Miami, My Amy

Someone, please tell me why this song is going viral??? I heard it for the first time in over 30 years when it started playing on my wife's phone a few weeks ago. Being that I could "name that tune" in 3 notes, I got out my phone and pulled up the video for "Miami, My Amy", by Keith Whitley, a song released in 1985. I was proud of myself for remembering such obscurity, and then forgot about it again until a few days later, when a snippet started playing again. And again. And again! Why??? I don't know much about TikTok other than my wife has the app and watches it, but I have better things to do with my life than walk round with Miami, My Amy stuck in my head! It is more annoying than when a co-worker put "Barbie Girl" on repeat for 30 minutes straight or Tim McGraw whining to "Please Don't Take The Girl". Is the late Keith Whitley's estate benefitting from this at all? He recorded several songs which are much better picks to be introduced to a new generation of fans. I know nobody asked, but here are my two choices:

 

Utah Drivers

While the title is "Utah Drivers", I'm confident that as you start reading, I could very easily said Ohio, New Jersey, Texas... But since Utah is where I experience my daily frustrations with all manner of suspect driving, those are the drivers who are receiving the wrath of my poison pen today.

Most of the infractions I see and curse under my breath about, could be considered reckless or unsafe driving habits. At least from my vantage point, it seems that if people would just use even a few of the safety devices at their disposal, there would be fewer accidents, fewer traffic tickets, and my blood pressure would be lower.

What are these devices for driving safely? I'm glad you asked, because you may just need a refresher course yourself. 

The first set are, believe it or not, standard equipment on cars, vans, trucks, and even SUVs. They are:

    1:Brakes

    2: Mirrors

    3: Turn Signals

    4: Seat Belts

    5. Air Bags

The first 3 I consider as a group, being they are interconnected when it comes to safe driving. Why do I mention brakes first? Here is a scenario I see every day. Car driving in the center lane on the interstate is moving too slow in the opinion of the driver behind him. Does he slow down, look in the mirror and see if it is safe to pass, and then signal his intention to change lanes? Of course not, he does none of the above. He can't be bothered to use that pedal positioned under his left foot, which would cause his vehicle to slow down, even slightly. Mirrors? Why, if he used them he might see that there is not enough room for him to change lanes. Turn signals? I believe there must be a shortage of blinker fluid in Utah, as that flashing orange light is seldom seen. 

The subject of air bags is controversial, but studies probably do show that many more lives are saved by air bags than deaths caused by them.  The moving violation of not using a seat belt I will leave up to those issuing tickets, but obviously it can be a costly fine to not follow "Click It or Ticket".

    6. Yellow Traffic Light

    7. Red Traffic Light

    8. Stop Sign

    9. Speed Limit

Who in the room remembers Jim Ignatowski? If you do, congratulations on being a fan of classic TV! If not, and you are unsure of what to do when confronted with a yellow traffic light signal, please watch "Reverend Jim Driving Test" on YouTube. You will laugh, and might even learn something! 

The red traffic light and the stop sign both function in similar ways, and in the case of the red turn light, are frequently ignored. Do you know how many cars are legally allowed to turn once that red light comes on? Zero. What??? You mean it isn't 2 or 3, possibly 4? And how far are you allowed to drive past a stop sign before coming to a complete stop? Complete stop??? Are you kidding me???

Last, but not least, the traffic safety device with the lowest self esteem, the speed limit sign. This poor guy has been ignored for so long and by so many! You know the drivers I'm talking about, in a hurry to get to their own funeral. They will zoom past you all if an effort to be 1 car length ahead of you at the next traffic light. The ones moving in and out of traffic ignoring all of the safety devices listed above.  The ones who you never seem to see sitting on the side of the road with pretty red and blue lights flashing behind them.  Seriously, people. Slow down. Leave a few minutes early. Your loved ones will understand if you are a few minutes late. Don't be the reckless fool whose spouse has to answer the door and be informed of yet another senseless traffic fatality. 

Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 2020

Now before everyone gangs up on me in defense of Whitney Houston, I have nothing against her. But she does not belong in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. When was she ever considered a rock and roll artist? Wouldn't you think that if she was, you would hear "Saving All My Love For You" and "I Will Always Love You" on the same station as Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Guns N Roses...? Whitney Houston in the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame is akin to Metallica being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. See how absurd that sounds? There are so may deserving rock and roll performers who are worthy and deserving of this honor - Lou Gramm & Foreigner, Pat Benatar... overlooked again. I was so thrilled when Rush was inducted in 2012, because now maybe the world would see and appreciate what Rush fans have loved for 40 years. The passing of Neil Peart last week has brought them back into the "Limelight", but I just want my "Juke Box Hero" Lou Gramm in there.

Let It Go

If you haven't heard this story, I highly recommend that you do!

On a cold February night in 2007, a devoted father of four and a seventeen-year-old drunk driver both received life sentences. In one violent, devastating instant, both faced a drastically different—and uncertain—future. But as Chris Williams sat in his demolished vehicle, staring at the car that had just caused the death of his wife, his unborn baby, his nine-year-old daughter, and his eleven-year-old son, he committed to do something extraordinary: he would forgive.

That decision launched Chris on a journey toward healing that affected his family and friends, the young man who caused the accident, and an entire community—a community that would face another deadly tragedy just a few days later.

Chris's message of forgiveness is an empowering invitation to all who have suffered, however unjustly, to lay down their burdens and let it go. "On February 9, 2007, I, my wife, and our three youngest children went out for dessert while our oldest was out with friends. As we left to return home, I don’t recall feeling any prompting to adjust our travel in some way, to spend a few more seconds at a stop sign, to take an alternate route, or to not go out that night. But in an instant, our lives were changed forever." 

"Michelle and I both saw a pair of headlights appear at the top of the hill in front of us, moving at an unbelievably high speed and already crossing the median. It was on a direct collision course with our car. “Chris!” Michelle shouted. I attempted to swerve out of the way but to no avail. The vehicle T-boned our own car with a force so violent and tremendous that the impact stopped our car from going downhill and pushed it back uphill. The sound of the car hitting ours was a sickening, dense, crushing thud of metal on metal—a quick, catastrophic, singular sound of devastation." 

"I had no idea who has just hit us, and my mind didn't think to consider if they were all right or not, or what circumstances might have caused them to cross the median and strike us. I simply looked at the car in silence. Then I heard a voice that was not my own in my mind as clearly as if it had come from someone seated next to me. It was straightforward and filled with power, and the voice said, 'Let it go!'"

Malnourishment

Even if you went to church this morning, before you go to bed without opening the scriptures, consider the following from Jeffrey R. Holland:

"We wouldn't expect our physical bodies to survive long on one meal a week - even if it is a very good meal. Similarly, if a one-hour Church class, even an excellent Church class, is the main setting for our 'feasting on the words of Christ,' then we are in danger of spiritual malnourishment."

Remember The Titans

After being upset by the Tennessee Titans 20-13 last Saturday, Tom Brady won't be forgetting the Titans any time soon! Poor Tom. No Patriots in the Super Bowl this year.

Today it was the top-seed Baltimore Ravens being knocked out of the playoffs by the Titans with a score of 28-12.  It may be a long time before they forget as well. 

The Titans now advance to the AFC Championship for the first time since 2002. 

Neil Peart 1952 - 2020

It's not that I can't find the words, it's that I can't stop from crying. Neil Peart was a genius. 

I'm so glad to have been able to see Rush in concert twice. I cried when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It was a sad day when Neil announced his retirement  But today is the saddest of all, to learn of his passing. The best drummer in the world. Thank you for the music and memories. Gone but never forgotten.

What Are You Reading?

James Patterson writes more books than I will ever have time to read, but I never miss an Alex Cross or a Women's Murder Club novel. I just finished reading "The 19th Christmas", and am anxiously waiting for his 20th Lindsay Boxer installment, "The 20th Victim", which will be released on May 4th. Currently, I am reading my signed copy of "Twisted Twenty-Six" by Janet Evanovich. Stephanie Plum never disappoints! 

