Milliron Monday: Letters Home Feb 5 1960

 

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.:  June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Virginia Joyann "Jody" Haley Smith: April 2, 1938 - May 9, 2021

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Milliron Farm and Clinic, Dr. Pete and Jody Smith. 

"Tomorrow night should be a fun time - it's the big vet dance of the quarter which is always one of the fun dances of the campus."

― Jody Smith

Jody's letter home to Mansfield, Ohio. Backstory: Gary Franklin is Pete and Jody's nephew; Mike is their Irish Setter living with Jody's parents; Pooh is the family cat; Jessie, Jody's grandmother, ordered a ham for the couple's Christmas and it hasn't arrived.

917 Remington

Fort Collins, Colorado

Sunday, December 13, 1959

Hi All,

    Thanks for the picture of Gary Franklin. He surely is cute! 

    The ladies in the bookstore had been pestering me to bring our wedding pictures over and show them so I finally did. They really liked them. I appreciate them more and more every time I look at them. It's certainly nice to have such a pretty wedding book to show to people -thanks again and again for everything. The day and the picture remembrances of it. 

    Mike's AKC registry number is on his registration and on his pedigree - also on any of the obedience trial stuff which I saved. I hope, but I don't know for sure, that it's possibly in the pet folder from my file manila folder) which is possibly in the things I left in the big chest in Jessie's room, the shoe cabinet, my old closet or else up in the attic. Also, might look in the pages of that German Shepherd book (black book, plastic cover which is probably in the bookshelves in the livingroom somewhere). Sorry I can't remember exactly where it is.

    A BabeeTenda (highchair) would be real nice but I'm sure we won't be needing that for quite a while.

    Tomorrow night should be a fun time - it's the big vet dance of the quarter which is always one of the fun dances of the campus. I'm planning on wearing that green brocade sheath with the detachable harem skirt. Fortunately, our young'un isn't protruding enough to even make the sheath hard to zip up - I tried it on tonight to be sure - but my middle seems suddenly to be growing by leaps and bounds so I don't suppose it'll be too long before our baby will be a bit obvious.

    Supposed to be a bit warmer tomorrow so Nancy Sonneman and I plan to get in a bit of riding - hope to squeeze it in between studies and housework.

    My industrious and talented husband just whipped up a bookcase to house our ever-growing supply of books. He really did a nice job - of course. Pooh supervised everything, but still, it's pretty nice for only 2 1/2 hours time and cheap lumber.

Bye for now. Love,

Jody

 

P.S. Thanks for the clippings. Jess, we got a letter from Jones' Dairy Farm saying they were sending the ham in a few days. Thank you for writing them again.

Previous Letters Home: 

Sept 15, 1959 

Oct 16, 1959

Oct 26, 1959 

N0v 22, 1959

Dec 2, 1959

Dec 13, 1959

Jan 17, 1960

Jan 23, 1960 

Jan 31, 1960

~  ~ 

  

Connect with Gina...

Milliron Facebook Page

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.

  

This Week at Monday Creek: Equine Respiratory Evaluation Tool

 

Summer greetings from Monday Creek USA! A busy time of year for everyone, we are preparing for the winter months and working on the release of several new titles at Monday Creek Publishing.

Recently, the folks at Aservo EquiHaler sent me a package, including a Press Release for their new Equine Respiratory Evaluation Tool. It's for horses that suffer from asthma - labored breathing, constant cough and sneezing. You can find out more at aservoequihaler.com. 

As a horse owner, our horse's health is paramount. Like dogs and cats, our horses are part of the family and we consider their healthcare just as much as our own. Hay quality, nutrition, adequate fresh water, and TLC are required. If you are in need of an overall equine evaluation, check with your local veterinarian and farrier for appropriate feeding and wellness requirements.

An Interview with World Poetess N.R.Hart

An Interview with World Poetess N.R.Hart

With a new book release, N.R.Hart welcomes you to her world – her poetry world. A world where romance and emotion is paramount. Hart’s poetry resonates with readers from around the world, from many cultures and diverse geographic. As a best-selling poetess, Hart spends her days writing on the beach, in quaint coffee shops, or from the privacy of her Victorian-inspired home. I caught up with Hart and asked about her new book Twin Flame Love: Romantic Poetry, a worldwide favorite and the fourth in a beautiful hardcover series.

Welcome, N.R.!

GM: What would you like readers to take away from Twin Flame Love?

