September 1957
++++
September 14, 1957 Saturday
My 1st Day Trip to Anchorage
My 1st time off by myself on pleasure all summer long and what a perfectly wonderful time I had. – A Marvelous Day. Even the weather was perfect.
I planned to leave the house at 10:00 but didn’t get off until 11:00 – but wasn’t in any hurry as it was MY day!
I enjoyed browsing around and talking to the owner of The Woodcraft Shop over on the highway first I’ve been in before but not alone and was nice to be able to look and talk and not worry over little hands touching things.
I especially enjoyed the paintings and the Eskimo art work. I bought a small plaque made from a cross cut of a birch tree with an ink drawing on it and shellacked – very good ad attractive too. I plan to get two more for a group picture. I’m also interested in using it for a sample and making some of m own for Xmas presents.
I’ve also thought of making Xmas cards from birch bark and in finding out how they made their birch lamps so Bill could make some for us. They also have 50 and 75.00 lamps with the lamp made out of antlers, horns etc. highly polished and shades are pictures blown up and treated – beautiful when lit!
I looked at books etc. took pictures and went on!
Ever so often on the way in I stopped and took pictures so I’d have a story of my trip.
I took pictures of the highway and the scenery along it and of the downtown section of Anchorage!
I looked like a real tourist I imagine clicking snaps in the middle of the street – but I am in a sense, even if I’m here permanently I’m still a tourist now!
I went to a gift shop and had the best time window-shopping and looking at the Alaskan-made gift items. Such fun – such fun!
I spotted numerous [Linda note: Her writing stopped here]
++
September 15, 1957 Sunday night
[Linda note: This is undated but seems to be about this trip she writes about above]
Hi Mom,
I had no idea it was so late and still can’t believe the evening flew by so fast – but it’s so this is really just a note to add to the other to tell you everything is fine here and not to worry.
John spent the day in bed today for safe measures after running a sudden fever yesterday afternoon. Seemed well today except for a cough. Others are all up but not up out [sic]. We all ate together today and they had good appetites.
Yesterday and today were two more gorgeous autumn days! The trees have all turned colors and are beautiful to see. The wind blew slightly all day today and the trees were still barer tonight of their colorful leaves.
Tonight we went out for a little while with Tim [Irish setter] to enjoy the stars after the children were tucked in bed. It was so clear you could see the stars shining so brightly and listen to the rush of the creek.
Our house looked so nice tonight, Mom! I spent all day putting the ‘final touches’ to it – hanging newly washed curtains up, Bill hung my pictures ‘just so’, I gathered armloads of autumn leaves and pine boughs and put them all over the living room and dining room – then we did unveil our couch and chair (in spite of holes) and lo and behold the rooms are perfectly beautiful. It looks like Xmas Eve, so pretty and all the pine boughs.
Then for dinner I put candles on the table and our good dishes and the children loved it!
Had a nice day yesterday too and I think it gave me the ‘new lift’ for today. Bill insisted I go to town and I did and had a marvelous time and will tell you all about it when I write next. Took four rolls of film – of ride to town and down-town, window shopped in Alaska gift store, met my front neighbor and her very lovely girl-friend for coffee at Hotel. Mom the stores are beautiful and that hotel is TOPS. Then her writer husband (our front neighbor who says “he doesn’t like people” met us and took us to the Bar (My, My) – rather Cocktail Lounge for a drink. They’re very interesting – he is from Scotland, quite a bit older, writer, war correspondent, African hunter etc. She’s perfectly lovely – well-educated, cultured, beautifully dressed – comes from California and is 27! Has lived in Alaska five years. They have $ – I guess he’s made a fortune writing and lecturing! (Coincidence). Say he’ll help me!
Girl-friend is very “Easternish” also beautiful girl, 27, cultured, traveled – well they’re quite something. Promised to show ‘us around’ and ‘introduce us to people’. Well, we’ll see!
Anyways I was thrilled by it all and kept thinking “It’s Me – here in Alaska on and on and laughed to myself “To think the girls felt sorry for me coming to Alaska!’ [Linda note: The ‘girls’ are her southern California friends.]
Wait until you see all this! The women all wear gloves, furs, beautiful clothes etc. downtown. Janie owns her own Corvette, white, convertible and I wish you could see the inside of her house!!!
Well, Bill’s in bed now and it’s midnight. Will write more tomorrow. Much Love and was dying to share it all with you this week-end! Love, love, love, Mildred
P.S. Put this under your hat! Janie’s husband is 60 – if he’s a day! So perk up you’re a spring chicken. They have 3 year old girl and 9 month old boy!
++++
September 20, 1957 Friday
Dear Mom,
Here it’s Friday again – how the weeks fly by! It’s 7:35 now and must get the children up but thought I’d write a note to you first! This is the time of day I often used to phone you so this will take it’s place (kinda).
