March 3rd, 1966
Dearest Mom and Dad,
Roger said that I did such a good Job of Thinking Day that I deserved an evening at Les Ambassadeurs! Lovely! - and it was lovely - an off-night with few other patrons so that we could dance and dance without bumping other people. We followed this up with an evening (Saturday) at de Montfort Hall, dancing to the music of some local, not-bad dance band. This is a Leicester Corporation sponsored affair held regularly except when more important events are in town, such as the Royal Ballet (which we saw and enjoyed, especially the girls). So we had plenty of practice for our dancing lesson Tuesday, and the teacher was quite pleased with our progress. She's giving us just what we want - waltz and fox trot variations to make it "flow,' which the English certainly do when they dance ... it's just that Roger is already planning how he's going to tone down the swooping and striding when he gets back home. He feels it really is rather balletic. Just between you and me, I'm sure that he'll be flowing so smoothly by that time that he won't change a bit! It really does feel divine!
We had a family outing to
Bradgate
Park last weekend. We left in bright sun, but all was gray and threatening by the time we arrived. We entered from Newtown Linford this time - into a cluster of the most gorgeous, gnarled oaks looking for all the world like Disney-couldn't-make-it-spookier! And there in the midst of them stood the most tremendous and majestic, the most gorgeous Cedar of Lebanon I've ever laid eyes on .... absolutely breathtaking. Beyond at some distance stood the remains of the house where Lady Jane Grey grew up. We would have walked over to it but for the pouring rain. As it was, we were so wet by the time we got back to the car that we had to ride all the way home with the windows open for the steam on the inside!
Spring is definitely making a thrust. The temperature has been balmy; the thrushes have returned and sound marvelous, especially at sun-up and sun-down. The magpies swoop and cavort above the trees around
Knighton
Park in their courtship habits. The rose bushes have leaves, the Pussy Willows are out, the Hazel bushes have their male catkins hanging ready to be pollinated by the first insect who'll pass from him to the darling little female with her bright pinky-red "hat" further along the stem. The leaves of the
Cuckoo-Pint (Bishop-in-the-Pulpit)
are up and out, ready to be followed
by the flower; the dandelions are
already in bloom! We know a special
spot (Kibworth Beauchamp) where the
floor of the woods is literally covered
with clumps of Winter Aconite and Snow Drops - quite a sight!
Tomorrow I'm off to Waddow. I can hardly wait. It ought to be great.
Love,
Mary
P.S. Roger's fine again.
* * * * *
March 7, 1966
Dearest Mom and Dad,
I'm sorry your 2:30 phone call didn't come through. I WAS here! Shucks! But this happens more often than we realize. People try to call us but think we're not home when the phone never even rings here in the house!
My weekend at Waddow was thoroughly enjoyable. I suppose the format is pretty much the same everywhere - and the general responses the same: the awkwardness in the first few hours when everyone is new and the chores different - but it isn't long before everyone is bubbling and eyes are bright! By the time Campfire has ended Saturday eve, all are so hepped up that ALL spend the better part of the night chatting endlessly to their newly discovered pals. Sunday morning finds everyone positively "glazed" from lack of sleep, but by noon there's no stopping them - only the sad separation at the time of departure, to be followed by the happiest memories tumbling blissfully 'round the head as one returns to "reality," anxious to share it all with anyone and everyone!
I haven't had such a mental workout in ages - not only at the sessions themselves but every minute in between! My response was a double one: applying the ideas to the 8th
Leicesters as well as translating into Troop #459, Wissahickon Neighborhood. I must say that I'm ever so impressed with many aspects of the NEW G.S.U.S.A. program - right proud! The handbooks were the biggest hit imaginable (NOTHING could be less appealing than the P.O.R. they have here) - but also the last three items to be completed in the Cadette proficiency badges, namely "service", "health and safety," and "Promise and Laws." We spent one whole session working on ways of correlating badge work with the principles behind Scouting, and here the U.S. Scouts have already incorporated it as an integral part of earning the badge.
I was only too glad to contribute to campfire. I did a shortened version of the Thinking Day Program, which they seemed to "get a big kick out of"! I tell you, ENGLAND SWINGS!!
