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
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.]
Letter postmarked February 14, 1968 (Part 1, written February 12):
[I got a little behind on the letters due to a short illness followed closely by some business travel. Hopefully I'll post something at least daily until we're caught up.]
The CCZCC extends its winning streak to 25. It could . . . go . . . all . . . way.
Dear Mother and Mike,
I got your letter today and I sure enjoyed the part about Steven and how he's growing. I can hardly wait to see him. David Wayne just goes into convulsions whenever and wherever we see a baby so I know he'll have a fit over Steven. Which reminds me - I took David Wayne shopping today (we were just bored) and we looked at baby furniture, toys, clothes, etc. Everything David Wayne saw, he wanted to buy either for Steven or for "our" baby. My reaction to the prices was somewhat different and I told Dave tonight that I'd changed my mind on having this baby - we can't afford it!
Speaking of babies . . . we found out about 30 minutes ago that the Dirrs are expecting in September. Dave informs me that this makes the third time this has happened to a Texas examiner stationed in L. A. - they won't be able to get Texans out here at that rate. The Dirr's puppy was run over on Saturday and it died. I was so sorry to hear that even with all the trouble the little thing caused.
I read to David Wayne the part of your letter about him spending the weekend once in a while with you. He was delighted, to say the least. The parents of David Wayne will be most willing. I wonder if he will be will to leave "our" baby, though. I've brainwashed him into thinking that I need his help so he may not trust me to take adequate care of a baby by myself.
We don't know, as of yet, our exact departure date. Dave says three or four more weeks - which sounded fine until I looked at the calendar. I will be home only three or four weeks before the baby is due. Don't talk to this old fat, pregnant, slow woman about having plenty of time to fix up a nursery. HA! I cannot remember what all I had for David Wayne in the way of clothes. I have done absolutely nothing in preparing for this baby - not even one diaper! I do remember that the handle of the diaper bag needs to be repaired and it is filthy. I wish you could get Mike to get my baby bed for me before I get home. If I could just get it to your house then I would feel better about getting it home. As for a chest, we're going to buy David Wayne a new one to match his bed and use the one in his room for the baby clothes. Paint? I'll do good to get it washed.
Dave says, "Don't worry about fixing up the room. I'll take care of it." But you know men. What would he know about it - he thinks the curtains in the room now will be fine and he says all we'll need is the baby bed in there. I'm not really worrying about the nursery though. I'll just do as much as I have time for and feel like doing and the rest will take care of itself.
I'm not going to attempt to go see "Dr. Doolittle" here. Patsy wrote me that in Dallas it is just as expensive as L. A. and you also have to make reservations weeks in advance. I hope that we (you included) can go after we get home. I have all these plans for "after we get home" but I fear that I won't feel like doing much. You know, I don't even know what to do about going to the hospital - I have plenty of gowns but not one that buttons down the front (also mine are sorta flimsy from hospital wear). Dave said he wants to buy me a new robe and that's fine, but when is he going to buy it? On the way to the hospital? It really hasn't hit him yet that there is only a few weeks left and all he has on his mind is just getting me home safely. I have lots of time now to get ready but I can't buy things here and then haul them back to Texas. Gee, this is going to be a wild next two months.
[I guess it didn't really sink in for me until this letter, but Mom and Dad didn't have much time at all to get ready for a baby after returning from Los Angeles. Like Mom mentions, they didn't want to buy a bunch of stuff in L. A. and then haul it back with all the other stuff we had accumulated. It must have been crazy trying to get everything ready after we got back to Texas.]
[We'll end Part 1 of this letter here.]
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
Letter postmarked January 31, 1968 (part 1, dated January 25):
The CCZCC extends its winning streak to 21.
Dear Mother and Mike,
We got two nice surprises yesterday - a letter from you and the package with Dave's sweater. Dave really likes the sweater and he can wear brown better with his clothes. It fits perfectly and he strutted all over the house in it last night. Sorry you had this extra trouble to go to.
Glad to hear that your heating unit is finally intact - just after the cold weather. Anyway you'll be ready for next year. I'm so glad that you and Mike didn't come down with pneumonia.
