Kanyonland King

Book Published

2011-07-24T09:33:00.000-07:00

My book was published in time for the Boulder Heritage Festival this year.
I didn't attend. Tom lost his leg just the week before and events piled up.
My son Jason came from Texas and built a ramp for the wheelchair and fixed
the bathroom to be used more easily. Peole wander in and out giving rehab, checking wound, and prepare for prothesis. This is my youngest grandson and Grandpa sitting outside.
But the book is finished. It is a good one for the area as it gives information for those interested in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument...but I put in what was interesting to me. I hope others write and do the the same. That country is a country for stories...none like the others. I hope others will add to my stories. Now I need to sell for awhile. $20.00 for book. $25.00 mailed.
I'll have to provide for all the curious tourists!

Flags

2011-06-22T07:17:00.000-07:00

I tried to post yesterday, but was having trouble, but the new picture posted.
I'll try again today. We are enjoying seeing our plants bloom in this cool
spring and summer.
We had an emergency on Monday. Tom's leg tubes blocked off.
We spent half the day at hospital in Panguitch and the other other half in St.
George. Dr. Khoury found a very small pulse and although the tube is blocked,
thought there was a possibility for the blood to get through the foot by smaller arteries and capillaries. He knew that trying to open up the blocked tube was almost an impossibility as he had operated and done all he knew to do (five times).
So he sent us home to see what happened. What has happened is severe pain in leg and foot. Tom is calling to see what can be done...taking the leg off is the next option, I think. So we shall see. I don't know how long he can stand this.
But in the meantime, we will enjoy flowers blooming and water. He is out watering now.

Strange Plant

2011-06-18T08:04:00.001-07:00

Does anyone know this plant?
We don't know where it came from or
its name.
Tom has been creeping around this
Spring with a bad back that keeps
him from standing up straight...
spasms in his shoulder that goes down
his arm and if left without help
on down his left bad leg.
He has had five surgeries on his leg
trying to save it and it always hurts.
The last bout he wore a wound-vac for
a month trying to get the wound closed
the wound healed.
He has been trying to get the pain in
his back killed with radio waves.
He fights off skin cancers.
He just doesn't feel well.
We all struggle with old age, but
some seem to be hit harder than others.
His 90 year old brother jumps on his
ATV and heads for the desert.
He smokes and all those hidden problems
will crop up. They have in his leg
with circulation. Groan. Moan.
So when an odd flower appears.
And we have new ones in our window box.
The flags bloom for the first time.
We enjoy them all every day.

Unbelievable Quilt

2011-06-10T20:04:00.000-07:00

This quilt of the Last Supper is made with 1/4 of inch size blocks...51,000 of the tinest quilt blocks you can imagine to make this picture. The quilter first made pictures on the computer, pixal picture where he matched all the colors as he went along. To practice, he made inch size blocks of his wife and himself just to learn how to make the picture making a picture quilt and then he did this Last Supper Picture quilt. He had the quilt sewn by machine. That is another amazing job, sewing so exact and so neat with every line of the hands. The machine quilter had to change colors on her machine many times to exactly match the picture. It's so amazing..the picture and the sewing which was done by Don Locke of Woxahachie, Texas. He and his wife came to show off this quilt at the Panguitch Quilt-Walk Festival. Here are two others, but believe me..there is no comparison.
I do love the so many other well-made beautiful quilts. I had just never seen such a quilt with such little blocks made. It measures 183" X 67" so it is large.
I am soooo impressed!

Time marches on

2011-06-08T06:40:00.000-07:00

I drove over to view the new Escalante Reservoir and was surprised at the size
of the dam as well as the lake. Fishers will enjoy this new lake. Boaters will
speed around. Escalante can boast of their water supply once more.
I took a picture of this old bridge, one of the first on Upper Valley Road and
this old wagon at the new Heritage Center area where Lynn Griffin's pictures of the Hole-in-the-Rock are on display. I was told that a touring car can get all the way
to it now, except one man said, "You'd be a damn fool to drive it in a car." I guess the road is not all that great, graveled sandy roads.
Towns improve as time marches on, yet history is valued and stories told and
retold. We love the old. We love the new. We want our lives easier at the same time we extoll our history when times were hard and our fore-fathers struggled to
get by.
I am captured by the old, yet don't want to turn back the clock. I would
hate to no longer have electricity, for example. In one fell swoop we would lose technology, telephones, many household items that make our lives so much easier,
and light at night. No, I wouldn't want to lose the energy that runs our daily life. I am reminded of that when the system goes down. Already thousands of us
depend on nuclear energy. As I plant a little garden and grow a few items, I know I depend on others to supply most of what I eat. I depend on others for what I wear.
I depend on others for electricity and so many of my needs. I admit it...I am not self-sufficient.

Extended Family

2011-06-05T08:12:00.000-07:00

I wrote this poem for the two young extended family members that died
this month. The picture is family members at the funeral.

Joy
is in the crazy twitter
of thousands of birds
greeting the sun
each new day
Dawn – a portrait

Daylight finds work…
the struggle to face
what is needed.
The sun gives energy and light.

Sunset brings calm
And beauty incomparable.

Dusk
covers and outlines
stark contrasts of
light and dark
moments for solitude
and reflection

Night – moon and stars
Heaven closes around
us once more.

Tom's mother and Carrie's mom were sisters and spent
many hours of their lives together, quilting, cooking
in conversation. They went back and forth on a daily basis.
The girls of Aunt Nellie's and the boys of Aunt Maude...
dragged along.
Extended family touches all our lives.
Cousins become good friends.

Memorial Day

2011-05-30T08:53:00.000-07:00

The old headstone has Great-grandpa James King
on one side, Great-grandma Isabella Neil King
on the other, and James (twin brother of John)
King on a third side...all buried at Fillmore, UT.
I remember grandma Isabella coming to Boulder once.
My great-grandma Wilson kissed us all when she left
saying she wouldn't see us again..but she did, several times.
My Grandpa and Grandma King lived to see their son
Max and Glen's and Grandson Stewart go first.
They are in Escalante with Aunt Nethella and Richard,
Aunt Neta and Aunt Mary Ena (who I never knew).
The Kings were hard working, straight talking folk
who loved a joke and a good poem.
My Wilson grandparents are in Salt Lake
Crae went missing in World War II.
His tombstone is in Boulder with Mother and Dad.
And my sister LaRae, gone 20 plus years.
Uncle Reed and his kids are in Boulder.
Aunt Thirza and Ted..later on...and this year
Marge left us and joined the family beyond.
She leaves a hole behind.
Her tombstone is not yet placed.
Tom has been down with pancreatitis...
and I hope he can recover and go on awhile.
We all look to the edge...two younger ones
in their forties joined the other world
on Tom's side. No one is exempt.
Shelly and Leann. Too young it seems.
The spirits lean toward us today
and we lean toward them
wishing them close
wishing them well
wishing them tender care
with concern.
Memorial day...so many have gone
that touched our lives
and leave us here to wait
today.

Spring Trees

2011-05-29T07:57:00.000-07:00

I believe my crab apple tree is the prettiest tree in town. You might like this apple, or this one, but I like the pink crab. They are in bloom all over town.
Panguitch in the spring is lovely. Cold today, but lovely. I am dedicating this blog to the younger people in the Reynolds Family who died this week.
Both in their 40's. One has been ill since birth. The other choked on meat.
They will be missed. It is always a jar when parents end up burying their children.
It should be the other way around.
My son has arrived to till the ground and plant the garden. Spring is here.
We had two warm days, but now it is cold again today. Memorial day is tomorrow
and we will think of those who have gone. Our spirits intermingle with those of the past and we feel somehow touched. Spring, when trees are draped in beauty,
is a good time to remember.

Graduation Girl

2011-05-26T08:08:00.000-07:00

I decided another blog wouldn't hurt, since it was a big day for Shayna.
The picture did not have Lorraine and Stuart who came. Alicia came running in and out with her girl friend and hugged everyone. Garret played a song for the graduates that made Shayna cry. (I can't think of the name of it) Lori and Mala planned the party, Lynne cooked...Brenden and Shayna were both there---in the same class except for two years since pre-school. That's sort of amazing. I took pictures at the graduation, but they're not good..too dark. The graduation and party afterward were very special. It was fun until Tom called headed for the hospital.
I left, went home.

Final Days

2011-05-24T07:26:00.000-07:00

The last concert for Trilogy (Header) is over. Graduation is tomorrow and my first grandchild will be headed for college and the wider world. It's all very exciting. We Grandmas know that time has sped by and we are looking at the world from a different vantage point. But it's fun to send our grandchildren out to accomplish great and important things. I'm sure I will have to add a picture or two to this blog after tomorrow. When events are happening, events must be recorded.

Texas

2011-05-20T09:21:00.001-07:00

The house is where Jason and family live after his remodel job...walls, floors, ceiling, bathrooms, paint...pretty much everything redone. It's pretty nice now, but just a ranch house. There are three huge oak trees and peacon trees. The landscape is grass and trees. Drew, Addy, and friends are swimming at the other ranch which is nicer over all. The sand pile was brought in a day or two after I arrived.Jason was getting rid of some sand. Meadow is showing off her couch.
I thought you'd like to see house and yard. There are three oak trees and the rest are pecon trees. I enjoyed seeing where my family lived and visiting their school, their activities, their lives. It was just a great vacation for me.

Off to Texas

2011-05-03T08:46:00.000-07:00

I decided to post Drew in his Texas blanket to commerate my trip to Texas.
I fly out day after tomorrow into Austin, Texas. I'm excited.
Never having been to Texas, I don't know what to say...
I know tornados whip through Texas.
Fires are burning out of control.
There are miles of open spaces.
Jason lives close to a wild-life ranch
where animals from Africa roam.
I want to see those.
They jet-ski in Texas.
Addie said she steered the jet-ski.
Where, I don't know.
They roller skate at the rink.
The school has the long-horn steer on T-shirts.
I remember the Alamo and the American heros holding
off the Mexican Army and died there.
I am going to take pictures in Texas
and let you know what I learned.
I wonder if we can all go line-dancing in Texas...
kids and all?

Night of Dance

2011-04-30T13:55:00.000-07:00

Perfect name of a night of dancing. So many designs of motion.
Surprising how many images can be made in an evening.
More than I could imagine. Alica, my grandaughter was in eight
numbers, poetry in motion. She did a tap dance number.
I had no idea that she tap-danced. I was surprised.
Her cousin-aunt Annie yelled "ALICIA!" after each number
she was in. Soon the smile appeared.
Grandmothers just love to see their grandkids perform,
It's in the Grandma Code. That's what kids do, perform.
We just sit back and enjoy. That's what we Grandma's do.
It's part of the fun.
Yesterday I watched Logan play clarinet in the
school band. The middle-school band wasn't perfect,
but my grandaughter was. That's the Grandma code.
We just know that one is perfect.
I enjoyed Garret awhile back with his elementary choir.
He played accompanying guitar. Well, you know. You know.
My Shayna went off with Trilogy for her Region solo competition.
I expect a superior rating. Grandma's have a tendency to brag..
so I won't go on long. I have had some good, good days
this year!

Bored old folks

2011-04-26T06:20:00.000-07:00

Glade and Darlene were bored so decided to take a day's road trip over toward
the San Rafel country. Of course, they didn't tell anyone where they were going.
But then they decided to go to Loa over 1,000 Lake Mountain, so if they had told anyone they weren't in the right place. They ran into snow so turned off a road going to Cathedral Valley and ran into more snow. They followed someone's tracks
until they suddenly mired in and couldn't go anywhere. They were too remote for cell phone connection, so Glade decided to walk down the road until he could call.
He finally got through to someone who thought he was with Dale, so called Dale when they couldn't call back to Glade. Dale was at home in Provo, not down on 1,000 lakes Baker Road. He knew where that was, so called the Sheriff in Wayne County that he had a 90 year old man and 84 year old woman stuck in a snowbank. They went looking and when no one had found them before dark, called out the Jeep Posse.
A man on a snowcat finally found them at 2 A.M. In the meantime, Glade has walked back up through the snow to the jeep. They were loaded in the snowcat and brought off the mountain. The sheriff hauled them to Richfield...it was now 5 A.M.
Glade called Paul Neimeyer who has a winch on a wrecker and they set off the next morning to bring the Jeep home. They were able to winch it out of the snowbank and get back down the road. Glade called Dale to let him know he was home
and while on the phone fainted dead away. Darlene grabbed the phone...Dale was more than alarmed...and called 911 and Glade was rushed to the hospital. He was diagnosed with dehydration and exhaustion and kept in the hospital overnight on oxygen and IVs. We talked him after we got home from Cedar. He was home, still very tired. He said Dale called everyone in the state, but got them off the mountain. Darlene was wondering, left alone on the mountain for three or four hours before Glade returned, if anyone would find her.
We are very happy the old people lived through their ordeal and hope that they will refrain, at least, from trying to go over snow-covered mountains when bored.

