Happy Happenings

Our son, Greg, arrived yesterday with three cute little kids in tow. The grandkidlets don't visit very often, so it is a super-duper treat when they do! Last night when they went to bed, they left a little gift for the fairies, a bell, and this morning they found that the fairies had left them their own fairy wings, as well as a cool castle to put together. Alas, our photographer, Brianna, is off on an adventure of her own, so posting pics may be a challenge. Happily, she's on her way to China to visit her family before the start of the next semester. She's been away for two years, so it is time for a good visit for sure. Let's see, it'd been 19 months since Tori, Juli, and Christian were last here, so we're loving having them around. Jaxon, Kade, and Sophia seldom make it out this way either, so we are grandkid poor much of the time. Brooklyn and Lilly used to get to visit fairly often,but there visits are less frequent with their Dad hard at work now, so, woe is us, we miss them and little Zaid, too! :) I know how my own parents probably felt years ago when their children grew up and left home, making visits back home with the little ones a rare occurrence. But, three of the nine are here now, so let's party on! Happy New Year's, everyone. I'll try to do some resolutions in a few days, but first things first!

Christmas Chef or Christmas Elf

Brianna and I celebrated the end of her grueling semester by kicking back in our new-to-us leather recliners and watching Julie & Julia on our new and improved Black Friday TV. Do not worry, we are not materialistic at Christmastime! No, we spend all our excess cash atThanksgiving and practice strict frugality thereafter. So, following the movie, Brianna became obsessed with the prospect of making Boeuf Bourguignon. We found Julia Child's recipe online, and straightway noticed that it called for three cups of red wine. We googled substitutions, but it was ultimately a forum friend that provided the winning one. We shall be using home-grown, homemade grape juice from the Royal Slope in WA, brought to us by our friend, JoLyn, and fortified by a hefty splash of balsamic vinegar. The meal will be prepared this very day.

That's not the vbest part of the story though. The best part is a remark innocently made by Chef Brianna. When I came downstairs the morning after our substitution search, she suggested that if we were going to omit the red wine from the recipe, she thought that we should change the recipe's name from Boeuf Bourguignon to Boeuf Brigham Young. Say it just so and the two names are very, very similar. Oh my goodness, I am still laughing like an elf over her play on words, and English isn't even her native tongue!
As for other holiday fare, I made four chocolate cherry fruitcakes last week, and cranberry jam this morning. I'll be making cranberry gumdrops when the grandchildren are here after Christmas. (Added 1/06/10: loathed the gumdrops, don't ever make them.) I think the jam would have benefited from a little more sugar, so I don't expect anyone to be as impressed with it as I am. I plan to serve it on scones. I'll whip up a batch of cranberry butter with it and then perhaps it will find a more appreciative audience. Since today is Joseph Smith's birthday, a batch of gingerbread would be nice, but no, I'll commemorate his birthday by listening to that wonderful rendition of Praise to the Man on YouTube instead.

Our family tradition is that we try something new every year, rarely doing the same thing twice. I used to feel a little uncomfortable when class members were asked to share their family traditions, until I realized that's what ours is. People ask, do you open gifts Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. I answer, either way works for us, we've done both. Do you send Christmas cards or a Christmas letter? Sometimes neither (like this year). Last year we sent our family Christmas tree picture, and at other times I write a newsy letter recapping the year's activities. Around here, just about anything goes. As long as we're with those we love and are loved by in return, we're as happy as can be. And now, to one and all, we wish you a merry Christmas, and a happy New Year!

A Christmas Story from Rebecca

The following is by my friend, Rebecca. Can you tell that she's special?

A while back, someone asked a question about knitting for a Halloween project. I had just gotten interested in knitting and had gotten excited about learning how to knit socks. Since my hands aren't that dextrous at this point, I got some thick, chunky yarn and made a pair of socks. Well, I had my knitting in my bag that I took to school, and one of my students saw it and asked about it. I told him I had learned to knit socks (more like slippers, but whatever) and showed them the one sock I had completed. Surprisingly, these 13-15 year old boys and girls were fascinated and asked if I could make them some socks. That would be about a dozen pairs, so I hemmed and hawed and finally said maybe for Christmas, but I wasn't guaranteeing anything. I guess the Lord really wanted it to happen, because I managed to whip up socks all over the place while watching TV, sitting around feeling yucky from chemo, etc. Can't do much active work, but I found I could make a bunch of stupid socks! Well, on Monday I was at school for a half-day and then am out the rest of the week,so I brought them in to my kids. I was amazed at the whole thing. Every one of them hugged me (even the big, tough older boys), thanked me, and had to put them on. One kid who is extremely withdrawn and angry actually sort of hugged me (he did the "leaning thing") and asked how I knew that blue was his favorite color. (I didn't know) They all left my room in high spirits to go to their next class. Then the complaints started coming in from other teachers. My kids were wearing their socks without any shoes because they liked them so much they wanted to show them off! Other students, ones I didn't even know, stopped by my classroom to ask if I could make THEM socks! My misfit, difficult, emotionally disabled students were the stars for the day. They skated down the halls and put their feet on their desks and showed off how much their teacher loved them. I was originally kind of bummed because I haven't been able to do much due to health issues. Heavenly Father was able to take what little I could do and turn it into a major blessing for my students.

