September 30, 1951 Probably Won't Get Far, Bobby Gets to Stay Up, The Grand Doughnuts, The Cheap Jonathans and Bonnie Plans a Suit

Good Housekeeping, October, 1951

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"It is almost time for the kids to get up from their naps so I probably won't get far with this.  I didn't get it written last night.  I was too tired and had to iron a little but planned to go to bed real early.  Company came in so I didn't get much of anything done.

We had the new teacher (that took Jim's place) and two other couples here for dinner Thurs. night.  We had such a nice time.  I had ham and it was an easy dinner to get.  Marge took care of the kids all afternoon so that helped so much.  I put Ann to bed and let Bobby eat with the company.  He was awfully good.

Marge is coming tonight to stay with the kids while we go to a dinner.  Both of them have colds but I think she can manage them.  I don't have any student help now.  No one wants to work for .50 an hr.  They all want .75 and that seems too much.

I just finished my rust dress so I can wear it tonight.  Had to just sew buttons on the outside because I couldn't find time to make the button holes.  My attachment makes so much noise I hate to use it when the kids are asleep.

I made the doughnuts and they were grand.  I put the dough in the refrigerator and let them rise overnight.  They were fine and not hard to make at all.  I saved the recipe and will have them again one of these days.  That dough would do for cinnamon rolls, too.

We gave 2.25 for no. 1 Johnathan apples.  They seem cheap here.

I can't half write for fear Ann will get up before I get this finished.

B is at a football game.  He has some sort of job every game.  Course he likes to go, too.  He was gone all yesterday afternoon and this morning to conferences.  I can't keep track of it all.

Adult Education classes are beginning soon.  I think I'll take the tailoring class and make me a suit.

The article on the wedding was real nice.  I meant to say something about it and forgot it.

I hear Ann so bye for now."

                       Lots of love,

                             Bonnie

NOTES:   Not only did Bonnie enjoy sewing for her entire lifetime, she believed it was necessary in order to have exactly what she wanted in clothing.  In the 40s, she either sewed by hand or borrowed a machine from friends.  She once said, "The only trouble with sewing by hand is that it's so slow!"
I can still see her discovering something she wanted in a magazine, tearing out the picture, buying a pattern and adjusting it to get the desired look.  Sometimes she would make a dress merely by looking at a picture.  The blouse below is one she made in 1943.   One of the buttons is different,  there is a tiny patch under one sleeve where it was mended, and 2 tiny snaps hold the top closed. 

  

In the national news, during Truman's news conference of September 30, 1951, he was asked if he planned to run for president next year.  His response, "I know what I'm going to do, but I'm not going to tell you."
For the entire text:  http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=13918

September 22, 1951 Wonderful Weather, Sewing Again, Doughnuts, A Bushel and A Peck and Apple Dumplings

Good Housekeeping, May, 1950

 Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We have been having wonderful weather, too, but we had a furnace fire for several days.

I have been sewing--just about have a dress finished.  It is rust and is going to be pretty when I get it done.  By the time I get everything else done in the evening I am too tired to sew.  I think your green material is very pretty.  I like the shade of green.  It will be nice on you.

You had told me Daddy had cut some weeds but you didn't say he had the tractor.  I had wondered and I'm sure glad he has it now.

It would be nice for you to go to Iowa but I'd rather you both would come to see us.  Have you thought any more about it?

I went to a Stanley party once and it was fun but I'm like you--the stuff is too high.  I bought some of their dust cloths and they are wonderful.

I looked up the doughnut recipe--was it the one with potatoes?  I think I'll try it, too.  I just can't keep desserts for B and Bobby.  A cake lasts two days and sometimes not that long.

There's lots going on at school now.  B doesn't get home as often as he did even though we are so close.  Seems like he has more to do every year.

We went to an all-school party last Saturday night and next Sat. night we are going to a dinner for the education department.  I would like to have some people in for supper one night this week if I can.  Be is going to have some students here Mon. evening for a committee meeting.  I want to make apple dumplings for them if I can find time.  Apples are cheap and plentiful.  They range from 1.49 to 2.25 a bushel for Jonathans.  We are going to buy a bushel and a bushel of potatoes too when we find some which will keep.  We have a fruit room in the basement where we can keep them.  Maybe if we buy a bushel we won't always be out.  A peck doesn't last anytime.

I'm going to have to go to bed.  I can't keep my eyes open so bye for now."

