AN INCREDIBLE WIN

RECORDED IN HISTORY; I can't forget this... Besides visiting relatives, churching, mountain riding, etc. with Bud and Helen last week end, Helen and Wanda (what a team!) beat the guys in almost every game of Dirty Seven. A feat of amazing goodluck...and skill of course. The sixth game lasted until 2:30 A.M and we were again THE WINNERS of the tournament!!


YEA, PARTNER! TOUCH DOWN!!.....er....TOUCH....well whatever they say.

San Juan is not all red rocks and canyons (which all of us love as you know) but there are wonderful mountains in all directions. Jeanne sent this picture a while back. We call this her mountain because she lives on it (It's the LaSal)Awesome.


We spent some time traveling with Bud, Helen and Carolyn on the mountain and in Montezuma Creek. In one spot on the Elk Ridge we saw this big gaggle of wild turkeys. There were twenty or more together with a big old waddle-daddle male. The guys were jealous of him!

News From San Juan

CRY MANY TEARS:Don and Bud are selling Prairie Dog Town. Don is sooo MEAN. He knew I wanted, in my old (ok older) old age, to live in that darling old shack; ride my beautiful horse around the fence line and gallop over the prairie dog holes with my faithful dog following behind, while I visioned myself as Lady Godiva. Aw, what a loss to me and to the folk of Blanding. They would have had another point of interest to see when they drove "Around the World." I am heart broken. Sob.
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Somewhere with the Rainbow Comes Two Messengers of Cheer

When Don and I drove up to the house from his last chemo in S.L.C., we saw these two messengers waiting to greet us. A rainbow right over our house and this little fairy (in disguise) both saying "Cheer Up! It's a beautiful day. What a lovely surprise!

For the past month or so I have more or less retreated (the act of withdrawing as into seclusion) from the society of friends, family and neighbors into my sanctum sanctorum . I blame it on the 10 D’s but so what? With a mighty big jerk on my boot straps, shoe strings or Nikes, whatever, I am trying to slowly ease back into communications and circulation again. Bear with me if I promise no more John Milton whom no one seemed to care for anyway; definitely no lamentations or complaints just up-to-date fluff! Woopi, ki, yi, ki YA!
Don: doing very well this week after 3rd Chemo. Has energy, visits Herb, walks around the block and keeps up with the News and O’Riley, etc. Answers lots of phone calls from concerned friends and family and has a Very Good attitude. He looks better than he has for a couple of months!
Sisters Reunion: Marilyn had a back injury and couldn’t come. Darn. She is a good sport and lots of fun. I’m so thankful Don’s sisters think of me as one of Them…a real sister. All of them, Cherril, Helen, Carol and Marilyn are ultimate examples of virtuous and spiritual womanhood and I appreciate and admire them so much. How lucky I am to be included with them on the Sisters’ Reunions. I cooked dinner for them two nights; we went to Thankgsiving Point, This is The Place Heritage Center in S.L.C. and to the MOA in Provo. I gave them a tour of the new art exhibit “Victorian Art During the Reign of Queen Victoria”. Beautiful art. I’ll try to put in a couple of the pictures that are displayed there.

At Thanksgiving Point
Blanding with Don. A quick trip to check on the house and winterize it. Bathroom leak and torn boat cover; Not too disastrous. Carolyn took us on a ride in her new pickup to Montezuma Creek…very interesting new homes built into the canyon walls. Carol invited us and all Don’s siblings to dinner. She’s a great cook. She even peels her tomatoes before slicing and serving them. Hmmm. Very pleasant evening visiting. Updates on lots of nieces and nephews and some surprises.
Jeanne came for a four-night visit. She cooked a great chicken curry dinner for us and I persuaded her to let me give her a tour of the MOA to see the Victorian Exhibit. She was a good sport! Like I said before, if I can get the pictures on this blog….the two beautiful young boys are the two sons of King Edward lst. They were murdered (smothered while asleep) by order of their Uncle Richard so that he could have the throne. (Read Shakespeare’s King Richard II….good play)
Chili Sauce: When I went visiting teaching with my partner last week she told me I smelled like chili sauce. A week later on my way to the LeLivre Book Club review my friends told me I smelled like chili sauce. Well, I did and so did my house. I open doors and windows and Don closes them. I open them again and Don closes them. Sooooo….I go around smelling like Chili Sauce. We didn’t have enough tomatoes in our own garden but thanks to the generosity of Garth and Cherril and of the Hunsakers, our home teachers, who gave me 54 tomatoes, I have barely replenished our chili sauce which had been totally depleted! I have the best recipe ….”Vivian Redd’s Chili Sauce” (Old-time Blanding resident.)
An Autumn Drive: Don and I took a drive over the Alpine Loop last week to see the colorful leaves. The North side of the Loop looked more like winter but what a pleasant drive it was.





