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.

Missing My Girl

Today was my oldest granddaughter's birthday. Already 12, where do the days/years/decades go? For her birthday my wife traveled to Montana to share the festivities. Wonderful for her and my son's family, but I have missed her. No, there have been no tears, but there has been an emptines. In her absence I realize, once again, how much she means to me.

How do I miss her? Let me count some ways. I miss the nightly snuggle as we settle down in the cold bed (refer to previous post). I miss he nightly entreatment to read to her. I miss the "Hi" in response to my "Hello" as I walk through the door. I miss the approval on clothes I have chosen to wear for the day (those who know the past numbering guidlines for shirts, pants and ties will understand). I miss the sandwich she so frequently makes. I miss the quiet time together. I miss her laugh. I miss her touch, her warmth, her presence.

My children gave me a digital frame for Christmas. I love looking at the pictures. Today I enjoyed particularly those of our life together. I particularly enjoy the picture as we are walking to the temple on that very cold January morning. I see the picture of us in front of the falls in Hawaii, and I see her with our children and grandchildren. I love her smile - it hasn't changed over all the years. Sometime I may have to relate the miracle that brought us together over 35 years ago. I am not sure why, but Heavenly Father has given me so much for which 2 be thankful. Tonight I am especially thankful for my beautiful wife -- my girl.

Where 2 Begin

As I have pondered how to begin a blog, and looking for something original to write, my mind is drawn back to my earlier years in high school. The saying went something like this (keep in mind it has been decades since I learned this little tidbit).



In promulgating your esoteric cogitations and articulating your superficial, amicable and philosophical observations, beware of platitudinous ponderosity. Let your extemporaneous elucidations and unpremeditated explications have intelligibility with veracious verbosity but without rodomontade or bombast.



Now I have exhausted my vocabulary, I will try to be more clear. The intended goal of this blog is to document, and in the process remind me, what a wonderful life I enjoy. In the process I hope to share with family and friends some of the more noteworthy events of what some may feel is a mundane life, but even in the mundane one can always find the extraordinary.



Recently our furnace was on the fritz. This was fine by my wife, who has over the years been increasingly fond of a cool house. (How cool you ask -- let it suffice that when our children were still home they would put on coats and sometimes gloves before they would enter our room in search of their mom. Recently it has been much colder.) Of late, showers have been shorter and reading at night has been from beneath the protective layers of blankets. Just when I thought it was going to take some serious green to get the heat back on, I pulled of the cover of our thermostat and found all I needed to do was replace four small AA batteries.

Tonight I am thankful for heat, walls and a roof over my head as I hear the wind howl and rain beat on the roof. I think of my ancestors who came across the plains, some in handcarts. I can't even begin to imagine the incredible challenges they faced daily, not to mention the lack of a warm and protected place of shelter as the rains, snow and wind came. Sleeping on the freezing ground. I complain about a shower in the cooler house -- when I think of my pioneer ancestors, somehow my troubles become so much less.

To my wonderfully talented daughters and wife who express themselves in words so much more clearly, succinctly and with true wit, I will attempt to learn from and follow your example.