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.

Is that a Red Bull she's downing? Ah, she's her daddy's girl...

Cute picture. She is so much fun.

2006

CHRISTMAS LIST

Sam gives to Katie

Melissa gives to Joe

Alison gives to Sam

Doug gives to Laurel

Katie gives to Melissa

Danny gives to Doug

Ed gives to Danny

Valerie gives to David

Laurel gives to Elizabeth

David gives to Valerie

Joe gives to Alison

Elizabeth gives to Ed

I know it's plenty early... Just let me know if there are any repeats, or if you've been going back and forth with the same two people. I can switch things up a bit if needed.

M

adorable!

The first day of school was so full of promise...or was it dread? :-) xox

First day of school for the kids. Jack can't wait.

awwww, not only have you been a wonderful son, but an outstanding brother with a great sense of humor.
I do love you. me xox

It's all true...every word of it.

Ha! That girl is so much fun. Great picture!

whaddya mean nobody reads this blog, Ed? How'd you get on here anyway?

That Claire is adorable! Fun to see such a happy sweet face. xox

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.

The Pelikan 800 was my Christmas gift from Cristie. Medium nib, sapphire blue body. Sure wish you could have seen it when you were here, Nate. A true writer's pen!

Merry Christmas to all.

Well it's Christmas Eve, and I have about 1,496 things to do to get ready. So what do I do? I start fishing around the Blogger site, looking at what other people have to say...

Actually, I'm here becasue I just spent 45 minutes plunging my kitchen sink. It's maddening I tell you. Plunge one side, the other side fills up. Plunge the other side and my dishwasher fills up. Liquid Plummer foam everywhere. Finally I got Sam to come over and plunge one side while I plugged the other side (and just immediately after draining the dishwasher). It seems to have worked. For now, anyway. I'm sure the extensive damage will reveal itself sometime next week. So Lois, no Bratzeli's this year. I'm too pooped.

After that fiasco, I decided to make myself a snack. Cristie's raw diet has rubbed off on me a little and I've been trying to consume more fruits and veggies. I bought a persimmon at the store. They are YUMMY, but I harldy buy them because their about the size of a tomato and can cost 1-2 $ a piece. This was acutally my second time eating one. So I sliced it, put it on a plate and took a bite. The most amazing thing happened to me! As I was chewing, My mouth filled up with cotton! The more I chewed, the more cotton I had in my mouth! The sensation was so real to me, that I ran to the mirror to see what was happening. After receiving no occular validation, I ran downstairs to google in order to find out if I've just poisened myself. (Note, I continued to consume yet another piece as I searched. I really like this fruit! And the cotton feeling was very fascinating to me.)

Here's what I now know, in case any of you should want to buy persimmon fruit. They originated in Japan (that's not the problem), and then they "migrated" to Korea, and eventually came to the US in the 1800s. There are quite a number of varieties, but can be grouped into 2 groups; the astringent group and the non-astringent group. If the fruit is of the astringent class and is eaten before it is ripe, then your mouth becomes a cotton factory. The fruit tastes okay initially, but then becomes bitter. It's kind of a cool feeling though...

ANYWAY, once I knew I wasn't going to have to spend Christmas in the ER, I started snooping through The Blogger. I found this funny site you should all check out. This Michael Paulus guy took various cartoons and drew their skeletons. It's pretty funny! Here's the link: (hopefully it will work)
http://michaelpaulus.com/gallery/character-Skeletons/Hello_Kitty_closed_site

Well, enough sitting around for me! Happy Christmas everyone!

I'm so glad you blogged today Katie! MERRY CHRISTMAS to your darling little family. That picture of your boys is precious! We are all missing you, too. Lois, and I were talking about how it's just not the same without everyone there.

Mmmmm, your dinner sounds yummy! What wonderful memories you are creating.

Have a Happy Holiday, and give those boys some Christmas hugs from their cousins! We're doing memories tonight, and I'd love to read yours on the blog if you get the chance.

Thanks for the kind reviews regarding the new format. I thought the previous one was OK but Cristie hated it, which necessitated a hasty change. Actually, I wish I hadn't changed from the original. I can't find it in the available templates anymore!

We talked to Dave on the phone briefly on Sunday. He called to set up the time for the semi-annual call on Christmas Day. He sounds great. After we told him so, he said "well, I'm happy." It's a blessing to have a missionary serving and a huge blessing to hear he's happy.

My mother arrives for Christmas tomorrow. I t will be nice to have her; I'm sure she'll love being here for the family Christmas party Thursday night. She will have many, many stories to tell (re-tell).

