Fourth of July in San Diego

Many thanks to my friend, Lucy, who taught me how to make a collage and post it on my blog!

As the Fourth of July holiday approached, the temperature in Phoenix increased and the oldest daughter kept begging for someone to come and visit so she wouldn't have to celebrate "alone", my determination to just stay home and accomplish something for a while once again wained.  The oldest son and the daughter-in-law were happy to accompany me to the cooler climes for their celebration and the hubby encouraged me to go and have fun, promising he would find something fun to do on the 4th too.  (He said he was going to climb on the roof and watch the fireworks, which was almost worth sticking around to witness, but he actually went to a barbecue with the extended family and also enjoyed a break from the heat with a morning rain storm and temperatures in the 90s.)

Those of us in San Diego had a fun-filled day

which started with a 7:57 AM ward breakfast of pancakes, hash browns, bacon, sausage, orange juice and a stirring reading of the Declaration of Independence complete with signers' names and state of residence.  I am truly grateful for the founding fathers and the many sacrifices they made so I could live in this free country and agree that they should be recognized, especially on this day, but I felt bad for the boy scout who had to cook a ton of pancakes and then got recitation duty as well.

The oldest daughter, the grandson and I, along with the young women of the ward and their leaders, gathered last night to make decorations for the breakfast.  The daughter was in charge of pin wheel production and she did a fine job.

I was in charge of potty runs with the 2-year-old and he and I excelled at our responsibilities as well.  We were also excellent cookie and cupcake tasters.

After the breakfast we went home and focused on completing the daughter's patriotic wreath for her front door.  She glued,

while I pinned,

and the oldest son tried to keep the grandson entertained, with some wild chair spinning, so he wouldn't continually steal the spool of wire and unwind it all over the backyard.

His attempts worked a small portion of the time, but eventually the wreath was finished and placed in its official home.

Good job daughter!

After lunch some of us had rest time

and some of us went shopping at the Avenue "store closing sale" where we found lots of bargains.

We had a wonderful barbecue for dinner. The oldest son grilled the hamburgers to perfection and the corn on the cob tasted just like it should on the 4th of July, and then we each made our own personal patriotic fruit tarts

and gobbled them down. YUMMY!

This was followed by some quality time spent taking Fourth of July photos of the grandson.

Which he didn't think was nearly as fun as we did.  He did enjoy having his own opportunity to take pictures though

and pretend bull fighting with his uncle.

I'm glad he did cooperate for a while, because I like to have cute pictures of him to enjoy.

The daughter also made this cute quilt that you see in all of these pictures.  Didn't she do a good job?

We discussed going into San Diego to watch the fireworks over the bay, but decided we didn't feel like fighting the crowds and waiting for hours with the 2-year-old. We voted to stay home and take our chances that we could see the local display out the daughter's bedroom window.  

There were a couple of trees that got in the way of some of the blasts,

but over-all I really enjoyed reclining on the bed and watching the fireworks as the grandson danced around exclaiming with excitement.

It was a good thing we chose not to attend the big city show because they had a computer malfunction and the fireworks all shot off at the same time resulting in a huge display that  lasted approximately 9 seconds.

The son-in-law did his celebrating in Hawaii, the youngest son worked and then shot off fireworks at the park with his friends (and possibly the police), and the youngest daughter went to the rodeo and firework show in Idaho.  Hopefully they all had as much fun as I did!

Today I am thankful for

my American citizenship.
Freedom.
and the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Delaware George Read• Caesar Rodney• Thomas McKean Pennsylvania  George Clymer• Benjamin Franklin• Robert Morris• John Morton• Benjamin Rush• George Ross• James Smith• James Wilson• George Taylor  Massachusetts John Adams• Samuel Adams• John Hancock• Robert Treat Paine• Elbridge Gerry New Hampshire Josiah Bartlett• William Whipple• Matthew Thornton Rhode Island Stephen Hopkins• William Ellery New York Lewis Morris• Philip Livingston• Francis Lewis• William Floyd Georgia Button Gwinnett• Lyman Hall• George Walton Virginia Richard Henry Lee• Francis Lightfoot Lee• Carter Braxton• Benjamin Harrison• Thomas Jefferson• George Wythe• Thomas Nelson, Jr. North Carolina William Hooper• John Penn• Joseph Hewes South Carolina Edward Rutledge• Arthur Middleton• Thomas Lynch, Jr.• Thomas Heyward, Jr. New Jersey Abraham Clark• John Hart• Francis Hopkinson• Richard Stockton• John Witherspoon Connecticut Samuel Huntington• Roger Sherman• William Williams• Oliver Wolcott Maryland Charles Carroll• Samuel Chase• Thomas Stone• William Paca

American Creme Oreos

When I went to the store last week I was excited to discover that Nabisco has taken a step to help my family's Memorial day tradition seem a little more patriotic and fitting for the occasion.  There on the shelf was a package of  limited edition American Creme Oreos.

