Now you see him....

Now you don't.


A month or so ago, I executed a spider who was wandering around in my sink. Maybe "executed" is too strong a word. I washed him down the drain. Yikes! I felt horrible afterward, even though (maybe because)it wasn't an accident that washed him away. It was my conscience reminding me that all life is sacred, and that spider was doing me no harm.

A few days ago, grandson Carter told me that he doesn't like spiders and bees. "They are mean," he told me. We had a discussion about these little critters (usually) being harmless unless we get in their way and frighten them. I told him that the bees make honey for us, and since Carter loves honey on his peanut butter sandwiches, I got his attention. I wasn't quite so convincing about the spiders.

Then, yesterday, standing at my kitchen sink, I saw this spider




He looks exactly like the one I washed away, and either that one was an Olympic swimmer, or he has surviving relatives. To tell you the truth, I was pleased to see him. I watched him for a minute, then explained that I don't like spiders in my kitchen and that I really wished he would just move along. I left him alone to think about that while I pursued a task in another room.

When I returned a short time later




He probably just came for a little drink of water. I suspect we will meet again. And that's ok with me.

Blue and Gold

Our annual Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet was held last night. The theme was Honoring our Veterans. With the help of the Relief Society, we were able to identify 18 military service veterans in our midst. These good men served in all branches of our military, in war and peace, in a period spanning over 50 years. We were honored to have them attend our banquet. We appreciate their service to our country and the example they have set for our boys.

Thanks, Donna, and to everyone else who helped plan and prepare, for the wonderful evening for the Cub Scouts and our Veterans and for all who attended.

Some of our Veterans

Brother and Sister Tuckett


Sister and Brother Baker


Sister and Brother Preator


Brother Heimdal


Sister and Brother Hunsaker


Brother and Sister Crookston



Brother and Sister Nelson


Sister and Brother McKay



Brother Judd and his daughter, Ann


Brother Marrott


I sincerely apologize to two veterans who attended whose pictures I missed -- Brother Fisher and my own husband, Bro. Warren. Bro. Anstead who serves in the Army Reserve as a Chaplain, is currently attending a military training school in Virginia and was unable to attend. We also would like to recognize other brethren who served but were unable to attend our banquet: Brother Kader, Bro. Black, Bro. Nebecker, and Bro. Westover. We thank you all.







Our Cub Master, Donna


Often there's more fun going on behind the scenes. The kitchen is this blogger's favorite place to be at these events. Our Stake Cub Scout representative came as a guest, and helped out in the kitchen. It is the way things work in this group.Here she is (I'm sorry, I don't remember her name, so if you know it, please let me know so I can identify her), along with our own Linda (Bear Den Leader) and Jill (Wolf Den Leader).


Donna not only planned and carried out the awards and program, she also ordered and prepared the food. And then she helped serve it. Annette, our Primary President in the background.

Now, don't they look like they're having fun? Here's Annette and Linda. (This is why I like being in the kitchen!)

Several boys received belt loops and other awards for various activities, but there were a few awarded that were special. Here is Owen pinning his mother (or rather trying to) with her award for helping him earn his Wolf Badge.



And here is mom, Lisa, congratulating her boy.



Joseph earned his Arrow of Light award, the highest that a Cub Scout can achieve, and the only badge from Cub Scouts that will go onto his Boy Scout uniform. He did much of the work for this award while his family was traveling in Europe for nine months in 2008. Congratulations, Joseph. Well done! (and congratulations to the proud parents, who we all know have a major part in any scout's accomplishments).



Here's Joseph bridging to Boy Scouts.



Our Veterans were invited to come forward, and one by one, told us what branch of the military they served in, and when. Our cub scouts came forward to present them with a small token of our appreciation, and salute them. Donna reminded us that while these gentlemen served and returned to their families, there were many who did not. We observed a moment of silence for those who gave their lives so that we might enjoy the freedoms our Constitution promises us, and so that others may also be free from oppression. Our veterans received a standing ovation in appreciation for their service.

Short Memory

Today I thought of something I want to blog about. Then I forgot.

(If I remember, I'll let you know)

Where it's warm

Well, it's all relative. I wouldn't say it is "warm" exactly, but it is surely warmer than it has been in Provo. High yesterday at Zion was probably about 50 degrees. Today in St. George and Snow Canyon was about 65. Here's a peek...




