a little bird told me…

Repartee

Vol. 15, No. 2 [Helen]

Troy, Ohio
March 25th, ‘45

Dear Irene and All—

Hoist the “E” Flag. This edition goes out on time. This round indeed interesting and like Sadie, I think the photo-gravure section is a decided asset.

Irene, I showed Janice’s and your picture to the Lima girls, and their commentary was that you certainly have a lovely looking daughter and they thought you looked more like sisters.

The tribute to Aunt Beasy is very touching and true and I have copied it for my collection.

The pictures of Nan are fine. I too read her interesting article. One of these days, I predict the publication of a best-seller. More power to you Nan. As for Don’s picture, it is excellent and gave me a yearning to see him. That wonderful smile will certainly take him places. I am writing to congratulate him on his promotion.
He has earned it and is most deserving of the honor. I know how proud you must be of him, Shan and Carolyn.

I am enclosing a snap-shot of yesteryear. Looks like a pretty proud father, holding his baby girl up for all to admire and may I say she certainly has justified his pride.

Thank you Pauly for the Birth Record. Shan remembers the faux pas I pulled when he showed it to me. The copy has been tucked away in the archives.

Kay, we missed your letter. I do not think it is such a bad arrangement for you and Pauly to write at the same time. Your viewpoints and comments are different and both letters are filled with interest.

Is there feuding between the Columbus O’Connor and Mrs. Hackley or just friendly repartee?

I second the motion Gee for pictures of your Cadet Nurses. Of course I have the pleasure of seeing them in person quite often but I know the rest of the family would enjoy seeing their pictures.

Sadie dear, your constant prayers for our soldier boys are deeply appreciated and I am sure your supplication to our Merciful God will bring them home to us, safe and sound.

Gene, we are always so interested in hearing about you and the girls. Please remain in the circle. We love you and admire you very much, not only for Jack’s sake, but for your own sweet self.

Dan, I obeyed your instructions implicitly, in the drawing and I pulled Kay’s name. We were so sorry to hear of Eloise’s illness and trust she has completely recovered. I think it would be fine if you could end each of us a copy of Sean, a la Sell-A-Pape. It would make a nice companion picture to the one of you we have all cherished through the years.

As for Compulsory Military Training, inasmuch as David would undoubtedly be one of the first entrants, our interest is more than academic. I think the bill should be held in abeyance until the boys return, for they above all will have a clear idea on the subject. It is my opinion that until we have political peace, we cannon have economic security or international harmony. I believe that, even though we are the greatest nation on earth, until we free ourselves of racial hatred, money-grabbing and greed, atheism and Communism, and many other isms so prevalent today, we must continue to wage war. I wish I possessed the optimism that we will not have another war, but I definitely believe we will have and that it will be a mechanical one.

Traditionally, we are a peace loving nation, but I do not believe we are safe from attack.

I think one year of Army training, if it is properly conducted, would be good for the boys. It would give them a sense of values, a democratic attitude toward their fellow-men, and a year in which to find themselves, and to my way of thinking, we may as well be prepared for the inevitable. My heart and reason rebels at the ghastliness of War. How I wish a substitute could be offered. (The length of my paragraph smacks of a filibuster.)

A Happy Easter and much love to all of you.

Devotedly—Helen

Navigator

Vol. 14, No. 2 [Helen]

Troy, Ohio
Jan. 20, 1945

Dear Irene and All the Family—

It is true I have held up the letter for several days, due to a slashed thumb on the right hand. Was tempted to send it on, but decided there would not be too much objection to my holding it, inasmuch as I have a legitimate excuse, however, there is little news to impart.

I thoroughly enjoyed the letters and pictures enclosed. The one of Don is missing. Did you by any chance forget to enclose it Pauly? That is a fine picture of the Chandler family and the young generation of O’Connors. Your comment Dan, about your dislike in regard to having your face plastered on the society page, reminded me of Dandy’s antipathy; and seeing “Sell-a-pape” a la Sean (and it is a perfect replica) caused a feeling of deep regret that Dad could not have lived to enjoy seeing it.

Dick is still in Albuquerque. He is now classified as “Navigator” and hopes to finish the course within three of four months. His one and only fear is that the fight will be over before he gets into action.

If it is of interest to any of you. I am about to embark on a business venture. Not so much for the pecuniary angle, but as a means of retaining self-confidence and equilibrium in these days, too apt to be filled with dismal speculation and worry.

I have taken on a line of superior cosmetics, not available in the stores, and have worked up a trick sales-talk on “You Too Can Be Beautiful.” David, always alert for something new and interesting, has poured some of his hard earned savings into the deal and has volunteered to do the bookkeeping. I shall be glad to give you a report in the next round.

