 |
| Doesn't this melt your heart????? She feels so safe and so loved!!! |
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Adorable Daddy....
11 year old Grace, our GracieGirl, was born loving to dance. Her parents have, to her joy, provided dance training for her for years. They are in LasVegas for a huge competitive convention. She danced in several numbers and we got to see it live streaming. She had showed us the choreography for Lily Pad when we visited. Dave wore his own lily-pad green shirt! He adores this beautiful sweet girl, as does her Momma, so Grace is blessed on all counts. I just fell in love with this picture from the hotel convention site. Sometimes, just the love your children have for their own children, can make you teary with joy!!
Monday, June 29, 2015
Keeping a tally!!
Way WAY WAY to much on my mind, with world happenings, so I'll just start in with this non-worldly post.....
As you know we, as a couple, watch the archived General Conference talks each day. We started watching one at a time but found we enjoyed them so much that we usually watch two. They are so powerful. To see and hear these men that have been called by authority to preach the gospel...for the rest of their entire life!!...is just powerful. They preach and teach of Christ...over and over and over. It's never-ending!!
The archive goes back to April 1971 and we decided to just plow through from that point on. I've decided to keep tally. Not for any reason other than I'm curious of how many talks we will end up watching/listening/discussing. They end every single talk with their powerful testimonies. It is so real to us that every time we spontaneously, rather loudly state, Amen!!
It is fascinating to realize that we know each of those men. Well, we know them through their Church service. We believe their words! Elder Packer was the junior Apostle! With President Monson just one chair ahead of him and here they are, 44 years later!, still preaching and teaching about the Savior and pleading with us to live the Gospel! President Monson is now our Prophet and Elder Packer the President of the Quorum of the 12!! They look so extremely young when they speak! Guess it's because they are!!!
Well, we do wonder about subject matter of Paul Dunn, when he speaks, but it was several years before he started his embellishing and making as he said fine packages. At least we think so!
A few notes about 1971...you really had to dig in those days to here/learn about the Conference talks. Hopefully a member of the Bishopric flew from Homer to Anchorage to Seattle to Salt Lake City Gen. Conf. and took good notes and came back and shared!
The Ensign talks came out a few months later. The April 1971 talks were printed in the June 1971 Ensign. They didn't sell videos because there were no videos but you could purchase cassette tapes.
(side-note!--
The new printing of the King James Bible would not be printed until 1979 and the new Triple wasn't printed until 1981. For me it was very hard to study the scriptures until those were printed and made available. I think this was why I fell in love with CR talks because they taught me and gave scripture references that I could look up. You know I'm a total Conference nut to this very day!!
We weren't on the block meeting until 9 years later in March 1980. As I said, to me it seemed, you really had to dig to learn and study. I'm wondering if we even had a set of Scriptures!)
April 1971...42 talks
Conference was held on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday
April 2015...37 talks (including 5 from Women's Session)
Conference was held on Saturday and Sunday
October 1971...43 talks
Conference was held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
We have now moved into April 1972 and will plow ahead until October and then we will listen to them like we did the recent April 2015 GC.
Today President Joseph Fielding Smith said-- in opening session of that April 1972 Conference....
To the world I say: These are the last days. They are days of trouble and sorrow and desolation. They are days when Satan dwells in the hearts of ungodly men, when iniquity abounds, and when the signs of the times are being shown forth.
*******************************
Do yourself a favor and listen/watch one of these a day, if you want to feel the Spirit and have your testimony strengthened. It's so interesting to hear the history of the Church and hear about details being put into effect, like asking the Bishops to please take care of figuring out what room to put the Ward Library in and how to run it and what should be in it. It just shows how modern and current and ever changing those sorts of details are and yet how solid and unchangeable the Doctrine and Gospel Principles are. Love it!
Thought you'd get a kick out of this.... he talked about overheads and all sorts of things that the library would be equipped with....
Howard W. Hunter- Prepare Every Needful Thing here
April GC 1971
I testify to you that the meetinghouse library program is divinely inspired. It is guided by the hand of our Heavenly Father to make teaching in the Church more effective. It has the immediate promise to increase the activity of the entire membership of the Church through making the messages of the gospel more vital in our lives. I pray we may be successful in this effort to “prepare every needful thing,” in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
As you know we, as a couple, watch the archived General Conference talks each day. We started watching one at a time but found we enjoyed them so much that we usually watch two. They are so powerful. To see and hear these men that have been called by authority to preach the gospel...for the rest of their entire life!!...is just powerful. They preach and teach of Christ...over and over and over. It's never-ending!!
The archive goes back to April 1971 and we decided to just plow through from that point on. I've decided to keep tally. Not for any reason other than I'm curious of how many talks we will end up watching/listening/discussing. They end every single talk with their powerful testimonies. It is so real to us that every time we spontaneously, rather loudly state, Amen!!
It is fascinating to realize that we know each of those men. Well, we know them through their Church service. We believe their words! Elder Packer was the junior Apostle! With President Monson just one chair ahead of him and here they are, 44 years later!, still preaching and teaching about the Savior and pleading with us to live the Gospel! President Monson is now our Prophet and Elder Packer the President of the Quorum of the 12!! They look so extremely young when they speak! Guess it's because they are!!!
