Too long between posts. Since the purpose of this blog was to chronicle things for which i am thankful, I made resolution to be more thankful.

This week in Montana. Montana in January? For my arrival they had the largest snowstorm for some time just before my arrival

Above is a photo looking out the window of my son's house.

So what is there to be thankful for in below freezing weather?

A warm fire! And beautiful grandchildren!

It's that time of year, General Conference, and we find ourselves once again in Hawaii. We come now because we can watch conference wherever we are at in the world, and hence I don't miss my Sunday meetings. Besides, Hawaii is such a beautiful place.

Each morning, we are up and out about walking and talking. Then it is back to our time share where we shower read and decide whether to do some shopping, get something to eat, sit by the pool, sit on the beach or maybe just take a short nap. Decisions, decisions, decisions!

View from our balcony

Really, this has been a huge blessing in our life. This year we have the added benefit of having Gail's parents and her sister and brother in law here with us at the same time.

I have been neglectful in my posts of thanks. This year marked the birth grandchildren numbers eleven and twelve. Now we find our number thirteen is in the oven. We have beautiful, wonderful grandchildren.

Clara (#12)


Joe (#11)

We have wonderful friends. Life has been and continues to be good.

Sunrise Sunset

No, I am not thinking about "swiftly go the years", but rather one of my favorite times of the day. While I have always been a night person, I think the Lord's advice to go to bed early and arise early has other advantages beyond a clearer mind and opportunity to learn. In fact in Proverbs it tells us that, "those that seek me early shall find me." I think this applies not only to the years of our life, but also in the days and minutes of our lives. I really must learn to get up earlier... But we can find the Lord in the opportunities to give thanks in our lives. (Sunrise in Hawaii)But I drift from the purpose of my post. I have really been thinking of the need to be thankful. I marvel at the beauties of nature that surround us. (You will see from the few pictures I have posted one of my favorite times is sunset (maybe it is because I see more of these???). Anyway it has caused me to reflect.

Below is one of my favorite shots of Sunset just outside the home of in-laws in the lovely little town of Springville.

These two are from the desert on one of our many trips across it on the way between California and Utah.

This one is from the front of our home in California.

Here is a shot for Ke'e beach on the west of Kauai looking down the Nepali coast.

Here is one from the backyard of our home in California.

Back to Sunrise in Hawaii. The purpose of the post today, as it may be for the next few times is to remind me to appreciate the beautiful world in which we live. Maybe all of us should look around more each day and really take in just how beautiful the world in all of its many splendors really is.

What are some of your favorite joys in nature? Let me know. I'm in the mood to take pictures. And while we are at it, we might just ponder how much we have been given, all the way through the Sunrises and Sunsets of our days and years of life.

A Baker's Dozen

I first realized what a baker's dozen was, I think, as a young man picking up baked goods at our little hometown bakery in Springville.

As a young boy some of my fondest memories revolve around the kitchen and my mother. For those who know me and the cooking prowess of my mother, this will come as no surprise.

My mother loved to bake. She loved the smiles it brought to family and friends. I remember summer nights when she would make doughnuts and sweet rolls. Because the house heated up she would open the doors. The sweet "nectars" of the kitchen would waft up and down the street, and invariably the neighbors would just happen to wander in.

"Always use the best ingredients", was the mantra she gave to my children. Don't save your best ingredients for someday, she would say, it might never come. Her grandchildren, particularly my daughters, learned this lesson well.

Mother would sift her flour, before measuring. It made for a better consistency and less lumps. I love sifted flour, it seemed light and airy, even though the net weight seemed a little less.

Brown sugar on the other hand had to be tamped down and compressed before measuring. Never did pick up why these two methods of measuring differed.

Some ingredients, like dried cereals, had to be shaken and allowed to settle, before you could be sure you had the true amount needed.

Chocolate chips on the other hand, well, with them the "cup" would frequently be overflowing.

Where am I going, you may ask. I ran across a scripture in the New Testament - on that I have read many times, but more recently, has become even more meaningful. I quote from Luke (6:38)

Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over....

As I have reflected on my life, I recognize how my Heavenly Father has given back to me. His has always been the baker's dozen. Not only that, the blessings in my cup have been pressed down, shaken together, and running over.

The past twelve months have seen marvelous changes in the lives of our family. There have been marriages, births, new jobs and relocations. The last event has necessitated that we travel to see any of our children.

We returned recently from Texas. Our daughter's oldest just learned to walk. With her hand in mine we walked to the park. Early in the morning we would read books.

Just prior to this we were in Utah for the wedding of our daughter Diana. We are so happy for her and her husband, Dan.

