a little bird told me…

A Lot of Craporino

I wish I had the 52 page family history that Nan wrote after the family reunion. But alas, it was not saved with the letters.

Vol. 28, No. 4 [Shan] 
8-24-97 

Dear Family: 

First to comment on Dan’s query about how Nan is progressing with her history of the June 1946 reunion. She tells me it is completed, comprising fifty-two pages. She is now negotiating for the best deal she can make for mimeographing so that each of you may have whatever number of copies you wish. It will be forthcoming one of these days before too long. 

Paulie told us about Sadie’s appeal to the Deities to have the cherry trees bloom before she left Washington. From the pictures, I would say her appeal was answered in one blaze of glory. Nice going Sadie. 

Dan I will mail all of my back letters immediately. How about each of us doing likewise. By the way Dan what has happened to the compilation. I thought that a worthy project. Hope it does not default. We all are ready to perform our part. 

Dan I delivered the reunion films to the F.F. Vosses on the occasion of our visit there several months ago. In passing wish to comment on Howard’s excellent letter. Honest, Howard, I often wonder how you and our other worthy in-laws put up with a lot of our craporino. 

Comment about Mr. Matthews no longer being Larry’s boss was news to me. What happened to him? Met him briefly and casually while in Dayton last June. Personally, I sort of liked the fellow. 

There are no family matters from this sector to be chronicled, other than has heretofore been recorded. 

So will bid you all adieu until the next round. 

Love Shan

in the present day…

I am finished with travel for a while now. Whew! 

It seems like everyone around me has taken leave of their education recently. Using the wrong form of a word has been running rampant in my co-workers and vendors. Here are some examples of some blunders: 

I have done this in the passed and it seems to work well. (email from co-worker—Director level)

I was wandering if you could help me with this. (email from Product Manager)

It relaxes me to know end. (IM from a co-worker—Lab Coordinator)

Thanks for helping me. Your awesome! (email from Product Manager—different PM than above)

These are all college-educated people! Some have Master's Degrees. This has all been within the last 24 hours. But it happens EVERY DAY! It is driving me crazy and I fight the urge to email a smart-a$$ comment. For instance, I get the "wandering if you could help me" on a regular basis from this particular product manager. I want desperately to shoot an email back saying "Really? Where were you wandering?" Is it wrong to correct them? Is it rude?

I am constantly correcting their communications prior to going out to the sales force (because I think it would be a poor reflection on the company), when I really want to send them out with their name attached to it. 

Lovely Things

Vol. 28, No. 3 [Gene] 

Bellflower, Calif. 
Aug. 12 – ‘47 

Hello Everybody: 

The chain seemed to arrive on schedule, but I sure missed Rose’s, Kate’s and Shan’s letters—What happened to them? By the time this reaches you Shan, most of the family will be in Anderson for Elaine’s wedding. Would sure love to be there, but our thoughts will be will all of you. 

I received the pictures Dan and thanks—I had really forgotten what they were like. I received a nice long letter from Aunt Ellie about two weeks ago and I will answer it on Aug. 16th as you suggested. She has really been faithful about writing and sent Diane a beautiful little statue about two months ago. 

We have been having some pretty hot weather out here—Everyone says it is the hottest they have ever experienced. The beauty of it is, we can sleep under blankets at nite and the sleepings are really grand. 

It won’t be long before the girls will be going back to school—think they are getting a little tired of the vacation. They have been going to a Park not too far from home, a couple of days a week, where they are learning Art and Craft work. They have really made some lovely things. 

I have been working steady for the last couple of months—Dr. Nichols’ wife had a breast removed. I have been there for the last two weeks and expect to be there a couple more. She is getting along fine and is really a wonderful person. Dr. Nichols’ practice is so heavy he is having a young Dr. from his home town come out to assist him. He was here all last week and went home to close his office there and get set to move his family out. 

Will be anxious Gee to have all the reports from the wedding. Think it is grand that you will be able to get away for a complete rest after it is all over. Only wish it could be California way. 

