Sounds like winter for certain

Sun., February 23, 2003 - Started snowing during the night and snowed until afternoon.  Since Nancy worked yesterday Mary was going to help me today.  Because of snow she stayed home -- a wise thing to do. Ray called in p.m.  They are okay -- were having snow, too.

Mon., February 24, 2003 - Saw "Rose Marie" this p.m.  Some pretty songs.  Howard Keel was one of the cast.  Played cards in evening -- I won 2 games!

Tues., February 25, 2003 - Very cold this morning, -4 degrees!!!  Bill came to take me to the dental clinic -- appointment was 8:00 a.m.  Was back home by 10:00.  Played Rummikub with Delores in p.m. 

I hope it was truly bad snow for me to bail on helping Grandma.  I'm thinking the car I had then wasn't the best on treacherous streets, so maybe it was indeed a wise thing.

Here's what I found about Rose Marie, from good ol' Wikipedia:

    "Rose Marie is a 1954 American musical film adaptation of the 1924 operetta of the same name, the third to be filmed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, following a 1928 silent movie and the best-known of the three, the 1936 Jeanette MacDonald-Nelson Eddy version. It is directed by Mervyn LeRoy and stars Ann Blyth, Howard Keel and Fernando Lamas. This version is filmed in the Canadian Rockies in CinemaScope. It was MGM's first US produced film in the new widescreen medium (having been preceded by the British-made Knights of the Round Table), and the first movie musical of any studio to be released in this format. It was part of a revival of large-budget operetta films produced in the mid-1950s.  The story adheres closely to that of the original libretto, unlike the 1936 version.  It is somewhat altered by a tomboy-to-lady conversion for the title character."

That being said, here's what they had to say about the original operetta:

    "Rose-Marie is an operetta-style musical with music by Rudolf Friml and Herbert Stothart, and book and lyrics by Otto Harbach and Oscar Hammerstein II. The story is set in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and concerns Rose-Marie La Flemme, a French Canadian girl who loves miner Jim Kenyon. When Jim falls under suspicion for murder, her brother Emile plans for Rose-Marie to marry Edward Hawley, a city man.

The work premiered on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre on September 2, 1924, running for 557 performances. It was the longest-running Broadway musical of the 1920s until it was surpassed by The Student Prince (1926). It was then produced at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London in 1925, enjoying another extraordinary run of 581 performances. It was filmed in 1928, in 1936 and again in 1954.

The best-known song from the musical is "Indian Love Call". It became Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy's "signature song". Several other numbers have also become standards, including the title song."

Oh, my goodness -- it has been a long time

So much going on, so little attention to this blog.  But here I am again.  For how many days in a row, or something close to resembling "in a row", who is to say?

Fri., February 14, 2003 - Saw a movie this evening, a tribute to Big Bands -- those taken from Lawrence Welk's shows.  Rained in p.m. and evening.

Sat., February 15, 2003 - Started to snow during the night.  Snowed almost all day.  Talked to Greta at noon.  They had snow, too.  Played cards in p.m. -- the group that plays on Mon. night.

Sun., February 16, 2003 - Nancy came at noon.  She made me a new kind of cheese & potato soup.  Very tasty.  Mitch & Anna here while Mary wen to Writers Group.  We played cards.  I popped some popcorn for them.

I'm having trouble reading Grandma's writing re the big band show, but I'll go with what I have there.

Of course, I cannot let dear Jenny's passing from this world to the next go unmentioned.  I should have posted something much closer to the event.  It wasn't for lack of caring about her, but just me being the usual me and not getting things done when I should do them.

However, since some time has passed it is much easier to say now how very happy I am for Jenny that her suffering is over, and for both she and Bill to be together.  The Lord works in mysterious ways.  I will always miss the two of them and particularly their laughs; both very different, but both very genuine and fun.  Bill and Jenny have left behind a beautiful legacy of lives well lived.  Their sons and grandchildren are testament to the lovely people they were.

Dual-purpose post

Sat., February 8, 2003 - Talked to Greta in late p.m.  No juicy gossip!

