George W. Recalled

Is Presidents’ Day the holiday when we turn our attention from school and work to celebrate the birthdays of two great presidents, Washington and Lincoln?  I recall that day in 2011, when I took time to post this about our beloved first leader:

For George Washington's birthday lunch break today, I loved opening the [1960 World Book Encyclopedia] and seeing the pictures --like visiting an old friend.  It brought back memories of my school days, when it was my main source of information for essays and research papers I typed on my big black 1930's-vintage Underwood.

"George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, on an estate in Westmoreland County on the banks of Popes Creek, about 30 miles southeast of Fredericksburg, Va. The plantation later became known as Wakefield. Washington's birthday is now determined by the Gregorian or 'New Style' calendar. ... His parents were Augustine Washington and Mary Ball Washington. ... George was the first child of Augustine's second marriage. Three other sons and two daughters soon followed. ... Young George had little schooling in classrooms. ... George was eleven years old when his father died. ... He had two tutors, or private teachers [who] taught young George the arts of war. ..."

"The people of the United States and many other lands call George Washington the 'Father of His Country.' He looked after his country the way a good father would look after his son. ..."

-- The World Book Encyclopedia, copyright 1960, U.S.A.

Now in 2019, it’s so easy to search and study great history.  Are there millions doing so on their phones today?  Young and old, grateful for freedom, all pondering what our country has endured and where this one nation, under God ... is headed.  What do you think?

Valentine’s Going Forward

Recalling my 2014 post, I copied this concluding thought for the remainder of 2019, “going forward”:

In the movie First Knight (1995), Lancelot (Richard Gere) enters the great hall and reads the inscription on the Round Table: "In serving each other, we become free."  King Arthur (Sean Connery) adds, “That is the very heart of Camelot.”

If you’ve seen the film, forget all that’s questionable, and think about those whom you love and wish to serve.  And have a happy Saint Valentine’s, not just for one day!

Mrs. Cannon, end of NHS year, 2 June 2017, 

wrapping up 20 years of teaching English
with a smile

Saturday Morning

Family history has been on my mind this week.  (And every week since last August, come to think of it.)

Sunday I learned of the passing of a younger family friend who presided as bishop at Kay’s funeral last October — “a happy, generous soul,” my sister (his neighbor) told me.

Tuesday I had spare time and iPhone to scan some history (including Kelli) from Kay’s file cabinet still in storage.

Wednesday I helped plan an April event for our Ogden stake community to help people do genealogy.  

After a session for family on Thursday, I worked in the high-tech Layton FamilySearch Center, duplicating Kay’s life DVD (slideshow) and digitizing our daughter’s 1997 piano playing (cassette with no date, so I guessed).  The equipment amazed me; I expect to see the same or better in the new Ogden center when it’s open in May.

Friday night I stopped by Deseret Book at City Creek and discovered a plaque with its history: “... began business in 1866 as George Q. Cannon & Sons.”  (Yes, I took a picture.)

A frontier funeral in our old neighborhood this Saturday morning: beloved President Barney served in presidential positions worldwide and at home, and helped Kay & me serve the two-year-old children in the Church nursery.  He is so humble, loving, and now greatly missed.  I worked weekly alongside his wife in the old Layton family history center a few years ago, and we enjoyed visiting them in their historic home.  A lot of family history relates to that eternal marriage.

Another historical thought for Kay’s next birthday:

“Come Saturday morning,” (song by The Sandpipers we heard on our morning-after drive across the west desert while my parents flew to Switzerland for three years) let’s start with a “sunrise celebration” (normally a summer tradition) with memories of weekend trips.

“We'll travel for miles in our Saturday smiles.

And then we'll move on ...” to brunch with Kay’s favorite crepes, smoothies, and dark chocolate cake with 17 candles.  Stories are waiting to be shared.

What’s your story?  Can you recall a Saturday morning in your family history?

Tuesday: Birthday Month

To celebrate Kay’s birthday month, our family is planning to get together for fun someday soon.  We have more definite plans for her birthday, which is coming up next year.  I have some ideas for activities that Saturday which will make her smile even more.

One thing I would enjoy is sharing memories of friends and family who visited us in Michigan, our 2018 Utah homes, the October funeral, and the teachers’ get-together.  We were strengthened by love, which will never be forgotten.

A favorite book taught by Mrs. Cannon at NHS, Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, page 135, reminds me of her:
“I came to love the way Morrie lit up when I entered the room. He did this for many people, I know, but it was his special talent to make each visitor feel that the smile was unique.”

Temple time and family history will honor Grandma.  A daughter reading her mom’s “Yellow” poem would warm the winter day.

Memories of Tuesdays at the Roseville Ward and in Kay’s “dream cottage” ... and so much more to be recalled for her seventeenth birthday celebration.

We love you!