July 29, 2001 Farmington, Utah

Is it hot where you are??? I don't remember Utah ever being this hot for this long but then my memory isn't what it used to be!!! I decided last Monday to go to Star Valley, Wyoming with Margaret and other condo friends and it is SO cool there that I believe I notice the heat more when I come home. The nights seem to be getting cooler so maybe that's a good sign. It was over 100 yesterday in Utah County and I'm sure it was almost that hot in Davis County too. I'm glad to hear that the forest fire in Jackson Hole, Wyoming is about 70 percent contained - we could smell the smoke when we were in Etna at Margaret's home. Her sons kept calling her to check to see if it was close but it never was. They are having a water shortage there so it could be a REAL problem - Margaret's home is surrounded by pine trees and she worries about lightning starting fires.

I'm getting excited for Russell - he just has a little over a week in America before he leaves for Madagascar. What a GREAT experience he has ahead of him and I'm glad he is smart and will take care of himself. You all had the letter from Annie telling about the danger of Diengue Fever (sp.?) and I asked her if she could send lots of that antiseptic hand wash with him. She told me they are discouraging that because sometimes that gives the missionaries a false feeling of security when it is far better for them to wash their hands really often with soap and water - that makes sense!!! I know he will be okay - he surely won't want to be sick!!! Annie has LOVED having him in the MTC and she tells me that since he is the only one in his District from Utah she has enjoyed sending treats for all six of them.

I'm also excited for Michael who has been transferred - finally!!! I can't find Marina di Carrara on my map so it must be a small place but Claire says it is close to a beach and Michael loves the view - don't get too close to the water - I know you won't. I know you are hearing a lot about the Mt. Etna volcano erupting in Sicily - is that close to where you are Michael? The pictures we see on television look SO scary!!! I hope you like your new companion as well as your new area.

John - thank you SO much for working to develop a family genealogy web site. I hope each one of you will contribute to it. Bob and I discussed it and he said, "I know that Claire will" and I said "I know that Jeannie will" but neither of us is very hopeful about Annie and Roy - Ha!!! As you all know - I LOVE my scanner and I have sent many pictures to my friends all over the world. I know that you think you will remember the things that are happening now but when I read Daddy's journal and some of the letters I have written through the years I realize how very important it is to keep a record. I'm sure you are all keeping journals but I wish you would share some of your activities with the family so we could be informed too. For example - I would like to know more about what Jessie has been doing in Boston and what position Timothy is playing on his baseball team, etc. etc.

Jeannie came over last Sunday and took me to see Boyd and Barji but they weren't home. I love their little apartment - we couldn't go in but we peeked through the window. It is SO special to have them close and I hope they will drop in to visit sometime. I don't believe their Fall plans are finalized yet but Boyd has been doing some practicing on his golf game at Oakridge. I visited with Jeannie and Rick for a few minutes last night - it was about 10 p.m. and dark and Rick was mowing his lawn. Jeannie was concerned about Mary Ann because she hadn't finished her chores - she was supposed to pick the strawberries and freeze them. Ricky was still at work at Meire & Frank and I believe Sarah was working at Lagoona Beach. The girls had been at girls' camp last week and Jeannie and Rick had gone up on Friday night for a special program - Sarah was a Junior Director this year.

Ron - I know you are sick and tired of our 10 acres in Lehi. I appreciate your help in solving that problem so very much and I'm ready to sign as soon as I hear from the attorney. I'm sure he will send us a bill and that's okay - we should have done what John wanted us to do a year ago. I have talked to Don and Cheryl too and they appreciate you. They are good people but not too good at solving problems like that - neither am I though!!!

Claire - I REALLY appreciate your pictures of Michael and also the news about your trip to Seattle. I need to keep informed about EVERYTHING!!! Michael, I think you are too thin but your folks say you are just right so I won't worry about you. I even liked your "back view" for your bus pass but I'm sure they will want a "facial view". Does your bus ticket allow you to ride on any bus for reasonable rates? The Seattle trip sounded just wonderful and I told Claire that she would be a great "Tour guide". I am proud of Katie and Brett for their developing a taste for "sushi" - I believe in trying all kinds of foods and sushi is one of John's favorites. Laura, I'm SO glad you came to my condo yesterday to go swimming. You can come any time you want to and you know where the key is for the pool and also for my front door when it is locked - I hardly ever lock it but the key is in the bottom of the vase with the sunflowers in it right under the window. Bob - thanks for your phone call. They called me from the audiology office telling me my hearing aids are in but I wasn't home until the weekend so I'll call tomorrow. I have ordered two digital hearing aids and I'm excited to get them - I hope SO much they will help me. When Bob's audiologist gave me the tests he said, "You have a very funny left ear" meaning I'm deaf in it - Ha!!!

Roy and Patrice - I am SO excited to have you come. I will have to go to the temple on Saturday morning and I leave about 4:30 so I will try to be quiet and you can just take over my house and do whatever you want. I get home about noon. You can have the downstairs and if Emily wants to sleep upstairs she surely can but if she wants to sleep on the couch downstairs I will make a bed for her there. I want to invite EVERYONE to come to my condo for dinner on Sunday night - August 12th. I want to go over my finances with all the adults and the younger people can watch videos, play games, whatever they want to do. There really isn't anything very new about my financial situation but I feel better if you all know about it - I'll call my financial advisor with Salmon Smith & Barney and ask him to send me a recent printout of my investments and maybe you will have some suggestions. He has done a good job and with the stock market situation the way it is, my investments are in good shape.

Cissy and Charles Beyers have been in Salt Lake this past week and have left messages on my phone machine. They haven't left any numbers to call though so I haven't been in touch with them. I believe they are VERY happy with Steve's new wife and that's GREAT!!! I had a letter from Carol Ann telling me that Jimmy and Janas' baby's head is not growing because the brain is not growing - sad!!! I guess we are not having a Mellor Family Reunion this Summer - I haven't heard anything about it have you?

I had a WONDERFUL time in Star Valley - that is such a beautiful and peaceful place. I walk every morning when I am there and I walk down a lane in front of Margaret's home and watch the cows grazing and look at the beautiful mountains and it reminds me of life the way it must have been many, many years ago except for the four-wheeler. Sometimes I will visit with people on four-wheelers going to check their water or a lady who runs a horse riding stable and they have been up for hours doing "farm work". We enjoy each other and just visit, go shopping in Afton (a very small town that has a good variety store) or in Alpine's very special craft store - five of them go golfing but since I don't golf I stay home and read and do some crocheting. I can never believe it is time to go home even after being there almost a week - time just flies!!! Margaret burned out her microwave oven and had taken one to replace it but she discovered the microwave and her regular oven are connected so it didn't work so she brought it back.

That's all the news. Let me know if you can come on the 12th or if another day would be better. Jeannie suggested that Sunday would be the best day but I'm available anytime. I LOVE EACH ONE OF YOU SO VERY, VERY MUCH. PLEASE BE SO VERY, VERY CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO. Grandma B XXXXXOOOOO