Monday, July 24, 1944

Grandpa is writing Great-Grandma Shannon for Grandma's hand in marriage!  Grandma wants to get married in Montana, but Grandpa loves his pastor in St. Louis.  They both want to wait to get married after the war, but I don't remember is they wait that long!

"He and I are going to be married some day, after the war preferably.  He wants his folks and you to be there when we are married.  He wanted Peggy to look him over and go home and tell you about him and then he is going to write you and ask you if it is all right with you to marry me.  So when he writes let it be a big surprise to you.  He is very fond of his pastor in St. Louis and has always wanted him to marry him when he was married, but I told him that you aren't well and could never come to St. Louis and that I wanted to be married at home, so we hope that his folks will be able to come out to Missoula then.  I think they would, because he is the only boy in the family(He has 2 sisters), and they think the sun rises and sets in him."

My Grandfather's sisters always said that Grandpa was their favorite.  Well, at least I like to think that Great Aunt Thelma and Charlotte loved him the best.  I never really knew him, but they made sure I heard plenty of stories about him.

"Well, I guess that is enough of that.  I want you to be surprised when he writes to you.  He wanted to let you know before I did.  Although, he knows that I have written you a lot about us and you know we like each other a lot.  I hope that everything will turn out OK.  His real name is Walter William Robinson, but he is called Bud."

Both of my Grandfathers went by Bud.  I did a little digging and found out that Bud is often used when a son is a Jr.  My Dad's Dad was Delbert Ogden Wyse Jr and that's where (I think) Grandpa Wyse started going by Bud.  On the other hand, if you had an odd or a sometimes hard to yell across the ship yard name in the service, they might give you a nickname.  Anyone willing to enlighten me on why there are SO many buds in WWII?  Links to research would be helpful.  Also in the interest of names and nicknames, If I was a boy my name would be William Walter Wyse.  My initials would have been WWW.  That would have been just in time for the advent of the at-home internet.  Thank God I am a girl.

One of my favorite photos of the them

On July 10, 1944

Tuesday, July 18, 1944

Is it true that people who live in warmer climes have thinner blood?  Grandma says that Great Aunt Peggy is so sluggish because her blood hasn't thinned out as much as Grandma's.

"The weather has been rather rainy but it has been so hot it is a relief to have it rain.  We go in the ocean quite a bit, and Peggy loves it.  She isn't too peppy but she still is all right.  I think if her blood would thin out she would be better.  My blood is quite thin now."

My blood never thickened while I lived in Chicago.  It was just so bitterly cold all the time that I learned to conserve heat by not opening my mouth.  Complaining led to major heat loss.  One can spare the heat whining in Atlanta as it rarely gets near freezing.

It ceases to amaze me how I can get so sidetracked by one sentence.  The true meat of this letter is in its main paragraph.  (Oh my gosh, wow, REALLY).  This letter is Grandma's realizations that she wants to be exclusive with Grandpa.  She puts it all on him, but I know from first hand experience that the way she describes his love for her is a reflection of the love she has for him.

"Yesterday I got a call from a Lt. that I used to go with and he asked me to go out with him last nigh.  I said I would go, and I guess I hurt Bud pretty baldy by going.  I told him before I went out and everything.  He, Bud, had the afternoon off yesterday, so he went out to visit Peg and I guess he was so lonesome for me that he about died.  I have a pair of shorts that needed washing and some mending done to them, so Bud fixed them for me while he sat and talked to Peggy.  I get quite a kick out of it.  Today he took me to lunch and brought me a present, it is a thing made out of shells that has perfume inside of it.  It is more for decoration on you(r) dresser or something.  He took me out to one of the best places to eat, too.  I had a nice time last nite but I felt kind of funny going out with Don, because I have only gone out with Bud since I have been back.  He is an awfully nice boy, Mother, he goes to church all the time too.  He goes to the Lutheran Church, and he is going to make me go with him every Sunday.  I have gone with him before and it is a nice church, so I guess it won't kill me to go with him.  Bud was overseas for 28 months and has been in 7 major battles.  He has quite a few things to wear on his chest."

I didn't know to what extent Grandpa's military service was.  I definitely teared up with pride over that last sentence though.

Grandpa at Grandma and Great Aunt Peggy's Apartment

On June 27, 1944

Friday, July 14, 1944

For the first time in my life, Great and Aunt Peggy and Grandma disappoint me.  They've been together a week and they haven't gotten into any mischief!  However, I think Grandma is trying to fix Great Aunt Peggy up with her CO.

