December 11, 1944

South Pacific

Dear Marion –

Yup, you’re right, it’s about time I get goin’ on this little letter. How long zit been – about 9 or 10 days? One of these fair days I’ll be getting a stinging letter from you – then I’ll be sorry!

Gosh, this is without a doubt the hottest day we’ve had for weeks! Ordinarily, it being now 2 o’clock in the afternoon, I would be lounging around sans pants & shirt. However today I am unfortunate enough to be the O.D. and have to wear complete uniform including pistol & belt. I am therefore, at this writing, the most uncomfortable guy in the 8th Field Artillery Battalion.

Haven’t seen “Fifi” for about a week – not since our weekend together. Did I tell you about it? Her dad is pretty well-to-do – owns a tiny island just about ten miles from the coast on which he has built a very cozy cottage. You know, Marion, one of those vine covered affairs – really nice. Well anyway – Fifi & I took off in her dad’s sailboat on Sat. afternoon and headed for their island. We actually had planned only a nice afternoon of sailing but, doggone it, as luck would have it, just as we started to make the return trip – guess what? Yeah, the wind went down! Well, I guess you can understand our predicament – nothing to do but stay there in the cottage over night to return Sunday morning. Everything turned out just swell tho, because there was a brisk breeze the next morning – we got back before noon. Her mother was a little worried about us, because there wasn’t much to eat in the cottage.

The latest letter I have from you is Nov. 13th, Marion, almost a month ago. That’s just how poor the mail service is right now. I’ve been expecting one from you every day – but no luck.

The training here last week was a little on the rough side. We had a total of 5 four-hour hikes. We cover about ten miles during that time. I never did mind the physical angle of a hike, because I’ve had so much practice as a scout, a caddy, & a (golfer?), but they’re so boring. Nothing to do but plod along – we’ve seen the countryside so much we have it memorized. Most the time I just walk along in a world of memories. For instance I’ve “re-lived” all those gay Taylor’s Falls picnics we’ve had, and the parties and dances – even those Spring Park “Easter Parades” we used to have annually. Sometimes if I’m really in the retrospect mood I can walk down Nicollet or Henn. Aves. and visualize the stores & “bars”. Or play 18 holes of golf at Hiawatha or University. Or do a series of Christies down one of the slopes at Moon Valley. Eh gads – do you think I’ll last the war out at this rate?

Talking about skiing – what are your plans for this season? And what’s the condition of the slopes now? I don’t suppose there is a Moon Valley Ski Club anymore. For the first two years in the service they sent me an honorary membership, but I haven’t heard from them since so I spose they’ve closed shop. What kind of equipment do you have now – Marion – good bindings – steel edges – remember you’ve got to be a top-notch skier by the time I get back, so you can teach me a few tricks. I’ll have to learn all over again – starting with the kick-turn & snow-plow.

Just got through reading one of my Xmas presents – A Tree Grows In Brooklyn – enjoyed it very much. I’m now in the middle of Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis – also a pretty fair story. My sister also sent a book which I plan to read next, it’s called Valley of Decision – ever heard of it? Seems if I read a review on it in Time magazine once – it looks promising.

Sure wish you would reconsider on taking those rhumba lessons, Marion, cuz I want you to “educate” me when I return. I’ve always wanted to learn it.

Gee, those pictures your cousin took of you are really nice. My favorite is the full-length sitting view – very natural. Guess those “glamour” shots were taken before you had your short hair-cut – right? Too bad – that means you’ll have to send a more recent one to keep me right up to date.

P.S. Marion – Al isn’t here right now so we are taking the liberty of mailing this as we know he wants it mailed.

Loads of Love,

Mac & Tony.

P.P.S. Also we are sure Al or Dip or whatever pet name you might have for him sends his love.