Aug 5, 1945

Aug. 5 1945

   Hi there, prettier than me,

     Would you like to hear about my birthday party?  Hokay!

     I alloted myself five dollars Thursday afternoon and took off for town.  was going to have a fancy dinner, a couple of drinks and go to a show.  The restaurant was pretty crowded and there wasn't any empty booth so an old gezier yelled at me to sit with him.  That was Daniel Boone Herring.  I sat down and ordered a glass of Burgundy to get myself in the mood.  Old Dan'l gave out with some conversation.  The only thing on the menu besides fish was sliced cold chicken and potatoe salad.  I ordered that and some more Burgundy.  We talked some more and I mentioned that it was my birthday.  More Burgundy.  Then D. Boone presented himself formally.  He told me who and what he was.  Sounded interesting so I asked him some leading questions.  He told me a lot of interesting things that had to do with faith.  He told me about cases where the patients faith was in such things as pickled frogs legs and turkey innards broth.  He was a faith healer, but he didn't have one specific faith.  He used the patient's own particular faith and enlarged on it.  We discussed Christian Science and agreed on not liking it.  Then we tore apart psychology and psychiatry and arrived at many astounding conclusions.   The old boy is seventy three years old and still going strong so maybe he knows what he is talking about.  When the waitress brought the check he insisted on paying it.  He was on his way to a bunco game so we parted.  So, who'd a thunk I'd be dining with Danial Boone Herring.

      Figured you'd be needing some cigarettes to settle your nerves for the next two weeks so I went on a raid after dinner.  Astounding success!  Phoey on Raleighs.  After the rais, I get a bag of popcorn and went to see "The Great Johnny L".  Please don't see it.  One look at the hero and we ordinary guys don't seem like much.  He's built like this (lil drawing of a strong man) - .  Ya know Linda Darnell is interestingly put together!  After the show I went to Walgreens and had a banana split.  Then I bought a two bit murder mystery and went back to the field.  And that is my birthday party.

     Hardy's wife was due in last night at 11:00 oclock.  She flew from Boston.  All day he was sweating it out.  It reminded me of waiting for you in Florida so I gotb unhappy.  Gee I wish you could getb in a plane and fly here.  Damn it, if I only had a lot of money.  

     I was supposed to go to the dentist this morning but didn't - I got scared.  Dentists aren't nice people.  

      Do you like small shower stalls?  I don't!  I like em big so you can bend over without bumping your extremities into the wall.  No fine sprays either.  The water should come out in buckets.  The one your pop has in the basement is ideal.  

     Spent last evening at the library.  Hey, I found a book called "Shirley" by Charolette Bronte.  I got it and am going to read it today.  Gotta find out what kind of a gal this Shirley is.  I'll let you know. 

     Gotta go play with some radios now.  Thank your mother for the nice card.  Is it O.K. if I write you again tomorrow?  O.K. swell, thanks.  You'll be so doggoned busy you won't have the time or strength to write much so I'll just have to write twice as much to make up for it.

So long Boss

I love you,

Ray