HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

One last thought before the old year creeps out the door.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ----from A Return to Love, by Marianne Williamson.

I wish you and yours a pleasing and prosperous new year

PUNISHMENT

1. A vulture boards an airplane, carrying two dead raccoons. The stewardess looks at him and says, "I'm sorry, sir, only one carrion allowed per passenger."
2. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. The one turns to the other and says: "Dam.”
3. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Not surprisingly, it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.
4. Two hydrogen atoms meet. One says, "I've lost my electron." The other says, "Are you sure?" The first replies, "Yes, I'm positive."
5. Did you hear about the Buddhist who refused Novocain during a root canal? His goal? Transcend dental medication.
6. A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse. "But why?" they asked, as they moved off." Because," he said, "I can't stand chess-nuts boasting in an open foyer."
7. A woman has identical twins and places them for adoption. One of them goes to a family in Egypt and is named "Ahmal." The other goes to a family in Spain; they name him "Juan." Years later, Juan sends a picture of himself to his birth mother. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband that she wishes she also had a picture of Ahmal. Her husband responds, "They're twins! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Ahmal."
8. These friars were behind on their belfry payments, so they opened up a small florist shop to raise funds. Since everyone liked to buy flowers from the men of God, a rival florist across town thought the competition was unfair. He asked the good fathers to close down, but they would not. He went back and begged the friars to close. They ignored him. So, the rival florist hired Hugh MacTaggart, the roughest and most vicious thug in town to "persuade" them to close. Hugh beat up the friars and trashed their store, saying he'd be back if they didn't close up shop. Terrified, they did so, thereby proving that Hugh, and only Hugh, can prevent florist friars.
9. Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little, which made him rather frail, and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath. This made him... A super callused fragile mystic plagued by halitosis.
10. And finally, there was the person who sent ten different puns to his friends, with the hope that at least one of the puns would make them laugh. "No pun in ten did."

IM BUCHWALD

It seems that Stephanie has discovered that the “treasure” is a house in Stuttgart, Germany. And she asks, “What is that house?” To which I reply…

Loosely translated to German the name of my blog is Im Buchwald.
That name is significant to me because I lived im Buchwald. More specifically, I lived im Buchwald at Waldmeisterweg 30. That house is Waldmeisterweg 30.

To give you a perspective of where it is situated, on the aerial photograph you will find things marked as staffel. A staffel is stair-stepped trail. The Ginsterstaffel, the one we used most frequently, leads up through the gardens and weinberg to Im Buchwald a small village-like area above the larger village-like area of Gablenberg. I was assigned to work there twice. First as a German-speaking missionary and then months later as an Italian-speaking missionary. It was the second time in Gablenberg that we rented the room im Buchwald.
The house at Waldmeisterweg 30 sits on a hillside facing north. Our room in the daylight basement looked out over the garden at the back of the house. In the autumn it was comfortable almost to the point of being enjoyable. But in winter it became very nearly unbearable – obviously something we had not anticipated. It was an un-insulated space with walls of stone and concrete. And although the interior walls were finished nicely they conducted heat and cold much too efficiently.

I started to think about that basement room overlooking the garden as I huddled under my federdecke earlier this month. It was chilly in our bedroom at home but nothing like the chill my companion and I woke up to each morning in our ‘garden apartment’ there on Waldmeisterweg. Our room was heated by a single ceramic-tiled coal stove. We took turns getting up a bit early to make the fire each morning. And with only $75.00 each a month - $75.00 for rent, food, clothing, transportation, and whatever else was needed – we didn’t feel it wise to heat the room when we weren’t there and tried to make coal last longer. So we burned one or maybe two bricks a day. One in the morning and maybe one in the evening if we hadn’t adjusted the draft right in the morning to keep it burning slowly all day. Think winter scenes in Doctor Zhivago.

We weren’t the only people heating with coal. It was pretty much the norm – everybody burned coal. In fact so much was being burned in Gablenberg that as we went down the Ginsterstaffel each morning, we could just see the tip of the steeple on the Lutheran Church peeking out above a sea of brown coal smoke. The air was full of soot. I always wondered why we were able to breathe that air. In fact the air was so bad that we wore scarves more to keep our collars clean than our necks warm.

Water for the morning wash-up was heated in a pot on a one burner hot plate. One of us would study while the other washed. (Real bathing was done once a week at the public bathhouse in a small room with a timer on the door.) Our water source was a faucet resembling a gas spigot with stepped sides and was located in the unfinished area toward the front of the house by the coal bin.. If I turned it too far, the outer portion would fall off. As you can imagine getting it back on would mean a thorough soaking. Not at all pleasant on an arctic morning. Or any other time for that matter.
Breakfast was cooked on the hot plate after we had dressed and studied. Our breakfast diet was simple and consisted mainly of some variation or combination of milk, yoghurt, bread, cheese, jam, and oatmeal. Germany is where I became an oatmeal gourmet. There were many kinds and I knew them all. What was best for cooked cereal and what made the best Muesli. I have since become more accepting of poorer brands and varieties. But when one is forced into a situation of limited choices, optimization of what remains feels like a real luxury.
This is about the time we learned to make bread pudding because Sister Fetzer, the mission mother, told us we needed to have more variety in our meals. Pasta salads/casseroles were also added about this time. The great variation being whether we added cheese or tuna. We ate or drank a lot of soup as well. I never thought of it as excessive but we must have answered “Soup” to the question “What did you have for supper?” once too often. One of the families we were teaching commented on it frequently by offering dinner invitations. The mission rule was not to eat with members or friends. Although our diet must have given some the impression of being monotonous or inadequate, we thrived. And it really wasn’t one of the important things.

Still to come is:
Stammtisch, Frauenkopf, Fernsehturm, and Evening walks under the Beeches.
And still later more numbers.

