Keep Doing What You're Doing

Sunday p.m.

Dear Alaskans --

Sorry about the phone call. She was not abducted. Schedules came unglued in Seattle and shortly after I called you I received a call, via Pearson avenue, that I did indeed have a wife -- but that she was in Chicago. By 11 pm. she was in DM and all safe and sound.

The time since then has been filled with "how it was in Anchorage," and particularly the last 3 hours which we have just spent with Alice and Grandmother. They came down and we brunched at Gateway and then they came and got Alska, blow by blow and hour by hour. THE picture, of course, was unbelievable. And their paper they have begun to loan out, only to carefully selcted friends, about on the same basis as In No Time At All. People have even come and asked to borrow it... Needless to say Grandma is just barely touching ground.

But everyone is truly in a rosey glow about things there on Fifth Avenue. That includes the grandparents here at the Red House... We are both very proud of what you are both doing, not only in the way of progeny, but also professionally. We are anxious to have you keep on doing what you are doing as long as it is fun and challenging. And for me, at least, it would be challenging and fun and some other things, too.

In any case we don't have you to consider anything else just because you think that you ought to be laying side a buck or two or because your parents may toss in a nickel or two occasionally. We have done that with all of our family -- sometimes in cash and something in kind. And it is one of our great satisfactions to be able to do so. Sometime in will be for you, too. So in the meantime, do what is most satisfying to you. So few people in life are doing that. Most drudge it out, day by day. How sad.

...Today we are just recovering from ISU Homecoming which was a smashing success -- and we both feel like it!! Two days and nights of partying it up with the Old Grads, even when they are bestof friends, gets a little much. 45M of them at the football game, 11M at the Moodly Blues in Hilton, 2.7M (3 times) at CYStephens for Sound of Music, plus all of the side parties -- like class reunions and jlsm bashes -- all add up to one hell of a lot of people. The weather was unbelievable -- high 60's and 70's -- picnics, tailgate parties and outside brunches were the order of the day -- on Nov. 4. And today is chilly and overcast.

By the time you get this the people will have "spoken" -- no doubt in small numbers. It appears that Clark will survive the Goldwater-John Birch attach of Mr. Jepsen. But Jerry F, who never really got his program off the ground, will end up right there. Well, you can get all that in this enclosure and you will be farm ore interested (and we will not be disinterested) in waht happens in that unbelievable land in which you live.
Blessings on you all. 

--ch

Don't Take Anything That Doesn't Sound Useful

Wednesday, Oct. 20

Dear Mark and Laura,

It is 5, o'clock, and I know I won't get this finished before time to cook. 

Yesterday I "did" a program for Dorothy Hutchings PEO group. It was fun to have a visit with her, and I met many nice women, but it made me glad I used the excuse of move to Ames to get out of that organization 20 years ago. I liked the people, and it was a wonderful avenue to get my Mother acquainted in Iowa Falls after she had lived 75 years of her life within two clocks of where she was born. But the secrecy (over nothing) and having to memorize all that ritual is not my cup of tea. It is not Dorothy's either, but she says it was a good opportunity to get to know some people in Des Moines not connected with the church or PTA. Guess it just says how lucky I am never to have had that problem

Incidentally, she said they had met your grandparents, Laura when they stopped at a cafeteria on the way home from the Drake-Iowa State game a couple of weeks ago. Said they looked good and happy in their new location. 

I came home MOST grateful that we are the grandparents of Jill instead of their younger one -- Maybe she has written you all of this, but it is HARD. Apparently they have never diagnosed the real trouble and are not sure if there is brain damage or not. The specialist in Seattle wrote down "Non-responsive"  when he wouldn't necessarily smile at some antic. But the therapists don't necessarily agree and neither do her father's associates in Connecticut. In Seattle they want to double his dose of phenobarbitol and in Connecticut they think he should be off of it entirely.  Bob and Dorothy said he was very responsive when he was there, and a physician friend in Des Moines says, "Remember this baby has been very sick." He can't possibly measure up to the norm for healthy children his age!!!  WE ARE ALL SO LUCKY!!!! And I must admit I've never worried before, but I was much relieved when Jill and Molly arrived healthy

And now it is Monday

I have just come from my morning swim, the day is beautiful, and I'm washing everything in sight -- may be my last chance to hang out bedding and get that good fresh smell.

