1956 Elsie and Mildred Go to Hawaii - Part 6

Upon returning to Eugene, Margaret sent a second letter to her mother.

Margaret's love of African Violets was shared with her Aunt Lillian Greenwell. 

Margaret's 2nd letter to Elsie - envelope

"Nov 28 -1956

Dearest Mom -

We were so very happy to get your card and letter yesterday.  It doesn't take very long by air-mail does it?  Sunday we talked about your landing in Honolulu - imagining what it would be like - you were landing about the time we were eating breakfast - slow weren't we?  We had a real nice stay in Portland - Sat. we did something I've wanted to do for years - drove up to Timber Line Lodge."    

Waning Girls at Timberline?



"It was a beautiful drive - the sun was out bright (of course the East wind was blowing 100 miles an hr more or less) but we were in the car so that didn't bother.  When we got up there even Tiny(1) got around in the snow.  Jim & the girls had a snowball fight - Mom was chicken & stayed in the car.  The Lodge itself is quite a place - don't remember whether you were clear up there or not - we had lunch there - but of course didn't get into the main part of the building which is reserved for hotel guests.

We didn't visit anyone till Sunday - Then went to see Aunt Ella(2), Charlotte & Ike & then Aunt Lillian(3).  Had fine visits everywhere I brought home 4 new violets from Aunt Lillian's.  Barbara very uneasy all day because Chuck(4) got back from Klamath Falls Sat nite.  We got home about 8 & he was here in 10 min!  Barb had supper at his house Mon. nite & he ate here last nite.  He's going to a school the Telephone Co. conducts for new linemen for 3 weeks.

Jim is to finish his plowing at Dexter today.(5)  He was disappointed about his little trees - he wanted 15,000 this year - went to see about them the day we took you to the train & they were all sold out for this year.  Don't know whats next on the program - but I would like to get started fixing the basement up as a playroom for the kids.

As for me - I've got a huge ironing staring me in the face - don't you want to help?  This morning I've potted some violets (Jim says I'll soon have as many as Aunt L. - I say not for a while.)  Then I'm attempting to work over the flower box - it's getting to looking like a Jungle.(6)   

I do hope this finds both you and Aunty Mildred well rested & having fun.  As for the heat, better enjoy it. - Its cold here - freezing every nite & usually clear in the day time - tho' Monday was the foggiest day I believe I ever saw.

Lots of Love to you both -

Margaret  

Thought the clipping might be of interest - isn't she the daughter of one of your special nurses(7)?"

1 Tiny - the first of the three Waning Chihuahuas

2 Ella McAdam Caufield - Jim's maternal aunt

3 Lillian Nelson Greenwell - Roy's wife and Margaret's maternal aunt.

4 Yes Chuck was already part of the Waning family by 1956 -  

5 Jim was plowing the Dexter Ranch for his parents.

6 Margaret had flower boxes lining inside of the kitchen of the Moss Street house 

7 Reference to one of the Private Nurses Elsie had post-mastectomy in 1951.