MONSTER MONTH IS HERE

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.

OLD, BUT NOT DEAD YET

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")

NO THANKS, JUST LOOKING

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.

POLITICALLY CORRECT HO, HO, HOOEY

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.

AMERICA - THANK HEAVEN

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.

INDIAN ART OR ANCIENT GRAFFITI

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.

NO FREE STUFF

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

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.

LEHI'S DREAM OF THE TREE OF LIFE

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.

STRAIGHT IS THE WAY

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

MERRY CHRISTMAS

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.