The Amber Den, LC...Another Example of People Being Creative

 A few weeks back, my wife, son, and I drove to Hyrum, Utah for an estate sale. Last summer we spent almost every weekend seeking out yard sales for treasures. We saw an ad for the estate sale and waxed nostalgic for the "Cheap Hunt" so we decided to give it a shot.

Sad to say, there wasn't much for us.

We weren't interested in the hundreds and hundreds of vinyl albums or the huge collection of DVDs. We weren't sure what we were looking for, but whatever it was, it wasn't there.

There was another person there who seemed more interested in the sale, Dennis of the Amber Den. I saw him checking out the many books on shelves between the albums and the DVDs. Seeing someone interested in books interests me, so I struck up a conversation. Turns out he runs a business of finding and reselling books. I asked if they had a storefront and he said no, but they were looking into it.

He gave me a business card and I took it. I don't know if I'll ever use the services of The Amber Den, but if they open a store, I'd love to go inside. It's fascinating how people are drawn to do what they do. I have no idea if The Amber Den can support a family--I'd like to think so, but I doubt it. It's more like a side gig. As I get older, I'd like to find something I enjoy from which I can make a buck or two. For the seeker of books, it's creating a business around the printed word. Not sure what it would be for me.

Point is, they took a chance. Good for them. The world should be full of such people, and when you look around a bit, you realize, it actually is.

R.I.P. Dirt...The Cat

 I've written often on the pros and cons of social media. Sure, there are many things that, once seen, can make a sane person turn off their computer forever. But, every once in a while, a story appears that makes a sane person grateful for the apps and blogs and websites and stories.

Case in point, Dirt, the cat.

I have a friend who loves trains. I think there is no place he'd rather be than on them, near then, taking pictures of them, or writing about them. Though we probably haven't seen each other in decades, I follow him on social media...I love his passion for trains. Because of that, I found out about Dirt, the mascot of the Nevada Northern Railroad Museum in Ely, Nevada.

You can read all about Dirt by clicking: HERE. The page has a link to the feline's obituary. 

You may not be interested in trains, railroad museums, or cats, but if you take a minute or two, you'll read of an extraordinary cat, one that did not like people, but became an icon anyway. I loved the story. I think mostly because I believe there's a little bit of Dirt in all of us.

Thanks, Thomas for pointing me in the direction of an amazing story. I wish I could have met Dirt in person, and even though he'd probably not be in a hurry to meet me, I would have felt the opposite.

Give Thanks...For Pioneers

 Today, my wife and I traveled to the next major city to the south, about twenty miles away. We left in the afternoon because we wanted to get home before the sun set. I like traveling with my wife. It's a good time for us to just talk--homeschooling our children for the past two decades plus, it's one of the few times my wife and I can spend time together until the kids go to sleep.

This afternoon one of the topics we discussed was our ancestors...

Specifically, the pioneers that settled the intermountain west.

Today was the kind of day that makes me appreciate just how amazing those people were.

This morning, we got hit with snow...the biggest storm we've experienced in the short time we've lived here. Last night's storm caused them to cancel church with the instruction for the congregation to stay home and stay warm. Because of our side gig, my family broke out the snowblower and shovels and we set out to clear the driveways, walkways, and approaches of snow. About halfway through our assignment, the wind hit. It was, in a word, miserable.

I admit, I am soft in many ways. Because I was born in the greatest country and during the greatest time in the history of the planet for humans, I've not known true hunger. I've not known extreme conditions. I've not known poverty, or any of the other ills that plagued humanity throughout history.

I am truly blessed.

Today, as we drove south, my wife and I discussed what it must have been like to travel in a covered wagon or pulling a handcart in these conditions. It hurts my brain to think about it. When we were out in the elements earlier today, we had on waterproof coats, hats, gloves, insulated clothing. We could retreat to a heated car or home at any time. Once done with shoveling we did exactly that. None of these things were available two hundred years ago. 

I'm convinced our ancestors who risked literal death to make a better life for themselves in a new world are superheroes. They were just built different back then. I'm grateful for their sacrifices. I pray I can possess a fraction of that courage. If we all did, the world would be a much better place.