Sun., February 9, 2003 - Nancy brought a chicken dinner from Popeye's.  She helped rearrange some shelves in hall area. Couldn't stay long -- Jeff was coming for some legal matter.

Mon., February 10, 2003 - Played cards in evening.  Nine players there -  Helen Donaldson, Dolores Ulrich, Grace Ryan, Ethel Sovereign, Wayne Baldwin, Sam Eaton, Bob Burdick, John Ross, and myself. 

Interesting that Grandma felt a need to name the card players.  Maybe that was an exceptionally big group.  Or, she wanted to fill some space.

I've delayed this post for reasons soon to be made obvious.  First, I will note that today is Grandma and Grandpa's wedding anniversary.  I hope it was as lovely a day then as we are having now.

And the reason for delaying (not that I don't go long between posts anyway) is still the shock and sadness of losing Bill.  There are no guarantees in this life, but I for one was sure we would have him for another 10 years at least.  He was otherwise so healthy and vigorous and until recently, very much his usual jovial and lovable self.  We will miss him terribly.  It was very humbling to see the crowd that came from near and far to attend his funeral.  And Jayson did such a good job speaking under such sad circumstances.

My apologies

Sat., December 28, 2002 - Greta called.  Nancy came in p.m. with groceries.  I showered.
Sun., December 29, 2002 - Nancy & I left in time so we attended church in Wahoo.  The family gathered at Bill's for our Christmas get-together.  Merilyn couldn't come.  Had a wonderful dinner -- had gift exchange.  Went to see Jayson & Lora's new house.  Will be real nice.  Lovely day -- pretty ride home with all the Xmas lights.
Mon., December 30, 2002 - Annabelle called.  She was in Lincoln but didn't care to drive in Lincoln.  Had a very nice visit with her.  Played cards again this evening.

Life has been a bit crazy for me and so I have been even more negligent in creating posts.  But, each one is one more done, so no harm really.

The coronavirus is making life interesting and difficult for a lot of people, but not so much for me at the moment.  Hoping this situation is resolved soon and things get back to normal.  Brought the dogs in last night and they did very well for outside dogs.  There wasn't too much fighting for the privilege of sitting close to me once the initial excitement wore off.

Pecking order

Fri., November 22, 2002 - A home nurse came again.  I had Meals on Wheels today.  I called Jean.  Mary & kids came this evening -- they brought soup.
Sat., November 23, 2002 - Tom & Merilyn left Sunday a.m. for Laughlin.  A home nurse came again.  I called Ray.  Mary brought noon meal - a beef & vegetable mixture -- very good.
Sun., November 24, 2002 - I baked a pumpkin pie.  Nancy came & ironed for me.  Tom called from Laughlin to find out how I was.  Bill, Jenny & Patty came in p.m.  We had pie for lunch.

I wonder how it is Jean got called before Uncle Ray.  Maybe she had tried to reach Grandma or something.  Her birthday was in May, so it wasn't that.

I wish I could remember more of the fun sayings Jean tossed around often.  The only one I recall is "for crying out the window."

Here's the Christensen family.  I think Uncle Pete looks rather handsome here.  Jean looks waaay to serious for how I remember her.

Done and done

Tues., November 19, 2002 - Nancy here at 7:30.  We thought the surgery was to be in the morning but it was changed to afternoon.  Mary came & we told her to come back after lunch.  The nurses took me to the "room" about 12:30.  Mary came back a little after 11:00 and Dale also came.  Back in my room about 3:00.  All went well.  Tom came in the evening.
Wed., November 20, 2002 - Bill's birthday.  Nancy stopped in the morning before work.  Lora took me home from the hospital.
Thurs., November 21, 2002 - A home nurse came in a.m.  Zoya brought telephones so I could pick one out I wanted to use.  Lora brought a scale.  I was told to weigh myself every day-- since I had no scale she brought one -- my Xmas present from the Wahoo Iversens.  Nancy came in evening -- brought potato soup -- did the laundry.

