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 It is DARK

It is so DARK

I don't like so many hours

of Darkness.

I want more natural

LIGHT

It is so important to STUDY THE LESSON!

           We’ve now had two months since we changed our Sunday meetings from 50 minutes to 20. Although for our stake personally it has only been a month and a half as we didn’t meet as a ward for two weeks due to General and Stake Conferences.

          One may think of 30 to 50 questions to go along with any scripture study or General Conference talk that is introduced but instructors need to be even more selective than they were prior to September.  Instructors are now conductors to ask questions, provide reviews and ask for feedback. 

          The things that may have touched me the most during my studies may not even be mentioned because it was the first set of scriptures or the 9^th paragraph which inspired me the most whereas the instructor may be prompted by the Spirit to take us where I hadn’t dwelled in my own personal studies – but I can certainly contribute if I am prepared. 

          I think those that don’t give themselves the opportunity to dive in the material and ponder over what has been outlined for them – I think they are missing out.  Sometimes there are things that don’t resonate and it is up to each of us to find something that will.  I encourage everybody to study the lessons and come prepared to contribute.  Find a deeper meaning.

Font My Eyes

 

Less than three years ago I had 

marked the large font scriptures I had 

inherited from mom.  I don’t recall 

struggling so much as I am today.  

Seeing words is a challenge depending on 

the font size.  I sing hymns that I have 

memorized but cannot read the words to 

sing along.   I don’t read notes and so I 

would do better with words only.  I rely on 

modern technology and blow words up to a 

more comfortable font size.

I have renewed my glasses each year – I don’t 

think they are the problem.  I do see words better 

with natural light.  

Glasses don’t come with built in sun.

DayTrip to Redwood & Crescent City

           Richard’s birthday was yesterday.  Jaime was hoping we could celebrate with a daytrip to the coast.  We’ve never been to Redwood National Forest and as it is less than 3 hours away, we decided to make our daytrip there.

 

          The redwood trees are enormous!  We mostly drove through without getting out of the car, but decided to walk a one mile trail.  I couldn’t look up without getting dizzy – though I tried a few times.

 

          Jaime was hoping to get some pressed pennies.  But since pennies are now discontinued, will the penny press become a relic of the past also?

 

          We ended up in Cresent City so that we could eat lunch.  Afterward we went to the aquarium and Jaime made a pressed penny of a seal.  We toured the facility and got to touch starfish, mollusks and a small leopard shark.  That was a cool experience.

 

 

          The tour  finshed with seals following the command of a trainer.  Also fun.  Since the aquarium is so near the ocean the water is pumped into the tanks so that they are swimming in the same ocean water.  Some might think it’s cruel to remove animals from their natural habitat and put them on display.  But the animals are well cared for – each with its own story of how it came to be at the aquarim.

          One seal was captured after another seal tore through her eye.  It was infected when she was captured and had to be removed.  She probably has a better chance of survival at the acquarium than back where she was found.

 

          It had been quite a long day for each of us.  Happy Birthday Richard.  We were gone for more than ten hours.

 

 

Bonnie

           I used to move the rollway table toward the desk to keep Bonnie from going down the side of the bed.  Now I roll it closer to more easily reach my water bottle.

          She used to come in each morning or afternoon to play Phrasel with Jaime and me – though she never contributed.  Sometimes her noise was too loud and we would kick her out.

          Sometimes I play phrasel with Jaime over the phone.  Yesterday she thought she could hear Bonnie in the background and was saddened when she realized it was not Bonnie.

          We do enjoy meals now without her watching our every move – waiting for food to fall from the plate.  Our first meal was spare ribs – ironically a meal we had eaten just before Bonnie got sick.

          She did a good job cleaning plates with her tongue before I put them in the dishwasher.  Now I have to scrape small leftovers into the compost or down the disposal.

          No more Bonnie hairs to clog up our lint traps or litter the hallway.  No more scratching the carpet with her overly long nails.

          We miss Bonnie.

So Sad

           We made the choice to put Bonnie down before climbing up and down the stairs became even more difficult for her.  I took this picture six days ago.  The last one I will ever take.

          Three weeks ago she was really sick.  Gradually she seemed to come around to her loving happy self.  That’s what makes it hard.  Putting down an animal that seems so happy and full of life.

          But she was not full of life.  She tired easily.  She’d whine a lot.  And bark at who knows what.  She’s at peace now.  Jaime and I are not.  It wasn’t an easy decision.  We are both sad.

          But her time was coming soon. There's a few things I won't miss.  But I will miss her love and wagging tail.

Note to Self

           ALWAYS use Umpqua Appliance.  NEVER go with Sears!

It’s been less than four years since we purchased our 32’wide refrigerator. I don’t know how old our fridge is.  We bought it new – but who knows how long it was in the warehouse/showroom before we picked it out.  We had an option of three that would fit into the provided space in our kitchen. 

About two or three months ago there seemed to be a large build up of frost in our freezer.  We’d get an obnoxious humming sound and then the refrigerator stopped putting out cold.  We’ve had milk spoil because of it.  A Sears did fix our fridge – temporarily.  For a handsome price.  Eventually the frost and hum returned. 

Then I remembered having used Sears appliance when we lived in Kearns.  The guy that came to fix our furnace ended up turning it off and walking away.  It was dang cold!  What was he thinking?  What was I thinking?  It’s like their motto is: “Just get the money.  You don’t even have to do anything.”

We had purchased a fridge at a yards ale for only $5.00 (see here).  It lasted for eight years and going (we eventually donated it to another) Now that was a magnificent deal.

Umpqua Appliance is great.  I don't know how I missed finding them in the first place. Our technician, Christopher is very honest.  He explained what was happening, how to fix it,  how to maintain ourselves to avoid future repair.  He said should last us another ten years.  I will definitely be calling them again! Well, not for the fridge but for another appliance perhaps.