Fri. June 23, 1944
My Darling Wife;
Well, honey. Here is that request letter. First of all. The camera and all the film for it you can get or have on hand. Three of those cheap little cigarette lighters like I had just before I came to the army. You remember? They only cost from $.50 to $1.00. If you can't find any maybe you can find the ones I left at home. Send some extra flints and wicks for them also. Don't try to send any fluid. They wouldn't take it and we use gasoline anyhow. Several bars of good laundry soap such as Fels Naptha and some good old Lifeboy. Then, if you have room you might slip in a pound or so of Prince Albert pipe tobacco. I guess that will take care of me for the present. That may not be at all necessary after we get established but I can always use that type of stuff. At present it is scarce as hell. I'll try to write another and more personal letter some time today. Now it's time to go back to work. I told you you'd have plenty opportunity to send me things. Bye sweetheart. I love you so much.
your hubby
Norm
Fri. June 23, 1944
My Sweetheart Wife;
Gosh, honey, I feel good. We just came back from an all afternoon swim. First since last summer and best of all the first good bath since I left the states. There is a nice clear, cool, mountain stream a mile or so off in the woods. Sand bottom and everything only it is hardly deep enough to swim. It makes a beautiful bath tub though. I can see where I will spend most of any off time I get in the day. Can't do things like that at night because of mosquitoes. I haven't seen any yet but I am told they are bad at night in the woods. Didn't see any signs of fish but there surely ought to be. It's an interesting country. I'm rather enjoying it. If I didn't miss you so much I'd be very nearly contented. I do love you and love you some more. You're a very swell wife.
Damn this V-mail. I no more than get started and I'm out of paper. I got another and especially sweet letter today. The one you wrote the day you saw Steve. It was a good loving letter. Now I'm going to have to quit and go to bed. I'll try to write you a good one and answer some of your letters. I love you darling.
Your hubby
Norm
Sunday, July 31, 2011
V-Mail # 398 June 22, 1944
Thurs. June 22, 1944
Darling; II
I had expected to make this a continuation of yesterday's, but I got interrupted and had no more chance to write until today. I guess I can quit telling you how much I liked your letters and tell you a little you want to know. Your guess and Marg's were way off the beam. I am in New Guinea. Steve was very close to right. The climate is very much the same as La. but it cools off very nicely at night. It's damp as hell and nothing will dry very well. I may get just as sick of this as I did of La. but at present it is very interesting. Plenty of hills and mountains and you know how I like them. The jungles are very strange and interesting. I have been prowling them every chance I get. I haven't been able to identify many of the strange trees and plants yet. It's interesting to try. I can sure appreciate the phrase, impenetrable, steamy jungle now. It's just that exactly. There has been some logging done in these woods and still it is almost necessary to cut your way through. Vines and creepers all over. When you walk into the woods you have a feeling of entering a steamy shower room.
continued
Norman Effinger
Sweetheart; III
The natives are little, black, bushy haired fellows and talk fairly understandable English. They are always willing to cut poles or trade something for cigarettes. They surely have few clothing troubles. A sack or any old piece of rag tied around the waist is their only clothing. Sometimes not even that. Brown claims he saw a couple small kangaroo but so far I haven't. There are bananas and coconut trees. None of the latter in this particular area. It is surely all new and interesting. We are living very nearly like we did on La. maneuvers. Feeding well even if it isn't always what we like. I can't tell you much more. Wish I could. I do as you say in one of your letters. Remember and tell you all about it when I come home. These haven't been much for love letters. They will come later when I start answering the grand stack of yours I have here. I do love you so much darling. I'm thinking of you an awful lot. The nights are so long I'll have lots of time to dream about you and make plans for us in the not too distant future. Bye sweetheart. I'm loving you.
Your hubby
Norm
Darling; II
I had expected to make this a continuation of yesterday's, but I got interrupted and had no more chance to write until today. I guess I can quit telling you how much I liked your letters and tell you a little you want to know. Your guess and Marg's were way off the beam. I am in New Guinea. Steve was very close to right. The climate is very much the same as La. but it cools off very nicely at night. It's damp as hell and nothing will dry very well. I may get just as sick of this as I did of La. but at present it is very interesting. Plenty of hills and mountains and you know how I like them. The jungles are very strange and interesting. I have been prowling them every chance I get. I haven't been able to identify many of the strange trees and plants yet. It's interesting to try. I can sure appreciate the phrase, impenetrable, steamy jungle now. It's just that exactly. There has been some logging done in these woods and still it is almost necessary to cut your way through. Vines and creepers all over. When you walk into the woods you have a feeling of entering a steamy shower room.
continued
Norman Effinger
Sweetheart; III
The natives are little, black, bushy haired fellows and talk fairly understandable English. They are always willing to cut poles or trade something for cigarettes. They surely have few clothing troubles. A sack or any old piece of rag tied around the waist is their only clothing. Sometimes not even that. Brown claims he saw a couple small kangaroo but so far I haven't. There are bananas and coconut trees. None of the latter in this particular area. It is surely all new and interesting. We are living very nearly like we did on La. maneuvers. Feeding well even if it isn't always what we like. I can't tell you much more. Wish I could. I do as you say in one of your letters. Remember and tell you all about it when I come home. These haven't been much for love letters. They will come later when I start answering the grand stack of yours I have here. I do love you so much darling. I'm thinking of you an awful lot. The nights are so long I'll have lots of time to dream about you and make plans for us in the not too distant future. Bye sweetheart. I'm loving you.
Your hubby
Norm
V-Mail # 397 June 21, 1944
June 21, 1944
Hello Sweetheart; I
Gosh, honey I just had to sit down and write a note to you. Everything is so rosy and bright and I feel so good. Guess why? I got my first letters from you today. A whole bunch of them. Eleven letters and two birthday cards. Think of that! The first in exactly a month. The last I had gotten was May 22. I got yours of the 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 1, 2 & 4 so they are all here in rotation. Gosh, sweetheart I sure was glad to hear from you again. Makes it seem that I am not all alone in a strange and unfriendly country. I really appreciate the effort you put into writing, now, more than ever. I don't expect I will be able to do as well as I have done in the past but I'll sure as hell do the best I can. Gosh, honey, I love you. You're a darling. Best wife a man ever could have. If you were a bit closer I could show you what I mean, a lot better than I can write it. I'm glad I gotcha.
I'm sorry I have to keep writing on this damn V-mail, but it's all I have at present. If I find I can't get any I'm going to send good old mummy for paper and stamps. I'll send a specific request if necessary. I can hardly settle down to writing yet. I can't lay your letters down long enough.
Continued
Norman Effinger
Hello Sweetheart; I
Gosh, honey I just had to sit down and write a note to you. Everything is so rosy and bright and I feel so good. Guess why? I got my first letters from you today. A whole bunch of them. Eleven letters and two birthday cards. Think of that! The first in exactly a month. The last I had gotten was May 22. I got yours of the 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 1, 2 & 4 so they are all here in rotation. Gosh, sweetheart I sure was glad to hear from you again. Makes it seem that I am not all alone in a strange and unfriendly country. I really appreciate the effort you put into writing, now, more than ever. I don't expect I will be able to do as well as I have done in the past but I'll sure as hell do the best I can. Gosh, honey, I love you. You're a darling. Best wife a man ever could have. If you were a bit closer I could show you what I mean, a lot better than I can write it. I'm glad I gotcha.
I'm sorry I have to keep writing on this damn V-mail, but it's all I have at present. If I find I can't get any I'm going to send good old mummy for paper and stamps. I'll send a specific request if necessary. I can hardly settle down to writing yet. I can't lay your letters down long enough.
Continued
Norman Effinger
Saturday, July 30, 2011
V-Mail # 396 June 19, 1944
Mon. June 19, 1944
Darling;
I've been neglecting you the past three days and didn't write on Fri, Sat, or Sun. I thought we were gong to get some mail and so I was waiting. I did not have any news to tell you anyhow. We did touch land for a bit and that was all. Even though I had my feet on land for a very short time, I really enjoyed it. Felt good to get back on something that didn't rock and roll under my feet all the time.
What I've seen is interesting and rather pretty. The temperature isn't too bad. I wouldn't guess over ninety degrees or ninety five degrees. It's humid though and seems to rain a light shower several times a day. The beaches are lined with coconut palms and they are all bearing too. I saw some with as many as 50 nuts to a tree. Looks like the pictures we've always seen of them.
If this was a sample of what we can expect where ever we are going, we shouldn't be hurtin very much. Out year in La. was plenty training for this climate.
Gosh, I was hoping I'd have a letter to answer today. I can't kick though. There will probably be a bunch waiting or come soon after we land while you will still have to wait for these to go all the way back to you. I hope you are getting along all right, honey and not worrying too much about me. I'm getting along in good shape and I'm also loving and missing you like hell. I love you sweetheart. Norm
Norman W. Effinger
Darling;
I've been neglecting you the past three days and didn't write on Fri, Sat, or Sun. I thought we were gong to get some mail and so I was waiting. I did not have any news to tell you anyhow. We did touch land for a bit and that was all. Even though I had my feet on land for a very short time, I really enjoyed it. Felt good to get back on something that didn't rock and roll under my feet all the time.
What I've seen is interesting and rather pretty. The temperature isn't too bad. I wouldn't guess over ninety degrees or ninety five degrees. It's humid though and seems to rain a light shower several times a day. The beaches are lined with coconut palms and they are all bearing too. I saw some with as many as 50 nuts to a tree. Looks like the pictures we've always seen of them.
If this was a sample of what we can expect where ever we are going, we shouldn't be hurtin very much. Out year in La. was plenty training for this climate.
Gosh, I was hoping I'd have a letter to answer today. I can't kick though. There will probably be a bunch waiting or come soon after we land while you will still have to wait for these to go all the way back to you. I hope you are getting along all right, honey and not worrying too much about me. I'm getting along in good shape and I'm also loving and missing you like hell. I love you sweetheart. Norm
Norman W. Effinger
V-Mail # 395 June 15, 1944 At Sea
Thurs. June 15, 1944
Darling;
I have always heard that on sea trips people can see all kinds of fish, whales and etc. nearly all the time. I had been disappointed in that all along until today. One lone porpoise appeared along side and cut capers for a very interested audience for a while. At times I could see six or eight feet of him as he came up. He must have been a good sized fish. Would be interesting to get something like him on a line. I am hoping to get in a little sea fishing after we arrive at someplace. The company has some fishing equipment along and I expect that I will be able to get some for myself. If can't and have need for it that may be one of the things I'll ask you to send. I'll sure take advantage of any opportunity I might get to hunt or fish.
Middle of June already. Golly it's been a long time since I've heard from you. I know you are all right but, I like to hear form you anyhow. I bet you're having a great time trying to keep up with the lawn and things. Hang on for this summer and then I hope I can be back doing it next summer. Nothing I want more than to get back to you again. No use having a nice wife if I can't be with her. I love you darling.
your hubby
Norm
Norman W. Effinger
Darling;
I have always heard that on sea trips people can see all kinds of fish, whales and etc. nearly all the time. I had been disappointed in that all along until today. One lone porpoise appeared along side and cut capers for a very interested audience for a while. At times I could see six or eight feet of him as he came up. He must have been a good sized fish. Would be interesting to get something like him on a line. I am hoping to get in a little sea fishing after we arrive at someplace. The company has some fishing equipment along and I expect that I will be able to get some for myself. If can't and have need for it that may be one of the things I'll ask you to send. I'll sure take advantage of any opportunity I might get to hunt or fish.
