"From my mission"

From my nephew's final missionary letter to his family from the field as he gets ready to come home next week:

"This might be one of the hardest letters that I have to write. My mission has meant everything to me. It has changed my life. I have learned so much. I have had some of the hardest experiences in my life throughout these two years. I have learned significant amounts from my mission. Some of the biggest are as follows." 

(And here's one:)

"Every single person on this earth has their own specific plan that God created for them to accept the fulness of the Gospel. If someone is lacking in a quality that bothers you, you need to understand that that person will receive an opportunity to change and we have no right to try to speed up God's process. God has a plan. We can't believe that we know what someone else should learn. God will teach them. Until then support them and love them with everything you have."

He concludes: "I cannot do anything except I do it for God."

I'd say he's got a lot right.

Validation

More (link) by Gary and Joy Lundberg... yup, reading this wise husband/wife team's "I Don’t Have to Make Everything All Better," I'm reminded to validate appropriately. My post this past March as I began reading the book touted Rules of Validation from Chapter 3 (link above) , listen, listen, listen, then understand – and these I've been thinking about and posting and practicing and it's like learning to ride a bike: get on, fall off; start and stop and start again; wobble, then not so much, then you're doing it! – and I'm back to the book and back in the introduction where this feels important:



"Validation is not a cure-all," the Lundbergs teach. "It is a way to get some relief from carrying burdens that are not yours. It is a way to let people close to you carry their own responsibilities, while helping them feel loved by you to a far greater degree. You may not believe this statement, and many don't at first, but it is true: You really do not have to make it all better. ☺ Validation is the ability to walk with another person emotionally without trying to change his or her direction."

90th birthday celebration

I loved being with Kent's family today two days before his mom's 90th birthday. (Kent's dad is 98 and a half!) We traveled to Idaho this morning and back home this evening... in between we had a good, good visit. You should have seen the surprise on mom's face as four of her six children and spouses (we met up at a restaurant for lunch, then went to the house together) trooped in her front door unannounced!

We'd kept our coming a secret – and because no one had called to say a few weeks or days ago they'd be maybe coming to celebrate with her, well, she'd even wondered if anyone was coming. What? Forgotten? Boy oh boy was she happy, she beamed most of the afternoon and couldn't quit exclaiming over having us all there!

Mid-afternoon the fifth sib arrived and the family pulled out the chocolate cake to go around again; toward evening the last came in with her husband, which is really the first (she's oldest). By then, gee, it was time for Kent and me to go, but we gathered for a family picture.

I loved being with Kent's family today.

Splash

Jenny and I tended the kids a couple of days ago for Amy... think we had fun?!!!

Girls night out

So last night we rented "Saving Mr. Banks" from Redbox and watched it, Jenny, Kent and I. I saw it first in the theater on New Year's Day and now it's for sale and rent as a DVD. Kent didn't see it with me and he liked it okay... for sure he learned a whole lot about the movie "Mary Poppins," even the songs from this 1964 Disney film every child in America can sing in his/her sleep (except for Kent) than he ever imagined he would.

Like he did with Winnie the Pooh in 2009 he may also do with Mary. Read the books. What if he even watches the movie, hey!?



And guess what?! I'm at Hale Center Theater tonight with Jen to watch a local cast perform "Mary Poppins," the Broadway version. (Kind'a weird, second "Mary" thing in a row, right?)  Jenny's long-time friend from here Diana is being Mrs. Banks and crazy! we got tickets on the spur of the moment for the night she performs! And by the way, Diana sings a song in the show called exactly that, erm, "Being Mrs. Banks," a real tear-jerker... boy can she sing! (Mother of four.) Wow!



You know, this version's different enough it kept us guessing what would come next though we actually can sing the songs from the first musical in our sleep. Since we were kids.

Hello, this isn't in fact the Disney film remade.

I love how kind of topsy-turvy things are in the Banks family... poor Mr. Banks indeed needs some saving and Mrs. Banks needs dreams to come true... and Mary's role in their household getting things "spit-spot" for them eventually. Imagination is all over this production; even so, so are doses of reality that I like better here than the lyrical "spoonful of sugar" mostly proffered by the Disney nanny. Way to go "Mary Poppins!" We love you!

