 |
| The "backyard" at 1189 First Ave |
 | |
| In spite of the cramped quarters, they were able to carve out a workshop for Joe and a painting studio for Janice. |
 | ||
| Floor plan of 1189 First Avenue apartment |
 |
They had friends who had moved to Long Island and to New Jersey, but they were especially drawn to Dobbs Ferry, where fellow artist, Jon Nielsen, lived. After searching the area, and considering a variety of options, they came upon some wooded lots on an unpaved road that were to be auctioned off for back taxes. One of the lots featured a majestic oak tree, which was very appealing. Below a series of letters and photographs recounting the story of the move to Secor Drive, which at that time was called, "the Dirt Road" by the neighbors.
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| Jon Neilsen |
Through the construction, Joe worked his regular job plus overtime when he could get it, and Janice kept up her schedule of painting, sewing, child rearing, and letter writing to her parents. They worked on the house weekends and any time off they could get aided by a group of loyal and devoted friends. English architect friend, John Glenn-Bott, drew up the plans. Excerpts from some of the letters which touch on the move to Dobbs Ferry appear below:
April 28, 1950
Wednesday
Mr. Bear was too stiff to work, due to work on a roof shaped like
this
and in a way this was most fortunate as I was planning
to go to Dobbs Ferry by train with Cookie. We drove up, + the D.F.
Town Clerk couldn't help us much. She sent us to Tarrytown.
We were told that it would be about four months until Lot 5 would be
foreclosed + ready to be auctioned. At least that, maybe more. Bear
had an idea that seems logical. We'd planned to wait until 5 was
foreclosed, + have them auction 5 + 6 at the same time. But we've
decided to try to get Lot 6 right away (that's the oak tree half)
because one lot alone wouldn't be much good to anybody + we wouldn't
have as much competition as if the two lots came up together. If we
should get stuck with one lot only, there are two more across the
street, not as glamorous but bigger that are immediately available.
The lone lot could eventually be used for a garden, or tree house for
Cookie or any member of the family who became intolerable. If we're
lucky we may get the basement dug before winter. I don't think
Cookie will be at a loss for friends. Just down the hill we saw 5 or
6 little toofers (Toofer, was my dad's nickname for me) digging in a sand pile. The older kids seem to be
well-kept + friendly. A number of small boys would hate to see that
oak tree go out of circulation.
 |
| My first friend in the neighborhood, Sally Walker and her mother, Eleanor |
Mon AM 6/19/50
Dear Folks,
Oops – forgot to write for a week. Cookie slept till 10:30 this
morning, and I didn't do so bad myself. "Daw Gampa!" Daw
Day's Cah! (daddy's car - ac) Daw Cookie!" Guess I'll have to repair to the
kitchen. She had a long hard day yesterday, walking around Dobbs
Ferry. We left Daddy by "our" oak tree listening to a ball
game while we explored the various roads, + picked a Cookie sized
bouquet of clover, buttercups, honeysuckle, yarrow, teenie white
roses + other interesting items. Most of these winding hilly roads
are dead ends, leading to large + lushly landscaped houses. We also
discovered that it's no simple matter to "walk around the
block". We tried it and were gone nearly half an hour. There
is more poison ivy in D.F. than grass. The citizens must be either
immune or constantly itching. It grows in front yards + along
sidewalks, + to the top of trees, beautifully. B. Duck was mightily
impressed last week by all this. The honeysuckle is in full bloom on
Secor Drive now. In spite of the P.I., the neighborhood is
frighteningly neat + well kept. We had picnic supper with Nielsens,
Husbands, + a couple named Lowenfish (sp?). Nielsens want to build a
house, as they can't expand where they are + the piece of woods they
had borrowed for a play yard has been claimed for a housing project,
+ the woods, of course, are demolished.
 |
| Leona Towner Rem, Janice's childhood friend, called B. Duck, at Iowa State in Ames, IA |
Thursday Oct 25, 1950
postcard
Dear Folks,
Tuesday we attended
auction of the Oak Tree property, Nobody bid against us + we are
waiting for the deed to be arranged. Fooey. This postcard is
inadequate – must write a letter.
Love, J
1/24/51
We've lined up a surveyor + John
Glen-Bott's landlord is getting rid of several doors. We are to look
them over.
Tuesday PM Feb. 23, '51
Dear Folks,
This is the Saturday of the Property
Survey. 10:00 A.M. They'll lay out the house location, too. Secor
Drive runs roughly east + west, which makes our street-windows face
north. The big window will look out over the slope (south) +
rose-terrace (ahem). We will try to avoid a view of that (downhill) house. I
notice they have a boat in their backyard.
Yes, we would like to hear more about
the cement-blocks. Our basement will have to be built of same,
naturally.
Wed. PM March 1, 1951
Dear Folks,
Joyce + I just saw “Red Shoes”.
Best Picture of the decade.
Saturday we surveyed
the property + Sunday we hacked + dragged away brush, just to be
doing something. We'll try to see the Bldg. Inspector this Sat.
Blueprints look 100% better than before.
It's late.
Love, J
 |
| Aunt Joyce and her mother visit our construction site. |
Hello Folks! Joey (my dad's
note in corner - ac)
Thursday PM
Thursday PM
March 9, 1951 postcard
Dear Folks,
We're income-taxing tonite. A
breather. Glad you liked the pictures. Pop, I think they could have
done better by Cookie.
Thanx for all the research on cement
blocks. Looks very good, but of course there would have to be a
machine in the vicinity. Will investigate.
We have to sell 7 ft. of our land back
to the town for road-widening. Less taxes to pay on land.
love, J
Tues. PM March 16, 1951
Dear Folks,
Yesterday they finished bulldozing our
cellar. Hit no big rocks. Tomorrow we go up to survey the damage +
argue with the building inspector about our right to live in the
basement.
Thought Cookie had chickenpox, but I
guess I was mistaken.
Bear worked until 1 AM two nights this
week-
Well, it's Friday.
love, J
 |
The tool storage shed. I do not recognize the boy with the wheelbarrow |
Dear Folks,
Enclosed find sample of our clay soil.
