May 31, 1945[1]
Dear Bob[2],
Just think! It’s nearly summer again. The Dutch iris are all through blooming, but the roses are in all their glory. I have ten nice bushes and two Belle of Portugals struggling up the trellis.
A nice neighbor gave us four double poinsettia cuttings which now have buds. They should be six feet tall by Christmas.
Some of my faculty presented me with some Martha Washington geranium slips which are starting to take hold. Yes, the weeds are doing nicely, too, thank you.
You must think from this I’m quite a gardener. But, I’m not ‘cause I don’t have enough time or information. It’s fun to watch things grow, though.
The house, however, takes most of my time as there are meals, cleaning, washing, and ironing plus all the extras one has when moving. I teach, too!
There are just three more weeks of school now. It’s been the best year yet as L.A. is a grand system to work for[3]. I’ll like having more time for other things, though.
We were certainly glad to hear of the capitulation of Germany[4], but aside from an assembly, things went on as usual. We’re too near the Pacific for any real celebration yet[5].
We follow the S.F. Conference daily and are hoping for an effective peace organization[6]. Wish they were organized to take care of Syria and Lebanon[7].
Where do you think you will go from Italy or are you like Dan, in doubt? Have you seen any Italian opera? Write sooner than I did or have a better excuse than mine.
Sincerely,
Barbara[8]
[1] Postmarked Inglewood, Calif Jun 1, 1945, 11AM.
[2] Addressed to: Lt. R.B. Richert 02071698, 99th Bomb. Gp. 346 Sq., A.P.O. 520 c/o P.M., New York City. 99th Bomb. Gp. 346 Sq is marked out in black crayon and a “TRFD TO, 301 BOMB GP” is stamped in black on the envelope.
[3] It would be interesting to see if the sentiment is the same from the current faculty.
[4] VE Day was May 8, 1945. The Soviets celebrated on May 9.
[5] Some of the fiercest fighting in the PTO occurred during 1945 and one can imagine the traffic of returning wounded, death notices, and outgoing troops would have made for a somber West Coast. For them, there clearly was still a war going on.
[6] Interesting to see the peace element of the UN creation mentioned so prominently. Today, the UN is so often mentioned in terms of administration, reports, rankings, etc. that it is easy for forget that it’s primary purpose was to promote peace to a world that just suffered two major conflicts.
[7] The Middle East problems are framed in a centuries-long paradigm. Reading, in a 70 year old letter, someone’s desire for a solution we seek today, one must question if that solution is really possible.
[8] Return address: 1035 Fifth Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. I do not know at this time the relationship of Barbara to Robert.
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