WRESTLING WITH RETIREMENT

Well, tomorrow I go back to work. I haven’t been to work since the afternoon of December 17.
Going back will be hard. I am becoming more and more accustomed to being at home. I really am ready to retire. Or at least do something besides work for the Navy – or maybe just not something associated with the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
I thought it would be hard to walk away. That I had a lot invested in the job. Surprisingly it hasn’t bothered me being away. I don’t care if someone has messed with the programs I wrote. Just if I have to go back and undo their messes in order to do my job for the last two months. Then I’ll be put off.
So tomorrow I will call the human resources office about setting my date. I’m hoping for the last day of February.
I can’t say that I’m not apprehensive. I am. It’s a change. A big change. But I keep telling myself that I retired once before without any real problems. And we still had kids at home. I can do it again. That’s what I tell myself.
Now I have to believe it.

The gospel doctrine lesson today was a discussion of the last chapters of Moroni. And more specifically the verses dealing with faith and hope. The priesthood lesson was Teachings for Our Times taken from President Uchtdorf’s talk entitled “The Infinite Power of Hope.”
One of the quotes used by the gospel doctrine instructor was from “The Doctrinal New Testament Commentary” by Bruce R. McConkie.
“As used in the revelations, hope is the desire of faithful people to gain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God hereafter. It is not a flimsy, ethereal desire, one without assurance that the desired consummation will be received, but a desire coupled with full expectation of receiving the coveted reward.”

And from “The Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon” by Joseph Fielding McConkie, Robert L. Millet, and Brent L. Top:
“To have hope in Christ is to have the peaceful assurance that one is on course, the quiet confidence that in general terms the Lord is pleased with one's efforts, the anticipation of happiness here and glory and honor hereafter. ”

Can I make application of that principle in my ordinary personal everyday life?
Can I have a peaceful assurance that I am on course and anticipate a future of happiness in this life? Can I have hope for a comfortable life after retirement?

The scriptures state that without faith there can be no hope. So what or who is it that I need to have faith in?

And James wrote, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” And so what is the work that I should be anxiously engaged in?

The Lord has said, “If ye love me keep my commandments.”
It is also true that if I love myself I will keep the Lord’s commandments. As this is done, happiness and success will follow. Remembering always that the Lord has promised if we walk “in obedience to the commandments, [we] shall receive health in [our] navel and marrow to [our] bones; and shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; and shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.”
And again He has promised that He “will rebuke the devourer for [our] sakes.”

And as President Hinckley so often reminded us, “if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.”
These promises were made without respect to time of life.

Death of a Snowman

First my apologies to Arthur Miller.

The death of a snowman is not a pretty thing. A slow and messy process. In reality not at all what King Arthur described in Camelot. If you will allow that stretch.

I'm happy to see the temperatures climb above freezing, however, the calming beauty of a landscape blanketed in white has added to my Christmas experience. Suddenly dropping me in the middle of a Currier & Ives print. I could almost hear the sleigh bells. Which would be wonderful, since I’m finding it progressively harder to hear any kind of tinkling.

But still there has been the reality of what is involved in living so close to nature. There is a responsibility to the world around me. Not only that which I have added to it – caring that the cover over the car so that it doesn’t collapse under the weight of the snow - but also to the creatures sharing this little corner of the world.

Small example: we started putting out food for the squirrels and birds. And now we’ve done it often enough that we have to continue. Not only that but we need to be sure what we’re putting out won’t be detrimental. If we don’t provide the type of food required for their survival we could unwittingly be the agent of their demise.

But now turning to something I wrote about on December 15.

That was the “treasure hunt.” Here’s an easier way to find 48°46’17.76”N 9°12’36.79"E

Use the tool at: http://tools.freeside.sk/geolocator/geolocator.html and copy and paste the coordinates in the box provided.

Then zoom in and let me know what you find and I’ll give you the story – my story - behind it.

Boxing Day Denial

It’s time for me to be in bed but I thought I should tell Matt and Tim and their families thank you for the enjoyable day and the nice presents. And with your help, I did manage to get all the pictures off my camera and onto my computer.

Mom and I got home without incident. And after getting something to eat and a little procrastination, we decided to open the presents we had wrapped for ourselves. Although at first I think Mom wanted to put it off until tomorrow and have a second day of Christmas, she gave me the choice and I just couldn’t wait. I would give you a list of all the “presents” but it would be quite a lengthy list - essentially anything we bought during December. We were fittingly surprised.

And just a follow up on the Crazy Quilt series: I’m putting together a small trunk with a crazy quilt, a cinnamon bear, and a silver star as an under-the-tree Christmas decoration for each of the four families. That should be to you by Three Kings Day.

Love to all.

Amazing Lights

Since most of you probably won’t be going to Peacock Lane or some other well known street to see the Christmas decorations, here’a something Alex sent out for our pleasure and amusement. Christmas lights dancing to 'Amazing Grace'

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

You may have guessed I was up late last night – early this morning – I was waiting to see what kind of weather was coming thinking I might need to do something. By 1:00 a.m. the temperature was just below freezing. About 30°F and I was tired. Three days straight of shoveling snow, shaking bushes, chopping wood, and digging cars out had worn on my back. (Thanks be for Motrin and Icy-Hot Patches!) So I went to bed convinced that we were going to have an uneventful Christmas Eve. I wouldn't have to stir from home. The gifts to neighbors were delivered yesterday. The temperature would be going up and there would be no more snow to deal with.
I woke to hear WHUMP and see Kathy’s constant companion, the television, go black.
“So,” I thought, “No power.”
I was ready. I grabbed my Federdecke and gave it a good shake to fluff it up and turtled it. Nothing but the top of my head showing.
Then I heard Kathy say, “Oh, the TV just turned off.” And she got up and turned it on.
Ten minutes later the power was gone and this time for several hours.
It has warmed up. 33°F. It did snow. Two to three more inches. Wet and heavy. Tree limbs already stressed to the breaking point are… breaking.
We’re back on and Kathy is prepping the turkey for roasting. It may be finished on the grill. Good thing it’s only ten pounds. Kathy the optimist.
I’ve had my oatmeal, banana and cup. The cell phone is charged. The radio is cranked up. Plenty of dry clothes stacked up. Kathy’s in the shower. So I’ll just wait it out.
Oh! And by the by, here’s the last episode of Crazy Quilt.

