Spitball Army

Card is titled: “The Western Staircase, State Captiol, Albany, N.Y.”

Publishing information:  Published by Chas. W. Hughes, Mechanicsville, N.Y.  Made in U.S.A.  C.T. American Art.

The toy gun from a Tijuana cart gets its cork removed on the long ride home. He sits behind Mom in the car, taunting: “Pop! Pop!”

[Written to Alice in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Return addressed: Richard, Ward 43, U.S.N.H., St. Albans, L.I., N.Y.  Postmarked at Jamaica, N.Y., on 15 Apr 1946 at 1:30 P.M.]

April 15, 1946

Hello Sweetheart,

     Surprise – I’m going to write a letter.  I love you Sweetheart.

     I’m glad you reminded me of something last night.  In my excitement of getting out, I had forgotten all about it.  I was thinking only of getting back home to you Sweetheart.  I know you are rather disgusted with me, but can you forget that and think it over?  I would still like to see some of New York and Niagara Falls.  We could arrange it if you would come up here.  I could let you know when I was getting ready to leave Brooklyn and while I was in Bainbridge, you could come up and get a hotel room.  We could look around New York a couple of days and then go on and see the Falls a couple days.  We couldn’t take too long though.  I will have to report to my draft board within 10 days after I get discharged.  Do you think you will feel like traveling then?  You say the word, Sweetheart and we’ll do it.  I’m sorry it slipped my mind.  I wanted to do it when we first talked of it and I still do.  What do you say?

     Good-night Sweetheart
          I love you with all my heart
               Pleasant dreams
                    Goodnight Sweetheart
                         x x
                              ‘Nite

x x

The front of the queue is beyond his sight. He pulls the parka tighter, focusing on the steam rising from the bald head before him.

The ceiling fan rocks audibly in the dark, paddling a slight breeze. He wakes in the dark, disoriented, thinking a window is open, hearing a dishwasher.

[Written to Alice in Acton, Indiana.  Return addressed: Richard, Ward 43, U.S.N.H., St. Albans, L.I., N.Y.  Postmarked at Jamaica, N.Y., on 5 Apr 1946 at 1 P.M.]

April 5, 1946

Hello Sweetheart,

     Another day is gone.  That puts us just 24 hours closer to being together.  it won’t be very long now.  A couple more weeks here, a few days in Brooklyn and a couple days in Bainbridge, Md.  Then comes Indiana and you Sweetheart.  I love you so much.

     Huh – – if anything is running through my mind, I’d like to know about it.  Then I would have something to write about.  I can’t think of a darned thing though.  I’ll just make this an “I love you” note and call you Sunday.  O.K.?

     Good-night Sweetheart
          I love you with all my heart
               Pleasant dreams
                    Goodnight Sweetheart
                         x x
                              ‘Nite
                                   I love you

x x Jr.

Savannah wildlife: fish jumping in the river, black and white herons, mosquitos, dirty lady with leg scabs making roses out of palm fronds.

Card is titled: “Summit House on Mount Evans, Near Denver, Colorado.”

Printed on back of postcard:

The Summit House at the top of Mount Evans, which is 14,259 feet in height, is reached by traveling many series of hairpin curves along the highest auto road in the U.S., affording countless magnificent, awe-inspiring views.

Publishing information:  Published by Elmer C. Clark, 739 Marion St., Denver, Colo.  Natural Color Post Card, Made in U.S.A. by E.C. Kropp Co., Milw., Wis. – CDY.  30028.

Little Silver is a new musical project between Steve Curtis and Erika Simonian. Steve, as you may know, is a member of the band Hem, also based in Brooklyn. Steve: the tall guy. This new music is captivating and marvelously textured. There is an EP available for streaming and purchase at the duo’s website. And here’s a video for their song, “Where We Met.”