15 Frederick Street
Naugatuck, Connecticut
Feb. 24, 1942.
11-30 P.M.
Dear little Girl: Papa and I were two happy people - when we received your long, interesting letter - this A.M. It was almost as if we had been up at College ourselves. I am so glad that you were in on the Westover Dance. The boys must have looked fine as they marched in - and also on the dancing floor. This time of war - is an exciting time to live in. A little too exciting for those who have lived through 1917 but I haven't heard a complaint or a groan from anybody (except Sanford) and that is what is going to win this war.
Papa went to Epworth League to-night and Mrs. Booth said that Charles has will enlisted in the Marines. Ray Yarrison - has a severe rupture - so the authorities are deferring his draft - and then when they need him - they will operate on him and send him later on. That is about all the War News - except that Bessie Beatty was very much upset this morning - about the shelling of the Pacific Coast - for her niece is teaching school in Santa Barbara - which is about 10 miles from the oil tanks which were shelled.
We have our first black-out on Sunday night. We have bought 2 shades - to put up in the radio-rooms - They are extra-wide - and of a tan-colored crinkly paper. You fasten them up with thumb tacks. Papa also bought two flash-light batteries for the large flash-light - so that is all we need. The black-out is all right for grown-ups - but hard in houses where there are little children. Waterbury is to have their black-out - also on Sunday.
There was a big fire at the Rubber Co. but it was not sabotage. There was not much fire - but a great deal of smoke - and the people at the factory had to stay outside in almost zero weather for one hour - with no coats. They were almost frozen. To-day, it was my turn to furnish refreshments - I made chocolate cup cakes - split them - spread them with marshmallow fluff - and iced them with choc. icing. Papa said they were delicious. I imagine that will be the last time - I will make those - for some time to come - as sugar is very scarce but Mr. Weismann - is very kind - and gives us as much as he can - Sometimes it is lump - sometimes - brown - and sometimes white - but any kind is acceptable.
To-day, I was to go to the Dentist's but Dr. D. said on account of the snow storm - which made the roads icy - it was better to wait until to-morrow. I hope the place where the bone was filed off - is healed. It is not painful - but just has to heal up. It is just a matter of time - but I am getting rather tired of waiting but you can't hurry Nature.
The folks that were to be married - phoned that their medical certificates have not come in yet - so they will phone us as soon as they receive them. Papa is looking up more birth certificates - Mr. Walsh has to have one - and also some man in Seymour. The people who are strangers - pay us one dollar - but the members of the Church get theirs free.
Your things at the cleaners will be ready on Friday - I will also send your hankies. Papa bought his license for the car to-day - nine dollars - and before Mch 1st we have to pay - 3 dollars each - for old age tax. Seems as if you didn't get much value for those expenditures. They are beginning next week - to make salvage collections - of rubber - paper etc. No razor blades or tin cans - but toothpaste tubes are to be left at the Drug-stores.
Well, Dearie, I will close now - Papa will post this.
Lots and lots of love -
Mamma.