A Known Specimen

FORTY DAYS CLOSER TO CHRIST

2012-01-03T12:33:00.001-07:00

It is a new year 2012.
Time to make resolutions that you won't keep and make changes that won't last.

Well here is one that is not hard to accomplish.
The course of study in Gospel Doctrine this year is the Book of Mormon.
I have challenged my family (everyone over the age of 8) to read this inspired book in forty days, beginning on January 1st.
By doing so we all draw closer to Christ and testimonies will be strengthened and renewed.

I have done this before and it was not as hard as I thought it would be. It is just a matter of setting aside some time each day to read and study the scriptures.

I hope that the whole family will give it a try.

FRANKENSTEIN CASTLE

2011-10-05T10:04:00.000-06:00

There really is a Frankenstein Castle. "Burg Frankenstein" is located in the hills just south of Darmstadt, Germany.

Thelegend of a monster and mystery of creation. The town of Darmstadt is abouthalf an hour from Frankfurt, a winding roadtakes you up a mountain to the ruins of a castle called Frankenstein. Anoriginal fortress was first built in the 10th Century. The current castle wasconstructed beginning in the 13th Century with additions in the next twohundred years. Abandoned as a residence in the late 1600's, serving for awhileas a prison and then completely forgotten and a ruin ever since with somewalls, an intact though damaged distinctive tower and a small chapel, said tobe haunted.

The Darmstadt CastleFrankenstein was resurrected in romantic age of the 1800’s as a part of theera’s fascination with gothic and romantic literature and the publishing ofMary Shelley’s famous novel of “Frankenstein” in 1818. The inspiration for MaryWollstonecraft Shelley’s brilliant, haunting work has been the subject ofspeculation ever since it’s first printing. Connections of the name of thenovel with an actual place have been tantalizing, though never proven. Thenovel of Frankenstein has very little to do with a castle, which was more aninvention of James Whale’s iconic version of the story in the Universal filmwith Boris Karloff, indelibly etched as the monster and castle as a romanticsetting for a film.

Mary Shelley’s inspiration ismore complex. In the novel, Victor von Frankenstein is not German at all butSwiss from Geneva. Her story was most famously begun at Lake Geneva in thesummer of 1816.The science student's undetailed creation of an unnamed “creature” were carriedout at Ingolstadt University and most of the story takes place in Switzerland,the Alps, and on a ship. There is a suggestion that Mary Shelley visited theDarmstadt Castle Frankenstein ruin on a boat trip down the Rhine River in 1814.There is no record of a visit to Darmstadt, or mention of it in her journals.She perhaps may have heard from Byron, who spent more time in Germany than theShelleys, of the castle and its legend of physician, crackpot theologian andalchemist, Johann Dippel, rumored to have tried to raise the dead byexperimenting with human corpses in the castle in its days as a prison. Dippelwas trying to discover the alchemist's "Elixer Vitae" potion ofeternal life from blood and body fluids.

Since 1972, the castle has hosted annual Halloween parties to pay homage to the monster of Frankenstein, the student whose god-like ambition was eternalized in a literary milestone.

MONSTER MONTH IS HERE

2011-10-03T10:57:00.000-06:00

It is October; Monster month, so I can declare,
I love Frankenstein.
Ever since I was just a kid I loved Frankenstein, I read Mary Shelly's novel "Frankenstein - or the Modern Prometheus" when I was about 12 years old. And have reread it several times over the years. Shelly completed the novel when she was only 18 years old. Even with her husband's connections it took over a year to find a publisher for her novel.
Of course Frankenstein is the name of the Doctor that created the monster, the poor monster never had a name other than "Frankenstein's monster", no wonder he had issues.
But what I really love is Frankenstein movies. There have been over 100 movies (believe it or not) having to do with Frankenstein in some way. No I have not seen them all. There are some good ones some bad ones and some very bad ones. How about "Lust for Frankenstein" 1998, nope, haven't seen that one. There are funny ones "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" or how about "Blakenstein" , haven't seen that one either
The first "Frankenstein" was a silent movie released in 1910, it was a whole 13 minutes long. This short film was thought to be lost until, in 1975, a collector found he had a badly damaged copy. As much restoration that could be done on the film was done and you can now find this film in it's entirety on You Tube.
My favorites by far are the Universal Studios movies made in the 1930's; "Frankenstein" 1931, "Bride of Frankenstein" 1934, and "Son of Frankenstein" 1939. With the famous monster created by actor Boris Karloff.
And of course high on the list of favorites is Mel Brooks "Young Frankenstein" and to make this one even more funny, you should watch the 3 old ones first. There are many subtle scenes that Mel Brooks took from the old ones, like someone descending an enclosed stair case with an unlit candle! who knows where the light source is. Or lightning flashes that can be seen in a dungeon with no windows! great stuff.
If your a purest. The movie that follows Mary Shelly's novel the closest is a 2004 made for TV movie staring Luke Gross as the monster.

SO, HAPPY OCTOBER
Watch a Frankenstein movie.
there are plenty to go around.

IT IS CALLED "FAITH"

2011-08-08T09:04:00.003-06:00

Last night I saw a very smart man on television declare unequivocally that there "is no God". Everything started with the "big bang" before that, there was nothing, not even God. When we die we will simply cease to exist. Our minds, like a cosmic computer will just shut down and we will be no more. Of course he had all of the scientific theory at his disposal to prove what he was saying.
As I watched this little lump of a man sitting in an empty room, I could not help but think that his life is as empty as the room he was setting in. He may have one of the highest IQ's on earth and he may be very rich and respected among men. But I could not help but feel sorry for him.
I honestly do not know were I would personally be if I did not have my faith and my belief in
God. If I did not have my belief in the creator of all things.
I may have a somewhat limited IQ and my name is not well known outside a small circle of people but I know beyond a doubt that there is a God. That He cares for each of us and He knows us as His children.
He is the Supreme Being. He created heaven and earth and all things in them. It is His work and His glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of all man.
God is the Supreme Being in whom I believe and whom I worship. He is the Creator, Ruler and Preserver of all things. HE IS THE BIG BANG!
Ponder the beauties of His creation; trees, flowers, animals, mountains, the ocean waves, the miracle of a newborn child. Gaze to the heavens, where the courses of the stars and planets are evidence of "God moving in his majesty and power"

a couple of films I would recommend:
"The Case for a Creator"
"The Privileged Planet"

2011-07-13T12:07:00.001-06:00

“I meant what I said and I said what I meant, an elephant’s faithful one hundred percent!”

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."

2011-04-12T11:44:00.003-06:00

Even my wife has started "texting".
Yes it has been a challenge but she is getting it.
With more and more "seniors" getting into the texting game it's time we had our own list of texting codes, so that everyone will know what we are talking about.

ATD: At The Doctor
BFF: Best Friend Fell
WTF: Why The Face
BTW: Bring The Wheelchair
FWIW: Forgot Where I Was
FWTCW: Forgot Where The Car Was
FYI: Found Your Insulin
GGPBL: Gotta Go, Pacemaker Battery Low
GHA: Got Heartburn Again
HGBM: Had Good Bowel Movement
IMHO: Is My Hearing Aid On
LMDO: Laughing MY Dentures Out
LOL: Living On Lipitor
SGGP: Sorry Gotta Go Poop
OMG: Oh My Gas!
TTYL: Talk To You Louder
WAITT: Who Am I Talking To
WTP: Where's The Prunes
GGLKI: Gotta Go Laxative Kicking In

OLD, BUT NOT DEAD YET

2011-03-21T20:45:00.010-06:00

When I was a child I counted my birthdays by months not years. To a kid your life revolves around birthdays and Christmas. The time span between each is counted in long weeks. Every kid knows how old they are right down to the month.
The years go flying by when you get older. The older you get the faster time travels.
Well now I'm old. Not dead yet mind you. But so much older.

When I was born (an official baby boomer) Harry Truman was in the white house. George Albert Smith was president of the LDS church.
A gallon of gas was $.20. Wow! A six pack of coke was $.37, of course they were 6 oz bottles. A postage stamp cost a whole $.03, and that was the only choice you had of getting a message cross country. No e-mail yet.
And speaking of e-mail, 1951 was the year that the first commercial computer was sold. The UNIVAC 1. The massive computer was 8 feet high, 7-1/2 feet wide and 14-1/2 feet long. 46 machines were built, for about $1 million each.

I don't count birthdays in years anymore but in rounded decades. I'm hoping I still have a few years left. I come from a line of long livers. My grandparents all lived into their 80's and my paternal grandmother had a couple of siblings that lived into their 90's. I try to take care of myself. I don't get enough exercise, I kind of watch what I eat. But some things are just worth the trouble.

"I'm 93 years old, do you really think a pat of butter is going to shorten my life"
(Jacob Jankowski, "Water for Elephants")

I DON'T THINK SO

2011-03-10T13:42:00.001-07:00

THOUGHTS ON POLYGAMY

2011-02-27T15:28:00.008-07:00

I have recently been re-reading one of Mark Twain's great works "Roughing It"
I love reading Mark Twain, especially his works of "non-fiction" using the term lightly, since he himself admitted to "fits of exaggeration at times". But that being said I love his sarcastic sense of humor and unique powers of observation about almost everything American.
while I was reading, it brought a smile to my face to read his account of his two day stay in Salt Lake City. and especially his comments on polygamy. they are now quoted as he wrote them.

Our stay in Salt Lake City amounted to only two days, and therefore we had no time to make the customary inquisition into the workings of polygamy and get up the usual statistics and deductions preparatory to calling attention of the nation at large one more to the matter.

