An Attitude Of Gratitude

Neil A. Anderson has said - “We live in an exciting time. Never in the history of the earth has our Heavenly Father given so much to His children. I fear that, with our abundance of luxuries, our automobiles and cell phones, our video games and GPS navigation systems, our lives of plenty and ease, we sometimes forget to ‘confess the Lord’s hand in all things.’”

Gordon B. Hinckley shared similar thoughts:  "Be grateful.  How thankful we ought to be.  How comfortably we live.  How very easy is life compared to what it once was. . . .  We have it so easy, so pleasant, so delightful.  We ride in cars that are warm in the winter and cool in the summer.  What a great season in the history of the world this is in which to be alive... [We have] the miracles of medicine,the miracles of science, the miracles of communication, transportation, education -- what a wonderful time in which to live.  Of all of these wondrous, challenging things with which we live, I hope you regard it a blessing to be alive in this great age of the world. . . .  I hope you walk with gratitude in your hearts, really. Grateful people are respectful people. Grateful people are courteous people. Grateful people are kindly people. Be grateful."

Joseph F. Smith said the following: "I believe that one of the greatest sins of which the inhabitants of the earth are guilty today is the sin of ingratitude, the want of acknowledgement, on their part, of God and his right to govern and control. We see a man raised up with extraordinary gifts, or with great intelligence.  He attributes his success to his own energies, labor and mental capacity. He does not acknowledge the hand of God in anything connected with his success, but ignores him altogether and takes the honor to himself."

Take for instance a farmer, who grows tomatoes, and is very proud of the bright red, juicy tomatoes that he is now enjoying.  He thinks he has a right to be proud, after all, he tilled the ground, planted the seeds, watered them, and nurtured them.  But has he given thought to who provided the seed, who provided the fertile soil, who provided the water, who provided the sunlight, and who provided the knowledge of how to grow tomatoes?  How much better to live with an "attitude of gratitude", and remember to count your blessings!

What Is Love?

I don't pretend to know what love is for everyone, but I can tell you what it is for me; love is knowing all about someone, and still wanting to be with them more than any other person - wanting to be with them forever!  Love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of. Love is feeling comfortable and safe with someone, but still getting weak knees when they walk into a room and smile at you.  Love is expressing gratitude for those feelings every day!

America's Team - but not in Philly!

When I was 8 years old, my grandparents took me to IHOP.  They were giving away miniature football helmets with the purchase of an ice cream sundae, and wow, wouldn't it be cool to have my own mini football helmet?  Now back then I didn't know one football team from another, so when asked which helmet I'd like, I thought the silver one with the blue star was neater than the rest.  So I came home with my prized possession, and became a Dallas Cowboys fan.  Nothing wrong with that, right?  Well, that Christmas, a good majority of my presents were Dallas Cowboys related - a new winter jacket, ski hat, sweater, gloves... I thought I'd be the coolest kid on the block - maybe even the whole school!  

 

Boy was I wrong!  See, I grew up in Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, and with the hometown Eagles being bitter division rivals, being a Cowboys fan was totally uncool. Sure, the Cowboys were a better team, making it to the Super Bowl in 1976, 1978, and 1979, even winning a championship by beating the Denver Broncos 27-10 in Super Bowl XII.  The Eagles would have their day in the sun though. After losing to the Cowboys in all but 3 games from 1967-1979, the Eagles finished first in the NFC East in 1980, and beat Dallas 20-7 to advance to their first ever Super Bowl, in which they lost to the Oakland Raiders. 33 years later, they are still seeking that elusive Super Bowl Championship ring, while the Cowboys have 5, and are promoted as "America's Team". The Eagles do have 3 NFL championships to their credit, but the last was in 1960, ironically, the year before the Cowboys came into existence.   Their rivalry has been one of the higher profile rivalries in the NFL over the past 3 decades, and it continues next Thursday in front of a national TV audience on Thanksgiving Day.   

The Day The Music Died

Many people say "the music died" February 3, 1959, when rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and  J.P "The Big Bopper" Richardson died in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa.  Others, of course, remember Elvis' passing on August 16, 1977 as the day the music died.

For me, the day the music died was 33 years ago today - November 12, 1981.  Although I've lost loved ones since, no ones passing affected me as much as when Burl Strevel died. 

I credit him, his love, his friendship, and his music with The Blue Ridge Quartet for making me the man I am today.  Others have shared similar thoughts with me - "He was loved and he also was a GREAT MAN!!"  "Great Man and Great Entertainer..They don't make People like this anymore..."  "We could use a world full of Burl Strevel's !!!"  "Burl always had a smile and word for everybody. I have seen him take rough situations they were handed and turn them into winners time and time again.!" 

Thank you, to his family, for sharing this wonderful man with me, and with all of the Blue Ridge Quartet's fans.  My thoughts are with you today, and always.  May this last thought, from my friend Robbie bring you peace:  "I've said it 100 times...if Burl Strevel didn't make it to Heaven, not much use in the rest of us trying."

The music and memories live on - visit fellow fans at
Blue Ridge Quartet Fans, Friends, and Family

Honey Boo Boo

So I read where "Honey Boo Boo" got cancelled.

Alright, I confess...  I had no idea what "Honey Boo Boo" was.  Still don't, actually.  And all I knew about Boo Boo is he is Yogi's bear friend, who is more interested in pic-a-nic baskets than honey. 

