Monday Memory Moment

More from D. C. This is my favorite picture. It took a lot of effort to get. You may want to click on it to enlarge. There is lightening above the Lincoln Monument. !

I had heard the Lincoln Monument contained the Gettysburg Address:

I may have even heard it contained his 2nd inaugural address. I don't believe I had ever read it before. I took pictures. Including the trascript to make it easier to read.

Transcript of President Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address (1865)

Fellow Countrymen

At this second appearing to take the oath of the presidential office, there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then a statement, somewhat in detail, of a course to be pursued, seemed fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention, and engrosses the enerergies of the nation, little that is new could be presented. The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself; and it is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.

On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago, all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil-war. All dreaded it -- all sought to avert it. While the inaugeral address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war -- seeking to dissole the Union, and divide effects, by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war; but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive; 

and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came.

One eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the Southern half part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was, somehow, the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union, even by war; while the government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it. Neither party expected for the war, the magnitude, or the duration, which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with, or even before, the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces; but let us judge not that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. "Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!" 

If we shall suppose that American Slavery is one of those offences which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South, this terrible war, as the woe due to those by whom the offence came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a Living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope -- fervently do we pray -- that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said f[our] three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether"

With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan -- to achieve and cherish a lasting peace among ourselves and with the world. to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with the world. all nations.

Washington D.C. : Jefferson

The first monument we made it to was Thomas Jefferson. I would of liked multiple hours dedicated to each monument. As it was, we were lucky to have a day to get in as many as we could.

Mr. Griffin, our Social Studies teacher was able to give historical significance to the architectural style. While I found it interesting, I don’t recall most of it. I did find his depth and breath of knowledge amazing. Thomas Jefferson was truly a renaissance man. Under the memorial was a small museum and gift shop (s).

 This first quote was from there. The rest are part of the memorial.

If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was, and never will be. 1816

God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the Liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, this His justice cannot sleep forever. Commerce between master and slave is despotism. Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than that these people are to be free. Establish the law for educating the common people. This is the business of the state to effect and on a general plan.




I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions. But law and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened. As new discoveries are mode, new truths discovered and manner and opinions change. With the changes of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as wall required a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.




We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights. Among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights governments are instituted among men. We …solemnly publish and declare, that these colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states…and for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honour.




Almighty God hath created the mind free. All attempts to influence it by temporal punishment or burthens---are departure from the plan of the Holy Author of our Religion---no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship or ministry or shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief. But all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain their opinions in matters of religion. I know but one code of morality for men whether acting singly or collectively.

(around the top, inside)

Washington D.C.: Arlington

About a month before our trip I realized I would be in Washington D.C. for Easter Sunday. In many ways Easter isn’t much different from any other Sunday. This is not due to a lack of reverence for the Easter Celebration. Rather, it is consequence of a reverence for the Lord’s Day.

I remember meeting a young women on my mission. She must have been in her mid-teens. We had been invited into their home for a religious discussion. As they were Seventh Day Adventist our conversation evolved around the Sabbath day. As with some other Christian denominations they observe Saturday, the 7th day, as the Sabbath. As is the Jewish custom.

Old Testament | Genesis 2:1–3‎
Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

In this conversation she asked me why we worship the Lord on Sundays. I in turn asked her which day they celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. “Why, Easter Sunday, of course.”

Thus it is, each Sunday, a weekly reminder of the risen Lord.

Judge mee how you may. I took an ox in the mire position. Who knows if I will ever make it back to D.C. I took the opportunity to see some sights. Doing so I was very mindful of it being Easter Sunday.
It was a beautiful Sunday. The sun was shining, not too hot, not to cold. And the humidity…was comfortable. We started with lunch at Union Station. Originally we planned on just riding the bus around and not getting off. When I realized we were approaching the cemetery I wanted to get off. Cemeteries are hollowed grounds. I find myself drawn to them for Easter, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day.
Without going into detail I let my desire to get off known to the rest of my group. While a little hesitant, they picked up the intensity, if not the depth of my desire to spend Easter Sunday at:

I was about ready to cry right there, and I haven’t even made it through the gate.
“Our nation’s most sacred shire.”

