The mystery man

Veteran of WWI and WWII.

Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, CA

Photo by John C. Ryan

(shadows John and Cheryl)

September 4, 1966 "Our trip home was long but the kids behaved very well so that helped."

September 4, 1966

Dear Mom and Dad,

Here we are back in Brussels. Our trip home was long but the kids behaved very well so that helped. Right now it is noon and a few people upstairs are starting to stir.  I may not finish this right now.

Mrs. Goeng had brought in our mail and we had a table full of it.  You have a few letters too but nothing to exciting looking.

Let me know when you’ll be coming in plenty of time so we can meet you at the airport. 

We were so busy in St. Louis I only went shopping twice.  But Lily, Helen C., and Mary Varela gave me some lovely clothes. We were $60 overweight. Now the problem is putting it all away. So give me a few days to get the suitcases put away especially if Corona is coming with you.  It shouldn’t take me long with everyone in school this week.

The last few days in St. Louis really flew.  Chic was in the hospital a few days. But now he is back home. 

Miss Edy died and I went to see her (at Southern) at 8A.M. the morning of the funeral. People were dropping in and out of our house all week.

Tiá Lola looked good when I left. Sally and she came by the night before we left.

Gloria will be moving downstairs this week. I went to see her place and it is nice.  She and Willie will go to Florida the last two weeks of September.

Be sure to let us know when you are coming. Our love to everyone there.

Love,

Jim and Dina

August 29, 1966 "Today we plan to gather all our things together and start packing. "

 August 29, 1966

Dear Mom and Dad,

Hope you are all fine. We had quite a busy weekend. Friday night we went to Helen C__’s for a party with the Fontbonne crowd.  Saturday we went to see the neighbors on Dover Pl.  Poor McClaughlin sisters are so grief stricken and getting so old.  Mr. Zeedan enjoyed his trip to Brazil. He stayed three months. His biggest problem was writing a letter home. Neither he nor his sister and husband there can write in Syrian and his younger relatives know only Portuguese and no English. So he ended up going to the American Consul to write a letter for him.  They all like our renters very much. They keep our place spotless.

Saturday evening Jim’s folks came and Virginia and the boys came along. We all went to Mary and Chic’s and had a most pleasant evening. Lola and Sallie and Tiá Maria were there and of course Joe and Jeanine, Anita and Doggie.  Mary had a feast laid out as usual. Sunday afternoon we all went out to see Lorraine and the girls. Bud is working Davenport during the sheet metal strike here.  We got a nice reception and really enjoyed seeing the girls. L herself looks as pretty as ever. She looks like an older sister to her girls. Her girls are really lovable. The Singers left right after we ate and Jim and I and kids stayed until 10PM. We had a nice pleasant evening.

Douglas and his girl bought a house in South County. Mil and Jul are very pleased with it. When I see what a sensible kid he is I really wonder just what is the value of a lot of schooling.

Mary D____ dropped in to see me Friday afternoon. She was telling me about Maria M_____ and all the rumors etc about the house and money. She hasn’t changed. She loves to know everything.

Today we plan to gather all our things together and start packing. We must get your place back in order too. All the boxes in the attic are opened etc. One thing for sure you'll have enought to keep you busy when you get home. All of us have handled everything and nothing is in the same place.

Bob and Tala left on vacation Sunday morning.

The kids are fine and enjoying all the running around. Greet everyone there.

Love

Jim and Dina

August 25, 1966 "We have our return reservations for Friday September 2nd at noon."

August 25, 1966

Thursday

Dear Mom and Dad, 

Received your letter and clipping of the drowning. We are all fine. Time is certainly flying. We went out to see the Funks. They have a beautiful big home in Ladue. I don’t like it as well as Carm’s but it is certainly big. Their furniture has not arrived yet but Donna has your number and she will call you when it comes. Probably about the same time that you will get here.

We have our return reservations for Friday September 2^nd at noon. We go to N.Y. and then to Brussels.

Yesterday we spent the afternoon with the Meyers. We went out to Shaw’s Garden Climatron and visited the Rose Garden. Mary Beth and Patricia spent the afternoon at Julie’s. She had come over Monday night with her Debbie and Chelas and Margie. The little girls hit it off so well that they were invited to spend the day. Kathy came and got them in the car. Doesn’t that make you feel old? Pretty soon all those Spanish girls will be grandmas. We went to pick them up and I saw Valentin and Amadina. Both sent you their best wishes.

You received your wedding invitation from Jean Campa. Did you want me to send a gift for you?

