Thursday, February 23, 2006

I had a list of duties for this A.M. & got a good start.  The I turned on Turner movie channel & got hooked on a movie.  A group of girls living together & trying to get into movies, etc. Katherine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, & Adolph Manjou or however you spell it.  It is so cute. Maybe I can do 2 things -- listen, watch & write a letter.  It was so good & a little sad.

We had enough snow this A.M. so I could use a sled to put the garbage at the curb.

Did you notice that Robert Peterson died -- he was Allie's son & Katherine's brother.  Was interested in the old Negro League & wrote a book Only the Ball was White.

Mar. 1, the 5th Ave. bridge will close & they'll start on the new bridge.

Tues. Warren H. called said they were coming to Warren on Wed. to the dentist.  Could I go out to lunch with them. We went to the Panda China Buffet in that new development next to Struthers.  It was so nice & a great variety of foods.  Soup table, 2 hot food tables & a dessert & fruit table.  Warren filled 3 plates &^ Anna filled  plates.  I was careful because Lar & Kim came for dinner.  But I really enjoyed the food.  I said to Barb we'll have to go there for lunch sometime.  I was surprised to see so many customers.

I'm disappointed with the Olympics -- they elave the "good stuff" the skating til the late hours when I'm suppose to be asleep.  And I am, & miss seeing Sasha Cohen & the rest.  I do like the speed skating shown in the earlier hours.  Both men & women.  And the skiing.

Later -- after your call.  Your news was a surprise but I know you are in good hands.  And I will be praying for you during this time.

I had to fill in some info for H.U.D. concerning the new medication program.  Hope I put in the answers they want.  My insurance enrolled me in this program & I received my cards & used them the first of Jan. to get my meds.  Had no problems for which I was thankful, after reading the papers concerning problems they are having getting coverage.

After reading The Parent Trap article you sent, I'd say you & JoAnna are the exception to the rule.  You share the household duties & that's how it should be.

Yesterday Warren H. said their latest gas bill was 400.00.  Mine was 144.00 on the monthly plan.  Theirs is less during the summer.  We are thankful for all the work Dad did -- we are reaping the benefits.

Fri. nite

I'm sure glad I'm using the crockpot more often.  After I had my hair done, I fixed dinner & turne3d the crockpot on.  When dinner time came, all I had to do was heat rolls & make a tossed salad.  We had a delicious dinner with leftovers for tomorrow.

The other nite we still had lottery tickets but no lucky numbers.  Barb spoke up & said I don't have to worry about money because something I've waited 20 years is going to happen. She'll have money.  Earlier she said this to Dale & then to me.  That's as far as she'll go in the story.  But when she told Dale & then me, she added, I'm going to be married.  I asked when?  She said you'll know when the time comes.  Dale thinks it is a "pipe dream".  I don't know, maybe she is in a dream world.  She spends enough time writing down her dreams. I'll keep you informed of this mystery!

This aft. I watched golf on ESPN.  I like their announcer.  This is a different type of golf.  It is one against one & the winner goes to the next round.  Tiger lost today so he is out.  Phil M, V.S., David Toms, all lost today.  I'll root for Canadian Weir to win.  Hope you recognize the names -- they are all outstanding golf.

With Dale, it is all NASCAR.  It was a good race last Sun.  This week they are in Calif.  We liked reading the NASCAR article from the N.Y. Times you enclosed in your letter.  Also the basketball articles & reading about Andy.

Now I'm watching women's golf.  Michelle Wie is playing.  She is fun to watch.

Saturday, February 23, 2002

Today I've switched between golf & the Olympics on TV.  We've enjoyed the Olympics.  Tomorrow U.S. plays Canada in hockey for the Gold medal.  Should be good to watch.

Had a letter from Darla today.  Gerald got a snowmobile so he & Chance have been riding. Darla hasn't tired it yet.  They were expecting Curt & Denise for a weekend visit.  Either this week or next.  Chance likes school & has a couple of friends to play with.  They are pretty much settled, except for Gerald's office.   Still have 9 more boxes to unpack.  They like it & winter hasn't been too bad this year.

What a nice picture of Eddie in his Scout uniform.  Good for Andy to make cookies.  a little competition is good.  (His friend making cookies.)  The rug looks nice under the kitchen table.

Lila's birthday is Mar. 7th in case you want to send her a card.  She will be 90.

