Sunday
February 4, 1968
2 P.M.
Dear Larry:
Here it is Sunday afternoon and the house is quiet. Tresa and I are the only ones at home. Joanna and Carol went to see “Valley of the Dolls.” Joanna saw it once and it must have been good because she went to see it again. Karl is at the park playing basketball and Dad, as usual, had a building committee meeting at his home, the Polish Club. I’ll sure be glad when they get that place finished then he wont have an excuse to go over there. Ha.
A typical dinner setting at the Rudolf household in the early to mid 1960′s with Charlie’s (the person taking the picture) seat empty and Amelia on the far right. In the back, from left to right, is Carol, Joanna and Tresa. Turning around at the front of the table is Karl and Larry.
Friday
February 2, 1968
1 P.M.
Dear Larry:
Well, I just washed my hair and while sitting under the dryer I thought I would drop you a few lines to let you know I am thinking of you. Carol had a dental appointment this morning at 10 o’clock and Joanna had to be at work at 10 so it made it kinda nice because she took us up in the Chevy and then went to work. Joanna was worried because she needed some gas for the car, and was afraid she would run out. I laughed and said you always waited until the gauge said empty before you got any gas. And here she still had enough gas for 2 or 3 trips to work and back. Ha. Carol got a tooth filled and it cost me $8.00 and she still has a lot of teeth to be filled yet. It will cost us a fortune to get her teeth fixed and beside that, she will be fitted for braces before long because her teeth are crooked. She will probably have to find an extra job to help pay for them. Ha. We walked back to town from the dentist and stopped at Frisch’s and I had a tenderloin sandwich and coffee, Carol had a Brawny Lad with strawberry pie. After that we got on the bus. I came home and she stayed on the bus and went to school. I got home in time to watch part of Love of Life and Tess is expecting a baby. Her husband said he couldn’t have children and so I kinda think that the baby might be Bill Prentiss’. I will let you know how things turn out.
Joanna went out with Robert R—– last night. I don’t know if you would call it a date or not. She said they drove to Indianapolis and got some White Castle hamburgers and then went to the drive-in. Robert said he was laid off. I guess [Delco] Remy was down because of some strike somewhere. He said he didn’t care if he was off for a while because he could draw some unemployment compensation. I have to sign off for now. I will save the back of this paper in case Dad wants to write a few lines. He said he wasn’t going to write until he gets a letter from you.
Love Mom
Thursday
February 1, 1968
3:30 P.M.
Dear Larry:
Well, another day and no mail from you. It is exactly 4 weeks today that you left home and we have had only one letter from you. Dad is really mad because we haven’t been getting mail. In fact, I am beginning to wonder if we ever will get any mail. I don’t mind you calling us some Sundays but you can’t tell us much on the phone like you can in a letter. There are lots of things you could write about and all of us could read it. But when you phone you forget what you said and I can’t remember everything you said. So, Larry, will you make it an effort to write to us? We are really anxious to get some mail, even if is a short letter. What are you going to do with the book of stamps Dad sent you? So there is no excuse for you not writing and if you want to get letters, you had better get on the ball and write some.
Charlie and Amelia in the Kitchen. Charlie holds a Falstaff while Amelia holds a dish towel. (approximately early to mid 1960′s)
Monday
January 29, 1968
Hi Larry,
How’s it going? Not very good, I suppose. Mother said she got to talk to you yesterday. I’m glad she was finally home when you called.
Bet they’ve been keeping you kind of busy lately. How do you like the rifle range? Have you been able to go out drinking yet?
I read the letter you wrote Bob R—–. He said something about him and Carter coming out to see you when they can. He’ll probably write to you pretty soon. By the way, have you heard from Linda yet?
Monday
January 29, 1968
6 P.M.
Dear Larry:
Not much to write about, but just a few lines to let you know I am thinking of you. We had lasagna for supper. It was good, only I ate too much and I feel stuffed. Dad went to work at the [Polish] club, he said he would write you a few lines tomorrow night. He got home from the club about 8:30 last night, ate a bowl of bean soup and went to bed. He coughed all night. I gave him hell for drinking, but you know Dad, he probably never will. I think he should have a check-up by the doctor, his cough is getting worse instead of better.
Joanna just took Carol to a basketball game at South Side. Then Joanna and Carol J—– are going to the State [Theater] to see Valley of the Dolls.
Charlie rolling his own cigarette. [probably early to mid 1960's]
“Roll and Falstaff — can’t envision Daddy without either. I used to run down to the neighborhood drug store (Mary’s on Forrest Terrace across from Uncle Tommy’s house … he would give me 5 cents extra to get myself some penny candy from the glass candy display) to get him Sir Walter Raleigh tobacco and OCB papers.” -Tresa
Sunday
January 28, 1968
6:30 P.M.
Dear Larry:
Just got through with my washing. I hate to do it on Sunday but it was so dreary outside that I felt like doing it since there is not much else to do. It sure made me feel a little better to hear your voice on the phone, the only thing I hated was to say good-bye.
Dad isn’t home from the [Polish] Club yet, boy, when he goes to those meetings he forgets to come home. I know that he will be glad to hear that you are getting savings bonds every pay. I forgot to ask you on the phone, but did you get paid yet? I’ll bet you don’t go anywhere so you don’t have to spend any money. I think its a good idea to save some of it.
Letter #15 – February 6, 1968
Tuesday
February 6, 1968
4:20 P.M.
Dear Larry:
I didn’t get a chance to write to you yesterday as I was pretty busy with my washing, so I thought I had better get on the ball and drop you a few lines today. We had an early supper tonight. We had leftover vegetable soup and hot dogs. Dad wanted to eat early so he could take his usual nap and then go bowling. Yesterday, Dad brought home two big rolls of salami, so he said he went to Emge’s to get some slides for Holy Name meetings Thursday and while he was there he got the salami. I have him hell for buying so much so I froze some of it. I was telling Dad that you liked it and would probably like to eat some if you were here.
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