Tag Archives: family

happiness

Tornado Scares and Tobacco Greenhouses (FGK 261)

With tornado scares and tobacco greenhouses being built we certainly know we aren’t in Alberta anymore! No wonder mom enjoyed Florida so much (not for tornadoes and tobacco -but other things), it really sounds like she was having a great time and had lots of people to hang out with and care for her. I had to include a photo of the letter – I know I talk a lot about the handwriting in some of these letters – but this one was particularly beautiful. And it was on that crinkly paper that people used to use (she says like she wasn’t alive and writing letters in the time of crinkly paper).

As I go through these letters I realize that this could be the last generation where we can find these kinds of gems – who wants to sort through the millions of spam emails I have to find anything of value? And even at that most of what I send is via text and that gets lost with time. (Although I did blog when my kids were little and that has left us with a wonderful diary of that time. I printed them off into little books for Dad years ago and now they’re mine again.) I so appreciate all of these letters. I started this journey as a way of grieving mom and trying to learn more about her – but it’s given me so, so, so much more than that. I’m really grateful for this whole process. And I should say it hasn’t always been an easy one for me. It’s brought up a lot of feelings, memories, and emotions that I’ve been working through. While it hasn’t been easy it has been so worth it. There’s plenty more to come, but I also want to thank all of you who read this and share these memories with me. It means a lot ❤️.

624 N Peninsula Drive

Daytona Beach

Florida

April 20 – 58

Dear Mrs. Copithorne

Every week I think of writing you but things get in the way.

We are having beautiful weather now -sunny and warm. Margaret and Nancy were on the beach again yesterday afternoon and they are both getting quite brown.

We had a tornado scare one day this week. The schools were let out at 1pm but the storm passed by on either side of us.

Mr Adams flew home a week ago and phoned last night that he expects to be back by Wednesday morning. Had to see about getting the tobacco greenhouse started before he came back.

Margaret says you may come to Daytona next month. If you do we would very much like for you to stay with us. We have an empty room with Bill being away to school.

If you would consider this we would enjoy having you.

We would not want you to feel tied down – but be free to come and go as you would like.

Expect this is a very busy time on the ranch. Doesn’t seem like another school year is almost over.

i was asked this afternoon to be one of the chaperones for the junior-senior prom next month. Peg is a junior this year.

Know you will enjoy seeing Margaret graduate. We will miss having her stop by when she goes away to school next year. This is all part of their growing up and being able to manage on their own.

She does this so well and so cheerfully.

Trust this finds you all well

Regards to the family

As ever,

Hazel Adams.

This handwriting is a work of art (and there’s Jessie’s butt because she insists on being part of this process).
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happiness

The School Kids are Really Wild (FGK 260)

It’s hard for me to believe she wrote this while in class hiding it from the teacher because it’s easily some of the best handwriting I’ve come across so far. I don’t know who Ruth is or how mom knew her – there’s no last name attached to it either. Funny how our fear of our moms finding out we aren’t studying to what we think are their standards seems to be an eternal problem. I wonder how long she had to wait to get her TV. Even in the 70s (which should not be as long ago as the calendar says it is), we had a rocking 12 channels – but my childhood best friend only had 3.

701 – 21 Ave NW

Calgary, Alberta

March 28, 1956

Dear Margie

Don’t worry about yourself tracking so long to answer my letters. I do next to nothing and I still can’t find time to write.

I’m in school right now, supposedly studying Biology but I can’t concentrate on it. (Don’t ever let on to my mother).

I bet you had fun at that party for Donna, we don’t very often have parties like that but I sure wish we did cause I think you can have an awful lot of fun. You are going to get fat eating like that. Oh well it’s more fun that way isn’t it.

So you went to Banff for the carnival eh? I bet you had fun. I’ve never been but quite a few of the kids from school went and they sure had fun. I hear though that the school kids are really wild when they get up there.

I’ll let you in on a secret, I don’t follow the game of curling either. My dad is sure crazy over it. I didn’t see that show The Glass Slipper but I heard that it was quite good. I haven’t been to a theatre in ages, although the other night I went to the drive-in but it was crumbly. I went with three boys. They were really funny, they didn’t have very much money an there was only a little bit of gas left in the take so any time they could they would turnoff the ignition and let the car coast along.

