September 14, 1957 The New Thomas Metcalf Laboratory Training School, The New Glasses, The Piano Lessons and The Quill Club

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"It's been a big day since this was the first day in our new school.  Everything is so new and fresh.  I think I'm as thrilled with it as the kids.  Bob and Ann both got teachers they wanted and are happy about it all.  The building is to be dedicated on Monday.

Our Sunday School class had a picnic tonight and it was such a nice evening.  The weather is about perfect now--or has been today.  Yesterday was wet and miserable.

B got new glasses this week.  The lens for his bad eye is awfully thick but the eye is seeing anyway.  I hope Daddy will go to the clinic here when you come in Oct. for these doctors sure know eyes.  I wish both of you would have your eyes checked there one time anyway.  We haven't got the bill yet for B's glasses but expect it to be big for that one lens had to be specially prism ground.  Bob's glasses were $16. and the examination was $10.00.

B has really worked this week--gone early and stayed late.  There is still a lot of work to be done before the records are all straightened out after registration.  B plans to work all day tomorrow and if they don't finish they will have to work Sunday morning.  It has to be finished before classes start Monday.

Ann is still happy in her music lessons.  I have asked the teacher to take Bobby but I don't think she has room for him.  She said she would see what she could work out but hasn't said anything yet.  If she can't take him we'll just stop his lessons.  I hate to, but that's the way he wants it and it had become such a chore.  I have already told them at Wesleyan that we wouldn't be back.

Ann had a nice letter from Beulah today.  I was so glad to hear from her.

Rosalynn writes to us every once in awhile.  We wish we could come home often enough to help them but I guess we couldn't help anyway.  She would call us if we are needed but it makes us feel bad that we can't help them.

We didn't know the Small family that was killed near Versailles.

I went to the Quill Club last night.  That is the writers' group.  We had a picnic supper and didn't do any reading.  I can't see much chance of doing any writing very soon.  I've got to get some walls washed in the hall.

It is getting near bedtime so I'll say goodnight.  Hope you both are fine."

                              Lots of love,

                                       Bonnie

September 7, 1957 Seems Like Fall, The Mad Rush Begins and Nothing to Write

The Index, 1957

 Dear Mother & Daddy,

"It seems like fall has come.  We have had the furnace on the last two days.  It has been cloudy and gloomy but we didn't get enough rain for anything and we need it so badly.

This week has gone so fast.  B helped Watty paint Monday afternoon and we ate supper out there that night.  The children and I went with Toni Wed. to get Lynn at Sterling, Ill.  She has been visiting at Kathleen's (that's Watty's sister).  It is in the northwest part of the state and I'd never been there so I enjoyed it but it took us all day.

Your letter hasn't come yet this week so I wonder what you've been up to.

Tomorrow is the beginning of the mad rush that always begins when school starts.  Tonight we are going to a reception for a new man who will head the music dept.  I won't have to go tomorrow but B probably will.  They have a special program for students, parents & faculty in the afternoon and then a picnic supper.

Edna is getting better slowly but she still stays in bed most of the time.  She won't be able to go to many school affairs this fall.  She still wears the brace and can't wear her clothes.  We tease her about her Miss America measurements--her waist is 33" with the brace on.

I read Pearl Buck's Imperial Woman last week.  That is quite a book. 

There just isn't anything to write.  B has most of the wiring done upstairs now.

Hope you both are fine."

                          Lots of love,

                                Bonnie

NOTES:  For a review of Imperial Woman use this link:  http://www.amazon.com/Imperial-Woman-Empress-Oriental-Novels/product-reviews/1559210354   

The image of the book is from Four Square Books 21, via Flickr.  

And as for the Miss America comment, it was common practice in our household that when anyone looked particularly messy or disheveled, Mom would say, "Well, hello Miss America!"  It was of course, just gentle sarcasm meant to convey a point.  Edna was very small, so this was just a tease.

August 31, 1957 The Soapbox Derby, The Piano Lessons, The Wiring Upstairs and The Farewell Supper

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"This is the day for the annual Soap-box Derby and the kids always want to go so this may be short.  The derby has become a pretty big thing and the prizes are big so the kids work on their cars for months.

I think we are all fine, for once.  Bob was sick this week with a sore throat again but is all right now.  This is the first time we've all been well at once since I got sick at home.

We're having hot weather too but cool weather is supposed to be on the way.  The hot days are really hard to take after the nice ones we've had.

