Music Appreciation Class

An idea came to me this morning for our children’s home schools.  They are managing well, by the way, and learning a lot every day before going out to play.

I consider as legendary the love my wife Kay & I have for good music.  It certainly played a key role in our courtship and marriage, and it continues to do so.  I believe our five children appreciate it, too.  We hope our grandchildren are developing that love as well, but I often wonder how we can further encourage them as my mother did for me.

A Cincinnati Public Radio broadcast every Saturday morning, Classics for Kids, fascinates and educates me.  Each five-minute program with music and lecture (think of a livelier word) focuses on a composer or topic in a creative, fun way.  (Today’s was “springtime music”.)  They are geared toward children, and the dot-com website has additional content to help parents and teachers.  “Programs can be downloaded as a podcast.”

“It really matters what you listen to. . . .  Select music that will strengthen your spirit.”
— Russell M. Nelson 

We have a window of opportunity.  I am convinced that a daily, seven-minute “music appreciation class” included in our home schools would have lasting value for little children, teens, and generations to come.

granddaughter in the far West, learning piano

Pathways Forward

Our Governor Gary Herbert introduced “version 2.0 of Utah Leads Together” on Friday 4/17/2020.  As I watched an archived video of the press conference on ksl.com, the repeated phrase, “pathway forward”, impressed me as significant.  So, we are going through a phase ... while looking forward to the next phase ... down the road of recovery.

Has each of us established our personal pathway forward through life beyond the pandemic?  Is the family on the right pathway, leading together?  Hopefully we keep an eye on God’s “comprehensive plan and guidelines”.  I trust we are enjoying and appreciating the beautiful “scenery” along the way of truth and righteousness.

I am grateful to Heavenly Father for all that brings us true joy in life.  I find comfort in knowing my forever companion Kay is helping others find the pathway to eternal life ... going forward, with love.

Michigan, 13 January 2018

Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve
(formerly Layton Wetlands Preserve)

Question and Answer

If I were watching TV this month, I would likely see talking heads in Q&A sessions about the challenges we face.  “Question and answer” may be imperative verbs as suggestions, requests, or commands; they can be nouns.  If hyphenated, adjective would be in order.  No matter — just my early-morning thoughts with iPhone at hand.

What questions are you asking this week?  Any good, reliable answers?

What should we be asking?  Is “stay-at-home” helping to strengthen families and individuals?
My answer: I feel closer to my angel wife Kay, her parents, and my parents.  With daily prayer and thoughts turned to the Almighty, I feel love from our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.  I see Their tender mercies blessing our family, friends, and neighbors every day.  I see positive reports from our children that say yes, home school is working and families are stronger.

Of One Heart and Mind

This Easter morning, as we remembered the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, my thoughts were drawn to the love God has for all His children, and the love my wife Kay & I feel for everyone in our family.  Yes, our celebration was different this year, but so special ... my words cannot adequately describe.

Continuous Conference

It was different last weekend.  The Conference Center in Salt Lake City was empty.  However, millions received messages of hope and inspiration — a marvelous work of counsel and music combined with technology.  I appreciated the wise amount of compassionate talk and prayer about the tragic disease the world is facing.  We rejoiced in observing the 200th anniversary of the First Vision, which began the Restoration.  It is ongoing, and we are challenged to take an active part in it.

Although gatherings are temporarily suspended, General Conference (190th annual) continued this spring with five sessions broadcast worldwide.  Continuing revelation flowed lovingly through modern-day prophets to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the whole world — more evident than ever, it seemed to me.

This amazing conference renewed my hope that continuous efforts by my angel wife Kay are effective in bringing others closer to the Savior, Jesus Christ.  I pray that mine are also, while I look forward to our reunion on the other side ... with love.

watching 190th General Conference

Sat. AM, 4 April 2020, KSL Channel 5, Salt Lake City

Nauvoo Spring Too

Recalling my post dated April 11, 2011:

In a flash of family-history curiosity, I pulled out my parents' letters mailed from Nauvoo, Illinois.  Some were typed, and others were handwritten in the late 80's.  Janath Cannon, accomplished writer and missionary, found time to type this on March 31, 1988, describing signs of spring there:

"March is going out today like a somewhat shaggy lamb, with mild air but a threatening rain. ...  Yesterday was lovely here.  The squirrels, cardinals, woodpeckers, bluejays, blackbirds, and assorted other birds patronize Ted's tree-side feeder in ever increasing numbers.  We have plenty of corn for them -- we shoveled up several boxfuls from a bunch that was spilled on the road to the grain elevators.  Some tulips and violets are showing promise in our yard, and the grass is turning green all over the park.  Barges rumble past our front yard again and occasionally tie up by the granary."

"Gorbachev the Cat has become a wanderer and sometimes fails to come home at night.  Ted frets a little about that, and leaves the porch light on to entice him home.  (I think Ted misses that warm body on his chest during the morning news.)  But at least it's not like worrying about children still out after midnight."

"... Nonie and Maynard Sorensen are settled in.  The woodcarving studio is set up in the basement of the Cultural Hall and Maynard is scheduling evening classes open to the public, as well as his regular tour for tourists.  Nonie is working on her new production."

spring 2020, Ogden Utah Temple

closed temporarily

back cover, Nauvoo Panorama, c.1991

by Janath Russell Cannon