Chapter Five

The Farmer's Daughter




November 1941 in Idaho, 4 generations of Czech girls.
From left is Johanna Valcik Palat, Bernice Foukal sitting in the lap of
her mother Rose Kucera Foukal, and Rose's mother Mary Palat Kucera.

In March Rose tells her folks that she and Walter would like to have another child but the uncertainty of the war sure makes it a tough decision. Bernice wanted them to just order her own baby from Sears. She would look through the pictures in the catalog picking out just the right one. The mailman brought a nice package of Easter goodies. Rose was telling her family in a letter about coloring eggs to take to the Mayer's for Easter and she added, I'm afraid that Bernice doesn't have much faith in the Easter bunny. I believe she has more faith in the mailman. She would scribble her own letters to her grandmother that looked just like what the chickens had scratched on the grounds outside. Grandmother Kucera always knew what it said though, "Can you send me some gum and maybe some candy?"

Rose had a miscarriage in April and the doctor confined her to bed for a week. Among those who were helping take care of Rose where, you guessed it, little Bernice. She waited on her mom and took care of herself during that time so her mom could get the rest the doctor had ordered. She just could not understand why her mom spends all that time in the bed. Walter's mother, Bubie, was a big help as well. Rose was very sad that she had lost their baby.

Bernice had her own little rake, shovel and hoe set. When her mom would head for the garden, she would grab her own tools and be right behind her. She spent a lot of time with her grandmother Mayer,"Bubie", while her mom and dad were working in their fields with the crops. Bernice always insisted on coming home to see her own garden and her chicks every so often though. Rose reported news of a good profit on their cucumber crop towards the end of June. There couldn't be much better news to report than a good payoff for all the hard work that you put in. Rose's dad, Joseph, wrote June 30th that their dairy was producing about 80 gallons of milk a day and that was bringing in about $350.00 a month. You could tell from the letters that Rose's six year younger sister, Lydia, was not the same help to her folks as she had been. In July Bernice's grandmother, Mary, in Idaho sent her some cherries and she really liked them. She took some to Micker right away so she could try them. The Foukals would send pecans to the Kuceras and the Kuceras would send things that they grew that were not as common in Alabama.

A huge change took place at the Foukal place in July 1942 when they got electricity to their property. When you have the electricity go out at your home for a couple of hours, just stop and think about what a change this would be to this little girl who is not yet four years old. The first thing Rose bought to make use of this new convenience was a hot plate. Remember, up until then all the cooking had to be done on a wood burning stove. This hot plate had to be a deluxe model because it had two rings to cook on and had low, medium and high settings. The greatest advantage was to be able to cook in the hot summer without a big fire going in the kitchen. She also got an electric iron so she no longer had to heat the iron on the hot stove. Because of the war, a lot of things were very hard to buy, even if you had the money. Radios were very scarce but they managed to get one and that allowed them to be able to keep up with the news as well as be entertained by the programs in the evening.

Walter was working in Mobile again after being laid off for a while and that kept some money coming in that was not dependent on how well the crops were paying. He was working at what was then called Brookley Field. It was used as an airfield where planes bound for other points could land and refuel. He was installing blackout curtains that could be closed in the event of an air raid and would keep the lights inside from showing outside at night. During the war, the government encouraged the public to save money by buying US Savings Bonds. The bonds paid interest to the buyer of the bond and the government used the money to finance the war effort. Bernice got a $25.00 bond and was so proud of it. She had heard so much about them, probably on the radio, and she just felt it was important to have one. The family set a goal of trying to buy one every week that Walter was working. The money would be used to buy a washing machine and other things they needed that they could not afford at that point. It didn't take long before Rose was writing about their new bedroom furniture. Bernice inherited their bed and dresser for her room as she had long outgrown her little bed. Now everyone had drawers they had not had before. Bernice said, "Tell grandma she's got to come now because we got a good bed for her to sleep in now. She can sleep with me". Is it possible that Bernice has felt that she should provide everyone a nice bed when they come to visit since a very young age? Bernice could print her name in capital letters pretty good at this point. She will probably be able to spell gum and candy soon.

The war effort was really evident to them in the time it was now taking to ship packages between Idaho and Alabama. The trains were hauling supplies, material, equipment and troops all over the country. A lot of things like sugar, coffee, tea, gasoline, etc. was rationed. Each family got issued ration books and when you purchased an item that was rationed you had to surrender a ticket for that item out of your book.

Well Bernice got a package from grandma that contained, among other things, an item that every girl of the south should have, sunglasses! Oh was she proud of those sunglasses because not everyone had some. No sunshine, no problem, she would wear them all the time. There was a song out then that had "Idaho" in the words and when she would hear that playing on the radio she would start dancing and would say, "they are singing Idaho and I was there one night". Walter had bought a new radio that cost a whole weeks pay, $70.00. It was a beauty with eight vacuum tubes and a wooden console cabinet. The family, as all families in America at that time, listened to it every night. If this sounds like they were "blowing" their money, forget that. They had already paid their mortgage down another $300.00 leaving a balance now of only $200.00 and they owned their pickup truck free and clear of any debt.

