Paperless Office

This is a brief history of a time (around the mid-eighties) when my industry, which depended on business-office use of paper for everything, watched with dismay the surge in office computing.  Machines were about to digitally eliminate the need for paper (or for manually marking the few stragglers).  I remember hearing the warnings in national conventions to be prepared and diversify to counteract the loss of revenue.

The fact is, the paperless office never happened.  Since then, computers have proven their real worth by generating more paper than ever before in the history of the world.  For example: medical providers, junk mailers (including political surveying fundraisers), lawyers, and our court system — all serving us the best they can ... with paper.

It’s so easy.

On the other hand, financial institutions increasingly promote the “convenience” of paperless statements so customers can “avoid the clutter” and print them at their leisure in the comfort of home ... only when needed for easy reference or proof of something.  

We’re also privileged to keep photographs, journals, vital documents, and other family history in “the cloud” ... without any trace of paper.  Posterity can enjoy it all on their little phones wherever they go, along with e-books and video games. 

Thus, we see two sides of the outcome from that brief history of a time that changed our life.  Simplified?

(Reminder for me to finish digitizing our family history papers at home.  May need to buy more cloud storage this year to go beyond the free limit.)

dedicated family history organizer

and NHS English teacher, 21 April 2017,

nearing end of grading papers for 20 years

Family Newsletters

Hopefully, last night I finished contributing our Cannon part of the 2018 news for Kay’s Hinckley Family.  Thanks to our five children and their spouses, we got it together on time; then with one-day grace, I sent additional photos.  Now the rest is up to her talented, tech-savvy sister.

Recall those received in December — in the good old days we sometimes make fun of — now few and “far between” (meaning: not often, like “my inspired moments are few and far between").  This big one is not like traditional Christmas newsletters that we are blessed (in my view) to receive by mail in December, which I see as rare “treasures on earth” to keep and digitize with iPhone.  My wife’s family resists the holiday urge, waiting until the year is over to capture a complete picture through New Year’s Eve (and sometimes beyond).  Then in early January, the pressure is on ... like doing your family history.

Occasionally, with pressure off during the remainder of the new year, we remember to pick up the phone and take a group picture, likely a fun pic, and maybe another unforgettable pic, and make a few notes in our journal.

Take the time ... as it flies by.  Family newsletters — a thing of the past ... and so precious.

In our Hinckley Family newsletter published 1/30/2011, I read its history:

The first issue … was printed in April of 1983. We have on occasion debated, as the family evolves and expands, if the newsletter should be discontinued. But those of us who have saved past issues know what a wonderful history it has become ...

Mother Hinckley’s counsel in that very first issue:

“How wonderful it would be if each member of the family felt a sincere responsibility for every other member ... in our family circle ... [feeling that] ‘I came into this particular family circle because my Heavenly Father knew that I could be a blessing, a guide, and a help to this particular group of people. And maybe I was assigned to this family to receive the special blessings and helps that they, and only they, can give to me.’ ... making it possible to continue as an Eternal Family. We love each of you, forever.  – Mother and Father Hinckley”

In subsequent issues Mother Hinckley wrote often of the need to strengthen our family ties.

“In honor of Father Hinckley’s 100th birthday, the Senior[s] ... met at Cove Fort on June 24th for lunch and a tour of the Fort.  Every turn brought renewed esteem not only for our pioneer ancestors, but for father’s vision and will to restore that edifice.  ...

On what would have been Father’s 100th Birthday, Saturday the 26th, we drove to his birthplace – Hinckley, Utah.  Kay remembered his love of giant Hershey bars [and] his addressing Mother as “Mommy Dear” …  She recalled the days when he and Mother remodeled … [Cannons’] home and how the children never avoided Dad’s work assignments because they felt it was a privilege to work for him.  She says she has a rolling pin that is dented and gouged.  It’s hardly useable but she keeps it because it reminds her of the time that Dad needed to move something heavy during their remodel and asked her for her rolling pin.  He used that tool to move a large slab of cement … which subsequently marred the rolling pin.  It is a sweet memory for her.”

