In My Garden - 20 May, 1998 - Memories

It is past midnight, so today is the 20th of May in the year of our Lord, 1998. Reading some of my writings of fifty years and more ago, a sadness came to me at this midnight hour.

I was born at the end of one great conflict that was a "war to end all wars". But the world in which I lived almost eight decades has ever been filled with the sound of battle. Real and idealistic wars, filled with fury and anger and hurt and a need to assert "Look at me! My way is the right way."

I feel that I now will face the end of my days with the start of another great holocaustic war. Maybe the one Ezekiel of the scriptures spoke of. Perhaps it will be the one where the bones lie deep. The bones of the old, the young, the good and bad, the righteous and the ones who care not but to become the conquerors of our world, pushing their own and only their ways into the lands of this earth.

I remember more than fifty years ago watching my Coast Guard commander come into our office there on the waterfront in Detroit. This man, who had lived through terrible and bloody battles, now faced us with the tears streaming down his face. "We have just turned hell loose upon this earth. Never again will we be free from its presence". He laid the paper with the big banner of a headline on my desk: "ATOM BOMB DROPPED ON JAPAN". Below it, in smaller but still large type, "The bomber, the Enola Gay today dropped one bomb, (only one bomb) on the large city of Hiroshima and it was no more".

As we turned on the radio, we heard the shaking voice of the announcer telling us that literally hundreds of thousands died that day. One more bomb was used during the summer of 1945 on one more city. The horror of it was so great that no other has been used as a weapon of war since, though many wars have continued to rage across this beautiful earth.

A new story, and there has been more than one such story, told of children finding supposedly "hidden" guns and killing each other. The parallel has been the headlines of the last few days. The children in this case, Pakistan and India, third world nations, have found the "hidden" guns and let loose the atom again. Now many are smelling once more the sulfuric smell of HELL.

I spent a good part of my youth years in Washington D. C. I often wrote of the beauty of that great city. Even in the sad days of WWII it was an incredibly beautiful place to be. Today I hear of its ugliness, a place where sin and corruption abound, a place where many live in an atmosphere of both physical and moral ugliness. The ugliness is not to be found only on Rhode Island Avenue and the back streets. It seems to pervade even the great halls of Congress and the White House, where corruption abounds and money is the God of this world. The moral decay even seems to penetrate here to our western valleys and mountains.

I have had a good life, because God has granted me so much. Today as I walked upon the green grass of my small yard and touched the delicate colors of the flowers about me, as I sat upon my bed with my small grandson, I found my own peace. What a life I really have had. I have never had "grand tours" as some others in my family have had, but I have seen much of the world. I have crossed two great oceans. I have lived and walked in other lands. I have also found time to look at this great nation. I have seen its rivers and mountains, its great cities and its great diversity. Five children have blessed my life. They are none rich or famous. They struggle daily to find their way, but as Evan often points out, they truly love one another and seek to let each other know this. Twelve grandchildren have found their way into our family circle. One, our Amber Beth, has left us to live with the Angels. I feel she'll be there in the not too distant future to help me find my way back to where I came from almost eighty years ago. There are many others there who have given my life depth and meaning.

I talk not of death, but of living. I lay this night beside dearly loved Owen. Though we do not have worldly wealth, we have much love and caring. Years to still look back on and still have hope for more time yet to share dogs and grandchildren and to yet see more of this beautiful land in which we live.

Whatever time God gives me yet to live, I hope to be happy and, in spite of a world in which evil does abound, to find His goodness in the skies and the brown earth I have spoken of before. I want to laugh, to scold and sing in my cracked up voice with my "Butch", to plant flowers and feel the sun of summer and find beautiful the snow that will fall in another winter of my life.

1997 Butch and Zelda Singing

I must take again the vow I took many years ago in my writing and still seek to find the goodness that is here for me to find. If I leave this world sooner than I intend to, I want my family to know how much I truly, truly care for them. I want them to know that life can be a never ending adventure and all we have to do to make it so is to seek always to see the face of God.

In My Garden - The Hinckley Letters

Letter to Gordon B. Hinckley - December 18, 1995


Dear Brother Hinckley,

Sometime during the fall of 1961, you visited with the military group on the Island of Okinawa. We believe that you were an Assistant to the Twelve at the time. We are sure that you will remember the visit.

During your visit you gave a blessing to our four year old daughter, Robyn, who was an acute juvenile diabetic and was having considerable difficulty with the disease. In your blessing, you said that she would grow up to become a mother in Zion. Although she still has diabetes and always will, she has managed it considerably well over the years. However, she became very discouraged about meeting a suitable mate and becoming a mother. Her desire since she was little girl was to become a nurse. She studied and worked at this profession after graduating from high school. She earned an associate degree from Utah Technical College and went to work for the VA Hospital in Salt Lake. While so employed she was awarded a scholarship and, with student loans, she graduated from Westminster College with a BA degree in nursing and became a registered nurse. The VA transferred her employment to the VA Hospital in Grand Island, Nebraska in 1992. Upon her arrival in Grand Island, the LDS ward there helped her move into an apartment. One of the movers was an elder, a little older than herself, who had become a convert to the Church a few years earlier. Needless to say, they fell in love and were married a few months later. Finally, at the age of 38, she became a mother.

