Apr. 29, ’43
7:30 p.m.
Dearest Honey:
I love you, and am wondering how you are to-night. This has been a very dreary, rainy day; so was glad that June had invited me to go to her church for lunch and a food demonstration. Different products were sold, out of which I purchased some of Watkins’ products. They really sell a variety of things – besides food. I got some shampoo, and some moth crystals.
Sent the Apr. Readers’ Digest on to you as rec’d. A duplicate of the same issue here. I started to read the magazine which I sent to you, so just have part of it marked. I wrote to them (Digest Co.) asking why we hadn’t rec’d. the Apr. issue, but it had been sent to Brawley; though they have my change of address by now.
Good old Brawley. It was nice there, but I did enjoy living on the beach so much more. Of course, I wouldn’t care where I lived as long as I was with you. It could be the worst place in the whole world – yet I’d be the happiest, if you were only there – & that’s exactly how I feel.
Haven’t had a letter from you for almost two weeks. You’re still writing every day aren’t you, Honey – just think – married 2 yrs. and 1 month today.
Love,
Bev
Reader’s Digest, April 1943 issue: Table of Contents
[Note: It is possible that Bev and Ande were in Brawley while Ande was stationed at the Borrego Hotel Field, a U.S. Naval air station located 34 miles northwest of Brawley. Here is a link to an internet resource providing a list of World War Two military locations throughout the San Diego County area.]
Apr. 28, ’43
10:30 p.m.
Hello Sweetheart:
I love you to-night, loved you yesterday, will love you tomorrow and always. Couldn’t love you many more times than that, could I?
Am waiting again for your kiss, ’cause here I am tucked in bed wanting you to say g’night to me. Some day soon, we can really be together again & live without the fear of your having to leave.
Took a long hike alone, down by the creek today & missed having you with me so much.
Dr. Long wants me to come back in two months. Said that when you do come home on furlough, (prob. no possibility for quite awhile) that I should come to see him as soon as I hear about your coming, or if I meet you somewhere, he wants me to see him first before I would leave. He’s been wonderful to me & wants to get things all fixed up for us. I’m feeling “fit as a fiddle” – yes – and “ready for love” anytime you’re ready.
We played our piano duet to-night & it really went off just dandy. Played much better than at practice. Sewed on my elec. portable today. Made some hand towels for our future kitchen, Honey – take good care of yourself. I do hope everything is all right with you.
With hundreds of “flutes,”
Will close,
Love,
Bev
[audio:Annette_Hanshaw___Fit_as_a_Fiddle.mp3]
“Fit as a Fiddle” by Annette Hanshaw & Her Sizzlin’ Syncopators (1932)
April 28, 1943
Brawley, California
Dear Doc,
Received your letter of March 26th and was glad indeed to hear from you, and also glad you arrived safely even though you didn’t say where. I just came from the drug store and your fountain pen hasn’t arrived yet. Will you give me a complete description and make of the pen then I will have them replace it. Haven’t heard from Beverly since we were in San Diego.
Everything here is O.K. – and there’s a nice crop of rabbits. I know what you mean by the “busy spurts.” Surely hope you don’t have much work to do. Surely glad you like the people there. Will you send Beverly’s address as Minnie wants to “bawl her out.”
Tell Majors Kirk and Hiatt “Hello” and lots of luck to them and all the gang. I made one trip back to the river fishing at the same place and killed a big rattlesnake on one of the rocks we fished from. I believe it’s warm where you are but it’s a darn sight hotter here.
We feel confident that you fellows can handle the situation there and I know we can handle it here. Write me when you can and all you can under the Pure Food Law.
With best wishes and regards, I remain,
“Tex,” Minnie, and C.L.
[Note: Tex’s mention of the Pure Food Law is almost certainly a reference to the over-eager censors of the military mail. He seems to be suggesting that Ande attempt to tell him what is happening where he is stationed, and to communicate it in the most shrouded manner possible. The Pure Food Law imposed rigid specifications on the reporting of the ingredients of marketable foods, and was enforced with a practically religious fervor after its passing. The New York Times article linked to in Tex’s letter (at the words Pure Food Law) is a vivid description of the passion that this issue aroused while being deliberated in the United States Congress.]
April 27, ’43
Tues. 10:30 p.m.
Hello Sweetheart Darling: I love you!!
Guess maybe it is past my bed time, but just couldn’t think of going to sleep to-night without first writing to you. You’re always in my mind & always in my heart too, for I do love you dearly -Put in a full day at the blood bank, and really do like the work a lot. Took a great deal of dictation & of course, did a lot of typing – have various other things to do also. Have been spending the evening reading (Digest & National Geog.) & also hooking the rug. It is a very fascinating hobby, & I do think I’ll like it (rug). Of course, it doesn’t compare with Myrtle’s at all, as isn’t half as nice, but then this is rather a new experiment for me, & I’m still just an amateur. Will really have to do some good practicing (piano), as tomorrow is the day I play for the Club program. I’ll pretend you’re there listening; then just watch me do my very best.
