0 comments Posted by GeorgAnna at 2:34 PM

On Sunday I gave a talk in church, following is an event Ruth remembered from childhood.



In my life I think our family has owned more than a dozen birds. And of all of those, none have ever died of old age. Most of them met their untimely deaths in the jaws of our cat. Well, Elaine had a canary that she really liked. He was a beautiful singer, very healthy and it seemed we'd finally bought a bird that we all liked.

Well,

Elaine was out of town and I was home from my freshman year at college for the summer. I decided to let her bird out for a few minutes to get some exercise. We did this once in a while, even though it was risky. So I put the cat out and vowed to my self that this time, since it was elaine's bird and she really liked it, I would be super careful.

Well,

the bird flew on top of a piece of furniture to roost and before long I had forgotten he was out. I went out in the backyard, not noticing the cat slipping quietly inside as I shut the door.

I hadn't been outside 2 minutes before I heard a scream and someone yelled out the cat's name. I immediately knew the bird was a goner. I ran inside and sure enough, he was already limp in the cat's jaws.



I took the bird and went into the basement and started to cry. I felt so bad. This was not the first bird I had lost due to my neglect. And here I was, holding this beautiful limp little bird in my hands, who just minutes before had been alive and singing. Elaine's bird!

I sat down there alone and cried for 20 minutes.

I finally took a big breath, held the bird softly in my hands and went out to the garage to find a shovel and box. Every time I would look down at this bird I would start to cry all over again. So there I was, stumbling around in the garage, blurry vision with a dead bird in my hands when Dad came out of the house.



He called to me but I couldn't answer. When he got close enough to realize what a mess I was, he didn't say anything. He walked up to me and took the bird out of my hands and put it softly in his pocket out of sight. then he just held me in a hug while I cried and blurted out how bad I felt, and how was I ever going to make this up to Elaine. I remember that hed idn't say much, and he didn't do much but hug me.

It was the perfect thing to do.. Exactly what I needed.


I didn'tneedany consoling or any pep talks. I justneeded the quiet strength of a Dad.


So afterI got allthe tears andhurt out, I washed my face, he got the car keys, we went into town and bought Elaine another canary I will always remember how Dad used actions, not words to make things better. Most people won't take your advise, some won't even take your sympathy, but not many will refuse a touch or a hug when nothing else seems to help.



I sure love you, Dad. I don't feel like I could have had a better father growing up. But believe it or not I learn way more from you now that I'mgrown and married.


You sometimes joke that the men in your family tend to die quietly at age 65 and you expect to do the same. Don't you dare plan to follow in your father'sfootsteps and die early. Do whatever you can to stick around here as long as possible. I couldn't stand the thought of life without you. I love you so much. Happy Father's day.

 

0 comments Posted by GeorgAnna at 2:16 PM

Another fun thing I told in my Father's day talk was MEMORIES of DAD which our kids have written. We told them we didn't want any more presents, unless you could smell them or eat them, so now they send us memories of their childhood. So here is one of Ruth's
+++
I remember all the father-daughter outings we went to. One in particular, when I was about 7

I was really looking forward to it. When it started to get dark there were rumors flying that there were bears near our campground, which was probably true in the California areas. I was petrified and wouldn't go to sleep. I was sure the minute I fell asleep those bears would find my tent and eat me.

Finally after several unsuccesful attempts to calm my fears, dad moved his bag right outside the tent so he was blocking the door. Then he got back in it and said, "There, see Ruth, there's no way the bears can get to you without me knowing it. And they will find me first and eat me, and by then they will be too full to eat you.

Whew! I was so relieved, and so grateful that Dad would get eaten first. What a great Dad! Now I could go to sleep peacefully.

 

0 comments Posted by GeorgAnna at 1:56 PM

Happy father'sday! Today I got to give a talk at church. I love giving talks at church, especially if Ican work in a poem or two. First I told about my great great great grandfather, Peter Maughan (as told by Wilford Woodruff)

In one occasion Bishop Roskelly of Cache Valley was suddenly taken very sick...near to death's door. While he lay in this condition President Peter Maughan , WHO WAS DEAD, came to him and said: "Bro. Roskelley, we held a council on the other side of the veil. I have had a great deal to do, and I have the privilege of coming here to appoint one man to come and help. I have had three names given to me in council and you are one of them. I want to inquire into your circumstances"

The Bishop told him what he had to do, and they conversed together as one man would converse with another. President Maughan then said to him "I think I will not call you. I think you are wanted here more than perhaps one of the others"

Bishop Roskelly got well from that hour. Very soon after, the 2nd man was taken sick, but not being able to exercise sufficient faith, Brother Roskelly did not go to him. By and by this man recoverd, and on meeting Brother Roskelly, he said, "Brother Maughan came to me the other night and told me he was sent to call one man from the ward" and he named two men as had been done to Brother Roskelly.