It still amazes me that one can be opened up for a fairly involved surgery in the afternoon and then go home the next day.  It's good in most cases I'm sure, but still impressive and slightly unnerving in my opinion.

How nice that even with everything going on, the first thing Grandma mentioned on the 20th was that it was Bill's birthday.  Seems fitting to find a photo of the three kids that were mentioned in these entries.  (And look, Tom's smiling!)  Surely Mom called at some point there to find out things were going?  Maybe she talked to someone other than Grandma.

Poor parenting?

Sat., November 16, 2002 - Dale came to see me at 8:00 a.m.  Mitch & Anna came in the morning also.  Tom & Mary came in early afternoon and Nancy came after the football game was over.  She stopped at my place & picked up some things I needed.  Tom, Anna, Mitch & Nancy ate at the cafeteria.  Everybody left by 7:30.
Sunday, November 17, 2002 - Mary & the kids came after early church.  Greta came about 10:00.  Dale here too in the morning.  Tom was here from about 10:30 to 12:45.  Greta, Mary, Mitch, Anna & Nancy ate in the cafeteria.  Bill, Jenny & Patty came in mid-afternoon.  Nancy left about 8:00.  Every day blood was taken for testing.  I evidently had a heart attack several weeks ago.  I'm also hooked up to a heart monitor.  Had an IV one day.
Monday, November 18, 2002 - Nancy came at 6:30 & Dale at about 8:00.  Talked to all 3 doctors & will get a pacemaker on Tuesday.  Nancy called Greta, Tom, Bill, Mary and Ray.  More x-rays were taken.  Mary here at noon.  Dale, Dane & Kyleah here about 5:00 p.m.  Mary & kids here at 6:00 & Tom here at 7:00.

Good heavens.  Did I just drop my kids off on a Saturday morning and go on my way?  Mitch would have been 11 and able to locate a hospital room on his own with Anna in tow, but still.  Hopefully at the very least I had something important to do and came up to say hi and then left.  Egads.

For no particular reason, here is a fun photo of Grandpa and Tom.  I sure miss that place.

To the hospital we go

Wed., November 13, 2002 - Bill took me for dental appointment at 8:00!!  Then to Wahoo - permanent in the afternoon.  Bill & Jenny brought me back to Lincoln after a supper with the whole family.
Thurs., November 14, 2002 - Sick all day.  Nancy came in evening-- called "Ask A Nurse".  She stayed all night.  Myrtle called.
Fri., November 15, 2002 - Nancy called Dr. Semin's office.  He said to go to the emergency room at Bryan East.  Were at the ER at about 10:00 a.m.  Dale came in the p.m.  In my room between 5:30 & 6:00.  Mary & the kids came to see me just as they were taking me to my room.  In ER they took x-rays & echogram.  Kids ate the extra supper they brought me.  Tom stopped by before he had to bowl.

Plenty more on this saga in upcoming posts.

An Affair to Remember

Wed., October 30, 2002 - Attended Book Club this evening.  Greta called Nancy & Nancy called me that Marie Parker died today.
Thurs., October 31, 2002 - I called Myrtle this morning. Annabelle called to tell me about Marie.  The funeral will be Saturday but I'm not up to traveling that far.  Tom came for supper, laundry & my shower.  Mary & the kid came for Trick or Treat.  (Mitch didn't go for Trick etc.  He stayed home & passed out goodies to those who came.)  Anna was a Jack in the Box.  Very clever costume.
Fri., November 1, 2002 - This evening saw the movie "An Affair to Remember".  Good show.

Oh, yes.  An Affair to Remember.  So lovely, so tragic, so enjoyable to watch.

This last weekend, there was a 50th wedding anniversary celebration for Bill and Jenny at the care facility where she lives.  Such a nice turnout and I am so glad the decision was made to mark the occasion.  Jenny wasn't able to enjoy it as we all wish she would have been, but maybe she felt the happiness and love in the room.  It would be great if I had a photo of the wedding to post, but I don't so a movie poster will have to do.

