Ottawa – Page 23 – A Family History in Letters

October 21 1952

31 Acacia Avenue.

Oct. 21st 1952

Dearest Mummy,

Cec is back at the Lab. this evening & left strict instructions for me to go to bed early, & as I was late last night I will be good & do as he says! However, I thought if I began a letter to you it would be a step in the right direction & I would be encouraged to get on & finish it tomorrow!

Lindy & I had ourselves such a time today! We went to town on the streetcar!! It was the first time she’d been on one of course, & the first time I’d had her in town by myself, so it was quite an adventure, but we both enjoyed it & now I have done it once I won’t be scared of doing it again. Actually, now that she will stand up & walk a little it isn’t as much effort as when she had to be carried all the time. I was glad it was a success as I had such a frustrating time on Sat. I left Linda with Cec & drove down to Frieman’s & parked the car there – I wanted to get 1. leggings for Lindy 2. cheap cotton material for a cover for the daybed we got when we got the sofa & chair & 3. meat from Alberts & tomatoes from the Market. I thought I would be able to do the whole lot in an hour easily & be back home, but I couldn’t get a thing! Lindy is wearing the white corduroy coat from her Granny C. most of the time now- I have moved the buttons over & shortened it & she looks a pet in it with her pink bonnet, but of course her little legs are bare, so I saw other babies wearing white fleece lined leggings, with straps under the shoes & thought I would get her some. Well, I tried Frieman’s, Caplan’s, Laroque’s & another shop I don’t know the name of, & either they had none or they were the wrong size. I was so disgusted, as it has become really cold & I wanted to get something warm for the little thing, but I had to leave it. The material was the other thing I wanted to get while I still have Lee’s machine – the daybed is a funny affair – just a metal frame with springs – normally it just looks so-

Actually, end on it is like this- these two things are kind of flaps which will raise up and make it a double bed size if you want. There is no mattress proper- just a kapok pad which folded in two makes the seat part or opened right out will cover the whole bed when it is extended. Not very comfy for 2, but reasonable for 1, & could be used in an emergency. Anyway, the thing is covered with a grubby, torn black patterned cotton not worth keeping, so I wanted something gay, but cheap to take its place. Could I get it? Not a thing under 79¢ yd. mostly & a few I saw at 65¢ yd. were either pale colours or something unsuitable. I ended up by getting home at 2:45 with only meat and tomatoes, having had no lunch, to find Cec trying to cope with Linda who had refused both her bottle & bed! In addition he was supposed to pick up Pete & Lu & Leslie at 3.0 to take them to Pete’s new Lab.’s Open Day, so he was in a tizzy too!

Today went much better. Lindy & I went down Green St. & got the tram at the bottom after a short wait – she just stood beside me as good as gold & watched the “cars” & “doggies”! She was very quiet & wide-eyed & amazed in the tram to begin with & gazed at everyone, but by the end of the ride was chanting “car-car-car” & having a good time. Quite a lot of the people were smiling at her etc. so of course I was a very proud Mama! We got off on Sparks Street & just crossed the road to Zellers & with no trouble at all I got her white leggings to fit & the girl helped me put them on her right away. They have a zipper on the side of each leg & come up to her armpits so should last her till it gets really cold anyway & then we will get her a little snowsuit. Then we went across the road again to Bryson Graham’s & I went up to their material department to the furnishings. Their cheapest cotton was 65¢ yd. & very gaudy colours so I said no & was coming away when I saw in the dress materials, print cotton reduced to 50¢ yd. & such pretty colours & patterns. I chose a nice gay little red & blue pattern & felt v. pleased with myself, so Lindy & I thought we had done pretty well & came home v. satisfied! We both slept all afternoon to recover!!

It is now Friday, 24th & my how the time flies! I got your 2 A.M.’s (No.s 1 & 2) yesterday – thank you so much for them & I was so glad to know that you had at last got some mail from me. When you were worried & kept writing & writing that no letters had come, I knew I had written quite a few & that they must turn up eventually. That reminds me, a letter arrived for you from your dumb bank in St. V. the other day (statement I suppose) so I will enclose it in one I am going to send via sea with Ruth’s letter & also patterns of my various purchases of materials, so that you can see what they are like. Also, a pattern for our sitting room curtains! Yes, I had a fat letter from Dottie last week with various patterns & we chose one & I wrote back at once & asked her to get it. We are a little bit disappointed because we asked for a gay floral-type material with a cream ground & Dottie tells us that the good heavy materials are mostly plain or self-patterned or at most 2 colours, so we have had to end in getting a cheaper material (7/11 yd.) and will have to line them. Dottie sent 4 patterns- 1. Heavy thick linen, (we liked the material) but it was a dull muddy background & it had a pattern of herbaceous border type flowers, but also dull & muddy looking- the whole very conventional & rather country Vicarage-ish!! 2. A pinky-puce flowered material with green leaves, on a gray & white background – Dottie was keen on this, but not us – we wanted cream not white & don’t care for the pucey-pink 3. kind of conventional squared pattern on cream with bright pinks, blues, greens, browns – neither of us liked it & 4. the one we chose- a cream ground with bricky red flowers, (chrysanthemums?) green leaves & a few blue flowers – As far as we can tell from the pattern it looks nice – the red & blue go with the Indian rug & the green with the end wall, which I think is pretty good & later on we plan to get the puce sofa & arm chair covered – they definitely aren’t in our colour scheme & we only bought them because they were a bargain in spite of the colour! They are good & solid & v. comfy too.

So now I am longing for the material to come & to get the curtains made & up! Lee has been in Toronto for 2 weeks so I have been having a fine time with her machine. Lindy’s curtains are made & up and she highly approves – I have made the valance affair (partly pleated) for “your” bed & a daytime cushion cover for the pillow – turned 2 of Cec’s shirt collars & mended a couple & I hope to get the other coverlet made this weekend before I have to give the machine back.

We are onto another project too, which I know you will have a fit about!! We are having a Hallowe’en Party here! It isn’t our party – it is Cec’s Lab. & this is how it happened. We had talked vaguely of a party for ages you know, but decided we couldn’t afford it, so a little while ago at the Lab. they were discussing how good the Douglases (Phyl & Alec) were about entertaining for the Lab.- the party before Keith & Ruth’s wedding etc.- & the suggestion was made that it would be nice to give them a party. Where to have it was the next thing & Cec offered our house & we decided to make it a Hallowe’en party on the lines of the one we had in Cambridge, with apples on strings & digging up the body etc. Everyone was most enthusiastic and there will be 22 I think! They are collecting so much from each person (except Alec & Phyl) & will provide liquor to make the punch & will give me money for food etc. & buy Alec & Phyl a little present. I have decided to feed them buffet style:- boned stuffed chicken, cold ham, scalloped potatoes, mushroom & cheese slices, stuffed tomatoes (for salad) & orange creams – practically all things I can do ahead of time & all the girls are offering to help both before & after with clearing up, so it shouldn’t be too much! Boris & Paul came to dinner the day after Thanksgiving & we made ourselves a committee & planned it & I think it should be fun.

I went down to see Phyl & the baby last week & she is looking fine & he is a dear little fellow – lots of dark hair & sleeping when I saw him – very good Phyl says. Nothing like the personality that tiny Linda was though!!

On Friday we went to Dr. & Mrs. Herzberg’s for the evening to meet a Swiss Prof. who was visiting. It was v. pleasant & I was tickled to bits as Mrs. H. asked me to “pour” at coffee time! My matronly figure probably got me the honour!! Dr. & Mrs. H. are coming to the He’en Party- Dr. H. wrote & put off a lecture he was to give at a Univ. in Montreal!!

