October 12, 1946 The Sewing Machine, The Film, The Dress Material and The Crocheting

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Surprised?  Well, I had some news to write and couldn't wait till Wednesday.  We went to New Haven today and I bought a sewing machine for you.  They didn't have one like I've been waiting for but he had one for $104.50.  That is $10. more than the other one but I thought it was worth the difference.  The cabinet is quite a bit nicer than the other ones and I think it is walnut.  Attachments and a sewing book came with it but I didn't even ask what attachments.  I was as thrilled as if it was mine.  They showed me how to thread it and said to come back when I wanted to and they will show me how to use the attachments.  By Christmas I should be able to use all of them and teach you when we get home.  I bought material for drapes and slipcovers only yesterday and planned to rent a machine.  Now I can hardly wait to get started sewing.  The material is cream with big flowers in it.  I'm going to Kem-Tone the walls cream and we have a rug picked out.  It is a beige twist.  After we looked the state over for a gray we decided to get the beige if the store still has it Monday.  We think $98.50 is a lot for a 9x12 but it is the best we can do and will last years.

We have also ordered a refrigerator.  This store seems to favor the college and promised us one before long.  The box is a seven feet General Electric--$232.75.  We'll be flat broke if it should come right away.  It sounds like a lot of money but they are all things that will last for years.  We want to get a desk and some odd tables one of these days but aren't going to be in any hurry.

B is happily developing film.  It's the first chance he'd had so we hope to be able to send you and Beulah those we took of the babies this summer.  B said he'd send you a picture of the machine if you wanted to see what you're getting.

I mailed your dress material before I found out about the machine.  It never occurred to me that I could get one or I would have kept the dresses and made them for you.  You can send them back if you want to or save them till Christmas and I'll make them.  I couldn't get a dusty rose or the plain navy polka dot, but I thought you'd like these.

We got the curtains fine but you didn't keep the postage out.  Be sure and do that this time.  I was so glad you sent the short ones too.  I can cut them down a bit for the pantry window.

I'm going to get my diploma next Saturday in a mass graduation of people from the whole state.  They have it every year but I didn't know it.  The graduation is next Saturday morning at the college in New Britain.  The governor is to be the speaker and there is a luncheon at noon with a football game in the afternoon.  So you see I'm going to graduate in style after all.

The club met Thursday and was mostly a business meeting.  Then we visited and crocheted.  We're to have a speaker next time.  

Tomorrow we're invited with another couple to have 4:00 coffee at Dr. Richards.  You know they are the ones who bought the old house.

I hope you find a place soon.  Just look long through and you'll find one you like.

This is all the news and I won't write this Wednesday since I've told everything but I wanted you to know about the machine."

                         Lots of love,

                                B & Bonnie

NOTE: The graduation sketch was done by a friend of Bonnie's and is in her high school yearbook, 1938.

October 10, 1946 Shopping, On The Street Where We Live, Perfect Suit Weather and B Takes Pictures

The Grove Street apartment, East Berlin,  1946

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We are in our apartment at last. Of course, we aren't fixed up yet and have only a little bit of furniture.  The movers went to New Haven Friday so we were all moved by Saturday evening.  The rooms in the apartment are nice sized with lots of light.  There is a lot of work that needs to be done but I'm going to take my time and eventually get the walls painted in the living room and bedroom.  Mr. Hess (the man who owns the house) plans to sand the floors when he has time.  The kitchen, or dining room it really is, has a nice wall-to-wall linoleum and it doesn't need anything done to it.  The sink, cabinets, and stove are all in a pantry which needs painting too.  The bathroom has a built-in tub with a shower.  It is painted but such awful color combination that I plan to do it over too.

