New Guinea
Sunday eve.
Oct 1, 1944
My Sweetheart;
The first of October and a nice lazy Sunday I made of it too. I am even caught up on all my writing except for one to Mom & Hazel and now yours. I just kind of fooled around, read a bunch of funnies Oil had gotten, read a little in the Reader's Digest and also in the Coronet you sent. Then this afternoon I got busy on my surprises for a little while. They are coming along slowly but they'll get there yet. One is nearly completed. I think you'll like it too. It's kinda like things I've seen you get for yourself. Don't you wish you knew what it was? Not much, but anyhow, I'm sending you something.
I hit the jackpot again at mail call tonight. Five of them all from you. That's ten in three days so I guess I'll be without any for a few days again. They were all in rotation again. 18, 19, 20, 21, & 22. That's only eight days on the last one and the best time so far. I've got a pile to work on again.
While I'm thinking of it. You can tell Max Blakeslee I thank him a lot for the offer of the lantern. I know what it is and I can't get batteries for it either so it won't be any use to me either. It's swell of him to offer though. The gasoline lantern Mrs Berry has located is the thing. Always have gasoline or this outfit won't be much account. Gosh, honey I didn't mean for you to go to all that trouble. You seem to have everyone working for you and getting things done too. You're some girl. Is it any wonder I love you? Everyone else seems to like you a lot too. No wonder people can't see why you married me. Was it 'cause you were so sick of teaching? I guess I'm lucky you didn't get this library job before you said "yes". You'd have been satisfied and wouldn't have wanted to marry me then.
Tomorrow is election day here so I'll dutifully take my ballot in hand and make some X's before the proper witness and have my part of that business taken care of. Does that satisfy you? The ballot, of course, has to be shown unmarked and then the procedure is the same as at the polls. By doing it as a unit it will avoid so much confusion to the voting officer.
Now I must get at these letters or I'll be as far behind as I was when I came back from school.
Honey, only people in love are supposed to pull tricks like the one you pulled on the phone at the library. Are you in love? You'd better be and with no one else but me too. Yes, I remember how you'd play like you were listening to me and never hear a thing I said. Remember it used to catch up to you once in a while then. You'd ask later about something I knew darn well I had told you. So there too, you devil.
I have never yet pulled the stunt Laurence did but I caught myself in the nick of time at least once I remember of. Still at Polk and I had a letter to Mom & one to you. I had them in the wrong envelopes when I thought I'd better check. Good thing too. It was rather a naughty letter and I'm afraid Mom would have blushed when she read it. Since then I've been very careful.
You are probably very nearly right in your guess in Sept 15 letter. My own opinion is that no big action will break out down here until the end of Germany. If that ends on schedule it won't be so long until the final big push over here sets in. The sooner it comes the better I'll like it. Get it over and get back home where my heart is. These days I'm finding out I'm very much a home boy. No more roving for me any more alone. I say alone 'cause I'm always alone unless you're with me. Other people may help but they sure don't fill your place. I love you, sweetheart.
You'd better not buy any more new pajamas, honey. Wear out the ones you have 'cause you'll never see them again after I come home. I'll not have a clothed woman in bed with me. I'm surely not getting in the habit of wearing anything. I haven't even slept in a pair of shorts since I left the states, except for the days on the trail when I was fully clothed for warmth. I think we can "adjust" very quickly once we get at it.
You old devil. I wasn't trying to pull any wool over your eyes about this jungle trip. I wasn't aware that I was trying to cover up the fact I was tickled about it. I think I even said, "The only thing I don't like about it is I won't be able to write to you." I wanted to go and was plenty pleased when I got the chance. By this time you know that I didn't change my opinion any, even if it was a bit tough. I knew you'd say you wouldn't mind not getting any letters but, all the same, I bet you were let down a bit. I know what mail means in the everyday routine. I missed not hearing from you and had plenty new and interesting things to occupy my thoughts. You were always creeping in. I learn or see something and make a mental note to tell Babe about it sometime. Most everything I do includes you even if remotely. Your letters, so far, in the "no letters to answer period", don't show any signs of finding it hard to write. You always do a good job of writing. I like to hear you ramble on, on anything. It's all you.
I guess I told you that Dick Elder took the march like a good soldier. He even seemed to like it. He doctored a blister for me too. When we were at the end of the trail I had a picture of he and I together taken. You can pass that information on to Mrs. Elder.
Yes I know who Emeric Ceaser is. He was always around the store. Quite a guy and likes to talk and tell stories. I return his hello. It seems you are meeting a lot of my old business acquaintances since you're in the library. If I go back to the store it will make it easier to talk to you about my day. As it was before you didn't know a lot of them I saw every day or so. If I know your charm they'll be asking about you too. From the sound of things you'll be getting too smart for the old man to keep up with at all. You'll really have to play teacher to me. I still like teachers and they don't have to be red heads either.
