Life as Linda

2010-11-05T18:34:00.001-07:00

I am still in New Mexico. At times I am thrilled and others I am so sick of desert. I am thrilled that I have gotten to spend so much time with my sister, Maria. All the snowbird friends I made in March and April have returned and they have again taken me in as one of them. On Sundays we have 'movie' night. (Two sundays ago I fell asleep in the middle of The Expendables). Gary, the gentleman who is in charge was not impressed, ha ha! Tuesdays are game night, oh and on Halloween after work I went to their party yum! had great homemade food. We played a card game called Golf and dice games and I have to say that I had not laughed so much in a long time. There's Phyllis and her husband, they are cool cause they wear tie dyed clothing. Debbie and Dave are so friendly and energetic! Ed and Donna are sweet. She works at Walmart, he does all the cooking and everytime he goes to grocery shop he has to stop and harass me, all in fun. There's Gary who's single and an instigator, boy he makes me laugh. Then Don, who's adventurous and so matter of fact, but I love him!! George, the Wyoming cowboy, who constantly wants to chat. A couple of days ago I gave him a ride to the post office. Sharon and Clay, she's the puzzle lady and Clay's sense of humor and teasing just kill me!! I can't forget Wyn and Ki, they have taken me under their wing, their tenderness and kindness have helped me so very much. Ki's great at jigsaw puzzles and Wyn is so fair and beautiful. I wish I had known them years ago. Their kitty hates me though!! Maynard is the only man who does aerobics with all us women so we love him plus me and him have clicked and we laugh so much together. Frank and Anna who adopted me as their daughter left to Florida a couple of weeks ago. Paulette and Bill are heading to Corpes Cristi and I miss them terribly. New people I've met are Newell and Linda, and Terri but I can't remember her husband's name. He's funny cause he calls me Walmart cause he can't remember my name. There are many more, but then this post is already long enough. I just have to say that though I miss everyone familiar in Idaho, I think life is meant for us to meet as many people as possible like I have here. When I think about leaving I get so so sad.

2010-08-28T19:09:00.001-07:00

Lately I've been thinking about how life is so short. Yes, I am almost the big 50 and I don't even know where the time went. There are some things which I regret. I know, I know we are not supposed to regret but I am human after all and I bet not the only human to have them. My son plans to attend BYU Hawaii for a year. When he told me, I was immediately for it because when I was college age that was one of my dreams. One of the dreams which I let go down the tube. Therefore I am encouraging him and am going to do whatever I can to help him. Sometimes people ask me if I could go back what age I would go back to. It's funny how I never say teenage years or twenties. Although I would go back to age 22, I guess. I think it's a great age because I could definitely change lots of things. Yes life is short and I am 'over the hill' but I am happy to say that it hasn't stopped a 24 y.o. and a 19 y.o. from calling me 'Beautiful' and 'Good looking' and though I was flattered I do not want a young guy. I want an older, mature guy someday!

2010-06-21T05:10:00.000-07:00

No matter how old our children are, parents never stop missing them or worrying about them. We may argue on the phone or sometimes speak unkind words to each other but it all goes away when we are reunited once again. All the bad is forgotten and we focus on laughing, kidding, just plain enjoying each other's company. My mother is almost eighty years old and there are times that I wish that I could go back and be a kid again. All the things I would do differently. I think I'd help her more, talk to her, listen to her more, learn from her. When all is said and done, we can't go back, but we can step forward, be better and strive to reach eternal life where we will never again be separated from our loved ones. What a wonderful goal! What a loving Father we have who gives all His children this opportunity.

2010-06-18T12:33:00.000-07:00

Now I am looking forward to a whole new upcoming visit from one of my grown children!! Yeh!!Fourth of July weekend I'll get to see my eldest daughter. She is the absolute best! Some of the things she does for me are: my nails! lets me wear her clothes, borrow her purses and shoes (she has zillions of them!), makes me slow down and smell the the roses, so to speak: she makes me drop whatever I'm doing no matter how busy I am or how many weeds I have to pull, to snuggle with her, catnap with her or just plain hug or jump on the bed, whee!! She's the best! The guy she's dating will be accompanying her and I am so-oo excited to see him also. He's so fun!! He is not ashamed to go to the store or other places with an old lady like me. If I'm having a bad day he immediately makes it better just by his cheerful smile and energetic greeting! I have not ever seen him down, even when he was taking some very difficult engineering classes! I think the best thing I like about him is that he shares twinkies and raspberry filled donuts with me!

2010-06-04T18:01:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday I got to hug my second daughter, yeh!! and then she went to Idaho with me. Since then we have been hanging out, watching movies, cooking yummy food, doing yard work, visiting the neighbors, going to the doctor, to Target, buying shoes at Payless and grocery shopping! If I had not had her here I would have been bored to tears. Her endless cheery energy and sound advice have kept me going especially at times when I have wanted to yell in frustration. She reminds me constantly of Father's love, His perfect plan and of the blessings to which we are entitled if we will only do His will. I have known this for decades, yet I tend to easily forget at times. Families is what life is all about, helping, supporting, encouraging and loving each other.

