Happy 14th Birthday - 27 years apart!

Happy Birthday today to our own Miss Ara Grace!! What a happy day her birth was - and I remember it as if it was yesterday!!

Here's Ara with her own monogrammed birthday brownies!! We had dinner at Chez Bonny tonight - and Ara chose the menu: Pink tomato sauce ravioli, organic corn, sauteed kale, sourdough bread, Cesar salad, and sushi prepared especially by Miss Ella!! A feast indeed!

Here's her mom on her 14th birthday. I remember that day because Bonny went and got her hair "bobbed!" Launa Menlove did the honors. Bonny loved the change - and so did I.

And just to keep the comparison going, here's a photo of me when I was 14!

We are certainly all blondes anyway!!

Have a great day and a wonderful year ahead - and have fun at the stake dances too!

We are a happy family

Just a few of my favorites!

Remember when Annika fell out of the trampoline during Kelly's awesome photo shoot? Well, I guess that, and the falling off the monkey bars two weeks later, resulted in a concussion.

So sad. We go for a CT scan in a couple of days. We're hoping it's nothing serious.

AND we have to stay home from Mammoth this weekend. I guess extreme altitude changes aren't good for headaches. And skiing with a concussion is a no-no.

Such a bummer.

On the bright side - Ara turns fourteen on Monday (hence, the Mammoth trip).

I'm not sure if this is really the forum for this info, but alas.

Comics for breakfast -

I still start the day with the comics. The venerable LA Times has become a mere shadow of its former self. But I can still get through the comics in the same amount of time it takes to consume my Cheerios and blueberries

You can't really ask for much more. Although sometimes I read the op-ed page. Or the movie reviews. But only on a non-school day when there is time to spare - or toast to eat.

Happy Birthday Hester!!

Some very random shots of Hester with her siblings, her mom, and the Terrill kids.

She has always been a part of our lives, from the moment she came to California with her mom as a 3 month old for Leslie's wedding. Eliza was 4 days old then - the two of them have been cousins as well as best friends for a very long time now!

And it seemed like we spent every summer with the Kerksieks, but it was probably only 3 or 4. But it was enough for a lifetime of memories that we hash over often.

And she's been around for lots of Terrill milestones - this one is Phoebe's wedding. Weddings are a lot of the milestones!

I post this every year on Hester's b-day - wouldn't be her big day if I didn't post it!!

A lovely young woman - who deserves the best on her special day. I'm pretty sure the important man in her life will make sure it happens!!

Happy Day Hester - and all the best in the year ahead!

In memory of a young friend

Three years ago today, our young friend Adam died. Adam was physically limited during his brief time here on earth, but his spiritual and emotional impact was unlimited.

Whenever someone like Adam comes into your life, you have to stretch your own emotional reserves so that you can give to this person who can't directly respond to you. You begin to look beyond the surface, the physical, the apparent, to find the essence that is this person.

Because the spirit is never disabled, even when the body is. And you can only touch this spirit when you open yourself to a close examination of what is really important in this life.

This is the great gift that Adam gave to all of us who called him friend.

Friends in high places!!

I'm not sure of the altitude in Yemen, where Alice and Dale are currently posted, but they do get to some folks "in high places."

(That's Alice in the hat and shawl.)

Dale crafted a little stool for Mrs. Clinton, since she's on the short side, so that she could get more easily into the Embassy Suburban. And Alice commented that she's warm, friendly, down-to-earth, and very approachable.

Alice and Dale do indeed lead an interesting life. At least it looks that way to some of us!!

Heading for the middle of the week

Monday was a day off - I love days off!! I slept in, puttered around in the garden a bit, ran some errands, and welcomed Dee and Frances to the Hotel Terrill. We have been having a great time visiting. So great that I've hardly taken any photos!

I had my book group tonight - we have been doing dinners for our book group and tonight was my turn to host- which means I set the table and the others bring the food. It is working well and we like it.

So I set a very pretty table - and forgot to take a photo!!

Dad, Dee, Frances, and Noah went out to dinner.

So that's the week so far. Frances and Dee will head out to Heather's tomorrow. Dad will sub at seminary. I will go to work.

There are things in life you can count on!

0 to 5,000 in 24 hours!