Strolling History

2011-04-23T08:16:00.000-07:00

My grandaughter had an assignment to write a poem about a picture that was posted.
Imagine the picture on white paper, the house white...not pink. Click on the poem, then click again ..it will be big enough writing to read easily.
The poem is hers.
Shayna graduates in May. She has been part of a singing group called
Trilogy at Pine View High School the past three years. An ending is coming
with graduation and a new beginning with College. She made one B+ in all high school
classes. I am so proud of her work, her poetry, her singing, her sharing.
I went by pictures with her to Europe (England, France, Germany) last year and enjoyed every minute! I think I'll see if I can join her friends going to Spain
this year through the school. I love what the schools are doing to share with
parents now. Many special events are recorded. I am hoping for a singing DVD
soon to keep forever! I thought you'd enjoy a big of high school fun.

Regrouping

2011-04-17T08:37:00.000-07:00

I am just trying to regroup this morning and get my ducks in a row.
I don't know exactly what that means, but...
I am planning a trip to Texas in two weeks, a bit more.
Have to get medication lined up, in order...and figure out what I
need to take for us all to do, if anything. I'll have to see what my
grandkids have. I am looking forward to seeing those kids.

My book on the Grand Staircase needs what? We are on our last look through, I hope. I am looking forward to publishing. People are calling
to order the books I don't have. Camille called and said two guides ;
from Wayne County want one or two. Mala called and said she wanted one or
two for teachers. A few people have asked me. But I've got to get them
done..ready to go. I keep thinking I should include an index. Cover?
Spiral or not? Color pictures or not?

What else? Shall I keep going through the Clyde King book, correct errors?
Maybe so. I am also including a paragraph on Grandpa King's brothers and sisters.
What about all the kids? Enough?

What next? My own history? Oh my what a lot of stuff! Gerry is doing hers, polishing as she goes. It's something of a miracle! She is writing down her story
that many don't see the same way...but she is writing it down. It is happening after so many years of thinking and thinking.

Marge's death tugs me in unexpected ways. I am still trying to recover from the suddenness, not expecting death for a foot surgery. If she would have stayed overnight in the hospital, she might have been saved. Who stays overnight for a
extended-day surgery anymore? But if she had a stroke, the saving might have been hard too. So a quick death might be better for her. Who expects a quick death anymore. When a sister goes, she leaves a hole...that's for sure. I am not ready to ask her what she is doing over there when I am not sure what I am doing here.
I feel it is important for me to take direction for myself. I do hope my sister LaRae is looking after her. I hope Floyd, her husband who died the next day, is finding himself too.

Tom is walking around with his wound-vac. It's a machine that vacuums out the drainage and closes up a wound. He found a belt so he can carry it around and said he would find a peice of baling wire to tie the tubing to his leg so it doesn't flop around. He said, "I'll look like an old farmer tying himself together. If I didn't have a bad leg, I couldn't do all this." I had to laugh. Is that positive thinking about your bad leg or what? Well, maybe not exactly positive, but funny.

Our son-in-law was here yesterday...attending a funeral of a young friend only 27, who lost a leg in a mower accident. His nickname is Legger. They don't know what actually happened to him. His Dad Kyle is also in bad shape. When severe accidents happen to the very young, it's tragic. Helps you put your life into perspective. Lynne took some time to spray weeds. We appreciate that.

This is a blog trying to regroup and move along. Slowly.

Green

2011-04-11T07:01:00.000-07:00

I needed something green and have no picture of Alfalfa fields.
King Pasture deer and green forests work.

I dreamed last night that Marge was walking down through very, very
green alfalfa fields on the Salt Gulch Ranch. She was breathing
deep, her lifelong asthma troubles gone. She strolled along
in one of her short sleeved white shirts and pedal pushers with thongs;
the wind drifting through longer hair.

It made me feel better,
She came to Boulder with her breathing machine,
always with medication to take if a real
asthma attack happened.
Knowing she no longer had that problem
was so positive...finding out what it's like
to breathe, without stress, again.

Wolf in the Parlor

2011-04-08T07:49:00.001-07:00

Jon Franklin is the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Explantory Journalism...and this book explaining how the wolf became the dog and human's favorite animal. He marries and his wife talks him into a large-size poodle. He had never been one for animals, but the dog comes and sits by him and soon he pays attention. He takes him for walks and learns from the dog, seeing things he's never seen before. He begins a quest on evolution and how the dog came about to be in his parlor. His study is fascinating. He uncovers one person's diggings that puts the dog and man together about 12,000 years ago. Other animals have books, but not the evolution of the dog. While he is discovering, he writes what his pet dog does...he writes about the how he acts, his smell, what he hears...and the eyes of humans, there perception of color. So many facts that entwine the dog and his human companion and how much they support the other. The dog's devotion. The dog's training. The dog's need for simplicity. What the dog does when reacting to man. This book is one of the most fascinating books every written about a pet. I was impressed. Franklyn talks about people in very practical ways. I even sent some words of advice off to others.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves a dog and wants to understand him. It is outstanding.
My pet Taz (above) acts just like a dog! I would have enjoyed reading this book when he was alive.

Moving sluggishly

2011-04-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

The flowers above are some Marge brought for our 50th Wedding Anniversary. We planted and enjoyed them all summer. They are annuals, at least here. It is hard to pull back from death and move on with determination to do what you can do before you also depart. I am hoping the family can pick up and move on, working and helping others the best they can in the time they have. Life is fragile. We need to protect and embrace it. And get about the business of living (line from Shawshank Redemption).
I decided to show you Tom's leg...he still has staples here. The staples were taken out, but the incision opened up and now it looks infected somewhat. He has had about 7 procedures, 3 or 4 operations on the leg. We are hoping to see his doctor when we go to St. George tomorrow. He is also seeing a back surgeon to discuss possibilities there. He is in pain in his leg, his foot, his lowerback, his neck. Oh groan!
Marge and I had fun having work to do, in spite of her pain. She had cronic pain too. She talked through it. She, like Tom, couldn't sleep. Linda called her in the night. I will miss her, but Carry On! I will soon change the subject, but she and LaRae are always close. Seems like too many sisters on the other side.

Touches of grief and love

2011-04-01T08:49:00.000-07:00

I decided not to use a funeral picture, but keep this one of Marge.
The wreath was for the casket was very beautiful.
The Boulder Cemetery was covered with weeds and thistle.
Chairs were placed on poor mama's grave.
Marge was placed just down from her first husband.
Just up from her daughter Carmen. Perfect placing, I thought
in the available room. Boulder hills circled.
Floyd's children and grandkids come, wondering, I'm sure,
why she would want dirt and weeds to lawn in Santa Clara.
She came home.

Her family gathered - happy to have her be part of them once more.
Wishing they could have had another day, another visit.
They can all visit when they come to Boulder.
LaRae's kids and grandkids came, as did mine, Linda's, and Gerry's.
Gerry could not come..we missed her and the others who didn't come
.

Scott Burns flew in from Washington D.C.
carried a bouquet of red roses from J.Harlan Burns, deceased.
Said his father made him come, and so surprised the family.
Marge loved Joe some 50 years. She met him as a young nurse
after he fell down the mine shaft and became paralyzed.

Floyd's lawyer gave Marge a nice tribute on her care for Floyd
during Floyd's furneral.
Marge's grandkids gave glowing tributes to both she and Floyd.

Max drove from Phoenix, Claudia from St. George, Gary and Carolyn
and family from Las Vegas, Renae got caught in a blizzard so didn't
make the plane...so nice for them to come.

Raymond and Baby also came from Phoenix. Raymond sang.
Cheryl made a wonderful Marge disk and I want a copy.
Pictures of Marge with Camille's songs.
Camille sang her song for her mother and it was
so beautiful. It left everyone in tears.

Bishop Lefevre conducted and said many words wrong.
He is dyslexic (trouble reading) and says he can't improve without reading!
Camille joked later that she thought she was at the wrong funeral.
His stories about knowing Marge were great.

Kate's dad came for her.

Glade and Darlene (my 90-year-old brother-in-law and wife came)
as did my friend Rolain with Sandra, Cousin Marion and her daughter
and old friend Marilla. Renon came for Raymond.
Larry and Carol and Vard and Farlan
We saw Edith (Lyman), Thresa Coombs and Loya (Lyman)came
And Marge's friends that she worked with in St. George..many.

There many touches of kindness.
Gestures of love. Of appreciation.
My sister Marge is on the other side.
My sisters Gerry and Linda are ready to be mediums
as much as they can; what she wants.
Marge stepped on and left us.
LaRae stepped on and left us.
We will learn what we can.
Before we step on.

My sister, Marge

2011-03-26T08:59:00.001-07:00

I am still in shock from the death of my sister, Marge.
The family asked me to talk..her eulogy...her early life
and I've written. I've torn up. And written.
trying to get the facts just right..trying to remember
what made Marge laugh. She picked up all kinds of humor.
She loved facts...could you prove what you said?
She wanted to be a journalist.
Her first book publishing
came when Aunt Nethella gave her the book
she and Aunt ONeta wrote
telling her she could publish...or not.
She made sure the King book was published.
Mother worried her book for years.
Marge talked her into doing the School Teacher's Kids,
then made me help her figure out how to
end the book of Mother's Boulder years.
We got Mother's book about Hawaii
done and decided we needed to do the Clyde King Story.
We asked for people to contribute and fretted over what to say.
We made mistakes...ohhh groan...and more.
So many that we were trying to correct if
anyone decided on a second printing.
Marge thought we hadn't given Clyde enough praise
for his accomplishments in life...how to do that?
We'll just add more information.
What do you want to say.
"Give facts about his selling, his making money."
In the meantime
She was to write her book. Me mine.
We needed to get her facts from the journal.
Get my facts down. FACTS!
We had such a great time deciding what to do.
How to get our own story told.
Marge was going to publish the facts in her story.
She copied a thousand letters. Her story was
told in letters, but where were the onces she wrote?
Oh. I had a few.
Now she is gone...well, I'll just turn her book
over to her kids, Cheryl, Raymond, Dan
Anyone she tried to hire to help,
and mine to my kids. What more can we ask?
Let us hope they get the facts straight!
Especially hers.

Long lost Great Aunt Mary Margaret and John

2011-03-24T07:24:00.000-07:00

My Grandpa King's sister was never mentioned that I could remember.
How do you lose a family member?...in the old days, they changed their name.
This one above was my Great-Grandma King, her daughter Mary Margaret and Mary's son Mason with great great grand girls Lois and Laveta who were Mason and Lavorda's kids.
I just love writing down all these names that only cropped up in my life
when Caroll Lester, another great-grand, wrote us for a book on the Kings.
My head is swimming with getting re-acqainted with relatives I never met.
She wasn't even dead when I was born! What is wrong with my relatives??
I know travel wasn't easy and people were very poor (by our standards)
but they seemed to leave and never look back. If left, family didn't stay
connected. There were letters in those days!
I am very interested in finding out that Mary Margaret was married in Green River (Why Green River?), lived in Vernal..her husband also invested in the old Orpheous Theater that I posted earlier. She was the first white woman to live
in Bridge (Myeton) and Dragon, Utah. She ran a cafe, a hotel...they even build and sold a hotel in Rangely, Colorado, was in Creed, Colorado when Bob Ford (killer of Jesse James) was killed, and finally became a nurse. That woman worked! She could have used some help. Her husband worked the mines, hauled Gilsonite to Dragon, and moved to Oregon where he did both mining and worked in sawmills later on. They lived a long, hard life.
I just decided today to write about this relative. I would have liked to meet her too.

