No Go Snow

On my way to the east coast, I made only one foray off the planned path to Baltimore, lured off interstate 80 by a sign that read, Shrine of the Holy Family 3 (miles). Chantel collects holy family figurines and I was intrigued. Besides that, I hadn't made one stop for pleasure. The area is mass agriculture, if you can imagine the fields below covered in corn, not snow. The sky was a clear blue and the glistening snow took my breath away. Within less than a minute I was sailing up and down icy roads, past the occasional farm, seeing beautiful rolling hills and remembering that at one time in my long ago life, I actually lived in snow and knew how to drive in it. The shrine was closed. It was too early in the morning. But it's a magnificent structure and definitely gets ones attention, rising up as it does out of the middle of what appeared to be thousands upon thousands of acres of farm land.

I turned the car around and headed back toward the interstate--but wait! Photo op! I couldn't leave without trying to capture even a bit of the surrounding country. After breathing frosty air and clicking away, I climbed back in my car, (my little good girl Ava), and put her in drive. We drove--for a bit--but suddenly the tires began to spin. We slid slowly backwards. I stopped and we tried again. Several times we tried to make the grade, even driving in the gravel as close to the edge of the road without going into the ditchbank. But the hill was too steep and the car wouldn't make it, even with front wheel drive. Over and over, the car back slid at the incline. On the one hand I felt sorry for her, being initiated in snow this way, poor thing. On the other hand, my little blue 1972 Ford pinto knew how to do it and in snow much deeper than this. If the pinto could do it, why couldn't she?? Then I realized the back end was loaded down with photo albums, journals, scrapbooks, and thirty years worth of photo negatives. So I did what I always do when I'm stuck. I prayed.

I could have walked down the road about a mile to a nearby farm, but I was determined to do this. I felt impressed to back up, and up and up, through the gully and keep going. Pretty soon I had a clear view of more country and I realized that it was momentum that would get us there. I went for it, cheering on Ava the whole time. I was really yelling by the time we got to the critical place. "You can do it, Go. Go. Go! Keep going, keep going! Oh that's right! We're almost there!! No, keep your foot on the gas! (That was for me). Keep going!" The steepest part of the road was at the top where we had to turn even further uphill! I held my breath and leaned forward in my seat (as if that really helped) and we made it. I didn't slow down much until I was safely back on the interstate. But I'll never forget that beautiful country, ever.

If you look carefully at the road, you'll get an idea of the rolling hills. The black area on the left is the imprint my car made when it left the road and rolled over on its side. Just kidding.

The Holy Family Shrine is in the background on the right.

The road I was stuck on. It's steeper than it looks.

The Shrine in the distance.

Several intersecting fields. This one is better if you view it on a large screen.

Quotable Kid

Tonight I noticed Owen using his shirt to wipe his nose.

Owen, I said, So that's how your shirt got so dirty---
I leaned forward and whispered so no one else would hear me:
You're using it for a boogie catcher!
He looked at me with a scowl and squinted his eyes.
Grammy, he said, That's not all!
Sometimes I use it for a napkin too, for my food!

Oh No! Grammy Caught in a Lie!

On Christmas Eve, Owen guessed what his Christmas present from me was under the assumption that I'd tell him if he guessed correctly. I found it in a store in Wyoming and he doesn't watch television, so of course there was no way he'd know what it was... I think I was redeemed though, when it turned out to be his most played with toy of the day.

Merry Christmas

"It's stocking time, Grammy!"

I open my eyes in the dark, waiting to hear the sound of Owen's feet running down the stairs. I've slept here for six nights, and I've been woken up by Owen six mornings. Usually it's just a sweet face with a smattering of freckles, inches from my face, (wake up, Grammy!) then Owen climbs in bed with me for a few minutes of snuggling and sometimes reading. This morning is different. The Christmas routine in this house is stockings first, breakfast, then opening gifts. In order to keep the too-large-to-wrap gifts from being seen, Santa put the stockings downstairs in the family room, right next to my room. Owen calls for me again, but today there's no eager face willing me out from beneath my down comforter. I sit up and swing my legs over the side of the bed. Old bones take a minute. Owen calls for me again, and I realize he is somewhere near, but the only light I see is coming through the well-windows. Owen calls it the crack of dawn, when there's light in the sky but the sun hasn't appeared yet. I follow the sound of his voice.

