Dear Mother and Dad,

It was sure good to hear from you. It made a new man of me. We were in for dinner when Enell brought the mail in. Now I’m telling you! This spud picking is plenty hard. On my back, legs and my right fore-arms, and we put in 8–10 hours a day. It’s enough to kill off any healthy man. I haven’t shaved since I left home and I’m some sight.

We went into town last night for the first time since I got here. We had to get some groceries; you can buy them at 1:00 in the morning. We were in there for about 2 hours. Then we came home and went to bed.

I sure miss my daily shower. You ought to try taking a bath in a wash bowl. It can be done, I know; I did it tonight.

I’m having a little trouble with Paul’s big brother Harold, he doesn’t know as much about politics as he thinks he does, and boy, do I tell him. He’s been mad all day. We have picked about 6 acres of spuds up to now. We are working for some nice fellows. George’s wife brought us a banana cream pie yesterday and gee, was it good. Well I guess that is about all, so I’ll close now. Tell the rest of the family hello; tell Paul I’m not broke anymore. So there tough about B.Y. Tell Gloria to improve her disposition before I get home or I’ll stay away or go fight the Japs.

I have eaten so many beans and potatoes I have the sight of them!! So beware when I get home. Elmo & I have picked up some 1162 sacks of spuds; that is 69,720 pounds. So maybe I ought to be tired. So they are keeping you busy, eh! Dad, we don’t work too hard so I’ll see you later, right.

Back soon.

Love,

Joe.