And the merriest of Christmases from our little cabin in the woods. Warmest wishes and our love to you all on this most joyous of all seasons. God bless you all. May all your dreams come true.

Crazy Quilt Dragon 26

EARLIER TODAY - .It’s nearly Christmas now and the intact star is back with Judy and Jimmy. They are anxious to return to their home. Crazy Quilt wants to remain at the North Pole but the children and Paddy are to return in Santa’s sleigh. Jimmy asks Crazy Quilt to hold the star as he climbs into the sleigh. When turns to ask the dragon to hand him back the shiny ornament, our friends discover he’s gone… running away as fast as he can! AND NOW…

Crazy Quilt Dragon 25

YESTERDAY – Back in Santa’s office things become clear. Melissa has warned that Wintergreen Witch has escaped from her exile and has headed for the Snow Country. Reinforcements are sent to the soldiers battling the witch. In the meantime, Santa takes his visitors on a tour of the North Pole workshop. Then comes word that Captain Tintop has returned victorious… and with the star! AND NOW…

DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS

We’re home from the battles.
Earlier I sharpened my axe and cut up the larger limbs – 4 to 6 inches in diameter – that were at the end of the driveway into manageable lengths and stacked them for anyone who wanted it as firewood. The green I raked to the side to wait transport to the burn pile. JD and I will get the maintenance truck later next week.
When the temperature warmed up to 34°F we ventured out for groceries. Kathy needed shortening in order to make filled cookies, so we plussed-up our stocks in other areas as well.
The main roads are fine. It’s just when you turn off onto streets like the one leading into Lake Holiday or the streets leading into parking lots in the Gig Harbor commercial area that things get a bit dicey.
We expect another storm this evening but are still uncertain what we will see here in our neck of the woods. Here’s what ‘s in the forecast.
“By late tonight night another weather system will approach the state spreading snow into Puget Sound around midnight. Accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are possible by the commute on Wednesday morning. Snow will continue most areas through the morning with another 1"-2" possible. Showers will continue during the day on Wednesday but will be more mixed snow and rain for much of the area as temperatures warm during the day. There may still be some afternoon accumulations on the Kitsap Peninsula and in the convergence zone from about Seattle northward to Everett.
“Another, slightly colder weather system will move in early Christmas morning for another chance of snow. Another 1"-2" of snow could accumulate mainly during the early morning. Again in the afternoon it will turn to more of a mix of rain and snow showers with only spotty accumulations mainly north of Seattle in the afternoon. Only a few scattered rain or snow showers should linger into Christmas night with no new accumulations.
“Friday should see increasing rain and snow spreading into western Washington in the morning. This storm should warm temperatures enough to turn the precipitation into rain everywhere. The rain should continue off and on through the weekend with high temperature into the low 40s.”
Sound like we may have a white Christmas? And after all that we've been through I'll be disappointed if we don't.

Crazy Quilt Dragon 24

YESTERDAY – Jack Frost raises the window in time to spot the Bad Dolls dashing away with the star. Santa orders out the detachment of tin soldiers to pursue the dolls. But bad news, Captain Tintop radios back that the troops are encountering difficulties. A strange creature, never before seen in Snow Countery, is aiding the Bad Dolls. AND NOW…

HOT WATER

My atomic clock and wannabe weather station tells me that it is 32.3°F on the east side of our house. It’s after 5:00 p.m. and it’s getting dark. The sky has been clear most of the afternoon and the temperature was above freezing a good portion of the day. Not a good mix for driving to work in the morning. But I’m not saying a word. That decision is Kathy’s.
As you see below I said I was off to get a shower this morning.
Problem: There was still a power issue with well #1 and we had no water pressure. So while I waited I went out and shoveled yesterday’s snow off the walks and deck. Cleared the hedges. (It’s fun to climb inside and shake up my own private snow storm.) Clean the cars. And drag limbs. Yeah. They were ours.
I walked down to the association office to make arrangements to have the limbs picked up only find out that the maintenance man had quit. (My next “career?”) So what could I do? Well, since the porch and walk were woefully in need of shoveling, I shoveled. As I was finishing, the office manager poked her head out and said, “Mr. Beecher, we’ve lost power again.” So I walked back up the hill to let JD know why the roads hadn’t been sanded. “Maybe I’ll take the job,” I told him.
As I turned to go home a Saturn Vue crested the hill and we stepped back to see the back end swinging our way. All wheels were locked. Slowly the front wheels turned toward the opposite side of the street and back end crept closer to the car parked in front of JD’s.
“Turn the wheel the other way!” I yelled. He did and things got a bit better. But back wheels were still sliding.
“Take off the brake!” I yelled. And they started rolling straight down the hill. But I guess panic set in as the speed increased and all wheel locked up and they were sliding again.
“Don’t brake! Don’t brake!” I yelled.
They rolled down the hill and out the gate.
I was walking up the driveway and JD called to me. “You work for the highway patrol?”
“No,” I said, “they got openings, too?”
So now the power’s back on again and this time I’m getting in the shower.

POP GOES THE POWER...