How patriotic is that?  Of course those Oreos had to come home with me in preparation for the upcoming holiday.

Today I took my required "Oreo Day" photo.

Notice how I worked hard to get the reflection of the flag in my picture.  Double points for patriotism!

Then I ripped open the package and sampled the cookies.

While I give Nabisco a high five for a fun idea, the end result wasn't all I had hoped for.  The hubby's first question was "Where's the white stripe?" So I ask, "Why no white stripe?" I do think all 3 colors found in the flag would have added to the filling and made it look truly American.

 I also have never been a big fan of the golden Oreos.  I would have preferred the traditional "chocolate" Oreo encasing.  I wonder who decided that "American Oreos" should be light and not dark?  Probably in our overly politically correct society there should be versions of both colors and several hues in between.  

Happy Oreo Day to my kids!  I hope you managed to find some kind of Oreo to partake of today.  I also hope you took a few minutes to ponder the sacrifice of  those who paid the ultimate price so we can live in a free country where I can discuss the color of cookies without fear of being labeled a subversive and being thrown into prison or transported to a really cold place. (Perhaps I have been reading a few too many books about the Soviet Union under Stalin rule recently).

Today I am thankful

that I was born an American.
for those men and women who gave their lives so I can enjoy the freedoms I enjoy here.
for unusually moderate temperatures that made being outside today enjoyable.

Thoughts on Columbus Day

Today is Columbus Day. It seems to me that Columbus has gotten a bad reputation in the past few years or perhaps it is just that I hang out with more Native Americans now days, who are not big Columbus fans. I will be the first to admit that Columbus didn't treat the natives that he met in his travels very nicely, but I think that Columbus's discovery of the new world was part of a much larger plan. This was an event that had to happen in order for the gospel of Jesus Christ to be restored to the earth.

In the Book of Mormon we can read about this, "And I looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren, who were in the promised land." 1 Nephi 13:12

Columbus himself felt that he was led and inspired by God. "Our Lord," said Columbus, "unlocked my mind, sent me upon the sea, and gave me fire for the deed. Those who heard of my enterprise called it foolish, mocked me, and laughed. But who can doubt but that the Holy Ghost inspired me?" (Jacob Wasserman, Don Quixote of the Seas, pp. 1920)

I found this paragraph, included on a History of Columbus Day website, to be good musing material. It says, "Christopher Columbus never did accomplish his original goal - to find a western ocean route to Asia. Instead, he achieved something even greater - he ushered in a new era in world history by opening up the Americas to exploration." - The History of Columbus Day

Often when I feel inspired to do something I usually think I know why I have those feelings and what it is that I am going to accomplish as I follow those promptings. It never fails to surprise me, when looking back, that what my Heavenly Father had in mind was something totally different than I had at first imagined. It just goes to show me that my Heavenly Father will use me to accomplish his purposes if I will just listen to the spirit when he speaks to me. He has a plan and it is much better than the one that I usually come up with. Just like Columbus, I might end up doing something that changes the world. You never know.

Flying the Flag

For quite a few years now our scout troop has posted flags in neighborhood yards on holidays as a fund raiser for scout camp. The sons, the hubby and I have all taken our turns getting up early on holiday mornings and driving around the neighborhood searching for the tiny PVC pipe flag holders often hidden in the various subscriber's front yards. We have all lived through it. This morning when I walked outside and noticed the flag flying in our neighbor's yard I will admit that I was grateful that my sons are both too old to have to put up flags anymore.
Every year I have declined the offer by various scouts to place a flag in my front yard. For some reason this is a fund-raiser I have a problem with. I firmly believe that each home in the United States should own an American flag and be responsible for flying it on national holidays. I don't feel that this is a scout responsibility. I feel it is an American privilege.
I remember as a child standing at attention, with my hand over my heart, as my brother raised or lowered the flag on the flag pole in our front yard. I was taught to respect the flag, honor it, and how to fold it properly. This was important to me and still is.
This morning when I saw the neighbor's flag I went inside to get our flag and put it up. I found the flag, but the flag pole was missing in action. I searched in every closet, behind every door, under every couch, but I couldn't find it anywhere. Finally, I sent the hubby to the store to purchase a new one. Soon the flag was flying and I once again felt like a grateful American as I enjoyed watching it wave in the breeze.


Today I am grateful for

sons who both worked very hard without even being asked.
the freedom I enjoy because of the men and women who have made sacrifices in my behalf.
the privilege to own and fly the American flag.

