New Guinea
Sunday eve
Oct 8, 1944
My Darling;
Had a very nice time at the beach today and also have a rather feverish hide. They have been making us wear our shirts all the time lately and even though I still am well tanned, it wasn't well enough to stop this sun. I'm not burned enough to peel or be uncomfortable but only warm. This sun is different than back home. with as much tan as I had I'd never have burned a bit. It bears down here and I guess salt water helps it along too. Partly cloudy most of the day and not as hot as it has been. The water was swell. Nice rollers to play with.
It hasn't rained for several days again now. Kinda looks like we might have some tonight. I like to see it rain often here. Keeps the dust down and it doesn't stay muddy very long. Sure seems out of place to think of October and swimming and sunburn. Should be thinking of getting ready for winter and enjoying the last few warm days of the season.
I didn't expect any letters today and I didn't get any. I've several here to answer and I'm going to get at it now.
It makes me feel good to say you didn't mind your no letter period cause you knew why and what I was doing. I felt a little guilty about it and, in spite of what you tell me, I bet you didn't like having no letters. I love you so much I want to do all I can to make it easier for you. I guess, as you say, I'm only a kid yet and when a chance like that comes along I can't resist it.
I'm glad to hear about Mickey. He is seeing the country and no mistake. I bet Louise was plenty glad to hear after all that time. I'd guess from the things you report that he's doing, that my first guess as to what his new work is, is somewhere near correct. He is evidently following close behind the front. I don't believe he is actually fighting. Anyhow, I'm hoping the best for him. By getting into that scrap, I'd say his chances to come home when it's over there, are fairly good.
More candy and cookies on the way. Sounds good. Anything like that will always be welcome. Poor Art. I'm sure causing him an awful lot of trouble. Almost think I was his son instead of only a friend. I don't know how I'll ever begin to return all the favors he's doing for us. I sure appreciate it all. You can tell him he need have no fear that I'll cuss him out if the candy is spoiled. I know he did his best. I'll let you do any cussing for me. Remember what you called him over the phone, last spring? He did deserve that and more 'cause he was hoping to do exactly what he did. The devil. I'll remember that "favor" too.
I'd like to see our kitchen table. Wouldn't need to be covered with all kinds of things to send to me. I'd sooner have it like I remember it best. You sitting there with me and asking if I like this or that and why don't I say something is good once in a while. That's the way I want things. You and I living our ordinary everyday lives and loving each other all the time. I'm in love with you, sweetheart.
You certainly are a kid when it comes to presents and packages. I always did get a big kick out of watching you play "Santa" at our Christmas get to-gethers. Would think that they were all for you. You almost jump up and down and get so excited. I love you that way. Sweet and innocent and natural. Nothing artificial or sophisticated about you. My own lovable Babe.
Honey, you're impossible. I bet you've asked me fifty times if I like your picture. I sure do. I love it. I'm inclined to agree with Louise. It doesn't do you justice in some ways. It could be because the print is a bit hazy but it sure is natural even to that look in your eyes. You're not merely smiling at me, you're inviting me. It's the one invitation I'll never turn down either. Now don't say anything. I've never turned it down as long as you've known me, have I? The future and old age may make changes but I'll ever want to refuse that invitation. You look mighty swell to me. I love you. It's a very good job of duplicating the picture I have of you in my mind from that last night. Only trouble is this is only a picture.
You could have been in the next room when I saw the bracelet and your ears wouldn't have burned a bit. All I said, and these are the actual words, as nearly as I can remember, was, "Well, Babe finally got me the bracelet she has been trying to give me for the past year.
I think I know how you felt about it and why you sent it and I'm loving you for it. I like it. Wear it all the time and look at it a lot. It means another tie between us. We need them at this distance.
I sent the ring with the same sentiments behind it. I'm glad to hear you like it so much and that it isn't tarnishing very much. Down here silver takes a beating. Tarnishes rather fast. That was really how that bastard got a chance to steal the first one. I had it laying out just to see how long it would stay bright.
My habits are still the same as they have been. I go my regular three times a day and sometimes more. No laxative ever needed on the kind of food and life we have here. I do rather miss having the funnies to read at the early evening sitting. My old habits aren't broken, but pushed aside for the time. I'm still me only in a different shape package.