But anyway, I decided I better do some research and get up to speed on this newsworthy event.  And pretty much, I'm sorry I did!  This Mama June character brings a new meaning to "trailer trash".  I wonder how many of Jeff Foxworthy's "You Might Be A Redneck..." jokes were written about her?  On second thought, no, rednecks might be offended by my associating her with them!  I won't even begin to get into the sordid details and accusations - I'll just say it's a good thing this "Mama" won't be exploiting her daughter on TV any longer. 

Halloween and Christianity

Some may say that Halloween isn't a Christian holiday.  I can see their point, with witches, goblins, devils, skeletons and the like running around haunted houses. But
Halloween most certainly is a Christian Holiday.  The definition of Halloween is literally "Hallowed evening" or "holy evening".  It marks the beginning of a feast dedicated
to remembering the dead, including saints, martyrs, and all the faithful departed Christian believers. 

The next time you see a Jack-O-Lantern, think of how being a Christian is just like carving that pumpkin.  God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you.  He opens
you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff - including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc.  Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see! 

Nobody Bakes A Cake As Tasty As A Tastykake!

One of my college roommates once told me "There's no melon like a Howell melon." Now I've never been to Howell, Michigan, and I've never tried a Howell melon, but when I think of my love for Tastykakes, I just might be inclined to believe him! What Tim was really saying, is that there is a certain pride one can take in a "homegrown" product, and when you taste anyone else's similar offering, it is inferior to the one you grew up with. For me, Hostess, Drakes, and Little Debbies will never come close to the satisfaction I get eating a Tastykake!

The first Tastykakes were baked 100 years ago, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1914. The concept was to bake individual size snack cakes, and deliver them fresh daily. For this reason, until the 1980's, Tastykakes weren't available outside of the Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey area.

Improved distribution made the cakes available as far west as Ohio, and as far south as Florida. A 2011 merger with Flowers Foods has allowed Tastykake to bring their snack cakes to stores around the country, introducing millions of Americans to one of Philadelphia's best loved treats. And making them available to me in Texas! Indeed, "Nobody Bakes A Cake As Tasty As A Tastykake!"

Sweetest Singing This Side Of Heaven

I first became acquainted with the Blue Ridge Quartet in 1973, after my grandmother had seen them on their TV show "Music For All America".  The lead singer at that time was LaVerne Tripp, and she felt such a strong spirit from his voice and the words he was singing.  He certainly blessed her life, and after my first concert, they blessed my life - and even though they disbanded in 1986, they continue to bless my life and the lives of many others.  Their music and message are timeless!    
   

The Blue Ridge Quartet was formed in Raleigh, North Carolina in 1946.  At the close of World War II, when the warm secure feeling of peace once again shrouded the world, returning servicemen put into reality their dreams of resuming their life's vocation.  Each rushed hurriedly to his calling - business, labor, teaching, preaching, singing - oh yes - SINGING!  And though the personnel in the group changed over the years, they became one of the premier gospel singing groups, and were billed as "The Sweetest Singing This Side Of Heaven".  As Robbie Huber states on the Blue Ridge Quartet's Facebook group page - "The first time you saw them you were a fan, the second time you were a friend, after that you were family!"  And those aren't just words - the Blue Ridge were, and are, friends and family.

Check out some of the "sweetest singing" in these videos, and join the family!

How Rare A Possession!

The introduction page of The Book of Mormon states:
"The Book of Mormon is a volume of scripture comparable to the Bible.  It is a record of God's dealings with ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains the fulness of the everlasting gospel."
"We invite men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true.  Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost."
On a recent episode of Pawn Stars, an 1842 edition of The Book of Mormon was brought into the shop.  Owner Rick Harrison knew the book was potentially valuable, but even he was surprised at HOW valuable it really was.  He brought in his "book expert", who appraised the volume of scripture at $40,000!                                         

Of course, you don't need to spend that amount of cash to read The Book of Mormon, in fact, missionaries from The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints will be happy to give you a copy for free.  After reading it, you just might agree with Mormons worldwide who know just how priceless a possession it is!

What Is This World Coming To???

I will not argue the fact that everyone at one time or another, has been the recipient of bad food or bad service at a fast-food restaurant.  Lets face it, it happens.  Especially when you are talking about teenagers who are making minimum wage, have no work ethic or pride in a job well done, or simply just don't care. But there are just as many out there who do care, and so when I hear restaurant horror stories, I always wonder if they are true.  Like the lady who reported finding a finger in her chili at Wendy's a few years back. Yes, accidents happen.  But it is beyond belief that a fast-food worker could lose a finger, and management not know about it...or care...or investigate and attempt to find the finger...  Lo and behold, it was a hoax. Someone just out to make a fast buck at the expense of others.  So, I shook my head in disbelief when it was reported that a 3 year old with a scarred face was kicked out of KFC last week for "upsetting the other patrons."  Sadly, I can see a few misguided humans who were afraid to look at this girl's face.

