7 Shopping at Dayton’s in Minneapolis

August 24, 1934 Atwater, Minnesota

Dear Corinna and all,

We received your letter in Mpls. Uncle Karl’s and Uncle Paul’s had a chance to read your letter too. They are so pleased about your apparent easy adjustment to a new home and surroundings. We all feel it a priviledge to have a regular correspondent not only because we hear about your doings but also about the rest of your family.

H,G, and I like our hankies a lot. They were here when we got home. H rec’d your letter this a.m. She read it aloud—Gloria then remarked “why doesn’t she write to me?” “Because you didn’t write to her”, we both said. After a short meditation she said, “I don’t want her to write to me. I wouldn’t read it if she did and Buddy would open it anyhow like he did Harriet’s”. I suppose her tho’t processes had been that it was too much trouble to write anyhow so she solved the matter the easiest way out.

Sorry your foot doesn’t heal—perhaps there is some of the nail left—at least I would think so if it hurts when you press on it. I should think the thing would work out itself.

We, Esther and I, looked for bikes all Tuesday afternoon. They are all from $23 to $30. So we will have to wait till she earns more money—the last of September or October she will have enough. Tuesday morning Aunt Frances took Pen and we three to a playground where there was everything an acrobatic child (such as H and G are) to enjoy. Then they swam in Lake Calhoun. Aunt Frances is very good at planning the right things for children. Then of course Tuesday while we were shopping—they played with John and Caroline and got along fine with them. I bought a rust brown sweater for Myron. We went to Annie’s at 5—Aunt Frances and Uncle Paul took us over—Then Myrtle and Hannah Holmberg took us all to a picnic at Minnehaha down in the Glen—just a wonderful spot and oh such eats. Russell Davidson’s were there too all but Roger—he was caddying. Beatrice Peterson stayed home and tended store. Yesterday Beatrice took H and G down town on street car and bus—they went to Dayton’s toy floor—to Powers traveling stairs and as H and G said—“up and down about 10 elevators”. She bought them pencil boxes and Annie and Nellie gave them 20cents to buy anything they wanted. H got a child’s cook book and tablets and G got a 20 cents baby doll which I had to sew a dress for, in the afternoon. Harriet developed a bad toothache on the way home from town. So as Beatrice is a dental nurse she advised it being pulled. She took her to a dentist ½ block from Annie’s and he pulled it—only 50 cents. I called up Lydia Isaacson from Annie’s and we had a nice visit—she said to greet you and wish you best of luck—also everyone else tells me the same.

Uncle Karl has been quite worried about business for a time but he thinks now it will clear up either a change in partners or he will be alone. The first night I was there he was down in the mouth but he had had a good talk with his partners the next day and felt relieved. However the decision is made—he seems to feel it will be O.K.

I am making peach jam this afternoon—also I will iron a little. It rained hard again last night and has been cold and rainy all day. I feel like working in this weather have to—to keep warm. The grass is green and high. Weeds are growing. Tomatoes will be larger now. It’s too late to do any good for farmers but life is pleasanter even tho crops are not helped.

Glad you could go to the city and that you have met Audrey Briand. And that you could all drive into New York City. Aunt Esther would say every once in awhile—“Gee how I envy Corinna that year in New York”. Magee said, “It’s a real God-send”.

I am keeping all of your letters for you to read 25 years from now. It is your diary, of course. It seems to me there was something else I wanted to tell you but I just can’t remember it. Bards are home again from Chicago. Virginia, G and H are upstairs playing dolls. Daddy thinks your estimate of 2 or 3000 miles probably is correct. Don’t worry too much about your driving. I’m sure you can do it if you are only careful at intersections. Well—Uncle Roc and Aunt Ev—my letters are for you too so I will not try to write you a separate one.

Myron and Winnie came yesterday at one. I was at Annie’s and they phoned from Karl’s. Myron went to the Ball Game and Winnie went shopping. We had a great noodle and chicken dinner at Karl’s and came home by 10:30. Love to all   Mother.