On Mon. evening our “lodger” Dan came in & we discussed breakfasts etc.- he will have what Cec has (not 2 eggs – we have changed & he has flakes & one egg or bacon!) (Lindy has an egg now too, of course) He is to pay $10 a month for breakfast & “icebox privileges” – the latter being the right to have an apple, or sandwich or a cup of tea etc. before he goes to bed if he wants to! He will pay for any weekend meals as he has them, & I’ve told him he can use the washing machine – he’ll iron his own things he says! He is a nice boy – but very young- (he’s 26 but seems less)- he talks of his fiancé, Arabella!, like a schoolboy & makes me laugh. He seems quite lonely & very anxious to please & says he will help around the house etc. so that is nice. Altogether he will pay $45 a month, so that will be a big help- we have to get coke & winter oil etc. for the car with his first cheque! He stayed till after 2 a.m. talking- needless to say I was in bed long before he left! He will probably be moving in tomorrow, as the room is ready (his bed all made!) & he is so fed up with his other place.

On Wed. I had Linda to Dr. Whillans for her check up & she is fine. You asked sometime ago about diphtheria inoculations – don’t you remember she had them long ago? There were 3 in 1, diphtheria, typhoid & I think wh. cough and she went & had 2 shots when she was about 5 or 6 mths. old. She is now both a little taller & heavier than average- 22 lbs. & 29 5/8 inches & he was very pleased with her, but golly she was not pleased with him. We went at 5 o’clock & he was so nice this time- we were the last ones & he just sat & chatted & answered my questions (no more sterilizing or boiling milk!) & I like him v. much, but Linda got herself in an absolute frenzy. Just being laid down to get measured, she sobbed & cried & got herself in such a state that she choked & sicked up a bit. We had to just hold her down to be sounded & even when she sat on my knee & he & I talked, she howled & clung to me- also drenched a pretty turquoise maternity dress Phyl has lent me! By the time I got her dressed & out to the car I was exhausted & she perked up & was as cheery as a lark! When we got home she laughed & romped with Cec & was so happy & I lay back & collapsed!! Yesterday she slept from 1- 4:30 though, so she must have tired herself a bit! In the evening (Wed.) Cec & I wrote the invitations to the party & put great red seals on & made them look very chic, & yesterday Lindy & I took Margie & Danny shopping to the Dominion (Tommy is at school in the morning). In the evening June & George came to dinner – June has a full-time job at the Dept. of Mines now & says it is far better to be too busy than not have enough to do! Also she thinks a lot of the English people you meet over here are queer & that it must be v. annoying for Canadians to hear them criticizing, so we feel that she is improving and getting quite mellow! Cec & George went to a lecture, so she & I washed up & had a good gossip, so I quite enjoyed it!

This is all about our doings, but it has brought you up-to-date with us, so next week I will try & catch up on answering your letters. Lindy sends a big, big hug & kiss- love to A. Muriel & thank her for her letter – I’m glad she liked the bag.

Going to have tea now – nothing to eat though! Go to the Dr. on Monday! I feel fine & don’t think I have gained much.

Lots & lots of love from Cyn.

P.S. Lovely weather again after a really cold spell- no leaves left on the trees & it looks so strange & bare at the back.

October 12 1952

31 Acacia Ave. Ottawa

12th Oct. 1952.

Dearest Mummy,

Thank you so much for your letter which we got on Friday. We were so glad to know that you were safely back in St.V. & happy to be home with Auntie Muriel again. I can imagine how nice & comfy it must be to be back at “Noyack” again after all your travels & to get all your things unpacked & put away. Auntie Muriel must be such a wonderful companion after Auntie Trix & her funny little ways & I can just guess what hundreds & hundreds of things you have to tell each other & talk about – practically as bad as you & me! I expect that you are thoroughly enjoying all the lovely flowers again – Ottawa is looking very lovely & gay just now too – but not with flowers, with all the gorgeous coloured leaves. Cec & I keep talking about this time last year & comparing what we did etc. & I expect that you are doing just the same. The weather has been heavenly this last week – frosty at night & lovely sunny, bright, blue-skyed days – the leaves are all colours & looking out of our bedroom window the trees are beautiful. The leaves are just beginning to fall & at first when Lindy was out in her pram & a leaf would fall into it she got highly indignant & cried for me to come & take it away, but now she just throws it out herself. The tree outside Lindy’s bedroom window is all completely golden & on Friday night the frost caught it & leaves fell down in showers, so we now have a pretty gold carpet too. Mrs Graham’s zinnias all got caught with frost too but they don’t look so nice – all black withered stalks! Do you remember Tania, the old lumbering brown & white spaniel belonging to the Earle’s? She has become a great friend of Lindy’s & comes to the pram & pokes her nose in & Lindy pats her head & very often Tania comes heir to Lindy’s morning cooky! Anyway Mr. Earle told us that Tania had seven lovely little puppies! I was amazed as I didn’t know she was even pregnant!! She is only 7 years old, not nearly as old as I thought, but this is her first litter & Mr. E said that she was so proud of them- both Cec & I thought it would be so sweet to have a little puppy, but with a Lindy & Algy & a lodger our common sense told us to leave the puppy till another day!

We have had such a nice day. Tomorrow is Canadian Thanksgiving day, so Cec has a holiday which is lovely too, but today I heard Lindy chattering when I woke & looked at the time & nearly fell out of bed when I found it was 10:30!! I couldn’t believe it, but Cec got up & went to her & she was all gay & happy & had apparently just woken up. Cec was so delighted as it was his morning to get up & he thought Linda had been so kind to her Daddy! He took her & gave her breakfast & then got ours ready & I went down for it. Lindy was just so full of fun & high spirits that she entertained us continually. Afterwards Cec took her out a walk & I washed up & cleared away as we’d had Margy & Cy here to bridge last night so there was quite a few dirty dishes around!! Both Lindy & I had a rest this afternoon & we had a thoroughly restful, pleasant day & both felt very happy about it. Lindy by the way, now WALKS by herself! On Tues. Oct. 7th she nonchalantly set out & walked into the middle of the sitting room & then sat down solemnly. Today she has been walking from Cec to me & back again & thinks it is a wonderful game & squeals with delight! Apart from walking by herself she is great on walking holding your hand now, & I don’t have to carry her upstairs anymore, she clambers up by herself. She loves to get hold of my skirt & pull herself up & walk around holding onto me – we play puff-puffs & I go along saying puff-puff & she hangs on & trots behind very pleased! Her talking is continuing & she can understand such a lot of things we say now- I tell her to pick up something from the floor & hand it to me & she will go & get it & give it to me. Such a clever girl! Cec & I were laughing over her talking the other day & Cec said it was like Chinese – a lot of words that seem the same, but the intonation is different!! For instance she says “Ba” for bath- “Bu” for bus, “Bar” for Barry, “Ba-ba” for baby & the doggy says “Bo-bo”!! She also says “Ha” for hot & knows very well what it means which is wonderful as she keeps well away from anything we say is hot. She touched one of the radiators when we first had the furnace on, & since then won’t go near them, & is very cautious over her bath water etc. & doesn’t go near the stove. She is all around the kitchen now of course & loves to take things out of the cupboards & waste paper out of the box- to my amazement though, she is actually tidy & often put the things back in again!! Her Granny Costain sent her a little sun-suit & a baby doll for her birthday, with a little dress & nightie for the dolly, & Lindy is so sweet with the doll. It is not very big, but made of some sort of rubber stuff that makes it feel just like skin, & is very cute – Lindy will throw it around & trample on it & then relent & pick it up & cuddle it! She will give you a kiss very willingly now, but she opens her mouth and sticks her little tongue out so it’s a slightly damp affair. Altogether we think she is the prettiest and cleverest baby we ever knew!

