It would be nice if you could find a room for me where the people attend church

Lincoln, Nebr.

May 7, 1959

Dear Marie -

I was glad that I could talk to you last Sunday afternoon. I am so pleased to hear that you are looking for a place for me to stay. Thank you very much dear. I am sending you a clipping about women wanted in Omaha. I have marked a few which kind of work I woudl apply and ask for. Now please Marie inquire - which means to (ask a question and ask about) a place for me to stay. And then pick out the most reasonable room where I could do a little cooking in case I don't do house-work. We can talk about employment when I arrive. But first find me a nice place to stay. It would be nice if you could find a room for me where the people attend church. But Marie, please take care of this matter for me right away. I am enclosing $15.00 as I said I would. You can pay down on the room as soon as I let you know when I will come out to Phoenix. Also enclose is a picture of my-self taken quite some time ago here, or since Lottie was to visit me. And then the front entrance to this house where I am employed.

I called up the Burlington Station about the trains to Phoenix. The train leaves Lincoln about 7 in the morning for Kansas City and then train gets there about one o'clock in the afternoon. Then the train for Phoenix leaves Kansas City at 10 in the evening and then the train arrives in Phoenix the next morning. But I will need reservations from Kansas City to Phoenix. And it will be better to let them know a week in advance. Now being I didn't leave here this month I surely intend to leave about the middle of June, which is next month. Now Marie please write to your father when you have found a room for me. I call him up at times and then he can tell me what you said. And perhaps I will call you about May 17th or May 24th which dates are on Sundays.

I still have the suit-case you gave me as a mother's day present once. But I need to get help for it and for another suit-case.

The lady I work for says she will buy me a trunk when I know that I am ready. Then I need time to pack my belongings. So please dear Marie try to find the place for me by the 24th of May. Then also I need to talk to them out at the hospital. So if you don't write to me, write to you father and I will try to call you by long distance May 24th. And be sure to pick the best you can for me by then. I mean best place to stay.

With love and best wishes.

I remain,

Your Mother.

Friday afternoon.

Dear Marie -

Being I didn't send my letter to you yesterday I will add a few more lines.

I was out to the hospital yesterday as Mrs. Schultz went on an errand and I went along.

I talked for a few minutes to the Dr. and I said that I wanted to go to Phoenix, Arizona next month. He said does your daughter want you to come? I hardly knew what to answer. But Marie when you talk to your father please say that "It will be OK for me to come." I need to have matters straight here and see about them right here.

Even Betty said that and I suppose Morgan told her that.

I was going to say if you don't need to pay down anything for a room you may keep the $15.00 for your time in helping me.

I just received a mother's day card from Lottie and a check for $5.00.

Hoping I am not asking too much. And perhaps you could write a few lines to you father also that it is OK for me to come. You know his ways.

As ever,
Mother.

P.S. Please excuse writing. In haste.

Friday Photo: Minne!

mid 1940s

Melody (Minne) Johnson Isley

Friday Photo: Falls City High School

Falls City High School

Falls City, Nebraska

1935

Please be at home Sunday afternoon

Lincoln, Nebr.
Nov. 9, 1965.

Dear Marie -

I tryed to call you Sunday. No anwer. Please be at home next Sunday Nov. 14th and at that time let me know if you are coming. You know it is quite important.

Also I wish to ask you about the dicky. And how old is Robin?

I was thinking I know something you father needs desperately and I wish to talk this over with you. Also could you please let your sisters know that not to send any Christmas present until I let you know what to give him.

Also do you know what size dress Robin wears?

Hope you received the articles I sent you air-mail.

Again please be at home Sunday afternoon. Hope it isn't asking too much.

I called your father and told him about Becky and it was the first he had heard the news.

As ever,
I am
Your Mother.

Charcoal, Reunions, & Bullfrogs

Portland State University

Ruth's Stats

Ill throw my oatmeal at him

Postmark: April 20, 1966

We have the life time refills for our ???
I too lazy to change

Dear Lottie and Family,

Haven't heard for so long wonder why.

Did Jill and Tibor send you the pictures of them and the big story I read every word of it and I enjoyed the story too. I made Lars listen to best part of it.

