Hello again!

Okay. I feel like a complete slacker when it comes to my blog. Since I last blogged, well, Obama is now the president-elect, I had a business trip to Houston, I have a new great-niece (the best news of all), and I have suffered through the worst cold of my life....ever....and had a gut bug. I am looking forward to a very healthy Christmas....and even getting back to the gym tomorrow morning.

Now that it's December, I wouldn't mind getting some snow. Mainly, I would be way happy if the ski resorts would get dumped on with a minimal amount down here. Driving around on ice-free roads is a luxury to be enjoyed in December. It would be nice to have a "White Christmas" and be able to do some sking over the holidays!

Also, basketball season is here!!! Actually I enjoy football more, but high school basketball provides good wintertime entertainment. I watch both Rigby and Ririe's girls and boys basketball teams...so some nights I have to choose which team to watch. And I am even hoping to make it to a few Bear River games this year. They all should have good teams...and look for Bear River to win the championship in 3A this year!

In Defense of Marriage

"Persecution" was the title of an email I received this week from one of my nephews, Mike. It had to do with Proposition 102 on the Arizona ballot this year, much like Proposition 8 on the California ballot - defining marriage as "between one man and one woman". His email was having to do with the "heated persecution LDS people are dealing with in Arizona as a result of the proposed marriage amendment known as Prop 102". Before I got to the part having to do with Prop 102, I had thought the "persecution" may be due to the fact that the Church is building three new temples in Arizona (because there is very often "persecution" - though mostly subtle - where temples are being built). And upon further thought, realized that whether it is in support of protecting marriage as "between one man and one woman" or the building of temples, the focus is the same - eternal families.

The gist of the email was an exchange he had with a colleague and former "friend on facebook". When his colleague saw that he had posted "support for Proposition 102" on his own facebook site, the colleague severed him as a "friend on facebook" and wrote a very derogatory, even spiteful, comment in which he said the only reason Proposition 102 was ahead in the polls is because of the "hateful" mormon church's support for it. Mike had only exercised his freedom of speech, yet this person was "offended" by Mike's stance on this issue. Ironic that this person would expel "hatred" toward one who was only expressing his view.

So I write this particular blog expressing my views for traditional marriage - as it has been deemed for centuries - between one man and one woman. You may think that if you live outside of California or Arizona this matter does not pertain to you, but think again. The "Proclamation to the WORLD" - not the Church, but the world, says: "We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measure designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society." The preceding paragraph in The Proclamation states: "Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon the individuals, communities and nations the calamaties foretold by ancient and modern prophets."

I peruse the Deseret News online quite regularly. A few weeks ago there were about three different articles in the DN that topped (No. 1, 2, and 3 - not just the top-10) the "most-commented" section. (Keep in mind this was at the same time as the financial bailout/Wall Street meltdown.) Yet by far, the hottest issue had to do with Prop. 8 on the California ballot. One of the articles was with regard to the church potentially involving members outside of California to make phone calls informing Calfornia voters on this issue. (And I enlisted in my ward to help out if needed.) The LDS Church did this as part of a coalition of other Judeo-Christian denominations. However, you would never know by all the negative comments to that article that it was a coalition...only that LDS Church was in support of Prop. 8. Interesting to note is the fact that the LDS Church was singled out. However, we are not alone in our support of traditional marriage.

If one closely studies and analyzes these propositions, as opposed to being driven by emotion, one would learn that no same-sex couple would be denied civil benefits through passage of these amendments. Same-sex couples would still be able to have domestic partnerships or civil unions, enjoying employment and other legal benefits given to married couples. These amendments basically provide definition to marriage "as being between one man and one woman". There is nothing hateful towards those who live a homosexual lifestyle.

Some may argue that the LDS Church (and others who join them in whatever form) want these amendments to pass because otherwise these churches and organizations will have to accept same-sex marriage or lose their tax-exempt status. That may be the case for some organizations, but for those who think that of the LDS Church, please, please, please read "The Family - a Proclamation to the World". Tax status of the LDS Church is irrelevant.

Finally, I will end by saying something that I have said sometimes, but only in personal circles. That is, when two men without assistance of any other human being or medicine, or two women without assistance of any other human being or medicine, can within the walls of their own home create life, I would give them license to be married. One man and one woman being able to create life is a divine law of nature. It is God given. Creation of human life is sacred and the institution of marriage was given to sanction that union. Marriage cannot be redefined to be something it is not.

I support those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family. Kudos to you out there who support this - and have opportunity to express your support at the election polls!

Changes

Fall is always a time of changes. The weather changes. Some days are quite chilly and others are nice and warm...like this week. Daylight decreases - and we changes our clocks to go back to "standard" time from "daylight-savings" time...like this coming weekend. (Yeah! The weekend will be one hour LONGER.)