Coming out of the tunnel







Zion Lodge...


View from our deck:




One of our little hikes


Gayle would be proud: even this scary sign didn't deter "Psafety Psycho" from the hike on this trail






On to Snow Canyon (named after early Mormon settlers, Erastus and Lorenzo Snow)








Wasatch Brewery has capitalized on Utah culture in naming their brews. One is called Polygamy Porter, and the caption beneath reads "Why have just one"? The little pizza place we ate in just outside of Zion served beer -- not to us -- and this advertizing was on the wall. Unfortunately I didn't get a good picture of the poster above it which was for "Provo Girl".

Pam, the Plant Killer

This is why Bob calls me that. Fortunately, philodendron are hearty plants, and can survive even me.


P.S. I guess that should be "hardy" not "hearty". Maybe this one is "hearty" -- it loves me when I water it.

There's one thing about Primary...

...you never know what to expect. Adult meetings are fairly predictable. With children involved, not so much.

For this week in particular, I had expected the worst. With all three of the other presidency out of town, I had visions of Murphy's Law coming into play in a big way -- if anything can go wrong, it will. Fortunately, Annette, our Primary President,had arranged for someone to come help out. The someone was Valerie, who had been in the Primary Presidency before us and knows many of the children as well as our routine and program. Besides, one is never alone in Primary -- it is a team effort with teachers and music people besides the presidency.

Maybe you can imagine my prayers this week, and even before. I started early -- as soon as I knew the others would be out of town on the same Sunday. It didn't take long for that peace to come. I kept praying, just in case. I know Heavenly Father would not let me down, but I have less faith in myself.

So today came, and I had not a single twinge of worry. Two hours could not have gone more smoothly. (I'm sure Annette and Elizabeth must have also joined their prayers with mine.) Phoebe(6)sweetly said the opening prayer. Her brother, Owen(9), read a scripture, then led us all in the monthly theme scripture, "The family is ordained of God" (Proclamation, paragraph 7). Their little brother Hugh (3 1/2) was excited to be giving his very first talk in Primary. Hugh stepped up on the stepstool behind the podium, mom adjusted the microphone to his level, and then prompted him line for line as he recited his talk on love and families, accompanied by a picture of the Savior which he held up at the appropriate time. He spoke slowly, but with confidence, clearly and understandably. No giggling, squirming, or apparent shyness or apprehension in taking this big step. Be still, my heart! Moments like this fill me with incomprehensible love and gratitude. These sweet children are not just learning the gospel, but also teaching it to others. Myself included.

Brother C and Brother G's class, half of our Valiant Boys, gave a well prepared and informative Sharing Time on the how the Priesthood blesses our families. Having such role models for our 10 and 11 year old boys gives me the calm assurance that another generation of righteous young men will step up to the challenges that will face them very soon.

Valerie made sure the attendance rolls were filled out and everyone accounted for. Several families were gone this weekend because of the holiday on Monday. The children who were there were good listeners, and they could have caught butterflies. Absent teachers had arranged for substitutes and we didn't have to scramble at the last minute to plug any holes. We were grateful to have Donna C. as our pianist today; she loves being in Primary.

All my concerns were for naught, as they always are. With Primary, you never know what might happen, but today, all was perfect. We missed Annette, Elizabeth and Amy and will be very glad to see them when they get back.

Let me count the ways...

My Valentine

Kennedy invited me to have lunch with her at school today. I picked up her favorite Subway sandwich, and one for me, some chocolate chip cookies, chips and a juice box and went to her school a little early. I didn't want to be late for such an important date. In my few moments wait, I wandered out into the hall and soaked in the sweet ambiance of this really wonderful elementary school.



This is my favorite. The American flag, my sweet Kennedy raising her hand to participate in class, and the sign outside the door that invites everyone to Be Happy therein.



Here she is, my lunch date. My sweet Kennedy.

The Old Sewing Machine

We’ve carted it all over the country for thirty years; it surely has more miles traveling than it does sewing. But the time has come. The old sewing machine needed a new home. And it has one. My friend Helen came over this evening to pick it up. Although she has a newer zigzag machine, she specifically wanted this old Singer, the one that has been in the family since the late ‘50’s or early ‘60’s, because these old machines sew a more true stitch for quilting than the new ones.

