Christmases Remembered and Shared

         

Last year was one of our best Christmases ever. It wasn’t because all the kids and grandkids were here, or that the presents were expensive and beautiful, or that we lost weight instead of gained it. It was because our children took the time to write their memories of Christmases past. They also shared traditions they have established in their own families. Our daughter, Autumn, then designed a book using everyone’s hyperbolic tales -- even sneaking old photos past our unsuspecting eyes to use for illustrations. The gift was wonderful and so appreciated. We have read it many, many times, and it brings both tears and chuckles.

            The cover featured our oldest five boys holding a gigantic icicle that Steve had broken off from the north side of our poorly insulated home. It triggered many memories.  We read and reread the book together, laughing, and sometimes crying. It was such a wonderful gift. We also learned a lot about those winter jaunts the boys used to take, which often ended up with them snowballing some unsuspecting victims, or sabotaging the neighbors’ doors, so that a pile a snow fell when they answered the doorbell.

Christmas 1979

          But another thread in the stories were the Christmas/winter traditions we did year after year with our children. These included: Dad-designed scavenger hunts for special gifts, sleigh riding down the 4^th reservoir hill, delivering “thousands of donuts through three feet of snow,” trips to the mountains for trees, delivering 12 days of Christmas treats to special families, buying Christmas presents from the DI collections in the South Chapel gym, doing programs at the nursing home, breaking piñatas with friends, opening one present Christmas eve (usually pajamas), acting out the Christmas Story and eating hootenanny hotcakes Christmas morning.

Christmas program at the nursing home 1979

It was wonderful to read their recollections of what we had tried to orchestrate as parents. I believe that traditions are the glue that hold families, and communities together. They are shared experiences, which if repeated year after year, come to be not only enjoyed but expected.

Lots of delicious goodies were also delivered to us, causing Aaron to ask once,
"Are we poor --people are bringing us things?"

Author Susan Lieberman makes this observation about traditions in her book, New Traditions: Redefining Celebrations for Today's Family: “Family traditions counter alienation and confusion. They help us define who we are; they provide something steady, reliable and safe in a confusing world.” There are many families in our community who have felt those benefits through their consistent efforts in establishing worthwhile traditions.

Dan and Glenna Webb’s family was raised with many wonderful Christmas traditions. Their daughter Roxanne shared some of them: “We’d go Christmas Eve caroling after spending the whole day making candy and dipping chocolates, then returned home for chili and hot chocolate then more singing around the Christmas tree followed by Dad reading the Christmas story out of the Bible. Then, of course, the evening would not be complete without Mom telling the story of the little dog named Scats.”

     Gayle Shumway recalls Christmas traditions she loved: “When the kids were little and we had a fireplace, they would write a letter to Santa and (after mom and dad read it) they’d put it in the fireplace where the ashes would go up the chimney and fly away to Santa.
Blanding has a tradition of Christmas morning caravans. We would open our presents, put on our new clothes and take our favorite gift to “show and tell” and proceed to Grandma's house to eat waffles, strawberries and whipped cream, after we opened our presents. Then off again we’d go to visit relatives and friends to see what Santa brought to them and usually have a treat. As we traveled between houses we would see other families, sometimes still in their PJ's; we would wave excitedly to each other as we celebrated the day in the Blanding Christmas Caravans.

We now have a box of Nativity costumes for Christmas Eve. The children dress up and pose as we read the Christmas story from the Bible. We also draw names within the family for gift giving and we opened those presents on Christmas Eve.”

Claudia Shumway Orr remembered celebrating Christmas in Blanding:  "When I was young my parents, brother and I were the only ones at home. My mother always read from a book " A Story to Tell", a story entitled "The Christmas Legend. As I got older and had children she always managed to read it to them sometime during the Christmas season. When our children were old enough to participate we started the tradition of reading the account of the Savior's birth in Luke, interspersed with Christmas carols, as the children acted the parts.  We still have the same tradition each Christmas Eve with our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We meet at our home and have dinner first then the nativity story, then we hand out presents. Sometimes someone in the family will feel creative enough to write a play for the kids to perform, but it always portrays the nativity as it is written in Luke. The younger children seem to love doing it. We usually have to coaxthe older ones but they always come through for us."

Wise men and shepherds breaking the pinata at the Nursing home. 

It’s never too late to start a Christmas tradition, and the effort is worth it. Let this be the year!

