West Coast
May 19, 1944
Friday.
My darling Wife;
No letter from you today. It's the blank spot caused by Sat & Sun. I don't know how much of a letter this will be, but I'll work on it anyhow.
I went back to the clinic and had my teeth cleaned this morning. Shine like a new dollar now. First time I even enjoyed the experience enough to want to go back. I'm very much in favor of girl dentists. She was a nice looking dark head. Rather disturbing after living in a masculine world so long, to have a pretty face and a pair of nice red lips only a few inches in front of my face. I didn't close my eyes and go to sleep like I have done when Stan works on me. I didn't have the nerve to go any farther than just looking but I did all that, I could. I did ask her if there wasn't some little thing that I should come back tomorrow for. No soap, so your husband is saved again. Good thing these gals don't like me. If they did I might find it hard to keep from straying. As it is you won't need to worry about me. They all think I'm too old or something. I won't try to disprove their opinions. I'll wait until I can get back where I'm known.
The trick on guard was uneventful.
I bought two of the pictures I spoke about. I don't know why I bought two but I did. The photographer will send them to you. How soon, I don't know. You'll get them someday.
Honey, I was just interrupted for a couple hours. Bet you can't guess by what, or maybe you can. It was Steve! It sure was a swell day for him to come. I was still on this guard detail but my shift was all done so I could take as long as he could stay. He is the same old Steve and yet he isn't. He seems more talkative and friendly than he ever was. The woman influence maybe.
He is leaving on a 20 day leave this coming Wed., and believe it or not, he is going to Boston first and get married. He is flying through. He then plans to be around Medina about the 10th of June. Says he expects to stop and see you. Can you imagine Steve getting married and talking about it? We had a real visit for at least two hours. I sure was glad to see him. We gossiped like a couple of old maids. All about our mutual friends and acquaintances. He had a hell of a time finding me, but being an officer he got around it somehow.
I had started to tell you about the picture so you could pick out a few of the fellows I talk about. 11th man from right in front row is Brown. 1st from left is Gebhardt. 3rd from left is Mac. 12 from right, second row is Baker. 9 from right, second row is Leo. That is most of them that I mention regularly.
You will also, I hope, get a few snapshots that one of the boys took and his wife is supposed to send them to you. They won't mean too much to you until I can tell you about them. I only saw them for a minute and can't describe them so you will recognize them.
Well honey, I'm rundown and it's chow time so. Night, sweetheart, I love you so much. Wish I was going to see you instead of Steve. Bye, honey, I love you.
Your hubby.
Norm.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Letter # 369 May 16, 1944
West Coast
May16, 1944
Tues. eve.
My darling Chubbins;
This is surely some change in climate. We wear our wool uniforms and then put on jackets in the evening. I like it though. My type of climate. I guess I can't take it though. I've caught a head cold somehow, not a bad one, but one of those uncomfortable ones. I'm not the only one either.
I bought this thin paper for your letters. It won't make such a bulky letter and then maybe I'll try a few air mail when I get some stamps.
The picture came today. It isn't too bad either. Some of us look rather sick and I'm one of them. I'll have one sent to you.
Today they were urging us to make out additional allotments or else buy bonds with most of our money. Say we won't need more than 10 - 20.00 a month. It is a good idea in lots of ways but I don't think I'll do it now. If I ever get more money than I want I can send it back home or make an allotment then. What do you think? I know I won't spend much but I don't like the idea of not having it if I do want some. I'm going to try to get a little more dope on it.
I got your Sunday, May 7 letter today. Sure was a dandy. Nine pages. You numbered them too, so I couldn't miss count them this time. You're a devil, honey, but oh such a nice one. I love you, devil or not. You're sweet and you're my wife.
Gus is not much different than the rest of us. Being in the service is enough to make anyone realize that he didn't appreciate a good wife and home any where near as much as he should. I always thought I was appreciating you and everything we had an awful lot, but I know now that I was very unappreciative. Wait till I get home and I'll prove it to you. I've learned that much from this anyhow.
You're nuts, sweetheart, doing your washing at 2 A.M. after being out all day. I know you just wanted to get it done so you could sleep late the next day. Right?
I bet the old place does look nice with all the flowers out, lawn nice and green and trees in leaf. It surely is a beautiful time of year. I had an idea that Harold wouldn't be too sorry to see John go, even though it does leave him short handed as hell. I could or thought I could see that he wasn't at all satisfied with the work John was doing. He always was slow and made a lot of mistakes. If he can't hold this new job, he'd better retire and let Mabel do the bread earning for the family.
