Tag: Ann Arbor

July 4 1951

4th July, 1951

Dearest Mummy,

It is the 4th of July holiday today, but as I finished work on Friday it hasn’t meant a thing to me – sad! Cec has been up at the Lab. as usual all day, & I did the chores & this afternoon wrote letters – six of them! – so feel very virtuous! Then after dinner we went up to the Drug Store & had an ice cream cone & that was our celebration! Now Cec has gone back to the Lab. again & I’ve washed the dishes & made myself a “cuppa” & am writing to my Momee!

After I wrote to you last week nothing very exciting happened. Cec worked at the Lab. every evening & I didn’t do much, and at work was kept busy in finishing jobs and leaving everything ship shape! Charlie & Shirley & Lyons were all the way & things had been very quiet, then in the middle of the week the news came that the Center had got a new $100,000 contract, so that there would be lots of work & the whole place buzzing! Bob Peebles was cursing the fact that they hadn’t hired anyone in my place, because when they thought there wasn’t going to be much doing they’d said he could do my work, & now of course he was busy & there was no one trained to do my job! However, all I had to do was sit back! 

On Friday I felt quite sad at the thought of leaving everyone, & everyone was very nice & sad about my going! We had our last coffee together in the afternoon, & then when I got back to my office afterwards here was a lovely little parcel all prettily done up & a big envelope marked “Cynthia”. I was most taken aback as I really hadn’t expected anything as so many people have left the centre recently that everyone must be fed up with collections. Anyway, I trotted round to Jeanie’s office to have company over the opening & opened my parcel- and what do you think it was?

13 names on the card!

A perfectly darling little solid silver spoon & fork for the baby! I was so surprised & amazed I just squeaked & squealed because when you wrote to me about cleaning up my spoon. & fork & not letting anyone give me another, I thought to myself “Well, my goodness – who on earth would give me a silver spoon & fork!” & I just couldn’t think of anyone wealthy enough, & here the girls had collected together & done it! We’ll just have to save mine for the next baby, that’s all- this one obviously is going to be born with a silver spoon all ready to pop in its mouth! You will just love the sweet little things when you see them though – they are such a pretty shape & they are a “pattern” as you see in the ads. called Damask Rose” & have a little rose on the handle. The girls were very interested to know if it was my “silver pattern”, so I said we didn’t have such things in England! The other letter, I opened it afterwards, & got another huge surprise! It was from Bob Peebles telling me all sorts of nice things about what a good girl I’d been & telling me he had given me a subscription to a magazine “The Saturday Review of Literature” as a parting present. Wasn’t that nice of him?

How he came to choose that mag. was that he gets it himself, & whenever I could get a look at his weekly copy as it arrived, I did! He asked me one day if I liked it & I said “oh yes “because it is full of book reviews & about films & the theatre & so on- rather like the Sunday Times used to be – & I told him how we got nothing like that now as we thought we would wait until we got settled in Ottawa first. So he had remembered & got it for us – I thought it was so sweet of him & to write me such a nice letter too- particularly as Jeanie & I used to make fun of him about being such an old woman!! I spent the rest of the afternoon going around showing off my baby spoon & fork & everybody thought it was lovely! Cec was pleased too when he saw them!

That evening Jeanie & Al were having a little party and had invited us to come. Jeanie had her mother & younger sister staying with her all last week & the party was really for them – their home is in Connecticut & Jeanie’s mother is one of our interviewers there, so of course was interested in the Center & everyone there. They had been up & seen around earlier in the week, so I had met them before, & of course Jeanie had told me all about them beforehand too. We couldn’t stay very long at the party as Cec was going on to the Lab. to work, but we stayed a while & chatted, & then when we left Cec took me to the Sutherland’s & I stayed & had a gossip with Gunborg as Gordon was away- took my spoon & fork to show off too! Gunborg brought me home later, & we have arranged a shopping spree in Detroit to get nappies etc.!

On Sat. I had 2 more lovely surprises – or at least, not exactly surprises, but lovely all the same- your nice letter, and the second of the baby parcels- no nothing to pay! Thank you lots & lots for both of them – we enjoyed the letter immensely, & of course I loved the parcel. The little nighties are just so cute & Jeanie’s 2 little jackets are such tiny sweet little pets that I just fell for them at once. Now I am not working I hope to really get my letters off my conscience, but please tell her they arrived safely & that I will be writing. You said you knew I’d love them & I do – they are so cute & fat & little & quite different than any I’ve seen here – the double breasted one is my honey! The flannel square is a beauty & I never imagined anything so wonderfully made & embroidered when you told me about it- I just thought it would be a plain square piece of flannel. It is so elegant I can’t really think what we’ll use it for- to put over the cot do you think? Or to wrap the baby, or what? I have such a nice lot of things now – I’m going to pack them all in a case together & gloat!

Card accompanied a present of a Dry Duck bag!

I went downtown with my week’s pocket money on Sat. & bought myself a cotton petticoat! I have been wearing my 2 nylon ones, but in hot weather they stick & feel very hot – particularly over my fat tum! – so I now have a white cotton waist petticoat – I got a big size as I put it around my “waist” which is just below my bust & it is just right! I also got some stockings as I think they are dearer in Canada, & in a fit of madness also got a blouse made of sort of black cotton fish net! It is very alluring etc. but of course not with my present figure, but I thought I could always send it as a present if I decided it was too ultra for a mama!! 

On Monday I felt quite lonesome & lost all day with not going to work! I kept busy & did the chores & got the laundry ready & took it to the laundromat, & cleaned the kitchen windows & in the afternoon cleaned the tiles in the bathroom, but I still missed the girlish gossip at work! I had quite a sleep after lunch though, & again yesterday, so I am quickly falling into preggy ma habits! Today I sternly had a cup of tea to keep me awake & wrote letters! On Monday evening at about 11 o’clock I was just having my milk & about to go to bed when Cec arrived home. This was terribly early for him as recently it is more like 3 or 4 a.m., so I was expecting a scolding for still being up, but instead we had a little outing! Cec & Jean Levy (the Frenchman we once had to dinner) had both been working at the Lab. & were going out for a cup of coffee when they noticed there was quite a display of Northern Lights. That is quite unusual down here, & Jean had never seen them before so they hopped in the car & collected me & we drove about 2 miles out into the country away from the city lights & got a wonderful view. They were quite greenish coloured & very fascinating to watch. Afterwards we came back here & the boys had sandwiches & milk & then went back to the Lab. again.

Last night Cec took a few hours off & took me to the movies – the first time for over a month that we’ve been out! We went to see an Alford Hitchcock thriller called “Strangers on a Train” & it was very good & exciting although we missed a little bit at the beginning so were a little bit fogged for a while! We were greatly tickled because Alfred Hitchcock himself always appears somewhere in each of his films, and we spotted him in this one- a funny fat man struggling to get a great bass fiddle onto the train!

Now that seems to be just about all my news, so I’ll get back to your nice letter. It is so nice & cool tonight- last night was hot & close & all this morning seemed stifling, but now it has got very breezy & quite chilly, so I am delighted! I feel a hundred times more energetic when it is cooler, & I want to begin getting things cleaned up so that I can leave the apartment nice. Oh, I forgot to tell you- we have an unexpected guest for the weekend! Cec got a phone call from Washington last week & who should it be but Phil Hawkins from Baldock where Cec used to work. Do you remember Cec talking about him, & one Sunday he & his wife & little boy came to Cambridge & went on the river & then came home & had tea with us? Anyway, Phil is over here on Admiralty work & has to go to Chicago, so is flying here on Friday evening & spending the weekend with us. A good job it isn’t later when all our things are packed & sent away!

I was so glad that you had got my letter with the cheque in, & that it was O.K. about taking your money into Canada. I’m looking forward to hearing that you have got your passage all fixed & hope that the man has come back from his holiday by now! I was telling Cec that you were probably having collywobbles in your tummy already, although by now you should be a seasoned traveler! I was amused at your saying that your previous week’s letter had been quite an effort to write – you were very noble to write it then I think – I usually put it off if I feel like that! I did think it wasn’t quite up to your usual high standard, but we enjoyed it just same!

You were very optimistic over your good wishes that the thesis is all done & sent off. As you’ll gather from all my references to Cec working night and day, things haven’t been going very smoothly & the poor lad is having an awful time. He is working desperately against time at the Lab. to get results he wants before he leaves, so the writing is left for the moment, as he can do that afterwards if necessary, whereas he has to get results now. He has had all sorts of trouble & is so worried about it, but despite all that & hardly any sleep, he is so good to me, & keeps cheerful and is really wonderful. I am just hoping & hoping that he will have a run of good luck & get something good any day now.

I was glad that you spent a nice day with Bren out at Peggy’s & bet you had a whale of a gossip. I was delighted to hear Bren’s news about Arthur, & do hope that everything works out O.K. for them – it sounds just ideal really if it does come through, as Bren will be near enough to come home for visits & they will get their leaves in England too. I was most amused you & she coming to the conclusion that there must be something in the air at the Institute because of all the preggies! We are used to say that it was catching & the unmarried girls would get quite alarmed! I haven’t seen anything more of Milly or the baby lately, but will call around before we leave. Dawn saw her one day & said that she was fine & all over the fever, so that is a good thing. I don’t know whether she will ever dress Eric in that little dress or not- I should think the white & red would suit him, but it looked a bit “girly”! I wouldn’t be too worried about making her rompers if you are very busy – I think we are just about quits now really!! I was so glad to hear that my cute little patchwork is finished & look forward immensely to seeing it – hope the baby has as much fun over it as I’m going to!

Bren’s little blue knitted set must be sweet – this is going to be a lucky baby isn’t it?

I was glad to hear that you had been to see Mr. Verrall, & that he was up & about though not well yet. Hope he will soon be better.

I laughed when I read your apologies to Cec for forgetting his birthday! I thought you probably would as it never seems to really have registered with you, but I think he will forgive you! I was amused that our anniversary was to be a cotton one this year – we’ll have to get each other some curtains or something! Probably lots of cotton things we’ll be needing anyway- nappies for one!!

Re. the singing cake – before I forget! It is supposed to have stopped singing when you take it out, but I think for a sandwich-type-cake this makes it a bit dry. It is O.K. for a rich fruit cake but for any other I think you can take it out while it is still singing a little, & it is a moister cake – as long as it isn’t soft & bubbly in the middle still!!

I laughed about you laughing at me when we meet in Ottawa! I bet you do giggle too- Cec & I do on occasion when it suddenly hits us in the eye as it were! I have decided that my tummy is just about the size & shape of a good sized watermelon at the moment! My waist measurement (where it used to be!) is 36” & I weigh 131 lbs. so you can try to imagine me!!

Cec & I were most amused that you & Bren were pining to know our girl’s name! We just didn’t tell you at first because you were being coy over the names you thought of, & now Cec says you may as well wait another month!! We still have no boy’s name, but I tell Cec we can haggle over that all the time we’re driving to Ottawa!

Well, that seems to be about all now, so I’d better finish now & go to bed. Did I tell you we had given Len some money & asked him to have the Ottawa paper sent to us? Well, it is coming now & we are reading the ads. with great interest. There are quite a lot of furnished houses & apartments for the summer months, so we are thinking of writing to some of these & seeing what we can get, as it would be fine just to go to a furnished place & have a couple of months to look for somewhere permanent. There are masses of houses for sale quite reasonably, so we are quite hopeful.

Must stop- Cec has just come home for a sandwich as nowhere is open tonight – he sends his love and the baby sends a great kick which he just delivered on his Mama’s ribs!! 

Lots of love from

            Cynnie. 

June 26 1951

Parents-to-be!

June 26. Tuesday.

Dearest Mummy,

I thought I would just write an A.M. this week, as we have very little news after my epic of last week! Your letter of June 17th arrived on Sat. & we enjoyed it & say thank you very much! I had meant to write to the Aunties etc. & be quite energetic over the weekend, but it was hot, so all my energy oozed away & I hardly did anything except the usual weekend cleaning & cooking. Yesterday was hot, but with a nice cool breeze so I ironed all evening, but today is hot & humid again, darn it so I sit & mop my brow & get nothing done!