Well, we do wonder about subject matter of Paul Dunn, when he speaks, but it was several years before he started his embellishing and making as he said fine packages. At least we think so!
A few notes about 1971...you really had to dig in those days to here/learn about the Conference talks. Hopefully a member of the Bishopric flew from Homer to Anchorage to Seattle to Salt Lake City Gen. Conf. and took good notes and came back and shared!
The Ensign talks came out a few months later. The April 1971 talks were printed in the June 1971 Ensign. They didn't sell videos because there were no videos but you could purchase cassette tapes.
(side-note!--
The new printing of the King James Bible would not be printed until 1979 and the new Triple wasn't printed until 1981. For me it was very hard to study the scriptures until those were printed and made available. I think this was why I fell in love with CR talks because they taught me and gave scripture references that I could look up. You know I'm a total Conference nut to this very day!!
We weren't on the block meeting until 9 years later in March 1980. As I said, to me it seemed, you really had to dig to learn and study. I'm wondering if we even had a set of Scriptures!)
******************
Talk Tally....122!!
April 1971...42 talks
Conference was held on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday
April 2015...37 talks (including 5 from Women's Session)
Conference was held on Saturday and Sunday
October 1971...43 talks
Conference was held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
We have now moved into April 1972 and will plow ahead until October and then we will listen to them like we did the recent April 2015 GC.
**************************************
Today President Joseph Fielding Smith said-- in opening session of that April 1972 Conference....
We are the servants of the Lord. We have received light and truth and revelation from him. He has commanded us to proclaim his truths and live his laws. And so now, in harmony with his mind and will, and as guided by his Holy Spirit, we give counsel and direction to the Saints and to the world.
To the world I say: These are the last days. They are days of trouble and sorrow and desolation. They are days when Satan dwells in the hearts of ungodly men, when iniquity abounds, and when the signs of the times are being shown forth.
*******************************
Do yourself a favor and listen/watch one of these a day, if you want to feel the Spirit and have your testimony strengthened. It's so interesting to hear the history of the Church and hear about details being put into effect, like asking the Bishops to please take care of figuring out what room to put the Ward Library in and how to run it and what should be in it. It just shows how modern and current and ever changing those sorts of details are and yet how solid and unchangeable the Doctrine and Gospel Principles are. Love it!
******************************
Thought you'd get a kick out of this.... he talked about overheads and all sorts of things that the library would be equipped with....
Howard W. Hunter- Prepare Every Needful Thing here
April GC 1971
I testify to you that the meetinghouse library program is divinely inspired. It is guided by the hand of our Heavenly Father to make teaching in the Church more effective. It has the immediate promise to increase the activity of the entire membership of the Church through making the messages of the gospel more vital in our lives. I pray we may be successful in this effort to “prepare every needful thing,” in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
*************************************
I just remembered sharing about Paul Dunn in this earlier blog!!Friday, June 26, 2015
Losing Altitude! Fasten Seatbelt!
Oh, boy! Nothing surprising here by the decision today of the Supreme Court, as the dye was cast with that first States approval, but nonetheless...here we go! One of the final nails in the coffin! Let us remember that 2nd to the last paragraph in the Family Proclamation...
WE CALL UPON responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.
WE WARN that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.
WE CALL UPON responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.
*******************************
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Breaking News Alert |
June 26, 2015 |
BREAKING NEWS | |
| Same-Sex Marriage Is a Right, the Supreme Court Rules, 5-4 | |
Friday, June 26, 2015 10:04 AM EDT | |
| In a long-sought victory for the gay rights movement, the Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the Constitution guarantees a nationwide right to same-sex marriage. | |
| The decision, the culmination of decades of litigation and activism, came against the backdrop of fast-moving changes in public opinion, with polls indicating that most Americans now approve of same-sex marriage. | |
| Read more » |
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Hoping this helps....
A dear friend, is struggling with personal challenges right now and I told her I'd share some things about the Atonement. I started to look up my favorite quotes etc. and then realized that I'd put them in blog posts at different times. I see some from 2012, 2013 and 2015.
To my friend...My feelings about the Atonement and available help in our personal lives, through the Atonement, are in these posts. I know I mentioned, in at least one, that I used to think the power of the Atonement was for sin and then I learned-- it's for helping us deal with pain, not sin related, just plain old pain, brought on by our being mortal.
I hope this gives you some insight, as to the available powerful help, through accessing the gift of the Atonement. I hope it helps your intense suffering... to start to ease, to start to diminish, and you avail yourself, of this help, that you are entitled to. It's available for the asking, for the believing, and that means YOU!!!
IF these posts do not give you a start, on tapping into this bit of heavenly help...then let me know. As with all things in the Gospel-- we experiment and grow through the trying. Just like it states in Alma 32.
