Catch-up Post for 2019

My ability to recall from memory is diminished this year, so I kept a journal in iPhone Notes, often sent to my email as backup.  Because numerous notes never made it into this random blog, I’ve collected some neglected entries to catch up on 2019, not in order.  (Credit a sister who did her “catch-up post” on facebook a month ago, giving me the idea.)

4/25/12:12pm I replied to one of Kay’s dearest teacher friends:)

Thanks for brightening my day.  I am well, hopefully doing some good each day.  Loving warmer weather and being outside.  I think of you and our other teacher friends often, grateful for the love and generosity you all have shown. 

4/25/10a Classical89.org - “Go Forth to Serve” - BYU Commencement (7k grads, 53% female)

Dr. Arthur Brooks received an honorary degree. 

Told story of “Y” briefcase he received – it changed him.

“You guys are great at product placement.”

Anger vs. contempt ... especially in marriage.

America is being torn apart by a “culture of contempt”.

Disagreement is good; disagree better, not more.  Civility is a low standard; we must rise above just being civil. 

Mon. 4/15/3pm Smiling, as I saw this again from 2/14/19:) 

Since early this morning, I’ve had a recurring, special feeling that my sweetheart Kay is smiling with me.

It’s a happy day so far — not surprising, as it is Valentine’s! ... with love 

Easter Sunday 4/21, rained lightly, on & off

— tears of joy from heaven, especially around the temple. 

4/4/9:11am I sent a text message:)

“Since 5am, copying text from Kay’s iPhone — so interesting.

Powerhouse Sister Cannon -- she amazed everyone who had their spiritual eyes open to see her good works and love for people!”

grandsons in our frontier back yard 4 years ago

three powerful sister missionaries in MDM, 2018

Christmas Day 2019

My plan was to be home “alone” all day —“just the two of us”, following a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner and program with our oldest family in Kaysville.  However, an invitation from our daughter in the far West to visit them on Christmas Day was compelling.  I realized my sweetheart Kay would want that for the second such celebration since her passing.

For the record, I started the day at 8am by writing two Christmas cards and delivering to close neighbor friends in the main apartment building.  Easily retrieved my old DVD/VCR player from storage there — so exciting; connected to the TV our friend gave me; played a tape, but the movie didn’t show up.  Opened my new emergency radio I ordered online a month ago.  Reminder: Always have a supply of batteries for Christmas!  It worked; listened to fun songs on KSL AM for a change; (normally Classical 89 FM every day).  iPhone texted family and friends, sharing the joy of this day as we celebrated the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Arrived at Katie’s 2pm, where four young children showed me what they got.  Enjoyed a casual buffet lunch, including our traditional breakfast grapefruit — a feast for me.  (Kids had snacked all day, so they just played.)  I finally wrapped presents for everyone, and the family promptly opened them.  Lots of love; very happy!  Life is good.

Back home around 6pm, I lingered in the car, texting family and friends; recovered from the day.  Later in my cozy studio apartment, I listened to my traditional “Lullaby of Christmas” story (1949) narrated by Gregory Peck.  Finally I read Luke 2 in the New Testament — the shepherds “came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”  Because of Him, we are blessed to be together forever ... with love.

Prelude Post for Christmas

While some folks are nearly done working through their Christmas to-do lists and are ready to relax, I am starting to make my lists.  (My editing work for a client in Florida is compelling and fun this month.)  I’ve been delighted to receive family news and a few Christmas cards in the mail since the first; now I want to mail a greeting, which has not been easy for me in the past.  I see one week until Christmas Eve.  So exciting for our 23 grandchildren (plus a beautiful new bride!)

Two weeks ago on facebook, I saw a sister’s “catch-up post for 2019” — an example of others being way ahead of me.  ( I know we mustn’t compare ourselves with what shows on social media.)  It just gave me the idea to post a list of things I missed sharing this year.

As I have already used up this space, let’s call it a prelude to a more important piece coming up ... before New Year’s Day, 2020.  “Time is running out,” it has been said.

“Have a blessed day,” as Michiganders say (where my loving companion Kay & I served last year).  I am glad so many are ready to relax.  It truly is a joyful time for celebrating our Savior’s birth ... with love.  — Ned (& Kay)

Kay & Ned on different sides now, 

still "on the same page", never far apart

The Magic of Music

Recalling some favorites from past posts with personal history, I am reminded of joy in our life.

“Where words fail, music speaks.”  — author unknown, but I agree.