Since it is my turn to choose the subject for discussion may I suggest—your opinion on Compulsory Military Training, and you Irene can fire the first gun.

Your suggestion about drawing names for a Xmas exchange in 1945 is a good one Dan. I trust the letter makes the round in time to carry through the idea.

Best wishes for a year filled with happiness for all of you, and ever so much love.

Devotedly,
Helen

Our Country

Vol. 13, No. 2 [Helen]

Troy, Ohio

Oct. 1st, 1944

Dear Irene and Family;

The letters seem to grow more interesting with each round. I certainly enjoyed the expressions of Political sentiment and glad to see we each held to the God-given right of free-thinking. We all know the quotation. “Our Country! In her intercourse with Foreign Nations may she always be right, but right or wrong, always our country.” I hope whoever is elected will not have to contend with the emergency of War. I am afraid the aftermath will keep him busy for more than four terms, and I hope, as Shan says, he will prove capable of administering the affairs of our nation, according to the established laws of the nation.

Congratulations Dan. It is with great pleasure we read of your promotion. I am sure it is well-earned and you have every right to be proud of the achievement.

The subject you propose for this round is a sticker and certainly does require a little thought because there are so many angles. For instance, are we to assume that we are on the island at the present time and at our present age? If I were there now, I should ask for the highest powered plane available, for the purpose of evacuation.

If I were there in normal times, I should ask to have my family intact and with me. With them and possessing the other blessings you mention, I could make myself happy, at least for the rest of my life.

Dick is still in Santa Ana, and will finish Advanced Pre-Flight Training Oct. 9th. At that time, he anticipates an eighteen days furlough. We are keeping our fingers crossed, never-the-less, we are counting the days.

Let me add to the chorus of praise for the O’Connor Family in Columbus. Our weekend with them was glorious and their hospitality, as usual, was perfect. The absence of the rest of our loved ones was deeply regretted by all of us, but we are looking forward to a complete reunion in 1945.

Dearest love to all of you,
Helen

in the present day…
Yesterday was Cookie Day. A marathon resulting in…

…which leaves us with this…

Of the cookies I brought home, I was able to make up about six trays. 

We make hundreds and hundreds of cookies! Here are the recipes.....
Download Recipes.pdf

This morning, I woke up to more snow than we have had in years. Thinking I could just back out of the driveway through 18 inches of snow, I promptly got stuck and had to shovel the car out. I decided it was a good day to stay in and nap on the sofa.

Is Your Travel Necessary?

Is your travel necessary? This particular letter is timely because this is the most heavily traveled week in the year and it mentions the travel restrictions during World War II. There was a freeze on new car sales for the duration of the war. Gas rationing, tire rationing and metal scarcity were facts of life for people of that era. We travel now without a thought in the world, even with gas prices at an all time high without thinking “Is our travel necessary?”

Vol. 11, No. 2 [Helen]

Troy, Ohio
June 10, 1944

Dear Irene and All of you—

The new arrangement seems satisfactory to everyone and I think the promptness shown on this round is highly commendable.

Since I happen to correspond with everyone of our fine family, there is little news to impart in this letter.
Our main interest, at the present, is of course our flyer Dick. He has completed his first ten hours of flying and is very enthusiastic. We were informed on our recent visits to Galesburg, where, as you all know, he has been located for the past five months, that he is a born pilot and took to the air like a duck to water.

This knowledge naturally relieved some of the tension we have felt. He is still at Knox College, an Aviation Cadet, awaiting transfer to Line Training. It will be several months before he is finished and ready for assignment and we are hoping that by that time, this horrible war will be over and he will not see action. He can then use his training as Commercial Pilot or Instructor.

Shan, I know you, Carolyn and Nan are very proud of Don and what a wonderfully interesting time you will have, discussing his many experiences, when he returns.

May I say I think your letter was masterpiece of expression. It isn’t often you take your hair down, but when you do, you reveal the deep emotion that lies within you.

Dan, we thoroughly enjoyed seeing the children’s pictures. To me, Did-a-Lee resembles Roberta. I think Sean is a fine looking boy too and we certainly would love to see them. I think we all appreciated your trip out our way last summer, and I would not be at all surprised, if when the restrictions of travel are lifted, you and Eloise will be subjected to an invasion of the O’Connor clan.

As I wrote to you last week Irene, David and I will be in Washington soon and we are looking forward to seeing you and your family.

Dearest love to all of you,
Helen