With all of the "good" financial news that was going to Idaho in letters, the folks up there still found a reason to question the savings plan that Walter and Rose were operating under. They felt that if you put your savings into those war bonds you couldn't necessarily get it out if you needed it for some emergency. Walter and Rose had always had a goal of someday selling their place and buying a new place with better soil for potatoes. They had to rent land from someone else in order to raise potatoes due to the poor soil on their existing land. How else would they ever be able to achieve that goal if they were not saving for the day they could live that dream? They wanted to be able to make their move when the opportunity came about and one must have some money saved to be able to jump on an opportunity. Rose explained to her folks in a letter written August 6, 1942 that there were several ways that they could someday achieve their goal, but all of them would require having some money saved. That thought would most likely hold true in many situations in life today.

Rose's mother would send her dresses that had belonged to her sister, Lydia. Rose wrote, "Lydia must surely be easy on dresses. My Sunday ones never wear out but my wash dresses and everyday dresses, I go right through them. I'll put those you sent to good use". Nothing is more interesting than the fact that two siblings can grow up in the exact same environment and turn out to be so totally different in their ways. Somewhat different is one thing, but totally different is another. The birth order must have an awful lot to do with it.

What would be more frustrating than to, want something, need something, have the money to buy that something, and not be able to find that something? Well that something was a washing machine. Because of the war, there were no washing machines to be found anywhere. Which do you think would be worse? Washing machines everywhere you look but no money to buy one with, or, no washing machines to be found and the money is right there in your pocket?

The purchase of that radio was bringing a lot of enjoyment to the family and no one was enjoying it any more than Bernice Laverne. She was picking up so many new words from the programs and songs she would hear. One day she asked her mom, "Mama when is that victory going to come?", referring to a victory in the war. Another that was priceless when she came out with it, after hearing a singer hitting high notes in a song was,"Mama there is a chicken laying an egg on the radio".

The argument between Rose and her folks continued throughout the month of August and finally August 27th Rose writes, "I guess it's not much use to constantly talk about the bonds. But I feel if our government will hold out, the bonds will be good and if it doesn't, US money won't be any good either so there isn't much difference". Where did Rose get this line of thinking? Obviously not from her parents. Was she speaking for Walter since he did not like to write? Wherever she got those thoughts they were the right thoughts and she kept that same line of reasoning all her life. That exact same line of thinking would be correct today. The safest possible investment is in any security that has the full backing of the United States Treasury. If the government should go broke, your US dollars are worthless whatever they are invested in. It is hard to imagine a situation where one's own parents would be advising against saving money, but Rose's did and she stood her ground. This was a good example of "the generation gap". Was this a great lady or what?

Bernice turned four and had a nice birthday party in November. She seemed to really understand the significance of growing a year older this year. Her dad, who was never big on parties, even realized how much fun it was for her and said he was glad it turned out to be such a nice time for her.

Christmas was a little different this year because Bernice saw some pictures of this guy they call Santa Claus and heard a lot about him on the radio. Bernice wrote a letter to Santa and took it out to the mailbox and personally gave it to the mailman. Rose said she did not know what eventually happened to it. There was a cedar tree with colored lights in the house and it was almost like another birthday party for Bernice. She had personally picked out this tree at Fish River. It was almost as tall as the ceiling. Rose said in a letter that she nearly ran her legs off looking for it. Bernice sat at the mailbox out by the road every day for a week waiting on the Christmas package from Idaho. She got a new doll from her grandparents in Idaho but she did not forget her older doll. She loved them both. With the money she got for Christmas she got herself a permanent for her hair. The radio continued to be a big source of entertainment for the family. They had it in the bedroom close to the bed and would lay in the bed listening to it till as late as 10:00 or 10:30 at night.

Bernice's closest friend that was not part of the family was a girl next door named Betty Konicky. Betty's birthday was in February so soon after Christmas they would start to get excited about another party.

Bernice was never short of things to wear because both her mother and grandmother in Idaho were always sewing dresses and other clothing items for her. At one point during the war, some of the feed sacks that were purchased for the chickens came made out of printed material that could be made into nice dresses.

Can you imagine gathering 75 dozen eggs a week from the chicken house? That's what the count was averaging in 1943. The whole country was feeling the effects of food rationing but if you lived on a farm you could work around it a little easier by just raising your own. The Foukal family had three cows giving milk so they had plenty of butter, cream, and milk, plus eggs and fryers to eat, and anything they planted in their garden. Rose remarked in a letter in late February that she would sure hate to live in Mobile. There, you could hardly get any milk and when you did it was canned milk. They had 500 new baby pullets coming the last week in February.