Before that we were in Montana, there for the blessing of our son's youngest child. Walks to the local creek, hikes in the mountain, and yes, reading stories together were some of our activities.

Idaho and it's parks await our visit. Before Julia and her family left, the parks around Sacramento found good use.

Our youngest in Utah just got her first piano (a love instilled in the children by their mother) and they are now finishing up their time in Provo, and who knows where they will end up (can we hope someplace in Northern California?).

You see, my cup runneth over. But not only is it running over, it truly has been pressed down and shaken together.

Hot time in the old town tonight

It has been hot here lately. How hot do you ask? Well lets say the mercury has been north of 100 the two or three days. To add insult to injury, my sweetheart is out of town, in the cooler environs of the northwest (with friends).

That has left me to watch our friend's house (between church and work), and in this heat, their lawn is not doing well. Did I mention this is "yard beautiful"? I have been checking each day, and then suddenly on Saturday I saw an area of heat stress. It's on a hill and I have been watering by hand two or so hours each day since. It is getting worse! I can't believe how fast it has gone brown, even in the face of daily deep watering. If it doesn't start to look better, I may have to move - or find some sod. I kid you not this yard is (or was) the envy of the neighborhood. Now, in comparison even our lawn is much greener (I know our lawn is new, but give my brown thumb some time to work it's magic). I am in serious trouble here folks. I'd show you a picture, but it is dark now, and I don't want to document it for the world to see. I mean this thing happened overnight. We could use some positive thoughts, and you might even consider appropriate prayers - either for me, the lawn or the heat - or whatever else may cross your mind.

The heat has been felt in different ways. Yesterday at church several people commented the it looked like I had seen some sun. Does a big red rose bring anything to mind?

Saturday I decided to visit my grandchildren. You see I was on call, alone at home, and I don't need excuses to drop by to see these bright little people, my little cherubs. So as I left work I decided to stop by and see what the afternoon would bring.

They greeted my car as soon as I pulled up in front. It was HOT, but they pointed out their swim suits and we were off to lunch (McDonalds - where else) where I treated them to lunch and in honor of the day, an ice cold milk shake. That was the last cool I was to feel for about 3 hours. You see from there we headed to the water park.

Now this water park is a community freebie in the neighborhood of my daughter, really just a neighborhood park with a cool little area of a rubberized ground cover and water sprays. It must have been a company picnic - it was mobbed. It's a new park, lovely, but very small trees. This coupled with people mobbed in the covered pavilion area left very little shade cover.

I found this tiny tree with filtered shade at best. Yes I had my hat, but no, I didn't have any sunscreen (didn't think about it before leaving for work). For those who haven't seen me in a while, think of the lead animal part in the wonderful classic, Moby Dick. For me it is easiest to squirt sunscreen into the bath tub and then, well, you get the picture.

So here I am with my BYU tee shirt and itty bitty baseball cap (long pants of course, I have my pride. I did protect my bald spot, you know the place where the sun never sets). Picture me chasing flickering spots of shade while I sat and watched my grandchildren. At times I covered up the the towels they had brought along. It may have been sad, if it hadn't been so ridiculous. I'm sure I was good for a few laughs from any onlookers.

We were there for over two hours (middle of the day no less). But, before you feel sad for me, I will tell you, that although my skin was cooked, my heart was light and breezy. I got to watch my grandchildren frolic, laugh and run through the water. They got soaked. They had a riot. Me - well there's not many things better than to have a three year old run up and hug you. They had fun, and as a direct result, I had fun - this is something to always be thankful for. Simple pleasures, seen through the eyes of our precious children and grandchildren. Hugs, laughs, and the words "I love you grandpa", and what's more, the opportunity to actually be there with family.

We went home, and then decided to get an early dinner before I left for home. Another hour with my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. A perfect day, well, maybe just a little hot.

Mother, the master motivator....

My mother is the sixth of seven children in her family. Growing up in the small central Utah town of Springville she was the fifth of five girls. Her dad always watched out for her. He had a small farm and was a US Postal worker.

My mother went on to marry her high school sweet heart (my father) upon his return from service in the Pacific during World War II. Shortly after starting their family they moved into a home next door to my maternal grandparents. During these early years she would help her father at the post office (he would come to my parents bedroom window and call for her early in the mornings).

In my early years I remember working with my grandfather both at the post office and down at the farm. Many lessons from my early childhood remain. My grandfather taught primarily by example with powerful brief intervention with the spoken word. But this is a topic for a future blog. Today I wish to focus briefly on the ongoing influence of my mother in my life.