Superplow--An INCREDIBLE Product...Unfortunately, Not For Us

 For the past two winters, my family has had a side gig...snow removal. Last year - not a big deal. I think we were called out four times...

This year, however, we've already got that beat and we're not even into February.

Because this year has been so tough, our family has discussed options for next year. We've decided we've got to get some help...some mechanical help, if we want to continue the gig. Not only are my wife and I getting older, but the neighborhood, in which we've been hired to remove show, is growing. We could have an 20% increase in homes by next winter. We can't keep up with what we're currently doing.

So, I took to the internet and checked out some plows for sale. That's when I happened upon an incredible product, an amazingly wonderful product called the Superplow.

Basically, this thing hooks up to any trailer hitch and you pull the show from behind. I asked several questions to the seller...is my little Subaru powerful enough to use this? Is it okay to pull snow into the street and what do you do with it afterwards? Is there a lot of parts that can break down?

The seller answered them all. He even allowed us to hook it up, take it home, and try it out, which we gladly did. We drove home--it was weird having a 200-400 lb plow hanging on the back of my car. When we got it home, it was obvious we could not use it on our own driveway because my car is so low. Had we a 4x4 truck, it would be no problem. We then went to the neighborhood and tested it out on two driveways. The thing was amazing. I was a little worried about my car handling the snow, but it did okay. But, unless we bought another vehicle to use the Superplow, we'd not be able to use it on 1/3 to 1/2 of the driveways. 

This morning, after weighing the pros and cons, and discussing it with the family, we decided it's not for us. We're taking it back tomorrow. 

We're not sure what the future will hold for us. For the price of the Superplow, there are some quads with plows that we might look into--we're not quite sure. I don't know who invented the Superplow, but I think they did a great job. So much so, I'm surprised there aren't more of them out there.

The Good News - My Game Is Back...The Bad News - My Game Is Back

 I don't play many video games, a few...basically three. It used to be two, but then one of them went away. It went away on my phone, anyway.

Bummer.

The game that is no longer available on iPhones is called Jet Ball 2. It's been years since I played it. I used to have it on an older iPhone until I installed the latest update, then the game was just an icon representing broken dreams that mocked me whenever I saw it. Eventually, I deleted the icon from my phone realizing the game would most likely never return.

I don't know how, but a few months ago I found out the game still exists, just not on the iPhone. You can download the game on Android. I came across a LG tablet my sister-in-law gave to the family. I charged the tablet and downloaded the game.

Success!

That was the good news, but also the bad news. Good that I got it back, but bad, because it's another excuse to not to do things I ought to do, like read a book or write a book or clean the house. No, the net negative outweighs the net positive of having that game available to me.

One positive in all this, the game is glitchy on the tablet--no where near as smooth as it played on my phone, so there's that. Still, I should really cut back on all the games. Maybe that big EMP will kill all these devices (and the games...) after all.

Want A Trader Joe's In Your City? Well...Now You Can Do Something About It

 Someone on Facebook posted a link to this page...

I got excited.

Then, I thought about it a bit.

I've been a fan of Trader Joe's Markets ever since I first set foot inside their store in Salt Lake City. I even blogged about it in September, 2019. The title of that particular blog post was "Oh, How I wish Trader Joe's were closer...but that would be dangerous." Little did I know a year later I would live much farther away.

That's why the Facebook post today excited me. It led to a webpage with a survey, and the survey asked one question--would you like a Trader Joe's in your city?

The answer, at least for me, is a resounding, YES!

Of course, they're not coming to where I live, even if all 10,000 people in my small town answered their survey. Our best hope is if enough people in the big town to the east, Logan, Utah, somehow convince the powers that be to choose them. 

The reason my excitement waned was because I wondered just how much good it would do to fill out the survey. Or, would the answers just be used for market research--and not in a good way. Yes, I'm showing my cynical side...hard to trust anyone anymore. 

I am going to answer the survey and hopefully, anyone who reads this and would like a Trader Joe's in their city will do the same. You can access the webpage by clicking: HERE. Because the world would be a better place if there were more Trader Joe's out there...

Especially one closer to us.

