A Calendar of the Letters of Willa Cather

22 letters found

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Results 11-20:

To Mr. [Malcolm] WyerSept. 6, [1925], from Red Cloud, Nebr.BYU 

Appreciates the book he and Mr. Howlett sent. Hopes to see him at the Denver Library again next summer. Leaves for New York tomorrow.   Willa Cather   [Stout #794]


To Sigrid Undset,  Tuesday [Nov. 26, 1941] Oslo 

On p. 366 of Mathews [ Field Book of American Wild Flowers ] she will find an entry on the swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), which they discussed. Mathews does not note, however, its willow-like and shiny leaves. It was a special thrill to have found one once in a desert canyon rather than a swamp. Greatly enjoys her visits.   [Stout #1559]


To Sister AgathaDec. 23, 1941UNL , copy, not original

Yes, remembers Toby Tyler, which her grandmother used to read to her and her brothers when they were little. Did she ever read Talking Leaves?— a small, square book in similar format from same publisher. Enjoyed her students' newspaper. Wishing her a cheerful and holy Christmas, though it is hard to be cheerful these days.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1565]


To Dr. GarbatJune 27, 1945UVa 

His letter with good news about her blood count and information about the typical slow recovery from major surgery has greatly encouraged her. Won't be able to come in before she leaves town. Has been seeing her oculist and her dentist and time is full. Leaving soon for Northeast Harbor, Maine, for two months.   Willa Cather   [Stout #1712]


To Elsie CatherOctober 2, [1931]UNL-Rosowski Cather .

Elsie's letter came late and doesn't have much time to respond before the mail boat leaves.� Is concerned she may have given Douglass bad advice regarding division of [their mother's] property; is eager to learn what he judges best.� Is leaving on the 13th, either for New York or for Jaffrey.� Will come home for Christmas if Elsie and Douglass will be there.� Asks they save for her their mother's things that she is to have.   Willie 


To Elsie CatherApril 12, [1935]UNL-Rosowski Cather 

Is very busy, but must write about Elsie's health problems. Is she taking the "mixed glands" pills? She should be, as all women, including Edith and herself, are taking them nowadays. Just in case, has included personal prescription for Elsie to use. Has had appendix trouble recently, but will wait until after Isabelle leaves to have an appendectomy. Isabelle is quite sick and is in New York to see American physicians while Jan is touring Canada. Take the pills!   Willie 


To Douglass CatherJuly 8, 1916, from Taos, NM on letterhead of the Brown Palace Hotel, Denver, CO; ; UNL-Southwick 

Has returned to Taos with Edith after days in the heat of Denver. Taos has very mild evenings and only brief periods of heat during the day. Fine horses are available; Edith is an accomplished rider, and Cather can get along well enough to handle irregular terrain. Is Douglass still coming north this July? How far? To Albuquerque? If it is possible to see him, would like to, but otherwise won't travel far, though if Edith is up to it they might drive near Espa�ola around the Rio Grande pueblos. Edith has to return to New York by July 25, and her holiday, though fascinating, has not been relaxing. When she leaves, Cather might travel to Lander, and will get to Red Cloud as some point. Hopes to convince mother to spend some time in Denver with her, since Elsie reports that she isn't in good health. Would like to be in Red Cloud for several weeks, but won't do it if no one wants her around. Regrets coming home the previous summer. Her very being seemed to annoy everyone. Douglass shouldn't think her too smug, it's just that writers have to promote themselves or forget about it. Doesn't self-promote near as much as most. Doesn't believe it would do family any good for her to give up, though quitting is tempting sometimes. Had a difficult winter and wrote very little, just two short stories [possibly "The Bookkeeper's Wife" and "The Diamond Mine"], and one of them was really weak. The death of Judge McClung and the marriage of Isabelle were big blows and gave her the unsettling sense of losing a home. Will survive, but is not too enthusiastic. Maybe going on trying after losing interest is a sign of character. Doesn't want to dwell on depressing facts, though. Why can't she and Douglass have fun together more? Yes, is difficult to be around, but any woman who has made good money in a business is difficult and she's no different. Nevertheless, the two of them still ought to enjoy one another's company, as they did in Denver the year before. Likes Douglass more than nearly everyone else, except when he's grumpy; and when he's grumpy, will just leave and accept it with detachment. Will, however, relish all positive feelings from her family, all of whom she likes very much, even more so now than when she was young and tried to change everybody. Still tends to believe in her own way of thinking first, but now tempers it with the knowledge of past errors. Has mellowed since last year. Three close friends died [?], and the family's displeasure last summer may have helped too. Is drained of spirit now--but that's bad for writing. Will probably never write well again. One needs to be transfixed with the material to write well. Hopes at least to be able to support herself still. Two stories were rejected recently for being dull, and the editors were right. Please plan on meeting somewhere—really has gotten more easy going.   Willie 


To Elsie Cather and Helen Louise Cather [niece]July 13, [1939]UNL-Southwick 

Sending fond wishes and affection to two who are making the aging house vibrant again. Remembers when Helen was a young girl and had been to visit—just before leaving she voiced a goodbye to the house. Hopes when she leaves this time she will do the same. Give best wishes to Helen's Garber grandparents. They [Cather and Edith Lewis] are not leaving for ten days, and will not be going to Grand Manan.   Willie 


To Frederic Gershom Melcher,  Friday, [November 24, 1922] , from Number Five Bank Street, New YorkUVa 

Pleased he likes the book [One of Ours]. Readers either love it or loathe it. Is about to go west to see her parents, and hopes to see him when she returns. Leaves for a year abroad in April.   Willa Cather 


To Roscoe CatherApril 11, [1928], on Alfred A. Knopf letterhead ; UNL-Roscoe 

Has been consoled by her stay at their parents' house. Has had new paper put in all the first floor but the parlor. This meant stripping off four layers of old wallpaper—what a mess! Left the one room as it was so their mother could appreciate the familiarity. Had their father's old room done in a cheerful British chintz paper, which their mother will like. The landscaping has been improved, and a new curtain put up in the front dining room. The back dining room still looks nice. After she leaves, the old Bohemian painter Ondrals [?] will work on the bathroom. These dirty repairs, including lots of plastering, would have been too nerve-wracking for mother, if she had been there. Is very happy with how things turned out and has enjoyed spending her money this way. His check has come; will apply it to his loan balance when she gets to New York. Will remain in Red Cloud for a few days before going to the Mayo Clinic and then to New York. Edith's mother's health continues to decline; what a hard way to go. Sends love to Roscoe and his family.   Willie. 


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