It's a bad policy to laugh at the cute sayings of little kids and it may be as bad to laugh at those of my wife, but I did think the way you twisted and murdered the English rather a cute saying, and you a school teacher too. I am madly in love with you and you too.
You may be right about me falling back into the old routine of working at something most of the time and not wanting to be bothered. It does sound a lot like me, but you've admitted that I surprised you in some respects and I may surprise you there too. I fully intend to try. I agree that it's very pleasant to mix work and pleasure. Especially that kind of pleasure. I'm all for giving it a fair trial. Was I ever a very dull boy?
I haven't covered your letter yet but I'm going to quit for now. Gosh, how I'm hurting for my Babe. She's still the best, most desirable of any I've seen and I'm seeing all kinds too. They can't compete sweetheart. I love you too much.
Your lover
Norm.
May16, 1944
Tues. eve.
My darling Chubbins;
This is surely some change in climate. We wear our wool uniforms and then put on jackets in the evening. I like it though. My type of climate. I guess I can't take it though. I've caught a head cold somehow, not a bad one, but one of those uncomfortable ones. I'm not the only one either.
I bought this thin paper for your letters. It won't make such a bulky letter and then maybe I'll try a few air mail when I get some stamps.
The picture came today. It isn't too bad either. Some of us look rather sick and I'm one of them. I'll have one sent to you.
Today they were urging us to make out additional allotments or else buy bonds with most of our money. Say we won't need more than 10 - 20.00 a month. It is a good idea in lots of ways but I don't think I'll do it now. If I ever get more money than I want I can send it back home or make an allotment then. What do you think? I know I won't spend much but I don't like the idea of not having it if I do want some. I'm going to try to get a little more dope on it.
I got your Sunday, May 7 letter today. Sure was a dandy. Nine pages. You numbered them too, so I couldn't miss count them this time. You're a devil, honey, but oh such a nice one. I love you, devil or not. You're sweet and you're my wife.
Gus is not much different than the rest of us. Being in the service is enough to make anyone realize that he didn't appreciate a good wife and home any where near as much as he should. I always thought I was appreciating you and everything we had an awful lot, but I know now that I was very unappreciative. Wait till I get home and I'll prove it to you. I've learned that much from this anyhow.
You're nuts, sweetheart, doing your washing at 2 A.M. after being out all day. I know you just wanted to get it done so you could sleep late the next day. Right?
I bet the old place does look nice with all the flowers out, lawn nice and green and trees in leaf. It surely is a beautiful time of year. I had an idea that Harold wouldn't be too sorry to see John go, even though it does leave him short handed as hell. I could or thought I could see that he wasn't at all satisfied with the work John was doing. He always was slow and made a lot of mistakes. If he can't hold this new job, he'd better retire and let Mabel do the bread earning for the family.
It's a bad policy to laugh at the cute sayings of little kids and it may be as bad to laugh at those of my wife, but I did think the way you twisted and murdered the English rather a cute saying, and you a school teacher too. I am madly in love with you and you too.
You may be right about me falling back into the old routine of working at something most of the time and not wanting to be bothered. It does sound a lot like me, but you've admitted that I surprised you in some respects and I may surprise you there too. I fully intend to try. I agree that it's very pleasant to mix work and pleasure. Especially that kind of pleasure. I'm all for giving it a fair trial. Was I ever a very dull boy?
I haven't covered your letter yet but I'm going to quit for now. Gosh, how I'm hurting for my Babe. She's still the best, most desirable of any I've seen and I'm seeing all kinds too. They can't compete sweetheart. I love you too much.
Your lover
Norm.
Letter # 371 May 18, 1944
West Coast
May 18, 1944
Thurs. eve.
Sweetheart;
Hello darling. How's my wife today? Beautiful as ever? Wish I could see you and tell you that in person. More too. There are so many nice things I could tell you and not be stretching the truth even the least little bit. I love you honey. Gosh I'm glad I gotcha.
I had quite a session with the dentist today. Three fillings and I go back tomorrow to have them cleaned. Two of the fillings were old ones that had to be taken out and replaced. One small new one. The one on the side of my front tooth, remember? was one to be replaced. It had finally worn loose and was "leaking" slightly as he explained it. I can't kick about that. It only lasted 10 years longer than Nichols said it would. They seemed to do a very good job too.
Had a very nice nurse too. The doctor didn't come in for almost an hour and I had a nice talk with her. Tomorrow is the day though. Girls do all the cleaning work and some of them look pretty good to me. Of course not as good as you, but after all you're a long way from here. I'll see if I can't develop some more tooth trouble.
I'm in the guard house, honey. What do you think of that? What do you think of me now? Don't get excited. It isn't as bad as it sounds. I have drawn guard duty for the first time in my army life. I'll be on duty until tomorrow night. Not steady, four hours on and eight off. It's rather a racket.
