Wednesday, September 15, 2010

When Will It End?

My patio and yard is completely covered again (4th time) with the empty pods from the cedar tree. I cannot believe there are any seeds left up there but the squirrels keep sending the waste down. Yesterday I saw a baby squirrel for the first time and he was darling, I must say. I wonder how many babies there are??

I sat outside with my binoculars for a long time and looked up into the tree.  I could not see any movement in the trees but just some split seed pods drifting down.  I did see some dense areas of the tree though and I guess that is the nest(s).  Surely they move into the wood pile for winter though, right?


These are still beautiful the 4th bloom around.  Marjorie and I both bought geraniums at the first of summer and then they froze one night.  I brought mine inside for awhile and then miraculously they came back to life.  Since then they have bloomed over and over all summer long.
 
It is a gorgeous day to day...When I walked in from getting Bandido groomed I noticed my bear still here and I thought about my bad memory again.  For two years I thought that someone had stolen the bear off my porch until last Christmas I found it at the bottom of one of my Christmas decoration boxes.  Such is the problem of old minds...

Hold Tight

Last night I started reading Harlan Coben's mystery "Hold Tight" at 6:30 pm.  I finished it at 12:30 pm, steady reading exceept for a bit of up and down letting Bandido in and out of the house several times.  It was about teen agers, the internet, pharm parties, unlawful prescription refills, suicide, murder, adultery, illness, mental retards, kidnap, spyware, gps use, etc, etc.  Oh, my goodness, he writes a great mystery about ordinary people getting into extraordinary trouble.  I am so glad I am not raising children in today's world.  There is too much you need to be aware of--things I have never thought about.

I also made whipped butter.  You can make a butter spread that will go twice as far by whipping in 1/2 cup ice water to every cube of butter.  I read again that instead of using the margarine spreads you should use butter because it is real food... so make a whipped spread.  It works!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Emma Ray McKay's Advice on Marriage (after 51 yrs of marriage)

"A husband wants to see a wife who has made herself as beautiful as she can, a woman who has poise and charm, who greets him lovingly and cheerfully, who studies his every mood, and can tell when he wants to talk and when he would like a complete rest.

"Peace in the home is really a woman's responsibility, and if she wants happiness, she must work for it--yes, and pay for it, too--by being at all times kind, self-sacrificing, ready to help, ready to serve, in fact loving to do anything the head of the house desires because his desires are also hers.  And she must always remember that wisdom is made up of two parts: nine-tenths silence and one-tenth brevity."

"...There are many qualifications that a woman should have to be a good wife and mother, but the most important is patience--patience with children's and husband's tempers, patience with their misunderstanding, with their desires, with their actions."

(In regards to a husband throwing a mattress out the window instead of carrying it dowstairs carefully so it won't be soiled)  "Will you rave and rant at him, call him a stupid creature who never does things right, or will you think. 'Oh, what's the use!  The thing is done.  Better make the best of it'?  Always the latter if you can make yourself be calm.  Even a slightly sarcastic remark will bring a disagreeable answer, and you'll wish you had not said a word."

"...A sure way to bring gloom is to show that your feelings are hurt.  You cannot live long with any human being and not have something come up at times to irritate you.  'Offense we must expect.  The question is what to do with it when it comes.  And although we cannot help being hurt, what we can help is showing that we are hurt."

Father said, "No man should ever tell a joke or make a comment at the expense of his wife.  He must be loyal to her above all else, if they are to have a happy and united relationship."

From Lawrence the son:

"In reading over these principles of human relationships as my mother wrote them, I can honestly say that I never observed either of my parents violate any of them in our home.  Theirs was a remarkably loving and appreciative relationship.

And it was romantic.  Mother always looked her best for Father.  Even when both were in their eighties and nineties, Mother was conscious of her grooming.  Whenever she was ill and confined to bed, she urged the nurse to "Hurry!' so that she could greet Father with her hair combed, her lipstick on, and her bed jacket pretty and fresh.

For Christmasses, wedding anniversaries, and birthdays, Father wrote Mother little love poems and she treasured them above any gift that he might buy her.  She had a special box of inlaid wood in which she kept these poems.  We still keep them in that box."

'The Art of Rearing Children Peacefully' by Emma Ray McKay

"...nearly every woman can be a mother, but not the right kind of mother.  The successful mother must plan, and arise early to carry the plan out.  If she does not, the meals are late, the dishes drag, the husband is cross, and the woman is flustered.  If she does not plan a week ahead, the meals are of a sameness and unappetizing.  If she doesn't plan three months ahead, the sewing is not done in time for school.  There is discontent and perhaps whining.  If she does not plan a year ahead, the gardening, the house-cleaning, and the education of the children are neglected."

"If the mother doesn't have obedience when the child is very young, two or three years of age, she is going to have much trouble as the chld gets older...."

