Christmas List:
Sam gives to Ed
Melissa gives to Katie
Alison gives to Joe
Doug gives to Sam
Katie gives to Laurel
Danny gives to Melissa
Ed gives to Doug
Valerie gives to Danny
Laurel gives to David
David gives to Elizabeth
Joe gives to Valerie
Elizabeth gives to Alison

Happy Birthday dear Edward....Happy Birthday to You!

Took this shot today on my walk along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. I have enjoyed observing plant and animal life in all of the four seasons now along my walk, and fall is the most glorious. Along with it's brilliance, fall often brings to me a touch of sadness, but this year I've felt only a deep appreciation for it's beauty and for the natural cycle of life.

Two weeks ago I saw a tarantula cross the path not far from where I took this pic. I stopped and watched him deliberately make his way and then became concerned as he was heading for the road. I grabbed a stick and placed it in front of him, he climbed on it and I placed him on the other side of the path facing in another direction. He promptly whirled around and headed back the same way he had been before I intervened. I guessed I was interfering with his errand, so I left and looked for him on my return trip, but he had gone where he planned to go.

Knowing the Truth and Sacrificing for the Lord
---------------------------------------------------
"Our ancestors, along with many other faithful Saints, sacrificed
everything because of their testimonies and faith in Jesus Christ. They
knew that the gospel had been restored to the earth once more and that they
were led by a prophet of God. They knew that the Book of Mormon was true
and understood its message and witness. They knew that through the
restoration of priesthood keys, families could be sealed together for
eternity through holy priesthood ordinances available only in a temple.
They knew that temple work was the key to the salvation and exaltation of
the human family. They knew the importance of this work, and they were
willing to give all that they had in order to provide a house acceptable to
the Lord wherein this holy work could be performed. They sacrificed
everything so that past and future generations would have access to the
eternal blessings of the temple."

( Sister Elaine S. Dalton, "We Did This for You," Ensign, Nov. 2004, 89) Knowing the Truth and Sacrificing for the Lord
---------------------------------------------------

This past week I have been making a family tree on a wall in our home. My children's names are the trunk of this tree and then it branches out with their parents names, grand-parent's names etc. Under this tree I plan to have flowers popping up with the name of each grandchild. While writing many many names I have had to think...just how long has it been since someone has said your name out loud. And because you lived; so do I and those children I love so dearly. A whole lifetime has been reduced to a single name written in pencil on my wall. Who are you Mary Ann Price, Esther Stone or Charlotte Lousia Durham? You are more than just a name for me because the gospel has provided a way for us to be a forever family. You are a few of my great-great-great-great-great grandmothers and I thank you for your faithfulness, sacrifice, and courage.

Someday I too may be on the furthest branches of someone's family tree. A name and nothing more...but so much more than five generations from now will ever know about. That is until we meet again. Happy day and let's not only turn our hearts to our father's, but let's make a journal entry as well.

Warmest blessings, mom xox

Happy Birthday to Alison and Carter!

Ed, that sounds like sour grapes....you know Aesop's fable about the fox? In any case your post gives me the giggles.

Christmas List:

Sam gives to Ed

Melissa gives to Katie

Alison gives to Joe

Doug gives to Sam

Katie gives to Laurel

Danny gives to Melissa

Ed gives to Doug

Valerie gives to Danny

Laurel gives to David

David gives to Elizabeth

Joe gives to Valerie

Elizabeth gives to Alison

Google is probably the closest thing to a genuine crystal ball humanity has ever known. This week, I had an infection develop in my finger. I went to Google and did a simple search on "finger infections." Within twenty seconds, I knew I had a paronychia. I went to Google images to compare my own ailing finger to dozens of other sick fingers. In an instant, scores of infected digits stood in rank and file across my monitor, one of them in the process of a good lancing. After my eighth and ninth opinions from various Internet physicians, I decided I needed to see a living, breathing doctor to confirm the Internet's diagnosis.

