Books - One of My Favorite Companions!

For as long as I can remember, I have loved to read. Some of my earliest recollections are running home from school with book order forms. Usually I had numerous books circled. Each time Mom would patiently explain that I could only get one or two. Some of those early books (price 35 cents) are still in my possession -- Little Witch, The Lemonade Trick, The Shy Stegosaurus of Cricket Creek, to name just a few. All favorites! One stands out in my memory: Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors. I loved that book! From an early age, the story of Joseph and his brothers has been one of my favorite scripture stories. Somewhere around age 8-9 Mom and Dad gave me my first Nancy Drew book for my birthday -- The Clue of the Whistling Bagpipes. I was already in love with Scotland and they probably thought this was the perfect mix of my two obsessions. :-) My copy was read so many times that Mom had to eventually tape the book together.

Eventually Mom introduced me to the library. Back in the olden days [translation: my childhood] the library was an old two story building across the street from the American Fork Tabernacle. There were two entrances: one in front that went upstairs to the grown-up books and a separate entrance in the back that went downstairs to the children's books. Inside was a connecting staircase. No electronics -- we actually had to have our return date ink-stamped in the back of our books by the librarian! The limit was 4 books but since I usually had those finished in a couple of days, Mom had a conference with the librarian, Miss Tracy, and convinced her to allow me to take as many as I could carry. Since I often walked to the library, what I could carry was a real consideration! Because reading became such a large part of my life, when my sister planned a series of humorous pictures involving our family, my picture included a large stack of books! (Note the "old" transistor radio sitting on top of the books!)

Although reading is a worthwhile pastime, Mom must have been blessed with infinite patience. If it was my turn to do the dishes, I first had to make a trip to the bathroom [translation: book hidden in the vanity]. If I was supposed to be clearing the table, I first needed to change my shoes [translation: book hidden in my closet]. Or if I was supposed to be cleaning the sink, I first needed to put something away in my room [translation: book stashed under my bed]. I soon discovered that our front room couch had a sloped back and if I crawled in behind it along the floor, I could lay behind the couch and read. Of course, my selective hearing kicked in and somehow I couldn't hear Mom calling my name. :-) When I developed a rash from leaning on my forearms on the nylon carpet, Mom couldnt figure out where it had come from! (Sorry, Mom!)

Over the years I've enjoyed a variety of books depending on where my current interests lie. You name it: mysteries, science fiction, historical fiction, spiritual, biographies, health, romance, etc. etc. etc. I have liked it all! Probably the biggest trial I've ever faced is that the only library in the small town where we now live is a bookmobile! (moan) It's like finding yourself in the desert with no water! Needless to say, I've become more creative in finding my reading material. And if you were to visit my home, you would still find a large and varied pile of books next to my bed! (I even own a library card from West Dunbartonshire in Scotland! That's sort of a long story!)

Time has not lessened my passion for the written word. There's one thing I know: Regardless of what we may have to face in life, it can only be better if we have a book near by! Happy reading to you all! :-)

Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are. – Mason Cooley

Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book. – Author Unknown

Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new after all. – Abraham Lincoln

To read a book for the first time is to make an acquaintance with a new friend; to read it for a second time is to meet an old one. – Chinese Saying

Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it. – P.J. O'Rourke

Just For Fun!

When you don’t know what you’re talking about, it’s hard to know when you’re finished!

Tommy Smothers

It is better to keep one’s mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and resolve all doubt.

Abraham Lincoln

Look At It Snow!

The storm of the year hit today and it’s been snowing continuously since this morning. Since the snow on our lawn had completely melted, all the snow out there now came from today's storm. All those earlier quotes about the beauty of snow lose their poetic impact when you’re trying to find the driveway. Since we have a very LARGE driveway (sometimes humorously referred to as a runway), this is definitely no small matter.

Ken arrived home from work at 3:30 today and together with Kevin was out there for three hours. I even joined them for part of the time and although we eventually found the driveway, it is still snowing so who knows what it will be like in the morning!

Kevin in the snowbank next to our driveway

So instead of poetry, today I'm going to leave you with one of my favorite cartoons. Here's hoping you all stay warm!

You Knew What I Was . . .

Today in Sacrament Meeting the speaker shared a story that I actually heard several years ago and it has always been a personal favorite of mine because it was so powerful.

Many years ago, Indian youths would go away in solitude to prepare for manhood. One such youth hiked into a beautiful valley. There he fasted, and on the third day he decided to test himself against the mountain. He put on his buffalo-hide shirt, threw his blanket over his shoulders, and set off to climb the peak.

When he reached the top, he could see forever, and his heart swelled with joy. Then he heard a rustle at his feet. Looking down, he saw a snake. Before he could move, the snake spoke: “I am about to die. It is too cold for me up here, and I am freezing. There is no food, and I am starving. Put me under your shirt and take me down to the valley.”

“Oh, no,” said the youth. “I know your kind. You are a rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you will bite me, and I will die.”

“Not so,” said the snake. “I will treat you differently. If you do this for me, you will be special. I will not harm you.”

The youth withstood for a while, but this was a very persuasive snake with beautiful markings. At last the youth tucked it under his shirt and carried it down to the valley. There he laid it gently on the grass. Suddenly, the snake coiled, rattled, and struck, biting him on the leg.

“But you promised—” cried the youth.

“You knew what I was when you picked me up,” said the snake as it slithered away.

You will always be warned when danger is near. The Lord cannot make your decisions for you, but he will always allow you to be aware of what is right when a decision or action is about to be made. Don’t allow yourself to ever believe that you are “different” in that you can participate in unrighteous activities—even just once—and not be hurt. Remember, “you knew what I was when you picked me up.”