And, of course, there was one Guide in particular with whom I became especially close, a girl from
Holland who is here as an au pair for 6 months. She was telling me of their 50th Anniversary Jubilee Celebration to be held this coming May 31st. Lady B-P will be there, and Cobi is to be one of the half-dozen chosen as escort (or whatever) and interpreter. She's ever so excited (I don't blame her) - and SO proud of the Guiding in her country. Such a treasure!
Also, she has just finished reading "The Story of the Trapp Family Singers" and has seen The Sound of Music, which precipitated a conversation that continued for well over an hour! As you know, at a training session, managing an hour is a rarity in itself!
Much love,
Mary
* * * * *
March 7th, l966
Dearest Mom and Dad,
I had to smile when I realized I was addressing this letter to Dr. and Mrs. "R.H. Walmsley" instead of "M. S. Edgar"! It reminded me of the last half hour at Waddow with its frantic swapping of addresses while chatting madly to make up for lost time. Again and again I wrote "Knighton (with or without Leicester),
Philadelphia"!!!
A most charming pair of Guiders from Yorkshire asked me if I knew a Miss Hammett who had been here last fall talking about Scouting in the
U.S.A. From their enthusiasm I regretted that I didn't. Evidently she did a tremendous job - must have, because they were still bubbling over it.
Cobi gave me a friendship pin - a miniature of her enrollment badge. I want so much to send her something. Could you pop something in an envelope (or 3 or 4 while you're at it) and send it along? I'd be ever so grateful.
One nice thing about going away for a weekend is the warm reception one gets on returning! My goodness, I opened the back door and they were all over me with hugs and kisses before I was even into the room! They insisted they'd had a good time, that they'd been warm and that the food had been good, and that they had done interesting things - But, oh my goodness!
Roger had "popped in" to the lab for a bit Saturday morning to find Bob there "for a bit." Both being bachelors with young attached for the weekend, they decided to go on "an expedition"! They bundled up and headed for an old Norman fort with moat and bailie south of
Coventry. Evidently the mud was pretty thick, but Roger figured that a cow was pretty heavy and ought to sink down as far as she could go, therefore, if he stepped where she had trod, it shouldn't be too bad. Unfortunately, no one else thought to think of it! Simon and John became so impossibly covered with the stuff that they just sat down in it at the edge of a little stream and "cleaned" their shoes by immersing them in the not-too-clear water! Poor Bob had to almost carry them back to the car because they were both carrying their weight in muck!
I'll try to do something about Ajit. It would be fun.
My favorite saying of the weekend was when the trainer wanted us to talk something over in patrols for 5 minutes: "Have a little natta, and don't be airy-fairy"! - meaning "I want practical suggestions."
My favorite story was of the two dear old ladies being offered sugar with their tea. The first refused politely, implying it was not necessary. The other accepted most kindly by saying, "Sugar sweetens one's disposition. I've been so busy dispensing sweetness that I am, indeed, in need of replenishing my supply."
Much, much love to you both,
Mary
P.S. Scott is now collecting stamps and is absolutely fascinated by it. I hope it lasts because he's learning a great deal as well. Any contributions would be welcome. And Julia is collecting
U.S. commemorative stamps for a badge.
* * * * *
March 9, 1966
Dearest Dad,
If Mother's going away means that I get mail from you, then I am all for Mom's going away!
It's perfectly true that our lawns are very different from the English lawns - and probably correct that it takes 200 years to establish a good one; however, one must keep in mind certain aspects of the comparison. An English lawn is never really dry; consequently, the grass blades are extremely delicate and have NO bounce when tromped on, so you don't walk on them. You look instead. The color of the green is, indeed, gorgeous, but so is the blue of the sky! (Haven't seen blue for DAYS)
I "popped in" to see Marian Whitaker - our sherry-before-lunch hostess during the holidays - as they are no more than a fortnight shy of flying to the
U.S.A. They're getting ever so excited- have been given tons of advice on how hot the houses are, etc.. It will be most interesting to see whether or not this proves valid for them.
It seems that Mac Whitaker was a King's Guide way-back-when and went to the States for a Jamboree of some sort in 1935. Now he's returning as a lecturer in geology! They'll be in Princeton on about March 23rd or 24th, then spend a day in
New York on the 25th, to
Philadelphia to lecture at Penn for 3 days, on to
Washington,
D.C. for a few days, and then westward. I've told them to call you and Mom up from
Princeton, so don't be surprised....
