I was just in the mood to write you and call you a bunch of names but your Mother saved your neck. She just called me and ask me if I knew any news that would interest you. Of course I couldn’t think of anything right then, but I told here I would write you again. The reason I restrain myself from calling you a bunch of vile names, is the fact that your mother said you averaged about 9 a week at present, You must have an awful ink bill. It may be a day or two before I mail this as I want to get it all full so I won’t waste any paper. And then too, it might take me that long to think of anything. This may be all stale news, but I’ll write it anyway.

We’ll begin with teeth. Ralph Vaughn got a couple knocked out in the sectional; and Jane Friedley went skating and was riding on someone’s car, fell off, and knocked out some of her teeth. So much for teeth.

Mary Kathrynn had club last week. I don’t remember who got the prizes (I didn’t), but I remember that shorthand notebooks seemed to be quite the rage.

Mary Kathryn and I went to the show Sunday and saw Eddie Cantor in “Strike Me Pink”.  I didn’t like very well. Oh Yes, I went to the show last nite with Barney. Saw “The Melody Lingers On. We picked Helen R. and Jack Shaw up to take them home, but we saw the ambulance so we followed it clear out to Boylston just to see if stop in front of a house.  Nothing exciting at all.

Barbara and Dick don’t seem to be hitting it off very well, but we think they’ll get over it. Marjory and Charlotte have been going to operetta practice all the time and having dates along the side with Sam Mitchell and Eugene Utterback.

I suppose your Mother told you that I am planning to go to the State tourney. Esther, Maxine and I think we are going over together in Esther’s car. Barbara, Ruth Anna, Thelma, Marguerite, and a bunch of them are going too.  We’ll try and make arrangements to see you. Be sure and write me about it.

Your Mother also tells me that you got your correspondence mixed up and wrote Maxine twice. She hasn’t said anything to me about it, but I bet the old gal is thinking plenty.

Oh Yes, Ruth Anna and I think maybe we will go to a business college together (I’ll let you know when we leave)

Well now guess what I read in the paper? Miss Deloris Louetta announced her marriage to George Thompson. The wedding took place last November. I guess o one knew anything about it until her mother happened to find the license while cleaning house. I guess she is going to finish school,. I would think she feels kind a out of place though. The paper said that George would finish this year’s work.

I guess I will listen to the regional broadcast this afternoon, and I’m going to try and coax Dad into taking me over for the final game tonite. Got a letter from Ralph today. He has been in California for two or three weeks now.  He said he had sent me a turtle, but I haven’t seen anything of it yet..  I guess the Staccato Club dance will be April 24th. Don’t you think you could arrange to go?

Euvola is planning to have a dance April 3. They have asked a lot of guests. I don’t know whether I’ll go or not. I don’t know who to take. The girls are supposed to go after the fellows and take them home. The girls are supposed to trade dances, etc. The Euvola members are going to send flowers to the fellows too.  Some dance. Sounds like some of the Armstrong’s ideas to me.  Ann is still taking advantage of leap year.  Her latest, s far as I know, is Don McMurtory.

Well, don’t forget to write as soon as possible. Be sure to let me know when you will be home.    yours    mary ellen

I think you re a worm. Here  you were at home yesterday and you didn’t even call me. I’m still huffing and puffing I’m so mad.But just wait, I’ll get even.

Well we had a lot of fun during the contest. Five girls from Princeton stayed here. They were fair. Eugenia Smith,Virginia, and I met some boys from Evansville Thursday  evening and took them riding (they bought the gas). Then we ditched that night which wasn’t very nice, One got over it fine, but the other didn’t. We had dancing in the library all the time, Friday and Saturday afternoon. I worked at the refreshment stand in Howard Hall.  On the whole had a pretty good time.  I didn’t see anything of Nutt but I guess that’s because I don’t know him.