You are in my prayers. We will stay in touch. Love you, my dear friend. So sorry for your suffering. xoxoxox
Elder David A. Bednar counseled, “As you and I come to understand and employ the enabling power of the Atonement in our personal lives, we will pray and seek for strength to change our circumstances rather than praying for our circumstances to be changed. We will become agents who act rather than objects that are acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:14)” (“The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 44)
*****************************************
To my friend...My feelings about the Atonement and available help in our personal lives, through the Atonement, are in these posts. I know I mentioned, in at least one, that I used to think the power of the Atonement was for sin and then I learned-- it's for helping us deal with pain, not sin related, just plain old pain, brought on by our being mortal.
I hope this gives you some insight, as to the available powerful help, through accessing the gift of the Atonement. I hope it helps your intense suffering... to start to ease, to start to diminish, and you avail yourself, of this help, that you are entitled to. It's available for the asking, for the believing, and that means YOU!!!
IF these posts do not give you a start, on tapping into this bit of heavenly help...then let me know. As with all things in the Gospel-- we experiment and grow through the trying. Just like it states in Alma 32.
You are in my prayers. We will stay in touch. Love you, my dear friend. So sorry for your suffering. xoxoxox
*******************************
Elder David A. Bednar counseled, “As you and I come to understand and employ the enabling power of the Atonement in our personal lives, we will pray and seek for strength to change our circumstances rather than praying for our circumstances to be changed. We will become agents who act rather than objects that are acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:14)” (“The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 44)
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
A Truism!!
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| Have to admit I'm not smiling with joyful anticipation at this prospect!! but it is true! |
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Upright and moving!!!
Our life is settling back down. New Rx seem to be helping and we can renew/resume our less than consistent routine. I look forward to taking some time, cherished time to me, to sit down and write and share all the things on my mind. Today that is not going to happen!
I have a friend that is struggling with the happenings in her life and wanted to share this great thought...
I have a friend that is struggling with the happenings in her life and wanted to share this great thought...
Also wanted to share...Hymn #127 Does the Journey Seem Long?
(I love the fact that a Prophet wrote this hymn. Prophets are mortal, just like us, and they suffer, just like us. This is a hymn of comfort and strength.)
Monday, June 22, 2015
A different type Father's Day!
What a rough few days for Terry suffering the pain of neuralgia!! Exhausting to go through and exhausting to see happening. Pain so bad and so consistent (it would not let up!!) that we ended up in emergency room Saturday night. We finally got settled down and actually sleeping around midnight! The knock-out shot they gave him took effect, before the pain stopped, but eventually it all leveled out.
Had to find a place to fill two Rx on Sunday morning. What a Fathers Day!! He was in bed, Kipper alerted, and I headed out to Wal-Mart in Sunnyside. Drove by the Church, full parking lot, and wished Terry and I were inside! I headed over during Sacrament time and got back during YW time with the meds. We were both exhausted so fell asleep and will hopefully get a full nights sleep and the new Rx will work!!! I hope so!!!
It was so strange to be sitting in Wall-Mart for a lengthy time on a Sunday morning. Watching all the families relaxed and laughing and visiting and shopping. I was missing Terry and I being in our Church building and hearing the talks and seeing so many familiar faces. People that we enjoy being around and love.
It did not feel like Fathers Day at all!!! Our children all contacted their sweet Dad but the planned meal and celebrating with Kip did not happen! I guess the best thing was the fact that Terry wasn't hurting and we both took long naps!! It was a happy day for the Father of the family after all!
I did see a Church Service...The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. They had it live streaming this morning. The authorities let them open the building for their Sunday service. I really admire those folks for making the decision that they wanted no part of riots, protests, destruction of their town, brutality, retaliation or any of that sort of thing. The Mayor of Charleston and the Governor of South Carolina were articulate, compassionate and firm in maintaining the dignity of their area. I was so impressed. I felt they were very Christian in their behavior. Remember those Amish folks a few years ago, that had a similar incident of violence and killings?...these people reminded me of them.
The service was very interesting to watch. I was glad they were Christians that loved and believed and worshiped Jesus Christ in a sincere manner. I'm sure it was a very familiar service to them and comforting. For me personally it was not soul-satisfying on that level of comfort or consolation but I'm sure it was to them.
The part that did make me think about all of us being children of God was the fact the minister/preacher/reverend referenced the King James Bible with a favorite Psalm of mine...46. And he also mentioned the chorus line from Hymn 115...Come Ye Disconsolate "Earth has no sorrow, that heav'n cannot heal". Wondering if that old hymn is in their hymn book?
Anyhow it was interesting to watch and it was also strengthening to see them carry on with their comfort being provided, by their unity of worship, in their old building. What a beautiful building it is. Sort of reminded me of the Assembly Hall on Temple Square, with it's u-shaped wraparound balcony and all of the beautiful work by craftsmen, from long ago.
My heart has been so touched in wanting to comfort them so I'm writing a letter and enclosing a little something. No money. Maybe there is someone that would like it. Maybe the person that opens the letter would enjoy it. I feel they love their religion and the Savior and they live it. Just as we do with our own cherished faith of the Restoration.
Had to find a place to fill two Rx on Sunday morning. What a Fathers Day!! He was in bed, Kipper alerted, and I headed out to Wal-Mart in Sunnyside. Drove by the Church, full parking lot, and wished Terry and I were inside! I headed over during Sacrament time and got back during YW time with the meds. We were both exhausted so fell asleep and will hopefully get a full nights sleep and the new Rx will work!!! I hope so!!!
