Is this the favorite holiday or 2nd-favorite? In Ogden I see early celebration and hear differing opinions about Halloween ... from “the most evil” (recalling history of house burnings in Detroit) to “a fun family time for kids in costumes”. When our five were young, I called it “meet-your-neighbors night”. It worked!
Gypsy Kay stayed home, told fun fortunes, and handed out treats. I followed the children around our East Mill Creek neighborhood, accepted a few extra treats for myself, and got acquainted with some nice folks I was too shy to meet otherwise. The costumes Kay and friends concocted? So clever and cute!!
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Drawing a Blank
Wanting to write something before lunch hour ends, I draw a blank (meaning: “elicit no successful response [from my brain]; fail.” — Oxford)
This has happened to me before; ( I have drawn many blanks in my lifetime, so it’s no surprise). This is the first time I’ve written about it, if my sometimes-blank memory serves me.
I imagine my English teacher wife, Mrs. Cannon, drew a few blanks from students when assigning essays and asking questions. Others were inspired to write creatively and be intentionally engaged because of her fun style of teaching.
Have you ever been caught off guard by someone asking a question that did not compute? I often hear retail clerks respond, “What?” and give me a blank look like I’m interrupting deep thoughts without properly getting their attention with the introduction, “May I ask you a question?”
I try to be a good listener (as well as a writer) with family, friends, and strangers. So, please forgive me for occasional failures ... like now when I’m drawing a blank.
This has happened to me before; ( I have drawn many blanks in my lifetime, so it’s no surprise). This is the first time I’ve written about it, if my sometimes-blank memory serves me.
I imagine my English teacher wife, Mrs. Cannon, drew a few blanks from students when assigning essays and asking questions. Others were inspired to write creatively and be intentionally engaged because of her fun style of teaching.
Have you ever been caught off guard by someone asking a question that did not compute? I often hear retail clerks respond, “What?” and give me a blank look like I’m interrupting deep thoughts without properly getting their attention with the introduction, “May I ask you a question?”
I try to be a good listener (as well as a writer) with family, friends, and strangers. So, please forgive me for occasional failures ... like now when I’m drawing a blank.
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Rainy Days
It was a different look and feel ... walking around the Ogden Utah Temple tonight after hours of rain. Lighting was minimal, maybe due to the weather. (Who would go out for a stroll during cold rain showers?) However, the east fountain was shimmering with light, more beautiful than ever, in contrast to the unusual darkness.
A few couples hurried out to cars, and others eagerly walked into the building — all wanting a warm, inviting place for the late evening ... together.
The exceptional weather matched my mood and prompted thoughts of my sweetheart Kay. We enjoyed many rainy days in Michigan last year, together as missionary companions. Why am I often reminded of her. It’s about warm, true love.
A few couples hurried out to cars, and others eagerly walked into the building — all wanting a warm, inviting place for the late evening ... together.
The exceptional weather matched my mood and prompted thoughts of my sweetheart Kay. We enjoyed many rainy days in Michigan last year, together as missionary companions. Why am I often reminded of her. It’s about warm, true love.
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
End of The Road
It was a long trip for a lone man, but well worth the waiting and every inconvenience with travel to Liberty Missouri Saturday and back home to Ogden Utah today. It seemed like everyone and her dog discovered “the world is better with you out in it” as Delta promotes. (Is there a competition to see who collects the most sky miles and cheap trips? Then I’m the biggest loser.) It made my next trip (first of summer on Highway 89 and Route 66) look so relaxing, I am unusually excited about enjoying another before my end of the road.
Arriving from Kansas City International to rest at a family-fun hotel in Liberty, I found four frolicking grandchildren and their parents, our youngest. To be near his parents and meet me halfway, they had driven from Georgia for the baptism of their second daughter. After Sunday stake conference, along with my brother and his wife, we all met at Excelsior Springs in a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where the devoted father of the eight-year-old conducted the service and performed the baptism by authority of the restored priesthood. His sweet parents and our “little darling” provided food, also appreciated by the young missionaries and bishop who kindly supported the special occasion. Knowing my forever companion, “Grandma” Kay, would certainly not miss the sacred ordinance, we were assured by the Spirit that she was there with us. Lots of love!
