The Pink Hat Club

Sorina actually believes one of these hats belongs to her Daddy and she tries to get him to wear it often.

 


If you think the picture looks funny, then you should have seen Sorina and I outside the other day. We were going to walk down to a neighbors house, and she put on her hat and brought me the matching one and put it on my head. I wasn't sure about wearing it outside, so I took mine off. Well, she then took hers off too. So I put mine back on and she put hers back on too. Well, I started walking down the street and saw a car coming, so I took mine off (and you know what follows), she took hers off too. Then I just went ahead and put mine on (which she copied) and we wore them the rest of the way down to the neighbors house. I did not want to scare the neighbor we were visiting, so we took off our hats at the door. On the way back home we wore our hats. One other neighbor saw us on our way home (one we don't know well), as they were coming out to get in their car. They did not need to say anything, the looks on their faces said it all. I could not think of much of an explanation, so we just continued on our merry way. About all I can think of that I might have said, which probably wouldn't have helped, is "You see the hat ... I am Mrs. Nesbitt." Unlike Buzz Lightyear, however, I was not in a state of depression and disillusionment. Shawn


Melanie wrote: What a wonderful Dad! Most Dads wouldn't be caught anywhere wearing a pink hat, let alone a frilly pink hat.
 
We love your pictures!
Melanie
 
-Shawn

A History of Elaine Smith Pitts As Written by Her Mother.

My mother was named Elaine. Actually, she was named Jessie Elanie but was called only Elanie. Because she was such a young woman when she died, not many of my children know much about her. 

(The following was written for Myrna by Vivian Christene Pritchett Smith, Myrna’s grandmother, when Myrna was in the seventh grade. It was a school project. Myrna added a few things as she and her grandmother talked. Myrna still has the original in Grandma Smith’s writing.)

Jessie Elaine Smith, born Jan. 2, 1920, in Huntington, Emery, Utah. She was blessed March 7, 1920, in Huntington, and was baptized in the Huntington River on July 1, 1928 by Arly

Marshall and was confirmed by Lar Black. She was sealed to her parents, along with her

sister, Renee, following her father’s death of cancer. He was baptized on 14 July 1935, a short time before he died. He died 4 Aug 1935. The sealing took place on 3 Aug 1936 in Salt Lake Temple.

She was married on 3 Dec 1939 to Howard Thomas Pitts. They had one daughter, Myrna

Rae Pitts, born on Dec. 24, 1940 in Price. Elaine was killed as the result of an automobile

accident, which occurred on Carbon Avenue in Price. She died Nov. 24, 1941. (The 11-month

birthday of Myrna.) Elaine was endowed the 14 of Nov 1945.

Elaine was the daughter of Raymond James and Vivian Christene Pritchett Smith. She has one older sister, Vivian Renee Smith Childs, who was born Oct. 26, 1918.

Elaine was born about 4 o’clock in the morning after a big fire that burned down almost all of the Huntington business district. Her mother and father, Vivian and Ray, were visiting at Elaine's Grandfather John Pritchett’s home (father of Vivan Christene). A great fire on New Year’s Eve burned Grandfather’s drugstore, home, an apartment, a barbershop, a pool hall, a feed and grain store and a hotel.

After all of that Myrna’s mother, Elaine, was born. Everything burned but the clothes her folks

had on so it was a bad time for a baby to come, but things straightened out after a time. Her

grandfather’s store stayed in Huntington and her father opened up a meat and grocery store.

Elaine went to school there. Her best friends were Verna Robbins, Belle Gunderson, Lilas

Green and Madaline Grange. She graduated from high school in 1939. She graduated with honors, receiving a block H. She was a member of the girl’s trio, Pep Club and the Mask Club (speech and drama). She was leading lady in the Junior and Senior plays and also entered meets for the speech class for those two years. She was rated superior in the region speech meet for Dramatic Reading and Excellent in oration. She also was a member of a ballet dance group that gave several exhibitions. She and her partner, Roland Gardner, did exhibition dancing for the Green and Gold Balls all through the county. The dances were original waltzes and the ones sent out by the state and church.

Elaine was a beautiful girl and was well liked. She had lots of dark hair, eyes that were so

brown they were almost black and a fair skin. She was Miss North Emery High and won

several other beauty and talent awards. She graduated from LDS Seminary the same year and gave several short speeches at stake conferences. She was very active in Sunday school and Mutual. She received her patriarchal blessing.