I had the will to do it. With the gushing self-sufficiency of youth I was feverish to plunge in headlong and achieve a great reform here—until I saw the Mormon women. Then I was touched. My heart was wiser than my head. It warmed toward these poor ungainly and pathetically “homely” creatures, and as I turned to hide the generous moisture in my eyes, I said, “No—the man that marries one of them has done an act of Christian charity which entitles him to the kindly applause of mankind, not their harsh censure--and the man that marries sixty of them has done a deed of open-handed generosity so sublime that the nations should stand uncovered in his presence and worship in silence.”

This is a cartoon that was published in a national magazine at the time of Brigham Young's death. depicting, with some humor, his mourning wives.

I HATE FEBRUARY

2011-02-23T16:25:00.003-07:00

I really hate February. Every February I become engrossed with bitterness and anger for no reason. All day, everything anyone says irritates me. It doesn't matter what they say, just the fact that they're talking, I want to hammer a nail through their tongue, and into the floor!

There are no holidays looming to look forward to, except those stupid days that only bankers and government workers get to take off.

Winter has strung on way too long. All the snow that looked so festive in December is now just hiding in all the dark places, covered with pollution that came from who knows where. And as the snow melts it exposes that ugly brown sludge underneath that is supposed to be GRASS, or flowers or something else that is ALIVE!

All month, I can't bring myself to be motivated to do anything but be miserable. Every event annoys me. Even if it's completely insignificant and irrelevant to my life, I just want to die, or at least just sleep until spring comes.

I'm certain that a big part of my sub-suicidal animosity this month is due to the weather. December we marvel and smile as new snow falls. January is cold and snowy, but at least it has character. February is crap. Even the original calendar makers, Mayans or Greeks or who ever they were, they knew that February sucked, that's why it only has 28 days which are mostly 28 days of monochromatic drab.

February is so uninteresting, dull, boring, tedious, monotonous, dry, dreary; unexciting, unimaginative, uninspiring, insipid, lackluster, flat, stale, wishy-washy, colorless; lame, tired, sterile, anemic, barren, tame; middle-of-the-road, run-of-the-mill, mediocre, nondescript, characterless, mundane, unremarkable, humdrum. . . . . . it even pisses of ground hogs.

WHO IS THAT UNKNOWN CHILD

2011-02-21T19:40:00.005-07:00

Yes, I love my Mac.
iPhoto has a great feature that cycles through your photos and identifies faces. the more you use it the better it gets. Well each time it cycles through my pictures it stops on this pair of eyes and wants me to confirm his/her identity (far right). Well try as I must I have not been able to figure out which one of my grandchildren is nicknamed "bolt eyes" Maybe I'll give it a name and see if I can find any more of him/her

MULTIPLE ZANES

2011-02-01T20:52:00.003-07:00

I took one of my grandsons on a private photo shoot, took 94 pictures. Then I spent an hour or so with Photoshop and created "Multiple Zanes". Here is the finished project.

ENDURE TO THE END

2010-11-16T13:00:00.002-07:00

This wouldn't be such a bad place to work.............if I wasn't in the basement!

2010-10-17T12:46:00.005-06:00

A heartfelt thanks.
At the end of five years of service to the great people of the Picket Lane Ward, it's time to say “THANK YOU”
(actually it was 5 years, 1 month and 1 week, but who is counting).
What a pleasure it has been to serve as your bishop.
I have so many great memories I could not hope to share them all. Some are so close to my heart that they could not and should not be shared.
Together we have seen unprecedented growth. Five years ago the Picket Lane Ward consisted of everything in Stansbury Park that was South of Village Blvd. the same area is now the better part of three different wards. Together we watched as our new Stake center grew out of the dust of old farm land, and had the blessings of being the first ward to occupy the new facility.
We have seen countless babies come into the world, and bless the lives of our families.
I have officiated at five weddings, uncounted baptisms and one funeral.
We have seen couples united for time and eternity, children sealed to their parents to create eternal families. We have seen miracles come to a pass through Priesthood blessings, and the united faith of families and ward members.
We have had four missionaries serve with honor. As I ponder all that has taken place over the last five years, I take no personal credit for any of these wonderful happenings, they are result of a ward family working together to serve the Lord and to build one another.
We have seen lives changed and testimonies strengthened.
I want to say thanks to everyone that has served in any capacity within the ward, this work is definitely not a one man job. It takes the dedication of everyone serving and working together to make the work go forth.
I would like to thank personally those that have served with me in the bishopric as we have moved along together.Ward Clerks:
Jode Allen, Chad Jarvis, Jeremy Blaine and Devon Ransom
Executive Secretaries:
Nate Bready and Doug Merrell
Counselors:
Adam Smith, Quinton Selin, Dar Smith, Chad Jarvis and Rob Tripp
Eleven of the greatest men I have ever had the privilege of working with.
Thanks to everyone who has given service to help your fellow ward members. I cannot hope to express my feelings in an adequate fashion, only to say I love you all and will continue to love and pray for all.
Thanks for the memories.

IT'S NOT EASY

2010-10-14T11:04:00.003-06:00

IT'S NOT EASY TO STAY SANE.....
IN A WORLD WHICH OFFERS SUCH A WONDERFUL CHOICE OF MADNESSES.

2010-09-14T09:47:00.002-06:00

"Now, my brothers and sisters, we have built temples throughout the world and will continue to do so. To you who are worthy and able to attend the temple, I would admonish you to go often. The temple is a place where we can find peace. There we receive a renewed dedication to the gospel and a strengthened resolve to keep the commandments."

President Thomas S. Monson

CHOOSE

2010-08-12T15:19:00.004-06:00

"You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...

Dr. Suess

FRIENDS

2010-08-11T07:39:00.005-06:00

You can't just suddenly be my friend. . . . . . . . . . . .

You have to go through a training period

GOODBYE ARNOLD

2010-07-06T09:45:00.006-06:00

"Art is always at its best when serving a cause greater than the artist."
Arnold Friberg 1913-2010

Arnold Friberg, one of Americas greatest artist and definitely one of my personal favorites, has left us.
At the age of 96 he has gone to meet his maker and give an accounting of his work. A body of work that speaks for itself.
He is probably best known to members of the LDS Church as the illustrator of the Book of Mormon. In all the editions of the Book of Mormon that I grew up with his beautiful paintings brought to life the stories of that great book.
In 1975 he painted what would become his most recognized work, "Prayer at Valley Forge", one of the top selling art prints in history.
Arnold Friberg also worked for a few years in Hollywood primarily as the head art director for the classic "The Ten Commandments" for which he won an Academy Award nomination.
Thanks to Arnold Friberg for his talents and his inspiration.

IT AINT EASY!!!

2010-05-26T09:42:00.002-06:00

I think, trying to eat healthy is contrary to the nature of man!

MOST PERFECT BOOK

2010-04-03T10:59:00.002-06:00

180 years ago (March 27th 1830) the first copies of "The Book of Mormon" went on sale in the book store of printer E.B. Grandin. Ten days later on April 6th, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-saints was organized as a recognized religion.
Since that day the Book of Mormon has flooded the earth with God's truth. the Prophet Joseph Smith called it "the most perfect book ever written".
The very printing of this book was a miracle. the small country printing office of Grandin was not a book printer. Grandin printing shop printed small weekly newspaper and various advertising posters, he had never undertaken such a large job and had little knowledge about printing books. the type for each page had to be hand set, one letter at a time. and pages printed and folded by hand.
the work of printing the first copies began in August of 1829 and was completed at the end of March 1830. Grandin and his family worked 11 hours a day six days a week to meet the schedule agreed upon.
President Gordon B.Hinkley said "...those who set the type, those who worked the press, and those who had to do with that work never in their wildest imaginations dreamed that this marvelous testament would go forth across the earth in the fashion in which it has gone forth. It carries with it an inspiration, a power that is wonderful to behold. It is more that just an ordinary book; it is something which touches the hearts of those who read it prayerfully and carefully."

I'M NOT DEAD......YET

2010-02-23T10:28:00.005-07:00

Mark Twain once said "Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated."
Well, I just heard that Dan Lee had died, which greatly peaked my curiosity, since that is "me"
This Dan Lee was actually a sketch artist for Disney/Pixar. and was the creator of the Nemo caracter in Finding Nemo. He worked on Pixar productions such as Toy Story, Monsters Inc and Bugs Life. The last picture that he worked on was Ratatouille, and there is a dedication to him in the credits.
There are too few artists in the world to loose one at such a young age (he was 35) so I think I should spend more of my spare time sketching and drawing. I will never attain the success as the other Dan but at least I can use up a little more graphite and paper than I am now.

