Dear Folks, My Luck Is Limited,1957, 38th Parallel Korea, Love, Robert

Pfc. Robert C. Patton

HEAVY MORTAR COMPANY
34th INFANTRY
APO 24

Dear Folks,
 Well I have made the Regimental
basketball team so far. I am going
to be TDY from the company till
about the end of January. We
practice about 3 hours a day, and
that's all. I just hope I can stay
on it, but my luck so far
in the army is limited. The
weekend we are going to travel
and play a couple of practice
games. I believe it will snow
any day now because it sure
is cold over here. At night time
that temperature takes a damn big
drop.

Note: Uncle Robert had great athletic ability and was one slot away from being the high point man his Senior year at Ensley High School. He was also The State High Jump Champion that year. My Dad always said if Robert had had another year in High School he would have been able to quality for a scholarship.  Uncle Robert also played Intramural sports at The University of Alabama.
                                                                                      C.P.

Dear Folks, Lost In Japan, October 2, 1957, 38th Parallel Korea, Love, Robert

                        2 Oct 57
Dear Folks,

 I guess you were wondering
if I got lost in Japan! I
wish I could get lost for
about a year. Those people
live entirely different than
the Koreans. You almost
feel as if you are back
in the states. The army
has several hotels they
run. The are just
as good as any in the
state, you won't find
any better service. Rooms
cost $2 a day and food
runs about $1.50 per day.
You can get a steak
for $1.00. There is a lot
to Japan. I went to
Mt Fuji for a couple of
days then I came back
to Tokyo. I won't tell
you how much I spent
but it was worth
every penny. From time
to time I will try to
send money home if
I possibly can. It must
be pretty nice weather
at home, but over here
at night time it is in
the low forties. Tomorrow
I go out for the
basketball team. I
hope I make it.

              Love
                    Robert

Note: I have a pearl necklace that I wear on special occasions  My Grandmother gave it to me. I sat beside her on the bed and she gave them to me. She told me the story about how My Uncle Robert had brought them back from Korea and had gotten them when he was on leave in Japan. They were mine now. She explained to me how she had had them restrung with a knot in between each pearl so that if the necklace should break the delicate pearls would not scatter. Uncle Robert was in the next room and commented later about Grandmother's gesture and how he thought it was sweet of her to give them to me.
                                                                                                                                         C.P.

What Eye Has Not Seen

Mark Rikard Photography using Lensbaby Photography

 "What eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart of man,
                                           God has prepared for those who love Him."  I Corinthians 2:9

Apple Dumplings

  This is a great time of year to get out and support your local apple orchards. Chances are they are having fun Fall activities- not to mention some great apples.

Apple Dumplings

4 c thinly sliced apples, peeled and cored
1/3 c sugar
2/3 c water
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 c all purpose flour
2 Tbs sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 Tbs butter (or 3 Tbs oil)
1/2 c milk

1)  Combine the 1/3 cup sugar, water and cinnamon and apples in a 2 quart sauce pot. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium and cover.  Cook apples 12-15 minutes until tender.

2)  Combine flour, 2 Tbs sugar, baking power and salt. Cut or rub in butter (or mix oil in with a fork). Add milk and stir just until a stiff batter forms.

3)  Drop batter by spoonfuls into boiling apple mixture and cover.

4)  Cook 12 minutes without raising lid.

Serve warm.

Note: Use organic or naturally grown ingredients for maximum nutrition.

Some Things I Have Learned Since I Was Born

Photo by my friend Meg McKinney using Lensbaby photography

1) When it comes to my will vs.God's- I need to step aside.

2) Pretty is as pretty does.

3) A soft bed beats a cold cot when camping.

4) Shopping is therapeutically, beneficially good.

5) Sitting on a couch with a good dog and a good movie is alright.

6) A night of good, restful sleep can beat a night on the town.

7) I wish I had taken my Mother's advice when I was 19, 24, etc., etc.

8) Drinking 6-8 ounce glasses of water per day is mandatory.

9) Friends are medicine.

10) Sometimes you don't need something that you really do need.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap

This recipe was sent to me by a a very sweet, special lady who also loves all creatures great and small.

Liquid Laundry Soap

4 Cups hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1/2 Cup 20 Mule Team Borax

Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use (will gel)

Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

Front Load Machines- 1/4 Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

Note: A little oxygen cleaner can be added to the wash load also to help brighten white clothes.

This is a great laundry soap formula that smells wonderful and is phosphate free.

To The Pure

"To the pure all things are pure,..." Titus 1:15