You didn't go anyplace you didn't have to because of the gasoline being rationed. If you went to the hall, they did not allow music or beer there. Your car's headlights had to have the top 40% painted black so they would not show from the air at night. Bernice, even as a four year old, was worried about whether they would have enough of the things that were rationed to survive. She would hear reports on the radio that bothered her and she would question mom and dad about it. One of the things that was next to impossible to get was chewing gum so she hoped that there was no shortage up in Idaho. Bernice was quoted as saying when she would receive something in a package or letter from Idaho, "that grandma in Idaho sure must like me".

March 17, 1943 Rose wrote to her folks with some bad news and some good news. The bad news was that some of the 500 new chicks arrived dead. The good news was that she had started baking kalocha since she had all the ingredients. Try and imagine how many times she would do that in her lifetime.

In April, the family subscribed to Look Magazine. It provided a good way of keeping up with events throughout the world with its stories and pictures and probably had a lot to do with the interest Bernice developed at a young age of wondering what goes on outside her little corner of the world. They were shopping for an electric refrigerator in May, as the government was releasing some that could be purchased by farmers. Electricity can just do wonders for a household. Rose told her folks that she had come to realize that Walter was a darn good farmer. He could make crops grow and produce yields where others could not. Nothing works better for a husband and father than to have the confidence of a wife and children.

Joseph and Mary Kucera celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary May 28, 1943. Rose sent her folks a card with a short note enclosed. Bernice asked if the word "gum" appeared anywhere in the note. A possible trip to Idaho was mentioned but was followed with the thought that buying a new place had priority.

The 4th of July was celebrated with a fun time. First, on Saturday the 3rd they went to a special Czech Day in Silverhill and that evening they went to a dance. On Sunday the 4th they went to Fairhope and enjoyed the cool breeze coming from the water as they walked along a pier extending into the water. Well you can't live that close to the Gulf of Mexico without taking a drive down there, so on Monday they did just that. They took a picnic lunch and went down to the beach for a swim. The three days of fun and relaxation were no doubt much needed because back at the farm when they returned Monday evening were the farm's population of 600 chickens, 200 of which were laying eggs and 400 were pullets. The pullets were needing a new chicken house. After the sale of some 28 pigs there were still 10 left and all probably enjoyed eating every day. Four cows were out there, only two being milked but all four needing attention every single day.

Now that there was electricity on the property, they thought about getting an electric pump. Why would anyone want to spend money on an electric pump when all you had to do was pump the handle with your hands when you needed water to; wash dishes, wash the clothes, take a bath, cook dinner, get a drink, etc.? Sort of takes the fun out of it don't you think? Bernice would pump her own tub of water and take a swim whenever she pleased now, just to cool off. Rose invited her mother to come and visit with them as things were just too busy right now for them to be able to make a trip up to Idaho.

Bernice was attending Bible School the week after the 4th of July. She thought it was just like regular school and she really liked it. To add to her world of animals, she now had some gold fish. They bought them in Mobile and had to hold them in their lap in an ice cream carton on the bus all the way home. They made it and all were still alive. They got their water changed every day because Bernice remembered. Her mom would pour them out into a wash pan and fill the bowl with fresh water. Bernice would wash the rocks and moss and then catch the fish very carefully and put them back in their bowl. She did a good job, although it often took her fifteen minutes before she was satisfied it was done right. Now there was another use for that electric pump if they got it.

Walter's oldest half sister, Yarmilla Mayer, got married to a Sergeant in the Army named Sam Brumfield. She had met him in Pensacola and had been dating him for about a year. Another of his half sisters, Evelyn, was dating a guy named Johnny Oblak until he went into the Army back at the first of the year.

Bernice was anxious for the war to be over so she could get a new tricycle. Things that were made of steel and were not necessities were just very hard to come by because the steel had to be used for war necessities. What a great day it would be when steel could again be used for toys instead of guns and bombs. Already she looked forward to the day when she was as big as Micker so she could have a big bicycle just like hers. Her grandmother would write and ask about things she wanted and Rose would write back and say that she was more into outdoor things like a wagon to haul dogs and cats and chickens.

In September the chickens were getting their new house. Walter, along with another man helping, built it. Bernice discovered that her gold fish liked to eat flies so she busied herself daily swatting their dinner. She didn't want to overfeed them so she limited them to only two or three a day.

One of Walter's men friends talked about how fortunate Walter was to have a Bohemian girl as his wife. The men in the area that married southern girls found out that generally they just didn't know much about housekeeping. The women that were the real "go-getters" as Rose wrote in a letter, were generally called "foreigners" by the southern women. She was very glad that she was Bohemian when she came to the area. Walter was very happy with his choice also.

Can you believe it, Bernice is now five years old? She had eleven kids and seven grownups at her party. Right after her birthday Rose was writing her mom and Bernice had some words she wanted included. She says "when grandma comes we can take her to the place where all the airplanes fly up". Her grandmother was planning to make a trip down just as soon as possible and hopefully for Christmas. Bernice reminded her that she had a big bed and grandmother could sleep with her. Bernice was picking up pecans every day so they would have plenty when she came down.

