Dreaming of Gary's Future

Sunday February 9, 1992

Laid back day. Did some shopping. Watched the Olympics. Feeling pretty good. Main complaint now is my wrist and thumbs. My cough is almost gone.

I can imagine how happy Gary will be here in Simi Valley. There are hills close to his house to hike and explore. There are more, all around this valley. Gary loves to hike and explore. The bike trail along the arroyo through the valley is 1/2 block from his new house. They all have bikes. They'll love that. And then his house. I imagine he'll swim often in the pool and spend many restful hours in the spa. They'll have lots of wonderful parties in the large yard and patio. The best though, if the many cozy evenings in the beautiful living room in front of his beautiful brick fireplace. Simi Valley is a bit of heaven.

I am incredibly touched by how excited Mom was about Gary's new house, and how she was imagining his life there, not knowing whether she would be a part of it or not. I feel a little sad that I moved to Northern California back in 1974 and because of the distance she was not nearly as involved in my life. We were very close, and talked on the phone for 1-2 hours every week, but I missed out on alot by moving away. Simi Valley is very beautiful, much warmer and more arrid than Santa Rosa, but I am willing to put up with winter rains and colder weather in order to be close to redwood trees, vineyards, lakes, rivers and the Sierras. Gary and I share a passion for hiking and exploring. It must be our Scandinavian ancestry.

Dolores & Steve Buy a House

Sunday June 2, 1991

We're up at 9:30 for breakfast. After unpacking and Frank vacuuming the house, we're off to Northridge Park for the festival. We see Maria (daughter in law) and Anna (her sister). I feel surprisingly rested instead of jet-lagged. My legs feel heavy and tired after an hour and a half of walking around so we head home for a nice steak, corn and baked potato dinner at home.

Lots of phone calls to catch up on. Dolores (Frank's daughter) and Steve (her husband) have bought a house in San Diego and want Frank to come down to inspect it for them and give an opinion. So we'll go Wednesday afternoon and come home Thursday afternoon.

The folks are all OK. Mother sounds good. Couldn't reach Gary--gone fishing!

We are ready for bed by 10:00. Smokey (the cat) is very glad we're home and wants lots of lovin, and we do. The girls, Daisy and Punkin (the dogs) are happy to see us too. We love our animals.

My brother Gary always did enjoy fishing out in nature. His favorite spot is up near Mammoth Lakes in the Sierras. Since this post was written on a Sunday, there's a good chance he went up for the weekend.

Dolores, Frank's daughter, met her husband Steve when they were both attending college in San Diego. They married in 1986, pictured above. She went on to become an elementary teacher and Steve became an architect. It wasn't until Dolores went off to college that mom and Frank got married. He was a single dad raising 3 children, Dolores being the youngest, and bringing a new mom into the picture would complicate things.