October 9, 1995 Orem, Utah

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

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MARY ANN TOMORROW!!! 13 years old - another teenager in the family - WOW!!! I noticed last week how tall Mary Ann is getting - tall, slender & beautiful like a model!!!

What a beautiful weekend we have had - I hope each one of you in your various places enjoyed it as much as I did. I talked to a neighbor friend this morning who had gone to Sun Valley as a family - they did the same thing we did last year - rented a condo and the father LOVED the fishing. He fishing the river right by the condos and caught 10 trout one morning.

I have thought about our reunion last year and I think it is SO important for us to do that at least once a year. My friends, Marian and Malcolm, had their family reunion last Summer at a place between Brigham City and Logan called "Sherwood Hills". They just loved it so I called the place and asked them to send me a brochure on what they could offer and the prices. I am thinking of a Saturday and Sunday. - how does that sound to you? It probably wouldn't be as much fun as Sun Valley but maybe it has things to offer that would be different - I believe they have horseback riding and golf and maybe fishing and Marian said they served them three meals a day and they loved it! Father's Day seems to be a good time for the Roy Mellors to come out. I will send you copies of the brochure when I get it and then we can go from there. Marian and Malcolms' grandchildren are about the same ages as mine and they were happy.

I don't believe I have ever mentioned the "O. J. Simpson Murder Trial" in any of my letters. I really haven't watched much of it but it has been on television for nine months and it would have been impossible to live in America and not be aware of it. They finished the trial last week and had the closing arguments and turned it over the jury for deliberation on Monday. Everyone thought it would take the jury at least a week to come to a decision. I was delivering "my soup" around the neighborhood about 5 o'clock and the news came on that they had already reached a verdict. I parked out in front of one of the houses and heard the judge say they wouldn't read the verdict until the next morning. I had my jar of soup and when I rang the doorbell the man came to the door and I didn't say hello or anything - I just blurted out "They are going to acquit O. J. Simpson". The man, President Howell, looked at me so funny and then he laughed and said, "Well, we all have our own thoughts on that". I will always remember what I was doing when that happened anyway. His life is ruined no matter what because most people know that he is guilty but I feel so bad for his children who can't be raised by their maternal grandparents now.

Did you all keep up with Hurricane Opal? I rally watched that closely because it was headed right for Chris & Waynes' place. I kept calling them but could never get them. Friday night they called me and said they were just fine - Wayne's boat had been damaged some but that was all. They were in Plainview, Arkansas working on their home there and also caring for Wayne's mother when the hurricane turned towards their area. They hurried and left to go back to Alabama and fully expected alto of damage. Wayne was going to go with a church group on Saturday morning to help the people in Ft. Walton Beach and also Pensacola. He was sad because they lost all the grapefruit on their trees - Ha!!! Chris said it would have taken out the bottom part of their home if it hadn't turned to the East all of a sudden. It was Wayne's birthday on Wednesday and he said that was the best birthday present he had ever had.

I went to see Russell's football game on Thursday night. It was held in Orem close by me. I had gone to a wedding reception first and I hadn't dressed as warmly as I should have done to sit outside to watch the game so I left before it was over. Russell's team was ahead by 2 points when I left and I haven't heard who won. He looked SO big in his uniform - No. 29 - and I LOVED watching him play - he is GOOD. I LOVE SPORTS!!! Susanna & LeeAnna were at their friends' homes and Jessie was at an "All School Dance" but Jimmy and his folks were cheering Russell on - actually Jimmy rolled up in a big blanket and went to sleep.

John called me last night from his car phone. He went to the cabin to winterize it and he was on his way to the airport to pick up Julianna - she has been in Phoenix for the long weekend. I hope you had a WONDERFUL time with your sister Julianna. John said that Scofield is just gorgeous with all the colorful leaves and the blue, blue sky. He said the carpet that I soaked is still really wet - it probably won't dry out until next Summer. They haven't turned the water off in the campground yet and they probably won't now until after this weekend because they were planning a big dinner in the bowery for the deer hunters. John thinks the four-wheeler should be overhauled - Bob is the only one with a trailer and car to bring it home. I'm SO glad I don't have to worry about that!!!

Claire - thank you SO much for calling me. You are a real support to me in the visiting teaching program. I get SO discouraged some times so talking to you about your program makes me feel like it is a universal thing. We have never had a lower than 95% visiting teaching and this month we made 100%. I', not much for statistics but our Bishop is very strong in thinking there is a strong correlation between the visiting and home teaching programs and the attendance in the church activities. I have to agree with him but it ISN'T EASY!!!

Bob - I had a call from Shirley Pinegar wanting you to call Elaine's doctor - Dr. Jeffrey Ogden, 227-8222 - Internal Medicine. I think they criticize doctors WAY TOO MUCH!!!
Return to Home Page