9:30 p.m. Sunday 2/21
Hi, kids,
Talk about your lost week-end; I had a real "Gone Sunday!" I didn't feel tired and wasn't expecting to sleep so much, but I must have needed the extra rest. Only you should see the list of chores I had to finish up for today - practically none of which has been done. I wonder if I can think of ways to keep Daddy up to keep me company tonight; I doubt I'll be able to fall asleep at a reasonable hour.
Grandma decided on a very pretty shade of gold for her rugs; she is buying two for her living rooms and another for the front stairs. It should make a very elegant entrance. I will help her look for drapes for those rooms, and then she should be in good shape. Her floors have bene scraped and finished and look beautiful. We had just returned to Victory Avenue from downtown when the mail came, and Grandma had that newsy note from Sioux Sue. Of course I was glad to be in on the news, too - especially since we didn't have an newsy mail at home. I assume the Yalie you mentioned over the phone last Sunday is the one you'll be seeing in March. I'm glad you'll get to a big Yale week-end - should be part of every girl's education. Since you told Uncle Henry (boy, is he flattered to be getting such nice mail from you) you would be home next week-end, you'll be having a string of week-ends away from campus. Do you want an appointment to have your hair shaped at Emile's? How about your roots? Shall I get the stuff. What is it we've been using?
Ernie told me Bobby is in a play to be given at Cafe Lena - and guess which one - The Hostage; she plays the part of the prostitute. Ernie thinks it will be presented in about a month. You might be home for Spring Vacation then, SE. Bobby comes home as often as she can because she likes to go up to the coffee house Saturday night. The kids stay there until all hours, singing, playing checkers, etc. There's a regular group which can be counted on to be there every week.
This will be a busy week for me. My after-school Reading Lab will begin the Tuesday-Thursday meetings. Last Thursday, for the initial meeting, fourteen kids came. However, there are actually seventeen registered and they will probably be faithful in attendance from now on. It's really quite exciting to work with such a top group, and they are just as excited about it. After the Lab Tuesday I have a UA meeting; we're seeing a special film on Ed TV. After Thursday's Lab I have a Reading Association meeting at Schalmont, to make more detailed arrangements for a one-morning Reading Workshop on Saturday, April 3 - Nila Banton Smith, an expert of National importantance [sic] who teaches in Springfield, is the keynote speaker. I'm going to introduce her and chair the group session at which she will speak for the second part of the morning. Wednesday night is Garden Club; we're meeting at the Balcony, and I want very much to get to that because I wnat [sic] to see the Balcony. Daddy thinks he may take off Thursday and get some special chores done around here.
Ronnie Leibson eloped, SE. Also, it's true that Bobbie Silverman and Leanne eloped. No newspaper announcement yet, but Jeannette has been talking to people about it. Helen Loiterstein was married last week, too, sooner than she had expected to be, I guess. She's still finish
eding up at school. We had an anniversary card from Margie Kestenblatt - wasn't that sweet? She and Stan were supposed to be in Rochester this week-end. I'll call her tomorrow.How was your Cornell week-end, Lar? Was your date fun? Pretty blasé of you to fall asleep on your first flight! Have you been enjoying your new coat and sweater? You never mentioned Mick's reaction to the beautiful paddle you made. I think Alan Lobel must have been pleased about getting into Phi Ep because he called home at 11:30 last Sunday to tell his parents. Ira is going to visit Alan March 3, and Dave and Reva will drive up that week-end to visit and bring Ira home. Is there anything you want me to send up with them. Reva offered to deliver anything we asked. I hope Jon decides to join Phi Ep; it would be so nice for both of you. Did you get your forms sent out before you went to Cornell. I hope NHS mailed theirs Friday. That way you would get yours in about the same time. With that hourly schedule, you will certainly have to grind away at the books this week, even if the geology is spread out a bit from the psychology. I wonder if your English teacher corrected everybody's paper on the same basis. I'm glad you are keeping at it even if it won't change anything.Somehow it doesn't seem possible that you could have felt you knew it and did well and then you would end up with a grade like that. So keep plugging at it. We had the letter about Parents Week-end, just giving us the dates and suggesting we keep the time "open." It's April 23-25. That's Father's Week-end at MHC. Some conflict?!! You all can decide what will be when you're home for Spring Vacation. I suppose Daddy could go to MHC and Mr. Tupper and I could go to Rochester.......
The Rifkins are going to NY Wednesday; They have tickets for Wednesday matinee of Funny Girl and Friday night for Boston Symphony. They hope to fill in on Thursday night and Saturday matinee and night when they're in the City. Jane said they would never come up to your selection, SE. Well, I think you really hit the jackpot; no question about that.
Incidentally, Sioux Sue, if you are planning on Europe, shouldn't you fill in that Experiment form. If you get a scholarship, it would be worth it, wouldn't it?
I asked Milt Rubin about a job for you, Larry, but he said there was no chance because of Union opposition. So I don't think anything will come from that angle. I haven't been able to reach Mr. Sanders yet, but I will keep trying. Then you could see him when you come next month.
We received a big carton of Florida grapefruit and oranges last Thursday from R & R. They are so delicious. You should have seen how happy Pop was to see Raymond; honestly, it was sad in a way; he had been so lonesome.
Larry, did you ever write Aunt Edy to thank her for the books she sent you? Uncle Arthur will probably not have to stay away until April. His trip will be divided into two parts; this one will just be Japan. The assignment for the Phillipines [sic] will be later. Did Linda share the letter from CLC with you? Grandma had sent it to Linda and she asked Linda to return it to her, but she thought she would probably show it to you first.
We were saddened by the news of Henry Weiss' death. Hester told me the day we lunched that he had been operated on
eand that "it wasn't good." But to be dead two weeks later - I suppose he was lucky not to have suffered too long, but poor Diane. Faye Madison is back in the hospital now, too. For her sake, I hope this is near the end for her; she has been suffering since early summer.Well, on a happier note - the Bernie Segels had a marvelous time in Jamaica. And Uncle Raymond had a marvelous time in Florida. He was actually tanned and looked very well.
Love n' kisses,
Mommy [Eleanor F. Friedman]