Maybe we are getting older

Glendale, AZ

Oct. 17, 1992

Dear L

Found these pages from the latest addition - or is it edition? - of the Mt. Walisme Journal so I thought I would share them...

October 17 - Long day. LouBelle was up at 5:45 AM to go for her therapy treatment. It is now shortly after midnite and we just arrived home from a "social" at Dr. Luke's palatial new mountainside home. It was a gathering of some of us who went to Russia - sort of an album, slide, video show, buttered by good conversation and snacks, dips, and hors d'ouvers.

In the sauna this morning, it appears to some, including LouBelle, that it seemed exceedingly warm. The client and the masseuse couldn't find the controls because of the steam and missing specacles. So LouBelle had to climb off her shelf, wrap a towel about her, and satchet forth to do the job. Another instance of LouBelle to the rescue!

She was cool - but they were getting all steamed up!

I guess it made a difference that the clinet didn't come out broiled! I hope LouBelle can arrange not to have to go out there so early - now that morning's are getting darker. I guess Hilde can re-arrange her schedule for LouBelle - but I'm not sure she will like it. Those Germans are so methodical and can be hog-tied in their habits.

In the meantime, I'm up early too - but go back to bed for a little while, and then, foregoing breakfast I traipse out to do a lot of flower planting: mums, gazanias, dusty miller, snaps, and geraniums. And then there were some iris & tulip bulbs put into the ground.

I hope they will go OK. The ground was moist - holding its own from our rainy year and the automatic bubbler's efforts.

We want the place to look nice for our guests from Wuppertal - two laches (age & size unknown). We usually can rustle the muscle, and race the clock. I think we will make it OK.

LouBelle also managed to get her hair done. The coloring seems to be changed each time (but I recognize her). The color changing harks back to Russia - Italy trip when LouBelle's hair was a gracious white. I liked it. but when the accordianist at the Italian restaurant in Rom at our closing party picked her out as Mama Mia and sang to her like she was his mother (or grandmother), that did it! No more gracious white hair!

Her hair looked nice tonite.

We were supposed to go to the ASU-Oregon State game - leaving the party early. But activities get started slowly and the house got too late to travel to Tempe and the game.

ASU made at least one touchdown. From our eagle's nest vantage point we could see the rockets rise colorfully into the air from the stadium several miles away, signalling T.D. It wasn't rebroadcast on TV, as far as we could discern. So, we will have to wait until the morning paper arives.

Mary was going to the game, too. But she too came to the reunion on Russia. We all got so caught up in the activities & fun that the three of us missed the game. Mary was fun - she really seemed to enjoy herself.

We would like to see ASU win a few games this year. I think they can. Maybe they will.

What are your travel plans this coming year?

We would like to get to our cabins more often; visit in La Jolla, maybe visit some relatives, and hopefully go to a choral festival in Missoula in the summer with Orpheus. There is also the International Convention of ADK in Toronto. Perhaps, if dates jive, we could make "visit Canada" our theme - and use the Canadian rail pass to do so.

Maybe in December might take a cruise.

Well, tomorrow has come & is winding its way around the clock. I'm glad we had a chance (both) to get a brief nap today. Maybe we are getting older - or are we getting younger? It's good our energy level holds up as well as it does..

Must go! Love Franko & LouBelle

Depth Thot

For genealogical purposes or Memorial Service material:

On yesterday's show Frank & Marie get engaged & through the SCM Movement became acquainted with the Fellowship of Reconciliation and with Church of the Brethren students.

The F.O.R. ... "While it always as been vigorous in its opposition to war, the Fellowship has insisted equally that this effort must be based on a commitment to the achieving of a just & peaceful world community. Wtih full dignity & freedom for every human being. [Frank serves as College Secretary of the F.O.R. for Nebr. & Iowa]



Buffy, our Princess kitty

Postmark: October 2, 1992

Dear "L",

Well, here I am again, travelling down the road in spurts in my new Spurts Mobile. Going nowhere special - saying nothing special, but just spurting along!

I should be getting myself something to eat. Marie [note, he should have said LouBelle] is off to a sorority meeting. But I just got an urge to write - so I am.

At least I have a nice clean house in which to write since Diana was here this morning to clean. We won't have her now for awhile. She's going into the hospital very soon (again) for neck surgery. She has developed spurs which if they continue to grown constitute a danger. It will be a delicate operation.

When cleaning time comes again will we have another gal? And where will we get one? Shall we try to "Maid Brigade"?

We really need the help. When I married LouBelle I agreed (or suggested) we get cleaning help since this place is so big. It's larger that LouBell's nice little house was.

So - now we learn once again how to get good help. But, so what, if it takes some time to find someone, I'm sure we care do it ourselves. Yielding to the advice to my kids I want to keep my promise to them. (1) Don't take LouBelle's independence away , and (2) remember "your" house is now her house also. Well, I guess I can keep those promises. The fact is, I will. (clap clap clap!)

Anyhow, it's good I'm home tonite. I must play nurse tonite (& for the next 5 days) for Buffy, our Princess kitty, who just came home this afternoon after a de-clawing operation. She has her private quarters for several days in the laundry room. She cannot go outside for one week.

We cannot risk infection. To ease her pain we have had to prepare a shredded paper litter box. We have two large grocery bags of paper shredded in advance for changes in the litter box.

It's a bit of a chore - but it's worth it - and I think I can be a good nurse. She will get lots of loving attention so that she won't think we are old meanies.

But it isn't our only "hospital" errand. Tomorrow, we take LouBelle's Oldsmobile in for an assessment (& repair) by our preferred mechanic, Jerry. It seems it has developed a "clanking" up front, the refrig. isn't coming through as we would wish (and in 100 degree weather!) and it seems to shudder and shimmy a bit when pulled up to a signal or stop sign. I assured the service manager that shaking was the car & not my wife.

So - first the assessment, then the work, and then the bill. But we need three cars (already Mary borrowed one t'other day). We like things in good shape and one can if they're willing (who is?) to spend the $. So tomorrow - put it on the list. "Calais to Jerry."

Well, kid. I love you (we love you) but I'd better get some good in my tummy before my pants fall off. May take a shower early tonight, and lay things out so I can make a quick get-ready in the morning.

Take care - and greet "the boys" for us.

Love Frank & LouBelle

DEPTH THOT: Go placidly amidst all the noise & confusion knowing was peace there is in silence.

Week of Postcards: Rome

May 15, 1992

Dear Lottie -

Landed in Spain but decided to go on to Naples - seemed to be more fun.  Spent several days in Naples - with a side trip to Rome. On Tuesday we caught a small VIP plane to Ramstein, Ger. Obtained housing on base & rented a car. Wednesday drove to Karlscula Ger (where Randy was stationed) in seach of info re Ken's family. Hope to go to Berlin this weekend.

Love Bets

Utopian Classroom