2270 South Vine
Come with me as I meet my Mother through this series of letters, she died when I was 6 months old and this is my very first real glimpse into her world, who she was, who she wanted to be and how she loved my Father.
A collection of 36 letters hand written by my Mother Joyce at University of Denver and sent to my Father Earl at University of Colorado Boulder when they were first engaged in 1952. The letters span from September 1952 - January 1953. My Mother died from Breast Cancer in 1971 at the age of 40. The original language of the letters is read intact to maintain the integrity of the authenticity of her words, 1952 is a very different time culturally and economically.
2270 South Vine
Letter 20 11/19/1952 Between Socks, Songs, and Soap Dishes
Show Notes:
November 19th, 1952 — Joyce writes to Earl relieved that her genetics test felt “too easy for comfort” and proud of a composition song whose melody came together in under an hour. She worries it might be something she’s heard before but is still excited to share it.
Campus life churns in the background: Winnie fuming over Bob’s lack of letters, Peg secretly rescuing (and withholding) Winnie’s mail, and the values report still looming but perhaps postponed until after Thanksgiving. Joyce manages her knitting, plotting how to get the line right in Earl’s second sock, and remembers a plant named “Junior” she nurtured as a student at Wesleyan. She dreams of starting another one for their future home together.
Amid anticipation of Christmas, choir programs, and family reunions, Joyce teases Earl about what he wants for Christmas “besides a soap dish” and requests bourbon and 7-Up for Friday night. The letter closes with warmth and humor — Winnie yelling at Peg over the phone while Joyce tries not to laugh — and with her signature promise of love, hugs, and kisses soon.
Topics Include:
- Genetics test that felt “too easy for comfort”
- Composing a new song at the lounge piano
- Winnie’s mail drama with Peg and Bob
- Postponed values report
- Knitting Earl’s second sock
- Remembering “Junior,” the plant she raised
- Anticipating Christmas, choir, and family
- Teasing about Christmas gifts (soap dish)
- Planning Friday night pick-up and bourbon & 7-Up
- Witnessing Winnie and Peg’s phone fight
November 19th, 52. My dearest Earl, the test was fairly easy. In fact, too easy for comfort. The subject matter was so general and the question so general that it was difficult to know just how much to say in answering them. George isn't going to Boulder tonight because of finances. Now I'm glad I can't go. I guess I should chip in with George some week on the cost.
My song for composition is about all done, chords and melody, that is. For some reason, a melody came easy this time, and so I did it in less than an hour. I used the lounge piano and saved myself the time running back and forth to the field house. Now I just hope it isn't some farmer's piece. I'll just be crushed if it is. some famous piece.
she's afraid that she like recreated something that already existed. Okay. Now I just hope it isn't some famous piece. I'll just be crushed if it is. Your letter came this morning and I was mighty glad cause I made a special trip over here to see if the mail was in and if I got any. Winnie has been angry with Bob.
for not writing and told one of her friends to check the mail and if she had one today to throw it down the incinerator. So Peg took the letter out of today's mail. Poor Winnie, she really has a time of it. I can just hear her when she sees that Peg took the letter. Peggy will keep it for a while too, most likely. Maybe we won't give our values report till after Thanksgiving.
darn it, I wanted to get it over with. So I could start meeting Barb for coffee again.
Coffee hour is when I eat breakfast too, or rather did eat breakfast. We are going to work on it till 10.30 tonight. I hope we get quite a bit done. How's my darling today? How do you rate not having a class till 11 a.m., you lucky stiff? I looked at Anne's, Anita's socks, and I think I can figure out how to get the line knitted into your second sock. All I can do is try.
I may end up ripping it out, but if it works, it'll save me some fuss and bother. This is Wednesday and only one more day till Friday. I guess we are lucky at that. Most kids get further separated than Denver and Boulder. Aw, sweetheart, I love you so much. I never get tired of telling you I love you and probably never will.
And each time I say it and each time I hear it, the words seem just as dear as the first time. I'm about out of ink again. Mother hasn't written me this week yet. I should hear from her tomorrow. Her letters aren't always long, but she always sees to it that all three of us get some kind of letter every week. I got an apron from her though, so I should yell.
When I was a sophomore at Wesleyan, I started a very small plant and grew it till my girlfriend got married and then I gave it to her for a present. We named it Junior and I babied it till it's a wonder it didn't die. In hot weather, I gave it cool water. In cold weather, I gave it warm water. Every weekend, I kept the kids.
I left the kids promised to babysit with it, with Junior.
So I'm going to get another one and grow it for us when we get married. It's a philodendron or some such thing. And it is my favorite plant, that and ivy. I like to start it from a small one and see how big it'll get. Tell Oswald High and to behave himself. Gee, it's nearly December. On December 6th, I have to go to...
to see a play and write an evaluation of it. The worst part is I have to pay 75 cents to see it. I'm getting kind of anxious to go home too. Christmas is such a beautiful time and I've always had so many things to do that I really wanted to do. If I work this season, I probably won't trim the Christmas tree, but I may get a chance to play the organ and sing in the chair program.
It's going to sing in the choir program. It's going to seem grand to talk to.
Weileen and Louise and Reverend Hall and Lorraine and Stella and Harry and all my family. But before I get too excited, I'd better remember there's a chance I won't get home if I don't find a ride.
I hesitate to ride back with the fellows. I don't know. I don't know why though.
What do you want for Christmas besides a soap dish, dear? I'll probably finish your socks for your birthday. I keep forgetting I've already given you one birthday present. Honey, I love you so much. And if you were here, I'd hug and kiss you. Would you hold me and let me kiss your neck? It's 3.45 and I have to go to work at four. So my sweetheart, I'll leave you now, much as I don't want to. And I'll see you Friday night.
Will you pick me up about a quarter of eight? We usually aren't busy on Friday and I get away a little earlier. Can I have some bourbon and 7-Up too? I've been thirsty for it all week. I'll probably be all out of the mood when Friday comes. Bye for now and I love you so very much. All my love always, Joyce. When he just came in.
She's screaming at the top of her lungs at Peg over the phone. I'm trying not to laugh. They finally brought her letter. She's so mad she won't speak to Peg.