I've been almost buying the P.X. out of books lately. Read a dozen or so of the usual run of mysteries, that seems to be about all they have, but today I found, "The Moon is Down" by John Steinbeck. What I've read of it so far seems good.
I got your Fri letter today so by now I imagine you have started getting letters from me again. The days without mail sure seem bare don't they?
I don't care much how you wear your hair. I'd love you no matter, long hair, short hair, curly, straight. or, if necessary, without hair. It's the same old story honey. I'm very much in love with you.
I actually do believe the "old buck of a pen" has improved your hand writing. It isn't a bad one when you get used to it. It's a med. point instead of a fine. Get a new bladder put in and it should be good as new.
It's a good thing you are always glad to hear that I love you, because that is about all I have to say these days. If I haven't a letter to answer, I'm sunk so if you get a letter with only an "I love you " in it, it's probably a day when I didn't have one to answer.
Darling, I would sure like to accept the job you offer, but Uncle Sam thinks he can't get along without my services. I'm sorry, I'd sure like the job, even to mending the socks. You don't mention salary, but I know it would be more than satisfactory.
I'm glad to hear you say you can take it and you are in good spirits. That's the way, honey, you're a good soldier and sensible girl. I won't worry about you - much and don't you worry about me. Uncle Sam says he will take good care of me and you know I'm not exactly a baby either. I hope.
Bye for tonight, darling, I'm dreaming of you an awful lot and loving you more and more all the time.
I love you, Tootsie Wuggles.
Your hubby.
Norm.
May 18, 1944
Thurs. eve.
Sweetheart;
Hello darling. How's my wife today? Beautiful as ever? Wish I could see you and tell you that in person. More too. There are so many nice things I could tell you and not be stretching the truth even the least little bit. I love you honey. Gosh I'm glad I gotcha.
I had quite a session with the dentist today. Three fillings and I go back tomorrow to have them cleaned. Two of the fillings were old ones that had to be taken out and replaced. One small new one. The one on the side of my front tooth, remember? was one to be replaced. It had finally worn loose and was "leaking" slightly as he explained it. I can't kick about that. It only lasted 10 years longer than Nichols said it would. They seemed to do a very good job too.
Had a very nice nurse too. The doctor didn't come in for almost an hour and I had a nice talk with her. Tomorrow is the day though. Girls do all the cleaning work and some of them look pretty good to me. Of course not as good as you, but after all you're a long way from here. I'll see if I can't develop some more tooth trouble.
I'm in the guard house, honey. What do you think of that? What do you think of me now? Don't get excited. It isn't as bad as it sounds. I have drawn guard duty for the first time in my army life. I'll be on duty until tomorrow night. Not steady, four hours on and eight off. It's rather a racket.
I've been almost buying the P.X. out of books lately. Read a dozen or so of the usual run of mysteries, that seems to be about all they have, but today I found, "The Moon is Down" by John Steinbeck. What I've read of it so far seems good.
I got your Fri letter today so by now I imagine you have started getting letters from me again. The days without mail sure seem bare don't they?
I don't care much how you wear your hair. I'd love you no matter, long hair, short hair, curly, straight. or, if necessary, without hair. It's the same old story honey. I'm very much in love with you.
I actually do believe the "old buck of a pen" has improved your hand writing. It isn't a bad one when you get used to it. It's a med. point instead of a fine. Get a new bladder put in and it should be good as new.
It's a good thing you are always glad to hear that I love you, because that is about all I have to say these days. If I haven't a letter to answer, I'm sunk so if you get a letter with only an "I love you " in it, it's probably a day when I didn't have one to answer.
Darling, I would sure like to accept the job you offer, but Uncle Sam thinks he can't get along without my services. I'm sorry, I'd sure like the job, even to mending the socks. You don't mention salary, but I know it would be more than satisfactory.
I'm glad to hear you say you can take it and you are in good spirits. That's the way, honey, you're a good soldier and sensible girl. I won't worry about you - much and don't you worry about me. Uncle Sam says he will take good care of me and you know I'm not exactly a baby either. I hope.
Bye for tonight, darling, I'm dreaming of you an awful lot and loving you more and more all the time.
I love you, Tootsie Wuggles.
Your hubby.
Norm.
Letter # 370 May 17, 1944
West Coast
May 17, 1944
Wednesday.
My Sweetheart;
Another day, rainy one too. Must be the rainy season of the year.
I got a chance to have my teeth really inspected and I have to have a couple filled tomorrow. They are only small ones that Stan never will work on but the army wants them all fixed up. Glad to get it done. I can forget about them again for a year or so.
