San Francisco
January 27, 1942
Tuesday
I fear I'm not going to be very faithful in jotting down all of the news in this little book. Things just happen so rapidly that there isn't time to do the things that one would like to do.
The war situation is uppermost in all our minds. We make solemn resolutions that we won't talk about it, and then proceed to break the resolution before we've conversed three minutes by the clock. I wonder what we talked about before the war? It must have been something very insipid, inane and unimportant. But they were halcyon days, just the same – would that we could arrive at some peace and comfort and serenity.
General MacArthur is holding his own. It's quite evident that he's getting reinforcements and that the United States are sending aid to the Dutch East Indies. The maps prove that conclusively.
I worked last night. didn't get home until 9:30 and was I hungry! Some grind, but I don't mind so long as I get paid for it. Have to get some compensation some way out of that cheap "jerut".
Had a lovely letter from Anne and is she proud of "the little Captain"! But she has nothing on me. Only it isn't fun having a very own little baby grandson and not being able to see him and hold him in my arms. And I never had that pleasure with our darling little David. I shall never get over that if I live to be a million.
We haven't had another letter from Virginia since the first one. It does seem that some mail could filter through eer this. I think that dirty so and so at the station is responsible for some of this. Because he can be so "cussed" he takes advantage of it. Maybe, since they removed Admiral Kimmel, because of his dereliction of duty during the surprise attack on Honolulu, he won't be quite so braggadocio at his "beer busts".
We had quite a nice time at Vivian's shower that was given by Evelyn Andre and Ruth Rief. It was a canned good shower and, of course, I had to max poetic and the little jingle seemed to go over:
You may be quite efficient
And type letters all the day.
Make silly hieroglyphics
For a stipulated pay,
But here is just a word from me
who thinks she's "in the know"
A husband's very different
from a dashing Romeo.
To hold your man
take this advice
Just salvage all this loot
And with the aid of all these cans
Learn how to feed the brute.
Fulton Lewis Jr. exposed the guilty ones tonight who are responsible for the talk that there may be a rationing of sugar. It seems as though some people are determined to get rich during this war, but it's not going to be quite so easy as the last war. Too many people are too wise and shout too loudly and vociferously. There are those of us who just can't forget the last war and its aftermath – the deadly depression.
Congress clamped down today and passed the price control bill, but the wise acres seem to think it is rather inadequate and will have to be amended. We'll see! Food is still soaring. I wonder if this will be the least bit effective.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Talk about the weather
Dear Mago,
I notice you often make a note of the weather in your diary. Suddenly, your way of writing about the weather makes me realize that we are all fascinated by the weather. We talk a lot about it because we see that it is as complex, irresolute and trivial as the jerks and twitches of our own fleeting outlook on life. I think weather reports are actually our reflections on (or guesses about)our own temperamental nature.
Let it be known that it is very cold in Stockholm this week. Thus I've been able to temporarily let go of any guilt I had a while back about my contribution to global warming. My walk under the trees from the train station to work this morning was like coming out of the closet into the land of Narnia. The sky was bright blue with a few rosy-cheeked clouds hovering over the snow-laden branches. How I love the crackling that the dry snow and ice underfoot make with each step I take. My only worry right now is for the sudden appearance of a wicked witch.
I notice you often make a note of the weather in your diary. Suddenly, your way of writing about the weather makes me realize that we are all fascinated by the weather. We talk a lot about it because we see that it is as complex, irresolute and trivial as the jerks and twitches of our own fleeting outlook on life. I think weather reports are actually our reflections on (or guesses about)our own temperamental nature.
Let it be known that it is very cold in Stockholm this week. Thus I've been able to temporarily let go of any guilt I had a while back about my contribution to global warming. My walk under the trees from the train station to work this morning was like coming out of the closet into the land of Narnia. The sky was bright blue with a few rosy-cheeked clouds hovering over the snow-laden branches. How I love the crackling that the dry snow and ice underfoot make with each step I take. My only worry right now is for the sudden appearance of a wicked witch.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Communication failure: January 19-21, 2007
Dear Gerdie, Gammie, Grannie, Goma, Gumma, Farmor, Fam, Famo, or Mago (my favorite),
I began writing to you the day before yesterday, January 18, 2007, hoping to be able to send my letter that same day. I was thinking about how you had to wait until the 19th to receive news by telegram of the birth of your grandson on the 18th of January 1942. I wanted to use the telegram you received 65 years ago as a reference, and explain how we (expect to) communicate the same information the same day, the same hour and minute, from our homes and offices, via "internet" technology today. As it turns out, your telegram, which was delivered in 1942 during a world war, was delivered much more quickly to your home than I could from my home via today’s internet media in times of peace – not because today’s technology is slower, but because it is not so robust as the "telegram" technology of 1942.
