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 24, 1940
Tuesday night –

And here they are! We’ve had the loveliest carols on the radio tonight – and it was so cool, the doors were closed & a little electric heater going – so we really did have a touch of “North Polish” atmosphere.

Had a grand turkey dinner at Ruger – and the Chinese waiters gave us a gift of Chinese tea – This afternoon (after a quick breakfast at one) I rushed to town to get Uncle Ed’s “Old Spice” gift set (shaving cream, lotion, cologne, soap & talc) & then met him to get some books for Aunt Susan. Got Kitty Foyle, Star Gazer, and something by Dorothy parker and a miniature bottle of martinis.

Traffic jams all over town – five policemen at each corner – drove down to meet the Army transport and saw hundreds of soldiers waiting for it to dock and lines and lines of lei peddlers – more sitting cross-legged on street corners, stringing blossoms.

Also saw the “North Star” in dock – it is the Byrd expedition ship on route to South Pole.

When we got home after dinner the loveliest pot of gladiolas – with the “vase” wrapped in tea leaves – like bows of green satin ribbon from the McCarleys.

Just found out that our party list for the 25th with the exception of two men are all air corps reserves. A. Susan is terribly disgusted & so am I – she said to not even tell Uncle Ed he’d be so angry at Helen. I’d gladly trade just one engineer or CA or FA for the whole bunch of reserve runts in A.C. Oh well – “such” is life – but it’s Christmas Eve so I won’t worry about it – If I had $10.50 that

Missing page?

Would like to jump in the ocean at this point I’d surely dial 13-Beebe, Arkansas – but the best I can do is try a little mental telepathy.

It’s so silly though, tonight with no party, celebration, or anything “extra special” I’m so excited over Christmas Eve I can hardly think sensibly. One’s first Christmas away from home isn’t a very gala occasion – but maybe the novelty of it will keep me merry and happy –

Guess (since no response to the telepathy seems to be checking in) I’d better stick my cold toes under the cover – look out my window at the big dipper & wait for Santa Claus (also mental). Good night –