The Music Man

January 10, 1967

Dear Linda,

How do you like the picture? I think it's ok, but my smile is snooty and stuck-up and my eyes are skinny. I really miss you guys and time is going so slow! We haven't forgotten your birthday!

How come you never write me? Too much school work?? Same here. Believe it or not, the weather here is very hot and we get to swim in PE. Well, got to go do my homework now! Bye, love, Harriet

PS. How did you like the candy I gave you for the ride home?

January 23, 1967

Dear Mother,

It was good to hear your voice again. You sound well. I do hope you can remain that way. There has been and is so much sickness in our ward here (colds, flu and croup and other afflictions). We are all well now here, but I am worried about Marian. She never gets enough rest and now we are afraid she has mononucleosis. If this is the case, I don't know how she is going to finish her 1st year of college this year! We are just waiting to hear of the doctor's report on her from BYU.

Perry's sister (oldest sister Genevieve) who lived near Provo passed away last Sunday evening, January 15th. Perry went by bus up to the funeral Wednesday and came right back home by Friday afternoon. He said it was a wonderful (typical reunion-type) funeral. Everyone was there, even old friends of his. Even Dick was there. Genevieve and her family were so highly thought of and loved by all. Such high tributes were paid her, Perry says. She has such wonderful children--all such faithful, loyal LDS. All married except Don, the youngest boy (you've met him) who lives at home there now. Guess he'll stay there with his dad.

Perry got to visit with Dick for a short time only after the funeral. He says Ricky came home with a frail girl (she has ulcers) and was married there in Dick's home (like Carol) by the bishop. He doesn't know where Ricky will settle down to live or go to work. They were married a few days after Christmas. This is why we didn't get a greeting or card from Dick and Betty. They were so busy making the wedding plans, etc. Poor kids. I hope they can make a go of it! I must write Dick and Betty.

Perry had a big important meeting with the editors of this book company he is writing for. They want him to write another book. Said they would send him his check this week. He met nearly all day yesterday with them. I hope they mail us the check this week. We need the money badly to keep Linda and Marian in school at BYU. Linda's boyfriend (the bishop's boy) will be home from his mission in March and wants to attend school at BYU too. Linda talks like they will want to get married sometime this year. I just wish they would wait until they've graduated.

Don't know if I told you, Dale has been chosen this year to take the leading role in the musical play, The Music Man. He loves to sing and was so thrilled to get the part. Of course we are very proud of him. He is working very hard to be good in it. It will be put on sometime in March. Hope you can plan to come then and see the production. Pierce and Mona will come too I think. I think this is about the only thing that is keeping Dale in school now. He is so anxious to be graduated and out on his own and away from home. My, they are all growing up and all leaving me, but I can't stop them!

Aunt Minnie wrote me again. I must answer her too. She worries about you. Her health isn't good and poor Uncle Arthur is so frail but just keeps working anyway. But I love her and wish I could see her again too.

I am very busy in my Relief Society job but find it very interesting and rewarding though lots of work. I must get busy now and plan some programs for the Relief Society nursery. (We have two of them.)

We were thankful for the rain. More later. Love, Gene

PS. Thank you, Mother, for your offer of the loan being a gift to us, but Perry and I still plan to pay you back that $200. We couldn't think of it any other way.

March 4, 1967

Dear Mother,

Last night was the first performance of the musical play, The Music Man, at the high school here. So we all went to see it. Dale plays the lead and is very good in the part. Jan has a small part in it too. Mother, can you come out next weekend and see it. They will perform again on the 10th and 11th.

We are also having our Relief Society birthday party next Friday night. Why don't you plan to come and spend an interesting weekend with us? Did you have a good time with Flossie? How is she? I just got another short letter from Aunt Minnie. She mentions hearing from Flossie. I really don't think she is very well herself, poor thing.

We hear from Linda and Marian each week. They are studying hard and enjoying BYU very much. Linda has a part-time job typing for the English department. She works 3 hours a day. Her missionary boyfriend is coming home sometime this month. Marian is getting stronger each day she says although she had to drop an art class this semester.

Perry is doing another textbook for the American Book Company. I hope he can finish it soon. Got a short letter from Carol Fast Nelson too. Think she is planning to come down soon for a visit with us all. Have wanted to come in again and visit with you, but we keep so awfully busy here. Hope you are well. Please write and let us know if you can come. Love, Gene

Thanksgiving, 1966

Harriet with one of her many cats

October 1, 1966

Dear Harriet,

I was very glad to get a letter from you even though I did have to wait until you got sick. By the way, I hope you're all better now. I hate to admit it, but I don't even remember what Keaton and Maverick look like, so I'll just have to take your word for it that they're just as cute as ever. I guess cats aren't a very important aspect of my life; although, I do wish I could have seen Mohawk's cats. How many did she have anyway, and what color were they?

Thank you very much for the donation. My roommate thought it was so sweet, we both started crying. I guess you must have reminded her of her younger sister at home. I used it to go see a movie with my roommates. We saw The Group and thought it was really good. Remember, I read the book.

Tell the rest of the family hi for me and I hope I hear from them all soon. Have fun in school but still work as hard as if you weren't. That's what I'm doing and one way or another it seems to be working. I went to our football game last night. It was against Colorado State, and they've beat us twice in the past. Anyway, we beat them this time 27 to 24 and was it ever exciting! I got a nervous stomach at the end because everything was so tense, and I was too sick to go to the after-game dance. What a pain!