Communication service providers are no longer public utilities, but commercial companies with a virtual monopoly on a technology which even they don't master. And service providers aren't the local handyman, but often inaccessible and cocky as they are unreliable! When they can’t deliver – even if it's for days – they simply close down their customer service lines, shrug their shoulders, shake their heads, and claim they are sorry (when they finally manage to open up again). Perhaps we all react by simply "closing down" nowadays, inundated as we are with expectations of us that we cannot fulfill. As a young friend said yesterday: "Had it been important enough for you to send that mail to your grandmother, then you would have trekked through deep snow to an "internet café" [coffee houses that have communcation equipment that might work when my private line fails] to send it."
Today, after three days of communication failure, I am once again able to communicate – but God knows for how long? Our vulnerability is different from yours. Without our “internet connections”, today’s equivalent to your “telegraph operator”, many of us cannot send or receive messages, nor can we use our telephone, or even watch TV. Some of us cannot even make a living because we are so dependent on this connection to receive and deliver assignments in the rapid pace of today’s highly competitive, global work environment.
Fortunately you were accustomed to waiting to send and receive mail. I sense that you are happy to know that I am thinking of you...65 years later. We gotta get our priorities straight.
Your devoted granddaughter
ps. Ironically, the name of the Swedish company that has been unable to deliver my mail these past three days is called Comhem, which means Come home. I wonder, where is home these days?
I began writing to you the day before yesterday, January 18, 2007, hoping to be able to send my letter that same day. I was thinking about how you had to wait until the 19th to receive news by telegram of the birth of your grandson on the 18th of January 1942. I wanted to use the telegram you received 65 years ago as a reference, and explain how we (expect to) communicate the same information the same day, the same hour and minute, from our homes and offices, via "internet" technology today. As it turns out, your telegram, which was delivered in 1942 during a world war, was delivered much more quickly to your home than I could from my home via today’s internet media in times of peace – not because today’s technology is slower, but because it is not so robust as the "telegram" technology of 1942.
Communication service providers are no longer public utilities, but commercial companies with a virtual monopoly on a technology which even they don't master. And service providers aren't the local handyman, but often inaccessible and cocky as they are unreliable! When they can’t deliver – even if it's for days – they simply close down their customer service lines, shrug their shoulders, shake their heads, and claim they are sorry (when they finally manage to open up again). Perhaps we all react by simply "closing down" nowadays, inundated as we are with expectations of us that we cannot fulfill. As a young friend said yesterday: "Had it been important enough for you to send that mail to your grandmother, then you would have trekked through deep snow to an "internet café" [coffee houses that have communcation equipment that might work when my private line fails] to send it."
Today, after three days of communication failure, I am once again able to communicate – but God knows for how long? Our vulnerability is different from yours. Without our “internet connections”, today’s equivalent to your “telegraph operator”, many of us cannot send or receive messages, nor can we use our telephone, or even watch TV. Some of us cannot even make a living because we are so dependent on this connection to receive and deliver assignments in the rapid pace of today’s highly competitive, global work environment.
Fortunately you were accustomed to waiting to send and receive mail. I sense that you are happy to know that I am thinking of you...65 years later. We gotta get our priorities straight.
Your devoted granddaughter
ps. Ironically, the name of the Swedish company that has been unable to deliver my mail these past three days is called Comhem, which means Come home. I wonder, where is home these days?
Telegram: January 19, 1942
January 19, 1942, Monday
Today was one of the most important days of my life. A telegram came today from my darling soldier boy which read:
Spartenburg, South Carolina
January 18 – 4:47 p.m.
Mrs. W.J. Ryan
659 26th Avenue
San Francisco
Stephen jumped the gun. Arrived at 3:00 p.m today January 18, six pounds one ounce. Anne is just fine.
Captain Buddy.
Now isn't that enough to make any fond mother very, very proud? Stephen wasn't expected until about February first and it was a pleasant surprise to know that everything was over without those last anxious days of waiting. We didn't know that Kreigh had received his Captain's commission, although we knew he was expecting it. That made it two lovely surprises. My! but I'll wager he's so proud that he'll be like Pegotty – he'll bust his buttons". Pops was tickled, too. I think he's told everyone in the neighborhood already. I know that Kreigh and Anne always talked of "Susie", but I'm quite sure they wouldn't change Stephen – now that he's here. I wish they could come home. Darn this war! We'll have to hurry and win it, so that I can have my children back once again.
