Yellowstone Trip

It was either in 1997 or 1998, we went to Yellowstone and grandma and grandpa came with us. I remember staying at Mac's Inn, it was in Island Park. I wasn't very old, so I don't remember everything from that trip. While we were in the park, we went to a gift shop and grandma bought me a little stuffed wolf that I still have today. It is really special to me, and that trip was great and I will always remember the fun times with family both times we went. I love you, grandma! Thank you for always making our trips so memorable. :)

Love, Sarah

Young at Heart

One day when we were visiting Mom and Dad, one of Mom's friends told me how they had gone on a hike with some of the sisters in the Relief Society. “Your mother hiked so well for being a woman of her age”, she said. That really hit me. I guess she was going on seventy then, but I had never thought of my mother as getting older. With her enthusiasm for life and her happy laughter, she always seemed young at heart and I could not imagine her getting older and not hiking along with the rest of us.

Time passed. we moved away. Mom and Dad came to see us in Texas on their way to serve a mission for the Church. They spent 18 months driving and walking on the red dirt country roads of southern Alabama making friends and sharing the message of the restored gospel.

We next saw them at BYU when we drove up for Alyssa’s graduation. It was a very happy time to be together. Alyssa had married Eric a few months earlier and now Mom and Dad had returned from their mission. Mom was radiant with joy at this reunion. They were living in their Bishop’s Guest Quarters in the second story of a barn. The only way to enter the apartment was to climb a spiral stair case. Every day Mom climbed those stairs, without complaint. I don’t remember ever hearing Mom complain about anything. Later that winter she hurt her knee with a fall. She made one more hike up Doughnut falls with us. It was difficult with her knee not cooperating.

Rafting on the Salmon

In 2011 Mom and Dad went with us to Yellowstone and then to Stanley, Idaho where Kristina was working. We all went rafting down the Salmon River and of course Mom wouldn't miss out on that adventure. She climbed in that raft with the rest of us and had a great time -"at her age" -ever young at heart.
-Darell

Mom's Early Years (cont.)

Mom was born on March 26, 1934 to Franklin Jack and Stella Josephine Hansen Randall in Pocatello, Idaho just two days before their second anniversary. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on March 28, 1932. About her youth, Mom writes: 

My Father was an accountant and operated a service station, and my mother was beautician. It was during the depression, but what did I know; I just enjoyed the sweet comfort of their caring and love. As I grew older I was blessed with two sisters and a brother, Anarene, Elouise, and Arlin.

Our Family lived in two homes in Pocatello; moving when I was 12. This move was to a home next to the grocery store (Enterprise Market) that my father purchased in 1942. This was blessing in my life also, because my father gave me the opportunity to work for him and gain a valuable experience.

As a family, we were active members of the LDS church; and the testimonies of our parents were a great influence in our lives. Primary and MIA gave us opportunities to grow in the gospel; even the experience of coming to June Conference and dancing in the Dance Festival.

Trip to Pocatello

The Trip to Pocatello

A Journey Back to Where it All Began 
  

                As a little girl, I remember listening to Grandma Bagley at family gatherings try to decipher the relations of various ancestors. She would lean way back and draw the family tree in the air with her finger, “Now, so-and-so was your father’s great-great-grandfather through the first wife on my mother’s side.” I was always amazed at how she could keep so many family names and lines straight. I have always admired Grandma’s passion for family history. In fact, I think a lot of my own intrigue and love for history stems from Grandma’s example. You can’t help but share Grandma’s excitement as you listen to her tell stories about pioneer ancestors and the rich heritage they left behind. This love of history is one of the main reasons why I wanted to travel to Pocatello, Idaho. I guess you can say that I wanted to turn the spotlight onto the spotlighter (I know I made up that word, but bear with me). I thought that one of the best ways to honor someone who is so involved in historical research was to reach into that person’s own past and try to see and experience the place of origin of such a wonderful person.

On March 15^th, 2014 we took a day trip with Grandma Bagley to visit some of the most memorable sites in her hometown of Pocatello, Idaho. Kam and I had our kids with us. My parents had enough room to spare so they had Grandma and Grandpa ride with them in their car. Charles and Lori and three of their kids also came along. We rendezvoused at Charles and Lori’s house and then departed at 10:00 am. The drive was pleasantly scenic. We arrived in Pocatello in the early afternoon. Although, I’d been to Idaho many times before, this was the first time I can remember actually stopping in Pocatello. The first item of business was to find some grub, because we couldn’t take a trip down memory lane on empty stomachs. So we scoped out the local cuisine and found ourselves at a humble yet very tasty Thai restaurant called Thai Kitchen. I highly recommend the house curry, although I wouldn’t ask for a spice level above a 2 unless you enjoy making your eyelids sweat like my dad does.

