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]



80 as better than 70

Glendale, AZ

January 3, 1991

Dear L -

Just a brief scribbled note to say I enjoyed talking with you. It was LouBelle's idea to initiate the telephone call to you - that's how impressed she was with the book and how much she enjoyed it. You may say she had a "burning" desire for calling.

The new year has started out actively. And tonight we put many of the house decorations away for next year. LouBelle did a beautiful job at decorating. The house looked beautiful. (Of course, if she did a beautiful job.)

Not put away is the little train LouBelle bought for herself as her "Christmas Toy". Battery operated it chugs around the dining room table (on top!), headlight aglow, and steam coming from the smoke stack.

Tomorrow is one early morning visit to the dentist for LouBelle. Her tooth started aching just before New Years - and wouldn't you know the dentist (and staff) were on a week's vacation. I guess there was a death or serious illness in the family which made it necessary to go out of town to meet the emergency.

My dentist authorized a penicillin prescription, which has helped some - but not always the pain.

And tomorrow I take the "new" Toyota (14,000 miles) into the dealer to get the AM/FM cassette, cruise control, etc. put in - part of the deal for buying it. It is Almond Pearl in color - and, of course, is a station wagon. There are a few others "pay for" things we want.

And, Diamond, the cleaning lady, comes in the morning - and Orpheus Rehearsal in the evening - and...

Now. Hilites from 80 as better than 70. The first 80 years are the hardest. The second 80 is a succession of birthday parties.

Once you reach 80 eveyone wants to carry your luggage and help you up steps. If you forget your name or someone else or an appointment - or tel # - no one scolds you. If you survive until your 80 - everyone is surprised that you are still alive. They treat you with respect just for having lived so long. They seem surprised if you can walk or that you can talk sensibly.

At 70 people are mad at you all the time. They expect you to retire to Florida and spend your $ having a good time - but don't use up the estate $. They begin looking at furniture, jewelry, pictures, etc. suddenly remembering you or someone else said they could have this or that.

Must go - 12:45 AM   Love, Grape Scaldabones & Lady LouBelle

Enclosed find a candle for future birthdays

October 5, 1995

Dear "L"

Howdy!

Sorry we missed your surprise Birthday Party, and that we have not called more frequently concerning your health. We apologize.

We tried to meet Jill's unique request to send a birthday candle for the party. However, since the notice was very short we could not meet the deadline. Two things complicated meeting the request other than the short notice. One was on eof those busy schedules and unplanned situations that arose. Secondaly, we could not figure a way to safely send a candle due to the warm weather.

So - enclosed find a candle for future birthdays. We hope it will last and serve many birthdays!! This candle was LouBelle's idea. She is very creative.

And so - how is your health? Let us know. We are concerned.

My Fran ?? is off to a sorority meeting way down in Chandler. I don't expect her home until 10:30 PM. I really don't like her driving along and at night. But she is quite good at caring for herself. I should be clearning the table, doing the dishes and a lot of paper work. But we thought it more important I write you and get than candle sent on its way!

I don't know why, at our age, we don't cut down on our schedules. I think it because we haven't learned hot to do so. But, so what? It keeps us young - and tired. We more frequently take afternoon naps.

I want to prioritize life now that we are in the Autumn of life. I guess we can. I am trying  - but get so busy it is hard to prepare the priority lists. It is hard to make "priorities" a priority!

Tomorrow I have a routine eye exam and among other things I must prepare for a wedding rehearsal to be held a week early since during the week we are traveling to San Diego to help Allan with Kristen. It is "his week" with Kristen (Allan and K.O. are separated - or divorced or whatever). And he is in a new home. Busy as doctors are - someone has to help Kristen to get to school, ballet lessons, etc.

And the next week we fly to Omaha to visit Bill (now 81). It is a surprise visit. In between is the wedding., Symphony, football game, and, of course, Orpheus. Yes, I'm still hanging in there (36th season). I said I wasn't going to be...and LouBelle is still busy in Orpheus Auxilary. And I must work with Stevie to get up to Greer & close the cabin for the winter. Also, take some stuff up on his way to the General Store in Alpine he owns - in addition to working at resort hotels here. We are busy. I'm tired!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY - Love Frank & LouBelle

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.

