Ship's Xmas Greeting

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

             U.S.S. Ocelot, FPO San Francisco
              Friday 1 December 1944, 9:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Hello darling here I am again.  I am enclosing a copy of the ship's Xmas greeting.  What do you think of it?  I have one all colored up and am keeping in my personal file.  I am also enclosing a couple of samples of other art (?) Hope it gives you a laugh.  I have colored specimens of these in my file as well.

          This has been a back to normal day, just a little work and lots of time for my extra-dental duties.

          The movie tonight was "Princess O'Rourke" and though it was old and I had seen it before it was a very pleasant way to spend an hour and a half.

          No mail again today.  Guess I'll have to get used to doing without for awhile and then just gorge myself with pleasure when I hit the jackpot.

          How about air mailing a box of colored crayolas in pencil form?  The Xmas greetings would be beautiful if they were colored. Who knows what will turn up next under my artistic fingers.

          By the way I ran across a book of poetry by Keats.  Tonight I will have to see what he has to say about love.  I really don't think words can really express it but I'll see if I can find a little something that even approaches my feelings at least in part.

          Dear do you remember when we'd lie in bed and make up words and poems to suit our moods?  After the war in between acts we'll do the same.  OK?

          Good night Sweet.  With loving thoughts of you I'll turn in and maybe I will see you in my dreams.

Love,

Gil

Enclosing a Poems Apropos to Us

Thursday, 31 August 1944, 10:30 AM

Dearest Eleanor,

          Good morning, Sweet, dreamed about you again last night.  I was a civilian and working hard in my office.  You came up but wouldn't kiss me because you had a cold.  However I put stop to that nonsense.  Guess if I had slept on I would have had a cold too.

          Kept pretty busy yesterday.  Got your package off this morning and I hope you like what I sent.  Will send along Linda's and Norma's as soon as possible.

          Received your letter of the 26th, one from Libby with Jim's address and the bulletin.  Send the bulletin regular mail.  Any news in there will keep a week or two longer.  That was yesterday.  This morning I received two more from you, one from Libby and one from my mother.

          It certainly would be wonderful if I could be back in time for your birthday (no I haven't forgotten) but I don't believe anyone knows now where we'll be then.  All one can do is hope.  Even if I can't be with you in person you are always with me in my heart.

          After dinner last night we got out on deck and played a game of dart throwing for awhile.  Then we had a movie "Jungle Woman" which was a remake of one we'd seen.  About a female ape that is changed by some doctor into a human and how she saves the life of an animal trainer when he is attacked by a lion in a cage.  Interesting but some of the sequences were very illogical.

          Dear, I'm enclosing a poem I picked up which I think is apropos to us.  Time to go to work my darling so good bye till tomorrow.

Your loving husband,

Gil