Say whats that about a trip to Hawaii. I can't even spell it let on go see it. I heard you Betty, Marie & Frank were going well just as well tell us all about it for now we are curious. I need a new pen. Have you got any laying around. Im still sick I had flue one night I didn't think I could make it I just fought to get my breath several times doped up with vicks my chest and throat then sick in bed all next day except long enough to cook him some oat meal and thats all I did cook him rest of day. I didn't eat a bit or even drink a cup of coffee. Kept taking vicks 44 then next day Jean come over and said change your dress your going to Dr. she went to phone called for an appointment. Oh he was so mad he wanted me to go to the Clinic at University hospital but I wouldn't go said no was paying Dr. O.K. he went to Arthritis Clinic next week charged him 2.00 and 25 to get in Parking then walk three blocks up that hill last tome I went with him. I had to stop and rest so many times. And the Dr. charged 3.00 he tell Drug store they sent medicene up helped me to but I need some thing to strengthen me. I do all my work but I creeh your mothers phoned come to Lincoln I said I cant I'm sick. Will you write ask Mrs Schultz if I could come to Omaha so I did. She got nice steak and carrots cooked them of they were so good I sure did enjoy them lot meat left and Im eating it its so good. I'm like Betty I love meat but Lars and Martin dont care for meat they can go a year and never miss meat but I want meat once a day but he dont so we dont have much meat only when I get lunch meat and eat that I just get it put it in refrigirator and when I want it get it but a nice piece of steak or hamburger sure tasts good.

He makes me so mad he loves Hawian Punch I get it when I was sick he went had to pay 34 for it had a fit. I thought you got it for 25 I said no the punch costs 34. Well don't buy any more we can't afford it then. Jean phones Im coming up anything you want to eat so I have her list and punch on it so tomorrow I open the punch for breakfast and he wont even say a word if he does Ill throw my oatmeal at him. No I better not do that or I wont have any to eat Ill just say boo hoo keep still and he will forget it till I go to store. Then Ill get a good lecture about your not happy unless you can find some way to spend all of that money and we can end up in the Poor Farm. Our kids arent going to see and if there isnt us out there. So you just as well shut up for I wont.

Well Lottie theres some good laughs in this letter and some heart aches too.

Write soon we get so lonesome. Lots of love from (Lars) and Dora.

Mother's Day Gift

May 1, 1975

Dear Elin,

I'm sure you will be very surprised and please to receive the enclosed check. After bills and expenses were taken care of in our mother's behalf, each of her five children will receive a gift of $410.00.

Betty and Morgan took care of the legal and accounting matters in such a way that funds were conserved. Betty spent last week in Phoenix with us recuperating from a gall bladder operation. We then had a chance to go over all the records together and checked with Lottie by phone.

I recently received verification that a stone, which matched Grandma's, was placed at Mother's grave in the Norby plot. This had previously been ordered.

Please let me know when you receive the check. What more fitting a Mother's Day gift! Betty and Lottie join me in sending their love.

Marie

Please write Mother instead of Mom

Lincoln, Nebr.
Oct. 22, 1954.

Dear Marie -

I received your welcome letter and the $2.00 enclosed. I was glad to hear from you. But Marie you did not answer some of the questions I have asked in my letters.

I think it was the practical way to stay where you are instead of moving. That is for now because I think the way you explained matters was the best way to look at it.

I am glad that you went to visit Lottie  and that you could all be together and Betty also, and all the children. That is one of my wishes for all my children to go and see each other. You didn't mention your brother at all in your letter. Have you heard any-thing from your father if he has heard from Martin? I am anxious about him. Marie the last time I heard from you was when you sent a mother's day greeting card 6 months ago. You wrote a few words then saying, "Will write a letter soon."

The lady I work for saw the social worker in one of the stores about the 13th of this month and the social worker asked the lady I work for if I had heard from any of my children.

Oh I went to the eye Dr. and it cost $5.00 which I payed him with the money you sent me about Christmas time. My eye is better and I am so thankful.

Will you please let me know about those shoes which I sent you. Being they don't fit you, did you send them to Elin as I wrote and asked you to do?

Marie you may sent me the 2 dresses you mentioned in your letter. I will appreciate them you may be sure and I will let you know how they fit. I don't know what size I take when it comes to ages. Also please send the short coat as soon as you can. Now if it is one that flares out could you please put some pleats in the back and fix it so that it looks like the picture I am sending on other side. Also could you please send me a black smooth leather belt to go with the coat in case there isn't any cloth belt?

Marie when you were all together this summer I would have like for you, Lottie, and Betty's husband to have had your picture taken like the clipping I am enclosing. I have mentioned this before in my letters. Why didn't you remember. Or else Lottie should have thought of it may-be.

Marie when you wrote in your letter that when you were visiting with your sisters that "We mentioned you often Mom," please write Mother instead of Mom. And I how I would appreciate it if you and your sisters would say now if our Mother needs our help we will say that we will write and ask what it is? And that you will make it come true for being so late. I will write more about this next time so please be prepared. Will you kindly act like a good daughter?

I wish to thank you for your long letter.

Please excuse this pencil.

Why didn't you send my brother Garfield a birthday card? Did you receive a postal card which I sent you when his birthday was? If you send a belt could you send me one that is 42 inches long and about 3 inches wide? Be so kind and read over my letter when you write.

As ever,
Mother.