I miss you Honey, and am glad when the days pass by swiftly, because then, we’re just that much closer towards being together.
How about a g’night kiss now – and here’s one right back – now hold me close and let me rest my head on your shoulder while I fall asleep and dream of you.
Very lovingly,
Bev
Reader’s Digest issue date: April 1943 (Volume 42, Number 252)
Articles, subjects and contributors in this issue:
National Geographic issue date: April 1943
Articles and subjects in this issue:
Mon. – April 26, ’42 [sic]
10 p.m.
Dearest Darling:
I love you still & know I always will, because you are all I’ve ever wanted in a man. You have so many wonderful qualities that V-mail just doesn’t have enough space to list them.
Just finished talking to Helen Joeck. Believe we talked a whole hour. We do have so much to talk about. James is still in Phil., but has recovered O.K. from his pneumonia, so is evidently resuming his duties aboard the carrier.
Saw Dr. Long again today, and he gave me another air test. This was much more satisfactory as said he had no difficulty at all in getting the air thru this time. He said there evidently was a “kink” or “clot” (left from period) last time and that was the trouble. He thinks that dilating cervix will help matters considerably.
Have been working on the hooked rug lately. It’s really getting to look quite pretty now. Mrs. Woodhouse is making one for Maxine, and she and I are going to get together prob. next week and work on them together; so that we can exchange our colored woolens. I do need some yellow for the center of the flowers. I have another piece of burlap (purchased a long time ago – can’t get it now) which I can make another rug out of, and there are several woolen scraps in the attic.
I was over to June’s for waffles this noon. Irene was there from Alabama. She looks the same.
Well, Honey, time to say night and loads of love to my dearest one,
Bev
April 25, ’43
Easter Sunday 10 p.m.
Dear Sweetheart Darling:
I love you and realize more every day how fortunate I am in having you for my own. Hope you’re still all right and enjoying life. How did you spend this day? Dad and I were over to Max’s and Jim’s for breakfast and then all attended the church where Max. was married. We (6 of us) came back here for a ham dinner. All took a hike first, though, down by the creek, and it was lovely walking as the weather was so nice – the folks just left a few minute ago. It was grand seeing Ted last night. Bill and Myrt, and of course, Evelyn, came too. She seems like such a fine person, and I’m sure they’ll be happy. No definite wedding plans as yet – well, if they’re only half as happy as we’ve been, they will be extremely happy! Getting married to you is one of the loveliest things that could ever have happened to me. Now, if I can only make the rest of my dreams come true, I could not expect any more in life for real happiness. I guess you know my heart’s desire after you get home safely, don’t you Honey?
All my love,
Bev
4-25-43
Dear Hunk:
A little late for birthday greetings but then I usually am a bit late most of the time anyway. Have had several cards from Bev. Suppose she will be working someplace in Mpls. before long.
Our business is easing off a bit with seeding in full blast. We had quite a flood here two weeks ago with the river raising 17 ft above flood stage. Quite a bit of damage but it is all past now. Some of our posts floated away and we had to move some stuff.
Dee planted some garden this week. Will be hard to get a space as every one will have a garden this year. We expect to go in with some of the other boys and put in potatoes.
Skippy has been sick the past week but is on the pick up and now. Dee also has a cold and I might as well say I had the flu so all in all this week was a week. Has been cold and chilly all the time and I presume this accounts for a lot of colds.
Don’t know just what to expect in the way of business for the year. So far we are ahead of last year but it is impossible to keep that up as we are running out of material. When we do I think I will try and join the Marines. I’ll be OK if they are not too particular.
How do you like it down or up there whichever it is? We are all questions but I suppose we had better let it go at that.
Had a letter from Auntie a week ago in her own hand writing. Also had a letter from Ted the other day and Uncle Pete took a tumble and broke a bone in his arm. I can see him fretting around. He will no doubt be OK in a few days tho’.
Jude came up from Staples and spent Wed. with us. Dee’s sister and baby girl is with us now. Nancy is 2 and a half and sure is cute and also is about the busiest thing you ever saw. Always into something. Dee and Edith fixed up some Easter eggs last nite and I put them around the yard and then took Nancy out to find them. We had a cotton tail in the bushes next to the house and I showed it to Nancy and then scared it up and then we went looking for eggs. Boy, Nancy sure had a real Easter rabbit and eggs this Easter.
Suppose Ted has told you of their plans of fixing over the house, hasn’t he? Should be nice when they get it done.
Let us know how you are coming and try and get a line off now and then. We’ll try and do the same. Dee says Skippy is thinking about writing a note to you one of these days. Be good.
Dee, Les and Skip
April 24, ’43
Saturday Night
Darling: I love you.
Am waiting now for your brother, Ted, to arrive. He called up awhile ago, and tried to kid me – saying – “How about going out to-night” and I really didn’t know who it was until he said “Well, pardon me!” – copying you, of course.