Ann is doing real well in piano so far, and I like the teacher a lot.

B has been doing bits of wiring upstairs.  Maybe he can work Monday on it.  We talked about coming home but the trip would be such a hard one we decided not to try it.

Did Helen Dustin have another cancer operation?  We just saw what there was in the Mirror and that didn't say much.  Edna is still in bed and still takes pills to kill the pain.  They got a woman to come in and fix part of the meals so that will help some.  I haven't been up lately but Woody has to be gone next week again so I'll try to go up there.

B and I are going to a farewell supper tonight for some friends who are moving away.

We are beginning to think about school books for the kids.  They still have some vacation--they register Sept. 13.  I'll be glad and so will they.

It's time to go so I'll say bye for now."

                                Lots of love,

                                     Bonnie

NOTES:  The piano teacher was Mrs. Marguerite Nenne, dearly loved, strict, but gracious and kind.   I took lessons from her until I went away to college, wrote to her occasionally after that, but never saw her again.  In 2007, I received a large envelope in the mail from Mrs. Nenne's daughter.  It contained nearly 20 years of newspaper clippings about our family.  After Mrs. Nenne's death, her daughter had sorted through her mother's records and found that she has saved things like this for each of her "piano families" as she called us.  I was very touched by this generous deed.

And just for fun, I couldn't resist sharing the following pages from the August, 1957 Woman's Day.
It reminds me of the time that our mom asked for a copy of the recipe for a layered Torte Primavera she had had in a restaurant while traveling.  She was given the 5-page production recipe for a torte which served 25 people.  After making it, she wisely re-worked the recipe, experimenting along the way until she came up with a torte for 4-6.

August 24, 1957 A Nice Birthday, A Big Time at the Fair, A Telegram from Watty and Green Tomato Mincemeat

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"I've thought of you all day, Daddy & hope you had a nice birthday.  I'll try to get your package off to you as soon as I can so you'll get it the first of the week.

We had a big time at the fair and were worn out when we got home.  My feet were sore for several days from walking so much.  It was so near the end of the fair that lots of exhibits were gone & much of the stock was gone but we enjoyed it, anyway.

We got a telegram from Watty at noon Monday.  He sent it before they boarded the plane in San Francisco & wanted us to meet them in Chicago.  We took Lynn and left at 3:00.  Their plane came in right after 7:00 so we were home by 11:00 that night.  They were happy to be home but have had a fine trip.

I went to a luncheon and bridal shower yesterday.  Granny stayed with the kids and I was gone almost all afternoon.  

Edna is back in bed again.  Her back has not healed yet and she just doesn't know how long it will be.  Woody has been in N.Y. again working on his books but was coming home tonight.  I took her supper up a couple of times because she can't do much cooking--just eats eggs, cheeses and things already fixed.  B got her mail and I shopped for her.  She looks better now but was awfully pale a few days ago.

I have a cold and it makes me so draggy.  It is in my nose so it is hard to breathe.

Ann has her first piano lesson next week.  I wonder how she'll react.  I dread them.  Bob says he wants to go back to Wesleyan but I wonder if he will when the time comes.

I've had the Green Tomato Mincemeat recipe out ever since we came home from your house and kept forgetting it.  Here it is, at last.

It is thick and makes wonderful pies without anything added.

Hope you both are fine and still planning to come to see us."

                     Lots of love,

                             Bonnie

Happy Birthday, Grandad!

August 17, 1957 Doing Extra Stuff, Making a Tent, Wrapping Betsy Wetsy and Seeing Francis The Talking Mule

Favorite 50's toys

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"The kids are in bed early for a change but Ann is so excited over her birthday tomorrow that she's having a hard time going to sleep.  You must have bought all the breeches in the store!  Ann's eyes got bigger and bigger as she took them out of the box and of course she is wearing a new pair every day.  We aren't having a party but are going to the State Fair instead.  We gave Ann a choice and she chose the fair, thank goodness!  I was dreading a party in the hot weather.  It has been delightfully cool today and cloudy.  I have almost worked my sox off but really got a lot done.  I simple can't work when it's hot so the house was pretty dirty.  We've done some extra things with the kids this week, too, and that always changes our schedule.  One evening we took the Watterson kids to the lake for a picnic and all of us had a good time doing nothing much.  We let them roast hot dogs and then walked down to the water.  The kids found rocks and threw rocks into the water and had a wonderful time.  Lynn stayed all night with Bob and Ann went out to Watterson's.  Toni & Watty should be home next Mon. or Tuesday.