Bill and I wrote ‘a joint letter’ to Charlie last night. Ask him to read it to you – Bill is interested in buying a used, cheap (?) movie camera. We want to capture scenes here that would be impossible to get any other way. I’d like one on “Family Life In Alaska” – picturing Eagle River, Our House and neighborhood, inside and woods, children getting on bus and their new school. – Trip to Anchorage to church etc. [Linda note: Never happened.]
Weather report on Thermometer went to 30 [degrees] last night at airport and 26 at Fort Richardson – below freezing in territory last night one week earlier than usual. Winter, they say, has unofficially started! High today they say will be 54 [degrees]. Forecast for today and tomorrow is clear!
It’s 7:45 and I don’t dare wait one minute longer to get them up so I’ll add more later. * * * *
Well, they’re off for school. I put a sweater and long corduroy pants on today and a bracelet and yellow ribbon to dress up – But it’s cold today I don’t want a reoccurrence of her cough [sic – unclear who she is talking about]! They both like school so much. Linda brings home really very nice work and long messages in printing. She does WELL.
John’s teacher really makes them work too – none of this ‘fooling around’ that they had in Glendora! – it seems.
When I mentioned Cindy’s going to Kindergarten – I meant next year, she’s only 4 now. But I’ve found out since then she would have to go clear to Anchorage for Kindergarten. Maybe by next year we’ll work something out. Linda will be in 2nd grade and John in 3rd – I hope [in the following year]!!!
Anyways I feel maybe I can put Sharon in two days a week in Nursery and spend two days on writing or a part time Journalism job. I also want to join The Anchorage Woman’s Club and The Toastmistress Club! I’ll join one this year after Xmas – too much else going on now.
I saw an ad in the paper last night I’m going to answer ‘for fun’. It reads “Female for part-time work. Some journalism experience necessary. Must be able to spell, write intelligently. Write age (I said 29) and qualifications to –
Bill doesn’t min and it would be interesting to see what if any, answer I’d get. It might be newspaper writing for a woman’s page!!
Oh Mom – if only we could get together today – here of course.
A woman teacher from Seattle owns a darling one room log house plus fireplace up in the woods, over the hill and comes up every summer. Mother, now don’t laugh, you could do that. In fact when you retire I expect you to come up every summer to write your books and articles – Bill can build you a place. You can buy one acre wooded lots around us – beautiful for $700 and Bill could build you a beautiful place for 500 or so I bet. For 1,500 or 2,000 you could have a place here – and rent it for a fabulous fee while gone from it – consider it Mother and next summer we’ll look around.
Bill says he’s sure you could lecture on your work and test while here to make your fare. The clubs, Kiwanis etc. are very active around here. Wouldn’t that be something, though?
Another idea – you could run and manage – with your experience – a summer resort near a Lake here summers. They really charge – and close it up in the fall and go back to Pasadena winters for your other work there. The fare isn’t high for one person 162.00 one way – that’s not high – and takes less than one day. Why, you could write and lecture on Alaska then while in Pasadena.
We’ll work this out yet. The summers here are marvelous and you’d escape smog, heat and city life all summer while your own work is scan anyways. This, of course, is after you give up your house.
See, next summer you look it all over – I know you’ll fall in love with it here – we’re all looking forward to it and planning on it. There’s plenty of room, we’ll just put a cot up in John’s room. Will put lay-out table in Quonset hut while you’re here – Cindy can sleep on cot. You can sleep on lower bunk. Fun. Plan to stay as long as you want. Mom there’s no telephone, just peace, peace here. You can write all summer – close up your house and we’ll all tour Alaska together, go camping and everything. Bring low shoes, square dance dress and we’ll teach you to dance – our old neighbors do!! – remember our front neighbor, Janie’s husband – age is only a state of mind. I am convinced.
Buy slacks, shirts, levis and some pretty summer skirts and dresses – oh what fun we’ll have! You’d think summer was coming instead of winter!! But we must plan and you know how fast time travels.
If you think about it you ca price lots – then the next summer we’ll come down there to visit – third we hope to BUILD and by then you can think about retiring from the BOYS and just test, lecture, and write and travel. You should go everywhere and lecture – become a well know figure. See Paris, England – why I want to go – who knows maybe we can take the children and go together in 1960 or 1961 – who knows.
Mom the next 20 years of your life we’re going to see changes – I feel it – Our life is going to be exciting – I know it!!! Why, our coming up here is just the beginning!
This Eagle River section is going to be a location. Remember how we used to say we should have come to California 30 years ago and bought land well Alaska is California of tomorrow. You’ll feel it, when you come – I know!! At $700 for one acre today, will be worth plenty ten years from now.
We plan to buy 2 ½ acres as soon as we can in this area and still we could take advantage of government land later.
