C.Y. Bourgeois's Blog, page 3
October 15, 2019
You'll Wish You Hadn't Done It, and Yet...
July 25, 1962Fairbanks, Alaska
Dearest Lois & Kids:
Well honey, by now you know I’ve got another job and I like it better than the other one. The guy I work for is a pretty nice guy and so far, I guess I’ve been doing O.K. I hope. You know it’s been a long time since I worked in a filling station. The main thing though, at least it’s steady.
Sweetheart, when you come, I don’t care what you bring as long as you and the kids get here alright. Honey, go ahead and buy Billy a few clothes if you want to but I’m planning on starting him in kindergarten up here. So, if you want to why don’t you start shopping around and see what you can get for the trailer. Don’t know what you’ve got planned for the car. Do you think you’d like to undertake a trip like that with the kids? It’d sure be rough. If you decide to drive up, the thing to do would be take a couple of weeks or more to make it.
Am sending some more money and it will be regular now, every week. Don’t let anybody change your mind if you really decide you want to make the drive. It’s a long rough trip and you’ll probably wish you hadn’t done it and yet be glad you did.
...to be continued
October 8, 2019
And That Was It, Part IV
Conclusion:
“Lois?” Bill said.
“Hmm?”
She’s the one, he thought as his eyes searched her face. She looks so much like Eloisa, but is so different in every other way.
Taking a deep breath, he said, “I knew from the moment we met that life with you would be challenging. I know you’ll give me grief and you’ll be bull-headed and stubborn, but dammit, I’m ready to be a husband and someday soon, I hope, a dad. And as feisty, difficult, and dramatic as you can be, you’re also the sweetest woman I’ve ever met and I’m in love with you.”
He took her hands in his.
Lois’s big eyes grew even bigger and her face glowed in the dappled sunlight.
“Sweetheart?” His heart thudded and his guts shook, but he soldiered on. “I love you. Will you marry me?”
Time seemed to stand still in their little bubble. No sounds, no movement of air.
Lois smiled. “Well…I’m not sure—"
Bills’ eyes popped and his mouth fell open. “What?”
She burst out laughing. “You should see your face.”
“Hey, that’s not funny,” he said, grinning. “So? Is that a yes?”
“Yes.”
As he looked into her shining face, a tear rolled down his cheek. “I’m finally going to have a family,” he said. His voice was thick and deep with wonder and possibilities and happiness. His eyes were faraway, seeing into the future. Their future together.
Lois smiled, sniffled, and reached up to wipe away his tear. “Yes, we will."
His dark eyes focused on her as he returned to the present. “So,” a slow smile, like the rising of the sun, lit up his face, “how soon can we start our family?”
“Lois?” Bill said.
“Hmm?”
She’s the one, he thought as his eyes searched her face. She looks so much like Eloisa, but is so different in every other way.
Taking a deep breath, he said, “I knew from the moment we met that life with you would be challenging. I know you’ll give me grief and you’ll be bull-headed and stubborn, but dammit, I’m ready to be a husband and someday soon, I hope, a dad. And as feisty, difficult, and dramatic as you can be, you’re also the sweetest woman I’ve ever met and I’m in love with you.”
He took her hands in his.
Lois’s big eyes grew even bigger and her face glowed in the dappled sunlight.
“Sweetheart?” His heart thudded and his guts shook, but he soldiered on. “I love you. Will you marry me?”
Time seemed to stand still in their little bubble. No sounds, no movement of air.
Lois smiled. “Well…I’m not sure—"
Bills’ eyes popped and his mouth fell open. “What?”
She burst out laughing. “You should see your face.”
“Hey, that’s not funny,” he said, grinning. “So? Is that a yes?”
“Yes.”
As he looked into her shining face, a tear rolled down his cheek. “I’m finally going to have a family,” he said. His voice was thick and deep with wonder and possibilities and happiness. His eyes were faraway, seeing into the future. Their future together.
Lois smiled, sniffled, and reached up to wipe away his tear. “Yes, we will."
His dark eyes focused on her as he returned to the present. “So,” a slow smile, like the rising of the sun, lit up his face, “how soon can we start our family?”
