Trotting off the turkey, and other Thanksgiving activities

Quent and Bev and family came to Blanding the Sat. before Thanksgiving, so they had a longer and  pretty restful trip.  They stayed at Grandma Perkins' home.  On Wed. we did a Thanksgiving craft activity with all the kids and had  a potato bar and ham.  That was easy and filling.  I'll have to remember to do that again.

After breakfast Thanksgiving morning, (thanks to Nathan & Tammy), we went on a hike along the West Water trails.  It was a beautiful day.  We stopped here at the pavillion, and the kids immediately found frozen ice to break up, then climbed up to the flag pole.

Next we made our way to the towers.  The kids had a lot of fun, as did Leah.  Laurie wasn't able to go, as she is getting treatment for a wart on the bottom of her foot, and is a temporary invalid.  Brendan's friend Joshua also came with us.

Hunter, are you looking for dinosaur eggs?

Autumn made stuffed pasta shells for supper Thurs. Yummy!   We stayed up and played games most nights, which was fun for us.  Wed. night, Carl Whitehair came by and we fed him too.  He is one of our favorite YSA kids from the dorms and a friend of Corey's. 

We had Thanksgiving dinner on Friday, with 19 of us there.  It was wonderful having so many of the family with us.  We took a few minutes and did a Thanksgiving alphabet appreciation activity.  The kids participated really well, and Sage kept us on track.  Nathan and Tammy left shortly after dinner.

Nathan helped us set up a wireless connection so we can share files, and access all printers.   (This was the last meal I used this set of  plates, which I've had for 20+ years.  I set them out on the corner, and some needful person has them now.  I had more china sets than I needed.)

The next day Chris and his family went to Tooele to help install a fan and water softener for Nathan and to cheer for BYU. We love it when our kids get together with each other, even if we aren't there--though we wish we were.

 I have to admit though that I tried to orchestrate a few too many things, but between Steve and I we did manage to get most of the Christmas presents wrapped, and a special "Pay it Forward" home evening activity put together for each of the families   We gave each family $50 and challenged them to use it in ways that would "Pay it Forward."  We hope to have a report from each family on what they did.
We also presented a book of our family's "Proclamation"  to each family after dinner.  It took several weeks to put it together, but it was a gift of love, and I hope each family will cherish those ideas, and use it to teach and keep their families strong. 

  Here are some of the pages I especially love.  All the time and tears and prayers we spent raising our family was worth it.  We are so thankful for each of our children and their spouses, and our wonderful grandchildren.

October-Nov. Ramblings

We're sure glad we have a young man with a healthy appetite living with us again.  Corey is good to help eat up the leftovers; however, his bowl isn't usually this big.

About 3 days before the first snow storm, Dad burned the huge pile of prunings, clippings, trash, etc. that had been accumulating for 5 months in the barn yard.  Wish all the little Yahoos had been here to run around the fire hollaring!

This is the most beautiful rose I raised all summer, though it actually fully bloomed after the first snow fall. It is from one of the least expensive rose bushes I ever bought and is also the hardiest. It also smells the best. Wish I knew its name.  Grandma Murphy would have loved it!

This is what our yard looked like the day after I cut my last roses.  It took about a week for the rose above to fully bloom, but it was a glorious end to summer.   We also enjoyed the heavy snow storm, which was beautiful in its own way.

Back on the Sea Again

Oct. 8 I can’t sleep tonight; images from the Angles and Demon’s movie must be waking me up! (Actually I discovered, when Steve got up, that I had set my alarm clock one hour back, instead of one hour forward, so it is 6:00 AM instead of 4 AM. That makes me feel better! Hated to waste that good sleep time by being awake!) The movie was a very intense and well done. This is one case where I liked the movie better than the book. I didn’t like all the gory death scenes in the book.

The show was projected on the gigantic screen outside, so we were sitting on lounge chairs, and the waiters bought us popcorn, pizza, cookies and milk—how cushy is that! Ron Howard was the director and the scene from the Vatican were amazing. I’m sure The Catholic Church didn’t allow filming there, so everything must have been constructed replicas, which were amazing.  It was a little windy, so we had jackets to keep warm.