But I still miss Kinsey Millhone. It is sad that Sue Grafton passed away before being able to complete her alphabet series. James Patterson explains it well when he said that "Part of the joy of writing a long-running series is the opportunity to watch the characters develop lives of their own." And that is so true! I feel like I know Alex, Nana Mama, Stephanie, Lula, Morelli and Ranger, along with Kinsey, Jane Rizzoli, Maura Isles, Sean King, Michelle Maxwell, Nicolas Fox, Kate O'Hare... 

Elvis Ponderings

Elvis would have been 85 today. The fact that he's been gone for over 42 years now only underscores how young he was when he passed away. I was 11, and can still remember where I was when I heard the news. I remember thinking how sad my Nana was going to be, as he was her favorite. She'd always dreamed of seeing him in person, but now that wouldn't happen. Sitting at her house I gained a true appreciation and love for his music, which is timeless. 

Now as I sit here and realize I've lived 12 years longer than Elvis, and think of all he accomplished in his short life, I guess it just makes me think of how much time I have left, and what I'd still like to be able to do and see. We are all actors in a three act play, where none of us have recollection of what happened in act one. May each of us give our best performance here in act two, and guarantee our starring roles in act three.  

Nixon

Although he wasn't the President when I was born, Richard M. Nixon is the first one I remember. I watched him resign on live TV in 1974. At eight years old, I knew nothing of Watergate or impeachment, but do recall being sad that we'd be getting a new President.  

I've been collecting and selling autographed books for some time now, and have sold a number of treasures in the past year. But this one which I found while thrifting tonight, rare and valuable as it is, may just stay in my collection!

Welcome Back!

Lori Prichard was back to work on KSL TV this morning after a four month absence. If I had gone through what Lori did, I don't know that four months would be enough time to recover, so I really admire her courage. Her life was turned upside down on August 16, 2019 when her husband took his own life. He was suffering from depression but hid it well and told no one. 

She has said "Someone told me my husband's death could make me bitter or better. I want to be better. I want to do better. I'm going to come back to work and I'm going to talk. I am going to talk about suicide and I'm going to keep talking about it. I want to reach that one person out there who needs help. Just. One. Person. You matter. You matter to me." 

"It's true. I don't really want to be the public face of my husband's death. But if I don't talk about suicide, who will? If I don't talk about what depression can do to a family, there remains a void. I'd much rather hide from my reality. But in the end, who does that really help? No one."

Welcome back, Lori, we have missed you! Our hearts still go out to you and your family. And thank you for being that voice!

More

While I haven't made any specific resolutions other than to attempt to write daily, most of what I've considered involves the word "less". Less debt, less eating out, less time spent on social media, less stress, less anxiety. But then our closing hymn in church this afternoon taught me about "more"...

More holiness give me,

More strivings within,

More patience in suffering,

More sorrow for sin,

More faith in my Savior,

More sense of His care,

More joy in His service,

More purpose in prayer.

More gratitude give me,

More trust in the Lord,

More pride in His glory,

More hope in His word,

More tears for His sorrows,

More pain at His grief,

More meekness in trial,

More praise for relief.

More purity give me,

More strength to o'ercome,

More freedom from earth-stains,

More longing for home,

More fit for the kingdom,

More used would I be,

More blessed and holy - 

More, Savior like thee.

Are You A Hurried Tourist?

Russell M. Nelson said that "as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day." That is an incredible promise, but made me think about what it means to immerse myself. 

The Oxford dictionary definition of immerse is "to involve oneself deeply in a particular activity or interest. With that in mind, I share how Neal A. Maxwell described the Book Of Mormon:

"The Book of Mormon is like a vast mansion, with gardens and wings. My tour of it has never been completed. Some rooms I have yet to enter, and there are more felicitous fireplaces waiting to warm me. Even the rooms I have glimpsed contain further furnishings and rich detail yet to be savored. There are panels inlaid with incredible insights and design and decor dating from Eden. There are even sumptuous banquet tables painstakingly prepared by predecessors which await all of us. Yet we as church members sometimes act like hurried tourists scarcely entering beyond the entry hall. May we go inside far enough to hear clearly the whispered truths from those who have slumbered, which whisperings will awaken in us individually a life of discipleship as never before!"

I've always loved and admired his way with words, and I feel the need to not be one of those "hurried tourists". 

