a little bird told me…

Old Times

Vol. 28, No. 2 [Irene] 

Aug. 7, ‘47 

Hello Everybody, 

By this time next week, Jerry and I may be on our way to Indiana. I do hope so. Have been calling this a.m. to find out which is the most direct and best way to get there. Am hoping that the cool weather the middle west is promised will last for the 16th. 

Jerry is entering Georgetown Preparatory School in September and right now he is being tutored by their math teachers as Math was the only thing he was low in the entrance exams. 

We were over to Hackleys one night this week to see Am’s colored slides of the wedding. If we do get to Elaine’s wedding I’ll bring along all of J’s wedding pictures. 

Marie Herschede Eckert, her husband and 18 year old son had dinner with us last night. They drove here to enter Jay in “Georgetown” for his college years. They probably will be driving here often to see him. Marie hasn’t changed. We enjoyed talking over old times. 

Frank is in Wilmington today. Probably will see Dan and Eloise. He isn’t traveling so much these days, altho’ he is due in Columbus the weekend of the 16th and may also have a chance to get to Anderson for E’s wedding. 

With love to you all 
Irene

in the present day...

This is one of my favorite weeks of the year. It's county fair time! I don't really like the rides, games or other attractions, but our local county fair allows everyone in before 1 p.m. for FREE. So we pretty much go there for lunch EVERY DAY during the fair. My personal favorite is the Ribeye sandwich from the beef and pork producers tent. Usually one day during the week I can convince one of my co-workers to split an elephant ear with me, but today I was introduced to the Funnel Cake. I cannot believe I have lived my whole life and never have had a Funnel Cake. I split one with a co-worker, but I could have eaten the whole thing. We are going back tomorrow. I may have to dive in to the powdered sugar/dough goodness again!

Slinging the Blarney Around

Volume Twenty-Eight 

Vol. 28, No. 1 [Dan] 

July 30, 1947 

Dear Group: 

To catch up on lost time I am sending the chain on today—one day after its receipt. Attached is an envelope containing the 1947 Xmas exchange. Please each of you draw one slip. If you draw same name you had in 1945 or 1946, put it back and draw another. Please enter your candidate on the enclosed list. As you can see, I drew you, Irene. Merry Christmas! And while we’re on the subject of the chain, Kate is the only one who has sent any back letters recently. 

Why not arrange a trip East, Shan, this fall and spend a week of you time with us? You’re about due for a vacation and it surely would be a pleasure to have you. By the way did you ever get around to sending the reunion movies on to Helen? And how’s Nan doing on the reunion history? 

I note with interest Gee’s statement about Larry having a new boss. Are you really sorry to see Mr. Matthew go Larry? 

Am sending your children photographs this week, Gene, now that I know your address again. Think you are wise in letting the girls join the Girl Scouts. It is a real character builder. 

I think Pauline’s suggestion about a letter from each of us to Aunt Ellie is very sound and I propose Dan Aug. 1st, Irene Aug. 10, Gene Aug 16th, Shan Aug 22nd, Kay Sept. 1, Rose Sept 8, Sadie Sept. 15, Gee Sept. 20, Helen Sept. 28 and Pauline Oct. 4th. Let’s everyone keep on schedule. 

Howard you penned a very nice letter. Sure you name isn’t O’Hackley? You’re very adept at slinging the blarney around. 

Kate please call up the Cemetery Association and tell them I intend to put the matter in the hands of a lawyer if the job isn’t finished by Sept. 1st, What hellish inefficiency! 

My happy little family is back again in Wilmington, and the present delight of Sean and Jamie’s life is a portable wading pool I set up in the back yard. You never saw so many “little people” milling around. Can’t believe Sean starts to kindergarten in Sept. Eloise has gained weight and looks and feels better than she has in a long while. 

Helen you might mention to David that if he wrote me a letter following graduation, it miscarried in the mails. Enjoyed your recent epistle very much by the way. 

