1991 Roberta's Letter -July 26

7-26-91
Written to Denali (Mt. McKinley)

Dear Folks, 

Hi!  How are the Alaska Travellers?  We will be anxious to hear the details -- are you sorry not to have driven a BIG R.V. all the way there? (HA, HA -- as "Mares" or Aunt Mary would say!)

The Uibles are doing their best to help At&T.  I had a phone call from Mary V. & John this week & also I finally reached Serena at her new #.  Hard to believe all the Uibles listed in Cincy when I called info.  John sure sounded excited about upcoming event.  Mary Va. has put herself in charge of collecting for J&J gift -- no cost of living raise for the amount we are giving.

We now have new carpet in 3 of our houses -- it's been a MAJOR disruption of our lives!  All houses but ours & the one we re-did about 5 years ago will get it done.

MOZART is doing great -- Tho his Mom did not train him when & where to use the finer things in life -- i.e. the litter box.  Big cousin Beethoven is not all that helpful so Sid & I have been busy on the clean-up / training detail.  I will (of course) enclose a photo.  Sorry -- but I did send the best to Grandma.  I've called & only get great reports -- she is continuing to enjoy going outside, etc.

I give the nursing home details of Mozart & Beethoven to tell her.  Even the details of his using the couch.

Sid leaves Monday -- Cynthia has had a fantastic (now I sound like C.W. Horton) mission in Jamaica.

Hope you all have had a safe & fun trip.  Know the Bernards were good travelling buddies.  They sure went 1st class in AZ -- Camelback Inn (but at summer rates!)

Love, Roberta, et.al.

1990 Roberta's Postcard to GHU -June 28

[postmarked June 28, 1990]

Hi Grandma!

It's so HOT here we brought in the outdoor cats so they would be ok.  Baby Beethoven doesn't much care for them!  We are having a hat parade at Sr. Village tomorrow -- I still need to make mine!

Hope your cat & dog are getting along fine!

Love, Roberta, Sid & Baby Beethoven

1989 Family Letter -Nov.17

Friday afternoon –

November 17, 1989

Dearest Family: 

It has really turned cold in the last two days – after such a beautiful day last Monday in the high 70's in Chicago and then snow all over the car last night – it has almost all gone today but the cold weather is with us.

We did enjoy our stay in Chicago except for one thing.  We did meet Serena and had a nice 2 1/2 days with her.  She also got to see some of her friends visiting Roosevelt University where she had formerly worked.  We had lunch with Ruth Benton at the nearby Art Museum in their nice dining room.

Monday evening we went to Oakbrook where we met Tom and Leslie Dailey and their daughter 2 1/2 year old Laura Elizabeth and had dinner.  They live in Glen Ellyn.  Tom has gone into a consulting business with two other young men and has an office in downtown Chicago.  Laura Elizabeth is a real sweet round-faced blonde; she looks like the Dailey children when they were little.  It was nice getting to see them for it had been at least three years.

Hope that John's reunion went well last weekend.  At least the weather we had was nice.  Did you make good connecting picking up the people in Cleveland, etc.?  Saw in Mondays WSJ about Park National.

We are planning on going to Lexington Thursday and for overnight as Mary Virginia is housesitting for her voice teacher and only has Thursday off.  We are sorry that John is unable to join us as well as Serena but hope they have someplace to celebrate Thanksgiving.  Grandma is going with us though she wasn't too gung ho at first.  I think I told some of you that the John Hughes are celebrating their 50th anniversary next Friday (Nov. 24) at the Senior Citizens in New Vienna.  Actually their anniversary was something like Nov. 4 but all the family is able to get together now.  Don't know whether we will get back in time for that so hope to have a card for them.

Really surprised to hear about the Kings and their new cat – that is news.  Their friend (?) Keating makes the news virtually every day.

That one thing in Chicago that did not go well was the car, for ended up getting a new transmission in the car (the '88 Pontiac) which was an experience in itself.  With Serena there we did have a back up car and public transportation is excellent.  We enjoyed going to the food show (Lots of samples, ice cream, etc. etc.) plus the art museum.  A few days in Chicago makes one appreciate the "uncongested" life in NV.

[Love, etc.]

From John's copy of the letter:
Thought about your Canadian trip & anxious to hear how it went.  M.V. has gone to Georgia & Alabama this weekend & hope her interview in Douglas for a minister of music went well.

She & Don -- have been dating & he is coming for Thanksgiving in Lex. plus to Clinton Co. when she sings at Port William on Nov. 26 -- Any chance of your joining us?  Don is the handicapped young man that came for Thanksgiving last year.

Roberta & Sid have taken in a cat that needed much attention & they've named him Ludwig Von Beethoven & though R says Sid is partial to cats -- it sounds like she has a real fondness but its hard to tell when Roberta is kidding.

