http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/love-2 daily 0.75 2016-06-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465411139086-LGRL59IHGGAMMYK5RMZJ/Love.jpg LOVE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1464895061994-POGY7I6UZUSXGY6SD4BW/Love+thumb.jpg LOVE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1468049457227-VQXHVQY98FY4JOP0LIJS/Love.jpg LOVE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465427106854-MV4AR9107GI7SSVMQIIC/love-4.jpg LOVE - Recipe box, c. 1964 As kids, my sister and I LOVED our grandmother's recipe box. The miniature cooking utensils were mysterious and playful. As was Gram. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465428345289-F2MR0VNE9PELMW41UHYZ/love-3.jpg LOVE - Best & Co. First Shoes. Fine store. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465428438763-EUA10W1F82VWTFFRTNXI/NATURE-NURTURE-3.jpg LOVE - The Joy of Cooking. The New York Times Cookbook. She liked to cook. and entertain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465933508044-I4XB5CG2TPK9H005BRYL/Love.jpg LOVE - Wedding Portrait Close up. Sally 'n Sid. http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/wonder-2 daily 0.75 2016-06-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465412634619-J0XNA3C2OEMESU8P2HS4/Wander.jpg WANDER/WONDER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1464818604820-6NMFKWRY4ZEBCZRVXTBK/sawyers_susan_NMN2016.jpg WANDER/WONDER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1464895390496-707QPIM4XC9P5DE9SAHQ/wonder-9.jpg WANDER/WONDER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1464895385774-L1X9CO3Z69Y7S5S45JP9/wonder-11.jpg WANDER/WONDER - My girl She stands before a map from The Ford Treasury of Favorite Recipes from Famous Eating Places, published 1955 by Simon and Schuster (first published January 1st 1950). The book is from a collection of oddities saved by my mother. Model is Sophie Sawyers in Carolina Herrera. Hair by Jackson. Photo by Susan Sawyers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465349188422-CYVMBE0O5FKUNLXVW7B7/wonder-7.jpg WANDER/WONDER - Place de la Concorde We shared a love for France. Element from one of the many hankerchiefs, most of which were monogrammed with her initials. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1464895387383-OM5AOME882L4EV6BKCYU/wonder-8.jpg WANDER/WONDER - Opera Glasses They enjoyed going to the Opera. A few days before, my mother read The Victor Book of the Opera, her guide to the great operas of the world. Photo by Susan Sawyers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1464895349921-9S34GSTU66TABR1BKE79/Expectations+thumb.jpg WANDER/WONDER - In Vogue Packaging element from a 1950s Vogue pattern. Fair to say the style at that time was tight bodices that gave way to small waists and full skirts. Her bridesmaids wore emerald green satin dresses, much like the dress illustrated here. Photo by Susan Sawyers, drawing by artist unknown. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465349321524-MT0U614KIKX84CYJKSEK/wonder-1.jpg WANDER/WONDER - Attributes of the Executive, late 1970s Effective Personality...Self-control. A notecard for one of many self-help type courses either taught by or studied by my mother. Photo by Susan Sawyers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465412614498-GZCV72YN4VYUB6QC8HCI/Wander.jpg WANDER/WONDER http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/naturenurture-2 daily 0.75 2016-06-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465412459703-TJQCI8PJ1FPXRERJYXJ0/Nature.jpg NATURE/NURTURE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465301548812-L2FS7C5286XULOGJPPT9/Nature+Nurture.jpg NATURE/NURTURE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465412444448-OGWMB3XP0L450ENBO502/Nature.jpg NATURE/NURTURE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465499610613-C8I4SR86ZY4NOOUSX6RD/NATURE-NURTURE-8.jpg NATURE/NURTURE - Sally had a little goat Summertime visits to Peoria introduced Sally to the farmer's life. She always loved nature. Photo by Susan Sawyers   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465415458307-18K7CVL4835KNP2CII3Z/invite.gif NATURE/NURTURE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465415614319-QP89OSDUWSCLXKY6S3JJ/NATURE-NURTURE-3.jpg NATURE/NURTURE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465415479522-76OBFWWY4QFJZOG16PD0/tunaNoodle.gif NATURE/NURTURE http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/ghostsdreamsstories daily 0.75 2016-06-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465410997271-VU2XO1VBJ7MO7TP5J1ZI/Ghosts.jpg GHOSTS, DREAMS, STORIES