A Safe Harbor In A Crazy World...

Last night, while taking the dog out for the last time of the day, I walked across the cul-du-sac and turned looking west. Clouds darkened the sky after the sun hours earlier set. 

I was alone, looking at our home, and I thought, for me, it's the safest place I know.

It's really just a building, three floors, four bedrooms, three and a half baths on a third of an acre of land.

And we've lived there for sixteen years.

There's a reason there's two words for the structure or location where we live. A building is a house. It has a foundation, walls, doors, windows, and all the material things that make it what it is. 

The other word is home. A home can be a house, apartment, RV, boat, basically anywhere people gather to support each other, to help each other, to love each other. Thankfully, I can say all the years we've live here it's been our home. And all the years I've lived other places, I've been fortunate enough to have a home.

Our living at this particular address is temporary, as are all material things. When we no longer live in the building, someone else will and they'll call it their house--hopefully, they'll also call it their home. I wonder if whoever ends up here will, on a slightly overcast summer evening, meander across the street and look back on the cabin-framed structure. I hope so, and I hope if they do, they'll feel the same thing I felt last night...a safe place in a crazy world.

Those Times...When You Feel Old

Looking through some pictures I took earlier this month, I came across a photograph of a typewriter. I was at SpikeCon, a literary convention and one of the vendors had a two typewriters. 

They were beautiful.

I struck up a conversation with the owner of the wonderful relics. I told him I had an Underwood in fair to poor condition. I also told him that when I first attended college at the University of Utah in the fall of 1987, I took an English writing class. I also told him that for that class, we were required to write at least one paper a week.

I used a typewriter to write each and every assignment.

He could hardly believe it.

But, it was true.

In that moment, I felt old. Because, basically, I am.

Of course, old is relative. I'm old compared to your average car, but not old compared to a redwood tree. In that vendor room, talking to a Millennial, I felt old.

Last night, before our show began, a room of pirates prepared to take on Peter Pan, a tribe of warriors, and a band of Lost Boys, we discussed the cost of higher education in America. The pirates, a majority of them either in college, or recently graduated, talked about how much they were having to pay in pursuit of a degree.

That's when I spoke up.

I told them that for my first year at the U of U, I paid roughly $1500 for the entire year.

Once again, I felt old. Funny, how a memory, an object, or a pain in a part of the body that had not before hurt can make you feel old. I suppose as time goes on, I'll have this feeling more and more.

Then again, I could just hang out with those older than me. Then, perhaps, I'd make them feel old, too.

Beautiful Little Car...But Would I Really Like It?

Why do we always remember just the good times?

Why, when we think back on past experiences, do we recall the positives? Sure, we remember bad things, but in general--at least it seems that way for me--I think about the fun I had when participating in a certain activity or function.

Case in point, a week ago Sunday, as we drove down I-15 to attend church at another meetinghouse, I spotted the red VW Beetle convertible in my rearview mirror. Whenever I see an old bug, the memories come flooding back. I can't believe I don't have more pictures of my first car, a green 1965 Volkswagen beetle, converted to 12-volt and with high-back driver and passenger seats. It did have the original 1200 cc (roughly 36 horsepower...) engine.

I loved that car.

On Sunday the amazing mid-1960s bug passed us. Truth-be-told, I allowed it to pass so I could get a better look at it and it was more beautiful than I thought it would be. A true work of art. And as it passed, I wondered what it would be like to own a mid-1960s VS beetle convertible.

I thought it would be the greatest thing.

Then, I began to remember.

I remembered my green bug. I remembered it not being able to go over 55 m.p.h. I remember it stranding me on the side of the road almost as many times as it didn't strand me on the side of the road. I remember it being literally freezing inside whenever I drove it in the winter, and almost unsurvivable in the summer with no a/c. It was an automobile in the academic sense...it had four wheels, and I had to legally license it to drive it on the road. I had a love/hate relationship with that car. Back then, you could buy a functioning VW bug for around $500. Now, that same car, in much worse condition, costs $2k and up.

As much as I loved seeing that red convertible, if the driver were to pull over and give me the keys to the beautiful car, would I like it? I'd have to deal with freezing winters, no a/c in the summer, and I'd have to park it in a garage. We only have a one-car garage and that's where our van lives.