2010-05-30T20:31:00.000-07:00

Recently we drove the winding road to the Gila cliff dwellers' ruins. We were told that it was about a 2 and a half hour drive, little did we know! It took us nearly four hours! The views were breathtaking, the road dangerously narrow and the ponderosa pines, wow!! I didn't know that NM had ponderosa pines! We were able to take the dogs to the trailhead but there we had to leave them in kennels provided. The hike to the cliff dwellings was shady, curvy and at times a bit steep, but well worth it. Okay, funny highlights, one of the grouchy rangers told me sharply not to lean on a rock which was roughly three times as big as me. He said that the rock was older than him, I wanted to say, duh, but no! I didn't. I was nice. The ceremonial rooms, workrooms, sleeping rooms, the workmanship of the cement were, well . . I can't find words to describe them. I felt a kinship with these long gone people. The Book of Mormon people came to mind, yeah they were relatives with the people who lived here at one time. There were ladders we climbed to look over walls at other rooms. On the hike down, there were many rock stairs and mostly sand mixed with gravel. I slipped with my tennis shoes and scrapped under my right knee, there was even a small goose egg or should I say a robins' egg bump, stained my capris and was a little embarrassed as there were two teenage boys behing us about 10 feet. I have a very low pain tolerance level, so I wanted to cry but instead I forced myself to keep walking, although I stood to the side so the teenagers could pass. We reached the bottom shortly and when the dogs jumped into the river I did too, up to my knees and the robins egg on my leg disappeared and didn't bother me the rest of the day. There's something to be said for cold, cold river water!!

2010-05-21T21:07:00.000-07:00

It is Pacman's 30th anniversary and I have to say that I am thrilled! It automatically loaded onto Google's homepage and I have spent an enjoyable evening playing it over and over again like I used to when I was as teenager. In college I was one of the Pacman champs. I remember being challenged and challenging anyone and everyone I met. We'd go to the gameroom and play and play, maybe this one of the reasons that I didn't get very good grades that first year. . !?

2010-05-17T09:13:00.000-07:00

It is so wonderful that everywhere I have gone in the United States, there is either a ward or branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The same Spirit can be felt, the same love from the members and as importantly the same feelings of great faith which strengthen me on a daily basis. Yesterday in Sacrament meeting as I listened to the sacrament prayers, I felt Father in Heaven so near. It was just one of those times that you don't want to end, though the talks were great! I'm thankful for the active, strong members everywhere!

2010-05-10T13:17:00.000-07:00

I just read my eldest daughter's tribute to me for Mother's Day and I cried and cried but I also smiled in remembrance more than once. How often does a child show such appreciation to a parent, I mused? How lucky I am to have such a daughter? The credit can only be attributed to Father in Heaven, who not only loves each of us unconditionally, but who has also given us the Gospel, a map for us to follow on this earth to help us one day attain eternal life. I know that my eldest daughter would not be who she is today if she had not had the Gospel of Jesus Christ in her life, grown up with it's teachings, activities and great examples. How wondrous is our Father!

2010-05-06T15:43:00.000-07:00

There's something to be said for senior citizens. I am living amongst many 'snowbirds' and I am enjoying it tremendously. The stories I have heard, as I sit patiently in the shady patio, are one of a kind. Two days ago I spent the better part of the morning listening to an old 'cowboy' from Wyoming tell me his stories, certainly more exciting than reading a book! He told me about the generations of his family ranching the land, about his horseback riding through those mountains and how he even professionally guided people through them. The neat part about spending time with him, though, apart from his stories, were the jokes. And better yet, the way he told them. I had not spent such an enjoyable morning in a long time. As I listened, I couldn't help but admire the desert plants in the L shape flowerbed along the edge of the patio, the trees swaying in the slight breeze and especially the beautiful sounds of the birds as they busily argued, scolded or sang. I am glad that I didn't pass up this opportunity and I aim to continue spending time with my neighbors :)

2010-04-26T12:29:00.000-07:00

The weather forecast was a sunny beautiful weekend, so we took the boat out fishing. What an adventure it turned out to be! The white caps caused by the strong winds were huge and as we sped over them, it felt like I was on a rollar coaster! Whoa!! I exclaimed and Whee!! over and over again as my tummy tickled. And I mean it tickled worse than any amusement park ride I have ever been on! I wondered how my two dogs were taking it, but they seemed unaffected. After we got to the fishing area, I drove slowly parallel but not too close to the shore. All of a sudden I felt a wave swing us to the right and heard a Scrape! Oh no! a rock. I was advised to shut the boat off. I was so freaked out because I had never hit a rock while driving and I was so glad that I was wearing my lifejacket. In my head I was imagining the worse seeing the boat sinking and my floating around, ha ha! But the didn't happen cause our boat is not fiberglass, rather it's made of aluminum!!