Please Help, If You Can

Her name is Rebecca. I met her a few years ago on a forum we both joined. She has just learned that cancer has returned for the third time. The past 15 years have found her facing one major trial after another, anyone of which would have knocked most people flat. Well, now that she will be undergoing a biopsy of her bone and starting chemotherapy once again, she is very, very flat, and she needs a lift.

Please email me at bonniebeyond@gmail.com if you would be willing to send her a Christmas card, or even a gift, to help her feel God's love more strongly through the kindness of His children. Currently, the signal is pretty weak.

Thank you,
Bonnie

Glory to God

The heavens declareth the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. (PS. 19: 1)

Faerie Filosofy

Our friends, Rick & JoLyn, favored us with a visit this week. JoLyn brought her magic wand and transformed Shane's room into an enchanted faerieland forest. She flitted from place to place gathering Flower Flurries, Thumbelina fairies, Stardust window panels, and other treasures for the room. Um, I'm not very good at flitting, but I did follow her lead faithfully. She'd found almost everything before she even arrived anyway. Rick used his magical skills to capture the power of electricity. We thank them for their friendship and their work, and extend an invitation to faraway fairies to come play and stay awhile in our forest. We'll make fairy berry pies for you. It's not pictured yet, but the fairies have a little hideout in a corner of the room made of lovely comfy acorn baskets just their size.

Rime of the Crow Eater

Rime of the Crow Eater
by Eugene Field

Into the market place there came
(One autumn morning murky)
An old and battered veteran
To choose a proper turkey.
His coat tails and his shrunken shanks
Had cockle burrs stuck to 'em,
And his whiskers looked as if the wind
Of winter had blown through 'em.
And still as through those whiskers white
The breezes rudely fluttered,
The old man from a cracker-box
This strange recital uttered:
'Twice two long years," says he, "I've sot
Around the Grand Pacific,
And all that twice two years the feed
Has simply been terrific."
"For twice two years I've eaten crow
In widely various weathers;
Not only meat and skin and bones,
But also claws and feathers"
"The crow it is a dismal bird,
And deeply I abhor it;
For twice two years I've lived on crow,
Though never clamoring for it.
'What have we on the bill to-day?'
I'd question of the waiter;
'Turk fer the rest, *but you
Gets crow an' cold pertater'
"They gave me crow in every style
And every foreign name, sir
Alas ! no matter how disguised,
Crow always is the same, sir!
"Though it be christened a la mode,
Still is its flavor queer, sir;
No rhetoric can mitigate
Its consequences here, sir !
"In vain I fled from John B. Drake
To other restauraters;
In vain I sought for victuals else
Than crow and cold pertaters !"
"They fed me crow and only crow
Until I thought I'd die, sir;
I got so full of crow at last
I half opined I'd fly, sir !
"For, as I said a spell ago,
In fair and stormy weathers,
I ate not only the skin and bones
I ate also the feathers !
"The crow it is a noxious bird
To stomachs such as mine is;
But, heaven be praised! there is no ill
But some time has finis!
"Once, as I chewed the bitter cud
Of gloomy introspections,
A cheery voice broke in upon
The thread of my reflections.
"I looked up and saw the face
Of Captain John R. Tanner!
I heard salvation in his voice
I saw it in his manner
"At once dispelled were gnawing griefs
And apprehensions gloomy;
Of all the spectacles on earth,
This was the most precious to me !"
'John ! John !' I wailed, 'give piteous ear
Unto my tale of woe, sir;
For twice two years I've eaten crow,
And eaten only crow, sir !
'What wonder is it that I cry,
"O temp or a! O mores!"
Since gnawing crow has worn away
My DENTES INCISORES
'The bird of which you speak,' says John,
'It, too, has been my living;
But, Bailey, you and I shall gorge
On turkey, come Thanksgiving
' 'See here; I have a subtle soup
Corked up in this decanter,
With which I'll prove "similia
Similibus curanturT
* 'I shall inject this subtle soup
Into our common foe, sir;
Then shall we get the turkey-bird,
And they shall get the crow, sir !
* 'But never mind particulars
Just wait and watch the sequel !
Oh, we shall lead them such a dance
As never had an equal' "
'Twas even as John Tanner said,
And you will not deny it
If you observe, Thanksgiving Day,
My changed and sumptuous diet !
"Times are more prosperous than they were-
Once more we've peace and plenty;
Turkey shall be my dainty feast
Next week, Deo volente!
"For twice two years I've lived on crow
Through ever changeful weathers
Those twice two cycles fed on skins,
Bones, inwards, claws and feathers."
"But fickle fate has brought me joy,
And, feeling blithe and perky,
I've come into the market place
To fetch a bouncing turkey.
"No senile, starveling bird will do
But one that's young and tender;
One that is whiskerless and plump,
And of the female gender"
"I'll carve it next Thanksgiving Day,
And pour the oyster sauce on
'Twill be a goodly change from crow"
Quoth grand old Bailey Dawson-