It's cooled off here, but of course is nothing compared to what Katie, Danny, Nate, and Dave are experiencing. I like the cold weather. Increases my gratitude for shelter and a warm bed, not to mention the warmth a nice fire carries to my soul. A time to contemplate the experiences of the last year, a time to slow down a bit in Thanksgiving and in good will to all men. If it weren't for that confounded war.....

OH, and Happy Anniversary to the Gerald and Cristie union! What has it been , 31 years or so (I'm not quite sure)? You two have been such an amazing example to me. Thanks for getting together and creating such a terrific family!

Happy Birthday Joe! I hope it's a great day for you. It's amazing to think that I knew you when I was 17....( oh the memories). Enjoy this year, it's a good one!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE! I remember being 17...what a great year that was. mom xox

Dear Children. Last night I went to Farmington to visit my dad and brought home his book, "The Israel Barlow Story." I thought you would be interested to see how you are related...

Israel Barlow married to Elizabeth Haven

Pamela Elizabeth (third child, married to David Wilken Thompson)

Mary Theresa (fifth child who married Anson Bowen Call)

Cleo Afton (fourth child who married Nathan George Clark)

Nathan George (thirteenth child who married Bonnie DeAnn Peterson)

Cristie (first child who married Gerald Blaine Carter)

YOU!

YOUR CHILDREN.

For years I have been invited to reunion gatherings but had little idea as to how I was connected. Then at the last general conference Israel Barlow was used in a story by one of the general authorities and my curiosity led me to asking my dad some questions last night.

As Israel stated to his wife Elizabeth, "our children are our hope and glory in the Lord." I am certain that he is very pleased to be related to you. Almost all phases of the Church growth, the trials and drivings and tribulations were shared by him and his family. The fruition on which is still bearing sweet fruit.

Happy Sunday! My love to you all, mom

....and thanks to Valerie for also coming over tonight. The mood has brightened a bit.

I thought it was time for a new look. Maybe it will inspire a new entry or two.

It's pretty sad around here tonight. Lizzy is still grieving for her precious little Violet. Ali and her girls visited tonight with a sweet card and brownies. And Katie, thanks for your calls last night. It means a lot to have such support.

Joe spent last night puking his guts out with the latest edition of the stomach flu to be making the rounds. I'm wondering who will next be stricken....

Dear Family: Last night for enrichment we had a woman come and recite some poetry and tell of the life of

Edna St. Vincent Millay. There was magic in the room as lyrics of beauty filled the air. Here is a piece I found

on the net today.


   Ah, could I lay me down in this long grass
   And close my eyes, and let the quiet wind
   Blow over me,-I am so tired, so tired
   Of passing pleasant places! All my life,
   Following Care along the dusty road,
   Have I looked back at loveliness and sighed;
   Yet at my hand an unrelenting hand
   Tugged ever, and I passed. All my life long
   Over my shoulder have I looked at peace;
   And now I fain would lie in this long grass
   And close my eyes.

Now, as a change of pace ...CONGRATULATIONS! to Danny. I enjoyed checking out your new place of employment and it looks like quite the opportunity. We are so happy for you.

My love to you dear ones...be safe and floss. mom xox

Dear ones,
Kelly just got me all hooked up to the Blogger again. I'm so sorry for all the ones that I have missed out on. Hope that all is well with every one and that the Halloween goblins didn't capture anyone. My Email address is lwc3527@lausd.k12.ca.us. So now you can send me some news. I need to get clothes and lunches packed ready for tomorrow. I'm worried and anxious to hear how the election has turned out. Love to all, Grandma. PS. Hope Valarie is feeling alot better.

Melissa, I admit it....I thought of you when I saw Mr. Bennett's name on the ballot.

Don't forget to cast your vote today!!!

Just a reminder-

Memory time is coming-be brainstorming on a memory to record for the new year. Love you all.

Great list. Especially for Danny, who just found out he’s getting nothing.

Okay, here's the Christmas list this year. Sorry Katie, you will be giving to Ed again (just kidding).

I double checked to make sure there are no repeats from last year. Let me know if I've made any mistakes...

Sam gives to Valerie

Melissa gives to Ali

Ali gives to Ed

Doug gives to Katie

Katie gives to Joe

Danny gives to Sam

Ed gives to Laurel

Valerie gives to Melissa

Laurel gives to Doug

David gives to Danny

Joe gives to Elizabeth

Elizabeth gives to David

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ED!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ED!

Unreal. A truly historic moment.

Go Pope!

Here I am again. I would probably not be blogging had I not found myself trapped in Boston. The Marriott in which I was staying was around thirty minutes from the airport in no traffic. With the Red Sox game that evening, I decided to leave at three to give me plenty of time to make my 5:30 flight. Go Red Sox. I found myself in a new black suburban with two other travelers on the way to the airport. One was from Florida, and the other was from the UK. Our driver was probably in her mid thirties, from Boston, and dang proud of it. Everyone seemed to really like talking, except for the Brit and me. I loosened up a bit with time and had a few laughs. We would all find out later why my British companion was so quiet.

