Monday, March 5, 1945

I love it when Grandma says she doesn't have much to report, but then she types a page and a half.  Grandma and Grandpa are now that they have sent off the check to my Great-Grandma.  Now they can start saving for their leave.

"I suppose by now you got that check, Mother.  I hope that it came to you at a good time.  I hope you didn't faint or anything.  Bud and I have paid all our debts and don't owe a thing.  We have started on a budget now and are really going to save money, we hope.  We want to get leave and we won't be able to ask for it until we have the money to go home.  We are hoping we will have enough by May, but it might be later.  Bud's sister is going to be married in July (that is when her husband to be is to graduate) and they would like to have us there at that time.  I think it would be nice if we could.  So, it might be in July when we get home.  If it is at all possible for us to get there sooner we are going to come because we both want to go home so badly."

Well, there's some baby news, but definitely not from Grandma.  Beverly, Grandma's old roommate, who was engaged to one man, but then got married to another MIGHT be pregnant.  On the other side of the map, her husband is on a boat that will not dock back in Miami for 8 months.  

Bev's husband has gone back to Panama.  He doesn't expect to get back into the states for 8 months or more.  Beverly was supposed to have come sick about a month ago today and hasn't yet.  She has been having dizzy spells int he morning for the last 5 or 6 days.  She hasn't gone to the doctor yet to see if she is pregnant, but it certainly sounds to me like she is.  She is going to wait another week and if she doesn't come sick then she will go to the doctor.  They will give her a medical discharge right away.  I think she is a little bit scared but she doesn't mind having a baby.  I think she hates to leave the Waves."

Apparently, Grandma's ex-beaux has not been very gentlemanly.  Well, Marilyn and Roy finally had it out and apparently Gib (Gib, who's Gib?  I have no clue either) is badmouthing my Grandma!  The Gaul!

"Marilyn said that Roy was in Los Angeles for a few hours and she met him downtown and had a good old talk with him.  He is going to get a pass and come up and see her as soon as he can.  I was floored at what you told me Gib told the Geils.  I wrote him sometime ago but yet have not received an answer.  I would like to hear from him and from Roy but I suppose they won't ever write anymore.  After all, even if I am married I should think we could still be friends.  Bud doesn't care as long as I show him the letters.  In fact, he opens my mail before I do sometimes.  So you see, there is nothing I keep from Bud.  I just like to keep in touch with the kids and keep up on the news.  I hear from Laura all the time and Aileen now and then."

We shall see what happens when Grandma and Grandpa get some leave to go to Montana, and Grandpa meets the two non-gentlemen.  Also, Grandma would have adored Facebook.  

Grandma and Some of the Kids

On August 17, 1940

Monday, February 26,1945

Marvel and Tris have come and gone.  Marvel had to return to her base and Tris is stationed in Miami.  They were heartbroken.

"Marvel and Tris got here & she has already gone back.  They are so happy.  They hated to leave each other - but, hope this war will be over soon so they can be together.  Marvel looked so happy.  They both are crazy over our place & came over quite a bit.  I had a real nice dinner for them.  The night before they left Tris took all of us to the Latin Quarter (which is one of Miami's most exclusive & expensive clubs) We had dinner & danced.  They had a good floor show and we enjoyed ourselves to the utmost."

On the Montana front, it looks like Great-Grandma is going back to school to be a teacher!  She's already proven herself to her teachers.

"I am very proud of your good grades.  I guess it will be a lot better if you do teach and keep busy.  I'm so glad that your health had improved so to warrant this."

Grandma's taking some new strides as well.  She continues in her Lutheran lessons, and Grandpa's more than thrilled!

"I am still taking instructions to join the church.  The lessons are very interesting & I enjoy them a lot.  Bud will be so happy when I am finally in.  He thinks a lot of his religion."

I know Grandpa ha ulterior motives concerning Grandma's Lutheranism.  You can tell he wants Grandma to be a Lutheran so there's no question in what denomination the children will be raised in.  Did I mention my Uncle on this side is a Lutheran Pastor and that my Mom was a church organist back in the 70s and 80s?  Also, Grandpa really wants to get working on those future Lutheran pastor and church organist kids... just saying.  Little hints are all over these letters.

Before Grandma and Grandpa finally settle down and have kids, they lived it up in 1940s Miami.  They even attended a party at the Blackstone Hotel with movie stars and reporters.  I think Grandpa even made it into Life Magazine!

"Bug & I know quite a few of the kids in Public Relations & were invited up.  We met some leading newspaper men & some movie star but I'd never remember his name - have seen him a lot tho.  They took pictures upt here & of the party, which they sent into Life Magazine.  Bud got in one of the pictures (I didn't).  We don't know yet whether Life will print them or not."

