February 28, 1968: Mixed Emotions

Second letter postmarked February 28, 1968: The CCZCC extends its winning streak to 29.

Dear Mother and Mike,

Get ready for my homecoming - March 3 (arrival time 2:30 AM Dallas time). I know you're all going to hate us for that ungodly hour and I can't blame you. Please forgive us and try to understand. Dave says he feels like we're no better than the Dirrs, imposing on y'all this way.

Do whatever you think best about picking us up at the airport. If it would be better on all of you for just Wayne to be there (I realize Mike must go to school the next day and you have to go to work), that will be fine with me. Secretly, I am hoping maybe you can take Monday or part of Monday off, but that is just wishing on my part - there's always Monday night for me to talk you to death.

[Since 1968 was a leap year, March 3 was a Sunday. So our flight must have departed L. A. the evening of Sunday, March 3 and arrived in Dallas at 2:30 AM on Monday, March 4. We would have flown into Love Field in Dallas since DFW Airport didn't open for commercial service until January of 1974.] [Fun Fact #1: The first landing of a supersonic Concorde jet in the US occurred during the DFW Airport dedication ceremonies in September of 1973.] [Fun Fact #2: One night in the early 1970s, my parents were out with some friends (Jim and Bernie Pyland). I don't know if they took a wrong turn or what, but they ended up driving on one of the runways at DFW Airport before it opened.]

Needless to say, David Wayne is excited. He drew a picture the other night of an airplane, stick-figure people on the airplane, and stick figures of all of you standing on the ground. He said, "If Knucklehead is there and if he feels like it, I'm going to give him a sock in the nose." He hasn't mentioned any punishment for the rest of you, but you better have your guard up anyway.

[I must have grown out of this violent stage rather quickly, as I don't remember being that way at all.]

Dave is another sad story. He has been gloomy and depressed ever since he called the airport. He was all for me going (relieved is a better expression) and he was just fine until it came to actually setting the day and hour. Of course, he tries to hide it, but I know him too well for him to fool me. He's miserable! He won't know anyone here (Hansens are leaving Friday) and there just won't be anything for him to do. I just pray he'll only have to spend one weekend by himself. He admitted the other night he didn't think he could stand the peace and quiet without David Wayne here.

[Awwwww . . . And to think that Dad was a bachelor just a year and a half ago.]

And then, too, he's worried about me having to get all the utilities turned on, the house cleaned, etc. He feels he should be the one to take care of those chores.

I am pretty excited myself about coming home and seeing all of you again. I would be happier if Dave could be there, too. There is so much for me to do and tales to tell and people to see that I can keep very busy the two weeks Dave is out here. I do hope you've already called the Browns about the baby bed. I really don't feel up to a reunion with them. If Mike could get it beforehand, he'll just have to run over and get it, whereas if I have to go, it'll be like "old-home" week and I'd have a lengthy visit. Not that I dislike them, but I just want to spend time with my family, or shopping for baby things, or just plain resting. And I can't forget about the rest as I'm at that point of pregnancy where I am big, uncomfortable, and tired. The "tired business" has been almost from the first month, however.

[Thank goodness we won't have to hear about this baby bed any more. That was getting as old as the baby food warmer.]

We have just about everything packed - you should see the boxes! It will take a magician to get them all in the car.

[As previously mentioned, it's a 1965 Pontiac Bonneville. No problem.]

I still have my kitchen stuff to get ready, but I can get that done Saturday. Dave has done all the packing and I just supervised, so I'm not worn out in the least bit. We've been doing a little each night so this weekend with Dave will be pleasant and relaxing. We'll call this weekend and tell you the flight number - probably we'll call Wayne, too.

I received a disturbing letter from the Jennings. It seems Mr. J., having nothing better to do, called Wayne to make sure he'd pick me up. In fact, it seems he's called Wayne often lately. The man had also called an airport and found out that I'm not supposed to fly (against regulations during eighth month) so he was all stirred up over that and naturally, told us exactly what to do. As you know, I've never had any complaints about Dave's parents - they're wonderful. But for just a moment as I read that letter, I felt the same about Mr. J. as I did about Charles' dad. (Remember how he was always telling us how to do things.)

[Charles was my biological father. It sounds like Mom had issues with her first father-in-law.]

Dave is embarrassed about his dad calling Wayne. I hope it didn't make Wayne mad. I guess since he retired he's got nothing better to do than worry about his sons. Dave says he never has been that way too much before. Well, we will just have to keep in mind that he means well.

[That's a good way to look at it. Consider the intentions. Another suggestion I heard a few years ago that really helps is to assume stupidity before malice.]

I better get this in the mail. Can't wait to see you and talk and talk and talk. I'll just never run down.

Love,

Linda

[And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the final letter. On March 4 I'll have a blog post about the trip home.]

February 26, 1968: Planning and Packing

Letter postmarked February 28, 1968: I believe this letter was written Monday or Tuesday, February 26 or 27. The CCZCC extends its winning streak to 28.

Dear Mother and Mike,

Maybe I can do better on corresponding this week. The post office holiday fouled me up last week - also I ran out of stamps and envelopes. More than anything, though, I'm just excited about coming home and I can't seem to be able to get anything organized - thoughts, packing, etc.