Howard, Myrna’s father, and Elaine, her mother, met at a dance in Emery County. Elaine sang

with a trio of girls that night but she also liked dancing. Howard saw her standing on the

sidelines and asked her to dance. After that, they had eyes only for each other. Elaine had told her mother, earlier, when she had seen Howard dancing, "That is the man I am going to marry." [As an aside, Howard had also told one of his friends at the dance, "That is the girl I am going to marry."] That is just what happened.

Elaine loved singing. Howard also enjoyed singing. Elaine sang many times with other girls

and after meeting Howard, the two of them sang at various events in Carbon and Emery Counties. Two of their favorite songs were: “When Smoke Gets In Your Eyes,” and “Stardust.” Their voices were compatible and they sounded very good together.

After she married Thomas Howard Pitts, she went to Price to live. Myrna was born the night

her father had come down with pneumonia. He was sent to his folk’s home to get better because Elaine was so close to giving birth to Myrna. That night, Elaine had to call her brother-in law, Morgan, to drive her to the hospital in Price. He took her in a dump truck.

Myrna was, basically, a baby when her mother died. Elaine was buried on her mother’s,

birthday, Nov. 26. Myrna has lived with her grandmother (her mother’s mother), Vivian

Smith, ever since.

(As young as she was, Myrna really missed her mother and would not go to sleep. For days, at bedtime, she would cry and fuss. Finally, in desperation, her Grandmother Smith took her to

bed with her and then they both slept. She would not drink from her bottle either and weaned

herself to a cup.)

Her father enlisted in World War II and served as a Sea Bee in the Navy in the Pacific islands.

Grandma Elaine’s History

It has been suggested that each month we feature a history of a family member. I (Grammy) chose my mother, Elaine, because not many of you know much about her. Next month, we will have LHT do his mother’s story. Then I will get Grandpa Pitts to do his story. We will see how it goes.

(The following was written for Myrna by Vivian Christene Pritchett Smith, Myrna’s grandmother, when Myrna was in the seventh grade. It was a school project. Myrna added a few things as she and her grandmother talked. Myrna still has the original in Grandma Smith’s writing.)

Jessie Elaine Smith, born Jan. 2, 1920, in Huntington, Emery, Utah. She was blessed

March. 7, 1920, in Huntington, and was baptized in the Huntington River on July 1, 1928 by Arly Marshall and was confirmed by Lar Black. She was sealed to her parents, along with her sister, Renee, following her father’s death of cancer. He was baptized on 14 July 1935, a short time before he died. He died 4 Aug 1935. The sealing took place on 3 Aug 1936 in Salt Lake Temple.

She was married on 3 Dec 1939 to Howard Thomas Pitts. They had one daughter, Myrna Rae Pitts, born on Dec. 24, 1940 in Price.

Elaine was killed as the result of an automobile accident, which occurred on Carbon Avenue in Price. She died Nov. 24, 1941. (The 11-month birthday of Myrna.) Elaine was endowed the 14 of Nov 1945.

Elaine was the daughter of Raymond James and Vivian Christene Pritchett Smith. She has one older sister, Vivian Renee Smith Childs, who was born Oct. 26, 1918.

Elaine was born about 4 o’clock in the morning after a big fire that burned down almost all of the Huntington business district. Her mother and father, Vivian and Ray, were visiting at Elaine’s Grandfather John Pritchett’s home. A great fire on New Year’s Eve burned Grandfather’s drug store, home, an apartment, a barbershop, a pool hall, a feed and grain store and a hotel.

After all of that Myrna’s mother, Elaine, was born. Everything burned but the clothes her folks had on so it was a bad time for a baby to come, but things straightened out after a time. Her grandfather’s store stayed in Huntington and her father opened up a meat and grocery store.

Elaine went to school there. Her best friends were Verna Robbins, Belle Gunderson, Lilas Green and Madaline Grange. She graduated from high school in 1939. She graduated with honors, receiving a block H. She was a member of the girl’s trio, Pep Club and the Mask Club (speech and drama). She was leading lady in the Junior and Senior plays and also for the speech class for those two years. She was rated superior in the region speech meet for Dramatic Reading and Excellent in oration. She also was a member of a ballet dance group that gave several exhibitions. She and her partner, Roland Gardner, did exhibition dancing for the Green and Gold Balls all through the county. The dances were original waltzes and the ones sent out by the state and church.

Elaine was a beautiful girl and was well liked. She had lots of dark hair, eyes that were so brown they were almost black and a fair skin. She was Miss North Emery High and won several other beauty and talent awards.