Love, 
Dan

OK With Me

Volume Twenty-Three 

Vol. 27, No. 1 [Dan] 

May 7, 1947 

Dear Cahills and O’Connors: 

Life doesn’t have to be jam packed with thrills and excitement to be pleasant and interesting—thus the protests in some of these letters that they “have nothing much to say” are unwarranted. For example, Gee’s folksy description of the natives of Union City I found very amusing. I sense that the general feeling is that we should not break the chain to include Aunt Ellie—which is O.K. with me. I think it would be an undue hardship on Helen to have to take it out personally each time and suggest we skip the idea. Anyway it would just give LaLa an excuse for her usual procrastination. Hi Lal! 

By the time this letter gets around you all will probably have sent me the $19.31 share for the cemetery markers, so I’ll use this medium to say, thanks. 

I will add my voice to those who have said that Janice’s wedding was a very inspiring and beautiful thing. No one could escape the feeling that all the warmth, devotion and love of a lifetime was bearing its grand expression on this occasion. As an indication of what I mean, Irene, I suggest you attach to the chain copies of the notes Janice handed to you and Frank the morning of the wedding. The colored movies, which I took of the events, turned out beautifully and I hope you all can see them someday. 

Speaking of wedding dresses, I had a brief preview of Elaine’s when I was in Indianapolis a couple of weeks ago and it is stunning. 

Gene, I am the culprit who has the pictures of Roberta and Diane which you sent around about a year ago and I shall send them to you before much longer. I hear your mother and dad are now in sunny Calif. with you. Give them my best regards. 

Pauline, I believe the whole family is content to see you keep Mothers’ things for as long as convenient to you. 

Did you ever note such unbounded enthusiasm as Sadie’s, over her trip to the East. It was refreshing and makes me wish I could enjoy life as much. 

The D.F. O’Connors are about to embark on their semi-annual excursion to Tulsa—will be there the first 2 weeks of June with everybody, including the dog. 

The Voss boys (Joe, Dan — and David) may visit us in Wilmington in August. We hope they can make it. 

Speaking of dull letters, 

Goodbye, Dan

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!

Nice Pipple

Volume Twenty-Four 

Vol. 24, No. 1 [Dan] 

October 26, 1946 

Dear Irene and fellow members: 

The business before the house is the re-routing of the chain and I give you the new line as follows: 
Old New 
Dan Dan 
Helen Irene 
Irene Gene 
Sadie Shan 
Gene Kay 
Pauline Rose 
Kay Sadie 
Gee Gee 
Rose Helen 
Shan Pauline 
Dan Dan 

Under this new routing, please remove you old letter just the same as you have always done in the past. Hope everyone likes it. It is not as easy as you might suppose to figure out. Next, I mailed each of you a postcard today giving the official 1946 Christmas exchange. 

Next, you will receive a statement of your respective share of the cost of three cemetery markers which have been installed at Gethsemane for Mother, Dad and Joe. 

Rose mentioned some of the headaches we have had this month and I won’t dwell upon them further, except to say that Mr. Chandler is still in the hospital at Winchester, recuperating from what turned out to be a serious attack of pneumonia complicated by an intestinal block and a touch of angina pectoris. Except for his rugged constitution (he is 72) he never would have pulled through, and as it is, the road back will be a long hard pull. Eloise and our children are still down there helping take care of things. Annelle, Eloise’ sister, flew in from Tulsa a week ago to lend a hand. 

Enjoyed your contribution to the chain, Larry. We think the Voss family are nice pipple too. 

The letter would be incomplete without a salute to our sister Kay and our new in law. Welcome to the outer chain brother Bishop! You have always been just like one of the family anyway and we’re proud and happy at the event. Congratulations to you both! When you celebrate your Silver anniversary, Helen and Fred will be celebrating their Gold one—and we’ll all gather in Lima and tie one on. But don’t wait until then to come see us. 