My roommate and I are cooking the meals this week. We figured out meals for the whole week and then did the shopping. It was fun but kind of hard--so many crucial decisions and that sort of thing, you know. If you don't hear from me in the next week or so, you'll know I died of food poisoning.

Say hi to your friends back home for me. I love you too, big kid. See you soon. Love, Linda

October 20, 1966

Dear Mother,

Am so busy. Can hardly find time to sit down and write. Aunt Minnie sent me an airmail card last week. Wanted me to write her immediately and tell her how you were. She misses hearing from you. So I sat down and wrote her a quick letter. Told her about Dick's visit and gave her your latest address. So you will probably be hearing from her too. Do hope you are feeling better now. Dick said he had a wonderful visit with you.

Perry and I are so busy. He has five more stories to write for this New York Book company, and I am typing them for him as fast as I can. Our Relief Society opening social was a big success. We got a big crowd of ladies out and served a big luncheon too. My but I'm glad it's over. It was an awful lot of work.

Now that I am on the Relief Society board, I have more meetings to attend and a lot of planning to do for each Relief Society day. Wow! Tomorrow we're attending a seminar for women in the West Covina Stake Center.

We are all fine here. Linda and Marian are enjoying BYU very much which makes us so happy. Must get a wedding gift for Carol. Hope I can come see you one of these days. Love, Gene

October 25, 1966

Dear Mom & Dad,

I'm sorry I haven't written sooner, but I'm having tests in every single one of my classes this week, and I'm going out of my mind. Mom, Renee and Harriet, thanks for the neat care package. The chocolate chip cookies were especially delicious, so were the Halloween cookies. The sweet rolls weren't bad either. I softened them up and ate them for breakfast. Marian called yesterday and told me we had some more goodies down at her dorm, but I haven't had time to go down and get them yet. I'm lucky if we see each other once a week. We try to spend all day Fridays together. I go to her classes and she goes to mine. Then we have lunch together.

Marian read me your letter, Dale, and we're both very proud of you. It sounds like you're a real swinging personality around good old CHS [Claremont High School]. That's great. You're even showing us up with your grades--way to hang in there!

Has Jan floated away in his helium-filled balloons yet? My roommate couldn't believe Jan was for real when I read her that part of his letter. I just about died of laughing. Mom, before Jan takes chemistry, will you please write a note to his teacher. It's only fair to worn the poor man!

I still like it here as much as ever before, but I sure do miss you all. Being away from home is making me grow up and be more mature though, so I guess that's good. Well that's all for now. Love, Linda

Perry carving the turkey

November 20, 1966

Dear Mother & Dad,

I wanted to get a letter to you before Thanksgiving. I surely do hope that you are well and that everything is otherwise well with you. Keep warm and keep yourselves safe from falls. What are you going to do for Thanksgiving? We wish we could fly up and see you. Linda and Marian are going to Hope's and Grant's. It is surely wonderful to know that we have such relatives who are so desirous to do nice things for us.

And it is wonderful to get such letters from our daughters who can say how much they appreciate their parents. I never imagined how much of a joy such letters could be. Now, Dad and Mother, if I have never adequately expressed it before, I want you to know how much I appreciate you. You are truly noble souls. And I surely appreciate the sacrifices you have given and made for your children. I only appreciate you more and more as I am called upon to make more and more sacrifices for my children. But because they are our children, and because we love them, they are sacrifices we give willingly. For several weeks this thought has been bothering me. I know how much I appreciate hearing appreciation from my children, and so I owe the same to you.

I believe I am just beginning to get an understanding of how the Lord feels when he says that all the things of the world are made for man's use and in no way do we offend him except when we fail to acknowledge His hand in all things. I believe this is something that only a loving parent--and a sometimes discouraged parent--can understand.

We surely appreciate what you did for Linda and Marian last summer and they appreciated it too. Marian wrote about how she enjoyed visiting you a few weeks ago. She said she just kept trying to figure out why your food tasted so good.

Thanks so much, Mother and Dad, for all that you have done for us. Thanks for being your selfless, loving selves. I love you and appreciate you more than I can adequately express. Happy Thanksgiving! Love, Perry

Dad at the beach with Harriet and Renee

November 21, 1966

Dear Mother,

Glad you are planning to be at Pierce's for Thanksgiving. Tell Pierce we'll stay home for dinner here but will come over for a visit to see all of you in the evening sometime. Our bishop and his family have invited us to spend a day with them at the beach next Friday after Thanksgiving.

Yes, I do keep pretty busy in my Relief Society work, but I am enjoying it. We just had a bake sale downtown Saturday morning. Now we are planning for a white-elephant sale and a ward dinner for December 2nd.

Perry and I are budgeting our finances very closely these days to keep Linda and Marian in school at BYU. They are both enjoying it there so very much, so we think it is all well worth the sacrificing. Perry has finished all of the stories for the textbook company. Now we are revising them all for the New York editors and publishers. We'll be so glad to get the money for these stories, but it will take time. Yes, I guess we won't be getting our inheritance money from Peoria, Illinois till sometime next year too. It all takes time, but my how I could use it!

We are all pretty well now. Jan had a cold several weeks ago that went into pneumonia and we really had to work fast to pull him out of that. Just received the wedding announcement from Carol Fast. Haven't sent her a gift yet but must get something. What are you giving her? Do you hear from Eric Fast? We should write him.