Anybody know how I can crawl through Life Magazine's archives from WWII?  Anybody?ANYBODY!?

I think this would have made an AMAZING addition to LIFE magazine

On July 27, 1941

Monday, February 12, 1945

Grandma has the watch this evening so Grandpa came and spent the time with her while she writes her letters home.  She reports that they were both sick, that she is feeling better now, but Grandpa is still fighting a cold.

"My cold is gone now & Bud's is practically gone.  He doesn't have to work this week so he's going to sleep & lay out in the sun & try to get his pep back.  He has been working very hard."

She also reminds me how much happy they were together.  They still celebrate their month-a-versaries.

"You asked if we still celebrate the 26th.  Bud always gives me some kind of a present - depends on how much money we have.  One time it was a bag of gumdrops."

My boyfriend and I don't celebrate our month-a-versaries any longer, but it might be a nice tradition to bring back up.  Even if it just a bag of gum drops.

They went out for dinner and dancing for Grandma's birthday.  They had a lazy Sunday afterward.  They attempted to go fishing, but then lost the hooks.  They also cruised past a baptism in their little row boat.

"... we saw some revivalists having a baptism.  It was really something to see.  They were really carrying on.  I'd read about those things but never realized they wrote of they so truly."

Wouldn't that have been a sight to see!

On June 16, 1940

Monday, February 19, 1945

Happy Belated Valentine's Day!  I've never gotten into Valentine's day as long as I've been with my boyfriend.  I'd much rather worry about our anniversary.

"I heard from Mother last week, but no letter from Peggy, Just a valentine. They were very pretty valentines Peggy, so I will forgive you.  Bud gave me a bouquet of flowers and very pretty vase which is in the shape of a heart and is red.  The flowers were roses a sweet peas and some other kind that I don't know.  They were very pretty."

Marvel and Tris, Grandma's original bunk mate and her new husband, came to Miami for their honeymoon and spent some times with Grandma and Grandpa.

"Marvel and Tris came Friday night.  They got in too late to get a hotel room so they stayed with us.  We went out dancing Saturday night with them and had a good time.  They came over late yesterday afternoon and we laid out in the sun for awhile and I had them stay to dinner.  I made a devil's food cake because that is Marvel's favorite."

I believe Grandma and Beverly, her roommate after Marvel, had a falling out.  She's only seen her once since her honeymoon.  Grandma is still looking for her wedding present though so maybe not.  Her tone suggests otherwise.

"I have only seen Bev once since she has been married.  She is back to work this week.  She seems to be very happy.  Her husband will be leaving in a few days.  He is on a PC and it works out of Panama and only gets back tot he States once a year for repairs.  I haven't got her a wedding present yet, but I am going to get a blanket for her I think.  It is hard to get anything for her because she won't be setting up housekeeping until after the war.  I know what I will get for Marvel and Tris."

Grandma is definitely homesick.  She is anxious that Red has not called, whether she can get leave to see their families, and is desperate for news from home.

"I wish that we could come home soon.  We haven't any idea when we can get leave but we hope around the last of April or in May.  I guess it will be better to come when it is warm so we won't freeze.  Red hasn't called me yet.  I don't know whether he has gone through and tried to get a hold of me and couldn't or whether he hasn't come through yet.  I do hope that he hasn't come through and will get ahold of me."

Grandma doesn't know it yet, but they'll be home soon enough.

On June 16, 1940

Thursday, February 8, 1945

Now it's Grandma's turn for birthday joviality!  I am always so shocked by her age.  She's only 23 years old and yet she's already done so much!

"Here it is my birthday and I am now 23 years old.  It doesn't seem possible.  I guess the years will fly by now."

Grandma and Grandpa exchanged practical gifts for their birthdays as they might spend their money on going out tonight.  Yes, it's Grandma's birthday but the most exciting news is about Grandma's friend Beverly.  She finally got married, but to a completely different man than the one she was engaged to!  

"Beverly was married Monday night.  She married another boy, not the one she was going to marry and couldn't make up her mind.  She took a ring from the other one but has sent tit back to him.  She was married at the Catholic Church.  He is a Catholic too.  He is aboard a DE and gets in about once every 6 months.  He will be leaving here about the 28th.  They both have 10 days leave now.  They are honeymooning over on Miami Beach."

Grandma only goes on to write that she can't decide what to give them as a wedding present.  I was expecting more fireworks from Grandma. She certainly got into a fine fiddle a couple of letters ago.  I guess we shall see in the next couple of letters or so.

Red still hasn't contacted Grandma and Grandpa yet, and she hopes he does, but they are pretty strict where he is stationed.