Well, Iny, I’m glad to be writing to you—just don’t expect any French. My forte is Spanish—but we can still get along like neighbors. Hope none of you have held your breath waiting for the movies I have of the reunion. You shall receive them, as we lawyers say, in “due course.” Don’s pictures are very good. My bid is written on back of each one. Here’s wishing you all plenty of meat, eggs, butter and soap. Especially you damned Democrats! 

Love, Dan

A Man Named Martini

Volume Twenty-Three 

Vol. 23, No. 1 [Dan]
 
August 5, 1946 

Dear Helen and family: 

Don’t get the idea I was ever one to avoid an argument, nor that I want the chain to become merely a diary of domestic ditties. There will be the normal amount of disputes to keep us sharp, if I know this family. For my part (that is to say in my opinion), too, the “dinner hour” at the reunion will always be a wonderful experience to remember, and I think the high light of a very delightful occasion. 

Your suggestion as to taking immediate steps to correct the situation at the cemetery, Gee, has my whole hearted endorsement, and I suggest you proceed sine die. I veto the clause however about excluding some from the expense and insist you divide the cost 9 ways. Perhaps Am Bishop would assume responsibility and assure a good job. 

Rosel, the Capon Springs idea sound O.K. to me and you can include us in. Do suggest we make is sufficiently flexible tho’ to permit change in plans. In other words let’s not consider it in the light of a reunion but rather a joint vacation for whomever can attend. 

Since Dayton, I have been to Tulsa for 10 days, deposited my family there, and to Terre Haute twice. Looks like I will be in Wilmington for the balance of this month at least. 

I vote for Howard as the in law who contributed most to the pleasure and success of the reunion. 

A letter from Eloise tells me Sean just fell off the bed, hit the side with his front tooth and drove it up into the gum. I’m slowly learning the heartache part of being a parent. 

Which one of the in laws is next in line to add a letter to the chain? Let’s not permit this idea to escape. 

Also will each of you clear the air and designate WHO DREW WHOM for the Xmas exchange? I blush to say I can’t remember whom I drew unless it was a man named Martini. Help please! 

May I suggest we each write to Aunt Ellie thanking here for her courtesy and kindness? Starting next week I shall route the 100 feet of colored film of the reunion to each of you in this order (1) SHAN (2) SADIE (3) GEE (4) HELEN (5) GENE (6) DAN. Consult your friends and borrow a 16mm projector or try to rent one for overnight use. The pictures are splendid. Please treat them with care. I shall show them personally to the Washington contingent. 

I recommend for your pleasure the moving picture “The Green Years.” 

Love, Dan 

P.S. Shall we have a new routing for Vol. 24?

Portrayal of Family Life as it is Lived from Day to Day

Volume Twenty - Two Vol. 22, No. 1 [Dan] 

June 4, 1946 

Dear Runioneers: 
This part of the family will arrive in Dayton Friday June 21 at 7:27 a.m. on the Pennsylvania and will take a taxi to the Biltmore. We will leave Sunday evening. We are looking forward with pleasure to the great event and it should prove a memorable one. 

I do not agree with the thought expressed that unless we think of some trick device, the chain will bog down completely. While interesting side lights no doubt improve the letters, the fundamental worth of them is their portrayal of individual family life as it is lived from day to day. I think we all would agree that there are periods of life that are fairly hum-drum but these provide the proper setting for the better enjoyment of more spectacular events. No, I’ll take the chain, as it is. 

As for being typed and distributed I gather you all are in agreement to do your share and one of these days I’ll get around to passing out your proportionate share. I’d prefer that you all continue to send your own letters to me rather than saving and typing them. So come on, Kate, send yours in. 

I too, would like to go on official record of sincerely congratulating Dick and Janice on their matrimonial careers. I think it delightful that Dick and his new bride will be at the reunion. She will be the only bride in history who will have met the whole O’Connor clan at one time and I don’t envy her the shock! 

Shan’s suggestion that Nan be appointed a historian of the event has my approval and enthusiastic support. Now, Lala, I know you are a very busy person at this point and I know you will be inclined to put off sending on the chain—but please resist the temptation and send it on to the next fellow even if you have to add just a note yourself. 