By some
strange bit of luck – only a few medium rough boulders + small
round cobblestones. The man across the street (Mr. Gorrell) had to
redesign his whole house when he hit rock. Because of the high
sewer, unfortunately not much excavation was done + instead of a one
story house we have almost a two-story dwelling + much fill-in
material will have to be hauled.
Today, from 1-5, we built half of the
tool shack.
Haven't enjoyed anything as much in a long
time. Not too accurate – no square or plumb line, but should hold
together + keep rain off + people out. Someone passing by asked if
it was our house. We've certainly had a couple of nice days to do
what we have to do.
Glen-Bott finished the plans + they
are beautiful. O.K'd by Building Inspector, with a change or two.
G-B has worked very hard, + is a dear. We must reward him somehow.
You must meet him when you're down.
It looks as if we'll be using board
siding, so if you haven't yet investigated further the cement blocks,
It won't be necessary. May thanks for energy expended + information
gathered anyway.
That evergreen hedge is a good idea.
We're a little closer to that house than before + their backyard is
an eyesore. What grows well in clay? Aunt P's place seems to
support several types of lush foliage, so I guess we won't worry.
It's an ill wind. If we'd got this
property as soon as we applied, we'd have had to shell out $500- in
lawyer's fees. Gorrell got there first + had to do this in order to
build on a street where heretofore there was no other house. The
fact that the street is privately owned complicated matters
expensively. We avoided this inadvertently + can profit from Mr. G's
various experiences. He's nearly done. They're very nice –
newspaper man and 1 ½ children. (actually he was an electrician,
for Con-Ed, I believe - ac)
Robins, song sparrows, + tree buds
today.
love, J.
 |
| A.J. Gorrell and the Gorrell home across the street from our house. |
Fri. PM March 31, '51 postcard
Dear Folks,
This rain must stop by tomorrow, else
the house can not be laid out. After that we start digging trench
for foundation.
Lilies of the Valley a + iris grow
next door! Most of our soil will have to be imported.
Love, J.
Dear Moon,
Trench for our plumbing was supposedly
dug today. We've bought our aluminum windows. Foundation trench
nearly dug. 11 Secor Drive will be the address.
Be firm - love, us all
Fri PM Apr. 24, '51 postcard
Dear Folks,
Thoroly (sic) intended to get a letter off
tonite with pictures of basement diggings, but got involved in
painting.
Tomorrow we continue putting up boards
for concrete foundation. Miraculously, the steam-shovel man, Mr.
Bucci, struck no rock when he dug our sewer. Water should be in this
weekend. We're hoping that Boogie's (Marjorie) first birthday cards can be
mailed to 11 Secor Drive.
I'm gradually starting her on the cup.
Tried curling Cookie's hair today.
Mess o' rope.
Rug business sounds fascinating.
love, J
Mon PM May 7, '51
Dear Folks,
Another scrawl. Cookie's still pale, as she must
keep her clothes on or get banged + scraped. Does more running +
falling down than any six kids. Every day she must have her “walk”
+ yesterday after lunch we took the advice of a neighbor, Mrs. Brown,
(very nice) + followed a certain path across the corner of an estate
during which rambling I manged to find a gopher-hole and sprain (?)
my ankle in same. 'Twas worthwhile , tho the lovely view of the town
+ river. That's a five minute walk from the house. Had to sit the
rest of the day out, but John + Joe finished the footings without my
help. Friday we hope to pour. The ankle feels much better today
albeit a bit more swollen.
All our neighbors we have met so far
have been named either John or Jack, except for one Joe. Women are
named Ann. This can't go on. Our nearest neighbors down the hill
are characters. The missus seems a very loud, forceful + sociable
type. Can be heard + understood over a roaring wind in the fir
trees. The Mr. hasn't yet acknowledged our presence, altho we see
him often + know that his name is John. The son, Jacky, is a
gardener + pigeon-grower + is continually stopping by to exhibit
samples of his work. Boogie tried to take a bite of the tame pigeon.
He is a simple minded type, but diligent. Eventually I hope we can
build the back yard up so that it doesn't run down into theirs.
Need your advice on plantings for this. Mr. Bucci, our
digger, has brought us tons of dirt from his various diggins +
promises much more.
Big debate now is whether to try
putting up cement blocks ourselves + possibly take all summer or hire
it done + pay thru the nose – finish it in a week. I hope there's
a happy medium. The man that was going to do it cheap came down with
rampant ulcers, an enlarged heart and several other horrible things.
He still wants to do it, but his wife says NO + we agree.
Seem to have mislaid your last letter,
but it was thoroly (sic) read + absorbed.
Hope you are all healthy.
love, J.
Fri PM. Wed, May 16 '51
Dear Folks,
Hot + sticky. Bear is at the
proppity (sic), laying blocks with the help of two local boys. He did the
same last night. We're doing it ourselves, not having been able to
find anybody to do it reasonably. Those things are back breakers –
75-90 lbs. I can roll 'em end over end, but am a fizzle at lifting +
placing. Joe went to the doctor – had his back taped up, making it
practically impossible for him to bend. Tonite he's interviewing a
man who wants to do the block laying. Hope we can get somebody.
Keep wishing you were here. It's been
the longest time since we've had a get-together. Our youngest is
getting a little character in her potato face with the addition of
several large teeth. We're going thru that horrible stage (as with
Cookie) where my leaving the room or even turning my back for a
second occasions a loud outbust of heart-rending shrieks. Her yells
are more piercing than Cookie's ever were. The longer we have Cookie
the nicer she gets, but the reverse seems to be true with little
Boogie. Let us hope that after tooth No. 4 makes it's way thru
she'll relax. Certainly is a sore-looking lump. She gets blonder
all the time + I think her eyes will be brownish gray, rather than
pure brown like Cookie's. Hair is definitely straight, even when
damp. Now when she rides in the stroller her feet touch the base.
Still sleeps well at nite, + eats somewhat. Cookie also eats. Even
drinks milk from a cup – even requests it. Am crossing fingers.
We hit the thrift shops last week +
got Cookie about 7 summer dresses. Average cost .80, some new, + a
plaid raincoat.
 |
| The glamorous Regina Reynolds |
Regina is now a blue-black brunette +
is very gay – with a new boy friend. Did I tell you Alice has a
very nice boy coming around steadily + purposefully?
