As most of you reading probably know, it's been a rough year for our family due to illness, and this blog has been sorely neglected, although Don has mentioned a few times how he would like to get back to sharing things on here. Well, today I was tinkering around the house and just thinking about all the troubles people in our little community are having (Facebook is just full of prayer requests for cancer and deaths in families) and thought it might be nice to share one of Miss Jane's letters. They always soothe me for some reason. Maybe it's because they are from a time that seems simpler or maybe it's because I can picture her writing them right here in my house . . . I really don't know why they bring comfort, but they do. Perhaps they'll also give some of you a lighter heart - at least for a moment or two. ~Ginger From Miss Jane on Friday morning, June 3rd, 1949: Dearest Son, How are you this lovely morning? I got up early and put sulphur on my roses and Aunt May's. We have had lovely roses, in all colors. It is really dry in some places in the county, for the last rain seemed to be rather local. We haven't had the showers yet that the weatherman has promised us. I am overseeing Aunt May's house-cleaning. She has Charlie D. and Mrs. Reynolds both today. Had Charlie D. yesterday and Mrs. Reynolds the day before - so hope to get it all done today but her room. The upstairs was a sight, together with the presses - but is clean now. Uncle Henry's* room is ready for kemtone [a paint]. I haven't been up town since I last wrote you, so don't know any news. Haven't seen Ella**- Tomorrow is Larue's wedding day, so Blanche*** is quite disturbed - says she isn't going to cry. Burl [Sr.] says Dr. Bryon's**** house is going up fast - I want to walk up there late this afternoon and probably up town. We are expecting Uncle Rube***** tomorrow - on his "flying trip." Why didn't you come along? ha! Burl and Banks [Thompson] went fishing yesterday afternoon, but no luck. Now Sugar, I will try to write more tomorrow. Aunt May is still improving. We are just fine. Daddy said at the supper-table that he felt better than he had for quite a while. Lots of love, Mother *Henry Ficklin - Aunt May was married to Henry Ficklin and they lived in what is now Marcelle Doggett's home right by us. Don's great grandfather built that house. **Ella Goodpaster. She and Mr. Burl courted a bit. Also, it's always funny to me when Miss Jane writes "up town" as she lived right here on High Street. ***We're not sure who Larue is or why Blanche was disturbed. It took us forever to figure out that Blanche was a nurse hired by the family to live in the house and care for Aunt May. We found that from a census record. ****Dr. Bryon's house is still standing, of course, and is right by the old water tower in town. *****Uncle Ruby's plane trips are discussed in several letters. I'm guessing this would have been a big deal in 1949.