To repeat from our belated phone conversation yesterday. As Alice learned in Jefferson (before the mover went out of business) 500 lbs. is the minimum @ $595.50 plus insurance @ $10/thousand. Mrs. Sevde didn't think Alice's furniture would weigh that much -- but, of course, she hasn't seen it. So we have been looking around here. Don't take anything you don't want, but you keep talking about not filling the house. The chest in the upstairs hall closet is 52 1/2  inches long, 20" deep and 34" hi. It has 3 drawers across the top and 4 drawers beneath -- a well made piece of furniture but nothing you will want to keep for ever if at all. Carl could easily build shelves to store all that we have in it. There is a matching bedside table that is down in the basement. It is 38 hi at the back with space for books below, then a drawer and another bookshelf below, and then whatever you might want from either of your closets. Don't know if Alice has anything else to use and sell when you get what you want or not. We also have at least one more good card table than we'll ever use. Don't take anything that doesn't sound useful. My old Singer sewing machine?

Guess Carl has written about politics. We hope to go to Baltimore in mid-November. I can hardly wait!

But now on to winterising

Love, 

R.H.

I was agreeably surprised to learn that the furniture should be on the road only four or five weeks and be delivered right to your door. 

Nobody, Hamilton, is Perfect

October 19, 1977

Nobody, Hamilton, is perfect --

even I write letters and forget about the mailing process (see enclosure).

It has been a dark, chilly week in Washington. Back here, son, we are not warmed by a win over Nebraska…actually, we deny existence of any football teams between Slippery Rock, Pa., and Stanford, Cal.

If the Redskins, Maryland, Navy, and the Ivy League don’t play there just haven’t been any games.

I have known a week of depression. I can readily accommodate the idea of my own death – I comprehend inevitability real good.

I do not become easily reconciled to the death of friends.

When I became an official of the Democratic Party in Iowa my early mail included a letter and a fat check—from Sidney Sands. He said I promised the Party the breath of fresh air it so badly needed and that he wanted to be of help as a fellow man and as a contributor.

That letter led to a friendship that prevailed for almost 20 years--

A friendship in which I have found knowledge, inspiration, and joy. And when you have a source of knowledge, inspiration, and joy and lost it you have experienced a significant loss.

So what does one do?  One tastes what probably we all taste less than we should –tear salt. One remembers moments shared, ideas explored, laughs laughed. And one finds, I guess, a little comfort in realizing before one can mourn the death of a friend one must first have ability to build friendship.

As you did at the weiner roast I, too, shall be associated with the newness in life—this weekend, in Rapid City, S.D. I have a sweater to guard little Willow from the rigors of South Dakota’s winter and some toys packed and ready for a Friday morning takeoff. I shall return to Washington Monday after having left my roommate to go a weekend alone.

Some people are interested in buying the Farmletter and I am going to St. Louis to talk to them come early November. What’ll I do if the sale is consummated? Coach, I guess, or teach school, or clerk in a liquor store—some job that demands much in courage, little in ability.

In conclusion: I read in the Register that out in Iowa the great minds got together to do something about the price of corn. The great minds, I gathered, agreed on this course of action—sell more. Preferably to foreigners.

Good thinking, but not original—the Arabs did it with oil.

