Letter # 469 September 1, 1944

New Guinea
Friday eve.Sept. 1, 1944
Hello lovely;
I didn't succeed in getting down to try to find Steve today.  Oh well, I guess there will be another chance sometime soon.  It's too bad he had lost my address temporarily.  If he had written as soon as he got here, I'd certainly have seen him.  He was in the hospital a week with an upset stomach.  Be easy to find there.
No carpenter work today for the first time in weeks.  In fact I didn't do a whole lot of anything but putter around.  Made a couple new hammer handles and repaired tools and etc.  You see, tomorrow will go back to work after our vacation.  I bet I've nearly forgotten what I had learned.  Five months yesterday since I've worked on them.  That was when I came home to you the last time.  Wish I could come home to you again.  It's as long now as we've ever been apart.  I hate to think about how much longer it will be.  I won't think of it.  It's a very unpleasant subject 'cause I love you and want to see you all the time.  You're my wife.  Best model ever built too.
I told you before that I was much interested in this jungle school.  Well another class is going out and Baker is supposed to go.  The old army game you see.  I volunteered for it so Baker is told to go.  He is crying  and bitching about it, little too rough for him I guess, so I told him to see if he could get out of it by me taking his place.  Nothing has come of it yet, but I may yet get to go.  It's a tough rugged two weeks all right.  The first part is easy but the last 10 days is traveling through the jungle and over the mountains.  Carry some food and spare clothes, shelter half, raincoat, and all the personal things necessary.  Cigarettes and etc.  Gun and necessary shells.  For the most part they live off the land.  Don't shave from the start to the end and get a bath only by fording rivers and streams.  You may think I'm crazy to stick my neck out but it's the sort of thing I've always wanted to go on, someday.  Good opportunity, if they'd only let me go.  I might not be able to keep up but I think I can.  The only thing I wouldn't like about it is that I wouldn't be able to write to you for a couple weeks.  I hate that and know you will too, but I think you'd forgive me, wouldn't you?  You already lived through five weeks of empty mail box and may have more coming, so I guess you could stand it.  I think the experience and the pictures I'd get would be worth it.  Probably be the only chance I'll ever get to see the interior of N.G.  I'm only talking now.  If I do go I'll tell you for sure.
Boy, honey, if I keep on with my sewing you won't have to worry about that angle of taking care of me.  Of course I won't insist on doing it, if you'll do it for me.  I told you about altering my suntans so they'd fit a bit better.  My fatigues were even more in need of it.  They were 36 waist so I'm taking them in to about 32 and the shirts were way too loose fitting so I'm cutting about two inches out of each side and putting them back together again.  Doing a passable if not very good looking job too.  Believe it?  In this climate I don't want any extra material in my clothes.  They get so heavy with sweat they weigh me down anyhow.  Gosh, I sure am learning a few new things at that, aren't I?  Write letters, draw cards and sew.  If I could cook and --- I'd make someone a good wife.
Honey, while I'm thinking of it, here is another little request.  I could use some black thread, fairly heavy.  What I have is # 24 and is about right.  Might send a few needles too.  Don't get them too small.  Remember, I've got good sized, awkward fingers.  The needles I have are getting so rusty all the time, I'll soon have them worn out sandpapering them smooth.  I have the most troubles, don't I?
I've been thinking of another thing I could use, but have hesitated to ask for it, 'cause I may not be here to ever get it and it may be too big to mail anyhow.  It's a gasoline lantern.  Harold had some in the store when I left but they may not be available anymore.  Small size with only one mantle.  I'll always have vehicles of some sort to carry it around in and it would be nice.  If you decide to send one, don't forget extra generators and mantles.  I'm really not asking for it, only wishing.  You can do as you please about it.
Now I must get at your letters or I'll never get caught up.  No new ones today but I still have three or four here to answer.  Gosh, honey, I sure do like your letters and want to answer them all in detail.  Sweet letters from a much sweeter wife.  I'm a lucky man.  I loves you, bubbles.
You can go along with Art and pace and smoke cigarettes 'cause if the situation is ever reversed as we're planning on it being, I might like to have someone help me pace.  That'll be one experience in connection that I know I'm not going to like a bit.  That's two black marks against it, but I think there will be a lot more good ones for it.  In case you haven't guessed, the second black mark is the hands off period.  Guess I better buy me a black "maid"  and bring her home to take care of me when you aren't able.
It sounds to me like you should like your new job.  Just your type.  You like to see people and get the low down and you like to read.  Good place for both.  Good for you, honey.  Have all the fun you can while you're working and see lots of people.  When I get home again you won't see much but the ceiling for a long time.  Remember?
Sweetheart, you may like to see the boxes go but I bet you don't like it any more than I like seeing them come.  Like a very special message from you.  I love 'em.  See why I keep sending the requests?
No need to qualify the assumption I'm safe.  I will be always.  Even if the letters do stop coming you can be sure I'll be taking plenty good care of Norm.  You can't get rid of me that easy honey.  I'm coming back to collect on all those promises you've made.  That's for sure.
I too am very sorry for Kenny.  That would be enough to really break a man.  Beside loosing his wife he now has a motherless baby to look out for.  Something like that makes a fellow wish he could help in some way.
That is one reason I was never really keen on a family.  I didn't and still don't like the risk of anything happening to you.  If it wasn't your wish as well as mine, I'd still shy clear.  I love you so much, honey.  If I'd ever loose you, I'd be lost too.  Night, sweetheart, I'm loving you so much.
Your hubby.
Norm.