My 2012 Predictions

Every year, I make predictions for the next year. Usually I get a little help from my brother, but this year, I decided to do it on my very own. When I make predictions, I realize some of it is a recollection of what happened in the past year. This year, I realized that my predictions are a reflection of me. One prediction that I have for past decade that I miss making is Osama Bin Laden. I had fun making predictions about his capture or lack of capture. None of my predictions came close to what actually happen. Osama Bin Laden Prediction are being laid to rest this year. (2011's prediction and result: Osama Bin Laden's tapes will be found in the archives at the New York Times. They won't be aired because no VHS player can be found. He's deader than a door nail on May day. But at least I have the Airport Guy to keep me going, unless he gets voted out of office. Then I will be up a creek again.

2012 Predictions
1. The world will not end as predicted by the Mayan calendar.
2. Utah State, BYU and Utah will win their bowl games.
3. While Kevin waits for his visa, he will serve stateside in New York.
4. Jazz will go to the playoffs and also beat the Lakers. You never know, so don't laugh too hard.
5. Vanessa and Crystal will vote for a winning candidate or two. Yes, the two will be old enough to vote. May their dads rest in peace.
6. Gabrielle will give birth to a little girl on May 29th.
7. Airport Guy will be barred from the Salt Lake International Airport and will travel by Amtrak to and from D.C.
8. Orrin Hatch will retire. It has been decades since i was 18. Yeah it's time to turn out the light and go to bed, Hatch.
9. Obama will order members of Congress to quit whining and get to work. The same with the Senate.
10. Political talk shows will lose their ability to whine, yell, find fault, rant, point fingers and other forms of bad speech as their ratings fail and Americans get tired of their bs.
11. Nancy Grace will host her own show on Comedy Central. (She makes me laugh with her antics.)
12. The American public will start a petition on Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets to demand that Congress , Senate, White House (elected & non-elected) officials and other elected officials give themselves a month without pay so that those in the armed forces, senior citizens (except millionaire retirees) and low level government employees can have a raise.
13. The Tea Party and the Coffee Party will both brew at the polls.
14. Sarah "Perky" Palin will be forced out of the closet when it is discovered that she likes coffee more than tea.
15. BCS will go bankrupt and lose creditability; then become the laughing stock of the football & sports worlds.
16. Mary will visit Utah and see the new Natural History Museum and Red Butte Gardens.
17. Crystal will run a full, yes full marathon at the end of April or August. Or the first weekend in October. If not, she will run a half marathon.
18. Susan and Jewel will check out a ebook from the library.
19. There will be new faces in Washington DC from Utah and a few other states due to the 2010 census.
20. Dana will go into major shock when his youngest walks into kindergarten classroom and his oldest starts her post-secondary education.
21. An announcement will be made in General Conference that a temple will be built in the San Luis Valley. Okay Southern Colorado. (John Taylor's son once said in a stake conference in Manassa that a temple would be built in the area. Someone also prophesied in a stake conference in the Mini-Cassia area that a temple would be built. In 2008, the Twin Falls temple was dedicated.)
22. As usual there will be a change in face(s) at Income Accounting at the University of Utah.
23. Some matchmakers will hone their skills and a few good men will consider their martyrdom. Disclaimer: this does not mean there will be wedding bells.
24. The prison walls will not fall around Warren Jeffs, but a wall will fall on him and his reign of terror will end for many of his followers.
25. Jason will teach his nephews & nieces the fine art of texting (jexting). Watch out parents, aunts , uncles & Vanessa.

A few questions for 2012. Will Utah and BYU play their last rivalry game? I hope not. And will Notre Dame play BYU? Now that could be a holy war. Will my Utes and Dana's Dawgs meet up again? I kinda enjoyed that rivalry. And will a buffalo be hidden on Utah's campus like a cougar was hidden 25 plus years ago? I probably won't know because I don't read the Utah Chronicle. This is my new look for 2012. It is only a haircut, but hopefully it will a part of my new year resolutions not to wait a year before I cut my hair. Hopefully at the end of June.

Christmas 2011 Newsletter

Every year I write a newsletter to my family and friends. This year it was a last minute effort, but I did sum up what happened in a somewhat uneventful year. Maybe it seems uneventful because I couldn't remember everything I did, so this what I came up with.

Dear Family,

It is a week before Christmas and I am finally getting around to writing the annual newsletter or form letter as I sometimes I want to call it. It has been a rather boring year as far as traveling goes. I didn’t leave the state of Utah all year. Mary did not visit, but Laura and her family did, which prompted me to leave Salt Lake County to watch “17 Miracles” in Davis County.
John did help get me around this year even though his car is ageing faster than most UTA buses. He took me to Riverton to see the dentist and a few trips to Costco. He also drove Jay and me to Park City in August, which is in Summit County. Okay I left the county twice. Jay and Tina, a friend from high school ran the Park City Half Marathon. While we were waiting for the race to begin, we visited with an old neighbor from the ward we all moved from. Of course, I had hot chocolate at McDonalds while we waited for Jay and Tina to cross the finish line. There is just something about a cold August morning in Park City.
All of us are still working at the same place and attending the same wards. I doubt that will change in the coming year, but you never know. But there were a few changes. The annual rivalry game was held in September instead of November. It just wasn’t the same and it wasn’t just different dates for both teams. BYU was independent and Utah was in the PAC-12. But I did enjoy a rivalry of sorts with Dana, when his Dawgs (Huskies) played my Utes. I am officially his auntie now.
Even though I was in Utah when the earthquake on East Coast occurred; I did experience it. I was talking to one of the borrowers when suddenly I heard some rattling in the background. Over the phone, it sounded like tea cups shaking in a china cabinet. She did confirm that it was earthquake and Washington DC doesn’t get earthquakes.
I did take up drawing, but not in the usual artistic way. But more in the therapeutic way: definitely in a way to express myself. I am not ready to call my self artist, probably because I use a pencil and scratch paper to draw my subject. I started my art therapy at work on the last day that student could pay their tuition before their classes were dropped. The events of the day gave me my inspiration for bad.artIst@woRk label. I have since drawn quite a few, some not so nice and others, just for laughs. Some I have included in my blog (http://idahoinutah.blogspot.com) that I started at the end of January. Right now the heading reads “Life on a Single Road”. I may be single, but I do have some stories to share. Some are current like OJ story (February) and Morning in Park City (August); others are memories like His Greatest Race (October) and the Walking Around the Block (also February).
I understand that the world will end in 2012. Well, I have news for you; I plan to be around for 2013, so I hope the upcoming year goes better than predicted. Take care and enjoy the Holidays. That includes Christmas and New Years. Ciao!

Christmas Memories

I woke up alone this morning. Jay went to Idaho with John. I have to admit it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I went to the church at 10:30, since I was the only librarian in the ward (which is why I stayed behind.) It was nice to have a peaceful morning. First thing I did was log onto Facebook. I know I am addicted to Facebook, but I had a cousin who was born on Christmas. I posted quite a few likes and watched a YouTube video that my sister shared. It was Simon & Garfunkel singing "Silent Night", one of my favorite Christmas carols. I liked the simplicity of their arrangement. It was just them singing and the piano playing. I also saw some pictures that a family friend posted. The picture of the stockings laid out on couch brought the memories back. Chelsey was continuing a tradition that Kevin's family has had for years. Kevin's mom, Jewel would hang a stocking for each family member on the fireplace. Santa would fill the stockings. Little Mark (Kevin's brother) twice saw her fill the stockings at 3am and even saw his dad, Chuck bring the gifts from the garage. So I am surprised that Mark believed in Santa after that. The Pughs also had a tradition that the youngest opened their present first. One Christmas when Crystal was 6 or 7, she asked her dad if the order could be changed. I guess she was tired of being first and probably she would always be first. That Christmas, Chuck was the first to open his presents.