        

  The first site we visited was Grandma Bagley’s first house. We had to meander around a few blocks before we found the right street, but when we found it we all jumped out to take a closer look at the little white house. There was a chain link fence and a couple of giant tree stumps that looked like ancient Cottonwoods. If I remember correctly, Grandma said that she lived in that house until she was 12-years-old. The outside of the house has been updated and so doesn’t look much like it did when Grandma lived there, but she had brought some black and white pictures from back in the day so that we had a better glimpse of her childhood home. This house is located right next to another tiny house that Grandma’s grandmother used to live in. 

                After driving past a red brick church we arrived at the second stop, Washington Elementary School where Grandma attended grade school. She didn’t know if the school was still standing prior to our trip, so we were all pleasantly surprised to find the two-story brick building alive and well. Grandma said the outward appearance was familiar, although it seemed bigger now which is highly likely that they would have added onto the building over the years. The kids were thrilled to get out of the car and romp around in the sunshine on the playground for a while. Grandma recounted how she used to have to walk to school and back home twice each day because she lived too close to be bused or have lunch at school. Kids really have it so easy these days.

                After the school, we travelled to the other side of town to visit the site where Grandma’s second home and Great Grandpa Randall’s store used to be. The site is just beyond the viaduct that goes over the railroad tracks and is now filled with a dozen or more dilapidated cars. Although, the structures were no longer still standing there was a lot of reminiscing that went on at this site as my Dad and Charles tried to pace off the dimensions of the former buildings. Eventually, the house was sold, put on a trailer and moved to Blackfoot, Idaho. The store was turned into apartments for a while, but those were later torn down to make room for the expansion of the viaduct.

                We then drove past Grandma’s high school and through historic downtown Pocatello making our way to the Deleta skating rink, which apparently is still a popular hangout for teenage Pocatellans. Our next actual stop was an ice cream joint that I’m sure wasn’t around in Grandma’s early days, but I was able to flip through Grandma’s high school year book as I enjoyed my scoop of German Chocolate cake ice cream.

                After driving past the Idaho State Campus we ended up at upper Ross Park. Our timing was unfortunate, because the gates to the Fort Hall Replica were already closed. We could see the buildings in the distance and there was a playground so the kids weren’t disappointed because we let them play for a while before calling it a day. I guess we’ll have to plan another trip to Pocatello so that we can explore the old fort.

All in all, it was a short trip packed with many memories. I’m sure we could’ve spent more time seeing many more places, but I was just happy to have gained a little more insight into the origin and upbringing of a wonderful lady whose love of history has inspired me to dig a little deeper into my own history. And although they may not remember it, I am glad to have shared this experience with my children because I hope to instill in them a love for their family and heritage. It is nearly impossible to be grateful for who you are and where you are in life without turning an eye to the past and thinking about your family roots and the legacy they have left for you to learn from. Thank you, Grandma, for all of the family history work you have done. Thanks for taking the time to show us around your hometown and for sharing some fun memories from your past.

Happy 80^th Birthday!
Ashley

"That's the girl you should marry"

   Dad met Frank Bingham in Institute. They enjoyed talking about Hawaii where Dad had served a mission and Frank had been in while in the service. They became good friends and roommates and were in the Alpha chapter of the Sigma Gamma Chi, the LDS fraternity. One night they had a party with a Hawaiian theme, but it was just for men. After the party Frank said he wanted to stop and see his fiancée Elaine Kirkman . In a apartment where the girls lived, Cory struck up a conversation with one of the roommates named Joyce Parrish, who had lived out in Trout Creek near Callao, where Dad had spent many summers on the ranch.  But while he was there, another young lady caught his eye. "She was acting kind of shy", Dad said. At that moment an impression came to his mind, “that’s the girl you should marry”. He later found out her name was Gloria Randall. He had heard about Gloria Randall but thought she lived in another one of the halls on campus. Dad decided he just had to get a date with Gloria.  They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 7, 1957 just one week after Mom graduated from Utah State University. 