If you had a house here Charlie could come to visit too and take pictures.
Well, I better stop making plans for my family and get back to my daily work – I’m still not dressed and my dishes aren’t done.
We’re in hopes of ‘going out’ tomorrow night. I won’t believe it until I see it but we’re hoping. The daughter of a very nice woman clerk in our Eagle River Shopping District is supposed to baby-sit! If she can we’ll go to the local Saturday dance in Chugiak. It’s supposed to be fun – the P.T.A. sells refreshments and they do some square dancing, folk and social dancing. I’ll write you and let you know!
I can’t get Mrs. Pottel’s daughters Saturday night, over the bridge, because they attend the dance themselves regularly and so does Mrs. Pottel.
There’s lots to do in Anchorage but I want to see what the dance is like and it’s close.
We’re hoping to visit the downtown Methodist Church. Bill attended Sundays. He says the Sunday school and Church are both at 9:30. I think Sharon would like Sunday school now – she talks about school all of the time. She brings me pictures they’ve made and says “See or Look, Johnny made this at school.” Then if she ever has a chance to scribble she brings it to me and says “LOOK. MOMMY, I made this at school.”
She loves dresses! Has one on now and looks a picture. She’s certainly a real little girl and loves to look pretty. She sees Linda get prettied up mornings – wants ‘a dress too, please Mommy, please!” I often give in! Yesterday both Cindy and Sharon wore dresses and your cute plastic aprons – little pictures!
I took lots more pictures yesterday afternoon. I might as well tell you – we’re going to give you a picture album of Alaska for Xmas. Enjoy the ones I sent you and then please return them in several weeks!!! You’ll follow us all over and round by pictures and then they will be in order and won’t get lost. The album will be a surprise, I guarantee, even if you already know what your Xmas present will be now.
Really must close now it’s 9:30 already. Am listening to Chicago’s Coffee Hour – over radio – it’s broadcast there on Friday 13th and we get it here re-broadcast on Friday 20th! They do have really good radio music and women’s programs. Boston Pops, etc.
As I write you I can see Mrs. Briggs moving around in her log house across the creek – up until now we could barely see her house. Yes, the trees are almost bare of leaves and it makes a difference.
Hope you visit with Charlie over the week-end – will be anxious to hear news of Carolyn. Love ‘til next letter – no always love! Mildred
++++
September 25, 1957 Wednesday
Dear Mother,
Well, Linda is home sick today and I thought I had them settled back in school for awhile. I’ve been feeling a disinclination for food these past few days and still do! – Cindy’s felt the same way but Linda has been fine and looking better than I’ve ever seen her. Her cheeks are rosy and she really looks well, despite her recent cold, since school began. Last night we went in to cover her for the night and found she’d been ‘sick’ some time before and amazingly enough hadn’t even waked up!!!!
I had been taking a shower and couldn’t hear a thing. Bill said he heard someone cough once or twice and then stop. Since our colds someone coughs off and on all night so it didn’t seem uncommon to him. Then we found that – what a shock – all over completely and her sleeping like that! We no sooner got her all cleaned up but it happened again – all over everything! What a night! She has never really been sick that way before and had quite a time. I really felt sorry for her and I am still washing blankets etc.
As I say I am on the ‘queasy side’ but thank goodness, haven’t been actually sick and I’m keeping my fingers crossed all won’t get it! There’s always something it seems, isn’t there?
We’re still having our rainy spell – it’s been days and days this time – steady. Our stream is overflowing and running very swift! It’s no longer a ‘gentle little stream’ but the children won’t be out in this rain and it will be frozen next month! We think it’s due to the leaves falling in and all this rain melting high mountain snows etc. The picture I sent you showing the walk next to it – it’s all stream now!
Our house is cozy and warm – really comfortable. I thank Bill we have such a nice home, wouldn’t it be awful to live in a shack or trailer now?
I have news, Mother – I’ve baked my own bread twice now and it was perfect each time – beginners luck? Last time I divided the dough and made one loaf, raisin bread. Plain white bread at stores is .50 a loaf and up! Isn’t that awful and I use six slices every morning for lunches to be taken – not counting breakfasts and our lunches etc. at home. It isn’t expensive to make and such a wonderful feeling of accomplishment and delicious and more nourishing. It’s messy but will get easier as I do it!
We finally got out Saturday night. Our baby sitter is a sweet, quiet, refined girl and only charges .50 an hour! Same as down there! We went to Anchorage – it was really pouring – and saw “Pride and Passion” – isn’t that amazing? Janie says they have first run movies here and get them even before Seattle does!
The theatre was truly something – nicer than any in Pasadena. I never would have believed there would be such a beautiful, modern theatre here (There are three at least in town). It’s big, fully carpeted and a lovely interior and comfortable seats. In the hall, first floor, is a huge panel picture done in raised copper of the Alaskan mountains and trees — !! There’s a beautiful stairway to the Balcony with more pictures done in raised copper, of animal scenes in Alaska. Each picture was in a separate large square – moose, goat, caribou, etc.