"...In the early walking stage...a mother must be gentle, never scolding but helping him to learn pleasantly the many hundreds of new things, to him, in the world.  If she says, 'Don't do that,' every other minute, he will pay absolutely no attention to her.  It is useless to tell children not to do things unless at the same time you give them a suggestion of something they can do.  Instead of saying, 'Stop playing that drum, it is driving me crazy'. Try saying, 'How would you like to make a tower with these blocks?'  If he says 'No', try something else that you know he likes.  Keep him doing.  but if there is something that he must not touch or play with, and you tell him that he must not, and gently lead him away, be sure that you do not permit him to handle the article the next minute, or your desire will mean nothing to the child."

"The time baby starts to notice things is the time to start making him polite by thanking him for everything he gives you, by saying, 'Please' to him when you want something, by excusing yourself if you walk in front of him, or if you accidentally knock over his blocks."

"Treat all your children with equal affection." 

From Lawrence:

Mother was wise and thoughtful in her parenting and seldom had to change a rule because she never made them impulsively.  She considered motherhood her career, and she gave it the kind of intelligent consideration and planning that made her a wonderful success at it.  I can remember as a chld how I loved and respected my mother because she did not discuss my failings with the neighbors.  She certainly did not approve of the way some of the neighbors aired their children's weaknesses before us. 

She and Father were scrupulously honest with us.  Mother never tried to slip out of the house, she always explained where she was going and when she would be back.  Mother was never one to sit and fill the time with idle chatter.  If our work was done, she would sit down with us and propose, "Let's play a game!"  Mother and Father both enjoyed games.  I should also mention how supportive my parents were in what we did. 

As a result of their gentle, loving discipline, we children were never afraid of our parents or afraid of getting in trouble for trying new things.

More on McKay Discipline

Child Discipline by David O. and Emma Ray McKay as reported by their son Lawrence.

1--Expectations: It was very clear what we were expected to do and they themselves were so self-disciplined that we were never confused by seeing them behave in a way different from the way we were supposed to behave.

   Rule: Never give a child or an animal a command that you cannot immediately see is carried out. (A command was never given twice)

2--Love: Our parents' expectations provided the path for us to follow, and our love for them provided an irresistible motivation for us to walk that path.  We learned to love them because they first dearly loved each other and us.

Examples: Kicked a girl at school--When Father heard about it, he took me to girl's house for me to apologize.  He didn't scold me or nag me, just became part of the process of setting that embarrassing situation aright.

Scolding was not part of the repertoire of either parent.  Father just looked and we knew.  He never used any physical punishment but he had a firm rule: "Never repeat a clear command.  If you repeat it, the child will always wait for the repetition."  In a letter to his wife Father wrote:

 "There is a lively two-year-old boy here in the train, and a mother who is constantly, constantly, constantly saying, "Donald!" "Donald, don't do that!" "Donald, dear, come here!" etc., etc.  And Donald does "that" and Donald doesn't come here, and so another future American citizen gets his first lessons in disregard for law and order.  I am so glad I have a loving wife who is also a wise mother, and I love her because she is both and more."

Another example:  We were riding to Huntsville in the surrey.  Father was driving, Mother was in the front seat and Llewelyn and I were sitting on the rear seat.  I was not very old, and I was scuffling with Llewelyn.  This was dangerous, of course, because one of us could fall in front of the wheel.  Father quietly told me to stop.  I persisted.  Then Father let me out of the carriage.

I can still remember walking up the hill, seeing the team and surrey going along, getting farther away by the minute.  I was old enough to have walked the rest of the way and was certainly in no danger on the country roads of those times; but Father let me walk just far enough to comtemplate the lesson in sufficient leisure, then stopped and waited for me.  I was a much-chastened boy when I climbed back into the surrey.  There was no more teasing or quarreling.

Note: I think my mother must have read Mrs. McKay's booklet 'The Art of Rearing Children Peacefully' because she and Dad used this type of discipline.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

More Reading...

I read another Francine Rivers book called "The Scarlet Thread".  It was the story of two families--one a modern day girl and her marriage and one of her great grandmother and her trek along the Oregon Trail.  Actually their problems were very similar.  Francine Rivers is a Christian writer and I like the way some of her characters talk to God.  It reminds me of myself and the way I think.  Very enjoyable book.

Then I tried the first book about Rabbit by John Updike.  I thought it was very depressing.  I am not sure I will read anymore of the Rabbit series.  He is a very detailed writer but I didn't care much for the mundane characters he was writing about.  Maybe I am not cultured enough.

I also read another James Patterson book "Swimsuit".  Too gruesome.  I don't think I will read anymore of his graphic serial killer books anymore either.  Happy endings and uplifted thoughts is much better for my psyche.

