Fall Flowers

September 22, 2011

First day of Fall!  Charlene, our neighbor at the Farmers Market is an artist.  Her beautiful and colorful display of flowers and heirloom tomatoes reflect the "artist" in her.  She always has a beautiful arrangement of some sort and wears a cheerful smile.  She is a good neighbor!

A secret date with dad

August 16, 2011

Carol Olsen, a lady from Kelley's ward is in Parkdale, too.  She is right across the hall from mom.  Mom and Carol have become the best of friends.  They visit with each other often and sit in the dinning hall by each other.  I have adopted Carol as a wonderful friend, too.  I take fresh peaches to Carol when I take mom her's. 

One day Carol told us a story while we were sitting in the dinning hall for dinner.  She had gone on a date with my dad before he met mom.  Carol said Ida (grandma) was an onry lady and was very protective of her sons.  Carol's mother did not want Carol to have anything to do with the Bates boys because of it. One day dad asked Carol on a date.  Carol went, but didn't tell her mother.  After Carol and dad met up, they were driving along in the old car.  The car slid off an embankment and the both of them tumbled around in the car. Carol got all banged up and managed to break a few ribs in the process.  She never did tell her mother she had been out with Jimmy Bates!  She suffered through the pain in silence.

Carol Olsen and Ellen Bates.... best of friends

Recipe Exchange

The Relief Society sisters from the Brigham City 2nd Ward came to my house tonight for the Recipe Exchange. There were seventeen of us in all. I forgot to take pictures until the last ones were leaving. The highlight of the night was a tour of the house. They were astonished with the colors and decorating and thought the house was absolutely beautiful!

Those in the picture are (left to right), Ben, Audrey, Susan Witworth, Linda Ashcraft, Ellen Walker, Amber Witworth, Loralee Dimick's son, Kaden.

Dick and Pat

Our dear friend, Dick Eskelsen, and his wife Pat came up to visit and see our house before Dave goes back to Afghanistan. We operate Dick's orchard in Perry, about 20 acres. We miss Virginia (Bird)... maybe she is a distant relative), Dick's first wife... she passed away a couple of years ago. She had been ill for some time. We watched Dick lovingly take care of her until the very end. We are just getting to know Pat a little better. She is a good companion for Dick. They travel quite a bit, and will be leaving on a cruise for China and neighboring countries soon. Dick has a son that is living in China right now and will spend some time with him, too. Dick is 82 years old, but you would never know!

We had blueberry pie and black raspberry swirl ice cream. It was so enjoyable to have them up to the house.

I looked out the window....

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

and what did I see? POPCORN POPPING on the APRICOT TREE! Spring has brought me such a nice surprise. Blossoms popping right before my eyes! Alia got her first lesson on tree popcorn. And it was a surprise! Alia was so excited and thought she was going out to the orchard to get some popcorn off the tree to eat.



Mike and Audrey came up last night to say their last goodbye's to Dave and help with some work. Neither Audrey nor I could see out of our eyes.... I'm still seeing blurry, and it gets worse as the day wears on. And Audrey just finished her eye doctor appointment before coming and her eyes were dialated. So Mike and Dave moved the wood from the "shoehorse" drive in front of the rock wall at the back of the barn, with the tractor, and stacked it nice and neat on the lower patio, while the rest of us relaxed inside the house. We ordered pizza and visited.

Austin Lund (our tractor man) and his wife Karen stopped by for a visit. We took them on a tour of the house, and Alia led the way. It was so stinkin' cute and funny! She totally came out of her shell last night. She entertained us all night long. She's even warmed up to Dave and calls him grandpa.

Melchor and Elda

Melchor and Elda work on our farm every year. They are pruning the plum trees today. I love these sweet people. They are genuine and hard working. Melchor always tells me "thank-you for the job, Carol." I consider them dear friends.

End of an Era

Melchor and his wife (Mexican couple we hire every year to prune, pick fruit, etc.) came up late last night to talk to me about pruning the trees, grapes, and berries. It has been a challenge to communicate with them, but their English is getting better. Melchor didn't sound quite as chipper as he usually does, so I was somewhat concerned. At the end of our conversation he told me that Ralph Nielson died earlier in the day. I was shocked. A Brigham City Icon, the largest Peach Grower in Northern Utah, and a dear friend was gone. I felt so much sadness and an empty spot in my heart at the news. I did not know he was ill. At the end of last season, when all was harvested, I was at his place and we said our usual "see you next season" sentiments, as all farmers do. It's hard to imagine Ralph is gone! He reminded me a lot of dad. He was a friend to everyone, old and young alike. He was a truly genuine person and was happy to help people succeed in the business. His farm was the hub of commerce for Northern Utah and adjoining states. He mentored Dave in many helpful ways. He offered his help when Dave was called away to war. One year he came with his tree auger and dug 120 holes for me. I have turned to him many a time for direction and advice when Dave was gone. He once told Dave that he didn't have to worry one bit about the farm when he was gone. He said "your wife is very dependable and responsible. She's a hustler and gets things done just as well as you!" A compliment from the best!

I wonder what will happen to the Nielson Farm? Will the children take it over? Will they want to? Will they care about it like their parents and grandparents before them? Melchor said he has worked for the Nielson family for 40 years... for the parents, then sons Richard and Ralph. And now they are gone. An era that will be sorely missed.