Monday, June 25, 2018

1978 Family Letter -June 20

Tuesday –
June 20, 1978

Dearest Family –

The week goes so fast and I never seem to get half accomplished that I would like each day and I wake during the night thinking of what I didn't do but . . .  this morning I awoke suddenly and for some reason I realized that June was two-thirds over though at first I couldn't even remember what day it actually is – but the worst thought was that June 11 had come and gone and I had never acknowledged your anniversary, Catherine and Gerry.  The worst part is that I already had a card on hand – no excuses – and what makes it worse – I have talked to you on the phone and it never once entered my mind that the day came and went z- thanks for being so patient but a little prodding of the memory would have relieved my mind much sooner.  Anyway it seems late now to send the card but our best wishes are with you both and hope you know what a wonderful couple we think you are and wish you only the best happiness now and always.  Please excuse me this time and don't hesitate to throw a reminder for my mind leaves much to be desired in the way of keeping it all together.

The pictures and letter came yesterday that you wrote Friday, Catherine and I agree that the one of Wendy and Gerry is especially adorable but what better subjects could you ask for?  Grandma also shared the ones you had sent her and they are all cute – also glad to get to see the outfit that you had made for Wendy.  I do wish that in your travels you could get back to Ohio but also face the reality of the expense of such a trip.  Much luck in finding a job wherever – we will be anxious to hear.  In the meantime enjoy your unplanned vacation trip – or perhaps it was planned?  You really took us by surprise with your news.  The letter that same day mentioned Wendy's upcoming tooth likely but nothing about Gerry's changing jobs.  Look forward to talking to you on the phone Wednesday evening if at all possible.

Roberta's call was really a shock but glad to hear that she was able to get two month's leave of absence at Mesa Central and hope something develops this fall if she wants a change then.  She is scheduled to arrive tomorrow evening on her way to Hudson Guild for the summer (Knew they couldn't survive without her).  Really think she might get in today as she doesn't linger once she gets behind the wheel.  Have wondered if she had any difficulty driving through the stormy areas.

I realize that this letter has been long on excuses for the Morgans but we do appreciate hearing by mail, telephone, etc. and glad to get a letter from John in the midst of his busy schedule.  It was nice of Mrs. Weiss to fix those big lunches that carried you clear through dinner not to mention putting you up for those couple of weeks – pool, tennis courts and all.  How long do your courses last and what did you take in place of music?  Be sure you get plenty of sleep and not try to burn the candle at both ends working at the farm and going to both colleges.  I'm sure you are glad to have Roberta there and I imagine that she will find more than the canteen to keep her busy.  Rob was overjoyed to hear that Roberta was coming too.

Saturday after we had resigned ourselves to the fact that the Hortons would not be getting to New Vienna – the call came that not only were they coming but also Marianne and her two boys as well.  Grandma has everything under control and looking forward to having them here to celebrate her 86th birthday.  Hope that we can keep Roberta over long enough to see them.  They plan to arrive Thursday and leave Monday according  to their call.

Dad is also planning on going to New York City for a couple of days and thought that he might ride over with Roberta but he can't leave so early plus the fact that he wants to be here for most of Hortons' stay.  Think that he is scheduled to go Sunday afternoon or Monday now by plane.

Mary Virginia enjoyed Bible School and her group sang for the closing program and also at the Sunday morning worship service – she had a solo both times and though the song was quite high her voice sounded real GOOD.

Mrs. Harner's death came as no great surprise and yet so sorry about it for she has suffered so much and had looked forward to being so much better following this operation but she never regained consciousness.  She passed away Sunday and is to be buried tomorrow – the funeral is at Fairview Meeting House.  The Mothers Club is going as a group.

Joanne Rankin, the one who has been helping Grandma was involved in an accident backing out of her driveway last Monday a week ago and was to get home yesterday.  She really banged up her shoulder and was having problems there.  Perhaps they were concerned too for she was expecting a baby next January and has lost several – one last winter.  I really would have been upset if I had been the Wises for they loaned the Rankins their car in March til they could afford to get a new one and it was their car which Joanne was driving (three months later).  They are very good friends but that is really stretching friendship.

We ran into difficulties painting the back hallway – for some reason the paint wants to blister and nothing we have done thus far has been any solution to the problem.  Dayes have called their paint company (Perry & Derrick) but they have never had such a thing happen except when someone painted a room when the weather was cool – the house was 60º at one height and 70º toward the ceiling.  That certainly wasn't our case but it only blisters up to about 4.5 feet.  Dad called Cincinnati Varnish and they are sending up something which we hope will work.  In the meantime we have been torn up for ten days and still no end in sight.

Leon Salisbury is to bring us back a quarter of beef today and am afraid to hear the price of it – not the best time to buy but we are very low and have been wanting some steaks, etc. for weeks.  Hope its good and we can enjoy while Roberta and the Hortons are here – not to mention later on when hopefully some of the rest of the family will be here???

Sorry to find that I have repeated myself about some things – but thought it had been nine days since I had written – before Joanne's accident.  Just found one of the carbons of the last edition's second page.

Dad has been picking cherries at Grandma's and she has sent up some cooked ones to us.  I enjoy them with the home-made yogurt (since I have been adding sweetener to what I make).  I wasn't anxious to freeze any as I have plenty from last year – some even marked with date that the Morgans were here two years ago!! and that didn't even remind me of your anniversary!!

We went out and got eggs at Wallens last Sunday evening – they didn't say when they could get them in and both Grandma and us were getting low.  It was pouring rain – storm warnings out – Mrs. Wallen wanted Dad to stay and talk but he had the excuse that I was waiting in the car.

Stan Fawley, Jr. was ordained last Wednesday at Lakeside or did I tell you that, too?  He had to have a year's experience as a minister before he was made an elder so having served a year at Zanesville completed that.  They have just bought a new home there so will be getting more settled.  Guess the church bought it rather as they had not had their house furnished before.  The Nussbaums and probably some of the other relatives accompanied the Fawleys, Sr. up there last week.

Serena, I had been wondering about your raincoat as you had never mentioned it – wonder why it was so long in coming.  The cancelled check came back a long time ago.  We have wondered if you are finding much time to work for ?? Ross or what ever the name of the group is.  Does your schedule permit you to have enough free time to work anything like that in?  Hope you are also able to get in some swimming too – the campus does have a pool or perhaps you could go to some place to an outdoor pool.  You are such an excellent swimmer – I sure wish I had that ability!!  I did learn some things at Wilmington College's Hermann Court lessons.  They really stressed learning drown-proofing.

Hi, everyone, your Mother has done a great job in writing.  Polly Gibson's house up the street is for sale at $49,500, think they paid around $17,000 for it, though they have made some improvements.  Such is life.  The doctor's office is also for sale.

[Love, etc.]


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