Till the next round— 

All our Love 
Gene

in the present day...

I went shoe shopping yesterday. I don't really need new shoes, but I wanted something new for an upcoming trip. I am leaving for Las Vegas in a couple of days for our National Sales Meeting. For some reason I found myself looking at shoes that had sparkly stuff or jewels on them. These are shoes I wouldn't look at in a million years and yet I was drawn to them. Maybe I feel compelled to wear something like that because it's Vegas. Maybe I have been working too much. Maybe...whatever. I walked away with strappy bronze sandals and black sandals with jewels in the shape of flowers. They were just really cute! Let's see if I still think they are cute when I get back. 

Shoe shopping brings up one of my, shall we say "quirks." I keep all of my shoes in their original boxes in my closet (and I know which shoes are in each box—people have tried quizzing me on this—I win every time, but I digress). I keep all tissue paper, etc. from the original packing and repack the shoes when I put them back in the closet. Sometimes the salesperson likes to take out all that stuff when they are ringing up the purchase. I watch them like a hawk to make sure they do not remove any of the inner packing. I don't buy shoes when I am traveling unless I can get the box in my suitcase. There, I have confessed my quirk—don't judge.  ;-)

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

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...

Procrastination Again

Vol. 27, No. 9 [Helen] 

July 19th ‘47 

Dear Paulie and All— 

As you can see by Gee’s letter, the delay was caused by Ann not being home. And since so much time has been lost now, I have decided to skip taking it out to Aunt Ellie this time, and anyway it would be rather difficult to read it to her while the controversy continues. I do not mind in the least the effort expanded in getting it out to her. The pleasure she derives will more than compensate for any trouble it may be. It is almost impossible to concentrate but I am going to dash this off, as I know you will be accusing me of procrastination again. 

At the present time, Dolly Spellman is here. She came out Saturday to spend a few days with Aunt Ellie, then we persuaded her to take an extra day so that we might have a little time with her. 

Gee is coming over today and we are having a nice little get-together with Sadie. It is such a pleasure to have Sadie here and inasmuch as her time seems to be pretty much her own, we have had many nice and interesting visits. We had a glorious time in Michigan. The weather was delightful and it was a complete rest for all of us. One day we drove up to Sault Ste. Mare. 

Most of you remember the Maloneys and know how often Mother and Dad visited them. Mary is the only one living there now of all their big family. Her husband, Bert McCarthy, was Chief Engineer when the Locks were built. We called them and Bert met us and explained the details of the construction, as he walked around the locks with us. We went out to their home for a few hours and enjoyed talking over all the old times. 

You undoubtedly all heard about David’s jaunt to California. He was gone for a month and I only wish you could hear the tales of adventure. He is ready to settle down now and plans to take his pre-law at University of Dayton. He found a nice job for himself with a construction company and is determined to earn enough for his tuition. 

Howard, your letter was most interesting, and I am sure everyone enjoyed it as much as we did. Have had at least a dozen interruptions since I started this letter, so I am going to give up and hope to make a more interesting contribution the next round. 

How about all of you who can, plan to meet in Anderson in August? Paulie, we are looking forward to seeing you in just a few weeks now. Will write in a few days giving you our plans. 

Dearest love to all, 
Helen

in the present day...

I have been really busy preparing for an annual event at work. Some events in the past couple of days have basically put us back as square one. I guess if it were fun, they wouldn't call it work!

Admitted to the Family

Vol. 27, No. 8 [Gee] 

Anderson, Ind. 

July 13 —1947 

Dear Lal and Family 

Every time I get the chain letter you are just coming home from some place, Lal. did not send it while you were up North, lest it be too long on the way and might miss you. Enjoyed your letter and Kay’s. It will be interesting to hear more details of your restful vacation. Surely enjoyed each and every letter this round. I like Dan’s description of Janice’s wedding best of all. He seemed to catch the real meaning behind the scenes. Other than to mention that the hustle and bustle of the E. Voss —Ed. Thaman wedding is in full swing, let’s not go into any more talk of it until after it’s over. Not that we haven’t thoroughly enjoyed every item leading up to and following Janice’s. We sincerely hope all of you can be here for Aug. 16 — come before and stay as long after, as possible. 

