Dearest Family,
The news for this letter would probably be
the big hurricane that has devastated some parts of Florida - I'm sure I
watch more news than any of you and it has been SO sad to see many homes
and businesses destroyed - especially trailer homes. I always watch the
hurricanes in that part of the country because of my concern for Chris &
Waynes' home and now I am concerned about Steve's parents home and
properties. The Smiths usually "dodge the bullet" and I'll call them
later today to see if they had any damage. I remember when we lived in
Raleigh, North Carolina and some of the U.K. veteran housing homes were
flooded during these times and it was very scary. I haven't heard of
serious damage to Disney World in Orlando and at first that was where
the eye of the storm was headed, wasn't it? I feel very fortunate to be
safe in my condo in Utah but we have severe Winters and there is always
the fear of earthquakes. I imagine the Mellors in Arkansas have had
alot of rain and probably wind.
This past week has been rather uneventful
after such a busy July. I was thrilled to learn that Jessie has moved
back to Utah and I hope she will find the "PERFECT" job!!! Claire has
been in California with Katie and I believe she is home now - last week
was the last "free" week that Katie had from cheerleading practices so
they took a break. Our weather has been perfect for boating and I
imagine if the Bob Mellors could find a lake with water in it, they have
gone boating some. John has called occasionally and he is super busy -
he appreciated having Annie & Russell help him unload some of his things
into his home. Jeannie is super busy with all the activities going on
in their home - I believe Sarah is moving into an apartment at the
University of Utah with one of her former neighbor friends, Amy Redd.
Preston & Gracie spent a couple hours with Jeannie & Rick while Boyd &
Barji went to a wedding reception or something. That little Preston has
many places he can call "home" and that's really GREAT. I think about
Susanna & Steve SO often - that little Jackson is a MIGHTY lucky little
boy to have a fenced in yard and a "wading pool" in which to cool off -
I know they are getting into a schedule now with little Caroline Ann and
have many friends in their ward in Chandler, Arizona. A very fun and
exciting time in the lives of my grandchildren!!!
My friend, Helen Jane Lemon, lives in
Willard and she had a party for some of our former High School
classmates on Thursday and I don't know when I have enjoyed anything any
more than I did that day. I used to feel kinda' sorry for Helen Jane
because she lived in "little old Willard" on a farm - WELL - I don't
feel sorry for her anymore. She has an absolutely gorgeous place - her
husband Roy died about three years ago and since that time she has built
a very large covered patio at the back of her home and she has many
parties - it's big enough for a ward party. She returned from her
mission in Nauvoo last year and she has had constant reunions with her
companions and they come from all over - several weeks ago she had a
reunion and they came from Idaho, California and all parts of Utah. She
is a wonderful hostess and at this time of year she has an abundance of
fresh produce - tomatoes, corn, peaches, cantaloupe, etc., etc. and she
had bags of all this to send home with all of us. There were about 20
who were there on Thursday. Ellen Mae & Mel always take me and I
appreciate that so much. Del Holmgren who has suffered several strokes
and has had problems with his speech was there with his wife and his
speech is much better. Marian & Malcolm Jeppsen came from St. George
and so did Phyllis & Swede Larson. Phyllis is blind from macular
degeneration and Swede can't walk but he can drive - Phyllis can walk so
she helps him get into their car and then he can see to drive, KINDA
SCARY!!! LaRaine & Verl, Marva, Marion & Les came from Brigham City.
Merlin & Roberta & Emma Lou & Mel came from Salt Lake. The party
started at 1 p.m. and we had a hard time leaving at 6:30 - we just had
so much to talk about and catch up on. THEY ARE WONDERFUL FRIENDS. I
told them about my "picture project" and how I have pictures of all of
them attending my many family funerals held in Brigham City and how much
I have appreciated their support through the years. I even have
pictures of them attending little Christopher's funeral and I wasn't
even there to take them - I don't know where I got them unless Jeannie &
Ricks' friends took them.
I got up early Thursday morning to make
divinity for the party and would you believe both batches turned out -
that's very unusual for me. I also took that "Geise Bread" and others
brought salads to go with a delicious chicken recipe Helen Jane had
made. I just barely got home in time to go to the Roger's Theatre to
see "Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" or something like
that. I have seen that 4 times and this was the best one I have ever
seen. The young woman who had the lead is a professional singer who had
performed on Broadway and she was absolutely fabulous. Those shows are
always family oriented and they had many children in it - some of them
wore costumes of "sheep". I had wanted Jeannie to go with me because I
buy two tickets but she couldn't go so I turned that extra ticket in
when I got there. The young girl who took that extra seat was one of
the most amazing 11 year old girls I have ever met. She lives in Orem
and is talented in dance and singing and has toured with Kenny Rogers -
she just loved "Joseph" and talked constantly - her name is Jentry Hatch
and I told her I expect to see her name in lights some time - Ha!!!
I am wondering when Laura will come home
from Maine and when Emily will come home from Costa Rica - I believe it
will be soon. Laura will probably work for a little while before she
goes back to college for an advanced degree and Emily has two more years
in High School. I know Michael & Staci will be back at Utah State for
next year - it's just wonderful they have a nice condo to live in.
There is a "Providence, Utah" in Cache
Valley, near Logan. There is a full page article in my Deseret News
paper this morning about the two Providences - Rhode Island and Utah.
It has been fun to read about Providence, Rhode Island this morning and
I am SO glad we had the opportunity to visit there when Roy graduated
from Brown. The article shows pictures of Brown University and other
places where we visited.
I told my friends at the party about my
family who will go to Guatemala in November for humanitarian work - I AM
SO VERY PROUD OF EACH ONE OF YOU - maybe I brag too much!!!!
I LOVE EACH ONE OF YOU SO VERY, VERY MUCH.
PLEASE BE SO VERY, VERY CAREFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO. Grandma B
XXXXXOOOOO