So, last Saturday, Porter, Harry, and Isla came by for a donut run- they'd done the running and we got to enjoy!!

And last weekend also featured a visit from our good friend Evan - we enjoyed playing "catch-up" and just generally solving the world's problems!

So for this weekend, I suggested a "road trip" to inaugurate our "new" Volvo. We had originally planned to leave Friday after school and of course that didn't happen - Dad and I both had work issues. I have learned a valuable lesson from Dad though, and I did not grouse and complain all Saturday morning about our change in plans. I just embraced it and said, "I'm sure glad we are going - whenever it happens!!"

I had seen an incredible photo in the last Sunset magazine of the Last Chance Range in Death Valley, so I suggested we go there. And go there we did - but we didn't make it to Last Chance - turns out it's really far away - Death Valley is huge, by the way!!

We just started driving in the right direction - and stopped when we felt like it - had breakfast in a place called Kramer Junction - at a restaurant called The Roadhouse - and it was a very fine breakfast - one of the best I've ever had.

We took some turns - and some turnarounds - and ended up at the start of the national park that is Death Valley. These photos do not do it justice at all - I was saying to Dad, "You know, the desert is beautiful in its own way. And since we live in the West, it's time to embrace that beauty."

The rock formations are amazing - a true geologist's paradise I am sure. And it is so empty and quiet and serene - meanwhile hiding all kinds of strangers - like rattlesnakes and scorpions for starters!! And endlessly large and prehistoric looking. I love it. Sunset was incredible - Dad video-taped it with his camera - ask him for his little show - it's pretty entertaining.

We found the turn-off to Scotty's Castle - a fascinating story behind that place - Google it sometime - you'll get a mini-history lesson at the same time.

Dad was busy taking shots of all the interesting construction and engineering details. Like this door!! The exterior hardware was amazing. We didn't do the inside tour - it was getting late. We'll do it next time. Turns out the place we originally started looking for is 1 1/2 hours northwest of Scotty's Castle - we'll have to start earlier next time for several reasons!

It's a long story - but this - if you can believe it - is an unfinished swimming pool!! Somehow it never got done.
With all of the engineering wonders the owner's had constructed - solar panels to provide heat and air conditioning, harnessing a nearby spring to run the generators - the pool was apparently not at the top of the list!!

There were lots of old cars in the "stables" and of course Dad was intrigued by them all. Dad remembers going to Scotty's Castle as a very young boy - with his family - had some fun stories to tell about that too. Maybe I should have brought along a tape recorder!

Because we were so "last minute" there were no vacancies at the 2 affordable "resorts" in Death Valley - there were at Furnace Creek - starting at $330 a night! So we drove back to Lone Pine - and had a wonderful dinner at a restaurant called Seasons - try it if you are ever there - and stayed at a Comfort Inn, but maybe next time we'll try one of the local motels. The view from our window at the Inn was pretty great though - the snow-covered Sierras in the moonlight with the stars glittering in the constellations - what a way to fall asleep!!

There is a branch of the church in Lone Pine - the members built this in 1952 - and it's wonderful - tiny and charming and very little church-issue stuff in it!! The branch is tiny - 80 members on their rolls but only about 20 on most Sundays - we came on a good day though - there were almost 40 in Sacrament meeting. A couple is called every two years from Ridgecrest to come and supplement the leadership. And there were 6 investigators there today too - Dad was busy comparing notes with the two very competent elders who were assigned there.

Afterward there was a potluck in the tiny cultural hall - they have one the 3rd Sunday of every month - talk about good timing - and this is their kitchen - don't you love it?? Our day with the members of the Lone Pine/Independence Branch was an inspiring experience. And of course, like all good Mormons, we found many "connections!!"

On the way home, we stopped to visit Mom, Donna, and Joan. All was well when we arrived home - a perfect getaway.

Dad has to work Monday - I don't - I'm going to sleep in to celebrate!!

And the title? We drove past a marker that said "Sea Level" - and drove until we were at 150 feet below sea level! And then went up to over 5,000 feet above! In a little over a day!

Try it - it was fun!!

When the Family Gets Together

Here are some more shots from Grandma's Party.

