I hooted and howled as I pictured a sight that too was mine not so very long ago.

Sleep tight…

It’s another Friday night with my descendants. Could I possibly be any grumpier? My entire posterity is screaming and splashing in one bathtub, and Child Services would be here in an instant if they were aware of this example of mayhem and neglect.

As you probably know, Melissa is off book clubbing in Heber tonight. As ornery as I am, I’m glad she gets the chance to venture into the world of fresh air and nature. Regardless of how the weather turns out, it will be a whole different nature than she’s used to around here, though far less vivid.

It’s gonna be a short post. One’s entire future can stay penned in a single bathtub for only so long.

…don’t let the bedbugs bite!

S

I enjoyed the post, Sam. It is literature!

Several weeks ago, Melissa and I sat in the family room on a Sunday afternoon and had a discussion about our babysitters. For those of you that were present, you will recall that Melissa claimed that she picked up one babysitter, and drove another home. The explanation was simple. For their own convenience, they had switched while we were gone. The only problem with the whole idea was that I did not remember things the way Melissa did. I remembered Melissa picking Kyla up, and dropping Kyla off that night. As far as my memory had served, there had been no switch.

I was only slightly disturbed that my memory had been false. I had been both preoccupied and tired that night, and it was certainly possible that I was wrong. After all, she was willing to bet a million dollars, and we all know what a hefty sum that is. I was definitely ready to let it go.

Melissa was not. Fearing that she was truly losing her marbles, the question plagued her whenever she thought about it. After all, she had initiated two very different, detailed conversations designated for two very different people. There was one little piece of evidence that did not add up for her. How does someone get from Spanish Fork to 2320 South in twenty minutes? You’ll have to ask her for the details on that one.

Well, we had Kyla (and only Kyla) over to tend last weekend. We could have probably called Lizzy to tend, but we needed Kyla to set a few things straight. It turns out that Kyla was here the entire time on the night in question. Kyla softened it a bit, saying things like: “I’m pretty sure I was here the whole time, sister Carter” and “Sometimes people get our names mixed up.”

I would have been no more surprised if I had made the goof. I would like to casually point out that not a single person believed my version of the story that day. The jury opted to swallow a tale of switching babysitters and a journey from Spanish Fork just to take care of our relentless children. People really love a good story.

During the discussion, mom pointed out how unreliable eyewitnesses can be. That is the real lesson to be learned. No, Melissa is no less sane than any of us. As humans, most of us try to take comfort in what we know, when we really know far less than we suppose. History is colorfully painted with exquisite disasters and unforgettable misadventures fueled by misconceptions. Poor Gorge Custer could have probably told you all about misconception if he’d lived through his. As a side note, Comanche, one of Custer’s horses, was the only survivor of Little Big Horn. They found him “hiding” in a thicket with seven arrows sticking out of him. Exquisite disasters. . .

Sam

Speaking of "Lord of the Rings", a lady here at my meeting in San Francisco has a voice that reminds me of Gollum's. When I leaned over to a couple of friends my age to tell them, they didn't know what I was talking about. They've never seen or read "Lord of the Rings!"

Grandma Lois came through her surgery just fine. She had a small area of her small intestine that was inflamed, which they removed. Everything else checked out just fine. They planned for a two hour surgery, but finished up in about an hour.

Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes, via my cell phone, e-mail, and of course the blog! I'd rather be home with family of course, but you all have been so thoughtful, it's warmed my heart (as if it needed warming in this Arizona heat!).

We're staying at a brand new Marriott resort here out of Scottsdale called Desert Ridge. They've tried hard to blend it with the surrounding landscape which is nice. I took a walk tonight at sunset in the botanical garden. It is filled with native desert plants and even has small speakers along the walkway with relaxing, new age music softly playing. It was peaceful. The Saguaro cactus is native to the Sonoran Desert and was featured along my walk. It's the tall cactus that sometimes has arms. 20-30 feet tall is about average for an adult. They grow about an inch a year! To me, it has a mystical, almost spiritual quality to it. Learn more at: "www.desertusa.com/july96/du_saguaro.html".

I contemplated my many blessings as I walked, you all being right at the top of my list.

I love you and miss you all. I can already taste the cheesecake.

Happy Birthday to you! Hope you are having a wonderful birthday. Make sure you get some free cake (and a song) somewhere. I'm sure ready to party-hearty tomorrow!

I hope everyone has a fantastic day. It sure is a beautiful time of year.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART!

Last night I finished "Crow Lake", by Mary Lawson. I highly recommend the book to all. A wonderful, lyrical story of tragedy and loss, and finally, self discovery. I also enjoyed how the author used nature and a sense of place to tell her story. This is Lawson's first book and it's a wonderful debut. Get it and read it. I've given my copy to your mom.

Thank you for your fasting and prayers for Laurel. She and I had a nice chat last night after everyone left and I was impressed with how much she wants to change. She needs affirmation from all of us all of the time.

So, today is the first day of June and I can hardly recall where the last month went. Ed thanks for picking up Laurel and helping with her dumb bell ideas. I need all of the support I can get. How would you like to feel lost, sad and tired? Well, I plan to change all of that today...I really need a Sunday. I love you all. me

It's good to be home. I hear from Cristie that Isaac wasn't all that ready for the shark!