This darn teacher keeps staring at me so if you find you can’t understand the letter it’s because I have to pretend I’m studying. How are you coming along with your correspondence course? What grade are you taking?

We haven’t got TV yet (darn). We still have to wait for colour and seven channels (so Dad says). I have been running down to my girlfriend’s and watching it.

At school we have been lucky, so far we haven’t had any real big tests before our holidays, just about two small period tests but they are enough.

(I’m at home now)

My Dad and I are on our way to pick up Margaret from the hospital. How did you like the surprise party for Sheila?

Margie I sure would like to see you! If it wasn’t an inconvenience you could maybe come out during the Easter holidays? If you have other plans just tell me because I wouldn’t want to impose on you and maybe you could come back here.

Say hello to the rest of your family for me.

Love, Ruth

(On the back of the envelope she wrote:

D-LIVER

D-LETTER

D-SOONER

D-BETTER)

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We’re always fooling around (FGK 259)

1061 Volusia Ave

Daytona Beach

Dear Mom, Dad, Marsh, and Sheila

Hi!! Just thought I’d better write you and let you know I’m still alive. These past two weeks I’ve had so many other things to think of that I”m afraid my schoolwork and letters got neglected. Don’t expect too much of my report card this time especially in French and Latin and I don’t feel Mr Rich would feel so so disposed as to give me extra good marks either. – you can imagine what they think of me!!! Right now I’m busy trying to get my schoolwork caught up.

Christmas – sorry to get this bit up so late but —- Adam’s have been swell get them something really nice. Carharts have also been nice and i don’t know what I’d do without the Colonel so… if you have time try to get something for Donna, Kay and Janet. I think I’ll buy Mrs Franks an electric alarm clock. That seems to be all I can think of right now but I’m so sleepy (I just finished my homework). Mrs franks is rally making me behave. When I was on my own I kept later hours etc but she is making me go to bed an hour earlier and seeing I do my homework!! One of the boys from school picks me up in the morning and takes me home in the afternoon. I go down to Robbie’s at noon with all the other kids from school for lunch. Mrs Adams phones me up last night and invited me over for lunch today so I went and had a nice chat with her and Nancy. There’s the nicest pair of girls my age – Bobbie Lou and Sherry – living next door and we have a lot of fun visiting back and forth. Jetty phones every night – she has got permission from her father so she will probably be leaving Rich’s any day now.

I’m sure having a lot of fun with Mrs Franks. We’re always fooling around. She considers me her daughter already I think. There’s this character here who I’m out particularly crazy over when he phones up we have a system now either I haven’t done my someone etc so I can’;t go out or we’re just leaving to go somewhere. Works too thank heaven.

We had a shower for Kay yesterday before she goes to the hospital yesterday. We went to her house in New Smyrna and had a ball. New Smyrna won’t forget us soon.

I’ve got so many invitations for Christmas I don’t know what to do. Sounds like I’m going to be busy round ‘bout that time.

Well must go do Christmas cards

Love Marg xxxxx

ps will write more when have time.

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It wasn’t his birthday or Christmas (FGK 258)

A lovely letter to Grandma from Aunt Annie. Dishes are still left/misplaced at the Hall – although we’ve moved to disposable dishes for most things. While there’s nothing quite like having a cup of tea from real china, as a board member I am grateful we don’t have to spend hours washing dishes. It’s kind of fun to see how often the Hall is mentioned in these letters – it really was the hub of the community back in the day. Santa is coming back to visit us there next weekend and I’m really happy to see that we are able to gather together again.

RR no 1, DeWinton

21st Nov, 1956

Dear Edna:

You made one little boy so happy today that I just had to sit down and tell you about it. He came home joyfully with his parcel. It wasn’t his birthday or Christmas so he thought he was real lucky. He liked his tie very much and so do I. They are the smartest things they have thought of for little boys in a long, long time. Of course, it goes without saying he enjoyed the candy and chicklets. He had a wonderful time investigating your lovely Pearce. Thanks a million for the lovely earrings. I am going to enjoy wearing them with my black dress. I don’t know how you remember us when in Florida. You must of had so much on your mind. We do appreciate it very much Edna and thanks again for your lovely gifts.

I have been going to answer the nice letter you wrote after your anniversary but just hadn’t got around to it. In fact I have been laid up with a bad back. Just old age I guess. However, it has slowed me up considerably and all I can do is get the meals and sweep the floors. I hope it will leave me soon as there is so much waiting to be done.