Thank goodness Mike couldn't go to New York with the Whitsons. In a previous letter you had mentioned they were going and I was just holding my breath about Mike being invited. Maybe Ann's grades can stand a week's absence from school, but I gather it could prove disastrous for Mike.
[The Whitsons were the parents of Uncle Mike's girlfriend at the time, Ann. It sounds like Mom was concerned about Uncle Mike missing a week of school to go on a trip to New York with them. He did eventually make it to New York, though. In fact, he's in New York City tonight (January 28, 2018) attending the Grammy awards at Madison Square Garden.]
You asked if David Wayne has expressed a preference for a brother or a sister - definitely yes! He wants a baby brother because he said he didn't want to have to kiss a girl. We have tried to "soft-peddle" the sex of the baby and just refer to it as, "when our baby comes . . ." In this way, I feel maybe he won't be disappointed. (What I mean is, if he hasn't said too much about which he wants, it'll be easier on him if it is a girl.) Does that make sense? I just remember how I first felt about Mike - everyone knew I had wanted a sister - and being so stubborn it was hard for me to admit that I could love a little brother.
[Although I don't recall having that preference, it doesn't surprise me that I wanted a little brother. Girls are icky.]
I'm so glad you told me what all Wayne and Linda had bought for their house. Linda hasn't said much about the house in her letters because I guess she thought it would make me more homesick. I am really anxious to see the house but, of course, I'm more anxious to see Steven. David Wayne can't wait to get his paws on that baby - I hope they will let him hold Steven.
[They did, and I have photographic evidence to prove it.]
I can hardly wait to get home and start fixing up the nursery. I haven't even thought about it. I know I want to buy a play pen - one of those fold-up kind with mesh (not the old wooden ones.) Also, I thought it'd be nice to get a stroller so David Wayne can take the baby walking. But I've got to think of curtains, at least cleaning the diaper holder you made for David Wayne, painting the high chair, washing all those baby clothes, and I think I may have to get a new mattress for the baby bed. (I seem to recall it had a split.) Even it it's just a small split, this elephant I'm carrying would soon have it in shreds. (I remember the treatment David Wayne gave that bed - in fact, the mattress probably has several splits!)
Gee, won't it be bedlam at your house when we all get together. I think your best investment for the security of your sanity would be to get a good strong fence around the back yard - then we can just turn them loose and David Wayne can be general overseer. Remembering your living room at Christmas with just David Wayne, I think we better rent the armory next year!
[My grandmother's house did have a rather small living room, especially by today's standards. Thankfully the large family Christmas gatherings shifted to our house after we moved back to Texas.]
It's a good thing I sent you the picture of David Wayne in that outfit you got him - the pants now have a hole in one knee! At what age will he begin to walk on his feet again? He can wear the shirt (it fits perfectly even after washing) with several other pants (all four pairs he has). The pants are now play pants, as he calls them. I guess I better learn to put on a good knee patch.
[Boys will be boys. And yes, Mom learned to put on a knee patch because I did keep wearing holes in the knees of my pants for many years after this.]
Thanks for offering to get the house ready but I don't think there is a thing you could do. Dave says he'll write the gas, water, electric companies to turn things on. Then I suppose Patsy (next door) can get a key from the owners and she'll be right there to let them in. That would be easier as she stays home all day and you couldn't very well take off work and see to it. As for cleaning, I left the house spotless and even sheets on the beds. I know everything will have a layer or two of dust but I doubt that we'll see that as we will be too happy just to be home.
Thank you for inviting the Jennings up for our homecoming. Dave says that more than likely we'll arrive on the weekend so that will be just perfect. I know they appreciate you thinking of them in this way - we certainly do. Dave will be most anxious to see his folks and I doubt seriously that I'll feel like jumping in a car after a trip like that and going to Belton. Nate and Judy also want to come see us after we get home, but I know you don't have enough room for everyone. Hope this won't sound terrible, but we sure won't feel like giving up our own bed to anyone for the first few nights.
[Just to refresh your memory if necessary, the Jennings are my dad's parents, and Nate and Judy are my dad's brother and his wife.]
