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

Easter, Birthdays, & Backyard Initiation Celebrations

3-20-86

Lottie & Bob -

Some pertainent information:

1. Received tax stuff rom Betty today and delivered your packet to Henry so he could do your tax work as his time permits. Told him to send everything to you (including stuff from Betty) when it is ready.

Important 2. John has a new unlisted phone number

3. We will be leaving for Wichita Falls very early Mar. 25 and return Mar. 31 - evening. Our tax appt. is Apr. 3.

4. Sonya is excited about the Wichita Falls trip and can't believe she is going to Dallas.

5. Also the announcement is official - Steve, Cindy, Stevie, and Sonya will go to Europe with major cities Copenhagen, Amsterdam, London, Paris - June 27 - July 10.

6. Ricky, Kim & Collyn gave us a surprise visit this evening. We just had the sound movie back in time to show it. It is really quite good except for the tiny part I took of you. It is good of you dishing up potato salad but, alas, your nice face isn't showing, Lottie. Good shots of Bob.

6. Hope you get the package of books O.K. for distribution. We have sorted, mended, shelved and even did some discarding of out whole library. Things are looking up!

7. Today is Jane's birthday and tomorrow Frank's. Our two households will go out to dinner tomorrow, Mar. 21. Then on Mar. 22 all the family that can will be at Steve's & Cindy's for Easter, birthdays, & backyard initiation celebrations.

8. Love you guys and appreciate all your help in the refurbishing projects.

Love,
Marie & Frank

P.S. The grape vine wreath has been put back in its spot in the living room. Ruthie & Jane in their enthusiasm to make "the new room" the best room in the house had snatched it temporarily.

Durand, Wiltbank win LCSD seats

The Regency on Laurie Lane

Nov 10, 1986

Dear L & Bob -

Greetings! It is evening. It has been a beautiful Autumn day. Our mums are beautiful, the orange tree continues to grow apiece (and oranges too), and this year there are more lemons hanging over the neighbor's fence into our yard. This afternoon Marie & I moved the sundial to its new location in the west flower garden. New petunias were planted around it (Fun - working outdoors!)

Where it formerly stood in the back yard there is now a 7' 6x6 redwood post atop of which rest a 50 lb. school bell I purchased as a gift to Marie. It symbolizes her two decades plus of teaching. Yes, it rings. Loudly enough to awaken the dead (asleep in their beds)!

Marie is sound asleep on the couch having been lulled to sleep by the relaxing work in the warm Autumn sun. (It seems that each time I write she is resting or sleeping, but that is because I relax by writing. So we engage in our mutual resting periods.) We paid a visit to Dr. King (regular appointment) and I'm happy to report her SMAC, vitals, blood counts are all in the normal range, and that girth and weight remain constant. Today I visited the store and purchased ingredients for some holiday cookie baking. M-M-M! I can hardly wait. She makes such delightful goodies!

And this morning I took my car into a Glendale body shop for some slight body refurbishing due to a brush with an aspen tree while campaigning in Greer. Marie and I are gearing up psychologically to tackle finishing up the work in the garage. I had hoped we could get around to getting out to purchase a sweater (or 2) and new tennis shoes for Marie today, but we didn't make it.

Today they canvass the votes in Greer, The elections supervisor in St. Johns assure me it dealt with write-in votes only. My win still stands (unless someone contests it). I got the most votes in a field of six candidates. Jack Wiltbank, a life-long Greer resident, received the second most votes. So it looks like we two have a four year term on the Little Colorado Sanitary District Board. It was sort of fun seeing it reported on the front page of the White Mountain Independent. "Durand, Wiltbank win LCSD seats."

Ruthie and Jane took us to the Renaissance Fair at their church Saturday. It was fun. The staff and church members were attired in Elizabethan costumes. There were jugglers, archers, farmers market, handcrafts and a processional of HRM Elizabeth I led by Scottish bagpipers & including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Burghley, Sir Francis Drake, William Bradford, a pilgrim, etc. There was a short drama depicting the religious history of the time with HRM cautioning the Puritans that they were being carefully watched. Wm. Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway recited parts from William's play.

This morning I understand they had an Elizabethan period worship service follow by a feast in the patio on velvet table cloths covered with lace. Fun, huh?

