You can reach Sue at (314) 452-3685 or (314) 726-2032. You can write to her c/o Rose Holt, 905 Barnard College Lane, St. Louis, MO 63130


Mark Lary called this evening Last Friday he had an emergency appendectomy. The surgery was done by laparoscopy so was no big deal. He was back at work today. However, when he went for his follow-up exam, his doctor told him the pathology reports showed carcinoma. On Friday, April 1, he goes back into the hospital for removal of a portion of his colon. He will be at Missouri Baptist for six days. We are concerned but trust that this will soon be over and ancient history. Meanwhile, cast a few prayers heavenward for his speedy recovery.

Word from the worker bees at the lake is that, in spite of no heat or hot water, lots of rain and no sunshine, a good deal of progress has been made on the deck. Doug, Mark Goldman, and Maddog have been working feverishly. Dave Smith went there today to look over the painting needs, and Chris is going tomorrow to lend his help. Scott was upset when I told him about the project because he would love to have been a part of it. Seldom have I seen so many young people so willing to volunteer their time and talent the way this bunch does. Goldman calls himself the "Cabin Bitch" because he is in charge of kitchen and cooking. He made a brisket on Sunday which all said turned out wonderfully.

I spent the weekend with the Abbotts. We had a great time, BUT the question of the cow that I thought was settled is back. Turns out, Pete says HE milked the cow because Joe had a job at Peo Fellin's grocery store on the square. Furthermore, we didn't board the cow at the Alexanders but kept her in our own pasture. Margaret was adamant that SHE was the ONLY one who cleaned the milk strainer. I thought I did. Rose said, "What the hell is a milk strainer." No doubt, she was reading a book.

As our Dear Readers can easily see, these are matters of historical significance in the family history. Just like national history, there is a good deal of dispute about who did what, when. However, just as in national history, the ones who WRITE the story determine the truth. Rose and I will soon decree just who it was milked that cow. [Stepped on WHAT out in the barn!!!!???? We thought we sold the cow.]

While Margaret and Norman and I were discussing these weighty matters, Bernie called. He didn't know who milked the cow but figured it was probably him. Actually, he didn't care who it was. He was able to fill in other historical facts, like Dad's having spent the night in jail shortly before he died. Bernie remembers going with Bob and Joe to 'spring him,' and that he had been arrested for driving erratically around the square. In modern terms, DUI.

A long-term friend of Rose and Shirley's was in town over the weekend to give a workshop for the local Jung Society. He and his wife Marjorie stayed at the Oakland house and very graciously invited us there for a lucious dinner. Shirley, unfortunately, missed both the dinner and the workshop because she left for Chicago on Wednesday.

On Thursday evening, Leslie and her son Chase (former Springfield neighbors) were in town for Leslie's brother's 50th birthday and for St. Pat's. Leslie and Chase overnighted with us. Part of their agenda for travelling from Springfield to St. Louis was to see Den. I have known Chase since he was about 10 and just a little fellow. Well, now Chase is over six feet and is 18 years old. As we were leaving the Extended Care Facility, Rose explained she had had to park some distance away. Without a word, Chase scooped me up and carried me to the car! He will go to Denver in the Fall to study photography, his passionate avocation, in the fall. He is one wonderful young man. His brother Jeffrey has returned from service in Iraq and is now stationed in Fort Lewis Washington where we all fervently hope he stays.

We are invited to the Abbotts for Easter Sunday. We're looking forward to the egg hunt and the dinner. Sabrina is making her world-famous potato salad, which I taught her to make. [That little fact may get lost in the history books, so I put it here in plain print.]

Kim and family are in Cancun for spring break. They chose a good time to get out of the rainy and generally miserable weather here. In Kim's absence, we really note how very much she does for her dad. My wonderful son Chris continues to be his cheerful and helpful self. On Monday he took Den and me to the first liver transplant meeting for potential recipients and families. Yesterday, he and Shelly went with me to a seminar on preserving assets in the face of catastrophic illness. About 5 minutes into the deal, Chris passed a note to Shelly and me that read, "Snake Oil." And it was. We got out as soon as we comfortably could, but it was still two hours of one harrangue. No Help. After that, Chris picked Den up from Rehab and took him back to the facility.

Last night Rose and I stopped by the college where Chris teaches computer technology. He has come a long way from the Apple I bought him and Scott when they were in high school! It was heartwarming to see the comraderie between Chris and his students. And we learned more about IP addresses, bytes, and routers than we had any need to know.

Rose and I are planning a quick trip to the Lake on Monday to check out progress on the roof and the deck. We asked Brother Joe to drive up for lunch with us. He said he would but wanted us to know he's maxed out Pete's credit card. Pete, could you pay it down before Monday?