She graduated from LDS Seminary the same year and gave several short speeches at stake conferences. She was very active in Sunday school and Mutual. She received her patriarchal blessing.

Howard, Myrna’s father, and Elaine, her mother, met at a dance in Emery County. Elaine sang with a trio of girls that night but she also liked dancing. Howard saw her standing on the sidelines and asked her to dance. After that, they had eyes only for each other. Elaine had told her mother, earlier, when she had seen Howard dancing, “That is the man I am going to marry.” That is just what happened.

Elaine loved singing. Howard also enjoyed singing. Elaine sang many times with other girls and after meeting Howard, the two of them sang at various events in Carbon and Emery Counties. Two of their favorite songs were: “When Smoke Gets In Your Eyes,” and “Stardust.” Their voices were compatible and they sounded very good together.

After she married Thomas Howard Pitts, she went to Price to live. Myrna was born the night her father had come down with pneumonia. He was sent to his folk’s home to get better because Elaine was so close to giving birth to Myrna. That night, Elaine had to call her brother-in law, Morgan, to drive her to the hospital in Price. He took her in a dump truck.

Myrna was, basically, a baby when her mother died. Elaine was buried on her mother’s, birthday, Nov. 26. Myrna has lived with her grandmother (her mother’s mother), Vivian Smith, ever since.

(As young as she was, Myrna really missed her mother and would not go to sleep. For days, at bedtime, she would cry and fuss. Finally, in desperation, her Grandmother Smith took her to bed with her and then they both slept. She would not drink from her bottle either and weaned herself to a cup.)

Her father enlisted in World War II and served as a Sea Bee in the Navy in the Pacific islands.

Grandma T. Personal History (Continued from last month)

Dad is upset with me for leaving so much out of my history. I told him I was not writing a book. That is a longer history and is being written. I don’t plan on publishing it but it already numbers more than 20 pages. However, he did think I should mention that I have had a life-long love of learning and that, even when we were “poor as church mice” students at BYU we managed to arrange for me to take a few night classes: one in children’s literature (which our neighbor taught) and other English, journalism

and writing classes. It is something he is proud of. (So why didn’t he put it in his history? Ha, ha.) 

He also wanted me to mention that I have had many positions in the church. I began

teaching Jr. Sunday school when I was 16 years old. I also was the Sr. Sunday School Secretary (a job I hated because of the monthly reports) and was the editor of the ward newsletter. I held that job and the one as teacher until Dad and I, as a married couple, moved from the ward. Since then, I have served in every organization: Primary (as a teacher and as the inservice leader), in Jr. Sunday school as a teacher, in MIA

as the stake speech director, in the Relief Society as a teacher for 25 years and as the president for eight. I am now back in the Primary. Incidentally, all of my R.S. presidency, still in the ward, is now in the Primary with me. Larraine is in the presidency. Dianee and Norma are teachers. Verna lives in California. The next

president, Janet, is the music leader, and her counselors are teachers. Primary must be the place. OK, LHT, enough!

Fun with kids

Kids play. Make organizing and cleaning fun for kids by turning their chores into games. Set a timer for 10 minutes and have your kids put all of their toys away before the timer sounds. Give out small rewards, like stickers, based on the amount of toys they've managed to put away before the timer went off. If you are into rewards for good behavior, the stickers could be pasted on a chart and redeemed for a prize. Another game is 'Organizing Statues.' Put some music on as everyone is cleaning up, but put somebody in charge of turning the music on and off, unexpectedly, at intervals throughout the cleaning session. When the music stops, everyone has to freeze, like a statue, in a funny position-- like with one arm out and one foot in the air. As each person moves, they are eliminated. The last person to stand without moving wins. Then, put the music on again and start over until the project is done.

Buzz’n Joneses

Dear Family,

We hope that your month has gone well. We are doing great here in Nephi. This past month we have had the opportunity to spend time with Braden. Mary and I took him to the Scottish Festival in Payson. We apparently went on the wrong night. It was a bit boring. We also got to go fishing at Ferron Reservoir. It was Jim's and Mary's first time there. They both loved it. Jim, Grandpa, and Braden caught a ton of fish. We will be eating them for a long time. We also got to take Mary to the carnival. It was kind of a bust since the only ride she can go on was the Merry-go-round. I think after a few times

around she was a little bit blue in the face.