Walter cut a beautiful Christmas tree in the woods and things started to look like Christmas around the farm. There was even a day with some snow on the ground. Bernice loved to hear stories and a letter from her grandmother said that she would tell her some stories when she came. When grandmother Kucera came, she must have changed her mind about those US Government Bonds to support the war effort because one of the gifts she brought along for the family was a bond for them to add to their savings. By the end of the year the Foukals had added another $1500.00 to their savings towards that new home.

Since grandmother Kucera was visiting with the Foukals in Silverhill during Christmas there were no letters being written. Without any letters there were no facts on paper for this author to know just what went on during Christmas of 1943. Let's just all assume that it was a fun time for all of the family that was gathered there during the holiday period. Mary Kucera got to meet, for the first time, all of Walter's family that lived nearby. You can bet that her first and only granddaughter showed her every inch of her territory and briefed her repeatedly on how things were done in her little corner of the world. What we know, from what grandmother writes in her letters every month, would suggest that she offered an awful lot of advice to Walter, Rose and Bernice on how to plow, weed, cultivate, pick, dig, wash, feed, dress, cook, dust, sweep, shop, clean, comb, brush, cure, play, write, talk, and just about anything else you did not know but knew better than to ask. What can be said based on the first letter that Rose wrote to her folks after her mother had left for Idaho is that Walter felt like he enjoyed the visit of his mother-in-law very much and he wished she could have stayed longer.

Bernice must have really enjoyed her grandmother as a bed partner because as soon as grandmother left, she wanted her mother to become her bed partner. She missed grandmothers' storytelling too. Rose was trying to tell one of her favorite stories about a chicken that wouldn't go to sleep and got the story a little mixed up. Bernice got quite disgusted. There was enough evidence in that letter of February 11, 1944 to allow one to come to the conclusion that Bernice really liked her grandmother.

The same day Mary left by train for Idaho, a telegram came for her at the Foukal's place. Rose was afraid that something might have happened to her mom on the train. The telegram was about Rose's grandfather, John Palat. He was 73 years old and had been hospitalized when he became very sick. He ended up having gall bladder surgery. When Mary got home she had to spend a good bit of time in her parents home caring for them because her mother was having some problems with her leg.

Meanwhile, back in Alabama, a new batch of chicks was on the scene starting that annual routine all over again. With the new chicken house being so nice, some nights Rose would bunk in with them to make sure they were warm enough. She had a bunk in there so she was comfortable and that saved her having to get out of bed and get dressed during the middle of the night to go out and check on them. Bernice practically lived with them all day. Rex, the dog, slept on a bed fixed for him by the door.

Walter's sister Lillie's husband, Wadsworth Krenek, got called into the Army in the draft. Walter had a deferment that was good until August 28, 1944 due to his occupation as a farmer. Soldiers have to eat and that's where the farmers come in.

Bernice left one of her dolls in the chicken house one day. When she found it the next day she described it as looking like the bald headed man at the train station. Funny, even though the doll was now a social outcast, Bernice still took it with her all day and slept with it at night. She would say, "Mama, this doll is such a nuisance, she wants to go with me to do the chores but I just hate to take her".

Mary relayed a funny story in a letter written May 2nd she had heard on the radio. It had to do with three German soldiers who entered a café in Czechoslovakia. They each ordered a cup of coffee and the waitress called to the cook, "three cups of coffee with rat poison for Germans". One of the soldiers said in Czech, "only two cups of coffee with rat poison, I am an Austrian". A note written by Rose to her mom on her Mother's Day card indicated that they had some German prisoners working for them on their farm.

Bernice got a purse from her grandmother and packed it with a powder puff, lipstick, magnifying glass, handkerchief, gum, a nail file, etc. She always saw her mom's packed full so she thought they were supposed to be packed full.

The long awaited invasion of the European Continent from across the English Channel happened on the morning of June 6, 1944. The invasion was carried out by forces of the United States, Great Britain, France, and a few of the other countries who were anxious to regain their homeland from the Germans. A Father's Day card sent June 12th to Rose's father contained a note which read, It looks like the invasion got off to a good start. The whole country was glad that it had finally happened because until it did, the end of the war was no where in sight. Bernice was too busy with two ducks that Bubie had given her to be concerned about happenings over there in Europe.

August 1, 1944, Rose's letter to her folks had great news. No, the war was not over, but the electric pump was in and working finally. They had seven faucets where they could turn the water on and off, including one at the pig pen, one at the new chicken house, and one just outside the back door. Rose said it sure made the chores easier and that should not be hard to understand. They still did not have plumbing inside the house, so the outhouse was still where you had to visit when necessary. Bernice had a new dog too. He was a black cocker spaniel puppy and his name was the same as the last one, Rex.