NH: I would love for my readers to read Twin Flame Love and take away from it that there may be a certain love story during your lifetime that is unexplainable. A once-in-a-lifetime love that  is unlike all the rest. That you don't have to make sense of it all. Many people try to make sense of a deep love because they have not experienced anything like it before. They have feelings they have never felt before. It is not to be explained. Magic can't be explained, you just feel it! 

GM: What is the motivation for your success?

NH: My motivation is simply to tell a story and if people can relate to that story then I have given them a voice for their feelings. I have given them words for their silence. That is a big thing for me. To be a voice for my readers, if they are struggling to find the words. I simply have found the words for them. If that has made me successful, it is only because my readers have believed in me from the beginning. And, I thank them for that. 

GM: What drives your creativity?

NH: I am asked all the time by my fans what inspires me. And the answer is everything around me inspires me. All of life is writable. My creative outlet is paying attention and experiencing life around me. I find romance in everything! I think when you have a voice inside you that will not be silent, you must use it to the best of your ability. I love something as untouchable as feelings, as vast as love is, the creative challenge of putting those feelings into words. 

GM: Are you working on a new poetry collection? 

NH: I am currently working on a few projects right now, one being a new poetry collection and a children's poetry collection in the near future.

GM: Take us through a day in your life...

NH:  I am a lover of nature. You can find me outside most days enjoying the sunshine, seeking out flower shops, bookstores, quaint coffee shops, museums. I love art and history. My days mostly consist of writing and more writing in different spots that I find charming and inspiring. Of course, my sweet dog Bella accompanies me whenever possible.  

GM: With many fans worldwide, do you have a favorite fan-anecdote you would like to share?

NH:  I think the one that stands out the most is I have been told more than once by my fans that they are surprised to find out that I am a modern poet from this century vs. a dead poet. And, my answer is always the same. It is truly a compliment for me that my poetry is thought of as from a different era, a time gone by. I really am an "old soul" at heart. 

GM: Your book covers are beautiful. Will you be working with Logan Rogers, Illustrator, again for your next book cover?  

NH:  Logan Rogers is an amazing artist and I hope to be working with him on future covers. It  is not an easy thing expressing your vision to someone else so they can paint it for you and make it a reality. And, after working with Logan all these years, yes he expresses my visions beautifully! 

GM: Besides writing poetry, what do you like to do for fun?

NH: I think as a writer, this takes up most of my time, it really is a 24 hour job.  Any writer will tell you that we are a reclusive group of people with only a few close friends. But, when I am not writing, I do love spending time reading novels, going out with friends, taking walks with my dog, trying new coffee shops and restaurants, attending movies and visiting art museums. 

GM: Where do you see yourself in ten years?

NH: Honestly speaking, I live for today. That's the romance part of it!  I am fully present in the now and try not to think too much about the future, but I hope to have a couple romance novels written along with my children's poetry book as part of my long term accomplishments.  

Connect with Hart…

Amazon Author Page 

Facebook Instagram  Etsy

www.nrhart.com

Bio: N.R.Hart began writing poetry at a young age and used her poetry as a way to express her innermost thoughts and emotions. A true romantic at heart, she expresses feelings of love, hope, passion, despair, vulnerability and romance in her poetry. Trapping time forever and a keeping memories is what she loves most about the enduring power of poetry. Her poetry has been so eloquently described as "words delicately placed inside a storm." Poetry is here to make us feel instead of think; as thinking is for the mind and poetry is for the heart and soul. N.R.Hart hopes to open up your heart and touch your soul with her poetry.

 

Milliron Monday: Letters Home Jan 31 1960

 

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.:  June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Virginia Joyann "Jody" Haley Smith: April 2, 1938 - May 9, 2021

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Milliron Farm and Clinic, Dr. Pete and Jody Smith. 

"I'm not looking forward to looking like a brood mare."

― Jody Smith

Jody's letter home to Mansfield, Ohio. Backstory: Jody and Pete are seniors at Colorado State University. Jody is in her second trimester and continues to ride Starboy. Besides school, Pete works for the local greyhound racetrack vetting dogs. Jody's parents stay in close contact, sending weekly letters, gifts, etc.

917 Remington

Fort Collins, Colorado

Sunday, January 31, 1960

Hi All,

    Thanks so much for all the recent presents - quite pleasant surprises. The baby clothes are certainly darling and I'm sure I'll appreciate the multitude of diapers more and more at a later date. The car seat and bed arrived in perfect condition. It surely is a fancy little thing and I'm sure we'll really be able to use it a lot. The bed seems quite nice enough for a regular bed as well as a car bed, at least til our young'un gets big enough to climb out.

