[JonoBN41]

Letter Number 9 – One year later

April 29, 1973

Dear Mom,

Happy Easter! Please forgive me but the whole idea of Easter completely escaped me this year. In fact, I didn’t even realize it was Easter until Easter Sunday – too late. I got the package & money. Thank you. The chocolate’s almost gone already.
I gave George and Craig one of the big one’s since they’re usually the one’s who keep me from getting malnourished. We eat meals together because we’re all off the food plan and it’s cheaper this way. But George lives in Ft. Lauderdale and when he visits his mother, he brings back all kinds of food and we share it. Just last weekend he came back with turkey, spaghetti sauce with mushrooms, sausage, stuffing, tuna, soup, bread… So that held us for about a week.
Anyway, mid-terms are just about over. I should get a B (or C) in Organic Chemistry, a C in Microbiology, an A in Micro lab, a B (or A) in World Religions and God knows what in Physics – somehow I blew that test, I think. But at any rate, it looks like a good quarter.
Me and a freshman named Dan have been playing guitars together lately and we’ll be playing at the “Coffee House” on campus this weekend. It’ll be held at the snack bar and we’ll play for 3 or 4 hours. Also, in a few weeks we’re going to play at the grand opening of the new Rathskellar – we’ll get paid for that. Promotional pictures were taken of us today. I’m still trying to sell my 12-string so I can pay some bills. I put a new set of strings on it the other day.
The fraternity is going well. I’ve got one of the best pledge classes in a long time – good enthusiasm. Two weeks ago I and four other Brothers drove to Tallahassee for the Annual Seaboard Conclave (at FSU this year). It’s a good experience – especially for the younger members. By the way, I’ve been chosen, along with Kevin Gilmore (Conn.) to attend the General Assembly at Indianapolis [sic] on August 20 – 25 this summer. Most expenses will be paid for. I’m sending you this material so you can better see what I’m talking about. The Paedagogus is out of print right now while they update it. I hope you like it.
Well, I’ve got a 9:00 class tomorrow and it’s 3am now. Tell everyone I say ‘hello’ and take care.
Love,
Jon
Well, it’s now Tues May 8. Mid-terms are over, the food is gone, we played at the Coffee House, and I’m broke again. That damn car cost me too much! I’ve been paying 35.00 a month for the insurance. My last payment is July and the insurance will be good up until Feb. so I’m only going to bring my car down for the fall quarter. Also, I should never have come home over spring break – that was stupid. That trip cost nearly $150.00!
I almost got some reward money for catching 3 kids breaking into cars but the AAA said no, because they didn’t steal the hubcaps.
I guess we were pretty good at the Coffee House – they didn’t want us to leave. I only wish we’d gotten paid for it.
Tell Joe I guess I’ll work at the nursery again if he wants me. I got another letter from NYOSL the other day confirming my un-employment there.
I held off sending this because I wanted to wait for the photograph (which isn’t too good).
I figure that since I have one more car payment (35.00) and two frat. dues (25.00) and five weeks of eating (75.00) plus extras like I owe Howard 50.00; that about 300.00 will get me home. If you agree, fine; if not…
So long for now,
Jon