2010-04-24T15:02:00.000-07:00

Sat, April 24, 2010

Elephant Butte Lake is the biggest lake in the state of New Mexico. It is named for a butte which is an island which some say resembles an elephant. I cannot see an elephant and I do not like the long name for a town: Elephant Butte. It's almost as bad as the adjoining town Truth or consequences which was named for the game show from the seventies. In my opinion such a beautiful lake should have a nicer name. And it is beautiful because it's surrounded by desert covered hills and mountains. The water is blue though in areas it's muddy colored but only up close. In closing I can see the attraction of this lake, why the truck and boat trailer parking lot is always filled to the brim and the rangers are so nice and informative.

2010-04-06T07:57:00.000-07:00

In the past everytime we visited New Mexico my children complained saying the same things their cousins did: "It's a hole! Who'd want to live there?! Ugh!" I never thought those things because I always had fun with my sisters who lived there. Well, here I am in New Mexico again and now I am saying ugh! The reasons? To start my sisters no longer live there. I am not in a big city with all the cool restaurants, stores, cool antique shops, swimming pools, etc. The small town I am in is dusty, spread out, run down, just plain unattractive. There are no green trees, only prickly shrubs and scrub. The wind blows constantly and just when I think finally, yes it's gonna be a nice hot day, oh no the wind starts up. Most of the time it blows hard like 35 mph or more and if you leave anything outside it gets blown away! It is so dry and dusty that my sinuses have gotten so dried out that my nose bleeds almost on a daily basis. My hair feels as though I've dyed it six times straight in a row, it's just awful! My skin is the worse. I just can't moisturize enough especially my feet which have always been dry and rough have worsened by 200 %, no kidding. I cannot understand how anyone would want to live here. New Mexico is definitely not my number one choice.

2010-02-26T12:30:00.000-08:00

February 17, 2010
Today I traveled to Grants Pass, OR to see my six most favorite (under age 12) girls in the world!! McKinley, Sunrise, Faith, Ariella, Brynn & Grace. !!!

2010-01-04T11:32:00.000-08:00

Today is my sister, Martha's birthday, yeh!! Wish I had a picture of her to post here. January is full of birthdays in my family. I remembered Brynn's birthday on January 1 then forgot to call her but I think that she is okay with it since I visited her family twice in 2009. Then my brother, Eli's birthday is coming up. My eldest sister, Angie and her son Nick's birthday are also in January. And I can't forget my sweet nephew, Chris! I do not know everyone's birthdays by memory and I do not have my list in front of me but I believe that Angie Schultz, my nephew's wife and Noemi, my sister in law also have birthdays this month. Happy happy birthday to all!!!

2010-01-02T12:28:00.000-08:00

So one of my New Year's resolution's is to blog more often even though I know that 2010 is going to be busier than ever. I read other people's blogs often and it makes me realize that I have so much to blog about but I just don't do it! Okay so here goes: This Christmas was nice because I was surrounded by my three wonderful children. I can't say the same about the new year because I was so-o tired so I went to lie down, fell asleep and the next thing I knew I was waking up and it was morning! I was so upset that my children didn't wake me up because I knew that they'd had plans to have a fire and smores, etc. You cannot imagine my disappointment! Back to Christmas, this year we put purple and pink lights and grey, off white, lavender, and purple glass ornaments on tree, I have to mention that I couldn't resist adding some homemade ornaments, oh well. We didn't have a white Christmas. I didn't really expect it, I was hoping even though we live in the gray capitol of the world! Anyway I hope that all of you have made at least one new year's resolution and that your Christmas was great!

2009-10-13T20:54:00.000-07:00

More on John Grisham. He also said that he didn't sit around dreaming of what a great writer he was going to be or could be someday. He got up at 5 a.m. everyday to write before going off to his job. He's one of my heros although I have not read all his books. I like to think of his going to work each day like the rest of us and then becoming a published writer.

2009-10-09T09:39:00.000-07:00

Everytime I sit down to write, I go blank, yet as I read blogs, internet, journal, etc. I remember what I wanted to write in my blog. The microcassette recorder which my family so lovingly gave me one Christmas was stored in a drawer for awhile, then a family member borrowed it. Years ago, my father helped me set up a spot to write in a storage shed behind our house. An antique buffet set against a wall with a window on the side provided great lighting. My manual (yes! that's all that was around for a poor person back then) typewriter was my best friend and I wrote some but not as much as I would have liked. When my children were small I had dreams of having a loft with a window seat where I would create all these great stories that had lurked in my mind forever. I thought I would have the 'time' later, since being a full time, stay-at-home mom didn't leave much time. Now my children are on their own and when I try to write it doesn't happen. I think I just have to write and yes! use that cassette recorder. And most importantly, like John Grisham said: Write something everyday.

