AMSTERDAM
Dear Mies and Toon,
Thank you very much for the absolutely delicous sardines, which you sent via Lisbon. I heard on July 5th that there was a parcel for me from abroad. What a surprise! They are really delicous, and I am sure will do me a lot of good, because energy giving foods are no longer obtainable here. Milk and butter, I buy on the black market, milk at 1.90 gilders a bottle, butter at 35 gilders per pound. But being so expensive is still better than being unavailable.
I am writing with my gloves on because I have developed eczma as a result of touching a Primula plant (extremely poisonous). I have never had it so badly. The doctor has given me some white cream to rub on, and later to be washed off with some sweet oil. Luckily it is getting a little better. I must not touch any unaffected parts, otherwise it will spread, hence the gloves. It itches terribly and burns. It happened while visiting Mariaane Bos. I was staying the night there, after spending the evening at Annie's party. I noticed a few plants by the window, that had some dead leaves on them, not knowing there was a Primula among them, I pulled away the dead leaves, and that did it! Annie Bos was celebrating her 25th jubillee on July 1st, and we had a very pleasant evening - as pleasant as possible in the circumstances; and then I went to sleep at Mariaane's.
You do know that I took out a life annuity (and also one in your name Mies) for Marie Bos when she lost her job, she will get 10 gilders a month for life. It cost me 2,022 gilders! I also paid for some painting lessons for Mariaane's husband Roel v.d.Bijl because he is so talented. I helped Phientje when her husband was sent to Germany and she had no money; I gave her 125 gilders. And I used that opportunity to also give Annie 100 gilders. So I was to help them all a little. Annie also needed help because she has been away from work for 5 months with sciatica, for which she eventually had to have electrical treatment which cost her a large sum of money; on top of that she has to buy food on the black market. They were all very grateful. Mariaane's husband will then be able to earn a little extra money when it suits him in his own time. I did this because I had withdrawn money from my various savings accounts, and as it was not getting interest anymore, I didn't want it to evapourate by buying things rather recklessly. any money that is over I shall hand over to you all, as soon as I can get to you.
Now dear Mies and Toon, until the next time, once more again my thanks, it was a feast!
A big kiss for you all
from
your loving Mother.