Must close. See you Thanksgiving Day out at Pierce's. Take care of yourself. Love, Gene

December 3, 1966

Dear Linda,

We are all counting off the days (like you) till the holidays when you will be home with us. We want to see you and have us all together again. Daddy is planning some fun activities and things for all of us to do too. My, there is so much to do!

Even Dale (who wants to leave home in the worst way) wants to see you girls for Christmas. He wants to have a good talk and visit with you, Linda. He told me this. I know you will be able to help him. He really respects you and looks up to you.

Take care of yourself and help Marian get well too, honey. More later. Love, Mom

Linda & Marian Go to College

Linda's first winter at BYU

August 27, 1966

Dear Mom, Dad, Dale, Jan, Renee & Harriet Lea

Greetings and salutations from the crossroads of the west. Everything is fine here. Yesterday Grandma and Grandpa took a nap after breakfast, a nap after lunch and then after they got up, they took another nap before dinner. And every time they took a nap, Marian and I would take one too. Just before we took the 3rd nap, Marian said she was starting to feel like a vegetable, but she went to sleep just the same.

This morning Grandpa gave a patriarchal blessing, so Marian and I walked down to Roosevelt School and walked around the playground and sat on the swings and talked about the "olden days." Then we went to the library across the street and looked at all the new fashion magizines. Then we went to a Mayfair market and bought 25 cents worth of candy bars. We gave Grandma a chocolate bar to share with Grandpa when he got up, and she reminded us of the candy bars Grandpa use to give us.

On the way home, we stopped and talked with Kathleen Caddy and her mother. Kathy is really cute. It was nice talking to her. She's a very casual person. Marian and I are getting along fine. I think it's sort of a case of sink or swim at this point if you see what I mean.

Dad and Mom, I hope everything is working out all right. I'm praying for you. Dale, you're the oldest now. We should have had some sort of ceremony and I could have kissed you on both cheeks and handed over my privileges--whatever they might be. Jan, I want you to concentrate on your eating habits. You're never going to grow up to be bigger than Dale if you don't start putting more food in your mouth then you drop on the floor. Renee, keep up the practice with the curlers, ect. You're turning into a beautiful girl. I'm counting on you to keep things picked up in that big bedroom so you can be proud to bring your friends in. Harriet, well does that "missing people corner" in your stomach feel any better now? I hope so. Keep up the good kitchen work and stuff like that.

I'm signing off now. I miss all of you, but I'm glad for this opportunity. Love, Linda

September 17, 1966

Dear Dale,

I received your undated letter today and was very glad to hear from you. You really had a lot of good news. I like very much the life of a college student so far because I haven't gone to any classes yet and life has been mostly social. I may change my mind after next week though.

I'm sure glad to hear about your job, and I hope you do well with it. You'll want to be able to keep up on your school work too--believe me you will! Right now I have to take an algebra class without credit just so I can get into the math class I will need for my major.

Now Dale's the oldest child at home

Remember how you always used to say you were going to have just a few kids and give them everything so they won't need to struggle like us? Well, last Sunday they passed out a rather appropriate poem that I saved just for you and I am enclosing it so you can write and tell me what you think.

Good Timber

by Douglas Malloch

The tree that never had to fight
For sun and sky and air and light,
But stood out in the open plain
And always got its share of rain,
Never became a forest king
But lived and died a scrubby thing.

The man who never had to toil
To gain and farm his patch of soil,
Who never had to win his share
Of sun and sky and light and air,
Never became a manly man
But lived and died as he began.

Good timber does not grow with ease:
The stronger wind, the stronger trees;
The further sky, the greater length;
The more the storm, the more the strength.
By sun and cold, by rain and snow,
In trees and men good timbers grow.

Where thickest lies the forest growth,
We find the patriarchs of both.
And they hold counsel with the stars
Whose broken branches show the scars
Of many winds and much of strife.
This is the common law of life.

I hope you have a good year and school, Dale, and I wish you all the luck in the world. I just asked the 8-ball if you were going to get an A in chemistry and it said, "Don't count on it." We'll hope that means you'll at least get a B-, ok? Write again when the spirit moves you. I enjoy hearing from you. Bye now. Love, Linda

September 19, 1966 (Monday)

Dear Mother,

I've just finished writing to Linda and Marian at BYU. School has started for them this week too. I really miss them but want them to have a good year up there.

Your card came Saturday. I'm so glad you're back at the Joyce Manor. I like that place. Do hope you'll stay. Please do get plenty of rest before you take on any more projects. I'm still typing stories for Perry. He writes in all his "at home" hours and is so pressured with it all. He mailed 5 more of his stories last week and is finishing up two more this week. He has about 10 or 12 more to go. Says he'll be glad when it's all finished. He wants to write another novel then and do it his own way!

Dale has a part-time job in an ice cream parlor near the school--works after school several hours. Wears a white uniform--he's pretty proud of himself. I am enjoying my new Relief Society job but have to ride with another lady now because Perry has to keep the car each day for his work. The kids enjoy being back in school again. We're all well. Love, Gene

Marian in front of her dorm at BYU

October 2, 1966

Dear Mother & Dad,

It was surely wonderful to be up there for a few days. Honestly it was a real thrill just to look at you. We appreciate your taking care of Linda and Marian. I surely hope they weren't a nuisance and a lot of expense. Were they able to help out?