Lar & Kim pay their Discover credit card thru the computer.  When they got the bill there were charges on it they didn't charge.  Somehow someone got their credit card numbers & used their  card.  They've looked into it but it's not settled yet.  They asked for a new card & cut up the old one.

I changed my long distance telephone from AT&T to Verizon so I'll just have 1 bill rather than two.

Tues. 11 A.M. there is a Bible Study at church & I plan to attend.  It is followed by a pot luck lunch.  So I'll change my schedule this week.  I will clean upstairs on Mon. & will have Tues free.   Plan to take a scalped potato-ham casserole.  About 30 attend.  I attended the Lenten midweek last Wed & will continue to attend.  The last couple of years, I haven't attended -- I figure we need all the "bodies" we can get.  It was an interesting session.

I'm still working on my puzzle.  Hardly touched it this past week.  Filled in a few pieces today.

Sun the 24th

In the Sun. paper, the book section, has a review of one of your favorite authors, Carl Hiaasen, "Stripped of his schtick, Hiaasen still sizzles."  The review sounded interesting.  Do you think I'd like this book (to read).  Others didn't appeal.

And I'll enclose some stamp news.  Scenes saying "Wish You Were Here".  Greetings from teh states that sound very interesting.

Just wrote a note to Gen.

While waiting for the hocked game -- U.S. vs. Canada -- I got interested in a Jean Arthur-Ray Milland comedy.   Missed the opening.  It was so funny.  For awhile I was switching back & forth.  The hockey is exciting.  My favorite, Gary Thorne, is the announcer for the games.  He is so good.

Tues a.m.

The Olympics are not very & they were good.  Now it's time for me to turn my thoughts to baseball & "The Mets".

It's started to rain & I go to the Bible Study this a.m.  Must get started but I want to finish this & hope it gets mailed today or tomorrow.

Finished my puzzle and started a new one.

 

Tuesday, February 17, 1998

I need a rest period after cleaning downstairs, except the kitchen floor & last minute spots.  Was up at 6:10 A.M. so I could see the women's hockey, USA v. Can.  It didn't start til 7 A.M. but I got breakfast going, etc.  So I "earned" a rest.  The game was so good & "we" won.  They all sang the Nat. anthem after the medal presentations.  It was very moving.

Last Sun. was another highlight as Dale Earnhardt won the Daytona 500.  It was so exciting at the finish & all of us were thrilled he finally won.  Tell Eddie Earnhardt finally won.  Last summer he felt bad for D. E. when he wasn't winning any races.

I'm trying to cut down on coffee - mine is weak anyway.  Sometimes I have trouble getting to sleep but I don't think it's the coffee.  It's hard to see Dad go down - sometimes he thinks it's time to go home; wonders who will give him a ride; doesn't know where he sleeps, etc.  It's not easy to watch when he had such a good mind.

Fri A.M.  This A.M. at breakfast Dale told me news that would interest you folks.  Concerning Rocky Logan.  This came from Randy Swanson, whose father owned Penn Alignment.  When he retired Randy continued to work there - and Rocky had bot an interest in the business.  But he never worked in the business, leaving the work to Randy.  So Randy quit & now works at Shults.  Well Rocky never paid the bill s- owes $10,000 to Barnhart Davis & more to another Co.  So there will be a sheriff's sale.  Wonder what Marty thinks of this.  A sidenote - the senior Swanson married Mrs. Powell, widow of Henry Powell, who was principal of Beaty.

Our luncheon was very nice yesterday.  Ted Benson told us some Swede jokes his son got off the internet.  "Ole" & Swen & I can't remember the other name.  Many were sent in by Luth. pastors. Ted uses the Swedish accent.  Last nite Kim was telling something in the same vein.  Her friend got them off the internet.  If you have a question you can call an 800# & get help.  One was a woman wondered where the "any" button or key was - she couldnt' find the "any key".   That one stands out in my mind & there were several others.

Anna H. couldn't come as she had another hip replacement - they use a cement & that had to be removed so it was a 5 hr. operation.  She has to take it easy.  Last time she didn't take the time to let it heal.  In Mar. they are going to Disney World & April to St. Martins (think it's spelled differently).  They get around. d In May Ted & Pat are going on an Alaskan cruise.  Will fly to Vancouver & leave from there.

We got your computer written letter & are anxiously awaiting the next one.  I share the letter with Lar & Kim & tell Barb & Dale the news as they are too lazy to read your epistles.

Just heard that Tara L. got the gold in skating & I was hoping Michelle K. would get it.  She had a misstep & that did it.  Was also disappointed when Todd E. didn't medal.

