I found this letter printed below to be vintage Twila, written a few weeks ago, as her contribution to the family circle letter that moves galatially from one sib to another. Twila wrote to us recently, "I hope I die before I get old." At 93!!!
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September 15, 2007
Hello to all,
Yesterday I planned to add my bit to the Family Letters but there were so many unexpected things that took my time and I decided to wait till “tomorrow.”
I remember my supervisor warning me, when I retired 30 years ago, that I probably would wake up every morning with nothing to do and go to bed at night knowing that I got only half of my things done. Well, some days sort of start out bad and go down hill from there. That was yesterday so today I’ll be more organized and get my letter on its way – after coffee.
Second cup of coffee was even better than the first – now throw out the coffee filter and clean the pot. Breakfast – toast with current jelly sounds good. Jelly jar almost empty – to the cellar – down 13 steps (I always count) for new jelly. While I’m down here I get a few potatoes and I find one rotten that was left in the bag too long. Back up the 13 steps with the potatoes and the jelly. Nothing smells worse than a rotten potato – must take it up to the compost behind the shed. Might as well take the banana peelings from the patio canister as I go by. The morning dew surprised me. Back with wet shoes. Put on dry shoes and got paper from my stack in the garage and stuffed the wet ones.
I should have left the wet ones on as I haven’t filled the bird feeders yet. Every morning six feeders – sunflower, thistle, suet and nectar for hummers. Wet shoes again but I’ll go down to the street to get the Tribune (newspaper) before I change them this time. Nice dry shoes. When my feet are wet my nose runs. To the bathroom for Kleenex. Bathroom wastebasket needs emptied.
While I eat my toast sitting at the corner picture windows in the dining room I can watch the birds while I read the paper. 12 different kinds of birds enjoying their breakfast this morning.
Phone rings: Mary, my next door neighbor for fifty years says, “Come to the back yard. There are six deer hunting food under the apple tree.” While I’m out she shows me her tomato and zucchini garden. Her grandson is having marital problems – so a long sit – out on the swing hearing the details.
The swing seems to have a squeaking problem so before going back to the house I get the WD 40 from the old medicine chest in the garage and give the swing chain a few shots. When putting the WD back I notice a hornets next in the corner of the garage. I gave it a few quick shots of RAID. Out of here!
Four times a day I must remember to give my eyes “bottled tears” to moisten dried up membrane. To the bed room for the drops.
Since I had the 80 foot pine tree right outside my bedroom window cut down, the bright sunshine shows all the neglected dusk. Get the Pledge and at least give the furniture tops a wipe. Dorothea (her kid sister) might drop in with the email or something and I think she can spot dust from the drive way. I left the Pledge in the upstairs bedroom which I dusted when Marks’ (her grandson) were coming (in July.) Up 12 steps for Pledge. Down 12 steps.
Since I have the Pledge and duster in my hand I might as well dust everything. Another phone call. Voice says - since records show I pay my bills on time, some guy named Jacob wants to give me a mortgage loan at a fixed rate – I’ll fix him!
When I dusted I noticed the African violet needed watering. I believe this is the week that I planned to give the flower plants some Miracle Grow in the water. To the garage again for plant food. The car needs washed but I’m not looking. The car runs the same – dirty or clean. I must get back to that letter.
Time just flies. Sylvia (her daughter who lives with her) left this morning to see about a job opening. She said she would be home about three if anyone called. There’s the phone again – I hope it is not a long call. Oh, my letter isn’t written – Oh, my. There goes the mailman. Too late. Too late.
My thoughts are with all of you.
Love, Twila and Sylvia
