Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Hidden Under A Bushel

Today I opened up my violin case and dusted off the old violin. I thought I would have forgotten
how to play it but it's just like riding a bike, you never forget. Alot of people don't know I can play it, that's my fault. I've hidden my talent under a bushel and have felt pretty bad about it. (Not really). I started playing the violin since 3rd grade, taking private lessons from Miss Corbeil up until the end of High School. Always participating in school orchestra's and community orchestra's. I even played it in the High School Jazz Band for a concert where a famous trumpet player "Bobby Bryant" from Hollywood came out as a guess soloist. That was fun, and we even made a record of it. I've played it in High School Musicals every year down in the "Pit" at the College auditorium. Right out of high school I had a friend that was starting up a rock band and want me in the band but only if I would make it an electronic violin. I declined that offer. When I went up to BYU I was on a symphony orchestra there for one or two years. But it's been my mom's dream that I play the violin. It was her violin that she passed on to me. She majored in music in college and played in the Claremont Symphony Orchestra for 40 years. It was her passion her dream, not mine. I always wanted to play the piano and took a year of lessons when I was in the 1st and 2nd grade. I was sad when I had to give up the piano and take up the violin. I remember many fights with my mom about practising, but she always won. She said I would thank her when I got older. That's why with my own kids I've never made them take any instrument unless they wanted to. Danny took the violin and then switched to drums and was playing in the high school marching band for one year, then quite because he didn't like the band instructor. (He always yelled at everyone). Michael took up the drums too for a little bit. Derek tried a little piano but didn't like the instructor (too dull and harsh). Kenzie took piano lessons for a year and then tried the violin and stuck it out in the elementary school orchestra and liked it only because she got out of her regular class to go. About 10 years ago I saved up all my babysitting money and bought a nice piano at a garage sale of all places. A piano teacher was selling it. I took lessons for about 1 year and enjoyed it and got to where I can play hymns. But like every talent you need to practise and that's just what I've been lacking. I guess I get flashbacks of fighting with my mom. Anyway I'm not going to hide it under a bushel anymore and am trying to get together a little violin quartet with some members in our ward. I think we have 4 adults that play quite well. I think it will be fun to see what we can do and have a date set in Sept. to play in Sacrament meeting. So we'll see. I even trimmed my fingernails which proves I must be serious. So if you have a talent that you've been hiding don't let it waist away give it a try. Other talents that I've been dusting off is bike riding, I've been riding over 70 miles a week now. It was 5 years ago since I broke my tailbone and pelvis in a bad bike fall. The mental scars still exist. I don't ride with a big group anymore, just with my daughter-in-law Ivette and by myself since she's been in Canada. I've also started singing in the church choir which is fun. I joined a book club and have started reading again. The one thing I miss most is riding horses, but I'll have to devote a whole blog for that.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Grampa's Love

Grampa Rick and Carson taking time out and doing some bonding on Father's Day.
Carson just learned how to crawl going forward instead of a backward scoot.
Also learned some yoga moves. Got to keep the "core" strong.
Favorite pastime is tasting anything he can hold on to.
It's so fun to be with grandpa.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Harris Park Ward Youth Conference

On the way up to Knoll's Lake on the Mongollon Rim. Beautiful scenery and a little chilly at night
40's, but I was toasty warm with two sleeping bags.
Some games I came up with by googling "EFY Games". (great source if you need youth games.)
Bishop Goodman talking on a class choices we make to be fit and healthy.
Mountain Man Doug Steiner talking about good and bad choices.
Craig and LuAnn Pulver talking about choices we make listening to music, movies, etc.
Kenzie bending plastic fork in fire, (favorite pastime of the Youth).
Hamburgers for dinner and pancakes, sausage, hash browns and eggs for breakfast.
Friends Diane in background, Faie, Me, and Marisa.
Craig's catch of the day - rainbow trout.
Bethany, Mercedes and Dannika trying their skills on the canoe.
Diane and Bishop relaxing in their lazyboy chairs from Costco (the best chairs ever).
Cleaning up the campground was our service project.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Best of Baja

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I must have taken close to 200 pictures but will only spare you 25 or so, if you can bare with me. Enjoy.This picture was taken in 1984 (25 yrs. ago). This is our son Danny at 2 or 3 years of age. He always carried his beloved crocheted pillow wherever he went. We camped on the beach 30 miles south of San Felipe, Mexico with our good friends Shawn and Jane. Who by the way weren't married yet. Shawns parents built a beautiful beach house right near where we camped a few years later. We've been meeting together at the beach house about once a year eversince.
This is the beach house we stay in. The waves have taken away some of the shoreline so they lined the cliff with big telephone poles to protect it from any more erosion.
The tide goes out twice a day. It's quite rocky in some spots. But fun to look for sea creatures.
This is the new LDS chapel in San Felipe. They translate the service in english for the gringos.
Fresh Mango's are the best.
We were the only ones in this restaurant "Taco Factory" which is usually crowded. The economy is really slow. The service was slo and not so delicious as years past. We'll probably try something else next time.
View from the beach house.
Getting ready for a night ride.
Bonfire with a few skyrockets, the s'mores were especially delicious.
Rick coming in after a long motorcycle ride with Shawn.
Alien space men found lurking around the corner.
Kenzie and Moriah collecting shells at Shell Beach.


The sunsets were especially spectacular.
Rick and Shawn planning their next Baja trip on motorcycles. Serious business.
Beautiful sunrise.
Jeep rides on the beach.
Dead sea lion on beach with vulchurs up on the mesa waiting for us to leave.
Great lighting just before sunset down by shell beach. It rained on us while we were taking pictures and a rainbow came out. We also saw lighting off in the distance. The weather was in the 80's we've never felt it so pleasant in all our years coming down to Baja.
Shawn, Jane, Nancy and Rick



Adios Amigos......till next year.
Zach, McCall, Shawn, Jane, Moriah, Kenzie, Nancy, Rick

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Helpful Hints

Our Relief Society had a great Enrichment Night. Everybody came with a helpful hint to share.
I wanted to write down the ones I liked so I wouldn't forget.

If you have a TOOTHACHE: gargle and rinse with Hydrogen Peroxide.

Pick up wax stain: Iron over a paper sack and it picks up the wax.

Red Stain in Carpet: Windex spot and Iron on top of a wash cloth.

Ball Point pen stain: Spray area with hair spray with acetone in it.

Clean your face and Hair Rinse: Use Apple Cider Vinegar diluted with water. (I tried it on my hair and it made it silky smooth.

Ant Bites: Adolph Meat Tenderizer with some water to make a salve or tape a penny
to the area.

Keep Cilantro Fresh: rinse with water and keep a paper towel along with the Cilantro in a
ziploc baggie.

Dry Skin: Rub olive oil on skin. Kenzie did this and loved it and said I never will have to buy
skin lotion again.

Keep Celery Fresh: Wrap in tin foil and will keep for two weeks.

Teach your kids from scriptures: Let them Draw pictures of the story with colored pencils on
the pages.

Cut hot brownies without clogging the knife: Use a plastic knife. It smoothly glides through it.

Getting corn hair off the cob: Wipe it off with a dry dish towel.

So their you have it.....some helpful hints to make your life a little bit easier and joyful.