https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1464895681067-8CLSM0U484XG7C45D9ZI/Ghosts+dreams+thumb.jpg GHOSTS, DREAMS, STORIES https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465410974048-27LOO6QM0OFP8EKSPI3T/Ghosts.jpg GHOSTS, DREAMS, STORIES - Ghosts, Dreams, Stories She collected old books. Photo by Susan Sawyers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465499844314-ZJO7U5EB4CYZB702CHT7/GHOSTS-3.jpg GHOSTS, DREAMS, STORIES - Trio From a set of seven little leather-bound books. Other titles include Alice in Wonderland and Just So Stories. Photo by Susan Sawyers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465424476094-A1XIHRJW3XUXX0S5NGTG/GHOSTS-1.jpg GHOSTS, DREAMS, STORIES - Directory Her name didn't appear here. Photo by Susan Sawyers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465422433481-HB5LDHTY9LW41K9A7P2Q/GHOSTS-2.jpg GHOSTS, DREAMS, STORIES - Needs Haircut http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/theletter1 daily 0.75 2016-06-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465412346447-STNNBZJCVLNTUAEOBNAQ/The+letter.jpg THE LETTER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465253416879-AQMRUMNPJVMTMPZ1KED6/letter+without+pen.jpeg THE LETTER - The Letter, Photo by Susan Sawyers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465412326790-H1SRIXNUEZ3J5OH0F2S2/The+letter.jpg THE LETTER - A letter from my mother Monday nite [sic], August 19, 1957 My daughter my girl, how much there is to tell you, you who do not exist in the Now — strange to lie on my bed, ever-present cigarette for company, with a record of the Chicago Lyric Opera on the hi-fi, a beautiful round engagement diamond winking accusingly at me, and a silly but caressable straw snake sitting by my side. I am 22–1/2 years old, my girl, and have just recently discovered that I am a woman: oh how hard it is to act that way. Undoubtedly you have thought of me as immature, inconsistent, a fat cow, lacking in understanding… and they’re [these thoughts are] probably true. I know, for I thought the same of my own mother at times. But now, tonight, at 22–1/2, with short brown curly hair, greenish eyes into which men read their own feelings, with 123 pounds stacked into a comfortable beddable figure, with a shyness that makes it easier to talk in quiet groups — with all this, try to understand that I too was young and if I don’t understand you now, somewhere long ago in history, on a Monday nite [sic] in 1957, I did understand and know the things you feel. It’s a good life my daughter — live it to the utmost. My mother has said “You grab hold of every minute by the throat and choke it.” She’s right… and in spite of all my self-made and inflicted traumas, I am so glad it’s true. Your father won’t agree with me, of course. He’s had a pretty rough time with me, especially in the last few weeks. You see tonight I’m not really sure who your father is, tho’ I’ve a damn good idea. There was a boy in Cambridge — a student at Harvard Law — and one cold Saturday nite in the middle of March we had our first date, a “blind” one at that. I lived in an apartment with a circular staircase and he came up the stairs wearing a snowy brownish car coat (in case they’re entirely passé now, they look like three-quarter length Tyrolean coats with hoods, usually thrown back). There I stood in my bathrobe, late per usual, looking down and he stopped on the stairs and crinkled his forehead into pleats, and I couldn’t help but laugh. We drank a lot that nite, and all of a sudden I was graceful dancer. Daughter-mine, if ever there was a klutz til that nite, ’twas me. Another boy went with us for breakfast to an all-nite cafeteria and we laughed and solved the Egyptian-Israeli problems and tried to hide our very sad scrambled eggs under the English muffins. My date drove me home, parked in front of the house, and kissed me oh so gently. And when I told him that, he said, “I think you’re worth being tender with.” Poor English and pretty corny now perhaps, but not ever to me. And so we dated almost every Saturday after that, and somewhere along the line my other dates became very uninteresting and finally nonexistent. And we decided to get married. I went to New York, met his folks briefly, and came home for a long and unhealthy summer of doing nothing. Nothing but think about my most impractical hobby. I had doubts, and as the summer progressed. The doubts became more insistent. Sure, I love him, but do I want to settle down, sit back and watch the world go by, give up all that might be otherwise.And the thought of living in New York doesn’t appeal at all, tho that may just be a rationalization for other doubts. And I don’t feel very comfortable with his family… they’re