And for me this last week, it was also another change in church callings - though somewhat subtle. We had stake conference this past weekend, and the stake Relief Society presidency was reorganized. So I was released as the 2nd counselor and am now the 1st counselor...that's the subtle part.

I have some mixed feelings about this. For the past six months I have served with Kaye, Bethene, and Bonnie. Bethene is the new president, and so I still have the privilege of serving with her. However, I am going to miss serving with Kaye and Bonnie. It kind of reminds me of in the mission field (yes, I can remember THAT LONG AGO) when it was a transfer day and your "old" comanion was going home...happy for them in their new endeavors and happy that you still were staying to serve, but knowing that you would miss them. And you are never the same because of them. So Kaye and Bonnie: Thank you for being such good friends, teachers, examples. I will never be the same because of you!

Girls Night Out

I ran into a friend, Michelle (Jensen) Martineau, at the Box Elder County Fair in August and we got talking about football - BYU football, Bear River football, etc. Well, I mentioned that I had been thinking of going to the BYU/USU football game on October 3 in Logan...and I needed someone to go with me. While we were discussing such important matters, a friend of hers, Jen Richardson, walked up and the three of us made plans to go. A "Girls Night Out", so to speak, as they both had to leave their husbands at home so us girls could go watch football! Go figure.

So Friday night was the night. I headed down to Tremonton and met up with Michelle and Jen, and rode together over to Logan. Of course we had to get a bite to eat before going to the game in Romney Stadium.

Juniper Take Out is becoming a standard place for me to eat when I am in Logan...and that's where we ate. Yummy! Then it was up the hill to the game.

Michelle and Jen

Romney Stadium...

and we were NOT surrounded by Aggies. There were as many Cougars there as there were USU fans.

Me and Michelle

The first quarter was all Cougars, and the score was 24-0 at the end of the first quarter. But after that the offense for BYU could not really get much going. The final score was 34-14.

Before heading out of Logan - and to let the traffic thin out a bit - we headed over to the Aggie Creamery for ice cream. Yum!

We may have to do that again.

A Great Day in Salt Lake

For the last five months I have had the privilege of serving in the stake Relief Society presidency with Kaye Womack, Bethene Birch, and Bonnie Olaveson. They are not only my sisters in the gospel, but have become my dear friends.

Historically, with each general conference there have been workshops/open houses for the auxiliaries in the church. However, this practice was discontinued last year...and now the open houses are held only in conjunction with April conference. Although there are not any "official" open houses for this upcoming conference, we decided we wanted to make a trip to Salt Lake to visit the Relief Society building, have lunch at the Lion House, and then go tour the Humanitarian Center. So off we went on Wednesday morning.

Upon arriving in SLC our first stop was the Relief Society building. (Sad to admit this, but in all my time living and working in Salt Lake, I had never stepped foot inside the Relief Society building before this day. And I used to work right almost right across the street!) There is such an amazing spirit and feeling as you walk in the doors. We had the short tour of the main floor, and one of the highlights was looking at the books that listed all the Relief Society sisters who donated to build this structure. We each found at least one of our parents/grandparents listed in these books. What a great connection to our heritage!

Then it was on to the Resource Center, located on the lower level of the Relief Society building. There are displays for each of the auxiliaries in the church for women - Primary (girls under the age of 12), Young Women (girls ages 12-17), and Relief Society (for all women over the age of 18). Each auxiliary has a rug with a theme unique to their organization.

The Primary "CTR" rug - showing the CTR emblem in several languages.

The Young Women rug - with all the Value colors and subtle profiles of a young women.

The Relief Society rug - with a pattern of sheaves of wheat and the Relief Socity emblem

The Resource Center is amazing. There are numerous displays from various stakes throughout the church. Very inspiring and motivating.

Bonnie, Bethene, Kaye, and me

The Reception Room in the Relief Society Building is a very beautiful, peaceful place. It embodies the Spirit felt in this place. It was great to just sit here and enjoy the feeling.

After visiting the Relief Society Building, we headed over to the Lion House for lunch. Mmmmm. Good food, superb company, and a beautiful day! Then we left downtown SLC and we out for a tour of the Humanitarian Center.

Because of the many recent natural disasters, many volunteers were serving to replenish the supplies.

All in all, it was a day well spent. The ride to and from Salt Lake was fun... in visiting with Kaye, Bethene, and Bonnie...and to feel the Spirit throughout the day - no matter where we were.

The overall feeling I had was that I am so blessed to be a part of this great work - building up the Kingdom of God. What a privilege this is. But I also felt (especially as we visited the Humanitarian Center) that there is so much more I need to do.