I learned to sew on this machine. I was ten or eleven years old, and my first try produced a gathered green and white cotton skirt made without a pattern. I may have worn it once. The gathering was bunchy and the hem uneven. But it was the work of my own hands – and of this new sewing machine belonging to my mother. My next sewing project was the product of membership in the local 4-H club. I made a pair of red Bermuda shorts and a red and white print sleeveless top. Kathie’s project, also Bermudas and a top, was made from a wide gold/gray/white plaid, that we laughed later reminded us of a tablecloth. I don’t think she wore her outfit more than once or twice, either, possibly ceasing with the tablecloth similarity awareness.

While I was never an enthusiastic seamstress, it has been handy to have a sewing machine for repairing split seams and making small projects. The Singer and I parted company when I married and left home. A few years later, when Bob and I lived on Craigwood and Gayle was soon to join our family, Mom offered me the sewing machine. By this time zigzag machines were on the market, but this faithful machine was all I needed or wanted. The lavender gingham curtains in the nursery, and the matching stuffed elephant were not my projects, but rather crafted by Kathie on her own newer Kenmore sewing machine for me and her new niece-to-be. I made a few jumpsuits for myself, which were in vogue in the early ‘70’s, but I don’t recall making anything for Gayle. From that time until now, the Singer went with us each move we made, from Toledo to Texas, Florida, San Francisco, Maryland, and lastly, here to Utah.

Eight year old Kennedy had her first basic sewing lessons on the old machine last spring. I helped her make a gathered cotton skirt with an elastic waistband for her second grade dance program. Each child was given a piece of fabric and some simple directions for making a skirt that would be like everyone else’s, and a headband to match. I directed and Kennedy sewed. I was amazed at how steady she was able to keep the speed and how straight her seams were. I was pleased with Kennedy, and Kennedy was pleased with herself. Trying to encourage her, I promised her that if she would learn to sew, I would buy her a sewing machine.

A short time before Christmas, I asked Kennedy if she would like to sew Christmas presents for her Mom and Mrs. Gardner, her teacher. She was excited. With a little help and direction, Kennedy made each of them a butcher-style apron from cotton dishtowels and ribbon for the ties. Once again, Kennedy impressed me with her command of the sewing machine, and her ability to avoid sewing her fingers to her project.

The old sewing machine has been in the way in our small house. Each time I’ve had to drag it out from under a pile of boxes in the basement to repair a seam, I’ve made a mental note to check on the cost of a carrying case for it so that I could get rid of the bulky cabinet and just tuck it away in a closet where it would be more easily accessible. A few weeks ago, it occurred to me that it would be imprudent to spend $50 for a case for a sewing machine that was rarely used and has little if any monetary value. Maybe I should just take it to Deseret Industries. This solution seemed heartless. But the longer I entertained the thought, the more certain I was that it was time. I couldn’t make this decision alone, so I called Kathie. Without hesitation, she said, “Get rid of it.”

Allowing for one skipped generation, when I failed to teach Gayle to sew, this old Singer has served four generations over 50 years. It has never broken down, or needed an actual repair. It was last serviced in the 1970’s when I had it cleaned, oiled and the tension adjusted. Today’s sewing machines are not likely to perform so admirably. I will miss my old friend, but I’m glad that it has a new home where it will be appreciated.

The Real Charm

In the previous blog I said the real charm of Little Orleans was the building pictured. But it wasn't. The real charm of Little Orleans was this great group of girls and the fun we had with them that June of 1985. I think every young woman leader believes the girls she teaches and loves and prays for are the best ever. I feel that way about these girls and others whom I've had the privilege of being associated with.

The canoe trip we embarked on from Little Orleans was a part of their Summiteer "hike". We did hike that year, but the canoeing was an added adventure.



The blurriness and fading of this non-digital picture from 23 years ago keeps me from identifying the girls on the porch swings. It would have helped if I had written the names of the girls on the back of the picture, but maybe I couldn't identify them then, either.





I didn't write these names down either, but in the canoe at the far left is our YW President, Debra Huber, and Becky Hawes. I think that is Kim Solomon in the canoe behind them facing forward, and possibly Jill Hemming with her back to the front inthe center, and Daisy Gallien on the right.



Some of the girls and leaders from the Stake on the day of our hike