To the best of my knowledge you are right about B. Batchelder. The address is the same as Steve's. I'm almost sure he is where you said. [ Sept. 16 letter].
So you are now a member of the Beagle Assn. At least enough to get a present out of it. Did you tell them you go hunting and shoot so you don't hit the rabbits? Good enough shot but won't try to hit them. Remember the day across the road in the orchard and the time in Pop's pasture when you didn't even have a shell in your gun? You did kill one sitting once and then felt bad about it. You're a funny sweet old thing.
You sure do think of plenty of ways to tantalize me don't you? Now you are sending something that has to be cut in three pieces and yet it can be spliced and serve its purpose. I've a guess on that but I'm not sure enough to air it. I'll wait until I see it, you devil.
I do like your two early Xmas presents very much. The picture is in front of me whenever my desk is open and, believe it or not, the bracelet is on my arm and will stay there too. For a man that never cared much for things like that, it's proof that I like it, isn't it?
Read my letter again, honey where I told you where Steve was. Either I was absent minded or you missed it. Steve is north of me.
Sure I believe I have a smart wife. I always did but I couldn't start telling you too soon or you would have become too conceited to live with. I always told you I saw a lot more than the physical in you when I married you. The physical attractions are perfect to me, plenty of them, quantity and quality both, but that is only half of you. The other half is just as perfect and attractive. Either half, by itself, is more than most girls have. I love you, don't you think? I sure do. Very much.
Don't worry about it if you don't manage to send a box every week, honey. It's a lot of work and you're a busy girl. They're fun to get alright, but don't kill yourself trying to keep up. I'm only doing what you ask in sending requests each week. I don't mean you have to honor them all.
I had seen the notice in the Gazette about Ted Underhill. I wasn't sure but thought it was the one Mick & Louise talked of. If I can get any information I'll do it but such things are darn hard to dig out. The official notice is as far as you can go unless you're lucky and run into someone who knew him. Be sure and give me his organization.
I think your letters have shown a bit of a rise in spirit since you've been working. I always was of the opinin you would be happier when busy but before this you never liked your job at all so it wasn't any help. I'm glad you're settled. I know you'll be good at it, I'm only afraid they won't want to let you go when I come home again. We'll fool them won't we? Lots of things to do that will be more fun even than being a librarian. I'll keep you busy too. First, I'll need a lot of loving and being by you. Second, I'll need a lot of my wife's good cooking to fill out the hollow bony places. Third, washing and mending clothes, ironing and lots of things. Still want the job or would you prefer to stay a librarian? Night, sweetheart, I love you.
Your hopeful lover
Norm.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Letter # 484 September 30, 1944
New Guinea
Saturday eve
Sept 30, 1944
My Bewitching Babe;
Another month gone again. Good old September. I always did like the month for the weather and comfortableness after the heat of summer. The last few years, but to be exact, I've had a lot more reason to like it. It gave me you for my very own and that is plenty to put it on top for good in my calendar of months. The last couple years I've been glad to see it pass like all the rest, as quickly as possible. One of these days I'll be sorry to see it over and October coming up. That will be when I'm back in your arms again for always. You will hold me won't you, honey? You'd better say yes or, so help me I'll look into the W.A.C. situation.
No letters today. I haven't any kick on that though. I only got four yesterday. There were quite a few packages but none for me. They had July postmarks and I've had them for almost two weeks. Last one I got was July 28, I think. Mac, Oil, and Bowman each got a package. Almost all candy, so I'm fessing as I write this. Bowman's wife sent a whole box of homemade nut fudge. That's going fast as you can well imagine. By the way, she is a red headed "Mick". Sounds interesting, huh?
Payday again and once more I have more money than I know what to do with so if I get time, I'm going to send you another little pile, Monday. A hundred or a little more, how ever it figures out. That will still leave me a roll of nearly $60.00 and unless something unusual happens that will last a year over here. I've said this before and I'm saying it again. If you want anything take some of this money and get it. Call it a present from me if you want. I can't send you anything but I'd like for you to get yourself a present now and then. Darn it all, honey, I love you and haven't any way to show it at present.
Our washing machine threatened to turn out the same as the sawmill. The old peep engine is so darn near worn out that it is giving trouble. Isn't enough work for the engine so being an oil burner it carbons up enough nearly every day so it has to be cleaned to run the next day. Parts for such things are almost impossible to get so we made some modifications of our own. No new rings to stop the oil pumping so we drilled a lot of new oil return holes under the oil rings, hoping to keep it out of the head. Haywire job. We sure do get plenty of chance to experiment. It's running again, but I don't know for how long.
The censorship rules are getting a bit stricter but it won't bother me much. I have purposely stayed clear of shady subjects or went way around the bush in mentioning them and evidently they have all gone through
intact. Also informed we are to use no vile language so if I don't do much cussing it's not because I've become a priss and got religion, it's just rules.