October 4, 2019
And That Was It, Part III
Part III
Lois shielded her eyes from the bright sun-off-the-water reflection and watched her boyfriend and her niece race ashore, neck-and-neck. “He’s so good with the kids,” she whispered. “He’s so good to me and my family loves him.” She sighed and the Mona Lisa smile returned to her full lips. “And he’s just so…beautiful.” She watched them for another few seconds. “He does it for me.” Then she dropped her hand and yelled, “Come on, Rainy, kick his behind!”
Rainy splashed in first, touched the side of the dock, and raised her hand in triumph, her smile so big it almost outshone the sun sparkling off the water. “I won, I won!” she screeched over the cheers and laughter coming from the milling mass of kids and grownups.
“Woo! Good for you!” Lois yelled. She waved her arms overhead for a minute, then, still smiling, she sat down, picked up the oars and began rowing in to shore.
She bumped the shoreline and was lifting the dripping oars into the boat when the boat was yanked further ashore, almost toppling her from her seat.
“Hey,” she squealed, her eyes flying wide open as she turned around on the seat.
“Just giving you a hand,” Bill grinned from his position at the bow with one hand on the boat and the tie-up rope in the other. He looped the rope around a tree and held his hand out to her. She grasped it and stepped out of the boat to stand next to him. She looked up with a smile just in time to be pulled into his embrace for a long kiss. This time, in the shelter of the trees, they were able to share a few private moments.
They pulled apart and stood with their foreheads touching.
...to be continued
October 2, 2019
And That Was It, Part II
Part II
Lois watched the exchange with glowing eyes and a Mona Lisa smile. “You’re going to tip us over if you don’t stop,” she said, gripping the side.
“That’d be okay. We can all swim.” He tipped his head down to Rainy. “Can’t we?”
“We sure can,” she hollered and pushed herself out of his arms and to her feet. “Race ya back to shore.” She jumped up and did a perfect jackknife dive into the water.
Bill laughed, his brown eyes twinkled and his lopsided smile lighting up his face. “Lucky for you, brat, I’m gonna give you a head start.” He hollered. Then he turned to Lois and put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in for a kiss.
She melted into him for a few seconds until the sounds of shouting and whistling carried over from the dock. She pulled back and they both looked ashore.
Her nephew Larry had his hands in parenthesis around his mouth. “Get a room!” he bellowed.
Lois and Bill started laughing.
“Guess I’d better catch the brat,” he said. He stood up; his tall frame rocking with the boat. “See you back on shore, sweetheart.”
He tipped her a salute and dove into the water and, in a matter of minutes, with his much longer arms and powerful strokes had almost caught Rainy, much to the delight of the cheering crowd on the dock.
Lois watched the exchange with glowing eyes and a Mona Lisa smile. “You’re going to tip us over if you don’t stop,” she said, gripping the side.
“That’d be okay. We can all swim.” He tipped his head down to Rainy. “Can’t we?”
“We sure can,” she hollered and pushed herself out of his arms and to her feet. “Race ya back to shore.” She jumped up and did a perfect jackknife dive into the water.
Bill laughed, his brown eyes twinkled and his lopsided smile lighting up his face. “Lucky for you, brat, I’m gonna give you a head start.” He hollered. Then he turned to Lois and put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in for a kiss.
She melted into him for a few seconds until the sounds of shouting and whistling carried over from the dock. She pulled back and they both looked ashore.
Her nephew Larry had his hands in parenthesis around his mouth. “Get a room!” he bellowed.
Lois and Bill started laughing.
“Guess I’d better catch the brat,” he said. He stood up; his tall frame rocking with the boat. “See you back on shore, sweetheart.”
He tipped her a salute and dove into the water and, in a matter of minutes, with his much longer arms and powerful strokes had almost caught Rainy, much to the delight of the cheering crowd on the dock.
September 28, 2019
And That Was It
Part I: “Yaaa!” Bill yelled as he cannon-balled into the river with a huge splash. Water sloshed up over the edge of the dock and splattered the mass of kids hanging out in the sun. He swam out towards the rowboat anchored out in the middle of the swirling St. Joe River.
Sunlight glistened off the top of his bald, wet head as he hauled himself up onto the side of the boat and screams emitted from within as the boat rocked precariously from side-to-side, inches from taking on water as it dipped down and up and back down. Two sets of legs waggled in the air when Lois and her niece, Lorraine, sat up, laughing and holding on to the sides of the boat for dear life.
