Sunday, August 9, 1942
From the pen of Emma Gregory, Cardington, Ohio, 6:55 P.M.
Beloved Jim:Well honey, here I am again, after a week of rain, heat, etc.
It sure has been hotter than H___. at times, and the rain, it has been raining for so long, I feel lost anymore when it doesn't rain, ha.
Well, sugar, Uncle Reo and Aunt Carrie came friday evening and are going to stay until Wednesday afternoon.
Una can't get home until that date so they are going to stay over so they can visit with her, too, darn swell of them, I think.
Didn't do anything over the weekend but cook and clean it seemed. About the time I would finish making the beds, finish preparing one meal, it would be time to start all over again. Had lots of fun tho honey, it keeps me in slender form, don't you think?
Went to Ashley (Ohio) yesterday afternoon to buy what I needed for over Sunday.
While looking the small place over, I noticed where you and I stopped one evening for refreshments, they have gone out of business. Should have gone to the dogs sooner than it did, darn the place anyway.
Darling, while it is on my mind I want you to know, now and forever, that I have never encouraged "Grandpa" in my life. The next time I'll do as you say, "Take a Ball Bat," I guess that is the only way I am protected around the "fool." Honey, it seems that everything I say or do towards him, runs off or out of his mind, if he has one, which I doubt, just like pouring water on a duck's back. I guess I'll play dumb, see if that helps next time.
Hate to go up there anymore (Emma refers to going to her Aunt Martha's home in Marion, Ohio) as Aunt Martha tells him each time I am coming over. When she does this, he never goes home until Saturday morning and then there is "Always Hell to Pay," and I mean just what I say. I'll knock his guts out next time.
Well, Jim, enough of that kind of talk but he and my aunt make me so mad I could boil over at times. She knows I want nothing what so ever to do with him but she still keeps on trying.
Today honey, the "Gregory Family" had their reunion up at "Smiths" (Clyde's sisters.)
Just think honey what we missed by not being around. Don't know if I'll ever attend one or not. Last year I was left out in the cold, this year, Uncle Sam is holding me back.
Honey never think for one minute that I am crabing because I'm not. I like to joke once in a while and that is all the father it ever goes. I know we have a war to fight, and Jimmy that will always come first, "Your duty to U. S."
I am used to giving up a lot that I have done in the past. Maybe I'll see about 3 shows in a months time, rest of time I am busy with some sort of war work or sewing but mostly thinking of you, my darling.
Jimmy, I am sorry, but I have not had my picture taken yet. When I did have the chance to have it taken, Mr. Hughes went on vacation for two weeks. But hold tight honey I'll still have it take some time between now and next year. Have put the money away in my chest, so you needn't worry your sweet little self about one thing.
Speaking of pictures honey, when are you going to send the rest of what you took when you came home on leave? Soon, I hope, very anxious to see them.
Aunt Emma (Emma's maternal aunt), Paul, Hazel and family came out this afternoon. Had a swell visit with the kids and they all wanted to know how you were getting along.
I said everything is O. K.
Gee honey, I am just thinking, it sure would be something to go to the show with you, clad in a purple bath robe, but honey I have already seen "My Favorite Spy" so maybe we could go to something else, then maybe hold each other's hand. Been a long time honey, since I have been able to touch or see you.
Maybe I'll get to see you some time in the near future as I have been saving up my money to take a vacation some place so may come to see you over a week-end. Leave Thursday night, I'd blow in on a friday, boy what a day that would be again, only this time I wouldn't sit in the railroad station for 6 1/2 hours since I have met so many young folks, some that can "jitter bug too," Oh, man. Ha.
Well darling I must close as I am being called for something, hoping to see you, my beloved, very soon.
May God Bless and Keep you only for Uncle Samie and me.
I love you, Jimmy.
As always,
forever your
Emma
From the pen of James Gregory, Station Hospital, Camp Forrest, 7 p.m.
My Dearest Emma,Ready and waiting again tonight, Honey? I'm so sorry. I sure wish I were driving in right now to get you. We'd paint any blinkin town any color you want or throw the paint away and be good...maybe.
Maybe your writing another dandy letter like the one I received this morning (Emma's letter dated August 6, 1942). I sure hope so. I get more good out of your letters, Darling, than any books I read, shows I see or anything else arround this place for keeping a man out of the "Nutcracker's Ward."
Yesterday and today I finished my book, "Fracas In The Foothills," which was plenty humorous, etc. but just quite a little rough in spots. Not having planned anything for the weekend, as there was no use; I went to see the Red Cross Theater again last night, attired in the usual pajamas and bath robe (me, not the theater or night, Ha) to see Humphrey Bogart in "Big Shot" - not bad.
The rest of the news from here is about as follows: - Had duck for dinner today, not so hot. It rained this afternoon the same as it did yesterday so it's very nice and cool this evening. It is rumored that all Tullahoma stores are off limits (closed) to military personnel as their prices were ruled to be unlawful. And, this place is deserted as all the married men got week end passes if they were able to be arround. Also got a nice letter from Mother.
So you see, Honey, I don't have much news either so it's about even. My eyes can stand and always crave your chatting on paper. Especially, Emma, when you tell me how much you love me and miss me and bring to my mind lots of our good times we've had. It makes me realize more and more what a wonderful girl I love so much.
I'm sure glad for Lowell (Jim's seventeen year old brother), in most ways, I kinda hated to see him go, couldn't realize it would be so soon. I can't explain to myself why but I'm glad he got in the Navy rather than the Army. He has a tough row ahead of him but I'll bet on him and wish him the best. If it's like the Army, boys his age make better soldiers and get along better than men from 30 years old on up (When Jim wrote this letter he was 28).
Who? Me? I'm feeling pretty much myself today, getting soft, fat and lazy but don't ever know how I'm going to feel tomorrow. I'm a little afraid they are going to start with all their blinkin machinery again for a re-diagnosis. Maybe not, may try duty soon as the Doc gets back from his leave.
You may be right, Honey, about having something done last summer but I went to two Docs a half a dozen times, took their medicine and done what they said. What they have done here would have cost a young fortune besides none of those Doctors every thought of having it done. All of this because I fell in a blinkin beaver pond up 10,000 feet and rode 32 miles back to Laramie after night wet as a drowned rat on the blinkin 13th of July 1941.
I hope you had a wonderful time over the week end, Honey, and are now telling me all about it, if not, please do.
Are you still doing lots of canning etc.? No peaches yet I hope. I somehow can't get it into my head it is that time of year. Wish I could stay in one state long enough to learn which season comes after which.
I too love you, Emma, with a love that gets stronger and stronger all the time. I'd give more than I'll probably ever have to be with you now, with everything peaceful, comfortable and have fun like we always did, Honey. We'd even have more, I know.
If the beer gave you a headache maybe you were a "naughty girl" but I don't believe it. You shouldn't ask me such questions, I might say "Yes" - You know I never get drunk! Ha!
Thanks for the tender kiss, Darling, God Bless you, there just couldn't be any that were better. (Guess I can put myself back in the past to some happy little moment with you in my arms can't I).
I love you dearly.
Jim
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