very nice but I feel like an outsider and try to behave veddy, veddy properly. But this is the man whose ring I’m wearing, whom I love and who will most likely be your father. But then you don’t know about the boy who said tonite “Come back, Sal… come back to me.” One of the most handsome men I’ve ever known, and one of the most attractive in every way. A friend introduced us because I wanted someone with whom to “hack around” this summer. He’s 25 and divorced, had a year old daughter whom he adores and in spite of the power in him has been hurt terribly. He’s built up a most lucrative business and is giving it up to start medical school this September because he “has to be a doctor.” And he will — a good one. I went with him only twice before the ring was given me, I’ve seen him three times with my fiancé; we’ve been together I think seven (six is crossed out) times since my fiancé went back East. We met in early July and haven’t been together enuff [sic] to barely know each other. But when that boy talks to me, I listen and I believe. My fiancé said last Friday nite on the phone “I don’t want you to ever see him again.” But Saturday nite we went to the Café de Paris and had duck and wine, we drove his Jaguar all over the north side of Chicago, we went to the Toddle House for coffee and banana cream pie at three in the morning. Sunday we went out on the motor boat that he made himself, we met some kids at the breakwater for cold chicken, we turned our backs on Chicago and headed outwards, we remembered that Missouri was only 400 miles away. If we did ever marry, we’d have to elope: I’d have been engaged two times, he’s divorced — — and social pressure is painful enough without openly courting its displeasure. Tonite my parents took us, all unknowing of what “us” means or could mean, to a benefit party for the Lyric Opera. So I’ve seen him, and I’d have seen him tomorrow if it could have been arranged as he wanted. Dirty-play — — you bet your sweet life it is: I’m an engaged woman going to see her fiancé day after tomorrow, and when a dark-haired, green eyed guy says “I’m scared Sal — I need you. I want you. Please come back to me,” it’s not supposed to matter to me. I’m not supposed to have even let this begin. But it’s begun and it matters terribley [sic]. This man is all my dreams, hopes, needs rolled into one gift package. Why not grab it? Because I do love my fiancé. But I wonder, and will do so when you are my age and when your daughter is my age — — I’ll wonder “what if…” Love is a very strange thing, and it’s not the only thing to be considered in choosing your husband. The dreams, hopes and needs are all a part of you. I guess they modify when they’re shared with one’s husband. And some, apparently, must be left as a part of the girlhood you must grow out of. It’s hard, so very hard to leave some of it behind. Every girl wants to get married. And there are times when you think “he’ll never come, I’ll never find him.” It’s a terrible, horrible feeling. You may go out a lot and have a ball every nite with a different boy, but you still have the feeling that the social circus is the biggest nothing ever. But oh my daughter, don’t ever compromise yourself. Fall in and out of love if you want. But when you’re ready to marry, to be a part of someone else’s life and have him share yours with you, be very selfish. You’ve got only one life that we know of, and you’re choosing how — with whom — it’s going to be spent. Know, my darling. Be very sure of him and more so of yourself. Tonite, long before you are born, I think I know, but I wonder too. There are two men who want little more than to make me happy — — both of them could do it. The vacillating must end in the next few days. Thank God — you never will get born if this little farce isn’t ended soon. But I can’t really think too much about you, or my parents, or anyone but myself. Because it’s my life, and I must be very careful now in deciding what to do with it. Remember, my daughter, that when you make your decision that it’s your very own. You won’t want to hurt your father or me, you’ll want to do what’s best for everyone concerned. But essentially you must do what you think with make you the happiest. It is not easy, and you may wonder sometimes about the what if’s…” But if you’re very sure about the “what is…” then it will truly be your life as you’ve chosen to live it. It’s nearly three: both this day and this letter have been long ones. Maybe you and I will be able to talk and understand each other, tho from my own experience it seems rather doubtful. Once in awhile perhaps — but there is an emotional closeness which hinders objectivity and the unguarded relaxation