Her pregnancy was extremely difficult. She was hospitalized in the Methodist Hospital in Omaha for nearly six weeks, but they were able to deliver a normal, nearly full-term boy. We consider this to be a "miracle" child. He is a healthy child and will be a year old on January 11, 1996. She (and we) feels that your blessing brought this child into the world. Perhaps she could have become a mother sooner but our daughter refused to lower her moral standards just for the sake of finding a husband. She has been active in the Church all of her life and I am certain that she will remain so. Her husband is now a High Priest and is the only member of his family who is a member of the Church. His parents are Methodist and are fine people.

We are sending you a picture of her son and we wish that you could hold him in your arms

1995 Robyn, Benjamin and Tim

Reverently,
Owen and Zelda Kline
Kearns 39th Ward

P.S. We also remember the District Conference at the Machinato Chapel in Naha with President Paul C. Andrus of the Southern Far East Mission. It was the most spiritual meeting that we have ever attended. We sang the Spirit of God like a fire is burning. We are certain that the Lord was in the chapel that evening. We felt the presence of angels. Do you recall that meeting?

Also, we would like you to know that you have been to us on many occasions. Our eldest son, Michael, served a mission to Taiwan and then to Hong Kong from 1966-69. He felt so close to you in those years.

Later, you married him to his Christine in the Salt Lake Temple on December 5, 1969. Our youngest son, Jonathan, also served a mission in southern Japan from 1976-78. He was in Okinawa during his mission.

We are so very grateful that you are the head of this great church. We knew in that little military chapel so long ago that you would one-day hold this position. Though you could not be aware of it, your influence in the lives of this family has been deeply felt throughout the years. This week, for Christmas, we will all gather. Michael from Arkansas, Evan from Missouri, Robyn from Nebraska, Jonathan from Washington state and Amanda, our once wandering daughter, the only one now in Utah. We want you to know as we kneel together for Christmas Eve, that we will remember your wonderful, if unknown, influence in our lives.

1996 Gordon B. Hinckley's Reply

In My Garden - The Snake River

The human mind is one of the truly great marvels in the world, A storage closet for experiences and memories. The ability it possesses to call upon that vault of remembrance in times of stress and need has never ceased to amaze me. It was never more clearly brought home to me than during an incident that happened in the summer of 1975. July 2nd to be exact. A long cherished hope of mine was being fulfilled. Owen and I were running the Snake River in a rubber raft. An adventure "no more dangerous than riding in a car", said the ads, and it seemed so. A lovely, leisurely morning had passed with the raft bobbing through the swirling muddy waters of the Snake. We had watched the lovely egrets land in the water, grab a fish and rise again. We had seen moose, strangely graceful for such large animals, grazing at the waters edge. Our guide pointed to the eagle's nest and he obligingly rose in the air for us. Along the shore, elk, their new horns still fuzzy knobs, raised their heads to watch us bob by. We had gazed in awe and wonder at the mighty Teton peaks above us, a view of them as we had never seen them from the highway. Lunch time and we were famished.

(The remainder of Mother's description of the trip has been misplaced. Dad continues the story of the events as follows:

After a brief rest to permit our lunch to settle and make acquaintances with all passengers on the raft (there were six couples) we reboarded to continue our trip down the river.

Our guide and raft pilot turned out to be the son of a neighbor of ours when we were stationed at George AFB where we lived in Washington Terrace. It was nice to get reacquainted and we asked about his parents. They had moved to Apple Valley because they were civilian and no longer eligible for military housing. He was just a young boy when we were neighbors.

The rules of the owners of the raft were that all passengers must wear life jackets. The ladies complied but the men thought they could manage without them. After a mile or two down stream in shallow water there was a water-soaked log about a foot under water that our pilot did not see. All of the ladies were sitting in front of the raft and the men in back.

The raft went over the log and the front collapsed spilling the ladies into the river. The men remained aboard. Unfortunately the ladies were thrown overboard. We realized the danger. I, as Zelda’s husband tried to be a hero and dove into the river to try to save her. I managed to grab her by the hair but the water was so swift that I could not hold onto her. I was a fairly good swimmer but the water was so swift that all I could do was go along with the current. The water was very shallow at this point and I went bouncing down the river like a little rubber ball hitting every rock along the way. After about a half-mile down river I was able to work my way over to the bank. The shore at this point was lined with a stone wall about 5 or 6 feet high. I struggled and struggled to get out of the water and finally managed to grab hold of a protruding rock and pull myself up on top of the bank. I think I broke every fingernail on both hands. I was completely exhausted and the water was so cold I nearly became unconscious.