In October, Bernice had what the doctor said was probably Malaria so she got to experience the taste of Quinine. She was a pretty sick girl as evidenced by the fact that she lost about five pounds. She was always pretty thin so to lose that much was not good. Her birthday was just a month away and Bernice was wanting a color book with "good crayons", not the wax ones, and some pencils for school. Her birthday party was going to be at her grandmother Bubie's house this year so she could have more people there. She was really looking forward to starting school next year. A pump house was under construction in November to protect the pump from the cold weather. There were also plans for a wash room where an electric washing machine would be going when they got one.

Rose had asked her folks for a suggestion of what they could send her grandparents for their anniversary which was coming up on January 8, 1945. It was to be their 50th anniversary. Her mom wrote back November 16th saying that there really wasn't anything that they needed. She suggested maybe sending some money and she would get some flowers in the form of a corsage or a table bouquet.

Of all the things Bernice got for her 6th birthday she liked the things that could be used in school the best. She was ready for school but would not be starting till next September.

John and Johanna Palat did not get to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. 74-year-old John died in Buhl, December 3, 1944, just a little over a month prior to the day. It was a sad time to lose him but anytime is a sad time to lose someone that has been a husband, father and grandfather to so many. Johanna Palat moved in with the Kuceras after John's death.

With a death in the family, there is always talk of the possibility of going to the funeral. In this case it would have been a very long trip. In talking about it Bernice heard her folks saying that there was no way they could go because of all the animals. Bernice came right out and said, " Well, if we go to Idaho we can sell our cows, pigs, and chickens but we would have to take Rex because he's my best friend". Rex would not be the only four legged best friend.

Bernice lost her first tooth March 20, 1945. She was six years and four months old. In April Rose wrote a letter containing a lot of news to her family in Idaho. Walter's half sister, Yarmilla, had a baby boy. She was living with her mother-in-law in Mississippi because her husband Sam was overseas. Micker was graduating from the eighth grade that month. Bernice and her baby chicks were quite a story. She would play with them for quite a while and when she would leave them to come in, they would fly up on her head and arms. She really loved them. They were off to a great year with their potatoes. If it continued as good as it was up till then it looked like a trip to Idaho for mom and daughter. Grandma in Idaho was thrilled with the news of a possible visit and fired off a lengthy letter outlining everything you would ever want to know about making a train trip up there but knew better than to ask.

The war in Europe came to an end when Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945. Even though the fighting stopped there, it still continued in the Pacific. In April the Americans had invaded the island of Okinawa which was about the last island that had to be captured before launching an attack on the Japanese mainland.

Rose sent her dad a Father's Day card and in it there was a note saying she hoped to arrive by train about the 28th. Bernice sent her grandpa a card also. Mother and daughter had a good trip up but when they started from Robertsdale Bernice started crying that she was lonesome for daddy a half a mile from the station. She soon got over it though and had a good time during the trip. While they were up in Idaho, Bernice wanted to make a phone call so she could tell her daddy "hello". The Kucera's had a phone but there was not one at the Foukal home back in Alabama. Walter wrote a letter to them and Bernice was so glad to get a letter from daddy. She got to meet most of her relatives up there. She was asked where she liked being the most, Idaho or Alabama. Her answer was Alabama because all her friends were there. Then she told them that if daddy, Rex, Betty, Bubie, Micker, Evie, and Joe were here, she'd like Idaho all right.

While Rose and Bernice were still in Idaho Walter got word to Rose that they had an opportunity to buy a new place in Silverhill. This is what they had been planning for, so when Rose heard the news she started making plans to get back as soon as possible. They caught the train for Chicago and made it there in time to make the connection on a train heading south. There were some little girls on that train so Bernice was happy to have playmates along the way. August 3rd they passed through Nashville and Rose mailed a card to her folks saying they were a little dirty by now. She sent a postcard from Silverhill August 4th saying they had arrived safely. They had made the trip in about 3 days and nights. She had actually gotten off the train in Bay Minette and Walter was there to meet her. Rose wrote her folks on August 7th and ended the letter with a PS that said, Thanks for the lovely time I had at your place. I guess you're about the swellest folks anyone ever had and it sure is a nice feeling to know you have folks who love you. The farm they were hoping to buy got sold to a higher bidder.

The day before Rose wrote that letter, August 6th, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. President Truman had realized that the conquest of Japan would cost thousands of American lives and he therefore decided to try and bring the war to a quick end by use of this newly developed weapon. Japan did not surrender after that attack so a second bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki August 9th. On August 14th Japan surrendered and the war was finally over. The surrender was signed on the US Battleship Missouri anchored in Tokyo Bay. John Palat, Jr., Mary's brother, was aboard the Missouri that day and witnessed the event. There was a huge celebration in America and around the world. The Foukal's stayed home and listened on the radio.

