July 28, 1959 Visiting Niagara Falls

Postcards above, B's slides below:

July 20 and July 22, 1959 Mystic, New Haven, New Britain and Hartford...The Old Stomping Ground

July 18, 1959 Fun in the Big Apple

July 14, 1959 Greetings from Mt. Vernon and D.C.

NOTE:  For the next few days, there will be no letters, only postcards written on the road, or collected over time.

Use the link to see slides of the 1947 visit to D.C. and Mt. Vernon:  http://www.annbkennedy.blogspot.com/2012/05/july-21-1947-back-in-connecticut-with.html

June 27, 1959 The Dust, The Tent, The Birthday Party and The Last Piano Lesson

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"There's a good breeze today but the dust is rolling.  We need rain terribly and there doesn't seem to be any chance of our getting any soon.  People have been using so much water that the reserve tank was drained so they have asked people to stop until they can pump it full again.

There isn't much news.  Bob and Ann are still coughing so we have watched a lot of T.V.  together this week.  I have been sewing too and just about have our mother-daughter dresses done.

Our tent came and they sent a nicer one than we ordered so we were glad we had to send the first one back.  The kids slept in it one night.  We just about have things together for our trip.  I have intended to tell you that Pretzel is going to stay with the same people who kept him last year.  We'll bring him with us though when we come next week but they asked to keep him and that will be better.  You'd worry yourself to death about him.

The kids and I went to Bill Watterson's birthday party Thurs. and Ann had her last piano lesson that day, too.  Granny gets around real well but it will be a while before she can really walk very far.

We plan to see you sometime Friday so Bye for now."

                        Lots of love,

                                Bonnie

NOTE:    Mom cooked simple meals using a Coleman stove, iron skillet, small pan and coffee pot.  Our first day's lunch on the road, for every camping trip, every year, would be pimiento cheese and egg salad sandwiches, carrots and celery, potato sticks, apples, cookies and lemonade.  Camp breakfasts were always bacon and eggs or cereal with powdered milk (yuk) and lunches were often Dinty Moore Beef Stew, Spam fried with canned pineapple and brown sugar, canned potatoes fried with onions, cheese sandwiches and whatever else we might have found at the small camp market.  A favorite treat was gingerbread and applesauce baked in a coffee can over the fire. 

Bob's assignment was to help set up the tent, mine was to blow up the air mattresses. 

June 19, 1959 The Two Church Suppers, The Store Business, The Unfinished Book, The Tent and The Right Size

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"I had a pen here with my paper but Ann has carried it off.  This has been quite a week and we're all worn out.  We went to two church suppers and then Ann and I went to the church two nights to see pictures and to hear the missionaries talk.  Their little girl is about Ann's size and they had the best time together.  She stayed all day with Ann on Wednesday.  The church bought the missionary children new shoes and some other things.  In fact, they took them to Bloomington on a shopping spree and the whole family was so happy they could hardly stand it. 

I'm glad Beulah has been dismissed from the Dr.   That will be a load off their minds.  I had an examination not long ago and was fine, of course.

B's mother wrote us about the store last week and when you didn't mention it in your letter I felt like you didn't know it.  She didn't write any details except that Cooks had already worked their last day.  I hope things will be better now and I hope you have talked to Claude Woods about the business so you know what is what.

It doesn't look like I can finish my book before we leave because I haven't had the pep to start typing on it.  It doesn't bother me but I would like to get it sent to a publisher.  The sooner I send it the sooner I'll know if someone will buy it.  I won't have to have the play until next Xmas for the church and I've been planning a little for it.

We still don't have our trip mapped out but we do have maps and folders to work with.  Our tent came but had a little hole in the top so we had Sears order another one.  It will be here next week.  Our vacation begins July 3 and we plan to drive home that day.  We'll probably stay about a week and come back here for a day or two to get ready for our trip.

I hope Daddy's package arrives on time & I hope it fits.  It has been so long since I wrote sizes down that the numbers may be all wrong.  If they are wrong mail it right back and maybe there will be time to get the right size before we come home.

Hope you both have a real nice day."

                      Lots of love,

                           Bonnie

June 13, 1959 4 Church Suppers, The Department Picnic, One Milk Bottle, Sunday School On Display and The Last Chapter

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"It's a wonderful, cool morning but we have been having some real hot days.  The kids have gone to the pool every afternoon and are getting real brown.  I haven't gone yet.  Seems like there is always something else I want to do.

I didn't feel good the first of the week and I think I was just too tired since school is out and I haven't had to do all the extras.  I don't want to do anything much.  But next week is going to be a busy one.  There are 4 church suppers and our department picnic.  Maybe I told you our church missionaries were here and the extra things are for them.

I've been trying to write the last chapter for my Japanese book I've worked on for so long.  Quill Club was Thursday and they helped me with it but it isn't finished yet.  Maybe I'll get it ready to send to a publisher one of these days.  I want to write another Christmas play, too.  It takes me so long with all the other things to do.