The freeway was a parking lot, and I got a good long, slow look at the city as the time passed. Mr. Florida liked to talk about hurricanes, beer and lobsters. I asked questions, and the little British guy looked out the window. Time was moving, but our car was not. We all heard a siren and saw a fire engine trying to get through traffic. We were on a bridge, but everyone still tried to make room for the fire engine to pass on the right. Mr. Florida reached out to pull the mirror in to make room for the truck, and Mr. UK expressed his concern for Mr. Florida’s arm. Apparently, a serious accident was responsible for the delay.

As I slowly began to accept the fact that I would not make my flight, the Brit began to accept that he was not going to make it to the privy. He suddenly had the driver’s attention.
“We need to pull over now.” The driver looked back in her mirror trying to gauge the seriousness of the situation.
“You mean here in the middle of the overpass?”
“Yes, it’s either going to come out in here or out there.”
Everybody started laughing, except of course, the Briton. He hopped out and quickly ran around the door and relieved himself. Unfortunately, such a spectacle does not go unnoticed. In no time, the Brit had three lanes of undivided attention. The symphony of horns began, and our party was doubled over with glee, driver included.

As you know, I missed my flight. The Sky Cap would not take my bag, and I watched the debates and the Red Sox game from the airport Hilton.

It was oddly depressing to watch Boston beat the Angels on TV when they were just a few miles a way. Nearly everyone in Boston was celebrating their team, and I was sitting alone in the muted roar of jet exhaust. I knew I should have at least tried to get there. After the debates, I drifted to sleep, knowing I would be getting up at 3:30 Utah time.

Would you believe I almost missed my flight Saturday? I gave myself two hours to get ready and get to the airport. After all, I was already staying at the airport. By the time the shuttle dropped me off at Delta’s terminal, I had around thirty-five minutes to departure. All the lines were very long, and they won’t take your bags if you’re inside thirty minutes of departure. I did something I have not done in years. I cut in line. I explained my situation to the guy in front, and he let me in. When I got to the ticketing agent, he tried to send me to the end of the line because I had cut. I plead with the second ticketing agent, and he allowed me to check my bag because there was no way I would make my flight otherwise. I was grateful, but I felt like a slime bucket for a good five hours.

I have completely lost my faith in airport security. Some of you know I have slipped through security with knives undetected, but this demonstration of incompetence is unreal. The ticketing agent gave me two boarding passes. Since this is normal, I thought nothing of it. I also don’t make a habit of reading all the information on a boarding pass. I generally need to know my gate and my seat. I don’t think I’ll ever take my name for granted again, for my boarding pass was carefully tucked behind Steve Andrews’s.

As far as TSA, Delta and Boston were concerned, I was the respectable Steve Andrews, en route to San Diego. As Steve, I made my way through security with my official Sam Carter ID. They checked me off like they do everyone else, and I was set to go. To my everlasting gratitude, I had chosen the wrong terminal, and I had to exit and go through security again. I almost made it through the second time, but I got picked for the baggage search. TSA asked for my boarding pass and ID, and they’d caught their criminal.

You have seen the movies; the dimly lit, smoke-filled rooms. The donuts on the table you’re not allowed to eat ‘till you talk. The two-way mirror that you somehow forget is two-way when you’re sitting there. This all came to mind as six TSA officials discussed this strange man with a secret identity. There were so many ways I could quickly shape my future, or perhaps even end it. One word, bomb, and I would have been tackled and killed. A mad dash for either exit or terminal would have ended only in gunfire. I could not indulge these fantasies too much. I had a flight to catch.

Needless to say, I made my flight this time. I like Boston. I like it a lot, but I have to admit that getting out of there was probably tougher than getting out of hell, or perhaps Liberty Park on the fourth of July.

There you have it. Gear up for another dry spell.

As many of you watched the debates, I watched my boss bib wine at the Outback Steakhouse in Nashville. We spent the evening discussing dog training, kid training and our respective failures in these areas. After dinner, I drove us back to our seedy little rooms at the local Comfort Inn. I thought of it as the fun house; the floors were uneven, carpet askew and the halls smelled like marijuana. I mentioned the odor to my boss the next morning. She hadn’t noticed.

Meetings on the following day went about as well as one could expect when one’s boss is present. Getting there is a lot like our appointments. I drive, she coaches. She said little about my driving this time, and I was grateful. On our trip to Buffalo in February, she made several negative comments, yet refused my repeated offers to take the wheel. Since she’s just sitting there, I suggested that she navigate. No-could-do. She can’t see out the windows while wearing her reading glasses, and she can’t read a map with them off. After our meeting in Nashville, I was to drop her off at the airport. Her flight back to Salt Lake left several hours before my flight to Boston. Needless to say, I navigated (without help) to the airport in great haste, and tore out of there to get some breathing room, sans boss.