Life of Pi

2011-03-22T07:43:00.000-07:00

I kept thinking I'd read this book, but seeing it at the library decided to check to see if I actually had as I knew people who loved it. I had not read it and was amazed at the story. I loved the fact that the main character was named after
the best swimming pool in his country, that he became a worshiper of Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam..all at the same time having certain days of the week for
each and worked out in his mind how each one was the religion for him, and was raised in a zoo. But could any of it prepare a sixteen year old boys to cross an ocean in a life boat with a Bengal Tiger? What a marvelous, riveting tale written by Yann Martel.
I recommend it to everyone, especially boys sixteen.

Andrew King and the Orpheus Theater

2011-03-18T08:47:00.000-07:00

My great-uncle Andrew King was a major stockholder in the Orpheus Theater
in Vernal, Utah. (Shown above) The floor moved as people danced because
it was built in parts on these huge springs. People sat on chairs put on
solid flooring around the outside of the dance floor, but the floor itself
moved and danced with the people. Dancers came from all over to
try out the spring floor. They said women had to watch it because
gusts of air coming up cold lift their skirts. I guess the old
dancehall still exists as a historical monument in Vernal.
I was fascinated. I would like to dance on the 'spring' floor.
I wnder if Uncle Andrew loved to dance. His sister was in a theater
group that sometimes traveled to Salt Lake City to put on productions.
My grandfather, his brother, loved to recite poetry.
This is one of his favorites.

It was late in last November
I was walking down the stree
My heart was all aflutter
and I fell into a gutter.
A pig came up and lay down by my side.
As I lay there in the gutter
my heart still a-flutter
a lady passing by chanched to say:
You can tell the man that boozes
by the company that he chooses...
and the pig got up and slowly
walked away.

Why this one came to mind I cannot say!

Imagination Heaven

2011-03-15T08:05:00.000-07:00

Gerry and Doc inspired my blog today and
as sit-down comics made me laugh.
So, as I look at the rubble in Japan
caused by the tsumani...
and worry about the radiation leaks
spilling from five reactors...
I will try to think of all those
hurricane victims in Imagination Heaven...
returning to their homes and well-ordered lives
for a bit before they fly like non-earth bound ninjas
or reach for an orchid or smell the fish cooking
(I get a kick out of that father that keeps wanting
to eat all the foods he remembered in China on
The Amazing Race.)
As Gerry visits all the great intellectuals
of the ages to see if she can hold her own, I
will check out what kind of lives their kids led.
I want to know how much profound thought filters down
and is valued through the ages.
Is it immediately important?
Is it immediately valued?
Where will I go?
Will my imagination propel me into mysteries I have
never known? Hardly understand?
Into mysteries of Science? Of Space? Of Time? Of Religion.
I just want to open up wide beyond imagining
Into fantasy, into reality, into beyond...
To go where I have never gone (I needed to steal that line.)
I am off to Imagination Heaven.
To be what I am.

Linda, does the tsumani fit your dream?

2011-03-11T14:15:00.000-08:00

Linda said she dreamed of the water receding way out from San Francisco.
When I heard of Japan's 8.9 earthquake and the tsunami coming in waves along the coasts, I thought that this must be what your dream was.
I couldn't believe the terrible destruction with the one that rolled in
Japan, taking cars, houses and such in its path. It will leave a long dry
space when it rolls again out to sea...leaving bare watered ground.
An earthquake of that magnitude can cause such destruction.
One reporter on CNN tried to tell how bad it was, that he was still
shaking inside. They asked what he was doing to calm down.
He said, "Drinking gallons of tea...nothing works, actually."
They haven't begun to tally deaths.
When the earth moves, we all pay attention. How can one walk
on a shaking earth? So many lives can be lost.

Recovery

2011-03-08T12:29:00.000-08:00

My operation is over.
My blood drain in place.
Just wanted to show you a bit of discomfort.
One can't have an operation...my thyroid was removed
without something to show for it...
except it's gone now.
Removed this very day.
And I am on the mend
looking forward to a new day.
I am waiting to hear the path report.
I am waiting to hear how the body works.
without a thyroid. I hear it works just fine.
If anyone's can, mine will.
It is used to working without parts.
I will expect it to do whatever's necessary.
I have to admire the way it keeps moving.
The way it keeps doing what needs to be done.
And keeps me going...
to enjoy life once again.

Shayna Performance SLCC Jazz Festival 2011

2011-02-27T10:16:00.000-08:00

This is my grandchild Shayna Henrie singing Old New York.
I love it. I've learned how to move a video.
I'm so happy.

Operations

2011-02-26T07:56:00.001-08:00

Although small, I love the Black-Eyed Susan.
I need something bright and cheerful to
send me to my next operation
removing nodels from my thyroid,
odd nodels that shouldn't be there.
I started out this operation road
with a hysterectomy, my problems were
like my sister who died of overian cancer.
I'm not sure I actually needed one.
Doctors told me I did.
Then I had sharp pains and I was
sent to emergency to have a gall bladder
removed...only to discover the entrance to
my pancreas didn't look right. I flew to Boston.
Was diagnosed with Ductal Mucinous Ectasia
and was operated to have some pancreas removed.
It was totally diseased. Where did that come from?
How do you pick up a fatal disease?
My pancreas and spleen were removed.
I become diabetic (no pancreas) and need
insulin shots and enzymes to digest food.
Everyone I talked to told me I couldn't live
without a pancreas...I am living.
Next they found a lump and it was a lumpectomy.
Cancer and I am given both chemo and radiation
although doctors felt the cancer was contained.
Chemo freezes. Radiation burns.
I know now what diabetics live through.
I know now what cancer patients,
my sister with ovarian cancer, lived through.
Finally released as a survivor,
high calcium on final blood tests and scans
found a lump on parathyroid.
It was removed. Now there are lumps
on the thyroid. Did one contribute
to the other? I don't know,
but feel that I'm not the healthiest
person around. Maybe lumps are forming
here and there and everywhere!
But these are small. They can be removed.
I can live some more years.
I am 72. I told my family after I hit
70, I was on the gravey train.
My cousin has 28 stents.
I can live without a few lumps.
Modern Medicine comes up with
another solution. My husband's
back is bad. Will the new bone,
Kryptonite, we saw last night on TV
help him? He needs some Superman
Power. I just need a super-flower
power.

Anasazi

2011-02-22T09:32:00.000-08:00

ANASAZI
The Red Sun
Little black or red square men
One hundred hand prints
painted by those long ago
who also left mud and stone
storage houses or cliff dwellings
high on red cliffs.
Breath catches
at leaping goat hanging on cliffs
impossible to climb.
Were they painting for the Gods?
God of Wind. God of Water.
God of food that came only with seasons.
Children rush. Children climb.
To see paintings left behind.
Finding a black obsidian arrowhead
Down by Lampstand, laying on sand,
Black against red sand.
A perfectly spiked White , so delicate,
By the Monkey House under a Cedar tree.
In that exact spot to draw down eyes
On that very day feet carry close enough.
Curious. So curious about the makers
Of this perfection. People from long ago
That touch lives now.
The Anasazi. The mystery.
My breath catches.

This is my revised Anasazi poem to go in book for next Festival.
Dave suggested no I or Me. I like it. The pictures didn't come with
poem, so I used old one. I hope Cheryl gets the new version.

Old folks gone

2011-02-21T09:49:00.000-08:00

My mother's special friends, Twila and Veda, have died only a month apart.
They were sister friends for life and one without the other was reason
to depart. Sid is a nephew that helped them both with chores and other work.
I talked to Twila about her mom about two weeks before she died and
she talked and talked, wanting to have her mom part of Boulder Women.
Veda always remember Aunt Vesta, the one her age...and Mother and Twila
were the same age, lifelong friends. Twila 98 and Veda 96. My mother died at 89.
Grace, another same-class friend is still alive at 99.
I am missing going to the funeral of Veda in Boulder...to see her kids
that I haven't visited lately .. Farlan and Twila. Maxiene died years ago in
an auto accident. Since I can't attend, I am thinking about them today.
Fae, my neice's husband's mom also died. They must travel through the snow
to Panaca for her buriel. She was a character..and loved the ball games where
she would curse the referee at the top of her lungs. Her son and wife sat in a
different spot. I used to take my grandaughter and go visit her dogs. Grandma Fae and those dogs were the ones to see.
I am reading about my Stringham relations that I never knew. Great-Grandpa Jeremiah and his brother Briant who stayed for years at Antelope Island. Briant
used to say he would love to have an acre of ground filled up with babies. He would roll and tumble with them all day long. That image caught me...what man says
something like that? They say he loved children and was never known to say even a cross word. (never spanked) Great legacy. I would have liked to have known him.

Pa and Ma by LaRae

2011-02-18T16:59:00.000-08:00

I love this cartoon with the head of the big steer on top
being carried from Phoenix to Utah, with parents fighting
all the way...here my dad yelling at mom. Very authentic.
My sister Marge has been reading Dreams of my Father by President
Obama presenting his dad in the best possible way he could,
and wonder if we are doing right by ours. We did the Clyde King
Story, but she was thinking it was too negative and we didn't get
in the book all his accomplishments. He ran three ranches for many years,
kept his cattle herd growing, was an accomplished rancher and business man.
He had a sense of humor and said funny things. He was liked, but he also drank,
cursed and raved. We told of drinking episodes. We think of him as a
drunk, but he didn't drink all the time or he could have never made as much money as he did. The question is...were we fair? Did we tell the best of him? Did we tell all sides? What was the best of him? The worst? Why does this cartoon seem so true?
Dealing with people, we find them so many-sided. Everyone seems to have their worst side...we indulge food, drink, sex, drugs.. and are sometimes out of control. Another side of us becomes religious, educated, thoughtful, generous, and caring. So how to balance all that within one person? How do we show ourselves as balanced individuals? That is my wild cow on top of the truck that I brought up from canyons. My dad did cuss. My mother did cry. LaRae captured it. There is something about writing, about art, about imagination that captures the truth...and holds it dear.

"Let's Drive."

2011-02-16T07:19:00.000-08:00

I drove to Boulder to work on my book with my neice and stopped to see the
two paintings at the new rest/information stop past the Escalante Cemetery
done by Lynn Griffin...which I found OUTSTANDING. These will certainly commerate the Hole-in-the-Rock story. The dedication of this spot is planned for Memorial Day at which time they'll do the Hole-in-the-Rock play, as well as other events.
Hey people, these paintings are worth the drive to see.
I am still working on my book about the Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument. I was trying to finish it up so we could get some frist drafts done to check for errors. I also wanted a picture of the Circle Cliffs from the mountain.
I tried to add it here, but it is back on top. Oh dear. I wish I'd taken a picture of the Ponderosa Pine trees that have had their limbs snapped this winter. Limbs look like they'd been shot off by Old Man Winter and are laying in clumps at the bottom. What happened there?
My book is gradually coming together. It needs to be done. I changed the name to "Let's Drive" as it tours around and through the monument. I'm hoping that people will read and then say, "Hey family, let's go for a ride in the Grand-Staircase canyons."

My side

2011-02-12T08:16:00.000-08:00

My family is in a 'blog fight' each putting out
their side to the family story for each other ---
and the world. My sister Gerry is writing her memoirs
and bringing out every family problem known to man as she
sees it in hers, and mine, and my sisters' lives.
She is currently trying to get the friend, who is all
our friend for years, off the family site for an affair
with our cousin, never discussed at least by her (the friend),
that supposedly happened years ago...or went on longer than we know.
I can only tell this friend right now that she'd better start
blogging and tell her side of the story...off the family site...
as we are not allowed there to discuss 'old fights',
if she feels she is getting unfair treatment. We can only
tell the world. She is 80+, still young enough to fight.
She did the 'right thing' and got her divorce, so she could
live the way she wanted. My cousin didn't.
Which comes to me. I had my 50th Anniversay this year.
My cousin will soon have his. We have been in this marriage thing
for years. I understand married wives...I lived with a truck
driver who was gone weeks at a time. Who knows what happens on the road?
I have been called door-mat, passive, non-fighter, too-sweet, and other
non-flattering terms, which are true by the way. You can't live with
a man 50 years and not be walked on at times...although you try to walk on too.
My truckdriver is not rich. My cousin is. Both are charming.
I don't step and neither did my cousin's wife. We are ANGELS.
That gives us power of a different kind. What exactly, I can't say.
I just want the world to know that I am ready to defend
all wives of stepping men. That is my side. It's not easy
to be the loving wife and snarling might happen (Or pouting,
bawling, sneering, sniffing, and sheer boredom.), but it comes with
the territory.
We are the Water Lillies!