Owning such a car requires sacrifice. So, would I really like having it if I had the option?

You bet I would!

In a heartbeat!

Catching A Magical Moment...

It's an understated photo, at least, that's the way I see it. You see one thing, but if you look long enough, you might notice something else.

Something flying.

Something magical.

I've dedicated several blogs to the latest show my daughter and I are in. Over the years, we've done many shows together and I might blog once, or twice, maybe three times about a particular show. I might blog more than that, but it seems like that's all.

This show's different. For one thing, it's in a new theater in a new town. That makes the setting, the environment, the audiences, the overall feeling of the show different. 

Because it's different, I'm seeing different things, and when I see different things, I take pictures. I've posted several photographs from Peery's Egyptian Theater in Ogden. The place is beautiful, and there's so any incredible things to film. Then, you put a show on the that stage and there's even more to see and experience.

We opened this past week, which means we spent a lot of time both on stage and behind the scenes. Part of tech week is making sure marks are hit, blocking is set, and lines are given. Also, when you're involved backstage, you see things. One thing I saw was a lost boy captain flying in front of a nursery room window. That's when I took a picture. 

And I caught a magical moment.

If you go see the show (you can get tickets and information by clicking: HERE), you'll see a flying Peter Pan from a different angle, not just in shadow. But, when you're in a new location, there's magic to see--you just have to look for it.

Experiencing Ogden's Farmer's Market...Simply Wonderful

We arrived to the theater a few minutes early today and I heard a farmer's market was set up just a half a block away. And I thought, "I ought to check it out."

And I did.

And it was incredible.

I live in a wonderful little town. Over the years we've kind of turned into homebodies. We go out when we need to, but we find ourselves venturing out less and less as time goes on. And because of that, we miss out on several things, like driving a half hour north to experience a farmer's market. It's in Ogden and it runs in the summer and fall. You can get more information from their website by clicking: HERE.

The city closes down several blocks on arguably their most famous street, 25th Street, right downtown. I saw things you'd expect to see in a farmer's market--fresh locally-grown fruit and vegetables. There were other things, pastries, coffee, honey, and the people--and dogs--were as interesting as what was being sold...but in a good way. Also, you couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day--overcast with the summer heat not yet arriving.

Unfortunately, I was only able to see a small portion of the market. I had to return to the theater to get ready for the matinee. Next time, if we arrive a few minutes early either next week or the week after that, I may have more time to explore, experience, and take in the sights of a classic farmer's market. If you're in the area and haven't been, you ought to give it a go.

Sometimes...Many Times...I Wish I Were More Thoughtful

Last night we opened another show. I'm not the most "active" theatre performer. A few years ago I did five or six shows in a year. Maybe it's because I'm getting older, but I'm averaging about a show a year. Even at that, it takes several months out of your life.

I began doing shows back in 2000. There were several years I did no shows at all, so I've probably done about twenty since then. And everyone of them has had an opening night. And everyone of them has had a cast of performers who share that communal experience of opening night.

As we arrived a little before the official call time and prepared for the evening, that's when the thoughtful gifts began to arrive. A card, a trinket, a bag of candy (or two...), a thought, a button, and a couple of dozen cupcakes. Looking at my haul, or booty (in Pirate language...), I thought to myself...

I wish I were more thoughtful and considerate.

Some people seem to always be thinking of others. What an amazing talent that is! They think of what they can do to make opening night a little more special for everyone. They think and plan and execute those plans to put smiles on fellow cast mates's faces. They flat out think about others and turn those thoughts to actions.

Some shows go gift-less on opening night, the ones with smaller casts usually. It's not that I expect the little thoughts of kindness at every opening night. I'm usually so involved in hoping I remember my lines/blocking/notes that I don't think about getting little gifts. Maybe that's why I don't bring the gifts, either.

No. That's just an excuse. If I wanted to think of others on opening nights--or at other times--I could. It's like anything--the more you do it, the easier it becomes. So, maybe next year (if my current play production continues at its current pace...) when opening night rolls around, I might remember that doing something nice for others is something I actually can do, and maybe I might actually end up doing it. I guess time will tell. Thanks everyone who made last night so much better!

