Feeling a little nostalgic at the passing of 2007? For a whimsical look back not this year, but at the 50's, click on the link upper right. I can recall most all the things mentioned in the song. Burma Shave signs were usually in groups of six spaced along the road. I remember seeing them on trips to the family cabin in the Sierra Nevada mountains when I was a kid. They were edged out as highways became super highways and billboards crowded them out.

"If, as Herod, we fill our lives with things, and again with things; if we consider ourselves so unimportant that we must fill every moment of our lives with action, when will we have the time to make the long, slow journey across the desert as did the Magi? Or sit and watch the stars as did the shepherds? Or brood over the coming of the child as did Mary? For each one of us, there is a desert to travel. A star to discover. And a being within ourselves to bring to life."
----Author Unknown

Today I will focus on this amazing journey and the sacred star that I have committed to follow. May God bless us as we struggle to birth the best that is within. xox

These fashion photos appeared in the JC Penny catalogue about the time Cristie and I got married. Thankfully I was out of style then as much as I am now!

Happy Birthday Valerie!

Latest barrier to getting any work done in my office.

I returned from Tucson today and as my flight descended toward the SLC airport and I beheld the fresh coat of snow in the valley and on the mountains, my heart jumped. Mind you, I've spent the last two days in 70 degree sunny weather at a resort where the saguaro cactus surround, waving and reaching to the sky. A place to where many rush to escape winter's deathly tentacles. But for me, winter in the rockies is peaceful and cozy. It's essence of quiet beauty restores me. I was happy to return.

In downtown Tucson last night I stopped at a drug store to get some toothpaste. After making my purchase I came out of the store, and while walking to my rental car a guy approached me and asked me for my spare change. I quickly raised my hand in the halt position and told him grumpily that I had no spare change. I was telling the truth. In this plastic age, I'm mostly cashless. But I'm sure I could've found a way to help him somehow, without even much inconvenience to me. He told me in a most pleasant manner to have a nice evening after which I guiltily sulked the rest of the way to my car. As I was pulling out I looked to where he had been standing and I couldn't see him. The thought occurred that maybe he was one of the Three Nephites or some other heavenly tester who beamed away to report I had failed miserably....again. I dismissed the silly thought at about the same time he rounded the corner back into my view.

Nevertheless, I had failed. I resolved to slow down this holiday season, to look into the faces of strangers and try to be more like The Master. Again.

A few more pictures of Thanksgiving....


It was fun!

What would my life be like without radio? I got my first one for my 5th or 6th birthday (mine was exactly like the picture, except yellow) and I went to sleep to Lucky Lager Dance Time on KMPC in Los Angeles every night. They closed out the show at 9PM with "Dream, when you're feelin blue; Dream and they might come true." I'm sure my preference even today in having a radio playing by my bed all night can be traced to my childhood days of nightly broadcasting comfort. I've never been a good sleeper.

We moved to the house on Roscoe Blvd when I was eight and shortly thereafter I noticed Dance Time being displaced by some kind of game announced by a golden voiced guy with a strange accent (New York). The guy was Vin Scully and the team was the Los Angeles Dodgers who had just moved to the West Coast from Brooklyn. I became a Dodger fan gradually and reluctantly, irritated at first that my evening program had been preempted by the unfamiliar. Amazingly, Vinny still calls Dodger home games.

In my high school days I still listened to the radio every night. Bland dance tunes had long since been replaced by the Beatles, Beach Boys, The Animals and of course, The Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan. My brother Tom didn't mind so much going to sleep with the radio during this period. Occasionally we could find KSL on the dial, a Salt Lake City radio station and listen to one of the early all night talk show hosts, Herb Jepko. Tom would protest before he fell asleep when I tuned into Herb's Nitecap show, but I got a kick out listening to old folks calling in just to pass the lonely nighttime hours. I drew solace in knowing there were others not sleeping besides me.

Tom and I also occasionally listened to Wolfman Jack, who had his beginnings in Border Radio in the early 50's but by the time we listened to him he was probably broadcasting from Hollywood. When I hear tapes or imitations of the Wolfman, it immediately takes me back to those days. When Cristie and I were first married I think we saw the movie American Graffiti three times.

The Carter Family, country music pioneers, were also Border Radio regulars. See clips of them on You Tube for a real treat. They started out broadcasting at odd hours in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning from mega watt stations just across the Texas border with Mexico in the 1930's during the depression. It was before my time, but I have no doubt had I been alive I would've been a big fan.


With all that competes for our entertainment dollar, it's hard to think that radio was the only option for my grandparents as they were raising their families. I still remember watching my Grandpa Ed swinging at the air as he listened to Saturday night fights on his big console, a central piece of furniture in their living room. It was all they had then. I'd have a hard time living without it now.

