September 27, 1951

September 27, 1951, 10:30 p.m.

Box 673, Loma Linda, California

Dearest Mother and Daddy,

Here it is two days over a week again. Life certainly does seem to move fast for me. Anyway, we've got a lot of work done since last I wrote to you. We have also had two letters from you -- the last one came this morning. But I can't get at them to answer them properly because I am baby sitting and have the Runnals baby asleep on our bed and don't want to waken her. Her folks have gone to the L. A. County fair in Pomona, and I have had her since 4:30 this p.m.

And speaking of baby sitting -- I have been having a wonderful time. She is so cute and so good and happy. She just followed me around. When I was dust mopping in the bedroom, she got the hair brush and tried to dust mop with that -- she was helping me! After supper we went for a walk -- she riding in her little go-cart. She has quite inspired me, but probably I'd better wait awhile.

Last Wednesday and Thursday we canned about 35 quarts of peaches. Benton helped me in the mornings, and Myrtle Oss and Shefrah Rozenstain came over for a while Wednesday evening and helped. We will surely enjoy them during this coming winter.

Sabbath afternoon I walked all the way over to Mary's house and then went to some pictures with them. Mary brought me home. It was quite a walk. They live over on Prospect street, the other side of Anderson street -- that is, farther east than the San -- almost directly east from here. I felt quite proud of my accomplishment.

Sabbath we also got a letter from our lawyer [regarding The Accident] saying that the adjustor had offered a very small settlement and that we should get together and come to see him about it. Sunday morning we went over to Keyes' [Mrs. Keyes was the other woman injured but not killed in The Accident] for dinner to talk over what to do. Then we had an appointment with the lawyer Wednesday morning. He went over everything with us. He doesn't believe all the testimony either, but doesn't think we have too good a chance of proving what we think. He says those truck drivers always are going only 35 mph when they get into court, though he says he has usually had to go 70 or 80 to pass them. He said we really didn't have a fighting chance, though he would be willing to fight if we wanted to take the gamble. However, if we lost, we would be out about $75 a day for he court costs and get nothing from it. The adjustor had offered the absurdly small amount of $750. He thought he might talk I'm into getting it up to $1000, but I don't know. We are about to say that we'll take it, for even though it is a pittance, it is better than nothing at all. The lawyer was pretty nice about it -- said he wouldn't take his whole third since it was such a small amount. If we get $1000, he will take $200; and if we get $750, he will take $150. It seems as if we could wisely handle more money that that, but probably the Lord knows best. We have certainly prayed a lot about it, and are continuing to pray. The Lord can work miracles if it is His will that we should get more out of it. Probably the sum would be divided four ways. I don't know just how thin I should try to spread my part -- thought maybe I would just give it all to Dr. Pohle, as he is really out more actual money than any of the others who just donated services.

Monday we went to town in the morning -- were shopping around for two hours. I was getting a little tired before we finished, but not too bad -- came home and got dinner afterward. I am really gaining in strength.

Sunday and Monday evenings I spent helping Miss Nephew [a schoolteacher who lived across the street from us and who was later MY 4th grade teacher!] correct some of her workbooks. The poor girl was swamped because she was trying to keep up her regular work while trying to plan a program for the last of October. It seemed like old time to be checking spelling and kinds of sentences again, but I also find myself not yearning for any of these "good old days."

Tuesday morning we washed. I intended to iron that evening, but somehow lost some of my drive and just did puttery things instead -- still have the ironing to do, but it will get done sometime -- it always does somehow.

Last evening I sorted my junk that we brought from Phoenix this last time. Benton hasn't had time to refinish the book case and set it up, so we can't unpack the books yet. Poor man -- he has been too busy helping me can. Bless his heart, he surely is a wonderful husband -- seems nicer all the time.

This morning we just stayed home, and I actually got my husband a nice dinner. Usually we gad so much in the morning that I just have time to warm something up in a hurry. It has also been too hot to bake until the last few days. Today we had baked potato, baked squash (I tried baking that volunteer squash -- one of them that had gotten pretty old), and cauliflower warmed up by baking it in a cream sauce, or sort of scalloping it. For dessert we had peach cobbler. It tasted pretty good, but I thought it was a little bit too juicy.