Through-The-Door-Water...One Of Humanity's Greatest Things

When your dad builds your house in the early 1970s and he passes away before the project is finished, the home you grew up in is not like other homes. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but just different.

Case in point, the through-the-door water dispenser on refrigerators.

It's one thing we never had growing up.

It's also one thing I know my dad would have had in our house had he the opportunity to actually live there.

My dad was a gadget man. Not only did he build our home, he built furniture, worked with leather--he built a saddle--he built home speaker cabinets, and even put together our Heathkit TV. He would have loved the idea of water and ice accessible through the door of a fridge.

I can't remember the first time I ever saw a fridge with that feature, but I can remember I've always wanted it. It's funny how you always want things you never had before.

Fast-forward thirty years and I found myself building our own house. I, in no way, could match the building abilities my father possessed, but we did as much as we could. One thing we did install was the water line to the fridge so we could have that wonderful option of water and ice through the door.

Today, after putting in ten hours at work, I hurried to leave for the theater. I grabbed my Meals-On-Wheels mug, filled it with ice, and topped it off with water. When I think about it, it's a sign of what an amazing time we live in. I know it's a small thing...but it's a thing.

Ghost Mustache...I'm Feeling It Now

Genetics have denied me the chance to grow facial hair. Believe me, in the fifty-three years I've been on this earth, I've tried again and again to grow something--anything--on my face. 

Nope.

Ain't going to happen.

It's just the way it is.

And I'm okay with that. I mean, what choice to I have? I know there's ways to replace hair on the top of your head...not necessarily good ways, but there are ways. Growing beards or mustaches, or goatees though...probably not a market for fake/permanent mustaches, beards, and goatees.

Of course, you can always be a pirate in a play.

The only time in my life I've sported a mustache is when I'm on stage. They don't look 100% convincing (or maybe they do--I'm not a good judge of this...), but they're good enough to make the audience believe I haven't shaved my upper lip for some time. Personally, I think it's a blast to wear a mustache. It makes me look so different and gives me a glimpse of what could have been. In the current show I'm in, I feel like I should have a striped tank top and a huge barbell to carry around, a la, the ol' time strong man carnival performer.

The problem--once I take off the mustache after wearing it before and during the show, it still feels like it's there, even hours later. Right now, I can still feel it there, even though I took it off four hours ago. I'm sure residue from the adhesive has something to do with it as well.

When I think about it, I'm sure that when guys who have grown a beard, mustache, or goatee naturally feel the same way once they shave off their facial hair. They must feel the same way.

Tonight, I'll go to sleep, wake up tomorrow, and after working a ten-hour shift, head off to the theater. Hopefully, the ghost mustache will be gone by then, only to have it return as I try to fall asleep tomorrow night. Then, Heaven help me on Saturdays. We do two shows each Saturdays during the run. I wonder if I'll keep feeling the mustache all day on Sunday.

Time will tell.

Calling For Submissions...Join Us On Utah's Biggest Stage!

Do you have an act you'd love to share with over 100,000 people? Do you have interesting talents you think others should see? Have you ever wanted to perform on the state's biggest stage?

If so, here's your chance!

We're scheduling vendor floor acts for September's FanX show and we'd love to have you join us!

Okay, maybe all 100k will not see your act. I mean, at any given time maybe a couple of hundred people are able to see the stage at any given time. But, here's an opportunity to be with tens of thousands of fans, people watchers, autograph seekers, writers, artists, cosplayers, musicians, and the general public and share your talents with them.

Here's what we're looking for:

Acts the audience would love--themes consistent with the FanX experience

Unusual (and safe) performances--magic acts, comic routines, things that highlight all things geek/nerd

Acts must be family-appropriate

Acts with audience participation: a plus

If you have an act and would like to be considered for the state's biggest party, e-mail us at: scott@fanxsl.com. 

Also, we're trying something new this time--a Lip Sync contest! I'll blog about this later.

