Reason to celebrate!

I have reason to celebrate!

To not only complete the writing of a book but also to also publish it was a marvelous accomplishment for me.  I have been told that my own kids, in their childhood years, enjoyed listening to my fictional bedtime stories.

Actually, the idea of writing came to me about the time I was 50 years old.  At that time I made a file folder for the purpose of accumulating ideas.  When I retired from work, I made an attempt to resurrect that feeling, so I pulled out the file and Wah-La, I was totally uninspired.  But things changed.

Over the next few years a couple of neighbors wrote books.  I thought that if they could do it, so could I.  Then I read a book authored by a teenager living in Vernal, Utah.  She had some interesting ideas expressed in her work.  My inspiration was again rejuvenated.

So I sat down one evening, opened up Microsoft Word and started writing.  I cleared my mind and let the ideas develop.  The words developed into paragraphs and, almost like magic, the story developed as I typed.

Now, it is important to know that my creation does have form.  Just like a classical sonata, the stages are Exposition, Development, and Recapitulation.  The chapters have reoccurring themes, designed to enhance enjoyment of the story.

The book is available only on Amazon Kindle Direct.  It is really inexpensive.  It cost less than a lunchtime meal deal, so anyone can afford it.  But, hopefully it will provide days of reading enjoyment.




https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VXRVLCV

Christmas 2018

Christmas 2018 - As this day comes to an end, I am again in awe at the wonderful children I have been blessed with. 

There was a slight change in holiday scheduling this year. 

On Sunday the 23rd, we enjoyed a massive birthday celebration in Katie's behalf.  In the evening was Katie's party at her house. Over 30 people came for a taco bar and opening of presents. It turned out great.  

Jenna - 15

On the evening of Monday the 24^th, Sherry had us and Mike's family down to Springville for a Christmas Eve ham dinner and games. Afterward, she had us play table games. Then Jeff presided over a short program. It included listening to Walter Cronkite’s reading of the 1914 incident during WW1 during which the soldiers stopped fighting each other on the war front, and actually had a little celebration which ended in the singing of O Holy Night by an Italian tenor.

Rachel - 13

Then the kids had me and Beverly sit in front of everyone. They delighted in watching us open our Christmas gifts from them to us – a vacuum cleaner, gift certificates to Cedar City Shakespeare and St. George Tuacahn, and cash to travel on. We drove home really happy that we were so blessed.

Cooper

On Christmas Day, we got up later that usual and drove to Mike's house across the gully. We watched his family open their gifts, also received another gift from the kids – a new dishwasher bottom rack. The old old one was pretty well rusted. Grandma laughed with delight when she got the box open.

We finished of the Christmas celebration by spending the rest of the day by ourselves, opening our presents to each other, eating, napping, and going to an evening movie at the Sandy Movie's 9 theater – The First Man.

Peace Acronym

by

Mike McKea

Pray - Pray individually and together. By doing this you demonstrate humility and faith in something bigger than yourself.

Embrace - Embrace all the change life throws at you, each other, and your feelings and inspiration

Act - To serve one's fellow man, is said to serve God. Act on every opportunity that comes your way. You will be happy and will make a difference in people's lives.

Count - Count Your Blessings.

Enjoy - Enjoy life...all the big and all the little moments. Especially the life you are building together.  

Matthew - 12

Moist and tender beyond belief

The turkey this year was the best -  moist and tender beyond belief.  Grandma claims I say the same every year.  Haha.

Grandma

According to Snoops.com, George Washington proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving; however it was Abraham Lincoln that proclaimed the last thursday of November be the day of celebration.  

It doesn't get any better than this.

Grandma and Sherry were the only females this year.  After dinner the men huddled around the table glued to their computers linked to a game.  As for me, the piano room couch was put to good use.

After cleanup, Sherry and Grandma entertained themselves by chatting.  Sherry had made a beautiful quilt - a work of art, for sure.

Grandma looks very comfortable.



To top off our Thanksgiving time together, Jeff and son Greg opened a couple of birthday gifts.  Nothing like tools to make men happy!

The job was a service project

After lunch today, Mike, and three of his friends showed up at our house with work clothes on and chain saws in hand. They wanted to finish taking down the fir tree in the back yard. This caught Bev and I by surprise, but we wished them luck, and in a couple hours the job was done. I offered them some money, but they refused payment, saying that the job was a service project. That was very nice of them, but we are considering several creative options to thank them for their generosity.      

Anyway, for the first time in several decades, I was able to see Lone Peak from the deck.  What a thrill!

They used a one-man lift to reach the upper limbs.  The trunk of the tree was cut into approximately two foot sections.  All the the scraps were transported to the curb where they could be hauled away by the city; however, the "scavengers" got the large sections, which was fine by me.

42 years ago, I planted this tree.  How do I know?  Because
 Rachel counted the rings on the stump.  Bless her little heart. 

A great worthwhile event

The Sandy Visual Art Show was open to all.  Grandma being encouraged by her art instructor, entered an original watercolor into the competition.  

Bev and Anne Jewett, her teacher.

Anne, an accomplished artist/poet, and has recently published a book of poems called:  

Whispers from the Heart  Paperback - August 27, 2018 by Antoinette Jewett (Author)

Go to amazon.com to order!

Now, I was privileged to have been invited to the Gala showing.  To be in the presence of all the artists for the awards presentation was indeed an honor.  Miss Sandy was there to help with the accolades.

Even the city mayor was present, by video.  He was very proud of the artistic accomplishments of the community.

Mayor Kurt Bradburn

After the ceremony, all were invited to review the art display, and I must say that as I went from room to room, I was impressed as to the artistic quality of each work.  Needless to say, I will be interested in attending next year.  This is a great worthwhile event - believe me!

Kind of kooky

I know it seems kind of kooky putting a cemetery photo on social media.  But really now, the last time I checked I saw pics of:

• just the whipping cream on a slice of pie, 
• a bathroom selfie, 
• and a totally weird guy standing on a beach holding a pistol.  

Located in Vernal.

Oh, the guy with the gun had 24 likes, 7 comments and 1 share.  Interesting, huh?

Anyway, please do not "defriend me,"  for I really do enjoy the playful "monkey business" that goes on.

Okay, how did the Rock Point Cemetery get its name?  My guess is from the above rock outcropping located really close by on the north boundary of Vernal.  Notice the flat slab in the middle.  It is loaded with petroglyphs, most of which are simple as pictured below.  To me they look like ladders, or perhaps humans with six decorative markings on their breastplates?

Joe told me that he and Andy discovered these while biking.

Located in a gully, on the same road just east of the outcropping, is more artwork.  It looks to be a little more advanced.

Pictograph - painted on rock surface.

Petroglyph - carved or pecked into the rock surface.

Do you like dolls?

Do you like dolls?

One of the most fascinating shacks on the McConkie ranch is the doll house.  All four walls are literally covered with cuties of all kinds.  The one featured below is reported to be over 100 years old. 

It was really kind of eerie being in the presence of all those inanimate little things looking at me with their little beady eyes.

In another shack were various items from the past.  About this time my camera started acting up, so I didn't get pics of either the painting or any Indian artifacts which were in another shack.

But I did get a closeup photo of the old coffee mill featured below.

I Love the eagle on top.

Please take note of the wooden skies.

An old wooden snow sled is balanced up against a kid's wagon.  Things like this adorn the ranch's landscape.  

Time to leave.

Bev prepares to go.

  This is rugged country, so desolate - a land of mystery.  

On the way out, we passed by a sheepherder's wagon.