Later that month Rose was at the elementary school helping get it cleaned up for the start of the school year. They served lunches at the school so the mothers would go there about a week before school started and wash the dishes, clean the kitchen and straighten up the class rooms. The school did not have a steady janitor. School was set to start September 3rd and this year there was a new first grade pupil from the Foukal family. Rose took Bernice to the school on the 29th of August to register. There were 15 students in her class. That is our first grader on the right. Bernice liked school right from the start. Her daddy asked her who she liked in school. Her answer was, "everyone, all the girls and all the boys". Then he asked her who she didn't like. Her answer, " she likes everyone". Mom and dad were pleased with that response. She liked her teacher so much she decided she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. She liked the meals they served at school too.

In October Walter got a new tractor. Bernice really liked getting to ride on that tractor with her daddy. Walter's half sister, Evie, was married to Johnny Oblak October 26th following his return from the Pacific where he had been serving in the Army. Johnny had worked for the Kuceras up in Idaho at some point in time and they were very fond of him. Sadly the war had really made him bitter about some things and he never seemed to get over it.

Rose sent papers that Bernice did in school to her folks by mail and in December they wrote and said how proud they were of her. Christmas of 1945 must have been a special time with the busy year behind them. Big things lay ahead though.

1946 got off to an exciting year. Walter and Rose finally found a farm that fit their needs and they were able to work out the purchase. The date of the purchase was January 22, 1946. The place was 120 acres and they paid $12,000.00 for it. The farm was actually owned by Walter's uncle, Joseph Kulicka, and his wife Agnes. Joseph was Bubie's oldest brother. There was much to be done to the new place before they could occupy it. They still lived in their original place and continued working the crops and raising the farm animals as usual. In July they were sort of held up because of problems with the bathroom. The good news was that it was going to have an inside bathroom complete with running water and a flush toilet. The bad news was that it was taking time. They had a toilet and lavatory but could not get a tub. Built-in cabinets were being planned for the bathroom and kitchen. Imagine trying to get this all done but having to keep everything going at the old place so you can make money with your crops and animals. They did all their chores on the old farm in the morning and then picked up Evie and a carpenter who was helping them and worked all afternoon over at the new place. By the middle of August they pretty much had the downstairs, except for the kitchen, done. They could not get the cabinets for the kitchen so that was holding them up.

School started by the end of August and Miss Bernice was now a 2nd grader. She was glad to be back in school and away from all the confusion of the construction at the new place. A new dog named "lady" had joined her personal zoo. It is a bird dog for her dad but she still thinks she is responsible for everything with four legs and anything with two legs that can fly. It didn't take too long to find out that bird dogs and chicken farms don't go to well together.

They had sold their old place and the new owner was anxious to move in so things were really moving at a rapid pace. Rose's mother was planning another trip to Silverhill for Christmas and Rose was sure hoping to have the new place ready by then. She was so happy with the way the bathroom was turning out. There was an outhouse on the place but she hoped to never have to use it. Bernice was so excited about the bathroom she was planning on taking a shower every day. When she had visited her grandparents up in Idaho she just marveled at their bathroom. They told her to tell her daddy when she got home to fix her one like it. She had to be so happy that it was actually happening and so soon. They had finally gotten a tub and shower to complete the bathroom. They added a Butane gas system that powered the stove in the kitchen and a hot water heater. Were these people moving up or what?

They paid $6,000.00 down payment for the new place and spent $2,000.00 fixing it up. When they got the money from selling the old place, they paid $3,000.00 down on the mortgage leaving a balance of $3,000.00 owed on a 3.00% loan.

The October 1946 issue of Look Magazine had an article listing the outstanding school systems in America. One that made the list was Baldwin County, Alabama. Bernice must have made a difference in that system in a short period of time. Speaking of Bernice, by the time her birthday rolled around the work that was being done to the new house was pretty much finished. She had a birthday party with about 30 people there. One of the last things that went into the house was an overstuffed living room suite. Rose was very happy to have some comfortable furniture in there although she could tell that it was not going to wear too well. They did not have any dining room furniture but they could eat in the kitchen. Rose's mother wrote a letter to them on Bernice's birthday and closed it with the words, "Yes, you are right, I didn't expect you to have a nice bathroom so soon when I was teasing Bernice about it, but we are certainly glad for you. Seems that you had to live through all the hard times at home with us and no more than we were beginning to pick up a little when you started out for yourselves, and had to work hard and save some more, and there is not anything that would make me more happy than see you having things nice".

Following Bernice's birthday, Rose wrote to her folks telling them all that had been happening so fast. Listen to her words, "I sometimes sit in this house and think I must be dreaming to have all this when a few short months ago we lived in a two-room house that was half rotted. If I had always had it, I wouldn't have appreciated it at all. I believe Walter is more proud of it than I. When I have a group of ladies here he wants to know what each of them said about it". The Foukals had all the relatives over for Thanksgiving, where in the past it was always the other way around. Rose said it was not too much trouble with a good stove and a big house.

Christmas was fast approaching and Rose was preparing to have all the relatives for dinner on Christmas Day. She was wishing her mom would make her visit then as well, but it did not look as though she would get there by then. It was turning colder there in Silverhill and Bernice was very happy to now be sleeping in a new feather bed.

