Two Weeks

If I were a student or school teacher starting two weeks of vacation today, what would I do?  (in addition to skiing 3 or 4 days, of course.)

1.  Introspectively at year end, I'd ask, "Where have I been this year?" (besides the East); "Why am I here now?" (not just the Layton frontier); and, "Where am I going next year?" (including the Oregon Coast, I hope.)

2.  Celebrate!  (Being out of school is really something!)

Last night, with close friends in the Conference Center, we were thrilled by David Archuleta, a gifted young man who sang his heart out like I never imagined.  I felt inspired by Michael York, a professional actor who recited Luke 2 and one other remarkable story.  It was a heart-warming way to remember Christ's birth and all that Christmas means to us.  "He will bring us goodness and light."  --Familiar old song

I would celebrate (study) the life and writings of Joseph Smith, the prophet of the Restoration, who was born December 23, 1805.  Through a humble farm boy, God ushered in the long-promised "dispensation of the fulness of times".  (Ephesians 1:10)

3.  Prepare for the New Year!

I see a door opening in front of me, like key images in the film "Temple Grandin".  It's a true story of an autistic young woman, who turned her unique visual thinking to her advantage, with help from her determined mother and a science teacher.

Temple Grandin (born August 29, 1947) is an American doctor of animal science and professor at [CSU], bestselling author, and consultant ...

The Learning Style of People with Autism: An Autobiography (1995). ...

Ph.D. in Animal Science from the University of Illinois in 1989.

-- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Grandin

And maybe I will try snowboarding before year end (in my dreams!)

Final Four

Some may suspect I'm already getting excited about April 2 and 4, 2011

(Countdown: 108 days, 2 hrs) at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas -- 

Host: University of Houston / Rice University    --ncaa.com/sports/
m-baskbl/...    -- but my follower knows better.

These four complete my 3-part series of "simple suggestions" for Christmas:

9.  Music -- listen and perform to your heart's content.

Recall your favorites from the past.  Play an LP, 8-track, cassette tape, CD, iTune, 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. 
We especially love the King's Singers, who will be "performing in Exeter's beautiful Cathedral" this Saturday (UK).   --www.kingssingers.com

10.  Attend the church of your choice and meet a new friend.  Say a kind word to someone.

11.  Put a dollar or more in the Salvation Army bucket. 

The one December day I rang the bell in front of ZCMI with fellow Salt Lake Kiwanians, helped me appreciate the SA, which rescues so many throughout the year.

12.  Give thanks.  Need I say more?

That makes twelve; but I have a feeling there are more.  So I leave out the rest for you to share.

Next Simple Set

Last Friday my first four "Simple Suggestions" included:  remembering Jesus, sharing joy, Santa Claus (giving), and family traditions.  The next set is not in any special order --kind of like my shopping plans.

5. Enjoy food!  (I knew you were looking for that.)

In our own little Cannon family, we have always loved the Christmas morning feast, especially grapefruit, before presents are opened.

6. Do your shopping before 6:00 pm Christmas Eve.

I learned the hard way several years ago, as I drove home from work on Christmas Eve.  Having waited for last-minute specials, I panicked when stores were closing their doors in front of me as I drove into the parking lots.  True story!  Lucky for me, it was before the Twelve Days which end on January 6, Kings Day (Epiphany).  I love that tradition my mother promoted.  She opposed the popular practice of cutting Christmas short.

7. Take pictures/videos for priceless memories.

I must find my VHS tape of Christmas 1996, with our daughters in our cozy Hobbs Creek home; that alone is worth the $95 spent on a used two-pack video camera.  And I'd love to dig into the archives for those photo prints of our three sons eagerly opening their presents in our East Mill Creek home.  Happy days!

8. Sisters, read Christmas stories to the children, including your husband.

Brothers, be tender and loving; help keep the peace.  Remember Luke 2 (our favorite).

May you have joy, and some healthy Christmas goodies!

Simple Suggestions

You may call these Christmas rules (double meaning), or ideas.  They may be difficult to do, but they are simply stated.  I can think of twelve -- too many for one post; so I split into three.  (Be patient --the food part is coming.)

1. Remember Christ, our Savior --His birth and life. 

If not, at least believe in love, and be grateful that Jesus taught followers to love, not hate.

2. Share in the joy. 

It’s the perfect time to love your neighbor, especially your family, no matter what your beliefs.  Even sad cynics should see the benefits and enjoy.

3. Believe in Santa Claus (or Samichlaus, if you're in Switzerland)

--the spirit of giving (a miracle, like "on 34th Street").  Yes, I still believe!

(I know this gets personal, and there are opposing views, so this is one man’s.)

4. Start or strengthen your own family traditions. 

Do you and “yours” know them?

Let’s continue the conversation with those around us.  And not so fast, OK?

Break for Christmas

For a little diversion from work, I dug into my WWII-standard file cabinet to grab December journals.  Although I'm still trying to fit everything "worth saving" into it, I still love my well-organized, legal-size "tank" with five full drawers.

