safely. I also hope you are feeling all right now that you are back with your baby. She must have been so glad to see you when you returned.

To-day I received a letter from 2517 St. Mary’s and money enclosed. I can not express in words how thankful I am.

I also received a nice letter from Lottie and the news about her little family. I had another letter from Elin yesterday. She wrote that her cold was gone.

The dresser was sent to Elin yesterday. I must write Elin too and let her know that it is on the way out there.

Marie there is some-thing I would like for you to buy for me in Omaha. Then you can bring it to Tekamah on Monday and give it to me. Because I can’t buy this in Oakland. It is a trunk lock and key to put on that trunk. Please try and see perhaps a lock-smith like Carl Jar close to 16th and Leavenworth Street would have one. Thanking you very much in advance.

As I didn’t know Durand’s address I am sending this to your father’s address. So good-by until Monday morning.

I am,
As ever,
Your Mother.

P.S. I am making this important because I want you to get it in time so that you can try and buy the lock Saturday afternoon.

The town has really changed but it will always be a memory to me as a child

There aren't many letters from Elin, the oldest of the Jensen daughters. But here's one!

A couple of people have asked why I'm transcribing all these letters. Well...some are hard to read because of age and the thinness of paper. So I figured reading on the screen makes more sense. Then again, I use my computer 26 hours a day. So this blog is really one more excuse to feed my computer habit.

AB

Northport, Wash
May 7th 1956

Dear Mother:

Just a few lines to thank you for the beautiful Birthday card. It was very pretty also Thanks a lot for the nice hankie.

I had a nice birthday. I got a beautiful card and purce & billfold combination from Marilyn Jean. It came from Hawaiian Islands. Also she sent me such a nice letter. I got a birthday card with red races & letter on from Stanley. He is going to college this year. School will soon be out & he will have to find work again. He saved most of his earnings last summer for college this year.

Marilyn J is still nursing at Hawaiian Islands. I guess she just loves it over there. The climate is so nice. No hard winters to battle.

I also got a birthday card & note from Elizabeth. The live at Grandview Wn. Two of her goys graduate this year. Her girl is living in California now. She is married.

I really appreciated the Oakland papers. Only I was so sorry to see of different one that has passed away that I know. I guess you remember Goldie Carlson was my school teacher in the 2nd grade. I seen about her death in the paper. I was sorry to see about Mac Danielson’s bro Oscar passing away.

There has been several things of interest in the paper. I really enjoyed reading. It sounds like the town has really changed but it will always be a memory to me as a child.

We are all fine here. We have had such a cold spring. It seems awful late this year. We have some peas & onions planted but they are sure coming slow.

I am enclosing this letter in a Mother’s Day card and Happy Mother’s Day & thanks again for the birthday card & gift. Also thanks again for the Oakland papers.

Hope this finds you O.K.
Love Elin & family

Two for One! (complete with sewing instructions and a death announcement)

Lincoln, Nebr.
Oct. 22, 1964

Hello Frank –

I wish to thank you for the 2 or 3 letters I have received from you.

I meant to write you about that religion book. Martin sent it to me some time ago. I thought you would be interested in it and glad if you like it.

I hope you and the family will come to Omaha and Lincoln for the holidays. Would you plan now so that as soon as school vacation starts you all can be ready to leave? I would like for Martin to come also.

Hope you read the enclosed clipping very carefully. Thank you.

Best wishes,
Mrs. Ruth Jensen

Lincoln, Nebr.
Oct. 22, 1964

Dear Marie –

I was glad that you were at home last Sunday afternoon. Thank you for paying for the telephone call. I sent the package to you last Monday afternoon. I wrote on package – please deliver Saturday., Oct. 24th, 1964. Now in case they don’t deliver on Saturday you had better call for it as soon as you possibly can. Now the big card over the envelope can be opened up and pictures can be placed in-side. Also I put a card with Becky’s gift for the baby and hope that you and she finds the little greeting card.

Now about the material I am sending for the dicky. Would you please press it out before taking it to the dress-maker? Thank you. As near as I could I cut out the pattern for the dicky. I was thinking the collar I enclosed would be about right. Now about the cuffs that could be cut out last with what material is left. Let me know how much the dress-maker charges please and again thank you.

Marie I surely hope you are planning to come at Christmas time. When you let me know I could send you $10.00 to help pay expenses. I think Lottie and Jackie plan to visit you next summer so you can’t very well come next summer.

Please read over the clipping I am enclosing carefully.

I will call you over the telephone before very long.

With love and best wishes,
Mother

~~~~~~
1964

Mrs. Hannah Nylander of Sioux City, Iowa died Friday morning, August 14th in Sioux City. She was a former Oaklander. Callers in Oakland Tuesday enroute from the funeral in Sioux City were Bernard Nylander of Maywood California., Mrs. La Vern Ward of Phoenix, Arizona and Mr. and Mrs. Milton Nylander and children of Omaha, Nebraska.
~~~~~

I copied the above from the Oakland paper. Perhaps you could look up La Vern – she was younger than Elizabeth. Then if you do see La Vern ask her about Elizabeth and let me know.