I found a Jan Karon book "Light to Heaven" which I had never finished on my shelf so I am happy about that.  I love her books and have read all of them but that one.  She writes these books about the town of Mitford and the pastor and all the people he deals with.  Very interesting and joyful to read.

I also read the life of President David O McKay as written by his oldest son.  What a loving and beloved person he was but as his son says, he would have been that way in whatever kind of life he lived, whether a farmer, businessman or prophet.  He was just a remarkably spiritual person who had a distinguised career in the service of the Lord and a deep devotion for his family.

The love affair he had all of his life with his wife was one that set an example for everyone.  He wrote her beautiful poetry all of his life.  I remember her speaking at BYU on how to raise peaceful children.  Like my mother, she never raised her voice.  And her advise for how to treat a husband and he how to treat a wife are legend.

He told his son that the rule by which he governed his life was: "I never make a decision without asking myself, 'How will I explain this to the Savior when I meet him?'  He also said, "Love is the greatest and purest power in life, and I am thankful that it rules our home and reigns supreme in our hearts."  And of course he was the one that said, “No other success can compensate for failure in the home.”


Mountain Tales

I went over to admire the deck my neighbor has been repairing.  A tree had crushed part of his this winter.  I then proceeded to tell him I didn't see how I was going to stain my deck when the squirrels were dropping all their mess on my deck.  Actually it is on my deck and in the yard for about 25 feet around the tree.  It is a continual ping every second it seems.  Evidently they split the green seeds in two and take out the center and lick it and put it in their cheek to hide later.  Evidently their saliva makes a scent that will make it easy for them to find this winter.  These droppings have been going on for about a week now and as fast as I clean them up they are replaced by more.
I look up into the cedar and I can't see the squirrels.  An old nest was pushed out.  I learned that they bare their babies in the summer and they make clean nests to avoid having bad fungi to harm them.  Evidently they are very clean squirrels.  That is nice to know.  I don't remember ever having this much mess before though.  I can only think from the amount of food they are gathering and the number of holes around the yard that we are in for one long winter.

My neighbor then told me a tale of his own.  He said he and his wife were in bed one night when he felt something flying around their heads.  (He sleeps in the nude)  though what that had to do with the story I am not sure.  But he told his wife to lay very still and he got up and the bat began flying around his head and he walked down the stairs (can't you just picture that) and opened the door  and walked outside and the bat went outside with him and flew away.  I can only hope that never happens to me. 

I did have bats in my umbrella the second summer I was up here.  One flew out when I started to open it up.  I immediately called my friend's husband to come and get rid of them for me.  Although we had bats flying around the light posts at home in Montana and swooping down at our heads I never got used to them.  That is one reason I do not like walking in the evenings here.  The bats are swooping around.  My neighbor says I should have my grandson built a bat house to go along with my bird houses.  He said they eat the mosquitoes.  I have never seen enough mosquitoes to bother with that, thank you.

Sunday, September 05, 2010

Lady Antebelum and John Updike

There is a great concert of 'Lady Antebelum' I have saved on my TV--I love this group, especially their song "I Need You Now" and they are fun to watch

I have decided I am going to have to read more of John Updike.  The rumor is that he has never had an 'unpublished thought.'  If I want a few laughs I just have to bring up some of his quotes.  This is one I love.

Any decent kind of world, you wouldn't need all these rules.

And especially for us oldies:

Looking foolish does the spirit good. The need not to look foolish is one of youth’s many burdens; as we get older we are exempted from more and more, and float upward in our heedlessness, singing Gratia Dei sum quod sum. (By the Grace of God, I am what I am)

Labor Day Weekend

Church is always fun on holidays.  There are many visitors and today there were so many families with boys and so many of the boys bore their testimonies.  It was very inspiring and impressive.  One of the young boys reminded me so much of my John when he was about four or five.  He loved to get behind the microphone.   It brought tears to my eyes.

One of the men observed than when we were away from our families we always had our ward family and that is so true.  I don't always like to go to church alone but I am always glad to be there and be among 'family' once I get there.

Mona from Phoenix was visiting and she is like a breath of fresh air.  We surely miss her in the Branch.

This morning I listened to a great talk by Dallin Oaks on 'Timing' and how we try to plan our lives but "Life is what happens to us while we are making other plans" as John Lennon (I think) said.  Elder Oaks made the point that it is good to make plans but we should continually do our personal best in obedience and preparation and be ready for the Lord's timing, not necessarily ours, as it is impossible to know exactly what changes will come about in our life.  How true!  How many times have I had to reinvent myself and go with the flow and it does no good to stew about when is the right time to make another change.  I just need to keep my life in order and be ready.

I am in to another great mystery by Harlan Coben "The Woods".  I feel like I would like to know the main character and be a part of his solving the mystery.  Great book!  I really need to get busy on some of my projects--but "I'll think about it tomorrow" as Scarlett said...

