Monday, January 15, 1996

Are you over the disappointment yet. We were all rooting for G. Bay but it didn't help. It was good experience for next year.  Pitts. game was "scary" as they didn't play their best but the outcome was good.  Hope they can do better in the Super Bowl.

It's warming up & the huge icicles on most homes are melting.  This yr. the front porch ceiling formed icicles from dripping.  An article in the paper said they were due to too warm an attic & open up vents, etc.  I opening up a window.  Don't need any roof or eaves damage.

The furnace started making a noise so I finally called & a man came & found the gasket wasn't in right.  It's fixed & no noise anymore.  He said it was good I called as eventually it would have stopped working.

Wrote a note to Signe as her birthday is the 19th.  Talked to Gen Sat. U& they have plenty of snow to shovel.  All is well there.

We have some new TV channels.  ESPN2, AMC, Encore, & Learning Channel.  Have seen some good movies on AMC.  Last nite we watched "Pride & Prejudice" on A&E & really enjoyed it.  On for 3 nites in a row - tonite U& Tues from 9-11 pm.

Tomorrow is Circle & I'm leader.  We're looking into other religions.  I got one study from the Bible Book Store & put it in a "safe place" & I can't find that safe place.  Noticed among Dad's books one on 7th Day Adventists - a book sent to clergy to explain their views so I'm using that.  Have never known much about them but they believe in the Triune God, Virgin birth, Jesus as Saviour, etc. but they dwell in the O.T. a lot & naturally their Sabbath is Sat. & they spend a lot of time trying to decide when Christ will come, the end of the world, prophecy, etc.  I have really enjoyed learning about them.

Sat. Barb & I went to see Lar & Kim's house.  He's finishing up on the insulating.  Has put in the wood stove so he had a little warmth.  The partitions make it easier to visualize the rooms, etc.  Blair's home looks great.  Outside not completed yet.  They've started the siding.  It would be fun to see that house when they're settled.  Maybe Lar & Kim will get a chance & they can tell us.

Tori & "his sister" were at camp playing in the snow.  If we pay attention to Ginger, Tori gets so jealous.  Sometimes Kim walks him around & later one nite they were across the st. & Tori sat down & wouldn't move.  She pulled & he went a bit & sat down again.  If he comes in he gets a snack & remembers that.  But not that nite.

LaVerne Mathis & Leo Rossey died last week.  La V has been ill for a long period of time, but Mr. Rossey was in church regularly.  He was in the hosp. 18 days & was coming along fine.  But he had a stroke & died.

Don't remember if you remember Debby Schorman - Barb's age.  Her husband, Ron California, was killed in a freak accident at work.  42 years.  Leave 4 children.  They were married in '73 so maybe the children aren't that little.  Lived in Meadville.  He was C. E. O. of a wood products co. & only been there 1 year.

Marissa has been sick with strep throat & viral infection.

Things are as usual here . I'm able to walk every Fri. A.M. to get my hair done.  On cold days I wear long underwear.  Around Mar. I won't have to walk as far - they're moving to the basement of the old Betty Lee Bldg.  We'll give them more space & the Elks Club would like to buy the house they're in now.  So if the owner should sell they won't be in a bind.  Am written out!

We send love & hugs to all of you.  We are lucky to have you 4.

[Photos from a Christmas visit to Colorado Springs.]

Back home

Monday, August 7, 1995

Received your most interesting letter today.  We look forward to pictures of Andy & Eddie in tuxedos.  This A.M. I sent pictures off that Barb took when the boys are here.  Also took a longer walk & went by the Bed & Breakfast run by Mr. Scott - former Beaty teacher, now retired.

It cooled off some & we've had rain so this A.M. I made a batch of cookies & are in the fridge & also 2 batches of Danish.  I'll either bake tonite or early  Tues A.M.   Good to be baking again.

Yesterday we watched the Nascar race at Indy on E.S.P.N tape.  I just watched the last few minutes to see Earnhardt get the win.

We also went out to see what Lar has accomplished in the house.  He has most of the partitions up so you get an idea of room size.  Next in line is the wiring.  It looks nice even now.  In the kitchen the 2 windows facing East eventually will come out for sliding doors to get to the deck.  But that's in the distant future but it's nice to have what's necessary for the doors.

Did Barb's note tell you that Lynn & Bob bot a 2nd hand car so his dad, who is 70, won't have to do so much driving & picking up of Marissa, Barb, etc.  Barb will get to work in time to take Marissa to school & do other things.  She'll have the car Mon-Fri.

Also returned books to the library this A.M. & got 2 more.  One a new author.  W. J. Burley.   Wycliffe & the Dunes Mystery.  British setting & it's a good story.  Also another book by Robert B. Parker - setting in Boston.  But he uses such vulgar language - don't know why that has to be.  Guess that's why I prefer my British authors & their detective themes.