I have had a busy week somehow- for months I have been a week behind in the ironing, so last week I made a huge effort & caught up! I ironed on Monday, washed on Tuesday & ironed again on Wednesday!! On Thursday Lee invited us all over to dinner – we were a bit reluctant to accept as it is such a way over there, & would make it so late for Linda, but she had also invited their friends Jerry & Elizabeth & said we would have dinner early & we could leave as soon as we liked, so we had to say yes. I picked up Cec at the Lab. at 4:30, so that we could get through town before the 5 o’clock traffic, so we got there in good time without any difficulty. I fed Lindy at 6 as usual & she was as lively as a cricket! She just loves Barry now – as soon as we mention his name she begins saying “Bar-Bar-Bar” & crawls around looking for him. When we first got to Jim & Lee’s she made us all laugh so, as she sat beside him on the sofa & cooed & poked at him & screwed up the front of her dress & was so little girlish!! She crawls after him & plays & is very good. The other guests were late, so by the time we had dinner etc. it was way past Lindy’s bedtime, but she was as contented & good as could be – while we ate, she chewed a crust from a bread roll & occasionally came & stood at the table to see what was going on & then would go away & play on the floor – we were proud of our daughter! Eventually we didn’t get home till 9 o’clock & put her straight to bed, then Cec & I were so exhausted with her first dinner party that I retired by 10 & Cec wasn’t much later! On Friday I cleaned the whole house & even polished the dining room floor, using your stuff that is supposed to clean too, but I see some marks now which I’m going to have to remove with soap & water after all! On Sat. I washed our big bed coverlet as it was a lovely day & got Cec to help me hang it out – it was very dirty, but looks so nice now & tomorrow, if it is fine I will wash the curtains.

I forgot to tell you that Cec has made me a grand draining board beside the sink, so now I am all set there & find it so convenient after having the rack on top of the radiator. The rack now sits between the radiator & the edge of the sink & is just at a good height for me. Cec also vacuums the sitting room for me at the weekends sometimes & has been very busy at night with the old “nursery” chair. He has taken it all apart & after scraping off about 20 layers of paint finds that it is good old oak, so he is patiently scraping each rung & spindly piece & going to do a good job. Everyone who sees our room upstairs room now says how lovely it is & we think it is nice too! We have it arranged so:

The English fellow, Dan, came over on Friday evening & sat & chatted till after 10- he isn’t coming till 1st Nov. because of giving notice at his other place, so we won’t be getting any revenue till next month – sad! He will pay $35 a month for the room though & breakfasts & any Sunday meals extra, so we are quite content. He seems a nice fellow- lonely we think, so we are sorry for him. He is engaged to a girl in England & was telling me that when he was with us he’d be glad to help around the house etc. as he must get domesticated! So that sounds nice!

Lee has lent me her machine for 2 weeks while she is in Toronto with Jim’s mother, so I am going to make Linda’s curtains, finish the frill on the bed in the front room, turn some of Cec’s shirt collars & have myself a busy time. I wrote to Dottie about getting the curtain material for the sitting room, but have heard nothing from her as yet. Since Cec painted the room it looks very bare without curtains, so I will be glad to get them up. We have put your round mirror on the wall opposite the fireplace & it looks nice & reflects the fire beautifully when we have it lit.

I had a letter from Connie yesterday (I had written to her the previous week! Also A. Ettie)- not thanking me for our present to Christopher – never mentioned it! – but wants me to send her some Evenflo nipples!! Leonard hasn’t decided on which of his offers of jobs to take yet!! Also heard from Gunborg & poor Gunborg has been ill again – nearly pneumonia & had to cancel a trip she was taking to N. York with Gordon for a spree.

I had a letter- or 2 rather, from Amy about the wedding – but very nice ones really, & sending the newspaper photo etc. Cec & I don’t care for it of Ruth although it shows her dress etc. beautifully but she looks much prettier than that. I had a letter from Ruth to which she asked me to send on to you so I will when I answer it. Amy says she & Charlie went down for a day & saw them & helped them put up 30 pictures- we nearly collapsed – 30 in a room in a 4 room house!!

Did I ever tell you about how amused I was after Al & Betty’s wedding at Betty’s mother, Mrs. Burrough? She is a plump, kindly middle-aged woman – rather simple, you know! – & obviously wrapped up in her daughter & husband. Anyway, within the week after the wedding she rang us up 4 times- enquiring for me, telling us they’d heard from Betty & Al etc. & so on. Obviously the poor woman was so lonesome she had to talk to someone & chose us. Last week she rang up & said could she come & see me so she came on the Thurs. afternoon & had a cup of tea & saw Lindy. She had brought the wedding photos which Mr. B. had made into a book & bound & tooled a beautiful leather cover. Betty was in white & veil – made her own dress of lace. They were very good. Betty & Al have an apt. in Saskatoon & seem to be settling down. We are getting Cec’s dad to get them an electric lamp (wholesale, like our kettle!!) which they can choose, & we thought it would save them the trouble of taking it all that way. We suggested a kettle, but they had one, so we agreed on a lamp.

On re-reading your old letters have just been tickled at you winning the rum & bowls for A. Trix at Bingo – I think you did very well – the only time I ever played on board ship I never won a darn thing. I have written down the 4 small batteries for your Zenith but will wait till you write & tell me what the other things were that you wanted. Must stop & go to bed now- will be busy tomorrow with my washing & Thanksgiving Dinner – we couldn’t afford a turkey, but are having roast pork which I am going to bone & stuff!

Lindy sends a big, big kiss & hug to Grannie – I forgot to tell you she is still a little puppy about getting up on the sofa etc. although she puts the leg in the right position now, but she can get down easily from the sofa or our bed & is very careful. She objects thoroughly to Cec whistling & whenever he begins – usually in the car – she leans forward & points at him & makes a face & says “Eeaye”!!

Lots of love from Cec & me & a wiggle from Algy! – Love to A. Muriel- is Jean back yet? I would like the pattern of those 2 tiny baby jackets she made Lindy.

Cyn.

Beautiful clear writing on the first side, then more difficult with fainter pen on the backs of the sheets!

October 3 1952

3rd Oct. 1952

Dearest Mummy,

Thank you so much for 2 letters- postmarked 24th & 30th- the latter just came today. I’m afraid my last letter must’ve missed you at A. Trixie’s – I was all confused with the days & dates & thought it might catch you, but I was wrong. By the time you get this you’ll be all settled at Noyack again & I am sure that it will feel good to get unpacked and out of suitcases again. I hope that all the new dresses are a success & A. Moo likes them- I am sure that she will be so glad to have you back. Cec & I were most intrigued to know all the details on Jack & Jean from your letter & glad that the mystery is cleared up! I am very happy that they will be getting married at Christmas & hope all will go well. Cec nearly died laughing at your remarks re. Owen being paralyzed “somewhere else”& we hope that Jacko will eventually prove that he’s not and produce a couple of grand-daughters for A. Trix! I was glad to hear that Marion is recovering, despite the terrible time she has had- how thankful they must be to the Polish Dr. after the callousness & carelessness of the other.

Before I go on to our doings, I have a confession to make- your box of clothes hasn’t gone yet, & that isn’t all – I have also lost or thrown away the list of things you wanted me to get & include in the parcel, so will you send me another list quickly & I will get the things & send it as soon as I can. Now that Lindy is all over & into things my corner of recipe books & writing things in the nook is great fun for her & I’m always finding them strewn around, so my letters get somewhat mixed up!

I don’t think I had room to tell you in my last letter that Pete & Lu Forsyth & little Leslie had arrived in Ottawa. They were staying in a hotel until their apt. was ready on Oct. 1 & Lou was thoroughly enjoying the rest. The polio had been very bad in Saskatoon, so Lu decided to keep Leslie away from children for a week to make sure she wasn’t carrying infection, so Cec & I went down on the Wed. evening & had a drink with them in the hotel. Then last Sunday, when the week was up, they came to tea & brought Leslie. I had invited Jim & Lee & Barry as they are going to be close neighbours in the same apts. but Jim was ill (tummy flu) & they couldn’t come. However Pete & Lu asked if they could bring an old Sask. friend & her son-in-law who was staying in the hotel so we had quite a lot anyway. Leslie was very shy & didn’t play with Linda much but as usual Lindy was full of fun & mischief!

