On Mississippi:
From 8/23/80
You’ll probably be off enrolling at the University of Texas next spring semester rather than Ole Miss. Such a small and provincial town and university this is! It largely breaks my heart. The University of Texas is brisk and sophisticated and cosmopolitan with so much money behind it. UT is my alma mater. Ole Miss is poor, poor, with a pro football franchise, the Rebels—like Pittsburg the city and the Steelers. The greatness of Ole Miss lies in the distinction of the larger state—Mississippi, which is quite crazy. The University of Texas is probably your best bet. My daddy, your grandfather, long dead, chose UT for me many years ago over Ole Miss. I gave you his middle name, yours, “Rae.” Rae knew what he was talking about. Enroll at Texas rather than Ole Miss, your grandfather is suggesting, and probably your father too. Although your own father is not wholly sure.
It’s all in North Toward Home, a book written long ago in another galaxy.
I guess you can tell from this note that I’m down to my novel—my book, Taps. I really miss you.