This may sound like the place is terrible but it is very nice and has lots of possibilities.  If we get it fixed up like we want it will be fine.  B had only one class yesterday so we spent the entire day shopping.  We bought a maple breakfast set and hunted and hunted for a rug.  We want a gray twist and found one.  7-1/2 x 9 but that is entirely too small.  The man said he would try to get us one but we're afraid it would never come.  This was in Hartford and was an Alexander Smith rug.  We plan to go back to Hartford Saturday and look around a bit more.  We also looked at an antique refrigerator yesterday but they wanted $125. for it and it wasn't worth $25.  I'll do without one before I give that.

I didn't get to see about the machine since we went to New Haven Friday.  It was too late by the time the movers came and loaded up.

It is so quiet and peaceful out here.  There is one house next door and a school house across the road--that is all on this street.  It is lots of fun watching the school kids.

I can't remember what I've told you about this place and I lost your last letter when we moved so I can't answer questions if you asked any.

Tomorrow is club day and if the weather is suitable I'm going to wear my velvet suit.  It was too hot last time so this will be the first time I've warn it.  I made a long sleeved white blouse to wear with it.  There is eyelet ruffling around the cuffs and neck and it's just a shirt waist.

I keep thinking about you moving.  I wish I could be there to help you for it is such a job.  The next time we move I hope it is into our own house so we won't have to move anymore.  When you clean out the attic, don't forget my old doll.  It's in a box.  You'll be smart to keep your furniture.  After we shopped around a bit we were plenty glad we had a few pieces.

I wish you could see Conn. this time of the year.  The grass is still green everywhere but the woods are all colors.  It is perfect suit weather but we have to have heat in the house.

B's slide, Oct., 1946

Sunday morning B took some pictures for one of the college teachers.  He has just bought an old house and they are fixing it up.  The house was built in 1765 and is in good shape.  They are painting, landscaping, and tearing down some outbuildings but they want pictures before and after the work is done.  There are 113 acres of land and they plan to raise Angus cattle after he retires from the college.

I hope I have a letter from you today.  Tell Beulah to write to me.  Hope you're all feeling fine."

                     Lots of love,

                              B & Bonnie

Bonnie's Doll c 1850--see notes below

NOTES from Ann:  The doll was originally owned by a child who was killed when her parent's buggy was hit by a train.  She was a cousin of Bonnie's grandmother who was six years old at the time.  The doll was given to Bonnie's grandmother (Allie).  Allie gave the doll to Bonnie in about 1926.  The underclothes and dress were Bonnie's father's baby clothes.  The beads are moonstone,  put on to cover the repaired break on the dolls neck.   Bonnie made a dress for the doll in order to protect the delicate Christening clothes.

October 2, 1946 The Apartment, The Material, The Food Situation and Bonnie Demands the Answers

Rainy Day Meat Line in Manhattan. Oct. 1946

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"Well, we have an apartment.  It is unfurnished so we're going to bring our furniture from New Haven and make it do until we can afford some new.  There are some things which we plan to buy after awhile--a rug, breakfast set, etc.  At first we thought we'd get all new things till we looked around and saw the cheap stuff at such awful prices.  An electric stove is furnished but we'll have to get some sort of ice box.  A new refrigerator is out of the question for every store has a waiting list of several hundred and they only get 2 a month.  There are three nice rooms, bath, pantry and hall on the second floor.  One of the college teachers bought the place and lives on the first floor.  They are young people and have two children.  He is going to sand the floors and fix it up for us.  People were living in it when we went to see it and so I can't remember much about it.  We plan to move Fri. or Sat. of this week.  The house is in the country really but the little town is called East Berlin.  It is a residential town with only a few stores.  There is a post office about the size of your garage and two grocery stores.  Our shopping will be here in New Britain or Middletown because we're just between them.  It is 6 miles to New Britain and it is going to be nice to be out where it's quiet.  Write to us at the college as you have been doing because we have to go to the post office for the mail if it is sent to East Berlin.  When I get our apartment fixed up I'll tell you more about it.  Oh yes, the rent is only $35. a month and it is heated.  That sounds almost impossible but it is right.