We received a telegram from Landrum Bolling (President of Earlham College) from
London this morning saying "Call me at ..." How exciting! He's SUCH a marvelous person. So Roger called the hotel and they said there was no such person registered. Utterly frustrating! So we sent a telegram giving our phone number and said, "Call us." I can't possibly imagine what he would want other than a social visit, but perhaps not so. He was always seeking Roger's opinion on every imaginable subject. Maybe he has some new pet project. I surely hope we make contact. I surely hope I'm invited, too!
March 10th
Landrum called. He JUST received the telegram 24 hours later!!! He was homeward bound after a European trip and had a day to kill and would have liked to have seen US, but by now is on a plane over the
Atlantic. Some services are lousy - others stink! That's pretty strong wording for a Lady, but . . . . .
This week all the Elm trees are covered with their little pinky-red flowers - like a mist that surrounds the tops of the trees - everywhere! What a shame our elms are prone to disease; they really are the loveliest of trees.
Much love,
Mary
* * * * *
March 13, l966
Dear Mom and Dad,
Julia's history class has been studying the American Revolution, so I took the opportunity to review "OUR" interpretation of same, the origin of our local history at home - like
Lafayette's Hill and
Valley Forge - and then, like a good former cheer leader, taught her a good American cheer to take with her on her way:
G. G. - G. G. - G. G. G'Washington!
G. G. - G. G. - G. G. G'Washington!
G. G. - G. G. - G. G. G'Washington!
Yeah, George!!!!
She chickened out! Couldn't bring herself to make that contribution to the class! - "Sorry."
This morning was Church Parade. We decided to forego
Coventry and appear - surprise for the Captain on her return from the
Mediterranean. And she was! It was the Thistle Patrol's turn to carry the flags and Daffodil's turn to bring the bread and wine down the aisle to the altar rail. Julia was in the Color Guard. It was ever so nice. The Cubs and Scouts sat on the left of the aisle, and the 8th Leicester Brownies and Guides on the right. Several Mums and Pops were there with their kiddies. ALL went to the communion rail to receive either communion or a blessing. It was ever so nice! I'm all for separation of Church and State, but I'm also for some active relationship between the company and the Church whose facilities the company uses.
Winter has been lovely in it being time off from back-breaking chores in the garden. Now spring is here, and it's time to get back into it. DON THE
WELLINGTONS because it is M U D D Y !!! The dandelions are in flower and the grass in need of cutting. The crocuses are past their peak, the daffodils about out. Sun would go nicely with it all!
Once a year all the college students in the county devote their energies to charity for a week or so, culminating in "Rag Week" and a big parade. Last year
Leicester raised 10,000 pounds during Rag Week! People owning lorries donate same for the day of the parade. They are decorated and ridden on in the parade, which took place here yesterday. They really were quite clever! All the spectators lining the streets were supposed to toss pennies into over-turned umbrellas or onto the "floats," the students catching them as best they can. I'll say one thing- the students really have a ball doing it, and the entire community thoroughly enjoys their efforts. For one week - and one week only - town/gown problems seem to vanish in thin air. It was a marvelous opportunity for us to look/see what the students look like! - no comment in writing. I daren't ask Julia if she wished she were one of them!
Much love,
Mary
P.S. Scott says he'd rather go to a Rag Parade than Church Parade!
* * * * *
March 21, 1966
Dearest Mom and Dad,
How I wish we could pack up
Coventry and take it home! Yesterday was "Mothering Sunday." I wanted to get some books from their bookstore for Madeline, so down we went. The place was well-filled, as usual - with ever so many young adults and young parents as well as grand-parents. Everyone is so involved in the worship - there really is an atmosphere that we seldom find ANYWHERE.