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Thanksgiving!

My big fat 19-pound turkey sits in golden splendor, fresh from the oven. He's the ultimate early bird. We made pumpkin biscuits this morning. Pumpkin whoopie pies are on tap for tomorrow. Dan's been bringing home gallons and gallons of apple cider. And turkey (with homemade noodles) soup and turkey sandwiches galore will be consumed over the next few days. But, on Thanksgiving, we're dining out. That's the reason for jumping the turkey-shooting gun and roasting up our fine feathered friend today. The holidays are within us - (we just sampled the turkey, and he is delicioso!)

Not only that, but we got our first email from Shane-of-the-MTC this afternoon too! He claims he's gained 8 pounds since last week, but I know there's no way that could be true. That scale just weighs heavier than ours. Remind me never, ever to weigh at the MTC! Everyone's scurrying around wildly here, gearing up for some full out fun! ... interspersed with a few naps. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

The Empty Sea

Kimball was the first of Shane's brothers to enter the MTC, when Shane was only four years old. He was with us during all six trips to the MTC with each boy in turn. I think it was three years ago, when we took Colin down to begin his mission, that Shane told us that he always thought we were going to the empty sea on the earlier trips when he heard us mention the MTC. That's where he is tonight, safe and sound, ready to go forth and serve, he's in the MTC. He's the last of our missionary sons, but the first one to depart from his own hometown. As of last June, families no longer go inside the MTC with the new arrivals. Since the church will pay for airfare to SLC, we said our goodbyes at the Boise airport rather than making the ten- to twelve-hour round trip drive to Provo. His good friend, Stewart Wayment, greeted him there, and then drove down to Provo where they picked up another friend, Evan Darrington,, to have lunch together at the BYU Creamery.

Privileged is the best word to describe how I've felt during these last few weeks with Shane. I was with him yesterday when he received a beautiful patriarchal blessing from our new stake patriarch, Brother Buhler. Shane told me that for the first time, he felt that God knew him as an individual, not just as one of the group of His many many children. When that realization sinks into your heart, that you really are known and loved by the Lord, the love of God can really burst into full bloom, bringing about amazing growth and enlightenment! I remember when it happened to me. I suddenly felt God's love for me, an obscure and ordinary person. And I knew since He loved me no matter who I was, or wasn't, I wasn't really just obscure and ordinary at all, and that He loved ALL of His children. I also knew that if He loved everyone else, so should I! I began to sense that each individual is precious. I believe that I witnessed Shane coming to this understanding in recent weeks as well.
Remarkably, gratefully, the channel of revelation from the Lord we'd felt earlier in the day, remained opened as President Porter set Shane apart as a missionary in the New York New York South Mission later that evening. After so many evidences of friendship and concernfrom our ward and others, Shane told me that he never realized that so many people cared about him. I wish everyone could feel that way, but it may be that many have not yet felt it, maybe because it has not yet been adequately shown to them. I hope I can begin to help them know it by the way I speak to and treat them though.

A hearty thank you to Ethan and Missy for coming to Shane's farewell. We thoroughly enjoyed your visit. His talk alone was worth the drive, wasn't it? Thanks to his friends for coming, too. Thanks to each of you, Cindy, Karen, Phil, and Kirt, for the temple trips. Shane was able to go there about 8 times over the last three and a half weeks to bless and serve in sealings, baptisms, endowments, and initiatories. He even went one time on his own. As I said, thanks to the influence of the Spirit, and of many good and caring people, and to Shane's own righteous choices and desires, he is prepared to serve the Lord, nowe and forever. May it ever be thus, is my humble and ongoing prayer for him, and for all of our sons and their families.