[We'll end Part 1 of this letter here.]
Letter postmarked January 18, 1968 (Part 2, dated January 17):
This is the second part of the January 18 letter. This part was written on January 17.
Well, I just got home from doctor.
[At this point I am redacting two sentences that aren't really that big a deal and we're all grownups, after all. But it's some medical stuff people generally don't broadcast and I'd honestly rather hear Mom talk about bras than what she said about this doctor visit. You're welcome.]
He also checked the iron count - says it's better and I took my last shot for that. I told him I'd been getting dizzy - he said it's natural and I might have it more so because of anemia. I go back the 31st of January.
I'm enclosing a couple of pictures - neither one I'm proud of. The one by the "Jolly Green Giant Footprint rug" is where he's wearing the outfit you sent him. He was feeling really silly that night.
[The date on the back of that picture is January 13, 1968.]
[What, me silly? I guess I grew out of that eventually.]
[We have another decent view of my bed in that picture. Also, I had forgotten about this picture when the Jolly Green Giant Rug was mentioned a few letters ago.]
The other one shows the pants and belt that Linda and Wayne got him. It is blurred because he was hopping around - had to go to bathroom. Can't you almost see him doing a little dance?
[We've seen that picture before, in the August 25, 1967 diary entry. Now we know why I had that awesome pose.]
[The pictures included with this letter explain the 10 cent Postage Due stamp on this envelope. Mom must not have had a postal scale. Also, I noticed that the amount of postage on these airmail envelopes went up from 8 cents to 10 cents at the first of the year. I did find confirmation on the internets that first class postage (regular mail, not airmail) when up from 5 cents to 6 cents on January 7, 1968.]
Must go as I'm about ready for a nap. Take care and write often.
Love,
Linda
Letter postmarked January 18, 1968 (Part 1, dated January 16):
The CCZCC extends its winning streak to 18, which started back on November 9, 1967. Actually, the streak is really 19 now. Did we skip 18? No, but we duplicated number 4, unfortunately. I recently discovered that I did not update the CCZCC number with the November 21, 1967 letter. Sincerest apologies. I would tell you the responsible parties have been sacked, but you probably wouldn't believe me.
Dear Mother,
We got your letter yesterday and just howled over your dream. Dave said he'd be on the lookout for that red-headed man. I don't think he's worried about me and other men right now - not with my shape! I swear I'm carrying another 9 pound baby elephant.
[My birth weight was 8 pounds, 11 ounces. Yeah, I was a big baby.]
Since we haven't done anything since New Year's I have no news to write. I could comment on the nice weather we're having, but that might make you a wee bit jealous. I go to the doctor tomorrow so I'll probably finish this letter when I get home from the appointment.
I hope Mike is recovered from his cold or flu or whatever he had. He goes and does so much that it's a wonder he doesn't get really sick. I know he's young and all that, but he isn't made out of iron. He better be in good shape for our homecoming because David Wayne really has plans to "work him over."
And good news (Finally!) about our homecoming. Dave says that the end is in sight and that the examiner-in-charge told them yesterday to plan on leaving the end of February. I felt like flying a kite with "Jim McClay, I Love You!" on it. (McClay is the examiner-in-charge.) Of course, there could be a week or so delay, but that won't matter - I've made up my mind to wait and have the baby in Texas and that's what I'll just do. Also, I've told Dave that I won't have the baby until he buys my washing machine so we've got to get home in time for that, too. Evidently, my husband believes that I can decide WHEN and he's been on a big money-saving binge since I told him that.
I dare not tell David Wayne about a tentative date to come home. We bought a calendar yesterday and he is marking off each day. He's already picked out the boxes to pack his toys in (the best ones, of course) and he knows what he wants inside the car to play with. He thinks it's great that he and Daddy sit in the front seat while _I_ have to ride in the back alone. You see, neither have I mentioned anything about us flying. That will depend on when and what my doctor thinks is best.
[So the fly vs. drive question is still up in the air, but at least Dad's job in L. A. should be done well before Mom's due date in April. I'm sure that was a relief.]