Sunday afternoon I accompanied my brother (director of our Independence Visitors’ Center), his wife, and a local historian on a tour of Far West. At the end of a rough road through a field, we visited the site of our ancestor Charles C. Rich’s cabin. Close by, inside a frame house from Sears, Roebuck and Company, were displayed historical documents and pictures like a mini museum — crude, but precious. On the way “home” that evening, the family visited Liberty Jail, where the Prophet Joseph Smith was unjustly confined from December 1838 to April 1839, and revelation was received for all mankind.
Early Monday morning I had breakfast with our young family and bid farewell. As they drove home, I spent the day in Independence with Elder & Sister Cannon, where I learned more of Church history, including good times and horrible persecution. Obviously, Missouri was not the end of the road for those saints or the Lord’s worldwide Church. Again, we are grateful.
By the way, UTA was the perfect end of my trip, driving me from SLC to my Ogden apartment — “the only way to fly”.
Arriving from Kansas City International to rest at a family-fun hotel in Liberty, I found four frolicking grandchildren and their parents, our youngest. To be near his parents and meet me halfway, they had driven from Georgia for the baptism of their second daughter. After Sunday stake conference, along with my brother and his wife, we all met at Excelsior Springs in a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where the devoted father of the eight-year-old conducted the service and performed the baptism by authority of the restored priesthood. His sweet parents and our “little darling” provided food, also appreciated by the young missionaries and bishop who kindly supported the special occasion. Knowing my forever companion, “Grandma” Kay, would certainly not miss the sacred ordinance, we were assured by the Spirit that she was there with us. Lots of love!
Sunday afternoon I accompanied my brother (director of our Independence Visitors’ Center), his wife, and a local historian on a tour of Far West. At the end of a rough road through a field, we visited the site of our ancestor Charles C. Rich’s cabin. Close by, inside a frame house from Sears, Roebuck and Company, were displayed historical documents and pictures like a mini museum — crude, but precious. On the way “home” that evening, the family visited Liberty Jail, where the Prophet Joseph Smith was unjustly confined from December 1838 to April 1839, and revelation was received for all mankind.
Early Monday morning I had breakfast with our young family and bid farewell. As they drove home, I spent the day in Independence with Elder & Sister Cannon, where I learned more of Church history, including good times and horrible persecution. Obviously, Missouri was not the end of the road for those saints or the Lord’s worldwide Church. Again, we are grateful.
By the way, UTA was the perfect end of my trip, driving me from SLC to my Ogden apartment — “the only way to fly”.
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Sounds of the City
Before closing my apartment window for the winter, l leave a little list of sounds that are part of my personal history. Without my iPhone voice memos (random recordings) embedded, I realize much is left to one’s own experience and imagination.
Our good neighbors I hear and see from my window are the Ogden City Fire Department and Ogden Police Department in the Francom Public Safety Center. (He or she must have been a great chief.) The calling of coordinates for rescue is clearly heard from a loud speaker; then the sound of sirens, reminding me of how well the brave workers do their job. Under their protection across the street is an elementary school with happy sounds of children on the playground.
Farther west is the railroad, my favorite source of city sound. Freight train horns and all bring back fun memories, even if they wake me at night. If I wrote my history in a normal way, a whole chapter would be on my love of trains.
Directly south of me is Lindquist Field, generating bright lights, fireworks, and wild cheering for Ogden Raptors Pro Baseball. I should feel guilty for enjoying the sights and sounds without supporting our winning team in person.
Sad to say, my selective, sensitive hearing is disturbed by cars honking to lock doors in our parking lot. I commented in a post years ago, wondering why some newer cars cannot be locked without startling people around them. Not a pleasant way to wake in the middle of the night. ( I feel sorry for neighbors of church parking lots; their peaceful day of rest must be punctuated by honking horns, but never by mine.) I also roll my eyes when hearing muscle cars and pickup trucks roaring in the wild West on Wall Avenue (named after a pioneer fort wall). That and Washington Boulevard (east of me) are the main “drags” where the young at heart are free to show off their manly machines without police interference.
Let’s see (hear) ... more pleasant sounds of the city: nature — weather sounds excite me, and birds soften our environment. Most importantly, loving people in our Colonial Court community often speak kind words to each other. Kay & I are grateful.