felt in friendship. I’ll try, my daughter, I really will. And you will go thru so many of the same experiences and feelings. The years — pile them up, tho I don’t know which of us then has the advantage: you in seeing them for the first time, or me, in looking back. But tonite, with so heavy a head and so unsure a heart, I can understand you, my dear. Because I am trying to decide what to do with my life, and I am 22–1/2 and so deeply loved by two entirely different men, and the things I wonder about are almost as strong as the things I know. There’s a long life ahead, and there mustn’t be any mistake in who will share it. And how do you decide — — ah, that is my wonder tonite. I guess you must know that this man, above all others, is your man. When I know, that is the man who will be your father. Oh it is so late — — —  Goodnite, God bless you, sweet dreams - From Me — — your mother Letter written by Sally Roos, transcribed by her daughter Susan Sawyers                         https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465252834254-QAHMH5ZM9FCN443IF26K/letter+without+pen.jpeg THE LETTER - To my daughter A letter written by my mother to an unborn child revealed a secret. Engaged to one man, loved by another, the then 22-year-old graduate student opened her heart to future generations. http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/takepart2 daily 0.75 2025-10-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465412070747-QWHJ0Q80W6W4MU1ES8DN/Take+part.jpg TAKE PART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465412044345-ZAPOO361OW2W4O2GORIB/Take+part.jpg TAKE PART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465314830976-CA8IF4NUU4P6F0ZLVRAA/Take+part.jpg TAKE PART http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/thepromise-2 daily 0.75 2016-06-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465412207120-HDTOYI9XUEX43H51TQEF/Promise.jpg THE PROMISE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465304807547-FVVGSLPMOBAZ1YIOHMDR/The+Promise.jpg THE PROMISE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465412190371-UXH7J28JHXVW9NL4MF4V/Promise.jpg THE PROMISE http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/thesweetlife1 daily 0.75 2016-06-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465411936962-AM2XP0TIG7PY9LZ0RT31/The+Sweet+Life.jpg THE SWEET LIFE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465303390419-NBT11AG1XCN72NSZRMY5/The+Sweet+Life.jpg THE SWEET LIFE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465411910062-8VIXAKCDUE2OOZM20MQO/The+Sweet+Life.jpg THE SWEET LIFE http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/wanderwonder daily 0.75 2016-06-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465411244529-6LDGVWQLKF7DYDH3YNY6/Expectations.jpg EXPECTATIONS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465308583398-4Y7ILEH4PHULJZMP8XFH/Expectations+thumb.jpg EXPECTATIONS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465411222581-549E18ZGVOW4ORJWGPZE/Expectations.jpg EXPECTATIONS - Great Grandmother Mother of three. She ran a business in Peoria, Illinois. She also liked to entertain.   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465429146565-ST9PDGHIKDNBK5MB1V3J/Expectations-2.jpg EXPECTATIONS - When she was young Cee Gee. Clara Gertrude Bloom Roos. 1906 - 2003. The youngest of three. Photo by Susan Sawyers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465429217193-IIT02GXFW15QJGCW26VV/Expectations-4.jpg EXPECTATIONS - My mother's mother Cee Gee. Engagement picture. I loved my grandmother very much. Photo by Susan Sawyers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465429254771-I3X23OMVWBCPU0UF6RGL/Expectations-6.jpg EXPECTATIONS - When you grow up c. 1965 Photo by SHS   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465501189547-8N9POLA0KD2HKZW6C052/Expectations-9.jpg EXPECTATIONS - Ladies Writing Room First Trust and Savings Bank of Peoria envelope. Photo by Susan Sawyers   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465429400652-RFG6X9YD461NJK2S9RRM/Expectations-11.jpg EXPECTATIONS - Parsing. Property of Gertrude Bennett Bloom. The value of education runs deep through our veins. Photo by Susan Sawyers Definition of Parse: pärs/ verb gerund or present participle: parsing analyze (a sentence) into its parts and describe their syntactic roles. COMPUTING analyze (a string or text) into logical syntactic components, typically in order to test conformability to a logical grammar. examine or analyze minutely. "he has always been quick to parse his own problems in public" via dictionary.com http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/grid daily 0.75 