Letters from Marvin to Margie - May 1955

Note: I decided to post all of the letters Marvin wrote to Margie while she was back visiting Caroline and her family at Marjorie's birth in May of 1955. I had posted the some of the letters, and randomly at that. This post covers all of them. It's long, but interesting!

Granny, Marjorie (7 days), Caroline

Blanding, Utah
May 1, 1955

Dear Margie:

This is Sunday night, about the first time I have had to do any writing since I received your letter. Was glad you had such a nice trip. I suppose you are now a confirmed air traveler. Was glad you found things B.Y. in N.J. (New Jersey). What a day we have had here today. The wind has blown all day just as bad or worse than any day we had this spring. You could hardly see across the street for the dust. I feel like I’d crawl into a hole some place and never come out.

I ordained Joe an Elder in Priesthood meeting this morning. I believe he was quite thrilled. Phil is still coughing and has been awful miserable. I believe he is a little better the last two days. I’ve never seen anything hang on as tenaciously as this flue.

Phil and me have been working in the statements some this after noon. I guess it is a good thing you are not here you sue would be mad. It seems like we have got more _____ accts than ever. Business has been pretty good most of the time. Cash sales have been better than before the fire.

We are getting long fine, so far. We eat breakfast and dinner at Lymans, sometimes a malt and hamburger for supper.

Well it’s Monday morning and snowing to beat the bared. Has turned quite cold. I don’t’ know what we have done to deserve such weather. I guess it’s the judgments of the last days.

I don’t know when the blessed event was supposed to happen, but seems like we should be hearing something right away. Haven’t heard from Frances since you left. So didn’t know what’s going on down there.

Well I guess I’ve told about everything I can think of for this week.

Give my love to Caroline, Doug, and the little fellows and write when you get time.

Much love, Dad

Blanding, Utah
May 7, 1955

Dear Margie,

This is Sunday night again. Will try and get up to date on the goings on around here. Last night two of Phil’s pals from Taliesin drove in and stayed with us over night. One of them was the boy from India, the other one I didn’t know. Yesterday we started the rain maker and it is still running. Today is Conference in Monticello. I went over along this morning. Joe had to stay and watch the rain maker and Phil had to take care of his company. I came home at noon to let Joe and Phil go over for the Afternoon session. Phil came home after the afternoon session but Joe had to sing in a quartet at the night meeting. He hasn’t got home yet. Adam S. Bennion was in attendance. He is a wonderful man. I really enjoyed his talks Saturday night and today.

Cordell Bowen died suddenly of a h[e]art attack last Thursday. I went down to his funeral which was conducted by the Masons. Bro. McKonkie and the Baptist Minister were the speakers. It was quite a nice affair. I think it was a blessing as the dr. just told him he would soon be totally blind.

I was glad to hear of the save arrival of the little one (Marjorie Christensen). The message was repeated to me long distance about all I could hear was that Caroline and baby were fine.

We may go to Salt Lake this week to talk to some builders about the Motel. I walked to Sonderegen today. He said he might get on to it in 30 or60 days. But Phil thinks we better no wait. I think we will go over and talk to him again tomorrow night.

We have had some real nice weather the last few days. Had some pretty good showers yesterday and today.

I finally got the plumbers to install the fixtures in the rest rooms. As soon as we get the doors in and painted they will be ready for use. Seems like we are doing a little more business all the time. Sold 900 gal[lons] Saturday, quite a lot of cash sales.

I haven’t heard from Francis since you left. It must be getting about time for something to happen down there.

I can’t think of any more to say so will close for now.

We love you and all the rest of the family and will be looking forward to your home coming. Hope you are all O.K.

Dad

Blanding, Utah
May 15, 1955

Dear Margie:

Sunday night again so will try and bring you up date on the news which is rather scarce this week. I hate to keep complaining about the weather but we have had three days of wind and dust till we can hardly keep on top. I went to Mex[ican] Hat yesterday to dig up a tank and when I got home I washed a half a cup full of sand out of my eyes and nose and hair. Phil thinks we should move if we can find a place that doesn’t blow but I don’t know where that would be.