Marjorie Erdman
is getting married in June.
 |
| Alice Loubris Wilson |
 |
| Marjorie Erdman |
I was gonna tell about the pouring,
but it's so late + this is a stopping place, so suffice it to say
that we poured, + I'll send details in letter very soon. You'll
probably have heard from Shrimp (uncle Harrsion Campbell) by then.
Gotta go paint.
love, J.
 |
| Footings poured! Euler's house in the background |
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| Janice with Marjorie and me at the southeast corner. |
 |
| No playground like a construction site! |
Dear folks,
This will be written on the Brighton
Beach line of the BMT Subway. Off to Brooklyn to face the red-headed
Mrs Guesen.
Hottest day yet. In Dobbs Ferry the
nights are never hot. You should see the structure now. All
the outside walls are framed, and a few inside. Sunday we had a
record turnout of new-found faithful friends. It made eight (8)
framers in all, plus Shrimp, who worked on the wiring, plus 2
children + three women: That doesn't count is 3 girls. I made
spaghetti + meatballs, which I heated over a fireplace constructed of
bricks salvaged from a recent load of fill. We are continually
amazed at the way the boys from Murray Hill High School keep coming
back. There are two, Robt. Wilson + John Muller who, with able
families, come nearly every time. Harry (Harry Lum - ac) the
carpenter had a hangover Sunday + after waiting an hour for him, we
left. Louie, the carpenter is very good, + he was there, so progress
was made. John Glen-Bott has returned sunburned from two weeks in
Maine, so we can get our list of specifications off for the bank.
Cookie is in need of repairs – a
skinned knee, a scraped calf, a boil on the “bommon”. + a gash on
the chin, where she fell from the jungle gym in the park. (Her first
bloody-face incident. I thot (sic) she was done for. She's had a lot of
fun with the guitar, or is it a banjo. How did you happen to find
such an appropriate little-girl card?
Will sign off now, + enclose photos.
love, J.
 |
| John Muller sawing and clowning around as always. |
 |
| Joe and Marjorie - breaktime |
Sat. July 7 '51
Dear Folks,
Comes a rose-scented note.
This has been a heavenly day. Cookie
is at the proppity + all is fairly calm. Her birthday present came
this morning + I could not resist opening it. Am sure she will be
most pleased when she finds it - (I shall wrap it back up [such cute
paper]) as this will be an ideal accompaniment to “Beautiful Brown
Eyes”.
I remember the picnic to which that
clipping refers very well.
Our cherry tree has delicious little
black cherries, all too high to reach by ladder even. Read your
canning account over several times + find it fantastic. Must
be some sort of record.
Harry, our carpenter, whom you met
briefly in the dusky twilight, is part Chinese, Irish, French, + a
million other things. Name is Lum, as in Abner. No ordinary person.
Happened to be sitting at the piano 'tother night, so played 'Clair
de Lune' much to surprise of all, + in a very professional concert
style. Says he can't play anything else, hasn't played in years, but
I can't swallow that. One just doesn't
learn only Clair de Lune that
well. One fault – he drinks too much.
 |
| I believe that is Mr. Wilson on the left and John Muller at the saw |
 |
| I do not know who did the electrical work |
Mon. July 30
Dear Folks
Sorry not to have answered sooner –
Pop/s last letter was so very, very nice, and the “untidy” scrawl
likewise.
What a week! All the trouble was
caused by a little hunk of cast iron pipe that hit my toe, corner
down, thoroughly mashing it at the proppity a week ago Sunday. Took
it to the docs, along with Cookie's boils, had x-rays (not broken –
just chipped slightly) and an anti-tetanus shot that almost was an
anti-me shot. By Friday, the toe was okay but there seemed to be an
attach of galloping grippe of the hot + cold running variety, fading
off on Sat. nite into an allover arrangement of hives. Such itching!
Couldn't lie in bed + couldn't navigate very well, but kept trying.
Never realized hives were like that. Called the doc at 8:30
AM in a state of semi-delirium + got woofed at for asking too many
difficult questions. He prescribed pills, which stopped the itch + I
spent Sunday in bed. Luckily the boys went to D.F. And took Cookie.
Uncle Vito came up + swept the floor before Boogie had a chance to
fill up on old match books + nails, + Aunt Josephine brought
ice-cream in the afternoon. Today I'm up + about, with only a
stiffness in the lower extremities, a sore arm, + a nasty mouth +
lack of mental + physical co-ordination. Next time, I'll take a
chance with the lock-jaw. Enough of this hypochondria.
Sunday's work on the house consisted
mainly of taking out + redoing various things (Glen-Bott is back from
vacation). Harry the carpenter was there. That's interesting about
liquor + vitamins. That could explain why, on the morning after, he
keeps stopping for tomato juice + finally bought a quart can + drank
it wholesale. Can't seem to get enuf.
They did start to put the roof beams
up yesterday. Finished tearing down the shack + put stuff in the
basement.
Well, Bear's finally taking a bath.
I'm next Sunday this can happen more often.
We haven't been up the hill in a
month. Those corner stones + roads were remains of a burned out
mansion of years past. Probably haunted.
So, keep 'em comin'. Save me some of
those canned sweet cherries.
love, J.
 |
| South window, undressed view |
Wed. PM Aug 8, '51
There is constant sun on our large
windows. Don't know how high they'd have to go – 10 or 15 feet
maybe. It's terrific – I can hardly believe it + don't dare try.
The rooms are framed up + the roof is being framed.
Niece Marjorie + husband from Michigan
visited us Monday – went to Coney I.
It's funny – John's word is law, but
he doesn't often get up there. Harry has definite ideas, but ditto.
Louie is very faithful, but when Harry sees what Louie has done, he
is often indignant. “Tear it out” but what would John say?
Meanwhile various others are giving knowing advice. Changes are
always being made.
love, J.
 |
| If I am not mistaken, that us Bob Wilson on the right and his father standing above to the left |
Tues. PM Sept. 11, 1951
Dear Folks,
A hot, summerish nite. Cookie is
chirping away, tho it is nearly midnite.
The news of the decade has been
officially released. Our friend B. Duck is to marry Adolph (Rem –
ac) in October. She hasn't told her mother yet, or hadn't
yesterday, + fears disapproval from this source. Mrs. T thinks he is
not the one for her. Ridiculous idea this, as I could tell right
away he is just the type. I am very glad. Can hardly believe this
has actually come about. They are both extraordinary + deserving of
each other.
