February 18, 1977 (Letter from Cheryl)

Don't rem. who's suppose to owe who a letter, but I was thinking about you, so I thought I'd write. Don't know how far I'll get cuz I been drinking but I'll give it one hell of a try.

Hope you had a good turkey day, Xmas & New Years.  We sure did.  Had a couple big parties here and at our friends' house.  A lot of good food, liquor & people.  Then Lawana's birthday party was the 1st of Feb. so we had 6 kids, 27 big kids, r dozen enchiladas, cake & ice cream, & one hell of a good time up here.  Was a little crowded but fun.  Now nothing happens till the 21st of this month, which is mine & my old man's anniversary.  Been tog. 3 yrs.  Should have a good one then too.  One thing about this valley here.  Everyone likes to party & have fun.  You'd really like it here.

Haven't ever heard from George again since he left.  Neither has his mom.  Guess he's not in jail tho, or someone would have heard from him.  Just hope he found a lady & a decent job, so he doesn't have to go back to the joint again.

My son, George, got busted in November for larceny.  Really blew me away.  Could see his dad all over again.  He went to court the 15th & pleaded guilty and it's postponed til the 2nd of March.  I think they'll give him probation cuz it's his first offense & cuz he's only 11, but in this town their really strict.  If he fucks up again, they'll send him away.  I just hope he learned his lesson.

Guess I'm gettin' pretty sloppy huh?  Oh well I'm havin' a good time.  I'll have a drink for you too. Sure would like to see you again, for ole times sake.  Maybe some day.

Heard on the news you been havin pretty bad weather back there.  That's really too bad -- I feel sorry for ya all.  We been havin days where ya don't need a coat.  Been 45 & 55 the past 2 weeks. Today was cloudy but still 51.  Kinda wish it'd snow tho, cuz if it don't, no one can go in the wood this summer cuz it's so dry.  I kinda think we'll get snow & nasty weather next month.  It's so pretty up here either way so I don't care.

My plants are doin really good.  They've grown a lot in the past 6 wks.  Didn't really notice till today.  Guess cuz I'm around em so much.  But people come over & tell me how good they look & then I notice.  Makes me happy.

Well I've gotta go -- the lines are gettin' a little hazy.  Besides I've gotta feed the kids.  So take care & write soon.

November 5, 1976 (Letter from Cheryl)

Sure seems like it's been along time since I wrote or heard from you -- hope your still at the same place.

Alot has changed & alot has happened since I wrote last.  George and I aren't tog and haven't been for some time.  When he left he said he may go to Portland or he may turn himself back in to the joint.  No one has heard from him since so I don't know where he's at or what he's doin.   He doesn't even write to Georgie.  But he said he'd drop by Xmas so we'll see then.  Maybe.  I'd still like to know if he's okay tho, even if we aren't tog anymore.  If & when I heard from him I'll let you know.  I think I gave him your address & maybe you've heard from him?  Let me know if yo have okay.

In Sept. I moved to Washington but after a month of being there I got home sick for the mountains and came back.  It's nice to be back here again.  The hills are really pretty with all the leaves changing.  We haven't gotten any now yet; in fact it's been in the 50's most every day.  Which is nice for Nov.  While I was in Wash.  I caught hepatitis from firing up drugs.  Isn't that dumb?  I didn't even know I had it  till someone told me I should see a doc.  I'm kinda ignorant on diseases like that cuz I've never had it or seen it.  But a couple days before I went to the doc's I felt really tired & couldn't stay awake.  Guess I've had it about 3 wks now.  Should be over it soon, I hope. One good thing I've lost alot of weight from it.

I guess from what George said Brian Borgen is back in the joint.  Don't know what he did tho. Clayton Cline got in a fight and got shot 3 times and is now a vegetable.  That's too bad -- I kinda liked him.  Really even if I didn't like him I'd still hate to see it happen.

What are you doin for turkey day?  We're havin a big bird with all the trimmings and a bunch of people up for a party.  Hopefully the people we use to live with here will be up by then. They moved to Calif. in Aug.  Sure would make for a good party.

In Aug. we went all the way back to North Dakota, right on the Minnesota border to see my brother.  It was really a good trip.  Had alot of fun.  On the way back I got to see my mother in Montana and I'm happy for that, cuz she died in Sept.  Was quite a shock to us all.  Ya don't realize how much they mean to ya till there gone.  Then it's too late.