And I could see them saying something about it, because people can be cruel sometimes, especially if someone is different than they are.  But for a manager to ask a paying customer to leave? Beyond belief. I was in fast-food management for a very long time, and believe me, I would have been in fast-food management a very SHORT time if I had an attitude like that! Now I admire KFC very much for stepping up and doing the right thing - even to the point of an apology and offer to pay all of this young girl's medical bills. And to take appropriate action by investigating and giving walking papers to whoever committed this unpardonable and deplorable act. No surprise to me then, that upon further review, the traumatized 3 year old had never even been to KFC. It was a lie!  It never happened! Seriously people, what is this world coming to???  I read so many comments from people who will NEVER set foot in KFC again because of one employee's actions.  That is how bad the offense was.  And think of the millions in sales lost, and the possible job losses as a result.  All because of one person's greed and deceit? What ever happened to honesty?

Farrah Fawcett & The Shawshank Redemption

5 years ago today, this is what everyone was talking about.  At least until Michael Jackson stole the show...

"And so when Andy Dufresne came to me in 1949 and asked if I could smuggle Rita Hayworth into the prison for him, I said it would be no problem at all. And it wasn't." - Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption - Stephen King

If that book was written about a prisoner in 1976, you can be sure Farrah would have been his poster of choice.

Andy had his Rita Hayworth, and I had Farrah. First published in Life magazine in 1976, it is the best-selling pin-up poster of all time, with more than 12 million copies sold.

I feel like I lost a part of my childhood on Thursday, and I'm sure I'm not alone.


February 2, 1947 – June 25, 2009 RIP Farrah :-(

The Blame Game

In December 2008 I took a picture of the current gas prices - the lowest I'd seen in a very long time.  Keep in mind, this was a month after Barack Obama was elected President, but a month before he took office.  A certain George W. Bush was in office then, and to say he got the blame for a failing economy would be an understatement.

Shouldn't he get some credit for the $1.34 price I paid back then?  It has risen ever since he left the White House. Twice in the last 6 years, I've actually been able to purchase gas for under $3.00, and that was with the help of an 11 cent grocery store discount card.  But the economy is recovering, right?  4 more years of Obama will turn things around, right?  So the other day, gas prices rose another 20 cents, literally overnight. I took to Facebook to vent my frustration, wondering exactly where the blame would fall. I joked that maybe Hillary had decided to run for President, because it is about as ridiculous a reason as any for the price of gas to rise.  Of course I was then promptly blasted by a few closed-minded liberal democrats, who think that Hillary for President is exactly what we need. Ummm, no. Hillary thinks that a net worth of 12 million is "dead broke." Seriously? When was the last time she had to worry about having enough money to fill the tank?  And before y'all go off on me about Mitt Romney being out of touch, hey, at least he didn't deny being rich!  What we need is answers, not another 4 or, heaven forbid, 8 years of someone who refuses to take the blame. The media says Iraq is to blame.  Sorry, unrest in the Middle East can't cause the price of gas already in the pumps in the United States to rise.  And don't get me started on bacon.  I'm sure Iraq has everything to do with the price of bacon doubling in the last month.

Tony Gwynn 1960-2014

Just one glance into my den, and you will realize the important place following sports has played in my life. All of my heroes are displayed there, kind of like my own personal Hall of Fame for these guys. Sadly, another of these heroes has passed on, and way too soon...

From 1976 - 1992, I was what you might say, anywhere from an interested to a serious baseball card collector.  Being an avid Phillies fan, Mike Schmidt was who I collected most, but when he retired in May 1989, I was left without a favorite player. Tony Gwynn filled that void, and he will be remembered fondly.
15 time all-star, 8 time National League batting champ, 5 gold gloves, 2 World Series appearances, .338 lifetime batting average, 3141 hits, and of course, a plaque in Cooperstown.

Men Should Be Happier People!

Just in time for Father's Day, a re-posting from my old blog:
Men Should Be Happier People!

Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can never be pregnant. Car mechanics tell you the truth. You never have to drive to another gas station because this one is "just too icky". You don't have to stop and think about which way to turn a bolt. Wrinkles add character.  Wedding dress = $5,000 Tux rental = $100.

People never stare at your chest when you are talking to them. The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. A 5-day vacation requires 1 suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.

Your underwear is $8.95 for a 3-pack. Three pair of shoes are more than enough. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays it's original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe even decades. You only have to shave your face and neck. You can play with toys all your life. Your belly usually hides your big hips. One wallet and one pair of shoes one color for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice regarding growing a mustache. You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

Guns In School

I intended to sit down and write about the senseless murder of 2 police officers and an innocent bystander in Las Vegas, but was shocked to silence by yet another school shooting.  One might very well ask, "What is this world coming to???" Since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut on December 12, 2012, there have been 74 school shootings.  74 in 18 months!  Something needs to be done, of that there is no question.

But let's not blame guns. Yes, guns were used, but guns do not kill people. They just happen to be the tool of choice. Sort of like how my computer keyboard isn't writing this blog, or my pen isn't writing the rent check. Do we blame the car when someone is killed by a drunk driver?  I repeat, guns do not kill people.  People kill people!  I just don't see how making guns illegal will solve anything.  Just because something is illegal, does that make teenagers less likely to do it?  Underage smoking is illegal.  Underage drinking is illegal. Recreational drug use is illegal. But is that stopping kids?  I'm even willing to go so far as to say that if these things were legal, less young people would be using them. Why? There is no thrill in doing something legal. No peer pressure. No risk of getting caught. Just because obtaining a gun and carrying it to school is illegal, doesn't mean it won't happen. All these teenagers have to do is turn on the TV or movies with people getting killed, and we call it "entertainment." And all they have to do is watch the news to see real-life adults using guns to kill. Once a person has it in their mind to commit murder, being unable to get a gun probably isn't going to stop them. If it wasn't a gun, it would be a knife, or any other weapon.  So let's forget the guns and focus on why.  Why are these kids being so violent?  Why are they so angry?  What can we do to help them know that murder is not the answer?