New friends we met and dined with often.
Robert & Diane Widdison on our right have relatives in SJC

We are on the long voyage home now. I think 7-10 days is enough vacation for me; I’m starting to feel like a real bum, and am ready to get home and do something useful for the world. Yesterday we went to the ship’s book group of The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. There were only 4 of us there, but we had a good discussion. The assistant tour director led the discussion, but he wasn’t a family man, so I don’t think the book had much meaning for him. However, for those in the Church who recognize the importance of families and generational connections, it is especially meaningful, as we know the eternal nature of families and the importance of passing on a legacy of values and character, and optimism. I hope you will all read this book.

Afterwards we played Trivia with about 100 people. A lady from the book discussion and her mother-in-law helped form our little team. We got 19 out of 20 right. We would have gotten all of them, but couldn’t understand the Welsh accent of the MC (who was also the book discussion leader). He was asking for a synonym of “awes” meaning to cross water. We tried to get him to spell it, but he wouldn’t…What he was trying to say in “real English” was oars. If we had been able to translate, we would have gotten the word paddle!

One of the theaters on board

We’ve finally been able to rouse some interest with our group in playing games, and have met at 10 AM the past few mornings and have taught them about 4 card games. We also learned one called Thirty-one. The only problem is that the tables are so small, that we’ve had to change the game of “Nines” down to “Sixes” but it is played the same way. Yesterday as we were leaving I spotted another group playing the same game, but they call it “Dumb Luck” which is a better name for it!

Our tour leader Len Geertsen with Marilyn and JT Beech from St. Anthony

Attended a Latin a musical called “Caliente” two nights ago—getting us ready for Ensenada, I guess. It was very energetic and fun. Earlier this week they had a Luau at 10:30 PM. We stayed for awhile, but it was a little rainy and we left after a quick nibble at the buffet table. This could qualify for one of Dante’s Inferno punishments, with piles of food surrounding people who are trying to overcome food addictions! Dad has done pretty good on food control and is walking about 3 miles each morning. I’ve been a slacker, but did get up yesterday and resumed my regime. It’s only 65 degrees right now, so I’m going to wait for another hour or so to go out.

Kaua'i and Mau'i visits

A visit to one of the few privately owed Macademian farms

Missionaries established this home in 1823

Largest Banyan tree in the United States

Oct 5. We’re at the last island Mau’i. Where we landed is the setting for Mitchner’s book Hawaii. Lahaina is the little town where the first protestant missionaries came in 1823, and many of those early buildings are still there. It was very interesting seeing what parts of the true story he had used.

This is all part of the same original tree

Planted in 1873, to commemorate 50 years anniversary
of  Missionaries in  Lahaina

Besides  the historic walking tour, we did some shopping. In the early afternoon went on the Atlantis, submarine trip. It was quite interesting. We went about 100+ feet down, and saw thousands of fish, 3 sharks, and scuba divers along the coral reef.

The shortcut to the chapel

Oct. 4—Kauai--Len , our group chaperone, Steve and I caught the Hilo Hattie’s shuttle, and made our way to an LDS chapel which was only about 3 blocks away from the drop off point --where we were able to listen to the final session of Sunday conference.


 It started here at 10 AM. The talks were very encouraging and uplifting, like a light in the darkness. We heard that night that a new temple has been announced for Brigham City. Two couples in our group were very happy about that, as the Ogden temple has parking space problems, and this will eliminate that pressure.

Church in Hawaii, complete with walking shoes.

In the afternoon we walked over to the beach so I finally got some sand and water on my feet and legs. I’m re-reading The Last Lecture, so that was uplifting too to read on the sand. Steve wandered around and took pictures. I figured this was probably going to be my last chance to actually get in the water, and I didn’t want to miss it.

Hilo and Honalulu Oct 1-2

Beautiful beaches on every island.

Friday Oct. 1: We had a very pleasant day on “the big Island of Hawai’i. We docked at Hilo in the morning, and by 8:30 we were off on a tour of the “windward” side of the island.

Our tour guide was very personable with lots of interesting stories, about the island. 

I didn’t realize it, but there aren’t snakes or other predators in Hawai’i…so it’s not quite so dangerous if you get lost in the jungles..just lava tunnels to fall into and volcanoes that might erupt. The mongooses (mongeese?) have kept the snakes at bay, but not the rats and mice because they aren’t nocturnal (a word CJ once told us when he was about 2 years old!) So they don’t have the same sleep patterns. We also learned a little about how to pronounce the language, which only has 13 letters in their alphabet, and some things about their culture and history. 

