174 7/12/1948 Helen Carlson to Sadie Erwin

Helen Carlson 4008 Randall Avenue, St. Louis Park, Minneapolis 16, Minnesota Monday, July 12, 1948

Sadie Erwin Box 44, Enumclaw, Washington

Dear Folks: Stella and Harold and girls will probably be back by the time you get this. We had a wonderful time while they were here and I certainly wish they could have stayed longer as we didn't get to do all the things we wanted to or see everyone. Harold was anxious to get back to work though and we could understand that. I think it was just swell that he came for even a short time. Stella looks good and I think her girls are darlings. Sandy's mumps didn't hold her down a bit and I think both of the girls had a good time swimming and everything. I hope they have a nice trip back there. Last night, or rather yesterday afternoon, our circle here had a picnic out in the vacant field next to our house. Everyone brought their own lunch and there was lots of pop and fudgecicles for the kids. The men had a big baseball game. We all had to hurry back to our houses for a while as a storm came up but when it went away we carried on with the picnic and everyone got better acquainted. There is really a swell bunch in our circle here. What I call the circle is just Minnekahda Oaks which is just a circle, remember. We have our monthly meetings and Mother's Club once a month and we all have to call each other by first names. I don't know if it's too good an idea to try and get too well-acquainted in a hurry but so far we have had lots of fun. Stella and Harold seemed to like Minneapolis very much. We had a terrible heat spell while they were here and that did spoil things a little. The temperature hasn't been under 90 since they left, although the nights have been a little cooler. Yesterday afternoon before the picnic there was a water festival on Lake of the Isles. We took the children down to see it as all the floats represented some Mother Goose story. They were awfully cute and some one went around handing out balloons to all the kids. It was nice and cool sitting down there too. Will you get to see Mamie while she is out there. It would be nice if you could. I am finding things here and there that Stella forgot so am putting everything together and will get them mailed to her. She forgot both of her pillows which was a shame as they could probably use them a lot while traveling. I have to get Mary and Jimmy in to bed now. Every night it gets so late before they are in bed as it stays light so late. George is still with us but there are hopes of his leaving August 1st. We will be awfully glad when that time comes. He will know Thursday for sure if he can get this house. It is unfurnished and a one bedroom bungalow for 85 a month. He was going to turn it down but Stella told him how we had to pay 75 for a place in Louisiana and share it with someone so then I talked to him too and he decided to take it. If he doesn't get it Elmer wants to ask him to leave but I really hate to do that. Stella will tell you about the big fight we had with Bob and Dolores, so I won't go into that. I wish all of you could get back here and I hope I can get out there next summer. I'll stop for now folks but will write more soon. Love, Helen