The doctor said "paronychia" as though it was the first time I had ever heard it. I unintentionally acted unimpressed, and the doctor proceeded to give me a rundown of the etymology of the word "paronychia." Being a word guy, I was impressed. Neither of us was there to talk about words. The doc was there to lance, and though I did not know it yet, I was there to be lanced. The doctor described the procedure, and openly admitted that it would be unpleasant. A scalpel would be inserted between my fingernail and cuticle. The cut would run between .25 and .50 inches under the skin, and the pus would flow freely. Doc left to go get his scalpel, and I honestly contemplated escape. I had a flashback of grade school conversation where various methods of torture were discussed, well away from the recess lady's ears. As I recall it, bamboo shoots forced under one's fingernails ranked right up there with the mutilation of one's privates. When the doc returned, I looked away and he cut. It was a matter-of-fact procedure that yielded not one drop of pus. The doctor was visibly disappointed. I asked why, and he explained that the entire lancing had been unnecessary. He wrote me a prescription for an antibiotic and we parted ways.

Ethos is one of Aristotle's artistic proofs, and can be described as source credibility. Once again, the crystal ball was of great value. In the past it has saved me money, provided me with updated news and shown me images of things my happiness would eventually require. The information (logos) has been good as well. If Google says it, it must be so. Just today, I consulted the magic ball at the recommendation of a colleague. I did a simple search on the word "failure." True or not, I am confident that the search results would not fly in China. Somebody would be getting the bamboo treatment, or perhaps what kids imagine as being slightly worse.

Google could not tell me how to spend $200 billion to rebuild a city. I checked. I suppose there are some problems too big for the crystal ball. I heard on NPR that a guy in the TV will answer the $200 billion question tonight at seven.

S

Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day. ---Alma 37:37

When I first read the Book of Mormon I remember reading this verse and deciding that I wanted to committ it to memory. The idea of counseling with my Heavely Father sounded inviting rather than dictatorial. I am reminded that he is only interested in my best interest and will indeed watch over me in my sleep. And, when I wake up it's best if I see "the glass half full" and offer gratitude to Him.

As we read the Book of Mormon I wonder just what scripture will sing out to us and want to be memorized. Last night I read Mosiah 7:33---But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.

For the first time the idea struck me that He may not just be speaking of Limhi's people who were in bondage, but of what I am being held bondage by...an idea, attitude, pride, grudge, habit and so forth. The scriptures are teaching me and I feel to "let thy heart be full of thanks unto God."

Warmest blessings to you as the Book of Mormon blesses your life. Mom xox

AUGUST 2005

Picture coarse white sand, blue sky, clear blue icy cold lake, amazing stars at night, kids running and screaming going up and down the slide, Joe inching his way across the timbers of the beams in the ceiling of the main floor, yummy food prepared by the girls, french toast prepared by Doug, a swamped boat due to a sudden wind storm, grandma Loie laying on the hammock outside, the player piano banging out tunes both young and old, sunkissed faces, monopoly games five nights in a row, Claire fussing off and on, the kids with their Grammy gathered around the big circular table coloring in the coloring books, the boys fishing and playing golf, fireworks down by the water late at night, raspberry milkshakes, the neighbor's tractor pulling Doug's boat out of the water, the adults madly bailing buckets of water out of the boat near the shore line...boat listing to it's side...as waves keep spilling in more water than we can get out, Abby suggesting that we pray and Doug offering the simple prayer of faith that no less then calms the storm so that we can get the boat upright and floating. If you can conjure up these images in your mind you have a pretty good idea of what our week was like just two and a half hours north of here. I loved it. I'm glad to be home. There is no joy for me like spending time with family.

Cristie and I are in our second day of education week here at BYU. Right now I'm in what was one of my favorite hangouts when I was a student...the library. I don't mean to imply that I spent hours studying and researching here. I knew good places with soft chairs to sleep in and it was a quiet place to study or read for pleasure.

The library is a much different place from when we were students here. Computers all over the place, students working or e-mailing at them with earbuds connected to their iPods. Here on the second floor it's very quiet with the fall semester starting next week and the education week masses mostly up above on campus.