My head is just a whirl. Have planned so many things that hinged on the fact as to whether it was Stephen or Susie. Now I can go ahead and really carry out some of the plans.
Today was one of the most important days of my life. A telegram came today from my darling soldier boy which read:
Spartenburg, South Carolina
January 18 – 4:47 p.m.
Mrs. W.J. Ryan
659 26th Avenue
San Francisco
Stephen jumped the gun. Arrived at 3:00 p.m today January 18, six pounds one ounce. Anne is just fine.
Captain Buddy.
Now isn't that enough to make any fond mother very, very proud? Stephen wasn't expected until about February first and it was a pleasant surprise to know that everything was over without those last anxious days of waiting. We didn't know that Kreigh had received his Captain's commission, although we knew he was expecting it. That made it two lovely surprises. My! but I'll wager he's so proud that he'll be like Pegotty – he'll bust his buttons". Pops was tickled, too. I think he's told everyone in the neighborhood already. I know that Kreigh and Anne always talked of "Susie", but I'm quite sure they wouldn't change Stephen – now that he's here. I wish they could come home. Darn this war! We'll have to hurry and win it, so that I can have my children back once again.
My head is just a whirl. Have planned so many things that hinged on the fact as to whether it was Stephen or Susie. Now I can go ahead and really carry out some of the plans.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
January 18, 1942
Sunday, January 18, 1942
Today was cold with a terrific north wind blowing and when we went we went for a ride along the ocean shore the waves were terrifically high.
Pops and I both remarked that we don't remember having seen the spray so high – just like geysers – and so many miles out in the ocean. It was particularly beautiful.
We went down to see Ressa and found her quite sweet and cozy in her new home. Had intended to go for a walk or work in the garden, but the wind was too strong and cold so we just sat by the fire and talked.
Made a cake today and in my hurry, as usual, reached for the vanilla and poured in a spoonful and gasped. It was green vegetable coloring and two months until St. Patricks. Since the green coloring is tasteless, no great harm has been done, but it sure looks funny. The cake is good, so we'll eat it.
Another bomber with eight army flyers crashed near Pendleton, Oregon. Looks as though our men don't have to be in the combat zone to suffer casualties.
There don't seems to be very any outstanding highlights in the war situation. The loss of the plane with Carole Lombard, and twenty-one other people has caused the war situation to take a back seat for a couple of days – so far as headlines are concerned.
Today was cold with a terrific north wind blowing and when we went we went for a ride along the ocean shore the waves were terrifically high.
Pops and I both remarked that we don't remember having seen the spray so high – just like geysers – and so many miles out in the ocean. It was particularly beautiful.
We went down to see Ressa and found her quite sweet and cozy in her new home. Had intended to go for a walk or work in the garden, but the wind was too strong and cold so we just sat by the fire and talked.
Made a cake today and in my hurry, as usual, reached for the vanilla and poured in a spoonful and gasped. It was green vegetable coloring and two months until St. Patricks. Since the green coloring is tasteless, no great harm has been done, but it sure looks funny. The cake is good, so we'll eat it.
Another bomber with eight army flyers crashed near Pendleton, Oregon. Looks as though our men don't have to be in the combat zone to suffer casualties.
There don't seems to be very any outstanding highlights in the war situation. The loss of the plane with Carole Lombard, and twenty-one other people has caused the war situation to take a back seat for a couple of days – so far as headlines are concerned.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
January 17, 1942
Saturday, January 17, 1942
What a pity! A lovely luxury liner crashed at Table Mountain, thirty miles from Las Vegas, Nevada last night and today they found the remains of the twenty-two passengers. One of them was Carol Lombard and her mother and there were twelve army pilots. It didn't say in the paper that the men were headed for the Far East, but they must have been since the army has not divulged their names to the public. Sabotage, I wonder. One cannot help but wonder. There are so many spies and enemy aliens, especially here in San Francisco and vicinity. The Japanese population runs into the thousands, besides all of the Wops and Germans.
The USA sank three more Jap ships again today, which brings the total up to twenty-seven to date. I believe the fleet is certainly getting in a few good licks and maybe the stickers which are very much in evidence "See you in Tokio" are quite apropos.