An Apple a Day

I am so proud of myself. I have made it to the gym three days this week. That is not necessarily a huge feat...but for the fact that I was at the gym by at least 6:10 a.m. each of those days says a lot for me. I am not really a morning person. But I know that if I am going to consistently exercise it will have to be in the morning before work. A quote I have hanging in my office is: "To accomplish something you have never done before, you must become someone you have never been before." I am also making it a point to get up and have half-hour scripture study before I head out to the gym as well. My mornings are starting a lot earlier than they used to!

What's going on???

I haven't posted on my blog for a couple of weeks, but I need to. Not that a lot is "going on" with me personally right now. It is just work and then weekends, and a few things on weeknights.

I am trying to get a routine down of being at the gym by 6:00 a.m. Which means I need to leave my home by about 5:30 a.m. Which means I am setting three - yes, three - alarms so I am up by 5:00 a.m. Maybe as I get more into the routine and my body adjusts, I can work down to just one alarm. So two-out-of-three days so far this week. And getting there this morning was easier than Monday. An added incentive is that my nephew, Jon, is there at 6:00 a.m. in the morning as well. Helps to have someone to be somewhat accountable to.

I do have a lot on my mind, though. Mainly, the election and the financial meltdown happening on Wall Street. With that in mind, I think I am going to start my own "political" blog - apart from this one. It's just that my blood is boiling with the lack of responsibility, leadership, accountability, integrity, etc. from the Administration, Congress, private companies, and even consumers. There are other issues I will write about, but the financial mess is the biggy. I will put a link to my "political blog" when I get it started...maybe by this weekend. The impetus for this also comes from a nephew - Roy David (David to me, Roy to others). He is writing a political blog, and he is a bit left of center. I am right of center and so don't particulary agree with views. But rather than seem disrespectful and/or negatively comment on his blog, I will just write my own. But I do enjoy reading his views and his thought process.

On a final note, I had a bridal shower at my home about a week ago. It was a lot of fun. Obviously, part of the preparation was getting my home ready. Those of you who have known me for years know that home organization has not been one of my strengths. But through getting my home ready to have guests, my home is now the peaceful place I want it to be. So I am determined to keep it this way. The last couple of evenings I have canned salsa and chopped up zuccinni for the freezer...but I completely clean up the mess by the time I go to bed. Maybe that is why I can bring myself to get out of bed sooooo early to get to the gym by 6:00 a.m. It is so nice to have a clean, peaceful home. (My home office and bedroom still need work, but I am making steady progress.)

Cress Creek

A favorite short hike that I often take - usually on Sunday after church - is Cress Creek. It is about a 15-minute drive from my home. It provides beautiful views of the Snake River plain.

Looking west - if you follow the river you can faintly see the Menan Buttes.

A great view of the Snake River and amber grain fields up on the hill.

I love living here!!

Fall weather - and LOTOJA

Saturday, September 6, was a classic fall day. Okay, so fall does not officially start for another couple weeks, but it sure feels like fall. The day started off with me doing some things around the house and yard - mowing the lawn, etc. And all the while I kept thinking this feels like a football weather - because I have spent many September Saturdays watching BYU football. What I really should have thought was, "this sure feels like a LOTOJA day". So in the afternoon I headed over to Alpine to see my friend, Karin - elite athlete extraordinare - participate in LOTOJA, the 206-mile bike race from LOgan TO JAckson. I got to see her ride into the feed stop at Alpine and then into the finish at Teton Village in Jackson Hole - she rode 130 miles - over a couple of mountain passes!!! Beautiful day...beautiful scenery!! Great race!!

Karin riding into Alpine

Karin and her Dad (super-support-driver) at Alpine, getting ready for the last leg of the race from Alpine, up Snake River Canyon, and onto Teton Village.

About 50 yards from the finish line.

"Women United" riding into the finish

"Women United"

Linda and Karin - great job!!

And I also got to listen to my BYU Cougars beat the Washington Huskies, 28-27, while I was driving. Go Cougars!! I love fall !!!

Fairy Falls - Labor Day Weekend

Marlene and Steve came up for the first part of the Labor Day weekend. We decided that we wanted to do something "outdoors" on Saturday, so off to Yellowstone we went to do some biking and hiking. None of us had hiked to Fairy Falls, so that was our destination for this trip. We rode our bikes from the parking area at the end of Fountain Flat Drive to where the trail turns west; this is where you have to leave your bikes. We hiked the remaining 1.5 miles to Fairy Falls.

We were "naughty" and didn't wear our bike helmets...and still lived to tell about it. Hey, if I'm going to get gored by a buffalo (or bison as they are officially called), I don't think a helmet would help protect me.

These four buffalo, plus two others we saw while driving, were the only wildlife we saw on this trip into the Park.