                   Lots of love,

                          Bonnie

Recipe written by Bonnie's mother

Favorite Apple Dumplings 

Prepare the dough as follows:  Sift together 2 c. flour, 4 tsp. baking powder and 1 tsp. salt.  Melt a heaping T shortening, add to flour mixture and add enough milk to make a soft dough.  Turn out onto a well-floured surface.  Roll about 1/8" thick and cut off a small portion, about 1x6" strip and set aside.  Divide the remaining dough into 6 equal parts.  Place 1 med. peeled & cored apple in the center of each piece of dough.  Fill each apple center with 1/6 of the following mixture:  2 T melted butter, 1/2 c. sugar, 2 T lemon juice, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. cinnamon and 1/4 tsp. nutmeg.  Pinch corners of dough to enclose apples.  Cover top with an inch circle of dough, using the reserved strip.
Place in greased oblong pan.  Combine 1-1/2 c. blue or green label Karo syrup, 1/4 c. water and 3 T melted butter.  Pour over dumplings.  Bake at 450 for 10 min. then lower heat to 350 and bake 35-40 min. or till apples are tender.  Baste with pan syrup occasionally during baking.

NOTE:  It's nice to see that Bonnie was sewing again!  Take a look below at some of the clothes she would have seen in her Ladies Home Journal and Good Housekeeping magazines from 1950-52.
The music is Nat King Cole's "Mona Lisa" which was at the top of the charts for 8 weeks in 1950 and also won an Academy Award for the best original song.

September 15, 1951 The Big Turn-Out, Normal Has Come to Life, Some Chickens and More Teeth

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We just came home from a reception for Freshmen.  It was real nice and there was such a crowd.  Everyone seemed pleased that so many students turned out.  Tomorrow night we plan to go to an all school party--a get acquainted affair.  We are glad school has started again.  Normal has come to life again.  They hired a woman to take Jim's place.  The man from Yale didn't take the job because our president waited so long to write the necessary letters that the other school wouldn't release him from his contract.  He is disgustingly slow about things like that but B thinks the woman is nice.  We were disappointed about it for we would have like to have had the other couple here.

Bobby has been wanting to come back to see you and he asked B the other day why we didn't have a chicken house and some chickens.

Ann has some more new teeth.  That makes 12 in all.  Another seems to be almost through.  Maybe she'll settle down and sleep better when she gets the 16 she should have before she is 2 years old.

I thought you might be interested in this dress, mother.  If you should order it don't be in a hurry for it.  Sometimes you get things right away and sometimes it takes 3 wks.  You can always return goods and they refund your money.

There simply isn't any news.  Maybe there will be more next week."

                     Lots of love,

                            Bonnie

NOTE:  It took nearly 60 years, but Bobby got his chicken house and chickens.

August 18 and 25, 1951 Ann is One, The Nail is Normal, The Couch is Sea-foam Green and Happy Birthday Daddy

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Thanks for Ann's birthday money.  We had a cake with one candle and Toni came over with her kids.  It hardly seems possible that Ann could be a year old.  She walks so well but still has to be fed at night.

B didn't have to go out today so we spent the day looking for a living room suite.  The factory still hadn't fixed our couch to suit us so we got our money back.  There are lots of couches but not many real nice ones.  We have just about decided on a green one--called sea-foam green.  It is very pretty but has no bed in it.  We were told we'd have a better couch without the bed and of course that is more important than the bed which is used so seldom.  Anyway we could always make out when we have company.

B is being sent to the northern part of the state on Monday--up beyond Chicago.  He will be gone 3 or 4 days so, of course can't come home at night.  I'd like to go too, but it would be too hard with Ann.

We have given up on the wedding and I wrote our regrets.  The gift went out today.  We bought a wooden Lazy-Susan with pottery dishes on top.  Sort of like this.  It was pretty.  Yes, you have to answer the invitation.

Bobby's finger isn't sore anymore.  The nail is beginning to grow back so maybe it will be normal afterall."

                                       Lots of love,

                                              Bonnie

August 28, 1951

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Hope to see you Tuesday if nothing comes up to change our plans.  We plan to stay with you and are bringing a crib to leave if you'll let us.

We'll bring your gift, Daddy, when we come.  Have to get this mailed so bye for now."