After driving through some lovely wooded areas outside of Nashville, I filled the car’s tank with gas, and returned to the airport around the time my boss’s flight was lifting off the ground. It was going to be a long evening. I was headed to Atlanta, where I would then catch my flight to Boston. It seems that I never have a direct flight anywhere. The flight to Atlanta was uneventful. There’s not much that can happen in thirty-five minutes besides taking off and landing.

For an airport terminal, Atlanta’s E is about as good as they come. Generally, the important international flights arrive and depart from terminal E. In a way, this was the highlight of the trip. I found myself sitting somewhat close to the woman’s restroom. Within ten minutes, I noticed the sound of a broken suitcase wheel, loudly complaining as its owner pulled it along. Atlanta’s terminal E does not have much carpet, so the “clack clack clack” of the broken wheel seemed to announce its owner’s arrival. She was a well-dressed middle aged woman wearing a navy blazer and dress slacks. She was also visibly irritated by her disagreeable companion. She walked past me, and clack clacked her way right into the bathroom. I could hear her turn the corner, and I realized that her nasty little luggage was betraying nearly everything she was doing in there, even though she was well hidden from sight. Indeed, I thought I could tell when she turned left and right. I could hold it back no longer, and I began laughing uncontrollably. There was no TV in sight, nor book in hand. I must have been a sight in my own right. Distracted by my own laughter, I somehow lost the suitcase. It could no longer be heard trailing its unhappy owner in the ladies room. Just as I began training my ear towards the bathroom, the woman emerged, suitcase stuffed under her arm. She didn’t look any happier, and she surely wasn’t. The suitcase had complained without refrain or remorse, and had thus earned its free ride through the airport. As she exited, our eyes briefly met, and I looked away, ashamed. I had been a peeping Tom, or perhaps a listening Sammy. If this name were to catch on, I would be forever disgraced. Consider what I dug up out of Webster’s:

Peeping Tom, first recorded around 1796, has become a term for a voyeur, not at all a pleasant fate for this legendary fellow. As W.H. Auden has said, “Peeping Toms/are never praised, like novelists or bird watchers,/for their keenness of observation.”

I dislike overused clichés. Instead of using the all-too-familiar “squeaky wheel,” I’m going to use the “clacking wheel” in its place.
Sam: “Serves him right. You know what they say about the clacking wheel.”
Biographer: “Clacking wheel? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
Sam: “Well then. I have a story for you…gets carried through the airport by its owner...keenness of whom has long been overrated

I think I’ve had enough fun for one night.

Sam

Cristie, Lizzie, Joe, and I watched the debates with varying levels of amusement, generally rising from youngest to oldest. (Lizzie's participation consisted mostly of a vacuous stare). Both the candidates tried to "shut the door on each others' faces", but I thought failed to deliver any knock out punches. While I thought Kerry was the clear winner in last week's debate, I give the edge to Cheney in last night's contest. I thought his shorter answers and "passes" mostly worked, especially the one where he passed on the opportunity to comment on the gay/lesbian issue.

Edward's inexperience was evident. His arguments also displayed a kind of empty passion somehow. Something he does with the corner of his mouth and his tongue also got on my nerves. I know I'm being petty and not focused on the issues with that observation, but hey, it got in the way.

I agree with Ed, Bush is in trouble. The momentum shifted with the debate last week and to get it back, he's going to have to come out swinging Friday night. He obviously was not prepared for the first debate. And Kerry surprised and impressed me with his articulateness, his handling of the flip flop criticisms, and his grasp of the issues.

Now, Melissa, I'm willing to consider Mr. Van Damn (heh, heh). I checked his website. Generic pablum. Where does he stand on the 2nd Amendment initiative? Gun control? Iraq? North Korea/Iran? Moving the state prison? (lol)

A writer in Newsweek compared the styles of the candidates. He says Bush is a "go with your gut" snap decision maker and Kerry might lean toward analysis paralysis. His conclusion is that the best presidents combine intuition with a deep knowledge of the issue at hand to make the best decision. Can we elect them both?

Well, I ran over a cat yesterday. I was driving Eddie to school. It just darted right out in front of me. Thump, thump went the minivan. I got out and looked under the van. Amazingly it was still alive. It hurriedly wobbled under the fence and into it's backyard.