When will the Hollyhock seeds come up?
I put 'em in last weekend, some along the east side of the property,
some by the cherry tree, + some across the road where there's always
sun. The house now begins to look like the sketches I made.
Diagonal sheathing is more than half on + roof is covered with 2
layers of roofing. Two more flat tops are to go up to the East of
us, facing Briary road, probably. It is getting too crowded for Mrs
Euler + she wants to move. We met the prospective builder of the
neighboring houses. He looks like a gangster + tried to talk Bear
into joining the volunteer fire department. Has 2 kids, 7 + 19. His
sister is building next to us, a brick veneer house. His will be
stucco.
We've been seriously considering your
very kind offer of financial assistance. As I said when I saw you
last, the loan is ours, but not until the house is almost done do we
get ¼ of the $6,000. We talked to the bank + they backed down on a
few points – for example, landscaping doesn't have to be complete
before final payment. Bear started to write you both a note last
nite, but bogged down after two pages + I guess this paragraph has it
boiled down. We are most appreciative, + would return with interest.
It says in our building book that even a loan from members of the
family should be in writing, a matter about which you probably know
more than I do.
Mon. PM Sept 24 '51
Dear Folks,
Various long + interesting letters +
card from you on hand + I'll do my best -
Let us launch into the discussion of
this business first while we are strong +able....We certainly never
expected to have to borrow from you kind souls, but things have
turned out peculiarly, in true Dobbs Ferry fashion. Hastings, that
is. Anyway, this will be quite a short term investment + will be
repaid probably before we move in. We haven't heard any more from
the bank, so the loan is still ours.
Pressing matters are these:
Work Plumber has done $500
Block laid $500
Glass $500
Kitchen equipment $500
Sears heating equipment $1000
The diagonal sheathing is on + two big
windows + one small one are framed. It should be closed in by winter
+ if we can get the heating system in, we can work in the interior
evenings + weekends. The loan will be in four $1500 installments,
which would bring in the accumulation of $4500, at which time we will
pay you back with 3% interest. The bank charges 5%. Probably we can
draw up some kind of agreement giving you a mortgage on the joint.
We are going to work like beavers instead of bears to get it livable
by Spring. The Wilson's were up Sunday + shoveled quite a bit of
dirt into the basement for floor leveling. We have fenced off a room
for Boogie + took up a bunch of fractured + house worn toys. Barbara
Gorrell visited her there one day. Those two should eventually be
playmates.
 |
| Tar paper, windows...then clapboards |
 |
| Rolls of roofing material await installation |
Oct 5, '51
Dear Pop,
As you may or may not have gathered
from the hasty note on our last card, the check came. Many, many
thanks. Sears will probably be the recipient. Would it be possible
next time to certify it? Our account is somewhat depleted, + they'll
have it cleared for us in a week, quicker than sending it back to
you.
Clapboards are on the north wall +
primed. Windows are being framed. We'll send photos in next letter.
We're up there every day, + are just about to leave now. Hope your
cold is better.
Love, J.
Sunday Oct 7, '51
Dear Moon,
Your tremendous check appeared
yesterday + has gladdened our hearts. Now things can really start to
roll.
It has been an extremely dismal +
drenching day, but we worked in the basement leveling off dirt +
framing windows. Kept a very smoky fire going + Boogie toasted her
toes quite contentedly in her swing. Yellow leaves kept swirling in
on sudden gusts. It's exciting to see the distant scenery gradually
emerge thru the trees. Tomorrow is our last working day before next
weekend. Not a bad week, considering. Clapboards on northernmost
side, upstairs windows all framed + set in (unglazed + temporarily)
except one, + downstairs windows should be framed tomorrow. John
Glen (he has dropped the -Bott) went up yesterday + they put fascia
boards around the roof edge, + aluminum flashing around the chimney +
most of roof edge. Workshop floor filled in with dirt. Not bad.
Mr. Guliano, the block-layer is letting me work off some of his bill
in a portrait. The army cot is most handy for napping the baby. She
can't roll off by accident.
We finally heard from the H. Campbells
just as I was mailing a “wha-hoppen?” card. Their friend Pat
Wilson hasn't heard yet. She's going to pay me a visit Saturday.
I'm in a paper-doll making mood.
Nothing will come of it, I'm sure. A Cookie-doll in her own
wardrobe?!
Guess I'll retire. Thanks again for
doing all this for us + promptly!
Love, J.
Mon. PM Oct 30
Dear Folks,
Showed the bank letter to an official,
be read it, raised one eyebrow + made no comment except to ask me
what kind of check it was. The cashier must have been at fault. I
assumed he knew all about it. We looked at it long enuf. Well
everybody's paid + what a relief! They used to keep bothering us all
weekend. Two Bucci brothers emerged on us yesterday, arriving
simultaneously from opposite directions, unbeknownst to each other.
They're the bulldozer + dirt boys.
I now carry the keys to our front
door. A pleasant sensation. The door is up + on.
We three girls have colds in various
stages. Boogie's seems to have settled in her intestines. She walks
all over now.
Am anxious to ear of outcome of
Waverly game. Must mention it to Max Coots.
Yes, Mr. Chas. H. Poit resides at 30
Bellwood Ave in Dobbs Ferry.
What fun I'm having at rummage sales.
Need anything? I've a lovely pair of almost new custom-made shoes very comfy -.25 .
Must go paint.
love, J.
Tuesday PM Nov 8, '51
Us girls didn't go up last weekend. It
was snowing up there + nobody came to help but good ole
Glen-Bott. They've put in quite a bit of glass. Broke quite a few
panes on the way up. Both front + back doors up. The kitchen door
is Dutch.
Mon PM Nov 20 '51
Dear Folks,
It looks as if we'll spend
Thanksgiving here putting in windows. Alice is coming up with us +
afterwards we'll work on a large chicken, etc. I hope to achieve the
day before.
The house may get painted dark brown or
green instead of white. An exciting idea. Too many white houses
about, (no offense intended)
Two girls well + able in spite of
getting nearly froze yesterday. We spent a lot of time at Gorrell's.
