Sentimental Old Fool

Vol. 27, No. 10 [Pauline] 

Washington, D.C. July 27, 1947 

Dear Dan and All: 

I am acting as assistant nursemaid this weekend while Rose, Howard and David are at Virginia Beach. I agree that all mothers should take the opportunity to get completely away from the routine. On the other hand, I find taking care of Steven much more interesting than Insurance. 

I want to thank those of you who comment on allowing Mother’s things to remain intact, and I shall take good care of them until such time as it may be wise to distribute them. I am looking forward to my trip to Ohio and Indiana. Mr. Lipscomb said I am probably doing as I want to, but he thinks I should go to the mountains. I assured him I am doing “as I want to” and the mountains have been there a long time and will no doubt continue to stand for a few more years. 

I am so glad to be able to attend Elaine’s wedding and more about this in the next round. For the record, I want to say how much I am enjoying having Mother’s diamond earrings which are made into two rings, courtesy of Mrs. Bishop for my last birthday. I never realized how lovely the stones are and next to the miniatures, are my greatest treasure. 

Sadie mentioned in her letter and also in one to me recently, that Aunt Ellie is failing. Why don’t we make an effort to write individual letters to her? She loves to receive mail and there may not be much time left. 

Gene, I am sure you are as happy as your letter sounds and how I admire you for pulling up stakes and being where you enjoy life so much more than you did previously. If you stay in California long enough, I aim to get there someday. I liked it very well and should like to return. 

Since I shall be seeing many of you in just two weeks, I’ll save the rest until then. I enjoyed this round ever so much and usually have to wipe my bifocals after reading it—sentimental old fool that I am. 

My love to each of you. 

Affectionately Paulie

in the present day...

I have lived in this house for five years. I have had a wasp problem for all of those five years. It's not just my house, it is more of a neighborhood problem. I have had exterminators come out. I had the tree at the side of my house (where they would nest and procreate in the wintertime) removed. I think they have some sort of DisneyWorld going on under the deck. I should just buy the company that makes wasp spray—it would be less expensive. 

I thought I had won the battle this year. I had not seen a wasp all year—until Sunday. I had spent many enjoyable hours this year reading on my deck. On Sunday just as I sat down with my book and my Diet Coke, I was swarmed by a dozen wasps that came up from under the deck. The Diet Coke went flying as I jumped up and I got stung SIMULTANEOUSLY by two wasps. One under my arm and the other on my wrist. After about 20 minutes, it stopped hurting. I thought that was the worst—I've been stung many times by bees and it has been no big deal. After 24 hours, I thought my arm may fall off. My wrist/hand was at least twice its normal size, my skin became disgustingly scaly and it really, really, really hurt! And the cure is....ice packs and Benadryl. What? I guess the arm actually has to fall off for anything else. It's been 72 hours since the attack. The wrist/hand is back to normal size, but the area 4 inches around the sting is still beet red. It's supposed to go away in a couple of days, so I guess I'm gonna make it. 

The wasps? Not so lucky. $300 to the exterminator yesterday took care of them—at least for now...

Comments

[kilax]

You poor thing! They totally came from nowhere! Is that a typical reaction? Ouch ouch ouch. I am happy the swelling is going down at least :)