23 Aug 1973
Dorothy Griffin to Paul and Marolynn Griffin
Dearest Marolynn and Paul
Its letter writing time. I gave myself today as the deadline, so now at seven in the morning I'll try to think of all tine things I want to tell you.
We've been home for a week now, and every morning for from two to four hours I've been working on the yard. We have the world's worst gardener since our great Japanese gardener moved to Newport--this one is an older caucasian -- he has been doing the yard across the street, and dad asked him to do ours Well, after about four months. I am convinced he takes no pride in his work--is just doing it for the money, and I am hoping to change to someone else, most anyone would be better. Anyway, I have edged all the stepping stones--gave myself the task of doing a minimum of five a day, and then eight, then ten, and finally did all the back yard ones in one morning. I weeded the gardens, and now things look pretty good.
I've had a man up from the Pollard Co (kitchen remodeling) and the plans will. be ready on the fifth of September.. I told him I wanted the kitchen ready by Christmas and also the main bath. It will be expensive, and its exciting to think about, but it will mean having the house in good condition to live in, and good condition to sell if we decide to move later.
We drove up to see where Ben and Marian are building and it is a beautiful spot, looking out into high pines the house is built on a steep slope, with three big levels, and several one step levels within a level. It should be a beautiful home when it is completed, but it would never do for us, with dad's physical condition. In fact, the idea of living. up in a location like that died quickly once I saw the scene, as walking would be a real problem. I am thinking more seriously of the possibility of moving to Salt Lake City, up in the location where Elsie lives. Dorothy and Larry Van Dyke live up there, on the other side of the street with their living room facing the back, looking out oven the city. Dorothy says she never tires of looking out at the sunset over the lake and then at night looking over the lighted city. That really appeals to me, and in a year or two we might really househunt up there. Most of our old Washington crowd live in Salt Lake now, and they get together about once a month, which would be very good for dad. I wish Don and Madge would move to Salt Lake, if we did, and close and then that would be very good for dad, as Don is a very thoughtful brother, and it would be nice for us to live close to each other to see each other°s families when they came visiting.
We also went to sea Glen's new house which is in the process of being built. Ben's house has 4,000 .square feet in it, and Glen's is even larger. Both are built on a steep slope, and both look like one story houses from the front. Glen's is at the top of Bountiful, and has a beautiful view of the lake and sunsets. Right now, Glen declares himself to be over-extended as he has not yet sold the house he lives in. He told Madge that his family was living on beans flavored with bacon-bits!
Grandmother is presently in the rest home across the street from their own home. Grandad just cannot do all that has to be done for Grandmother, and no one person can, so that is the only direction to go, but Medicare does not cover, or I should say, include rest home care, and the cost is $16.00 per day, or between $480.00 to;500.00 per month. I have suggested to Don and Madge that; the only equitable thing to do is for each child (John, Ben, Don and Elsie) pay their share. If' dad wanted to pay $100 out of mother's social security then each of us would pay $100 per month. If his expenses expense, are such that he can't then each of us should pay $125.00. However, some of the children declare they can pay nothing -- as I understand it -- maybe on second thought they will change their minds. Even though Don has been given mast of dad's (grandad's) property in trust, it is unrealistic to think of him assuming the burden of rest-home care expenses alone, because there is the chance that dad may have to have such care, and that Gordon may also. Elsie is to inherit the old home. Grandmother insisted on this many years ago when Elsie was in her thirties and unmarried and dad has tried convince grandad for a long time that now that Elsie has a home that should be changed and the home left for Gordon care, but grandad so far has refused this suggestion. Perhaps, now, he will see things in a different light.
We celebrated Mark's birthday Saturday. It was such fun--and how I wish all of us could have been together: Mark and Scott are close enough in age to have had a real tumble together--I'm sure Scott could hold his own. Whenever I think of him I see him climbing from the outside to the inside of his playpen, or taking a long slide on his stomach down the stairs. Shirley has become a great cook, and had a delicious meal as usual. You girls are outshining me in your cooking -- all of you, for which I am delighted. Next comes Paul's birthday and Bob and Shirley's tenth wedding anniversary, then John's birthday on the 20th, and Bob's birthday on the 27th: September is full of holidays.
Marian, I bought me a length of material that I'm quite excited about. I hadn't chosen a pattern, so I bought 4 1/2 yards, and now I I've got to find a pattern. I thought of a modified shirt-waist style with a different neck like as handkerchief neckline:-- do you know what I mean -- a triangle that knots in front. You recall that camel sleeveless coat. I want to wear the dress under that so one of these days I'll get it all out to you, and you can make it up far me far your Christmas present to me. I also bought that 12 days of Christmas decal. If you like it you can hang it in the dining room or on the stair landing or in Holly's room if you don't want it, anywhere else. Anyway, I got the material over at Bullocks s near Shirley's house, and showed it to her, sand she liked it so well that she is going to get some to make herself a blouse.
I'll write you more . I just wanted to keep in touch -- original of this to Marian. What do you want for your birthday Paul? I tried to call. You had moved - no phone!
Love and kisses, Mother
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