Fortunately the place where I got out of the river there was a ranch house that was vacant most of the year but a ranch-hand had just arrived a few hours before and had strung a telephone line. He saw me and came out with a heavy comforter and a hot cup of coffee. It was black and very strong but I never tasted anything so good.

After a little while he managed to revive me enough to find out what happened. He got on the phone and called the county sheriff. They immediately dispatched a helicopter and a rescue team to locate all of the passengers. I was very concerned about Zelda but they said she had managed to work her way over to a sandbar. She had removed most of her clothing because she had read that in a situation like this it was the best thing she could do to keep from catching pneumonia. When they found her all she had on were her undergarments.

The search and rescue team from the sheriff’s office and the raft pilot did a marvelous job in locating all couples. They used their helicopter and found two ladies over 4 miles down river. They were very cold but okay otherwise. The raft pilot broke his leg trying to save some of the ladies and said he was afraid that I had drowned and was very happy that they found me. When everyone was accounted for they took us to the local hospital for X-rays to make sure our lungs were clear of river water.

To end this story, Zelda and I were determined that we would not let a little incident like this keep us from completing the trip, so the following July we went back and took the trip again. This time everything went smoothly. We had the same raft pilot. We told him that he was not to blame for what happened and he said that he admired our courage for making the trip a second time.

In My Garden - Our Vacation - 1971

First Day - 29 May
Raining. Left house about noon. Stopped at Grand Junction Co. and left Dean (Cooley)'s gift from Ramona Mitchell. Looked for a place to park for the night and finally pulled over at a nice road side stop between Delta and Montrose.

Second Day - 30 May
Took scenic walk up over mesa, cloudy. Left camp about 10:00 a.m. Visited Black Canyon of the Gunnison, beyond Montrose. So very beautiful. Took scenic drive, still cloudy. Often is. That's why it's called Black Canyon. It's almost as deep and large as the Grand Canyon. Jonny would like to put it in a box and take it home. Stopped in Gunnison and bought chicken and burgers for lunch. Went on to Parlin. Stopped at Glaze's store. By coincidence Pat's (Patricia Amanda's) Ted was there. He took Evan, Robyn and Jonny up to see her. They were gone 3 hours and we were worried. They were unhappy with her when they got back. Left Parlin about 6:30. Thought we would stop at a mountain camp but the only ones at Monarch Pass were over 11,000 feet and cold and snowy. Kept looking for a place to stop. Campground over pass was filled. Couldn't find a place to pull over. Finally, after 10 p.m. found rest stop beyond Texas City. Fixed supper and went to bed.

Third Day - 31 May
Left camp about 9:30 a.m. went to Royal Gorge. It was a "royal gorge" alright! Money, money, money to gorge out of us. Took ride on "scenic train" which Evan said was a pretty "chintzy" ride. Cost $2.50. Never went over suspension bridge because it would have cost $7.00 just to ride over it and it would have cost a lot more to ride the tram down. Stopped and fixed lunch at Flagler, Co. Lake almost empty and wind blowing. Black cloud at west still following . Crossed into Kansas and hit beautiful freeway. Stopped and had supper at Horne's at Gainfield exit - good supper and nice people. Stopped at lovely rest stop for night out of Hays, Ks. Even had electricity. Black cloud still there, but tornado warnings had been withdrawn.

Fourth Day - 1 June
All took good "dip" baths and ate breakfast. Loaded up and left camp about 9:15 a.m. Stopped at Salina for gas. Decided to have new air shocks put on the car. Visited Old Abilene and Eisenhower Center. Meditation Chapel where he is buried, it's quiet and peaceful. Kids were excited over his old WWII command car (Cadillac). Headed east on I70. On outskirts of Kansas City left I70 for US 24 and started looking for a place to stop. Pulled into WYCO campground but decided it was too muddy and had too many mosquitoes. Left to see if we could find a commercial campground. Drove and drove and drove. Went through Kansas City, Ks and Kansas City, Mo. Lost I70. Drove around some Negro sections to get back on. Did that once before in Kansas City. Finally found campground at Grain Valley, about 15 miles east of K. C. Hungry and sleepy. Cost $5.50.

Fifth Day - 2 June
Breakfast, took baths, did laundry and the deluge came. It rained and rained. Everything damp, or more accurately, WET. Put half our stuff back in dryer. Left when rain eased up but the deluge came again after we were on our way. Went back to Independence. Found Mission Home. Toured new visitors center. How beautiful it is. They told us that when President Smith dedicated the building two nights before, a great crowd sat out in front. The lightning flashed and the thunder pealed and the sky was black. But the rain held off until he had finished and just as he entered the building the torrents came down. Then toured the RLDS (Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) Auditorium. Interesting, but many false statements made. Guides are dressed in white skirts and red jackets and are lovely to look at and listen to, but, as Evan said, "too professional" and not quite real. They said that Wallace Smith, their president, is a grandson of Joseph Smith. Don't believe he is. Used to say that their president had to be a descendant. Now say he could be anyone and will be chosen by inspiration. Tour is much shorter than it used to be. Some of our missionaries went through with us. Girl guide kept up a good banter with them. Went through Liberty Jail Visitor's Center. Camped for the night out of Liberty at Wallace State Park. Electricity and showers. Cost $2.50. Supper was pork chops, potatoes and gravy. Before leaving Independence, we toured Harry S. Truman Library.

