Q is for Never Quitting!!!

It is a popular fact that nine-tenths of the brain

is not used and , like most popular facts, it is

wrong.  Not even the most stupid Creator 

would go to the trouble of making the human

head carry around several pounds of 

unnecessary grey goo if its only real purpose

was, for example, to serve as a delicacy for certain

remote tribesman in unexplored valleys. It is used.

 And one of the functions is to make the miraculous

 seem ordinary and to turn the unusual into the usual.

from: Small Gods

by: Terry Pratchett

One is never too old to learn.  I learn new things all the time.  Every day there is something new.  Earwigs are the bane of gardening. The microscopic world is awe inspiring. Patience is a virtue.

Now it seems that ALL my boys are once again on the path of scholarly learning! I never would have dreamed..no thats not true...I have dreamed...a lot...of this achievement  for all my boys.
Brian is home from his mission and is going to enroll in college.It may be hard for some to understand, but this is  another hard thing for him to do, yet he's going to do it!!  Robby is beginning his second semester of college here soon...as his desire to become a nurse drives him to do the hard things...the things that dont come naturally to him either. (or at least thats what he used to think. Now he knows better!!!)  Joe is  also beginning a whole new chapter in his life...with much encouragement from his good wife. He is taking the leap...giving up the comfort, praise and surety of job he does well, and is starting college in the fall. He is relocating and starting new.  This is scary and risky stuff for the father of 3.
 I couldnt be more proud of these sons and fathers and husbands.
Clark is thriving and working so hard at his college endeavors as well.  We are a bit envious and marvel at how 'easy' it seems for him, compared to the rest of us....but oh well. And David too, has chosen the more challenging way in  going back to school to attain a Phd.  What amazing examples these men are  to each other and to their children.
And now its time for some Mimi advise: whether you want it or not...'cause thats what moms do...

Not quitting and enduring is a sign of true greatness. So there is already greatness in each of YOU. Not comparing yourselves to others..is a quality of true greatness.  Please dont let the illusion of what others may think is 'great' overcome you on your journey in this life.  You boys are quietly and consistently doing the things you ought to be doing. Day in and day out.  You are always engaged in good causes; always willing to help. You are honest, kind, hardworking...every single day!!! You men are quiet hero's ...to your family and friends and to me!! . This is what matters most. And even though Clark and Brian arent married yet...this is their hearts desire..to be good fathers and husbands, like their brothers are.   This might not be what the world thinks of as being a hero...but I know quite a few people who do know you are a hero and count on their hero's every day.  Getting up every day..making the efforts every day with the day to day little things is what leads to greatness.  Think of all the thousands of things you do every day, the little deeds and service you extend to your family, neighbors and community and church. Think of the sacrifices you make..which truly means you are giving or "losing" your own life for the sake of so many others in your life and for your God. You are doing your best even though it may often feel like drudgery or common-place and is a struggle...yet you go on.

A prophet of God once said:
"Those things which we call extraordinary, remarkable, or unusual may make history,
but they do not make real life.  After all, to do well those things which God ordained to
be the common lot of all mankind, is the truest greatness.  To be a successful father
or a successful mother is greater than to be a successful general or a successful statesman."


Brian still has a clear and vivid recollection of what its like to do ones best at the risk of failing...he left families behind in California that he came to love  and who came close to receiving the Gospel, and  in the end did not.....yet.  And every day he still got out of bed and tried it all again...continuing on.... All these boys served difficult, trying missions...and now  they are all adding the gaining of knowledge to the list of marvelous things they are doing to improve themselves and in the process they change the lives of those around them that love and adore them!! I know that each of them will continue to persevere in whatever comes their way...because each of them needs to  know and believe that in doing so they are making the world a better place by helping others and bringing happiness to those they love and to themselves.   This is true greatness!!
So please remember boys..that I LOVE you!! Remember that doing the things that God has ordained as important and needful and necessary, even though the world may see those things as unimportant and even insignificant, will eventually lead to your true greatness. Not quitting is the key!! So go and conquer my handsome men!!! You can do anything you set your minds to!!!

MIMI MONDAY

P is for Play Pens

You may not feel outstandingly robust, but if you are

an average-sized adult you will contain within your modest

frame no less than 7X10 to the 18th

joules of potential energy-enough to explode with

the force of thirty very large hydrogen bombs, 

assuming you know how to liberate it and really wished

to make a point.  Everything has this kind of of energy

trapped within it.  We're just not very good at getting it

out.  Even a uranium bomb - the most energetic thing

we have produced yet- releases 

 less than 1% of the

energy it could release if only we were more cunning.

from: A Short History of Nearly Everything

by: Bill Bryson

Aunt Cathy

If you look on line you can find quite the debate about the pros and cons of playpens.
The reason  I bring this up...is because of a comment my daughter made the  other day...when we were all in the garden working...Anna had  Ben and was frustrated that she couldnt lend a hand.  I said something about getting a play pen out there with us, under the trees, and then we'd all be happy and comfortable.  She said something like, "oh, he hates that..."   WHAT!!???  Dear Ben has never even seen a playpen let alone been in one!! What is that about??  Anna wasnt/isnt even going to entertain the idea.   Interesting.

