Letters From New York
Monday 20th February 1967
Dear Mum,
Yet another Monday is upon us and here I am with the usual weekly bulletin of the Dwyers’ doings. Most of the snow has melted away now and, indeed, it’s raining this evening, but the weather is still quite cool. We’ve been far from the 4° of a couple of weeks ago but temps below the 20° mark have been pretty constant. We’ve been experiencing some problems with the mails ourselves – what with the snow as it was I wouldn’t be at all surprised that ours might have been delayed – and the usual letter from Joan’s Mum (normally due on Thursday) still hasn’t arrived. Perhaps she’s too speechless to write. Evidently “the news” wasn’t too badly received as we’ve had a letter from Peter and another from Auntie Bern and perhaps everyone sees in it some hope of an early return “down under”.
Everyone was quite distressed over the Tasmanian bushfires (at last report I believe the death toll is 57 persons) and Greg has called a meeting of the Australian community at U.N. to see whether – and in what way – we can organise ourselves to provide some assistance. Seems that a “saving” snowfall arrived just a day or two late to have been of any use. Unfortunately, we missed the New York T.V. coverage of the event. Margaret may be “put out” that I hadn’t revealed our “anxiety” in my last letter to her (written only a few days before our announcement to you) but there was still then some possibility of a false alarm! We’re not at all concerned that she know – I’m sure I can gauge her reaction, almost to the words – so, go ahead.
Our night out with Ginger Rogers was followed last Saturday night by a night at the Opera – the New York State Theatre – to see La Boheme, a light and very well performed piece. There were no “name” performers in it but the lead tenor was simply marvellous, and supported by some very good other singers. It was an Italian Opera (by Puccini) set in Paris in 1830, of a young poet’s love for a dying girl. The dialogue was completely in Italian; I couldn’t understand a word of it – though I did recognise a couple of the “tunes” – but it was surprisingly easy to follow the plot. We had marvellous seats, centre-theatre in what they call the orchestra area here (i.e. on the ground floor level) and commanded a wonderful view and hearing of proceedings.
Bill has just gone out to buy a fitting for my washing machine so will have my little say now. The machine is lovely although I have not used it yet. It will save me a lot of bother because I had to take my wash over to a Laundromat every few days, besides being a nuisance was rather costly. Everyone here is well, myself I have felt a bit off color but I suppose that is to be expected. Think I will hop into bed Mum. Will write again next week.
Love,
Joan
March promises to be quite a big month for us what with Anthony’s Confirmation; Jenny’s final (we hope) check up with the specialist and Joan’s first visit to the new hospital – not to mention Phillip’s birthday on the 27th. Jenny’s birthday within the week and rather difficult to imagine her being one. She’s a regular darling & getting to be quite a daddy’s girl with a welcoming “hi dad” when she sees me wake each morning; a bye bye dad when I leave the house and a suppliant command for a spot on the knee whenever I’m at the dinner table. She’s getting to be a great eater and tastes everything I have on – even tomato soup the other evening. Joan, unfortunately, has been having a tough time in these first weeks and, no doubt a little worried, has looked pale and drawn on it. It’s going to be a testing time for us all but I think if we all pull together we’ll come through OK. One consolation is that the medical fees will be light as our family doctor (recommended by the wonderful Bartels) has referred us to a specialist and – of all things – a Jewish Hospital where we’ll be charged only what can be recouped from the Medical Fund. The doctor has proved a real boon as he too charges only the Fund fee whereas most others charge three times the figure. However, he charges for a telephone diagnosis – and it’s amazing how much consultation & diagnosing is done over the phone here, so he makes up the difference that way. As for Jenny’s specialist, well, he hasn’t charged us a brass farthing and is completely wrapped up in his little patient. Shudder to think where we’d be financially if we had to meet our full medical costs.
Michael has an appointment tomorrow for his pre-school interview and grading tests – seems he’ll be able to start in September despite that he won’t be five till December (the cut-off date is December 31st) and he’s full of importance. Michelle Bartels had hers today and we believe it was a scream. Anthony and Phillip are in process of doing their mid-year tests and both seem to be doing OK. Phillip has been striving for weeks to get 100% in maths but just can’t make it, often missing one or two answers to leave him with marks of 95-99%. Still, it continues to give him the incentive to try harder and his performances are getting to be quite good.
Have (at long last) been kept quite busy at work over the past couple of weeks and have been informed of the “firm’s” satisfaction with me and my performances. The request to stay on after April ‘68, if not put to me beforehand, would see, then, to be a mere formality.
Very little paper left and precious little news so will close. The Jan 1st paper arrived today – thanks.
Love to you and regards to Vince,
Bill