Tuesday --

Jan. 27, 1981

Dearest Family --

We have been having beautiful weather -- it has melted all the old dirty snow and it looks like spring may come eventually -- although it is to get down in the 20's tonight.  Mary Virginia woke up feeling badly and was soon vomiting -- had a temperature of 102º so obviously didn't go to school today.  Mie Young went by herself for the first time and seemed to get along fine.  MV has slept all day and seems to be feeling a little better -- finally wanted some 7-up to drink and so far has kept it down.

It was good talking to you Catherine on Friday and Roberta last night following the letter we had just gotten from her.  We were sorry to hear of Marion's accident on the bike but do hope that she is beginning to feel much better and glad to hear that she is able to be back in school as of this week.  She did pick a good time to be home as far as the inauguration and freedom of the hostages is concerned.  I just finished watching the ceremony at the White House and it was all a very moving experience.  Looked up Neffs, Ohio that the man Charge'd'affairs at the American Embassy in Iran referred to and found it just due east of Barnesville between Bridgeport and Bellair -- a little town of 800 that he found worthy of mentioning.

To get back to Marion and Buffy -- do hope that they are almost completely well -- I never heard of valley fever -- in dog or human but it must be rather serious.  I'm sure Marion will be sore for some time with her cracked rib(s) not to mention the stitches but know Nurse Berta will have everything under control.

We have been planning on going to Newark this Saturday to see John and Carol but it all depends now on how quickly Mary Virginia recovers.  But hopefully we will be able to go ahead with our plans.

I know this will be getting there too late to wish you both (Carol and Catherine) a very happy birthday but hopefully the cards got there in good time.  And then Uncle Bill's day is also coming up soon -- maybe some day we can celebrate them all together.

Sorry that the Everett Penns weren't able to make it down to Lake Worth for know that they were looking forward to seeing all of you and getting some good golf in too.  Imagine it is not the best winter that Tafares [Terrells?] has had as they are so much further north.  I haven't seen Mildred to ask her how her family is now for none of them ever come to church.  

Carol Wise is home from the hospital (had an abscessed lymph gland) but I haven't seen her for ten days.  Took some things over to them but they weren't home and I haven't been able to reach them by phone.

Serena, we will be in Chicago on March 19th (hopefully for supper) which will give the Morgans a night rest before leaving the next evening around 6 P.M. for the west ward trek.  We plan to stay thru till Sunday.  Have you had anymore news on the summer bike trips?

Sunday evening we went to Wilmington College International program night -- a student from Austria showed pictures of her country and they also had a native dance and native refreshments.  Mie Young's Uncle is the Ambassador to Austria, so she had a special interest.  Saturday night we had supper at the hospital then visited people there and also Mrs. Matthews at Extended Care.  Thelma Holmes* was in SS and Church Sunday -- said it was hard to move her membership after 67 years at NV, but we all realize the reality that with her Dad's passing she will be making fewer trips here.  She did bring (rather ordered) two floral displays, complete with the yellow motif for the hostages celebration.  Thelma and her Dad are both "one in a million".

[Love, etc.]

*Bill Holmes, most famous men's clothing salesman in New Vienna, was born 1 Oct 1883, died 25 Oct 1980.  His daughter Thelma, who was most famous (at least by younger generations) for her liberal use of bright lipstick, visited New Vienna frequently from Columbus.