One year ago today - Frogs don't like Orange Peels

Distractions

I am a person that is easily distracted from accomplishing what I set out to do. Sometimes my Blog is my distraction and sometimes other people's Blogs distract me from mine and sometimes just turning on the computer distracts me from everything.

I have become very distracted this past week by the aftermath of the vote on Proposition 8 in California - Protests outside Mormon temples, church member's jobs, homes, and businesses being threatened, white powder being mailed to several different religious buildings... I was caught off guard by all that has been happening. It is hard for me to comprehend what has been taking place following a decision made in a democratic election. A statement issued by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says "People of faith have been intimidated for simply exercising their democratic rights. These are not actions that are worthy of the democratic ideals of our nation. The end of a free and fair election should not be the beginning of a hostile response in America." I don't understand why political officials in California aren't willing to stand up for the majority of the people they represent and acknowledge that this decision is the will of the people and affirm that they will uphold it. I try to picture the individuals in favor of Prop 8 behaving in a similar fashion if the final tally had gone the other direction and not in our favor. I can't even imagine it.

I think because I find some of these events so incomprehensible, I keep being drawn to more and more information about them hoping in someway to make sense of the whole thing. I have wasted a lot of time reading articles and news reports about all that is transpiring and still I simply don't understand. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I am sure that part of the issue is that I don't like to see the Church that I belong to and believe in reflected in a negative light, especially when I don't feel that we are the ones that have done anything negative. Also, in the back of my mind I keep feeling grateful that California is where this issue has come to a head and not Arizona (following the passing of Proposition 102) and then being disappointed in myself because of those feelings. I worry, "when will it be my turn to have to stand in the face of dangerous and demoralizing opposition and courageously maintain my position?" I am frightened by the visibility of Satan and his plan going forward in today's America.

Since this issue has been foremost in my mind recently, I thought it was appropriate when I opened to Elder Robert D. Hales conference talk to read in the Ensign today. It is entitled Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship. It amazes me over and over again how inspired our leaders are in the messages they prepare and share with us. I may have been surprised by what happened in California following the election there, but obviously the leaders of the church, both here on earth and in the heavens above, were not surprised at all. This talk brought me the peace and understanding that I have been searching for in so many ways. God knows what is going on. "The opposition which may seem hard to bear will be a blessing to the Kingdom of God upon the earth." "When we do not retaliate - when we turn the other cheek and resist feelings of anger - we stand with the Savior. We show forth His love, which is the only power that can subdue the adversary and answer our accusers without accusing them in return." However, the message that struck me with the most power was this, "We have a great work to do, which will not be accomplished if we allow ourselves to stop and argue and be distracted. Instead we should muster Christian courage and move on. As we read in Psalms 37:1 'Fret not thyself because of evildoers'."

There is Heavenly Father's message to me. Don't let this distract you. Move away from the computer and go and do what needs to be done.

With that said I guess I better sign out.

I find it ironic that since November, the month to be thankful, started I have been very remiss in writing down what I am grateful for every day. Writing these things down is a very important part of my life and makes a big difference in my daily attitude. I need to step it up again.

Today I am thankful for

Inspired leaders who receive revelation concerning topics to speak on in General Conference and pass that inspiration on to me.
Family Time.
Times when things just seem to work out right. Today the youngest son and I both got to be happy with a trip to the church.

History Is Made!

Today History was made in the United States of America
and I was here to witness it
and participate in it.
Today the first Black (bi-racial) President of the United States
was elected - President Barack Obama.

This is truly a momentous achievement.
I am proud to be a citizen of a nation
that has reached the point
where a man is not judged
by the color of his skin.

I chose to not vote for this candidate,
but that was not because of his ethnicity
but because of his ethics, his experience,
and his political position
on some issues I feel strongly about.

On my morning walk a specific house
has caught my attention the past few weeks.
This house flies a replica of the original American flag -
13 stars arranged in a circle on a field of blue.
In the front yard of this house is an Obama '08 sign.
Every day as I walk past
I ponder how far
the United States of American has come
since the introduction of that first flag.
How much we have learned
about the equality of all men and women.

I am grateful for the progress we have made
as a nation where the issue of race is concerned.
I don't believe all of the changes that have occurred
in the United States of America since it's early days
have been positive ones,
but this is one that I am happy to be a part of.

Political Promises

Today were the primary elections in our neighborhood. Our polling place was so close I could have walked if I had chosen to.

Last night the hubby made reminder calls to all of the kids about the election for a new council member on the reservation. They are lucky enough to vote in two elections!

This morning the voting age son was complaining that he didn't want to drive to the res to vote after work. It was too far. It was too hard.Blah, blah, blah. I reminded him of all the financial perks the tribe offers him and said that having to vote once in a while wasn't a hard pay back. (Well, that and getting summoned for jury duty about once a month. It doesn't always pay to be one of the community members with a clean police record. We get a lot of jury summons in our family.) His reply was "they don't have to drive to my house to deliver my percap check." Such a logical child.