Now that I've been thinking about this topic I have noticed some things.  One being that tv characters are forever putting their tv babies into playpens, which are situated in the front rooms so that the babies appear to be in there gurgling and purring away...when we all know they really arent there at all.  Smoke and mirrors...tv is smoke and mirrors.
Also, my three oldest kids spent some time in a playpen and they turned out ok  great!!! I was happy to have a respite from them eating dirt or worrying about them pulling something heavy down on top of them while I ran to the bathroom.
But we have a new generation of kids now...parents that worry that using a playpen might curb their development, stifle their creativity etc, etc. All of which would be turnrue if you planed on leaving a baby in a pen for extended periods of time.  I happen to know that none of the parents of my grands would ever do such a thing...they are excellent parents/caregivers/nurturers.  Im just looking for ways to make their loadsa bit easier at times.
These days it seems to be all about baby enabling...and guilt about parent simplifying.
Wasnt it Bill Cosby that picked up a playpen and turned it upside down to capture his twin grandkids underneath it...just for safe keeping and for sanity sake?  I wasnt horrified!! Were you??? Im sure he threw them some crackers.

Mimi wonders what you think about this?

Sabbath Musings

Maybe you think that carrots are less important than cows.

 I think they're equal, especially in a sauce."

Sherman Alexie

is for Omnivore

It was long ago..in my illuminating college days, that I read in some behavioral type text book, that children are more likely to develop the eating habits of their father, as opposed to how/what the mother eats.
Stay with me now...I can feel you slipping away as Im sure you are now thinking about your own dad and what made him happy when he saddled up to the dinner table.  I know Im right....come back.
Im quite sure I've already referred to my own dad as being a veracious carnivore.  He could hold his own in any lions' den, for he seems most content when his red meat is swimming in its own red juices; grilled, but still cool inside. And my mother, being the dutiful and good wife that she is, complied to his appetite , and served up almost every night, a slab of meat, potatoes, veggies and a salad.  On the flip side..I know for a fact that my mom prefers thick, ooey gooey casseroles, full of flavors, textures and sauces.  We had very few of of these growing up...which on one hand  could be cause for yet another debate as well...for missing out on all those cheeses and sauces is probably a good thing.  I do remember a dish she called Italian Delight that she made for us, which was delicious, (and I have yet to be able to duplicate) which we enjoyed mostly when dad was out of town.
It turns out that the behavioral science book was right...at least about me and my brother and our eating habits...we both grew up loving red meat..for I do indeed love  a good steak, pot roast or hamburger. (pink inside for me please.)
You may be wondering where Im going with all this food rambling...
Well....I've been thinking about what we Mormons call The Word of Wisdom or the "Lords Law of Health." 
The Word of Wisdom is a revelation given to Joseph Smith in the early 1800's and contains many of our health laws that make  us 'famous,' such as not drinking alcohol, tea or coffee.  But, what we Mormons seem to easily overlook is the part about eating meat vs. eating grains and veggies.  The scripture read:

10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbsGod hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—

11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.

12 Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;

13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.

14 All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;

15 And these hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.

16 All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground

I sometimes question if this means that Mormons should be Vegetarians. After a little bit of research, I discovered there are a few levels of Vegetarianism, one of which is called “Flexetarianism” or “Semi-Vegitariansim”. This is defined as a Vegetarian (someone who doesn’t eat meat) in most cases, but sometimes eats meat.
Therefore, I would say that if a Mormon is strictly adhering to the Word of Wisdom, they are only eating meat in extreme situations, or in other words, occasionally. So being an omnivore isnt quite 'right.' which sucks!!.
Occasional means something different though to many people. For some, occasional means once a day. To others, occasional could mean once a year. According to the Word of Wisdom, occasional (as outlined above) means only in rare circumstances, or in the winter. I've been watching my good brother practice this for a few years now...we havent really talked about it...I've just noticed it and wondered what he was thinking, when eating meat only when its cold outside.  Now Im getting it.
The Word of Wisdom ends with a promise for those who follow it, that they will receive “health to their navel and marrow to their bones” and they will be able to “run and not be weary and walk and not faint”. These are amazing promises, promises I wish to enjoy...for the rest of the time I have here on this earth.
I’ll admit, it's not going to be easy giving up the meat, the difficulty  ranks up there with giving up Pepsi...almost.   I've been conditioned to 'need' protein. Therefore, I include meat in my diet at least once/day.  Maybe if I were to become a "True" Mormon which most of us are not it seems, and follow the Word of Wisdom more strictly, I should learn to enjoy beans...ugh!! and other alternative proteins.  Living next to David and Anna and our summer garden will help of course. Fresh tomato sandwiches!! YUM!!
Heres to wishing me luck and fortitude...AGAIN!!!
Now Im going to go out and get a meat-lovers pizza in celebration of my new resolve.  te he

I am not a vegetarian because I love animals.

 I'm a vegetarian because I hate plants.

A. Whitney Brown

.