Love, Donald

A Blustery Fall Day, Homecoming & Birthday Weekend

Hello -- It is a blustery fall day hin Ames, Iowa, and Alison and I have just returned form a windblown adventure at the farm. Well not really. To beat the final harvest effort, she and I went out to get a winter's supply for ear corn for the squirrels and some tailins from the elevator for the birds. Also check on some terraces we have just completed. But the trip was also a bit of therapy for Alison. Her mother,earlier in the week, was involved (at the University's request) in a bit of dialogue on neighborhood relationships -- the "people"versus the students, particularly those in the Greek community. Ann spoke in some candor and was quoted rather extensively. All thought she handled the situation well enough and the students in attendance said they could not blame her for her comments. She was representing the Southside Neighborhood Association. Well, last night -- apparently -- some of the boys felt called upon to respond in something less than a totally civil manner. Two trees on the Campbell property were butchered -- including a cherry tree that was identified with Alison. So getting a trip to the farm was also to get her mind off the situation about which she found much to be unhappy. As, for that matter, did the Dean of Students, et al. But as I have said, you are not living in Sun City when you live in south campus area.  But that does not excuse deliberate destruction.... Of course it was Homecoming and also the Cyclones just happened (to our amazement) to knock off No. 8 rated Missouris, 34-13 and so the juices were no doubt flowing a little more freely than usual. And usual is enough! On the same Saturday afternoon the Iowa City boys knocked off Michigan and so Iowa is as top of the Big Ten and Iowa State is headed for at least a top rung in the Big Eight. The state's jocks are ecstatic and have "bowl fever." Unfortunatelt, it may just happen, too... A bit later this afternoon we are celebrating a 96th birthday here at the Red House. It is soup, salad and pie -- built around the biology of the guest of honor. Ruth sent sweet rools up to Northcrest this morning for all those in Health Care and Grandma had several visitors who were here for Homecoming, numerous cards and letters and a nice bouquet which was the conversation piece out in the Main Room when I stopped to see here Friday night after work. She was understandably elated. She is pretty sure that she is the oldest one up there and knows for sure that she gets along a lot better than those who have to use "four legs", i.e. walkers!! R is confined to the basement in a photo finish effort to to complete a birthday dress. She is pooped, too. Has been hard pressed on a number of fronts this week -- inclucing presiding at a bank seminar (which worried her more than it should) and then we celebrated Homecoming by beginning festivities at 10 yesterday, lunching, going to the game, socializing some afterwards, home for soup and a 30-minute nap and then to C. Y. Stepehens to enjoy -- and we did -- "They are Playing Our Song." A good show. But it would have been better on another night... Increasingly, now only 15 days into the New Year, our newspapers are featuring stories of persons who already have fallen through The Man's net. And increasingly, as they sort out thepieces, the face that those who are not concerned about nets are finding little about which to complain. It does seem that steps taken have been awfully blatant. If everyone has to hurt, that's one thing. But to help those who don't need help and bring pain to the poor is not something that will provide a soud political base -- unless improvement begins sooner than it seems likely. Sat a lunch with the city's third biggest builder-realtor who opines that he will close out his business -- totally -- by spring, unless interest rates come down. He tried to sell me 77 acres of farm land, with utilities installed, for $4M an acre. Said a year ago he wouldn't have sold it for $8!! But then he and his wife just back from a month in Europe. At least he plans to go belly up with all flags flying -- which is a neat trick. But don't try it!!  That is all  --ch (signed Dad)

A One-Bike Deal

To those lucky ones in Iowa Falls ancd Catonsville!

Why are you lucky? Because your younger, younger than your sister that is-- and so are your kids. But your time is coming.

So this morning, while I do some of my usual computer calisthenics (before your mother is up), I will give you a brief report on last night's activities around the ranch. R had gone off to save the hospital -- visiting nurses and that sort of thing. Tingle, tingle! It was your sister (also reporting from the hospital) where they had been called as a result of a bicycle accident. With the town teeming with 26m students all back with the summer's pent up energy to be disposed of before classes start, I had visions of a bike-car collision. But it wasn't. It was a one bike deal.

Brian has one of these fancy new bikes with the quick detachable front wheel favored by the racers. It is designed, I am informed, so that the pit stop can be of minimum duration -- one wheel off and another on while the racer takes a quick drink of water. Well anyway, they are something less than securely mounted (and probably not safe for the likes of Brian who ride off over hill and dale at speeds that are more nearlly acceptable on racing surfaces). But to foreshorten the story--which has an obvious ending --B was speeding along in the fraternity row area when the front wheel did what the foot bone did to the leg bone and the rider went sailing through the air. Unfortunately he could not remain airborne. The landing was abrupt, tough and rough. He touched down in many points -- but main contact was made with his face!!

