Thanksgiving in Burlington

Dad and I rode the train home from our trip. It only had 11 cars which surprised me. It was fun and a different way to travel. I learned some things I would do next time, and it made me feel bad that dad had to travel home last time with no sleeping berth.
The view from our window going through Colorado
This is a reservoir in Colorado
Ben and Henry reverently throwing crabapples at grandpa at the Nauvoo temple. Grandpa started it!
Henry manning the guns overlooking the Mississippi - glad someone is watching out for the invaders.
Nixon, Henry, Cohen and Ben with their new buzzes. The suburban was a big hit as a base camp.
This morning I have loved watching the birds eat the leftover apples on the tree. It was 11 degrees this morning

the mom's retreat

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Ryan and Christine brought Bel for a lovely short visit. We are sad they lost a grandpa but it was fun to see them

Gordo even had some quality time with Bel

Bright and early Monday morning Darcy and I left Logan and headed to Salt Lake to meet up with Mary and Marsha. The suburban was loaded to the max with unfinished projects and sewing equipment. We don't travel light

We walked every day in St George, and did some of Marsha's Italian names at the Temple. We did a little shopping at the biggest TJ Maxx I have ever seen

We set up two big tables and move all the furniture in the house and make the biggest mess imaginable. We watched all the extended versions of LOTR as well as John Adams, and numerous chick flicks

These photos are the projects I worked on including:

a chain of hundreds of half inch squares.... and I still need to make more - I ran out.

our group project is from the book Amish with a Twist. Instead of quilted feathers on the border we are appliqueing many colored feathers. It was a huge challenge to plan and a real lesson for me in color and design. I plan on finishing it within 5 years.

We drove home on Saturday and stopped for an open house at Brian Kershisnik's studio. We looked around at his works in progress and then he had a question and answer session. As usual I couldn't keep my mouth shut and I asked lots of questions. It was really fun to listen to him, and also his wife chimed in. I asked if they had any paintings that they couldn't part with - and they both talked about painting for money. Art is his business, and they can't afford to get attatched to paintings. "Did you ever make a cake that was so beautiful you just decided to keep it forever?" It is all a progression in his life's work, not an ending. They don't think of paintings as their children.

I took some pictures, but they are pretty bad - sorry Wil.... lots of bad lighting, focus and glare.

I loved this sleeping woman, called something like "Asleep as evidenced by hovering angel"

The one I want to bring home is this woman with the books. The first title was "shouting books" but it was crossed out and changed to "sounds of many books" FABULOUS. She has her eyes closed and her eyebrows raised and it just looks like she is so engaged in listening

I also loved seeing the paints and chemicals and brushes.

The last shot is the drawing on the bathroom door - a unisex room.

the man has wings, and the woman is holding him teathered to his ankle.

HHmmmmmm. Do you guys feel like that???

A final disclaimer..... sorry about the formatting. I have not figured out this blog thing at all. Nothing gets placed where it seems it should go, but I will keep trying.

Visit to Wil, Lau & Liam -Boise, Idaho

Thursday evening we packed up the truck with an old Bike of Wil's, The Poisonwood Bible on CD, and stuff to make GRANOLA.

Happy is the woman on the way to see her son, daughter in-law and grandson.

What happen to the tall skinny guy I used to be?

Departing Cache Valley.

The West face of the Wellsvilles.

So this is a proud opinion I have of my home in Cache Valley and I apologize before I share it with you. Every place I have ever lived I have found it to be interesting and a wonderful place to live.

But Cache Valley is one of the most beautiful places of the world. When Karen and I drive to visit Abby, Andy, Ben and Henry & Christine, Ryan, Bel and 2/3's done, or drive West to visit Wil, Lauren, and Liam we have noticed that you go 30 miles west and 60 east miles from Cache Valley and you are right smack in the middle of high deserts with fairly boring scenery and very sparse populations and very little water. It make one realize that the West is an oasis existence. But what a great oasis Cache Valley is and I am very thankful for the spot on the planet where Karen and I live.

The other observation is that Abby and Andy, Christine and Ryan live where in the water is more plentiful. Elder Ballard mentioned today that his family had been pioneers who came to Cache Valley and that of the 1850 mile trek they spent half of their time just getting through the mud in IOWA.