N is for Narrowing
or
in other words, contraction.
Are these the words you think of when you hear the word contractions?



abbreviating, abbreviation, abridging, abridgment, compression, condensation, condensing, confinement, confining, constriction, curtailing, curtailment, cutting down, decrease, decreasing, deflating, deflation, diminishing, diminution, drawing together, dwindling, elision, evaporating, evaporation, lessening, lopping, narrowing, omission, omitting, receding, recession, reducing, reduction, shrinkage, shrinking, shrivelling, tensing, tightening, withdrawal, withdrawing

What is urgent is not urgent forever but only

ephemerally.  All work and all love, the search

for wealth and fame, the search for truth, life 

itself, are made up of moments which pass and

become nothing.  Yet through this shaft of nothings

we drive onward with that miraculous vitality that

creates our precarious habitations in the past and the

future. So we live; a spirit that broods and hovers over

the continual death of time, the lost meaning, the 

unrecaptured moment, the unremembered face, until

the final chop chop that ends all our moments and

plunges that spirit back into the void from which it came.

from: Under the Net

by: Iris Murdock

Or...
do you think of words like pain, discomfort, withering, "I dont want to do this anymore!!??" or" make it stop!!!" or how about  Intense, or getting miraculous things done in a short amount of time.

I, aka- Cinhiker, aka- Warm Moccasin, aka- Mimi, have labored and delivered beautiful babies- 5 times. Many years ago.
It now seems that I wasnt quite through with laboring.  Im experiencing  it again at age 50 something.  Part of me doesnt recommend it. And then,  after further reflection, there is another part of me that just  might recommend it. 

There are differences of course.  (thank heavens) I dont expect the euphoria that one feels as a brand new baby is laid in your arms after  a birth...
But there is a sense of stretching, lengthening, and rebirth going on here. Life is a little bit more amplified ...and expansive...if thats possible.
Parts of my life are contracting...
Some burdens are being lifted....
A new and different life is on the horizon...
But oh man  its not easy...as if any contraction is.
There are some real pains.
Some of the pains are easier to bear than others.
like--
Getting rid of stuff---fairly painless (except the books)
Home---a twinge of discomfort begins
 Zoey cant come---ouch!!! This really hurts!!
Saying goodbye at work---maybe concentrating on a certain spot elsewhere might be helpful. Taking ones mind off it... What have I done to get myself into this position!!!?
Parting from  good friends and loved ones---DEEP cleansing breaths required....Bravery and a stiff upper lip.
Climate change---You may have to call the paramedics for this one
Leaving family--- an epidural please, NOW!!! or a good shot of adrenaline right to the heart might, just might get me through.

Parting with a great deal of crap at the garage sale over the weekend felt similar to those pesky first  contractions that you know are just the beginning.   Having friends and loved ones show up to  express sorrow and love and support... those are the contractions that hurt!! Generous angel friends that bring thoughtful gifts and goodies and words of encouragement is when I find myself wanting to yell, "I DONT WANT TO DO THIS ANYMORE!!"

I believe My Builder thinks I want to do that old Bill Cosby skit thing to him...where the wife wants to pull her husbands bottom  lip up over his head for 'causing ' this whole mess.  I on the other hand have never looked at it that way.  I never ever have.  We have had a wonderful marriage all these years...we've enjoyed the thick and the thin, the sickness and health. He has always been a blessing in my life, since the day I met him, which was, ironically, up in Logan. The two of us have enjoyed many, many wonderful times together and amazing places and experiences together.  As far as Im concerned, this is just another new experience to add to our list.  Im am just ever so  grateful to be with with him as we go through this new "contraction" in our life right now. I have never and will never doubt his ability to provide, love and care for me and our family.  He is a man of great talent and fortitude and determination.  There is truly no one that I would want to "labor" with through this trial than with him.  And I wonder at times what good or even dare I say, better things may be waiting for us at the other end of all this 'contracting.'  The difference I see this time, is that we get to coach each other through these contractions, 'cause this time he too is feeling the pain of  growth and change, this transition.
Stay tuned for what may be 'produced' by our 'pressure waves' or contracting...
I dont know what has the gestational period of 4 years..but whatever it is were working on here, it must be a doozy!!!




.

However, 'the milk that is spilt cries not out

afterwards, 'as you say.  We shall not think

of that, but go on our way to the end.

from: Dracula

by: Bram Stoker

Life is chalk full of ironies.

Not to long ago  I plucked  a book from the niagara of book shelves in my brothers library, to read while I was 'tending' their cute girlies.  Once I started...I couldnt put it down.  The Geography of Bliss. Its a book about the allusive, and difficult to describe thing called happiness.  It asks and trys to answer- where is the happiest place on earth....and its not Disneyland???  Who is happy and why??  What elements are needed in order to be happy?  Its a fascinating read. Eric Weiner, a self proclaimed "whiner"- which is also how he pronounces his name, also finds it ironic that a free spirited writer such as himself, has been  perpetually grumpy all his life.
The people of Iceland, the US, Switzerland and even Qatar, plus others, all fall under his scrutiny.  Eric is a deep thinker and seems to have had the energy and means to spend months at a time at each place he investigates to try and learn what makes each country tick and in some places he does find happiness and contentment. ( He logged over tens of thousands of miles.)  Here again is a wonderful author who writes with gusto, humor and great wisdom and a few unnecessary expletives as well. (Oh well, I guess no one is perfect.)
I loved reading this book. I was sorry when I turned the last pages. ***** stars for me!!!