Middle of June already. Golly it's been a long time since I've heard from you. I know you are all right but, I like to hear form you anyhow. I bet you're having a great time trying to keep up with the lawn and things. Hang on for this summer and then I hope I can be back doing it next summer. Nothing I want more than to get back to you again. No use having a nice wife if I can't be with her. I love you darling.
your hubby
Norm
Norman W. Effinger
Friday, July 29, 2011
V-Mail # 394 June 14, 1944 At Sea
Wed.June 14, 1944
My darling Wife;
I don't know how much hard common sense there is to writing to you most every day. When I know you will undoubtedly get hem all at once anyhow. Oh well, there never is much common sense about love and if we aren't in love I don't know what to call it. I don't seem to feel just right unless I can at least have this very unsatisfactory correspondence with you every day. I do love you so much, sweetheart. I know you are writing and wondering what the hell and why the hell you aren't getting letters for so long. It's hard times honey but there aren't any mail boxes out here, so it's the best we can do. Anyhow I'm thinking of you and loving you all the time, if that's any comfort. I hope you don't delay your trip so much you can't make it. I imagine by this time you are waiting for word from me. I would expect that Louise has already heard from Mick. I'm wondering where he landed and what has happened to Gus & Tony. I imagine I'll know as soon as I get the letters you've been writing all this time. You usually do a very good job of keeping me informed of the news. I sure appreciate it too. You're a very swell wife. Gosh, I love you sweetheart. Bye honey, I love you.
your lover
Norm
Norman W. Effinger.
My darling Wife;
I don't know how much hard common sense there is to writing to you most every day. When I know you will undoubtedly get hem all at once anyhow. Oh well, there never is much common sense about love and if we aren't in love I don't know what to call it. I don't seem to feel just right unless I can at least have this very unsatisfactory correspondence with you every day. I do love you so much, sweetheart. I know you are writing and wondering what the hell and why the hell you aren't getting letters for so long. It's hard times honey but there aren't any mail boxes out here, so it's the best we can do. Anyhow I'm thinking of you and loving you all the time, if that's any comfort. I hope you don't delay your trip so much you can't make it. I imagine by this time you are waiting for word from me. I would expect that Louise has already heard from Mick. I'm wondering where he landed and what has happened to Gus & Tony. I imagine I'll know as soon as I get the letters you've been writing all this time. You usually do a very good job of keeping me informed of the news. I sure appreciate it too. You're a very swell wife. Gosh, I love you sweetheart. Bye honey, I love you.
your lover
Norm
Norman W. Effinger.
V-mail # 393 June 13, 1944 At Sea
Tues. June 13, 1944
My darling Wife;
I am beginning to feel like Columbus must have when he sailed on day after day and wondered what he was going to find at the end of his trip. We don't know any more about where we are or how much longer it will be than he did. Only, of course we don't have to worry about coming to a jumping off place.
I have just had a very nice salt water shower and shave. I got so clean I can rub my hand over my body and the dirt rolls up with it. It's impossible to get clean but I do get most of the old sweat off. I tried to wash a bath towel. It was black and sticky as hell and after working on it for half an hour and using a bar of soap it was almost as dirty and smelled as bad as before so I gave up. Do my washing when we get on land again. I'll have a good big one too. I've got almost everything I own dirty. Have to look me up a wash woman. Of course I only want her to do my washing for me. I'm hard up but not that bad.
How is everything at our little home? Tell me all about everything when you don't know what else to write. Bye you good looking old devil. I could sure go for a little of your charm and loving. I loves you sweetheart. your hubby
Norm
Norman W. Effinger
My darling Wife;
I am beginning to feel like Columbus must have when he sailed on day after day and wondered what he was going to find at the end of his trip. We don't know any more about where we are or how much longer it will be than he did. Only, of course we don't have to worry about coming to a jumping off place.
I have just had a very nice salt water shower and shave. I got so clean I can rub my hand over my body and the dirt rolls up with it. It's impossible to get clean but I do get most of the old sweat off. I tried to wash a bath towel. It was black and sticky as hell and after working on it for half an hour and using a bar of soap it was almost as dirty and smelled as bad as before so I gave up. Do my washing when we get on land again. I'll have a good big one too. I've got almost everything I own dirty. Have to look me up a wash woman. Of course I only want her to do my washing for me. I'm hard up but not that bad.
How is everything at our little home? Tell me all about everything when you don't know what else to write. Bye you good looking old devil. I could sure go for a little of your charm and loving. I loves you sweetheart. your hubby
Norm
Norman W. Effinger
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
V-mail # 392 June 12, 1944 At Sea
Mon. June 12, 1944
My Sweetheart;
Another day and still sailing on and on. The weather has changed a bit though. It's a lot cooler and the breeze has developed into almost a young gale. The water is rather rough but it doesn't seem to have much effect on the boat. Very little more roll than before. I got drowned a couple times already. Standing close to the rail when a big wave came over. We might see a little rough weather yet if this keeps up. I guess we can take it now. No one pays attention to it anymore. It would be interesting to have pictures of this but cameras all had to be turned in. No pictures allowed. When we eventually get settled someplace, I'll send for mine if we can have it. I hope so. There is a lot of good picture material going to waste.
I've been reading your May 22 letter again. That's the last one I got. Gosh that's a long time not to hear a thing from or about you. I almost know that letter by memory but it still reads good. Don't worry. If there is something you can send me I won't hesitate to ask you for it. It's a grand feeling to have a sweet wife to lean on whenever I need help. You are sweet, beautiful, and altogether a very swell wife. I'm glad I gotcha. I love you Chubbins, so damn much.
Your soldier
Norm
Norman W. Effinger
My Sweetheart;
Another day and still sailing on and on. The weather has changed a bit though. It's a lot cooler and the breeze has developed into almost a young gale. The water is rather rough but it doesn't seem to have much effect on the boat. Very little more roll than before. I got drowned a couple times already. Standing close to the rail when a big wave came over. We might see a little rough weather yet if this keeps up. I guess we can take it now. No one pays attention to it anymore. It would be interesting to have pictures of this but cameras all had to be turned in. No pictures allowed. When we eventually get settled someplace, I'll send for mine if we can have it. I hope so. There is a lot of good picture material going to waste.
I've been reading your May 22 letter again. That's the last one I got. Gosh that's a long time not to hear a thing from or about you. I almost know that letter by memory but it still reads good. Don't worry. If there is something you can send me I won't hesitate to ask you for it. It's a grand feeling to have a sweet wife to lean on whenever I need help. You are sweet, beautiful, and altogether a very swell wife. I'm glad I gotcha. I love you Chubbins, so damn much.
Your soldier
Norm
Norman W. Effinger
Sunday, July 24, 2011
V-Mail # 391 June 11, 1944
Sun. June 11, 1944
Hello Beautiful; I
Last night while I lay on deck looking at the stars I was thinking: It's only 2 months today since I left you again and look at all that has happened. I guess we have made up for staying in one place for a whole year. When we started to move, we really did it and make no mistake. Not done yet either. I was also thinking about our last evening together. It was a very nice evening, even if it was our last for a long time. I suspicion ed it might be but I didn't know until later that you did also. One of your letters told me that you were wise to it as much as I. Smart girl, aren't you? Making me think you had no misgivings about what was coming. Brave too. I wasn't trying to keep anything from you but I didn't try to worry you with what were only guesses on my part. Can't fool you any, can I? Anyhow, you gave me a lot of wonderful memories to take along with me. I'll remember and cherish them too until I get a new batch to push the old into the background. I'm sure hoping I won't be too long getting that new batch either and this time I hope and think they won't have to be interrupted again. Won't it be grand to know we won't have to part again - ever -
continued -
Norman W. Effinger
Sun. June 11, 1944
Sweetheart; II Continued.
One of the nicest memories is a picture of you that is impressed on my mind. Gosh honey, you were beautiful. You looked so good I hardly knew what was happening around me. Couldn't keep my eyes off you. I sure was tempted to take you along if only to be with me on the trip back to Polk. You'll never know how close I came to suggesting it. I really was thinking of it. You looked so damn good. That nice fitting black dress and hat. Yes, even the veil too. Soft white throat and face with flushed spots on the cheeks. [beer or excitement, I don't know which.] Tempting red lips and eyes that looked black and sparkling and rather impish at times.
Remember when you pulled the veil down to tempt me? Well I rather liked it. You were beautiful I had never noticed so much before, that, at night, and when you are a little excited or emotional, your eyes look really black and snappy. I had seen it a few times before but never so much so. Really, honey, you were so beautiful and I loved you so much I was almost "floating." I didn't wake up until you were gone for some time. It's a picture I'll never forget. I'll be looking forward to the next time, when I won't be leaving in a few minutes.
Continued
Norman W. Effinger
Sun. June 11, 1944
Tootsie Wuggles; III Continued
I expect that by this time Steve is in Medina with his new bride and you may have seen and talked with him. Anyhow, by the time you get this you will have. If he told you the same things he told me you have a very good idea. His information was to the best of my knowledge at the present time, correct in almost every respect.
We are still sailing on and on and on. There doesn't seem to be any end to this water. It has cooled off a very little bit and aside from the heat, is beautiful weather. I never supposed it possible to be at sea so long and not have some bad storms.
I've been on detail one day, guard duty, and otherwise, aside from cleaning my gun and a few odd jobs, like that, my time has been largely my own. I've done a lot of reading and lot of just sitting. Somehow the days
seem to roll by. Aside from being almost too lazy to go for chow I'm feeling very good and ornery. I'll be glad to get my feet on old mother earth again and have room enough to move around a bit.
Sweetheart, I guess I've done pretty well for today. anyhow, I'm run down. Bye darling. I loves you and loves you and loves you.
your hubby
Norm
Norman W. Effinger
Hello Beautiful; I
Last night while I lay on deck looking at the stars I was thinking: It's only 2 months today since I left you again and look at all that has happened. I guess we have made up for staying in one place for a whole year. When we started to move, we really did it and make no mistake. Not done yet either. I was also thinking about our last evening together. It was a very nice evening, even if it was our last for a long time. I suspicion ed it might be but I didn't know until later that you did also. One of your letters told me that you were wise to it as much as I. Smart girl, aren't you? Making me think you had no misgivings about what was coming. Brave too. I wasn't trying to keep anything from you but I didn't try to worry you with what were only guesses on my part. Can't fool you any, can I? Anyhow, you gave me a lot of wonderful memories to take along with me. I'll remember and cherish them too until I get a new batch to push the old into the background. I'm sure hoping I won't be too long getting that new batch either and this time I hope and think they won't have to be interrupted again. Won't it be grand to know we won't have to part again - ever -
continued -
Norman W. Effinger
Sun. June 11, 1944
Sweetheart; II Continued.
One of the nicest memories is a picture of you that is impressed on my mind. Gosh honey, you were beautiful. You looked so good I hardly knew what was happening around me. Couldn't keep my eyes off you. I sure was tempted to take you along if only to be with me on the trip back to Polk. You'll never know how close I came to suggesting it. I really was thinking of it. You looked so damn good. That nice fitting black dress and hat. Yes, even the veil too. Soft white throat and face with flushed spots on the cheeks. [beer or excitement, I don't know which.] Tempting red lips and eyes that looked black and sparkling and rather impish at times.
Remember when you pulled the veil down to tempt me? Well I rather liked it. You were beautiful I had never noticed so much before, that, at night, and when you are a little excited or emotional, your eyes look really black and snappy. I had seen it a few times before but never so much so. Really, honey, you were so beautiful and I loved you so much I was almost "floating." I didn't wake up until you were gone for some time. It's a picture I'll never forget. I'll be looking forward to the next time, when I won't be leaving in a few minutes.
Continued
Norman W. Effinger
Sun. June 11, 1944
Tootsie Wuggles; III Continued
I expect that by this time Steve is in Medina with his new bride and you may have seen and talked with him. Anyhow, by the time you get this you will have. If he told you the same things he told me you have a very good idea. His information was to the best of my knowledge at the present time, correct in almost every respect.
We are still sailing on and on and on. There doesn't seem to be any end to this water. It has cooled off a very little bit and aside from the heat, is beautiful weather. I never supposed it possible to be at sea so long and not have some bad storms.