We've had delicious corn from Hatch Patch.

In Good Housekeeping mag. there is a page on the 5 best farmer's Mkt. & Madison's is one of them.  I remember the day we went there.

One Thurs nite when Kim came with Taury, Taury heard a noise from the school & ran to the back yard.   Kim said he tho't the boys could be there but they weren't.  Tell the boys Taury misses them.

I'm trying a new recipe for supper.  Brown pork chops, add sliced onion & chopped cabbage.   Pour over 1 c. tom. juice & seasonings.  Sounds good so I hope it tastes good.  Meal planning gets to be a big chore!

Tues A.M.  9:45.

I was up at 5:15 AM & baked 2 batches of Danish & a batch of cookies.  Washed towels & have another load in the washer.

Just finished a cup of coffee & a roll while sitting on the porch to dry my hair.  Started reading Double Deuce by Rbt. Parker & it's going to be another good one.  Finished the other mystery last nite.  

It's a BEAUTIFUL day - no humidity, lots of blue sky & a nice breeze.  But more heat by the end of the week.

Now it's Wed & another beautiful day.

Don't think I mentioned Lar put in a new hot water heater for us.  The pilot lite kept going off & he said it was rusting out so it's good he said he'd do the job for us.

Fri A.M.  I'll mail this on the way to get my hair done.  At least it lets you know all is well here.

Saturday, June 10, 1995

We received your nice letter & pictures of the boys.  They are growing so fast.  Nice report card for Eddie.  We look forward to seeing all of you.

Wrote a long letter to Gen for her birthday.

School is out & the kids are free to play etc.  St. Paul & First Luth. combing. for Vacation Bible School at 1st.

A week ago Lar & men of the church landscaped the front of the church & edged & weeded the plots on the parking lot side of the church.  It looks very nice.  Last Sun was Pentecost & members bro't red geraniums to decorate the altar area & they were planted outside on Mon. & they add color.  Lar made the plans, ordered shrubbery & directed the planting.  That job was really needed.

They laid the cement & blocks for Lar & Kim's house.  This week they should start the structure.  They are glad it has finally been started.

When Lar works at Careys & edges the grass by the sidewalk, he takes the time to do ours & Barb & Dale clean it up.  It is such an improvement to our property.  In Dec. the car will be paid for & we're hoping that next summer we could have the house sided.  Painting doesn't last & something is needed.  We might get away with just painting the shingles as they hold up much better.   Time will tell.

Our pastor & wife had to take a trip to Houston as Margaret's mother took a fall & laid for some time before she was found.  She uses a walker & isn't that well.  Lives alone & doesn't want to give up her home.  Their son graduated last nite from high school & it must have been hard for Mary to be away at this time as she teaches school.  Roger Thelin preached last Sun. & Jim Greenlund took the liturgy.  They did get home for graduation.

Wrrn. is busy celebrating 200 years.  It all ends with the 4th of July doings.  They'll have a special edition of the paper on 200 yrs & we'll save it for you.

I finally read some of M. M. Kaye's books & enjoyed them.  Murder in Kenya, Zanzibar, etc.   Her name has been familiar for a long time but I never bothered to check her out.  Am glad I finally did.  Light, enjoyable reading.

Barb is working outside.  Vacuumed the car but didn't wash it.  And now she's weeding, etc. in the garden.

Just about lunchtime.  More later.

Stella called last Sun.  She is still weak & can't get out.  Dan & family are back - 11 living in Stella's house - now Dan's.  The oldest son Danny got married in Fla. to a gal who already had a son (now 18 mo.)  Sounds like she wasn't married & the father could care less about them.  With Danny she had a miscarriage.  He isn't working.  So it's Dan & Barb, Danny, wife, her child, plus their 6 other kids.  Don't know if Dan is working & didn't ask.

I saw a petunia at Hatch Patch that is different.  A light maroon pink & the center is maroon & looks like a star.  So Barb & I went up there & I got a white geranium & planted 4 of the pet. around it.  It should be pretty in full bloom.

We tried out the air cond. & it's great.  It's suppose to get more humid so it will go on again this weekend. Interrupted myself.

After Hatch Patch Barb & I went to Lar's place & the cement & block work looks good.  Lar has built a stone step way down to the stream & over a bit an easy path down to the water.  Did the boys get shoes for the water - to protect their feet.  KMart has them on sale but I don't know sizes.

Time to sit on the porch with a cup of coffee.  Oh yes I got our 1st local strawberries at Hatch Patch.

Also got the New Penneys catalog & have been dreaming & making lists.  See several things I like.

We love all of you & send you all a big hug.