You’ll see when you visit and be amazed too, I know. The ceiling has blinking lights, shaped as stars forming ‘the Big Dipper’ pointing to ‘The North Star’ – same as on Alaska’s flag! There are two big tapestries hanging on each side of stage, also depicting Alaskan scenes – mountains and snow, dog sleds etc. – very dramatic, best of taste and very nice!
I liked the Movie too, although it took place such along time ago I couldn’t’ get ‘emotional’ over it. It was a spectacular movie and one of best filming I’ve ever seen! How did they do some of it? — (Alaska is much prettier)
By the way, I’m glad you liked the snap-shots. The one of the ponies etc. was taken at the Fair in Palmer and you couldn’t find a ‘hick store’ here if you wanted to. Our little shopping center close to us is new, brick front, big panes, etc. and Anchorage looks like Pasadena!
Have you heard from Carolyn and how long will she be gone. I bet both you and Charlie miss her! Is he working as hard – golly, I hope there’ll be some let-up, for his physical health. I know he likes to be busy and the $ must be rolling in but it won’t help if he gets sick!
You too! I’ll also be relieved to hear that your evening appointments are letting up – it’s too much for you. Do as I suggested and when Carolyn gets back – you must take a week-end trip! I know now you wouldn’t leave Charlie alone Sundays – well, maybe you could both go! That would be a change for him too and more relaxing without the children. Just rest – and rest some more. Maybe you could show him Crestline!
No real news here – I’ve tried to get some pages written on my trip but I don’t know what to plan on writing – an article? Any suggestions. I want to write a book but Bill discourages me and says I’d work hard on it and wouldn’t have a chance to publish it. He says to start on an article. What do you think. I get so enthusiastic and then it sounds so silly when I read it to him!! I do want to do it but just don’t know!!!???
How’s yours coming? I knew how you felt and I still think it best to do it yourself without help or advise [sic]. (I’m going to if I do it at all) After all what does HE know – I have my ideas and will do it yet. I’ll encourage you and you me.
[Linda note: Mother never published, never wrote her book, and this letter is now being transcribed in 2010, 53 years after she wrote it.]
It’s not that Bill doesn’t want me to write but I am inexperienced and books are a ‘dime a dozen’. ? ? ? If I did write it – then what?
I’ve invited Janie and husband over for dessert Sunday night – but with all these colds we may have to put it off until another time. I think HE tries to be mysterious. He has a beard and dresses rather eccentric (English -). No he’s Scotch – so he says! Well, if they come over I’ll write you more!
Hope Bill brings me a letter tonight when he gets home. Love, Mildred
P.S. I’ve been homesick and lonesome for you ‘Mom’ but all is fine! Wish the distance were not so great. What do you think of my retreat idea for you?
Dear Mom – Later
Dinner is cooking, the table is set so I’ll jot ‘a thanks’ for the letter I was hoping to receive – I’d die, Mom, without your letters – I really would and I do thank you!!! He also brought a very nice letter from Elsie – (her second). So nice to receive too. Do call her Mother some-time and go to a movie – find or rather make the time. Elsie is so nice – her Mother must be too. No news except that school was beginning soon and about her wonderful vacation. Did mention ‘the baby’ and evidently the offer didn’t come through ‘the agency’ they’re waiting from. She ways she would have had to meet the Mother? – can’t imagine why and didn’t want to and also knew nothing of Baby’s background. I’m afraid I wouldn’t have cared – any adopted baby is a chance and so much depends on environment!! But who knows what would do in her case!
So much in your letter concerning your work that I can’t begin to answer it in this letter except to say – I am glad. You’ll see our letters will cross as I suggest Alaska for a writing retreat – summers and an office in Pasadena winter! Similar thinking, anyways. Hope your Assistant works out but how can you handle more work you’ve got to much already.
I die of frustration – all day today I was torn by desire to write and take care of house and family. Yesterday cleaned house thoroughly – today baked – Still ironing etc. to do but the time will come – it has to!
Poor darling John came home sick! (There’ll be NO opportunity write [sic] the next few days). I worry about him – he says his eyes, head and throat hurt and he has a fever! I put him right to bed and aspirin and cold clot over his eyes. I’d think he needed glasses except for fever – he says his eyes really hurt. Bill is reading to him now and he has had a nap.
It’s a long day at school – very long!! They really work him – I hope it’s a happy medium – He brings home papers of drill work and says they use their eyes all day. (I’ll send you some work). I’m glad we came here now as he’d never catch up with their scholastic standards here if he’d been in California longer. They are far ahead – why Linda knows more now than John in ½ year there — . (I’ll enclose John’s recent papers – drill, drill and drill). He’s really working! (:00 – 3:30 too! Probably good – teachers certainly earn their $ in comparison with Glendora.
