One Sweet Ride!

Knowing my own car would probably explode on the freeway, I rented a car for my trip to Idaho. On past trips, I've driven a Toyota Corolla, Ford Taurus, Dodge Stratus, and even a Dodge Magnum. This past weekend, it was my pleasure to drive a 2009 Mazda 3!
After spending over 18 hours on the road, I have this to report - other than the fact that it didn't have cruise control, I must say it was the most comfortable car I've ever driven!

Gage's 4th Birthday

My grandson Gage turned 4 on November 5th, and I was able to get the weekend off to drive to Idaho and celebrate with him! I say this each time I see Gage, but it really is hard to believe how quickly he is growing. Seems like just yesterday I got the phone call telling me I was a Grandpa!

The Great Pumpkin, Part 2

As Halloween got closer this year, for some reason I had the desire to carve a Jack-O-Lantern. Only once before in my life had I undertaken such a task - even though I am chopping vegetables every day at work.

I didn't need anything big, so I chose this pumpkin in the spirit of how Charlie Brown must have felt when he picked that poor, neglected Christmas tree.

Get Thee Behind Me, Satan!

I've been struggling with depression again lately - and been unable to focus on any one task for very long. Except for sitting at the computer, which I can do for hours on end. I realize this is one of the temptations I face - to spend all of my free time being lazy and unproductive. Today, some good did come out of my mindless internet surfing - as I found the following from Robert D. Hales:

“Our challenges, including those we create by our own decisions, are part of our test in mortality. Let me assure you that your situation is not beyond the reach of our Savior. Through Him, every struggle can be for our experience and our good (see D&C 122:7). Each temptation we overcome is to strengthen us, not destroy us. The Lord will never allow us to suffer beyond what we can endure (see 1 Corinthians 10:13). “We must remember that the adversary knows us extremely well. He knows where, when, and how to tempt us. If we are obedient to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, we can learn to recognize the adversary’s enticements. Before we yield to temptation, we must learn to say with unflinching resolve, ‘Get thee behind me, Satan’ (Matthew 16:23).”

Soggy Bottom Boys

On Saturday night, our ward had a "Hill Billy Hollow" party, which in Elder's Quorum has been referred to as a good old-fashioned "Hoe Down." One of the highlights of the evening was us elders singing "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow", as sung by the Soggy Bottom Boys in "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?"

I have sung this song so many times over the last few days in preparation, that I am beginning to feel like the man of constant sorrow!

It has always been one of my dreams to sing in a "barbershop quartet" - type group. I may never realize that dream, but being a "Soggy Bottom Boy" on Saturday night came really close!

Patrick Swayze 1952-2009

Patrick Swayze may have left this world as we know it, but these timeless moments are forever etched in our hearts......

Take Me Out To The Ball Game!

I've rediscovered my first love! When I posted this comment recently on Facebook, I received several comments asking me who my first love was. However, I wasn't referring to a "who" - my first love qualifies as a "what" - baseball! And I don't even care for peanuts or Cracker Jack that much...

My boss had season tickets to the St. George Roadrunners this year, and so I've been going to many of their games. Turns out, they are a pretty good team, and are headed to the playoffs this year! The Roadrunners are led by their all-star first baseman A.J. Valentine - who finished their 82 game season with a .359 batting average, 17 HR's, and tied for the league lead with 82 RBI's.

Other Roadrunners I've had the pleasure of meeting are:

Ryan Stephenson

Chase Leavitt

Eude Brito (former Philadelphia Phillie!)

Justin Abbott