The Christmas List

I just love books by Richard Paul Evans! He is probably most famous for his novel "The Christmas Box".

With ringing in the New Year, I thought about the premise of another of his books - "The Christmas List". As Richard says in the introduction, "As I began to write this book...I wanted to explore what could happen if someone read their obituary before they died and saw, firsthand, what the world really thought of them. Their legacy." 

I won't give away what happens in the book, but the concept is something to ponder. What if you were to read your obituary, and know what people really thought of you? Is there anything you'd be proud of? Anything you would change?

First Vision

In the spring of 1820, Joseph Smith went into the woods near his home to pray. Specifically, he was worried about which church to join, and which church was correct. What followed is one of the single most important events in all of recorded history! God the Father, and his Beloved son Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph in a vision. 

It has now been 200 years since, and I share the message that God loves all of his children and has a vision for each of us. Just as He listened to Joseph's prayer in 1820, He listens to you and yearns to speak with you through the Spirit. No matter your religion or place in life, he will listen!

20/20 Vision

Each New Year's Day, millions of people sit down and make a list of "resolutions" - things they would like to change in their lives, in hopes of a better year to come. Sadly, most resolutions don't make it past the month of January. We have a vision of the future, but for whatever reason, we just can't seem to follow through with our changes or improvements. Eating healthier and losing weight are some of the first resolutions to fail. We want the change to happen, but lack the patience or fortitude to move forward. 

Do you feel a lack of direction in your life? Have you fallen in to the trap of procrastination? "There's always tomorrow to start." But what if, as Garth Brooks sings, tomorrow doesn't come? The time to improve is today!

20/20 vision is when you can see perfectly, without the aid of glasses, contact lenses, or laser surgery. With this being the year 2020, will we be able to see clearly the changes we need to make, and follow through? As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, my resolution is to follow the counsel of our prophet, Russell M. Nelson:

"My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions - every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day."

It is not my purpose to try and convert you to these teachings and beliefs, but hopefully as you read throughout the coming weeks and months, you will gain a better understanding of what has made me who I am today.  

Layton Temple Updates

On July 19, 2019, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the location of the new Layton, Utah Temple, which will be built at the corner of Oak Hills Drive and Rosewood Lane.

On October 8, 2019, the church released and exterior rendering showing the planned design of the Layton, Utah Temple. 

McAllen Texas Temple!

Last night President Nelson announced that a Temple would be built in McAllen, Texas. Having lived in the Rio Grande Valley for five years, my heart is filled with joy. I have no doubt that there is a flood of tears of joy in South Texas. 

Many faithful Latter-day Saints are what is referred to as "valley locked", meaning because of their immigration status they are stuck in "the valley" between the Mexican borders and the check point about 100 miles to the north of the border. Because there are no operating temples in the valley, many faithful individuals and families have been waiting for years to make covenants in the temple and be sealed with their families. Many have passed through the veil still waiting.

The years of sacrifice and hope filled prayers are not in vain. Even for those who are able to make the 4 1/2 hour drive to the Temple in San Antonio, this is still a huge blessing. It shows that our Heavenly Father does listen to prayer, and the Temple will stand as a monument to the faithful sacrifice of these saints.

Old Man

With the passing of Richard "Old Man" Harrison on June 25th, my bucket list will never be
complete.

In previous blog entries, you can see that I was able to meet Rick, Corey, Chum, Antoine, and even "The Beard Of Knowledge". I'd always hoped to meet the Old Man on a future Las Vegas visit, but I'll at least have memories of all the times he made me laugh while watching Pawn Stars. His interactions with Chumlee were classic. When I visited with Chumlee last October, he was late for the event and someone called him on it. His response? "Old Man ain't here, so I can't be late."
Even with all the animosity between them on TV, even Cum has an empty space in his heart right now. Rest In Peace, Old Man!

Did He Really Say Layton, Utah?

During the Sunday Afternoon session of the 188th Annual General Conference, President Russell M. Nelson announced the construction of the Layton, Utah Temple. Being it is April Fools Day, and the way he smiled, I thought he was kidding. But it is no joke, Layton Utah is getting a Temple!