Dear Lynnie Fri AM
Just a hurried note to get your license off. It snowed a little last night but not as much as skiers had hoped for--only 1-3". Heard Washington had freezing rain.
Rec'd the ice cream Tupperware yest. Promptly put in the refrig with ice cream but put it in backwards! How much is it?
Am planning on bringing the folks & Lil down for lunch it it doesn't snow any more.
Did I tell you they have color TV?
Walked over to the garage with a girl from the business ofc. (the young blonde girl who limps) & she was asking about you. (Cindy always asks too.)
Do hope you will gain some weight--&don't worry. It's only a job. Lincoln had a tough time too & look what he accomplished (Only don't get shot!)
Much love from all
Mom
Sunday, July 31, 2011
November 1971 (My 1st year of teaching)
Dear Lynn--
Mark the calendar--I'm actually going to drop a line. Hope things are smoothing out for you a little by the time you get this. Rather a hackneyed cliche--but things usually work out for the best--given enough time--So maybe (sp?)s departing will do likewise--As far as school problems go--you chose to sail in Harms Way as the book title goes--And when you sail in harms way the water is usually rougher but rewards are often higher intrinsic and otherwise.
In so doing--your keeping alive a Johnston tradition as I, my father and Grandfather before me have all given up easy & secure positions to go after the more risky but also more rewarding (I hope) livelihoods.
Grand Pa Alex left the shipyards in Glascow where he had served apprenticeship and was set for life as a shipyard carpenter, to come over to a new country and start all over again--(I'm mighty glad he did!)--
Dad was working as an Electrician in the Mallable in Troy N.Y.--He heard of a job that might have more future in it altho the starting pay was less than where he was--So he up and moved down to Springfield with us (his family)--found a new home and a very lucrative career at Gilbert & Barker--
As for myself--you name it and I've moved from it--Now I think after twenty some odd years of indecision and lack of confidence to move the move I've wanted, I think I finally did move in the right direction but very definitely in Harms Way.
As for you--You could have found an easy job near home--with no financial worries--near a lot of friends--or out in Ohio near a lot of school contacts but you chose to hack out a teaching career in a different section of the country near no close friends or business contacts, on your own--This you have done and done well--and if you can hack it ehre, Baby--You can hack it anywhere--Thanks for keeping the Johnston Tradition going!
So much for the commentary now for the local news---
Laurie's Party was at least a partial success--She had about six girls in and all brought nice givts--We had frozen pizzas and a case of canned soda. They played records and Set Back.
Bonnie stayed overnight Sat. night went to Sunday School with Laurie Sunday.
Sunday night Halloween--you called while we were out--Went over to Paynes for a drink--
We had a lot of trick or treaters--cute as always--but one of them really cracked me up---He was about Knee High to a Grasshopper and he and his buddy seem to have trouble making up their mind what to take--Mom had gum-Lollypops--Candy Sticks, etc--So I said "why don't you take one of each" "Gee can we?" sure take two--so they did and as they headed off in the direction of the Woods --the little one said to his buddy "Jesus Christs! He was nice!" That really made my night.
Mom is working hard as ever--still the never ending battle between her--On--I can't ever spell her name--The DeP dame--and Lina. I think Mom is feeling a little better --or hiding it better--
She's happy we are at least making a start in getting the house fixed up--The ceiling in the Halls & Living room are done--Woodwork in the Halls & Living Room cleaned and varnished--Living Room Painted--We should get the halls wallpapered this week.
My work is about the same been going straight out trying to get caught up--
I finished the One Room addition, one Garage & Family Room--Should finish another one this week--I have one more day at The Fire Job--been waiting for a rainy day--I have two more additions on the books plus McDonough's porch.
Currently figuring a house for a fellow that wants to build in Suffield, plus figures are out on four additions--
That about brings things up to date so will close for now--Hope you can read this scrawl--
See you soon--
Lots of Love
Dad
Mark the calendar--I'm actually going to drop a line. Hope things are smoothing out for you a little by the time you get this. Rather a hackneyed cliche--but things usually work out for the best--given enough time--So maybe (sp?)s departing will do likewise--As far as school problems go--you chose to sail in Harms Way as the book title goes--And when you sail in harms way the water is usually rougher but rewards are often higher intrinsic and otherwise.
In so doing--your keeping alive a Johnston tradition as I, my father and Grandfather before me have all given up easy & secure positions to go after the more risky but also more rewarding (I hope) livelihoods.
Grand Pa Alex left the shipyards in Glascow where he had served apprenticeship and was set for life as a shipyard carpenter, to come over to a new country and start all over again--(I'm mighty glad he did!)--
Dad was working as an Electrician in the Mallable in Troy N.Y.--He heard of a job that might have more future in it altho the starting pay was less than where he was--So he up and moved down to Springfield with us (his family)--found a new home and a very lucrative career at Gilbert & Barker--
As for myself--you name it and I've moved from it--Now I think after twenty some odd years of indecision and lack of confidence to move the move I've wanted, I think I finally did move in the right direction but very definitely in Harms Way.
As for you--You could have found an easy job near home--with no financial worries--near a lot of friends--or out in Ohio near a lot of school contacts but you chose to hack out a teaching career in a different section of the country near no close friends or business contacts, on your own--This you have done and done well--and if you can hack it ehre, Baby--You can hack it anywhere--Thanks for keeping the Johnston Tradition going!
So much for the commentary now for the local news---
Laurie's Party was at least a partial success--She had about six girls in and all brought nice givts--We had frozen pizzas and a case of canned soda. They played records and Set Back.
Bonnie stayed overnight Sat. night went to Sunday School with Laurie Sunday.
Sunday night Halloween--you called while we were out--Went over to Paynes for a drink--
We had a lot of trick or treaters--cute as always--but one of them really cracked me up---He was about Knee High to a Grasshopper and he and his buddy seem to have trouble making up their mind what to take--Mom had gum-Lollypops--Candy Sticks, etc--So I said "why don't you take one of each" "Gee can we?" sure take two--so they did and as they headed off in the direction of the Woods --the little one said to his buddy "Jesus Christs! He was nice!" That really made my night.
Mom is working hard as ever--still the never ending battle between her--On--I can't ever spell her name--The DeP dame--and Lina. I think Mom is feeling a little better --or hiding it better--
She's happy we are at least making a start in getting the house fixed up--The ceiling in the Halls & Living room are done--Woodwork in the Halls & Living Room cleaned and varnished--Living Room Painted--We should get the halls wallpapered this week.
My work is about the same been going straight out trying to get caught up--
I finished the One Room addition, one Garage & Family Room--Should finish another one this week--I have one more day at The Fire Job--been waiting for a rainy day--I have two more additions on the books plus McDonough's porch.
Currently figuring a house for a fellow that wants to build in Suffield, plus figures are out on four additions--
That about brings things up to date so will close for now--Hope you can read this scrawl--
See you soon--
Lots of Love
Dad
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