I went to the Clinic again yesterday- I go oftener now- & had yet another doctor – but nice! I had been a good girl & not gained too much weight & was quite OK. We talked a bit about the trip etc. & my getting a dr. in Ottawa & the clinic sending my “particulars” to him etc. but nothing much really, & I’m to go back in 2 weeks. I was most amused & pleased to hear of Patsy & Tony’s news, & hope that everything goes well for her. It has worked out very well that she will have the baby in England, & long enough there afterwards to get really strong again for the journey. I laughed at Bren’s remarks re. the “overtime” & couldn’t help thinking of Jeanie’s statement one time that she was so fertile a man had only to look at her & she got pregnant! It doesn’t seem that way with Patsy, or else Tony’s been having a hell of a long look!

Talking of babies, I went to see Milly & her son on Sat. morning & took her some flowers from the market. She went home on Wed. evening, but her Mother was down from Montreal, so she had good help, but poor lass she got a temperature (due to her breasts the Dr. said) & was very poorly for a few days after she got home & had to go to the hospital each day for penicillin shots. Dawn saw her yesterday & said she looked fine & I am glad as she looked a bit pale & tired when I saw her. The baby was awake & cute, but so funny with all this long dark hair- Milly had it parted at one side & said she was going to have to clip it over his ears! He is good she says, but of course the 1:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. feeds weren’t too popular with Mama & Papa!

I hope Bren has good news about the job from Arthur – she must be very fed up with the worry & indecision poor girl. Richard’s birthday party sounded very funny with all the little boys fighting etc.! I can just imagine them all waiting to bat & being most uncooperative! The tea sounded nice though! Was glad you had got a bit further with your money arrangements etc.& hope it is all OK & that you have definite news of your flight booking etc. We have telephoned moving companies & freight stations etc. but have made no commitments yet. (Plenty of etc.s!)

I hope your 2 new dresses are going to be smashing! You will put Cec & me in the shade, as we will probably be looking shabby as A. Moo says! However, Costain Jr. should do us all proud in all the new clothes! Looking forward to your next parcel – the first one was so nice! Laughed over the silver spoon etc.- nice of Doris to polish so hard for us, but guess the baby won’t be using it himself for a little while!! Always have a squash the end of these A.M.’s.  I still owe Edie a letter, & haven’t heard from my Father lately. Will write again soon. Cec is at the Lab. but would send love & a hug- Lots & lots from Cynnie+

June 19 1951

18 pages!

803 Granger Ave., Ann Arbor, Mich.

Tuesday 19th June

Dearest Mummy,

Ever since Sunday I have been saying to myself “I must begin a letter to Mummy”, but we have had such hot weather the last few days that I have felt quite limp & very unambitious. This evening it has to begun to rain & is better than it was yesterday, but it still feels quite close & humid, although that is probably partly because the apartment has not had time to cool down yet. I just have one more week of work after this one, and although it isn’t really bad & I feel quite all right, Cec and I were just saying we were glad that I was finishing soon & won’t have the really hottest weather to go through at work.

Now first of all, your lovely parcel arrived on Friday, and I am just thrilled with all the darling little things! We didn’t have to pay any duty & it arrived in perfect condition – not even opened I don’t think – and I had a wonderful time opening it up & looking at everything. Cec was there too, of course, & kept laughing at me squeaking & squealing over everything, but it is all so fascinating – just like playing at dolls again on a much more intriguing scale!! All the little nighties are beautiful – they look so much prettier than the pictures on the pattern I sent you, & the little lace edging & the embroidery make them look so sweet. The two little pink cotton ones are very pretty, but it is the little white ones which I think are so cute – I think the Costain baby is going to be the best dressed baby in the neighbourhood- thanks to its Granny’s beautiful sewing! You really have put a tremendous amount of work into them honey, & I do appreciate it – I think they are all lovely, & that you must have worked very hard not only to make them, but to do all the little extra touches which make them look so sweet. The little jacket from Auntie Trix is very cute too, & I can just imagine the little thing looking really elegant and its nighties & bed jacket! I will write & thank her this week and also Auntie Moo for all the perfectly sweet little booties, but in the meanwhile please say thank you to her for me. I think it was such a good idea to make different sizes, & I feel that the baby will be well-stocked for a long time & will have nice warm tootsies! Cec made me laugh because he kept worrying that everything looked so big, that our tiny baby would be swamped- little does he know how quickly the little horror will probably grow, & begin popping out of all its clothes!

I have left the little silk dress to the last thank you for, because I think it is quite the pièce de la résistance of the whole parcel – and I am just enchanted with it! I keep bringing it out to have another look and another gloat over it, and I think it is absolutely the darlingest little dress I ever saw. I can see what a job you must have had making it out of those small pieces, but your faggotting [This is an embroidery stitch used to attach one piece of material to another- to lengthen a hem, for example] is lovely and no one would ever know that it was done with any ulterior motive- Cec said “My— open-work seams!” when he saw them. The silk is really lovely, isn’t it, and it is amazing to think that it has lasted so long and is still so perfect, and I think that soft creamy colour is very pretty for a baby, don’t you? Altogether, it was a simply wonderful parcel, Mummy, & thank you very very much for everything – I am getting quite thrilled at the “layette” now – there seems to be quite a lot of different things, even though I haven’t got the nappies etc. I intend to buy here. I got 2 little cotton vests, but they are 2nd size & at the time they had none of the smaller size, so I decided to wait & get them when they came in. Another present which I just got on Monday was a big surprise. When I came into my office, here it was a dear little parcel all wrapped in baby paper on my desk, & inside was another sweet little pair of white booties. They were from a girl, Janet Jackson, who worked here, but although she gave me a lift sometimes before we had MacTavish I didn’t know her very well. Her husband graduated this month & got a job in Illinois, so she left about a fortnight ago & I gave 25¢ towards a present for her as we usually do, but never thought about her giving me anything, so it was a real surprise. She had been in A.A. over the weekend collecting the last of their things & had got one of the other girls to put the little parcel on my desk – I thought it was so sweet of her, and as they are bigger than Auntie Moo’s, they will just fit in nicely.

This little letter has lasted from Tuesday till today which is Thursday, but it is so much cooler & pleasanter that I feel a new woman! I didn’t get much written on Tuesday evening as I was tired, but brought the letter to work yesterday & got a little more done until Cec rang me up at 5:15 & said “Let’s go home now- my feets hurt!” so I picked up the letter & left, only to find later in the evening when I settled down to write that I had left both my pens behind, & Cec had left his at the Lab. too! I am writing this at work now – the place is very quiet, & as I only have a week more to go I am not killing myself!! Charlie has had to go to New Hampshire to see his father who is very ill; Shirley & Lyons are both on holiday; Sylvia has left as there was no work for her, & she has got a job in another university department (we wonder how she’ll get on!); so that leaves Bob Peebles & Jeanie & me to hold up the Field Office, so we aren’t straining any muscles! Jeanie had 3 wisdom teeth out yesterday so was away for the day (one pen ran dry!) [The ink colour switched from blue to black] but is back today with a slightly “mumpy” face but says she feels O.K. However, Bob & I were alone in our glory yesterday & as he says he’s leaving early today, Jeanie & I will be on the loose!

I got your lovely long letter dated June 10th on Sat. (16th) and just loved hearing about your weekend in the country. I am so glad that you had such a good time & enjoyed yourself so much – it sounds very beautiful and you certainly had a great time with all the people visiting & going out to tea with 8 children! I am glad that you are getting into practice singing babies to sleep – you’ll probably need to make great use of that accomplishment! I was very interested in hearing all about the peculiar, but beautiful Eileen, but curious to know if she is fair or dark or what. I was wondering if Jeanie is still as pretty as she used to be – of course I know all those girls will still be attractive when they are 100, because they have such charm, but Jeanie was so nice looking too. I was also wondering about Peggy- she was such a little podge when we knew her, then she got thin and we saw some snaps of her before she was married in which she looked very pretty, so how is she looking too! After all these enquiries about everyone’s looks, I might say that I think my face looks pretty (?!) much the same as when you last saw me! The last month or so, I think it has gotten thinner, but it may be that my hair is getting a little longer, & is due for another cutting off.

I was amused at your remarks re. Mrs. Young’s home being full of Doulton figures, and that she was rather Bella-ish!! It definitely doesn’t sound much in my line – with all my ideas and criticism of other people’s decorations, it’s going to be rather intriguing to see what kind of a place we have, isn’t it!! Cec & I agree very well on furnishings etc., so we shouldn’t find it too difficult – the only thing we disagree over is pictures! When we look in art shops we squabble over which pictures we think are nice, but doubtless we will be able to compromise when it comes to the point! Pictures will be about the last thing we’ll be worrying to get!

I hope that the patchwork is progressing satisfactorily, & that you’re not finding it too fiddly! I was delighted to know that Mrs. Johnny’s shawl had arrived safely, but I was so sorry that you had to pay duty on it, because probably if she had sent it straight to me I wouldn’t have had anything to pay as they seem to be very big-hearted over baby’s things. Talking of Customs & so on, reminds me that we wrote to the Canadian Consul in Detroit about what formalities etc. I would have to go through to enter Canada (remember all the x-rays etc. before) & we were so glad to get a letter back this week saying that there would be none as I had been in the U.S. for over a year. We were very pleased as that is one less thing to do. Will you have to have inoculations etc.?

You end up your letter with various queries etc. about our health, so I’ll answer those before going onto our doings. We are all fine really – the baby is getting more active all the time & pushes me like mad! I am quite O.K. & being a good girl & keeping my weight under control! I go to the Clinic on Monday & think that I have gained less than they said I could, so I am pleased. I had a letter from Anne , telling me all the Cambridge news- so much & poured out so breathlessly, that I’ll have to send you the letter – I can’t possibly repeat it. Anyway – she tells about 2 babies being born- one nearly 9lbs and one 9lbs 10ozs, so I think it is a good thing the Drs. are being strict with me- none of the babies I’ve heard of here haven’t been more than about 8lbs, at the most, & it must be so much easier than having a whopper! Her baby is doing fine, by the way, but she doesn’t mention Tadek getting a job or anything.

Cec has been keeping very well, I’m glad to say. He doesn’t get enough sleep of course, but he is looking well in spite of that & is cheerful & just as sweet as ever! He works all the time & things have been very discouraging in some ways, but he just goes on. He is still doing his experimental work as well as writing the thesis, & he will just keep plugging away at it. He takes great care of me all the time & helps me all he can, & we have decided that we will have our “good” things- china, glass & silver packed for us. We thought at first we might pack it all ourselves & hire a trailer & take it all with us, as we thought it would be so expensive to get it done for us, but we find that it is not so much after all, & as I couldn’t do too much, & Cec has plenty to do otherwise, it will be a saving in the end to have it done for us, so we are going to see about it this weekend. The time is coming so close, & we both have the kind of shivers about it, as we have such a lot to do! I expect you get the shivers too!!

Last week we seem to have such a lot of things happening – there really wasn’t much, but we lead such quiet lives now that it seemed extraordinary!! I told you that Milly’s baby was born on the Monday (11th), well – on Wednesday I went over to the hospital to see her. It is quite close to the Institute, & the visiting time is 3:30 – 4.0 so I just popped over. One of the other girls came with me, but they would only allow the husband & one other visitor & although Jerry wasn’t there, they still would only let one in, so Gilly was nice & let me go. Milly is in a room with another girl – it has a little bathroom, with shower etc. & right next door is a little nursery with the babies in. Milly was up the very day after the baby was born, (they get mamas up as soon as poss now) & can go in & see her baby anytime, & change its nappie herself etc. She was just up when I arrived & looking very well – pale, but not unduly so- & she took me at once to see the baby. She went in the nursery & wheeled him to the door & I looked through the glass & made comments!  He was so cute, with masses of black hair about 1 1/2 to 2” long! (Jerry is very dark). He wasn’t at all red, quite creamy coloured & quite a distinct tiny Jewish nose! He was asleep & had his little face all screwed up & looked so sweet. He isn’t a fat baby, but looks strong & healthy. I laughed at Milly because here she was, combing away at his hair & trying to put a parting in it & the little thing only 2 days old! Like a little chicken, his hair looked still dampish, & stuck out in tufts, & the combing had no effect, but Milly was just so thrilled & proud. We went into a sitting room then, (Milly was in her dressing gown) & sat & talked & she told me all! She had had this codol (don’t know how to spell it – spinal injection anyway) – & she said it was wonderful. She had a small cut about 1” long with stitches, but they do that to everyone now practically to prevent tearing, & she said it was a bit uncomfortable but not bad. She walked awkwardly of course, but I was surprised at how well she got around & how well she said she felt. She said it was nice to be up, because if you lay for long you got stiff & sore. She is just thrilled with the whole process of having a baby! Each moment is more wonderful than the next- seeing the baby – holding the baby – feeding the baby etc. – it’s all incredible & wonderful to Milly – it’s really sweet to hear her. She is probably going home today, so I’ll be going over to see her again.

