Bobbie Flasted Lee to Edna Spenentta 10/16/1973

Oct 16 1973

Dear Aunt Edna,

I’m so sorry we weren’t home when Betty & Harold stopped by. The optical convention was rather a bore and I really would rather have stayed home. When I’m working, I never get cvaught up on things at the house.  Adrian felt he got a  lot from the lectures, though and he enjoyed it.  

Grandma Ruth was so pleased to see you all and I’m sure it made her weekend much nicer. I was so glad she wasn’t alone both days. I hate to go off and leave her alone.

I hope yuou’ll come back again when I’m home and maybe we could all go up and see Mother and Al.

I was so sorry to hear about Sally’s surgery. Hope she’s getting along fine. I recovered quickly and I hope she’s as lucky as I am. I’m feeling real good.

Love, Bobbie

Miriam Baker Campbell to Edna Spennetta 10/27/1969

10/27/1969

Dear Aunt Edna:

I want to thank you for all your cards and notes this summer. You are always so sweet and thoughtful about writing and I’m so terrible about replaying. I certainly envied you your wonderful trip. I spent the summer recuperating of course.  I suppose Mother told you I had a very large gastric ulcer that had perforated thru the stomach wall and the pancreas was infected also, because it was lying right against the place where the stomach was perforated. So the Dr. repaired all of that removed the ulcer, severed the Vegas nerve which controls the flow of acid, and also repaired a small hiatal hernia. I recuperated and recovered quite rapidly and felt really good until about a month after surgery and since then I’ve had a good deal of pain around the diaphragm area. I’ve been back to the Dr. several times and he doesn't think there’s anything to worry about - so I guess it just takes time. I can eat just about anything and am not nauseated or anything.

Virginia and Jim moved to Riverside the middle of July and we’ve been up there several times. I suppose you also know that Patty is getting a divorce. We all felt very sad about it but I really think it was the only thing she could do. She said if there had been any chance that things could have worked out and that the children would have been better off she would have stuck it out, but they were all being torn apart.  It’s a long story, of course, but I really think John’s psychological make-up was the cause of the real trouble and even John says so. John sees them all very frequently and takes the children on many weekends and I think they all have much more peace of mind and stable relationships - altho I know its always tragic especially where children are concerned. Patty is working part-time as a tour guide at the Scripps Memorial Ranch. It is interesting and not too confining. Patty loves it.

That’s really something about Betty and Harold’s place being broken into again.  Mac was sick all over again when he heard about Harold’s guns.  

I expect you had a lot to do when you got home. Virginia (Jackson) took Denny over to Germany to spend a year with Shirley. They toured thru the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Switzerland while she was there. She and Harold are both planning to go next summer to pick Denny up.  Thanks again for the nice cards and letters.

Love Miriam

Dorothy Baker Bladorn to Edna Spennetta 3/7/1970

March 7 1970

Dear Aunt Edna,

I don’t seem to have Sally & Jim’s new address so I’ll send this to you for delivery.

I hope you’ve kept well and dry during our big rain. It’s so beautiful out today - can’t believe there is snow in the mountains all around us.

We had planned a trip to Phoenix this weekend and outing at the Lost Dutchman’s Mine - but the tickets were all sold before we found out about it. had no idea they would reach their thousand quota.

The twins are trying their wings in an apartment of their own. I just got home after taking them to the commissary to stock their larder.

I’d better run to the mailbox with this in case it’s important.

Love,

Dorothy

Dorothy Baker Bladorn to Edna Spennetta 11/20/1969

Wed  11/20/1969

Dear Aunt Edna,

Your nice long letter was here when we got home. Thank you for the picture - you got more people gathered together than Al did.  It must have been a deceiving day for lighting - you both got them a little overexposed, but it’s nice to have them anyway.