Hoarding Addictions: Straighten Up and Come Clean

“What in the crap is this? And why did she/he save it?”  

Thus begins another Halloween Horror story.  However, this Nightmare on Elm Street may actually be on your street, or in your own house or garage.

You’ve probably uttered such questions yourself.  Your children will likely have the same outburst, at some future day when they have to clean out your house after you die –- unless the tradition of hoarding is broken.  If you don’t want to hear your name taken in vain, take strides now to purge and organize your paper trail and possessions, before you leave this mortal existence.  I can promise if you don’t, your kids will be so burdened by your belongings, they won’t even blink nor cringe when they throw your precious things away.

I remember when my dad died.  He had saved at least 30 years of bank statements, income tax records, and receipts.  I did find a few other things of value in those boxes, but most people won’t take the time to sift through the stacks; they’ll just toss everything out.  Photos abandoned in basement boxes tell no stories and will not be valued.  You need to keep truly valuable things separate and well identified.

Need more motivation to declutter?  Then simply rephrase the aforementioned question, “Why in the heck, am I saving this?”  If you’ve never used it, never read it, haven’t worn it for more than 4 years, or it has no meaning to anyone else, it’s probably time to get rid of it.  Picture your garage, front hall closet, pantry, basement, extra bedroom.  My guess is that they are bulging over with things that haven’t been used in years.  Like Audrey II, the man-eating plant, “stuff” starts taking over and your home becomes a “Little House of Horrors” as your junk grows exponentially like the national debt.  Does Fibber McGee’s Closet ring a bell? 

The excessive and potentially space-robbing stacks of printouts, files, newspapers and magazines are especially insidious.  Line upon line, they encroach and steal the open peaceful spaces of our homes, sometimes turning our "living" space and hallways into a maze, instead of a restful haven.  Wikipedia states that "compulsive hoarding may impair mobility (I.e. blocked hallways) and interfere with basic activities, including cooking, cleaning, hygiene, and sleeping."  Defining traits are "the acquisition of, and failure to discard, a large number of possessions that appear to be useless or of limited value.  In addition, living spaces are sufficiently cluttered so as to preclude activities for which those spaces were designed."

With the great blessing of the Internet where everything is just a click away, there is no need to save 30 years of Ensigns, Newsweeks, and National Geographics.  There are schools, teachers, congregations, or recycle bins that can use them, and you in turn can come out from under this burdensome stack of paper.

Fabric Addictions

Personally my favorite guilty pleasure is my fabric stash.  Over the past 30 years, I’ve

cleaned out cupboards and got rid of “real junk” in order to have a place for all my cloth.  Then I bought containers, and boxes, for the ever expanding great deals, that I never had time to sew.  Thus I joined the 20 million other quilting addicts in the USA whose stash became a passion.  I love Cathy Miller’s song “100 Ways to Hide Your Stash” and have used many of her suggestions!

In a recent documentary Why Quilts Matter, the 2010 Quilting in America Survey reported that the average quilter has $3,677 worth of fabric stored!  Now, this is starting to sound like a serious addiction!  Fortunately, while serving on the Navajo reservation a few years ago, I had the chance to reduce my “materialism” by emptying many cupboards, and sharing boxes of fabric donated my quilting friends.  We put the fabric to good use, teaching others how to sew and quilt.  There are many little church congregations in the Four Corners area who would truly benefit from the fabric that lies unused in people’s homes.   If that doesn’t work for you, then Miller has another antidotal song entitled, “The 12 Step Plan for Quilters.”

Technology Tricks to Reduce Clutter

I had an “ah-ha” experience with my own hoarding in 2010, when I started creating a media show for my 50^th class reunion.  Most of the pictures I needed were provided by digitally savvy classmates, who knew where their pictures were and how to scan them.  But I still needed a few more mementos of the good old days for the show.

I pulled out my old “high school treasure box” and discovered some amazing things: dance programs, newspaper clippings, a basketball schedule of the ’59-‘60 season, a cardboard tinfoil crown, graduation tassel and certificates, and dried corsages.  It’s true—I was a true-blue & gold hoarder who had a sentimental attachment to my high school memories!   I knew none of my kids would care a whit about nostalgia, so I scanned each item, then tossed them away and was quickly able to empty out half of a file cabinet drawer. 

