To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase
5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas City, Kansas
From Frances Chase Courtsal, 850 Mass Ave, Apt # 11, Cambridge 39, Massachusetts
Monday August 30, 1954
Dear Folks,
Hello, hello. Won’t be long before we can say that in person. Sounds like you have quite an itinerary worked out. I’ve wanted for ages to see Montreal and Quebec. I almost wish I didn’t have a new job so I might sneak up with you.
But the job has no other regrets -- I’m to be secretary to the Chairman of the Department of Architecture at M.I.T., Dr. Laurence B. Anderson. Very nice. Very interesting department and job, too. And I will have lunch with Don!
I start the day after Labor Day, a week from tomorrow. Last day here is Wednesday, so I have a holiday Thursday, Friday and Labor Day weekend. Many plans for a haircut, ironing, etc.
But back to the trip. Never you fear about our being too tired after entertaining you. Our entertaining will be quite simple -- nothing more than cocktails and snacks or coffee and dessert. We won’t plan to have people if you are really opposed, of course, but we really want to very much. We have entertained our friends, in general, and had some specials over dinner. We also had a party for office people last Friday evening. The Hornors had us over for dinner and of course loaned us their sewing machine. We haven’t had the Carsons over yet and I feel terribly indebted to them. So -- the ideal time is for both Hornors and Carsons to come over and chat with you. Actually it is a saving since we won’t have to have both for dinner. OK?
There is one major and unfortunately factor -- the time of the month. I have been quite regular lately and Saturday, the 18th, is the day I’m due again, which means much limpness on Saturday and Sunday. Is there any possibility of arranging trips and stops to Montreal etc. so we can see you the weekend before or the weekend after??? (It is only 3 ½ hours to Branford so that wouldn’t be much backtracking). Well, think it over. Very sad! If you can’t, what say you plan to get here on Friday or even Thursday -- much better -- and we can say hello on Thursday and have friends over on Friday. Don has the two weeks before free from school (September 5 - 19) so he won’t have to study at night. This means time during the week is much freer needless to say, so the bother of Thursday will be zero.
Hello again -- it is Tuesday now and we have just had a sample of a hurricane! Much rain and great rumblings and roaring of wind. Don is at Tech and, I assume, safe and sound. We here certainly are snug, warm and dry. Our corner however is a feature attraction. The huge old chestnut tree (horse -- no relation to the spreading type on Brattle Street) having divided itself and sprawled across the street, over a car and a fence, to rest its branches on the house opposite us. The poor car is a weird shape now. Innumerable branches and shingles are all over everything and reports are of broken storefronts and the usual. It is still more blowy than I prefer for strolling. Being so safe in our sturdy brick building, we feel almost like we’d viewed it in the news reels.
Back to the list --
We appreciate your customary thoughtfulness re the clothes, table leaves, kettle, etc. However, we shall also appreciate your keeping in mind our very limited space. All our shelves and closets and storage boxes and trunks are filled to capacity. The leaves can join their fellow in one closet. The kettle will have to go under the stove, I guess. The only other space we have is under our dressers and the bed. You can see why we prefer to keep “things” at a minimum.
Sounds like you are having a good summer with guests …
Our party seemed to be a success…
I wore the green, rather straight dress with straps and it was appreciated. That has been the case with all my trousseau...People at Bests & Peck & Peck wanted to know where they could find an outfit like it (and if you, Mother, were in the trade).
We are very pleased, too, with our pictures. Mr. Porgias got some good shots and generally it is good coverage of activities before, during and after the wedding.
Our phone number is University 4 - 7108. It is listed at information under our name and our address too.
Ann and Mary didn’t stop in Kansas City...They appreciated your thinking of them.
You spoke, Mother, of a record I had set in lack of letters. You two may be interested to note that you, too, have set a record of sorts: one letter since June without a complaint (It had a comment but it was not developed so it doesn’t count).
Thursday now -- much fun to talk with you the other night. Hurricane for us is now a thing of the past, for all practical purposes. Every now and then we find a street still blocked by a tree and there are still a few battered boats in the river. The trees and the boats really took a bad time -- there is a steeple about to drop in the Square and some parts of surrounding towns will be without power for another week. But we have all but dismissed it. Most impressive however.
We shall be glad to make reservations for you at either the Commander or the Kirkland Inn.
I just called both to compare rates and you might be interested to know what I learned. The Kirkland charges $7 a night for a double room with twin beds and bath and the Commander charges $11 for the same. As you can see, it is not an expensive hotel and it is very comfortable and pleasant. Either one is handy to us.
You let us know whenever you can. You’d better get a place lined up soon because freshman will be coming back then -- with large quantities of parents.
Well, that about does it, I guess. See you soon.
Love,
Fras
P.S. You may be interested to know that I have not yet received a thank-you from Ann Hornor Cutter for a present delivered before her wedding on June 18. I am not impatient however because I anticipate a note with thought and sincerity behind it and I know that takes time. F.
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To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase
5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas
From Frances L. Chase, 850 Mass. Ave., Apt # 11, Cambridge 39, Massachusetts
April 6, 1956
Dear Folks,
We were very sorry to hear about Nickie. It is a tribute to Nick that there is genuine sorrow at his loss. He was a faithful and happy companion to us all his years. It is nice that we feel nothing of another kind of sorrow, the sorrow which comes when circumstance cuts a life short or rogs it of some of its effectiveness. I think Nick found fulfillment in his small way. His end apparently was that of all mortal things. The sorrow is really for us because we have to change our habits and find new ways of sharing our love. I am thankful to have had so many years to share my love with him.
Love is a paradox, isn’t it! Love grows as you give it to others and you are stronger for it. But when those beloved are taken away, your dependence on them makes you seem weaker in a way than if you’d never loved. But I really don’t think you are weaker because it is only immediately after they are gone and your capacity to love is there and those who never love are shriveled and shrunken in their souls. And further more, there are all those happy years when love made such great things possible for you that they more than compensate for the pain – I guess.
I’m awfully fortunate never to have lost anyone dear except my little dog, and then at the inevitable time. Many of my contemporaries are far less fortunate.
I am sorry for you because he was a greater part of your daily life and that means many more sad adjustments to make. It reminds me of first going to college and leaving Nick at home.
Around here the thesis rules. Don is working day and night to finish and when he’s not working, he wishes he was. We are very fortunate because there is no serious doubt that he will not finish before the deadline of May 21.
Before I forget, when Don read your letter about coming in October, he suggested you consider coming for Christmas. How about that? Christmas is quite beautiful in New England and our has, we think, a bit of personality too. We will be settled for sure, too.
Thanks, I have some kitchen tongs and the sewing I did was skirt and blouse of attached and black broadcloth blouse – very elementary.
Love to you 2 from us 2.
Fras
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To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase
5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas
From Frances C. Courtsal, Box 97, Greenbush, Massachusetts
December 31, 1956
Dear Folks,
Please excuse the paper. We’re snowed in and Santa didn’t bring me any – not that I remembered to ask him to and the way I eat stationery, he probably couldn’t have carried enough anyway.
We had a most festive holiday season (not that its over with a party waiting tonight (had 3 to choose from) if we can find our snowshoes, figuratively speaking). The house looked very gala with our special tree on the end wall opposite the chairs, plus a bowl of greens on the hassock below with packages pile around. Uncle Dave sent us a beautiful poinsettia plant which went on the end of the long table (its along the wall by the radio). The lady next door gave us some holly she found in some woods and I went out in our woods to find creeping pine, laurel, spruce, regular pine, etc. Laurel and flat pine went in the ivy ring with M.J’s Christmas candle from Germany in the middle of the dining table. A bundle of misc. greens tied with a red ribbon (weatherproof – and it was put to the test!) went on the fence post by the driveway. Plus cards on the long table.
Your card was very handsome – is displayed on our tree. We didn’t get another like it at all. Looks like a Christmas card too – is dignified, more imaginative than a photograph – very good taste. We enjoyed the imagination and good taste in your package wrappings too – the prettiest under our tree. Too pretty to throw away! We even have some from last year. I used some to send other people – the snowman and the leaves.
Most lasting of all is the pleasure we shall get from the candle snuffer. We couldn’t be more pleased. It is so simple; it needs no decoration because the beauty is in its very line. I’ve been a real stinker about what I like and don’t like and this Christmas. I was glad because we got some really beautiful and useful and special things… Parkman books Oregon Trail…sweater…Tupperware…petitfour…Bach’s Wise Virgins….a belt…a shell book…shirts…stainless steel server….old fashion glasses…kitchen towels…bed jacket
This is the story of our dog: she is mostly Australian kelpie (according to the former owner) or MacNab sheep dog (according to the vet). In any case, she is a mongrel but, except for a curly tail, looks just like her mother who is a pure bred dog call the above by the above.
You were very thoughtful, Mother, to suggest sending Nick’s collar and harness, but unfortunately, though she is only 9 months old, she is already larger than Nick ever was – 28 inches long, 24 inches high, 30 lbs. We took some pictures yesterday, so you can see for yourself soon.
This is how we got her: the Hornors on their visit here with the Farmers were reminded they know some interesting people on this very road. In less than a week we had a note that the people, the Scudders, had stopped by and in the note they invited us for cocktails. We accepted, had a delightful time and in due course reciprocated. We got acquainted with their 3 sheep dogs and their past etc. When we were looking for a dog, we thought of those and what nice dispositions they have, so Don called to ask if they had any suggestions as to where we might look for a pup of the same kind. Turns out the only other A. kellie or MacNab sheep dog is on the (??), being the father of the Scudder’s older dog and having been flown there from Montana. But they had decided 3 dogs were too many, having only 8 - 10 sheep and 2 acres and they offered us their 9 month-old female named Bows (Mother is Boots, brother is Buttons).
