August 19, 2001 Farmington, Utah

I had an e-mail from Patrice this morning saying they had arrived home to Little Rock on Saturday evening and all is well. They ran into a big rainstorm in Maumelle and had to pull off the road to wait for a little while but that was the only problem they had - I'm always relieved when my traveling families are safe and sound. I miss them and wish they could visit more often. It was fun to see them all ready to leave in such comfortable circumstances - a television and lots of leg room and pillows for snoozing. Patrice said they had time to finish their Harry Potter tapes while they were waiting for the rain to stop in Maumelle.

I have looked for John all weekend - he said he would come by to pick up his mail when he passed through Utah on his way from Los Angeles back to New York - maybe he will still come later today. When I came home from church this afternoon about 3:45 there was a white truck in my driveway and since I was looking for John, I was sure he was here. I came into my condo shouting, "John, John" and I found Rick and Ricky instead and was thrilled to have them here. They had brought me the most delicious chicken enchiladas which I have just devoured. Rick and Jeannie have been in Sun Valley celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary and didn't get home until last night - I can't imagine how Jeannie found the time to fix dinner for me but I LOVED it. Rick said they had a great time in Sun Valley but it wasn't much cooler than it is here - in the 80's. Ricky is anxious to go back to school - he has another week home and then will move to Logan - I'm excited for him!!!

I had a fun surprise on Thursday evening. Do any of you remember Skylar and John Merrifield when we lived in Little Rock? They had a son, Burgess, who was killed in a Boy Scout trip accident about four years ago and in fact, there was a story about it in one of our Ensign magazines. Burgess was a very good friend of Michael and they used to spend weeks together at each of their homes - Burgess and his family lived in Ft. Worth, Texas. They have a daughter, Matilda, who is a student at Utah State so Skylar was here visiting her and spent several days with Claire and Bob and their family. Claire and Skylar came by to visit with me on Thursday evening and we just had a WONDERFUL time. It seems quite strange that many of our Little Rock friends ended up in Ft. Worth and they are all in the same stake; Ed and Marge Lucas and also Russ and Liz Tolman and others whose names I can't remember. They are also in the same ward as Julianna's parents. Marge Lucas died several years ago and it was good to hear news about Ed and also their daughters, Marilyn and Barbie. Ed is still the sleeping specialist at the hospital and he has a woman friend. Russ has been Stake President there for many years and he is also the hospital administrator for a big hospital in Ft. Worth. Skylar and John have two boys still at home besides their daughter Matilda. Skylar and Matilda spent last week building a fence around the house Matilda is renting in Logan - I'm anxious to see it when we visit Utah State.

I had a funny experience with Katie the day the Roy Mellor family left. Katie likes to sleep late when she has the opportunity so I just closed her door and let her sleep. I decided to take a nap after I watched Matlock and she waked up while I was asleep. She didn't want to awaken me so she decided to go swimming. I awakened about 3:30 and couldn't find her - I panicked and called Claire saying "I have lost Katie"!!! I worried that she may have tried to walk home and besides being too far, it was so very hot. I went into the downstairs bathroom and noticed one of the towels was gone and since they are the towels my grandchildren use when they come swimming I thought she may have gone to the pool. I hurried over there and she was just swimming away and having a good time. I called Claire before she had time to get my first message and that was good. It is SO MUCH FUN to have Katie and Emily stay with me - they think of really fun things to do!!!

Annie - I made your cobbler recipe yesterday using peaches and rhubarb. Your recipe is VERY easy. Ellen Mae and Mel brought me the rhubarb to make a pie for the Roy Mellors but I didn't ever do it - pies are hard for me!!! I hope Jessie will find time to stop in to see me once in awhile now that she is back in Utah.

Michael and Russell - we think about you all the time and we're always SO happy to have news about your missions. There are many Tongans at the Bountiful temple on Saturday mornings - are there Tongans in Madagascar? There are probably many Italians there at times too but I haven't been aware of them. WE MISS YOU!!!