If you find that you can make use of those drapes to your satisfaction you are welcome to keep them. Don’t worry about sending them back. They have been in the dewar down here for 9 1/2 years now. I have these windows in place of two now they only use I could make of them would be to make pillows etc out of them. So you just use them if they are what you want. However, if you think you would like something else you just get what you would like. It’s always fun to dress up windows. If you use these drapes there is one thing you’ll have to do and that is either have them cleaned or wasn’t hem. I was really ashamed to send them to you so dirty but I wasn’t sure whether they would stand a washing or not.

I left my cake plate at the hall the night of your party – isn’t just like me to march home without it. If anybody remembers about a strange plate being there you’ll be able to identify it as mine.

Well, I guess I had better close for now as it’s just about time to get supper for my little family.

Thanks again for everything

Love, Annie

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I never saw a pair of jeans all nite (FGK 257)

24 Nov/56

Hi!!

Well the big dance wasn’t at Milo after all it was at Arrowwood and did I ever have a tremendous time. The hall was just packed and they were mostly young people.

There was very little drinking and I never saw a pair of jeans all nite – take note Marsh.

Tell Clarence and Harvey – if you see them – that Roy King and Bill Steiner are going to Mexico for a month next week that is if Roy’s father gets back in time. Mr. King left for the States last week for an indefinite period and Roy’s sure mad cause they can’t leave until he gets back.

I’m going to a show at Champion tonite. Annie’s mother is in the hospital and she doesn’t get out of visiting hours in time so I guess Ted and I will go alone.

Mrs. Oldfield has phlebitis and has been in bed for a couple of days. I worked a split shift yesterday so went over to cook her dinner. Poor woman, no wonder she had to go to the hospital today.

I’m going on nites Fri nite and sure mad too cause there’s a dance at Milo that nite. I get Thurs off and don’t have to go to work until midnight Fri so I might be home over the duration.

Got a letter from Bernice (that girl in Stettler) she sure is bored up there. Was hours cleaning for her mother last week.

Got a new pair of shoes. Black patten leather flats, and guess what they’re a size six 1/2.

I went in and asked for my big eights, I was swimming in them. This country does wonders.

Well haven’t got anymore news.

Love Sheila

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Becoming a Nurse in Florida (FGK 256)

Well, this letter is certainly an interesting gem that I never imagined that I’d find. Auntie Sheila was going to join Mom in Florida? I’ve never heard of this before – has anyone else? Every once in a while I come across something in these letters that reminds me how deeply Auntie Sheila loved my mom. I can only assume that she was wanting to relocate there to be with her 16 year old younger sister. I wonder what happened? This certainly could have changed the course of her life since she met my uncle at her job placement in Vulcan not too long after this.

State of Florida

Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education

230 West Forsyth Street

Jacksonville, Florida

November 7, 1956

Miss Sheela Copithorne (this is their typo not mine)

RR#2 Calgary

Alberta, Canada

Dear Miss Copithorne

This is to acknowledge with thanks your letter of November 2, 1956 regarding licensure as a Registered Nurse in Florida. For your convenience, we are enclosing a reciprocity application form.

We would like to call to your attention that in order to be eligible for licensure in this State, the applicant must be a citizen of the United States or have declared legal intention of becoming a citizen.

The applicant must also have had three months Psychiatric Nursing (written in pen beside this “I’ve only had 6 weeks” – Must have been written by Auntie Sheila), including both theory and experience.

Please be sure of our desire to give you every assistance possible in becoming licensed in Florida, and we will be looking forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely yours,

Florida State Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education

Hazel M. Peeple’s, R.N.

Secretary-Treasurer

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Must Go Wash My Hair (FGK 255)

32 Dix Ave

Ormond Beach

Feb 3, 1958

Hi!

How are you all? For once the weather was warm enough to go out and get a tan. Some of us went down to the beach this afternoon and it was just jammed . All the race fans are in town.

I went to a party last night with Barb and some of her friends last night. We had a very good time.

It was supposed to be a wiener roast but it started to sprinkle so we moved it indoors. It got nicer later however.

We went to a rock’n’roll show last week. It was in the Peabody Auditorium. That was the first time I’ve been there. It’s a lovely building, just new.

