1:45 A.M. Sunday Sept. 19, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
I sure wish you were here now. The night is red beautiful out. There isn’t a cloud in the sky. The stars are nice and bright and the Big Dipper is out as always. We could take a little ride on Jr., maybe out to the beach or down to the Marina and around by the Golden Gate Bridge.
After I got off work, I took John home again and we stopped and had a hamburger and a bottle of beer.
Robert Apland is coming over in the morning. I don’t know what we will do, I will tell you tomorrow. John Is going to try to get a scooter too. If he doesn’t, we are going to take a ride down to Los Angeles or Russian River or someplace for a weekend.
Your Special is here, so I will answer it now. I’m fine. The boys are all fine except the are a little sore at me because you didn’t get to meet them all and the one’s that you did meet said they didn’t get to see enough of you. Yes, I found your white sweater, gloves, and your things on the roof. Well, that is all there is to your Special for me to answer.
It seems funny not to have you around to wake up in the mornings and not to have you to talk to and smooch with.
Well Sweets, it is getting late so I had better close. I will finish this in the morning. I love you very very much. Good night Darlin’.
Good morning Darling: I got up about 10. I took a shower shaved and dressed. Now I’m waiting for Robert to come over.
It is another beautiful day out, just like the day we went to Muir Woods, only these isn’t any wind at all. Gosh, I wish you were here. It isn’t right for you to be gone so much. (Excuse me) Darling, Robert is here so I have to go now. I loved you very very much. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you so very very much.
Love & xxxxx’s Johnny
10:30 P.M. Sept. 19, 1943, Sunday
Hello Darlin’:
Well Sweets, here it is another beautiful night and I still wish you were here.
When Robert and the other fellow came over, they wanted to drive someplace where they could see something. So we drove over to Muir Woods. I checked the mileage, we drove on the scooter. We took the same route back. We drove approximately 52 miles on 2 quarts of gas.
They left about 4:30 P.M. Robert had a date with some girl he knew from Patterson. (The radio is playing ‘Dream Train’ ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m6JjgFRaLU Nat Shilkret Orchestra & Phil Dewey 1929) After they left, I took a cold shower and went upstairs to fix dinner. Penny was there, so we had dinner together. I fixed some more of those baked beans and we got some brown bread from Kay. Penny finished the bacon and she made a vegetable salad. I sure was full when I finished. I could hardly move. After we finished with the dishes (Glenn Miller and His Orchestra is playing ‘Lullaby of the Rain’ ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7126pVVT00) I came down to my room and took a little nap. I took Jr. down to that little restaurant by the theater that we had those malted milks at and I got a large cherry coke. I’m drinking it now. It sure is good. (Frank Sinatra- Sunday, Monday or Always ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEo3ztl_Leg)
Jane, I’ve been thinking of changing to the day shift. I don’t know for sure, but I’ve been on this shift for a long time and it is getting rather tiresome. I’ll let you know for sure when I decide.
Well Sweets, I think I will go to bed. I want to wash clothes in the morning if I can.
I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darlin’: The weather is just perfect. I can’t over it. It is really too good to be true.
Mrs. Drear said it was just like Southern California weather. These is just a very small breeze. It is really beautiful. After this is over, we will probably have our rainy weather.
I didn’t get out to wash clothes today. The washing machine has been busy all morning. I’ll have to try again tomorrow. I didn’t get a letter from you today, must be the mail. Have you got the feeling I told you, you would get when you go back?
I have to fix my lunch and stop at the doctor before work, so had better close for now.
I love you and miss you very very much.
Love & xxxxxs Johnny
1:15 A.M. Sept. 21,1943 Tuesday
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is another beautiful night out. Again, I wish you were here.
I just got home and I’m kind of tired. I sure wish you were here with me. I wouldn’t feel so tired then.
The weather today was really hot. It was actually miserable. I cooled off some when the sun went down but it is pretty miserable working. If we had a day like this in D.M., We couldn’t sleep all night because of the heat. I’d like to take a ride on Jr. out to the beach with you on behind.