Saturday, September 04, 2010

Great Grandson is Two Years in November!

Ryan Stewart
Look at this picture and then look at my Montana picture--quite a resemblance!

Twins are One Year Old!

Sage Fuqua
Happy Birthday Girls!
Raina Fuqua

Promises

Yes, I should be out staining my deck but I am enthralled by yet another new author (to me).  Carole had mentioned she liked Belva Plain so I checked out her "Promises" and Yes, I like her, too and will definitely read some more--not sure why I have overlooked her in the past.

This book was particularly interesting because it treated both the side of "the other woman" and the "wife who is left" by having two different scenarios going on at the same time.    In one situation the husband left a marriage and in the other the husband did not.

Some interesting observations in the book were:

Divorces are so much more complicated and take so much more planning than big weddings...

With the new divorce laws the husband usually ends up 40% financially better while the wife ends up about the same worse...

Over 50% of marriages end up in divorce...

Very few divorces are because the wife is unfaithful...

It is the children who are most affected for the worse...

Don't know how much any of these are true but it was an enlightening book and a 'must read' for anyone who wants to be the 'other woman' or a wife who thinks her husband could never be tempted.

Friday, September 03, 2010

Gas Leak

Yesterday I was watering early in the morning and it was very still.  I smelled gas.  I thought I had smelled it the night before but this time is was very strong.  I smelled both my neighbor's and my tank and was sure it was coming from mine.

I called in and they told me to turn the tank off (told me how) and then go outside.  Bandido was not in the mood for a walk but I dragged him for awhile anyway and then he was insistent to go back in.  Remembering the story that Myrna had told me about her friend's daughter being in a house in Jackson Hole that had exploded because of a propane gas leak I felt guilty finally letting him go back in the house.  I had my book to read but he was bored sitting in the dirt.

No problem, the house did not explode but there was a leak and the gas man fixed it and checked everything out.  Just in time, too, I barely had time to shower and dress to meet Jean, Mary Anne, Margaret, Sue, and Annette for lunch. 

I had the crispy chicken salad again which is very good and filling.  It is my big meal of the day.  Margaret was turning 85 but looks so much younger.  Where has all the time gone?  I can't believe how old we are.  It was fun chatting with everyone and then a quick trip to Holiday Market.  Saw Melissa's Ex-- Brendan, and he said Hi.

I do feel aged especially when I carried a watermelon up the stairs and didn't lift my foot high enough on the last step.  I fell with the watermelon taking the brunt of it and my shin the rest.  I feel so stupid when I trip.  I just have to hold on when going up and down stairs, that is evident, what a klutz.

Marjorie has an electric chair to wisk her up and down the stairs of her new home--what a great idea!

Maria called and told me about the big IZIGG party at Jimmy's house--which she later confirmed was a great success!!

Oh, yes, since Desperate Housewives is only once a day now, old Ali Mcbeal shows have taken over the other two hours of my TV excitement for the day.  What a life.  I would rather be working...

More Books

This week I also read a Mary Higgins Clark mystery which I had actually read before.  She is known as the "Queen of Suspense" and I always enjoy her mystery books especially by cd or tape on a long trip.  She writes a lot of books with esp powers in them but it always seems very realistic.  I like her books but it is always a fast read for me as I like to solve the mystery as quickly as possible.  She always manages to have a little romance in them, too.

Also this week I read a Nora Roberts book called Tribute because the heroine's movie star grandmother was named Janet Hardy.  I was remembering why I gave up Nora Roberts books and why I am not interested in reading more.

Her books are too much like a Harlequin romance books, not realistic, plus the women all seem to swear a lot.  Since I do not know women who swear a lot, it does not particularly appeal to me.   In reading about her I find she is "America's Favorite Author" and she has written over 200 books since starting in 1981 when she was at home with two young sons.  At that time Harlequin romances were being written mostly by British women and she was rejected as an author.  However, Silhouette came out  with a desire to be like Harlequin only with American authors and Nora Roberts was an instant hit.  If you wonder how anyone can write that many books, it is because she is very disciplined and writes 8 hours a day.  Stephen King thinks she is 'cool'.

Sounds like she lives in a wonderful place, though.  I did love Maryland when I was there after Hurricane Isabel.

For a quick, fun read that is not too realistic but has beautiful women, handsome men, torrid romance, mystery,  murder and such you might like her.  I think I will go back to reading other favorite authors myself.

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Gorgeous Day

It is another gorgeous day in paradise.  After doing my watering and cleaning I spent the next two hours reading on the deck.  The weather is sunny, no wind, under 70 degrees.  I really need to get to work on the lattice and deck, maybe tomorrow.

