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

Captured by its Charm

This is the Potomac River as it winds through western Maryland, dividing it from West Virginia. The splotch in the middle of the photo is a tiny unincorporated community known as Little Orleans. It captured my heart the first time I was there, not for it's beauty, but because of its uniqueness. It was a step back in time.

One summer in the mid 1980's our Seneca Stake Young Women chose this area for some of the activities associated with that year's Young Women's camp. I don't remember who was in charge -- I was a ward leader -- nor how they found this quaint little "town", but I'm so glad they did. Our all day canoe trip began and ended here. There may have been homes in the vicinity, but I don't remember seeing any -- they were probably hidden in the wooded hills. There was a small primitive campground just down the road.






What charmed me most about Little Orleans, besides the feeling of stepping back in time to a simpler time, was the building pictured above. First of all, you can see this is a "vintage" building with little if any redeemable value. It had a worn wooden floor and, in the summer, squeaky double screen doors. There was a porch, not visible in the photo, that had rocking chairs or a swing on it. This building is the essence of Little Orleans. It was the mayor's office. It was the gas station, the grocery store, and the greasy spoon restaurant. It was the canoe livery, and the one stop shop for hunting and fishing licenses. It was the pool hall and local bar. There may have even been rooms to rent upstairs. Though I don't know who would have wanted to stay there, or how they would have found the place. Little Orleans is off the beaten track. Not exactly a honeymoon spot. Still, there was something about it that still won't leave me alone.

A few years after our Young Women canoe trip, Bob and I set out to re-discover Little Orleans and were pleased to find it unchanged from that magical summer day.

Somebody's having a birthday...

... and fortunately, it's not me. It's our daughter, Gayle, the light of our life. Several years ago on a cold, snowy night in Ohio, this girl was born and nothing has been the same since. Bob and I often have joked that since she was born on the night of a total eclipse of the moon, there has to be something really special about her. Well there is, but it has nothing to do with moons or eclipses. As all children do, she came to this earth with her own unique personality -- full of love, humor, determination, excitement, and more. Life is never dull with Gayle in the picture. And for that, and especially for her, we are grateful.



Gayle and Bill. Today while Gayle was having lunch with a few of her friends, in walked Bill with this bouquet of balloons. I wonder, but forgot to ask, if she slithered down into the chair like she did at Farrell's Ice Cream when several of their waiters came to the table to sing to her when we celebrated her 9th birthday. I'm sure she blushed and felt special, but she's not one who cares to be the center of attention.








Cori and Gayle. Late this afternoon, Cori came over to Gayle's to bring this "wabbie" from another friend, RaCail, and her. Made with love, and embroidered "Happy __th Birthday, Gayle, Love from Cori and RaCail". I'm sure Gayle will feel the warmth of friends' love each time she curls up with her "wabbie".

Become an Engaged Citizen

Yesterday the House of Representatives passed a huge "stimulus" bill ($819 Billion), that is filled with billons of dollars of wasteful government spending that will do nothing to stimulate the economy. Fortunately, our Representative, Jason Chaffetz, joined the rest of the Republican house members in voting against the bill in a show of solidarity for sound economic practices. The bill now moves to the Senate and will be voted on early next week. While some government involvement in stimulating the economy is called for, rampant spending in and of itself is not a solution.

If you want to play an active part in determining the direction of our country at this critical time, please take the time to contact your senators. Here's a link that will take you to a website that makes it very easy to do that. Our government officials prefer email as a way for you to communicate with them, and I can promise you that I have seen evidence that flooding our senators and representatives with emails does indeed affect their vote.

Here's a link to help you contact your elected officials:

http://capwiz.com/gopusa/issues/alert/?alertid=12515966&PROCESS=Take+Action

(I'm sorry that you'll have to cut and paste into your browser because the link feature isn't working for me.)

Please don't delay. Get involved. YOU CAN make a difference.

Daisy