We were looking for a small, short-haired male, 6 weeks to 6 months old. But she has a good disposition! Now she’s ours and her name is now Spray.
Actually we consider her a gift from Aunt Fan because we had to have her spayed, being that advanced age and we couldn’t have accepted her without seeing our way to the finances.
The 3 dogs were kept in a huge dog house with straw on the floor – outside in the summer and on the porch with the screens off in the winter – never had been in the house or in the car, etc.
She eats one meal a day and knows the meaning of no but otherwise she’s like a tiny puppy because she has so much to learn. For instance she doesn’t know how to play. At first she was quite wild and thus terrified of people and all the strange actions and noises in the house – furnace, refrigerator, iron, hoover, etc. But already she will stay in the room with us when we have guests, went with us for the Heald’s for Christmas, she’s at home anywhere in the house, is more afraid outdoors, now knows one dog (Champ), rides in the back seat and looks out the windows – even scratched to get in the car when we walked by it yesterday on the way to watch the skaters on the bog. She can shake hands too. And she doesn’t have to be pushed or carried out of the house. And all without snacks – just lots of petting and attention. We’re not giving her anything besides her meal so she won’t be a beggar. And she has the most wonderful disposition – not the least bit aggressive, never once has snapped no matter how scared – one reason why she doesn’t play with a rag or stick, etc. Won’t chase us or let us chase her either. Just lies down to be petted and looks puzzled. Actually we’re just as glad because she’s so gentle.
Notes and comments:
We were disappointed in our hope Mrs. Heckler would come see us. Thanks for all the forwarding service. My “4” and “7” are confusing, it seems, we have a 1954 Ford alas.
Hope you enjoyed the camel walk and the bunny hug. Regular reports in the NY Times about the drought investigations and reports and proposals and statistics, etc. Very sad indeed!
Well, I thought I’d get away without another page, but I’ll tell you a bit about Uncle Dave, to answer your question about how he’s faring. I was interested to see him again since it’s been 10 years since the last time. He’s very restless; he sees something to do and finds the way – millions of suggestions for improvements on the Heald’s house for instance, though no solution to the financing of same – and when he can’t think of anything to solve, he roams around until he does. M.N.H. says she’s only known him to relax in Florida, after 3 or 4 days and then an exception is made for numerous long-distance calls.
We found him somewhat less full of information than we had hoped on questions such as expected effects of the St. Lawrence Seaway on Detroit, effects of cut-backs in the auto industry, etc. He doesn’t devote much time to reflection, I guess, being a man of action.
He’s very entertaining, full of stories about trips to Newburyport, Chatham, adventures in everyday activities in Detroit, etc. Don and he got acquainted right off. He’s wild about little Marianna and completely captivated her, which is something to do!! She has a mind of her own and isn’t often responsive to other people’s ideas. He was thoughtful to M.N.H. too, keeping little Marianna out of the way, etc. Has ideas of a huge family reunion – Aunt Ethel, David and family, everyone – here next summer.
Jill sounds like a real terror – dyed her hair black, to the horror of everyone. She sounds gay and endearing and not afraid of anyone, even her dad.
Uncle Dave was very interested in your plans for retirement, Dad. I guess the prospect is one he has to contemplate seriously before too long. He was amazed how high your forehead is (in the picture) but I said I’d not tell you without telling his is just as high, and the hair is all white.
I guess he still thinks you are a youngster, that Mom looked like a real youngster romping on the beach.
As for church, the churches down here are very disappointing – social centers. First thing everyone asks is what church you go to, like what sorority you belong to. No concern by congregation or minister either over real questions religion should be concerned with. Since we’re finding more than enough social activity elsewhere, there’s no point in our going to church here.
Don’t get overly encouraged over the length of this letter – not another like this at least until Spring.
Happy New Year!
Love from us both,
Fras
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To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase
5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas
From Frances C. Courtsal, Box 97, Greenbush, Massachusetts
February 13, 1957
Dear Folks,
How exciting to think there is a possibility of going to Evergreen after all. We must emphasize that we haven’t a spare dollar to give to this expedition and accordingly are willing to limit our trip to K.C. – but if those conditions don’t present a problem to you, we shall be utterly delighted to go to Colo. and shall do much driving and cooking, etc.
As for dates for vacation, Don asked for his vacation to start the Wednesday before the Saturday (Sept. 4 - 17) you plan to start for Colo. (Sept. 7?) so we can come out family plan – and save money! He’ll have two weeks and be due back Wednesday. Thanks for the prompt reply: It arrived on the exact day it was due, which saved him explanations.
I hope you are still not holding your breath about a family. It is only in the planning stage; we have to have money first.
After giving body and soul to M.I.T. for two years, this year is being devoted to restoring both, as well as bank account, and is being a great success. We are both going to the dentist, we are fixing and mending and such, and catching up on reading and sleep put off for the past eight years – just living, in other words. Delightful. As for eyes, I have new glasses, etc. and any trouble I have with eyes is my own fault – reading too much. Not really much trouble, lately.
In answer to some of your other questions – no Christmas card from Marthana. We sent a card to you, and to Mrs. Heckler and the Nasons. I’d be interested to know if they received theirs. A sample is enclosed (sorry - but away in the attic).
When does Bob Vandaveer graduate?
We know of some very tasty hot cereal, - Maypo – made in Vermont. This year the company was taken over by Maltex so perhaps Maypo can be found in K.C. now. Recommended.
I have a great list of things I’d like to have from home…
Would you be interested in contributing to my campaign for regional understanding? M.J. is planning a summer trip across the country which may take three months…Would you be willing to take her in for a couple of days – with one friend – and give her a guided tour of K.C.? I’d like her to get to see the insides of a typical medium-sized city…
Thanks for the work on Mrs. Heckler. We were disappointed that she didn’t come but now we can see why and understand.
So glad to hear Mrs. Dudley is better! Our best to her and Lyle.
I get a big kick out of the part the Carswells play in your social life now, in contrast to the funny remarks he used to make to me when I was only a strange element in his life – something his daughter dragged in. He finally got you located with the Telephone Co. – to his great satisfaction – but he hadn’t progressed much further when I ceased to frequent K.C.
Very interesting to have the article about Barbara Leacock. She was the head of the Madrigal Group in Choir in 1951 – very low and resonant alto voice. I dated the boy who headed up the Crimson Stompers a few times when I was working at Harvard so I knew she was singing in New York and had made some recordings…
You needn’t feel too bad about the coup friend Hall pulled off…the Congressman elected by Lynn, Mass. just managed to get out of jail, for income tax evasion, in time to run for re-election…
Good idea to get white dishes! I shall look in Boston for the pattern when and if I go again. Looks pretty.
We had quite a sad week-end just after Christmas. I took the dog to the vet on a Friday morning – didn’t feed her after Thursday morning on his instructions. At 1 o’clock I went to get her and met the vet who had a long face. “I’ve been trying to call you; your dog jumped my fence.” And his fence is as high as Don…I spent the afternoon and 50 miles on the care looking for the dog, calling etc. Snow was almost knee deep and it was very cold – never above freezing, if above zero. By Saturday night, we had decided to give up…We got very cross with each other – something which is exceptional around here – but finally admitted that each was mostly worried about Spray, so we comforted each other. Still were comforting each other Sunday afternoon when the vet called to say someone a mile on the other side of his place had called to say they had a stray dog, so he went down and found it…Anyway there she was. Though she hadn’t been fed since Thursday am, she wouldn’t eat from anybody and they couldn’t get close enough to read her tag. But she slept in their garage and at bread they left on the ground for her. Two sweet white-haired old-maid sisters who have a chicken farm. She slept and ate for two days and all was well. We hadn’t had her very long but were very sad because she is so very sweet and gentle and happy. Really quite an exceptional dog we have.
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| Don Courtsal with Spray, Jan. 1957 |
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Caryl had a baby girl about a week ago; Pete has another year of law school but they may buy a house. Nice to have a Vice President of Sylvania and an owner of a fabric company as in-laws.
Nancy and Em have moved into a house they had built – for $35,000. It is in Weyland in a lovely wooded and hilly area and they have much window area to enjoy it with. The house has 3 bedrooms and is quite conventional; the details however are extra nice…They’ll be comfortable.
Misc. details about life in Greenbush: I was a reference for the Healds for their next adoption (a matter not in common talk, for obvious reasons) and was very pleased to talk with the agency rep. On their behalf. One day the median temperature was - 4 degrees. We have been skating twice…We have informally entertained our neighbors, the Torrys…Three ladies I have met through various activities who live on Old Oaken Bucket road also drop in – all of whom have children in the 20’s and all of whom are lively and interesting…annual town meeting…Before Symphony last time we went to the Boston Fine Arts and saw a whole section devoted to ship models – utterly fascinating, especially with a well-informed guide!
Hope all goes well with you. Love from both of us,
Fras
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| Mayflower II shallop launch day, March 1957 |
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To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase
5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas
From Frances C. Courtsal, Box 97, Greenbush, Massachusetts
May 1, 1957
Dear Folks,
How is the weather in K.C.? Mid-west weather has been headline news for some months now it seems…those astonishing snow storms and now tornadoes…to break a drought, saying that even a month of good rain won’t do it, but that a change in weather patterns would…
When will Bob V. be married? Is he in Seattle? Working? I mean to write to him but I can’t imagine what I would have to say that would be of interest to him.