We attended some very educational and inspiring classes yesterday on the media, gospel topics and mental illness. One we selected was a bust...How to live out your later years with "zest." The guy was trying too hard to be entertaining, at least for us. In looking around the room, it appeared we were the only ones not entertained!

I love being on campus, especially this time of year. Most of the time I spent here was in the winter and spring months. The grounds are beautiful and well cared for, the scenery unmatched.

Looking forward to Bear Lake next week, but I'm savoring my time here at BYU.

And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeember, for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father.
--Enos 1:27

We are all moving through mortality on different timetables. I go though my day doing very ordinary things; laundry, gas in the car, make some granola, feed kids and birds...the list goes on and on. But every now and then I am reminded that even though my life is essentially made up of a string of ho-hum activities; I, like Enos, am bound to find a place of rest. I suppose what I am trying to say is that in spite of the ups and downs of my very ordinary life...in this mortal probation; I am thankful for the ride. I am mindful of the abundance found profusely in our lives and I choose to see the glass half full. So, today may we each be mindful of the soulful things that we can do that will help us "see his face with pleasure."
Warmest blessings to you, me xox

I must confess...I am sore after doing 20 pushups on Sunday. Guess I'm getting old!

Katie, Katie, you Beautiful Lady!

Happy Birthday Aunt Lady. I hope it is a fantastic day for you

It sure was nice to see you. I can't wait 'til Bear Lake!

"It would seem that something which means poverty, disorder and violence every single day should be avoided entirely, but the desire to beget children is a natural urge." - Phyllis Diller-

Happy Father's Day to all you Dads. You do great things for us. I'm so very thankful!

Melissa, I love to read whatever you write...another talent that you have dearie!
Jerry caught an early flight home and it's soooo nice to have him here. Sis has a friend over for the night and things are gradually winding down here. My roses have been fabulous this year. I just keep bringing them in and enjoying the color and fragrance.
Ed and Val are looking forward to the arrival of their little girl, but the doc wan't to induce and they are a little nervous about it. You know, the ol" "apple falls out of the tree when it's ripe." Say a little prayer for them as they need inspiration on this one.
I send you my love and highest regards. mom xoxol

If ever you wonder what your weaknesses are, just ask your kids.


In fact, most of the time you don't even need to ask. They will let you know.

Last Saturday the entire Sam Carter family ventured out to Costco (daring, I know). After paying for our groceries, we decided that we would stay for lunch. Sam and the kids had pizza, I opted for a diet coke (nothing sounded really appealing).

As we sat there eating, Eddie asked me why it was that I refused to buy "Sunny-D" for the kids. I explained that it is really just junk-food disguised as orange juice. I haughtily added that I don't like to spend money on junkfood.

Eddie looked at my cup, and then looked at me with a genuinely puzzled expression. "Well, you buy Coke for yourself and that's junkfood too."

What could I say? Sam laughed, and I just sat there with my TV face on, wondering how I didn't catch my own blatant hypocrisy. The boy was absolutely right. And I told him so.

I've decided to quit drinking soda. It's really not good for me anyway. I only bring this up, because my nature is to unscrupulously consume without limitation. (I'm really immature in most matters of self-discipline) and so, I'm asking for some support. Please hold me accountable. Ask me how it's going, and send me raised eyebrows as I'm about to order my drink at the restraunt. I know it's not that big of a deal. But it's that difficult for me to quit a silly little habit.

I don't think, in moderation, that it's bad. I haven't decided that soda is the drink of the devil or anything. I just reviewed my mental pros and cons list, and decided that it shouldn't be something that I need anymore.

On a slightly different subject:

I listened to a portion of an interview on the radio yesterday. It was an author (can't remember his name) discussing his book (can't remember the title). But it was a book about the Ten Commandments (the views of, in America or something) and sounded very interesting. I missed most of it, but towards the end of the interview, the author was asked what commandment was most difficult for him.

I thought it would be funny for him to answer "Thou shalt not kill" as a joke.

It actually was his answer! He explained that he had some history serving in the military. Spent some time in Bosnia, I think. How that experience has led to the struggle of that particular commandment because of having taken people's lives while seeing others desperate for their own, needing to resort to violence themselves.

