8 July 2018

 Hello, all my people!

   . . . "It's as hot as July!" A lot of truth in that statement. And I know we'll miss it in a few months. I hope you are all enjoying the heat, or staying out of it . . . whichever you like most. I weeded the garden last evening, after there was some shade on that side of the house. I had tried it earlier in the day, but it was just too hot. 

   We had Sam, Natalie, and the kiddos here for one night and enjoyed it so much! I'll include a couple of pictures of our pancake breakfast out by the camper and playing with toys and games inside. Sam went for my morning walk with me on Saturday. We saw Tyler, down at the Merc; he was waiting to do some work with Jeremy, who was just getting out of bed. Then as we went around the mile, we saw Laurel and Jubal on their bikes and later saw Karey Hanks biking too. 

   I think the big road trips are almost over. I just texted with Ben and they'll be home in about an hour. So many wonderful memories were made on these trips. It made me so happy to see pictures of you all together. Ben, Lynsey, and Joseph at Mobley's, and Sam's, Heidi's, and Dixie's families with Dad for Independence Day. Then all of you together for Meli's baptism! The pictures I've seen have been great to see. What a blessing it is to have such ease of communication. Years ago, I might have received a letter telling me about it all, several weeks after the fact. Thank you all for making the effort to be together.

   Work this week was at least as hard as I had thought it would be, but it's over! This coming week will still be busy, but not nearly as bad. I'll only be doing 2 jobs instead of 4. Things are looking up! 

   This coming Friday, Gran and I (and maybe Jim) will be going to Boise/Meridian for a memorial service on Saturday, for an old family friend of ours. Linda Conn Malone, her sisters and parents were my families best friends when we lived in Twin Falls in the mid 1960's. Thank you to the Weaver's and the Hessing's for opening your homes to us so often. 

   Saturday, Dad and I went to a barbecue picnic for Shannon Rydalch, behind the Sheriff's office, in the shade of the Court House trees. Shannon is retiring as a dispatcher. She had worked her last 14 years at Fremont and 26 years in other places before that. She has been a dispatcher longer than anyone in Idaho history. It was really nice, perfect weather, great food (Dad used his new grill), and a good turn out. Her only regret she said was not coming to Fremont sooner. She said Dad was the best Sheriff she had ever worked for. 

   Today I visited Parker 1st Ward. It's always fun to see people I don't often see. Brother and Sister Frisby, Emmi Bloom, Ina Kay Bolland (Jerry's grandmother), Katie (Orgill) Dixon, Valerie (Tidwell) Fife, Regena Miller, quite a few Stoddard's, lots of Forbush's . . . many people you kids probably remember.  Of course not all will remember the same ones. 

   Dad just left for a Stake Priesthood meeting. I'm going to stay cool here at home!  

  Naomi, I sent you an email last week; I don't know how often you check your email.   

   Love to each one of you. I think you're just wonderful and I'm proud of each one. 

    Mom, Johanna, Nana