It's quite a job keeping two girls in school. People question us as though we are foolhardy or as though we have a hidden income. But we only go on faith from day to day. I received another $500 check from American Book Company yesterday. It was barely in the nick of time too. We had payments due for the girls' rent plus numerous of our own bills here. This is the second time a check came from American Book like a "ram in the thicket."

I have been reading your Life Stories. They have brought many tears to my eyes. This writing business has surely been difficult. The pressure has been intense and I still have far to go. But I don't know what I would have done without it. Must close now. Much love. We appreciate all that you have done. Love, Perry

October 2, 1966

Dear Linda and Marian,

Since I haven't written you in such a long time, I will tell you what I have been doing. I sent in to New Jersey to get three 8-foot diameter balloons. Charles [Rhodes] and I are going to attach a barometer and a bunch of weather instruments to one of the balloons and fill it with helium. The balloon is made out of heavy black rubber. I've been reading about meteorology, ballooning, etc. Then we will fill all three balloons up with helium, and we will go up in the air. Charles is going to fix a gauge on the balloons to let out some helium so that we can control how far up or down we go. [I'm sure glad my brother, Jan, survived his adolescence.]

Now I will tell you about American Book. Dad got some more dough (500 dollars.) Oh yeah! Bob Borland is taking me to seminary and to school. Now I get to go to school and seminary with Cathy Borland. I will quit writing now because Dad is going to take us to Betsy Ross. Every time Dad gets his check, we will go to Betsey Ross. Oh yeah. Sincerely, truly with love, Jan

October 15, 1966

Dear Perry & family,

We received your letter, Perry, and I should have answered sooner, but you know how it is. We enjoyed having the girls here, and we were rather lonesome the next week when they were gone. They both wrote good letters. We have been "sorta" looking for them some weekend. I got their room all ready.

I was peeling and cutting some of our apples one day when Venna Bascom  came. She saw what I was doing and said, "Aunt Leona, don't peel one more of those wormy apples. I'll get you some good ones." And away she went and soon came back with two boxes of apples (two kinds) and so I have been canning, etc. They are so good to eat raw too, so very sweet and juicy. I want to send some to the girls and also some I have "put up" also some bottled tomatoes.

So you see how we have been showered with fruit and we hope to get some to the girls. I'll bet you folks miss them. Your dad said, "Linda and Marian get along so well. I haven't heard one cross word of any kind since they have been here." I am really anxious to have them come or for us to go down and see them. We'll have to find a way.

Marian and her goat

We had a real blizzard Thursday with blinding wet snow. It covered all my pretty chrysanthemums with wet snow and last night there was a cold frost, so I guess they are gone--such a short life.

I am glad you got your assignment far enough along that you could get your $500. We will rejoice with you when it is all finished. Marian said Dale had a part-time job. That is good, and I guess you are all busy. All Fall I kept thinking of "Zackary"and wished he was here to eat off our grass. [Marian's pet goat that she got at the farmers' market in downtown LA and left for our parents to deal with when she went away to college.]

Pa hasn't been too well--his legs don't move too easily, but he has been to the temple quite a lot of times and I have been once in September. Genevieve and Lorin came down last week. She feels better all the time, she says, but she still looks rather thin and pale. Her appetite is improving. June seems to be getting along with her job, and Kerry Dee is doing well. Hazel says David is doing well. Well, I will put this up for the mailman and hope all is well with all of you. As ever, Mother & Dad

Never enough money

Gene with her mother Leora

April 29, 1966 (Friday evening)

Dear Gene,

I've had several surprises in the last 24 hours or more. I'd gone to get my laundry done at laundromat near Venice Square where I used to live at the apartments on Manhattan Place. Walked over and back with my cart, quite a jaunt. When I returned, my neighbor told me I had a visitor, a cousin, whose name used to be Mary Payne--younger daughter of my mother's older sister who lived near Bloomington, Indiana. (We called her Aunt Fan. Her name was Frances Johnson, maiden name, but married name Payne.) Leola and I got to go to Bloomington in our girlhood days and visited Aunt Fan and Uncle Morton Payne and the cousins. They lived on a farm so were busy people. Anyway, I remember Mary as one of the younger ones.

Anyhow, she was in California. I don't know when she (or they) came to Los Angeles. She wrote a note saying, "Hi Leora, I'm visiting one of my husband's friends in Maywood here so thought I'd look you up. We're leaving for Indianapolis tomorrow. Sorry to have missed you." Signed: Your cousin, Mary Payne Graham. Their home address: 5711 Forest St., Hollywood, Florida. I'm really sorry I did miss her short visit just because I'd gone to the laundromat.

So I'll have to write her when I think she'll be home in Florida. She wrote that she'd be in Maywood last night. I forget where that suburb is around here. I believe Martha Dart was living there when we came to California and we went out one Sunday and ate dinner with them--Dad, you, Pierce and I. Your Aunt Rena was living with Martha. Anyway, I'm sorry I missed seeing my cousin Mary Payne Graham who lives in Florida. She should have dropped me a card since my phone is not listed. No one can find my name in directory. I feel that I should have it listed now. She might have told me more about some of her folks if all are living or not. I'm not sure if I have any death dates of her parents. I'm glad she left her home address in Florida. My sister Minnie might have given her my address if she went through Illinois. I'll have to write my sister and find out.