I knocked on the door. A woman answered, and I told her "I hit your cat". asked me for my number so that she could send me the vet bill. I was incredulous and said so. "How am I responsible? I wasn't speeding, I wasn't doing anything wrong". "What, I am supposed to teach my cat manners" she exclaimed? Again, I was incredulous. "Lady, I'm not responible for YOUR cat!" She rebutted, "that is what your insurance is for... that is what my insurance is for too, but you can't expect me to pay for this". Then I dared her. "Okay, fine Lady(I really think I called her Lady). That's my house down there. Call the police, send me the bill. No one is going to buy it, because it's absolutely ridiculous! If I'm supposed to be responsible for all the animals on this street, whether I know they exist or not, then I get to say whether they can be outside or not". Of course she heard very little of this because she shut the door on my face saying that we shouldn't be arguing in front of her daughter. That was the start of my day....

Did anyone watch the VP debates last night? I'd be interested in hearing what y'all think. It seemed that they spent a lot of the time calling eachother a liar (in politically correct jargon, of course).

According what I heard on NPR this morning, they both were liars. Okay, maybe not straight out liars. But they muddled the facts, (or were confused about the facts) or gave misleading information most of the time.

Cheney seemed a little too comfortable sitting there. He passed up quite a few opportunities for rebuttle, which may have worked for him, I don't know. And Edwards, in my opinion, was less than impressive. It's a good idea to back up and fully support your presidential nominee, but come on. At least pretend that some of these opinions are built on your own convictions. One of these guys could become acting president in case the worst should happen..

OH, and for all you Utahns out there, consdier voting for Paul Van Dam for Senate!!! (Sam is groaning right now). Bob Bennett has a huge campaign budget (2.1 million spent on cutesy billboards), but no campaign or agenda. Don't let him win just because you see his name out there. Check out his website (and Van Dam's). He literally has NO PLANS. He thinks it's a free ride. This is a guy that votes for stuff in Washington. Vote for someone who acts like they care what you think, and would take their job and vote a little more seriously.

Just my humble opinion. (And you know I always have one).
Okay, I'm finally done now.

I've been looking forward to the debates all week. Although, I don't know if I've ever been more entertained by a political debate, than by the Gore/Bush debates. Maybe they just get funnier every election year.

What's with this 32 page "rule book" anyway? It will be interesting to see how well they do having taken all the fun out of the debate. No spontaneity? No questions from the audience? No moving from the podium? Aren't we having a difficult time as it is gaining interest from the American people? I say we should reduce the number of debate sessions down to one session. One that goes as long as they can remain standing. Then in place of the other debates, a special Fear Factor between the Bushs and the Kellys. And to finish it off: a good ol' fist fight. I'd bet we'd get more watchers and voters that way.

Speaking of betting, maybe a poker tourney in the oval office...

This from an editorial by John Hughes, Chief Editor of the Deseret News in today's paper:

'Kerry has been a practiced debater since prep school but comes across as wordy and pedantic. The London "Economist" calls him "damnably boring." The "Wall Street Journal" says his "meandering verbosity" is an "unclear, indirect style that sometimes makes it hard for (him) to connect with audiences and leaves his words open to parsing and ridicule." Bush has his own mangled confrontations with the English language. He cannot get his tongue properly around the word "nuclear." He's talked about "Grecians" instead of Greeks, and of "cocoa" production in Columbia instead of coca, and of "inebriating" when he meant exhilarating. But he pokes fun in an engaging way about his own "Bushisms," and he brought the house down at a Gridiron Club dinner in Washington when, after joking about his stumbles, he thanked reporters for their "horspitality." Bush is also no novice in debating, having out-pointed rivals when running for office in Texas, and been rated by audiences as more likable in his presidential debates with the sighing, eye-rolling Al Gore.'

After the Nixon/Kennedy debates in 1960, there were no presidential debates again until 1976. Don't miss the first of the three matches tomorrow night. It promises to be very entertaining.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALISON!

Neither have I become desensitized. I often listen to talk radio at night on and off because I don't sleep so well. Last night in a hotel room, I listened as the talk show host played the audio of a recent beheading of an American. I was sickened by what I heard and have been upset by it all day.

I think being sickened and saddened by the barbarity and wickedness of some of our brothers in Iraq is better than being angry, for anger is the emotion they are most trying to elicit. I agree with Kate; it is nigh to impossible for us to go after them. Our situation is similar to that faced by the Nephites and Lamanites with the Gadianton robbers. In one instance, it was the Lamanites who hunted them and preached the word of God to them until they were utterly destroyed from among them (Helaman 6: 37). It was only by persuasion, love and the word of God, or righteous living that neutralized wickedness. It is no different today. We must defend in righteousness, as Captain Moroni and his armies did. I often wonder how righteous our defense (and offense) is today.

