Feb 2, 1949

Dear Mother,

The ground hog is certainly seeing his shadow here today.  Despite the sun there is plenty of the now still here.  Yesterday the sun shown but the thermometer was down to 7 degrees yesterday morning.  It is warmer today.  This is the first day they have had school this week.  Ruel just brought Johnnie in and he immediately went back out, saying they didn't get to play outside "even one time" at school.  Being out in the snow doesn't seem to hurt them.  Monday afternoon Ruel took him out and they jumped a rabbit and kept after it until they killed it.  When Johnnie came in he was so cold he was crying.  Ruel gave the rabbit to a Negro boy (Willie age 9) that is staying over at Beulah Mae's.  Yesterday Johnnie went over there and when he came home he said "Now I know what rabbit tastes like".  He is back over there now.  Joe Lee doesn't care too much about playing in the snow.  He always gets Johnnie's book satchel and sees what he brings home.  He is lying here on the bed now looking at on of his books.  The babies are lying on the bed playing.  They are going through the stage now when they try to talk to the little boy painted on the headboard of the bed.  They both smile when they see it.  I gave them their first pablum today.  Jane ate hers but Jan made a face at his. They are getting over the flu and about back to usual again. I didn't take the flue this time thank goodness - I'm also about through at the dentist.  We got a bill today for $32 - ten fillings and one extraction.  None of the cavities were so bad but I suppose the charge is the same.

Your letter came this morning.  I wonder if it snowed on top of your ice.  We didn't have the ice this time.  We took some pictures of the snow.  I'm glad you and Papa didn't have to get out in the cold much.  I would rally like to have gotten out more than I did in the pretty snow.  Ruel fed the chickens and about all I have to do outdoors is hang out clothes.  I've been drying them indoors most of the bad weather.  I think something froze about the Bendix.  Ruel disconnected it yesterday and I washed in the bathtub this morning.

Ruel and Joe Lee are planning to go to Cleveland tomorrow to the "John Deere Day".  Joe Lee is looking forward to it.  I have some home permanent things and am planning to fix my hair.  It has gotten practically straight.  I don't know whether I can roll my own or not, but it is so much cheaper than going to the beauty shop.

I really don't see how Ruth manages to make the blouses and do all her other work.  She must do a lot of work at night.  Does she still work button holes or does she have a button hole attachment for the sewing machine?

I had better stop for both babies are crying.  They cry themselves to sleep most of the time.

Love,

Mavis