I got the Crazy Quilt up as soon as I could. Well, I guess I could have done it at 5:00 a.m. but since Mom wasn’t going to drive to work I put off dragging myself out until a bit later. Then there was a flash – it wasn’t lightening – then the UPS was calling me. I have a nice Belken that comes with software the shuts down the computer. All I have to do is turn off the beep. So we lost power.
There is a big limb – fir bough as we used to say – in the street in front of our house. I’m not sure if we or our neighbors were the culprits so I’ll just blame it on the snow.
Obviously we’re back up so it didn’t last long but still I’m off to get a shower just in case.
Oh, and the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard actually closed due to weather! That is historic!!

Crazy Quilt Dragon 23

YESTERDAY - Santa makes the group welcome and orders up his reindeer to take the four adventurers to the shop of Jack Frost, who quicker than quick, repairs the silver star as good as new. He puts it on his window sill to get good and cold, but when they are ready to go they find it missing! AND NOW…

Crazy Quilt Dragon 22

EARLIER TODAY – It’s a flying hat and they take off for the Snow Country. There, on Melissa’s instructions, they hunt for someone known as Nicky Froodle. A W.C. Fields sounding snowman directs them to a nearby castle and the little elf named Nicky. He tells them that he will take them to someone who can help them mend the broke star. None other than Santa Claus himself. AND NOW…

Crazy Quilt Dragon 21

This is a little late today. I was out shoveling snow. It seems that we dodged the bullet. No wind - just a lot more snow. I got the walks and the deck shoveled. My home teacher was out before I was and he did the front. So now it's done except that it has started to snow again. But on to the story... YESTERDAY – A still angry witch is about to turn our friends into bullfrogs but discovers Queen Melissa has taken away her magical powers. The Grand Wonky reappears and forces the helpless witch to return the star. On the queen’s orders the witch is taken away in the Grand Wonky’s custody. Tired, the adventurers fall asleep under a tree. When they discover a huge silk hat. AND NOW…

STORM STEW...

Well, I won’t need to do anymore work on my lesson and I won’t need to print agendas. I just got “the call” followed by an email (There will be no church services for the Key Center Ward tomorrow, December 21, due to the storm conditions.) That means the Stake Christmas Devotional will be canceled for the second week in a row and unless performed after Christmas won’t be presented at all.
The storm conditions referred to were described by KOMO-TV in the following write-up from their web-site:
"Snow has been falling steadily across most of Western Washington since Saturday afternoon, and was forecast to continue to fall through the night. Meanwhile, gusty winds were reported in the Cascade foothills, but it appears the wind gusts won't be as severe as originally forecast. The areas like North Bend, Sultan, Gold Bar, Black Diamond, Maple Valley and Enumclaw could still see sustained winds of 30-40 mph with gusts as high as 50-70 mph. A winter storm warning remained in effect for most of the Western Washington lowlands through Sunday morning for as much as 2-8" of snow -- with higher totals as high as 12" expected along the far western Kitsap Peninsula and Southwestern Washington. As of now, forecasting models suggest the brunt of the storm will head into northern Oregon and southwestern Washington. Areas south of Olympia could see as much as 6-12" of snow with this storm before changing to rain or freezing rain. Travel is strongly discouraged and should be put off until Monday."
So we are staying put.

Tim’s phone called me twice and all I could hear were voices not clear enough to distinguish words. The tone and timbre was of urgency – many different voices speaking hurriedly in a strident pitch. So I called back. After two attempts it connected. He was at a friend’s home helping with flooding. The cold temperatures have that effect on pipes. I don’t want to tempt trouble and I do hope the warmer weather returns soon. We know that it will warm up eventually.

COLD DAY

When I got up this morning at 7:30 (I know I was lazy) the temperature was 22° F. Now at 1:30 it’s up to a balmy 25° F. The coldest I remember at home in Milwaukie, Oregon, is 14° F. Remembering winter days of my childhood that was one dark morning long ago but typical of our lives.
My mother had got me up for breakfast and a surprise. The radio was tuned to KWJJ and what we would now call Classic Country was brightly spilling all over the kitchen. My impression is that we still had the wood cook stove and the water heater in the kitchen, so the house was warm by those standards. The back door separating us from the outside was a raised panel door the top third of which was a single glazed window. It was that window that my mom wanted me to see. Jack Frost had painted a full half of it, beautifully spreading plumes of ice crystals across it in. Almost a paisley pattern in translucent white.
That was about it. “Look. Jack Frost was here.” Then it was on to the preparations for the day. Dad’s lunch of sandwiches wrapped in wax paper, a thermos of hot coffee and other home made foods in jars crammed the lunch pail, a rectangular box with a domed lid that held the thermos by means of wire retainer and closed by two chrome latches. That was it except for those special times when there was left over cake or pie. Then a piece was wrapped carefully in wax paper and placed on top of all the rest.
What happened next was my scrubbing. We did not shower daily. We scrubbed stripped to the waist in front of the sink. On cold days that was an onerous task. As a small boy I wasn’t at all attracted to water except in mud puddles. Mix it with soap? It would be something straight out of Calvin and Hobbs. And so what I started was always finished by my Mom. But better her than my Aunt Amy who must have had nanny training in Teutonic torture. Somehow I survived and I always felt warmer getting dressed after the ordeal by water. But I’m sure my friends wondered how I got sun burned in the middle of winter.
The rest of the day was school for me. What went on at home during my absence? I don’t know. But after school even though it got dark early we managed to play in the yard. And there were two or three 15 minute radio programs to listen to. Although grade schoolers didn’t have homework my Mom would have me read from the readers she had bought. There were chores like filling the wood box or taking out the garbage - table scraps and the like were buried in the orchard as a soil amendment. Then my Dad might read aloud from one of the books he was reading. To bed by eight and in the morning we would start again.
I guess that by today’s standards it may seem to have been a bit bleak but we were happy. And happy is important.