When it comes to sentimental clutter, technology can be your salvation.  You can get rid of “things” and still keep them digitally and look at them whenever you want.  Your computer and scanner can become your best maids when it comes to “cleaning house.”   I’d encourage those of you overly attached to your possessions, to take pictures of each item, or scan the documents and save them digitally. Then throw or give away the things that encumber you.  This is an important step in hoarding recovery.  It is a great feeling to be unshackled from “things”, but you should make a back up copy.

The other blessing when you break the hoarding cycle, is the potential benefit you can pass on to others.  By recycling or regifting useful items, or donating to DI you can bless others.  You can also put discards on your giveaway corner or donate to yard sales.  Stuff can be a “regift” that can bless both the giver and the receiver, as well as the giver’s children!  There are many in our community who could use your extra quilts, coats, clothing, cooking utensils, tools, books, boots, and “stuff.”

The Wilcox garage might need some decluttering!

Winter time is perfect for diving into cupboards, closets, and drawers and honestly asking: “Do I need it?  Do I use it? Will it be valuable to others in my family?  If you can’t answer affirmatively to these questions, then get rid of it.  For those of you who hoard stacks of papers, I believe the Blanding Post office still recycles paper, so drop them off and it will still do some good.  And whatever you do, don’t keep your cardboard/tinfoil crowns for 50 years!

Five Facets of Life and Parent Leadership

“Don’t worry that children never listen to you; 

worry that they are always watching you.”   

        - Robert Fulghum—

From an early age, Peyton has had amazing social skills

As with any corporation, or organization, monthly evaluations are essential to on-going success and progress.  Such should be the case in a family organization.  Linda and Richard Eyre, leaders for over 30 years in family dynamics, suggest that parents sit down with their spouse (or someone else who knows and loves your children) once a month (or whenever is feasible) and talk about how each child is doing in their "five-facets" of life:

1) Socially – Can they function in society, talk to others, interact appropriately, and correctly use manners?  If not, what adjustments can parents make in teaching such things?

Some things that might help children learn more social skills would include, inviting other families over for a meal or a cook out or activity; visiting with relatives and encouraging them to sit down and talk instead of playing during part of that time;  interviewing with interesting people; having manners nights in conjunction with a family meal, and inviting someone over to help teach about social skills, and most of all just practicing talking with your own family during family meals.

Not only has Michael been an exception leader in his
priesthood quorum, but also in his scout troop.

2) Spiritually – Do they have a belief in God, rely on him, pray to him, and seek for inspiration in making decisions?  Do they see themselves as dual natured – as both a physical and spiritual being? What activities in the family help reinforce these activities and concepts?

Family initiated events that quickly come to mind would be church attendance as a family, family and individual prayers, blessings on the food at all meals, service to others, personal scripture study, Family Home Evenings and conversations related to personal spiritual promptings and experiences.  The family can also celebrate important religious events such as baptisms, baby blessings, weddings, and missionary comings and going. 

Ava's baptism was an event the whole family rejoiced in.

Sam earned his Arrow of Light, and in 2016
competed in a National Robotics competition.

3) Mentally – Are they working up to their academic capabilities? Are they progressing and learning to use both right and left brain thinking skills on a regular basis?
Many mutual and primary activities encourage this kind of thinking.  Scouting involves challenging thinking as goals are met. Placing homework, reading, and others studies as priorities is important. Learning new skills increases the synapses in the brain and empowers children. Music skills are especially beneficial in this regard, as they use both sides of the brain.

Learning how to sew, gives everyone involved a chance
to show their true emotional stability.  Madison did an
exceptional job in her first endeavor.

4) Emotionally – Can they appropriately express their emotions: frustrations, anger, successes, and feelings?  Have you taught them to use their words?

I am always impressed when I hear my children and their spouses remind their child to "use their words" instead of crying, shouting, or becoming angry."  Teaching children the vocabulary related to emotions is also very valuable, as is using "I messages" which express how you feel, instead of lashing out. These sound like, "I feel valued and happy when you take time to listen to me; or I feel disappointed when you don't complete what you promised to do.  Learning how to show love and care for others, even animals can promote emotional development.

Ryan learning how to share love with Porter

While hand-held devices take less space, they tend
to socially isolate people. Jax, Gannon, and Mattea
find Twister an fun active game to play

5) Physically – Are they healthy, physically active, and engaged in doing, not just watching?  What family activities could be added to encourage this?  What activities hinder this?  Families would be wise to include at least some physical sports that can be done together.  Hiking, running, biking, tennis, soccer, and swimming are some that lend themselves to multi-age participation. When possible encourage kids to participate in community or church sports activities and parents can volunteer to be coaches.  Yay, Andrew, Autumn, Ashley, Nathan, Rob, and Anthony for their efforts on the field helping kids learn and grow.