I cut out Mother-daughter dresses yesterday but the pieces are still on the dining room chairs and I haven't even pinned them together.

B has been working so hard at school.  It seems like it should be an easy time but they are getting things set up for summer school and there are always lots of problems to settle from last semester.  Then he has to help select new students and do lots of other stuff I don't even understand.  He can hardly wait till vacation.

We have ordered our tent from Sears but it hasn't come yet.  We have maps and books from all the eastern states but haven't had time to map out our trip.

Sorensens have turned toward home now and Woody says they feel like they were on their way home.  They wrote the card from Kenya in Africa.  We expect them the first week of August.  I must write to them soon for they will be going into Poland and Czechoslovakia and won't be able to get mail there.

I have one milk bottle some workmen left here one day and I'll bring that to you and I could probably buy some if you need more. 

Granny was to get her cast off yesterday but I can't get them on the phone so I don't know how she made out.

Bob had an eye test this week and they have stayed the same.  It is the first time he hasn't had to have new glasses.  We were happy about that.

I must stop & plan my S.S. lesson for we'll all be on display for the Missionaries tomorrow."

                         Lots of love,

                                Bonnie

June 6, 1959 All Happy, School is Out, A Busy Church Week and Milk Bottles

ISNU Yearbook, The Index, 1959

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"This is a beautiful morning and today is graduation so we are all happy.  They hold the exercises outdoors so it is going to be a perfect day for it.  I plan to go for the first time.  Toni and I used to take the kids over to watch the faculty and students march in their caps and gowns but I've never seen the whole program.  I don't have to get a sitter for afternoons anymore either.  The kids always have something to do.

I've been on the go so much this week that I haven't done a thing to the house.  It shows it, too.  I wasted one afternoon looking for a dress and never did find one.  So I just wore my old brown nylon that I've had so many years.  It is right in style this year.  I had wanted something for the Senior reception yesterday.  It is a party for the graduates that the president gives each spring.  We were asked to help so we were there all afternoon.  It was time for the kids to have some booster shots so I took them to the doctor for that yesterday morning.  The pool is open so Bob went swimming in the afternoon but Ann played with a neighbor child.

I went to an all day Pen Women meeting Thursday.  That is a national club and the group here has been wanting me to join but their regular meetings are held on Sunday because so many of them work and the meetings are held in different towns.  The Thursday meeting was called a workshop.  Different ones take things to read and the group helps with criticism.  They usually take a sack lunch but we went to a restaurant for lunch because one of the former members was visiting here.   I didn't take anything to read.  I haven't had time to write anything--not even letters.  I need to write to Sorensens and a lot of other people.

Clipping in the letter but no explanation

The kids are happy that school is out.  They get up earlier than on school days and Bob hammers and saws every morning.  Ann will have three more piano lessons and then stop for the summer.

Next week will be a busy church week.  We are having a visit from our missionary family--the one we help support in Africa.  I feel sorry for them because every hour is planned for them.

How many milk bottles do you want if I can find some?  I haven't had time to look.  Dairies use paper cartons most of the time now.

I've lost your letter so I can't remember if you asked any questions.  I want B to mail this so I'll say bye for now.

We are planning to come home July 3." 


                       Lots of love,

                                Bonnie

May 31, 1959 Cock-A-Doodle-Do, Commencements, Connecticut and Camping

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"It's a beautiful day but a little hot and steamy.  We've been having rain almost every night and then sunshine in the day.  Things are growing so fast you can almost see them grow.  The chicken ate the last of the lettuce and the radishes are going to seed now.  I dug up part of the bed and planted nasturtiums and may get the rest dug up one of these days.  Mrs. Smith (my iris friend) gave me some new iris and will give me some more this summer so I'm going to get a place fixed for them.  Our yard is real pretty now.  The iris are almost through blooming but the peonies have started.  This is the first time they have bloomed so there won't be many.  B mowed the new grass in front for the first time this week and it is sparse but looks lots better.

The chicken caused a lot of excitement this week.  He began to crow.  Bob had started to school when he heard it and he yelled "Mom" so loud the whole neighborhood must have heard.  The rooster has been practicing ever since and it really sounds funny.  It is almost fryer size now and is a very pretty chicken--shiny brown.

The Normal pool opened today and Bob has gone to swim.  The water will probably be icy cold but he didn't care.  Ann went to a movie with some kids and will probably want to go when she gets home.

B had two commencement talks this week besides all the other things.  One was 150 miles away so he was real late getting home but the money he got for them bought him a suit he needed.

Helen Brown and I had our supper party last night and that's the last one.  We entertained 40 women in all and we could easily have another party but we don't plan to.  It's a lot of work but so much easier when we do it together that way.

I didn't mean for you to bother about that pink locust.  If I can't get one here alive maybe this one I have will send up some sprouts one of these days.  It was sure pretty this year.  The blossoms were so heavy that a limb broke off in the wind one day so I tied it together before any more broke.  I put the limb in water and planned to use it in a bouquet but it wilted right away.