I'm glad you got the sweater okay and I think a small will be fine. I had Dave try on the pajamas (also medium) and they are okay. David Wayne was tickled to death that he and Daddy have PJ's alike. Also, Mrs. Jennings sent David Wayne a blue sweater and David Wayne thought that was great. Now, I just hope you could find another blue one for Dave. It's funny, but since we've been out here, David Wayne has really copied Dave - he walks like him, picked up his expressions, eats like him most of the time, etc. I might not have ever noticed it, but the Hansens mentioned it and now I have been seeing it, too.
I made a terrible "goof" last night - I was telling Dave that we might go through a rough period of adjustment with David Wayne when the baby arrives. Trying to show him that it would be a natural circumstance I said, "It'd be the same if David Wayne were our child . . ." But I never finished, because Dave told me in no uncertain terms that he felt like David Wayne was "ours" and I was never to talk like that again. He also went on to say that he never wanted to hear the expression "half-brother or half-sister" used. Of course, I feel the same way, but it sure made me feel good that it came from Dave. I know it makes you as happy as it did me - even though he was put-out with me when he said it. Anyway, you have the word and if you know of anyone - Aunt Edna, perhaps? - who might unthinkingly say it, you better warn them how we feel. Now, I'm sure you know that we don't ever intend to fool David Wayne or try to lie to him, but Dave _is_ his father in every way except one - and you know how little that one thing has meant.
[That was an interesting and enlightening paragraph. I've mentioned before that my dad was not my biological father, who I have zero recollection of. I believe there was some visitation after the divorce, but I don't remember any. So my father was initially "Big David" to me (I was "Little David") and then he became "Daddy" after he and Mom married when I was four. He officially adopted me in August of 1968.]
Well, the postman delivered the package from Mike today and David Wayne is absolutely beside himself. I don't know how he knew (I didn't) but he said, "I bet this is my voodoo doll!" He has stuck that poor doll all afternoon and he takes it everywhere. You could never have found anything that he liked better. Did the doll come with the holes and pins or did you do those yourself? It's about the cutest thing we've ever seen. Tell Mike that when David Wayne saw his name he said, "Mike starts with the same letter as Monkey!"
I can't say I enjoyed hearing about all the wrecks and the icy roads, but it made us feel some good about being here. Is it really worse this year or are we just telling ourselves that - I know it's bad, Linda Kay wrote that it was so bad even Wayne didn't drive to work one day! To me, that told the complete extent.
If you could find the glass for the Mexican lanterns, that would be better. But that will require checking or calling places and when could you do it? I'll probably wait until closer to leaving time to get the glass, so if you can get it there let us know - but we will insist on paying for it.
I have no doubt that your house is in a mess with Taffy staying in. If she were only a short-haired dog, wouldn't she be a good house dog though? I mean she really is sweet and smart. I was telling the Hansens how you were spoiling her and Erland said, "When you get back to Texas, you'll have to get another dog and let your mother keep that one." Dave's quick reply was, "Ha, she'd get rid of me and David Wayne before she'd part with her dog." Dave has enjoyed telling people that I stole the dog from you. I look back on how she babysat David Wayne and I don't know - I just have a "special" feeling for her. Anyway, I do appreciate you taking care of her for me (us really) and just hope she hasn't been too much of a bother. After keeping the Dirr's pup though, I really feel like I've imposed on you.
Denton has really changed. I can hardly wait to get back and see for myself. I may not feel like driving around on a grand tour after the trip. And I know Dave is going to want to go to Belton, but I may have to insist that they visit us. I sure hate to be that way so I'll just wait and see how I feel. I can hardly believe Denton has grown up so much.
So Mike has changed his mind about becoming a lawyer, senator, President! I just hope he'll be happy in whatever he decides to do. Has he decided on a college yet? Wherever he goes, he'll have to cut out some running around and do his own reading and studying.
[You may recall there was mention of Uncle Mike's political aspirations in the September 24, 1967 letter. It looks like that changed in January for some reason. He took a totally different path in life, although there is a significant overlap in the skill sets if you think about it.]
