After garage was painted. [note written later by LP]
Tuesday March 20
1945 [year added later by LP]
Dearest Paddy:
Today is a beautifully warm day - one of these perfect jewel days for which California is famous. Both yesterday and Sunday were also perfect.
We are well and getting along very well and without any nervousness what so ever. I am astonished at my lack of fear when I consider how beset with terror I was a as a child. I resolved most of those nightmares myself, too, but perhaps I'd be a better and more effective person if I hadn't had them.
When Holmes brought Linda home he insisted that I let him return and stay with us, and told me at length how I could reach him. Then
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when young Linus arrived at 830 Saturday I thought it too bad to have Holmes worry needlessly about us so tried to get him and c o u l d n t [sic]. I tried late too. I had to laugh. Then Sunday Arletta called to thank me for a loaf of bread I'd sent her (by Holmes) and said they'd gone to a show!! It is good that I'm self sufficient! Linus brought us a little jar of salted almonds that were so good I was ashamed to be eating them without you. He brought some Hershey bars, mints, etc, too. He said he hit the P-X [?] at the right time.
The war news is so good now in spite of the fa [sic] collapse of the Remagen [?] bridge. I cannot help but feel a deep misery at this burning of Japan. I wish I could be wholly black or white and this miserable, dull
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dirty gray. I keep seeing millions of old Frank Aisawas along with his little wife, and our little Sato and all those helpless people who need and want so little. What can we do to keep people from being misused everywhere?
I wish we could attend this meeting in San Francisco - this most portentious [sic] meeting of all time - Phill Regan is to open the meeting officially by singing "The Star Spangled Banner." He is from Pasadena you will recall.
Our little Crellie is wonderful. He worked all day Sunday literally - sewing and patching his uniform and fatigues to get them ready to wear. He told me this morning that he'd been afraid when I said I was going to put him out of the car when he was naughty. I was ashamed! I told him that I'd never leave him and he knew it. The
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paper this morning had the pathetic story of the girl who abandoned her six year old boy in San Diego six months ago and now wants him back saying that she thinks of him all the time. She also has a year old baby. This made Crellie speak up.
Louise Jean came to see me yesterday. Her Stevie is the image of Mrs. Bell. L.J. is going to have another baby in September and is worried about help, etc. I said she mustn't worry a minute, that we would take Stevie and I'd lend her Sophie if necessary, and that help was sure to be more plentiful by next fall. He Phil [sic] is in the Philippines. I like that girl. She said she didn't want to impose. So I gave her a little talk about repaying good deeds, not necessarily to the person who did for one - but to someone else. Her Mother-in-law is troublesome. I wonder if I'll be able to be a better Mother-in-law, if
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try [sic] and if I attack the problem being fully aware of its difficulties.
I was happy to get your letter yesterday. If you hadn't pestered me so I would have prepared more lunch for you. I have changed pens and should have done so earlier.
I took the map to Mr. Quagley. I really don't have much hope though. Besides, we have as much property as we can afford now.
I noticed on your window ledge a G.F. abstract about two applicants. I suppose you left it purposely and so won't mail it to you. These are applications for extension of Fellowships.
Today is really wonderful. I am going to try and get some garden planted. George [last name inserted by LP, illegible] worked Sunday and Monday. He is at the Hollings [sic] the rest of this week. He isn't as good as
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Frank was, I think.
I think you must be weary of this long letter which doesn't really say anything.
I hope that you are well and that the weather is good.
Love and hugs and kisses,
Your girl
Ava Helen
P.S. Linus moves tomorrow from Lemoore to Hammer Field. The man who brought him last week gave him a couple of swigs of whiskey. Linie says many women pick up soldiers. He had some experience the previous weekend - he drove a sailor's car clear back to Fresno while the sailor slept, being worn out by his weekend in Los Angeles. The sailor was going to San Francisco. What a life for these boys. I shortened Linie's pants for him.
Your wife who loves you you [sic] and your comfort or! [sic] Ha
March
20, 1945