I saw a neighbors' child at church. She will be a year old in January, so she is celebrating her first Christmas. I remembered Jay's first Christmas. He was bewildered at all the chaos. One of Jay's presents was a squeaky toy. He stared at the toy as Mom squeaked in his face. Or maybe Jay was bewildered at us older children being too rambunctious. And maybe he wasn't quite awake yet. John liked to get up at 4am, maybe it was 5am, but he was always way wired for Christmas morning. Some years I was too. I remember once, getting up on the hour every hour to see if it was time. That had to be the longest night for my mom. Growing up, we always did a Christmas program on Christmas Eve. My mom probably thought of idea as way to keep up later.  John would always read "The Night Before Christmas" and Mom would read "The Fourth Wiseman". We would sing Christmas songs from the hymn book or another song book that we got from King's in Rupert. Someone would recite Luke 2 and maybe some of Matthew.

Probably the Christmas that I remember the best is when the furnace broke. I was in 1st grade and Mom was expecting Jay. Mom bundled us up and took a trip into town. Not sure if we went to Paul, Burley or Rupert. When we got home, she sent us to bed. The electricity had gone out also. She called the furnace man, but he couldn't come out until the electricity came back on. I remember waking up, it was dark, but I could the hall light shine beneath the door. I could hear noise, so I asked my sister, Mary what it was and she said it was Santa. I believed her and I still do. The furnace man gave up his time with his family to fix our furnace, just so we could wake up early to open presents from another Santa.

Why Christmas?

This is not my own story at all. I had a rare opportunity to go to Relief Society this past Sunday and the teacher shared this story as part of her lesson. I was so grateful that she printed hand outs of the story.
There was once a man who didn't believe in God, and he didn't hesitate to let others know how he felt about religious holidays, like Christmas. His wife, however, did believe, and she raised their children to also faith in God and Jesus Christ, despite his disparaging comments.One snowy Christmas Eve, his wife was taking their children to a Christmas Eve service in the farm community in which they lived. She asked him to come, but he refused. "That's ridiculous!" So she and the children left and he stayed at home.Awhile later, the winds grew stronger,and the snow turned into a blizzard. As the man looked out the window, all he saw was a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening. Then he heard a loud thump. Something had hit the window; then another thump. He looked out, but couldn't see more than a few feet. When the snow let up a little, he ventured outside to see what could have been beating on his window. In the field near his house he saw a flock of wild geese.Apparently they had been flying south for the winter when they got caught in the snowstorm and couldn't go on. They were lost and stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter. They just flapped their wings and flew around the field in low circles, blindly and aimlessly. A couple of them had flown into his window, it seemed. The man felt sorry for the geese and wanted to help them. The barn would be a great place for them to stay, he thought. It's warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm. So he walked over to the barn and opened the doors wide, then watched and waited, hoping they would notice the open barn or realize what it could mean for them.The man tried to get their attention, but that just seemed to scare them and they moved further away. He went into the house and came with some bread, broke it up, and made a breadcrumb trail leading to the barn. They still didn't catch on. Now he was getting frustrated. He got behind them and tried to shoo them toward the barn, but they only got more scared and scattered in every direction except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where they would be warm and safe. "Why don't they follow me?!" he exclaimed. "Can't they see this is the only place they can survive the storm?" He thought for a moment and realized that they just wouldn't follow a human. "If only I were a goose, then I could save them," he said out loud.Then he had an idea. He went into the barn, got one of his own geese, and carried it in his arms as he circled around behind the flock of wild geese. He then released it. His goose flew through the flock and straight into the barn- one by one the other geese followed it to safety. He stood silently for a moment as the words he had spoken a few minutes earlier replayed in his mind: "if only I were a goose, then I could save them!" Then he thought about what he had said to his wife earlier. "Why would God want to be like us? That's ridiculous!"Suddenly it all made sense. That is what God had done. We were like the geese- blind, lost, perishing. God has His Son become like us so He could show us the way and save us. That was the meaning of Christmas, he realized. As the winds and the blinding snow died down, his soul became quiet and pondered this wonderful thought. Suddenly he understood what Christmas was all about, why Christ had come. Years of doubt and disbelief vanished like the passing storm. He fell to his knees in the snow, and prayed his first prayer: "Thank you God, for coming in human form to get me out of the storm!"

Author unknown

It’s Done???

Believe it or not, my Christmas shopping is done and I did most of this week. I bought some calendars sometime this fall. One I gave away at the work Christmas party at Ruby River. My boss loves it; she has a thing for cupcakes. But despite my early start, I felt like I was a point zero until Friday when I got home and pulled out my to-do shopping list. I started the list Satruday when on a whim I picked up a few items. Tuesday the bookstore had their annual employee appreciation day. From 3pm to closing time, everything in the store was 30% off, but only to those who showed their staff ID. I came home with a few items, none which will go to family, since most are BYU fans. Earlier in the week, I had asked for Friday off. When my co-workers were reporting to work, I was buying a gift card online. Then I hopped on the bus, caught Max and headed toward Valley Fair Mall. Except I never got to the mall, I stopped in at Staples to use the restroom and before I left I bought more gift cards. Then it was to the eye doctor’s place where I picked up my glasses. That was the real reason for heading out to West Valley. I saw Deseret Book in the Valley Fair Mall and decided against it, I wanted to take the Green Line to downtown. While I was downtown I bought another gift card and an actual gift. Then I ate at JB’s where I bought some gift certificates for my Mom’s birthday, which is in January. She likes the JB’s in Burley where they treat her like a queen.
Yesterday, Jay put up the tree. It is now decorated with lights and some garland. It isn’t finished yet because none of the ornaments are on the tree. Jay usually does the tree; I haven’t had much to do with the decorating, except for providing a helping hand when needed. When I started working at the University six years ago, the loan collectors told me that I had to put up the tree since I was the newest employee. That did not set well with me and as a consequence, I became a scrooge when it comes to decorating the tree. Even in my later years, I get rebellious when I feel forced to do something. But I am still glad the tree is up and people have decorated their yards. Christmas lights make a dark December seem more joyous. Yes, the Dove Wrapper has it right when it reads “Joy is contagious.”

My New Toy

On Thanksgiving weekend I bought an iPad. Since late January or early February when Lisa, the head boss over Income Accounting made an executive decision that we could no longer check our personal email,Facebook accounts and other pleasures online, I began to seriously consider buying an iPad or laptop. Needless to say, the laptop didn’t get too much consideration. It would easier to put an iPad in my bag than a laptop.
Every once and awhile I would stop in to the bookstore on campus and ask questions. After talking to my sister, Mary, I decided that I would buy it from BestBuy, which is just a very short walk from one of the Trax stations, so that even made it more attractive. Darren and Mark, my friends who are iPad owners were helpful in the final days. Especially Darren, who answered quite a few texts and even returned a call, and I was convinced when I saw a BestBuy insert in the Thanksgiving edition of the Tribune. When I was buying it, one of the salesperson commented that iPads are never on sale. Even the computer specialist at the bookstore who sold me a carry bag for my iPad agreed. Once a year the bookstore has a sale tax free day on PC’s and such. The picture above basically says it all. It was one of the few I have taken with my iPad. The quality isn't that great, but the look explains my curiosity and confusion with my iPad.
My adventure in acquiring an iPad ended but the education adventure has just begun. The Sunday after I brought the iPad, I started a week-long journal. Here is some of which I wrote.
11/27 I need an education in learning how to use this. I feel so stupid, but in time I will learn.
11/30 I am charging this iPad for the first time. That is easy. I decided to wait until it was almost gone. Not sure if 27% is enough, but I decided to give it a shot. I told Arnold about my iPad, but I don't think I will bring it in tomorrow. It is the 1st of the month & the phone will ring like heck. Another reason I don't want to bring it is that the wind will be crazy. I grew up with crazy wind. My hair was styled by the wind. Well, I better let this bozo charge up.
12/01 YES!!!!! I downloaded my 1st app; iBooks. Don't have anything on it yet. But maybe I can check ebooks from the library. I have so much to learn about this iPad & the sky is the limit to my learning. I'm strongly leaning toward taking it into work so I can access the wifi there. I used to access the wifi on my Nook. I am happy that I downloaded my first app.
12/02 I took the iPad to work. It was a bit of a distraction. But I did get to use the wifi at work. I signed on as a guest of the university. I found 3 more free apps to download. I was not sure how well I would be able to use the wifi because the last few I tried to asses the wifi at work for my Nook, I had problems. Et vas nova. I think my Nook is dying a slow death. I may either buy a new one or get the Nook app on the iPad.
12/03 I took my iPad to the library in Holladay, which has WiFi. I thought I would have better luck than I did with my Nook, but no. I was able to access WiFi but I could not connect the Internet. Maybe I try again on another Saturday. I just ran out of time, well more like patience. I still had to go grocery shopping and eat lunch.
12/04 I took the iPad to stake conference this morning so I could take notes. About halfway thru the last speaker I realized I needed to turn the sound off because of the clicking sound the keyboard made when I was using it. I hope that the old people who we were sitting by didn't get disturbed by the noise. Hopefully they had bad hearing & could not hear my keyboard. I want to get the scriptures on here and then just take this to church instead of the quad. The pages are falling away from the binding.

