Letters from 1947

Letters from 1947

Jan. 22, 1947: In January-February 1947, Edna; her husband, Alex Martin; and her nephew Jerry Peterson -- Mame's 15-year-old son -- drove to Cortez, Fla., for an extended visit with Edna's sister Clara and her husband, Millard Brown. Mentioned in this letter: Donny Peterson, Richard Paulsen, the Algie Boes, the Carl Boes, Ella Skow, Carl Skow, Morris Peterson.

Jan. 23, 1947: Grandma is happy to have heard from the travelers, who arrived on or about Jan. 21. She wants to know if the Frederic Star newspaper she has apparently subscribed to for Clara has begun coming. Mentioned: Gilbert and Jeanette Paulsen, Donny Peterson, Gust Peterson.

Jan. 28, 1947: Grandma wonders how Jerry celebrated his 16th birthday on Jan. 26 and reports that a first birthday party is planned for Sherelene (Sherry) at her Boe grandparents' place on Jan. 29. She remarks that Carol Ann (Paulsen)'s hair has turned white and that she looks a lot like her Grandpa Boe. Also mentioned: Nancy Miller, Richard.

Jan. 31, 1947: Grandma reports on a recent storm and on Sherelene's birthday party. Mame had called her to say she was coming out for a visit but got two flat tires on the way on turned back. Grandma urges Jerry to write to his brother Donny. Also mentioned: Richard, Grandpa.

Feb. 4, 1947: The weather is "hekky cold and terribly windy." Donny has received a letter from Jerry -- but he should also send a card to his other siblings and his mother. Nancy has been at Grandma's since Sunday (this is written on Tuesday) and Sherry since the day before. Also mentioned: Marcella.

Feb. 8, 1947: Grandma has received a letter with cash in it from the Florida party. (Jerry and Alex were earning money by going out on Millard's fishing boat with him.) Richard picked up Sherry and said "it won't be long now," apparently a reference to the impending birthday of Bonnie, who arrived on Feb. 23. Also mentioned: Donny; Grandpa Paulsen, who is working for the season at a resort in Death Valley, Calif.; Thora, who is living and working in Florida with her girlfriend Turgie; Alex's brother George, who had a car accident but it OK.

Feb. 13, 1947: The weather is warm -- too warm, as the fields may suffer without their snow cover -- and Grandma is feeling better than she has in months. Mentioned: Thora, Thora's pal Turgie, Richard, Marcella, Sherry, Donny.