Summer Siestas Too

A little “work in progress” is still waiting since the end of August 2012, looking like my shortest post ever.  Time to wrap it up with a fast, finishing post.

Seven years ago, I was “ready to move on to a normal work schedule.  One thing I will miss, however, is the summer siesta.  Others have written about the health benefits of the afternoon nap ...  Speaking from personal experience, I’m convinced it saved my life!”

What is my experience since then?  More siestas in the evening than afternoon — crazy.  I’ve heard that does not work for typical older folks.  Works for me anytime.  The thing is (a useless phrase ... unless someone needs an alert that a main point is coming), I am more productive after a nap, regardless of the time of day or night.  Driving on the road (or off-road, which damages ecosystems), that means arriving in one piece.  That said (a superfluous phrase I prefer to avoid, but I just said anyway), there are demands on our time that are hard to ignore.  Meetings at 7pm, for example — a favorite time for my power nap following fast food.

As a child, I sometimes resisted summer siestas (called naps then), but not consistently like active kids these days.  I tried to be a good boy and let Mother be productive ... or rest herself.  In fact, favorite memories of my preschool and kindergarten days are of naps on mats.  In our fast-paced society, I believe it’s a thing of the past.  Early-to-bed is favored.

A nap for all seasons — like a wrap on the day ... before a good read (no TV) and a night’s sleep.

... or meditation by the sea would do it for me

August Rush Too

Eight years of “water under the bridge”, drought, winter snow, summer heat, life and death, joy and sorrow have passed since my little (fast) post on August 31, 2011:

The end of summer doesn’t come soon enough for me.  ... I recall the rush of yard work, fighting mosquitoes and brutal heat, stock market volatility, short secondary vacations, and preparation for a new school year.  Borrowing the title of a 2007 drama film that entertained me [with a musical love story] ... the words “August Rush” characterize the month in my mind. 

Some think there’s a lot to get done before September, as if things can’t wait for a pause to enjoy the simple life.  As profoundly stated by young Mr. Bueller on his day off, “Life moves pretty fast — if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”  (1986 film — imdb.com) 

Eight years later, I noticed a little book being donated to a library by Kay’s former RS secretary, our dear neighbor Dorothy, who finally moved to Layton assisted living this week.  Before passing it to the intended destination, a quote caught my eye:

“Everywhere people are in a hurry ... for a multitude of reasons as we rush about the business of each day.

In this fast-paced life, do we ever pause for moments of meditation — even thoughts of timeless truths?”

(A Future as Bright as Your Faith, c.2015 Thomas S. Monson)

family time at the ranch on the Fourth, 2015 – priceless 

Main Takeaway

The past twelve months of life experiences have provided conclusions or key messages for me to ponder and understand.  (My “takeaway” here is not to be confused with a strategic "takeaway" in negotiations.)

Circumstances change, come, and go, but a loving relationship can keep growing through it all with proper attention.  (My words are weak, to be improved through editing.)

The main takeaway for me is that the power of love is real — God’s infinite love foremost, my love for our Kay, and the love shared by family and friends.  Securely coupled with love is our knowledge that we are together forever.

Comfort and strength to carry on — common words with extraordinary meaning to me now.  I have not lost my wife, and our children still have their mother and grandmother.

There is no end to Kay’s nurturing influence.  My love for her ... can I ever describe?  There is no end to God’s love for His children.  Our faith in the Savior gives strength and joy.

our view of Cannon Beach (farthest)

from Ecola Park, 3 August 2012

Grandma Kay with 8-yr-old grandson

on roof of Conference Center, Salt Lake City

Fragments of Family History

Randomly recalling a few family memories ... (another work in progress) ...

Late-night, family camping beside the highway near Arches NP, Utah. 

Police breaking up our neighbors’ scary marital fight in a California KOA campground — middle of the night!  Otherwise peaceful, family trip up the coast from Tijuana to the Redwoods.

Our ancient, indestructible, heavy-duty push mower inherited from my father ... and the awesome power mower Kay bought for me (Father’s Day?) to replace it in East Mill Creek (large lawn in back).  Self-propelled Snapper, adding power to the boys’ Mowtown enterprise ... for years.

The sleek VCR Kay bought (1982?) for me (family, of course), ending her embarrassment of my renting clunky machines from the video store.

Summer “sunrise celebrations” — our family tradition I have mentioned before.