    Thanks also for the white monogramed blouse. I'm almost anxious to wear all these pretty new things but I'm not looking forward to looking like a brood mare. I still haven't gained any weight - certainly hope I won't gain more than 15 pounds.

    Hope I haven't forgotten to thank you for anything, so many packages are certainly exciting.

    Thanks also for the envelope with all the cards, etc. Did you need Stelio's address back? I saved it in case you did.

    This weekend has been beautiful. I rode Starboy Friday for about an hour, yesterday for an hour and hope to go riding a little today with Nancy Sonneman. I've sure got lots of homework to get accomplished but I hate to pass up this beautiful weather especially since my riding activities will have to be curtailed in another three months.

    I received a letter from Shirley Yarney, she's getting married in June and then her husband will be entering medical school in the fall.

    Also had a letter and brochure from Mrs. Wilder. Her trip for next summer looks very interesting, up into Scotland, etc., and not so many days in Italy! Did she send you one?

    I'm still getting scolded for my tardy letter writing habits. I haven't written Pete's folks since before Christmas so I got a letter yesterday inquiring about my silence. Guess I'd best make amends quickly.

Love,

Jody

 

Previous Letters Home: 

Sept 15, 1959 

Oct 16, 1959

Oct 26, 1959 

N0v 22, 1959

Dec 2, 1959

Dec 13, 1959

Jan 17, 1960

Jan 23, 1960

~  ~ 

  

Connect with Gina...

Milliron Facebook Page

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.

  

Milliron Monday: Letters Home Jan 23 1960

 

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.:  June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Virginia Joyann "Jody" Haley Smith: April 2, 1938 - May 9, 2021

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Milliron Farm and Clinic, Dr. Pete and Jody Smith. 

"I've been feeling much better, the morning sickness is nearly over."

― Jody Smith

Jody's letter home to Mansfield, Ohio. Backstory: There were two letters in this envelope, a day apart. If you're following along, you know that Jess is Jody's grandmother, Mike is Pete ant Jody's Irish Setter staying with Jody's parents, Jody is pregnant, both Pete and Jody are still attending Colorado State University. The ballerina painting Jody refers to was purchased on her trip to Europe and is in overseas transit.

917 Remington

Fort Collins, Colorado

Saturday, January 23, 1960

Dear All,

    Received your letter today, Mom. Also received your two other letters - one sent airmail and one regular. Both arrived in same delivery (a couple of days ago).

    I don't see why you think I won't graduate in June. The doctor says this nausea should be over in the first three months so it should be quitting pretty soon. The only possible problem I could foresee - barring general ill health or accident which could happen anytime - would be if I began student teaching and was unable to finish it because of school laws - wouldn't be able to wear maternity clothes, etc. The doctor said if I had lots of full skirts I could get by with them since I shouldn't need maternity clothes until the fifth month. But, as you probably remember, the part of my wardrobe which I would need for student teaching - dresses, heels, hose - are mostly sheath dresses and knit suits. So if I would start student teaching and not finish it, although I probably would be able to finish, I would lose out on the credits and might not graduate.

    But, at any rate, I decided tonight not to student teach. It is certainly a load off my mind. I was really dreading this next quarter. I would have had to take all education courses all quarter and they're such a pain. Now I'll be able to pick up more English courses which I'll at least enjoy a hundred times more and I'm sure I'll get more out of them.

    I talked to Dr. Bostrom before I told the Education department and she said that, although getting the teacher's certificate would be good insurance, in most states you can get a temporary teaching job and pick up extra courses in the summer to get a permanent teaching certificate. I hope this decision won't cause me any problems in the future but at least it's certainly solved a few present worries.

    I'm sorry to hear about Mr. Kenny. 

    Can't remember when I wrote last - maybe I already told you that Pete and I had a nice afternoon visit with the Beagles in Boulder. They seemed quite happy to see us and talked again about what fun they'd had cart riding, etc. We had a real pleasant Christmas Eve and Day with the Betts in Denver. Missed seeing you all, though.

    Thanks again for the gifts and thank you particularly, Aggie and Gary, for the pretty gold and glass dishes. 

    Jess, we still haven't gotten anything from Jones' Dairy Farm. Guess our Christmas breakfasts will be a bit late. I wrote them to deliver it anytime between the 19th and 24th of December. This week we got a letter from them that they are sending us a package so it'll most likely get here next week sometime. We've certainly enjoyed the fruit. It's been wonderful to have an icebox full of such juicy oranges and grapefruits. 