Dave didn't get around to calling the airport last week so I still haven't been able to make definite plans. This special "night coach" just runs on certain days (I have no idea which days) so I can't say for sure - around March 3 though. I hope none of you mind us coming in at night, but it's so much cheaper that I can't see doing it any other way. I wish we'd known about this flight when you came out - on second thought, I don't think it was available then.

[That's the first mention of a possible departure date. I guess we aren't going to take that trip to San Diego.]

We did quite a bit of packing on Thursday as Dave had a holiday. We have accumulated so much "junk" since July it's just unbelievable. Even if I get things packed, I don't see how Dave will squeeze things in the car.

[It's a 1965 Pontiac Bonneville. No problem.]

Your letter really puzzled me about Les Mills. I will be anxious to hear about that and even more anxious to hear about the Hawaii trip. Ye Gads! - they aren't really serious about Mike going? I was awfully proud of Mike when he refused that trip this summer - and I sure hope he says "no" to this proposal.

I was so glad to read that Mike was going to work this summer. I sure hope he does as, personally, I think it's the best experience for a young person. I know I didn't like it at the time, but when I really think about it now, work was the best thing I ever did. You know, I'm glad Mike has gone all these places, but if he goes everywhere what can he look forward to when he gets older?

I certainly appreciate Wayne getting the car ready for me. Did you say he put on a new tire? I guess I'll just wait until I get home to settle with him. You also said Bob was with him - did you mean Jim Pyland?

[The car being referred to here was my mother's car, which I'm guessing was something like a 1964 Chevy Bel Air, or perhaps a Biscayne.]

I didn't get the letter in time to send Daddy a birthday card. I knew his birthday was in February but I never even thought about it until too late. Linda had never told me about the picture they got from Daddy. You and Mike will get a kick out of this: A few weeks ago we received a letter from Adelia. (She doesn't write very often because she says her hand fits a hammer better than a pencil.) In the letter she mentioned that the weather had been terrible and that all of their yard was one big mud puddle. She always puts in one or two lines especially for David Wayne and it's always been something about their livestock. In this letter she wrote, "Tell David Wayne that my cats have been going crazy running all over the yard trying to find a dry place to crap." When I read the letter, I just howled but I wish you could have seen Dave's face as he read it - his reaction was funnier to me than what she wrote. We did not pass the information on to David Wayne.

[Well, crap. I missed out on a good laugh there. I do remember one instance during my pre-teen or teenage years when I used the word "crap" in a similar context and I was surprised Mom considered that foul language.]

I just can't believe I'll be home in a few days. I am kinda leery about seeing Dr. Tatum because I never wrote him. I must see him immediately - say like the day after I get home. I really think that I should be taking some kind of vitamin K (?) or something for my blood. The doctor out here said (this was way back in September when he thought I'd be his patient only a couple of months) that my Texas doctor would probably prescribe something since he knew about the bleeding problem. I forgot about it and the doctor forgot about it, so I'm not taking anything. When last I saw Dr. Tatum he said I had a cyst and he also gave me another prescription for the "pill." I'm going to walk in his office and say, "I'm going to have a cyst in a couple of weeks." When I do find out for sure what flight I'll take, I'll call you. Then you better call Dr. Tatum for me and make an appointment - the soonest one you can get. This may even qualify as an emergency!

[Now that we know Mom had a prescription for birth control pills at the time, the question we'll probably never know the answer to is whether or not she was trying to get pregnant while we were in Los Angeles. Initially I would think not since they surely didn't want to run the risk of having, as my dad would say, a foreign-born child. On the other hand, when we first moved there they thought we'd be moving back before Christmas, so maybe she was trying to get pregnant.]

We had a lovely weekend - weather wise and all. David Wayne caught bugs outside and he wore short pants, light T-shirt, and went barefoot. Even with that dress, he had to come into the house to cool off - we ran our air conditioner all weekend.

Saturday I felt kinda blah - I hadn't slept too well Friday night. Dave had to get a haircut and when he returned he brought me a bouquet of flowers. Remember that little flower stand not too far from our apartment? You commented on the sign "BOKAYS." Well, he had walked to the barber shop instead of driving, just so he could go by there and get them. I was just delighted with them. He also offered to cook supper that night. I hadn't planned on that so I didn't have the right kind of meat for cooking out. Well, the food was not a success and after we took about three bites, Dave said, "Get dressed you two, let's go eat out." David Wayne jumped up from that table and was dressed in two minutes, but it took me a little longer - five minutes. We moved so fast, poor Dave was stunned and didn't have a chance to back out. I left dishes, food, etc. on the table and we went over to the Bull 'n Bush for a delicious meal of prime rib. We really made a mistake introducing David Wayne to prime rib as he can eat as much as anyone. You know how the waiters come around after you finish and ask you about dessert? Well, Saturday night this happened and Dave said no and I shook my head no, but David Wayne said, "Nothing for me, thank you." The waiter took about two steps away from our table, stopped, looked back at David Wayne, and then started smiling. Later, we could see him telling everyone in the place about the little boy.

