Sunday, January 26, 2014

June 25, 1960 Picnicking, Painting, A Million Little Things and Heading West


Dear Mother & Daddy,

"The kids have gone to a Sunday School picnic and B is painting on the house.  He's had an awful time with the painting because of the rain.  It hasn't rained today yet but it comes up so fast and unexpected.  He will have to paint the end of the garage over because rain and hail started just as he finished painting it the other night. 

I've done a million little things this week.  Bob had to have a check-up for Scout camp and for school so we got that done.  He had his first tooth filling, too.

Ann was sick with a cold one day but seems all right now.  She is quite thrilled with the flute and we are both glad to have a rest from piano practice.

I'm glad Charlotte got a job.  I owe Beulah a letter along with a lot of other letters.  How are they doing?

We got your card in plenty of time.  I'd ordered B a swim suit for Dad's Day and I thought I might have to send it back but it was o.k.

Yes, I always keep a copy of everything I write.  If I can remember it I'll bring my plays so you can read them.  I haven't touched the typewriter this week and don't expect to get much done next week.

We plan to be home the 3rd or 4th but I'll write you a card when we finally decide.  Hope you both are fine."

                       Lots of love,

                           Bonnie

Saturday, January 25, 2014

June 19, 1960 Painting, Sewing, Writing and Camping

Glidden ad, Saturday Evening Post, June 11, 1960
Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Your card came today and I'm so glad the shoes are o.k.  I debated between an 8 and 8½ but finally decided on the longer one.  B has some tan ones like them and thinks they are so comfortable we thought Daddy might like some.  We hope tomorrow will be a nice day for both of you.  B will probably paint on the house if the weather is fit.  He's had awful luck, so far.  Every day when he could paint an hour or so it would rain.  Today is the first nice day we have had in a week and we may get showers tonight.

I've sewed most of the week.  I made Ann a dress and then have a sundress and jacket almost finished for myself.  My house really shows that I've been sewing.  It is hard to keep things straight when the kids have to stay in the house so much and when I sew I let other things go.

Ann will have her last piano lesson next Thursday until after vacation but that same day she will start lessons on the flute at school.  She will go every day for a half hour.  I told the teacher we would be leaving but she said for her to come as long as she could.

I still haven't heard about my book but hope I do before we start on our trip.  I have sold another manuscript, though.  It was a Xmas play I wrote last winter.  I sent it to the publisher in St. Louis who publishes the church magazines you get as well as the ones for our church.  The editor wrote me a letter saying they were buying it and I'd get a check soon but he didn't say how much it would be.  I want to type up a story and mail it before we leave so I may do that next week.

Time goes so fast that July will be here before we're ready for it.  We do plan to camp again and I guess we'll manage to get things together.  We probably won't stay long in Richland--2 or 3 days--and go on from there.  We'll stop in Kansas City on our way back and see Granny.  I had wanted to do that first but the mileage will be better if we come back that way.

What is a ribbon quilt?  Ann thinks she wants to do some sewing so if I can find time to help her I'm going to let her try.

Hope you both are fine.  Are Daddy's ankle and foot o.k. now?  I hope so."

                       Lots of love,

                             Bonnie

NOTE:  Today's letter is the 900th!  Thanks for reading!

Friday, January 24, 2014

June 12, 1960 The Graduation, The Picnics, The Lawn Party and The Bird is Out of Her Cage



 Dear Mother & Daddy,

"I feel like a bird out of a cage.  School is out and my calendar is almost blank.  Graduation was this morning and I went but had to sit so far away I couldn't see anything.  They had loud speakers up so I could hear anyway.  There were over a thousand seats and about 500 people had to stand up.  B had to go to a luncheon and still hasn't come home.

Ann's room had a picnic Thurs. so I took cupcakes and went to that.  Bob's room had a picnic too but they don't need several mothers with them anymore.


The Senior reception was yesterday afternoon and I poured punch part of the time.  Then we went to a lawn party at the Home Economics house and on to the Prom.  It was a full day, to say the least.



B paints a little every afternoon but it goes awfully slow.  We still haven't had time to plan our trip but I had a letter from Mildred asking us to come and see them.  I didn't remember that I'd even told her we planned to go west this year.  She told of all the things we could go to see from their place.  We'll probably go see them but I doubt if we'd have time to see all the things she mentioned.

It is almost 8:00 and I still haven't finished this.  I had to stop and go after the kids.  They had gone swimming.  They have gone several times but I haven't been out there yet.  Then B came home and we went grocery shopping and then supper.  It seems like time goes so fast.

I'm going to mail Daddy's Dad's Day package the first of next week.  I want you to write me a card right back if it fits.  If it doesn't fit, I want you to mail it right back with the right size on a slip of paper.  I ordered it from Sears along with some other things and have to send some of it back so I'll wait till I hear from you before sending my stuff back.