Sixth Day - 3 June
Took showers, had breakfast and left trailer while we went to visit Farr West. The church has built a lovely monument there, but it's hard to believe that this was once a flourishing town of 5,000. Across the street is another marker and a little white church. It is RLDS. Sign says they returned in 1873 (church built in 1905). Also the sign says that it was at Farr West that Joseph Smith said "his seed" would lead the church. Went back to campground, got trailer and went to Adam On Di Ahman. Much better 4 years ago. Road was better and we could pull trailer clear to top where picnic ground has been built. Markers have been erected to direct you to what is where. We had lunch and now are headed for Hannibal. Toured Mark Twain (Tom Sawyer) childhood home and various other buildings. Becky Thatcher's bedroom, his father's law office, etc. Crossed the wide Mississippi into Illinois. Headed north to Quincy along the beautiful 12 mile drive to Nauvoo. Paid $2.50 to camp in park. Had supper and watched TV.

Seventh Day - 4 June
Well, here's old "Nauvoo the beautiful by the bend in the river". And beautiful it used to be and it is being restored. The night before some local residents were less than courteous, namely a mature woman who honked us off the road and of whom you would have expected better, but today, it was nothing but courteous treatment all the way. Went to the Nauvoo Restoration Visitor's Center and went on a bus tour after viewing a special film. Visited many lovely old restored homes. Especially interesting to the kids was the James Ivins - Elias Smith printing complex. The house was once thought to be John Taylor's but now we know he only lived there for six months after his own place was destroyed. The house has been restored to beautiful condition and the guides, an older missionary couple, reside in the back part. In the old printing office, the lady demonstrated the carding and spinning of wool and flax. Trained archeologists are carefully sifting the soil of the Temple site and have uncovered the baptismal font location, cornerstones and such. All the other known sites are being as carefully checked out. Hopefully, someday, it will be a "living" memorial with this old city partially restored and actual living going on there. After touring that part of the restoration, we went down to the RLDS section and viewed their part which included the old homestead of Joseph Smith, the remainder of the Mansion House (only 9 of 22 rooms left) and the graves of the Prophet and his wife and parents. Went back to camp. Loaded up trailer and headed for Carthage. Took tour of Carthage Jail. Stopped for groceries and headed for New Salem. Got place to park, like a sardine in a can of trailers, but enjoyed the evening. Played Crazy Eight. Cost $3.00.

Eighth Day - 5 June
Had showers and breakfast. Toured old New Salem village. Noted contrast between here in the 1830's and Nauvoo's cultured pattern of the 1840's. Hope the kids gained an appreciation of the ingenuity and resourcefulness of our early settlers and the hardships they overcame to settle our nation. Both Nauvoo and New Salem had much to tell of this. Went back to camp, loaded up and headed for Springfield. Saw Lincoln's home and went to his tomb. This visit was marred by the presence of many girl scouts and campfire girls (hundreds) whose chit-chat and chatter ruined the dignity of the solemn place. Left Springfield about noon. Stopped in Ramsey State Park and had lunch about 3 p.m., just above Vidalia and eventually Linton tonight. Hope Lloyd is at the old home so we will have a place to stay tonight. Seems funny to go to Linton and have Grandma Kline gone. Arrived in Linton after 7:30 p.m. Went to store for some food, drained and filled the water tank. Lloyd still here. Older, but much the same. Still bitter, but seems happy to have us, especially the kids. Set camp up for a few days.

Ninth Day - 6 June
Got up quite early. Fast Sunday, so only Robyn eats. Got ready for church amid some dissension. Very much enjoyed Sunday School and Fast Meeting. Fairly good size crowd for Sunday School but only 22 stayed for Fast and Testimony Meeting. (This included our family of 5, four missionaries and a couple from California.) But a wonderful spirit prevailed and 15 testimonies were given. The branch does not grow, but the old faithful ones remain. Few children. They are mostly grown and gone now. One lady missionary told me that Linton and Green County are considered one of the toughest areas in the whole Indiana-Michigan (new) mission. No success at all is being met here. The Baptist Church is running an active and apparently successful opposition. There are now the two lady missionaries and an older couple, but one of the girls is going home and the others expect to be moved out. The Church seems to feel they can be used to a better advantage elsewhere. Took clothes to laundromat while Owen tries to reach Glenn and Earl by phone. Didn't reach Glenn, but Earl said he will stay the night if we will come over. So here we go to Washington, Ind. Visited with Earl and LaVern and had supper. Saw Patty Kay and her two boys and a baby girl.