“Hey ladies,” Bill said as he hauled himself over the side like a wet seal and plopped on the floor beside Lois. He shook his head and sprayed her with bright drops of water.
Lois sputtered and wiped the water off her face and arms. “Bill!”
“Hi.” Lorraine climbed over the seat and curled up against his wide chest.
He wrapped his arms around the dark-haired twelve-year-old. “How’s everything out here in the girl’s boat, Rainy?”
“Good.” She smiled up at him, her warm hazel eyes and sweet smile so like her mother’s. Her long hair was pulled back in a braid that emphasized her heart-shaped face. “But, it’s not a girls’ boat anymore now that you’re here too.”
He grinned down at her.“Nope, it’s just a boat now. A boring old boat.” And with that, he began to rock the boat back and forth.
Rainy latched her hands on his arm and laughingly squealed. “Stop it, Uncle Bill. Stop.”
And that was it. Lois was a goner. She knew in that moment, watching him with her young niece, that he was and always would be the love of her life. A wave of relief washed over her.
to be continued...
September 24, 2019
Coconut Macaroons
Mom got this recipe from her sister, Aunt Frances, who died in 1985 from complications of Diabetes. It’s easy and delicious and always reminds me of family.
Coconut Macaroons
2-1/4 C sifted flour1-1/4 C shortening or butter1 C white sugar1C brown sugar1 C rolled oats1 C chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)2 C coconut2 eggs, beaten2-1/3 tsp. baking soda1 tsp. salt1 pinch of love
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream together shortening and sugars and then add eggs. Mix in dry ingredients. Work with hands and pick off walnut-sized pieces of dough. Roll into balls, place on cookie sheets and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Makes 8 dozen.
Enjoy!
September 19, 2019
Be Good Kids
July 20, 1962
Fairbanks, Alaska
Dear Billy and Carla:
How’s daddy’s kids, fine I hope and still being good like daddy asked you to. Also have you been helping mommy like you said you would?
Sure sorry about Tiki kids, but don’t you worry, when you get up here you’ll have another dog. Maybe even a real Husky.
Daddy is sure proud of you kids and I’ll try to send you something else from here real soon. Be good kids and give mommy a big hug and lots of kisses for me.
Love and Kisses Always,Daddy
Fairbanks, Alaska
Dear Billy and Carla:
How’s daddy’s kids, fine I hope and still being good like daddy asked you to. Also have you been helping mommy like you said you would?
Sure sorry about Tiki kids, but don’t you worry, when you get up here you’ll have another dog. Maybe even a real Husky.
Daddy is sure proud of you kids and I’ll try to send you something else from here real soon. Be good kids and give mommy a big hug and lots of kisses for me.
Love and Kisses Always,Daddy
September 17, 2019
Don't Forget to Dream About Me
July 20, 1962
Fairbanks, Alaska
conclusion...
We could live in an apt. until we found what we wanted. Sweetheart, if it sounds like a good deal to you let me know because I sure want you and the kids here with me right away. You know I love you very much and miss you even more, so the sooner the better.
Tell everybody “Hi” and give them my love and thanks for helping you like they have and that maybe someday we can repay them. Am going to close now and make up my room and put away my laundry. Noel loaned me his pickup so I could do it or else I’d have had to walked.
By the way honey, there is one more thing I could use, better make it two things. The first is you, because it’s so damn lonesome and the 2nd is a couple of pairs of coveralls. How about looking in the Wholesale catalog and see if they have any that are acid resistant. That kind would be best if you could find some. Tried to find some used ones (any kind) but they don’t have any that’ll fit me. Can get new ones but they’re pretty high.
Sweetheart, I know I shouldn’t be asking for anything, but those are 2 things I do need and bad.
Tell my two little darlings daddy sure does miss them and wish they were here too. Give them both a great big hug and kiss for me until I can do it myself.
Am closing now and going to get me something to eat. There’s one thing about it, they sure have good food and I’m not starving even if I do only eat one good meal a day.
Goodnight sweetheart and don’t forget to dream about me because I sure do you.