He also suggested that the worship of idols, is ultimately just the worship of self. And that to worship God is the only way to not worship yourself. It was interesting to think about.

I haven't decided what my most difficult commandment is yet. Maybe I should ask Eddie, he's sure to know ;)

It was sure nice to see people writing. I love to read what you all have to say!

Happy Day.

GASP! Oh my heck! Imagine my shock to find out someone still remembers to write something here. Well, I'll just have to add my 2 cents...knowing just what it's worth.
We loved, loved, loved Chicago with Kate, Dan and the little boys. I'm with Liz...we just didn't spend enough time there with the boys. But, shop, walk, eat, shop, walk, stand, try-on, eat a little more, shop, look at, laugh, rush to beat the light, look at more stuff. Well, it's what girls love to do...not to mention "truth or dare."
The beat goes on here at home. Your dad is out of town for the whole week. We had telephone problems this morning, but they are now resolved. The disposal didn't work but I took an allen wrench to the blasted thing and it's humming along now. I had to buy some watermelon and gobble it down as soon as I got home. For whatever reason I have had a major hankering for watermelon.
Cold day and finally a blue sky. Life is good here for me. I just started reviewing "Preach My Gospel" and I am filled with the spirit everytime I open it up. What an amazing resourse for our family.
I love my family...write soon. mom xoxo

HAPPY 30 YEARS YOUNG SAM!

Our ward had a "country western" party last night, featuring homemade chili, cowboy and cowgirl outfits and line dancing. The activities committee had asked Cristie and I to sing a few songs, so we hastily practiced a few of our old standby's ("Blow up your TV", "I've Just Seen a Face", and "You Are My Sunshine") Saturday morning. While we were practicing, Melissa called and asked what we were doing that night. Sam and Melissa ended up going to the party with us, and as an afterthought, Sam and I drove back to his house to pick up his mandolin so he could provide some instrumentation to the songs.

His contribution was fabulous. He got an ovation after every lick and added a new dimension to those tired old songs. The ward didn't seem to mind our singing, but Sam was truly the hit of the evening.

We're going on the road!

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANNY!

Ed and I saw "Million Dollar Baby" last night. I found it to be a powerful, emotional film. While watching, I was not surprised that Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman won oscars for their performances.

It was very well acted, directed, written and shot. I certainly think it deserved an Academy Award for best picture. It was such a treat to see a movie where character was actually developed and the focus was on people and not on action, special effects or even plot. Parts of it were hard to watch.

Still thinking of my all time favorite movies, I think "Dead Poet's Society" deserves a spot in my top ten.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUREL!

She is in Arizona working with Kyle.

712-4887 for birthday greetings.

Anybody see coverage of the "Gates" in Central Park the last few weeks? Cristie and I saw a piece about them on a Sunday morning news show. As with most things in New York, they were very controversial; art or ego...and why the Hare Krishna orange? What think ye?

On the way to Sacramento today I read an editorial in Newsweek by Anna Quindlen in support of the overhangs of the walkways in Central Park. Her closing lines: "Our town has been a widow. For a few weeks she took off her weeds and put on a party dress."

Today my mother would be 70 years young! She loved to celebrate her birthday so drink a coke, eat a dessert, clean a bathroom, iron a shirt, or shoot a bird (wink..wink) in her honor....she was quite a gal.

If this has become a site "for healthy living", shouldn't we include posts on exercise, yoga, laughter, immunizations, seat belts, sanitation, good sleep habits and, perish the thought, beneficial medications, or is healthy living just eating raw stuff?

I've given this top ten all time favorite movies some thought. The movies I've listed below are in no particular order. I list them either because I found them most enjoyable, or they were influential in my life at the time, or both.

1. Dances With Wolves

2. Witness

3. Ben Hur

4. The Graduate

5. A Man Called Horse

6. Remains of the Day

7. A River Runs Through It

8. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

9. The Sting (could be bumped if I think more)

10. It's a Wonderful Life

I hesitate to write that I'm grateful for Eli's accident, but the last few days I was afraid this blog had degenerated into a raw food recipe site!