                       Lots of love,

                               Bonnie

NOTE:  The infant in the photo is Bonnie's Dad, Clyde, wearing the gown that was always on Bonnie's favorite doll, and the gown is pictured below.  The other photos are of Clyde and his brother.

Lula Belle Noyes and Clyde Taylor, 1888

  

 Happy Birthday, Grandad!                                       

August 4 and 11, 1951 Walking, Laughing, Dancing, The Wheelers Move, School's Out, Light Gray, Bright Red and Strawberry Dessert

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Ann has started walking and does so well.  She still crawls some but will crawl a little, then gets up and walks away.  She was so funny at first.  She would walk a few steps and then get so excited she would start laughing and dance first on one foot & then the other.  Of course,  she'd lose her balance but would get up and go again.  She also has her first molar.  That may explain her rash.  She has it with every tooth.

Bobby is fine.  We have a carnival in town so we've had to take the kids to the Merry-go-round.

Our couch and chair are going back to the factory again.  When they are finished with them we are going out there to see it and if it doesn't suit us they will either have to give us a new suite or our money.  We are certainly disgusted.

I'm so glad Charlotte got a bicycle.  That is one thing I want my kids to have.

Bobby's finger is doing real well.  The nail is off now so it isn't so hard to dress.  We keep a tiny band-aid on it because he gets his hands so dirty and the new nail is very tender, of course.  I don't know whether it is going to be a normal nail or not.  It is too soon to tell.

How far would it be to Ruth's home in Arkansas from Richland?  I would love to go to that wedding.

We don't know whether the Yale man is going to take Jim's place or not.  He can have the job if he wants it but we haven't heard from him yet.  His wife was nice and so was he but they'll never be like Jim & Eve.  They are leaving a week from today.  At least, Jim will take the furniture to Alabama then.  They have a house rented and Eve may wait here until things are moved and then all of them will go to Texas.

I want to can some peaches and tomatoes if I can but they are still too high.

We are going to have all of Wheelers for dinner Sunday.  We certainly hate to see them go.

Hope you are both fine."

                   Lots of love,

                          Bonnie

NOTE:  Released in June, 1951 and a top hit by August was Rosemary Clooney's "Come On A My House".  The song was what Bonnie called, "Silly with a catchy melody".

August 11, 1951

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"School is out, but it doesn't seem possible.  B is going to do some traveling for the school for about two weeks.  Part of it will be in Peoria but we don't know where the rest will be.  All expenses are paid plus regular salary so that will be some extra cash.  He didn't have to do it but would just as soon and especially since he'll get paid extra for it.  I plan to sew and paint while he's gone if I can.  I have a dress cut out (chambray) and would like to get it finished, anyway.

We painted our living room walls at night this week and it looks so nice and the room looks so much lighted and bigger.  It is off-white.   Ann has chewed holes in my curtains so I'm going to buy some figured drapes.  It will brighten up things in here.  Our bedroom is next to paint.  The walls are going to be light gray and the ceiling bright red.

B and Jim are going to load their furniture tomorrow and after Jim comes from Alabama the whole family will leave on Tues. morning.  We had such a good time Sunday.

This has been a terrible week--hot one minute and cold the next.  I've washed a tiny bit every day and would have barely enough time to dry it before it rained again.

I have a new recipe that you might use for your club or circle sometime.  It is very easy and just wonderful.

                                            Strawberry Dessert  (serves 12 - 16)

                                                2 packages Strawberry Jello

                                                2 cups boiling water

                                                1 pt. of whipping cream

                                                2 packages frozen strawberries (3 cups) unthawed

                                                Angel cake

Dissolve jello in water.  Add frozen berries and stir until berries are thawed and mixture is thick.  Fold in whipped cream.  Stir in chunks of cake about the size of a walnut or smaller.  Use about 1/2 of a large cake or more if you like.  Pour mixture into a wax paper lined loaf pan.  Chill, turn out on plate, pull off wax paper, slice & serve.

We got an invitation to the wedding and I had hoped that I might go with you and Daddy and leave B with the kids at Belshe's.  That is out, though, for I couldn't be gone two days and it is so far that we couldn't make it in one day.  We'll send them a gift and I'm so sorry I can't go.  I'd love to.

We don't know exactly when we'll be home but in about two or three weeks.  I'm sorry you can't come here.

This is Sat. and we've just had lunch but nothing else is done so I must stop & get to work."

