a little bird told me…

Back in the Old Groove

Volume Twenty-Five 

Vol. 25, No. 1 [Dan] 

January 13, 1947 

Dear Irene and family: 

The chain took the longest time on record this last round and I think the delay causes it to lose some of its zest. My letter was written on Oct. 22nd and the chain just arrived Jan. 10. Let’s get back in the old groove! 

The newsiest item seems to be about Gene deciding to move to California Feb. 1st. Such determination shows a courage which will see you through, Gene. Here’s for a new life and a new outlook for you, with plenty of luck tossed in. There’s a certain inspiration in seeing someone do what he or she wants to do, and I know you have wanted to make this move for a long time now. 

Mr. Chandler has pulled through his illness very well and even spends some time each day at the office now. 

Kate’s two letters made the last round of the chain memorable. I especially enjoyed that part of her Sept. 23rd letter where she says “I’ll go to Lima for that weekend, return to Dayton with them, and the following Friday ‘take off for the Ozark mountains.’” It’s the first time I have heard it called that! 

Enjoyed also the Democratic outpourings. For the record, in the post-war period up to Jan 1, 1947, this country has had the weakest Congress, the weakest Supreme Court, and the weakest President of any time in our history and each is a direct heritage of F.D. Roosevelt. Government by crony and by connivance for 14 years has very nearly undermined all the ethical principles by which a country should be run. 

The bill for the cemetery markers is still not available. No wonder Con Sullivan has lived to such a ripe old age. It takes him about 6 mos. to do a simple job and apparently he never worries about collecting. But there will come a day. 

We moved to our new location the week before Christmas and now live at 114 Commonwealth Ave., Claymont, Delaware. Telephone Holly-oak 6864—a suburb of Wilmington. Come and see us. 

I leave for Tulsa on Jan 21 for a two week business trip. Am taking Sean with me to visit his grandparents. 

Irene, Janice’s dress sounds beautiful and if I know you, it will be exquisite. 

Kind acknowledgements to Sadie for the picture of 541. I didn’t have one and am very glad to get it. 

Peace Dan

in the present day...

The trees are finished! Of course, my fingers have blisters from being burned by the glue gun. But it's all for a good cause—right?

Here are the other trees..

This is the largest one.

This one is called North Pole Laundry

 

Let's hope someone bids/buys all of them!

Renewed

Vol. 24, No. 10 [Pauline] 

Lima, Ohio 

December 31, 1946 

Dear Dan and Y’All: 

A fittin’ way to end the old year, is to have this chat with the family and from the scene of our childhood—good old Lima. We have been having so much fun and are about to leave for Columbus to ring in 1947. 

On the day I arrived, K. and Am took me to the cemetery. The new markers are very pretty and at last, Mother has her blue spruce. As we left the cemetery I noticed a new grave banked with flowers, and found it was Marty O’Brien’s. R.I.P. We went to eleven o’clock Mass at St. Rose and when the Adeste was sung at the Offertory, it carried me back to the days when Marguerite Zender always sang it. I saw very few familiar faces in St. Rose. 

Yesterday K. and I called on Molly Dimond and it would gladden your hearts to have seen how pleased she was to see us. She said she thought we had forgotten her. 

January 7, 1947 — Washington, D.C. 

Things happened so fast in Lima and I have carried this letter around far too long, so at this stage, my apologies are in order for delaying this round, but my unexpected trip to Ohio is my alibi and it shan’t happen again. For anyone who needs a lift, I recommend a tour of the family. We accomplished so much in the short time I was there, and I returned to Washington greatly “renewed.” We had a very pleasant, though quiet Christmas at Hackleys, and in addition to my lovely earrings from you, I received many nice and useful gifts, most of them completely unexpected. I hope yours was happy and free from illness which has plagued your family for these many weeks. 

I have promised myself a few weekends this year and want to come to Wilmington as soon as you are in the mood. I am anxious to see your new quarters, as well as all of you. 

For the record, I want to confirm Lal’s statement that anyone visiting the Bishops will know at a glance how completely happy to know she is so contented with her new role. 