Hi family! I just got home from Arizona and the highlight of my trip was definitely visiting the Mission Office and visiting with Joe's Mission President and his wife. Right when we got there Sister Bassett gave me a big hug and said Elder Carter was here just an hour ago. President and Sister Bassett were very complimentary of Joe, told me that he is quiet but get's the job done. We listened to a song that some of the elders sang in a fireside on Sunday sung to the melody of "Be still my soul" but called "I love the Lord". Afterwards Sister Bassett said Elder Carter sang in the group.

I loved being in the office and seeing Joe's picture up on the board with his companion. I am so thankful that he is serving. It was neat to be so close, yet so far :) Love you all.

Keep posting like this Jer- it makes it soo much easier for me to update my blog ;). (Thanks for letting me copy it). By the way I love the picture...now, where was I when all this was going on? I'm glad you stay on top of things!

Sam pulled Tater Tot's tooth last night. She was eager to have him do it! I don't think this girl feels much pain, or maybe she just ignores it when it comes. If so, she possesses a great life skill.

On Cristie's suggestion, we had a family prayer when Sam & Melissa and their kids were ready to leave. I asked Jack to offer it. He uttered a sweet, fervent prayer and was very serious about it. Last week at Johnny Nielsen's farewell, I watched young Ed, sitting in front of me singing the hymns without parental coaching (heck, he wasn't even sitting with his parents). I remember my grandmother being very interested in how the gospel was being accepted by her grandchildren. I see it in my mother, and now I too take great joy in watching my grandkids sing, speak, pray, and most of all accept the ordinances of the Priesthood.

November is the month we celebrate Veteran's Day, and it's the month of my Dad's birthday. My mother presented me with my Dad's masonic ring shortly after his death, and in his honor I wore it last November and have decided to wear it this year as well.

His service to our country all those years ago in WWII means more to me now than it did before, perhaps because he's gone, perhaps because I know better now how young 17 really is. I've watched several episodes of the Ken Burns series on The War on public television this fall. I have no way of knowing what kinds of battle experiences my Dad had because he didn't talk about it much. Even when we were little kids, infatuated with war and soldiers and guns, he didn't share much about his days in the Navy. My mother thinks it might have been because he was ashamed of much of what he did in the war.

Anyway, I'm proud my Dad served our great country in that awful war, and I wear his ring this month in his honor.

TRICK OR TREAT
Okay, I'm sure this layout is going to be messed up. someone help me figure this thing out!
It was lots of fun!

I hate that Doug and I are not in those pictures. What a great group! I thought about you all often and am glad you had a great time. I had a great weekend myself. A girl in the ward called me yesterday and invited me to go to an all day seminar called "Time out for Women". This is an event done by Deseret Book once a year and is kind of like a mini education week. Women come from all around. The speakers were awesome, Kenneth Cope was there to sing, and it ended with my favorite, Sheri Dew - she is awesome! It was so nice to be able to go and be inspired and lifted as well as make a new friend. I love you all and miss you SO much. I look forward to seeing Katie and Danny next week.

Sam dares Lizzie to eat sand.

It was too hot. It was too cold. There was too much downhill, and then too much uphill. It was too long, and many who went said one time was enough. Perhaps their perspective will change as time passes. The Subway is indeed one of the premier hikes in Utah. I loved being there, soaking in the incredible beauty and being assisted through some of the tougher obstacles. My favorite part of the hike is probably the first segment. It's downhill, not challenging, and I'm fresh, so I can better take in the beauty all around. Another favorite for me is the cascades (where we took the last pic). We've made it throught the narrows, we've frozen in the icy waters and the canyon has now opened up and we're in the warm sunshine. My least favorite? The hike out, of course.

I am missing my family tonight. Love you all.

wow, Melissa, you do check this blog regularly!

I added the slide show from my picassa (a free google photo app) web album. Very easy to do.

Wow, what great pictures!

How did you do that slide show thing? Very fancy!

CHRISTMAS 2007

Okay, okay, I know it's WAY early, but Katie mentioned drawing names while she was in town, so I thought I might as well.
I'm not good at the rotation thing, it seems that the same people are giving or getting repeatedly, so I went ahead and just drew names. Let me know if there are any repeats or any other changes that need to be made. Here goes;

SAM gives to VALERIE
MELISSA gives to LAUREL
ALISON gives to DANNY
DOUG gives to ED
KATIE gives to ELIZABETH
DANNY gives to JOE
ED gives to SAM
VALERIE gives to KATIE
LAUREL gives to DAVID
DAVID gives to MELISSA
JOE gives to DOUG
ELIZABETH gives to ALISON


That's it. I'll be sure to remind everyone around October or so... :)

We had such a fun visit in Salt Lake this past week. It sure went fast! As we were driving away Abby said, "That was the best week of my life." I enjoyed being a visitor and staying at home with the family. I was amazed at Mom's patience with all the noise and chaos at any given moment. I loved the late nights up visiting and the daily outings. Thanks Dad for the hikes, car rides, ice cream run and all the fun with the grandkids. Not only was it a break for the Mom's, but memories built these kids will always remember! I couldn't have gotten through that mouth surgery without all of your help - thanks for your hospitality! I love you all and will see you soon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOUG!