One night we took the kids to a Drive-in Movie--the first any of us ever saw.  It was real nice and lots of fun.  They even had a little playground for the children so they could play a while before the show began.  One of the attractions was a little pony wagon & the kids got a ride in it.  That was a real thrill.  Bob enjoyed the movie but Ann stretched out in the back seat and went to sleep.

Every few days there are pictures of new teachers for Bloomington & Normal in the paper but we haven't seen Maurice Hamilton's picture yet.  How would he happen to come here?

B is gradually getting over his cold but he has had a bad one.  His head has been so blocked he could hardly breathe and he coughed a lot.  Lots of people here have had the same thing.

Ann's pants fit fine and that candy was delicious.  I think I've eaten most of it.

I finally got my brown striped dress all ready to wear.  I made a tent this week too.  We found one in a scout book & I promised Bob months ago that I'd make it out of some old drapes I had.  I'll be more careful about such promises next time because that was a terrible job.  I couldn't help but remember you talking about making side curtains, wasn't it, on that old machine of yours.

I must stop and wrap Ann's birthday packages.  We got her a little doll and some play clothes.  We'll celebrate at breakfast since we'll be gone most of the day.  B will go to school for a while and we hope he can leave about 10:00.

Hope you both are fine."

                      Lots of love,

                           Bonnie

NOTES:  Betsy got a lot of use.  By squirting water with a tiny doll bottle into her mouth, we could squeeze her and create either a crying, wetting baby, or a very good squirt gun if we squeezed hard enough.  For the next couple of years, whatever clothes were made for me, were made in miniature for the doll.  The grey tweed coat was made from the recent suit scraps and the flannel nightgown was made later in the fall.

The movie was Francis the Talking Mule.  Have a look below.

August 10, 1957 Hot & Dry, Getting Anxious, About Worn Out, Restless and A Lazy Day Pie

Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook, 1949

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"It's hot & dry again but rain is predicted.  I hope it comes for we need it.  I've been watering things--trying to keep the roses and evergreens alive.  Our little evergreens show a little life but have looked so awful all summer that I thought they were dead.  I may be imagining they look alive but if we can keep pouring water to them maybe they will come out of it.

B & Bob went on the Scout outing last week-end so Bill came & stayed all night with Ann.  On Sat. night I took Ann & both Dave & Bill to the park for awhile after supper.  Wattersons will be home Aug. 19th & the kids are getting anxious.

I think you must have had a big time at your club.  I wish I could have been there for it really sounds nice.  I have made those chiffon pies too--both the lemon & strawberry but I like the lemon best.  I just laid vanilla wafers in the pie plate for a crust--didn't even crush them and it cuts fine.  That really makes a lazy day pie.

A page from an old promotional booklet for Bloomington

The kids are restless since school is out and so many people are on vacation.  We took our supper to the lake one night.  Bob goes to the Y which helps but the days are long when it is so hot.

I can't work much when it is so hot so still have a lot of cleaning to do.   Then too, I couldn't get much done while I was cooking dinner for the boy that worked upstairs.  I did get the woodwork washed in the dining room.


The work upstairs has stopped now until B can get the wiring in.  We were about worn out with trying to plan a little at a time and telling the boy what to do even if he was good help.  He did a lot but B simply couldn't get the wiring in & nothing else can be done until that is done.  We ordered pre-built chest of drawer units for Bob's room to build in, but they have to be assembled and it is slow work.

Household, June, 1957

Granny kept the kids for me Thurs. morning while I went shopping.  It was dollar day.  I got me a pair of black suede Naturalizer shoes for $4. and a white hat for $1.00.  There was lots of junk as usual but I was especially pleased over the shoes.  Of course, they are last winter's shoes but I don't care.

You didn't say how your back was, Mother.  I hope you both are fine."

                          Lots of love,

                                Bonnie

August 3, 1957 Summer School is Out, Scout Camp Begins, The Ceiling Gets Washed and The Tomatoes Are High

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"School is out for the kids but they didn't get much out of it this summer because they missed so much.  Ann was out with a fever & sore throat the last three days.  She is all right now.  Lynn got sick at school one morning and B had to bring her home.  Granny was gone & Miss Johnston has classes while the children are in school so we made arrangements for the teachers to call us if Lynn or Dave got sick or hurt.  I had her two mornings but she is all right now.  The Dr. thought she got too hot.

