Scotland, Cambodia, London, Japan

I have not, "in the past", been hooked on specific blogs and made a habit of looking at them regularly. The exception would be family blogs. I find I have some time Sunday AM that I didn't have before and have gotten in the habit of looking at some specific blogs.

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Cambodia, a couple on a mission, London, the same except he is a cousin, Japan, both from the point of view of a neighbor who works there a lot and takes great pictures and an occasional look at a mission president we know about. Then too not really a blog but a weekly or so newsletter from Nauvoo, again a couple on a mission. It is interesting to see first hand a lot of things that otherwise we would not see. The pictures above are from Scotland and Cambodia. No need to guess which is which.

Trivia?

The phase, "I spent a month there one night" was used by Kramer on a Seinfeld episode called "The Merv Griffin Show". George and Kramer were talking. GEORGE said "So they're flying the tiny instruments in from El Paso" KRAMER answered : El Paso? I spent a month there one night.
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Yesterday I got a note from one of the guys who worked for me the summer I worked in El Paso, course I ought to say I spent a lifetime in El Paso one summer.
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Another guy I used to work with came by to talk a little today about his next job move. Another one I used to work with changed companies today and called to tell me. A guy that worked for me 8 years ago sent a note last week. I suppose you have to decide at some point was the experience you got in the name of "getting experience" reall worth it. Sometimes it seems as though the people you meet along the way make it worth it and then sometimes you wonder where they all went. Even when a lot seem to pop up more seem to be long gone. It would be useful to meet some of the folks in "another life, "I think".
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The mountain is in El Paso by the way. Kind of reminds me of the place.

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I guess I will just title today's post "Trivia". Trivia it is indeed but then on the other hand at least it is of some interest to me, I think?

Same place that we saw him last time................

We stopped this morning on our Saturday walk to say hello to this buffalo. He seems to always be waiting for us in the same place. Exactly the same place for that matter.

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Yesterday I went out and lightly jogged for 4 miles. Today it was probably about 3+ miles but in both cases it was farther than I had gone in a long time it seems.

Some just bring "hope"

Summer will come...................

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

- Isaiah 40:29-31

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The 13th Article of Faith

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We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul - We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."

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- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

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I am pondering the idea of "hope" some today. Where does it come from? We have hope that the tree will again regain is leaves. We have hope in a better day. We find hope when we leave our place and step out into the world. We know that "He" can indeed give strength to the weary, but how does he do it. My conclusion is that "He" uses people to bring "hope". Some people just by knowing them bring us "hope"

Could these thoughts be original, or maybe I just read that somewhere

It has been a while since I read King's book "A Memoir of the Craft - On Writing". I like the note in the inside flap of the cover,

"If you don't have the time to read,

you don't have the time or the tools to write."

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When I read this I figure I ought to be a better writer if for no other reason that that I have found a lot of time to read. I would agree that the more that I read the more I want to and when I give some thought to "reading" it leaves me with some questions about why it helps one to "write". The easy example would be to pause here and mention why reading is important and to draw on a book by Harold Bloom titled "How to read and Why?" and mention the quote from the book that sort of ties in here. Bloom answered he question by saying:

Why Read, "Because it Matters".

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So now that I have practiced what King suggests, drawing on my reading to write this, I still wonder where one finds an "original thought".

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Do "original thoughts" exist? That is an interesting question and might be worth some focused writing. I don't see any original thoughts in the politics of the day or our times in general. The news doesn't bring original thoughts to focus but the news can and does seem to make people think that it is all new. Original and unique problems they have brought to our attention. Guess that is good writing. Guess we should be saying thank you. Drawing from the old and making it sound different pretending it is original. Guess Fox News and CNN, and any thing titled news, is a good example of why both the statement from King above and from Bloom are both true. No on second thought it probably has more to do with King comment than Bloom's. The fact that I found something to write about from Bloom illustrates the point. Using the statement is of more value than the statement itself. Finding a comment on "What Matters" is after all just a way to be creative, or pretend to be, rather than finding what does matter.

