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.

Saturday, January 24, 1998

Just a few words as I want to mail this when I get my hair done at 9:30 A.M.

Hope this will help Andy.  The magazine has some interesting pictures & facts on Sweden's industry.

Got your letter & pictures yesterday.

Not much to write about.  I'm on a jigsaw puzzle mood.  Started my 3rd one yesterday.

Weather mild.

D&K is now settled in part of old Murphy's bldg.  Want to stop in to see it.  The Liberty St. entrance will feature a sewing shop.  They closed off that narrow section.  She plans to give sewing lessons in the basement section.  D&K uses their part of basement as storage.

Friday, January 23, 1998

I'm watching Senior Skins from Hawaii.  What a beautiful place - people in shorts, etc.  It's not that bad here but school was delayed 2 hrs. due to slushy & icy roads.  Suppose to warm up in the 40's this aft.

Kim & Lar were here last nite & Lar said both Monty & Mike wondered if Barb would date them.  No way.  What Monty wants is someone to support him.

Lar & Kim will watch the Super Bowl game at Betsy Moran & her husband's home.  Betsy is tempoprary director of the Y.M. - they are interviewing now & then her Mom had a back operation so Betsy has been extra busy & concerned.  The friends will bring the food.  They have a new 36" T.V.  Lar & Kim have T.V. at Camp & enjoy it.  They've spent a few weekends there.  Overnite Sat.

How was your weekend.  It wasn't as cold was it.

 Pinehurst Inn exterior.

Pinehurst Inn.  R. D. Pike Room.

Pinehurst Inn.  Reception area.

Pinehurst Inn.  Dining room.

Pinehurst Inn.  R. D. Pike Room

Wheel of Fortune celebrated Super Bowl week & had players & their favorite football player so it's been interesting to watch.  I did a jigsaw puzzle last week & plan to do one rather than start one this weekend.  Like to do something while watching T.V.  Dad & I don't always agree on programs so I sit in the kitchen, watch T.V. & play Solitaire.

I'm trying to make out daily menus to make getting needed groceries easier but it is a difficult job.

Heard from both Gen & Millie today.

Barb & I started out to the Mall but the van stalled in front of Pelligrino's home.  We walked home - called Dale & he came & got it home.  Said it is the fuel pump.  Lar was here this aft. working on wiring.  Put micro on its own circuit breaker.  He still has a little more to do on other things - our Christmas gift at my suggestion.  So Torey was here & Kim stopped to pick him up & had a cup of coffee.

Wednesday, January 7, 1998

Eddie and Taury

Took the Christmas tree down the 1st of the week & after many trips to the attic, all the Christmas things are put away.  Dale took the tree upstairs.

The toilet in the basement was leaking so Dale decided to fix it.  Had to put a new wax ring in.  The sink wasn't in right so he fixed that.  Didn't like the old toilet paper holder so got another one.  Scraped the lower part of one wall & plastered over that.  After it was dried, sanded & gave it another coat.  So it should soon be ready for painting the walls & floor & then he'll put the toilet back.  Didn't think it would be such a big job but according to Dale if you do a job, you do it right!

Football gets interesting.  Could it be Pittsburgh vs. Green Bay in the Super Bowl.  Hope so.

Soon time to think of lunch so I'll quit for now.

Now it's Fri. & time to finish this so I can mail it Sat. A.M.  We got your letter on Thurs.  Enjoyed seeing pictures & reading of your activities.  We've had a lot of rain.   Beaty Field is covered.  Melted water coming from the North.  Barb & Scott put on their boots & went to Lar & Kim's camp but that hadn't overflowed yet.  Dale was going to check it out when he had a chance.  Dale found a bank env. with $180,00 but he returned it to the bank.  He said that's what he'd want someone to do if he were the loser.

(Left to right:  Scott Johanson, Andy, Bobby Forbes, Eddie)

On winter vacation, I went to Grandma's house

Friday, December 12, 1997

Am finishing up on cards - local one & those close by.  So a short note for you.