My Gratitude Lists

The first part of this blog is from my Facebook notes of a year ago. The second part is what I wrote a week ago (but have edited during the week.)

My Gratitude List
by Susan Jackson on Thursday, November 25, 2010 at 10:50am
Here are some of the things I am grateful for. These are the ones I thought of, so I am sure there's more.
1. I am grateful for the peace of mind that I feel in my life. Sometimes it doesn't seem like it, but its there.
2. I am grateful for faith and hope. There have been so many times in my life that I have had to rely on faith and hope.
3. I am glad that prayers are answered. Sometimes they aren't answered in the way I thought it would be, but my prayers were answered in the way I needed them to be.
4. I am thankful for those who placed in my life for a reason or a season and I am grateful for being placed in other's life for the same.
5. I am thankful for the simple pleasures in life, especially when I seize the moment to enjoy it.
6. I am glad for home to live in, transportation to get around, a job that helps me meet ends and my health.
7. I am grateful for my family. They are wonderful support system.

Taking a Minute to be Grateful.
November 17, 2011
Thanksgiving is next week and I realize I do have a lot to be grateful for. Probably the first to come to mind is the kindness of others. I don’t have a car and yet, people are willing to give me a ride. Sometimes the kindness is just listening to me vent or sharing chocolate. Probably, the second thing I think of is my job. I haven’t had a raise in over 3 years, but yet I am still gainfully employed. I will take no raise over no job any day. Cabin fever gets old fast. And since it has been cold the third thing that comes to mind is the ability to get warm. Sweatshirts, socks, shoes, blankets, the furnace, a warm building, hot chocolate and other things. And who can forget family, the fourth thing that I can think of. My family isn’t perfect, but they are there for me. My brother takes me to the dentist and my sister calls when I post a concern on Facebook. And Facebook bring the fifth on my list. I have hooked up with quite a few friends from high school, old roommates, former co-workers and extended family too. And with, the sixth thing comes to mind, friends, especially close friends who are like family. The Pughs have blessed my life greatly. And there are friends at work who care about me. Even the bus drivers take the time to care. And I am grateful for my beliefs, which brings the list to No. 7. My beliefs give me an anchor in my life; somehow it makes sense and my beliefs give the ability to exercise faith. As end with the eighth item, I think of a younger Jared. When I asked him years ago what he was grateful, he said his life. I was surprised by his answer, but he was right. Being grateful for your life says a lot. My life probably hasn’t turned out exactly the way I wished it had, but it has good nevertheless. I have been blessed through out my life and for that I am grateful.

GRADITUDE LIST FROM 2007-10

A few years, okay four years after teaching some Sunbeams (3-4 years olds at church), I decided to keep a running list of graditude and not wait until Thanksgiving to do it. As you tell by the list, I kept up with the list quite well, but as time went on - well, I got distracted by life. But since it is November and Thanksgiving is this week, I thought I would share the list that I have forgotten. (Its been over a year since I last updated the list.)

June 3, 2007
I am thankful for my ears. I can hear the car when it has problems with the battery. My ears also hold up my glasses so I can see.
I am thankful for my nose. I can smell things when something is wrong.
I am thankful for my eyes. I can see to read, drive and enjoy the beauty around me.
I am grateful for vans. They provide shade for my car on a hot day.
I am glad there are bus stops by my home; I can still get to work.
I am thankful for my feet, I can go places when I can’t or don’t want to use the car.
I am grateful for my free bus pass from the University. It saves me money, plus wear and tear on my car.
I am grateful for small pleasures. Chocolate cookies and other small pleasures help me seize the moment.

June 17, 2007
I am glad that my Dad still loves and cares for me. I sense his presence when I need him the most.
I am grateful for shelter, especially when it is extreme weather. Protection from the hot in the summer and protection from the cold in the winter.
I am thankful for my family. They are the best support system a person could ask for.
I am thankful for my friends, the Pughs. They are also the best support system a person could ask for.
I am glad that prayers get answered, even when it isn’t what I expected.

June 18, 2007
I am glad for service projects. It gives me that warm fuzzy feeling and it is helping someone out who needs it.

June 30, 2007
I am grateful for those who listen to the spirit. Tracina listened and she and the baby are alive.

July 8, 2007
I am grateful for my pioneer ancestors who never gave up, especially those in the Willie and Martin Handcart companies. Who would I be today?

October 26, 2007
I am glad for weekends. It is nice to have breaks from the mundane work week and the rat race. I am glad for five o’clock. It signals a change of scenery during the week.

November 11, 2007
I am grateful for water. It quenches my thirst, it is cleans me, it helps conquer drought conditions, it soothes me, it helps me cook, it puts out fires, it comforts me when sick, it refreshes me after a rainstorm, it washes my car.
I am glad for newspaper. They keep me informed and enlightened.
I am grateful for books. I can visit the world without leaving my home. I can learn to cope through other people struggles.
I am glad for photos that my family sends to me. I can keep up on the changes that happen to family members.
I am thankful for the friendships I enjoy; those at church, work, school, the neighborhood, the bus, family, relatives, where I do business and chance meetings.
I am grateful for examples. Those who set examples guide me in the right direction and are a good support system.

November 18, 2007
I am grateful for the University of Utah. Not only has it provided me an education, but thru the services available, I have found housing and jobs. I met people who have touched my life. It also provides me with opportunities to serve. There are payroll deducts to Road Home and there’s the Holy War.

September 30, 2008
I am glad that I was let go from Blue Cross when I was. If I was leaving with the rest of my department in December, I would be facing a worse economy. I have a job at the University of Utah and while it doesn’t pay what Blue Cross, I am working.

November 23, 2008
I am thankful for my family and friends. They are my support group. They love me regardless.
I am glad I have a job. The economy has gone south and I get quite a few calls from borrowers who need an unemployment deferment on their Perkins loans.
I am grateful for text messaging, Facebook and instant messaging. They are about the only ways to keep in contact with a teenager or young adult.

November 27, 2008
I am grateful for the things I have. I have what I need.
I am grateful for the simple pleasure of life. Smiles, a piece of dark chocolate, a text message are just a few of the simple pleasures I enjoy.
I am grateful for the kindness of others. A free computer, a roof over my head, etc.
I am glad that Crystal cheers for BYU. It has made the rivalry fun for me again.

July 25, 2009
I am glad for TV. I got to watch the parade on TV instead of getting sunburn watching it.
I am glad for UTA, it gets me around.
I am grateful for reusable grocery bags. They are so kinder to the fingers than plastic bags.

Aug 8, 2009
I am so glad for family. I enjoy their visits.

November 29, 2009
I am grateful for kindness.
I am grateful for my sight and for being able to see sunlight with impaired vision.

December 23, 2009
I am glad for friends who invite us into their homes and for former sunbeams who remember me.

