July 30 1940

 

Tuesday

Hello, sweet -----

     How is the beach - also the weather - and are you and Helengray all situated in a cozy little cabin, or what.  Hope you got there without getting too tired, also that DAMMIT made the trip without difficulty -

     I guess I told you that I had a fast trip coming up here Monday AM - 2 hrs 20 minutes - Started out going right down Willamette street at 45 mph. also through Albany at the same rate - And I didn't feel very sleepy yesterday either after not getting so much of that over the weekend - However, I will no doubt get caught up again during the week so that I will be in shape for Seaside -

     Remember we have a date for Saturday nite - and you must also tell me about all the boys who no doubt are going to start asking you for dates -

      Von and Jane would like to go down with me Saturday if Jane had a places to stay that nite, so you tell me if there is room where you are - As for Von and me - we will probably sleep under the stars or else buy a hotel room - 

Anyway, it seems as though we ought to be able to have a lot of fun, no matter what-

     Have been whipping through my work in great shape and will be all caught up when Mr. Couch leaves this weekend - then I am going to take that opportunity to do a lot of reading on Hospital Management and stuff - also looking through a bunch of old reports and graphs -

     Seems as though I have nothing more to say right now - Maybe tomorrow night I can be more expressive - I am looking forward to that letter of yours very much - so in the meanwhile have lots of fun and don't get too sunburned - 

                                                               Love and kisses,

                                                                       Bill

P.S.  Tell Helengray hello --

 

July 25, 1940 From Bill

                                                                                 Thursday
Hello, my love -
        Very sweet of you to arrange it so I received two letters today - that's more nearly the way it should be - so please don't stop -
        Enclosed herewith you will find copies of the snapshots we took of us at the Monroe Lumber Co. when Ed was here - or there -
Anyway they didn't come out bad considering the age of the camera and also the nature of the subject matter -  Ed very thoughtfully sent me two prints of each, one for you and one for me -   As a personal observation, I don't believe the one of you sitting on the running board does you justice - to put it mildly - so you better be real nice to me or I'll show it to all your friends -
Speaking of fotoes, I hope Bill Berg finally gets his developed - I am quite anxious to see how they are - and by the way I haven't seen his cups - maybe they're still up in the woods -
        Von and I played golf last nite and after we finished we found that we were enormously hungry - so we went out to the Chicken Coop at the corner of 24th and Sandy and had a chicken sandwich and a bottle of beer - and were still hungry - so we proceeded out to the Coon Chicken and had some French fries, beer, and cranberry ice - even this didn't fill us up so we finally ended up at Von's house eating cake and drinking milk - guess I won't lose any weight -
        107 pounds is just about right for you, I think, or is my opinion worth much in such matters - At any rate, I don't care if you get above that but please don't get much below it -
        I am glad to hear that the luggage situation is under control - I can hardly wait to use it -
        You probably won't believe it, but I arose at the ungodly hour of 6:30 AM this AM and arrived at my office at 7:05, where I worked and worked till 5 o'clock with 1/2 hour interval for lunch.  I am working up the biennial budget of the TB hospital for the Governor's Office and it is quite a piece of work, but today's efforts almost wound it up - now I won't have to go back tonite - maybe I'll go to a movie - haven't seen one for 3 weeks -
        Spent about 15 minutes of the lunch hour being shown around the Medical School bldg by Arne Lingren, who used to be a Sig Ep at Oregon and also a track man.  He is now a medical student and also works in the Physiology Lab part-time - Also he rides to work with me every morning - Anyway, it was rather interesting - saw the human body all cut up into cross sections and preserved in formaldehyde, or something - Also was startled when we walked into this room and there on the table was a human cadaver - just partially covered by a sheet - which we (or rather, Arne) took off - guess I'll eventually get used to sights like this, but it was startling at the time - We went through the kennels too and some of the dogs were really in bad shape - Arne showed me one that he had operated on the day before - the surgery was kind of tricky.
        Have decided to kiss off this room on Marquam Hill - it would cost me $13 and I would have to pay $3 rent at Marquam Manor for my car - and eat somewhere too, which wouldn't help to keep my budget balanced at all -
        This beats me - here I am at the end of the second page already - honestly - I never have any trouble writing to you - and as a rule I am an awful writer of letters -
        Haven't heard from Tony, but I am pretty certain he will be here Sunday -
        However, at any rate and notwithstanding, I would like it much better if you came up on the train rather than in your car - Besides being safer it isn't any more expensive and you wouldn't need your car anyway with me around - Also, it would allow you about 3 or 4 hours more in Portland Sunday nite - and give me time to take you out to dinner two nights in a row - Also it wouldn't be much fun driving home Sunday nite all by yourself -  Are these arguments enough or not - remember that I do want to see you as much as possible this weekened, so please let me know right away when you are coming up and how - and I'll be waiting for you -
        By the way, just in case you decide not to come up - let me know that, too, and I will come down -
        Am anxiously awaiting the "surprise" tomorrow - or how were the cookies and cakes - or are they or something -
                                                                                      Love,
                                                                                         Bill

July 25, 1940

        
                                                                                      July 25, 1940


Hello, Dear--
           This is chapter one of this letter cause I am afraid that it is going to be interrupted a couple of time, but I do want to look busy when Celorie steps into the office and he is about due any minute.  Then the fun will begin cause Mildred is out to lunch.  It's awful nice getting letters from you every day and I hope you keep up the good work.


