Dear Kids,

I’m typing with my right arm raised up because of the pain from my scrape last week.  

Because I’ve been on chemo, wounds don’t heal, so every day it feels like I just injured it.  It looks the same too.  I’m not worried, though, because tomorrow is my regular day to go to the wound clinic, and now I’ve got two things for them to work on.  

And this afternoon is book club, 5pm at our house, be there or be square.  We’re talking about Toys Go Out, and Nora will be leading the discussion.  By the way, this is our seventh book.  Who’d think we would have gone through so many already! Tom’s family will be choosing our book for November, so we can start in on it when they let us know.  I absolutely love book club!  It has worked out even better than I expected it to.

And next Sunday, the 23rd, is Super Sunday at John’s house.  The weather should still be nice, so we can run around on his new lawn in back.  The fun will start at 4 pm, and the food is always good.  Bring whatever you want, unless you hear differently.

Whenever I go out ministering, my ladies always ask how I’m doing, so this week I told everybody about my scraped arm and our adventurous hike up Rocky Top.  Two of my ladies are old timers, and they both said the same thing: “There’s rattlesnakes up there.”  (One of them added the information that when Francis was settled, it was all sagebrush and rattlers.)  Dad also heard about the rattlesnakes from his friends at the coffee club.  So, was that going to scare us away from our new favorite hike?  Not at all.  We were back on the trail yesterday, but we only went half way.  And I listened for rattling and hissing, but I didn’t hear a thing.  We watched the bushes beside the trail, too.  If it were a real danger, it ought to be posted on the billboard at the bottom, where it shows the map.  So I don’t think we have much to worry about.  We’re not going to let rumors keep us home.  Besides, I only have two more weeks before I start chemo again, and I have to get in as much fun as possible.

Thursday night we went to Provo for the wedding reception of Ben Findlay and his new bride, Skye.  All of Nancy’s family was there, and it was fun to see them.  The reception was in a barn-like building by the train tracks, so Dad and I drove over to the transportation hub and waited for the frontrunner train to come in.  When it did, at least a hundred people got off.  We were amazed.  It was a beautiful evening, and not even dark yet.  There won’t be many more of those!

Love to all of you!  Mom

 

Dear Kids,

As you saw from the pictures Al posted, we made it all the way up Rocky Top yesterday.  And just as I thought, you can look down on our house.  In fact, you look down on the whole Kamas valley.  It was only Dad, myself, Al, and Tom that did the hike.  And going up, we had a glorious time.  Coming down was something different.  I tripped on a rock and fell on my arm, skinning one spot totally.  It was a bloody mess.  Al bandaged it for me then and there, and when I got home I cleaned it and cut off the loose skin and wrapped it in gauze and tape.  Then, back on the trail, Dad was having a tough time coming down.  His back hurt, so he had to take it really slowly.  Tom had already gone on ahead to get home for Eli’s football game, and I was hustling ahead because of my arm, so we were all spread out.  But it was glorious weather and couldn’t have been more beautiful.  If any of you want to hike it any time, let us know.

I had a wonderful time in Arizona with my sisters.  What did we do?  Eat and talk.  Bonnie’s house there is too beautiful for words.  It was hot during the day, but perfect at night.  When I woke up both nights at midnight, I went outside and walked around the pool barefoot.  What else? We drove to the Mesa cemetery and looked at ancestors’ headstones, and we also tried to work a 1,000 piece puzzle, but it was too hard.  It didn’t even matter.  It was just fun being with my sisters. 

Scout was missing the whole time I was gone, but he showed up again yesterday morning.  We wonder if he has a second family and they kept him in.  He’s such a fine cat, who could resist him? 

Next Sunday is book club, and if you haven’t read Toys Go Out, there’s still plenty of time because it’s so short.  I’ve started keeping a list of what we’ve read, and it’s getting long!  So we’ll meet next Sunday, the 16th, here, at 5 pm, and there will be refreshments.  Be there or be square.

And the following Sunday, the 23rd, we’ll have Super Sunday at John’s.  Bring whatever you want.  It’s always fun.  

Lots of love, Mom

 Dear Kids,

Our bread and soup party last night was a blast, not to mention the good we got out of conference.  Oh, yes, and the raccoon–he made things very lively, until his owner came and got him.  (And kissed him.)  Thank you all for everything you brought, including your wonderful children.  I know kids don’t always (or ever) get much out of conference, but I think our example sets them in the right way.  I hope you all enjoy the rest of conference today, and that it will be a good sabbath day for all of you.  

