Tag: lois

July 13, 1965 Letter Charlotte Shaw To Her Daughter Lois Shepard

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NOTE: In an effort to shake things up a bit some more, here is a letter written by my great grandmother to my grandmother. I have to say I am a bit surprised by the poor writing style and grammar, (I have transcribed as written – no commas, spelling errors etc.), as I thought Charlotte was better educated than that. But, maybe it was just her brother who was given the opportunity to be smartened up.

July 13, 65

Dear Lois & Evelyn –

I expect you are visiting ____ this week- & that you are all having a good time.

We’ve been pretty good — your dad complains about being short of breath & had been going to the doctor for several week. The doctor thinks hes better & so do I. But he still is short of breath and I tell him it won’t bother if he’d stop smoking- but he don’t listen The big trouble is his catarrh and that is cronic – He’s had it for years

Virginia & her family have been over at Johns for several weeks looking for a

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house. The place was sold where they are and they thot they had a place to move to but it was a service man & he was held here for 4-5 days more- so they have to look some where else.

Last Sunday we went to see Evelyn Masons new home. Cathey has been staying with her she lost her baby.

They have a real cute home & in a very nice neighborhood. Its in Colonial hills on ParkOver look Dr The back yard slopes down to a ravine

I have not heard from Mary for over three weeks. She has not written or anything I just wrote her and enclosed an envelop-hope she uses it-

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Charlotte was up over the 4th with her family & the new baby is a darling Prettier than Janice was [ouch grandma!]

Gertrude was here Sun with Laurie Wilbur Jr’s girl. They had just taken Anna May back to Walhonding Camp- Its near Loudenville in the Mohican Forest. Anna May is a counselor. Trudy said Nancy has a job at National Cash register I dont know if its temporary or not.

Im trying to write between tubs and I get off track.

Yesterday I picked shelled & froze 7 pts of peas and had enough for dinner so we have a fair garden. The corn is the worst it was so dry lots of it

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did not get up & all around the field corn is so spotted we had a good rain last Fri & ones to night or tomorrow Hope we get it the crops sure need it. John combined wheat yesterday had about 40 bn to the acre-

Aunt Vie is pretty good. Mil had her in there 2 weeks ago. Got Sun & Norm brot her back Tues morning-she goes up to the corner everyday its nice & had me hunting all over Mt Vernon to get an eye shade for her-She can’t see well enough with glasses.

John & Pat went to New Mexico 2 weeks ago & just came back Sat night late They drove their new Mustang & also visited Grand Canyon before coming home-

Well I must stop & get these letters in box

Love to all-Mom

January 28, 1958 Lois Shepard To Her In-Laws

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January 28, 1958

Dear Dick and Dad;
Such excitement around the Shepard household as we haven’t had
in a long time. I was going to write you and send this small clip-
ing from last Saturday’s morning paper but now I shall wait and in-
clude what comes out in the paper tonight. Yesterday morning- right
after Kenny and Sue left for school, he received a telegram that he
is one of 40 winners in the Westinghouse Science Search and will get
a trip to Washington D. C. from the 27th of Feb. to March 3rd. There
he will be interviewed and has a chance to be one of the top 5 in the
Nation for awards from $3000 to $7500. The 35 other winners will
divide $8700 between them. We are so proud we could bust. He will
be on the 6 o’clock news tonight on television, They took his picture
at school this morning for the paper, he has been asked to speak at
the Civic Club here in town. Needless to say he is still in the clouds
and I might add, his mother was all day yesterday. This is from that
report he did while you were here before Xmas. It is the first time
Alabama has had a winner in the 17 years of the Science Search. Last
year Westerville had a winner. It took a Northerner to bring the honor
to Alabama. Florida is the only other Southern State to have a winner

We are all fine. Sue and Alan received their birthday cards and
money all right. We’ve had enough chocolate cake this month to last
the rest of the year. In fact there is still a piece of Sue’s cake
left so you know something is wrong. We gave her a blouse and some
money so she bought a book on Art with some of the money. Alan wants
to go over to the shopping center tonight and spend some of his birth-
day money. He got Cowboy boots and hat from us.

