Toothaches Have No Respect for Weather

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Thursday 29 March 1945, 7:40 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          It just poured all night and when I awoke this morning things looked black and stormy.  It has been raining steadily all day.  After dinner the wind died down some.

          However toothaches and such have no respect for the weather.  I was kept quite busy all morning.

          At 11:30 I went up to my room and found some mail, no letters however.  There was a package containing a bunch of Sunday newspaper supplements and 2-1/2 pairs of earrings.  The package was so beat up that one of the earrings must have fallen out.  I received a second bill for my dental society dues.  Did you pay it?  You probably did because this letter was very long in coming.  Also there was a package of thirty-two paper bound volumes for the library.

          After lunch I saw three more patients.  Then returned to my room and finished "Wild Geese Calling."  I've selected several books from those we just received for my reading in the next few days.

          Nothing new or different today.  Just another day out on the Pacific too far away from the one I love.

          Well Sweetheart, I'm all through now so I'll say goodnight.  Until tomorrow with loving thoughts and passionate desires I am still

Yours alone,

Gil

My Office Being Painted

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 23 March 1945, 7:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello honey, here I am again.  Today was another day of loafing because of the painting of my office.  I did get considerable done in the preparation of those reports I mentioned yesterday.  I had to completely inventory equipment and supplies and indicate their value and condition.  I also have to estimate supplies needed for the coming year and make recommendations to improve dental treatment in the area.

          I had planned on going ashore after lunch, but it was overcast and raining on and off.  So I decided to stay aboard.  Censored some mail and began another book "Wild Geese Calling."  We saw the movie but so far, the book so far is totally different (as far as I can remember).  At 5:15 I showered and dressed for dinner. After eating we stood around and just talked until a few minutes ago.

          The movie tonight is Donald Duck in "The Three Caballeros" and is supposed to be excellent.  Last night's movie was enjoyable too but we had a real cloudburst and even with my raincoat on I was soaked to the skin.

          No mail again today, but that is the way it goes.  Good service for awhile and then for no apparent reason the delivery slows to a snail's pace.  Maybe tomorrow will be different.

          There is nothing new to talk about.  Do you remember when every day we always had plenty to talk about and plan?  Well maybe sooner than we think we'll be able to do it again (I hope).

          I haven't told you I love you lately so here goes, "I love you" darling and if possible more and more every day.

          Goodnight, I'll see you in my dreams.

Yours alone,

Gil