Well Sweets, I think I will hit the hay. I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: Boy what a beautiful day. I can’t get over it. I do believe isn’t quite as hot as yesterday, it is nice. I got up at 10:15. I drove Jr. down to the drug store and got a tube of shaving cream and a tube of Apana. I then stopped at the grocery store and got some butter and I actually found some bananas. The pictures were ready. They came out very good. I don’t think we took enough of them. I came home and fixed breakfast and then came down and took a cold shower and shaved. I feel pretty good now. Your letter came. That is swell about Don and Katy buying that house. Yes, I think Dad would like to work at Solar’s too. That is all there is to answer. I have to fix my lunch and get to work, so I will close for now. I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxx’s Johnny
PS See you at 8 as always.
1:45 A.M. Sept. 22, 1943, Wed.
Hello Darlin:
Another beautiful warm night- period. I really can’t get over this’ll weather. It is too nice and also too hot to work, but I work anyway.
When I got home, I went upstairs to see if I had gotten any mail. Your Sunday Special was here. I don’t know why it took so long to get here, it left D.M. at 1:00 Saturday. I thought it was your weekly Special that I got on Fri. or Sat. I’m fine. I’m getting plenty to eat and too much sleep. Jr. and Herman are both swell. I think they both miss you.
Well Sweets, it is late and I have to go downtown and get some work clothes. I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good afternoon Darlin’: Well it is almost time for me to leave for work again. Weather is beautiful again, no clouds or fog of any kind.
I didn’t get to wash again today. I will have to try again tomorrow. I have the lights fixed on Jr. So they work by a switch. I put a different bulb in it. My flashlight bulb fits it.
I wish you were here so we could go out to the beach and swim. The weather is perfect for it.
I didn’t even get downtown to buy some clothes. I will have to do it tomorrow.
Well Sweets, I guess I will have to close for now. (The Ink Spots are singing ‘Paper Dolls’ ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdZJToHnjK8).
I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxx’s Y.F.H. Johnny
Wed. 9:30 P.M. Sep. 22, 1943
Hello Honey:
Another day further, yet closer. I’m not so tired this morning because I worked on a machine last night.
There was no letter yesterday so there isn’t much to write about. It’s much warmer this morning, nice and sunny and as soon as I finish this letter, I’m going to take Momie to the store, then home and to bed. O.K? O.K!
Sure hope there is a letter today. Gosh Honey, there really isn’t any news or anything. I talked to your Mom last night, she said your Dad got the job at Salar’s and starts tomorrow. I think he will like it, don’t you? I sure hope so anyway.
Got a letter from Dick and he was in Guadalcanal but he has been moved to some small island nearby. Next week I’m going to send his Christmas present. Doesn’t that sound funny? Talking about Christmas presents already? By the was Dear, what would you like to have for Christmas? I want you. Suppose I’ll get my wish?
Well Hon, this is all for now. I hope I’ll have more to write tonight. I miss you very much & love you the same,
Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie
PS Has it begun to rain out there yet? Tell Kay hello & by the way, do you think you will be able to make me another bracelet? How about a nice long letter? Huh? How about it?
1:00 A.M. Sept. 23,1943 Thurs.
Hello Darlin’:
Bing Crosby is singing ‘Sunday Monday or Always. That is a very beautiful song.
I got home at 12:00. I rode Jr. I sure mad good time. I stopped and got two bottles of Dr. Pepper. They didn’t have any Coke or Pepsi. I took a shower and have read the paper. I feel pretty good now, that is pretty good outside of feeling pretty lonesome for you, your tiny body in my arms, your lips, your laughs, and sighs, all of the things I looked forward to for such a long time and all of a sudden it was here and now it is gone. (Glenn Miller is playing ‘Lamp Lighters Serenade ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZJ8yuBUqxg). Just the thought of Glenn Miller brings back a lot of sweet memories, let alone the songs. They really hit hard.
The weather today was dry hot. (You’ll Never Know’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZtWNlCTc6o) If it is as hot tomorrow, I’m not going to work. Tonight I worked in the double bottom. When I first went down, the steel was so hot I think I could almost fry an egg on it. I know I could have on the main deck, it is just miserable. If you were here, we could go out to the beach or maybe over to some lake in Oakland.