I got my ticket all right, thanks. It will be nice to have that $18. I’m getting Col Sampson to write an educational letter for me so I should get someone else to write the personal one, and someone who has known me for a long time. Or do you think I should get Mrs Webb or Mrs Franks to do it?

I couldn’t wait for my doctor’s forms any longer and had to send in my application papers without them. Please send them down as soon as you can so I can forward them.

School is doing ok I guess. It gets rather boring sometimes but I think I’m passing. French and Latin are still my hardest subjects.

I got a letter from Sheila last week and one from Geordie.

We are all doing fine here. Mrs Webb has had a cold all weekend but so far Barbara and I haven’t got it.

Sounds like you are having lots of excitement with the curling. I’ve been trying to explain to them down here what curling is. The nearest thing to it seems to be shuffleboard.

Say “hello” to everybody for me. Must go now and wash my hair.

Love Margi

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Ida and Ollie went to the party too (FGK 254)

“If I wouldn’t eat so much maybe I wouldn’t get sick” these words were soooo relatable. Especially since I’ve spent the last year rebuilding my gut and body after years of cramming my feelings and food down there. Sounds like it was a really nice New Years – she may think she isn’t sharing much news, but I find it fascinating!

Cochrane, Alberta

January 9, 1956

Dear Margie,

Hi kid! I was sure glad to get your nice long letter. I guess I’ll have to give you writing paper more often, eh? I gave your letter to Kay to read on Friday and she forgot to give it back so if you asked any questions, I’ll answer them in my next letter. Ok?

Gosh I’m glad you’re getting along so well Marg. When do you have to see (I forget what you called it) all those doctors? What do they do?

I sure wish I would have known that anyone could visit the hospital on Christmas Day. I could have gone in to see you I think. We didn’t go anywhere.

Sounds like you got less sleep than I did New Year’s Eve. I went to Jumping Pound with Scotts. After the party at the hall, Mr and Mrs Scott went to a house party, and Max and Heather and David and I went over to Ollie Edge’s. Gail and Myrna and Bob and us four were the only ones there because Ida and Ollie went to the party too. We really had fun. We danced , listened to the radio, and ate until 4:00 o’clock! After that, we went to Rowan’s to get Mr and Mrs Scott, and then we went home. I got in the house at quarter to five! So we really celebrated. I didn’t have to get up at six o’clock though. I didn’t get up until ten. I wouldn’t have gotten up then but we were having company for dinner and I had to help.

Gosh, are the teachers ever piling on the homework now. One night, I had four hours of it. I guess they really mean business.

We’re going to record our cantata on Friday. It’ll be kind of nice to have. I really like it because it has so many carols in it.

The choir is thinking of doing Gilbert & Sullivan’s operetta “HMS Pinafore”. It’s really hard but it’ll really be fun. I sure hope we do it. It would take about a year to learn so you can imagine. It takes two hours to sing.

Guess what? I think I’m going to cut my hair. I don’t see David until the end of April and by that time it’ll be long again. The split ends are getting so bad that I just have to do something to it.

Gosh, there just isn’t any news around here. Oh – there was a hockey “round robin” yesterday with Bowness, Springbank, Morley, and Cochrane. Morley won. I didn’t see very much of it because I had too much homework to do.

Mum made me stay home from school today because I’m sick to my stomach. If I wouldn’t eat so much maybe I wouldn’t get sick. Oh well.

I guess I better finish this so Dad can mail it.

Be good

Lots of Love, Donna xxxooo

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Keep my Tootsies Warm (FGK 253)

Cochrane, Alberta

November 25, 1953

Dear Margie

Hi! Gosh was I ever surprised to hear that you had gone to the hospital. Sis told me that you had been phoning and I was going to phone you but she said you were going to phone back (that was kind of long and drawn out wasn’t it?) Well, anyway.

Honestly, Margie, you’re going to get some awful silly letters from me. I can write pages about nothing. I’ll write “heaps” of them as you say, so don’t worry I’ll just tell David my letter writing time will be divided equally between you two. I’m mad at him. I finally get a little short letter from him on Tuesday but I haven’t got one since. No, I’m not really mad at him because he really has been busy. You know those two fraternities that were rushing him? Well he got “bid” in 100% to both of them (Gosh don’t think my buttons didn’t pop!). He joined the Phi Delta Theta Frat so he’s a ‘big guy’ now.

