Mary Ruth Slaton diary, 1947

Monday, February 3, 1947 I wanted to wash but Rex didn't want me to so he took the clothes to Mrs. Wiley to wash and iron for us. I feel some better. Mrs. Jones came this afternoon. I washed some hoe's and underwear today. Lawrence and Gene came tonight & we played Rook. Gene & I won the most games. Rex got 2 cards from Mr. Mose Smith today. He says he will let us have a room when we get to Fla.

Tuesday, February 4, 1947 It sure has been cold today. The ground is frozen hard & a little snow on the ground. I washed a few pieces & I ironed some pieces & have done the general house work. We want to start to Fla. Sunday if it isn't too cold. I feel better today. I Read some tonight.

Wednesday, February 5, 1947 We are sure having cold weather. Rex went to town today. I ironed a few pieces and have done the general house work. I read some to Robert out of his "Bible Story Book". I read some tonight. I am feeling better. Rex got new Radio Batteries today but we didn't connect the Radio up tonight as we will have to do some work on the outside & it is so cold.

Thursday. February 6, 1947 Uncle Brock is 90 years old today. I made 2 pies and done the genral house work. I feel lots better. I read a good deal to Robert out of his "Bible Story Book". Bob Wiley came late this afternoon & helped Rex feed so he will know how to do the work when we go to Fla. He helped Rex connect the Radio. We listened to the Radio tonight. It is warmer today.

Friday, February 7, 1947 It sure has been cold today. Rex & I went to town this afternoon. I got some underwear and got Robert some socks and pants. We want to start to Fla. early Sunday morning. We went to Jessie's and got our cleaning. We stopped at Fred's and anna Belle's & Rex went in to see cousin Will. He is getting along very well. We listened to the Radio some tonight.

Saturday, February 8, 1947 It still is awful cold. I have washed my head & getting ready to start to Fla. Dock came this afternoon and said we had better wait a few days as the highway has ice on it near Hopkinsville. We may go monday if the weather & roads will permit it. We listened to the Radio tonight. We heard The"Grand Ole Opra", at Nashville. We all enjoyed it.

Sunday, February 9, 1947 Rex & I went to town this afternoon & I went to amelia. She looks awful bad I think. I feel uneasy about her. Lanna, B.J., Bobby & Jimmy, Albert & Edna and Joe & Bonnie were there also. Mr. John Denton came as we were leaving. Rex went down in town a while then he came back to Jim's. Listened to Radio tonight & I read to Robert some.

Monday, February 10, 1947 I gave Robert a Bath & took a Bath. We aim to start for Fla. early in the morning. Dock came & got our truck and one of the Roll-a-way Beds and put them in the back of his Truck. Listened to the Radio some tonight.

Tuesday, February 11, 1947 We got up early this morning & got breakfast & went to town and went to Lin's. Rex, Robert & I will go to Fla. in our car & Lin & Dock are going in Dock truck. We went through Nashville Tenn. went through some of the moutains of ala. We went through Birmingham. We could't find a place to stay at night so we pulled off of the highway & slept some but drove most of the night.

Wednesday, February 12, 1947 We went through a little of Georiga. The Jungle drive was beautiful I thought. We reached Fla. this morning but didn't get to New Port Richey until 9:30 tonight. It was farther then I thought it was. Dock & Lin went Ernest's and we went to Mr. M.R. Smith's. Dock had 3 flat tires on the trip. That delayed us some.