This last month must have been the wrong zodiac or something for our families. All the robberies and illness etc. Mac & Miriam’s family has had a terrible month. Mac has been having blackouts and Miriam has had a lot of pain also her eye is very inflamed and sore. She is going to go to an eye specialist this week. Then several weeks ago Christi (Vir Lee’s) broke a little bone in her foot. Then last week Vir. Lee was fixing lasagna and took a bite of cheese. It went into her windpipe and she had trouble for a few days. She finally went to the Dr. and they put her in the hospital. The cheese had gone into her lungs. She stayed three of four days and they couldn’t get it out. She has an infection already so they are terribly concerned. They let her go home for the weekend and four doctors are consulting. I haven’t heard if they’ve decided what to do. Anyway she got so upset she went all to pieces. Then when they got home Vicki was in bed. She had just gotten over a siege of pneumonia and Vir was worried about her anyway and she had been crying and had been in bed all the time Vir had been in the hospital. She was afraid that she had cancer of the breast. Her breast was swollen and very sore - so they took her to the doctor and Vicki had an abscess which has to be removed. Did you ever hear of so much happening to one family all at once?  Miriam is so worried and with all the turmoil at school over teacher’s strikes, she doesn’t dare take off anytime. Jim’s mother has gone to Riverside to be with them.

Mac has had some tests on his lunch and the doctor told him if he didn’t quit smoking he could count his years to live on one hand.  Of course they have warned him before - but he just can’t quit. I sure wish he and Miriam would start feeling better.

We had a lot of fun on our trip. You couldn’t believe the number of trailers and campers over in Death Valley. The estimate was around 10,000. Row upon row in several spaces. One at Furnace Creek and one at Stovepipe Wells.  There was a lot of activity. Pancake breakfasts, hikes, nature talks, dancing, song fests, a ‘49er trail ride (50 people for 125 miles) etc. There was  a burro race that was fun too.  The weather was just perfect. A little rain the first night but that made us sleep.  

The mailman is due so I’d better get this out. I’ll write again when I have good news.

Love Dorothy

Dorothy Baker Bladorn to Edna Spennetta 4/28/1969

Thursday

Dear Aunt Edna:

I’m baby-sitting at Sharon’s so while the babies are asleep I’ll write a note to you.

I’m so relieved that you understood about us not being there. Al couldn't go and I don’t like to drive when I’m upset. I was afraid the trip would too tiring for Mother if we came home that night, and if we’d stayed it would have brought more confusion than comfort. Yes our thoughts have surely been with you.

I’m sorry we didn’t see Paul & Helen and Betty & Harold. Maybe they can all come for the picnic.

I must tell you how impressed I was with Sally at Easter Time. I have always been fond of Jessica but never felt I knew Sally . She’s such a sweet person, and I thought she was so lovely and thoughtful to you. I’m so glad I have been around her a little now and know her better. I guess we should have more gatherings!  I never knew Bunny very well for so long - I felt so much closer to Betty in our short visits I’ve enjoyed her so much.

We are all enjoying the books on Montana. Especially the one with detailed information on each town. I even learned new things about Baker!

Oh Oh The babies are walking up. So it’s diapers and feeding time. I’ll finish this at home and try to get the name of the magazine Norma told us has so many articles on Mont.

Monday

I’ve called Norma a couple of times, but I guess they get out early. Haven’t caught her at home so we’ll get this in the mail.  

Love

Dorothy

Dorothy Baker Bladorn to Edna Spennetta 5/3/1968

Friday 5/3/1968

Dear Aunt Edna:

Thank you for the pretty hanky and cute card. So nice to hear from you too.

Yes it is strange about Susan and Adrian. They just might be room mates! He was pretty surprised when he received his verification of a room at the dorm addressed to Miss Adrian Lee. I guess he wrote right away for a correction. Bobby & Adrian spent a day at the school and liked it real well. Adrian Jr. had gone up for the weekend at the school’s invitation.

I wonder what has happened this year. My peach tree has so few blossoms. I thought I had trimmed it too severely. I know I over did the plum tree. I meant to but my peaches are a late variety and I think this year I’ll be home in Sept. and hoped I’d have a lot.

Mother mentioned the same thing that you said “I guess I’ll never have another automobile trip now.” So Al said we should take her as far as Montana with us. If she gets tired riding, she can go back and lie down. We plan to let her stay at motels at night unless she’d rather stay with us in the camper. We’ll see. I hope she has nice time. Everything here is settled for her and she shouldn’t have a thing to worry about.