[If he only knew what a little hellion I could be the rest of the time . . .]

Sunday we sat outside with David Wayne most of the afternoon. He played with all his Matchbox cars. Dave is full of surprises - he suggested we call the Hansens and eat out again! This we did and, as always, enjoyed being with them.

Today I've got to get busy and pack some more. Dave promised to call the airport today and check on when I can leave. He knows we have to leave and he wants me to, but still he hates to set a definite departure date. Things will be awfully quiet without David Wayne around and I don't think Dave is going to be happy - he's used to David Wayne's noise and my moans and groans. He gets a big kick just watching me getting up and down from a chair with my big stomach - who is he going to laugh at? A lot of men would enjoy being away from their wife and kids for a week or so, but not Dave. He's really a nut - yesterday as we sat outside, he said, "I wish I could be home mowing the yard." This from the man that told me before we married that he wanted green concrete for a lawn!

[Dad did like mowing the yard, and one of his favorite things to do was stand outside on the front porch and watch the grass grow.]

I better get this in the mail or I'll never get anything done. I'll call soon.

Love,

Linda

February 23, 1968: Doctor, doctor, gimme the news

Letter postmarked February 23, 1968 (Part 2, written the afternoon of February 21): In Part 1 of this letter, Mom's doctor (Dr. Danno) informed her that the baby might come early and she might be having twins, so he referred her to a specialist (Dr. Wright). Let's see what the specialist has to say.

Results from Dr. Wright: (1) He gave me a thorough examination and says the baby probably will not come for another six weeks. (2) He also thinks I should fly home end of next week or first of following week (3) No twins - in fact, this doctor was able to tell me that the baby is now about 11" long and weighs 4 lbs. I really did like this specialist and I'd give anything if I'd been going to him all along. I could talk with him easily and I really have confidence in his opinion. I will see him the day before I leave to come home just to make sure everything is alright.

[So the twin scare is officially over. That's something else I don't recall Mom ever mentioning. Dr. Wright's prediction is delivery in about six weeks, so that puts the anticipated delivery date in early April. We shall see.] [The fly vs. drive home decision appears to be settled now, too, based on Dr. Wright's recommendation. Mom and I might be outta here within two weeks. The end is nigh . . .]

Dave thought I might get depressed over going home early and no twins (we both were disappointed) so he took me over to the Hansen's. We all ate out together and wound up yakking until midnight. Gee, we're going to miss them. They have asked us to come and visit them in Denver in June. Barbara and Erland love Denver and really know the town well so they could show us a good time. Of course, we can't plan anything because of the baby, but it's fun to dream.

The Dirrs left Tuesday morning. I do not miss them as yet and I rather doubt that I will. They just aren't our kind of people. A favorite expression of theirs - used about me in my condition and used quite frequently to describe Suzie herself - was "drop a kid" instead of having a baby. Have you ever heard anything so crude? Every time I heard it, I'd wince and see myself as a cow.

[The Dirrs were in L. A. less than four months, and although they weren't "our kind of people" they certainly made our stay there more interesting and kept Mom from being as bored as she was the first couple of months there. Overall I'd say it was a positive that our paths crossed.]

I got your letter on Monday so I'll answer your questions, statements, etc. I swear I just don't know what to think about Sara. She just goes from bad to worse. In a way I feel sorry for her and in another way I just get disgusted. We might as well face it - she'll never get old because she just never grew up.

[Well, Aunt Sara turned 99 on Christmas Day of 2017, so Mom's prediction of her never getting old turned out to be somewhat inaccurate.]

I know I wrote you about our big weekend so I'll let that pass. Surely you've received that letter by now.

Dave and I haven't made any definite plans on my leaving. As I said before, Dave tried to show me a good time last night so I wouldn't be depressed (He succeeded!) and we really didn't have a chance to discuss dates. I know Dave will arrive on the weekend in the car - either March 9 or 16. I know I'll stay here this week and possibly all next week (February 25 - March 1.) If (and that's a big if) Dave will let me, I'd like to stay over that weekend with him and leave Sunday night, the third. The reason I'd like to stay the weekend with him is so he won't get lonely. I don't worry about him during the week because he'll be working, but the weekends may be rough on him alone - Barbara and Erland won't even be here then as they are leaving March 1.

David Wayne and I will be coming in at night rather than daytime. There is a night coach from L. A. to Dallas that costs only $55. Then it'll be around half of that for David Wayne, so it won't cost much. In fact, we figured that the price will be about the same with me flying - Dave won't have to rent a trailer which was $55, the motel won't cost as much with just one as it did for the three of us, and buying two meals a day for just one person is cheaper than 8 meals for three (Dave doesn't eat breakfast.) Also, I think Dave will be able to drive it in two days instead of three - he can get earlier starts and probably drive a few hours longer at night and the stops won't be as long.

[Well, darn. I don't get to sit in the front seat with Daddy on our drive back to Texas.]

Whatever happens I will let you know as soon as our plans are complete. I can hardly wait to see everybody and David Wayne is beside himself. Dave hates to see me go, but he is really relieved and I can understand why. I feel better knowing that he'll get home before the baby is born - I just didn't want him to miss that!