We're having real cold weather.  It rained and then got cold.  People are wearing winter clothes (overcoats) and we have heat all the time.

When we go to New Haven this week I hope I have time to ask about the machine again.  If I should be lucky enough to get one I'm going to keep it awhile if you don't care.  I would like to make a new slipcover for our couch.

By now you should have the material.  It was just luck that I found it and there is lots of it in this one store.  Let me know if you want more.  I bought some white rayon for a blouse but haven't done anything to it yet.

I left some curtains in my cedar chest this summer.  There are some cotton panels and some rayons--three pairs of sash.  Will you send them to me?  Keep postage out of the money for the dress material.  You can send the Journal when you are all finished with it but there is no hurry at all about that.

Tomorrow is Beulah's birthday.  I have a package ready to mail to her.  I seem to be late with everything.  Tell her to write to me one of these days.

The food situation here is pretty bad.  Of course we haven't done any shopping but everyone complains about no meat.  We have meat at the restaurant though.

You didn't answer any of my questions.  Didn't you have the letter yet or did you do it on purpose?  Do you intend to live in town or on a farm?  Why sell the goats?  When do you have to move?

How are you both?  I hope you aren't sick over selling the place.  You must not be.

Mrs. Wampler asked me to go to a club meeting today but I'm going to Middletown with B to look for a breakfast set and rug.  We want a plain grey rug and they hardly exist.  One store has a sample and a promised deliver in a month or two but we are a little afraid that it would be five or six.  It was $108. which is a little steep but it was an all wool twist broadloom and real nice.

I haven't been doing much on my afghan.  I got so tired of it I got out my table cloth and have been crocheting on it.

I'll write you next week and you write soon."

                       Lots of love,

                                  B & Bonnie

NOTE from Ann:  Nuremberg Trial verdicts were in the news on October 1, 1946.  Use the link for details:  http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/nuremberg/NurembergNews10_16_46.html

September 25, 1946 Trailer Rumors, Fishing, Selling the Place and No Machine Yet

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"This is a beautiful day but we've had some awful rainy weather.  It has been so gloomy but the sun is out now.

Rumors are going around that the trailers are to be assigned today.  I'll be so glad to know whether or not we can have one.  If we don't get one we're going to advertise although everyone says it is useless.  We're going to try anyway.

Last night we had dinner with the Wamplers.  He is head of the Educational Psychology department.  They are middle aged people and live in a little apartment.  The dinner was real good--roast chicken--and we had a real nice time.  They came from Iowa originally but have been here for many years.

Last Sunday we went fishing with Bea and Sully.  It was cloudy when we started but the sun came out and it was a grand day.  We rented a row boat and went way out in the sound.  We ate our lunch in the boat and fished out of the boat and off big rocks. There were lots of nibbles but B was the only real fisherman among us.  He caught two about four inches long.  Ha!  It was lots of fun even if we didn't catch anything.  Daddy would enjoy it I know.  In the evening we fried hamburgers and made coffee on an island.  It was about 11:00 before we got back to New Britain.

I noticed this morning that a new Journal is out.  Keep it until I tell you to send it.  Maybe I'll have an address one of these days.

How is the back?  I didn't even know it was bothering you except that day you got the catch in it.  Maybe Dr. Meyer could help you out.  We are both fine except I get numb from sitting so much.  My time goes a little faster now.  I'm getting used to doing nothing.

I wasn't very surprised about you selling the place.  I hope you find a nice place and it will be wonderful for Daddy to get out of the store.  It will be better for both of you.  You won't be so lonesome and he will feel better when he gets a little air and sunshine.  Have you any farms in mind?  When do you have to move?  You said in about 3 months but does that mean Jan. 1?  I hope you won't move till we get home Christmas and get our things out of your way.  Do you still think you'll sell most of your things and not have to move them?

B goes to Middletown today.  We're going early and look for me a blouse.  I found one the other day but they didn't have my size.