With tonight being a celebration of this year's best films I thought it would be fun if everyone posted their top ten favorties.

Not necessarily in order of significance...

1. Enchanted April

2. Manhatten Murder Mystery

3. The Fugitive

4. Widow's Peak

5. The Best Year's of our Lives (saw it as a child...it still moves me)

6. Charade or North by Northwest or Rear Window...something for sure by Alfred Hitchcock or is it Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart that I'm crazy for?

7. Runaway Jury

8. Peter Pan

9. You've Got Mail

10. A River Runs Through It

I reserve the right to change my mind and edit if you remind me of something I liked better ;-)

DID HE NEED STITCHES! and how did the little twerp do it? Laurel once OD'd on some medicine while I was gone and when I came home she was stumbling around the house....no one seemed to have noticed. Well, I called poison control and justice was served. Jerry was up all night long answering the phone and monitoring Laurel's progress. Oh, I'd say she was about seven years old.

Welcome once again to the world of parenting...it's the best!

CHALLENGE: Who can come up with the grossest sounding "smoothie" using only Superfoods (or whole foods)...Danny started with a pretty good one (though it would make a yummy salad).

Who can think of something completely unappetizing without using salmon as one of the ingredients?

Maybe we could collaberate our efforts, and "one-up" this Dr. Pratt. We'll call it;

"150 Super Food Smoothies: Live Forever and Never Chew Again"


All right folks, it's my bedtime.

GROSS! I will never eat blended salmon. I shudder at the thought.

Did someone say persimmon? I've been trying to sprout some persimmon seeds....I know it's a hopeless cause, but I just love persimmons! (even if they are only in the sidekick category).

Danny- tell me how your spinach, salmon and blueberry shake is. MMmmmm, will you add ice? Yogurt? :)

Before my smoothie maker broke, Sam would have a large smoothie made with berries, oranges, yogurt and usually a banana every morning. It was nice because you can get in 3-4 fruits before the morning is over!)

I occasionally add almonds to my smoothies, I bet walnuts would be great. One of my favorite smoothies (it's like dessert) is a banana, date, nut smoothie with water and ice.. (though dates aren't on the list) I love that nutty flavor. Flaxseed gives a nutty flavor to smoothies as well.

I hear adding spinach or other greens to fruit smoothies is really yummy. Cristie, I'm going to try your apple/green/lemon smoothie!



Thanks for the information Danny, very interesting.

Danny this is not only great food for thought, but wonderful food for the body! I too have been working on a super shake and have found many green blends to be quite delicious. Most recently apple, spinach or kale, slice of lemon with peel, a little water, and lots of ice. Another one has spinach, tomatoes, clove of garlic, celery and a little water. The WoW keeps me from eating that much flesh...and my energy has never been better.

Liz has reduced dairy consumption and has also reduced her need for asthma drugs.

Thanks for some sound advice and information.

Eddie received a "Scripture Scouts" cassette tape from a primary teacher a while ago. He likes to listen to it while driving...

The other day we listened to the tape on the way to school. As soon as Eddie hopped out of the car, I heard a little 3 year old voice say, "Mom, I want NPR." (Only he can't say his R's very well, so it sounded like "N-P-Aeye".

Leave it to Jack to pass up the sing a long tape and listen to the commentary on the President's State of the Union speech instead...

HA! What a crack up!

Last night when I was reading "The Great Divorce" by C.S. Lewis I was struck with an allegory that reminded me of how much I cling to my weaknesses.

There is a man carrying a red lizard on his shoulder and the lizard is always whispering in the man's ear. The man is truly annoyed with the lizard and I would say that 98% of him wants to be rid of it.