It was so strange to be sitting in Wall-Mart for a lengthy time on a Sunday morning. Watching all the families relaxed and laughing and visiting and shopping. I was missing Terry and I being in our Church building and hearing the talks and seeing so many familiar faces. People that we enjoy being around and love.
It did not feel like Fathers Day at all!!! Our children all contacted their sweet Dad but the planned meal and celebrating with Kip did not happen! I guess the best thing was the fact that Terry wasn't hurting and we both took long naps!! It was a happy day for the Father of the family after all!
I did see a Church Service...The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. They had it live streaming this morning. The authorities let them open the building for their Sunday service. I really admire those folks for making the decision that they wanted no part of riots, protests, destruction of their town, brutality, retaliation or any of that sort of thing. The Mayor of Charleston and the Governor of South Carolina were articulate, compassionate and firm in maintaining the dignity of their area. I was so impressed. I felt they were very Christian in their behavior. Remember those Amish folks a few years ago, that had a similar incident of violence and killings?...these people reminded me of them.
The service was very interesting to watch. I was glad they were Christians that loved and believed and worshiped Jesus Christ in a sincere manner. I'm sure it was a very familiar service to them and comforting. For me personally it was not soul-satisfying on that level of comfort or consolation but I'm sure it was to them.
The part that did make me think about all of us being children of God was the fact the minister/preacher/reverend referenced the King James Bible with a favorite Psalm of mine...46. And he also mentioned the chorus line from Hymn 115...Come Ye Disconsolate "Earth has no sorrow, that heav'n cannot heal". Wondering if that old hymn is in their hymn book?
Anyhow it was interesting to watch and it was also strengthening to see them carry on with their comfort being provided, by their unity of worship, in their old building. What a beautiful building it is. Sort of reminded me of the Assembly Hall on Temple Square, with it's u-shaped wraparound balcony and all of the beautiful work by craftsmen, from long ago.
My heart has been so touched in wanting to comfort them so I'm writing a letter and enclosing a little something. No money. Maybe there is someone that would like it. Maybe the person that opens the letter would enjoy it. I feel they love their religion and the Savior and they live it. Just as we do with our own cherished faith of the Restoration.
 |
| my tiny gift |
 |
| in case you want to send a card also. here is address. |
Friday, June 19, 2015
Busy times...
Actually I have so much I want to write about and instead I'm trying to....
1) get things ready for Greg by moving tables/stuff out of back bedroom....we are so excited he is coming!!!
and 2) then arranging 5 condo rentals at McCall for our last week July Family reunion...getting exact dates on the comings and goings and credit card numbers etc. So glad we got our usual accommodations!!!
and 3) looking forward to brunch with Glen White and his son Brent, a recent high-school graduate. Taking them to one of his old high school stomping grounds for food--Dad's/A&W. Glen has been in our life since he was 9 years old! I have a couple of mementos for him that he will get a kick out of. I'll take a picture and show you. (Glen's parents are Darrel and Linda White. longtime friends and Zillah's first Bishop)
and 4) encouraging a friend with a heavy burden to embrace the Atonement for some relief from her suffering. when life crashes in on us, as friends we can encourage and love, but the only real balm is what the Savior offers...His Atonement and it's healing/relieving power for all pain. Sweet relief available...for the asking!
and 5) figuring out when to have our Christmas in July and Beach day at McCall and make sure all will be there and talk about menu and etc. etc. etc.
and 6) wishing I hadn't cancelled a luncheon date with a friend but there just wasn't time!!!
and 7) Thank you for reading my blog. I so enjoy talking with you and sharing my feelings and thoughts. I appreciate you. Most likely I'll be flying beneath the radar, as Greg will be here for a week, and either post sporadically or just a meme.
PS- David! He didn't want his Dad to trip. He wanted to nail the corners of the area rug down and we laughed and said...No Way!! His parting gift to us?-- discovered after he had left...yesiree! He nailed the area rug corners to the carpet!!! Also today his Dad was on a hunt for the carpet remnant that Dave didn't take to the dump, & did take it out of the truck but where did he hide it????
(also...Thursday was the day that the Presidency and Apostles have their Thursday meeting and I thought maybe they would announce who the new Apostle is real soon. I'm a nut about this sort of stuff. it's so exciting to me to see the Church in action.)
1) get things ready for Greg by moving tables/stuff out of back bedroom....we are so excited he is coming!!!
and 2) then arranging 5 condo rentals at McCall for our last week July Family reunion...getting exact dates on the comings and goings and credit card numbers etc. So glad we got our usual accommodations!!!
and 3) looking forward to brunch with Glen White and his son Brent, a recent high-school graduate. Taking them to one of his old high school stomping grounds for food--Dad's/A&W. Glen has been in our life since he was 9 years old! I have a couple of mementos for him that he will get a kick out of. I'll take a picture and show you. (Glen's parents are Darrel and Linda White. longtime friends and Zillah's first Bishop)
and 4) encouraging a friend with a heavy burden to embrace the Atonement for some relief from her suffering. when life crashes in on us, as friends we can encourage and love, but the only real balm is what the Savior offers...His Atonement and it's healing/relieving power for all pain. Sweet relief available...for the asking!
and 5) figuring out when to have our Christmas in July and Beach day at McCall and make sure all will be there and talk about menu and etc. etc. etc.
and 6) wishing I hadn't cancelled a luncheon date with a friend but there just wasn't time!!!
and 7) Thank you for reading my blog. I so enjoy talking with you and sharing my feelings and thoughts. I appreciate you. Most likely I'll be flying beneath the radar, as Greg will be here for a week, and either post sporadically or just a meme.