On a lighter note, a friend forwarded this to me recently. I suspect it is an internet legend circulating in cyberspace, but it was a fun read anyway:

'As some of you may know, one of my sons serves in the military. He is still stateside, here in California. He called me yesterday to let me know how warm and welcoming people were to him, and his troops, everywhere he goes, telling me how people shake their hands, and thank them for being willing to serve, and fight, for not only our own freedoms but so that others may have them also. But he also told me about an incident in the grocery store he stopped at yesterday on his way home from the base. He said that ahead of several people in front of him stood a woman dressed in a burkha. He said when she got to the cashier she loudly remarked about the US flag lapel pin the cashier wore on her smock. The cashier reached up and touched the pin, and said proudly, "yes, I always wear it and I probably always will." The woman in the burkha then asked the cashier when she was going to stop bombing her countrymen, explaining that she was Iraqi. A gentleman standing behind my son stepped forward, putting his arm around my son's shoulders, and nodding towards my son, said in a calm and gentle voice to the Iraqi woman: "Lady, hundreds of thousands of men and women like this young man have fought and died so that YOU could stand here, in MY country and accuse a check-out cashier of bombing YOUR countrymen. It is my belief that had you been t his outspoken in YOUR own country, we wouldn't need to be there today. But, hey, if you have now learned how to speak out so loudly and clearly, I'll gladly buy you a ticket and pay your way back to Iraq so you can straighten out the mess in YOUR country that you are obviously here in MY country to avoid." Everyone within hearing distance cheered.'

There is nothing like home sweet home. Doug and I are very grateful to be home after escaping being held hostage by hurricane Frances. We had a wonderful vacation in Orlando with the girls. They were delightful to spend time with and had a great time at the theme parks. We really played hard the whole time. We knew the hurricane was coming, but we were scheduled to fly out on Fiday the 3rd, and the storm wouldn't be there until late Saturday. When we found out Thursday night that the Airports were closing on Friday, feelings of panic, frustration, anger and discouragement welled up within me. Why would the airports close when the weather was perfectly fine?? We had called earlier in the week to get an earlier flight home, but nothing was available then. We decided to kneel and say family prayer before Doug took off for the airport Thursday night to see what he could work out. When he returned, we had little hope of coming home any sooner than Tuesday of this next week. Nothing. So, we prepared to hunker down and witness our first hurricane. We reserved a hotel room for several more nights, and went to the grocery store for supplies and food. Everything in Orlando was closed down, all the malls, most restraunts and grocery stores were closing early on Friday, so we needed to be prepared. We were trying to think of anyway we could to get home. We thought of driving out of there on Thursday, but the roads out of town were gridlock, and little gas was to be found, so that didn't seem like a possibility. We played it cool on Friday, hung out at the pool, relaxed and tried not to be too discouraged - the girls were pretty much unaffected by the whole thing, they were having fun. I was missing my little boys like crazy, and hated having to arrange extra help when I was dying to be there with them. Firday evening as we were driving back from dinner ( we found a place open) we were listening to the radio, and heard that the roads were all clear, but there was little gas to be found. We started entertaining the idea of getting out of there. When we got back to the hotel room, we checked with the rental car company to see if we could drive to Atlanta- that worked out. We called Atlanta to see if there were any flights to Salt Lake Sat. morning- there were several so we booked one. We hit the road Friday night around 8:30 to make the 8-10 hour trek to Atlanta. We made it in about 8 hours, 4:30 a.m.- so we checked into a hotel and got a couple hours of sleep so we could make the 8:20 a.m. flight to Salt Lake. When we got to Atlanta, they told us that we were smart to drive out of there because they were already cancelling flights up until Thursday of next week, because it is such a slow moving storm. So, who knows when we would have made it home - especially after all the flooding and damages of the storm. When we boarded the plane headed for Salt Lake it felt too good to be true. It was another testimony to me of how our prayers are answered, but usually not in the way we expect them to be. It was a sweet reunion to see my two boys again. A huge thanks to Ed, Val, and Lizzy for stepping in. The house was beautiful, and my little ones were well taken care of. I have the greatest family in the world. My sweet sisters in law were such a big help as well, and Kathy had a cute sign and balloons to welcome us home. There is a touch of fall in the air, and it smells like back to school. I love home. I don't think I could ever get used to living in a steamy hot place like Orlando. It was fun to visit, we had a blast, but there's no place like home. I love you all. Alison

p.s. When we went to church in Orlando, the bishop greeted us and looked so familiar to me. Turns out to be Wayne Hales. I asked him how there family is doing. Jennifer lives there in the ward. I forgot to ask about Amy. Stacy lives in Idaho and just had her 3rd miscarriage, she has one little girl. Jada was visiting her, so I didn't get to see her. Merrilee is living in Mesa and has 3 children. It's a small world. It was fun to see him.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOIS!

to the very best mother-in-law a girl could ever have...we all love you so much.

