Mother

Today in church they decided to talk about Mother in Heaven.  Richard and I left early when the speaker admitted that her desire was based on her childhood decision to be a doctor because they were the boss.  It is already a profoundly moving and important doctrine that our father in heaven is part of a parental pair.  On the other hand it is not salvidic doctrine.  Or any who do not know this aspect of Godhood, that ignorance will not interfere with excepting the atonement of Christ.  I am truly grateful for mother in heaven and I am quite content to wait until I can see her again to learn more of her.

Home

My home is good.  I always discover this again after traveling.  This is especially true now that I am relatively organized.

Mountains and Valleys

I spent the last few days in Zions National Park. Lloyd injured myself in the fall more than a week ago with the help of my red walker I was granted handicap status which insured good suits for me and my two granddaughters and my daughter on the various shuttles and buses.  In consideration of my aching leg I did not attempt to climb my granddaughters and my daughter had some very satisfying hikes and grateful for the beautiful mountains and valleys of the state.

Being Prepared

When I moved into this house nearly twenty years ago I took over a house that seemed to have been purpose built for retirement.  The hallways are generous, there are very few steps, three total on the front door and only one on the back entrance.  The sink in the bathroom was rather low.  I took care of my elderly father during his final six months and for a few more years I took most of the burden of caring for my mother.  Both of them died at home.  When I moved in to care for them I put grab bars in the hallway between their bedroom and the bathroom and had the rugs in kitchen and bathroom replaced with tough vinyl.  As I cared for them I realized that their limited range of motion made it difficult for them to get into the bathtub.  With these observations in mind I remodeled my own bathroom.  I replaced some cabinets with a walk in shower and installed a grab bar at the back.  I reduced the amount of counter space for the sink, which still has more than enough, and put in an apartment sized laundry combination that faces the hallway for ease of access.  In order to accommodate a wheelchair bound friend I made a ramp from a sturdy cherry wood table top that slots over my one step at the side entrance.  When my sisters wanted to donate or sell my father's walker, the kind that has a sit-down seat, I chose to keep it.  It has come in handy several times when I injured my leg or foot.  I am gradually recovering from a fall that wrenched the muscles at the top of my thigh and I am grateful that foresight has made the situation far more convenient than it would have been if I were not prepared.

Layla

Layla is one year old and today her family celebrated her birthday even though it took place several days ago.  Layla is the most diverse of my descendants.  Both her mother and father are from a mix of cultures. Layla is 3/8 Chinese, 3/8 British Isles, Northwestern European and 1/4 Pakistani.  Her big dark eyes and black hair enhance her creamy complexion.  People will wonder where she came from, never guessing that she has pilgrims in her ancestry.  I am grateful for Layla.

Walker

I had my grandson unearth the walker my father used.  I have used it before.  It is not as handy or easily stored as other walkers, but it has a seat.  Today I used it quite a bit.  Then, this evening I went out my back door and had a minor stumble, but it didn't do any favors to the injury in my groin.  I used a sturdy plastic measuring stick and level about four feet long to hobble to my workroom to fetch some spray paint for a project I have underway, making a set of nesting dolls of his family.  I purchased plain wooden blanks and will paint them.  The paint I thought was black is red rust colored, which could have been worse.  I painted the bottoms of the dolls and hobbled back in the house, then used my dining chairs to get closer to my walker.  My sister wanted to donate the walker when we were deciding what to do with the remains of my parent's estate, but I new it would probably come in handy.  This is the third time I've used it.  I'm grateful I kept the walker.

Rest

I'm resting a lot these past few days since I fell on Sunday and injured my lower body on the left side.  Today I had my grandsons pull the cherry red walker out of my work room and dust it.  I used it when I went to the store to purchase a gift card for Rusty for his birthday.  I took Jacqueline along with the intent that she would push the cart while I shopped, however just going into the store from the parking lot wore me out.  Fortunately the walker has a seat and I was able to rest while Jacqueline shopped. I am grateful for rest.