Mum is working in Andison’s store for about six weeks because June Morris, the regular clerk, has gone to Kelowna to lean the business of Andison’s store there. They’re going to move it to Cochrane or something. Well, anyway I’ve got the job of making supper for “my family” every night (they’re going to get spaghetti quite often). Nothing like learning when you’re young eh?

Oh, do you know what? I made the cheerleading team. Was I ever surprised because there were a lot of really good kids. I’m pretty proud of myself anyways. Heather made it too.

I think I’m going to work on the year book this year too. I don’t know what the set up is yet though. I think Heather is too, and Lawrence Copithorne, too.

Do you know what else? I got a brand new pair of flight boots to keep my ‘tootsies’ warm. They’ve got squirrel lining in them. Gosh!

Gosh, Margie, if you think of anything I could give David for Christmas for heaven’s sake let me know. I’m wracking my poor feeble little brain to death. Mum and Dad thought it would be a good idea for our family and his family to get together and get him a portable record player. That would be a good idea because then I could give him that record “Dream on my Love, Dream on”. Let me know what you think about it because I just don’t know. It’s an awful problem. If he was a girl it would be so much easier (ha ha).

I might be going to the dance at JP tonight although I’m not to fussy about it.

Well I just had super and I also found out I”m not going to the dance because it’s snowing and Mum’s afraid it’ll turn into a blizzard. They’re having the macasin (? Maybe moccasin? ) dance tomorrow night so I”ll be able to go to that.

Well, seeing that I have such a weak brain I can’t think of anything else. I think I”ll go to bed now and catch up on some sleep. Honestly I’m about beat.

Bye for now. If I get up early enough I’ll write more before I mail this.

Didn’t get up early enough, will write more later.

Love Donna (DesJardins – from the return address)

PSS write soon!!!

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Big Grey Cup Game Tomorrow(FGK 252)

I don’t know who Kay is, but she seems to be somehow connected to Jumping Pound – at least enough to want to go to a dance. Although, the dances here used to be legendary so who knows. Anyone know these people?

Nov 25th, 1955

116 Poplar Road

Calgary, Alberta

Dear Marg,

Well, was I ever surprised when I heard you were in the hospital. I bet you couldn’t remember where you were at first. It would sure seem funny after being away so long. Are there still a lot of kids you know in there?

Well, school is still dragging on. Gee, is French ever hard. I don’t know if I’ll ever get it. Don’t take it next year unless you know you’re going to have a real good teacher. That’s one reason I find it so hard. I think, because Donna and Elaine find it fairly easy, they have a good teacher.

Let’s get off such a boring subject. There’s a big dance at Jumping Pound tonight. Wish I could have gone but Dad wouldn’t let me go because it was too cold. I was going to go out with Delores and Maureen Bowlen. All the kids were going to go.

Big Grey Cup game tomorrow eh? I’ll bet you’ll really enjoy it. You’d better be careful how you bet or you’ll lose all your bobby-pins. Have you got a bet on with Claudine for it yet? How did you and Claudia turn out in all your bets on the season’s games. Last time I heard you were handing a dollar over.

Well, I guess this is all for now. It’s time I went to bed. Will write more tomorrow.

Wake up!!! (It’s after ten). Mum and Dad have gone over to Safeway’s now and when they come home they are going downtown. I’m going to begin looking around for Christmas presents. What a job!!

Elaine, Rose and I went to the show “Lucy Gallant”. Was it ever good!! It was a story of a girl who loved clothes, and she came to a small little town and opened up a big fashion store, and then she fell in love with a rancher there and had to pick between him and her store. Of course in the end she picked him!!

We’e got our phone now. Our number is 494949. If you’re ever up and near a phone in there (this if if they let you use the phone) phone Elaine and I.

I don’t know if I should start this page or not. I don’t know what else to tell you.

Are you listening to the Grey Cup Parade? (I think it is) I sure hope Edmonton wins again this year. If Calgary can’t do it, it will have to be Edmonton, just to keep it in Albert eh?

Here it is Saturday night and the Edmonton Eskimos did it. Even if I don’t understand football I am glad when someone wins!!

Well this seems to be all for now. Write when you’ve some news (soon).

Love, Kay

PS. I’ve sent in Moments to Remember for you, tell me in a letter if you have any favourite songs.

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