Description
350 Monday 22 October 9:45 pm Sweetie - I've spent the evening fixing things again for you and Wendy - painting, doing another small but painstaking job…discovered that I’d splashed some paint on the small box while I was painting the big one nearby, and since it was partly on the part where I’d sanded the shellac off, it soaked into the grain of the wood and stained it. So I guess it's better to paint the whole thing. However, the dark green paint I'm using is not appropriate and I think I shall leave it just the way it is, to be done in Chinese (lacquer) red enamel when I get home. You might buy a little can to have it on hand so that I can do the job while we’re vacationing, or a rainy day. The little box is nothing special except that it fits well inside the big one. The paint which I used on the latter was just a little too thick, and did streak, tho not badly. I'm going to thin it down [pg 2] and give it a second coat with a broader brush. Also did some work today between times on what I spoke of as a somewhat unique present for you - not personal, unfortunately, but rather fun for our home. I guess this will be pretty much of a home-made, handicraft Christmas. When I finish writing I shall pack a non-Christmas box to send you, containing the 3 pair of geta to which you already have the straps, the doll for Isabel and some greens which we’re no longer allowed to wear here but which would be good to wear gardening-they’re very light and comfortable, and not bad [looking?]. Shorts and short-sleeved shirts; 2 caps just out of sentiment because I wore them so long, especially the dogface (Army) one. In addition I am enclosing the most conscious examples of scrounging I have yet encountered - two sets of [Sir?] medals, each complete [pg 3] with ribbon and lapel pin, of which the supply officer of a departed B29 group had an overstock. I'm sendin them for you to give Bobby and Dicky; if they've left by the time the package arrives, the medals should be easy to mail them. The [s?] medal is awarded to B-29 crews for 5 missions, other crews under different circumstances other fixed numbers of missions. #431 - Sweetie, I'm awfully sorry about the bad falling off - it seems to me that it's likely to be due to tension more than to anything else - if only you could stop thinking (Except mechanically and in purely practical terms) about my coming home, etc. (mostly etc.) I'm sure that would help. I suppose it's a larger order than it sounds just written on paper, but you could try. At any rate, do speak to Dr. [M?] about it when you go for your new equipment - Darling, time and mood [pg 4] will ultimately determine but offhand I should say that it would be a good idea if, both of us had from 2-4 drinks, lazily and without regard for the passage of time, when first we meet…maybe we'll punctuate that with dinner and maybe not. Yes, it does feel civilized to have a radio in our quarters. Ever hear Victor Borga and his “inflation alphabet” or “phonetic punctuation”? It was the latter tonight, and I laughed out loud for several moments (all by myself) listening to it as I worked. Swell hearing about the sheer stockings from M. Yes, Walter must be a nitwit to send such things home. It's strictly illegal, of course - and the ban on shipping firearms was occasioned by accidents after their arrival. If I had a boy Bobby's age I would pick up Jap helmets and the like [pg 5] (I did get one, tentatively, the day Barry and Art Fickling and I went to the caves, but gave it away later) but to send home ammunition seems to me foolhardy and childish. I'm very glad little Sweetie is responsive to music. I was just thinking tonight, perhaps I'll play along with some elementary piano lessons when she takes hers, just for fun. That's one thing I definitely went for her if she takes to it at all. Me to bed quicklike too. It's now 10:45 - I took time out for 2 beers before the bar closed at 10, and as sometimes happens on that litter, I'm sleepy-tight. Hold me in your arms, darling, and be held reciprocally I love you Warren