Kay’s energy, talent, and love for entertaining in our remodeled, expanded EMC home.  Sweet, unforgettable neighbors and friends there, where we raised our five children.  Kind, loving bishops in the EMC 2nd Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Two homes as places of refuge in beautiful Mountain Green and the new Highlands Ward.  Our picture-window view of storm clouds rolling over the mountain tops above rural Morgan Valley.

our Hinckley Family celebrating

150 years of Cove Fort

My TV: Effectively Nil

What am I missing, what am I thinking/doing, and how am I surviving without TV?  That is the three-part question.

Oxford defined effectively: (adverb) in such a manner as to achieve a desired result.
(synonyms:) ... essentially, in essence, in practical terms, for all practical purposes, to all intents and purposes

And Oxford defined nil: (noun) zero, especially as a score in certain games.

[example: “music beat TV 89-nil"]

(adjective) nonexistent.

"his chances for survival were slim, almost nil"

[My chances are robust without TV.]

In passing, I catch a little bad news, reality remodeling, and modern home-showing on television in the lobby, BK, and gym — enough to remind me it’s a blessing to be free of TV in my home.  However, I treasure memories of clean TV that entertained and educated me in my youth, and that did it for our children when they were growing up ... in “the good old days”.

Oh, and I add in random order: ... family, music, walking, reading, writing, riding trains, neighbors, temple, new FamilySearch Center, editing, OC photography, ice cream, and window shopping to see what’s out there.

Borrowing some words from “Healthy Tipping Point — When Everyday Decisions Add Up to Something Amazing — a blog by caitlin boyle”,  I see benefits from my TV diet since ten months ago: more imagination, less mental clutter, greater productivity, less stress, and plenty of peaceful sleep.
Reminding me that life is good.

How are you doing?

That is a good question.  I truly sense sincere interest when friends and family ask me, “How are you doing?”  It is comforting to know others really care.  I am grateful.

Over a year ago in Michigan, on Friday August 3rd, my wife Kay received the first bad news of her pancreatic cancer.  She carefully recorded details in her mission journal.  With amazing courage, she instantly understood and braced herself for a biopsy the following week to confirm the CT-scan result.  Kay then prepared to share the news with family and friends, waiting till after a final diagnosis.  It came the following Friday, with a few words from a kind radiologist, who got right to the point and recommended we “go home for treatment near family” in Utah.

Sister Cannon was likely asked the usual question on Sunday the 5th in our Roseville Ward, but could not honestly answer.  Except for several leaders, our dear “Michigan Family” members including some not of our faith, first heard the news at church the next Sunday, a day after our departure.  As arranged, the bishop read to his congregation our farewell, emailed from a hotel Saturday night.  It was not the standard celebration they had planned for July, eleven months later.  Sweet love and concern were expressed by friends close to our heart.  Kay’s final entry in her mission journal was that Sunday the 12th of August: “Slept in, went to church at 1pm in Holt MI, met Knightons, stayed for sacrament and two talks on gratitude & faith. Back to journey.”

To this day, missing our Kay, it comforts me to hear loved ones ask me the question.  I feel blessed.  So, I ask my readers, “How are you doing?”  I really want to know.  My sincere desire is to exercise my faith in your behalf and provide assurance of Heavenly Father’s love for you.

Kay's little "truck" loaded in Roseville, heading west
into the sunset of our lives, 11 August 2018

Visual Aids

Here it is — the first of August, and the first day of school for our Arizona family.  I can only imagine the preparation their teachers did during the summer for lessons and visual aids.

Last Tuesday for home evening, a young family was well prepared with a lesson about Paul, the Apostle, including their big pet snake as a visual aid.  (A poisonous viper bit Paul, and God protected him, amazing the island people who witnessed it.)  Several assisted-living residents were squeamish at the sight of a young girl holding the slithering pet around her neck, but they will likely remember the true story.

I recall admiring pictures and posters prepared by my favorite English teacher, Mrs. Cannon, in her high school classroom.  Despite the stress preceding the start of each school year, Kay put her heart into preparation for her students’ education.  She made it inspiring ... and fun!  (It seems most young people are visual learners, hooked on images.)  Hopefully, stored on my old external drive, I have photos of some of Kay’s visual aids in the classroom.  Someday I will get a few thousand of my oldest pics organized — some real treasures!