As you probably know, Aunt Ethel arrived in Scituate the Saturday before Easter and stayed with Marianne for a week. We had all of them here for Easter. I knew they all are traditionalists to the heart so since this was their Easter dinner, too, I decided to do it traditionally and dug out the linen tablecloth we haven’t used in three years of marriage, polished silver, dusted off the crystal, figured out what one serves for a traditional Easter dinner, found some candles bought daffodils. The dinner was a complete fiasco. If Aunt Ethel mentions one complimentary thing about that dinner, it is a polite lie. Although I ironed that horrible tablecloth every way I knew, it looked as if I’d spent all my time wadding it up. And though I drained the pickled beets on towels for hours before, it got a huge beet stain on it. After all was said and done, I rubbed the stain with lemon juice diligently, only to have Don cry in horror that I was making a hole – which I was.
As for the food, I planned and listed and studied for hours and did everything beforehand – got a ham that was already cooked so no one would die, cored and filled the baked apples (Marianne will eat no dessert but apples in some form it seems), had scalloped potatoes so they were in the over before, etc., etc. Well, after all the cutting and so forth, the ham was stone cold. I forgot to add milk to the mashed potatoes, so they were so much paste, also cold. I completely forgot to put the apples in the oven, so there was a half-hour gap between dinner and dessert. I made the fixings for six cups of coffee and got four – so I just didn’t have any. The candles were in a draft smoked in Marianne’s eyes until they had to be extinguished. And the worst of it was that they insisted on pretending it was all a huge delight and were as sober as could be.
Don and I finally were ready to laugh it off as a horrible mistake; When I brought in the rolls I told Ross he’d better have one because they were the only hot thing in the whole dinner – but no one would smile. And afterwards Aunt Ethel persisted in making devious kind remarks – such as it was a nice gesture – Wow! So if you want one linen tablecloth, you’re welcome to it. I’m looking for some way to see the crystal. I shall then buy something more appropriate for our house – modern and simple; probably Scandinavian or Italian. From now on I entertain my way, so it tastes good and is fun.
As a result of Aunt Ethel’s visit I have a summer project – typing the diaries. She brought them for me to read and I wanted a copy. Try as I would I couldn’t do even a good piece in a week and mentioned it to her. It seemed she had wanted them copied for some time – so I’m going to do it. I assure you my typing is better when I am copying than when I’m thinking up a letter at the same time.
Thanks for sending the ukulele and the flash for the camera. Also for that box long ago of Yummies and harness and ball, etc. At the time, Spray was afraid of balls…but she has developed a liking for balls and this nice hard one is holding up well.
The sheep dog you pictured is an English sheep dog – Spray is mostly Australian Kelpie…We called her Spray after going through lists of musical terms, the names of the boats in the Bermuda race, nautical terms, etc., etc. Spray is easy to say, has pleasant associations with Ocean Spray cranberries across the road and salt spray of the ocean and also fits her because she is so fluffy – and mostly we just like it.
Thanks also for the Easter card. Aunt Ethel arrived on Easter with a wonderful no-iron blouse for me and a pot of beautiful pink-and-white striped tulips we can plant later. (I’m not a fan of pink but Don sort of likes it and with the pale green of the tulip leaves, these flowers are very pretty)....We bought our Easter flowers for the ill-fated table by the side of the road, which was fun…We planted over 2000 seeds in flats last weekend. Hope one comes up!...Later we will plant gourds and cornflowers and snapdragons. Tuberous begonias grow fine for Aunt Virginia. After that grim dinner I’m not trying anything fancy in any field – take my own pace!
We would be delighted to loose our dreams of Colorado and let them fly – but we really don’t dare. I mentioned before that we don’t have any money for it but I wonder if you understood. Since then our saving plan has been thrown even further out of whack by income tax (forgot to pay last summer on a fee Don got for work for SNAME (Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers) and two wisdom teeth I have to have out – and the cleaning bill. We will come to K.C. in any case though and we have our vacation time set for September.
As for our doings, we saw Don Carlo when the Met was here and enjoyed it, though we are still waiting our turn for the records and libretto from the library. I went camping with the Girl Scouts for three days – lost five pounds – an experience I do not plan to repeat in the near future.
One more note on the weather, to say that I do not recommend you wish you were here when things get dry and wild there. We have sand everywhere, in the bed, in our shoes and pockets and grinding up the floor at a great rate. I shellacked (actually used a plastic finish) the floor when I had the mumps, though it had been done when we got here, and already it is as bad as before. We fight mold and mildew all the time and it actually takes the wood away from windows, doors, etc. And in March the water in the basement got to the furnace so we had no heat for two days. The blower had to be rebuilt and the landlady finally had to put in a sump pump. What bother! Too much water is little better than too little. (And the cesspool runs over regularly). But it is awfully pretty here.
Much love, Fras
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To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase
5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas
From Frances C. Courtsal, Box 97, Greenbush, Massachusetts
May 16, 1957
(transcriber’s note – Frances’ birthday was May 15)
Dear Folks,
It certainly was a pleasure to talk with you Tuesday night. Fine thing, the telephone! The blouse and skirt couldn’t be more satisfactory – drip-dry, pretty material, not pink, fits well – ideal! With the demise of the red plaid, etc., I have real need for this kind of outfit and lots of other things they’ll go with, too! Thanks very much.
I got two other very nice presents, too. Mom and Pop Courtsal sent me a watering can, brass, for potted plants – very handsome and useful. And D. gave me an alto recorder – something I wanted very much but hadn’t hoped to get. It’s a Purcell, has double holes, is in three sections, wood – all the best features and such a lovely tone. His is a soprano in the key of C and mine is in the key of F, so it will be awhile before we can manage duets out of each other’s books – but it won’t be very long.
The Vandaveers sent a card and no present – something which pleased me. I wish the Tonkinsons would do the same at Christmas. Both families are very thoughtful and that I appreciate, but being so far away in time and distance, it is very difficult to select a present.
Since the recorder was B-Day and anniversary and out to dinner and Pops and everything, we had a quiet evening at home. D. made supper – he’s very thoughtful that way!
(He completely forgot Valentine’s Day. I had no complaint because just the night before, he came home and said he felt I’d made dinner an awful lot lately and since we couldn’t afford to go out, he’d make dinner!)
Actually it is a real delight to have a quiet time at home. Last week, I had exactly four hours free of commitments to all those organizations in which to clean, shop, take the laundry, write letters, etc. Summer is coming just in time!
Summer reminds me of Colorado. Just in case we might really get to go, we wrote for information on activities etc. and got a batch of materials. We studied maps and pictures, etc. at a great rate. The Rocky Mountain National Park, Trail Ridge Road, Grand Lake interest us especially. No much interest in Central City and other commercial things. There are some rodeos about that time too, though I can’t find where. And I’d like it very much if we could meet up with Bebe in the course of things and I’d love her to meet Don. What fun to think of Colorado in specific terms!
Hope life is full of interest and delight for you.
Much love,
Fras
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To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase
5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas
From Frances C. Courtsal, Box 97, Greenbush, Massachusetts
June 23, 1957
Dear Folks,
Sorry you are in suspense about dates; I’d swear I wrote you after Don arranged his vacation. You wrote that you had vacation the weeks of Sept. 8, 15 and 22 and wanted to leave on Saturday the 7th so D. asked if he could get off for his two weeks starting the Wednesday or Thursday before and that was O.K. If you want to change anything he could probably get off the following week starting Monday or even the week after, but probably not any sooner. Finances being what they are, we are coming out by coach train. We haven’t made any definite plans, of course, but had expected to leave Wednesday or Thursday, depending on train schedules, and arrive in K.C. in any case in time to leave Saturday a.m. for Colorado. In order to get back to K.C. and underway for here again we probably couldn’t figure on more than 7 days in Colorado.
Things here are being to quiet down, thank Heaven, since during the summer no one in Scituate does anything but go to the beach (with the exception of the League ticket committee, of which I am a member, which is arranging a benefit performance of Silk Stockings at the Cohasset Music Circus.) We went to see the Courtsals in their new house – very nice, full of conveniences, beautiful location. D’s brother and wife and four small ones came on Sunday for dinner, etc; we had a good time getting to know each other better. Caryl and Peter and baby were down for a picnic at Duxbury and handed us two turtles since they are off to San Francisco (via Seattle to look it over) to spend the summer with Caryl’s family. Her father is out there with the Stanford Research Institute. I went to a baby shower – few things I hate more.
One night we got a call from two kids who have since moved in near us who had just gotten married two days before; they chartered a 25’ sloop for their honeymoon and had just made Scituate from Marblehead; invited us for a sail – three hours out and back from Scituate Harbor – and just as we got underway, what did they pull out of the water but a bottle of champagne. Also shared a bottle with Marianne and Ross Thursday since they now have a son, nearly three months old, Samuel Ross. I justify going to the beach while D. works because I take little Marianne. Went to Brandeis for a jazz festival; going for one day to Newport for part of same. Next weekend if forests are open we are off camping on the Cape. Last weekend the Society of Naval Architects had, for their month meeting, a paper about the new Nantucket ferry, so they held the meeting on the ferry; seemed silly to turn around and go home, so six of us stayed overnight – same place where we were last year.
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| Frances and Don Courtsal on the ferry |
Your garden seems to be a real prize-winner from the looks of all the green grass and those wonderful roses, etc. We apparently have inherited your drought; our grass, even the clover and the weeds, is all dried up and of all our flowers and vegetables, we have only beans left. What a flop! I’m still encouraging a few things in a porch box D. made but that’s the extent of our garden now. Also had very sad forest fires in May all around us.