                        Lots of love,

                              Bonnie

July 14, 21 and 28, 1951 The Sedative, The Mountain Goat, The Nicely Healing Thumb, A Pot of Beans and A Short Letter

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"I probably won't get far with this but I'll start anyway.  Bobby is asleep and Ann is awake since she started her nap real early.  I took her to the Dr. this morning in hopes he could tell me something to do to make her sleep better.  She weighs 20-1/2 lbs. now and is the perfect baby that she has always been.  He thought her waking at night was a habit.  We're going to give her a sedative for a couple of nights and see what will happen.  She climbs like a mountain goat.

You know the walnut table that you gave me?  She climbs onto the shelf and sits there like a queen just jabbering away.  She climbs into our big green chair and sits on the arm.  I can just see her falling off backwards and this morning when she was up in it I turned around just as she had one knee on the sewing machine.  She was practically up on it.  Right now she is happily eating your letter that came this morning and looking out the door calling Bobby & her daddy.

Toni and the baby are fine.  She had a cable and some letters from Watty.  They are in England and had a very smooth crossing.

The summer term is half gone today.  We would like so much for you to come to see us when school is out.  How about Mr. Noe?  Do you think he'd take care of the stock?  Think real hard.  Maybe you can think of someone.  We'll probably come home for a few days sometime during Aug. but I don't know when.  We may change our minds about this if you come here.  I wish you would.

My legs are fine.  Very little itching but they are still blotchy from the old bumps & probably will be for a long time.  My thumb is healing nicely.  I can wear just a band-aid now instead of a bandage.  It is going to leave a nasty scar and will be touchy for a long time.  Part of my thumb still feels like it has been asleep but is better every day.  Evidently I cut a nerve.

My $3.00 dress is chambray, I think and I'm getting so much good out of it.  We went to another sale on Mon.  I got a denim (light blue) skirt and B got two suits--one summer nylon & rayon & one wool winter suit.  It was a real sale and the place was mobbed.  I still haven't found any materials on sale but keep looking.

Bobby is waking so I will stop."

                 Lots of love,

                       Bonnie

July 21, 1951

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"The children are in bed for naps.  Bobby is now sleeping on his couch.  I don't know what made him decide to sleep there but it was his own idea and I don't know how long it will last.

We had a sitter stay last night while we went to Wheeler's for a while.  She did fine.  Ann woke up but went right back to sleep after a drink.  She is doing a little better but the sedative hasn't done enough good to suit us so we aren't giving it anymore.  In the last week she slept two nights without a bottle but still had to have several drinks.

Lynn slammed the door on Bobby's hand and caught the little finger in the latch.  It made an awful mess of his nail but I rushed him to the clinic on the corner and they fixed him up.  It looks real well today and I don't know whether the nail is going to heal back or not.  It was cut practically out.

Our furniture dealer came to look at our couch and said it was in bad shape.  They are taking it back to the factory tomorrow to be re-built.  He said we'll keep sending it back until it holds up.

Would Cecil Powers feed the stock?  I keep trying to think of someone to do it.  If you should have a chance to get someone even before school is out, be sure and come right then.  We could do more, of course, if B isn't in school but we'd still enjoy having you come.

Francis Jr., Bonnie's nephew

I finally got a letter written to Francis Jr.  I am so ashamed that I was so long in answering his graduation announcement.  I would love to go to his wedding but I guess it is out of the question.  It would be so far, but we'll send a wedding gift anyway.  I don't know what it will be but I'm beginning to think about it.

Ann doesn't walk yet.  She will take a step and then sit down.  Every once in awhile she'll stand up in the middle of the floor and play with something in her hands.  She'll stand there a long time.  She came all the way down the stairs yesterday.  I was there to catch her but she didn't need help.  I want her to know how to go up and down but I want to be near when she does it.

B is putting up some shelves in the front room.  If he gets through in time I want to clean the house.  Ann is afraid of the sweeper so I have to wait until he can be here.  I still get my ironing done.  It is always huge and takes the girl about 4 hrs. to do it.

I must put groceries away and wash the dishes.  I'm going to cook a pot of beans with a ham bone so that will be our supper.

Hope you are both fine and will soon find someone to care for your things so you can come."

                Lots of love,

                    Bonnie

NOTE:  Every once in awhile there will be another family letter along with Bonnie's.  The one below was from her nephew, Roger, with a quick note from his brother, Francis Jr. .

July 28, 1951

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We have really been sweating this week.  It is so hot but seems a little cooler tonight.