All my love and kisses always. Your loving husband,Bill
P.S. If you think what I said is a good idea let me know and we can both get started. Love and kisses, Bill
P.S. Jerry said Neil went out and done some drinking the other night and spent about 40 bucks. Has Irene heard any more from him about all his big plans? (Ha Ha) He’s talking now about joining the State Police up here. I don’t think he’ll make it though and neither does anybody else who knows him.
Please don’t say anything to Irene about what I say. I know someone should tell her, and I know you won’t.Love and kisses always, Bill
September 12, 2019
They're Tops
July 20, 1962
Fairbanks, Alaska
...continued
You know honey, I think Neil’s mad at me again because I won’t go traipsing around in the woods with him every time he wants to go. He’s mad now cause I won’t go Sun., out on the Elliot Highway gallivanting around with him.
Well sweetheart, I’m going to finally finish this letter because I know you’re anxious to hear from me. Am real sorry I haven’t written earlier this week, but have been kind of pooped when I get off work. I know there’s a letter from you at the P.O. but haven’t had a chance to get it yet.
How is everything going with you? I know you need money bad ad will have some for you next week. Will try to get it to you by Tues. or Wed. At the present time I’ve been helping Noel here at the Boatel and it helps keep my rent paid up and my belly full. Sure was nice of them to let me help them that way. You’d really like them I think, they’re tops.
At least I’m farther ahead than Neil is. Today, Sun., he (Neil) came out to the boat and almost spoke to me. Him and Jerry took off and went someplace. Don’t know where and care less. But I think he went apt. hunting.
I’ve been watching the papers for houses for sale or rent. You know they have some nice ones and not much higher than at home. You know honey, if we could sell the trailer for enough, we could pay Uncle Fred a large amount and maybe end up with enough for a down payment on a house. How does that sound to you? The only catch is you might have to go to work for a while, but you already said you were willing to do that.
to be continued...
Fairbanks, Alaska
...continued
You know honey, I think Neil’s mad at me again because I won’t go traipsing around in the woods with him every time he wants to go. He’s mad now cause I won’t go Sun., out on the Elliot Highway gallivanting around with him.
Well sweetheart, I’m going to finally finish this letter because I know you’re anxious to hear from me. Am real sorry I haven’t written earlier this week, but have been kind of pooped when I get off work. I know there’s a letter from you at the P.O. but haven’t had a chance to get it yet.
How is everything going with you? I know you need money bad ad will have some for you next week. Will try to get it to you by Tues. or Wed. At the present time I’ve been helping Noel here at the Boatel and it helps keep my rent paid up and my belly full. Sure was nice of them to let me help them that way. You’d really like them I think, they’re tops.
At least I’m farther ahead than Neil is. Today, Sun., he (Neil) came out to the boat and almost spoke to me. Him and Jerry took off and went someplace. Don’t know where and care less. But I think he went apt. hunting.
I’ve been watching the papers for houses for sale or rent. You know they have some nice ones and not much higher than at home. You know honey, if we could sell the trailer for enough, we could pay Uncle Fred a large amount and maybe end up with enough for a down payment on a house. How does that sound to you? The only catch is you might have to go to work for a while, but you already said you were willing to do that.
to be continued...
September 10, 2019
I Can Get Dirty
July 20, 1962Fairbanks, Alaska
My Dearest Lois & kids:
Well sweetheart, I went to work Tue. in a filling station! The pay starts at $2.50 per hour, 9 hrs. a day, 6 days a week and after I catch on, I’ll get $3.00 or a little over, an hour. Actually, I like it better than the bus driving job I almost got because I can get dirty and I’ll get paid every week. I’ve been greasing cars, changing tires, putting gas in them and minor repair work on them.
Am going to make this letter short because I want to get it mailed. Sure glad to hear Bub got home alright and you got the money. Know you needed it and sorry it couldn’t have been more. Maybe now you’ll have it coming in every week.
You know I’ve been watching the papers for houses and they sure do have a lot of them for sale. Some of them aren’t too high either and sound real nice.
You know, honey, I’ve been thinking, you said you ‘d be willing to go to work to help out for a while. Sounds real good and maybe we could get a house quicker that way. I really think it would work. So, think it over and let me know what you decide and if you want to do it or not.
...to be continued...
Note: The line about getting dirty is such a guy thing to say & it makes me laugh every time I read it.
