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298 June 12 - Tuesday - 9:00 P.M. My Dearest Darling: I was so happy to find your letter of the 7th waiting for me at the Post Office this morning, together with your note about the marigolds. Haven't yet received letters of the 6th and 7th, but I guess your ear is alright again; and I'm glad, because I was a bit worried. This has been a very hot day - and both Wendy and Mummy are on the sunburned side. Helen drove us downtown to go marketing at 11:00 this morning. Wendy caused quite a furor in town, dressed in pale pink piqué dress and new sunbonnet. She goes barefoot now - her skin is a golden tan, and her hair quite bleached. One woman [pg 2] stopped and said “Isn't she a delicious child!” Wendy rides along standing up in her stroller, laughing and talking away to everyone - no wonder she attracts so much attention. For breakfast today, she had her first piece of buttered toast. After the first little experimental taste, she gave a little shiver of delight, and proceeded to lick off all the butter, before tackling the toast, crunch, crunch - (its amazing how much noise six teeth can make!) When we got back from town, I put Wendy down for her nap, and stretched out on the patio to sizzle for an hour or so - 9:30- Darling we've just come home. You and I, from a walk to the P.O. rewarded by four letters and a long envelope - the 5, 6, 8 and 9th. A beautiful warm night remains of a sunset, [pg 3] baby moon, and lots of bright stars for wishing on - A few minutes out now, sweety, and I'll be back in a twinkle. 10:00 M-m, that was a good read and so many things as I have to answer! Think I will not go downtown tomorrow morning, but will put Wendy outside in her pen, and go about cleaning house, and doing up a big wash. Then, I'll be free to write you a good long letter. This afternoon we joined Bobbie and Helen down at the beach. For the first time since we've been here, it was warm enough to take off all Wendy's clothes except her panties for five minutes, and for Mummy to go paddling in the water. Little [pg 4] sweetie stayed dry for 2 hours at the beach this afternoon - she went just before we left the house, and again as soon as we came home. She's awfully cute scooting around on the sand, and covers remarkable distances. She is addicted to cigarette butts tho, and seems to dig them up out of nowhere. She is beginning to learn tho - when I say “No” she hands over the offending article. Now that Bobbie is out of school for the summer Helen gets him down to the beach more often. That works out well for us, because I wheel Wendy down in her stroller at our convenience, and then we can drive home up the hills. We hadn't been back, but [pg 5] a few minutes when Gerry stopped by. Her house was sold from under her today, without any warning at all. She doesn't know what she is going to do - thinks maybe she'll try to find a place - if not go back east, but she’d prefer to stay here in Carmel. It's a tough break. Tonight I had iced coffee for the first time since last summer - tasted good, and made me wish I was sharing it with you. No on to answer one letter anyway- #244 Helen told Mrs. Coomber today about her husband. She came over this afternoon to phone from here, saying that Walter, thought she should go ahead. Later, Dr. Coomber (brother-in-law) [pg 6] phoned, I think from S.F., and wanted to speak to Helen - believe he wants to check with Casa, so there is no question. Tonight Mrs. Coomber is over here with Helen. I don't know why the War Dep't. telegrams haven't been received - still Helen hasn't official word about Walter. Families here have already been satisfied of casualties occurring even later but not in M.G. I guess there really isn't anything anyone can say. Just heard crying and shuffling outside, and it was Bobbie - Helen had to go downtown with Mrs. C. and I was keeping an eye on the house - poor youngster, he woke up, and was badly frightened. Now I have him sitting down, laughing over Wendy's new animated picture book, and trying to read the little stories. He's really awfully good - all this has been a strain on him, and it shows up in [pg 7] funny little ways. War is awfully hard on little ones - the other day down at the P.O. I saw a little girl - just about three - dog-trotting beside her mother, looking up anxiously and asking, “Is it bad news, Mommy?” War certainly hits everyone from the youngest to the oldest. Just talking about possibilities for a new assignment for you makes me feel uneasy - but I guess that's only natural. I'm glad you've decided not to try and initiate a transfer. It wouldn't be any fun starting another 18 months, and you just might be able to finagle stateside duty, when you get home next spring. I didn't mean to seem naïve about Chuck - He's the one who thought it likely he might be able to see you, tho I've thought chances [pg 8] slim. Will try to get some more stationery off to you tomorrow. Next week, I'll try making some more cookies - know fudge won't travel at all well, but I have an overseas recipe Gerry gave me for a fudge [squarke?] cookie made with chocolate and peanut butter which I think I'll try. 11:15 Helen got back about twenty minutes ago - in the meanwhile I’d put Bobbie to sleep in the bedroom. Glad to hear you have the two pairs of pajamas - will be waiting eagerly for a pair to come back to me. Will see what I can do about something for the Moons. I’d like to make one change in your list of priorities 1) car 2) [R?] - We’d have lots more things to take pictures of if we had a car. [pg 9] I hope you slide downhill on that last 9 month run real fast - Was glad to get the pony edition of the New Yorker - I've been meaning to ask you to send me one - also pleased to have the 3 new snapshots-I'll be interested to hear more about them some evening when we’re browsing thru the snapshot album. Guess I’d better leave the rest of your letters til tomorrow - but I will take time now to reread them. Your deluge of mail today was well worth waiting for. Sweet dreams precious- I love you dearly- Bobby
