Some Navy Employees Invited Us to Their House. I Made Lunch and Dinner.

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
                 September 28, 1944, 10:10 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Well here I am again.  Just got back from liberty and now for our little visit.  Several navy civilian employees invited us over to their house for some drinks and dinner.  Nothing had been started in the way of food when we got there so I volunteered to make spaghetti.  The shelves were loaded with mushrooms, tomato paste, tomato sauce and the condiments I usually use. I went to town.  There were seven of us men and we sure cleaned up.  I also fixed a bit of lunch, one of my crazy omelet combinations.  The place was up in the hills so we left at 8:30 PM to get back at 10:00 PM and we just about made it.

          Got a letter from you this morning and am pleased to hear that you are getting settled.  What happened to Wally that he is on crutches?  A thirty days leave is usual when one returns from overseas.

          Glad to hear that you were too tired to write a long letter.  I love to read your letters, but being so tired shows that you are keeping busy and I bet you'll sleep better.

          Just got a short note from Dr. White.  He says he has had difficulty getting together with you on an appointment.  Try to get your teeth completed and out of the way.

          Good night dear and I'll be with you again in the morning.

          Friday 29 September 1944, 8:30 AM

          Good morning dear, isn't it wonderful what a good night's sleep will do?  This climate would be ideal for the kids.  You'd never have to worry about whether they were warm enough or dry.  If they did get wet, they'd dry in no time.  Living in a place like this does have its advantages.

          Well, I wonder what the morning mail brings.  I've gotten replies to all my notes except those to Earl, Leon, Harry Sieger and Nina Hursey.  Wrote Aranoff and Bergman but it is a little soon to expect a reply.

          Do you remember how much we enjoyed Wednesday night at home?  After the war we'll continue but we'll know better about whom to ask.

          Bye Sweetheart must go to work now.  How's about a nice big kiss before I go?

I love you,

Gil

All Hands Aboard

Thursday 20 January 1944

Dear Eleanor,

          How is my Sweet today? Just one more day and I'll be home and are we going to have fun.

          Last night an order came through for the Medical Department (including the Dental Corps) to have "all hands aboard" for an inspection by the Admiral on Saturday.  And was I in a dither!  That meant that I couldn't leave until after the Admiral made his inspection.  This morning a change in orders came through.  We had to get ready for inspection by 1:00 P.M.  We did, he came, and everyone is happy.

          I ran into the younger Levison boy; he is an ensign.  I don't remember his first name, but his brother's name is Billy.

          I was a little busier today.  I placed twelve silver fillings, two porcelain fillings and cleaned a lieutenant's teeth.  Usually by 4:00 o'clock things drop off, but we must remain "aboard" until 5:15.

          Called Nina Hursey at her work yesterday.  She couldn't talk and asked me to call her at home.  I will one of these days.

          Well Dear, keep your panties on till I get home tomorrow (Friday night).

Love,

Gil

Dry Socket

AMERICAN RED CROSS

Wednesday 26 January 1944

2200 o'clock (10:00 P.M.)

Dearest,

          Just got through "schmussing" with Dr. Denny who is standing watch with me tonight.

          Last night I went to the movie and saw Sinatra in a real stinkaroo.  This morning was quite busy.  This afternoon was dead.  I only saw one patient.  Did it rain in Santa Monica during the night?  We had a real cloudburst here.

           This evening I saw "Henry Aldrich Haunts a House" and found it quite amusing.  Tomorrow night "Madame Curie" is showing but I won't go to see it.  I'll wait to see it with you.

          Called Nina Hursey.  She is busy getting ready for her vacation beginning next week.  She insisted on my dropping in on her before she leaves, so I promised to call on her tomorrow (Thursday) night.

          Things aren't bad here during the day.  The doctors and corpsmen sit around and talk when they are not working, but when evening comes, they all go their individual ways.  I do miss my "girls."

2230 o'clock (10:30 P.M.)

          Just had an emergency call, a sailor with a dry socket.  He was here yesterday and this morning he asked for relief and they gave him aspirin.  A lot of good that did.  I cleaned out the socket and packed it.  Now he is a new man.

          Am going to go to the BOQ and turn in.  Dr. Denny lives off base so he will sleep at the clinic.  The new watch list was posted this afternoon.  I'll be off this weekend.  Next week I have the Friday night watch which means I'll leave as soon after 8 A.M. as I can on Saturday morning.

          My Sunday watch is on February 20 so I'll have to get someone to trade watch with me.  I think it can easily be arranged.

          Am getting sleepy.  Nighty night and pleasant dreams hone.  Only two more days and one more night and I'll be home again.

          Love and kisses to all my girls.

As ever,

Gil