"Peg came into town yesterday and met me for lunch.  She met Beverly and the kids and I took her over to the barracks.  She didn't get to meet Comdr. because he was out of the office, but she will be in again.  He was awfully disappointed he didn't get to meet her.  I told him I was going to rent a car when she came down here and he said it was too expensive and that we could use his car, he has a lot of gas and so I might, but as yet I don't know.  I thought that was awfully nice of him to offer it though."

After those comments though I take it back.  Grandma's CO might be sweet on her!

Ruth (used to be) Timm's wedding is still a hot topic in Grandma's letters.  Grandma wants all the news she can get.

I am anxious to the paper about Ruth's wedding.  I will write to them and send her a little gift.  I bet she is really happy.  After that Royce deal I a so glad she could find such a nice boy and he sounds os refined and everything.  She sent me a picture of him and he seemed to be nice looking, but I could see Ruth was a little taller than he is."

Her anxiety over the newspaper and her comment about Ruth's Husband height makes me wonder if there's something behind those comments.  Grandma was a master at hiding her true feelings in plain sight.  She is still the reigning queen of the loaded question.  Her implications abound.  It's why we got along so well.  She would imply something and I would cut through the crap.  It worked best when I was little and hadn't perfected my filter.  Grandma thought it was funny.  My forthrightness lost its shine when I hit puberty.

The anxiety and the height comment make immediately think about my Grandfather.  Grandpa towered over Grandma he was at least 6'2".  Grandma was maybe 5'4"?  So, she wants info about a wedding and mentioned that her friend's new husband is shorter than her.  This makes me think that what she is telling my Great-Grandmother is that she is a little jealous of Ruth and her marriage.  That she wants to get married to Grandpa.  I could also be reading waaaaaay too much into this and being crazy.  But as Crazy Eyes says, "I am not crazy, I am unique."

On June 17, 1944

Tuesday, July 11, 1944

Great Aunt Peggy's arrival is  success!  I know Grandma is happy to have her there even after all the lecturing.  You could always tell that Grandma and Great Aunt Peggy enjoyed each other's company.  Their bond was on such a level that a few glances and eye twitches communicated their interpretation of current events over the last decade.  Or maybe they were just commenting about the horrible event someone decided to wear and lamenting their choice.

"I am so sorry for being so slow in writing to you but I have been so busy at the office, and then with Peggy here, my evening are filled and the time seems to fly.  I got to leave work early so I could meet her.  She was dirty but she looked nice and seemed well and in good spirits.  We talked 50 miles an hour I think.  Bud and Andy came down to the depot and carried her bags for her.  We went right to the apartment and she cleaned up.  Then we took a swim in the ocean too. She loves the apartment and likes it so well here.  I suppose that she has written and told you all about it.  She hasn't been in Miami, but just once, and that was to get her reservations.  She will leave here on the 8th of August.  That was the soonest she could get out of here on the fast train.  She is pretty well rested up now so she going to come down and meet everyone."

Although Great Aunt Peggy is visiting, Grandma still misses her mother.  She cannot help but brag about her mother, or as she puts it, "putting on the dog."

Bud and Andy haven been entertaining us and she likes them a lot.  Bud said that you were a very observant woman because Peg was reading one of your letters where you told all about Ruth's husband and since you had seen him only the one time and gave such a full description of him he thinks your are very observant, so I told him you were a very brilliant woman and very well educated.  You can just hear me putting on the dog can't you?"

The wedding Grandma told Great Aunt Peggy to skip took place in Missoula finally.  Grandma is so happy for the Timms and the newly weds.  What I want to point out is Grandma's admission about Grandpa!

"I only hope that you will approve of my choice, and on the QT it might be Bud."

GET MARRIED ALREADY!

Grandma and Grandpa

On June 9, 1994

Sunday, July 2, 1944

I don't know if y'all watch Call the Midwife, but the series 3 finale really knocked me on my tuchus this evening.  Obviously, motherhood is a major theme in Call the Midwife, but tonight's episode explored the ever complicated relationship between a mother and her daughter.  As every woman knows, the relationship one has with her mother is always complicated.  (Sorry to use the word twice but there really is no other way to describe it)  We are the closest person a mother has to a twin.  We share the same language and read their emotions like a guide book.  We hold our mother's as our best critique and our most avid supporter.  Essentially, mother's are the dichotomies in our lives.  We cannot live without them, but in the end we must.

My mom is the reason I started this blog, and watching Call the Midwife this evening reminded me of that.  So, thank you Call the Midwife for inspiring me to pick up my pen in the name of my Mom once again.