Family

2011-02-09T08:34:00.000-08:00

Like the profusion of Asters,
the family grows and expands from
one generation to the next
profuse in it's beauty.
I find endless fascination in both
directions. for example Jane died at
age 31. How? Did she have a child?
Did she marry the man that married
her parents, or his son? Why is she
so completely lost? She was my Dad's
Dad's sister.
My dad's family gathered on
Grandpa's ranch. They left, stayed,
and died. What was of most value?
What do my children actually think?
What am I missing? What are their goals?
What would they love most from me?
I raised them and they left and check in
sometimes. They live such different and
separate lives, each on their own.
And now I have grandchildren and find each one
endelessly fascinating, as I will great-grands.
We hit and miss on their very busy lives.
We enjoy. We laugh. We go.
Our turn to go into a past generation
creeps upon us...and we remember the
deaths and difficulties of those
who went before us.
I feel the urge to gather, like the Asters,
and keep the family bouquet
together in a bunch.
If only they didn't have to put down
their own roots to grow.

Sopher's first novel

2011-02-05T08:11:00.000-08:00

I want to recommend this novel to readers everywhere.
It is the story of her wealthy Jewish family living in Tehran,
her father being wrongly arrested and his imprisonment, and the family's
eventual escape into Turkey. The world as they knew it collapsed.
Her brother was previously sent to America for safety.
Dalia was only nine/ten when all this took place
and her book is about that difficult time. She tells
about her family's actual escape at the end of the novel.
In this novel, she explored the conflicts for each family member
as they tried to stay alive, cope, and discovered their actual
relationshp with those they hired, the revolutionaries, and
others being taken to prison, tortured, and killed.
They were saved by the father's wealth. This is a remarkable
first novel. This is a remarkable novel about those who live
through upheavals in government control...
I am aware of the wars in Iran and Afganistan, the crowds of people protesting in Egypt, in Sudan, in so many countries today. I think about people
protesting because they are starving, needing to have a better
life and feel 'walled' in American easy living and too much complacentcy.
I wonder just how to care about so many in the world needing food and
medical attention. I need to know more, understand better.
I am touched by Dalia Soper's story. I recommend it.

Tribute to Modern Medicine

2011-02-03T08:07:00.000-08:00

I'm very glad for modern medicine for keeping my grand-daughter alive!
She is only 12 (13 this month) and has had a very rough time in the last months with pain in her stomach. After tests of all kinds, they determined the gall bladder wasn't working and operated only to find the appendix eight inches long and very, very swollen - doctors were surprised it hadn't burst. No one suspected
this was the problem in one so young...and with some history of problems since birth.
Of course, we need to wait and see how she recovers, but I think her life has been saved. And I am grateful. This is my girl Logan who,I feel, has a lifetime of
giving to do. She wants to be a nurse for newborns. She is remarkably kind. Her future is as bright as her red hair! I love her much.

Jack Hayley's WOLF

2011-01-30T08:17:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading Wolf. As a biographer, I must first applaud Jack Hayley in his well-written and very revealing story of Jack London. It is so well done. I know, after reading this book, there are other books I have not read that I need to read written by Jack London. I was certainly 'caught' by the actual life and the books written by Jack and his very complex interest in MEN as well as the women he knew. Hayley writes about an attraction of men to men that few writers talk about...not that gays are simply born gay, but there is a while world out there
when men are with men as in war, on ships, seeking fortune or adventure, where there are sexual activities, forced or not. (We know about prison.) Jack goes out to sea when only seventeen with men wanting favors. He goes to Alaska where thousands of men are. He finds companionship with others wanting companionshp, yet none would say they are homosexual. They don't claim bi-sexuality either. They were all married men and still associated. They went off in groups to get drunk. This is the culture that isn't often talked about. And it makes one wonder just how far-spread it actually is..are men more free sexually than women? Oprah recently had 200molested men on her show. 1 in 6 men molested. 1 in 4 women. We have a lot of molested children in this world. Jack often shows his anger, savageness with his drinking, yet he is a thinking careful man in his prose. He maintained when sober his love of women.
My sister Gerry has long proclaimed my dad bi-sexual. He didn't marry until 26 and spent long years in drinking with other drinking men. He spent time gathering cattle, other times as a group on the mountain. This is the first book I have read that makes a possible split very clear. I can see how this kind of split could be maintained for years, especially with a certain party. Fascinating study. Jack Hayley discussed a difficult problem with care.

Monument Book

2011-01-24T09:55:00.001-08:00

These photos by Michael Fatali were in the St. George Magazine today.
They caught my breath. He works with light and rock. It's hard
to believe these scenes are actually out there, part of nature.
They look painted by brush, by imagination.
So many wonders are out there to be discovered.

I am changing the name of my book I've called
Grand-staircase Escalante National Monument is Home
and Walking in Sand. Walking in Sand doesn't
include all the history, the people, the stories,
the beauty, the canyons, the light, the shadow
surrounding the GSENM. Maybe that's it's name
GSENM. (God Sent Everyone Nature's Miracles)
People have sent suggestions. That's fun.
I am trying to discover just the right name.
These pictures remind me again what can be found.

The Old Folk

2011-01-23T11:18:00.000-08:00

Aunt Nethella (above) wrote up the
history of Vern Lyman...where
I got all these pages on the
Lymans, I'll never know.
I have been running it off for
Rolain's family and retyping
unreadable script. They probably
have it already, but I couldn't seem
to throw it all away. Tom's great
aunt Rosanna Lyman was the mother
to all those Lymans in Boulder.
My great-aunt Ellen King was
also a mother to Lymans.
I ran into three Amasa Lymans
but none Aunt Ellen's husband
belonged too...he came from yet
another Amasa Lyman.
How did those Lymans keep these
Amasa's straight? There are
generations of Amasa Lymans
and wives of the same Amasa who
had Amasa Lymans...couldn't anyone
think of another name?
All I could think of was the Amasa Lyman
who built a coffin for his wife may
while she hand-covered twenty-five
white satin buttons to go on the
white satin burial dress
she made herself AND
lined the pine coffin.
but, the Lymans are here
for Rolain to give to her
Lyman kids and grandkids.

The Human Spirit

2011-01-15T07:53:00.000-08:00

I have been touched by the recent deaths
of children. In Austrailia a young boy
wanted his younger brother saved from the
flood, and didn't live until rescuers returned.
The 9-year-old shot in Tucson, the older man
who jumped in front of his wife, and all the
rescuers who are out there in floods,
in snow in the Northeast, in earthquakes,
in mudslides...all those who rush to help
the best they can.
I marvel at the human spirit,
that torch in so many that reaches
out to another, does the hard work
in helping out animals or people
and keeps doing it for years.
Today I am applauding all those efforts.
There is a greatness in the common man
that we don't say enough about.
There is a joy in reaching out
and pulling others along.
Attention needs to focas on that part
that is our best.
This head of my aunt,who lived a long life,
sculpted by my sister shows the
creative energy of both
and represents today for me,
endurance of the human spirit
and that joy of service
that makes us great.

Snuggie Bunnies

2011-01-12T08:11:00.000-08:00

It was -13 in Panguitch last night
and I thought of all of those
snuggies out there keeping people,
especially my grandkids warm.
And the blankets and the quilts.
But -13 is enough to make one
dive for the covers.
and remember fun times
and comfort when warmth
is arms.

Willow Canyon

2011-01-09T07:45:00.000-08:00

Aren't these amazing photos by Tyler Knudson
that were published in the Spectrum?
This is Bull Valley Gorge also known as Willow Canyon.
The truck can be seen from the bottom.
These are recent pictures. I am so impressed.
That's the wonder of The Grand-Staircase Escalante
Monument...there are so many wonders to see.
This is only one.

Be Alert

2011-01-07T14:39:00.000-08:00

(Picture borrowed from a Sierra Club postcard.
I love this picture of a fuzzy alert bear.)

Be alert
for computer changes that tax our brain
or steal our ideninity
for items we have lived with all our lives
that no longer exist
for becoming hopelessly out of date
for war we don't understand
and have no idea how to fight
for those struggling to live
without technology

Be alert
for those lines of communication
that reach out across the social network
and connect us to those we love

Be alert
for those that would tear us apart
in their savage love for their own god
who does not believe in commpassion
but only death to the unbeliever

Be alert
to preserve our animals, our water, our planet
in order for those coming after us can
live, eat, and love

Be alert
Be alert

2011

2011-01-03T09:17:00.000-08:00

This year my grandchildren will all be
someplace else. I won't be able to run
down the street to visit, nor will they
be able to run to my house.
One of my grandmother's died when I was nine,
the one that lived in my hometown,
the one that I ran down over the hill to see,
the one that made cookies, hot bread, and jam.
She was there when I was young.
The other lived away 'up north'.
I was thirty-five when she passed away.
I always looked forward to seeing her
although she seemed sick most of the time.
When I went to the U, I helped her clean house.
She and Grandpa visited us in Boulder when
I was growing up. I like seeing her smile
and come in the door. She had long, flowing hair.
Now my grandkids come and go. I love
seeing them. They tell me about their interests,
their friends, their sports, their fun.
They visit and head for home.
I am content that is the way
things should be...I grow older and
they grow up! May their grandkids come
and add joy to their lives as they
grow old... and older.
May the circle continue
and we all love the 'other' generation.

Bryce Canyon Puzzle

2010-12-31T08:46:00.000-08:00

I gave this puzzle of Bryce Canyon to each family
to remind them of 'home'...very hard puzzle
too many peices look exactly the same.
(We just live close to Bryce Canyon.)
Lola, the dog, sneaked two pieces to chew on
that happened to fall on the floor.
The spots. This puzzle reminded me of
all the Christmas complications...and
the changing dynamic's of family.
One family has a preemie to pray for
as he struggles to grow, eat, and be.
We hope that little one will improve daily.
Yes, we had missing family members who
didn't want to come or brave the winter weather.
My husband drove himself to Emergency for spasms.
He is still very weak from having them hit.
I attended the family party and left him all alone.
While I had a great time, he was miserable.
Rain fell and fell and then came the snow with a blizzard,
snow piled everywhere. We had electricity go out.
Our son brought his family from Texas to
have a fun Christmas in the ...rain. Snow fell
after he left. Some had to work instead of play.
Another Christmas gone...and I'm a year older
as my birthday comes the day after.
72 isn't old, is it?
We have the New Year to celebrate.
DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!
Everyone avoid roads and possible
accidents. And do have
A Happy New Year!!

American Indian Tree

2010-12-30T07:24:00.000-08:00

Colette has collected many very unusual items
that she puts on her American Indian Tree each year.
Look closely to see the plates, the teepees, the skin
ornaments, the speciality items...each one specially
bought for this lovely tree each year.
The Indian rugs and pots around the room compliment the tree.
An added addition on her table sits a sculpture
made by Kade. He must have some hidden Grandma Rae talent.
Appreciate and enjoy while you pray for the little boy, Kylar?
Only 2.9 lbs. He is fighting for his way in the world.

Waiting

2010-12-22T07:57:00.000-08:00

Above is my stick santa hidden in my
ten-year-old-at-least fake poinsetta,
waiting for Christmas.
My youngest son and family will be on
the road from Texas today, and I will
worry until they get here.
My younger daughter and older son live
near St. George where the Virgin and Santa Clara
rivers are close to overflowing the banks
and with more inches of rain on top of the
fifteen they have now may overflow and erode.
Dams are threatning to break...6 or 7 houses
have washed away in Littlefield, so today
I'll wait to find out if the rainstorms are
too much. They plan to travel here on
Christmas Day. Both have homes away from
the river, but they have helped others with
sandbags yesterday. It looks like a rainey day
out my window.
My sister Gerry's granddaughter went into surgery.
We don't quite know why, but she is waiting to hear.
There have been so many deaths from accidents
in the storms..snow north, rain south...
I am waiting for people to slow down and avoid wrecks.
I think of all those people in Europe waiting at
the airports to get home...many won't and
they will wait out the storms.
We are all waiting for Santa!
That's a plus. I can't wait for Sanda
to come for grandkids because they
can't wait! For today...we are all waiting.
And you, also waiting, in Washington
drive carefully on the roads. Keep safe.
We will enjoy what comes.