On the Sat. morning I went to town (1st shopping trip since you left!) & bought a lamp & rug for the bed-sit. room & some material. The lamp is cream, the rug a delphinium blue twisted loop (cotton) & the material is a sort of Indian pattern – a tan background with blue on it. Bill’s blanket doesn’t cover the whole bed to the floor, so I have made a pleated frill to cover the box spring part in the coloured material, then put the navy cover over the mattress. I have made a cover for the pillow of the material too, & it looks very nice I think.

Cec has fixed the desk beautifully & has the ch. of. dr. all sanded down to bare wood & the old nursery chair all taken apart & partly scraped. We have put one one of our ch. of. drs. in, in the meanwhile & the room looks really lovely – fresh & bright & cozy. An English fellow from Oxford at the Lab. for a year came to see it tonight & is coming in sometime- has to give notice at his present digs. He seems quite nice & harmless – just wants breakfasts.

I went to the Dr. on Monday & everything is fine – must watch my weight though – woe is me! Phyl Douglas had a boy (8 1/2 lbs) on 1st Oct. so maybe we will follow suit!! Lindy is sweet & good as ever – the hour (summertime) came on last Sun. so she is waking earlier this week, but is good & plays till I get up. Will tell you more of her in my next. She is wearing Winnie & Denis’ white boots now!! They fit nicely, & looked so huge before!

xxx from Lindy & lots of love from us all- Cyn

As I said in my very first post, it was wondering about the polio scares of the 1950s that started me reading my mother’s letters to my grandmother. This letter contains the first mention of polio that I’ve come across, and it is posted while we are quarantining in the year 2020, hoping for a vaccine…

September 26 1952

26th Sept. 1952.

Dearest Mummy,

I have been meaning to write all week, but of course have been busy & the time has gone by. Cec is back to winter hours again, so isn’t often home much before 6, which means that I don’t get much done in the way of dinner preparation as Bubsie protests if left to her own devices at that time! So by the time she is in bed & dinner made & washing up done the evenings seem much shorter than they used to do! Autumn is really here now & this week has been no longer summer – quite a few mornings it has been raining or misty & quite dark & although it has usually become bright & sunny during the day, there is a chill in the air. We have had fires some evenings & have had the furnace on for 2 days, but the darn thing went out! Lindy is wearing Bren’s blue woolly suit out in her pram in the mornings now & the other day Grant (Crabtree) asked “Why is she still wearing her pajamas?”!! On Sunday when I was having my morning in bed, she had a bad fright & tipped the pram over. You know how she would bounce in it – well she is getting so big now that I had wondered if she was safe, but until Sunday it had never upset. Fortunately, then, it tipped down to the handle & her harness held her, but her hands were on the floor & she had bumped her lip on the edge of the pram, so when Cec got her up, she had wiped her dirty little hands all over her face & her lip was bleeding & we thought she was really hurt. But she stopped crying at once & when I washed her face we found that her little nose was bumped & her lower lip split, but she was so good & brave & didn’t make any fuss. Now, of course, I am scared she will do it again as it doesn’t seem to have taught her a lesson & she bounces just the same, so each time I hear her I go dashing out to sit her down again! Phyl Douglas has lent us a little “stroller” which Lindy loves, but so far we haven’t had her out in it much- just pushed her around the house – she likes to push it too, & walks along quite nicely. She likes to go for a little walks around the house holding onto a hand, & is quite venturesome at standing alone, but apart from a staggering run of 2 or 3 steps from Cec to me etc. hasn’t walked alone.

Last week I had the shoe man come to the house (the store Connie got to come for Christopher) & fit her with shoes. It was very convenient not having to take her to town & they don’t charge extra. We got her a little pair of red boots called “Jumping Jacks”– they come just to the ankle & lace up & although they look huge for her, they must be comfy as she doesn’t mind wearing them at all. She loves your little slippers now & knows the difference between them & her shoes. They fit her nicely – & go on easily now- at first she used to scrunch up her feet. On Sat. we also went to the Beamish Store- (I was quite excited – my 1st visit to a shop for so long!) & got her a little red wool cardigan (the same shape as Millie’s pink one) with white squirrels around & what with that & her red shoes & a red bow in her hair she looks very chic!! I laughed over your last letter asking if Lindy has her 8 front teeth yet & expecting her to have changed so much & yet dreaming that I could still get into your orange dress! I am the one who has changed much more than Lindy- the back of a bus that’s me! I go to the Dr. on Monday again – I will be going to the Civic Hospital & he arranged all that. Phyl Douglas is due any day now. I planned to take Linda to Dr. W. this month but he is on holiday so will wait till next month- I give her an egg for breakfast now! I haven’t been to the dentist yet- next month!

I was so sorry about A. Trix’s restrictions & therefore yours – I am continuing to mail to San F. until I hear otherwise. I hope that she is better soon & that you get your trip to Jane & Bill’s new house. Hope the news of Marion is good. Milly & Ford sent us $10 for a clock for the sitting room – wasn’t that nice of them? Will write soon again, but have done nothing this week except clean windows & wash the kitchen floor!! Thrilling!

Linda sends a kiss & lots of love from us all – Cyn.

September 15 1952

Monday 15th Sept.

XXX from Lindy to Granny

Dearest Mummy,

It is a pouring wet Monday – so dark & gloomy, but I don’t really mind except that later on Lindy & I have to venture out to Joanisse.

Thank you so much for your last letter written a week ago. I was very sorry to hear about A. Trix’s accident & hope that she is feeling all right now, despite the strapping – although from what you say, nothing subdues her or keeps her down for long! It was a shame that it should upset all your plans so, but with Ina having to nurse Marion just then it all fitted in quite well actually, & I am sure that Janie & Bill would be most grateful to you & thankful to get away. I expect little David would be lonesome for his brother at first, but I expect you would have fun together.

Before I forget, Lindy did two things last week! First of all, on Thurs. out on the rug on the grass she very carefully set her little feet wide apart & gradually stood up by herself! Looked round beaming proudly & then gently sat down again! She has done it quite often since – mostly on the rug outside, but once or twice inside – she never waits till she falls down but very carefully sits down after a minute or two! The other thing is that she is now eating Junior Foods– not just Baby Foods! I got one or two Junior tins & thought I would try her, but when I opened the chicken soup & found it all full of lumps of veg. etc. I never thought she would eat it. However, she loved it & ate it all up without a gag or a gurgle! On Sat. I was upstairs & she was with Cec in the sitting room – then I heard her pat-pat along to the kitchen, then quietness for a while, then a little cough, so I called to Cec to investigate. Here she was right out by the back door with a basket of peaches – big bites out of 3 of them & starting on the fourth!

Last week was just about filled with Al’s wedding – all over now & the deed done! Last Mon. evening we went out to Betty’s- met her Father & Mother, (both from England originally) the bridesmaid, best man & 2 other ushers. We had a glass of sherry when we arrived, then played bridge (Cec & I with the 2 fellows- it was fun.) We had Donna to sit with Linda, but as school has begun I told her we’d be back at 11, so that she wouldn’t be late home. I told Betty when we arrived, & all evening I sat waiting for my cup of tea & sandwich, but she must have decided that early leavers went hungrey, because we left at 10:40 with my tongue hanging out!! Cec laughed & laughed at me, but I was sad!