Tea and Crumpets

Believe it or not, I am actually sitting here at the computer (alas, not in the drawing room), with a cup of tea (licorice spice tea) and a plate of crumpets. Will wonders ever cease? I hope not! I've been delving into the bygone days when fairies roamed the land freely, and somehow, it awakened a desire to try tea and crumpets for myself. The crumpets are a bit of a disappointment, not nearly as tasty as I imagined, but then, perhaps my technique left something to be desired. The recipe made a yeasty, pancakey type batter, and the finished product is a chubby little pancake sort of thing, not terribly impressive but greatly improved by a generous application of butter and strawberry jam. Hmm, I just took another sip and another bite, and I think they're growing on me (or maybe I'm the one doing all the growing)! Scandalous though it may be, I may just try a whole wheat version of crumpets. After all, I'm planning to serve them to Greg and the children when they come visiting next month, and I'm aiming for healthy as well as delicious fare. Drat it all! I just put the teabag on my plate, and accidentally picked it up and popped it into my mouth, thinking it was a crumpet. Yucko, blindness can be hard on the tastebuds!

Ahem, as I was saying, when Greg arrives, I'll have a little fairylland awaiting them. Shane's room is going to become a forest/fairy themed space where fairy houses are constructed, fairy tales are told, and the wee folk are made to feel at home. Shane's not exactly delighted, but that's ok, the fairies are kind. When he's back home, they'll gladly relocate. In the meantime, magic is in the works.

Licorice Spice Tea

How a former non-tea drinker, me, became a fan! All those lovely herbal tea names always sounded so enticing - peppermint, chamomile, lemon ginger, etc., - but they tasted weak, watery, flavorless to me. So I swore off them and never looked back. Until, that is, I attended a book club last week where the hostess offered an array of items, including vegetables, cookies, pumpkin crisp and ice cream, apple cider, hot cocoa, and three kinds of tea. When she added that licorice spice tea was her favorite, I decided the courteous thing to do would be to choose it. What a surprise! It is uniquely delicious, and according to a post on the CLLC Friends forum, posted by Penny, it just may figure into a strategy of protection against the H1N1 virus, as well. I can't vouch for it, but I think it sounds fairly sensible. I checked Snopes though, and they convincingly dispute its authenticity, but quote a doc who says something to the effect of go for it if it makes you feel better, but be advised that some of the recommendations are not evidenced-based. So, see what you think:
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic
of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in
spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation
is.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order
to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections,
some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can
be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face
(unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt).
*H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate
and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way,
gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu
has on an infected one.. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful
preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean the nostrils at least once every day with warm salt
water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas
to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both
nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing
down viral population..*
5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other
citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that
it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
6. *Drink as much of warm liquids such as teas, etc. as you can. *Drinking warm liquids
has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating
viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or
do any harm.

The homeless pumpkin

"Oh, pitiful pumpkin, outside you must sleep."
"Why?" you ask. "Because of the company you keep."

In the Temple

Dan and I received our endowments in the Salt Lake temple; Ethan, Kimball, and Greg in the Seattle temple; Neil, Jordan, Colin, and Shane all received theirs in the Boise temple. Shane may have felt a bit of apprehension yesterday, but for me, it was a time of pure joy. Thank you to our friends who were able to be with us. I am imagining how wonderful it would be to gather our whole family in a temple somewhere someday. I won't stop hoping, it can happen if everyone shares that joyful vision.

"As the pioneers had the larger vision in their daily challenge for survival, so also we need to have a greater vision and understanding of our eternal destiny. Our challenges are more subtle but equally hard. Maintaining our spiritual strength is also a daily challenge. The greatest source of that spiritual strength comes, as it did in their time, from our temples."

"I urge all who have not yet received these greatest of all blessings within the walls of the temple to do whatever may be necessary to qualify to receive them. To those who have received these blessings, I invite you to prepare yourselves to savor again the experience of being within the sacred premises of the holy temples of God and have the visions of life eternal open again to your hearts, minds, and souls."

(James E. Faust, in"Eternity Lies before Us," Ensign, May 1997, 20)

Gladsome Tidings

1. We will be in the temple tomorrow with Shane.
2. His last Sunday at church here for two whole years will be on Nov. 15th. He will be speaking then, and all who would like to join us are warmly invited to do so. Let us know, and we'll treat you to a hearty dinner, too.
3. Our good friends, the Farrers, are planning to visit us for Thanksgiving. JoLyn will help me (what am I saying, she'll do it) transform Shane's room into our temporary guest room.
4. Greg, Tori, Juli, and Christian are going to spend the week after Christmas with us, and we'll be able to ring in the New Year together.
It's wonderful to have good things to look forward to, isn't it? It keeps me smiling.

Beautiful Bread

Bread

Wheat is a stream of gold

a living river

a golden, whispering,

dusty stream

how many sacks of flour?

how many loaves of bread?

in what far-off lands?

Up it thrusts

boldly piercing the hard earth

to unfold as a field

over the prairie province.

