January 19, 1968

Posted on June 28th, 2010

Friday
January 19, 1968
8:20 A.M.

Dear Larry:

Just a few lines to let you know that I am thinking of you. Joanna just left for work on the bus, the Chevy wont run. Dad said he was going to have a new battery put in it next Wednesday, the day he is off.

I am all by myself with Schmulick, he is laying here in the kitchen on the register keeping warm. I get so mad a him sometimes when he gets in my way, he probably misses you putting him on top of the doors. Ha.

I am hoping that we get a letter from you today, you know that we are anxious to hear from you, so you should write as often as you can even if it is just a hello or good-bye.

I sure miss not having you around the house, that first week you were gone I would look in your bedroom and your bed was empty, it sure gave me a bump in my throat. Only one good thing about it is that your bedroom looks a lot cleaner now, the beds are always made and Karl keeps it pretty neat and dusted. ["dusted" was underlined twice for some reason]

(over)

Well, by now you should be getting some mail. I am going to get Joanna and Carol on the ball this week and have them write.

I am waiting for Uncle Deda to bring his washing over. I hear that they are calling some people back and Guide Lamp. In case they call you, I will have to tell them you are in the service.

The sun is shining today but the snow isn’t melting very fast. Of course, we had a lot of it though so it will take time for it to all melt.

How did you like the letter Dad wrote? I think he really misses you, only he doesn’t carry on like I do. Have you written to Robert R—–? I see him come by in his car once in a while. Joanna and I saw Hill at Ayr-Ways the other day and he asked about you, that was before we got your letter.

Well I have to get on the ball and get some work done around the house. Wash my hair and get ready for Bingo tonight. I hope I will some money tonight. Ha. So until tomorrow.

Love Mom

P.S. The guy that has the Barbell Club called the other day and asked for you. He acted surprised that you were in the service already. He talked to me for a while and wanted Bill C—– telephone number.

Posted in Letters | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments »

  • http://jeffrudolf.com Jeff

    I don’t know about anyone else but I am anxious to hear what happens next in this Chevy saga!

    The guy calling from the Bar Bell Club is probably some foreshadowing into Larry becoming a body builder and then becoming Mr. Indiana in 1976. We’ve still got the giant trophy in the basement.

  • http://jeffrudolf.com Jeff

    Also, can someone in-the-know tell us what “Any-ways” is? I think that is what it said when I was transcribing it…

  • http://letterstolarry.com Aunt Carol

    Jeff- This is like re- living my life. I couldn’t wait for you to publish another letter. 1st- Uncle Deda (Stanley) was Peda. 2nd – Any Way was Ayr-Way, much like Target or K-Mart today. 3rd- The Barbell club was Larry’s favorite “home away from home” back then. I’ m kinda surprised that they didn’t know Larry had left for the service. 4th- The chevy saga- I knew it was a POS but I was a little too young to drive so I don’t remember what happened to it– Joanna would know. And last of all loved the part about Mother washing her hair before she goes to “Bingo”. This was her only outlet because she was a stay at home housewife. Another fascinating fact was that she never learned to drive. I was 15 years old at the time, & she got her driver’s license when I did! She was at least 50 or 51. I remember when she took driver’s ed & backed into the neighbor’s car while backing out of our driveway! These letters are the best– Thank you so much–With Love !

    • http://jeffrudolf.com Jeff

      Thanks for the corrections. I just couldn’t read that part of the letter very well. That helps!

  • Cory

    Thanks, Carol. I will add those points in the Glossary tomorrow.

  • Deb Gruebmeyer

    You are doing a good job. Very interesting. Grandma went to bingo for a long time and as Carol said this was her only outlet since she was a stay at home mom.Luv ya .

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

    I’m gonna let Grandma read all of this real soon. Won’t her input be great!

  • http://? Shawn Matejovich

    My grandma Michaels (mom’s mom) never learned to drive either but she was blind in one eye. I always told her that was no excuse. She always told me she never really had a reason to drive. She was mostly Dutch and Irish. My Grandma Matejovich (the Slovok Grandma) drove and she was HELL ON WHEELS. She worked at the high school in the kitchen. Yes, my grandma Matejovich was the Lunch Lady. Oh how I miss both of them..

    When I saw the picture of Larry at 15 (I still can’t believe he was 15 in that picture) I knew he just had what it took to lift small cars and leap tall buildings in a single bound. He just looked like he was going to be super strong. Barbell Club? Man I wish they had a few of those around these days. I’m so tired of the Urban Active idiots…GREAT LETTER! I’m also excited to know what happened to that P.O.S. Chevy but I can’t help but wonder what it would be worth today?? – Shawn