Cec & Cy walked to work most of last week & I packed lunches for Cec to take. It made the day seem very long, but while the weather is still good they might as well do it. Lee & Barry came over & spent Friday with us. Lee had asked if she could bring her washing if they still had no hot water, but when I heard nothing all week I thought it must be O.K. but they rang up Fri. a.m. & then came. It was nice to have them & Lee & I had a good chat. In the evening Cec had to dash out after supper to a rehearsal at the Church & I got our clothes ready. Cec wore his navy suit, & I wore the navy & white dress, navy jacket, pale blue hat & gloves. It turned out to be a scorching hot day on Sat. Cec cleaned the car & got a haircut & we set out to Jim and Lee’s – it is such a long way – about 10 miles from here. The traffic at midday was so bad that I finally dropped Cec at the Church in case he couldn’t make the return journey in time & I drove on with Lindy. Everything was fine until I put her in her carriage to sleep – she wouldn’t take her milk & just yelled, so of course I stayed to comfort her & finally arrived at the church as everyone was coming out! I was so disappointed & so hot & bothered, but however, we went to the reception (at Betty’s home) & had a nice time.

Cec doing his duty as usher with confetti!

It was so hot all the time tho’, & we had coffee & sherry to drink- 2 warming things! The bride looked very sweet & all went well. Everyone kept dashing to get chairs etc. for me – I felt very preggy!! Linda was fairly happy with Lee, but when we got home we were all exhausted! I slept till 12 yesterday & we had a lovely day of rest!

Love to all from Cyn.

First Birthday

6 on the list were children- only one old enough to sign a card!

September 5 1952

31 Acacia Ave.

Ottawa

Friday 5th Sept.

Dearest Mummy,

I was determined to wait this week until I could write a decent letter, as I seem to have been writing such scraps lately, but although we seem to have subsided slightly from our spate of entertaining I have been busy just the same. I bottled peaches & tomatoes 2 evenings this week & did the ironing – I never seem to get the latter done during the day- when Lindy is asleep in the afternoon I get started, but I hardly get one shirt done it seems when I hear “Ma-ma-ma-ma”! I am quite pleased with my bottling- I have 5 jars of peaches, 9 of raspberries & 4 of tomatoes so far, so the shelves downstairs are looking quite nice. I shall do more tomatoes I think & some pears maybe – they are easy to do, but with peeling etc. take up quite a bit of time, but the tomatoes are 50¢ a basket & peaches 75¢ a basket so it certainly seems a shame not to do them – of course we eat most of the basketful before we get around to bottling them!!

I said that we had slackened off in our entertaining, but golly! – we seem to have had a regular spree of having in & going out lately. Last night Cec brought one of the fellows home from the Lab. for dinner – Boris Stoicheff (? spelling!) – do you remember his mentioning him. He is very jolly & nice & just loved his dinner – such a treat to feed! I gave them broiled chicken livers rolled in bacon; Provençal tomatoes (I can still smell the garlic!) au gratin potatoes; stuffed celery & olives & blueberry pie to follow. We were all as stuffed as the celery, but it was good! I did the chicken livers that way for Cec & I a week or so back and we liked them very much. Cec & Boris went back to work afterwards- Cec has been back a lot this week & is there tonight – trying to get his stuff working as some big bugs are going round tomorrow. On Wed. he didn’t go back but slept solidly except for 20 minutes for dinner, from 6 pm. to 7:30 a.m.! Monday was Labour Day – a holiday – & next day all the schools open again – I always feel such a joy & relief that it has nothing to do with me!! Cec was at home, but it was a dull, rainy day & we didn’t do much. We have the room upstairs still on the way, as Cec hasn’t had time to do anything this week, but he has cleaned & mended all the desk & I polished it & although it is old, it is a nice dark oak & looks good. I cleaned Cec’s old chair & it looks much better & Cec brought up the bricks & put up the bookcase. Now it looks so:

The chest of drawers is in the midst of being sanded & we will re-stain & varnish, but if we get someone before it is done, we’ll put in one of the ones from our room in the meanwhile. There are 4 new Fellows coming to Cec’s department, so we hope we may get one if they are nice – there is quite a choice- English, Danish, Swiss & German! We’ve decided against the latter already! Our sitting room looks very nice, but most un-curtained now! I’ve heard nothing from Dottie yet, but Anne’s material has come (no duty) & although a bit of a surprise to me, I’ve decided it is cute. The surprise was because the animals on the cream background are much bigger than I expected – I’d have to send you about a yard of material for you to get an idea of what it is like!- & secondly, they are definitely cartoon-y animals – not natural as I expected. Horses & giraffes & rabbits & elephants are all the same size & have aprons & hats etc. on & one is pouring out tea & another has a sunshade & so forth! Linda loves it however, & when I put it over the side of her playpen she sat & looked at it for ages & pointed to the animals & said “Coo!” Lee is going to lend me her machine to make it up, but I want to get the “rufflette” type tape first & anyway I’ve had no time! I sat down the weekend before Lindy’s birthday & sewed hard to get her little red-smocked dress done, but after all the smocking was done & I bound the neck the wretched thing wouldn’t lie flat & I don’t know what to do. The thought of pulling out all the smocking at the neck kills me, but I don’t see what else I can do – anyway I am discouraged with it – again!

I was going to tell you what our sitting room looks like now, but got distracted – it is wonderful to have so much seating space & since Cec vacuumed the chesterfield & chair thoroughly they look fine. You can tell they are quite new from the underneath of the cushions etc.- the top surface was just dusty & they smelled kind of musty as the basement apt. the fellow had was very damp. Of course they are kind of dark winey-red with a fine grey wavy line through, so don’t really go with the rug, but they are subdued so don’t look too bad. We now have the room arranged so:

It still doesn’t look too crowded & we think one more lamp at the X will be all we’ll need. We are going to put your round mirror on the wall opposite the fireplace as it looks very bare now & I think it will show more there than in the dining room. Linda just loves the big armchair – she can’t quite climb into it yet, but with a little boost on her behind, she climbs up, then sits back like a little alderman – hand on each arm & beams & bounces as if to say “This is mine!”

I am going to go backwards now & tell you about our doings. Last Sunday we had Al McNamara & Betty to tea- their wedding is a week tomorrow & Cec is to be an usher – did I tell you? I had serious doubts as to whether to go because I have nothing to wear etc. & also my figure, but we’ve accepted for both & I’ll find something! Lindy is to visit Lee & Jim & Barry for the occasion! Anyway, Al & Betty came about 3:30 for tea & we sat & chatted & it came to 5:30 & I gave Linda her supper & still they made no move, so Cec took Linda to bed. When I took her milk up, he whispered to me “How about dinner? Are they staying?” So I nearly collapsed & Cec went on to say that when he invited Al originally he mentioned dinner, but changed it to tea so they would see Linda! I had nothing ready & felt most lazy & disinclined, so we went downstairs & at about 7 o’clock had to say “You’ll stay & have dinner with us, won’t you?” Whereupon it turned out Betty thought our tea was dinner! & they were full of protest etc. However they stayed & we had a cold drink & at about 8 o’clock Cec, the angel, saved the day by trailing Al out to wash the dishes & make a hot toasted sandwiches- bacon, tomatoes, cheese & mushrooms! – with tea or coffee, so I was saved! They finally left at 10:30, so they must have enjoyed themselves & so did we, although poor Cec never got any dinner that day! But we both felt that we had really got to know Betty & that we liked her & thought she was just the right kind of girl for Al. We are to go to her house on Mon. evening to meet the best man & bridesmaid.

