Mail Call: 23 Jan 1936 (George)

From George Potter in Cabool, Missouri to his daughter Mary in Washington DC.

"A Mild Diuretic" detail, credit Smithsonian Museum, fair use.

Gladys is taking Doan's Pills, while George has extremely high blood pressure (as he did years before) and is told to "be careful about too much exertion."

"Mrs Brooks" is neighbor Arch Brooks' wife.
The "borrowed" paper is used here rather prodigally, written on one side only!
Mary's new job (Securites & Exchange) is permanent, the Agriculture Dept temporary.

"John" was John House, a much older suitor for Dorothy.

"that Jane" is presumably another of John House's amours.
"Your trip" is probably still Christmas in NYC, the Opera not perhaps counting as "thrills"
"Mrs Fielden" co-owner of the grocery which runs a tab for the Potters and others.

"Emma" is sister Emma Potter Parker in Corry, PA
"Art" is Mary's then boyfriend.

Mail Call: 7 Jan 1936 (George)

Metropolitan Opera Program Cover

From George Potter in Cabool, MO to his daughter Mary Potter in Washington, DC (who was recently visiting New York...and attending the Opera.  Wish her letter had survived!)

Gladys is feeling better;
 "on the go chasing dirt and knocking over dishes and making lots of noise."

"Eat Waffles...They Fill Your Face"  (no electricity...such would have been made on an iron in/on the stove.)

"I expect you felt real up(p)ity at the Opera; didn't you see lots of Janes in low neck & men in full dress.  I never went to one.  I have a notion I would like to see one, altho they are a little hibrow for me."

A reminder not to waste a dime on Special Delivery as there is none out by Sargent, Missouri.

"Art" is Mary's then boyfriend, Art Stewartson
"Long Island" i.e., where Art was from, Mary had visited there over Christmas
"John" is presumably John House, ex-suitor of Dorothy Potter

"ears blowed out"....drat, that's whence I get the earwax problem!

"Emmy" is George's sister back in Corry, PA
"Opera" as in Metropolitan Opera, NYC.  See below.

The Metropolitan Opera Program centerfold, 26 Dec 1935
Tannhauser...with Loritz Melchior, no less.
(I assume Mary and Art were in the cheap seats, if not the standing room in back....))

No supertitles back then....and the libretto is in German/English across pages.
Even the stage directions are given in both German and English!

But...the libretto included a piano reduction of choice bits to play at home!