"Grammy, the light is right over there! You're looking right at it!" I flip on the switch and see Owen wrapped like a burrito sitting on the couch between two large stockings. He is ready and the sight of him waiting patiently in the dark makes me laugh. I guess Santa trumps Grammy this time.

Here I go, quoting again

Owen, who is fascinated with all things Star Wars, asked me today how old Yoda is...hmmmm...my hesitation in coming up with a definitive answer prompted this: "Yoda's pretty old! I think he's older than Grandma Dayley I mean, before she died."

Greetings from Maryland!

Well, I'm assuming that you all know that I made it here, safe and sound. Chantel and Austin are very generous with the space I now inhabit. Being with them and their boys is pure joy. I've been unpacking, and unpacking and I've also been...unpacking. I'm beginning to see light. Where did I get so much stuff??

We haven't made the connection yet between my wireless card and their modem and it may be awhile because of the holidays. So I can't post photos until I'm on my own computer.

I put my Christmas tree up tonight downstairs, part of which is the family room. Austin built a fire. Chantel put Christmas music on. Family. Love. Lights. And little chubby hands trying to hang ornaments. I love this time of year!! We may even get some real snow. Speaking of snow, watch for a post entitled, "No Go Snow." I can't tell you about it until I can post the photos that go with it. But I enjoyed an adventure, lured off the trail by a shrine to the holy family...more later...happy holidays...

Road Trip, Day 8, 9, and 10

What a beautiful world we live on! The terrain has been different in every state. I made good time on Monday and just ok time today. Either way, I'll be to Chantel's by tomorrow. Here are my impressions of each state gleaned from driving through. I would have liked to have visited some historic sites, but maybe next time:

Wyoming:

Red bluffs (but not as prevalent as in Arizona)
Mountains
Cowboys
Cowboy music
Christian Broadcasts
Rodeos
High winds and snow storms

Nebraska:

High desert plains
Cowboys
Cowboy music
Christian Broadcasts
Cattle
Pony Express
Buffalo Bill

Iowa:

I have one word for Iowa: CORN.
Not really. But I did pass literally thousands of acres of corn fields, fallow this time of year, with only the tips of their dried stalks poking up through the snow. I never got tired of looking at those rolling fields.
Farmers
Cowboy music
Christian broadcasts
State Fair

Illinois:

More corn
More rolling hills
More freeways
A big difference between Western and Eastern Illinois. I had to really pay attention as I was nearing Chicago, there were so many on and off ramps and criss-crossing highways. Bridge toll was only .60! If I had known that ahead of time (and I looked but the cost wasn't posted) I wouldn't have given the attendant a 10$ bill. He probably thought I needed the ones for something. I made sure to smile at him.

I will post photos later. I am sooooo tired...

A Hard Day

On Sunday morning I put up Mom's tree and reorganized all the stuff in my car before heading East. It was hard to leave her. She cried. If I could be in two places at once I would have stayed with her longer.

A funny shaped icicle hanging from a bush.My sweet Mama. She didn't complain about having a picture taken without her makeup on.

I was trying to smile while explaining to Mom how to use the camera.

Mom waving goodbye from the driveway. She lives in a beautiful place. I wish it wasn't so far from everything.

My Younger Brother's Brood, Day 7

After the hockey game and the play, we went back to John's house for some KFC and pictures. Savanah had to go to work so I only got to be with her for a short time. After dinner, Queston showed me some truly funny clips on Utube. I love the way John's boys always gather whenever I visit. They are hard-working, honest young men and I truly enjoy their company. I promised that next time I would stay longer. When I got back to Mom's at bedtime, she had pineapple upside down cake waiting for me. Yum!

My niece Savanah and her boyfriend George. Savanah graduated from high school the same time that I graduated from Mills. She is a sweetie.

Jantzen, Kolsen, Me, Queston, Garrett

In birth order: 4th,5th, Me again, 1st, 3rd and my brother who is an excellent parent with a huge heart, a great amount of wisdom and a truly funny, funny bone. I love you, Bo!

We look like siblings don't you think? (Except I don't have a mustache yet).
John, Martha and Theresa

Ice Hockey and a Christmas Play

Saturday turned out to be the perfect day for visiting my younger brother and his family. First we watched Jantzen (child #4) play ice hockey and Wow! What coordination, balance and strength to skate like he did, and with a hockey stick to boot. That was my first time ever at a hockey game. I kept expecting fists to fly the way the players ran into and tried blocking each other, but that didn't happen. Jantzen told me later that a fist fight in Utah will cost the offending players bench warming for three games.