The sermon was for the children. It was about some anemones who grew in France and were cut two days ago and shipped to England, a blow by blow first-person account of the journey, ending with the purpose of the trip: because we are part of God's creation, we have been chosen to be given to mothers on Mothering Sunday as they, too, are part of God's creation. "Now, when you come up to get a nosegay of flowers, you must take them back to your Mum and do two things - you must Thank God for your Mum and you must thank Mum for being your Mum." So all the children stood up and went forward. It was Scott's first trip down that huge aisle all by himself, but he went right ahead without hesitation and returned with a little nosegay of six lovely anemones (the flowers that Jesus was referring to when he spoke of the lilies of the field) and a spray of arborvitae, the tree of life. The smile on his face was precious, but when he handed them to me, looked me in the eye and said, "Thanks, Mum." Well, those tears came a'tumblin down! The same scene was repeated throughout the Cathedral. It was most touching.
Roger treated us to a delicious dinner at the Craven Arms nearby, and then we proceeded southward to enjoy the warm, sunny day climbing around the ruins of
Kenilworth
Castle. We were very impressed by
Kenilworth. It's a magnificent spot and must have been a gorgeous castle in its time.
Our favorable impression was only slightly marred by the most unattractive British youths (literally) climbing ALL OVER the walls like so many monkeys, with their blue jeans, sneakers, leather jackets and long. curly hair. They really are repulsive to look at and were SO rude and disobedient when the poor guards were trying to get them to come down and behave. They can say what they will about "the American Tourist," but this lot left a pretty bad impression on us - all five of us.
Much love to you both,
Mary
* * * * *
March 24, 1966
Dear Mom and Dad,
I surely do hope you recover those missing letters. One can never "recapture the rapture" - (how about THAT?) of the moment. Any later description is but a sober recollection - and, anyway, - well, - you'd best find them, that's all. Period. Amen.
Our dancing lessons continue to be sheer joy. Jill (Mrs. Cornish, our teacher) is a most intelligent and pleasant person, full of enthusiasm and a wee bit of the devil! She confessed last week that she so enjoyed working with us because we can do what she gives us, and we retain it - that she's giving us gold medal steps. Now of course, this would absolutely horrify the authorities if they should find out! One simply does not go on to silver until one passes the bronze, and the gold steps are strictly taboo until silver has been mastered! BUT, since we're foreigners and promise to go home and not encounter the dance authorities, she just giggles and gives us what she pleases: double-reverse spins, whisks, hover-cross, click-and-out turn, pendulum step, etc., etc. Lovely!
With all this exciting information Roger and I set out on Saturday night to go practice somewhere. We ruled out Les Ambassadeurs because it was too expensive and apt to be crowded on a Saturday night to boot. Unfortunately, the Corporation was NOT sponsoring a dance at de Montfort Hall, so we turned to the adverts in the Leicester Mercury. Our selection read as follows: The Great Soul Singer, Clarence Frogman Henry, at the Corn Exchange; The Smokestack Warlocks at Rugby; Bargain 2-bob Night Disc-a-do at Broodly-Hoo; The Rapids Rave plus The Opposition at the Countesthorpe Institute; Pinkertons Assort Colours at Grantham Drill Hall; Society Jump Men at the Club House on Lutterworth Rd. in Blaby; Finion's Combo at the Meet; The Profiles at Il Rondo; Charnwood Y.F.C. Dance in Woodhouse Eaves.
In desperation we chose the last mentioned. Y.F.C. stands for Young Farmers' Club. We now know that young farmers of the
Charnwood
Forest are an enthusiastic lot who do a much better job of the Twist and the Shake than of the Waltz or Fox Trot. Indeed, after watching them gyrate through several of their favorites, we were completely intimidated. We felt O L D and outdated - and took our leave with no regrets except that we had yet to find a place where we could practice all these lovely steps. I never thought I'd live to see the day when I longed to return to de Montfort Hall!
Maybe they're in another purse - or you lent them to someone to read and they weren't returned - or perhaps behind the couch - or on Dad's desk.
Much love,
Mary
P.S. Here's another advert: "Discotheque -
33 Castle St - Clarence Frogman Henry plus Five's a Crowd with Resident Raver!! D.J.Tony Esquire, Sat.all-nighter, March 19:10 p.m.-10 a.m."!!!
* * * * *
March 24, 1966
Dear Mom and Dad,
No word about Julia's trip to
Belgium - not a sound. I hope that doesn't mean that
Elizabeth is having great difficulties with same ....