I can’t seem to get over that line. Humility and awe overwhelm mee. As Latter-day Saints our temples are sacred. Our families are sacred. Something is sacred because you make it so by how you treat it, talk about it, and even live for it. A shrine is something built, maintain and cared for to honor someone or something we hold dear. I was to spend the next week visiting monuments (shrines) built for founding father’s, presidents, and war veterans.

This shrine, Arlington National Cemetery, started as the order was given for Civil War casualties to be buried in “Mrs. Lee’s garden”. Lying west of the Potomac River the Lee Plantation become the resting place of those who are willing to give their lives for freedom. The giving of life for an ideal, makes the ideal sacred. Maintaining a resting place for those whose lives have been given for the same ideal makes it a shrine.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier…I am not sure I could begin to explain. We were able to witness the changing of the guard. How do you explain the “why” in guarding a tomb? Furthermore, how do explain the responsibility as be a high honor? For the you to understand you would need to value you something deeply, so as to be willing to sacrifice for it.

I have heard it said there are two people willing to die for your freedom:
JESUS CHRIST and the American Solider. I am profoundly grateful for both.
I got to spend an Easter Sunday at Arlington National Cemetery. A beautiful reminder of those who have died for my freedom. One of them rose again. May I prove worthy of their sacrifices.

Washington D.C. : Charters of Freedom

Yes, it has been a while. I was informed I need to share more of my D.C. pictures.

The Education Department went the Council of Exceptional Children Convention and Expo which was held in National Harbor, MD. I struggled deciding which I was more excited about: convention vs. Washington D.C.
We had almost a full week in the DMV (District of Maryland, Virginia).
We had three days of Convention and three days of site seeing. I had one MUST see:

The Charters of Freedom. Housed in the National Archives, 235 year old parchment, elegant penmanship, and inspired words protected as the priceless gift they are: The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution of the United States of America and the Bill of Rights. Amazing, amazing, amazing...this should be the Mecca of all freedom loving people.

While I will treasure knowing that I have seen the actual documents. I am most grateful for a keener understanding of the sacrifice and foresight of these, our founding fathers. As I wondered the monuments and museums I kept reflecting on the words given to the Prophet Joseph Smith concerning this great land and are freedoms.

Doctrine and Covenants 101:77–80‎

77 According to the laws and constitution of the people, which I [God]  have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles;
78 That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment.
79 Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another.
80 And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land [The United States of America], by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood.

Monday Memory Moment

I am getting ready for my trip to Nashville. When I thought about taking Boyd I remembered I haven't put up Sun Valley pictures yet.

This is one of my Co-workers, he wasn't this happy to have Boyd on his shoulder when I first put him there. This picture in in the Sun Valley Lodge Dining Room. I wish I was a really good architecture photographer. My pictures won't do it justice.

 This picture is also in the dining room. You can see the pine trees and the sun coming in. It had been snowing. It was also cold in the room. A small group of us took to setting at the window because that it where the heat came in.

 This picture is from our condo. It had more of a late 60's early 70's feel. It was big enough for the 6 of us. From the point where I was standing I could look down to the TV and fire place. Look across I saw...

a little reading nook. It was a great place to do my early morning scripture studying. The stain glass window on the right was in the room I shared with my assistant. It looked pretty neat at night with the only light coming from behind.

 Do you see Boyd?

Monday Memory Moment

Here are some more pictures from my recent trip to Moscow.

This is a picture of what is now the Art and Architecture South building.

This is my favorite building on the University of Idaho campus.

At the top of the building is a sword. It was originally an armory and gymnasium.

And of course...we had to get Boyd in a shot...

Monday Memory Moment

I believe I was in high school. We had gone on a family camping trip. I remember stopping at the Oregon Trail Interpretative Center in Baker City, OR. On our way back we crossed the Snake River, back into Idaho, at Oxbow Dam. The drive was beautiful as we traveled highway 71.

We decided we would camp in Cambridge. It is a small town where highways 71 and 95 meet. We ended up setting up camp at a small city park across from the LDS Chapel. It is within this park that I first saw a weather rock.

I thought it was great. So much so I have taken various people to see it throughout the years.

One group was a car load of people stuck after a rodeo. We walked up the hill to see the rock while waiting for AAA to come rescue us. I remember standing in the dark. We were admiring the rock when one of the party said, "Who knew this was here to come look for it?"

