December 3, 1955 The Piano Practice, The Manuscript, The Rug and The Furnace

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"I'll write my letter while I drink my coffee.  We usually practice piano now but there are special TV shows on Saturday so we'll practice later.  Bob is doing fine with piano.  They are learning Christmas carols now.

Green star means "very well done" but practice still needed.

Red star means "good job" but practice still needed.

I haven't done much in the house this week.  The children have had several others here to play and I can't do a thing when there is a houseful of kids.  I have been making Ann a dress.  She is growing out of her clothes.  I thought I might save this as a Christmas present so I can sew just when she's gone.

Thursday was a full day and I'm still tired from it.  The Education Wives met at 1:15, then music class and then I went to another club meeting that night.  It was too much for one day.

I haven't had a chance to write about my manuscript.  Woody says the agent may have given it to some publishers who have had it for a long time.  He says they are very slow and he thinks it is all right.  He does want me to write the agent and ask her what she has been doing with it and if any publishers have seen it.

We try to go to church but it is hard.  Ann goes to S.S. every Sunday and Bob willingly goes to church with us but we can't get him to go to S.S. with Ann.  She will beg him but it doesn't do any good.  They both are pretty good in church but I could get more out of it if they would go to S.S. and let us go to church.

We like our rug very much and it doesn't show dirt like a plain one.  It is 12'8" x 20 and covers the floor completely except for the place on each side of the fireplace.  Olsons are reversible, you know, so we didn't get the rug cut out to fit around the fireplace because sometime we'll want to turn it.  The fireplace is not centered.  It looks like it is but there is about 4 inches difference.  Did you get your Olson catalog?  I sent your name in.

Image courtesy of eBay

I think you'll get used to the furnace.  Ours makes noise too.  The even heat is so wonderful and to not shovel coal--that's heaven.

I must get to work.  Woody is coming after some boxes.  They are moving into their new house next week.  It isn't finished but they will live in three rooms until it is done.  They are tired of paying double bills and rent.

Don't work too hard."

                    Lots of love,

                            Bonnie

NOTE:  Daily piano practice was always closely supervised and always rewarded so it wasn't too bad most of the time. 

November 20 and 26, 1955 The First Thanksgiving on School Street

 Nov. 20, 1955

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We are really looking forward to your coming.  I wrote Bessie this week to tell them how to find our house.

It has been terribly cold and now we have snow on the ground--since supper.  I hope we can have nice weather while you are here.

B is out for a meeting.  Bob is staying with Lynn tonight and David is here with Ann.  Ann and Dave had their second polio shots yesterday.  Bob gets his second one on Tuesday.  They don't mind them at all.  They seem to understand how wonderful it is that they can have them.

I never did mention Christmas to Bessie.  Maybe we can settle it while they are here.

Take it easy and we'll see you soon."

                      Lots of love,

                             Bonnie

Yikes!  Woman's Day, 1955

November 26, 1955

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"It's rather quiet now.  The dog and I are here alone.  Buddy and Bessie left about 2:15 and then B took the kids with him to the barber shop.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving but missed you terribly.  Of course, we know you couldn't come as things turned out but that didn't lessen the disappointment any.  Ann really howled when we got your letter and Bob wanted to cry but can understand a little better so he didn't.

Buddy and Bessie got here about 3:00 Wednesday afternoon.  The kids rode his lap the whole time he was here but I'm sure everyone had a good time.  We didn't do anything but visit and I guess it is the longest time we ever had together.  I had my menu planned so we didn't spend a lot of time cooking but we had our turkey and trimmings yesterday.

That's the rather gay, but lovely rug!

Our rug came this morning early so Buddy helped us put it down.  We were really glad he was here to help.  The piano is such a problem to move.  The rug is rather gay but lovely.  The background is grey with bits of black, red, green & yellow woven into it.

Tell Beulah that I told Bessie about our not trading gifts and she thought that was fine.  She said Beulah and I could buy for our own children and she would buy for hers.

I have a little birthday gift for Charlotte that I was saving to give her when she came so I'll try to get it mailed to her soon.  I hadn't forgotten.

We haven't even thought of Christmas.  We won't do much and the dog is part of the kids' Xmas.  I feel like I have already had my Xmas and then some with the house.

My next project is to get the drapes done.  We don't have much privacy as it is.

I'm going to write about my manuscript again.  Sorensens are supposed to be here tomorrow night and we're going to plan something to do about it.

We were glad to have your letters and your regular weekly one came before Buddy left so they got to read it too.

Take care of yourselves and it won't be long until we'll be home for Christmas."

                          Love to you both,

                                 Bonnie

NOTE:  I don't know what prevented our grandparents from coming to Illinois for Thanksgiving.  Buddy was our uncle, and he was always great fun and very playful.

The Thanksgiving menu:  Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, corn, beets, cranberry/orange relish, olives, pickled carrots, rolls w/ apple butter, pumpkin and pecan pies.  I can't recall a Thanksgiving where the menu ever varied from this traditional dinner, served mid-afternoon.

