Thursday
January 18, 1968

Dear Larry:

It is 9 A.M. so I thought I had better get started on your letter early as I sip on my tea. Dad took the letter I wrote yesterday when he went to work this morning. He was going to buy a book of stamps and put [them] in it, so by now you should have the stamps and they should last you for a while. I hope no one steals them if they are so hard to get. Uncle Tom just left so I had to take time out. He told me to tell you hello and that he would write to you as soon as he gets a chance. He said he didn’t expect you to write to him for he knows you can’t write to everyone, Aunt Mary said the same thing, so if you ever get any mail from them, let me know so I can tell them that you got their letter.

I am cooking chicken for supper tonight. I am going to have chicken and dumplings, all that chicken that Dad got, we have to eat it till its coming out of our ears. Ha. Larry, did you get your G.I. haircut yet? I’ll bet they got you scallaped [scalped] By the way, have you been going to church on Sundays or do they have a church around there for you to go to?

(over)

Dad said that they usually encourage you to go.

How is your head drill [sergeant]? Is he still a loud mouth? I hope he is a little easier on you guys.

We still have a lot of snow on the ground and it isn’t melting fast. The sun is shining and its not as cold as it has been.

I am taking time out and will write later as I have to some work around the house.

Here I am again, it is 1:30 and time for my storys [stories (soap operas)]. The mail man just went by, but no mail from you. You got a tax statement from Alex S—– also the other day you got one from Guide Lamp and Sheyler Pump. Dad will probably take care of your taxes.

I talked to Uncle Jack on the phone and he asked about you and said he would write you when he gets a chance. I guess he hurt his knee at the tavern and had to go to the hospital, but he is OK now. Little Jacqualine was also in the hospital a couple of weeks ago, in fact, it was the day you left. I guess she had pneumonia, but she is OK now and at home. I will close for today, so until tomorrow, bye.

Love—Your Mom & Dad & Family

Dad may write a few lines tonight. Carol, Karl, and Tresa will probably write you on weekends since they have homework during the week. Joanna said she would write (tonight I hope)

Thursday
1-18-68
5:15 P.M.

Hi Larry,

Just got home from slipping and sliding all day long on the solid ice streets. I got hung up on woman’s box today and like to never got away. These business people are advertising thru the mail like its going out of style. One compensation is these pay checks are rather nice. I’ll get paid tomorrow and have 15 hrs. overtime, about $80 extra. This pay so far I’ve got 9 hrs. Are you getting any overtime? Do they pay you time and a half and double time on Sundays? You ought to be rich when you out of the service.

When I got home tonite I looked at that Chevy and snow all around it and thought to myself, “Boy how I miss Larry.” The battery ran down 10 days ago. I had Jim come over and put a jumper on it and I drove it to the station and Larry put a quick charge on it and it cost me $5.50. The next day Joanna drove it to work and when she started home it wouldn’t start. I guess the battery must be shot.

6:40 P.M. Just got back from picking Joanna up from work, your job. Boy I’ll miss her chauffeur. Joanna said Carol Johann gets off at 8:00 o’clock and she’s gonna pick her up. They’re going to the Paramount and see[ing] “To Sir, [with] Love,” with Sidney Poitier. I wish I had time for things like that.

This is my 3rd Falstaff and I think I’ve had enough so now I’m gonna eat supper. Chicken and dumplings kinda get tiresome when you have it every week. Boy, what I wouldn’t give for some good ol’ Ziemniana and American fried potatoes. I could sure cut that with my gums. What did you have for chow tonight? Something good, I’ll bet.

Carol just got home from collecting and she’s rolling in the dough. Well Larry, I’ve bored you enough w[ith] civilian life so I’ll sign off and eat. Tell mother about your army life and maybe I’ll get a chance to read it. Take care of yourself.

As always—Dad.

P.S. I sent you a book of stamps and it cost me $2.00. That makes $3,912.13 you owe me. Don’t airmail your letters anymore. They should get here and there in two days for 6¢. The boys at the P.O. were talking about Steve W—– and said his dad told them that stamps were hard to get and Steve was selling them for 25¢ ea. and was making a killing. Do you see him or Sheets?