There now, I've caught up on your letters again and ready for a new bunch. If I don't get any tomorrow I'll still have plenty to write about. I left the trip stranded in L.A. It should be about time to leave there and continue on to New Guinea. Screwy way to do things isn't it? I do like to always have something up my sleeve to write about when I get those "can't write" spells.
Everything is going along very well and I'm feeling good and ornery as ever. Not a thing wrong with me in any way. I do have one very pronounced ailment but it's a good ailment and can't be cured by medicine, doctors, hospitals, or even red headed nurses. The latter might help a bit but never cure me. The only cure that will help is the cure my wife knows the secret of. She can cure me in no time at all. Very pleasant cure too. One of these days I'll be calling on you to work the cure, so you'd better be ready.
You will be, won't you?
Night my beautiful. I'm loving you and thinking about you a lot. Even dream dreaming about you once in a while. Isn't either funny or childish, so there too. I love you, sweetheart.
Your hubby.
Norm.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Letter # 490 October 7,1944
New Guinea
Sat. eve.
Oct 7, 1944
My Darling;
Two more letters from you tonight, 26 & 27th. They are coming in good time now and in order too. Something, ain't it? I also got a brown envelope from you with the Bank Notes and the clipping of Dewey's speech. Is that little paper a new thing with the bank? I don't recall ever seeing it before. It's as good or better than the Gazette. Of course the first thing I saw was Pop all decked out as a singing chef. He apparently is good photographic material. Except for a very few they all look so natural. The other men I know by name only.
Then I proceeded to read every word in the paper. Cliff Mac home. Is it permanent or only a leave? Chuck Thompkins taking his wife back with him, the lucky devil. I didn't remember that Gert, Vi's sister, was working at the bank. All in all it's quite a paper. Seems they are all taking a leaf from Bowman's recipe for advertising success.
If this one speech is an example of what you are hearing all the time, I pity you. That's one part of politics that has always made me so damn disgusted with the whole rotten business. I wish just once that two candidates for the same office could conduct a campaign without all the mud throwing. Guess I won't get into this again tonight. Lot more fun to answer your sweet letters and I'll be happy instead of disgusted. That may be why we don't hear what is going on. It would be bad for fighting morale. A man would wonder if it was worth fighting for a country and ideals that produce such poor specimens of manhood. I still don't know what we are really fighting this war for but this much I do know. I'm willing to fight or do anything else that will end this thing and get me back home to the one I love. Give me that and let the fools do their fighting over things that are all in the past and can't be helped now. Let's quit stalling and do something.
Gosh, something got me started didn't it?
Just another day, this morning. This afternoon I hauled out my sewing kit and did I look domestic. Busy as a bee, sewing patches on salvage clothes the army gave us today. Since I'm back in the grease and wearing suntans you can imagine that I can use more than three sets of clothes. Even if they aren't too dirty in a couple days they smell so bad a man can't even stand himself. Lifeboy or anything else isn't very effective on B.O. down here. I picked out three more sets, shirts & pants, that weren't too bad. Rips and tears here and there, not worn out, so I did me some fancy patching. Don't laugh, darn you. I didn't do too bad a job at that. In fact, I think it's almost as good as you'd do. I don't care if you can't sew, you can sure do plenty of other things. Love is one. Expert at that. Cook is another. Expert at that too. Aw, honey, I could go on and fill this sheet and the greatest part would carry an expert rating too. I'm in love with you.
Did you know it?
Today was P.X. day again. I got the usual candy bar and pack of gum. They were also selling manufactured Christmas cards on V-mail so I guess the story I heard was only another rumor. No official notice anyhow.
Tomorrow morning, bright and early, if it isn't raining, we're taking off for the beach for the day. Brownie, Mac, Sam, and I. Sounds good doesn't it? I haven't been there in quite some time and I don't have much to keep me from going. Only a letter to you and a couple duty letters. I can get yours in the evening and if I don't get to the others they will keep a day or so. Of course that means no progress on the surprises. That's mean isn't it? Always telling you about them and not getting them done. I'll try to hurry them a bit, honey, so hold on.
Now to answer some letters. Sept 24. Gosh, honey, it sounds like a librarian has to be an information bureau and know nearly everything. I can see right now that I'll have a lot of learning to catch up on so you won't be too far ahead of me. You'd better like your dumb old husband though and give him time to catch up to you. I'm pretty nice anyhow. I think. Your work does sound very interesting. Think I'd even like it myself, at least until I got tired of a white collar.
