09 Mar March 9, 1944

Letter
from: Alice Shonkwiler
to: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
Mar. 9, 1944
8:30 P.M. (Thurs.)

Darling,
It’s 8:30 and I’m waiting again for that call I thought I’d get last nite.

Yesterday I took the stove apart and cleaned it, even took the oven bottom out
and scrubbed it.  Today I finished the Davenport covers.  They look pretty nice
too.  Hope they stay clean until you see ’em.  That would be a miracle, so I
won’t even think about it.  I’m not bragging, but they look just as nice as any
I’ve seen.

Oralee told me of a place to have your clothes cleaned

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and stored.  You pay for cleaning and for storage the first year, then they
store them free after that for the duration as a favor to servicemen.  She sent
all of Fred’s clothes there.  I’m going to call them tomorrow.  And the bill
doesn’t have to be paid until you take them out.  Pretty nice, huh?

We certainly had an indigestible meal tonight.  So far I haven’t felt any ill
effects, however.  We had fried boneless pike, French fried potatoes,  buttered
peas, lettuce and tomato salad, cake and ice cream and coffee.  Doesn’t even
sound good to you, does it?

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It really was good tho!

Ronnie is now going to embark on a circus career.  He piles the chairs and
hassock on top of the footstool, then on top of that his books and then both
his elephants.  When he got all this stacked up tonite, he tried to make Judy
jump up on top of the elephants.  He even put a chair beside it and said, "get
up there, Judy," but she wouldn’t budge.  Something new all the time - never a
dull moment.  Before going to bed now

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he isn’t content to have you read Mommy Dear or Big Bad Wolf, oh no[,] he has
to have every one of his six books read to him.  What a life!  Wear’s both
Elinor and I out? -- What will he be when he grows up?

Have you received the Tribune yet?  Let me know if you do or don’t.

Oralee might ride down to Florida with me if I go.  Her folks are there you
know.  She could take the train back.  Of course it’s only an idea, but a good
one.

Well, honey, bye, again and wish you were here so I could hug you tight and
Ronnie could hug you tight. - mmm

All our love,
Mommy and Ronnie.

P.S.
I sent you clothes pins, shoe trees, and leads today.  Hope you get them.