About Olson rugs:  These rugs were among the first to be made from re-claimed materials. Costomers were encouraged to send scraps of fabric which were then weighed and credited against the price of the rug.

November 12, 1955 The Move, The Once Over and The Long-Promised Dog

Meet Pretzel!

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"The past week sort of seems like a dream.  We worked so hard that the week went too fast.  The day after we signed the papers we started to bring little things up here.  Every time the car was out we would bring a load.  The house was dusty so we went over it all with the sweeper and then I painted the living room walls one day.

The movers set everything in place so by Wednesday night we were all moved except for a few things we wanted to move ourselves.  I got those yesterday and gave the old place a quick once over.  It is rented already and we will be reimbursed for the rent we had paid for this month.  The people bought our coal and part of my drapes.  They couldn't be used here.  We have some curtains at part of the windows but they don't fit.  They will do until we can do better.  We're going to take our tie and get what we want so we may still be without curtains when you come.  We're trying to make out our rug order tonight.

We love our house.  There is so much room and closet space.  We are all so happy.  This big kitchen is going to be lived in.

We finally got the long promised dog.  He is a nine month old dachshund and is pedigreed--a very nice dog.  The people had to sell him because they were moving into an apartment where dogs were not allowed.  Bob and Ann had a time going to sleep after having so much fun with the dog.

Have you decided what day you are coming?  Bessie didn't know in her last letter.  I must write to them soon and tell them how to find our house.  It will be nice to have you all come.  I wish Beulah and the others could come too."

                       Lots of love,

                            Bonnie

NOTE:  At about 6 years old, I started collecting china dogs, as did most of my friends.  After having been packed away for several decades, I managed to find the few remaining.

November 5, 1955 402 North School Street

November, 1955

 Dear Mother & Daddy,

"The house is ours!  I intended to write you the minute we closed the deal but we haven't had a free minute.  We were called about noon on Wednesday and met all the other people involved at 3:00 that afternoon.  It took about an hour to do the paperwork.  By the time we left the bank it was raining, snowing, and sleeting.  We wanted to go take a look at the house then but it was getting late and I had to get supper and clean the house before company came.

The envelope with Grandmother's notation

Last night we had our big P.T.A. meeting which we helped plan.  It was a huge success.

Saturday Evening Post, Oct., 1955

 I have spent today working at the new house.  It had been empty for almost 6 months so there was lots of lint and dust.  I took the sweeper and went over all the walls and ceilings.  I'll have a stiff neck tomorrow.  The bedrooms (walls) need to be washed but I'm going to try to clean the worst parts and let it go.  The floors are lovely so I want to clean and polish them before we put rugs down.  We are all anxious to be moved and plan to move next week sometime.  Our address from now on will be:

                                          402 N. School St.
                                          Normal, Ill.

That was real nice of Mamie to answer your card.  I think I'd brag about it a little.

We are all fine and anxious for you all to come to see us."

                       Lots of love,

                               Bonnie

NOTE:  I knew that my grandmother had written to Mamie Eisenhower, but I haven't seen the card she received from Mamie, and don't know where it might be.  I'm looking.

Our parents would live in the house on School Street until the late-80's at which point they moved up the street a few blocks.  Weary of the noise and disruption from the growing number of university fraternities and student rooming houses taking over the neighborhood, it seemed the prudent thing to do.  I recently contacted a friend to see if he could go by the School St. house and take a picture of it for the blog, but I was too late.  The week before, it had been demolished and construction had begun on more student housing. 

The fall of '55 was a busy time, but for Halloween, our mom made us paper masks from patterns she had ordered.  I still have the patterns and wish I had the wonderful masks!  It was a wet and cold Halloween so I suspect they didn't survive much longer than a night or two.

October 29, 1955 Not in the Mood, The Penny Supper and Waiting on the House

A very typical 50's ad message that smoking was important, from Life, 1955  Bonnie would disagree.

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"I'm tired this morning and not in the mood to work so I'll write my letter.  This week has been like a merry-go-round and we've about run down.  B had lots of extra things at school.  Bob was sick Sunday and Monday and looked bad yesterday so we have been giving him sulfa again.  Any germs that get near him land in his throat just like I used to be.  He looks and feels better this morning.  Maybe I told you he is going to wear long underwear this year in hopes that he won't have so many colds.  We were afraid he'd object to them but he liked them so much that he put them on as soon as we got them.  It was cold that day but has warmed up and he's gone back to shorts.  He is invited to a wiener roast this afternoon.

Last night was the big penny supper at school.  The mothers send the food for a cafeteria supper.  Everyone goes and buys food they have sent in the first place.  It is a money making scheme.  I sent two cakes and helped serve pie.  They have this thing every year so they really have it organized.  Over 1000 people ate supper in about two hours.

Wednesday night B & I went to a friend's house just for an evening of talk.  Our Japanese friend lives there so we all enjoyed it.  Some other people have asked to see our Japanese slides so we are having to have a little party next week.  There is another party this Saturday night.  We are beginning to say no to a lot of things we'd like to go to but we can't do everything.