2009-09-12T19:23:00.000-07:00

So does time fly at an astonishing rate for you too? I was so looking forward to Labor day weekend. My two daughters came home and we went boating. One of my nephews came along and he made it doubly fun! Then it was time to go home, then on Monday at around 5 p.m. the three of them left and I was left feeling as though I had been cheated somehow. As they were preparing to leave, I felt so so sad and my nephew helped by reminding me of that 'alone' time which I've come to depend on so that certainly helped. After they left, my husband helped me vacum, wash & dry my car and I armour alled it and even cleaned the tires!! So back to my 'alone' time!! Yeh!!

2009-08-29T15:59:00.000-07:00

Life is pretty good right now. My eldest daughter enjoys coming home to visit. My second daughter spends more time with us when she comes home than with her friends. My son is becoming responsible and hopefully will soon be on the same path as his sisters. As for me, well to be truthful I am really enjoying my 'alone' time. In the past, I dreaded it. Now it's come to be something that I look forward to. Some of the reasons why it's so nice: 1) I can eat whatever I want, I don't have to cook. 2) I can watch seasons of shows like Smallville. 3) I can go to bed whenever I want. 4) The house doesn't get so dirty, ha ha! 5) I can drive to Hagerman and hang out with my friend Carol whenever I want. 6) I can read blogs!! 7) I can read, read and read books and magazines. 8) I can snooze in the hammock whenever I want. And last but certainly not least, I can go to the creek and swing whenever and however long I want. Yes, life is good.

2009-08-28T22:36:00.000-07:00

I just don't know about this blogging business! I can't keep up with my blog because i am too busy reading so many other blogs, Aargh!! It isn't that I don't have anything to write about because I do! Like how fun it is to save tidbits such as watermelons rinds, cucumber peels, and corncobs for the chickens and see how excited they get. And like how exciting it is to see so many peppers and tomatoes on the many plants we have, so watering isn't a drag anymore. And like how much I love my swing that Russell made, which swings me over the creek. I love dragging my feet in the water and watching the sun's rays reflecting on the water's surface. And like how much I enjoy snoozing on the swing on the patio. I am seriously going to try to read less blogs so that I will have the time to share the joys of my life:)

2009-07-19T21:52:00.000-07:00

On Saturday our neighbor down the road called to tell me that the apricots on her tree were ripe and that we could have half of them. By the time I got around to telling Russell it was dark and too late to go pick the apricots. This morning while it was still cool, armed with a box and a plastic bucket, we rode the scooters around the corner and picked apricots. Big, huge mistake! These apricots were very ripe, therefore I knew that my sabbath day would be a busy one. As soon I walked in the front door after church, I smelled them! cooking apricots! Russ was dipping them in boiling water to skin them. I joined him after changing my clothes and donning an apron. It was tedious work but our efforts paid off. We canned 20 pints of apricot jam. We couldn't contain our excitement at how well we'd done for our first time. Of course I have to say that we have canned fish, chicken, moose, beets, in the pressure cooker but never jam. I took some to our neighbors and they exclaimed at how tasty it was, especially after I told them how little sugar we had used. We plan to can tomato soup, tomatoes, green beans, corn, peaches, the list goes on and on. Tomorrow we are having pancakes with homemade apricot marmalade!!

2009-06-09T09:18:00.000-07:00

My son's high school graduation came and went. As he walked in wearing cap and gown, I cried and cried. I couldn't help myself, this was my baby, my only son. I was so overwhelmingly proud of him when he, as senior class president, stood at the podium to introduce the guest speaker. Then as he received his diploma, I cried and cried again. My daughter's graduation from college was also in the month of May. She looked radiant in her cap and gown as she waited her turn onstage. I cried though not nearly as much as I did when she graduated from high school. I read other people's blogs about their children graduating and wonder how they can sound so cheerful about it. Is it because they are able to see it as a step in their child's progression in this life, in fulfilling their goals and ultimately reaching the happiness which our Father has in store for each of His children?

2009-05-27T22:24:00.000-07:00

May 8, 2009!!!

2009-04-21T00:26:00.000-07:00

2009-04-12T20:59:00.000-07:00

This is Willy and Zeke in their 'playpen'. Willy always sticks his nose out between the bars and Zeke is more patient and just looks out. This playpen is at the top of the stairs to Russell's shop. It's kind of convenient because they can't get out and they just play. The expressions on their faces are comical! Willy is so big compared to Zekey and much more slender!!

2009-04-12T20:54:00.000-07:00

This is a closeup of Willy, Homi and I agree that he is a very handsome dog. Willy is a very active puppy, he will turn one year old on May 1st. I have been training him since he was tiny how to sit back on his haunches with his front paws up. This is called 'circus dog'. Now everytime he runs to greet someone he jumps up beside them, not on them. He respects people and will not actually jump up on them unless they run then he thinks that they are 'fair game' and will chase them. He still snarfs down his food, oh and he loves the cat. I will post a picture of the cat and tell you about her cause she thinks that she's a cougar.