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Another conclusion from all of this might be that the news probably doesn't matter as much as what you have spent your life filling your mind with. King seems to be implying just that. Of course I am putting some words in his mouth here. He suggests you can not write, or I would suggest be creative in your writing or thoughts, or hope to find something original, without reading or looking at what already was presented as original. His point suggests that compared to having read about something the flip side would be turning on the news and being sold on the originality of the completely un original.

Saturday sun Day

Today and especially yesterday have been sunny days. Went for a walk in my short pants. Felt the sun on my face. All good things.

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Such a Day, What a Reflection

March 10th ...Happy Birthday to my daughter. I looked for some "memory" type pictures that might help bring attention to this day. The best one was the picture of what is most important to her. It was indeed her reflection that was the picture.

It isn't easy to think of Katie without thinking of her smiling

Her kids are special and she is reflected in them.

It is really something to be a father and have a little girl.

Two very cute, very important special people in my life

How did that little girl become a full partner in helping her family so early in her life. She was a friend from the beginning

A dad has a short, short, time where he be with a young lady of such elegance in a picture like this. Such an adventure with such a young lady.

This picture reminds me of her "social side" but it also captures her mother service and love. She devoted her own life, like she later did, to her own children............... above all else.

Like the lady in the middle................

yes indeed, imitation is a sincere form of flattery............ Most who come to this blog will recognize where the picture came from. Some, or at least one, will recognize that quicker than the rest. I was taken by this picture and pondered it for a while. I like the idea that it is indeed "an idea unfolding". My thoughts on it, not that anyone asked, starting with the women in black and white suggests that our "day to day" is or probably just becomes "black and white" and this starts and marks an expression of escape from the "day to day". The lady in black and white shows us her thoughts starting with the pure white on her head. The pureness of her attempt at thought then evolves and changes, (perhaps which each blog) and pesents itself in new color and form. Not just color but several varieties of "her self". What she becomes is still her but each time a very different, "her". Guess that is what a blog does for us.....................

A Saturday Blog of thoughts

Looking back over this week I again think of some of the things I have read as much as the things I have done. I have been reading about a number of the Apostles and leaders in our Church and likewise about some of the authors that have stood out over the years. Two authors, B.H.Roberts and Hugh Nibley both caught my attention this week. Roberts was discussing the idea in a book I was reading that was taken from the scriptures that "there must be an opposition in all things" as really something that is a blessing. Of course that opposition is often between good and evil but it is also a little basic to everything. That opposition helps us learn. Pleasure and Pain are in opposition and both can serve good ends as well as not so good ends. We learn from opposition. All of it isn't about good and evil of course. Opposition exists "in all things" is the point.

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Then Nibley in a book was discussing "Contention". His point was that contention is not a good thing. People get mad at each other over points of view and differences (opposition) and then it ends in "contention". His point was that we should listen to others points of view without a spirit of contention.

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It seems to me that the goal to avoid contention is often in opposition to the reality that there is opposition in all things. Galatians got it right in it's definition of Gentleness.

more about growing things

Yesterday's blog focused on the "type" of cactus that I found a lot of in the High Desert area near the mountains to the East. These at times appear almost white and are really pleasant to look at. I found my trip to an area full of these as one of the points in the last week that I thought was worth capturing. Course the week itself was much more than one trip. I finished a book I enjoyed. Now the issue is to finish off a couple of others I am working on and to figure out what to order next. I suppose I could focus on today and mention how great it was to get a pair of suspenders hook up to my dress paints. Then I might add a disclaimer. Having typed about sage brush, reading and suspenders as "highlights" I have to mention that I don't think I really am "old" in the sense of having lost any perspective. Blue Skies this week were good too and I am aware of a perfectly wonderful person upstairs that takes about Blue Skies all the time. She puts pictures of a lot of neat plants on her blog and for that matter suspenders are just cloths and what is wrong with mentioning clothes? Heard on the news that some teacher had been fired for mentioning that she didn't like her students or their nutty parents on her blog and it was found and her claim was that she was just recording things for herself. Well I am pretty safe in making that claim. Another highlight this week was the blog of KJ. Great Blog.

