Trading With Natives

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco

Monday 2 July 1945, 7:00 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello Darling are you feeling better today?  I got five letters today, one each from our mothers and the others from you.  I got a little more dope on what happened to you vacation plans but the letter giving me the details is still on its way.  Please don't let this change upset you too much.  I hope you'll be able to work out some other trip.  A visit with Doris might be nice but what about the kids?  Who'll take care of them while you're away?

          I'm glad you sent on the cosmetics.  I should be able to do some real sharp trading with the natives when I get the stuff.

          I hope you had a nice weekend and that you enjoyed your trip and visit with Deb and Dave.  In another month or so you'll be an aunt again.  What do Deb and Dave want?  A boy or a girl?  Or will they will take what they get and be satisfied?

          Nothing new out here.  I worked on patients all morning and part of the afternoon.  The rest of the time I spent on the wardroom books, censoring mail and a little more reading of "Strange Woman."  At 5:15 I showered and dressed for dinner.

          It has been raining since 4:00 PM and right now it is really pouring.  I hope it lets up for the movies.  We have "Billie Rose's Diamond Horseshoe."

          I finally got a USO show for our ship.  It is tomorrow night.  It's an hour in a fast boat to pick the troupe up.  Tomorrow, I'll leave to get them at 3:00 PM.   We'll get back in time for chow and after eating we'll have the show and then movies as usual.

          That is thirty for tonight my sweet.  So goodnight I'll see you in my dreams.

Loving you always,

Gil

Looked for Sol's Ship

Lieut. Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco

Friday 29 June 1945, 9:45 PM

Dearest Sweets,

          How are you tonight?  I do hope you've gotten over your blue spell and are smiling again.

          I worked all morning. But my usual routine changed with the mail.  I only received the National Jewish Monthly.  No letters.  Guess I'm getting spoiled.        

          I had another disappointment this afternoon.  I got hold of a boat to go out to see Sol.  We looked for his ship for two hours; the last hour was in the rain.  I returned to the Ocelot wet and disgusted.  His ship was to be here until the first, but instead it sailed this morning.  I think back to the states.  Oh well I did see Sol for a few minutes on Tuesday.  Maybe our paths will cross again soon.

          Seeing as I was drenched to the skin I drank a hot cup of coffee and went to my room to change into dry clothes. I showered and found I still had an hour before chow, so I censored some mail and began another book, "Strange Woman" by Ben Ames Williams.  I didn't get very far but it is interesting.

          After dinner we had our usual game of cribbage and then went to the movies.  We had "Cabin in the Sky" and though I'd seen it before, twice I think, I still enjoyed the music in it a lot.  Now here I am.

          I wrapped the bracelet that I made for Ethyl and will send it off in the morning.  Outside of that there is nothing else to tell.  No news--good, bad or indifferent.

          Goodnight my Darling. Please keep that chin up for me Sweet.  Soon this bad dream will be over and we'll be together again.

          In the meantime I'll see you in my dreams and be with you in my thoughts.

Loving you always,

Gil