-Darell

Grandma's Faith

I have never questioned whether Grandma and Grandpa Bagley have testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and have faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Out of all of Grandma's amazing attributes and qualities I am most grateful that both her and grandpa have set the example of living what they believe in word and deed. I know I can speak for all of us grandchildren and great grandchildren that Grandma and Grandpa have always been there to support us through the things that matter most and of spiritual significance (blessings, baptisms, weddings, missions, sealings, seminary/institute graduations etc.). I know they constantly serve each one of us in so many ways.  They support us all in many big events in our lives and I feel so much gratitude for their love support and unwavering faith. I love hearing grandma bear testimony of the gospel and of Jesus Christ. I know that each family member is so important to Grandma and she makes a constant effort to see how each of us are doing and takes an interest in our lives. Thank you grandma for all you do for us.

-Alyssa

Resourceful Grandma

Grandma was over at my house visiting and she had just gotten a perm and her hair done and it began raining pretty hard. Grandma was resourceful and put a plastic grocery bag on her head so that she wouldn't get her hair wet and a way she went outside. Again I had to take a picture! Something that grandma and I have in common is our love for pictures of family and family gatherings. Grandma always leans back with her camera in hand to get the right shot. I love grandma for her good nature and cheerful personality. She can lift anyone’s spirits.

-Alyssa

Grandma's Throne

Another example of how grandma is resourceful is quite a funny story. We were in Stanley, Idaho visiting my sister Kristina and making supper. I was making the taco meat for the taco salad and grandma was going to cut up tomatoes. She looked around and couldn't find any chairs to sit on and the next thing I know grandma is sitting on the toilet in the cabin bathroom with a plate on her lap and she is slicing the tomatoes. Grandma made the toilet her throne. We laughed about this for some time and I had to take a picture.

-Alyssa

Are you ready to harvest the grapes?

Grandma is extremely resourceful! I am forever grateful for grandma’s example of growing, preserving foods, and keeping food storage. Grandma has spent many hours teaching Eric and I how to harvest the grapes from her yard that my father, Darell planted many years ago and teaching us how to bottle and preserve the delicious grape juice. I always look forward to grandma's call around October, General Conference saying “Are you ready to come harvest the grapes?” Each time I take a sip of this delicious grape juice I think of grandma and what she has taught me.

-Alyssa

Where's Grandma?

Arriving from China before the Wedding

I remember the first time my in-laws; my husbands's mother, father, aunt, and grandma arrived from China for our wedding. We invited Grandma and Grandpa to come along with us to the airport to greet them. After a happy reunion, we all started making our way back to the cars when I realized I didn't know where Grandma was. I looked behind me and found her arm-in arm with Larry's grandma. They were both laughing as if they had known each other all their lives, even though neither knew a word of the other's language. At that moment, Grandma illustrated to me how friendship can be found anywhere.

-Kristina

Big Day at the Salt Lake Temple

Grandparent's Day at Majestic Elementary School

It was the best of times; It was the worst of times

For me, Mom has always been an example of Christlike goodness. I don't think she has ever had a mean or unkind thought towards anyone. Mom also exhibited the Christlike behavior of mercy many times towards us as kids in our growing up years with the mischief we would get into. One story in particular sticks out in my memory.

One night Matt and I and our friend Paul from across the street had planned the most glorious sleepover of all time - or at least for that summer! We had it all planned out that Paul would would come over early in the afternoon so that we could stretch the evening's activities out as long as possible. The evening was to start off with the always thrilling event of throwing water balloons at cars. Afterward, the schedule was a little loose but, eventually we were to end up sleeping out under the stars in Doctor Young's boat that was parked in our driveway for some reason.

The water ballooning started off great. We were landing some great hits from our hiding spots behind bushes as cars drove up Pheasant Way.  I don't know why we did it. Maybe we wanted the thrill of danger and a possible chase. Eventually, we nailed a car with a spectacular splat that provoked the angry motorist to screech to a halt. The chase was on! We ran from our hiding places at top speed around the house with the ultimate goal of concealing ourselves in the wooded area behind Dad's workshop. If we could just make it across the ditch to the wild area of the yard, no one could follow us there. The three of us rounded the house into the backyard, Paul in the middle and Matt and I on either side. We just had to cross the driveway and we would be nearly home free.