When Aunt Ethel was here she spoke often of you, your house, etc. and I have the feeling that when Jill is in college in Sept., Aunt E. would accept an invitation to come see you.
She called Marianne when she heard about the K.C. tornado to see if you were all right – I figured no point in calling K.C. and adding to the confusion. Lots of people around here who know I’m from K.C. asked if my family was all right. I guess they thought I was awfully blase’ for not being rattled about it. D. and I followed the reports, heard only about Grandview and areas on the other side from you, and heard that there was plenty of warning. I knew you had taken shelter in other cases and felt confident you would be as safe as possible, from debris, etc.
I remember the same feeling right after we were married, during the hurricane in 1954: D. was at Tech and I was at work at Harvard. One girl was going nearly nuts trying to call her husband, a student, who was supposed to have been at home all day. She tortured herself with all sorts of thoughts of things that might happen to him. I knew D. was intelligent and not the sort to do foolish things and proceeded to enjoy observing a hurricane – quite a sight! Sure enough, he was home safe and sound at Tech and the other husband was peacefully studying at home the whole time.
Thanks for all the nice cards – Easter, B-day and anniversary. Enjoyed them all.
What was the job that Coleman lost? C. Hart was in Miss Leonard’s class; I remember the party we had out there. Was interested to note in the Independent that Beverly Burrus, my successor in the affections of Frank Ham, physics student at Harvard, is marrying a K.C. boy, Gordon Hamilton. At the end of the summer of 1954, after D. and I were married, Frank got his Ph.D. and on the way for research work at the Univ. of Illinois went to visit the Burruses. She graduated that year or the year after from Wellesley. He’s a wonderful person and I hope very much he finds someone to love him – but that’s a tough assignment for any girl.
All goes well with Spray. She only faintly resembles the shy meek dog we first knew – very lively and playful. Such a sweet dog.
Remember the swimming pool in Goodland, Kansas? That seemed like quite an oasis, I remember, the last time we drove to Colorado. I haven’t been swimming in a pool since that I can remember. The beach is fascinating but sometimes it would be nice to swim without bothering with waves and without wondering what the winds and tides have done to the temperature of the water.
Enough of rambling for today.
Much love from both of us,
Fras
_____________________________________________________
To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase
5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas
From Frances C. Courtsal, Box 97, Greenbush, Massachusetts
August 10, 1957
Dear Folks,
We gave long and exhaustive attention to your idea of my staying over for a week and ended up with
the feeling that we neither one could bear a trip alone on the coach train nor did we like the idea of
D. landing here with a weekend and a whole week ahead of him alone – but we wanted more
time in K.C.. We thought of getting plane tickets back and that got involved so the upshot of it is that
we decided to shoot the moon and fly out and back. We shall take a noon coach plane from here on
Friday Sept 6 and arrive in K.C. about 5 or 6 pm. If as you say we get back from Colorado on Monday,
we shall have Tues. and Wed. in K.C. before we leave on Thursday the 19th for here again (D. has to
work Friday the 20th). That gives us just short of two weeks together.
Don’t you think we can do all the talking and such that we have saved up in two weeks? We shall have
about three days of sitting in the car, to and from Colorado, which is opportunity for a lot of talk.
And the free days on the end will give us a chance to do the important things; maybe we won’t have time
to see the Wuertzes (frankly, we aren’t flying to K.C. to see them – I hope.) but we would have time to
stop in Topeka and see the Dudleys and we would see all the details of your garden, etc. and I might
even have a few hours to sort stuff in the cellar.
Not much sensational activity here – much going to the beach and seeing friends (Nancy and Em
coming for a trip to Duxbury, picnic etc. today) and helping at the hospital and bike hike with Scouts, etc.
M.J. was here for three days in July. Last weekend we went camping in the White Mountain Nat’l Forest
(we really want awfully to see the Rocky Mtn. Nat’ Forest!) and cooked out, slept in our tent, hiked to a
lake, waded up the Swift River, climbed up to some falls on Mt. Chocorua. The dog is a great camper!
Also I had my last two wisdom teeth out a couple of weeks ago. And I have a pass to a launching next week.
And we are going to the theater three times in the next two weeks.
D. is off to help a neighbor bring home a skiff he bought.
Much love,
F.
_______________________________________________
To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase
5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas
From Frances C. Courtsal, Box 97, Greenbush, Massachusetts
September 23, 1957
Dear Folks,
I guess the vacation didn’t turn out to be what everyone had hoped for and it looks like we are a long way
from agreeing on what is wrong with the relationship and what should be done about it – but in any case
you were very generous to include us in your trip and we appreciate it. And we appreciate the laundry and
the boiled eggs and the tasty caramels (!) and your letting us say what we’d prefer to do out of what you
suggested on Tuesday, Mother, and the fur piece, etc.
The trip home was uneventful except we found a dead battery awaiting us so D. had to walk to the Greenbush
Variety Store to get food for breakfast and we couldn’t get the dog, etc. until the car was fixed.
Thursday, thus, was a full day.
An uneventful weekend, too. The Healds were over Sat. pm for a beer. D. worked on the car Sat. and
yesterday we oiled the last of our furniture (for awhile) and turned the rug. All very exciting. Tomorrow
promises to be better with a conference of the Mass. League of Women Voters, in Andover, morning and
afternoon, and a mtg. here in the evening to learn about proposed public works dept.
What was expected has not appeared so I have an appointment with the doctor on Thursday.
Love, Fras
P.S. Glad to hear the strike was brief. F.
___________________________________________
To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase
5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas
From Frances C. Courtsal, Box 97, Greenbush, Massachusetts
October 11, 1957
Dear Folks,
On or before May 21, says the doctor (This is the 2nd doctor, the obstetrician I saw just this week
– whom the first doctor, a G. P., sent me to). Now we are reading books, etc. to find out what comes next.
Before your enthusiasm begins to grow, let me say that this will in all likelihood be a drip-dry,
yellow and green, stainless-steel and plastic baby – no satin and bows, pink and blue, silver and
breakable running things. Also they grow so fast, I see no need (and the books agreed) for
more than 1 cap and coat, or bunting, a couple of pairs of booties and those longer-than-knee length, etc.
And they say, too, that blankets and such should be big enough to tuck under the mattress.
Maybe you’ve known all this for 27 years, but it’s new to me – and from all the babies I’ve seen with
pieces sticking out here and there, I think a few of my contemporaries have yet to learn it.
We had our good friends Liz and Lyle (Branagan) down for the weekend. They are the ones who
have gone together for 6 years and finally made the decision and were married 8 weeks later – Labor Day
weekend. We had a wonderful time doing not much of anything – went to Craftsmen’s Fair in Norwell,
flew a kite, etc. D. had to do nearly all the cooking and dishwashing because I had to keep taking naps.
I’ve not had any vomiting trouble but I have no energy and no endurance. Doctor says this will go by November. Hope so because they want us to
come up to Cambridge for a football game.
All talk of satelite here (Sputnik) – and in a spirit of relief. For the last 5 years (Eisenhower and Wilson years)
we have heard Pushy of Harvard, Killian of MIT, Var. Bush, Associate
Dean of Engineering at MIT and head of nautical research, head of Harvard Defense Studies program, etc.
all speaking like Cassandras of our lacks in focus, in funds, in sufficient training of scientists, about the
red tape of security etc. And complacence ! Now they hope that the country will listen and support what
they propose. They all have the greatest awe for the achievements of Russian science.
Love, Fras
______________________________________________________
To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase
5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas
From Frances C. Courtsal, Box 97, Greenbush, Massachusetts
February 6, 1958
Dear Folks,
It still holds true – that when something is happening to write about, there is no time to write it.
There isn’t much I have in mind that makes sensational news, but we’ve been mighty busy!
Finally – fortunately – energy came booming back about the 2nd week of January – not as much as before but infinitely more than recently, and much appreciated! With the temporary –
I hope! It’s been 2 weeks now – exception of a tremendous could, all is going very well. D. got the cold too, alas.
But before it set in, I got two outfits made. Sample are enclosed and some details. Next week my unit of the League is coming here so we’ve been concentrating on doing up the misc. chores around the house – painting and plastering where the attic stairs were installed, covering the box spring on the bed, covering the place where the old ring-on-the-wall phone box used to be (dial system is at last being installed and will operate by July) and that sort of thing. But after Wednesday the sewing will be resumed – a seemingly endless undertaking.
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| Jumper top and skirt -- chosen specifically because brown jumper you gave me was so useful at MIT, even though it was so tight as to be almost illegal. |
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| For Merithew's wedding and a couple of parties coming up: Size 14 with 2 inches added to skirt |
All sorts of people are having babies (not that this hasn’t always been true! But I never identified with it before) such as a second for Nancy and Em in August, first for Liz and Lyle in July, second for Betsy and Al in January (arrived I mean) and another arrival, first for Bob and Jo Howard, friends from Don’s bit in the Coast Guard.
Saw Aunt Virginia and Uncle Al after Symphony in January for tea for about an hour. We had a pleasant time – very well managed, especially on his part. It was clearly an effort for her, but there is still absolute silence about her condition.
In the course of a discussion of tea – we had some esoteric Chinese type – she gave me a generous sample of jasmine tea – with flowers in it! – so we have since acquired a dignified tea pot – continental China made in Germany – all white. D. and I had a trial run last Saturday afternoon and it was delightful. Now I plan to entertain in style. Next prospect is to find a china strainer that sits in the cups – like a friend here from South Africa has. Do you have a tea pot?
