13 August 1944
U.S.S. Prairie
Hello Guys,
Shame on me for not keeping up my good start, but after writing six letters to you, Dad, and Veen in about 3 days, I haven't written since. Time goes so fast that I hardly noticed that two weeks have passed since my last letter.
Mothers wonderful letter with the pictures of the neighborhood came last night. Also Dora's literary masterpiece. Veen came thru too, so yesterday I didn't fare badly, although it had been a whole week since my last morale booster from home.
It's swell that you're having good weather this year. After being plagued with pretty gruesome stuff the past expeditions, it's about time the Bear Island weatherman came through. I was under the impression that with fewer people going up this year that the fishing would be somewhat improved over other years.
(new ink) I believe that the fishing is good but that you woodsmen are too used to the Eagle Rock and Green Rod Lake fish that practically jump from the water into the canoe. Funny how long it took to interest you women into an expedition to the wilderness haunt and now the rough trip over the portages Viz: Skunk Lake, Moose Pond, Gull Lake and the like, is no barrier to your aging limbs at all.
How does Mary's roommate like Temag? Being a hoosier she ought to be tearing the place apart. Has Dora bitten Goshke yet? Vice Versa?
Page 2
Say! Dad's arrived hasn't he? Hi Grampa! Keep the Chins up! Somebody keep an eye on him, his dangerous when once bitten by the Temag bug. No wonder the wood pile is so high but keep him away from the Shaque.
Aunt Myrtle, how you making out without ye olde canoe paddler? No two timing now, I've got a way of checking up on my pert gal canoe.
Aunt Jerry Ashman wrote and said that she was thinking over going up to Temagami later. Maybe she'll get there yet.
You know, I was thinking that after this war we all ought to have a big reunion up there. Yennes, Lommassons, Ashmans, maybe Fetters. You get it, a great big affair. I still remember the life we used to have with the Macsweats and those terrific fishing trips to Cross Lake, Bear Island and the like. Although the Yenne fish S.F. (I mean that game good) have changed their haunts slightly any fish trips like that, fish can smell 'em out and there make life a bit Scouting Party here and a guy lives with an imaginary touch the mountains leaves and a guy lives better out here. In a utopia all his own, and occasional horns change to light fascinating ones which make life bearable. (QUOTH I).
Incidentally, before signing off, who's responsible for that foot large dingle in the car fender on the left side. Tidi donated the one on the right, I know, but who put the other prize alteration on the Buick.
Lots of Love,
Bud
P.S. Sailors cute. Too Bad you couldn't keep him.
Cartoon Page: "Dock Scenes a la Temag"
Title Panel: "DOCK SCENES A LA TEMAG"
Panel 1 - "Guess Who!"
Woman sitting on dock, viewed from behind, dangling feet in water
Panel 2 - Swimming scene
Figure swimming in lake with "WOOF!" speech bubble, trees and shoreline visible
Caption: "GUESS AGAIN"
Panel 3 - "Still Guessin?"
Person in water wearing shirt that says "U.S. PRAIRIE BACK"
Caption: "STILL GUESSIN?"
Panel 4 - Mail Party
View of dock with "MAIL PARTY" sign, boat labeled "672" arriving
Below: Person sunbathing on dock
Caption: "WHO USUALLY SUN BATHS?"
Panel 5 - Fishing scene
Figure in hat fishing from shore, box labeled "WORMS WORMS"
Caption: "TRY AGAIN"
Panel 6 - "INSERT" - Self-portrait
Box labeled "INSERT" showing:
"USS PRAIRIE" pennant
Bud in sailor uniform with mop/swab
Caption: "This is a Tough ONE"