HAPPY FREAKIN' VALENTINES DAY

2010-02-11T12:23:00.004-07:00

THE BAG LADY AND THE SHEEPHERDER

2010-01-29T10:28:00.004-07:00

This handsome couple (who loved each other dearly) were my grandparents. Pearl Grant and David Lee.
Pearl was actually an educated lady, she went to the Brigham Young Academy and was an elementary school teacher, in Duchesne County until she got married and started a family. David and Pearl had seven children 4 boys and 3 girls.
David had a sixty acre homestead in the Rock Creek area of Duchesne and had a sizable herd of sheep. During the mid to late 1920's David sold his homestead so he could open an auto repair business in town, with his brother. Not long after getting the business up and going the country was hit with the "great depression" and the Lees lost everything they had. David and Pearl moved into a home in Charleston, Utah in an area that is now beneath Deer Creek Reservoir. After a house fire that destroyed their home David moved his family around several times but eventually went to work for US Steel in Orem, Utah, and built a home in the river bottoms area of Provo.
I was eight years old when Grandpa died so I don't remember much about him except that he had a mop of white hair that reminded me of Mark Twain, and it seemed that he smoked a lot.
I remember visiting Grandma in her home in Provo, where she had moved the bed into the living room next to the kitchen so she would not have to heat the whole house. She was always afraid that if the house was too warm it would start on fire (in addition to house fire in Charleston Pearl had been burned badly as a child, when her dress got too close to the stove). Grandma was a bit of an eccentric artistic type. She would walk the streets of Provo gathering "stuff" that she could make crafts with. I remember her making artificial flowers out of cellophane bread wrappers (her sons refused to let her leave them on any graves at the cemetery). She once gave us grand-kids small necklaces that she had made out of old tooth brushes by cutting the handles into small squares and stringing them together. She always had coffee cans full of buttons, broken ceramics or anything else that she found interesting. Just before Grandma died she was moved into a rest home, I remember that my Dad and his sister's husband took their trucks to her house and just loaded everything she had and took it to the dump. I don't think anybody even went through anything to see if there was something of value, either monetary or sentimental. In general I think most of Grandma's family (at least her children) saw her as a bit of a kook or nut case. But I always saw something more. I was captivated by her artistic talents and her ability to see beauty in what others saw as junk.

HOW BLESSED WE ARE

2010-01-14T10:21:00.005-07:00

In the right hand side bar of my blog you will see a "flag counter" it tracks where in the world people are located that view this blog. Recently a flag appeared for a country I have never heard of. This prompted me to learn more.
The country is in Western Africa North of Ghana, and is known as Burkina Faso.
The country has a population of just over 15 million, and is about the size of Colorado. The life expectancy for a Male in this country is 50. They have an unemployment rate of 77% and about a 20% literacy rate.
They have very little industry and almost no agriculture. Most of the working adults leave the country for seasonal work in surrounding countries.
This is the first hit on my blog from the entire Continent of Africa and it amazes me that anyone is over there setting at a computer surfing the web at all.
I am so thankful that I was born and live in the United Sates,we are so blessed, or maybe even spoiled a little. We take so much for granted about our life style and the beauty that surrounds us. The ability we have to get in a car and go. We have houses to live in and food to eat. And even those that we call poor, are better off than the people of Bukina Faso.

NO THANKS, JUST LOOKING

2009-12-28T16:08:00.014-07:00

Today I saw Borin' Orin Hatch (R) at Walmart, in Salt Lake. Yes Walmart. He was just walking around the store pushing an empty shopping cart. Not really shopping just walking around the store pushing an empty cart. I tried to get a picture of him so I could post him on "peopleofwalmart.com" but every time I got out the cell phone he would give me the evil eye, so I gave up. I thought about taking a picture from the back so he wouldn't catch me, but from the back side Orin (R) looks just like any other pervert in a trench coat.
After a while he returned the cart to the front of the store and left. Did not buy anything, just left.
The real question about this incident is; What the Heck was Orin Hatch (R) doing at Walmart.
A. Shoplifting.
B. Just hoping to be seen so people would think that he actually shops at Walmart, and is just a regular guy. (because regular guys always wear pressed trench coats and face makeup)
C. Looking for a good deal on health care, and wanted to check out the $4 drug deal.
D. As usual he didn't have a clue what was going on and was hoping to meet Ted Kennedy (D) for lunch. Sorry no Christmas miracle here, Ted is still dead.

And by the way. If he was trying to get attention it failed. Most people were ignoring him, just like they do everybody else at Walmart.

GOOD TIDINGS

2009-12-23T10:58:00.007-07:00

"Fear not for I bring you good tidings"
Is it any wonder why the Lord chose to first announce the birth of His son to the shepherds? Not to the rich of the city, not to those presiding in the synagogues, but to the shepherds. The humble shepherds keeping watch at night. He that would be known as the good shepherd had come into the world to save all mankind.
Shepherding is hard work. Sheep are very dependent and delicate animals. They demand much attention. The shepherd had to love the sheep, even unto death, if it was required of him. He slept with them, ate with them, and would give his life to rescue one in trouble. In other words, a shepherd had to be a faithful worker, who loved his flock, and would do anything for them. A true, selfless servant indeed!

I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have of my savior and redeemer. As we honor and worship Him at this special season of the year my prayer is, that we might all take the time to kneel and give thanks for Him and His mission.

POLITICALLY CORRECT HO, HO, HOOEY

2009-12-16T11:56:00.008-07:00

Enough already of "Happy Holidays" I will continue to wish every one I see a "MERRY CHRISTMAS" because that's what it is, and that's what I want to do. It is Christmas. A celebration of one of the greatest events in human history. This whole being politically correct about everything has gone too far. Yes we shouldn't call people hurtful names or use ethnic slurs. In the words of the great Michael Scott "You don't call retarded people retards". But when being politically correct forces us to withhold wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, just to keep from offending someone, it has really gone too far.

If being politically correct goes on much longer we will soon be hearing songs about "Frosty the Person of Snow" and "Rudolph the Nasally Empowered Reindeer"
And your children cannot make snow angels anymore because this obvious display of religion might make someone feel uncomfortable. I think Santa's reindeer are even using aliases now, because they are so embarrassed.

I love almost everything about Christmas. The music, the food, the sights and sounds. The snow, and the presents, the happy children and all that goes with it. What a glorious time of year to be alive.
This CHRISTMAS when you hang your stockings next your alternative heat source, and the children are tucked in their beds, with visions of lentils and warm whole-grain breads. Remember to put aside all political correctness, at least long enough to wish everyone a.....

Merry Christmas.
As we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace,
the King of Kings.

DIRT POOR AND HAPPY

2009-12-08T17:49:00.005-07:00

As the temperatures outside are quickly dropping to single digits it makes me appreciate all the more that we have a warm home to come to each night.

When I was very young our family was not in the ranks of the middle class. My dad worked for the automotive department at Sears and I'm sure he made close to minimum wage. (was there even a minimum wage in the 50's?). When ever something had to be replaced such as a car or a major appliance Dad would work a part time job at a local gas station or a lumber store until the said item was paid for.

I remember one winter when our refridgerator needed to be replaced. Christmas was coming and I'm sure available funds were already allocated. Well Dad was if anything resourceful and somewhat of a make do kind of guy. He constructed a shelf on the back of the house just outside the kitchen window. That is were everything was stored that should have gone in the fridge. The kitchen was on the back of the house and faced North, so the sun never reached this location so food stayed safely cool. The shelf on the back of the house was our fridge for most of that winter. It you needed a glass of milk you just open the kitchen window and bring in the milk.

Even though we did without a lot things when we were young, I don't ever remember thinking that I was a poor kid. We were happy. My parents would do what ever was necessary to make things normal. I thought macaroni and cheese or peanut butter sandwhiches were just normal everyday food and that was what everyone ate.

My dad is gone now. He died six years ago, the first week of December. It was very cold that year also. I can still remember the clear cold December day that he was buried, with full military honors, in the Manti cemetery.

Wealth does not come from bank accounts or fancy cars. Real wealth is happiness, belief in God, family, and love. Love for all these things and all else that you are blessed with.

BEING THANKFUL

2009-11-23T11:30:00.007-07:00

This week is Thanksgiving which gives us the opportunity to reflect on the things that we are most thankful for.
And the opportunity to over eat in grand fashion without guilt.

I am thankful for my family, and the love that we have together.
I am thankful for my wife, who never gives up.
I am thankful for my children.
I am thankful for my grandchildren 8 of the best looking kids around.
I am thankful for the little things in life that added all together make me happy.
I am thankful for the blessings of the temple that make our family an eternal unit. (Picture of Salt Lake Temple)
I am thankful for Nov 14 of this year (picture of Zane and Quinton) one of the happiest days of my life.
I am thankful for the changing seasons that continue to give interest to our lives, because without winter we would not have tulips in the spring.
I am thankful for my Mom who turned 80 years old this year. I'm thankful that she is still with us. (She's the cute kid in the picture above)
I am thankful for laughter.
I am thankful for tears.
I am thankful for warm clothes.
I am thankful for a home that is cool in summer and warm in winter.
I am thankful for my testimony.
I am thankful for my knowledge of my savior Jesus Christ.
I am thankful for my ward family, that gives me strength.

And now for the lighter side of being thankful, but still very thankful
I am thankful that guy from the halfway house I ran into with my car this summer was not hurt, just his bike.
I am thankful I have pockets, because the guy from the halfway house had his id and all his money in his sock!
I am thankful for people who don't text while talking.
I am thankful for good Mexican food.
sometimes I am thankful for mediocre Mexican food.
and for pizza.
I am again thankful for laughter, except when it makes soda get in your nose.
I am thankful for people who can drive without rage.
I am thankful that I am taller than Tom Cruise, who is stupid.
I am thankful for the "office" because we all need an escape from reality. That's real reality not reality TV, which we also need a break from.
I'm thankful that I have never been mugged going to work.

POLITICAL SCIENCE

2009-11-21T14:06:00.003-07:00

Not always known for his "political correctness" Randy Newman is a fantastic songwriter. With such great lines as "short people got no reason to live" and "we're rednecks, rednecks, don't know our a** from a whole in the ground" But he has also written some great movie music, including Toy Story, Monsters Inc. and others. Here are the lyrics to one of my favorites "Political Science".