Michelle came over to show me her beautiful new diamond engagement ring. She and I celebrated with lunch at the Olive Garden. She is adorably in love with JoRyan Johnson. I’ll try to post a picture.

Lisa and Grandpa

Does this look like a loving, caring and sympathetic granddaughter caring for her poor sick grandfather? Who says he's sick?? Look at his antics! Lisa had a fit
of laughing nimbo fimbo! No moping around the Black's Bed & Breakfast Fix it Yourself!

Kate's Big Day - Graduation

Here are the pictures that didn't come on the next Blog!!!

Kate' Graduation from Elizabeth Seaton School

We had a busy week in D.C. We helped Kate choose a new Prom Dress; took a picutre of her in her white graduation dress; enjoyed the Baccalaureate Ceremony at her school; (she received three awards!); Later we witnessed the actual graduation at the Catholic Cathedral and then went to dinner with friends and family!

Tweety and Don

During the week we were in D.C. Don tried to liven up Tweety asusual but when Tweety wouldn't do anything but dream of going outside Don gave up and spent his time reading. Don wa also handicapped by a package he had to carry around for a few days.

Wanshing D.C. In May

During the week Donna and I enjoyed walking around the DC 'mall', visitng museums, celebrating Memorial Day with Don and Darryl listening to a concert at the naval offices, shopping at Eastern Shores Market and going out for luch whenever we could!

Surprise Visit

Jeanne and Max surprised us Friday and Saturday by coming up for a quick visit. Max visited Bethany and Logan of course but Jeanne, Don and I went to the temple then up Squaw Peak for a picnic. Later Jeanne and I went shopping and she helped me pick out some bright cushions for the patio! Fun.

Elon and Tess Visit

Elon and Tess came to visit on Sunday and stayed overnight. Elon is doing quite well (he has full custody of Tess) and Tess is an absolute delight! She is only three but as bright and quick as a seven year old! She can hear a new song and sing it right back to you -- is very observant and loves to go for a walk with 'grandma'; pick flowers and play with Ellie's stuffed dogs. We had such a good time with both of them. They may come back in July and stay with the Ivies so that they can see Angie and family and Donna and family. We hope so.

Arizona Blooming

The Arizona Desert is blooming and beautiful. We just returned from a week's stay in Cave Creek, Arizona with Bud and Helen. We enjoyed the company, the cactus and the interesting sites in the area. We also had good visits with Bob and Nancy Redd and with Richie, Angie and Mylie!

Where Are My Books ???

I love my books...Many of my favorite books I've loaned out to people....I USED to loan them out but I don't do it to often any longer because too many of them have never found their way back home! (Examples: Atlas Shrugged, The Doll House, Laughing Boy, Life and Death in Shanghai, Little Shepherd of the Hills - an old fashioned book but the author wrote it while boarding at my Grandma's house in Bluff, To Kill a Mocking Bird - and there are lots more I haven't got back! Shame on those who borrow and don't return.

