Beneath the Wraps

                  When I left the house this morning the view was clear and I could see to drive.  There were clouds surrounding the hills across the way, but nothing obstructing my view. That is until I drove nearer to the church.  The fog seemed to descend upon Myrtle Creek as though the limits were completely swallowed.  I am grateful I did not have to drive up North or South Myrtle as the roads seem to disappear into the whiteness.           When Jenna and I returned home the fog had thickened our surroundings in Tri City.   It was as though the process of lifting was reversed.   It wasn’t particularly cold outside – or at least my body didn’t think it was.   It was nice to get home and off the road.           I had paid off a loan with my bank in Oregon.   I had written a check before December 7 th .   I h...

(Pineapple Members, 2016)             Some people are blessed with learning from others' examples.   Unfortunately it seems there are more who just don't get it and have to figure out things for themselves.   Still there are some who go through trials and still appear to be clueless.   Allow me to share an example.             When I was a youth, I remember seeing ads in the classified section inviting youth to earn money picking pineapples in Hawaii.   The ad itself was marketed in such a clever way that youth believed not only would they be earning money, but would have an opportunity to tour Hawaii as well.   I remember a bunch of Patrick's friends decided to fill out applications and asked him to join them as well.   My brother, Patrick, has always been logical and decided he would wait a year.   If things worked out among his friends, surely they'd want to return. ...

          I suppose it depends on one's frame of mind if one gets upset with another who does something that may seem disruptive during conference - or perhaps laugh where it's not appropriate or - and here is the grandest of them all - be so focused and in tune with the Spirit, that the talks are the only focus and what may be viewed as disruptions by everybody else go unnoticed by the individual who is in tune.   I have been the grouch upset with disruptions, the one who laughs where it's not appropriate . . . unfortunately I have never been the individual who is so focused and so Spiritually in tune that I don't feel the least bit distracted.   That is my fault.   I haven't spiritually prepared to allow myself to remain focused.           I was impressed at Jenna's willingness to take notes during conference.   I smiled as I watched her expressions - particularly with To...

The attack on Pearl Harbor was devastating.   A surprise military attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7, 1941. The base was attacked by 360 Japanese fighter planes, bombers, and torpedo planes in two waves, launched from six aircraft carriers. The Japanese managed to destroy nearly 20 American naval vessels, including eight enormous battleships, and almost 200 airplanes. More than 2,300 Americans were killed and another 1,000 were wounded(from Trivia Today )  Jenna had a first grade teacher that I'm sure must have mentioned it - though not in detail.   Jenna obviously hadn't stored it into her memory and appeared to be experiencing a dyslexic moment as she read the card.   She was eight at the time we were playing a game with my mom (which I have mentioned here )   It wasn't her intention to be disrespectful.   She hadn't realized the errors of her ways un...