    Mom, do you know if that picture frame man ever sent the ballerina picture? I surely hope it wasn't lost in transit. 

    Starboy is just fine. I rode him again today and he surely feels peppy and wants to run. Pooh is getting fatter every day. He's such a sweet kitty and really an eccentric little pet. I always thought Siamese cats were the only insane ones but Pooh's quite a personality pet himself.

    Pete and I ought to be ready for school again! I think we've slept about 50% of the time. We generally get up for breakfast around noon. What a lazy life!

    Guess I'd best get to bed - it's nearly 10:20!

    Hope all of you, including Mike, are fine.

Love,

Jody

Sunday, January 24, 1960

Hi All,

    Just a short note before we go to bed.

    Didn't accomplish much this weekend expect to catch up on a bit of sleep and pay Dr. Rumley my monthly call. I'm in good health, according to her, so that's good news. I've been feeling much better, the morning sickness is nearly over. I haven't started gaining weight yet, in fact I've lost five pounds - weight 120 - so I hope I can keep from gaining too much weight. Dr. Rumley seems quite nice and takes time to answer questions and just talk. Her whole bill including a visit each month, then twice a month the last month or so, the delivery and checking on me and the baby every week for six weeks afterwards is around $123, which seems reasonable. Of course, the hospital bill will probably be a lot more, but we have a while to worry about that.

    Also took advantage of the 40 degree weather Saturday afternoon to enjoy a beautiful ride with Starboy. Pete exercised him for a couple of hours this afternoon while I studied, so perhaps between the two of us we can keep him in shape. Pete wormed him last week under the direction of Dr. Pierson from the school clinic so he ought to be in fine health for the rest of the winter.

    Jess, I don't know what the situation is with that ham and things from Jones' Dairy Farm but if you've already paid them, I hope you can get your money back. We haven't gotten a thing nor had a letter from them since early in January saying they were sending us a package. If you'd like, I'll write and tell them we didn't receive it.

    Before I forget, have a happy anniversary next weekend, Gary and Aggie.

Love,

Jody

P.S. The baby is due around the 10th of July, according to Dr. Rumley's calculations.

 

Previous Letters Home: 

Sept 15, 1959 

Oct 16, 1959

Oct 26, 1959 

N0v 22, 1959

Dec 2, 1959

Dec 13, 1959

Jan 17, 1960

~  ~ 

  

Connect with Gina...

Milliron Facebook Page

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.

  

Curt J. Robinette, Award-Winning Author & Civil War Historian

 

Chauncey's Blood: An Ohio Civil War Story

Available from Amazon

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Monday Creek Publishing

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Milliron Monday: Letters Home Jan 17 1960

 

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.:  June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Virginia Joyann "Jody" Haley Smith: April 2, 1938 - May 9, 2021

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Milliron Farm and Clinic, Dr. Pete and Jody Smith. 

"I hope the poor baby survives being raised like a combined colt, puppy, or kitty, but that's all we know about."

― Jody Smith

Jody's letter home to Mansfield, Ohio. Backstory: Simmy is Jody's best friend and her Maid-of-Honor; Starboy, Jody's beloved Quarter gelding, was given to her by the McArthurs; I have omitted certain personal items in this letter as I think they are just that - personal (the bun in the oven evidently required a detailed explanation to Jody's mother).

917 Remington

Fort Collins, Colorado

Sunday, January 17, 1960

Dear Mom,

    Winter has finally settled down on Colorado and Pete and I had a lot of fun sleigh riding yesterday morning. These sleigh runners really make that little cart whiz along.

    I was dually initiated in Phi Kappa Phi which I have since discovered is an honorary for faculty members, graduates, and graduating seniors in the upper 6% of the senior class.

    Starboy is just fine. He's still as much of a pet as ever. He now comes over to the gate and up to the barn without a rope or halter, and after I've ridden and fed him, he waits until I run back down to the corral and he trots right along. I hope to be able to get out to see him at least three or four times a week this quarter but the studies are surely piling up already.

    I'm sorry I haven't been writing you as much as I'd like to or as much as I know I should but needless to say, I've found lots of spare time that used to exist, now being taken up in housework, cooking, etc. Writing isn't the only thing that I've had to ease up on. Last year I rode Starboy every day. This last quarter I was lucky to get out once a week, sometimes twice.