In due season the man is approached by an angel who offers to rid him of the lizard. In fact he has the power to kill it, but only with the man's permission. Now the man is reluctant...in a way he clings to the companionship of the lizard even though the little runt only means him harm. The angel tries to persuade the man to let him kill the beast, but the man is frightened..."I'd need to be in good health for the operation. Some other day, perhaps."
"There is no other day. All days are present now."
"Get back! You're burning me. How can I tell you to kill it? You'd kill me if you did."
"It is not so."
"Why, you're hurting me now."
"I never said it would't hurt you. I said it wouldn't kill you. This moment contains all moments."
"Why are you torturing me? You are jerring at me. How can I let you tear me to pieces? If you wanted to help me, why didn't you kill the damned thing without asking me--before I knew? It would be all over by now if you had."
"I cannot kill it against your will. It is imposible. Have I your permission?"

Well at this point the lizard starts to chatter to the man pleading for his life and promising to behave and how unnatural it would be to live without him. Again the angel asks for permission and at last the man relents. He screams in agony as the little reptile is twisted and then flung.

Well, to make a long story a little shorter. The man is physically and spiritually transformed. Not only that, but the creature that tormented him is indeed killed, but then becomes a silvery white stallion. "The new-made man turned and clapped the new horse's neck. It nosed his bright body. Horse and master breathed each into the other's nostrils." The man thanks the angel, mounts the horse and they gallop away towards their divine destiny.

"Do ye understand all this my Son?" said the Teacher.
"I don't know about all, Sir," said I. "Am I right in thinking the Lizard really turned into the Horse?"
"Aye. But it was killed first. Ye'll not forget that part of the story?"
"I'll try not to, Sir. But does it mean that everything--everything--that is in us can go on to the Mountains?"
"Nothing, not even the best and noblest, can go on as it now is. Nothing, not even what is lowest and most bestial, will not be raised again if it submits to death. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. Flesh and blood cannot come to the Mountains. Not because they are too rank, but because they are too weak. What is a Lizard compared with a stallion? Lust is a poor, weak, whimpering whispering thing compared with the richness and energy of desire which will arise when lust has been killed."

So, am I willing to lose the Lizard?

I want the "richness and energy of desire which will arise" if I will but lose the Lizard.



Seek not for riches but for wisdom; and, behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich. D&C 11

Kirby: Fearfully watching for signs
by Robert Kirby
Salt Lake Tribune columnist

The tsunami that struck the Indian Ocean last week killing an estimated 150,000 people is easily the greatest natural disaster to occur in our lifetimes.
   The event shocked even people who have seen a lot. Surveying the destruction, Secretary of State Colin Powell broke down and wept, saying, ''I've never seen anything like this.''
   Seeing something they've never seen before is giving some people the idea that it's a sign. For them, it can only mean that the Lord has his foot in the door of the long-awaited Second Coming.
   Without discounting the obvious anguish associated with the recent tsunami, let me be analytical enough to point out that this isn't the worst thing that has ever happened to the human race. It's only the worst thing in recent memory.
   Things like this are not necessarily signs that the Lord is coming to get us, but rather proof that life on this planet is a precarious existence.
   If this is a sign of the Second Coming, then it's been flashing for at least 2,000 years. An earlier ''sign'' was the A.D. 542 plague of Constantinople that killed 300,000 people in four months.
   Worse, there was the great earthquake that hit China on Jan. 23, 1556, killing 830,000 people outright and who knows   how many collaterally from disease, injury and starvation.
   That was an accident. In 1642, river dikes were deliberately broken by Chinese rebel forces battling the Ming Dynasty. The subsequent flood drowned 300,000 people in and around the city of Kaifeng.
   The Lord still hadn't shown up by 1727 when an earthquake flattened much of Tabriz, Iran, killing 75,000 people almost overnight. And since counting corpses was even less of an exact science back then than it is now, no one knows how many died in the outlying areas.
   Eight years later, a diphtheria epidemic swept through New England, killing an estimated 80 percent of all children under the age of 10.
   Closer to our time is the 1931 Yangtze River Flood that drowned immediately and starved or sickened to death soon thereafter approximately 3.7 million folks.
   War, particularly in the Middle East, is mentioned as a sign of the times. A bad one is going on right now, though I doubt it's a sign. You have to go further back in time to see that this area has always been a mess.
   Shortly before A.D. 1218, Genghis Khan solved his own Afghanistan problem by killing 1.6 million people in just six months. And he did it without smart bombs.
   I'm not saying that the Second Coming isn't coming - only that watching for it   doesn't make a lot of sense. Everyone on this planet is in the process of dying in some way.
   Second-hand smoke killed 50,000 Americans last year. But because it was stretched over a year, nobody is calling it a sign of the times.
   Instead of fearfully watching for signs that happen to other people, start paying attention to your own situation and take heart in the fact that you can do something about it. How we live is more important than how we die.
    ---
   Salt Lake Tribune columnist Robert Kirby welcomes mail at 143 S. Main St., Salt Lake City, UT 84111, or e-mail at rkirby@sltrib.com.  
   
