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