I've been on detail one day, guard duty, and otherwise, aside from cleaning my gun and a few odd jobs, like that, my time has been largely my own. I've done a lot of reading and lot of just sitting. Somehow the days
seem to roll by. Aside from being almost too lazy to go for chow I'm feeling very good and ornery. I'll be glad to get my feet on old mother earth again and have room enough to move around a bit.
Sweetheart, I guess I've done pretty well for today. anyhow, I'm run down. Bye darling. I loves you and loves you and loves you.
your hubby
Norm
Norman W. Effinger
V-Mail # 390 June 9, 1944
My Gorgeous Wife;
Hello Tootsie Wuggles;
How's my baby today? If good wishes and thoughts can do anything for you, you should be all right. I'm sending you oceans of them all the time. It's a hell of a long time now since I've heard but I seem to feel you are O.K. I love you darling. I could prove it too.
I said a few days ago that I had finally gotten my sea legs. I may have them but I sure have a hell of a time writing. I can't seem to hold steady enough to make it very legible. Every time the boat heaves I go with it and so my writing is rather wavy. Like my walk I reckon. Get on dry land again and I'll be like a ruptured duck. Be expecting the ground to either fall away or come up to meet me and I'll be "drunk" all over again. Cheapest and longest lasting drunk I was ever on. One more boat trip, the one back home, and I'll be glad to stay for the most part on dry land. We haven't as yet had anything I would call rough weather. No big waves as I had expected but only the continuous rise and fall of the swell. Like going over a huge washboard on a pair of skis.
Bye my sweet, beautiful wife. I'm in love with you and no mistake about it.
your lover
Norm
Norman W. Effinger
Hello Tootsie Wuggles;
How's my baby today? If good wishes and thoughts can do anything for you, you should be all right. I'm sending you oceans of them all the time. It's a hell of a long time now since I've heard but I seem to feel you are O.K. I love you darling. I could prove it too.
I said a few days ago that I had finally gotten my sea legs. I may have them but I sure have a hell of a time writing. I can't seem to hold steady enough to make it very legible. Every time the boat heaves I go with it and so my writing is rather wavy. Like my walk I reckon. Get on dry land again and I'll be like a ruptured duck. Be expecting the ground to either fall away or come up to meet me and I'll be "drunk" all over again. Cheapest and longest lasting drunk I was ever on. One more boat trip, the one back home, and I'll be glad to stay for the most part on dry land. We haven't as yet had anything I would call rough weather. No big waves as I had expected but only the continuous rise and fall of the swell. Like going over a huge washboard on a pair of skis.
Bye my sweet, beautiful wife. I'm in love with you and no mistake about it.
your lover
Norm
Norman W. Effinger
V-Mail # 389 June 8, 1944
My Sweetheart;
I have now been told that I can date these letters. I never could see why not. Now if I want to write more than one page, I will number them in the bottom left hand corner and you can then match date and number to get them together. I guess I won't have much use for that until I start getting mail from you again. I can't find much to write these days. One day is as much like another as two peas in a pod. Not even any scenery to talk about or describe.
No matter what happens I'll be glad to have this boat ride come to an end. It's boring as hell. Under other circumstances I guess a cruise could be enjoyable. You can guess the circumstances without any trouble too. Having you along to keep me company is one of the big things. There have been some beautiful moonlight nights that would be perfect for loving. Shame to waste them in wishing and dreaming but that is about all I can do. Not even a mermaid around.
I'll have a lot saved up for you by the time this is over. I'll just about love you to death. I do love you so much and miss you all the time. Bye, again sweetheart. You're a very nice wife and lover. I love you madly.
your hubby
Norm
Norman W. Effinger.
I have now been told that I can date these letters. I never could see why not. Now if I want to write more than one page, I will number them in the bottom left hand corner and you can then match date and number to get them together. I guess I won't have much use for that until I start getting mail from you again. I can't find much to write these days. One day is as much like another as two peas in a pod. Not even any scenery to talk about or describe.
No matter what happens I'll be glad to have this boat ride come to an end. It's boring as hell. Under other circumstances I guess a cruise could be enjoyable. You can guess the circumstances without any trouble too. Having you along to keep me company is one of the big things. There have been some beautiful moonlight nights that would be perfect for loving. Shame to waste them in wishing and dreaming but that is about all I can do. Not even a mermaid around.
I'll have a lot saved up for you by the time this is over. I'll just about love you to death. I do love you so much and miss you all the time. Bye, again sweetheart. You're a very nice wife and lover. I love you madly.
your hubby
Norm
Norman W. Effinger.
V-Mail # 388 June 1944 At Sea undated
Sweetheart;
Another beautiful, warm, calm day and we haven't run out of water to travel on yet. Honey, it is impossible to conceive how big this must be. Blue water in every direction, as far as the eye can see, and it always looks like we are in the center of a huge, watery bowl, with the horizon always higher than we are. The Kansas plains always gave the same impression, but there, the view was broken, here and there by trees, a river, or hills - here, it is only limitless blue water. I'm thinking it is going to get very monotonous. Sunrise and sunset are the only breaks in the sameness of things.
There is a library on board so I'm not finding it too hard to spend my time. You know how I like to read. With reading, sleeping, and shooting the bull, the time goes by pleasantly enough.
I have been reading your last letter over again. I do that nearly every day and can almost make it seem that it's a new one. It answers for the lack of new mail. Now is the time for you to go back and read over your pile. You said you intended to, sometime, but never got to it. Maybe you can get the same satisfaction from that, I do from this one of yours. Boy, some of these days Ill have a whole basket full of them to read. I'm continuing this on another sheet.
Love Norman W. Effinger
Another beautiful, warm, calm day and we haven't run out of water to travel on yet. Honey, it is impossible to conceive how big this must be. Blue water in every direction, as far as the eye can see, and it always looks like we are in the center of a huge, watery bowl, with the horizon always higher than we are. The Kansas plains always gave the same impression, but there, the view was broken, here and there by trees, a river, or hills - here, it is only limitless blue water. I'm thinking it is going to get very monotonous. Sunrise and sunset are the only breaks in the sameness of things.
There is a library on board so I'm not finding it too hard to spend my time. You know how I like to read. With reading, sleeping, and shooting the bull, the time goes by pleasantly enough.
I have been reading your last letter over again. I do that nearly every day and can almost make it seem that it's a new one. It answers for the lack of new mail. Now is the time for you to go back and read over your pile. You said you intended to, sometime, but never got to it. Maybe you can get the same satisfaction from that, I do from this one of yours. Boy, some of these days Ill have a whole basket full of them to read. I'm continuing this on another sheet.
Love Norman W. Effinger
V-mail # 387 June 1944 At Sea
Sweetheart;
Hello, honey. How you been doing , these days with no letters? Kinda hard to get used to isn't it? I'm sure as hell missing them, but I know there can't possibly be any while you don't know, and are probably watching the mailbox and hoping. I have been writing some kind of note most every day, so when they do come you'll probably get a whole bunch at once. Not much in any of them but I think you can gather from them that I'm loving you and missing you all the time. I do love you and I sure am missing you. I'll never get used to being away from you.
We heard the news of the start of the big invasion of France. Let's hope it goes well and brings the end of that war closer. Then all we'll have to do is clean up the Japs and - home. It can't be too soon for me.
It's summer out here and no mistake. I can see why we were trained in La. The climate is almost identical. Hot as hell, humid and rainy. I don't think it will be any worse anyplace we might land. We are on the downhill side of the globe now so it can't be much worse. I've run out of other stationery, so from now on, until I can restock it will be V-mail.
Bye for now sweetheart. I'm loving you more all the time. You're a very sweet wife. I love you.
Your hubby.
Norm.
Hello, honey. How you been doing , these days with no letters? Kinda hard to get used to isn't it? I'm sure as hell missing them, but I know there can't possibly be any while you don't know, and are probably watching the mailbox and hoping. I have been writing some kind of note most every day, so when they do come you'll probably get a whole bunch at once. Not much in any of them but I think you can gather from them that I'm loving you and missing you all the time. I do love you and I sure am missing you. I'll never get used to being away from you.
We heard the news of the start of the big invasion of France. Let's hope it goes well and brings the end of that war closer. Then all we'll have to do is clean up the Japs and - home. It can't be too soon for me.
It's summer out here and no mistake. I can see why we were trained in La. The climate is almost identical. Hot as hell, humid and rainy. I don't think it will be any worse anyplace we might land. We are on the downhill side of the globe now so it can't be much worse. I've run out of other stationery, so from now on, until I can restock it will be V-mail.
Bye for now sweetheart. I'm loving you more all the time. You're a very sweet wife. I love you.
Your hubby.
Norm.
V-Mail # 386 undated-June 1944 At Sea
My darling Wife;
Hello, beautiful. How's things today? I love you if that helps any. It helps me a lot to know that you love me. It's plenty swell to have a wife like you even if I can't see you. You're there waiting for me and that means an awful lot.
The weather isn't quite so nice today. It's been trying to rain nearly all day, without much success. You can see a few of the spots on this letter. I guess they will show on the reproduction.
Day by day the temperature is going up and up. It's nice up on deck in the breeze but down in the hold it's like an oven. You can bet I spend the most of my time on deck. Only go below for duty and to sleep. I even sleep the early part of the night on deck, until it cools off a bit below. I've been going without a shirt quite a bit and have a good start on a tan. Maybe I'll be a black man when I come home. The army sure does all it can to keep me from getting cold. I think I'll have seen all I ever want to see of the south.
These letters surely don't amount to much do they? There isn't a hell of a lot to write about and as I don't have any of yours to furnish inspiration, I'm sunk. You are my inspiration you know. Without you I would be really sunk. Bye again, honey. I love you.
Your hubby
Norman W. Effinger
Hello, beautiful. How's things today? I love you if that helps any. It helps me a lot to know that you love me. It's plenty swell to have a wife like you even if I can't see you. You're there waiting for me and that means an awful lot.
The weather isn't quite so nice today. It's been trying to rain nearly all day, without much success. You can see a few of the spots on this letter. I guess they will show on the reproduction.
Day by day the temperature is going up and up. It's nice up on deck in the breeze but down in the hold it's like an oven. You can bet I spend the most of my time on deck. Only go below for duty and to sleep. I even sleep the early part of the night on deck, until it cools off a bit below. I've been going without a shirt quite a bit and have a good start on a tan. Maybe I'll be a black man when I come home. The army sure does all it can to keep me from getting cold. I think I'll have seen all I ever want to see of the south.
These letters surely don't amount to much do they? There isn't a hell of a lot to write about and as I don't have any of yours to furnish inspiration, I'm sunk. You are my inspiration you know. Without you I would be really sunk. Bye again, honey. I love you.
Your hubby
Norman W. Effinger
Friday, July 22, 2011
V-Mail # 385 June 1944 undated
Baby Darling;
Hi, Sweetheart. How's everything? All O.K. here but I sure am getting sick of this boat ride. It can end anytime now. I'll be glad to get off. Gets monotonous as hell. Hot, uncomfortable, and above all, nothing to do. You know how I get when I haven't enough to keep me busy. I expect we'll make up for the latter and I'll be bitching about too much to do. I guess I can't be satisfied - can I?
I sure never realized there was so much water in the world. We haven't run out yet and no sign of running out either. It's a big ocean.
Some time ago you were cautioning me against acquiring too much belly again. No need to worry now. This heat spoils my appetite and I've lost most of it already. I don't think you need worry about it staying until I get home. Then it's up to you not to feed me so good. You know I never was that way until you came along. You fed me good, were so sweet, and made me so contented I couldn't help but get fat. Take waring if you want me to stay streamlined. These damn sheets don't hold enough. Do they? Bye my beautiful wife. I'll try to keep writing these notes and maybe a good one once in a while. I love you darling. Your hubby. Norm.
