I Have Been Thinking About Hope

Oct. 25, 1986

The Regency on Laurie Lane

Dear L and Bob - 

Hi! And how is at Johnson farms? Here at The Regency it one of those lovely October days - blue skies - mild mays - cool nights. The mums are beginning to bloom, the brave rose bush has some beautiful evidence of life, and the oranges are beginning to ripen.

Marie is resting after a busy day of post-Greer paper work - or maybe two days - or maybe... Anyways we have a stack of letters, bills & correspondence to go out today or tomorrow. Unusually, she is watching a chilling psycho thriller - a little contrast to the Boston Pops earlier. The World Series doesn't seem to interest either one of us.

And I have been doing a lot of those little things that have to be done - the yard, helping with all the paper work, adjusting the water softener, filing paper on my final campaign costs - $80 (But I'm asking for an exemption because I had no campaign committee nor political contribution). Now let's see what happens on Nov. 4. 

What is happening with the families out there? Had a surprise sweet little note from Katie. Since she inquired about Sonya I answered the note and then sent it on to Sonya - hoping Sonya will write Katie.

Our families are all busy. You know their schedules. Ruthie and Becky joined their mother to outfit big brother (well, he's younger but he's the biggest brother they have) in a whopping new birthday-xmas wardrobe: sport coats, slacks, belts, shoes (3 pr), a suit, shirts, ties, a sweater vest, an outerwear jacket, etc. Steve took the day off (a Saturday) and enjoyed the shipping spree and being with his mother and sisters - and me? I was there, too, and had as much fun as the rest of them.

Becky is now in "our" league (not my little bebe Sunshine!) as a mother, grandmother, and 2/3rds of her children (by number that is) married. While working, she is able through a special program to get CC credits and by December will have acquired 30-33 semester hours! Last Saturday, while over here advising on Steve's wardrobe, she was also studying for a mid-term Humanities exam she had to take Saturday afternoon.

Steve is working hard to set some new priorities. He reached a point of almost total exhaustion that has had the whole family very concerned. Stevie was very pleased with his Dad's dry-goods loot: "He deserves it", Stevie commented. Stevie has signed a SADD contract (Students Against Drunk Driving). Before the State Fair opened SADD kids got in to the Fair and got free rids - there were 100,000 there!

John & Susie continue their whirlwind activity schedule. John joins Jeffrey in his sports activities - like T-Ball and soccer. In fact John purchased the team's uniforms and a banner: "Sponsored by the Wichita Falls Clinic Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Center"! We have been kidding John about giving those 6 year olds a lesson in advanced reading.

And so it goes down here. The cabin is closer for the season, we experienced our first snow in Greer (5 1/2 inches) & finished our campaigning. Now we await Nov. 4.  letter of endoresemtn arrived today. The White Mtn. Independent News profile (on candidates) comes our October 30.

Your sister is doing quite well. Did well at Greer - and has quite a normal flow of energy. A week after Greer was slower - but we're thinking to tackling the garage. Yikes!

And a special content section? Oh, yes - indeed!

I have been thinking about "hope". As you know I believe that every day is the birth of a new hope. Certainly it is evident with us. We celebrated our 40th new moon lately. There are good hopes & evil hopes; selfish hopes and unselfish hopes. But as I have observed the good hopes start first with hopes for the family, then for the self and then for society. The signs of the time indicate a change. There is a quickening among religious people in learning more about what may be terms the inner life. 

I see much happening in the churches: transitions within the Catholic church; the growth of membership in pentecostal churches; the charismatic movement in the mainline churches; the awakening of braver expression and activity on social issues; the struggle within the So. Baptist over the inerrancy of the Bible. I doubt if the latter can ever agree since too many feel they have the true interpretation. I have been tempted at times to draw a cartoon of these people standing around the foot of the cross hitting each other over the heads with their Bibles. And there are those who will be angry with God that he didn't "save" the right people - and those who they wish never seem to appear in the camp of those not worth saving. Strange!

And how is industrious, practical L doing. Have you had all the worldly success you want. I bet you could et even more. And how's King Roberto enjoying his castle, his Tacoma estate and dominion?

I struggle with my faith occasionally - and then I get some guidance - mysteriously, intriguing - and I saw - "my journey will be safe because of the reliability of my Guide (I call "him" my Good Friend). Maybe he's the one who once declared himself to be "the Way, the Truth, and Life," I hope that's who it is...Well, some time with my Marie before Bed. Bye.