I keep forgetting to tell you that I asked about the sewing machine right after we got back but they still don't have one for me.  I'll keep trying and maybe I'll get one by Christmas.  I'm already beginning to look forward to Christmas.

You needn't bother about the Hershner address.  I found it in a magazine.

I'll try to write on Wednesdays now.  Hope to hear from you soon."

              Lots of love,

                      B & Bonnie

September 19, 1946 The Grand Nuisance, The Housing Shortage, Thrilled To Pieces and Planning to Fish

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"We are still in the room and see no chance of having another place at least till after Oct. 1.  The trailers will be ready then and we have applied for one but I guess the rest of the 34 families (new) have too.  Our hopes of getting one are pretty thin.  We also have a chance at a furnished place for the winter.  That would mean another move June 1 so we'd rather have a place where we could stay.  We would take it though if nothing else comes up.  The room we're in is small but real nice and we use the whole house--course we have to eat every meal out and that is a grand nuisance.

We unpacked the bare essentials and everything else is in boxes.  One more load will bring everything from New Haven except our furniture and we still don't know what to do about that.  The people in the apartment are using part of it and the rest is in a classroom.  They are worse off than we are by a lot--have three boys (8 mos., 7 and 9) and can't find a house.  We don't care how long they use our furniture but we want to sell it all at once if we don't find an unfurnished place.  We're storing our other things in the basement here and the lady said we could bring our furniture but I wouldn't want to do that unless we had to.  She just charges us $7. a week which is real cheap now.

My days aren't so long now.  I guess I'm getting used to being lazy but I sure worked at my afghan for a few days.  Another strip is almost done but I'm wanting to work on something else for awhile.  Tell Beulah to send me a sample of that yarn like Jerry's sweater.  I may look for a leggings pattern one of these days unless we suddenly find an apartment.  I gave the eggs to my landlady and she sure was thrilled.  They would have rotted by the time I had a place to cook them.

Did Beulah get her telephone put it?  It will be so nice when you can talk to her anytime.

I told you we went to the reception.  The hat I bought was black off the face with some feathers on it--real pretty but almost broke me up.  I have been invited to join the faculty wives club and the first meeting is tomorrow.  Two women are meeting me so I won't have to go alone.  I finished the velveteen dress and plan to wear it if it isn't too hot.  I took it to a tailor to have it pressed and he wanted to know where I got such nice "velvet".  The faculty wives club sounds very much like the Dames.  Mrs. McLoud (my landlady) has offered to take me to the New Brit. Women's Club one of these days.  I don't know about that yet.

B comes home from school thrilled to pieces everyday.  He really enjoys his work and the other faculty members.  He teaches four classes of psychology--3 at the college and one in Middletown (14 miles from N.B.) to an extension class of the college--two afternoons a week.  I've been going with him to Middletown.  He gets expense money for driving.

We drove up to see Sully and Bea Sunday afternoon.  It's only about 35 miles to Willimantic.  We planned a fishing trip for next Sunday if the day is nice.

It has been cool enough to have a fire in the house but has warmed up now.  The days are beautiful, sunny ones and all the leaves are turning and falling.  This is the nicest part of the year in Conn.  I love it.  Summer flowers are still blooming but fall flowers are out too.

Write to us.  It has been so long since we heard from you and I begin to worry about you when I don't hear."

                     Lots of love,

                               B & Bonnie

Saturday Evening Post, 1946 Humor in the midst of the Housing Shortage

August 3, 1946 The Hectic, Exciting Week, The Job Offers, Big Decisions and Visiting Home

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"This has been a hectic but exciting week.  The offers of jobs have been pouring in and we've spent a lot of our time hunting places on maps and talking about the places.  B had a letter about the Calif. job and after the different delays the man told him not to depend too much on it.

