Edition Bobbett1. Texts by Elizabeth F. Bobbett: 1.1.1. Correspondence, Private letters

1970 Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to May Beveridge, 25.01.1970

Source: Archives of Rural History (ARH), Elizabeth McLoughlin Papers

My dear May. At last I’ve got down to answering your last two letters. The one of 14 pages, which arrived just after Christmas and the one dated 6th January. You certainly do write a great long letter with all news though some parts of it is hard to read particularly when you write across the top of pages. However I was glad to note that you must be feeling much better and hope Jim is also keeping very well.

I am much improved of my blood pressure, was with my doctor this morning and he changed my tablets and said I was to keep going to him every month for check-up. Of course, I am not doing any outside work now I only have a few hens in the yard which Tom Nolans feeds for me. So I do a bit of house work and cooking, though the son is a very good cook and he brings me breakfast to bed each morning about 9 am. I use to go to Mass at 8.45 am till the days got too dark. So I must start again next month. I was at Mass this morning as it was the 30th Anniversary of my darling Mother’s death, RIP.

I have not been to see Parkie since about 3rd December. I went to Jennie McElligott for Christmas and stayed to 31st December as I was expecting to close the sale of my land on 31st December but the purchaser did not turn up. I did not go out only one day to my solicitors. The weather was foggy and cold.

Glad to say the land sale was finished last Tuesday and I invested my money in the last National Loan at 9½% £5.000. I shared the proceeds of my furniture and silver auction with my brothers, so I am getting like dearest Kay, and fixing up all my affairs to be ready for the ‘‘call’’ when it comes.

I have been very busy with my secretarial work for the Milk Producers’ Association and our Annual Meeting will be next week. So really I have not written a family letter since Christmas.

I was to have gone to Parkie and Kittie on 14th January for Kitty’s 70th birthday, but she was laid low with flu, and still very weak, and says she has not appetite so I have not killed her turkey yet for her, and I did not go visit her on account of she having flu.

I still have a lot of sorting out of papers before I start writing my autobiography but many people are looking forward to reading it.

I am so glad you got to having the ‘‘book’’ photostated. Would it not be safer to return it to me by registered post or by registered Airfreight?

I note you say Rosemary is intending to take a holiday to Europe next May, and she might take the book. Really I think it would be too much of a responsibility for her to take it. It is so easy to lose part of your luggage.

I shall be looking forward to seeing her in Dublin when she comes. I have not seen Eileen nor Jim or Gerrard since you were home. I rang Eileen at Christmas but she was in bed with flu and Kathleen also had it.

I am hoping when the weather gets a bit better and days brighter. I will take a week to Dublin and go round to visit all friends. I did not take my car to Dublin at Christmas.

I am quite happy here with Tom and Eugene Nolan, and the young daughter comes home every second week-end and does a wonderful lot of work on the house and laundry for them, she is a lovely girl.

I am happier here and have more friends than if I move nearer Dublin, and don’t miss the phone. Tom has got a TV set but I don’t like it, I think TV has put the last straw on sociability, you sit looking at it for an hour and not a word spoken. We have much more fun having a simple game of cards. Of course you would call me a Square I suppose.

Now May dear while I appreciate your most kind invitation to go visit you in Ottawa, I have no intention of ever crossing the Atlantic. I am sur your house and place is lovely and quiet, but I would hate to go to big cities or New York. They would not interest me one bit.

I was sorry to hear Elizabeth was disappointed that her first Apartment venture was not a success, and hope she is getting on better now. It amazes me how the youth over there can walk into jobs once they leave school, but I think everywhere they are living beyond their means and therefore not content.

There is a strike on here of 500 TV workers and also of Radio Eireann men and only very short items on either, but I say what matter if it never came on. We can live without TV and Radio. It is much more important if the Cement workers don’t go back as so much buildings etc will be stopped and many thousands out of employment.

While all employed in those industries are looking for increases of from £3, £4 and up to £7 a week, the Government only offered the Farmers an increase of a 1d a gallon on their milk the first increase for over two years. So I am hoping the Farmers won’t have to call a Milk Strike.

To-day is lovely and warm and sunny as I type this in the sun-parlour and it is shining over on the sea which is like sliver. Excuse my many little typing mistakes. Fondest love to you and all the family from Lillie.