Mary Ruth Slaton diary, 1944

Monday January 10 1944 It is warmer today but all of the snow hasn't melted. I washed a large washing. Mother is better but not able to help wash. Listened to the Radio tonight and also some this afternoon.

January 11 1944. Uncle Brock went home today. He has stayed here several weeks while Rex strip tobacco in his house. Rex took the tobacco to town today. I ironed, mended some clothes and have done the general house work. Mother is better. Heard President Roosevelt speak over the Radio tonight. We listened to Fiber Meyer[?] + Mollie also I read 2 chapters in the Bible tonight.

January 12 1944. Wednesday. It is colder today + partly cloudy. I fitted a pair of pants for Rex + mended some clothes and have done the general house work. Rex went to town. Uncle Brock came this afternoon. He has a bad cold + I don't think he is feeling so well. Listened to the Radio today and also tonight.

January 13 1944 Thursday It is cold today & cloudy most of the day. Uncle Brack came this morning & ate break -fast with us. His cold seems better. I have sewed a little and have done the general house work. I went to Uncle Brack's a few minutes this afternoon. Dock ate dinner tith us. He is helping Rex work. Listened to the Radio this afternoon and tonight. I read 2 chapters in the Bible tonight.

January 14 1944 Friday I fixed a Pair of Pants for Rex and started making an apron for myself but didn't get it completed. I listened to the Radio today & also tonight. We heard the "Amus and" Andy Show." Uncle Brack came a little while today. Rex went to town today.

January 15 1944 Saturday I washed some today. Robert & I went to Uncle Brack's a few minutes this afternoon. I got a letter from Lorene Weir yesterday. She is some better. Listened to the Radio tonight. Took a bath tonight.

January 16. 1944. Sunday I walked over to Alma's this afternoon. Alma and Monroe are getting along fine. They are going to move some time next week. Listened to the Radio tonight.

January 17 1944. Monday. Cooked dinner for Harold and A.W. Sisk. They are helping Rex cut Timber. Robert + I Went to Uncle Brack's a little while this afternoon. Mr Gipson was down there. Mother + I packed dishes, Pictures and a few things so we would have them ready when we move. Ironed a few pieces. Listened to the Radio today + tonight. Read 2 Chapters in the Bible tonight.

January 18. 1944. Tuesday Rex is helping John Marion move to Fletcher Slaton's today. Mr Gipson + Harold are cutting timber. Harold ate dinner with us. I washed today + Mother got most of the dinner. Listened to the Radio today + also tonight. I read 2 Chapters in Bible tonight.

January 19 1944 Wednesday Mr. Ed. Brockett, Mr Lucion Hancock and Mr. Luther Porter came to see Mother + Uncle Brock about leasing their coal at Pleasant View. They didn't sign the contract. Packed some books this afternoon. I read a little today and listened to the Radio a good deal.

January 20 1944 Thursday I ironed a few pieces and Mother + I packed some empty fruit jars. I read some and listened to the Radio. I read 2 chapters in the Bible tonight.

January 21 1944 Friday I washed some and read a little. Listened to the Radio. Heard the "Amus and Andy" show tonight. I read 2 chapters in the Bible tonight.

January 22 1944. Saturday Rex went to town today. I went to see Mrs Gipson this afternoon. I enjoyed my visit Real well. I read a little and listened to the Radio tonight. I read some in the Bible. I took a Bath tonight.

January 23 1944. Sunday. Uncle Brack went to town today + will stay a few days with Uncle Gus and aunt Erma. Rex, Mother, Robert + I went to the Steam Shovel this afternoon and watched them take the dirt off the coal. They will be on this this place in a few more days. They are on the land they bought from Mrs. McLeod now. I read some. I wrote a letter to Lorene Weir tonight.

January 24 1944. Monday. John Marion ate dinner with us. He is helping Rex cut Timber today. I made some soap and fixed a gown for myself. Listened to the Radio this afternoon and also tonight. I read a little today.

