November 16, 1981

November 16

This morning started the first of a three day murder trial.  Janis W. was going to court but she classed late Sunday evening to say that she was sick, so I had to go to court.  We had called 45 witnesses be cause we anticipated that we would have a hard time choosing a jury on a case like that.  Imagine my surprise when the first seventeen were called.  They chose the jury from among them and the trial was in progress by 10:30.  It had started at 9:00 a.m.  Robert Hastie was the Deputy Sheriff who had handled the case so he was the chief witness for the prosecution and he did an A-1 job as a witness.  I was really proud of him and I believe he was proud of himself.  At any rate, court recessed at 5 p.m. and started again the next morning and went all that day.  It quit soon after 5 but I didn’t go home. I just stayed there for comm’s meeting, which lasted until 9:30.  Very fortunate for me because we had a case scheduled for 8:30 on Wednesday morning.  The murder trial resumed at 9 a.m. By noon the jury went out and everyone expected them to be out for several hours and we were all astounded when they announced 20 minutes later that they had reached a verdict.  They all filed in and the judge handed the verdict to me to read.  It was “not guilty”.  Again, many of the people acted amazed.  It seemed like the jury had their minds made up before they ever left the courtroom because they didn’t have time to study the evidence.  Needless to say, there were several very happy people.  Mrs. Furrh was one and her daughter was another.  I was thankful for a nice, quiet day on Thursday and Friday. 

Saturday and Sunday were nice.  On Saturday I worked for a couple of hours over at work and went home expecting to have Macey and Jamie for the evening but at the last minute they decided to take them bowling with them.  This caused me to miss Leann Flitton’s open house and the stake singsong they had over to the high school.  All the children participated and also Deloy from his ward.  They said it was all very good and I was disappointed to miss it.  However, Ken called Sunday morning and said they wanted to come down so I told them to come down around 4 o’clock and I would cook dinner.  I invited Steve, Jackie and the girls down also, so they would have a chance to play together and they had a ball.  In fact, they didn’t want to go home.

October 10-12, 1981

This week I have been getting ready for Verla.  She is supposed to be coming in by Saturday to spend a few days.  I called up on Thursday to see what time she would get here and she said she had changed her mind – she’s not coming.  I was relieved and still I was really anxious to see her.  So I concentrated on getting ready for the big birthday party on Saturday.  We decided to celebrate all the birthdays in one party since we have 3 the lest of September, 7 in October, and 2 the first of November.  So we had one big blast.  We really had a fun time and then we had another good time on Sunday night.  We went down to Deloy’s and watched the colored slides of the boys and trips we have taken as the boys were growing up.  The grandchildren loved them.  Steve’s birthday was October 6.  I gave him 2 white shirts and he was very pleased.  I gave Lynn $10 on her birthday.  Joey’s is on October 12 and Lisa’s on October 15.  Monday is a legal holiday (Columbus Day) but because of a previously scheduled meeting with the State Tax Commission I worked all day intending to take a holiday later on to compensate.  I went to the late class on the 14^th with Steve (the Old Testament class taught by Pres. Stephens.)  The man is fantastic!  We discussed it on the way home and agreed that one day he will be one of the General Authorities of the Church.  I have heard that some people think he is crazy.  I am saying here and now that he is one of God’s choice servants and whoever says that of him is in danger of the wrath of God.  In fact, that goes for all of God’s chosen servants, no matter what capacity they hold.

August 1-2, 1981

August 1

Where does the time go? Soon the kids will be back in school again and it seems like they just got out for summer vacation. Because of my cold, I spent a quiet day around home then at 6 o’clock we went up to watch Kema get baptized. On Sunday we attended church down at Peterson when Kema was confirmed. They had a nice testimony meeting and little Kema went up to the pulpit and bore her testimony. After meeteing we all went to Deloy’s and had a barbecue although we had fish, salads and a lot of other food also. It was very enjoyable and made a memorable get together.

August 2

We went up to watch Kema get baptized. On Sunday we attended church down at Peterson when Kema was confirmed. They had a nice testimony meeting and little Kema went up to the pulpit and bore her testimony. After meeting we all went down to Deloy;s and had a barbeque although we had fish, salads, and a lot of other food also. It was very enjoyable and made a memorable get together.

June 6-7, 1981

June 6

Larene Preece and I left this morning at 5:45 to go to the temple.  By 7:10 we had started through our first session.  We did three.  I was thinking about them individually as I went through.  I felt that they were aware and were pleased.  Someday I hope to meet them.