We didn’t go to Salt Lake, went over and talked to Sandergar (sp?) and he thot he could do this building for us. Phil is working on the details of the place so that he can give us our internals, we might be able to start within about eight rooms.

Sandergar said Frank Hall’s motel cost $56,000.00 and when it was about ready for use the inspector condemned the plumbing and they have to take it all out and do it over. I think Sandergar was quite impressed with Phil’s plan.

Well I suppose Caroline is home now and I think it is wonderful that she gets along so well. It just doesn’t seem possible that they [have] such a big family, and such a fine one. I am very proud of them.

We are getting along very nicely. Ethel and Lynn are taking good care of us. I am only eating 2 meals a day and sometimes one. I feel fine no heartburn or upset stomach from eating too much and too often. The boys fix up a little on the side here at home quite often. Marilyn is buying things in good condition.

We finally heard from France and Dutch and according to their calculation we should just about have another grandchild by now. According to their figures they should be homeward bound in about three weeks which will be about the same time as your home run. You will all be very welcome.

Next Sunday I must go to Moab for High Council Visit and the next Sunday to Lockerby. It will be a terrible rely. When it is ___ it is wonderful to be on the High Council if I didn’t feel so incompetent and I feel less competent as time goes on.

Well I don’t seem to think of any more to say so might as well close.

Much love to you and the family. Dad

Blanding
May 25, 1955

Dear Marg:

Two days late. Will try and dash off a few lines to let you know we are o.k. I went to Moab Sunday might was late getting home. Seems like Sunday is about the only time I have to write. Received a telegram from Francis yesterday announcing the arrival of a boy. This was quite a relief as I was beginning to get a little worries about them being a week past due. Will be going to Locherby next Sunday. That will be another worry of my mind, so I can start on some thing else.

Phil wants to go to Salt Lake tomorrow to see some special shows, etc, this weekend and suddenly Joe has got a lot of things there he wants to see about, so it looks like I will have to let them go.

If you wait till the 5th of June to see the baby blessed it will be a couple of weeks yet before you leave for home. That will be entirely up to you, but remember we are anxiously waiting. Will try and hold out till you decide to come. Will have to close now to get this in the mail.

Much Love to you and the rest.


M.F.L.

Blanding, Utah
May 29, 1955

Dear Margie,

This is Sunday night 10:30, just got home from the garage. I just thot [thought] I would go over there for a few minutes after church and I got caught in the rush of Memorial Day traffic coming back from Monument Valley. I was the only place in town open and they really swamped me but it was good business all cash and no cut rate price.

I made a bad mistake in my letter last week. I was 2 days late getting it written and in my rush to get it posted I forgot to air mail it so you might get this one first.

I went to Lockerby today go my visit over, so maybe I can relax for a few days. Phil and Joe got back from Salt Lake this morning about 7:00 o’clock. Phil said his trip was successful.

I bought a transport load of gad from that Western States Co. who have the refinery at Farmington, N.M. They made me a special price of 21 ½ center delivered in Blanding. Looks like I would almost have to live up with them as they beat WR Halls price by about 2 cents a gallon. On one transport load of 7200 gallon that would represent a saving of $146.50.

I received your letter announcing your schedulal for the return trip. Unless you notify me otherwise I will meet you in Cortez June 7 about noon. Would probably be better if you could call from Farmington. I could be ready to go on a moments notice. Imagine Francis will be leaving Texas about as soon as he is discharged. Seems like 3 weeks should be long enough for Dutch to recover.

May 30. The wind is blowing again today. We have had two or three good days since you left. Joe just left for Less Ferry to bring some of Frank Wright’s customers back to Blanding.

Well I must close and get this in the mail. Will see you in a week.

Much love,


Dad