The Thirties were hard, dear. The weather was dreadful for years at a time! Remember the little neighbor girl - Portia something or other - who was responsible for keeping her baby brother cool all through that dreadful summer of 1936?

Your Devoted Miss Blue

This is February weather in Detroit, Mi., when the snow was two feet deep, crusted on top with an icy glaze, and walking home from Southeastern High School in 1939, with books piled up to our chin and feet and legs disappearing in the snow, almost tipping us over as we clumsily made our way home. Strangely, the sun was shining.

Schubert Dreams of His Old Friend From School

Dear Miss Blue,

Since wearing the Liberian scarf, Schubert has become infatuated with all things Liberian! He has insisted on reading the many adventures of Life in Liberia with such untiring interest, hardly wanting anyone to interfere with his new found past-time. He is not at all interested in the local papers; just the far away, exciting places that he can dream about. That seems to be Schubert's way.

Pearl

Dear Pearl,

You are so bold, my dear, about the icy conditions. I'm afraid Melba's ice skating accident has made us less so. She has broken her ankle and is confined to the house where she makes life miserable for the rest of us. Louise runs back and forth fluffing pillows and bringing creamed spinach to the invalid. Linguini is sent hither and yon for dimestore novels and smelling salts. Even little Fanny is kept busy demonstrating origami frog folding over and over again to her most uncooperative mama. Melba is not an easy patient. I may come to visit you at the diner if you'd have me. Please say yes!

I Remain As Always,

Your Devoted Miss Blue

Oh, Miss Blue, so much to say and think about. The Village people are sequestered. . . yes, they are not out and about, especially the older ones, afraid of falling! So tiresome, Miss Blue. I for one, am Not afraid of falling, having not fallen recently. There is nothing like Not being afraid of falling. Like the Postman, neither Rain nor Snow can stop me - although barking dogs on chains and low flying crows can throw me off balance, I will hastly admit. And so I will say, as I did long ago when sending the many children off to school, c'est le guerre!

On the Road with Pearl

He is such a good sport! Showing off again! Did you know that Golden Retrievers love working with Construction Crews here in Minneapolis fetching and carrying roofing tiles in their mouths (of course, in their mouths)? Anyway Schubert is hoping this experience - eating the hard, cold, ice - will prepare him for the first job that comes his way; so I am encouraging all of this, Miss Blue. He waits for your approval.

Warmly, (in this instance, so appropriate) Proudly,

Pearl

Schubert Ready for Liberia