Beginning on November 1, which is the date of my mother’s first letter from her Hawaii trip 84 years ago, I am serializing day by day, the book, Cecilia King’s Extraordinary Senior Trip, which you can obtain from Amazon in either Kindle or paperback.

I hope you enjoy the upcoming nine-months in Hawaii 1940-41. You can order the entire book from Amazon in either paperback or Kindle format, click here.

Honolulu, Tuesday, December 17, 1940
Tuesday, Dec. 17th

Dear Daddy and Mother –

Christmas Gift!!. And I really received a grand ______today! The last two days I’ve been seeing in the papers where different ships brought in huge cargoes of Christmas mail & 50 extra new employs to help deliver parcels – so I kept hoping they’d stop by here today. But all the motorcycles passed by – so about dark, resigned to disappointment of not getting it until after Christmas, I settled down to “tea” of chocolate pudding & peanuts – then a huge buzz outside , a postman coming in -- & here it was! And I just can’t tell you how beautiful it is –It’s all the ideas of the dress I wanted put right into one – and the color is wonderful on me with the slight tan I’ve acquired. It makes me sparkle. And the coat is lovely (I’ve been wondering about the two colors together, but will take your word or it that you know the “bizness”). It’s a perfect fit & looks so graceful & pretty with the long dresses – and just the kind of light wrap I need for evenings in town. The dress only needs the hem taken up & maybe the neck made a little less “risqué.” (did you know it’s “one of those things” that is open almost top the waist?)  So, in one night, I can be daring, sparkle & float – all in one chartreuse. Well – you really hit the exact spot with them both.

Aunt Susan was very pleased with the napkins. She’s saving the others to open on Christmas – and I’m about to have curiosity bumps to know what’s in them.

I have gobs to do tomorrow – getting ready for Helen and “fixing” some on my clothes. My white pecay dress fell apart today – after doing a four hour mending job on eight rotten places – I became desperate as two others popped – so just declared funeral services for the whole business.

Fate has been twiddling its thumbs at me for the last three weeks – on account of I sit idly & lonely at home 6 night a week – then has come Saturday. I have had three chances to go out. Lucas called again tonight for the McDonald dinner.
As soon as I get an air mail “financing” from you – I’m going to have my hair cut & permanented – I can get one for what Mr. De Busks last one was & it’s guaranteed for 6 months. My hair’s so long and stringy that I can’t do anything with it myself & can’t afford to have it fixed so that is the best way out. I don’t know what to say about the allowance problem. I have $2.00 now & will try to keep it for emergency (and they do love to attack me at this point) until I hear from you. Here is my last statement – some of it may have been listed before – will ring those. My only unpaid bill this month is tooth paste – 30 cents and I will have to pay for alterations on new dress & having my beige one cleaned. That’s all OI can see now for the coming weeks except the permanent.
bow                            .65
Leatrice                       4.40
coke                            .05
bus                             .15
stamps            .21
manicure material       .30
Kotex                          1.00
mademoiselle              .30
drivers license              3.00
shampoo                    .75 (I’ve cancelled my Dec haor at Marcelles)
hair pins                      .10 and garters I need 5 cents
bus fare                       .15
coke                            .05
2 __ Shafter                .30
                                   11.41 which you can see leaves me sitting on brass tacks without a shock absorber.

We’re eating dinner every night, now, at the Ft. Ruger P.X. – no cook has appeared on the horizon yet.
I’ve become quite an enthusiast over “stars” much to Aunt Susan’s pleasure -- & can name, place, give mythical stories of 8 of the 13 first magnitude stairs & two of the 2nd magnitude. Am about to get out of the ½ oz. realm so had better halt. Thanks just millions & millions for the wonderful Christmas dress & coat.

I can hardly wait to “initiate” it & will tell you how it feels & looks & what it does – wish I could send you a lei of tube roses or orchids for Christmas – but best I can do is send them in words.

Am anxious to hear all about your Xmas and everything else that’s happening.
Love Cecilia