This week has gone by without my getting anything done.  I went to a meeting of former Newcomers Club members and enjoyed it.  We just visited for we hadn't all been together in a year.

B went to the Men's picnic supper on Wed. evening.  It is a yearly affair for men teachers and students only.  They always have a good time.

Bobby is fine but Ann has been sick since Sun. night.  She had a high fever so we called the Dr.   He came and said her throat was inflamed.  Penicillin has stopped it but she has a rash today.  I guess it is from the penicillin or else she is getting another tooth.  She is eating normally now and seems fine except for the rash.  She seems to break out when a tooth is coming but the Dr. didn't think a tooth has caused the fever.  If the rash is worse tomorrow I'll call him and see what he thinks.

Our couch still isn't back.  I guess they are making me a new one.  The living room looks so funny without it.

B has two more weeks of school.  It has gone fast but I'll be glad when it's out.  I want to paint our bedroom for one thing and there are lots of little things we want to get done.

A man from Yale is coming tomorrow to be interviewed.  They need someone to take Jim's place.  They will soon be gone and we will miss them terribly.

Toni hears from Watty real often.  He and his women (there's only one boy in the class) have crossed the channel and are in Belgium now.  They are having a wonderful time, of course.

B has been washing the car.  Bobby thought it was so much fun to help.  His hands haven't been so clean in months.

Your letter hasn't come so I'll look for it tomorrow."

                  Lots of love,

                       Bonnie

June 30 and July 7, 1951 The New Baby, The New Hives, Bobby is Good, Ann is Cross and The Thumb Was Sliced

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"It's almost cool enough for a fire.  It has rained almost all week and I guess you read about the tornado that did so much damage near Decatur.

We are still trying to get things straightened up.  B & Jim installed the automatic water heater last night so maybe we can get the basement cleaned up now.

Toni's baby was born at 2 o'clock Monday morning and then Watty left about 10:00 on Tuesday morning.  They were glad, I think, that the baby came before he left even if he did have to leave her in the hospital.  The baby is a boy and they called him William Morse.  Toni's sister is here with the children and they are doing real well.  Lynn doesn't say anything much about it but acts so lonesome.  Toni will be home Sunday.

We all miss Steve.  We had a real nice time with B's folks but didn't have time to do much but visit.  B took them over to see the school and they walked over the campus.  Then we rode around town.

Ann is doing better.  Her teeth really shine now so maybe she won't be so cross for a while.

My legs are still better but I haven't taken any anti-histamine in several days and am getting some welts on my arms and neck again.  I can't imagine what causes it.

We haven't done much this week except work.  This place is very comfortable and it is so nice to be downstairs.  I hope you will both come to see us sometime this summer."

                Lots of love,

                         Bonnie

NOTE:  On June 27, 1951, a tornado caused 35 injuries, destroyed 2 farms and caused over $300,000. in damages.  http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ilx/?n=macon-tor#1

July 7, 1951

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Things are pretty quiet around here now.  Toni's sister went home Wed. and I was glad.  The children were good but there was so much commotion all of the time.  Toni and the baby are fine.  She walked down to Normal with me this afternoon.  She is getting along real well.  I try to watch David & Lynn quite a bit especially when she's feeding the baby.  It means I don't get much done but she may need to help me sometime with mine.

Bobby is as good as usual and Ann is as cross as usual.  She has two bottles of milk every night and several drinks.  I don't see why she's so restless.  She really is growing.  We got new shoes for her with stiff soles and it won't be long before she walks.  She climbs the steps as fast as I take her down so B put up a gate at the foot.  Then she tried to climb under but couldn't make it.  We plan to put a gate at the top too since I have to shut her in a room if I'm working upstairs.  We have one on the porch, too.  They certainly save a lot of running and worrying.


I cut my thumb pretty badly Wed. evening.  I was opening a can and released it from the opener before I had a good hold on it.  It slipped thru my hand and the lid took a big slice into my thumb.  It makes me so clumsy and I can't do much with my hands but it is much better today and I can use it a little.  It has started to heal.

Summer sales are just beginning now.  I got a nice cotton dress for 3.00 yesterday.  Of course, I couldn't get there to look at the sales goods until late so couldn't find but one.  They had lots for $7.00 but I didn't want to give that much.

What did you do the Fourth?  We just worked around the house most of the day.  B & Jim made a work bench for the basement.