Bernice's grandmother didn't make it down to Silverhill until the new year, 1947, was underway. The year had started sadly with the death of Walter's grandmother, Victoria Zavadil Kulicka on January 2nd. His grandfather, Joseph Kulicka, died sometime before that in Texas but his date of death is not known. Mary actually flew down and Walter and Rose went and picked her up in Bay Minette. She was so pleased with the new house. She shared a bedroom with Bernice upstairs and Bernice's great-grandmother, Johanna Valcik Palat, also came on the trip and had her own bedroom upstairs. That would have made only a four generation picture. A five-generation picture would someday be made in that very same house.

Bernice completed her second year in school this year and began the third grade. There just were not many letters from 1947 to provide many facts concerning the Foukals. One did tell of Bernice wearing a new blouse and sweater to school on her 9th birthday. The next school picture shown may just be the outfit mentioned in that letter. They were a present she had received from her grandparents in Idaho. She also wore with them a new skirt that was a gift from her mom and dad. Her aunt Lydia sent her a bracelet that was so nice even her mom had her eyes on it. Right after Bernice's birthday Rose gave a baby shower for her sister-in-law, Yarmilla, who was expecting her second child around Christmas time. Between the Foukal's new place and Walter's mom's place there was a lot of land for good hunting. Lady, the bird dog was loving it. Thanksgiving dinner was at Bubie's place following a big hunt by all the guys. At the new place, the cabinets that were to go in the kitchen were still not done but a refrigerator and a washing machine had been added.

Rose's sister, Lydia, was married to Matthew Votruba in Buhl in January, 1948. She was 23 and Matt was 26.

Rose was very active in the PTA as was her mother up in Idaho. She acted as president, in the absence of the president, and some of the mothers thought that she handled the job better. Early in 1948, on Founder's Day, the PTA had a large table promoting some programs and Rose was involved in it in a big way. Micker, Evie and Yarmilla's brother, Joe, was married to Margaret Dougherty on February 6th. In March, Rose wrote about a new organization that had been formed to open and operate the Little Hall that was near the Foukal place, and who should be elected as president but Walter Foukal.

Rose decided not to go with the baby chicks for 1948. Instead she devoted an acre of land to cucumbers with the idea of giving Bernice some lessons in raising them and making some money that she could use to buy a bicycle that she wanted so badly. Rose promised her that if they came out good and she helped pick them, she could buy herself a bike. As busy as things were always on a farm, Rose found the time to hand make a lovely Easter dress for Bernice. Grandma Kucera wrote in April asking how the cucumber patch was coming along and whether or not Bernice was enjoying the project. She was also making the fact known that they were very much in hopes of a visit by the entire Foukal family that summer. The Foukals bought a new car and Mary just wanted to point out that there was simply no excuse now for not coming out. This picture of Walter in Idaho with the new car shows the air conditioning featured on the right side.

In June, Rose was one of two delegates from their school district to the state PTA Institute which was held at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Bernice cried when her mom left for the meeting, but Micker came to stay with her and Walter to help keep things in order.

The family made their trip to Idaho that summer in July. Micker was along on the trip with them and she and Bernice had a great time even though there was an age difference. Bernice has some memories from that trip that she has always enjoyed.

Bernice packed and ready to go in the family's new car. No, the dog stayed home in Alabama.

Micker, Rose and Bernice in Idaho in 1948.

The trout fishing was very good up there. Look at Bernice and her dad showing off their catch.

August 25th, Bernice was back in school starting the fourth grade. Her dog, Lady, had some puppies and she very carefully selected people who she offered them to when they were old enough to leave their mother. She wanted them to go to homes of people she knew would love them and give them a good home. She did keep one of them though and her dad was starting its training as a hunting dog early. Bernice was saving her hard earned money for that bicycle but something new came into the picture. A lady was selling reference books and Bernice really liked those books. She liked them so much that she was willing to use her bike money to get them. Nothing was done right away but they were sure giving it some consideration.

Walter won praise from Rose for his farming skills and his role as a father and husband on most counts but in one area she was quite unhappy. Walter loved to drink beer and on occasion he would drink it to excess. There was one occasion when they were still living in the old place that he came home so rowdy that Rose had to wake up Bernice and flee with her to a neighbor's house. In September of 1948 a letter from one of his half sisters, Yarmilla contained the line, what is Walter doing besides drinking beer? Some people can be so good in their ways but then seem like totally different people when they indulge in too much alcohol.

When the Foukals were up in Idaho back in the summer they took a good many pictures and when they got home and had them developed, they sent some of them up to the Kuceras for them to see. Rose's folks wrote to them September 27th and just raved about how the pictures had turned out. They commented that Walter and Rose both looked the best that they had ever seen them. Bernice was described as being very pretty by people who had seen the pictures. Grandmother Kucera was very proud to be passing those comments along.

