NEWS FROM HOME

The photos are in Grand Teton National Park--a favorite view from Antelope Flats where we often have gone for picnics with the bison.

Mavis says beet harvest is well underway and will probably last until about October 20. Yields are considerably below average, ranging from 15 to 18.5 tons per acre for the fields finished so far. That is hardly enough to pay for fertilizer ($250 per acre, up from $60 a couple of years ago) and fuel! They have a good crew at work and are moving right along.

MEMORIES OF LONG AGO

Mavis recalled a story today that I had entirely forgotten, but would have included in the memoirs had I remembered. She and the folks rode the train to see us when I was in the U.S. Army in Georgia, when Dione was only six weeks old. The train got mixed up in Chicago, and the rail car they were in got left behind! They had to run down the tracks to catch up with the train and avoid missing their connection to Georgia!

DAD DOING FINE

Dad is doing just fine, but is constantly in need of hand written notes to remind him of what he needs to do in his house. Mavis has been going down there in the mornings to take care of Abby when Luke has to leave early. She does dad's laundry and shapes up the house. He continues to be able to do most of his own selfcare chores, as long as it is a regular routine. He goes with Mavis to the fields occasionally, and goes to Sidney on Thursdays for visits with Marilyn and Issy, while Mavis goes to her meeting. Mavis, Marilyn and Issy were at Dad's this afternoon to play cards with him--something he continues to really enjoy.

His long-time friend, Bill Dobias, had an aneurism, and is now in the Lodge home in Sidney, fortunately doing quite well. Mavis and Dad went to see him recently, and also saw several other residents from Cartwright, such as Francis Johnson.

MAT'S RETIREMENT

Mat is being celebrated at a retirement party on October 10, when he completes 30 years as a State of Montana employee. He has held a variety of jobs over the years in various parts of State goverment. OUR CONGRATULATIONS TO HIM!!! He is taking a retirement trip to Cleveland with a good friend to celebrate a bit and "unwind!"

Maureen is thankful that she left Fannie Mae before all of the recent troubles with the company--including the government take-over. It is not a happy place anymore.

They have installed solar panels on the roof of their house to heat water that
then heats their house. It seems to be working really well, heating the water to 140 degrees very quickly.

Maureen is going to meetings in early December and will visit Dione, Saul, and Mollie at their new house in Yellow Spring, OH.

READING PROOFS

We have the page proofs (all 392 pages!) for our memoirs: FABULOUS JOURNEY, and are reading madly to get the corrections done in the next week. We hope to have books by Thanksgiving!