Well Sweets, I think I will brush my teeth, go to the B.R. and then to bed so I can dream of you. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darlin’: I got up at 8:30 this morning and I actually got my laundry done. I received a letter from the folks today. They sent a letter that they had gotten from Don Maland.
It is almost time to leave for work so I have to close pretty soon. I was just looking at my set of pictures. They sure are out swell. I wish we had taken a lot more. Someday we will.
Well Darling, I’m afraid I had better close for now. I still have my lunch to get.
I love you very very much. Love is everything you are and stand for.
Love & xxxxx’s Y.F.H. Johnny
I’m sending some clippings from the paper I thought you might be interested in.
Thurs 9:45 A.M. Sep 23, 1943
Hello Honey:
Well, it is another day, another five dollars. There was a letter yesterday, but I don’t think it was the long one you promised, if it was, it wasn’t very long. Gee, I sure wish that was me getting that other scooter bike instead of John, but will be nice if he does get one, maybe when I come out, he will sell it to me. Huh?
Yes, and I miss your breakfast too because when I come home from work, I get mine and Momie’s too and we don’t have hot cakes. What do you mean it isn’t right for me to be gone so much, you’re the one who is gone, so there too! And that isn’t right either.
What did you & Robert do?
Well, one more night and Marian will be back, as Wes leaves tonight. I’m going to write her a letter when I finish here. Have you sent the camera and pictures and clothes yet?
Oh Johnnie, I worked on one of our new automatic machines last night and I love it. I think I’m going to be assigned to one of them and something else, the Union is trying to get the people working in the wings (that’s me) a seven cent raise which will boost me to 71 cents an hour or $37.69 a week, so that sounds pretty good, doesn’t it.
The paper man is here this morning, starting to paper the house is sure going to look swell.
Well Hon, it’s getting late and this little girl has to get to bed. Am patiently waiting for that long letter.
Love as always “Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie
‘Censored by A.E.H’
Hello Harlan, how are you? You better figure out a way to get home Xmas. It is awfully lonesome around here. Jane had a fine time in Frisco, Thanks to you. She is getting used to her hours and more like herself the last few days. The weather is lovely. Had a letter from Dick yesterday. He has been in Guadalcanal but may be in New Caledonia now. Has lost a lot of weight, says his tummy is all gone, wears 31 pants and 14 ½ shirt so looks like a high school boy again. We expect Charles most any time after this week. Be glad to see him. Suppose Jane told you he got Hi-rate. So time for the mail man, so must stop. Take good care of yourself and don’t work too hard.
Affectionally Yours Mrs. Hare
Fri 9:30 A.M. Sep 24, 1943
Hello Honey:
There were two letters and pictures (with 6 cents postage due). Gee I like them, don’t you? But of course you said you did. We should have taken more. By the way, didn’t the one’s we took on the way to the train at the Marina come out? And what pictures did you take with the rest of the roll in the camera?
If you wish to change shifts, that up to you.
Mary J. just called and said Chuck had wired for money so he must be coming home very soon. Am sure glad. It will be nice to have a man around again for a while, but I imagine he will be with Mary J all the time, which I don’t blame him one bit.
I showed the pictures to practically everyone in the wing at work, they all liked them. Me too, especially the one of you and me up on the hill in Golden Gate Park. How about you? And the one of us on the beach?
Fri 9:30 A.M. Sep 24, 1943
Hello Honey:
There were two letters and pictures (with 6 cents postage due). Gee I like them, don’t you? But of course you said you did. We should have taken more. By the way, didn’t the one’s we took on the way to the train at the Marina come out? And what pictures did you take with the rest of the roll in the camera?
If you wish to change shifts, that up to you.
Mary J. just called and said Chuck had wired for money so he must be coming home very soon. Am sure glad. It will be nice to have a man around again for a while, but I imagine he will be with Mary J all the time, which I don’t blame him one bit.
I showed the pictures to practically everyone in the wing at work, they all liked them. Me too, especially the one of you and me up on the hill in Golden Gate Park. How about you? And the one of us on the beach?
Well, I’ve been working one week without a day off, so have two more to go.
Gee Honey, how I wish I was there. It is starting to get cold here. Last night we had our first frost.
Johnny, are you going to send for your papers, induction papers I mean?