 And now you are wondering- where is the irony?
Well....it was while I was finishing the concluding few chapters that My Builder dropped the 'unhappy' bomb on my world.  It was while driving home to glorious St George after having spent almost four weeks in the cold and gloom of the north that My Builder broached the subject of moving ourselves to Logan.

Wait for it




Let that sink in


As I told him, and now you my lovely readers,
There could be NOTHING and I mean NOTHING that I could possibly be more conflicted on than the prospect of moving north to Logan, Utah.


There it is again


think of it


Logan, Utah.  What is Logan's claim to fame?...the first thing you think of when you think of Logan...the terrible winters. The long terrible winters and the short summer. Which is of course the "polar" opposite of where I love and live now.
On so many levels.


Of course this suggestion to relocate makes complete sense and does not come as a surprise.  I had an inkling that it was inevitable.  It makes perfect sense if we are to make the bunny food business grow.
Making a living is the number one priority.
Gas money is killing us as My Builder travels back and forth
Benjamin and my daughter are beyond adorable.
But please notice how very short this list is for leaving here.


Beginning a list of St George's qualifications.........would be a mistake to attempt as you can imagine. So I'm not going there. Everyone that knows me knows what that LONG list would  look like.


But there is no doubt that making a living is what needs to rank first right now.  So, back to the book....The Geography of Bliss
What is happiness?
It turns out that climate has nothing to do with finding/being happy. (gulp) I learned that Iceland is one of the top 5 happiest places!! Who'd a thunk!!??
Having trust does matter.
Having a sense of belonging to something bigger than self matters.
Being a part of a culture, having a history is important
Having a sense of awe and wonder for nature and the world in which we live seems important too
Having money, but not too much money is on the list.
minimum envy: its toxic
keep  smiling, even when you dont feel like it.
family is important (duh)
so are friends
not thinking  too much is included on the list
beaches are optional and
gratitude is mandatory




And look at that...
I have most these things in spades!!!
No matter where I land I have the things of most import.
What we havent had is financial security, which is why we need the move.  When we have this, life will be coming up roses once again...or at least crocus's  through the perma-frost!!
Im pasting on my happy face and moving forward with the best attitude I can muster.
Wish me luck.

is for moving....

oh yeah...I almost forgot    
.

 is for LOVE -Day 1

But behold, all things have been done in the

wisdom of Him who knoweth all things. 

Adam fell that men might be; and men 

are, that they might have joy.

There are 14 days until Valentines Day.   My plethura of time for  reading has found me lighting upon some great and interesting thoughts... and since I dont believe in coincidence...I thought I'd share some really heady stuff...ideas that are difficult to understand...at least in the way that Truman Madsen writes. I wish I could instigate conversation on these ideas.


How to Be Loved and Beloved

*"In the midst of the stresses of youth there is a secret:
how to find and express romantic love.
It is exciting.
It is consuming.
But it is also uncommon. Few know it at its actual source and still fewer are able to communicate it, even in poetry or music.
Meanwhile we give our immoral support to stars who throw dust in our eyes.


You all know the initials of the handsome man who pays millions in alimony.  He is a superb actor, and for widely screened reasons he is big box office.  Not matter whom he is married to this week, he says he cannot perform on stage or camera without a "powerful love interest" in his leading lady, an interest which, apparently, goes all the way. In sacred books this sort of "interest" is not  described as love.  But if we are disposed to stone Mr. ____, let us learn at least this much from him:


Even make-believe love, even diseased and perverted love, is a powerful force."


Truman's post script or later expounding on this thought:


"This person is only a symbol of three different rip-tides felt in youth.  (or us!)


First, the notion that love is lust and that "it is all;"  " nothing but seething glands."


Second, the notion, traceable in part to the Puritan tradition, that it is really a very nasty business.


And third, the notion, for which religion has too often been responsible, that love and marriage are of the Fall and even of the Devil and that the really religious person avoids them in their romantic modes.  These attitudes are not always explicitly voiced.  But they are "in the air" and they drench us, and they mislead us."




*Truman Madsen- Four Essays on Love


Is that just as clear as soup!!??

Ivan Aivazovsky, Between the Waves, 1898

is for Knowledge.....

"It seems hard to sneak a look at God's cards.

But that He plays dice and uses 'telepathic' methods

....is something that I cannot believe for a single moment."

quote by: Albert Einstein

from: A Short History of Nearly Everything

by: Bill Bryson

You know you've found a good book when you find yourself talking to people about it.  Not just in recommending it...but sharing what you've learned!!!
Here is a book that succeeds  marvelously in explaining complicated sciences in fairly easy and interesting ways.  Bill Bryon is a clever and talented writer.  He's written many books...and Im going to go find them and read them!!!  I think its saying something when a writer can grab your attention when hes writing about quirky scientists and their discoveries.  My imagination was peeked when he wrote about and explained the vastness of space and the in numerable universe out there.  Bryson has a wonderful sense of humor and a great writing style.  Learning new things is great fun with Bill Bryson!!!
The book begins with the birth of our universe and the creation of the Earth.  He touches on evolution and the discovery of the elements on the periodic table.  We speculate along with the many bright scientific minds of the 1800's who were trying to determine the age of the Earth.  And who knew how many atoms can sit on a pin head or what a super-nova is?  You will after reading A Short History of Nearly Everything!