She's expecting.
 |
| Mrs Gorrell with Barbara and me |
Back to the brushes.
love,
J
Tues AM Nov. 27, '51
Windows are all in now, except the 3
biggest panes + a couple of casements. We moved our kerosene stove
up, which gives me more painting room. Halleluiah! The kitchen oven
heats this place nicely
Well, Happy snow shoveling.
love, J
An EXTREMELY rare letter from my
father:
 |
| Joe's letter |
Nov 28, '51
Folks,
This is my scratch pad. So here I am
putting down a few lines. I do want to thank you for the generous
help. The house is really making progress. I am hoping to have the
rest of the glass in to have it all closed in. We did want to get in
by Christmas, but it looks like Spring. We now have our heating unit
and our kitchen up there. So as soon as I get the windows in I shall
put up the heating unit.
Love, Joey
Mon PM Dec 9, '51
Richard came up with us Sunday, for the
first time + welded the broken led on the heater. The thing was then
set up + assembled. It's a lovely piece of furniture, shiny gray +
American beauty rose – a shame it's not in the living room. Will
close now. Keep up the chins, etc.
love, J
 |
| Back in the early '50's people still occasionally drove cars like this. |
Jan 8, 1951 postcard
Well, yesterday we got our first loan
payment, Found we couldn't wait any longer. Very soon we'll be
ready for the second, + the third + fourth will pay off you. The
rooms are more or less closed off now, + insulation abounds.
Keep the slides. They're extras.
The Jean Rogers Solenstens are
expecting in March.
Thanx for listening.
love, J.
Sun PM Jan 13, '52
The furnace is working!
They found the right button.
Wed PM, Jan 30 '52
Ye house is galloping
along. The inside is ready for plastering, but we have to finish the
clapboards + undersides of the eaves first. Are having a bit of
trouble with the wiring. Six violations, the underwriter said.
Tain't easy to find out what they are but when we do, Gorell will
correct them. The living room is vast.
Bear is in Brooklyn
tonite, doing something to John's car. John is supposedly boning for
his architect's exam next month, but seems to be feeling no strain.
Has been seeing a lot of a new girlfriend named Muriel, he finally
admits. Hope he makes the exam this time, as he flunked the first
try + it is very expensive to take. Poor soul, flunked his driving
exam, but I guess I told you that. Wrong side of the street, delayed
braking, defective signaling, + others. Finally finished those
drapes, + he says they look good.
Spent most of the
day puttering in kitchen. Tried to make a chocolate cake by package
mix for the boys to eat on the job tomorrow, but it overflew the pan
all over the oven + fell apart coming out of the tin. I made a batch
of the good old pink foodoo (aka Jello-floof
, a specialty of my grandmother made with Jello and condensed milk in a Graham Cracker crust- ac)+ plopped the remains of the cake
into the middle of it. Terrific! Put coffee in it recently for a pie,
roasted a chicken for them + made ham casserole from a smoked butt
for us.
Feb. 12, '51 postcard
Dear Folks, (line of
hearts.....)
A two-minute scribble to
let you know all is well + progressing. Our colds are summering
down. The eave boards are going up, as are the clapboards. John +
girlfriend were up. Six portraits
waiting. New Jersey job okay. Hope you're well.
love, J
Fri PM Feb. 15 '51
Harry + Louie are working
to get the exterior finished. Then we can apply for our second
payment.
John's girlfriend is
named Natalie, not Muriel. I found out the hard way, after meeting
her downstairs in her apt. building + greeting her with, “You are
Muriel, aren't you?” Bear got it twisted over the phone, somehow.
She's very nice + most handy with kids. Wears a brace on one leg,
but gets around as well as anybody.
Mon PM Feb 19, '52
Big News!!! John
+ Natalie are engaged for June. Trip to England postponed till
October. This Sunday he goes to Phila. To meet the in-laws
House looks terrific.
We're staining some of the exterior boards.
Feb. 29, 1952
Dear Folks,
Well----------------time
marches on.
Tomorrow the plastering
begins. The boys are leaving at 7:00 AM.
Glen-Bott is calling. He
has failed his drivers test again.
Bear has a delightful
tall adjustable tripod for cameras from an abandoned photo supply
store they're remodeling. I'm gonna take some shots of this joint
before we leave, at it's worst. Not to show off of course.
Must make a squillion
sandwiches tonite, so will desist.
Love, J
March 9, '52 postcard
Dear Folks,
Letter welcomely
received.
Plastering proceeds they
tell me. Have been keeping the baby home for the safety of all.
 |
| Nick, the plasterer, working in the dining room, In the background Janice's studio, which later became my parents bedroom when more children arrived.. |
Mon PM, Mar. 24 '52
Dear Folks,
Heard a song-sparrow
Sunday afternoon at the property, in the woods across the road. The
meadow lilies (?) are greening up on the south slope. Two more
weekends will finish the plastering. Then we start the floor.
Jean Rogers Solensten has
been around lately. Quit work. We rummaged today. She's expecting
in May. So was Mrs. Gorrell, but Saturday nite in one hour + she
didn't even make it to the delivery room. She had a 4 ½ lb. Boy.
Just the day before, I had shopped around + found her a second hand
crib. Back to the brushes.
Much love, J
 |
| Nick and Marjorie |
Sat PM Apr. 6 postcard
Dear Folks,
The bathroom is tiled,
light blue with black trim. Plastering all done. Floor to be laid
next. Scrubbing + scraping I did today, more of same tomorrow.
Basement bathroom tile will be color of your new note paper. Am
making a scale model of walls, in color.
 |
| Marjorie and Cookie in the blue tiled bathroom |
April 10, '52
The boys are to lay the
bathroom floor tonight. med. blue, I hope. The wall is all tiled.
The finishing of the wood floor has been started. The interior trim is
applied. The east porch steps are poured. Someday we will be
sending you a repayment. You are most patient. Afraid we won't be
able to send it all at once as previously planned, but 'twill be
along.
We're going to the
John-Natalie wedding in Phila May 31. Should be in by that time.
April 18 '52
The flooring is going down
right along – dining room, kitchen, hall, bedroom hall, + half of
the living room done. They have pushed rocks over from next door + a
wall must be built. Eulers, down the hill, are irate at the mud that
keeps seeping down from us. We've brought brown paint for the
outside.
