“Well, we had the usual ‘frugal Xmas,’ with gifts piled around the tree and on the library table, etc., also hung a pair of stockings on Shirley’s door. We were afraid we’d have a black Xmas but Sunday it began snowing and Xmas a.m. we had nearly 6 inches and a lovely snow falling. . . On the whole Sunday went off pleasantly. I made my pumpkin pies for the dinner and in the evening Dad popped two kettlefuls of corn and I put molasses and sugar taffy over it. Very good! We heard part of A Christmas Carol over the radio and various other good music. Monday a.m. June’s arrived in force, but we decided to hold the tree (for you) until evening and had a lively day and a good dinner though not lavish, and I ate my fill according to a previous promise to myself. In the evening, we had more radio, more popcorn balls, more nuts and candy, and learning you hadn’t come in on the stage, decided to distribute part of the presents, so lit the tree . . .
“Yesterday we were at Aunt’s for New Year’s Day. And oh! The lavish dinner! Oyster soup – very good, fried chicken, gravy, potatoes, corn on the cob, cabbage salad, Jell-O fruit salad, fruit cake with thick icing, mince pie, pumpkin pie, apricot Jell-O pie, etc., etc., etc. – and then Aunt said, ‘Why Ruth! We didn’t put any citron preserves on the table.’ Also, popcorn balls, nuts, candy, and gum.”
Ina adds: “The snow is all gone off in a rain and dreadful reports from California over the radio last night – 12 inches of rain in 30 hours, lives lost, damage to houses, bridges, roads, etc. We never had such work before at this time of year.”
This picture was taken July 4, 1933, when some members of Ina's family were present at an extended family picnic. Al Sanders stands in the back. From left: Earle & Bernice Dobson, Pearl Dobson Sanders, Grandma Ina & Grandpa Jack Dobson, & Stanley Sanders (13 years old). Granddaughter Shirley Jean Robinson stands in front (7 years old). (KW)
2 comments:
Oh...so sad to think they waited the whole day hoping that Grandpa would come home. Such is life.
You could make a nice story with some of these entries and you're such a good writer. You should consider it--there's plenty of time!
They waited more than one day. When she says, "On the whole Sunday went off pleasantly," she is alluding to the fact that she was waiting then. She finally sent a wire to Vance's good friend, Ray Craft, who in turn replied with an exceptionally long wire, reassuring the family that all was well. Plenty of time, you say. Wait till you retire! There's so much to do. The days melt away. (KW)
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