February 8, 2010
I am grateful for those who have passed thru my life.

March 14, 2010
I am glad that the world is small. It is nice to go somewhere and someone you know, knows the same person.
I am grateful for friends and family.

August 15, 2010
I am grateful for those who give me a lift when I need to go somewhere.
I am glad I had the opportunity to drive last week.

Rake & Bag – Another Day of Service

Our ward finally did their day of service as President Erying of the First Presidency asked us to do in April 2011 General Conference. Brother Hamilton, a counselor in the bishopric said, “We were waiting for the leaves to fall.” Our ward leadership decided that the senior citizens of the ward would be served. After many years of serving; it was payback time. There were 2 two hour shifts that ward members could sign up for. Jay signed up for the 10am session and I tagged along. We walked to the house we were assigned. Jay, another man and I helped put Sister Neilson’s lights up. When the people who raking & bagging leaves at a previous house came, we started raking and bagging leaves on her lawn and the house east of hers. When we finished there, our group did her neighbors to the west. Their names weren’t on the list, but they were most grateful to us. They have bad backs and were not able to rake the leaves. Before we were done raking and bagging leaves, Sister Neilson made breadsticks for those who helped. They were The Bomb. Even the youngest boy there ate an armful. I guess his eyes were bigger than his stomach. He reminded me of a much younger Jay, who would always dish up more food than he could eat. I was glad that some parents brought their sons with them. They got teach the value of service thru example. Even though the little boy played in the leaves, he also helped out and experienced an act of kindness and learned the value of work. There is always a reward, even if it isn’t Holladay’s best breadsticks.

Halloween Memories

Part I
Trick or Treat. But I probably said something like “Trickrtreat” and my brother, Steven and I may added “smell my feet; give me something nice to eat.” I am not sure our older brother, John dared us or if he bragged that was what he was going to say. If anyone of us did, I would not be surprised if the neighbor who answered the door rolled their eyes. I don’t remember going to many houses, so I usually came home with small loot. Living out in the country, we drove to the other farmers’ houses for our trick or treating. I never remember going into Paul or even Rupert or the big city of Burley, Idaho.
And I don’t remember my mom buying us store bought costumes, (hey, farming is risky business) so I had to use my imagination or my mom’s. I am sure she came with my first few costumes, but later I had to come up with my own. I may have dressed up as a hippie once since it was the sixties when I did most of trick or treating. Once, probably 4th or 5th grade, I dressed up as a bride. I don’t remember if I wore a white dress or not, but I used a fancy lacy double layered white half-slip as the veil. (Now, my niece, Tracina, knows why her toddler wore undies on her head once. Bella got the idea from me.). I vaguely remember some smart aleck male classmate making a comment about wearing a slip on your head. At the time I was mortified by the comment, but now I have to laugh. Hopefully, my young nieces have more class than I did. But at least I was creative and thought outside the box. Do I regret not ever having a store bought costume? No. I doubt I would have much, if any memories of my childhood Halloween adventures.

Part II
It wasn’t until after attending Ricks College and moving back to Salt Lake that I started to get in the spirit of Halloween again. I probably walked down to 4th South and 9th East to Safeway’s and bought a bag of candy. I probably had to buy a second bag because I ate the first bag before Halloween night. There were a few knocks on the door, which was a surprise because I lived in a 20 plus unit apartment building and went to a singles student ward at the Institute of Religion. The neighbors along 6th South did not know me. Even when I moved to the Avenues, I would get one or two groups of trick or treaters. After I finished at Utah, I moved south and lived at the Cherry Hill Apartments, a four building complex. Since I would take my adopted nephews trick or treating, I would leave a small or medium sized basket outside my door. When I came back, the empty basket would be waiting for me. I don’t how many trick or treaters came to my door or if it was just the neighbor children at the end of my building. When my brothers and I lived at Woodside, some neighbor children would always managed to knock on the door. One year Jay left the porch light off and no one came. I gave him grief. Since moving to our condo, no one, not even ward members with children, knock on the door. Most people now Trunk or Treat in the ward parking lot or take their little ones to neighbors who live in single unit housing. Apartments and condo complexes have the reputation of being occupied with strangers. I quit buying multiple bags of candy (except for maybe the office). Last year, Jay walked to FreshMarket and bought a bag of Tootsie Pops and Rolls. No one came, but we enjoyed the leftovers.

Part III
In my last semester at Utah, I began the tradition of taking my adopted nephews, the Pugh Brothers, trick or treating in their neighborhood. My first time included Steven, Kevin and two year old Darren. Steven took me on a whirlwind tour of the neighborhood. I swear he took us down one street twice, those neighbors looked mighty familiar. In fact one of them said something about seeing us before. Needless to say, I was worn out when we got back to the house. I was convinced Steven tried to break a world record. Kevin was able to keep with Steven, but I was challenged. I was carrying Darren, a heavy toddler. While Darren was silent most of the night, Kevin knew to say “Trick or Treat” when a neighbor presented a bowl of candy. But Darren wasn’t clueless when he got home. He had a look of pure delight while enjoying the fruits (candy) of his first loot. Steven probably stashed his loot in his room after enjoying a good share of his loot. Kevin probably did the same. I can’t remember if this was the only year that Steven went trick or treating with me. Mark joined Kevin and Darren after a year or two. And Jared and Crystal were probably 15 months old when they went Trick or Treating their first times. Not sure if either made it to the Jensen’s or not. I think Val was disappointed that she did not get to see Baby Batboy or the small scarecrow girl. Both only lasted 2 or 3 houses before they wanted their mom. Val would always give me a treat when I brought the Pugh children around. After awhile it was just Crystal and her best friend forever, Whitney that would go with me. When I moved to the condo, Crystal was providing her own Halloween entertainment. She like her brothers outgrew me. (When Johnny Jensen, the Pugh neighbor saw Whitney and Crystal in the above costumes, he kept telling them that he was going to eat them. By the end of the the everning I was calling them Chicken Soup and Rabbit Stew.) But I still have fond memories of trick or treating with the Pugh children. One year, Darren was sick, so I took a plastic sack and got him some treats. When we got home, David came home with another bag of candy for Darren. Between the two of us, Darren hit the mother lode. One year, Mark and Jared, (and maybe Darren) went to Fashion Place Mall after we went thru the neighborhood. I wasn’t too impressed with the penny candy we got and the long lines, so that tradition ended. We may have tried a different mall next year or tried it at an earlier time. As the years went by, there was less children trick or treating in the Pugh’s and my neighborhoods. Most likely, the neighborhoods were growing up and maybe it’s the annual Trunk and Treat that gets more popular as times goes by.

Partners in Crime

I wrote this at the end of August. My friend, Jared had just returned from his mission and I was at his home after his homecoming. When Jared's brother, Mark stuck his camera into thier sister's, Crystal's room, I was reminded of my younger brother and sister, Jay and Laura, who were partners in crime growing up. So here is what I wrote over a month ago.

In my book, Partners in Crime are siblings and the youngest two of a family. They are proclaim innocence to outside world, but older family members know not to completely trust them, because they are usually up to something together.
The first Partners in Crime I knew were my younger siblings, Jay and Laura. Growing up on a farm, we had to provide our own entertainment and this was before computer, internet and digital were words. During the evening Sacrament Meeting, both would make a fuss to earn a trip to the local drive-in next door. Eventually Mom caught on and made them sit tight in the foyer. I remember banging on the wall outside my bedroom during an early Saturday morning. Those two did NOT allow me to sleep in. Once, Jay and Laura kidnapped the camera and took pictures. My mother was not happy when the pictures were developed and she found pictures of the barnyard and Postal, the cat walking the fence of a corral. Jay and Laura got caught on camera snitching punch from the kitchen during our grandparents 50th anniversary celebration, which was at the church in Manassa, Colorado. While Jay finished high school and served his mission in Mississippi, Laura attended BYU. She went summers and graduated just before Jay started there in the fall of 1987. It probably helped that Laura moved with her husband to Connecticut right after her marriage. I think the State of Utah was relieved.

