Let's Have a Look-See

Callie. Spencer and Scott were home for Christmas. They each bring something to the party.   Calie brought the Menora. She is trying to learn more  about Spencer's Jewish heritage.   Spencer made Halla.  It was delicious.  Scott wore his Santa hat again. I really can't tell if likes Christmas, but he always looks  festive.   The dogs were nice enough to pose. It was a good day  I spent the week delivering gifts to some of my many single friends.  I used some pillows, quilts and homemade bread.  Life is good. Jesus is real. He matters.  Merry Christmas sweet friends.

Raona Richards Hall Raona was born in Oakley, UT, to Ralph Ashton and Ida Naoma Laney Richards on 30 June 1930. She passed away peacefully while sleeping on 7 December 2022. Raona grew up on a dairy ranch as somewhat of a tomboy. She worked hard and loved to read, often lying on the back of a horse with a book while tending the cows. After graduating from South Summit High School, she moved to Salt Lake City to work. In 1950 she married Howard Gallatin Hall, and together they reared eight children. In 1953 they settled in Yuba City, CA, where she lived the remainder of her life. Raona was an intelligent, caring person who served in her church and in the community in a variety of ways for decades. Her service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints included leading women’s and children’s organizations, maintaining instructional materials, and serving for many years in the Oakland and Sacramento temples. She also served full-time missions for the Church: first in Alabama with ...

Wes's mom passed away on December 7 2022. Although Wes claims that it wasn't a surprise, it was to me. She had been healthy and living in her own home. Wes's brothers checked on her and feed her every day. She had extreme dementia and was very confused.  This is the last time I saw her, June 2022. Her passing has been hard on me and some of my children, as our relationships with her were strained. I don't know how it is on Wes because he has not said one word about her since she passed.  She was always different.  She watched a college football game during our wedding reception. Thirty years later she introduced me at church as Kay Empeys daughter, not her daughter in law. Im mot sur she ever excepted me. She really had no relationship with Callie and Richard ever. The truth is that she had Social Anxiety and never reached out for help.  I thought how awkward it must have been for her to reunite with her family on the other side of the veil. I hope that m...

My daughter loves to visit New York and go to shows. She has become very familiar with the city as she and her friend that lives there have spent days walking and enjoying sights.  She really wanted me to go to The Music Man with Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster. I put it off until I recently found that airfare was more than reasonable and that the show would close in January.   So we left Idaho and flew to another land... far, far away. Here are the highlights and the pictures. We walked about 13 miles The weather was mild We spent a much on 3 Uber rrdes as airfare The show was fabulous.  Everything she said it would be and more.  World Trade Center Memorial  Fancy breakfast  First park Mood A little bit of heaven Yes please Another park  Rockefeller center Busy sidewalks; dressed in holiday style American Girl doll store; great p...

When I found out that this year the World Cup would be in Nov/Dec my first question was, How are we supposed to work?  Well, I decided to bring it to work with me. I searched Amazon and found some fun World Cup bulletin board stuff.  I'm ready to make new World Cup memories.  I'm so thankful to have past memories in my heart. It will never be the same as having boys yell GOOOAL and run out the back door for a lap around the yard or walking the streets of Uruguay during a game and hearing the cheers from inside houses, but new memories will be sweet.  Go Uruguay 🇺🇾 

I have been teaching lessons on Dia de los Muertos for two weeks. I teach the same lesson 3 times a day. It was a lot. It is a sweet holiday that invites the spirit's of those who have passed on to come  Back for a visit.  For me, they visit more than once a year and they don't need an ofreda to feel welcome.  My favorite part of these lessons is a line from a student: Dia de lus Muertos is a time to honor our loved ones who have passed on, like my cat.  May your loved ones be with you; now and always.

A week ago I was so sad because I really wanted to go to Canada to see the Primary Program.  I just couldn't find away. I knew we couldn't do it in 3 days. It turned out that both Wes and I had a virus this weekend.   I was happy when my son sent me a link to watch it. I was crying from the start. It was really sweet. The girls did awesome. I was able to see Keith and Courtney also. What a blessing the internet is.  The Bishops comments where right on. He said how simple the tesrimonies of children are and he was just not sure how it gets so complicated when we become adults. He apologized for being human and making mistakes. I felt like his comments were for my daughter in law. I was touched.  God bless us all. 

Wes had a day off and we planned a trip to Hailey Idaho.  We went on the Bike/Walking trail for a couple of miles.  This valley is yellow.  Then we went past Ketchem and went down to the river.  The sky was beautiful.   Peace...

We went to see Scott and he took us for a hike in Logan Canyon.  It was beautiful.  Lots of colors Perfect weather I'm obsessed with the changing colors. Every leaf changes in it's on way a It's hard for me not to think of the tender mercies of God.  Changing of the seasons is such a reminder that He  loves us. 

I have been reading and reformatting an autobiography that was written by L.L.Anderson, my mothers maternal grandfather. He mostly writes about his work. He trapped preditors that would bother sheep. He spent a great deal of time in sheep camps. He also sheared sheep and worked as a Sheppard.  Callie, Spencer and I went to Hailey Idaho to watch the sheepdog competition. There were vendors there and basically every kind of product made from sheep and alpacas.  It was beautiful and inspiring.  My heart was touched in a way I didn't see coming. Having read and worked with this autobiography made me feel part of it.  The sheep didn't always cooperate but the sheepdog and Sheppard never gave up. Some runs were a trial of endurance.  I can't explain it, but I felt connected to this activity in so many ways.  We went on a river walk after.  Beautiful place. It was good for my soul.  ...

There were 3 Aspen trees planted very close to the house. They were beautiful when they were healthy. One was removed years ago. The other two have been dying for a couple of years. We had a guy come out and gave us a high quote, but the bigger problem was that he wanted to drive his big truck through the neighbors yard and take down the fence.  A couple of weeks ago, while talking to the Bishop, he asked if we needed anything. I said that we needed help with these dead trees. Next thing I knew a guy showed up and brainstormed. We set a day and it came down. We invited Spencer. He was awesome. It took about an hour and a half. I gave everyone a cinnamon roll, or 2, we were done. They missed the overhead wires and left the deck unharmed.   Tender Mercies

Okay. I lost my phone last week. I knew it was at school. I knew the time frame I lost it in. I searched everywhere.  Retraced my steps. Looked at everything I touched. No phone. Went home and had a great idea. Went back and it turned out not to be such a great idea. I ordered a new one. So of course I found it the next day.  While on a walk this week I came across these late summer Cosmos.   Love these flowers. They come to this side of the fence in search of sun.  They are such fighters. They find value in the light.  My other pathetic story. Both of my water bottles leak.   I love that they are memories of our trips. I love seeing the stickers and remembering the beautiful sights.  However, I'm kind of a perger. They leak. They are in the trash now. I still have the pictures and the memories.   To better week. It's Fall ya'll. 

In the last three weeks I have been to three funerals. It would be a lie to say it doesn't take something out of you. I was able to dress my sweet friend this week. It is an act of service that I have only done a few times.  But always find a very reverent and fulfilling experience.  Although all three of these ladies had  good, long  lives it is still hard to let go. I always feel the peace of the Savior at funerals.  Fingers crossed, no death notifications this week. 

We're having a heat wave. I may not be enjoying it but my flowers sure are.  Have a happy day.