Dear Officer...

I'd really appreciate an explanation for why you decided it was necessary to follow me when I was driving home from grocery shopping the other night. The last I knew, it wasn't a crime to leave your home in the evening and purchase a few things.  I parked legally, entered the store, bought sponge cakes to go with my dessert, got in my car, started it up, exited the parking lot (after coming to a complete stop, using my turn signal, and waiting for oncoming traffic) and for this I was rewarded by you making a right turn and following me for 8 blocks. Did I know you were following me?  Not at first, but the fact that you turned in to my apartment complex behind me, and stopped just short of where I parked my car was a pretty good clue! That and the fact that you sat there and waited until my wife and I exited my vehicle and were heading up the stairs until you moved.  Was it the fact that I was actually driving the speed limit that made me look so suspicious?  That I used my turn signal? That my car is green? That I have a beautiful wife and you wanted a closer look?  Seriously dude, back off! I'm sure if there aren't any other law abiding citizens you can harass, at least there might be a few stale doughnuts left over at Shipley's...

The Cowboy Rides Away

The year was 1981, and a fellow by the name of George Strait was on my radio singing about how the woman he had wrapped around his finger just come unwound.... With disc jockey friends, and disc jockey aspirations, I just had to have this song in my collection. Unable to find the single, I opted to buy the album, and the rest, as they say, is history...  Remember, this was still a few years before "The Nashville Network" would become popular, and country music videos, well, they didn't exist.  So the only way you'd know what a singer looked like was to maybe see them on "The Tonight Show", live in person, or, of course, the photo on their album.

And that is where my Mom became unwound!  She fell in love with the man, stole my album, and has been his #1 fan ever since!  With a smile, I can say I blame George for the fact that I now live in Texas. (No regrets there, if not, I wouldn't have met my lovely wife!) After so many years of coming to Kingsville for George's team roping & concert, my parents fell in love with the area and retired here.  33 years, millions of albums sold, and more than 60 #1 country singles later, he is retiring from touring; indeed, this is where the cowboy rides away.  So my Mom, like many others, is very sad as King George's farewell tour comes to a close. Thanks for the memories George, it's been one heck of a ride!

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore...

I, like most of America who grew up watching The Brady Bunch, feel like I lost a good friend on Sunday. Ann B. Davis, who played Alice on the late 60's - early 70's sitcom, passed away after a fall at her home in San Antonio, Texas.  Alice was always there for the Brady kids, and in a way, she was always there for me as well, and millions of other faithful viewers. Every day, I could count on coming home from school, and Alice would be there, in syndication, in the kitchen, getting dinner ready, offering milk and cookies, and ready to solve our problems.

Laura Turner, of Religion News Service, writes that "Ann B. Davis had a long and varied career before audiences ever knew her as Alice on The Brady Bunch.  But it was as a housemaid to America's favorite blended family that she became one of the most beloved television characters of her day, and for good reason.  Davis played Alice with a deft mix of physical comedy, compassion, and practical problem-solving acumen.  She was Dear Abby, Julia Child, and a Lucille Ball-esque character all in one."

Seriously, who didn't wish they could have Alice working in their home?  While she never married, she made a full life out of her career, her community, and her devotion to the Christian faith.  Rest In Peace, Alice; we know you will be happy in your Heavenly home :-)

Bullying

The more I have read on the subject, the more I feel for the young girls in Utah who had their yearbook photos altered.  Really, it's just a case of bullying.  How can I jump to that conclusion? One of the students is quoted as saying "It's like they targeted certain social groups. They're picking and choosing certain people - whoever they want."  The girl whose tattoo was digitally removed says "Every time I look in the mirror or look at a picture of me that shows a little bit of my tattoo, it reminds me that I am enough the way I am."

And what is bullying?  Targeting someone, anyone, who is different from yourself.  Different in any way. Older, younger, shorter, taller, fat, skinny, wears glasses, has pimples, stutters, has different religious beliefs, has tattoos ...  And because they are different, they are singled out, and by using fear and control, they are brought to tears.  It is abuse, pure and simple.  Check out this poor grandmother being bullied on a school bus:


And before you put away the Kleenex, this music video should put all bullies to shame:

The abuse can be verbal, mental, or physical, it is still the same - for the person being bullied, it hurts!  And it needs to stop!  The tattoo discussed earlier is a perfect statement we can use for anyone who has been bullied.  Just because you may be different than those around you, still, you are enough the way you are!

Cover Up

Some female students at a Utah high school apparently broke the "modesty" standards for their yearbook, and discovered that their pictures had been "photoshopped", with sleeves and necklines added to cover their skin, and a tattoo removed.

The school says the students "should have known their scandalous tank tops and v-necks would be fixed in the yearbook."   The school claims the yearbook photos were altered to comply with the school's dress code, which bans "extreme clothing", including "inappropriately short, tight, or revealing shorts, skirts, dresses, tank shirts, halters, or crop tops."