Well anyway, I was called to come and comfort Alison while his parents held forth in the Emergency Room. (The E Room is an interesting place incidentally between the hours of 7 and 9 p.m. -- broken arms, punctures and the like.) The Dr. came (Brian had arrived by ambulance, thanks to some fraternity boys who apparently served as surrogate mothers at the scene) and the family arrived from different points of origin -- Ann from a down-town meeting concerned with concern for the city's youth. How appropriate.

By 9:30 or so the Dr. had concluded that there were no broken parts --only severe bruises and scrapes. Severe. So Brian appeared as tough he was being prepared for incarceration in an Egyptian pyramid. Shook his sister -- matter of fact the whole event did. Only slits for eyes, a little breathing room and where the mouth should be there appeared some well lacerated pieces of flesh that were even then taking on the proportions of a bicycle tire. His recollection of the event itself was nil. But his parents took great comfort in the face that one the way home they drove by the ISU stadium and the new scoreboard, which was flashing on for the first time, got his immediate attention. He will recover. But he will be a very sore and sorry young man -- and no doubt for some time. What this does to football remains to be seen. It weill be a spell anyway.

Well, project yourself into the future--6-10 years-- and plan on your evening out. I will try to hold myself in readiness......... So much for the Campbells. I am not sure how much you-all in your ivory tower on the Eastern Shore are aware that this is "count-down" for your friends on the Iowa River. Competition in the form of a shopper operating out of Belmond has been selling advertising in the Scenic City for 10 days or so. Mark and his slueths have been keeping track of the tracks -- successfully they think-- but an issue out this week (like today) will tell them the truth. In the meantime we get reports on an every half day basis. Mark seems to have things as well in hand as could be and has the confidence and support of his major accounts. A good job for being just one year on the turf.

End of report and end of this morning's lesson. Off this p.m. to visit our tax counselor in Marshalltown. Ann just called for tomatoes and the blender. Life does go on on Pearson. THis weekend we head for "the lakes" to spend Labor Day with Rand and Mary Louise Petersen -- Regent friends. Tomorrow I go to DM to attend my second meeting of Iowa Public TV Board as a representative of the Regents.

Now this really is The End. From Ch on Wednesday morning.

Jet Lag Relief

August '84

Report to et all:
From ch:

I am addressing you here in the semi-darkness of 5:30 a.m. Jet lag is having its way and bed is unrewarding. Matter of fact it is between frustrating and torture. So it was in Oxford, but there were no alternatives. Here there are. You are one of them.

The trip was "jolly good." To begin with, The Back, although given a full stress test on two or three occasions, proved equal to the demands -- however it took some guts and the usual lack of complaint. Matter of fact it improved as the days went on. It still appreciates a little TLC now and then.

So with that concern behind us (no pun, pls) we settled down to enjoy a really great experience. It was a true learning experience mixed in with sight seeing, friends we enjoyed, good food and as much individual freedom as one desired. Usually that was not much because the structured program was that good. The heart of the event was a series of 15 lectures on English history of the last century --the 1800's. They were truly outstanding. Any one of them, standing alone, would have been worthy of a University lecture series. A few nodded, but most took notes furiously and applauded the close of each presentation. There were sometimes two a day, occasionally back to back with only a 15-minute break for the lecturer.

Then there were trips--by "coach" -- to London, Portsmouth, Bristol, Coventry, Stratford, all under the direction of an Oxford faculty member whose talents as a guide were comparable to our friend with the lecture responsibilities. He knew the territory. Clearly we saw things we never, alone, could have discovered. And yet we didn't feel "herded." Coventry was back to the Old (gutted) cathedral and its new counterpart which, although we had seen it before (along with certain siblings) is an inspiring spectacle. I cannot see it without remembering that Churchill's intelligence told the British that Coventry was that night's target but they dared not alert the city for fear of telling Hitler that they knew his code. A truly "cold blood" decision. From there, that day, we went on to Stratford -- crawling with tourists -- a walking tour, a near banquet type of evening meal and then three hours of Richard III. For other than true students of The Man, the words were a strain. But the action was plain enough to carry the story. And the horses ("My kingdom for a horse") were just great. I could follow that!! We were home at 12:30 that neigh and The Back had had it. Mine too, for that matter.

