September 4, 1944 Monday

Labor Day

Dear Folks:

While some of my laundry is soaking,, I’ll drop you a line about our weekend, not very exciting but that’s not important.

Wallace came in early Saturday afternoon so we turned around and went right back out. A Lt. Myers (we’re friendly with) has access to the Hammond organ in the battalion chapel, so we went there to play. Seemed wonderful! We had to stop around 5:15 so the chaplain (Catholic) could have a mass. Meanwhile we and 4 other “lieuts” had “chow” in the GI’s mess hall. Sure was an experience! I got a big kick out of it! Had hue servings and all we wanted – mile-long spaghetti with a delicious tomato-cheese sauce and meat. Also cantaloupe, cinnamon buns, and cake. Everything was typically GI. Then until 7 we sat aournd in the officers’ huts and gabbed. Great sport! Then we could go back to the chapel and play some more so, while Catholic boys sauntered in and ou for prayers, I got a big thrill playing “prayerful” music for them! Had a date at the Supper Club at 8:30 or 9 so we left, or rather, started to leave camp around 7:30. I said “started” because it took us 2 hours to get in from camp which is only 14 or 15 miles from Abilene! Because of this we called the whole thing off, quite disappointingly. Needed the sleep anyway ‘cause W and I are having a cold or hay fever in good shape. We were both much better this a.m. tho. Saw some wonderful and beautiful sites out at camp while we were trying to leave. For instance, the sunset and full moon rise. Really undescribeable. It’s so flat that they both just suddenly disappear and appear, pop right up over the horizon. Certainly would like to be an artist at such moments—great big balls of fire!

Yesterday we both got up around 10:30 with very sore throats and whirling headaches, but after a good breakfast and being up awhile we really began to feel like ourselves. Spent all afternoon reading the paper and listening to the symphony. Last nite we went to see a very good movie about Dr. TWG Morton of Boston and ether—“The Great Moment” with Joel McCrea and Betty Fields. Then my husband felt “crazy” and wanted to go down the street to see Bob Hope in “Never Say Die.” Also Fri. nite we went to see the much-advertised “Hail the Conquering Hero” which was very funny and noisy and full of confusion and commotion.

Had a good sleep last nite and we really felt more like ourselves this morning.

Now, for the “big” news of the weekend!! Saturday was our “D-Day.” Wallace received word that he’d get his B.S. degree at the next UNH commencement, probably Sept. 22, and he acquired us a dog!! Yes, at last we’ve an old white mutt. Just plain dog. The cutest white 6 weeks old puppy. He just couldn’t resist and when I saw it at camp Saturday, I couldn’t resist either. Don’t know what we’re going to do with him, but we’ve got him now! That’s our problem!! He’s (the dog, I mean) about 8” long with one floppy brown ear and sleek-haired. More of this acquisition is a “military secret” but will tell you about it later. The boys are going to make him a nice home and Wallace will be tugging him home tonite! His name is “Muzzle-blast” which needs an explanation I’ll also give later.

Guess that completes the news in review from the Russells at 745 Hickory—now on to my washing.

How go the Russells at 23 Pleasant—Papa, Mama, Carlton, and Bob?

Love from us’ns,
Marjorie and Wallace
(only 2 sheets of paper come with each envelope in this box!)