Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Decentralized?

Hello Dear Reader,
On January 1, 1979, Grandpa (Wesley Carol Carter) went to work in the church office building in Salt Lake City. On March 1st, he became area supervisor for Area No. 3. He commuted to Salt Lake from Provo every day except when he traveled to the chapels under construction in his area. He worked about one week in the office and, alternately, the next week on the road.

During the summer months that year he finished laying the block foundation on the cabin at Gooseberry Lake. He also became High Priest group leader of the Rivergrove 2nd Ward. It was nice to be back in Utah.

But, from the time he and Grandma (Mary Hall Carter) returned he knew there was a possibility that the areas of the Church Building Division could be decentralized. That meant that there was a possibility that they might have to heave their beloved home again.

Love,
Aunt Genni

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Back to Utah Once More

Hello Dear Reader,

In November, Grandpa (Wesley C. Carter) received word from Henry Harraund that in December he and Grandma (Mary Hall Cater) would be going back to Utah.  Grandpa was to become supervisor for Area No. 3--California, Nevada, Arizona, part of New Mexico, and part of Colorado.

Ten days before they were to return home, Billy flew to California for a brief vacation and to help Grandpa and Grandma get ready for their return trip. They enjoyed the sites of California together then Bill helped pack up and drove with his mom and dad back to Provo. It was wonderful for them to be back in Utah once again.

Love,
Aunt Genni

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Fremont, California - a place of beauty and harmony

Hello Dear Reader,

Grandpa (Wesley) Carter became disenchanted working for the Operations and Maintenance Department and asked Marvin Harding if he would give him a job. Brother Harding hired Grandpa in June 1978 and Grandpa found himself back working for the Church Building Department..

It wasn't long until Grandpa (Wes) and Grandma (Mary) loaded their belongings into their Jeep Wagoneer and headed for California. Grandpa had previously rented an apartment in a lovely area. Their new address was 405 Rancho Orrango Parkway, # 295, Fremont, California..

Love,
Aunt Genni

Friday, June 7, 2013

Hello Dear Reader,

Grandpa (Wes) and Grandma (Mary) Carter loved to take their grandchildren up Fairview Canyon. They enjoyed the company as they worked on their cabin. The children loved being with them. Grandpa put a Tarzan swing in a large tree and the grandchildren loved spent many hours swinging.. Meanwhile Grandpa made the excavation for the basement and poured the footings. Grandma worked alongside Grandpa until she was exhausted. But she always supported him.

That was the summer of 1976. At the time Grandpa (Wes) taught Gospel Doctrine in Sunday School--a position he held for two years. It wouldn't be long, though, until some changes were to take place.

Love,
Aunt Genni


Thursday, October 20, 2011

Pot Guts

Hello Dear Reader,
After Grandpa (Wes) Carter finished remodeling their home, he and Grandma (Mary) bought some property (five acres) in Fairview Canyon close to Gooseberry Resovoir. It was in a beautiful spot next to five acres owned by Uncle Gus and Aunt Lois Black. Grandpa and Grandma's property had two springs and they were excited to begin building a cabin where they could get away from the "rat race." The first order of business was to develop the springs and then the excavation could begin.

Grandpa dug the trench for the springs by hand. The dirt then had to be hauled away in a wheel barrow. He and Grandma both worked very hard all summer. Grandma, not fond of rodents, was a little nervous of the pot guts (prairie dogs) that seemed to be everywhere. There were other small animals as well. There were many beautiful wild flowers and fish were abundant in the resovoir. But when I think of Fairview Canyon, I first think of the pot guts.
Love,
Aunt Genni

P.S. Although my research on Dempsey Hood is not yet perfect, I have added my report to The Family Thicket. You can find it as an attachment under Harriet Bradford Simmons.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Happy Changes

Hello Dear Reader,
In the spring of 1970 Grandpa (Wesley) Carter was given a new assignment. He was now to visit all the stakes in Utah County, south Salt Lake County, and Tooele County, every month. He liked this area better as he didn't have so far to trravel, cutting down on the time he was on the road. He was pleased to have more time to spend on the remodel of his and Grandma's house. Grandma was also pleased and said, ". . . each room turned out to be a masterpiece of skill and individuality."

While they spent time on the house itself, Grandpa and Grandma acquired more property behind their home  where they planted an orchard of fruit trees and berries. They also planted a wonderful vegetable garden in an ideal spot.

Grandma was especially happy to be close to Grandma (Caroline) Hall again as Grandma Hall was now in her eighties. The two women spent a lot of time together, visiting, quilting, working, and laughing--lots of laughing. Grandma Carter always loved her mother very much and thought she was one of the most wonderful people on earth. Life seemed full of happy changes for the Carters.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Thursday, September 22, 2011

A Chicken in Every Pot

Hello Dear Reader,
Dave and Marilyn moved to Utah in the summer of 1969 for Dave to attend BYU. Marilyn preceded Dave by plane as she was expecting her first child and the doctor was concerned about her traveling any closer to her due date. Grandpa (Wes) Carter worked hard to fix up the old farmhouse in the Riverbottoms so the young couple would have a place to live while Dave finished his degree. Grandpa installed new cupboards and fixed up the bathroom along with other improvements to make the old house more liveable. After Marilyn arrived she worked hard too, painting floors and walls. Grandma (Mary) Carter was working at Signetics.

Dave and his dad, Bob, meanwhile, were driving from Washington DC pulling a U-Haul. On the evening they were to arrive, Grandpa and Marilyn were heading home after an exhausting day. But Grandpa said he needed to go check on his rooster. He had given the bird a solid kick earlier when the ornery chichen had attacked him from behind. The workers were tired, sweaty, and dirty but the rooster was dead. There was nothing to do but to stop and pluck it before they could leave the farm.

Marilyn hadn't seen her husband for nearly a month and, needless to say, he and his dad arrived just as she and Grandpa got home. Marilyn headed for the shower and Grandpa, while visiting with Dave and Bob, put the chicken in a pot to cook. He made a wonderful meal of chicken and dumplings and soon Marilyn's humiliation of being sweaty, dirty, paint spattered, and close to nine months pregnant was nearly forgotten.
Love,
Aunt Genni