Now, Dad had been working for quite some time on rebuilding the Bellanca airplane in his workshop. He had recently finished one of the wings and it was temporarily stored under a tarp at the edge of the driveway. In our escape, Matt ran around one side of the wing and I simultaneously went around the other. Paul, however, was not accustomed to avoiding airplane obstacles in the driveway and ran right down the middle putting a couple of footprints through the fabric wing!

At that moment of horror, I honestly don't know if we kept running or if the angry motorist even got out of the car to chase us, we just knew we were in serious trouble! The most glorious sleepover of all time was finished! How would we ever survive the deserved wrath of Dad? We couldn't bear to face Dad with our stupidity, so we went to Mom for mercy. If anyone could make things better, we knew if would be Mom! We confessed our transgressions to Mom and plead that she would intercede for us.

Although I'm sure we received some punishment for what we did, I don't remember what it was. What I will ALWAYS remember, however, is Mom having mercy on us. She saved us the most excruciating part--  telling Dad what happened to the wing while we cowered in fear somewhere else.

Thanks Mom for your understanding and love. Thanks for always being there in the good times and the rough times. I always had the feeling that through the bumps and bruises of growing up that you could always make things better. Thanks for being my mom.
Love, Charles

When is a door not a door?

I love spending time with Grandma, she always cheers me up when I am having a hard time.  I remember when I was younger, maybe in Jr. High I am not sure, she started reading me these jokes about old people that she had gotten in an email.  I still remember those jokes and tell them to people today.  They were so funny to us at the time that we were crying, laughing, and couldn't catch our breath.  When my mom came to pick me up we were still laughing so hysterically that she thought something was wrong.  We tried to tell her the jokes, but didn't find it quite as funny as we did.  Even now, Grandma knows the importance of laughter in getting through hard times. It reminds me of one of my favorite conference talks by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin called "Come What May and Love It." In the talk he says about going through times of trial, "one of the first things we can do is learn to laugh." Just the other day, knowing that I was going through a hard time, Grandma told me a riddle and then suggested that I keep a book of jokes or funny stories with me to turn to when I need a good laugh.

Joke #1
An 87-year old man, on his death bed and in pain, smells the aroma of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies coming from outside his bedroom. He thinks to himself, "my dear wife must be making my favorite cookies as a sentiment to our final hours together." So he musters up what little strength he has remaining in his feeble body and drags himself out of bed.
Fighting off the pain and weakness, he stumbles into the hallway, down the stairs, and to the kitchen door. There, on the table, he sees a huge plate of chocolate chip cookies, the steam rising from the plate, the chocolate chips still soft and gooey. He thinks, "God bless my devoted wife for giving me such pleasure in my final hours on this earth", and he then falls to the floor and crawls towards the cookies.
He gets to the table and, with the last ounce of strength he has left, reaches up with his hand to take a cookie. Just then, he feels the stinging Whack! of a metal spatula against his knuckles.
He looks up to see his wife standing over him, saying "Don't you dare touch those cookies, they're for the funeral guests!"

Joke #2
Three elderly sisters lived together; ages 96, 94, and 92. One night the 96 year old draws a bath. She puts one foot in and pauses. "Was I getting in the tub or out?" she yells. The 94 year old hollers back "I don't know, I'll come up to see." She starts up the stairs and stops. She shouts "Was I going up or going down?" The 92 year old is sitting at the kitchen table having tea, listening to her sisters. She shakes her head and says, "I sure hope I never get forgetful" and knocks on wood for good measure. Then she yells, "I'll come up and help both of you as soon as I see who's at the door." 

GRANDMA'S SHOES

When I was very little,
all the Grandmas that I knew.
walked around this world
in ugly grandma shoes.

You know the ones I speak of,
those clunky black heeled kind,
they just looked so very awful
that it weighed upon my mind,

For I knew, when I grew old.
I'd have to wear those shoes,
I'd think of that, from time to time
It seemed like such bad news.

I never was a rebel,
wore saddle shoes to school.
Next came ballerinas,
then the sandals, pretty cool.

Then came spikes with pointed toes
then platforms, very tall.
As each new fashion came along,
I wore them, one and all.

But always, in the distance,
Looming in my future, there;
was that awful pair of ugly shoes,
the kind that Grandmas wear.

