Last post of the semester

Well, here it is - the last letter she sent me during my first year away from home. In a couple of weeks I'll be home for the summer. 

It was a great year for me, even if my classes were not my first priority! I had a lot of fun, made some good friends, and had my first taste of independence after growing up in an ultra-protective environment. The next year, and especially the year after, will bring some hard questions and real challenges to my life - mostly good, but some not. so. much. How much of that will I reveal to my mother? Probably not very much.

Friday (April 29, 1977)

Dear Robin,

We had an awfully big rain Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning but when it stopped I floated over to First Federal and the bank. I deposited $75.00 for you. It's a while until your check comes again so I thought you might need extra.

I'm sorry if I came on a little strong about how much money you spend. I realize you didn't take any out of savings for this semester so I guess you really have done very well. Anyway, this fall you won't need to buy as many things as you did last time. And we are going to get a raise in July. Every little bit helps.

Yesterday I went with Lisa and Grant to do some running around. We had lunch at Luby's and then we went by to see their house. It's really coming along.

Early in the morning Doug and Betsy and I are going to the lake and stay until Sunday. We are going to try to get things fixed up a little. When school is out we plan to try to get the whole family up there for a weekend. Gary said they would come.

Today is a beautiful day and it's supposed to stay this way for a few days.

I'm waiting for Nora. We are going out to have some Mexican food for lunch.

Love,

Mother

You have about $380.00 left at First Fed.

Wedding bells, but not for me

Tuesday (April 19, 1977)

Dear Robin,

I just got back from Cotulla. Donna was in Thursday and I went home with her. She and Gary brought me back today. I've had a wonderful time. It rained a lot and Gary was working cattle but I enjoyed it all. Saturday afternoon Donna and I went to Laredo for Miss Stacey and that was a nice drive.

Have you heard from Julie? If so I guess you know all about her being engaged. I didn't see her of course but I did meet Stan. He is a nice looking man and seems friendly and nice. He is a deputy sheriff. Julie is going to go to school one more year so the wedding will be next June but Donna is already making plans. They like Stan very much.

It's getting closer to time for you to come home. I'll be glad. I hope we can spend some time at the lake. Then we'll do some cleaning and painting around here and then a lot of sewing to get you ready for school again.

Right now I have to try to get this yard cut. It rained while I was gone and the grass is growing like crazy. My garden is growing nicely, too. I've got a lot to do.

Love,

Mother

The year is winding down. Sounds like she's got my summer all planned! From what I remember, I did take a class or two at the community college that summer and I'm sure there was sewing involved. I remember going to the lake house, but I have no recollection of any cleaning and painting!

Some things aren't worth remembering!

 Wednesday April 13,1977

Dear Robin,

I just got your letter and no, I don't want another son-in-law at this particular time. I don't think I'll ever want one (even a kind of rich one) who almost proposes on the first date. It makes me wonder what sort of guy he is. I've always said, though, that if I haven't taught my children something about choosing friends by the time they are your age then it is too late to start.

I washed the car yesterday so of course it's raining today. The yard needs rain but it does look pretty good. My tomato plants are starting to blossom. The sweetheart rose is full of blooms.

Lila and John Monfrey are in a run off for mayor. The election is Saturday, They have been throwing a lot of mud around.

I hope you get things worked out so you can come home when Sharon comes. If it is necessary of course I can always come after you. When I think about it this year seems to be going very fast.

Love,

Mother

Oh, my goodness. How well I remember this blind date a friend in the dorm arranged for me with a guy from her home town. It was the worst date ever! We went to dinner at a steak house. He was rude to the waitress the whole time. We were then supposed to go to see the movie "Rocky" but he thought the line to get in was too long. So we drove around Lubbock for two hours, and he asked me all kinds of questions about my major and what I wanted to do with my life and every time I would answer he would excitedly say, "That's just exactly what I would want my wife to do." I could not get back to my dorm soon enough. I was conveniently "not home" for his next few calls and I guess he got the hint, or our mutual friend told him to back off. She told me later that he was "broken-hearted." Yeah, I'll bet. I just remembered that his car had been stolen at some point and was part of a high-speed chase. When he got it back, it had several bullet holes which he never got fixed - I guess he thought they were cool.

I still have never seen "Rocky."

Bad Kitty!

 

Friday (April 1, 1977)

Dear Robin

John Boy got a very hard spanking this morning. I had two beautiful red roses in a vase and he turned it over for the second time.

It's been quiet around here this week. I played golf Wednesday and yesterday Lolly stayed all day with me.

I mailed your doll Monday and I hope it got there O.K. Your plant is looking fine.

I talked to Brandon Sunday - they are all fine.

I hate to waste a stamp on such a short letter but I just don't have anything else to write about.

Love, 

Mother

Wow, a whole month since her last letter, but there's a reason - I was home a week for spring break in March. Actually, there was another letter that I've skipped - it was even shorter than this one and only talked about banking issues - no family (or pet) news.

So busy!