On Sat. we had Dr. Al Bryce & his bride to lunch! Do you remember Al? He was at Oxford when Cec was at Cambridge & is now a Prof. at the Univ. Of British Columbia in Vancouver. He got married in June & drove east for a big meeting in Toronto & was just in Ottawa for the weekend. They were very booked up, so Cec asked them for Sat. lunch, which was fine except I had to go shopping on Saturday a.m. as I hadn’t gone on Friday because I went to the Dr. Cec told me Friday evening & with nothing in the house I couldn’t prepare anything & anyway my mind was blank- lunch is a horrid meal! Eventually I went to the Dominion with Margie & it was jam packed to the doors & I arrived home about 1 o’clock to find them already there! The girl is called Mary, & is blonde & pretty & seems very nice. Anyway, I rushed around & at about 2 we had lunch- soup, (Campbell’s – chicken & rice & cream of celery!) hor’s d’oeuvres variés (with shrimps, asparagus, liver sausage, egg, tomatoes, cucumber etc.) hot rolls, angel cake (bought) with fresh peaches & cream & coffee – so it turned out all right in the end! They left about 3:30 & then Cec was going around to Cy & Margie’s & taking Lindy for the ride, so I took one look at all the washing up & went along too!! Margie gave us tea- & what do you know?? – baby sister is due on St. Patrick’s Day!! We laughed & laughed & Margie was full of the fact that you had guessed! That’s not all – Margie told me in the morning & when I burst out with it at lunchtime, Al & Mary up & said they were that way too – just married in June, as well! Catching, isn’t it?! Lee thought she had a little Algy too but hers came to nothing & she was so disappointed, poor Lee. Actually, when we got back from Cy & Margie’s, Lee & Jim & Barry arrived to collect their stuff from the basement as they were moving into their new apt. So you can imagine when the lunch dishes got done. Lindy was just sweet with Lee – no shyness or strangeness with any of them, but she just went straight to Lee & hugged her & sat up on her knee & didn’t want to let her go at all, so there’s no fear that she has forgotten her Grannie.

As I said, I went to the Dr. on Friday & everything is fine he says. I gained 5 lbs. but I am still less than I was at this time with Linda & Algy seems to have bulged forth enormously lately! He is most active & kicks me around in fine style! I seem to be so normal with everything, the Dr. can’t find much to say to me except that everything is fine!

The previous day, Thursday, our furniture came & we spent the evening cleaning it & moving things around & on Wed. evening Cec went to Cy’s to a Men’s Bridge Party! On Tuesday we had Helen & Lynn Trainer, her brother Bill Dixon & her mother for coffee in the evening. Do you remember them? They came to us at Eastview (not the mother) not long after we were there – the brother was very shy & didn’t say a word & I was a bit bored as they talked university & “shop” so much. Anyway, Lynn has a job as Assis. Prof. at a Univ. in Kingston (Ontario) so they were bidding us farewell. The mother is very domineering & talkative, so maybe that is why her son & daughter are so quiet!

On the Monday evening, Peter Dynes, an English fellow from the Lab. came over to borrow our baby scales! He is going back to England on a visit, flying “tourist” & can only take 40 lbs. luggage, so wanted to weigh each thing. We were getting dinner ready, so of course invited him to stay & have it with us & he is a vegetarian! I was having macaroni & tomatoes, fried ham, salad & then vanilla pud. with fruit in, so he just ignored the ham & we ate it! He stayed till after 10 eventually too!

I was pretty worn out by then, as on the Sunday we had had June Lindsay and her friend Margaret to tea, & then gone to Dr. and Mrs. Herzberg’s in the evening. I don’t think I told you have poor June & her customary bad luck with George! Anyway, just as her Mother left, this friend from England, Margaret, arrived to stay with her. She is a very pretty, quiet-mannered girl & both Cec & I think nicer & easier than June herself! She was to stay with them in Ottawa, but the first week the 3 of them were going to a place Manitoulin Island (in a lake) for a holiday. However, George of course got sent to Boston at the last minute! His holiday just cancelled with no warning & the 2 girls had to go off to this place on their own. You can imagine how fed up June was, & to add to their misfortunes, on their arrival back in Ottawa afterwards, Margaret stepped off the train onto a rut in the platform & sprained her ankle very badly! It had to be x-rayed etc. and then kept up for days & altogether put another damper on their proceedings! George was away all this time & only was coming back 4 days before Margaret left for England, so altogether poor June was fed up. I went over to tea with them the previous Tues. with Lindy & was so sorry for them that I said they must come to tea on Sunday & we would take them a little drive around. By the Sunday, however, they seem to have been about quite a bit, but we drove them along the Aylmer Rd. & then back via the Champlain Island where we had ice cream cones- June probably thought it very plebeian!! We had quite a rush to get to the Herzie’s after taking them home & having dinner, but we managed & had a very nice evening- the conversation was quite general & interesting & I really enjoyed meeting all the different people.

The previous day (Sat.) was the day we’d gone shopping for Linda’s presents & bought all the furniture etc. but I don’t think I told you that on the Fri. evening we went to the Routley’s & had a very nice time. We enjoy both Angie & Paul very much & have great fun with them – we played a funny gambling game for chips & Angie & I ended by cleaning out our husbands. We didn’t get home till 1 o’clock & we had Pat, the thin girl from up the street, sitting for us for the 1st time. She didn’t seem to mind & we paid her & off she went, but about 10 minutes later Cec got quite an agitated phone call from her Aunt! Apparently Pat’s mother was away & she hadn’t told her Grannie where she was going & Grannie (+ weak heart) had spent all evening phoning around Ottawa for her! Auntie was quite nice, but was letting us know she’d been kept out of bed & asked us not to have Pat to babysit again till her mother came back! We haven’t asked her since & she apparently doesn’t know Auntie phoned us, but I’m sorry the kid got into trouble.

The Boveys sailed on Lindy’s birthday & we’ve heard nothing of them since. We had quite a pleasant evening their last visit, except that between us Leonard & I broke one of “their” glasses! Most unfortunate to happen with them there! We don’t really miss them although I miss exchanging notes over offspring with Connie!!

Now before I stopped, to answer quickly any outstanding ???? in your letters! I will send this to Auntie Trix by the way, but there is a Church Mag. from Amy & a Monsanto Chem. from the Bank I will send to St. V. I have not sent your box of clothes yet – I procrastinated as usual after Ruth’s parcels cost me nearly $7.00!! (Did Amy tell you if they had any duty? I asked Ruth to let me know) Anyway, I can get the things you have thought of & shove them in the parcel before I send it. I wrote to A. Moo last week about the dress – it is really cute & fits nicely. We took a colour picture of her in it with a red bow in her hair so you will see it. I haven’t written to Mary Egan yet – will do! – wrote to Dottie, Nan & Irene about Algy- now owe the 2 former again for Lindy’s b’day presents! I never catch up! I wrote Gunborg a long letter last Monday & Cec took it to the Lab. to add a bit to Gordon & I find he still has it- the wretch! This is Sat. a.m. (just having my “11ses “– Cec’s leftover coffee!) & he’s has gone back to the Lab. His thing is working so we are all pleased! Lindy is asleep in her crib as it is miserable & dark & rainy – Mary’s little blue dress is still long for her, so I am saving it as she has plenty. I must get her warmer overalls & more little coloured shirts soon – the weather is funny & changeable now- really cold & chilly some days & then hot again.

I am very interested in all your doings & glad that you are having fun with Janie & Bill & the boys & that you & Janie are having good gossips! Sylvia & all of the Hutch’s seem very nice & I hope Sylvie’s wedding turns out well & that Victor is better than the rest of the Hutch. husbands– they sound a bunch of “weirds”. A. Trix, as usual, sounds kind but overwhelming & your account of her b’room particularly sounds awful! I wouldn’t like to board with her & I’m glad you’re not staying long. Talking of b’rooms, reminds me of Lindy and her toidy seat & potty! I spoke too soon & after performing beautifully for a week has taken a dislike to them this week & won’t do a thing on either. I have been so patient & we have played about till 10 & after till I got no work done, but yesterday she just cried as soon as I put her on, so I have left it today. My friend Dr. Spock says they will train themselves during their 2nd year, & golly! it takes less time to do a few more diapers than sit with her for hours on the potty!