I have known Crystal and Jared since their births. Growing up, the two youngest Pughs had a typical sibling relationship. They got each other in trouble, but were also there for each other, even though they are four years apart. Jared would give Crystal rabbit ears in some pictures and Crystal made Jared wish he had a little brother instead of a little sister. It wasn’t until Jared’s homecoming that realized these two might be partners in crime when Mark put his smart phone just inside Crystal’s door. Jared was lying on Crystal’s bed getting a pedicure. Made me wonder what those two did to each other again.

Why I Blog

When I started this blog, I thought it was to share stories of growing up. I realize as I continue blogging that maybe it isn't so much memories I share, but sometimes every day life. The OJ story wasn't a memory, but an incident that made me laugh. Some of the posts I've shared lately have made me wonder why I decided to blog. I am single, never married or had children. Sometimes I get the impression that those who have children and/or are married may think I have no life. Maybe I am blogging so those who may think that a person in my situation does have a life. I don't just work; I am apart of family. I am adopted by a family in Midvale. Not sure if Jared and his siblings think of me as an aunt or just an adopted family member. And I must admit the title of my blog can be seen as blog for singles, which it isn't. I'm not promoting a singleness or searching for my soul mate on my blog. I'm just sharing my stories, whether it from a memory of days gone by or some current event. Well, I guess I am doing as I planned in the start - sharing my stories from life on a single road; a road that I share with others who have touched or are touching my life.

His Greatest Race

During the 1990’s, Jay usually ran the St. George Marathon the first weekend in October. At first it was just Jay and I, but soon John joined us in our trips south. Even Mom flew down a time or two on Skywest. The last few years we spend Friday at Mom’s cousins, Bill and Jan Boice.
October 2001 wasn’t any different than the years before. We drove down, ate at either a Wendy’s or a McDonald’s on the way and first stop once we got to St. George was to stop at the Dixie Center and pick up Jay’s race packet. While we were there, we would check out the other booths, especially those with samples. Then we ate spaghetti dinner at the Dixie Center before heading to the Boices for the night.
Since it was right after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, there was a booth for runners to sign up to run in behalf of those perished in the attacks. Most runners didn’t know one personally, so they ran for whoever was available. Dave Rasmussen, a co-worker from General Ledger, ran in behalf of some guy he never knew. Since Jay had met Eugene, Tracie's good friend, he asked for his name. Eugene was available and Jay was able to pin Eugene Whelan’s name to his bib.
Jay as usual, got up and met the bus at the park where the finish line was. When I dropped him off, it was quiet and dark, just the runners waiting for the next bus to take them to the starting line. At the usual time, the rest of us drove to the park and waited and waited. We began to worried because Jay’s time were usually under 4 hours. Jay had been complaining about his knees a bit and had not trained as he had in the past, so we checked the injured list. No Jay. Finally at 4 plus hours, Jay crossed the finish line. His knees were bothering him quite a bit, so he stopped for a break with the intention of dropping out of the race. But then after a short rest, he decided to continue. I don’t know if it was Eugene, the newest angel we knew of at the time, persuaded Jay to finish the race or if the rest gave Jay a second wind. Jay also mention that he had never quit a race before, so despite the pain, he gained courage and preserved. It was his worst time, but his greatest race. Jay had every reason to quit, but he endured to the end.

the lunchbox

I ride Trax every week night; that now I recognize the regulars and where they get on. Monday, I was buying a card for my sister at the campus store. One of the regulars spotted me and joked with me about who they let shop there. On Wednesday, he was at his usual seat and I was sitting accross from him. When we came to the stop before mine, he got off suddenly. As he left, his lunchbox fell to the floor, but he didn't noticed it. So I picked it up; I knew where he worked and I figured I could get it to him sooner than if he went to UTA's lost and found. A passenger and a UTA employee both told me to leave it on the train and the driver would do a search and take the lunchbox to UTA's lost and found the next day. From previous experience, I knew it wouldn't get to the lost and found until a day or two later. The driver probably drops any lost items at the bus warehouse somewhere in the middle of Salt Lake County. Then a runner or whoever brings it to the lost and found downtown.
So I took the lunchbox home, being mindful of it on my way home. I really didn't want to complicate things worse by leaving it on a UTA bus. So Thursday morning, I packed in a shopping bag with my book and whatever junk I may need for the day. As soon as the campus store opened, I took the lunchbox over. I delivered it thier information desk (or whatever it is called) by the in store post office. I gave to it a long time employee that I recognized. I told her the guy worked in the back, but I didn't know his name. Gave her a not so good description of him and she said she would put in the back.
When I got on Trax tonight, the guy came up behind and said thanks for returning it. He didn't miss it until morning and thought he had left it in his truck. It was a nice surprise to find it at his station when he arrived to work this morning. I was so grateful he got his lunchbox back. And I was glad I knew where he worked. Who knows what adventures that lunchbox would have had.

9/11 - 2001

10 years ago in late August, I went to the Salt Lake International Airport to see my Mom during a lay over. She flew in from Twin Falls and was heading to Seattle, where I would be going in a few days. For some reason, I felt I needed to be there. We chatted a bit as we sat near the gate and I left before her flight was called. It wasn't until two or three weeks later that I realized why I felt the urgency to visit her at the airport.**
On September 11th, I woke up and did the usual. Drank my orange juice, got dressed and went to the Cottonwood Mall to get my walk in before work. It was looking to be a nice September day. As I made my last walk thru the food court, the TV was broadcasting "Breaking News". I really didn't think much of it, because it seemed as if there was always "Breaking News" on CNN. I remember one of retirees, a regular mall walker, saying something about the current broadcast. But what was happening didn't hit me until I was driving to work. As usual, I had my radio tuned in B98.7fm and Brady and (can't remember his name) were talking about the planes attacking the Twin Towers in New York. When I got to work, I found out that a plane had also flown into the Pentagon. There was no way I would be able to hide in my selfish little world with this; the tragedy was too big to ignore.

Throughout the morning I listened to B98.7 as Brady and her co-anchor kept us informed. They stayed on the air for most of the day informing us of the events as they unfolded; when South and North towers collapsed, Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania and even when tower 7 collapsed. During lunch, CNN kept me and my friends informed. Kristen and I emailed each other during the day, sharing our thoughts and keeping each other informed. Needless to say, I didn't get much work done, but neither did anyone else. Blue Cross granted those who had children permission to leave for the day to pick up their children from school. I think Peggy was the only one from our department who left early, maybe Dawn left early too.
During the day, I kept thinking I knew of someone who perished at the towers. My cousin, Chris Boice was a pilot for American Airlines, so that might have been the reason for that feeling. When I talked to my mom that night, she informed me that Chris was in St. George with his parents. He either had a day off or was vacation. I was grateful he was okay, but I still could not shake the feeling that there was someone I knew.
A few days later, my sister Mary told me that my niece, Tracie lost a friend in New York. Eugene was a New York Firefighter who responded to the call of duty after his shift was over. Tracie and Eugene met in New York while she was a nanny. He followed her Portland while he waited for an opening in New York Fire Department. Eugene got the call; he left right away from Oregon. Tracie met Chris (not my cousin) and both started a family. I made an braided ankle bracelet of yard. I wore it for Eugene; the only time I would take it off was when I showered. It went to work, bed, walking, shopping, and even St. George with me. When Eugene's body was found, then I would remove it. I had heard that when a police officer or firefighter's body was found, a moment of silence occurred after an American flag was draped over his body. I never did receive word if or when his body was found, but I took it off in mid December. Somehow I sensed there was a closure and I pasted the bracelet in my journal. Eugene was at peace and we as citizens will always remember him and the others who vanished that September morning.