We also went to the church/school of which Theresa is the new principal. She has a degree in education and a background in high school drama. She directed a play written by a local person from Vernal called, "The Here-to-fore Never Told Story of the Second Christmas". I apologize for not remembering his name. I will post it later. I met him and suggested that he write the play as a children's story and submit it for publication. If I were a publisher, I'd snap it up in a minute. The play was told through the eyes of the manger animals right as Jesus is turning a year old. Queston (19, child #1) played "Uncle Gordon" who acted as the narrator by reading a story to his family. Kolsen (14, child #5) played "Bull" and Garrett (17, #3) played "Donk" the lead role. The play is funny, clever and warm and it answers the question, "If Jesus was a King, why was he born in a stable, and why did he make his entrance into Jerusalem by riding a donkey and not something larger and more fitting of royalty?"


Hard to see but "Uncle Gordon" is wearing the Santa hat and has a child on his back.Donk has identity issues. He wants Jesus to turn him into a stallion.

Donk and Bull having a conversation.

"Uncle Gordon" talking with his relative.

"Bull" talking to the sheep about "Donk"

"Donk" and "Bull" together.

"Donk"learns the truth.

Curtain call.Full cast curtain call.

Interlude

Rocksprings, Wyoming. Quality Inn. I remember living in this town for three weeks in a small trailer on a construction site in the dead of winter. Brandon was 3 and 1/2 and Chantel was about 1. It was a motherhood adventure, trying to cook when the pipes were frozen, entertain children, keep them clean and warm, all the while using water from the neighbor's garden hose for cooking and bathing. I have sweet memories of those days. Brandon played with a little foster child named "Chewey" from the house next door; Chantel was the happiest baby. She learned to stand alone and she was so proud of herself! She took her first steps shortly after we went home to Burley.

Larry returned to Rock Springs and worked for another month, glad that we hadn't stayed with him because the temperatures dropped even more and the weather was brutal. Terry, I think his name was, offered Larry a partnership and we talked about it, but we would have had to move to Wyoming among other things. Larry enjoyed working with his father, too. Staying in Burley was a good decision and one we never regretted.

Road Trip, Days 5 and 6

All Quiet on the Western Front. I took Mom to two doctor appointments two days in a row. I like driving and it was nice to be out. Other than errands though, Mom has done a lot of cooking, (I really should write a cookbook of her recipes!) and I have been TV shopping for Christmas, and working on a "project" which I can't reveal yet because, again, blogs have ears and eyes.

Today I'm going to Vernal to hang out with my favorite younger brother John, (the one who calls me Polly Pureheart) and watch my nephew Jantzen play ice hockey. Then in the afternoon, we're all going to a matinee Christmas play directed by my oh-so-talented sister-in-law. Three of her five children have roles in the play and I believe this is an annual community event. I'm looking forward to it. Photos to follow.

Now for the latest news:

My mom is not going with me to Baltimore and just as well for various reasons. Her health won't allow it for one. I would have enjoyed the company, but I am just as happy rocking out to my music in the car, singing, or listening to conference talks. Tomorrow, Sunday, I'm leaving early in the morning. I have to back track a hundred miles in order to get to I-80 safely. I"ve been watching the weather channel and Chantel has been checking the internet. It looks like I'll be about a day behind the next storm. Hope to drive about 600 miles per day. At that rate, I'll be at Chantel's by Tuesday evening. My furniture is arriving there today, all 4,980 pounds of it. It's all their fault, those books that won't let me go...

Road Trip, Day 4

I drove almost 1000 miles before my tires hit even a patch of snow. The roads were clear through Salt Lake City, past the turn-off to Park City, through Heber, Duschene, Roosevelt, and Neola. It wasn’t until I turned off to White Rocks that the roads were more snow and ice than pavement.

Poor little White Rocks. I always feel sad whenever I pass the tiny cemetery that is really just a patch of gravely dirt, decorated with plastic flowers and personal memorabilia out in the middle of brush and fields of grazing cattle. This is high desert, not the lush green one thinks of when picturing farm land. This land is more harsh and more remote. It's also Ute Indian reservation land. The government didn't know, over a hundred years ago when this became Ute land, that it is a land rich in natural gas, and minerals. You wouldn't know it though, to see how these people live. Turning at the humble little intersection that parades as a town, White Rocks cannot hide its poverty.

