Happy Birthday, Jason!

Domi-nose

Glendale, AZ

May 1, 1985

Dear Bob -

Greetings comrade! It is May Day!

This is the day they celebrate by dancing around the May Pole in Red Square. Or am I confused? Don't answer that question!

Ah, well, whether or not that is how May Day is celebrated is of little import. Of import is my impulse to dash a note off to you.

Things are going well here. I did manage to catch a slight cold, so every once in a while I pull out my hanky and wipe my domi-nose. A domi-nose is a nose one develops from spending time playing dominoes.

Pretty poor joke! Youcould probably smell that one coming on!

It's hot here today. Technically they call it "warm". Don't believe it. It's hot! But we keep things watered. And they grow - and - grow - and ... 4737 really looks nice.

Marie is collecting ingredients to make a nice stew. She has also cooked up some rhubarb and is making some of her pressure cooked tender meat. This morning we did some major trimming and pruning on the orange tree, being careful not to disturb any of the new tiny "oranges-in-the-making".

In a few moments she will take to the couch for a rest. I hope she does. She will need it. She has been at things for several hours and at a steady pace.

Me? Well - I'm writing this letter to you. Later I will drop it in the mail at Hallmark and pick up some slides and prints there. (If there are some good and interesting shots I'll send some to you). Hm! I should be making the bed, too.

The family here is well. Jason is busy in the study here assembling an oak-veneer filing cabinet I bought. He is working off some time as an adoptee of the Creighton-Patch Kid program. He plans to go to Hawaii with the Creighton Youth fellowship gang for a work project there. Becky in busy (no?! You're kidding!)

Kathy is arranging her schedule so she can go with us (as a guest) to visit John & family in Wichita Falls the last part of May.

Steve is right in the middle of a high-powered fund drive at Creighton. Susie is our travel agent at the other end of the line in Wichita Falls where she is busy arranging transportation fo us from Dallas to Wichita Falls.

I surely enjoyed myself at Johnson Gardens. Thanks a lot for everything... the hospitality, bed & board, good company, trips, domino tournaments (I am too getting better!), coffee and conversation and just plain "buddy sharing". It was a relaxing time. I had time to think and study, too.

As you know I have a philosophical bent and interest. Maybe it's a drive.

I'll share with you what I have determined to be my basic belief. These are things one knows and things one believes. This is a belief.

There is only one Absolute. An Absolute is something everything can be compared to, but which can not be compared to anything else. The one Absolute is the mind of God from which all beauty, vurtue, and enlightenment flow.

Dialectical theology, however, proves that man cannot know the mind of God - only respond to it - not realizing in the conscious mind that this is what is happening.

We partake of the mind of God because we are part of Him.

Another thought. Don't get too attached to your Aug. 11 syndrome. I feel you have two or three (at least) good years ahead of you.*

Good luck on your garden. I have seen and heard the hard work you have been doing.

Gotta go.

Love

Frank

*We would like to help you celebrate your Golden weddning anniversary!

She wants to promise them only to me

The Regency on Laurie Lane

January 14, 1986

Dear L & Bob - 

This letter might be a quickie - but there's always the phone and the prospects of seeing you in person. Marie and I thought this (letter writing) would be a good use of time while she gets a permanent out here in  Youngtown at Mr. John's.

Elderly ladies under dryers opposite me view me with curiosity from time to time - stealing furtive glances my way. At their age, they shouldn't be stealing. But then...they might be lonely widows...and my hair does look nice after a first class haircut yesterday!

And while I'm at it - this is a good time to say thank you for helping make Christmas a good Christmas for us! I don't need to labor the point because if you don't know by this time that we appreciate your love and generosity - then you need counseling!

I'm well on my way through Michener's Texas. It's a good book and helps one understand better the phenomenon called Texas. And watching John & Susie become true Texans makes the book even more interesting. Its as if three of the characters have stepped out of the pages and are enacting before our eyes the continuning drama of Texas. Fascinating!

(for more - turn the page)

Marie is going quite well - better day by day, I think. The "experiment" in Tucson is officially over, and we have opted for a vacation from 2.5 years of chemo and concern. Appointments will be at a minimum and at Marie's behest Dr. King has been alerted that Marie is back in his fold. In March we do have an appointment, but generally our idea is - just wait & see what happens. If there is any real big trouble that develops, we know where to go for help...Just relax & enjoy life.

My life isn't that new - because you have observed it: thinking, writing (lots of stuff always in process), breakfast, dishes, bed, fountain, vacuuming & dusting, yardwork, Orpheus, etc. Supper, laundry & finances I'm leaving to Marie!

We are just going to coast for awhile and enjoy life & each other. They have asked Marie to be president of Delta Kappa Gamma - but Marie says, "no". She doesn't want to promise her life or final energies away to these areas. She wants to promise them only to me. Can you think of a more beautiful statement by a wife to her husband!! I shall never forget those words...

The kids are all busy and the grandchildren trying to find they way & place in life. Jason helped up trim trees & get his education fund rewards in shape. Rick & Kim are looking forward to owning a home of their own...And...(want to know more? Come visit!)

Love

Frank & Marie

P.S. I took a good look at the patchwork quilt on the Quilters calendar. The quilt is finished with a ribbon binding and backed with fabric that is tacked with "braided bows". Wel, you'll just have to see the picture and make adaptations. M

Photo Friday: The Next Generation

At least these yahoos have great talent...with straws...

The next generation of the Jensen/Norby family is in good good hands...

Joel Dent, Mike Pritchett, Jason Dent, Steve Durand Jr

Lisa Pritchett Chiles