Great Comfort

2010-12-20T08:53:00.000-08:00

We live our lives in comfort.
The electricity goes out and there is
no heat, no stove, no coffee pot, no
toaster, no vacuum, no can opener, no
washer or dryer, no tv, no COMPUTER so
FB is lost, Family site is gone,
blogging is out. I have a pen and paper.
I have a book. I have myself.
but so much that makes me comfotable is gone.
I am cold. I do have a fireplace, but
haven't stacked wood. I am unprepared
to go back to life as a pioneer.
The electricity came back on and
comfort seeps. Someone had to tromp
through the snow to work for me.

I watched on 60 Minutes how our states and
counties, along with our government, are going broke
and think of all we have...schools, teachers,
buses, roads, forests, fish, game, hospitals and
medical personel, care centers, health clinics,
so many things paid or subsidized by our taxes.
We expect much and expect people to run our
government and money well. We expect honesty.
We expect hard work. We expect people with principles
to do the best they can. We aren't careful ourselves.
Spend freely. We don't keep tabs on others.
We want to do what we want to do. And when
those in government do what we do, we scream
and wonder why?? They had opportunity.
So now can we all tighten our belts
and pay as we go? Ouch, that hurts.
But do we want to be without electricty?
I don't. I know how that feels.

Christmas complexities

2010-12-18T09:24:00.000-08:00

A Christmas flower from a calendar.
A reminder of beauty and wonder
a time of peace.
Our sons, cousins, friends, family
fight in Afganistan...each day one
sends a Christmas greeting to his
special family in Utah...
each day there are more wounded,
more killed and our hearts are broken.
The children are excited, sending letters
to Santa, published in the Reaper.
"Dear Santa, how ar yr rendir?"
So many families need help for their
children. So many families are hungry.
So many orphans around the world.
How do we fill their stomachs and
provide a more stable economy?
Christmas always reminds us of those in need.
Our men are strong. Our men provide.
Our men support...until they can't.
Or they turn to drugs and violence.
They become angry and small wars
erupt in families all over the world.
Men join gangs and kill.
Our lives are threatened.
What are we missing?
The rich want to hold on to their wealth.
The poor want to be rich.
There is less middle ground.
Everyone is angry. Road rage is rampant.
Our women nurture. Our women hold out
loving arms for tired and crying children.
Our women love.
Yet will turn on their own,
Killing children not yet born.
Beating themselves up for abortions.
no longer knowing how to love.
Learning it is okay to kill...children.
So maybe killing isn't so bad.
Living children can be frustrating.
Moms and Dads are angry.
Will the children go away
Where anger rests in the secret heart?
Christmas. News. No money.
Too much money. No time. Too much time.
How do we really relate on FB?
How can we love when no one is there?
How do we reach out to living souls
or are we becoming electronic souls?
Christmas. Complexities.
Where is the beauty? The heart?
Love strings threads through us
all...we can't let them break.
Find those fiber-optic threads
that bind. Love.

Boundless

2010-12-15T08:39:00.000-08:00

This is a dance concert I attended at Tuacahn High School put on by the dances, including my grand daughter. I was very impressed. Tuacahn is an Arts school that has no sports program as they do only music, dance, and performances. The soloist that performed plans to attend Juliard. She was exceptional.
I was amazed at my granddaughter's training as I seldom get to her performances. She prefers family stay away as they makes her nervous, she claims. I was happy that her other grandmother and cousins came too. My sister came with me. I told her that anything I find out about that is open to the public, I might sneak in.
She did greet us all after the performance.
It is impressive to see so many students in a dance concert and have it done so well. They work very hard..most in eight or nine numbers as well as choreograph
their own. They don't allow pictures. I was hoping they might do a dvd for parents to own. That would be fun. I would buy one. When students really want to be performers, where could they find a better school than Tuacahn? I know Alica has had lessons for years and it shows. So many of the student dances are obviously also well trained. I came away from the concert thinking that Bouldless was a great name for the show, wishing I was closer and could be a better part of her life.

Buck

2010-12-12T09:40:00.000-08:00

This is an older picture of a doe
enjoying our house and yard.
We haven't caught a picture of
the Buck.
It came and attacked our bush
probably trying to remove horns,
and put on the ground three large
garbage bags of limbs beat into
small pieces. Tom, usually up late,
missed this attack on the bush
outside the window.
He's hoping to catch sight of
the buck. Deer wander at will
through our yard. The cat
makes no noise. Our dog is gone.
Unusual events happen
wherever we are. Enjoy them.

Real bison in Kanyonland

2010-12-10T08:02:00.000-08:00

Who could resist this real picture
of a real bison wandering
down though the canyon south
of Teasdale, UT?
It's December. Of course it's snowey.
I thought of Rolain's great grandpa
Ephraim K. Hanks who killed
a single buffalo and saved
the handcart pioneers years back.
He was a Wayne County pioneer.
And mother and dad, looking for
buffalo on the Henry Mountains,
came upon a huge old bison.
Dad said he knew it was the one
they heard about that
charged and smashed into trucks
ruining radiators, leaving men stranded.
It stood in the middle of the
road bellowing and snorting.
They sat quietly, hoping to be ignored
until he calmed down and passed by.
They didn't honk, as that seemed to
enrage him, they'd heard.
All stared eye to eye,
then the old bull moved on.
And they returned to Hanksville
unharmed.
So seeing this picture in the
Richfield Reaper..reminded me
of old wild tales of Buffalo and men.

Christmas Future

2010-12-08T07:42:00.000-08:00

December Sunrise outside my door.
As I grow older there are more of those
breathtaking moments, there and gone.
This is one of changing color.
Christmas Future sees me sometimes
on the road, sometimes not.
I plan to stick around for more,
but then one day I will move on
into the sunset set here, sunrise there..
and greet others gone before,
I comtemplate the value of my days.
Did I do enough?
Linda talks of the homeless
not being her; not me either,
so how do we balance our great wealth,
our comfort, our ease?
What should we being doing
for the greater good as we move
forward? We are where we are,
so what now?
How do we take bold steps.
Finish what was started.
Make what we do worth the effort.
And brighten each Christmas Future
as we leave behind our legacy.

Christmas Present

2010-12-05T07:32:00.003-08:00

This Christmas I am waiting for grandchildren to come home
from Texas. They have had a traumatic year.
As school ended here in Utah, the family
decided to move by the next school year.
Promises made to return for Christmas.
Summer was spent in packing and playing
with cousins and friends.
With plans made and boxes piling up,
their other Grandma was diagnosed with cancer.
She insisted no plans be cancelled,
but what an added stress as doctors found brain tumors
and other signs of advanced cancer.
My family moved in time to start school in Texas.
Their Grandma died the next month.
so loaded themselves and three dogs
and came home for a unique and large funeral
for the mayor of Panguitch
complete with a motorcycle calvacade.
Having moved to a house in Texas, they
soon planned to move into another house
which they cleaned, fixed up, and painted.
I don't know if that job is complete or if
they are still half in, half out.
But it is time to keep promises of coming
'home' for Christmas, so with three dogs
and three kids the trip is planned and
will be made.
I am the grandma they left behind
having tended all three up until school,
filling in sick days and vacations.
So they are greatly missed.
I am looking forward to
Christmas Present
to see their loved faces
once again.

2010-12-05T07:32:00.001-08:00

Christmas Past

2010-12-03T07:44:00.000-08:00

This is my dog Gomez to help
me remember Christmas Past.
He has been gone years.
As a child, very young,
I got a doll which wasn't
as fascinating as the books.
Anne of Green Gables, Tiger Roan,
Black Beauty, The Christmas Carol,
Where the Red Fern Grew, Old Yellar,
Wildfire, Toby Tyler, the books
were always there and I couldn't wait
to sit and read.
Mom liked reading too.
Dad usually found a bottle that day,
so lay around passed out.
He was a good one to sneak by
and go read.
Our animals had to be fed with or without him.
We looked for kittens in the hay.
and took the rounds in the fields
throwing hay to penned heifers.
We could run around seeing what
our friends got that day,
and eat some homemade candy or desert
at their house.
We'd gather to ice skate on our pond.
We'd sleighride down the hill
to Grandma's house for dinner sometimes
if Dad could make it.
Grandpa King would recite poetry
by the fireplace at night.
We'd ride back home in the powerwagon,
happy with another Christmas day.

Cyber-Monday

2010-11-30T07:35:00.000-08:00

I am still not the best out there on the internet.
My buying skill is better than my finding skill.
I can't seem to find exactly what I'm looking for
no matter how much detail I add. I do think of myself
at times, dumb as a post...as my dad used to say.
So all those out there spending millions seem to know
their way around cyper-land better than I. I'm the
grandma that signs lol thinking it means lots of love.
What the hell does it mean? I forgot.
I'm also the grandma that finds one letter words is
a way to get out of spelling, a way NOT to think.
But I do love those one-line interchanges of friends
and family that are nothing but funny.
So on Cyber-Monday I'm aware of my meager internet knowledge,
my lack of speed in traveling through cyber-space,
my endless curiosity and endless information out there to
satisfy it, if only I can find just the right word
to find just the right bit I'm looking for.
I hooked up my new printer, a little shakey by the time
I'd followed all programmed instructions, hoping I'd done
it right and the thing works.
And laughed when my husband came in with his new battery
charger saying, "You can't just turn it on anymore and
have it work...it's a damn computer!" Will everything
turn into a computer? Thank God our pre-school kids
are computer savvy, or what would they do?
It's us old ones that are brain dead.
I'm hoping to look ahead for a better day
next Cyber-Monday.

Lighting Ceremony

2010-11-28T07:33:00.000-08:00

My granddaughter sang a solo "O Come All Ye Faithful"
at the lighting ceremony at the St. George Temple.
It was hauntingly beautiful. I was so touched.
So many came, all with children of all ages,
braving the unusual cold.
And I thought of the terrorist caught
trying to blow up the families in Seattle
at the tree lighting ceremony there.
The FBI were undercover and worked with
this guy who thought he was setting off a bomb.
All parts were in place, the truck, the fuel,
and the caps, fake, so they could take this guy
into custody. If he wasn't caught what could be..
whole families being blown away
while at a tree lighting ceremony.
I blessed homeland security.
as I watched the colored lights appear all around
in a dance of color and the children "oooooo"
in appreciation. A wonder of delight.
My family is safe.

For Floyd

2010-11-23T07:33:00.000-08:00

I was thinking last night about Maude R.
and all her struggles...and many deathbed scenes.
She was in a great panic for some time, calling
everyone to her bedside. She very nearly died
a couple of times. And then one morning, she
woke up calm. I wrote this poem about that.
Maybe Floyd would like it.

BURNING WITH A SPIRITUAL FIRE

I thought at first
that I was different
because of the long,
near-death spell,
feeling changed
by her struggle
and wnderful
human courage,
myself somehow touched.

She acted normal.
Knitted booties,
visited the same as usual
except...
The fear was not there.
Her calm was so deep.

I watched her, fascinated.
Her valiant struggle to
again get up and walk.
I shared my excitement of
swimming a mile at forty,
comparing it to her coming
from death to walk.
Laughing, I teased her
coming back from the dead.

"Ann, I cant walk.
I'm better, but I can't get up.
I can't put that burden on
you and Rhoda. I feel myself slip
and I know this is the way
to help you.
I won't come home again,
except for a day."
She said it calmly, without panic.
Again there was this feeling.

She was on a mission, maybe that's it.
She was a missionarey in the nursing home.
What is it about her?
She has moved beyond.
Did Death singe her? Is it death?
No...the thought hit me.
Moses in the Ten Commandments
was singed with a spiritual fire.
Had Maude come from death
burned with a spiritual fire?
The thought was ridiculous.
I brushed it away.

Every day it returned, persisted.
She had been touched.
She had become in her fight
with death, a spiritual person.
I don't know that she knew it.
I don't know that I understand it.
For the first time, I had insite
the Red Sea actually did open and
people walked across the bottom
on dry land.
Jesus Christ did on water
and raise the dead.
Men have been changed to
living spirits in a twinkling
of an eye.

The spirit of this woman
that I knew so well had changed.
I saw it every day. She was herself,
somehow brighter, deeper.
Mrs. Dewey saw it in her courage.
Thella struggled to tell her how
her attitude about being
in the nursing home had changed
them both.
Thella said, "You're more perfect now."