I should think you wouldn't know it all in 6 weeks, you silly. Sounds like you need an even wider range of knowledge than it takes to run a hardware store. I worked at that for ten years and still didn't know it all by a long way. It is slightly similar, isn't it? See all kinds of customers every day and asked all sorts of questions. Nice people, grouchy people, sensible questions and crazy ones. Variety anyhow. I used to sometimes get pretty tired of seeing people and trying to please them but I did rather like it anyhow. Remember? I'd say I wanted to stay home where it was peaceful and I didn't have to see anyone but you. I don't guess it affects you like that though. You're gregarious and I'm not. Only one person I want to be with all the time. A female too. Think of that. She's big, beautiful, intriguing, exciting, sweet, and comfortable to have around. She asks crazy questions and teases me once in a while. Follows me around and wants to know where I'm going or what I'm doing and why don't I just be nice and sit by her and talk or play something with her, but even then I love it all. It's all part of her charm and part of the most idyllic life I've ever lived. I love her so much. She's Mrs. Effinger, my wife! I'll stick by her as much as possible the rest of my life and try to be a worthy husband. Quite a big promise to live up to isn't it?
No, I don't get you, but I do know what you mean by needing a good taking care of. You've got it coming at the first opportunity I get. I need it too, very badly. I hope, as you say, you are big and healthy and won't have any trouble with the little "it". You are the type all right. The kind the Germans want to build up their "super race". Ed's expression, "Built for service" is descriptive and applicable. As for me, all I can say is I'm healthy and plenty willing. We'll prove or disprove the able part of it later.
Don't worry, honey. You can talk as you please. No one but me will ever read your letters. It's like you used to talk anyhow, isn't it?
Honey, your ability to estimate men from their pictures amazes me. You have most of them tagged as good as I and I know them personally. They all made the march with flying colors. Mathews and Pendleton were the only two that didn't keep up the last day. You see the leaders purposely tried to loose us that last day. See if we had any reserve left. We had it. They hurt themselves as much as us. Even the native guides said, " Him bunch of men, not Mary's" this time. This particular school had the highest record and most excellent ratings ever given.
You said the gang looks like a bunch of rugged boys to you. Well, just think, honey, I must be quite a way from dead yet 'cause I had the honor of receiving the highest rating among them. Spence, Mathews and myself were the only men over 30 in the group. Pretty good aren't I?
I guess I didn't tell you that Spencer and Williams came back down the trail with Mathews, Pendleton, Westerman, and me in a party of our own. Spencer and Williams are real trail mates.
They have my respect now.
You may be wondering why I only used their last names. New censorship rules. No rank or duties mentioned.
I guess you'll get along alright. Getting an extra day off for a cold in the head. Different than school teaching isn't it? You don't know how tickled I am about your new job. I wanted you to be doing something you like to do. If being a teacher instead of a librarian for a time had anything to do with my getting you for a wife, I'm selfishly glad you put in those disagreeable years. I'd be hurtin if I didn't have you. Probably be an old bachelor yet. My idea of a hell of a life, now.
I do hope your cold pills do the trick for you. The few dollars they cost are well spent if they work. I think they did a lot for me that last two winters.
More help for you. Gus going to hang the storm windows. You got 'em all charmed, haven't you? I sure am glad I got you first. At the way men do things for you now, I wonder why I didn't have so much competition. I would have had to pull tricks like the boys do to get a date with Boots. Good thing for me they didn't wake up sooner.
If you keep reading books on N. Guinea you'll know all about it and it won't be necessary for us to take time out from more pressing matters to talk about it. That's the stuff, sweetheart, I don't want too many other things to do for a long time. Need all my energy to give you that taking care of you want. Got some taking care of myself to do too so I'm thinking I'll be plenty busy and worn out. Boy, but I'll be happy though. I don't mind a bit wearing myself to a frazzle on something I like so, watch out and be on your guard. No holds barred. All's fair in love and I'm a wild man.
Night, sweetheart. You're being loved and loved and kissed and kissed. Gooey too.
Your hubby.
Norm.
Sat. eve.