I enjoyed the article Jerry. Very interesting. I read it with great interest because your first born seems to be having issues with his stomach these days. I also enjoyed reading about your walks. That sounds lovely. Before the twins, I walked along there with Eddie (in a stroller) a couple of times. Those are some pretty steep hills. Good for you!

I've noticed hints of fall as well. Last Saturday Sam and I went for a bike ride. It was a single track on a pioneer trail near Little Dell resevoir. The air was cool, the flowers were beautiful, it was a blast! We've since wondered why we usually pick going to the movies over this. So we are going to try to make it a standing appointment, to do something outside once a week.

I was determined to keep this vow and suggested we go "hike" to Donut Falls for family night.
We put on our jackets (it was lightly raining) and set out. Ada wasn't feeling too well.

Earlier that day Jackie got to the kid vitamins and learned how to press down and twist. I was downstairs at the time. Sometime afterwards he came down stairs as chipper as can be. He walked past me with a smile on his face. I noticed that he smelled like grape. "What are you eating?" I asked. "Bite-amins!" He replied with great pride, and opened his mouth revealing the gritty remains. Of course I panicked, which I'm sure is quite rewarding to observe as a child. "Oh no no no no, that's bad for you Jackie!" And I bolted up the stairs.

Looking frantically this way and that for the bottle, I see Ada. She's plopped down in front of the TV watching something on PBS. She's got the giant bottle nestled in her lap. Without taking her eyes of the television and without stopping to swallow her last pill, she pops another vitamin into her mouth like it's popcorn. I snatched the bottle and began to explain why she shouldn't eat these like candy. I'm sure it all sounded like high pitched rambling to her. If you've heard my bird do it, you know what I'm talking about.

So fast forward to family night. We're at the trailhead. It's lightly drizzling and so everything smells wonderful. Ada is slower than everyone anyway and is really struggling over the rocks. That doesn't surprise me so much and usually she's pretty patient with herself. Not on this hike however. She complained EVERY step of the way. Step, moan. Step "Hold Me". Step grumble. Step, whine. A couple of times I carried her so that I could catch up to the boys and she complained when I carried her. I decided that I would not have a child who didn't enjoy this sort of thing. Not only would she have to walk the rest of the way, but I decided I would bring her back later in the week and every week until she toughened up a bit. About 2/3 of the way there, I looked back and noticed that she was doubled over, clutching here tummy. "Owwww, my stomach!" she said.

And then I remembered the vitamins. She looked pale and sick. I realized why she was complaining so much and then the guilt sank in. I carried her and trying to show more compassion (the complaining was hard to bear). We made it to the falls just in time to turn around and head home. Ada claimed to have fun in spite of it all. The boys had a blast. Jack probably traveled twice the distance because he liked to rush ahead of the group. Then he had to run back and check on Ada often to make sure she was okay and still with us. It's sweet how often they think of eachother.

That's how the week started. It's been ladled with doctor's appointments, dentist appointments and other errands. All in all, it's a good life. Each day as I kiss them while they sleep, I realize that my children are my joy and sunshine.

It's fun to have Katie here. She's so fun to hang out with, I miss her often.

Click on the link below to read this highly entertaining article about peptic ulcers. As I read, it brought back from my childhood the infamous Sippy diet, chalky peppermint antacids, even licorice bark chewed for healing. My mother used to threaten that I would be subject to the dreaded surgery if I didn't follow Sippy and had another bleeding episode. I'd like to claim affinity with personality #3, but I think I was closer to the far less flattering #1.

Enjoy.

http://www.newcriterion.com/archive/22/sum04/daniels.htm

In the last couple of weeks I've taken to walking the Bonneville Shoreline Trail from Parley's Canyon to Foothill. It takes me about an hour with a couple of good hills, which seems reasonable. The last few days here, we've had cool days (60's and low 70's) and cooler nights (high 40's already). While walking today I noticed a few scrub oaks on Mount Olympus are already beginning to don their brief fall brilliance. It's August! Reminds me more of my days in Western Canada.

Today I also noticed a taggers spray painted attempt at offense on a concrete wall: "Mormans suck." Worth a chuckle.

8/6/04

Dear Family:

Mom, thank you so much for the packages you keep sending me. I love getting those surprises! Those grapefruit candies are especially delicious!

I'm skipping gym right now so I can write. Would you please tell Melissa for me that I am thankful for the letters she writes. I feel bad that I can't write her back, but I really do not have the time.

I really like my black suit; it's holding up just fine. There are three words that accurately describe the quality and condition of my green suit! PIECE OF CRAP!! Both pairs of pants are ripped! Already!! It's ridiculous! So, I took 'em into the place to get sewed.