Al Raymond had a prostate operation Wed morning. Norma is having a fit because they don’t tell her anything. They said he was fine, barring complications, so now she’s dreaming up some complications. I hope he gets along alright.

We should be leaving in three of four days. Want to get the accounts at the garage paid first.

I haven’t talked to Barb Brant lately. They are so depressed over Idel. She is so discouraged and it’s awfully hard on her sisters.

Our baby is such a sweet thing. She’s so good and a real character.

I have so much to do, so better get busy. Hello to everyone and Love, Dorothy

Dorothy Baker Bladorn to Edna Spennetta and Sara Pryor Chuning 10/1/1961

Sunday October 1 1961

Dear Mama and Aunt Edna:

I’m at the new garage trying to help Al get straightened around a little. I’ve just finished getting the office in order, and remembered that I wanted to write to you folks and Aunt Mary and Uncle Lynn.

We’re having the Golden Wedding Celebration Oct 14 - Saturday. Virginia said they couldn’t come the 13th. Maybe you could ride down with Lynn and mary. We’ll want you all to stay over until Sunday afternoon.

Will you let me know for sure if you are coming as I have to let them know how many reservations we want for dinner as soon as possible. We’re planning dinner at 7:00.

We are to see the proofs of their pictures tomorrow. Surely hope they are nice. They seemed to be good photographers. [she might be referring to the formal portrait of them]

Be seeing you in two weeks.

Love Dorothy

Dorothy Baker Bladorn to Edna Spennetta 5/3/1961

May 3 1961

Dear Aunt Edna,

I’ve been intending to write to you ever since I got your nice note. Makes me ashamed to think that as busy as you are, you were so prompt about writing.

We are so pleased that you are keeping busy and getting out with the children and grandchildren. It’s nice Jessica can say with you. She’s such a sweet, pleasant girl. I had a nice visit with her. Also enjoyed seeing and visiting with Paul. We had only seen him once since we were children and that was for a short time.

Yes, we did love Uncle Jess, and felt so sad. Whenever I am emotionally upset I feel better if I can sit down and write a poem. Guess you’ve been subjected to some of my “emotional outlets” before. This is pretty amateurish but it does portray my feelings:

Another leaf has fallen from our family tree today.

My darling “Uncle Dudley” has just passed away-

I feel so very saddened I don’t know what to say

Except that

Those who knew him loved him

In a very special way

For he taught the joy of giving

By living it each day.

You and Uncle Jess were my best examples of people who really believed that “it is better to give than to receive.” He just seemed to live to have anyone get what they wanted. I always wished that I could repay you in some way for your many kindnesses. I guess that life has done that for me by giving you happiness and good fortune. Anyway, I’d like you to know that you’ve been two of our favorite people. Al is as fond of you as I am.

Tomorrow is Mother’s birthday. We’re going to celebrate Sunday. Virginia and family are coming Friday and spend the weekend. Hers and Al’s and my birthday all come within two weeks of each other, so we’re going to have one party for all of us. We’re planning a picnic if the weather is nice so we can get all the family together. Vickie has the chicken pox, so Virginia Lee’s family won't be able to come. I’m wondering if Mama will feel like it. If we don’t go too far from home, so we can take her back when she gets tired, she might like to go.

Mother says you and Mary are coming down for Mama. She said you planned to “antique” along the way. (Mary told us when we were up there.)  You probably won’t be able to make the trip in one day, will you!  You’d better plan to headquarter here and stay a fews days.

I have to go over to the garage and deliver a customer’s car. We finally signed an agreement with the freeway, and they take over July 1st.  We will have to pay rent after that and probably have to move by December or before. I’d like to just sell out, but Al doesn’t feel ready to retire. Sure wish he’d get a job and let someone else have the responsibility - but I guess he wouldn’t be very happy working for someone else.

Be seeing you in a few days.

Love Dorothy and Al

Dorothy Baker Bladorn to Edna Spennetta Late 50s?

