Jen and Sophie

Everyone has one (two if they are lucky) pets in their life time that you seem to know heart to heart. Sophie was from the Pound and had already had at least 3 litters when I got her about 17 yrs ago. So I'm not sure how old she was, but these pictures were taken the day before I had to let her go. She looks pretty good for being over 90 (in people yrs) and having cancer. She lived a great life, really at least 12 great lives, but she always found her way back home no matter what shape she was in. The Vet even teared up when he had to put her to sleep. That was a few months ago. She trusted me, enough to put up with a variety of other cats and dogs parading through the house and our lives. From the carpenter's dog to the addition of 9 week old brother kittens, a "foster" abused dog and a sweet Chihuahua (yes sweet!?) of Grandma's. The one short story I will tell is about the "brothers". Sophie had already been around for about 6 years and here comes 2 little rowdy "twin" boy kittens. She must have known they would grow to be at least 3 times her size, because from the very beginning every once in a while, one would walk by her and out of the blue she would give them a "backhand" for no reason. They, Vincent or Oliver, would get up and sort of shake their heads-what just happened? what did I do? She didn't hurt them and had no front claws, it was just a waump. Till the day she died they knew who was boss and treated her with the respect they should have. Wise, I believe. The last night I turned on the fire so she could go to sleep in front of it. First Oliver, then Vincent came over and laid down and slept by her. Very sweet to see. And not so short of a story... By the way, Rani was the other beloved pet, a sweet, smart dog. I think that's my allotment. When I left home Rani of course stayed with Dad, she had already worked her magic on him. Dad and Elizabeth have some pretty funny stories of life with her too. I'm sure many of you have heard. So I guess we have pretty good pet Karma. Sophie was well worth sharing all this with you all. I know you have your stories and I would love to hear. Love, Jenny

Seth's Turn for a Mission

The new missionary suit fits just right. This is the day that Seth entered the MTC in Provo - he will be studying the Spanish language for about 6 weeks. He's had three years of Spanish in high school, and remembers quite a bit of the language. Of course, having that experience helps, but the challenge is in brushing up, and then using it in a native country. He'll do fine - he's dedicated to excellence, and is very serious about the gospel and his desire to serve. We really enjoyed the visit before the jaunt this morning down to Provo. Managua, Nicaragua, here he comes! These next two years should go by fast.

Marathon Runners and Family at San Diego

Mandy and Sara after the 26-mile marathon they ran in San Diego. Proud father, Ken, reports that Sara ran the course in 5 hours and Mandy in 6. Phew! Husbands John and Phillip and Grandpa Ken took care of the children during the race. Sara taking a pre-race sprint along the beach. Enlarge this one. Two of the cutest great-grandchildren we have - Mandy and John's Dallin and Mia. (We don't have any great-grandchildren that aren't cute, bright, and wonderful, although we have only met Suzanne and Jonathan's Blake to this point. We are hoping to see these two sometime later this week or the beginning of next week.)

Birthdays and grandchildren

May is a very busy birthday month for us and for our extended family. Brother-in-law, Bob starts the month with his birthday on the 11th. Then comes Sister-in-law, Velna on the 24th. I fit in there on the 28th, and then on the 30th, there is a veritable shower of birthdays, with brother Steve , and grandchildren Denton and Sara. We wish Happy Birthdays to all!

Happy Birthday, Sara

It doesn't matter what age Sara is, she always looks beautiful! This was taken in high school, but now she is married, an RN, and a very busy young lady. More importantly, Sara is a very caring person. Grandchildren have a way of growing up and fulfilling the promise of their childhood. Happy Birthday, Sara.

Happy Birthday, Denton!

This picture was taken a few years ago when Denton graduated from high school. Since then, he has served a two-year mission in Michigan, and is in his second term at BYU-Idaho. I think that this picture reflects his happy attitude about life - it's difficult to keep Denton depressed, even when tough things happen in his life. Happy Birthday to you, Denton! May this next year be even better than the last. Our love to you, Grandma and Grandpa G.

An Oriental-themed Quilt for Lauren

Granddaughter Lauren went into an All-Things Oriental phase a couple of years ago. When I see the beautiful Oriental fabrics available, I had a good reason to make Lauren's graduation quilt with an Oriental theme. I'll show the back another time. The pattern is simple, but effective for such large picture blocks. Loved making this quilt.

Cut Flowers Set a Record for Longevity

These flowers are all from my Mother's Day bouquet, which Ron bought at Costco in Orem on the 8th of May. I took these pictures this morning, so you can see that they must have been extremely fresh and well cared for before we brought them home. It's wonderful to be married to a man who loves flowers in the house as much as I do.