Poster credit:  https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3916540

Sandwiches

Tues., October 15, 2002 - This was my dad's birthday.  Had my hair washed, etc.  Nancy came after work & took me to "Jim's", a place that specializes in home health.  New "skis" were put on my walker -- take the place of the tennis balls (Called Greta to report on dental deal).  We then went to Staufers' Restaurant & had chicken fried steak, etc.  Was really good.
Wed., October 16, 2002 - Went to Book Club in evening.
Thurs., October 17, 2002 - Called Myrtle this morning.  Also called Marjorie C.  Tom came in evening & brought some special sandwiches.  The usual routine of laundry, shower & Rummikub.

Speaking of special sandwiches . . . Mitch, Mom and I hosted 15 of our family members (plus Tanner and Willa) for a meal Sunday at Mom's of traditional Danish open-faced sandwiches.  Well, we researched and were as traditional as we could manage.  We were a bit nervous as to whether everyone would like the nutty, malty Danish bread but very little of anything went in the trash at the end of the meal.

Afterwards, some of us played Squeak -- something we had not done after a family meal in a very long time.  Needless to say, it was great fun.  So glad everyone could come and that they enjoyed our efforts.  We should probably do it again sometime, I think.

Rummikub extravaganza

Sat., October 12, 2002 - Dolores brought bananas and milk.  They were on sale at Hy-Vee & I paid her for them.  We haven't played Rummikub this week - she has had a very sore leg - almost sounds like the sciatica I used to have.  Greta called in p.m.
Sun., October 13, 2002 - Nancy & I went to Mary's church -- All Saints Lutheran.  We had dinner at KFC's.  Went to Penney's & I bought a fall weight coat.  Then to apartment -- took a nap -- then showered & then 2 games of Rummikub.
Mon., October 14, 2002 - Bill came at 11:00.  We went to a restaurant & met Jenny & Patty.  We had lunch & then Patty & Jenny went shopping & Bill took me to the dental school at the university. Impressions were taken for both upper & lower dentures.  Bill & I played several games of Rummikub.  In evening I played cards & won 3 games.

Grandma and Dolores might not have played Rummikub lately but it looks like Grandma got her fill over the next couple of days.  And of course she paid for her bananas and milk.  We wouldn't imagine it any other way, would we?

In honor of Dorothy Jo's birthday earlier this week, here's a photo of her place I've always liked.  Simple, but as I recall she was showing the other ladies some of her flowers and I happened to catch this picture.

Getting closer

Sun., May 17, 1936 - Ray was so late getting here, that we had Edwin take us out to the schoolhouse for the picnic.  The North and South schools had their picnic together.  Around 80 people there.  Howard was here this evening.
Mon., May 18, 1936 - We went out to the place this p.m. which he's letting us use this week.  We tore off old wallpaper and patched up cracks in the plaster with cloth.
Tues., May 19, 1936 - We washed and baked today.  This evening Mom and I went out to the schoolhouse and cleaned it.

Time sure flies when you comment on three days at a time.  The big day will be here very soon!

And speaking of big days, Jayme and Ashley's baby arrived last night somewhat earlier than expected, choosing to be born on his Grandma Jenny's birthday.  Tanner William Iversen and his mother are doing well at last report.  Dad and Grandpa are probably okay, too.

Uncle John

Wed., August 23, 1933 - Cloudy this a.m. but cleared up in the afternoon.  Ola and family came in this morning to spend the day.  Ola was helping unload gravel down town.  I went home with them this evening and took our washing along.  Annie and I are going to wash together tomorrow.  Mom has to work at Kochs' tomorrow and at H. E. Simans' Friday.
Thurs., August 24, 1933 - Today wasn't such a nice wash day; no wind to blow out the wrinkles in the clothes.  Edwin came down to help Ola.  When Mom was coming after me this evening something broke in the car and now it won't run.  Edwin, Florence, Louis and I went to the dance Bob Fenske was giving at Hoskins tonite.  The boys and I stayed at Meta's place all nite.
Fri., August 25, 1933 - Came home at 7:00 just as Mom left to go to Simans'.  I slept some more this morning.  Howard came after me to go to lodge tonite and took me home afterwards.  We had some good watermelon for lunch tonite.

