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Bellflower, Calif. 1/15/71 (near Long Beach, which used to be called "Iowa-by-the Sea.")

Dear Jack:

I trust all are well at your place. Weather here the usual winter kind - some rainy, cool days, some sunny, some overcast. Temp today is in the 50's,

so no topcoat. Worst bus service in the world - much unemployment.

 I had my fill of Southern Calif. in W.W. 2, when we lived (?) in Pasadena and I commuted by the old red "P-E" cars to the S. Fe yard at 1st & Vignes, "L-A",

where the old depot used to be in case you knew L-A- before W.W. 2. I piloted many troop trains into the old depot tracks, which by W.W. 2 were merely raised yard tracks The yard is now abandoned - for sale

 The conservative-reactionary atmosphere here suited the many bumpkins I worked with, and I secretly hated them, quite a few of whom were avoiding military service

but were "pay-triotic," many saving steadily for the farms they wanted to buy after the war, and many were also work-shirkers. (Over)