That was fast service for the pkg.  They were mailed Mon. aft. & went out at 5 pm.  Glad you like the comforter, etc.  It is hard to choose for another but it has some of the colors you wanted.  Dale's bed has darker colors & I think it looks nice.

Yesterday our friends came & we had a good time.  They are coming Feb. 19th & since my leg is OK.  I didn't say anything as I enjoy having company & planning the meal.  Hope to find a nice & interesting casserole.  It's always chicken as some don't care for beer or ham.  Will have to red salad & a cherry dessert of some kind so it's half planned.  That's the easiest.  Any good chicken recipes?

Now I have to wrap the rest of the gifts & tie up the loose ends.  When will you open your other gifts?  Will all the Richards be able to be home - Larry, Albert & Cindy.  I know it will be a great time for all of you.

This is a day of relaxation for me.  The dishwasher is off - dishes ready to be put away & 3 loads of washing is getting done.  This aft. Dad has an appt at the Dr.  It was postponed from last Mon - Dr. had an emergency.

Time for a 10 A.M. cup of coffee so I'll sign off & wish all of you a wonderful & blessed Christmas.

Wednesday, December 3, 1997

How was your trip?  Fun I bet.

I've been busy this week.  Sun. Dale bro't the tree down from the attic & we got it up.  Mon. I decorated it & bro't some other decorations down to put around the house.

Tues. aft. I started wrapping gifts so we could have more space on our bedroom, esp. by my side of the bed.  In between I got notes written on Christmas cards.  So I'm caught up.  Need to make cookies & cardamon rolls for next Thurs. & our retired pastor friends.  I'm having a chicken casserole; am trying a salad I saw in one of my magazines.   Uses cranberry sauce in jello.  Use lemon jello for 1 layer & cranberry jello for the other layer.  Sounds good.  For dessert cookies & ice cream roll from Schwans.  The ice cr. is rolled in nuts & is good. I almost cancelled, but my leg is much better so I changed my mind.  I enjoy company.  Last weekend Lar & Kim spent Sat. nite at camp.  Cleaned & put up an artificial tree.  Kim says it looks so nice.  She got it last year 1/2 price after Christmas.  Made ornaments for it.

Concerning gift ideas.  Dad can always use an everyday shirt.  I would suggest for me small silver button earrings.  Barb size is small or 10.  She also mentioned she'd like a medium black purse.

Now it's Sat.  We have snow but not enough to shovel.  Glad we're not closer to Erie as they got 12" or more.

This A.M. I mailed a card to Sweden & one to Japan & the ones that go to the Western States.  A relief to have the cards ready & decorations up.

Yesterday (Fri.) I made cardamon rolls for Thurs. & 3 batches of cookies.  Will make a bar cookies for next Thurs. the first of the week.  Dad sees the Dr. Mon. Aft. at 2:30.  I clean upstairs in the A.M.; downstairs on Tues. & have Wed. to get things ready for Thurs.  The casserole is one made the day before & refrigerated so there isn't that much for Thurs A.M.  They come at noon.

Sun A.M.  Dad & I have had breakfast & he's watching a musical carol program (choir, solos, etc.) on A&E.  Dale is shovelling as we had close to 6" of heavy snow.  Erie had 27", North East 31".  We (Wrrn. Co) made it on the Weather Channel.  They had a weatherman at Dunkirk, N.Y. as they've had a lot of snow.  They send personnel to various weather spots lately.  Imagine you've seen it.  Fla. doesn't sound too warm for your visit.

We have 5 boxes to mail this week.  We'll have to start thinking small gifts when we have to mail them.  The gray box is Eddie's birthday gift.  There is another one tucked in one of the boxes.  The box with red bows isn't wrapped inside so don't open it until you open gifts!

Now it's Mon. before supper.  This aft. we sent 5 boxes via U.P.S.  So be on the lookout Paul at the library. It's a relief to have that done.

Dale didn't give me any titles for CD's but that's a suggestion.  We'll call over the if we get ideas.

Want to mail this tonite when we go to County Mkt.