Heady stuff!

It's not my husband's birthday yet and it's way past Father's Day, but oh it's time to say again I love this man. I've kind of romanticized this photo on PSE taken of him at Red Butte Gardens yesterday smelling the roses all colors of the sunset, so eye-catching. So attractive are they and is he even, bending close... I couldn't resist capturing him in the luxury of their wonderful perfumes.



A luxury for sure for him because Kent's hyper-sensitive to smells. Not all, he's quick to say, just artificial fragrances trying to mimic the real thing – or mask the real thing, like deodorants and air fresheners. I don't know how many times he's unplugged the Glade PlugIns in the dentist's waiting area when he goes there. Takes 'em right out'ta the wall! These are usually unobtrusive to my poor sensibilities when I'm along, but Kent is like stink on a skunk about deodorizers. Get'em out'ta here!

At my husband's request I live completely scent-free. I sure don't clean with, wear, or buy anything scented... and do, hello, buy into the severity of Kent's headaches and allergy reactions owing to the "awful stink" of chlorine, cleansers, detergents and deodorizers; and some lotions, perfumes and body and hair sprays. Happily he's into aroma-therapy with essential oils and, as these can be restorative (and I'm all into that too), it's great to once in a while infuse my bathwater with lavender. Kent'll swipe peppermint or sweet basil or eucalyptus across his forehead or at his temples before we sleep. Heady stuff!

I love looking at this picture of him among the roses. Funny, this morning I kind'a followed him around, kissing him on the lips each time I "bumped" into him. About the fifth time he said, how come you're getting so many kisses today?

I'm not getting the kisses, I laughed. I'm giving them!

Flapjack Feuds

We had pancakes for breakfast today. As I was making them Kent came to me with this cartoon in the morning paper. He he, love it!


-----

MOTHER’S DAY PANCAKES (this is my fave... I halve it for four people)
http://www.getnthekitchen.com/

2 large eggs
3 1/2 to 4 c. buttermilk (reconstitute powdered buttermilk if desired)
1 tsp. baking soda
3 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. sugar
1/4 C. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla extract, optional
1 Tbsp. butter, for frying

Whisk together the eggs and buttermilk in a large bowl. Add the baking soda and mix until combined. Add the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar; whisk until just incorporated. Stir in the melted butter and vanilla. Pour the batter into a pitcher. (At this point, the batter will keep for 2 to 3 days, covered and refrigerated).

Set a griddle or frying pan on the stove over medium heat.

Add some of the butter for frying; when it begins to foam, pour some of the batter into the pan to make pancakes of whatever size you wish. When the bubbles form on top of the pancakes, flip them and cook until the bottoms are golden brown.

Serve immediately.

Safety zone

A thing or two about keeping commandments from talks we heard in church yesterday.

First: "Commandments are not a fence, they're a guardrail!" Aggghhhh!

A joyful 'toon, by Mike Waters


Next: "God gives us commandments because He loves us



and we keep His commandments because we love Him."

Delighted

This day two years ago Kent and I were in Colorado celebrating with Robert and Jenny and their folks and friends the kids' marriage with an informal reception, and visiting Erin and Mike and kids. On this day I wrote that Kent and I woke early and saw bunnies, bunnies, bunnies in Erin's yard and neighborhood as we got out on a very early walk. There's tons of green space where they live and, so, animal life. The coyotes we also saw doubtless eat the bunnies, bleh, while the bunnies nosh on the neighborhood gardens, eh, all kinds of outt'a control. We took the kids that afternoon to see the movie "Brave," I posted. How CAN all this have been two years ago?

Omigosh, three years ago on this day here's what I posted: It's been a week (then this small prequel to the whole post by Winnie the Pooh):

"What day is it?"
"It's today," squeaked Piglet.
"My favorite day," said Pooh.
— A.A. Milne

Yes. Three years ago this day ended a week that included Kent going to Idaho for a couple of days to visit his folks then flying to Atlanta to work (his old job); dad deciding to absolutely move like out of nowhere from his home with mom to the assisted living center; and Jennifer's friend Robert, he he, coming to town to meet her for the first time. Really?