About a month before Bernice's 10th birthday Rose wrote her folks and asked them not to buy her anything for her birthday. The reason for that was Bernice was still trying to save up enough money to buy those reference books. Rose wanted them to just send money for her gift and it could be added to what she had already saved. They cost $100.00 and she, at that point, had saved $40.00 from her work. $100.00 was a lot of money at that point in time.

When December rolled around Rose was happy to report to her folks that her kitchen was finally finished. Rose could have probably cooked up a great meal on a campfire but just think how she must have enjoyed her new kitchen back then. Bernice was probably really excited about the coming of Christmas just like every young child is. One thing she got that she would have just as soon done without was a Smallpox vaccination. She was really in to dancing at that point in time. She liked her dresses knee length so she looked more grownup and that kept mama busy hemming them. They went to a dance at the hall Christmas night. Walter and Bernice wore the gifts they had gotten from the Kuceras that night. Bernice got a basketball and her dad fixed her a goal.

It was 1949 now and Founder's Day was again upon Rose with her PTA responsibilities. Lydia and Matt came to Silverhill for a visit and while they were there they announced that they were expecting a baby. The baby would be a girl and her name was Jan Kay Votruba. The population on the farm grew in March with the purchase of 550 new baby chicks. In March Bernice made her first year 4-H club dress and won first place in her age group in Dress Review. Was her mom ever proud of her for that. Would you believe she made the dress out of material from feed sacks that had a print pattern on them. Bernice would write little notes in some of her mom's letters to Idaho. She sure had nice handwriting. Boy her grandparents in Idaho were quick to write back and tell her how proud they were of her winning that 4-H dress contest.

Along about Mother's Day of 1949 Rose dropped some significant news on her folks. There was to be another child born into the Foukal family. The baby was due in late November. Bernice finally got her long awaited World Books in July. That little gal proved that she could do whatever it took to get something she really wanted. She was off to school again the end of August, this time tackling the fifth grade. She also started music lessons and was trying the trumpet just like her dad. Those chickens that joined the farm back the first of the year were now producing 22 dozen eggs a day. At 57 cents a dozen on the market that can add up in a weeks time. Walter had built a nice tool shed and was now giving a new chicken house some thought. The tool shed was kind of like a garage as it housed the car, truck, tractor, and combine as well as other odds and ends that you needed on a 120-acre farm.

The last day of October Bernice wrote a letter to her grandpa. In it she pretty much summed up her life at that point in time on two pages. She wrote:

Dear Grandpa

         I got your letter today and I thought I better write before I forget. I guess you are wondering if it is cold here. Today it was warm and shining but it is getting cold. One of my mama cats has kittens. She has three. One I call White Boot she has white feet. The second one I name Tiger Tail because she has a tail like a tiger. The third one I name Bashful because she runs and hides. Rex likes to follow me to the road each morning when I go to school and waits till I am on the bus. Lady is getting wild when daddy gets the gun she thinks it is getting time to go hunting. Mama and Daddy gave me a calf. I name it Daisy May. I feed it and water it. I have her on a chain in the field.

Love Bernice                 PS: Thank you for the dollar.

Bernice also had a rooster that she named "Thinks he is boss" that failed to get his name in that letter. Bernice's grandmother came down the first part of November to be on hand to assist Rose when the baby was born. She wrote to grandpa back in Idaho on November 6th and said that Bernice was playing the trumpet for her and was playing several songs very nicely. She only had four lessons up to that point.

On Bernice's 11th birthday she wrote to Joe,

We are having a birthday party for Bernice. Saturday nite she went with Grandma Mayer and Micker to a dance and while she was gone we decorated a cake and everything. This afternoon when they brought her we had the table decorated, all her gifts laid out on the table, and all sang Happy Birthday, and was she surprised. All her relatives were here and she got many lovely gifts. It's too bad you couldn't be here you would have enjoyed it.

Then Bernice wrote in the same letter:

Dear Grandpa,
I had a surprised party Sunday. I got a bracelet and pin from Evie and Johnny. Two sweaters, a brush, two barrettes from Mama and Daddy. Micker and Grandma Mayer gave me a sweater. I had a very good time. Thank you for the View Master. Everyone likes to look at the pictures. I would like to look at the pictures all day long. I got to go to bed now.
         Love Bernice

To top off this big birthday for Bernice, the family arranged to have a piece dedicated to her on the radio the next morning. It came on just as she was dressing for school and she got a big kick out of it. She wore her new clothes and jewelry to school and would liked to have taken the View Master but sometimes wisdom that only parents can muster in times of extreme excitement prevented that from happening.

On that Monday morning, before leaving for school, Bernice rubbed Junior and told him she wanted him to be born that day for her birthday. Well that little talk didn't seem to matter because it didn't happen that day. A week later it still hadn't happened when Grandma Kucera was writing to Grandpa back home. She told Grandpa how Walter and Bernice were into the roles of papa and big sister just as though Junior was already there. Junior did finally make an appearance. It happened in November 1949 and they named him Linda Mae.