What will next January’s (2020) newsletter look like?

Memories ... with love.

Hinckley home, 26 June 2010

(for sale years later, which got Kay excited)

Treasures on Earth

After more than forty-seven years of saving treasures on earth, where do I begin?  A sample of some I retrieved from my file cabinet and shared in a July 2012 post for my sweetheart:

[Feb. 1995, a few weeks before we moved from East Mill Creek:]  

“Dear Kay, … You bore such a sweet testimony Sunday and I was touched by your special spirit.  ... loved our association with your family and hope that it will continue for many years to come.  Our faith and prayers are with you ...”
[We failed to maintain close contact with that dear couple, but they made the long trip to Kay’s funeral last October for a heavenly reunion.  It was comforting to see true friends whom we love.]

“Christmas at Cove Fort”  -- copy of “painting by Ken Baxter, SLC, Utah” from 1997 LDS-temple calendar.
[Yesterday our Hinckley Family celebrated Elder & Sister Crosby’s completing their two-year mission (Jan. 2017 - 2019) as director of historic Cove Fort, Utah.  We wish them well, with love!]

“NEW YEAR AWAKENING

My sleep-swollen eyes slowly open,

The dawn has seeped through the shades,

And filled the room with a soft morning glow.

…   — Kay Cannon”

(Ensign Third Ward FOOTSTEPS, Vol. VIII, No. 1, January 7, 1979, Poetry Corner.)
[Waking with a smile.  Our Kay — forever a passionate poet!]

Touching Base

The thought occurred to me again this morning:
“What can I say?”  ( I have repeated that before, and somehow come up with additional words.)

I want to at least “touch base”; (Google defines: “briefly make or renew contact with someone.”)
How are you?  I am doing OK, editing, etc.  Life is good.

So, if you read this, consider it done — I touched base ... with love!

(More pics coming later with PC on Internet elsewhere or Apple help with iPhone.  This is a work in progress.)

family in historic Nauvoo, 22 July 2016

Six of Us Here

This Sabbath day is special for us — more than the usual January adjustment for many.  As our Cannon Family looks back on Christmas (and I alone ... perhaps not really alone ... finish celebrating by our tree with music, memories, and a leftover MC Mindy Mint), we feel very blessed.

Let me share my 6am thoughts (often numbers-oriented):

There are six of us here ... as mortals on earth today, the sixth of January.  Our five children & I.  Kay, beloved mother of five, mother-in-law of five, grandmother of 23, and my one & only, passed on to continue her life’s work as our number-one missionary and teacher as well.

A family of seven — with spouses, we are twelve.  Two powerful numbers to reckon with!  One forever family.

Kay & I are one in purpose and in love; adding our five children makes six of us.  Adding our families and more generations to come, there is no end in sight.
All one in purpose ... with love.
Here on the sixth day of the year.

Recap Too

Recalling the year 2013, I ended it with a recapitulation on December 30th:

The end is near! – (end of our calendar year, I mean.)  So I thought a quick recap of 2013 would encourage a reader to do his/her own summary of major events; no need to be complete or chronological ...

...

Our trip to Arizona [family] around the first of July ...[took] priority over the big Cannon Family annual reunion on the Fourth in Utah ...  
We were blessed with two new grandchildren, Eli and Weston, born in May and July; our beautiful daughters and their handsome babies are doing fine.  Our three sons are stalwarts, as are their sisters.  ...”

An End and a Beginning Too

On Monday, 31 December 2012, I posted “An End and a Beginning” to close the year and set the stage for a new one:

“...  Treats (and Kay) are calling me, while sparkling cider waits for the Square ball to drop.

As we end the wonderful old year of 2012, let us begin a simpler, new year, with a focus on family.  Make it happy!”