Read, Read, Read

My reading nonstop is continuing.  On Monday morning I finished my third book read this weekend:  Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers--there is a sequel coming out this fall.  Francine Rivers graduated from the University of Reno and lives in Northern California and is a Christian Author.  I like her writing very much and this book takes a teen ager at the turn of the century in Switzerland until she is a widow with all her children married.  Ms Rivers really brings her characters to life and writes without any extra words.  I look forward to reading more of her books.

Yesterday I picked up five more books from the library and for the fourth time this summer reread a book.  This one was "The Weight of Water" by Anita Shreve.  I see there was a movie made of it in 2001 though I am curious to know how they could possibly capture this book on screen.  I may have to rent the video just to see.  I really enthrall in Anita Shreve's books.  I have already finished it.  This has been a great summer of good books.  What a life!

Monday, August 30, 2010

Sun Tunnels and Secrets


My sister sent my niece's book for me to read and I started it at suppertime and read it straight through till I finished it.  I couldn't put it down!!  What an interesting book with all it's side story secrets and mysteries, romance, music, family relationships.  It was just a fun, fun read and very touching.

On "Good Reads" they give this synopsis:

On a trip to the Sun Tunnels in the Utah desert, Norma and her sisters find a body on the side of the road. But this awful discovery turns out to be the least of their problems. Norma's husband just passed on, and she learns he kept a secret from her for sixty years.

 LaRue is keeping a secret from Norma. The sisters' young friend Tony is keeping a secret about his famous father, and Tony's mother is keeping a secret of her own. Tony is secretly in love with his friend Kelli, who recently escaped from a polygamist cult. And who is the mysterious young car thief with whom Norma feels a special connection?

Everything converges in Grouse Creek at the Fourth of July celebration. Will secrets prove everyone's undoing?

Definitely a five star read!

Deer Maurauders

My gardens have all had devastation--it is my fault.  I have been neglectful of spraying with the deer deterrent spray.  You can never stop being watchful!!!  

Sunday, August 29, 2010

First Cozy Fire of Fall

Today when I came home from Church it was still in the 50's outside--it had rained a little and stayed cool for two days.  I used it as an excuse to start a cozy fire in the stove.  Loved it.  One of the accolades of living in the mountains.  Next week it will probably be up to the 80's again before fall really sets in but for today it was lovely to take a nap in front of a roaring fire.  "If you are lucky enough to live in the mountains, you are lucky enough."

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Every Last One


I was lucky on Friday when I snagged a recently donated book at the Chester library.  It was Anne Quindlen's newest book "Every Last One".  I just finished it.  Even though I only started it last night and spent most of the day in Reno I had to read every minute I had available until I finished it.  I love her writing and the way she taps in to my inner most feelings.  This is a the review that "Good Reads" gave and without giving away the plot, it should tempt you to read it also.  I warn you though, most libraries will have a waiting list--as I say I was lucky. 

"In this breathtaking and beautiful novel, the #1 New York Times bestselling author Anna Quindlen creates an unforgettable portrait of a mother, a father, a family, and the explosive, violent consequences of what seem like inconsequential actions.

 Mary Beth Latham is first and foremost a mother, whose three teenaged children come first, before her career as a landscape gardener, or even her life as the wife of a doctor. Caring for her family and preserving their everyday life is paramount. And so, when one of her sons, Max, becomes depressed, Mary Beth becomes focused on him, and is blindsided by a shocking act of violence.

What happens afterwards is a testament to the power of a woman’s love and determination, and to the invisible line of hope and healing that connects one human being with another. Ultimately, in the hands of Anna Quindlen’s mesmerizing prose, Every Last One is a novel about facing every last one of the the things we fear most, about finding ways to navigate a road we never intended to travel, to live a life we never dreamed we’d have to live but must be brave enough to try."

As for the trip to Reno, Mary Anne and I had a nice day at the Temple again and drove through lots of rain.  It smelled so fresh and made everything so green.  I was happy to see it rained in Lake Almanor, too.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Birthday Time

Tomorrow is Mary Anne's birthday so we met at Burger Depot for lunch. Margaret is on the left, Jean in the middle and Mary Anne on the right. These are some of the nicest ladies you would ever want to meet and I have known Mary Anne and Jean since I moved here in 1999 and Margaret came several years later. Our ages range from 85 to 58--I should have gotten myself in the picture. Happy Birthday, Mary Anne. Since Mary Anne is the youngest we let her drive us everywhere. Tomorrow we go to Reno to the Temple as we did last Friday as well.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

For the Birds



Some times it is hard to find anything important I do in a day but I do have one steady job and that is keeping the three bird baths filled with clean water. It is so dry right now. The birds like to bathe mostly in the late afternoon and the robins definitely take the most thorough baths.



 Maybe the smaller birds are afraid to get in but at least they use it for drinking all day long. Just previous to this blurry picture two birds were fighting over it and this one won.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Happy Birthday, Richard! 79 Years

After Richard passed away in November 1996, many memories were received in the way of cards, condolences and letters.  Today I will share some of the memories from our daughter Maria about working with her Dad.  She worked closely with him for many years in the business in many different areas.

