Beneath the Wraps

                 Apparently I did not include these pictures in any of my June posts of our trip to NY.   Randy had introduced us to golfing.   That is one sport he never seemed to bother with when we lived in Utah but when he moved to New York he realized that most of his co-workers viewed golf as an essential and so he learned the sport and purchased a set of clubs in order to fit in.           One thing about Randy is he has always taken to activities like a duck to water.   Seriously.   I have yet to see any sport, craft, or interest that he is not good at immediately . I do have a few relatives that seem to thrive on golfing.   I don ’ t find it all that enjoyable myself.           As I had previously mentioned New York had just gone into Phase 1 the week we arrived.   The golf course had not yet opened but the practice range was. Ra...

            I must have at least a dozen posts in which I mention that I really don ’ t enjoy cooking.  Roland does.  If he was not in my life and it was only Jenna and me – well, we ’ d be living on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and milk.  I can follow a recipe, but cooking requires heat.  I hate the heat.           Most of the time I have cooked dinner Roland doesn ’ t like it.   It surprises me that there are two things he does request of me.   Two Separate dishes: Potato salad and Ham chowder.   Neither which I have a recipe for but have done from memory.           My mom was not the greatest cook – but then I ’ ve never had a sophisticated pallet and so never saw my mom as a lousy cook.   She wasn ’ t lousy.   Her food was edible, but it was mostly survival food – at least compared to Roland ’ s. I never tho...

  I was introduced to the Holderness family early in the pandemic.   I love most of the parodies that I have seen.   As of now I relate to this one the most:

Before we were given the stay-at-home order, Roland and I had ordered some tiles to finish the kitchen and change out the carpet in the bathrooms.   We had asked about toilet removal and were told that the contractors worked together and NOTHING would stop the production.   I think maybe COVID could . . .   picture from https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/100-home-repairs-you-can-do-yourself We do have two bathrooms and so would be able to use the one that wasn ’ t being worked on.   Still it seemed unpredictable.   We didn ’ t feel good about it.   Especially after Lowes called to say they had received half the order and they would deliver it.   Um . . . no.   We want the whole order.   None of this waiting around for what MIGHT or MIGHT NOT happen.   We cancelled the order and said we would try again once COVID had ended (because by that time the Stay-at-home order had gone into effect – and though we would have liked to support t...

  Today was supposed to be ward conference.   Though we were initially scheduled to return on July 26 Circumstances have changed and we have not Been able to attend   Last night the stake secretary provided a message A virtual recording which I watched this morning. It was only six and a half minutes long. Short but powerful.   The message was on the parable of the Sower and Compared this time to the seeds represented and Which ones we will choose to be You can listen and watch to this parable here

  We all need Hope Hope that we can attend church without worry about coming in contact or spreading coronavirus Hope that schools will be in session as they were before where our children can play together without Plexiglas dividers and social distancing Hope that one day we will be able to go out in public without having to wear a mask   Hope that we can learn from history and not erase anything and everything we might find offensive  so that we may learn Hope that we can provide for our families and not have to choose between having to leave the house in order to provide or staying home in order to keep safe Hope that all of us will learn that we are not really free if we are not safe Hope that we will not have to watch loved ones stumble and fall.   Hope that the persecutions and judgement may stop Hope that we may return to our better selves.                   ...

I hear different stories about athletics – which sports are open, which ones should be open, which ones should not open . . . there are athletes who would like to return to playing – they ’ re bored!   They miss playing.   Some have returned but without an audience – but they are still at risk in my opinion. Since the pandemic started I have heard “ I am not going to hole up for the rest of my life – I am not going to die hiding out . . .   If I am going to go anyway, I ’ m going to be doing something I love . . . “   But is it worth it really?   Getting the cornavirus will not mean you will die – at least not right away.   You could be in the hospital for two weeks to six months and not be allowed visitation.   You may show no symptoms whatsoever.   You may be hooked up to oxygen for the rest of your life.   Is it worth the gamble to play one last game of football or golf? Was getting the modeling job for Lucky Strikes worth throat ...