Monday, May 31, 1943

Dear Ruel,

The mail came this morning with a letter from Ruthel and Elizabeth O'Donnel and Johnnie's bathing suit.  It was the first I have heard from Mississippi except what you have written.  Ruthel said you must be doing pretty good, judging from your appetite and Elizabeth said you were looking fine.  I'm glad to hear this.  I haven't been worried about you though - guess I had too many worries of my own.  You shouldn't think the swimming season would be over before we got home.  We still have Johnnie in his long sleeve underwear. Tell Ruthel that the trunks are not too large for Johnnie.  Mama tried them on him over his diapers and they were tight. Probably will fit him when he is naked.

Johnnie has a fresh cold today, although it isn't making him very sick - just cross.  It seems that he just can't get rid of a cold. Maybe he needs Mississippi's climate. It is a temptation for me not to pick him up. He doesn't even like me because I con't. They have a cradle for him beside my bed and he plays there some.  He can hold to the side and pull himself up.  The sides of the cradle are not high enough - the bed at home will just about be right for him.

I'm feeling fine. Counting the days until Thursday when I can sit up for one hour. I'm trying to follow the doctor's orders for I don't want to be sick any longer. I've gotten enough of being in bed and in the hospital. Everybody says I look better than they have ever seen me, and don't look like I've been sick.  I know I'm getting weak from staying in bed though.  Dulcie is getting along all right now.  At least she was yesterday. Papa was going to town and past the hospital this morning. He's going to ask for my mail. I hope I have a nice big letter from you.

Stewart and Gladys came by for a few minutes this morning.  They were on their way to town and had left the baby with Aunt Annie. He has a cold this morning, too.  The change is too much for babies I guess.  They had the preacher come past yesterday afternoon and christen their baby. Gladys said she was surprised that he just seemed to glory in all the attention he was getting.  She thought he would be afraid of so many strangers.  I told her I thought Johnnie liked the attention he was getting too.

Tell Ruthel that we appreciate the bathing suit. I would answer her letter, but it isn't very convenient to write lying flat in bed. I enjoyed hearing from her. Glad she is going to stay with you for all for a few weeks to keep Dry Bayou from being so lonesome.

Papa came from the hospital and brought the letter you wrote Friday. I surely hope little Tommie gets better. I'm glad you have made the decision about us coming home on the train. I'll quit being so childish and decide that I can't travel for about three weeks.  After all, I should stay a little while here without having them wait on me.  Maybe I won't be so homesick to see you when I can be up and around.

I sent for Johnnie a new pair of shoes this morning. They got a size 2 and his feet just about fills them up He really did look like a little orphan when I came home from the hospital. His booties had worn out in the feet and his toes were sticking out. I'll have to tell you about him using his little pot.  I was going to save that as a surprise but it will be so long.  Anyway I bought him a little pot the day I was in Charlotte and he has learned to use it right well. You will get a big kick out of seeing him uses it.

Jo's school was out Friday so she will be here now to help with Johnnie. He likes her but is about all she can carry.  She was pleased that she passed her grade and will be in high school next year.

Since the social life here is about as exciting as it is on Dry Bayou, I don't have much to write about. They are chopping cotton and grass is growing fast because of last week's rains.  I'm afraid Mama's garden will get grassy as little as she is getting to work in it.

I would like to see the Mississippi River up to the levee. However I'll bet you haven't been over there yet. Hope your cotton and corn don't get grassy before all the rain stops.

Johnnie is in his cradle crying because I won't lift him, but I'll have to call someone.

Lots of love,  Mavis