Sept. 25, 1945

Sept 25, 1945

Darlingest,

        I love you.

      Your letter and the card from Canada were waiting when we landed this afternoon.  Gee, that was a swell letter.   I’ll bet you had as good a time then even if the season was closed.  It sounded like it was your vacation and there were intimate little things that happened because it wasn’t so crowded.  Those young fellows weren’t so far wrong.  You don’t look as old as you are.  That’s easy to understand.  One reason is that you look so fresh and clean and the other in you are young inside.  What a swell combination.  You’re like after the rain.  Everything sounded so swell about the place.  Even in spite of the cold (which I like). 

      Sometimes I think we’ve both been blessed by a very great gift.  Being able to get so much out of little things that other people couldn’t understand and some even might not like.  The little adventures that you have that you remember after bigger things are forgotten.  Maybe it’s just the love of being alive.  Whatever it is it’s wonderful. 

      Gee, it’d have been worth three cents to see you as a waitress.  Betcha it was fun. 

      Do big boats fascinate you?  They do me.  Watching them at night especially.  Must be like flying.  Away from everything.  Even the fog horns sound strange and exciting. 

      Last night after I called you I felt devil may careish so I blew a nickel in the pinball machine.  The durned thing must’ve been out of order on account of I won nine free games.  Played for half an hour on one nickel.  Then I started to stroll down the side streets of town.  Came to a ramshackle old bridge crossing a small river and looked down and saw two electric light bulbs.  No genuine bombardier could pass up an opportunity like this.  I gathered up a mess of rocks and piled them on the bridge.  Meanwhile some little kid stopped to watch me.  Of course, with an audience I really had to do my best.  I began heaving stones at the bulbs.  The first couple I missed but that was O.K.  But after missing a couple more I got nervous and kept looking back at the little guy.  He didn’t say anything but he sure looked disgusted.  After missing a couple more he downright sneered at me.  Finally he gave me the dirtiest look imaginable and walked away.  I was so mad I could have strangled him.  I blushed perspired and cursed.  No sooner than he left that I got both bulbs right after the other.  There was no thrill to it though.  That little so and so spoiled the whole thing.  Went back downtown and had some pie and coffee and then went back to the field.  I told you it had rained.  When I stepped into the barracks everything I owned was soaked and half of it was floating.  Still trying to fix my electric razor.  It didn’t make me mad though.  I laughed at the whole mess. (Not very loudly).

      Can I do a little bitchin’?  When I called you last night my total fortune amounted to eighty two cents.  That’s why I called collect.  That’s why I didn’t send you the Indian Jewely from Arizona.  That’s why I didn’t send you the photo album from New Mexico.  That’s why I didn’t send you flowers so many of the times I wanted to.  That’s why I don’t call you every week.  Can’t seem to get even with myself.  So far out of this pay I’m supposed to pay 210$.  The check is supposed to be 250$.  What a job of stretching that’ll take.  It isn’t exactly complaining but more of a steam blow off.  Couldn’t even send Eddie a couple of dollars.  It’s the way I want it but sometimes the going is rough.  Me and the world will be clear at the end of January.  From Feb. first on I’m working for us.  That’ll be easy because the thought of something being ours is good. 

       Oh fiddle fiddle who ain’t got the troubles these days.  Everything will turn out O.K. but sometimes I get a little bit down in the dumps. 

       Can you figure out why I’m telling you all of this?  I can’t except that I just feel like blowing off.  It isn’t even as bad as it sounds.  Humph!  The The, oh piffle.   

       Yah know Darling, I feel lots better telling you all this.  I even laugh at it (heh heh).  You’re sweet.  I love you. 

      Well now, wasn’t that a surprise?  Ya never know what to expect.  My letters are a complete surprise to me sometimes????

       Ohe the hell with me (quiet please)

      Whatchatdoinso huh? 

      Did you get a royal reception at the bank?  Did some moron say “Oh, were you away?”  Go ahead and hit him.  How is Terry?  Yum Yum!  What happened to Bertha with the sinus?  How’s Bill?   Was her name Bertha?  How much do you weigh now?  (Don’t anwaser if you don’t want to talk about such things).  What are bedroom eyes?  You’ve got them I think.

      Let’s go back to Mackinac.  Were there tall pine trees?  Could you smell them?  Did you ever sleep on a pine needle pillow?   Did you have any trouble crossing the border?  Did you take any pictures while you were there? 

      The Canadian sailor sounded interesting.   Had they been in action?  Did you see any mounted policemen?  They’re pretty huh?  Of course not as pretty as the USAAF

     Some day when we’ve got a couple of weeks, Let’s write some words to “Clare de Lune”.

      How’s about fetching me a harmonica?  My music has been sadly neglected these last years.

      Is it true that even if some rationing is called off you still need two points for a sweater?  (My most sincere and humble apologies).

      The army has announced a new discharge system.  It makes no sense what ever.  37 points keeps getting smaller and smaller.  I sure am glad that we know where each other is now.  Two weeks without hearing from you is horrid.  It’s even deplorable! 

      Would you like a pot bellied stove to remind you of me?  On account of it’s such hot stuff! Wow!

      Did you ever whistle twice at once?   It’s fun!  Aren’t spiders awful? 

      Speaking of I love you, I love you, I love you, why don’t you try to get the book by the same name by Ludwig Bemmell Marie.  This post library has “The Robe”, but someone has it out.  Flys aren’t very smart.

      Ya know, tonight was the peacefullest night there ever was.  Everything was so quiet.  All of a sudden I got super lonesome for you.   Lonesomeness is an unnice thing and your laughter is like Superman.  It comes floating in and knocks L for a loop.   You’re a very gay person Darling.  Very lovely too.  That’s a good word for you.  Lovely. 

      Time for slumber.

      Good Night Sweetheart

All my love , always

Ray