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, Thursday, December 5, 1940

And a nice day it has been! Caught the 11:00 o’clock bus into town for my luncheon at the Young Hotel , And even if I do say so – I looked like a fashion plate. No one told me so – but I “think it.” Had on my navy sheer, white linen jacket, red ascot, red shoes & hat. I’ve remodeled the hat since Aunt Susan suggested that the back bow might be a little young (which meant, “the bow is atrocious,” in clear English) so off it came and I dipped the front brim down with the rest up – really it didn’t look exactly thus – but you get the idea.

Stopped by the library and post office to get some stamped envelopes & so to the hotel. The honor guest (for whom this was to have been an “Aloha” lunch) had decided to stay a month longer – and the other was a Schofield girl who is taking flying lessons, is scout master & teaches Sunday shoo. So I sat gaily through two hours of their triangular discussion “Bill’s dancing, who Tom & Dick goes with – why Harry is a woman hater, that terrible Patyricia who is cradle age & takes off her shoes at dances, and gossip on up & on down the line.

Then, as soon as I had gotten home and into a cool dress & bedroom slippers Helen H. & her new “man” came by to take me “bachelor calling” – and that’s exactly what we did. Aunt Susan was horrified that they took me to their houses – but I was helpless because that’s the current she pitched me in.

Met my date, I think, for the 21st – he’s a blond without a chin – from Alabama and really very nice – “Luke” then a hefty one called “Fishey” who was sitting barefooted in his living room floor eating smelly cheese with a knife. So after talking “flying” for an hour there we brought me home.

Washed my hair – drank a glass of milk for dinner (our new maid having failed to report) and settled myself in housecoat on chow bench to scribble. Then! Felt something crawling way up on my leg – looked & there was one of the ferocious centipedes that I had been warned about!! I shook it down and almost pulled a “femme fainting act” while Aunt Susan killed him with an egg turner & butcher knife. My stomach still feels a little in reverse due to the excitement but think I will survive.

Your letter: I was delighted today upon looking in the mailbox & finding something besides lizards & U. Ed’s bills to meet my glance. And the check was really rice pudding. Uncle Ed is bringing the bills home Saturday & I’m to check thoroughly & finally I hope get on level land and start a strict accounting.

I certainly enjoyed all the news – but hated dreadfully to hear all the rug woes – I’m hoping you can somehow manage not to work & worry too much over everything. I feel like a snake for being so carefree & playing around & using so much money when you are having to pay so dearly for it. It is hard to keep asking for so much that I don’t deserve. But I’m like a puppet – Aunt Susan and Uncle Ed pull the strings and censor me before I can go on each act. For instance, there is a beach party coming up – and, for the cool night on the north shore I’d love to wear my plaid skirt & sweater – but A. Susan says, since there are no chaperones, you must wear slacks to be modest and proper. So down I’ll go soon to buy slacks & another round to face with my conscience almost knocking holes through the bill.

About caffee brule (pronounced ca fe blur ya) the bowl is a qt & half container – silver.

The dipper has a strainer on one end. It is served (the drink – I mean) in after dinner coffee cups & is a mixture of half brandy, half strong coffee with cinnamon, sugar, spices for flavoring. The whole contents are put in the bowl and the fumes of the brandy are lighted with a match. So it flames up very prettily -- & cooks the sugar etc. & merges the ingredients.

By the way, who is Dick Massey? I can’t place him at all. I can’t imagine how in only five days I have written ten pages of patter. Maybe it’s just “stuff” – but if it gets boring just blow the whistle for “halt.”

Guess I’d better put the lid on this one now and send it out Arkansas way – I think of you all the time & love to hear all you will write to me – With love, Cecilia

Thanks for sending the license permit. Uncle Ed just gave me a serious lecture on the psychology of good driving.

1 Appointment book indicates Mary Jane Thomas
2  The Alexander Young Hotel was one of the first hotels in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii, opened in 1903. The hotel closed and was converted to offices in 1964. The structure was demolished in 1981. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Young_Hotel)
Appointment book lists Helen Heffochard and Joe Graco