(from "A Cup of Sky)

I know precious little of presentation. Ah, but I do know how to savor the feel, the aroma, the taste of ffreshly baked whole wheat bread.

Who Loves Hummus?

I do. And I made it for the first time last night! It'd been on my want-to-make list for some time, but I'd been unable to locate one of its key ingredients, tahini, so my desire was cruelly thwarted. As Brianna and I meandered our way along the bulk bin aisle of Fred Meyers last Saturday evening, we chanced upon the tahini that had eluded me for so long, and thus it was that my dream became a reality. Next on my wannt-to-make list is baba ghanoush. With both eggplant and tahini on hand, I have everything I need to make that as well, and will do so in a few days. For the life of me, I can't make a decent pie crust, or pipe decorative swirls of anything onto anything, but as long as I can make the things I crave, I consider myself astonishingly accomplished in the kitchen. I have a teeny suspicion that I may be the only one, however, who holds that view..

My friend, JoLyn, is reading an excellent book most mornings over the phone to me, Master Your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels. It's jampacked with really essential information on nutrition, and how our food choices impact our health for good or ill. I wish I'd known this stuff decades ago! But much of the interplay between nutrients and anti-nutrients and their effects upon the body weren't even known then. It is an eye-opening mind expanding read for sure.

I still slack off sometimes and give way to temptation like, say, Papa Murphy's though. I thought I was too tired to cook last night, before I had a nap and regained enough energy to make the hummus, so I asked Shane to bring home a pizza. When the girl at the counter called out his order and he went up to retrieve it, she said something to him that he didn't quite understand. So he replied with, "ok." She said something else that he missed, and he answered, "All right." Next she said, "What's wrong?" He said, "I don't know," and quickly left. Hearing him relate this confusing conversation made us all burst into laughter. He told us, though, that it's random experiences like this that sometimes make him wonder what kind of missionary he'll be. We all think he'll be a fine missionary, but we also assured him that it was ok to ask people to repeat what they've said if you don't understand them. What a cutie he is. Sharing his thoughts and concerns with us makes him all the more endearing. It's harder to feel close to those who hide their thoughts and feelings. It's sad, too, when you begin to get the impression that you no longer truly know your own loved ones. Is it really so difficult to be open and transparent with others? I know it is possible to do that, and yet to still keep your own personal matters private. Some prefer walls. I favor less rigid boundaries.
-1 pound this week

MissionCallReceived!

Shane is the fourth grandson of my parents to serve in this very same mission. This must mean something! Both his brother, Kimball, and cousins, Jason and Dustin, will be filling him in on the New York New York South Mission! He'll be entering the MTC on Nov. 18th to study Spanish and everything else missionaries study. Go Shane, go, we are happy for you!

Countdown

Will it be tomorrow? Or the next day? Most likely it will be but two more days. Then Shane will have that all-important letter in hand, letting him know where he'll be spending the next two years of his life, in service to God and His children, away from home. At the moment, he and Colin are out doing a little coupon toy shopping for me. I'm chuckling at the thought of their first attempt at navigating the aisles of Toys R Us looking for the hot Disney Princess deals of the day, a task he'll surely be spared as a missionary.

In my other countdown, last week's total weight loss was three pounds. . That mmakes seven in four weeks. Onward and downward is my cry! I think I'm going to be able to wear some of the winter clothes that I haven't worn for a couple of years. Now that's frugality for ya.

Blog Scare

I know this is the month of spooky Halloween, but is google celebating early, or was it the prank of a malevolent hacker? When I came to my blog this morning, my blog was not here! My heart dropped. Fourteen months of pictures and thoughts, over 100 posts' worth, were, poof, just gone. I checked my email, and found that a friend had eamiled about 10 hours earlier to tell me of its disappearance. Then, suddenly, before I could take any action at all, it was back. Very good, but very weird. Well, hope remains that any of our grandchildren who may ever be interested will still be able to read the thoughts of Grandma Bonnie, and perhaps come to know me as a person, not just a name in a rarely read book. Hi, grandkids!

This is general conference morning. I always look forward to these two weekends of the year and make every effort to listen to all the sessions. Instead of taking notes as usual, I'm going to just write down what I'm prompted to do or to change, as the brethren speak. I guess I never give up hope that this imperfect Bonnie will improve herself with the ever-patient assistance of our kind and loving Lord. What is it the scripture says? - Keep kickin till the end? Come heck or high water (and I've seen plenty of both), I plan on doing just that.

Hello Othello!

Ethan and Missy were thronged by guests this weekend, eager to attend Zaid's blessing, and Dan and Shane and I were among them. We were in Othello for only about 20 hours, but that was long enough to hold a bit of heaven in my arms, to read stories to Brooklyn and Lilly, to visit with Dan's sisters, to meet and greet Missy's side of the family, and probably to leave Ethan and Missy exhausted for a full week or more. They provided three tasty meals in a row for various members of the family, and sent us on our way at last with a bag of zucchini from their bountiful garden. Thanks, guys, it was great! -1 pound this week!