Tenth Day - 7 June
Slept in today, took kids swimming, got hair done. Did a little shopping, visited with Kenny and Bertha. Going back to take a bath tonight. Kenneth offered to take kids up on the big "electric" shovel. I stayed behind and mended and sorted clothes. Kids thought visit to strip mine was really something. Leland has left a tent and a mini-bike here with Lloyd. The twins are sleeping in the tent. Evan is spending all his free time getting the mini-bike running and keeping it running. He thinks that is great fun. We went and had our baths and the day ends.

Eleventh Day - 8 June
Went and bought some flowers to take up to Maple Grove Cemetery in Clay City. Evan has stayed behind to go fishing with Uncle Kenny. Owen got lost and finally had to ask his way to the cemetery. Found graves and ran into a cousin. Finally got to Terre Haute. Janet had lunch ready. (Her housekeeping isn't any better). Ned and his new wife there with their three-year old twins. Lois came home. She had really put on weight. Visited with Glenn until he went to work about 2 p.m. and started back to visit Aunt Mamie in Clay City. She wasn't home, so went looking for her sons. Found out Arnold's that she had taken sick last weekend and was now over at Mace's place in Farmersburg. Stopped and saw Melvin and then went looking for Mace's place. After several false starts and finally asking, we found it. Twins really enjoyed these large farms with their dogs, kittens and farm animals. Aunt Mamie seemed so happy to see us and Mace's wife asked us to stay for supper. Fried chicken, country gravy and homemade cookies. Thought Robyn would flounder. It was late when we got back here to the trailer at Lloyd's. Didn't make it to Eugleena's.

Twelfth Day - 9 June
Cleaned up camp. Said goodbye to Lloyd and are on our way. Had a visit and lunch with Eugleena. Again hard to drag kids away from cousins and chickens. Got to Mattie's in Columbus only to find her gone. Waited two hours and snitched a lot of Frank's good June peas. Finally, Eugleena's son, Tommy, told us they had gone to Evansville to visit Elizabeth Ann. Don't know what to do, so we are heading down I65 to Howard's and will call back. It's about 8 p.m. (9 p.m. Louisville time). Arrived and found Howard gone. Will stay the night with Jo Ann. (took baths).

Thirteenth Day - 10 June
Owen talked to Mattie at Evansville. Red (Howard) will be home this afternoon. When Red came home, decided to go to Rough River camping with him tonight. Loaded up and drove down following him. Before we left, went to look at new trailer, but decided we couldn't afford it. Rough River Dam is about 50 miles below the Ohio river in Kentucky. Beautiful country and nice campground, but hot. Jo Ann had fixed supper with ham, green beans and potato salad. Evan went out on lake with Red fishing, but they didn't catch anything.

Fourteenth Day - 11 June
Evan's sixteenth birthday. We take turns in going with Red out in boat. Nice out in boat, but bet we all get sunburned. Kids got to swim. Skippy loved the boat ride. Took off for Mammoth Cave National Park about 4:00 p.m. Beautiful country along winding country roads. Campground costs $3.00 and is lousy. Dirty and noisy. Had trouble finding a place to park the trailer, but finally did amid everyone's cussing and quarreling. Had made Evan a birthday cake but it was so heavy that it could have been used for bricks. Finally had supper and settled down for night.

Fifteenth Day - 12 June
Awoke to the most rip-roaring rain imaginable. Just kept coming down and everything in trailer drip-drips. Got breakfast ready and eaten by climbing over each other. Owen took watery kids through cave and I stayed behind and sopped up water. Somewhere about 1 p.m. the sun made a belated appearance and the air changed from liquid rain to steam. Fixed lunch and took off toward Paducah and eventually Hayti, Mo.

Skippy

Stopped for gas at wide place in road called Round Hill and 24 miles later discovered dog was missing. We turned around, disconnected trailer and, amid prayers and tears, started back to look for "baby". Left Jonny behind to watch trailer and, I'm sure, pray. Broke quite a few speed limits going up hill and down dale. Asked at service station about dog. Sure enough, they said a little brown dog had been wandering around. Finally, he answered our anguished calls and came running for Mama. Got some good face and ear washing from Skippy and went back to pick up Jonny and trailer. Now a tired little dog sleeps with his head on Daddy's knee while we wend down the Kentucky Turnpike( Western Kentucky Expressway - toll .80¢) to Paducah and thought day's excitement over for a while, but it wasn't. Just a little way from Kentucky Dam, a loud bank told of a blown condenser. We found out about real southern hospitality. So many stopped to help us. One man towed our car into a service station. The man there fixed our car for $2. Unbelievable. Owen, Robyn and Jonny had hamburgers while they waited. Evan and I stayed behind with the trailer. Rigged up a danger signal with the electric lamp and my red blouse as it grew dark. Evan and I played a "traffic" count game to pass the time but didn't dare go into the trailer to eat as it rocked so hard with the passing traffic. Sat on air mattress in the grass beside the road. Very nice lady who lived up on the hill above the highway saw us and came down to see if anything she could do. She said we could stay the night at her place but I told her we had a long way to go. She fixed a nice supper of fried chicken and other goodies for Evan and I. Owen and other kids really ticked off. Pulled into Kentucky State park campground. Very nice. $3.00. Put kids to bed and went to laundry to wash. To bed at 2 a.m.