Crazy Quilt Dragon 20

YESTERDAY – It’s only Chief Cukenbotelwasher, who has been attracted to Crazy Quilt's pelt, which he wants. But Judy persuades hime to take her pocket mirror instead. Just when they reach the Golden Grove the evil Wintergreen Witch reappears. She demands the broken star and since Judy no longer has the protective pocket mirror, Jimmy is forced to surrender the pieces of the star. AND NOW…

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FOR A SPECIAL BOY…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COLIN!!!
At Thanksgiving Colin and I talked about his birthday. I told him I thought he should have vacation on that day. He looked at me with that quizzical Colin look. Thinking he might not quite understand “vacation” I said “a day off from school.” His immediate protest proved he knew all too well what a vacation is and he was having no part of it. Now the failure to understand was all mine. And after a couple more exchanges I understood the why. “There’s special stuff on my birthday, Grandpa!” And because of the special stuff Colin needed to be at school. I’m still uncertain what all the special stuff is but to Colin it is important and that’s enough for me. Now from the reports I’ve been hearing Newberg schools have been closed for the past few days. For Colin’s sake I hope that whoever is in charge will relent and allow Colin to be back in school for his birthday and his Special Stuff. If not, Colin remember you’re special! You are a very special boy and always will be!

Crazy Quilt Dragon 19

YESTERDAY – As they are about to sink beneath the mud, our friends are rescued by the Cockle Burr Cowboys. The wranglers, fortunately, work for Melissa, and through them the children speak to the queen again. She is sympathetic and gives them new directions. Leaving the cowboys behind they set out across the Purple Plain toward the Golden Grove, where they are to find a further clue. But horrors, they hear bloodcurdling war whoops. Indians! AND NOW…

Snow Days

Snow days. Strange isn’t it that something so inherently cold brings to mind such warm memories. For me one such memory is sitting in Mr. Emberlin’s sixth grade class room watching snowflakes the size of small snow balls descend on the lawn in front of Wichita Grade School on King Road. All I could think was, ”Please stick. They’ll have to let us out if it sticks.” I don’t remember it did or not. The anticipation of a snow day was always greater than the event itself. Like hunger being the best cook, anticipation raised any future to a level of greatness. Planning the snow fort - between the Dogwoods in front of the house of course - this year’s would be bigger and better with a roof and a place to store snow balls and a hole to pop up out of to attack from and… It didn’t matter that no one else in the neighborhood built a snow fort. We were ready, Ross and I. And after a year or so we didn't waste snow or energy on snowmen unless it was as camouflage and diversion. We made plans for counter-measures (of course we didn’t call them that), flanking movements, direct assaults, and countless other battle strategies. And all this against an enemy that was yet to be realized. But we were ready. And the joy that brings back to my memory is beyond my ability to express. I guess as anticipation raises the future to greatness, moving back through time to a more innocent era on the magic carpet of memory does the same for the past. And that is a journey I make with fondness.

Crazy Quilt Dragon 18

YESTERDAY – The only way to rescue poor Cinnamon Bear is to use up the only wish allowed them. Wearily Judy, Jimmy, Paddy and Crazy Quilt trudge back to see Melissa for fresh instructions. But they come to a river of mud and the awful Mudlers, who toss our friends into the quagmire. AND NOW…

Crazy Quilt Dragon 17

YESTERDAY – It turns out that the crocodile is nearsighted but can absorb the contents of any writing by eating it. He tells them that Melissa’s note tells them to go to the Wishing Well. Enroute they meet Oliver Ostrich, a Cockney fellow who loves eating alarm clocks and bacon. Eventually they reach the Wishing Well but alas Paddy leans over too far and falls in. AND NOW…

Crazy Quilt Dragon 16

YESTERDAY – Queen Melissa writes special instructions and seals them in an envelope, telling Judy and Jimmy that they will help them to restore their precious silver star. But the instructions can be read only in complete darkness. The Grand Wonky suggests they might find total darkness in the Wishing Woods and directs them. Just inside the woods they encounter bathtub singer, Snappersnick, the Crooning Crocodile. The friends are horrified when Snappersnick swallows the instructions. AND NOW…

Where are you... ?

Here's a game for anyone who wants to play.

It’s a treasure hunt of sorts.
Using Google Earth go to 48° 46’ 17.76” N and 9° 12’ 36.79" E.

Or here is a tool you can use:
http://tools.freeside.sk/geolocator/geolocator.html

Tell me what you find.
You may discover you’re already there.
Does that make sense?

Crazy Quilt Dragon 15

YESTERDAY – The dragon suggests they go to the castle of Queen Melissa to get help in repairing the star. The Grand Wonky, the royal attendant, ushers them into the presence of the beautiful and kindly queen. AND NOW…

Crazy Quilt Dragon 14

EARLIER TODAY – The dragon manages a feeble sounding peepfor help and Fee-Fo arrives to rescues them. He is too large to return with them through the picture frame. The four adventurers confront the witch in her home. Not only does she refuse to return the star but she also threatens to transform them into all manner of horrible things. She is horrified, however, at her own reflection in Judy’s pocket mirror and gives them back the star. The children foolishly let Crazy Quilt put the star in his hip pocket. And when they return to Maybeland from Obi the dragon sits down and crushes the ornament into glitter. AND NOW…

Crazy Quilt Dragon 13

YESTERDAY – The lights are really Crazy Quilts eyes. The witch has put him in a trance. When they wake him the three friends learn to their dismay that Wintergreen has stolen the star from Crazy Quilt. Anxious to return to the witches home but lost in the woods Jimmy recalls the whistle given him by Fee-Fo. Three blasts on the whistle will bring the gentle giant to help. But when Crazy Quilt tries he inhales too deeply and swallows the whistle. AND NOW…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LINZI!!!

There's that smile! This is your Lucky 7. I hope this day was especially happy for you. That all turned out the way you dreamed it.