Parents can direct children
to healthy activities

At the end of each set of these five questions, you must ask: If children aren’t, how can I as a parent help them?  

And most importantly – check yourself on these same five facets.  How are you doing?  Remember your children and grandchildren are watching.  

Parents are the coaches of the next generation.  Their game plan and practice sessions with each child, will affect the caliber of their team's success as they face the challenges of life!  Anyone who minimizes or discredits the role of parents in raising responsible children, is either a simpleton, in denial, or uninformed.  

Cucumbers and Curious Concoctions

September 2011 Provident Ponderings

By Janet Keeler Wilcox

Whenever I think about cucumbers, which never happens unless they are so prolific they are taking over the garden and kitchen—I go looking for recipes. I have one especially favorite recipe for cucumbers.  This one also involves a special memory.  We were still fairly new in Blanding (1974) and expecting our 4^th child.  Our trailer was no longer big enough for our “growing" family and we were looking for a house to buy.  We  had gone to look at Pep Redd’s home, and before we left, his wife Emily (Dr. Jim Redd’s mom) had not only shown us how they used the jerky wires in their basement, but also gave me her relish recipe and I’ve used it ever since.  That was 42 years ago.   Whenever I use it on hot dogs, hamburgers, and in tuna salad sandwiches, I always think of the Redds and their generous and friendly hospitality.

Emily Redd’s Relish

2 quarts ground cucumbers, no need to peel

1 qt. ground onions

2 qts. ground cabbage

1 qt ground green bell peppers, or a mix of banana and bell

Cover with water and ¾ C. coarse salt.  Let stand overnight.  Drain and rinse in clear water.

Mix together 5-8 C. sugar

1 C. water

 5 C. vinegar

3 T. mustard seed

2 T. celery seed.

Pour over ground vegetables and put on heat.  Make a paste with 1 T. dry mustard and 1 T. turmeric and a little water. Add to the other ingredients.  Boil for 2 min,  Fill jars and seal.

BE COOL LIKE THE CUCUMBER

Since there has been an abundance of cucumbers in most gardens.   Here are some facts and uses you may want to try “for such a time as this” when you have enough cucumbers to experiment with. 

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.  In addition, cucumbers can be used for a great summer drink.

   I make cucumber lemonade when I have “lots” of cucumbers.   You can either juice the cucumbers a la Jack Lalayne style, or blend them up with lemonade and ice like a smoothie.  It really is cool and refreshing. 

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4.  Want to avoid a headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium.

5. Fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge. Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.  

6. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

7. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!  I’m not sure how it works on human joints, though my father-in-law used WD 40 for his knees!

8. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

Go to my web site for canning recipes published last year:  http://providentponderings.blogspot.com/

They have no “expiration date!”

Change alone is Eternal, Perpetual, Immortal

"Change alone is eternal, perpetual, immortal"

Arthur Schopenhauer

            This past month has been one of change and upheaval in the lives of many people in our community.  People we know and love have faced divorce, job loss, moving, disappointments, financial chaos, ward realignments, and most devastating -- tragic deaths that have changed lives forever in abrupt finality.  
     Not all change has been negative. There have also been successes, love rekindled, marriages, babies born, new friends made, and homecomings.  How we choose to cope with these changes charts the flow of our future.  Our life is a river with twists and turns, rapids and shallow spots and sometimes a few peaceful meanderings perfect for fly fishing. 

            For some, change becomes the undercurrent that pushes them forward towards new learning, opportunities, and progress. For others, the river seems full of dams that hinder and stunt the ebb and flow of their course through life.  The challenge is to use change—ether put upon us, or chosen by us—to either better maneuver life’s currents or to create a new channel in our river of life.

            Change by choice is always the ideal, but ironically still very hard to orchestrate when lifestyles may include addictions, unforgiven hurts, bad habits, or self defeating patterns.  In order to change, something must be given up, whether it is a lazy habit, a chronic addiction, pride, or a non-productive life style which causes you and others stress.  The 12-step program calls it “insanity”, when you do the same thing over and over again and expect different results.  Unless you prefer living in a dry creek bed of inaction, there must be change.

