Merle's first letter from Texas -- June 2, 1954

June 2, 1954

 

Dear Mother, Daddy, and Adolph,

 

If the Texans were a different kind of people, I’d almost think I were back in Israel. Except for the fact that tall long-limbed men with cowboy hats strut down the road, it would be easy for me to imagine I were back in Israel. There are the same broad flat expanses of dry land, the humming of tractors even on Memorial Day, and the building of skyscapers and farms (?) at every “oasis”. Although everyone seems to be sleeping on benches in front of the village store, there’s activity everywhere.

 

The little town we’re in seems to have no existence outside of the fact that its one mile from Fort Hood. the only people on the streets seem to be pregnant women, Indians, and soldiers. My observations are just surface impressions, because the only people I’ve met so far have been our landlords. If they’re any example of the people in Texas I would say the Texans are the friendliest people in the world. But Marshall assures me they are not the usual.

 

We arrived Monday afternoon tired and hot, but happy. They immediately invited us in, served tea and cake, and listened to the hardships of our trip. While we were there, about a half hour, eight individual families came looking for apartments; but there none to be had. In fact, in front of us, a wife of a major threatened to leave him if he didn’t find her a place to live.

 

Once again I was thankful for my husband’s aggressiveness, for the landlady explained that if Marsh hadn’t called her twenty-five times we’d be sleeping in back of our station wagon. Though our apartment is temporary, it’s likely we’ll be in it for four weeks. It’s a charming spacious arrangement, we have three rooms, six closets, all the modern fixtures and even a slight air conditioning [meeking ?] . What’s most important was that it’s walls, furniture, and even shower curtain are green. you can imagine how nostalgic that made Marshall and me with our remembrances of Cambridge.

 

It took me only an hour to arrange myself, and then I settled down to my routine of work.  In the morning I work on my book reports for Mr. Fairbank, in the afternoon I work on my own paper, and in the evening I study my Chinese. IN between these periods, I do a bit of dusting or I read a recipe. Though in these first few days my schedule has been flexible, I expect it to be working with rigid discipline in a few days.

 

Marsh is more preoccupied with a lecture he is to give on North Africa. So our minds even in this remote area are filled with the problems of the world. It’s wonderful to be back with my husband again, and naturally we have much more to say to each other than merely a discussion of world problems. I would be content, if I could spend my free time only with my husband and not have to worry about social comittments (sic). So far it has worked this way, but already I see signs of people trying to break down our social isolation. We’re doing our best to hold the fortress.

 

The new car was quite a surprise. To be truthful, I would have preferred to keep our old car. But I saw that my mere mention of the fact that the other car was in excellent condition hurt my father-in-law’s feelings. So I graciously accepted the car, which wasn’t difficult to do. the only problem is I feel a bit strange in it. It’s the kind of car we would never be able to afford even if Marsh was a full professor at Harvard and had written five books. what’s worse is that it’s embarrassing to ride around in such a car in this section of the country. Every time we stopped at a gas station, the whole town came over to examine the motor and upholstery. Even traveling through Texas is a tremendous revelation.

 

We’re both very happy, excited about our work, and have realized it’s not where you are that’s important, it’s what you can make out of it. We’re doing our best.

 

When I spoke with you Monday, although you said everything was fine, your voice didn’t sound that way. Just because I’m far away, it doesn’t mean I should be left in the dark. 

 

Please write to the address Marshall gave you.  I hope you’re all well. Marsh sends his love.

 

With love,

Merle