Well, I'll close - I'm just rattling anyway. Hey, see if you can get that baby bed before I get home. I will start work immediately on the nursery. That will give me a lot to do so I won't miss Dave so much. Can't wait to see you!

Love,

Linda

[No, this was not the last letter. I'll let you know when that one's posted.]

February 16, 1968: Baby prep, moving prep

Letter postmarked February 16, 1968: The CCZCC extends its winning streak to 26. FYI, this is post number 150. We probably won't make it to 200.

Dear Mother and Mike,

I have absolutely no "news" to write since the last time I wrote, but I thought I better let you know we're still alright. Barbara Hansen's parents have been visiting her all week so she hasn't been over to get me out of the apartment. I have really missed seeing her and going places with her. Suzie came over yesterday afternoon, but there is a difference of listening to someone (all I can do with Suzie) and talking with someone (like Barbara and I do.)

[Ain't it the truth?]

Suzie came over and told me all about how it was going to be during her pregnancy and delivery. Since she's had "all this medical training," she knew all about everything. At one point she informed me, "having a baby is equivalent to major surgery, you know." Why how would I know? I've only had a baby, never had all that medical training myself. She is really sumpin' but Dave and I can't figure out what - Dave has a name but I dare not put it in a letter. You'll never believe this but Gene wants to go into the delivery room with her (yes, I said delivery, not labor) and take pictures with their movie camera. Now, if that doesn't give you some idea of why they disgust us so much, nothing I could ever tell you will. We never go around them though, so the only time we have to put up with them is when they visit us - which hasn't been too often since New Year's.

Being with the Hansens has offset the bad of being with the Dirrs. All three of us just love Erland and Barbara and can have more fun with them. To illustrate David Wayne's fondness for them, I'll tell you what he said one night: We were talking about going home and David Wayne was raving on about this being a "no-good" town, etc. Then he stopped raving and said, "I want to go back to Texas, but I sure will miss Barbara and Erland - I like them."

[I guess my parents didn't try to keep it a secret from me how unhappy they were in L. A., if I was ranting about what a no-good town it was.]

Yesterday was Valentine's Day and David Wayne was fluttering around like it was Christmas. He made cards for me and Dave and he enjoyed sending cards to all of you in Texas. We also had him send one to the Sivells and the Hansens. The Hansens gave him a box of candy and a huge Valentine that rocks back and forth. Dave really surprised me by saying that he would get something for David Wayne from us. You know, I do all shopping and gift buying, so this suggestion of his put me in a state of shock. Dave picked out a really cute card and then he got him a bunch of comic books. David Wayne loves comic books and he can recognize many of the words that are used over and over in them. Also, after I read them to him once or twice, he "reads" them back to me - practically word for word. By the way, we try to be careful in the books we select - Walt Disney books are good, also Casper is another favorite of his. Dave got him a Batman comic book a few weeks ago but David Wayne doesn't look at it as much as he does the others.

[I remember having a few comic books when I was very young, but I don't recall ever reading them much after I learned to read. I did love the Batman TV show, though, so it's surprising I didn't look at that comic book too much. Maybe it was a little darker than the campy TV series.]

You'll never guess what David Wayne and I bought for Dave - a pair of underwear with hearts all over them. No, he does not need underwear, but they were so wild and David Wayne had such a fit over them that we got them anyway. Dave said he never expected me to buy him any underwear.

Dave says it'll soon be time to start packing! He's as anxious as David Wayne and me about coming home. I still get in a frenzy thinking about all the work ahead of me in Texas, but I'll still be glad to get home. I'm hoping we can make a trip to San Diego before we leave, but Dave is playing the "stalling" game so I have doubts.

Since I have no other news, I'll close. Take care of yourself and tell Mike to slow down. We'll really be looking forward to our homecoming.

Love,

Linda

February 8, 1968: Bugs not bugs

Letter postmarked February 8, 1968 (Part 2, written February 7 and 8):

Well, I must close (it's morning now). I have to get dressed for the big shopping trip. Dave slept well last night and didn't talk in his sleep about the money I'm going to spend. You never have commented on his talking in sleep and I thought you'd really get a bang out of that.

By the way, have I ever mentioned to you that Dave smokes cigars now? He started it Christmas when Hartford was here. Thought I might better warn all of you. It doesn't bother me and he's very considerate - doesn't smoke them in the car (too close), nor does he smell up other people's houses. David Wayne loves it because he gets all the cigar boxes.

[I do remember having cigar boxes for craft projects, such as that Christmas gift I gave to Dad. I can also remember occasionally making a guitar out of a cigar box and rubber bands. I know Dad didn't smoke cigars consistently after we moved back to Texas, it was more of an occasional thing as I recall.]

I really must go now. I wonder what David Wayne will pull on me and Barbara today. As Barbara says, it's always an adventure when we take David Wayne places - sometimes he behaves so well and other times he's got so much energy that we come home exhausted. Barbara is very thoughtful - she is knitting a beautiful shawl-type carriage cover for our baby. So not to make David Wayne become jealous, she told him she was knitting it for him to give his baby brother or sister. Every time we go over there, he has her get out "his" knitting and let him see how it is coming along.