           Loss is usually a part of change.  We give up the security of mom and home to start school.  As we mature, we leave our comfortable high school cliques, and make new friends.  We choose new careers when old jobs don’t satisfy or reward us.  If relationships have gone sour, we examine our actions, repent, and determine how to add some sweetness.  In all cases we leave the security of the known, for the “road less taken” and the river less charted.

       
Philosophically and logically, this all makes sense; but when loss hits your heart strings so hard they seem to break, it’s very hard to accept change.  Such a torrent of emotions struck our family recently when our son Rob and his wife had a much cherished baby taken from them, they had hoped to adopt, after loving and raising him for a year. It was hard to accept such dramatic and cruel change when their dreams and hopes of the future included this wonderful child.  During such turbulent times of upheaval and trial, initially the only recourse is petitioning God for peace and understanding.  And with time understanding does come, and sometimes even a great new blessing, as was the case when Ryan appeared in their lives and was able to be adopted!

What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”  Pericles

4th ward Bishops and their wives who served during the 38 years of the ward's existence

            As we all move forward into unchartered waters, we can still value and appreciate the great blessings of earlier times-- especially tender and beloved memories of family and friends and past accomplishments.  After 38 years in the Blanding 4^th ward, many of us shed tears for what we were leaving behind when it was dissolved; those who lost loved ones to death felt even greater sorrow.  But previous experiences are not lost; they are permanent ripples in the living water of our character and deep wells of memory in our mind.  We can pull from them whenever we wish, but we don't stop living.  Mankind isn’t programmed to live in the past, but to forge into the future

          World-renown author Gail Sheehy is an advocate for change.  Other than the Bible, few books have changed more lives than her book Passages. It remained on the New York Times bestseller list for more than three years and has been reprinted in twenty-eight languages.  She claims, “If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living.”   Patsy Shumway told me many years ago when we worked together on a School-Community group, that everyone believes in progress; it's just the changes they don't like!"  It is perhaps that fear of change, that prevents many from "really living."

            Sheehy’s follow-up best seller, Pathfinders, explains why some adults overcome life’s crises while others do not.  She interviewed hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds, and in doing so found that the true pathfinders are men and women who have “discovered uncommon solutions to the predictable crises and unexpected accidents of adult life.”  It is a book worth reading.

      To be productive and realize our full potential we must learn from prior experiences.  Avoiding the pitfalls of the past, can carry our little ship of life into to a positive future.  The paradox is that it will often be sadness, loss, and problems which act as the catalyst bringing change into our lives, thus forcing us to evaluate the future and create new patterns of joy.  Are we thankful for trials?  Usually not.  Can we learn from them?  Hopefully so.

I love the Garth Brooks’ song, The River which counsels:

‘So don't you sit upon the shoreline 

And say you're satisfied 

Choose to chance the rapids 

And dare to dance that tide.’

Rosanne Cash, was a woman who chanced many rapids of tragedy.  She believes that “The key to change... is to let go of fear.”  That is the real indicator of faith, when we move forward after tragedy, letting go of fear, sorrow, and regret.  Whether it is the sadness of seeing your first born start school, your last child graduate, a battle with a chronic disease, or burying a loved one, --the inherent sadness is only a precursor to a door opening to a new beginning.   Ironically, it won’t be seen as an opportunity at first, but it will eventually be viewed as such.

“There's bound to be rough waters 

And I know I'll take some falls 

With the good Lord as my captain 

I can make it through them all 

And I will sail my vessel 

'Til the river runs dry Like a bird upon the wind 

These waters are my sky 

I'll never reach my destination If I never try 

So I will sail my vessel 'Til the river runs dry.”

Families -- Isn't it About Time

 Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.-Brad Henry

     Hallelujah for summer -- a time for family reunions and fun!  You don't have to go to exotic beaches, or distant states to have a terrific family reunion. Our recent reunion started at Abajo Haven just north of Blanding, with comfy accommodations and an informative and fun hike along the rim of the canyon.  Bill Haven, the owner and tour guide, taught us about Blanding’s first ditch, and early ruins in the area and later stepped in as large group photographer -- no small feat with 40 people.  Besides the fun at this wonderful reunion spot, our activities also spilled over into Recapture, Monticello, the Blanding pool, and was highlighted by the baptism of a granddaughter, and blessing of a new grandson.  It will surely be a reunion long remembered and cherished.