This coming Saturday, October 8, Allen and Dad and I are going to hike the Rocky Top trail to the very top, where we should be able to look out over our house.  If any of you want to join us, we’re meeting at the little parking lot just off Highway 32, (after it crosses the river, if you’re coming from Heber) at 8 am.  It’s at the entrance to Rock Cliff State Park, but you don’t have to pay anything to park there.  The trail head is maybe a hundred yards from there.  If you have any questions, call or text me.  

On Wednesday I’m flying to Arizona with my sisters, and we’re staying at Bonnie’s house until Friday afternoon.  I’m pretty sure we’re just going to talk and eat and watch movies, but it will be a great retreat.  Bonnie’s incredibly generous with her house, and she’s even paying for our plane tickets.  Have we got it made or what?

Our friends the Garcias were here visiting from Phoenix, and we had a good time with them on Friday.  Their kids, Natalie and Carson (ages 12 and 10) are honorary grandkids of ours.  We went to the cabin and they had fun driving the Yerf Dog.  Dad has put a 2-gallon gas tank on it (taken from an old lawn mower) and it can go for miles now.  

Upcoming events: Book Club October 16, and we’ll be discussing Toys Go Out.  Our next Super Sunday will be October 23 at John’s.  We can run around on his new lawn and break it in.  Oh, here’s a great event that most of you know about already: Sharon and Matthew will be here for the BYU-Dixie game on Nov. 19.  I know a lot of you are already planning on going to the game, and I’m sure you’ll all have a great time.

So many people!  So much fun!  Love, Mom

 Dear Kids,

It’s Super Sunday today, but we’re not meeting at Donna’s house, like I wrote last week.  We’ll be at Hamlet Park, the same place we met last year after Dallin’s baptism.  When you’re coming into Midway from the direction of John’s office, it’s on your right as you swing into town.  The fun starts at 4pm, and most of you have food assignments from Donna herself.  She has some beef that Tom is going to smoke, so she wants the rest of the meal to come out right.  I’m sure it will all turn out great.  

And next weekend is conference, so we’ll meet here Saturday night at 5pm for our bread and soup dinner.  Bring whichever you like.  The 6pm conference session is for everybody, not just women or men.   We’ll have our TV tuned in for whoever wants to watch it, and the rest of the group can play outside.  It’s supposed to be nice weather.  Next Sunday night Dad and I won’t be home because we’ll be going to my mission reunion.  I didn’t think we would have them any more, but one of my former companions is getting us together again.

Book club is October 16, and we’ll be talking about Toys Go Out.  It’s short and crazy, and everybody should enjoy it.

On my sisters’ twitter thread, Nancy posted a picture of Claire Hughes, Whitney’s daughter, and Caleb Anson, Amy’s son, eating lunch together in the Brazil MTC.  They happened to meet up after Caleb heard Claire talking about her grandfather, Charley Allen, who lives in Bountiful.  What a small world!  That reminded me that another of Charley’s granddaughters, Emmie, is in Adelaide’s mission.  Dad was wondering what the chances are that anybody would meet up with a second cousin in their mission, and I said that if you’re part of the extended Allen family, it’s probably 100%.  I’m sure Grandma and Grandpa Allen are proud of their “Army of Helaman.”

We’ve had such wonderful fall weather this week that Dad and I did two hikes on the Rocky Top trail.  The trailhead is just 5 minutes from our front porch, so it’s quite a temptation.  If we ever make it all the way to the top, (4 miles, one way) we should be able to look down on our house, and all the rest of Kamas Valley.  I’m planning to make it sooner or later.  Who cares that we’re both 75.  

Love to everybody, Mom

 Dear Kids,

The family reunion yesterday in Lindon was a blast.  I was glad so many of you could make it, and I wish everybody could have been there.  Bonnie and Barbara did a great job planning it.  We all liked that park (I especially liked the little zip line) and we’re probably going to try to do it there again.

The next family event, even before conference, is Super Sunday, next week (the 25th) at Donna’s house.  The fun will start at 4 pm.  Bring whatever you like  We always have a great selection of food!

And then conference is the week after that.  Saturday night, October 1, we’ll have our traditional bread and soup dinner here at our house, at 5 pm.  The Saturday night conference session is for everybody this year, and it starts at 6.  I hope we can tune it in OK.  Last year Bevan took the little boys, and a football, to the park up the street during the session.  I’m not saying anybody has to do that this year, but it sure made for a calm conference experience.

We’re pushing book club back again next month, because Donna and Bevan will be coming home from the Grand Canyon on the second Sunday.  So we’ll meet here the third Sunday, October 16, to talk about “Toys Go Out.”  What a crazy book!  It’s short and funny, and I think you’ll all like it.  I have an extra copy, if anybody wants to borrow it.