Cambridge's Ol' Timers Weather Rock

If the rock is wet it's raining.

If the rock is white it's snowing.

If the rock is moving it's windy.

If the rock is hard to see it's foggy.

Ol' timers are never wrong!

Monday Memory Moment

This weekend I made new memories. I also had a flood of memories return.

I went to Moscow with my Munchkin for the 40th year of SArb reunion and 100th University of Idaho Homecoming. The slide show at the top includes a variety of pictures. Most of them include Boyd. In the up coming weeks I will tell more about the places in individual posts.

TurtleBug visit...day 3

Yesterday was all snowy. Today they sun is out. TurtleBug (TB) and I spent a good part of the day getting ready for the Young Single Adults to come over for Family Home Evening. After doing the dishes and cleaning what I call the "flat surfaces" it was time to vacuum. This was the first time Toby was in the house while the vacuum cleaner was on. I usually leave him outside.

Another item on our "to do" list was for TB to see in the attic.

After running our errand for pizza TB wanted pictures my ice sickles out front. And Swiss Cheese thought I didn't have any decorations:-).

We then worked on figuring out how to make a granny square and then had just one more thing to do before the gathering.

Making the carmel corn...the candy making tradition moves down to another generation...

TurtleBug visit

I have the week off from work. Since I was in Boise on Friday and Saturday I decided to bring a child back with mee. My second niece has been my TurtleBug since her first couple of months of life.

She will be spending a couple of days with mee. So far she is helping to keep Toby entertained, joining us on walks, and this morning she made mee Wonderland Pancakes for breakfast.

Introductions

Today Boyd met a new friend. I was in Boise for a service project. Since I was there I asked my sister to take mee to Costco for some things I needed. This adventure included myself, my sister, and my youngest niece. While we were in the car I realized that my Wild Rose hadn't met Boyd so I introduced them.

I didn't take my camera in the store so I took the picture when we returned home.

The World of Dr. Seuss

On the Island of Adventure we discovered the "kids area" was a Dr. Seuss Land.

I felt like I had walked into...Oh the Places You Will Go.

We spent most of the day at Universal Studios and didn't make it to The Island of Adventure until about 6pm or so. The theme parks close at 7pm. We just barely got to walk into Dr. Seuss' world.

I took a picture of this sign posted by the entrance of the zoo. I am sure there are a number of places for the application thereof.

"If you want to catch beasts you don't see every day,

you have to go places out of the way.

You have to go places no others can get to,

You have to get cold, and you have to get wet too."

Animal Actors at Universal Studios (28 May 08)

We got to see how they train animals to perform in shows.

We got to meet the dog who plays Frank in MIB...

Universal Studios (May 28, 2008)

Bonnie's store owner, Mr. Cramer, gave us tickets for Universal Studios and Island of Adventure. We decided to go on Wednesday. We got there about 10am. The rides started with the escalators and moving side walks provided to get from the car to the theme parks.

We started with the Simpsons RIDE. After that we decided to go to the kids area. There we could feel the size of a mouse in Fifle's land.

The bones provided a slide for everyone to use.

After playing on the skull we also went down a water slide. Ally wasn't sue what she thought about that. Then we went on the Woody Woodpecker Train ride. She liked that a lot. We then wandered around Curious George Goes to Town until it was time to go to the Animal Actors show.

Curious George

I have always been a fan of this curious little monkey. The story being told it Curious George Goes to Town.

The Simpsons RIDE

http://simpsonsride.com/

This was the first ride we went on when we got to Universal Studios. I was sure what to think...not being a fan of the Simpsons I didn't even know where to begin to imagaine what I was getting myself into. I didn't know anything about Krustyland. And I hadn't heard anything about the ride.

I am here to tell you that we started out with the best ride.

We finished with the Incredible Hulk Coaster (in the background) at Island of Adventure. It was a close second. It was also more of what I was expecting a ride to be like. Ally, who had enjoyed the Woody Woodpecker Train Ride called it a train.

Boyd gets to see the Atlantic Ocean

Boyd at the ocean. Boyd visiting the life guard station. Ally taking Boyd to play in the water.