Our yard is still pretty.  The peonies are still blooming and the Paul Scarlet rose at the back door is just beautiful.  I haven't got to work much in the yard this spring.  I want to move some iris one of these days but I need to do some real cleaning inside first.

B plans to paint tomorrow even if it is Sunday.  He also plans to come home from school a little early next week but I don't see how he can get the whole house done before July.

I must stop so we can mail this tonight.  Hope you both are fine."

                      Lots of love,

                           Bonnie

NOTE:  I love the caption on the Home Ec. house photo:  A laboratory of living and learning harmonizes with electronics...

All images are from the ISNU Yearbook of 1960, The Index.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

June 5, 1960 Through With Brownies, A Little Late, A Luncheon for 20 and Getting the Pot Boiling

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"One more week of school and the kids will be free.  They can hardly wait.  Bob's room had  a music program and a little tea Thursday afternoon.  I was a little late because I got a permanent and didn't get through early enough.

Things are about over.  I'm through with Brownies and Bob has no more Scout meetings for awhile.

You probably know that Horace and Mabel were here over the weekend.  We didn't get to do much but enjoyed having them.  I spent Tuesday cleaning the house because another girl and I had  a luncheon on Wed. for 20 women.  It was real nice and a wonderful day.

Today is really hot but it is better than the cold, wet ones.  The kids have been going swimming after school but I haven't had a chance to go yet.

Some church group had a bake sale today so I made a cake for that and then spent most of the afternoon working on a program for Sunday School tomorrow.  It is children's day.




I hope Daddy's foot is better and doesn't hurt him.  Is it all healed?  I dreamed you both had come to see us and I was so surprised you were here.

Our vacation starts July 1 but Bob will be at Scout camp for a few days so we won't come home that first day.  The kids want to be there for the 4th but I don't know yet.

B has started painting the house but he is so particular about it that it will take a long time.  He washes the house first and patches all the spots so it really looks nice when he's done.  We don't plan to do anything extra inside the house but I have to wash some walls this summer.

We haven't had any chance to sit down and plan our trip.  B hardly has time to eat, it seems.

The articles I sold were short, one-page things for children to do.  I had used the ideas in Sunday School with my kids and they enjoyed them.  I've been working on a child's story but can't find time to finish it.

I sent my book to another publisher but haven't heard from them.  They'll probably send it back too, but I haven't completely given up on it yet.

I had a good letter from Beulah this week.  It had been so long since I'd heard from her.

It is supper time and Bob is roaming the kitchen so I'd better get the pot boiling."

                     Lots of love,

                         Bonnie

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

May 29, 1960 The Rain, The Recital, The Graduation Talk and The Big Time


Dear Mother & Daddy,

We are all so disgusted with the weather!  Everyone is complaining.  It is cold and has rained so much everything is soggy.  Farmers can't even get their corn planted.  We have had too bad rain storms with wind and the rest of the time it has just rained and rained.  My iris and peonies would be beautiful if they could get some sunshine.

Ann's big recital was Monday night and she did real well.  She got a little pin for memorizing 14 pieces this year and another one for making the most progress this year.  She and another little girl tied for that.  Both award were unexpected so she was happy.

She will start a band instrument this year and is trying to decide on one.  Her room sang some songs in a music program this week and the older children played their instruments.

I managed to finish a plain summer dress for her to wear to the program.  She had wanted me to get one made for her and it has been so long since she has had anything new.

Bob's room will have a music program next week.  The children have about two weeks more of school but I think public schools were out today.

We have our last Brownie meeting tomorrow.  I hope it doesn't rain even though we'll have a cabin we can use.  It belongs to the Girl Scouts & has two big fireplaces in it.  We can cook our hot dogs inside.

B has gone to make a graduation talk near Chicago.  He had another one Wed. night and didn't get home till real late.

I hope Daddy's foot is better.  Does it hurt him any?  I imagine it will take quite a while to heal completely.

Ann was glad to get your letter.  We wish we could help you pick berries.  We have bought only one batch but they are coming on the market now.

I haven't heard from Beulah nor written to her in a long time.  I sent Jerry a shirt for his birthday and didn't write a thing on the card.  I was ashamed to send it that way but I simply didn't have any chance to write a letter and wanted to get the shirt mailed while I could.

I stopped last night & never got back to this.  This hasn't been such a bad week.  Ann and I have been on the Scout outing and had a big time.

When we got home I had a check from a publisher for two short articles I'd sent them.  They paid $10. for them and I'm happy about that.

We have to go to the store so will say bye for now."

                          Lots of love,

                                Bonnie