Grand Prismatic Spring - which we rode past on our bikes only because of a logistical error on my part.

The trail we hiked from where we parked our bikes is through an area that was heavily burned in the 1988 fires. It is hard to believe that it has been 20 years since the 1988 fires! As a result there is a lot of downed timber in this area, and all the new trees are now 20-year growth.

Most of the burned timber has fallen, but here is a stand of timber still waiting to fall.

Marlene and I on our way to Fairy Falls

Fairy Falls!!

Steve and Marlene

After our bike/hike to Fairy Falls, we had a picnic along Nez Perce Creek, where we grilled hot dogs and rested our feet in the creek. The water temperature was nice!!

After resting at Nez Perce Creek, we headed over to Old Faithful. We decided that we didn't want to wait almost an hour to watch Old Faithful blow, but as we were walking out of the Old Faithful Lodge, a geyser to the north of Old Faithful went off. I'm not sure of its name...and I don't think I had ever seen it go off.

We then headed home, past Grant Village, out the South Entrance and through Jackson Hole. Another first, at least for Marlene and Steve, was stopping in Swan Valley to get the infamous square ice cream cones. Yummy...and a good way to finish off a very fun day!

Friday Night Lights!

I love fall. And one of the things I love about fall is football. And football season is here!!!! Yeah!!!

There is nothing quite as nice as spending a Saturday afternoon in Lavell Edward Stadium watching my BYU Cougars...except for watching a high school football game on Friday night (or during the playoffs in November at Rice Eccles Stadium if my BR Bears are there). I think it has something to do with a sense of community that I enjoy high school football so much.

So Friday night I "kicked off" the football season by watching the Ririe Bulldogs defeat the Soda Springs Cardinals (although I had to leave at the beginning of the 3rd quarter - but Ririe still won). Yeah!!

And if anyone wonders, yes I live in the Rigby High School boundaries; Rigby High is five miles from my home and Ririe is seven miles. Since I have no kids, I can choose whichever team I want to go watch. Ririe won my loyalty because of a fantastic win last year - with a field goal with 17 seconds left to win the game. I also enjoy the friendly, small-town atmosphere...and they wear blue.

A Fun Saturday

Gale was out to Utah/Idaho for a visit. After spending Thursday evening at the BE County Fair with Dad and I, and then spending Friday with his Utah kids, Gale came up to eastern Idaho to visit Jon and Kelly and their family. They invited me to join them Saturday afternoon at Heise to eat pizza and golf. When we got to the Heise golf course the tee times were booked. So we ate pizza at the Heise Hot Springs Pizza Parlor and then went over to the 7N Ranch to hit some golf balls at the driving range. Then it was off to Kelly Canyon to pick huckleberries. (Gale is the only child my parents had who was born in Idaho - and yet he has never tasted a huckleberry. Sorry Gale, I have taken your place as the true "Idahoan".)

Sydnie and Kelly - Sydnie is taking a picture of me taking a picture of her.

Three generations of golfers

Gale teaching Sydnie a golf swing

Photo op for Brooke

What cute kids!!!

Looking for huckleberries in Kelly Canyon. We were a couple of weeks late - will reschedule for next year. Note to self for next year: The best time to huckleberry pick is at the beginning of August - not the end. Nonetheless, it was a fun afternoon!!

Box Elder County Fair

I have an annual tradition of going to the Box Elder County Fair in Tremonton. I am by no means biased, but I think it's the best county fair in the state of Utah. It has always been and still is free of charge to attend, and it gives me the chance to see friends that I know from my childhood - and even extended family - that I may not otherwise keep in touch with. It also reminds me of how blessed I am to have farming roots and be raised in such a friendly community.

The routine is that I drive down to Tremonton, meet Dad there, walk around to see the exhibits, handicrafts, and livestock, eat a "Farm Bureau" hamburger, and then I head back home to Idaho and he goes home to Riverdale.


This year an added treat was that my brother, Gale, was visiting from New York, and he joined us at the County Fair. It was a great time!

Dad and Gale - by the lambs

While walking through the dairy cow area we stopped to watch a couple of gentlemen, Keevin Nelson and his son-in-law Matt, getting this cow ready to show. It takes a lot of effort to have livestock at the fair.

I have some cousins, Doug Payne and Peggy Payne Nelson, whose children have pigs at the fair each year - at least they have for the last several years. I usually run into them when going through the pig shed.

Peggy (Payne) Nelson, her husband John and their youngest son.

Gale and Dad - Gale works for John Deere and has for most of his working career. So I had to take a picture of them by a John Deere tractor - and note the John Deere caps.

Gale, Dad, and Doug Payne - visiting by the tractor "exhibits".