2025-10-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465933454069-JT1OFPBJPUVXJVWDGALK/Wander.jpg GRID CONTENT - WANDER/WONDER     https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465933454069-JT1OFPBJPUVXJVWDGALK/Wander.jpg GRID CONTENT - WANDER/WONDER     https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465940661135-C7PB9F92GYJV6MTBQ2N8/Take%2Bpart.jpg GRID CONTENT - Take Part             https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465933479838-B356X65076RAELY34MTS/Ghosts.jpg GRID CONTENT - Ghosts             https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465933177830-P7H0UK6JJABBTQX33QWU/Nature.jpg GRID CONTENT - Nature Nurture             https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465933323147-1BT5ZSS98EUEXGAML13S/The%2Bletter.jpg GRID CONTENT - The Letter       https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465933613903-IJKL6BOJS9SIRGDRO7VB/Love.jpg GRID CONTENT - Love       I love him, but do I want to settle down, sit back and watch the world go by, give up all that might be otherwise. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1466002110386-9IEL1FZW1NJW1BONDDA6/static1.squarespace.jpg GRID CONTENT - The Sweet Life         https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465924932907-VABAGPFLBVLUHK7M5WRU/Screen+Shot+2016-06-12+at+3.08.07+PM.png GRID CONTENT - Title of Page 1 Generations of cooks. Each with her own recipe box. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465940646713-N4ZB8ZITR67PT2VI7HCF/Expectations.jpg GRID CONTENT - Expectations         https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465933627178-8A25GTWFQRDYKJMBWNKH/Promise.jpg GRID CONTENT - The Promise         https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465759079819-P5VLDWCOIC85M943OW2Q/Screen+Shot+2016-06-12+at+3.08.07+PM.png GRID CONTENT - Title of Page 1 Some excerpt or summary from letter http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/porfolio daily 0.75 2025-10-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1467827514180-TNLK1ACOMHKD0V1VY5AH/for+sqspace-5.jpg Portfolio - Sally's Suitcase https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1467827514180-TNLK1ACOMHKD0V1VY5AH/for+sqspace-5.jpg Portfolio - Sally's Suitcase https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/577d404f9f745681b75b3ba5/577d4091414fb575717cfa26/1761241103216/ Portfolio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1467826537052-XV4CILWO2TP7DHTFMXRR/for+sqspace-6.jpg Portfolio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1467826538461-4IL8ZHGSFKOWLSC63RAS/for+sqspace-11.jpg Portfolio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1467826539590-A9AVDZ2Z966L64KCVBLN/for+sqspace-14.jpg Portfolio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1467826542881-QQDQAUL1TR6PDYNBI6F3/for+sqspace-27.jpg Portfolio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1467826544523-WWEU4SIRXRJ5C5DTV30N/sally+goot+tulip.jpg Portfolio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1467826476179-VDR00WZLZPN97F2AP4PK/for+sqspace-5.jpg Portfolio - Sally's Suitcase https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1467826546728-3QFATKILXGKUL8T8EY1M/scrapbook.jpg Portfolio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1476995858382-U2VK2EQJDKHI91932TZ1/TheLetter_2b.jpg Portfolio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1476995874783-S4MGLWRA6F8DFXNXEO4V/TheLetter_22b.jpg Portfolio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1476995991399-EAAIK43ZGI3F8HU8V24Y/TheLetter_21b.jpg Portfolio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1476995955840-2XDMW7BZZW70FN7WUV63/TheLetter_4b.jpg Portfolio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1476995850729-N23YXWPWSVP45B7GQWUX/TheLetter_27.jpg Portfolio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1761241221479-30OT8CEEH4P20VSMK76Z/Screenshot+2025-10-23+at+1.39.27%E2%80%AFPM.png Portfolio - Lettre partie 4 – https://vimeo.com/162158560?fl=pl&fe=sh Lettre partie 4 – https://vimeo.com/162158560?fl=pl&fe=sh http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/about daily 0.75 2025-10-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313212166-PF49HXKYRY6P1QPM3RK8/IMG_4257.webp ABOUT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313268572-SZQPX71BF2VHAESU6U3A/IMG_4119+%281%29.webp ABOUT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313212612-OKEW0RUTHEOT4KRE8WFX/IMG_4253.webp ABOUT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313209155-C99FD2DFIYQF6YSLRJNR/IMG_4119.webp ABOUT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313211718-DHC58DDT93B2OP9BFK11/fullsizeoutput_13b89.webp