Last week was a big Physics Meeting in Columbus, Ohio, & nearly all the Profs etc.went. Cec couldn’t go as he was too busy, but Gordon read a paper of Cec’s, so at least some of his work went. Leonard wrote that he was coming down with another fellow from Ottawa, so I sent him a note saying to call & see us, or stay with us if he had time, & sure enough, on Thursday evening when we came back from our week’s shopping, there was a little car in front of the house & here was Leonard & another English fellow we didn’t know called Peter. They had left the meeting early, so were sooner than we expected, but it didn’t matter. They came in & we had cool drinks & talked (physics, mostly!) & at about 10 or 10:30 I cooked them bacon & eggs & then I left them all the sheets, pillows etc. & went to bed about 12 leaving them still talking! They made up the sofa bed in the sitting room & shared it & found it quite comfortable. Next morning I got up and had breakfast, then woke Cec, & left everything ready for them to get their own breakfast & I trotted off to work! I met them all at noon, & we had lunch at a nice place, & the two fellows paid for Cec & me! Then Peter left to go & see friends in Detroit & Leonard stayed with us till the next day, when he went back to Ottawa by bus. He wanted to shop, so Cec went back to work, & as I was a bit tired (& anyway I still had 2 days of sick leave left!) I called up & told them I wasn’t coming into work that afternoon. I had a bit of a rest, then tidied up & prepared dinner & had myself a cup of tea! The next day was Cec’s birthday & we were having a few people in to a buffet supper you know, so I wanted to get a few things ready if I could, & so I boned my chicken!! All in one piece, & then stuffed it with sausage & stuffing, rolled it up in a cloth & boiled it gently for about 1 1/2 hours then I took it out, put it in a clean cloth & pressed it between two plates. [Chicken Galantine] I was glad to get that done & out of the way, as it was the biggest thing to do.

After dinner (I fed Leonard stuffed heart, baked potatoes, mixed veg, then strawberries & cream) Cec was going back to the Lab. & the idea was that he would leave Len & me at Gunborg’s & pick us up on his way home. However, when I heard that he wouldn’t be ready to come home till about 11 o’clock I said I’d stay at home & go to bed early & Cec thought it was a good idea, so he took Len to Gunborg’s alone. I had asked Len about Connie of course, & from what he said I think she has been pretty much like me & has had an easy enough time- but being Connie probably grouched a bit! She wasn’t sick at all – just had nausea at Christmas (as we both did!) & didn’t seem to have the tiredness I did, but of course she probably had more opportunity to rest. She gets a bit of backache now, but what can you expect! Most of her baby things have been sent from England from parents, so she is all set.

On Sat. we were up quite early & had breakfast & took Len to his bus at 9:20. Then Cec & I went to the Farmer’s Market as we were in town & then came home & Cec got his birthday presents!! I gave him a compass for the car, which he had been wanting badly; a tie clip to keep his tie from hanging in his soup; a duster for MacTavish!; some plastic ice cube holders- very cunning- we have been wanting some; & some swizzle stick things we have been wanting too!! And a funny card of course!! He had fun with them all & put his compass on MacTavish, & then went to the Lab. while I cleaned the apartment. After lunch, Cec went to work again & I fixed the buffet supper. We had the boned chicken which I glazed & decorated – stuffed eggs- tomatoes cut in waterlily shapes on lettuce & watercress- my hors d’oeuvres dish with radishes, Sp. onions, sweet pickles, cucumber, pickled beets & olives- hot rolls – then strawberry tartlets with whipped cream & coffee. We made a bowl of punch with burgundy & fruit juices & ice & served it before & during supper & it was very cool & nice. Oh, I forgot- we had potatoes au gratin too- it was the one hot dish besides the rolls.

The guests were to come at 7, but I was delighted when they were late! Mary Jo & Pete came & Cec went & collected Jacqueline & Bill Baker- the latter are a very nice couple- we liked them both. We gave them punch & then they all helped themselves to the food which I had set out on the table on the landing, & they ate in the sitting room on their knees or on the card table etc. Everyone seemed to enjoy it all very much & had 2nd helpings etc. & Cec & Mary Jo raved about the chicken particularly, so I was pleased! We cleared & stacked the dishes & I rinsed them off, so it was all nice & tidy, then we just sat & chatted & later on Gunborg & Gordon came in after the theatre & had a drink & then they all left about 12 o’clock. We all enjoyed it, I think & Cec & I felt that it was the nearest we’d come to having a party in Ann Arbor, but believe me- 6 people eating in our sitting room & it was full!!

At home now.[different coloured ink!]

Next day- Sunday – of course we slept late, and I, at any rate, had a lazy day! It was Father’s Day, so I had a funny card for Cec & a little present of a propelling pencil & he didn’t have to do any chores all day!! He went to the Lab. & worked, & as I say, I didn’t do much as we ate party leftovers! We took a trip to the Sutherlands in the afternoon just for a minute, as they have got a puppy! Grunberg took the children to see the new County Humane Society Animal Shelter which has just been built & is apparently the last word, & they came back with this little puppy! It is black- 1/2 Cocker & 1/2 dachshund, but at the moment he just looks roly-poly puppy & so sweet! He staggers about & his little fat tum weighs him down & he slithers to one side! He is very cuddly & affectionate, & of course the girls are crazy about him – & Gunborg is just as bad!

When Cec brought me back home, Mrs. Kaufman called me in to meet her sister & a friend who were there.  Sat. was Commencement Day for the University & Mrs. K.’s younger daughter & her husband were both graduating – Fay got her M.A. & Morris his M.D.- so the K.’s had had lots of excitement & quite a big party, & the sister etc. were the remains! Fay & Morris are going to live in Detroit now, as Morris is doing his internship at one of the hospitals there, so Mrs. K is quite sad as both her daughters will have left A.A. She had the other daughter’s 2 little boys to look after when I was there on the Sunday – they are about 1 yr. & 2 yrs. old, I think – & the sister (unmarried!) I thought was such a silly woman! Every single thing the kids did she had to interrupt & correct or tell Mrs. K. to see what they were doing, so that she wore out herself, Mrs. K, the boys & even the other lady & myself! We never got a chance to talk as she was rushing around after them all the time, & of course they were just the centre of attention, & really it wasn’t their fault as they were good little boys.

It was hot on Sunday & apart from visiting I didn’t do anything, but had a good rest. I don’t remember if I told you that our apartment is let to a fellow in the Physics Dept. called Lewison. Cec doesn’t know him well, but he seems a nice chap & when he heard we were leaving he asked Cec about the flat as he is getting married in Aug. Cec told him to come over one evening, which he did, & he saw Mr. K. & made arrangements. His fiancé was away at college, so he asked if he could bring his Mama-in-law-to-be to see it, so of course we said yes, & then last week the girl came home & he brought her over on Monday evening, so we have had a thorough inspection & everyone seemed pleased! He is a nice jolly young man & obviously very much in love with the girl, whereas she took it all quite calmly & cooly, as if it were all her due in a very American-wife-ish way! Cec says he hopes they’ll enjoy our squeaky bed!! Poor newly-weds!

I must stop now, as Cec is at the Lab. & I promised him I’d be in bed at 10:30- good, aren’t I?!! I have done some typing for him too, so I have done my duty!!

Hope you got your passage fixed up O.K. without any bother – will write again soon, although don’t see that I’ll have any news!! Love to A. Moo & thank you all again for my lovely parcel.

                A big hug & lots of love from us all to our Grandmummy-

                                                        Cyn.

P. S. What do you know? The latest person to come to the West Indies is a great friend of yours! Anne tells me Jessie Fisher has a job in Jamaica & sails in Aug.!! I wonder if she’ll find that a happy hunting ground! Rosemary & Sheila are both married. 

P.P.S. Forgot to say that we laughed at the cutting from “Tell me Doctor” about the girl feeling as if she had quintuplets inside. I feel as if I had hundreds sometimes – all squirming! Also I feel that I look immense! Cec looks at me now & shakes his head & says “Yes, I really think you’re going to have a baby, Cynnie!”

June 10 1951

This letter has been chewed upon by St Vincent insects- pinholes right through!

Sunday, June 10th

Dearest Mummy,

Thank you so much for your nice letter which came yesterday – quite my Saturday treat now! It was mailed on June 1, so wasn’t very long in coming. You haven’t got many blue-pencilled remarks this time, but I will answer what there are later, & I also went through some of your old letters this afternoon, & red-pencilled (!) places to answer so will do that also!

Cec went up to the Lab. this afternoon, & has gone again now- after dinner – but I have been quite busy. We slept till nearly noon, of course – it is Cec’s one chance to catch up on his late nights during the week, & I was late late last night too, so was just as sleepy as he was this morning! You would have laughed at us at breakfast time. Yesterday I was in town in the afternoon & happened to be near a special shop which goes in for foreign delicacies & also fish. We had been talking about missing kippers the other day, & although we’d had tinned ones, they weren’t the same, so I went into the shop & sure enough they had kippers & I bought some as a treat for us this morning! So up we got & on opening the package I found two huge kippers (1/2 lb. each!) & I grilled them & they smelled very kippery & good! Then we began to eat them, & after a few mouthfuls we both said they didn’t taste like English kippers, & after we’d waded about 1/2 way through, we both confessed we didn’t like them! They had a very odd flavour- as if they had been cured in some funny way,- & they were very oily – So we didn’t enjoy our kippers much! Cec decided he wanted an egg to take the taste away, so he fried one & put it on a slice of toast & tried to eat it in his hand. I giggled so at his egg dripping through holes in the toast, that I leant forward & put my elbow in my saucer & spilled tea all over the table & myself – so you can see we had a very hilarious & messy time!!

This afternoon I baked a cake. After the Dr. said my weight was O.K. last week, I wanted to come right home & bake a chocolate cake, but Cec wouldn’t let me! However, it is his birthday next Sat. & we are having Pete & Mary Jo to dinner & a couple from Saskatoon- Bill Baker & his wife Jacqueline. Bill is head of the Agricultural Dept. at the University in Sask. (I met him when we were up last summer) & is down in A.A. for about a year, & Cec ran into him one day by accident, & since then we’ve met him and his wife once or twice. We asked Gordon & Gunborg to come to dinner too, but they have tickets for the theatre, so will just come in for a drink afterwards. Anyway – as we are having the dinner on Cec’s birthday, I made his cake this weekend – just a white cake with lots of chocolate icing! The oven is tilted slightly though, so my cake is lopsided, but otherwise looks good! I also made a mince pie, as poor Cec hasn’t had any pies or puddings for ages, and boned & stuffed a breast of veal for dinner. I was very pleased with myself as it only cost 73¢ & the usual roast of beef is $2 or over for just a small piece & altho’ pork is cheaper, it isn’t as cheap as 73¢!!

You will probably be suspecting me of gaining weight again by leaps & bounds with cooking all these things, but Cec has made me a graph which we have on the bathroom wall, & each morning I weigh & mark it.  It is entitled “Cyn’s Giraffe” & is like this

The red line is what I should gain, & the humpy back line is how I did gain! At the moment I am below the red line & haven’t gained any since Mon. so am pleased with myself!

Cyn’s Giraffe- she put the graph in the scrapbook later- with both of us on it!

Actually I am having to be good as I am taught a lesson if I’m not! On Thursday Millie went to the Clinic & came into the office afterwards – it was the day the baby was due, but there were no signs, & as it also was Dawn’s last day at work before going on holiday, we decided to go out for coffee to celebrate. We went to a place nearby & as a real treat I had coffee & a chocolate iced doughnut & had a good time, & we enjoyed ourselves. Then back at the office I began to get indigestion, & by the time I got home for lunch I just sicked it all up!! I felt fine then, but I was so annoyed! On Friday afternoon, the Institute had their annual picnic – I didn’t go & as it was rather a chilly grey day, neither did a lot of other people, but the office closed around 3 o’clock & I came home & had a cup of tea & 2 slices of toast & raspberry jelly & I’m darned if the same thing didn’t happen – except this time I just had indigestion & wasn’t sick! Anyway, I’ve decided it’s just no good me trying to give myself a treat!!

