Beneath the Wraps

I remember last general conference when it was announced that our upcoming conference would be like no other.  Many had speculated change in doctrine.  I don’t know of anyone who would have guessed that most of us would be in quarantine due to a pandemic.  My brother, Corey, is an introvert and has been enjoying his time at home – possibly too much if there is such thing.  I think our parents must have taught us to always make the best of a situation and to look for gratitude.  Because we have. Recently Corey shared what I consider an epistle.  This he shared on facebook, and I am sharing many of his thoughts on this blog post as it mirrors a lot of my own gratitude as we experience this weirdness. Although we know that not everybody has these things, we are both grateful for electricity, running water, for the ability to communicate electronically and by phone.  We are grateful for the time that we have to focus on unfinished projects, me...

            On March 22 of this year Corey posted to his blog for the first time in two years.   Apparently it had been due to a request made when I mentioned how much I had missed reading his posts.   But that is his most recent - nothing more.   So last night he called me to relate his "Walmart" experience - although he really was not at Walmart.   It just felt like he was.   I laughed at his misfortunes.   It was nice to go to bed with a smile on my face.   But Corey does have a knack with relating experiences and telling stories and even making announcements with an entertaining flair.   So the following is a second-hand account of the things that he related to me.             First off he had to renew something - he must have mentioned it at least three times, but I failed to understand exactly what it was that he was renewing...

                The RS president sent an e-mail to the sisters to remind us of some challenges given to us in Conference yesterday. I am not prepared to accept the challenge of the 10 day fast from social media.   I am taking courses online.   Sometimes YouTube videos are required - though not always.   Sometimes I will search for tutorials on my own.   Giving up facebook will not be tough as it's been somewhat pathetic or disappointing overall lately anyhow.   I need to use my email for updates regarding my classes and to view confirmation on assignments that I accept for work.   Yes.   I got a job.   I have subbed as a teacher's aide for three different schools now and have at least two more for this week.                 I remember when Jenna took the challenge.   For the most part,...

        I remember someone posting this cartoon to facebook.  I laughed as I read it as I relate, both to having been the child and now the mother.  But it isn't just a relationship with mothers and children when this sort of magic happens.  It happens among husbands and wives as well - at least in our family.         I remember many times mom would used to say to dad, "There is something wrong with the car"  and so he would take the problematic car to work and of course it would ride smoothly for him and give absolutely no indication of ever having any kind of behavior problem.  It seemed that way with all appliances - and it wasn't because my dad was mechanical minded.  I think electronics and mechanics just have a way of playing pranks on the female mind.         Take my computer for instance - the pop-ups, the constant threats, ...

                This wasn't even one of the posts I had considered writing yesterday - and so I still have those thoughts to put together.             When we first moved to Myrtle Creek, we had looked into a health clinic.   Certainly we wouldn't have to go all the way to Roseburg if a check-up was needed.   In order to establish credibility, the staff expected a full physical in several visits.   Okay, my co-pay is not that outrageous, but when I am going to the doctor four to six times in one month to create a doctor/patient relationship, that is ridiculous.   I can't afford that!   I've been blessed with pretty good health.   I go to the doctors perhaps once a year.   I don't need to go every blessed week.    Needless to say, I did not ever complete what had been expected.            Because I had gon...

          When I was in my twelvth mod, I had two classes.   I would try to attend the live lecture of each class.   I think I had attended all four lectures in my algebra class - perhaps only three.   Fortunately there was no problem with the hook-up system (the school uses a program called Zoom) but the instructor in my management class would always have a problem with the system cutting out or recording only audio or video, but not both.   It generally happened whenever she played a video in addition to her lecture.   I told her to stop showing videos and just send us the links.   I don't know if it would have made any difference.           Last mod I also had two classes - two accounting classes.   I still don't understand the language, but I actually did well in both classes.   That is amazing considering what torture it was trying to get into a live lecture or (in mos...