B & Bob are going to Scout camp today to stay all night.  Ann probably will want someone to stay all night with her.

It has been terribly hot here.  Bob goes to the Y to cool off but Ann doesn't want to go for her lessons anymore although she likes it when we all go.

I washed my dining room ceiling and cleaned the paper in there but haven't been able to get the woodwork washed yet.  It takes me all morning to get dinner and the afternoons are too hot for that kind of work.

I've done a little sewing--fixed over a skirt for Edna & have another one almost done.  That will fix her up for clothes.  The pain in her back is better now but she still has to spend a lot of time in bed.  I hope your back is all right.  If it isn't, you'd better go to the doctor.

I wish we had some of your tomatoes, too.  They are still too high to buy.  It is too hot to really cook and we can just about live on tomatoes.

Life, Jan. 21, 1957

We went to church to an ice cream social one night.  I sent a cake, too.

Take it easy and don't get too hot."

                   Lots of love,

                        Bonnie

July 27, 1957 The Week Has Been Short, The Manuscript Came Back and We Plan As We Go

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"This week has been short but it seems like a long time since we were home.

B has been working upstairs and the student boy that had helped us came back Thursday so he has been working too.  It is a lot of trouble to fix lunch for him every day but we're glad to have his help. The bath fixtures are all in but they still have two little leaks in the drain system to check.

How is your back, Mother?  Edna stooped to pull a weed and a vertebrae went out of place.  She is in a walking cast and can get around but it will still be awhile before she'll be all right.  She can't wear her clothes because of the cast so I'm making a skirt for her & am going to fix some old gathered ones over for her.

Woman's Day, Jan., 1957

I bought me a new shirtwaist pattern & am going to make up the brown stripe print you gave me when I can.  I got caught up on my ironing at last but haven't done much else.

Did I tell you my manuscript came back?  I'll send it out again when I find time.

B starts to work again on Monday--seems like a short vacation.  The kids have one more week of school.

There isn't any news so I'll just say bye for now.  B & I have to do a little planning on the upstairs.  We sort of plan as we go."

                               Lots of love,

                                      Bonnie

NOTES:  I was surprised to read that fixing lunch for an extra person was "a lot of trouble".   Our mom was always feeding guests, workers, students and anyone else who happened to be in the house at mealtimes.  My guess is that she prepared more than she needed to and treated the worker as a special guest.

As for the upstairs bedrooms, I wish I had a picture to share.  Designed roughly on the bunkhouse from the "Spin and Marty" show, the rooms had knotty pine paneling, cork tile floors and wrought-iron knobs and pulls on built-in drawers and drop-down desks.  Each room had a low double-doored storage area under the eaves that ran the entire length of the upstairs without interruption.  It was a perfect play area and I could crawl all the way through to Bob's room and spy through the crack in the doors.

If you're not familiar with "Spin and Marty",  here's a videoclip that will give you an idea of what it was like... only a minute or two will be enough.

July 7, 1957 The Family Swim, The Mixed-Up Week, The Student Helper and Coming Home

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We just got home from a swim at the Y.M.C.A.  It was a little cool but the kids always have such a good time.  Bob does real well in swimming & Ann tries real hard.  She hasn't had enough lessons yet for her to swim.

I didn't get far with this last night.  T.V. was on & I can't do much with that going.

This week has been all mixed up.  B drove to Michigan to a funeral on Monday.  The wife of the chairman of our department died so all last week-end was kind of bad.  Fri. night we were asked to stay at the funeral home for an hour, the funeral here was Sat. afternoon & then the Michigan funeral was Mon.  B took two men with him and Woody took a car load.  School was out for the long week-end on Wed. & then B's vacation began then too.

We've still got the student helping but his job in the cornfields will start next week.  He's been so much help we hate for him to leave but he can make lots more money.  He has all the heating in--did it all alone, much of the framing & they are working on the plumbing now.

We are planning to come home this next Friday.  We'll leave about noon so it will probably be around 8:00 when we get there.  I think we'll bring Lynn if you don't care.  I haven't mentioned it yet to her or the kids so if you do object write me a card right back.  She may not want to come but I feel so sorry for her.  All three children are fine, really, but she is very unhappy about it all.  We'll work out the sleeping business when we get there.  B & Bob may go to Belshe's anyway & we could all go if Buddy & Bessie come.  I'll write them & Beulah a card so they'll know we'll be there.  We can't stay long--will come back on Monday.  That way the kids will miss only one day of school.