Oct 7, 1944
My Darling;
Two more letters from you tonight, 26 & 27th. They are coming in good time now and in order too. Something, ain't it? I also got a brown envelope from you with the Bank Notes and the clipping of Dewey's speech. Is that little paper a new thing with the bank? I don't recall ever seeing it before. It's as good or better than the Gazette. Of course the first thing I saw was Pop all decked out as a singing chef. He apparently is good photographic material. Except for a very few they all look so natural. The other men I know by name only.
Then I proceeded to read every word in the paper. Cliff Mac home. Is it permanent or only a leave? Chuck Thompkins taking his wife back with him, the lucky devil. I didn't remember that Gert, Vi's sister, was working at the bank. All in all it's quite a paper. Seems they are all taking a leaf from Bowman's recipe for advertising success.
If this one speech is an example of what you are hearing all the time, I pity you. That's one part of politics that has always made me so damn disgusted with the whole rotten business. I wish just once that two candidates for the same office could conduct a campaign without all the mud throwing. Guess I won't get into this again tonight. Lot more fun to answer your sweet letters and I'll be happy instead of disgusted. That may be why we don't hear what is going on. It would be bad for fighting morale. A man would wonder if it was worth fighting for a country and ideals that produce such poor specimens of manhood. I still don't know what we are really fighting this war for but this much I do know. I'm willing to fight or do anything else that will end this thing and get me back home to the one I love. Give me that and let the fools do their fighting over things that are all in the past and can't be helped now. Let's quit stalling and do something.
Gosh, something got me started didn't it?
Just another day, this morning. This afternoon I hauled out my sewing kit and did I look domestic. Busy as a bee, sewing patches on salvage clothes the army gave us today. Since I'm back in the grease and wearing suntans you can imagine that I can use more than three sets of clothes. Even if they aren't too dirty in a couple days they smell so bad a man can't even stand himself. Lifeboy or anything else isn't very effective on B.O. down here. I picked out three more sets, shirts & pants, that weren't too bad. Rips and tears here and there, not worn out, so I did me some fancy patching. Don't laugh, darn you. I didn't do too bad a job at that. In fact, I think it's almost as good as you'd do. I don't care if you can't sew, you can sure do plenty of other things. Love is one. Expert at that. Cook is another. Expert at that too. Aw, honey, I could go on and fill this sheet and the greatest part would carry an expert rating too. I'm in love with you.
Did you know it?
Today was P.X. day again. I got the usual candy bar and pack of gum. They were also selling manufactured Christmas cards on V-mail so I guess the story I heard was only another rumor. No official notice anyhow.
Tomorrow morning, bright and early, if it isn't raining, we're taking off for the beach for the day. Brownie, Mac, Sam, and I. Sounds good doesn't it? I haven't been there in quite some time and I don't have much to keep me from going. Only a letter to you and a couple duty letters. I can get yours in the evening and if I don't get to the others they will keep a day or so. Of course that means no progress on the surprises. That's mean isn't it? Always telling you about them and not getting them done. I'll try to hurry them a bit, honey, so hold on.
Now to answer some letters. Sept 24. Gosh, honey, it sounds like a librarian has to be an information bureau and know nearly everything. I can see right now that I'll have a lot of learning to catch up on so you won't be too far ahead of me. You'd better like your dumb old husband though and give him time to catch up to you. I'm pretty nice anyhow. I think. Your work does sound very interesting. Think I'd even like it myself, at least until I got tired of a white collar.
I should think you wouldn't know it all in 6 weeks, you silly. Sounds like you need an even wider range of knowledge than it takes to run a hardware store. I worked at that for ten years and still didn't know it all by a long way. It is slightly similar, isn't it? See all kinds of customers every day and asked all sorts of questions. Nice people, grouchy people, sensible questions and crazy ones. Variety anyhow. I used to sometimes get pretty tired of seeing people and trying to please them but I did rather like it anyhow. Remember? I'd say I wanted to stay home where it was peaceful and I didn't have to see anyone but you. I don't guess it affects you like that though. You're gregarious and I'm not. Only one person I want to be with all the time. A female too. Think of that. She's big, beautiful, intriguing, exciting, sweet, and comfortable to have around. She asks crazy questions and teases me once in a while. Follows me around and wants to know where I'm going or what I'm doing and why don't I just be nice and sit by her and talk or play something with her, but even then I love it all. It's all part of her charm and part of the most idyllic life I've ever lived. I love her so much. She's Mrs. Effinger, my wife! I'll stick by her as much as possible the rest of my life and try to be a worthy husband. Quite a big promise to live up to isn't it?