Oh, yes, got a letter from Rich today. I sent the letter on for Pierce to read, but I told him to send it back. Richard was asking me if I could send $200 to finance Eric's trip to Germany. He'll be leaving May 10th and needs the cash by that time. So I wrote Pierce immediately and sent Rich's letter. I'd loaned Pierce some money a year or more ago like I had done for you and Perry sometime back. So I asked Pierce if he could return the $200 so I could send that on to help Eric to start him out on his mission over in Germany. So it seems that I'm the one who finances our family's missionaries. I took care of new mothers and new babies while Pierce was on his mission. Now I'm called on again to help finance another one of our family's missionaries. I'm glad that I can sacrifice for one more missionary in our family. Lots of love to all, Mother [Leora]

May 4, 1966

Dear Mother,

I am so sorry you missed seeing your cousin, Mary Payne--in fact, I can't get it out of my mind and have grieved about it ever since reading your letter. How nice it would have been to renew your acquaintance with her (or friendship) and might have gotten some information for your genealogy. Do you think she will visit your brother in Oklahoma or Aunt Minnie in Illinois? I'm so glad she looked you up though.

Mother, Perry and I owe you $200 and now that I'm working, I'm sure we'll be able to pay it all back to you by the end of this year. We also owe our dentist $600 which we want to clear off this year too. I can't look that man straight in the face anymore because we've owed it to him for so long--dear me!

I hope I can keep this job--I mean have it again next year. It would surely help us get out of debt. Perry hasn't heard yet from that book editor who interviewed him. He will soon though. In the meantime, he is revising his book for the Harper & Row publishers.

Anyway, I am so glad you could help Dick send Eric on his mission. It is the greatest thing that can have happened to Eric. He has so much potential. I know this will help to make a great man out of him for this has been promised to Eric. Ricky also I have a great hope of this and belief. I know you will forever be proud of them and be so glad you invested this money in him now!

I will be in to see you on Mother's Day, I think, and bring you something! I will talk to you then about this little house of my friend who is going to England for the summer. Maybe you would enjoy staying in her place for the summer (3 months.) Don't tell your old age people though because you won't really be moving--just away for a 3-month visit.

Must close. Must make out a special menu for Perry's birthday! We are both on a no sweet, no starch diet! Loosing weight too! But it's kind of hard. Ha! See you soon. Love, Gene

May 4, 1966

Happy Birthday, Perry!

Dear Perry, Gene & All,

We were glad to get Gene's Easter card, and it brought up a question, Perry. Do you teach a Seminary class? We often mention you and wonder what you are all doing and what you will all be doing when school is out.

Elmer went to the temple this morning, but I am going to get rid of some cheatgrass in the lot, do a little ironing, and write this letter. We are having some lovely weather lately, and it is good to see the green grass, flowering shrubs and tulips. Our apple trees, peach and cherry trees are in bloom too. Our apricots froze.

Last Saturday, Hazel came down with her pruning hook and trimmed the shrubs then burned rubbish in the orchard. She doesn't trust me, and she is so afraid of a fire. Then Marie (Dee's daughter) brought her five children, and they dug grass from around the flowers. It does look good around here at present. That was a real welfare contribution!

David's farewell testimonial was good, and quite a crowd went to the home afterward. Helen Wahlquist rushed up to me and said "Hello" before I could think who she was. Clyde said he and Helen both thought that Hazel gave the best missionary mother's talk of any they had heard.

Genevieve is working at the laundry in Provo for awhile to increase her Social Security status. She has invited us to go down with Floyd Saturday evening for a little sociable before Afton and her husband leave for Denver where he has work (but I don't know what.)

Venice and Kent spent a few days with us at conference time. Glenn went with Wilda to Michigan where Norman was transferred. Glenn was interviewed by the bishop there for a mission. So he and Venice and family are hoping it will be a call.

Oh, I meant to say that Grant and all of them were here for David's testimonial and it is sure good to see June looking so much better. She says she feels so much better too. Kerry Dee is doing better there. Jan, I am sorry we missed your birthday, but we think of all of you on all of the days. Love from Mother and Grandmother [Leona]

One of Perry's many school pictures

May 5, 1966

Dear Mother & Dad,

I thank you for the nice Easter card and your remembrance. I have been home from school sick all of this week, so I hope to get a few letters written. Sunday is Mother's Day and the following Saturday is Dad's birthday, so I will make this a special greeting to both of you.

It seems that we get caught in such a whirlpool of activity that we hardly know where to get off. I guess the only way to get off is to get sick and that's where I am right now. Also I am still trying to revise my book for the 4th time (or is it the 10th?) It is very frustrating to be so close and yet so far away.

I received a special airmail letter from the editor-in-chief of the American Book Company, New York. He wanted to meet with me to discuss a project for a new supplementary reader series. I met him at a hotel in Hollywood and after he had dined me sumptuously he explained that he would like me to write a complete supplementary reader for 5th grade. Deadline: Sept. 1, 1966!! I had been recommended to him by one of the professors at the Claremont Graduate School. He wanted to see a sample of my work to take back to New York with him before a final decision is reached. Anyway it sounds so utterly preposterous that it seems more like a crazy dream.

By the way, this book is to be all new, original material! I would not receive any royalty payments until April 1969! And for one who is always in need of money this definitely lacked appeal. I told him I would feel relieved if they should decide for me not to do it. I don't think he liked that very much, but that is my true feelings.

I am enjoying my work as a remedial reading teacher. I guess I talked about that with you before. Gene is working part-time as a teacher's aid at the high school. The pay is small but it helps. I expect to get a raise this year plus extra as a specialist. Someday I may have enough money to make ends meet. I hope I live to enjoy it. I really don't mean for that to sound bitter because I am really thankful.