Here's something amusing
– Visitors to the house often remark “How nice that houses are
being built near you. You'll have neighbors + you won't be lonely”.
HAH!
%2Band%2Bmama%2BMuller.jpg) |
| Mama Muller in background, Nino and Theresa Badalamenti holding baby Philip Candela on the day of his christening. Nino built the retaining wall behind our house. |
Fri AM
The weird house
that's being built diagonally down the hill from us (La
Spina's – ac) is nearly done. If
our type of architecture is daring, this one is absolutely wicked.
Their big window is twice the size of ours. The floor plan must look
something like this. (sketch) The builders are pretty well padded +
are sparing no expenses. Can't wait to see how they will decorate
the interior. Might get some ideas. The house next door should be
on the same order.
 |
| View from the southwest corner |
Thurs PM Apr. 25, '52
postcard
Dear Folks,
Delightful letter rec'd
today. Glad Uncle Than is holding his own.
Our floor is on, sanded +
almost ready to varnish + wax. Beautiful! Rock wall being built
down the hill. Outside paint will start Saturday.
Tues. PM April 28, '52
Dear Folks,
I'll snatch a quickie in
the park. The five-day rainy spell seems to have abated + the sun
was even shining a while ago.
We just went down to
Bloomingdale's to look at kitchen linoleum. Armstrong makes just the pattern
I want, gray with narrow red stripe, but there would be too much
waste, so I guess we'll order tiles from Sears + lay it ourselves.
The floors are all waxed
+ slippery + the kids were flummoxing around on 'em Sunday. They
keep piling up the scatter rugs I put down.
The living room scheme
seems to have drifted back to the tan-rust turquoise, with browns +
tan predominant. Bob Solensten is getting us a washing machine thru
the store he's connected with. A semi-automatic Thor or Bendix.
I kept busy all day
Sunday puttying nail-holes in the woodwork.
Thurs PM April 30, '52
Dear Folks,
We are having a somewhat
quieter week than last, altho I don't think the little girls know
this is be-good-to-little-girls-week. I'm doin' my best considering.
We all went up to the
house Mon + Wed nights to paint. The grey + the brown + one white
ceiling are on + the zowie red partition is started. Our
conservative friends are shocked. You don't see the red until you
enter the living room. Its a rust red, a little deeper + richer than
the coffee brown walls. The gray is lighter than I had visioned it,
but nice. Cookie keeps going outdoors, even in the dark, + ringing
the doorbells.
Al Scala was just here,
with a girl friend. The nicest one I've met, + he's had her for some
time.
When I told Bear
about the Shrimp's bed, he pointed out that it is too big for
Cookie's room, + he is right. So I guess we'll have to give your
kind offer a miss. Over stuffed baloney will be welcome, + another
item I want is the ping-pong table. Also there was a magazine rack,
or was. Is it still about? I called the guy I bought the piano from
+ he says the market is glutted right now + if I hang onto it for a
while I might get $50 for it. So I guess we'll take it along. I
hate to leave it at the mercy of the landlord + shine it up + look
for a buyer. So if you will, keep the offer open + we will all keep
the eyes open for a small organ, a swapping may be arranged. Minnie
would indeed look lovely with our brown walls. (she
is referring to the art deco Mini Piano that belonged to grandma -
ac)
Shrimp may spend the
weekend with us, here or there!!!
We still aren't entirely
sure about moving Saturday. The phone has been arranged for, the
mailbox is lettered + up. Oh yes – I ordered a set of bunk beds
that can be divided into twin beds. Nothing fancy – but better
than present conditions. That means we can comfortably sleep 2
adults, 3 in fact, if Cookie sleeps on the love seat.
Alice called tonite.
She's back at work. They went to Atlantic City for a while + now
they are living in their separate apartments temporarily. An
extended honeymoon will come later.
Afraid we won't be able
to make John's wedding after all. A little too much.
You're right. You never
gave Joe back his change. You gave it to me. That's okay, as what's
his is mine + what's mine is my own anyway.
Portrait business is
certainly slow.
Our washing machine
supposedly came today.
Your visit was just what
we needed. When you both come I hope it'll be for a week or two.
Bring your green thumbs (4).
Well, I do some mending.
Love, J.
Friday May 25th
postcard
Dear Folks,
Any cards you receive
from now on will doubtless be written as I watch the washer. It does
a wonderful job. My main problem is what to with Boogie while I hang
out the clothes. The thing fascinates me.
Bear is priming the
kitchen. I've been working furiously all week + haven't much to show
for it. Washed + scraped some windows today. Could certainly use a
couple of baby-sitters. How about early in June? Wish we could make
it sooner.
Words, of course, cannot
describe the terrificness of the situation. You can well imagine.
Sunshine, sweet smells -love, J.
May 26th
postcard
Dear Folks,
Groggy Monday morning.
We painted the kitchen last nite.
 |
| Janice was so excited that they had finally moved in, and with no postcards at hand, she made one from a scrap of cardboard, and mailed it to Athens, PA |
May 28, '52
(postcard made from a piece of
corrugated cardboard - ac)
We're in!
Can't find my postcards.
It's 5:30 AM + the kids
are harmonizing.
The Gorrells have our old
piano.
Bear is off to work.
Much love, J.
Sun PM '52
Dear Folks,
11:15 + I am in bed
already. Quite wintry tonite.
The poor Bear managed to
pick up a bad cold as soon as he recovered from the runs, but has
rested aplenty this weekend + is doing better. Better enough, in
fact, to turn out a very nice night table for beside the bed from
scrap lumber. All shipments received in good order. The
postal delivery truck is a familiar visitor to our site.
The over thermometer
works fine. We had a time deciding what that round thing was, then
ditto how to stand the thermometer up, but it dawned e'er too long.
The lilac bushes are
reset out along the east line, from the corner half-way up the hill.
Surprisingly, they seem healthy.
Gorrells gave us some
strawberry plants that I put in the southwest corner + keep
forgetting to water.
Fond regards to one +
all.
I enclose clippings.
Love, J.
June 4, 1952 postcard
Dear Folks,
Rain has at last
subsided, leaving us rutted +gutted.