Hope you can manage your schedule to join us Nov. 25th or 26th if possible.

With much love,

Dad & Mother

1989 Roberta's Letter -Nov.12

11/12/89

Dear Folks,

We are watching the movie "Small Sacrifices" on T.V. -- did you watch any of it -- of course I'm sure you all didn't go to Chicago to watch T.V.!  (HA!)  We missed the 1st half hour due to America's Most Wanted -- priorities -- you know!

I wish I had a picture of the newest addition - member of the Uible-King household!  Ludwig Beethoven -- a 6 month old kitten!  Ludwig has been an out door S.V. Kitten -- but then he had a very close encounter w/ a car -- so Sid took him to the Vet (after numerous phone calls I finally found a lady Vet to fix him up for a great discount!)

When Sid brought him back from the Dr's he had lots of stitches & needed to stay inside -- so to make a long story short he quickly became a household cat!  Sid went out yesterday & got him a cat litter box -- of course Ludwig is so SMART -- he's already using it!  Wait till you meet Ludwig!

We (minus Miss Wendy!) did fine up/down Camelback Mountain!  The trail was quite busy -- more so down closer to the trailhead!  We made it up & down (w/ a nice rest on top!)  in less than 3 hours!  Uneventful -- thank goodness -- for all -- as compared to time we did it with you all!

So -- how was Chicago?  And Serena -- I'm sure she was glad to be back in the city!  What all did you do exciting?

Wendy & I are doing the New Times walk this next Sunday -- suppose to be over 10,000 people!  Parking will be a BIG challenge!  Then in the Aftn Sid & I will go to a 50th Anv Party in Mesa -- for a couple that were at our wedding -- that we know from Mesa Senior Center Days.

This last week we got a phone call from a family about donating his mom's belongings to Sr. Village.  The Mom -- age 74 had just died - she had been diagnosed as having cancer - then died of a heat attack w/in days.  Actually I'm wondering if she was a Hemlock Society member - tho of course I never mentioned this to the son or family!  S.V. is able to use lots of her things - but our living room is also FULL!  We had just made plans for the garage sale - so great timing!  With all the bargain shoppers heading to & from Metro Shopping Center the Friday after Thanksgiving - should be a great day for us!

We had 8 Residents go to St. Mary's - the HUGE (800 seats) Catholic Church - I'll enclose the bulletin - the lefthand column under ALIVE has some good reading!  Quite funny to watch the residents read the 1 liners - & then slowly get some of them!

It's after 11 PM - time to get ready to get some sleep before midnight!  Sid is giving Ludwig his goodnight - he (SID) has always had cats --

I'll be anxious to hear about your CHICAGO trip - & how did the meeting go last week Mom?  Perhaps I'll try to get a tape of today's sermon - I know Cynthia would like to hear it!

Love,

Roberta

1993 Roberta's letter - April 11

We've recently read about Roberta in 1973 living in Florida, in 1983 relaxing by the pool when she wasn't busy running Senior Village. In 1993 she writes a letter to Grandma.  Twenty years had brought a greater acceptance of cats.  Transcription follows.

4/11/93

Hi Grandma!

Happy EASTER!  We have had a great day – went to 11:00 Church – so many people there – could hardly find a parking space!  The choir had better music than ever!

Then we came home & had a quick lunch of leftovers before I went out hiking with Catherine & Wendy.  We hiked over 4 miles – then stopped on the way home for ice cream!  My diet starts next month!

Tonight we ate our Easter supper.  Sid cooked up a HAM, Sweet potato, green beans, salad & for dessert – pineapple upside-down-cake.

The weather today was 88º!

I'm looking forward to coming to OHIO – even tho I know the weather won't be so warm!  I hope I won't need to borrow your winter coat!

I'll be in to see you FRIDAY early evening – so hope you get a good nap during the day!  WANT me to bring the CATS?  The big cat just jumped up on the table!

GRANDMA – I look forward to seeing you this FRIDAY – it reminds me of when we used to always look forward to your arrival from Florida every year in OHIO around Easter time!

I wish Sid could come too to Ohio – but instead he will work for me so I can come to OHIO.

Much Love, Roberta

1992 Roberta's Letter to GHU - Oct. 12

Roberta, I love your letters to Grandma.  Will you write to me when I'm 100-years-old?  Apologies for not making all the words in CAPS that are capitalized in the original.  That would slow down the typing.  Transcription follows.

 

10/12/92

Dear Grandma,

How are you doing? I called Aunt Mary today & talked with her on the phone! Wish you could hear better – I'd be happy to call you & talk on the phone! I never worry about my phone bill!

I'm glad that Uncle Bill & Aunt Mary got to go see Cris & Angela & their 2 children in Indiana!  Aunt Mary told me that Cris does a lot of the cooking & that he uses a pressure cooker a lot.  I remember how you used to use one a lot for vegetables.  I don't think my Mom uses it much  – but I think Aunt Mary does – when she cooks – HA!

