March 9, 2002 Farmington, Utah

I'm writing my letter today because I am going to Star Valley with Margaret and other condo friends tomorrow and will be gone all next week. It's always fun to go there and we just relax and some of my friends go snowmobiling but I don't do that. It will be really cold but her home is very warm and comfortable and the scenery absolutely gorgeous - quite often deer come in her backyard. She is concerned about whether or not we will have water - one time last year when some of her family went there they had problems with the well. She is brave to invite eight friends to go but we all understand and will "work it out" - good friends!!!

Patrice - thank you SO much for sending the article about "Feinsteins" - that was my favorite place to shop for special clothing when we lived there. I still have two dresses I bought there and I keep them in my cedar chest - I paid too much for them to give them away and I keep thinking someone in my family will grow into my size and want them. They don't have "specialty" clothing stores like that here - at least I don't know of any. We moved to Little Rock in 1964 so they were started when we got there - they are celebrating their 45th anniversary so they were beginning in 1957. Do you like their clothes, Patrice? The article was so interesting and brought back lots of memories.

John - thank you SO much for your many messages. John has some great ideas for a family history website and he is making me more interested - I need to do what only I can do while I still have my eyesight and "smart" - Ha!!! I have been typing the things Daddy said in the video Annie made with him about a year before he died and I'm SO glad John asked me to do that - that is really more interesting than his journal is. I can't understand some of the words Daddy used like places where he served, etc., during the war so I'm hoping John will listen to it and correct those words before he puts it on the website. IT IS LONG and I'm not finished yet.

Annie - thank you SO much for your visit. Annie had to come to Davis High to work with her student teacher there and she called me from Thanksgiving Point saying she was on her way and could stay about an hour. I LOVE having her come like that and she even ate a little lettuce - Ha!!! She is being SO smart about Russell - she is determined to not worry about him (at least that's what she says). I have been SO surprised that Madagascar could be in a threatening civil war situation and not have any news about it in our papers BUT this morning there was an article about their political problems and it even mentioned "Antananarivo". We all know that Russell will use good judgment in the things he does and will avoid any serious problems. He said he had only received one of my letters - I have sent at least 30 - I wonder where the others are - Ha!!! Susanna and Steve know the sex of their baby but I don't think it's my place to tell you so after they tell you I will mention it in my letter - EXCITING!!!

Jeannie - thank you SO much for your visit too. Jeannie came over and brought some excellent pictures they had taken when we went to the Rice-Eccles Stadium to see the cauldron and also others taken at Abravenal Hall and the glass trees. She also brought some delicious food and I wish I could give you her special recipe for the cake she brought but I promised her I wouldn't - it was just delicious. Jeannie and Sarah are going to California this next week for Sarah's D'Ette Dance competition - FUN!!! Mary Ann - thank you SO much for "dropping in" to spend the night with me - I LOVE that!!! Mary Ann is preparing to run in a marathon in Moab this next weekend and I'm anxious to hear how that goes. She had just finished a 13 mile run when she came to see me - she was SO tired and Margaret said she saw her out running this morning without even a jacket on and it was about 15-20 degrees. Barji - I'm anxious to learn if you and Boyd know the sex of your baby yet.

Claire - thank you SO much for your messages and it was fun to visit with you and see the beautiful quilting you are doing. Claire was "under the weather" last week but she thinks it was the 24 hour flu because she got over it quickly. Bob & Claire left yesterday to go to Paris, France and I hope they have a fabulous time. I didn't tell Margaret I would go to Star Valley with her because I thought I could help with Brett and Katie but Claire assured me they had it all under control - I keep thinking I am indispensable!!!

Laura was coming home to help over the weekend. Michael - thank you SO much for your postcard from your new city - MODENA! I LOVE your letters that your Mom shares with us and you are doing SO good. We're all very proud of you and Russell.

I don't ever mention the war in my letters and I guess I should. I am reminded of how important history is when I hear about Lynn's experiences in World War 2 and we are in a war just as important as that one but also a very different one. It makes me SO sad when I hear about the soldiers who are being killed in Afghanistan and President Bush says this is just the beginning We are very, very fortunate to live in America and enjoy the freedoms we have. I keep asking John about the fighting in Israel - suicide bombings are just rampant - I pray constantly that he won't have to go over there for business anymore.