2009-04-06T22:18:00.000-07:00

Last time Jen came home she took Homi's senior pictures and I asked her to take one of me and Willy. Notice how obediently he sits beside me as though posing for the picture. Isn't he a handsome dog? He's so full of enery all the time and he's so curious. Willy is also an excellent watchdog and will perk up and listen at the slightest sound of a car. He loves riding in the back of the pickup, although we tie him to a chain by his collar so he won't fall out. I still love Willy so much and no matter how big he gets, he will always be my baby.

2009-03-29T18:35:00.000-07:00

Jen and Summer in Las Vegas.
Tammy, Austin, Courtney and I outside of Temple Square. This is what family fun is all about!!
This is my son with his stage makeup still on his face. He had just come home from performing the first night. I had to hug him, I love him so very much!
This is Taylee and I.
On a family vacation!

2009-03-20T19:18:00.000-07:00

Funny how when you are looking forward to something time drags, then when it happens it goes way too fast and suddenly it is over and done with and you are left wondering what happened. This happened to me recently. I was so looking forward to my eldest daughter, Jen coming home for springbreak. Then she ARRIVED, YEH!! then she left and I was like, wait! wait! the time was too short, we didn't get to do all the things that I wanted us to do together! We did do lots of fun stuff, we went to the movie, we went shopping, we watched TV, we walked the dogs, we teased and played around with Homi and she taught me some stuff on facebook. I am so glad that when Jen asked me to go to the basement with her to look for some stuff that I did. I am so glad that I snuggled her when she asked me to, when she commanded in that cute baby voice of hers for me to drop what I was doing and listen to her or hug her or sit beside her on the bed or couch that I did. I miss her, I miss her all the time and suddenly I see how important it is for me to live the Gospel 100% better than I have been living it. Cause then I can be with Jen always, every day and never ever have to be away from her!

2009-03-06T07:17:00.000-08:00

Gus
I don't know quite where to begin to tell about Gus. He came to live with us the summer of 1991 and was the best dog. He did puppy things like chewing the cords of all our power tools and finding favor with our neighbors by stealing clothes off their clothesline, rugs off their back porch, hoses off their lawn and shredding an expensive boat tarp. He was the perfect companion to our children, taking care of them when they left the yard to go play in the creek and trees. Gus got a reputation as a voracious dog because he wouldn't let people who came to visit get out of their cars. He became the perfect hunting dog as he loved the water from the time he was a fat roly poly puppy. In 2001 we decided that he needed a friend so we got Zeke. At first Gus didn't like him because he was too feisty but as time passed he taught Zeke manners. What else can I say about Gus? Only that he was the perfect dog and when he died last year he left a huge void in our hearts.

2009-03-02T21:42:00.000-08:00

Fathers
Sometimes we don't appreciate our dads as we should. Mine passed away in 1999 and I still miss him terribly. I wish that I had taken more time to listen to his stories and spent more one on one time with him. I wish that I given him more opportunities to share his knowledge. So to those of you who still have your father, take a moment to tell him how much you love him. Most importantly, learn from your father's examples and strive to be more like him, the qualities that make him the wonderful man he is. On July 23, 2009 it will be 10 years since I lost my daddy but time hasn't really lessened the loss I feel, the void, the empty spot in my heart. I know that I have a Father in Heaven, my first father, and that He loves me but I still miss the security I felt having my earthly father nearby.

2008-11-25T18:13:00.001-08:00

Brr!! Winter has certainly come to Idaho! In the morning when Willy, Zeke and I go outside, we can see our breath. I shiver alot because I am usually still wearing pajama pants and slippers. I said that I would write more about Willy but I have to write about Zeke also. For those of you who know Zeke, he has the sweetest face and temperament. He's obedient, smart and submissive sometimes to a fault. I can't forget to mention his blond eyelashes which stand out against his eyes which look as though he's wearing black eyeliner. When he was a puppy, he was so fat that his stomach almost dragged and it stuck out the sides. He couldn't get up the front steps. His bed was a kennel with the top part taken off. His nightgown was a tiny baby t-shirt which was green and blue. He grew up in the shadow of our first lab, Gus, who put him in his place from the very start. As I think back, there were many times when we'd hear Zeke whimper due to some discipline from Gus. I know now that Gus actually molded Zeke into the great dog that he is today. When Zeke was still quite young, around 6-8 months old he fell out of the back of the pickup and fractured his hind leg in many places. Russell still claims to this day that Gus pushed Zeke off cause he didn't want him in our family. The vet inserted a pin in Zeke's hip which he had to wear for six weeks. It stuck out above his hip bone and he got so skinny that I didn't like petting him. He went on the road with Russell and everyone fell in love with him. Gruff construction workers always had a treat, a kind word, a scratch to the ears or a pet on the head for him. This treatment of unconditional love contributed to the dog that Zeke became. Zeke has a very expressive face and we can always tell whether he's done something wrong. His two greatest faults are digging holes and dragging bones or skulls of dead animals onto the lawn. We can throw away bone after bone and he'll always find another one especially during hunting season. We have learned to live with this because of the great that Zeke constantly gives us. Now Zeke is teaching Willy everything that Gus taught him about being a good pet. From time to time we've have heard Willy whimper and cry when Zeke's taught him manners or put him in his place but it isn't our place to interfere because we know that this is Zeke's way of showing his love, not only to Willy but also to us. He wants, as Gus did, to also leave a legacy. Don't worry, readers, you will have the privilege of hearing about Gus too. . .