I am gong to try to get a letter written to all of the girls today. That will be quite an accomplishment. I do hope you are both well. Spring is always so beautiful in Utah. Hope you have a specially happy day Sunday, Mother. And may your day be a pleasant one as well as the whole forthcoming new year. We think of you always, although my lack of correspondence would make you believe otherwise. Much love and God bless you both. Perry

Tomorrow is my birthday. I will be 44. Dad, I can remember when you were 44. Hope, June and I hid behind the house and then slipped out and spanked you as you went to milk the cows in the morning. Anyway, as Jan used to sing: "Happy Birthday to Me!"

Marian will soon graduate

Marian graduates, June 1966

January 28, 1966

Dear Mother,

So glad you got moved ok. We wanted to help you but you were anxious to move before we could make any arrangements to help. Glad you have such good friends in the church. I'm so thankful for all our friends in the church too. We feel as close to some of them as we do to some of our own loved ones I think, but how wonderful it is that we as brothers and sisters in the church can have such understanding for one another. It makes this old world a much better place to live in for we need the encouragement and love and understanding of those around us.

I was asked by one of the bishopric several weeks ago to give the children's story in Sacrament meeting. Perry suggested a short story which I had read and was familiar with. It isn't a church story but has a genealogy theme running thru it. I practiced it over and over and sketched pictures to go along with it. But I was so nervous and apprehensive about it all when my turn came to give it. I just can't relax ever while standing behind the pulpit.

Well, before I finished telling the story, my mouth went completely dry. You perhaps have had this experience too. Well, I could hardly talk but somehow managed to get thru it! Well, I received many compliments on it. It seems the adults enjoyed it as much as the children did. Yesterday I received a lovely letter from the bishop. I will send it to you to read too. I really appreciated it, so please return it. I feel like framing it--ha!

Then I volunteered to assist at the "open house" week of our new stake chapel which is completed now and ready for dedication. Since I teach in Sunday School, I was asked to serve as a representative of the Sunday School and introduce people to the new Junior Sunday School room and classrooms and explain our procedures there to groups of people and friends and investigators who attended the open house. (Hundreds of people went thru the building last week.)

I had to have that "little talk" memorized too, so I could give it within a given time and skillfully. Wow! It put me on my toes, but I know all of this is good for me. I shall gain better poise and get so I can talk to people with more self-confidence.

I work for the PTA by serving on a telephone committee for the senior class activities this year (last year too) since I have a child graduating this year so had a lot of people to call this week and discuss things with. That and Relief Society and visiting teaching to accomplish plus the family chasing has kept me on the go this month and now the month is gone!

I am so anxious to see your new abode. Hope we can come in next weekend. We will be having Stake Conference this weekend in our new stake building! You will too, I suppose. Your conference seems to always be same date as ours. Do hope you are well and rested up from your move.

Perry has changed jobs in his school work. He has been transferred to another school and will be a specialized teacher helping problem children learn to read. It's a new program in the Pomona district being subsidized by the government. This job will be more challenging and interesting and a change from the regular teaching schedule he has had for so many years. His book is still in the hands of the publishers, so we wait anxiously to hear from them too.

The children have all just finished a half-semester of school and finished their grueling exams this week so will enjoy a few days of letup and relax a bit while the teachers get their grades worked out. They are all in better spirits around here now and acting a little more human (poor things.) Linda surprised me Wednesday when I got home from Relief Society. She had the house all straightened up and a lot of ironing done, dishes done too, and beds changed--wow! I was so pleased. She said it was a pleasure to do it after so much studying and pressures at school--ha!

Well, so it goes. Linda really had a happy day on her birthday too, I think. She received a tape recording of her boyfriend's voice (very interesting) and a beautiful bouquet of daisies and daffodils from his parents (the bishop and his wife.) We gave her a box of chocolates.

We received Eric [Fast's] announcement of his West German Mission call. Guess you did too. My isn't he handsome! I wrote to him and sent a small contribution. We are all very proud and happy for him. Must close and get this off to you now. Hope you get it tomorrow. Love from us all, Gene

Gene, Leora and Perry

April 16, 1966

Dear Gene and all,

It was so nice to hear from you. That was a joyful surprise. But I am sorry to hear about your mother. But Gene, I noticed when I was out there the last time that she was failing a lot. Well, we are all bound to go thru this old age it seems. I have been going down now for the past 3 years. A year or two ago I was sick practically all year. Then this past year I have doctored constantly. First my stomach and then my spine. I have a hiatal hernia of stomach and if I'm not careful of my eating it bothers me quite a lot. Then when I began getting better then Arthur got sick and lost so much weight. He looked like a skeleton and I worried so much over him and when he began to improve a little then I had to hurt my spine and had to go to bed with it for I couldn't walk or hardly get in and out of bed for 6 weeks. Had to use a cane to hold my weight off my spine.

As long as I lay in bed, my back was okay. It still isn't well yet and every time I ride a short distance I'm in bed or down next day, but it is getting better. I thought I'd be in a wheel chair for a long while. I didn't get to go to Katy's oldest girl's wedding the 26th of February. Everyone else went to it. I have to hire a girl to do my housework one day a week. But maybe when summer gets here it will get okay. I guess I injured the vertebras or discs. I thought I'd broken my back.