I feel better tonight – Know I’m not pregnant, don’t worry I don’t intend to be just a bug.
I’ll really be glad when snow starts – better than damp rain. Said snow flurries expected tonight! Over radio.
Bill does like his work – got a letter from former boss the other day saying L.A. office still same – everyone waiting for someone else to make decisions. Says he envies Bill and was trying to play ping pong in Smog.
I’m still glad we’re here – no doubt of that at all! We’ll build children up and they’ll be fine. We had lots of sickness in L.A.
Noticed Bill brought home more yeast, hint for more bread, I bet. Better for children too – remember Grandma’s and that grand smell.
Will write you funny story about my first baking – didn’t know how long it would take and once got started, couldn’t stop and it was 1:00 before baked – but not time now. Well, I told you – but was funny and be cute for book.
Oh, will there ever be a book and would it be of common interest – Bill doubts it but I’ll write it anyways because I have to!
Much love again and Hi to Charlie. Me.
Linda is fine tonight – odd?
Just got first oil (as luckily she’d left some) $25 for 125 gallons!
++++
September 26, 1957 Thursday
Dear Carolyn,
Already wrote a long letter to ‘Mom’ today and hadn’t planned to write you for a few days yet. Please don’t feel you have to answer this right away – we could never keep up a correspondence at that rate. But you see here I don’t have a telephone and enjoy writing letters to my family when I have the time, instead of phoning.
Carolyn, I really am pleased to know you want to write and it serves me right too for being such a poor correspondent myself to my friends back East all of these years! I don’t intend though to lose touch with my California friends though if I can help it. Of course, it has to be a two way thing.
Congratulations to you for your diet! Sad to report my appetite returned full force as soon as I was reunited with Bill again and my pounds returned too! I should be ashamed and I so would like to lose – by magic! I’ve been trying alot of new recipes – my days are very long.
Today I baked coffee cakes (two) for the first time. I divided the dough and sprinkled sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and raisins over one (oh, and butter) then the other I sprinkled with a mixture almost the same, and rolled it up like a jelly roll and then pulled it, formed a circle and cut it with scissors – you know, the kind – Guess what? They turned out fine!
I made these for poor darling, sick Cindy (Mom will tell you, I know) and the kind neighbor who baby sat for us into the wee hours of the morning last night! I’m sending her over half of each and a jar of jelly!
Bill told her we’d pay her 75¢ an hour if she’d sit (they could use the $ too) and she refused! So I wanted to do something for her – she’s very nice and kind!! We do have nice neighbors and they at least have phones even if I don’t.
Cindy and Sharon are both having a nap and I’m standing watch to see Linda and John don’t wake them up coming home from school! They get the bus up on the road at 8:15 A.M. and get home at 4:00 or 4:15. It’s a long day in comparison to Glendora!
I have been told the classes were small but over 150 new pupils were added this year and John’s room has 40 and Linda’s 30. There are two first grade classes held at same time and only one second (they need one more). The school is new and very modern!! The road is paved and good, so I don’t worry. The opposite way there’s a dangerous bridge crossing over a deep, swift river and on beyond the school to Palmer there’s an enormous bridge over a big river. I have heard these can prove icy and bad in winter! I’m pleased with their school and teachers and they love it. They go together, lunch pails in hand and John ‘takes care of’ Linda!
My only worry concerning the children – other than pneumonia now! Are MOOSE. There are quite a few around here and more come in winter in search of food. They’re vegetarians and considered not dangerous unless frightened. I’ve told the children to go to someone’s house or wait until it goes if one is in road or path.
Such dangers are certainly different than ones in California – but very real to me!
As I wrote Mom, I keep forgetting I’m in the wilderness, surrounded by modern convenience, neighbors, stores etc. but I sure felt it last night when sickness struck. Do you realize after we leave Eagle River where we live that there are no neighbors (unless back in woods) all the way to Anchorage. Last night there wasn’t one light to be seen all of the way! Of course hundreds of acres between here and there are military reservations, in fact most of it – but it’s still wilderness – forests, marshes and mountains!
Well we wanted it! I still like it here – in fact I love it where we live and some day it will be a town and maybe 30 years (?) from now there will even be a doctor here. There’s a dentist several days a week – I hear a good one and he’s also a dental surgeon in Anchorage – down at our shopping center ¼ mile from house.
Our doctor (a pediatrician) was wonderful with Cindy. Asked her how many brothers and sisters she had, if her brother had green hair? How many fingers do you have tonight, etc. and as sick as she was she giggled and so did I. He’s really good too! Also as I told Mom our children had more than their share of sickness in California!