PS- David! He didn't want his Dad to trip. He wanted to nail the corners of the area rug down and we laughed and said...No Way!! His parting gift to us?-- discovered after he had left...yesiree! He nailed the area rug corners to the carpet!!! Also today his Dad was on a hunt for the carpet remnant that Dave didn't take to the dump, & did take it out of the truck but where did he hide it????
(also...Thursday was the day that the Presidency and Apostles have their Thursday meeting and I thought maybe they would announce who the new Apostle is real soon. I'm a nut about this sort of stuff. it's so exciting to me to see the Church in action.)
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Kiddos are awesome!!
How on earth does it happen that children end up so kind, thoughtful and wonderful???...so good to their parents?? I think with daughters they have an inborn sense, of needed deeds to be done to help out, when parents need a boost of sorts. But sons?...I think it is a special breed of boys that have that sense of inner radar that kicks into homing pigeon mode.
You know our oldest son lives nearby and it's hard on him at times because of his own health problems, that don't allow him to do things that he'd like to do, but he is wonderful to us!
You know our daughter flew in from Florida and flew into sort mode in the garage! She was a hurricane!! Tossing and throwing things at breakneck speed. Moving and rearranging garage shelves with Edward Scissorhand speed!
You don't know that friends took us on as a FHE project and did wonders to the yard by bringing their entire family to work. The wife, that likes things tied up with a bow at completion, was a bit frustrated that she didn't get things all done as she wanted. What a blessing they were to us!
And now our precious son and grandson, drove through the night from UT , he took off work!, to come help the parents! I told him we'd see him in July at McCall but he balked and let me know-- you have to act on what you feel and he was coming! And so he did!
He arrived hurting (maybe from pausing at a rest stop and sleeping for a few hours in the not most comfy position?) in need of a chiropractor and all were closed. So here he is in pain just working away! He was concerned that the garage floor was a tripping hazard for his Dad so he attacked piles of stuff.
We were gone for 2 hours and when we came home the pickup was brimming over with trash! I didn't dare look at what he deemed trash nor did his Father! I'd shown him what Jeanee and I had done to shelves and explained I knew what it was...I wanted it...it was fine as placed etc. etc. He was respectful about that. as far as the stuff at the far end of garage, where his Dad keeps tools etc.... now that was a different story.
He was respectful but honestly...I have no idea what was in that truck bed!! I figured there was nothing of any value to me in that end of the garage so toss away! The only thing Hubby protested was the rolled up, thrown away carpet remnant that Son said was a tripping factor and the Father insisted it not be thrown away. Son took it out of truck and I'm not sure where he placed it but it's here, not thrown away BUT not on the floor! But it is here!!
Then he worked in the back yard, sore back and all!!
Sammy is learning to work and I really enjoyed how Dave kept him pretty much on task. In the fast paced world of glitz and instant gratification and boredom that seems to be a common lament, Sam surprised me by enjoying being with us and doing quiet things...coloring with ink pens in a neat book his Uncle Kip gave him...playing Aggravation....playing 5 Crowns...hardly any TV time except watching some science program with his Grampa.
The power of family mealtime continues to impress me! There is something magical about cozying up around a table with food that tastes good, eating together and then talking and visiting. I was talking to our daughter this morning and we both feel the same way about how diverse our family is and how much joy there is when we are together and how we love to laugh and talk and we have some real humorists in our bunch. It was wonderful for Sam, at 13, see his Dad and Uncle interact and enjoy it.
My heart was just filled with love for my children that are so amazing and on many counts so unalike and yet united, by the fact that this unique mix of people, makes up our very own family.
Kip and David are 13 years apart. When David was a baby and I'd go check on him, before I went to bed, many times he would be missing. He was always safe and sound though. Asleep.... all snuggled up in his older brothers arms.
I also had a chance to talk to David about visiting with Vickie and Carol Ann. I still couldn't explain the feelings I had and how deep they were.... about him meant to be with us. He was very sensible and said...Oh, Mom! I know that! I was meant to be with you but you couldn't have more kids so I had to come a different route!
You know, of course, that I'm the one that struggles with this and I still am overwhelmed with the feelings I have and yet can't explain the comfort I feel. More on that sort of thing later.
Anyhoooo...it was a marvelous whirlwind time that we enjoyed every minute, marveled at this kind gentle boy that is such a social person. Such a lover of people. Such a loving, kind, generous son!!
(and now! surprise! our 2nd son called and he is coming to see us!! I wonder if 1st son sent out some smoke signal to his siblings???)