Norm W. Effinger
Hi, Sweetheart. How's everything? All O.K. here but I sure am getting sick of this boat ride. It can end anytime now. I'll be glad to get off. Gets monotonous as hell. Hot, uncomfortable, and above all, nothing to do. You know how I get when I haven't enough to keep me busy. I expect we'll make up for the latter and I'll be bitching about too much to do. I guess I can't be satisfied - can I?
I sure never realized there was so much water in the world. We haven't run out yet and no sign of running out either. It's a big ocean.
Some time ago you were cautioning me against acquiring too much belly again. No need to worry now. This heat spoils my appetite and I've lost most of it already. I don't think you need worry about it staying until I get home. Then it's up to you not to feed me so good. You know I never was that way until you came along. You fed me good, were so sweet, and made me so contented I couldn't help but get fat. Take waring if you want me to stay streamlined. These damn sheets don't hold enough. Do they? Bye my beautiful wife. I'll try to keep writing these notes and maybe a good one once in a while. I love you darling. Your hubby. Norm.
Norm W. Effinger
V-Mail # 384 undated June 1944
Hello, beautiful;
This is a continuation of another letter. The way the mail usually works you probably won't receive them together. I guess it won't make much difference anyhow. You wondered why I hadn't told you where we went on our trip to the coast. I couldn't say enough about it so I didn't say anything. I have it all filed away in my mind and will be able to tell you all about it sometime. I'll have lots of things to tell you next time we meet if I can take time out from telling and showing you how much I love you. That will come first I bet. I'll take a long time to get caught up too. I love you so much darling. You're a very sweet girl and grand wife. Don't know what I'd do without you. I haven't really got you now but I have beautiful memories I'll never forget and an awful lot to look forward to. There surely won't be any question in my mind about what I'll do when this is over. I'll concentrate on getting home to you as fast as I can and from there on - well, we'll let events take their course. Whatever the course - who cares? You'll be with me and that is all I care. I think I'm in love. Don't you? I love you sweetheart.
Your lover
Norman W. Effinger
This is a continuation of another letter. The way the mail usually works you probably won't receive them together. I guess it won't make much difference anyhow. You wondered why I hadn't told you where we went on our trip to the coast. I couldn't say enough about it so I didn't say anything. I have it all filed away in my mind and will be able to tell you all about it sometime. I'll have lots of things to tell you next time we meet if I can take time out from telling and showing you how much I love you. That will come first I bet. I'll take a long time to get caught up too. I love you so much darling. You're a very sweet girl and grand wife. Don't know what I'd do without you. I haven't really got you now but I have beautiful memories I'll never forget and an awful lot to look forward to. There surely won't be any question in my mind about what I'll do when this is over. I'll concentrate on getting home to you as fast as I can and from there on - well, we'll let events take their course. Whatever the course - who cares? You'll be with me and that is all I care. I think I'm in love. Don't you? I love you sweetheart.
Your lover
Norman W. Effinger
Letter # 383 May/June 1944 At Sea
This is an undated V-mail.
My darling Wife;
I thought I'd try a V-mail letter this time. I don't have so very much to say and I think this will do it very nicely. How's my beautiful today? I bet, now that school is over you are catching up on your sleep and rest. I'm swell and enjoying the boat trip quite a bit. Only thing wrong with me is homesickness and I've had that all along. I'm rather used to it. I do miss you constantly, sweetheart. I don't know how you do it but even at this distance and after all this time, you are almost constantly in my thoughts and always in my heart. You got what it takes and plenty to share. I love you Chubbins.
Today is another beautiful, calm day. Sunshiney and warm. Hardly any waves at all, only long, slow swells that gently rock the ship. I guess I'm getting my sea legs finally. I can walk around without staggering like a drunk and even go up and down the ladder without holding to the handrails for dear life. This is rather a lazy existence. Very little work to do and plenty of time for bunk fatigue. Not bad at all.
The food is good and plenty of it. I am being well taken care of. The army can never take care of me like you can. I'll be glad to have you take over again any time. Bye, Baby, darling. I love you so much. Your hubby. Norman W. Effinger
My darling Wife;
I thought I'd try a V-mail letter this time. I don't have so very much to say and I think this will do it very nicely. How's my beautiful today? I bet, now that school is over you are catching up on your sleep and rest. I'm swell and enjoying the boat trip quite a bit. Only thing wrong with me is homesickness and I've had that all along. I'm rather used to it. I do miss you constantly, sweetheart. I don't know how you do it but even at this distance and after all this time, you are almost constantly in my thoughts and always in my heart. You got what it takes and plenty to share. I love you Chubbins.
Today is another beautiful, calm day. Sunshiney and warm. Hardly any waves at all, only long, slow swells that gently rock the ship. I guess I'm getting my sea legs finally. I can walk around without staggering like a drunk and even go up and down the ladder without holding to the handrails for dear life. This is rather a lazy existence. Very little work to do and plenty of time for bunk fatigue. Not bad at all.
The food is good and plenty of it. I am being well taken care of. The army can never take care of me like you can. I'll be glad to have you take over again any time. Bye, Baby, darling. I love you so much. Your hubby. Norman W. Effinger
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Letter # 382 May or June 1944
At Sea {this is a Sunday}
My Darling Wife;
Hi Mummy! I love you, you sweet old devil. I'm sending lots of love and everything. Can you feel it? I don't suppose so but I've so much of it that I have to get rid of it some way. I'm keeping plenty for the time when ------. Gosh, honey, I'm going to love you and love you and love you. Not going to do much of anything else for a long time. Won't even do as we've done on the furloughs, spend a lot of time seeing other people and going places. There will be plenty of time for that. I'm just going to get acquainted with you all over again and take plenty of time to do it too. Boy oh boy! Are we going to have fun. I may not be a kid anymore but I'm expecting to act like one. Remember when we came back from Put-in-Bay the first time? Like that only more so. We're married now.
The other night I was laying on deck waiting for it to cool off a bit down in the hold. It was a beautiful moonlight night, with a few fleecy white clouds sailing along. I watched them as they slid past the swaying masts for a while and then I fell to dreaming. Not sleep dreaming but that nicer kind of dreaming when you are in a relaxed and comfortable mood, before bedtime and not sleepy or wanting to sleep. Can you guess my dreams? I bet you can, 'cause they were about that old but ever interesting subject. The one that occupies the largest part of my thoughts. You - and I. I can't help it sweetheart, I love you. We are the biggest thing that has ever happened to me. Not being able to do anything else about it, I can dream.
One of the problems I was dreaming about was. Would I have any preference as to the time of year I came home for good. Silly question in the cold light of reason isn't it? As though I would hesitate a minute in any time of the year! Anyhow I was dreaming about it and rather seemed to incline to early spring, say March.
At that time there wouldn't be a thing that would really require any of my attention and interrupt our getting well acquainted except firing the furnace. Could even let that go and stay in bed couldn't we? Then by the time spring came and other things, mowing lawn. and other inevitable domestic things forced themselves to my attention, why maybe we could attend to them without feeling too imposed upon. Crazy, isn't it, but it makes a nice dream. It is possible for it to even happen that way. I'm really expecting and praying that this is our last separation and that when I come home again it is for good. I'm keeping everything crossed and praying for it not to be longer.
Yesterday we had a little break in the monotony. It really rained almost all day. Not a hard storm but a nice, cool, gentle rain. The sea was very little rougher than ordinary. It was just enough storm to break the oppressive heat. It had been an exact duplication of last summer in La. We had been having a hard time washing and taking baths. The facilities are here but only salt sea water, and it's impossible to use soap with any success. Couldn't get really clean. Well, when the rain came it didn't take us long to strip and take a real honest to goodness bath in the rain. Gosh it felt good. I thought I had acquired a very dark suntan, but after getting clean again, I found I had washed off most of it. Like a girl washing paint tan off her legs. Rather funny to be in a world of water and have to take a bath in the rain.
I didn't write yesterday because of the rain. The deck is about the only place there is room to write, so instead of attending church services as I suppose I should, I'm writing to you and doing my worship of you.
Bye sweetheart, I love you so much. You're my lovely wife and I'm your lover.
your hubby.
Norm.
Norman W. Effinger.
My Darling Wife;
Hi Mummy! I love you, you sweet old devil. I'm sending lots of love and everything. Can you feel it? I don't suppose so but I've so much of it that I have to get rid of it some way. I'm keeping plenty for the time when ------. Gosh, honey, I'm going to love you and love you and love you. Not going to do much of anything else for a long time. Won't even do as we've done on the furloughs, spend a lot of time seeing other people and going places. There will be plenty of time for that. I'm just going to get acquainted with you all over again and take plenty of time to do it too. Boy oh boy! Are we going to have fun. I may not be a kid anymore but I'm expecting to act like one. Remember when we came back from Put-in-Bay the first time? Like that only more so. We're married now.
The other night I was laying on deck waiting for it to cool off a bit down in the hold. It was a beautiful moonlight night, with a few fleecy white clouds sailing along. I watched them as they slid past the swaying masts for a while and then I fell to dreaming. Not sleep dreaming but that nicer kind of dreaming when you are in a relaxed and comfortable mood, before bedtime and not sleepy or wanting to sleep. Can you guess my dreams? I bet you can, 'cause they were about that old but ever interesting subject. The one that occupies the largest part of my thoughts. You - and I. I can't help it sweetheart, I love you. We are the biggest thing that has ever happened to me. Not being able to do anything else about it, I can dream.
One of the problems I was dreaming about was. Would I have any preference as to the time of year I came home for good. Silly question in the cold light of reason isn't it? As though I would hesitate a minute in any time of the year! Anyhow I was dreaming about it and rather seemed to incline to early spring, say March.
At that time there wouldn't be a thing that would really require any of my attention and interrupt our getting well acquainted except firing the furnace. Could even let that go and stay in bed couldn't we? Then by the time spring came and other things, mowing lawn. and other inevitable domestic things forced themselves to my attention, why maybe we could attend to them without feeling too imposed upon. Crazy, isn't it, but it makes a nice dream. It is possible for it to even happen that way. I'm really expecting and praying that this is our last separation and that when I come home again it is for good. I'm keeping everything crossed and praying for it not to be longer.
Yesterday we had a little break in the monotony. It really rained almost all day. Not a hard storm but a nice, cool, gentle rain. The sea was very little rougher than ordinary. It was just enough storm to break the oppressive heat. It had been an exact duplication of last summer in La. We had been having a hard time washing and taking baths. The facilities are here but only salt sea water, and it's impossible to use soap with any success. Couldn't get really clean. Well, when the rain came it didn't take us long to strip and take a real honest to goodness bath in the rain. Gosh it felt good. I thought I had acquired a very dark suntan, but after getting clean again, I found I had washed off most of it. Like a girl washing paint tan off her legs. Rather funny to be in a world of water and have to take a bath in the rain.
I didn't write yesterday because of the rain. The deck is about the only place there is room to write, so instead of attending church services as I suppose I should, I'm writing to you and doing my worship of you.
Bye sweetheart, I love you so much. You're my lovely wife and I'm your lover.
your hubby.
Norm.
Norman W. Effinger.
Letter # 380 June 2, 1944
At Sea
[June 2 - in Mother's hand, in pencil ]
My Sweetheart;
This is the day again. Just think, 31 years old. Gosh I'm really getting to be an old man, aren't I? I guess it can't be helped and anyhow I don't feel a bit different than I did 10 years ago - I think. I'm still good for a few years. Believe it? I'll show you someday and I sure hope it won't be too long either. I can almost feel you thinking about me honey. Maybe next year you won't have to just think. Maybe I'll be with you again. I sure as hell hope so. I love you too much to be content to stay away from you for very long at a time.