[Written February 8]

I didn't get this mailed yesterday before we left, so I'll just tell you about yesterday. We started out by walking the few blocks to Barbara's apartment and David Wayne found two slimy worms on the way. Naturally, he wanted to show them to Barbara, but I didn't figure she'd care for worms so we found them a home in the plant box outside. Then we got Barbara and walked about half a block to the bus stop - on the way David Wayne (yes, in just that short distance) collected 6 bugs (the roll up in a ball kind).

[Roly poly. Pill bug. Scientific name Armadillidiidae. Here are some interesting facts I didn't know about roly polies until I looked for the scientific name:

They aren't bugs. They're crustaceans, more closely related to shrimp and crayfish than any insect. (FYI, worms aren't bugs either.)

They don't pee. Instead they secrete ammonia gas through their exoskeleton.

They can drink with their mouth. Or with their anus.

They eat their own poop because they need the copper.

https://www.thoughtco.com/fascinating-facts-about-pillbugs-1968438]

I didn't notice them until we were already on the bus. Barbara and I sat across the aisle from him and watched him taking care of his treasures - so did everyone else on the bus! The bugs made the bus ride fine and David Wayne carefully carried them off the bus. Then as we were walking along the street, a blind man with a seeing eye dog ran into David Wayne - he fell down and doodle bugs scattered all over the sidewalk! He cried for the next three blocks.

[Stupid blind guy! Watch where you're going!]

To make him feel better about the loss of his bugs, we took him to Angels Flight, the world's shortest railroad. So David Wayne really had a big day - his first bus ride and first train ride! Add to this the miles and miles of escalators and elevators we traveled and you get a very excited little boy.

[Oooh, escalators and elevators. Foreshadowing?]

We shopped all the big department stores and finally I bought one on sale for $11. It's a cute little navy and white dress. I can dress it up to wear at night or wear it just plain for daytime.

[That first sentence actually means Mom bought a department store for $11.]

After getting the shopping done we caught the first bus home - we were all three dead. We must have looked dead because Erland and Dave took us out to eat last night. David Wayne was just too tired to misbehave so the meal was wonderful. My feet were so swollen and tired and sore last night, I could hardly walk. Today I think I'll just stay in bed all day.

Got to close and get this mailed. Take care and write often.

Love,

Linda

February 7, 1968: Honky-tonkin'

Letter postmarked February 8, 1968 (Part 1, written February 7):

The CCZCC extends its winning streak to 24.

Dear Mother and Mike,

We got your letter today. Sorry to hear that it was such a long time until you got a letter from me - that must have been the week I ran out of envelopes. I wrote, I just couldn't get the letters mailed.

That was nice of Ann to bring those presents to you and Mike - and, of course, David Wayne. Be sure to save the "Jungle Book" funny book for David. He has one and just loves it, but I'm afraid it won't last much longer. You were right - I never knew you wanted a camel pin. I haven't even seen one in years. I'm glad she brought that to you.

We haven't heard from Wayne and Linda in over a week. I hope that nothing is wrong. I really imagine Linda just doesn't have anything to write about.

[Or perhaps she's busy with a three-month-old infant.]

The time is growing closer and closer for us to come home. We are all getting excited and sorta nervous, too. We have accumulated a lot of stuff and I cannot imagine _how_ we're going to manage. And, as my husband loves to point out - the most important thing we've accumulated is a baby, which will take up the whole back seat along with me. I can't start packing anything yet because we need just about everything we brought. Dave will have to help me more this time as I can't reach up high or bend. Really, I'm so big and uncomfortable, I do very well to just sit or stand up straight. I wish you could come help me. What about this contest you entered?

We have big plans for this weekend. I'm very excited but Dave just has $ signs in his eyes. The Hansens, the McClays (man in charge of this job), and Dave and I are going "out on the town." We are going to start by eating at a fancy restaurant and from there just hitting as many nice bars, clubs, and honky-tonks as we can. I may even get to see one of the topless shows - how about that? The topless show is Barbara's idea - she says she's lived 43 years and never seen anything like that so she'd just like to see if she's missed anything. Believe it or not, my husband is the one that does _not_ want to go. I tease him and say he's afraid he might like it too much and then he would be in trouble.

[I can't imagine my parents together at a topless show. I'm sure Dad was not looking forward to that. I hope we get some details in an upcoming letter.]

David Wayne is happy about us going because he gets to stay with Mrs. Bruffy (a lady that lives in our apartment house. She's 84 years old, but you'd never know it.) She has a big aquarium that David Wayne loves to watch. She is always inviting him to come down and see her fish. He found an old snail one day and he took it to her to keep the aquarium clean. She acted like it thrilled her to death.

[Ok, good to know that I maintained a relationship with the aquarium lady, and now we know her last name.]

Tomorrow, Barbara and I are going shopping in downtown L. A. - it will be a first for me. We are going to catch a bus on Wilshire and ride down so we won't have to fool with traffic, parking, etc. The bus ride will be a first for David Wayne and I think he'll really enjoy it. Can you believe he's never ridden on a city bus? The reason for the trip is to buy me a suitable "honky tonk" dress. I wish I had had Linda Kay mail me those two in Texas, but I never dreamed about going out. When we did start talking about this, it was too late for this slow mail service.