Angeles called to say she received a letter from her brothers saying you both look very well. Also Herminia wrote saying how pleased she is with her brother and wife.  Angeles is so funny. She said she was afraid for Herminia because she knows how good she is. So she had written to her “Cuidado, Herminia – ya fuiste criada de bastantes y los Cubanos les gustan mucho las sillas.”  But she said that Herminia was well pleased with them. I’m so glad for her.

Next Tuesday we are going over to Lela’s then come back by way of Maria Barril’s house. That is the only invitation I have for next week and it is the only one I am going to accept. I must finish up some shopping and then start packing all this. The Singers will come down this weekend.

Barbara spent tow nights at Michele Kickham’s and had a wonderful time.

The Broyles’ leave Sunday for their vacation. We are certainly grateful to them as we have used their car constantly.

Well give our best to everyone there –have fun and don’t forget to visit Southern Spain.

Love from all the family and friends here,

Jim and Dina

August 22, 1966 "He wasn’t here 5 minutes and Mary Beth of all people jumped in his lap."

August 22, 1966

Dear Mom and Dad, 

It is 8:30 AM and everyone is asleep except Nancy and I. Yesterday afternoon we went to Mildred’s and Tiá  Lola looked and felt very good. Sally and Lil were also there. Mary and Chick – Clorinda and Billie’s and family.  They all look wonderful. Billie and Colleen are ageless and their kids are still very sweet. Imagine 3 other teenagers spending an afternoon like that.  Alice and Toots were there. For a while she and I sat outside in the yard and she was telling me some of the happenings. Of course I had heard it but I didn’t tell her.  Bobby is married again and his wife is nice, she says.  We showed some of our movies and everyone wanted to see the ones with both of you in them. I didn’t realize we had so few shots of you two. Neva was there and helped Mildred cook.

Then at 7PM we came home and Estelle and Oscar dropped in (Linda is on vacation).  Estelle has quit work because her mother is ill and she goes over there to help out a few days in the week. They also keep Cobby’s little girl a lot and enjoy her so much. You can tell Oscar loves kids. He wasn’t here 5 minutes and Mary Beth of all people jumped in his lap.

I was inquiring about Luisa from Colleen and she says that Luisa was really brave. She is very resigned and says everything is fine.  If she is in any discomfort nobody knows it. The real problem is Julio who is now completely helpless. It’s a terrible situation because Bob and Luisa want to put him in a home and Antonia says “If he goes, I go.”  Colleen said she really feels sorry for Antonia. It’s too much for her and she’s afraid for Luisa to strain herself but she says “What will the people in St. Louis say if I put him in a home?”   From listening to Colleen and then Bessie tell about her poor mom – makes you realize how lucky Josie was.

I received a long letter from Jeanne B____. She was really pleased with your visit. She thinks you are both marvelous people and hopes they can continue to see you when they return to St. Louis. I didn’t realize poor Jeanne was so nervous. She said Mom helped her a lot and Tommy is crazy about Dad. Their trip to Ireland was marvelous. They rented a car and traveled 1000 miles. She also said you left their house just spotless.

The phone just rang and Maria Barril called and wants us to come over. I told her you had gotten a big kick out of her letters and in her typical fashion she answered “Hombre, tu madre, que sabe ella de cartas!”

Well I will close for now. Give everyone our love. Have a good time and enjoy the old homeland.

Love,

Jim and Dina

August 19, 1966 "a Cook’s Tour of six days through Granada etc. would cost about $100 each"

August 19, 1966

Dear Mom and Dad,

Received your postcard of Salinas today. Your sleeping and eating arrangements sound very good. In fact I’m certain this visit is much more satisfactory for you. I hope you are taking all those walks around the places you love. Don’t know how much longer you are planning to stay but I hope you will allow yourselves enough time for a brief tour of So. Spain. You can’t say you have really seen Spain until you visit the South. I think a Cook’s Tour of six days through Granada etc. would cost about $100 each. Six days more is nothing when you have been gone almost 2 years. You’ve seen London at its most exciting and really lived in Europe  - saw a glimpse of Holland and visited the wonderful people of Spain. I’m sure your pension people would let you leave some of your luggage there too. Be sure to do it – you’ll thank me for the advice.

Our time is flying by  - and still so much we want to do. Last night Rudy and Helen C. took us to the opera.

Today Jim took Kenny to the eye doctor. I want someone else's opinion about that eye.

I am trying to write this and watch television so I’ll stop for a while.