By the way- Mary Jo told me over the phone when I called to invite her & Pete to dinner that she is expecting another baby in September. They already have 2 little girls- Jody & Helen- the latter 18 months & Jody about 3 I think, & they are an awfully nice family. Cec likes Pete very much – he is a big, quiet fellow, but very amusing, & Mary Jo is very nice. The little girls aren’t pretty, but they are very cute & Jody is quite a little chatterbox & most attached to Cec. I expect they’ll be hoping for a boy this time. I am wondering if Millie’s baby has come yet- the Dr. said it could be anytime, & she was hoping it would be the weekend while Jerry was home & could take her to the hospital. I went around to see her on Thurs. evening & saw all her little things – she really hasn’t much at all-just nighties & nappies mostly, & has borrowed a crib. When she left work her Dept. gave her a baby scale which is nice to have. Her mother is coming down from Montreal when they send the wire, so she is bringing things from the family & friends up there.

I told you Dawn was going on holiday – well, actually, Burt has finished his exams so they are visiting their respective families & Burt is also having interviews for jobs, so they are combining work & pleasure. He is an engineering lawyer & is through now but hasn’t got a job as yet. Millie’s Jerry is also through now – a teacher – & has got a job in Long Island & they are very pleased, as it is a good one & a nice new little town, (not so far out as Long Beach) & as Jerry’s people live in N.Y. so it suits them fine. They are spending the summer here though, as Jerry has a temporary job. It is very queer at work now with both Dawn & Milly gone, & also Shirley from the Field Office is going on holiday & Lyons has already gone, so the place seems empty. Another thing is that Sylvia is leaving too- she has hardly done any work for the past while, & last week Charlie told her that as there was no more work she had better go to some other job, so she is leaving the Institute. We are wondering how on earth she will get on, as she is so careless & undependable, & everyone here was nice & kind to her, but we don’t suppose they will be everywhere. My job will be empty of course at the end of the month, but she was never suggested for it – she’s been in the same room with me for nearly a year, but I don’t think she has any idea of what I do!

I meant to tell you that on Sat.when I went shopping in town (for my hubby’s birthday present- couldn’t find what I wanted) I was in Woolies & saw “catnip mice”, so of course got one for Spivvy & we are going to send it to him! It is a little grey cloth mouse with a pink wool tail & eyes & a funny smell, but we hope he’ll like it!

Yesterday evening I went with Ann Sutherland to the theatre to see “Mary Rose” by Barrie. Gordon & Gunborg have tickets to a series of plays which are on for about 6 weeks, & when they heard I hadn’t seen “Mary Rose” they pressed me to take Ann, as Gunborg had seen it twice & Gordon was very busy. I wasn’t too keen, as I’d read the play long ago at school, but went anyway & Anne thought it was lovely! I thought the acting was poor, & didn’t enjoy it much, but of course didn’t say so! 

I don’t remember if I ever told you much about Amy’s parcel – it was really lovely & no duty to pay. The pram cover is very thick & warm & quite big enough for a cot cover if you wanted- it is white, & the two little jackets, one is pink (quite bright!) & one is blue & they are a very cute pattern. They are a small size too, which is nice, as the ones I made are bigger & so is yours. Did I tell you I finally made & smocked Millie’s baby dress two weekends ago? I sewed & sewed & got it done & it looked very sweet, but it was a wretched pattern & made the smocking very difficult. It was a fine white cotton material & I smocked in red, but it came very big – nine months- one year size I should think – so if it’s a little boy Millie will just have to put it by! All the girls at work raved about it- none of them seem to do hand sewing at all- they machine & knit & crochet, but my sewing a dress by hand was something extraordinary! I have cut out one the same for me, but as it is such a big size & I’m so busy anyway, I’ve decided to leave it for the time being. Millie made & gave me such a nice thing – a bathing apron made out of Turkish towelling. I thought it was such a good idea & so useful- it has big pockets & is green & has a rick-rack trimming- wasn’t that nice of her?

As you will see, I am enclosing the cheque for £50, & hope that it will be enough- if not I can let you have more quite easily. You ask if U.S. dollars are O.K. in Canada & Cec says to tell you Yes – very much so! We both giggled at the thought of you smuggling dollars about the place of course, & Cec says to tell you we’ll probably have to bail you out, but I hope it is O.K. I am glad that you have booked your passage for the 6th – don’t worry, we’ll have a bed of some sort for you, some where – we’re just not sure where at the moment! Tell me how the plane goes after Barbados – where do you stop & how long does it take? We will be waiting at the airport at Ottawa for you, & you will get such a surprise at your little fat daughter! No matter how much you imagine me pregnant, I’m sure the actual sight will be a shock!!

I hope that you had a lovely weekend with the Fraser’s & enjoyed being out in the country. It was a pity Auntie Moo couldn’t go too, but when you are away she will probably enjoy visiting even more, & it wouldn’t be much fun for her if she was worrying about her earphone.

I am glad that you got my long letter- this looks as if it might be a rival to the 17 page effort, but I don’t know why except that I seem to be very hare-brained & skip from subject to subject! I am so excited about the parcels of baby clothes & hope they come quickly, as I am longing to see them. Millie had all little bought nighties & I thought how much nicer mine would be! I am longing to see the little silk dress especially & all your faggotting! I’m sure it will be cute. I felt for Jeanie knitting a wrong side for the little cardigan – I would do just the same sort of thing! I will write to her & tell her how good it is of her to knit for me. I hope when Bren gets back that she will feel better for the change, & that her teeth will be all O.K. Poor Jeanie must be in a flat spin about Hazell Ann & the wild Barbadians! It seems kind of incredible to think of Jean as a worried Mama, when really it doesn’t seem so long since she was at school & probably up to girlish tricks! Not that I think she would do the equivalent of nipping into dormitories, but just tricks in general!! Cec was very amused to hear that Barbadians were a wild lot even in your day!

We were both shattered at your suggestion for a boy’s name for us! Hercules Horatio – poor little horror! We have given it up for the time being as we have other things to think of! Cec is writing away, & I typed most evenings last week & have caught up now, so can rest as Cec is working at the Lab. and has nothing new for me. I can’t say your suggestion of Sidney really thrills me – Sid- ugh! & your 4 girl’s names aren’t the top of our popularity list either!! Aren’t we horrid? Actually, I think you’ll like our girl’s name, which is all settled, but it’s these boys that are the difficulty! 

Was glad to hear about Dottie, although from your account of her letter she seems to have had sad news about other people. I haven’t heard from N/C for a while, as I was a long time in writing & then wrote to them all at once. I’m glad Dottie is going to Mary & Bill for Race Week – she always enjoys going there, & I hope it’s nice weather.

Poor little Mrs. Johnny sending the shawl to you – I hope it doesn’t take too long to arrive & that you don’t have a huge duty. I haven’t heard anything from her – should I write & say thank you now, or wait till you get it or till I see it or what? It will depend on whether it takes a long time to get to you, as to whether you will have time to post it to me or will have to bring it with you.

You ask what “Decoration Day is for- well “Memorial Day” is another name for it, & it began as a memorial day for the soldiers in the Civil War, & people used to go & decorate their graves. Now it is supposed to be for all soldiers killed in battle, I think, but it is just a holiday mainly although they do decorate various places with flowers etc.

Monday.

Well – Millie did have her baby!! At 2 o’clock this afternoon – a boy! He weighed 7 lbs. 10 ozs. & is 20” long and has lots of black hair! Jerry rang me up at work & told me & he was so excited, & I got wildly excited too & we practically squealed at each other over the phone! Then I rushed around telling everyone & Charlie said you’d have thought it was my baby, I was so thrilled! Apparently, Jerry took her to the Hospital on Friday evening, but they sent her home on Sat. morning as it was false labour, but she had pains off & on all weekend. Then at 5 a.m. this morning he took her in again & at the Univ. hospital they let the fathers stay with the mothers until they actually go to the delivery room, so he stayed at the hospital. I can go & see her any afternoon, but will wait & go on Wed. as I expect she will need a rest tomorrow. The baby is to be Eric – I don’t like that either!! There are 5 of us preggies left at work now- 3 have produced & another is about to! The men are doing pretty well too, as last week 3 of them had babies & brought round chocolates & cigars! Prolific crowd!!

You mentioned Connie- we have heard no more, but may see Leonard this week. There is a big Physics Meeting in Columbus, Ohio this week & all the Physics Dept. here & from all over the U.S. & Canada are going. Gordon is giving a paper of Cec’s, as Cec is too busy to go, but isn’t my husband clever? Leonard is driving down with another English fellow from Ottawa while Connie stays with his wife who has 2 little girls, & we may see the 2 men for a little while on their way back, so should collect the gossip then!

I am intrigued to know how you are getting on with “our” little patchwork quilt- I think it will be just sweet! Do you think babies need sheets? I always vaguely thought you just bundled them up in blankets! Anyway, I’ll be doing my shopping in Ottawa, so needn’t worry yet!

What news of Patsy lately? You haven’t mentioned her for a long time, except a while ago you said she seemed depressed. Apparently no news of a family for her yet. Also you haven’t said how Percy Verrall is getting on- I hope he is better now. Has Uncle Fred made up his mind to sell Fernside to the nuns yet? It seems a pity after having it so long, but as you say it is very big for him by himself. I was glad the dog bite wasn’t much after all.

I went to try & get your Felt for Feet on Sat. but couldn’t get it at the places I tried. I’ll go back to the place I got it before during the week & will send it off then.

You asked about my Father in one letter, & I meant to tell you I did have a letter from him about the baby. He was quite pleasant about it, – not excited, you know, but quite nice, & suggested some names etc. Also a few weeks ago I got a book from him- a historical novel about Bury St. Edmunds which he had told me about, & it suddenly arrived with no name inside or anything. I wrote & thanked him but haven’t heard since.

Must stop now, as Cec says it is way past my bedtime – glad you are having fun with your bathing suit, & hope you have been to the Club again with Miss M’s man!! She sounds a pain-in-the-neck! Too- too- for words! Cec sends love & so does Junior & a big kick! 

                          Lots and lots from 

                                                   Cynnie.  

                                                       Me too. Cec

I want to add a note or two commenting on Cyn and Cec’s life in Ann Arbor at this time. When she describes the ‘Prolific crowd’ she works with, 5 pregnant women and 3 proud fathers all in the same Institute, you realize how young they all are and how transitory their working life there is- the student husbands have finished their degrees and, like Cyn and Cec, are moving on with (no longer working) wives and babies, to homes and jobs elsewhere. The difference was that Cyn, pregnant at 36, was probably a decade or so older than her colleagues, although it’s possible that no one knew this. Cec was 7 years younger than she was, and as a PhD. student, fitted in to the age group but Cyn only occasionally mentions a man who was a veteran like Cec. Her war years had been a holding pattern in her life, and now it is fun to read of her obvious delight in her marriage, baby, and future home!

June 4 1951

June 4th 1951

Dearest Mummy,

After a hot damp humid weekend, it has been quite cold and grey today – everyone has been grumbling about the horrid cold day but am I glad! Over the weekend I felt so tired & weary with the heat & damp, & now it is cool again I am once more full of cheer.

Another reason I am full of cheer is that I went to the Clinic this morning & had yet another Dr., but he was one Millie had had often & she liked him, & I thought he was so nice too. I lost 1 1/2 lbs in weight over the 5 weeks & he said I was O.K. now & needn’t be so careful anymore – could even have an odd ice cream cone without feeling guilty, so I was most pleased! He said definitely it is just one baby and it is doing fine! So you will be relieved. I told him all my girlish troubles of swollen feet on hot days etc. & he reassured me & was so friendly & jolly I came away feeling very satisfied with me & him & everyone! I am to go back in 3 week’s time, so I am stepping up the pace!