John and Linda just arrived home and I’m going to fix some coffee cake and milk for them. They really loved Charlie’s pictures and were real glad to hear from you too!
We’ve had quite abit of Hot Indian Weather – really beautiful lately. Right now the sun is shining and it’s sprinkling ever so lightly (often happens here).
Give our love to the children and a big 0 + X too. Give my love to my brother and hope he’ll get his rest along with all this extra work so he won’t get sick. Wonderful he has so much work! Wish he could lead better hours though and you really should rest on the couch when he works late or would that spoil your night’s sleep?
You probably can’t relax alone either, any more than I can! Bill wants to go to some meeting, Engineer and Kiwanis in Anchorage. I want him to but I’d die alone here! And Tim, our dog, barks at his own shadow so he’s no help!!
The children are patiently, drooling, and waiting! So for now, Bye Again! Mildred
++++
September 27, 1957 Friday
Dear Mom,
Just a note to say “Hi” this Friday morning while I sip a cup of coffee.
At least I got Linda off to school this morning – she’s fine now (I hope). John is still home but I’m letting him get up today. Hope he’ll be well enough to return too on Monday. As I told you, they proceed at such a fast rate, I hate him to miss school.
Yesterday Janie (in front house) invited me over last night to visit with her and Katie (the girl I was introduced to in Anchorage) as Scotty was working. Just as I was getting ready to leave, Mrs. Vanover (Jo Anne) from the farm stopped over to ask me over to her house to a stainless steel party. Isn’t that the way, though? I never get a chance to go anywhere and then two at one time. Well, I did go to Janie’s and we visited for awhile.
She’s quite sophisticated. Very easy to talk to and all but it’s difficult to make conversation just us two, visiting. Then her children wouldn’t go to sleep and our conversation was continually interrupted and Katie wasn’t able to come. So-o at 9:30 I went over to Jo Anne’s (the two women are very different). Jo Anne is much prettier but reminds me so much of Bill’s sister. [Linda note: My mother did not like my father’s sister, Olive at all.] The same quick energy, way of talking etc. – and even looks enough like her to be her sister. They have a nice home too – an enormous knotty pine living room and big fireplace and huge hooked rugs, both houses have pianos – not fancy like Janie’s. Janie is very artistic and dramatic and so is her house!
People are interesting and so different! I arrived at Jo Anne’s just as the demonstrators were leaving and dessert was being served (some timing). Mrs. Pottel across the bridge was there, and about five other women. They were very attractive and nice. I hope Janie won’t mind. I went over – she had been asked too but didn’t have a baby sitter. I don’t think she would have gone anyways!
Yesterday when she came over she said she passed a moose and calf on our driveway! I didn’t get to see them! John watched out the window all day to see if he could see them but they never came back. I’m sure we’ll see plenty this winter and hope they’ll keep their distance!
I baked more bread yesterday and also some coffee cake. They all came out well but is still quite a process for me. I made one basic coffee roll recipe and divided it into two parts, making one into cinnamon rolls and the other into a Swedish Tea Ring! It’s discouraging, though, because it’s all gone today. I brought half of the coffee rolls over to Janie’s to have when Katie came but seeing she hadn’t arrived we didn’t eat them. This morning Bill sadly said “I hope Scotty enjoys my coffee cake!”
Bill did all my dinner dishes, I had done the baking ones earlier, and also put the children to bed so I could go. After their being sick and all it was good to be out.
I missed the naturalness and knowing them well last night. That feeling doesn’t come suddenly and you now me, it’s not easy for me to make friends – it takes a long time for me to really get to know people.
We got a nice letter from Charlie yesterday – Bill beamed as he read it. He certainly writes a nice letter and we enjoyed it. – When does Carolyn return? I don’t like him being so underweight. I’ll be glad when she returns as I know he won’t eat right alone, any more than you do! It was a good time for her to go as he’s so busy yet he needs good meals now more than ever!
It’s a beautiful day today – blue skies and sunshine. It’s 40 [degrees] today and I heard it’s 46 in Boston! I would like to get out today but don’t dare take John out and still think he’s too young to leave [he was 7]. I miss my walk!!
Well, I’m so behind on my housework – I better get busy. Did I tell you – I haven’t had any diapers to wash for one week now. Sharon doesn’t even wet at night at all anymore. She worked so hard at it – every morning pleading to ‘go potty’ right away and then she’d feel her diapers and say “I’m dry?”
She’s cuter every day and so big – absolutely no more baby. She talks and talks and talks. Do you realize this is the fist time in seven years I haven’t a baby in the house?
