Dear Joe,

Recognize this stationary? It's your B'ham-Southern with a crew cut! It's just my nature to salvage.

I'm enclosing the article about Emory Cunningham--you need the background of those for whom you work. He's also a trustee of Auburn and is on the advisory board of U of A. He worked through the ranks of Progressive Farmer. You can read all about it. I did include the entire article as Laura Drinkard has two honors: Blue Key National Honor Society and Mortar Board.

I'm sending a little money. This you should "let be" to help with your change in May should you not still be with Southern Progress or should you get a permanent job, it could be used to improve your mode of transportation! Just be patient and all will work out.

The other article is about the park near Jasper. It's a TVA financed thing--Foster Falls. It is the southern trailhead of the 12-mile Fiery Gizzard Trail--from the waterfall near Jasper to Tracy City. Are you familiar with this area? It does sound interesting. I believe I could walk 12 miles!

Hope you are doing well--it was good to see Margaret and I did enjoy hearing things about William. He's a dear and you should make time to spend with him while he's growing up and he will adore his Uncle Joe later in life. Otherwise there will be nothing to connect. See how Stacy adores you now? It's because she grew up around you and you always spent time with her. She had prom Saturday night.

I must get back to the bank and post office--reluctantly.

With dear love to you,

Mama

April 15, 1996

Dear Joe,

Here I am in the middle of housecleaning--I just have to get it done today! I've procrastinated long enough!--and what do I remember? I wanted to get you an article on Books-A-Million so you'd know the real story behind it. It actually started in 1917 with the building of Wilson Dam in Florence. The grandfather of the current director of the business saw an opportunity to sell newspapers to workers on the dam. He was only 14 at the time and used discarded piano crates to build his newsstand. Can you imagine? It was Bookland then and not until '66 did stores open outside Florence.

Hope you are doing fine. We're at last getting some of the rain that has been everywhere. I called Suzanne yesterday and they are all right, but marooned as is everybody in that area unless they had to be evacuated. Today I'm worried again, I guess, to see if their well is surface water or deep well. Being out in the country you never can tell.

Wilford Hale died yesterday. It's hard for the family, but he's so much better off than to have to be totally dependent on others. His funeral will be tomorrow. Jan has not moved into her new house yet.

Papa and I took Mrs. Hill to the area of Dannelly Field in Montgomery Tuesday. She wanted to visit her brother and family--he's too old to drive this far--he came last year and they spent the night to build up enough strength to get back.

The rain certainly doesn't slow down your Papa. It's around ten and he just came in dripping wet. Oh well!

I think Madeline is planning to come to Wilfred's funeral. I must prepare for the storm! When I called to tell her, both James and Abe played on the other phone, so it was difficult to get a message understood.

We've had a bumper crop of blueberries and are enjoying them. Wish you could have some.

I must get finished with my work and go for groceries--it's been 2 weeks. Do let us hear and take care of yourself.

I love you,
Mama

July 8