Your letter hasn't come yet but probably will tomorrow."

                      Lots of love,

                                                                                                        Bonnie

NOTES:  Toni's husband, Watty, was going on a field trip of ISNU geography students to Europe.

Good Housekeeping, July, 1951, featured a "Gallery of Gadgets".  Making its exciting debut, was the potato peeler.

Also of note, was this small piece, encouraging readers to share magazines by sending them overseas.

And in spite of the possibility of a truce in Korea,  continued cold war concerns dominate the news. 
  http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/40377688

Read Eleanor Roosevelt's My Day column of July 9, 1951 for her comments which conclude with a humorous anecdote.  http://www.gwu.edu/~erpapers/myday/displaydoc.cfm?_y=1951&_f=md001955

June 23, 1951 The Three Windows, A Pretty Good Trip, The New Tooth and The Dirty Dishes

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"It seems like a month since we were home.  This has been such a busy week and we've gotten lots done.  I have all my curtains up except in Bobby's room.  He has three windows and I have several curtains but no three pairs alike so I'll have to make something for him.

The trip home was pretty good.  We stopped at a roadside park to eat lunch and had stopped at the Diamonds for cokes.  It made us later getting home but we felt that the kids needed the change.

Ann is still cross but quite a lot better than she was there.  I discovered a new tooth when we were almost home and found another one today.  That explains her ill nature last week.  Maybe she will improve now.  I hope so for she still is so wakeful at night.

B's nephew, Steve

Steve has helped B all week and has run errands for me.  We will all miss him when he goes home.  We expect his folks tomorrow.
 
I have found another girl to help me and she ironed yesterday.  I couldn't seem to get the ironing even started.  Seems like I don't get my dishes done till all hours.  It is after 8:00 now and I haven't washed the supper dishes.  B is changing some light switches and putting in some outlets.

We went to a picnic last night and since it rained we had it inside.  I gave Ann her supper before we went and more milk after we got home.  She got very sleepy but was real good.

Toni expects to go to the hospital any minute and Watty leaves for Europe on Tuesday.  Her sister is coming to stay with the kids.

My legs are much better.  I had my prescription refilled and took another series of the anti-histamine.

B's raise turned out to be better than we expected--$40. a month.

Well, I must wash my dishes.  Hope you are all fine."

                     Lots of love,

                            Bonnie

NOTE:  For a fun look at old Route 66 and more about the Diamonds:
http://www.route66university.com/busdir/diamonds.php

June 2, 1951 Getting Ready to Move and Coming Home

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We're having real summer tonight but have had a fire part of the week.  Bobby likes it warm so he doesn't have to wear overalls.

We won't be able to move until next Sat. morning.  Graduation is that afternoon and it is going to be awfully hard but that's the earliest we could do it.  The movers will be here early so we hope to have everything over to the other place before noon.  We will eat our meals with Toni so we won't have to bother with them.  If all goes as planned we will come home on Mon. the 11th.  Summer session begins the next Monday.

I guess you went to Elm Grove on Memorial Day.  We spent the morning washing the kitchen ceiling and walls.  After that we were too tired to do anything but take a bath.  We aren't doing any more cleaning except to sweep out and wash the bathroom & kitchen floors after we are out.

B's folks have borrowed a crib for us so we won't have to bring one.  We are going to bring the couch cushions with us since we don't have to bring a crib.  It will be easier than boxing them.

This is the last letter we'll write before we come home unless something comes up.  Hope you are both fine."

                      Lots of love,

                              Bonnie

Richland in the 1940s (Photo from newspaper clipping from the collection of Tommy Henson)

           

Still on Pine Street is the Richland Hardware Store where you will find anything and everything you might need--appliances, carpet and furniture, nails, keys, seeds, tools and every type of good advice and hardware imaginable.  Still going strong after nearly a century.

                       
And just up the street, also still going strong is Warren's Department Store.  There you will find boots, jeans, dry goods and about anything else you might need. 

NOTE:  Bonnie's grandparents and aunt on her mother's side are buried in Elm Grove, just outside of Richland.  Going home always meant visits to the cemetery in order to decorate graves.  Large buckets of flowers of whatever type happened to be in bloom were always loaded into the car.  As a child, "going home" always meant a trip to Richland--something we all adored and still do.  Having just spent several days there recently,  I am reminded of all that is good about small town life, about roots, and most important of all, time with family.