Crazy Quilt Dragon 12

YESTERDAY – The giant Fee-Fo is huge but gentle and a real friend. He takes Jimmy, Judy, and Paddy to the Goody Good Grove where they have an elegant banquet. As night falls suddenly on the Magic Forest they spot two very scary yellow lights in the darkness. AND NOW…

Crazy Quilt Dragon 11

YESTERDAY – Paddy, it seems, crossed an invisible boundary line. And so do the children reuniting the group again. An educated owl, Professor Whiz, tells them that he’d spotted Crazy Quilt run into the nearby home of the feared Wintergreen Witch. They follow but find the home empty except for a magical picture of a great forest. Stepping through the frame of the picture and into the woods they meet Fraidy Cat, who in a wee voice tells of a great giant who lives there. The trio and the kitten try to run when the giant approaches. AND NOW…

Crazy Quilt Dragon 10

Well, I’ve got myself in somewhat of a dilemma. These past few days have been dedicated to my children and their children. An attempt to share something significant from my childhood Christmases. That should be light and fun. But what I’ve gone through in the last week has been anything but. My dilemma? Should I talk about the un-fun stuff? Well, just so you'll know. I haven’t been to work since last Wednesday or Thursday. Most of Sunday was spent at Madigan after missing the ward Christmas party the evening before. I had gone to the Festival of Trees to see Tim’s effort for this year’s Abbott Construction entry. It received the People’s Choice Award and the Children’s Choice Award. As we were waiting for Matt and Honor and the girls we sat on an aluminum bench - which is a wonderful heat sink. We saw all the beautiful trees but by the time everyone was ready to leave I was suffering from a chill that that seemed to only deepen regardless of what I did. So here I am. Having been seen by a physician that can’t do follow-up and now can not or will not refer. At least I have medication. STILL REMEMBER YESTERDAY? YESTERDAY - The pirates give them a small boat to row to shore and sail off. But a magic wave prevents them from getting through the surf. They try again a few hundred down the shore and find the water calmer. Landing n the beach they return to find the Rollie Pollie Policeman but the star is gone from his chest. The Irish-brogued constable explained that a friend of theirs came to collect the star and then ran up the beach in the opposite direction. From the policeman’s description it could have been none other than Crazy Quilt. Our group follows but as they are running along the sand Paddy O’Cinnamon disappears. AND NOW…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CRAIG!!!

Craig, you may wonder why I chose this picture of you. To me it says a lot about you. When I fist saw it I thought, "Craig has got a lot of confidence to do that. He must have really stood out to have been chosen!" And stand out you do. Soon you will receive the Aaronic Priesthood and join a choice group of young men. Remember that the Priesthood is given that we might serve one another. And just as you stood before that group of Boy Scouts as an example of what is required to fly in a jet aircraft miles above the earth, you will now stand as an example to all those around you of a Christ-like life. I love you and look forward to being with on Sunday for your ordination.

Crazy Quilt Dragon 9

YESTERDAY - Crazy Quilt flees again and the rest of our friends are hustled into the buccaneers’ longboat. As prisoners they are taken aboard the anchored pirate ship the Suzy Q. There they learn from Captain Tatty that their supposed captors are the Candy Pirates and friendly indeed. The pirates agree to sail to Obi. As they approach the island’s shores they see a big Rollie Pollie Policeman patrolling the beach. And on the lapel of his uniform is pinned their silver star. AND NOW…

Crazy Quilt Dragon 8

YESTERDAY - Crazy Quilt swims our friends ashore to dry out. They meetan incompetent magician, Mr. Presto, who in demonstrating his magical prowess mistakenly pulls Penelope from his hat. The angry bird complains that when the magician so rudely summoned her she droppedthestar while flying over the Island of Obi. The group looks along the shore for a boat to take them to Obi. They discover instead a treasure chest and moments later they are surrounded by a band of pirates. AND NOW…

Crazy Quilt Dragon 7

To keep up with the schedule I was supposed to have posted twice on Sunday. But since I spent the entire afternoon and into the early evening being diagnosed and treated fo pyelonephritis it was postponed until today - didn't feel like anything but going to bed. So... EARLIER TODAY - The Wailing Whale explains in song why it enjoys ill health. Crazy Quilt hits on the idea of tickling the polka-dotted Wesley until he coughs up the star. It works but the star is in turn caught by Samuel the Performing Seal, who insists on juggling it on his nose. One final toss of the star into the air, however, attracts Penelope the Pelican who catches the shiny bit in her beak and flies off. AND NOW…

Crazy Quilt Dragon 6

YESTERDAY - The execution is delayed when it’s discovered that the royal executioner is off for the day and his assistant can’t recall the exact wording of the ceremony. While the Inkaboos debate what to do, Crazy Quilt returns with the Scissor Soldiers who engage the Inkaboos in battle. In the turmoil our group escapes on the back of the dragon who swims out to sea and safety. Judy spots the silver star floating on the surface of the Root Beer Ocean. AND NOW…

Crazy Quilt Dragon 5

YESTERDAY - Jimmy, Judy, Paddy and Crazy Quilt are approached by a most peculiar group of people. They are the Inkaboos, the blotter people who are a bit touchy about their boundary lines. After a brief struggle, Crazy Quilt escapes but our three friends are made prisoners. They are taken before King Blotto and charged with trespassing. The penalty for which is to be thrown into the Immense Inkwell. AND NOW…

Crazy Quilt Dragon 4

YESTERDAY - The stork reappears apologizing for causing them problems and offering to fly them to the top of the cliffs which overlook the Root Beer Ocean. There they discover Crazy Quilt with the star and sound asleep. They wake him with a BOO. The frightened dragon falls over the cliff into the ocean below. After he swims ashore Crazy Quilt explains in a song why one must “Never Say Boo to a Crazy Quilt Dragon.” He apologizes for succumbing to the temptation to steal the shiny star. Unfortunately however, he cannot return it for he lost it when he fell into the Root Beer Ocean. AND NOW…