There was a miracle in her,
a lack of fear, more wise,
more caring. She changed
from one state to another
and that was marvelous in itself.

Marge, you can print it off if you want.
I don't know if you remember my poetry book
about Maude Living With The Grim Reaper.
The deathbed scenes are there as well as this
on is there. I found this poem
the middle of the night, thinking it might
help Floyd.

Modern technology

2010-11-19T09:50:00.000-08:00

I am always behind with technology.
You out there have been doing
conference calls for years, but
I just did my first last night for a
library board meeting.
It went very fast, as you don't seem
to linger on the phone and we were done
in 25 minutes. Amazing!
It took an hour in person...people tend to visit.
My very accomplished neice attended
the school board meeting for 4 l/2 hours.
The agenda was long. Wonder what a
conference would do for them...as someone
always has to travel some distance.
It couldn't be done? Those meetings are long.
Cheryl taught me how to post a picture on FB.
She brought me back my book that she put on her
book printing program. Her cousin has been reading
my book...I so appreciate their work.
I so appreciate their work.
She said I should get a program
where I can call and see my grandkids
as I talk. What is next?
Oh, that's old too? I don't even
want to hear what's NEW.

Last flowers of Fall

2010-11-15T07:54:00.000-08:00

These are the last blooming flowers of fall.
I can't remember the name,
but they seem to fit as winter comes on
and people drop away.
The time to take stock..
the blooming of final gatherings
of those gone...leaving families
to mourn, assess their loss,
and somehow move on.
Janet and Rick and Donald
seem too young to go, but
they are gone.
Floyd hangs on hoping for a bit more time.
We look at our own lives and possible deaths
and speculate, wondering if we have done
what we can do, need to do, want to do.
Take stock before we also move on.
Birth brought us here screaming...
Will Death take us there screaming?
We all hope that our time will come
in the natural way..and there will be no
younger person moving on too quickly.
That we will go first before our children.
and wait for them there.
Grandmas? Are you there, waiting?
I hope so. I look at this last bloom
of summer and hope we leave behind
a touch of beauty before we fall.

Linda's Artwork

2010-11-10T09:12:00.000-08:00

All these paintings are old..
done in a moment in time.
I like them just the same,
part of my decor. She moves on
with sculpturing the poets of S.F.
with numb hands. How does she do that?
You can see her work on he website
on FB under Linda King.
She just had a show
but can't let us know just how it went.
Her computer is down. What did we do
without computers? We can't live without pictures.
Need them. So we wait. In the meantime
enjoy these works of art. Dad. Mom.
Sort of herself. Maybe me. and Thompson Ledge.

bear roots

2010-11-09T07:01:00.000-08:00

This painting is by J. H.Hutchingson
who lives in Escalante.
I am endlessly fascinated by the creations of
artists and what they chose to make,
like the teapots I viewed yesterday.
My sister Linda just had a open house in
San Francisco displaying her two finished
sculptures of Neely and Farlengetti.
I thought to display something of hers, but
decided to wait to hear more about it
from her. And then I will post something.
I do have a painting and a sculpture of Old Mama,
Thompson Ledge, and an old one of Dad on a horse.
I do want to hear how the poetry readings went
and how people viewed her work. Her sculptures are good.
Always interesting who she decides to do next.
She is the poorest sculptress I know, as she
does exactly what she wants and then hardly makes
a cent. Her computer isn't hooked up.
Her daughter's computer is down.
Scott? Where is Scott? That's her son,
and does carry around a computer. I will wait
a bit. In the meantime enjoy these odd roots.

Son

2010-11-07T06:14:00.000-08:00

This picture shows Stuart putting up
or taking down his tent.
He gets things done and gets the kids busy,
teaching as he works. His birthday is tomorrow..
doesn't want a party. Might head to Mesquite.
Born with club feet, we spent each week at
Shriner's Hospital getting new casts to
get them straight. He cried. He was operated on
at six months, but still walked at ten months.
Amazingly strong. He can remember the airplane
hanging in the cast room.
Operated on again at age five
and also in Jr. High.
Odd moments...while teaching 15-year-olds lifesaving,
they couldn't bring up the weight
from the bottom of the pool.
He went to the bottom and brought it up.
He was eight. I couldn't believe it.
He had a motorcycle at age five
and rode for hours like a madman.
Wouldn't ride a horse.
He was good in sports, wrestling, and baseball.
Didn't like basketball.
Loved hunting.
In his forties now, he's still busy.
Works long hours taking care of his family.
Hates having his picture taken...thus the older one.
Isn't one to visit long, but will jump in and
get work done that needs doing.
He's fast, and what he does, he does well.
I often wish he was around more often...
And am always glad that he's my son.

Sheep

2010-11-01T07:30:00.001-07:00

Speaking of sheep, I thought you'd like to see all the sheep
going along the street in Cedar City...taken from the Spectrum.
I don't know why sheep in Cedar City appeals to me,
but it does.

Neglect

2010-10-31T06:59:00.000-07:00

I have neglected my poor blog as I've been going in many directions.
My grand-daughter has had a strange constant pain that finally is
diminishing yesterday. She has an appoinment with a internalist to
find out the cause in the coming week. I am thinking about her.

Tom's cousin from his great Aunt Minerva (Nerve)who married John Wesley Norton sent a package of papers that she got from Nauvoo church records of land, baptismals, temple meetings proving that John Reynolds was John Wesley Reynolds and his parents were James Elisha and Elizabeth Anderson Reynolds. The connections all work. I am impressed with the computer savey of Luann. She is also so into Panguitch and is from the Riley Reynolds Norton and Olive Rachael Lee connection. Her mother was a miller and part Cameron. Coopers. Myers. That girl is related to everyone who stuck around Panguitch. Aunt Nerve and John spent their lives here too. Luann and I are checking out the John D. connection. And since Dave Lee is also from Granddaddy (great-great) John D., I discovered his line is John D. and Aggatha. But Harvey Parely, who owned the land Dave lived on, is from Caroline and John D. So how this other family line managed to end up with the land might be another story. Or they might have lived all together in the same house, who knows? Anyway Luann is all into the Lee's, Coopers, Camerons, Millers, and Reynolds. Interested in everyone. She sent some rare photos of a gathering at
the old Stake House. Steve had never seen it. He is trying to find names. I am very interested in the data gathered.

I have been to the care center several times. Parley Pratt from Escalante and Jack Gleave from Piute talk and talk. Parley has a rare wit. He says of his first wife, "I couldn't catch up with her close enough to have a kid." I think he was married a year. Jack's first wife died in childbirth and he says he missed her every day the rest of his life. They pass on information about the sheepherd...oh did you know they herded 1000 sheep down main street in Cedar a few days ago?
Livestock Days?, the old mining days, the hard work of ditch building, the sheep herd, and other such information.

My brother-in-law Floyd is not doing so well. He is 90. My brother-in-law on Tom's side will be 90 this Feb. He rides daily on his ATV. They try to tell people where they are going..his wife is 81 or so...in case they wreck, we can find them. I seem to be endlessly collecting bits of history.

The Volleyball team from Panguitch took their 3rd in a row state tournament yesterday. The sirens of police and fireengines were out to welcome them home.

And Hallooween is today. We had a few spooks come by. Tom's friend Mark Orton was a huge big spook. He made us laugh.Opps! I meant the picture to go at the end.
It is last year's photo...Meadow, Drew, Wyatt, Katelin put there for Halloween! Oh well. My blog for today is finished.

FALL

2010-10-22T08:27:00.000-07:00

This Fall there is a gradual changing color,
very beautiful. Changes every day.
It is election time. My neice Cheryl
is running for school board and will
consider the problems in our school district
seriously. She is in a different district, so
she won't get my vote.
Election - a new (Corroon) or old (Herbert)
govenor? Bennet lost already in the senate race
and others will take his place. I try to know
the candidates, but find I don't know them well.
They all want to improve the economy and
educate the children. Jim Matheson
does not want Utah to take in toxic waste...it seems like
everyone in the world wants Utah to dump their waste.
I don't want Utah the dumping ground for toxic waste. They do it now.
My son's mother-in-law who was the city mayor died
recently of lung cancer. Laurie Talbot took over.
She is good, but I miss Janet with the rest
of the city. Cedar City canditates banning the prairie
dog habitat as they are way too many. Utah papers never
seem to have a conflict with pro-life. Most voters
are pro-life. I have placed my votes.

John D. Lee Homes

2010-10-20T07:38:00.000-07:00

John D. Lee died before Garfield County was created
and documents filed at the Gargield County Courthouse,
so the exact ownership if his homestead is a mystery.
He gave four wives land and recorded that in Iron County
but the land was in the Utah Territory. I imagined, with his
children's children's children in Panguitch, I could find the spot.
I researched back each spot I was told to find that one of the children
did own the land. I wanted to know where his wife Caroline,
mother of twelve children lived. Caroline had moved to
Scutumpah with John D. before he died. When it was time to
go to Lee's Ferry, she was pregnant and in labor, so went to
Kanab to be with family. She returned to Panguitch.
J.B. Hildbrand, photographer, came to Panguitch May 31, 1934,
to record where John D. Lee was captured. He took the three pictures above..
the original and the add-on? Picture taken at the same time? Both were given to Utah Historical Society under his name. One may be the right house. The top one was chosen to be in the Centennial Garfield County book.
The other two houses, still standing in Panguitch, were suggestions.
I don't think either one is the right one. One of the oldest houses in
Panguitch has been turned into the William Prince Inn. William was married to
John D. and Aggatha Lee's daughter. One story is that John D. was buried in the
basement, not out in the cemetery where he has a hugh headstone. That was the original house, but it is brick which came to Panguitch years after J.D.'s death.
Did they cover the old log house with brick? There is also a headstone in Parowan and one lost up on the mountain, I hear.
I am only trying to finish a small part of my book. Lee's ggggrand daughter was here yesterday. She told me he had four wives. I said...No, 19. 19!!!! Why don't I know that? Four wives stayed with him after Mountain Meadows. Or 5. He had 50 children. Those wives worked hard to keep the children alive.
Since he is well-known in Morman history, I thought to record his part in creating the GSENM!

Walking in Sand

2010-10-11T10:55:00.000-07:00

Out of Cliffnotes I came up with a new title for my book and a new picture for the front. Walking in Sand - my guide to the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. This is the picture...me on the rocks of Boulder.
I also wrote a poem or two...this one is about a place Boulder, Utah...described as if no one had been there.

Even if you live in Boulder, Utah
you don't know anything about it.
You haven't heard Clyde cursing about
lost water or lost calves.
You didn't walk barefoot down a dirt road
to climb Thompson Ledge.
Anselm had never heard of or found the money cave
just a few feet lower on his Thompson Ledge.
You didn't talk to Irene at King's Store
or buy cans of food, Levis, grain, horse shoes,
bullets, salve for dehorning steers, candy
or sit drinking a coke in her arrowhead covered
table.
You didn't walk up to the old school,
this very building, and be taught by
Rose Peterson or Aunt Nethella or
climb the School House Ledge at noon
to see where Darrell Moosman fell.
You didn't clmb that cut-down Cottonwood
to escape being touched by Strycnine or
Dynamite.
You didn't ride Bender or Old Buttons
after herds of cows.
Boulder had those Bulberries to pick for jam.
You didn't tear apart milkweed or
walk down the board walk over mint to
the outhouse at Grandma King's.
You didn't go with J.C. fishing in streams
swimming in deep spots to let the fish
slip into your hands.
Or go to the Boulder Rodeo
right outside this window
where bulls bucked by your honking car
on down the road.
No, you haven't been to Boulder, Utah.

Novel by Ron Hall and Denver Moore

2010-10-07T07:22:00.000-07:00

A very rich art dealer and a man raised as a sharecropper
come together at a mission...one dishing out food, one eating food.
The very remarkable wife of the art dealer, Deborah, brings
everyone together in so many remarkable ways. She is the exceptional one.
She brings out the exceptional in those around her. I am not going to tell you the story as it should be read by those who wrote and lived it.
I am only going to recommend that you do read it. It touches the heart.

