Chrysanthemums

Autumn means mums. When I was about 11, grandpa helped me plant rows of chrysan themums in our back yard. With little more than watering, great flowers showed up in the fall.

One year in Morningside, Lana Larkin brought me a whole full armload of different kinds of mums from her backyard.

I like most varieties. The very large, fat ones, sometimes called football mums, made a corsage in the 50's and 60's, for "co-eds" to wear on their cute fall suit to homecoming football games.

Right now I buy plants for the house or porch, then divide and plant them outside. They come up in the spring, bloom in autumn. If the plant begins to blossom in the summer, Grandpa taught me to trim it a little to save its strength for a bigger fall show.

My Mom

Sometimes Mother would write a note for one of her small children and she'd substitute little pictures for the hard words, pictures of a car or a house: "I'm coming home..." I don't know if we understood the words, but her effort to communicate on our level back then is touching to me still.
My mother needs help now.

Mat the Rat

I think this series started when Josh was in first grade.

Elder McEvoy

Alan returned from Ventura, CA yesterday afternoon. He's doing surprisingly well so far.

New York, New York

Fun to see Petrea and the NY families. The "big kids" came with me on a short train ride to get a treat and play along the river.

Petrea

Petrea is here!

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Southern CA

We had a great weekend in Southern CA. Ben is great, as are his parents.

It was fun to be with Roger's friend Dave, fun to go to the Rose Bowl, and fun to be at our class reunion.

OK, it is a little weird because you truly could not recognize anyone. But gradually you would look close and smile and recognize and start sharing stories. That was fun. Held at a lovely home overlooking the Pacific.

New Kids on the Block

Welcome to Jared and Liz! We're glad to have them "in the neighborhood." Liz makes a darling pregnant lady and their house is great. Jared isn't actually glowing; he's standing in front of their cute floor lamp.

Stork Watching

These days we're waiting for news from NY.

45th

We're headed to LA this weekend for a class reunion. Roger's going under duress, but he's comforted by the prospect of the BYU-UCLA football game, in the Rose Bowl no less. We're both looking forward to seeing the OC Stanleys.


Back in the day I copied this picture of Willie the Wolf on various HS posters, publicity signs, etc.. Roger actually WAS Willie the Wolf for a season, the school mascot in wolf mask and tuxedo.

Back to School

Even semi-retired people notice the start of school. The bus begins to run on our road, the USU 4th Stake is back in high gear, and I have start-of-the-year meetings. I like the newness and the routines and the hint of fall weather in the air.


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