No one likes us-I don't know why
We may not be perfect, but heaven knows we try
But all around, even our old friends put us down
Let's drop the big one and see what happens

We give them money-but are they grateful?
No, they're spiteful and they're hateful
They don't respect us-so let's surprise them
We'll drop the big one and pulverize them

Asia's crowded and Europe's too old
Africa is far too hot
And Canada's too cold
And South America stole our name
Let's drop the big one
There'll be no one left to blame us

We'll save Australia
Don't wanna hurt no kangaroo
We'll build an All American amusement park there
They got surfin', too

Boom goes London and boom Paris
More room for you and more room for me
And every city the whole world round
Will just be another American town
Oh, how peaceful it will be
We'll set everybody free
You'll wear a Japanese kimono babe
And there'll be Italian shoes for me

They all hate us anyhow
So let's drop the big one now
Let's drop the big one now

TOO MANY WALLS

2009-11-09T09:14:00.012-07:00

It was 20 years ago today (Nov 9) that the check points were opened and the Berlin wall came down. A very real symbol of a socialist government. The great wall went up and came down in my life time. It stood for only twenty-eight years. We should never take for granted the freedoms that we have in this country, that many around the world do not share. We should especially treasure our rights for freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of the press. The Berlin wall is gone, unfortunately there are still too many walls, some not so visible but just as thick and hard to penetrate.

"The greatest infringements of religious freedom occur when the exercise of religion collides with other powerful forces in society. Among the most threatening collisions in the United States today are the rising strength of those who seek to silence religious voices in public debates, and perceived conflicts between religious freedom and the popular appeal of newly alleged civil rights."
Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Full text of Elder Oaks talk

Halloween Tricks

2009-10-29T09:19:00.004-06:00

Good old fashion Halloween tricks.
I'm glad that our children have grown up in a time that most Halloween tricks have gone by the wayside.
When I was a kid we were more into candy than playing tricks on people, however we did start the farmers outhouse toilet seat on fire once. That about sums up my childhood Halloween pranks.
My dad told me that when he was a teen they once took a guys model T apart, moved it to the barn roof and put it back together.

Hope everyone has a safe
and trick free Halloween

check out this vandalism instructional video courtesy of The Office.
you'll have to watch a 30 second commercial before it starts, but it's worth it.

CITIES OF THE DEAD

2009-10-07T20:04:00.007-06:00

When ever I travel whether on business or vacations. I love to check out the local cemeteries. It drives my wife nuts, because that is the last thing she wants to see. I especially enjoy grave yards with historical significance.
By far the best and creepiest of grave yards I have seen are those found in New Orleans.

The above-ground tombs in the cemeteries of New Orleans are often referred to as "cities of the dead." Enter their gates and you will be greeted by decorative, rusty ironwork, and blinded by the sun bleached tombs. Crosses and statues on tomb tops cast contrasting shadows adding a sense of mystery. Votive candles line tombs on holidays to remind you the Dead have living relatives that still care.
New Orleans has always respected the dead, but this isn't the reason the tombs of our departed loved ones are interred above ground. Early settlers in the area struggled with different methods to bury the dead. Burial plots are shallow in New Orleans because the water table is high. Dig a few feet down, and the grave becomes soggy, filling with water. The casket will literally float. And so they began the custom burying in above ground tombs. Wealthier families of course have the more ornate looking tombs, with iron rails, statues and other adornments. Crowded so close together they look like row houses in a small city. And so they began to be known as "Cities of the dead"
The families that own the tombs have buried generations in the same location. City ordinance requires that the previous relative must have been dead for at least 2 years. Their remains are then deposited down the sides or the back of the tomb, whats left of the coffin is destroyed, thus making room for then new tenant. Some of the tombs have long lists of those that are "buried" in the same tomb. Cool stuff. No wonder the New Orleans cemeteries are said to be among the most haunted in the world. It is probably relatives fighting over who was there first.

FRANKENSTEIN

2009-10-02T09:22:00.025-06:00

It is October; Monster month, so I can declare,
I love Frankenstein.
Ever since I was just a kid I loved Frankenstein, I read Mary Shelly's novel "Frankenstein - or the Modern Prometheus" when I was about 12 years old. And have reread it several times over the years. Shelly completed the novel when she was only 18 years old. Even with her husband's connections it took over a year to find a publisher for her novel.
Of course Frankenstein is the name of the Doctor that created the monster, the poor monster never had a name other than "Frankenstein's monster", no wonder he had issues.
But what I really love is Frankenstein movies. There have been over 100 movies (believe it or not) having to do with Frankenstein in some way. No I have not seen them all. There are some good ones some bad ones and some very bad ones. How about "Lust for Frankenstein" 1998, nope, haven't seen that one. There are funny ones "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein" or how about "Blakenstein" , haven't seen that one either
The first "Frankenstein" was a silent movie released in 1910, it was a whole 13 minutes long. I do have this one on my iPod a great start of the genre
My favorites by far are the Universal Studios movies made in the 1930's; "Frankenstein" 1931, "Bride of Frankenstein" 1934, and "Son of Frankenstein" 1939. With the famous monster created by actor Boris Karloff (right).
And of course high on the list of favorites is Mel Brooks "Young Frankenstein" and to make this one even more funny, you should watch the 3 old ones first. There are many subtle scenes that Mel Brooks took from the old ones, like someone descending an enclosed stair case with an unlit candle! who knows where the light source is. Or lightning flashes that can be seen in a dungeon with no windows! great stuff.

SO, HAPPY OCTOBER
Watch a Frankenstein movie.
there are plenty to go around.

DEFEAT!!

2009-10-01T09:07:00.002-06:00

HAVING THE COURAGE
TO ADMIT DEFEAT
CAN SOMETIMES
BE A KIND OF VICTORY

TECHNOLOGY

2009-09-25T10:02:00.011-06:00

"Sometimes technology makes you drive into a lake"
Michael Scott

"Think of how stupid the average person is....then realize that half of them are stupider than that"
George Carlin

COMING SOON TO A TV NEAR YOU

2009-09-10T10:26:00.005-06:00

9/17/09

BORIENTAION:
(noun) Linguistic portmanteau combining "boring" with "orientation," i.e. a boring orientation meeting.

YOUTH CONFERENCE 2009 DONE!!

2009-08-15T14:49:00.002-06:00

We just got home from our Youth conference. We went for 3 days of camping in the Spruces campground. It was a great time and no one was killed either on purpose or accident. It is always a success when you can come home with the same number of youth as you left with.
We had an amazing geocache search on Friday morning; we divided into 4 teams and went searching for clues. Each set of clues had reference to different scripture story, so the teams had to identify the story and then tell us about it at a fireside Friday night. The geocaching took a little longer than we planned because some mormon/moron had 2 sets of coordinates that where 5 miles North of where they really where hidden.
Of course the weather had an uncanny ability to dump rain on us everytime we started to get food out. And Saturday morning was a steady down pour from about 6 oclock on. So we cut it short and headed for home with car loads of very wet youth and leaders. But all in all it was a successful time.
Thanks to all that helped.

CAMPING WITH GRANDSONS

2009-08-10T16:55:00.005-06:00

A few weeks ago we went camping for a couple of nights with Michelle and Jana and their boys. We had such a good time playing games, eating and taking hikes fit for a 2 year old, which consists of walking around the campground. As we would walk around the campground Zane had to stop at every sign or numbered post so he could tell me what they said. Of course he can't read so they all said the same thing "Wa, ree, sick." translation: one, three, six.
Zane was also the one that spotted a place off the road where we could throw rocks in the creek. Small boys can find nothing more fun than throwing stuff in the water to watch it splash or float, or throwing stuff in the fire to see it burn. I think this comes from our base instincts as cavemen. It of course was the only real form of entertainment for many years, next comes clubbing women on the head and dragging them back to camp. Thank goodness these guys are to young for that yet.

PIONEERS

2009-07-22T14:17:00.003-06:00

This week is the anniversary celebrating the Mormon Pioneers arrival to the Salt Lake Valley.
This is the oldest picture I could find of the first home built in the Valley. It is now located between the Church's Family History Library and the Church History Museum.

The cabin was built in 1847, soon after the Saints arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. Six people—Osmyn M. and Mary Whiting Deuel and William H. and Eliza Whiting Deuel (the Deuel brothers married sisters) and William and Eliza’s two daughters, Minerva and Mercy Ann—lived in it from October 1847 to May 1848.

It is hard to believe that six people (two families) lived in this cabin that looks to be about the size of a single car garage. I am so grateful for the sacrifice of these early pioneers that gave so much for what the believed in and made things so much easier for those that followed.

It is likely that when the Deuels moved, they rented the home to other settlers. In 1849, they sold it to Albert Carrington, who placed skids under it and, with ox teams, moved the cabin to his property at West Temple and First North. (this is the location where the picture was taken) In 1852, Christopher and Maryann Riding and their five children were living in it. Brother Carrington gave the home to his daughter, Francis, and her husband, Zebulon Jacobs. They lived in it briefly, and years later offered it to the Church as a historical relic.

The cabin was dismantled and moved to the Deseret Museum, where it was displayed until about 1919 when it was moved to Temple Square. I remember always going to see the cabin when it was here, I thought it was kind of a creepy looking place. It stood on Temple Square until 1976, then was put into storage. In 1984, the cabin was placed on the plaza in its present location.

