Dear Bags,
First of all, where'd you get the idae [sic] I was still alive? I still had a couple of days driving left to Allenberry before you left. Now, I be finished there and theres [sic] that offer to teach at the County Day Schoooool with which I yam toying. It was so peacful [sic] having a day off -to-day is the first that I did absolutely nothing except food store it, make a pie (c stolen apples), warsh, aron, finished knitting a nauseating pair of beegde [sic] knee lenghts [sic], planted 12 tulips, 2 hyacinths, and 4 narcissus. and, dear children, it might interest you to know, the narcissus are pedigreed! I can hear the cracks coming but I'll indulge anyway in a bit of facetious procrastination and divulge their names - Mrs. R. O. Back house. Gee, I hope nobody asks me. It just doesn't sound right to me to have narcissus named Backhouse. But, I'll continue, and don't interrupt no more. The monsters are safe in bed, altho thats hadrly [sic] the word for it. They must be at the
michmischievous stage, I'll have to read that paper again. Joby 'learned' the Allegiance to the Flag thing - I guess they use a different one from us. And Toby takes a nap in kindergarten and drinks his milk before anybody else. You'll just have to follow my train of thot cause I keep getting interrupted - Hal Hammatts on the phone an[d] something about insulating the theatre - he's teaching at the County Day school a.m.'s math 7-10 grades. I also have 10 Armeniacum. Dave Wesley is directing the first L.T. Workship play 'Bury the Dead'. Mostly men, small parts for women, I rode to Allenberry with him and he asked me to take a walk-on, same with Dotty Anderson, and a couple of other good ones. Cole has the part of the drunk in 'Happy Birthday'. We finished galley proofing his book and its sent back, and we're awaiting the finished product. Bunny Ness and Jane Frey stopped back stage at A and invited me down for a drink but I couldn't see it[.] Bunny just came back from Pittsburg taking care of her brothers children while another was being born and she saw Mike and had dinner with him, and says hes [sic] heavier and coming here in Ovt. [sic] Cole tells me and other sources that Jane Frey was mad for Dave Wesley for quite a spell. The paper wants[maybe a page missing?]
rain but this stupid girl has a blue dress on. I ripped that cowboy sweater I was making the boy, and have one half of the front reknitted. Damn I just spilled my root beer, I never did like typewriters, the damned thing shifted and now I have a brown table cover. Oh yes, The fish have been enjoying their new home for day now. This week is the first chance I'll have to go tho [sic] that basketmakers, what with Cole in the theatre again, that leaves no baby siter [sic] Mase just returned from Georgia. We'uns have received all letters and post cards but there just wasn't no time for answers. However, I'll try to get out my weekly bulletin on local doings. Do either of you get the York paper? if so I won't go into the births, deaths and fares (fire). Had a big one 2 day[s] ago - across from the racquet club - roofing company, real bad fare. [sic]
The fish and snail are living at the park. They look home sick. And I put up 12 quarts of pickles. Got to do another case of peaches and pickles. WE're all for the Xmas spirit here, got books, ideas, galore, remember that stupid little candle you made? Well, I have a mold made from an old barrel, --- hope you're off early for Xmas - such fun we'll have.
[end of typewritten letter, beginning of handwritten portion]
No time to comment now on your letters etc - the boys needed the typewriter & took this out. They're 'lettering' away furiously and their mail from here isn't censored - so don't blame me - or ask me what they write or wrote, haven't the faintest.
Methinks, I'll knock this off - and I'm going to get some hoagies.
And dear child - you've never seen more elegantly clad feet than yours truly! And they fit! Such a geogus [sic] surprise. My deepest.
I'll truly write more later - this is just to let you know about the red shoes, Fritz and pennant (the boys are writing about the latter two)
I hate good bye
DottyI have some free time until about Oct 25 - then I've got to get my broom in sweeping shape - (annual celebration)