Sonics v Suns

"I don't really like Freeways except for their convenience"

Sept 1, 1991

Dear "L" -

Greetings on a cloudy and a bit cooler day in the Valley. The monsoon is trying to make its way in, but now very successfully. It's two weeks late and if we don't get rain now we'll probably have to wait until January. But, tomorrow is Labor Day - and sometimes we have "doozies" on Labor Day. One year there were some tragic floods. We don't want that!

It's Sunday. LouBelle is taking a late afternoon nap. "Not that I have to - I just want to!" Well, that's good enough reasoning for a retired person.

Afterwards, she plans to arise - and do some "book work." It has already been annouced that supper will be quite late. So? -

We attended two Services this morning: the early Service at First Cong. and the late Service at Creighton. LouBelle is Chairman of the Altar Guild so she had to pass out assignments to members of the Guild for this September/October duties on the Brass/Flowers. And Parsements committees [And we had newspapers & crushed soft drink cans to dispose of.]

Wih the new crosstown freeway in place, the trip from First to Creighton took 15 min as compared to the previous thirty min. I don't really like Freeways except for their convenience. So - that's why I use them.

It has speeded up trips to church and the airport considerably. Like them or not there they are and so what? Why not use them. We have also discovered new faster ways to Luke AFB (PX shopping) and Sun City.

There is another freeway leg that has opened on the Superstition that extends all the way to U.S. 60 out at Apache Junction & offers a new "quick" alternate route to Greer. But LB is not that fascinated with transversing the Salt River Canyon. We would like to cut down on the time it takes to get to Greer and it appears we can. We will be going up in mid-September to "close up" for the winter.

In the meantime we have been utilizing LB's cabin at Prescott - only two hours away. All of the family have utilized the Green cabin this year - and that is good.

Now - Isn't all of the above exciting & fascinating?

I just finished shampooing my hair (in the middle of the day?) Which fact both confounded and pleased LouBelle. Now, maybe I should start gathering the correct type of clothes hangers for our October cruise, which will come upon us before we realize it. It will be our anniversary cruise and the ship already knows it. There will be something special on October 6. It's already on the ship's agenda we note from papers we have received to date.

Which brings me to Japan. I will have more details Tuesday, Sept. 2 when Orpheus begins rehearsals. And there is a "travel meeting" coming up in mid-September. But if you, & Jill & Larry are still interested in going, one way is to send $100.00 (refundable) each pronto & impress them with your alacrity & interest & reserve a place. Could you inform Jill & Larry for me? Thanks.

Don't know what's new here to report that you haven't heard from Becky.

I am interested to know how the wedding of Nathan & Patty went at the Johnson Chapel. And I'm interested to hear more about my new great-great-nephew with the long name. Congratulate them for us - even if we have already done so. Assuming we read the address right on notices we have received from them and they received our cards.

I wonder if I'll go to bed earlier tonight? This getting up early (like I did today) really help wake me up and not be so rushed to get to church - or fall asleep during the sermon. I couldn't today anyhow. The Pastor Emertius at First Cong. spoke this morning. He's a sensible orator. He was LouBelle's minister for 17 years - and I have known him through my various civic & church activities.

I might take another nap to help guarantee the arising early by getter all the sleep out of my system. Or it may be that my "sleeper machine" with its new "whisper valve" will be so effecive that I will garner enough rest. LouBelle reports I don't snore. I'd blow one of my own gaskets or one of the machines!

Maybe I'd better stop & do what LB is doing - bills & records.

Love ya,

Scaldabonco

[Frank Durand]

"The big football game of the year ASU vs. Univ of Arizona"

Glendale, AZ

Nov. 24, 1991

Dear "L" -

Just a brief note (Ha! Ha!) to let you know your $300.00 arrived and will be turned over to the Orpheus treasurer Tuesday night! Thank you. Glad you will be going along.

It is a beautiful Sunday afternoon here - peaceful & lazy. In fact, I just arose from a brief nap. LouBelle is still napping - along with one dog and two cats. Quite a sight!