Last April, FanX put in a stage on the vendor room floor. We learned some things, got a better idea of what people want, and what they might not like as much, what works and what doesn't work as well. If you don't have an act, but know of someone who does, or you know an act the FanX patrons will love, please contact us. We want to make this show the best one ever. And we need your help to do it!

Join us in September--it's going to be great!

The "Apollo 11: What We Saw" Podcast...Truly Amazing!

I wasn't old enough to remember the first moon landing, but I remember watching rocket launches on TV. I remember seeing men in the big bulky suits hopping around on the moon's surface, and remember the splashdowns where new heroes were returned to solid surfaces on earth. I remember seeing the command center in Houston--all those people working toward one goal. It was magical.

I remember also, when we moved to our new home in Farmington, Utah, in the last 1960s. I asked my dad if the tall towers of the petroleum refineries north of Salt Lake City were the site of the rocket launches. I remember my brother laughed at that--he being two years older and much wiser (apparently...) than me. What did I know? I was three or four at the time.

Needless to say, I've always known the story of men on the moon. Last week I discovered a podcast about the program, and its crown jewel, the flight of Apollo 11, and the moon landing that happened exactly fifty years ago last Saturday.

I love the stories. I love hearing about the men and women who worked to accomplish a goal set by a US president who never saw his dream fulfilled. The podcast, Apollo 11: What We Saw, which you can access by clicking: HERE, reminds me of those early memories, of a time when even the moon was no longer just an object to see from earth, but a destination.

Bill Whittle and Esoteric Radio Theatre have put together a narration of the beginning of the space program to men landing on the moon and what it required to see this happened. It's a wonderful way to learn history from one who, you can tell, loves the subject and knows his stuff when it comes to the subject matter.

We talk a lot about the way things used to me. Now, it seems almost impossible for our entire country--let along the entire world--to come together to accomplish something, anything. It's too bad, really. Because the decade of the Apollo program proves we're capable of doing so much more than we do. I wish we could all remember that. What a different world it would be.

If you like space, history, impossible challenges, give Apollo 11: What We Saw a chance. It's good stuff.

Re-Discovering "Cars"...A Classic!

Sun setting on my weekend. I came into the living room to write. My son's watching Pixar's Cars, the first one, and in my opinion, the best one.

I'd forgotten what an amazing film it is.

When I first heard the next Pixar film was about talking cars, I was skeptical. They'd hit home runs with Toy Story 1 & 2, Bugs Life, Monster's Inc., Finding Nemo, and The Incredibles. I wasn't sure this new film could measure up to what had come before. Needless to say, they hadn't made anything like Cars before. Maybe that's part of the reason why it's so good.

Growing up, we took our share of car trips, mostly to Idaho and back, but occasionally, we'd travel in the desert. The panoramic views of the wide expanse of desert terrain reminded me of my my childhood. I heard one of the creators of the film was inspired by childhood car trips to California. It definitely shows.

As I watched, I realized some of the amazing talent in film that are no longer with us. Paul Newman, George Carlin, and Tom Maglizzi. There may be others that I'm not aware of, and as time goes on, we'll lose even more.

I was born in the 1960s, a time when most of the US interstate system was in place, but not all. Many of those road trips, we had to leave the freeway and drive through small towns. Watching the history of our country through an animated film about talking cars is a fascinating way to drive the point home (sorry...). It makes me want to get in the car and drive across the country, but not on the interstate. There's a world out there few see. Throw in James Taylor's Our Town, and it's enough to break your heart.

Pixar changed the way we not only watch animated films, but how they're made. They also create stories that touch us inside. Cars did that for me, and apparently, still does it thirteen years later.

My First Disney Clothing...Ever

Of course, it may not be my first item of Disney clothing ever...it's not if you count watches.

When it comes to strengthening the economy by purchasing things, I'm not a good example. And when it comes to purchasing clothes to strengthen the economy, I'm a terrible example. I simply don't buy clothes. Since I began working at home, I've bought even fewer items of clothing than I did before, and that was almost nil. This past week I put on a t-shirt I got free from work. It's to celebrate our work's health plan for the upcoming year. That year was 2000. The shirt's twenty years old--older than half of my kids.