My reaction to the atom bomb is that if atomic energy can be used to benefit mankind, it is a wonderful discovery, but after reading “Hiroshima” by Jno. Hershey, I pray that not one bomb will ever again be used for destruction of innocent souls. 

Time and space do not permit me to give an account of my trip to Ohio, but you shall each have an individual letter and soon. Happy New Year and the best to each of you and yours in 1947. 

Affectionately, Pauline

Pandora's Box

Vol. 24, No. 9 [Helen] 

Dayton, Ohio 

Dec 21st, 1946 
My dear Pauly, et al—, 

Am a few days behind schedule. Please forgive me. I held over for a short time so that Dick and Ann could read the letters and see the pictures. They arrived Wednesday night, to spend the holidays with us. 

Kay, the only reason I can give for my letter not being with the last round, is that in the re-routing, I was at the end of the list. You see Dan always wrote to me. Think it is a good idea to change it, however, I did miss the letters, or most of them. It was nice of you to miss mine. 

The pictures are fine and I have affixed my John Hancock to the ones I should like to have. All but the one of us Carolyn and personally, I think that is a reasonable fac-simile of Lena the Hyena and do not think it should be handed down to posterity, do you? Inasmuch as I had the good fortune to kiss the groom and welcome him into the family, in person, I will not need to so formally. We spent last weekend with Kay and Am and I can assure you of their complete happiness. Their match was indeed made in heaven and I hope Am will like all of us as much as we all like him. 

As for my thoughts about the atomic bomb, may I concur in the opinion that the United States have opened Pandora’s Box and I am sure none of us have the faintest idea of the sinister and horrible things that may emerge? I think the secret should be withheld, especially from Russia and England, in fact from all of them and I believe sincerely that its power should be directed and used for the good of our country and not for the destruction of others. 

That was a nice tribute you paid to the Voss boys, Shan and Fred wishes me to thank you. As to the commentary on the Democrats, issued by our respective (respective, that is), Republic brothers, permit me, instead of going into a long tirade, merely to state that if, under the G.O.P. administration, the only sacrifice we have to make is butter, eggs and soap, we may consider ourselves fortunate indeed. 

Roselle, I think Steven’s picture is precious and I should like to have one. Larry, your letter was a worthy contribution and we thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Nan, your enclosure was most interesting. The prices that exist today, as compared to those of 1914, are, I believe, at least double. 

Gee, I am sure your Sonny boy will have a wonderful experience, and I know too, he will come home to you as stalwart and as stalwart and as strong as when he left. 

There are only three shopping days left, so I guess I shall be on my way. I send my dearest love to each and every one of you, and wish a Merry Xmas to all and to all, a goodnight. 

Lovingly Lala 

P.S. Forgot to mention that I was enclosing some clippings and pictures of Am, which may prove interesting.

in the present day…

I get sucked into one charity committee after the next. I am knee deep in Christmas trees right now. The Festival of Trees ( to benefit B.A.B.E) starts next Tuesday. It is a great organization but I always hit this point where I am not finished with my trees yet. I have to decorate a 6 ft and a 4 ft tree for the competition. These trees are auctioned off at the end of the event. I also have to decorate four 2 ft. trees. These are sold for anywhere from $20 to $50 and are cash and carry throughout the event. I have three out of the four 2 ft trees decorated:

Christmas Cookie Tree

(Vintage McCoy Cookie Jar for the base!)

 

Support Our Troops Tree

(my brother is in the US Navy!) Purchaser can insert their favorite hero in the frame!

 

'Tree'ts for Man's Best Friend 

I am hoping someone loves their dog enough to buy this one! All the ornaments are rawhide treats and Christmas themed tennis balls!

Soooooo.....three down. Three to go. Oh yeah, and the three wreaths I have to decorate. My glue gun is going to overheat!

Skies Have Cleared Again

Vol. 24, No. 8 [Gee] 

Anderson, Ind. 

Dec 9 — 1946 
Dear Lal —  

As per our week-end conversation, here comes the chain. It was good to see you Vosses, Aunt Rose and Aunt Ellie. We arrived home at 5:30, a little weary, but remembering a most pleasant visit. Note to the Republicans—How do you like the way Mr. Truman handled Big Boy Lewis? Tell you what to do. Get a man like Eisenhower to run against Dewey and maybe we will give you a chance to settle future strikes—comes 1948. 

