Lost sweater

(1993 February)

The tam is coming along but not fast enough The ribbing over the ears is done and about an inch of the gray with that great big ball. But some day I'll send it with an alert it is coming. I'll never forget how Lawrence's sweater I knit was lost in the mail. I wrote I was sending it, but he didn't think it was then - thot later - so when we found out months had gone by. Address right and all, too.

Aunt Olga

(1993 January 12)

P.S. - Sherry, years ago when I was young, I knit a sweater but could not K2 P2, and my Aunt Olga in Oconto [WI] said to send it to her and she would finish it. She wrote back reproving me for wrapping it so poorly. Said the post man came with the knitting needles in his hand! From then on, I tried to wrap better.

Postal reader

(1992 March 11)

Have not yet received the book you sent. Where can it be? Maybe postman is reading it.

Postmarked

(1991 late December)

Well, Xmas is over. ... I am going to try to answer a few things on your post cards to me. I need a magnifying glass to read your fine writing but that is all right, as I have a glass handy. The Post Office, instead of using that round stamp near your stamp, will put it on your writing; so if I do not answer to suit you, you'll know why.

Junk mail

(1991 February 20)

I am sitting at my desk trying to see how much milIcan throw out without answering.

Carpet war

(1991 January 23)

Are you aware postage is going up? From 25 cents to 29, and on cards from 15 to 19. To pay for the war. I heard a talk this morning calling the shooting "a carpet war" - shooting everything in sight - milk dairies - anything. Then when we get it all shot up, we'll pay for it and put it all back.

Postal thrift

(1988 Easter Monday) Our Post Office is closed 1:30 - 2:30 to save wages, so I couldn't get stamps but still have several.

Bluejay

(1986 August 26)

I noticed the flag was up on my mailbox and went out to investigate. Saw a pretty plastic bluejay some kid yanked off of someplace and put in my box. After the rain I'll try to rig it up so passersby can see it. And owner take it.

Lost in the mail

(1986 March 30)

I would complain to the Postmaster General if I thot it wold do any good - about the poor service, but I fear my letter - or his reply would get lost in the mail.

Better flag

(1973 November 30)

Probably I broke the law by painting a large white circle over the red paint on my mail box flag. But I could not see the flag at all against the background of leaves - so if Mr. Nixon says anything, I will just explain that I have a touch of flu and can't be running in and out all winter. Now I can see just fine!

Postage due

(1970 September 2)

Try to cheer up! I knew you were agitated when I saw you had put an 8 cent air mail on my letter and I had to pay 2 cents postage due! ... I should put up my sign as in Snoopy: 'All Questions Solved, 5 cents."

Home delivery

(1970 March 8)

I ordered a rural mail box to be put up as soon as frost is out of ground. Joe Rusinski will do it.

USPS again

(1969 Mothers' Day)

I cannot understand what has happened to our postage system. Mail clerks must work more leisurely than previously. And the taxes and postage increase!

Card readers

(1961 September 30)

Thank you for your card - now we have it straight. I wouldn't be so frank on a postal card if I were you. I know your writing is tiny, but you would be surprised. A man who works in the Post Office here asked Lorin for a certain stamp on a card when he was thru with it.

Postal privacy

(1956 May 4)

We were so glad to get your card, to know you had actually moved and know what your address is! But I do think all your private thoughts should go in the privacy of an envelope and not on a postal for the boys in the Post Office to read and chuckle over. I have said this before.

Code

(1949 October 19, postcard)

Throw away your knitting needles - crisis not at hand. Mom

[Code for "Your bitch is not pregnant."]

Excuses

(1949 September 29)

Now why I don't write oftener is complicated. (1) I am out of downstairs ink. (2) When I'm upstairs with ink, my pen is downstairs. (3) Mailing them is hard. I don't often get to town, don't trust rural boxes, don't like to bother Frank always. (4) I gave all my envelopes to Daddy [to take on his trip] and have all my good dishes from the dining room piled on the window seat [while redoing the dining-room floor] and therefore can't get to other paper. So while I put it off, another letter comes and I add to mine. But I shall reform for sure now.

The medicine man

After Polly, at 88, complained of chest pains, her daughter Mary Margaret took her to consult a cardiologist at the local hospital.

So when we got in the hospital parking lot, I sat while she got a wheel chair. Then in elevator up to 3rd floor, where she was told the doctor would not be in till 12:30. So in wheel chair and off to Gables [restaurant] - easier to cope with than Country Kitchen [across the street]; no stairs. Got chicken salad sandwich and malts.

Was at 3rd floor promptly 12:30. Sat and waited 10 minues. What would this wise man look like? Old & bearded? Soon in came a zippy young man about 40 wearing a gray suit, jacket open and flapping, and had my resume - about 3" thick. "Ah" said he, "Carolyn Kay - which of you is? And does your mother live with you?" Correct answers. Behind my chair, pulled up my sweater and listened to my heart. "Hm - perfectly normal now. Go home and do what you feel you can do."

So ended the long looked for appointment. Yes, sometimes I do pant. Sometimes there is a tightness in the chest. MM said that. "Ah yes, yes." So we went home and got in the mail, including your postcard with a bottom corner chewed off. I may return it so you can take it to P.O. if you wish to complain of the service.