Over dinner one night on my Arkansas fishing trip, one of the Merck guys from Mississippi said in response to some dumb thing my friend from Illinois did, "And to think the South lost the war!" You know, these southern boys still have a chip on their shoulders about the civil war! They honestly think the world would be a better place had the south prevailed. I've read it before, but witnessed it first hand for the first time.

Happy Birthday Melissa. Boy, are we glad Sam married you!

Ed, do you ever blog?

I make an awful confession here. I bait fished all day today. I caught over 40 trout, all on power bait and corn! It was horrible! To make matters worse, the guide made all kinds of jokes about fly fishermen all day long. Not exactly my preferred method of trout fishing. When in Rome.......

I got many silent chuckles today. According to the guides, Northern Arkansas is the "poah paht o' the state." It appears that the first thing neglected by poor folk is their teeth! Lots of gaps and weird colors in these here smiles.

I missed my family all day today. Fishing with my boys is a lot more fun than fishing with these guys....in fact, there's no comparison. I miss my sweetheart's smile and laugh. We saw some beautiful country, but it's not the mountain West. But, I took Cristie's suggestion; I got a good laugh when Fred got a speeding ticket right in front of me.

I was sorry to read about George being so alone. I'm hoping (and praying) that he finds peace and comfort from the true source of peace.

I love you all.

Time marches on but seems soooo slow for my dad. I drove out unexpected last night and Liz and I found him crying and reading "Oh My Father" from the hymn book. His second week at church last week...two in a row...I'm not sure what to make of that, but I hope he feels peace and comfort from attending. He was pleased to see us and escorted me from closet to closet urging me to collect any old clothes that belong to me. I took home a parka that he bought for mother while she visited him in Montana...he seemed pleased for me to take it. We ran out of things to talk about, he was quiet, I asked if he wanted to go for a walk but he told me he had been walking behind a lawn mower all day...too hot for him...too hot for all of us. He turned on his air conditioning for the first time yesterday. He is lonely for his heartbeat. I ache for him and feel blessed for my life of love and children. Only an orange peel in the trash; I doubt he's eating much. As Liz and I drive away, the shadows are long and he is waving on the porch walking back into a dark house.

Jerry, I miss you. I am so happy that you can be in such a beautiful part of the country doing what you know and love so well. I hope you get some good laughs from you friends. We are anxious for your return.

Laurel is off to court today. I hope the outcome is positive. My allergies are in full swing and I think the Allegra is knocking my energy down a few notches...maybe. I love you all. ccc

I'm in Northern Arkansas this evening, just below the Missouri border about to begin a two day fishing trip with some guys at work. I'm very homesick for my sweetheart tonight.

The drive up here was very interesting. As I've already written, I've never been to this part of the country before. It's pretty, rural, very green with rolling hills. It's much like the country around the Brasher lodge in Missouri, but with even more trees. We stopped at a store in one of the towns for some fishing stuff and I noticed there were no blacks in the store. Northern AR, I'm told, is almost all white folk.

I listened to talk radio as I drove, and was entertained by the host's comments about all the junk coming out of Hollywood. He said "people on the East and West coasts just think we're just 'fly over' country. They have no idea, nor do they care what we think in the heartland." Later, I heard a commercial about a "Christian HMO". Send in a monthly fee and if you get sick, payments will be sent to you in behalf of all the other Christians who send in fees. Plus you'll get cards and letters from other Christians all over the country wishing you well. Never heard of anything like that before. I was also surprised at how many Christian talk shows were on the air (along with Rush Limbaugh and Paul Harvey).

I love you all.

Greetings to all from Little Rock Arkansas. Interesting place. I had a connection through Dallas yesterday, and as we flew over neighborhoods in the suburbs, they looked much like our neighborhood in Denver; big houses, all much alike, organized tracts, everything you'd expect. As we flew over suburbs here in AR, it was a much different view. Few organized developments, and the ones that were had smaller, simpler homes. Less maincured yards. A few junked cars, deteriorating outbuildings. I had the feeling that I was descending more into the real south. The confederate flag flies in front of my hotel.

Pray for Laurel. She needs divine help if she's to succeed in pulling away from old friends where she feels accepted and finds new ones that are a better influence on her. This time she's really trying. Pray that she'll be guided and given strength. Fast Sunday is next Sunday. I suggest we all fast for her.

I love you all.

That was fun yesterday! Thanks Elizabeth for watching all of our kids. You really are a BIG help!
Hope everyone is having a fantastic day!

I loved going to the movies with you yesterday! It felt good to laugh. Our trip to Farmington was uneventful and mom's grave looked as if she had plenty of visitors. We went over to the Steed's which seemed to be a meeting place for all. It was good to touch bases and eat some of their tasty leftovers. The little girls worked out a dance on the lawn for us and it sure reminded me of the days when Katie and Alison were putting on the shows. Your little ones are growing up so fast...it is a real joy to see what wonderful parents you are. Anyway, the beat goes on. Liz, thanks for making the weekend so much fun for all of us :-)