March 31, 1947

March 31

Dear Doc,

I'm specialing a feeble old lady, perhaps you remember I told you I was doing some secretarial work for her.  My fatal mistake!  As she just "adores" me and as hired me as a special, which is much to my dismay, however, if I make her day just a little more pleasant I am satisfied.  She is quite sweet - well, to get on, I have escorted her to the O.T. shop and find myself with an hour and a half which I shall spend with you.  If you have no strenuous objections.

Please pardon this horrible paper but it is all that is available.  We must not be choosy!  Mustn't we?

Your very nice letter was quite pleasing to receive this morning.  I was quite amused with your operation.  Oh dear, How I wish I could have been there.  Sounds like you had a jolly good time of it, but please, Doc, take it easy.  I can sympathize with your poor mother - What you need, Mr. Rounds is a special nurse to keep you in bed - May I apply?  Guess I ran mother ragged when I returned from the hospital.  By the way, how long were you there?  Massage the first night, huh?  Same magnetic personality, Doc, massages usually never come until later. Pardon time out to accompany Mrs. Aldis to the bathroom - Oh joy of life, at last I found you!

Now I shall continue, as I was saying, Remember my first day home, I pleaded for a steak - Mother submitted.  Boy did I have a time.  It was fun.  I think of it now and it seems quite funny. One enjoys being pampered - and I loved it.

Speaking of him, we are going home for a short visit after Easter, not being able to get off for Easter.  Oh, for some of Mother's good cooking.  Guess I told you they were going to San Antonio. No thanks!

Received letters from Doctor and he said yes, he remembers you very well and sends his best.  He is trying his "darn best" to get us to come down.  Would enjoy working with him very much and may consider a winter there.  He is a fine, fine person.

The O.T. shop is very pleasant.  Classical musical is played during each period, which makes for atmosphere.  That's for me, I am a fool for atmosphere.  Amid the piano concerto of Greig can be heard pounding, female chatter and everything else your imagination is capable of, but it is restful.  Some lovely projects are turned out daily. One of the patients is doing weaving, She is weaving some linen placemats and they are perfectly beautiful. I admire her patience.  Weaving is quite fascinating.  Jo and I are making the doctor a desk set.  Can't say when we will finish.  Fine Christmas present, I'd say.  It is a great deal of fun.  Something I've never done before.  It is amazing, the wonderful new things there are to do in this wonderful, wonderful world.

Have you seen "It's a Wonderful Life" ?  Pardon the incoherent speech, I may have asked you before - but you know, Mr. Rounds (forgive me for calling you Mr. Rounds, I'm not being formal) questions really should be answered.  Anyway, it was a very good movie.  Best I seen in a long time.  Frankly, Sorry I must leave, Dear old girl is tired so I shall finish later - Bye!

Say, Doc, let's take a vow?  Will you number your paper?  I promise to, however it will be difficult.  This is April 1st and we are waiting for Laura so I shall continue.  We are going out to one of the nurse's homes for dinner.  Wish you could go along.  She makes the best New England boil dinner I've ever eaten.  Not having ever been to N. E. I don't consider myself an authority but they are superb!  If I ever do get to N.E. I shall eat myself silly of seafood.  Also drive myself "dots" listening to the Boston Symphony.  One really must attend a concert to enjoy it at it's best.

Oh yes, my little rat, (how sweet) Let me tell you a thing or two - Speaking of operations, I believe you can say no more about your tonsils.  Did you know I had 6 stitches? 3 on each side, top that, can you?  Oh, it was painful!  Oh hell, aren't we silly - Gosh I think I'll have an operation - One finds so much to say!  Let's see, what shall I have taken out?  (That question was not meant for you, was thinking ) When I see you I shall rave on for hours!  Hypocondriatics to say the least!  

Must close, Laura is here and anxious to go.

Enclosing a sheet done the P.M. Hope you can stand this "jabbing"  Write again soon.  We enjoy your letters. Also take care yourself - you are a sick man - But you can gain weight.

As ever, 

Anne

Tuesday

Doc, while my pet takes her nap I shall continue my letter to you.  you will probably get very bored with my "moments of freedom" letters.  Guess I had better return to knitting.  By the way, are you taking orders for the snuggles? Don't forget, you promised a photo!

Listen my little rat, gosh man, where did we ever pick that up?  How affectionate, little rat - I shall tell my grandchildren about "the rat".  Second though, I won't!

Doc, tell me more about Mary.  She sounds like a wonderful girl.  I remember her by her picture very well.  I envy her taking the recent Y.H. trip.  Say, little rat, will you ask her about it?  Guess we could get some information from Monrae Smith but I'd rather get it first hand.  Jo and I are quite interested in a trip through New England, Sounds like a wonderful way to spend a summer.  Will you do that, please?  Anything relating to the Youth Hostels will be interesting.  It is a beautiful, beautiful spring day, April 1st = Boy I have the fever - and that ain't good.