Must start lunch.  I'm so glad Uncle Floyd is home.  I hope I can go see him when we get home."

                                  Love,

                                        Bonnie

June 27, 1957 The Lecture, The Upstairs, The Quill Club and The Rain

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"If we had expected all of you to get so excited about this Calif. business we would not have written it but would have waited till we came home to tell it.  I thought I made it plain that our going was so very doubtful & thought it would be fun & interesting for you to hear about it.  It has been interesting for us & exciting to talk about the possibilities but we are not going to be enticed by the glamour of California.  We have too much here to give up lightly & the job will have to be a really superior one before we would begin to consider it.  B had a letter from the President saying they would have a new salary schedule next year & asked B to write him a note as to whether he'd meet him in Chicago.  B had the letter typed & ready to mail saying he would not be interested when he got a telegram from Dr. Houston in Calif. urging B to at least meet the President in Chicago & talk with him.  Dr. Houston is a Mo. man who was head of the education department here when we came to Normal.  He went to Chico, Calif. from here.  So B met the Chico President on Monday & had a long talk with him about the college.  B made it clear that he was not anxious to move & the man may have been interviewing others, too.  We don't know.

The job actually is not vacant yet.  The man now holding it has heart trouble & has been told to give it up.  He hasn't made up his mind when he'll quit yet.  It is all very indefinite.  The main thing was for B & the President to meet one another.  They will be writing about the job later.  Naturally, the thing is in the back of your minds but we have never mentioned it to the children & only two or three friends know about it. 

The Upstairs is coming along fine.  We have a student working up there & he has a lot of the framing done.  He & B are figuring on the heating ducts now & they plan to start with the bath tomorrow.  The student is moving out of town soon & B wants him to help as much as he can before he moves.  B doesn't have any time now to work but his vacation will start soon.

I have been sewing this week trying to make that green dress you gave me.  I bought a new pattern & had the waist all done & then it was too little.  I was so disgusted but I should have known better than to get a 13.  Luckily I had enough scraps to cut another top & I was using a gathered skirt so I have it about done now.  I'd like to get the brown striped one started soon.

There hasn't been time to hear from my manuscript.  I hope I can go to the Quill Club (that's the writer's club) tomorrow night.  Everyone is supposed to have something humorous written for this meeting.  They have different assignments each time & after those things are read & criticized then other things can be read.  They criticize & make suggestions on selling the material.  It is real helpful & enjoyable.

I hope Uncle Floyd is all right & not hurt badly.  Maybe you can tell us more about the accident in your next letter.

We had a wonderful rain this morning & it looks like more is coming."

                      Lots of love,

                              Bonnie

NOTE:  I really should try and get that manuscript published!

Clippings included in letter

June 22, 1957 The Y, The World Books and The Letter from California

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"I've been doing the weekly cleaning & haven't much pep today so I'll use this excuse for resting.  This has been the longest week even if it has been a busy one.  We went to Watterson's a while Sunday & they left before daylight Monday.  The kids are fine.  I took them to school the first day & they have been here to play.  Lynn was lonesome & sad a couple of days & my heart ached for her but she's fine now.  The boys have never shown any signs of being lonesome.

We got Bob enrolled at the Y.M.C.A. for swimming & he's really having a time.  He can go 5 times a week.  B can go with him one of those times & we all can go one time.  My suit was too little & B made me get a new one so we can go.  I know it will be fun for all of us.  Ann will have her first lesson tomorrow.

We ordered the kids a set of World Book Encyclopedias this week.  They have a teachers' plan where we can buy the set without a down payment & $10. a month.  We could have saved only $5. by paying cash.  The payments don't begin until Oct. & stop during summer months.  This way we'll get the books right away.  The whole set was $129.00.

I got my manuscript fixed up & sent off to a publisher.  There hasn't been time to hear from them but I am anxious to hear what they say about it.

I hope the clematis lives.  Give it plenty of water.  I told you my Queen Elizabeth was labeled wrong & I wrote about it.  They sent me the nicest rose bush to replace it.  It was dormant & hasn't had time to come out but it really has nice canes on it.