Just last year on this date I posted pics of mom and dad's wedding reception in Mapleton, Utah, from mom's scrapbooks. The 22nd of June last year was their 58th wedding anniversary which means today is their 59th. When I went downstairs to give dad their breakfast dad was at the computer creating an anniversary card for mom. Doubtless he'll address it (and write within it) to "Annie" and sign it "Willie." I love this about him. About them!

I'm gobsmacked they've been married so long but they better've.... I turned 58 this past April!

I remarked last post on the longest day of the year. I DO love the longest day each year even if I do go to bed in almost noon-bright light. The blinds drawn hardly darken the place. Is it like that at your house? I love this day and the days a little before and a little after where the light remains so long. Though maybe the 22nd, today, is actually the longest day of the year; dad suggests it routinely, reminding us we married on the longest day of the year. 

Whether or not, here's today dawning early and very bright. 'Twill will go on and on and on and, as days are wont in June in this desert, will delight me.

Very good

Pardon me while I post here yet another flower; erm, flowers, this first from my foray into Red Butte a couple of days ago with Kent oh my goodness I love that place and the second from two years ago at the International Peace Gardens. Pardon me please... as it's the zenith of the year now – this very day – and I was out two hours this morning oh! walking hard simply drinking in June roses.

I post below, besides, the sentiments of a master gardener entranced with this longest day of the year too, and these bright blooms (link), post from June 16th last year "O Gather Me The Rose."

"Our journey through the garden seasons never hesitates. We follow the molten sun in its long arc to bask in life giving sunshine. Cares and woes are far away, and a yard or two from sidewalks and active streets. Peace finds residence as the Earth tilts towards the sun for the longest day. There is much beauty here and evident in every garden! Trowel in hand, gratitude and love pervade the plantings. We are at the turning point and enter yet another season for garden delights."

"... Roses have no opinion on style as they have so much of their own. Each gardener adds a personal signature to their garden and nowhere is this more apparent than caring for roses. Not for the faint of heart, this ultimate expression of the romantic calls for gloves and courage. Each rose variety offers a lovely bloom and links this gift with the occasional thorn."

(How do I love this saying: “Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.”― Alphonse Karr, A Tour Round My Garden.  All said, while I drank in the roses' beauty this morning thinking about gardens, and then life, and then God [always], I am grateful that thorns DO have roses!)
------

(more from the master gardener)

"When the molten sun sets on the longest day,
begin and end with a silent communion with the natural world.

The joy of living is the theme,
and action is the key.

Savor the sun-warmed sweet strawberry
and gaze at the lovely rose.



Listen and you will understand the peace
that passes all understanding.

This is good, very good."  ―Leonard Moorehead

"The clear picture," and "never forget..."

I've relied all my life on notions that we're aided from the other side of the veil in all we do. I posted recently here, (link) with an illustration supporting my thoughts, and here (linky) not so long ago. Great reminders!

This pic reminds me help comes from THIS side too, hello! Here and now, yup, right beside us. From ones who love us and from ones we might never think possible.

Sweet baby

You know what? I stopped blogging four days before my newest grandson was born and I HAVEN'T POSTED ANY PICTURES of him here, aggghhhh!

Sweet baby James was born May 13th to Dan and Amy, their fourth. Isn't he wonderful? Oh goodness...

Family and friendship

There is a serious need for the charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged, aid to those who are afflicted. True charity is love in action. The need for charity is everywhere.

Needed is the charity which refuses to find satisfaction in hearing or in repeating the reports of misfortunes that come to others, unless by so doing, the unfortunate one may be benefited. The American educator and politician Horace Mann once said, “To pity distress is but human; to relieve it is godlike.”

Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down. It is resisting the impulse to become offended easily. It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings. It is accepting people as they truly are. It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim through time. It is resisting the impulse to categorize others. ~President Thomas S. Monson

I love this quote. I've never more in my life than NOW at this very age and stage doing exactly what I'm doing – being the mother of wonderful growing-up children and their spouses and their children, the wife of a fine, steady partner, the daughter of good and true parents who are enduring, and befriending wherever I go – STRUGGLED harder to obtain charity. Love in action.

Aren't we each struggling through crucibles in our relationships? The furnaces that are burning from us dross... know what that is? Foreign matter, dregs or mineral waste, in particular scum formed on the surface of molten metal... Firing and refining us literally to become clothed in charity? How does God in the heavens wear His burnings, His own glory, if not as a Being Himself made pure through such, at last, eternally and ever and ever, from ENMITY, charity's opposite? Which would withhold attention from the already unnoticed, hope from the discouraged, aid from the afflicted. Does find satisfaction in indiscriminately repeating the misfortunes of others; loses patience with one who has let another down, is easily offended, can never see beyond physical or worldly, attributes... will not accept weaknesses and shortcomings and people as they truly are.

Oh, our Father in Heaven's very Godliness is charity! He is Love so in action!

True friendships are based on the things folks have in common, not the differences we all do have. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf offered this for successful family relationships that works for friendships too:

In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time. 

Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home. 

We talk with, rather than about, each other. 

We learn from each other, and we appreciate our differences as well as our commonalities.

Whew, everything about becoming Godlike and charitable is the work I want to keep doing here and NOW.

Devoted

“The Lord has not chosen the great and learned of the world to perform His work on the earth. It is not those who have been trained and educated in the colleges and seminaries of learning, but humble men devoted to His cause whom He has chosen to take charge of the affairs of His Church, men who are willing to be led and guided by the Holy Spirit, and who will of necessity give the glory unto Him, knowing that of themselves they can do nothing.” — Lorenzo Snow, fifth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

President Thomas S. Monson concludes nearly every General Conference session by saying: "May we show increased kindness toward one another and may we ever be found doing the work of the Lord." I love this invitation!

I looked up the other day and realized we're now nearly three months past April Conference wherein we heard SUCH wonderful encouragement! Because I was unable to blog very well back in April I'm just now getting back to the General Conference posts [here and here] (links) I started and am finishing illustrating these... and how wonderful are the summaries I'm reading (I did get these posted then) from every inspired speaker! How better can we do the work of Lord than to study Christ's word through His servants the Prophets and Apostles?!

I said to dad and mom and Kent at the breakfast table recently I hate the noise of world news and have appreciated quiet times at my computer in the mornings rather, reviewing these Conference talks. I love to hear and read the Apostles best, I said.

Other words about me are clamor.

I so want to increase in kindness and be found doing the work of the Lord. I like this quote above which says I don't have to be great or learned to do it, just humble enough to be devoted to the Savior. This does apply to me. It applies especially to those called as leaders, but it applies to all of us who love Jesus Christ and long to serve Him and know Him.

He has given His angels

Quotation from President George Q. Cannon:

"Now, this is the truth. We humble people, we who feel ourselves sometimes so worthless, so good-for-nothing, we are not so worthless as we think. There is not one of us but what God’s love has been expended upon. There is not one of us that He has not cared for and caressed. There is not one of us that He has not desired to save and that He has not devised means to save. There is not one of us that He has not given His angels charge concerning. We may be insignificant and contemptible in our own eyes and in the eyes of others, but the truth remains that we are children of God and that He has actually given His angels … charge concerning us, and they watch over us and have us in their keeping."

Gospel Truths, comp. Jerreld L. Newquist, 2 vols., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1974, 1:2.

Our job

Lesson on passwords may have prevented abduction of Cub Scouts

In the local paper May 16th was this article Kent read to me aloud, titled: "SAFETY LESSON MAY HAVE FOILED ABDUCTION TRY." I have to tell you I really way really love this idea. Here's part of the article.

— About 5:40 p.m., two 8-year-old boys were in the parking lot of a church meetinghouse waiting for a ride home following a Scouting activity when a man drove up next to them.