Pictures??? I tried to get some!
You know our oldest son lives nearby and it's hard on him at times because of his own health problems, that don't allow him to do things that he'd like to do, but he is wonderful to us!
You know our daughter flew in from Florida and flew into sort mode in the garage! She was a hurricane!! Tossing and throwing things at breakneck speed. Moving and rearranging garage shelves with Edward Scissorhand speed!
*******************************
You don't know that friends took us on as a FHE project and did wonders to the yard by bringing their entire family to work. The wife, that likes things tied up with a bow at completion, was a bit frustrated that she didn't get things all done as she wanted. What a blessing they were to us!
 |
| 3 of the 9 angels that showed up. note chips by tree!!! |
 | |
| the parents want the children to learn to work hard and serve. |
These are the only two pictures that turned out!!!
***********************
And now our precious son and grandson, drove through the night from UT , he took off work!, to come help the parents! I told him we'd see him in July at McCall but he balked and let me know-- you have to act on what you feel and he was coming! And so he did!
He arrived hurting (maybe from pausing at a rest stop and sleeping for a few hours in the not most comfy position?) in need of a chiropractor and all were closed. So here he is in pain just working away! He was concerned that the garage floor was a tripping hazard for his Dad so he attacked piles of stuff.
We were gone for 2 hours and when we came home the pickup was brimming over with trash! I didn't dare look at what he deemed trash nor did his Father! I'd shown him what Jeanee and I had done to shelves and explained I knew what it was...I wanted it...it was fine as placed etc. etc. He was respectful about that. as far as the stuff at the far end of garage, where his Dad keeps tools etc.... now that was a different story.
He was respectful but honestly...I have no idea what was in that truck bed!! I figured there was nothing of any value to me in that end of the garage so toss away! The only thing Hubby protested was the rolled up, thrown away carpet remnant that Son said was a tripping factor and the Father insisted it not be thrown away. Son took it out of truck and I'm not sure where he placed it but it's here, not thrown away BUT not on the floor! But it is here!!
Then he worked in the back yard, sore back and all!!
Sammy is learning to work and I really enjoyed how Dave kept him pretty much on task. In the fast paced world of glitz and instant gratification and boredom that seems to be a common lament, Sam surprised me by enjoying being with us and doing quiet things...coloring with ink pens in a neat book his Uncle Kip gave him...playing Aggravation....playing 5 Crowns...hardly any TV time except watching some science program with his Grampa.
The power of family mealtime continues to impress me! There is something magical about cozying up around a table with food that tastes good, eating together and then talking and visiting. I was talking to our daughter this morning and we both feel the same way about how diverse our family is and how much joy there is when we are together and how we love to laugh and talk and we have some real humorists in our bunch. It was wonderful for Sam, at 13, see his Dad and Uncle interact and enjoy it.
My heart was just filled with love for my children that are so amazing and on many counts so unalike and yet united, by the fact that this unique mix of people, makes up our very own family.
Kip and David are 13 years apart. When David was a baby and I'd go check on him, before I went to bed, many times he would be missing. He was always safe and sound though. Asleep.... all snuggled up in his older brothers arms.
I also had a chance to talk to David about visiting with Vickie and Carol Ann. I still couldn't explain the feelings I had and how deep they were.... about him meant to be with us. He was very sensible and said...Oh, Mom! I know that! I was meant to be with you but you couldn't have more kids so I had to come a different route!
You know, of course, that I'm the one that struggles with this and I still am overwhelmed with the feelings I have and yet can't explain the comfort I feel. More on that sort of thing later.
Anyhoooo...it was a marvelous whirlwind time that we enjoyed every minute, marveled at this kind gentle boy that is such a social person. Such a lover of people. Such a loving, kind, generous son!!
(and now! surprise! our 2nd son called and he is coming to see us!! I wonder if 1st son sent out some smoke signal to his siblings???)
Pictures??? I tried to get some!
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| The tale of the ancient toolbox!! |
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| tales of work and his tool box |
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| I was spraying Sammy!! summer fun! |
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| love these two!!!! |
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| my favorite picture!!! |
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| got him!! |
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| good-byes!!! |
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| Uncle Kip and Sam |
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| love these sons--#1 and #3 out of 4!! |
Monday, June 15, 2015
a quick note...
our son David, and his sweet son Sammy, surprised us and came to the rescue of the garage, the yard and the parents! more later. after they head back to their home.
in the meantime...I'm watching and waiting and wondering who the next Apostle will be! Here is a refresher course on how a new apostle is called...here
in the meantime...I'm watching and waiting and wondering who the next Apostle will be! Here is a refresher course on how a new apostle is called...here
Friday, June 12, 2015
Ye Olde Soapbox...
My sister and I were talking about her VT coming over and somehow or other they got on the subject of us having been raised in Anchorage and she told them about the 4th Avenue Theater. The most beautiful movie theater I've ever seen. Early Alaska, at least in Anchorage, had some refined moneyed people, that brought a certain amount of uptown class, to this city with unpaved roads and many primitive features. The gorgeous 4th Avenue Theater was certainly one of those real gold nuggets.