Was busy this morning getting my groceries and planning for Easter’s dinner. Got the house in good order too. In the afternoon, we practiced our two-piano numbers for about 1½ hours – came home and had our dinner and fixed my lemon fruit-salad for tomorrow. Hiked down to the drugstore and got some root beer and ice cream for “floats” to-night.
Looked awfully hard for a letter from you today, as have been receiving them on Saturdays; but of course, can’t always depend on that. I only hope that you’re still safe and well, and happy, and loving me still. I’m loving you, believe me, more and more, with each passing day and night. Loving you – always.
Will write again tomorrow. Hope you’re still writing every day.
Very lovingly,
Bev
I spent a day and a half in Atlanta this week.
I do not like Atlanta.
Atlanta is fast, loud, dirty and, basically, all up in my face. But I had an opportunity to spend a day and evening with some very good friends, and hear some good music with them. So I went to Atlanta.
My friends live in Duluth, about twelve miles north of the I-285 loop. Their neighborhood is well off the main roads, and quiet. It is not the Atlanta I know. There is greenery everywhere. It was lovely.
We drove into Atlanta Tuesday night. The show was in Little Five Points. We pulled right into a parking spot on the street, five minutes before the show, about three doors away from the theatre. Again, not a typical Atlanta occurrence.
The concert featured Nick Lowe with Ron Sexsmith as the opening act. It was a superlative show. Tommy T from Birmingham was there (he blogged briefly about the show here). We all sat together. Everybody was happy and grinning (Tommy T was not exaggerating, because I saw him grinning, too.). It sure didn’t feel like Atlanta.
After the show, we went over to Manuel’s Tavern. The place was filled with Democrats. Democrats! They had the CNN wrap-up of the Pennsylvania primary on the big TV screens. It felt like Cambridge, but it was Atlanta.
When I finally got to bed, I was lulled to sleep by the sound of birds outside my window. In Atlanta. Go figure.
The next day I drove back to the area around Little Five Points and visited the Carter Presidential Library and Museum. Smack dab in the middle of all of this Atlanta, the Carter Center sits like an oasis. The Japanese garden behind the complex is quiet and meditative. Just beyond its border of trees, you can see a boxy row of apartment buildings. Somehow, this sight just accentuates the peacefulness of the spot.
The Carter museum is filled with all kinds of interesting artifacts from his public and personal life. His Nobel Peace Prize is there. His Navy uniform. There are hundreds of political campaign materials: buttons, banners, bumper stickers, posters. I did not see a poster that matched the green Carter/Mondale broadside that I own, but perhaps they have one stashed away in the archives. One of the pieces that I spent a little extra time looking at was a small silver compact, given to Rosalyn by Jimmy, early in their relationship. On its lid, the following letters were engraved: ILYTG.
This apparently represents a phrase that is a hand-me-down in the Carter family. People in the family probably said it to each other at special moments. It had been around for more than one generation. It is akin to my grandmother’s INMF (“It’s not my forté”), or my mother’s IIFYTCTTD (“If it’s for you, they’ll come to the door”), phrases borne out of situations unique to our family, that sometimes get repeated completely out of context yet retain all of their flavor and meaning. If I only had a nickel (IIOHAN) for every time I’ve heard one of these phrases repeated over the years…
The Carter phrase was a phrase of endearment, a folksy way to break the habit of that mundane three-word declaration of ardor. One that revealed the contents of the heart to a dear loved one, or to one for whom that heart was engorged with passionate emotions.
“I love you the goodest.”
I stood in front of the glass display case and said the phrase out loud, and laughed.
Both were sounds that I never expected to hear in Atlanta.
April 22, ’43
Thurs. 9:30 p.m.
How are things with you today, Hon? Loving you more than ever and for always. This was a very rainy day, but managed to keep busy indoors. Did some washing and ironing, practiced, finished crocheting the place mats and they’re already to be placed in the cedar chest. The chest is so full now, that can hardly get any more in it. Of course, I have the Icelandic wool blanket and my afghan in there and they do take a lot of space. Then – I played your records again and listened to your wonderfully-sounding voice. I’m so glad you had them made for me. They’re excellent!
I’ve been baking beans today and have discovered the secret to success. If the beans are kept covered with water all during the baking, they never get hard and are just fine. I evidently have allowed mine to become too dry – made some brown bread, too.
Wrote to Aunty and Uncle Pete and told them again how much I think of you – how wonderful I think you are and what a perfect eleven months we had together.
Aud. expects to be home soon, as Don isn’t going to be able to get any more time off.
Called Florence Hanchey this week and she seemed pleased to hear from me. Imagine that they’ll be seeing your picture in their church one of these days, as sent it in quite a while ago.
Tomorrow is another hospital day. Hope I get their system worked out for them O.K. I miss you, Darling. Any chance in my coming to you?
Love,
Bev