“He got out of his truck and he said to the boys, ‘Your mom told me to come and get you. I’m supposed to take you home.’ And the other boy said, ‘No, you’re not.’ And he said, ‘Yes, I am.’ And (the boy) said, ‘What’s the password?’” said one of the boys' mothers.

The man, she said, told the other boy he didn't have a password and pushed him to the ground. The man then approached her son and again said he was there to take him home. The second boy also asked for the password. When the man didn't know it, both boys ran to the back of the church where other Scouts and leaders were still outside, the mother said.

Police are now praising the two Cub Scouts for taking the right action. The mother of one of the boys said she and her son had just recently established a password. She said it was part of his Scouting homework to talk about “stranger danger” with his parents. The mother said the password was something she never expected would come into use.

“I did it just kind of last minute honestly, just trying to rush through it and get the lesson done,” she said. “I really believe it possibly could have saved them both.

“He said, ‘Mom, he didn't know (the code).’ And I said, ‘I’m so glad. I’m so glad.’ You just don’t think that’s going to happen.

Passwords protect kids.”

Wild and lovely

Along my walk in May

A Pasture Poem

by Richard Wilbur

This upstart thistle
Is young and touchy; it is
All barb and bristle,

Threatening to wield
Its green, jagged armament
Against the whole field.

Butterflies will dare
Nonetheless to lay their eggs
In that angle where

The leaf meets the stem,
So that ants or browsing cows
Cannot trouble them.

Summer will grow old
As will the thistle, letting
A clenched bloom unfold

To which the small hum
Of bee wings and the flash of
Goldfinch wings will come,

Till its purple crown
Blanches, and the breezes strew
The whole field with down.

How have I loved passing alongside blooming thistle on my walks these May mornings! And then wasn't I too tired to go out at last, oh help, so here I come in June and – whew, roses! Thistle and now roses, weed and flower, armored and lovely... wild and beautiful are these wherever I look.

Banked Fires

There was an evening more than a week ago when Sarah and I went out from my house on a walk. We actually drove to a relatively flat main road above us and parked, then walked up and up the mountain behind the golf course and down the other side full circle to the car. Took an hour. In that hour the sun set and a fingernail moon emerged. We were breathless in every way, flushed with going together and going up (and coming down), and finally the beauty as day ended.

When we drove into the garage and right while we stepped into the house Kent walked downstairs. Was at the door greeting us with an open book in his hand. Such a smile on his face, awaiting. He's never met me at the door before but just hollered "hello" from upstairs. Mm, this was out of the ordinary.

I have something to read you he smiled at both of us and led the way upstairs to the living room where we peeled off our walking shoes and socks and lay, spent, on the furniture. He sat beside us, picked up the book and intoned...

I shall remember when my days are few
The twilight on a narrow, winding road;
The slender silver moon that days corrode;
The star that lent its loveliness to you.

The arching of a dream across the years —
I shall remember with the slow-winged night
The shadow of your hair against the light,
Of locust trees abloom with frosted tears.

I shall remember when my fires are low,
The way you looked at me; the words you used;
The fragrance of your hurried breath till, lo,
Through all the pain of love our spirits fused.

I shall remember when my fires cease
Your heart against my own — for that was peace.

Sarah and I kind of held our breath at this. After this. As Kent looked up... you know, from breathless to kind of breath-taken. How lovely is this poem! Bet you can't guess who wrote this, announced my husband and waited for us to say. Louis L'Amour! he enthused. Can you believe it?

Well I couldn't and I told him, but here it was and here was Kent all entranced and atwitter. Kent's collected every book Louis L'Amour has written... with the exception of a couple, this book being one (which he borrowed from the library and hadn't known was all poetry until he got home with it). So pleased he is to've read everything almost the man's written... and now, wow! This western story- and novel-writer this good with rhyme, this tender? This expressive?

Who knew?

Kent didn't. We sure didn't. High praise from all of us for his love poem here in the twilight of this pleasant almost summer day.

Oh the lovelies of spring!

Every year. Every year! Red Butte Garden... I walked it first this year on May 16th almost a month ago now. See how beautiful? (Need to go back, things'll already be different. Oh. Joy.!!!)