Mrs Dorothy Bladorn

6674 Cleo St.

San Diego, Calif. 92115

Dear Aunt Edna:

Sorry I’m late. Leone (Al’m step-mother) has been visiting for a couple of weeks and we’ve been gadding so much the days just flew by and I just forgot!

Al and I just got back from a little trip to Shasta Lake before Leone came.  We stopped in Reno to see the old car collection - (Harrah’s) and called Art (Pryor? ) and Blanche. We spent an evening with them. Both look wonderful. Art celebrated his 80th birthday this spring and the city was dedicating their new civic center the same day. They had a surprise party for him and dedicated the plaza to him.  Have Pryor Pavillion in large white wooden lettering across the screened portion.   They said if we have a reunion any time this summer to be sdure and let them know. They would like to come.

Mother is doing pretty well now.  Went to the doctort and got some pills for her bladder infection. She just hates to go to the doctor.

Well. I’m expecting company -- some of Leone’s friends. So better get the coffee pot on. Leone is leaving this afternoon - late. I’ll surely miss her.

Hope your birthday was happy. I’m sure it was.

Love

Dorothy

Dorothy Baker to Sara Pryor Chuning 5/26/1953

Tues May 26

Dear Mama?

I started writing this letter several days ago and don’t remember what happened. I’ve kept putting off writing because I thought every day I’d hear from Al and have my orders to leave . Maybe he’s doing the same thing, cuz I haven ‘t heard since last Friday.

We went out to the cemetery today to put flowers on Sharon’s babie’s grave. Met Mother and Daddy and Bobbie and family out there. I took Sharon and Carlton and Rickie. It’s such a pretty day. The folks showed us where their niche is.

There was some sort of Chinese Memorial Ceremony going on near the baby’s grave. TGhere were about 40 people there - standing in line. Each in his turn would walk up to a little altar , lay something on it, be blseed by a Chinese minister or whatever they are called, then lay flowers before a shrine. Quite Interesting.  -- missing rest

Dorothy Baker to Spennettas 3/1940

St. Pat’s Day

Dearest folks:

Well I’m all settled and we just love our new home. It’s so pleasant and easy to keep nice. I have a darling kitchen. Built in ironing board, lots of cupboard space, nice congoleum, and well it’s awfully nice.  There are two faucets - the living room is on the back of the house ( there is a pretty back yard tho.) and there’s only one bedroom. There are two porches we can use for bedrooms tho in the summer time.

Gee!  That’s a mess (meaning her drawing). Anyway there are two grand closets. One is so big I have our clothes and the chest of drawers in it. The other has the girls clothes and most of their toys in it. There is a little porch with a closet at the end of the living room and I have their table and chair and doll bed out there. I think we’ll put their bed out there next summer. They sleep together now. Sharon’s crib fell all to pieces.

The girls are both fine now. I don’t know what to think about Sharon. She had a high fever and was sick a week, but never broke out at all. The Dr. says she might have had them anyway. Bobbie is still awfully weak and gets cross and tired fast. I took them out riding last Thursday and today they went out to play. She’ll go to school Monday.

Miriam Duppeer was here about a month ago. She was in the country with her aunt. She came up to see us. She’s just exactly the same.

Mrs. Hitch was here 3 weeks ago and said she went over to Coronado to see you and found you had moved. She was quite disappointed. They gave her the wrong address in San Diego. she looked so nice.

If Cowan ever stops in at the store I’ll get Sprague’s address from him.

I don’t care what kind of drindal you get Bobbie. Just use your own judgment. i think the one piece would wear better, but if the others are prettier get one of them.

Mama leaves for Hawaii today doesn’t she? That is surely grand. I meant to send her a card but the date slipped up on me. I sent your letter to Miriam and asked her to send a telegram. She’ll have a wonderful time.

I had a letter from Miriam yesterday saying they are leaving

Dorothy Baker to Spennettas 1/13/1940

Big Timber, Mont.