I was amused at the Bank giving you all that money- all very well, but it makes you wonder how many more mistakes they make in their favour which you don’t know about or notice. I meant to tell you I heard from my Father saying he was writing to you. He mentions Maud having started this little boarding house as if he would go there, but I am just sure that Maud wouldn’t dream of taking on the responsibility. I had another letter this week never mentioning it but all about the parcel, which he liked – especially the cheese- so I think it was just a sudden idea.

I forgot to tell you that the Pems came back for their stuff – they had shopped in Ottawa & spent time looking around, so hadn’t gone far when they remembered & the police didn’t stop them! Monie was so delighted to come back for another glimpse of Lindy!- she was sweet with her – played with her & walked her around & Lindy just loved it. Monie chose what she was to put on each day & really got a kick out of it I think. Forgot to say that the dog, Judy, was really good & we hardly noticed she was here. Lindy was very intrigued of course! Ford got up about 6 every morning out of habit & on Sun. & Mon. mornings had Linda’s bottle already warm & brought it upstairs for us at the 1st squeak! What a guest! Lindy doesn’t have her early morning bottle now but eats a piece of bacon and toast crust in her pen when we have breakfast! She is eating very well lately- 1/2 can of meat & even veg. without a murmur.

You mentioned Mrs. Graham in one of your letters & do you know, I don’t think I’ve spoken to her more than once or twice since you left- I never see her. She came out once to tell Cec & I that her older son had passed his exam but far from singing & leaping about, she was very nonchalant about the whole thing! She said she’d been schooling herself for the worst & that clever people never had bright children & that perhaps she was too clever!!! The boy came back from Labrador last week with a huge black beard!! He has shaved it off now, but it was a wonderful effort! The garden of Mrs. G’s pride looks like a jungle crop now – it is full of rank vegetation- weeds & huge tall zinnias higher than my waist with puce & orange & red flowers! Our patch is a bit weedy but I keep it down a bit & the petunias are doing nobly- we have two yellow snapdragons & even had a few nasturtiums. The potted plants are fine – the begonias flourishing & the fuchsia with lots of buds. Some of its leaves went yellow & fell off, so I have it at the back steps in the shade now. I have cut down the long traily thing & have a few shoots in water and hope to get roots and plant more!

Meant to tell you long ago that the veg. peeler is fine – nearly as good as my old one & getting better every day. Liked the sound of your new dresses very much – particularly the pink one & the white with orange squiggles! The pattern you sent of the one the girls gave you doesn’t look wildly exciting, but I’m sure it will be very nice & smart if they chose it & I am glad that you had a nice selection to take back with you. Lindy still loves her bear ‘Theodore” & takes him to bed with her always – no duty to pay, I meant to say. Our kitchen linoleum is still a joy & blessing- it covers the whole floor- such a job heaving it under the stove & fridg. & it does look nice. I was rash & spent h’keeping money on a sponge floor washer on a long handle last week & so can now wash the floor in 10 mins., without going down on my knees – lovely! I even enjoy washing it now!!

Ruth’s wedding was on Thursday but we sent no cable – actually I didn’t remember till about noon & anyway we were hard up! I had written, so I didn’t really see that it was necessary though Amy probably expected it!

It is getting on for 12 – still raining & Lindy asleep, so I had better wash the b’fast dishes. We’ll post this this afternoon – hope it clears up & doesn’t drown us.

Lindy sends a big, big hug & kiss. She is getting very sweet about holding up her little face for a kiss when you ask her, but quite frequently licks you as well & once bit Cec’s nose!!

Must stop – love from Cec & lots & lots from Cynnie & all the children – Cyn.

P.S. Monday. Never got out on Sat – so cold & wet that I waited for Cec & the car & he didn’t come home till after 6. Very pleased, though, because his equipment is working so well & Dr. H. pleased & everyone – me too! Went over to Jim & Lee’s new apt. for tea yesterday – very nice but so new- just earth & fields around them – no roads yet or anything & not even hot water, though promised for this week. It has a long way out the other side of town – really country – no stores or anything nearby- I wouldn’t care for it much but after all it is just temporary for them as they will be building. The apt. is nice and like us at Ethel Street, they are “making do” with necessities so it still is a bit bare. They are to have no heating till the middle of Oct. & I think that is awful as the last few days & particularly nights have been very chilly. Cec put on our furnace last night & although today is lovely & sunny it is not warm & the house feels gorgeous. Going to post this now- lots of love- Cyn.

3.00. Just got your letter of Sept. 2- thanks heaps. Sorry not to have said thank you for the $11.00 before- yes- we got it all right. I think this letter answers most of your other questions. Will send the shoe cleaner, potato peeler etc. with the “old clothes”. Love to all- Cyn

August 28 1952

28th Aug. 1952.

Dearest Mummy,

I have been meaning to write all week but as usual we have been in a tizzy, & last night which was to be devoted to letter writing I only managed to write to Ruth & Amy I thought I had better get that done as the wedding is a week today – isn’t it incredible? Did you hear that the parcels had arrived safely except for one “porridge plate”? So I can replace that easily & Ruth seems delighted with them.

Ruth Stainthorpe had been Cyn’s bridesmaid, and her father, Dr. Stainthorpe, had given her away.

Thank you so much for your letter & also Lindy’s present, cards & cable. She had a lovely birthday – actually spread out onto Sat. too, as we hadn’t time to shop on the weekend Mill & Ford were here, so we decided to just give her a card & book on the day & take her shopping on Sat. a.m. We gave her all her cards at breakfast time & she thoroughly enjoyed looking at them all & so did we & laughed & laughed over the “potty” one, as that was to be one of our presents to her. We had talked about a “party” & decided against it, as we hadn’t seen Karen & Jennifer for ages & anyway thought Lindy would be really happier & less confused just alone with her presents. I made her a cake with pink icing, but I’m damned if I could find Amy’s candle & holder! I searched high & low & turned out all the drawers, but in the end I stuck some toothpicks in the middle & hope they look like a candle in the snap! We didn’t either eat the cake or take pictures till Sunday as the end of last week was so cold & we couldn’t sit outside. I got quite worried as Lindy had no winter clothes yet, but this week it is broiling- over 90° today & the mosquitoes are worse or as bad as they ever were. We can’t go on the grass at all & Lindy is smeared with 6.12 & still gets bitten. To return to her birthday – Cec came home early & we had great fun & opened all her presents. She loves her red shoes and after a struggle to get them on she was most intrigued! Of course she likes to play with them & chew them more than wear them, but on those cold days I was very glad to have them for her to wear as the floor was cold. She didn’t walk or do anything extraordinary on her birthday, but was a sweet happy baby all the time. As far as I can tell she seems just about the same as when you left & does nothing new, but probably you would see a change.

On Sat. after her nap we took her downtown & went to Frieman’s toy department. We got her some “Building Beakers” made by the same people who made the “Crackles”. They are bright plastic cups (12) which fit into each other & then turned upside down have a rim & can build on each other too. We went & looked at feeding dishes & they were $8- we nearly collapsed! So we went to that Baby Shop on Dalhousie St. where we got her harness & got a wooden toidy seat, a blue pot, a pr. of plastic pants, & a lovely little dish there. The dish is china with three compartments & in each compartment are pictures of pretty little coloured dogs, cats, bunnies etc.! The outside is chromium & holds the hot water & it is very nice we think. Linda likes it too & has been eating well. I am just thrilled with my daughter because on Mon. I cut out her early bottle (she never wakes till after 7 now & never seems to really need it) & after breakfast took her to the bathroom & put her on her little seat. She was slightly alarmed but very amused at my grunts & then amazed at the results when she grunted too!! She has performed each morning since, so see! – no trouble if you leave it long enough!!