Bob and Ann will be out of school next Thurs. and the college graduation is Saturday.  We probably will be home the last of June or the first week in July.  We are planning to go to New York and New England sometime during our vacation.  We think we'll get a tent and some camping equipment and camp along the way.  Maybe I have already told you this.  We remember some wonderful camping spots near the ocean in Connecticut and we have been getting literature from the states between here and there.  So many of our friends go camping and they all say it is more fun than any form of traveling.

I hope you are having as nice a day as we are."

                       Lots of love,

                               Bonnie

May 23, 1959 Rained Out, Lunch for 20, Hot Chicken, Cold Chicken and Mixed Feelings

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"B is still at school and Ann has gone to the movies with some little girls.  Bob has cooked his own pancakes and now doesn't know what to do with himself.

We were supposed to have a girl scout cook-out this morning but had to cancel it because of wet weather.  The girls were going to cook their own breakfasts outdoors and they were disappointed.  Night before last we had a big rain storm and it rained off and on all day yesterday so the ground is soggy and it is cold today.  Ann had piano rehearsal this morning, too.  Their big recital is Monday night.

Another girl and I had a luncheon yesterday for 20 women so I've spent much of the week getting ready for that.  We had cold chicken salad on lettuce, a jello-applesauce salad, peas, relishes and rolls.  Our dessert was a coffee flavored pudding with coffee.  Next Friday we're having a supper together for some of the teachers--20 more.  This one will be at the other girl's house so I'll do most of the cooking probably.  We're using the same menu but are making a hot chicken dish of some kind.

I had a nice long letter from Charlotte.  She writes so much like Beulah that she could sign either name and I wouldn't know the difference.

I wish I had some of your berries.  There have been some around but they are always half rotten and I haven't bought any yet.  We have potluck tonight and it is my turn to take dessert.  I'd like to make shortcake if I can find nice berries.

Bob had a wonderful time on his camping trip.  Ann and I went to church to the tea and when we came home B and Bob were home and all cleaned up.  B had washed all his dirty clothes and Bob was so tired and happy he could hardly keep his eyes open.

Sorensens are in Italy now.  The trip through India was terrible--heat and bad food--and Woody said he lost more weight than he did in Russia.  He must look awful but he'll gain it back in Europe now.  They will be home the first week in August.

I have mixed feelings about Paul Bellington going into Brazil.  I admire him for it but I pity him too.  That is one of the wildest places in the world for missions.  Bob and I just finished a book about that area and some of the things were pretty hair-raising.  Missionaries certainly earn their keep.  Surely Paul knows what he's headed for.

We have to go to the store so I must stop.  I have to find something for the kids supper plus their sitter this time."

                                Lots of love,

                                       Bonnie

May 16, 1959 Cupcakes, Plastic, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"I'm baking cupcakes for the church so I'll write while I watch the oven.  I didn't offer to bake anything but they called me so I couldn't get out of it.

This week has been so full it has flown by and next week will be worse.  I have cleaned on the kitchen most of the week between other things but I've about finished.  I'd like to put plastic on the floor again but it is too cold to have the house open for that so it will have to wait.

Family Circle, May, 1959

The screens have to be cleaned and the stove cleaned and I'll be through in here.  We haven't even looked at the paint for the living room since we bought it and I don't know when we will.

B has gone to a dinner meeting and Bob is on a camping trip with the Scouts.  It is supposed to frost tonight but they took lots of bedding and tents so they should be o.k.  The Dads are taking turns and B has to go out to camp Sunday morning and stay until they come home that afternoon.  Won't they be a dirty bunch of tired kids?

Becky is staying all night with Ann.  Of course, she would have to have someone here when Bob is gone.

There is to be a Mother-daughter tea at church Sunday afternoon and Ann is going to play a couple of piano pieces for it.

My Girl Scout training is over and I'm glad but I did enjoy it.  The last day was a camping day and we cooked outdoors.  I will have two more meetings with the Brownies this spring and probably no more till fall.  We plan to cook breakfast outdoors for the last meeting and the kids can hardly wait.

We have been having the craziest weather.  It gets hot for a day or two and then turns real cold.  It looks so nice outdoors but a coat feels good.  The iris are still beautiful.  Several that Mrs. Smith gave me last year are blooming.  One is apricot colored and is really beautiful.  I bought some last year too but I don't think they will bloom this year.  The pink locust is just beginning to bloom too.  I want to get another small one this summer.  I think I'll try potting a real little one and try to get it home alive that way.  The ones I brought last July died.

I've been wanting to plant some flower seeds but it is either too cold or there is something else I have to do.

I thought about sending Charlotte a dress but after you said she wasn't planning to have a new dress under her gown I decided to just send money and let her get what she wants.  I hated to send a check but was afraid a bill might get lost.  I hope she won't be disappointed that I didn't send a package.

It's almost 9:00 so I must stop and get the kids headed for bed.

Hope you both are fine."

                           Lots of love,

                                Bonnie