January 25 1944 Tuesday Uncle Brack came home today and has been up here several times today. I washed today. Mother helped me some. I made some soap this afternoon. Listened to the Radio and Read 2 chapters in the Bible.

January 26 1944 Wednesday Today is Rex birthday. He is 49 years old. John Marion and Clarance James ate dinner with us. Mrs Gipson came this afternoon. I ironed this afternoon. I got a letter from Aunt Jannie today. Read 2 chapters in the Bible. Listened to the Radio some tonight.

January 27 1944 Thursday I have done the general house work and mended some clothes. Mother's back has been hurting her real bad the last few days. Rex got the Truck fixed today and took the last of his tobacco the town. The sale will be tomorrow. I read chapters in the Bible tonight.

January 28 Friday 1944 Rex + I have been married 11 years today. Rex is cleaning out a pond on the farm he bought. We will move in the near future. I washed some today and finished making an apron. Uncle Brack has been here several times today. He said he didn't feel so well. I took the hem out of one my dresses + made it longer. Listened to the Radio some.

Saturday January 29 1944 I ironed some. Harold ate dinner with us. He is helping Rex haul hay. I fixed an apron this afternoon. Listened to the Radio tonight.

Sunday January 30 1944 Rex, Robert + I aimed to Dock's this afternoon but Lin came before we got ready to go. John Marion came also. Uncle Brock has been here several times today. Mr Frank Leeper and Mr Garlin Gatlin was here this afternoon. They came the steam [?] to see Mr. Gatlin [illegible].

Monday January 31 1944 We washed today. Mr Elmer Daugherty ate dinner with us. He is working for Rex today. I read a little this afternoon and listened to the Radio. Uncle Brack isn't feeling so well today. Listened to the Radio tonight.

Tuesday February 1 1944 Mr. Dougherty ate dinner with us again today. Uncle Brock ate also. I ironed today and mended part of the clothes. Listened to the Radio. George Burnes and "Gracie Allen" Fiber McGee" and "Mollie" tonight.

Wednesday February 2 1944 I cleaned up the kitchen and mended some clothes. Mother, Robert and I went to see the coal loader. We saw it load 2 trucks with coal. Uncle Brock isn't feeling well. I fixed Robert's brown pants. Listened to the Radio this afternoon and also tonight.

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Thursday, Febrary 3, 1944

I made a pillow top. Read a good deal in the bible, listened to the Radio and have done the general house work. Mother, Robert & I took a walk this afternoon. John, Alma and Little Monroe came tonight. Monroe is an awful sweet baby.

Friday Febraury 4, 1944

I washed my head. Mother and I washed some late this afternoon. We had to wait until Rex hauled the water. I had to wash Robert's under clothes again as the dirt and powder smoke from the shots the men at the stripping mines put off this afternoon got them dirty. I took a bath tonight.

Saturday, February 5, 1944.

Rex, Robert & I went to town today. I got a new pair of slippers and some arch supports. Robert and I went to Jessie's. Aunt Cattie and mrs McGrew were there. aunt cattie is a little better today but was Real sick yesterday. They thought that she was dying for a little while.

Sunday, February 6, 1944

Lawrence, Gene, Lin, Hermon and Dorthy (Gene's sister) came this morning. I tried to get them to eat dinner with us but they didn't eat. Today is Uncle Brack's Birthday. He is 87 years old today. I gave him $1.00 in money and bought him a cake besides I fixed dinner for him. He seemed to enjoy the dinner Real well.

Monday, February 7, 1944.

Rex went to town today. court met. I ironed some. Mended mother's curtains and Read a good deal. Listened to the Radio this afternoon and tonight.

Tuesday, February 8, 1944

Mr. Elmer Daugherty ate dinner with us. I have done the general house work, worked on one of my dresses and read a good deal. It is raining this afternoon. Listened to the Radio this afternoon and tonight. We heard "Fiber McGee" and "Mollie" tonight.