Love Letter 44 – Gunny Sack

Love Letter 44 – Gunny Sack

I choose the road less travelled for a late afternoon bike ride under sun-protected cedar and oak tree arches. My gazelle guides me from ‘eco’ to ‘sport’ along inclining cycling lanes and through controlled multi-vehicle intersections. Menacing clouds unexpectantly invade the horizon, disrupting my leisurely ride, forcing me to reroute and book it home along the crowded Arbutus Greenway. Several moments later I’m settled in my climate controlled garden suite with a honey infused green tea, Nelly Furtado’s luminous vibe and Mom’s radiant handwritten words within the continuing pages of Love Letter 44, November 1960:

Page 4
Dear w/our luck maybe we’ll win the pig – when is the raffle – I won 2 live geese when I was younger – I wouldn’t eat any of the meat after Gran killed them tho’ as I thought I knew them too well when I had to carry them home from the carnival in a gunny sack.
Think we’ll be getting the electrolux then dear – we’ll really need one – & they cost a pretty penny.
Had a fairly busy time at work to-day, but survived quite well.
Everyone is pretty fair at our home – Gran same – every now & then she’ll say “now Bette, watch me do this you’ll be doing it for Bryan soon.”
Will have to start cooking in our wee apt. again as Gran seldom lets me touch too much around the house – they spoil me at home, too.
Wish we had our suite and started to move in – boy will that be a job.
Any suggestions for our honeymoon, dear – besides a couple days here.
What is a good plan is to be here for a part of Monday Feb 20 so we can exchange any gifts that we might have duplicate – we’ll see.
Have to get final plans set when we’re together next month.
Can hardly wait to be w/ you, my honey.
I love you!!
Listen dear if you have a spare second when you’re looking around for Christmas presents would you mind pricing a 10 pin ball – even an estimate – do think they are pretty steep tho’.
Mom has got her own bowling shoes, but just wondered how reasonable they might be in the city – about 14 lbs. – dear a lady’s 10 pin bowling ball, thanx.
Now you want measurements – well dear I’ll let you measure me after the 18th of Feb. – how does that sound – but will give you approximate sizes:
blouses – size 36 (16)
sweaters size 40 – that’s large, but don’t like them too tight even if you do, dear.
dresses size 15-16 – very hard for you to estimate this just by looking at a dress.
shoes – have to be fitted.
purse – black or brown – need a new black leather purse, but you know me – like them fairly big.
nighties, shortie pyjamas – medium.
nylons – size 11
– not much dear.
I’ll close now – Wish you were here
Love always,
Yours, Bette xxxxxxxx
Chopp – Chopp!!

Sheesh Mom – I’m thinking it’s not a bad thing that Gran rarely allows you to ‘touch too much around the house’ . . . especially around the kitchen – the scene of the (geese in the gunny sack) crime?!
Honeymoon planning, Christmas wish lists, envisioning wee apartment living sounds much more appetizing!