Crazy Quilt Dragon 3

YESTERDAY - Paddy shows Judy and Jimmy how to de-grow, that is shrink to his own four-inch size, so they can fit into his very own special airplane and they set out for Maybeland. Shortly after take off they are overtaken by the old stork, Weary Willy. Terribly thirsty the bird taps into the plane’s soda pop fuel tank. Out of fuel our adventurers are forced to land at the bottom of Looking Glass Valley the sides of which are so steep that no escape is possible. AND NOW…

Crazy Quilt Dragon 2

YESTERDAY - The Barton twins, Judy and Jimmy, discover the silver star, which goes on the top of their Christmas tree, is missing. It is recalled that Uncle Ned took some of the holiday decorations up to the attic last year. After some pleading with their mother the twins are permitted to go up to search for it. They don’t find the star but do discover a number of interesting things including a tiny, four-inch-tall teddy bear with a green ribbon around his neck. Jimmy looks through the old seaman’s telescope and sees the little bear move. He introduces himself with his own song, “I’m the Cinnamon Bear with the Shoe Button Eyes.” Paddy O’Cinnamon, for that is his proper name, tells the children their star has been stolen by the Crazy Quilt Dragon and offers to help them get it back. AND NOW…

Crazy Quilt Dragon 1

YESTERDAY – I promised something that I thought I was prepared to deliver but only to discover that my technical understanding of how to post information from one website to another was seriously deficient. It was an agonizing afternoon of attempts, false starts, and failures. Complete catastrophe was not an option, so I was prepared simply to direct you to a site – another blog – where you could listen to the story. But I already have one blog that I ignore so why start another for just twenty-six days of the year? But for you I was willing. All that is now as they say “water under the bridge.” I finally figured it out! AND NOW… as promised… the Cinnamon Bear...

Crazy Quilt Dragon

When I was a grade schooler and maybe before, the time just after Thanksgiving Day and before Christmas became magical. Every afternoon we would watch the clock waiting for what we called “Crazy Quilt Dragon.” The real title of the radio program was and is “The Cinnamon Bear.” It may sound a bit corny to the post-modern ear but remember this is from a more innocent era. From a time when we didn’t lock our doors at night. A time when “please” and “thank you” came naturally to all. When leaving the evening table you would thank your mother for the meal as you stood up. And a time when imagination was the best screen. I offer this now to all my family.

Happy Birthday, Tessa!!

We (Mom and I) are going over to wish Tessa a Happy Birthday. And since I had some room left on this page, I thought why not also here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TESSA!!

On the Road Again

I’ve been off the bike for about three weeks the result of something that has been hard to categorize. Not a cold - no sneezing red runny nose or fever. I did a great Wolfman Jack impression and people at work would stop by my desk just to hear me talk – or was it to see if I could talk. Like I said three weeks off the bike.

Yesterday I just couldn’t let the weekend go without a short excursion. I would have gone Friday but I was still a bit… whatever it is. Sunday… I don’t ride on Sundays. Saturday evening – 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. is Stake Conference. So it has to be Saturday morning. Well, before noon anyway. Mom (Gramma to some of you) wants to go Low-Tiding – that’s at about 11:00 a.m. at Penrose Point State Park about 13 miles away.

My condition is such now that Wolfman has left me and whatever this thing is bedevils my morning hours with coughing spells. Sometimes almost uncontrollable. After I’m finished with that, it is uncertain just how far my lungs will take me. So I need an outlet. Ride to where Mom is and then decide. That then dictates when I will ride

Getting ready to ride was like being a kid again. Can’t wait to get on the road though there is some apprehension as to just how good my legs will be. How much burn after such a long holiday? And my lungs? Will I end up on the side of the road retching through the coughing fits? And more. But it doesn’t out weigh the joy of knowing I’ll be back on the road. And after the usual preparation I glide easily down the drive and out onto the street. All is at peace and I comfortably make the 13 miles out to Penrose. I do, however, notice that getting down to the bay requires a steep descent. A very steep descent. A very, very steep descent. Riding back means….

When I arrive at the park and find a table at the water’s edge (well, it is when the tide is in) I can see Mom half a mile out on the spit. Wandering slowly side to side looking for treasure and oblivious to me. So I sit down to make myself comfortable – pull off my helmet, shoes and socks and drink my Endurox. By the time Mom makes it back to the table I’ve retreated to the shade of a nearby oak tree. She shows me the days gathering of shells and agates and asks if I want to eat. If I do, she’ll get the lunch out of the car.

After lunch – peanut butter and jam sandwich – I fill my water bottles and make the slow ascent out of the park. There’ll be couple of stair steps back down to the bay then that climb – that steep climb back up to the highway. Thankfully it’s in the shade and miraculously (with the help of proper gear selection) I spin up it like a pro. The ride home is hot but so… fulfilling? I don’t know – it just feels good to ride again even though I had to take a nap before going to my meetings. And the bed felt so good last night.

Shearing Joy...

Without exertion I remember few things about my one year at BYU. Some things, however, come with ease and joy. One such is a midday concert by George Shearing. My music choice in the late 50's and early 60's was easing toward jazz. Not the raucus thing that it seems to have become but a well considered, although at times immediate and spontaneous, style of music. I had sung with a double octet called the Pony Pipers. It was a group formed out of the Milwaukie High School acappella choir. Most of the things we sang were popular songs. However none were jazz songs. My impression was that jazz was intrumental. Jamie Crandall one of my roommates at the Y corrected that error by introducing me to Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross. And when I got back to Portland I was singing Sermonette as a solo. Of course my enduring devotion is to The Great One, Dave Brubeck. Back from my mission I found Jerry Mulligan. My favorite recording, Feelin' Good, has been lost. I do still have a recording of Brubeck and Muligan together in Mexico. And there were so many others... Now my voice is gone but the music goes on.