I thought I had more to say today than I could get in a V-mail letter, but now that I'm at it, I'm beginning to wonder. I'm getting to be a hell of a correspondent. This ship life is so much the same thing day after day that there isn't anything to write about. I may have to resort to one of my naughty letters or something like that, one of these days.
I can really understand now why sailors have a reputation for raising hell when they are in port. For a few days it is nice and interesting and then it gradually gets monotonous as hell. On land there is always something a little new and different to see, but out here everything is the same all the time. Sea, sun, sky are all there is to see. Have been seeing a few flying fish today. They scoot out from in front of the boat and rising a yard or so off the water, glide 50 ft or so to the side and disappear into the water again.
It's another rather cloudy day, sprinkles a bit once in a while, but so far it has never developed into a storm. It's hot as hell too. A good rain might be welcome. I think, by this time we might be good enough sailors to take a storm without getting sick all over again.
Gosh, sweetheart, I sure do miss your letters. It makes you seem so far away. Oh, hell, you know how it feels 'cause you are going through the same thing. One of these days we'll both get a whole mess of letters all at once, and then maybe we'll stay put long enough for mail to get through again.
Well sweetheart, this is the report for today. I'd like to be able to collect that birthday present you have waiting for me. I will someday - with interest. Bye. darling. I love you and miss you so much, you're my wife and sweetheart.
your hubby
Norman W. Effinger
[June 2 - in Mother's hand, in pencil ]
My Sweetheart;
This is the day again. Just think, 31 years old. Gosh I'm really getting to be an old man, aren't I? I guess it can't be helped and anyhow I don't feel a bit different than I did 10 years ago - I think. I'm still good for a few years. Believe it? I'll show you someday and I sure hope it won't be too long either. I can almost feel you thinking about me honey. Maybe next year you won't have to just think. Maybe I'll be with you again. I sure as hell hope so. I love you too much to be content to stay away from you for very long at a time.
I thought I had more to say today than I could get in a V-mail letter, but now that I'm at it, I'm beginning to wonder. I'm getting to be a hell of a correspondent. This ship life is so much the same thing day after day that there isn't anything to write about. I may have to resort to one of my naughty letters or something like that, one of these days.
I can really understand now why sailors have a reputation for raising hell when they are in port. For a few days it is nice and interesting and then it gradually gets monotonous as hell. On land there is always something a little new and different to see, but out here everything is the same all the time. Sea, sun, sky are all there is to see. Have been seeing a few flying fish today. They scoot out from in front of the boat and rising a yard or so off the water, glide 50 ft or so to the side and disappear into the water again.
It's another rather cloudy day, sprinkles a bit once in a while, but so far it has never developed into a storm. It's hot as hell too. A good rain might be welcome. I think, by this time we might be good enough sailors to take a storm without getting sick all over again.
Gosh, sweetheart, I sure do miss your letters. It makes you seem so far away. Oh, hell, you know how it feels 'cause you are going through the same thing. One of these days we'll both get a whole mess of letters all at once, and then maybe we'll stay put long enough for mail to get through again.
Well sweetheart, this is the report for today. I'd like to be able to collect that birthday present you have waiting for me. I will someday - with interest. Bye. darling. I love you and miss you so much, you're my wife and sweetheart.
your hubby
Norman W. Effinger
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Letter # 380 May 29, 1944
[in Mother's hand in pencil:
Mon May 29]
My darling Wife;
I love you, you sweet, beautiful old thing. Best wife a man ever had. Only one I ever want too, but damn it all, honey, I wish you were with me. I miss you like hell and I don't mean maybe.
I got a very splendid 6 page letter from you today. Came in very handy too, to finish curing a slight attack of seasickness. Gosh sweetheart, I appreciate those letters of yours. Make me feel like I'm on top of the world again, no matter how low I was before. I love you darling.
I don't know when this will get mailed. I'll write piece-meal at it as I think of anything to say. I expect that I will use mostly V-mail from now on. Anyhow I bought a whole box of it, so I'll have to use it up. You might tell me how you like them and etc. If I can't say enough on one sheet I can always write more than one.
I haven't heard the censorship regulations yet, so I'll answer your sweet letter. It is your Mon - 22nd.
I guess you really got letters when they started to come, finally. There is still one missing or else you forgot it. I didn't skip on the 15th. I wrote every day, 12 - 26 with the exception of the 22nd when I went to see Steve.
I gather the impression from your letter that you were tickled pink to get them. I would think you would be
after that long. They aren't at all satisfactory means of communication but they sure help a hell of a lot.
I'm tickled to hear that the birds are at last using the feeder. Even if it's only one, more bold than the rest, it's something . I still like the idea. If they are using it there is a paper sack of the feed under the workbench in the basement - I think. I'm not going to be so positive this time so you can laugh at me if it doesn't happen to be there.
My. my, honey, you should be more careful of what you say. " I imagine Steve can give me a little that you can't." Now isn't that a rather uncertain sentence? Especially since you always dreamed of Steve instead of me. Good thing he's going to be a married man before you see him. Gosh that reminds me, today is the big day for him. I hope he has as good luck as I did. Gosh I'm glad I gotcha, sweetheart. You're the best little wife ever. I love you so much.
You asked about Brownie. He is still with us. Everyone is. Funny, but true.
I'm so glad to hear you are taking things in your stride and keeping the old good spirits. I thought you would. but I'm glad to hear you confirm it. You're a damn good soldier honey.
You don't need to worry or wonder about me either. I'm in perfect spirits, or rather, in as good spirits as I'll ever be as long as you aren't with me.
It wasn't at all hard to walk on the boat. In fact it was rather exciting and I was even a bit relieved. As long as we can't be together, I'd as soon be a hell of a way as not. The hardest job I've ever had to do, were the times I had to kiss you goodbye and turn my back and walk off. Damn, honey, it felt like part of me was being torn out. You'll never know how near I came to running back, if only for one more kiss. There, I guess that talks for itself. I love you. Really sweetheart, this was no different than getting on a train. I hate to think about it if you had been here. You're my weak spot and no kidding there. You're my sweetheart wife.
You are also a tease. Like always. Imagine asking me if I would like a look at you as you write this letter. I want a lot more than a look and you know it. You never would lounge around in that state of undress when I was around 'cause you knew I couldn't leave you alone. I haven't changed a damn bit either, unless it would be for the worse - or better - which?
I did answer you about sending me things. Don't until I ask for something. I suppose it was in the letter you didn't get. I'll be perfectly satisfied with only love for my birthday present, this year. There is another coming, though, when I won't, so just you wait until then. Thank you, you're sweet.
I hope you do like your library job, but don't fret if you don't. You can always do something else or nothing. Most people are only good at one job. You are such a perfect wife you don't need to be anything else. You know you have that wife job with me forever.
I know how you feel about the home. I do too, but I want you to feel free to do anything you think best. You're our business manager until I come home and even then I may let you keep the job. You are doing a good job. Anything, and I mean anything you decide to do has my O.K. and no questions. You see, I love you and we're partners.
Well honey, I guess I better send this one or it will be overweight. Bye, sweetheart, I'm loving and missing you so much. Also anticipating the time we'll meet again. I love you darling.
Your hubby.
Norman W. Effinger.
Mon May 29]
My darling Wife;
I love you, you sweet, beautiful old thing. Best wife a man ever had. Only one I ever want too, but damn it all, honey, I wish you were with me. I miss you like hell and I don't mean maybe.
I got a very splendid 6 page letter from you today. Came in very handy too, to finish curing a slight attack of seasickness. Gosh sweetheart, I appreciate those letters of yours. Make me feel like I'm on top of the world again, no matter how low I was before. I love you darling.
I don't know when this will get mailed. I'll write piece-meal at it as I think of anything to say. I expect that I will use mostly V-mail from now on. Anyhow I bought a whole box of it, so I'll have to use it up. You might tell me how you like them and etc. If I can't say enough on one sheet I can always write more than one.
I haven't heard the censorship regulations yet, so I'll answer your sweet letter. It is your Mon - 22nd.
I guess you really got letters when they started to come, finally. There is still one missing or else you forgot it. I didn't skip on the 15th. I wrote every day, 12 - 26 with the exception of the 22nd when I went to see Steve.
I gather the impression from your letter that you were tickled pink to get them. I would think you would be
after that long. They aren't at all satisfactory means of communication but they sure help a hell of a lot.
I'm tickled to hear that the birds are at last using the feeder. Even if it's only one, more bold than the rest, it's something . I still like the idea. If they are using it there is a paper sack of the feed under the workbench in the basement - I think. I'm not going to be so positive this time so you can laugh at me if it doesn't happen to be there.
My. my, honey, you should be more careful of what you say. " I imagine Steve can give me a little that you can't." Now isn't that a rather uncertain sentence? Especially since you always dreamed of Steve instead of me. Good thing he's going to be a married man before you see him. Gosh that reminds me, today is the big day for him. I hope he has as good luck as I did. Gosh I'm glad I gotcha, sweetheart. You're the best little wife ever. I love you so much.
You asked about Brownie. He is still with us. Everyone is. Funny, but true.
I'm so glad to hear you are taking things in your stride and keeping the old good spirits. I thought you would. but I'm glad to hear you confirm it. You're a damn good soldier honey.
You don't need to worry or wonder about me either. I'm in perfect spirits, or rather, in as good spirits as I'll ever be as long as you aren't with me.
It wasn't at all hard to walk on the boat. In fact it was rather exciting and I was even a bit relieved. As long as we can't be together, I'd as soon be a hell of a way as not. The hardest job I've ever had to do, were the times I had to kiss you goodbye and turn my back and walk off. Damn, honey, it felt like part of me was being torn out. You'll never know how near I came to running back, if only for one more kiss. There, I guess that talks for itself. I love you. Really sweetheart, this was no different than getting on a train. I hate to think about it if you had been here. You're my weak spot and no kidding there. You're my sweetheart wife.
You are also a tease. Like always. Imagine asking me if I would like a look at you as you write this letter. I want a lot more than a look and you know it. You never would lounge around in that state of undress when I was around 'cause you knew I couldn't leave you alone. I haven't changed a damn bit either, unless it would be for the worse - or better - which?
I did answer you about sending me things. Don't until I ask for something. I suppose it was in the letter you didn't get. I'll be perfectly satisfied with only love for my birthday present, this year. There is another coming, though, when I won't, so just you wait until then. Thank you, you're sweet.
I hope you do like your library job, but don't fret if you don't. You can always do something else or nothing. Most people are only good at one job. You are such a perfect wife you don't need to be anything else. You know you have that wife job with me forever.
I know how you feel about the home. I do too, but I want you to feel free to do anything you think best. You're our business manager until I come home and even then I may let you keep the job. You are doing a good job. Anything, and I mean anything you decide to do has my O.K. and no questions. You see, I love you and we're partners.
Well honey, I guess I better send this one or it will be overweight. Bye, sweetheart, I'm loving and missing you so much. Also anticipating the time we'll meet again. I love you darling.
Your hubby.
Norman W. Effinger.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Letter # 379 May 27, 1944
At Sea.
Date and day have been cut out.
My darling Sweetie;
The first day of your vacation. How does it seem to be a lady of leisure again? Don't even have a troublesome husband to pester and annoy you and keep you busy cooking and washing and sewing and etc. It must be swell honey, yea, like fun.
I know what your report is. I too, am on a vacation and taking a trip to boot, but if my wife was here, I'd like it a hell of a lot more. This would really be fun then.
At first it was fun and very interesting and then for a couple hours I wasn't so happy. Yes. I got seasick. I was very lucky though in comparison. Some of the boys were sick almost immediately and have stayed that way. I was ok. for quite a while and then I began to feel like I had been on a hell of a drunk. Stomach upset, headache, weak in the knees, and miserable in general.
