05 Oct October 5, 1944

Letter
from: Mrs. G. Shonkwiler
to: Pvt George W. Shonkwiler
October 5, 1944
Thursday, 11:30 P.M.
Noteworthy: More talk about stepping out. Butter rationing.

Hello, honey,

Had a very nice surprise today!  I got three nice letters all from my husband.
Isn’t that something?  Letters [are] dated Sept. 21st, 26th, and 27th.

I was in the midst of the family washing when I got them, so I finished hanging
my first batch of clothes, so that I could sit down and relax for a few minutes
with your letters.  I was especially glad to hear from you, as I was tired and
the day started out rather dreary, as it had rained during the night.  The sun
came out finally, so I could hang my wash outside.  Ronnie has a cold, so I’ve
kept him in bed and on a liquid diet all day.  His nose is runny and he coughs
every once in a while.  Annette Tosti had a cold when we were there, and Elinor
has a cold, so I sort of thought he might get one.  It’s nothing serious though,
as he’s so good about staying in bed and has been drinking

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his fruit juices and eating chicken soup like a little man.  He sat on the
Davenport wrapped in a blanket, reading a book about California, after supper
tonite.  He’s so good about sitting quiet.  Tomorrow he’ll be all over it, and
I won’t be able to hold him down, I s’pose.

I hate to worry you about his little illnesses, but also know that you want to
share everything that goes on, so I don’t want to keep anything from you.  Am I
right about this?  I hope so!  I know if I were away, and wasn’t told about you
or Ronnie being ill, I’d feel badly even though it was nothing serious.

I feel that by keeping Ronnie in bed at the first sign of a cold, he’ll get
over it in a hurry, where if I ignored it, it might turn into something serious.
I know Mrs. Dixon lets Bobby run around when he’s sick and that’s why it always
takes him a week or two to get well, while Ronnie, so far, has always gotten
over

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his cold in a day or two.  Fact is, I hope he’ll never have to be sick any
longer than that, but that’s something one never knows for sure.  So far he’s
been pretty lucky, I’d say, and if it’s in my powers, I hope he stays healthy.

Mrs. Dixon came over for a while tonight, and as I was ironing my kitchen
curtains she had to sit and watch me.  She said she should have stayed home,
as she hadn’t done her dishes, or ironed.  Wish I could let myself do that,
maybe I’d get out of the house once in a while.

It’s been raining every day this week, and after I finally did wash today,
it clouded up and looked like it would rain again, but instead the sun came out
and it’s been over 70 degrees all day, and that’s pretty warm for October.

In one letter you mentioned you wanted 620 film and in the other 120.  Wish
you’d make up your mind which you want!

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You mentioned being out with Rosen and his girlfriend and that he’s married and
has a child.  If it’s on the level or not, I certainly can’t see it.  I
certainly wouldn’t feel right about going out with some fellow while you’re
gone, even if it didn’t actually mean "overstepping" the bounds, and hope that
you feel the same way.  I hate to think of you dating some girl over there,
and taking her out, even if you said it was "on the level," as he says.  I know

if I had any doubt in my mind as far as "other women" are concerned I certainly
wouldn’t feel like devoting my time here in taking care of our home, and
staying home every night, writing letters, etc.

Marriage is a game of chance, anyway without people deliberately trying to make
it a losing game by their own actions.

Of course a lot of Jews use the alibi that they have to marry their own race
and therefore seldom for love, and that’s why they step out.

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I imagine it is a temptation of course, when all these foreign girls fall all
over our American boys.  But then there are temptations at home for the wives
too, if they look around for it.  Personally, I just couldn’t enjoy myself
going out with anyone else, as that would be "second best," and if I can’t have
the best, I don’t want to go out at all as far as I’m concerned.  I can’t wait
until my best comes home.  I waited a long time to get married and guess a few
months more won’t get me down, as long as I know you’re waiting, too.

You mention a wool scarf and sweater.  If I can get them, I’ll send them as
soon as possible, as I don’t want my honey to freeze.  (Might never get him
thawed out again.)  That would be tragic!

By the way, are you located in or near Salisbury?

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Mrs. Page gave me a bouquet of bittersweet this morning that they had picked
while visiting his sister in Ottawa.  I have it in a vase on the mantle, and it
looks very nice next to your big photo.

Did you ever get The Tribune?  You didn’t say and I’ve often wondered about it.
Is there any magazine you’d like me to subscribe to [and] be sent to you over
there?  Readers digest, the Post, Colliers, or what have you.

We’re still eating oleo, as butter is now 20 points a pound instead of 16, and
even then you can’t get it.  I did get a 1/4 pound yesterday (first in a week)
but I’m saving it for next Wednesday, when Francis Evers is coming for dinner.

I haven’t heard from Gladys since they were here, so don’t know where Dick is
located now.

Will write more tomorrow, so bye now, and here’s a good night kiss. (Like it?)

Love,
Mom and Ronnie