Mary Ruth Slaton diary, 1947

Sunday, February 23, 1947 Mrs. Ellis, Robert, Rex & I went Clearwater today & saw the Gulf of Mexico. We picked up some pretty shells. We ate our lunch at Clearwater. We stopped at the alegator farm and looked around then we stopped at Tarpon Springs and look at the sponge's and many different things that come from the bottom of the ocean. We had a right nice day. It is raining tonight. Listened to the Radio & talked some tonight.

Monday, February 24, 1947 Mrs. Smith, Robert & I went down to the River several times. We moved from Mr. Smith's to our new one room house this afternoon. We went back to Mr. Smith's and ate supper. We had fish. Cecil Preston and the man that is helping him build his house came a while tonight.

Tuesday, February 25, 1947 We spent the day in our new house. Rex made me a table & water shelf. Lin & Dock ate dinner with us. Rex, Robert & I went down in new Port Richey & got a few things we wanted. Ernest, Lin & Dock came tonight. Mrs. Ellis came a little while this morning. Lin, Dock & Rex played cards tonight. Robert is kinda homesick.

Wednesday, February 26, 1947 I have been at home all day except I went down to Ernest's and also to Cecil's. I washed a few pieces today. I wrote a letter to Mother. Mrs. Ellis came a little while. I don't feel well today. It seems cold to me. The wind has been blowing. We kept a fire in our Laundry Stove all day. Rex, Robert & I went to Ernest's a little while tonight.

Thursday, Febuary 27, 1947 It has rained most the day. Dock, Lin, Rex & I played cards today. Dock, Lin, & Ernest came to see us a little while. Rex, Robert & I went to Mr. Smith's this afternoon. Mrs. Smith wasn't at home. She had gone to Tarpon Springs. I got 2 letters from Mother, a card and a letter from Jessie & a card from Callie. Rex got a letter from Bob Wiley. We stopped down in town a little while & got a few things we wanted. Robert had a bad cold. I don't feel so well. I read some tonight. Rex & I played card's tonight. Rex won the most games.

Friday, February 28, 1947 It has rained most of the day. I have been at home all day except I went to Ernest's a little while. Lin, Dock, Rex & I played cards today. I got a letter from Mother. I wrote a card to Callie. I ironed a few pieces & made a table spread. Ernest, Lin & Dock came tonight. Lin, Dock, Rex & I played cards tonight.

Saturday, March 1, 1947 I have been disapointed today because it rained nearly all morning and has been cloudy all day. I don't like the Fla. weather. It has been raining or cold enough to keep fire in the stove nearly all the time since we goat here. I washed a few pieces. I went down to the river several times. I played solitary. I don't feel well. I wrote a card to Callie Wiley. It is raining again tonight.

Sunday, March 2, 1947 Lin, Rex, Robert & I took a drive this afternoon. We drove by some lakes and drove to the Gulf. We drove over old Port and drove out in Fla and saw some pretty orange groves and grapefruit trees. I wrote a letter to Mother tonight. The wind has been blowing all day. I am about ready to start for home. I don't like this weather.

Monday, March 3, 1947 I got a letter from Mother. She said Mrs. Chess Lyons is dead. The sun has been shining today. I went down to Ernest's and talked to Mrs. Ellis. We walked down to Cecil's and looked at his new home. Mrs. Ellis and I took a little walk. Rex, Robert & I went to Mr. Smith's this afternoon. We stopped down in town and I got some stamps & cards. Cecil & Lin came tonight & we played cards a while. Babe Sizemore came also.

Tuesday, March 4, 1947 Lin, Dock, Rex & I played cards this morning. The sun is shining. We had a big frost last night. Cecil Preston, Dock, Rex and Robert went fishing this afternoon. Lin & I went driving. We went nearly to St. Petersburg. We decided to not go on to St.Petersburg as there was so much traffic. We might have gotten in a traffic Jam. We saw some pretty country. I ate supper at Ernest's. Ernest & Lin came a little while tonight. I have had the head-ache nearly all day.