Happy Birthday Steven!!!

Steven came home from NYC for his birthday. He is twenty-one!!! Incredible. He looks good, looks strong, the moving man's life agrees with him. We took him to IHOP this morning to try and put a few more pounds on that long tall frame. The staff came out and sang Happy Birthday to him and gave him an ice cream sundae after his full breakfast. He told me that singing like that was only for little kids. The people at the next table congratulated him! But, it is nice to have people sing happy birthday on your Bday. I think he secretly enjoyed it!! He sure ate the sundae down fast!

Barbwire Cowboy

Mike took this picture in Nogales today. We went down to IHOP and had lunch with the missionaries. Any excuse. . . (I ordered a salad and water--the challenge continues.)

But this cowboy is as tough as they come. He reminds me of our friends who run cows and horses in the river bottoms. Actually, I think our friends are tougher than this dude!

Quote of the Day

"We can travel a long way and do many different things, but our deepest happiness is not born from accumulating new experiences. It is born from letting go of what is unnecessary, and knowing ourselves always at home." Sharon Salzburg

And if you are as lucky as we are you will find that when you are together it is always an adventure and that you are always home, whereever you happen to be together.

Straight!!

Graham got his braces off. Look at those beautiful teeth!!! Fifty bucks a month for 15 months. Gotta love the border.

This is my grandpa Evenson. I think this is my favorite picture of him, because this is how I remember him. Relaxed, comfortable, always wearing that hat.

My grandpa drank coffee. When I was little I was shocked. I thought drinking coffee was bad--like a sin--and I knew my grandpa was a good man.

He lived in a time before the Word of Wisdom was given the emphasis that it has now. It was like the pirates' rules of parlay--more of a suggestion. But by the time I came along, it was definitely more than a suggestion.

He told me that he had drunk coffee all his life, that his mother had given him coffee in his baby bottle. He just couldn't give it up. And to think, he was still so much more relaxed than my granma.

When he was old--probably in his 70's?? he was called as a temple worker. But to do that he had to stop drinking coffee. And so he did. Just like that. He and my grandmother worked in the temple together for years.

He died sitting in his chair in the living room. It looked like he had fallen asleep watching TV. Relaxed to the end.

Tech support for life

Ever feel like you're banging your head against a brick wall?

For anyone who has ever worked at a call center, and for the rest of us who have ever tried to call with a simple Question, Here is tech support for life:

Support: Hello, this is Kelly. How may I help you?

Caller: I can't open this Smucker's jar. I've tried running it under hot water and it still won't budge.

Support: I understand you're having trouble opening a jar of preserves. Is that correct?

Caller: Yes, I just told you.

Support: Can you tell me the flavor of the preserves as well as its UPC code? YOu can find the UPC code on the label on the back of the jar.

Caller: Strawberry, and leet me see.....435931419865.

Support: Thank you. Do you mind if I take a few minutes to search for that information?

Caller: Fine.

(Five minutes later)

Support: Thank you for waiting. Here are the recommended steps: 1. Turn on the hot water in the kitchen sink. 2. Run the metal lid under the hot water. 3. Turn off the hot water and dry the jar and lid with a dishrag. 4. Using the dishrag, twist the lid counterclockwise to open the jar.

Caller: Have you been listening to anything I've said? I already tried running it under hot water.

Support: It sounds like you have already tried the above steps. Is that correct?

Caller: Yes. Can I talk to your supervisor?

Support: I'm sorry you were displeased with my help. Please hold while I search for someone else to handle your issue.

This goes on quite a bit further, but you get the idea, I know. We've all been there. Now, can you think of other tech support for life issues? I'm sure there is a call center ready and waiting to answer your every question!! Or at least we could make up a really frustrating conversation so that you feel like you have given it your all.

(This came from the July issue of Real Simple, by Teddy Wayne if you want to read the rest of this fine conversation down to the exciting conclusion, or should I say solution???)

Four Noble Truths for Writers

Well, that very imposing title is a quote, it is not my own words. But the truths that follow aren't nearly so noble. They seem like common sense. So to remind myself, I will put them here:

1. Writer's write.

2. Writing is a process.

3. You don't know what your writing will be until the end of the process.

4. If writing is your practice, the only way to fail is to not write.

One is obvious, we could also say non-writer's do not write. . . 2. I hate the word process, but since I agree completely with #3, at least in my case, I guess I'll let it go. I especially like number 4 and I think I could apply it to anything I want to learn or do--painting, drawing, cooking, scripture study, etc, etc.

Oh my, how busy I will have to be!