Timing

Lately I have been following the guidelines to avoid excessive blue light.  This applies to LED in particular, as found in light fixtures and most electronic device screens.  The guideline that is most affected by timing is stopping the use of such screens and bulbs an hour before my intended bedtime.  I replaced the bulbs in my bedroom ceiling light from LED back to the original bulbs which I found were recommended for their red light component.  I received incandescent bulbs from Amazon today and I am currently using one in the lamp that shines over my shoulder.  I believe I can detect the difference in the way it affects my general sense of wellbeing.  LEDs tend to cause a heavy feeling in my brow.  So I am grateful for learning about how to time my exposure to the useful but problematic lights I have long taken for granted.

Injured

Last night I tripped over a pillow that seemed to wrap itself around my feet, preventing me from regaining my balance I fell heavily on my left side with a certain amount of torque.  After laying quietly while assessing my injuries I assumed I had avoided fracture. My son brought me some Arnica and later I took Ruta.  Today I have some tenderness in some thigh muscles on my left leg and I am likely to avoid stairs for a while, but it could have been so much worse so I am grateful that my injury is minor.

Sound of Rain and Thunder

Last night I knew I might have difficulty getting to sleep since I had a long nap.  I decided to look up some kind of sound or music that might help.  I was quite disappointed in so-called 'Brahm's Lullaby music since the timing was quirky and the notes were jarring.  I guess the performer thought it was cute and therefore suited for a baby, but for those acquainted with the regular and calming sounds of the traditional lullaby it was stupid.  Certainly not conducive to sleep.  I found a combination of surf and rain that sounded nice and put me to sleep in good order, but I woke to a dream of bursting pipes.  I decided to select the sound of rain and thunder, distant thunder.  I was pleased that it helped me sleep and didn't inspire a dream of disaster.  I am grateful to find a way to be lulled to sleep.

Ancestors

I got my results back from Ancestry and there were no surprises.  I had estimated on good evidence that I was at least 25% Scots and the rest mostly English and northern European.  The DNA says 31% Scots-Irish and 69% English and north western European.  The animated map that estimates the immigration patterns of my ancestors fits what I know from family history.  There were two main migrations, one in the seventeenth century to New England, and the other in the nineteenth century to Kirtland, Ohio and Nauvoo, Illinois, the the migration to the mountain west by both English and the Yankees who had joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Most of my ancestors migrated in pursuit of religious freedom.  I am grateful for their sacrifices. 

Walking

I should  say slogging, but for the past three days I have walked in the evening.  I feel better each day I walk.  I'm grateful I can walk.

Tevita

Tevita is my daughter Mary's only son.  He is a handsome and charming 4 year old boy who is very unspoiled.  He came to visit me today and enjoyed playing with a few of the toys I keep on hand.  He fed a few morsels of liver to my chicks and was thrilled when one of them plucked it from his hand without any damage.  He coveted my set of vintage Star Wars figures which I pose against the background of an X wing fighter.  Many of my grandchildren have coveted the figures but I always count them when little ones leave.  They are more than thirty years old.  I bought them at a yard sale that long ago and although losing one of them could have been expected by now, and their light sabers and the head of Darth Vader have suffered some damage, they are part of what visiting grandma means by now.  Tevita left with eight marbles in an Altoid tin and the piece of HiChew candy I had promised to give him at the end of his visit.

Light

Ironically my post last night was about sleep because between 'spring forward' and my nervous anticipation of teaching a lesson I woke up just after midnight and couldn't get to sleep.  I ended up working at my computer for several hours on a task I didn't need to address.  I have been studying the benefits of light, which along with salt and animal fats have become demonized by the conventional medical establishment.  I plan to walk at least a quarter of an hour a day in dawn or twilight, unless it is really overcast or precipitation.  Light is a lovely thing in proper dosage.  I am grateful for light.