En route and on one other occasion we went through parts of the Cotswold country which some of us have visited on two previous occasions. It still is one of our all-time favorite spots. In London the Albert and Victoria Museum was our main attraction-- on a hot and crowded day. People, wall to wall! The trip gave me a bit of a twinge. As we drove up Strand and Fleet Street it all came back in a flood. Forty eight years ago (that's a long time) a green Iowa farm boy, who had never been east of Chicago, learned about WC's at the Strand Palace Hotel (how I ever got there I haven't the slightest idea) and spent a week-- strictly alone and on my own--exploring London!! I pressed my nose on the front windows (and doors) of Fleet Street publishing houses and offered them the opportunity to take advantage of the remarkable background in journalism which I had to offer. One editor was kind enough to visit with me and wise enough not to waste much time. That fabulous and fabled city will always fascinate me for that reason alone. From there I hitched to mid-England village and joined --wholly unplanned until I learned about it someway in London--a multi-nation group of young people doing their thing for peace and internastional understanding by doing a community service project for this dreadfully poor little coal mining village. With pick and shovel we were leveling a huge mountain of slag tailings. (Don't ask me what that was doing for peace.) It became important to me because I became good friends with a bright young German Jew with whom I corresponded for some time. Then it stopped. In the summer of 36 Hitler was making his first moves. Even I, so innocent and unsophisticated, was impressed with the goose stepping youth and the presence of the Swastika when I ventured (hitched) over to the Rhine area. To which oven was my young friend consigned? (Well, sorry about this digression.)

Oxford, the university, is different. It is amorphous. It is everywhere but seems to have no head -- no Beardshear Hall. I persisted and found something called "University Offices." Pretending that I had a sibling with an interest in the dismal science-- I used a touch of integrity-- I was referred to admissions. Down a dark little hallway with no exterior identification I came to a door, notable for its chipped paint and one inch high sign. To two women in a dingy office I told of the great desire of one of my progeny to gain admittance to this venerable institute. To my surprise (and their apparent surprise in seeing me) they did provide something that might pass as a college catalog. It described 35 or so "colleges" which actually make up this thing called Oxford University. It does function--Even without a Beardshear-- because we saw the end product. R and I happened to be there when the fresh young graduates were being ushered in the back door of a theater-like structure, sprinkled and hooded, and some 30 minutes later emerging with one of academia"smost coveted pieces of paper. They didn't seem all that different. And the story is that graduation used to be in Christ Church chapel until the events became so raunchy and roudy the University had provide other more pedestrian facilities. Sounds like Grinnell -- or even Iowa State!!

I went to the University Press. Insamuch as -- give or take a century or two-- they have been in business since 14-1500 and spew out 10 million books a year I did not make a big thing of our 50-year celebration or our 30-40 titles. Also went to the newspaper and found out: In this town of 120M they make no home deliveries( you pick up your copy from a down town or neighborhood vendor), they print four editions a day -- beginning at 11:30-- have a weekly paper and a shopper(which they do deliver ) and the union is so strong that all edit material is written on hard copy (typewriter) and handed over to a union worker who key strokes it into the computer. Those on the edit side say "it is tough going to put out newspaper in this country." But they mainatined they were far ahead of the London papers. "It will change, but it will take time," they quoth. (Our lecturer spent some little time dealing with the fact that the British peaked early-- far ahead in the mid-80s-- grew complacent and the world (Germany and U.S.) passed them by, their industries became outdated, their work rules and habits likewise and they would be a long time catching up.)