Those who were in the blessing circle

Iris, Dan, and Janet

New Email Addy

Yup, my old hot mail account was giving me a lot of trouble. I received emails ok, but couldn't send any out. They just got stuck in my outbox and wouldn't budge for the world. So after a couple of weeks of trying to figure it out, I gave up and got a new account. It's better than hotmail alone, but not as good as the outlook Jordan got me started with five years ago when I first gained computer access. If he were here, I know he would've wrangled it back into submission for me, but he's not, and I miss him so much! Not for his computer prowess, but for himself, the whole delightfully unique package that is Jordan McKay Washburn! But don't let me get started down that painful path, let me give you my new address. It's bonniebeyond@gmail.com Got it? bonniebeyond@gmail.com !

-2 pounds this week! It's going great!

My Glowing Fire

Meet our new fire pit, Dan's birthday gift from me, his fire-crazed wife. I just love it! I think he likes it too, just not as much as I do. Now we need to find a steady source of smallish sized firewood, because this little goodie is going to get a lot of use. I'd forgotten how great a simple hot dog can taste cooked over an open fire. So good that nutrition concerns are completely, albeit temporarily, set aside. We grilled vegetables too, and finished off with, what else, smores. Oh, and I made the hot dog buns, and they were whole wheat, so we didn't do too badly after all.

Your Future's as Bright As Your Faith

I'm going to go out on a limb and make a prediction. Shane will receive his mission call on Oct. 7th. There, we'll know if I'm a credible prognosticator in only three weeks. If I were the one doing the calling, where would I send him? I don't know. For Colin, I had a strong desire that he stay within the U.S., and he did. For Shane, I must be trusting the Lord more an leaning on my own understanding less, because no preferences have surfaced. Actually, it may be because I know that anywhere he goes will be too far away for me. I'd rather him go than stay home though, so I won't be trying to wrestle control over any of it from the Lord. Not that that's possible, but that doesn't keep us from trying sometimes, does it.

My new eating plan is going great! I feel more energetic than I have in a very long time. I think I lost 2 pounds in the first week, but my scale played a trick on me yesterday ()our weighing day). The day before that and today, it said I'd lost 2 pounds, but the day of, it registered only a 1 pound loss. That's ok, I'll have that scale eating out of my hand in no time. I'm eating lots of vegetables and whole grains, and a modicum of meat and fruit. I love grinding my own wheat, and then turning around and baking up a batch of fragrant, delicious, 100% whole wheat bread. The fam is loving it too. I like knowing that they're getting more fiber and nutrients than they had been getting in our former storebought brand.

Now about sugar. I spent some time this morning reading up on lots of sugar replacements - mainly stevia and agave, but also the artificial sweeteners. The latter is out. If I want to use something other than honey and sugar, I'm leaning toward stevia and grade B maple syrup. But, right now, I think I'll just limit all sweets of any kind and not worry about starting anything new. I'll keep studying up on nutrition as I go along, and make changes when I'm convinced it'd be worthwhile. I really really like how I'm feeling now though - like I'm on the right trrack. Just stay away from me, swine flu, pneumonia, and too many leukemic cells, and I'll be fine! Both my faith and my future are bright bright bright! And I pray so hard that yours are too.

September Surprise

September has got to be one of the very best months of the year. Strung upon its golden chain of days like sparkling charms, are the birthdays of Dan, and three of our sons, Ethan, Greg, and Shane, and of our first grandchild, Jaxon. With all the cake and ice cream this calls for, one might think it's a terrible time to begin a whole new way of eating. But I say, along with my super secret society of supporters, that it's a great time to start a fresh approach to nourishment. I'm blending elements from several books together to come up with what I hope works best for me. I will let you know how it goes! Wish me luck.

Shane had the worst birthday of his life last week, but in typical Washburn fashion, he was able to laugh about it. He spent the day driving from one clinic to another, getting his mission medical papers filled out. At one clinic, he received an MMR and a TDAP vaccination, and was sent to another for a hepatitis immunization. . There was some confusion on which vaccine to give him, and he was given the wrong one, B instead of A! The first clinic called him and told him of the other clinic's error, and instructed him to return, assuring him that he'd receive the correct vaccine free of charge. But when he arrived at the second clinic for the second time that day, they wouldn't give him the vaccine, and said they didn't know anything about it being given for free, either. In the midst of all this running between clinics, he also went to his dentist's office to get a form filled out, but the office was closed. We called the dentist, a friend, and he told Shane to come right over to his home and he'd fill it out for him, which he did.