Winston Churchill flew from Bermuda and landed safely in London. Evidently [he] was given a royal welcome. England isn't happy, however, because of the way the Britishers are being pushed around in Malta and one can expect a little shake up somewhere along the line.
McArthur is still holding his own in the Philippines and is really doing a magnificent job.
For the first time since 1940 the Free French stepped in to reinforce the British lines at Halfoya Pass.
The President has stripped the army of production control and will make investigations as to the report of waste and profiteering.
Willie Hearst has so much space in the news concerning his pet project — Buy a Bomber Drive — that he hasn't much space for other important news.
No mail today. A day isn't much of a day when I don't hear from the children.
"Mann predicts Hitler will abandon Russ War" - I wonder just what kind of a prognosticist Mr. Thomas Mann is.
What a pity! A lovely luxury liner crashed at Table Mountain, thirty miles from Las Vegas, Nevada last night and today they found the remains of the twenty-two passengers. One of them was Carol Lombard and her mother and there were twelve army pilots. It didn't say in the paper that the men were headed for the Far East, but they must have been since the army has not divulged their names to the public. Sabotage, I wonder. One cannot help but wonder. There are so many spies and enemy aliens, especially here in San Francisco and vicinity. The Japanese population runs into the thousands, besides all of the Wops and Germans.
The USA sank three more Jap ships again today, which brings the total up to twenty-seven to date. I believe the fleet is certainly getting in a few good licks and maybe the stickers which are very much in evidence "See you in Tokio" are quite apropos.
Winston Churchill flew from Bermuda and landed safely in London. Evidently [he] was given a royal welcome. England isn't happy, however, because of the way the Britishers are being pushed around in Malta and one can expect a little shake up somewhere along the line.
McArthur is still holding his own in the Philippines and is really doing a magnificent job.
For the first time since 1940 the Free French stepped in to reinforce the British lines at Halfoya Pass.
The President has stripped the army of production control and will make investigations as to the report of waste and profiteering.
Willie Hearst has so much space in the news concerning his pet project — Buy a Bomber Drive — that he hasn't much space for other important news.
No mail today. A day isn't much of a day when I don't hear from the children.
"Mann predicts Hitler will abandon Russ War" - I wonder just what kind of a prognosticist Mr. Thomas Mann is.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
January 16, 1942
January 16, 1942, Friday and pay day
And it won't mean a thing to me this time. Too many obligations and too little money.
The city is trying to speed up defense, but, as usual, there are those greedy people who see a chance to make a dime who always argue and delay and procrastinate until the enemy will be in our midst and we won't be ready. It seems as though we in California haven't done much about the enemy Japs, Italians and Germans in our midst. Mexico and Canada have done much more to curb sabotage and espionage.
There is also talk of gross waste in defense work in Washington. Our production is nothing compared to what it should be.
Heavy mist this morning, but it cleared in afternoon – temperature moved up a few degrees. Thank goodness! I hate the north wind.
It looks as though Sumner Wells is going to be successful in welding the Latin Republics. Rio de Janeiro has treated him royally. The Argentine seems to be the only country that remains adamant.
The US navy appeared in the waters of the Dutch East Indies and sank three large troop ships and two cargo vessels. I've been telling Pops that it looks as though are fleet was there and I'm right. Russia seems to be doing right well for herself in shoving Herr "Schickelguber" off the map. The Australian "diggers" have reinforced the English and Dutch and perhaps the effect will be demoralizing to the Japs.
And it won't mean a thing to me this time. Too many obligations and too little money.
The city is trying to speed up defense, but, as usual, there are those greedy people who see a chance to make a dime who always argue and delay and procrastinate until the enemy will be in our midst and we won't be ready. It seems as though we in California haven't done much about the enemy Japs, Italians and Germans in our midst. Mexico and Canada have done much more to curb sabotage and espionage.
There is also talk of gross waste in defense work in Washington. Our production is nothing compared to what it should be.
Heavy mist this morning, but it cleared in afternoon – temperature moved up a few degrees. Thank goodness! I hate the north wind.
It looks as though Sumner Wells is going to be successful in welding the Latin Republics. Rio de Janeiro has treated him royally. The Argentine seems to be the only country that remains adamant.
The US navy appeared in the waters of the Dutch East Indies and sank three large troop ships and two cargo vessels. I've been telling Pops that it looks as though are fleet was there and I'm right. Russia seems to be doing right well for herself in shoving Herr "Schickelguber" off the map. The Australian "diggers" have reinforced the English and Dutch and perhaps the effect will be demoralizing to the Japs.
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