Q3 Report

How can I account for my use of time during the last three months?  July, August, and September were a unique third quarter for me, like I have never experienced before 2019.  The same applies to the previous three years — each Q3 being different, extraordinary.

Q3-2016 was J&J Nursery work for me and the start of my wife Kay’s final year of teaching 11th-grade English.  The next August 14th, we began our 23-month MLS (member & leader support) assignment to Detroit for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Q3-2018 involved the end of that MDM part of our mission and set the stage to begin our new “assignments” to help people on both sides.  All three quarters were unique and outside our comfort zone.

So, what happened this July through August that made my life different than previous years?  Married life: Kay & I now serve in separate areas of missionary work — a new experience for both of us as a close couple ... with heightened sensitivity to the Spirit.  I need to review my iPhone Notes and PC Notepad before reporting details, as my memory is failing with old age.  However, powerful feelings and impressions are easier to remember; many are recorded, never to be forgotten ... with tears of love.
(To be continued.)

How do you account for your Q3 ending today?

Favorite Moments

Millions have memorable moments they share on social media for the world, or record in a journal for posterity.  What would you say?

These are a few of my favorite moments, randomly recalled and not in order:

Our 3-year-old twin grandsons laughing at the antics of Disney’s Bambi and Thumper rabbit (and the wise owl got giggles) every time they watched my favorite animated movie (1942).  The old “big screen” TV and VCR in our frontier basement “home theater” served our grandchildren well.  (When Kay & I sold our home in 2017, the new electronics recycling center in northeast Layton served us well, but made me sad to see a perfectly good TV crash into pieces.)  Still intact are memories of Little People (Fisher-Price characters) and other video tapes they loved to watch when visiting.

The Carpenters (siblings Karen and Richard) in concert at the University of Utah with my best friend Kay — our sharing a love for good music ... and each other.  (In retrospect, the performance seems like a moment in time.)

A cool breeze passing gently through my apartment window early in the morning.  Hearing the train sounds I love ... and peaceful quiet before neighbors’ cars started honking to unlock doors.  Feeling joy as I listened to my favorite Chopin Nocturne ... with headphone blocking noise pollution.  (Looks like I’m making a statement.)

Walking with my sweetheart Kay on Cannon Beach at sunset — just the two of us, forever in love.

September Sundays 2017

In September and October of 2017, Sister Kay Cannon & I served as temporary workers in the mission office and were privileged to attend Sunday meetings in several Metro Detroit cities.  We were not yet assigned to a ward (congregation) in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

On September 3rd, our first Sunday in Michigan, a dear senior missionary couple took us to the Dearborn Ward by a Ford plant and introduced us to members who welcomed us with open arms.  After three hours of church, the four of us went to Belle Isle Park to enjoy a picnic among Michigander families who were barbecuing and having a great time on the island.  We picked a spot with a grand view of Canada across the Detroit River — exactly what Sister Cannon needed.

A Bride at 19

Growing up as the youngest of eight, she enjoyed a measure of prosperity in a mature family living in a nicer neighborhood than older siblings had known.  As a young teen, Kay served a three-year mission with her parents and two sisters for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in British Columbia.  Their historic mission home was in an upscale neighborhood in the charming, cosmopolitan city of Vancouver.  She eagerly served the Lord with her winning smile and courage in sharing the gospel.

Upon celebrating her fourth birthday (a leap year), she was mature for her age, easily making friends of all ages and different backgrounds.  Loved and admired by many in the Alaskan Canadian Mission, Kay Hinckley and her family returned home to Salt Lake City for her senior year at East High School.

Our choices to pursue education at the University of Utah, though wise in worldly ways, had spiritual roots — not coincidental.  Being close neighbors and fellow students in the Music Appreciation class, Kay and I started dating by attending concerts assigned by Professor Jay Welch.  At age 18, she was dating other older men and waiting for a favorite missionary’s return.  However, we were in love with classical music ... and each other.  Our study sessions together created sweet, musical memories for a lifetime.

The next year, after passing her un-birthday, Kay and I became engaged to be married.  Seven weeks later, we were sealed for time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.  (Why wait any longer when it’s true love?  And nothing short of forever.)

As I think of her every day, Kay is still my young bride, a 19-year-old at heart, sharing life’s adventure ... with love.

Add to Story

Life is a continuous story ... of time well spent or wasted.  Apparently some folks have theirs on facebook, where I see (after “What’s on your mind?”) the option/invitation: “Add to Story”.  (Can someone tell me how that works?)

Let’s see ... what can I add that isn’t already posted here since October 2010?  Last weekend, for example — what happened since Friday morning’s post.

I worked through the 13th at home, wondering “what challenges our grandkids will face in the next two decades”; (texted a loyal friend as my iPhone added to my story).

Saturday noon at the end of a Family Discovery activity and Snipping Tool class, I served three flavors of Farr Better Ice Cream in our new Ogden FamilySearch Center kitchen.  A favorite fast food and two popular gathering places across the street from our home (a “whole ’nother” story).  Then our daughter brought her twin boys to our Colonial Court social room for pool and leftover ice cream while a neighbor from St. George watched BYU play on the big screen; (who knows the score?)  Later a siesta, I think, or should have done.  And music appreciation ... with harmonious thoughts of our dear Kay, who is not far away.