"As yet Red hasn't called me.  I hope he didn't come through here and couldn't get ahold of us.  I hear when they are at the Port of Embarkation that it is hard for them to get out.  They are on call at all time and they don't grant them liberty.  I hope he can get to a telephone and at least call me up.  I would like to have him meet Bud and also I would like to see him."

And now I am going to leave you with the last line of this letter.  It brought tears to my eyes.

"The war news certainly looks good.  I am hoping and praying that it will be over soon.  It will seem good to be a civilian again and Bud and I will be able to settle down and have our own home."

On May 25, 1945

Friday, February 2, 1945

February 2 is Grandpa's birthday.  Grandma is throwing a small dinner party and making one of her favorite cakes: Angel's Food cake.

"Today is Bud's birthday.  I got him a pair of pajamas and am trying to find him a pair of decent bedroom slippers.  We haven't got too much money to spend, but what I do have for him I want to be nice.  I baked him an angel's food cake last night and it came out perfect. ... I am still so thrilled at how well the cake came out that that is all I can think of.  Bud helped me make it -- he beat the eggs and that is what counts."

Grandma's old roommate Marvel is coming to Miami for a short honeymoon.  Grandma has not seen her since she left and she is so excited to see her.

"Tris (Marvel's Boyfriend) is in town.  He is getting leave on the 9th of this month and he and Marvel are going to be married.  They will be married the 12th and come down here on the 13th for a short honeymoon.  I am anxious to see Marvel.  She is going to wear a long white dress, but otherwise her wedding will be Navy style.  The Chaplain is going to marry them and her Commanding Officer is going to giver her away.  Her sister will be there to stand up with her.  Tris's Dad is going to be best man.  All of his boyfriends are in the service and are away so I think its is nice to have his father."

I love how she refers to this type of ceremony as Navy style.  Grandma and Grandpa's wedding must have been in the same vein.

It looks like a convention is coming to town.  Not only are Tris and Marvel heading to Miami, but Red is coming too!  Now Red is Marilyn's brother and we all remember Marilyn right?  Grandma's friend from back home who is always sickly and ends up marrying Grandma's old beaux?  Red is her brother and Grandma is anxious to see him!

"I got a letter from Marilyn.  Red told her to tell me that he will be here in Miami a few days before he goes overseas.  I am so anxious to see him.  He has my phone number and address so will get in touch with me when he gets here.  I am so anxious to see him.  I have been a little homesick and I want to see him badly.  I wish we could come home soon.  I am afraid it will be sometime in May.  That seems so far away."

I am praying that they get to see their families and friends soon.

On May 25, 1945

Tuesday, January 23, 1945

Great-Grandma Shannon is still trying to like she did when Great-Grandpa was alive.  According to Grandma, she is living well beyond her means and needs to quit feeding everybody but herself!

"You are going to have to move from that place as soon as possible.  Also you will have to quit feeding everybody & his dog & quit buying so many presents.  Bud's birthday is the 2nd of Feb and mine is the 8th, but we feel a nice long letter will be a swell present.  Don't buy us a thing."

This a very short and to-the-point letter, but I learned one thing about my Great-Grandma Shannon today.  Our spending habits are genetic.

On May 25, 1945

Monday, January 22, 1945

The Missoula new wire is hoppin!  Grandma starts out the letter with:

"There isn't much to tell you."

and ends 9 paragraphs later.  Well, one of the paragraphs is about her new fabulous diet so we can skip that one.

There is an awful lot of talk about Babies from Grandma and Grandpa.  You can tell Grandpa REALLY wants kids soon, but Grandma is the one pumping the brakes.

"Bud really like it when you said in your letter that you didn't think you would have an Xmas tree until your Robinson grandchild was there ot enjoy it.  I hope we will have one but I would like to wait a little while longer until we have money saved.  Bud says that things would work themselves out but I don't think we should have a child if we don't have a little money ahead."

Grandpa wants those babies so bad!

Not all of the news was good news.  One of their neighbors passed away and Grandma wants Great-Grandma to reach out to their family especially the grieving widow.  The widow is not handling it well, and Great-Grandma would know how to comfort her best.

"Did you see Laura when she was there for Mr. Crain's funeral?  By the way, did you send any flowers o his funeral?  You know, Bud and Laura sent flowers to Daddy.  I understand that Mrs. Crain has taken it very hard.  Why don't you call her up.  I know that I should write to her and I believe that I will.  Mr. Crain was always so nice to me.  Cancer is a terrible thing.  He didn't know he had it.  Nunnie was the only one who got home and he got there before his father died.  I guess Mr. Crain went to pieces when he saw Nunnie.  Nunnie has been in a lot of action and he is only 20 years old."

It is always shocking when the circle of life continues when a war is on. 

