04 Dec December 4, 1944

Letter
from: A. Shonkwiler
to: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
Dec. 4, 1944
Mon. 1:00 P.M.

Hye, honey,

I just finished lunch, and waiting for Ronnie to finish his.  He’s either pokey
or he eats more than I do (and that’s for sure).

Last night before bedtime I had to read him about fifteen nursery rhymes before
he finally decided he’d go to bed, the little Dickens!  I had bought him two
new pairs of pajamas Sat., in pink and blue, and he wore the blue last night
and with his blonde hair, rosy cheeks, he

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really was a little doll.  I bought size 4, the largest they had with feet in
’em, and they looked huge, but they are not a bit large.  He sure is a big
little guy.

I called him for lunch today telling him I had chicken salad for lunch.  While
he was eating, I said, "Hurry honey and eat your dinner."  He said, "This is
not dinner Mommie, this is salad!"  Was I squelched, or was I?  I also told him
to drink his Hemo (a malted drink) and he said, "this is cocoa, not Hemo!"  So
I can’t win, that’s all.

He was eating his salad

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with a salad fork, and he said, "I don’t need a spoon, Mommie, I eat with a
fork now!"  I said, "Yes, Ronnie, you’re a big man, now."  He said, "Big man
like Daddy?"  That was cute, don’t you think?

When anyone asks him his name nowadays he says, "My name is Ronald Shonkwiler."
He pronounces it perfectly too, and that’s better than most grownups do.  Of
course, when I read to him, I have him repeat back each sentence and correct
him when he doesn’t pronounce words

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correctly, so I think that helps his diction a lot.

I’ve been washing clothes all morning in the basement, and I have the basement
hung full and still haven’t washed my sheets and cases, so will wash them
after the others dry, I s’pose.

I have to take all my curtains down next week and if they’re still presentable
after washing, I’ll put them up again, if not, don’t know what I’ll do.  Can’t
afford to pay $50.00 or more for new curtains or drapes,

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and that’s the cheapest I could get them for now, for four windows.  Oh well,
maybe you will be home soon, and I’ll let you worry about it O.K.  As if you
won’t have enough worries when you get home.

11:50 P.M.
Since I started this letter I’ve been up on the Avenue buying groceries etc.
for dinner tomorrow in case we eat here tomorrow when Forrest comes in.

Mrs. Dixon is here and has been since 8:00 o’clock.

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and from the way it looks now, she’ll never go home.  I haven’t had a chance to

wash my hair or anything that I’d planned doing.

12:05 A.M.
At last she has left, and I’m so so sleepy!

I got 2 letters today dated Nov. 17 and 18th, but as I got one dated Nov. 21st
last Sat. they were fill-ins, but still very very welcome, nevertheless.

I’m reading and listening to all the news on Patton’s 95th division and Darling,
do take care of yourself.

All our love, always,
Mom and Ronnie