BACK HOME AGAIN

2009-07-12T17:26:00.005-06:00

After 3 days of camping with with family, we are now home again. It is nice to be clean and setting in a air conditioned house again.
But we sure had fun, playing games, eating Dutch oven chicken, laughing, hiking, eating Dutch oven Mexican (thanks Jana), making crafts and just having a great time with family, and eating of course.
It is crazy fun watching grand children running all over the place. Watching Zane, Drake and Quinton splashing in a puddle and Zane laughing so hard about it that he fell down in the puddle, and Drake went playing in the dirt after the puddle incident (yes that makes mud) so gramps was in trouble.
There is nothing that is more satisfying than to be with family.
I love my family so very much and am glad that we could be together for a few days.

AMERICA - THANK HEAVEN

2009-06-29T10:38:00.014-06:00

I thank my God that I live in a land that is truly “choice above all others”. Each of us is a very fortunate person, thank heaven. Thank heaven for America! Despite our weaknesses, despite our problems, despite our challenges, this is the greatest nation on earth. Someone once said “we haven’t done badly for a nation of immigrants.”
But we haven’t done it alone. We have done it because God helped us do it. Our gratitude for this great country should be to Him. At the conclusion of the convention at which the Constitution was adopted George Washington said, “We have raised a standard to which the good and wise can repair; the event is in the hands of God… who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be, that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks.”
Several years ago I had the opportunity to visit a very large military installation in California, it was a language training base that was shared by all branches of the military. Twice a day as the flag of our great country was raised or lowered every single person on that base would stop what they were doing, salute and face the flag. Weather they were jogging, studying or shopping, even cars would stop in the street as the occupants would get out of their cars to give respect for the symbol of this country. This daily event never failed to touch my heart and bring a tear to my eye.
Let us all take pause during the coming weeks to give thanks. Not just for another holiday or an extra day to our weekend. But give thanks for the greatest country on earth. And pray that the leaders of this land will continue to seek the inspiration of that creator that inspired and guided our founding fathers.

WHO AM I

2009-06-11T11:23:00.028-06:00

Probably one of the longest living mascots in advertising history is this dog.
commonly called the RCA Dog. He was first used in the US by Thomas Edison's company the Victor Talking Machine Co., which later became RCA Victor and finally just RCA. It is all the same company just the evolution of the name.

The slogan that was used for many years with the image of the dog was "His Masters Voice".

For a short time he had a companion standing at his side in many ads.

So here is the contest. WHAT ARE THE DOG'S NAMES. You have to get both names.
(clue: the names rhyme with each other.)

yes you will win something. I just don't know what yet, maybe some old RCA vinyl, dinner out or who knows.

ALIEN LANDING STRIP

2009-06-02T12:06:00.017-06:00

This is a picture of an ancient alien landing strip. It was built billions of years ago by a civilization of giant brine shrimp that came from another galaxy to inhabit this part of our planet. They were mistaken in their theory that the entire earth had the same brinish atmosphere that surrounds the Great Salt Lake. Thankfully for us, they were wrong.

Yes the brine shrimp are still here, they are the only living thing that survives in the Great Salt Lake. However in a very strange phenomenon of reverse evolution, never imagined by Darwin, the shrimp have actually gotten much smaller than they were when they first arrived eons ago.....

.............Actually
I think this is all that's left of the grand boardwalk of the old Saltair resort, the boardwalk ran from the railroad spur out to the resort. It looks like rocks neatly lined up but is actually the salt encrusted wood pylons. It is hard to believe visiting the Lake today that there was ever anything this grand that ever existed out there.
In the photo it looks like the ground is all dried and cracked mud, but when we walked out here the top layer was dry and underneath was still muddy so it gave you the sensation of walking on thick foam rubber.

IN DEFENSE OF MINERVA 1888-1976

2009-05-27T09:37:00.020-06:00

"In heaven,
there will be red"

One of the most prolific painters in church history, was Minerva Teichert. She painted early pioneer life and western history she also did an entire series of work depicting Book of Mormon scenes but could interest no one in the church to purchase them. In the end she donated most of the series to BYU.
Minerva's work is very stylized and can be recognized long before you find her signature. Her work has appeared often in Church publications and as cover art for many books.
One of the crowning achievements of her life occurred at the age of 57, when she was called on a mission and with one assistant painted the murals for the world room in the Manti temple.
Minerva Kohlhepp was born in North Ogden, but grew up homestead farming in the vicinity of American Falls, Idaho. Her father encouraged her childhood sketching and she soon developed an "indomitable will to succeed and excel in the field of art." She taught school to raise enough money to go to Chicago for her art studies. When she had raised the money, her father would not let her go alone. It was arranged for her to be "set apart" as an LDS missionary so that she could travel with a church group.
She became the first known female artist to pursue her painting lessons with the specific and official blessings of the LDS hierarchy. When money ran low in Chicago, she put together a roping act for the New York stage. This is when she began her custom of wearing her distinctive head band. She became very good friends with her teacher, Robert Henri. He encouraged her to go home and "paint the Mormon story." And this is what she determined to do with her life. Here is an excerpt from her own autobiographical life sketch, written in 1947:

"I married my cowboy sweetheart, which was right. My first son was born while my husband was serving in France. I painted stage scenery to pay for his birth. I painted what I loved for the Pocatello Tabernacle "Not Alone", and got thirty-eight dollars for it. . . .For the next ten years I helped in the hay fields. My first three little boys grew up beside a haystack. . . .When the American Falls Dam went in I was the last white woman out of the Snake River Bottoms. . . .I spent most of the mornings for the next fifteen years in the milk house. The children must be educated, etc. I painted after they were tucked into bed at night.......

I must paint. It's a disease."

NEW TEMPLE

2009-05-26T15:41:00.006-06:00

Today I had the opportunity to visit the new Oquirrh Mountain temple. I went with my staff at work to inspect the fine art that is hanging throughout the temple. some will need to be redone before the open house but for the most part they are beautiful. One of the managing GA's did not like a particular artists work, so several of her paintings are being replaced.
If you went to the Draper open house so you think you don't need to see this one. Don't be mistaken, it is unique and beautiful, with gorgeous marble and wood work, cut glass and beautiful furnishings. Don't miss the chance to see this great work before it is dedicated.

Open House Reservations will be made available to the general public starting Monday, May 4, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. by contacting the reservation call center at 1-800-521-5105, 801-240-7645, or online at www.lds.org/reservations.

INDIAN ART OR ANCIENT GRAFFITI

2009-04-24T09:12:00.011-06:00

These days when a group of young men go out hunting, if things get boring they start shooting up road signs or tin cans or what ever else seems to be good sport.
Well in ancient times when the native Americans went out hunting they would gather in the shade of an over hanging cliff and practice their art. I have often wondered if they are really trying to tell story with their art or if it is just ancient graffiti by bored young men out for the hunt.
what ever it is, I find it fascinating and love to locate examples of this ancient art.
We found these great looking specimens in various locations within about a half mile of each other. They are located on a dirt road between the town of Thompson, Utah and the old ghost town of Sego, (see post "ghost towns" 4/23). The road is not to bad at all, we traveled it with our Hyundai Tucson while pulling our trailer.

GHOST TOWNS

2009-04-23T10:41:00.005-06:00

While on a road trip to Moab, Utah we decided to check out a ghost town that I had read about. The town of Sego, Utah was founded in 1911. It began as a coal mining operation, but almost as soon as it began the water table dropped and things soon went from bad to worse. By 1947 the town was nearly deserted and the whole town was sold at auction in Moab.
The stone building was the company store. the wooden structure that is about to fall was the boarding house. There are also several other stone buildings scattered about the site that are in various stages of collapse.
To get to Sego you take the Thompson exit that is just east of Crescent junction, on I-70. Sego is about 4 miles North of Thompson. Thompson itself is all but a ghost town. there are still a few people living there but all the business have closed. there is a deserted cafe, hotel, motel and a once used train station which is probably responsible for the town being there in the first place.

GEOCACHING

2009-04-15T11:02:00.010-06:00

For any of you that don't know, one of the things we do for fun is to go geocaching. It's a great way to get outside and get a little exercise and fresh air. And our grandchildren love it. Geocaching is an outdoor game that you play with a hand held gps. Other cacher's hide things then put the coordinates on a web site. Then you take the coordinates and go see if you can find where it is hidden.
Sarah was up visiting for the weekend so we decided to do some caching and even hide one of our own. We also placed our first "travel bug". A travel bug is a dog tag type piece that has a tracking number that can also be entered in the web site and then you can track the item as it moves around the country or even the world.
We attached our tag to a little white bear with a "I love Utah" sweater on, we are hoping that he will travel across the country to visit our son David and his wife in Tennessee.
If you want to see where "Utah" has been on his travels you can visit him at geocaching.com. his tracking number is 3BK8N3

IF YOU JUST SMILE!

2009-04-01T09:59:00.016-06:00

It should be spring but it is snowing. The economy is in the tanks, the stock market is diving, gas prices rising, and I'm still too fat......etc. etc. etc......SO SMILE ANYWAY!

Zane, Tessa, Aaron, Quinton, Sarah, Maddison, Matthew, Drake

SMILE

Smile though your heart is aching

Smile even though its breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, youll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
Youll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
Thats the time you must keep on trying
Smile, whats the use of crying?
Youll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

Charlie Chaplin

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

2009-03-17T13:57:00.010-06:00

March 20;
Today is the day I married my sweet heart 39 years ago.
We were married in the Salt Lake Temple for time and for all eternity
We have had good times and we have had bad times but we have always stuck it out together, knowing that there is a brighter future that awaits us.

We have 4 wonderful children and 8 of the best grandchildren in the world, and we hope more to come (grandchildren not children).

So happy anniversary Karen, and may we have many more years together as we set in our recliners together and watch the world go by. And everyone but us getting older, Because we are timeless and look just the same as we did 39 years ago.

