Beneath the Wraps

            A facebook friend had been sitting in heavy traffic.  He must have been bored out of his mind.  He actually made a comment on one of my posts - which in itself was out of the ordinary.  But the post was over four years old.  That's what really threw me.             I had not even started my blog yet.  Jenna was taking a theatre class near my sister's house.  Our house was two hours north of the elementary school that Jenna attended, and Kayla's was two miles west.  On Wednesdays I would just drive to Kearns and park in my sister's driveway.  We would walk around the neighborhood and visit others until it was time to walk to the high school where she had her class.  But on that particular day, we had little time to spare before making our way to the high school.  Who knew that the heavy traffic between thre...

I belong to 8 different groups on facebook.  I think the first group I joined (or was invited to) was a neighborhood watch - which apparently is still on facebook - but with only 4 members.  I don't know if it's active or not.  I had actually thought the group had dissolved, but I haven't been in said neighborhood for several years now - nor am I currently living in the same state. Every ward that I have lived in has had a page and I really like that.  I especially like it when  organized members send out reminders of upcoming activities.  I was disappointed that there was no such page on facebook for this ward.  Thus after 6 months and 12+ friends, I decided to create my own page. Slowly the ball starts rolling. I have joined other groups that have either dissolved (due to changes on facebook or lack of interest)  or haven't gone according to the  group starters expectations.  I think the one I enjoy most is the one we ...

In 2012 I was introduced to Reverso poetry (created by Marilyn Singer) when Jenna and I checked out a book from the library.  The book is called  Mirror Mirror  by Marilyn Singer. (also beautiful illustrations by Josee Masse)  Here is another attempt I have made in creating my own reverso.  Read the left column from top to bottom before reading the right.  Enjoy. Without a coat                                              After so much rain to keep me warm,                                        through my windows, through clouds                                              sun is shining. the sun breaks.     ...

Last week Jenna and I watched a documentary called "Make Believe" a 2011 film from executive producers Ed Cunningham and Seth Gordon. "Make Believe" follows the growth of six teenagers who study tricks to become magicians.  I copied the following quotes from this website .  When asked about studying magic, Collider received the following answers. From Derek McKee: It’s hard for people to understand magicians because you can’t show them what you’ve been working on. They can’t relate to it. Most kids pick up magic for maybe two or three days and realize that it’s a lot of work, so they can’t really relate to working five hours a day on one trick and Bill KOCH (who now uses his professional name Bill Cook) :  Unless you’re into magic, you don’t understand it. The people that are into it for two weeks because they got a book from the library and bought a magic set, don’t realize that there’s theater involved, there’s scripting and there’s chor...

Salt will wake up the flavor  in an otherwise dreary dish.   Only a little bit is needed.   Most recipes call for salt -  but not a huge measurement.   It almost seems  irrelevant at times.  And yet  that small amount is  very much needed.    The smallest amount  of ingredient is  needed the most.   If salt is left out,    the quality is lost.   The taste is flat.   The tongue is dulled.   Salt uplifts.   Isn't that weird?                 We depend on salt to  melt ice on roads  and sidewalks . Surely  not the same salt that  we use at the table,  but perhaps the same salt  we use to make ice cream. ...

         One of the gifts that I opened on Christmas was the Chicken Soup for the Soul "Positive Thinking"   stories full of reminders not to give up and to do whatever it takes.         As I read I think of examples from my own life:         Karyn was agoraphobic.  Her son had gone to a mission in Brazil and had developed feelings for a certain young lady.  After he had gone back to visit, he announced that he and this girl would be getting married and living in Brazil for a while.  Knowing that he needed some support from the family, he wanted his parents there, of course. Karyn and her husband had enough money for only one plane ticket. And because of her fears of dealing with crowds, it was decided that her husband would go.         His job seemed to complicate the situation as far as the date was concerned.  It...

I hope everyone has the opportunity of watching this video Whether it's true or not, I don't know.  But I think it's an awesome idea either way. How wonderful it would be if those in the video are caught. How great it is for those who were robbed to use the crime to their advantage and use footage to advertise their tacos.  They really do look delicious.  Will have to try when I get back that way again.

            I grew up with the idea that families got together on New Years to play games.  It would often start on New Year's Eve at somebody's house.  We'd play games and have cheese and crackers and chips and soda.  That was always the greatest part about the new year.            Mom always took the tree down on New Year's Day.  It was sad. But I have carried out that tradition of taking the tree down on New Years.  What else would I do?             Although there was one year when Jenna insisted we put the tree up right after Thanksgiving.  I took it down on the 26th because it had been up entirely too long.  I think because it was taking up space in our cracker box house and everything always felt so clumped together with no elbow room even when it wasn't Christmas.     ...

            We weren't able to get back to Utah for a lack of funds.  Airfare is way overpriced (even at a senior discount) and Roland didn't have the same amount of time to take off work as Jenna currently has for school.             It snowed in several parts of Salt Lake.  My sister and one of my sons both reported that there had been an endless snowfall and probably three feet of snow - though one had reported that the streets had been clear.  How awesome that there are those who give up pieces of their Christmas to make things safer for others.             We woke up to find snow on the ground the morning of Christmas Eve.  The sun shone itself out.  It was really a beautiful day.  Not too hot.  Not too cold.  The air was an invite and in turn invited us to go...

              It is important to remember that not everyone is looking forward to Christmas. Some people are not surrounded by large wonderful families. Some of us have problems during the holidays and are overcome with great sadness when we remember the loved ones who are not with us. For many it is their first Christmas without a particular loved one and many others lost loved ones at Christmas. And, many people have no one to spend these times with and are shadowed by loneliness.          My uncle's family will have their first Christmas without him.  He was buried just before we moved to Oregon.  It is harder still for families who lose their loved ones during the holiday season - to always have that memory around the holidays. We have seen present neighbors and some that we left in Utah just recently pass away.  We have seen hardships and we have seen those who choose to move on and celebrate the h...

              I remember being in the congregation during a sacrament meeting in which a newly returned missionary was giving his homecoming talk . As he shared various experiences, he would explain why he felt the need to share.  I remember him saying that all missionaries have at least one dog story.          “We do?” I had thought.           I must admit that I had missed his dog story as I had been thinking of my own.    One that actually brings a smile to my face each time I think about it.          I was serving in an area where each door had been knocked on (weekly if not daily) by one religion or another.    It came to the point that people just didn’t want to open their doors as they felt they were being bullied by religious freaks.    We had actually been told...

Whenever my phone rings Or signals that I have received a text message Jenna jumps Like Pavlov’s dog Usually I don’t mind I am not a slave to the phone Though she seems to be She’s always excited when she learns That it is one of her brothers Today she answered the phone with excitement “Randy!” she yelled. It isn’t any wonder that none of her brothers have gone deaf First thing he asks her if it is snowing He says that the Utah snow seems harsh today. I remember waiting for the bus in killer snow The snow seen in this part of Oregon is rare Or so we’ve been told We saw it fall for two days But it was never like Utah Buses were delayed for two hours But Jenna did return to school After the snow We had our power back on But some people did not. Those who live in Tiller Were without power for six days To a week. Mostly it rains.   The creeks and rivers rise The grass turns green and The earth is drenched w...