Haven't hear from our busy Becky the last couple of days, but did have a visit from Rick, Kim, and that oh so bright chunk of a great-grandson, Collyn. Marie & Kim had a discussion about raising children who won't want to sleep and Rick made a payment on his car loan. Our dancing sisters are busy teaching and preforming this terpsichorean arts.

Stevie & Stephanie celebrated their birthdays together. We attended one segment: lunch after church and present opening at Steve's home afterwards. It wasn't the most joyous occasion. Steve seems terribly tired and uptight - he has us all worried. A letter from you and from Bob might be appreciated by him. But don't mention we told you of his "weariness", please!

Called John to let him know of my "victory" at Greer. John was very warm & congratulatory & expounded on the importance of my new post. All goes well there. "Their" candidate won handily in W.F. first Republican in the history of the county. The newspaper blamed his victory on "right wing extremists" and "big bankers." Since John invested quite a bit of cash into the campaign he figures he is one of the "big bankers" - but "right wing extremist!" - that made John really bristle!

And now a brief extra content statement or two from the older German Baptist preacher - Dunker Durand - or Dee Dee, for short.

1. My proclamation today is "Enter into God and one never leaves. Reading the lives of mystics they speak of a glory they experience. This glory is come remarkable way appears to be the essence of the experiencing individual." "Essence" = the permanent as contrasted with the accidental element of being.

2. Someone once described me as a quiet bull in a china shop: a repressed aggressiveness. Don't wave a red flag in front of me. Maybe they are right! I'll bet LCSD Chairman, Kellis, is sorry he was rude to me on the plan last June. The bull in me went into action and I burst into the Board's front door & broke some of their china!

3. How would you guys describe yourself: towering sunflowers or demure creeping vines (or periwinkle) - blossoming early like the crocus - or late like the Chrysanthemum? Well, better turn Mon night football off!

Bye, Love Frank

From the Desk of Frank

July 5, 1987
Laurie Lane

Dear L & Bob –

I’m supposed to be hitting the road to Greer – but felt like I’d like to dash a note off to you first before I dashed off.

It will be nice to get out of the hot weather down here. But then there will be the heat of the July LCSD Board mtg. with protests/objections to a proposed Improvement District being heard. I’m afraid it’s likely to become confrontational. I hope the beauties of Greer will be soothing.

Believe it or not your sister is playing little games with me – called “A Penny in the Path.” Tell you about it sometime. She’s cute and funny (not strange) and its comforting. We are still very good friends. No – it’s not fantasy or delusion.

I have become interested in centers and services devoted to thinking of “care givers” – a group sometimes neglected and overlooked because all attention is centered on the “care-receiver.” “Care-givers” have physical and emotional needs, too. We know, don’t we?

Adult Day Care Centers are an answer for some – especially for Alzheimers Disease patients and their care-givers. How exhausting it must be for some care-givers of such patients!

In Greer, I have become more mindful (because of the isolation) of the availability of medical emergency help and the location of doctors. In an isolated spot, these are good things to know. I certainly came to realize this after Marie’s experience in Greer, Jan. 1987.

Well, I should be getting ready to get going to Greer – and I will. There is always much to do it seems to “change residences” even if for a short time.

I surely have a lot of wonderful friends. I am still receiving cards, phone cals, and little services. The Memorial Fund for Marie is now well over $2,000!

Australia – New Zealand is getting closer. Had some trouble getting my Australian visa because of the way I filled out one line on the application. But after a couple of calls to and from the Australian Consulate in L.A. it looks as if I will have it in a day or two. The issue is related to the “work” aspect of visit to Australia. They thought that a “concert tour” meant compensation for my musical efforts. I had to convince them we were invite to Australia, that we were “guests” and that in reality I was a “tourist.”

Ruthie is involved in a “crash” graduate course – 9 credit hours in ten days. She dreads it, but feels she needs it – salary advance, etc. Ruthie and Jane had me over for 4th of July dinner, chatter, and some fireworks of our own. Jane did some computer typing for me. It was fun.

Becky, Don, and Kelli are at Greer. Rick, Kim, and the kids cam up too, I understand from a phone call up there. And Kathy and Mark have been over from Pinetop – I’m glad to see the cabin used and enjoyed.

Steve had me to a Father’s Day brunch recently. He’s anxious to get to Greer more often also.

No word recently from John. I hope he got an Associate. It was very hopeful the last time I heard from them.

I just must go!

Love Frank