"I started working for Dad at a very young age - or I should say he started having us work for him.  He often had jobs he needed done that were perfect ways for kids to make pocket money,  probably it all began with stuffing envelopes.  I can remember getting a penny a piece, and I got quite fast at it.  One of my favorite recollections is getting to go to work with Dad on a Saturday at Mansfied Mills, all by myself.  I must have been very young, maybe 6 or 7.  I can't remember what I did while I was at the office, but I remember the rest of the day very well.  We stopped at the gas station on the way to lunch, and I was so impressed with the fact that everyone knew Dad.  Some called him Dick, others called him Mr. Hardy but he was treated as though he was very important and he treated me as though I was very important, introducing me to everyone as his 'beautiful daughter'.  Then we went to John's Waffle Shop for lunch, where again, everyone knew him and again he introduced me as his 'beautiful daughter'.  After that day, I don't think I every looked at my Dad the same way again...

I started working at the La Mesa office on a regular basis in tenth grade - after I got my driver's license.  I can remember I didn't get paid very much, Dad didn't want to be accused of nepotism.  He would make up for the small salary in other ways as in allowing me to use his gas card.  And it was OK since he was always willing to give you a job, if you were willing to work where you were needed most.  I learned many of the different jobs that way.  Jones Mortgage was a bigger office, with several girls working in different parts of the loan processing - not like when he started Choice Mortgage where one person followed the whole loan.

I can remember when I was learning the beginning of processing private loans, one of the girls gave me some general instructions and then I went at it.  The girl who was training me flagged a lot of the areas in my package and then gave it back to me, it kind of depressed me that I did such a poor job.  Afterwards my Dad had walked by my desk and could see what was happening, he sat down next to me and told me a story about when he worked one summer for the forest service.  He helped clear fire hazards from the forest.  When he was being trained they would have the trainees go through and clear the hazards and then the trainers would follow them and attached red flags to the areas they missed and then make them do it over again.  He said he hated having the flags behind him and so got really good at it really fast.  He went on to explain this procedure in training me to process loans was the same principal.  Seeing the mistakes I made so obvious would help me to remember what needed to be done, and I would get better at it quickly.  He had this natural ability of making people feel really good about themselves, although I was his daughter, it certainly didn't apply to me exclusively.

My Dad was an excellent personnel manager - he might have missed his calling - he was amazing at making all the girls feel needed and encouraging them when things got difficult at the office, whether it was business related or employee related.  I can remember many times listening to him talk to different employees at their desks, mostly listening to their problem, giving them understanding and helping them to feel better, even at my young age, I was absolutely amazed at his patience, kindness and generosity of other's feelings.

Another time, I was in charge of a complete mailing.  My Dad was out of the office, and I wanted to impress him with my ability to get it completed and mailed off in record time.  I did, however, when he got back he realized that I missed one letter that was supposed to be inserted..it was the most important letter of the whole mailing and with out it, the mailing didn't even make sense.  I felt terrible, and there was nothing I could do to fix it..the mailing was already at the post office being processed.  Dad was so amazing..he knew how badly I felt, there was nothing he could have said to make me understand anymore had badly I failed..instead he told me that it was OK, he knew the best person for the job was the one who made a huge mistake..because they'd be the one to make sure it never happened again.  He hid his disappointment well, and left me feeling as though he had complete confidence in me.  I never did make that mistake again.

Maria wrote many other interesting experiences working with Dad which should be shared another day.  She finished her letter about Richard with these final words.

...Interestingly enough though, the worse things got, the more Dad read and shared his insights and testimony.  When I was having a difficult time with money and he felt badly that he had none to give, he had great wisdom to share instead.  he always stayed positive in his views and was a wonderful example of perseverance, integrity and courage.

My dad may have died penniless, but he was wealthy to me, wealthy in all the things that mattered.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Bread, Glorious Bread


This week I have been on a bread binge because Holiday Market now stocks UDI'S frozen products.  This includes gluten free bagels, chocolate muffins, cinnamon rolls, white bread and wheat bread.  The texture is the wheat texture I am accustomed to and not the dense, shreddy bread I have found in the past for gluten free products.

I had discovered the UDI'S products in Park City and you can order them online as well. The price online is about the same price as at Holiday Market which I find interesting.

I did order some flour so I can try some of my favorites and see if they taste the same.  I do find the products tend to have more sugar and fat--boo, that is the downside.  Especially since I am trying very hard to live a heart happy life as well as a digestion happy life, too. 

