19 May May 19, 1945

Letter
from: Mrs. G. Shonkwiler
to: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
May 19, 1945
Sat. Nite
Noteworthy: Mom complains about too much rain in Chicago.

Hello, honey,

Guess I have to make up for yesterday, tonite, as I didn’t get a chance to last
nite, on account of I was too sleepy.  In fact I’m still sleepy.

I finished making my red linen jacket yesterday, and last night Ronnie and I
rode out to Rogers Park with the Pages to see her dad and sister.  They bought
Ronnie and me our dinner on the way out, which was kinda nice.  We visited
there until 11:00, eating ice cream, etc, then started for home and it was
midnite when we got there.

Today I cleaned house, as usual, and late this afternoon Ronnie and I went to
the Tea Garden restaurant to eat our dinner.  We had soup, beef chop suey,
rolls and coffee and ice cream and milk.  Very good, too!  All this for 89
cents.

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I did some shopping after that, and then we stopped at the Hayes’ to give Joan
a birthday present.  We didn’t stay long and after I put Ronnie to bed I went
upstairs for coffee, and from there I came down to write to you.

I bought a little knit cotton suit for Ronnie tonight.  It’s aqua blue with a
little red felt frog perched on the front of the blouse.  It’s so cute on him
and he’ll wear it to Sunday school in the morning.  This going to Sunday School
really takes clothes and no fooling.  Most of the kids are dressed so cute and
of course our son can’t go in rags, either.  He’s getting to be a little "Beau
Brummel."

I had two V-mails dated May 9th and 10th from you yesterday and two airmails
dated May 6th and 8th today.  You asked me what I’d like to have from Paris in
one letter.  That’s hard to say, as it

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seems everything is so high there.  Do they have anything in the way of
luncheon sets, (tablecloth and napkins) or anything of that kind?  Or are these
terribly high in price, too?

You also mentioned not sending me perfume because I disliked it.  You must have
misunderstood, as I think I said, I disliked it used in excess, or cheap
perfume.  I do like, or would like the "Imported French perfume." - mmm!  There
is a "Chanel" (Chanel No. 5) which is s’posed to be very good, or anything else
you want to get is O.K., too.  I’m sure both Marge and Martha would appreciate
some too, if it isn’t too expensive for you.

You said American money can be sold for double to the French.  Perhaps I should
send you some, so you can double mine!  However as it’s illegal, you’d better
not!

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I’m going to see Muriel tomorrow over on the North side, and Ronnie is going to
stay at Dixon’s for the afternoon.  He’ll like that, as we’ve had so much rain
and cold weather that they haven’t gotten together much lately.

Today for a change was a nice day.  Perhaps, eventually, we’ll have summer -
who knows?  It’s rained almost every day for the past couple of months.  I’m
sure sick of it.

I sent you an 8 oz.- 1st class pkg. tonite.  I hope you get it, and I also hope
you’ll like its contents.  I’ve been waiting all week to send the pkg, as I
meant to enclose some "snaps" we took last week and Sunday.  I got them today,
and not one out of a roll of film turned out.  I guess the camera is still set
for indoor pictures and I don’t know how to reset it.  I’m going down to
Madsen’s and get some information next

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week, as film is too precious to waste, now-a-days.

I’m glad to hear you got to visit Paris on VE Day, as it must have been quite a
thrill.  I’m glad you stayed sober, as no telling what you’d do drunk.  They
say even the nicest people go astray in that condition.  And as you say, the
war in the EAST has yet to be won before anyone can really rejoice whole-
heartedly.  Besides I want to do the celebrating with you when you get home.
Hope it won’t be too long now.

Goodnight, honey, and lots of Love, from
Mom, Ronnie, and Judy.

P.S. I read Murray’s letter from you, and what do you mean that I give you
biased political news?  I didn’t realize I had mentioned any views in that
line.

P.S. I haven’t received the package you mentioned sending me and Ronnie, either.
When did you mail it?