A couple of weeks ago we had a big time with Jimmy and Patty – went to Boston to buy Chinese lanterns (to perk up a bedroom) in Chinatown – also got a bamboo flute for Jimmy to try out – then on to an Italian dinner and to Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. So good to see a really provocative play! That coupled with a day in Cambridge with Liz and Lyle and a Society mtg. for Don in succession explains the colds – but it was fun!
Last night and the night before we were civic. As a prelude to Town Meeting in March there were 2 public hearings…And it all pushes up the tax rate! We sometimes wonder how much we want to own a house.
A warning – I shall not feel free to tell you things like Don’s getting a promotion in the future if we discover again that this kind of news is being passed on to others. D. is a very modest person; he feels it only his duty and responsibility to keep up with his field and work hard to provide for his dependents. We feel you have a right to know about the progress of the man who is supporting your daughter and her children! But he was very unhappy to find mention of his promotion in a letter from Aunt Fan – though it was most laudatory. I hope you can understand his feelings as I express them.
Love,
Fras
To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase
5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas
From Frances C. Courtsal, Box 97, Greenbush, Massachusetts
April 25, 1958
Dear Folks,
We have enjoyed hearing about your activities – your commerce day with the high school students, Dad, and Mother, your musical activities. What a wonderful hobby it is that makes of you a judge of competitions, a performer for a knowing audience, a vice-president as well as a concert-goer! I certainly agree that a program with Poulenc, Honegger, S. Barber and B. Britten is not exactly meat-and-potatoes fare.
Our symphony season is over now but not our musical season. Last Friday we went in to Boston to hear – and see – the Metropolitan production of Otello. It was an evening of fabulous singing, with Mario del Monaco, Zinka Milanov and Leonard Warren. List me as a Warren fan. Ever since I first saw him, in something I can’t recall, singing with Richard Tucker, I have been astounded at the incredible detail and subtlety of his acting, along with which, of course, he can match the best in his shades and expression of singing. The others sang well, and all but Miss M. were reasonably credible from an acting point of view – but old Iago was the one who had everyone spellbound.
Still dominated by the feeling that somehow we may never for ten years be able to do the things we have so enjoyed doing together for the last five years, we have been doing things at a great rate – seeing all our friends, going to the movies on weeknights, shopping etc. The other day the whole picture so impressed me, I counted up some totals and discovered we have been out to dinner 12 times since January 1 and entertained others here 9 times. And still we have things we want to do!
This month D. has been away three times. As you know, he works in the design end of things, the Central Technical Department which handles the design work for all 14 yards. This means fascinating jobs for them all but it also means he works as much for the Baltimore yard, or possibly the San Francisco or Texas yards as others are now – as he does for Quincy so I guess traveling is something we shall have to accept as a regular part of life. Two of these last trips were only one or two days – to New York and to Baltimore – but the other was a week – by ship to Baltimore from New York. Fortunately this week’s trip settle all the details – a rudder repair job– and now the work begins, so he won’t be called on about it again until the middle of July when they expect the work to be finished. Perfect timing!
I assume that gardening is well underway at your place too. We are having a very slow season; even the tulips aren’t blooming yet. But spring is inside. D. had more courage than I and started seedlings this year, despite last year’s fiasco. And – count on him – they are leafing out beautifully – snapdragons and marigolds, tomatoes and cucumbers. He never can resist a challenge – but no wonder since he, with his thorough and hard-working ways, can lick them so regularly. The sofa is all constructed and a beautiful thing it is! The upholstery and finishing remain and will for a while because it seems that the set of shelves I dreamed up, which he hoped to do in a weekend, will more likely take six weeks of steady work. But they’ll be useful!
All the time, of course, he is reading – everything from King Lear to Dr. Spock. Even four years of marriage have not lessened the wonder with which I regard my husband.
Sewing has been my preoccupation for some time and I am proud to say, I achieved my goal. Last fall everyone said I should not start wearing maternity clothes until I absolutely had to – because they all got so tired of them. The obvious lesson to my mind was to have enough that you didn’t get tired of them. The result is that I rather regret that I will have to put them away soon because my regular wardrobe isn’t nearly so complete or interesting. But I won’t miss the shape! D. thought I was a little crazy to work so hard when I had so little time to use some of the things – the last being finished day before yesterday – but the next time we take on this project the clothes will be ready and waiting. With one baby in the house, I could never sew so much again, I’m sure.
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| Made skirt and top of wool with white silk braid trim on neck and sleeves (for parties, opera, etc) The print is an every-day dress for League, lunches or church |
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| All jumper tops (I survive on changes of blouses) for blue jeans, chinos and black skirt. I cut the seam allowance from the neck and arms of the pattern and bound the blue sample and the red/black stripe in bias. The tan felt I left just pinked at neck, arms and hems. It took only 2 hours from start to finish! |
One day a week I’ve been going to Hingham to a class given by their visiting nurse (...) on things like how babies are born, diet, how to put on diapers, anything you ask about. Since it lasts through May 22, I don’t expect to make it to all the classes.
The doctor is Roger Emerson, whose office is in South Weymouth. I am going to the South Shore Hospital, also in South Weymouth – all about 20 or 30 minutes away.
I shall be glad to send Mrs. Wells an announcement, if you send me an address. Is she Mrs. Ray Wells?...People I haven’t seen for years, I would rather leave to you – like Mrs. Bunting and Mrs. Lashbrook.
March brought a lot of progress in the preparations for the baby. Marianne started us off by loaning us a big batch of things – car bed, receiving blankets, plastic pants and such. A Bethlehem Steel couple are loaning us their crib. And we bought many basic things – a carriage (a lively white and dark blue plaid), crib bumpers (bassinets cost more than we thought their use merits), sleepers, shirts and that sort of thing. We do have some things that are less utilitarian – mainly yellow with a bit of green. (My next job is to make green curtains for the room…) Things like bigger clothes, stroller, blankets we are leaving until the need arises, in hopes that by then we will have a surer idea of what really is needed and not just what looks nice to have. Bottles, sterilizer, scales, thermometer and bassinet we expect to do without.
Oh yes, we have a very clever (we think) plastic bath-tub to use one the high work table – to beat the bassinet business. Undoubtedly experience will change many of our ideas but in any case, the basic things are here and waiting.
The Tonkinsons sent us a present about two weeks ago – nice to get because it made it seem the time was not so far away – a green crocheted set of sweater, booties, cap and mittens. I couldn’t tell if she made them. Some white trim. Very pretty.
And I have had two showers – both total surprises, which up until now I never believed possible. In March the Girl Scout troop I worked with last year - one third of which took work in baby care this winter – gave a shower for one mother who was expecting a late arrival, and me. We got a deluge of diaper pins (over a dozen) and receiving blankets, plastic pants, rattles, baby soap and such. It was great fun because there was none of the over-enthusiastic oohing and ahhing; each present was explained in a knowing way and much detail. Also they had movies of last year’s activities and refreshments – about six different kinds of cookies all made by different people and, calories be hanged, all to be sampled, along with more calories in Coke. But it was lots of fun.
And two weeks ago today Don and I went out to Nancy and Em’s, ostensibly to play bridge, but when we got there I discovered what D. knew all week, that the get-together was really a shower. I thought he was awfully casual about going out to Weyland – since we were having a blizzard! Amazingly, five of the eight people invited came – from Salem and Danvers and Westwood and all sorts of long ways away. Beside Nancy and me, Betsy came and M.J., and Mrs. Carson came to represent grandmothers. She brought a gorgeous cake, with yellow icing in a sort of baroque finish, with various pastel-colored ice creams in a hollow in the middle, yellow flowers all around that and a green basket handle over all – lovely. In addition to the cake and ice cream, Nancy had fancy sandwiches and coffee. Don and Em had their own kind of party in a back room. We were given (since some who didn’t make the trip sent presents anyway) a crib gym, a toy rubber zebra, an insulated bag, two sets of two receiving blankets, rattle, sleeper outfit and a lovely hand-embroidered nylon bib. The evening was all in all a good one; all of us five had known each other for several years and had a lot to talk about and it made a good get-together-and-chat.
Finally remembered about the TV stamps; we have two pages over half a book. If your stamps were thrown out months ago – that is understandable.
Well, I hope this has all been interesting to you and not just a big bore.
Love,
Fras
Not a letter, but rather thoughts written down about My Parents
May 21, 1958
(of interest, Lyle Donald Courtsal was born May 22, 1958)
No solution seems possible at present. Everything I do is wrong, inadequate, etc. Things go right and they get confident for reasons beyond my understanding and then for no apparent reason all is off again. No faith, all doubt, no understanding, no empathy – all is nagging, complaining, whining. They do naught but right, according to them and I do naught but wrong. Don points out that I spend hours of concern and thought on trying to figure it all out and all my figuring and explaining and trying brings no result. Perhaps, I, he, my friends, etc. are all the goats for my parent’s lack of satisfaction in their relationship, or – or. I fret and cry and get upset at every attack and see no solution. The upset and turmoil obscures and love and support that may result from the relationship. I am afraid of ending the relationship; you never know what might be. But if I fret, I fail. Can’t control emotions; have to go get professional help.
Only conclusion that seems certain to me now is it is futile to figure any more. I can’t satisfy them.
