12 Jun June 12, 1945

Letter
from: A. Shonkwiler
to: PFC George W. Shonkwiler
June 12th, 1945, Tuesday, very late

My Own Darling,

Happy birthday and how I wish I could have had you with us to celebrate it.
I was so darn lonesome that I asked the Pages to come down to eat with us.
You see, I still had the 2 1/2 pound chicken (a fryer) frozen in the
refrigerator since last weekend.  I waited weeks before I got it at Brant’s.
We had fried chicken (exceptionally good) potatoes, buttered asparagus

and carrots, Waldorf salad (celery, apples and nuts) and ice cream
(strawberry and chocolate),

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and cookies. This is the first chicken I’ve prepared since last November
because they’re not available.  All I’d have needed was an angel food cake
and it would have been an ideal birthday meal for you.  Am I being cruel
to even mention this meal? Well, you were both spoken of and thought of
at the meal if that helps at all.

After dinner, Mr. Page suggested Mrs. Page and I going to a show while he
stayed home with Ronnie, which we did.  Mrs. Page insisted on paying. We
saw "Experiment Perilous" with Hedy Lamarr and "Forever Yours",

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with Joy Hodges (I think). Both good, but the Hedy Lamar picture was rather
morbid.

Did I tell you that since my cold left me, I’ve had terrific sinus headaches
two weeks now? I spent $13 last week on having my colitis treated and now
this.  I haven’t had sinus headaches since I had my tonsils removed (four
years ago), but it seems they’re back.  I’m going to Billings in the morning
for a checkup as I’ll go out of my head if this keeps up much longer.

I got your money order ($100) yesterday and I’ll no doubt spend my share

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on doctor bills.  What A Life!  Some of it will probably go for auto
insurance.

You mentioned that it would be extravagant buying a breakfast set for $7
or $8.  You should talk, buying $50 worth of cameras, $50 pistol, $13
cigarette cases, lighters, pens, and whatnot.  Not that I blame you, but
just thought I’d tell you anyway.  You see I haven’t bought a thing for
my personal use outside of a couple pairs of shoes.  And I thought perhaps
if one had a cheap breakfast

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set, it might save our good dishes.  As it is, I don’t have a dish that
isn’t cracked or chipped to use when or if I have company for a cup of
coffee.  If you remember the condition those pastel dishes were in when
Mary left, you’ll agree.  But I don’t know why I’m telling you as I
can’t afford a new set anyway.

By the way, do you think I should bring the car to Packard for an overhaul
or not?  Maybe they’d settle for $5 per month. It needs a dent or two
repaired, plus grease and a simonizing or whatever

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else that they do. Let me know what you think and soon.

Thank you all the <? hankies> in the package of <? Yanks> and S&S you sent.
I gave one to Mrs. Page and will give one each to Eleanor and Joan for a
graduation gift and I’m enclosing a letter from Claude.  I think Ronnie
and I will accept the invitation and do you think I should offer to pay
some of the expenses?  I talked to Gladys and she says Dick may be home
for 30 days at the time as he is going to the S. Pacific with the 9th Army.
She said if he

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did they’d be up at the lake for a couple days and if not, she and Joyce
would come for her vacation.  (I don’t know if that’s one or two weeks.)

Then perhaps I’ll hear from Eleanor to come at the same time.  Be just
my luck. I doubt if Eleanor would ask me for more than a weekend anyway.

How I hope your rumors of your coming in three months is true. Wouldn’t
it be wonderful to celebrate our anniversary together for a change?
That would be too good to be true I guess. Even by Christmas would be
wonderful.

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I’m just dreaming and dreaming. I’m glad to hear your ear swelling wasn’t
serious. It worried me.

I had letters yesterday dated June 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 6th. Not bad I’d say.
I’m sorry you aren’t getting mine.

After Mrs. Page and I came home from the show (at 12:15 a.m.), we had
coffee and muffins, which accounts for the late hour.

Ronnie and I again wish you a happy birthday. (If that’s possible.)
 Congratulations on the PFC, honey. How do you like the pictures?

All our love,
Mom and Ronnie