Letter January 13th 1945 "Dearest Mom and all"

Belgium, January 13th 1945

Dearest mom & all, 

Yours, Kens & Pats Christmas day letters came yesterday and they were truly wonderful. Also got Leona's Christmas letter and a long one from Dad dated Dec. 8th 

I guess I should have cabled you just as soon as I could after this little ruckus started but the birthday cable you sent which came a month late gave me such a scare that I was afraid if I'd sent one it'd have the same result on you. 

I know what you mean by the pioneering life in Juarez. It's very much the same over here. In normal times I think they have more electricity available but right now it's quite a luxury. Modern plumbing is rare except in large cities which is the most unattractive aspect of life in the country out here-I never did care for outhouses.  

For a few nights now we've had power in the house we're staying in, and a radio to boot. This is the first chance I've had to listen to the radio in the evenings since I left England. We haven't any light bulbs that will work on 110 volts though so we still

have only flashlights and candles to furnish us light. All in all though we don't have a hard time making ourselves comfortable in any room we happen to end up in for the night. We have a stove that we install anyplace even if we have to stick the pipe out a window and with what beds and mattresses that happen to be about we succeed in making ourselves fairly comfortable. So far I can't kick-not when I see an infantry man climbing out of his snow bound foxhole of a morning. They don't take a steady diet of it either but more than I ever want to.

Pat you are growing up faster than I can follow you. I'm certainly glad to see the

healthy attitude you have on boys and dating. Have lots of fun, stay away from the "fasties," don't start going steady with any one for a long time yet but date a lot (of) nice young guys like this Dick Nelson and I know you'll get along all right.

Both yours and Leona's letters commented on my daughter's amorous actions towards Rocky-I'll bet that was a cute sight. If any more of those bathinette scenes take place I hope  there's a camera handy. I'd like to see that myself. Gee, mom, I hope that picture Leona is sending gets here soon-this daddy is getting mighty anxious to be with his family, but if he can't, some good pictures help a lot.

Take good care of yourself mom dearest and don't worry too much about me. I know how to take care of myself and I'm staying out of danger the biggest part of the time. God has watched out for our family mighty well & I know he's not going to stop.

My love to each and every one I miss you all so very much.
All my Love,
Lu
P.S. Just got Polly's letter (V-Mail) will answer soon

Marilu-Lu refers to his mom's accounts of pioneering in Juarez. I'm not sure if she had mentioned that in a recent letter or if he was remembering stories of her childhood. When she was young her father died from a fall from a horse and her mother took her and her younger sister to live with her parents in the "Mormon" colonies just over the border in Mexico where some members had gone to live without pressure from the U.S. Law against Polygamy. These settlers carved out a life there and created several towns, supporting themselves with farming and ranching. Modern conveniences may have been slow to arrive and early settlers lived a pioneering existence. Pancho Villa drove them out at one point, but the towns persisted afterwards. I wonder if she went down there to visit family at times and found it still somewhat behind the times for plumbing and electricity.  This is speculation on my part, but is a reasonable possibility for that time.