Gene, I wish I was close to you so I could be with your mother once in a while. It is quite a problem when one gets old and forgetful and still wants to take care of themselves. Because we're always afraid they might get burned, fall or injure themselves in some way. It's hard to make them realize they can't be alone and yet they think they're capable and strong. Your mother has always been so independent and capable and always wanted to wait on herself and everyone else. It's going to be awfully hard on her.

You know, Gene, I never did believe in taking tranquilizers. I think they're dangerous to one's self. But doctors still try to push them on their patients. I have Leola in another nursing home now and she isn't taking any medicine at all. She had a nervous spell about a week or two after I moved her when I got sick and the lady had to give her two tranquilizers to calm her, but after two days she quit on them when she got calm and she hasn't given her anything.

The lady is so good to her. She says Leola is very good. But she likes to be quiet and sit and watch other people. Talking makes her nervous so Mrs. Goodwin just lets her alone. She takes such good care of her and Leola likes her. She doesn't do anything, only sleep, dress, eat and sit in her room. Seems happy though. Answers you when Mrs. talks to her. So I feel she is doing fine.

The other place where she was they didn't care for her. Let her hair go and didn't bathe her or cut her nails (toes and fingers.) She as in a terrible shape while there. It took me about an hour to try to comb her hair out (knots) and finally had to cut it off. That woman was supposed to give her sheltered care and keep her clean and from body odor. Some of these places aren't fit for a dog to go to. It's pitiful. I go down to see her often and she always is clean and nice. That is sure a relief. You know Gene they pay for these helpless people very good wages and they should do their duty.

I wish your mother could have come out here when she wasn't so old and I could have taken her around. Now I'm pretty helpless myself but have hopes of being better. But my age is against me for a quick recovery. Arthur has given up farming and I'm so glad. The boys are farming the ground where we lived. No one in the house. It's about to fall to pieces. Can you remember how it used to look? We still have some old furniture in it. I've sold my cabinets and electric stove. Hope I can get a little out of the other things, but it wouldn't be much. Might as well give it away.

Family vacation while we're all still together

The weather here has been chilly for this time of year. Just last week we still had snowflakes. Every time our flowers think about blooming they get frost bitten, poor things. My tulips are late. I can't hardly get Arthur settled. He just thinks he should be out farming and he's too old and not able.

Gee, I wish I could come see you all again. We had such a lovely time when we were there. All we do anymore is spend money on doctor bills and medicine it seems. Arthur wants to live on his social security and he worries for fear he can't. And I don't think this medicare will benefit us older people at all. Sometimes we wish we hadn't signed up for it. Anytime the government gives you anything you pay for it dearly.

Well Gene, I must close and thank you so much for your letters. I was so glad to hear from you. Please keep me in contact with how your mother is because I'm so anxious. I thought maybe we could be together and maybe see Ed and Bryan but now I guess it will never be. Arthur won't ride on an airplane. He's scared to pieces of a plane.

Well hope your family is okay and Pierce's too. Give my regards to them and let me hear about them also Richard's too. Wish some of you would come see us sometime. Loyd's next oldest girl will be married in June. She graduates also in June and has a school near Chicago. No great-grandchildren yet although will have 3 granddaughters married. Gene take care of yourself and God bless you all and your mother. I think of her so much. Love, Aunt Minnie

Summer Camping and Girls' Camp

Cheyenne, Wyoming - Summer, 1965

The following two letters are written by Marian and Linda to the family from Girls' Camp. Prior to going to camp, the family had taken a long camping trip from California, through Utah and Wyoming, to Illinois. For many years, Gene had wanted to visit her aunts from the Fast family who were still living in the old farm house where her father Emmett was raised. During this trip she was able to realize her dream.

September 1, 1965

Dear Mom,

You just don't know how good it was to get a letter from you. I just about fell off my bench when I heard them call my name (which is "Wisp" by the way). I have a real cute cabin group. They're second-year Beehives and so far I've had no problems. They all get along fine and need no babysitting. At times they're very helpful especially when it comes to doing kitchen duty. They practically did everything by themselves.

Oh! I have to tell you about our cabin. It's the worst in camp except for one other. It's condemned. The roof is just sheets of metal laid side by side with one-inch cracks in between. I hope it doesn't rain. We have lots and lots of windows, without glass. The cracks in the walls keep it well-ventalated and the floor hasn't fallen in yet. But what we like best is the mice! They run up and down Jan's guitar and keep us awake at night.

It's been very cold at night and, needless to say, I have a cold. But despite all the hardships, I'm having a pretty good time. I'm not kidding about any of this about our cabin. It's all this and more. Wish Dale a happy birthday and ask him if he liked his shirts. Love, Marian

Setting up camp

September 2, 1965 (9:30 am)

Dear Mom, Dad and Siblings,

Everything is going along smashingly. The nights aren't too cold and the days are perfect. We're going on a hike today and we are cooking our own meal with tinfoil. I'll learn some new tricks for our next camping trip--things like reflector ovens and such.

Thanks for you letter Mom. Chris and Crissy say "hi." Got Eric's letters last night. Thanks for sending them. Marian is having a pretty good time. I thought I'd tell you just in case she hasn't already.

Now kiddies, be sure to mind your mommy and daddy and be good little peeps. I trust that Harriet and Renee are doing my dishes without any trouble--like temper tantrums and fits. Dale or Jan, I do hope you will or have cleaned out that car by now. Have a good family night and remember us poor campers in your prayers. Bye now, Linda

[After reading this rather bossy letter that I wrote 48 years ago, I'm reminded of the rhetorical question my mother sometimes posed to me: "Who died and left you in charge?"