[I guess Mom didn't think about using an overnight package delivery service since those didn't exist until 1973 when Federal Express began operations.]

You must write poor Dave a note of condolence as I'm sure the evening will be expensive. The Hansens and McClays are quite a bit older and more established financially than us so no telling where we'll wind up. I feel proud that we were asked to go along. Both these couples are nice and the kind of people you'd want your kiddos to associate with. There are other young examiners in L. A. (not just the Dirrs, either), and Dave and I are the only ones that have been friendly with this older group. Gee, that sounds like I'm bragging - sorry!

I really got a laugh from Mike's experience at the movie. Of all the people I can think of, he is about the last one I'd think to be affected that way. I haven't told David Wayne yet, but I don't think he'll ever let Mike forget it. He still laughs and tells people about his Uncle Mike who went hunting and came back with a stick of butter.

Flash! Dave was reading his beloved Belton Journal this week when his eyes got big, he put the paper down, looked at me and said, "Our dentist got married." I thought he was talking about the Jennings' family dentist, since our dentist is in Dallas. As it turned out, he was talking about our Dallas dentist, who had married a girl from Belton. She used to live right behind Dave and she was the neighborhood tomboy. (Our dentist is kind of feminine, we thought.) It's a small world, isn't it?

[It's nice to see another mention of the Belton Journal, and Mom's use of "beloved" to describe it. I remember hearing about this relationship when I was growing up, that our dentist was married to a girl who used to live behind the house where my dad grew up. He (Dr. Douglass) was the dentist for our whole family while I was growing up, and I think he was still practicing dentistry and Mom was still seeing him when he died in 2007 at the age of 72. FYI, I never thought he was kind of feminine and Mom never said anything to me along those lines.]

Did I write you that the man who owns this apartment house is going to stick us for a whole month's rent? We pay our rent on the 21st. We'll probably leave around the first of March or before, but he won't let us pay up until that time. I'm pretty mad about it, but Dave isn't - surprised? He says he doesn't want to waste even one day arguing with him. Just as long as he can come home, he doesn't care what it costs.

[We'll end Part 1 of this letter here.]

January 24, 1968: Turtle, Chicken, Byrd

Letter postmarked January 24, 1968 (Part 3):

This is Part 3 of the letter postmarked January 24, 1968.

You asked about the turtle, Snappy. He is just fine and David Wayne plays with him just about every day by taking him into the bathroom and giving him a bath. He also claims he's teaching him to swim. The other big turtle, Mickey, that we bought on Olvera Street died, but it never did much except spit and hiss at us.

[Dead turtles aren't much fun. It sounds like that one wasn't very much fun while he was alive, either. RIP, Mickey. That's a stupid name for a turtle anyway. Everyone knows Mickey is a mouse.]

Oh, about looking up Roy Rogers and Trigger . . . there is a Roy Rogers Museum in Apple Valley and we passed within 10 miles of it on our way to Calico. I said something about going to it but David Wayne showed no interest and neither did Dave after we ran into the heavy traffic. I don't think it would be worth fighting all those cars. The thing David Wayne wants to see is the Batmobile at 20th Century Fox.

[No surprise there. A Batmobile or a horse named Trigger? Hmmm . . .]

I never wrote you the ending to the screen test, did I? Well, Suzie got all dolled up and went over to the studio - located on Fairfax, a very busy street in L. A. She got to wondering what she'd do if they ask her about talent. She said in her East Texas twang, "I can't dance, so I'll have to sing. Now what will I sing?" Sitting in her car on busy Fairfax Street she began practicing on "I Gave My Love a Cherry" from her old Girl Scout camp days. She couldn't remember all the words and none of the right tune, so she gave up, drove home, called the studio and said, "This is Suzie Dirr. Cancel my appointment. I'm chicken!"

[Well that's just too bad. I'm sure Suzie had plenty of talent and would have done fine if she had just practiced a little. If you aren't familiar with that song she was trying to sing, here it is on the Youtubes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaBK0dBV47E]

Via the voodoo doll, Mike - oops! Knuckehead - is seeing the sights in California. David Wayne takes it everywhere we go. He surely does enjoy it. He's sitting in the floor playing with the Matchbox cars and the little circus train. The voodoo doll is laying across the tracks and evidently the train is going to run over it. I'm almost glad you were unable to get the service station because he's been making his own - our shoe boxes are all gone as this is what he's been cutting up, printing signs on them, and painting. He fixed up a service station, a farm, and an animal doctor's building. The service station also doubles as a tunnel for his train. I wrote you that we had to teach him how to play cars, but now he can play _all_ day long with them. The TV never is turned on any more. He hasn't watched even one cartoon since Christmas.

David Wayne is really looking forward to coming home. The first thing he did this morning was to draw a picture of a pelican. When he showed it to us and told us what it was, he said, "I'm going to be looking for one of these today and get it to carry me to Texas in his mouth." I can't imagine what he dreamed about last night. And Dave is just as homesick as David Wayne - he won't rest a minute until he can get me home to have the baby and it will be worse now that he's seen the freeway traffic at night (which I've told him is usually the time most babies come).