We were awestruck and swept away by it's grandeur. I'm sure you can get online and find all sorts of history about it. These few pics don't really showcase it at all. it was carpeted and had a grand staircase upstairs to the rest rooms and balcony. There was the Big Dipper and North Star on the ceiling. All sorts of marvelous decor! Artwork that was gigantic!
When the City bus started to come to Spenard, we rode that bus every single Sunday, into Anchorage, to see the latest Hollywood musical to hit the silver screen. (remember we were Baptists! we'd already been to Church, eaten our Mothers wonderful Sunday dinner and then it was showtime!)
I loved every single aspect of those movies! We'd ride home and I'd be dreaming about how to stage the show, in our dirt lot, behind out house. I was the older sister and more in love with the entire drama scene than my sister. I also granted myself bossing rights. So I was always the star and director and producer and forcing my good-hearted sister to take any role I gave her, that was always lesser than the star power lead, that I seemed to feel was my just due!
Somehow or other I would remember the story and key lines and the hook in songs and pretend to dance (even though I had no lessons or training in anything) and sing also (again no training at all but I could belt it out like Ethel Merman!
My sister would finally start to beg off and was often so relieved when Mother called us in and the theater of my mind closed the curtains. I could never get enough!!!
I danced and sang and jumped on a pretend couch and rode the back to the ground in Singing in the Rain and played both Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds. Now that is quite the ability isn't it??? It was a magical wonderful time then and the memory of those many, many movies stays with me today.
Dixie and I talked about the two times that our parents went to the 4th Ave. with us. One was 5 years after the opening and they had a world premiere come to Anchorage. With Gregory Peck and Ann Blyth!! We remembered her gorgeous red satin gown and how he was so handsome and she so beautiful. My Dad dressed for the occasion as most of the men in the print below. Our Mother was a beautiful woman and she always looked gorgeous when all dolled up. It was so exciting to us and the theater was packed. Probably close to 1000 fans.
The 1st time we went with them was when Cheaper by the Dozen was showing and a local Catholic family that had 12 children lined up, single file across the stage, in front of that heavy gorgeous curtain before it opened to show the movie. We'd never seen that many children in a family. One of the boys was our school mate and for some reason we felt embarrassed for him. Maybe because he was shy and uncomfortable.
Those were marvelous days! and Movies were wonderful as it was the Era of Musicals and fan clubs and movie magazines and from our view of life it was just fantastic!
Surely I was born loving theatrical things and probably I should have been more involved in the reality of things by jumping in and really participate. You know I follow, and support Community Theater, and especially high school drama. I don't watch the Academy Awards show anymore, as it seems so vulgar and usually I have not seen one single nominated film. I no longer know the names of all the stars like I used to.
The Tony's are so wonderful as you get to see real people working their hearts out doing their craft. Because it's on Sunday I opt to not watch it but to DVR it and then I can escape all the ads and if someone gets the naughty stuff going, I fast forward. (Is that a pebble in your hand and you are aiming at me??)
I knew several of the shows this year from seeing the movies in that 4th Avenue Theater. Revivals! I knew the songs! I loved seeing them. In my mind I saw those movies and knew who had played what parts.
And then suddenly there was a waif of a stick-figured young girl. Can this be? Is she singing about her gay feelings?? Surely I hear wrong??? Nope. She was indeed singing about her gay feelings and that little play won the coveted Best Musical of the Year!!! What??!! Really??? Yes! Read for yourself!!!....hot off the press!!.....
*******************************
when you read this clip about Woodstock, it lasted 3 days!, you can imagine why President Benson spoke so frankly! The aftermath of Woodstock impacted so many youth.
Below: “Fourth Avenue Theatre, Opening May 31, 1947” is a giclée print produced from a watercolor cityscape original by Byron Birdsall.
We were awestruck and swept away by it's grandeur. I'm sure you can get online and find all sorts of history about it. These few pics don't really showcase it at all. it was carpeted and had a grand staircase upstairs to the rest rooms and balcony. There was the Big Dipper and North Star on the ceiling. All sorts of marvelous decor! Artwork that was gigantic!
When the City bus started to come to Spenard, we rode that bus every single Sunday, into Anchorage, to see the latest Hollywood musical to hit the silver screen. (remember we were Baptists! we'd already been to Church, eaten our Mothers wonderful Sunday dinner and then it was showtime!)
I loved every single aspect of those movies! We'd ride home and I'd be dreaming about how to stage the show, in our dirt lot, behind out house. I was the older sister and more in love with the entire drama scene than my sister. I also granted myself bossing rights. So I was always the star and director and producer and forcing my good-hearted sister to take any role I gave her, that was always lesser than the star power lead, that I seemed to feel was my just due!
Somehow or other I would remember the story and key lines and the hook in songs and pretend to dance (even though I had no lessons or training in anything) and sing also (again no training at all but I could belt it out like Ethel Merman!
My sister would finally start to beg off and was often so relieved when Mother called us in and the theater of my mind closed the curtains. I could never get enough!!!
I danced and sang and jumped on a pretend couch and rode the back to the ground in Singing in the Rain and played both Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds. Now that is quite the ability isn't it??? It was a magical wonderful time then and the memory of those many, many movies stays with me today.
