We just got a new computer last month and I’ve had fun finding new things to do on it. I was exploring I tunes radio stations and found one called Gospel Twang and I liked it. I was trying to figure out why. I decided there are two reasons. First it reminded me of Elvis singing gospel songs. Secondly, we use to have a trio of guys In Mutual (my day’s YMYW). they played guitar, banjo, and fiddle for our meetings.
I guess that even though I had a rather boring youth, I had a pretty good time. At least there were things to look back on fondly. Listening to “Gospel Twang” reminds me of it, and recharges my batteries.

Elder Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles teaches us, “Spiritual nourishment is just as important as a balanced diet to keep us strong and healthy. We nourish ourselves spiritually by partaking of the sacrament weekly, reading the scriptures daily, and praying daily in personal and family prayer. Our spiritual strengths are like batteries; they need to be charged and frequently recharged.” So how are you charging your batteries?

I like to listen to Gospel music, whether it’s the Tabernacle Choir or Elvis. I like reading Gerald Lund novels. I like taking hot bubble baths and writing Sacrament meeting talks in my head in case I’m ever asked. I’ve been doing it for ten years and finally got asked in August. And I was prepared!

One of the songs on the Gospel Twang station was “In The Garden”. I’ve loved that song since I was young. I had a sister in the ward play it on her violin, for my husband’s funeral in 1976. In 1991, on his birthday, another sister in another ward played it for my son’s funeral. I can picture them walking away together in Heaven’s garden whenever I hear that song.

My mom, an avid gardener, use to quote, “You’re closer to God in a garden, than any place else on earth.” I will always have a garden to work in, even if it’s only a potted plant on the balcony, or a piece of bamboo wedged into a container of water with small black river rocks.
I hope you have a good month and find some soul charging experiences. I’m heading out to San Francisco to see my cousin that I only remember meeting three times, and then back to New Mexico to see my daughter and dad.

What do you remember?

I wrote my poem for September ending with a question. My sister sent her answer. What's yours.



September Joy

What brings you joy
When you think of September?

What makes you dance
In the streets, in the fall?
Is it Indian Summer?
Or going to School?
The leaves red and amber
The nights turning cool?
Apple pie warm and spicy
The last day at the pool?

What brings you joy?
Tell me what you remember.


Turquoise blue skies behind amber gold leaves
White bars of Aspen from dry grassy sheaves
Red-sweatered children near mom and dad's hand
Pic-nic rejoicing in family and land

It's August Already!

It’s August. It’s hard to believe that for many students school is just weeks away.
I always loved the fall. I was excited to see who’s class I would be in; who my classmates would be; and what we would learn that year. In elementary school that only lasted a week or two. Then I was excited for Friday to come and we could have a couple of days off. I was reminiscing with my daughter today and she says she feels the same way. For the month before school started each year she would pack and unpack her backpack of supplies every day in anticipation. The year she was going to start middle school she and her dad would ride up to the school to peek in the windows, she was so excited.
Even this year, as her last year of college approaches, she got one of her class books early and is reading it.
One of my son’s friends recently reported that the school some of his children attend has lost their principal, and the band director. However the band plays on. The Marching Band students, knowing that competitions are coming and not wanting to be behind, are getting together on their own to practice marching and playing a new program. Having been a band parent, I know the dedication these band students can have, and the work they have to go through to accomplish their goals.

Why should we continually seek spiritual and secular education? D&C 93:36-37 says “The glory of God is intelligence, or in other words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one.”

President Henry B. Eyring says “We will have to make some hard choices of how we use our time… But remember you are interested in education, not just for mortal life but for eternal life. When you see that reality clearly with spiritual sight, you will put spiritual learning first and yet not slight the secular learning… “…And since what we will need to know is hard to discern, we need the help of heaven to know which of the myriad things we could study we would most wisely learn.

Robert D. Hales adds, “Lifelong learning is essential to the vitality of the human mind, body, and soul. It enhances self-worth and self-actuation. Lifelong learning is invigorating mentally and is a great defense against aging, depression, and self doubt.”

For many years after graduation I would take a community night school class, learning how to fix my car, woodworking, water color classes, pottery, quilting and photography among others. These have enhanced my life, and given much enjoyment to me and benefits to my family. Now I do my learning through books. I have an “ insatiable curiosity” as President Eyring says.
Last year I explored Mongolia in the 1920’s and the Modern Art Movement. This year I’m enjoying the lives of our presidents and first ladies.

What would you like to know more about? What are you reading?

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

For The Birds

FOR THE BIRDS

August—A month
That was made for the birds—
At four in the morning
They start those bird words—
Chirping and warbling
And singing with glee.
I just want to sleep
—Silly old me.

They flit through the air
Like a wisp in the wind.
They alight on the lights
As the traffic begins.
While peering through flowers
For breakfast and treats
The bird’s day beginning
Brings fun to the streets.

Happy 4th of July!!

Hope you had a fun fourth! We just got back from a trip to Chicago so we didn’t celebrate much. We did go to the ward 4th of July breakfast which is always fun.
Besides the wonderful pancakes, and orange juice we had the treat of Lincoln Oliphant giving a talk on the constitution. I think it is so much fun to actually be here in the DC area on this special day.

It seem like the books I chance to read are starting to have a theme. I pick a random pile of ten for each month, about six months ahead, not paying particular attention to which month it will be. For Easter the top book was on the life of Christ. For July there was a biography of Dolly Madison, through her letters, during the war of 1812, and First Ladies, by Margaret Truman. Unintentional as it was, I enjoyed the timing of reading those topics. It’s wonderful to read about history where it happened.

I got an interesting e-mail today. It was titled,The Pope said, “What would Jesus Blogg?
The Pope wants his flock to get online and start blogging. In a recent announcement, Pope Benedict XVI extolled the virtues of the world wide web saying, “Young people in particular, I appeal to you: bear witness to your faith through the digital world!”

A recent article in the Smart Set points out that religion’s embrace of emerging technologies extends back further than the current, blogg-loving pontiff. The Gutenberg bible was cutting-edge media for its time; and the clothespin, the wheel-driven washing machine, and the circular saw were all invented by the industrious Shaker Christians. … Golberg, the author, also shows how the story of Noah’s ark could be considered a parable for the benefits of embracing technology, before it’s too late”.

I remember a couple of years ago being encouraged to put our testimonies on line and share them with the world. Considering some of the things I have seen people write on U-tube, Face Book and their bloggs, I think some uplifting comments would be helpful. I decided to do this. I get surprised every once in a while to find out that someone read it.

When I think of all the technological advances that have happened in my lifetime, not to mention that of my parent’s, and grandparents; I am grateful that I am here to enjoy them. I don’t think my children can imagine life without computers, cars, or electricity.

What is your favorite invention or advance that has happened in your lifetime?

Have a great summer

SUMMERTIME!

I Want to go wandering
By mountain streams,
Picnic in the forest
With the elk watching,
Chase butterflies through the meadows.
This is my dream.
This is my fun.
This is my memory.