So, when they announced today's tech rehearsal for the upcoming production of Peter Pan that it was Disney Day (meaning we wear Disney gear...), I shrugged. I didn't have to wonder which shirt I'd wear, because I have none. And not only do I not own anything Disney, when it comes to clothes, I thought back. I don't believe I've ever owned an article of clothing depicting a Disney character, theme park, movie, song, or play. 

Nothing.

It's not that I don't want to participate--it's one of those things, you either have Disney-themed clothing or your don't. And I didn't.

Until yesterday. That's when I stopped by a Goodwill story (not my usual thrift store...) and found a couple of used shirts associated with Disney. I chose the best one--Longboard Chewie. A classic.

The past couple of shows I've done, they've had Disney Days. Now, I'll no longer shrug with indifference. I'll wear proudly my Longboard Chewie. It's such a great shirt, I may never have to buy another Disney article of clothing again. After all, I've demonstrated I can keep and wear a good t-shirt for a couple of decades, and if I keep doing shows for a couple of decades more, I'm all set.

Come see Peter Pan! You can access info on the show: HERE. I won't be wearing Longboard Chewie (even though that would be fantastic...), but come see it anyway. After all, the show's not called, Disney Day.

Jodi Milner Blogged About Yours Truly...A Very Nice Thing For Her To Do

The tables were turned, so to speak. Today a wonderful author and a better person chose me as the subject of her author blog.

Such a nice thing for her to do.

Since I blog everyday, sometimes the subjects of what I choose to blog about can get pretty thin. That, in and of itself, is actually interesting since there are so many amazing things to blog about. Still, I find myself looking for blog subjects. And since I began writing stories and blogging, I have, in the past, blogged about my author friends and their works. I should write about them more--I should read more of their writings, but I do when I can.

There aren't many times when people blog about me. 

I get it--I understand. Not many people blog as much as I do, and they have their own world of options to highlight. Not that I'm complaining, mind you. I like writing about my friends and what they're up to. I just wish more people read my blog so they could get more coverage. One difference between Jodi's method and mine is Jodi sent me questions for her blog beforehand--I usually write about people without them knowing about it until it's published.

So, one good deed deserves another. Here's the link to Jodi's blog post she so kindly wrote about me. You can access it by clicking: HERE. If you're reading my blog, give Jodi's a look-see. And while you're there, check out her other posts. Like I mentioned earlier, she's a wonderful author.

Waking Up To A Dark Morning...Computer-Wise

This morning I casually opened up my laptop, and...

Nothing.

No lighted screen,

No lighted keyboard,

Nothing.

I use my laptop, as do millions--possibly billions--of people everyday. It's like flipping on the light switch when you enter a room. The fact that lights go on is as normal as breathing. We're so used to it that when the power goes out, you still hit the light switch and expect illumination.

This morning, I expected the Mac to obey my command and fire up. But it didn't. I pushed the Power button several times. Nothing. That's when mild panic set in. This proves I rely too much on technology. I mean, my computer's like my right arm. I need it for this blog, for my writing, for my work with FanX, to post my daily picture...so many things. You hear about computers dying all the time. But all my Macs have been phenomenal--my most recent included. The fact that it didn't start up this morning was as foreign to me as walking into a room and hitting the switch in a home without power.

After it was obvious I couldn't get it started, I logged onto my iPad and scheduled a time to take my laptop to the Apple Store in the afternoon. I tried to figure out what I'd have to do to accomplish all my daily computer duties without my laptop.

Then, I thought I ought to contact Apple Customer Service. I know with PCs, there are tricks to re-start a computer. I thought maybe it's the same with Macs.

Turns out, there is.

The Apple Customer Service was fantastic at helping me re-start my laptop. I pushed--at the same time--the Shift/Control/Alt/Power buttons for ten seconds. That did the trick. I breathed a huge sigh of relief.

One day--could be tomorrow, could be in ten years--the computer will die. It's the way of things. I hope if/when it does happen, I'll be more prepared than I was today.

Trying Something New...Writing While Commuting, While Someone Else Drives

It's been a busy week. We open Peter Pan next week. I'm working a forty-hour week, FanX responsibilities are ramping up, and then there's just the normal things that need to get done, every one of them steals a little bit of our time.

