At Sea--Honeymoon

Wednesday 1 November 1944, 10:55 PM

Dearest Sweet,

     How is my love tonight? Are our two darlings behaving or shall I give you a hand? Gee I wish I could. It would be fun to get Linda and Norma ready for bed. I'd undress both of them tonight with the greatest of pleasures even with my blues on. And then after they were comfortably tucked in you and I would have a "late" on the studio couch. Nice dreaming anyway.
     Well darling today consisted of the same sixes and sevens. Work and chow and work and more chow. I haven't weighed lately so I'll check myself in the morning.
     There were many clouds in the sky today and all day it looked like rain but so far no such luck. If it did rain, I'd promised myself to strip down and just sit out on deck and cool off. However there is a nice breeze blowing now and it has been blowing for the past several hours and believe me I sat out there and enjoyed every moment of it. It'll probably rain but I guess not until after I've turned in.
     Darling, do you remember our honeymoon at Lake Arrowhead? My but it was hot! Remember how we pushed the bed so that it was almost hanging out of the window to get an extra breath of air. Sweet if you and I were there now I wouldn't care how hot it was. Let's go back after the war. Is it a date?
     Good night honey. I do feel extra loving tonight so how about a big hug and kiss and right now, not later. Thank you dear, that was swell.

Lovingly

Gil

Eleanor and Gil at Lake Arrowhead on their honeymoon

At Sea--Ten Fillings

Tuesday 31 October 1944, 10:00 PM

My Dearest,
     Another day, another dollar. This morning I saw eight patients. Put in ten fillings and treated a couple of mouths. By eleven I was hot and soaked to the skin or I should say from the skin out. In this weather I perspire very freely but the heat bothers me much less than I had expected.
     This afternoon I sat out on deck and read for a while. Then one of the officers joined me and we had an interesting chat about home and family.
     After sunset I went up on the bridge and did a little star gazing. By the time I get home I should have a fair knowledge of astronomy.
     Well My Darling that is all for today. With all my love,

Devotedly

Gil

At Sea--Crossed Dateline

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco

Monday 30 October 1944, 10:30 PM

Dearest Eleanor,

     Here I am again. The daily routine remains unchanged. Up at seven and finished with breakfast by eight. Down to my office at 8:30 and from then until 11:00 I move right along. At 11:30 lunch and then a little "sack duty" (a nap or reading period in my bunk). Back to my office at 1:30 until--? And then the rest of the day to read and take it easy.
     This Navy life is really making a loafer out of me. Doubt whether I'll ever be able to turn out a decent day's work.
     Sweet, I hope you won't be angry but until I find something to write about my letters may skip a day. Please understand darling that there is nothing to tell.
     Do you remember many years ago the party at Barney Shapiro's house where we met and I took you home? Ambie and I were sitting out on deck and reminiscing and I told him about that great event in my life. Gosh but I'd like to go to a party tomorrow night, meet you and take you home. Only I wouldn't kiss you good night at the door, no sir! After the war you and I will take up where we left off on parties. I'll take you and bring you back home.
     Well, Sweet that's all for tonight. With all my love all wrapped up for you and waiting for the day when I come home.

Loving you as ever

Gil

At Sea--Writing

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O San Francisco

Saturday 28 October 1944, 11:15 PM

censored

Dearest Eleanor,
     This has been another routine day. My arm feels practically well this morning and I've felt 4.0 all day so the effects of the shot didn't last very long.
     I began the day by seeing six patients in the morning. Then after lunch I read for a while and then worked on those gadgets I'm making.
     I has been quite warm all day long with very little breeze although it is always comfortable up on the bridge. After dinner this evening I made my daily visit to the bridge and visited with the O.D. (Officer of the Day).
     About 8:00 PM I went down to the wardroom for a glass of iced coffee and a game of Peek. After that Ambie, the Doctor and I stood out on deck and until just a few moments ago talked.
     All the officers wonder what I can say writing daily. The only things of interest that happen can't be told and daily routine is quite uninteresting. Most of them write once or twice a week and they are all betting that I'll quit this one a day soon. Maybe I will but not yet. I can still tell you I love you and even if there is a lot of repetition you'll still know what my days consist of mostly.
     Nothing more for now, my Sweet. Till tomorrow "lot---s of love"

Lovingly

Gil

At Sea--All Over But The Shooting

Lt. (j.g.) Gilbert Steingart

U.S.S. Ocelot, F.P.O. San Francisco

Friday 27 October 1944, 9:30 PM

censored

My Dearest,
     I didn't sleep well last night. My arm was sore and I kept rolling over on that side and waking up. This morning I felt better except that my arm is still sore. I never thought a tetanus shot would bother me so much.
     This has been a quiet day for me. Saw patients this morning and just lounged around for the rest of the day. I finished a book "All Over but the Shooting" a humorous mystery story of war time Washington, D.C. My next book is "Let's Face It" by Throne Smith. Expect to start that his afternoon.
     After I finished reading I went to work on the ? I'm making for you and the kids. There will be many hours of work and I hope you will like it. Anyway the time goes much fast when I'm occupied.
     After dinner I repaired to the bridge and enjoyed the cool ocean breeze. Ambie and I found comfortable deck chairs and sat around and sang songs, old and new, for over an hour. Then we went into the wardroom for a game of Peek. By that time it was 9:00 PM and some of the officers who had night watches turned in so we broke up our game and here I am.
     Gee, Sweet I'd sure love just a little note from you now. Just to know that you and the kids are well and everything is secure. Guess I'll have to wait several days before I may enjoy that pleasure.
     In the meantime darling, good night. I'll see you in my dreams. I love you.

Devotedly

Gil