No, I don't get you, but I do know what you mean by needing a good taking care of. You've got it coming at the first opportunity I get. I need it too, very badly. I hope, as you say, you are big and healthy and won't have any trouble with the little "it". You are the type all right. The kind the Germans want to build up their "super race". Ed's expression, "Built for service" is descriptive and applicable. As for me, all I can say is I'm healthy and plenty willing. We'll prove or disprove the able part of it later.
Don't worry, honey. You can talk as you please. No one but me will ever read your letters. It's like you used to talk anyhow, isn't it?
Honey, your ability to estimate men from their pictures amazes me. You have most of them tagged as good as I and I know them personally. They all made the march with flying colors. Mathews and Pendleton were the only two that didn't keep up the last day. You see the leaders purposely tried to loose us that last day. See if we had any reserve left. We had it. They hurt themselves as much as us. Even the native guides said, " Him bunch of men, not Mary's" this time. This particular school had the highest record and most excellent ratings ever given.
You said the gang looks like a bunch of rugged boys to you. Well, just think, honey, I must be quite a way from dead yet 'cause I had the honor of receiving the highest rating among them. Spence, Mathews and myself were the only men over 30 in the group. Pretty good aren't I?
I guess I didn't tell you that Spencer and Williams came back down the trail with Mathews, Pendleton, Westerman, and me in a party of our own. Spencer and Williams are real trail mates.
They have my respect now.
You may be wondering why I only used their last names. New censorship rules. No rank or duties mentioned.
I guess you'll get along alright. Getting an extra day off for a cold in the head. Different than school teaching isn't it? You don't know how tickled I am about your new job. I wanted you to be doing something you like to do. If being a teacher instead of a librarian for a time had anything to do with my getting you for a wife, I'm selfishly glad you put in those disagreeable years. I'd be hurtin if I didn't have you. Probably be an old bachelor yet. My idea of a hell of a life, now.
I do hope your cold pills do the trick for you. The few dollars they cost are well spent if they work. I think they did a lot for me that last two winters.
More help for you. Gus going to hang the storm windows. You got 'em all charmed, haven't you? I sure am glad I got you first. At the way men do things for you now, I wonder why I didn't have so much competition. I would have had to pull tricks like the boys do to get a date with Boots. Good thing for me they didn't wake up sooner.
If you keep reading books on N. Guinea you'll know all about it and it won't be necessary for us to take time out from more pressing matters to talk about it. That's the stuff, sweetheart, I don't want too many other things to do for a long time. Need all my energy to give you that taking care of you want. Got some taking care of myself to do too so I'm thinking I'll be plenty busy and worn out. Boy, but I'll be happy though. I don't mind a bit wearing myself to a frazzle on something I like so, watch out and be on your guard. No holds barred. All's fair in love and I'm a wild man.
Night, sweetheart. You're being loved and loved and kissed and kissed. Gooey too.
Your hubby.
Norm.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Letter # 489 October 6, 1944
New Guinea
Friday eve.
Oct 6, 1944
Hi Luscious;
How's my baby tonight? I know. You're lovely and beautiful and ornery and everything but I'd sure like to be there to find out for myself. You might not be so beautiful when I got through mauling you. Think I'd be kinda wild and need a lot of taming. Could you add animal trainer to your list of accomplishments? The wildness is only on the surface and once trained and petted a bit, I'd settle down into a docile, household critter. Might even be worth the effort to train me. I think I could be pretty nice and handy to have around. I could be taught to fire the furnace, build fires in the fire place, shovel snow, do odd repair jobs about the place, warm your feet for you at night, and lots of such jobs. Think you could use me? I hope so 'cause I'll want such a place after the war. I want it now only Uncle Sam says he needs me and won't let me go till this job is over. Aw, hell, honey. I want to be your husband and do all the things a husband should do. Now what do you say?
No more letters today and after three last night I didn't expect any. I hardly got started to answer them. There isn't any news of any kind so I'll go to work on them now.