Sixteenth Day - 13 June
Won't make it to Hayti to church now so might as well see some of this gorgeous country. Kentucky is beautiful beyond words - to look at. The climate is horrible. Hot and sticky and stickier today. Took a look at TVA Kentucky Dam. This great lake stretches 184 miles south of here. On the other side is Lake Barkley. The strip of land in the center of the lake is called "the land between the lakes". Watched the locks let a large barge through from Tennessee River to the Kentucky Dam Lake. Very fascinating to watch. The kids then went swimming on a beautiful beach, man-made. Hundreds of people and still hot, hot. Left campground about 3 p.m. Don't know where we are going, but generally toward Hayti and Blytheville. Now on I55 going south and crossed Mississippi where the Ohio joins at Cairo, Ill. Country looks flat after rolling green hills of western Kentucky. Not so wooded either. Hate to leave Kentucky without mentioning the birds - all colors - redbirds - bluebirds, blackbirds, yellow birds and all combinations thereof. Never knew the names of most of them but loved to see and hear them flashing in the bright green foliage. The orioles awoke us this morning. Blytheville looks much the same as when we were stationed here in 1957, but larger. House we lived in is the same as we left it. No one by church in Hayti. Got groceries in Paragould, Ar., and stayed the night in Crowley State Park.

Seventeenth Day - 14 June
No water and no one collected at park. Couldn't use showers but had breakfast and on way to Lake Norfolk. We passed an old style waterwheel on way and kids were fascinated. Kind of leary. Things never are as nice as you remember them being. Probably the ferry ride is short and the lakeside is hot and dirty. For years I've wanted to come back but I don't know now---. Well, for once, memory served itself well. The ferry ride across the lake is long and cool and camps beautiful and clean. We found a place right on the lakeside with cement patios, clean tables and lots of shade. The swimming beach is just down the street and who wants to leave now. Monday and time is short, but wish we could stay for weeks. (Fried chicken for supper.)

Eighteenth Day - 15 June
Still at Bidwell. Rented a boat for the day. Everyone seems happy. Evan is in his prime with the boat. Camp's free, so that saves some. Have to go across two ferries to get to camp and that doesn't hurt Jonny's feelings. Skippy loves boat as much as kids and we've named him "Captain Skip Hornblower" because he stands up in the prow like the painting of Washington crossing the Delaware.

Nineteenth Day - 16 June
Still at Bidwell. Have to have boat back to dock at nine. So up at six and use it a little first. After breakfast took boys across ferry and left them to ride Henderson Ferry while we went to Mountain Home. Noted high prices and left. Old Skip, who cows from the word "bath" takes to swimming like a duck. Followed me clear out. Owen took him way out and let him swim back. After that, couldn't go in without him following me out. Went across both ferries tonight so kids can enjoy one last time.

Twentieth Day - 17 June
Goodbye to Bidwell and Lake Norfolk. Such a wonderful place. Almost tearful. Up at six and cleaned up camp after breakfast. Loaded up (wish we had another week or two). Across 101 Ferry with trailer. Police brought a little girl on who had stepped barefoot into someone's thoughtlessly left beach fire and were rushing her to hospital in Mountain Home. Stopped and cashed another check and bought souvenirs. Saw LDS literature in lobby of bank. At Harrison, turned off to Dogpatch, USA. Didn't have time to make tour. Something to look forward to someday. (They made it back to Lake Norfolk and Dogpatch in 1996.) Got groceries back at Harrison and started through Pea Ridge's fantastic scenery. At Eureka Springs, had to stop and drink some of it in. This has to be "Eden returned to". Where else in all the world could we find mountain scenery like this. Green and luscious. Has to be seen to be believed. Now down out of the Ozark Mountains to the hot flat lands. Heading for Oklahoma. Spent night between Cromwell and Okemah in private campground - $3.50.

Twenty-First Day - 18 June
Up and out of camp by 7:30 a.m. First 100 miles by 9:00 a.m. Straight across I40 now clear to Flagstaff. Passed Oklahoma City. Next big city is Amarillo, then Albuquerque. Out in western Oklahoma. Now near Elk City. Thought I had seen red soil before, like in Kanab, but ne'er anything to equal this. The green is so green and the red so red and sky a water-color blue. In fact, it looks like a child's watercolor landscape with barns and fields. Truly, each part of America has all of its own wonderful beauty. Stopped and ate lunch at Vega, Texas - wide? Spot off road and a park that the people are valiantly trying to cultivate. Surely not hard to tell which way is north here. Just look at the way the trees are leaning. They grow bent like that. Not too many trees, but the highway department has a few every few miles. Not very far along when someone motioned us over. A piece of siding on the trailer had torn loose by the door. Pried and hammered and fastened it back. They call New Mexico the "Land of Enchantment". I call it barren land. Wind is strong and our mileage is dropping drastically. Stopped at Red Arrow campground just out of Albuquerque.