Sean came through his tonsillectomy with flying colors and he already has gained about 3 lbs. and looks fine. He’s quite a boy and will steal many a heart in Ohio. 

Love, Dan

Lethargic Mood

Volume Twenty-One

Vol. 21, No. 1 [Dan]

April 9, 1946

Dear Lal and All:

It must be spring. All the letters in this round seem to suggest a dose of sulfur and molasses. Or maybe it’s just my own lethargic mood that makes me react this way. I’m sure that this letter will be no more sprightly than some of the others.

The sombre note in family affairs as of this writing is Katies’ entry into the hospital for an operation. Life continues to pulsate in this clan, doesn’t it, sometimes slow sometimes fast. Guess the average has been pretty good.

I have been appointed master of ceremonies at the reunion dinner to be held Friday June 21. This is to serve notice on all of you that you will be called on for a speech (not less than 5 minutes—immediate members only). The subject should be personal—having to do with your own end of the family—interesting happenings, ideas or speculations—and will serve as a means of informing the group of each member’s situation. Sadie, I hereby assign you to write an early history of the family up to the time of your entry into the Convent, and Paulie to pick it up from there and bring it up to date. This will be read by you both at the dinner and will represent your speech. Gee is going to read some poems and verses about the various members.

Also, at the reunion, we will draw names again for the 1946 Xmas exchange. Better be there!

I have been trying to figure a way to get all the chain letters typed and bound into a volume. There are about 250 letters. Suppose we split them up and each member take 25 and type 10 copies each. I will act as clearing house and eventually assemble 10 bound volumes, one for each member. Let me have your comments on this, and what’s more important send all back letters now if you want your names to go down in history.

On the domestic scene, my little girl Jamie continues to keep her parents on their toes. Last week she got locked in the bathroom for two hours until finally rescued by a neighbor with a long ladder. Jamie was completely unconcerned and spent the time splashing water. Her mother was not as calm.

We are expecting a visit from Eloise’s sister Annelle the first part of May. Sean has his tonsils out May 7.

May you all have a very happy Easter. See you in Dayton.

Love,

Dan

A Worthwhile Investment

Volume Twenty

Volume. 20, No. 1 [Dan]

February 2, 1946

Dear Chain gang:

The combined descriptive ‘adjectives’ are attached and are to my mind quite interesting. Several of you did not find time to join in the fun although you are the beneficiaries. Were epithets the words which were being hurled, I could think of “negligent” and uncooperative.” By the way, does anyone want to reverse the rules and send a list of the outstanding undesirable qualities of each member? That could really be hot.

The reunion is apparently taking shape and the suggested dates of June 13 to 15 at Dayton are O.K. with me.

Shan’s Xmas gift to me was the brand new set of three books on Jefferson by Claude G. Bowers. A most welcome contribution to my library.

Of course we all can vote for Kate for “woman of the year” for her generous gesture in giving each of us the wonderful miniatures.

Eloise and family finally arrived back in Wilmington yesterday after a prolonged visit in Tulsa. Prolonged—I say— because both Sean and Jamie had chicken pox while she was out there. Needles to say I’m glad to have them back and our household has again become alive with noise and shouts and cries.

Those of you who know my friend Glen McDaniel will be interested to hear that he has just been appointed General Counsel for RCA. Not a bad set up for a young man of 34.

Fred, your contribution to the chain is proof of the fact that the suggestion to include the in-laws would add interest. It seems like I haven’t seen you for ages. Maybe this summer eh? Looks like Frank Peter Cahill is next. Get out your writing stick Frank.

Much to my amazement I received the nicest letter from Aunt Ella recently. Her writing is still plainly legible and her sense of humor intact. I had written her several months ago. A worthwhile investment.