Several miles later I made the final turn to Mom’s. I could see the small house and its soft blue color sitting beneath the giant elm trees, snow-covered and void of leaves this time of year. Fantastic ice icicles hung from the eaves. Snow crunched beneath my fur-lined boots as I walked up the ramp to the back porch door. I haven’t been in this much snow since the year I went to Germany and Austria for Christmas. This felt colder. The temperature was 18 degrees. I’ve been complaining for awhile now that I miss the four seasons. Well, welcome home. I’ll have to get used to this, but I look forward to the challenge.

The house front. The longest icicle is longer than Mom is tall.

This is the back of the house. It's hard to see in this picture but there's an even longer icicle here, first seen through the kitchen window. Fantastic.

Road Trip, Day 3

Tuesday morning I awoke late in the Adam’s guest room after sleeping like a princess on soft sheets under a down comforter with a silk duvet. All was quiet, but it wasn’t the quiet of loneliness or the sweet solitude I have come to treasure as I grow older, but a gentle feeling of peace that permeated their beautiful home. Evidence of Clytie’s touch was everywhere, from portraits of her daughters’ weddings on the walls, to an antique velvet settee, to eucalyptus bows and plush white towels in the guest bathroom. Outside, beneath the clear blue morning sky, deep white snow covered a sloping hill full of scrub oaks. I could just make out a terraced path that leads down to a creek.

During breakfast at the heavy wooden table, Clytie and Spence and I reminisced about the Pittsburg ward they had left behind when their mission ended almost two years ago. It was the same ward that welcomed my return to activity, literally with open arms, the people who loved and counseled Brandon during what I consider the darkest days of his life, the place where I met Gloria and Julie, lifelong friends, and the ward where I learned to really lead music, not just wave my arms around.

I had been somewhat nervous when the invitation came from the bishop to lead the singing of hymns on Sundays. I love music both singing it and listening to it, but leading it is something different. Sister Adams made me forget my anxiety when she said, “You know, you could get up there (in front of the congregation) and wave a dead chicken around and no one would notice; they don’t pay attention to the chorister!) I had to laugh. It is true; many people sing with their noses in their hymnbooks, but by the time I left the ward, I had developed a relationship between chorister and organist, and chorister and ward.

The Adams and I continued to talk together in that easy way so natural among friends. It seems that we had simply taken up where we left off. Suddenly, I saw through the sliding doors, movement in the back yard. Three mule deer had come to feed. Clytie said they’ve seen as many as seven at one time in their back yard. I ran for my camera. One doe in particular was more curious than the other two. As my camera flashed, she walked closer and closer until she was a mere 12 or 14 feet from the door. When the deer moved toward the hill, we went downstairs to the guest room and watched them through the window.

I left the Adams house shortly after that. They hugged me and invited me to return any time. And like others who love and care for me, they cautioned me to be careful as I drive. Clytie and Spence, I love you and will always treasure our friendship. P.S. Remember to document those fabulous photos hanging on the office wall. xo

Road Trip, Days 1 and 2

Yesterday amidst hugs and tears and laughter, I had a great send-off from the chocolate shop...boy, do I have treats!! Rachel is kind of like our Mom in that she loves to send us off with food...(if you have Thanksgiving at her house, you can be certain you'll go home with turkey and dressing). I was saying my goodbyes when she pointed me in the direction of the store front and handed me a large shopping bag with instructions to fill it up. I had fun doing that and I felt a bit of nostalgia. Christmas in Rachel's store has a bit of a magic feel to it. I'm going to miss that, but I'm looking forward to delivering goodies to my mother and others. I can't be too specific about who is getting what because this blog has ears, or at least eyes...

Rachel and I decided that if I get stranded or buried in a snowdrift on this trip, I have enough food in my car to last a month. Seriously...a box of Clementines--I love those things and they're easy to peel and sweet, ummm, a banana, (well, 1/2 a banana as of tonight), two large and two small chocolate and caramel covered fuji apples, pecan pralines, almond bark, english toffee, caramels, chocolate santas and tin soldiers, and if that weren't enough, sweet Jazzy sent me off with two large containers of homemade granola and a container of lemon cookies. Did I forget anything? Probably.

