Sounds like Momma Shinn had just celebrated Mother's day in this letter.

Sunday night

May 9, 1948

Dear Mavis,

This has been a lovely day. Harding came home Friday evening and plowed yesterday. We had a good rain Thursday night so the ground was just right. Pop planted his cotton and perhaps it will get up before it gets too dry. It has been cool since the rain.

Muriel, Doug and Harding were here for dinner. I meant to invite Howard and Ruth but Dulcie had planned to have them eat with her. They had Ronnie at Sunday School but took him home and let him sleep a nap before coming back to Dulcies. They came up here this afternoon. Ruth and Dulcie had a nice dinner. Buren and family were here a while then all of them left and it seemed lonesome. Muriel gave me a nice house dress. Elwyn sent a box of candy. Howard and Ruth gave me a pretty white linen table cloth. Harding gave me a box of candy. Dulcie gave me an aluminum sauce pan or waterless cooker. I fried an old hen in it today for dinner and it was as tender as young chicken. I had strawberry shortcake for dinner, it was so rich we couldn't eat much and have half of it left. I gathered five gallons of strawberries last Monday and several gallons a day the rest of the week. I have made some preserves, canned some and have given Buren two gallons. I have also given Muriel, Howard and Dulcie some. I sent Aunt Missouri some last week and have several gallons in the refrigerator now. I have some "Certo" and "SureJell" and am going to make jam tomorrow. Pearson's have a lot of them and are putting them in the locker.

The district conference was at Midway in Kannapolis so I didn't go with the preacher. Pop took me over there and I came back with Mr. Towell. I talked to Rev. Scott. He asked about you. He looks well. He said his little boy was growing fast and was all boy.

I went to the H.D. (home demonstration?) District meeting at the Armory in Concord Friday. Miss Iris Davenport was guest speaker. Perhaps you read her articles in Southern Agriculture. She is a great talker. There was a large crowd and lots of food. We are planning a supper at the clubhouse Saterday night, so I will be busy this week.

Love to Jonnie and Joe Lee. Thanks for the lovely card.

Lots of love,

Mother