Ah food, the universal language of love. Who doesn’t love a good blueberry pie? On the note of non universal languages, and the different ways that English speaking people can name the same thing – I was living in the states for a good 5 years before I figured out that a parking garage was the same thing as a parkade. As a Canadian kid, I’d always assumed the Fisher Price Parking Garage was some sort of mechanic shop where you took your car in to be repaired and filled up with gas. Not that it was just a parkade with a cool elevator. I loved the Parking Garage, but didn’t have one – I hade to go “all the way” to my aunt’s place and play with it along with my cousins in their basement. It was a great toy.

Thursday December 18th, 1944

Dear Edna:-

Hope you don’t mind me being so informal, but I prefer to be “Eileen” to people – it’s more friendly – so hope you feel the same way.

Have just collected some pictures of my handsome hero and thought as you’ve been so good to him, you’d like a copy. It’s a super one of him taken off a studio one he gave me on our first wedding anniversary.

I heard from him yesterday and he wrote from Paris, where he was on a 48 hour pass. Certainly had a good time and must have spent a fortune on presents and souvenirs for Julie and I and my folks. Sure hope they arrive safely after all his trouble buying them.

No doubt by now you have received my first letter – hope so. Jack will be pleased I’ve written you I know as he specially asked me to try to scribble off a letter to you now and again.

How’s that young rascal Marshall? Don’t tell me he isn’t, because he really looks it. What is the eldest girl’s name? I don’t think Jack has told me – if so I”m afraid I’ve forgotten.

I was reading an article in the paper where the Canadians say “spool of thread” where we say “reel of cotton” and one or two other things are tubbing (??) the newly arrived wives of Canadians – hm! Methinks I’ll have quite a game getting myself understood, but I’ll have to start taking easy lessons. Someone tells me the cooking over there is different – oh me! I’ll have to go to school or something. Never mind, Jack’s easy to please and is always willing to help, – so I’ll get by. He loved Blueberry Pie – what are Blueberries? – are they similar to Black Currants? I imagine so, because I made him a Pie with Black Currant filling and he promptly called it Blueberry Pie! I knew then that he’d enjoyed it!

Mother has gone to Birmingham for a few weeks, as my sister is having another baby and it seems she’s likely to have quite a time – her blood-pressure is very high. I’m acting “Head-Cook and Bottle-Washer” whilst she’s gone and with a baby to look after, I’m having quite a time – no time to worry! At least I still get out in the afternoons though for our walk, so I’m not doing so badly and no one has grumbled yet! Time will tell though. Julie is so good though, I have very little trouble her – she really draws a lot of attention to herself when we’re out. If anyone looks at her she gives them a smile and if they speak to her she really goes to town and does her best to tell them all about it. She loves to kick and squeals away, then chuckles. She amuses me as well as herself.

Well, I must close now, as my dad and sister have arrived in and are hungry. So must away and feed them.

So long now, will try and write again soon and maybe send some more pictures. Until then, God Bless you all, and may you have a very happy New Year.

Sincerely

Eileen Martin