3 June 1958
My dear Len and Margaret
This is Tuesday eve and do you know I am still waiting for that letter from you started last Wednesday, at least you told Roselle when you phoned that we would be having that letter either on Friday or Saturday. These two days are now well over, and here we are to Tuesday June 3rd and no letter. Can your account for it Len? I don’t blame Margaret because I know she has her hands full with the children and housework, though I quite believe this long awaited letter has been resting in your pocket all this time. Ah well, I guess it will arrive sometime.
Today was our usual Tuesday afternoon out. Well we started the afternoon by going to Bellozanne Valley. We went there to get some compost to spread on the soil. This is very good. We had two boxes of it. Kay also got a box full for Arthur, he wanted a little to put to his fruit trees and other plants. He had a rather big quantity a little while back to put on his soil. This compost is rather expensive, they don’t sell less than a hundredweight sack. We did not think they would give us any, but Kay and Father started to gossip with the fellow, he spoke about his mother who they did not know and such things,. At the end of the gossip they allowed us what we wanted and didn’t charge for it, but were given a good tip, which was more than the lot of compost we had, between Kay and Father they gave 7/6d. The fellow must have been pleased because he said if we did not have enough to go again. We have enough, you mustn’t put too much of this stuff, I think it’s rather strong. It’s all on the ground now, Dad spread it after tea and I did the raking, so now I am hoping to have some nice blooms. Later after going in the Valley we went to Sandiways[1]for afternoon tea, there was no Corbiere today.
We had lots of rain on Sunday and Monday, the soil is well soaked now. The thing is that no heat is wanted for a few days, it would be bad for the potatoes, blight would set in, although it’s already in.
Nick has just come in, he is putting a washer to one of our taps, it has needed one for a long time, Nick offered to fix one. He is very handy at altering things in the house. He has been painting and preparing some of his rooms. It’s nice when a man can do these things, it saves a lot of money.
Tomorrow 4th June Father’s term of office as a Vingtenier is up. He had a notice this A.M. to tell him so and thanking him for his past services. They ask him to let them know whether he is taking on again, though they all know he is not going in for it any more. Of course he is not out of it until he is replaced. I don’t know when that will be, sometime this month I should think.
We had a letter from Grace today. Cyril had also written a few lines, he says he was feeling lots better, but taking things very easy. He now walks to work but only one way. He doesn’t walk to come back. He is still on shorter hours at work. I think he will have to take it very easy for quite a while yet. They haven’t sold their house. Grace says it’s just as well because these people from the house they have bought have not found a place for themselves.
Kay and Arthur had a letter from Jean yesterday, the first one since she went away. She doesn’t say much. She doesn’t mention if she likes it in Canada, or anything like it. I think she will say so on the next letter they will get.
My borders, I should have said flower borders, anyway they were sodden yesterday with so much rain as we had this AM. I forked them all round, it took me some time to go round. I wanted the sun and air to get to the soil. I have done the same thing this eve. I followed forkign as Dad spread the compost. The borders have been well worked today, they look tidy and clean, and Len, I will say there are no weeds at all. The roses are coming out nicely.
Wed eve,
I don’t’ really know why I am taking another sheet of paper because I haven’t got anything to say, only that I feel shocked at not having had that letter which Len started a week ago today. Well I have come to the conclusion that you have mislaid our address and could not send it on. I really do think I must enclose it in this letter. Anyway, I will wait until tomorrow morning to see what happens. Dad will mail this letter on his way to town.
I’m just in from pottering in the garden, it really looks spic and span now. Father went to Hunt in Commercial St this A.M. to see if he had any iron bars to try to straighten the fencing in the garden, it is a proper wreck. He had some very nice ones, they are rusty of course. This can’t be helped. He bought 6 for which he paid 12/6d. I told him it’s a pity he didn’t get 3 more, because in the autumn we must have new fencing and of course we will need these iron stakes, they are very strong, not clumsy. I’m sure I don’t know who will put our fencing, I guess you remember it’s the wattle hurdles that we have had for a long time. I am not keen on them, I find they go shabby very quickly. I would like the trellis work, but I have an idea that I don’t want it put upright as supposed to go. I would like it on the opposite way and not much open, just enough for the wind to pass through. One thing I’m afraid of is that in putting it lengthways we may need more, at the same time I think it would look well, and maybe would wear better. However we will see when the time comes.
Our TV is not good this evening, the thundery weather is upsetting it, they have given out that this is the cause of bad reception.
Does Margaret remember the plant she sent me from Oxford at the beginning you were there? I felt very disappointed last summer that it didn’t bloom, well I am now pleased to say that it’s now doing very well and is now in full bloom, a lovely little blue flower. It’s very pretty and I generally think of Margaret when I look at it, it’s spreading quite a lot too. I will be able to divide it and put some at different places. Have you got any nice flowers where you are?
Well my dear ones this will have to do for this evening and I hope I will not be disappointed again when I come down to breakfast in the morning, that a letter will be placed on my plate. What is your weather like? I guess you are having nice sunshine now.
Lots of love from us all
Lovingly, Mother xxxx
Thursday AM
I’m pleased to say that we have at last received that long awaited letter and I must say received it with pleasure. I will answer it on my next letter to you. Though I will just say that I am a bit disappointed that you have not taken ‘Isabel’ in your office. The one you have chosen sounds very young to be divorced.[2] I will not say any more now because Dad wants to take the letter. What day do you get it by mailing them on a Thursday?
I have quite forgotten is I asked you to thank Susan for her nice letter received a few days ago.
I am now going to make my butter, it’s a hard job.
Weather is very dull here.
I do hope Margaret will settle down very quickly (in Glasgow)
Lots of love
Mother xx