After he left for work I started thinking that maybe the tribe should only give percap checks to those community members who made the effort to vote. They'd either get a much higher voter turnout or have lots of left over money to use for more projects. Or maybe they could pass it on to the voters. What a great idea!

This got me thinking about other elections.

Why isn't voting required?

Why is it only an option?

What do you think would happen if we were all forced to vote? Everyone over 18 rounded up every election day and escorted to the polls (at least we'd be able to find them that way).

Would this be a positive thing? Probably much better voter turnout than the measly 20% that they were reporting today.

The more I thought about it though the more I started thinking maybe this wasn't such a good idea. I think being forced to vote would probably end up bad. Some individuals would be voting for people they knew nothing about, or for issues that looked good on the surface but really weren't when you dug deeper, or randomly drawing black lines just to complete the voting process that was required.

But wait! Isn't that what is happening now in some cases?

Every time I vote, I leave the polls vowing that I will come a little better prepared the next time and then the next time comes and I still manage to see names on the ballot that I really don't recognize or don't know enough about.

Shame on me!

I need to appreciate the opportunity that I have to vote a little bit more. Just think of those countries where people actually put themselves in harm's way in order to be able to cast their vote and have a say in their government or have no say at all.
I promise to appreciate the opportunity that I have to vote a little bit more.

I need to get a little bit more excited about voting. At the presidential primary earlier this year there was a young lady there who had just turned 18 and was able to vote for the very first time. She was so Excited. She was dancing and yelling and celebrating big time.
I promise to get a little bit more excited about voting. (Like not count voting as my thing I really didn't want to do today, but did anyway.)

I need to do my homework a little bit better before I vote. Perhaps I could start by reading all the fliers that come in the mail before I throw them away or do a little research of my own on the computer.
I promise to do my homework a little bit better before I vote.

There you have it -
more political promises
that I promise to keep.

Today I am thankful

that I was born in the United States of America.
for a husband that washes dishes when it's his turn.
Grocery Stores where I can purchase just about anything I could ever want.

The new thing I learned today is that it is important to know which political party the candidates you plan on voting for belong to, at least in the primary election.

Two terrific trips to Tuacahn

The reason for our stop in St. George on our way to Utah county was so we could attend the "Broadway in the Desert" shows at Tuacahn. Tuacahn is an outdoor theatre that has a huge red rock mountain as the backdrop and I think I could be content to just sit and gaze up and down the hillside for a couple of hours, so actually getting to watch a play too is an added bonus. Our family came here once before, in 1997, to watch the musical "Utah". We had a family reunion in St. George and most of my family (mom, dad, brothers, sisters and kids) were together which was really fun. During the performance part of the set was blown over by the wind and they had to stop the show. It was lucky for us that we were staying around for another day and could come back the next night to see the entire play. It was a memorable experience and I have wanted to come to another performance for a long time.

Last night we saw the "Sound of Music". I am a big fan of this story and the music in it and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I especially like watching little kids living out their dreams of being on the stage. The marionette show was also a lot of fun to see portrayed by real people.
I wondered if going to the play was a patriotic way to spend the 4th of July but I was able to have feelings of gratitude for the wonderful country I live in while I was there. I am always stirred by a feeling of love for the country you call your own as I listen to the song Edelweiss. Captain Von Trapp is so willing to risk the lives of his family and himself to support his country and the values that he holds dear to his heart. During the scene in the play at the music festival they had actors dressed as German soldiers walking up and down the stairs of the audience keeping us all "under control". When someone near us booed at the announcement that the Captain was being sent to join the German Navy he was threatened and ridiculed by the guard and I started thinking how difficult it would be to have your country invaded by an enemy and to lose your freedom to voice your opinions and to live your life the way you chose to. I am truly blessed to be an American. They concluded the play with a fireworks display that was great. The live orchestra played "Stars and Stripes Forever" and the fireworks boomed just long enough to be enjoyable. It was a very "Happy Fourth of July". At least for most of us;)


Tonight we went to "Les Miserables". I had never seen this musical before and wasn't too familiar with the story or the characters so sometimes I felt a little lost, but I enjoyed it also. I thought the actors/singers did a great job. However the story was very sad and a little depressing in my opinion. Once again, it made me grateful for the life I have been blessed to live. My life could have been very, very different if I had been born in a different time and place.

Today I am thankful for
Family - to do fun things with.
Freedom - to do what I want and to live my life according to my values.
Motel rooms - that are nice, air-conditioned, not too expensive, I can share with my mom, sister and hubby who have money to help pay for them, and that my kids are all old enough to have one of their own!