Well just how a little former state teachers college with and Indian name --Bemidji State Univeristy-- puts things like this together, and gets the attention of that citadel of learning, I do not know. But we thought it was just great. Several in our group had been to Oxford before on same kind of program and others had been with similar programs in Switzerland and Australia. They even have reunions in this country and our lecturer flys over for the events. On in Mpls on Sept 29 and he may come to DM. He is reputed to be in such demand that he flies to NY on the Concorde, lectures on the Queen Mary and turns right back around an does it again!! what does he do about jet lag at 5 a.m.?

Sorry about this-- the length, I mean. I know it is far more than you wanted to know. But it gave me good practice on this machine which is a constant threat to one's self-confidence -- and something to do before the paper arrives. You are spared more because it has. For you et al in Baltimore, B and A are off to the Great West leaving the cat and a browned lawn (hot and dry) in communal care while a brief stop in Iowas Falls yesterday on our way back from Mpls found that precinct in its usual state of exuberant confusion. That's it!

PS to M and L --

Two or three items:

I don't know what happened to all of the KC books we brought home with us. We have an autogrpahed hard back which I would be glad to donate to the library. But I will get in touch with KC and ask them to send a copy direct. In meaNTIME be sure and return those pix, etc to Karen Garrison (or that other name I probably gave you) at Payless, One Pershing Square, Box 466, KC 64141-0466. Also send her 3-4 extra copies. I will send a copy to the Furrows..... Incidetnally your treatment of the Payless story surprised me. It never occurred to me you would treat it as front page copy. Good inside feature. No news that week?

Also, you have told me but I have forgotten what is "total other" under expense? In July 31 I see you with a slug of cash but accounts receivable down from June 30. Is that all due to Kenny's response?

--ch

Nothing New Under the Sun

I know that you know Jepsen and Grassley are to Iowa what med flies are to Jerry Brown, Carl, and the enclosure is designed only to let you know that we non-Iowans know, too.

While we are on the subject of politics, those of us who have taken the cure get a little nervous over the constant references to the Democratic nominee for governor of Iowa as a "chain smoker."

Send her in to Washington and I'll get a Surgeon General to sponsor a rally for her.

Some of the columnists are complaining that Alexander Haig's resignation was badly timed in that it came "in a period of international crisis." My theory is that Haig's tenure was, in itself, a crisis.

I don't believe Reagan and Haig were in disagreement on Mid-east policy. I feel that one saying sic-em and one saying go-easy was deliberate. I am hopeful, for the sake of Jews everywhere, that Mr. Begin's arrogance becomes muted. If the Arabs are forced into a boycott and the price of gasoline doubles we are going to see the greatest wave of anti-Semitism this country has known since the glory days of the Klan and the Bund.

Domestically it appears certain that Mr. Reagan has brought capitalism into full flower for the first time since the days of the Robber Barons. It is obvious that the Bechtel Corporation has a firm hold on foreign policy. With Chase National, Hanover Trust and Merrill Lynch and Archer Midland Daniels in firm charge of the executive branch, the Oral Roberts Corporation controlling the Supreme Court, all that's lacking is the final takeover of the legislative branch by IBM.

I can't say Fred Stover didn't warn us. Or was it Franklin Roosevelt?

I have a busy summer scheduled. On July 12 I take my diverticulosis to Group Health Assn., Inc., and ask what's up doc. On July 14 I go to my bank to trade in an old six-months CD for a new one again and turn a little red-faced when I see the interest rate. On July 21 I have a dental checkup. Believe me, it is a mad whirl. Scott Norberg will join me in celebrating the Fourth of July.

The Washington Times is a flop. The Rev. Mr. Moon may know how to address God and dumb kids but he knows nothing about addressing newspaper readers. If Katherine Graham has an ounce of gratitude in her makeup she'll join his church. Compared to The Washington Times the Ottumwa Courier is a journalistic masterpiece.

I read recently where the Moonies who work for the Times have adopted communal living as a way to live on their salaries. Hell, they've been doing that at the Post for years. Ben Bradlee and Sally Quinn, however, finally decided they were doing well enough to get married.

There's nothing new under the sun, as Adolph Ochs was wont to say. Or was it nothing new in The Sun what he said?

I get confused.

Hoping you do not.

With love,

Donald