We got your letter written on 27th May on Sat., & thank you so much for it – although you certainly seemed “all of a do” when you wrote it, & fussed at us!! You must remember we are submerged in thesises & work & typing thesises etc. & will have to let other things wait till we get that out of the way. Babies? Pooh! We have to produce a thesis first! I will scum through your letter & answer the vital questions, so that you won’t accuse me of procrastinating anymore (!) & will answer the rest later. About booking your passage, Aug. 6th should be fine- by then we should have a place for you to sleep. Of course we won’t rush & buy a house the minute we get to Ottawa – we’ll rent something – but we hope to buy as soon as we can, when we find something suitable. We can’t be anything except vague until we get there & see. I asked the Dr. about getting in touch with the Ottawa Hospital & he said it was not necessary. To wait until I get there & get a doctor & he will make arrangements & the hospital here will send him all my records. He says it will be much the best, & there is no need to worry about being late and booking at the Hospital. You will have heard from me by now re. the baby clothes & that I think to send them here. Amy’s came safely with no duty (they are lovely- the cover big & warm & the 2 little jackets very cute) & I don’t see that there is anything to worry about. If by any chance they are late Mrs. Kaufman will send them onto us – no need to bother about Gunborg. The only address we have in Ottawa is the bank:- The Bank of Nova Scotia, Ottawa, Ontario.- as Cec won’t be at work till Aug. there’s not much point in giving you that address. About the layette we are not getting anything here at all, except nappies & vests, as there is no reason for us to load ourselves up with more luggage etc. than we already have. We will get them in Ottawa when we know what accommodation we will have, for one thing. Nappies etc. are cotton, so cheaper here, & I will get them in Detroit before we leave.

A baby basket would be sweet if you have the time to get it done & it isn’t too bulky to bring. I haven’t seen any over here so can’t tell you the price – the nurse just had an enamel dish with the things in so perhaps that is what they use. Anyway, I haven’t really looked in any baby departments in any stores at all – there is only about one in A.A. & they are v. expensive & we haven’t had time to go shopping in Detroit. You ask about whether we want a boy or a girl – we don’t care a bit, altho’ we thought one of each would be nice if we had twins! However, we’ll try to achieve both in time!

Bedtime & Cec is shooing me off- he’s working & I’ve been typing for him – Lots of love from us all – Cyn & Cec.

Love the exasperated tone that creeps into Cyn’s answers after the ‘full of cheer’ mood of the beginning- seems very familiar somehow…

May 21 1951

803, Granger Ave. 

Ann Arbor, Mich. 

21st May. 1951.

Dearest Little Mama,

I have no letter to thank you for this week, which is most unusual, but probably just as well as I have been promising to answer your other letters for weeks past! I fully intended to get going last week and begin writing so that I would be able to continue for a few nights and write a screed, but it has begun to get hot now, and you know how un-energetic that makes me! We didn’t have the screens up last week– still the storm windows, so we couldn’t open up much & the flat was so hot after dinner that 2 or 3 evenings we just went out for a little ride in MacTavish to cool off & it was so nice. I also did the ironing & the washing of socks etc. – and I must confess there was plenty of ironing- 2 lots – 2 weeks each! We hadn’t a hankie to our names!! So it dragged on, & then on Friday evening after my session at the Dental Clinic for another scale & clean, I just lay down & went to sleep all evening, so that wasn’t very productive, either!

On Saturday however, Cec & I made up for all our laziness & had such a busy day. We got up at the usual time, & and after breakfast Cec began & took down all the storm windows & put them up in the attic. They lift off & can be done from the inside, so it’s not too bad, except they are awkward things. Then he got out all the screens & the hose & hosed them all clean, & while he was busy with a hose we shut all the windows & he hosed the outside of those! After they were all dry, he put the screens on & it has made such a difference & although it is hot & humid tonight, it doesn’t feel half so oven-ish as it did before. While Cec was doing all this I gave the sitting room & bedroom a good clean, gave the bathroom and landing a fairly good clean, gave the kitchen a lick & a promise & gave up before I got to the stairs! Anyway, Cec was coming in & out with screens etc. so I couldn’t really do them & I’d had enough by then!

After lunch we drove downtown & shopped! We finally sold our second electric grill-waffle iron to Dawn & Bert for $10, so the money was burning a hole in our pockets & we decided to take $5 each & spend it on what we needed most. Cec got 3 prs. of underpants & a grey cotton, short sleeved sports shirt & I got another preggy dress. You will probably think I am getting hundreds of maternity clothes, but I just have the 4 things now; the grey short sleeved suit, which is a bit hot now; the pinky red unicorn dress; a green & white cotton dress, which is nice, but has to be washed & ironed practically each time I wear it & now my new one! I put $4 of my pocket money with it (the $5) & got a silky (rayon!) material like the red one, because it is cool & doesn’t crease & crumple like cotton. It is navy blue with a white pattern on- the white pattern is not all over, but just here & there & it is very plain with cap sleeves & an open neck & collar & gathers over my tum! I said to Cec that if you looked at me straight on I looked fine & slim, – but sideways of course, I’m like the side of 2 houses!! I also got a cute little yellow sun suit at Woollies & put it in a parcel of tins, pkts. of mixes etc. that I’m sending Anne. It is supposed to be her birthday parcel, but as she wrote about parcels she was going to send me at both Christmas & birthday & neither have materialized yet, I’m not worried because I’m late!!

After we came home from town, our exertions weren’t over yet! Cec took McTavish to S’s & borrowed Gunborg’s vacuum cleaner & did his inside thoroughly, then brought him back, washed, dried, waxed & polished him till he looked beautiful! I cooked the dinner – a little roast of pork- & while the oven was on & because it is so hot, I also made a meat loaf, stuffed & roasted a chicken, boiled a small piece of Canadian bacon (very like ham) & stewed some rhubarb! So most of my cooking for the week is done! Weren’t we good kids? We felt so virtuous that we practically glowed! Gordon & Gunborg came in, after being to the theatre, for Gunborg to borrow some books. She went to the Dr. last week & he thinks she has got either diabetes or a thyroid deficiency, so this week she has to go up to the hospital & have all sorts of tests made, and will be there for hours at a time probably so wanted some nice, light reading! She is quite cheerful about it all, & she & Gordon both think it is probably thyroid & not diabetes, as she has had trouble that way before.

Yesterday we went to Toledo for the day! We were supposed to be going for a weekend since before Easter, but we couldn’t make any definite arrangements, then at Easter Til & Lois took Lois’s old aunties (2 of them) down south & they visited C’Zelma & Em, & then brought Grandma back with them. She is living with them now, & as they only have one spare room, we couldn’t go for a weekend, but planned to go for a nice, long day. Til is taking Grandma back to Alabama when the holidays begin in 3 weeks time, & will probably stay down for 3 or 4 weeks. We meant to start at 9, but actually set out at 9:50, which we thought was pretty good! It was a bit grey & hazy to begin with, but turned into a lovely hot sunny day & the countryside looked so green & young & beautiful – the first time we’ve really driven anywhere in the spring, & we did enjoy it. It took us 2 hours to get there, & we arrived just in nice time & got a welcome from all 3. Til & Lois are looking so well & tanned & Grandma looks just the same as in 1947 – she is 86 now, but as sturdy & independent & bright as ever. We looked around the estate & saw everything – the apple blossom was over which was a shame, but the whole place looked so lovely you couldn’t mind for long. We then had a gorgeous dinner, full of things I shouldn’t have eaten, but did!! Fried chicken & gravy & mashed potatoes & peas & salad, then strawberries all sugared & coconut cake!! I missed out the cream on my strawberries, but otherwise made a pig of myself & it was lovely!!

After dinner I was so tickled- Grandma & I were sent to rest! Grandma because of her age and & me because of my condition!! I felt very pampered, & was actually so full I could hardly move anyway! Both Til & Lois thought I looked very well, but Til thought I was big for 6 months- also said that it was going to be a boy because of the way I’m carrying it!! We have all been hashing over boys’ names, but are no further yet- everyone who tries to help us gets disgusted, because whatever they suggest, one or other of us turns up our nose!!

I forgot to tell you that at dinner time I got a birthday present! Wasn’t that a lovely surprise? And what do you think it is? A pretty, pretty cotton housecoat – grey & white with yellow roses, & a zip right down the front. I just live in the brunch coat Cec gave me for my birthday – I change into it every evening & it’s so comfy & cool around the house – so although I can get the house coat on, as it has elastic at the waist, it is a tight fit, & it will be nice to have it pretty & new for the hospital. I think it is lovely though, & I can easily do with it as well as my brunch coat – ain’t I a lucky gal?

It got very oppressively hot during the afternoon & then a Mr. & Mrs. Gottschel arrived to visit (their daughter Elsie was a friend of Til & Lois’ & died while I was in Toledo- remember?) & while they were there, a most terrific thunderstorm began. It actually started about 3:30 & was still going on at 7 o’clock when we left, but of course it rumbled all around, & at one time it was directly on us, & the lightning was so close it actually seemed to be in the kitchen. I don’t ever remember being scared at a storm before but I was at this one, & so were we all I think, because the thunder was so loud, & the flashes right on top of us. All the electricity went off, so we couldn’t boil a kettle or have a cup of tea or anything, but there was a lull after a while & the Gottschels left, & we had cold chicken & tomatoes & cottage cheese & homemade bread (made by Grandma) & had a nice time. Half way through the electricity came on again, but we were all drinking milk by then, but finished off with tea or coffee.

Wed. 23rd May.

Hello – here I am again- two days later. I had promised Cec on Monday evening that I would be a good girl & go to bed at 10 o’clock (he was at the Lab.) as I was quite tired, so when I got to that point in the latter I suddenly looked at the clock & it was 10:10, so I dashed & jumped into bed & had a great long sleep! I felt fine yesterday but it was a miserable wet cold rainy day after all our fine weather & on our way home from work we saw that Somerset Maugham’s new film “Trio” was on, so we decided to be devils & go! We had our dinner quickly & went to the 7 o’clock show & thoroughly enjoyed it – in fact, I liked it better than “Quartet”, perhaps because I hadn’t heard so much about it. There were 3 stories, “The Verger”, “Mr. Know-all” & “The Sanatorium” – the first two very amusing & the last one amusing as well as tragic in parts- Jean Simmons was in one & lots of actors I know by sight- I do hope it will come to Ottawa sometime & you can see it too, because both Cec & I thought it was grand.

Anyway, that was why I didn’t get anything finished last night, so I’ll continue with the letter now & telling you what happened on Sunday. We finally left Til & Lois’ at about 7- having waited a while to see if it would clear up, but it was still rumbling & raining away, so off we set, & got back quite safely at 10 o’clock. It was a wretched drive for poor Cec though, because we seemed to follow the storm all the way & there was lightning & torrential rain at times, & of course in the darkness, difficult to see road signs & so on. Twice there were State Troopers directing traffic on the road, once because the traffic signal had gone out & once because the road was flooded & traffic had to detour over a country road, so it was quite an eventful journey, but our chauffeur was fine, and as we stopped for a cup of coffee in a little town which took some time, we weren’t so very much longer on the road coming back. Next day we read in the papers it had been a dreadful storm all over the state.

By the way, my new dress was much admired both by Til & Lois & the girls at work (I wore it yesterday.) I had to do quite a dressmaking job on it, because with my waist just below my bosom, nowadays, I had to take the skirt off & shorten the bodice as well as shorten the hem, but with wanting to wear it on Sunday I had no time to procrastinate but began & did it right away! Do you remember that little lime green “coolie” summer jacket I got at Mitcham’s a while ago? Well, I had it dyed navy blue last year & it looks very nice & makes a good “preggy” jacket as well as the colour fitting in quite well too.

Today when we came home at lunchtime we had 3 nice letters by now & we were so pleased as we hadn’t had any letters for about 3 or 4 days & we felt quite ignored! One was from you, written on 13th & we were so glad to get it; the second was from the US Treasury with our Income Tax refund of $50.00!! Wasn’t that lovely? It is baby money we have decided, to buy a crib & pram etc. so the poor little thing now has the promise of more than a dresser drawer to sleep in!! The third letter was from Chris Cooper – such a nice letter, telling all about Edgar being in the RAF now and making us laugh so much because he said how funny it was that both Edgar & I should become MAs this year!! I always enjoyed Chris’ jokes! He said he was writing to you that same evening, so probably you have his letter by now- poor Chris, he said it was a lonely kind of life, & I can imagine how it must be very solitary for him.

Your letter and card were greatly enjoyed by both Mama & Papa- the latter pretending to be greatly offended over the “lying in bed” card! He was also greatly tickled at your blue pencil, which is still associated in his mind with censoring- & in mine, particularly with censoring low jokes!! Never mind, honey, I think it is a great scheme & I will begin right now & answer it, so that you can see the blue pencil has made a deep impression on me!

We were so glad that you got your Mother’s Day card in time & liked the funny little angels! We sent one to Cec’s Mother too & we have been really up to the minute & sent birthday cards to Russell & Carmen & Dad Costain & Lea all in the last 2 months- Cec thinks they will all be shattered at the shock, but I have my reputation to keep up! I was glad to hear that Auntie Ettie would be home for Mother’s Day & can imagine what a welcome she would get from the girls. I hope they would think she was looking well and strong, and that they would see a great improvement in her health. I will try to get around to writing as soon as I can to A. Ettie, but can’t promise to it’s being very soon!