Another good-bye

I'm not sure how many of you knew or remember Denys Lytton - the mom of Tiffany and Sayde - but she died Monday, and the funeral service was today. She had battled breast cancer a few years ago, and she seemed to have beaten it. However, she was diagnosed with bone cancer just a week before she died. Her older daughter speculated that she just got tired of fighting. At least she did not suffer - and the family was grateful for that.

Tiffany and Sayde were good friends with the Moore girls - who were there today too - and they both joined the church. They are not active today, but they have good memories of their times attending our ward. And Tiffany's son is one of my students.

When her girls were attending church, Denys enjoyed having visiting teachers - and for many years that was my assignment. I loved visiting Denys - I used to note that many active member sisters were hard to pin down for a visit, but Denys was always open to my coming!!

They asked Dad to officiate at the funeral - which was held in the Zook chapel. It was a nice service, and Dad did his usual great job. He quoted William Butler Yeats - doesn't get much better than that! They had a time when anyone in the audience could come up and speak, and Helen M. and Michael M. both spoke. That was like old times!

I will miss Denys. I saw her often when she came to Clifton to pick up Arthur, her grandson. And we'd see them at different weddings or in the line at Pavilions - Monrovia is a small town!

At the funeral, I learned that Denys had been born and raised in Monrovia - lived here all her life!

Melissa sang "Each Life That Touches Ours For Good," and I thought that was a fitting way to close this chapter in our lives.

Happy Birthday Leslie!!

I love all my sisters, but Leslie and I share a special bond - one the others may be glad they don't share - and that is that most people think the familial resemblance is quite close. Many times in her life, Leslie got called "Little Barbara!"

She's a lot taller than me - and thinner too. So maybe it would be more accurate to call me "Big Leslie!!

In spite of the difference in our years, we find ourselves with much in common. We can't have a short conversation!!

Leslie is a wonderful sister - and she deserves a wonderful day!!

Hood To Coast Movie

As many of you know, Harry has run the Hood to Coast Relay for the past 4 years. It's a 197 mile race going from Mount Hood to Seaside on the Oregon coast. Teams of 12 run the legs of the race. The race lasts over 24 hours for some teams. It started 27 years ago - and there are currently two men still running it who have run everyone of the races.

The documentary was pretty good - the film was shown tonight in 360 theaters throughout the U.S. I'm not sure of its availability after tonight. But it's worth getting it somehow and watching it. Even if you're not a runner.

They follow four teams - each with a unique spirit and history. One is dedicated to a son who died of a sudden heart attack at age 30. One is "The Dead Jocks in a Box" who are serious runners - but they are pretty hilarious. Another team features a woman who had a heart attack while running it one year - and her doctor said no more racing - so she proved him wrong! The last team is very hilarious - a group of claymation artists who form a team on a lark and don't train at all.

Maybe Dad and I have a vested interest in the race, but I think the film has general appeal.

Give it a look-see - tell me what you think!

The Evolution of a Little Boy!!

Happy Day today to Theo - who is turning 4!

I well remember the call that he was born and the rush to get a ticket and get the sub plans in order and to get myself back there to welcome the new little guy!!

Mom and Dad were pros - I was mostly there to consult - but it's a job I love!

And since the distance is great, we'd see him after months at a time - and so he always seemed to be getting "so big!!"

And now he's a regular big boy!!

We loved our recent visit with everyone - and it was great to have Theo around for a few days after everyone else left.

Have a great year in Primary, pre-school, and becoming a new big brother!!

What we've been up to!

We had the last of the family members leave on Thursday the 6th, and I went out to visit with Hester and to meet Andreas on the 7th, and then on the 8th, we went into LA to pick up our good friend from our long ago BYU days - Evan, who lives in Pittsburg! We had dinner at Wang's Palace and walked over to Cherry on Top for some dessert. Harry, Dawn, and family were out for a walk with the dogs, so they met us there.

We have certainly enjoyed playing "catch up" with Evan - and it turned out that Troy C. in our ward served his mission in Pittsburg, so they played a little "catch up" too.

On New Year's Eve day, a hot water heater line chose to flood Helen's house - the kitchen, laundry room, and living floors are being replaced! (She had Dad take this photo - and told him to post it on the blog!! It's been a bit of a hassle, but things are working out - and it's covered by insurance!!)

Hopefully everything will calm down soon - at least I have a holiday this month!