Haddock and Dill: August 11, 1945 Back in New Haven, Too Good To Be True and The Improving Food Situation

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"It seems like months since we were home. We have all our clothes put away and are back into the old routine again. We haven't done much since we got home. The news has been so good that we've spent most of our time listening to that. By the time this letter reaches you the war will probably be over. It sounds too good to be true. There haven't been any pre-mature celebrations in New Haven as yet. It seems that gas rationing will be ended shortly so we have already been talking about going to Horace's for Christmas.

We had a real nice time at Buddy's. He had to work but we had a good time anyway. Their house looked real nice. They had the bedrooms papered and they looked real pretty. Dana & Audrey Jean were there but we didn't see much of them. They came in late from a show and Dana ironed in the basement the next morning. She worked all the time and was planning to can some tomatoes for Fanny. Fanny was in St. James. Bessie looked a little bad but said she felt pretty good. All they all talk about is Francis Jr. but I guess they are all happy now. He won't have to fight. You should write to him, Mother. They say he never complains but just lives for letters. He still calls on Sunday and reverses the charges. Bessie said he paid for his first call and she told him not to do it anymore. She had sent him several boxes of stuff--candy, cookies, a baseball & mitt & I don't know what all.

Aunt Lulu came up a few minutes. She looked fine.

I've been working a little bit on my lunch cloth. It won't take me long to finish it. I already have the crocheted edge on one napkin. The yarn samples came and are real nice. If you're still in the notion of letting me make afghans send me the samples of what colors you want and how much, and I'll order it. If you decide to have yours all colors I can use those three balls you have and that will help quite a bit.

The food situation seems to have improved. I got a steak today and we got oleo last week. There isn't soap though. I was lucky because I had two partly filled boxes.

B took the watches to the jeweler today. Your watch will be ready in two weeks. It is $6.50 and guaranteed for a year.

The weather here is fine. The sun is pretty warm but there is a good breeze and the nights are real cool. They say it rained all the time we were gone.

I hope you're all fine. Write soon."

Lots of love,

B & Bonnie

NOTES: What was on the radio and at the movies? See below.

And, an important day in history, note the Truman letter below and the photo of US Troops on the USS General Harry Taylor, reversing their route back to NY. Use the link for interesting documentation on the Japanese surrender.

http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/policy/1945/450729a.html#2