Albert Ohama
Rainier, AB on August 12, 1942
| 1 |
: August 12, 1942
|
1 |
| 2 |
: Rainier, Atla.
|
|
| 3 |
: Dear Joan,
|
|
| 4 |
: Hel-lo! How’s the thrill of Scott Hill? Thanks for your very nice letter. I certainly enjoyed hearin’ from you. Jesus, Joan, don’t let writing long letters bother your sweet conscience, ‘cause I love ‘em. I love to (as you say) “wade through ‘em,” too.
|
|
| 5 |
: Well, Joan, what are you doin’ this bright and cheerful morning? Oh! Good morning, Joan. Sleep well? (I hope you read this in the morning)
|
|
| 6 |
: Well, anyway, how are you Joan? None the worse after that “horrible” weekend, I hope. It sounded like lots of fun to me. And say, I don’t mind being your “it”.
|
|
| 7 |
: Now for more about your letter: About the work over here; holy ??? but I must of put it on thick. Of course I have time to eat! I’m usually first at the table and last to leave. Boy, but do I love the dinner call! Not because I’m hungry but because we can rest - ah!
|
|
| 8 |
: Beautiful rest! Seriously, though, Joan, I’m not working that hard. The work has been hard but I’m getting use [sic] to it now. We’ve finished all the field work and there’s really not much work to do now. But there’s enough to keep us busy -- darn it. But don’t worry, Joan, I’m not working myself to death. Here pinch my arm. See, I’m alive. Ouch. (You pinched me too hard). Silly, ain’t I?
|
2 |
| 9 |
: What do we do in the winter? Nothing! Nothing ‘cept the chores. My brother and I may try to find work elsewhere--but not till I have a vacation. Gee, I wish I could go home for a visit, even for a few days. That’s day-dreaming, though.
|
|
| 10 |
: Music? I think I like Bing the bestest. I like smooth lingering music. Of course I classical [sic] -- but not too classical. One thing I don’t like --yet is that corny cave-man music (racket -- I mean). It actually drives me nuts.
|
|
| 11 |
: (Of course that’s taking for granted that I’m sane--which I’m not out here)
|
|
| 12 |
: Of course everyone has their own particular
|
|
| 13 |
: likings but I like Bing everytime. He drives me nuts, too--in a different way.
|
3 |
| 14 |
: So you were building castles in the sands? How romantic? Oh, I forgot. There were children with you. How horrible! I pity you, but I bet you did have some fun, huh?
|
|
| 15 |
: A working woman, are you? School’s your job. Stick to it. I would if I could.
|
|
| 16 |
: Which reminds me, school begins soon again, huh? Tech, tech, how time flies. More books and scraping with the teachers. When I think of school now they seemed lots of fun.
|
|
| 17 |
: You mentioned disagreeable odours of fish. Phooey! I met a skunk the other day and I thought it was very cute. Seems he doesn’t think the same of me, anyhow, i got the worst of him and he got the best of me. I’ll leave it to your imagination as for what happened. Anyway, the dog killed him and I went on my way. Well for the next week the dog and I were both in the dog house. I wouldn’t attempt to describe the odour. Phew!
|
|
| 18 |
: The moon? I don’t think I’ve ever stopped to admire it. (What-they-hay just about dark)
|
|
| 19 |
: The sunset is pretty out here, considering the fact that there is nothing but bold-headed prairie hills to give it a beautiful atmosphere. I think the other kids will back me up when I say that the sunset is very beautiful.
|
4 |
| 20 |
: I work in my birthday suit so I have a pretty fair tan--but if I keep this up much longer I’ll be burnt to a black crisp. Boy, it sure has been hot on some days, the last two weeks for instance. But today was cold! Can you imagine that? In mid-summer, too! Cold today -- hot tomorrow! Gosh, what goofy weather! How is it out there?
|
|
| 21 |
: Did I leave any questions out?
|
|
| 22 |
: Well what are you doing these days? Working in the peat-plant or are you taking care of the husband with the sick wife? Oh yes, there’s a baby in the family too, isn’t there? (I ain’t a bit funny am I?)
|
|
| 23 |
: How are Donnie and your folks? I hope they’re all well. And you. Are you taking good care of yourself?
|
|
| 24 |
: Say Joan, do you see many shows? Gosh, I haven’t seen one for so long, I forget what they’re like. Honest. I haven’t gone to Calgary yet, but I expect to some time
|
|
| 25 |
: during the month. My brother took a truck laid of vegetables in last week. He’ll be goin’ in quite often now and I hope to make one of the trips with him. I honestly wouldn’t mind seeing Calgary again. I can still remember some of the old haunts where I used to play and get into a lot of mickey. After all it’s only been about ten years ago.
|
5 |
| 26 |
: Gosh! Here I’m talking about nothing -- I guess I’m boring you, huh?
|
|
| 27 |
: Take care of yourself, Joan. And give my love and best wishes to your folks and of course Donnie.
|
|
| 28 |
: Good-bye till next time -- and don’t worry about us ‘cause we’re all fine.
|
|
| 29 |
: Yours,
|
|
| 30 |
: Alby
|
|
| 31 |
: P.S. ------
|
|
| 32 |
: P.P.S. Imagine that! No P.S.
|
|
| 33 |
: Bye, Alby
|
|
| 34 |
: (Oops! Over)
|
|
| 35 |
: Joan will you tell me how long my letters take to get to you. This letter will leave Ranier on the 14th one of the two mail days we have.
|
6 |
| 36 |
: Thanks
|
|
| 37 |
: Alby.
|
Preferred Citation
Ohama, Albert. Correspondence from Tad Nagamori to Joan Gillis. 12 August 1942. RBSC-ARC-1786-01-36. Joan Gillis fonds. University of British Columbia Library Rare Books and Special Collections, Vancouver, Canada.