I love you more than words can say. THANKS.

NO TAKERS

2009-03-17T08:52:00.006-06:00

I can't believe no one wants a free dinner!
Karen, try as she did, never got it. Now she is disqualified because she knows where it is.

So, a clue........or 2.
The picture was taken just off I-80 somewhere between the 2 Utah borders
At the base of the sign is a pile of cinder block that was once a gas station, and with the pile of block you will find assorted other garbage like; old mattresses, tree stumps, carpet, etc. because everybody knows "1big pile of garbage is better than 2 little piles".
So for any regular reader of this blog, that is not a total stranger, to identify where this photo was taken, wins dinner at the Rio Grande Cafe of course I get to go with you.
All you have to do is identify the freeway exit where this sign resides.

DIESEL OR NO DIESEL

2009-03-12T16:33:00.009-06:00

Does any body else have a case of spring fever. Utah is beautiful after a spring snow storm. It cleans the air and makes everything look fresh and clean. Today was one of those beautiful days. Not much going on at work so I took the afternoon and went to do a little geocaching. Just found one cache, but I can't tell you were it is. You have to guess that one.
So for any regular reader of this blog, that is not a total stranger, to identify where this photo was taken, wins dinner at the Rio Grande Cafe of course I get to go with you. The picture was taken on 3/12/09 and is within a 50 mile radius of Stansbury Park.
This is a test to see if anybody really is reading my blogs, ever!

NO FREE STUFF

2009-03-03T14:44:00.013-07:00

Nobody has free stuff anymore. Unless you count toothpicks at restaurants.
I remember going on long road trips as a kid and all the gas stations had "free" maps. They were printed and distributed by the gas companies as a way to get you to patronize their establishments. Some also had "free" popcorn and of course you did not need to get out of the car. there was an attendant to fill your car with gas, wash your windows, check your tires and oil. And all without being asked, it was called "service" which is why gas stations were known for years as service stations.
As a kid I used to walk to the service station that was close to our house and check out all the new maps. I had quite a collection of maps, for places I had never been or would never go. But hey they were free. It is probably guys like me that brought and end to the free maps. I still love maps and love to plan road trips that I might still never take. I love road trips. I even went by auto once from Chicago to Salt Lake City. Not by choice. I was in Chicago on 9/11 and it was the only way we had to get home 23 and 1/2 hours from downtown Chicago to the Salt Lake Airport.

OUR PRIVILEGED PLANET

2009-02-23T10:03:00.005-07:00

Last week Karen and I watched a documentary called "The Privileged Planet" I wasn't sure what to expect but it turned out to be very interesting and spiritually moving.
The documentary was put together by a couple of scientists that have examined our planets place in the universe. they embrace the concept of intelligent design and refute the theory of evolution, this intriguing video puts forth the premise that Earth was created not by a series of random events but by a "creative designer" who knew exactly what he was doing. Several proponents of intelligent design, including philosophers and scientists, share their views about this controversial theory and provide evidence that supports their premise.
It is very in depth look at all that had to take place in order for this planet to be habitable by life as we know it. they then point out that the planet is also in the perfect location in the solar system for us to discover and learn of the rest of the universe.
At the close of the video I almost expected one of them to bare testimony of the plan of salvation.

Not only has God provided for us a perfect place to live and be tested, but the perfect place to learn of His wonders. God wants us to understand His works that we can gain a greater testimony of His miracles, and His love for us.

Check out the video, it is available at Netflix.

BIG ROCK CANDY MOUNTAIN; FYI

2009-02-13T11:03:00.004-07:00

Driving down highway 89 in central Utah, you will pass the Big Rock Candy Mountain. Have you ever wondered what significance if any this place has to the old hobo balled of the same name?

Well the song was first recorded in 1928 by "Haywire Mac", and again in 1949 by Burl Ives, but it has been recorded by many artists throughout the world. It is probably best known today for its use in the soundtrack of the 2000 movie O Brother Where Art Thou? (One of my all time favorite movies).

Shortly after the release of the original recording in 1928, some local residents, as a joke, placed a sign at the base of a cluster of some brightly colored hills a short distance from Marysvale, Utah, naming it "Big Rock Candy Mountain". They also placed a sign next to a nearby stream proclaiming it "lemon Springs" The names stuck and the location is currently home to the Big Rock Candy Mountain Resort.

I remember as a kid stopping here when ever we went to southern Utah. We would by rock candy and there once was a sort of "zoo" there with foxes, coyotes and rattlesnakes.

LEHI'S DREAM OF THE TREE OF LIFE

2009-02-03T20:06:00.007-07:00

The youth of church have been challenged by the general Young Men and Young Women's presidents to read the Book of Mormon at least 5 minutes a day.

As a bishopric we have challenged the youth of our ward, along with their leaders, to read 6 and 1/2 minutes a day. Our goal is to read a total of 1,000 hours by the end of the year.

Accepting this challenge I have been trying to read the Book of Mormon each day.

Sunday night while doing my reading I happened to be reading Lehi's dream for perhaps the 99th time in my life. There was one passage that made a very strong impression on me as I read the story of the dream it was I Nephi 8:28

"And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed,

because of those that were scoffing at them;

and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost".

My heart bleeds for those who have tasted the fruit and then because of the influences of the world or peer pressure or the scoffing, become ashamed of the things they know to be true and fall away.

It is not enough to just taste of the fruit and then go about our lives. We have to hold tight to the rod. We have to continue to feast upon the word of God, every day for the rest of our lives.

I pray everyday for my family and for my ward members, that we might all remain strong, endure to the end and do all that we can do to build our testimonies and those of our families.

Today Karen and I took the day of and toured the new Draper temple. what a beautiful edifice that has been built and will soon be dedicated to the Lord. The new temple is filled with gorgeous art work and murals. beautiful furnishings and stain glass windows. Nothing is to good for the Lord's house.

CHANGE?

2009-01-22T09:40:00.006-07:00

So it's a new day, we have a new president who has promised to "fix" everything. If any fix comes at all I believe it will take years for us to feel any real effect over what happens in the next four years.
This picture was taken in 1937, and shows a group men and boys lined up, hoping to get some food. Look at their shoes and clothes. I think we would probably not find this level of poverty and hopelessness in our country today. With that, though, the buzzword of our day appears to be "Change". Its change we want, and, I fear, it is change that we are about to get. My word of caution is, be careful what you wish for.

thanks to http://old-photos.blogspot.com

STRAIGHT IS THE WAY

2009-01-02T10:19:00.002-07:00

Even if you think your on the right track. You better watch where you are going!!!

FAMILY CHRISTMAS PARTY

2008-12-22T16:54:00.004-07:00

Every year as part of our family Christmas party we do the annual exchange of "dweebie" gifts, there really just white elephants but years ago when Tracey was a kid he dubbed them "dweebies" and they have been that ever since.
This was my contribution this year the "joker baby", I had a vision about it on the way to work one day, stopped at DI and got a doll for $1.00, add a little paint and presto, Dweebie. It kind of creeped Drake out a bit when he saw it (Michelle was the recipient).
Of course we had the return of the fruit cake that has been back every year for about 4 years now.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2008-12-19T09:54:00.005-07:00

I LOVE CHRISTMAS

I love the crazy way Americans have made the simple miracle of the birth of our Savior into the most commercial enterprise in the history of earth. But we all love to do it.
I love that the simple tradition of giving gifts that represent the gifts that the kings brought as they visited the child, has grown into a monster that cannot be stopped even by recession.
I love the music of Christmas, those wonderful songs that we are only allowed to listen to for one monthe out of the year. Well except that some of the radio stations start just a little earlier each year. I was reminded of this in the wee hours of the morning on November 1st when my clock radio woke me up to the "sounds of the season"
I love that on Halloween we go door to door collecting candy and then at Christmas we go door to door and give it back. But be careful that you don't re-gift to the same people that gave it to you, they might recognize it.
I love decorating for Christmas with all sorts of junk and lights and nic nacs. we even have one decoration that I made the first year we were married and it still hangs in our home every year. It is a little worse for wear but still looks half good if not a little tacky. But I do not like putting lights on the house. I only do that for Karen.
I love the opportunity of being with family and enjoying grandchildren. It is so true that as you get older you begin to enjoy Christmas through the eyes of the young. It fills you with great joy and is so rewarding to see the little ones and how excited they are at everything about Christmas.
I love the way everyone tries to be just a little more kind at Christmas time, as we perhaps try to be just a little more like He who's birthday we celebrate.
So as we enter this last week before the big day I hope we can all take a moment or two, or three, or as many as we can scrape together, to remember what it is all about.

MESA PROJECT

2008-12-08T10:06:00.005-07:00

On top of trying to get tithing settlement going and busy Christmas schedule, I spent part of last week in the Mesa temple.
I went down with a couple of colleagues from work to get digital files of all the murals and original art that hangs in the temple. This is a project that my department has been working on for several years. We go into various temples during the time that they are closed for cleaning, set up our equipment and take high resolution shots for printing. Some of the murals, like the ones here have to be taken in pieces and then put together as one image using photoshop. These two murals were taken in 6 shots each with a Hassleblad camera (No real person could afford this camera)
While the boys are busy with the "big" camera I shot these with my phone. Very high tech quality I know.
It was a great experience and the spirit was there even if we were dodging plumbers that are redoing the sewer lines and jumping over carpet layers and painters. It is amazing the amount of work that can be done with the Lord's guidance , in a very short time. In this case the temple will be closed for two weeks, during which time they are completely replacing the sewer system, laying new carpet in all the main hallways and repainting and gold leafing many areas in the temple.