Twenty-Second Day - 19 June
Left about 7:30 a.m. Stopped at Fort Courage (F Troop of TV fans). Fixed lunch of sandwiches there. The different colors along road are fantastic. Indians everywhere, Gallup, N.M. especially. Picturesque to watch them in their native dress. Owen extremely irritated though at the gas prices. Visited the "old city" in Albuquerque. Would have loved to stay for "fiesta" now in progress in evenings. Old Cathedral in square was built in 1706. Passed Joseph City, the first Mormon settlement in Arizona. Finally through Flagstaff and on US I80 to Grand Canyon. Skippy smells the forest or altitude or something for he's suddenly very alert and happy after sleeping all the way through Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and most of Arizona. Arrived at Grand Canyon in time to see Indian show at amphitheater. It was Emcee'd by boy who graduated with Michael at BYU General College. Too dark to see Canyon well, so will have to make it back sometime. Fixed supper at an overlook and finally camped and slept in pull-off out of park. Along with a couple of dozen other groups. No space available in park.

Twenty-Third Day - 20 June
Last day out but a long way to go. One last look at the end of Grand Canyon, then on our way, but not very fast. Passed Lee's Ferry and into Jacob's Lake. Lunch in campground. Just as we were about to leave Arizona, a cop pulled us over, the first one we've seen in over 5,000 miles. He said we were going to fast. Our speedometer must lie for others were passing, but we didn't argue and he didn't give us a ticket. Over to Utah and on way to Zion's. Kids were impressed but didn't stop anyplace except at visitor's center. Now we really have to add on miles. Good to see some reasonable gas prices. Home at 9:30 p.m.

In My Garden - Upon Arriving On Okinawa

First, let me say that we are all well and enjoying our tour on this island very much. Okinawa, though only 65 miles long, has a great deal of beautiful scenery that varies from seashores to really rugged mountains. The people, over the centuries, have learned to cultivate every available bit of ground. The cane fields that are beautiful to look at but not too good for smelling if the wind comes from the right (or rather the wrong) direction.

The city of Naha is a congested, semi-modern city. That is, it is modern in that it has electric lights and traffic signals (new and not always workable). The sewers are still running openly down the streets. Off the main streets there are still open market stalls on dirt lanes too narrow for anything but foot traffic and an occasional, discouraged looking horse and primitive looking wagon. I don't imagine these streets have changed much in hundreds of years, except for one thing, the American dollar and cents have arrived and, though they may speak no other English, they do know how to fleece the unwary. Maids more than earn their pay. First you go through, pick out the things which you want and then send your maid back to do the bargaining.

The American schools on Okinawa are run by the government and are very good. Patricia and Michael particularly enjoyed their school this spring. Their playground ran right down to the sea and they did their lessons to the sound of the pounding surf. Their school ended on 4 June and will begin again next September, like most Stateside schools. But there the similarity somewhat ends. Their bus drivers and such speak almost no English. Consequently, the school kids all acquire a smattering of "Pigeon English" almost the first day.

But my children have an even greater advantage. We live in a native village where their after-school playmates are all Okinawan. They ride the native Okinawan buses and visit the local version of the "corner grocery store". So it is beginning to look as though they will master the Japanese language in short order, even our babies. When I can't understand any of the varied peddlers, etc., who come to the door, I simply call Michael and he promptly translates for me. We started out to have a "family night" of teaching the children Japanese from a test book, but it is now they who are teaching us.

Our house is termed "Private Housing" by the military. That is, it is native built, but up to modern sanitary and electrical specifications with an approved water supply. However, it constantly reminds us of how over-grown we Americans are. We will probably remember it with fond memories, someday. That is, when we have gotten over the cricks in our backs, the stubbed toes, etc. To see Owen bending down to the bathroom sink and mirror to do his shaving reminds me of the Lilliputians and Gulliver. The bathroom shower is also something to remember. Shall one be scalded or frozen during the progress of the bath? That is the question. Whenever another tap is turned on in the house, the shower responds. Before anyone takes a bath, they proceed through the house warning all and sundry, "Don't turn on any taps." However, when you hear a yowl from the "benjo" you know someone has forgotten. No two floors are the same level and we are all constantly forgetting to step up or down at the proper places. It all makes for interesting living.