I guess I never hung enough wet clothes on the clothesline.  I remembered too much wind wasn't good as it could damage clothes.  I never thought about just enough wind to help with wrinkles.

I just realized I had not commented on here yet about Uncle John passing away.  As much as his family likely wished he could go back to how he was and to stay with them longer, I am sure he and Aunt Helen are sharing drinks and hearty laughs in the hereafter now.

It's not the greatest photo, but I think they'd get a chuckle out of it.  Everyone is so serious here, even Bill while in the midst of a silly gesture.  Grandpa looks downright gloomy.  Or disgusted.  Gotta love this family!

And on a 2016 note . . .

. . . Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

Memorial Day 2016

Thurs., April 6, 1933 - Light covering of snow on the ground this morning, all gone by first recess.  Reviewed so much today my head is just about dizzy.  I hope Laurence does well tomorrow.  Read and listened to radio this evening.
Fri., April 7, 1933 - Seemed funny with Laurence gone.  Mom was here at 4:00.  We stopped in at Misfeldts.  I asked Marjorie about having our school picnics together.  We didn't make any definite plans, but I guess we'll take them to Norfolk.  We went out to Ola's, had supper there.  The baby is a month old.  He's grown a lot since I saw him last.
Sat., April 8, 1933 - Washed my clothes, ironed them and cleaned up the house.  I went down town this evening to the library.  Met Alma and we had quite a talk.  She accompanied me on my wanderings!  Mom was working a jig-saw when I got home.  I helped her finish it, of course.

Normal sorts of stuff for Grandma, so I'll veer off to 2016.

Yesterday was Memorial Day and I was lucky enough to get to ride to Winside with Bill and Tom and Bev.  First we attended Dorothy Jo's 90th birthday open house at the church.  From what I heard there were over 100 people there.  I tried to keep an eye out in case there were not enough chairs and someone needed mine to be able to sit for a while.

After that was over, we all headed to the cemetery, one of my favorite places as mentioned previously in this blog.  I had not walked around there with that particular bunch of folks before and therefore the conversations about this or that stone were different from different perspectives.

Lastly we stopped at the veterans' memorial by the courthouse in Wayne.  Bill wanted to see his name there.  Nice that the county is small enough that all veterans can be listed on the memorial, not only those lost in combat or otherwise passed on.  So, we stayed a bit and found other family members' and acquaintances' names.  The shadows were getting a bit long and my photography skills are not what they could be, but the photos above are (obviously) from the memorial.  Hats off to the committee that put the memorial together.

Then we had a most pleasant ride back.

Quite the nice day.

Ouch and clocks

Tues., March 28, 1933 - The roads are getting quite dry after all the rain and snow.  Things worked smooth as a clock spring in school.  I wish every day would be as nice.  We went to a party at Nurnberg's this evening, that is, all except Evie, she had company from Norfolk.  Had quite a good time, got home about 1:15.
Wed., March 29, 1933 - School just the opposite of yesterday.  I was tired and plus that, there was a real March wind from the south.  The pupils enjoyed the letters from each of Marjorie's folks that I got in the mail yesterday.  I washed out some hose and went to bed early this evening.
Thurs., March 30, 1933 - I got a letter from Mom and Mildred Andersen today.  Mildred is getting her school for the fifth year, but will receive only $75 instead of $100 as she has been having.  I washed and finger waved my hair this evening.

I don't know that I'd be too keen on a 25% decrease in salary.

I remember two clocks from Grandma's house.  I watched the one on the shelf in the dining room being carefully wound with its little key on many occasions.  I want to say it was originally Grussfather's, but I am not positive about that.  It, and the shelf it sat on, is currently stored safely in one of my closets, waiting for Mitch to take it some day when he's got a house or other permanent-type place of his own.  It was so nice that it was passed to him.