Charlotte told me that Kenny Harker asked her to go to the Prom, but that she wasn’t going. Virginia said that Charlotte was talking about asking John D. Charlotte told me today that John D went to some sorority dance the other nite with Lois Hyman. I haven’t told her that John was going to the Prom with you. I don’t know whether I should or not.

Joe Hanger was tight the other nite. His papa would murder him if he knew it, I bet.

We have 3 weeks of school. Our picnic is going to be at Lake Manitou.

I am going to the show with Barney tonight and I have to go press a shirt (mine not his), so will sign off.    yours mary ellen

Thanks a lot for the card, I was sorta afraid to open it though for fear you might say something about me not writing.

Did you have a good time at the Prom?  I did. The next morning we, Barbara, Dick, Virginia, Jim, Barney, and I left for the Senior Picnic about 8. I had a swell time swimming and boat-riding.Everybody seemed to behave pretty well. Bob Farrell was tight but I don’t know of anyone else that was. Class Day went off pretty well except for O’Bannons speech and the Benediction. They were entirely too long.  Page and Richey both gave very good speeches.

Jean Kernodle is supposed to get home today. I didn’t suppose she would get out so soon.

Do you suppose you would have the slightest chance of going to the lake with us if we go? We would all be tickled pink if you could.

We haven’t had club for almost 2 months. I wish somebody would hurry up and have it. When do you get home again?

I got a yellow gold watch from Mother and Dad for graduation. I also got a fitted overnight bag an oilskin umbrella, from Ralph, a compact from Barney, 3hankerchiefs, 2prs of pants, pajamas, a bracelet, a white pocketbook, a ring, a silver thimble, bath salts, dressing gown beach towel, and a pretty glass set of some sort for my dresser. I  can’t figure out for sure what the set is for, but it is awfully pretty.

I see your cousin Betty has been stepping out. I saw her at the Inn one nite with Jim Devaney, I think I’ve gone out there more this spring than ever before. About as bad as Kay Brittain.  Did you know that she is working at Wheelers? She is a cashier.

Whenever I write to you it seems as though I can’t think of anything important . I guess I’ll go iron. What fun!

yours     mary ellen

I am taking a few days off from logging on the family letters.  It has been good for me to spend these hours reading about moments in a time, that happened long before  I came around.

These people (my parents to be) are fresh out of high school and just began seeing each other.  In fact, there were other boys and other girls they were involved with, so no marriage was on the horizon.

Having read about 75 letters with probably 150 to go, I am struck by a wonderful observation….now hardly mentioned…..true communication.

How natural it is for them to write, to catch up, to thank, to ask, to announce….all with a pen, paper, stamp, and a few moments.  They are happy to talk write, to share their day, their job, their friends, and their jokes…. with a pen and a piece of paper.

Diaries are also full of life, music, schooling, new jobs, anger, pain, sadness, illness, and death. All with a small book with lines and a pen.

And who would have thought, these two people in 1936, that their daughter, at age74, would not only be reading  their special and every day experiences, but also, in a day they never could imagine,  print these moments for all to see……and even more, that it will last forever, I say, forever.

Communication needs to take a step back and rest with the special moments of regular living, by ordinary people, doing ordinary things, and doing them with love.

Take that paper, pen, and stamp, surprise someone with a note of ‘just think’in of you’, or ‘how’s the weather out there’, or tell Grandma and Granddad I love them’.  You will make their hearts sing,  including your own….don’t ever forget how to write…..

later…

3/11/36

Dear Family

I’ll bet that you thought that I was a fine one when I called home Sunday. I’ll bet you all snickered up your sleeves and said ”’and she is the one who never gets homesick’. Well believe it or not I wasn’t homesick. I  just had lots of time on my hands and  wondered what all of you were doing.

I got your letters this morning. I sure like to get letters, but it seems I never get any until I write some. I told the girls in their letters that I must be taking a letter writing course instead of a nursing course.  I usually average about nine letters a week and that isn’t bad at all for one person such as me to write.

