Spitball Army

[Postcard picturing the metropolitan Lake McDonald Hotel, Glacier National Park. Postmarked on 18 August 1941 at 12 midnight at Lake McDonald, Montana. Addressed to Miss Crystal K., Berwyn, Ilinois.]

Hi Kiddle,

Spent last night and to-day, Sun. 17, on the train. We had some fun last night in a small town when a freight train was de-railed and wrecked. It delayed us two hrs all the rest of the day. We had another beautiful day riding through the mountains.

We took a bus to this hotel and pulled in about 8:30, had a fine steak dinner, looked the place over, and then sat down to write to you. To-morrow we will ride around the park in a bus and around the lakes in a boat – something new, you know.

I don’t suppose there would be much sense in writing again because I will be there before the letter would. See you Wed-20, hey?

Thinking of you,
Dick

At book club, the woman sits in the corner, occasionally punctuating the discussion with an “Mm HMM!” She only came for the pizza.

Oddly Coincidental: She wheels a buggy full of withered, discounted plants to the checkout and purchases a gallon jug of RoundUp.

[Postcard picturing the metropolitan Seattle skyline, both as it is “today” (1941) and as it was in 1874. Postmarked on 16 August 1941 at 8:30 p.m. at Seattle, Washington. Addressed to Miss Crystal K., Berwyn, Ilinois.]

Hi Kiddle,

     In case you don’t get the card I sent yesterday, I want to repeat – I didn’t get any letter from you. I was really counting on it, too.

     Boy oh boy! is this a wonderful town. It is just as clean as a whistle. Every street is on a big slant. Walk around 4 blocks shopping and you are poo’d. We took a 4 hr sightseeing trip and covered 60 miles. The town is built around 5 lakes and a big ocean bay. I certainly would like to stay here and finish my education at this beautiful big U of W. It has any of the schools beat all hollow. We got through with customs at 10:30 and were in bed at 11:30 (2 weeks last night since I saw you). We will board a train at 10:15 to-night, Sat. 16. Some fun on a Saturday, getting on a train for amusement.

Thinking of you,
Dick

Nature Euthanasia: She wheels a buggy full of withered, discounted plants to the checkout and purchases a gallon jug of RoundUp.

Card is titled: “The Moss Hung Cliffs of Witches Gulch, Dells of the Wisconsin River / 4A-H1935.”

Printed on back of postcard:

This dark and mysterious gorge is justly famed.

Publishing information: “Genuine Curteich-Chicago ‘C.T. Art-Colortone’ Post Card (Reg. U.S. Pat. Off.) / Copyright by H.H. Bennett Studio, Wisconsin Dells, Wis.”

Songs about mothers, moms, mamas, mommies, what mothers say, what mothers do, how we think of our mothers, how we remember our mothers, and how mothers affect our lives.

Approximate playing time: 79 minutes.

1. The Beach Boys  “Mama Says”  (1967)
2. The Louvin Brothers  “God Bless Her (‘Cause She’s My Mother)”  (1954)
3. Lucinda Williams  “Mama You Sweet”  (2007)
4. The Sons of the Pioneers  “Gold Star Mother with Silvery Hair”  (1946)
5. Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris  “This Is to Mother You”  (1999)
6. Iris Dement  “Letter to Mom”  (1996)
7. The Intruders  “I’ll Always Love My Mama”  (1973)
8. Steve Martin  “Mad at My Mother”  (1977)
9. Jo Ann Campbell  “Mother Please!”  (1963)
10. Fats Waller  “My Mommie Sent Me to the Store”  (1940)
11. Paul Simon  “Mother and Child Reunion”  (1972)
12. Warren Zevon  “Mama Couldn’t Be Persuaded”  (1976)
13. Three Dog Night  “Mama Told Me (Not to Come)”  (1970)
14. The Shirelles  “Mama Said”  (1961)
15. Jimmy Boyd  “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”  (1952)
16. Allen Foster  “Dear Mom”  (circa WWII)
17. Johnny Cash  “There’s a Mother Always Waiting”  (1961)
18. Emmylou Harris with Rodney Crowell  “Mama’s Hungry Eyes”  (1994)
19. Merle Haggard  “Mama Tried”  (1968)
20. Pearly Brown  “Please Mommy Stay Home with Me”  (1975)
21. Merle Haggard  “Momma’s Prayers”  (2007)
22. Alison Krauss & Union Station (Dan Tyminski, vocal)  “Momma Cried”  (2001)
23. Justin Townes Earle  “Mama’s Eyes”  (2009)
24. Hank Williams  “I Dreamed About Mama Last Night”  (1951)
25. Archie Roach  “Mother’s Heartbeat”  (1997)

[Read more →]

[Postcard picturing Post Office, Belmont Building and Empress Hotel, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Postmarked on 16 August 1941 at 9 a.m. at Seattle, Washington. Addressed to Miss Crystal K., Berwyn, Ilinois.]

Hi Kiddle,

     Long time no see – hey? This is the town where I expected to hear from you but I didn’t. At this time, I am a sad lad. We were in here for 2 hr. on Aug. 15. I guess your letter was too late. I would hate to think you didn’t write.

     We got into Vancouver at 4:00 and were there 2 hr. between boats. We then got another boat to Victoria and then to Seattle. We were on the other boat two days without a port of call. That is why you didn’t hear from me.

Thinking of you,
Dick

Nature Torture Porn: She wheels a buggy full of withered, discounted plants to the checkout and purchases a gallon jug of RoundUp.

The actors fought with such vigor that the rear wall nearly collapsed. Griffith kept cameras rolling, breath held, digits crossed.