Jan 13, 1940

Dear Dudleys:

Thank you so much for our lovely package. My hanky was beautiful and the girls just love their pictures. Eddie uses the ash tray every time he sits in his chair so you see we are enjoying our gifts.  We accidentally noticed the Mexican pictures behind the “carolers” and were so pleased because as soon as I get around to it I’m going to make a monks cloth bedspread for their room and hang matching drapes.  They will fit in so nicely. We have hopes of bunk beds before too long.

Did you have a nice Xmas? Ours was lovely. I got a grand vacuum cleaner from Eddie and the girls. The first one I’ve owned. I’ve nearly worn it out already I’ve cleaned so much. It’s Magic Air. A lot like the Electrolux only I like it better. The rug cleaner has a brush and suction funnel.

Have you seen Virginia’s little daughter. I’ll bet she’s darling. She’ll be a lot of company for Virginia. I don’t know what I’ll do when Sharon goes to school, she’s such a chatterbox. It won’t be long now either. May family is growing up so fast.

Would you give me Betty’s address? Sharon tore up my address book and I couldn’t send her a card. I haven’t written to her in years. I wonder if the shock would be too great.

Bunny is doing grand work at Stanford isn’t she? I’ve been watching “Life” to see her picture with the football captain but must have missed it.

We tried to get some movies of Sharon & Bobbie Christmas morning but they were underexposed. We wanted them to be good so badly. Thot I’d send them to Lynn to see if there were. We have some pretty nice picture tho.

I have to go down to the store and help Eddie. It’s about time for the basketball game to end and they just swarm in for malts etc.

Thank you again and write sometime. I know you are busy people tho.

Loads of love, Dorothy

Dorothy Baker to Spennettas 5/17/1937

Big Timber, Mont.

May 17, 1937

Dear Folks:

Eddie and Bobbie have gone to the show. The “S Hill Billies” are in town tonite and they both enjoy them, so I’m managing the Staley Drug Co. tonite.

We have quite a nice little store here, and Eddie surely likes being his own boss, and being able to go ahead and fix things his own way. This business was terribly run down. The former owner had his son and brother running it and they were always drunk. A person just didn’t dare bring a perscription in - and ladies had quit coming into the store altogether. It’s all building up again now, and our profits are increasing nicely.

I have been working in the store afternoons while Sharon sleeps and evenings after they go to bed. I only work about 4 ½ hours a day, but it surely keeps me busy. I like being in the store too - and I’ve met so many more people this way.

We are living above the store. the apartment is quite pleasant and is a nice arrangement as long as I’m working, but we surely miss a yard, and it’s sort of hard for the girls. We have a sand pile for them, but I have to take them to the school grounds or down by the river to run and play.

They surely enjoyed the Easter paper dolls you sent, Aunt Edna.  Sharon has always wanted Bobbies paper dolls so it was a real treat to have some of her own and she treasured them for quite awhile.  The heads finally came off so she laid them aside. Thank you so much for the remembrance.

Just tried a sales talk on customer and it didn’t work. Guess I’ll have to brush up. They very politely bought the old brand.

Mama says Pauls is leaving Calif as soon as school is out. You will miss him a lot, won’t you. I imagine Bunny will be glad her pet tease won’t be home. What does he plan on doing? Mama didn’t say much about it.

How are Betty and Harold? I owe Betty a letter, but it seems I just can’t find time to write except to the folks.

Miriam was initiated into the Eastern Star not long ago. I’ve just about decided I could “better the business” most by joining the Lutheran Church and did. This is a strong Norwegian locality and they stick together pretty much. Our name has helped us a lot and Eddie’s dad came up and rattled off a little Norse with them. It all helps.

We see quite a few Baker people here. It’s right on the way to Yellowstone Park, Bozeman, Butte, etc. We are 80 miles from Billings, 30 from Livingston and about 150 from Bozeman. Do you remember coming thru here?

Virginia stopped on her way to Scholastic at Bozeman.They only stayed a few minutes both ways. She is Valedictorian of her class, has the lead in the play and would have been prom queen only they thot she was taking too many honors. She was voted queen and some girl got up and made a motion they give another girl that honor.

I suppose Mary is awfully busy now. This is surely an exciting time for the Seniors.

Well, it’s 10:30 so I’d better check up.

Lots of love,

Dorothy