Jerry, thanks for resurrecting the blog with those beautiful scenes of summer. As I was reading, I was listening to the song "Swallow" by the Wailin' Jennys...totally fit the picture you illustrated.

Speaking of music, Sam surprised me with an ipod last week, and my childhood dream of turning my life into one big musical is coming true. :)


I have loved, loved, loved having Ali and Katie in town with their kids. I love going to Grammy's to see a house chock full of family, every one helping each other out. Little babies, mommies, cousins and grandparents. Pure joy. That is what life is about.

My great-great-great grandmother writes in her journal of cramming into their tiny cabin, mother, father, sisters and their husbands, children, each morning to pray as a family. She and her sister married very tall men, and they had to open the front door so her husband could fit into their house (his legs lay outside while the rest of him was inside).

I love summer time.

Since Ali has started her new blog, I thought it might be nice to get this one going again, so let me be the first to post.

We're looking forward to having Ali and Katie and their kids join us here tomorrow. It will be nice to get the kids together and I'm thinking the noise and activity around here will not only be tolerable but soothing in a strange sort of way.

A couple of current entries from my notebook might catch you up on my summer:

"I drove home through my neighborhood from coaching a softball game. It had been a hot day, over 100 degrees here in the valley. I saw a little girl slowly padding her scooter along a quiet side road. I saw a mother pushing her child in a front yard swing hanging from a tree. Neighbors enjoying the summer evening simply and unmolested. I was grateful for a peaceful summer."

And from yesterday...."I spotted a hawk on my walk today, cruising the updrafts above a sunbaked ridge. I've noticed a rabbit recently, running from bush to bush and perhaps the hawk has too. He glided well above me, free and perfect, unconcerned with the cars rushing on the freeway well within sight. Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."

melissa, thank you so much for bringing us up to speed as to ada's surgery and prognosis. it's been fun to watch her fly around with that little cast. nothing slows her down for long.

it's hard to believe that those twins are already six years old and Eli just had his six year old birthday yesterday. these little ones are growing up much too speedy for my liking.

my love to all of my dear hearts. xox

Ada's surgery Wed. went even better than I expected - as far as convenience goes ;) I was expecting to be there 2 days. We were able to go home the same day.

Here's the deal; she has hemiplegic cerebral palsy (which you already know) that affects her right side.

She walks on her right toes, and so the top half of her calf muscle is REALLY tight (so is here Achilles heel) making it impossible for her to go all the way flat on her foot without hyper extending her knee.

The surgery was basically a calf extension (I don't know ho they did it), but now her foot goes all the way to the ground. She will be in a cast for 4 weeks and then a splint after that for a little while, until we can get her weak muscles strengthened (with therapy). This will all hopefully improve her gait permanently, so that she can walk and run 'normally". This is important because she trips a lot and it affected her posture, (we've been worried about her developing scoliosis).

She was a fun little patient. Not ever nervous, always cheerful, and has hardly complained at all. The only time she started complaining was when her room mate (who had a much more severe procedure done) began crying and writhing in pain. Many people came to her aid with lotion, ice packs, back rubs and wheel chair rides. Ada observed all this very carefully and then, coincidentally, she suddenly and dramatically began undergoing more than she could bear. The theatrics were very convincing to the nurse. Soon Ada was gaily enjoying her own wheelchair ride and her pain control was promoted from just regular Motrin to the Lortab.

She's already walking around in her cast...so it looks like things are going well for her. I'm really excited and I hope this helps her out a lot.

Anyway, that's the update. Her cast is bright green with purple hearts on it. She loves it, and has been getting so much attention. It's kind of stealing the thunder from Jack and Ada's birthday today (she's getting loads of attention and get well gifts), which is noticeably bothering Jack.

....all that twirling for the camera reminds me of her Aunt Kate!

Ada at the Gait Analysis Lab, Shriner's Hospital 4/23/07.

She was an adorable little patient. They video taped her walking, running and doing all sorts of tricks. The only thing that made it difficult for the therapist was that Ada kept looking at herself in the monitor (she loved seeing herself on TV). She would smile, twirl and spin...finally they had to turn off the monitor for a minute so that they could get her to walk across the room away from the TV. (They turned it back on though and let her spin to her hearts content). They hooked her up with all sorts of high-tech gear. They could see which muscles were firing, when and for how long. Then they stuck all those balls on her and created a computer animation of her gait. It was all pretty amazing. They will do this again a year after her surgery.