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This week I am going to the base hospital every morning for Physical Therapy for my bursitis,. They give me hot packs and then Ultra-sonic treatment. I think it is helping some. The Dr. says my back has a
slipped disk that now is almost completely shattered and that in about
two years time should be replaced by scar tissue and so join the vert-
abrae and then won’t give me any more trouble. Sure hope he’s right
about not giving me more trouble. Alan is to start his eye exercises
in about six weeks – they were full up and couldn’t take him any sooner.

Hope Dad is getting along all right. Suppose you are busy but let
us hear from you.

Love

Lois

1940s Letter William Shepard to Lois Shepard

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This letter was written between 1943 and 1949.

Friday

Dearest:
Had a bad day today. Now we dont dare
have any. The cadet standards are up to pre-war
levels and we havent a snow-balls chance
in hell now. Only 50% remain out of the group
now. I expect that I may go too as I know
my flying isnt the best, while not the worst.
I fly to conservative my instructor says. Well
perhaps I am a bit settle down. I cant get
excited over it. I just enjoy it and plod along.
If flying can be called plodding.

I just want you to be prepared if they do
pull up my number. If they do Ill probably
go to a reassignment center and then God
knows what. One thing I’m sure of. If I do
get transferred out of this I want you, If it
looks as if I might go over, to spend a few
weeks with me. Leave the children at my folks.
The thing is to be mentally prepared if something
should happen.

Dont let all this scare you. I am going to
give them a run for their money. Dammit all, I
may not be 18 years old, but Im not hoary and grey yet.

[page 2]
I enjoy flying and can fly and well too.
I know it. My acrobatics are good. Where
I get into trouble is trying to do things my
way instead of the armys. for instance in
a spin today I held the rudder a bit longer
than usuall because the spin seemed faster.
The instructor didnt like it at all. Oh well
Ill try to straighten out.

How are things going in Dayton? Loe[?]
is a working girl. Are you taking over her
household duties? OK by me except I draw
a line after 8:00 P.M. in the evenings. Dont
try to slip in an early one (as if you would).
I was only foolin Dear. I start to write
something down to kid you and it seems to
be off-color when its in writing. Guess Im
am off-color character. Im strictly in a mean
mood tonight so Id better close. I might eat
you up. Not a bad idea Hmmm. Nice dish
anyhow.

I love you always. Can you love a nitwit?
If you can we’ll get along.

Your Bill
P.S. Love to KW & Susie. (her dress is still undone as yet.)

14 May 1957 Letter William Shepard to Parents

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15 May 1957
Dear Dick & Dad:

Lois has probably kept you advised of all the news-
so Ill confine my letter to our plans for this
summer. -Our plans are subject to your
wishes so let us know if anything
conflicts with your schedule.

We will leave here July 5th and drive
directly to Thessalon, taking ten to twelve
days and stopping at Couer d’Lane, Idaho-
Yellowstone Nat Park, Grand Teton Nat Park,
Mt. Rushmore Nat Park and across Wisconsin,
to the straits and to Thessalon. We will
spend the last two weeks in July with
you in Canada & then visit with Lois
folks in Westerville for several weeks, then
go to Montgomery.

I have written Herman & Ruth. I
suggested that they try to be in Canada

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with us if they could. it would be
nice to have the family together again.
There will be no shortage of sleeping space.
we are bringing six sleeping bags and
air matress!

We bought a camping outfit-tent-stove & the works. We plan to camp all the
way aross the U.S. We will carry it
in the boat with Bonnie and the motor.

The way you can tell when we get
there is by the green boat coming across the bay with six dirty characters
in it. We may stop to wash up before
we get there! We plan to arrive in Canada
15 to 17 July.

Please let us know if this is OK. We
look forward to seeing all of you.

Bill

May 25, 1951 Lois via Ken to in-laws

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May 25, 1951
Lois Shepard
march A.F.B. Calif.

Dear Dick

I am writing [son Kenneth]  for mother because she has a sore arm. She has been in bed almost a week. Daddy, Sue and I have to do the work. She may have an operation. It is a sac of calsium on the shoulder bone pressing against the bone. It has been pretty painful for her.

We went swimming last Saterday.

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David went in  for his first time. He just loved it.

School will be out on the first of June. And if mothers feeling better we’ll have alot of fun swimming and going on picnics.

