331 6/29/1938 Gladys Dahlstrom to Sadie Erwin

Gladys Dahlstrom Route 3, Wayzata, Minnesota Wednesday, June 29, 1938

Sadie Erwin 1120 Cole St., Enumclaw, Washington

Dear Folks: I was just going to finish my ironing but the electric company came and is changing the service wires or something so I can’t use the electricity for a while. I received your second nice letter Monday and all the papers. Thank you very much. I enjoy reading them a lot. I must have missed a letter or two of yours. Were they returned to you? Before Edna and Oakie left Monday night Helen and Virg came and then Helen and Elmer. It was nice to see them. None of them stayed late so we got to bed rather early. Last night Clara and Vernie were out. I had pork chops, corn pudding (my first try at it and it turned out swell), vegetable salad, potatoes and gravy, coffee and jello for dessert. We played cards afterwards until 11 o’clock. They are a lovely couple. They plan to start building their new home way out south outside the city limits – the taxes are so much less. Jim is doing wonderful. Is he saving any money? He and Jack certainly do have good times. They have plenty of time for girls later so I’m glad they keep busy otherwise. Did you have a nice time in Seattle Sunday? Hazel hasn’t much time now. Do you want me to go in with you for a gift as we mentioned before? Helen told me of her August vacation plans. I think it is grand that she can go west. Let’s all hope she lands a job or something and decides to stay. I know I’ll want to go with her when she leaves. Don’t be afraid to write anything you want to. Cully never reads the letters anyway. I tell him to but he just says to tell him about it all. I wish we could have done more for your anniversary. Later on I can perhaps do more. Helen and Virg live on Phelps Island on the other side of Spring Park. It is 15 miles from here. When they came over Monday they brought us a lovely steak set of 6 knives and 6 forks. They have white ivory handles and are lovely. Our rain water smelt terrible after the last rain so we couldn’t use the water. Cully took the tank down to clean it out and found a dead squirrel. They put the thing on a trailer and took it down to the lake and washed it good. It was quite a job all in all but it’s fixed and all we need now is more rain. He fixed another big tin barrel outside and is going to build a wash stand beside it so we can wash right out there. He is a handy man and fixes everything just swell. No, I did not bring my table and chairs out here. Our stay is quite short and the set is too nice for the lake. It is in a good place so I thought I’d better leave it there. I don’t mind being home alone at all. I keep quite busy and the time goes fast. I’ve gotten interested in several radio programs that I listen to every day and I usually manage to take a nap every afternoon. It’s gotten to be a bad habit but I guess it is alright. Yes, Vernie is still on 36th and Nicollet. He seems to be doing real well. Cully is going to him now too and likes him. I think I will go this fall before I go to Chicago and have him check my teeth. I’ll be glad too when Stella has her baby. Be sure you let us know. You can send word to Helen first and I’ll find out from her. Don’t worry about it because she will be alright. I’ll send your silver, plates and also the curtains, etc. with Helen. Tonight we will be home alone. It is hard to believe. I am going to wash Cully’s hair after he finishes building our wash stand. Then we hope to get to bed at a more reasonable hour. Tomorrow night he goes to the dentist – then to Wally’s to look at rings, then to play ball. I’m going to stop in to see Helen a minute – then will go to Edna’s and take a bath. I haven’t had a real one for 3 weeks. Then we will go back to the parade grounds and watch the boys play. They still haven’t lost a game. Friday early evening we will meet Helen and Virg and do our weekend grocery shopping. I think we will have a good time. Helen has been very nice and I like her much better. I might as well because as far as we know they will be going to Chicago this fall too. Today is cool. I’ve worn a sweater all day. I bet you folks were glad to get rain after the long dry spell. It has been cool here every night so far. Well I can iron now so will close. Love, Gladys