[My dad's sister, Ethel Dobson Robinson, was five years his senior. They were good friends. She passed in February 1980, he in November 1987. The snapshot is of Aunt Ethel and her daughter, Shirley Jean, taken the summer of 1936. Granted Aunt Ethel was barely five feet tall, but still -- I was amused that she refers to Shirley Jean as a "small girl." Shirley Jean passed on in 1996.]
January 3, 1937!
Just think of it – 1937
Dear Vance:
Well here we are peering anxiously into the future, and hoping "something will turn up, Mr. Micawber."
A wintry landscape greets the eye wherever one may look, and we've had several cold days. Tonig
ht there is a bluish look near the horizon that seems to presage a Chinook. Have had some two inches of snow and frost since Christmas.
And speaking of that day, we had another of those awful "skimpy" affairs, which leaves us all wondering "where to put the new things, when we barely had room enough for the old!" One thing certain, the new rug could go only one place, so we put it on the living room floor and it looks very nice and seems to add space to that room.
Your beautiful box came on Dec. 26th so we still had Christmas, but I almost wept when I saw the lovely tapers, silver table ornament and luscious holly! Those were the most beautiful holly I've ever seen, it seems to me – so full of berries, and how beautifully your blue boxes looked in among the silver sprays. It was a veritable treasure chest. You were very generous to remember each one, and who but you would think of buying a screwdriver for Dad and writing such a tag!
Shirley Jean was delighted with her jewel box and how do you happen to know that such trinkets delight a small girl's heart? Ernest said to tell you your present was very enjoyable during the Christmas season. I, as usual, was low on nose fodder, but now I can blow loudly and long – thanks to you.
We had a jolly time and much clacking of tongues was heard in the land. A large and varied menu was enjoyed, to which everyone did justice until the dessert was reached, then one and all "passed" until a later date. Ruth was the only one who felt able to have dessert but balked when she found she'd have to solo on it. We women gathered in the kitchen after the table was cleared, opened the oven door and gathered round in various attitudes of comfort. Then we "let our hair down" and visited. Uncle and Ralph trickled off toward home to do chores, but "Aunt and the girls" stayed until later on. The holidays faded away gradually, for Henry and Shirley stayed until the following Sunday evening and we enjoyed it.
You'll rejoice to know the rainwater cistern is a-borning – it is now down to 7 feet in depth and is 8 feet across. The digg
ing is very hard, for it is now frozen hard pan, but it won't have to go a great deal deeper. It's going to be a real boon, for it will more than cut this awful chore of hauling water in half. E.G. [Ernest, I think – Ethel's husband] is planning to put a timber cribbing around the top on the outside of the bricks to bring the well top to the same level as the porch. Then we can just walk right to the pump from the porch with no steps to climb up and down. "I can hardly wait until Saturday night to try it."
Did we ever tell you of the big golden eagle Dad caught in the traps? He measured 76 inches, tip to tip, and weighed over 9 lbs. He was a beauty, and I'll send
you his picture later on. Also, last Wed. a.m. he found a coyote had made off with a trap on his leg, so S.J. and Ernest went after him. They followed him to the bottom of the canyon, via Stove Creek, thence almost to Wheeler, thence across the creek, and there gave him up. It was S.J.'s first trip to the canyon, and it was under very adverse circumstances, for the snow made hard going. Ernest said she didn't once whimper but just slogged along. We thought she'd be a wreck the next day, but she wasn't even stiff.
Today I have done very little of anything – just loafed around and now I must come out of it and do dinner dishes. We'll be having popcorn, candy, and "nertz" presently.
Love and all good wishes for this New Year.
Ethel
P.S. If you have time and opportunity, read "The Life of Omar Khayyam," by Harold Lamb. It is a very fine account, based as much on fact as is possible, of the life of Omar. Most interesting – story form. E.
P.S. Of all things, didn't J.B.s remember us – we Robinsons, I mean. I was just overwhelmed – and mad! When I was in town this fall she refused to speak to me – turned her back, that is, so she wouldn't have to speak. No reason that I know of why she shouldn't. It burns me up to be remembered at Xmas time under those circumstances.
[Photos: Grandpa Jack in the yard, February 1936. See Dick the dog. The cistern -- still there though with a cement cover. And perhaps this is the photo of Jack and the eagle.]
4 comments:
Had to laugh at the "nose fodder" part. I remember that Aunt Ethel used to carry a handkerchief in her sleeve. As a kid I was fascinated by that, and with her hair net, which appeared to be made of strands of her own red hair. She was very fun and engaging, and tiny as you point out.
I can see why you have such great writing skills, Kathy. It's in your genes! Your Grandmother Ina and Aunt Ethel are so vivid and descriptive in their letters--they bring the reader right into the scenes. What a wonderful treasure you have in these old letters!
While I never knew your Grandmother, as I mentioned in past comment, I remember Aunt Ethel and your Uncle Ernest on their front porch many days as we raced past, trying to get back to school after lunch. A quick wave and an hello and we were gone--off to another afternoon of higher (?) learning!
Aunt Ethel's hair -- such an odd shade. And a style that she probably found in the '30s. Of course, I can't talk. I've used "the wedge" for years -- and nothing else seems to work for me.
Thanks for the kind words about the family writing skills.
Dear "Nertzfan" -- I didn't know that "nertz" is a game. I merely posted a letter written by my aunt in 1937. Thanks for the tip on where to find info -- but a little baffled as to your identity and how you found us. KW
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