Impromptu Square Dance At Bakers Square

Sunday June 28, 1992

I seem to have a cough today. Nothing more, just a cough. I feel weak and tired, but decide to go square dancing in Woodland Hills anyway. We are an hour late and everyone is leaving and goes to Bakers Square. We had a waffle breakfast so about 3 p.m. we're ready for lunch or dinner. There are about 28 people there. We set up an L-size table in the back room. After eating, Dick sets up his equipment, and we dance 3 tips at Bakers Square. The manager doesn't want us to leave. The customers are enjoying listening and watching us.

Whoa, that's a big group. No wonder the manager of the restaurant didn't want them to leave. 28 people must have brought in alot of revenue that night. Also, they provided free entertainment for his other customers.

As for her cough, it seems to me that Mom had a cough for years, especially in the mornings. Maybe it was so natural for her she didn't notice.

Lunch With Joan Larson

Tuesday June 3, 1992

I'm taking Joan Larson to lunch today. I'm really looking forward to it but I'm so tired in the morning I can't get started. I wonder how she's feeling and will she cancel. Once I'm dressed and ready I feel alot more energetic.

Joan is ready and waiting. We tell Hal goodbye and head for Bakers' Square for lunch. We try to keep it light but our conversation keeps drifting back to issues that affect us both. When you think (or know) your days are numbered there are many things to ponder and things to get in order, arrangements to be made. We talk about our husbands marrying again and agree we want them to.

We go shopping at Costco. It's fun. We agree we had a lovely day. Joan has about a year to live. I'm not so sure about me, but probably somewhat longer.

Ever since Mom's doctor visit a few weeks ago with Dr. Schwartz, it seems her whole attitude has changed from one of optimistic to one of resignation. One person's words, especially if that person is the doctor, can speak life or death to a patient. Proverbs 12:18 says "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing". Dr. Schwartz was reckless when he dismissed her as a lost cause. If he was a wise doctor he could have encouraged her and even brought healing. So now she is talking about her death, about her funeral, about her husband remarrying, all in the last few weeks. Joan did indeed live about a year from this date, but she outlived Mom who had 11 months to live at this point.

We Enjoy Being With Gene & Cathy

Sunday March 15, 1992

We're up and out by 10:30 on our way to Pasadena where we'll meet Gene and Cathy at the Doubletree Hotel for a travel show. We spend a couple of hours there, then go to lunch in "Old Town." We enjoy being with Gene and Cathy. We always have alot to talk about. After lunch we go to see Perry and Cathy and their new home addition. It's huge and lovely. It's not finished but soon.

We get home in time to eat dinner (pizza), get dressed, and go to Larry's square dance in Northridge with friends. Great fun! Then Bakers Square.

Mom's brother Gene Thomas was 6 years older than Mom, and they had different fathers, but in spite of the age difference, they were very close. Both Gene and his wife Cathy were attendants at my parents' wedding, and continued to be good friends with my dad after my parents divorce. They are good people, well into their 80s now, with lots of friends, and lots of great stories to tell of their world travels. The photo above was taken approximately 1950 around the time they were married.

It seems that no how matter how busy their days are, they are almost never too tired to go square dancing in the evening. Northridge is a 20-mile drive from Simi Valley where they lived, and Pasadena is almost 50 miles from Simi Valley. Both Mom and Frank seemed to have boundless energy.