Brown is Beautiful

Sagebrush this week was one of the highlights. I drove East to a meeting with those that I work with and went into an area called "High Desert". It may be one of the most stunning areas I have seen in New Mexico and it is about 3 miles away. None of these particular pictures really capture what I saw and I wish I had my camera. Course you know who would have had one with her. The sagebrush in the area was almost white and it just created even through a neighborhood a unique feeling of "high desert".

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Brown seems to be far more interesting than we thought when we first came here.

more events

This picture is from last summer and was taken in Temple Square. It was a good trip and we enjoyed our time with family and together. Today I was wondering what else I should have included in my brief "Round Up" last week. For some reason I looked back over months instead of weeks and this moment came to mind.

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I just finished reading the Book "Spencer W. Kimball" by Edward Kimball. I had recently read "Lengthen Your Stride" by the same author. I have had this book on my self for a long time. In the inside front cover is written, in my mom's handwriting, "Brent: Happy Birthday from Mom & Dad 1980"............. I am really not sure if I read the book back in 1980 or even since then? I might have, but I might have just skimmed it, or maybe I didn't read it. It has been on my shelf of important books ever since I got it) I am pretty sure I would not have thought about the book in the same way even if I had of read it then. On the other hand, if I could go back in time and read it in 1980, and get the same things out of it I did with this current reading, (that probably is the real challenge) I know it would have been a real help and a blessing. To see the human side of such a strong individuals as both President and Sister Kimball, and to see through their actions what was most important on a day to day basis is such a valuable insight. Even though President Kimball had a big impact on the church as a whole it was his personal "day to day", never ending focus on just showing love, that I thought was of most importance in looking closely at his life through this book. As I read a variety of books that touch one some of the same individuals I realize that we really can come to know them. What a good experience that is.

a roundup of sorts.

Who is this guy and what did he do this month? ( some folks might call this a roundup as a label to put on all the stuff done)

Well first off the last week is well worth rounding up, but as a whole this roundup will include all of January and through today in February.

Looking back at the week, first.

Post from the NM Gas Blog: IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GAS OUTAGES
When gas will be restored: We will keep you informed as soon as we know when
we can begin to restore service.( good news here is our gas did not go off)

Quoting from my favorite blogger, about our weather, she said this: "So let's recap - Tuesday was a "snow day", Wednesday was an "ice day", Thursday was a "too cold to start the buses day", and Friday is a "no natural gas" day. Welcome to the "bizarro world"."

Well then to keep the week interesting Saturday was the day the church was found flooded with water from broken pipes in the ceiling. The fire system broke and a 3 inch water pipe pushed out water at 100 lbs of pressure all night. The building floors, all of them, are gone. The ceilings in the hall are gone. It will be a real project to get this back to being able to use.

I enjoyed a couple of movies. Victoria and Albert, and Social Network.

I have especially enjoyed reading a lot of books this month. I finished "Lengthen Your Stride" about Spencer Kimball. I am well into another one on the first part of President Kimballs life. I re read N. Eldon Tanner his Life and Service, and read An Abundant Life, The Memories of Hugh B. Brown, a biography of James Talmage, a biography of B.H Roberts and my favorite for January was The Biography of Gordon B. Hinckley.

Yesterday KJ pulled up this picture of me. She took it from a family group picture and it in some ways becomes one of my more current pictures. When I first looked at it I saw it side by side with one I use more often when a picture is needed. It was taken before this one and it, unlike this one, does not show the face wrinkles and what I see in myself is just a little less zest than what I have had over the years. It wasn't a picture that I would think of first when I might "picture my self in my own "minds eye". Course I suppose no one would envision them self as they really are. Nevertheless this reality is part of my roundup.

