21 Jul July 21, 1945

Letter
from: A. Shonkwiler
to: PFC George W. Shonkwiler
July 21, 1945, Saturday night

Hello darling,

Here ’tis another Saturday night all by myself.  Why don’t you come to see
me anymore? You’d think that we were mad at each other the way we stay apart.
(Gosh, if it were only that, it’s a sure thing I’d make up fast, cause
it’s no fun being alone).

Well, Ronnie’s gym set arrived today, but it has to be set up with all kinds
of screws and bolts. It’s much too heavy for me to do it alone, but perhaps
Mr. Page will help me.

I had my $10 permanent wave today and it took 5 1/2 hours, so I should look
mighty purdy.  I s’pose you’d probably say it looks like h---.

Mrs. Dixon took care of Ronnie during the afternoon, and he told me he had
spaghetti for lunch and that’s one thing he loves, but doesn’t have

page 2
very often.  I think he likes the idea of the long strings to slurp into his
mouth. You’d die laughing to see him.  Well perhaps you will soon.  There
will be so many new things for you to discover about Ronnie.  He’s just as
cute (only more so) as when you left.  Being his Mom, I shouldn’t brag about
him, should I?  You don’t mind, do you,  honey?

Well, when I got home from the beauty shop, Ronnie and I had our dinner
consisting of liver, mashed potatoes, gravy, buttered peas and carrots,
leaf lettuce salad and iced tea and cookies.

After putting Ronnie to bed, I ironed until 11:00 p.m.  Then the Pages and
I had some lemonade, cheese and bread, and cookies.  Doesn’t this sound like
an exciting Saturday night?  Well, with you here, it might have been a nice
evening, although I doubt if we’d have spent the evening at home.

page 3
Well, good night, honey, and I’ll write more tomorrow, as I’m rather sleepy
and it’s now 1:30 a.m.
Good night, Mom

Sunday, 3:00 p.m.
Here ’tis Sunday and it’s very quiet and peaceful here in the backyard.
Ronnie’s asleep and I’m lying here in my sun suit getting a little sun and
writing you plus listening to my portable radio.  I had it repaired several
weeks ago.  I have it tuned very low, but s’pose the old gal (if she’s home)
next door will be out to give me a lecture, although I doubt if she can hear
it if she’s minding her own business.  After the "broken glass episode" I
don’t even care.  Do you blame me?

Ronnie and Bobby went to Sunday school this morning and when Ronnie came
home he said "I slapped Bobby in S.S. again".  I gave him a lecture and

page 4
he said he was sorry, but what can I do when he comes home and confesses?
I asked him if Bobby slapped him and he said "no".  He certainly is honest
anyway.  I’ll bet that S.S. teacher has her hands full with a dozen two and
three year olds.  I don’t envy her, but again I’ll bet she sees and learns
a lot of cute things too.

Sunday, 12:00 midnight.

For dinner today Ronnie and I had stewed chicken, fried potatoes, creamed
asparagus, lettuce and tomato salad, cake and iced tea and milk.  Sounds
good?  It wasn’t bad.  Am I being cruel?

When Ronnie woke up from his nap, we dressed and went to the state theater
by streetcar  (gasoline shortage, you know) we saw Brewster’s Millions and
Enchanted Cottage.  Both pretty good.  I remember you mentioned seeing half
of Brewster’s Millions.  Well the story ended by his getting

page 5
rid of the million in 60 days and got the $7,000,000.00.  Say that wouldn’t
be hard to take, would it?  Guess I wouldn’t want that much, however.

Well, guess I can’t think of any news other than I still love you and who
knows, I probably always will.

Believe it or not, I’m gonna bake some cookies for you tomorrow.  Are the
cookies really and truly okay when they arrive?

Good night, darling and lots and lots of love,
Mom and Ronnie

P.S.
I’m enclosing a clipping.  This Barwegen’s parents are the folks who moved
into Dr. Elliott’s house.  They also have a younger son who plays football
in the army.  Seems they get furloughs every time they

page 6
turn around.  This kid in the clipping played an all-star game at Pearl
Harbor.  Just went there for the game and when he got home, he got a 21 day
overseas furlough.  Is that justice?  Mr. Wallace, when he was here sure was
mad about it, as his son has been in the S. Pacific for a long time without
a furlough.  Honey, if you had only played football instead of track.

Did I tell you I had the gas furnace turned off?  Now, I hope my summer gas
bills will go down a little.  Not much, I s’pose.

I’m going to scout around today to see if I can corner someone to put up
Ronnie’s gym set.

Bye, now, and I hope you are feeling better.  By the way I’ve learned that
chocolate can cause migraine headaches.  Since I cut it out, my headaches
left, and it is a relief.

Love, always,
Mom.