October 27, 1951

[This is another hand-written letter, since she was still in Portland, Oregon, away from home.]

710 S.E. 61st Avenue

Potland 16, Oregon

October 27, 1951

Dearest Mother and Daddy,

The letter you mailed the 22nd got here, I think, the 24th. They really make pretty good time coming here. I should have answered it sooner, but got busy and just didn't.

We are planning to leave here next Wednesday morning. We will be in the Mt. View area by Friday anyway. Just at which place we'll stay we don't know yet, but at least we'll be seeing Lloyd and the kids [her sister's widower and their children]. Probably we will leave there about Monday or maybe Tuesday and head straight for home.

We have been having a lovely time, but it will be good to get home again.

This last Thursday Annie May took us for a ride up the Columbia River, and it surely was beautiful. It was the first sunshiny day we had had in a week here. This is really wet country. Benton and I are quite satisfied just to visit and are glad we live in California instead of Oregon.

So Joan Henthorn (?) has her baby. I must get busy on those booties. I'm glad it was a girl -- all the Henthorns are boys.

The house must look lovely. We'll have to come around to see it one of these days.

Is Uncle Roy's [my mother's mother's brother, I think] address still the same? If you have it handy, you could send it to me. If we get a chance, we might go to see him sometime.

We'll be glad to see Lucille whenever she can come. We'll be home again by that time.

Benton's mother has picked up since we have been here -- comes out with some pretty cute things sometimes. It is just sad to see her mind wander so, though much of the time it is quite clear. We have to dress and undress here, as she gets her clothes all mixed up. We have also kept busy trying to help around the house. I've been doing most of the cooking -- have made a couple of apple pies, a roast, soup just about every day, etc. It has been fun.

Sunday a.m.

It is nearly noon, and Benton and I have just finished the washing. It was foggy all morning, but the sun just came out. I gave Benton's mother a bed bath this a.m. too, so have been busy. Now I'm about to get lunch ready. Annie May gets home about 12:15. I think I'll have eggs scrambled with a dab of mushroom soup and some cheese -- never heard of it before, but thought it might be good.

Well, take care of yourselves. We love you lots. You are the best mother and daddy in the world.

Love,

Lois Ruth & Benton