We're still waiting on the house.  I do wish we'd hear.  It would be so disappointing if we can't get moved before Thanksgiving.  One reason for the slowness  is that there were some little points in the abstract that had to be changed.  Bessie said that they still planned to come but didn't mention Marjorie coming.  I don't see why Charlotte couldn't come.  I'm so glad Beulah is getting the pump.

The new house is not far from church--maybe 4 or 5 blocks.  We aren't sure about the color for the living room.  It is dark and sort of green so I'm going to take a couch cushion up there and see how it looks.  We have written for rug samples and curtain samples but they haven't come yet.

I haven't had much time to think about my book.  I never did have an answer to my last letter.  One of these days I'll write another one.

The leaves are beautiful and coming down fast now.  We'll have to start raking soon.

Hope you both are fine."

         Lots of love,

               Bonnie

October 22, 1955 The I.S.N.U. Homecoming, The Japanese Dinner and The Terrible Accident

Image from The Index, Yearbook, 1955

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"This is a noisy town tonight.  It is the start of the big homecoming weekend.  The rooming houses are all decorated and everyone in town seems to be driving by to look at them.  There is a big parade in the morning.  The children can hardly wait for that.  B has to go to a luncheon at noon tomorrow but I never try to go to anything.  If it is a nice day we plan to take the kids on a picnic in the evening.  They have wanted to go on a wiener roast for a long time.

 Our Japanese dinner was a big success.  We had only three guests--the Japanese professor, the chairman of the art department and his wife.  Yokosawa-san ate and ate (about four bowls of rice, I think.)  He laughed and told B to imagine how good a steak would taste to him after eating Japanese food only for five years. 

He has cousins in Ohio but they were born in America and don't know how to cook Japanese food.

An earlier informal Japanese dinner with the Sorensens and Larsens, 1954

Just before supper time that night we had a terrible accident.  David spilled a pan of boiling eggs on his chest and one leg.  He got two bad burns but they are healing fine.  He was so good about it all.  We poured aspirin in him and he went to sleep and slept all night.  It hasn't hurt him since.

We're still waiting on the house.  The people moved the last few things out last Sunday.  We were up there for a few minutes and got another look at things.  The living room will have to be painted but soap and water will fix up the rest for now.

We plan to get an Olson rug for the living room and use the rugs we have for the bedrooms.  The Olsons seem quite a bit cheaper than other brands.

We have given up trying to keep it quiet about the house.  Everybody in town knows it.  I guess the neighbors up there probably asked who bought it or someone saw us up there.

Piano lessons are still a struggle.  Bob does fine when he wants to but the trouble is that he doesn't want to.

We all went to church last Sunday.  The kids got wiggly but the service was a little longer than usual.  They serve communion every Sunday, you know, and Ann was so mad because we wouldn't let her have some of "that stuff" as she called it.

Hope you both are fine.  We had a letter from Bessie.  They still plan to come here Thanksgiving.  The kids can hardly believe you are coming.  They get real excited when they talk about it."

                         Lots of love,

                                Bonnie

October 15, 1955 Tired of Shoveling Coal, Strong Enough to Float an Egg and A Pretty Full Date Book

 Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We were glad you were pleased about the house.  It is only a week since we signed the contract but seems like a month.  We just have to wait, though.  Only a few people have been told but I'll be glad when we can tell it.  B just happened to meet the man who owns it today.  He has been moving things out of the house and getting it ready for us.  There was a stove and some dining room furniture besides boxes.

I'm so glad you are getting a furnace.  That will save so much hard work and dirt too.  That is one thing we're looking forward to.  We're tired of coal dust and shoveling coal.

The children are fine.  Ann has no signs of ever being sick but Bob still coughs a little and has a runny nose.  He probably will all winter.

I'm tired and sleepy tonight.  Last night was the fall supper for faculty women.  I drank coffee and it was strong enough to float an egg so I didn't go to sleep very easily.  I had to take a new faculty woman and see that she had a good time.  That was work too.

Images from Life, September 12, 1955

I cleaned house this morning and then Ann and I modeled in the Y.W.C.A. style show that I told you about long ago.  Ann was so good and I was so proud of her.  They had about 20 different areas to represent--from Alaska to Burma.  Some of the costumes were just beautiful.

I went to a meeting of second grade mothers Wed. afternoon and should have gone to one for Ann's room this afternoon.

Tomorrow night we are having a Japanese dinner party for some of our friends.  I think I mentioned that there was a Japanese professor hired here this year.  We have met him and like him.  He is coming as well as some other people.  He was real thrilled when we asked him how he'd like some Japanese food.  He came to America in 1949 and is working on a Ph.D. degree.  His father is a professor in Japan.

B and I are chairman of a P.T.A. group so we are having a committee meet here Tuesday night to do some planning for that.  We are getting everything out of the way that we can so when we do get possession of the house we can start moving.

Our date book is pretty full but I guess we'll get it done.

Hope you both are fine."

                  Lots of love,

                       Bonnie