With Andy singing, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” (so true), I found some 1987 entries I’d like to share with my follower, who understands my quirks.  (Thanks to calendaryear.net/1987 for days of the week.)

Tues. 12/15  Kay & Spencer delivered Christmas stories and gifts.

Wed. 12/16  Kay read us a great Christmas story.

Fri. 12/18  [Sons] still wanting me to set up train.

Sat. 12/19  Helped [sons] set up train in [bedroom].  Family to theatre: "Here's Love" ("Miracle on 34th St.") with Gordon Jump --at PVP. [Promised Valley Playhouse in downtown SLC]

[Searched history and found:]

Orpheum Theatre, Promised Valley Playhouse -- 132 South State --

1905, Carl M. Neuhausen, SLC (a German-born architect who planned several well-known Utah buildings, including The Cathedral of the Madeleine and the Thomas Kearns Mansion.)

--www.utahheritagefoundation.com/pdf/downtown/NDH.Tour.pdf

Tues. 12/22  [With in-laws] at Hale Centre Theatre [in old SLC building, to see] "Scrooge" (excellent!)

Thur. 12/24  Christmas pageant with Evans in stable [in NSL, I guess, not Boulderville].  Dinner at Evans' -- enjoyed a nice long visit.

Take to ranch: "Lullaby of Christmas" and Christmas music ... Vit. C ...

[Googled to find my favorite:] "Lullaby of Christmas" 1948 LP recording narrated by Gregory Peck.  [Result:] Our Vinyl Records Music List --

LP Loretta Young & Gregory Peck The Littlest Angel And Lullaby Of Christmas Decca Records DL 78009 1948 VG/VG Holiday Visual Grade ...

-- www.ourvinylrecords.com/pages/GSTEXTLIST.html

Friday, December 25, 1987

Breakfast.  Happy excited children!  Enjoyed reading book Curtis gave me:  Three From Galilee [: The Young Man from Nazareth, c. 1985] about young Jesus growing up. 

[Google found:]  Marjorie Holmes's fictionalized retelling of the life of Jesus covers a period overlooked by the Gospels - the "lost years" between age 12, when Jesus debated the elders in the temple, to the age of 30, when he actually began his ministry.  -- www.amazon.com

We all ate tons of candy & snacks.  (Surprised we didn't get sick!)

12/8/10  I enjoyed my "fast-food" lunch break with red&green&white-frosted pretzels, "Chestnuts roasting ..." (radio), and loving memories of good times.  Give yourself a break for Christmas!

Five More Hints

On this big Christmas shopping weekend, I recall my "Five Forever Favorites" posted 11/12/10, which in retrospect was a start on my list for Santa.  I better finalize the list now before being tempted by all the entertaining, creative marketing in full swing.

Hints for Santa

Fast food (energy) compatible with my desktop PC (oatmeal raisin cookies, e.g.) (-- Remember the chocolate and crackers.)

Black socks

White pillow covers

USB 2.0 extender cable for my SD digital card reader/writer (a favorite thing)

New-release non-fiction paperback book (Surprise me!)

Now I won't need to handwrite a list like I did in my youth, or mail it to the North.  (On second thought, maybe I should Email it just in case:  www.emailsanta.com)

Even Numbers

I was just thinking, "What's an odd subject I haven't written about?"

Then it came to me:  Even numbers, like 12/2/2010, 4/6/1830, decades, centuries, millenniums, our street address, number of grandchildren, my birth date and birth year.

[Definition, thanks to:]  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Even_numbers

In mathematics, the parity of an object states whether it is even or odd. 

... divisible by 2 and always end with a digit of 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8

parity [noun]

2. (mathematics) a relation between a pair of integers: if both integers are odd or both are even they have the same parity; if one is odd and the other is even they have different parity; "parity is often used to check the integrity of transmitted data"   -- whitesmoke.com

Historical Events on 2nd [of] December

1804 - Napoleon Bonaparte crowned emperor of France in Paris by Pope ...

-- historyorb.com/events/december/2

2006 Cuba:  Fidel Castro’s eightieth [80] birthday.  Raúl Castro attends ...

-- thepeoplehistory.com/december2nd.html#2006

 [Googled:] world events in year 1202  [like 12/2]

What I found reminded me of a 2010 movie with one of my favorite actors; but the story and script were disappointing.  Also, it would have helped to know more of the history before watching.

French King Philip II joined Richard I on the Third Crusade [1189 to 1192].

Richard was freed in 1194 [in Austria] and ... went to war with the French.

His brother John signed a treaty with Philip (1200).

Apr 28^th [4/28/1202] - King Philip II throws out John … from France.

Philip conquered Normandy (1204).

John … was defeated by Philip at the Battle of Bouvines (1214).

-- answers.com/topic/philip-ii-of-france

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: Philip II

There you have it – math and history lessons rolled into one odd post (#17), published at an odd time.