28 Jul 1941
Dorothy Griffin to Maude Griffin / Alhambra, CA
Dear Mother Griffin
Your birthday sounded exciting. I wish we might have been there - and your gifts elegant. I now Sunday was a happy day for you.
Bobby absolutely glowed when I read him h is letter, and seemed to remember the parrot very clearly. We'll have him type out another letter, but it's quite a long process as he has a case on the "z" and keeps wanting to use it. Patsy let him write to her mother so now he expects to type whenever the machine is brought out.
We had a trying week. Last Thursday John had an accident while playing handball. Don will explain the game to you. Anyway the ball hit his eye with terrific force, breaking his glasses and sending some splinters into his eyeball. He had two cuts as wide as a thumbnail and very painful. Two specialists have worked on his eye; one an x-ray doctor, and have decided no glass is embedded, which is a great relief. The eyeball had to be stitched and John had a bad time of it, but the worst is over and his sight won't be affected so we are mighty thankful. The stitch is being removed today and John has to go to Arizona tonight for the rest of the week.
We surely enjoyed your visit although it was much too brief. However we're hoping you will come often. I bought a couple of Carter kimonos last week; one pink and one blue and they are adorable. There is a big sale on infant wear this week so I'm getting diapers, shirts, and a bassinette which all told will about complete my shopping, except for a couple more kimonos and probably two knit gowns.
Do you remember the Noah's Ark quilt mother appliquéd for Ames (Willard's Boy) - probably you saw it. I got one at the same time, then decided it was too much work for a baby bed. So last week I came across it and had a brilliant idea. Patsy is helping me appliqué it and I'm going to sdd to the side to the edge of the big bed, then attach a flounce of color for the skirt and make a counterpane, and it will help entice Bobby to change beds and I think will look bright and cute. I'm planning on a right string rug and have framed some nursery pictures. So next time you come Bobby's room will look quite different. He's thrilled to pieces over every addition. It makes a pleasure to do things for him.
Sunday his teacher came rushing breathlessly to tell me "Robert" (his Sunday school name, he says) had not only entered into all the games, songs, etc, but had answered questions about the story and she was nonplussed - all without warning. I wasn't too much, though; that's the way he's done everything - walk, talk, etc, takes a long time, then suddenly without warning, makes a perfect performance.
Mother is not very well and the doctor plans on taking out her tonsils next early spring. She still plans on coming, but I'm a little worried over her as she never complains. It is very hot in Washington although she says as a whole the Summer has been quite pleasant.
Patsy was to a Pioneer Day celebration Saturday and met loads of young people. [She] said she had a wonderful time. I was tickled to have her so excited. She and a missionary got very friendly but unfortunately he cannot take girls out or dance. John threatens to invite him to dinner and make Patsy cook the dinner. I think she is enjoying her visit. I know I'm surely enjoying her company.
Much love. Dorothy
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