June 3, 1944

Dear Mom

It's been some time since I wrote.

The portraits will be ready next Wednesday. I'll send them along immediately.

School is somewhat confused at present with changes of schedule, but it is fun. I'm building a transmitter now. I find the work of soldering to be considerable more difficult than the theory we've had so far. I suppose my average will go down. My complete fundamentals average, including daily, final, and practical progress check, was ninety, which is not too bad. But it will be hard to maintain.

Madison is a lovely place. Everything is beautifully green. The lakes are nice for swimming, but they have too much algae for perfection. My favorite occupation is canoeing.

Your vegetable garden must be producing wonderfully now. I certainly wish I could eat some of your vegetables.

Did I tell you that I spent a very nice weekend with the Williams? They were extremely good to me. I hope I acted well enough to merit a second invitation. Daniels has invited me for next Sunday dinner, but of course I can't go because Sunday is just like any other day in the army.

The girl that I told you about is turning out to be very sweet, but I don't think I will make a fool out of myself as has happened in the past. At present she is away at home for a three week vacation.

Did you read Islandia by Austin Tappan Wright? I think you should. I gave it to that San Francisco Italian girl of mine and she enjoyed it now I have given it to this girl (Arleen by name, which I dislike) to find out her reaction.

I do all my own washing and ironing of sun-tans now. The laundries everywhere are horribly slow two weeks. How about starch? I don't know anything about it but it might be easier to keep a press if I used some starch.

Yours and Daddy's twenty-first wedding anniversary approaching, isn't it? I hope I can succeed in being as happy as you have.

All my love to you,

Linus