Wednesday March 2, 1977

Dear Robin,

These two cats are driving me crazy this morning. They are so full of pep I don't know what has got into them.

I hope the number I gave Sharon was some help to her. I couldn't go ahead and make the appointment because they asked for information I didn't know.

Sunday, Lisa, Kim and I went to Lytle. We visited Ben and Tony's grandmother. We also went out to see where they are going to build their house. They have the house staked off and will start this week. The lot is really nice and the house is going to be something else. It will be about six months before it's finished.

Yesterday Myra and I went shopping. She was looking for a crewel pillow to work on so we went to Merribee's, Scrivener's and Yarn Barn. We had lunch at the Quarter Deck. At Scrivener's we got some material to make pillows but what they had to make the backs was too expensive so we went to Cloth World and Pin Cushion. She got a piece at Pin Cushion and I have about decided to go back and get some of the same. The colors are hard to match. The material is printed in squares and each one has different birds.

After we got back I went to take Grant's birthday present. I got him a Big Mac Attack Pack which he calls a Macky Tack. I also put a lot of little toys and things in it. I think it was a big hit. Lisa made him a darling cake with clowns on it. He said that was a neat cake which we took to be high praise.

You have $453.26 at First Federal. I think it would be a good idea to get a sewing machine after you get enough saved for next fall.

Well I need to get to work.

Love

Mother

As a sewist/crafter I'm so jealous! Five different local places to get sewing and crafting supplies! That's not the case now, but I am grateful for online shopping. 

Scrivener's was one of my all-time favorite places to shop. It started out as a lumber yard/hardware store but over the years they added a Christmas store, fine china and crystal, fabric and patterns, needlework, a boutique, gifts, and a tea room! (I have no idea who those ladies in the picture are; I found the photo online). When you sat down they brought you this little bitty cup of broth and some cheese crackers. And maybe tiny cinnamon rolls, I think. I also found the recipe for the cheese crackers online. Might have to give it a try.

When Dave and I got married we registered at Scrivener's. All of their wedding gift deliveries were made by a chauffeur driving a Rolls Royce! Unfortunately, I never got to witness this exceptional service because we had everything delivered to Dave at the church he was serving at the time. It was exciting for the ladies in the church office, though!

Scrivener's closed about 20 years ago and there's a Chili's where it used to be.

Another bank robbery

 Friday (February 18, 1977)

Dear Robin

I got the valentine and I don't know how they made one so "you." Grant brought me one also - a box of candy and it's almost all gone now.

We have been having lovely weather and I have been working outside until all my bones and muscles are so sore I can hardly get around. The ash trees are budding out and the peach tree is in bloom. I think it is still too early to plant a garden.

Armstrongs had a big fire at the Hildebrand place the other night. The warehouse was destroyed and the office and showrooms had smoke and water damage.

Now they are after my money. Brooks Field Bank was robbed the other day.

I don't quite go along with the way you and Sharon have figured out how to spend $50. That kind of logic can get you into financial trouble. I do believe you will be better off staying at the dorm. I know you are not very fond of dishwashing and other kinds of cleaning.

Well, I have rested enough now I'm either going to wash the car or work some more in the yard.

Love

Mother

She certainly has "quit preachin' and gone to meddlin'" in her recent letters, although I have no recollection what my roommate and I were going do with $50. Buy clothes, probably.

Armstrongs was a wholesale plumbing supply company. They had been one of my Dad's competitors.

She makes me want to get outside and work in the yard! It's too early to plant a garden here, too, especially after our big snow and ice event last week. We're still under a boil water advisory, but I forget sometimes and wash my hands with tap water. It's a sad state of affairs when you have to use hand sanitizer AFTER you wash your hands.

Be My Valentine

Friday (February 11, 1977)

Dear Robin

Happy Valentine!

Two days this week I had Lolly and she was sick so I was pretty tired and then it started raining again and I am very tired of that. It's still raining but the Rodeo Parade hasn't been called off. If I don't get some cat food today the cats will probably disown me. Maybe they will run away from home.

I finished my collage. I put all old pictures in it and it looks very interesting. I hung it where I always had my calendars.

Brandon and Valerie and Janice Marlene came to see me for a little while the other day. She is rather skinny but cute and sweet and already smiling at you. They say she never cries. Valerie liked the afghan very much.

If you do all that sewing you are going to have to work at it all the time. When will you study or don't you remember that's what you are going to college for. The trip sounds like fun but expensive. However I'll let you worry about all that. The apron strings are all loose and the nest is empty.

Lulu brought this W2 form by. She is going to A&M. She said she might go to summer school here either to SAC or UTSA. She said Tech is too far away from home.

The sky is getting lighter so I'd better get ready to go to the store before it starts raining again.

Love

Mother

I don't blame her for being cranky. Two days with a sick toddler, constant rain, and entitled cats! 

My friend "Lulu" did end up at Tech! We were roommates for a year, in a tiny apartment in the same apartment complex that the guy who shot Ronald Reagan had lived in for a short time. He had already been evicted by the time we moved in.