April 14, 1947 - from Jo

Monday April 14

Dearest "Doc".

I may as well begin this overdue letter with the best and most important news I know and that is that I am once again an "auntie" to a new nephew born April 2nd!

We are all enthralled over him and at the time I am with my sister using whatever nursing technique I've acquired thus far!

This is Monday afternoon.  Michael, the baby and my Sister are all snoozing, so I grabbed at this one free moment to write to you remembering that you were waiting for a bit of information regarding Anne' birth date, that to get to the point cleared is April 19th!  I know that she will be surprised just to know you might have "remembered".  She doesn't know about the fact that I am writing this letter to you!

It is perfectly heavenly in Valparaiso.  An ideal day for hiking or just fooling around out-of-doors!  For the past days the weather has been very damp and cold, so now that ta really nice day has come along, we are all more than grateful and quite excited!

I have taken an emergency leave of two weeks and honestly I'm loving  every minute of being away from that place for awhile.  Confidentially I think I needed a little change - but it will be good to get back again too!

My Sister and brother-in-law were unable to get a nurse in this city, so Mrs. Stevens came for a few weeks, but not being a Spring Chicken she was once, it was too much to ask of her, so now I'm going to see how great my perseverance is at this "tender" age of mine (a gluten for punishment if I ever heard of one)

I have some delightful music on the radio - some of your favorites "Offenbach's -Now Hydra, ah contentment!

This is all for now, Doc, I must write to my Mother now, she hasn't heard from me for so long she most likely thinks I am dead! - So write whenever you find the time - to the Sanitarium.

Hope you and your family had a nice Easter!

Sincerely, 

Jo Roberts

February 25, 1947

Forest Park Avenue         Valparaiso, Indiana

Friday

Dear Austin,

Yes, I know it really is about time I answered your letter.  Forgive me, I hadn't realized a week has gone by.  Someone has to set an example for the two of us and it may as well be me, that is in letter writing - just in case you were wondering.

I am spending a week with my sister, who incidentally is going to have a baby in March, while Carl is in Cincinnati.  So, this is a fine opportunity for some letter writing - You shall be my victim.  I hope you have no objections.  You may voice them - if so.

By the way, are you enjoying the snow?  I'm getting somewhat a sadistic pleasure out of learning of the blizzard in the East.  "Being a lover of beauty" - I shall say no more.  You may take phatar to your hearts delight that is after you've shoveled and dug yourself out.  Well, here is wishing you great funN!!  I love it.  Gosh, I enjoy the lonely winter nights we have been having.  It has been perfectly wonderful. (Which I don't consider on iota trite)  Have you done any skiing?  I hope you have.  It is one of my favorite sports, however being in San Antonio didn't help - My skiing that is.  Silly I should mention San Antonio - I'll never regret the time spent there.  I'd have never met you.

Speaking of regretting - that is - Sorry I was interrupted and I can't for the life of me think what I was going to say, later perhaps.

Thanks for the picture of Bill.  I have instructed Jo to send it back to you however if she is too engrossed in her knitting I shall when I get back.  Frankly, I wish you hadn't.  Is it possible for a person to change so much in year?  Need I ask?  Tell me, what has happened to Bill?  Why so laxed? Now this is trite.  He looks rough.  It can't be married life!  He just doesn't care.  Really this may sound cruel but Bill is in a rut.  But I shan't go on.  I have fine memories, and fine pictures of Bill in my mind and I guess I won't foul  reality and his present state - My advice to him is the Du Barry Success Course pronto!!  I wonder if I have changed as much as he- suppose so, but people really don't change.  I keep telling myself - when I know perfectly well - Tell me, do I sound confused?  Sometimes I wonder.

This is Saturday afternoon and we are listening to Carmen.  It is a find thing.  Rise Stevens, Carmen is the only opera I have developed a taste for.  I became too sad and melancholic with Wagner who I consider the best.  I'll listen to the prelude and orchestrations but not the vocal.  One must develop taste for opera as fun scotch, astern and married life - I don't know what brought that later on but anyway Carmen is very good.

Michael, my nephew keeps interrupting me but I really don't mind.  He is a lot of fun - you really would  love him.  He calls me Annie.  this morning we were out playing in the snow - oh what fun - it is good to unlax for a change - By unless I mean relax to the extent.

It is Saturday evening and I am full of Martinis - which is a most pleasant state - My sister insists on playing the perfect hostess, which she is, by my having cocktails before dinner - I think it would be wonderful fun having a home - and of course husband. This is the first time in a long time I have thought seriously of marriage.  I always do though when I visit the Stevens' family.  Theirs is so perfect.  Must be the Martini or perhaps I'm growing old.  How rare!  I have said enough already- I shall say no more.

My, Doc, what a treat you must be in a tuxedo.  Lucky, lucky girl.  Tell me more, that is beside being late to all engagements, No don't, if you don't care to.

I'm glad you are living at home.  Fraternity house life was never very inducive to duty in my estimation - But, I'm really not an authority on fraternity house life - Ahem!

I wish I could remember your last letter - Did you ask me anything.  Guess not, I would have remembered.

For your sake, I shall give Jo a bit of peace while she is knitting your _______  "What you might call'ems!"  I do hope they are finished before you make your debut.

This is Monday and I must get this off to you!  I'm having a fine time and regret Friday is so near.  That is when I am leaving - returning to Milwaukee - You may write me there - soon please!

My best -
Anne