Mother was a master motivator. When asked later in my life while I chose medicine, my answer always has been, "Because my mother always told me that was what I was going to do".

Her efforts to promote me to excel began early in my life. In my childhood our church had Junior and Senior Sunday School, and as a part of the opening exercises in both the children would give talks. These talks to my mom were a serious matter. We were never allowed to read our talk, they were practiced and memorized. There was no other way. It was Mother's way or the highway.

Well about my eighth year of life there was a special program, I believe it must have been Christmas or some other special holiday. As part of the program there were two youth speakers, one from the Junior Sunday School and one from the Senior. For whatever reason, I was the Junior representative. This was a big deal and my mother worked with me for sometime preparing my talk. It included a poem and the entire thing was memorized and practiced repeatedly.

Well, the big day came and I stood and delivered my talk, in my mind word perfect. I sat down and the Senior representative stood and began her talk. As I looked out to my mom for the expected look of approval for a job well done, I saw concern on her face. I panicked and searched my mind. It came to me, I had forgotten to give the poem I had worked so hard to memorize. Knowing her expectations and my own desire never to let her down, I returned to the podium and quietly asked the speaker if she would move aside, I had something else to say. For whatever reason she complied and then I went on and recited my poem.

The experience helps define and explain my mother's hopes and aspiration for her son. It was sometime later in my life, as I remember shortly after grade school, that another defining episode occurred. Although my siblings debate the following account, it was I that was there. She pulled me aside one day and in all seriousness (at least to me) told me I was not as "smart" as my brother and sister. She didn't say I was dumb by any means, but if I was to succeed I would have to work harder.

Fast forward to high school and graduation. I didn't want to speak at graduation and didn't "try out". When I returned home from school that evening, and I don't know how she found out, but she asked me if I was going to be speaking at graduation. I told he "no", I hadn't even gone to the "try out". Boy, was that a mistake. I don't know exactly what happened, but the next day I sought out the teacher in charge and sought a "second chance". Well, one thing led to another, and I was chosen to be a speaker at graduation, and the topic I chose, "The Upward Reach".

Life has been good to me. I completed my undergraduate work and married far above myself. My sweet wife continued the encouragement. Graduate and post-graduate work was completed. Now years later our children are all out of the house and beginning their own family units. Life has been good.

I have had many good influences in my life, but today as I remember my mother, who now has been gone from this earth life for several years, I think of her, I miss her, I yearn to talk to her one more time. But most of all I thank her for her love and motivating influence in my life. She started me on a wonderful path and truly dedicated her life to her family, her husband, her children and her grandchildren. I only hope and pray I can live up to her high expectations.

Mom I look forward to our reunion. I am still trying.

California Dreamin???

I remember as a small boy seeing cars along the highway with California plates. I envied them, living in the land of sun, ocean and fun. Disneyland, beaches, big cities -- my mind conjured up a cornucopia of exciting places and activities.

So why I ask is everybody (or at least significant numbers) fleeing the state like rodents on a sinking waterborne vessel? This weekend we are watching our grandchildren. A true joy, but to what you may ask do we owe this opportunity? It seems their parents will be moving in a few months. Where to you ask? Well it isn't here in California, no it seems the land of milk and honey lies beyond the borders of the "golden" state. (For your information, the great state of Idaho has claimed this prized family.)

Why do I go on so? Well a a couple of years ago we had three of our five children living here in the golden state, all within an hour of grandma and grandpa. Now over the period of just over seven (7) months, they are gone, gone I say, gone with the wind, disappeared, out of here -- you get my drift.

As I have sought to understand this phenomenon, I find that I need to remind myself of the wonders of this state. I know there truly are things for which to be thankful -- but right now I think I need some help to remind me. After all, this is a site dedicated to being thankful. I don't want to be too cynical -- I mean I could go on to mention that we are number "1" in several areas, personal taxes to name one. We must be close to the top in unemployment too (projected double digits into 2011), not to mention illegal immigrants.

But I digress. I would seriously like to list things for which to be thankful. Clearly we have wonderful friends and family, not that those are unique to this state, but we do have many things for which to be grateful, including our home and community. But let's get to those small and sometimes intangibles.

1. I love the early springs with green leaves and gentle breezes

2. I love being with 1 hour of snow, but not have to be right in it

3. I love the proximity to the beaches and ocean

4. I love those little reflector bumps in the road to keep you in your lane

5. I love the variety of fresh produce in the stores (maybe other states have this, but it seems to me we have greater variety here).

6. I do love the beautiful sunsets.

7. I love the song on my phone, "California Dreamin" - guess I could have that anywhere

Well, you can see I need some help here. I am thankful, but I could use some help from you.