Tuesday morning, I mean afternoon, Mrs. Hubbs [many, many years later, after this Mrs. Hubbs died and my Dad died, my Mom married her widower, Romeo, and thus herself became the new Mrs. Hubbs!] came over to see me. Professor [Romeo Hubbs] was at a meeting in Glendale. He came Wednesday morning while we were at the lawyer's. I had told Mrs. Hubbs that we had an appointment at 9:00 the next morning after she was here, but he came at 9:03, his note said. I was so sorry not to see him. But I did enjoy a nice visit with Mrs. Hubbs.

Fri. morning.

Hello Mother & Dad. Glad you are feeling well & improving mother.

We are going to the Fair this morning at Pomona [the Los Angeles County Fair].

Love to all,

Lois & Benton

September 18, 1951

September 18, 1951

9:45 p.m.

Dearest Mother and Daddy,

My how time does fly! Here it has been two days more than a week since I have written and I am very much ashamed of myself. Wednesday night I was going to be sure to write, but got so busy cutting out nightgowns for Benton and me that I just didn't finish until 11, so went to bed. Then last night I ironed until the last minute. Tonight I am supposed to be canning peaches, but just must get a letter off before you think something terrible has happened to me.

Now to back up. Monday morning a week ago we washed and in the evening Cecelia came. She stayed until Thursday noon, so I had quite a time getting my ironing done because we talked so much. We lay awake that night and talked till about two, then of course we weren't up at the usual time in the morning. but it didn't seem to hurt us in the end. It was surely nice to have her here.

Tuesday morning a week ago we went to Calimesa where we had got our peaches on the way home from Phoenix and got another lug of culls -- Rio Oso Gems this time. They were only 75 cents a lug, but weren't so good as the Hales we had bought before. We wanted them just for eating while Cecelia was here.

Wednesday morning we went over to the base to see Omar, and he showed us around. And while we were in the PX, guess what Benton got me for my birthday -- a lovely pair of Wiss pinking shears! I was so thrilled. That's why I had to get to sewing as fast as possible. I will really have to learn to sew now. He is so sweet to me.

Thursday morning we visited and then took Cecelia to the bus in San Bernardino at 11:30. After she left we shopped around and found a pair of white shoes for Benton that he has been needing for some time.

Thursday evening Shefrah Rosenstein came over. She brought some skallops for supper, helped me get supper, and ate with us. Then in the evening we talked and played duets on the piano. It was fun, but I didn't get my work done.

Friday Benton vacuumed the whole house, and I cooked for Sabbath. I had a pie shell from the week before so tried a new kind of peach pie -- cut up fresh peaches in the shell crushed a few and added sugar and tapioca, and  then poured that over the peaches. Of course it would have helped if I had known how much sugar and how much tapioca to use, but it wan't too bad anyway -- didn't have quite enough sugar. Oh yes, I also made myself a happy birthday cake [September 14, 1951, was her 34th birthday] -- Swan's Down Devil's food with a powdered sugar and butter icing. It tasted pretty good. We cut it Friday at dinner time. I skipped the candles because I was in too much of a hurry.

Late Sabbath afternoon Bob and Irene McEachren, he a senior medic, -- they used to live in our upstairs apartment, and I use to teach them at CJC when they first started going together -- came from LA with their two charming little girls. I invited them for supper. They left about 9 o'clock, and then I ironed pants.

I found a very nice roast patty recipe in Stirring Passages -- you have a copy in the book case. It is carrot and rice cutlets. I made it first for Omar, but Benton liked it so well that I made it again this weekend. It is very easy, you might like it too.

Sunday morning I started to cut out our night shirts. Benton and Omar both helped me get the materials in line, etc. Then I used my new pinking shears for the first time. In the evening, by myself, I cut out my night gown, but that is as far as it is.

Monday morning we washed, and then last evening I ironed. I don't get started with my evening work so early these days because I go for a walk every evening. I try to get it in just before dark, but don't always make it. I usually get supper, clear the table and stack the dishes, then go for my walk. I rest when I get back, do the dishes, and then start my work. By then it is usually about eight o'clock or after. I'm getting so that I can go quite a ways. Tonight I went to the little store on the corner then on up the main street to the end of the sidewalk on this side -- where the orange grove begins [for those of you who know Loma Linda today, that's where the houses end and the parking lot/structure is on University Ave.]. Then I came back and went a block the other side of our street and came up that and home again. I'm getting pretty frisky these days.