Anasazi

2010-10-04T06:32:00.000-07:00

Tom painted the wood with designs he has seen.
Boulder Heritage Festival will feature Anasazi this year
and we write..Boulder Cliff Notes this weekend.
My poem:

ANASAZI

The Red Sun
Little black or red square men
One hundred hands
painted by those long ago
who also left storage houses
or cliff dwellings high
on red cliffs.
My breath catches
at the leaping goat
hanging on a high cliff
impossible to climb.
Were they painting for the Gods?
God of wind. God of water.
God of food that came only with seasons.
As a child, I rushed to see those paintings
left behind...climbing high as I could.
I picked up a black obsidian arrowhead
down by Lampstand, laying on sand,
and a perfectly made white spiked one
by the Monkey House under a Cedar tree
lying there in that exact spot
where I am walking on a rare outing.
I am endlessly curious about those
who came before me.
The people who lived where I stand
and touch my life.
And I wonder...
Can I, like the Anasazi, touch lives
beyond my time with my scratchings?
Oct. 4. 2010

My Work

2010-09-29T07:24:00.000-07:00

I started this quilt to teach
Meadow and Addison how to embroider.
I worked on it while watching tv.
We all had a package of six blocks.
when I realized that my blocks
were supposed to be sewed onto other blocks.
Could I stand to do that? I kept on..
We finished Addison's quilt. (pink)
We finished Meadow's quilt. (purple)
Mine? GREW. Until I had enough..
But, I'd have to QUILT the whole thing.
I do not believe in quilting...I tie.
Where were the Relief Society Ladies?
Oh, I quit church.
I planned to use Jessica and family..
but she moved. I put it on the frames.
I raised the quilt to one side
holding it agaist the wall with the couch
when I needed some room. I needed it
often. Tom went to the hospital.
It was there when we returned.
He cussed about trying to get around it.
Finally! Finished! After two months.
And who came visiting?
The Relief Society ladies...
President and counselors.
I don't even know why.
I was finished quilting.
I could have said...of course I need help!
I guess I'll keep this quilt
to remind me that I never want to quilt again.
EVER!

Seven Arrows

2010-09-25T13:13:00.000-07:00

This book is The People telling stories...about the Medicine Wheel, the Sun Dance, Seven Arrows and so much more. I do not know, exactly, what the stories are talking about, but many lessons are given. I was amazed by the many colors and designs of the Medicine Wheels and Shields. Each person discovers who they are and the name is put on the shield. Women learn about plants and the medicine wheel as well as childbirth, raising children, and their connection to men and the earth. I was fascinated by the stories, the pictures, the drawings..the information given in the book. I think we could all learn more about our connections to the earth, the stars, the animals and the four directions they live. I think this book is of great value...and I wish I understood the stories better. I can only learn more.

Decrepit

2010-09-20T06:46:00.000-07:00

We returned from the hospital feeling a bit shakey and older..
The Rabbit brush is in bloom, onions had grown larger..
Flowers popped out we didn't know we had,
Leaves around town are turning color. Fall is in the air.
We are into the fall of our lives,
an interesting maze of emotional color streaks
through our everyday patterns...and we wonder.
how long we will be around.
I feel an urgency to get things done that can be done.
But want to laugh and talk and take time.
A curious mix of hurry up and wait...
And watch the days of fall slip by...

In bloom

2010-09-12T19:33:00.001-07:00

All the plants around the house are blooming...
just before they are frozen and are gone for the year.
I am happy to report that all my kids and grandkids are
safely back to their various homes...so I thought I'd feature
my plants when best dressed.
The lillies are gone, frozen.
The Russian Sage and Black-eyed Susans thrive.
I am 'resting' a bit from the come and go of Jason's family,
the funeral, tending dogs, everyone on an emotional rollercoaster.
Jason is going back to contacting people with job offers...
Jessica to her actual job.
The kids back to school and, I think, basically interested
in all the different happenings in their lives.
They'll be little Texans within a year.
Garret and Lynne got home and I had a great day at Volleyball games.
The family finished a shed for Lillian for her Birthday.
I will look forward to when anyone can come or I can go.
And maybe get to Boulder and get this book finished.

Red Cow

2010-09-09T08:02:00.000-07:00

I loved this cow pictured in the Richfield Reaper.
Seemed like a perfect post..cow with flowers.
The cows are enjoying King's Pasture once again.
One had a fight with the barbeque grill...
Nothing like a cow to placidly enjoy
what is around her. A perfect change of pace.

Calli Lillies

2010-09-08T05:49:00.000-07:00

I can't get my printer working,
so Calli Lillies will work today
for Janet's funeral.
As Mayor of Panguitch, she brought
to Panguitch Balloons and Harley
Davidsons on the same weekend...
So many are returning for a motorcycle
calvacade to the cemetery today.
One friend, who was driving from New York
to Maine, heard she died and turned
around, drove four days straight, and
is here. 15 or more are driving up from
her home country - Glendale, Orderville,
and Kanab, and everyone in Panguitch who
rides a bike. And there will be those
many customers that had food at the Flying M,
loving those giant cinnamin rolls.
Sad day for grandkids today.
May kids and grandkids be as active.
Mala and Lynne and Garret drove up
for the viewing last night. We enjoyed
them for a short time. Cheryl plans to
get to the funeral today.
As I've said before, she was far too young.
Janet will be missed.
(Doesn't Addy look like her as a young girl?)

Connie and Alfred - 60th Anniversary

2010-09-04T09:52:00.000-07:00

Connie and Alfred were married on Nov. 8, which is also Connie's birthday. She turns 80 this year, but they were having it now when the family could gather without worrying about snow. Two of Geraldine's children weren't there and one of Shauna's.
Oh yes, one girl of Conrad's...he has two. We were surprised to see Karen and Ladell until we remembered the connection to Alfred. It was interesting to see all the family and all the kids. I didn't really know why we were there since we aren't immediate family...maybe because we invited them to ours. We sat by Martha, Cal and Carrie and had some good laughs. We brought along the old shed picture and the above picture of the Bailey girls...and the statue. Alfred said he was dressed in brown and Connie looked just like the grey. Connie said she was from Nov. to July older than you, Gerry. "Imagine, we will both be eighty within a year!" The dinner was pot roast and rib. Alfred paid..and the whole family was spending the night and going on a tour this morning. We asked them if they can hang in another 10 years...Alfred doubts it!

The Color of Water

2010-09-01T08:38:00.000-07:00

I finished this book by James McBride...so excellent,
so well written about himself, his family and the racial issue.
Trying to understand himself, who he was, he wrote about himself,
his mother, his grandmother, and great-grand mother...discovering
them as he went wrote and talked to his mother who
didn't want to talk about it. He wrote about his father
musician and pastor of the church founded by his parents..
his step-father who took on eight kids after his father died
and had four more..and relatives and relatives and friends who stepped
in when they needed help with education and food.
This is a great book about America, blending of races and cultures,
and also the difficulties along the way.
It is about his mother growing up with an Orthodox Jewish father who
molested her and moved and moved and moved.
It is about living in the South, the Ku Klux Klan,
Black Power and killings while his mother
fell in love with a black who could have also been killed,
and had an abortion in New York, sent by her crippled mother.
A difficult homelife sent her to Harlem and finally
into the arms of her first kind husband.
She became Christian and helped her husband form a church.
They had a happy life and eight children when he died.
A second, also very kind happy man, stepped in to help
and they had four more.This is a book by one of the children
trying to understand her past, know where he came from,
and know himself. He discovers as he uncovers.
It is a book about Love and it's power to transcend
all difficulties.
About God, the color of water,
and how He touches lives.
The book was read by millions, became a icon in what
makes America great, is studied in schools
...and I just discovered it now.
I am touched. You will be too.

Camille's Sunflowers

2010-08-30T08:08:00.000-07:00

Camille has her own sunflowers and flower garden.
Spectacular! She has to pick those weeds so there
is no interference.
Boulder is still Boulder.
The wind was strong enough to
break limbs which fell down almost on
Tracy's car. The sand whips up.
It was very green.
We drove up Thompson Ledge with Steve
in his four-wheel drive..marveling that we could.
Anslem, the artist, the photographer (60 books) and singer..
my recording artist said he was getting a dvd done for Anslem,
that he is well-known in Germany. My!
Dinner was hot and ready -enchilidas and salads and rasberry shortcake..
delicious! And the Brigham tea bush was there reminding
me of tea made in tin cans while we looked for deer mice. (cute)
We sat across from (Cheryl help!) who have moved to Salt Gulch.
I told them I was born there and he laughed out loud.
"Camille's Mother" and I are living history.
And the wind whipped. And the wind grew stronger.
Rather than kill the actors with falling poles and canvas
the play was called. Oh sad!
The Gods (and Raymond) spoke!
We will hope this play is picked up and
we have another time to go...before...
Boulder at harvest time looks busy and prosperous.
Plants are tall. Apples in the trees. Flowers bloom.
We enjoyed our time in Boulder.

Sunflowers on the Big Flat

2010-08-27T19:00:00.001-07:00

I have never seen the Big flat so beautiful.
I could hardly believe my eyes.
We rushed to Boulder and King's Pasture
to get our old junk trailer ready to move,
paint the door, take some needed items,
clean a few things...took some time.
Bow hunters were on the mountain.
The deer were nervous.
Our doe has two fawn.
we returned, but I will head back
tomorrow to attend the play on
Thompson's Ledge and visit family.
A Wayne County man wants to meet in
Boulder to record poetry and song.
We'll see if he appears.

Sunflowers

2010-08-24T07:15:00.000-07:00

Sunflowers next to the post office in Panguitch
caught my eye..and this one pouring cement at Houston's old house.
Brady (Frank's son) bought it and tore half away.
People remodel, come home, move away..and I wonder
if I want to lift loads of stuff and move
or let someone else have to do it...someday.
Will anyone treasure our treasures?
Moving one load was work all day.
Times change.
People try something new.
We all may die and change everything!
Until then life is a challenge to find interesting
items everywhere.
I could maybe buy my old house in Boulder..
Wouldn't that be a horror to try to fix?
Or Tom's house in Escalante...a single woman lives there
that might be easier if she wanted to sell.
Or we could move to St. George and be hot in the summer
Or move to Central and buy that old house.
Why has all our old houses fallen into such disrepair?
Mother's Old Rock House is perfectly restored!
So I'm glad someone who loves old treasures
bought it. So I sit and ponder.
I have a new roof and new sewer system.
More years can slip by.
Panguitch hasn't bothered me too much.
I haven't bothered her.
We keep our places.
Don't rattle the cages of the tiger!
My work is where ever I go.
Tom is not standing straight
since we took one load to the dump.
More? We might spend our time in hospitals
instead of Panguitch. We might anyway.
So...I am enjoying the sunflowers.
Interested in the building.
Visit who I can.

We two.

2010-08-22T08:55:00.000-07:00

I dreamed I was entangled in a venture
of paint, water, and flowers
with my sister Linda. We were laughing
and throwing paint...I mean I was throwing
paint and she was making this picture
of wild swoops and dips and outrageous color.
Paint was in our hair..
covered our clothes...
a masterpiece was born
larger than life...
and we were having fun.

I woke wanting to laugh like that
with Linda, once more.

Defined

2010-08-21T06:52:00.000-07:00

Wild yellow roses are...wild yellow roses.
How much are we defined by who we are?

How important is it that I was born out
on the remote ranch of Salt Gulch by a
midwife grandpa crushing my head by instruments?
Was that an important defining moment?
How am I to know?

My dad drank heavily. My uncles too.
When one uncle talked to spirits, I believed him
having seen a spirit myself leaving from his home
into the stars. Was that when his spirits and mine
intertwined and were real? He was crazy, and so was I?
When two sisters followed him into the mental hospital
stressed by life and life and life...many defining moments,
I thought that I would too. They came out, shocked at
being committed. I walked with them toward freedom.

I married the school rebel..who smokes like Dad..
who turned out to be not the rebel I thought,
I am more one than he. So he tries to hold down me.
We have four children, so precious and rare.
That holds my heart in their hands.
Each one carved defining moments for me.
They have children, my grand-children,
that are moments and moments and moments
for me.

I became a school teacher like my aunt..who was
practical in many ways. It is a good life, teaching kids.
They are endlessly entertaining, creative, energetic,
absorbing life and fun and joy.
I expanded my range. I enjoyed the moment.
I lived to enjoy. But I taught in a school that was sick.
My town abounds with fresh air and sunshine,
but the ventilation system to conserve heat cut off
that fresh air and we all suffered.