On Sat p.m. we began to shop around for furniture for a spare room & went to a few places with ads. in the paper. We ended at a bachelor’s flat- he was selling everything & going into a furnished place & also worked at the Council & – hold your breath- we bought a desk, armchair, chesterfield, chest of drawers & daybed!! He is in no hurry for the money so we are paying him on time! The desk (oak – old, but nice), ch. of dr. (old & we will refinish) are for the front room – the daybed is just a small metal frame with thin cotton mattress & cover, will go in “your” room, & sleeps 2 people in an emergency- the ch’field & chair (about 1 yr. old- dark red-) are for the sitting room & the other chair will go upstairs. It all came this morning & we feel very pleased with ourselves & just full of furniture!! We hope to let the room early next month, so will get it fixed this weekend – it should look very nice, I think. Have all sorts of other things to tell you- Lindy’s other presents & cards- what we’ve been doing & answering your letter, but have no room & it is time for lunch anyway, so will write later in the week. My love to everyone & a hug from Lindy- please thank Auntie Trix for her share of the cable.

Lots & lots of love from

Cyn.

The spate of weddings that suddenly appeared in the Costains’ lives in the summer of 1952 is a subtle reminder that now they are part of the older generation- been there, done that, have a baby with another on the way. Cyn had worked as a teacher for ten years, throughout the war and after, and although Cec had just finished with university, he had been an older student at Cambridge and Michigan, with his war years as a naval officer behind him. Now they are established with a permanent job, and the younger ones are getting married- Cyn’s bridesmaid, Ruth Stainthorpe, Keith Innes from the NRC, and then Al McNamara, Cec’s friend from university at home. Cec and Cyn are becoming part of the stable community at the NRC, staying there, looking for a permanent house, nurturing their growing families, entertaining and helping each other, as the younger post-doctorate fellows come- for 2 years- and go. So this summer, as well as preparing for weddings, they are getting ready for a lodger to help with expenses from among the new arrivals.

August 18 1952

10:45 a.m. Monday 18th Aug.

Dearest Mummy,

Mil & Ford & Monie & Judy left just over an hour ago, & having washed Lindy’s pants etc. I am having a cuppa & writing to you! The funny thing is, that about 15 mins. after they set off with all their bag & baggage & canoe on top of the car, I took Linda to her pram in the garage & behold! here is a whole lot of stuff that looks like a tent & icebox etc. etc.! They are going to camp at another place for a week so I knew they would need it- I rang Cec & we had a confab. & then I rang the Ontario Provincial Police & they were very nice & after hearing the story said they would stop the car & get them to phone me. So far I’ve heard nothing, but I bet the Pems. will have a fit when the police come tearing after them & stop them!!

We have really had a lovely weekend & we all seemed to enjoy it, but golly!- Cec & I seem to have been on the go since I don’t know when! His week’s holiday turned out to be really hard work all the time. He finished the bedroom on Mon. quite quickly & then began on the sitting room straight away – the same cream colour. We finally decided to leave the paler green – it just about halved the job, & as it is not our own house etc. it seem to be silly to go to too much trouble. It needed 3 coats & what with having to do the edges with a brush & finish off around doors & windows it was a lot to do & Cec was painting till 11 o’clock one night & he finished on Thurs. evening. I didn’t do a thing to help, but was busy all the time – I had the previous week’s ironing to do, then more washing & ironing & Cec had less time for Linda than usual really, so I was busy too. On Thurs. evening Cec got the vacuum up & we did the sitting room thoroughly & put the navy covers on the sofa etc. & it looks very nice. So sunny & light & clean & each time I look along the passage to the sitting room I think someone has left the light on! It looks more curtain-less than it did before but I hope we soon remedy that.

On Friday I got Monie’s bed ready & all the things for Mill & Ford & tried to clean up the bedroom – I got the paintwork cleaned & the floor swept but hadn’t time to scrub it! Cec put up the curtains & we are very pleased with it. Ford phoned at noon & said they would arrive for dinner & had had a lovely trip. He phoned from Ottawa about 5 & Cec picked them up at Dow’s Lake – remember that pretty lake on the way to the Island Café? I thought Mill & Ford looked just the same as in 1947 & Monie’s little face was the same altho’ she is so big now. They are all so nice & they & Cec got on wonderfully & of course Lindy was their darling! She was a little shy on Friday, but on Sat. she was all over Monie & having a glorious time. They brought her two rubber dollies & she just enjoyed every minute & was so good. She loved the doggy & said her second word after “car”- “baff” for bath! Ford went to Kingston & got the car on Sat. & Mill & Monie went to the shops & got soaked!

Yesterday Ford took Cec & I a ride in the canoe & afterwards we all went to the Island Café for dinner – Lindy too! She sat in a high chair & was the entertainment of the entire room with her antics – squeals & playing peek a boo with the people at the next table & one thing & another! They gave her a balloon which she bit this morning! Looked a bit surprised at the pop but didn’t mind! Must stop- singing from the garage! Thank you for your letter & Lindy’s card – will answer soon. XXX from Lindy – lots of love from us all- Cyn.

We arrived safely at Fish Creek but late. Had two beautiful days then the rains came. Will break camp & head for home Saturday. I am getting anxious to see Hugh [their son]. We had such a lovely weekend with you. Thanks again loads for everything. Hope Linda had a happy birthday. Say “hi” to her from us.

Love – Ford, Mona & Mill

August 11 1952

11th Aug. 1952.

Dearest Mummy,

I have just had one of my famous age-long conversations with Connie – probably the last as they leave for Montreal a week on Wed. & sail the Friday after. We have invited them over on Monday evening- we didn’t want any visitors this week as Cec begins to attack the sitting room tomorrow, so we made it Mon. & even if the Pems. are still here it doesn’t matter. I had a letter from Milly by the way, – telling me that the dog is coming too!

Thank you very much for both your long letters- we were certainly surprised to get the 2nd one from Miami & until I read it I couldn’t believe it wasn’t just some swanky paper you’d pinched from somewhere! I hope the rest of the journey was placid & uneventful & that you arrived safely in Trinidad with no more excitement. I am so sorry that you were disliking the thought of Trinidad so much & hope that when you got there that things weren’t so bad as you expected & that at least you have a nice visit with Janie & Bill. I am afraid that you have left us feeling very badly over not staying for Algy & I feel that we should have tried to straighten things out before you left. Both Cec & I hate to have you feel that we have being mean & ungrateful for all your help. When we refused your offer to stay you immediately were convinced we didn’t want you & didn’t see any other reason, but if we hadn’t wanted you, we would never have asked you in the first place & we loved having you while you were here & you certainly helped us tremendously in all ways. However, we both felt that we were getting very dependent on you & to a certain extent were not shouldering our own responsibilities- as yet, we’ve had no experience with managing the family & house on our own & the longer you were with us, the more apt we both were to let things slide & let you do them. Because of this, we thought we should learn to be on our own & manage by ourselves before the other baby came, because if you had stayed over that time, I know we would have found it 10 times harder. As it is both of us are having to get adjusted now to doing a lot of things around the house which you did before & it is hard work but we should do it. I know that the wrench of leaving Linda is the worst thing, but that would have been just as bad or worse in Feb. or March & it would just have been putting off the time. I don’t know if this has made our attitude any clearer – it is difficult to explain & doesn’t really do much good to hash it over, but you say in your letter you wonder where you failed & we just want to tell you that as far as we are concerned you didn’t fail at all – you were wonderful to us all & we had a lovely year together.

I haven’t answered your letters at all, but will write soon again! We seem to have such a busy time last week – to the Douglas’s on Wed. – to Dr. & Mrs. Petrie’s on Friday & we actually went to the Spectroscopy picnic on Sat. afternoon! Linda didn’t care for all the people much, but was good, but we were all tired yesterday. I slept till 12 & it poured all day long! Today I washed etc. & Cec finished the room upstairs & it looks lovely. Your baby is as sweet & good as ever – full of fun. When you ask her to kiss you she giggles & gets all embarrassed! XXX Linda

Lots of love from us all- Cyn.