[That's the end of Part 1 of this letter. Tomorrow we'll wrap it up with Part 2.]
Letter postmarked January 8, 1968:
The CCZCC extends its winning streak to 16.
Dear Mother and Mike,
We read in the paper this morning that it was 13 degrees in Dallas. Are you frozen? Jack Frost must be working hand-in-hand with Sears on trying to get you to install that new furnace. Convinced? Come on out to L. A. with us - I wear a sleeveless dress or Bermuda shorts with sandals during the day. When I go out I do put on a long-sleeve dress, but no coat. Usually, I only wear a light sweater at night. Now, don't you hate me? We have "endured? a total of three cold days this winter.
[My grandmother's house was built in 1945. I'm sure it had plenty of insulation. Not.]
The weather is the only good thing about L. A. though - I'm ready to come home. Dave dropped me a bombshell Saturday night - he wants me and David Wayne to fly back to Texas (didn't say exactly when) and him stay here. It seems that he is preparing me for a slight possibility that this damn job won't be over by April. You should be proud of your son-in-law as he is only thinking of me and David Wayne - not himself. His valid arguments are: (1) I would have my own doctor deliver the baby, (2) There would be someone to keep David Wayne while I am in the hospital, (3) I would hopefully have you to take care of me when I come home from the hospital. There is another point on his side that he knows better than to bring up and that is that it would be much much cheaper.
[Oh boy, it's getting interesting now. Decisions, decisions.]
I found out from Barbara Hansen that Dave has been very concerned about all this for a long time. It's the hardest decision I've ever faced and I just don't know. I can't stand the thought of being separated from Dave for weeks. (And let's face it, I'd have to leave a month before the baby is due - I can't very well board an airplane at the beginning of labor.) I would hate for Dave to receive news of a son or daughter via telephone. And more than anything - I want my husband with me.
I don't have to make a decision until the end of February and maybe - just maybe - the job will be coming to a close by then. Dave says that the final decision is up to me and that if I am stubborn about staying here, he'll do everything he can to help me. Barbara has offered to keep David Wayne . . .
[Wait, why can't I stay with Gene and Suzie? Wouldn't that be more fun?]
. . . and Dave says that if you can get off work, he'll pay your expenses to fly out here and take care of me. Can you believe that a man is willing to "miss out" on the birth of a first baby just so the wife will have less to worry about?
[Well, there's also that issue of Dad not wanting a foreign-born child.]
I'm glad you got to visit with Sara but I sure hate to hear that she's sick again. I've tried to compose a letter to her, but I just don't know what or how to say anything.
[Don't worry too much about Aunt Sara's illness. She just turned 99 years old this past Christmas (December 25, 2017).]
David Wayne is having a lot of fun playing with his Matchbox cars and road set now. Did I write you that we had to teach him how to play cars? This morning he has been playing with some flash cards (alphabet ones) that he got in his stocking. He's finally learning the small letters as well as the capital letters. We also have a captured caterpillar in the bug catcher which gets a lot of attention. I woke up from my nap yesterday and found all the toys missing from the floor. On questioning David Wayne, I discovered that he had packed all of his toys for the trip home. We used to tell him we'd go home after Christmas - well, it's after Christmas and he wants to go home.
[It seems as though I've been taking things too literally for a long time.]
Flash! Suzie has taken a screen test! Gene called Dave yesterday at work and told him about it. It seems Suzie saw an ad about a free screen test and thought that she would try to get in the movies. Gene thought that it was great and that she would be qualified. Erland Hansen told me yesterday afternoon (Barbara and I picked them up) that Dave was just speechless when he hung up the phone. All the men knew something had really "shaken" him. Finally, he could no longer keep quiet so he told them - well, you can imagine their reaction, they just howled!
A California man said that these free screen tests were a long-standing hoax in L. A. You go in and have a free interview, then they tell you that you're a potential star, and then the screen test runs you about $300 - or more! Nothing comes from the test except a leaner pocketbook.
[I did not find Suzie or Susan Dirr at IMDB, so she must have changed her name before she became a star.]
