Continuing the letter of Dec. 21, 1932, Ina lists the gifts she is mailing to family members. "We sent Stan a premium fountain pen Dad got last year – think it will do him good service – and a pretty quilt top, all the material on hand. Aunt put in a pair of pillowcases and Ken’s old toy typewriter. I have dried rose petals two summers so had plenty for three rather small cushions one each to Ethel, Myrtle, and Irl and Bernice. We sent Shirley Jean a cute little print apron and hankie in pocket and Shirley put in a little cup and saucer from her old tin things. Shirley Jean has always been crazy over them. Shirley also put in a book cover for Myrtle as she had hinted at wanting another. Irl and Bernice get a jar of fancy strawberry preserves. They failed to get any put up last year and Irl was so disappointed.
“Well, you see, our Xmas has cost next to nothing for what we bought was necessary anyway, but we’ve had a big time this hard times Xmas. Everything looks different when you look at it from Robinson Crusoe’s standpoint, surrounded by a sea of depression, and things show up at a more real value. We appreciate the actual values of things. So we’re going to have a very merry Xmas.
"Myrtle’s box, or keg (?) came yesterday and looks like it would hold about three gallons. Her letter says it is treats for all so that will add to it. Ethel found that $3.00 would fix up the radio so got busy and she, Earl and Myrtle sent the needful and we are very glad indeed to have it. There is a big box here from Irl and Bernice and a small one from Pearl, and Ethel got some bargain blankets so she sent two pair home and June’s get one and also they get a teapot from her. So we’ll have lots of Xmas. And Dad and June have each killed a young beef so that makes for good eats . . . "
I love her positive attitude!! How wonderful that you have these old letters--such wonderful insights to family members and times long gone. I remember Ethel and also remember you mentioning Aunt Shirley because I had an Aunty Shirley (mom's sister who passed away just a year ago).
ReplyDeleteYou have such a great memory for interesting little details! When did you last see your Aunty Shirley? Yes, there are insights which really made me think twice about this project. But I decided that these folks are probably typical farm folk of the era and we've come a long way from that way of life and that Christmas celebration. And -- they are all long gone.
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