Well Darling, I’m running out of things to say so I better close. Tomorrow it will be time for a Special and I hope this Sunday I have a nice one, long one I mean, and I shall make mine long too.
Love as Always
“Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie
1:00 A.M. Sept 25,1943 Saturday
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is, time for another letter to my one and only. How are you? Fine, I hope. I’m fine but a little tired. The weather is really beautiful here. Foggy and misty. Just the kind of weather to eat, sleep and work in. There isn’t a darn bit of news so I don’t haven’t the slightest idea of what to write you about. I kind of wish we had gotten married when you were here. I don’t see how we can be married in D.M, the way things are now. Do you know we only have about 75 welders in the yards now on swing shifts? We used to have over 400 or 500. The graveyard shift has only 7 welders on this shift in our yard. Something will have to be done pretty done to relieve the shortage. The battleship Mississippi is waiting to be repaired and they haven’t the men to do the work, our yard is the only one that can do it.
Well Sweets, it is getting late and I must get some sleep. I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling: The weather is cloudy and foggy and damp. It is nice. I got up about 9:00, and I went to the store. I then fixed breakfast. I had bacon, 3 strips, 4 hot cakes, 2 eggs, a donut and 2 glasses of milk. I feel pretty full now. I have to go downtown this morning and get some work clothes for sure this time. I really need them. I had to throw one pair of jeans away.
Gosh, I wish you were here now. It is really lonesome without you. Life is really complicated isn’t it. I know there will come a day when we can say we will never be separated again, so I don’t mind this life so much.
Darling, I’m sorry but I’m afraid I must leave. I will write you that long letter tomorrow. I love you very very much. I will see you at 8 as always.
Love & xxxxxs YFH Johnny
1:30A.M. Sept 24,1943 Fri.
Hello Darlin’:
Well, here it is another day closer to you, whenever that is. I have a letter to answer. I know how you felt when you got on the train. I knew you should go back but I didn’t want you to, but I have a lot of faith in you, the future and also in myself.
I’m fine, a little tired now. Everyone is fine here at the house. Kay told me to tell you hello. The weather here is getting colder. Our summer is over, now we have our rainy season coming up.
About my income tax, I understand it pretty good, but it is hard to put on paper. You see, everyone will have some to pay by the 15th of March. I can’t be wrong. A fellow at my bank figured it out for me. The bank has about 6 fellows to take care of their customers.
By the way, I’m going to work Sunday night. Howell came and asked me if I would last night. The battleship U.S.S. Mississippi is in for repairs. They take us out to the ship in a motor launch. There are 4 of us. We start work at 5:30 A.M. It will help our bank account.
Well Sweets, it is getting late so I think I had better close for now. I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart.
Good morning Darling. I woke up at 6:30 this morning. I couldn’t go back to sleep. I got up and turned my radio on and sat in my chair and then I almost fell asleep, so I got back in bed and didn’t wake up until 11:15. I got up then and shaved and fixed breakfast. The mail is here and I got a letter from you but I will wait and answer it tonight when I write your Special. Maybe I ought to send this as a Special. You ought to get it by Sunday. I think I will. This other letter I have from you has a note on it from your mother. It was very nice of her. I will write her Sunday. I’ll bet Miriam will be one sad girl. Tell her hello for me. I haven’t sent the camera or the clothes yet as I haven’t finished taking the rest of the pictures. That is all for that letter.
It is very cool, foggy, and nice today. (You’ll Never Know) I have to fix the exhaust of Jr. tomorrow, it is loose now. I can’t get it tight.
It is time for me to leave for work. I have to get my lunch before I go so, I have to close.
I love you very very much.
Love & xxxxxs YFH Johnny
PS Let me know when you get this.
Sat 9:30 A.M. Sep 25, 1943
Hello Honey:
Gosh, two weeks ago we were together and it seems like two months, time sure is going slow, isn’t it Hon.
Well Marian was back to work today and I really enjoyed working for the first time since I got back. Enjoyed it isn’t quite the word either, didn’t mind, I guess I should say. I showed her the pictures and Johnny, she wants the one of you and I on that hill in Golden Gate Park, so please send me the negatives, at once. By the way, have you sent the camera yet? We wanted to have it when Chuck comes home and if you don’t sent it right away, it won’t get here in time, so please if you haven’t already sent it, please send it immediately.
