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| Tom Lyle Williams with his nephew Bill Williams at the Villa Valentino |
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| Bad-mitten Court at the Villa Valentino |
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| Lush gardens surrounding the Pool at the Villa Valentino |
Excerpt from a letter written by Emery Shaver to his sister Betty from the Villa Valentino, Hollywood, California, dated January 26, 1944
War time rationing at the Villa
We have been having a most usual cold spell, but it is not too severe, however, the heat, especially at night, feels very good. Our garden had been coming along so well, many lovely roses and camellias now, and some azaleas. Some of our citrus trees are bearing heavily, so we have plenty of oranges, grape-fruit and tangerines.
Food is scarce and very high. We just cannot manage to have all our meals at home, so we have to eat out often, however, tonight we are having Lyle’s favorite, vegetable soup, a big pot of it, and we will make a meal from that, as there are plenty of vegetable and meat in it – well, maybe I exaggerate a bit – not so much meat. With gooseberry pie for dessert, it should be a good meal.