But, while driving to rehearsal last night I realized something. 

I could write while my daughter drove us to the theater.

That's actually a very cool thing.

My daughter is getting close to reaching the required number of hours needed to where she gets her license. There's no one in the family that looks forward to it more than her. I'm sure she's sick of having mom and dad drive her to wherever she wants/needs to go. It'll mean freedom, the type of freedom that teenagers used to yearn for, used to dream about. I don't know if it means the same thing nowadays, but I'm seeing a lot of the way I looked forward to having that small plastic card in my daughter.

And she's close.

She's getting so good, I was able to get some work done while she maneuvered the sporty American car (made by Toyota...) through stop-and-go traffic and at highway speeds. Sure, I instinctively pushed my right foot into the floorboard now and again (she sees me do it every time...), but for the most part, I didn't have to worry about her driving. I realized this as I was able to concentrate on the writing, and not her driving.

My wife and I have a dream, that one day we'll back up a nice RV and hit the road, she'll drive and I'll write. I think I experienced a taste of that yesterday.

And it tasted good.

Dan Welch's "Death And Seven"...A Book Review

When I first heard what Death and Seven was all about, it was one of those pitches that makes the gears in my mind turn. Imagine, being able to ask questions of a corpse.

And have that corpse answer back.

That was the pitch. I finished the book today. 

Dan Welch has created a situation in which technology has advanced to the point where a body, if properly prepared immediately after it dies, can be manipulated to divulge information to an interested party. When I heard that, I thought about all the times, in books, films, even music, where finding out what a dead person knows would answer a lot of questions, solve many mysteries, even right many wrongs. But, that kind of power can also create problems of its own. 

Amanda Wilson works in the facility where memories are harvested like data in an old computer. We follow the sad tale of Sarah Russell, former worker on wall street, now deceased witness. Sarah's information proves valuable to law enforcement in bringing down the bad guys. The problem is, both sides are fighting to win.

Death and Seven filled my head with a lot of "what-ifs." What if it were possible? What if our memories and secrets could be gathered after we're gone, when filters and safeguards normally in place are no longer there? What would we find out, and would we be better off not knowing?

I love books that make my mind wander like this. Welch's Death and Seven did just that. It's a quick read. It took me a couple of days to listen to the entire audiobook, but I could have easily done it in one day. If you think this sounds like an interesting idea for a novel, give it a shot. You can order the book: HERE. Death and Seven...in this book, death isn't the end.

Orson Scott Card's "Ender's Game"--Ready For The Next Generation Of Readers...And Writers

The book sat on a table at SpikeCon. It lay among other books available for whomever wished to have one. There were several, many of which I'd never heard of.

But I had heard of Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game.

I picked up the book and put it in my bag.

Hours later, after returning home, I unpacked it and gave it to my son.

He's fourteen, almost fifteen.

It was time.

Every genre has books that everyone interested in that genre must read. There are books people should read even if they're not necessarily interested in that genre. Ender's Game is one of those books. In fact, if you want to understand both today's authors of science fiction, and the books they're writing now in the genre, a good place to start is by reading Ender's Game. The reason why is simple--most authors in that genre have read the book.

When I asked my son what book he wanted me to write almost three year ago, he said he wanted to read a science fiction story. That's what I wrote. Chaser came about because of his answer. When I saw Card's book on the table, I wondered if he would like it. Turns out, the next day he was already several chapters in--and we didn't have to "remind him" to read it.

I have no idea if my son will turn out to be a writer--it's possible he may be. More likely, he'll be a reader and I'll be completely overjoyed if that's the case. But if he does turn into an author and he writes science fiction, I'm sure Ender's Game will have had an impact on him. I know it did on me and thousands of other writers out there.

It's that good.

Taking Advantage Of All The Accessories...

Tonight we grilled. I retrieved the Expert Grill, fired up the coals, and slapped down prepared meats. We hadn't barbecued in a while and it sounded good. We're still breaking in the grill--it's only months old. I'm still learning the intricacies of the cooker. So far, I've been impressed. I think it'll be a good one.