ABOUT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313210163-DA65FK0WZK8BI0L5SHWU/IMG_4251.webp ABOUT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313211098-N1NHI76OSY1WP91OEX5Y/IMG_4249.webp ABOUT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313210118-CPNPU88MYBEGABEESTCS/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_mini_14c2a.webp ABOUT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313208955-DFC1JEDP2KTGUJ8UQPBG/IMG_4254.webp ABOUT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313207728-482ZZAHXKCFS813726SV/fullsizeoutput_13b8a.webp ABOUT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313206702-LGIJQ099P8DK7KNVIATT/IMG_4256.webp ABOUT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313204795-B2H0DNOURNKC6XTQQ0Q2/IMG_4255.webp ABOUT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313205178-EKS7F311PTCE2V7H62X6/IMG_4250.webp ABOUT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313205892-JJJ6JU1YXZ6DONNHH98A/IMG_4252.webp ABOUT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313207935-GV8B6TYE21GB0T91L5VR/IMG_4245.webp ABOUT http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/summarygrid daily 1.0 2025-09-04 http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/wonder daily 0.75 2025-10-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465935997832-5DHXXRZM27YGE01SENX7/wonder-11.jpg WANDER/WONDER - My Girl She stands before a map from The Ford Treasury of Favorite Recipes from Famous Eating Places, published 1955 by Simon and Schuster (first published January 1st 1950). The book is from a collection of oddities saved by my mother. Model is Sophie Sawyers in Carolina Herrera. Hair by Jackson. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1515970405217-YGZEB0ESH9G74YZZSZ5W/TheLetter_22+copy.jpg WANDER/WONDER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1515970685351-CWY4HPAEV5LWB0Q65MGK/wonder-1.jpg WANDER/WONDER - Attributes of the Executive, late 1970s Effective Personality...Self-control. (Wom. Exec. Wkshp) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465936000092-HZXZ4UZIHYB9NHE1ZG6C/wonder-8.jpg WANDER/WONDER - Opera Glasses They enjoyed going to the Opera. A few days before, my mother read The Victor Book of the Opera, her guide to the great operas of the world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465935997829-SAKE1V9286WATLMK9QHM/wonder-7.jpg WANDER/WONDER - Place de la Concorde We shared a love for France. Element from one of the many handkerchiefs, most of which were monogrammed with her initials. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1515970785471-VVIMMMZRHYJF71TCL05X/Expectations%2Bthumb.jpg WANDER/WONDER - In Vogue Packaging element from a 1950s Vogue pattern. Fair to say the style at that time was tight bodices that gave way to small waists and full skirts. Her bridesmaids wore emerald green satin dresses, much like the dress illustrated here. http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/naturenurture daily 0.75 2025-10-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465931666717-L4YGF6P6VO9LLDE8X8HE/image-asset.jpeg NATURE/NURTURE My mother's recipe box, "The Joy of Cooking" and Craig Claiborne's "The New York Times Cook Book." Despite my mother's love for cooking and entertaining, she generally binged on big bags of peanut m&m's while preparing meals so that by the time the family sat down to dinner, 7pm on weeknights, she didn't eat the meal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1466187940716-7OZ4QTJZO9E4B7UMC43I/for+sqspace-8.jpg NATURE/NURTURE A drawer filled with monogrammed hanky's - many I suppose were gifts from the "hanky" invite, please see adjacent. Over the years my mother received many more from her mother, my Gram, who traveled to Switzerland frequently. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465931631732-791TVMUENY6H0J3A2MO2/image-asset.gif NATURE/NURTURE Lots of events preceded the December wedding. This Hanky invitation is for Tuesday, August 20, 12:30. Sally had a lot of handkerchiefs. Mostly monogrammed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1466188149977-0ZIUNABYXH23C10UYI3F/Ladies+Writing+Room NATURE/NURTURE An envelope from the Ladies Writing Room, First Trust and Savings Bank of Peoria. Filled with recipes and receipts, I found it in my great-grandmother's wooden recipe box. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465931508552-3AAY5T68NQU57ENQ3M0Q/image-asset.jpeg NATURE/NURTURE NATURE/NURTURE "...you must do what you think will may you the happiest." - Excerpt from a letter from my mother, August 19, 1957 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1466188486923-5LNZZENAIRKJI4Y8VATR/gg+receipe+box+%281+of+1%29.jpg NATURE/NURTURE Part of parenting is feeding your children. Part of feeding is preparing. Before my own family took to the notion of room service, that is dinner delivered to our door by any number of restaurants, the women in my family cooked. The men did not. Fortunately, my son likes to cook and fancies himself a foodie. http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/theletter daily 0.75 2025-10-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1467220936155-T0NI407AJ055DWXPO998/image-asset.jpeg The Letter Congratulations. We want you! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1467221087415-I0LDUMT02FJK6R5HJ3MU/image-asset.jpeg The Letter First marital spat made better with an apology note. "Have patience with me...Please forgive me for not being more appreciative of all the things you do for me and us- cause you are the grandest and very much loved wife - Sid" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465945955092-ZWMBJYFXW7H90U6U9UUU/image-asset.jpeg The Letter THE LETTER "My daughter my girl... I wonder, and will do so when you are my age and when your daughter is my age. I’ll wonder ‘what if...’” — Excerpt from the letter from my mother, August 19, 1957 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1467220823055-N820SYY02FKW2PCPQHXK/image-asset.jpeg The Letter Alive and well. Life as a post-war middle class college student in the mid-1950s could be good. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1467221235857-LNMSD61JRREP5LP4EVEO/image-asset.jpeg The Letter Unanswered. If anyone in the world knows Simon, please be in touch. And mention of Matthew. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1466187323251-4NOT9HAKQWJQF3B2RB7F/To+my+daughter+---+when+she+wonders The Letter This is the letter. Four pages, front and back. The leather portfolio holds a photograph of my mother, Sally Dene Roos Schneck, 22ish. http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/ghosts daily 0.75 2025-10-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465945429690-93ROEPEAZBBZA2ICJEMS/image-asset.jpeg GHOSTS Needs Haircut | Marmion by Walter Scott. The Thistle Library, ANDERSONS, Edinburgh, Ltd. This undated little book, with its cloth binding in tartan design and marble endpapers, is a poem about the Battle of Flodden, first published in1808. I'm guessing my mom liked it because of the plaid bookcover, suspect it wasn't because she was interested in epics or battles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465945248073-IKA4Q8TUQ8M3ZJJ3DRBQ/image-asset.jpeg GHOSTS GHOSTS, DREAMS, STORIES You see tonight I’m not really sure who your father is... Excerpt from a letter from my mother, August 19, 1957 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465945355333-YC8FL57E1F89JBHA9TAC/image-asset.jpeg GHOSTS Trio From a set of seven little leather-bound books. Other titles include Alice in Wonderland and Just So Stories. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465945388186-QUAV9INJ3T7CC0MIV88M/image-asset.jpeg GHOSTS Directory Her name didn't appear here. But prominent New Yorkers of the day did. http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/takepart daily 0.75 2025-10-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465950111697-1NR67PWN0RSI32YOV6RL/image-asset.jpeg TAKE PART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313212166-PF49HXKYRY6P1QPM3RK8/IMG_4257.webp TAKE PART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313268572-SZQPX71BF2VHAESU6U3A/IMG_4119+%281%29.webp TAKE PART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313212612-OKEW0RUTHEOT4KRE8WFX/IMG_4253.webp TAKE PART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313209155-C99FD2DFIYQF6YSLRJNR/IMG_4119.webp TAKE PART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313211718-DHC58DDT93B2OP9BFK11/fullsizeoutput_13b89.webp TAKE PART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313210163-DA65FK0WZK8BI0L5SHWU/IMG_4251.webp TAKE PART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313211098-N1NHI76OSY1WP91OEX5Y/IMG_4249.webp TAKE PART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313210118-CPNPU88MYBEGABEESTCS/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_mini_14c2a.webp TAKE PART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313208955-DFC1JEDP2KTGUJ8UQPBG/IMG_4254.webp TAKE PART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313207728-482ZZAHXKCFS813726SV/fullsizeoutput_13b8a.webp TAKE PART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313206702-LGIJQ099P8DK7KNVIATT/IMG_4256.webp TAKE PART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313204795-B2H0DNOURNKC6XTQQ0Q2/IMG_4255.webp TAKE PART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313205178-EKS7F311PTCE2V7H62X6/IMG_4250.webp TAKE PART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313205892-JJJ6JU1YXZ6DONNHH98A/IMG_4252.webp TAKE PART https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1756313207935-GV8B6TYE21GB0T91L5VR/IMG_4245.webp TAKE PART http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/expectations daily 0.75 2025-10-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465949569608-RUCV1MFE85RW4T7R3X4B/image-asset.jpeg EXPECTATIONS My mother's mother Cee Gee. Engagement picture. I loved my grandmother very much. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465949592762-MEJUUK3WJKAPZ0JP42MN/image-asset.jpeg EXPECTATIONS When you grow up c. 1965 Welcome home baby Karen. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465949526007-77W5HF3SWFYEJEASKQDY/image-asset.jpeg EXPECTATIONS When she was young Cee Gee. Clara Gertrude Bloom Roos. 1906 - 2003. The youngest of three. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465949609324-6R7S06WZTQES0R1DZQBB/image-asset.jpeg EXPECTATIONS Ladies Writing Room First Trust and Savings Bank of Peoria envelope. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465949165680-L0X7PIF908KC55DDSJZV/image-asset.jpeg EXPECTATIONS Great Grandmother Mother of three. She ran a business in Peoria, Illinois. She also liked to entertain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465949622987-U7WNB52HNWI7MXI5Z8VW/image-asset.jpeg EXPECTATIONS Parsing. Property of Gertrude Bennett Bloom. The value of education runs deep through our veins. http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/love daily 0.75 2025-10-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465946393609-69NLBVPX5IBNCXCSLJ1M/image-asset.jpeg LOVE Recipe box, c. 1964 Property belonging to Clara G.B.R. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1466922244700-YE7TAPYC5TURPPLTZMRB/image-asset.jpeg LOVE Median Age at First Marriage in the US. The size of each circle represents the percentage of married households over time. Design + Code 2 - with profound thanks to @Rich_Harris https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465946373874-E35BWG7RXWAVKNTD53B4/LOVE LOVE LOVE "I love him, but do I want to settle down, sit back and watch the world go by, give up all that might be otherwise.” — Excerpt from the letter from my mother, August 19, 1957 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1466920894047-IXJWJ4YMKZ7M9PIYE8CO/image-asset.jpeg LOVE The Joy of Cooking. The New York Times Cookbook. Sally liked to cook. and to entertain. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465946413154-CEK8R4RPGANUTRAY1PNU/image-asset.jpeg LOVE Best & Co. First Shoes http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/thesweetlife daily 0.75 2025-10-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1466884788740-N1R51E2LH0EX8XE28G7F/sally+valentine.jpg THE SWEET LIFE - A Valentine from Sally to her Mother, CeeGee https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1466883755679-YKHI7W64Z6CGRQYM9VMS/The+Letter-10.jpg THE SWEET LIFE - It's about the letter "we went to the Toddle House for coffee and banana cream pie at three in the morning" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1466883796279-5TL5ELTP9WHQ3T7H8ETW/NATURE-NURTURE-8.jpg THE SWEET LIFE - Sally had a little goat Summertime visits to Peoria introduced Sally to the farmer's life. She always loved nature. I do too. As do my kiddos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465948884657-OKNLH85DEB6MNP2SU896/image-asset.jpeg THE SWEET LIFE UNDERSTAND I am 22-1/2 years old, my girl, and have just recently discovered that I am a woman: oh how hard it is to act that way. Excerpt from the letter from my mother. http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/thepromise daily 0.75 2025-10-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1465948312053-4AIH3H5TKQ8VWC88NO8I/image-asset.jpeg THE PROMISE THE PROMISE Now - strange to lie on my bed, ever-present cigarette for company, with a record of the Chicago Lyric Opera on the hi-fi, a beautiful round engagement diamond winking accusingly at me... Excerpt from the letter from my mother, August 19, 1957 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1466922820058-ENM1LRMRWKS2O7ERSVP7/Winking+Ring THE PROMISE Round Engagement Diamond Winking https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56aeb99d37013bc58040c582/1467170054884-OU20H515DP4E8SJOHVKI/Scrapbook+Sawyers_Susan_NMN16_-4.jpg THE PROMISE Wedding Scrapbook http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/contact daily 0.75 2025-10-23 http://www.letterstoyourselfie.com/acknowledgements daily 0.75 2025-10-23