In addition, (for all you die-hard worriers) I have a gallon of water, snow chains, gloves, pliers and various sized sockets, jumper cables, emergency light sticks (the florescent kind you snap and they glow for awhile), and a flashlight. My phone is with me, my gas tank is never less than 1/2 full, my tires were recently rotated and balanced, the car received an alignment, my brakes were checked and my oil changed. I have some windsheild fluid that has antifreeze in it, and my
windsheild wipers are in good shape. I also have a map of the United States and a trip tik booklet from AAA with my route mapped out exactly (unless I decide to take a detour into the wilderness back roads (not really, just kidding))

By the time I said my goodbyes, stopped at the atm for cash and was actually on the road, it was 4 pm. I drove across the new span of the Martinez-Benicia bridge for the first time and then on through Vacaville and Fairfield. (Did you know that Vacaville is really a strange combination? Vaca means cow in Spanish, and ville is, I believe, French for a small town, go figure), anyway, the drive was uneventful and as I drove up into the mountains and over Donner, I had the strangest feeling that I'd done that before---like---a week ago?? I also thought about a geography teacher who explained how the weather gets colder so many degrees for every thousand feet in elevation. I couldn't remember the details, but that knowledge, and the fact that I left so late in the day, made me watch the temperature drop as I drove higher into the hills. Dirty snow rimmed the highway, but otherwise, the roads were clear.

I drove as far as Lovelock, Nevada last night. Stayed at the Royal Inn which has an autographed picture of Merle Haggard from 2006 sitting on the check-in counter. According to the gentleman behind the desk, Merle stayed there last year, as did Shania Twain and someone else "country" and famous, but being a mostly non-fiction writer I hate to guess and be wrong, so I'll just admit that I can't remember the third person, but the older gentleman was very proud of his claim to fame and I pretended to be indubitably impressed.

This morning I found out an important piece of information for travelers: Lovelock, Nevada does not have a bakery, a donut man, or a restaurant that sells homemade cinnamon rolls. Not even Safeway has anything close. I did, however, find out that the local Chevron sells Krispy Kremes. Too late; I had already gassed up at Two Stiffs Market, which is right across the street from the Whiskey Creek bar and grill and down a ways from the Cowpoke Cafe which I would have gone to had they been open...

From Lovelock I drove on...and on...and on...(I wonder how many sagebrush bushes grow in Nevada, or are they called Sage brushes?) I used the cruise control most of the way, stopping in Wells to gas up. When I arrived in Salt Lake City, it was dark and trying to snow. Traffic was slow but the drivers were friendly. They let me in whenever I had to change lanes. As I drove north on I-15 to Kaysville, I listened to music from The Nutcracker. I thought about Owen, who went to see that recently with his mother. I wondered if he can identify the instruments by the different sounds they make...when I arrived I was welcomed, literally, with open arms by Clytie and Spence, a couple who served a mission in Bay Point two years ago. They are lovely people and I'll tell you more about them later. Right now, I'm going to turn in for bed. Since tomorrow my destination is White Rocks, Utah, and that leg of this journey will take only three hours, I'm going to sleep in so, goodnight John-boy, goodnight Meemaw, goodnight Poppa, ...zzzzzzzzz

Don't Hold Your Breath!

Originally I had planned to leave California today, but I had trouble with the moving company (sent 'em packing, no pun intended) and I had to find another one. The new moving company driver should be here within a hour or so. I will probably leave California on Saturday as long as it's clear going over Donner. Woo! Hoo!!!

Soren meets Rolan 11.24.07

Two little dolls.Who is this kid hugging me?

I'll trust my cousin Soren 'cuz my dad's here watchin' out for me.

(I'd know Clayton's hands anywhere)

Owen meets Rolan 11.24.07

I think Owen is fascinated with his little cousin.Look at these faces! I love their different expressions. This is one of my favorites of the photos that Chantel took.

The Most Beautiful Boys

Chantel took these and the photos above of her boys, Owen and Soren, meeting their new cousin, Rolan. These were taken at Beverly's house in Idaho when we all met there for Mother's funeral. I wish I could have seen this exchange in person, but Larry and Brandon and I were still driving from California. We arrived in Burley later that day. Look at the gentle sweetness on Soren's and Owen's faces.

Whirlwind or My Life the Last 10 Days

waiting, crying, driving, snowing, stopping, sleeping, missing, kissing, eating, greeting, weeping, reading, watching, walking, washing, praying, packing, bending, writing, speaking, sitting, lifting, laughing, hoping, closing, taping, talking, stretching, thinking, thanking, hugging, snapping, singing, rocking, shopping, fasting, climbing, playing, yelling, loving, living.

Too Cute for Words