On May 25, 1945

Monday, January 15, 1945

Now Grandpa's starting in on the whole advice escapades.  Rather, Grandma is telling her mother that Grandpa said for Great-Grandma to move into a smaller place so that she will FINALLY listen to reason.

"Mother, Bud told me to be sure and tell you to move if you get a chance.  Don't wait for us to come home.  He feels that you are spending too much money and that you should move.  I know you are in a very convenient place and hate to think of your having to move into something real small.  Be sure to get a place where you can cook and won't have to take your meals out.  You might be able to get something near the Zehs."

Grandpa has also given Grandma the advice on becoming Lutheran.  Now I am totally biased, but that is the best move Grandma ever made.  Growing up Lutheran, and growing up in my church, made a hug impact on me,  Essentially we are Catholic light or also know as Catholic without the guilt.  It's pretty frickin sweet.

"Oh yes, we went to church.  We got to church every Sunday.  Bud wants to have me start taking instructions so I guess I will and will join his church.  That is one of his very strong desires and I know he will be very happy when I become a member."

Church is something you can always come back to.  That community is always there.  When we went to their church in St. Louis for Grandpa's funeral, it was standing room only in the back.  I don't remember ever going to church there but I was quite young when he passed. The snippets of the service that I recall were beautiful but I remember the limo ride to and from the cemetery more than the service.  Eight year olds remember the oddest things.

On May 25, 1945 

Friday, January 12, 1945

They finally received a letter form Great- Grandma Shannon!  It gave updates about her first Christmas by herself and how things are faring for her in Montana.

"We got a big long letter from you yesterday.  Your Xmas seemed to be very nice. I know it is hard for you without Daddy and I am so glad that you got through OK.  I only wish I would have been able to be there.  Now I think you had better go ahead and look for a place and if you can find a cheap enough one whey go ahead and move in.  I know that you hate to move but you may need your money later.  When Bud and I come home I know we will be able to stay with someone.  Maybe you can get a a place with a davenport that we can sleep on or something.  We hope to be home sometime in the spring.  Don't spend your money foolishly.  Bud and I are starting to really scrimp now.  Every time I want to spend some money why Bud says, "Do you want to go home?" and then I don't spend the money.  I also do like wise with Bud."

Grandma and Iare amazing people to receive advice from, just ask us.  Especially when we were in our twenties.  We knew everything about everything.

Grandma received news from friends back home.  It sounds like they had a high old time over the Holidays.  

"I got a letter from Marilyn the other day and here is what she said.  "New Year's eve Evelyn told me that we could bring any friends we wanted to her house.  Well, Louis Dwight called up and George and Lola Lawrenceson were with him so they went with us.  Also, a sailor from Kalispel and a friend of his went with us.  It seemed a little like old home week. We really had a wonderful time."

They even go to a Hollywood party and meet one of Bing Crosby's directors.

"Later on in the evening I went with Louis and Lola and George up to a producer's apartment.  I met a lot of movie people including Bing Crosby's director.  From there we went to Louis' brother's home You ought to see hims home.  It is really beautiful."

I think I just figured out that Marilyn is out in Los Angeles due to reading ahead in the letters, because I originally thought now what is Bing Crosby's director doing up in Missoula, Montana? 

On May 25, 1945

Tuesday, January 2, 1945

Happy New Year, 1945!  They finally got their packages form my Great-Grandma and Great Aunt Peggy.  Grandma went onto describe in full detail what the package entailed.

"We received the package form you, Peg, with the candy, perfume, and shaving soap and powder."

I understand letting people know that you are grateful for the items you have received, but the endless lists just drives me bonkers.  I guess when I incessantly plan things months to years in advance that could push some other people's buttons as well.  Well, moving on!

Now there is further news in the Beverly wedding saga.  We are back on!

"Well, I guess Beverly is going to be married after all.  She got a ring for Xmas.  She will marry the same boy.  They are both Catholics and are now waiting for the wedding to be announced in their churches.  She isn't telling everyone until she is sure, so don't send her a present until I tell you to, because I don't trust her anymore.  When she is married I will believe it, but I will have to go to the wedding to be sure."

Grandma always liked for the facts to be laid out in front of her. Heaven Forbid a plan change.  She did have one little last bit of information for my Great- Grandma and Aunt.

"I didn't feel good last night and went to bed.  I fooled you, Peggy, I had the cramps real bad.  You won't be an Aunty or a Grandma yet.  I wish you were but no soap yet.  In a way I hope that Bud and I can get home once when we are both (out of) the Navy."

Grandma has a couple more years yet before she becomes a mother!

On May 21, 1945

Wednesday, December 27, 1944

Grandma gives the blow by blow account of every Christmas present they received.  Each set of parents sent money so that Grandma and Grandpa could buy presents in their names for each other.  There were lots of sets of underwear exchanged as it was a more practical Christmas than most.