Next morning, the first clinic called to say Shane could pick up his papers. When I told the nurse that he'd been unable to get the vaccine the evening before, she called the clinic in a bit of a huff, I suspect, and they called us right away to apologize for the previous day's events. As it turns out, Shane won't be able to get the correct vaccine for 4-6 weeks, but he can still turn his papers in without it. And, ta-da, he turned them in yesterday at church. Now he's working on getting an appointment for an interview with the stake president. Go Shane go! No, don't go! Yes, do go, but your Mom is going to miss you soooo much.

We didn't get to do the shopping we'd planned to do what with all the hither-and-thithering, so Shane's birthday dinner and cake were delayed until Saturday. Finally, we got it altogether, and he was semi-properly honored. His gift is still pending, because I thought it best if he chose it himself. It'll be a camera to take with him on his mission. And thus we see that September's surprises begin to unfold. He may even have his mission call before the end of the month, and I may have lost a few pounds to boot!

Zach, and Nick, and So Many Others Needd Our Prayers

Zach McCulloch is 19 years old. He has been battling rhabdomyosarcoma for three and a half years. His care has just been changed from curative to palliative, meaning nothing is being done to stop the disease, only to alleviate symptoms. His father, Kevin, writes with such hope that another treatment plan will come along. I can't tell him, but I don't think it will.

Nick Raitt is 20 years old. He was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma about two and a half years ago, just before his high school graduation. Like Zach, he has relapsed, and will begin a year of treatment next week, including chemo and six weeks of radiation.

Treatment is tough! Ending treatment is even tougher! I remember being where Zach's and Nick's families are now. They are clinging to hope just the way I did. Hope can be a warm blanket that shields us for a time from the bitter, cold reality of losing a child. There are so many desperate struggles for life going on that we know nothing of. Oh, dear Father in heaven, teach us to cherish one another while we can! Heal those who are sick. But if not, then please wrap them in that soft, fleecy blanket of hope. Comfort them, dry their tears, mend their broken hearts, we humbly pray. Give them patience for those who do not/cannot understand their extreme pain, and who inadvertently hurt them with words that are meant in kindness but are like daggers to the hart.

Stacie, a CLL friend, was diagnosed at age 33, when her oldest daughter was 12 and her twin daughters were 11. That was 13 years ago. She has had many close calls, and seems to be entering another one, which could very well be her last. I pray that she can spend many more years with her family here on earth! Her first grandchild, Colton, is only a year old, and she is blessed to have a close relationship with him. And yet, through it all, Zach, Nick, Stacie, and many, many others are thankful for every blessing, enjoying each moment of life they have, and doing little to no complaining at all. Now really, in light of their courageous example in the face of real adversity, and for so many other reasons, I think the majority of us can afford to up the gratitude factor quite a bit, as well! Let us focus less on ourselves, and more on reaching out, and showing love and respect to all who need it! .. and isn't that not just ourselves but everyone?

Nearly Speechless in Seattle

UW's Red Square

Baby Love

Ethan Receiving an Award

Fellow Graduate Dressed for Success

Rachel, the Pike Place Pig

Shane's Turn

Ferry to Bainbridge Island

Ferry Princesses

Snoqualmie Falls

Happy 36th Anniversary!

Yay, today's our anniversary, and Dan has the whole week off! Let's see what fun we can cook up in addition to going to Seattle this week for Ethan's graduation, and an all-around good time! We're not the mushy, sentimental type, but here's a little something we'll share in honor of our big day.

1. How old were you when you met? He was 19; I was 20.
2. Was it love at first sight? No.
3. Where did you go on your first date? To the Marriott Center for a basketball game between BYU and UTEP.
4. Do you remember what you were wearing? I wore purple bell bottoms and a white and purple sweater. Neither of us remember what he wore.
5. First kiss? On the cheek in the BYU library about a month later.
6. How long from your first date to your wedding day? Eighteen months.
7. Where were you married? In the Salt Lake temple.
8. Where was your first home together? An apartment in Seaside, CA.
9. How long were you married before your first child was born? 13 months.
10. What foods does he dislike? Garlic, onions, zucchini, tofu.
11. What are his favorite foods? French toast, spaghetti, sunflower seeds, porkchops, and fried chicken.
12. Foods she dislikes: shrimp, lobster, Miracle Whip, jalapenos.
13. Her favorite foods:: Bruschetta, potatoes, brown rice, chocolate, oranges, watermelon.
14. Who's the most stubborn? He is. She is. He is. She is. He is. She is. It's a tie!
15. Most generous? Tied again.
16. Do you both like to read? Yes.
17. The same authors? No.
18. Do you agree on money and politics? Yes and yes.
19. Do you have a special song? We did when we were dating - Sealed With A Kiss by Gary Lewis and the Playboys. Like Brian Hyland's version better now though.
20. Would you do it all over again? In a heartbeat!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlVnP141-kY&feature=related