Just a Very Few Things I Learned From Reading this Book:
-dimes have a half-life of 30 yrs.
-God is DEFINITELY in the details!!!
-lead and chlorofluorocarbons --BAD, Nasty stuff!!
- the Earth is 4,550 million years old...plus or minus 70 million years.
-an accelerator can whip particles into "such a state of liveliness that a single electron can do 47 thousand laps around a 4 mile tunnel in a second."  GASP!!
-there are 15 million, yes I said million...hogs in Iowa.
-the Earth is 8000 miles in diameter...for some reason I thought it was a bigger number.
- Yellowstone is due to blow....and I mean BLOW!!! (its sitting on top of a super volcano)


I truly cant recall a text book or any other book for that matter that has caught my imagination and that has been more comprehensive about this world we live in.  Why cant textbook writers take a lesson from Bill Bryson and add some personality, wit and the wisdom to throw in lesser known facts of our history to make it all the more interesting...its beyond me!!!???
This book should be required reading in high school. To heck with The Yearling and the other drivel that is required these days.  Every kid, young or old, should read these 478 pages!!! If such a thing were to happen...who knows how many kids might "turn on" to one of the many sciences, or at least have their eyes opened  to wonder and magnificence of this planet on which we live.  There are unspoken lessons in this book on WHY to be green without the dry, whining lecturing on recycling or ozone etc, etc....you'll find the logical reasoning here without the preaching.  Here is a book that can spark a real interest in paleontology, meteorology, chemistry, biology, astronomy, geology or even physics without causing one to sweat or break out in hives.

Five Stars for me!!! *****

Mysteries require judgments and the assessment of

uncertainty, and the hard part is not that we have

too little information but that we have too much.

From: What the Dog Saw

by:

 is for:

Just a few months....

Imagine with me if you will- that darling, bundled up caroler on your front step just a few weeks ago- it being the last caroler you'd ever enjoy hearing sing your favorite Christmas tunes.

Imagine those yummy chocolate orange sticks and candy canes that only appear on the shelves at Christmas time, being the last you'd ever sample.

Imagine being told that you have just a few months to live.

Suddenly now everything becomes “ the last.”

The last New Years.

The last Valentines Day

The last birth of a grandchild.

The last turkey carved and eaten.

The last Presidential Election.

The last winter.

The last spring.

The last new moon.

Etc

etc

etc!

There I was, sitting in a dear friends living room...hearing his catastrophic diagnosis...and I groped for understanding and wondered  what that would be like...to have such devastating news delivered to my ears and heart .

My mind has been crashing and thrashing with the possibilities...

It seems that cancer is now the new plague.

If those dreaded cells were taking over my internal organs one by one and there was no hope of beating them back...What would I DO? What would I think? What would I regret?

How would I react if I just had a few months?

I suppose its not surprising that my mind first went to the place where Hollywood is famous for going. Great wealth is supplied...and then the possibilities are endless.

And even if that were true...and a bank funded my pre-death experiences...I see that my story would differ from Hollywoods' version. It wouldnt be about extravagant things. (with the possible exception of a NICE car...rental of course, and a ticket for that flight on an F16)

Instead I would wish to somehow disrupt the lives of my family...expecting them  all to take up temporary residence on some tropical shoreline, south of here....WAY SOUTH OF HERE!! South of Cancun would do nicely.

Spending my last days floating on a bright green air mattress bobbing on the waves of the Gulf with my family around me would suit me just fine.

Yes...

Im a dreamer. I've always been accused of being unrealistic. Wanting something and reality are two different beasts.

Undoubtedly I would NOT be able to disrupt my family's lives...for my drama.

This would be the first “regret” on my list of regrets.

Regret #1-Real life getting in the way of dreams.

So...If I had just a few months, and I couldnt live it out on a beach...with my family.... my whole family, and money was no object...

(Money is always the object.)

Then what!!!?

First lets make the list with the idea that money is easily come by: ha!!( I know Im wasting time...but its an interesting exercise in dreaming.)

How about a HUGE motor home in which to see this extraordinary country. With all the family squeezed in nice and cozy. Road trips are the best!! We'd do Disney World, eat Maine lobster to our hearts content, Maryland crabcakes, see Mt Rushmore and the Black Forest; enjoy Vancouver ferry rides and gardens, & Seattles chowder, and we'd hunt all over for the best pies and french fries made in the good ol U.S. of A. Maybe I'd even give Fargos' winter a try?

If money werent the issue, I'd hire a chef that would cook us delicious meals and clean up afterwards. We'd get a larger dining room table and everyone would have a place at the board.