""With your money for Bud I bought a shirt and a couple of suits of underwear from Mother.  Uncle Ned and Aunt Edel gave him underwear.  Peg gave him a watch band and underwear.  He needed underwear badly so that is what I bought.  We decided that we would buy things that we needed.  Bud got me from Mother a slip and two pairs of panties with elastic all the way around and the same thing from Peggy."

Grandpa did have one surprise up his sleeve however.

"After all the presents were opened I couldn't imagine why I didn't get anything more from him and I looked and there was nothing, and then he went over under the chair and pulled out the big package with my robe.  Boy was I ever thrilled!  It is the most beautiful one that I ever had."

There are still more presents to come their way as there was some back up with the mail delivery.

"I found out yesterday that down at the railroad express there are 37 cars that haven't been unpacked yet so I guess that must be the reason we have not received your presents yet.  Don't worry you know how I love to open presents so it doesn't hurt when they get here.  I always say better late than never. Ha ha."

Grandma finally moves beyond the lists of presents and focuses on the true meaning of Christmas: family.

"I know that it must have been hard on you Xmas without Daddy.  I felt sad all day but tried not to think of him too much.  Bud handed me the presents to me just like Daddy did.  Oh, how I wish that Daddy could have met Bud.  All the kids that come over to see us envy me so for I have such a wonderful husband and we are so happy.  They think it is marvelous."

I am elated to hear that my Grandfather was such an amazing human being.  That means the world to me because I know he meant the world to Grandma.

Grandma and Grandpa are on the left with an unknown friend

On May 19, 1940

Wednesday, December 20, 1944

Granda and Grandpa are both chiming in this time around.  This is their Christmas 1944 letter home.  Grandma is on the watch, and the letter is hand written.  I must say this is the first time that I can recall ever seeing Grandpa's handwriting.  It is sometimes hard to read, but I rather like it.

Grandpa's Handwriting

According to grandma there are very exact standard that a Christmas Tree needs to aspire to. Needless to say, their current Christmas Tree is not up to snuff.

"We have our tree.  It is about 6' tall (I told Bud to get a small one but he got a big one).  It is skinny but is pretty for trees down here.  It cost $3.  You'd pay 10 {cents} for it at home.  I'm going to try & fix it as nice as possible since this Bud's first Xmas in the states for 3 years, & I want everything to be nice - and it's our first Xmas together."

Grandma goes into great detail about their Christmas presents.  She also goes back and forth between thanking Great-Grandma Shannon for the check she sent them and constantly bringing up her desire to have something wrapped by Great-Grandma Shannon to open on Christmas day. 

"I'm getting anxious to open things now.  I hope we get some sort of presents from you to open on Xmas.  You said you had Smith's Drug send me a pkg. & Peg said she forwarded a little something.  I am glad cause I want to open something you wrapped."

The icing on this letter's cake is Grandpa's half page on the tail end of the 8 page letter.  First off, he calls Great Aunt Peg "Pegasus", which is just amazing, and secondly Grandpa gets to wrap up the Christmas letter like the Bing Crosby Christmas professional he is.

"May this be your happiest of Christmas's and I hope before another rolls around we can all be together."

Merry Christmas from the Miami Robinsons!

The Unacceptable Xmas Tree

On May 17, 1945

Thursday, December 14, 1944

Grandma gives her local and apartment news in this letter, and she about fell over when received her letter from Great Aunt Peggy in the mail.

"Well, I have just recovered from the shock of receiving a letter from you, Peggy.  I am so glad that you finally wrote.  I thought you may have sprained your wrist, or worse yet, broke your arm."

Grandma badgers Great Aunt Peggy so much because she misses her family and her home.  Grandma longs for a Montana Christmas.  This is going be her first Christmas without snow, her home, or her father.  This is not going to be an easy Christmas, but Grandpa has not easy christmases the last couple of years himself.  

"Have you put up a Xmas tree yet.  We are having an awful time trying to find decorations.  We got some of those tin foil icicles but that is all.  We want to get some lights and some ornaments, but you can't find the darn things.  This will be Bud's first Xmas in the United Sates for the last 3 years and I want it to be a very nice once for him.  Besides it is our first Xmas.  It is my first Xmas away form home and without snow."

No snow and no home but at least Grandpa is on dry land for the first time in three years.  Thank God for small blessings.

Grandma continues her cooking escapades, but now she has a new supplier.  She even makes her own ice cream!

"Mrs. Maddrix, a lady that works in my office, bought 4 chickens and brought them over to my apartment.  Jeanne Klemm, the other WAVE in the office and her boyfriend came over.  I broiled the chickens.  I had baked potatoes, tomatoes, olives, celery stuffed with creamed cheese, buns, and I made a white cake with chocolate frosting and vanilla ice cream.  I always make the ice cream."