The other clock in Grandma's house was the cuckoo clock in the living room.  Between my fascination with the weights that had to be carefully pulled to wind the clock, and the little kids' reaction when they would hear it go off, and it tending to "cuckoo cuckoo" right after someone said something silly -- who knew a clock could be so entertaining?  I believe the first cuckoo clock Grandma and Grandpa had came from Bill when he was in Germany in the Air Force.  But, as usual, I might be mistaken about that.

(I don't have good wedding pictures yet, but will post when I do.)

Scooter must not have lasted long

October 26, 1965

Dear Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Tom,

I'm going to cause a snowstorm or something by answering your letter right away.  Got Gary's card yesterday.  Thank you for his birthday present.  He hasn't decided what to use it for yet.

No, Bill never sent any snapshots.  As I told you on the phone, I haven't had a letter from him since last May before Memorial Day.

I'll bet you're really enjoying not having any night classes.

I never found a Perquacky game.  I look up at Raley's every time I go up there.  I thought sure they would have one now that they have all their Christmas stuff out -- but no such luck.

Was that Mrs. Jason Preston that substituted?

I got a card saying I would receive 12 issues of Redbook as a gift from you so maybe I'll get it this time.  Sure hope so.

Oh, this Mary.  The other day she had eaten her cereal but left the milk in the bowl.  I told her to drink it up.  She says, "The milk doesn't taste good.  It tastes like wet carrots."  Almost every morning she has some wild dream to tell about.  I'm sure she makes it all up as she goes along.  But she is so serious and her eyes get so big.

We have two dogs now.  A stray came around.  Gary thought he looked so funny he decided to keep him.  He is part poodle, I guess.  Any way he is gray with curly hair.  Some of it hangs over his eyes and you can hardly see them.  I think he's cute and he's so friendly.  Spotty is pretty jealous yet, though.  At first he wouldn't let Scooter eat.  I'd give them each a dish. Spotty would take a bite out of one, then run to the other and growl at Scooter if he so much as moved toward either dish.

I went on a sewing spree last week.  Made new pajamas for the kids and a nightgown for me.  Plus 5 hand puppets for the school carnival.

The kids have had quite a cough the last week or so.  But it is finally letting up.

I got myself elected treasurer of the auxiliary.  I sure was surprised.

October 27, 1965

Didn't get this finished yesterday.

Gary's Mom called last night.  Gary's Uncle Oscar passed away yesterday morning.  If you remember at the shower at Wynot, he was the one who acted as master of ceremonies.  He was sick about a week.  Mom wasn't even sure what the trouble was.

Since you don't have anything to do these days I thought you might enjoy this thing.

Guess I'll close and get this mailed.

Love, 
Gary, Greta, Dale and Mary

I do not recall hearing about a dog named Scooter.  Hope everything worked out for him.

Absolutely a mean mama!

November 6, 1964

Dear Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Tom,

I guess I better get busy and write a letter or I'll be getting a collect phone call.

Thanks for sending the Wayne Heralds.  I really enjoyed them as usual.

We've had some rain over the weekend.  Really soaked things up good.

No, you hadn't written that Merle was coming.  Goodness, last time I saw them Willy was just a baby.  Or did we see them when Nancy was a baby?

How does Tom like college?  Do they work him pretty hard?

Is there any news about his hearing?

Well, Gary's folks won't be coming out.  Yesterday Gary's mother had her hip operated on.  I told you that she had been having lots of trouble with her leg.  Her doctor finally told her to go to a bone specialist.  The specialist told her that it was either surgery or soon she wouldn't be walking at all.  She couldn't see being an invalid so she had the operation.  Gary's dad called last night and said that she came through it real good.  What they did was cut off the ball of the hip joint and put in a steel ball.  Then they dug out the socket.  The doctors said that she had apparently had this trouble since birth - a shallow hip socket or something like that.  Anyway she'll be in a cast for three weeks.  Sure hope this takes care of her trouble.

Hope you enjoyed your visit in Fremont.  I've been meaning to write to her, but never get it done.  The way time is flying it will probably be Christmas before I get it written.