Johnny has been putting in way too much in some of his and lately he has gotten several of them back. I can't see any profit in that so I try not to say too much. I guess you understand all this anyhow. You're a very sensible girl and smart too. You seem to get a lot from the letters that isn't put in words. Guess maybe you know me and how I work inside. Bet you're the only one who does though. Somehow you wiggled through my lines of defense and hard shell and got inside. That's where you belong. I'll keep you there too, if I can. I loves my three "B" girl.
Now about the article from the Post you sent. It's interesting and basically true. I think I can safely say I know 'cause I've been very close to there. However it's like all stories and articles written for the public. embellished a bit here and there. Skeleton Country is very true. Have made their acquaintance myself more than once. I imagine the actual experience took place at least a year ago. I see you underlined "cold and wet". That may be hard to believe but it is true at times. When it is cloudy and stormy it really is cold in the hills, especially at night. Several nights I was plenty cold with two waterproof covers wrapped around me and completely dressed. Even down here, like this afternoon. Plenty hot until about 3 P.M. and then it clouded up and a breeze sprung up. I was sweating when I went to the shower but as soon as I got wet the goosebumps came out, even on me. Queer climate. The part about G.I. shoes being comfortable to walk in is nothing but crap. No foot soldier would ever make that statement, not if he had the rubber soled ones I've had all the time. They burn my feet every time I go on a march of any length. They were so badly burned on this trip I took, that now the soles of my feet are all peeling. I don't mean they are sore now. They got over it every night and haven't been sore a bit since I got back. Like sunburn, takes a while for the dead hide to loosen up and peel.
Now I'm going to answer a letter or two.
Sept 14. You should talk about your letters rambling on and on. How about some of mine? They sure ramble, anywhere and everywhere. I like to just talk to you though. Our letters to each other don't need to follow the rules set up by Hoyle. I like to be me, and yours surely are you. I love 'em like that. Makes it so much more natural than an ordinary letter. Keep it up, honey. You're doing swell.
Go ahead and thrive on bitching if you want to. Both kinds. I can always listen to the verbal kind coming from you and usually get a grin out of it. The other kind? Well, I'm a pretty good tamer of that kind of bitch. Ready to crack the whip any time and keep on cracking it a long, long time. Just hold on, sweetheart, I'll tame you again. No, I don't get it, but I'm expecting to, but good.
Uh huh. Teasing me again about another surprise. I knew it. I always knew you were a big tease. I sure like to have you tease me though. I'll be in heaven again when you can tease me in a different way. Get it? You will.
I don't imagine you will have to worry about our pines and the landscaping project. I think they'll respect the start we made and there isn't much bank to work on anyhow, except the far east side. They better hadn't molest our honeymoon pines. They're one souvenir I think a lot of. Growing all the time, like our love too.
I sure am tickled to pieces that you like your library job so much. I have been told by others, Mom & Hazel & Mrs, Dulaney that you like it a lot and were looking very good, so I have further proof of your statements. I hope it is due to the job and not your pestiferous husband's absence that you look so well. I know it's the job. I'm a bit conceited too, you know.
You and your names for problematical children! You're incorrigible. Honestly honey, they all suit me. I'll probably have other and rather unspeakable names for them most of the time. I haven't gotten and don't intend to get any farther at present, than the thinking of things that come before names are necessary. I like the idea and will be very glad to do all I can to make it a reality. I do get a kick out of your enthusiasm though. Just like you are about a surprise. Bubbling and all tickled. Keep it up, honey. That's one of your traits that are very dear to me. I love all about you.
Night, honey. Continued tomorrow. Continued tomorrow and forever is my love for you.
Your hubby.
Norm.
Saturday eve
Sept 30, 1944
My Bewitching Babe;
Another month gone again. Good old September. I always did like the month for the weather and comfortableness after the heat of summer. The last few years, but to be exact, I've had a lot more reason to like it. It gave me you for my very own and that is plenty to put it on top for good in my calendar of months. The last couple years I've been glad to see it pass like all the rest, as quickly as possible. One of these days I'll be sorry to see it over and October coming up. That will be when I'm back in your arms again for always. You will hold me won't you, honey? You'd better say yes or, so help me I'll look into the W.A.C. situation.
No letters today. I haven't any kick on that though. I only got four yesterday. There were quite a few packages but none for me. They had July postmarks and I've had them for almost two weeks. Last one I got was July 28, I think. Mac, Oil, and Bowman each got a package. Almost all candy, so I'm fessing as I write this. Bowman's wife sent a whole box of homemade nut fudge. That's going fast as you can well imagine. By the way, she is a red headed "Mick". Sounds interesting, huh?