Howard’s letter (written while Rose held the whip) is the kind of a letter I like. Betcha’ each one of us will try to discover the bad qualities he mentions and go about a method to correct them. We’re glad you have been “admitted” to the family, too, Howard. You can write in the chain any time as far as I’m concerned. 

Larry, Jr., has been transferred from Chinhae to Puson, Korea—a point north on the Peninsula. They are living in reconditioned Jap barracks while waiting for some Quanset huts, sent from Alaska, to be set up. The boys expect to be back in the U.S. before the end of this year. Pauline is home for the summer. It’s like a big family again, and we love it. She is studying for her State Board Exam in November, while relaxing from her three strenuous years at the Good Sam. The Delco medical staff has invited her to step into Elaine’s place. She may do so about Sept. 1st. 

Shan, those fancy names sound like the ones that make up a large percentage of our parish. Bakinski, Sokoloski, Hosekvac, Kumkoski. Guess that is a typical set up in an industrial center. But there are some might purty gal secretaries, smart ones, too, among those folks. Did you succeed in finding one to suit you? Maybe you’re prejudiced having had O’Connors, Camerons, O’Malleys, Burkes, Cochrans, and such like, working for you in the past. 

Lal, we’ll be seeing you and Sister Rosella the week end of July 19 - 20. I’ve asked Rose Abbott to drive back to Anderson with us. Larry will take her to Dayton the following day, when he goes over to meet the new boss of Central. He’s going to miss J. W. Matthews. 

We are looking forward to seeing each and every one of you in August. 

Dearest love to all. 

Devotedly 
Gee

The Last Word

Vol. 27, No. 7 [Sadie] 

Good Samaritan Hosp. 

Dayton, Ohio July 5, 1947 

Dear Gee and Everybody: 

The long delayed “chain” just arrived, and as Elaine and Pauline are here for the week-end, I am going to save a little time by “answering” it at once and send it over to Anderson tomorrow with them. Of course you all know that I am assisting with the teaching of Microbiology to the nurses here, and will be here until Aug. 24 at least. 

I saw Helen and Fred the night before they left for Alpena, and on Saturday last, I went out to see Aunt Ellie. She is failing very much, tho’ she came down on crutches to see me, and insisted on going out to the park to visit. I know that Helen will get the letters out to her the week she receives them, and will not delay sending them on. 

Let me add my vote to that of the others, that Pauline should keep everything intact as long as she wishes (including my silver spoons received at graduation, which I hereby give to her as I did to Mother, when I entered. That is surely “home” to all of us, Pauly, and I felt Mother’s dear presence every minute I was in the house. 

I’m looking forward to seeing all the “middle-state” members of the family at Elaine’s wedding in August. My brief visit with the Bishops was very pleasant. The enclosed pictures of the cherry blossoms, taken the last day I was in Washington, were part of my thrills n Washington. The pictures of Helen, Kay, etc., were taken two days later and show them in full bloom. I’m still enjoying that wonderful visit to Washington and Wilmington. 

I wish you could all see how Sean, Jamie and David have grown, and Stevie is a precious baby. They all cuddled up to me and were not afraid of my habit, as most children are, at first. 

The wedding on April 12 was “the last word.” The next round will either find me in Lansing or elsewhere, as we receive our appointments around August 4. Gee, I’m sure that each one of us would like to take up your offer to drive to California with you, and I’m sure that someone will try to make it, tho’ their vacations are planned by this time, I guess. 

God love and bless you all. Love and continued prayers for all. 

