What are you looking for?

Monday Memory Moment

I believe we were suppose to be in bed at 8 0'clock each school night. However, this rule have a couple of exceptions.

Doris Day and John Wayne movies...

I believe it is with this exception that I learned to enjoy their films. I have had more than one friend comment on how John Wayne plays similar characters in all of his films...yeah, so...

The movie I remember the clearest from a young age is that of El Dorado.  One of the main characters "Mississippi's" full name was reported to be Alan Bourdillion Traherne. Due to this movie when I want to yell at Toby Alan I want to call him "Toby Alan Bourdillion Traherne".

I am not sure when it began or who started it. As I recall for at least the period of time while I was in college someone bought my dad one or more John Wayne movies each year for Christmas. At one time we were working on someone in the family owning every John Wayne movie. I am currently watching She Wore a Yellow Ribbon. 

 A well know combination of names is that of Doris Day and Rock Hudson. During my last month in Moscow, ID I was a Howard Hughes with some friends looking for a movie all of us would be willing to watch. It was at this time I discovered John Wayne had made a movie with Rock Hudson. It was a perfect compromise for the four of us.

To this day I will tell people I have John Wayne to take care of me when I am sick. So, although he is not family...his face and voice is just as familiar and comforting. So yeah, John Wayne is one of my heroes...

(-: Modern Idols :-)

You may not know this. My family has a thing for computers. I am a beginner compared to the rest of the family. There are almost as many computers as people in our family. A couple of weeks ago while the family was gathered my dad pointed to my sister and said something along the lines of... "Take a picture and blog about that..." pointing to my sister.

Here it is...my baby sister bowing down before her computer. She heard it "What, me worshiping my computer."

A day or so later I walked into my sisters home to see this and had a thought similar to my father, take a picture and blog about it...

I really don't know what is going on. What it looked like to mee was my 11-year-old niece teaching grandmothers how to do something on the computer.  It just makes mee want to giggle.

Monday Memory Moment

I decided one day that I wanted to paint my room. I recall Dad not being excited. He also didn't say no. What he did was give mee a list. This was a list of things that would need to be done prior to painting.

We lived in an old house. My room, which was shared with various family members, had a carpet which covered only about 85% of the floor. In my process of preparing to paint the room I rolled it up and shoved it out the window. Not sure what dad's exact thoughts were. He did want to know what I was going to do to cover the floor. (The floor did not have the potential of being a "beautiful wood floor.")

I believe I made it through the whole list in one day. Having so diligently and promptly completing the list Dad agreed to buy mee paint. I remember it was a spearmint green color. The floor was painted brown. (Our Unit Coordinator might have wanted a clue about how ambitious I can be about such tasks.)

Painting interior spaces is something I enjoy doing. I think it might have even been the very day I got home from my mission I was informed my parents wanted mee to paint some of the walls in their new home. As a matter of fact I think I am the only one who has painted in their new home. This is a picture of my bedroom. I finished painting it a couple weeks ago.

While I had a pretty good idea what colors I wanted to use I was sold on these two; the lighter color is lifetime the darker color dignity. What sold mee on them? A memory. The only thing I really remember from the exit interview with my mission president was his statement to live a dignified life. Now I have a daily reminder.

The Gift of Life

Gianna Jessen, Abortion Survivor

Part I

Part II

I am impressed by her faith, her relationship with God, and her message to the world.

Post Office - VERY IMPORTANT

I got an e-mail today. The type I may not even read. It included, as they usually do, a "factual" reporting of an incident which I should find upsetting. If it is something I am curious about I will do an online search.

Here is the "original message" according to Trend Micro

Subject: Let's help the Post Office

Dear Friends,

You may have heard in the news that a couple of Post Offices in Texas have been forced to take down small posters that say "IN GOD WE TRUST". The law they are violating (?) is something silly about electioneering posters. (is God running for office?) Anyway, I heard it proposed on a radio station show, that we all write "IN GOD WE TRUST" on the back of all our mail. After all, that is our national motto, and it's on all the money we use to buy those stamps. I think it is a wonderful idea. We must take back our nation from all the people who think that anything that offends them should be removed.

If you like this idea, please pass it on, and DO IT.