I was healthy and strong, so was shocked to learn
I had a rare pancreatic disease that had destroyed
my pancreas. It needed to be removed. The problem is so rare
that it's cause is unknown. From birth? From
growing up stressed? From a sick building?
Pancreas and spleen was removed and I was sent home
to live with diabetes on pig enzeyms.
I can do that...millions have diabetes.
As I grow older...72 now...I think of that operation
as a defining moment. A chunk of me gone,
affecting me in many, many ways.

We are defined by birth, by marriage, by children,
by health, by vocation, by spirit, by life
and most important by love.
Love in all its depth
its endless change
defines the moment of each day.
I am defined by love.

Muhammad

2010-08-20T07:05:00.000-07:00

I knew little to nothing about Muhammad or the Muslim religion.
I chose this book by Robert Spencer to learn more.
I think he did an excellent job of making clear what Muhammad taught
as well as the impact of the religion that opposed both Jews and Christians.
I think he covered major differences and cleared up to me just what
and why the muslims can be extremists and move toward Jihad.
I do not know how to counter that extreme thinking that would be my death
in certain circumstances. I don't understand those that would kill me because
of my religion because I am not Muslim. Robert Spencer thinks we should
at least know what Muhammad taught and why his is the most intolerant religion.
I don't know what I can do, but I am listening.

Fly Free

2010-08-18T13:52:00.000-07:00

Spread your wings, Fly Free.
Dip and dive over the country wide
Spread your wings, Fly Free.
Soar, go high, dive bomb, glide.

Son..you want change.
You need to try something new.
You want to know what is 'out there'
You want to do and do and do.

Soar. Spread your wings, fly free.

Old lover looking around the town
Old is old. Look for the new.
Hoping to find a new smile.
That will keep you happy for awhile.

Soar. Spread your wings, fly free.

Just want to try this and that.
So I don't miss those gone too much.
Keep busy and moving so I don't get fat.
Be steady, happy...go to lunch.

Soar. Spread your wings, fly free.

We all need to learn to fly
Go beyond. Go Up. Go Down.
Find just that thing that works for you
Enjoy your strut about the town.

Fly free.

2010-08-17T06:35:00.000-07:00

The above picture is the first Utah State Building of Utah that is in Fillmore, UT.
Inside is the courtroom on the top level and many office rooms below. It is now a museum that houses many interesting old pictures and items used in pioneer days.
My Cousin Marion and I went over to look up our great-grandparents James and Isabella King. We found good pictures, one we hadn't seen before. They have information on many and numbers of books to sell. We also checked out the cemetery.
We had a good day tracing our ancestors. The picture in the blog is the top floor of the courthouse building. It seemed very familiar, like there was a party once that I attended. Odd. I don't remember anything at all.

Mama in Fashion

2010-08-12T13:17:00.000-07:00

I returned to the care center today
and stuck in the page where I volunteer
was this picture of Mama in hat.
I was very surprised.
I thought I'd share as it
made me smile. Mama
in her care center towel
apron and very fashionable hat!
Where it came from, I'll never know.
I thought she welcomed me back
to the world of the old and dying.
I talked to Grandma Crompton today,
Shayna's great. She is 93 and very
alert. David on his way to Iraq
worrys us both. We enjoyed our hour.

2010-08-09T09:44:00.000-07:00

The Reynolds' family took off this morning about nine. They were all crying, except Drew and he just looked worried. I am definitely feeling the 'empty nest'
today and will in the days to come. I just hope everything works out well and they find the move rewarding and interesting. I told Addie to think of it as a Great Adventure, which it certainly is. People moving is sort of earth shaking no matter who does it or when. We will miss them.

New roof - new sewer hookup

2010-08-05T07:34:00.000-07:00

Thank heavens for that! We paid for the hookup ten
or so years ago when the new system was put in Panguitch.
We never actually got the house hooked up
until yesterday. That Jason is covering all promises.
We bought the pipe for the line five years ago.
When uncovered, Tom was amazed that we
didn't have a completely clogged drain
as it certainly looked that way. I
was afraid we would have to dig it up in
the middle of the winter last year.
When I think of everything Jason has learned while building
houses, I am impressed. Building, framing, wall-board,
electrical, plumbing, cement in all forms...even to building
specially designed cabinet tops in colors and forms.
His graphics for the fire department, balloon fest,
and other events are note-worthy.
Austin, I hope, is looking for a new comic. He can carry a tune.
His volunteer work for fires or traffic accidents as well
as rescue in all forms is noteworthy. He is quite an
amazing kid. I will miss him along with his kids.
He entertains! He has enjoyed the fights with his dad.
He gets along with the people of the world.
I'm sure he will do well wherever he is.
I need to brag...I do have amazing kids.
He is one of four!

Marigolds

2010-07-31T10:50:00.001-07:00

Our boxes are filled with Marigolds this summer.
They don't seem to fade and die too soon. I like
that. All Tom's flowers are starting to bloom and
we have picked enough peas for peas and potatoes for
both us and Jason. Aspargras comes sparingly.
The onions will be great and beans are growing.
It won't be long until the growing season is over,
but I am enjoying every day. We love the Day
Lilies we got from Rolain. They come and go
and Lazy Susans are blooming. We are relaxing with our
flowers and completed half roof. Russian Sage is
blooming and the pine trees rustle in the breeze.
Summer is here. It's lovely.

Linda, you are underpaid!

2010-07-29T05:40:00.000-07:00

This is the new quilt walk bronze statue
going up next to the bank in Panguitch.
$65,000 we paid.
The man throwing the quilt
is also standing on a bronze quilt.
I was told something about each of the
seven men who did the quilt walk
is included on the one man statue.
Interesting sculpture representing
our quilt walk...I'm sure the cost of
the bronze is impressive...but Linda,
I am sure you are not getting your just
due for the sculptures you made and are
making. The artist here may be a cousin
a Johnson who lives in Parowan.
He also did that bronze ram in front
of Parowan High School that I posted before.
The genes are right. Only the money for you
is lacking.

Dog days on the mountain

2010-07-26T08:38:00.000-07:00

We had a few dogs join us today.
Jason and Lynne built the cabin
while the rest of us tended dogs.
Curevo is blind and deaf.
Lolo froze so tried to get into coats.
Sid sat on everyone.
Logan and Addison rode ATV's to the spring
and found the bluebells in bloom.
Gunner loped along with everyone,
in every direction. Boomer is a little
crippled..started out on foot,
came back on the ATV.
Abbey ran off...and we all looked
until she wandered back.
Jason kept six dogs close at night.
Mala two. Not much barking in the night,
but some at the other dogs. no seizures (Curevo).
We will all remember the dogs on the mountain!

We saw the deer and fawn coming out.

Happy Birthday Jason

2010-07-22T06:43:00.000-07:00

I don't know if the motorcycle was a
birthday present for himself...but
it has been enjoyed daily.
There have been trips everywhere.

I don't know if a move to Austin, TX
is a birthday present for himself...but
I hope it is a move the entire family loves.
And they will all enjoy exploring what's
new every minute possible.

No telling what might happen next...
and what another birthday will bring.
I hope joy and love and life...
for you and my other kids!

Kids in Costume

2010-07-21T06:31:00.000-07:00

Summer is the time to drag out old costumes,
perform all your talents, have tea parties,
and practice every stunt. Drew performs
from the door tops..only one small enough still.
Kids now nearing 50's will remember costumes
that fit grandkids now. Ahhhh, the days!
Summer fun. Summer travel. Summer...

Dave Mac

2010-07-20T07:45:00.000-07:00

I spent my day at the funeral for Dave yesterday. He was a year younger than my sister Linda. He ran with my husband's yungest brother Tony, who died suddenly of a heart attack just like Dave. All of the old buddies came. Stubby was there and talked about making saddles. Marvin was there although his wife has been very ill. Dave seemed too young...the youngest boy in his family.
The older brothers are still around. I didn't know that Dave was into having mules.
I know he had and rode horses all his life. The family loved racing horses.
But Dave's favorite was mules. He probably knew Reta's boy Russel...Prell loved mules. Dave did too. I enjoyed seeing his children and hearing what they had to say about Dave. Funerals remind that we all are closer to that day.

Boulder Festival - The Women

2010-07-18T06:48:00.001-07:00

Those three bosses can make a joke of anything! But they are all up there...together!
The highlight of the festival was Cheryl, dressed up as Dora Black, reading or giving her poem topped off with Camille's song...which had everyone in tears, especially the Dora Black family..Roma, Vernon Dean, Renon and daughter, Colette and all of Cheryl's and Colette's kids were there. I hope you have the Women of Boulder book, so you can read the words to Cheryl's poem and Camille's song. I told them they could take it on the road..and they wanted to leave Sat. morning when the work was just beginning. Raymond wondered if they would listen to him about how hard 'taking it on the road' is. (I think they already knew that lesson from him.)
Vernon's joke about how ? was telling her boy ? that he wouldn't go to Heaven. He said he didn't want to go to Heaven. She said, "Why don't you want to go to Heaven?" "Because the only ones who will be there is you and Dorey Black!"
Dora certainly deserved a spot!
The very successful festival moved through the day with no hitches...oh, maybe one or two little ones. I thought my part went well...as I told stories from my past about sisters and my adventures. I told how Grandmother Wilson was the writer in her family, Mother was the writer in her family, and Gerry was the writer in ours...and writers tend to keep everyone writing! Raymond was trying to do his part and Cheryl hers and I hoped my kids would soon step forward. Books need to be written.
Marion did a good job with Aunt Nethella and she had Dell there to do Lenora.
He has to know that his mother did her part for Boulder History. He had some funny stories to tell...about them all. Dixie acted very happy to be there part of Boulder history. She told how she and Lenora went to Hawaii and stayed with Mother who showed them around the island and they laughed and talked the whole time. Jerry did his on the midwives. I didn't make it to the artist hour because Boyd Griffin and Family sang that hour and I wanted to hear Boyd Jokes...which he told many as the songs were sung. Brian, Patricia, and Bill were there...but Bill had lost his voice. (been sick) They remembered Dean with 'bury me not on the lone prarie...right where he is!' Peg, Marty, and Clyde Ormand did the Ormand family...Grace had a birthday the day before and turned 99. We heard some interesting history on Ormands and Duels. Clyde is quite the talker...he wore the old bib overall. Raymond's singer friend from Austin was very good, the Faultline great, and many other entertaining singers. The festival lived up to it's name (whatever that is).
Clyde's Saddle got particular interest in that the company and saddle number was on the saddle. Some saddle expect was called and got excited about that saddle being worth money...we will have to put it into the museum of saddles! Diane did a wonderful tribute to her many friends in Boulder and served tea, lemonade, water and wonderful cookies. This was a festival to remember!

Boulder Festival

2010-07-15T06:42:00.000-07:00

Cheryl is at the King place where another meeting is planned. Raymond is handling music. The Clyde King Saddle represents Camille! My goal for this year is to get those three planners in one spot and take a picture. Camille is not too visable, so I miss her all day and the other two are running around in every direction. I did take one of Camille and Doug that is too dark to see who it is.
As the festival begins tonight, I will miss the dancing with the man who no longer gets dancing. Too bad. That was fun. But I will arrive tomorrow for events.
I haven't heard if Marge is on her way. I do have a couple of good pictures of her!
I feel a little disjointed and wonder just how an hour will go on Saturday. I'm adding to my talk some about Mother as she was the writer in her family and was always busy writing something. Since Marion is talking about Aunt Nethella, her mother and Lenora, Mother should be there. I am interested in what everyone has to say. I will enjoy the festival. I'm sorry to miss those that won't be there...to talk about their legacy. The books are written...the history is in the works.

Jason and Kristy

2010-07-07T14:49:00.001-07:00

On the back bike is Jason and Kristy on
The Harley Ride to help kids.
I printed it from a picture that was sent to
Jason (stole it) but I just wanted to feature
Kristy at this most difficult time for her.
Her husband Tim died after they signed up
for college at Dixie - suddenly,
shaking up the family.
They have a six-year-old boy.
Jason, on front, is her cousin...they
have become friends and see each other
on occasion. I am Jason's mom.
I felt bad for her to have her marriage
end so soon, leaving her to raise their son.
I hope she can rally and find her way.