   

Thanks for the chuckle!

And you in the bishopric yet! (that's the way my grandmother would say it to me).

If you ever want to undermine everything you are trying to become in life, go play ward basketball. I just lost every ounce of respect I have been working hard to build up over the last six months. No, I didn’t slam anybody into a fence, but I probably yelled with bulging eyes at the 215-pound rough boy that knocked me clean into the bleachers. Only four guys from our ward showed up. According to our rules, we don’t have to forfeit if we play four on five. They were five on the court, and seven deep. We were in dire trouble at the onset and I wanted to go home. If I had left, we would have automatically forfeited the game. I was trapped. Two minutes into the game, I go up for a rebound. Both hands on the ball, everything’s clean. Next thing I know, I’m hit in the face and flying backwards through the air. I land and slide along the floor with the 215-pounder. One of his giant, weight-bearing paws somehow winds up in my unoffending private quarters. Gasps and restrained laughter, no whistle.

In a desperate attempt to reclaim some dignity, I yelled “This has got to stop!” It was too late. All was lost. The worst part about it was the fact that I couldn’t leave. I leave, Haven ward forfeits, game over, poor sport. I suffered through four grueling quarters. Final score: Burton 53, Haven 25.

In five minutes, my head will be on my pillow. Perhaps sleep will dull the sting. Of course, all bets are off if I dream of heavy-handed gorillas.
S

I saw on my calendar that today is "Epiphany." Not knowing for sure what Epiphany is, I looked this up on a Christian web site:

"Epiphany is the climax of the Christmas Season and the Twelve Days of Christmas, which are counted from December 25th until January 5th. The day before Epiphany is the twelfth day of Christmas, and is sometimes called Twelfth Night, an occasion for feasting in some cultures. In some cultures, the baking of a special King's Cake is part of the festivities of Epiphany (a King's Cake is part of the observance of Mardi Gras in French Catholic culture of the Southern USA).

"In traditional Christian churches Christmas, as well as Easter, is celebrated as a period of time, a season of the church year, rather than just a day. The Season of Christmas begins with the First Sunday of Advent, marked by expectation and anticipation, and concludes with Epiphany, which looks ahead to the mission of the church to the world in light of the Nativity. The one or two Sundays between Christmas Day and Epiphany are sometimes called Christmastide. For many Protestant church traditions, the season of Epiphany extends from January 6th until Ash Wednesday, which begins the season of Lent leading to Easter. Depending on the timing of Easter, this includes from four to nine Sundays. Other traditions, especially the Roman Catholic tradition, observe Epiphany as a single day, with the Sundays following Epiphany counted as Ordinary Time. In some western traditions, the last Sunday of Epiphany is celebrated as Transfiguration Sunday."

The term epiphany means "to show" or "to make known" or even "to reveal." In Western churches, it remembers the coming of the wise men bringing gifts to visit the Christ child, who by so doing "reveal" Jesus to the world as Lord and King. In some Central and South American countries influenced by Catholic tradition, Three Kings’ Day, or the night before, is the time for opening Christmas presents. In some eastern churches, Epiphany or the Theophany commemorates Jesus’ baptism, with the visit of the Magi linked to Christmas. In some churches the day is celebrated as Christmas, with Epiphany/Theophany occurring on January 19th.

When's the party?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATHAN BRASHER!

Happy day dear family.