I'm glad you are taking care of the Christmas business for us. I knew you would and wasn't worrying about it a bit. You're a handy thing to have around too. More than handy. You, as I remember it, always had to take care of the Christmas buying when I was home. I wasn't too much interested and didn't have too much time to even think about it. I wasn't much help in a lot of ways was I? I'm not going to promise that I'll improve much along those lines but, who knows, I might even change that much.
I don't have any suggestions for Christmas Cards but I do think you'd ought to keep them up. You like them so much and they are nice. Keep the home front going, honey. I'm not there but that's no reason for you to stop things you did even before I was lucky enough to get you for my wife.
I'm going to try to send at least one Xmas greeting of some sort, if I can get any ideas to make one from. Know who is going to get it? My beautiful, sweet, chubby wife. That's who.
I have heard something about the use of V mail for greetings and cartoons being prohibited. It's only rumor so far. I can't see what difference it makes, but if true, I'll make it and send it raw on other paper.
I don't think you'll need to worry a bit about the road men harming our pines. They assured me last spring that any thing in the landscape line that was already in would be left. The main idea of the project is to sod or hold those big big banks from eroding so much and spoiling all the work they had formerly done on it. They'll have me plenty mad too if they should happen to disturb them. Those trees are very special to me. Brought home from our honeymoon trip. Why wouldn't they be rather special? The wife I brought home is very special. Nothing better harm her either. I loves you, honey.
I haven't seen the "Life" you mention but I have heard a bit about the demobilization plans. Even though I'd like to I can't find too much fault with them and be fair. When they speak of it taking a year to demobilize a million men from the European Theater they aren't planning on the miracle that probably won't happen, that could end both wars at the same time. The war in Europe ending has no affect on us in this area other than the help and concerted effort that will then be thrown at the Japs here. It might relieve some of the boys that have been here fighting for so long. It should. They have earned the right to quit and go home. The same goes for the boys that have been over so long in Europe. The fresh men will all be put over here and stay until it's all over. That is why they will be let out slowly. If both wars end quickly the program will have to be speeded up enormously. If no new legislation is enacted, and I can't see it being allowed in a Democracy, the boys that want out are supposed to be out in six months. Remember, duration plus six months. That is almost an impossible job in so short a time but I do believe it will be as fast as possible. There will be plenty of young fellows that won't want out and that will help us that do.
This war is largely politics and a change in administration may help but I don't look for very much. It'll take time to straighten out in any event. I'm not trying to be pessimistic, honey but you've been trying to give me your picture of it so I'm giving you mine. I'm hoping like hell, the same as you and lots of others, that it will all be over within a year's time and all the boys back home again. I'll never loose that hope but when I look back at the realistic side and with what little I can see first hand, I actually can't even see an end to this damn thing for far longer than I care to think about. That break or miracle or whatever you call such a thing that I'm pinning my hopes on is the only quick end I can see. That break has to come from Germany and Japan, not our end. The proper handling of our resources and all out use of them will help plenty. It's still an awful big job. This, of course, is entirely my own estimate of things in a hard sense manner and isn't any more right than the next fellows. I'm terribly afraid we're going to be hurtin for some time yet. You have been telling me you can take it and I'm giving it straight the way I see it. My heart doesn't see it that way by a long shot. When I went into the army I would have bet money or anything that I'd be home within 18 months at the outside. I was wrong. Let's hope I'm as wrong this time.
No, honey, I haven't got a blue spell or anything like it so don't get upset. I haven't been talking to you about such things and I probably won't again for some time, but I've purposely not answered a lot of your comments about the situation that I just decided to get it all over with at one time. You may get the idea that your political views brought this on but they didn't. I voted the same as you'll vote, so there too. I love you.
That's the first time, I believe, that I ever told you how I voted. Usually I'm nonpartisan so I keep quiet on politics. I'm hard to get an argument out of on either politics or religion. There, I've shown you another dark corner of my head that no one has ever seen before. These letters sure bring things to light that I'd never think of pulling out in face to face talks. Hope you can get what I mean from all this. Anyhow, you can be sure of one thing. I'm on your side 100%. I want to be 100% by your side and damn soon too. I'm loving you, you know.
Gee, I went off on a tangent there didn't I sweetheart ? Now I'll get back to your letters and loving you a bit.
