Letters From New York
29 August 1966
Dear Mum,
As always it was a real pleasure to receive your awaited letter on Friday last and we're still chuckling over your interesting little anecdote about your complexion. Hopes this finds you as well as it leaves all of us and starting the process of thawing out as we get ready for the big, long freeze. Still happy to report that everyone's blooming here with the exception of poor little Jenny who's quite obviously in the throes of teething and having (& giving Joan) a pretty torrid time. We're going through another warm spell here (not as bad as in early July) but a little more attuned to it all.
Have had a pretty hectic and social week & the end isn't in sight yet. On Tuesday we had my ex-Uni acquaintance out for dinner and we're putting him up for a weekend (prior to his returning to California) the weekend after next. Wednesday night answered a late call from the Travis' and got carted off to the pictures - which I didn't enjoy overmuch - though the experience was quite new. Thursday we had the Tolhursts (a young Qld couple - the wife expecting in November) out to dinner and to top it all, late on Friday an ex-Uni co-worker phoned me. He'd just arrived in New York (as part of a business/world tour) & had my address from friends at the Uni. He's now Secretary of the Victorian Pharmaceuticals Board (on $10,000 a year) and is on a fact finding & Money raising tour. Anyway, we had him out all day yesterday; he stayed last night and will have him back for a couple of days at the end of the week (after he's visited Washington) & prior to his flying out of N.Y. next Saturday evening. In the meantime I'll be lunching with him, the other Aust. Uni. fellow and the Chinese professor at the U.N. tomorrow. Saturday, we had a wonderful day at Port Washington, in glorious sunshine. I took a contingent of six kiddies (three to nine) down to the beach whilst John Kelly minded the babies at home & the wives went off shopping. They had another spell in the afternoon whilst the Dads minded the "brats" at home - and Joan didn't do too badly with the buying (likely to present us with a costly problem as winter draws nigh).
Still on the driving lessons - some improvement showing through tonight - and have another scheduled for Wednesday. We got the cheque for Phillip's bicycle from the Insurance Coy on Sat. and went down on Sunday to buy the replacement (an exactly similar item). Michael made quite a hit and had the pedal on his tricycle repaired "gratis" whilst the owner of the shop also presented him free with a $1.00 horn. Joan has, of course, had a pretty hectic week of it, but seems to revel in the activity (in her usual wonderful way) despite the trying time she's having with Jenny. Anthony, despite his reluctance, earned the award as the best camper of his group plus a merit award in Zoology. Phillip earned a merit award as the best all round camper and won two prizes in athletics. Catherine is becoming the social one of the group, having been invited to her third birthday party within a couple of weeks. Despite that the boys have swimming everyday at camp they, and indeed everyone, had a wonderful time at the water on Saturday. The time for school (Sept. 12th) is fast drawing nigh, and I think everyone is looking forward to it.
We've suddenly been hit with a flood of newspapers, ranging in date from June 2nd to July 20th and for these I thank you. I still maintain, however, that you're spending far too much on them. For my part, simply the sports supplement each Sunday would be quite sufficient - we do get to see an occasional Herald by courtesy of Qantas - and, when you send them (if by airmail) you should ship your weekly epistle in (I'm sure the P.O. wouldn't miss the 9c). Today was a big day too for letters, seven, arriving from all over the place - full of news and most interesting seems that St. Christopher's football club at Panania has two teams (one of them the one Phillip would be playing in) in the Grand Final and, as I write this the results will be history - quite an accomplishment for only their second year.
Seems that the shops with which Vic & Margaret are associated are born for disaster - what with robberies & fires. Very sorry (I don't think) to hear about Normie Rowe. Last week I entertained a couple of Australians here, the husband looking a dead ringer for Bobby Limb. Did hear about Archbishop Gough - rather sudden wasn't it; like Lord de Lisle. I hear the Budget's out over there! Hope the new Treasurer hasn't hit the economy too hard and certainly not the taxpayers. Anything in it for you pensioners? No more developments on the car but, with winter coming in the next couple of months, I'm not pushing it.
Will leave the back as usual for Joan.
Love & kisses,
Bill
Dear Mum,
First of all I must thank you in advance for knitting for Jenny . I'm sure it will be lovely. Our visitor yesterday thought she was a little doll. If I were not her mother I would say the same. I am sure Mum if you write to the "Palmolive" people you could get a job. If I look so good at your age I will be quite happy. Have been trying to get a few things together for winter, with 5 little ones it is quite a task thank goodness things are not too dear. The snow suits & jackets are beautiful. We will send over some more photos for you soon.
All my love,
Joan & Co.