For our anniversary, we planned a family outing to the Hogle Zoo. It was a lot of fun. We took a stroller but Mary wouldn't ride in it. She had to walk the whole way. Mary loved the building with the birds and the smaller mammals. The funnest part was showing her the animals in their cages. We would point at them and say, "Look." When she finally!saw them she would smile and yell, "Hi!" We then went to the Lion House Restaurant for lunch. (That is the one by Temple Square, not at the zoo.) Afterwards we went to the Church History Museum. They have a great display about the printing of the Book of Mormon. Another cool feature at the museum is the children's play area. Mary loved the toys they had there, especially the little soapbox cars. It was a lot of fun for her. Unfortunately, we believe it made her sick because two days later she was diagnosed with herpesangina. It is a horrible virus which causes sores in the mouth and throat. She was in pain for quite a few days. But, she has finally kicked it and is back to her normal self.

Our garden is growing well. The!peas are about done and Jim is itching to pull them out and plant some more for the fall. The green beans are just coming on. (We have a hard time keeping Grandpa T. out of them.) The best news for Mary is that the everbearing strawberry plants are reproducing like rabbits. She can count on 3-4 red, ripe strawberries each day. I think it is her favorite time of day. We will go out there and pick the ripe ones. She will take one strawberry, regardless of its size, and put the whole thing in her mouth. Immediately the red juice will begin to run down her chin and drip onto her shirt.! She will smash it around with her gums until it is all gone, and then it's time for the next one. It is quite a sight to see. When she is done, she looks like a little orphan, but she sure is happy.

The bees are doing well. Jim is enjoying his time repairing boxes and frames while the bees do their last bit of honey making for the summer. We hope the break does them both some good.

That is the news from the Land of Nephi.! We hope you are all doing well.

Love,

The Tres Nephites

The Late but Always Great Waites

What a crazy, great month was July!

The Waite family enjoyed all 1600 miles we put on the rental car in Boston, NY, Maine and Canada with the Bolton Clan. We all loved every minute of our time together. The girls already miss Mikaela and playing, playing, playing. We loved the greenery, the scenery, and camaraderie. This was Jared's first trip to the East coast and he took in everything. He's already determined to go back and see the rest of what we didn't get to this time, and I'm all down with that. I enjoyed all that jazz, but you know for me, I'm happy as a lark talking and hanging upside down off of beds to make sure gravity

pulls my wrinkles back the other way (Mel will get that one. ;-)

We got back to Colorado just in time for the nice heat wave to come through. I still don't understand the whole "no air-conditioning because it's cool enough here not to need one" attitude here. What's up with that?!! I think 97-100's are pretty darn hot, even without humidity (and I'm pretty sure you Utah folks would agree with the last couple weeks you've had, as well.) Jared came back and went back to work. He's back to busy season (why is it that everyone wants to get in to see the dentist right before school starts? -- another thing I don't understand. You really can go any time of year as long as it's every six months--other than the whole pulling your kids out of school thing.) I got back to busy season, too: Girl's Camp, personal progress focused activities, swim lessons, baby-sitting, life.! It's been a fun and crazy month.

The best thing about summer is seeing all of our friends and family. Within five weeks time, we've had Todd and family, Jared's family, some friends (and their kids) from Texas, and David and family visit us -- No guilt trips for the rest of you (AnnMarie's the only one with a good excuse). Just kidding. Actually you all will get your chance to be very sick of us, as we will be in Utah starting August 11 and leaving Labor Day. Yes, all you Utah folks will be very fortunate to have the great honor and privilege of having the Waites join and bless your annual Labor Day campout. Don't worry, I'll make sure

to bring some potato salad.

Another great milestone this month was that our baby, Emma, turned two!! She's still a stinker, like always, and no significant changes in attitude with her two-year-old birthday -- Whitney woke up grumpy on her two-year-old birthday, and hasn't changed much since -- the apple doesn't fall far from the tree some would say.

We are very excited to come meet AnnMarie's new little one -- when she comes. And tour and visit the rest of you. Jared will be leaving on the 14th and will fly back in Thursday before Labor Day.

So by the time you're reading this, we will be reading alongside you in Utah (except Mel and Todd, of course, and they'll just have to be jealous of the rest of you).