Janie just stopped by – apologizing for bothering me – she’s nice and easier to know when she’s not all dressed up. She wanted to show me the mountains covered with snow – says it’ll melt before long. It’s perfectly beautiful – white powder snow all over the mountains – and still autumn leaves are on the forest at the base – I wish with all my heart you could see too. Will close and get to work. Love, Mildred
++++
September 30, 1957 Monday
Dear Mother,
As I was cleaning and settling the living room this morning I noticed the letter I wrote to you Friday morning still sitting on top of the desk. Well, I will add this one to it and make certain I remember to put it out for Bill to take tomorrow morning. It won’t help for me to mail it as it still wouldn’t leave here until tomorrow morning.
Such a gorgeous day we have today – so clear but colder! The mountains are perfectly beautiful with the snow on them. It’s quite deep on the tops but on the sides it looks like confectionary sugar sprinkled over!
As I wrote Friday was a beautiful day – alot of excitement occured [sic] that afternoon, will tell you later – (curious?) Then much to Bill’s dissappointment [sic] it rained on Saturday. Sunday was clear in the morning and we got the children down to Chugiak to Methodist Sunday school (after a long absence) then we went for an unplanned ride. Bill wanted to go to Mirror Lake, a real pretty one, a little larger than Spot Pond, beyond the school, to take pictures. It all seems to be private property – around it – as some lucky person evidently homesteaded it a long time ago! It’s impossible, of course, now to find government property for lease, tract etc. near a lake! Some people there own a plane that lands on the water (the name has slipped me) and keep it right next to their home there – on the water!!! We took pictures – hope they turn out. I didn’t have my camera, which I was to regret even more later.
We passed over Eklutna River and Bill told us it’s fed by a lake 10 miles up the road, up in the mountains. The road is passable and someday the government has long range plans to make a resort and recreation and lodge up there. It’s all reservation now – they have a new power plant there!
Well, I wanted to see and we decided we’d venture and see what the road was like. Much to our surprise it was a good one – in fact better than ours – and a breathtaking ride. The road winds up into the mountains but not steep like in California and there are forests all in their autumn glory and mountains covered with snow on all sides. I oohed and ah-hed all the way up. Although the mountains have snow on them – we haven’t even had a snow flurry and her it’s the end of September. In fact, it really isn’t very cold! (I hung out clothes yesterday afternoon with only a sweater on).
Well, after the beautiful ride we were even more enthralled with the lake. It’s enormous and surrounded by forests and hills and of course, mountains. We’re already planning week-end camping trips there next summer. Now, listen Mother, this beautiful isolated spot (there wasn’t one other person there although we passed several cars on the road on the way back) is only I would say 25 miles from our house! It’s still hard for us to believe! No traffic, no crowds to combat. We wished we had brought a picnic and weren’t dressed to get out – as children had just been to Sunday school. I’d like to own that lake and live up there. My, it was beautiful! As we came home, Scotty in front, was raking and burning leaves – and we had returned to civilization!
Today Bill is going out to lunch and to a Chamber of Commerce meeting as his guest. They have also invited us out to an exclusive Steak House – close by – out at Fire Lake as their guests this week and then to visit friends close by. They used to live, before he got sick, ½ mile off of the road by Fire Lake and have friends up there now. Only three families live there – one a Doctor and the other two artists (man and wife) who are their friends we’re to visit.
I guess they really are good too and have their work in all the exclusive art shops, hotels, etc. Their studio is at home – a huge room and large windows overlooking the lake, Janie says! She thinks I’d like her and it’s certainly nice of them to do all this. I’m also anxious to see their former house – it had three fireplaces – they loved it there and never would have moved but he was in hospital and Janie was pregnant so were forced to sell!
They did come over Saturday night and we sure enjoyed their company!! He entertained us with fabulous stories of Big Game Hunting in North Africa! He lived and hunted in Africa for eight years and is an authority on the tribes, their customs etc. and is called on by Hollywood to supply information for African Films. They’re certainly different than anyone we’ve ever known before!
She’s really nice – I like her very much. Quiet, well-bred, sweet and just plain nice. I’m afraid he’s somewhat conceited and pompous but is nice too – I guess! I sure wouldn’t want to be married to anyone like him!
I will try to describe them to you – please don’t tell anyone but Charlie or Carolyn. He’s about 6 ft. 2 and weighs well over 200 pounds. He’s almost bald due to a Malaria attack, he once lost most of his hair – and says except for Native’s care, would have died! But his reddish beard makes up, I guess, for loss of hair on head. It’s long and thick and bushy! (Kids are amazed by it). Saturday night he wore a bright red heavy flannel shirt and white silk ascot beneath and tied around his throat!!! (always wears one). His voice is deep and resonant with a heavy Scotch accent! He speaks lovingly of Scotland – perhaps will return there to live someday – he says. After he finishes his research on the Eskimos (his sickness interrupted this).
