1954 Sept 6

Photos from Dolores' July visit, discussed in this letter. Click on image to enlarge. To zoom, move cursor to right of image, back onto image, and click again.

name of the grandson who just visited in July and ate hard shelled bugs, to his grandfather's delight ("Oh, he just popped another one in!") changed to "your son"

We never knew a vacation could break one so that they were short, in fact so short that they could not spare a postage stamp to write to their folks far far away. I know how hard it is to make up one's mind to write and after that how much more difficult it is to set down and actually perform the task. Since the vacationers have all up and left us, things are as quiet as Forest Lawn cemetery, that is very beautiful but too quiet to enjoy after that splurge we did enjoy for a couple of months. Hope by this time you have fully recovered your composure and are figuring out your next sojourn, or perhaps you could make it a permanent one.

While Larry was applying for a position, he was always asked are you an engineer or specialist in any field? If he were, positions were plentiful. You will notice that I use the word position a little reservedly as Larry referred to his new employment as a position instead of a mere job. Said this time he is through toiling and is going to use his brains for a salary instead of a pittance. He took a position at Hughes Aircraft near the airport. Holidays off and it's a push-over he says.

The weather has been fine as you have noticed by following weather reports and the haze has left in the mornings with sunshine out early and all day too. The nights are starting to get a little cooler which means that in about a month we start the gas heater going to keep out the chill. Mom is starting to complain about the coolness, both in the morning early and towards evenings when the sun commences to sink in the ocean. That big bath tub is just as grand as ever with rollers getting bigger and better. Bet your son could have thum fun now wading in and out, showing off his little butt.

I don't suppose it's any use enumerating the vacationsists after your visit. By now you must have a fairly detailed report from them and hope they all enjoyed their stay and our little home with not too spacious accommodations. We got by and are looking for more and often.

I have the garden and grounds in good shape now with our new Mower. The weeds and crab grass are almost completely eliminated, with plenty hard work, as the darn stubborn stuff wanted to stay on and hold on it did. It took spading and pulling to dislocate, but it paid off. Had boxes full of weeds to haul away and trimmings from the berry patches, runners from the grape vines cut loose, rose bushes pruned and in general the place got its face lifted. It's sure shown results as things are sprouting in all directions. Guess they want to show their appreciation by their appearance.

Had some Amarillo lilies come through, Gladiolas, Dahlias, and others that I just don't recall right now. Figs are ripening, grapes are loaded but not too palatable as yet, roses are again blooming, Calla lilies are getting a fresh start, cactus are blooming and the geraniums look like hell. The tall grass that was growing in around the flowers is all pulled so that it shows up a lot better. That crowded appearance has disappeared, allowing a better display of the surviving starlets.

You might mention to your son that with the exclusion of some of the brush, the little crawling vermin are easily detected and are in full display for a quick kill or feed. I found a few new species that are waiting to be picked. Can't vouch for their delectation as that is strictly Billy's own delicacy and privilege. He can even have it patented as far as the rest of the world is concerned. Mom found a nice large fuzzy caterpillar one day, captured it and put it into an empty beer can by use of a stick and the hole perforated into the top of the can. Then with a gleeful grin, asked if it could crawl out, up the slimy sides of the can. It was actually about three inches long and extra well growth of fuzzy hair or what have you.

Chances are that we see all of you in the late fall. Mom is still taking about flying back home for the wedding and if that transpires, someone is going to have us around again for a few weeks. That will be grand for us but for the gang, lookout.

If you can afford a two make that three cent stamp as we can do without airmail, get up enough courage to drop us a few lines and let's enjoy your cheery news again. We really enjoyed every word, relating your son's antics and your own pleasure in following his movements. Don't get the wrong impression of movements.

It's Labor Day and Larry just came in, grabbed something from his room, and disappeared again before Mom could determine if he was going to stay for dinner as it's now 1:10 PM. With that in mind and knowing the mail is picked up at Dody mail box at 1:30 PM, it's closing time in a rush