Window Treatments

One of us in this house has been really busy. Look at how great a little window treatments make our place look. I have such a talented and creative sweetheart.

The Family Room:

The Spare Room:

The Kitchen:

Her Office:

Getting in Shape

My sweet & I have been getting in shape physically lately. We have been walking for many years - almost 20 in fact - but mostly for mental and emotional health. We are now trying to get in shape to at least jog in the Stake's annual 5K/10K run/walk. We will not actually be able to this year, but that is the subject of another post. We are undeterred in our dedication. We usually do this quite early in the AM, sometimes as early as 5:00 am. But last Friday we decided to go out a little later in the morning and use the Sutter County bike path. This is an old RR right-of-way that runs from Tierra Buena to Sutter. It is quite nice, even this time of year. Here are a few photos to let you all know what we saw.

Prune trees and palm trees . . . . that's Sutter County.

Here's a shot at a "ram in the thicket" - actually, in a field between two thickets. Those blackberry bushes really grow tall and thick.
Sheep Safely Grazing.

More updates on what we have been doing - this time with the emphasis on my sweet. One of the most amazing things she did recently is tame this great wheat bread recipe from Andrea. She takes it from the whole wheat grain to the wonderfully delicious product you see here. It is certain that man does not live by bread alone, but if he had to, this is the bread he would want.

She has also been doing a bunch of sewing. This is one of the many great talents she has. She made one of these bags for each of our daughters, including the ones we acquired through marriage, for Christmas. So the other day she grew tired of what she was sewing and whipped this little beauty out in virtually no time. What a marvel she is!

And, as many of you know, one of the annual marvels are these personalized calendars she creates each year, seven in all. Here is February of the one she made for us. It is beautiful - mainly because she is in all the pictures.

Coming Soon

Another of my recent projects has been helping my mother prepare a transcription of my father's missionary journal for publication. Here is a picture that will no doubt be included in the finished product. Those appearing here, from right to left, are: Elder HG Hall, Hubert ??, Eustace King, Elder Clark. The note on the back of the photo indicates that these two were "my best scouts".

Just as a teaser, here are some quotes from the journal, which, depending upon my success in formatting it well, may be around 100 typewritten pages. A few caveats: (1) the spelling rivals James' in creativity; (2) editorial comments [in brackets] are from my mom, as she was pretty diligent in maintaining the flavor of the original entries, which, by the way, are actually in very good penmanship - a trait that did not take with his 3rd son; (3) editorial comments in {this kind of bracket} are mine; (4) this is not your father's mission -- it's your grandfather's (or great-grandfather's as the case may be) -- to quote a wise historian: "The past is an interesting place, they do things differently there." Please enjoy.

Mon. Sept. 13, 1948
Mom brot {see what I mean?} Raona & I to Salt Lake. Raona started today at the Bishop Office building {Presiding Bishop's Office, where she worked while he was on his mission} as a filing clerk & typist. I registered at the mission home, where I renewed acquaintences with Sid Gilbert, Ross Hogan, Dave Bishop, Russel Hunt, & Boyd Rollins. I also made many acquaintences. Ross & I were given Room 316 in the Carlton Hotel with two other Elders.
We (the missionaries) attended classes all day. Then I went out to Richards’ [I think he means his uncle Richard Heaton] uncle Burnell was there. Mark & June & I took the station wagon, then went out to see Raona who was staying at her aunt Nell’s.
I returned to the hotel and studied the assignment which included memorizing the books of the Old Testament.

Tues. Sept. 14, 1948
I spent the biggest part of the day in the Temple. I walked with Raona, after work, to her bus. I ate my luncheon & supper at the Temple cafeteria. I also registered for the Draft at the Selective Service Board today. I studied the bible and attended an evening class in song leading.

Wed. Sept. 15, 1948
This morning I awoke early & studied, then went to the various classes of the day. I took Elders Hogan, Hunt & Gilbert up to the 4th floor of the [B]ishop’s off. bldg. to meet Raona. At 5:00 I went with her to catch her bus.
A health class was given in the evening.

Thurs. Sept. 16, 1948
The 373 missionaries in the home had their pictures taken today. Bishop Jos. L. Wirthlin gave a very good account of the church’s financial status & the part played by tithing, offerings, business’, Welfare etc. in the classes.
I met Raona, Reva & Nina for Lunch. Then went to Nina’s apt. for supper. Reva & Raona walked with me back to the hotel.

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Tues. Sept. 21, 1948
I went over to the Church offices this morning for my setting apart. I was set apart by Henry D. Moyle & was given a wonderful blessing. It told of my talents, ambitions, leadership activities and the promises in store for me. I was very pleased. I was able to talk with apostle Moyle for a short time after my setting apart, personally.
Charley & I went to the show “Luxury Liner”, with Reva & Raona. Charles stayed with me at my hotel room again.
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Sat. Sept. 25, 1948
I awoke coming into Cincinnati. We changed to a chair car for the remainder of the trip. Just out of Cincinnati a man four seats behind me died of a heart attack. I got into a discussion about two hours out of Roanoke, with a bible student. I did quite well, using common sense to disprove his thots and teachings. Upon arriving at Roanoke I met and renewed an old acquaintance with Jim Middleton whom I went to BAC {Branch Agricultural College - this college in Cedar City was, at the time, affiliated with USU, but is now Southern Utah University I think}. He and some other elders took Ross, Elders Call & Christensen and I out to Back Creek Branch to a party for an Elder Olsen who was leaving that Branch. After the party we went [to] Guy Ferguson’s home to sleep. As the butt of a joke, I preached the gospel to Guy until I found out he was already a very good Mormon.
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Sun. Feb. 6, 1949
Today I am 21 years of age. 5' 8" tall and weigh 158#. We had an exceptionally good Sunday school today and a fine nite meeting. Elder Baker & I ate over to Dewey and Nita’s. I wrote a quite a number of letters but didn’t any where near catch up. Elder Baker and I realized an answer to prayers as Asheal accepted the Branch clerk job.

Christmas Video 2010

Here it is . . . . hot off the press, or the laptop . . . . or whatever. This is a joint effort project where my sweet picked some of the best Christmas photos and I put them to music which you will all recognize from your earlier years. Hope you enjoy it.