Later

Sure enough the eye doctor said he does not need glasses – so we have to take K. to another eye clinic to get some eye exercises for him to do at home. Tonight Angeles, Margaret, Paquita and Maria Tata dropped in for a short visit – also Tiá Mariá and Mercedes la de Justa. Mercedes said to tell you that she misses you so much. Since you left she never went anywhere. (that is since Dad left for the wahes etc. She said she only went to the SS three times. Bessie Crook also came by. Her mother is doing very poorly – so depressing – but she said her grandchildren are so good to her.

I talked to Tala today and she read me parts of your long letter to her. From it I gather you will try to see as much as you can. Good idea!

Margaret brought me some “bullinas” and Angeles baked me to apple pies from her apple tree. I was thrilled to get them as tomorrow night some of the Fontbonne crowd is coming over.

The kids are fine. They have been changing back and forth with the Damaris’. Tonight we have everyone home. Nancy is getting very smart. She crawls all over and pulls herself up. She can say mama and loves to hear P. screaming. She gets all excited and laughs – the louder P. gets, the more she laughs.

Greet everyone there for us. And be sure to get it all in.

Love

Jim and Dina

August 16, 1966 "no sign of the charge plates"

August 16, 1966

Tuesday

Dear Mom and Dad,

We returned at 4PM from Pana. The kids had a ball there. Betty and Glen came up Monday as he had business in Decatur. The boys really enjoyed the apple trees, cornfields etc. Jim fixed a few of his Mom’s appliances. Aunt Rose went back on Monday.

We came home to find your most interesting letter about your trip through the Spanish Mountains. Sure am anxious to get together with you and hear all the details. Also had a letter from Don.

The trip to Gary was a great success – we stopped by Mary Colasin’s this evening to drop off some eggs. She was hoarse and said she never laughed so hard in her life. Then we went to Tala’s to see our piano and drop off some eggs. She said she had the best time ever. Clo was in form – dressed like a farmer – Neva laughed all the way. Lola Patona, Esther, Honey and Angeles were the whole show. And except for Teresa P who was a pain everyone really enjoyed the trip.  Sophie also went and Anita met her in Chicago. The people at Gary really entertained them and the bus driver said “If you ladies go next year, will you ask for me?”

Tala got her beaded bag and she really liked it. The time is flying by so fast and we still have so much we want to do.

Your stay in Asturias should go very nicely. I think there is more room for you and I’m sure Pacita will let you both go off on your own. Be sure to greet all the family for us and Herminia of course.

Right now we are watching the Tonight Show – so I will wait until tomorrow to finish this after I call Tiá Lola.

Wed, August 17

I called Tiá Lola and she is feeling very good. She may come to Mildred’s next Sunday if she continues the same. I talked to Mary Diaz today and she says Jesus Glenna is sick in the hospital and that Luisa is doing o.k.  I talked to Margaret Diaz and she said the gang really missed Dora and Amelia on the trip.

Katie Sabadell said Corona is having a nice time and the family in Spain was very good to her. I also talked to Mercedes “la de justa” so you see I spent most of the day on the phone.

Jim went with Tala to the bank today but no sign of the charge plates.

Tala and Bob will leave for their vacation on August 28^th. 

I must drop a line to Don and Jim’s mother.

Love,

Dina

August 12, 1966 "Ruth and I were sitting outside husking corn "

Fri, Aug 12^th (1966, Pana, Illinois)

Dear Mom and Dad,

Yesterday we had a nice surprise! Ruth and I were sitting outside husking corn when a cab drove up and Aunt Rose from Minnesota came out. She had taken the Greyhound bus when Jim’s mom wrote to tell her we would be here. She is Ruth’s sister from Minneapolis.

On Sunday Jim’s mom has invited all the cousins from miles around to a family reunion. We have never met most of them.

The Kids are having a ball. Kenny and Davy are inseparable. Kenny spent the night with him last night. 

The kids have been out in the corn field picking corn and today they are going to dig up potatoes.

Last night we showed some of our home movies and some of the neighbors came over to watch.

Aunt Rose is very interested in everything about living in Europe. She always asks questions and listens to the answers.

Right now the kids are watching Captain Kangaroo and Aunt Rose and Ruth are out in the garden already.

After we got here Jim took Tala’s car to the mechanic that the Singers know to have it worked on. We thought it better to do it here since we don’t know any mechanic in St. Louis. They put some spark plugs, cleaned the points – brakes etc.