I wonder how you are getting on with your talkative border, Miss Mann! It is nice that A. Moo will have company while you are away, but from what you said Miss Mann is not the most restful of personalities, so I hope that she won’t be too trying, but will settle down nicely with you and A. Moo. I am glad that you like your new bedroom & hope that the stiff neck has quite gone.

Now to answer the first of your B. P. X’s!! About the money – I can certainly send you a cheque for £50 – or £100 if you need it – but Cec & I had been wondering if you had ever found out how much you would be allowed to bring with you. From what Peter says it looks as if £50 might be the limit, & I am sure there must be a limit, as it is really just the same as taking it from England to Canada & they were so strict about that. Anyway, Peter will probably know definitely, & help you fix things, & just write as soon as you know how much money you need & I will send you the cheque.

I hope Jenny & Peter had a nice time on their holiday & that Bren doesn’t have too bad of time with her teeth at the dentist in Barbados. Poor Bren must be worried about Arthur’s job hunting & I can imagine how she must be longing for him to get settled somewhere, so that they can all be together again & have a proper home. I am just longing to have a home, & we’ve just been married for 2 years, so I can imagine how much she is panting for one. In her letter to me, she asked about what I would like her to knit, but as I am so behind with writing letters just now, perhaps you wouldn’t mind explaining my slowness in writing to her, & telling her that I think the little pull-ups & jacket would be lovely, as the little jackets I have are definitely light & the suit sounds as if it would be nice & warm. You must also apologize to Jeanie for me & tell her that I still intend to write to her sometime, so not to give up hope! He looks a honey & from what you say, must be a lovely big boy.

I loved hearing about all our little garments & they sound to me to be a most impressive array! I am longing to see them of course, and I am all for your sending them off to me here, so that I can see them as soon as possible. Cec thinks we may have to pay duty on the parcel, but you may have to pay duty if you bring the things with you anyway, & too you will want to travel light on the plane & not have any extras if you can help it. I think it would be a good idea to send the parcel early too, because once we leave Ann Arbor, we won’t have an address in Ottawa for a little while, so we should make sure of getting them here. That reminds me, I haven’t written to Amy yet about the prospect of getting her rug, which I had better do, or she will be hurt! Isn’t little Mrs. Johnny a pet about the shawl? I am so intrigued with all these things – can’t really believe there for me & mine!!

Darn it- bedtime again, Cec says, so will close for tonight & get all done tomorrow. Night night- I go to have my lovely glass of scum milk!

Thursday evening.

Hiya – honey! Isn’t this a long drawn out effort?! Anyway I am determined to get it finished tonight & mailed tomorrow, or you will wonder what on earth has happened to us. Cec is back at the Lab. again this evening- departed with the little pyrex gravy boat to pour acid into something or the other of his equipment!! He wanted something glass with a handle, so I produced that & he has promised to bring it back cleaner than it’s ever been before!

We were amused in your letter where you were surprised at the girl taking 1 1/2 hours to scale & clean my teeth & wonder what you will be when you hear that I go for my 5th 1 1/2 hours tomorrow! It certainly is a thorough job (I’m still running on my original dollar!) but apparently it’s a common thing for preggy women to get gum trouble – & all this cleaning is doing mine good & clearing away the infection. Apparently I have no cavities that the girl can see, so that is nice as I don’t want to have to go to a dentist before we get to Ottawa.

I was tickled at all your holidays this week & hope everyone enjoyed them! It looks as if St. V. was certainly my natural home as I have been grouching all the time here about not getting any public holidays! However next week we do get one- 30th May is Decoration Day so I can stay at home- goody, goody!! Should really celebrate by scrubbing the kitchen floor!

About Connie – I had been meaning to tell you in this letter that we heard from them last week- letter from Leonard as usual! A while ago- after I had written & told them about our news- Cec got a paper (article on his work) from Leonard & on the top was scribbled “Congratulations from one father to another” so we presumed that their’s was a fact, but waited for a letter with more information. Anyway, this letter is quite cheery – the best we’ve had from them – no money talk or groans or moans! – & Connie is expecting at the end of August & is better now than she was, but has been having back ache etc. & so is now sleeping on a board! I can’t imagine Connie suffering in silence through any aches & pains, but maybe she isn’t so bad!! There are so many of us preggy gals at the Centre that it really is quite a help for us – each one takes it so cheerfully & matter-of-factly that you would feel a sissy to grumble or a grouch, & no matter how far on you are, there is someone a bit farther, & if she can come to work and be cheery, you feel, heck! so can you! One girl, Joan, was at work a week past Friday & had her baby (a 7lb. boy) on the Sat.- 10 days early. Millie is the next- she is due on June 7th, but is leaving work at the end of this month – not working quite to the last minute! But both those lasses have been very uncomplaining & there’s no doubt it must be very tiring & trying for them right at the end.

Did I tell you Dawn had a Baby Shower for Milly? It was the week I was sick & I was so mad I couldn’t go, but I gave my 25¢ subscription. Dawn asked all the other girls at the Centre & collected a quarter from each one & bought one big present, & then each girl brought with her a cute little 10¢ present from the dime store just for fun. It was a complete surprise to Millie as she had just gone to Dawn’s to do some sewing, & then in marched all the girls & it was a party! Dawn had ice cream & cake & they apparently all had a grand time. The present Dawn got with the money was a big bag with a shoulder strap (sort of handbag looking) & inside places for dry nappies & a waterproof place for wet ones, & an insulated part for keeping bottles hot & all sorts of cunning things. There was a little money left over, so she got a little jacket too, & Millie was thrilled with both. They are leaving Ann Arbour at the end of the summer (Jerry (the husband) is going to teach) so she is just borrowing a crib etc. to save moving stuff. I was to make her a little baby dress, but haven’t begun yet – I am ashamed!

I think that is the end of your blue pencilled questions so I had better end too as this letter seems long enough already! The only other thing was the St. V. stamps & I won’t forget them, but will send them in another (lighter!) letter! I hope all the ferns are doing well, & that the garden is looking spic & span after all the influx of helpers! We have lilac & lily-of-the-valley out just now & they smell so pretty – I have a little vase of the lilies here on the bookcase & another on my desk at work & it’s so nice to have flowers again. Cec & I were so excited the other morning- we saw a pair of hummingbirds on the lilac bush – the first I’d ever seen! They were so tiny & sweet we were fascinated!

Must stop now- love to Auntie Moo & the cousins – with lots & lots of love for Grandmummy from us all- 

                                       Hugs from Cynnie

                                                                   (the Tub!) 

Bed time again!                                  Friday 25th– just got your letter written on the 20th- glad you got your parcel.

May 10 1951

Thursday 10th May 1951.

Dearest Mummy,

It is a pouring wet, horrid night and has been raining all day too, but my poor little hubby has gone back to the Lab. to work, regardless of the weather. I am so glad that he has nice MacTavish to take him there & back on these night sessions because it makes it so much easier & on a night like this it would be just miserable, & he would get soaked. I have been writing Dottie quite a screed & I am now settling down to a real do with you! I have been having a nice time at home yesterday & today because I have had an upset tummy. I don’t know if I caught a cold on my tum, or if it is a gastric flu bug that is going around (as quite a few people seem to have it) or what, but on Tuesday I didn’t feel quite right & by the evening it began & I felt quite sorry for myself yesterday. Today it is a bit better although I’m still not eating much, but I feel very cheery in myself & and am thoroughly enjoying myself at home! I get one day a month sick leave you know, & I had four accumulated, so I was longing to take them on the slightest excuse, & now I have it I am delighted! I will stay at home tomorrow, as I have yet another appointment at the Dental Clinic to finish having my teeth cleaned, so I would be there most of the afternoon anyway.

Do you remember I told you last week that I had to go to the Fat Girls Class because of the 8 lbs I’d gained? Well, I went last Thursday morning, & there were about 5 or 6 other preggies in the same state as me! A dietician gave us a talk & we were given a diet to follow, & asked questions & had quite a chat. The diet is not too bad- 1 quart of milk a day (skim): 2 helpings of veg.- 1 green leafy & one raw- as much raw as you like: 3 helpings of fruit- some of these are funny- 1 helping of prunes or dates is two– grapes, 12 etc.!: 1 egg: 5 slices of bread or bread substitute i.e.- potatoes, cereal etc.: 6 ozs meat, fish or poultry. No sugar at all!! And no sweet things of any sort of course, but the thing I miss most is sugar in my tea – I have got some saccharine, but it’s just as horrid as it always was! Oh, I forgot, I get 3 teaspns. of butter a day, but no soups or fried foods or cheese – the bread astonished me, as I usually don’t eat nearly so much, but I suppose you have to have more to make up for the lack of other things. I did pretty well on the diet from the time I got it until I began to feel sick-ish- & lost weight too, but of course since then I lost weight anyway & now I have gone down about 6 lbs. in the week! I feel quite pleased, & feel that with that reduction I can surely have sugar in my tea again!! Actually, the last few days I’ve paid no attention to it, but have had nice cups of tea & bread & butter & scrambled eggs & bread & milk! Gunborg was making us laugh at the weekend when I told her about the diet etc. because she felt very strongly that it was all wrong – how could we be happy contented mothers if we were frustrated in all our little desires & get enough to eat? But actually, although it is partly so that you won’t be to tub-like after the baby is born, it is also so that the baby will be small so that you will have a better time, so it is all to the good in the long run!

Talking about having a nice time at home, we certainly didn’t begin the day very well today, although it could’ve been a lot worse. I got up about 8:30, & was coming back from the bathroom when I heard something dripping in the kitchen, & went in & found the sink just full & overflowing with water! It is silly really as it has a fancy gadget – one way you turn it, it is open – the other way closed, & it is very easy to touch it with a pan or something & close it without realizing. Anyway, that is what had happened & the tap having been left dripping by accident too, we had a minor flood. I pulled out the plug & was just deciding that it wasn’t bad as there wasn’t much water on the floor when there was a ring at the bell & this was Mrs. Kaufman to ask what had happened as the water was trickling down her walls – was I mortified! Anyway, I explained & said I had stopped it, & then I mopped up the floor, & then looked in the cupboard under the sink & of course found it all wet too- I keep all the cleaning things, soap, paper towels, paper napkins cloths etc. in there, & they were just sodden, but had fortunately absorbed a lot of water too!! However, we got that dried up, & set out all the things to dry & got breakfast, only to discover that the coffee tin was just about empty & we had forgotten to get any more! So poor Cec had thin straw coloured, coffee-flavoured hot water for breakfast to add to his troubles!!

Anyway, it wasn’t really bad & Cec was down in the K’s this evening & it hadn’t marked the wall, so we weren’t too conscience stricken! Also I got my cupboard clean & tidied, & spurred on by the sight of all the cleaning things out, I even got rash & cleaned the silver, so it did some good!

Yesterday, when I was feeling a little bit poorly, I had a nice treat when your letter mailed on April 30th arrive – thank you lots & lots. I enjoyed myself just sitting back with my feet up on the sofa, reading it, & was glad that you had got my A.M. and also the sea one with “enclosures”. I thought you would be amused at Edie’s letter – she certainly writes newsy letters, doesn’t she? Even more rambly than you & me! I have another one from her, but haven’t answered it yet, so will wait & send it when I have. I will also send the St. V. stamps you asked for, as I have given some around, but still have quite a bunch.

Before I begin answering your letter, I’ll tell you the week’s news, which isn’t much or very exciting! On Thursday evening Cec & I went & did our week’s shopping at a beautiful new Super- Market which has opened near here. It is very deluxe, & has electric-eye doors, which open as you walk up to them! We had lots of fun & and bought all sorts of bargains & each got a free loaf of bread!! At the weekend Cec worked hard all the time – our only excitement was that we got involved in Gordon trying to sell his car! His form of spring-fever is apparently car buying, & he had seen a lovely 2ndhand Buick convertible (i.e. a car that has a top that goes up and down- Gordon loves them!) so he was trying to sell his old Ford. It so happened that Shirley in my office was thinking of buying a 2ndhand car & talked about looking at them, & without thinking I mention Gordon’s. She was all wildly excited & called him up & arranged to go & see it that evening & so forth- then went round talking to everyone at work about it etc. However, by the end of the afternoon she began to get cold feet & wonder if she wanted it, until I wished I’d kept my big mouth shut & never told her! However, as she had no way of getting to the S’s & it is rather awkward, we took her over & she saw the car, but of course she didn’t buy it! We have since heard that all this is quite typical of Shirley- sudden enthusiasm which comes to nothing! Remember, she was the one who got all excited about coming to visit you all in St.V. & then let it drop!! Good job, says you! Anyway, the car story has a happy ending, as Gordon sold his car to a young fellow & has bought the lovely Buick which is a good bargain, & looks beautiful. It is a sort of blue-green – very pretty & extremely well-kept as well as being bigger than the old car, so they are all happy! 