Yes, this is Utah, where the majority of the students are Mormon, and follow the LDS church guidelines of modesty:  "Our clothing expresses who we are.  It sends messages about us, and it influences the way we and others act"..."Revealing and sexually suggestive clothing, which includes short shorts and skirts, tight clothing and shirts which do not cover the stomach, can stimulate desires and actions that violate the Lord's law of chastity"..."Modesty is an attitude of propriety and decency in dress, grooming, language, and behavior.  If we are modest, we do not draw undue attention to ourselves."

So here's the problem...or my problem with this issue.  If these young women showed up for their school pictures so "inappropriately" dressed, why were they not sent home to change?  More than likely, because it is the way they have been dressing all year.  And if it is not an issue for them to wear "revealing" clothing to school, why should it be an issue in the school yearbook?  And why were only some of the pictures altered? 2 girls wearing the same outfit, one gets airbrushed, and one doesn't?

 

Memorial Day

Just wondering, how many of my friends and readers ran out and bought a mattress yesterday? Anyone? See, I'm just trying to figure out what honoring and remembering those who have died serving our country has anything to do with mattresses!  All over the TV, radio, and newspaper were these ads for mattress sales.

Memorial Day mattress sales?  Is it because sleeping in on your 3-day weekend makes you more prone to notice how lumpy and sagging your current mattress is?  Because I could have just as easily noticed that on Martin Luther King Day, or President's Day.  $0 down, 0% financing, no payments for 90 days... Can't we just get back to the true meaning of holidays without turning each one into a shopping frenzy?  Ponder the picture below for a few minutes.  THAT is what Memorial Day is about.

 

Sacrifice For Me

Several years ago on Memorial Day, I recommended a book written by my friend Joe Bonsall, of the Oak Ridge Boys. His book "G.I. Joe & Lillie" is a beautifully written love story, about his parents - Joseph Sloan Bonsall, who served in the United States Army during World War II, and Lillie Maude Collins, who served in the United States Women's Army Corps. The story of G.I. Joe & Lillie helps us all remember that true love never, ever dies.

This year, I am sharing a song written by Joe, called "Sacrifice For Me" - remembering all of those who have paid with their lives so we can be free...

For The Record...

Some Mormon women sing...

Some Mormon women dance...

Some Mormon women write scary stories...

Some Mormon women have lots of money and really great hair...

I know hundreds of Mormon women. They do all kinds of different things and live all different kinds of lives.

This woman served as a leader in the Mormon church. She recently spoke to teenage girls worldwide. She encouraged them to stand up to peer pressure, strengthen their families and serve others.

None of the Mormon women I know look like this...

None of them are marrying off their teenage daughters and-- although some may joke about wanting a sister-wife (preferably one who is really fat & ugly, does bathrooms and changes diapers)--none of them really want to share their husband with anyone.

Furthermore...

Some Mormon guys can throw a ball...

Some Mormon guys yell at the ball...

Some Mormon guys make scary movies...

Some Mormon guys have a lot of money and really great hair...

I know hundreds of Mormon guys. They do all kinds of different things and live all kinds of different lives.

This is one of the leaders of the Mormon church. Last year he spoke about honoring women, especially mothers, and gave advice to husbands and children about how to treat the women in their lives.

None of the Mormon men I know look like this...

The Mormon men I know are honest and hard-working. They don't cheat, smoke, drink or gamble.

And TRUST ME....the last thing any of them want is another wife.

Another Sleepless Night...

I hear the train a comin', It's rolling 'round the bend.... and it's loud blasted whistle/horn is always waking me up or keeping me from going to sleep!  Seriously, I've lived near trains before, and I've never had it this bad. I mean, I lived in a mobile home park in Utah, where the tracks ran less than half a football field away. Yeah, they were so close to my trailer, Steve Young could have thrown a football and hit a passing train. As it approached a crossing, it would give 4 short toots of it's horn, and 2 long ones.  Not like you needed them, the floor was already shaking like San Francisco.  Several times a day, every day, I would pray that the choo-choo, chug-chug, clickity-clack, rackity-racket vibrations of the passing Union Pacific wouldn't knock the walls down.

But that wasn't as bad as this train and it's whistle-blowing engineer!  We live close to a mile from the tracks, and from any at-grade crossing, but I hear him coming.  With the windows shut.  With the TV and fan on. Probably if I was wearing earplugs I'd hear him coming!  I have deaf friends, and even they would hear this train! Now I understand the need for warning -"hey, you - dude parked on the train tracks, get out of the way!"  Or even, "hey moron, you may think your car is fast but you will not beat me to the crossing!"  But this train is blowing his whistle constantly for his entire trip through Harlingen.  At 2AM!  What is the point of waking an entire neighborhood just because you have a fascination with blowing your horn???  Now he's got me singing:

I've been working on the railroad
All the live-long day
I've been working on the railroad Just to pass the time away.
Can't you hear the whistle blowiung,
Rise up so early in the morn;
Can't you hear the captain shouting
"Dinah, blow your horn!"  

Dinah won't you blow,
Dinah won't you blow,
Dinah won't you blow your horn?