The Fortunes of Traveling to Foreign Lands

I've hiked the hill to see "Big Jesus" in Rio (I know...not politically correct, but that's what it is), been really really hot climbing the temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, and been really really cold wading in the North Sea in November (a birthday dip).

I've tasted pie across the state of South Dakota, picked wild strawberries in the Latvia countryside, and rated empanadas across South America (Argentina, hands down).

I've ridden a tuktuk through the streets of Bangkok, sailed the Star Ferry in Hong Kong, and figured out the Tokyo subway system.

I've taken the obligatory photo by the Southern Most Point of Key West, looked up at (and down from) the Eiffel Tower, and walked very very quickly through the Red Light District of Amsterdam.

But something about this simple photo of a father and son makes me pause.

AB

Lincoln, Nebr.
Nov. 24, 1959

Dear Marie –

I am ending you some news-paper articles. Wouldn’t it have been wonderful if Martin and his father could have taken a trip together as the 2 shown here in the picture? Perhaps when your sons grow up they will be fortunate to travel abroad to foreign lands.

I heard from Martin a few weeks ago.

Marie I sincerely hope you wrote to the attorney Sunday afternoon as I reminded you. I hope you wrote that I would like for him to see about arranging for me to go to the hotel in Blair.

I would like to call you up again Sunday afternoon. In case you are not at home will you please tell your family to answer if you have wrote to the attorney about me? Also if you have written to your father about me. That he will or will he come for me when I can leave here? You see I wish to leave here the following day after I am released. That is why I wish to see about where I am going. And as I said I wish to leave here the 1st part of December.

I don’t know if you have heard from Lottie or not recently. I called her up not long ago and the news was that Marilyn – Elin’s daughter was on a trip to Europe and wet with some other girls. Marilyn was on a 2 month’s leave and went on a pass.

I haven’t heard from Elin that is not any letter from her since Mother’s day.

I want to get settled so that I can let those who wish to send me a greeting card at a different address.

Now don’t forget to remind who many answer the telephone to tell me if you have written to the attorney and your father. I would be very much pleased to talk to you next Sunday afternoon if you are at home Marie.

Hope you will enjoy reading the articles I am sending you.

With best wishes and love.

I remain
As ever

Mother.

Happy New Year (from me)

I like these little random things that appear throughout the stacks of letters. There's not much to some of these items, but they still make me smile.

I don't have a date for this postcard, so I'm not sure what the "congratulasion" refers to. Ideas, anyone?

The "me" is Christine Norby, my great-great grandmother.

AB

Confirmed: Men Are Apes

It is quite clear that Marie (Jensen) Durand (my great-aunt) was the letter writer of the family, or at least of the daughters. And my great-grandmother, Ruth Norby Jensen, replied to everything.

Most letters are great descriptors of life in the 1940s...or 1960s...or even 1990s (not written by Ruth, obviously). It makes me think about all that I write that doesn't get kept by anyone. Where will it go?

Oh, this blog is getting saved, isn't it? Hmm...

AB

Oakland, Nebraska

Oct. 11, 1940
Marie,
Received your letter after I had written the one to you. I was glad to hear from and that you all are well. How did you like the last letter I sent with the different clippings? When you answer my letter please look up the last one and answer the questions I ask. I have mentioned this before. As I start to write you I read your letter over. Please do the same next time.
Well the time is growing closer when the young men will have to register. For the Burt County draft board Judge Stauffer is going to be attorney for the county. I believe in military training for young men. I read an article in a paper some time ago which I thought was very good. It said that at this time young men needed this discipline very much which this training gives. Frank has his parents and brother to talk over his opinions with hasn’t he? Again, I repeat that I believe in military training for young men 100%.
I was reading in the paper about who was the most attractive women or men. And the answer was a woman was because a woman resembles a child while a man has the likness of an ape. I think this so very real how men resemble the ape.
Please don’t give Martin any spankings. I know I have mentioned this before but talk to him. Remember my mother never spanked Garfield, but talked and explained about the different problems which came up.
I haven’t answered Elin’s letter yet but intend to before long. Dave returned Tuesday evening and so far hasn’t any work. Sometimes my mother waits on both of us and it reminds me of when I was a child and for a few minutes it seems I am a child again. Think of those little children in the countries where war is going on how they must part perhaps with their mother on this earth. G.’s house – Keeper’s mother died when she was born! I am reading a continuous story in a little paper about a pair of twins and how much they think of their mother. They are nineteen years of age and both wish to stay with their mother. I cut out to-day’s story and let Betty read it but please save it don’t destroy the clipping.
I am sending another clipping which I think is interesting and save it too or send it back. Some day when I am well and keep house for you I hope you may take a rest cure, for rest heals any wounds you know.
Write soon. I will answer Betty’s letter later. Let Betty read this no one else. Tell Martin hello from, Mother.
P.S. I hope you changed the clothes after Dave slept in the bed. I changed them before Martin slept in the bed. (Important)

And an enclosed clipping for Martin. Ruth includes a lot of clippings in letters and most appear to have been saved.