Today is just beautiful out.  They told us to get out-of-doors this afternoon so Geneva McAdams and I went out to go bicycle riding, but the people who rent them were not at home so we hiked over this section of town. We have walked about 2 hours today and my dogs are hurting a little bit.

In my mail box I just found an invitation to a party at Ball residence.  We have to wear a green dress backwards.  Geneva and I got invitations but Arlene doesn’t have any yet and she doesn’t like it very well. I expect that she will get one later on. It will be this coming Wednesday nite at 8:00 PM.

Oh yes, I have found out that we can have guests here to stay overnite. It will cost 50 cents to stay overnite and 30 cents for meals. I would love to have Doris stay with me some Saturday nite. You and Daddy and Lewis can have dinner with me any time you come down.

Are you all coming to Indianapolis this Wed. afternoon? Please do. Even if we don’t go shopping we will find something to do. Dad be sure and come out when you get to town.

So I take your last penny away from you…well if you will co me and see me Wednesday I might give you back a dollar. Gee, Dad, I feel sorry for you having to live without getting your bed made. That is all we do around here. Today she timed us on making beds and I got mine made in 23 minutes and that was fast work let me tell you.

Lewis are you coming down Sunday. Don’t let anything keep you at home. I never realized just how much I do miss you and Doris until I can’t get ahold of you. If you are here by 12:00 I will take you to Sunday dinner with me. We really have good food around here,

I got a letter from Tom Bradfield today. I don’t know why he wrote me so soon, when he just wrote me last week.

Tell Frances to write. I wrote to grandmother last week. Tell Doris that there are four letters before hers to be answered but I will write as soon as I can.

Next Friday nite we get our last typhoid shot and then next weekend we get to come home. That will be March 21. I think that is the day of the state tourney.

Lewis if Frankfort wins the regional then you buy me a state tourney ticket with you. If she doesn’t then you bring Doris and the car over and I will keep them while you go to the state tourney.

Well peoples I have written about all I can think of so I will be seeing you Wednesday, I hope, I hope, I hope (said on a radio show a lot)

You may kick that Stevens dog for me and then you may give woofs a big hug.

Loads and loads of love, ever yours    berniece

Rog…..Glad to get your letter. Hope you are having good luck and going to town. We had   a big snow here today and very cold. Unloaded poles yesterday in the rain and snow (my grandfather worked for the Nickel Plate RR)

You are sure headed toward Cory.  Look him up and he will know a lot of folks that can use ‘surge’ (milking machine)

Pat got his V8 out in the yard last night.  It is buried to the axle and covered with snow,.

Be a good boy and let us hear from you soon and often. If you need shoes or expense $, drop me a wire and I’ll telegraph  you some.

George got a Chevy. Merrie got his Plymouth Thursday and it is very nice.  Ken likes it…he got a coupe

Be very careful driving. Go fishing if you get a chance.  Berniece out last night and she is fine.     Popper

Dear Mother, Dad, and Lew

I don’t know why I am writing to you because I expect that Lewis has told you about everything there is to be told. Last Saturday Geneva and I went downtown and about  wore all the clerks out at Ayers. I had them dragging out every print dress in the place and  then I couldn’t find one to suit me.  Are you going to send me the money for my shoes, hat, gloves, and purse or do you want me to put it on the bill if I can? I just about pass out when I go downtown and see all of the suits, coats and dresses.  It is almost more than I can stand.  Tell Dad to hold on to his pocketbook.  Ha.

This coming Wednesday I am going to get my hair washed and set.  It will be the second time since I have been here.  Not bad for me.eh what?

We kids had so much fun Sunday. I sure was glad that they came. I got a letter from B.J. Congleton this morning. She also sent me her picture.  Thanks a lot for the $2. I’ll try to make it last until the tourney.  Did Tom and Bernard come home? I’ll be seeing you net weekend.      ever yours   berniece

Dear Folks, Lew and Woof

I thought that I would never get time to write to you.  It seemed as if everything else had to be done before and then I had no time left.

I wrote Grandmother, Maxine Dukes, and Reinhart today.  Now all I owe is the two Toms, Mary Ellen and a few dozen others.