Particularly enjoyed all the letters this round. A lot of real living was crowded into those few months. 

We are glad that the skies have cleared again for the Hackleys and Chandlers. 

It is really a pleasure to formally welcome Am to our circle and to wish them both a long and happy marital journey. See you often, Kay! 

Our soldier boy is on board the “Marine Swallow,” bound for Korea. He sailed on Nov. 26th. They will be from 21 to 45 days on the high seas, so he will probably see the Bethlehem Star from the far Pacific. Since a Christmas card will not reach him, will you all say a little Hail Mary, as you read this letter, that he will be coming home this time next year, a bigger and better boy for his adventurous sojourn. We haven’t received his APO address, to date. 

Most of you have heard by way of the grape vine that Miss Elaine Voss, R.N and Edward Thaman of Dayton, Ohio are engaged to be married. They plan to have the ceremony late next summer. Ed is a very fine boy, an apprentice tool maker, and comes from an exceptionally fine family. Elaine got her ring about a month ago. We hope all of you will come to Indiana for the wedding. E. is now doing industrial nursing, five days a week, at the General Motors here. They have 60 nurses in this branch of eight hospital units. It is so nice having a girl around again. She is taking some Indiana U. courses in the evenings. 

May I recommend Peter Howard’s “Ideas Have Legs” to each and every one of you? It is splendid explanation of the Oxford Movement in its new guise and I am sure that all of you will agree that it, or something similar, is the one way we can swing towards a semblance of a peaceful future, at least. Nan, have you reviewed it? I’d love to have your version. 

You will be interested in knowing that Lal located a beautiful blue spruce in Dayton and it is to be planted on the family lot by Christmas. Kay, Lal will answer your inquiry about her letter for Round 23—You tell them, Lal! 

A very Merry Christmas to all of you and may the best of all your years be the one ahead. 

Love Gee

in the present day…

I was just in Las Vegas for business and stayed a couple of extra days. The Palazzo sent this yummy creation to my room.

I managed to put a dent in it over a couple of days. 

Of all the times I have been to Vegas, I never had time to go out to Hoover Dam. I got up early one day and headed out there. It is an awesome sight. I can't say that I would go there again, but I would say it is one of those places everyone should see once.

Loved the Art Deco granite work on the floor in the pump room!

Being the total tourist that I am at heart. I went out to Red Rocks National Park in the afternoon.

 

Really cool. Definitely would go there again!

One minor disappointment in Vegas. I like to drop a quarter randomly in machines when I walk through the casinos. NONE of the machines take change anymore! I couldn't find ANY—in all of Vegas! And after awhile, I started looking for them. Not even at the airport. All the machines require paper money and they pay out paper receipt-looking thingies. The ding-ding-ding sound effect is not the same as coins dropping. Big disappointment. Not that I am a big gambler or anything (my $20 limit doesn't go very far), but I had been saving quarters for a couple of weeks prior to going to Vegas—and I came home with all of them!

Observation for the Week

It is interesting to note that Sadie wishes that the US could scrap all political parties and have an "American Party." What's that old line...the more things change, the more things stay the same! Here we are, 60+ years later and people (including me) are still griping about the political system.

Vol. 24, No. 7 [Sadie] 

Dec. 3, 1946 

Dear Gee and All my dear ones: — 

Just before I began this letter, it was announced that our school will close this Friday, Dec. 6, until after Christmas, because we have no coal! Neither the teachers nor the students are happy about it, because we know the time will be made up later. In fact, I overheard a boy say today, “If I could get near John L. Lewis, I would pull out his shaggy eyebrows.” 

Now that the Republicans feel that they have a chance to renew things, I hope they will succeed in preventing this condition in the future. I heard Dad sat once, that “you can’t get down any lower than the cellar” — so whatever they do will have to be above that. 

If we could just scrap all parties, and form an “American party,” that would work for the interests of the people and not for themselves, what a happy place the U.S.A. would be! That’s my “observation of the week.” 