Cookie decided she likes
it here after all. She's out watching the house next door go up.
love, J.
Wed AM July 22, '52
Dear Folks,
We're at the village
swimming hole. This one is a little deeper than the city pool + Cookie is just sitting on the edge sucking her thumb.
Our new refrigerator came
last night – delivered by Bear in Boucher's truck. It's a vast
Norge, of recent vintage. It has made ice cubes, so I guess it's
working. The motor is very quiet. Several things are in need of
repair, the big plastic drawers are cracked, the catch on the ice
cube compartment is broken, + today the outside door-handle conked
out. It's a beautiful object tho + makes our old one look like a
garbage can. There's a clock on the door that times the defrosting.
It's like the one Boucher got himself for free; except that this one
was $150. There's a light inside + the stuff that
was jam-packed into the old one is lost here.
We're getting some dirt
in to cover up the rocks. Our big evergreen will have to come down
to make room for the garage. All those young oak trees will then
have a chance. The evergreen is half-dead anyway. John brought the
garage + breezeway blueprint + laid it out with stakes.
 |
| Cutting trees to make room for the garage. In the background our new neighbor's houses, Cosentino's to the left and LaSpina's house to the right |
 |
| The garage is framed in |
Gotta go to the A+P now +
buy meat.
Am constantly amazed by
the accounts of continuous + energetic activities in E. Athens +
vicinity. No wonder you can't remember what you wore.
love, J.
Sun PM Aug 4, '52
postcard
Dear Folks,
Your joint letter
received + read with great interest. This card is long overdue.
Friday nite the H.
Campbells rolled in + stayed over. Sunburned pair. Last nite Uncle
Vito + Aunt Josephine were fetched up + spent the nite here. Richard
+ Margie appeared for dinner + Bear took them all home after supper.
Katydids abound, inside
out. I have a new automatic iron. Am painting Barbara Gorrell.
Have had an easy week.
There must be more, but
it eludes me. Keep up the good work.
love, J.
 |
| Janice with the garage in the background |
 |
| Between the house and the garage, Janice constructed an impressive rock garden with two flights of stone steps meandering down. Here, Cookie and Punchy take in the sun. |
Thurs PM Aug 7, '52
Dear Folks,
Don't feel like sailing
into any window-cleaning or floor dusting, so—--
We have a snazzy yellow,
silver + white striped plastic shower + window curtain set. I dyed
the lavender bath mat orange-yellow in an effort to achieve a golden
brown. One more shot should do it.
Remember the little oak
tree near the road on our west property line? It was growing happily
by itself, shooting up new leaves on top, a little lopsided from
being pushed by the wild cherry trees, but improving. Sunday PM I
chanced to look out that way, + there was our honored guest, Uncle
Vito, hacking branches off it. I rushed over to my interpreter, who
was washing the car, after getting no satisfaction from Uncle V, + he
said, “what can I do? He used to trim trees in the old country”.
I suspect they were olive trees. He has dismembered + tied up the
poor thing.
What is your expert opinion on this matter? He may have done the
right thing, but it seems to me nature does a pretty decent job
shaping an oak with no help at all.
Please excuse this
none-too-cheery letter. There is plenty here to be cherry about –
I just ran out of paper.
love, J
 |
| Uncle Vito Palazzolo, under the breezeway that connects the house with the garage |
Mon PM Aug 12, '52
postcard
Dear Folks,
Spent the day in the big
city buying drapes for all our windows.
The Bear has been most
vigorous + effective with help, he has cut down the evergreen tree +
by himself made a nice end table from scrap lumber.
Must tackle one of 4 new
painting commissions. love, J.
Wed PM – Sept 25, '52
postcard
Dear Folks,
We still abide at the
same address, all in good health, no news of importance. This week
I've been on a binge. Caught up on portraits. Am making blankets
for kids beds from wool scraps – one crazy in red, green, brown,
gold, etc. + one slightly daft in blue, rose, purple, gray, etc.
We're putting up ducts
downstairs. Boogie has new shoes. I must wake up the Bear + chase
him to bed.
Love, J
Tuesday PM Oct 2, '52
Dear Folks,
See how nicely lil Cookie
cuts things out? Spends a lot of time now cutting little girls out
of the Sears catalog + dresses to fit over them, to say nothing of
bedspreads, kitchen cabinets, doorknobs, + shoes. We're snowed under
by snips.
The Solenstens
visited us Sunday + Bob sawed various limbs off the oak tree. Mr.
Gorrell is struggling valiantly to cut it up for his fireplace.
Mostly I have been thoroly immersed in draperies + bedspreads. The
dining room + half of the living room windows are draped + Cookie's
bedspread complete with dust ruffle is practically done. I do all
this in the corner behind the piano, usually with the dubious
assistance of Mr. Kitty Kat. (He didn't come home tonite, + I fear
he has adopted the Gorrells, where he took refuge from the storm
tonite). Mrs. G. attracts cats, she says.
Louie has started our
bookshelf-cabinet wall!!!!
Must retire. The kids
never went back on Standard time + are up at 6:00.
love, J
Thurs PM Oct 20, '52
postcard
Dear Folks,
Bear is building the
bookshelves, our friend Louie having disappeared.
Bear is working in White
Plains for Boucher next week.
Love, J.
 |
| Janice's favorite view - from the road below |
Sun, Oct 27, '52
Dear Folks,
Scene is the basement. I
am “helping” put up ducts, meaning that every few minutes I hold
something up to the ceiling while he nails it.
Cookie + I just came back
from a very nice walk. Remember the walk we all took down thru the
woods + up the back-yard stone steps? Instead of going up these
steps, we kept going down + back + forth until we came out in a rural
section of Ardlsey where some people were building their own houses.
The leaves are very scuffable right now. It's the most exciting time
of year. Fortunately the leaves come off the tree outside our big
window first of all + we see far + wide. It gets more interesting
every day.
Bear has almost finished
the bookcase + cabinet wall.
We have beat-up venetian
blinds on our basement windows now.
I'm afraid I've lost that
letter in which you told me how much our interest amounts to. Could
you play it back again. Plz? Will try to send next mo.
The leaves on our small
oak tree are red instead of brown as the big one.
So to bed,
love, J.