This morning we went to Banning to get some peaches. We saw a sign up for Hales. The man said they were too small for the packers to take, but that we could have them for 50 cents a lug if we would wait while he picked them off the trees. We went and helped him pick them ourselves. We got four lugs for us, one for Miss Lucas across the street, and one for Mrs. Roberts. I'm still scratching from the peach fuzz, but it was fun. Of course I didn't climb any ladders or anything -- just picked the ones that were within my reach from the ground. They are small, but firm and fresh and sweet. Tonight I have been getting out our fruit jars and checking what rubbers and tops, etc. we need. I was going to get some canned, but I did want to be sure to get this letter off. Benton is going to help me tomorrow morning.

Thanks so much for sending our knife back. We were just going to buy another one, though I knew you didn't need it. It was stupid of me to leave it. It came the same day your letter did, which was last Tuesday, I think. Right now I don't know what I did with it, so if you asked me something I should be answering, just ask again.

Thanks also for the lovely birthday card. I don't mind birthdays anymore since I have a right to be getting old and settled. I'm getting restless to become a grandmother, but Benton doesn't seem anxious to be a grandfather - says it would make him feel old [neither of them actually did have grandchildren until nearly 7 years after my dad died, so he never DID get old!].

Yesterday we got a lovely wedding gift from the J. F. Bohners -- two beautiful dresser scarves. It surely was nice of them to remember us that way. I must get a thank you note off to them right away too.

When I finish this letter, I'll go wash my jars. I think perhaps I'll try canning a few jars cold pack just to see what they are like that way. It really would be a lot easier.

Benton is still on with his lung cancer patient -- don't know how long he will last. He is at home now, but still has the three nurses on. Now they are talking about giving him some kind of high voltage x-ray treatment. Probably all it will do at best is prolong his agony, though I guess he doesn't suffer too much -- doesn't know what's going on most of the time.

Well, I haven't had any cramps since I started taking calcium, so I guess my husband is a pretty good doctor to have prescribed it. It comes in wafer form, so he eats one every morning too -- they taste good.

Do take good care of yourselves. You are very, very important to us. Be careful not to work too hard.

Heaps and oodles of love,

Lois Ruth and Benton

August 25, 1951

10:30, Saturday night

August 25, 1951

Dearest Mother and Daddy,

We have had no letter since last I wrote to you, but we had two between my last two, so we can't complain. Perhaps we will have a letter in the mail tomorrow. Anyway, we haven't worried because we have been so sure that you would be getting along all right. I surely hope that confidence is not false.

If we go according to appointment, we shall be seeing you soon -- our appointment with Dr. Lytton-Smith is for September 4. However, before we say for sure we are coming then, we want to check up on what our lawyer [regarding The Accident] is up to -- thought it wouldn't pay to bother to check up much sooner, as he probably wouldn't know too much definite very long ahead of time. We really haven't talked much about plans as we haven't realized how near the time is. Time surely does fly.

Today we had our first visit from a member of the Wareham tribe -- Warren, our nephew, the one who married Marion John. He had come down to L. A. to meet Marion on her trip from back East, but found that she would not be in until tomorrow, so he came out to see us. We had a funny dinner. I had made a lemon fluff pie, which turned out to be soup and was so rich that we almost felt sick while eating it. But I guess things were all right. Benton had to go to work at three, but Warren stayed until about five and visited. He is a nice boy. He wanted me to know that I was welcomed into the family. Wasn't that sweet?

After Warren went this p.m., I went for a walk with Donna and Mrs. Roberts. We went down to the main road at the foot of our street, then over to the next block, and back again, and I could have gone farther, so I guess I am making some process. However, my legs often ache and hurt quite a bit -- guess the muscles are rebelling a little at being awakened from their extended vacation.

Omar [my half-brother] went to visit his girl friend this weekend. It is unusual for him to get a chance to go anywhere as he usually has to work Saturday nights. I hope he is having a good time. He surely is a nice boy.

