Good Reminders

Apple Watch 11/27/2020: “Live a better day by taking a minute to Breathe.”

Cheerios: “You are loved”

Instagram post: “It’s OK to ask for help.” [and] “Productivity doesn’t define your worth.”

Sign on 25th Street, Ogden: “Carpe librum — Seize the book”

S-E 2/21/23 Guest Commentary by D. Louise Brown: “Remember, our memories are housed in us, not in our house.”

“Message from the Universe” 1/16/2026: “To be happy, you must (1) Let go of what’s gone, (2) be grateful for what remains, (3) look forward to what’s to come next.”

Independent 1/1/2026 by Emily Ronay Johnston: “Writing things down supports memory consolidation — the brain’s conversion of short-term memories into long-term ones. … [to] help free the mind to be in the here and now.”

Thomas S. Monson: “We are surrounded by … confusing voices … LOUD voices.  Turn the volume down and be influenced instead by that still, small voice which will guide you to safety.”

Market Good News

Notice encouraging information on products in the marketplace.  For example:

Lay’s Limón flavored potato chips: “Made with REAL POTATOES” and “No artificial flavors”

Cheerios “can help lower CHOLESTEROL as part of a heart healthy diet” (“BEST if used by 14SEP2024”) and “Get a $13 movie reward.”

Garden Veggie Straws: “Made with VEGGIE INGREDIENTS and avocado oil”

Welch’s Fruit Snacks — “family farmer owned”: “Made with WHOLE FRUIT!”

(Reminder: This blog is NOT about fast food.)

Lexicon sample

Family and friends sometimes ask for clarification when I lazily abbreviate.  I apologize.  Let me say what I’m thinking. 

“A lexicon represents the abstract, living inventory of words belonging to a … group or mind.”  To share and clarify, here is a sample of lexicon as my “mental dictionary: The set of words and phrases known and used by a single individual.”  Far from complete, this list includes common initialisms (like FBI — not acronyms, pronounced as a word like NASA) and regular words I frequently use. 

CRC1 — our #1 Community Resource Center at 555 24th Street before myHometown Ogden South Council classes and activities moved out.  I unofficially continue volunteer work there, next to Seager Memorial Clinic.

CG — City Garden Apartments, Ogden home

MW Ctr / RR Center — Marshall N. White Community Center, Ogden UT (my running & rowing on track above ball courts)

pantry — community service place providing free food & household supply

OCP — obsessive-compulsive photography or proofreading, depending on context

misophonia — selective sound sensitivity syndrome (my daughter diagnosed for me)

EQ — elders quorum (men)

SS lesson — Sunday School lesson

mtg — abbreviation for meeting 

mgt — abbreviation for management 

mtn bike — my non-electric mountain bicycle

Razor — non-electric kick scooter, my senior mobility device

blading — rollerblading with my adjustable inline skates (began in 2024 at Neptune Ogden)

OGX — UTA Ogden Express electric buses

$Tree — Dollar Tree store (inflated to $1.25+)

DI — Deseret Industries Thrift Store & Donation Center

NT — Neighbors Thrift store, Ogden UT

The U (or U of U) — The University of Utah, SLC

WSU — Weber State University, Ogden UT

“Tuesdays with Kay” — special day of the week began September 2018 with sweet visits from family.  I derived it from a book she taught at Northridge High School: Tuesdays with Morrie  by Mitch Albom

Clarification

Landfill sign at Weber State University trash can: Plastics —  no symbol (#3-#7) = trash. “When in doubt, throw it out.” (vs. the recycle can)

Ned announcing on Sunday (first day of week): “The service project is next week, not this week.”

Agreed to meet at 7 … PM, not AM.

Leaving CRC1 (community center:) “See you later this week … maybe tomorrow.”

I usually only eat two or three meals per week; snacking six times a day avoids starvation mode.

A sign at FamilySearch Center broken door: “Please DO NOT EXIT through the left door. (Choose the right)”

ampersand writing

These are a few of my favorite things:

PB&J sandwiches for lunch and dinner

cottage cheese & fruit cocktail for a healthy evening snack

cookies & milk for dessert … anytime

Dana Lou’s sewing with needle & thread

cutting & trimming trees for neighbors

classical concerts & radio on iPhone

BYU Creamery Pralines & Caramel ice cream served today at Deseret Book, SLC (began in 1866 as George Q. Cannon & Sons)

Farr's Cherry Chocolate Chip ice cream & Hershey’s Special Dark Syrup in Ogden

reading & writing since I learned in 1st grade

fascinating family history & stories

true books & magazines and lifelong learning

sunsets & ocean on the Oregon Coast

(Kay & Ned surely agree.)

AI Overview recalls Name Evolution: [19th century] Schoolchildren reciting the alphabet would say "X, Y, Z, and per se &," meaning "and by itself, the character & is 'and'". Over time, people slurred "and per se and" into the word ampersand.  — Reddit +6

Anyway, I use ampersand a lot for fast text, etc. 

The Block

With a stretch of my aging memory, in December 2018, I recalled our “1980 farewell to three separate meetings spread throughout Sunday, plus meetings on other days.”  Now in September 2026, as a baptized member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since age 8, I still remember the years before we changed to the consolidated meeting schedule, commonly referred to as the “three-hour block".

In January 2019, the Church implemented a two-hour Sunday schedule.  As 2018 ended, I looked back at the three-hour block as being a stretch for little ones and aging ones, but a refreshing change nonetheless.  I welcomed the inspired schedule adjustment; two hours followed by individual study would suit me.  I wrote, “Feelings of nostalgia will linger longer ... as I recall ‘the good old days’ of our loving that ‘3.5-hour block’ — my faithful companion and I, [lingering for half an hour] together with dear friends.  Tears ... and cheers, everyone!”

Now I welcome the schedule change to 25-minute classes following sacrament hour, with an increased focus on Jesus Christ, especially with home study, where my Kay is not far away.

More Hints From Grandpa

With more ideas to share since posting “Hints From Grandpa Ned” two years ago, I’m still big on repurposing to “save the Earth” and money.  [Worth repeating, as I’m still using] “… an old toothbrush to sweep lint off the dryer screen.  Also good for sweeping bugs into a bottle.”

Repurpose a mug to hold a water bottle upright by your bed; use another to hold toothbrushes in the bathroom. 

Delay gratification by saving ice cream to enjoy with a friend on his or her schedule; (delay “activates the prefrontal cortex, building stronger … decision-making skills.”)

Keep a few healthy snacks and books by your bed for convenience — morning, siesta, and night.  (Reminder: this blog is not about food.)

[Worth repeating:] “Slow down sometimes, read a good book, and know that God loves and guides His children.”

Be kind, keep the faith, and be prepared.