I worked on an automatic again last night and it was one of the newer ones and you know how new machines are, they don’t run very good. Well, I’m really pooed as this one kept me running all night. Tonight I’ll work in the primer room again with Marian.
There wasn’t any letter yesterday, so no comments to make on it.
Oh yes, I know, I had a dream yesterday about you & me. We were in Frisco and in the whilst little church you ever saw and we were being married. Then we went to some place not far from the Muir Woods and stayed at a little cabin. It was the cutest place, than after you got settled, you said lets walk up nature’s trail, so we did. And I even saw the little sequins, it was so plain, but it was a wonderful dream, don’t you think?
Well Sweets, I’m very tired and have to go to the store, before I go, so I have to get up earlier. Hope you have a nice time Sunday, will be thinking of you.
Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie
Please send all of the negatives.
Come on, cooperate Johnnie & don’t be so independent.
1:30 P.M. Sept. 26, 1943, Sunday
Hello Darlin’:
Yes, it is Sunday morning again. Two weeks ago you left for home. I sure wish you hadn’t gotten that reservation. I had a hard time at work last night. I worked in the double bottom. I was so fed up with welding and shipbuilding, I was ready to tell them to shove the job – – out in the bay. I had to crawl in a hole that would cramp a fly. I had to have a big hose in with me to suck the smoke. There was only one hole to get in and no ventilation holes of any kind. I was welding an over head erection strip. The fire was flowing down my neck and I couldn’t get away from it. I finished welding and when I went to get out, I couldn’t move. I had my feet out of the whole and the hose pulled up between my legs. I got wedged in. I would push one way and I would get wedged in tightly. I was as far as I could get in the other way. There was so much noise going on, and I couldn’t call out loud enough for someone to come and help me. I sat there for about 10 minutes, which seemed like about 10 hours and had to figure a way out. It never pays to get frantic. I finally got out. I think I aged about five years. I made a good bonus though, so you know I worked pretty hard. I welded about 120 feet. I should make $10 on it and then time and a half will make it about $15. When I work tonight, I will make about $23 for 10 hours. If I don’t miss any time next week, I will get a check for over $100. (I hope).
The radio is playing “You’ll Never Know” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZtWNlCTc6o) It sure is a beautiful song. Now Bing Crosby is singing “Sunday Monday or Always”. Now Put Your Arms Around Me Honey (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5rMvtnBTNc) . These songs just about driving me crazy. It is a beautiful day. The sun is out, it is warm, a little windy but it would be a nice day to go out on the beach. Now All or Nothing At All (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAN_jLnD_Q8).
Your Special isn’t here yet, so I have nothing to answer.
I love you so very much Jane. Life isn’t a life without you. It was a lot of fun having you with me for a little while. Glenn Miller is playing “Day Break” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX3UBxF6LIA). If you were here, I would you in my arms and try again to squeeze you right through me.
Have you received the pictures yet? How do you like them? I still have 2 pictures to take on this other film.
Well sweets, there doesn’t seem to be anything else to write about. I want to take a little nap before I go to work, so I think I had better close.
I love you very very much. I will see you and 8 as always.
Love & xxxxx’s Y.F.H. Johnny
I love you
I miss you
4:30 P.M. Sept 26, 1943
Dear Mrs. Hare,
Well, it sure is lonesome around here now. It is really too quiet. Jane and I sure have a lot of fun but the two weeks ago just a little too fast. It is hard to see the things there are to see in two weeks. We did do better than I thought we would.
The day that I liked best I think was the day we went up to the mountains and to Muir Woods on Junior. The only thing that we should have done was to leave Frisco earlier than we did.
I sure wish you had a chance to come with her. It is really interesting place to see.
I wrote a letter to Dan a while ago and then took a nap. I woke up and fix dinner. I had steak and onions, fried potatoes, and a salad. You will have to try when my dinner sometime. I’ve had a lot of yours and mine can’t compare with them.
I have to work tonight I think it will be on the battleship Mississippi. It will be quite an experience for me to do this as I have never been on a battleship.