So, I shall satisfy myself. I shall do what I consider proper, adequate, right for a responsible child to do. I shall not expect satisfaction, agreement, or gratitude from them. I shall find satisfaction in doing what I feel is right. I shall preserve the relationship. That is my purpose.
Don says try for a year.
F.
Another note (not a letter) from about the same time:
Remark about me being far away and you having little idea of what I like – very poignant –
response in me follows:
Since one of my parents informed (?) me, cryptically and confidentially, that I take myself too seriously, and since the other has made it quite clear that it is her opinion my ideas are unbecoming to a proper housekeeper (lady, wife, mother, etc) and are undoubtedly the direct result of the ideas of my strange and heartless husband and friends (and never vice versa), not to mention repeated instances in which I have been accused of being unappreciative – instances when I did not (clearly) see unqualifiedly something to appreciate, I have been increasingly reluctant to mention what I like and to discuss why. (It seemed so simple and lovely, but like so many seems, each view implied a bigger issue than the one presently discussed and such. Because when someone says she likes something, why she likes it is necessarily involved and that gets into the areas, ideas, differences, understanding and respecting them, even though perhaps not sharing those likes…)
The why also – of my ideas and as a result of my choice of friends and husbands and general likes
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To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase
5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas
From Frances C. Courtsal, Box 97, Greenbush, Massachusetts
June 11, 1958
Dear Folks,
So much to write and so little time to write in! Well, here goes.
The baby is most important, I guess, so he comes first. Vital statistics: weighed 7 lb 15 oz at birth; 20 ½ inches long. Lots and lots of light brown hair – sideburns, hair on his shoulders, down over his ears – all straight. Good thing he is a boy! He isn’t as wonderfully quiet as I thought at first – but not exceptionally noisy either. Has had a couple of four-hour yells that at first scared us to death but now Dr. Spock has convinced us we can’t figure it out and there is nothing we can do so we shut the door and turn up the record player. Twice in two weeks won’t kill him – I guess. He is breast-fed and thinks it is just fine – and I do too! The helpful and infinitely patient pediatrician we have said it is o.k. To give him Similac if we want to go to the movies or some such, so I tried it out for kicks. I felt like a heel and very left out and such but he gulped it down with gusto. He spits up, gets the hiccups and all the other terrifying and insignificant things that all ordinary babies do and is apparently thriving. Oh yes– he looks like Don in every way, even to very big feet – except his ears don’t stick out – yet. Today I tried to get some pictures of him – growing up fast!
The delivery was a most interesting experience. I had Trilene (a fast evaporating gas, self-administered) for the heavy labor, and a saddle block (a low spinal) for the delivery so I was conscious from beginning to end. It all took 17 hours but I knew (from the visit to the doctor the day before) that if the baby came within the week, it would be long – a certain condition or position of the cervix). It all started about 2:30 am Friday and we went to the hospital by 4:30 – had to make out lists for D, etc. and no reason to rush. I had a sleeping pill and dozed until 8:30 am when things were pretty stiff. That let up by 9:30 so I had tea and toast, called D to say not much doing, read magazines, had ginger ale and then at noon we were really in business. Pushing stage began around 5:30 and baby would have been born within about half an hour, I think, because he moved so very fast after passing the cervix, except that, tho I had a nice big pelvis, the baby had a bigger head. But we had a good doctor on hand and tho little L. D. looked like he’d been in a fight later – black and blue nose, ear, etc. – all went fine. It really was tremendous to have the doctor tell me he has lots of hair, etc. and then hold him up with cord and all so I could see he was a boy. And thanks to no medication in my bloodstream he didn’t have to be swatted – let out a tremendous yowl right then. And while they were sewing me up – took about half an hour because the episiotomy reached all the way back to the rectum and too three layers of stitches – I watched them put stuff in his eyes, give him a bit of oxygen, some vitamins (usually the mother gets them in the seat just before the delivery but he was coming too fast) cut the cord and tie it off. I saw the placenta – everything! They put the baby in a heated crib right after he was born and he made a funny contented sound he still makes – sounds actually, really, like a slightly rusty hinge. And not many minutes went by before his fist was in his mouth and he was hungry – something else which prevails most of the time now. Really a tremendous experience.
It was all very well timed too. We were so resigned to waiting another week I still had the car so if it hadn’t started at night I would probably have ended up driving myself to the hospital. As it was, D. finished giving all the necessary info. At the hospital, went home for breakfast and got to work on time, worked all day – checking with the hospital periodically, went home for supper and, after doing dishes, called – 10 minutes after baby was born. Nobody was free to call him but since someone came to the delivery room for a message, he learned to come over and I saw him as soon as he got over. And he got to see the baby right away too and stay an hour and a half because it was visiting hours. And of course, the next day was Saturday, so I had two days of his company in which to get used to hospital life. Also the timing was fortunate because all the time I was there only one other baby was born – two other people had to go back home, poor things – so I had marvelous nursing attention. The following Sunday morning, eight babies were born in four hours!
(transcription note – She was in the hospital from May 23 - May 28, 1958)
D. has been the most astonishing nurse, housekeeper and baby tender! All I have done for the last two weeks is feed the baby and get well – honestly and truly. I never would have believed that anyone could work so hard at so many things he didn’t usually do. At first I didn’t have a lot of appetite and he make the most wonderful meals; no one could resist them. Happily I have lost all the weight I gained so we are filling ourselves with all the forbidden things like pancakes, sour cream, pie, nuts, etc. Even with nursing and all the chaos of a new baby I weigh just what I should and haven’t lost any more – and now have a tremendous appetite. He has done all the food shopping (I plan), cooking and dishes, laundry (we have a washer – luxury!) and cleaning (not a whole lot of that!). He burps and changes and washes the baby. He cleans out the tub for me because I have to take a sitz bath twice a day for these stitches and he even gave me an enema. Isn’t all that incredible! As a result I am getting well in every way. Actually he is the one member of the family I worry about because he has such circles under his eyes and is so tired. But it all changed today when he went back to work – except he still cooks and care for the baby in the evening and does the heavy chores. And the most comforting thing is that we survived those first two weeks at home with the baby and if we survived that, in my opinion, we can survive anything else that can come along. Oh for a good night’s sleep! Just now D asked if I was going to take a nap – I said not, I was going to do another chore and go to bed – he said well that’s what I mean. No sleep around here anymore!
So – I hope you understand that there is nothing at all to worry about. The baby is fine, I am fine, Don is fine and things are going more smoothly every day.
And Spray is fine too – very curious, very pleased to have attention at any time but also rather protective – something I am counting on to grow.
Another day in another letter I will get to the other things you have written about and numerous presents that have arrived in the last month. Nap time now!
Love, Fras
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| Photos of Lyle D Courtsal at 2 and 4 months of age, 1958 |
___________________________________________________
To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase
5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas
From Frances C. Courtsal, Box 97, Greenbush, Massachusetts
June 14, 1958
Dear Folks,
Second Installment:
We very much still have Spray. She is my constant companion and protector. And a constant fascination and very sweet. Once I wrote a five-page letter to Aunt Fan about Spray so I’d better stop now and wait till you get acquainted in August. A word of caution – she is a shepard (primarily!) and does not take kindly to strangers, but if you pay no attention to her, don’t try to make friends, but are around and obviously approved by us, she will sniff you over and eventually decide all is well – at which point you will have a full-time job petting her and otherwise providing all the attention and affection she wishes.
Thanks for the list of people you told about the baby. It is nice to know that those people know so I was free to send our announcements to those we most wanted to (and without time pressing). They went to these people you know: Karleen, Bebe, F. Hott, Mrs. Heckler, Mrs. Welles, Vandaveers, Tonkinsons, Davenports plus Aunt Fan, the Clarks and Lyal Dudley.
You asked about the name Lyle and who was honored; well, basically no one was honored. We set out to find a name that sounded nice with Courtsal, was more interesting than the usual Bill-Bob-John kind, wouldn’t turn into a nickname – and one which had pleasant associations for both of us. Lyal Dudley has been a good friend and very understanding and so it is a pleasure to use his name (We think of Lyle and Lyal’s name because the spelling doesn’t change the sound! We felt that with Courtsal to cope with, our boy would appreciate what we gather is the more common spelling of the name. I wrote this all to Lyal). We also have a friend in Cambridge (Lyle Branagan married our friend Liz Buddington, both of who we have know and seen much of as long as we have known each other) but if either had been named Alphonse or William our baby wouldn’t have his name.
Forgot to say I came home from the hospital on Wednesday, May 28.
The Nethercots came over May 31 and we had a fine chat. They were looking brown and well from their Florida trip and full of New York talk. They brought the baby a cute blue suit – infant style.
Do I care for clippings? – Yes, generally…. The article (editorial) on redevelopment in Kansas City was also interesting and impressive. Isn’t it astonishing how the idea of redevelopment has suddenly taken over throughout the country? As the man said, too bad it wasn’t long before. But also as in other such accounts, one sees mention of nostalgia which bring to mind someone’s remark (Saarinen or Lewis Mumford perhaps) about America committing architectural suicide. (But the Kay Hotel seems to me more like a mercy killing.) Also the developments, so called, of street after street of similar houses all set the same distance from each other and the street and with trees added as an after-thought are not only oppressive now in their merciless attitude toward individual preferences but also bring to mind someone’s observation that here we can look for the slums of the future. Enough!
I have saved some clippings for you which I shall gather up at the first opportunity. Also a map with detail of this area which may help you get here.