Things As They Really Are

"If the adversary cannot entice us to misuse our physical bodies, then one of his most potent tactics is to beguile you and me as embodied spirits to disconnect gradulally and physically from things as they really are. In essence, he encourages us to think and act as if we were in our premortal, unembodied state.  And if we let him, he can cunningly employ some aspects of modern technology to accomplish his purposes. Please be careful of becoming so immersed and engrossed in pizels, texting, earbuds, twittering, online social networking, and potentially addictive ises of media and the Internet that you fail to recognize the importance of your physical body and miss the richness of person to person communication. Beware of digital displays and data in many forms of computer-mediated interaction that can displace the full range of physical capacity and experience."

Wow!  Are you like me, and spending way too much time online?  Have you fallen into the trap of texting instead of real phone conversations?  These, and many other distractions are part of Satan's plan to make us miserable, just as he is.  For more on this subject, I encourage you to read David A. Bednar's full message, given May 3, 2009.

The Second Ten Commandments

1. Thou shall not worry, for worry is the most unproductive of all human activities.

2. Thou shall not be fearful, for most things we fear will never come to pass.

3. Thou shall not cross bridges before you come to them, for no one has yet succeeded in accomplishing this.

4. Thou shall face each problem as it comes.  You can only handle one at a time anyway.

5. Thou shall not take problems to bed with you, for they make very poor bedfellows.

6. Thou shall not borrow other people's problems. They can care for them better than you can.

7. Thou shall not try to relive yesterday for good or ill, it is forever gone. Concentrate on what is happening in your life and be happy now!

8. Thou shall be a good listener, for only when you listen do you hear ideas different than your own.  It is hard to learn something new when you are talking, and some people do know more than you do.

9. Thou shall not become "bogged down" by frustratio, for 90% of it is rooted in self-pity and will only interfere with positive action.

10. Thou shall count your blessings, never overlooking the small ones, for a lot of small blessings add up to a big one!

The Fix

Ever since 1998, when the Utah Jazz faced the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Finals, I've been pretty much convinced of 2 things - 1) Instant replay was desperately needed, and 2) The games are fixed.

A bit of background:  The Jazz had the best record in basketball that year, but also are the league's smallest market city.  They went in to Game 6 against the Bulls, down 3-2, but playing in front of the home crowd in the noisy, friendly (for them) confines of the Delta Center.  With just under 10 minutes left in the 2nd quarter, Jazz guard Howard Eisley hit a 3-point shot with 1 second clearly remaining on the shot clock, however, referee Dick Bavetta waved the shot off, and it didn't count.

Later in the game, with the Bulls behind 79-76, guard Ron Harper was credited with a 3 point shot that clearly left his hands after the shot clock had expired.  End result?  The Bulls won the game 87-86, and their 6th NBA Championship, and Michael Jordan walks away a hero.  Fixed?  Most certainly.  There is no way the NBA would allow the small market Jazz to send Michael Jordan with his billions of dollars in merchandise sales, and billion dollar endorsement deals, home as a loser.  The Jazz as NBA Champs? Who, outside of Utah would have bought those hats, jerseys, and t-shirts?  Clearly, for those watching at home, who enjoy watching the game without taking sides, the time for instant replay had come.  With it, the Jazz win by 5, that is of course, assuming the refs wouldn't have controlled the game in other ways....

Fast forward to Tuesday night.  Instant replay has been in use for several years now, to determine matters of shot clock, and possession.  What happened at the end of the Clippers/Thunder game is a travesty of justice, and proves that even with instant replay, the refs can STILL control the outcome of the game in their favor. Everyone in the world watched the ball go out of bounds off Reggie Jackson's hand, never touched by Matt Barnes of the Clippers.  The call on the court?  Out of bounds off the Clippers, Thunder ball.  Time for the replay.  Even with 2 versions clearly showing the ball off Jackson, and the ball should go to Los Angeles, blind ineptitude prevailed.  The refs give the ball to Oklahoma City, and they hit a 3-point shot to win the game.  What else should we expect?  The Clippers to actually have a chance at an NBA Championship? The Clippers - the joke of the NBA? The Clippers - LA's ugly step-sister to the Lakers?  The Fix is in.

Mormons and Television

Isn't it funny how 50% of the population refused to vote for a Mormon as President of the United States of America; and many will refuse to allow those young men - you know the ones - they ride bicycles, wear white shirts and nametags, and look too young to shave -  into their home?  Yet at the same time, how many of these same citizens WILL allow a Mormon's invention into their home?  More than one even! Not only will they allow it in their home, they give it a prominent place in the living room, and all of their furniture faces it. They spend countless hours in front of it, being "entertained".  Yes, that's right, I am talking about the television!  Philo T. Farnsworth, a Mormon, invented the "boob tube" and demonstrated the first working model on September 7, 1927.

Although he was paid royalties by RCA, who purchased his patent, Farnsworth never became wealthy from his invention.  That is a sad irony in itself, when you think of the billions of dollars spent annually on TV ads alone!

Farnsworth claimed he invented the television for educational purposes, and after it became widely popular, his son Kent claims his Dad stated  "There's nothing on it worthwhile, and we're not going to watch it in this household, and I don't want it in your intellectual diet."  This statement does conform with how Latter Day Saints try to be selective with their entertainment, by consuming media that "inviteth and enticeth to do good" and by avoiding media "that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way" or that "presents immorality or viloence as acceptable."  That is because what we see, hear, and read influences what we desire, and therefore, how we act.  Many Latter-Day Saint families have developed a policy of not watching any movies rated "R".   Philo Farnsworth passed away in 1971, and if he was repulsed by what he saw in TV in the 1950's, can you imagine how he would feel if he turned on his invention today???