Alan is eating fine and is a good baby. David is talking a lot now and is just as ornery as ever.

Daddy says he’ll make some woman a good wife.

[page 3]
We are glad you got our flowers and that you enjoyed them.

Love Lois

P.S. Just time for a word, Dick. Lois’s arm is better. I took her to the hospital thursday and they tapped the shoulder socket, drawing off puss & calcium water. She is feeling much better today. The irritation was pressing the nere and was almost unbearable. I expect her to be OK in several weeks. Will write when I have more time. Love to all.
Bill

Early 1951 William Shepard to parents

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Electronics Station
Headquarters 15th Air Force
March Air Force Base, Cal

Dear Dick & Dad:

Here is my quarterly letter. Everyone here is fine Alan is gaining weight and very soon will be 4#. He reminds us so much of you Dad. He has the same configuration. Dave is growing so fast now. He is talking a little and runs us all ragged. I believe that he has almost doubled his weight in the last five months. Sue us doing very well in school and is also growing up. She and Kenny do the evening dishes all the time now. Kenny is the same as usual. His latest obsession is to be tied up with a rope and then to see how quick he can get loose. I cant tie him up any more, he seems to wiggle out every time.

Lois recuperated quickly from having Alan. I guess he was so small that it wasnt so complicated as usual, although Margaret Johnston,

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says that Lois had a serious trouble & we are sure lucky to have Alan.

I have been traveling quite a bit lately, but hope to start staying at home next month. In spare time I work with the radio station, ride with the kids, and shoot a little.

The weather has been fine so I wont bore you with details. I think that you would be much better off here in the south west Dad. It never gets cold and is dry all the time.

I hope that we can stay here long enough for you to visit us. As soon as you can travel let us know and we can have everything ready. I expect to stay here for a while. We have some new pricutes to send you in a few days.

Goodby for now.

You Son
Bill.

November 27, 1950 Lois Shepard to in-laws

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Nov. 27, 1950

Dear Dick & Dad,

Hope you aren’t snowed under but by all reports I guess you are. Eve called Bob last nite & it was pretty bad in Dayton. She left this morning. Sorta hated to see her go. One reason I haven’t written is that we’ve been busy & pretty much on the go as we wanted her to see a little before she left. Our furniture arrived Monday, almost a week after we arrived. Everything OK, but our big mahogeney coffee table & our magazine rack. The coffee table has a crack across one corner & the magazine rack was cracked on the side. Maybe we can collect Both can be fixed I guess.

The weather here is beautiful. Except for the 1st weekend & it dripped continuously then. Not exactly a rain but awful thick fog. And that’s when we drove

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into Los Angeles & Hollywood. We did get to see a little tho. Then Thanksgiving day we drove down to San Juan Capistrano It is beautiful country down there. Saw the Pacific ocean. Tho the Caribbean is prettier.

Bill took the kids horseback riding yesterday. They enjoyed it but Bill is a little sore today. He’s Staff Duty Officer today & won’t be home tonite.

We do like one house very much but I’ve still a lot to do. I’ve got a woman coming tomorrow to clean 75¢ an hour she charges. I guess I’ll have her one day a week & then she baby sits too. She lives almost across the street so it’s handy.

We had her Sat. nite & went to a dinner dance at the Club. Haven’t seen any of the folks that

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we knew at Ramey yet. The Schwaderers live in San Bernardino & it’s quite a ways. It certainly is handy to the field here. Almost as close as living on it would be

I feel sort of let down today. Partly cause Evelyn left & partly cause I cut Davids hair. Poor little stinker. He isn’t the same boy. He didn’t mind a bit & sure looks like Bill now. It was so cute when it curled but now it won’t. He looks cute but it’s such a change.

Evelyn gave me another Toni [perm] Friday. Looks pretty good this time. I still could get into my pink formal & that’s what I wore Sat. nite but I won’t be able to wear it again till after Minnie arrives.

Kenny & Sue seem to like their school They have a cafeteria & eat there lunch there  20¢ a day same as Minerva.

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They’ve learned to cross the street here OK & can go to the grocery for me. I hope to get started on my Xmas shopping this week or next but it just doesn’t seem like it’s that time of year yet.