          As far as I know I am coming to Portland this weekend, how, I don't know.  If Marge calls you and tells you that they are going to the mountains be sure to ask her for Doris' address so we can drive over and fit my dress.  I am just wondering if Helen and I couldn't come back from Seaside by way of Portland and then I could try on my dress that Sunday evening.  I really haven't got the money to come to Portland this week end.  Oh dear, what do do.  I am beginning to worry about it now.  And I will have to make up my mind pretty darn quick.  Think I'll call up Marge tonight or something and ask her.  By the way I would love to have you call me some night.  I don't think it would scare me at all, cause so far I haven't been a bit frightened at all at anything.


          Things certainly aren't very busy around here and I am getting caught up in my correspondence.  It is a wonderful feeling to not have one of the things hanging over my head that I should be doing.  I got a nice letter from Mary Jane--she also invited me to come to visit her in San Francisco; certainly wish that I could.  Wouldn't it be fun if we could go down there--only best not think about it to make us feel bad.  I am going out now to buy me a pair of slacks or something silly to wear at the beach when I'm not sunning.  Hope the sun is out all the time and I am really looking forward to going.  If I don't come to Portland this weekend, could you come down here, or what?  Darn, I don't know what to do about it.  Do you know for sure if Tony will be there so I could come back with him. Etc. Etc. Etc. Etc. Worry, worry, but just about this weekend.


          Did you see your friends all right the other night; it must be kinda nice seeing old old friends after all these years.  Wonder if I would remember some of the kids I knew if I saw them on the street.  Guess I would.


          Hope you get the little package all right that I am mailing today.  Had more fun making the (?) last night, and it wasn't a bit hard at all.  In fact did it while I did the dishes.  Sue is coming over tonight to show me how to hemstitch, then I can work on this luncheon set while I am at the beach.  Am I ever the ambitious one, and the funny part of it is, that I feel like I was accomplishing something, too.  Haven't felt that way for quite a long time.


          This letter is getting longer than I thought it was going to get at this point.  Celorie has come in, but I have had to get only a couple of things for him.  He is very busy dictating on a letter, I mean record.  That means some work for us this afternoon, thank goodness.  Now we are waiting for Mildred tocome back so we can go to lunch; it is getting later and later and later.  Now she is here and Bob is busy, or woe is us.  Will we ever get to lunch.  How do you like this paly by play description?  I wish Bob would hurry, cause I am anxious to go and see if I got a letter from you.  Do you suppose that one will be there in the mail box for me.  Sometimes they get here in the morning and sometimes in the afternoon.


          Signing off now till this afternoon or this evening, or till tomorrow.  All depends on what happens between now and then.


                                                                    Love and kisses,


                                                                              Dotty


 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X




Hello, again--


       This is now later in the afternoon.  Went shopping again this noon hour; got my slacks o.k. and oh dear.  My budget.  Guess I will quit trying to keep it.  Anyway I sure felt swell after it was all over with.


      Just called Hartley, and if he goes to Portland or hears of anyone, he will let me know.  Sooo- expect me when you see me.


      Jimminy, I got a lot of things today between now and Tuesday.  Guess I will wash my hair tonight--then go visiting with Helen tomorrow night, and don't know yet when I am going to wash some clothes out.  Maybe Friday or Monday night.  Happy fun games.


      Those kisses up above are sure sticking out.  Guess Bob is getting quite a bang out of them.  He hasn't said anything yet but don't know what he's thinking.  No letter this noon from you--but there will probably be one tonight.  I hope.


      Do you know what I did.  Aunt Hetty brought in some apples for me today and left them in the front hall.  When I came home I picked up the sack and zowy--apples all over the front room, from one corner to the next.  Hope too many of the bugs don't crawl out.  I would hate to wake up with an earwig in my bed.


      Best I get to work.