We leave for the continent April 6th, our itinerary reads:
Wed. April 6 Leicester to
Dover
Thurs " 7
Dover to
Calais to
Bastogne
Fri " 8
Bastogne to
Tubingen
Sat April 9
Tubingen to
Munich
Sun,Mon " 10,11
Munich
Tues " 12
Munich to
Salzburg
Wed " 13
Salzburg
Thurs " 14
Salzburg to
Venice
Fri April 15
Venice
Sat " 16
Venice to
Florence
Sun,Mon " 17,18
Florence
Tues " 19
Florence to Lugano
Wed April 20 Lugano to
Lucerne
Thurs,Fri " 21,22
Switzerland
Sat " 23
Lucerne
Sun " 24
Lucerne to
Paris
Mon,Tues " 25,26
Paris
Wed " 27
Paris to
Mont St. Michel to
Bayeux
Thurs " 28
Bayeux to
Cherbourg
Fri " 29
Cherbourg to Southampton to
Winchester
If you've any favorites - hotels or sights - in any of these places - I guess there is time for a quick note. We've tried to plan variety for the children's sake. It'll be a real experience, no doubt about it.
Your bird may well have been a fox sparrow. They are gorgeous - a most beautiful, deep rust-red, redder than a fox and larger than an ordinary sparrow .... a treasure to see.
I sent your music along a while ago. Hope that reaches you. They didn't have it all - some of the selections won't be available until next Christmas time.
We've seen precious little of the Gundry-Whites in the last two months. Peter went into a real depression but seems to be better. It had Barbara really worried. Vicky gets awfully moody, which only aggravates everything - and pushes Barbara's patience to its limit so that she's not herself. There doesn't seem to be any change in sight, either - all most depressing. I wish Barbara would get a different job, Peter would get a different job, and Vicky would get out of that chair and go live somewhere else!
Dorothy and Lesley are moving into a flat together, which pleases NEITHER family. Evidently, there are family difficulties on both counts, so the gals want OUT. The parents wish they'd marry, of course, but neither is interested. All very sticky - and preoccupying for D and L, so that their Guide planning has slipped. Julia wanted to be tested for 4 more badges before our trip and we haven't heard a word. I'm completely left out of all planning sessions.
Love,
Mary
* * * * *
March 29, 1966
Dearest Mom and Dad,
Now, when you say "Kit Hammett," that rings a bell. I'm quite sure that I've never met her, and I couldn't have recounted any of the many things she's noted for, but I myself have camped at "Derry Brooke" with Genie. In fact, it was there, sitting on a rock in that beautiful stream, that I realized my mole had molted and only days later that Dad spotted it the night before
Cal's wedding.
I agree - it's time I made a trip to Headquarters! It shall be done - this fall some time.
Our little house has the definite appearance of a long journey being imminent - piles of things everywhere awaiting attention, creating what looks like chaos to all but Mother, who knows exactly what is where and don't anyone move a thing or I'll NEVER find it again! So, of course, the doorbell rings, and who should be standing there but Mrs. Towle, our
County
Commissioner!!!
She had come to personally extend an invitation to the Service for Queen's Guides, even though I'm quite certain she'd heard through the grapevine that we'd be away. It was SO nice of her. We chatted about all sorts of things and had a jolly time. These personal gestures instead of written invitations make all the difference in the world.
Roger is off to
Brighton today for a 2-day conference of the Genetical Society - sort of a test of his stature as a geneticist! After all, he's only been in the field for a couple of years. It'll be interesting to see how much he comprehends. He now admits that, when he first came, there was a great deal that was out of his reach; but if I were to wager a guess from his attitude and appearance now, I would guess he'd take any of them on squarely! Justified self-confidence cannot be hidden.
Self-confidence makes me think of Henry Cook's comment about funerals - he wants the "Et Resurrexit" from Bach's B Minor Mass played at his! It's a great idea, isn't it?
Much love,
Mary
* * * * *
March 28, 1966
Dear Mom,
Enclosed is a picture I knew you'd enjoy having. It's of one of the high moments of the service and shows the brightness of the scrubbed Abbey beautifully. I can tell which hat is yours - next to Betty, who's looking at her program. And I can see me three rows behind thee!