We were told we should eat if we possibly could so I went below deck to get my mess gear and then it hit me. Mac and I both made a dive for the garbage can, put there for that purpose, at the same time, and, he hanging on one side, I on the other, we did our business, not too successfully either. It's not easy to stand on a heaving deck, in the condition we were in and hit a can with a 3 foot opening on top. Sounds funny doesn't it? It wasn't then, but it is now. The feeling is exactly like being so drunk it's almost impossible to walk. Gebby and Baker had beat us to it by a while and they stayed in bed. Mac & and I went ahead and ate and snapped out of it in short order. Some of the boys were so sick it was pitiful. As one fellow said, " If my wife ever wants to see me again, she'll have to come where I am." He didn't think he'd want to take a chance on being so sick again. I got off easy. Old toughie me, you know.
I'm not so tough and you know it and know my weak spot too. You did me a favor by finding and working on that weak spot. I love you, you sweet devil.
I'm sitting on deck, my back propped against a ventilator, listening to good band music coming over the ship radio speaker system. It's evening, the sun is going down and the weather is perfect. Sea a real deep indigo blue broken here and there by spots of white foam on the crest of a wave. It's rather quiet, not like a mirror but not at all rough. It's beautiful. I never saw water so pretty. It reminds me a lot of the color of the bluing mother used to add to the wash. Know what I mean?
Where the bow cuts the water and pushes it aside it foams stark white and back along the side where the white swirls deeper. It has much the look of lake ice with bubbles frozen in it. Gosh it's pretty. Wish you could see it honey. I still think that branch of the English, native African army, that allows the soldiers to take their wives along is good stuff. You'd like this if you didn't get too sick.
I still have part of your Monday and all of your Sunday letter to answer. I didn't have room on yesterdays' so this will be a continuation.
What do mean it's nice of me to give you a free run with everything? What else should I do? After all, we agreed to be 50 - 50 partners, didn't we? I sure as hell didn't have anything until you married me, so whatever we now have is as much yours as mine. Whatever you do is what I would want done anyhow. So there too. That's taken care of. I love you.
I'll take back the crack about the artificial business. I did misunderstand the way you intended it and anyhow I was only kidding. Maybe someday we'll try and know what we are talking about. Huh?
I had about the same opinion of what to do with my money as you have. I'd hate like hell to be caught short when I needed some. Then, even though you say you weren't hinting, you devil, I thought I might sometime, someplace, find something you would like and I'd want to be able to get it for you. I like to buy things for you. You're always so pleased, even if it doesn't amount to much. You're sweet and boy, how I love you.
I sure am sorry you had to give up your plans for your western trip. That would have been perfect. Remember last August? Those were the days! Go ahead and take your trip to N.York anytime and have yourself a time. We'll take our trips by ourselves, like the big wigs do. I don't like it though. I'd much sooner take my trips with you than any other way. You're a very nice gadget to have around. I love you.
I'm afraid your dreaming and planning for me isn't going to work. That would be nice but I won't be that lucky.
You can let your Mom dream about me if she wants to. I'm glad they like me so much. It may not be absolutely necessary to be on good terms with the in-laws, but I consider myself very lucky that my in-laws are almost as nice as my wife. I couldn't think any more of them if they were my Mother and father. I love you all.
I'll say it again, sweetheart, I'll let you know, whenever you can send me anything. I'll have to see what things are. Like you, if it were at all possible, I'd ask you to send the best package a man could get. You.
As that isn't possible, we'll have to mark time a while and I'll come and collect that package. Gosh I'll like that. Won't ever ask for anything better than that.
I've just been told that no dates are allowed on these letters so you'll have to guess which ones to read first in case you get them in a bunch. I'll have to cut it off this one.
Well, sweetheart, it's nearly dark and I guess I'm unwound anyhow. Night, sweetheart, I love you so much my feet even hurt. Lots of love and kisses and everything.
Your hubby.
Norman W. Effinger
The full name is a requirement.
Date and day have been cut out.
My darling Sweetie;
The first day of your vacation. How does it seem to be a lady of leisure again? Don't even have a troublesome husband to pester and annoy you and keep you busy cooking and washing and sewing and etc. It must be swell honey, yea, like fun.
I know what your report is. I too, am on a vacation and taking a trip to boot, but if my wife was here, I'd like it a hell of a lot more. This would really be fun then.
At first it was fun and very interesting and then for a couple hours I wasn't so happy. Yes. I got seasick. I was very lucky though in comparison. Some of the boys were sick almost immediately and have stayed that way. I was ok. for quite a while and then I began to feel like I had been on a hell of a drunk. Stomach upset, headache, weak in the knees, and miserable in general.
We were told we should eat if we possibly could so I went below deck to get my mess gear and then it hit me. Mac and I both made a dive for the garbage can, put there for that purpose, at the same time, and, he hanging on one side, I on the other, we did our business, not too successfully either. It's not easy to stand on a heaving deck, in the condition we were in and hit a can with a 3 foot opening on top. Sounds funny doesn't it? It wasn't then, but it is now. The feeling is exactly like being so drunk it's almost impossible to walk. Gebby and Baker had beat us to it by a while and they stayed in bed. Mac & and I went ahead and ate and snapped out of it in short order. Some of the boys were so sick it was pitiful. As one fellow said, " If my wife ever wants to see me again, she'll have to come where I am." He didn't think he'd want to take a chance on being so sick again. I got off easy. Old toughie me, you know.
I'm not so tough and you know it and know my weak spot too. You did me a favor by finding and working on that weak spot. I love you, you sweet devil.
I'm sitting on deck, my back propped against a ventilator, listening to good band music coming over the ship radio speaker system. It's evening, the sun is going down and the weather is perfect. Sea a real deep indigo blue broken here and there by spots of white foam on the crest of a wave. It's rather quiet, not like a mirror but not at all rough. It's beautiful. I never saw water so pretty. It reminds me a lot of the color of the bluing mother used to add to the wash. Know what I mean?
Where the bow cuts the water and pushes it aside it foams stark white and back along the side where the white swirls deeper. It has much the look of lake ice with bubbles frozen in it. Gosh it's pretty. Wish you could see it honey. I still think that branch of the English, native African army, that allows the soldiers to take their wives along is good stuff. You'd like this if you didn't get too sick.
I still have part of your Monday and all of your Sunday letter to answer. I didn't have room on yesterdays' so this will be a continuation.
What do mean it's nice of me to give you a free run with everything? What else should I do? After all, we agreed to be 50 - 50 partners, didn't we? I sure as hell didn't have anything until you married me, so whatever we now have is as much yours as mine. Whatever you do is what I would want done anyhow. So there too. That's taken care of. I love you.
I'll take back the crack about the artificial business. I did misunderstand the way you intended it and anyhow I was only kidding. Maybe someday we'll try and know what we are talking about. Huh?
I had about the same opinion of what to do with my money as you have. I'd hate like hell to be caught short when I needed some. Then, even though you say you weren't hinting, you devil, I thought I might sometime, someplace, find something you would like and I'd want to be able to get it for you. I like to buy things for you. You're always so pleased, even if it doesn't amount to much. You're sweet and boy, how I love you.
I sure am sorry you had to give up your plans for your western trip. That would have been perfect. Remember last August? Those were the days! Go ahead and take your trip to N.York anytime and have yourself a time. We'll take our trips by ourselves, like the big wigs do. I don't like it though. I'd much sooner take my trips with you than any other way. You're a very nice gadget to have around. I love you.
I'm afraid your dreaming and planning for me isn't going to work. That would be nice but I won't be that lucky.
You can let your Mom dream about me if she wants to. I'm glad they like me so much. It may not be absolutely necessary to be on good terms with the in-laws, but I consider myself very lucky that my in-laws are almost as nice as my wife. I couldn't think any more of them if they were my Mother and father. I love you all.
I'll say it again, sweetheart, I'll let you know, whenever you can send me anything. I'll have to see what things are. Like you, if it were at all possible, I'd ask you to send the best package a man could get. You.
As that isn't possible, we'll have to mark time a while and I'll come and collect that package. Gosh I'll like that. Won't ever ask for anything better than that.
I've just been told that no dates are allowed on these letters so you'll have to guess which ones to read first in case you get them in a bunch. I'll have to cut it off this one.
Well, sweetheart, it's nearly dark and I guess I'm unwound anyhow. Night, sweetheart, I love you so much my feet even hurt. Lots of love and kisses and everything.
Your hubby.
Norman W. Effinger
The full name is a requirement.
Letter # 378 May 26, 1944
_________ [ a single line is drawn rather than "West Coast" ]
May 26, 1944
Friday morning.
My darling Wife;
This is going to be a short hurry up note. Really don't have much to say, but I'm living up to my promise to write as often as I can. I like to write to you. It would be swell if it didn't take so long to get an answer. I like to hear answers and see you when we talk. More than that I like to get hold of you and love you up good. Gosh, honey, you're sweet. I love you like hell.
I expect today is your last day of school. When you come home this noon or tonight you can say, "That's over with" and then take it easy for a while. I hope you never have to go back to teaching again. I wish my job was over and we could spend the vacation together. It would really be swell to have a couple months together and not a thing to do but love and enjoy ourselves. Fifth honeymoon and would it be a pip!
That is about what I had planned to do when this is all over and I get home for good. I can hardly wait. That will help an awful lot to help make the time roll by. Something to come back for. A very sweet, beautiful wife, a nice home, and friends and lots of things. I'm a very lucky man.
Well honey, this is my sugar report for today.
I love you so much, my darling wife. I'm dreaming and waiting.
I love you sweetheart,
Norm.
May 26, 1944
Friday morning.
My darling Wife;
This is going to be a short hurry up note. Really don't have much to say, but I'm living up to my promise to write as often as I can. I like to write to you. It would be swell if it didn't take so long to get an answer. I like to hear answers and see you when we talk. More than that I like to get hold of you and love you up good. Gosh, honey, you're sweet. I love you like hell.
I expect today is your last day of school. When you come home this noon or tonight you can say, "That's over with" and then take it easy for a while. I hope you never have to go back to teaching again. I wish my job was over and we could spend the vacation together. It would really be swell to have a couple months together and not a thing to do but love and enjoy ourselves. Fifth honeymoon and would it be a pip!
That is about what I had planned to do when this is all over and I get home for good. I can hardly wait. That will help an awful lot to help make the time roll by. Something to come back for. A very sweet, beautiful wife, a nice home, and friends and lots of things. I'm a very lucky man.
Well honey, this is my sugar report for today.
I love you so much, my darling wife. I'm dreaming and waiting.
I love you sweetheart,
Norm.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Letter # May 25, 1944
West Coast
May 25, 1944
Thursday After.
Beautiful;
I mean that too. No one can ever look as beautiful to me as you do. You got what it takes. You're a peach and I do love peaches! I love you something terrible. Last time I saw you I squeezed you so hard your ribs were sore. This next time I'll probably break them. Better get a set of armor or something before I get home again. It's liable to be quite a while, but I won't forget about you. Seems the longer I'm away the more I miss you and want to see you.
Never was that way about anyone before. If I didn't see them regular I almost forgot them. Did you think I had forgotten you even a little bit, the times I've been home? Well you haven't seen anything yet. That's a promise.
If it so happens that the next time is for good and it might well be, I'll spend the first month or so living up to that promise. I won't go back to work until you get tired of having me under foot all the time, or until our money runs out and I have to go to work so we can eat.
That really isn't idle talk either. I'm planning to spend quite a time staying at home with you and only doing a few of the odd jobs around the place for exercise. Honey, you'll see so much of me and I'll be such a pest you'll maybe wish I was back in the army again. Don't you ever tell me that though. I think I would treat anyone rather rough that would say that.
I remember you once said that I would soon go back to my old routine, working outside or in the basement all the time and not wanting you to bother me. It does sound very natural. I was that way before. Probably too much so, but I did get a lot of things done that way and still didn't neglect you too badly.
