A To Z Tag--Alphabet Play

* A- ATTACHED OR SINGLE
Since we have been married for nearly 50 years, I guess you would say attached although I would say it is not “attached at the hip”. We each have our own interests and activities to bring to our marriage.
* B-BEST FRIEND
Art, because he has more to overlook and forgive than anyone and loves me anyway.
* C-CAKE OR PIE
I was going to say pie because I love, love lemon meringue, but then German Chocolate and Carrot Cake came to mind. Can it be a toss-up?
* D-DAY OF CHOICE
Probably Sunday because of the way I feel when I am at church and the spirit is strong.
* E-ESSENTIAL ITEM(S)
Paper and pencil or pen. If I can’t write it down, I am writing in my head, so I’m better off to actually go ahead and write.
* F-FAVORITE COLOR
Green. If you share this, take any chance you get to travel to the U.K.! Now I know what an incredible variety there is within the color green.
* G-GUMMY BEARS OR WORMS
Really I am partial to Swedish Fish. Thanks to Alyssa and Heather.
* H-HOMETOWN
I have two. The first one is South Gate in California where I spent the first 7 years of my life. The second one is Moab, Utah where I was a teenager. I was there at the time of the uranium boom and before it became a trendy place, so I almost feel like a native.
* I-INDULGENCES
Reading; Chocolate; bargain shopping. Hey, I’ve got lots of them. Unfortunately, most of them have come back to bite me. Figuratively speaking, of course!
* J-JANUARY OR JULY
I guess I’d have to say July because it is the month of my first grandchild’s birth. And because of picnics and other happy times, and also because there are no awful inversions to contend with. But on the other hand, I remember a January or two when we drove above the sludge in the air to find blue sky and that was wonderful, too.
* K-KIDS
What can I say? I love kids. Have six children and terrific grandchildren. I enjoy watching kids, talking to them, encouraging them.
* L-LIFE ISN’T COMPLETE WITHOUT…
…knowing I am loved by family, friends and God.
* M-MARRIAGE DATE
June 12, 1958
* N-Number of brothers and sisters.
I was raised as an only child but after my mother died and my dad remarried I had the gift of having one sister, Marilee, and four step-sisters. Love you guys!
* O-ORANGES OR APPLES
That’s a hard one. Another toss up. Navel oranges from Australia and Fuji apples.
* P-PHOBIAS OR FEARS
Anxiety when I am throwing things away or getting rid of things. Fear of losing those people I love. Don’t much care for reptiles or bugs.
* Q-QUOTE
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he will direct thy paths.” Why is it so hard to remember to do this?
* R-REASON TO SMILE
We watched American Masters DVD of Carol Burnett with Carol, Don and Aunt Fran yesterday.
* S-SEASON OF CHOICE
Autumn. I love the vivid colors on the mountains, the air that is a little brisk yet you can still go outside without a coat.
* T-TAG
Kim, Alyssa, Heather, Nae, and anyone else who may enjoy word play. But only if it is fun for you!
* U-UNKNOWN FACT ABOUT ME
I skipped second grade. No big deal—the school was crowded in California and I was an early good reader.
* V-VEGETABLE
Like Popeye, I really like spinach.
* W-WORST HABIT
Holding on to possessions I no longer need so that things are cluttered.
* X-X-RAY OR ULTRASOUND
Either one over an MRI! What noise!
* Y-YOUR FAVORITE FOOD
Another toss up between pasta and chocolate. Why couldn’t it be vegetables?
* Z-ZODIAC SIGN
Aquarius. Good thing I am crazy about water, isn’t it?

Thanks again Kimberlee for the good idea!

Daisy: Canine Grandchild #2

Our daughter Kimberly just left after the task of coloring my hair. Good job, Kim! Maybe the color is a somewhat lighter tint of Daisy's brown. At least it has a little red in it. Daisy arrived as a sibling to Kimberly's Chance as a full grown Bassett. At least physically. But she is like a youngster in some of her ways. Very affectionate. Desirous of attention. A little slow to obey. (Make that QUITE slow!) But she is so delightful and charming, a real personality girl, that it is easy to love her. Look at those soulful eyes! And that tail just ready to wag like crazy. What a good dog is Daisy.

Karaoke Night

Sometimes, as hard as you try, you can't keep the giggles inside! That's how it is with our family when we get together for a party, especially if karaoke is involved. Heather pulled out her machine and boy did the music and laughs ever begin! We enjoyed getting together at Heather and Jake's apartment in Herriman. Although they now have a home in West Point, I look forward to more happy times together.

You are Loved

How hard is it for Dorothy to love the Bride of Frankenstein (or was it Dracula)? Not very hard. Sometimes there is a bond between two people and it is not immediately obvious why. That's the way it is with Alyssa and Stephanie. Could it be because these two both have a bit of red in their hair? Or that they are aunt and niece? Or that they both like stories? Or that they feel comfortable with each other? Or is it just one of those indefinable things--something to stop analyzing and just enjoy? Why not? How blessed you are!

Heading for Women's Conference

This photo makes me smile because, even though I will not be going this year, there are so many good memories. I remember the times we met up with Carol and Aunt Fran. We not only enjoyed the classes but our time with each other, the laughs, the serious talks, the fun in just being together. One year, Michelle went with me. We did not have a room and ended up commuting from a motel in Nephi! There were kids there from a Senior trip or something. They woke me up from what must have been an awful dream and for a time I thought I was listening to really abusive stuff happening rather than just kids fooling around. Glad I figured that one out before going back to sleep again. (I was really dragging during Friday's classes that year!) Heather has been my companion many times. She would plan ahead and take a day off work just to do it together. Thanks to all who provided the memories and the company.

Canine Grandchild

Here is a photo of Chance, Kimberly's darling little dog. I was with her when she found him at the Humane Society. He stole her heart immediately and when she took him for a walk outside, it was clear that he had already bonded with her. He didn't want to have much to do with me. She has taken him from a fearful dog who growled and barked at all of us to a friendly and loving little guy. It took patience and training on her part but now he is a wonderful companion for her, sensitive to her feelings and lively but sweet.

Sunrise

Today the sky is very grey. The morning almost looks gloomy. But I can see by the picture that there are other days (that particular sunrise was in February) when the clouds serve an extraordinary purpose: they enhance the beauty of light and sky. This sunrise faded out rather quickly. I took three photos from the office, each one successively more pale. But I am glad on this Thursday morning I can remember the sunrise in February. Looking north, through the other window in this room, I am even getting a glimpse of blue.

Papercrafts and Ice Cream

On the day this photo was taken we were in Cedar City. Aunt Fran, Carol and I were gathered around her table for several hours, making accordian style photo albums. I remember that time with fondness, being with people I love from my mother's side of the family, working with our hands to create something. It was good being together. Art was in the other room, relaxing or reading, sometimes poking his head into the kitchen to see what we were laughing about. Later on, Don brought leftover ice cream from the Ennis' freezer. We had the choice of about six different flavors (temptation!!) and I told myself we were doing a favor by helping them clean things out. What rationalization! And more laughs!

PT with Bill

Technically, Bill is a massage therapist, and a good one. And he is so much more. Having physical therapy is not exactly fun. But Bill has a way of showing concern, pushing you to do the work and promoting lots of laughs in the process. I think it is a gift. He looks very serious in this picture. Don't let that fool you. In the next moment, he was probably joking around with me or talking me into a little more effort on the upcoming exercise. Although I am not overly excited about doing physical therapy, I am glad that Art and I had the chance to meet Bill and get to know him.

And even though it is the first of April today, I really mean it!