Oh, yes, I am now walking about 1 1/2 mile a day, that is progress!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Fall is in the Air

Seems early but it is already cool in the morning and evening and my front tree is turning into fall colors--so late spring and early fall this year.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

John's Birthday--50 Years, August 18th



This year I will share a few of the thoughts that John's friend Matt Recksieck wrote after John's death in April 2004:

 "...I knew John in several different contexts, but there was always a cool enthusiasm about him. He really loved his family. He showed pride over his brother and sisters like I think only a first born can--having seen each and everyone of them come home from the hospital as infants.

 I didn't meet John until a couple of weeks before his 13th birthday. I met and first knew him through surfing. Then school...then his home life...then through the forming of his own family. But it was always his passion and intellectual curiosity that drew me toward him. And like all friendships, it's hard to pin-point all the reasons why. To some surfing is simply a youthful outlet. In fact, I imagine that it is really boring for them--those not actually afflicted with the surfing disease--to listen to surfers talk about it. To me, however, one of the major afflictions associated with surfing is that it leads to a passion for style, self-discovery, and poetry. John Hardy was a surfer along with everything else he was. Surfing at its best leads to concentration in the moment. Poetry is nothing more than this. John was very good at picking up on this. It was something I admired about him. He blew my mind away at times. It's a love we shared. John's never ending quest to be inspired, stoked, or awed dominated his approach to life. He had the intelligence to be able to discipline himself in this regard. He also had the passion to be able to pull it off. John was a very successful poet...

John's brother Jimmy, at the memorial service, briefly mentioned John's first attempt to glass a surfboard in their backyard playroom shed. Jimmy made the comment that it wasn't very good by professional standards, but that the passion that was put into it was second to none. I concur, but there was another thing we use to laugh about in connection to this. John made a gesture of pointing out to us that there were parts of his glass job that were perfect. He took the thumb and forefinger of his hands, and joined them together to make a square. He placed the box created by his hands over a section of the glass job that was very clean, and said look, "perfection". This was an outlook of John's that I try to keep with me in my life perception today. There is perfection...you just have to look for it...you have to look away from peering directly at, that which isn't. Eventually things come into focus-even that which might not be perfect, can become perfect. This is the philosophical statement that epitomizes John's take on life to me.

At the memorial service, John's secret surf spot, Bathtub Rock, was mentioned several times. (I'll let out the secret completely out of the bag if you want to go: it's at the end of the beach trail of Torrey Pines State Park.) All John's surfing buddies knew it wasn't a very good surf spot, but did we believe it wasn't perfect: "no". John made it that way, and so we believed him. Feel free to go down there yourself (even if you don't surf...in fact, it's probably actually better if you don't). I think you can experience the place's beauty if you knew John. It's not the most beautiful stretch of beach you have ever seen either. But if you go down there and begin listening to the hype in John's voice 'concerting' (a verb I feel John could appreciate) the place, you may begin to believe yourself, that it is a beautiful secret spot--bordering on "perfection". That's the way John worked you into believing. There was no trick involved. It was only a treat to be experienced...

For what it's worth, John's memorial service truly was one of the first services I've ever been to where I believe that I celebrated a life more than I felt lousy at it."

Thanks Matt, for sharing so many beautiful thoughts about the John you knew. I will have to share more another time.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Hardys at Temple Square

The Hardys are evidently in Salt Lake City and sending great pictures by Iphone.  Thanks for remembering me, Hardy Family.

Great picture of James with sons Jimmy and Jacob.


Beautiful picture of Camber with Jacob, Lea, ?, Jimmy and Kelsi.

Galveston by Suzanne Morris

 The one upside to being alone is you can read as much as you want and no body cares. Read all night, read all day, no matter. I am always happy to find a new author. Usually I choose books to read by the author but I saw the thick book 'Galveston' on the shelf and couldn't resist. Glad I didn't. When I was in Galveston for a few months after Hurricane Katrina I was so curious about the city. Why wasn't it more prosperous than it was? This book, though a romantic novel, was also historically correct about Galveston at the turn of the century and I learned a lot about how Houston became the main port instead of Galveston and why.


Galveston Wall-wonder how it looks after last year's devastation.
It was a great book and now I know there are seven more of hers I can read, how great. I could visualize all the places she wrote about and how it might have looked in the late 1800's in Galveston. Great story, enjoyable reading with a little mystery.

Restored Victorian Home in Galveston-2005.
I also learned that my favorite Anita Shreve has another coming out this fall. She always has a little mystery in her books. I just read her first book 'Eden Close' for the second time. It wasn't intentional but when I discovered I had read it I couldn't stop reading it again, that is the kind of writer she is, hooks you in and you have to find out what is going to happen next. I marvel at these writers who have all these ideas in their mind. Interesting that both of these ladies started writing novels later in life--I guess you need a little life experience before you can write a really great novel.