 

June 7

Our first day at Sacrament Meeting at 9 in the morning.  I was late as I over-slept this morning.  The reverence was remarkably improved.  The little children were fresh and not give-out.  Then we had Sunday School class, which was enjoyable, and then Relief Society.  Nell gave the lesson on repentance and it was very good.  I had Steve and Jackie and the children here for lunch.  We had ham, baked potatoes, salads, hot rolls and then homemade ice cream and blueberry pie.  They really seemed to enjoy it.  It was also Kema’s birthday so about 7 o’clock we went down to Lynn and Deloy’s and took the ice cream with us plus cookies that Jackie had made.  Altogether it made a delightful day and believe me I needed it after the hectic week I’d just been through.  This was our home evening.

April 21-22, 1981

April 20

This turned out to be a lovely family affair.  Deloy and his family and Steve and his family were here.  We had a delicious supper and then before they went home we had family home evening centered around Easter.  Deloy took charge and he asked each one of us what Easter means to us.  It was really a spiritual experience for me.

 April 21

Tonight was commissioner’s meeting.  The one big issue was the Cottonwood Road.  Barbara Hansen and Vivian Nance had scheduled an appointment and then brought the whole north end of the valley into the meeting.  I am including an article from the Standard Examiner, which tells the story. (missing)

The activities of the week were more or less routine.  I did my visiting teaching and caught everyone home except Connie Warden.  I will try and pick her up next week.  ON Saturday I worked outside.  Steve and Jackie came over and mowed my lawn, bless them.  Sat. night was Blaine Mecham’s wedding reception.  I stayed with the girls while Steve and Jackie went.  On Sunday Janis Widdison came down and it was an Ecuador lesson.  She really did a good job.  It was very interesting and the sisters really enjoyed it.  In Sacrament meeting, Tim Border’s testimonial was extra special.  After meeting, people were lined up like a wedding reception to speak with him and his family – really exceptional people.  I went over to Steve’s for dinner and then they invited me to go down to Layton with them to see Jackie’s folks.  Her father really looked bad.  Her Grandma Stone was there.  She’s a fantastic person.  She’s in her late 70’s and doesn’t have a gray hair and she looks younger than Jackie’s mother.  It just isn’t fair. (joke)

April 14, 1981

Well, I got the income taxes off in the mail today. I just about worry Janis and Betty to death because I leave it so late, but I know I’ll get them mailed before the deadline. Paula Francis, Gwen’s daughter, died after about 3 years illness. She was only 26 years olds (same age as Rex.) It seems sad that anyone that young has to go before they really have a chance to live, but like everything else there is a purpose. Gwen and George have really taken it in their stride. They are really great people. On Tuesday, 14th, we had a Special Interest social over to the stake house. I enjoyed. Wednesday was Deloy and Lynn’s wedding anniversary and also Josh’s birthday. I bought a card and taped money on the inside. He really thought that was great. I went down after work and spent an hour or two visiting. I also took Lisa, Amy and Katie with me. We enjoyed it. Then on April, 17th, was Jamie’s birthday. Lynne gave me $10.00 and I went to The Closet and bought two little outfits for her. She came over to the office to thank me later on. Jackie baked her a Raggedy Ann cake for her birthday.

March 15, 1981

Wrong again – ward conference isn’t until next Sunday, March 29, so we have another week of suspense. On Monday night, I went down to Lynn and Deloy’s to get some history and had a very memorable evening. On Saturday March 7, Deloy had gone on a trip up to Monte Cristo snowmobiling. In the course of the day, they had a breakdown. In the series of events that followed, Deloy and his companion were separated and Deloy had to him out for about 15 miles before they made contact. Deloy actually figured his number was up because it was so difficult making his way out. Consequently he was in a very appreciative mood to “just be alive” as he put it. His companion was Terry Clawson. Lynn very graciously wrote a short history for me then we had a lovely visit and before I left they had family prayer. These are the things I have dreamed of through the years and wondered if I would ever experience them. I can’t express my gratitude enough. Wednesday I went down to the doctor to have my back dressed. Dr. Tanner was pleased with the progress of my back in 2 weeks and also stated he doubted if I’d have to have any skin grafts. This was indeed very good news. Jackie went with me, sweet thing. The remaining days and night were fairly routine. The MIT basketball tournament was the 12, 13 & 14. I didn’t go because it is hard to sit on bleachers at the moment. Katie stayed with me Thursday night then all three of them came over on Friday and stayed all night. I enjoyed having them so much. Aunt Martha Rode died and her funeral was on Saturday. Wanda came up for that and we went to the funeral. After that we stopped in at the Drive-in and had a salad. It was very enjoyable. This day, Sunday, I am attending meetings, getting caught up in my journal which is a never-ending process) and writing some more history.

