HAPPY BOO DAY!

Autumn on Main Street

A few days ago, I was doing some shopping in the town just north of us, and I noticed a parade of scarecrows dotting Main Street. I drove home, grabbed my camera, and talked my husband into driving me back to Scarecrowland so I could take some pictures. I suppose I could have driven back myself, now that I think about it. But it was a lot more fun barking instructions to my poor hubby. "Stop here." "Ok, I've got that one; now pull up to that one." "No, this isn't working. Go up just a little bit." "Now, stop right after the light." "Can you back up just a tad?" Poor Bob. There are so many things he didn't sign up for when he married me. But with him doing the driving, I could snap the pictures without getting out of the car. And you can sort of double park for a second in a small town, y'know. These photos represent about a third of the scarecrows that are displayed on this street. Even though there was a rather harsh wind yesterday, most of the 'Crows came through it unscathed. I love the things this town does on Main Street throughout the year.

Happy Autumn!

Bloomin' Tuesday

We are fully into fall at our house, so our blooms are going to be hibernating until spring. However, here's a photo of blooms that will take me through the winter! This is a picture of flowers my husband bought for me while we were visiting the Hawaiian Islands a few weeks ago. The flowers were purchased on the island of Maui. The "Bird of Paradise" is exquisite. The red flower is a type of orchid grown in the islands. This bouquet lasted over a week and was still blooming when we had to discard it. Truly beautiful.

Memory

I apologize for the length of this post, but I am nothing if not wordy. This morning I hopped into the shower to, well, shower and wash my hair. Everything was going swimmingly until I tried to put some shampoo in my hair. It didn't want to go in. Usually, I get a nice sudsy foam. Puzzled, I tried again. But the shampoo just wouldn't fire up. Suddenly, I realized that I had forgotten to let the water run on my head. My hair was bone dry. Have you ever tried to wash dry hair? Well, I'm here to tell you that it doesn't work. I actually chuckled at my memory-lapse. It reminded me of a time not long ago when I was clearing up in the kitchen, and I put the cereal box in the refrigerator and the milk in the cupboard. Hmm. . . . . I suppose I should be worried.

An interesting thing, memory. This morning, prior to the incident above, I was lying in bed, listening to the comfortable, familiar sounds of my hubby, getting ready for work. He does his best not to wake me, knowing that it's been many years since I have had the opportunity to sleep in. But today I'm not asleep, just quiet. Listening. Listening, thinking, letting my mind go where it will, remembering.

My Dad was a most beloved Dad in the neighborhood in which I grew up. He was fun and he was funny. He could lift one eyebrow to a giant peak without moving the other at all. He could say a sentence-full of words with a mere adjustment of his face. He could change his accent to reflect a language other than his own, right in the middle of a story. Ah, yes, my friends loved him.

He was one of the few fathers who in winter, when the snow was packed on our quiet neighborhood streets, would tie my sister's and my sleds to the back of the car bumper and pull us around the block. He would start out driving very slowly, because he knew that as he passed the houses, children would run out with their sleds and ask if they could go along. Dad would stop the car, tie a few more sleds on, and start out again. One trip around the neighborhood produced quite the string of sleds. And if you were the lucky youngster to be last on the rope, it was heaven. Because when my Dad added as many sleds as he thought safe, he would speed up a little and take the corners with the widest of berths, causing the last few sleds to whip like a mad alligator's tail. The challenge was to stay on your sled. If you didn't, he'd stop and wait for you, but if you managed to stay on . . . it was . . . simply awesome.

I remember years later, before I was old enough to drive, Dad would always be willing to drive me and my friends to whatever function we needed to attend. He would tell jokes and make faces that crippled us with laughter. One time, when we started out with a fully-loaded vehicle, (that was before seat belts and believe me, we were stuffed in there) he glanced at the girl sitting next to two more of us in the front seat and said, "Hey, Linda! What are you sitting on over there? Your imagination?" As usual, laughter ensued.

My father was killed in an accident when I was in high school. It has been a very long time since I've been privy to his wit. If I allow myself, I can bring the tears on, even now. I SO miss his face. But I have wonderful memories of laughter and light, granted to me by my short association with my Dad. And today I'm thankful for memory.

