Beginning on November 1, 2024, 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 Monday, April 21, 1941
Monday afternoon
Your letter just came & was I glad to hear from you!! Seems like weeks since I’ve gotten a letter from you. I’m sitting out in a shady corner of our side yard in a wicker chaise lounge — & just sitting – no thinking – it’s a hot steamy day & I’m just going to let it slide by with no resistance.
Mrs. Blank — as you so insisted calling her – as quite right about Dunlop – he isn’t smart at all – only has an excellent memory and good taste. Can be grand company – but I’m a little weary of waiting for those rare moments when he chooses to be. You asked me about Charley Dole – so do I –but have a suspicion he’s hanging in the clouds over another gal who did a better job of sweeping him off his feet than I did. I’ve seen him twice at Lau Yee Chai looking very moon eyed over the same wahine.
I certainly was sorry to hear about Carol’s not being well. Think it’s wonderful that she & Pink have a chance at Mr. Reid’s plantation – how far is it from Memphis and Beebe?
I enjoyed all the news bits about the “soljers” — & am glad for John passing the exam – but wonder how he managed to pass over Harold Dodds on it?
Mother, I’m sorry Franks wouldn’t do anything about the dress – had I known I shouldn’t have sent it back because it can be patched & worn until the other parts give way – but I naturally supposed they would make compensations. So if you still have it, & happen to send anything else soon, & will enclose it, I’ll fix it & can wear it quite a bit around home or to hula lessons.
I’m so thrilled over the sheets and pillow cases you told me about – that’s wonderful of you!
About the chests – I can’t give any prices because I haven’t found exactly the one I want yet, but estimates of from $30 to $50 for the teak (or however it is spelled). Will price camphor if you’re interested. Freight will be about $12 – $15 if they are sent right away – otherwise Aunt Susan can have them sent to coast with her things & C.O.D. to us from there – which I think would be better. After having had to spend all that last check on other things I feel ashamed to ask anything else. But the trip to Hawaii is costing more than I thought – and with this warm weather, cleaning is such a problem.
Interruption: Miss Wing just called & we’ve set Thursday night for the dinner – I’m to bring a date – think I’ll ask George Cummins. Then she’s coming to tea Friday afternoon.
Do you all think if I got home the first week in August I could get fixed for school? I could do my rush date writing, etc. from here. Aunt Susan is getting such pleasure out of my hula – and is very anxious that I finish every bit possible – thinks it would be one of the choicest things I will have learned in Hawaii & can take home. And if I could get at least a little over half of the course through July – it would be grand. She wants to give me the dance records and a cellophane costume when I’m “accomplished.” If I do this, I could go on & buy the things I want to take home, get my shopping reservation & plans all set well ahead of time so there would be no delay in getting off when I’m ready. That is what Aunt Susan & I finally agreed is best, if you all consented, when I started setting sailing days for July.
… about the schools – I’m thinking hard & weighing – but in circles. The U of A would be nice – near home – meet Ark. people. L.S.U. probably be broader, new parts of country, new people. And Southwestern has several advantages (could you find out if they have a Pi Beta Phi chapter there – Gene Reid is Chi Omega) I have several entrees at L.S.U. — & of course to U of A — & with Carol & the Reids in Memphis. What do you think? By the way, B. Hand has a very good friend – in the military training division at L.S.U. that is anxious to notify if I go there. In another thought, it would be very nice if I could meet some Little Rock girls & other Arkansas girls at Fayetteville. Maybe I could go there a year – then to L.S.U. if I’m still schooling. Have you heard any reports from Geraldine about L.S.U. – think I’ll write her.
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