Sleep

Late in life I discovered the value of sleeping attire.  I have several gowns for summer and several gowns for winter as well as a set of PJs that work well for either season.  Sleeping attire is meant to be loose and permit the unconscious movement that takes place with normal tossing and turning during the night.  The tossing and turning prevents muscle binding. There is also the advantage of maintaining sheets and clothing.  Just as I change out of the more formal clothing I wear to church and temple, I change out of the casual clothing I wear for work and lounging.  I like the silky bedding and soft cotton sheets that help with my comfort.  I am grateful for the opportunity to sleep without pain. 

Provo City Center Temple

I go to the Provo City Center Temple twice a week.  I begin the 8 AMendowment session, proceed to sealings, then initiators.  I am grateful for the temple workers who make my service in the temple possible.

Tools

I have a lot of tools.  This is not to mention paintbrushes and other items that are used for art.  Today I made prints so that I can use them with the lesson using my printer.  I printed the newsletter and yesterday I scanned Diana's design for stained-glass panel and helped her make it more colorful and regular.  I finished making arrangements on a new phone case using a varied set of pliers.  I need to organize my tools so I can get to them more easily.  I have tools in a large drawer in my studio that are relatively well arranged but the plumbing and carpentry tools in my work room are in disorder. But even though tools are responsibility, they are a blessing.  I'm grateful for tools.

Chicks

The sound of several chicks is similar to running water in a decorative fountain.  Today I purchased six nifty chicks.  I chose them for their cute racing stripes.  They were a premium price, but since they are two weeks old they were 30% off and cost less than even common chicks.  I was planning to get Austrolorps which are dark and lay bluish eggs, but when I saw these chicks which already have brindled feathers in their wings I decided on getting six of them.  Last year at this time I was practical and chose four white Leghorns.  They were okay at first, but then my favorite turned out to be a little rooster and we ate him.  The hens laid well and we often got three eggs a day from the three of them, then they began to eat their eggs as winter began.  Two of them died and one is left.  I feel an obligation to let her live although if she does I will need to isolate her from the new little hens so she doesn't eat their eggs and teach them bad habits.  Meanwhile I learned that the variety of chicks I bought are good scavengers and will essentially feed themselves in the warmer months.  This is good because I wanted to 'pasture' them, insuring a higher quality egg.  Normal eggs can be relatively inexpensive but pastured hens lay more nutritious eggs and they are more than twice the price of ordinary eggs.  I really like my chicks.  I hung their feeder so they wouldn't throw it around as much as if it were on the ground and they seem to have adapted to taking water from the waterer which means a lot less mess.  Of course I will need to finish my chicken run, but this gives me more incentive to do so.  I am grateful that I chose to buy the chicks today.

Internet Info

I have been putting together a strategy for my health.  I have increased my exercise, limited carbohydrates and stocked my freezer with assorted types of 'healthy' meats, although I have not yet purchased grass fed beef, instead relying on supermarket sales of roasts.  I am able to get information by entering questions in duckduckgo, an alternative to Google.  The amount of searching I can do on the internet far exceeds what is available in the average library, and it doesn't need to be dug out laboriously.  I am grateful for the internet as well for my financial errands, such as paying tithes and offerings.  I had a lovely visit from some boys I taught in Primary this afternoon.  In order to give them something meaningful to do now that most people pay their fast offerings on the internet, they prepared a very nice lesson.  If it were not for the internet they would not have this opportunity.

Lelia

Lelia turned eight in February and today she was baptized.  She sang with her older sister, Diana, and her brother, Ralph for the opening program.  She comes to my house twice a week to work with stained glass.  She is merry and determined.  I am grateful for Lelia.

Family

I like my offspring.  I would rather spend time with any of them than with anyone else I know.  I was reminded of this as I sorted through the thousands of emails that I've accumulated in my Gmail account.  Today I finish sorting them into various files designated with the names of my children or the activities that we are engaged in.  In the 12 years that are covered since I opened my Gmail account there have been many events including births, marriages and deaths.  We have gathered both physically and electronically.  I am so grateful for my family.