Getting water for the evening meal

October 28th, '65 (Thursday)

Dear Mother,

Received your second letter this week. I don't deserve so much attention as I am such a poor correspondent. Sorry, Mother, to be so slow writing. You have been our lifesaver so many times over the years. Perry's paychecks have been very slow coming to him this fall and we owe so many people. Bills! His new seminary job has only paid him one check so far. But we have to wait patiently. But, Mother, we will pay you back the $200 just as soon and as fast as we can. I know you feel more secure when it's safe in your bank account!

We've had several colds here since the hot weather hit us and I am suffering my second one already--sore throat and coughing too. Linda and Marian had to give up their jobs when school started--too many pressures and demands made upon them with regards to school work--study and homework. I'm paying for the piano lessons again.

I'm glad you can get away for awhile this weekend. It will be a nice change for you. Do hope you have a nice visit with Flossie too. Tell her I said hello. And do hope she has a lovely trip to Idaho and finds good weather while traveling.

Guess I'd better write a letter to Aunt Minnie. Hope I have her address. We never wrote to her about our trip because I did not think we'd have time or money to go on to Paris [Illinois] for a visit with them and did not want to disappoint her. You must have let it slip out in one of your letters to her. I'll tell her I would love to have seen her and her family but just couldn't afford that extensive a trip. It would have taken us a few more days and another $100 or more. I'm glad she has your twin sister again. Wish we could help out financially and maybe I'll have this privilege someday. I really hope so.

A Boston publisher still has Perry's manuscript about Columbus under consideration. We have been praying each day that they will accept it and publish it soon. Must mail this to you now. Hope you get it tomorrow. More later. Love, Gene

The Spider in the Piano

[This story was written by Perry Manwaring for his daughter, Marian, who loved playing the piano but hated spiders. The illustration is by Claire Hartman.]

Arachne the spider climbed up on a stem. Up, up on a limb ‘til it started to bend then farther and farther right out to the end. Right out where the breeze blew the branch to and fro. “This is fun,” said Arachne. “I’d like to let go.” So she spun out some silk, not much, just enough, let it float in the breeze, then suddenly PUFF! The breeze lifted her up in the air until soon Arachne was sailing just like a balloon.

Up over the trees and the telephone wire, and over the housetops and higher and higher, Arachne sailed up in the sky over town until the wind stopped then she started back down. Down, down came Arachne in eddies and whirls, in loop-the-loop spirals, in circles and swirls. Down she came falling. Down, down more and more. Then Marian Middleton opened the door. She opened the door to give kitty her dish, and Arachne sailed in from the patio—swish.

Arachne said, “Oh, this is quite a neat place.” Mrs. Middleton gasped, “There’s a web on my face. Quick get the dust mop, the vacuum, the broom. We’ll clean ceiling and walls in all of the rooms. We’ll get every spider. Just count on me. We’ll dust them, we’ll spray them, we’ll use DDT.” “I must,” said Arachne, “find some place to hide.” The piano was near so she crawled right inside. Arachne said, “Say, what a nice place to play. It’s cozy and warm. I think I will stay.”

So she played and explored each string, hammer and key! Then she spun her a web just above middle C. She rested and slept. She kept herself warm while outside raged a fierce vacuum-sweeper windstorm. Soon Marian’s teacher, Mr. Orlando, came to instruct her on the piano. He listened while Marian played her crescendos, her prestos, and lentos, retards, and morendos. To Mr. Orlano she’d never played finer. To Arachne an earthquake, both major and minor.

Arachne was thrown from the place she had sat to high C to low C and back to B flat. Arachne said, “Oh,” when she’d set herself straight and counted each leg to be sure there were eight. “That was awfully rough, but still it was fun. I think I’ll crawl out to see how it was done.” She spun out some thread and fastened it so, gave a small jump and let herself go. Marian ran. She screamed, “Mother!” Hide me! A spider came out and sat down right beside me.”

Arachne was puzzled to get such a buffet. (She hadn’t heard about Little Miss Muffet.) “Come, come. Don’t run,” said Mr. Orlano. “Come back to your music here at the piano. Don’t be so fussy, so foolish, so furious. This spider won’t hurt you. It’s just a bit curious. A harmless house spider, a nice little fella’. Let’s see what it does if we play Tarantella.” Marian said, “Well—maybe—all right. I’ll do what you say if you’re sure it won’t bite.”

“Come here. Play like this,” said Mr. Orlano. And he played Tarantella on the piano. So gay was the music, so lively the sound, Arachne climbed up and just danced ‘round and ‘round. Then Marian laughed and had so much fun that she stayed there and practiced ‘til quarter past one. And Marian looked for Arachne each day to come from her hiding and dance as she’d play.

Then Arachne one day floated out through the door out into the world where she’d come from before. Back in the garden she spun a web fine and hatched out some babies—one hundred and nine. I’m certain she told them about her long ride through the air to the house, how she sailed right inside, of the girl in the house and of Mr. Orlano, about Tarantella, about the piano.

Then each little spider climbed up on a stem, up, up on a limb ‘til it started to bend, still farther and farther right out to the end, right out where the breeze blew the branch to and fro. “What fun,” they all said. Then they let go. Just where they all sailed I can’t possible know, but one might just be there in your piano. And if you take a peek perhaps you may see a little arachnid above middle C.