Now, let's move forward with the story of my Mom's mom and bring her back into the foreground.  Let's move forward with Great Aunt Peggy's journey from Montana.

Great Aunt Peggy is making her way across the country and is soon to be in or is already in Chicago, IL.

"Peg must be getting close to Chicago or should be there now.  I bet she is getting rather excited.  I know I am so anxious to see her & show her Miami."

The luggage should arrive sooner than Great Aunt Peggy, so I know Grandma will busy herself with that.  It will giver her something to do with all of her nervous energy. She also refers to Grandpa and their friend Andy as her bellhops.

I'm sorry to say that this is again a shorter letter, I wish Grandma had more to say so I had more to tell you.  On the other hand, sobbing my eyes out with my Mom to Call the Midwife just plum wore me out.  So, good evening friends and hug your mothers close.

Good Night and Good Luck.

...

(I always wanted to exit that way)

On May 18, 1944

Saturday, July 1, 1944

In preparation for Great Aunt Peggy's visit, Grandma found an adorable apartment on Miami Beach.  It doesn't have a kitchen, but it's cheap as they come and utilities are included.

"I got us a nice place over on Miami Beach. ... It is just one room with a bath and a great big closet.  It has two studio beds, they are real soft and they have covers that go over them in the daytime so they look like studio couches.  I couldn't get a pace to cook in but we can go to the corner drugstore and it is very reasonable there with good food.  The reason I took this place is that it has beach facilities.  She can go over to this private beach and since she is a tenant of the Norgate she can go there for free.  It is a lovely beach and I know quite a few people around there so she won't be lonesome during the day while I am at work.  I am so excited now I can hardly wait.  Also, the jitney goes right in front of our door.  We will live like queens.  It costs $60 a month, but we are saving in the long run because we won't have to pay $1.10 every time we go to the beach, so you can see it is just as cheap in the long run and we won't have to pay electricity and all that stuff.  That is very cheap for Miami for such a nice place."

Ok,  let's talk about lack of kitchen thing.  Oh it's ok, we'll eat at the corner drugstore?! My guess is when she says it's good and inexpensive she means it.  I can tell you though, you save a lot of money from staying in and cooking at home.  Who has two thumbs, didn't buy groceries for 3 months, and blew over $1000 on restaurants?  This kid.  That junk ain't cheap.  However, it was very tasty.  

I love how the not having to pay the beach entry fees balances out the having to buy food for every meal thing.  Well, either way I know that they will have a glorious summer.

Grandma and Grandpa at Grandma and Great Aunt Peggy's Apartment

On May 12, 1944

Thursday, June 29, 1944

Great Aunt Peg is one her way! She did not follow the rules and get her ticket for the City of Miami but the South Wind instead.  Grandma is disappointed in that, but she is ecstatic that Great Aunt Peggy is finally coming down for a visit.

"I got Peggy's Telegram last night that she is one her way and I am so excited.  I will go out over the weekend and get us an apartment -- I hope.  I think I shall be able to find one.  I have so many things planned that we can do.  She told me to send the telegram to Forsyth, which, I did, isn't she going to stop and see Grandma?  I was also very glad to hear that she is going to take the train and not the bus.  I was disappointed to hear she is coming on the Southwind and not the City of Miami, but I guess she was lucky to get on the Southwind.  I hpe that she will be able to get around in Chicago ok without getting lost.  I guess if I could do it, she can."

I'm glad her faith in Great Aunt Peggy is restored.  This letter also gives me the most significant evidence that I am my truly my Grandmother's Granddaughter.

"I AM TYPING THIS IN ALL CAPITALS JUST FOR THE DICKENS OF IT.  I CAN GET ENJOYMENT OUT OF THE DARNEDEST THINGS.  OH, WELL, IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO AMUSE ME."

I have been known to giggle at socks before.  Life is too short; find amusement where you can.

Today is Beverly's Birthday, and Grandma went in with some other girls to buy her a nice overnight bag.  Unfortunately, Grandma has her watch assignment this evening and cannot go out with them to celebrate.  She was able to go out with Grandpa and their friend Andy a lot this week.

"Monday night Bud and I went out to a place called the Teepee.  We had a nice dinner and then we danced.  Tuesday night I went to the movie with Bud and Andy and then we got something to eat and went home.  Last night we went out dancing again and had a lot of fun.  Tonight I have the watch over to the barracks and can't go out, so I will wash clothes and iron. I want everything done when Peg gets here."

Maybe Mom knows who this Andy guy is because they've gone out with him several times.  Perhaps he's the reason Mom wanted to call my Brother, Andrew, Andy.

On May 2, 1944