Last Tuesday I did my washing all by myself as Benton was working mornings. It took me a long time because when I began to get tired I worked about three times as slow. But it was nice to know that I could really do it all by myself. Wednesday morning I did all of the ironing. I'm not a very fast ironer yet, but perhaps I'll improve when I get so that I can stand up to do it and when I become a little more skillful at it. At least I get it done, and that is something.

Thursday morning Benton was off, so we went to town to spend all of our money. We went to the bank, then went and bought me a pair of new shoes -- can't decide for sure whether they will really be comfortable or not, but think that they will be all right. We also bought some flannelette to make us nightshirts -- thought I'd make one for me to match Benton's so that we'd be twins. We got a little seersucker, too, to make me another bedjacket that won't have to be ironed. Soon I hope to start sewing, though we don't have our machine back yet.

Thursday afternoon Benton had to go to work again -- another burn case. He is still on that one now -- don't know how long that will last. He hasn't had a day off since you folks left, so he really deserves a little rest one of these days.

Yesterday I did nearly all of the cleaning and cooking, so you see I'm getting so that I can work a little faster all of the time. Maybe sometime I'll be able to amount to something yet. In the meantime, Benton still loves me anyway, though I can't imagine why.

Last week I at last finished unpacking my books. They still have plenty of sand in them [because they were thrown out of the car in the Accident, too, and there was a sandstorm!], but most of them are at least usable, and that is something. Benton is enjoying reading my Medical Science book and my Surgical Nursing book, as they are much more modern than anything he had when he took his training so long ago [he finished in about 1917 or 1918]. He takes them on duty with him and reads them. Since he has been taking care of this burn case, he read the section on burns. However, though the book was published in 1948, it is not up to date on treatment for burns. It seems that now they dress them with a little vaseline gauze then wrap them with ace elasticized bandage so that air can't get in, then they don't dress them again for sometime. They also give the patients ACTH, and they don't seem to have so much pain. I'll get some of the nurses' course yet [she had had to drop out because she had contracted tuberculosis, and that was also why they were taking her to Arizona when The Accident happened] by proxy or by hook or crook or something. One never knows what might become of me after all. At present I'm quite contented -- if my legs would just get well faster.

Thursday I called up about my x-rays, and Dr. Simpson said she could see no evidence of activity [that is, tuberculosis activity], but that I should keep checking frequently. So that is that anyway. At least it was a comfort to know, because I do get tired sometimes.

I also have my last leg x-rays that Dr. Nickel ordered -- thought maybe Lytton-Smith would be satisfied with them when he sees me. If he is, we will save a little money -- nothing Scotch or Jewish [she actually use to brag about having some of BOTH!] about us! I still marvel how my right leg can look like it does and still hold me up, but it surely does. I must still be making bone or something, because I eat like a pig and am not gaining weight. Anyway, it's fun to eat like a pig, though it is rather expensive.

Our tomatoes are just bearing enough to keep us going now, though Benton says they may pick up again when it gets a little cooler. Anyway, I have all I want to eat, and Benton and Omar never did eat them much anyway. I also have enough for salads for the family, so we don't have to buy any. We had two cantaloupes off our vine last week too, and they were really good. Our squash is beginning to bear again too, and our middle peach tree is giving us a nice supply of really delicious peaches, though we haven't had any more to can. We are going to plant some chard and some string beans one of these days too -- not many, just a package of each, and maybe not even that much chard. At least it will give us a little bit of a supply of really fresh vegetables, and it will be fun.

Here it is after 11 already, so I guess I'll finish this in the morning. Maybe we will have a letter from you by then too.

Anyway, we  love you, and want you to take care of yourselves. We'll be seeing you before too long, no doubt.

Much, much love,

Lois Ruth and Benton

<handwritten>

Sun. a.m.

We are on our way to see Keyes [Mrs. Keyes was the other person injured in The Accident] in La Sierra.

August 20, 1951

Monday p.m., 3:30

August 20, 1951

Dearest Mother and Daddy,

How time does fly! I was going to answer your other letter right away, but now I've let two come since last I wrote. It is only a day over a week, but I wasn't going to wait that long. The last letter I wrote and the next to the last one you wrote must have crossed in the mail. Then we also have one from you written the 16th. That I think came Friday, which is pretty good time. The x-rays came the day before. Thanks a lot. We are going to take them up to Dr. Simpson this p.m. and see what she has to say about them. You also sent the ones of my back and neck, which is all right too.