Today I think we’ll take the kids to town for some play shoes and blue jeans.

Nancy is getting around on her knees. She is a little fireball now and really knows what she wants.

I think I’ll cut this short because I want to mail this in town and we’ll be going soon.

Please give the family there our best regards. Hope everything is going well for you.

Love Dina and Jim

p.s. Jim has made our return reservations for Friday Sept. 2^nd.

August 10, 1966 "Jim has been busy today repairing some of the electrical appliances"

P.S. We’ll be here until Tues Aug 16^th, Regards to all the family                 

August 10, 1966, Pana, Illinois

Dear Mom and Dad,

We drove down yesterday in Bob and Tala’s car in exactly 2 hours. I know the kids are growing up because no one complained or fought the whole trip. We are having a nice visit – the kids are really enjoying themselves. Davy spent the night here and the boys really hit it off fine. B has been behaving like a real lady the whole trip. You know how well she can do when she tries  -  helping with the baby etc.

As luck would have it – Lorraine and the girls are in Pana too spending a week with Mrs. Millot. 

Jim’s mom and dad are both looking well and feeling o.k. too. His mom was telling me they have some new treatment for emphysema – but she can’t take it because it contains penicillin. I wish Julius could get it though. 

Last Monday Douglas’s girlfriend got baptized and Mildred was her godmother.

Jim has been busy today repairing some of the electrical appliances around here.

All the things we sent his mom really look pretty. The curtain is just beautiful. I’m sure yours will look wonderful too. I especially like the wood carving from Mallorca. It is so beautiful. They also received the mantillas we sent.

I’ve been trying to track down the things we sent and most of them have arrived. Anita K___ received her guest towels but her mom’s did not arrive and I sent them a month sooner.

Tala still did not receive the beaded bag either. The Sadies are going on their Gary, Ind. Trip this weekend. Mary Chick called me before we left. Your old barber Lucas died this week also.

We still have so much to do. When we get back Jim must look in his safe deposit box. I still have to get the kids shoes, get over to Dover Pl., call Sr. J.J. and get out to Fontbonne.

The biggest laugh we have gotten so far is that, except for Helen and Rudy C., no one has asked us anything about Europe. No one is the least interested – and I can understand it.

Received a letter from Don – He spent a month in Campinas and found a month’s mail waiting for him. He said he received your letter from London, Dad.

More Later,

Love

Dina

August 8, 1966 "Nancy has grown up so much these past few weeks."

August 8, 1966

Monday

Dear Mom and Dad,

Well it is 9A.M. and Nancy and I are the only ones up. We are all fine and enjoying every minute in the good old U.S.A.  The weather has been perfect. Very nice and cool – just like resort weather.

Yesterday we went to Alice’s house. Mil and Jul came with us. I was happy to see Lola there. She looks very good and says she feels much better. Tiá Clorinda was also there and Sally had little Donnie and Eddie (Tommy’s son). Eddie is really a darling boy and so big and smart for his age. OF course Donnie is jealous of him. So he led Sally on a merry chase all day. Betty and husband were there too. She has two darling children and both very good.

I forgot to tell you that Anita, Digna and Margie stopped in one evening on the way home from Kate’s. They received your cloth and thanked you very much. They really love it.

Would you believe we still have not gone over to Dover Pl. I hope we can today. It seems like we never have an extra minute. Florence and Margaret R. came by Saturday afternoon. Jim went out to Korvett (a new store) and did the shopping for clothes that he needed. I think one more trip for me will set me up.

Tomorrow we go to Pana for a week. I’m glad we planned it this way as we will have a week just to visit with them and rest. Then when we come back we can start our rounds again. It has really been fun seeing everyone. So far everyone looks good. Toots is heavy again and Alice thin, but she says she feels good and enjoys her job so much.

Nancy has grown up so much these past few weeks. St. Louis really agrees with her – she has gained weight and now she “tocas manitas” and gives you a kiss. She is always smiling especially when she sees Barbara. All the kids have been behaving themselves very nicely. P is still jealous but she is having fun showing off for everyone. She is also the only one who says anything in French. None of the others will say a word. Alice tried out some of the sentences that the old man had taught you all. B understood her. Later on in the yard we were talking about speaking French etc.  and Mil said “ I don’t think it’s very hard, probably a lot like Spanish.”

I’m sure the family in Bilbao are grateful for your visit. I’ll bet they are very sad these days.

I’ll write from Pana. The kids can’t wait to get there.

Love

Jim and Dina,