Sterling/Silver

Rather than jump right in the middle of this heated controversy, I thought it best if I waited until some of the dust settled before speaking my mind.  When news of Donald Sterling's racist comments first broke, I was shocked.  I'm not so naive as to think that racism doesn't exist, but to hear such contempt coming from someone in power, just blew my mind.  Those emotions settled quickly though, as I started to wonder if it was really Mr. Sterling whose voice was on the tape.  Right from the start, everyone from Magic Johnson to Barack Obama were playing judge and jury, violating Mr. Sterling's rights, making him GUILTY until proven INNOCENT.  That question only led to more questions, such as why his private phone conversations were being recorded, and how I would feel if I knew my private phone conversations were made available for the world to hear.  Not that I have anything to hide, but some things to me are sacred, especially what I discuss with my wife.  What we do or say within the walls of our home is our business, no one else's.  Then I got to thinking about the Declaration of Independence, and again was outraged that such prejudice and hatred is allowed to continue in this country.  I'm pretty sure Thomas Jefferson wrote "ALL Men Are Created Equal", not "All White Men", or "All Hispanic Men", or "All Men Whose Religion Is The Same As Mine"... Unfortunately, my next step for a resolution in my mind was to visit the United States Constitution, where we read about the right to free speech.  Is this what Mr. Sterling thought he would stand behind?  That the constitution says he can be a bigot and express those views without fear of punishment?  Thankfully, NBA commissioner Adam Silver did his research and determined that Mr. Sterling did indeed make those comments.  Based on the National Basketball Association's constitution, Mr. Silver's reaction was swift, necessary, and appropriate.

A lifetime ban, forced to sell his team, and a hefty fine.  Several players have "tweeted" that there is no place for racism in the NBA.  So true, so very, very true.  But this is much bigger than the NBA.  There simply is no place for racism in America, or even in the world as we know it!

Making It Last!

On Friday, my parents celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary.   Both my Mom's and my Dad's parents also celebrated 50 years of wedded bliss.

50 years of marriage sounds like quite an accomplishment....  but it is much more than that.  In our day and age when over half of all marriages end in divorce, one that lasts 50 years is truly something to be celebrated! It certainly takes more than love and attraction.  It takes communication, forgiveness, caring, selflessness, dedication, devotion, appreciation, gratitude, patience, honesty, sacrifice, and hard work.  Putting your spouse's needs before your own.   Is life all roses?  Of course, because roses do have thorns.  Feelings will be hurt.  But that is why communication is so important.  So many times, we may see our spouse do or say something that upsets us, but we need to be honest and communicate how we feel.  Never making a mountain out of a molehill.  And forgiveness is just as important, as are all of the other attributes I've mentioned.  If everyone was just a bit more caring, and less selfish, I believe that there might be more than a few starving divorce lawyers, and being invited to a 50 year wedding anniversary celebration would be commonplace!    

Footloose

As you can see from this photo, on our recent trip to Utah, Samantha greatly reduced the degrees of separation between herself and Kevin Bacon.  Here she is, dancing at the Lehi Roller Mills, where back in 1984, Bacon's character in "Footloose" carried around sacks of flour, and practiced his dance moves.

The buildings and silos remain virtually unchanged since 1902, but gone are the cornfields where his girlfriend's parents Rev. and Mrs. Shaw (John Lithgow and Dianne Weist) anxiously watch while the high school dance goes on.  The entire area is now home to fast food restaurants, fine dining, grocery stores, convenience stores, and even motels.  What a difference 30 years makes! The Roller Mills is not exactly a tourist trap, because if you are looking for Kevin Bacon or Footloose memorabilia, that won't be found here. But you can purchase biscuit, cookie, brownie, or pancake mix.  And of course, pose for a photo :-)

The Empty Egg

I did not write this story, nor do I know who to give credit to.  But it is an Easter favorite of mine, and I always have a special "empty egg" in my basket :-).

