16 Aug August 16, 1944

Letter
from: Alice Shonkwiler
to: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
August 16, 1944
Wed. 12:00 Noon
Noteworthy: Mom complains of 100 degree weather. More talk about "Junior."
Dad takes up smoking.

Hello, honey,

Just received two letters written Aug. 9th and 10th, that’s pretty good time,
isn’t it?  Just six days.  The others took 9 or 10 days.

Ronnie is sitting here next to me at the kitchen table eating his lunch of
fresh tomatoes and chicken noodle soup and cake.  He’s just like his daddy
about tomatoes.  We sure have a crop of them, too.  I picked a dozen today,
all measuring from 4 to 5 inches across.  I still think I’m pretty good
farmette.  Mrs. Carlson (across the alley) said her tomatoes this year were
like peanuts and not worth picking, so that makes me doubly proud of ours.

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I had a run in with our mailman today.  The regular sourpuss is back from his
vacation.  I heard a commotion, Judy barking etc. and I went to the door and he
was kicking her and throwing rocks at her.  Did I tell him!  I told him he had
no right to touch or harm our dog as long as she’s in our property.  I think
I’m right too.  The reason she hates him so is that he kicked her to begin with.
I realize of course, that Judy has no business barking like she does, but then
again she is a watchdog, and figures outsiders have no business here.

12:45 P.M.
Well, Ronnie finished his lunch and is already in bed, so you see we’re
progressing as far as

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his meals are concerned.  Of course the cooler weather has something to do with
it.  It is a mere 82 degrees today, which is cool in comparison to 100 degrees.

I think I will cut out my fall suit today.  You remember that wool material Vy
sent me in March?  I think I’ll use the brown and white check for a tailored
suit.  I hope it turns out okay, as it will be the only Fall outfit I can
afford at present.  I haven’t made anything for myself for so long, maybe I’ve
forgotten how it’s done.

I haven’t heard a thing from Vy since she went to California.  Guess she can’t
be bothered with an old married woman.  Wonder if she ever made up with the
Sergeant?

I got a letter yesterday from Betty, and she hasn’t been able

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to sleep at all in this hot weather.  I hope if I ever get that way it will be
in cool weather.

Did you ever hear if Josephine and Claude had their new baby?  I’ll have to
write and ask Gladys if she’s heard anything, yet.  It must be way past due by
now.

If Betty’s mother can’t get off to take care of Patsy while she’s in the
hospital, I think I’ll go down for a week.  Wonder how I would be at caring for
two children.

You asked in your letter about about junior?  Well, no luck this time, so
you’d better hurry home and try again, as we didn’t have much time last time.

So you’re taking up smoking, now.  Doubt if that will do your skin any good.
Well, if it’ll make

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you feel better, I guess it can’t be as bad as cigarettes, anyway.  I’ll try to
get that tobacco pouch, but doubt if I can get one with a zipper.  Also doubt
if I can get enough Baby Ruth bars to send.  I’ll try tho, and if I can’t get
them I’ll send something else.  I’ll try to get these things this afternoon, if
possible.

I hope you get some mail pretty soon, as I’ve been writing every day.
well, bye, for now and maybe I can add some more later.

All our love, Always
mom and Ronnie

P.S.  The Dear Alice P. and Ronnie, does it mean something?  Is it the first
letter of the city you’re close to, or something?  I’ll watch for any further
hints.  O.K.? (over)

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9:50 P.M.
Darling,

I did a little shopping for things you requested today.  Hope you’ll like the
things I bought, as it will probably have to be your anniversary gift, unless
you send a request for something else.  You see I can’t send anything over
8 oz. without a request from you.  With a request I can send 5 lbs, but the
length of the Pkg. plus the girth of the pkg. can’t exceed 36".  For example if
pkg. is 10 inches long[,] the girth can only be a total of 26 inches etc.
Please send requests and I’ll try to get whatever you want.  I have to show
your letter to [the] postal clerk and he stamps [the] letter so it can’t be
used again.

Bye, Darling, Love,
Mom