[The next part was written Tuesday, January 23.]

I had planned on finishing this letter yesterday but I took a nap. After sleeping I drank a cup of hot tea and guess what - it made me sick. I vomited and felt so weak that I went back to bed. Barbara Hansen came over as I was thinking any minute I'd die. She was going to a discount shoe store and wanted us to go along. What did I do but get dressed, go with her, buy a pair of shoes, and had a wonderful afternoon - not bad for a sick gal, eh?

We picked up Dave and Erland from work and then all of us went to the Hansen's. We listened to some stereo tapes and then walked to a really nice restaurant, Bull 'n Bush, and ate. Our food was delicious - prime beef. It was better this time than the first time we ate there. Again we were very proud of the way David Wayne behaved. He has gotten very fond of Barbara and Erland and just loves to be with them - I'm glad because Dave and I certainly enjoy their company.

Of course, Dave should have come home and gone to bed last night, but he enjoyed the evening. He slept a little longer than usual this morning but said he felt good.

I am sending back the clipping of the "store." Thank you for sending it as we both really enjoyed it. Uncle Byrd looked fairly good in the picture - is it a recent one? He didn't look that good the last time I saw him.

[The clipping about the "store" was a neat article from the November 21, 1967 Denton Record-Chronicle about the closing of the College Store, which my grandmother's aunt and uncle had been operating near the TWU campus since 1916. Uncle Byrd was 85 at the time. Here's a scan of the picture and the title of the article.]

[The address of the store was 1219 Oakland Street in Denton, at the corner of Oakland and East Third Street. It now appears to be the TWU Human Resources building according to Google Street View.]

Also, I'm enclosing a picture of David Wayne that we took Christmas morning. This was the very first picture we took and you can tell he's still got sleep in his eyes.

[This was one of the pictures I showed in the post for the letter that covered Christmas morning, but I'll show it here again so you can follow along with Mom's description.]

The balloon is part of the Johnny Astro toy - the red circle is Mars and the blue is the moon. He really enjoyed this toy, but now that he can work it good, it isn't played with much. The gray and white "8 shaped" thing is his Build-A-Road set for the cars - those sticks on the inside are different road signs and street lights (yellow tops). Right in front of the Santa Claus pinata is the circus train and next to it is the Robot (name - Frank). Between Frank and the train is the Batmobile that does all kinds of weird tricks. Directly being our smiling "ham" is a Slap Trap game - the only thing he asked Santa for and the one thing that he doesn't care much for. If his mother could get on the floor to play _with_ him, he would enjoy the game more.

[Yeah, Slap Trap wasn't very fun by yourself, since the object was to remove the things you were holding onto before your opponent slapped the trap closed. And that's kind of sad to hear about Johnny Astro already being pushed aside after being mastered within a month. I'm pretty sure I played with it some in Texas, though.]

Well, must close sometime. I've got to wash clothes and go to grocery store. Take care and write as often as you can. Congratulate Mike on his giving music lessons!

[I think I previously mentioned that Uncle Mike was in his high school band (trombone). Here it looks like his teaching career started early. Later in life he would teach a few college courses related to the music business.]

Love, 

Linda

January 15, 1968: Dressed to Party

Letter postmarked January 15, 1968:

The CCZCC extends its winning streak to 17.

Dear Mother and Mike,

Boy, it sounds like you are really spoiling Miss Taffy - ham and eggs for breakfast, candy treats, sleeping in front of a fire, etc. I bet she's one in Texas that is in no hurry for us to come home. I appreciate you letting her stay in while the weather is so cold, but what are you doing about the dog hair? David Wayne certainly gets a kick out of your letters about Taffy - especially the part about sitting in Wayne's lap!

I'm sorry that you didn't hear from us for so long, but really the mail service was at fault, not me. Can you believe that around Christmas it would take five or six days for an airmail letter to reach us? I didn't get any letters from anyone for nearly a week at one time and then - wham! I got three or four letters in one week just from you. If I had known you would "hop a plane to L. A.", though, I wouldn't have written.

I can hardly wait to see what you and Mike are sending David Wayne. I wasn't going to tell David Wayne anything about another package because he gets so excited, but sure enough, I forgot and read that part of the letter to him - yep! He's just as excited as I predicted.

Let us know as soon as you get the new heating unit as we, too, are concerned about the gas heater. I don't know how you are surviving without heat in the cold weather - 14 degrees! I guess Dave and I will just miss out on any winder this year and from reports, this was a good winter to miss in Texas. I couldn't believe the reports in papers about the temperature, but when everybody writes us about it, I know it's true. Yes, by all means, an air conditioner is just what you need at this time.