Let me add my voice, for the record, to the others, in congratulating Am and Kay, and in welcoming Am to our clan. He will see and hear more of us. 

Rose, you surely have had more than your share of sickness, and I sincerely hope and pray that you will have no more for a long time. 

Kay, it seems so good to have someone in Lima again. No matter how far away we get, it will always be “home.” 

We will be looking forward to Nan’s version of the reunion. Shan, and I am sure it will be worth while. That girl really has talent! How is Don making out at Ohio State? He will be getting his degree before too long, won’t he? By the way, I think Carolyn is the next “in-law” to contribute to the chain. 

Larry, your letter was a welcome and interesting contribution. We are all anxious to know Larry Jr’s. overseas destination, and hope he will profit by the experience, and enjoy his sojourn as much as possible. What do you mean “butter 89¢,” Gee? It has been a dollar a pound here. But maybe the Republicans will remedy that, soon, too. 

I would love to see that wedding dress when you are finished with it, Irene. I know it will be a “thing of beauty.” That trip to and from Montreal sounds interesting. 

Have Chandlers returned to Tulsa, Dan? I was so sorry to hear about Eloise’s father’s serious illness. It seems that there is never a time when we do not have to be concerned with the illness of some of our dear ones, in a large family like ours. 

The picture enclosed by Don and Kay, as well as the two of Rose’s darling, are very fine. I have my name on some of them. Rose, do send me both of yours, as they are the best, to date, I think, and I am making up a family record book. 

As for the atomic bomb, it is the only thing in the world that will keep the Russians from trying to take us over, too, so let’s keep it poised over their heads for awhile! 

And now I want to use this space to wish you all the joys and blessings of the Christmas season, which will be past when most of you receive this letter. May your New Year be all that you wish it to be. We had Forty Hours this week and all of you had a share in it. 

Love, Sadie

Serenity

Vol. 24, No. 5 [Kay—letter missing] 

Vol. 24, No. 6 [Rose] 

November 25, 1946 

Dearest Sadie— 

Greetings to you! And thank you for the two lovely cards. I did appreciate them. In reading my last contribution, dated Oct. 6, I find it hard indeed to believe that my personal troubles have continued unabated from that time to this. I suppose it is news to no one now that I had a fissure operation on Oct. 30, in the doctor’s office. It was a most painful experience—not the operations, but its aftermath—and it seems that I was in very seedy condition to start with, because I simply didn’t recover from it. So I went to the hospital for four days, then home for a week, at the end of which time it was determined that the incision had not healed properly and had to be reopened and drained. So back to the hospital with me, ten days ago, and here I still am, though I’ll probably go home tomorrow, I hope, I hope. They’ve been giving me liver shots, vitamins, sedatives, etc. until they’re coming out my ears, and God knows I should be up and at ‘em soon. But we shall see. 

November 29 

Sorry for this long hiatus, but I ran out of ink in the hospital, and since coming home have been unable to get back to it. I’ve been home since Tuesday, but my coming was contingent on a promise to do nothing the rest of this week, and very little next week. It gets damned dull, believe me. 

I’d like to add my formal congratulations to Am and Kay. I think Dan summed it up very neatly. And leave it to Clem to contribute the classic comment. 

As for the future uses of atomic energy (I think it’s here to stay!) the thought is fearful and awesome. In me the idea produces a sensation of shuddering apprehension. Incidentally, I recommend, as a measure of hope, that you all read the “Reporter at Large” article in the New Yorker of Nov. 15, 1946, dealing with what the nuclear physicists themselves are endeavoring to do toward waking us up before it’s too late. If anyone who is interested can’t find it, I’ll be glad to clip and send the article. 

If this seems incoherent, I’m not surprised, and you’ll just have to forgive me—once more. I hope that by the time I write again my personal life will have resumed some portion of its normal serenity. Since Sept. 1st we have not been without some form of illness in our family. Is it any wonder I’m incoherent? Enclosed the latest of our young. Stevie is just exactly the little devil he appears to be. 

Love and Merry Xmas, 

Rose