I read about this pin in The Salt Lake Tribune, bought it at the Olympic Store in Cottonwood Mall. I ordered this pin from Salt Lake Olympic Committee website. I received this on September 11, 2002. Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Utah. As we came in the door, each employee was given a pin. This statue honoring Firefighters who died September 11, 2001 is at the Belmont Firehouse in Portland OR area. Tracie, my niece was a part of the effort to create this memorial that was unveiled in 2005.

**After 9-11 attacks, security at the airport got tighter. Before 9-11, family and friends could meet with passengers at the gate. Now only people with tickets are allowed beyond the security check point.

After 9-11

I went to work on September 12th just I did the day before. I guess that was one of my first defiant acts that I directed toward the terrorists. When the thought of dropping out as a volunteer for Salt Lake Winter Olympics crossed my mind, I remained committed. I would not quit living.
Each year, I vowed to do something on September 11th to thumb at the terrorist. The first year was easy; I went to work as usual and got a pin for my efforts. In 2003, I was traveling across Iowa and crossed the Mississippi River. The next year, I found myself on Trax going downtown and to Sandy to see the healing field. In 2005, it was a Sunday and I went to church. The next year, I was less enthused about thumbing the terrorists. I went work for the first time on that date since 2002 and I rode a UTA bus to get there. The few years were like that until last year. September 11th was on a Saturday again.
Some say September 11th changed them. I am not so sure. Being in the west I was away from the events. I had no family members who were directly affected by the events, even I though Eugene was a good friend of my niece, Tracie. Over the years, I have read of a Kaysville family who lost their mom/grandmother and sister/aunt, who was in the first plane that crashed into the North Tower. I have read of Brady Howell’s widow, Liz, who served a mission after her husband died and was part of a medical team in Haiti when the earthquake rocked the tiny island nation.
I have changed over the years, but I don’t know if I could attribute the changes to September 11th. I now work at the University of Utah, after being laid off at the insurance company. I rely on public transportation, because I don’t have a car. And some of the changes are due to age. Maybe I am kinder; I still volunteer and give presents to my nieces and nephews on their birthdays. I donate to charities, which may be the result of September 11th. But I am basically the same person as I was before. I am Susan; I am an American and I love chocolate. I still believe in Jesus Christ, who is my savior and God, who was there on September 11, 2001. He did not abandon us and He never will.

Back to School

I saw this picture as I was going to bed last night. It is my older siblings on their first day of school. Every year my mom would take our picture while we waited for the bus to pick us up and take us back to school. When I looked at my oldest brother, Mike; I had to laugh. He does not look thrilled at all. John doesn’t look too happy either, but Mary is smiling; barely. Mike reminds me how I felt two weeks ago. Now that I work on campus, the first day of school no longer brings excitement; it just means a chaotic day on campus. It’s a mother of all Snoopy Mondays. In the past two weeks, school has started at most schools and colleges, Granite (the school district I live in) and Canyons (the school district Crystal attends) both started Monday, August 22nd. The University of Utah also started that same day. When I got off the bus, I noticed the campus was alive again. As I was heading toward the library, I noticed a freshman with a map asking another student questions. I even saw a parent, who after looking at one of the maps posted throughout the campus; ask me directions to the bookstore. That was where she had parked her car. She then commented that the maps were wrong. Granted it is easy to get turn around on the University campus, but all maps have north at the top and south at the bottom. When I got to the office where I work, I told my co-workers that an episode of Lost could have been filmed on campus (and probably others) this morning.

BYU (when my nephews and niece attend) and UVU (where Jared attends) started this past Monday,, August 29th. Both Brian and Jared were returning to campus after a two year absence from their campuses.

My niece’s daughters started this Thursday, September 1st in their new schools in the State of Washington. Vanessa was starting her senior year, while Isabella started first grade. If Vanessa pointed any sophomore or freshman in the wrong direction, it wasn’t intentional. She was probably as lost as they were and having a Snoopy Monday on a Thursday.

Morning in Park City

Jay woke me up just before 4:30am. I took my thyroid pill, brushed my teeth and got dressed. John came by at 4:35am to drive us to Park City. Jay was running his 3rd half-marathon. We got there about 5:00am and after Jay picked up his race packet, we headed back to the Newpark Hotel and waited. The starting line was outside the hotel. While we waiting, we saw an old neighbor from the Valley View 3rd ward. Diane was there with two of her running friends, one who was running her 100th marathon. Diane has run over 70 marathons herself. Before long we found Tina, one of Jay’s classmates from Minico. We all missed Stacy, who has run the previous two half-marathons with Jay and Tina. It was good to see Tina’s mom again. She is Tina’s biggest race fan.

After Tina and Jay took off, the three of us watched the second wave of runners start and then I realized we needed to catch Jay and Tina leave Newpark for the road. John yelled out Jay’s name and I saw the back of him as he flashed thru the park. We both caught Tina, but when I took the picture, another runner came between the camera and Tina.

John and I left Newpark grounds and walked to McDonalds, where we had breakfast. I enjoyed my August hot chocolate while he ate his burrito and hash brown. Then we headed back to the starting/finish line at the Newpark Hotel. While we waited I got on Facebook and John slept in the lobby. At 8:30am, I went to the finish line. I called John to remind him that it was time. He was still napping when Jay rolled in at 8:45am. But he was there to see Tina come in, less than an hour later.




We took a few pictures, and then we left. Tina and her mom were heading back to a Salt Lake City and we were headed back to McDonald’s (before heading back to a hot Salt Lake). Jay needed his breakfast.

Tornado & Brennan

On August 11, 1999 at 12:45pm, a tornado touched down in Salt Lake and an hour later at 12:44, my nephew, Brennan was born in Orange County.
The tornado that roared thru downtown Salt Lake on August 11th touched down somewhere near a bar west of downtown, ripped a few shingles off the Delta Center (now the Energy Solutions Center where the Jazz still play), disturbed a Outdoor Retailers Show, uprooted the Honeymoon Tree by the Salt Lake Temple, took out a number of trees east of the State Capitol, raped Memory Grove and destroyed homes in the avenues. Granted it was nothing like Joplin, Missouri, but it was worst that ever hit Utah. (That is until a tornado ripped thru Manti a few years later. I can’t remember the damages done to Manti, except for a tree in my cousin, Lannette’s yard that needed to be uprooted. Mother Nature got one thing correct that day.) When the tornado went thru downtown Salt Lake that August afternoon, only one person died. He was working at the Outdoor show getting a tent ready for the event. If I remember correctly the show was postponed for a few days. A month or so later, I was looking north from the (LDS) Church Office Building and I could see Memory Grove. The park looked so naked with out the trees. Nine years later, I was there for a wedding reception. Memory Grove was beautiful again.
Later in the evening on August 11, 1999, my brothers and I received a call. Brennan was alive and well in his mothers arms. Spencer was a big brother and would soon have a playmate. It was so nice to have good news that day. A few weeks later, his birth announcement came in the mail. Imagine my surprise when I noticed the time of his birth. Although, my brother and his family weren’t in the Salt Lake Valley, I still think of Brennan as a tornado baby.