In addition, we live on the very crest of a hill and our scenery is worth everything. It's beauty, I can hardly describe. To the south and west of us lies the China Sea. This is, I believe, the most beautiful body of water anywhere in the world. It seems to change colors constantly from blue to green to turquoise. There is a row of breakers out a ways, where the waves froth up like whipped cream and on the horizon one can always find a ship in view. Sometime it's a large freighter, at other times it will be native junks with their square, peculiar sails. Sunset over that sea is a thrilling ever-changing, never-to-be-forgotten miracle that seems to combine all the brilliant colors of the world into one scene.

Can anyone write about Okinawa and not mention the tombs? They are just about everywhere you look. All of the hillsides, which are unplantable, are devoted to tombs. Since the American dollar has come to Okinawa there has been a new spurt of tomb building. An Okinawan might live in an earthly shack, but he feels that he must spend eternity in something better. Consequently, he spends a great deal more on his burial place than on the home in which he will spend such a short time while in mortality. The native religion is a combination of Shintoism or ancestor worship and the ancient Okinawan religion, which was a form of nature worship. Even those who embrace Christianity retain their love and respect for their ancestors and go regularly to the tombs. These visits to the tombs are not sad or mournful occasions. It is a time, rather, of relaxation, a time for family picnics and visiting with the dead in memory. Although there are some "modernistic" looking tombs, the majority of them are of the old "turtle-back" type. This seems to grow out of the very hillside and it is built to represent the mouth of the womb, for they feel that death is just a different form of birth.

Again, I must mention the children. Always I mention them, for they are the most delightful part of Okinawa. If I were an artist, I would spend all my time trying to paint them. They are such happy, beautiful children, dearly beloved by all adults. They are inquisitive but invariably polite and well mannered. They are also almost always bright and clean and, in a land where even ordinary sanitation is lacking, that is quite an accomplishment.

Just below us to the south is a native school. All day the school children pass back and forth outside my garden wall. Early in the morning, about 7:30 A.M., the smallest tots are on their way and, as the day progresses, the groups become older, so that in the evening, the high school students leave their work and go to school also. As nearly as I can count, they hold about 5 sessions a day in that school and use it seven days a week. Though their clothes might be old or hand-me-downs or even threadbare, they are always starched and shining clean and the children laugh and play along the way, just as school children do everywhere.

An incident happened, not long ago that I think is so typical. We are fortunate in having a "piped in" pure water supply from the Quartermaster Depot across the highway, but my neighbors are not so fortunate. They must rely either on rainwater cisterns or old wells that often go dry. One night I heard my outside water tap running and there was much splashing and noise. The tap stands on a little cement platform and is about 3 feet high. It is just outside my bedroom window. Turning off the light, I looked out. There stood a small Okinawan boy, about ten years old. He was naked and with a rag and piece of soap, he was having a wonderful time taking a bath. With the moon for light and the oleander bushes in full bloom giving privacy to his "bathroom", he looked like an engaging little elf. He saw me and started to leave, but I called him back with a "Joto. Use Mizu. Joto. Kombun-wa" ("Good, use water, good. Good evening.") Later, he knocked on the window and told me "Arregato, Oksan, Arregato. Kombun-wa" ("Thank you, Missus, thank you. Good evening"). He has since been back, but now he always asks permission.

Most of all, the people are good, so very good, I find. On a ride up the northern part of the island, we moved over on the very narrow "highway" to make room for a passing car. It went on its way and we were left stranded as the right side of the car sank hub deep into the soft mud of a rice paddy. Somewhat despairing, we looked about at the lonely scene with dusk coming on and five hungry children in the car. Then, down the road came a bus. It stopped and everyone got off and helped. Driver, lady-conductor, passengers, old and young, male and female, they waded into the mud and literally lifted our car back onto solid ground. Need I say that we said a heartfelt, "God bless you!", to that group who, without speaking our language or we theirs, still felt it was right to help us.

We have had the rare experience of seeing an ancient way of life moving over and making room for the modern world. It sometimes is amusing to watch and sometimes it brings a little heartache. I feel that much of what is good is being lost, that many worthwhile ways are being sacrificed to progress. But such is the world today, that it must be. Life on Okinawa is interesting, sometimes exciting, sometimes irritating or aggravating, but always worthwhile. I am humbly grateful for the opportunity of being here.

1962 Plaque of Appreciation

1962 Zelda and Her Plaque of Appreciation from the Koza Junior High School.

During our tour of duty at Kadena Air Base on the island of Okinawa, the base Public Relations Office sought out volunteers in their People to People program to help improve relations between the military and the native civilian population.


Zelda volunteered to teach English to the students and teachers of Koza Junior High School which was located a short distance from the base. She taught there for several months and was still teaching when we received our orders returning us to the continental United States.


She was awarded the above plaque by the principal of Koza Junior High School but we had departed before he finished the plaque. It was forwarded through military channels to Hill Air Force Base, Utah where she had gone to work as a civilian employee in the Civil Engineering department. The actual presentation was made by her division chief.