Spitball Army

[Letter postmarked on 15 July 1941 at 10 a.m. at Riverside, Illinois.  Addressed to Miss Crystal K., Marshalltown, Iowa, c/o Mrs. P.  Return addressed to Mr. Richard N., Riverside, Illinois.]

July 10

     Up at 8:00, airport at 9:00, flew 1 hour and to the office. Chewed the fat with the boys uptown and went to the Bonnet with Jerry. Met Kahn at the Bonnet. I had one brew and was home at 11:30. Good boy, eh Hon?

     Oh, today, another lovely letter – and what lovely stationery. Some stuff, I’ll say. I see we have the same ideas. The ink blends well with the paper, Hon – I always said you had good taste. I like that heavy shopping in the dime store. You didn’t say what you did till 10:30, hum, I wonder. Nor did you say what you did Saturday night. That’s bad, Hon – very bad. Glad to hear you finally took a bath. (Oh, I was only kidding, you know.) I must see how you drive when you return. I like your sketch very much. I know exactly what the cabin looked like. I imagine you were very comfortable there. Eight whole pages. Honey, now I feel a little better. One more kiss at the end and it would have been perfect. I gave the folks your regards and said “hello” for your folks.

     (I love you, Hon) xxxxxxx

This $1.50 roll of Necco Wafers was larger when I was 9. Then, I traded a 10¢ roll for a Topps Johnny Bench card, now worth $300.

Granny’s kitchen smells of hot, fried bean empanadas. The dominant scent at Gramma’s: the Listerine with which she bathes her dog.

[Letter postmarked on 15 July 1941 at 10 a.m. at Riverside, Illinois.  Addressed to Miss Crystal K., Marshalltown, Iowa, c/o Mrs. P.  Return addressed to Mr. Richard N., Riverside, Illinois.]

July 9

     Up at 8:00, airport at 9:00 and the office till 1:00. I had a very exciting time this afternoon. I drove my mother to a flower show – some fun, hey kid? I returned to town just in time to get to school to write another test. Did I wow them! After school, I stopped at the Bonnet and met Mack and Jerry. Had 3 brews.

     Oh, what a day – not a word from you after hearing from you twice in one day. I guess I was spoiled maybe, hey Hon?

     (I love you) xxxxxx

     P.S. I was in bed by 12:00.

Our traditional holiday cranberry plate: a cylindrical gelatin shaped like a tin can. Now, we fork-mash it, to make it appetizing.

Card is titled: “Boston’s Famous Parker House.”

No blurb or publishing information is provided on the back of the card.

(photo: spitballarmy.com)

[Letter postmarked on 15 July 1941 at 10 a.m. at Riverside, Illinois.  Addressed to Miss Crystal K., Marshalltown, Iowa, c/o Mrs. P.  Return addressed to Mr. Richard N., Riverside, Illinois.]

July 8

     Today up at 8:00, airport at 9:00, flew an hour and to the office. Went to town and chewed the fat with the boys after dinner. Went to the Bonnet a short while, brew, home in bed at midnight.

     There was a lovely change to-day, though. I received both your letters and card to-day. The card was alright, but I liked the letter better. I think my paper is better than yours. Why didn’t you pick yourself up one of those farmers or Indians? Didn’t see Grace. I would like to believe that Saturday night stuff. I hope it is the truth and not a lot of malarkey. I hope you end all of your letters that way. I was going frantic waiting to hear from you. Each day seemed as though it was a year. Letters and cards are all right but they are nothing like the real thing, are they?

     (I love you) xxxxx

[audio:Quiero_Club___Fifty_One.mp3]
“Fifty One” from Nueva America (2009), by Quiero Club

They fancy it up with lavender, rosewater or bacon, but I’d be content with a scoop of plain vanilla. Better yet: a glass of milk.