The kids are really gettin big.  George is as tall as me an Lawana is already in school.  She really enjoys it and even tho she doesn't have any homework she pretends to just like her bother.  Their both gettin' all excited over Xmas.  Sure does seem like it comes around fast any more.

Well I'd better go for now -- gotta do some stuff.  So take care & write sooner than I did.  Have a good Thanksgiving -- Bye for now.

April 22, 1976 (Letter from Cheryl

Wallace, Idaho  

(photo credit:  Wikipedia)

Got your letter and was really happy to hear from you.  I'd even forgotten about writing you, even tho I do think about you.  Was glad to hear your doin okay and not in any trouble with the law.

I heard about all the trouble you had in D. L. and really felt bad about it.  Too bad there has to be snitchs, but maybe it was best you did leave when you did.  Who knows what would have happened if you'd stayed.  The 2 dudes (Perry & Price I think) who got sent here aren't doin very well.  They're trying to sue the state for abuse & mistreatment   They'll never win & I think they know it, but they keep tryin.  Too bad our system is so messed up.

No George isn't out yet, but he's got his parole papers & goes to board next month.  I really hope he makes it but we're not gettin' back tog.  I met this dude along time ago and I really think alot of him & vice versa.  He treats me & the kids good and both kids, esp. Lawana thinks he's their dad. I'm sorry for the way things turned out esp. after living with George for 15 yrs, but sometimes things just happen. There's some club in D. L. that can get George a job so he should be able to get out.  He doesn't write me anymore, so I suppose I'll never find out, unless I write the prison or if he comes to see the kids.

We're really got a nice place here.  It's a 9-room log cabin house on the last hill in Wallace   No neighbors to speak of and our back yard is the forest.  We see deer all the time in our back yard. We've got a chance to buy this place and another 2 story house for $2700 so we're going to do it. The bank foreclosed on the landlord so that's why it's so cheap.  It's a good deal tho, don't you think?  Some time if your ever in Idaho or going threw you should stop in & see us.  I could dig seeing you again.

I got a letter from Linda last wk.  She's in Billings workin as a key punch operator.  Said Ralph does up for parole next month again but he's been messing up, so she doesn't think he'll make it.   Boy, I'd be good if I was him, after being turned down 2 times already.  Maybe he likes it in there tho, I guess alot of em do.

The last time I went to see George he was still workin in the library but he said it wasn't the same. I bet you were the best librarian they ever had there, esp someone they could trust & respect. They all needed that & they still do m, but chances are they'll never get it.  They were havin a lot of trouble there, some cop burnt down the auditorium (guess that's what it was). The place where they had a open house & movies.  Andy way none of the inmates were to happy about it.  I don't hear hardly any thing about D. L. anymore, unless it's in the paper here.  Th en it's usually just when some one escapes.

Well I guess I'd better go & get George up for school.  We watch Superman every morn. at 7:00. It's a neat show; a little crazy but neat.  Anyway, thanks alot for writing.  It was really good to hear from you.  Write again soon.  Take care of yourself.

September 26, 1975 (Letter from Cheryl)

Thought I'd write you & see how your doin'?  Hope your doin fine -- are you still working in the library?  We are all fine.  Georgie is in school now & likes it pretty much, as much as he can like school.  Me & Lawana fart around all day, goin to junk stores & down by the creek's.  We got a neat log cabin house with 3 bedrooms, no neighbors to speak of and 300 ft. behind the house that's ours.  It's right in the mountains too -- we have to chop our own wood for fire, which may prove to be a hassle this winter, but it's still nice to have it.  Do you see Linda very much any more?  Or is she still even there?  How is George doin?  He doesn't write me any more.  Does he seem to be happy; well as happy as he can be in there?  Does he still work in the library?  I have a car now (it needed a little work) but maybe one of these days I'll make it up there.  Wallace is closer to D. L. but it costs more on the bus for some reason, plus they cut my welfare grant down cuz other people live with em.

Anyway take care & please answer back.  I'd like to hear from you, plus find out about my old man.  Tell him hello for me.  Hope to see you when I come out.  By for now.