In Solemn Assembly

In our upper room we stood together unified with all those of our quorums and the rest of the church. Tears filled our eyes in gratitude for the opportunity to pledge ourselves to the support of the men called by the true head of the church to serve as our leaders. And as Tassie and I stood in our turn I reflected on the wisdom of one Bishop following inspiration in one ward of the church to prepare those he has been called to serve. And it became clearer as the conference progressed how we unite ourselves. Of note are the remarks of Elder Russell M. Nelson, Elder Kenneth Johnson and Sister Cheryl C. Lant.

Cry with one voice unto the Lord...

Today was a comfortable Sunday. Testimonies were just that. Sunday School was instructive. And third hour found us in the company of our Bishop and his inspired message.

He spoke to us about the world in which we find ourselves and the assault upon us and our beliefs and made a comparison to the Lamanite’s attack on the Nephites in the forty-third chapter of Alma. Although the Nephites were better prepared for battle, having armor and shields, there came a point in the battle that the fierceness and anger of the Lamanites caused them to doubt. They would have given up had it not been for Moroni who plucked them from disaster and caused them to stand their ground. “And it came to pass that they turned upon the Lamanites, and they cried with one voice unto the Lord their God… And they began to stand against the Lamanites with power…”

In this world where the assaults upon us are mostly individual and seldom seen as an organized attack upon us collectively, the question is how do we “cry unto the Lord with one voice”? How can we accomplish that as families and as a church?

The answer to that is something I’d like you to consider and ponder upon. Perhaps make it a question to bring to a family home evening. And if you wish share your thoughts with me.

Here's your 2008 baseball schedule... !!!

Rainiers Baseball 2008

Date Opponent Time Event
Thursday, April 3 // Sacramento // 7:00 pm-Opening Night // Opening Night & Free Scarf
Friday, April 4 // Sacramento // 7:00 pm // Fireworks Opening Weekend & Free Scarf
Saturday, April 19 // Colorado Springs // 7:00 pm // Summer Saturday Night
Friday, May 2 // Oklahoma // 7:00 pm // Fireworks
Friday, May 16 // Tucson // 7:00 pm // Fireworks
Friday, June 6 // Fresno // 7:00 pm // Fireworks Free Hat
Saturday, June 7 // Fresno // 7:00 pm // ZOOperstars & Free Hat
Friday, June 27 // Salt Lake // 7:00 pm // Fireworks
Thursday, July 3 // Colorado Springs // 7:00 pm // Fireworks
Friday, July 18 // Tucson // 7:00 pm // Fireworks Rhubarb Bobblehead
Friday, August 1 // Round Rock // 7:00 pm // Fireworks
Friday, August 15 // Las Vegas // 7:00 pm // Fireworks & Rhubarb Bobblehead
Friday, August 29 // Portland // 7:00 pm // Fireworks
Monday, September 1 // Portland // 1:30 pm // Labor Day & Last Game of Season



Same seats as every year and we have season ticket holder status. You'll notice that we have opening night and last game of the season as well as Fourth of July, ZOOperstars, hat nights and lots of fun ahead . I've talked to the people in the office and they expect this year to be better than last in respect to stuff for the fans.


I'm excited.


I'm ready for baseball.


All together now...


Take me out to the ball game
Take me out with the crowd
Buy me some peanuts [cracky-wackies] and CrackerJacks [I'd prefer a hot dog]
I don't care if I never get back
Let me root, root, root for the home team
If they don't win it's a shame
For it's one, two, three strikes you're out
At the old ball game.


Nothin' like it!

When chased by a cow...

One of my earliest recollections is being chased by a cow. To me - as it appears in movie of my mind – it’s all head and getting closer and closer. Not just once but over and over it seemed to me. How I escaped I’m not sure. That I did is a certainty. My mother, one of my aunts, or even my grandmother plucked me from disaster each time.

How is it possible that a cow would suddenly appear in my cousin’s yard in suburban Milwaukie, Oregon? First of all the Milwaukie where I grew up and when I grew up was not at all suburban. Sub-rural maybe but not suburban. We lived on a half acre that abutted the half acre belonging to Ross and Ada. And to their west that of George and Orvilla Smith. The land had been bought from the Glover ranch. In fact all the land around us had been part of the ranch. The ranch house and the out-buildings stood for many years just east of Forty-first Street and just west of the airport as we called Wells’ landing strip. What is now Forty-third Street was during my childhood Glover Road. It started at King Road and ended at the entrance to the airport just behind the ranch house.

The Smiths had a cow. And they were not good at building fences. I suppose the cow saw Ross’ place as greener pastures and me as something to follow. Chasing me was the result, I’m sure, of my fright at seeing the monster and running from it. Something in the recesses of my mind says I had been told that cows follow things that run. But run I did as fast as my pre-school legs would carry me.

Now it doesn’t seem to be as frightening as it was then. I suppose the lesson to be learned was to stand my ground. That’s easy to say when you’re not face to face with a mad cow.

In the beginning...

Sunday last I made a comment to my son, Chris, about something he had written in his blog. Essentially what I said was that it didn't accurately describe my situation at a particular point in the Solvang Century. His response was "Get your own blog." So now I have and now it doesn't seem so important to give an accurate account of that moment in cycling history. I do, however, reserve the right to revisit the story at my discretion.

Every blog seems to have a theme. And when it was suggested to me earlier this year by my daughter-in-law that I start a blog to which I said "What would I write about?" She said, "Write about your favorite team or..." My reaction was that I would quickly run out of material. Although I do have a favorite team I don't follow it very closely. That's when it struck me. I can do a "Seinfeld" blog. I can write about nothing.

So I am beginning.