Wednesday, February 16 Very cold last night & some snow today Sun hasent been out today. Dr had a lovly letter from Mary. My blood pressure high this morning so take my medacine & be quiet. Have done some reading. This evening Dr and I attended a dinner at Ben Loman Hotel in honor of Lincon. Large attendance Congressman from Ill. speaker Everett M Dirksen Benedictine on Mt. Cassino built 1,415 yr ago. The oldest Monastery in the world in Rome was a mass of ruins today wrecked by bombs to save American lives Thursday, February 17 Wrote Thair No 6 V letter My thoughts shall march in step with you, My prayers be on each hill you again, For mother love transcends all fears To minister to pain. Mrs. Retta Budge wife of D.D.C. Budge was buried today she died Monday after a long illness. She was a nice looking and fine woman. She and Dr Budge called to see us while on their honeymoon. He is an uncle of Cloteel Thairs wife (Thair Rich). Utah over top with 4 bond drive raised 40,842,341 eighth in line of States Recd a nice letter from Mary in which she says Taylor is on his way over the Atlantic she is a dear girl. Friday, February 18 Heard C.P. Weiner give Cavaleade of South America. Blanch and her sister Talitha Ellis went by train to Calif. Blanch will visite Junior at Bakersfield. Mrs Yona helped me all day. She did cleaning. I have stayed close home this week. 55,000 Germans claimed slain in Korsun trap by Russians 18,000 prisoners taken in past. Mazie Dneiper debacle. Late estimate 73,000 in all U.S. boys stream home on Foreign battle leave 200,000 return from overseas. They have three weeks leave disclosed this week that 1,000 U.S. Soldiers went down in European waters a transport sunk. Saturday, February 19 U.S. wipes out 15 Jap ships. London bombed by 150 night raiders most damage done n past year. Casualties left in many places. There is so much war news can but mention a slight part of it. However the Allies are making progress tho it is hard fighting in Italy as well as in Pacific. Many of our near realatives are in the service. Have done baking today, made yeast bread mince pie etc. Have done some knitting and reading. Reports say Anzio beach is carpeted with German dead. Terriable to hear for one must know many U.S.A. boys havent escaped.