Well I guess that is all for now. I will write again soon. Love as always. YFSIL Johnny
1:00 A.M September 28, 1943, Tuesday
Hello Darlin’:
I just got home from work. I didn’t stop for Coke tonight as John and I were both pretty tired. I transferred from a 22 car to 3 and just as it got to Sacramento Street we had to stop. 3 sailors were driving a 40 Plymouth and ran head on into a 22-car going in the opposite direction. I got out of the streetcar I was on and walked up to see the accident. The 3 sailors were all riding in the front seat. The whole front and was pushed right to the windshield. When I got there, one sailor was laying scratched out on his back next to the car. One sailor was hanging out of the open door with his face in the pavement. His head was cut pretty bad. He was just unconscious, but he looked bed. The other sailor was hanging out through the open door and laying on top of the other one. The ambulance came and took them away. The two that were hanging out of the door came to and they were helped to the ambulance. The other was carried on the stretcher. The car was so smashed up that I don’t see how they ever live through it.
I worked Sunday and I really like repair work. I’m going to try to get on steady if I can. If I would work on repairs all the time, I would make about $140 a week plus my bonus slips. Wouldn’t that be something? It is pretty hard to get on though.
Well Sweets, it is getting late and I’m very tired. I will write some more in the morning. I love you very very much. Good night sweetheart.
Good morning Darling. The time is 11:45. I got up about 9:45. I went to the drugstore to get some razor blades and then I came on home and shaved and then fixed breakfast.
There were 3 letters from you today. One with a stick of gum. That gum sure brings back memories. Thanks a lot. I haven’t taken the rest of your pictures but I will send the camera. You can finish taking the pictures and send them to me. That will be nice of Chuck is to come home. I’m glad you liked the pictures. I haven’t decided whether I would send for my induction papers or not.
The USS Mississippi is in dock, so they didn’t take us out in the motor launch. I got home from work about 6:45. I’m in bed by 7:30 after breakfast. Then up at 12:30 and to work at 3:30.
Well Sweets, I guess I had better close for now. I love you very very much. I will see you at 8 as always. I love you.
Love & xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Y.F.H Johnny
Tues 9:15 A.M. Sept 28, 1943
My Dear John (Johnnie) ahem
Jeepers, am I pooed out, you bet! Did three girls work last night but is all over now and as soon as I take Momie downtown, I am going to bed but quick.
Its real warm again, just like the first days I was there. It would be swell to go down to the beach or a ride into the mountains on Junior. What? You bet! Maybe next year at this time we will, huh?
There was no letter yesterday, so no comments or news. By the way, I have a favor to ask. Remember the belt, studded belt, I bought at the Emporium the day we went downtown? I bought it on the second floor. Well anyway, I would like to have you, the next time you go downtown, go up there and buy another one for me, size 26. They are $2.00 and I’ll send the money Friday when I get paid. Please Johnnie, I want one for Marian and told her I would have you get one for me. There is no hurry, infect, you don’t have to get it until you get the money. O.K? O.K! I would appreciate it very much. Brown, with glass studs, size 26.
Bet you were tired when you got off work last night. Really pounding in your ear right now, hope you sleep late & by the way, did you ever get that washing done?
Well Honey, Momie is ready so better go now. Say Honey, your Mom called last night & I think she was kind of mad because I’ve heard from you and she hasn’t. Please drop her a line, for my sake.
Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie
1:45 A.M. Sept 29, 1943, Wed.
Hello Darlin’:
Boy what a night I had tonight. I made a bonus but I had to work too hard for what I made. If you don’t mind too much, I think I will get to bed and get a little sleep. I love you very very much. Good night Sweetheart
Good morning Darling: it is a cloudy day. The time is 10:00 a.m. I got up at 9 and had breakfast. So far that is all I have done.
There isn’t any news whatsoever so I don’t know what to write about. The radio is on and Alvino Ray is playing “Sunday, Monday or Always”. It sure is nice with electric guitar
I’m having a devil of a time finding things to write about. I like to make things interesting and not just write a letter with a bunch of things called words. Maybe I can think of something a little later.
Hello Sweetheart. I have your package of clothes ready and I also have the exhaust pipe fixed on Junior. I also wrote a letter to Sacramento about my car license. After I get the license, I will write my draft board. I’m not going to send the camera until I take the rest of the pictures. Then I will send it to you. Okay? Okay!