(Are you depressed yet...or just very hungry??!

or...and this is more likely...are you disappointed in my worldliness?)

Its been a sobering exercise. But at the same time enlightening.

For me-

Its all about family.

About making memories.

Would I die with regrets...most assuredly.

Some might be-

not seeing Italy again.

not living in NYC for a time.

not telling my dad to be nicer to my mom.

Somehow not being able to convince Joe that I love him as much as any of my kids.

Not doing the long dreamed of bike ride down the coast of California, starting at the Redwood Forest.

I would regret not having time to serve a mission for my church with My Builder...

I wouldnt miss not having jumped out of a plane.

I would bring my son home from his mission early!! Yes I would...may lightening strike me I would!!!

I wouldnt get drunk or stoned.

Though I have a strong suspicion I'd take back the joys of Pepsi.

If I dont find myself on a beach, I'd attempt to be blissfully happy here at home in my peaceful desert.

It just might not be about the places in the world I havent seen... (though that is sometimes hard to imagine it not being about that too.)

All week as I have been pondering this...my zoom lens has focused in...

and I have been a little depressed....

but I have learned some things about me.

 I  thought it would be “fun” to learn from you as well... So I asked the question...”what would you DO if you had just a few months to live?”

The answers that came in were far more cerebral than mine...not surprisingly.

I live in the moment.

Im emotional

and unrealistic, remember.

So here are some of the responses of friends and family:

Sabine from Waterloo, Canada:

WOW!!!! I think. if healthy enough, I would want to see all the people I care about that are all over the world. It`s not about travelling but seeing everybody I can again, until I see them again in heaven. Ths is a spontaneous answser without having really thought it through but those are usually the answers``from the heart` And without joking around St George would be part of my trip.

Lizzy...from Young Womens:


Months?? Well attending the temple and finishing the Book of Mormon would be on my top 5 things to do. And for the sake of it..... Let's just say i'm 16  I would really like to kiss someone before I die. I would also apologize to anyone I have hurt or anyone that I have been or am still angry with. I would also write a letter to every person that has made an impact in my life. That way they will always have something to remember me by and they will also understand that they made my life better. Meeting the prophet would be nice but my family and friends are the people I would want to be spending my time with, doing what ever makes them all happy.


from my nephew Ryan:

• Ah, that is difficult. Well first I would quit my job. Then I would probably spend my time reading the scriptures, going to the temple and sharing the gospel with my friends. I might also consider making my feelings known for a certain girl. 
• I would definitely be completely open and honest with everyone.
  
  
  From Lisa, one of my 18 yr old Young Women:
  
  
  Spend all the time I could with those I love and get closer to my savior. It'd be nice to see the world and go places you've always dreamed. Cherish every moment
  
  
  from McCarey...whom I love...
  
  : I would spend time traveling the world with people I loved. I would want to volunteer in third world countries and meet people from all over the world. I would want to hear what different people from different places had to say about life. I would spend A lot of time praying to see what I believed and felt.
  
  Cherie  a hiking friend, responded-
  
  I think the main answer for me would be to spend as much time as I can with my family. I would also want to create memory books or something for each of my kids with mementos and a letter telling them what they mean to me with hopes for their future, etc.
  If able, I would also love to travel possibly to a couple places with my family. Top of the list would be Rome Italy where I went to high school. Also possibly Germany where I met my husband and had my 1st child and my 1st real job.
  That is what comes to mind now.
  
  Lisa, another good hiking buddy said:
  
  After I have a good cry and wonder how I got myself into this situation (because I would automatically assume I did something to cause it...)
  My Initial thought would be what I'd need to do to get my house in order?
  Is my will in order, do I have a living will, where is my insurance paperwork, etc.
  I would then write out a plan as to how I want to spend my time and who I want to spend it with.
  
  Thank you friends!! YOu are all loved and appreciated and respected!!!
  
  
  .

None of us comes to this earth to gain our worth; 

we bring it with us!

-Sheri Dew

is for Individual Worth....




Watching our favorite Christmas classic will do it...
Working with the Young Women will do it..
Walking with people from all over the country, from all walks of life will bring it too.


Some of us need a reminder of other people's worth, and sometimes we need to be reminded of our own worth. The former requires living the Golden Rule.  (it seems like nobody ever talks about the Golden Rule anymore. Why is that?!  Soon there may be a whole generation that doesnt know what it is....To Do Unto Others As You Would Have Done Unto You.)   
Both requires a knowledge of who you are, what is our purpose, and where the heck are we going!?
I think  knowing that each of us is a beloved child of God, made in His image, naturally has us step up to the plate.
Practicing the Golden Rule and learning just who you are in the grand scheme of things, are both difficult lessons to learn.  Even now I am repenting for what I wrote about some unnamed guests  we had a few weeks ago.  I had no right to judge them so harshly.  God loves them as much as He loves me.  I will attempt to never do that again.


Teaching sensitive Young Women of their individual worth is my main focus in life right now.  And its no easy task.  Life for teenagers is fairly brutal these days. Maybe it has been for eons of time...I dont know.  I do know that if given a chance to go back and do teenagedom again....I wouldnt touch it with a ten foot pole!!  For some reason the stakes seem higher these days for our youth.