Payday again and once more I have more money than I know what to do with so if I get time, I'm going to send you another little pile, Monday. A hundred or a little more, how ever it figures out. That will still leave me a roll of nearly $60.00 and unless something unusual happens that will last a year over here. I've said this before and I'm saying it again. If you want anything take some of this money and get it. Call it a present from me if you want. I can't send you anything but I'd like for you to get yourself a present now and then. Darn it all, honey, I love you and haven't any way to show it at present.
Our washing machine threatened to turn out the same as the sawmill. The old peep engine is so darn near worn out that it is giving trouble. Isn't enough work for the engine so being an oil burner it carbons up enough nearly every day so it has to be cleaned to run the next day. Parts for such things are almost impossible to get so we made some modifications of our own. No new rings to stop the oil pumping so we drilled a lot of new oil return holes under the oil rings, hoping to keep it out of the head. Haywire job. We sure do get plenty of chance to experiment. It's running again, but I don't know for how long.
The censorship rules are getting a bit stricter but it won't bother me much. I have purposely stayed clear of shady subjects or went way around the bush in mentioning them and evidently they have all gone through
intact. Also informed we are to use no vile language so if I don't do much cussing it's not because I've become a priss and got religion, it's just rules.
Johnny has been putting in way too much in some of his and lately he has gotten several of them back. I can't see any profit in that so I try not to say too much. I guess you understand all this anyhow. You're a very sensible girl and smart too. You seem to get a lot from the letters that isn't put in words. Guess maybe you know me and how I work inside. Bet you're the only one who does though. Somehow you wiggled through my lines of defense and hard shell and got inside. That's where you belong. I'll keep you there too, if I can. I loves my three "B" girl.
Now about the article from the Post you sent. It's interesting and basically true. I think I can safely say I know 'cause I've been very close to there. However it's like all stories and articles written for the public. embellished a bit here and there. Skeleton Country is very true. Have made their acquaintance myself more than once. I imagine the actual experience took place at least a year ago. I see you underlined "cold and wet". That may be hard to believe but it is true at times. When it is cloudy and stormy it really is cold in the hills, especially at night. Several nights I was plenty cold with two waterproof covers wrapped around me and completely dressed. Even down here, like this afternoon. Plenty hot until about 3 P.M. and then it clouded up and a breeze sprung up. I was sweating when I went to the shower but as soon as I got wet the goosebumps came out, even on me. Queer climate. The part about G.I. shoes being comfortable to walk in is nothing but crap. No foot soldier would ever make that statement, not if he had the rubber soled ones I've had all the time. They burn my feet every time I go on a march of any length. They were so badly burned on this trip I took, that now the soles of my feet are all peeling. I don't mean they are sore now. They got over it every night and haven't been sore a bit since I got back. Like sunburn, takes a while for the dead hide to loosen up and peel.
Now I'm going to answer a letter or two.
Sept 14. You should talk about your letters rambling on and on. How about some of mine? They sure ramble, anywhere and everywhere. I like to just talk to you though. Our letters to each other don't need to follow the rules set up by Hoyle. I like to be me, and yours surely are you. I love 'em like that. Makes it so much more natural than an ordinary letter. Keep it up, honey. You're doing swell.
Go ahead and thrive on bitching if you want to. Both kinds. I can always listen to the verbal kind coming from you and usually get a grin out of it. The other kind? Well, I'm a pretty good tamer of that kind of bitch. Ready to crack the whip any time and keep on cracking it a long, long time. Just hold on, sweetheart, I'll tame you again. No, I don't get it, but I'm expecting to, but good.
Uh huh. Teasing me again about another surprise. I knew it. I always knew you were a big tease. I sure like to have you tease me though. I'll be in heaven again when you can tease me in a different way. Get it? You will.
I don't imagine you will have to worry about our pines and the landscaping project. I think they'll respect the start we made and there isn't much bank to work on anyhow, except the far east side. They better hadn't molest our honeymoon pines. They're one souvenir I think a lot of. Growing all the time, like our love too.
I sure am tickled to pieces that you like your library job so much. I have been told by others, Mom & Hazel & Mrs, Dulaney that you like it a lot and were looking very good, so I have further proof of your statements. I hope it is due to the job and not your pestiferous husband's absence that you look so well. I know it's the job. I'm a bit conceited too, you know.
You and your names for problematical children! You're incorrigible. Honestly honey, they all suit me. I'll probably have other and rather unspeakable names for them most of the time. I haven't gotten and don't intend to get any farther at present, than the thinking of things that come before names are necessary. I like the idea and will be very glad to do all I can to make it a reality. I do get a kick out of your enthusiasm though. Just like you are about a surprise. Bubbling and all tickled. Keep it up, honey. That's one of your traits that are very dear to me. I love all about you.
Night, honey. Continued tomorrow. Continued tomorrow and forever is my love for you.
Your hubby.
Norm.
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