Luminous

This morning on my walk

Norman Maclean on Sunrise

"At sunrise everything is luminous but not clear. It is those we live with and love and should know who elude us. You can love completely without complete understanding."

Turkey, Kale and Brown Rice Soup

Giada De Laurentiis

Mm, had this for lunch today – I've made it before and remember how wonderful it is. The sweet red pepper I think makes it and I absolutely savored my seasoned homemade chicken stock everything floated in. Light and brothy, and this time I substituted quinoa for the brown rice. If you don't have (or don't like) kale, float spinach in it. I topped it with grated Romano pecorino and dipped a crusty piece of baguette in it. Wow good! Comfort food. And I need me the comfort! (Let me add hominy or garbanzos next time, yum, for a soft crunch.)

Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
5 to 6 large shallots, chopped
3 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1 1/3 cups)
1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1 1/2 cups)
8 ounces ground white turkey meat, broken into small chunks
1 tablespoon herbes de Provence
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, plus more as needed
One 15-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice, drained
1 cup cooked brown rice
1 small bunch kale, coarsely chopped (about 4 packed cups)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, optional

Directions
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the shallots, carrots and bell pepper and saute, stirring frequently, until the vegetables begin to brown and soften slightly, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the ground turkey and stir until the meat turns white and begins to color very slightly around the edges, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the herbes de Provence and stir, 1 minute. Add 4 cups broth, tomatoes and rice. Bring to a boil. Stir in the kale and season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and the freshly ground black pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Ladle the soup into bowls. Sprinkle each serving with parsley and Parmesan, if using, and serve.

It's been a month

Since I posted last I've had issues. Pain in my neck and shoulder and back and arm enough to keep me from sitting here. At this computer. Oh I've been sad.

I had to have it fixed.

My MRI and subsequent surgeon evaluation showed me I'd need an ACDF – anterior cervical discectomy and fusion procedure, never heard of this before – to decompress my spinal cord at the base of my neck. In essence I had a pinched nerve. (Never have this you guys if you don't have to. Never.)

See the orange in this pic to the right? That's the owie nerve strangled between bony protrusions of the vertebra, bone spurs, indeed (as mine was) shouting at the top of its lungs get off! Le' go! Ooouuuch! At the left see the happy nerve that has ooooodles of room to exit the spinal column normally and proceed out across the shoulder and along into the arm. (Well... or imagine all that.)

As shown below my doctor would cut into the front of my neck
and take out the discs between each of three vertebrae, C-5 and C-6; then C-6 and C-7. (So later he reported there was disc material shredded and floating in the space ew and he cleaned that all out.)

Front of the spine right behind the throat

The doctor would burr the bony protrusions smooth; drill a larger opening through which the nerve could exit – a foraminotomy; and put into the space between the vertebrae cadaver bone to act as new discs, hyperextending the spaces a bit. A donor graft has no capacity to generate new growth but is better than man-made material here; and easier than an autograft, bone taken in the same surgery from the patient's hip. Recovery in that case is known to be an ordeal... though patently your own bone fashioned into the disc and inserted might be the very, very best for you. Donor graft though seems most common and recommended.

See?



Coupla' other views...



Oooh, how about the "instrumentation," the titanium plate screwed over the cadaver graft into the vertebra? Cool huh... to stabilize and protect the fusing process over the next about year as bone cells grow together to merge the two vertebrae. In my case, three. About this I may have more to say as I heal. I can already tell.

It's been under two weeks since surgery. Just wanna' report I'm getting better. The biolagical glue on my incision isn't off yet. I haven't had my post-op visit with my new best friend the surgeon. Sarah my sister has no return ticket for flying to Hawaii; Sarah who's been with us three weeks since May 18th, pre-op and post-, waiting on us hand and foot, working alongside Kent doing my chores in this house and certainly appreciating this extended time on the mainland visiting our parents though on Kauai her husband's having to get along without her... sigh. I've been given no green light erm to get back to my real life. Though here I am this morning sitting at this computer blogging and now happy as a clam. Sure, a clam has no neck for all this to happen to.