05 May May 5, 1945

Letter
from: Mrs. G. Shonkwiler
to: Pvt. George W. Shonkwiler
May 5th, 1945, Tuesday 11.30 p.m.,
Noteworthy: the trouble getting meat and soap at home.

Hello Wes Darling,

Well instead of 11.30, it’s now 1 a.m. as the Pages came in and we had
some coffee again.  (Still can’t see why I don’t gain weight at this rate.)
Maybe I’ll gain all at once.

Spent most of today working and hanging clothes. It was too cold yesterday
(37 degrees).  Today it went up to 60 degrees but still cool and windy.

Page two.
This noon while playing with 1/2 a day, kids in Bobby’s sandbox, the gang,
and Ronnie got to throwing sand and stones.  After a while Bobby pushed
Ronnie and home he comes crying as though his heart would break.  At first
I thought he was really hurt seriously as his whole ear and coat collar
was covered with blood.   However after washing it off I found only a
little blood blister and a couple of scratches. I put

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mercurochrome on it and it was all well again.  He had left his cap behind
so I went back with him to find it.  We stopped in at Dixon’s and she
asked Ronnie and I to stay for lunch which we did.  Ronnie had spinach
soup, crackers and milk and I had a barbecued weenie sandwich and coffee.

While Ronnie had his nap I straightened up the house and took my clothes
in and sprinkled them for

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tomorrow’s ironing.  For dinner Ronnie and I had stew and a raspberry
and banana dessert.  About 7.45 Mrs. Dixon called and asked if I’d like to
go to a bingo game at church as she and a group of women go every Tuesday.
I said yes and had to be ready in 15 minutes.  It was fun and the main
prize is $300 with 26 $10 prizes and a couple of $25 prizes.  One of our
crowd got two $10 prizes and one got a $2 prize.  If only it had been me.
But no such luck.

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This gambling sure gets in your blood. No one got the $300 prize tonight
as you had to completely cover a card in 54 numbers and no one did this
time. Next time, if over 350 are present, they’ll draw numbers until the
prize is won. Even if you do lose, I guess the money goes for a good cause
-- I hope.  I’ve been thinking of sending you a five pound box of soap,
but are you sure you’re safe in getting rid of it? I could

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use a dollar or two at present too. However, I’d never forgive myself if
you got in trouble because of it.  Soap is getting pretty scarce here too.
Haven’t been able to get soap flakes or regular laundry soap either the
past two weeks.

Did I tell you that Mr. Page had a couple man come out who took all the
storm windows down? He paid them and won’t

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let me repay him. They also had the refrigerator repaired to the tune of
$3.75, which they also paid for. They also bought Ronnie a little toy jeep
as a souvenir of their trip to Ottawa last week.

I’m getting so sleepy I can’t see and still have my cold, so guess I’d
better get to bed right away  and perhaps I can add a little to this in
the morning.

Love, Al.

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Wednesday, 10 a.m.
Nancy Evans is coming over for dinner Sunday, so I’m on my way to see if I
can find a piece of meat to eat anywhere in this fair city. It’s pretty
late in the week already to expect success as people order weeks in advance.
You can’t just walk in and get meat. No, sir. You just put your name on a
list and they give you anything they please in a package.  None ever
reaches the glass counter these days. You order on Monday and wait until
Saturday for your surprise package, if any. Some fun, eh, what? I’m not
complaining, however, as long as I can get fresh eggs and milk, milk live.
Well, bye now. And always remember the little guy.

Love you very much,
Mom and Ronnie.