Af few days afterward, the 3rd man was taken sick and died.

Now, I name this to show a principle. They have work on the other side of the veil; and they want men, and they call them. That man was wanted behind the veil"

Now, that is a real story, the Lord lets people come back as messengers.

 

1 comments Posted by GeorgAnna at 9:38 AM

We've had a lot of appointments lately. Mostly medical, and for both of us. Dee had to get a tooth fixed one day, then we drove to Baker for eye exams. That was quite exciting. They dilated our eyes, as usual, and we got fitted for new glasses. Usually we hang around for a while til the eyes clear up, but Dee was tired, so we headed back with me driving. My eyes weren't too foggy, all went well for about 5 miles.

Suddenly the sky opened up and we had this heavy hard rain storm like I've never seen before. I slowed to about 40 miles an hour, still could barely see the road. All the while Dee was napping and all the other cars were sailing past at 65. We made it back, having been gone a total of 4 hours, which is too long for us old folks.

I have seen a nurse practitioner 3 times since we got home from Idaho Falls, trying to get rid of the bug I got there. After a bad spell of asthma (SUCH coughing and wheezing) I got on predisone and yet another anti-biotic, and finally I was coasting along when up cropped thrush in my mouth, a common side effect of an anti-biotic. So now I'm using this pink liquid called Swish and Swallow which is working good. A sore mouth really limits what you can eat with comfort.

On the good side, Dee has been in for three acupuncture treatments for his back, and we can see improvement already. Interesting that tiny thin needles in the right place followed with heat for 15 mninutes can make that much difference, but after all those Chinese know what they are doing, and have for centuries. Dee is also wearing a support belt around the middle, and we're trying hard to not do things that make his back hurt.

The corn is up 3 inches, we've had some nice rain storms, and today the sun is out bright. A good day to count blessings.

We are waiting for Brian and Bobbi to drop in for the week-end later today, our first family overnighters in a long time. Bobbi's radiation is a thing of the past, and now there is nowhere to go but UP! We're going to grill chicken and just sit around and enjoy being together.

 

3 comments Posted by GeorgAnna at 3:14 PM

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
*

 

0 comments Posted by GeorgAnna at 2:24 PM



CHOCOLATE PUDDING CAKE DAY

When my brother Steve was little there were a LOT of things he didn't like to eat. My Mom took him to the Doctor, and this is a true story.

Steve is 6 ft. tall, handsome, and healthy

What does the world know?

Let us eat what feels good!!!








Once there was a little boy who didn't much like meat
or fish or fruits or vegetables
or things the rulers eat
One day he said
"Who makes these rules? who tells us what to eat?
Why must we have scrambled eggs when it would be a treat
to just eat chocolate pudding cake
FOR BREAKFAST
that would be a fine meal
just once I'd like to try it to see how it would feel
Chocolate pudding
can be finger paint, it's such great fun to use
you smear it on your hands and face
but never on your shoes
If you use it in the bathtub (and this part seems so plain)
You can either lick it off or wash it down the drain
One thing better than chocolate pudding is
chocolate pudding cake
That's the happiest feeling thing my Mom knows how to bake
When its done it smells so good, all soft and warm and sweet
and topped with a bit of whipped cream
It makes my day complete
Some morning when I first wake up this is what I say
"I have a feeling that this feels
like a chocolate pudding cake day!
Well
his mother was very worried, she'd never heard of such a thing
Boys should all like milk and bacon and eggs that chickens bring
She took him to the doctor, who looked real close to see
"I don't see any problems he looks healthy enough to me!
I suspect the rulers who write the unwritten rules
were forced to eat eggs when they were young
and I think they were fools"
So mother didn't worry so much
and the boy merried on his way
eating chocolate pudding cake
FOR BREAKFAST
every single day
if he wanted to
*
Recipe for chocolate pudding cake (from my sister Glenna)
1 chocolate cake mix (made as directed)
Pour into 9x13 pan.
Mix and pour over cake batter
1/4 cup cocoa
1 cup sugar
1 tea. vanilla
1/2 cup chopped nuts
2 1/4 cups HOT water
Bake at 375 for 35 minutes , and eat warm

 

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