Well Sweets (Harry James All or Nothing At All). It is getting late and I want to stop at the post office with your package, so I had better close for now. I love you very much.
Love & xxxxxs Y.F.H. Johnny
Wed 9:15 A.M. Sep 29, 1943
Good morning Honey:
Jeepers, I hope you’re not as tired as I am. Two girls were absent again last night & you know what that means, I am all over, but I am going right to bed as soon as I go get the tires checked on the car, Gosh, I didn’t even know it had to be done & I guess this is the last day. I’m sure glad I found out in time.
Fun Fact: Owners or cars were classified, A was for standard passenger cars and were allowed 4 gallons of gas a week. Additionally they were required to have their tires inspected twice a year. The local Tire Rationing Boards issued certificates for new or recapped tires. Rubber was extremely difficult to obtain as it was being used in the war effort.
Gosh, that sure is awful about the working situation out there, wish I could help. So your nice weather is all over. Huh, well ours is still with us, every morning for the last week the sun has been so bright and warm and has stayed that way all day. Yes Darling, I wish I was there too, very much. By the way, do you know what I had for breakfast this morning? I had Hot Cakes. Momie made them last night and I fixed four of them for me and four strips of bacon, an orange, and a glass of milk. O.K? Only these Momie put an egg in these and Johnny, they are lighter because of it. Would you like to have my recipe? O.K? O.K!
2 cups sifted flour, on second thought I will put it on a separate sheet.
I hope I get that promised long letter this time.
Well, its 9:35, so better get going. Please try my Hot Cakes recipe & let me know how you like it, huh?
Love & xxxxxs “Your” Darlin & F.W. Janie
PS I told Momie you were going to write her Sunday, so hope you did. See you at 10:00 Honey
2 cups sifted flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoon salt
1 egg well beaten
1 ½ cups milk
¼ cup spry, melted
Mix flour with baking powder & salt ~ combine egg, milk & spry ~ then turn liquid with dry ingredients & stir gently until blended.
This will make enough for two mornings. You can put what you have left from the first morning into a pitcher & leave in ice box. This is an easy simple recipe Honey & I think they will be lighter, more like your Mom’s, Try it.
PS Don’t leave this laying around the kitchen!
Fun Fact: Spry was a vegetable based shortening product developed in 1936. Butter flavored Crisco would be a suitable substitute in today’s market)
12:45 AM September 30, 1943
Hello Darlin’:
You really ought to be here tonight. You didn’t get to see any real fog when you were here. It is just like pea soup tonight. I rode Junior to work today and I took John home tonight on it. My hands seemed to get pretty cold, although it didn’t bother my face.
You asked me what I want for Christmas. I want the same thing as you do. But I don’t think we will get it quite that soon.
I worked on the struts tonight. It is hard to make a bonus on them but it is out in the open. A lot of fresh air. I like it for a change.
Still no word from my draft board as yet. I wonder if they have forgotten about me. It seems funny not to have heard from them for such a long time. As soon as I get word about my license for my car, I will write them. You see, I can’t sell Herman without the papers and the license.
I didn’t get a letter today, so I have nothing to answer. Well sweets, it is getting rather late so I think I will get some sleep. I love you very very much. Good night Little Angel.
Good morning, Darling: I’m sitting out on the front porch while writing this. The sun is out and the weather is beautiful and very warm. I can smell the salt air clear from the beach. The smell of the air reminds me of the day we were out on the beach and took those pictures. We had a lot of fun didn’t we, I’ll never forget those days. Full of life, love, laughter.
Jane, have you seen the quilt that Mom got for us yet? I think she has it over at the house or rather the apartment.
The girls school across the street are beating on some drums. There is a B-car heading for town. There is a blimp flying over town now. There is a fellow coming up the street sweeping it. His squadron of planes just flew over. Here comes a B – car up the hill. Seems funny that once you were here to see all of these things going on all of the time and now, you’re not here. It seems almost like a dream.
Well Darling, I think I had better close for now. I love you more than you will ever know. I will see you at 8 as always.
Love & xxxxxxxxxx’s YFH Johnny
Johnny & Jane 