Monday afternoon

[May 31, 1943]

Dear Mavis:

Received three letters in the mail this morning from you and before I opened them I though something must be wrong by there being so many at one time.  After opening them I understand the reason. One of the letters you wrote last Wednesday was miss sent to Mount Olive, Mississippi.  One had the pictures, and the other was written Friday.  The pictures were so good that they made me homesick to see Johnnie, so I went to town to see if they would let me have extra gas to come after you and Johnnie.  Mrs. Goza is going to take it up with the board and let me know right away.  I suppose the pictures have been passed around a dozen times among us here, Mama has them now looking at them.  It seems as if Ruthel and mary Emma can't get through looking at them. I wish you could be here to see the reaction among them.  They think Johnnie is the only one in the picture.  Mama said "I suppose the people up there feel the way about Jewel that they do here about Johnnie".

Mama is feeling better this morning.  She is still in bed.  Her head is bothering her some, but suppose it will take time for her to get over it.

Rain, rain, rain; that is the weather report.  Surely it will stop someday.  I got the lawn mower that I bought from Mr. Grayson this morning and am going to mow the yard when it dries up.

Ruthel just passed by and asked me to tell you to hurry and get back home so you could churn for she didn't like the job.  She is trying to get Mary Emma to cook dinner now.  They are two lazy girls.

Evelyn is still in Athens, Alabama. In her last letter she said she was going to stay there until they moved Hiram.  I think they call each other up and talk over the phone.

I saw show number four last night.  I had such a headache I didn't enjoy it, but it was a good picture: "Andy Hardy's Double Life", starring Mickey Rooney.  I told Ruthel and Emma I had better do my going now for it would be over when you and Johnnie got back.  I can see you envying me about all the shows I am going to.  How about it? I am only teasing so don't take it to heart.

I have looked everywhere for the sugar and coffee [ration] books, but can't find them, so I won't be sweet when you get home; however we have plenty of sugar and coffee for Zora and Emma let us have theirs.

I am sorry Dulcie is not doing as well as you did.  I suppose it would have been unique if you both had done so well.  I know Mrs. Shinn will be glad when you both leave the hospital.

I guess I had better stop before I get to writing something silly and with a lot of nonsense in it.

Love, Ruel