May 9, 1944

Dear Mom

I finally had some portrait shots taken and I'm sending you the proofs for inspection. They look pretty good to me at least considerably better than Ray Hugg's last attempt. I went to just about the best photographer in town so they will be expensive.

Don't be worried by the appearance of my face the light exaggerates things I really don't look quite that pitted although I must admit that in the last six months I've acquired some scars. But now I am very happy to relate, my face is just about completely cleared up. I haven't had a noticeable new pimple for two or three weeks. It looks as if the skin specialist here were on the ball with his diagnosis and treatment. I am very glad about this because my outlook on life becomes so much more healthy when I feel I can look anyone in the face and not think that he is thinking about how terrible my face looks. Has little Lindy received any of the bonds she is supposed to get every three months yet? I think I'll give her the one that has arrived instead of sending a new one money disappears too rapidly in this town. I'll probably be hard put to save enough to give Crellie a bond for his birthday.

I'm going to wait till June before going to Chicago.

School is coming along well I don't have any trouble keeping at the top of the class, but I'm afraid it's a pretty dumb class. At any rate I think I'll have a 90 average, which is enough.

Give my love to the family.

Love to you,

Linus

P.S. Notice new address. I'm glad you are having help with the house. The garden sounds wonderful!

May 9, later [1944]

Dear Mom

I forgot to tell you several things this morning. So I write again.

Please send the proofs back soon*. They are in the nature of a Mother's Day gift to you.

This USO stationary is pretty poor.

I've succeeded in running across a nice girl here. She is 19, will be a junior at Wisconsin in two weeks, and is very cute. She is intelligent, which makes things pleasing. So often the type of girl that a soldier can meet is the type that he shouldn't meet but I met this one at a formal and she easily tops that score or more girls I've danced with in Madison.

Is any part of the family going East this summer? I suppose the main part of the family will sometime. Tuesday is my day off, so perhaps we could arrange a meeting in Chicago or somewhere. There is not chance of my getting a furlough for months and months probably eight or ten or more. But it is an army regulation that I get ten days before going oversees.

I'm going to spend the night at Prof. Williams' house next week. It will be good to sleep in a comfortable bed for a change.

If you ever have any snap shots of the family taken be sure to send them along I'm getting more and more curious to see how everyone is changing. I suspect that I've changed considerably in the last six months I hope so anyway.

Well I must take off for camp.

All my love,

Linus

P.S. It's sort of a good feeling to have a likable girlfriend to sharpen my appreciation of life and to share my opinions on beauty, etc. True?

*after choosing the one/or ones you prefer, of course.