I’m enjoying my 2-month break from chemo.  My last scan showed that my main tumor had scrunched up a little bit.  It looked like the diagram for an amoeba.  It isn’t interfering with my breathing right now, so my life is good. I’m still going to the wound clinic once a week, and my incision is closing up, a little at a time.  It doesn’t hurt much any more.  Thanks so much for your prayers on my behalf.

Last Saturday Dad and I hiked a little more than a mile on the Shingle Springs trail, up on the Mirror Lake Highway, and I loved being out in the open.  If any of you want us to go on any hikes with you (short, not the Grand Canyon) we’re game.  Isn’t this fall weather exhilarating!

Lots of love, Mom

 Dear Kids,

Wednesday afternoon it was 90 and we were sweating up a storm.  (We feel really put-on here if it gets up to 90.)  Saturday morning it was 37 and I had to turn on the furnace. It’s just as cold this morning.   Looks like summer left with a bang.

So tonight is book club, and we’ll be talking about Mr. Popper’s Penguins.  What a book!  I read it twice and I loved it both times.  We’ll have refreshments, of course.  Last Sunday night somebody left some chocolate chip cookie dough here, so I’ll be baking that up.  There are always other goodies, too.  I’m putting off the S’mores for another time.

The Allen family reunion is this coming Saturday, and here’s the message Barbara sent out: “The Allen reunion is Saturday, Sept. 17 from 10-2.  The address is 200 North State Street in Lindon.  Just look for the red, white, and blue balloons.  There will be a fish pond for ages 1-10 and tons of other prizes for some “number/birthday” games.  There will be lawn games such as Corn Hole and others.  Don’t forget to bring your food and feel free to make a dessert to share.  I think Grandma and Grandpa Allen will be so happy and proud of us.”  

And October conference is just 3 weeks away!  Dad and I will be hosting our usual bread and soup dinner on Saturday night, Oct. 1.  We’ll start at 5 pm.  More details later.

We had a lot of fun with McGettigans on Labor Day.  We met them that morning at the entrance to Rock Cliff, and we hiked up the trail that starts at the free parking lot.  It’s called Rocky Top.  It’s a great trail because it slopes up so gradually, but you get a really good view eventually.  There’s no shade, though.  Still, I was glad to find where it was, and Dad and I will be hiking there again.   Monday afternoon we went to the rodeo–“barebacks, broncs, and bulls.”  It was great fun, but terribly hot, even under an easy-up.  But we made it through.  Nothing makes you feel “small town” like your local rodeo.

Love to everybody, Mom

 Dear Kids,

When I wrote my letter last week, I mentioned that three out of our four college freshmen were moving into their new quarters.  Whoops–I was wrong.  It was four out of five.  I forgot about Del.  She moved into her apartment at Weber state, with three roommates.  They have a kitchen, so they were getting everything they needed to live well.  Allen and Jenny were helping out.  When Sarah gets started in another week and a half, we’ll have five college students in the family–all of them freshmen!  I’m excited for all of them.

Paul’s and Donna’s families spent last night at the cabin, and they’re all coming to our ward this morning.  It will be nice to have them here.  Donna and Bevan were in this ward years ago, up until Anna was born.  I’m guessing at least somebody will still remember them.

Tomorrow McGettigans are coming for Labor Day and the rodeo.  I hope it won’t be too hot for all of us to have fun.  We’re going to the bird refuge at Rock Cliff early in the morning, so Jana can take pictures and we can hike around.  Then, the rodeo starts at 2 in the afternoon– “Barebacks, Broncs, and Bulls.”  Are we rednecks or what?  I’m sure it will be plenty exciting, but I feel it for every cowboy who hits the ground hard. 

Next Sunday is book club again–already.  We got bumped back last month, so it has come around fast.  Not to worry–you can read Mr. Popper’s Penguins really fast, if you haven’t read it already.  Dad and I watched the movie a few days ago, and it’s nothing like the book.  The only similarity is the penguins.  

And the Allen family reunion is less than two weeks away.  It’s Saturday, September 17, at a park in Lindon.  The address is 200 North State.  We’re meeting from 10 am until 2 pm, and I’m sure it will be lots of fun.  At least the weather will be cooler by then.  You’re supposed to bring your own lunches, and probably drinks, too.  It’s always nice to visit with cousins, and you never know who’s going to show up.  Be there or be square!  

I hope you’re all doin’ great and lovin’ it!  Mom