Honey, you never told me that story about the memorable night when, as I maintain, you only grunted and went to sleep. You should have told me that long ago and I wouldn't have kept teasing you about it. Of course I have to accept your word for the reaction it caused. I guess I can believe it though, when I think how you made up for it when I came back. You were as glad to see me as you have been these times I've come home on furlough. That is another scene that is forever stamped in my memory. I loved you then but I love you a lot more now. Think of that. After these years I should be willing to see what is on the other side of the fence. I'm not even curious. You have me well wrapped and tied and I'll stay that way until I get home again. Then it will be up to you to see that I stay tied. I don't think you'll have much trouble. I love you mummy.
I got your Mon. & Tues. letters today and also your Thurs one. The Thurs. letter came direct and the other two were forwarded. I guess that brings me up to date on your letters for now.
I thought you would appreciate the card and get a kick out of my comments. It's funny now, but at the time I didn't know if it was very funny or not.
Seems like Mickey and I are about in the same stage. What he is going through now is the same as here. The same things apply to me, so you know what to expect.
I had found out since I came back that the allotments for the upper grades had been changed. I was wrong. That evidently went into effect while I was still at school and I never happened to hear of it.
I do like your hair best the way it was, but I like it anyway. It's you and that is all that matters to me. I haven't much room to talk about hair anyhow. You could sure find plenty to say about my lack of hair.
You're not kidding. It is tough to not be able to see you, but it would never be any different even if I was seeing you all the time. I'll miss you like hell any time I'm away from you. It won't be forever. The time will come when I'll be home for good again and this will only be a bad memory.
You didn't loose much time starting to read my book, did you ? I don't know if you'll be very wild about it or not, but it has the "spice" you seem to enjoy in your reading. He sure did all he could to have a good time and never really accomplished it. Just another arrangement in favor of our way of looking at having a happy married life.
I'm very content to keep on the way we started out. I think we were lucky.
That's about all for tonight darling. I'm getting fat & sassy and I'm sure missing my sweetheart a lot. I'm madly in love with her, you know. Night, sweetheart. My one and only love and wife. I love you.
Your loving hubby.
Norm.
May 17, 1944
Wednesday.
My Sweetheart;
Another day, rainy one too. Must be the rainy season of the year.
I got a chance to have my teeth really inspected and I have to have a couple filled tomorrow. They are only small ones that Stan never will work on but the army wants them all fixed up. Glad to get it done. I can forget about them again for a year or so.
Honey, you never told me that story about the memorable night when, as I maintain, you only grunted and went to sleep. You should have told me that long ago and I wouldn't have kept teasing you about it. Of course I have to accept your word for the reaction it caused. I guess I can believe it though, when I think how you made up for it when I came back. You were as glad to see me as you have been these times I've come home on furlough. That is another scene that is forever stamped in my memory. I loved you then but I love you a lot more now. Think of that. After these years I should be willing to see what is on the other side of the fence. I'm not even curious. You have me well wrapped and tied and I'll stay that way until I get home again. Then it will be up to you to see that I stay tied. I don't think you'll have much trouble. I love you mummy.
I got your Mon. & Tues. letters today and also your Thurs one. The Thurs. letter came direct and the other two were forwarded. I guess that brings me up to date on your letters for now.
I thought you would appreciate the card and get a kick out of my comments. It's funny now, but at the time I didn't know if it was very funny or not.
Seems like Mickey and I are about in the same stage. What he is going through now is the same as here. The same things apply to me, so you know what to expect.
I had found out since I came back that the allotments for the upper grades had been changed. I was wrong. That evidently went into effect while I was still at school and I never happened to hear of it.
I do like your hair best the way it was, but I like it anyway. It's you and that is all that matters to me. I haven't much room to talk about hair anyhow. You could sure find plenty to say about my lack of hair.
You're not kidding. It is tough to not be able to see you, but it would never be any different even if I was seeing you all the time. I'll miss you like hell any time I'm away from you. It won't be forever. The time will come when I'll be home for good again and this will only be a bad memory.
You didn't loose much time starting to read my book, did you ? I don't know if you'll be very wild about it or not, but it has the "spice" you seem to enjoy in your reading. He sure did all he could to have a good time and never really accomplished it. Just another arrangement in favor of our way of looking at having a happy married life.
I'm very content to keep on the way we started out. I think we were lucky.
That's about all for tonight darling. I'm getting fat & sassy and I'm sure missing my sweetheart a lot. I'm madly in love with her, you know. Night, sweetheart. My one and only love and wife. I love you.
Your loving hubby.
Norm.
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