On the way to see the Akaka Falls

 We got to walk through a jungle wonderland in order to see beautiful waterfall.  I was expecting to see strange animals at every corner, but it was just pure vegetation.

The biological gardens at Hilo were one of my favorite places to visit.  They were amazing, with brushes, trees, and flowers of all kinds beautifully landscaped.  We had a soft drizzle most of the time we were there, but were in carts, so it wasn't a problem.

Orchids at Nani Mau gardens

We also visited a macadamenian plant, which had cute quilts.  

I'm "nuttier" about quilts than nuts!

Kona Coffee Bean plantation
Saw this on the way to the Blue Hawaii filming area.

Botantical Gardens of Nani Mau in Hilo

Hawai'i All Hands On Deck

Post #2 We’ve had to change our watches three times so far, and Dad keeps getting up earlier and earlier as a result. I think he left at 5:30 to go walk Wed. morning. I only got in 8000+ steps today and yesterday, but am so thankful I’m not seasick any more. We’ve attended a couple of lectures about the islands, as well as about whales, marine life, language, Hawai’ian foods, etc. Dad ate snails and frog legs for supper tonight. My most exotic thing has been to try sushi and cold apple soup.

We haven’t been able to talk any of our group into joining us to play games this trip. All the wives say their husbands don’t like to play games, so I guess I’m lucky to have one who does. Tonight we played 5 Crowns by ourselves.

I spent most of the day glued to Dan Brown’s Lost Symbols. Finished it Thurs. morning. It was surprising how many of the ideas – especially in the final chapters of the book, parallel LDS beliefs. Usually people are criticizing us because we believe that man is as God once was, and as God is, man may become. Brown also espouses the idea of intelligence and spirit given to us by God, that we’re created in his image and can become like him. Nice surprising ideas coming from a popular writer, since I had expected him to attack the Mormon-Mason connection.

We’re re-reading The Last Lecture, which will be a book discussion on the return trip. I highly recommend it for all those with children still in their jurisdiction and care. Lots of good ideas.

The Widdison’s in our group celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary today. She is a 3 year survivor of cancer. Another lady at our table is a 5 year survivor. Have also made friends with a couple from St. Anthony Idaho..the Beeches. They are farmers, but she worked at the Rexburg hospital for 52 years.

It has been quite hot out on the decks of the ship in the afternoons. There are 3 big pools, and several smaller ones, which we have yet to try.

Hawaii here we come

Bon Voyage Sept. 27: We're off on a great adventure to Hawaii. Theron delivered us to the SLC airport, and we flew out on Delta at 8:30 for LA. The Princess Cruise line had reps there to pick us up almost immediately, and we had very little down time at the airport. However, we couldn’t board the ship until 12:30, so they took all the cruisers to the Sheraton Hotel where we filled out our boarding papers, and had some refreshments.
Sunday when we left, the San Pedro Harbor the rocking of the boat wasn’t bad as the water was still. We met most of the other nine couples going with Brent Judd, and enjoyed a good musical welcome at the ship's evening program.

Day Two took a decided turn to dampen my ardor, as I suffered surprisingly from vertigo, and my usually steady feet make me look like a drunken sailor—or maybe a tilting tailor. I was pretty content to stay in bed, sleeping and reading most of Monday, though I did put in an appearance briefly on the promenade deck, and at lunch and dinner. By evening Steve was coming down with a sore throat, so he didn’t go to the “Words and Music” musical tribute to composers: Cole Porter, Leonard Bernstein, and others.

As usual, the cruise ship meals are great motivation for getting up in the morning, but I am trying hard to avoid things that are disgustingly delicious, carbo-laden, having no redeeming value to a recovering sugar addict. We eat at the fancy dining room in the evening with others from our group, but get to pick and choose for the other two meals. Steve & I have been walking each morning so we don't get too carried away with our luxurious life style!

I’m missing my soft comfy bed, and have to do extra stretches to get moving each morning, as this bed is none too comfortable, though Steve says he likes it.

The Golden Princess is making her first trip to Hawaii this season, and is filled to capacity. They were the #1 cruise ship last year, and one of the biggest with 2600 passengers. With the staff of over 1100, it probably has as many people as the berg of Blanding aboard! There are many people from England aboard, and the staff comes from Australia, Philippines, Hawaii, and many other countries, so there are accents galore, which makes it fun as we become acquainted.

