Removed Another Difficult Impaction

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

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

Friday 29 December 1944, 7:25 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Finally got some mail today.  A letter from your mother, a card from Miss Earnest and four letters from you.  Your letters were postmarked--two on the 13th, one on the 19th and one the 20th.  I've already received mail from you for the 14th, 15th and 16th, so I'm expecting more mail for the blank period tomorrow.

          You mention the B'nai B'rith election being a surprise but give no issues.  How about a list of the new officers!

          I don't remember what the fur jacket cost, but it was around $55.  Looks like you made a good deal-if you collect.  That should be easy as long as she stays.

          Don't send any long socks.  If you can't find any short ones, I'll get by on what I have plus a few cotton ones that I'll buy.

          About the gardener--if the Jap will work more reasonably, I'd rehire him.  After all he was nice and efficient and probably after the war all gardeners will be Japanese again.  We might as well get back on the ground floor so to speak.

          If you didn't get the corsage on Xmas let me know and I'll trace down the money.  I'm glad the dolls were so nice.  Linda's cost $6.30 and Norma's $5.10.

          You mention an "enclosed Xmas card" for me to acknowledge but no card.  Maybe it'll come in one of the other letters.  Anyway let me know who it was from--just to make sure.  Thanks for Curry's address I didn't have it on my list.

          Today was just another day.  I removed another difficult impaction in but thirty minutes.  I'm really getting good at it.  Put in a few fillings and was through as far as my professional duties go.

          I finally got the carpenter to make up a ping pong table.  I bought the balls, paddles and nets in Honolulu and now we're going to have a contest with an award for the best players.

          The rumors I mentioned still come through unchanged so the hope for a return in a few months remains bright.

          It has just poured all day with short period of clearing off in between.  You've never seen such torrential rain in your life.  I like it though because it does make things cooler.

          The movie tonight is the "Cry of the Werewolf," with I forget who.  I must dash now though or I'll miss the second show.

          Darling, do you remember how I'd dash home from the office, gulp some food down and off we'd go to some early movie or something?  Just let me dash home.  I'd forget the rest of that routine.

          Goodnight Sweet and dream about three or four months from now.

Love,

Gil

 

 

Linda With Her Doll, December 1944

Ordered Dolls

Wednesday 29 November 1944

Dear Linda and Norma,

          My darlings, you look so sweet in your picture that I just had to write you about it.  My how you are growing and getting prettier all the time.

          I ordered dolls for both of you from Santa Claus and you will be receiving them soon.  Next year at Xmas, I'll be home and see that Santa brings a nice couch and chair for your room.  Won't that be swell?

          Did you get the books I sent you? There are several and I hope you enjoy reading them.

          Good night my darlings.  Linda, you haven't written to Daddy lately.  Have you been too busy?

Love,

Daddy

With the Exception of One or Two All the Officers Were for Roosevelt

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
             Friday 17 November 1944, 9:15 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello My Darling, how are you today?  Since I wrote last night, I dropped notes to Deb and Dave, my mother, your mother and Ruth.  After I finish this letter I'll do some more catching up.  I just got two letters today, one from Deb and Dave and one from you, My Sweet.

          This morning was the same as usual.  Spent most of it working.  After lunch I got into a blackjack game and won six or seven dollars.  I don't know how long my luck will hold out but it does help the time pass. I can't get hurt much so I'll indulge in a little gambling now and then.

          You ask how the ship's officers stood on the presidential election.  Well with the exception of one or two I believe they were all for Roosevelt.  Quite different from what if was in San Diego.  There, most of the older men were for Dewey and the young men for Roosevelt.  Anyway now that the die is cast we've had lots of good natured kidding about the future of our country and it was good for a laugh.

          As I've written before the dolls were ordered and should arrive before Xmas day.  Wouldn't it be swell if I were home then?  It doesn't look like there is any chance for that to happen but while there is life there is hope and nothing that happens in the Navy surprises me anymore.

          The movie tonight was "Thunderbirds," a real oldie.  I'd seen it before but so long ago I couldn't remember what came next so I enjoyed it as much as the first time.

          Honey, do you remember your birthday many years ago when I gave you that ring I made for you in school?  Well I may not be with you this year but beginning in 1945 and forever after we'll celebrate all birthdays together.  That's all for now Sweetheart, goodnight.

Lovingly

Gil

Ordered Dolls for Linda and Norma

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

          U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco
             Wednesday 4 October 1944 9:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Had liberty today, but didn't do much.  As a matter of fact, I stayed aboard for lunch and it was past one before Ambie and I finally shoved off.  We stopped at a music store and bought a book of songs.  Then we stopped for a couple of beers and sat around in a hotel court just relaxing.  Caught a bus and got back in time for dinner.  After dinner, I broke out the song book, Ambie got the accordion and several of the officers joined us.  We sang and played until movie time.  The movie was "Atlantic City" with Constance Moore, Jerry Colona and a lot of old timers.  The picture had much entertainment value but for some reason didn't click.  I personally believe the continuity was lousy.

          After the picture, I went to my present quarters and found a letter from you.  You sound quite busy but the tone of the letter shows that you have more or less gotten over that "Tante" deal.  I hope you'll have better luck with help next time.

          I finished reading Louis Bromfield's "The Green Bay Tree."  It is really a woman's book but it was laying around so I picked it up and before I knew it, I was so far into it that I decided to finish it.  I expect to do a lot more reading once we get underway.

          Well Sweetheart, I'm going to end this letter short for now and will finish in the morning.  I love you darling and I'll be so proud of my wife and girls when I get back.  Good night, hone. Will be with you again in the morning.

Thursday 5 October 1944, 8:30 AM

          Good morning, Sweetheart.  Nothing new since last night.  I haven't seen the morning mail, and I'm in somewhat of a hurry.  I ordered some recreational gear, and I'll have a jeep available in a few moments to go to pick the stuff up.  I still have to shave, so I must close quickly to be sure this goes off in the next batch of mail.

          I've ordered dolls for Norma and Linda and they should receive them for Xmas.  I've been looking for a silver charm bracelet, but they all seem to have local items in miniature on them, so those are out.  I'll continue looking something may turn up.

          Honey, do you remember how surprised you were when you got your silver fox neckpiece?  Well darling, there are many surprises in store for you, but you'll have to be patient until they come.

          I'll sign off and dash now.

Loving you always

Gil