Taken from a Fireside talk by Elder Robert B. Harbertson, Second Quorum of the Seventy / July 1989

Valentine Treat?

Today I found myself running into Walmart in order to get a watch battery and pick up a gallon of milk. I was not prepared for what I would see! The place was packed! Everywhere I looked were people picking up flowers, chocolate, balloons and/or cards. Every checkstand had a minimum of 10 people in line. After making it to the jewelry counter for my watch battery, I made the quick decision to return for the battery another day. There were easily 20 or more people gathered around looking for that special gift.

Waiting in line with my milk, I found myself glancing around at other shoppers. I love looking at people and I'm afraid I'm pretty nosy because I love to see what they're buying! I glanced at an older gentleman in the line next to me. He had the inevitable card in one hand but as I looked at the other I was shocked to see him holding two prominently labeled packages of Barbecued Pigs Ears! I don't know about the rest of you, but I think I'd rather have chocolate! :-)

The Paper War

In spite of my best efforts, I’m slowly being buried in paper!!! It never ceases to amaze me that in this supposed enlightened day of computers and paperless billing, we are each inundated with paper!

My mailbox is full no matter how hard I’ve tried to eliminate the never-ending supply of junk mail. How on earth do they find me! Every week brings an avalanche of new offers and catalogs from companies I’ve never heard of, all trying to convince me this is the LAST mailing if I do not order soon. IF ONLY THAT WERE TRUE!

If its not catalogs, its medical stuff! The other day I received two duplicates of forms in the mail that have already been sent twice by our insurance. And yesterday I signed 6 different forms at two different offices. Regardless of the nature of your appointment, you’ll be asked to sign a small mountain of papers – perhaps their privacy policy (that particular form is cutting down a small forest all by itself), or insurance billing, promises not to sue, etc. etc. etc.

The list is endless: receipts, bills, tax papers, statements, etc. – sometimes I’m positive a paper elf has gone through my house leaving paper stacks on every available flat surface! If the decor appealed to me, I could wallpaper our family room with papers in only a few weeks! :-)

I have an ongoing goal to find the top of my desk and I’m going to win that battle one day! The other day my sister, Linda, and I made a vow to each other that one way or another we would sort through all our papers. So, if you don’t hear from us again, come looking for us – and if you can’t find us, just check under the papers! :-)

NOTE: To "Opt-Out" [decline] offers of credit or insurance so they no longer come in the mail, you can follow this link to an official online site that connects to the three major credit bureaus. We have done this in the past at our old address and it worked great. It is definitely time for us to do it again at our new home!

May We Be Worthy

This last week Ken and I attended a special Relief Society dinner. It was wonderful to step away from all the hectic never-ending duties at home and enjoy good food and good company. As part of the evening, we were privileged to hear from a couple in our ward who serve in the Ogden Temple. Their remarks and testimony of the temple touched my heart.

They shared a special story of a man who attends the temple every Wednesday morning at 6:00 am. This is not surprising in and of itself, but this man is in the final stages of Lou Gerhig’s Disease. He is on a ventilator and comes in a special wheelchair because he no longer has the use of any muscles below his chin! His two brothers bring him that early so they can still make it to work on time. They tenderly attend to his physical needs, helping him dress and complete the temple session. In the words of this special man concerning his work for the dead, “It is the only thing that I can still do for someone else.”

What a testimony to what we could all accomplish if we, too, would dedicate ourselves to the work of the temple.

I love this quote by President Howard W. Hunter at a conference in 1994:

“Let us be a temple-attending and a temple loving people. Let us hasten to the temple as frequently as time and means and personal circumstances allow. Let us go not only for our kindred dead, but let us also go for the personal blessing of temple worship, for the sanctity and safety which is provided within those hallowed and consecrated walls. The temple is a place of beauty, it is a place of revelation, it is a place of peace. It is the House of the Lord. It is holy unto the Lord. It should be holy unto us.”

Yellowstone -- Brrrrr!

We've just returned from several wonderful days in Yellowstone National Park! Brrrrrr! But what fun! We had perfect traveling weather from Utah to Yellowstone, arriving on Thursday. We spent Friday traveling by Snowcat through the park with temperatures in the 20's but the sun was shining and there was no wind! We had a great guide that told us more about the park than either of us could possibly remember but it was fascinating. The park was beautiful and the day was perfect! We even were caught on the webcam at Old Faithful! (picture courtesy of Michael and his computer - the red letters say "Dad" and "Mom".)

Old Faithful

A snowflake is one of God's most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together! - Author unknown



In wilderness I sense the miracle of life, and behind it our scientific accomplishments fade to trivia. - Charles A. Lindbergh


Nature chose for a tool, not the earthquake or lightning to rend and split asunder, not the stormy torrent or eroding rain, but the tender snow--flowers noiselessly falling through unnumbered centuries. - John Muir


Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. - Rachel Carson.



When snow falls, nature listens. - Antoinette van Kleeff



I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order. - John Burroughs



Q - What do you call an old Grizzley Bear without any teeth?
A - A gummy bear!


Lots of love to you all!

Vacation: a period of travel and relaxation when you take twice the clothes and half the money you need.
Author unknown

Peace

My husband and I just returned from a wonderful winter trip to Yellowstone (more on that later!) This morning before leaving West Yellowstone to return home, we visited the West Yellowstone LDS Ward so that we could attend Sacrament Meeting. As we entered the church we could hear the organ playing the prelude music. I was instantly filled with peace and felt as if I were already home! I knew that no matter where I go, the truth of the gospel is the same everywhere! I couldn’t help but wonder if this was how it would be when someday I return to my Heavenly Father – that peaceful feeling that I am home!