Pioneer Day

Pioneer Day, July 24th is a big day in Utah; some say it is more celebrated than the 4th of July. It may have a ring of truth in the Salt Lake Valley. There are the Days of 47 parades, rodeo and other events. Pioneer Day is celebrated in other Utah cities. Last week, Draper honored their pioneer heritage and Cottonwood Heights is celebrating their pioneer heritage this weekend. And Manassa, Colorado is celebrating Pioneer Day this weekend. Manassa has been honoring their pioneer heritage for very long time. Since the 24th falls on Sunday, the holiday will fall on Monday. But in Manassa, Colorado, the celebrations are most likely today, since outside Utah, Monday is just another day in paradise. The first parade I attended in Manassa was in 1980. My mom was in the San Luis Valley attending to my grandma, who was dieing from brain cancer. My brother, Mike, drove her car from Idaho with Jay and Laura, who were still minors at the time. They picked me up in Salt Lake and John in Provo. We all fit in 1978 Chevette and I surprised that none of us were killed on the way to the San Luis Valley. Since it was the 24th weekend, we were able to drive to Manassa to see the parade. There were a few floats. I remember one little boy on one of the floats saying Hi to his mom when the parade came back thru town a second time. In 2004, I attended a Jackson family reunion. One of our activities was attending the parade. There were more floats, so it didn’t have the same small town feel as it did before. But it still came back to town like it did before. My cousin, Will’s son, Sam surprised us all when he waved to us from a float. Apparently someone saw him and invited him to participate. Before the parade, my brothers, John, Steven and Jay ran the The Pioneer Day 5k race along with my cousins. Of course, David, my cousin and Sam’s uncle was the first family member to cross the finish line. But then he completes in Triathlons. Jay, the marathon runner came in second or third. Both David and Jay won ribbons in their age division. After the parade, Will took us on a tour of where our ancestors, Samuel Jackson and his son, Lafayette lived. Both houses in Manassa are still standing, including Samuel Jackson’s ranch house near Sanford, Colorado. When I got back to Utah, one of my co-workers was surprised that a small town in Colorado celebrated Pioneer Day. I told her that Mormons settled in the Manassa along with the Catholics and Pioneer Day was celebrated that weekend to honor all those who settled in the valley. Even in the Salt Lake Valley, the Days of ’47 celebrates not just the Mormon Pioneers who came at the end of July, but others who followed, the Catholics, the Jews, the Greek Orthodox, the Baptists and other faiths and groups.
After I shared this post with my aunt, she informed that the Pioneer Parade in Manassa once had a Brigham Young and (one of) his wives as marshals of the parade. One year, my parents were selected as the couple to represent Brigham Young and Mrs. Young. I am thinking this was shortly after my parents were married and before my oldest brother was born. My mom said (if I remember right) that my dad was a reluctant participant. My aunt said my dad probably liked driving the horses or whatever one does with horses pulling a buggy.

Draper Days-Celebrating Utah

I did another day of service. Actually it was less than 4 hours at the Draper Days Breakfast, but after my 4 hours of service at the Race for the Cure, I can say I did a day of service. I have accepted President Erying's challenge.

My brother, John picked up Jay and me about 6am to help out with the annual Draper Days on July 16th. While we were driving out, I realized that July is a busy time for Utahns to celebrate. Provo has a huge celebration, complete with a concert and firework show and one of the biggest parades in the state the weekend of 4th of July. (Murray, Sugarhouse and Holladay also fireworks.) Last weekend, Taylorsville celebrated their annual Taylorsville Days. Next weekend, Salt Lake City will party with the biggest parade in the state and fireworks somewhere. That celebration probably started this past week with the Days of 47 royalty and Youth parade yesterday. Cottonwood Heights will also celebrate their Butlerville Days the same weekend as Salt Lake City.

For some time, the Draper Lions have sponsored a breakfast before the Draper Days parade. The Lions are a service organization. John was a member of Holladay Lions and when he moved to Sandy, he became involved with the Draper Lions. John requirted Jay and me a few years ago. This year was our third or fourth year to help John out. On the way to the park, John told us that the South Valley Kiwanis (another service organization) were helping out for the first time at the breakfast. A few were there when we arrived and helped us set up. Some more showed up just before the rush (which happens annually after the 5k race). Most left soon after we closed up shop, except for one guy named Millet (French name pronounced Mel-lay) who stuck around for clean up. He was performing with a group at noon, either at the Draper Park or somewhere close by.

When the Draper Days parade turned the corner to go around the park, I noticed an entry that a monkey that looked a lot like Curious George. A few months ago, I purchased a "Curious George" book in Spanish (I'm making a less than serious attempt to learn Spanish.), so when I saw this monkey, I knew I had to get a picture, so when I saw it on the street before the street that I was closest to, I left the tent with my cellphone that has the camera. After I took his picture, the monkey shook my hand. I am thinking that this monkey was part of a local automotive business that had an entry in the parade. Quite a few local business will have entries in the parade, including dance studios.

The Draper Days parade is not one of the biggest parades in Utah, maybe one of the bigger one in the Salt Lake Valley. Days of 47 and the Freedom Festival parade in Provo are much bigger. But the Jazz bear still showed up. Just before this picture he squirting parade watchers with confetti from a can. When he passed by the spot where I was standing, he threw out styrofoam hats. The children seemed to love both. In some ways, the Draper Days parade is a preview of the Days of 47 Parade which is held on weekend of the 24th. Some of the floats that appear in this parade will be in the Days of 47 parade.

When we done serving, Karen mentioned that she could hear the pipers. One of the men in my ward has learned to play the bagpipes recently and is part of one of the two bagpipe bands in the valley. So I left tent and waited patiently for them to go around the park. I waited by the port-a-potties. When I saw them turn the corner, I opened my cellphone. When they got closer, I got the camera really for picture taking. Just as the pipers got in view, someone walked by or out of a port-a-potty, causing me to get the tail end of the band. I know don't if Brother Buchanan and his son were apart of the group or not. I forgot to ask his wife and I don't recognize any pipers in this picture.

Last year I notice this statute. The couple portrayed looks like they are ticked off about something. The male pioneer is holding a gun and she has her arm is reaching out for handout. I walked by this statute last year, thinking that ornery people settled Draper; they trusted no one and never got the handout they wanted. When I arrived at the park this year, I realized why this pioneer couple looked so ticked off. The birds visited them and left them some handouts no human ever wants.

Holladay 4th of July 2011

The City of Holladay has done a firework show for about ten years. While it isn't a big or fancy as the fireworks in Sugarhouse, it still draws a big crowd. My brothers and I attended our first Holladay fireworks in 2003, just before Jay and I moved to the Heart of Holladay. When Jay didn't want to walk to the park (because the next day was a work day), I would watch the fireworks from the parking lot or the sidewalk in front of the condos along our street.

Last year, the City of Holladay added a parade and breakfast. It was corny, but short parade last year and I enjoyed it. It was made of neighbors and children decorated their bikes and wagons. The parade started at City Hall, went along Laney Street and entered City Hall ground by the Fire Station. This year the parade was bigger, with more families and a longer route. It started 4500 south and went down Holladay Blvd, then crossed over to 2300 East where it ended at City Hall where breakfast was served. Firemen were serving breakfast.

About 2pm, the 4th leg of the Crit started. It started on north on Holladay Blvd, turned east and went by our condo. After passing us by, the racers turned south on 2300 East. Last year, the Crit, a version of short-track speed skating for cyclists, followed the same route. It was in July, but I am not sure if it was on the 4th or if it was the fourth leg of the Crit.

As usual, the day ended with the annual fireworks in the park. But since, it was a school night, I didn't plan to go. But Jay did. So what if he had to get up early the next morning. I had put on my pajamas a few hours and the thought of putting my warm jeans and t-shirt didn't sound too well. But I did sit out on the deck and listened to the fireworks. Sometimes I could hear the music. What surprised me was that I could see the fireworks flash on the trees in front of the condo. Light can travel far.

Something about Crystal

I was looking thru some files on my flash drive and I came across this. Crystal and her mom, Jewel recently came back from a two week stay in Ecuador. They had been doing volunteer work in the orphanages there. This reminds me of one of the ways Crystal got her start in founding one of her life's callings. Service often starts with thinking of others.