Dave and I haven't been doing much since the "joy to the world" season. We stayed home all last weekend except for eating at the Sizzler Saturday night. Monday, David Wayne and I ate lunch with Barbara Hansen and spent the rest of the afternoon just talking and relaxing with her - I can relax with her because I don't have to be getting on David Wayne all the time like I do when Suzie's around. Barbara was having company on Monday night and David Wayne got her feather duster and dusted her whole apartment for her and picked up trash. He loves to help her. Tuesday, Suzie and a Virginia examiner's wife came over and asked me to drive around with them. I declined because I was tired and so was David Wayne. But Barbara also came by (to return David Wayne's Batmobile that he left at her apartment) and you should have seen the way I picked up. Tuesday night Dave vacuumed the rug and David Wayne mopped the kitchen and bathroom and cleaned tub, commode, etc. All I did was wash the dishes, but I was tired from watching them work.

[It's time for a confession. I don't think I ever told Mom this, but when I was putting the Hansen's feather duster back in the closet or wherever it belonged I broke the handle somehow. I didn't want to get in trouble so I just put both pieces back and didn't say anything about it. As far as I know Mom never found out about it, so I'm guessing Barbara Hansen never told her because she didn't want me to feel bad. That's one of those weird little flashback memories that has always stuck with me for some reason.]

Wednesday I went with Suzie and Sam (Virginia examiner's wife) to Olvera Street. Sam wanted a "shoplifter's bag" like mine - a gigantic straw monstrosity I bought there to carry camera equipment. Also, we ate lunch there as Sam had never - yes, never - eaten Mexican food. She loved it and I really enjoyed being with her.

[I checked, and there are Mexican restaurants in Virginia now.]

Thursday I decided to go and buy a dress with the money you sent. (Also, I had my babysitting money, $20.) I had told Dave Wednesday night that I planned on going shopping. That night he talked in his sleep and I plainly heard him say, "Now, don't spend all that money in the same place." Mother, I just about fell out of bed laughing and Dave is dying of embarrassment so I am telling everyone. And Dave doesn't deny it because he admitted dreaming about money that night.

[That's pretty funny yet certainly believable regarding my dad's sleeptalking comment.]

Well, about the dress . . . I bought a green wool jumper with a darker green sweater type blouse to go with it. I am in love with it and Dave likes it, too. I don't look the least bit pregnant in it - just stylish! It was not a maternity dress and I bought it in a regular dress shop - so I can wear it even after the baby comes. I will get Dave to take a picture of me wearing it so you can see it. Next week I plan on getting some new shoes and bag with the rest of the money.

[Alas, if a picture of this outfit exists I have not run across it yet.]

Thursday night we had the Hansens come over. We had been to their apartment several times and I wanted to return the invitation. We thoroughly enjoyed having them and the time passed so quickly that before we knew it - it was 11:30. Barbara and Erland both apologized for staying that late, but really no one realized it was that late. David Wayne was excited all day about "our party" and he made cookies and when I put out snacks (potato chips, dip, peanuts, etc.) David Wayne got a bowl and put Lifesavers and Dentyne chewing gum in it - this was what he was serving for the party. I'm sure the Hansens are not wild about unwrapped Lifesavers, but they ate one and really bragged on them - David Wayne just beamed. These poor people have the misfortune of being favorites of David Wayne.

David Wayne gave Snappy a bath this morning in the bathroom sink - also, he was teaching him how to swim. He really enjoys that turtle. We bought distilled water to put in his bowl because the tap water had so many chemicals it turned his shell white. I guess that's all old Snappy got from Santa.

[Although I liked playing in swimming pools at that age, I didn't know how to swim so I'm not sure how I was teaching Snappy to swim.]

While I slept this morning David Wayne copied the alphabet in small letters and capital. It was very good. I also listened to a song he made up: 2+2 is 4, 2+3 is 5, 2+4 is 6, 2+5 is 7, etc. I have no idea why or how he stumbled on this, but it makes me very proud. His first grade teacher will hate me, but truthfully I have not consciously "taught" him all these things - he just sorta picks them up. Next on his list is learning how to spell and I haven't figured out yet how he is planning on doing this.

I am still pondering the question of coming home to have the baby instead of staying with Dave. He wants me, David Wayne and the new baby to have good - the best! - care and I guess he doesn't feel capable. It would be hard on him and I would have the worry of who was taking care of David Wayne. I really feel sorry for Dave as he was really looking forward to being with me and seeing the baby firsthand. Dave says he thinks that you would be more helpful to me than he ever could - sounds like he's passing the buck, Mother. You better watch him!

[That must have been awful for both Mom and Dad to try to decide what to do about the upcoming birth. Although I know what happened I'm still looking forward to reading about how it all unfolded.]

Since I've used all my paper up, I better close. I should try to play with David Wayne since I slept almost all morning. I feel that I'm doing my little five-year-old an injustice by sleeping so much, but I just can't help it. And, he's smart enough to connect the sleeping with the new baby. I am feeling better than I was, but I still need to rest. David Wayne is most considerate when I do sleep - he colors or looks at books and he has never made a sound to wake me up.

Take care not to freeze. Keep your fingers exercised and warm by writing lots of letters. I'm sorry Mike may come down with the flu - I understand it's almost an epidemic. This kind of flu can realy be bad so do keep him at home - he can miss all activities for awhile.

[A flu epidemic? Seems like I've heard that term recently.]

Love,

Linda