Sweetheart, you may be slipping, so you need notes to get all you intend in a letter, but, if the camera and your letters don't lie, that is the only way you are slipping in the least. That look in your eye! Gosh, honey, I'd follow that anywhere, anytime. You really put plenty in that. Silly. Do I like the picture? I guess you know by now. I love it and look at it and even pet it once in a while. Feel it? I do. Tingles me good. Both of us. Get down "rover". Like my little bracelet too. Wear it all the time. Even in the shower. Darn it all, I can't seem to say it, but I love you and anything you do. So there too, my darling.
I just took time out and ate two whole slices of bread thickly spread with the best strawberry jam. Some nice girl that would make a perfect wife sent it to me. Not red headed either. She is my perfect wife now and am I glad I gotcha. The jam was dandy. Easy to dream of things that were and will be again with that to start on. Hope it's soon.
Don't send me a bigger copy of the picture. I'd like it but it would only get spoiled. Save it till I come home and I'll put it on my dresser to act as a reminder of the times I wanted you so much and didn't have you. Sort of a "resolution keeper". Get me? You will and plenty. You are and can always be my pin up girl only I want you to be a real live pin up. Much better and just as faithful as any paper doll could be. By the way. You are my only pin up now. My others all got spoiled by the dampness, even the bare model likeness. You got 'em beat a mile anyhow.
Here I have used all my space and in two nights haven't covered one of your letters. I guess I can stretch them too. I like to just talk when I can get started even if it is crazy. Sounds like me when I ramble like this? It is anyhow.
Night, my darling, three "B" girl. I'm loving you so darn much I could nearly eat you up. Do a lot of chewing anyhow. Like a demonstration? I love you. You're my perfect wife.
Your hubby.
Norm.
Friday eve.
Oct 6, 1944
Hi Luscious;
How's my baby tonight? I know. You're lovely and beautiful and ornery and everything but I'd sure like to be there to find out for myself. You might not be so beautiful when I got through mauling you. Think I'd be kinda wild and need a lot of taming. Could you add animal trainer to your list of accomplishments? The wildness is only on the surface and once trained and petted a bit, I'd settle down into a docile, household critter. Might even be worth the effort to train me. I think I could be pretty nice and handy to have around. I could be taught to fire the furnace, build fires in the fire place, shovel snow, do odd repair jobs about the place, warm your feet for you at night, and lots of such jobs. Think you could use me? I hope so 'cause I'll want such a place after the war. I want it now only Uncle Sam says he needs me and won't let me go till this job is over. Aw, hell, honey. I want to be your husband and do all the things a husband should do. Now what do you say?
No more letters today and after three last night I didn't expect any. I hardly got started to answer them. There isn't any news of any kind so I'll go to work on them now.
I'm glad you are taking care of the Christmas business for us. I knew you would and wasn't worrying about it a bit. You're a handy thing to have around too. More than handy. You, as I remember it, always had to take care of the Christmas buying when I was home. I wasn't too much interested and didn't have too much time to even think about it. I wasn't much help in a lot of ways was I? I'm not going to promise that I'll improve much along those lines but, who knows, I might even change that much.
I don't have any suggestions for Christmas Cards but I do think you'd ought to keep them up. You like them so much and they are nice. Keep the home front going, honey. I'm not there but that's no reason for you to stop things you did even before I was lucky enough to get you for my wife.
I'm going to try to send at least one Xmas greeting of some sort, if I can get any ideas to make one from. Know who is going to get it? My beautiful, sweet, chubby wife. That's who.
I have heard something about the use of V mail for greetings and cartoons being prohibited. It's only rumor so far. I can't see what difference it makes, but if true, I'll make it and send it raw on other paper.
I don't think you'll need to worry a bit about the road men harming our pines. They assured me last spring that any thing in the landscape line that was already in would be left. The main idea of the project is to sod or hold those big big banks from eroding so much and spoiling all the work they had formerly done on it. They'll have me plenty mad too if they should happen to disturb them. Those trees are very special to me. Brought home from our honeymoon trip. Why wouldn't they be rather special? The wife I brought home is very special. Nothing better harm her either. I loves you, honey.