I remember putting the thing together. The last thing I added was the bottle opener. I loved that it included one, like an Expert Griller using an Expert Grill must have quick access to a bottle opener. I've admitted that I'm no expert when it comes to grilling, so I'm not sure if I must have a bottle in my hand as the meat turns from raw and poisonous to cooked and delicious.

To me, a bottle opener seems old fashioned. Like the scene from Back to the Future, where Marty can't twist the cap off his bottle of pop. He needs his father George to do it for him, and George completes the task like it's the easiest thing in the world to do.

As I put the grill together and I attached the small bottle opener to the side, I wondered if I would ever use it. Turns out, I did--nice attachment to have after all.

Little Known Fact...Cuisinart = Dutch For Delicious!

Okay, okay. I know Cuisinart is not Dutch for delicious. I've studied Danish and German and I know a few Dutch words.

Cuisinart is not one of them.

Last week we were given a wonderful gift--the gift of quick and easy-making ice cream, yogurt, and sorbet. Sure, we've had ice cream makers in the past, and I believe I once participated in using a hand-cranked ice cream making machine. Glad technology has pretty much eliminated those relics of the past.

We still have an ice cream maker that requires ice and salt. It's buried in the pantry, and it works, but it's a pain--not as much a pain as the hand-cranked model, but...well, you know what I mean.

Back when my wife and I got married, one of our wedding gifts was an ice cream maker. It was small, but it worked great. Instead of using ice and salt, you freeze a canister then add the ice cream ingredients into the canister while the maker churns it.

Looks like Cuisinart has improved the process. The maker included two canisters instead of one, and the canisters are bigger. You can keep one frozen in the fridge while making delicious sweet frozen treats in the other. And, we can make slushies. We've successfully made limeade slushies and lemonade slushies--we even tried Coca Cola slushies (they were not as good as the citrus ones...).

Yes, we've already used this thing a lot in the short time we've acquired it (thanks Carol for the fantastic gift!), and we don't plan on slowing down anytime soon. After all, is there a better time to make homemade desserts than when it's over 100 degrees outside?

Exactly!

Come See OMT's Peter Pan...It's A Fantastic Show!

I've been posting pictures from Ogden lately. There's a reason for this, and it's not just because the valley is full of amazingly photogenic locations and sights.

It's because my daughter and I are in a play that opens in just a few weeks.

Peter Pan

This is a show of firsts for me. It's the first show I've done in Ogden, unless you count my birth in Ogden over five decades ago. It's the first show I've down that wasn't in Centerville or Farmington. What it isn't, is the first time I've done this show. Years ago, I was fortunate enough to be part of a Peter Pan production at Centerpoint Legacy Theatre.

This time, I'm Jukes the pirate, not Cecco. I'm the pirate who gets killed first by Peter in Act III (sorry for the spoiler...).

I have had an amazing time learning the show all over again with an entirely new cast (but not director or choreographer...). Doing a show in a new theater in a new city gives us the opportunity to get to know more people.

So, if you're in the area and want to see first-rate entertainment, chick: HERE for more details on the show, ticket prices, and performances. Come on--check out the show! You won't be sorry!

Anticipation...Even Dogs Feel It

When you have a house with two dogs and two cats, and almost none can be in the same room at the same time and your house is not very big. Well, what you have there is a houseful of trouble.

With a capital "T" and that rhymes with "P" and that stands for "Pet."

It also rhymes with the "T" sound in kitty and puppy and doggie.

We've got one old dog and one young dog, one old cat and a kitten. Only the two dogs can be together in the same room, and that's a recent development. The old dog is most likely not long for this earth and then we'll only have three pets. Things may get easier by a factor of one.

But two of these animals we hope will become friends. The problem is, the big one could eat the little one...literally. We're waiting for the kitten to get a little bigger before he meets the poodle. Right now, the kitten stays sometimes in our bedroom and the dog knows where the kitten is. The dog spends hours sitting in front of the door and when the kitten comes close to the door, the dog really freaks out.

We're hoping the kitten can come out and play with the dog to save our sanity (and the door..). We know it'll happen. It's just a matter of time.

And patience.