Elena 
In 1958 my mother got married and moved across the country. These are the letters written to her, mainly by her mother, between 1958 and 1960. Others in the series are in my del.icio.us file.
February 9, 1959
My Dear Mickey:
Well, we got thru yesterday pretty well, we were all three pretty glum. We just missed you so much. I even baked a cake, a gorgeous Angel Food with cherry icing.
Hope you had a nice day and by the time you get this, you will have gotten your gift. It is from the three of us and is really a birthday and Valentine gift. Do hope it was in good shape. If not let me know immediately and I’ll make them (Singer’s) make it right. They insisted it go by truck.
About the white bread, here is y our cook book from A. Taylor’s. I looked over the recipes and they are just like mine in my Household Cookbook. The only thing is, Mrs. Smith said if you left out the salt it wouldn’t dry out so fast and where it call for two tablespoons of shortening, make it three. She said she always increases the shortening by a tablespoonful.
Now about Dad’s coming down. We still don’t know. Mr. Reinerstson hasn’t called Dad on yet. Dad was down to Church’s Garage the other day and Church told him he was overhauling Reinsterston’s truck and that Reinerston was planning to go to the last of FEb. He has a mine of some sort in Southern NM. and told Roy the aregoing to start “drilling” when he gets there. Dad will be disappointed if he doesn’t get to go. So we’ll tell you more about it when we hear more about it.
I haven’t heard from home for a couple weeks so I don’t know what is going on down there. We got an announcement from Donald L. They have a baby boy born January 13, weighed 6 pounds 11 oz. They named it Scott Edwin. I’ll have to get the baby something.
Father Donahoe got back on January 30 instead of 29th. Got held up one day by fog. he said it was a nice vacation, but he wouldn’t want to live down there. He askss about you very often and asks to send his regards to Pete and you.
Dad bought a bull last week. He is eligible for registration and comes from Canadian stock, ver nice, about 1-1/2 years old and a big frame. He’ll be a monster in a couple more years. Dad ringed himyesterday and his horns will come off in the spring.
Looks as tho we’ll have an early spring because the cows are shedding their heavy coats and cats and gos are serenading – cats at night and dogs during the day. I looked out the kitchen window this morning and in our pasture there were 9 or maybe 10 or 11 doags. I could coung 9 for sure. They started for up here and I made up my mind if they came in the backyard I’d shoot Calvin’s gun. That is how they start killing, being in packs. They ahve found three cases of rabies in Michigan already – 1 dog, 1 cat and of all things a calf.
The Farm Bureau got a low passed that dogs can be shot on your property so guess who is going to blaze away. McGehee’s dog was in the pack today and I saw her (Mrs. McGehee) down the road with her car. She finally coaxed her dog to come to her. Love’s dog bit Gene Lang’s youngster so Gene killed it and he says he’ll kill every dog that gets on his place.
The black and white pictures of Calvin’s didn’t gurn out too well, though tehre are some good ones. The colored won’t be ready til the end of the week.
Well the thing I dreaded turned out to be. I sure hope that that will be as far as it will go. I know the first baby is usually alright but golleeee, I hope you don’t have a long labor period. We’ll pray that your babies will all inherit y our type of blood, or am I mixed up, is it the dad’s type? Phooey, my poor ole head just doesn’t work so good any more.
Well at long last guess I’ll close, sometimse I ratttle on and on. Today is my day at the rectory again. You know, I get terribly tired of going over there, but if I didn’t I couldn’t buy the things I buy, so I guess I’ll be happy. I have only to type up a new parish list, and I’ll be thru with the heavy work. I even have all the posting done that is all but yeterday’s.
Oh yes, great news! I’ve been asked to be chairmen of the amateur theatre group at St. John’s. But believe me, they are going to work or I’ll quit right off. Take care of y ourselves, you Maryrose and you Pete. Regards to Mama and Lucy,
God Love you all,
Mother.
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