January 10, 2004 - I woke up in philosophy-kind of mood this morning. Maybe this is a good thing, because it caused me to think and if I share my thoughts, it might cause someone to think or have “oh” or even “a-ha” moment.
Last night, I was out at Crystal’s house again. The young woman (nine and half) had just come back from Hawaii after being there for almost two weeks. She had another time of her life. Crystal brought goodies back for almost everyone (and some for herself.) Postcards and bracelet for friends, t-shirts for the brothers and Dad, candles for Mom and Mom’s friend down the street. (Mom’s friend also spoils Crystal.) Crystal even bought me the chocolate macadamia nuts, I wanted from Hawaii. (Tell me who the spoiled one is here). And she knew her brothers would go nuts over the chocolates. (They were gone before I got there last night.)
On the way home, I thought of the compliment that I got on Christmas and five years ago.* And I realized that is what Crystal did in Hawaii. Crystal may be spoiled, but she does think of others quite regularly. I wonder if her brothers think of others like she does. Maybe Crystal thinks of others, because others think of her. It is that ripple affect.
Everyone knows of a selfish person who thinks of her/him and seldom think of others. I have noticed that selfish people can be bitter and what is sad, those around him/her are miserable. The selfish person blames others for her/his misery. So to rid yourself of misery, think of others. I am not the only one who is having problems. My co-workers have their difficulties, members of my family too. When I think of them, I know that I am not alone. When I do something for someone else, it lifts my spirits as well as theirs. And there comes the ripple effect. Maybe my thoughtfulness will cause them to think of others. And because others think of me, I am more likely to think of others. But when I surround by selfish people or associate with a selfish person, I tend to be more self-centered myself.
And so, Crystal made me think. She may be spoiled, but she does think of others. And in this selfish world, that is a good quality to have. Thanks to others who have shown her an example of thinking of others, she can have a rich life.

February 2, 2011 *can’t think of what the compliment was, but it probably something along the lines of thinking of others. Crystal cupided my door 2 years ago and one of the hearts read “u always think of others."

Getting the run around

I was sitting at the computer and for some reason, I thought of my parents in my younger years. Whenever I wanted something, I would ask my mom first since she was usually the most available parent. If it was for something that church or school, she would usually grant me permission. After all, who wants to deny a child a field trip during school hours? But if it involved money, my mom's quick response was "Go ask your Father." If dad was in the house, I would promptly ask him and he would usually say "Go ask your Mother." My dad was deaf, so he never heard my mother's response. Then I would go back to my mom and say "Dad says to ask you." I don't know if I was ever smart enough to say "Dad says it's okay.", but I have to admit I really didn't like the run around I would get. Now that I am older (don't know about wiser) I realize my Mom wasn't going to give permission unless my Dad gave his approval first. Although their responses irritated me then, now it just makes me smile when I think of getting the run around my parents. Some one had to keep me in line.

Father’s Day

Father’s Day is a hard holiday for me, but I have to admit it is getting better as the years go by. My Dad passed away in February 1980, so that month is usually difficult for me, especially President’s Day weekend. But at least, with Father’s Day it is only one day. Not much happens at church; compared to Mother’s Day, it is less of a fuss. No flowers, maybe the Primary will have the children make something for their dads and sing during Sacrament Meeting. But if the congregation sings “O My Father”, I might get a bit teary eyed. That hymn was sung at my dad’s funeral. I once remember heading straight to the women’s room when that hymn was the closing song. I thought I had dealt with the death of my dad, but on that day, I realized I hadn’t.
I never really gave my dad a father’s day present. I don’t remember doing anything in Primary (which was held during the week in the 60’s and 70’s). And I don’t remember Arts and Crafts during Sunday school. But there would usually be a Father’s day program during Sunday school opening exercises. (A general meeting before we split up in our individual age based classes.) That was probably the extent of remembering my dad on Father’s day. When I went to college, I do remember buying a box of chocolates and giving it to my dad, when I made a surprise visit home. But I think that was the extent of my gift giving.
When my dad passed away, I realized I no longer had the option of giving him something on Father’s day and that has made Father’s Day hard for me. But over the years, I have learned to cope. Once I sent flowers to my brother, who is a dad to two teen age boys. Last year or maybe it was the year before, I sent flowers to my cousin so he could put the flowers on my dad’s grave. My dad is buried in the San Luis Valley of Colorado, where he grew up.
Even though my dad is gone, I can honor him by remembering the values he passed on and making a good attempt to walk in his footsteps. And when I really stop and think I realize that is something I’ve been doing all along. Something we can all do as we honor our dads on Father’s Day.

A Man I Have Never Met

I never met my paternal grandfather, Lafayette Jackson, but I have witnessed the legacy he left behind. I have seen in it my father and his siblings, my siblings and my cousins. My grandpa died when my dad was three years old, so I never got the chance to know him personally. But from what Aunt Isabelle has told me, I've learned that my grandpa was kind. Although my dad was very young, when he lost his father to cancer, my dad knew that his father loved him. And my dad loved us. My dad was a kind soul, so I know in those three short years, my dad was able to learn a lot from his father. My cousin, William Jackson, set up a blog about my grandparents. It is titled “To my Jane.” http://www.lafayettejanejxn.blogspot.com/ . Although, William hasn’t updated the blog in a year, I find that I learned more about my grandpa, a man I never met, but know.

Remembering the Students of the Tiananmen Square Massacre

On June 4, 1989, the demonstrations ended. Not by choice, but by force. Students in China had been gathering in Tiananmen Square for the past few weeks. They even built a replica of “Statute of Liberty” out of Styrofoam. They wanted democracy; even though they weren’t sure what democracy was. What they knew was it had to better than the government that was in power. Like the Mao and the communists 40 years before, they started their own revolution.
I read about the Chinese students protesting in either Time or Newsweek, whichever magazine I was subscribing to at the time. At the time I was a recent college graduate and I had attended classes with several students from China. Most of them were sponsored by their government, except for Grace. Her family, if I remember right, was paying for her education. From what I read in The Salt Lake Tribune, Grace was helping with demonstrations in China, even though still a student on the campus at University of Utah.
This weekend on Facebook, my cousin, Gary Oba, posted a picture of a sunset in China. He wrote “On June 4, 1989, Chinese soldiers, acting on orders from top leaders, attacked pro-democracy demonstrators in Beijing's Tiananmen Square leaving hundreds dead.” His words reminded me of what happen 22 years ago in China. I responded to his post with the words, “I remember reading about that and the hope and sadness I had. I like the picture you posted.” The hope was for the courage the students took in their attempt to change their world and to make a difference. The sadness was when People’s Liberation Army brought in tanks and such. The students were massacred. The demonstrations were over and the hope of democracy in China was gone. I still remember the picture of a young man standing bravely in front of a tank crawling toward him. He must have known he would die.
Then last night before I crawled into bed, I read on my Nook, the Daybook blog by Steve King. It was titled “Remembering Tiananmen”. Mr. King wrote about the massacre. When I finished reading the article, I found myself wondering if I had attended school with any of the students who were massacred at Tiananmen Square. After 22 years, I still find myself asking China “Why?”

Adventures with a Glue Bottle

While I am church, I can be found in the ward library. It is my calling. This morning, one of the Primary teachers needed some glue sticks, but since another teacher had taken all the glue sticks, she had to opt for regular glue. She picked up the first two bottles and nothing came out, but she did get lucky on her third attempt. So after she left, I grabbed the two glue bottles and a paper clip. I seen this problem earlier when I taught Sunbeams in another ward. After coming home from church, I went thru my emails I had printed and found the one I sent my friend Karie, describing my memorable adventure with a glue bottle during class.

March 8, 2009 "For one of the class activities, we made paper bracelets. And that required glue, which I had brought from home along with the scissors. I started gluing the first bracelet and the glue isn't coming out. So I got rid of the dried glue on the outside of the cap. IT still doesn't come out. I twisted the glue cap close and I am thinking the glue has hardened. I open the bottle. (Not a good thing to do around active three year olds.) The glue looked fine, but it didn't want to come out thru the cap. So I left the cap off and stuck the blade of another pair of scissors. Hey, there is more than one way to get glue out of a bottle. And not once did a Sunbeam spill the glue. They may spilled their water a few times. But not the glue bottle. I call that a miracle. After church, I washed the scissors, I think they still work. I also put the glue bottle cap under the tap. Then I got smart and stuck a q-tip in the insides of the cap. There was hardened glue stuck up there. Now the glue bottle flows freely when I squeeze it."

And yes, after Trish and I poked around and washed the caps of the glue bottles, the glue now flows semi-freely. I hope the glue doesn't hardened again, but if it does, we'll know what to do.