About the map, I marked the way from the Mass. Turnpike…
Turnpike connects with system of Merritt and Wilbur Cross Parkways which come up by Davenports and Courtsals, and also comes from Western Mass and various other roads from New York State. Many people around here talk of the turnpikes which go to Chicago with apparently only short stretches connecting. Might be of interest to you in going to Detroit. Turnpike also goes very near Tanglewood (Lenox, Mass)....
The Meeting House Inn has a room with twin beds and private bath that overlooks the ocean at $10 a day – less than 10 minutes from here, a block from Marianne and two blocks from Peggoty Beach. Aunt Ethel and Uncle Dave stayed at the Inn and said it was clean and comfortable, but struck them as a fire trap. New Englanders being so in love with their old places, I don’t know of a place around here of which that wouldn’t be true. In fine New England fashion, they are not much concerned with details and business-like procedures and are holding the room for you until you write to me – just on my name and phone number. Same rate applies for same accommodations at the Red Lion Inn in Cohasset but it is further away and just as old. Uncle Dave prefers it because it has a bar and fewer if any old ladies. We have been there for dinner – very good – well kept and more sophisticated – but just as old.
About this business of what I like and your not feeling you know, as I said on the phone, for many reasons, I hesitate to tell you unless I feel you want to know at the time – but you say you think I should tell you and you shouldn’t ask; perhaps what is needed to improve our communications is a bit of both with each side putting away fears and hesitations and just speaking up when they have something to say – or ask. I’ll start by saying what we think would be nice to have for the baby – for no particular end purpose. So far we are using receiving blankets – the small cotton things to cover him in the crib and in the carriage. But soon he will be too big so it would be nice to have some light-weight woven or knit covers for summer and some heavier ones for winter…And I saw a cup with a handle on each side – also very clever, I thought.
Marianne and Ross gave him a dish – stainless and plastic so it can bounce at will on the floor… He now has three blue two-piece outfits – infant style – from a Wellesley graduate who lives down the road, Barbara Brodie, from the Nethercots and from the Vandaveers. (I am glad he has some blue things – but I still hope for much yellow and green because if the next one is a girl she will have to be a tom boy otherwise; these clothes don’t seem to wear out.)...We have checks too from Aunt Fan and the Courtsals.
Speaking of nice people, the Courtsals have been just dear – very calm, this being their fifth grandchild, but they have said the sweetest things to me on my birthday, on our anniversary and when the baby was born. It really makes me feel wonderful to know they are pleased with their son’s wife and his well-being.
I am glad our baby has grandparents who are excited, too, tho I wish you didn’t get stirred up over imagined dangers. There are few things I like more than flowers and I was very pleased to have the big bouquet of roses. D. brought me a handsome bouquet too…it had a fine accent of Japanese iris…he really put his whole soul in it – which I was pleased by since giving flowers is something he has become acquainted with since he met me. And he brought some lilies-of-the-valley from our yard, with some violets because I’d been saying all along through May I knew they would bloom when I wasn’t home, and lilies-of-the-valley are May’s flower.
Thank you too for the many other things. The bath towels are very useful – nice and soft and big. Those pretty colors are the only bright note about giving a bath! It takes me forever and he howls the whole time. D. did it this weekend when he was home, thank heaven…The music box is dear. I can’t say it works like absolute magic but when he doesn’t choose to out-yell it, he looks its way. I set it going when I put him back to bed after a feeding, hopefully to tell him to go to sleep. Actually we can see some pattern to his cries – one fussy period a day just like Dr. Spock says, so I just don’t plan to nap then but do errands instead. Otherwise, except for some crying before going to sleep, he is quiet and a good sleeper….
We took some more pictures yesterday and just in time because he is beginning to lose his hair.
Must stop. Glad to hear such good news of your garden and music and such.
Love, Fras
_________________________________________________________
To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase
5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas
From Frances C. Courtsal, Box 97, Greenbush, Massachusetts
July 29, 1958
Dear Grandparents Chase,
Here is the latest news about your grandson – and he keeps us well supplied with news!
When he went to the doctor on July 3, he weighed 10.5 lbs and was 23.5 inches long.
Next visit, at 12 weeks, is August 14. He holds his head up, smiles and laughs and
says “gah and cor” and such at a great rate, is beginning to feel things, can look
180 degrees and up and down and can survive 5 feedings a day.
Altogether a fascinating creature – for his parents at any rate.
Proactively at the stroke of 2 months, last week, he decided to not waste time with
colicky crying, which makes him ever so much more interesting and pleasant to
have around. And he’s very patient about being fed. Also he now likes his bath –
to my great relief. In his crib, he makes noises and sucks on his pacifier –
marvelous thing – gazes at his beloved travel poster for the French Riviera or
perhaps at his bird mobile, or a striped red and white horse on a garish diaper bag.
When he is feeling social – well fed and rested – he sits in Marianne’s prop seat
and watches and listens to the goings-on with us in the kitchen, living room, etc.
It is a great comfort to me that his digestion is in such good shape – at least now
– because to my great regret, he is being weaned to a bottle starting as of yesterday.
People said nursing caused a mother’s strength to come back more slowly so D.
and I were staggering along making the best of it, me taking naps and D. doing
all the work for 2 months! But when I went to the doctor for a check-up at 7
weeks, he shook his head over it all, gave me some pills and said if in 2 weeks
things were this way, to end the nursing. So, it is a pity because there’s always
been plenty – sometimes more than enough – of milk for him; just nothing else
as far as I’m concerned. But he’s taking to the bottle – Similac – beautifully
and D. and I are looking forward eagerly to living like human beings again.
Which reminds me of August. I told you some things I would like – now you tell
me what you would especially be interested in doing in greater Boston, etc.
(alas the Gardner Museum closes during August). It may be that most of your
time will be spent applying a bottle to a baby, or keeping me company while I
do that, but I know a couple of good babysitters so we should be able to do a
few special things. Just let me know your preferences. The check got sent to
the Meeting House Inn.
Do we have any books of nursery rhymes or songs, etc. at home that aren’t
being used? D. and I start to recite or sing something and find we have
forgotten the words. Right now, Lyle isn’t too discriminating that it matters
much but I don’t want to raise him on scat singing.
You can’t imagine how fine those little flannel shirts are!...It’s fun to have
someone go to the effort to make things for him. Thanks very much.
The local movie house – which shows fine pictures at a very low price –
sends a card of free admission to the parents of new babies; consequently
5 weeks after May 23, we got a sitter lined up and went to
The Bridge on the River Kwai. With the aid of sitters, my friend and near
neighbor Patty Wales who goes shopping with me often and friends who
will welcome an infant, we have been to Cambridge…to a sewing bee
(a very special evening, believe it or not)...and a beer party. And D.
got to go sailing one day (I could have gone many times but never had
the strength; will soon make up for lost time). Went to see the Healds, etc.
Marianne has been awfully sweet. Now that we have a baby and they
have a boat, we have two things in common – plus bridge, and I feel
better about the whole thing.
Give my best to Aunt Fan. I would like very much to see her. And I
wish she could see the baby. She is very dear.
Hope all goes well with you on your trip. Don’t hesitate to call us from
128 Station if you get discouraged with New England drivers (and it
gets worse, much worse, from there on).
Love, Fras
______________________________________________
To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase
5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas
From Frances C. Courtsal, Box 97, Greenbush, Massachusetts
August 7, 1958 Postcard
Our phone number is now Linden 5 - 1057. The # for distance dialing is 11.
Courtsals come Saturday for first visit; D. goes on trial trip off Baltimore next week and MJ
comes down for 3 days here. Nancy will have a baby Monday at 7:30 am.
F.
______________________________________________________
To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase
5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas
From Frances C. Courtsal, Box 97, Greenbush, Massachusetts
October 16, 1958
Dear Folks,
We are underway again. A quiet life paid off big dividends and we are all in fine health
( except that a nose doctor told D. he would have sinus trouble until such time as he
moved to Arizona; he prescribed the same treatment for me so I gather the same applies
(involves the nuisance of a nasal douche each day – nothing on the scale of hay fever
or asthma if we stay rested). I am taking over more chores regularly, the baby fits into
the day very smoothly – and we are seeing a bit of the world. As a matter of fact, we
have joined the North River Community Club (suppers, dances, music and dramatics,
what have you), are charter members of a bridge group (six couples including, by another
complete coincidence, the Healds) and yesterday I added the role of board member and
chairman of a committee to study water conservation to my other duties for the League
of Women Voters (actually the assistant to the Editor of the Bulletin)...and biggest and
best, a trip to N.Y.C. in the middle of November.
I am sorry to have alarmed you. That really was the last of a heavy load of straws.
If the letter had been written a couple of days later, the tone would undoubtedly have
been tempered.Thanks very much though for your offer. It is nice to have a reminder
that there is
somewhere to go and someone to help if the need arises (But for this sort of thing,
you know, you can buy a lot of medicine and pay a lot of doctor bills, even have
some part-time help on the cost of a round-trip flight to K.C.!)
Thanks too for the pictures and the dress and clippings…
Well, D. has done it again! He was promoted to the position of Head of the Structure
Section (of the Central Technical Department, Shipbuilding Division, Bethlehem Steel).
He is really in the big league now! I really am overwhelmed – and I’m not the only one!
But I mustn’t brag – and you mustn’t either.
In brief, I didn’t know the Carswells had a farm…I surprised D. with a bowtie, Dad,
and he found that a whole new potential refreshment for the daily dressing-for-work
rut – hope we did the same for you…Offered to take Aunt Ethel and Marianne to
Cambridge, Boston, etc. for Christmas shopping or sight-seeing…How about a
Christmas list from you, please?