Mon. nite the 23rd.  (above news sounds old now.)

Called Gen & John enjoyed his trip & plans to go again.

Also called Ruth as we've heard nothing about the "sisters".  Guess all are the same.   Lila hasn't really recovered from her operation.  Uses a walker & her mind isn't clear.  Stella is in the nursing care now as she needs more help.

Joan's son is getting married in May.  The oldest daughter is in Grand Rapids - has her own apt.

Rachel went to England during the holidays & met a fellow over there & they fell for each other.  He came over here to visit & would like to get a job here.  So maybe there will be another wedding in the future.  Ruth met him & said he is nice.

Got your letter today & it was interesting.  Glad all is back to normal again.  Pictures of Eddie are so cute - the boys are growing.  Jeans will get higher & higher in cost.  Good Dad can find his at a cheaper cost.  Couldn't Andy have used the Valentine 5.00 for a bike lock.

We're suppose to get some snow tonite.  Bulb flowers are sprouting.  Better sign off.

Thursday, February 5, 1998

The anniv. flowers lasted 2 weeks & they made us think of spring with pink tulips, etc.  We enjoyed them & thank you very much.  Kim & Lar came over with an anniv. cake from BiLo & it was delicious.  Lar put in 3 more elec. wires so the Micro is on its own line & won't go out if another thing like the roaster is used.   One for Dale in the garage & something he uses out there.  No more extension cords.  Our Christmas & Anniv. gifts from Lar & Kim.

Thanks for the pictures you've sent.  Your house looks so nice - and lot of snow.  These latest storms haven't hit us.  Don't know why we're so lucky.  Wonder what the summer will be like - some say hot & humid & dry.

Gen called this week & tomorrow John leaves for a ski trip in Austria.  A tour deal for 8 days.

How was Andy's study on Sweden.

Hope you find a cure for Eddie's problem.  At least you're doing something about it.

Wonder how you would have reacted, Paul, if I threatened you couldn't do something until you got better grades.  By the time you needed prodding you were older & it went in one ear & out the other.  Maybe making the honor roll is more of a parents' bragging point.  Anyway you've done very well for yourself & probably much better than many honor students 

We got the new Penney's catalog & if you ordered before Feb. 2, you get 15% off so I did just that.  Got 2 prs slacks - one sage, one periwinkle, a pr. of longer shorts & a pink cotton/poly. top & it came yesterday & I'm very satisfied.

Last Sun. Vi Lilja told me Sonya Thelin had her baby - a second daughter.

Tomorrow the Olympics start to there should be some good T.V. viewing. I'm watching Home & Garden T.V. & it's been interesting so I've made some mistakes.

Soon bedtime so I'll bring this to a close for this time.

[Enclosure 1]

From a letter to Mom and Dad written on February 7, 1998

The article on Great Falls that Gen had sent to you is one that I had read on the Internet.  Your remark, "Don't remember seeing this", and in a way, you are right, Mom.  We never saw the Ryan Dam from this vantage point, i.e., the one in the newspaper photograph.  As a result of this enclosure in your recent letter, I reviewed the slides that Dad took during the years we lived in Great Falls and uncovered two that might refresh your memory.  Actually, there are two dams, which are referred to as Black Eagle Dam (me and Larry in the foreground, trees in the background) and Rainbow Dam (the railroad bridge and the striped wheat fields in the background) in the latest edition of the Rand McNally Road Atlas.  Maybe Black Eagle Dam was renamed.


It's interesting.  I still have such vivid memories of Great Falls.  School.  Church.  The old parsonage.  The new parsonage.  Gibson Park.  Dora Donald's apartment.  The Buttrey's store down the alley.  The Civic Center, where Dad took Larry and me to our first movie, The Lady and the Tramp.  The Hasselquist house.  Giant Springs.  My friend Jacques.  The Demolay building.  When I look back on those years, it seems like another lifetime.  To me, perhaps not to you, for a variety of reasons, Great Falls was a wonderfully idyllic time.  I think the wide open spaces of Montana, "Big Sky" country, had a major impact on my psychological development.  I still feel a strong connection to that part of my life, a yearning to return -- to visit, not necessarily to live t here.  Since we moved in 1957, I've returned to Great Falls twice, in 1974 and 1983.  The first time I rediscovered what it was like to view the world with the eyes of a child.  What seemed so remote when I was six years old was just a few blocks away.