Sat. Nov 1 '52
Dear Folks,
Am trying to decide
whether to start supper. Bear is putting knobs on the cabinets.
They look like this china closet is not in yet. The
(vertical supports) are bricks. The whole thing will be stained
gray.
 | ||
A sketch of the bookshelf-cabinet wall in the dining room
|
What a perfect nite for
spooks last was. We had between 15 + 20 ghostly visitors witches,
skeletons, animals, men from Mars. I had made chocolate cookies,
which disappeared immediately, butterscotch that went farther +
filled in with candy that was on hand. One bunch came all the way
from Ardsley. I had dressed Cookie up slam-bang as a witch with
whatever I could lay my hands on + she went to the school parade with
Sally + family in the afternoon. Barbie had a party for the four of
them.
Hit the rummage sales
last week, They're bigger + better than ever. Got mostly winter
things for kids but did find a swanky pair of genuine cowgirl boots
in my size for .75.
Lots of fires hereabouts.
We have a good view of same sometimes.
We're having the Wilsons
over for dinner tomorrow. Pot roast.
I'm finally painting the
little son of the man who laid the blocks.
Must now write to
my friend Dot (Conrad), who has had a girl. Her 4th
try, oldest just Cookie's age. love, J.
 |
| Aunt Joyce and Uncle Harry come to visit |
Tues PM Nov 25 '52
Dear Folks,
Received the news today
that the H.S. Campbells will dine with you. Wish we could be there.
At first we planned to have Harry the Carpenter here for dinner, but
he never answered our invitation, so we'll go down to Uncle Vito's.
They're having a big chicken + I'm bringing a chocolate cake with
7-minute frosting made with brown sugar + chocolate over the top.
Hope Harry doesn't decide to come up without letting us know. I'm
mad at him.
We are all choking,
snuffling, recovering + re-succoring to colds. School children are
responsible.
Had to remove a sizable
hunk from my dining room curtains in order to finish off the living
room ones. Should complete it tomorrow. We desperately need
curtains on that huge window, as our activities are visible from far
+ wide, I guess. Will have to make a nocturnal trip down to Shady
Lane sometime to check on this.
Cookie went to Sally's
fourth yr. Birthday party Saturday. Barbie was also invited but she
threw fits of screaming when she got there, “I wanna go home” +
nothing we tried would calm her down. So she went home. They
invited the wrong little girl. Margie would have been in her glory
(and everybody else's hair). Cookie has another new friend Janie
Kocur, 1 ½ years her senior.
Bear worked until 9:30
last nite. All his overtime now is on a store Boucher is building
for himself to sell. He'll be paid for the time in a lump sum when Boucher sells it.
Our coca-cola clock
an electric thing 20” diameter from a restaurant keeps perfect time
in Daddy's “shorkwop” as Margie calls it (workshop
– ac)
I'm leading a leisurely
life, clipping recipes + things for my file.
Would surely like to see
the clan again. It's been ages. Don't forget to consider coming
down, here for Christmas. Love, J.
 |
| The Campbells come to visit, Joyce and Harry with Bruce and Alan. Hanging behind them the curtains Janice made for the living room and dining room |
6:30 Wed AM Dec 3, '52
postcard
Dear Folks,
We are practically
snowbound. Joe is sweeping about two feet of snow off the car. The
hill on Briary Road is impassable. Today I shall help the girls make
a snowman.
* I guess it's only one foot. love, J.
* I guess it's only one foot. love, J.
Wed, end of '52
Dear Folks,
It's snowing. I made my
bike trip to the A+P just in time. I'm really rusty. Must have
given the impression of one learning to ride. I decide to pump
briskly to the top of a slight rise, stand up, + almost lose the
velocipede off to the left (sketch) I really did lose my shoe in
front of the Lutheran Church + had to back up for it. The whole trip
took only half an hour tho + next time I have to go to the bank in
Hastings shall use this method. With bus connections it takes all
morning.
The squirrels are playing
peek-a-boo round + round an oak tree up on the hill. Did I tell you
we found deer tracks around the house last time it snowed?
 |
| Barbara Gorrell, Cookie and Marjorie at the Gorrell's house |
Cookie + Betsy have gone
out to play + I'm hoping that Margie will finally subside. She's
been up since 7:00 + could use some shut-eye.
 |
| Cookie and Betsy Fasulo sitting on the back steps |
The Sunday before
Christmas, right after the H. Campbells left, I went with Mrs.
Gorrell + her friend Hilda, + her mother, Gertie, to the Christmas
pageant at the Presbyterian church in D.F. Afterwards we all went
over to Hilda's house + I met her father, Gordon Guthrie, a retired
stained-glass window artist, who is now doing just as he pleases,
except when he he's redecorating the house, which has been going on
for ages, they tell me. Furniture piled in one room + all that.
Anyway, this unique character (he must be near 80) has been making
windows since he was 16 in Scotland. Has been written up in Life a
couple of times. Now that he is retired, he paints landscapes in oil
+ watercolor that looks like oil + oil that looks like watercolor.
He is also an enthusiast proponent of the free pen sketch. Hates
erasers. We met again at the Gorrell's Christmas party. He bends a
good ear. I get the impression that he has himself a lot of fun.
Our trees come town
tomorrow. Doesn't seem as if they've been up very long. We have one
ceiling height, by the big window, + a little one on the roof over it
to give the impression from below of part of the same tree. It
almost does. Lights on both. Leftover branches I have stacked by
the kitchen door, to about a foot from the ceiling + decorated with
Christmas cards + odds + ends. Whole thing is held up by my ironing
board. We have had that unpressed look lately.
Gaspard had a catnip
mouse on Xmas morn. He dissected it + scattered it far + wide. I
must plant him some catnip somewhere.
We took several pictures
of the tree + one of the kids with Lulus.
How many times a day did
we go out in the snow when we were kids? Getting them on + off + in
+ out over + over takes all my time. Cookie managed to get one boot
all full of mud.
Regina had Christmas
dinner with us. Couldn't stay very long. She called today + says to
wish you both a Happy New Year, which goes for me, too.
love, J.
We did send some abode
pictures out as cards. Some as “our domain's growing pains”.
 |
| The finished house before landscaping |
 |
| Aerial view of Eleven Secor Drive |
