Nov 23, 2017

Sun, Nov 23, 1947: Coldwater jail

"A surprising footnote to the career of one of my helpers on the senior play: Saturday afternoon Ralph Metzger landed in the Coldwater jail....As technical director -- in charge of lighting and sound effects--he was the hardest worker among the seniors.  He was my right hand man.
"King tells me that he was arrested for breaking into a store after the play.  His accomplice confessed everything before they picked Ralph up.  Previously the two had entered many stores & homes here in Protection.  Shortly before noon yesterday he had come up to the apartment to deliver Christmas cards which I had ordered through him.  Juvenile delinquency hits at home, too."

--Letter from my father, Protection, Kans., to my mother, Winfield, Kans., evening, Sunday, November 23, 1947.

Nov 18, 2017

Tue, Nov 18, 1947: truth or dare

"After play practice we went to the home of Mary Sanders for refreshments and games.  Ice cream and cake in abundance--something that I've had little of recently.
"Party games in which these seniors indulged were truth or dare, and who're you with, where you are, and what you are doing.  I won't bother to explain these adolescent games; but they create a lot of excitement and humor."

--Letter from my father, Protection, Kans., to my mother, Winfield, Kans., evening, Tuesday, November 18, 1947.

Nov 14, 2017

Fri, Nov 14, 1947: gumption

"Lena just now came in holding out her left hand.  She had a glass doorknob on her third finger, and said she had been  ut hanging clothes, and it had been love at first sight, but he only gave her a small ring, since it was all he could afford it.
"More of our cleverness.  Thelma has your picture carefully curtained with Kleenex.  She has two long pieces hung on a string so that just your head peeks out.  She says I can pull the curtai ns if I get mad at you....
"I had my scaredest counselee, Corrine Gwin, for supper tonight, and got the nearest to her that I have yet.  I believe she will come out of it in time.  She said her mother, father, two sisters, and three brothers, went to school at Manhattan, but she wanted to come here so she could be herself and not just the youngest in a family, so I think she must have some gumption. She is worried about Chemistry, though."
--Letter from my mother, Winfield, Kans., to my father, Protection, Kans., Friday, November 14, 1947. Two typos per original typewritten letter.

Nov 13, 2017

Thu, Nov 13, 1947: just to talk

"Just after church, I had a call from Hutchinson.  Daddy had hear about Who's Who, and they we're calling just to talk--the first call of that kind that I can remember.  All three were in a gay mood and were having a good time together.  Marjorie still wants us both to come for Thanksgiving.  It was the kind of call that puts me in a different mood. I'm really eager to go home this time -- and of course especially since you'll be there too."

--Letter from my mother, Winfield, Kans., to my father, Protection, Kans., morning, Thursday, November 13, 1947.

Nov 12, 2017

Wed, Nov 12, 1947: rather puny

"Play practice for the night was rather puny.  Four of the twelve actors were sick. Such mass absenteeism certainly knocks a hole in our plans.  It's a good thing that I'm not prone to worry excessively....
"I love you darling.  It would be wonderful to have you here to light the fire on cold mornings.  I love you for having thought of such a thing--as if I'd let you get up first when it's cold."

--Letter from my father, Protection, Kans., to my mother, Winfield, Kans., evening, Wednesday, November 12, 1947.

Nov 11, 2017

Tue, Nov 11, 1947: grand time

"The life of a cook in rush week!  By not working at the library, I did manage to get supper on--early at that, and hurry through the dishes so I could journey to Wellington to skate with the Jinx Janes.  We had a grand time as usual & I ate a whole 'nother meal afterwards--we had hamburgers & cocoa at Lois Mae's house...
"Your orchid did cause a splash.  People mentioned it even yesterday after I quit wearing it.  As sensible as I am, and unimpressed by material things--supposedly--it still did something.  But it was the love & thoughtfulness behind it that mean more--and I still have those, even if the flower is a little tired-looking."

--Letter from my mother, Winfield, Kans., to my father, Protection, Kans., morning, Tuesday, November 11, 1947. Jinx Janes was a women's pep club at Southwestern College.

Nov 10, 2017

Mon, Nov 10, 1947: the old clock

"Eleven strokes on the old clock downstairs signified that it's time to retire.  You'll get to know that clock well.  Unlike the soft tinkling chimes of the modern clock, the sound is harsh, brazen & hollow--in the old-fashioned tradition....
"Goodnight, Ruth, my honey.  It had gotten to be a habit having you around.  I hated more than ever to leave the campus this time.  Why didn't I concoct some plausible reason for staying there.  I might have changed my major to art or coaching basketball, necessitating some more undergraduate work.
"Love & Kisses,
"DeVere"

--Letter from my father, Protection, Kans., to my mother, Winfield, Kans., evening, Monday, November 10, 1947.

Nov 9, 2017

Sun, Nov 9, 1947: powers of slumber

"The trip to Protection was a memorable one.  Jim Basore accompanied me as far as Wichita--accompanied my snores that is.  At Wichita Union Station I made a beeline for a bench in the waiting room-my bed for the night.  Jim called his brother-in-law; then stretched out on the adjoining wooden bench.  Vaguely I remember prying open one eye to bid Jim goodbye.  In a flash it was 5 a.m..  I was afraid to go bak to sleep; so I got up for a snack of breakfast soon after--then the Protection-bound doodle-bug at 6. Three other teachers and Melba Maris, a senior, were aboard.  Apparently my powers of slumber amazed them.  The four-hour journey out to these regions of the plains seemed remarkably short to me.  They complained of the rough ride--the bumps which awakenedthem--and each time they glanced in my direction to see a sound sleeper."

--Letter from my father, Protection, Kans., to my mother, Winfield, Kans., evening, Sunday, November 9, 1947. Two typos per original typewritten letter.

Nov 3, 2017

Mon, Nov 3, 1947: now you have a Mother

"My Dearest Ruth:
"...And now you have a Mother.  It must seem rather different to have the addition to the family. Yet it comes at a time when you're nearly ready to leave the family; so I suppose that it won't make much change in your life.  You've lived some of the years when you needed a mother most without one....It must have been hard for you at times.  But I think that you're a bit more independent for the experience."

--Letter from my father, Protection, Kans., to my mother, Winfield, Kans., evening, Monday, November 3, 1947.

Mon, Nov 3, 1947: uncommunicative

"Daddy has certainly been uncommunicative about this matter.  The wedding had been moved to 11P00, the bishop did it, Aunt Clara and Uncle Roy were there, and we had a big dinner after it--all unbeknownst to me beforehand....
"Patsy wept extensively at the wedding.  She said it was because she was so ha ppy.  I really think she is, but still, I'm just a trifly worried about the situation.  IT8s not going to be easy to see Daddy love someone else, when she's nearly had a monopoly on him for so long."

--Letter from my mother, Winfield, Kans., to my father, Protection, Kans., evening, Monday, November 3, 1947.  Four typos per original typewritten letter.

Nov 2, 2017

Sun, Nov 2, 1947: under fire

"Via the Hicks family I learn that I'm under fire for holding play practice on Wednesday eve.  Mrs. King mentioned while riding with them, that she would speak to her husband about the rehearsals which interfere with Baptist church prayer meetings.  Previously King, himself, had complained to me about the ministers who come around to object about holding school events on Wed.  All summer they provide no recreation for children, then in the winter they storm up to the schoolboard with their grievances, he says. So I'm not anticipating any reprimands."

--Letter from my father, Protection, Kans., to my mother, Winfield, Kans., Sunday, November 2, 1947, evening.