August 21, 1943 Sew Desiring, Cowboy B, The Robe, Sugar Stamps and Infantile Paralysis

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We are both just fine and hope you are too.  We've spent most of the week reading so there isn't much news.

The play we saw Saturday night was simply awful.  It certainly wasn't worth our $1.10.  There isn't a play this week so I don't know whether we will go anywhere tomorrow night or not.

We went to church on Sunday and the minister was from Dumfries, Scotland.  He was very interesting and was very grateful for the help Americans are sending.

I bought a new black skirt today.  It is light enough that I can wear it all year.  I'm going to order some material from Sears to make me some blouses.  I get the sewing fever so badly I'm going to try to make some blouses by hand.  There are so many nice things I could make if I only had a machine.

B got some new work pants and I wish you could see them.  All he needs is a big hat, a horse and bow legs and he'd look just like a cowboy.  They are blue denim with red stitching.  When he put them on I said,  "Yippee!".

There is an epidemic of Infantile Paralysis in New Haven and they can't seem to stop it.  Most of the cases are mild.  Doctors say there isn't much danger of adults contracting it.

Did you go to Mary's and Martha's to hear the book review?  I hope so.  It would be nice for you and I'm so thrilled that you have joined the book club.  Now you'll have to have a bookcase.  Now Daddy, don't say, "My gosh".  Be sure and keep us posted on what books you buy.  We have tried and tried to get The Robe at the library, but it is always out.

We're sending you the sugar stamps so be sure and have some jelly made, so we can have some home made butter and jelly when we come home Christmas.  I'm sorry you didn't mention sugar before because we talked about you needing it and decided the board would give you enough so we gave Mrs. Hunt two of our stamps.

It's about bedtime so I must read my Bible and go to bed.  Write real soon."

                                      Lots & lots of love,
                        
                                                   B & Bonnie

NOTES from Ann:  The polio epidemic of 1943 was more significant in New Haven than originally believed.   The National Infantile Paralysis Association spearheaded the March of Dimes campaign to combat the disease and FDR was of course, a major fundraiser.  For details, use this link.
http://books.google.com/books?id=VQS06qmj4K8C&pg=PA192&lpg=PA192&dq=infantile+paralysis+epidemic+1943&source=bl&ots=mY9f7tdguE&sig=NZ-V3XXoC2K4UMjibIjy17SNIJ8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=tTQ0T9b6HOGssQKmqf2kAg&ved=0CD0Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=infantile%20paralysis%20epidemic%201943&f=false

A brief review of The Robe: 

By A Customer  (Amazon)

This review is from: The Robe (Paperback)

Lloyd C. Douglas' The Robe has become my favorite book. I came upon the book quite by accident a few years ago, and I have since read it 3 times. This book is not just a great religious novel, it is a great novel. Even if the reader is not a Christian, he/she will find it hard to put down. The reader is drawn in from the very first paragraph. Douglas certainly has a knowledge of ancient Rome and Judea, and he uses historical references to great effect. The characters are some of the most richly crafted I have ever read. The tale works on many levels: a love story; a tale of suspense; a tale of political intrigue; and, ultimately, a triumph of the human spirit and the power of personal redemption. For those without a clear view of Chritianity (which is easy to understand these days), this book is for you. While a novel, this book is probably a fairly accurate portrayal of the early Jesus movement in Judea and in Rome. This book should be on every bookshelf.