October 23, 1977 (Letter from Kathy and Gary)

Are you still out there somewhere??

Received a letter from Dody and Wendy in Tenn.  In case she didn't write:
5652 Hinton Place
Memphis 38117

Dody decided to give up teaching in February for a career in the Coast Guard.

Gary is off to Bend, Oregon, to a 100 mile motorcycle race.  I would have gone except I felt I should to go a dental hygiene meeting in Pocatello yesterday.

Rick & Linda had a baby girl in late July, early August and ours is due the end of February.  We felt things were stable enough now to do such a foolish thing.

Any progress in the wife search for you?  Just married off the perfect girl for you.  We were just in L.A. visiting them.  We decided to get a good vacation in so Disneyland became our destination. We traveled down on our 1000-cc Honda motorcycle.  Came back through Sequoia and Yosemite National Forests and snow!  We had fun at Harrah's Antique Car Collection in Reno for 2 1/2 hours -- could have stayed much longer.  Anyway, that strikes out something that Gary has always wanted to do (bike to Cal. & the car collection) and Disneyland for me.  It was beautiful weather and a delightful trip.

We do plan to make our migration east for our 10 year reunion this summer.

Anxious to hear where you are and if you are happy.

Gary has a new accomplishment -- a 200cc motorcycle he built and designed himself.

Have had fantastic summer and fall weather.  Do have a guilt complex enjoying it though since we need rain so badly and lots of snow this summer winter!

Had a neat garden.

Schneider's visited us for 2 weeks in September.   Anxious for their first grandchild!

I'm anxious to get out for a little job.  My back is sore from sitting here.  Needed very badly to get some long overdue letters off.  Was thinking, your name appeared, and decided I might as well wake you up.

Take care.

October 11, 1973 (Letter from Kathy and Gary)

Sorry you couldn't get to Idaho.  We were really looking forward to your visit.  Hope you can make it sometime.  Plans are getting deeper for Gary's business here and with only 7 months left in the service, plans are very definite to stay here.  Reading your letter brought back a longing to see friends again but then we've made some really valuable friend here too.

Rick and Linda did come for 10 days.  They may have mentioned something at the reunion.  We visited Yellowstone and Sun Valley plus little things.  We enjoyed ourselves a lot in spite of the fact that they are difficult guests because they're very fussy eaters.

Gary's out working on the van's body.  He had hoped to finally get it painted this fall (the summer was so busy with camping and bike riding-- trials style) that he never found that time to do the finishing touches needed.  Now it turns out the engine is throwing out so he figures it's time to get his money out of it instead of struggling through the cold weather for a new engine.  He would like to pick up a second hand car for me to drive to work.  I ride my bike in the summer but winter really requires a vehicle.  Shame -- it would be really nice only to need on vehicle.

I'm happier in my job than ever.  Working 3 1/2 days for 2 dentists.  Takes the humdrum out of work when there's two offices -- lose fulltime benefits though. Both my dentists went elk hunting this week so I've been on vacation.  We were hoping to visit an aunt in Canada (B.C.) or Disneyland but finances won't allow that.  Gary just took a trip to Texas with his forthcoming partner to see the Suzuki '74 models.  We'll be watching pennies closely for this business adventure.  So glad we don't have a family to support although our golden retriever is having a litter Nov 9th or thereabouts!!  We're going to take one dog to my sister's neighbor in Colorado Springs when we go down for Christmas.  My sister came here last year so we're planning on the holiday there this year.

Is you social life getting complicated in wonderful Pittsburgh?

Had really good yields from my garden this year -- too much lettuce.  This was the first year-- next year I'll know the right way.

Have been helping with the Brownie Girl Scouts this year and enjoying that.  It has been taking 2 or more nights a week lately, but with Gary on a 4 to midnight schedule this month it's not too bad.

Fall has definitely set in.  We won't have the tree splendor like there but the trees will lose their leaves with little ceremony.

Well, need to get us some lunch before we starve!  Take care.

May 29, 1973 (Letter from Kathy and Gary)

My goodness what a fantastic letter you wrote.  Have to put that with our senior yearbook!! Thanks. Miss knowing where everyone is and what they're doing.  Do plan on dropping Dody a short line today.  I'm catching some sunshine -- beautiful summer day -- 80.  My garden is all seeded.  Now all I need to do is week, watch, and eat (and definitely WATER!!)

At the time we were there you were not working.  Glad you got something you wanted.

Gary's been busy keeping the bikes and vehicles in running order.  He's got plans for enclosing the back patio for bike storage and trying to get land for a business.  I'm busy with the usual house things plus the yard and garden.  I'm working 3 1/2 days (cleaning teeth naturally -- prophy's) and really enjoying the extra time at home.  We go to the mountains most weekends..  Rick and Linda Dies are flying out here July 29th-Aug 7th.  Yellowstone is among our plans.

Knew Kaye Gorenflo was engaged but thought she was going to wait for a summer wedding. Knew Sue's father died.  My mother always passes the deaths along but little else.
Since I read your letter to Gary he was confused over Marty and Marti for awhile.

Would appreciate any addresses you have (Nancy Rush, Kaye Gorenflo -- had here hers but probably different since she got married).

Gary and I are just really getting to know each other after being married 2 years.  Our trip home really bought us closer.

To try and beat the meat prices we bought a freezer and half a beef.  Now we can't afford to eat anything but the meat and maybe the freezer!!

If we hadn't made the trip home in February then we would like to have made plans for the reunion, but that isn't possible now so we'll have to make plans for the 10 year reunion.  My brother-in-law's 10 year high school reunion is this summer so my sister and he will be making the trip from Colorado.  We usually see them 2 times a year.  They're about 1 1/2 days from us (over high mountains that make winter travel unpredictable).

Whew -- beginning to roast out here.

Have taken more and more to do my own thing -- making almost all our own grain products (bread, rolls, Eng muffins, etc.) and with the freezer really plan on filling up on our own fresh fruit and vegetables and forget about canned stuff.  It's really a challenge -- Dumb, Oh well!!  It's great living away from everyone that knew how terrible you were when you were younger.  Have really made some great new friends and strange as myself -- but we both miss the old.  Not many people seem to write anymore.

Time to turn over.

Good luck this summer and be sure to keep in touch.  We'll be here.