22 Mar March 22, 1944

Letter
from: A. Shonkwiler
to: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
March 22, 1944
Wed. 11:00 P.M.

Hello, honey.

Received two letters today, the ones you wrote Sat and Sunday.  Sure seemed
nice after not getting any for four days.

Sally called me today and said she expected Ray home tomorrow morning.  I guess
they finally finished his dental work.  It’s taken all the extra time as his
furlough was due a long time ago.  She said Shirley has another cold now, too.
She just got over the one she got after Ronnie’s party.

Ronnie seems to be getting over his, as I haven’t heard him cough since he went
to bed.  To look at him in the daytime you’d never know he has a cold, as he’s
just as peppy as ever.  I gave him fruit juice and soup and milk and fruit all
day today and he’s not constipated, so think he’ll be all over it by tomorrow.
I also put Vicks all over him tonight after his bath.  Elinor is all over her
cold now, I s’pose I’m due next, but I hope not.  I’ve been.

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lucky so far.

I called Jack Waters about the pump and he said he’d stop in the morning.  I
haven’t any money, so I hope I can pay him later.  That pump sure has caused a
lot of trouble.  The basement gets completely full and about 3 and 4 inches
deep.  I had put a lot of boxes of stuff of mine down there and they are ruined.
Also my wardrobe chest and Mrs. Page’s chest.  And worst of all Elinor had put
two suitcases (expensive ones) and a trunk down there and they are ruined.  The
suitcases are wrecked because every glued seam has come apart, also silk lining
ruined.  I had told her it was all right to put them there, so I suppose I
should pay for the damages $$$$$!!!  She doesn’t know it yet and I don’t dare
tell her.  I sure wish you had had it repaired when I told you about it before
you left, but you just ignored it and now I’m in trouble and no money.  What a
life!

Am I tired right now!  I spent all afternoon and up until now washing the
kitchen walls and ceiling. Was it ever

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filthy!  Especially the ceiling as that hasn’t been washed since last spring.

Murray came over to borrow a board to put across his ladder, because he was
also washing their kitchen tonight.  Funny we both picked on the same day,
isn’t it?  Although when it comes to washing, I’d rather do his kitchen as
that’s so small, it would be a cinch.

I bought 50 pounds of potatoes yesterday from a farmer peddling them from door
to door, and even those got wet in the basement.  I paid $2.25 for 50 pounds.
Thought it pretty high, but guess they’re 5 pounds for 29 cents at the stores.
Sure are sky high.

Say, from what you say, you’re so toughened up now I’m going to be afraid of
you.  Hope you won’t use your brute strength on me, just save it for your
guerrilla exercises in camp.  Right now, after washing the kitchen I feel so
achy and weak I couldn’t even lift my hand to wave hi to anyone.  It’s an
effort even to write, as my fingers are swollen and stiff from the hot water
and soap.  But the kitchen sure looks nice now with clean cabinets and walls
and

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ceiling, new curtains and white chairs and table.  Too bad you’re not here to
admire it.  Even Ronnie keeps telling me how nice and clean and "purty" it is.

Mrs. Hayes called last night and asked me over to her house for a luncheon and
to sew for the Red Cross next Wednesday, noon.  She said Vida Campbell, and
half a dozen other women would be there.  I don’t want to go, but she overrides
all my alibis and objections and also tells me it’s mostly for me, as she and
Vida had been planning ever since you left to have it.  I know I won’t enjoy it
as they are all so much older than I and have nothing in common with a bunch of
women I don’t know.  S’pose it means I’ll have to have them at my house, too,
but that’s out if I can get out of it.

Mrs. Elliot (the minister’s wife[)] stopped in yesterday and asked if I’d donate
for the Red Cross.  I said "No", as I’ve only 20 cents to my name.  After all I
think it’s a lot of nerve to ask people whose husbands are in the service,
anyway.  I s’pose she thought it was funny I didn’t give, but I

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can’t help I haven’t any money, can I?  After all I think the people with the
war jobs can do the donating, not the servicemen.  Am I right!

I haven’t made reservations yet but will call this week, and I’ll make
them for Friday morning April 21st and get in Florida Sat morning April 22nd.
O.K.?  I don’t want to make reservations yet tho, until I know for sure whether
it will be the "wrong date."  I’ll know by the end of this week. - I hope!
Get it?

Elinor went out for dinner tonite and also to bowl, so I had chop suey.
S’pose I’ll suffer for it during the nite, altho I hope not.

I was so mad tonite.  I went to Benny’s and bought some groceries and a quart
of cream.  And just as I got to my door[,] the cream bottle fell out and broke.
I was just sick! 50 cents just like that!  Could have kicked myself all over
the place.

It’s raining tonite.  Just pouring down and thunder and lightning galore.
Such weather.  Cold as the devil one day and

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raining the next no wonder everyone has colds.

You haven’t said anything about your itch or stomach lately, or don’t they
bother you anymore?  Or do you have time for itches and stomach trouble there?
I hope they’re better anyway.

Well, honey.  Buenos nochie, and sweet dreams of your best girl, too!

With all our love,
Ronnie and Mommie

P.S.  Can’t buy any of those things you want until I get some money, but will
get them then.  O.K.?  Were the socks I bought you too large?  Wool shrinks you
know!  Those were 11’s.  Let me know.

P.S.  Write the zone number 28 on my letters after this.  Maybe I’ll get them
sooner.  At least so the Postoffice claims.