Mrs. Aldis is calling - 'cuse me.

October 2, 1945

Brooks Field

Oct. 2, 1945

Dear Mother:

I have been waiting to hear from you before writing because I didn't know just what the opinion was at home.  Well I got your letter today and so will apply for leave to become affective about the middle of the month.

 I have been wanting to come home for some time but I have been having so much fun that I guess I just needed a little persuasion.  It also looked like a long way and rather expensive.  However I will come on the Air lines and that will make the distance seem shorter but the expense will be a little greater but in time saved I believe it will be worth it.  It will cost 1 1/2 times as much but I can save 5 days and the money will be well spent.  Anyway money ceases to be an object anymore.  

I was a little afraid to send Mary such a birthday present because I had no idea what her taste along that line was.  Also it is awful hard to send perfume to anyone knowing before hand that she doesn't use it a great deal.  I know she would like it but I had a lot of doubts in my mind as to the advisability of such a thing.  In fact I doubted at first if you would approve.  She also has written so I am very happy that it turned out O.K.

It is too bad you can't meet the latest lady fair.  She is such a lot of fun and so full of mischief and fun everyone would like her.  And she enjoys doing everything we do.  She likes to dance but loves to go to record stores and listen to classical records.  We went to the "Opera" last Friday to see Sigmund Romberg's "The New Moon" put on by the S.A. Civic Opera Company.  It was strictly an amateur production with three of the leads taken by  Mt. Opera Stars so it wasn't too hot.  But we all got a big kick out of it.

Gordon MacRae singing "Stout-hearted Men"

Wanting You by Jeannette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy

There are so many things we like to do together that I hardly have time to write.  Really there is only one catch to the whole thing and that is she is Catholic.  I have no wish to get mixed up in any such deal so don't worry.  That is also very strange because she is also so bitter about her religion and makes no bones about it.  It is the first time I have seen anything like it.  Usually they are so indoctrinated that it is almost impossible to talk to them but Anne is just the opposite, even though her parents are such firm followers.  Anyway we have a lot of fun together and you have to have something to do in your spare time and we have a lot of it.  I just feel fortunate to have met such a swell person.

We went out to eat one evening last week and she suggested the "John Quattle" because as she says "it has atmosphere".  Well it really was a nice little place outside of town not too far from her house.  You eat outside in a kind of garden but the best part of it was they have a violinist and a cellist who play requests.  They just wander around and park themselves where they can.

We ordered a couple of steaks done Mexican style which are really delicious, you probably have never eaten much Mexican food.  When we were about done the two gentlemen came over to serenade us and were we thrilled.  I guess we acted a little spell bound and I could just imagine how Mary would have liked that.  They played Jealousy and something else by Fritz Kreisler.  Anyway when we left I knew just what she meant by atmosphere.  So that is the way it goes her in S.A, I really do enjoy it because everyday is different and entertaining.  Do you think you can compete?

Jealousy Tango

I haven't written much about S.A. to you because there really isn't much to it.  It is one of the most crowded but still deadest towns I have ever been in.  They have so few things interesting to do that entertainment is scarce.  The movies change once a week and I have seen all of them, we went up to the Alamo but there isn't much to see, if you are not a native of Texas you can't see an awful lot to do.  Since I am interested in everything I do get more enjoyment than a lot of people.  I have found out that a town is no better than the people in it and the Mexicans around here are not my idea of good neighbors.  They have an average of 3 killings a night and all kinds of hold ups and knifings.  Frankly I am a little afraid of the place and may buy myself a gun to carry.  Perhaps I would get a false security from it and then really get into trouble.  Anyway when you have good company you can have fun in any town.

I am sending a picture taken in town a couple of weeks ago.  As you can see we were very happy, just whistling along.  It is not much of a picture, but that is what we look like in our afternoons off.  One of those sidewalk photographers caught us and gave us a little card and this is what we got.  Even though it isn't much I can always get a larger one out of it later on, maybe 40 years from now.

Taken September 20, 1945

I also have one take of Anne on the street which is really terrible and I shan't send it because I am sure you would get an awful impression.  She is an awful good looking girl but the picture has her scowling and looking rather unhappy which is just the opposite of what she is with me.  She may be different than I think but I doubt it.

I am going to send Mary the program from "The New Moon" so if you want it you may have to show her the picture.  Maybe that is a good way to be sure everyone hears what happens down here.

Well I have just rambled on and on and haven't really gotten anywhere.  I don't really have to get anywhere because we are staying in tonite.  I am getting tired of going out and coming in late every night anyway and I think they need a rest.

Well I will keep you informed of the latest developments but don't make any plans until you get definite word and that may not be  until I come up the back walk.  Maybe that would be a good trick to play.  Just because I am coming home don't forget to write.

With love

Austin