Lauren paying the Great Harvest bills.

Lauren selling Sweet Rolls.

Will taking orders.

Lauren getting ready to slice and bag fresh bread.

Me, Wil and Lauren checking out the Granola. We made two different types.

We got the product on the shelves.

Out at a THAI restarant. Liam with his rice dish.

Lauren with Sushi!

My Sweet Basil with shrimp, Wow good!

Next day MoM and I went in at 8 AM four hours later than Wil and helped with the bread and cookies.

Frosting in the big mixer.

Action in the back of the G HARV.

Karen says she has this job down.

The Owner.

Part of the days product.

On the town with the Boise Wood Family.

Wil in Blondies, breakfast served from 7 AM to 2 PM. It was also great. YUP Wil's a foody.

Wil's looks like he's doing well in the world on many fronts.

YUMMY

Good bye. So Liam was crying like crazy just before this because GranMa was leaving. I have to say I made some progress with Liam on this trip usually he's not too excited to see Grand Pa Wood.

I want to thank Wil and Laur for their hospitlity. It is was a sweet experience to share part of their lives. Wil and Laur are a strong team working on their new business.

I appreciate all my children for the love and devotion they have for their spouses and children. I want each of you to know how much I love your mother and enjoy her company and companionship. Thanks again Wil and Lauren.

Fishing in Alaska with Mont & Rory

Rory took this photo of Mont's Cub. We are flying over to Lake Clarke Pass. The Cook inlet is the body of water behind Mont's plane.

This is a hanging glacier in Lake Clark Pass.

This is the summit of Lake Clarke Pass and a glacier coming into the pass from the west.

OK there was a picture here I don't know how I lost it.

Me piloting one of Mont's great Cubs at the east side of Lake Clarke Pass.

Mont almost to Lake Iliamna.

Rory preparing to go fishing with an Ipod and a short story to listen to. Figuring It Out by Ron Carlson, was our favorite story.

Camping on the tundra under the wing of Mont's Cubs.

Best Burger on the Tundra!!!

Mont cooking the best burgers on the tundra. Mont the perfect host, pilot, guide and friend!

This was the end of the good fishing time. From 6-dark was great.

We decided this was a female bear. We saw everyday. She would either hike up the river past us or the next day hike down past us. We tried to give her plenty of elbow room.

Mont working on a meal.

Hey Abby thanks for the warm hat.!

There she is again.

Bear tracks on the shore of lake Iliamna.

That's me with a Rainbow!!!

Rory fighting a Rainbow.

If you look closely you can see this fish is smiling just like me after having been caught.

Rory with a big rainbow!!!

Rory with a Sockeye Salmon.

Mont's cub ready for take off and getting us out of Dodge. We only made it to Iliamna, the town, before bad weather set in and Rory and I flew out commercial and Mont waited out the storm for 3 days.

So I love to fish. My Dad took us fishing a few times when we were children, we floated the Middle Fork of the Salmon and Rory and I took turns sitting on top of the mound of gear tied in the boat (Wil re-lived this experience when we floated the Gulkana catching Grayling instead of Rainbows). My Dad told us to cast over there or over here. We caught a lot of fish off that pile of gear. We were all in that boat together and we shared in the success and excitement of the catch.


Maybe that is why even today I like to fish with a friend or a relative. I look forward to the shared experience. I do love catching a fish but it is not as much fun if I am alone. A great powder run is twice as great shared as it is solo. A wonderful meal is just food if you eat it alone. When I am fishing and a big Rainbow grabs a fly and takes off running and jumping down the river my heart jumps too. There is great joy in taking a photo of your brother, son, father, or friend as they ease the hook out of the jaw of the fish. I am in awe everytime a fish takes a fly or a lure. It is just a strange wonderful connection with nature and I am glad it happens to me once in a while.

I am grateful for each of you and the shared experiences I have with each of you. Your mom or Karen lives for the shared experiences with her children. Karen checks your blogs everyday and then shares with me your new postings. Thanks for sharing your time and your lives with us.
Love Dad