12 Nov 1973
Dorothy Griffin to John Robert Griffin / LaCanada, CA
Dearest Shirley and Bob:
I did so enjoy Bob's letter, telling us all about the "old" Kleinsorg house, and your decision to submit an offer on it. The plank floors, the library with fireplace, the marble fireplace in the living room--all these sounded almost too good to be true. The flat roof made me wish I could see a picture of the house -- its not my T first choice for a roof, but t when you say "raised flat roof" I haven't the slightest idea of what you mean: So if you
are still considering the house, please go out there and take some pictures of it--I'm terribly curious. And has Shirley's father seen it? Or wren°t you interested in the opinions of us oldsters? I surely hope that if you like it and think it is the best opportunity at the time you will be able to make the deal. As I have told you I will be glad to help you in any way I can--even going in as partial owner if that would make it more possible for you to have it. Do you know anything about the schools out there, or about the ward. It would be a good idea to take a look at each of these -- however, the livability of the house is the main
consideration.
A week ago last Saturday we drove down to Laguna where I had a luncheon date with five old working friends--three of us still work in the district, but not for long--two of us are slated for retirement, and Janie, the third, says she is quitting when we go. One of the others, Ruth Whiting, is now working three days a week in a Savings and Loan, and is selling Janie on the idea of working in a place like that--"where the action is". Actually, school is sort of an isolated and protected part of any community I guess, and certainly these days banks and savings and loan companies are in the middle of a frightening economy. At Laguna dad and I stayed at "Vacation Village", a really huge motel, viewed. from the ocean front, but viewed from our room it didn't seem that huge. We had a view of the ocean, and could hear the surf all night-something I really like, but many people don°t. Saturday evening I took dad to a new place to eat-too way out on health food I found out to my dismay--, and while the food. was interesting it wasn't tasty-olives in soup???!!!, and the salad so covered with sprouted stuff I felt that I was eating cobwebs--ugh: That was the extent of my meal, as I had had an elegant lunch at Victor Hugo's -- but dad had some shrimp dish that was drowned in heavy melted cheese' The next morning we almost had brunch at the Laguna Hotel Sea Terrace, which is a lovely place, but dad was hungry and we were an hour early so we had breakfast in the coffee shop and saved much money. Altogether it was a lovely weekend, and I could be happy doing that once a month, but I'm not sure dad enjoys any change.
Other than that, one day is very much like another....a quiet life that I could adapt to quite well if dad doesn't get too distressed. Sometimes in the early evening he has uncontrolled shaking, very much like seizures ...but Dr. Ryan is reluctant to indroduce any new measures, probably for fear of worsening the situation.
Do write -- let us know what progress you are or aren't making, and what, if anything, I can do to help.
Love always, Mother
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