Friday 10 Nov. 1944

Dearest Kitten:

How’s my favorite wife these days? Sounds as though I had a harem, doesn’t it. I wonder what it would be like to have a wife for every day of the month. I can just picture thirty females battling over the same man. There is only one woman for me though and that is you. I guess it is because I love you so much. I do you know. Without my love for you, I would be a very lost guy. It is something that I can depend on when everything else seems to be going to hell.

Your husband is starting to get into condition. Every day I put on a heavy wool undershirt, work pands & work shoes and go out and do a little running and calisthenics. I am getting too fat & too soft, so I decided to sweat some beer out of me and toughen up a little. I usually start at 10:30 and quit at 11:30. An hour each day should do the trick. Right now my legs are a bit stiff from running though.

As I write this letter, I am dragging on my pipe that I bought on the ship. Hard as I try, I still can not get used to a pipe.

The proper way to paint is with a brush. You’re not supposed to daub it on with your fingers or feet. You must have been a cute looking sight with paint all over you.

It was always my impression that it was men who never grow up, but I guess that women are very little different from men. Did you enjoy your Halloween party?

Neglecting your husband, huh? Letter #135 was supposed to be a long one, and what do I get? Just two pages. Keep on neglecting me like that and I will go home and beat you up. I understand how things are. You have your day all planned and what happens. Something unforeseen comes along and, phit, goes your plans.

So Bobby is trying to learn to swim in the bath tub. He must have been funny looking when he swallowed the water.

It is hard to tell how much longer this war is going to continue. If all hostilities would stop tomorrow it would be twenty four hours too long. The way things look at present, it will be some time yet before we can write finis to this mess.

Hate to hear about anyone like the girl that you were telling me about. A great many times it is not the fault of the person. Circumstances and everything has to be taken into consideration. Without a doubt she is better off.

It made me happy to hear that Bea & Paul’s youngster is walking. I often wondered if he ever would. Let’s hope that the next one does not give her as much trouble as this one did.

Paul has been fortunate to be stationed in N.Y.C. for as long as he has. It is about time that he went over. Mercenary, aren’t I?

Stop worrying about Roland & Marion. It is their life to live as they see fit. Nothing we could do would make any difference to them.

If you keep buying things for the house, I will not recognize my own home when I return. It makes me happy to know that you take pride in keeping our home up to date.

Well Sweetheart I must leave you for now so: Regards to everyone and kiss the babies for me. I love you my Darling Wife.

Your Loving Devoted & Faithful Husband,

Bob