Right now I'm reading Milton's Paradise Lost - and most of it I love. I love this passage in Book 4: Raphael speaking to Adam (before the fall):
"Son of Heav'n and Earth attend: That thou art happy, owe to God, that thou continu'st such, owe to thyself. That is, to thy obedience;....be advis'd, God made thee perfect, not immutable; and good he made thee, but to perservere he left in thy power, ordain'ed thy will by nature free, not overrul'd by Fate inextricable, or strict necessity;
"Our voluntary service he requires, not our necessitated, such with him finds no acceptance, nor can find, for how can hearts, not free, be tri'd whether they were willing or no......"

Catching Up With Spring

It has been a crazy Spring as everyone knows who reads our family blogs. My three creative and wonderful daughters have kept you up on what has happened. A quick review: the wonderful trip to Jordan, Israel and Egypt and then the devastating and traumatic attack on our precious grandson, Max. Two or more weeks were spent in agonizing worry about him as he suffered thru two major operations, pain, confusion and misery. We thank the heavens and all the friends and family members who called, wrote, fasted and prayed with us. He is now recovering at home, back in school and doing threpeutic exercises once a week in Grand Junction. Miracles have happened and true friends and family have shown their concern and love.

On The Bluff Bench

On the Bluff Bench Joseph found a new (to me at least) cliff flower cave. He brought us over the rocks to see it but wouldn't go near it himself! He is allergic to cliff flowers (unbelievable!) Ellie retrieved ten precious little blooms for me which made me happy! Joseph also discovered an arch - or is it an illusion? Hmmmm, you decide!

Ten Thousand Dollar Rock !

I found a $100,00 rock. Scoff if you want...just wait till I get it on e-bay and you'll say "Oh, my gosh! She did!" Yeah, as soon as I find that article I read a while back about Bluff being the center of the world - and show the picture of the rock I found there, along with a synopsis of the article, I'll sell that rock and pocket $10,000! No, I'm not going to post the picture of the rock here on my blog..yet; but here's a picture of the center of the world...uh, Bluff.

Israel Trip

It's been three months or so since I tried to blog. As you know, friend and a few family members from reading each other's blogs, a lot has happened since. Max's
injuries top-most concern. We were able to be with him, Dave and Jeanne, for five or six days - we're home now and Joni and Kevin are with them. Max has suffered
greatly - lots of pain - hours of surgery - confusion - fright - all of those things and more. My heart aches for him and his parents but we are happy with his progress and know he will be okay in a few weeks. Two major sugeries and a possibility of another lighter one. He is a wonderful young man and we love him so much.

Our Israel-Jordan-Egypt trip was wonderful, inspirational and fun. None of us has had much time to post, print or admire our photos but soon we will. I really want to show you a couple of the very first photos I took when Jeanne and I hiked the Petra canyon early the first day....So if I can remember how to do it, you'll see them with this short writing. I'll not be home or have access to internet for another week. Love you my dear family and Shahara!

Kolby's Birthday

Cassie asked us to celebrate Kolby's birthday with her and Bryon. We did what she asked and sent three helium balloons up into the heavens with a free verse poem to him!

1st Time in Provo in Three Years

Dave and Max; (unexpected surprise; they got snowed in!) Angie, Richie and Mylie and Cassie and Bryon. Our party with Shahara's Family brought all sizes of Elves! Mylie, the Christmas Celebrity, was adored by everyone. There was plenty of cookies and cany in spite of Wanda losing two batches of fudge (she found them after New Years Day and mailed one to Dave.) Myah with the mirror: Max, Marissa and Joseph. Robby and Mylie.

GOOD GRIEF

HELP ! HOW DID THAT BIG SPACE GET IN BETWEEN BEFORE CHRISTMAS AND CHRISTMAS???? I AM ABOUT TO GIVE UP ON BLOGGING. ANY HELP???

Before Christmas

I haven't "blogged" since Thanksgiving time...I keep forgettinghow to do it...But I'll give it a shot now and we'll see how it goes! Early December: Joni came to Provo to hear Michelle sing in the Christmas Program at BYU. She sings with the Women's Choir and Don, Joni and I went to hear it. What a super program it was. We're proud of Michelle. Joni was (and is) an energetic person. She was only here three days but shopped a lot of Michelle, decorated my Christmas tree and visited relatives.