TTFN,

The Waites

The Magnificent Seven (Almost)

The Howard's have continued to enjoy the summer. Time would not allow for a summer vacation so we have been trying to keep busy around here. We like to go swimming at Seven Peaks and our local pool. We also just made our annual trek to Lagoon. The kids enjoyed tennis lessons again and each have improved a lot over last summer. We go to the movies (of course Mom approved only). They each just completed the summer reading challenge for our library and have kept their brains "alive" through reading each day. We have had fun with cousins from Massachusetts, Ohio, Colorado, Layton, St. George, Nephi and Payson. The kids just had videotaped auditions for another short movie (5 minutes)!to be made for BYU (this is different than the one Matthew auditioned for last month). Even though none of them have had acting lessons, the writer was impressed with the two oldest. And, we are well on our way to completing the Book of Mormon by the end of the year like President Hinckley challenged each family and individual to do.

Brandon is still Bishop and since nothing is happening on that front, we will still be here for many months to come. I am still in the R.S. Presidency even though everyone else was released.

The baby is going to be born on the 16th at 9:30 a.m. at Timpanogos Hospital in Orem. Since they won't give out patient information over the phone anymore (thanks to Congress), we will try to call you as soon as we can, or you may call mine or Brandon's cell phones (801) 735-7437 and (801) 735-7438.

The Butcher, The Baker, and the Mammograph Taker

What to say? Not too much has happened in the last month. The kids are still playing hard. Each week there is improvement in their swimming. 

David did have his birthday. He was able to add to his Magnetix collection as well as spend some money at the dollar store. Who would have known that $5 at the dollar store could make a kid so happy?

Jason is anxious for school to start because he’s “board.” He’s started reading the new Harry Potter book though, so maybe that will hold him off until August 23rd. Jason has continued to help Eric in the basement. He’s also a lot of help for mom.

Madilyn is also anxious to start school. She is ready for first grade, but still talks about her friends at Starbright. I don’t think that she’s realized that they won’t be in the same school as her. We’ve told her that she’ll be going to the same school as the boys, but who knows sometimes what’s going on inside their heads.

What to say about AJ? He is still a delight and still a challenge. The child does what he wants to; everything he wants and only what he wants to. This often gets him into trouble. He is quick to say, “I sorry,” but it doesn’t change the fact that the next time the impulse hits he is gone again. We can be right there, but the kid is fast and has no fear. Two seconds without a parent looking is all he needs. Any ideas?

Eric is still busy trying to figure out the electrical for the basement. We think that he is about done. I think that he will also be happy when it cools off and he doesn’t have to mow the lawn anymore.

Amy’s sinus woes are back and she has to go back under the knife on the 25th. Hopefully they can take care of it for good this time. 

Hopefully we will still be up for camping over Labor Day. Eric’s boss has said he could have the time off.

Boston Baked Boltons

July was an amazing month for the Bolton family. We had some really fun times, some trying times and some aha moments. It has been very hot here, thus we have truly earned the name, Boston Baked Boltons.

Howard left on the 29th of June for a long trip around the world. He arrived home on the 15th of July. It didn't seem like he was gone so long to those of us who were here in America, because we had so much going on, but it seemed much longer to Howard as he did it in the reverse that he normally goes. Howard was in England, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia. He came home tired and glad to sleep in his own bed. He was also missing golf.

Siovhan has been diligent and determined to not let work get her down. She has worked 40-hour workweeks almost as long as she has been home. She has made a new friend in the ward, who calls her to do things, but she always seems to be doing other things and they can't quite connect. She is still following the Red Sox and thinks that Manny is a baby, and no one wants him. Good luck Manny Ramirez. Siovhan had a great time with the Waites here, but she was jealous that we got to go and do things while she was at work. She did come with us to New York, and she saw some friends from our ward while she was there. While in New York, she found out that her best friend from High School, Holly, is engaged to someone Siovhan had introduced her to. Siovhan is in fact counting down the days to when she is back in Utah (as she calls it: "Back Home"). Sixteen days as of this writing, and counting. She is going to have a dental appointment for wisdom teeth issue, but she will have to wait until Christmas for the surgery, which reminds us of Kirsten's fun surgery Christmas present. Siovhan's last day at work is August 5th.

Braden is finally home after spending 24 days of July in Utah. He loved being in Utah and doing all the family things. He fell in love with BYU and wants to be able to attend there when he graduates from High School. He gutted his first fish, ate tons of new things, made a DVD of the pictures that he took in Utah and set them to music, rode a bike around Nephi, stayed up late talking to Grandma, took naps in the afternoon, stayed at a friend's house in Sandy and just chilled. Braden has assumed his roll at home and thinks that he needs to take control of everything when Dad isn't home, because he is the second tallest in the house for now. He has adapted to the time change and seems to be up earlier than he needs to be.

