21 July 1944

Dearest Kitten:

I received your third box tonight & your cablegram yesterday. Your cablegram was not very clear. It said that you had received money, and I never sent you any money. I imagine that it should have read that you sent money. Thanks anyhow, it is always nice to hear from you.

Letter #54 came and Barby's picture is very cute. She sure is a darling, just like her mother. Her eyes are so bright and intelligent, just like her father, hm-m.

For some reason I am in a happy mood tonight and this letter is not giving me any trouble at all. I wrote to your folks today and will write to Mother tomorrow.

Sorry that I should ask you for some money right on the month that you have so many bills. I am happy to say that the money was well spent anyhow.

Just for your own information and to possibly prepare you for the worst, do not be surprised if one of these days I get reduced to the grade of private. There are a couple of men in the Company who are always giving me trouble and one of these days I am apt to lose my temper sufficiently to start walloping one of them. If I get caught at it, it will probably mean my stripes. The only reason that I have not done so before is the thoughts of losing all that dough.

There is very little anyone at home can do for a man when he is in combat except hope & pray. I know that it is impossible to keep from worrying but try not to let it get you down. You should have more faith in your brother's ability to take care of himself. I have no doubts but that he will make out O.K.

Your uncle sure has gotten the visiting fever. It must have been nice to see him again, but if he keeps it up, he will have to start claiming Lowell for his legal residence.

If my letters sounded lonesome, it was because I was lonesome. Today I feel pretty good, but for the past few weeks I have been rather down in the dumps.

Arthur writes pretty regularly, doesn't he? I am glad to see that you correspond regularly with him. It is always nice to hear from friends.

The thing about having beer on ice that I miss the most is having you around. This month I have consumed 16 quarts and have another sixteen waiting for me for the rest of the month.

Our new club is almost finished and the night that we open it, I am going into town and stay there because, it will be a beaut of a binge. I want to be a few miles away when they start imbibing the fire water.

Reading about the folks going to the beach and out to the lake reminds me of how much I would like to be doing just that. It must have been fun with the children. You must have had a good time with them.

We have a lot of living to catch up on Sweetheart. When I return we will not waste any time so as to make up for all the lost time. I love you so much that when I look at one of your pictures I get thrilled so much that my toes tingle.

Well, Beautiful, until next time, I love you.

Regards to all & kiss the babies for me.

Your Loving, Devoted, & Faithful Husband,

Bob