Sadie

Cream of the Crop

Vol. 27, No. 6-A [Howard Hackley] 

Washington 16, D.C. 
June 29, 1947 

Dear O’Connors— 

It has been over a year since the idea of allowing each in-law the honor a adding a note to you chain letter was put into effect. At that time I was all enthused and impatient to contribute my letter—I swore that I would frankly state my personal opinion of each and every one of your family. Unfortunately (or perhaps most fortunately) I married a younger member of the family—and now my enthusiasm has cooled somewhat. Moreover, I didn’t anticipate that when my turn finally came around I would be reminded of it by my wife at 10 p.m. on a hot, stifling, sultry, oppressive Washington night—when my thoughts are marvelously uncollected. However—there are a few things I must say while I have an opportunity which may never come again. 

I have been an associate member of your family long enough (nearly 6 years) to appreciate all of your qualities—good and bad—and the good ones far exceed the bad ones— I won’t go into that. What I really want to say is that I’m glad it’s a big family—you cannot know what it means to be an only child—and not to have brothers and sisters to grow up with—to fight with—and to commune with. 

Don’t misunderstand me—an only child is not to be pitied—I mean simply that the bigness of your family helps to compensate for what I had missed in mine. More than that, yours is an interesting family—and it’s rather exciting to be mixed up with you. 

One thing more— I applaud the idea of the chain letter and I sincerely hope that it will go on until the two hoary, hobbling, senile survivors will write childish (second-childish) and undecipherable notes to each other and still call those notes “the chain.” 

I could say a lot more—but Rose advises me that strict rules limit my letter to a single sheet—and how can anybody express an adequate opinion of O’Connors within that limit! I only wish it were possible to see you more often—and I am looking forward to your next reunion. Thanks for the privilege of writing this—for being admitted to your family. I have Luck to thank for that I got in by marrying the very cream of the crop—the flower at the top. 

Love to all of you— 
Howard

Raise One For Use Absent Ones

Vol. 27, No. 6 [Kay – letter missing] 

Vol. 27, No. 7 [Rose] 

Washington 16, D.C. 

June 29, 1947 

Dear Gene— 

Since there was a slip-up and you didn’t get the chain in your turn, I am going to send it to you instead of Sadie. I now she won’t mind, but I suggest that you air mail it back as she has been looking out the window for it for the past month. Her address will be Good Samaritan Hospital, Salem Ave., Dayton. 

I’m glad that something has made me write you. I am thoroughly ashamed of not having done it sooner, but God knows my intentions have been good. I think it is fine that you have taken up nursing. It is better, I should think, than sitting in an office all day; and you meet a much wider variety of people, to lend interest, and also you may regulate your free time to suit yourself. Plus the fact that you’re doing good. 

Congratulations. Shan, old pal, I’m sorry I didn’t make it, but it seems someone might have kept you up to date. I decided that, just having seen Kay, Helen and Sadie, it was rather silly to come busting out there two weeks later. Also I thought I would be likely to stand more in need of a vacation after the summer (what summer?) and so I postponed my visit until September. I’m planning to be there the latter half of the month. Now I won’t say another word about it until my reservations are made and my ticket bought, for I know you are all tired of hearing about it. 

We have the pleasure of looking forward to a visit from Junie this coming weekend. Eloise and the babes are still in Tulsa, so he is driving down Thursday night. We are very happy about it, as it is long since we have had a good visit with him. We are planning a get-together Saturday night at the Cahill’s, to see Janice’s wedding pictures, which are reputed to be excellent. 

On July 24th we are taking David to Virginia Beach for a long week-end. We are gong down on the boat, and of course he is wildly excited about it. I hope he’ll have as much fun as he thinks he’s going to have. I’ve been trying to talk him into taking swimming lessons, but can’t convince him that it’s a good idea. Of course there’s plenty of time, but I understand the younger they are the less fear they have. 

I wish I could be in Anderson on August 16th, but things just haven’t worked out that way. I now all the members who are present will have a wonderful time. Raise one for us absent ones, huh? 

Love to you all 
Rose