Sweetheart, that was the old me - and the old you. That was before I knew what it was to be away from you and miss you more than I ever thought it possible to miss anyone and before I realized how much I loved you. That isn't all either. I don't think I'm the only one who has changed. I may be wrong, but I think you have changed a little in some respects. For the better too.
I honestly believe it will be impossible for me to ever be like I used to be again. I had to learn the hard way and having learned I won't entirely forget again, ever. What do you think of that?
Gosh sweetheart, we've got a lot of grand times ahead. Years and years when we will be together all the time. Working, playing, loving. It sure is something to look forward to with anticipation. It will happen too and may not be so awful long either - I hope.
No letter today. It should be your weekend letter so that is the answer to that. I miss 'em when it's only one day. What will I do when I don't get any for weeks? I'll be hurtin. So will you. I'll send 'em every time we are allowed.
This wasn't a very newsy letter. There isn't any news so it's a poor love letter.
Night sweetheart. I'm sending you lots of love and kisses. I loves my wife so much.
Your lover
Norm.
May 25, 1944
Thursday After.
Beautiful;
I mean that too. No one can ever look as beautiful to me as you do. You got what it takes. You're a peach and I do love peaches! I love you something terrible. Last time I saw you I squeezed you so hard your ribs were sore. This next time I'll probably break them. Better get a set of armor or something before I get home again. It's liable to be quite a while, but I won't forget about you. Seems the longer I'm away the more I miss you and want to see you.
Never was that way about anyone before. If I didn't see them regular I almost forgot them. Did you think I had forgotten you even a little bit, the times I've been home? Well you haven't seen anything yet. That's a promise.
If it so happens that the next time is for good and it might well be, I'll spend the first month or so living up to that promise. I won't go back to work until you get tired of having me under foot all the time, or until our money runs out and I have to go to work so we can eat.
That really isn't idle talk either. I'm planning to spend quite a time staying at home with you and only doing a few of the odd jobs around the place for exercise. Honey, you'll see so much of me and I'll be such a pest you'll maybe wish I was back in the army again. Don't you ever tell me that though. I think I would treat anyone rather rough that would say that.
I remember you once said that I would soon go back to my old routine, working outside or in the basement all the time and not wanting you to bother me. It does sound very natural. I was that way before. Probably too much so, but I did get a lot of things done that way and still didn't neglect you too badly.
Sweetheart, that was the old me - and the old you. That was before I knew what it was to be away from you and miss you more than I ever thought it possible to miss anyone and before I realized how much I loved you. That isn't all either. I don't think I'm the only one who has changed. I may be wrong, but I think you have changed a little in some respects. For the better too.
I honestly believe it will be impossible for me to ever be like I used to be again. I had to learn the hard way and having learned I won't entirely forget again, ever. What do you think of that?
Gosh sweetheart, we've got a lot of grand times ahead. Years and years when we will be together all the time. Working, playing, loving. It sure is something to look forward to with anticipation. It will happen too and may not be so awful long either - I hope.
No letter today. It should be your weekend letter so that is the answer to that. I miss 'em when it's only one day. What will I do when I don't get any for weeks? I'll be hurtin. So will you. I'll send 'em every time we are allowed.
This wasn't a very newsy letter. There isn't any news so it's a poor love letter.
Night sweetheart. I'm sending you lots of love and kisses. I loves my wife so much.
Your lover
Norm.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Letter # 376 May 24, 1944
West Coast
May 24, 1944
Wed. Evening
My Sweetheart;
You're beautiful, honey. I have your picture propped up on a 2 x 4 by my bed where I can see you all the time. Even after four years I can't help but wonder how I was so lucky. It kinda hurts, sometimes to look at your picture, but it's a sweet hurt. I've got an awful lot to come back to. I'm ready to come back at any time. The sooner the better for me. I love you, honey.
Only a couple more days and you will be a lady of leisure again for a couple months. Have a good rest and lots of fun. You have it coming. I wish to hell you were packing to come see me for your vacation. That would be better than a vacation for me. This out here would be a perfect set up. Almost within walking distance. Wouldn't that be something. If it wasn't for that little word "if".
I got your Fri letter today. They are coming along regular. I'm still getting papers and magazines from the old camp. I got the Gazette from the 12th today.
It evidently wasn't as difficult to refuse a new teaching contract as you expected it to be. You have that much settled and now when you get the other signed up you will be located again. I hope you like the new job as much as you expect to. Don't get to liking it better than housekeeping for me, 'cause some of these days I'm going to insist that you take over again. You will won't you? You better.
Honey, that lawn mowing proposition must really be bad medicine for you. It is quite a job. If it gets too much for you, forget it or else mow only the front or some such arrangement. Too bad there isn't some kid around that you could hire to do it for you. I'd do it for almost nothing. You can do your own guessing as to what "nothing" is.
I can't seem to do much good at writing tonight. I've been at this a couple hours already and this is all I've accomplished. I guess I'll quit for tonight. I'll try to do better another time. I'm missing you, darling, and loving you like hell. Wish I could prove it. Night my sweetheart wife. I love you.
Your hubby.
Norm.
May 24, 1944
Wed. Evening
My Sweetheart;
You're beautiful, honey. I have your picture propped up on a 2 x 4 by my bed where I can see you all the time. Even after four years I can't help but wonder how I was so lucky. It kinda hurts, sometimes to look at your picture, but it's a sweet hurt. I've got an awful lot to come back to. I'm ready to come back at any time. The sooner the better for me. I love you, honey.
Only a couple more days and you will be a lady of leisure again for a couple months. Have a good rest and lots of fun. You have it coming. I wish to hell you were packing to come see me for your vacation. That would be better than a vacation for me. This out here would be a perfect set up. Almost within walking distance. Wouldn't that be something. If it wasn't for that little word "if".
I got your Fri letter today. They are coming along regular. I'm still getting papers and magazines from the old camp. I got the Gazette from the 12th today.
It evidently wasn't as difficult to refuse a new teaching contract as you expected it to be. You have that much settled and now when you get the other signed up you will be located again. I hope you like the new job as much as you expect to. Don't get to liking it better than housekeeping for me, 'cause some of these days I'm going to insist that you take over again. You will won't you? You better.
Honey, that lawn mowing proposition must really be bad medicine for you. It is quite a job. If it gets too much for you, forget it or else mow only the front or some such arrangement. Too bad there isn't some kid around that you could hire to do it for you. I'd do it for almost nothing. You can do your own guessing as to what "nothing" is.
I can't seem to do much good at writing tonight. I've been at this a couple hours already and this is all I've accomplished. I guess I'll quit for tonight. I'll try to do better another time. I'm missing you, darling, and loving you like hell. Wish I could prove it. Night my sweetheart wife. I love you.
Your hubby.
Norm.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Letter # 375 May 23, 1944
West Coast
May 23, 1944
Tues. eve.
My Darling;
Don't look for a letter for last night. There won't be any. I neglected you and took off to see Steve. I was lucky enough to get [there is an 1 1/2 " x 1/4" rectangular slit cut in this sentence where it has been censored] and thought I might a s well see the big city. I sure saw it too. Steve and I rode around in his peep seeing all the sites. It's a very beautiful city.The first of the big towns I have ever seen that I would even think of living in. I really had a swell time, only I sure wish you could have been along. I don't expect I would have seen much of the city if you had been, but I would gladly miss the sights to see you again. You're the most beautiful scenery I ever saw. Good for more than mearly looking at too. Steve took a few snapshots and says he will give you some when he is home. He will be able to tell you some of the things we did and saw. Boy, he sure has a snap of a job. Seems to work when he feels like it and if he doesn't feel like it, he plays tennis, goes swimming or something to put in the time. Some guys sure are lucky. He's really got a snap.
I have your Wed & Thurs letters to answer. I'm getting pretty good service on your letters. I hope you are doing as well on mine.
You said it honey, when you referred to your letters as " the old life line." They sure are all that to me. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have a wife to write sweet letters to me. I'm going to be hurtin plenty when the letters don't come every day. You will be too. Hard times, honey. We'll have to develop that telepathy business in place of letters. It's worked to some extent before. Maybe it will work again. I'll be thinking of you any time you listen. You're sweet. I love you like anything.
I'm sure glad to hear that you are starting to get my letters again. I was beginning to feel bad for you. I didn't write any while on the trip. I found that they wouldn't be posted until we got here anyhow, so I couldn't see the use in it. Beside, no one knew just what we could say or what we couldn't say.
Good for you sweetheart. I knew you could take the bad news and keep your chin up. Regular thoroughbred, that's my wife.
We won't argue about who is going to have to take it most. You haven't any easy proposition either. I'm so nice I don't see how you can possibly get along without me. How's that?
No one knows much about the regulations yet, that will be imposed on what you can mail to me. At this time it would be useless to try to mail me anything but letters. I might not get it for a long time.
I will ask for the camera when the time is right.
Don't even think about a birthday present for me. There isn't a thing that I could use. We can't take anything extra. Anyhow I had my heart set on that very special present, you, that you were going to send, that I'm afraid, I wouldn't properly appreciate anything else you might send. Save all that until I get home and then you can give me all the presents you want to. There are some I could name that I'll even ask for if they aren't readily given.
I'll let you know when there is anything I want, so don't worry about it. For the present just keep writing me nice letters. You're a very sweet girl. I love you. You're my wife. Boy!
You and Louise should be some small comfort to each other. In practically the same circumstances at about the same time. If she only doesn't get a "solitary" spell again you should get on good.
Go ahead and plan your trip and have good time, only -- don't you dare let some wolf take you away from me while I can't defend myself. If you do I'll up and get me a black native or some other color and haunt you beside. So there.
My reference to Funny was purely of a geographic nature. Your reference to Mick also applies. Steve thinks he might have a chance to stay for some time yet.
This is my "weather report" for today. Here is the "sugar report". Very scarce. Impossible to get any that is at all satisfactory. I miss my "sweetness" more keenly than I have ever missed anything before. I've plenty of money to pay any price and still I can't satisfy my desire until I get back home where there is plenty for free. I love you, honey. Night, sweetheart. I'm dreaming of you and loving you so much.
Your hubby.
Norm.
May 23, 1944
Tues. eve.
My Darling;
Don't look for a letter for last night. There won't be any. I neglected you and took off to see Steve. I was lucky enough to get [there is an 1 1/2 " x 1/4" rectangular slit cut in this sentence where it has been censored] and thought I might a s well see the big city. I sure saw it too. Steve and I rode around in his peep seeing all the sites. It's a very beautiful city.The first of the big towns I have ever seen that I would even think of living in. I really had a swell time, only I sure wish you could have been along. I don't expect I would have seen much of the city if you had been, but I would gladly miss the sights to see you again. You're the most beautiful scenery I ever saw. Good for more than mearly looking at too. Steve took a few snapshots and says he will give you some when he is home. He will be able to tell you some of the things we did and saw. Boy, he sure has a snap of a job. Seems to work when he feels like it and if he doesn't feel like it, he plays tennis, goes swimming or something to put in the time. Some guys sure are lucky. He's really got a snap.
I have your Wed & Thurs letters to answer. I'm getting pretty good service on your letters. I hope you are doing as well on mine.
You said it honey, when you referred to your letters as " the old life line." They sure are all that to me. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have a wife to write sweet letters to me. I'm going to be hurtin plenty when the letters don't come every day. You will be too. Hard times, honey. We'll have to develop that telepathy business in place of letters. It's worked to some extent before. Maybe it will work again. I'll be thinking of you any time you listen. You're sweet. I love you like anything.
I'm sure glad to hear that you are starting to get my letters again. I was beginning to feel bad for you. I didn't write any while on the trip. I found that they wouldn't be posted until we got here anyhow, so I couldn't see the use in it. Beside, no one knew just what we could say or what we couldn't say.
Good for you sweetheart. I knew you could take the bad news and keep your chin up. Regular thoroughbred, that's my wife.