There was always ice cream in Grandma's house without fail.  I distinctly remember the multitude of sherbet that were always int he freezer.  I always wanted the pink sherbet and yelling about it.  I would run down the hall yelling "PINK SHERBET" at the top of my lungs.  However, it was pronounced sherbert when I was 4.  

It's a Miami Christmas

On May 14,1940

Monday, December 11, 1944

Grandma is starting to fuss at Great-Aunt Peggy again.  She hasn't sent Grandma and Grandpa a letter in almost 2 weeks.  The absolute gaul!

"As yet, I haven't heard from you, Peggy, in almost 2 weeks.  I wish you wouldn't neglect us so.  I at least get some kind of letter to you now and then.  Bud got a letter from you, Mother, which we were more than glad to receive.  It was a very newsy letter."

Grandma is getting upset with the people she loves because she cannot be with them at Christmas.  Grandma and Grandpa are trying to get into the full Christmas spirit.  Grandma keep stalking about getting  a tree and going Christmas shopping.  She's just getting something small for everyone. 

"We went Xmas shopping Saturday and we hope to finish it up today.  I am sending Peggy's present homes.  I do hope they get there for Xmas.  I have to get Marylin a little something but as yet I haven't done it.  She wrote and told me our Xmas present is on the way."

This Christmas is not all about the different gifts my Grandparents are getting everybody, but it's also about the true meaning of Christmas for them.  They are sharing what they have with one of their friends Dick who has fallen on herder times.

"He has been out of a job and then he had to leave the place where he was living on the beach so he is over at our place sleeping on the divan.  It opens up into a double bed.  He is leaving Tuesday.  We were glad to help the poor kid out because when he was working and did have money he was very generous us.  If we were broke that didn't matter, we still would go out with them."

Even in War time, or rather especially in war time, people pull together and make the world go round.

The apartment

On May 12, 1940

Monday, December 4, 1944

Grandma continues to surprise me with her passions cooking and baking.  Her meals were simple but tasty when were growing up.  She did mention Lipton's Chicken Noodle soup in her last letter, which I still think is the only pre-made chicken noodle soup you should eat.  It's pure salt but it replenishes all the electrolytes (salt) that you lost when you were sick.  Grandma then mentions making Lady Betty cake.  Also which I have never seen or heard her make, ever.

"I made my Lady Betty cake for Bud and it turned out very good and I was so proud of myself -- so was Bud.  I wish you were here to have a piece of it.  I have been making things and we have more fun.  I made some chocolate ice cream with marshmallows in it and it turned out good too.  I expect Bud to put on some weight with all this."

I found a recipe for the Lady Betty cake in The Sydney Morning Herald from January 2, 1936.  The ingredients call for: 2/3 cup butter, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 4 eggs, 2 1/3 cups flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 3 teaspoons Aunt Mary's Baking powder, 1 cup chopped walnuts, 1 cup milk, and 3 oz unsweetened chocolate melted.  Sounds like a delicious cake and a great way to celebrate my 33 letters, 30 days challenge!

Now in non-baking new, Beverly called off her wedding.  Her boyfriend is being transferred and she decided she didn't want to go with him, and that was the end of that.

"I forgot to tell you in the last letter that you don't have to buy Bev a wedding present.  Her boyfriend is being transferred so she decided not to marry him.  I don't think she loves him in the least or she would have gone ahead and married him anyway.  I know that if Bud would have transferred the next day I would have married him.  She has called off everything.  I guess it is just as well.  She is a queer duck in some ways."

Beverly might be a queer duck but you gotta be sure you find the right one!

I believe the Queer Duck Bev is one os these lovely ladies

On May 11, 1940

Friday, December 1, 1944

Thanksgiving has gone in the newly minted Robinson household.  Grandma's chicken dinner was a success!

" Yesterday was Thanksgiving.  I knocked off early and we got a chicken.  I invited Dick over for dinner.  We had Lipton's chicken noodle soup, tomato and lettuce salad, chicken (broiled), I baked a cake and made ice cream.  It all turned out very good and Bud was very proud of me.  I am getting a lot better with this cooking."

I'm glad she's getting better and in reality, I was just as bad as she was in the beginning of my cooking.  All it takes is practice.  I cannot help that cooking relieves my anxiety and I am naturally anxious person.  It also provides an outlet for my obsessive internet research habit.  Like right now: what is your favorite summer side?  I already have corn with jalapeño, garlic, cilantro butter and watermelon salad.  Please reply in the comments... See?

Grandma and Grandpa are looking forward to their first Christmas together, but they were hoping they were able to make it back to Missoula for the holidays.  This will be Great-Grandma's first Christmas without Great-Grandpa.  I know that it's been weighing heavily on Grandma's mind. 