I am sending you the slip of the money I spent. I have tried to keep account of all the money, but I can’t account for $1. I have about $1. in change left when I should have $2. Anyhow, if there are any extra pennies lying around please send them along. I wish that you would put me on an weekly allowance now.

I got the box you sent this morning. Say, why don’t you send candy, food or a letter in your boxes. Believe  it or not, a cake, or fruit, or anything good would sure taste swell here.

Tell Lewis and Doris to write. I’ll write them when I can but tell them to keep it up.

We had gym tonite. Geneva McAddams, the girl from Boswell and I gave each other rub downs. I thought I would die laughing at her. I like her swell.

How was Ruth? Tell her to write to me. I would love to hear from her.

We are working plenty hard.

I got me the cutest brown and yellow shorts with a yellow sweater to match for gym,. They will be swell for bicycle riding this summer.

How is everyone feeling? I hope that o one is really bad off. Ha. Tonite I either have a case of heat, hives, or measles coming on. I haven’t decided which. Don’t get scared. I am ok.

Do you think that we will win the state. Boy oh, boy, here’s hoping we do. (that’s hoosier basketball, ok) Lewis are you coming down then. If you do, just let me have the car. That is all I want. I want to drive, drive, and drive.  I haven’t got the dough to go to any of the basketball games.

Write me real soon and don’t forget about the box…loads of love to each of you.

your daughter, your sister…..and woof, your mistress.

berniece

Dear Folks and Lew (bro)

I don’t know what to write about so soon.  Nothing of any importance has happened.

It will take us the rest of the week to get really settled. They are now showing us around the campus, giving us our books, registering, and a thousand one other things.

This is the schedule as far as I can find out. 6:00 Rise and shine, 6:55 prayer, 7:05 breakfast, 8-12 classes, free period, 4-6 classes. We have Wed. afternoon off until 8. We have Friday night, Saturday afternoon and nite and all day Sunday off.  We can have late leave until 11:30 on either Friday or Saturday nite.  If you don’t understand any of this just write and I will try to explain later.  They told us this morning that we would get our first over nite leave four weeks from this coming Saturday. I’ll tell you later.

I wrote to Tom last night. What did he send me for my birthday? Have you sent it on to me yet?

I am going to write to Tom Bradfield and Mary Ellen this afternoon.  Tell Doris that I will write to her as soon as I can find time and also when I have something to say that will interest her.

I’ll write you some time soon, but I can’t say just when it will be. Is Lewis coming Sunday..be sure and let me know in time.

The subjects I am taking are anatomy, bacteriology, bandaging and massage, chemistry, elementary material medica, personal hygiene, nursing principles and practice, ethics.

I have a feeling that those few things will keep me fairly busy for awhile.

Tell Dad that I can’t find that Robley girl. I suppose I will know her sometime.

Is woof’s still with the family. He had better be.

Well, bye , be good, Loads of love berniece

(from bill? to my uncle Lew)

Dear Lew

I just thought that I would write you a line to tell you what I thought of you.

I met a swell girl the other night on a blind date.  She’s a Soph. and is she a honey? Five of the boys here at the hall called up the girls dorm and asked for five dates. She was one of them and I think I did all right even if I do say so myself.

Well how is dear old Alma Mama treating our little boy by this time? I hope you and  drizzle pus Fournier don’t blow up the chemistry building. That would be a shame.

You should of seen the game last Saturday, it was a pip. The night before we had a pep session and after that a bunch of us went down town. We were in the Star Dust, a small tavern , when some upper classmen came in.  One of them yelled ‘sissys’ and that started the ball rolling.  We got out side and one of our bunch picked up a basket of apples from a fruit stand close by and we all gave the boys a shower of fresh fruit.

Well, I have to finish this letter if I want it to go out on the evening mail, so I’ll say so long.

Have Fournier write me once in a while.  See you Thanksgiving.   yours  bill

P. suck