Lots of progress this month in finding names of ancestors.

Spent several nice weekends with the boys and KJ.

Some Sunday morning stuff

Ancestors are interesting. Two parents, and 4 grandparents mean you come from at least 4 locations, or lines. Both of my Grandparents on one side come from Wales. Llanllwni, to be specific. Course that town is just for one of them. That is my cousin Bob standing by the sign a few years ago.

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Today I had some time on my hands, which is rare on Sunday's, so I was looking through some old correspondence and sent off a few notes to folks I had not connected with in a long time. Passed on some pictures too. I cam across a story about Malad Idaho so just for the blog of it, here it is.

William Cole (aka known as Billy The Kid) rode into Malad in the spring of 1869. He was wounded and suffering from severe wounds. He fell in love with a widow lady with four kids and married her. Her name was Susan Palmer Debuke. They built a cabin in the St John area. The cabin still stands on Tom Palmer property. They had one child after being married for a year, but he suddenly up and left town without warning. The little girl child and her mother left Malad and joined her parents in Peru Nebraska where she died in 1924. Jesse left a poem for his wife titled: GRASSHOPPERS AND CRICKETS:

Things look desperate and awfully sad.
For we are just about to bury the city of Malad..
Their long melancholy faces with their sad frowns
To see the last shovel full thrown on the town,
Their will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth
If the revolation fails to give them relief.
Oh! what a burying it would be,
It would break many a heart
When boys from their true lovers will have to depart.
They will wander througth the valley among sage brush and thickets,
To leave old Malad to the grasshoippers and crickets
They must throw aside lieing with others deceit,
for the devil make take them all in a heap.
Remember old Malad has drawn its last breath
And all we can do is announce its great death.
For the devil has charmed them by some unknown spell
For the first thing we know we are all heaped up in hell.
If the people don't try to make some resistance
I will bid farewell and disappear in the distance.
I will hoist my sails and hoist my banner
And bid farewell to my own dear Anne.
For I think for our move we are the devils relations
And he can't help us by his revelation
And all we can do is to buy our traveling ticket
And leave old Malad to the Grasshoppers and crickets.
William Cole Year 1870

(original spelling and words in the poem)

Another interesting picture

I posted some pictures yesterday of KJ and today I will follow up with one that I like of us. Again I borrowed it from her blog.

A day to remember..............

A couple of nice pictures to post in honor of "her" birthday. I like the one on the bench. I was not there when it was taken. Zach and KJ went to the bio park and took pictures and I "borrowed" this picture from Kathy's blog. I like the colors and it sort of "says" Kathy. I also like the one in the woods. A favorite outing last fall. We enjoyed a morning walk along the river.

With all our heart

A quote I liked very much from this book was originally one from Stephen Ambrose who said, "The past is a source of knowledge, and the future is a source of hope. Love of the past implies faith in the future".

In order to really know who we are we often have to look closely at our heritage and our roots. Roots can be found in a lot of ways. People of course, our own lives, and the core of our beliefs.

This book brings all into focus and helps us draw even more on our faith.

Today is January 1st, 2011. I finished this book today. When I think about it I have a lot to be grateful for today. Kathy of course. One son is back where he went on his mission visiting with people he learned to care about. The other is helping someone who needs the help move. Those things are worth being happy about. Our daughter is with her good family and serving them with all her heart. Again something to feel good about.