Silver Gate, Yellowstone and Jackson Hole 2005

Steph asked us to add pictures to the Anderson Cabin Facebook page and it was then I
realized that the Silver Gate trip we took in 2005 were not in my published Blog book because I didn't start blogging until November 2005.  So here are some of the great pictures from that trip.
View from the Cabin window of the Amphitheater.
In Jackson Hole with Sarah, Linda and Tanner.






Beautiful view of the Amphitheater. Linda, Meagan, Mitch, Tanner and Sarah.
Mitch and Tanner try a little fishing.


Tanner in front of the Amphitheater.

Tanner, Linda, Mitch, Sarah, Meagan at the Canyon


Cafe where we eat our trout in Silvergate.

Waiting for Old Faithful.


It was a great trip!

Saturday, August 07, 2010

Twins Go Hiking in Montana

The twins Raina and Sage looked pretty bored with that exquisite scenery. Mom, Bethany, and Dad, Jon, look pretty happy with it all though.  Great pix!

Thursday, August 05, 2010

Childhelp

I was watching a true movie tonight. It was the founding of Childhelp 50 years ago.  Childhelp is especially for abused children.  They are taken from parents and raised in a rural type village with animals to love and caring teachers. Obviously it is a very affective organization but with child abuse being reported every 10 seconds there is no way they can save all the children.

I had to stop watching, I couldn't bear to watch the examples of parenting and abuse that they showed.  I only saw one instance of child abuse in my life when my neighbor took his belt to his daughter, but I never forgot that look on his face or the helpless look on her face.

When I see a child being yelled at or mistreated in a grocery store I walk over and stand nearby until they stop.  I remember when Johnny threw a tantrum in a grocery store and Richard just picked him up, yelling and screaming, and carried him out and walked with him till he settled down.  The cashier told me that was so refreshing instead of seeing the yelling at children she usually saw.  I am afraid I became impatient and yelled at the children, I am so sorry for that.  Richard only yelled once that I remember, when he was out of work and trying to do something in the little office he had set up in the playroom and the children were out of control.

Of course, the kind of abuse they were referring to in the movie was so much more than yelling.  It makes you sick to see defenseless children being so mistreated.  It appeared that so often the mother sides with the 'boyfriend' because she does not want to be alone and the child is not believed or taken care of.  So sad.

Johnny and Maria were both tantrum throwers and I did not know how to handle it well at all.  I've decided the most important classes they could give in high school are parenting, auto mechanics, meal planning and housekeeping, high finance (investing in stocks, etc) and money management instead of algebra and geometry and such,

I was one lucky child and so were my children, if you go to Childhelpusa.org and read the statistics you will know why I say that.

Sunday, August 01, 2010

Good News--Maybe.

Saturday I was called by SBA and told my request to switch over to a Customer Service Rep from a Loan Officer has been completed and as of Aug 15 I am a Customer Service Rep under the Sacramento Office.

The chances of getting called out are increased but who knows, I am no spring chicken and they know it, so we will see what happens.  Of course, Customer Service Reps travel, no staying in one place too long.  The good part is the dress standard is our blue SBA shirts and jackets with jeans and slacks, so easy packing!! 

Also today President Meyers was doing Temple Recommends and he wanted to know where I lived and he said that was in the heavy duty snow area.  I was telling him about my no door from my garage and he made me promise to call him in three weeks.  He said he was going to be in my area and he would come by and see what he could figure out for me.  He has his own construction company so if he can't figure it out, no one can.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Girls Camp

We had a very spiritual Sacrament Meeting today.  Three of the girls and a leader bore their testimonies about Girls Camp.  Makes me realize I really did miss something by not being able to participate in such things when I was in high school.

Anyway, beautiful girls and beautiful leader--and we are all the benefactors by having them in our small Branch. 

The Branch President told us his daughter was 11 when her mother died.  He said Girls Camp helped her to cement her resolve to marry in the Temple.   He said she had not been successful in meeting the one who could take her to the Temple but she waited, and waited and this year at age 25 (old by LDS standards) she met the one and seven weeks later became engaged and they are going through the Temple December 18th.

A visitor bore his testimony as to the fact he would probably not have met his wife if not for Girls Camp.  She was a visitor at one many years ago and was so impressed it led to her baptism and eventually he met and married her. 

Presient Meyers bore his testimony to the fact these leaders of the girls are prayerfully called and pore their hearts into providing a spiritual and enjoyable experience for the girls.  The girls had told us about the Devotional Hall which resembled a quiet cave far away from the present world.  The girls would go in there as a small group and talk and pray together.  President Meyers said it was actually transformed from a tool shed but appeared inside like a cave with a warm fire of light (christmas tree lights in tissue) which reflected light and warmth on the 'cave' wall.  The girls really were impressed with their lone time there with just the girls from their own branch or ward. 

Anyway very inspirational meetings as the girls testified of their love for one another and the Gospel.  Unify the youth and you unify a ward, that is for sure.

John Hardy Memorial Hike 2015

My Life So Far