"I know this Xmas is going to be hard for you and I wish that Bud and I could be there.  We would keep you going so you wouldn't even have time to think.  I know that you will enjoy talking to Bud.  He is very witty and he is also very smart.  I'm prejudice tho."

I am forever grateful that Grandpa came in Grandma's life whens he needed him most.  He took care of her when she didn't know how to ask.  He stepped in and did what needed to be done.  He reminds me of a very special man in my life who knows how to take care of me when I don't know how to ask.  I don't know how Grandma and I ever got to be so lucky.  I guess Grandma and I are just stubborn enough to tell the universe what we want and it gets tired of us yelling at it.  

The Great Man in Grandma's life

On May 10, 1940

Thursday, November 21, 1944

Grandpa is back on shore!  They returned hi m to his old post.  Grandma is ecstatic and teensy bit obsessive.

"Bud came home Saturday.  They took him off  the ship and he is back on his old job and I am once again as happy as can be.  He came home Saturday afternoon.  He is going to stay here now so I hope we never get separated again.  I really found how much I love him and certainly did miss him"

Beverly, Grandma's old roommate, will finally join the married ranks and understand Grandma's obsessive pain.  Grandma'a feeling a bit left out because she had no idea the engagement was coming and she cannot stand up with Bev at her wedding because she is not Catholic.

"It was certainly a surprise to all of us when she told us she was going to be married.  He is a sailor and his name is Phil Coleman.  I only met him once but he is a very nice boy.  He is Catholic too, and they are going to be married at mass in about 3 weeks.  I can't stand up with Bev because I'm not Catholic.  Mary is going to stand up with her.  I guess she is going to be married in her uniform."

One of the major tenants of being a newly-married lady is that you have to cook for your beloved husband.  That is one of the many things I have discovered Grandma and I share: a desire for cooking.  I say a desire for cooking because Grandma is still mastering it.  I'm not saying I have but from what I remember, I am a better cook than she was when I was growing up.  HOWEVER, Grandma can roast the heck out of some chicken (I am still working on that) and Grandma still needs work on her roast (Beef and I are best friends).  And as always, Grandpa is there supporting her all the way.

"Bud got me an apron when he was in Key West.  It is blue satin with U.S. Navy on the pocket.  It is really cute and he always wants me to wear it.  We will have been married 2 months this coming Sunday.  I guess we won't celebrate Thanksgiving until next week.  I am going to have a nice chicken dinner because just two with a turkey would be too expensive and too much.  I don't think I could make a turkey anyway, I 'm not good enough yet.I had a roast once and it didn't turn out too good-- it was tough and I know it was because of the way I cooked it.  How you cook a roast, Mom."

I wonder if we still have the apron somewhere?

On May 9, 1945

Friday, November 17, 1944

Grandma's personality shines through each one of her letters.  I know exactly how she said each written line.  There is a cadence I recognize and know her guttural responses to most items in her letters.  On the other hand, I am completely lost when it comes to Grandpa's letters.  I have no clues on how to read in between his lines.  I pride myself on finding the writ'er voice and his eludes me.

I have no idea how to interpret Grandpa's letter.  He is a reporter.  He mentions important facts in their daily lives that show no indication of his personality.  I have to say I am disappointed.  I never knew my Grandfather, I get his letter decades later, and I can't find him.  It's heartbreaking.

The one paragraph with any insight is the one he writes about my Grandmother and her new fad diet.  His personality comes through loud and clear when he talks about her.

"Now about the diet Betty's on, I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.  You know Betty and she doesn't stick to it well, she'll just about stay with it enough to keep her from gaining any more weight, although she has visions of getting down to 115 lbs.  Women are funny that way, if they're thin, then their ego is satisfied.  I once heard a fellow say, let your wife have her way in the little things then when the big things come along she'll let you do the deciding, it might be true.  Anyway, I didn't marry Betty for her physical attributes, but for the girl inside em, I like her just the way she is."

His personality shines through when he talks about Grandma.  Also, he and I REALLY like commas/don't know how to use them.

My favorite photo of Grandpa

Happy 70th Anniversary of VE Day!

Monday, November 13,1944

Grandma's honeymoon is finally ending.  The Navy has come knocking on Grandma and Grandpa's door.  How dare they?! Grandpa was supposed to be stationed in the training facility in Miami, but another ship's store keeper messed up the accounts so badly they hd to call him in.