Not a bad start for a new year.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A3RX9706A2ZP8F?tag2=bjsran-20

looking back, again

I remember living in the little house behind this one and then when this one was built by my dad moving into it. My guess is that this picture was taken before the house was completely finished. I have no idea where this window is in the picture above but find it interesting to not the less than total happy expression I had on my face. Perhaps I didn't like looking out that window. My expression in front of the hose does not seem to be one of just being glad to have my picture taken either but then I seem to be serious. I had plenty of hair on my head which was and would be a good thing. I remember last week sitting in church next to a little boy about the same age as I was in this picture and he had hair much like this. He seemed to be pretty cool in my opinion. He too just sort of went about his little project of laying out some toy army guys and sort of had a similar expression on his face.

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I started out trying to pick a couple of "favorite" pictures from my group of pictures for a year end post. I quickly found that it was too hard to do. In fact I need some new pictures so I hope to find a couple for tomorrows post. I did like this old picture of Pocatello showing the 1st ward building where I went to church from about year 7 to 14 or so. The picture is a little older than I remember. In back of the Chapel to the right in the picture was a recreation hall that must have been added later. To the left across the street at an angle was the old library. I used to go in that library when ever I could and really enjoyed it. The kids part was downstairs and the the main floor and upstairs were where the more interesting stuff was. Off to the base of the mountains to the a point about a third of the way from the right edge was the area where our house was. Back the other direction from the mountains, not shown in the picture accross the street the other way from the chapel was the Bannock Hotel. Just going into this hotel made you think you were in a city and anywhere but in a rural community. Then going back for a few streets was downtown, the movie theaters and some stores. When I was as young as 9 or so I would walk to primary and likewise to the show on Saturday. Of course we had a river running by the house but that would be a long story. All in all I think it was an interesting period of time and place to grow up.

In the countenance of others we see the face of the Lord

Looking back at this year one area to consider would be to consider the books I have read. Wondering if the books as a whole indicate anything about the particular year. I guess that could be the case. I think this year has been one where more time was spent on trying to improve "inside" rather than "outside".

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I am not sure that this is a full list and most likely I have missed some things that would have been worthwhile to have listed and thus reflected on some.

Of all of these books the one that I have reread again and enjoyed was the one about the life of David O. McKay. Enjoyed may have been the wrong word to use on this. I understood things more completely and felt that it was important to understand what was presented. It made a difference. All of these books this year or at least these that I recall have had an impact and made a positive difference.

I like what Harold Bloom said in his book "How to Read and Why"". He first answered the question, "Why Read?" His answer: "It matters". He suggests that one of the uses is to prepare ourself for change, the final change. To weigh and consider. He suggests to not attempt to improve your neighbor or your neighborhood by what or how you read. He says that self-improvement is a large enough project for your mind and spirit. He also adds that A scholar is a candle which the love and desire of all men will light.

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Prince & Wright... David O. McKay and The Rise of Modern Mormonism

Alexander, Thomas... Things in Heaven and Earth, The Life & Times of Wilford Woodruff

Durham, G. Homer... The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff

Parry, Peterson, & Ricks... Revelation, Reason and Faith

Kennedy, Edward M.... True Compass

Widstoe, John... A Rational Theology

Widtsoe, John A... Evidences and Reconciliations

Madsen, Truman... G Eternal Man

Nibley, Hugh... Nibley on the Timely and the Timeless

Muhammad, Ali... The Soul of a Butterfly Reflections on Life's Journey

Ferrell, James... The Holy Secret

Ferrell, James... The Peacegiver

Tamale, posole, doughboy Christmas thoughts

Merry Christmas is the correct post for today. We started it all out last night with Tamale's and Posole. If we went back 10 years and imagined a Christmas started out with this food it would have been "hard" to imagine. Things turned out odd. I actually find the tamale and posole a very festive treat for the holiday. Today has been been good too.

I was looking through a journal that had some good memories of past special occasion. It had one of my favorite "Far Side impressions. A guy on a big roller chasing a little doughboy. The caption " The Pillsbury Doughboy meets Franks Asphalt and Concrete Paving Service. The little doughboy was running fast. Guess this must be where he went. (to see the doughboy shrink)

That said, Merry Christmas, again.