December 11, 1960

Mrs. Herman O. Shepard
1012 Hartford
Worthington, Ohio

Dear Egghead and Dad:

I know now why you call yourself Egghead, you dated your last letter November 8 and I know you’re not nuts, but it helps a lot ha ha. We will be looking forward to the fruit as I only have about four left. I’ve been eating a lot of them. I’ve had a nice little cold for the last few days and I think a lot of fruit juice is good for a cold. Ruth called Al Maddox today and told him if she wasn’t home for him to set the baskets in the kitchen, so they won’t freeze. It was snowing when we got up this morning and it’s still at it 7:30 PM about 6 inches on the ground now. I took the pictures out of our front living room window at 4:30 PM just to give you an idea how snow looks, look at the drift on the house across the street. It’s up even with their porch floor, our driveway is clean out to about the front of the house from there to the street it’s about 2 feet deep don’t know if I’ll be able to get it out in the morning or not. I borrowed the Polaroid camera from Steve to take a few shots to see if I would like to have one. From the results I don’t believe I’ll buy one they don’t seem to be good sharp pictures. The picture of the group although you won’t be able to tell one person from another was taken last night. Martha Star, Ruth and I had a party for our officers and their husbands. We held it at the Linworth Methodist Church. Ruth and Martha prepared all the food at our homes and then we took it over to the church and serve there. Of course I got in on the dishwashing as did Ken, Martha‘s husband. Ocea Patman and Martha’s mother did their share and as far as I know everything went off well. Our officers presented Martha with a solid brass tray about 14 to 15 inches in diameter and me a metal tray with mahogany finish trimmed with chrome I don’t know what I’ll use it for unless I get a job in a restaurant serving tables.

We haven’t heard anything from K.W. But are looking for him to be here for the holidays. I received a letter from Ben Hott (he is the one that moved to Bayshore Gardens) he says there is a lot of work around Sarasota doing home maintenance, painting and etc. Said the field was wide open, in other words a handyman or jack of all trades, he said he was going to look out for me, maybe he’s got something in that kind of work. What do you think? He said he made $95 one week doing that kind of work. I would have to have a truck, ladders, spray painting outfit, steam cleaner etc. or about $3000 to be fully equipped to handle most of the jobs that would be available. I’m going to write him for more details and information etc.

Have you got your Christmas shopping done? We haven’t even started or even bought our cards yet. Ruth has been busy with Job’s Daughters and this party we had last night, next week we have a regular meeting Wednesday night and installation of the 1961 officers next Saturday night. By the time we squeeze in the Christmas shopping and all those details it will probably be another nightmare for the next two weeks. This about winds me up for now so till next time, so long.

Love H. O. & Ruth