I'm so mad.  You know those place mats I was making for Aunt Ramona?  Well after I got them hemmed, corners mitered, etc. I find that they mean to have you work on the side with just one loop. I could just scream.  So now I'm making a border on the sides.  But it sure makes me mad.

I think Dale will enjoy the Lego bricks most. He's been wanting some of them.  We got a Christmas catalog from Sears.  I looked at it and put it out of sight.  I just couldn't see listening to "I want this and this, and this."  Am I a mean old mama?  I hear enough of that from what he sees on TV.  Mary isn't too bad yet.  Guess she doesn't see anything she wants.

Gary can use socks and T-shirts for Christmas.  He wears size 12 socks.  Or maybe a sport shirt.

Gary is done with his part time job at Monroe.  Now maybe he can finish up at our other house and get it sold.

We're all just fine.  The kids are just as ornery as ever.  Right at the moment I can't think of any clever things they've said.  They're always coming up with something though.

We found a Lutheran church a little over a mile from here.  It is pretty new.  Just six years old, about 200 members, and a LCA church.  I like them real well.  The people are real nice and friendly.

Guess I better get to work.  I've got some bread ready to put in the pans.  Also some of that inevitable ironing.

Love,
Gary, Greta, Dale and Mary

Thank you for Gary's birthday present.  He hasn't bought anything yet.

What size of shirt and socks does Bill wear?  Don't know what I'll get him for Xmas.  But would like to know his size.

I got a Candy Land game for Dale for Xmas.  Did a little early shopping last night.

I am guessing the letter Mom is needing to write is to Dora.  Also, yes it is very mean to hide catalogs from kids.  Actually, I used catalogs to keep mine quiet for a bit while they studied them.

The photo is of Grandpa and Grandma Bowder, shallow hip socket and all.  I think they made a very handsome couple.

Gotta love dogs

 

June 25, 1964

Dear Mom and Dad,

Well Daddy, I sure am pokey about getting your Father's Day card sent.  Hope you had a happy day.
The kids got another book today.  They really get excited when a new one comes.  Everyday when Mary takes her nap I read one of them to her.  She has two favorite ones. Today I didn't have to read to her.  She went into the bathroom.  Later I didn't hear anything and when I went in there, there she was sitting on the toilet sound asleep.

We're really having some hot weather.  It hasn't even cooled off much at night the last couple of nights.  There hasn't been a bit of a breeze.  The house stays pretty cool in the morning, but along about this time (3 o'clock) it's getting pretty warm.  And about 5:30 on it really gets hot.

Dale is taking "swimming" lessons this week and next.  At one of the city pools they give free lessons to little kids.  They are supposed to learn to float and learn to stick their head underwater, etc.  He has always been so afraid about getting his face wet.  Hope he gets over his fear.  He has been going with one of the neighbors.  He's been pretty evasive about what they're doing.  I guess I'll have to go along one of these days and see if he has done what he is supposed to be doing.

Mary has been bad lately about biting Dale when she gets mad at him.  And we've been biting her back.  The other day they were in the dining room and she bit him again.  When he started yelling she ran out to the living room.  When Gary got up she laid down on the floor and started crying.  He went in to see Dale and then she ran into the bedroom and crawled under the covers.  When Gary came into the bedroom she covered up her head and said, "Go away."  She sure knew what was coming.  But Gary said he couldn't bite her, he got so tickled.

Last Friday night Gary brought home a puppy.  It is mostly cocker spaniel with some springer spaniel, too.  It sure is a cute little pup.  It is white and sort of a gold-tan.  The kids named him Spot.  Gary was suggesting some other names such as Elwood and Lyndon.  Dale said, "Well, Dad.  I can't remember names like that, but I can remember Spot."  

There have been a couple of new babies in the neighborhood.  Dale and another little boy were discussing the new brother and sister.  They decided that they didn't want any babies, but Dale said he would like a big brother or sister.

Mary is so disappointed that she can't go "wimmin."  Oh, do you know that Mary goes to "Dunny Scoot"?  That's what she calls Sunday School.