LOVE Frank

Friday Photo: Jeffrey, age 6

Jeffrey Durand, age 6

1986

Thunderstorms thump across the skies of an evening

The Regency

8-10-86

Dear "L" & Bob - (Owners of the Revolving Door mat)

Hi! Just an impulse to write - and send some pics we promised L. So I will accomplish two things at once.

You can guess that it continues warm here. Thunderstorms thump across the skies of an evening, sometimes providing only dry noise. But we have not wilted away yet - and the lawn looks nice. So I guess we will sweat it out O.K.

Marie is busy getting acquainted (by phone) with Stephany's mother trying really to track Stevie down. Where else is it more logical to start then at his girl friend's house?

I have been busy - we both have - these several weeks and I have learned much about dog sitting and about Jeffrey. Now I (we) are relaxing a day or two before turning our thots to a trek to Greer. I'm still doing my best to take care of my Marie - as if she really needs it! - but I enjoy it. And she enjoys & works hard at taking care of me. So it works out well.

The families continue well & busy - (that's news?). Jeffrey & Joel had a regal time the other nite. Jeffrey spent the nite there and had such a good time he didn't (at first) want to even go meet his parents at the airport. But after a short fit he did it, of course, was glad to see them.

(Sorry for the change in ink color. The last was criminal ink & finally escaped from the pen!)

We just got home from Becky's where Marie went to have her hair done only to have the bonus feature of a roast beef/mashed potatoes, etc. etc. Sunday dinner. Kathy & Mark were there also looking happy & busy discussing matters concerning their home & work, etc. Friday we attended Kathy's commendable commencement exercises at ASU & then all those of the family attending went to Monti's for a delightful dinner and a truly beautiful family time together.

We haven't seen much of Steve & family since the reception. Our chief focus is Stevie right now who is trying desparately to coordinate what appears to be a losing proposition re: their week-end at Greer next week. Punk transportaion; unjibed schedules; lack of call backs to Marie have "called" us to alter plans and we must let the kids know. So it goes.

John & Susie have left after their whirlwind visit. They thoroughly enjoyed their time at Greer. And Susie thought the grape-vine wreath was wonderful!!! She really likes it.

We enjoyed your brief visit. The kids sincerely appreciated your presence at generosity! And Jeffrey knew what preserves were Aunt Lottie's preserves and ordered them for his muffins by name. "Aunt Lottie's Jelly" - regularly - exclusively!!

We still have plenty of food left - so why not fly down help us consume it? Planning to come down next winter? Bill & Maurine might stop by for a short visit after attending an organ convention at Denver in October.

Marie & I have put off any further work on organizing the garage until cooler weather comes - which means October probably. In the meantime, the trusty Toyota will just have to sit out in the sun trying unsuccessfully to get a tan. (What I'm afraid of is skin cancer! That car has such a light complexion!)

Tomorrow Marie sees Dr. King who will probably measure her girth, draw some blood, and tell her she's doing good. "Come back in six weeks." (He'll tell me I'm the one who's puny! 'But I'm not your doctor!')

Come summer I eat less; sweat more & lose a few pounds. It's about the only change in weight I experience.

We are glad that we presently are in as good health as we apparently are. Marie did extraordinarly well - and now, thankfully, is relaxing some. I hope she can relax at Greer. The weather there is lovely.

I have work to do: rent a P.O. box, change my registration to Greer precinct, get a report on happenings at the Sanitary District meeting (which unfortunately we will miss because they changed the date), examine proposed changes in Civic Club by-laws suggested at a recent Board pot-luck, try & drum up some person's to run for Sanitary District director openings in November, and attend the 8-25 regular public meeting of the Civic Club. I may even drop over to Eagan to meet the chairman of the Apache County Board of Supervisor's chairman, etc.

Well, once again... HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB... and have many more!! Call, write, visit when you can.

Love F

P.S. The wedding pics haven't come back yet - will share when they do.

P.P.S. If you have any good shots (as I said to the doctor) will you kindly share some with us? Thank you. OK - by shots I mean "photos" of the wedding!!

We will be at Greer until Aug 26th.

Marie & Frank's 45th Anniversary

"There's No Place Like Home...Except Grandma's and Grandpa's"

August was always Grandchildren's Month in Washington. Apparently this was also a tradition in Arizona.

Remind me sometime to tell you about chicken cutting lessons that were included in one of my visits. Yep...that was a classic Grandma Lottie move...

Marie, to her credit, was also not above creating her own agenda. Check out the evening activity on June 11th. Hope Steve was able to come through...