Whether you are a parent or grandparent, summer usually provides abundant opportunities to interact with children and grandchildren.  A few months ago, our “empty nester” Home Evening group came up with a list of things that they could  do with their grandchildren that could have a positive influence upon them.  Some of their suggestions included teaching grandkids games they used to play:  Mother, May I; Jolly, Jolly Butcher Boy; Annie I Over; Red Rover; Jump rope rhymes; Jacks; Red Light, Green Light; Kick the Can; No Bears Out Tonight; etc.  Games are not only fun but allow parents to help children learn to be good sports and play fairly.

Some families, besides the Osmonds, may have organized a family band or a concert, making sure everyone participates.  Some teach a skill to family members. For several years Norma Madden has organized a quilt camp for daughters and granddaughters, which gives family members a chance not only to learn sewing skills, but to appreciate Norma’s love of quilting and her creativity.

Our Granddaughter Laurie won a blue ribbon this year at the Tooele County Fair.  This was her first quilt, and I was so happy be got to work together as she learned how to sew.

  Diane Balch sometimes holds scrapbooking days with grandchildren, helping them preserve special memories of their school year.  The pages completed are just a bi-product of the real goal of engendering love and building relationships.  Brother Balch on the other hand is likely to pull grandsons up on the roof, and teach them a thing or two about shingling or take them on a hike.

Autumn and Theron's family with the much valued Leah!

On the other extreme, are those families whose skills might include burping contests, or playing pranks.  Recently one of my sons tricked me into believing he was calling from the Animal Control Office in West Valley City.  Even though I hadn’t actually lost Autumn’s dog, he told me a complaint was filed concerning their golden lab who was unleashed, and that a citation would be issued!  Family humor, is also a good trait to pass along—however, both parties need to find it funny!  I’m still looking for revenge!!

Many grandparents plan special trips with children and grandchildren.  One grandmother we met in Idaho, camped with her grandchildren for a week, teaching them about her love for nature, canoeing, camp cooking, etc.  Others may form a chef’s school or 4-H clubs and teach bread making, cooking, gardening, or some other survival skill kids need. 

My husband’s, favorite things to do with grandkids is fishing, hiking, playing games, taking them on a cart rides behind our lawn mower, juggling, magic tricks, and telling corny jokes.  My neighbor Silvia recently helped grandchildren organize and run a yard sale.  She and Brian also try very hard to be at all family milestone events, even whdn it involves back to back weekend trips to Phoenix.  There are many ways to be a positive influence.

Those who are tech-savy might teach family members how to create a blog, make a DVD show for a family event, or create a memory book on-line.  (Or switch the skill around and let grandchildren teach you!)  All these activities inculcate commutation, doing, and sharing.  When it comes to building relationships, isn’t it “about time.”

Gardening is Great for Kids

“Why try to explain miracles to your kids
when you can just have them plant a garden.”
Robert Brault

Our beautiful crab apple tree planted over 20 years ago.

There are gardeners who fuss and agitate about getting seeds planted early, and those who wait until Mother Earth is ready, then begin planting.  With this in mind, rest assured that it’s still not too late to plant a garden, and still have a good harvest.

With plants that take over 80-90 days to mature, it’s wise to plant seedlings instead of seeds.  Such things as melons, tomatoes, and squash can be put in any time in June as seedlings. Vegetables with a shorter growing season such as carrots, chard, beans and corn can still be started by seed. 

Some things such as radishes, spinach, and lettuce don’t do well in hot weather, so you are probably too late to plant these, but you could do an early fall planting of them and get a crop when it cools off a bit.

We have planted corn as late as July 4 and had a crop…that’s assuming there’s a beautiful Indian summer which stretches into Oct. or later with no early frost.  Again check the # of days needed to mature as listed on the packet.

       Steve Lovell and my husband Steve, help plants grow faster by using black plastic with drip systems which waters beneath the plastic.  The plastic captures additional heat, and also squelches unwanted weeds.  But initially it takes more time and work to install, but both claim it is worth it.  If you want to try it out, stop by for a look-see and tutorial.

Same view later in the season

Transplanting Perennial Flowers

If you can commit to watering transplants daily for the first few weeks, it’s still not too late to transplant perennial flowers.  Most are better moved in early spring when it’s cool, but again if it’s not too hot…you can still get them in, and see them take off if you keep them well watered at first. 