However, Dr. Hill had a telegram this morning saying that B's appointment would probably go through.  This doesn't mean that he has decided to take this job because some of the others are good too.  Yes, we could come home once a year.  I don't want to ever be so far away that I couldn't do that.  California appeals to us a lot--its climate and being across the country--but the job doesn't sound as good to B as one we went to see about this morning at New Britain, Conn. just about 35 miles from New Haven.  B seems to prefer this one above all the other offers he's had.

The other jobs are in N.Y. state and we're going to Albany on Tuesday and N.Y. City Thurs. to see about them.  It's quite a job to decide which we'd like especially since we may spend the rest of our lives there. We hope that by next Thursday everything will be settled.  Then we should be able to start home the first of the week or sooner if we could.  This is probably the last letter I'll write and you don't write anymore--not even answer this unless there's something you want.  We might be gone before it got here.

I haven't heard a word about the sewing machine but I'm going down and ask again.  I guess I'm not going to get one now.

I can count my school days on one hand now and they are actually only 1/2 days.  B is having his interviews in N.Y. in the afternoon so I can go with him.

I had a nice letter from Beulah and was so glad to get it.

Well, we'll be seeing you before long.  If we decide definitely when we're starting home and there is time I'll write you a card."

                      Lots of love,

                              B & Bonnie

NOTE from Ann:  B and Bonnie spent August in Missouri visiting family and B accepted a job at Teachers College of Connecticut in New Britain.   On returning to Connecticut there was no housing to be found except for a single room.  They moved into that room.  The next letter will be Sept. 17, 1946.

And clippings from Time magazine this week:

July 27, 1946 The Vegetable Crops, The Term Papers and Book Reports, The California Job and "Anna and the King of Siam"

Dear Mother & Daddy,

"You should come to New Haven for awhile if it's so hot at home.  We are having just wonderful weather.  We had quite a lot of rain just in time to save the vegetable crops.

I got the August Ladies Home Journal yesterday.  I guess my card didn't get to them in time to change the address but I never did get the July one.  I'll bring it when we come home.

I have been studying all day.  The days go by so fast that I want to get as much work done as I can before the last week.  Term papers and book reports always bother me till they're finished.  Summer school work is so much easier than the regular semesters.  Most of the students are teachers who teach all winter and are working for a degree.

Dr. Hill had a letter last Monday about the Calif. job.  The man had sent some blanks to be filled out and was wondering why B hadn't returned them.  They must have got lost in the mail for we never got them.  He sent some more so now we have to wait till they go to Calif. to the college president before we know anything.  We may have to delay starting home for a few days till we hear one way or another for it would be foolish to come to Mo. and have to come back here for our stuff.  We were anxious to hear what all of you thought of our going to Calif. if we could get the job.  We have friends here who came from that college to Yale and they think it's wonderful.

We had such a good time in New York.  Some of the stores were open and we shopped around for any bargains we might find.  I bought a white slip and that was all.  We asked about a sewing machine for you but the girl said it would be about five months before I could possibly get one.  We went to the Museum of Natural History and then to a show--"Anna and the King of Siam"--maybe you read the book.

How does Beulah feel and how does she look?  What do they call the baby?

I don't suppose we'll get a catalog.  We haven't ordered anything in so long.  What are all those things you say you need?

Send us over a pan of those rolls.  It just makes me drool to think of it.   Do you have lots of milk and cream?  I gave .33 for 1/2 pt. of cream the other day and then it was too thin to whip.  Meat is back in the stores now.  I get mad every time I go to shop--.66 for bacon, .69 for round steak, .49 for hamburger and those prices are called cheap.  I was going to buy a little can of shrimp like we used to get and they wanted .99 for it.  I didn't buy it.

Wouldn't it be nice if Buddy and Bessie could go see Francis Jr.?  We hope to see them when we come home.

Well, be good and don't melt away before we get there."

                    Lots of love,

                            B & Bonnie

NOTES from Ann:  For the New York Times 1946 review of "Anna and the King of Siam": 
http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9807E7D91538E532A25752C2A9609C946793D6CF
and for a look at a scene: