January 17, 1953

Mom is sick from the flu. We stayed home tonite. I made some oatmeal cookies this aft. Real good. Frank Cox died. Donald Cox’s grandpa died a few days ago. Bye

Frank Cox had been in the hospital recently, but was dismissed on January 8. Maybe it was because there was nothing more to be done for him? She doesn’t say what was wrong with him. She also doesn’t tell (and I don’t know) how (or if) he was related to Donald Cox.

The grandfather that died was 80-year-old Uriah Cox, a lifelong resident of Macon County who had lived in Macon for his last 38 years. He left behind 7 grandchildren, one of whom was Donald.

So it is a full-blown case of the flu that Mildred has. Luckily, Hazel can cook and keep the rest of them fed . . . and supplied with cookies. Here is her Oatmeal Cookie recipe, if you’d like to try it for yourself.

Oatmeal Cookies

2 sticks butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

2 well-beaten eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

3 cups quick-cooking oats

1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional

Thoroughly cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.

Sift dry ingredients together and add to creamed mixture.

Add oats and nuts; mix well.

Refrigerate dough for 1 hour to chill.

Roll dough into 1″ balls and flatten them.

Place on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake in a 350-degree oven for 9-11 minutes.

I don’t like oatmeal at all, but I love these cookies. Does this count as getting my servings of oatmeal instead? Please say yes . . .