Tuesday Morning
September 18, 1945

Dear Mother,

Your letter and the pictures came Saturday. I certainly do like the picture. It is better than the proof. The tinting is about the best I've ever seen. I like the way they emphasized the baby rather than the clothes as so often they do. I wonder if Elsie did it?

I thought about it being your birthday Sunday, but I didn't do anything about it. At the Community Center Sunday afternoon the girl that has the same birthday asked me if I knew what day it was.

They just started picking cotton here again yesterday. It rained most of last week so they have very little out so far. It is getting white too. The airplane has been landing in the field above us and dusting some cotton. This thrills Johnny and he plays "dusting cotton" with his airplanes. He plays that way if he stays in the house, but Ruel has been working on a trailer at the barn and Johnny has to be out there to help screw every bolt.

Tuesday night-

Johnnie came to the house, so I didn't get to finish this morning. He has been doing unusually well, but whined around like he didn't feel so well today. He eats better than he did up there, but doesn't sleep so good. He is afraid he will miss something if he doesn't get up when we do, and of course he won't go to sleep until night. His nose is clearing up and he has had only one touch of asthma since our return.

I got a short letter from Dulcie yesterday. She seems to be liking college - at least she says "so far so good".

Rosedale has been all upset today over the murder yesterday afternoon of one of its leading citizens. A man who was drinking came and forced him into his car and shot him just outside of town. The man was a levee worker who had been in Rosedale only about a week. He didn't even know the man he killed and says he doesn't remember anything about it. They took him to an out-of-town jail for public feeling in Rosedale was pretty high. It is an example of what drink can do. They said the man had bought 4 pints of whiskey yesterday.

The baby is crying so I had better close. He cries himself to sleep sometimes. Ruel thought he was mighty good Sunday while I was at church. He said he woke up and played a long time by himself. He does play by himself pretty well. I have to do my washing and other work too so I can hold him every time he cries.

I'm glad Harding is going to get a discharge. I know he will be glad to get back to normal living again.

Evelyn came past here awhile Saturday. She said Hiram was sailing the 17th and should reach New York the 27th. Jerry has grown so much and is so healthy looking now. They can hardly wait for Hiram to get home.

I cooked some of the apples (dried). They are so good I don't think they will last till winter. Johnny likes them. I should have fixed more.

Love,

Mavis