Actually I'm the one that doesn't cook much – with Sid being a good cook & we like to eat out.  I've got to start my diet soon!  Maybe after I get back from Ohio – I'll be seeing you in about 1 month.

Mozart – the younger cat got out of the house – he is impossible to chase – so much faster than I am! – he came back – guess he got hungry!

How is Sadie?  I'm so thankful you have her to help you.  Please remember if you & Sadie every want a vacation – come to Arizona to our house.  Maybe you two would like to come after Christmas.

The presidential election is less than 1 month away.  Do you think the Republicans will win?  I know how you like to vote – straight Republican – Right?  Remember that Buzz Lukens – the Republican who got into trouble with women & all in Washington DC?  He gave us Republicans a bad name!

We ate out today – had apple pie with ice cream for dessert – no way to lose weight – huh?  Have you had any good pie lately?

Gotta go – hope my writing isn't too hard to read – it's like Dad's isn't it?

Lots of love, Roberta

From Fat Cat and Skinny Cat

Not sure if this will work for long. . .

Double Decker Chair in Black and White

Fat Cat and Skinny Cat do reside on Ballad Drive. This is one of their favorite chairs in that residence. I decided to make photo black and white since the chair and the decoration behind Fat Cat were the only really colorful places in the photo.

Fat Cat and Skinny Cat

Fat Cat is photographed under the front lanai table. She loves being outside. I had an even better photograph of her last night sitting on one of the lanai chairs, but it was too dark to really see very much. Skinny Cat's photo is in the living room - the photo is compromised by the fact that that I had to lighten it so much due to not enough natural light. Skinny Cat does not like to go outside too often and when he does, he doesn't stay out very long. Perhaps I should learn to use the flash on the camera - assuming there is one.

I sent a copy of another of Fat Cat's photos to Pat to say "Hello" to Dinky.

Fat Cat and Skinny Cat

Photos from Roberta's camera

Ready to Go

Well, we're ready to go. Roberta has already had an exciting morning - one - or both - of the cats had diarrhea last night and since she was, for once the first one up, she got to clean it up. I guess I know what morning to "sleep in".

We are leaving in about 40 minutes (6:30) for Sharon's house who will drive me and then I will ride with Sharon and RUK and Sid will take her bike on the bike rack. At least RUK and I will have our cell phones to communicate who is where in comparison to the finish line/restaurant. Roberta has been talking about Protein Pancakes at the Egg-something Restaurant literally for weeks - the 15 mile bike ride is almost secondary.

Catherine - we have vegan muffins in the freezer. The don't keep very well - not enough fat - so I always put them in the freezer like the same morning they are baked. Costco muffins last much longer, but they have other disadvantages. I like to have those muffins on hand - either vegan or almost vegan. I rather like the sweet banana taste and they are healthier than about any other kind of bread. Anyway, I'll either bring some next time we get together - or I'll leave them here - like we always seem to do with the Sudoku puzzles, postcards, etc.

Well, gotta get going . . . I think I am going to have my oatmeal and Cheerios this morning before we go. RUK said that there will be plenty of food around there - but at least having eaten my cereal, the really bad stuff won't look so tempting.

We still have not heard anything from Sid's doctors about the brain scan. I told RUK that he probably would call while she was on the bike ride - right as she is mid-hill and she would have to pull over so that she could give him a sizable piece of her mind.

Well, only 30 more minutes before we leave . . . gotta mix up my Cheerios, milk and oatmeal. And maybe make coffee - I've already made Green Tea for Sid and will make regular tea for RUK.

It's Saturday in SCW!

But first a question, Serena have you been able to be on the computer while you are surrounded by all those pictures at Pam and Howard's? The cats here have been looking for you, and miss your TLC! The good news is that Sid appears to be having a good day thus far so we are soon off to Lake Pleasant, trying out the new-to-us 303 to get there. A big thanks Serena for being here yesterday when Sid was not doing well and I was at the Ritz using the best of my manners.

Another question then I have to go through the three papers that arrive every Saturday. Can one pay extra and get spell check on a blog?

Best of Saturdays to one and all..............this is Roberta the blogger

Meow

Since Roberta is missing her "children" . . .

Neither of the current living residents is as friendly as Beethoven, but then neither has gotten on the kitchen table to take a sip of my iced tea either, at least not while I was sitting there watching.


(Actually posted by serena, not Roberta.)

cat pictures

RUK requests pictures of her cats be posted on the blog because everyone surely wants to see them/concerned about their welfare. Her instructions are that the pictures are somewhere in the "guts" of her computer.
MV per RUK

MV says, if they're not there, don't sweat the small stuff.