Friday October 12, 1973

Today the Neals leave for Jolly Old England. I know they leave with some regrets. I'm sure if it weren't for the daughter & grandchildren back home, they would seriously consider coming here to live. It has been a pleasure to know them.

Claire (at this writing) is planning to go to the hospital next Sunday for surgery. She will have had her family, for there will be an end to her conceiving after the operation. She has had such a hard time accepting what doctors have told her. "She must never have any more."- They tell her. I am planning to take Shannon while she is up there & then staying with her during the day for a while when she comes home.

I bottled seven quarts apple sauce yesterday, & seven bottle tomato juice, & 13 quarts crab apple jelly two days before that. I have tomatoes to do again tomorrow. The Lees' gave us a bushel of lovely delishes apples.

Lee & Ariel came over & took me for a ride to West Canyon on the 10th. It was a nice ride in their truck. Les was a work so there was just the three of us.

Several days ago, we went up and borrowed two more cases of bottles from Claire. We had to buy some lids for them, & I said I would like to go to a certain store, & ask if they had any bottles. When Les asked the clerk, he said; "We had nine cases come in this morning. We are saving six of them for a lady, but you can have the other three if you wish." We took them and went back by Claires & gave hers back. It's almost impossible to buy bottles. The bottle companies did not anticipate such a run, & was caught short in supplying our needs.

Last Sunday we spent the day with Clell & Ann. The fellers hung a storm door and a side door on the west end entrance to their house. It turned out great. We had a lovey lunch & dinner with them.