The nicest thing I can say is - I hope they get whatever they deserve. Truthfully, did she look like a starlet on TV? The Hansens and I laughed at Dave yesterday until we cried. He said if that's what they were looking for in the movies that he's never go to another one! I am dying of curiosity to find out the results, but Dave says it would be better if I didn't go over there and get things started up again - he's right as always.
Another bit of news and then I'll stop. Remember that alcoholic school teacher that lived by us - the one that drank "cough syrup" at school? Well, she hooked a man and is to be married in June. So never give up hope for Aunt Sara, if that neurotic woman can get a man!
[That's right. Never give up hope. Aunt Sara married her second husband in July of 1969.]
I've been catty enough so I'll close quickly. Take care.
Love,
Linda
P. S. - This baby kicks so much at night that my stomach is sore every morning.
[Early cheerleading practice?]
Letter postmarked January 8, 1968:
The CCZCC extends its winning streak to 15.
Dear Mother,
I'm way behind on answering letters, but at this time of the day I don't feel like writing to anyone but you. I've enjoyed receiving so many letters from you this week - wish you had more holidays.
I just came back from the doctor for my last shot of the week. The nurse thought that I should be feeling better, but I informed her otherwise. My complexion still resembles that of "Casper the Ghost" without the smile! But I am doing no work or running around so I should be better by next week. While there, I checked on the results of David Wayne's (wee) test. He checked out fine and he isn't anemic. He certainly doesn't act tired.
We had a blow today. Yesterday a notice came that we had a certified letter to pick up. Today I went to get it and guess what - the Pontiac people are notifying all 1965 Pontiac owners (that's us) that they have discovered these cars are faulty. Just a minor little thing - the steering wheel may separate from the wheels so you could still move, you just couldn't guide a car. Dave is going to have ours checked tomorrow - or either take the car and live in a motel! If there is something wrong, we won't have to pay to get it fixed.
[Now we know Dad's car was a 1965 Pontiac Bonneville, similar to this one which has been nicely restored:]
[If you want to see more pictures of that one, and a list of features, check out this link: https://www.conceptcarz.com/gallery/10944/pontiac-bonneville.aspx. If you imagine that car with a red interior, that was our car.]
I'm glad you understood about the puppy situation. We have been had for the last time - at least by those two. I was afraid (after I'd already written) that you might think I was just acting pregnant, you know nervous, irritable, etc. But really Dave feels the same and he certainly isn't pregnant. Suzie did come over yesterday (without pup) and asked me if I felt like going to a movie. It was one I really wanted to see, "Valley of the Dolls," so I went. It was not a show to take David Wayne to, but I did this time. From now on though, I'll stick to Walt Disney movies. I am planning on taking him to "Sound of Music" next week and "Dr. Doolittle" the week after.
Suzie's whole personality was different yesterday. I imagine she's pretty upset with me, but that's fine. She didn't rough-house with David Wayne and he acted much better than usual. They haven't been over at all this week at night - before it seemed they were dropping over constantly. I have a sneaking suspicion my husband took care of that because of my "illness." Your comparison of them to Pat Neale was absolutely perfect.
[It sounds to me like Suzie was trying to mend the friendship and is treading lightly.]
Speaking of old friends . . . I got a letter from Joan Gambill today. It's the funniest thing I've ever read. When I get through answering her, I'll try to remember to send it to you. She hasn't changed one bit. She did inform me that Sandra Smith and Mary Jane McDuffy are divorced. I had no idea. When you read the letter, be sure it's on a day that you can snicker off and on all day without people wondering about you.
I mailed Dave's sweater back today. Probably you will not need a ticket because they are the only store in town that will carry that brand. It is a lovely sweater. If you can't get exactly the same one, color and all, we'll understand.
I'm worried about your floor furnace. Can the plumber try to light it again? Didn't this same thing happen last winter? I can't advise you on getting another one. I hate to see you go in debt, especially with Mike beginning college soon, but after all, you can't freeze. Sears sounds like the best deal but they have such high interest rates - you know that better than anyone though.
[We'll find out in a future letter that the winter of 1968 started off about as cold as the winter of 2018, in North Texas, at least.]