2008-10-30T20:09:00.000-07:00

"Eight Is Not A Crowd"
Today nostalgia washed over me without any warning at all. My childhood, it seems, flew by without my knowing where it went or my realizing how wonderful it really was. I think that we all have, at one point or another, wished that we could go back and re-live great times. What I consider 'great times' are growing up with 3 sisters (Angie, Maria & Martha) and 4 brothers (Joel, Noe, Eli & Jim) in rural Missouri. I know that many of our children do not believe us when we tell them that we didn't have shoes in the summer. I honestly don't know what I would have done with shoes had I had them! I loved feeling the dirt, sometimes damp and dark, at others dry and dusty beneath my feet. My brothers and I enjoyed playing a game which Eli (2 yrs older than me) invented. We gathered dirt clods and we threw them against each other to see which one remained intact then that one would compete with another. Eli had a knack for finding champs! My eldest sister, Angie, went away to college and on weekends she taught us the latest, coolest things like the Peace sign, Smoked you sign and how to twirl her beaded hippie belt, etc. We thought she was the greatest! When Martha & Maria were in high school they left the house in the morning with their skirts down to their knees but as soon as they were on the bus, they hiked them up 6 in or more above their knees. Joel, my eldest brother, put together a bicycle with parts he collected from the dump. It was a huge, spindly looking thing without a seat but Jim (youngest) learned how to ride a bike on it. I remember Eli being real sick when he was little and 'bleeding a bucket of blood' from his nose. I was traumatized because I have never been able to handle seeing blood. Noe had watch us three younger ones and since he disliked this, he'd scare us running from room to room then he'd run out of the house into the garden or the surrounding cotton fields, then when we caught up to him he'd sneak away and run back to the house. We'd stay in the garden under the plants' cool shade waiting for mom and older siblings to return from working in the fields. This is where Eli invented the dirt clod game. Now as I look back, I know that I wouldn't change a thing! I love my siblings the same today as I did back then. I just wish that some of them cared more about keeping in touch.

2008-10-29T21:53:00.000-07:00

"Puppy Love"
Today I enjoyed the beautiful Fall weather playing outside with my baby, Willy (almost 6 mo. old Lab puppy) and Zeke (our 7 y.o Lab). In the beginning I wore a plaid shirt over my t-shirt, but within minutes of cavorting with this very feisty, mischevious pair I had to take it off, whew! As Willy and Zeke dashed down the hill towards the creek I couldn't help thinking of how much joy they've brought into our family's life. At the moment as I was pondering all this, I had to look over at Willy, because everytime he does his business he looks to me, for a "Good Boy " praise. Funny that as soon as I say it, he runs off. From the moment we brought Willy home, I fell in love! Not one day has been complete until I've taken time to walk him and Zeke. I love watching them as they explore, dashing from rock to tree to shrub to hole, sniffing, digging, pouncing. It's entertaining watching Willy mimick Zeke, following him from place to place. They love jumping in the irrigation pond, Willy loves the water and dips his nose in and out like a duck! During the summer when the sprinklers were on, he chased them, biting the water until he was so wet that the water literally ran off his fur in rivlets. Yeah, you guessed it! I could pretty much go on and on about Willy's tactics which always bring a smile to my face. I love him so much that everytime I see him I have to hug him and plant a big, long kiss on the top of his snout just below his eyes. He loves hugs and will tolerate my hugging him for a long long moment, though at times he'll be looking longingly at Zeke running around. I've learned that if I ignore negative behavior he gets the message and ceases it. Yes, dogs are that smart! My Willy, though, is the smartest. I will keep you updated on all he continues to learn.

A Hunting We Will Go

2008-10-13T19:34:00.000-07:00

Sept 5, 2008 Friday
It took us over 4 hours to drive to Arch Canyon in the Owyhee desert to hunt for bighorn sheep because there were endless rocks on the road. In Arch canyon I saw the arch and a register rock where people have signed their names or drawn pictures for years! The highlights were: Seeing a horned owl in broad daylight and finding a lizard with an electric-blue tail! Everytime I stood on a canyon rim I had to sing 'How Great Thou Art' (to myself in my head if we were scouting). When we settled into our sleeping bags on cots in the bed of the pickup, the sky looked white with so many stars. We watched for falling stars, mused and wondered and just plain marvelled. One morning around 7 a.m. as we walked along an old lane, Russell startled me by jumping suddenly and I jumped also. Then he showed me a huge coiled rattlesnake 1/4 inch from where he had just stepped. The snake was so cold that it only looked at us. On our way back, Russ again jumped and he showed me where the rattlesnake had scrambled under a sagebrush to get out of his way. I can't forget to mention how sad the old abandoned dry farming settlements looked sitting all alone out in the middle of the desert surrounded by yellow grass and scruffy sagebrush. There was old farming machinery slowly rusting away, looking like great beasts waiting, just waiting for what. . .