DRAKE'S TURN ON THE FRONTRUNNER

2008-11-17T20:40:00.005-07:00

Saturday was Drake's day with Grandma and Gramps. So he got his turn to go on the "big train" or 'Frontrunner" as some know it. We rode the train to Ogden and went to the train museum in the old Union station. Drake had a blast and talked about it all the way back home. Or at least that's what I think he was talking about, when he gets excited he has a rapid fire half sentence method of communication that is not entirely English.

PICTURE DAY AT THE GSL

2008-11-10T18:42:00.004-07:00

We had Tracey and Kristy's 5 kids for the weekend, what a riot (literally) but we had fun with all of them. On Saturday Jana wanted me to take some pictures of her family so they could use them for a Christmas card. So while Karen stayed home with Aaron and Matthew I took the older kids and met Jana at the Great Salt Lake. It is almost a garbage dump out there but it has some cool places to take pictures and they look better in pictures than the place does in reality. Here are a few examples of what we got.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

2008-10-31T08:47:00.004-06:00

What does that mean? "corn maze for blondes" Well just for the blondes reading this, let me explain how a corn maze works. So you take a huge field of corn and cut pathways with lots of turns and twists and it creates a maze,
if you follow the maze and make all the correct turns you make it to the middle of the maze or corn field.
This "corn maze for blondes" has no paths all you have to do is look out into the field and walk to the lone corn stock.
Now I know that there are still a few true blondes out there that look at this picture and say.........
Ahhhhhh, I don't get it?

TRAIN RIDE FOR AARON

2008-10-26T21:12:00.005-06:00

On Saturday it was Aaron's turn for a weekend with Gramps and Grandma. We got up early on Saturday and drove into Salt Lake, took the light rail to the train hub, were Aaron found some cool "Flintstone" luggage that was decorating the station plaza area. We then rode the Front Runner to Ogden. at the station in Ogden there is a Utah train museum that really made Aaron's day. Watching the trains run around the tracks and disapear into the wall gave him more than a few minutes of running time. Then it was back on the train for the one hour ride back to Salt Lake. We all had a good time and it was a long day.

THE 3 ?

2008-10-15T12:45:00.003-06:00

After serving as bishop for three years, our ward has been split again.
Dar is now in the new ward awaiting a call to serve (short rest).
"Q" was also released from the bishopric because the Lord wants him somewhere else.
I have come to love these two men as brothers, maybe more, after all I am not that close to my real brothers. Quinton and Dar have really made being a bishop a lot easier than it would have been otherwise. I never needed to actually delegate anything, because these two just did what needed to be done and I did not have to worry.
With new counselors in place as well as a new ward clerk we are now reorganizing the ward. Much work to do, but the Lord's hand is in it and the work is easy to bare.
My new counselors are; Chad Jarvis (was the ward clerk) and Rob Tripp (demoted from the YM presidency).
So I look forward to a few more years as bishop of one of the greatest wards in the church. Thanks to everyone.

HOT DOGS

2008-10-15T07:53:00.005-06:00

Do you ever get a craving for one of those crappy hot dogs from the wienerschnitzel? Even though Costco or Sam's Club has better dogs at a cheaper price. Sometimes there is nothing like a good hot dog to satisfy the carnivore in all of us.
This is the funniest commercial I have seen for a long time. But we will probably not be seeing it anytime soon on US Television.
This commercial alone makes me want to run down and get one of those wiener guys to put on the antennae of my car!!

COKE IS BACK

2008-10-11T09:48:00.003-06:00

After living in our home for 4 years now, the basement is finally at a point that I could bring out some of my Coke collection and put it on display.
I have some stuff that I had forgotten all about. Some that went to the DI and some that went back in boxes.
The wooden boxes that are attached to the wall are made of oak and I picked them up at a surplus sale at work for next to nothing, well actually it was nothing. they even had Plexiglas covers so all I had to do was ad the shelves to each one and fasten them to the wall.

THE OFFICE

2008-10-09T08:08:00.003-06:00

It's Thursday and time again for The Office.
Enough said.

THE BIG HOLE

2008-10-02T10:39:00.007-06:00

So across the street from my office is the major building project that will replace the old ZCMI and Crossroad malls. as well as some new construction on Social Hall Ave. Right now all it is, is a huge hole that goes about 5 stories underground.
Next week they will finish demolition of the Deseret Book building and the ZCMI food court. (no more down town eating)
If you want to see a pretty well done action rendering of what the project will look like when it is done here is the link: City Creek Conceptual Tour. the whole project is messing up down town generally but it will beat the heck out of the gateway when it is done.

GIVE ME A STRAW

2008-10-02T07:51:00.001-06:00

This is a major tragedy, if I came upon this mess on my way to work, I would have to get a straw out of the glove box, and take the day off.

KAREN'S BIRTHDAY

2008-09-25T11:29:00.002-06:00

Happy Birthday Karen.
So I did not post it on her birthday but that is because we were out. We took two days off work and left town. It was fun. we drove up Ogden canyon and then over to Bear Lake and down into Logan. We went to the Logan temple on Tuesday to witness the sealing of some kids in our ward, and then spent the night in Logan.
So Happy Birthday, to the best wife, mother and grandmother there is anywhere.

DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING

2008-09-10T13:37:00.003-06:00

I read an article today in a magazine about digital scrapbooking. So here is my first attempt.
I know I have a long way to go before it looks like a real scrapbook page, but it was fun and did not really take very long.

SUNSET ON THE GREAT SALT LAKE

2008-09-05T14:22:00.002-06:00

All the girls and Maddi all entered scrapbook pages in the State Fair and got all kinds of ribbons and accolades galore. I am so proud of all of them.
I was going to enter some photos but of course never go around to it. This one I took of Sarah last summer.

CAMPAIGNIN' TIME

2008-08-28T13:04:00.007-06:00

I know that the whole family is ferociously political so I knew you would love this one:
Time for some Campaignin'
And turn up your sound, you have to hear it......

I MISS THESE GUYS

2008-08-25T09:23:00.003-06:00

I really miss seeing these guys each week. It has been a long dry summer and even before that ,with the writers strike and all, it seems like it's been a long time.
FYI The new season starts on September 25.
and season 4 comes out on DVD on September 2

DANG

2008-08-21T09:41:00.003-06:00

Dang......... just after I finally decide on a new car, along comes something better. If I had only waited.

TREE HUGGER

2008-08-17T18:17:00.007-06:00

So now I am a true "tree hugger" we just bought a new car, and decided on a Honda Hybrid. So now I guess we join the ranks of the true environmentalist wakos.
Actually I just decided I would rather have a car payment again than to keep giving money to the big oil company's
So, happy day I have a new car.....

BLIND SERVICE PROJECT

2008-08-14T11:08:00.006-06:00

So this may be one of those "you had to be there" stories but last night when I was telling the family it sure did seem funny.
We have a blind guy in our neighborhood. At least he is legally blind, so he can see shadows etc.
Well one day last week he drove his riding lawn mower down the street and around the corner to mow the lawn of a single lady that needed help. Then when he finished he is driving back home and a policeman drives by and thinks, "hey that guy looks like he's blind" so said blind man gets pulled over on his lawnmower by the local cops and questioned about the sanity of driving around blind on a lawnmower. After all you could run over an animal and not even know it.
A couple of years ago I saw this same guy riding a bike down the street with his white cane setting across the handlebars of the bike.

JOSEPH SMITH CABIN

2008-08-11T22:13:00.002-06:00

I guess since everyone else is posting scrapbook stuff, then it is not to obnoxious of me to post some of my drawings.
This is a sketch I did of the Joseph Smith Sr. cabin in Palmyra New York. this is looking at the back side of the cabin, or the view that Joseph would have been seeing as he came out of the sacred grove after he had his first vision of the Father and Son.

LAUGHTER

2008-08-07T14:39:00.012-06:00

"LAUGHTER IS GOD'S HAND ON A TROUBLED WORLD"

So go ahead and laugh!

LITTLE GUY WITH A BIG HEART

2008-08-05T10:39:00.007-06:00

I can not pass up the need to blog a few words about this tough little guy.
3 weeks ago Zane (grandson) had open heart surgery. after one day in ICU and 2 days in a regular room, he came home. I am so thankful for his tough little spirit and for the faith and prayers that were offered in his behalf. He is not only better than new but doing great.
I have to recognize not only the authority of the priesthood that we have but the absolute power of faith. I believe that without the demonstration of faith from family and friends that the blessings of the priesthood cannot be fully realized.
So thanks to everyone who offered prayers of faith and hope for our little Zane.

SETTLING IN, sort of

2008-07-18T08:16:00.003-06:00

Well after being in my new location for a couple of weeks, things are feeling like they belong to me. One upside to my new office is that I actually have enough wall space to add a picture or 2. This one is the creation of the world by Walter Rane. He is one of my favorite LDS painters. So I now have one of his works hanging in my office.
On Wednesday I went and had a "procedure" done to help my Barret's esophagus, the purpose is to burn off any bad tissue so they will be replaced by good cells. I am not so sure it helped much, right now it hurts like the very flames of hell.
If you want to take a look at what they did check out: http://www.barrettsadvice.com/?p=34
this is a somewhat graphic video of someone else (not me) having the procedure

"REASSIGNED"

2008-07-11T09:30:00.003-06:00

After many years of working at the Printing Center, I have be "reassigned" to a new location. Still working for the Printing Division but my office is now on the 23rd floor of the COB. So that means no raise in pay, buy more gas, wear suits everyday and leave all the great employees and friends that I had at the Printing Center.
Now when I look out my windows instead of watching great people working I see people I don't know working.
It is much quieter here and I will make the best of it.
I am now managing the electronic prepress group, the Document Center and the office supply store.
Up sides? I have covered parking so I don't have to scrap snow or get into a blazing hot car.