Spring Comes Late to Preston

At last, there are daffodils and tulips blooming to brighten our days. The ground might be warm enough soon to begin planting some of the garden. This is one of the disadvantages of living in a place where the mountains surround us, and keep us from getting too warm in the summertime, while Salt Lake, Riverton, and Orem-Provo swelter.

Springtime in Orem, UT

Flowering quince always reminds me of Washington. Mother and Dad had quince that grew to a wild state down near the shop. it wasn't this deep in color, but it was pretty, and one of the first flowers to cut for the house. Lilacs in bloom - what a nostalgic fragrance! Only 150 miles to the north, our bushes are just beginning to show a slight sign of leafing out. Maybe by Memorial Day, we'll have some of that fragrance.

Seth Gets His Mission Call

How the yearsd fly by. This picture was taken of Seth at Brittany's baptism in Orofino, when the family lived in Weippe in northern Idaho quite a long time ago. The family lived on the Weippe Prairie only accessed by going up fearsome switchbacks on a road called the Greer Grade, which often washed out with the spring thaw. Quite a thrill to get there.

This pensive picture was Seth's senior class picture taken last year. This year, he has been a freshman at the University of Wyoming, and has been anxiously awaiting his mission call. The news came yesterday! He is to go to Managua, Nicaragua, entering the mission home in the middle of June. He is pretty excited, and is preparing to re-learn the Spanish language. We know that he will put the usual 100+ percent effort into this new experience. We also know that he is eager to put his talents to use with this calling.

My Storybook Farms Quilt in Progress

This was a wonderful day. I finished the top for my Storybook Farms quilt, designed by McKenna Ryan (from Kalispell, Montana), whose publishing company is called Pine Needles. She is a wonderful artist, and I wanted to make this quilt from the very first time it came on the market more than a few years ago. I am about half way done, with the top together. The next steps will be to (1) make a quilt sandwich of the back, the batting, and the top. I will pin those layers together, and then begin free motion stitching around every tiny piece in the quilt. When I have finished with that, then I will put the embellishing quilting on it, and bind it. Should keep me busy for a while. Be sure to enlarge the pictures to get the full impact. Note that the clothes and quilt on the clothesline are still just pinned. I will either find tiny clothespins or will sew them on to the clothesline.

The Earth Shook

No picture to go with this one - about 6p.m. last night, I was sitting at the computer, and Ron was out in the shop making "stuff". First, I heard the rumbling, a little like a train coming, and then the windows and things hanging in them began to vibrate, then came the shake, rattle, and roll. Fortunately, our little quake, centered in Randolph, Utah (on the Utah-Wyoming border, south and a little east of us), was only a 4,9. When I went out to the shop to see if Ron noticed, he was so busy with what he was doing, that he was totally unaware. Maybe that's because he's been in a big one in Olympia. I was glad when the evening and 10:00 news included lots of information about it, so that I knew I wasn't just dreaming it up. Should I use that museum putty that I bought 5 years ago to stick some things to the shelf? Who knows? The world is full of unrest, and keeps stirring things around.

Why are Iris called Flags?

After the snow has finally melted from the flower beds in front of the house, everything looks very dreary - plants that didn't get cleaned out last fall leave dead sticks looking old and used up. And the bark ground cover that was so fresh last spring looks old and gray, too. But, what a joy to find these hardy miniature iris peeking out of the ground - and by them, the pink of the ground cover that will later cover much of the area not brightened by flowers. We didn't think spring would ever come, but we must have faith. The green leaves of the tulips are popping up all over, and green is beginning to show in the lawn and at the base of the perennials. The roses didn't all winter kill, even though they didn't get the special mulch treatment last fall. All I have to do is get some new secateurs (sp). (I think my old 20-year-old ones went out with the garden refuse last fall.) The remains of sedum autumn joy, the fall asters, and the mums need to be pruned, as well as the roses. All I need now is a day like today without the wind that can blow a person over. It is 66 outside, but the wind is a definite deterrent. Definitely another day!

Happy Birthday, Brig

We left Brig at the MTC in Salt Lake City (before the MTC in Provo). I look at the small amount of luggage, and think about how meager his preparation was for the two years in England as compared to our missionaries today. Mother and Daddy had come to Powell for his farewell, and we all went to Salt Lake. It was quite a forlorn feeling to leave him behind when we went back home. One of Brig's school pictures - he looks pretty young - probably 6 or 7. (Is that a scab under his lip?) Doesn't he look innocent? Brig is about 3 or 4 - this picture was taken in our yard in Riverton. The smile has endured. We hope this is a very happy birthday - the years have certainly hurried by, and Brig has had his share of challenges and blessings in his life.