God Bless America

According to the web site the incident did happen, but the e-mail is an urban legend??? An event happening does not equal urban legend in my book. Here is what they say:

This hoax tells a story about the two Post Offices in Texas that were forced to take down their posters stating "In God We Trust". It encourages its recipients to write the said statement at the back of every mail envelope that they send since it is considered as their national motto.

The said Texas incident really did happen. However, Postal Service officials point out that the reason for removing those posters has nothing to do with any religious matters. The problem is that it was created and distributed by a private citizen named Frank Williamson. Postal Service regulations generally prohibit the posting of printed materials by private citizens on its premises.

Recipients are advised not to forward this message.

As a reasonable individual who has worked for state agencies I can see were they are coming from, following policies. I did not like the statement " it is considered as their national motto."  Is there considering to do? I have no questions about it. I appreciated the side statement in the "original message", Is God running for office? Where do I cast my vote?

I like the idea. As a missionary I often put the motto I acquired on the back of my envelopes. Let us do all we can to show by small, simple, and soft acts whose side we are on.

In God We Trust!

Love is the fulfilling of the law.

El amor es el cumplimiento de la ley. Roms 13:10

Here is the end of the e-mail. I usually find them irritating. This one is true enough it made mee feel guilty.

If you agree, pass this on, if not, delete!!! BUT REMEMBER IF YOU DELETE THIS, thats 1 reason why this country is in the mess we're in now. WE SIT BACK & LET IT HAPPEN!!

Monday Memory Moment

Although I do not recall a "first memory", I am confident peanut butter has been a staple in my home throughout my life. It is also a staple in my desk. I didn't realize how often I ate peanut butter until I needed to have a blood test after a high carb breakfast---No Peanut Butter.

The Doctor suggest toast, I eat it with peanut putter and jam or honey. Pancakes? again with peanut butter. Waffles, french toast, all are better with peanut butter. Even when I do eat a bowl of cereal I don't feel full until I get some protein.

~~~~some peanut butter memories~~~~

We were camping with cousins. I believe we where at the Bruneau Sand Dunes. When it comes to eating the rule of thumb was "He who hesitates starves". My cousin Charlie was usually one of the first in line. I am sure it was the same this day. I don't recall what we were to eat. However, when he realized there was no peanut butter... he didn't eat.

In high school I recall getting surprised looks at the homes of others when I asked for peanut butter on my pancakes. Sometimes I asked just to see their reaction.

As a child I use to eat bread and milk with the family. When my mom made homemade bread all of us looked forward to eating it. I remember my dad having peanut butter and jam with his bread and milk.

When my sister told mee her kids don't like peanut butter-butter-honey sandwiches I was shocked. I remember it most as being our first meal after church on Sundays. Dad is the best at making it. I still like to eat it. The perfect peanut butter- butter- honey ratio is difficult to find. However, the imperfect ratio is also yummy!

for Uncle Tom...

During this last week it has been mentioned  a few times that although we miss grandpa we know when we next see him  he will be able to do those things he loves.

Grandpa had a profound love for horses and use to chariot race.  I remember helping him one day as he was attempting to get Rose comfortable with having a sulky attached to her. I don't recall it going over very well. This love is well represented by a lariat and horseshoes.

  

A glove can well represent all the hard work he did throughout his life as a carpenter and mason. Too mee it speaks of his love for gardening. He loved to grow things (also represented by the flowers). I especially remember him making pleased comment about being able to grow tomatoes in February while living in Ivans, UT.

When I first say this wreath I was amazed someone was able to find something which so well represented Grandpa. Throughout the coarse of the day I was able to find out it was made by his sister, Kathleen's, family.

The stand was made by his brother-in-law LaVell Hunter. He also gathered some of the supplies. The wreath was put together by LaVell and Kathy's daughter Marsha, and daughter-in-law Kelly.

The wreath was greatly admired by many people. I personally commented about a desire to have it. It already has a place in Grandma's home where it will serves as a reminder. A reminder of Grandpa and what he loved. And, as a reminder of the world being made a better, more beautiful place because he was here.

Thank you to the LaVell and Kathy Hunter family for the wonderful gift.