Still Happy, Still Tall

We're missing him a little, but he says the time is going too fast.

Batten down the hatches, maties!

The Hills are Alive . . .

Although this photo doesn't do justice to the mountains behind our home, it is a glimpse of the color changes that are taking place right now. One of the reasons I love the Fall season.

Sitting Up!

Jenni's youngest. How can you not smile, too? Sweetie.

Our Girls

Two more grads at LaVell Edwards Stadium, coming early and staying 'till the last tick of the game clock.

Hmmmm. . . the apples don't fall far from the tree, do they?

BYU 44, WYOMING 0

Still loving it!

Bob '75

Judy '73

More Hawaii photos--Pearl Harbor

Our tour of Pearl Harbor and particularly of the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial was a time of deep reflection. There was a large number of people in our tour group, and no one spoke a word. It is a sacred place and a moving experience.

This is Pearl Harbor, where the entire U.S. Pacific Fleet was parked

when Japan attacked on December 7, 1941

The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial

The U.S.S. Arizona, along with many servicemen who could not be brought to the surface, sleeps beneath the Memorial. It is very easy to see parts of it. The Memorial itself lies cross-wise above the sunken Arizona.

This is the base of the forward gun turrret of the sunken U.S.S. Arizona that remains slightly above water.

This is the U.S.S. Missouri, a battleship similar to the Arizona. The Missouri was built after the bombing, and the surrender of the Japanese took place aboard her in Tokyo Harbor on September 2, 1945 . She stands today at Pearl as a Memorial to all who perished in World War II. There is a museum on board.

Thankful Thursday

It has been a while since I've actually posted my Thankful Thursday thoughts. I have to say again that I love this idea and appreciate Mia for the heads up. Whether or not I post my "thankfuls" each week, I rarely forget to take notes.

Today, as I was waking up, I suddenly was very aware of the air outside. It smells like Fall! And once again, I'm thankful that I live in a place where there are such distinct seasons (not that I wouldn't love an even, moderate climate). But Fall is an amazing thing. This season creeps up on me and startles me every single year. One day, it's summer. And the next day, there's a definite nip in the air that signals we're heading for warm, lovely days, and slumber-friendly cool nights. Where I live, much of the greenery is beginning to turn to brilliant yellows, oranges, and reds that in nature's combination are beyond exquisite. It's time to get in the car, drive the canyons and capture the beauty.

Polynesian Cultural Center--Parade of Canoes

Na Ali'i O Hawaii

Tahiti

Tonga

Hawaii

Aeotearoa

A Little Peek at our Floating Hotel

Boarding The Pride of America

Our Stateroom

I've been trying to catalogue some photos from our Hawaii trip today. Definitely, it's going to take a little time. Help, Lisa! ;-} But here are a couple I like. There's a standing phrase in our family that goes something like this: Vacations for Mom are all about the hotel. And it's true. I love having my meals cooked to order, having my bed made and my room cleaned every day, ordering everyone around, then giving them a huge tip. Heavenly, I tell you. Well, imagine a hotel cruising the ocean, stopping every so often to let the passengers do some sight-seeing. I have found a new passion! Bob is turning white. . . .

Sweet "Aloha" -- Hello again

From our Hotel on Waikiki Beach

I love the word "Aloha" because it can mean just about anything--Hello, Goodbye, Love, or I'll-trade-you-my-itty-bitty-blanket-for-your-place-in-the-airplane-bathroom-line. Yes, we're home. We're both still a little weary from the red-eye flight back--let's see, we left Honolulu at 9:30 pm and arrived in Salt Lake City at 7:30 am the next day, just in time to see all the movers-and-shakers with their shiny laptop cases in hand, ready to take on the day. They, however, were met with 325 people who looked like they had fought for their side of the bed with unkempt strangers all night long. The contrast caused me to laugh, making me appear even more idiotic, I'm sure. Anyhoo, we're a little saddle worn after the flight, but rested and relaxed after a beautiful 15 days in the Pacific. Photos to come.

Sweet "Aloha" -- Goodbye for Now

Aloha Oe