I eventually got married,
and then became a Mom.
My kids grew up and left,
And then their children came along.

I knew I was a Grandma,
and the time was drawing near,
when those clunky, black, old lace up shoes,
was what I'd have to wear.

How would I do my gardening,
or take my morning hike?
I couldn't even think about
how I would ride my bike!

But fashions kept evolving,
and one day I realized,
that the shape of things to come
was changing, right before my eyes.


And now, when I go shopping,
what I see, fills me with glee,
for, in my jeans and Reeboks,
I'm as comfy as can be.

And I look at all these teenage girls,
and there, upon their feet,
are clunky, black, old Grandma shoes,
and they really think they're neat.

We thought the poem was particularly funny as well because Jr. High was the time when I was very experimental with my style and I had a particularly clunky pair of shoes that fit the description so well, while Grandma told me the poem in her tennis shoes so we had a good laugh over that one as well.

I have fond memories of our Christmas Eve parties and the poster "For Unto A Child is Born" that she has kept for years. And gathering around all of the Aunts, Uncles, Grandchildren, etc.  Even though that tradition comes once a year, she truly exemplifies the Christmas spirit all year long through her humility, faith, service, and Christlike love.

-Amanda

My call to Seoul, Korea

Thoughts from Elder Josh Bagley

Sent from Guatemala Retalhuleu Mission:

All I know is I'm always happy when I’m around grandma. She’s so sweet and funny to hang around with. She can be a little goofy. And she loves to laugh. She’s so positive. And she’s always has something to teach us about something she read from a good book or about our ancestors.  I just love being around her. She makes your day. Oh and I like it when she feeds us.Happy 80th Birthday Grandma, Love, Elder Josh Bagley

Thoughts from Elouise

One story I remember Dad telling about Gloria when she would have been about 17.  She wanted to go to a dance in Blackfoot and wanted to take the car.  Dad said No and she was very disappointed and tried real hard to get mad but just couldn't.  She didn't know how to get mad. (if only we could all be like that)

She was always the peacemaker whenever I (the baby) would get Anarene in trouble.

I remember she stayed up half the night on Christmas Eve when I was little knitting a pair of puppet mittens for me for Christmas.

Whenever our family would visit from Pocatello for family events she was always a great hostess and made us feel so welcome. 

We are 12 years apart so she was gone to Logan to college when I was 9 or 10.   Gloria has always been a great example that I have looked up to.

She has been a fun friend as well as a sister that I knew I could count on for anything I needed. 

When we cleaned Mom & Dad's house after they passed we had a lot fun as we sorted through things with many good memories ( and never any fighting over anything)  in fact when we drew names for large items like the corner curio cabinet. it was drawn to go to her and that was great but a few days later Cory and Gloria drove up to our house with it because she knew how much I really wanted it. 

She has been wonderful to compile stories and do geneology and sharing with everyone.  For the last several years we are having fun bonding going out to dinner and catching up with the families.

Elouise Hancock

Grocery Delivery Surprises

We all enjoyed our work in the store. Dad had a delivery service where customers would call in an order, we would fill the order, and deliver it. Some customers would phone in small orders, like Great Grandma Randall. Some would phone in an order large enough to last a month. Before I was old enough to drive, Gloria would drive  and I would be the delivery person taking the groceries from the car to the house.  One time when we were out delivering groceries, I was really surprised to find my head up against the windshield, breaking the glass. It so happened that Gloria found a police car right in front of us. We hit the back of the police car. The police officer was kind enough to only issue a warning ticket and let us go on our way.

Another time we were delivering groceries in West Pocatello. The home we were delivering to had a slanted driveway. I suggested to Gloria that she put the emergency brake on. We took the groceries in and were on our way back to the store.  Everywhere we went we smelled a terrible smell. When we drove in to the parking lot at the store, we ran into the store and told Dad there was a terrible smell everywhere. Dad knew exactly what the smell was. The day before, he had just had new brakes installed on the car. The terrible smell was burning brakes, since we had not released the emergency brake.

Arlin

Mama McFadden

I always knew Dad loved Mom. He would come home from work and give her an affectionate hug while she was cooking supper. Dad would say hello little Mama McFadden as he hugged her and gave her the Bagley pat on the shoulder. Then he would take a big wooden spoon and start sampling the cooking. Other times he would be working on a project, maybe under a sink or something and he would call out, "hey Glo would you bring me such and such". Dad's nickname for Mom fits her well. She radiates happiness.