I can't believe I'm outta here on Wednesday. Oh, I'll be calling from Chicago at...around 1:30 p.m. If you talk to Kate, tell her I'll be there. I write her, but I don't know if she got it.

Joe sounds like he's having a fun summer. Did he take my paintball gun?? He better not have. If you could Mom, please keep him outta that box. Now that I don't have music, I realized how much I love it. So I want it to be there when I get home. OK?

Thank you for sending the pictures. It was funny, when I opened my package,(he names a bunch of Elders) their eyes caught hold of Alison, and Elder Stucky said, "Dang! who is that?" in all seriousness. He really wanted to know!

"That's my sister," I said blandly.

"How old is she?" He said. By this time he and Elder Roberts are transfixed with the picture. Really, I'm not exaggerating.

"She's about twenty-five I think, and her family of four happens to be in the picture."

No more questions after that! Ali should be complimented. I think it's saying something when a bunch of 19 year old kids are curiously asking questions and saying the word, "Dang!"

Mindy's cinnamon rolls weren't so good. But don't tell her that! I told her I loved im'. I enjoyed the nice little letter she wrote a lot more. We'll put it that way. Talk about a surprise! I wouldn't have expected a letter from her in a million years! Anyway.

It's weird. I wanna cut my hair for the first time ever in my whole life. I want a hair cut! I never thought that would happen.

I guess you could say I'm a little burned out in the classrom. I know, I know, it's the first two weeks of a two year deal, but the only break I get from the classroom is to eat. So it's getting old. I'm excited to be heading out.

(He goes on to name guys in a photo he sent and say where they are from.)

I'll tell you what, I think I am guaranteed to end up with Romeo as my comp after a year out there. It's destiny, I know it. I'm really gonna have to bite my tongue to keep from arguing with that goof. I'll send a pic of him too. Really, he's more opinionated than I am, so we're bound to argue constantly. He's from Texas. It was funny, they say that the spirit world after death is here on earth, and we were disscussing it in class one day, and someone said, " I wonder where spirit prison is," and I said the first thing that came to mind. Texas. They all loved it, but Romeo. We are constantly arguing about states. I could write all day about it, so I'll just have to stop now.

Well, I love you all and hope all is well.

David

New Address:

Elder David Clark Carter
Canada Toronto West Mission
197 County Court Blvd. #203
Brampton, Ontario L6W 4P6

postage may be extra

Dear Family: 8-4-04

Dad, I just got your letter. I really enjoyed what you had to say. I'm outta here on the 11th, and I'm getting laid over in Chicago at O'Hare, so maybe I could rendevous with Katie. That would be fun.

Boy, what would I give to be playing poker!! That practically killed me when I read that! I forgot all about poker! No better feeling than taking one on a bluff. And I'd forgot all about it. So thanks dad! Dad, I doubt you"ll get called to the Quorum of the Twelve, but the 70 is a real possibility! How would that be! I read Alma 26 today after I got your letter. That's an awesome chapter. I love before it, when Ammon converts king Lamoni. Ammons willingness to serve really sticks out to me in that one. There is much to be learned from that.

So what's happening in the outside world? Iraq? Bush? Politics? Forest Fires? It was all smokey down here one morning; I didn't hear a thing. Terrorists could invade Salt Lake, and they wouldn't tell us about it.

The bathrooms here continue to disgust me. I decided to shower tonight to avoid all the disgusting people you see in the morning (for I lilke to start my day on a positive note, as you probably know) so I turned on the water, and to my surprise, thousands of tiny little mites, flies, fleas, bugs, whatever you call em, come pouring out of the drain! No joke, thousands! And we all know what kind of stuff goes into those drains. It's a shower for petes-sake! So that thoroughly grossed me out!

Nothing really new here. I wish I had some ritalin. I can't focus for the life of me. So I'm having minor struggles with picking up some of the stuff. And I'm not sleeping well either. I know this ain't nothing to what lies ahead.

I had to pay for a seventy-five dollar shot today! What a rip! And it wasn't from Merck. It was from Smith Klien or whatever. I was telling the lady that you were a Merck dude and I wouldn't support the other guy. She thought it was funny, But dad, if you could get them to buy your drug (it was for Hep) you would make bank. She said they give 10,000 shots down here a month or something. BANK! So look into that.

I tell you, the other day I was thinking how long two years is. It's forever! I got a letter from Brad. It made me good and homesick for awhile. It'll get worse too. So I'm, scared for the future.

Tell me how everything is going down there. What's Joe up to, what's going on? How is Lar Lar? I wanna hear. I love you guys so much. More than I ever knew.

Love, Dave