It was Gunborg’s birthday on Monday & we went over & took her a card & a box of chocolates. She was looking much better & had enjoyed her birthday, so seems to be quite well again.

It is now Sunday and I am finishing this off. You will wonder what on earth happened to me since Thursday when I began this, but on Friday as I told you, I went to the Clinic (Dental) & the girl scaled & scaled at my teeth again till my nerves were all shattered! They are just young girls – college freshmen – who do it, & the girl who is doing mine is quite cute, but goes on & on- this was my 3rd visit, and it is 2 hours each time, & you know how annoying & nagging all that scraping & digging can be! Anyway on Friday, my nerves can’t have been very strong, & when the inspector woman told the girl to go ahead and do some more, I just couldn’t stood it & said so! I have to go back again next week, but it left me feeling exhausted & all wore out for the rest of the day & Cec sent me to bed early! On Saturday, poor Cec woke up with another bad cold. Isn’t it a wretched shame after he has just got rid of one!? It is all this hard work & not enough sleep which lowers his resistance I know, but he just has to go on, for a bit more anyway. We went to the store, & he slept most of the afternoon & I did chores, & then in the evening as we were both feeling rather miserable Cec said to hell with his cold & we went to the pictures to see “Miranda”! Cec had never seen it, & it was so long since I had that I didn’t mind a bit & we both thoroughly enjoyed it. We were only sorry that the very last shot of Miranda with the sweet little mer-baby was cut out in accordance with American morals!!

Today was a lovely sunny pretty day, so at about 2 we went out for a little drive & called at the S’s to see their new chariot. We ended by going for a drive in it to see a street in A.A. lined with very pretty flowering trees, & then stayed to dinner – I protested, but it was lovely as I didn’t have to do any cooking at home!!

I intended to answer all your letters in this, but as it has got so late now I am going to send it off, & promise that I will answer all the letters & questions & queries this week. I got your nice letter written on the 6th, yesterday & it helped to cheer our gloom- also all the funny, little cuttings & the sweet picture of the little Andrew which I am returning- isn’t he a pet? He looks a bit like Pam I think, but can’t see a likeness to Nicky just in the photo. Will write more about your letter in my next- thank you heaps for it. 

Today is Mother’s Day- hope you got your card – I got a lovely funny little one from my hubby. He is snuffly today, but still luffly & feeling more cheery – I am fine once more & go back to work tomorrow. 

                        Lots & lots of love 

                                                   from

                                                Cynnie & Cec

                                                                     XXX.

Returned for Additional Postage: Cyn usually put 20¢ or even 30¢ on these airmail letters- obviously 12¢ didn’t cut it!

May 2 1951

Wed. May 2nd. 1951

Dearest Mummy,

I got your nice letter on Monday written on your birthday, and was so sorry that neither my letter nor card had arrived in time, but I hope by now they are all there – perhaps even your present too, so that you didn’t have to wait too long. 

I have been trying to catch up on some of my correspondence this weekend & week, as I hadn’t written to Nan or Dottie or Irene to thank them for my presents yet, & I was all behind-hand. I don’t know how I seem to have done so little this last month, but the time has flown & I haven’t even knitted or done anything except the usual chores! I haven’t got my letters list down to reasonable proportions yet, but I’m trying!

Since I last wrote it has suddenly become hot and summery. Towards the end of last week it was nice & bright & springy, but suddenly on Sat. the temp was up to 75, & has been the same or hotter ever since. It is a bit too much all of a sudden & it makes me so mad because all the trees & daffodils, tulips etc. are bursting out all at once & in about a week’s time the flowers will be over & the springy–ness gone! Today is heavy & thundery & we had a storm this afternoon, but it doesn’t seem to be much cooler.

Now I know that you will be wanting to hear what happened when I went to the Clinic on Monday – actually nothing much! I had another different Dr. & he poked my tummy etc. as usual & listened to the heartbeats. I asked him about twins, & he said, well, he could only hear one heartbeat, & finally when he was going out of the room I said “Do you think I should give up the idea of twins then?” & he said “I think you might as well,” so it looks as if my twinnies are fizzling out! I was kind of prepared for it, as you said, but still a little disappointed, but mainly because I think that is the disadvantage of going to the Clinic- one Dr. gets you excited, & the next one makes you feel a bit let down when he’s calm about it all! I really did get scolded over my weight though – I knew I was gaining a lot- all in my tummy! – but in the 5 weeks I gained 8 pounds & it was too much! I am to go to a class tomorrow “Diet in Pregnancy” for overweight preggies- I call it the Fat Girls Class & everyone is most amused! I know I have been a bit gay, but it makes me mad because lots of the girls eat much more than I do, & don’t get fat!

I went last Friday & had my teeth cleaned at the Dental Clinic – only $1.00 & a little 18-year-old Freshman girl student did it. But she was grimly determined to clean these there teeth & toiled for 1 1/2 hours & I have to go back next week too! Don’t know about holes – hate to run up any $100 bills, so think I will hang on till Canada!

This is a very dull letter, but thought I’d better write a short note now & try to do better at the weekend. Cec is in a toil mood just now, so I should get lots done! He sends his love, it sends its love & I send my love! 

                                                  Cynnie

P.S. Cec calls me his Big Old Wife in earnest now!!

April 22 1951

April 22nd, 1951.

Dearest Mummy,

Today is your birthday, & Cec & I have just been saying “Happy birthday, Mummy!” I have my doubts whether my letter and card would arrive anywhere near the day, but I do hope that they are not too late. I was most annoyed at myself for not being in time because I had your card and I was all prepared weeks ago, but I kept thinking- oh the 22nd, there’s a lot of time yet- and then the time rushed by. Cec’s family have a plethora of birthdays this month too- his Dad, Russell and Carman all within two weeks. When we were home last summer I asked Mom Costain for all the birthday dates, as Cec never could remember them, so we bought cards & are trying to keep up with them now. Cec says that after all these years of ignoring birthdays they will all be shattered at this sudden remembrance, but I think they will survive the shock! Lee is home in Saskatoon now, with her little baby Darryl, and is doing some nursing while Mom Costain looks after the baby. She says he is so sweet & friendly – it seems such a long time since we saw him that I can’t realize he’s not a year old yet. Lee sent me such a sweet white bunny wool scarf- a little cravat, rather- which she had said she would make me, but she didn’t write so we don’t know what Wendy is doing. She made us laugh though because she just put in a note with the scarf & ended “Twins! Wow – what a man!” Cec gets quite embarrassed when I quote it at him!

I hope that you are having a lovely, lovely day for your birthday and that you are all enjoying yourselves. I expect that you will be having a picnic and a bathe, and having quite a celebration because besides your birthday you will be wanting to have as much fun as you can before the Aunties go. I can imagine what a whirl you must have been having lately, trying to do so much while they are still here – particularly with your bridge every evening! – and probably when they do leave, you and Auntie Moo will collapse with exhaustion and be glad to rest for a little while! But I know that you will miss them both and find things very quiet for a while. Auntie Trix is so energetic that probably a little relaxation will be welcome, but you will feel quite lonely without Aunt Ettie after having her with you for so long. I expect she is eager to get back and see the girls again & get all the news, but she must be sad at leaving St. Vincent.

That reminds me, about your finances, honey. It is so good of Auntie Moo to say that you must be her guest for these months, as you will be so hard up after paying for your ticket, but I know that you have said what a lot of expense she has had lately with visitors and entertaining and everything during these past months, and that you will hate to feel that you are imposing on her, so why not let me send you a cheque on Martin’s for some of the airplane ticket anyway, so that you will have enough left to keep on paying your expenses and not feel stony broke? After all, you are making & getting & doing so many things for the baby which otherwise we would have to get, and you’re making the trip to help us out, so it is only fair that we should share a bit, & it doesn’t upset our finances to send money from England. I can only transfer so much to Canada each year so after this year’s transfer there will still be some in Martin’s, so it will be quite O.K. & if sometime in the future you come into wealth & we are poverty stricken, you can always pay it back!! Write & tell me how much you think & I will send a cheque.

Spring is at last coming to Ann Arbor, but we are having very April-ish weather – one day it is lovely & sunny & blue-skied & the next it is cold or windy or rainy. It poured with rain all last night & is grey & dull today but one or two days last week were heavenly & we girls went out from work & got ice cream cones! Cec is out washing MacTavish now – he doesn’t really show the dirt much, but on the sunny days all the hidden grime emerged, & he did look grubby, so Cec is giving him a wash & brush up!

Talking of ice cream cones, my figure is going to pot – literally! I was so good about not eating too many sweet, starchy things etc. for months but this month I have been sliding down hill rapidly & have made the odd pie or cake or cookies, & have been eating potatoes & gravy, and ice cream cones, & on Sat. we had pancakes with syrup for lunch! I am getting into quite a little tub, & get a shock every time I see myself in the mirror, but my face seems to be the same, & I think most of the weight is around my middle! My waistline is now somewhere just below my bust, so you can imagine how alluring I am! The baby now seems to be quite widely active & is thumping & bumping around at a great rate. Cec felt it the other night & was quite astonished at the big thump! My next Dr. date is the 30th so surely by then I will get to know if it’s one or two! You said in your last letter that you had been preparing me for a disappointment all along, in case it was only one, but don’t worry, I am quite prepared & although Cec is still quite hopeful of twins, I have begun to think it must be only one- two would be fun though!

We had a very quiet week last week – Cec was working on a short synopsis of his thesis which he had to send to Cambridge, & I typed it, & otherwise I was lazy & didn’t seem to do a thing- at least I can’t remember doing anything except ironing! Yesterday we went to the Sutherlands for dinner & then onto a “Theater Club” to which they belong. Poor Kirsten broke her wrist on Friday afternoon roller skating, so it was all done up in a plaster cast & as she had bumped her face too, when she fell, she looked quite sad, poor honey. We didn’t see the girls much though, because after a nice dinner we dashed off to the little theatre – it is an effort to begin a repertory theatre here, & is run by a group of young people in a big room. They have no stage or scenery, but act in the middle of the floor with chairs all around. The only stage “prop” they have is a long chest on which they sit or stand or uses a throne, bench or what have you! The lights just centre on the middle of the floor, so you really don’t notice the other people much, & I thought it was quite good. The play was a Restoration comedy called “The Recruiting Sergeant” so was very bawdy, but it was quite amusing. Gunborg & Gordon thought they over-acted a bit but I didn’t think it was too bad. In the intervals they serve coffee in another little room & after the play audience & actors all stand around & drink coffee & discuss the play etc. You don’t actually buy seats, but but join as members & can take so many guests etc. – it is really rather fun. We left after the play as the S’s were going on to a “house-warming” & as it was pouring with rain, Cec & I were very happy to go home. I tell Cec I am a real stick in the mud now – I just love staying at home!!

Monday.

I meant to say thank you so much for your nice letter which I got on Sat. I always enjoy getting them on Saturdays because I can sit back & really enjoy them. This one was written on 15th &16th & you enclosed Bebe’s letter too- I will maybe get around to writing to her & sending something someday!

I was glad that you had got my typed letter O.K. – it was about my birthday mostly & you were admiring the sound of the housecoat Cec had given me. I wore it in the house this weekend & it was so comfy and nice & yet looked tidy & respectable too- i.e. – didn’t gape in front!! You mention my birthday cards & I have them here to tell you about- they were from Nan & family; Mummy; Zinnia & Sandra; Mrs. Allan; Mr. & Mrs. Pasquier; Dottie; Denis & family; Jessie; Stainthorpes; Irene & Bill; Joan (Cox!) & Don; Peter Burton & John Barton; & a perfectly darling one from my big husband. I also got Easter cards from Nan & Mrs. Allan & also one from Tom & Doris & family, & I don’t think I told you that I got a package from Irene with a rubber lined tartan bag which folds up small & clips or opens out big – she says it is rubber lined for nappies!

