Single Ski Season

Looking back, it seems like I was in a different world for twelve months.  In March I completed my mission in Argentina North, where I served 24 months for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  (“The best two years” could be a topic for another post someday … or a whole series – so sweet!)  But this is a quick account of my life as a single adult who focused on three endeavors for a year after the mission: four quarters of classes at the University of Utah (including LDS Institute of Religion,) skiing, and dating.

Now at the peak of ski season in Northern Utah, I feel the urge to go skiing. ("Dream on, old man!")  Recalling that April, I was immediately thrown into spring quarter at the U – a real shock to my system.  I took school seriously, but soon as classes were over for the day, I often turned my attention to water skiing during summer quarter and snow skiing during winter quarter.  I took skiing seriously as well.  Suffice it to say that most summer water was smooth as glass, and I thrived on it.  Loved Lake Powell, though I almost lost it in one fierce storm.  Between ski trips, studying by the community pool with my solar-powered transistor radio helped me keep up with the demands of school.

That fall I found the deal: a $70 ski package at Wolf's Sporting Goods, State Street, Salt Lake City.  Extra-long wooden skis with bindings, boots, and poles!  My compact car served well without a ski rack, as the skis extended out the passenger window.  A season pass at Park City West (aka Park West, later renamed The Canyons) was a wonderful gift from my father, who took it in trade for a debt they owed.  I made sure we got the value out of it by going up three times per week that winter.

I was attracted to the most difficult runs, challenging myself to learn quickly and negotiate huge moguls (mounds formed by deep troughs) on scary, steep slopes where gravity really worked.  College skiing class at Alta Ski Resort was heaven to me – a lot more satisfying than calculus and chemistry.  It was a subject I could really put my heart into and enjoy learning.  The experience was enhanced by combining skiing with dating when I took Kay, my Music Appreciation study partner, to the Alta “bunny hill,” where beginners used a rope tow to ascend the gentle slope.  Before long, her feet got so cold that we had to retreat to the lodge, where we sat by the fire.  I keenly felt responsibility for helping her warm up, and I was happy to do so.  Sweet and slow was the drive back down Little Cottonwood Canyon with a darling young woman cuddled close by my side (before seat belt law,) and a favorite song by Anne Murray on the radio.  More heaven for me!

Getting back to earth and skiing, I didn't know my days were numbered (for fun on the water and slopes, that is.)  At the end of those twelve months, my good friend Gordon in the Institute choir got engaged to be married, and encouraged me to boldly follow his example. I didn't know it, but I was about to get engaged to another close friend, Kay.

Married life was (and is) wonderful and different; I necessarily cut way back on skiing.  The first and final time I took Kay water skiing was in the middle of our first summer, and it hailed at Rockport reservoir just as she was getting up on the water; I failed to sell her on skiing after that.  Can't blame her.

DIY & other verbs that get me going

For future reference this year, I recommend the "Complete List of Action Verbs" compiled in past tense by my mother’s college “… to assist you in describing your experiences and achievements on your resume.”  – www.wellesley.edu/...complete_list_of_action_verbs.pdf
(Now important for the Class of 2016 and me, facing the real world.
And anyone may use it when writing personal history and a memoir.)
I share a few favorites, plus several that somehow didn't make it:

accelerated  [learning, I hope, not evading officers]

accomplished  [congratulations!]

balanced  [checkbook and life]

[missing “caught”]
developed  [a program and patience with coworkers]

[missing “DIY”*]

dramatized  [by role playing or writing creatively]

edited  [nice work if you can get it]

effected  [good, but missing “affected”]

[missing "forgave"]
rewrote  [done that]

shared  [by every social-media user]

simplified  [sweet – need more of that!]

sought  [missing “Googled”]

trained  [to color within the lines]

translated  [missing “transcribed,” another favorite]

wrote  [I did it!]

Obviously not complete as the college claims, but certainly helpful to those inclined to take action.

*I have it on authority, since a BH&G magazine rode the current wave of “do-it-yourself” by printing: [Buy it, or] "DIY it."

Caught the action at the center!

Inviting, and suggesting a forgiving, retail establishment in Prescott AZ

Relaxing in her dream house, Barbie watched action TV
(smartphone played video behind screen) on Christmas Day.

Exhilaration or Trepidation?

Looking at the New Year, two words come to mind: exhilaration and trepidation.  Which will dominate 2016?

Google defines the first as "a feeling of excitement, happiness, or elation."
[For example:] "They felt the exhilaration of victory."  [or "Be excited ."]