B had an interesting letter from the Teachers' College at Chico, California this week.  They offered him the job as head of the education department there.  The president wanted him to come to Chicago for an interview next Mon.  B wrote back & told him about his job here.  If the Calif. man can make a better offer than B's job here he is to wire B & he'll go to Chicago.  There isn't much chance of our moving but it's fun to talk about the other school.  We know two men who will teach there next year.  Chico is in north-eastern Calif. near the mts.

Image courtesy of www.sensibility.com

I'd like to get some sewing done but can't get to it.  I cut a dress out a long time ago & haven't sewed a stitch on it.  It won't take long when I get started & I do need some summer dresses.

Hope you both are fine & not working too hard."

                    Love,

                           Bonnie




NOTE:  Our set of World Books, pictured above and published in 1957 remains on a shelf in my basement.  They are great fun to look at, but the world is so very different now the books are useful only for the historical perspective.

June 8, 1957 Thrilled to Death, Covered with Blooms, Tea for Seniors and A Long Week

Those are the fixtures, the tiles and the color.

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"It's about bedtime but tomorrow will be another busy day.  Sears had sort of an open house tonight and we went down to look at bathroom fixtures.  We ended up buying an outfit to go upstairs.  The sale price was such a saving and they will store the things for us until we are ready for them.  They are green and are very nice.  The store gave away a washer at a drawing & Bob got to draw the name.  He was thrilled to death and more so when the store manager gave him a dollar for doing it.

We'd like awfully well to have you come to see us but I wish it could be for longer than a day or two.  Maybe Dorsey would look after the cow and maybe you could stay longer.  B will be working but we can visit evenings with him.  He will have his vacation in July.

Bob's concert was very nice and he had his last lesson today.  He talks about music next fall but we won't know till the time comes whether he'll go on or not.  I have never let him know that I wonder though.  Ann seems ready for piano and seems to look forward to it.

Our roses are blooming now and the red climber is simply beautiful.  It was one of the cheap ones (2 for .69) I got last spring.  One of my new roses is beginning to bloom & is covered with buds.  It is the Betty Prior--a pink single like a wild rose.  The old wild roses in the back are blooming now and are so much nicer this year now that they big elm is gone & they get more sun.

We went to the tea for Seniors today and it was very nice.  Yesterday was sizzling hot but today was cool and I wore a suit.  There were lots of suits there & lots of sleeveless dresses but I know they were cold.  Tomorrow is commencement so I hope it will be nice.  The exercises are held outdoors if it doesn't rain.  If it doesn't, they have to go into the gym & there never are enough seats.

This week has seemed long.  We had two school picnics.  Ann had two picnics and a school party so I have been busy fixing food to take or send out.

We'll keep hoping you get to come.  Let us know."

                             Lots of love,

                                   Bonnie

June 1, 1957 Sorry About Earl, Spading Missouri Fertilizer, Playing in a Concert and Out of School

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"I'm so sorry about Earl.  It seems like he hasn't had a very good life--one thing right after another.  How old was he?  I'm glad Daddy is out of the store and will be glad when they get someone so he can be entirely out.  I hope he won't try to get all the work around home done in the first few weeks he's home.  He'd better take things slow and easy for awhile.

The rosebushes are lots of work.  They have to be sprayed or dusted every week or ten days to keep off worms, bugs, rust and a dozen other things.  The buds keep growing on mine but none are open yet.  Sorensen's have started to bloom and I've had a bouquet from them.  Another neighbor sent me a huge bunch of peonies.  They are so pretty.  This fall we plan to put a row on the property line north of the house.  That neighbor has enough to do the whole row, we think, and we'll help her move them.  She gave me some Peruvian daffodil bulbs.  They were in the ground a week and are blooming.  I have never seen anything like it.  Look them up in your seed catalog.  They are white and very pretty--like a ragged lily.  My mums came yesterday and I'm very pleased with them.  The plants were real nice.  I spaded some of my Mo. fertilizer into the bed and got them in just before a shower so they should do well.  They sent me 2 extra plants but they weren't labeled so I don't know what color they are.  I wrote about the phlox and the company sent me a new bunch.  I asked for 11 plants and they sent nice ones.  If they all live it will look nice by the drive this winter instead of being muddy.  The petunias are so thick I've been pulling them out by the handful.  I gave Toni some for a planter but she doesn't have much time for puttering now.  They had to go to Springfield yesterday for yellow fever shots.  That has to be given by gov't. authorized hospitals only.  We didn't have that shot but they are going in to the part of the world where it is necessary.