The baby is as fine as can be – interested in sitting up, loves to be played with rough-house
fashion – a great chuckler. And a great eater too.
Spray is fine, too – has a beagle friend – Lady (Champ’s mother) who tempts her on
forays into the bog and the woods. She is happy to go, but we aren’t so pleased by it!
So she is guarded with an eagle eye.
Have you ever considered a long-weekend trip to the Ozarks? We loved that area and
it should be beautiful at this time of year. Maybe Mrs. Heckler could enjoy being a guide.
Hello to the Dudleys.
Love,
Fras
_______________________________________________
To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase
5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas
From Frances C. Courtsal, Box 97, Greenbush, Massachusetts
November 9, 1958
Dear Folks,
Enclosed is the latest set of pictures of our favorite, fast-growing baby.
We have a proposal that may please grandparents of a fast-growing boy; a rearrangement
of trips with the end in mind of giving you more glimpses into his early development.
Here is how it goes:
March or April 1959 – Lyle and Fras to Kansas City (K.C.)(Lyle at 9 months)
December 1959 – Folks to Scituate (Lyle at 1.5 years)
July or August 1960 – 3 Courtsals to K.C. (Lyle over 2 years)
September 1961 – Folks to Scituate (by which time there should be another Courtsal 3 months old
and all in a new home for a year)
March or April 1962 – Fras and small ones to K.C.
December 1962 – Folks to Scituate
August 1963 – Four Courtsals to K.C.
This would re-create the same cycle for any other additional children, or shift back to
once a year.
By this plan the Courtsals and the Chases make one extra trip each cycle; with extra
visits you and Don see each other every year even though he doesn’t make each trip,
and primarily the kids don’t grow up quite as fast for you. Alas the kids come before
they can walk and not during the 2.5 year-old stage.
So would you like company (Lyle and me) for most of a week sometime next March
or April? I’d travel on weekends at each end so D. can meet us here (at the airport).
Travelling is much in our thoughts now because we go off on Wednesday for N.Y.C.
We leave that evening after Lyle is fed and stay overnight with the Courtsals. D. will
go off with Pop Courtsal (when he goes to New Haven to work) and catch the train to
New York and the meeting where he is presenting discussions of 2 papers. I will spend
most of Thursday with Mom Courtsal running through Lyle’s routine with her – then
meet D. in N.Y.C. for supper. Then begins a round of shopping for sandals in
Greenwich Village, observing at the U.N., The Three Penny Opera, a tour of Courtsal-type modern architecture, museum trips, dancing, jazz – a list only
limited by time. Saturday evening will take us back to New Haven for Sunday with the
Courtsals and then home.
The present you left for me to shop with is now a marvelous Mexican belt… and a
black wool shrath – high waist effect. Will be much enjoyed! Thank you.
News: Three sessions of the curse and no cramps! Like a movie without sound.
Strange, but a delight!
Thanks so much for the sleeper and for the 2 covers…
I hope all is going well with you.
Love,
Fras
To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase
5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas
From Frances C. Courtsal, Box 97, Greenbush, Massachusetts
November 25, 1958
Dear Folks,
Item one: New York trip – fabulous! Saw The Three Penny Opera, Greenwich Village, the U.N. (what an incredible scope of activities; and what a fabulous building-complex)...Also went shopping briefly (got prescription sun glasses for an anticipated summer at the beach, a pair of flat shoes to establish a new pattern of N.Y.C. blisters)(could have spent 3 days in the Saks baby department - fabulous!!), had tea at the Plaza Hotel with Jo Horner Belknap and Bob (tea for four with 2 teeny French pastries for each cost $7 + !)...had innumerable dinners, lunches, night caps with various friends from Bethlehem Steel, MIT, etc, there for the meeting, took D. to see Museum of Modern Art and spent 90 minutes in the sculpture garden – fabulous! We had cocktails on the 65th floor of the R.C.A. building (Rainbow Room)...On Saturday morning I knew the trip was a perfect success because the first thought that came to mind was – today we get to see Lyle!
He fared very well and apparently Mom Courtsal did too – though I don’t think she was sorry to have us relieve her of him. But one sobering thought for the K.C. trip is the endless amount of equipment needed. We each took one small suitcase; for him we took my big suitcase plus the rest of the capacity of the car. More specifically, do you think you can rent or otherwise obtain, a crib or playpen?...unless he develops a need I don’t anticipate yet.
From this distance, April looks like the month, perhaps the 11th to the 18th (including travel days). March is out now because the water committee for League has to present discussions then. February is too early; May is too late. But you can amend all this if you wish.
About Christmas lists – 2 are enclosed but only suggestions in case of need because we agree with you that many a good idea is a surprise.
As for Lyle, all I know that he could use at the moment is water toys and rubber blocks…
What did you do for Thanksgiving? We went to New Hampshire (Dover) where Fred and Anne Courtsal now live. The elder Courtsals were supposed to be there too, but their car broke down before they were out of Connecticut. We were glad to go…because we hadn’t seen them since the summer of 1957. They hadn’t met L.D.C. yet.
Off this afternoon to see Liz and Lyle and small Lyle (Lyle Edward, Lyle Arthur and Lyle Donald will be there!)...then League board meetings, bridge club meetings, taking baby to doctor, etc. etc. Whew!
Hope all is well with you.
Love,
Fras
P.S.
It is now Sunday, interruptions having totaled one day, so I shall speed up to finish.
You spoke of April or May being better from a flying point of view, but it seems your problem next December 1959 will be greater!
If you should happen to have a fruit cake on hand and no idea what to do with it, we are having the bridge group here on December 13 and plan to serve something with coffee and fruit cake would be very appropriate. But if this doesn’t happen to be the situation, don’t go to any trouble because I can serve something else.
Is “K.C. North” what we used to know as North Kansas City?...
By the way, mother, could you get me some word on the program of the Kansas City Wellesley Club? Don’t go to any trouble because this is just for curiosity. The South Shore Wellesley Club is about to dry up and blow away and I wonder if it is because so many of their programs are given to such subjects as making hors d’oeuvres and Christmas decorations and such.
How sad to miss the Nasons! We are always up and around by 7:30 am every day, but often, if we have been out late the night before, we take a nap when L.D.C. does, so that must have been the case then. If you hear of anyone considering stopping to see us, urge them to phone ahead so we’ll be sure not to miss them.
_____________________________
To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase
5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas
From Frances C. Courtsal, Box 97, Greenbush, Massachusetts
December 21, 1958
Dear Mother and Dad,
Somewhere between Kansas City and Greenbush, someone in the Post Office Department did his damndest to undo all your Christmas work, Mother – but I don’t think he succeeded. That is what I am writing to find out. The day the box arrived, Don was handed a box which held:
a silver cup, a silver spoon with a note, 2 grapefruit, 6 packages plus a collection of bows, bells, candy canes and cards.
We had quite a guessing session, matching bows with packages, successfully I think, as Christmas Day will prove. The Postmaster, Mr. Waite, said the whole collection arrived in a pouch – good luck which was the result of the box being sent “Special Handling” (was it the only box going from K.C. to Greenbush that particular day ?). Mr. Waite had sorted it all out and put it in a good box for us. He reported that the box was received in damaged condition so we can put in a claim if we find on Christmas Day that anything was broken. He asked me to ask you if there was anything else sent that didn’t arrive. He will send a check-up about it, if there is, to see if it can be found.
Don said the wrappings looked sturdy enough; Mr. Waite said certainly something unusual had happened to the box. But thanks to “special handling” and Mr. Waite, there doesn’t seem to have been any major loss. But that will be confirmed on Christmas Day and by a note from you about what was sent.
Lyle’s special package came through unscathed, complete with snowman.
We are having Christmas our own way this year – D. and I, that’s it.
After all the baking, traveling (with baby things) and general hullabaloo of Thanksgiving, we were much in favor of a quiet holiday. And also we realized this is probably the last year we will be free to do what we please without doing things the way children want. So it’s going to be casual and simple!
But every year there seems to be someone around for whom our hospitality would be something special. This year it is a couple newly in the U.S. – he is from Czechoslovakia and she is from Germany, plus their 8 month-old daughter. They are living at the present with an older couple nearby who run a virtual way-station for Hungarian refugees and the like. They will have a fine Christmas there but we thought Christmas Eve might be lonesome so we are asking them for eggnog. It’ll be fun to talk to them about our holiday ways because he is a citizen (escaped from Czechoslovakia and joined the U.S. army and so, got his citizenship) and she will be eligible to apply in six months.
Also the Healds asked us over for Christmas afternoon but I don’t know yet if we’ll go.
New Year’s Eve we are gathering 3 other couples here for hot toddies and then taking them to the dance at the North River Community Club.
Lyle is fine – except that he has his first cold (caught from the 2 little Healds). He’s sort of cranky, wakes up once or twice in the night for nose drops, but he eats quite well and is lively. These days, he bangs his hand flat on everything, reaches for any and all things and trys to put them all in his mouth to chew. He dribbles and splutters constantly but there is only the tiniest swollen spot on his lower gum. He says didididi or babababa, etc – very talkative.
At the moment, he is in his chair – table eating – or messing in – a teething biscuit, which he adores and so does the dog. In the play news, he rolls over on his tummy and then scrambles ferociously to reach various toys but so far, crawling consists of pivoting on his stomach. The one outstanding feature of his development is his length – 27 ½ inches, which puts him in the 90th percentile. Weight is 19 lb (75th percentile).
Another roll of film is almost finished.
Merry Christmas !
Love,
Fras
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