And the second as "a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen."  [For example:] "The men set off in fear and trepidation."
[or "I'm afraid this is the end of civilization as we know it."]

I'm excited!  May this coming year be rich with exhilaration in first place as we win the fight for religious liberty and life!  Go forward in faith, and show gratitude for them as gifts from God, who loves all of His children.

Be happy, and celebrate this New Year!

Happy girl & twin boys – three grandchildren who spark joy!

Our missionary friend Sarah with happy children

New Year's Day breakfast at older brother's home

New Week's Resolutions

Today is a new beginning – the start of a new week.  This Sabbath morning it occurred to me that I need some new week’s resolutions.  After some deep thought, here are a few I can confidently make public:

"Do a good turn daily."

Edit, and love working.
Enjoy healthy food five times a day.

Move like exercise twice; walk or longboard to the mailbox.

Recycle junk mail; remember it funds our reliable postal service.

Read a verse or recall a story from the scriptures every day;

(“Scripture Power!”)

Watch a sunrise and a sunset; share with my sweetheart.

Talk to a neighbor, and listen to someone in need.

Drive safely without texting or expressing anger.

Make a New Year’s resolution for 2016.

Enjoy family, and be happy; party!

If I fail to keep my new week’s resolutions, there’s always next week – another new beginning.

I like cake, too; (fast food for energy.)

Our frontier sunrise at GSLSP boardwalk

Park it while texting or being upset.

Toy piano from St. Augustine FL, Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix AZ

Simple Gifts of Love

A song I hear this season reminds me of the beauty of "simple gifts."  I recall our family history of relatively simple celebrations of Christmas.  Our ancestors must have known the value of gifts that represent simplicity as well as love.  What could seem more simple than showing love?


My Cannon grandparents showed it by giving a family party every Christmas Eve at their modest home on the Avenues.  A highlight of the tradition was sharing of talents – mainly music.  Parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins played Grandmother's historic piano and other instruments.  One loving couple always sang their favorite Hawaiian song(s) as a simple gift to the family; (they had served a Church mission as young marrieds in Hawaii.)  I remember one of those gatherings when I played "O Holy Night" on the old upright piano.  It should be no surprise that I have fond memories of the food as simple gifts, prepared by loving hands, mostly made from scratch; (I'm thinkin' Grandmother's chocolate cake!)  And yes, I actually loved the fruitcake Mother provided for Christmas every year.


In our youth, the real live tree in our own homes every Christmas was an act of love on the part of my father and father-in-law.  I can still remember the fresh smell which has been missing in our current home for years.  (No complaints – just to emphasize a happy memory.  As empty-nesters now, we value simplicity and convenience while enjoying the fresh trees in others' homes.)  Old ornaments representing family history and beliefs convey loving memories shared with relatives and friends.  Father's traditional reading of Luke chapter 2 about the birth of Jesus ... was a gift to us children on Christmas Day that set a lifetime pattern for posterity.  And I am forever grateful to Mother for sharing her love of sacred music, especially at Christmas time.


Most of all, I am thankful for the simple gift of love from our Heavenly Father and from His Son Jesus Christ, whose birth and life we celebrate this month.  May we feel it and give simple gifts throughout the coming year.


As my sweetheart Kay leads me to sing at neighbors' doors, "... we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!"  With  love ...

"written for his children during the years 1846 to 1849 by Charles Dickens"

("Sir Henry Dickens' favorite portrait of his father.")

Gratitude Photo Journal

So much for which I am grateful to God ... I can't find all of the words.
Thankfully, "a picture is worth a ..."

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sweetheart Kay

Accomplished sons and daughters
at our University of Utah (Cheers!)

Good friends at Daybreak Lake

Temples, where we learn more about
Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ

Those who have gone before

Grandma Kay, who does it all with love

Frontier desert moisture (sufficient snow) and cozy home

Talented, gorgeous grandchildren

Those who served our country

Faithful sons-in-law

Fun family times

Loving daughters-in-law

Service opportunities

Our own harvest, including one apple ... all a miracle!

At the End of the Day

This day is done.  I feel like all I can say is, "At the end of the day you're another day older." (Lyrics from Les Misérables.)  So true, yet kind of sad.

The truth is, I had in mind the common phrase heard from commentators and guests in the media: "At the end of the day," meaning (in my estimation) "I conclude that, after all is said and done, this is what it boils down to ..."  

It’s trite; (Google defines as "overused and consequently of little import; lacking originality or freshness; … stale, timeworn, unimaginative, unoriginal, dull …")  But until I create a better phrase, I have no right to criticize.  In the end, the media will be what it is … regardless.