March 2026

 Dear Family and Friends, March  31, 2026

Well, the month of march has come to an end but not our lovely springtime.   It flourishes in full force with bright sunny days mixed with occasional showers and beautiful green grass and flowers everywhere.

You may remember last month after attending a “Music in the Park” event here, that I hoped other similar things might also happen.  Well, sure enough, this month began with a nice “Picnic in the Park” activity where hamburgers and hot dogs were furnished.  We sat at a table with two other couples and I took this opportunity to share my March puzzles with them and those at various other tables.

That’s how I met my new neighbors who were just moving into the next house east of me.  The house west of me, between me and Dan, is also up for sale so I may soon be getting another new neighbor there.  The couple just moving in are very nice.  Her name is Ruth and he goes by the name of Fuddy.  Just like my Buddy but with an F.  

In fact I should tell you that my Buddy and I have parted company.  As I continue to become more bent over I feel like I’m more insecure, balance-wise, using my prosthetic leg.  So, sorry to say, poor Buddy has been relegated to a corner in my closet and I have been consigned to a wheelchair.  But I guess I knew it would have to happen this way someday.

While Dan and Cathy were on their cruise, my new neighbor, Fuddy, very kindly saw to my mail each day and twice restored the breaker that kept flipping off and preventing me from getting any hot water.  Yes, the water heater continued to malfunction and not produce hot water.  So finally it was replaced and now I am able to enjoy a nice hot shower, instead of a cold one, any time I choose.  Hurray!

During the week when they were gone, a young man from the church named Jonathon came and drove me to all the places I needed to go.  I had seen him earlier at the wedding shower given for him and his fiancee. But something happened and the intended wedding was cancelled.  He had served a mission and is now planning to attend BYU Idaho in April, so his time was free and he eagerly volunteered for the chance to be of service.  I appreciated his desire to receive the blessings promised to those who serve willingly but felt it only right that he should receive something to help with the gas he used in driving me about. He accepted.  

Someone else who will certainly receive the Lord’s blessings for her kindness to me is a little lady of the church whose name is Lee.  I had seen her but didn’t know her and had to ask another to supply a name for me which came back simply as “Lee.”  On the night when the ward was having an activity and lots of people were there, seated at various tables, I was surprised by someone who came up behind me threw a shawl around my shoulders saying “ I made this for you when you get cold” and scurried off to another table without me getting a good look at who had done that, and thus had to ask others about her.  In removing it from my shoulders I found it to be a beautifully made light pink hand-crocheted little shawl!  All that beautiful handwork was done for someone she didn’t even know.  Surely a true servant of Christ!

I thanked her in a note but have yet to see her again in person,

At that same ward activity I was able to give out copies of my Easter puzzles, one being very secular with eggs, bunnies, etc. but the other strictly religious with events pertaining to crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because that one had more words to find it was cramped into smaller squares and was very intimidating to people.  So I decided to redo the whole thing making it easier to read in larger squares and easier to accomplish, I hope.  The two are placed back to back on one sheet so they’ll be able to try their hand at both kinds of Easter Day puzzles.  

I love to share my puzzles and had another opportunity to do so when Cathy and I attended the Ladies Luncheon given by the association here at their restaurant by the golf course.  It is something they do each month because we went to it last month and will plan on doing it every month hereafter.  They are such nice ladies and we enjoyed them very much.  In fact I was able to join in more on their conversations  now that I have new hearing aids.  

Yes, with the help of Medicare and my insurance I was able to purchase battery-free and rechargeable hearing devices.  I knew I was hoping for a miracle when I thought I might now be able to hear from my position at the back of the church all that was being said from the pulpit each Sunday. But lo and behold, was I ever surprised when it actually did happen!  And they have no need to change batteries every week.  How great is that?   Yippie!

  

I have also been fitted for new dentures.  I am still wearing my original ones from over 60 years ago. So I am looking forward to seeing how soon I’ll be able to adjust to my new mouthful of teeth.  I probably should have done this years ago but without help it was impossible.  I‘m hoping I’ll have the same good luck with my teeth as I did with my ears, but I’m doubtful,

I never cease to marvel at the abilities of our Cathy!  She loves to cook and to bake and is always ready to make dinner for the missionaries and others.  She is great at organizing and conducting special activities and seems to have no end of energy and can get things done so quickly and efficiently it just amazes me.  Dan works right along with her on most things but everyone knows that she is the one in charge.  I think she outdid herself though on this last venture.  When she found out that in just two days one of the missionaries would have his 20th birthday, she asked him what his favorite cake was and when he said “cheesecake” she just smiled.  But in two days the elders, plus several others including three young boys, were invited to a barbecue at her house.  I of course was there to behold the extravaganza she put on.

Dan was busy at the barbecue grill on the outdoor patio.  A long table was laid out, covered with party paper, and laden with birthday paraphernalia.  Birthday balloons were attached to each chair.  The hamburgers, hot dogs and even large sausages were available, with all their condiments awaiting them, along with a fruit salad and bottles of soda. The dessert was a big surprise because she had made not only one but three large cheesecakes with toppings of strawberry, blueberry and cherry.  Elder Farris blew out the candle that was stuck into the cherry one as we sang happy birthday to him.  Since he was born in 2006 Cathy made a guessing game out of finding out information about that year.  It seems she always has some sort of game ready for every occasion. 

Then came another surprise as we were escorted to their side/front yard where a tree was supporting a colorful piñata! (a Mexican birthday tradition).  Blindfolded and using a broom handle, the three boys took their turns at hitting it, with little success,  But when Elder Farris took his turn he really found his mark and whammed on it until it burst wide open and all sorts of goodies came tumbling to the ground.  Earlier each one, including the elders, had been given a little sack to use for gathering up their goodies.  Cathy, bless her heart, with only two days' notice had gone ‘all out’ to make this a memorable birthday for that young elder.  SHE IS AMAZING!!

Now, as March ends, we are anxious to hear the inspiring words of our prophet, the twelve apostles and others when they speak at the upcoming general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  And to remember and appreciate the love and sacrifice of our Savior and the priceless gifts of resurrection and eternal life He has provided for us, during the approaching Easter week..

For now, at the end of the happy March days, I bid you farewell and ask for the Lord to bless you with health and strength so that you may carry on your daily activities without worry or pain.  And I leave you with my love and desire that you smile and laugh and be happy each day.  It’s what makes life great!

Love,   

Marie