Wednesday afternoon. January 19 1944

My dear John Milton:

When you get down to the part of this sheet where it is very much torn don’t wonder why I didn’t use a better piece of paper, I didn’t, because we hear so much about paper shortage that maybe after a while I will be glad to have any. Do you know, I guess you don’t since perhaps you have no need of them, but we can’t buy cleansing tissue at any stores unless you happen to get there on a special day and time they are put out “one to a customer”. That is, one small box.

Believe me, I certainly don’t miss having plenty of these little things, such a thing never entered my mind as ever not having them. I don’t know, nor anyone else I dare say, what we will do without before this “thing” is over.

Your letter of Sunday has come in today and I have been expecting it. You are fine about writing us as often as you do and I do appreciate it for I am always wondering if there is anything new with you. Get into your old car and ride into town some Sunday and go to church there, it may be you will meet some interesting people and it might prove more exciting than you would guess. Don’t go by yourself; ask one of your friends to go with you.

Am glad the razor got there safely.

Well wasn’t it strange that your picture to Smarzo should reach her on Christmas Day? If you had tried to do that, you most certainly never could have.

We’ve had a letter from Aldine thanking us for the Christmas package and he asked after you.

This evening your Daddy and I are going to treat ourselves to supper at Langfords and go from there to church. (ha ha, the joke is surely on me about that sheet of paper I talked about when I started this letter, for when changing sheets just now, I find I put it in the machine wrong and wrote on the opposite sheet from what I expected) now to go back to the supper, it does happen to be pay day, but that is not responsible for the “supper out”, but Papa isn’t here which is most responsible. He is in Culpeper.

What Evelyn sent you for Christmas isn’t what she told me she thought she would get. Military brushes are what she asked me about, and what I thought hose had decided on, but what she gave is probably more useful than the brushes would have been. I was talking with her last night, Eunice is here and called me and Evelyn came to the phone when she had finished talking. Alvin has come in and Marion left Yesterday. All three of the boys have been in.

Yes, seventy five in the bank, and I judge ere this you have gotten an envelope full of something from the bank. Statement and checks I guess; Ben got the same.

Have nothing else now so will leave you. Tell us something of what the work you are doing is like. Are you studying books, working on the out side or what?

Good bye and best of luck always,

Love,

Mother.

Hi son - we are now in Langfords - I’m writing this while waiting for your “ma” to finish the big supper (dinner) she ordered. We have to leave in a few minutes. My ear is now ok. Not only the lower water hose broke but the gas hose connections to the carburetor broke at the same time – hence the double trouble!

I have 2 C-2 cufous (gotten from Alvin Phillips) which I was saving for you, but if you don’t need them now I may hold them for an emergency.

Got to quit and say good night

Love

Dad