"The storekeeper on the the ship had got the accounts all messed up and Bud is the only one who knows and understands Disbursing and so he was detailed to go on board the ship for a month and teach this storekeeper.  Well, it turned out that his transfer was to be permanent.  It is a school ship and goes out for 6 days and comes back for a couple days and they sometimes only go for 3 days. Bud called the Chief down at the Training Center and told him they thought this was a permanent transfer on the ship.  So we are hoping they will put another store keeper on the ship and bring Bud back  and put him on the staff.  All we can do is hope and pray.  I guess things could be worse, but is seems to me he has had enough of sea duty and rates shore duty. ... It seems so awful, be cause we finally got our apartment and everything was going so well and we were so happy.  This will be the first time we have been separated since we have been married.  I guess I will live through it though."

I love ho head strong Grandma is.  She has a plan for her life and doesn't want to settle for anything less.  She still has things to do before she becomes a mother and doesn't question her choice to wait to have a family.

"Well, I think everything will turn out all right and I will stay in the Navy.  The only way I can get out now would be to be pregnant and I don't feel yet that I want a child.  I know that Bud does but I don't want one for a couple of years.  I guess I hate the thought of having to settle down too tight."

World War II provided the first real taste of independence for women.  They were allowed to hold government sanctioned jobs and build careers for the first time in Modern history.  It never even crossed their minds that they were changing the world.  They just wanted to serve their country in its time of need.

On May 7, 1945

Thursday, November 2, 1944

Ladies and Gentlemen, in an effort to be a better Granddaughter and blogger, I have set myself a challenge.  30 days from today's date will be the 14th anniversary of Grandma Robinson's passing.  I want to complete the journey I began almost two years ago on that date.  That means 33 letters in 30 days.  I owe it to my Grandmother to finish what I started and to prove to myself that I can actually do this.  And off we go!

Letter writing is a lost art form.  People could not contact each other as readily in the past as they can today.  We are constantly available to everyone.  People can contact me in some form or another with the swipe of a finger tip.  It used to take people hours to connect over the phone lines.  Not to mention how insanely expensive it was to just connect the callers.  You couldn't even get through sometimes!  Letters were far cheaper to send and you say (write) as much as you wanted to.

Grandma received a nice, long letter from a neighbor, Mrs. Timm, in Missoula.  She relayed the information stated in Mrs Timm's letter back to Great-Grandma Shannon also in Missoula.  Great-Grandma Shannon and Mrs. Timm had to wait at least two weeks to share information with each other that they could have shared over the garden fence.

"I got the nicest and longest letter from Mrs. Timm.  I am going to keep writing to her so she won't feel so lonesome.  I can just tell that she is lonely.  She said that she would surely be mad if you, Mother, beat her to being a Grandmother.  Bud and I really got a kick out of that.  She also said that you had received the proofs and liked them.  I think they are very good, especially of Bud.  What do you think of your son-in-law?"

Great-Grandma Shannon would rejoice in Grandma and Grandpa's first child Uncle Jim in 1948.  She would know true joy when she got to meet the miracle known as Margaret Jane Robinson, AKA my Mom, in 1950.  My Uncle Jim would definitely roll his eyes if he knew I was typing this.  He would also probably remind me that unlike the two of us, my mother does not have red hair.  And you know what is nature's most wondrous event?  A natural born Ginger.

Great-Grandma Shannon, Uncle Jim, Grandma, and Mom

On May 6, 1945

Monday, October 27, 1944

Seeing my Great-Grandmother's handwriting is an absolute trip.  I never knew her but I know what her handwriting looks like.  My own handwriting pales in comparison.  I can barely decipher it most of the time.

Her side-note reads,

"Bud and Betty met Apr. 26th.  They were married Sept. 26th.  Every month Bud gives her a present on the 26th and calls the day monthaversary of their first meeting.  He usually takes her out to dinner."

The Boy and I celebrated our monthaversaries every month of our first year together.  We now share this part of our relationship history with my grandparents.  A person who celebrates monthaversaries is one you keep around forever.  I am beyond thrilled that my Boyfriend and my Grandfather share the desire to celebrate the good things in their lives.

"For our monthaversary (sp) Bud gave me a large bottle of  Chanel No. 5.  It is really a wonderful perfume and you have to know an inside tract."

They continue to live in wedded bliss and their apartment finally feels like home.

"But and I are thrilled to death with our apartment. We have it pretty well settled now.  We are going to get some pictures so the walls won't look so bare.  I have been cooking and getting along fine.  Our stove has a broiler and it is a lot easier to broil meat than to fry it.  It isn't fattening when you broil it either.  Friday night Andy and Bev were over to steak dinner and then we went to the football game.  We had a good time. Andy was in town for a few days.  His boat comes in about every two weeks or so."  

Grandma's trying to match everyone up.  She wants everyone to be as happy as she is.  Their lives are truly enchanted now.  They're glowing in the Miami sun.

Grandma and Grandpa on Miami Beach

On this day in WWII history