We won't argue about who is going to have to take it most. You haven't any easy proposition either. I'm so nice I don't see how you can possibly get along without me. How's that?
No one knows much about the regulations yet, that will be imposed on what you can mail to me. At this time it would be useless to try to mail me anything but letters. I might not get it for a long time.
I will ask for the camera when the time is right.
Don't even think about a birthday present for me. There isn't a thing that I could use. We can't take anything extra. Anyhow I had my heart set on that very special present, you, that you were going to send, that I'm afraid, I wouldn't properly appreciate anything else you might send. Save all that until I get home and then you can give me all the presents you want to. There are some I could name that I'll even ask for if they aren't readily given.
I'll let you know when there is anything I want, so don't worry about it. For the present just keep writing me nice letters. You're a very sweet girl. I love you. You're my wife. Boy!
You and Louise should be some small comfort to each other. In practically the same circumstances at about the same time. If she only doesn't get a "solitary" spell again you should get on good.
Go ahead and plan your trip and have good time, only -- don't you dare let some wolf take you away from me while I can't defend myself. If you do I'll up and get me a black native or some other color and haunt you beside. So there.
My reference to Funny was purely of a geographic nature. Your reference to Mick also applies. Steve thinks he might have a chance to stay for some time yet.
This is my "weather report" for today. Here is the "sugar report". Very scarce. Impossible to get any that is at all satisfactory. I miss my "sweetness" more keenly than I have ever missed anything before. I've plenty of money to pay any price and still I can't satisfy my desire until I get back home where there is plenty for free. I love you, honey. Night, sweetheart. I'm dreaming of you and loving you so much.
Your hubby.
Norm.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Letter # 374 May 21, 1944
West Coast
May 21, 1944
Sunday
My Sweetheart Wife;
Hello honey, gosh but I'm missing you. I'd like better than to see you. You're a sweet woman. I sure do love you. Believe me? I could prove it if I had the chance. I'm all set and ready to equal or better any performance we've ever put on. I love you honey.
I'm sorry I didn't wire at least a few words to you when we got here. I feel guilty when every day I read in your letters that you still haven't heard from me. I did think of wiring but I didn't have anything but bad news to tell you and I didn't expect it to take so long for my letters to get there. I sure as hell hope you have some by now. It's a hell of an empty feeling to find the mailbox empty day after day. I know. Of course it's probably only a small taste of what is coming soon. That's going to be hard to take. Weeks when we won't hear a thing from each other. I'm not going to like that at all. We've gone through other hard times so I guess we will weather this one too. You can be very certain that I'll be thinking of you constantly.
I've been writing a few letters today. Harold, Vi, Marg, and now you. I always leave the best until last. Like dessert or something. You're sweet you know.
I got your Tues. letter today so I have two to answer. Good thing too, 'cause I haven't anything else to say.
I don't know as your pick for a vacation would appeal very much to me. New York never intrigued me very much. Go to it, sweetheart and have yourself a time in any way you want. When I come home again you won't be able to do things like that. I'll keep you busy taking care of me.
Things aren't at all the same as usual with me. All new scenery and things, but in spite of all that, there is one very important thing missing. It's only a big, beautiful, luscious, desirable, distracting, and thoroughly sweet and lovable girl that is my wife. It's strange that any one thing could be missed so much and cause such a void in me. Strange or not it's true. I'm glad about it too. I love you my bubbles.
I'm glad to hear spring has finally come back home. It sure is time. All the new trees and shrubs we planted are doing good. Sure will be glad to get back to them again.
I know you are a bit blue. Who wouldn't be? You are doing an awful good job of keeping your chin up and I'm proud of you. You're a very unusual girl. Keep it up for a while longer and it will all be over. Won't be long after I get back and all this will be like a dream. We'll even talk about it and laugh at things we thought were hard to take.
You'll soon be out of school. In fact, by the time you get this you'll only have a couple days left, and then you can rest and relax [and mow the lawn] for most of the summer. Doesn't sound too bad on paper
does it?
I'm even getting fat again. Bet I've gained close to 15 lbs. Soon be my old pudgy self again.
Well honey, I'm about written out for today. Bye darling, I'm loving you so much.
Your hubby.
Norm.
May 21, 1944
Sunday
My Sweetheart Wife;
Hello honey, gosh but I'm missing you. I'd like better than to see you. You're a sweet woman. I sure do love you. Believe me? I could prove it if I had the chance. I'm all set and ready to equal or better any performance we've ever put on. I love you honey.
I'm sorry I didn't wire at least a few words to you when we got here. I feel guilty when every day I read in your letters that you still haven't heard from me. I did think of wiring but I didn't have anything but bad news to tell you and I didn't expect it to take so long for my letters to get there. I sure as hell hope you have some by now. It's a hell of an empty feeling to find the mailbox empty day after day. I know. Of course it's probably only a small taste of what is coming soon. That's going to be hard to take. Weeks when we won't hear a thing from each other. I'm not going to like that at all. We've gone through other hard times so I guess we will weather this one too. You can be very certain that I'll be thinking of you constantly.
I've been writing a few letters today. Harold, Vi, Marg, and now you. I always leave the best until last. Like dessert or something. You're sweet you know.
I got your Tues. letter today so I have two to answer. Good thing too, 'cause I haven't anything else to say.
I don't know as your pick for a vacation would appeal very much to me. New York never intrigued me very much. Go to it, sweetheart and have yourself a time in any way you want. When I come home again you won't be able to do things like that. I'll keep you busy taking care of me.
Things aren't at all the same as usual with me. All new scenery and things, but in spite of all that, there is one very important thing missing. It's only a big, beautiful, luscious, desirable, distracting, and thoroughly sweet and lovable girl that is my wife. It's strange that any one thing could be missed so much and cause such a void in me. Strange or not it's true. I'm glad about it too. I love you my bubbles.
I'm glad to hear spring has finally come back home. It sure is time. All the new trees and shrubs we planted are doing good. Sure will be glad to get back to them again.
I know you are a bit blue. Who wouldn't be? You are doing an awful good job of keeping your chin up and I'm proud of you. You're a very unusual girl. Keep it up for a while longer and it will all be over. Won't be long after I get back and all this will be like a dream. We'll even talk about it and laugh at things we thought were hard to take.
You'll soon be out of school. In fact, by the time you get this you'll only have a couple days left, and then you can rest and relax [and mow the lawn] for most of the summer. Doesn't sound too bad on paper
does it?
I'm even getting fat again. Bet I've gained close to 15 lbs. Soon be my old pudgy self again.
Well honey, I'm about written out for today. Bye darling, I'm loving you so much.
Your hubby.
Norm.
Letter # 373 May 20, 1944
West Coast
May 20, 1944
Sat. eve.
My gorgeous wife;
Another week gone by. For you it means only one more week of school, for me -- very uncertain. I have heard people say that uncertainty goes to make things interesting. I don't believe it. I like to know what is going to happen and when. I always did like to plan in advance. I guess that is why I was so damn slow to marry you. Couldn't see how I was going to keep you and then I found you didn't need much keeping. You're the nicest and most easily maintained necessity I have. You may not believe it but you are a necessity to me. Gosh sweetheart, how I miss you! Can't get used to this being away. I'd always miss you no matter how long they keep me away. I'm praying it won't be too long. I love you. Baby.
After I had written your letter last night, I got two more from you. Sun and Monday ones. That's about the best service we have ever had. Mailed on the 16th and got here on the 19th. I have been told that all air mail for the south and west goes to Seattle, Wash. first and is sent out from there. That might explain the poor service we were getting from it. I'm anxious to know how mine are coming through to you. Be sure and tell me.
You always were a lamb, shorn or not. Damn betcha I'll love you as much no matter how you wear your hair.
I gather from the way you speak that Gus will be home after his boot training is over. It hardly seems he has been in long enough for it to be over yet. Time flies. If he's anything like me he will never really get over his home sickness either, until he's back with his wife for always. He may be lucky and be able to have Jean and the family near him most of the time. Wouldn't that be swell? I'd sure love to have that happen to us.
I see you already knew about Steve. Here I thought I was telling you a very choice piece of news. You're a devil, but such a sweet desirable devil. Anyhow I knew it a few hours before I got your letter so we are even there.
I have his address memorized, but it's like mine, doesn't tell anything. I couldn't have pulled the strings he did. If he hadn't looked me up I'm afraid we wouldn't have met. I'm going to try to go see him if ---- well I can't plan anything.
I haven't written for the camera because I didn't know if it would catch me. I'll wait until something else happens and then write for it if I can have it. Some places won't allow them yet.
I still have my calendar and I did put another mark on it.
Sounds like you and Louise are getting on very well, staying together and going places together. I imagine she was a big help on the lawn. She always liked that type of stuff anyhow. I imagine she appreciates being able to stay someplace. I gather she is staying at Lamont's. You both have something in common, a missing husband.
We are missing but I can assure you that most of our thoughts and spirits are there with you. We won't loose any time coming back once we can.
Well beautiful, I'm going to leave you for my dreams. Sometimes my day dreams seem almost real. No, honey, you aren't forgotten the least little bit. How could I forget? A man never forgets the best of his life. I love you so much, Chubbins. I hurt all over. Night my sweetheart.
Your hubby.
Norm.
May 20, 1944
Sat. eve.
My gorgeous wife;
Another week gone by. For you it means only one more week of school, for me -- very uncertain. I have heard people say that uncertainty goes to make things interesting. I don't believe it. I like to know what is going to happen and when. I always did like to plan in advance. I guess that is why I was so damn slow to marry you. Couldn't see how I was going to keep you and then I found you didn't need much keeping. You're the nicest and most easily maintained necessity I have. You may not believe it but you are a necessity to me. Gosh sweetheart, how I miss you! Can't get used to this being away. I'd always miss you no matter how long they keep me away. I'm praying it won't be too long. I love you. Baby.
After I had written your letter last night, I got two more from you. Sun and Monday ones. That's about the best service we have ever had. Mailed on the 16th and got here on the 19th. I have been told that all air mail for the south and west goes to Seattle, Wash. first and is sent out from there. That might explain the poor service we were getting from it. I'm anxious to know how mine are coming through to you. Be sure and tell me.
You always were a lamb, shorn or not. Damn betcha I'll love you as much no matter how you wear your hair.
I gather from the way you speak that Gus will be home after his boot training is over. It hardly seems he has been in long enough for it to be over yet. Time flies. If he's anything like me he will never really get over his home sickness either, until he's back with his wife for always. He may be lucky and be able to have Jean and the family near him most of the time. Wouldn't that be swell? I'd sure love to have that happen to us.
I see you already knew about Steve. Here I thought I was telling you a very choice piece of news. You're a devil, but such a sweet desirable devil. Anyhow I knew it a few hours before I got your letter so we are even there.
I have his address memorized, but it's like mine, doesn't tell anything. I couldn't have pulled the strings he did. If he hadn't looked me up I'm afraid we wouldn't have met. I'm going to try to go see him if ---- well I can't plan anything.
I haven't written for the camera because I didn't know if it would catch me. I'll wait until something else happens and then write for it if I can have it. Some places won't allow them yet.
I still have my calendar and I did put another mark on it.
Sounds like you and Louise are getting on very well, staying together and going places together. I imagine she was a big help on the lawn. She always liked that type of stuff anyhow. I imagine she appreciates being able to stay someplace. I gather she is staying at Lamont's. You both have something in common, a missing husband.
We are missing but I can assure you that most of our thoughts and spirits are there with you. We won't loose any time coming back once we can.
Well beautiful, I'm going to leave you for my dreams. Sometimes my day dreams seem almost real. No, honey, you aren't forgotten the least little bit. How could I forget? A man never forgets the best of his life. I love you so much, Chubbins. I hurt all over. Night my sweetheart.
Your hubby.
Norm.
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