Lorenzo Swensen (1887-1955) and Beatrice Eloise Wride (1893-1979)

Incoming Correspondence, 1941

Paul to Folks, [1941] Dec 23

Bath, New York
December 23,

Merry Christmas!!!

How are you all? I suppose that you are all thrilled up and stuff right now, I wish I could say the same. It is very miserable out right now. It has been raining most of the day and as a result it looks more like October than December. By the time you get this I suppose I will be right in the middle of a nice big dinner, or almost so. That will at least be one redeaming feature about the day. Otherwise it will seem rather plain and very un-christmassy.

We had a very find time last Sunday singing with the Methodists. It was fairly good and they seemed to appreciate having us. The Reverand treats us very nice. and the choir director has invited us out to his home one of these evenings very soon. We didn’t offer at all but he asked us if we would consent to come out and talk to him, of course we were very glad to get the invitation. We were asked to go caroling with the young people tonight but I think we won’t go, just because of the principal of the thing. They also invited us to go on a sliegh-riding party on New Years Eve, and of course that is definitely out (as much fun as it would be.)

Last night as we were doing some shopping we met two of our very good friends. We had a big time kidding back and forth, as a result we were invited out to supper. We had waffles, sausages, and EGGS. It was very good. It seemed wonderful to get a good homecooked meal for a change. We sat and talked over everything for a long time. They are really marvelous people. If the weather is good they are going to take us for a ride next Saturday afternoon. We are going all over this corner of the state.

We would like to have us a little tree but we have to enjoy others by just looking through the windows. It hasn’t seemed at all like Christmas, hardly. It helped a lot to see a nice big suspicious looking package come today with a prohibitive note on the outside. Thanks a lot. It’s nice to hear and know that someone is thinking of you. I appreciate Geraldine’s letter very much also. I’ll get around to writing letters to each of you as soon as possible. The box doesn’t hardly seem large enough to hold a violin. If you think it unwise to send it I wish you would let me know so I won’t keep expecting to see it come every day.

I would also appreciate having the other stuff I mentioned. The books, jacket, mitts, hood, etc. I would appreciate having the camera tripod. The D.P. has moved and he took his with him so we need one to use with our projector. Someplace among my junk (I expect it is in my cupboard with all the rest of the junk) there is a little book of magic tricks. It is small and rather thick. It would be nice to have it here. I find occasion once in awhile, when a bunch of us get together, to pull one once in awhile. You’ll probably think I am a lot of bother but I could use all of the junk. We have so much room here that we need something to fill up the spaces (yeah-------).

Have a marvelous time and enjoy it a little bit more just for me. I will expect a detailed account of the doing of the day etc. etc. I’ll try and have a good time although I know I will be wishing I were with you all the time.

I’m glad to hear the big sister has decided that shewould like to come out and do a little of the Lords work and I hope it can be arranged some time in the next eleven-teen years. It is great work but the way things look now there might not be any people left to preach to when this war is over. It won’t be very long now until the Army will have my number so-----.

Give my love and everything to everybody.

Love

Paul