February 14, 1981 (again)

I am still on Feb. 14 because I want to record such a tremendous thing that happened to me on that evening.  Steve and Jackie had invited me to go to a ward activity where Steve was supposed to get an award in Scouting.  I thought that would be really nice to watch so I got ready.  I went over to their place to take a bath (my hot water is still hooked up to the furnace and I can’t use it) when I came out to come home, Steve gave me a lovely corsage and said, “Happy Valentine’s Day.”  It was between an orchid and a pink.  Well anyway we went to the program and it was really nice.  They were giving out awards and I kept wondering when Steven was going to get his.  Deloy got one for contributing so generously to the Scouting program.  They started presenting the Big Stake M Leadership Awards.  They would turn off the lights and show some pictures on the screen.  The first award went to G race Kilbourn, a dear soul up in Porterville who has spent her life in the MIA until she got older.  Then they turned out the lights and guess whose picture flashed on the screen!!  Mary O. Mecham’s.  It was one taken up at Mirror Lake when Harvey was alive.  Anyway they showed the following pictures and gave the script, which was prepared by Steve and Jackie.  When they had finished Steve escorted me to the stand where President Little presented me with a beautiful plaque and Steve pinned a carnation on me.  Needless to say, I was overwhelmed.  Afterward, we had our pictures taken for the Morgan County News.  It appeared in the next issue and even though the picture was not very flattering it is really a precious memento of the occasion.  In my opinion there are so many more individuals in our ward who are much more deserving of the award than I am.  I just can’t imagine why they chose me.  Nell Allen, Twilla Giles, Ruby McMillan and many more but like Steve and Jackie told me, they thought I deserved it or I wouldn’t have been chosen.  All I can say is that it was a very humbling experience and it really puts me that much more on the firing line to prove myself worthy.

January 1, 1981

Well, Dear Diary, we’ve made it through the year.  I’m really proud of us, aren’t you?  Just think I’ve got a while year recorded on your pages.  It has been an exciting year.  I’ve done a lot of things, especially the wonderful trip that I took back east. John’s birth was one of the highlights of the year.  It has been a very rewarding year.  I feel that ken has made some progress in the right direction.  Deloy and Steve and their families are doing such a good effort and work of living the principals of the Gospel.

 Kate, Amy and Lisa came over and we built a cake for Jackie for her birthday and the girls decorated it then we got dinner.  Steve and Jackie came over and we had a really nice dinner.  I haven’t made any resolutions as yet, just continuing on with the ones I’m working on, my history, genealogy sheets for the 4 generation assignment.  I hope I can get that done by July, 1981.

December 21, 1980

I haven’t written in my journal now for two weeks and I’m trying to go back over my activities and trying to remember the important things which have taken place.  Between finishing my shopping for Christmas and finishing the preparations for budget hearing my mind is just about blank.  There were about 40 people present the most I have ever seen since I went into office.  I had prepared copies of the budget and handed them out to the people.  The comm’s went through each item and there were a lot of comments and questions.  Ordinarily a budget hearing has never lasted more than half and hour.  This one lasted for 2 ½ hours – the longest one in the history of the county, I’d bet.  On the 16^th, we had the last comm’s   meeting of the year.  It was a sad feeling to know that this group of comm’s would never be together again. In my opinion, this is the most outstanding group I have ever worked with.

On the 19^th we had the county and city Christmas party and it was a huge success – the first time we have ever celebrated together.  But I’ll bet it won’t be the last time.  I spent all day Saturday baking and cleaning plus had Lisa, Amy and Katie while Steve and Jackie went shopping.   But I really did get a lot accomplished.  I wrapped presents on Saturday night.  I had bought Colonial dolls for all the girls and I had them all spread out on the bed at the same time and they were so sweet.  Also I had bought pocket watches for all the boys (my sons) and music boxes for my daughters-in-law.  I intended to give presents this year for keepsakes.  By this time I had all my house decorated for Christmas and it was the same lovely feeling as I usually have.  My tree is a pine and was very nicely shaped and I had the tiny lights on it and it really did look beautiful.  I have been shopping the whole year for Christmas and I have really got a collection together and it is all paid for.  Sunday afternoon I took some goodies that I had prepared to my special interest ladies.  Aunt Dorothy Bertoch, Amy Randall, Bessie Thurston and Maud Rhodes.  Amy went with me.  I did some more last minute shopping then tonight after work I stopped by after work and visited the four ladies on our visiting teaching group.  I left a package of goodies and they seemed to all be happy with their preparations for Christmas.  Dear Diary, I’m so full of the Christmas Spirit this year, I can’t hardly stand it.

 

 (December 25, 1980 is officially the next entry in the journal.  I already posted that at Christmas time 2008.