Benjamin was a great help to his mother while Braden was gone. He would do things around the house without even being asked. He was always asking Kirsten if he could help push Ema in the stroller or if he could be with them. Uncle Jared had brought a DVD player to use in the car on the way around New England and New York, and I thought Ben would be the first to volunteer to go in their car, but he didn't want his Mom to be alone, so he went with her and they had a great time talking. Ben helped baby-sit some children who were in the process of moving to Texas, while their mom was packing things in boxes. Ben played with the little ones and they loved him. He also went to Scout Camp at Camp Squanto, near Plymouth, Massachusetts during the hottest week of the year. He had fun testing for his swimming test to take his canoeing class. He then worked on his environmental science merit badge, his archery badge, and his canoeing badge. He tells me to let you know that archery was his favorite. He didn't like the food at camp and existed on cottage cheese and croutons, supplemented with chocolate bars that had melted in his tent, but were still edible, and slushies. He is glad to have Braden home, but is not looking forward to having Siovhan leaving.

Mikaela has been kept busy during the summer break. She loved having Emaree and Whitney here. She thinks Auntie Kirsten is amazing and she liked hearing Uncle Jared laugh. Whitney and Mikaela love the same things and Mikaela loved to hear Auntie Kirsten read stories at night. She wished that we could have all our cousins live closer. She has taken a scrap booking class and gymnastics. Mikaela loves gymnastics and she seems to do well at it. The teachers are encouraging and helpful, which is a great thing when you aren't so sure of a new sport. Mikaela loves the uneven parallel bars and the balance beam. She wasn't so sure that the balance beam was going to be one of her favorites, but she now has the "flamingo" down and can dismount without landing on her bottom. She has had many play dates and has actually played with Benjamin on a few days. She missed Braden and Howard and was constantly asking to call them on the phone. She seems to be more of a socialite than even Siovhan was at that age.

The family went to Mystic Seaport in Connecticut for a Saturday excursion. We go several times a year. This year we learned some fun things about the whaling industry and we even took a steamboat ride down the river to the bridge. It is a beautiful port. We had a great time. We met another LDS family while we were there, we could tell, because the Grandparents had missionary nametags on. It was fun to talk with them and their grandchildren.

I, Melanie, have been very busy getting things done for the children. I have been reading while running, but I don't seem to have any other time for it. I still manage a book every two weeks. I love reading! I finished the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince book last week, just in time, as Siovhan was just finished reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I am still trying to find someone to help me out with my children while I go to Girl's Camp in August. My counselor was going to help me, but she has decided to take a last minute drive across America, with her husband and six children, to California. I also had the great pleasure of having a newborn in my house for almost a week. It was fun to hold the not so little eleven pounder, then hand her over for the feeding and the night times. I held her during the days while her mom slept (her Dad was in New York). 

We are grateful to all those who help our children out. We are grateful for the sacrifices that others made in Braden's behalf. Thank you for your time, your patience, your money and your love.

Ben found some Dumb Blonde Jokes this month that were very amazing. His favorite ones are:

Q: What do you call a Dumb Blonde in an Institute of Higher Learning?

A: A Visitor.

Q: What do you call a Dumb Blonde who dyes her hair brunette?

A: Artificial Intelligence.

(Melanie didn’t expect to see this in the newsletter. It is a thank you from her to Grumpy Gramps LHT and Grumpier Grammy MRT. However, two paragraphs of the six were just too good to keep to ourselves.)

When I was younger, I had the wonderful opportunity to spend time alone with my Grandparents in Kenilworth. I know that it was a good thing for me. I remember specifically the time that I got homesick. I cried because I just wanted to see you (Dad) and Mom. Grandma was a little upset with me for being so sad. Grandpa took me in his arms, comforted me, then told me the best thing to do was to write a letter. He took me over to the forbidden desk, got out some paper, a pencil and some crayons and showed me how to write a letter. He then showed me how to put it in an envelope and address it. He gave me a stamp from the stamp container on the desk and walked with me the whole distance to the post office (I know he could have watched me from the front yard, but he walked with me). We then went in and mailed the letter. After that, it was sweets from Jewkes’ and a swing on the front porch. He was so kind to me. That is the kind of thing that turns the hearts of the children to the fathers.

I wish I had been older before Great Grandma Smith died, as I have very few memories of her, but all my memories are the ones that I remember that she was holding me on her lap, and I felt good when I was with her. Of course, we all remember Grandma and Grandpa Pitts and their stories and the fun times. They were very

young grandparents.