My Christmas wish this year is that all of us could KNOW and remember and believe what the below quote is saying to each of us...especially to the women of the world, about our power, influence and possibilities in this life.  This is what an apostle of the Lord has to say about our worth!


"Every [person] who stands for truth and righteousness diminishes the influence of evil.  Every woman who strengthens and protect her family is doing the work of God.  Every woman who lives as a woman of God becomes a beacon for others to follow and plants seeds of righteous influence that will be harvested for decades to come."  -M. Russell Ballard


I want "my girls" to know that they each mean the world to me.  That I will love them no matter what. That I love them when its easy to love them and I love them when its not so easy.  And I love them because- they each have unique talents and gifts from God to share with the world.  I love them for the challenge it is to learning who they are and envisioning their possibilities.  I love them because I have been blessed with "spiritual eyes" to see that they truly are children of our Heavenly Father who loves them with perfect love.  I love them because Im supposed to...a blessing that comes with the 'calling.' My heart has been opened to receive them and to try and give them what they need.  I love them because I serve them.




My wish making continues...
that none of us have to stand percariously on the edge of certain death,on a cold, deserted bridge,  before we learn of our great worth.  That we can all come to know of our worth to others and of our own great worth to God and ourselves.   And that we may all take some time to learn of our purposes here and to embrace our gifts and talents  which we have been gifted, and go and do!!  Remembering  our Heavenly Heritage will take us a long way towards a healthy self esteem dont ya think!!!?

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;

and before  thou camest forth out of the womb

I sanctified thee...

Jeremiah 1:5

I know I treat people differently and am kinder to myself when I remember that I was loved and cherished before  I even came here to live and learn.  And knowing that you were there with me makes it sweeter still!!!


Remember, The worth of souls is great in the sight of God!!!
And your dear soul counts!!!


If you'd like to hear a silly song on the Golden Rule, go Here.




.

LOOKING FOR Gemuetlich!!!

The world is indeed full of peril and in it

there are many dark places. But still there

is much that is fair. And though in all lands,

love is now mingled with grief,

it still grows, perhaps, the greater.

from: The Fellowship of the Ring

by: J.R.R. Tolkien

is for GEMUETLICH


When the wine is fine...or the sparkling cider...and the company is perfect, and the dress looks fabulous; when the candlelight is divine and the conversation is easy; when the temperture of the room is right on and all the stars are aligned...then you have Gemuetlich!!!
Or....
When the shoes are comfortable, with no hotspots to torment, and the views are endless; when the wicking shirt is wicking, and the sage is aromatic and the endorphin's are running;  when the company is endearing...then you have Gemuetlich!!!
The perfect party or the perfect hike can be described as Gemuetlich.
And since I rarely attend fancy dinner parties, I relate better to my hiking analogy.
I believe Nature is the perfect conduit  to the feelings of Gemuetlich.
Getting away from the stresses of the world..for a while.  Leaving cares at the van.  Leaving worries balancing beautifully on the carins of the trails.  Not worrying about what you look like...just wondering if you can make it to the top of the next peak...these are the perfect ingredients to having Gemuetlich.
Hiking is a social event...with some rare exceptions.  Hiking alone is not recommended.  Hiking with friends and new acquaintances  is very desirable.  Somewhere along the trail people begin to let their hair down...and revel in the moment.  Hikers always learn something about themselves along the way.
I can attest to Gemuetlich while hiking.
I've witnessed it more times than I can count.
How else do you imagine that I would pick up a word like Gemuetlich? This perfect word...that can only be said in German. We have no single word to describe so much perfection coming together at one time.  (we over use the word bliss)  Last week when Jorge was trying to describe how he was feeling after 2 weeks of extreme hiking...he came up with this word. God bless dear Jorge.  God bless this amazing world in which we live.


When have you felt Gemuetlich?


G could have been for "George"...until I learned that he spelled it with an J. drat!  You will probably be hearing more about Jorge here soon.  What an amazing man!!!
G could also have been for Guffaw!  I look like a wild, laughing hyena ...but at the same time I look gemuetlish. 


Jorge wrote out the definition for me:
cozy, pleasant, relaxing, basically a situation/feeling of happiness

I suppose sooner or later in the life of everyone

comes a moment of trial. We all of us have

our particular devil who rides

us and torments us, and we must give battle in the end.

from: Rebecca

by: Daphine Du Maurier

is for faces...my face in particular.
Mine needs some modifying.
And not because of the growing number of wrinkles and age spots.  Not because of the puffy bags accompanied by dark circles that have taken up residence under my eyes.   And not because my sagging neck and eyelids are all I see when I look in the mirror- when I dare look in the mirror at all.  I've learned, that even after having Anna  taking time to teach me a few make-up applying techniques...it wont help me with my new found dilemma with my face issues.
I guess my countenance needs some adjusting.  3 years of hard times are apparently showing up on my face now. I suppose I havent been fooling anyone.  I guess I've failed in hiding my feelings and emotions...especially here at home.  What's that old saying...about not treating family as well as treating friends and acquaintances..... GUILTY!!
So..number ONE on the New Year's Resolution list:
Change my attitude.