As of yet we haven't found anyone who likes to play cards, though often the wife would join us if the stogy husbands would. Maybe today! I did play in a ping-pong tournament, and didn't fall down, which is often quite a feat when you're back-handing a flying missile. It was fun!

Last weeks of summer

A beautiful quilt Alta finished: Sis Dille, Juanita, Wanda, Bernice, and
Rachelle helped tie it.

Aug. and Sept. have flown by. I've been canning 2-3 days each week and have done lots of beans, tomatoes, and peaches, plus applesauce. Dad says there is only 1 more box of quart bottles and 1 more of pints then all the empty bottles will be filled. We've had quite a few peaches given to us, besides the ones I picked at Hovenweep, and then Dad picked some out at Dick Watkins' this past week. Most of those we sent back with the Waunekas to Ganado. Their son Corey is living with us this school year and going to college.

Last week we traveled down to Ganado for a Gilbert Kinlichee's funeral. He is the grandfather to the Burnette family. He was killed in a roll over, Tues 8. It was a very sad thing for their whole family. We went to the last "gathering" Friday night. Typically, Navajos meet four nights in a row, prior to the funeral, and have a chance to share their feelings, and memories about the deceased, and get comfort and support from one another. At that time the extended family and friends, bring food, and contribute money to help pay for the expenses.

We spent about 2 hours there, and counseled with the parents and grandkids. This was the first family we taught in Ganado, so we know them very well. We stayed overnight with Corey's Aunt Wanda. We did a major picking of our garden the day before and fixed 22 sacks of produce for the members there, as well as prepared food for the Kinlichee family.

Sat. morning the missionaries called and asked us to meet at the church at 9 AM before the funeral at the Presbyterian church. Unbeknownst to us the branch had made us a quilt after we left, using photos taken at our farewell party. It is such a wonderful gift, and brought back s many memories. It was really a special occasion for us. There are 30 blocks each with photos of our wonderful friends in Ganado.



Monday the Waunekas brought Corey up, and we had a cookout that evening with Rob's family, and the Camps (Baptist minister across the street), and some other neighbors. It was a nice evening, and then the Wauneka's drove home afterwards.

Rob has been busy for about 3-4 weeks getting the Memorial Golf tournament organized to raise money for a bench w/ photo and dates of Brian, Eric, and Kim. He had a lot of discouraging moments during the process but stuck with it and the results were great. They ended up with 15 teams and raised enough to pay for the bench, which I think will be on Hole #7. I'm really proud of him, for initiating the idea, and for Kathryn and Ethan for supporting him. I know the three families appreciated it as well.

Last week was peach pie delivery week, I think I made about 6 or 7 that we took to other people, They were so yummy. We also went to Beppy Gibbon's funeral last Thursday. Dr. Gibbons also has cancer, and he has given himself 3 more months to live. I think he may be right. He was really a good doctor to our family, and delivered all except the first and last babies I think.

Autumn and Theron are on their Wyoming adventure through the park and into Cody. Theron took first again in his category at the Lodaja madman's competition. They left from there on their family vacation.

Rachelle Chung is coached by Debbie Bayles

Our big tour de force last weekend was getting this big wheat order delivered and distributed. There was 4.7 tons of wheat delivered at 5 PM Friday, plus 11 five gal buckets of honey and 14 cases of olive oil. By 6:00 3/4ths of it had been picked up. It was a miracle as Corey's mom and myself and Sister Chung were supposed to be to the quilting workshop by 6:15. Whew.....Thanks heavens for those tender mercies of the Lord. It was a blessing. It was really a fun time with the Blanding quilters, and they were so helpful and friendly to my Ganado friends. They want to come back and do it again.

Friday night the guys went to the ball game. We could hear the noise of the game at the Sr. Center where we were working, but we think we had the most fun. The Waunekas and Sis. Chung stayed two nights.

It's a good thing they brought their truck, as we sent the little blue table back with them for his sister's hogan, plus 3 pallets from the wheat truck, and about 6 boxes of produce. They helped us pick beans, tomatoes, grapes, onions, squash, etc.

Tomorrow I'll can more peaches, and then need to go to the nursing home to play the piano, then AR at night. I'm going to use our new quilt as a metaphor. Alta told me the first time they set the blocks together they were all crooked and not aligned, so she and Wanda took it all apart, and they restitched it after squaring up the blocks. I think that correlates with repentance in the addiction process, so I hope they'll appreciate the analogy.