Sunday was uplifting at church from morning til 6pm — the usual story, including family history workshop (unusual with the new schedule and guidelines this year) plus a quiet hour with my laptop on WiFi.

Family home evening here Monday had the usual group discussion on the upcoming lesson from the New Testament; the “linger longer” afterward was “dinner” I can always count on.  ( I’m not cooking much this year — need a class on that).

What have you added to your story?

Lessons Learned 2

My thought for the day, Friday the 13th:

No matter how you look at it (the industry) or at them (the millions of rental spaces), storage units are a trap.

Admittedly, they often saved our life in the moving process, especially when Kay & I sold our homes in Sleepy Hollow (east Layton) and on the western frontier.  Both times, the buyers needed to move in sooner than expected.  We were able to fast-forward our moves to a Clearfield townhouse for seven months and our daughter’s basement to wait for our Detroit mission, respectively.

Between those moves was a transition to Colonial Court Apartments in downtown Ogden with a six-month lease (and convenient Beehive Self Storage) while we looked for a permanent home.  Loving the simple community life, Kay & I stayed four years before buying our frontier property.  We even took advantage of a large CC storage cage by our apartments (a series of three apts. as our family needs changed).  Busy with jobs and church service, I failed to lighten our storage load.  It stayed out of sight and out of mind — exactly what the Beehive SS owner counted on and rightly profited from. 

I have learned simple self-storage takes more self-control than I can muster ... unless I finish kicking the habit of saving everything of value I might need in the future.  I am back home at CC Apts. by the temple and new FamilySearch Center to simplify my life ... therefore my needs will disappear over time.  So, go figure.  

Now I eliminate things saved for future needs — “needs” which are going away “as we speak”.  I donate (as we’ve done for decades) and let others benefit from accumulating things.  Money saved by avoiding or escaping storage traps can be used to buy better products later ... if needed.

Lesson learned: the peace of mind and freedom from back-breaking work are priceless.

my guitar, made in Argentina

memories, 8 August 2017

(... not so much anymore)

gift from Kay ~1981, still working (a keeper)
freed from storage, 26 November 2018

Lessons Learned 1

About nine years ago, my wife Kay and I visited the memorial site of Flight 93 near Shanksville in Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania.  It was sobering, and we were inspired by the courage of those heroes.  We recalled the passenger’s words, “Let’s roll”, that triggered their plan to take control.  They fought back and overpowered the terrorist hijackers.  Flight 93, savagely headed for Washington, DC, was the only one of four planes that did not reach its target.  

On Sunday 9/11/2011, I outlined “The Language of 9/11” (World Trade Center, The Pentagon, Shanksville), ending with a personal note: “I was watching CNBC when it happened.
Ten years ago.”

On Sunday 9/11/2016, I wrote, “Remember how the attacks increased patriotism and brought our country together? ... I will never forget it!  Nor will I ever forget the unselfish sacrifice of so many ... 

God bless America!”

Hopefully, a lesson learned since 9/11 of 2001: In America we do not take freedom and national security for granted.  Be grateful, prayerful, defensive, alert, and powerfully prepared in every way.

Lost and Found

For over 20 years, I have kept “FIND” lists of lost items which may someday be found.  A type of “TO-DO” set of reminders in writing.  (My wife Kay always liked to handwrite lists and cross-out/line-out her tasks when done; I prefer a check mark on my paper lists.)  And it’s always a good feeling to update my PC Notepad file when I recover something that was missing — trivial personal history in most cases.  An OC habit that is maybe 80% frivolous and 20% of value.  The few “jewels” alone make the little time and effort worth it to me.  Now I wish my life were so disciplined and organized that nothing gets misplaced or lost.  Meanwhile, I know where the lost-and-found departments are, wherever I go.

I recall a few examples:
A large journal book with a few pages of my handwritten thoughts and spiritual experiences from the late seventies; lost in a move, I guess; not found — irreplaceable.
My wallet with driver’s license and credit cards; found weeks later by an honest employee in a workplace and taken to the office.
Another such wallet hidden in “a safe place” in our frontier home and found months later after my license and cards were replaced.
A Spanish copy of the Bible I used on my mission in Argentina — still waiting to be unpacked, but replaceable.
The tiny, wireless PC device I should have kept in my “junk drawer”, a handy place every home should have.
Lessons learned — the ones lost in memory until I make the same mistake again.

I try not to feel lost.  Having such loving family and friends, how can I?  Worth repeating: my forever companion Kay is not lost, and I am grateful we finally found each other 49 years ago; (she is so young and active, amazing me ... with love)

Jesus told a touching parable of a shepherd who left his flock of ninety-nine to find the lost sheep.  The happy ending is likened to a person who is rescued and welcomed back into the fold.  A heavenly feeling for all who share the faith.

Window of Opportunity

That is how I view September, the month between summer vacations and “the holidays” — a window of opportunity for getting things done.  For example: improving one’s lifestyle, changing an organization, getting in touch, catching up, and simplifying life “going forward” (not backward).

When is your favorite “window ...”?  The next one on my calendar is January to February — twice as long, but why wait?

Ogden Tabernacle at sunset

Roseville MI home for Christmas 2017