She is only about 5 ft 3 and very slight – he wants her to gain weight and has offerred [sic] her 1,000 wardrobe and vacation in Seattle if she’ll gain weight. (Well!) Janie tries but can’t and is cute the way she’s. She wore a black wool dress with mint green leather shoes, belt and scarf! She’s attractive and very stylish and a distinct flair for clothes.
It’s funny how it turned out – our being friends with them – because as he says he “doesn’t like people – especially neighbors” I guess, but I can understand that and told him we like our privacy too.
She’s a member of the Women’s Club and seeing dues are only 5.00 yearly – I might visit it with her.
Bill really didn’t want to go today but I talked him into it and I think he was pleased to be invited. Scotty lectures here in Anchorage – and knows everyone and seems to like Bill, so it’s nice and I’m sure now he isn’t over 40 or 45 years – it’s hard to tell his age and I’d never guess. But he has so much energy and drive he seems young! (And probably always will).
Well, so much for Saturday night. I’m going backwards – first Sunday, then Saturday – now Friday.
Friday afternoon I decided to walk to the mail box it was so beautiful out and Janie wanted to come, which was O.K. except she took her dog. Have I mentioned HIM. She owns a prize boxer (I’ve always hated and tested them) and he’s fierce. They keep him chained up usually and I must say, he would scare anyone off of their property. Once you’re in he’s fine and a big baby – well, she put him on a leash and started off pushing baby, holding The Monster and also her little girl to think about.
I didn’t like it but she was so sure she could handle him. Our beloved, beautiful Tim was running up and down so happy to go for a walk and free. I bring his leash but he so loves to run – Timmy Boy as I call him. And there was Tim, loving life and all the world [and] everybody in it. Yes, you’re right Oh Mom it was awful – he broke loose and attacked Tim with the intention to kill. I’ll never forget it as long as I live. Poor John was knocked down in the scuffle and so was Cindy. I got them over to the side of the road and yelled at Janie to stop it. She got a big tree branch and ran in to try to stop but they were really fighting.
Tim is alive Mom, don’t worry but how I’ll never know. We’re so proud of him we’re ready to bust – he’s a HEROE. He didn’t run – but fought. Now their boxer is ferocious and bred to fight – he’s full grown and heavy and Tim is a loving, sweet dog and still only a puppy 18 months and slight and fine boned and he won!
John cried and cried and screamed “Tim you’re being killed!” I thought so too – they growled and fought so hard the rolled from one side of the street to the other. It lasted about ten minutes and finally Janie got hold of her dog and pulled him away. His leg was bitten badly and yesterday Bill saw him and said he was bitten in about five other places. In fact he is limping and they had to bring him to a Vets.
I had a log and was about to kill him with it if she hadn’t stopped it – I was afraid to leave the children for fear he’d attack them.
Of course – now they say he only was fooling – just fighting because he likes to and never would have hurt Tim and that’s how come Tim wasn’t even scratched. Rubbish and they’re just trying to save face for their dog. If you had seen it you’d know it was no joke. Tim just plain won. Their dog was so busy trying to bite Tim’s throat – his fur was wet in a ring around his throat.
I hate having such a dog near us and told Janie so. Afterwards I buried my face in Tim’s fur and cried. I told her I hate fights and how could she own such a dog? Poor Timmy was glad to be put on the leash and brought home. I bathed him afterwards to see if he was alright and combed and brushed him. Mom, not even a scratch! He looks handsome now and his coat shines (Even they admit he’s beautiful)!
To us he’s a Heroe [sic] and he knows it! He has grown 5 inches and is so proud! I keep him chained too now and he sits like a King on the porch. I tell Bill I’ll KILL that dog if he ever harms him again and I worry over the children. They wait for the bus in front of their house.
As I told Janie I like a dog that will fight to protect his own but her dog is a Killer and a Fighter and might harm her or her own children someday.
They were so sorry and Scotty was furious at her fro bringing him to walk! But it’s over and I hope it won’t happen again. They offered to take Tim to the Vets to make sure he was alright but he’s fine! To think I worried about Bears or sled dogs!!
Better close – hope I get letter today from you. Love, Mildred
++
[Linda note: Written on small paper with lines drawn under each thought}
Ideas
Walk to mailbox, always new, different
Mts. Obliterated completely by cloud snowing.
Thrill of prospect of more to everyone – New chances? Opportunities?
Blue Jays in woods or Brownies?
Indelible memories. Pom-poms bouncing up and down I’m racing past
Nice neighbors and so understanding! Janie and Scotty over Sat. night!
Down to stream currents running swifter and deeper! Kiki and Fluffy and Tim follow
Rain starts. Back to warmth of our house refreshed anew!
++++++++++++++++
NAVIGATE PAGES HERE:
Return to: PRE-HOMESTEADING ALASKA LETTERS
*1957 LETTERS – MOTHER’S AND FATHER’S
++++++++++++++++
TAKE CARE OF MOTHERS 
Leave a Reply