Grapevine has it, Lala, that your fine young son and his Anne have serious plans for the Spring. And who is to say against it? The world is too large and too complex for generalizations. And it always was too obscure to permit reason to penetrate love. Perhaps that is as it should be. Did you hear the one about the man who was persuaded by his friend to go to Confession? He hadn’t been for a long while and in order to steel himself for the ordeal, stopped by a bar and hoisted a few on the way to Church. The priest took a whiff and said “Say what have you been drinking?” The man replied “Three fathers, feather.”

Love

Dan

P.S. Apologies to Frank Cahill from whom I stole the joke.

Vol. 20, No 1-A [Dan]

Sadie: reliable, strong, capable, serene, broadminded, “God is still trying to find an adjective for her.”

Shan: big, lovable, generous, magnanimous, unfathomable.

Helen: considerate, sympathetic, thoughtful, impetuous, understanding, sincere.

Irene: imaginative, artistic, imaginative, whimsical, creative

Gee: sterling, wholesome, steadfast, logical, solid.

Pauline: conscientious, unselfish, loyal, genuine, selfless.

Kate: versatile, thoughtful, enthusiastic, sensible, smart.

Rose: rational, loyal, exquisite, thoroughbred, sound.

Gene: faithful, courageous, worthy, capable

Dan: dynamic, judicious, kind, an inquisitive sort of person, and stout.

in the present day…

When I got home from work today, I opened the windows to let some fresh air in the house. As I stood in the kitchen pondering what I was going to make for dinner (Lean Cuisine Sesame Chicken), I heard the distinct twinkling of a noise that one only hears in the summertime. An ice cream truck! My heart started to race as I wildly thought “Do I have enough cash to run out there?” In the four years I have lived here, I have NEVER seen (or heard for that matter) an ice cream truck in my neighborhood. And I stood there and actually contemplated running out to the curb. I contained myself (after remembering that I had Ben & Jerry's in the freezer). But it put a smile on my face, because it means that summer is here!

To Sadie by Christmas

Volume Nineteen

Vol. 19, No. 1 [Dan]

November 30, 1945

Dear Lal and All;

“To Sadie by Christmas” sounds to me like a very worthy and very likely event. In fact at the rate the chain is now traveling it should be several stations past Sadie by Christmas.

Whether prospective or retroactive, let me add the D.F. O’Connor and family wishes that you all have a most pleasant and peaceful Xmas day and a most prosperous and happy New Year.

As Shan has stated, the most critical current topic is the labor scene. Ordinarily, I would be opposed to a sit down strike by industry but I believe the present one is entirely necessary and justified. G.M. has called a spade a spade in saying that this is more involved than just a 30% wage increase demand—it is an effort to force management to abdicate its time honored perogative of handling its own finances. The Unions are demanding the right to help determine how much should be set aside for reserve, for reinvestment, for distribution to stockholders, and what prices should be charged. Furthermore, if the Union should succeed in forcing the 30% increase it could only be done by increasing prices and we would be well on the way to ruinous inflation. As the Pres. of Du Pont Co. recently said “You can’t have just a little bit of inflation; a little bit of inflations is like a little bit of liquor.”

Most of you were pretty close on guessing the “who said it” quotation. For correct answers see the attached.

Would you all like to have some fun and can you take it? If so, each of you write to me separately and include two columns. The first to be a list of the names of every member of the chain. Opposite each name, in the second column, write on complimentary adjective which in your opinion most nearly describes each person. For example, if Aunt Ella were the one described, one might say she was “jolly.” I will compile all the submissions and attach them to the next round without mentioning the names of the authors. Remember, no brick bats!

My latest from Rose, this week, is that she is on her feet again but under strict doctor’s orders to do nothing in the way of exertion.

We shall all be pleased to read the F.F. Voss-in-law contribution to the chain. Eloise enjoyed putting her “two bit” worth and I think she wrote an interesting letter.

The “Rump Chain” sounds alright to me, Shan. All they have to do is start.

The D.F. clan is heading for Tulsa Dec. 14 for a two week vacation. Carolyn and Nan are in the East now and plan to visit us next week. Life is getting purty exciting.

Love— Dan

Nan’s society paper is very good!