Thurs. 26th April.

I have been meaning to finish this letter all week & each evening I have been foiled & you will be wondering what has happened to me. One evening I was tired & fell asleep after dinner & got nothing done, & the last 2 evenings we have been going over to Sutherlands. Gordon was going to Washington this week & came over the evening before he left about some work Cec had done. He said Gunborg had a sore throat so had gone to bed, & he hoped she wasn’t in for a bad cold, so I said I would ring up next day & if she was ill I could go over or help in some way. Well, when I did call next day, poor Gunborg was in bed & felt awful, but she had the girl, Viola there for the day, so I said Cec & I would go over in the evening, which we did. We took a few things she needed- Kleenex, Friars Balsam etc. & I made her a thing to inhale, but she felt very poorly and didn’t look well at all. We took the kids ice cream & I helped Anne make sandwiches for school lunch next day etc. In the morning I went to take them to school, but Anne stayed home with her mother, so she wouldn’t be by herself & when we went this evening Gunborg looked a bit better, although still very throaty & coldy. Gordon comes back on Sat. & the girls have tomorrow holiday from school, so she will have someone around, but she certainly doesn’t look any too well yet, although her temp. has gone down now.

Well, that is my excuse for not getting this off to you long ago- our trips over there have sort of disrupted our evenings, but I’ll finish it now & post it first thing tomorrow. I always begin to answer your letters thoroughly & then never do, but I really will in my next!!

Cec & I had a little drink & a nice big reminisce before dinner tonight- guess why! Three years ago on this very day you & I gave a Housewarming Party & I met my Canadian magazine! We were just saying, little did we know that evening that in 3 years time we’d be as preggy as could be!! 

        Lots & lots of love 

                  from Cynnie & Cec

April 12 1951

This letter is one of the long chatty ones, but before I begin, I must say that I am shocked at the amount of drinking going on during Cyn’s pregnancy- it’s amazing that my development was not affected!  Two weeks before this, their night of celebration in Detroit for Cyn’s birthday included drinks and wine, and now Cec’s present from St Vincent!  Apparently it was not until the mid 70s that doctors began worrying about it, and public health advisories began in the 80s.  However, alcohol was clearly an infrequent treat in their household, owing to the student budget- a toaster was definitely a more desirable acquisition! 

803 Granger Ave., Ann Arbor, Mich.

Thurs. 12th April.

Dearest Mummy,

The starting decoration at the top of the page is my red preggy dress that you were all laughing about! It is quite pretty, isn’t it? Everyone has been very complimentary about it & my suit & say that they are some of the nicest maternity clothes they’ve seen- particularly the dress, as it has a nice neckline & it’s a little bit different. I got a cotton dress last week too – it is green & white – partly striped & partly plain green, & it looks nice & cool. I am definitely into preggy clothes now & can’t do a thing about it! – I suddenly seem to have become much bigger! I decided yesterday looking at myself in the mirror, I looked Stout!! But when we went to Detroit with Dawn & Bert less than two weeks ago, I had to pin the skirt of my mat. suit to keep it on, & now – the first button is getting tight!!

My poor little Cec has got such a bad cold today – yesterday he had a little sore throat, but neither of us thought it was much. However last night he took 2 anahist tablets, but it must have been too late because he woke up with a real sneezy, stuffy cold. He stayed in bed all day, but got up for dinner this evening & is now sitting doing a jigsaw & feeling a bit happier. I do hope that as it came so quickly it will go just as quickly & that he will soon be well again, as colds make him feel so badly, poor honey.

Yesterday he was so pleased & excited about MacArthur though! He was lying in bed while I was getting breakfast & when it came on the radio, he just leapt out, quicker than I’d ever seen him get out of bed before!! Feelings are very mixed, it seems, amongst the people, but the anti-Truman, pro-MacA. groups are bellowing loudly in the papers etc. so you hear most about them. Cec said nearly everyone at the Physics Building he spoke to, was pleased though, & Charlie (my boss) was telling me today that he & all the men in the Institute were pleased, but he said a lot of the girls weren’t! We listened to Truman’s speech over the radio last night & thought it was quite good, but no one around here has much good to say for him – even if they’re Democrats they compare him so unfavourably with Roosevelt.

April 3, Cyn’s Birthday.

I got a nice, long, long letter from you yesterday- begun on 3rd, my birthday, & posted on the 5th.  Also, on Saturday we got our parcels! Thank you very, very much for all of them. We were so excited when the parcels arrived on Sat. afternoon, as usually the parcel man comes when we are out, & he won’t leave the parcels, but just a note & we have to go to the P.O. & get them. However, this time it was fine, & we were very tickled because we were supposed to pay 15¢ on each parcel & by mistake the man only charged us 15¢ altogether! They never bothered about the “refined cane juice” at all, and we were so delighted! Cec had a nip straight away, & then before dinner we mixed cocktails & thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! It is scrummy!

Refined Cane Juice!

My parcel was lovely too, Mummy, and I love all the things – the nightie is so pretty, & fits very nicely. I tried it on, & apart from my bulgy tummy, it looked lovely! The little baby jacket is cute! I keep giggling at it because it looks so little & funny & fat, just like the baby will probably!! I rather like the shade of blue – it is a change from the pale baby blue & looks very cheery & nice, I think. And of course I am so pleased to have the baby pillowcases – none of the ones I have are very nice, & I haven’t many anyway, so it will be lovely to have some nice new ones. Altogether it was a lovely parcel – or rather 2 lovely parcels- & we loved getting them – thank you from all of us.

By the way, in your letter of yesterday you asked if I had felt the baby moving yet, & just yesterday I did feel it for the first time! At least, yesterday I felt something odd rather like a series of burps in my tummy & it dawned on me what it was, but I think it has been going on for a little while & I didn’t realize what it was! Anyway, today he or she or they were bouncing around again, so they seem to be feeling quite lively & frisky!!

I have been going to the Mother’s Classes on Wed. evenings fairly regularly – there were a series of 7, & I have been to 5- but they were mostly just repetitions of what I already knew. Of course, if you hadn’t read any books or anything & were just plain iggerant, they would be a lot of help!! I thought the nurse who gave most of the lectures was a bit dumb, but this was the first time she’d done it & she improved as she went along. She reminded me of my Cookery School days- giving demonstrations on bathing a baby using a silly, little doll etc.!!

Since I last wrote I haven’t done very much at all – last night I washed clothes & on Tuesday evening both Cec & I felt so tired when we came home that we had a rest & then went out for dinner! Wasn’t that nice? We went to a place near here & had a $1 plate which was quite good, & I felt so relieved at not having to cook! On Monday evening I went & played bridge with some of the girls. They occasionally think up one of these sessions at work, & one of the girls invites everyone to her place to play bridge, & as I had refused 2 previous do’s, I felt I had to accept this time. This week is actually the spring vacation at the University, so one or two of the girls’ husbands are away (job-hunting etc.) & so they were all pleased, but I was quite reluctant, as by the time dinner is over, I’m usually very glad to have a bit sit & rest! However, off I went, & there were 6 of us – so awkward- but 4 of us played, & everyone talked- all about work- & altogether we didn’t either play good bridge or have a good chat, as it was nothing but “shop” all the time!

At the weekend we had a nice time- on Sat. Cec went up to the Lab. early & I drove MacT. and did all sorts of chores, like washing to the laundromat, clothes to the cleaners, pay the laundry, shoes to be mended etc.! Besides that I went to the bank & changed library books & bought a bunch of daffodils. It was quite hot & coming so suddenly with everyone still in winter coats we were all gasping! Cec came & had lunch with me in town & then we did some shopping- quite unintentionally! I intended to buy another ball of wool to finish my baby jacket, and get your birthday present, and after we’d done that successfully we bought Cec 2 shirts as he is getting rather short & wandered along to a new jewellery store which was having a huge opening sale! They were giving away free bread baskets- little woven oval things for buns etc. instead of a plate you know, so in we went to get ours, & came out not only with the basket, but with an electric toaster too! We saw these nice automatic pop-up toasters in the sale for $12, & as they are usually much more, & will still be more in Canada, we decided to plunge, as we decided the Atkinsons had definitely cut us off without a toaster by now!! We are going to have a big campaign to sell our other electric waffle iron & then we will come out square!! Actually, we didn’t get any extra money out for these extravagances, so we are scrapping along very hard up this week, with hardly any housekeeping money & no pocket money at all! But never mind – we are having lots of lovely toast!!

Monday 16th.

It is now Monday & I am having fits that this won’t reach you in time for your birthday, but I will write violently today & hope that it catches a quick plane! On Friday Cec’s cold was still bad, so he spent the morning in bed, but got up for the afternoon. Millie was one of the girls whose husband was away for the week, so I had invited her to come to dinner. Jerry had gone to New York to have interviews etc. & as it was a bit of a rush trip the Dr. advised her not to go. Anyway, I warned her about Cec’s cold, but she still said she’d come, so we got back from work to find Cec had been trying a little cane juice cure & was feeling quite cheery although still sneezly & snuffly! We had a fish casserole, with mashed potatoes and peas, & a dish of celery sticks, radishes, Sp. onions, carrots sticks etc. & tinned peaches with vanilla pud. afterwards. We sat & chatted most of the evening, then I drove Milly home.

On Sat. Cec felt a lot better, & really was more like himself, but he was still sneezing a bit, so he didn’t go out. I went to the Super Market & to the Library & Cleaners & so on & what with one thing & another that seemed to take most of the day! Jean & her husband Al, had invited us to a party that evening, but as Cec was still so snuffly, I went round & said we’d better not come. They called it a “cooling-off” party, as it was just before they moved from the house they had rented, into a nice new apartment! Yesterday I was really energetic, & did all the cleaning I should have done on Sat. I let Cec sleep & cleaned the rooms & did the stairs & bathroom & felt very virtuous! Then in the afternoon I mended his slacks & sweater which I had put away to do for ages, so altogether I got lots done. We had asked Gordon & Gunborg to come in during the evening, to sample our cane juice, & they came about 8:30 & we had a nice chatty evening! We mixed the rum with Rose’s Lime Juice & it was very good. We hadn’t seen each other for quite a while, so it was really nice to be with them again & we all enjoyed ourselves. We had a jigsaw out on the table which we had been doing, & of course Gunborg got enthralled & could hardly drag herself away! We are finishing it now – at least Cec is, & I keep stopping to look & put in an odd piece! We have both been at work today & Cec really seems to have got rid of the cold marvellously quickly & I haven’t caught it – touch wood! I was quite looking forward to having a mild touch of the sniffles, so that I could stay home for a few days, but of course it probably would have developed into something much more, & I wouldn’t have enjoyed it at all!

I must begin & stop now as it is nearly my bedtime, but before I do both Cec & I hope that you will have a lovely lovely birthday & many, many happy returns. We will be thinking of you & sending best wishes on the day & will drink your health in cane juice! I am afraid that your parcel will be late but we hope you will like your present & have lots of fun in & with it! My love to the Aunties – 

      And lots & lots to you, 

                  from

                                 Cynnie & Cec.

MacArthur’s resignation.

Cyn had a story about being British, living in Michigan, and walking on eggs when it came to American politics.  (She had practice from visiting her American relatives.) It must have been in April 1951, when General Douglas MacArthur was dismissed from his command of the Korean War (since President Truman and other world leaders had no desire for World War 3) and came home to address Congress.  Cynthia was driving in a car with colleagues from work when they must have heard part of his speech on the radio:

I am closing my 52 years of military service. When I joined the Army, even before the turn of the century, it was the fulfillment of all of my boyish hopes and dreams. The world has turned over many times since I took the oath on the plain at West Point, and the hopes and dreams have long since vanished, but I still remember the refrain of one of the most popular barrack ballads of that day which proclaimed most proudly that “old soldiers never die; they just fade away.”

And like the old soldier of that ballad, I now close my military career and just fade away, an old soldier who tried to do his duty as God gave him the light to see that duty.

Good Bye.

Cyn, revolted, kept quiet, not sure what the attitude of the others might be until a woman in the back seat said in a drawl, “Don’t it just make you kinda wanna throw up?”  

And so say all of us.

Ironic that I am posting this on the eve of the American election now in 2020.  As Canadians, we just follow Cyn’s example, keep our mouths shut, cross our fingers, and wait in suspense.