About ol' Mike - - - I wish he didn't have so many activities and could get a part-time job. He would sure learn the value of a dollar that way - and really I don't know of any other way to learn it. I was very proud of him about Key Club, DeMolay, etc., but I just wonder now if that was the best thing in the world. It seems to me that it's just been expensive on you and work for you, too. And he can't be making any more lasting friendships than I did in my little I.D.K.D.Y. club.
To answer your questions about David Wayne's toys - he loves everything. The dunking bird fascinates him and he shows off the bathroom stuff to everyone he can drag in there. David Wayne was very pleased with the cars, but Dave and I noticed he wasn't playing with them or the road set he got. Finally, last night we had the opportunity to sit down with him, explain the road signs, show him to keep on the right side of the road, etc. Can you believe it? He did not know how to play cars. I guess children learn that from playing with other children. Now, he has all cars on the road, his train track crossing it, all signs in the correct space, built buildings and houses with his Lego building toys, and is having the time of his life creating incidents. We had to teach him how to play cars!
[What a weird kid, not knowing how to play cars. Sounds like I was a quick learner, though. And as my four-year-old grandson can attest, I still enjoy creating "incidents" while playing with cars or trains. (Think Gomez Addams.)]
The Lego building toys were what Nate and Judy sent. They thought for David Wayne, but Dave has enjoyed them more. Some of the pictures are too difficult for David Wayne to do yet. Dave spent two hours one night putting a soldier together. He's just like a kid with them. The cutest, most unusual gift came from Tracey - a Jolly Green Giant footprint rug. It is a bright green and the most hideous looking thing you could imagine. I must get some flashbulbs so I can take a picture to send you. At the moment, it is David Wayne's proudest possession and no one is allowed to walk on it.
[I remember that big green footprint rug. Unfortunately there isn't a picture of it in the photo album, but I do have a scan of a picture of the rug taken on January 14, 1968, with me and Dad sitting behind it. Here it is:]
[In case you can't tell, Dad has a cigar in his mouth and I am pretending to smoke one while wearing fake glasses, nose and mustache. And I'm wearing a Batman t-shirt. That's my bed against the wall.]
[Would you like to know how I came to have a scan of that photo and how I know what date it was taken? Of course you would, and I'm going to tell the story regardless. As Mom has mentioned in her letters, she was sending pictures to various people while we were living in Los Angeles. One of those people was probably her father (my grandfather, Papa), who had divorced my grandmother and was living with his second wife at the time. Well, shortly after wife #2 passed away he married wife #3 in 1983. Papa died in 1986 and some family members kept in touch with wife #3 for a few years after that, but then gradually lost touch in the early 1990s. Occasionally her name would come up at family gatherings such as Christmas time, but nobody knew what became of her or if she was still living. That happened most recently in January of 2017, and we assumed she had passed since we figured she would have been over 100 years old by then. Well, we were right about her age but not about her status. She died the following month at the age of 101.]
[Fortunately, Papa had kept a box or two of keepsakes such as photos going back to at least the early 1940s when he was serving in the Navy. Fortunately again, wife #3 didn't get rid of those items when Papa died in 1986, nor after she married her fourth husband two years after that. More fortunately, those items did not get thrown away when she went into a nursing home many years later and her house was sold. Even more fortunately, the niece who handled her estate contacted my cousin Steven to see if he wanted these items, and he now has those treasures in his possession and scanned that photo for me. So, to say I'm lucky to have an electronic copy of that picture would be an understatement.]
Another gift you sent for David Wayne has turned into a family gift - the book on ants and bees. I read and my boys sit spellbound listening. If I read while Dave is at work, we have to discuss it at night. Really, all three of us are enjoying it and I hate to finish it.
I will close quickly as we are fixing to leave to go to the store.
[I was in college before I knew "fixing to" was a colloquialism. It was just a normal phrase to me that I heard and used all the time.]
Something has come up about when we are leaving L. A. but it will take a whole letter for that.
Love,
Linda
[I can't believe Mom finished this letter with that cliffhanger and made my grandmother wait until the next letter for the moving back news.]