Jeremy was born with a twisted body, a slow mind and a chronic, terminal illness that had been slowly killing him all his young life. Still, his parents had tried to give him as normal a life as possible and had sent him to St. Theresa's elementary school. At the age of 12, Jeremy was only in second grade, seemingly unable to learn. 
His teacher, Doris Miller, often became exasperated with him.  He would squirm in his seat, drool and make grunting noises. At other times, he spoke clearly and distinctly, as if a spot of light had penetrated the darkness of his brain. Most of the time, however, Jeremy irritated his teacher. 
One day, she called his parents and asked them to come to St. Teresa's for a consultation. As the Foresters sat quietly in the empty classroom, Doris said to them, "Jeremy really belongs in a special school.  It isn't fair to him to be with younger children who don't have learning problems. Why, there is a five-year gap between his age and that of the other students!" Mrs. Forrester cried softly into a tissue while her husband spoke. "Miss Miller," he said, "there is no school of that kind nearby.  It would be a terrible shock for Jeremy if we had to take him out of this school. We know he really likes it here." 
Doris sat for a long time after they left, staring at the snow outside the window.  Its coldness seemed to seep into her soul.  She wanted to sympathize with the Foresters.  After all, their only child had a terminal illness.  But it wasn't fair to keep him in her class. She had 18 other youngsters to teach and Jeremy was a distraction. Furthermore, he would never learn to read or write.  Why spend any more time trying? As she pondered the situation, guilt washed over her. "Oh God," she said aloud, "here I am complaining when my problems are nothing compared with that poor family!  Please help me to be more patient with Jeremy." From that day on, she tried hard to ignore Jeremy 's noises and his blank stares.
Then one day he limped to her desk, dragging his bad leg behind him.  "I love you, Miss Miller," he exclaimed, loudly enough for the whole class to hear.  The other children snickered, and Doris's face turned red.  She stammered, "wh-why, that's very nice, Jeremy.  Now please take your seat."
Spring came, and the children talked excitedly about the coming of Easter. Doris told them the story of Jesus, and then to emphasize the idea of new life springing forth, she gave each of the children a large plastic egg. "Now," she said to them "I want you to take this home and bring it back tomorrow with something inside that shows new life.  Do you understand?"
"Yes, Miss Miller!" The children responded enthusiastically - all except for Jeremy.  He just listened intently; his eyes never left her face. He did not even make his usual noises. Had he understood what she had said about Jesus' death and resurrection?  Did he understand the assignment? Perhaps she should call his parents and explain the project to them.
That evening, Doris' kitchen sink stopped up.  She called the landlord and waited an hour for him to come by and unclog it.  After that, she still had to shop for groceries, iron a blouse and prepare a vocabulary test for the next day. She completely forgot about phoning Jeremy 's parents.
The next morning, 19 children came to school, laughing and talking as they placed their eggs in the large wicker basket on Miss Miller's desk. After they completed their math lesson, it was time to open the eggs. In the first egg, Doris found a flower. "Oh yes, a flower is certainly a sign of new life," she said.  "When plants peek through the ground we know that spring is here. "A  small girl in the first row waved her arms. "That's my egg, Miss Miller," she called out.  The next egg contained a plastic butterfly, which looked very real.  Doris held it up.  "We all know that a caterpillar changes and turns into a beautiful butterfly.  Yes, that is new life, too" little Judy smiled proudly and said, "Miss Miller, that one is mine."
Next Doris found a rock with moss on it.  She explained that the moss, too, showed life.  Billy spoke up from the back of the classroom.  "My daddy helped me!"  He beamed.  Then Doris opened the fourth egg.  She gasped. The egg was empty!  Surely it  must be Jeremy 's, she thought, and, of course, he did not understand her instructions.  If only she had not forgotten to phone his parents. Because she did not want to embarrass him, she quietly set the egg aside and reached for another. 
Suddenly Jeremy spoke up. "Miss Miller, aren't you going to talk about my egg?" Flustered, Doris replied, "but Jeremy  - your egg is empty!"  He looked into her eyes and said softly, "yes, but Jesus' tomb was empty too!"  Time stopped.  When she could speak again.  Doris asked him, "Do you know why the tomb was empty?"  "Oh yes!" Jeremy exclaimed.  "Jesus was killed and put in there.  Then his Father raised him up!"  The recess bell rang.  While the children excitedly ran out to the school yard, Doris cried. The cold inside her melted completely away.
Three months later Jeremy died.  Those who paid their respects at the mortuary were surprised to see 19 eggs on top of his casket, ...................all of them empty.

Pawn Stars

During a recent visit to Las Vegas, we were able to stop and visit the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop.  Or should I say, the World Famous Tourist Trap.  While the sign as you approach states the shop is open 24 hours, it actually isn't.  It was after 2AM when we arrived, and there was a window where I actually spoke with Big Hoss, who informed me the showroom is only open from 9A to 9P.

So after catching some Z's, and a breakfast buffet, we made the trip back to "Pawn Stars".  It was nothing like you see on The History Channel.  Samantha was so excited for the chance to meet someone she's seen on TV.  But, no Rick Harrison...no Chum Lee...not even The Old Man.  Our only brush with greatness was seeing Johnny Cash's 1967 California Driver's License, and it's $95,000 price tag.

Possibly even more interesting was the gift shop, where you can buy postcards, magnets, coffee mugs, t-shirts, bobbleheads, and even golf balls - all with the "Pawn Stars" name.  Other than that, this is just your basic pawn shop.  Minus the TV's, DVD players, and musical instruments. Plus some old coins, old guns, a Samurai sword, and a few original Picasso paintings.

Boys Night Out

I've been looking forward to April 15th for several months now - not because of taxes being due, but it's the day the new Oak Ridge Boys CD comes out!  For the 1st time in over 40 years, The Oak Ridge Boys are releasing a live album!  And yes, I do show my age when I say I've been a fan for 40 years!  I can't wait to get out and buy the CD, which, by the way, is also being released on vinyl.  (I guess for those of us growing up in the 70's, an 8-track would have been asking too much)

I'm sure that "Boys Night Out" will capture the excitement of seeing the Oaks perform live, which I've done more times than I can count.  Joe, Duane, William Lee, and Richard are like family to me.  If you've never listened to their music, do it today! Of course a CD can't take you backstage, where you can shake hands with dear friends, but I know the next time they make it to Texas I will be doing just that!