Puppies & Cantaloupes!

2008-10-11T10:44:00.000-07:00

I was going bighorn sheep hunting with Russell the next morning in the Owyhee desert. I worried because we had never left our son alone for more than a couple of days and he's a teenager, a male and absentminded as can be. The times I'd been gone this summer, in Aug and Sept, he had either overwatered or underwatered the garden and flowers, therefore their growth was stunted and we ended up not having pumpkins, zucchini, beans, etc. We did get a couple of cucumbers, though our new puppy, Willy was the only one who got to enjoy the cantaloupes as he stole them before they were ripe! He was the only one to eat the cucumbers too. We enjoyed a few tomatoes. My lavender died except for two plants. The highlight of it all was that some plants which I thought were lavender turned out to be rosemary!

Another Traumatic Experience!

2008-06-08T14:36:00.000-07:00

On Friday, May 30, 2008 my second daughter, Summer, moved to Salt Lake City. I don't think that anyone, except mothers who've had to go through similar experiences, could relate to the way I was feeling that day. As I watched her sorting, packing and arranging, I felt my heart breaking, the tears always close at bay with my helplessly trying to keep them from spilling down my cheeks. Of course I made sure not to let her see because that would be admitting cowardice on my part. Just as Heavenly Father let us go, we have to let our children, go also. On the drive I was so exhausted as I had slept restlessly the night before and at times I struggled to keep my eyes open. Summer, who normally sleeps all the way on past trips, made sure to stay awake with me the whole way. We stopped in Snowville to buy gas, Summer went inside and I pumped the gas, then as she was coming back out, a man on a motorcycle at the next set of pumps over, got her attention, pointed and as she looked over, she motioned to me. I looked at the rear tire on the passenger side and my heart sank, it was flat. I wondered how we'd made it as far as we had. I moved the car over to the air machine and the motorcycle guy came over and put air in the tire. About 13 miles from Brigham City, as we were pulling over to check the tire, I looked in my rearview mirror and saw a motorcycle pulling over. To our astonishment it was our motorcycle 'guardian angel'! Summer told him that the tire was fine and again we said our goodbyes. We talked about how nice he was, how caring and how the Lord always watches out for His children. We felt truly loved that day. At Brigham City, the Les Schwab fixed the flat. They found a nail in the tire. We went to Jen's house and the day became special because my two daughters were with me. When you become a parent, you cherish the time you have with your children. Listening to the chatter of Summer and Jen I thought to myself,"I can't remember a more perfect day." It was one of those days when a person is thankful to be alive. I could not remember a more perfect day, well except when I was about 12 and being at Yellowstone National Park with my parents, Nick & Rita Morales, my sister, Angie and my brothers, Joel, Noe, Eli and Jim. But that's another story for another day. Jen, Sum and I stayed up talking, laughing, just enjoying being together. Summer's moving was put to the back of my mind. The next morning, Saturday, Jen and I went to take Summer to the racetrack where she would be working all that day and the next.

Back from vacation!

2008-04-07T12:51:00.000-07:00

Springbreak 2008 March 17-21th
Wed March 19

Russ dropped us off and when we got to the truck he wasn't anywhere to be found so we hiked a bit then decided we best leave him a note. Homi and I started back and as I came around a bend in the trail he yelled something to me that sounded like cat. Scared I looked at the cliffs then he pointed to something and it dawned on me that he had said calf. The rest of the kids got the calf to follow them, it just mooed and mooed. Russ finally appeared and we went to find a place for the night. The vertical sandstone walls were so beautiful. At bedtime we watched the full moon come over the canyon wall, it lit everything up like daylight.

Thurs, March 20
we hiked up the canyon and stopped to get water from tenahas. There was snow and even ice under overhangs. Then there were places so sandy that we tired walking through them. The coliseum-like overhangs were so impressive and beautiful that I thanked the Lord in my heart for the glorious creation of them! When we rested, we would lie on ledges made by water over time. Zeke, our dog, had so much fun running. Russ and I hiked ahead, but we could hear the kids behind, enjoying the day and hike. On the way back, as we took a break, a strong canyon wind blew so much sand that we couldn't see. I had to throw my army shirt over mine and Jen's heads! Summer had a sore ankle and changed into Jen's tennis shoes. We made dinner then the kids wanted me to tell the skinny runner story. I didn't finish it because I didn't want to scare myself ! Homi had gotten hooked on the book that Jen had been reading to us in the car and we couldn't get him to do much until he finished reading it,then just as Jen had predicted after he finished the book, he turned into himself again and was bugging us all, but we loved!
Jen was up behind a big boulder and exclaimed that she couldn't believe that no one had thought of going to the bathroom behind it. We all yelled at her not to go there! We all laughed cause Jen had to go take a wipey bath, like Russ . Zeke carried his own little doggy backpack with dogfood and water. Everytime I sat down to meke food, Summer was right there saying , "Will you make some of that for me? That looks good, can I taste it? Can I eat some of those when they're done?" She helped me make apple turnovers. Aaron brought so much extra food. Russell told me that it was my fault for not searching their packs ! But in the end I think we were glad for the spices and esp the corned beef in a tin. Homi had summer sausage which he ate the whole time! Summer had trail mix, yum!

