Dear Kids,
          Allen and Carson and Ellie stayed over here Friday night, because Tom and his ward’s scouts were at the cabin. So, what did we do here for excitement? Ellie practiced on the Clavinova, with headphones. Allen practiced on the grand. (I really enjoyed his songs!) Carson went to bed early. So did I. So did Dad. (He was worn out from working on Nora’s basement, helping Scott Treu with the framing.) None of us partied, but it was nice having a full house–well, not like we used to have, but at least one person per bedroom.
           I’ve known for a long time that I’m losing my hearing, so I went to a clinic in Park City to be evaluated. They’d send out a flyer in the mail, with the promise of a gift card to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory if I came in for an evaluation. So of course I went. They tested me, and found out that I hear pretty well in the lower frequencies, but my hearing loss is "severe" in the higher tones. They fitted me up with hearing aids that are really high tech, which they programmed remotely from their computer. It was strange to hear so much, all at once. I wore them OK on the drive home, and it was strange to hear raindrops pattering on the windshield of the car. When I walked around the house, I could hear my hair swishing on the sensors on the tops of my ears. I figured that might be a problem. But then I tried playing the piano. I heard all kinds of tones! When I played the notes singly, I discovered that the hearing aids were "singing along," with strange buzzing tones, which were not the same tones I was playing. Weird! I put them on Dad, and he heard the same thing. And Allen. I figured three of us hearing the same thing was a pretty good test. So those particular hearing aids aren’t going to work for me. And I’m not sure there’s anything better out there. But it was a free trial, and I still have the gift card to redeem.
          My Senior Citizen piano classes in Heber have really taken off. What’s the magic of Heber Valley? Everybody who doesn’t already play the piano wants to learn! In West Valley, at the Harmon Center, I never had more than four students at a time, with at least two of them deadbeats. Now I have ten, and a waiting list! And nearly all of these seniors are conscientious and dedicated! It’s lots of fun teaching them. I always look forward to Thursday mornings!
          I mentioned that I’ve been using long twisty balloons to keep Tina off my face, when we’re watching TV at night. She got more and more courageous about batting at them with her paws, and finally, she bit one. You could hear the bang all through the house. It sent her under the bed. I look forward to lots more fun with those balloons.
          Lots of love, Mom