I was first to start a nap. LouBelle was on the patio surveying the newspaper - but fell asleep and nearly fell out of her glider, so decided bed was safer.

She is not lazy: yesterday she arose at 5:30 AM for her therapy trip & then went all day until 2:00 AM. So, maybe she deserves a rest.

Included, yesterday was a bathroom papering project which she and Becky did. Becky was the chief & LouBelle the assistant. I was up early preparing - sizing, etc. Then Collyn & Kenny came over.

Next on the agenda was the big football game of the year ASU vs. Univ of Arizona. In order to get parking we left for Tempe two hours earlier than the game. We bought food at the "tail gate party" & took it up into the reserved seats to eat. (LouBelle has season tickets).

It was an exciting game! I have never cheered & stood so much as a game! ASU won! (37-14) beating a ten year losing streak with U of A! The crowd was delirious!

U of A fans (100's) left the stands early in the fourth quarter & missed Tucson's only scoring.

After the game fans poured onto the field. Being prepared in advance Security started immediately to dismantle the goal posts. One upright, however, didn't get down soon enough & was carried by happy fans (thousands) to the far stands where it was passed up tier-over-tier to the very top level (some 80 feet). It's a wonder someone didn't fall over the balustrades as they reached over to grasp the upright.

Despite please over the P.A. system to clear the field joyous fans didn't respond. Security could do nothing. They finally formed lines across the field beginning at the 15 yd line and systematically swept forward in a series of movements (with intervals of hesitation) much like a garbage compactor.

I counted 100 security personnel. Accidentally (or purposely) the sprinklers were turned on. But joyous revelers leaped into the spray dancing as they did. The only dampened spirits were those of the security personnel.

Gradually & finally the celebrants funneled off the field still singing & cheering. The left voluntarily & naturally & then the "security choreography" was really only symbolic. They were only part of the choreography - perhaps like a marching band formation.

Personally, I thought it all ridiculous. The crowd was a happy one not bent on doing harm. The "marching army" looked more like tanks moving towards hapless victims in the take over of some unarmed town during an invasion.

But we won!! And we had to see a replay of the historic game after we got home - thus to bed at 2 A.M.

And then this A.M. it was church followed by Esther's surprise birthday party. In the memory book we saw a letter from "L". We were quite a contrast to the rest of the crowd there in the matter of dress. It was a very informal, but nice occasion.

And now we have wasted time happy with so much to do. Our adult children will get Symphony tickets for Xmas. And despite busyness L.B. & I will take walks & exercise more to diminish our dimensions.

Again thanks!   LOVE Franko

"I even take naps."

June 25, 1988

Dear "L" & Bob -

Check your radio schedules Mondays at 6:30 P.M. for Consider the Alternatives weekly radio magazine hosted by Ed Asner.

And while I have some paper left maybe I should use it up. I will interrupt myself in 15 minutes to call LouBelle about tomorrow plans - so forgive me.

The old gentleman, me, is a real retiree. He gets up, showers, shaves, eats, washed up his dishes - if he doesn't eat out. He tries to keep up with a stack of mail - not successfully. Gets a hair cut - and shampoo (if I'm lazy). Besides its nice to have Debbie rub my head (during shampoo) and whistle at me when I leave. She's my barber, of course. Today she told me I had "sexy legs" (I have been wearing shorts). Don't worry - she's married & has a teen-age daughter who just graduated from H.S.

I even take naps.

Tomorrow I might go to LouBelle's church and then we might go to Creighton. There will be a walk though of the new sanctuary which is progressing well.

I need to pay on my "per pledge." I "bought" one as a memoriam to my Mom & Dad. I also want to check on the progress on "Marie's window".

I should have worked on the lawn, detailed the Toyota, repaired the mailbox, taken care of my mums...and I had better pick up the house.

Things move along here. Ruthie didn't get her "principalship" but she was one of the six finalists. She is now in a "principalship intern" program. Busy summer!

Becky got a new couch & love seat - it's beautiful! She's so happy with them.

Steve & Lona (& Becky) will be at the Greer cabin over the 4th. Steve will be on the way to a short vacation in Wyoming. I hope Steve can fix the pump. John gest to his cabin more frequently.

Gotta telephone.

Love Frank