September 10, 1990 Orem, Utah

Dearest John; Roy, Patrice & Emily; Bob, Claire, Michael, Laura, Brett & Katie; Rick, Jean, Ricky, Barbara Jean, Mary Ann & Sarah; and Ron, Ann, Susanna, Jessie, Russell, LeeAnna & Jimmy:

I didn't get my letter written yesterday!!! Daddy and I went to do genealogy at 8 o'clock and didn't get home until about 2 o'clock because we did some shopping and then I had to hurry to get ready to go to Salt Lake for a party with our Brigham City friends.

The genealogy work is getting interesting and you should all be proud of your Mellor ancestry - they were real leaders in their communities from the very beginning. It's interesting to see how those "intelligent" genes have been passed on to OUR family and you guys have a real responsibility to live up to your names and of course those names that are ours because of our children's marriages. Did I tell you that we work with Harvey Fletcher's wife, Dea Fletcher - she is a genealogy whiz!!!

We're SO excited for Roy & Patrice - they have a contract on their home in the Heights in Little Rock and hope to close on it in a few weeks. It is on Stonewall and we remember that area and it is very unique and established and "homey". We know they will love it there and will be happy to get out of their apartment. I loved my visit with you Patrice - after I hung up Daddy said, "I didn't get o talk to her". I get very selfish with calls like that and I'm sorry!!! They are smart in planning their move - they are going to keep their apartment and just take it easy and not move into their home until they are ready and things are in order for their baby's arrival. We want to come when we can be of the most help to you!!!

Bob & Claire - we have been out of touch with you for too long!!! We talked to Jeannie on Sunday and she said you were fine but really busy and that you have been to the medical convention in California and had a good time. Daddy has tried to call you several times but I guess it has just been at the wrong time.

Jean & Rick are in a dilemma about getting a big enough car for their whole family - their suburban died!!! They had loaned it to some friends and while they had it something so bad went wrong with it that it will cost a lot to fix. We hope it won't be too hard to find something suitable. TODAY IS RICK'S BIRTHDAY - WE HOPE YOU HAVE A REALLY HAPPY DAY.!!!

Ann & Jimmy were over for a little while last week. That little Jimmy has grown up so much the last little while - as Ann says, "He is a real person". They are doing fine. Ron is busy working to get their fence finished - we haven't been to see it but Ann says it looks wonderful and is finished along the one side and along the back.

John is doing great and WHAT A JOY HE IS!!! He keeps the yard looking so good and he has learned how to groom the dogs - I can't believe it!!! The dogs just stand by him so calmly and it takes him a long time but he could do that professionally. I asked him how he learned and he said, "Well I have been watching Dad do it for twenty years!!!" He is the new President of his Ward's Sunday School so he is busy along with his studies.

I should have started out my letter with the big news for this letter. DADDY HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL ELK HUNT AND THEY SHOT A FIVE POINT BUCK. He said it must have weighed around 800 pounds and he has pictures of them bringing it out of the canyon on their four-wheelers. They could have shot two but it was so hot they decided the meat might spoil if they tried to handle two. At least that's the story they are telling - Ha!!! They are going back up this Friday and will probably stay a week. Daddy just absolutely LOVES that and I am SO glad he is able to go. Another item of big news is that we sold our trailer. The last "family interest" we had in it was with the Woolleys saying they might take it to Yellowstone for their family reunion - they decided against that and the next day Daddy put a "For Sale" sign on it. The man who bought it really go t a good deal - it was spick and span inside - Daddy had completely re-paneled it and I had made new curtains. BUT we didn't ever use it. He has taken his truck over to Lehi this morning and will try to sell that too with the camper on it - he has only used that once and the truck has been in front of our house all Summer without being used. I want Daddy to get a new truck that he will use - one that doesn't gobble gas.

Do you remember our friends, Malcolm & Marian Jeppsen from Salt Lake? He has been a physician for over thirty years and was called by the church as one of the new Seventys about a year ago. We had a party for them here at our house last Summer thinking they would get an overseas assignment. They were assigned to northern Utah instead. Well - about a month ago they received an assignment to go to the Philippines in the area presidency there so a party was planned for them last night. As we all gathered last night they told us they would not be going - he has just been diagnosed with prostate cancer. They are not going to do any surgery but will give him radiation like Daddy had - needless to say he was VERY depressed last night. He is at the same age as Daddy was when his was found. All our friends last night said it was so good for Malcolm to see how wonderful Daddy was doing - he really does look better and more handsome than any of the other man - he goes to the doctor this afternoon and I hate that.

Do you remember Emma Lou Thayne? She has written a lot of books and her last one was "As For Me And My House". I just love that book and would like for all of you to read it. The party was held at their Summer home in Parley's canyon and I have never enjoyed anything anymore - IT WAS WONDERFUL. I took "Geise Bread" and everyone brought something and then they grilled salmon steaks. Two of our other friends, Merlin & Roberta Larsen, have just returned from their California mission so it was to honor them too. Emma Lou is a very outstanding woman - she & her husband have just returned from a trip to Russia with a group of foreigners and she was some kind of a moderator. She read a poem she had written while on that trip and she described how it had come to her in the night after they had visited a cemetery in Bucharest (sp.?). She gave each one of the couples there last night an autographed copy of her last book. She mentions her family's cabin a lot in her book and I thought we were going to that one but when we got there they told us the story. Emma Lou's family, the Warners, (Rick Warner is her brother) bought several lots up in Parley's Canyon so they could each have a cabin close by the cabin owned by her parents as she was growing up. Emma Lou & Mel had their cabin built and it is just beautiful - rustic and filled with antique furniture but very secluded. It is in an area that is secured with a big locked gate but I would still be frightened to stay there alone.

I hadn't planned to start another page - ugh!!! You will never read this but it will be good for my journal. I am going to a luncheon in a few minutes with our little luncheon club and that is going to be interesting. There are ten ladies in our club and we take turns preparing lunch and a program in our home. Well - there is one lady who has never had her turn because of different health problems. It was definitely her turn this time so she arranged for us to all meet at "Chuck A Rama" and she said she would pay for one half of our lunch - I about died laughing!!! She is very well to do and also very old!!!

Chris Jordin is going to Idaho for a little family reunion. She has a two hour lay over in Salt Lake tomorrow so I am going to go visit with her. Marc left a few days early so he would have more time to visit - she had to work in the election polls.

I'm not going to mail this until after Daddy's doctor appointment so I can tell you results of his last blood test. Regardless of what it reveals, he really is doing good!!!

We love each one of you so very much. PLEASE BY VERY CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO. Let us know how we can help you.


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