I haven't seen the "Life" you mention but I have heard a bit about the demobilization plans. Even though I'd like to I can't find too much fault with them and be fair. When they speak of it taking a year to demobilize a million men from the European Theater they aren't planning on the miracle that probably won't happen, that could end both wars at the same time. The war in Europe ending has no affect on us in this area other than the help and concerted effort that will then be thrown at the Japs here. It might relieve some of the boys that have been here fighting for so long. It should. They have earned the right to quit and go home. The same goes for the boys that have been over so long in Europe. The fresh men will all be put over here and stay until it's all over. That is why they will be let out slowly. If both wars end quickly the program will have to be speeded up enormously. If no new legislation is enacted, and I can't see it being allowed in a Democracy, the boys that want out are supposed to be out in six months. Remember, duration plus six months. That is almost an impossible job in so short a time but I do believe it will be as fast as possible. There will be plenty of young fellows that won't want out and that will help us that do.
This war is largely politics and a change in administration may help but I don't look for very much. It'll take time to straighten out in any event. I'm not trying to be pessimistic, honey but you've been trying to give me your picture of it so I'm giving you mine. I'm hoping like hell, the same as you and lots of others, that it will all be over within a year's time and all the boys back home again. I'll never loose that hope but when I look back at the realistic side and with what little I can see first hand, I actually can't even see an end to this damn thing for far longer than I care to think about. That break or miracle or whatever you call such a thing that I'm pinning my hopes on is the only quick end I can see. That break has to come from Germany and Japan, not our end. The proper handling of our resources and all out use of them will help plenty. It's still an awful big job. This, of course, is entirely my own estimate of things in a hard sense manner and isn't any more right than the next fellows. I'm terribly afraid we're going to be hurtin for some time yet. You have been telling me you can take it and I'm giving it straight the way I see it. My heart doesn't see it that way by a long shot. When I went into the army I would have bet money or anything that I'd be home within 18 months at the outside. I was wrong. Let's hope I'm as wrong this time.
No, honey, I haven't got a blue spell or anything like it so don't get upset. I haven't been talking to you about such things and I probably won't again for some time, but I've purposely not answered a lot of your comments about the situation that I just decided to get it all over with at one time. You may get the idea that your political views brought this on but they didn't. I voted the same as you'll vote, so there too. I love you.
That's the first time, I believe, that I ever told you how I voted. Usually I'm nonpartisan so I keep quiet on politics. I'm hard to get an argument out of on either politics or religion. There, I've shown you another dark corner of my head that no one has ever seen before. These letters sure bring things to light that I'd never think of pulling out in face to face talks. Hope you can get what I mean from all this. Anyhow, you can be sure of one thing. I'm on your side 100%. I want to be 100% by your side and damn soon too. I'm loving you, you know.
Gee, I went off on a tangent there didn't I sweetheart ? Now I'll get back to your letters and loving you a bit.
Sweetheart, you may be slipping, so you need notes to get all you intend in a letter, but, if the camera and your letters don't lie, that is the only way you are slipping in the least. That look in your eye! Gosh, honey, I'd follow that anywhere, anytime. You really put plenty in that. Silly. Do I like the picture? I guess you know by now. I love it and look at it and even pet it once in a while. Feel it? I do. Tingles me good. Both of us. Get down "rover". Like my little bracelet too. Wear it all the time. Even in the shower. Darn it all, I can't seem to say it, but I love you and anything you do. So there too, my darling.
I just took time out and ate two whole slices of bread thickly spread with the best strawberry jam. Some nice girl that would make a perfect wife sent it to me. Not red headed either. She is my perfect wife now and am I glad I gotcha. The jam was dandy. Easy to dream of things that were and will be again with that to start on. Hope it's soon.
Don't send me a bigger copy of the picture. I'd like it but it would only get spoiled. Save it till I come home and I'll put it on my dresser to act as a reminder of the times I wanted you so much and didn't have you. Sort of a "resolution keeper". Get me? You will and plenty. You are and can always be my pin up girl only I want you to be a real live pin up. Much better and just as faithful as any paper doll could be. By the way. You are my only pin up now. My others all got spoiled by the dampness, even the bare model likeness. You got 'em beat a mile anyhow.
Here I have used all my space and in two nights haven't covered one of your letters. I guess I can stretch them too. I like to just talk when I can get started even if it is crazy. Sounds like me when I ramble like this? It is anyhow.
Night, my darling, three "B" girl. I'm loving you so darn much I could nearly eat you up. Do a lot of chewing anyhow. Like a demonstration? I love you. You're my perfect wife.
Your hubby.
Norm.
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