I haven’t done much today & should get busy. We just stuffed things away to get them out of the road & now I have to get them arranged. I’m to get my stove put in this weekend. Be glad to have it to use again. I’ll write again.

Love
Lois

June 30, 1949 Lois Shepard to in-laws

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June 30, 1949

Dear Dick-

Bill is off again this morning for Vernom[?] Field. He’ll stay two weeks this time unless I call him home. I rather doubt it tho cause most everyone down here goes overdue. Just 4 wks to go so it isn’t too long. I’ve a few things to get yet & a couple more things to make.

Sue is still asleep & Kenny had dinner over at Eric’s & spent the nite. The new swimming pool is open now & it is really wonderful. Kenny has been every day & I took Sue Mon. & Tues. Mrs. Crocker (Kenny’s teacher) had a party for them all again

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yesterday at the Pool. It is really beautiful & the Club really will be nice when they finish. They are redecorating it entirely.

Dick-I’m enclosing $2 & want you to get me a few things & send me. I want 4-4 inch zippers in white for neck openings. Not like a dress placket. The kind that open at the top. And I want 5 nice glass buttons as big around as a penny. And a couple of cards of little white flat peach buttons for Susies dress. About this size [circle drawn on page]. A little bigger than shirt buttons also a couple of yards of white

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feather boning. If $2.00 isn’t enough let me know. I don’t get into Aqualilla now & they don’t have the buttons I want anyway I need the zippers for some shorts I’m going to make. They open down each side.

Went to O.B. yesterday* & I haven’t gained a lb. in 3 wks & only 2# the last two months so I guess I’m not doing too bad & I don’t stick to my diet religiously either. I’ve gained 15# altogether. I have to go to O.B. every week now.

Well thats about all for now.

Love
Lois

*NOTE: Lois is pregnant with their third child.

July 29, 1948 Lois Shepard to In-laws

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July 29, 1948

Dear Dick & Dad –

I’m writing this with my new Parker “51” [awesome fountain pen!] desk pen Bill gave me for our 10th anniversary. He didn’t go to British Guiana after all so we took Lt. & Mrs. Hodkins to the Club for dinner. Flowers & candle light, Filet Mignon & Champagne. It was very nice, then we stayed & played Bingo [page2] ‘Course we didn’t win anyting and Bill won last week. Two silver Ronson table lighters.

I’ve really been working yesterday & today – cleaning closets etc. Things were getting in a mess – And there is no cooperation from the family. My suit-cases were covered with mil-dew & so I had to air everything.

We are to go to a dance & dinner tonite [page 3] for the squadron. Or at least put in our appearance. It’s an enlisted mens party. Then tomorrow nite is a costume dance at the Club. Always something to go to & not nearly enough to do it all.

Kenny & Sue are fine Kenny started another letter to you & I’ll have to get him to finish it this time. [page 4] While Mercedes does my lunch dishes I think I’ll take a nap – then I’ll have to bake something for dinner.

Love
Lois

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May 29, 1948 Lois and Bill to Shepards

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May 29, 1948

Dear Folks –

Guess I shouldn’t have sent that last letter to Canada. But I thot you’d still be there. So if the letter missed you all together – yes we got the package & thanks loads. Here’s $3 to cover cost of the items. If it isn’t enough let me know.

Just got the children to bed & not anything going on tonite so we’ll spend a quiet evening at home. Bill got back from Trinidad last nite. He’d been there since Wednesday.

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It so hard to find much to write about. We just do the same things over & over.

The kids will finish school next week & our trunks have finally arrived. Tho they haven’t been delivered yet. Hope to get them Tuesday. I’ve forgotten what I do have.

We are well into the rainy season now & it rains & rains – everyday. We do manage a few hours of sunshine but things in the house are getting musty. I’ll endeaver to get Bill to write a little in here.

Love Lois

[page 3]
Hello Dick & Dad:

Not much news as Lois had mentioned. Did she tell you that I took her up in an AT-6 last week? We were up about 1 1/2 hours and covered about half the island. Lois liked it very much and I think that she will make a junior birdman.

The kids have stayed in some lately. The rains have arrived. Ill try go get off a better letter next week.

Love
Bill