The kids will be out of school next Thurs. and have a week or so before summer school.  Both grades have picnics next week.  Ann has one Monday noon & Bob's room had one last week.  Now all the families have to get together.

Bob plays in a concert tomorrow afternoon and we have to go practice for that this afternoon.  He is awfully tired of music now and so am I.  Next week will be the last of the lessons until fall if he decides to go back.  I'm going to let him decide.  Ann is enrolled to start in August.  I'm going to try to stay off committees next year if I can.  I was asked to be a deaconess next year at the church but the time involved would have made me give up my Sunday School class and I didn't think I should do that.  I'm needed there worse than in the church service and there are lots of others who cannot help in S.S.

You keep the pictures.  We have the negatives and maybe someday B can make some more himself.

Take things easy and enjoy yourselves now that you have more time of your own and don't work yourselves to death catching up on things you think ought to be done.  They will wait."

                           Lots of love,

                                    Bonnie

NOTES:  The Bell Tel. ad from the August, 1957 Woman's Day caught my eye.  The one-minute long distance calls that were .20 a minute for each additional minute beyond the initial cost would be $1.66 per minute today.  It's a good thing it doesn't work that way anymore, or maybe that's the way it should be!

I have no idea who Earl was, or what happened to him.

May 25, 1957 The Sun is Shining, The Scouts and Costumes are Out of the Way, The Manuscript is Back and Words of Wisdom from B

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"The sun is shining today and I've got my house cleaned for the week-end so I feel pretty good.  It has rained so much this month that everything is about to mold.   If the sun will only shine a few days and dry things out a bit they will really grow.  My rose bushes are budded and the iris are still blooming.

Last night was the first night of the pageant.  It was after 11:00 when Bob got home but he slept late this morning and doesn't seem to be any the worse for it.  We are all going to see it tonight but I doubt if Ann will be able to stay awake so late.


Tuesday is the last day for scouts and that is a big relief.
With the costumes and scouts out of the way I want to do some sewing for myself.  Your material is real pretty but it is unusual.  I'll bet it makes up pretty and looks cool.


My manuscript finally came back this week.  I could hardly believe it but I had written about it again.  The agent wrote a long letter of apology for keeping it so long.  It had been two years on May 5.  It was a nice letter and she claims she had been in the hospital twice and lost her secretary.  She had shown it to some people but had no luck.  I intend to fix it up a bit and send it to a publisher when I get around to it.  I'm invited to a writers' club meeting and plan to take it there for criticism.  Maybe I can get some suggestions.  The agent sent back the postage check & the addressed envelopes I had sent her and said that was the least she could do to make amends for her keeping the manuscript so long.

B has a commencement talk in Lexington next week.  The club he sponsors at school had a picnic last Wed. evening & got rained out.  They brought all their food to our kitchen and it was much too much for them to eat.  We gave food to the boys next door (students) and have eaten hot dogs and baked beans till we are sick of them.

The kids are going to a Sunday School party tomorrow afternoon.  For once, I don't have to send any cookies.

Toni and Watty are getting their clothes ready now and having their shots.  It won't be long before they start their trip.  They have arranged for a teacher to stay with the kids.  She was Ann's kindergarten teacher and she'll be fine with them but I really feel sorry for her.  She is going to have three sick kids when Toni & Watty leave.

It is time for Ann to be home from school so I'll say bye for now."

                   Lots of love,

                          Bonnie

P.S.  We finally got the anniversary pictures back.  They aren't dark enough but B thinks the negatives are all right if we wanted more.  He thinks he's going to have to make his own to get them to suit him.

NOTE:  Our Dad's speeches and published articles most often dealt with philosophical issues encountered in the classroom.  He often talked with pre-admissions' college students about the importance of not merely learning what was directly taught, but of experiencing learning in all activities.  He once told us of a meeting he had with the parent of an ISNU freshman prior to the start of the school year.  The father of this boy had made an appointment to talk with Dad about what to expect from college and how much money the boy would need to get through his freshman year.  After going over the budget the father had prepared, Dad noticed a yearly allowance of only a very few dollars for spending money.  His comment to the father was, "Now if you want your son to come to college to learn, he'll need extra money for an occasional movie, sporting events, dates, bus fares and all the other important experiences a young man needs to have in order to truly learn from his experiences away from home."

To teachers, he often talked about the personal characteristics and philosophies that provided the potential to expand their students' learning.  The excerpt below from one of his articles on "World-mindedness", is one such example, and one of my favorites.