                                                             Love again--
                 
                                                                  Dotty

July 24, 1940

Bill, Dear -
     Just got rid of a salesman, wow -
he wanted to sell me some silly looking things and was very insistent -
Think I'll put up a big sign - "no agents or peddlers wanted" -


     If you knew how much I want to come to Portland, you wouldn't temp me.  I was all set to move up and take the job with Mr. Fisher - then the my better judgement got the best of me.  So please don't make me feel bad by mentioning it too much, or you might find me in Portland on your hands. -
     The baby sweater is coming along fine - finished lesson 9 and now have to wait for #10 to arrive.
     Am having a wonderful time - Haven't washed a dish but I am tonight - there aren't many - and then I can put my clothes wherever I wish altho I am going to fix them all up nice tomorrow.  Still haven't been working hard at the office and it's wonderful to get thru on time.
     By hook or by crook keep Tony in Portland till Sunday so I can come back with him.  I have 50¢ cash to my name and that is gas money to last till and thru next Monday - which it won't - bit by bit our icebox is getting barer & barer - Aunt "H" is bringing in some peaches and apples tomorrow, which will help. -
     Again I say I think it will be very nice for you to be on the hill with the fresh air and daisies.  Glad you are caught up in your work -
Certainly makes me feel better - 
Wish I had everything done that I want to do -  Keeping busy makes the time go faster.  This week is going by a wee bit faster than last week.  
Wish I were in Portland now, tho.  Guess I didn't gain too much last week.  Yesterday in Seymour's weighed only 107 -  Am going to try to stay there.
     Saw Marge Bates today and you didn't have Bill's cups in your car did you?
Evidently he hasn't gotten them yet.  The pictures aren't developed yet - and might be spoiled.  Some little kids got in the car and might have wrecked them. Oh dear-
     Am getting more domestic every day.  Got some linen today to make a luncheon set - in the distant future.  Hope I can make them all right.
     Am making a surprize for you tonight and will mail it tomorrow 
Soo- - - - - -
Best I get busy -
                          Lots of love
                             Dotty
X X X X X X X


P.S. I love getting your letters every day - Don't stop -

July 23, 1940 from Bill

(ed. note: I think I got a letter or two out of order, due to the return postage mixup. Anyway, I think I'm back on track...)

                                                                                Tuesday

Hello again, dear -
       This will no doubt surprise you - getting two letters from me in rapid succession, but I am in the mood to write and besides haven't a great deal else to do except listen to the radio which I am doing also -
       In the first place, I am pouting, on account of I dashed down here this noon just to get your letter and I was very unhappy not to find one - and after you said you would write Monday night too --
Oh well maybe you are saving up all the sweet things to say until tonite or something if that makes sense to you -  I seem to be having a lot of trouble with my grammar and sentence structure but I hope you don't mind -  Anyway, the general impression I want to get across is that I look forward to your letters an awful lot and you can't write too often for me ---
Radio is now playing "Where Was I"  -- remember?
       Accomplished quite a bit at the office today and am beginning to feel that I am getting caught up - but can't tell what tomorrow will bring -
       Mrs. Wetterborg called me up today about the room and at 5 o'clock I went up to see the lady, Miss Williams by name - The rooms are very nice and I practically told her I would take one, although if I do I won't move in for a couple of weeks or thereabouts.  I also found out that I could keep my car at the Marquam Manor garage for $3 a month - so that would take care of that -
       By the way, how are you getting along with your work - are you completely satisfied with your job and status at the Monroe Lumber Company, or do you desire a change?  Don't mind me, except that I have a feeling that for the next few months I may be trying to talk you into getting a job in Portland or something - this really isn't such a bad town and I am beginning to like it more and more, but if you were up here it would be perfect - so why don't you just put that idea into the back of your mind to think about in your spare moments - A young lady of your charm and ability shouldn't have a great deal of trouble securing a worth-while position up here or what do you think - Von was telling me last night about a pretty good job that will soon be open - private secretary to Joe Fisher, a big automobile dealer - and there are undoubtedly others like that - maybe -
        Decided that I needed some exercise today and went out and played some golf at 5:30 at Lloyds - Von was going to play with me but at the last minute found he couldn't break a dinner engagement with Jane so I played alone and it was lots of fun except that I lost my last 75¢ ball - guess I'll have to stock up if I want to keep playing this game -

       How are your doing being all alone in your big apartment - or do you mind - anyway don't get scared -
maybe I will call you up real late some night and give you a thrill, I hope.
       After I write this letter and get it mailed I am going out and do some visiting - saw a couple of fellows today I haven't seen for years and I am going out to see them and maybe line up some future golf games - one of the fellows is now a policeman and drives a prowl car and stuff - we used to play tennis and chess together also -
       Let me know what progress you are making in getting a ride to Portland - also - and I really shouldn't mention this, but if you find yourself broke or something, I would gladly advance or lend you some money first to make sure you do come up this weekend - anyway let me know -
                                                                                     Love,
                                                                                          Bill
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