Sunday, October 26, 2014

Dear Kids,
          I’ve been craving licorice taffy, which is impossible to find. I know, because I’ve been looking at all the candy displays now that Halloween is getting close. You’d think that candy corn flavored taffy would do it, since it’s fall, but it’s the licorice flavor that I crave. In desperation I went on Amazon, and of course they have it! I had lots of choices, and I bought a three pound bag for $15.00. Sure, that’s pricey, but I paid with points! And the fed ex guy brought it to our door two days later! On the Amazon home page there were some funny comments from people devoted to Amazon Prime. One man wrote, "As soon as Amazon prime offers ramen noodles, I’ll never have to leave my house again. Oh, wait . . . !"
          We’ve had yet another week of nice weather here. I’m still working in the yard, raking up rocks for next year. Dad and I have made two trips to A&K Railroad Supply on Redwood Road for railroad ties, which we’re going to put around the edge of the playground. Since we’re not ready to put them down yet, we stacked them on boards to keep them out of the mud. They average 100 pounds each, so it was no easy job. I asked Dad why two 67-year-old people would do such a project, and he said we don’t act our age. Dad has been spending lots of time at the cabin, working on the Yerf Dog. I think it’s finally ready to roll.
          Last January I had surgery for trigger finger on the third finger of my right hand, and now the fourth finger is giving me trouble. It rolls up, and when I try to unroll it, it jerks back. I have an appointment with the same doctor who did my third finger. I wish he could do something about my thumb, which has arthritis at the base of it, but he said he it’s not bad enough yet. Still, I have to open bottles with my left hand, and it’s hard to put clips in my hair. I wish I could have a whole new hand, with no problems. Maybe a transplant. Maybe from a concert pianist who died suddenly in a car wreck. Maybe my piano playing would improve, too. Just thinking.
          Life is good! I hope you all have a fun Halloween this week. Love, Mom

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Dear Kids,
          You know you live in Kamas Valley when . . . the high priests are asked to help load hay for one of their own who just had knee surgery. This was last Monday. Dad and several others went to pick up some hay that Jack Johnson had bought. They loaded it onto a flatbed trailer to take back to his barn. Dad said the hay bales only weighed about fifty pounds, and nobody seemed to have any problems tossing them, not even the man Dad rode with, who walks with a cane. Farrell Knight, who’s in his late eighties, had the easiest time of all. They stay tough, living here.
          I’ve been working hard to finish my dry creek bed before winter, and now it’s finally done! There are lots of rocks left over, and I’m giving them to our friend, Doneen, the lady with the tractor. She and her dog came yesterday and loaded quite a few, but there are lots more. I’m sure the sweat-equity people working up the street would be glad to have them. They are doing absolutely horrendous landscaping with rocks in their yards. The copy-cat dry steam beds aren’t too bad, but in one spot, there’s a whole berm of rocks. Just a pile. Just like ours, before I started using them. I wouldn’t have known they did it on purpose, but I saw several people "working" on it together. One of the houses is a ghastly green with pink stucco. You’ve gotta’ love the government getting into projects.
          Yesterday morning Donna came by with her kids to use my sewing machine. Donna’s dining room curtains had shrunk, and she had to let out the hem and add ribbon to make them longer. The kids watched Baby Mozart. It’s funny to see Dallin sitting on the couch, his legs stretched out in front of him, watching TV, just like a real kid. Donna was alone with the kids because Bevan had gone on the deer hunt with his dad. They took three days worth of food. I guess Beverly Hawkins was entertaining herself, too, because Dad and I saw her at the Hale Center Theater in Orem with a girlfriend. Dad and I had discount tickets from the senior center in Heber, and they were doing "Damn Yankees," so we couldn’t miss that. It was a great production.
          I was thinking of doing Sunday dinner on November 2nd, but that’s the first practice night for the Heber Messiah, and there would definitely be a time squeeze. By the way, it would sure be fun if any of you were to come and sing with us (Tom, Dad, and myself). Last year I loved having Nora sit next to me. Anybody up for it?
          Meanwhile, life is good. I love you all! Mom

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Dear Kids,
          More rain! Supposedly it’s just for today. We’ve gotten used to the big clear sky these last few days, and it’s been really nice. There isn’t a better month than October! Nora says there’s something about the light. I would add the blue sky and the yellow and red trees and the huge white clouds. Dad and I have been making the most of these good days. Dad has been painting the cabin with stain, and I’ve nearly finished my dry creek bed. People are still stopping by to comment on my work. One man said he’d never seen anybody sort through a pile of rocks so carefully. I said that’s why it’s taking me so long.
          Meanwhile, Oreo is having a territorial dispute with a black cat. When we were the only people out here, he had all the fields to himself, but now there’s competition. They’re especially competing for Hilltop Road, and crossing rights. That worries me a lot, because there’s a lot more traffic down the road now. Yesterday a car barely missed Oreo, and honked at him. He looked at the car very disdainfully and sauntered away. I hope his luck holds out.
          We enjoyed seeing so many of you on conference weekend! Let’s see, the next cabin event is . . . Thanksgiving! It’s more than six weeks away, but it will be here before we know it. So will winter. I’m almost looking forward to it. I think we’re tired of working in the yard.
          I really don’t have any news, but I hope you’re all doin’ great and lovin’ it!
          Mom