Post #595 - March 4, 5, 1945 Bet Seymour Will Have Some Exciting Stories to Tell Some Day! and a Letter from Goldie Strongin

 

4 March 1945

Dearest Evie, 

Still very busy in the Orderly Room, and the work keeps coming in faster than we can get it out. There are a number of things to be done that I just can't seem to find the time for. My remedy for that is to take care of the more pressing things first and let the others wait until I can get to them. For instance, I usually have the Company History finished by this time of the month, but one thing and another that had to be done earlier than the 5th (when the History is due) kept popping up, with the result that I'll probably have to put in a few hours on it tonight in order to meet the deadline tomorrow. (The hell of it is that I don’t get paid time-and-a-half for overtime—hell, I don’t even get paid for overtime!). The foregoing should serve to explain why I am writing V-mail tonight.

Received your “disgustipated” letter of 19-20 Feb. just now, which, outside of taking issue with the Post-Office authorities, tells me next to nothing. However, there were two things I might comment on—The first was the information that you have taught the punkin to say her prayers before going to bed. That’s nice, Sweet, and you can thank her for me for remembering her Daddy in her prayers. Tell her that her Dad prays for her, too. The second item! Yes, I, too, read that Seymour’s ship is at Iwo Jima.—Bet he'll have some exciting stories to tell some day!

There was a very teasing birthday greeting from Dot and Snuff, too, and it made me wonder if they realized how close to the truth it hit—I do wish I could find a few free
moments to dash off a few lines to them—

For your sake, honey, I’m wishing that the delivery of mail improves. For my part, I am doing my very best to write daily, however little time I have for it.

Well, Chippie, I must sign off now—so give my love to all, and remember always that you, my darling, are the embodiment of everything that is precious and dear to

Your adoring Phil

March 5, 1945

Dearest Phil,

Ed took the typewriter over to the house to catch up on his correspondence, hence the penmanship. No mail from you (my last one was dated Feb. 14) but there was a card from Rose Brand. I had returned the pink dress & socks she gifted Adele with & today I received a royal blue sun dress & white socks in larger sizes. The sun dress will come in handy during the summer. Jack Gutkin is home on furlough (due to Betty’s death) but has to return to England on March 16th. I understand that Ben Genshaft will have to go into the Army.

Mom & I went to the Lindley last night & saw “Tall in the Saddle” with John Wayne & Ella Rains. It was a regular rootin’-tootin’ cowboy picture, but it made good entertainment & we both enjoyed it. I also heard that Bob Lieberman is taking singing lessons. The pen I am using does not write—it scratches—and I’m having a time getting it written.

Tonight is 19 months since I “saw” you—and I miss you so much—I love you so much, sweet. A hug & kiss from Adele & one from

Your Eve

March 5, 1945

Dear Phil,

Tonight I am in a writing mood & decided to sit down & write to my two brother-in-laws. Harry decided to go to the Lindley to see “Tall In the Saddle” & I thought I would stay home & write. We are all well at home & hope that you are in good health.

Mom right now is listening to the radio to Gracie Allen & George Burns & I can hear her laughing all the way in the kitchen.

Ev is doing a little washing & the two little darling girls are sleeping. Oh! how quiet it is with them sleeping.

Adele is quite a young lady as you will see from the recent pictures of her. She is so sweet that you can eat her up. She speaks very nicely & understands everything. She likes Diana & Diana likes her. Tonight Ev was in her room giving Adele a glass of milk & Ev was singing. All of a sudden Adele stops drinking & says to Ev “keep still Mommy Diana is sleeping.” We don’t see too much of Adele as she is most of the time over to Mrs. Paller.

Diana is almost 9 months & a little darling. Everybody says she looks like your father. She is very clever for her age & understands everything. She loves Adele & keeps looking after her.

We ask her where is the light & she looks up to the ceiling light. She knows who everyone is. I can keep on writing & writing about the two little Strongin girls, but I hope this war ends darn soon so that you can come home & see for yourself.

I am enclosing a picture of Diana & myself that I had taken in the home.

Everything is the same here. Ev keeps you well posted with the latest news.

Harry is doing fairly well at his gas station. I will close now with best regards & fondest love from all here.

Love,

Goldie

5 March 1945

My Own Darling,

Some very nice things happened to me today, and I’m in a better humor, as a result, than I have been for weeks. First, I got a lotta work done (altho’ there is still plenty to do)—then, early in the afternoon, four bags of packages came in. Among them were two packages for me. The first contained my shoes, and the second, the candy, gum, film, and those scrumptious pin-ups. Thanks a million for everything, darling. I’ll certainly make good use of everything, and if I can find a “620” camera, I’ll take some snaps and send them along to you. Don’t, by the way, send any more cigarettes, baby, ’cause we get seven packs a week now, which is about three more than I smoke.

Later in the afternoon, the first-class mail arrived, and with it your V-mail of 22 Feb. On that day, Sweet, you took Adele to Lorstan to have her picture made, and I don’t have to tell you how happy I was to learn it. Your description of the punkin’s attire and her behavior at the photographer’s made very pleasant reading. Naturally, I’ll be looking forward eagerly to the letter that will bring the proofs. However, I was greatly disappointed that you didn’t see fit to grant my request to have your own picture made at the same time. Don’t you realize, honey, that the punkin’s picture will make me feel the lack of yours the more keenly? I’m sure I asked you on more than one occasion to have your own picture taken whenever you got Adele to the studio. I’m hoping that you did so, and only refrained from mentioning it because you want it to come as a surprise. Am I hoping in vain? I wonder!

I’m still waiting the opportunity to get two things done: (1) To visit Bert and Evelyn, and (2) To write to Mom, Jack S., Jack N., Dot, Mike, Lil, Gloria, etc. etc. Maybe soon the war will be over and I’ll have time to do those things—I hope, I hope! At any rate, the news is such, these days, that it’s not without the bounds of reason.

Just room enough and time enough to tell you the old, old story which, I trust, you will never tire of hearing—I love you, my adorable Evie. A kiss for the punkin. My love to all.

Your Phil—always.