Tho we gotta say goodbye for the summerr
Darling I promise you this
I'll send you all my love every day in a letter
Sealed with a kiss
Guess it's gonna be a cold lonely summer
But I'll fill the emptiness
I'll send you all my love every day in a letter
Sealed with a kiss
I'll see you in the sunlight
I'll hear your voice everywhere
I'll run to tenderly hold you
But darling you won't be there
I don't wanna say goodbye for the summer
Knowing the love we'll miss
Oh let us make a pledge to meet in September
And seal it with a kiss
Guess it's gonna be a cold lonely summer
But I'll fill the emptiness
I'll send you all my love every day in a letter
Sealed with a kiss
Sealed with a kiss
Sealed with a kiss

If I Were a Rich Man

Interesting proposition though that may be to contemplate, if I were a rich man, well I just wouldn't recognize myself! It is definitely a blast to have some mad money to spend once in awhile though. Last week, due to the dispersal of a few remaining funds from my mom's estate, I was able to go on a spending spree. Wheeeeee! Somewhere out there, the U.S. Postal Service is in possession of several packages laden with goodies bound for my address. Books, games, a few toys, Corelle dinnerware, red gingham acrylic tumblers, and elegant red acrylic goblets to coordinate with the dinnerware are headed my way! This week I plan to order a Wonder mill Whisper Mill The worlds best grain machine and a food dehydrator, and I'm searching for a good deal on a fire pit for Dan's rapidly approaching birthday.

On top of all this shopping, I've just finished, and begun another, wonderful book. Martha Spence Haywood's journal, written from 1850 to 1856 and titled Not By Bread Alone, was a real heart- and-eye-opener for me. Most surprisingly, some of the very ancestors and their acquaintances I've been reading about were mentioned by name, and Martha knew one of them, Benjamin F. Johnson, quite well. Benjamin was the first husband of Flora Clarinda Gleason Johnson Washburn. Clarinda divorced him and married Abraham Daniel Washburn, the first Washburn to join the church, having been taught by Parley P. Pratt in New York. Not too surprisingly, the reason for the divorce varies depending on whether you're a Washburn or a Johnson descendant. Martha often alluded to vexing differences of opinion with family members and others, without going into great detail. Ever quick to turn her trials over to the Lord, she wrote that it was her belief that they were designed to refine and fit her for exaltation. Her patience and uncomplaining nature inspire me. I learned a lot from reading Martha's words that I want to emulate, and I hope to meet her someday and sit down with her for a friendly chat. I stumbled across a talk by Elder Cook, one thought from which I'm putting at the end of this entry, because it made me think of Martha.

The other book I'm reading is about another non-complainer, Jean-Dominique Bauby. A massive stroke left him paralyzed, except for his left eyelid, completely dependent upon others for life itself. The paralysis caused him to suffer locked-in syndrome. With a mind as active and observant as ever, his wit and candor are intriguing. His remarkable book is called The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.

I am grateful for the people who strongly impacted the quality of my life last week, and I can't say thank you to any of them. Sister Haywood, Mr. Bauby, and especially my sweet, wise mother, in their own individual ways, truly enriched me, not just for last week, but for always.

Elder Gene R. Cook:
"I bear testimony that often, in the midst of suffering trials, afflictions, and discouragement, those very circumstances tutor us in developing increasing love and trust in God. Consequently, what a great blessing those trials are!"

Trudging Along the Oregon Trail

We set out this morning to watch the reenactment of the river crossing near Glenns Ferry at Three Island State Park. We found that the Oregon Trail still holds disappointment for some of its travelers when we became stuck in a three to four mile traffic jam and missed the whole thing. The park's website says,

Upon reaching the Three Island ford, the emigrants had a difficult decision to make. Should they risk the dangerous crossing of the Snake, or endure the dry, rocky route along the south bank of the river? About half of the emigrants chose to attempt the crossing by using the gravel bars that extended across the river. Not all were successful; many casualties are recounted in pioneer diaries. The rewards of a successful crossing were a shorter route, more potable water and better feed for the stock. The Three Island ford was used by pioneer travelers until 1869, when Gus Glenn constructed a ferry about two miles upstream."

The Glenns Ferry community has sponsored a crossing reenactment for 24 years. Unfortunately, this year's event was the last. Our trip wasn't wasted because Dan said he like the looks of the area and that we'll go back to explore when its less crowded. We picked up the Oregon Trail again near Boise though, hiked a little, admired the well-watered sage brush (thanks to an extra wet spring and summer), and finished off by picnicking on a round of Jack's mini sirloin burgers.