Repenting and changing attitudes is no easy matter...but there will be benefits...
Maybe my temperamental jaw will not be so painful once again.
Rantings on the inside will stop showing up on the outside.
Feeling like ones head will explode must have external repercussions... behind the eyes. So stop it!!!
I vow to be better...and my face and my loves will be grateful for it!!

E is for Emotions, Empathy and Ethernet

God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in

our conscience, but shouts in our pain; it is His

megaphone to rouse a deaf world.

from: The Problem of Pain

by: C.S.Lewis

Its a sad state of affairs that it sometimes takes another persons tragedy to wake us up and take notice of what's REALLY important in life.
A few days ago this world lost a sweet young soul in a horrific car accident. She was the daughter of a very good friend.  I was home watching the news...with 3 little ones swarming my feet, who were anxious  for dinner; and, if you had been listening carefully you may have heard a slight amount of murmuring from me...about having to go it alone with 3 babies in my charge.  I was feeling picked on.  Im no spring chick anymore...and 3 little ones made that glaringly apparent!! Any way...I digress... for the split second that I looked up at the tv screen and saw the pictures of sweet Kellie, and the broadcaster announcing that she died in the accident, my world shifted once again.  The grief, the horror, and the gratitude I felt all mixed up in one emotion...(poor Lachlan was so confused) There I was crying, pacing, and hugging my babies!  The feeling of helplessness. My broken heart for Melanie, the mother of Kellie.  Wanting to know that all my kiddies were well, accounted for, and safe, immediately!  Needless to say...its been a very emotional few days...and will continue to be so for me, I fear...for many more days. 
But I cant leave it at that
 ...of course...
Catastrophic  events are always teaching events, learning events...stand up and take notice events...
Many people expound on the faults and disastrous results of our modern day communications...ie Facebook, email, twitter, texting etc, etc...and as it is with anything, there are indeed downsides..and moderation should be practiced...but today I'd like to share what I have witnessed to be a modern day miracle via ethernet.
This tragic event...the loss of this dear girl...has shown me the remarkable POWER of eitherair... 
Right before my eyes...within minutes it seemed, of the accident and word getting out about Melanie's loss, friends and acquaintances from all the corners of the country began to flood the airways, sending her INSTANT messages of love, condolences's , grief and prayers, plus support to Melanie and her family. A beautiful Memorial page was set up, again, almost instantly, where family and friends can leave thoughts, memories and tributes to Kellie. Within hours there were video clips and music and lovely words reminding one of Kellie, posted there and on innumerable "walls." 
Ways to donate money for funeral costs, which are exorbitant, to help Melanie and her family, were set up too ..  (Wells Fargo- Kellie McEllory)
There has not been a moment since this tragedy that Melanie couldnt go to her computer and receive love, sympathy and encouragement via the ethernet.  
I find this Remarkable!!!
And then just yesterday...low and behold, we see Melanie is communicating with us! Already she is sharing with us  what she has learned and will learn through this heart-breaking experience.  
We knew she was strong!!
But now she appears to be super-human!!
We know there will be good days.
We know there will be TERRIBLE days ahead.
But she can and will find great comfort in knowing how huge a support system  there is out there for her. 


Thank heaven for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Which brings such comfort and peace.
A gospel which seems to have a miraculous way of knocking off the almost lethal, rough, extremely painful edges of what has happened here.  
For we do KNOW that Kellie is in a wonderful place, with people that love her dearly.  With Jesus himself.  
And we know that His Spirit will testify of this to Melanie and to all of us that love her and wonder.  




So whatever negative things have been said about our modern generation and it's forms of communication, I have come to believe that nothing beats the instant Empathy we can receive and send out via email, facebook, twitter, texting and....dare I say...what the Spirit of our Lord and Savior can do!!!  

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

1. I know that my Redeemer lives.

What comfort this sweet sentence gives!

He lives, He lives, who once was dead.

He lives, my ever-living Head.

He lives to bless me with His love.

He lives to plead for me above.

He lives my hungry soul to feed.

He lives to bless in time of need.

2. He lives to grant me rich supply.

He lives to guide me with his eye.

He lives to comfort me when faint.

He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears.

He lives to wipe away my tears.

He lives to calm my troubled heart.

He lives all blessings to impart.

3. He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend.

He lives and loves me to the end.

He lives, and while He lives I’ll sing.

He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

He lives and grants me daily breath.

He lives, and I shall conquer death.

He lives my mansion to prepare.

He lives to bring me safely there.

4. He lives! All glory to His name!

He lives, my Savior, still the same.

Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:

“I know that my Redeemer lives.”

He lives! All glory to His name!

He lives, my Savior, still the same.

Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:

“I know that my Redeemer lives!

I know that my Redeemer lives!”

Descant

All glory to His name!

My Savior, still the same.

What joy this sentence gives:

I know my Savior lives.

All glory to His name!

My Savior still the same.

He lives! I know He lives.

“I know that my Redeemer lives.

I know that my Redeemer lives!”