Sad to say, my selective, sensitive hearing is disturbed by cars honking to lock doors in our parking lot. I commented in a post years ago, wondering why some newer cars cannot be locked without startling people around them. Not a pleasant way to wake in the middle of the night. ( I feel sorry for neighbors of church parking lots; their peaceful day of rest must be punctuated by honking horns, but never by mine.) I also roll my eyes when hearing muscle cars and pickup trucks roaring in the wild West on Wall Avenue (named after a pioneer fort wall). That and Washington Boulevard (east of me) are the main “drags” where the young at heart are free to show off their manly machines without police interference.
Let’s see (hear) ... more pleasant sounds of the city: nature — weather sounds excite me, and birds soften our environment. Most importantly, loving people in our Colonial Court community often speak kind words to each other. Kay & I are grateful.
Sunday, October 6, 2019
“Love Is a Song”
We are truly blessed ... with love!
The love theme from my favorite Disney film, Bambi (1942), expresses my feelings this morning. My love for Kay is forever, and my hope will never die.
(Copied from LyricFind:)
Love is a song that never ends
Life may be swift and fleeting
Hope may die, yet love's beautiful music
Comes each day like the dawn
Love is a song that never ends
...
I am grateful to Heavenly Father for His plan of happiness and for our Savior, Jesus Christ. And daily miracles witnessed to me by the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, who inspires uplifting music. I am thankful for my wife Kay, our family, and dear friends; all have tenderly allowed me to stay close to them in spirit during the last twelve months and the years before Kay’s passing.
Life is good, and we all are loved.
...
I am grateful to Heavenly Father for His plan of happiness and for our Savior, Jesus Christ. And daily miracles witnessed to me by the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, who inspires uplifting music. I am thankful for my wife Kay, our family, and dear friends; all have tenderly allowed me to stay close to them in spirit during the last twelve months and the years before Kay’s passing.
Life is good, and we all are loved.
Friday, October 4, 2019
My Glossary
A few words, but mostly terms and proper nouns (naming specific things, thus requiring capitalization).
The purpose of this shared glossary (brief dictionary) is to provide a reliable reference for spelling ... and possibly for meaning if added later. ( I frequently search spelling and definitions online; years ago I wore out my paperback dictionary, which lacked many special terms and proper nouns.)
the Bible (one of four standard works considered sacred scripture by the Church)
high councilor (not “high councilman”) “The stake president assigned a high councilor to speak in our ward.”
Mutual (historical proper noun, now “retired”) “My wife Kay & I served the youth of the Church in Mutual.”
genealogy
storytelling (one word)
smartphone (one word) “My PC laptop on WiFi will put my glossary in alphabetical order, as my smartphone is not working that well on Blogger.”
The purpose of this shared glossary (brief dictionary) is to provide a reliable reference for spelling ... and possibly for meaning if added later. ( I frequently search spelling and definitions online; years ago I wore out my paperback dictionary, which lacked many special terms and proper nouns.)
linger longer (local lingo, I suspect, more often with YSA) “Young singles like informal linger longers after two hours of Sunday meetings.”
potluck (defined in a recent LFF post; may be used as an adjective or noun)
church (lowercase c) “We went to church in the meetinghouse, and we enjoyed it at home throughout the week.”
potluck (defined in a recent LFF post; may be used as an adjective or noun)
church (lowercase c) “We went to church in the meetinghouse, and we enjoyed it at home throughout the week.”
Church (with capital C) “Disaster relief is provided by the Church.”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (with capital T and lowercase d as hyphenated)
Ogden Utah Temple (across the street from my home)
FamilySearch (one word with capital S)
Ogden FamilySearch Center (across the street from the temple and open to the public)
Family History Library (west of the Salt Lake Temple and open to the public)
copies of the Book of Mormon (not “Books of M...”)
the Bible (one of four standard works considered sacred scripture by the Church)
high councilor (not “high councilman”) “The stake president assigned a high councilor to speak in our ward.”
Mutual (historical proper noun, now “retired”) “My wife Kay & I served the youth of the Church in Mutual.”
genealogy
storytelling (one word)
smartphone (one word) “My PC laptop on WiFi will put my glossary in alphabetical order, as my smartphone is not working that well on Blogger.”
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