I think we're going to aim for
Interlaken rather than
Lucerne and try to stay at a place called Barnhauf in Wildersvil - from whence we shall pay the necessarily exorbitant sum of 17-6-0 to spend a day going up to the
Jungfrau. Pray clear skies; otherwise we shan't go. Scott has tried ever so hard to imagine what a glacier is, but without success. It'll be most exciting to watch his expression as he sees one - and, we hope, climbs on one!
Roger spent a day in
Oxford recently with two prospective graduate students for
Penn. It seems that they are the brightest lights from
Oxford this year, so it would be quite a feather in Penn's cap if they'd come. It'd beat Yale, Harvard, AND
Princeton, that's what!!!! They wanted to know if they'd be "happy" at Penn! Roger explained that as long as you're willing to give up what you leave behind and can enjoy what you find, then you should enjoy it there or anywhere. "After all," said he, "I've given up my central heating for castles and pubs - and I quite like having castles and pubs!" (He did not add out loud, "for a year ....."!)
Homesickness has touched us all. Our trip will come in the nick of time. Scott said, "It takes a long time to get to know people here," and he's made the closest friends of all!
There's to be a service for all the Queen's Guides of the last three years in mid-April. I was to go, but we won't even be in the country. Phooey! Daphne is excited about going. I would have loved to travel with her ... she's such a nice girl. Lady B-P will be there, too.
We've had the squalliest weather these past three days - wind that really blows across the playing fields with skies ranging from the blackest of black clouds to white puffy puffballs to a sky as clear as a whistle. Thanks to the wind - one minute the rain is pelting the windows like hail as the lids of dust-bins and coal-bunkers blow up and off amid much clattering; then it will be bright and relatively calm. Right now the sun is shining brightly at the same time that clouds overhead are releasing rain drops that spank our windowpanes!
There are several skylarks that have nested on the railroad embankment. They fly over the playing fields so high that often you can't see them, you can only hear their song, which they sing continuously while in flight without ever stopping to take a breath! Then suddenly it will be silent. It took me a while to realize that they sing while flying and dive-bombing to the ground, but then they're silent as they busy themselves looking for and eating insects and/or seeds. I shall always think of this house whenever I hear that noise - always.
Much love,
Mary
* * * * *
April 4, 1966
Dearest Mom and Dad,
I know one should only write letters on good days, but then that tends to leave a one-sided impression of a place and there ARE days that aren't so good, so let's face it.
I asked my next door neighbor if he or she would be willing to stand by and watch 5 Girl Guides sow seeds in the ground and watch them again in a month as they transplant something - which amounts to testing them for a Gardener Badge - and both of them said "No, thanks." If it hadn't come right after having passed another neighbor on the street the other day and having her obviously look the other way to avoid me, I wouldn't think so much of it perhaps, but, it seems so precious little to ask, especially when they claim to be so interested in Ron's garden.
Love,
Mary
* * * * *
April 5th
Dearest Mom and Dad,
Another day - the last day before hitting the road. Never a dull moment around here! Sunday evening Julia was trying to be helpful in bringing Mother her glasses but dropped them smack on the kitchen floor! One lens cracked in a thousand and one cracks, but nothing fell out; so Monday morning Roger drove me (I "must wear corrective lenses while driving') to an optician. He couldn't help because all their work goes to
London or
Birmingham by post, but he recommended a man across the street who very kindly took the prescription from the lenses and replaced the broken one by 5 o'clock! British services in general may be slow, but I've found the opticians very prompt.
Roger had made one last "run" in the lab Saturday and Sunday and spent yesterday analyzing his results. And wouldn't you just know? - THAT would be the run with the most exciting results EVER! He and Bob evidently just couldn't get over this stroke of genius. By the time Roger came home he was happily glazed, fixed himself a drink and actually paced up and down the floor with a mixed expression of "Well, I'll be!" and "Why do we have to leave just now?" I don't know that even I can wait a whole month for him to run it through again and then figure out a way to explain the excitement in layman's terms! AND that drink disappeared in jig time - almost chugalug. Something's afoot!
Must get cracking and stop mucking about!
Love,
Mary
P.S. We think we won't drain the pipes tomorrow. Mr. North says, "Oh, certainly not, Mrs. Walmsley. You'll be all right. It's not January or February now, is it?"
* * * * *