Dixie and I talked about the two times that our parents went to the 4th Ave. with us. One was 5 years after the opening and they had a world premiere come to Anchorage. With Gregory Peck and Ann Blyth!! We remembered her gorgeous red satin gown and how he was so handsome and she so beautiful. My Dad dressed for the occasion as most of the men in the print below. Our Mother was a beautiful woman and she always looked gorgeous when all dolled up. It was so exciting to us and the theater was packed. Probably close to 1000 fans.
The 1st time we went with them was when Cheaper by the Dozen was showing and a local Catholic family that had 12 children lined up, single file across the stage, in front of that heavy gorgeous curtain before it opened to show the movie. We'd never seen that many children in a family. One of the boys was our school mate and for some reason we felt embarrassed for him. Maybe because he was shy and uncomfortable.
Those were marvelous days! and Movies were wonderful as it was the Era of Musicals and fan clubs and movie magazines and from our view of life it was just fantastic!
Surely I was born loving theatrical things and probably I should have been more involved in the reality of things by jumping in and really participate. You know I follow, and support Community Theater, and especially high school drama. I don't watch the Academy Awards show anymore, as it seems so vulgar and usually I have not seen one single nominated film. I no longer know the names of all the stars like I used to.
The Tony's are so wonderful as you get to see real people working their hearts out doing their craft. Because it's on Sunday I opt to not watch it but to DVR it and then I can escape all the ads and if someone gets the naughty stuff going, I fast forward. (Is that a pebble in your hand and you are aiming at me??)
I knew several of the shows this year from seeing the movies in that 4th Avenue Theater. Revivals! I knew the songs! I loved seeing them. In my mind I saw those movies and knew who had played what parts.
And then suddenly there was a waif of a stick-figured young girl. Can this be? Is she singing about her gay feelings?? Surely I hear wrong??? Nope. She was indeed singing about her gay feelings and that little play won the coveted Best Musical of the Year!!! What??!! Really??? Yes! Read for yourself!!!....hot off the press!!.....
**********************
“Fun Home,” which began with an Off Broadway run at
the Public Theater, had initially seemed like a risky proposition for
Broadway, where the most financially successful ventures tend to be big
musicals with flashy production numbers, often adapted from hit movies.
“Fun Home” has little of that: It was adapted from a memoir by Alison
Bechdel and movingly describes how, as a middle-aged cartoonist, she set
about trying to better understand her own coming-of-age as a lesbian in
a family in which her father, the local funeral home operator, was
secretly gay and then killed himself.
AND
But
several producers and presenters said the show might benefit from its
subject matter, which feels current at a time when societal attitudes
toward homosexuality are changing rapidly, and same-sex marriage is a subject of considerable attention throughout popular culture.
“There’s
an audience that’s hungry for edgy, provocative works,” said William L.
Hayes, producing artistic director of Palm Beach Dramaworks, in
Florida.
*******************************
I was trying to figure out the title Fun Home. Then I saw a quick clip of children jumping on caskets and thought..oh, it's maybe short for Funeral Home.
I thought of the talk that Terry and I had just listened to. One of our Morning General Conference talks and it has to be one of the most blunt, straight talking, mince no words talk ever! It fit right in with the happenings going on now. The year was 1971 and the times they were a changin'. The infamous 1969 Woodstock had changed the youth and there were all sorts of going-ons that were beckoning the youth and this talk is very straight forward. I was fascinated to hear it and think about then and think about now. When you take a break today... watch this talk by Ezra Taft Benson (Apostle and then Prophet)... Satans Thrust- Youth here
I thought of the talk that Terry and I had just listened to. One of our Morning General Conference talks and it has to be one of the most blunt, straight talking, mince no words talk ever! It fit right in with the happenings going on now. The year was 1971 and the times they were a changin'. The infamous 1969 Woodstock had changed the youth and there were all sorts of going-ons that were beckoning the youth and this talk is very straight forward. I was fascinated to hear it and think about then and think about now. When you take a break today... watch this talk by Ezra Taft Benson (Apostle and then Prophet)... Satans Thrust- Youth here
when you read this clip about Woodstock, it lasted 3 days!, you can imagine why President Benson spoke so frankly! The aftermath of Woodstock impacted so many youth.
We were ready to rock out and we waited and waited and finally it was our turn ... there were a half million people asleep. These people were out. It was sort of like a painting of a Dante scene, just bodies from hell, all intertwined and asleep, covered with mud.
And this is the moment I will never forget as long as I live: A quarter mile away in the darkness, on the other edge of this bowl, there was some guy flicking his Bic, and in the night I hear, 'Don't worry about it, John. We're with you.' I played the rest of the show for that guy.
—John Fogerty recalling Creedence Clearwater Revival's 3:30 am start time at Woodstock[9]
I have gone on so very long!!! Oh, wow!! Me on my old Soapbox (again!) and didn't even realize it.
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Below: “Fourth Avenue Theatre, Opening May 31, 1947” is a giclée print produced from a watercolor cityscape original by Byron Birdsall.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
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