[Letter from Lyle Creelman to her mother]

              Geneva, Nov.10,1957.
Dear Mother,
This has been the first gray wet Sunday we have had for a long time.  I thought I
would get a lot of work done and have not done too bad considering that I had some
unexpected change in plans.
I went to church and after church the Clarks asked me to home home to dinner with
them as they had some Canadian cousins visiting them. The cousins were a young
psychiatrist and his wife who have been in England for a year and are now on their way
back home to Montreal. They were very nice and the dinner—chicken with dressing—was
delicious. After I came back I read a while and since have been wrapping a few Xmas
parcels.  I shall tell you what they are.
I have done up a parcel for Eleanor which includes a nice Swiss tea-cloth. When
she commented on the gift I sent to Anita and Angus I thought she indicated that she
would like to have one herself.  This^ne is not quite so nice and I hope she lik?#* the
color.  It is rose.  I included also a little Swiss dress for the grand-daughter. That
is all I am sending them,  I have a little Swiss calendar for Mefct.  I am also putting
one in the mail for you.  I had two very nice handkerchiefs which I have wrapped for
Miss Cavers.  I have a desk-calendar for Ruth Morrison and put a little hanky in an
envelope for her Mother.  Somebody gave me two very nice tea-cloths but the cllor clashes
with my kitchen so I have addressed them to Frieda.  I think that will be the extent of
my parcels home.  Oh, I shall send a box of chocolates to Mrs. Caird for the house. Wi|gj||
that be acceptable do you think or should I send something else?  I wish you would take
one of the $10 cheques I sent you last week and buy yourself something for Xmas.  I do
not know what to send you f»om here or what you need.
I dhall try to write to Eleanor this week .  I hope she cakes it easy after she is
home. Yes, I shall send more money before I go to Africa. Perhaps the exchange will come
down a little by January.  I do not spend everything as I go so do not worry. My
furniture has been quite an investment this year but that is all paid for now so I should
save a lot more,  ^he cost of living has gone up considerably here the past year.  If the
pension is increased it will only be fair if Mrs. Caird asks for a little more. After all
the increase id given because the cost of food etc. has increased.  So please do nojll
day anything if that happens.
Glad you were at dinner at Hazel's. Who was your partner at cards? What does
Graham plan to study—electrical engineering? Do you think Bi}lie and Mrs. MacLeod
will hit itjoffI    Perhaps Billie will have a trip to England,
I hope you doj|hot have any further bother with the twine. Do not worry if you do
not get it.  Perhaps when I come home I can find some for you.
I had three people in for dinner last night and then six more forgSdessert and
coffee and to see some pictures. Dr. Lin, from Formosa and with whom Lorna Horwood will
be working.is here for a week. He had some nice pictures taken in various countries
of Europe which all enjoyed. The other dinner guests were Dr. Eames Macintosh of
England and Dr. Maria Pfister who is on our staff. We had a nice time but it was rather
late so I am going to be in bed by 9 P.M.
Dr. Mary Cross is here from Birmingham this week andf she insists on taking me out
for dinner l^pB^nignt.  Sh^jB says that the last two times she has been here I have
entertained her but I do not remember.  She is a specialist in premature babies.
On Tuesday night I am going to a church social evening., Have no Idea what it will
be like or how many go but will tell you abdjttt it in my next ||etter.
I am going to #ry fo finish my Xmas cards this week,  *hey should be mailed to Canad4
by next week end if they are to arrive on time.
Hope the weather is still fine and that you are well,
Love,
II
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