MAKIN' MONEY ON THE DEAD

2008-04-14T09:04:00.003-06:00

While visiting Boston on business I took some time to walk the "freedom trail" visited the Old North Church of Paul Revere fame. Also saw the SS Constitution "Old Iron Sides" one of the first fighting ships in the US Navy.
Just down from the North Church I saw this cool grave yard. If you notice the head stones are 2 deep, sometimes 3.
Apparently the sexton of the cemetery was reselling grave sites of some of the old graves and then stashing the headstones in the basement of a nearby church. While renovating the church they found the headstones and have tried to restore them to their rightful places.

PROOF

2008-01-01T16:21:00.002-07:00

This post is to prove to someone that would not believe I liked this Christmas gift. I hung it up in our computer room (very prominent location) anyone coming in our house can see it.
Thanks a bunch for the gift and to everyone for a great Christmas

THANKFUL FOR MY BLESSINGS AT CHRISTMAS

2007-12-17T16:28:00.000-07:00

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep... you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace... you are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy.

If you woke up this morning with good health you are more fortunate than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle unfolding all around you, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation... you are ahead 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of persecution, harassment, arrest, torture, or death... you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If your parents are still alive and still married...you are very rare, even in the United States.

If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.

ELEPHANT STEW

2007-11-15T13:43:00.002-07:00

I found this great recipe I thought everyone would like.

Ingredients

1 Elephant
10 Warthog
100 lbs. tomatoes
half ton potatoes
10 lbs. salt
1 wheelbarrow onions (heaped)
10 quarts vinegar
20 quarts chutney
4 whole chickens

Hunt the elephant, warthog and chickens. Cut elephant into edible chunks, (will take about a month). Boil the warthog with other ingredients (except chickens) till nice and juicy. Now boil elephant chunks over high flames till tender. (will take about 4 weeks) and add everything together. Boil for another 5 to 7 days.

Serve over your favorite rice.

about 3,523 servings

Note: If extra guests arrive unexpectedly you can toss in a couple of rabbits, but be careful with this one because a lot of people do not like hare in their stew.

BE POSITIVE.....

2007-11-09T08:40:00.001-07:00

I need to blog something just so Creed's goofy face is not the first thing you see when you log on...

DON'T TRY TO CHEER ME UP. . . . . .
IT IS ONLY MY STRONG NEGATIVE ATTITUDE THAT KEEPS ME GOING!

Ashleigh Brilliant

CREED

2007-10-22T12:43:00.000-06:00

I think one of the funniest characters on the office is Creed. Maybe I relate to him because he thinks he is and old hippie. Well it turns out he is, and he just plays himself. His real name is Creed.

Creed Bratton first found fame more than 40 years ago as a member of the 1960s rock group The Grass Roots, known best for the hit "Midnight Confessions." While with the band, Creed had a reputation for mischief making, whether fishing for sharks from a Seattle hotel window, dropping acid on the stage of the legendary Fillmore Theater or regularly running in the nude alongside the band's tour bus, according to his official Web site, www.CreedBratton.com.

Creed Thoughts

"There’s been a lot of bad mojo going on at work lately because of computers. Some kid’s been coming around saying how he wants to replace everyone with robots and calculators and little pieces of fruit. The Bossman listens to him, too, even though the kid’s real scrawny and has a horse face. Don’t get me wrong, I like computers as much as the next Joe, but when they start messing with me, I’m not just going to sit there and take it. I’ve seen the movies. If you want to fight back against a machine, you’ve got to chuck it in acid.

Acid. Oh man. Just writing that word brings back some memories. Not really memories. Flashbacks. Scary ones. I get them all the time. The other day I turned on the TV and everyone on the screen was a caveman. Freaked my bean, man."

And what do we know about him so far?
1. Made love to lots of women outdoors in the mud & rain...possibly a guy could have slipped in.
2. Likes to steal things
3. Had his own radio show called Wacky Weed Creed (deleted scene)
4. Never owned a refrigerator
5. Only has 4 toes on one of his feet.
6. Likes to sprout mung beans on a damp paper towel. They smell like death.
7. Plays a mean electric guitar.
8. Thinks a big pile of crap on Michael's carpet smells like soup.
9. Was adopted by an asian couple.
10. Not only knows what weed looks like, but can name the type ("northern lights premium cannibus" or something like that)
11. Was in an iron lung as a child
12. Was in the band The Grass Roots.
13. Regifts old shirts for Christmas presents.
And much more to come...........

GEOCACHING

2007-10-15T11:27:00.002-06:00

A while back I got a small GPS device for the car, it made going on vacation a lot easier since my wife can not read a map to save her, so she makes a terrible navigator. I tried doing some geocaching with it but it would only work if the cache was close to a recognized road. So I splurged and bought a small handheld GPS. It has been kind of fun to go "caching". This past Saturday I took some of the grand kids out to introduce them to the world of geocaching. They had a blast and would get so excited each time we found one. And as you can see in the pictures, sometimes you discover things that you don't expect, like "there are actually cacti in the foothills above Stansbury Park". Next time the girls come up we are going to hide our own cache. Fun!

THE OFFICE

2007-10-03T10:09:00.001-06:00

Taken out of context this is not even funny, but I thought I would split a gut. Pam said:
"I saw where it ended, but I didn't see where it started."

CARTHAGE

2007-09-17T15:16:00.002-06:00

There is not much I can say that this picture does not tell.
On June 27 1844 the prophet Joseph Smith Jr and his brother Hyrum were killed in the upper room of the Carthage Jail, while awaiting trial.
This picture is taken through the bullet hole that is still in the door, and looks at the window that the prophet fell through as he was shot.
"He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people......and sealed his mission with his own blood" (D&C 135:3)

2007-09-13T10:53:00.003-06:00

I spent all this week in Chicago attending the Graph Expo print show. So why the pictures of Nauvoo? Well we arrived on Saturday and then drove 5 hours to Nauvoo, spent Saturday night there, went to church and then looked around Nauvoo for a couple of hours and then drove all the way back to Chicago.
It has been years since I was last in Nauvoo and things have changed a lot. Of course the biggest change is the reconstruction of the temple. What a thrill to see it in person. Across and in front of the temple is a statue of Joseph and Hyrum. The story is that when the two of them left to go to Carthage they stopped at the temple site for the last time and talked about the importance of the temple, and then they rode on to Carthage never to return.
I also found a great model for church meetings. We went to the sacrament meeting they hold for the Nauvoo missionaries. Sacrament meeting ONLY and each week they have a couple speak that is about to leave the mission. I told my colleagues "what could be better? Sacrament meeting only and every Sunday is a missionary farewell.

Grandsons

2007-09-07T10:40:00.001-06:00

So, someone complained that I have not made an entry for a while. So life is crazy.
"Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old."
How true, how true. We started life as grandparents almost 13 years ago. First with 3 beautiful granddaughters. Then I guess all the girl genes got used up, because the last 5 have been grandsons. The last two here (above) Matthew and Zane. I think you can tell who is the oldest of the two, yes?

Last weekend we had them all here for dinner on Saturday. I have said before that there is nothing I love more then spending time with family. Even though it is crazy at times with a house full, after they are gone I always feel a little more empty. Just to be able to set and hold a new born or talk with a four year old about trains, brings a great deal of joy to my life.

So keep 'em coming, at least some of you.

I REALLY HATE MY JOB!!!

2007-08-16T16:01:00.000-06:00

Today, I really hate my job!!
I wonder how much money those guys make that suck out the poop from the outhouse. It is starting to look like a job that would be very rewarding. A job that you really feel you are making a difference in the life of someone who needs to go.

YOUTH CONFERENCE

2007-08-06T09:40:00.000-06:00

Just got home, after spending three days with the greatest bunch of kids ever.
It was our ward's youth conference. Aug 2-4. We went to Emery county in central Utah
We arrived on Thursday afternoon, had a great meal of hamburgers and hot dogs. Thursday evening we took the group to the Castle Valley pageant, it was very well done and all the youth thought it was good.
On Friday we had a fantastic breakfast of pancakes, eggs, sausage etc.. We then had a series of activities: started with a marshmallow war (fun stuff) Karen thought it was the most fun of the whole conference. We then walked the youth out into the "wilderness" to give them a lesson on murmuring.
They all went to "Gillies" store and bought post cards to write their testimonies in, we are going to mail them all to our ward missionary. We then took the group to the city cemetery in Ferron, Utah. The young women's president has an ancestor that is buried there, he was one of the first to bring his family to the area and settle, she talked about our pioneer heritage and how important it is to appreciate what they did for us and for what they believed in.
We ate lunch at the park in Ferron and then spent the rest of the day at a small reservoir. The youth all loved the chance to relax and play in the water and the mud.
Friday evening we had a great meal of chicken and ribs, and then had a fireside with a speaker that had been one of Quinton Selin's youth leaders. We then had a testimony meeting and all but 2 of our youth took the opportunity to bare testimony of the gospel. It was so neat to hear from some that under "normal" circumstances would never do that kind of thing.
Saturday morning we cleaned up and headed home. We stopped at the city park in Price, Ut. and had pizza for lunch, again no complaints about the food

2007-07-30T15:26:00.002-06:00

The child
I used to be
is still very much alive,
somewhere
very deep inside me.....