Some of the best plants to transplant are: day lilies, Sweet Woodruff (a ground cover), sedum, tansy, lambs ear, iris, and chrysanthemums.  Flowering bushes such as forsythia which root by runners, can also be transplanted as well as decorative grasses. Trim back tall foliage, so the roots can support the plant as they get reestablished in their new home. 

Transplanting annual flower seedlings

   By now annuals started from seed should be big enough to carefully dig up (with a fork or small trowel) and move to a new well watered spot where they have ample space to grow and enjoy the “full measure of their creation.”  Marigolds, snap dragons, alyssum, morning glory and asters are all easy to transplant.  Carefully move them, keeping soil on the roots if possible, and pack them firmly into their new damp home.

Roses can be planted fall or spring.  In this picture are annuals: petunias,morning glory, geranium and calendula..

And finally:
When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it.  If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant. 

Seniors Sneak To Branson, Mo

         

For some the “Blanding Senior Sneak” was part of an extended honeymoon, for others an anniversary getaway, or a Mothers Day trip.  For more than a dozen it was a reunion of the extended Ivins’ family, but for most it was a great opportunity for top class entertainment and wholesome company for nine days.

           The Diamond tour to Branson with 46 passengers included everything: abundant snacks and drinks on the bus, top class accommodations at Hampton Inns, delicious meals and even its own bus poet laureate (Austin) and a peppy cheerleader (Bev).  “It was wonderful.  All I had to worry about was getting to the bus at 9 AM, and all the other things were taken care of,” stated Donna Slade. “Every show was wonderful in their own unique way; many like Shake, Rattle, and Roll were a real musical nostalgia trip.”

            In an unheard of precedent, Marcia Johnson and Deann Ivins were able to secure enough local passengers for a tour to Branson, Mo. -- enough that the bus came right to Blanding for pickup and delivery. No six hour trip to SLC prior to leaving or airport security to pass, just good home-town company, a congenial bus driver, and excellent programs  It was a vacation from the moment the group left the South LDS Chapel parking lot on May 7^th until they returned on the 15^th. 

Branson is a welcome relief of wholesome entertainment and natural beauty when contrasted with other worldly recreation meccas.  For these “seniors” the golden age of Rock and Roll was enjoyed and celebrated in many of the programs which featured Elvis, Neil Diamond and the golden era or Rock and Roll.  The amazing acrobats of China, and aerial performances on the Show Boat Branson Bell, along with the 12 Irish Tenors added a new cultural dimension to the whole Branson experience.  In a class by itself was the original Branson Iconic Baldknobbers Jamboree show, which was recently honored by the Smithsonian Museum for its 50 years of entertainment and humor.   Linda Lewis of Monticello, stated, “I’ve never laughed so hard in all my life, “ and coming from Linda, that’s quite a statement.

            Another wonderful thing about all of the Branson shows is that they take time to do a moving tribute to U.S. veterans.  Each branch of the military is recognized and vets are asked to stand and be recognized.  Blanding had several veterans in their group: Harold Keylon, Keith Ivins, Calvin Blake, Dale Slade, and Darwin Leavitt.

            Along with nine hilarious, joyful, and entertaining programs there were also two inspiring stops on the way home.  One was at the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore, Oklahoma which celebrated the life of a great American humorist, actor and writer.  The visit was especially meaningful since San Juan High Drama and the community had produced the Will Rogers Follies this past school year.  Many on the trip, myself included, had parents who had considered Will Rogers ”The great American Folk Hero.”

           The next stop in Oklahoma City at the site of the terrorist bombing of 1995, was an informative and moving experience. A park ranger retold the events of April 19, 1995 when an American Terrorist bombed the Oklahoma City Federal Building.  The presentation interwove the events with the symbolism of each part of the beautiful memorial to the 168 Americans who were killed that day. Sections in the Memorial include the Museum, Children’s area featuring tiled replicas of messages of hope sent by children; the Rescuers’ Orchard, Survivor Tree, Reflecting Pool, and most moving of all, the Field of Empty Chairs one for each adult and child who lost their lives that day.

      Our resident poet, Austin Lyman wrote this poem to commemorate that occasion:

Oklahoma City Memorial 5-14-11

Immediately and

Immensely touched.

A typical Wednesday it was.

Then the bombing occurred.

All their lives were changed.

The gates of time were altered.

The mystery to them

Was opened up

Life is hard to understand

  It seems.

Darkness sometimes rules

The world.