1975 03 09 RWR to folks typed, thin paper

Blue ink, ADR: Shades of March 1975! I really enjoyed poring over this epistle from you Roger. Please return. One of my keepsakes.

Dear Mom and Dad,

Thanks so much for your excellent telephone call last night. We have enjoyed the repeated good news from the West during the past couple months: from John, George and Eileen, Dorothy, and you, I have long appreciated the fact that we are able to communicate our thoughts rather freely…I believe this prevents more problems than it causes! [underlining by ADR]

So I will quickly summarize my hindsight budget for last year, and indicate why I anticipate no financial problem next year. Of gross income of ca. $34,000, 39% was used for income taxes, civil service retirement, life and health insurance policies and our home mortgage payment. Another 19% paid for food, auto, utilities, child nursery, lawn maintenance and clothing. The remaining funds are in my mind more discretionary monies: 19.1% for family assistance: about 90% to John, 19.2% for home improvements and furniture: and 4.4% for recreation (YMCA, travel, motels, souvenirs). In short, 60% of expenditures are fixed; about (less than) half of the remainder goes to John. At the moment we do not anticipate any major home improvements or household purchases during the year. Hopefully we will spend no more than 3% for home improvements and furnishings…leaving us 10% for additional childcare and delivery services…and possibly a penny or two for savings!

I have now been ill for nearly 3 weeks…since Ernie and Ruth were here…but I’ve only missed 3 days work. I’m nearly recovered but hope to return to work slowly. Today I lazed at home…because of a blown fuse, I got Susan and Melanie to help me determine the complete circuit for each fuse. Imagine my disappointment, when I couldn’t find any plugs of lights or appliances to match 4 fuses…and one of them is a 25A fuse labeled “power saw”. How can I find the circuit for those fuses? Do I need to consult an electrician?

One of my Guatemalan orchids are now blooming, and I have a passle of green plants to put in my greenhouse if I ever get it built! Our camellia, quince, daffodils, tulips, crocuses have bloomed and we’re now waiting for the dogwood, rhododendron, azaleas. Did I tell you I planted 40 strawberry plants and 3 hemlock trees a couple weeks ago?

Melanie and I have had several projects going lately: We’ve been using a bird book to try to identify the species of juncos, sparrows, woodpeckers, etc. in our yard…and we blew the eggs out of some eggshells to paint designs, faces, and animal figures on for her room. (I suppose E work with Melanie chiefly to avoid taking care of David…the rascal!!)

If we make it to Portland, and I hope we do, tell Marilyn I’d like to buy 2 quarts of her honey…I’d also like to bring back another fern if anyone has a spare.

Must close now and get ready for bed so I’ll be able to work tomorrow. Thanks again for your phone call. Hope you’re both in good health over Easter and we get a day or two together.

Love

Roger