I got a birthday card from Bill.  He wrote on the card that he was going to Norway for a month.  Didn't say if he was on leave or if the Air Force was sending him.

Say when you come out, is there any way you could make room for my card table or is it too big?

Sure is something about Winside being on direct-dialing.  Thought it would be years before they got on that.

When I was at Aunt Helen's she said something about Jean taking care of three foster children.  Is she still doing that?

Thanks for the picture of Tom.  I still am amazed at how big my "little" brother is.  

Guess this is all for this time.

Love,
Gary, Greta, Dale and Mary

What a nice family I have.  This is the first I ever remember hearing that I was a biter.  I suppose the fact that I eventually outgrew it was probably to my benefit as far as future embarrassment.

I can't lay hands on a photo of Spot at the moment, so instead I will use a photo of our brand-new doggie, Muggsy.  She is a real sweetheart (so far) and a bit of a goof.  She snorts when she is awake and snores when she isn't.  Pretty much my canine equivalent.  This photo shows her "I know you have a treat" face.  Note the blurry tail.

All the bases covered

June 9, 1964

Dear Mom and Dad,

Well, here I am, late again.  Hope you had a happy anniversary.

We've been having winter weather.  It really rained yesterday.  But it was really needed.  Snowed up in the mountains.

Took Dale to the doctor yesterday for his physical.  They strongly recommend that all kids have a physical before starting school.  I'm very glad to say he is healthy in every way.  Mary was amazed by the whole process.  Dale had to strip to his shorts and she wanted to take her clothes off, too.  After
the nurse took his temperature she said, "My turn, my turn."  The doctor was real nice.  Talked to Dale all the while and put him at ease.  The kids both got the Sabin oral vaccine.

We had a nice letter from Aunt Ethel.  She said they had gone to the Alumni Banquet and saved Gabe from getting the flowers again.  Have they quit sending out cards about the banquet? I sure would like to get back to one of them some day.

Ever since we got back from Aunt Irene's I've been going in circles.  Seems like I'm busy all day, but I still don't get anything done.  I should be doing some real good cleaning of closets, shelves, drawers, etc.  But never seem to find the time.  Guess I'll just have to set a certain day to start and do it no matter what else needs doing.  Can't say I'm looking forward to it very much.

I'm getting an itch to do some sewing again.  I have a shirt for Dale and a dress for Mary (the same material) all done but.  But haven't felt like finishing them.  I haven't even done any work on my afghan lately.  I don't know what I do with a day.

Sure hope it clears up today.  The kids are just about out of underwear.  I can hang clothes in the basement, but it takes about 24 hours for things to dry.  Especially things like underpants.

I'm afraid my visit to L.A. sort of ruined my weight losing.  All that delicious food and easy living and I gained back nearly everything that I'd lost.  Not that I had lost much, but at least I had made a start.

We got a letter from Bill last week.  He didn't have too much to say, but he sounded in better spirits than he must have in your letter.

Nancy said Lloyd was home.  Is that for good or just a leave?

I didn't get to see Ramon while I was in L.A.  Just happened that he was out to sea at the time.  After all the weekends that he's been in and then he has to be gone just when I'm there.

Tom is coming along this summer isn't he?  Judy and Trina wanted to know.  They said they were going to try and save the bus fare and come up while you folks are here.  I sure got a bang out of those two.

Raymond said he was coming, too.  To see Dale.

Well, I really must get to work.

Love, Gary, Greta, Dale and Mary

Mom sure got a lot of things talked about in this letter.  From what she said (not my interpretation at all), she may have been avoiding things like cleaning by writing an extra long letter.  I know that is what I would be doing.

I am guessing the Raymond that was coming to see Dale was Raymond Jones since Mom would have probably referred to Uncle Raymond as . . . Uncle Raymond.

The photo was developed in 1964, obviously from a visit to Nebraska.  I'm using it for two reasons -- it is likely close in time to the letter and it is one of my absolute favorite photos of all time.