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July 1, 1956 Tues
Dear Mother,
The box arrived. Thank you very much for compiling it and sending it. How did you even heft the thing? I nearly broke my back carrying it back to my room. Now I won't have to wash or iron all summer. If I had 5 roommates we could all get along quite comfortably on my wardrobe. This is most convenient except when moving and since I have to pack up and move all the time, I have nightmares about my collection of possessions. I didn't mean to be ungrateful about the stuff you keep sending me, but it does weigh a ton. Having too much presents almost as many problems as having too little. I dream about living with nothing more than the barest necessities, sleeping bag, spare pair of Levi's and shirt. I'm sure life doesn't have to be this complicated.
I'll be up to see you soon after you arrive. Please bring my brown and black cowboy boots when you come, the ones Sylvia gave me. Liz and I go riding once a week. The doctor prescribed it to strengthen her leg. We have a good time, and for the first time I have the time, freedom, and money to do something like this. It's really neat. We get the same horses every time. I could wear my cycle boots, but the heels aren't high enough for Western stirrups. I haven't gotten a job yet but, I do have several prospects. I want to give it another week or so, since I want to get my [pink?] in order and get rid of this bothersome cast. Anyway I'm still unwinding and I'd like to get back to sleeping like a normal human being instead of like Thos. Edison. Liz and I may go to the beach next week after riding, if the weather is nice. She's a lot of fun, and easy to be with. Maybe you could come along sometime. Feel up to riding? You could at least take the beach. Some evening, I'll bring Jim up to dinner. One thing, don't get fancy, and I mean it. If you do, we'll come in dirty Levi's and I'll see to it that he doesn't shave for a couple of days previous. TV trays would be perfect. Please take me seriously for a change. Remember what Sterling said.
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Also, when you come, bring two or three of the larger bottles of cologne sitting on my small chest of drawers. I'm running out up here and it would be silly to lug it with that stuff sitting there. Boots and cologne is really all I need. You might also bring my black cowboy hat. It's on the shelf in my closet, the one with the red and white band, mine, not Sylvia's.
The yellow dress arrived and I've got it on today. It's a lovely shade and this material hangs nicely. Thank you very much for having it sent. I practically had to knock a wall out of the closet to hang it up.
Why don't you bring my graduation dress along and work on it up here. That way you can fit it to me a couple of times and when it's finished I'll have it to take down with me. You could either dye it yellow up here or have it dyed.
Bring your jeans along, also a warm jacket, because you are going to the motorcycle races with me a week from Fri. You will enjoy it. They don't get off half as much as in a rodeo. Other people's mother come once in a while. I see no reason why you shouldn't come at least once. It will broaden you, mother dear.
Your letter was very nice, especially the last part. Graduate school does not lie within my immediate plans and as soon as I get a job, I would prefer to support my self. Hang on to your loot. As you and Daddy must have realized by now, money can't buy happiness or love, but once you get the right idea, it comes in handy. I liked the things you said very much. I hope that also applies to not being actually against what I am for. I don't expect you to approve everything I do, especially because you are not accustomed with most of it, but please try to be tolerant. I'm glad that you're going to get out of there for a couple of weeks, at least. That's a [peck?] place, and it has always been a mentally unhealthy one for me. Take the silver over to Mrs. [Lanni?], and bring the keys to the china closet with you. You can do that without being obvious and it will be something you won't have to worry about.
Fri. night I'll be at Belmont. I won't be home, but I'll call Fri. afternoon. Sat. morning I'll be home, maybe up to see you.
Love, Marci