Friday, March 21, 2008
This morning we took our time getting up and packed. We got a late start because the sun took so long to get past the canyon wall. Jen and Homi took a hike, I could see them messing around in a small stand of cottonwoods . The hike was nice but it got hot. At one point I hiked ahead, saw some big boulders which I knew I had camped by on one of my past trips and had to go explore around them. I climbed up on one and I could see the kids. Then a side canyon also drew my attention and despite my tiredness, I had to go explore it! I was remembering the times I had hiked through with groups of students on survival so many years ago. The memories wouldn't stop and I didn't want to chase them away. I remember once, the kids asked, "Mom, are you sure you aren't just making it all up and you never really hiked here?!" I merely laughed . The sad part is knowing that I can never go back. This is why I tell my children to enjoy life to the fullest, because they'll never be able to live that day again. All they'll have are memories.

When we arrived at the truck we loaded all the packs into the back of the truck, Russ, Jen and I rode in the cab and Aaron, Sum and Homi rode in the back. We enjoyed the ride back, the scenery and especially the togetherness. My favorite part of the whole adventure has been to see my children dressed as casually as they were, laughing and having fun together. This memory I will tuck away in a special place in my heart for a day in the future when I can pull it out and I will cherish it because it will most definitely put a smile on my face.

As we turned onto the paved Burr trail, Russ had gotten a little ways in front of us, we saw a ranger truck pass and just beyond the next curve we saw Russ and Aaron stopped on the side of the road with the ranger truck . My first thought was, oh no! he stopped them like a policeman! I quickly asked the kids whether we should stop, and we all opted for no. But a ways down the road I pulled over and told them to pretend we were taking pics and the ranger wouldn't know that we were with Russ and Aaron. We were there for a bit, with Homi pretending to take pics with my phone and Sum posing, ha ha !! It was funny! Then we decided that since it was taking so long that maybe they were in trouble and we better go back. None of the phones had any signal so calling was out of the question. Just as we decided to turn back, the ranger's truck whizzed by, then shortly Russ and Aaron also passed by. We immediately followed it, I had to step on it to catch up and as we got to the top of a big grade I honked because I couldn't catch up to them. They pulled over and we ran, well Homi and Sum got there first. I could hear them laughing as I stepped up beside the door. When I asked, Russ told me that the ranger'd wanted to ask about and see the Argo. We got back in the car and Homi and Sum told us that Aaron had tried to trick them and at first had told them that the ranger had found Homi's rocks, therefore they had to follow him to the ranger station. Homi told him no way that they were at the very bottom of his pack, then Aaron laughed and told him the truth.

As we travelled along the rest of the Burr trail, Jen and I listened to Dr. Laura. Sum watched a movie and Homi snoozed and listened to music. I was enjoying the scenery as usual and seeing the different places where I had started survival trips with groups of kids. Russell surprised us all by stopping at the Anasazi village visitor center. I had no desire to go, I was dirty, dusty and tired. He said that Aaron had never seen it so they went to see how much it cost. They returned shortly saying that they were not going to it and we left. We stopped at the highest lookout point of Boulder Mt. where there was a parking area, lots of snow and some people. A hippie couple with the lady wearing pants under what looked like a dress or maybe it was just a long shirt/blouse and the guy wearing shorts, no shoes, glasses, were messing around, playing and the guy walked into the snow barefoot as we pulled out. I didn't enjoy the drive, too many curves and downhills and uphills. I was so glad when we finally got onto straight roads. We stopped in some small town where Russ had stopped to wait for us then we continued on to Richfield. There we got two motel rooms and we showered, it was fun seeing the water so dirty and orange. Russ, Sum and I walked to KFC and got dinner. Later Homi and I bathed Zeke and Jen said that the whole hallway smelled of wet dog, so I moved him to the far corner by the window (he'd been right by the door).

The next morning we had breakfast, then we parted company. Russell and Homi left with Zeke to drive straight to Buhl. Aaron, Jen, Sum and I took our time driving to SLC. Sum and I had fun spending time with Jen and Aaron. We went to the movie and later Sum and I went to the dollar movie. All it all it had been a fun trip. We had spent some real quality time together enjoying not only each others' company but also the beauty of nature. Arriving back home, I felt as though I'd left my best friend.