Mom faithfully made Dad a "Lutefisk Dunderwiger" (Dad's name for a tuna fish sandwich) every day for his lunch that he took to work for over 30 years. They were all made with love.
-Darell

USU Diet Squad

When I attended ISU and USU, I joined the LDS sorority of Omega chapter in Lambda Delta Sigma. That was a blessing for my social life. And it was through friends I made there at USU, that I met my husband, Corydon Stuart Bagley.

Then when I had completed my graduation requirements in December, 1956, I needed to stay on campus because I had become engaged to Cory. So I got a job with Dr. Wilcox in the food lab.  It was a new thing to test for Cholesterol).  Dr. Wilcox got a grant to be part of the testing.  Now that is where I come in.  For one week we would test meals made only with butter, the next week another kind of fat, etc.  I was the chief cook and bottle washer.  I planned the meals, cooked them and cleaned up.  And this had to be three meals a day for a true test.  We had what we called our diet squad of about eight, and they were the Guinea pigs. Cory and Frank Bingham were on the squad and that worked out good.  This way I had work until spring when I graduated class of '57.  Then one week later, Cory and I were married in the Salt Lake Temple.

Pocatello High and on to College

Another, when I graduated from Pocatello High School, I received an honor.  Every graduating class has to vote for who they think will be the most successful or, etc.  Well got voted as, guess what?, the Most Bashful Girl in the Class of "52.  At least they noticed me to include me in the voting. 

And of course, I wanted to continue my education, so I expressed to my parents that I would like to go to Utah State University.  I had cousins who had gone there.  Well, my Dad said. "What are we living in a college town for, if its not to take advantage of the benefits."  So we made a deal, if I would stay home and go for three years, then I could go away to school, to USU.

Country Girl

The early years of my life were spent living in a slightly rural setting in Pocatello.  I loved the song of the Meadow Lark in the spring.  And my parents were able to grow a large vegetable garden and raise chickens.  That was the closest I ever came to being a farm girl. 

         

When I turned 6 years old and ready to start school (there was no preschool or kindergarten), the closest elementary school was Washington Elementary and it was twelve blocks away.  Since there was only one car in the family and my Dad needed it to go to work, that meant that I walked.  Yes, I walked twelve blocks in the morning, home again for lunch and back to school, then home again after school.  The reason: we lived to close to eat lunch at school and not far enough away to ride the bus.  So I got my exercise.

Another thought comes to mind about how my mother really cared that her children grew into a positive and happy spirit.  When I was old enough for MIA, we girls had bandalos and we need to come up with symbol to put on our bandalos.  Discussing it with mother, we came up with the idea of "the Bluebird of Happiness", so we worked with some felt and came up with a Bluebird to sew on and represent my symbol.  Since then my mother and I have always had a Bluebird connection.
-Gloria

Cucumber Sandwiches and Apple Pie

Submitted by Kathy Randall:

When Uncle Arlin and I first started going out together, we were going up to Pocatello so I could meet Grandma and Grandpa Randall. It was going to be  a long drive after he finished work. I decided to make sandwiches etc. Part of the etc. was sliced cucumbers. So somewhere between bites of the sandwich Uncle Arlin ate one or two of the cucumber pieces. He said with much enthusiasm, "Oh this tastes better than Gloria's apple pie." I thought Gloria must not make very good apple pie for a cucumber to taste better. I thought that was a weird thing to say. We had a nice trip and visit in Pocatello. Several weeks later he took me to meet and eat with all of you. We had roast leg of lamb and several other goodies. For dessert was Gloria's apple pie. One bite of that and I thought Uncle Arlin had something wrong with his taster, because, like the rest of the meal, it was delicious. I didn't say anything for several years, but one time I remembered what he had said and served cucumbers for something special and I said I knew he liked them more than apple pie. He thought I was crazy." Why would you think something like that?" We had a good laugh after I explained why I thought that.. What he had been saying was that Gloria made excellent apple pie, but the cucumbers on that drive to Pocatello were exceptionally tasty and refreshing and he used the delicious apple pie for a comparison. Gloria has always been a wonderful cook, but more important a wonderful example of good to me, always so patient and kind and accepting of people. I'm blessed to know her.

Love ,

 Kathy