November 1, 2019

 Buenos Dias, Amigos ---

    WOW! Where did October go? It was kinda busy for me, but first of all I'd like to assure those who expressed an interest in my hand, that it is ok, except for a little twinge in my thumb that sometimes makes my writing jerk, so I decided to try using the "hunt and peck" method on the keyboard this month, which will convey the same message to all those to whom I send a little money and a note on the first of the month, and relieve me of some duplicate writing. Thus, my (first) "epistle" follows ...

    On the 5th and 6th of October, I was able to watch and enjoy all the sessions of General Conference from Salt Lake City. President Russell M. Nelson feels very strongly about NOT using nicknames, such as Mormon and LDS, when referring to the Lord's Church, but to always use, instead, its full, correct name, as given by Christ himself, which is: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Yes, it's long, but definitely should be the only name used by everyone from now on.

    Soon after that, I experienced a "flood" in my little mobile home. The hose to my washer burst and spewed water all over my laundry room. It, of course, had linoleum on its floor and a back door that led outside, so the accumulated water there was able to be pushed, shoved, swept outside and, using every towel and rag I could find, was eventually cleared. But the water had been going long enough before being discovered and turned off, that it had gone into the carpeted hallway and office / storage room directly behind the laundry. Now this presented a real problem, because the carpet had to be ripped up so the soaked pad could be removed and the floor and carpet allowed to dry out completely. This meant, naturally, that everything in that room had to be removed and put elsewhere. But where? and by whom?

    This happened on a Tuesday evening after working hours so I called my Home Teacher. He was out of town, but I was advised to call the Elders Quorum President and the Missionaries. It was 9:00 before they could get there, but they came! And, believe it or not, in just one hour they had removed hundreds of books from John's two tall bookcases, stacking them all over my bedroom floor, removed eight drawers from a large chest and bookcases, and other boxes of this and that, to where my house was like an obstacle course for a few days. And they even were able to cut the carpet back as far as necessary, remove the soaked pad, and set up a fan to dry things. Finally, when the floor and carpet were deemed dry enough, the carpet man came with a new pad and relaid the carpet. Then the chore of replacing everything again began, but a church family (Jarvis) with strong boys took care of that for me. 

    Soon after things were somewhat back to normal, it was time for our DUP (Daughters of Utah Pioneers) meeting of which I was scheduled to be the hostess because I knew I already had lots of autumn leaves and other suitable table decorations. They were all in a big sack that I had placed on the floor of the office / storage room. When the time came to gather everything together, I was stunned to find an empty space where the sack had been. The few times during the year that I had had occasion to open that closet, I had seen the sack in its place, but now it was gone! How? Why? Where? There was no reason for me to have moved it. During the flood episode, I had even opened that closet door to see if water had gotten in there and was glad it hadn't, but was the sack there then? I don't know. I don't remember. Anyway, the problem now was, do I leave the tables bare, or do I buy some new things? I bought some new things and everything turned out all right. But, for the life of me, I still don't know what could have happened to that sack. I guess it's just another one of those "senior moments" that are getting to be much too frequent these days.

    As it got a littlle closer to Halloween, the Riviera Mobile Park scheduled a pot-luck dinner at the clubhouse and encouraged everyone to come in costume, if possible. The only thing I could think of was my long DUP dress and bonnet and shawl. So, I went as a pioneer lady, and, by golly, if I didn't win 3rd prize! That was really a pleasant surprise ($5.00!). Then, a few days later, my Redwood Ward had its Halloween party at the church and served Mexican chili and cornbread. So, for that one I got out the dress I had bought in Mexico with all of its lovely embroidery work, rigged up a mantilla for my hair from a lace tablecloth, and even had an authentic serape to complete my outfit as "La Senora Maria". I had a few nice comments, but no prize. The Church didn't give out any prizes, but it was a lot of fun, especially for the children.

    And now I will bid you Adios, con amor y carino, hasta December 1st ---