Family News from Ann to Dulcie

Date: 1942-01-08
Sender: Ann
Recipient: Dulcie
Location: Rosemary Cottage, 7 Cromwell Tce - Bend
Original scan: 1942-ann-to-dulcie-family-news.pdf




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Summary

Ann writes to Dulcie sharing updates about family life including gifts packed away after Christmas, a visit from Sister Vera, children sending telegrams, and Gillian's creative inspiration involving a Chinese kitchen god. Ann mentions mild illness, family hospitality, and plans for upcoming days, expressing love and looking forward to a call from Dulcie.

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Transcription

Rosemary Cottage
7 Cromwell Tce - Bend,
Jan 8 - 1942.

My own dulciflne -
You’d have liked to peep at us about an hour ago - I had decided to put away all Xmas things, as Mrs Tape is cleaning out the downstairs rooms. So I put on the elec. heater on & we all went up with the things - Gillian - is certainly your child. She sat down to the desk and made a list of all we put in. I enclose it. Quite her own idea.

Jean Spiby brought us a jar of honey yesterday. Would you call that another Xmas present. Anyway it was very acceptable. While we were having tea with it, Mabel’s sister Vera, who is now being a nurse came in. She is at Newquay - (Hollis!!!) and was bubbling over with enthusiasm. She had tea with us and quite took me back to St Marys with her stories. She had a smart uniform and looks a nice bright little nurse. She is doing well - to her own surprise - but not to mine. These Heddons are an interesting bunch - no two alike but I like Vera & Grace best tho I feel that Mabel will make a good little maid in time. She has borrowed Grandpas old suit case from me and is full of her holiday plans. She starts it tomorrow. Mrs Tape smiles and looks indulgently at me - I think she is rather looking forward to chaperoning the place & herself for a bit and I bet will tackle the kitchen tomorrow. She will come 4 days out of the seven.

I have a bit of a cold - so as it is bitterly cold I’m staying in - The children have been doing outings together as singly. They went together to the P.O. to send Winnie Greetings Telegram (from Mongiladen). Gillian paid Smales book for me. Penna got the greens from Buddens - then they both went in front of Parsons.

Thank you for your letter which came this morning. You sound as tho’ you are having a satisfactory time but I fear today will be a long one - Shall be glad to hear your voice tonight.

I’m glad Donaldsons are so hospitable. So sorry about Clement’s boil. I hoped he was getting over them - How exciting about the sewing - I’ll keep it secret till we can put it up.

We have had quite a bit of sunshiny - or rather I should say many sunshiny intervals since you left. 3p.m. Mabel has taken the children for a walk. Her sister Vera is going to leave by the 9:40 a.m. tomorrow so will go part of the way with her. Sun is shining now - but N. wind.

Three of the pussywillows in my vase have reached the yellow pollen stages - great thrill for Gillian.

A long letter from Valerie. I’m to send it & May & Chris too so will let it do its rounds & finish up with you.

8p.m. Here is another of Gillian’s inspirations. I was telling her about the Chinese kitchen god - Just a printed picture of a Chinese Official. This is stuck up in the kitchen where he sees & hears all that goes on in the family - On Newyears Eve he is burnt - that means he goes up to Heaven to report & God all that has happened in the family. So before he was burnt he stuck up his mouth with toffee so that he couldn’t speak and tell tales. Gillian was thrilled with the idea of a special little god & decided to have her plastered angel for her special god. I said (afinit) I think Jesus had some such idea about little children having a special angel only this angel could see God’s face any time they didn’t need to wait till New Years day - Then came Gillian’s inspiration “Well it is silly of the Chinese to stick up the kitchen Gods mouth - I wouldn’t mind what my angel told God because He would put it all right even if it was wrong.” Bless her she always gets & the true heart of things with a bound while we are wondering laboriously how to explain it to her.

I’ve put a call through to you - will finish this when I have heard your voice.

Later - Am just off to bed - thermistor beside my bed. Nursery fire already laid - only writing a match - so tomorrow night & be simple.

It was good to hear your voice but I expect you will be glad of a good night’s rest. It seems years since you left - but you’ve only just got home.

Hazem called this afternoon - hoping to see you.

All my love my precious one - We all feel so much better for your visit especially you

Ann - Eden

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People mentioned

- Ann
- Dulcie
- Gillian
- Jean Spiby
- Sister Vera
- Mabel
- Mrs Tape
- Donaldsons
- Clement
- Valerie
- May
- Chris
- Penna

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Topics

- family news
- housekeeping
- children
- letters
- gifts
- illness
- daily life
- inspiration
- new year

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Uncertain words / phrases

- Mongiladen
- afinit
- Hollis

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Archivist notes

- Letter clearly dated January 8, 1942, from 'Ann' to 'Dulcie'.
- Mentions Mrs Tape cleaning rooms, Gillian's ideas, visits from Jean Spiby and Sister Vera (nurse at Newquay).
- Describes family illnesses, children's activities, and Gillian's imaginative story about Chinese kitchen god.
- References places such as Rosemary Cottage, 7 Cromwell Terrace.
- Includes times of day for events, e.g. 3pm and 8pm, and mentions a planned call.
- Some handwritten words are unclear; best guesses included in uncertain_words.

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