January 17, 1968

Posted on June 22nd, 2010

Wednesday
January 17, 1968

Dear Larry:

Received your letter and am very glad to hear from you. We were beginning to think you forgot about us. As you know, we all miss you around here. I even miss you teasing the kids and Schmulick. I was thinking that you would call last Sunday so I hurried home from the meeting. I am sorry I missed talking to you the Sunday that you called. I suppose Joanna told you that we went to a Polish mass at Kokomo, Ind.

Right now I am watching T.V. and my stories. I will write and let you know what is going on in another letter.

The weather here is cold also and we have about 6 to 8 inches of snow on the ground. It was real cold here for the last few days (zero weather) but the sun is out today and it is getting a little warmer. In fact, Joanna hasn’t been driving the Chevy to work because the battery is dead and the car wont start. Dad said the car is in bad shape, so he is going to have to have it worked on (I think Dad misses arguing with you). Ha Ha.

The kids are all OK. The are getting their report cards this Friday so I will let you know about their grades. I give Carol “hell” for talking on the phone so long because I think you might call.

I took the kids to the dentist last Saturday, we had to go on the bus as I don’t have a driver now, Ha. I have to get my groceries whenever I get someone to take me.

Karl had a couple of teeth pulled, Tresa had a baby tooth pulled, and Carol has to wear braces on her teeth. It’s going to cost us a pretty penny, about $700 Dad said.

Everyone in the family has been calling and asking about you, in fact, Aunt Lottie was over this noon. They all want the address so they can write to you. So I will be busy on the phone this evening giving everyone your address, so before long you should be getting some letters.

Larry have you made any friends yet with anyone? Is there anyone from Anderson with you? Dad said that someone told him that Bill C—– was rejected because he had a sore toe.

I almost forgot to tell you that I got your clothes back yesterday. I washed them this morning. Everything in your bedroom is still the same. I asked Karl if he missed you and he said he missed your “farts.” Ha.

I wont say anything about Joanna, I will let her tell you about her love life in her letter. Ha.

The Polish Club looks real nice. It’s almost finished with the remodeling.

I am going to start fixing supper because its almost time for the kids to come home from school so I will have to sign off for now. Someone will write to you everyday so you will be getting mail all the time. So take care and we all miss you.

Love, your Mom & Dad
(we miss you)

P.S. Please excuse my stationary, I will have to buy some.

(enclosed are the stamps you asked for. So write as often as you can.)

(OVER)

1-17-68 6:40 P.M.

Hi Larry,

Just got through eating. Yum! Yum! Aunt Amelia’s delicious meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, golden corn and gravy. How’s your chow? Have you had shit on the shingle yet? Just got home from work at 5:45 and am rushed. Pat’s working for me till 7. Smulik is running around the table. Tresa came in first in her spelling test. Karl said he’ll write you about basketball and Anderson. I’m alternating Ball Point Pens and neither wants to write well so [I] will close. Smooth training.

See ya,

Dad.

Posted in Letters | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments »

  • http://jeffrudolf.com Jeff

    Grandma (Larry’s mother) wrote the first part of this letter, while grandpa finished up the letter on the “OVER” side. I picture grandma just sitting on the couch watching her “stories” as she likes to call them. (She means soap operas.) Grandpa was probably sitting at the dinner table writing the last part as the table was being cleared.

    The “kids” mentioned are all of Larry’s siblings. His older sister Joanna and his younger siblings Carol, Karl and Tresa.

    Schmulick, or Smulik, or however you spell it was the family dog I believe.

    I hope the rest of my family comments on what they make of the letters as I post them!

    My brother Cory, who has his master’s degree in English, is going to have a fun time reading all these run-on sentences, lack of commas, too many commas and much more.

    I think my favorite line was how Karl misses Larry’s “farts,” although, I do find it funny how grandma ends a lot of her sentences with “Ha.”

  • Deb Gruebmeyer

    Jeff I think Schmulick was their cat. Its been awhile. Aunt Tresa will know if she reads this. It was nice reading this. By the wasy did you know today was Aunt Mary’s birthday? she is 98. Can you believe that. Luv ya.

  • Cory

    I think I can manage the horrendous grammar. I did, after all, suffer through many 9th grade research papers. Grandma Rudolf is much smarter than them.

    Jeff and I want to thank Jessica Rudolf for coming up with the name of this website. Not only is it true, but it’s completely catchy. Maybe we can eventually sign a book/movie deal like they did with Tuesdays with Morrie…?

  • Jon Hale

    This is a cool website. It is strange to think how far this letter has traveled as well as how old it is. I think my mom has told me in the past that Schmulik was a cat. I look forward to reading more letters.

  • Jessica Rudolf

    LOVE this. Also, I imagine that if Jeff and/or Cory were away from the other, they would also miss each other’s “farts”.

  • Tresa Hale

    I loved reading this and definitely look forward to reading more. Schmulick was the Siamese cat, which I dressed up in my doll clothes and wheeled around in a baby buggy. Larry teased the cat mercilessly! I picture Daddy writing his portion at his spot at the kitchen table where he can keep an eye on the Polish Club out the window. He probably had a Falstaff beer inside an old white sock. And what about the $700 for several teeth pulled and braces???!!!

    • Haylee Teeple

      I cannot wait to read more of these letters. I love hearing stories about my aunts, uncles and mommy when they were young. Tresa, you are absolutely right, I picture Grandpa writing his portion and not only drinking his Falstaff beer but I bet he stopped to roll a cigarette too why he was trying to find a ball point pen to work. Keep them coming!

  • http://www.letterstolarry.com Aunt Carol

    Jeff, Cory, & Jessica– You never cease to amaze me! The 1st spelling of Schmulik the cat was correct. This was the same cat that Mother frequently threatened to kick & that Larry often put on a high basement shelf above the steps & made it jump to freedom. By the way, the $700 braces were partial, just on my bottom teeth. Larry would be very proud of his “Beautiful Boys” as John Lennon keyed it, just as I am!!

  • http://? Shawn Matejovich

    These letters are awesome. Unfortunately I read them from newest to oldest (i.e. #7 to #1) but then again I am left handed so I seem to do everything backwards. Oops! I know I’m not part of your family but Jeff put these out on the internet (I’m assuming) for everyone to read and enjoy. And being that I am a left handed loudmouth I feel the instinctual urge to say something about each letter. I woke up at 4:30 this morning and couldn’t sleep so I read them from 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. They are GREAT!

    Cory, This could definitely be a book deal sometime but you have to make sure you have them all in order so the story goes along as best it can.

    It warms my heart to know that the polish club (or at least the sign?) is still there! Awesome! Being raised by Pennsylvania Hillbilly’s…my dad started me a beer can collection when I was 6 or 7 (back in 1976) so I am almost 100% sure I have a few ‘Falstaff’ beer cans in the collection!! If you are like me you can almost taste the Falstaff while reading the letters….well excuse me while I go get some water. Getting thirsty. :O)

  • http://jeffrudolf.com Jeff

    Yea dude! These letters are for EVERYONE to enjoy! :)

  • scott stebbins

    I absolutely love these letters! The grass seemed much greener back then and family actually meant something. Not gonna lie I have teared up reading these letters and followed by a few laughs. you guys are amazing sons and your dad would and is so proud of you guys! I can only wish my children would do something like this when I am no longer around. much love guys! God Bless

    p.s.
    excuse my grammar Cory ;-)