Beneath the Wraps

            I believe it was Corey’s senior year in high school when the student directory came out.   On the cover was an art student’s work depicting the mascot and school spirit.   He had signed his artwork “Zion” as he had with many (if not all) of his other pieces.   It wasn’t meant to stand out as the main theme of his drawing but rather blend into the design.   However an instructor who was anti-religion especially anti-LDS had discovered the “hidden” Zion and made such a great fuss over it that it drew much more attention to the drawing and the word than was intended.               It’s quite a small example of how even negative criticism can be used to boost something positive.   Take the Lincoln Project ( here ) for instance, a group of former Republicans no longer affiliated with the party either by choice or perhaps they were asked to leave.   Each m...

 It Rained! Beautiful Rain! Pouring over my roof. What a pleasant sound! Our thirsty world is  greatly in need.

  Jenna LOVES Halloween!  For her it is the most exciting holiday of all federal and non federal holidays. Halloween starts early each election year – especially in this decade we call 2020.  Halloween that started in March and has introduced each month with a new “ scare ” tactic.  California has denounced having Halloween this year.  Not so much to do with Corona but because of the wild fires. Our nation has looked at Halloween head-on.  The latest has been with the presidential and vice-presidential debates.  Is demonstrating childish behavior really a part of the politician ’ s criteria? “ I want to hear what your credentials are – not what crazy theories (or made up lies) you may have about your opponent. ”   When both opponents are slinging mud, it ’ s really hard to decide.   What is up with the “ leadership ” of this nation?   Enough with the mudslinging, name calling and so forth!   I would like to hear each side w...

  When I laid down on Sunday night I could see the stars I have not seen the sky since then. It’s hazy in the morning.   Eerie fog And when the fog disappears Hazy Sky Smoke from the California fires. And we still don’t have the worst of it. I could smell the smoke through the window Two weeks ago when it was combined with Oregon fires. I don’t smell it now.   But I can see the haze. It’s like a taking a beautiful scenic picture With a dirty lens.

  I failed to mention that Saturday was Roland’s birthday. It wasn’t much of a celebration.   Roland believes no birthday is complete without cake. He had handed a cake mix to Jenna the night before. On the box was a picture of chocolate waffles. She made the mixture Friday night and we made poured the mixture into the waffle iron.   I poured a pecan frosting over the best pieces and placed a candle on top.   We wished Roland a happy birthday and ate chocolate waffles for breakfast.   Later on the elders called to ask if Roland had a key to the television room.   They wanted General Conference to be made available for those who chose to watch it at the Church. Roland left the house to meet the elders at the church and learned he the key he has does not work in the room where the televised devices are kept.   Later we met our former bishop at the animal clinic.   Typical pandemic birthday.

                 Jenna started caring for Bonnie on September 11.  The initial plan was to go to her house to feed her and let her out.  The air was full of smoke when Jenna started.  Roland insisted that we bring Bonnie to our house for the next nine weeks – which will now be closer to three months as she will be with us at least until the first week of December.                  Bonnie had an itch.   She was always scratching and licking herself.   Roland told us to take her to the vets.   I first called the number of the clinic belonging to our former bishop.   No answer.   I tried his house.   No answer.   I knew that he had been looking to retire and perhaps he had.   Roland suggested I try the new clinic that just opened on Main Street.   The clinic workers had to talk with Bonnie’s “mom” before w...

               The media has picked up the story that Donald Trump has tested positive for Covid and he and Malania are going to quarantine themselves for the next two weeks.   The story says that Ivana Trumps personal assistant had tested positive and therefore Trump was tested too?   Of course FOX was probably the first to build up this story and I think that is all it is.   A story.   Another lie.   A scam.   Another ploy to build sympathy among his faithful followers.   The debates of course can’t possibly take place now.             My guess would be that after he screwed things up for himself at the debate – his new campaign manager or whoever had suggested that Donald Trump pose in front of a church holding a Bible (like what would Donald Trump know about religion?) told Donald to Tweet and others followed.   I have absolutely no proof, but I th...