    Thank you for all the surprise packages that have been pouring in. We got the jelly, which arrived in fine shape. It surely is delicious. We had been getting awfully sick of pineapple-peach jelly which is the cheapest kind at the Safeway store. Thought for sure that we'd thanked you for the Christmas presents. Pete surely appreciated the socks and my hose supply had been dwindling. We love the wedding pictures. It's sure nice to see what all was going on. I was in such a fog at the time. The color is beautiful. Tell Mr. Smucker when you see him that he certainly did a nice job. I particularly love the shot of the church when we were kneeling. Simmy thought that they were the prettiest wedding pictures she'd ever seen. I wish we would have taken them down to McArthur's with us but we'd put all of our Christmas packages together to wait until the day before Christmas before we went down to Denver to open them. I'm certainly sorry to realize about you're expecting us for Christmas. We had no idea that you thought we were coming since nothing much had been said. We had talked it over and Pete and I both agreed that we didn't have either the time or the money. We were pretty concerned about the car and the tires on the trip down to McArthurs. It would have been a real worry to have started for Ohio with no chains or snow tires. We had lots to do here with the rooming house and apartment and cut our Denver visit and our trip to McArthurs as short as we could. Pete got most of the house painted which was a big job, and I got the floors in our apartment washed and waxed, plus much painting done on the horse trailer. Also we had no one to leave Pooh with. We just left him on the porch with access to the basement and his box by the furnace for three days we were at McArthurs but I'm sure we couldn't have left him enough food for much longer than that.

    I'm not sure what you mean by saying that I got pregnant since Pete didn't use "double precaution." ...Evidently this baby was certainly meant to be if it survived all that to get it's start.

    Thank you so much for the pictures of your Christmas. Gary Franklin certainly looks happy.

    Thank you very much for all the April birthday presents in January. I hope I won't need them for two more months but it's wonderful to know I'll have such nice things. Pete and I ordered two things from Sears catalogue in order to see what their merchandise would be like in case we wanted to order more. We ordered a maternity sweater on sale at $5 and a light top and skirt for $6 but we haven't gotten them yet as they may be out of stock or something. It'll surely be nice to have clothes I'm proud to wear when I have to go to classes everyday in them Spring quarter. We got two boxes from Lazarus and I think everything will probably fit although a 12 might have been better, but they really aren't enough too large to send back and I may grow into them more than I think I will! A very sweet note from the saleslady was also included in which she said she had waited on such a nice "Grandmother-to-be." Thank you also for the other package we received with the plaid outfit and the darling baby outfit. I'm almost getting excited about the whole idea of having a little baby all or our own, much as it's interrupted our plans. Thank you also for the books on babies and prenatal care. It's nice to have at least a vague idea of what's going on. It seems to be such a miracle no matter how much a book tries to explain it, though.

    Pete doesn't want me to work in the Bookstore at all next quarter so I won't be. I'm only working five hours a week (from 12 to one on weekdays) this quarter so I shouldn't have much of a problem there.

    Guess I'd best get back to homework. It surely does take a lot more time now that I'm taking so many 100 series classes. I'd hoped that things would get easier when I got to be a senior but this has all the earmarks of being the toughest quarter yet.

    As far as you taking care of the baby so that I could get my masters is concerned, I'm sure it just wouldn't work out. It's kind of you to offer but I'd think you'd already done your share getting your own children through the diaper, spitting, etc., stages; besides I'm sure Pete and I won't want to be away from our baby any more than we have to. It's our responsibility so I guess we'll just have to do the best we can. I hope the poor baby survives being raised like a combined colt, puppy, or kitty, but that's all we know about. I'm sure we'll learn fast or else!

    Hope everyone's feeling fine; and that Mike isn't too pesky. Is he getting along better with Gary Franklin now? Pooh dislikes children in any way, shape or form and does his most to disappear until they leave his happy home.

    As far as anymore things for the baby are concerned I guess we won't have to worry about that for a little while longer. I read over a list in a pamphlet on prenatal care which Dr. Rumley gave me and it is surely amazing that anything so tiny could need so much stuff, but I guess I'll be finding out in about six more months.

    By for now - I'll really try to write more often.

Love,

Jody

P.S. We now have a phone in our apartment - It's a 2-party line and sure is handy to have. Thank you for the $600 addition to the bank account. It's great to be sure to have enough money not to have to skimp on textbooks or school supplies. It's also a wonderful feeling to be able to pay Birky's for Starboy's rent without having to worry about not being able to pay it.

Previous Letters Home: 

Sept 15, 1959 

Oct 16, 1959

Oct 26, 1959 

N0v 22, 1959

Dec 2, 1959

Jan 6, 1960

~  ~ 

  

Connect with Gina...

Milliron Facebook Page

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.