For me, sacred Christmas music invites the Spirit every day this month.  (Better than magic, you know.)  A favorite hymn (#206) is 
Away in a Manger

“Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,

And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.”

I know Jesus Christ lives.  He is our Savior and Redeemer of the world.  He loves every one of us, as His Father loves all of His children.

October 2010, In “my complete profile / About Me / Favorite Music”, I included “Kay’s singing & her piano playing”.  (Still true today.  Memories are clear as Christmas bells.)

12/15/2010, I posted more "simple suggestions" for Christmas, including:

Music — listen and perform to your heart's content.

Recall your favorites from the past.  Play an LP, 8-track, cassette tape, CD, iTune, [YouTube,] your piano and guitar; or attend a live concert like we enjoyed at "The Ridge" Monday night.
Go caroling in the cold -- it will warm your spirit.  

My sweetheart Kay & I especially love the King's Singers, who will be "performing in Exeter's beautiful Cathedral" ...
— www.kingssingers.com

5/11/2014, Mother’s Heavenly Music

Somehow she must have known what it would do to me.  Was it a vision or glimpse into the future?  Mother's intuition to inspire a young son?  Sharing a “Like” with the next generation?  I believe all of the above came into play.

This is not a passing thought on Mother's Day, but a frequent warm feeling of gratitude when I hear great classical music. 

For this and all that my talented mother gave me, I am eternally thankful.  With love.

12/23/2012, Christmas Choirs

... Christmas music has blessed my life this season ... [and] brought to mind some great choirs we’ve enjoyed in the past, and a heavenly choir I’ve read about, which blessed the scene of our Savior’s birth.  ... 

What are two favorite choirs you sang in or listened to at Christmas time?

...  Merry Christmas, and have a happy choir experience!

Grandfather Russell

He is an amazing man, my mother’s father.  I have thought of him often since moving to Ogden years ago, and since losing my voice in Michigan last year.  I recovered about 70 percent — still working on it.

George Oscar Russell

George Oscar Russel (1890, in Conejos, Colorado – March 17, 1962) was an American speech scientist. He was a professor at the Ohio State University and published an influential book in 1928 called The Vowel: Its Physiological Mechanism as Shown by X-Ray.  ...  — Wikipedia

[Yes, I see misspelled surname in text under page heading.  Need to submit correction to Wikipedia.  (My TO-DO list is growing.)  By the way, my wife Kay & I made a fascinating side trip to Conejos in 2017, right before our mission.]

Grandfather Russell gave me a SoundScriber dictation machine that played messages he had recorded on green vinyl records.  In turn, I used it to record messages for him to play on his machine, same as mine.  And the postal service worked well.  (That was before email was invented, which is more convenient now.)  After many moves, this treasure is in my little apartment with vinyl waiting to be digitized and shared with posterity.  ( I wonder where Grandfather’s SoundScriber and the records I produced are now — maybe in someone’s antique collection in the attic.) 

Thank you, Grandfather Russell, for caring about your little grandson.  I’m sure you had a hand in my recovery as I hoped you would after being stopped by a Jazzy parked in a dark hallway.  I’m sorry I failed to find the light switch when leaving our family history class; I just saw the light at the far end of the hall.  I will be more careful in my old age.  Take care to help my young bride feel at home with my family there.

“Get Away Today”

The imperative pitch for a trip to Disneyland as seen on the frequent flyer accompanying my last credit union statement (what I’d miss if I went paperless).  The deal: If I “get away today”, I will get an “extra day free”!  (Truth is, I prefer an extra day free at home.)  Questions: Get away from what? Why? Is it escapism or wise investment to preserve sanity and create precious memories like my wife Kay often did for our family?

The tempting cover of Via magazine received today for Jan-Feb 2020, the new year already: 

“Must-see treasures and hidden gems” at historic Golden Gate Park.  So many things I “must see”, it’s hard to decide how and when that will happen.  Not yet on my “bucket list”; we’ll see.

To simplify, I decided a year ago not to travel.  Subject to change, of course, when our children invite me (or a dear friend needs help moving to Portland).  Last October we met halfway in Liberty Missouri for a baptism — so sweet!  Elder & Sister Cannon, my brother and his wife, attended in support.  Next summer our family outing will be in the great state of Arizona, which I love; I will drive, taking my time (and more pics) to see what Kay & I missed in 2017.  No plans for 2021, but I’m thinkin’ Brigham City, Utah (recalling our vacation there for Kay’s spring break a few years ago); I can see myself going 25 miles each way via UTA.  It will be fun.  Maybe my mind is changing ... to get away once every year, but not today.