You will surely be busy getting the kids' things off. I hope that it won't be too much for you.

We had quite a few peaches from our second tree -- bigger and better than the first. This a.m. I canned a couple of quarts and ate about one quart or less.

Are Pauline and Henry still there? I surely would love to see them -- am so glad that they are happy. That was surely sweet of them to give you a lovely nightie. What kind was it?

Yesterday we saw Mrs. Hankins in the store, and the she told us she had seen you in church the day before. It was good to know that you had been able to go. Did the cooler freeze you out?

That was nice of Laura to write you that little note. I owe her a letter -- as I do many other people. I'm toying with the idea of mimeographing the major news and taking care of things in a more or less wholesale manner as I did before. That is at least a lot faster.

I thought Pauline and Henry had already sold the store. What will they do about school starting back in Washington? It would be awful if Pauline had to go and Henry stay on in Phoenix. That just wouldn't work. My, but that would be terrible!

I'm glad Daddy is still happy with his work and that you are happy with your kettle. The smaller one would have been just too small.

I was going to write to Retha [her brother Paul's wife] what I thought the kids should take, but didn't get around to it. Lawrence should probably take either Old or New Testament -- probably the former, -- English I, and since he can't get his vocational by correspondence, probably either algebra, biology, or world history. I should say at least two of the last three, and it wouldn't hurt if he took all three of them. Then he would have time to take something extra when he got back here, such as typing or more musical groups -- things that he couldn't get so well by correspondence. Of course he could get typing that way, but it wouldn't be very much fun. However, it would probably cost less, and Retha could provide very able demonstrations. On second thought, that might be a very good idea.

Norma would take Denominational History and Youth's problems, English III, geometry, and should have Spanish I, though it would be hard to get the pronunciation to start with unless someone around there could help her the first lesson or two. However, she should really have it so as to be ready to have Spanish II when she is a senior. I don't know the new principal there, but would be quicker to take Lucile's advice if she were handy anyway.

Last Tuesday I washed and in the evening did most of my ironing. Wednesday evening I went gadding with the girls to Yucaipa.

Sabbath morning Benton was working, so I went to church with Donna. I thought it was very nice of her to take me. I felt quite smart because I walked up the front steps without hanging onto anything or anyone. Of course, they are very short steps, and I couldn't go down them without something or someone to hand on to -- not easily anyway, though I could get down if I had to. My legs are getting stronger, but now I am going to start working more on the bending. Today I swung my pail in the morning, then at noontime squatted ten times instead. That really makes the joints know something is going on.

Friday I did most of the cleaning myself -- all but our bedroom. For dessert I made a graham cracker pie crust and a butterscotch filling from two packages of prepared pudding mix. It tasted very good, if we do say so ourselves.

Who should come in to see us Sabbath afternoon but the Henry Bruners. It was so nice to see them. She and I compared our exercising notes, as per usual, and had a wonderful time. She has gained a lot, and really looks well. She said that Dr. Peterson here thought that she had progressed faster than he had ever thought that she would. Of course, we both have years ahead of us before things will be back to normal again, but it is encouraging when other people can see progress.

Yesterday I finished unpacking my books. What a mess! I still have the trunk to finish, but that won't be so bad. I've also started reorganizing our drawers and getting things straight there. The other night I darned socks while I baby sat.

Last night Benton and I took care of the Hastings baby while her daddy gave a Bible study somewhere. She surely is cute, but she really inspires me. But I guess I better wait until I can get around better and stand loss of sleep better before attempting such a full-time sitter's job as having one of my own would be. Probably I wouldn't have one so cute anyway. I'm sure it wouldn't be so petite [Oh, well, uh, hmmm....].

Benton is feeling better now than he has felt for quite a while. I hope that I can take good care of him and keep him feeling that way.

Do take good care of yourselves. Just don't worry if you can't get all of your work done. Things will work out someway -- they always do, if we can just be patient.

Oodles of love,

Lois Ruth and Benton