You Should Audition For "Pirate Of Penzance"...You Know You Want To!

 Oh, to be in a show again. Alas, it is not meant to be, at least, not for me right now.

But, if you're looking for a show in which to participate, I know just the one...

The Pirates of Penzance.

Of course, you need to be in the Greater Salt Lake City area, and available to be in a show this coming April and May, and want to do the show, naturally.

Here is the audition information from the top photo:

Auditions will be open to everyone aged 16+. They will be held on January 28th our Studio stage at 3601 S. State Street, located just north of the main theatre.

Callbacks will be held January 30th in the evening by invitation. Auditioners will be notified through email given.

Auditioners should prepare 16 bars of music in the style of song fitting for the piece. 
An accompanist will be provided.

We are accepting video auditions but strongly prefer to see you in person! Send all video auditions to auditions@parkertheatre.org

You can set up an audition time by going to the website: HERE.

I've never done a show at the Parker Theatre (you can find out about the theatre by clicking: HERE...), although, I might have seen a film at the Avalon. I know I drove past it several times. Even though I've never done as show at the Parker, I've worked for the show's Music Director, Dr. Anthony Buck. If you've worked with him in the past, you know what an adventure (a good kind...) it can be. If you haven't, well...you ought to give it a shot.

I was fortunate enough to be in The Pirates of Penzance two years before covid hit and Anthony was our Music Director. It's an amazing show with so many wonderful parts.

Check out the show and audition. After all, the world needs more art...might as well be the one to provide it.

Fourteen Years...Kind Of A Waste

 Every once in a while people will post their Twitter Anniversary on their Twitter feed. I suppose there's a way I could have looked up which day I joined--I had no idea how long I'd been on the app. Today, this little nugget popped up on my account...

Fourteen years.

That's a long time.

The funny thing, I thought I was late to the party when it came to Twitter. I didn't really understand it (still don't, in some ways...), but I stayed with it. I found out quickly that to "succeed" on the app, the more snarky the better. I don't do snark well, so I haven't taken the app by storm. That's okay. It looks like too much work to be huge on Twitter.

Truth be told, I would have deleted the app years ago if it weren't for the positives. One of the first things that blew my mind with the app was the immediacy. Case in point, it was summer and our state (and others...) were experiencing a high rate of fires. Most were in the mountains, but some were in neighborhoods. Unfortunately, a fire broke out in a Salt Lake Valley suburb. I logged onto Twitter and obtained instant information, even down to the streets where the fire was heading and where it had already been. It was SO much faster than the local news. That type of information delivery is invaluable. 

I also began following (and being followed...) by many authors. I like Writing Community Twitter, and Sports Twitter. I follow some Political Twitter, but all have their downsides and some people on the app are absolutely insane...literally.

Fourteen years ago today, I logged on for the first time. I know I should spend less time on the app and other social media platforms, or better yet, cut it out of my life completely, but I don't. It's an addiction. I know it--you know it. It is fact.

And, I know after writing this, I'm going to post the link to Twitter and other sites...

And the whole thing starts all over again.

Looking For A Good Text-To-Speech App...

 There was a time when I listened to books, listened to a lot of books. I burned through so many books I was running out audiobooks at our local library.

Not really, but I did run out of books I wanted to read.

I was reading at least one, and sometimes two books every week )then I discovered podcasts and my audiobook listening has dwindled to almost nothing...). I got so addicted to audiobooks, I tried to find an app for my phone that would take any book and turn it into an audiobook, mostly so I could enjoy books written by my author friends whose books were not available in audiobook format.

I finally found an app that worked quite well. It was called PDF to Audio Offline. Today I got a new book to read. I fired up my phone and tried to add it to the app. The problem--I needed to download it again since I hadn't accessed it in some time. That's when I discovered that app was no longer available.

Bummer.

So, I went on a hunt. I searched for a new text-to-speech reader. I found one and started the book. I first tried to increase the reading rate to 1.5 times. It played for a few seconds then I got a message that I would have to pay $12/mth for the privilege of having the material read quicker. 

Nope.

I decided the normal rate would be okay, but I noticed the speech was not reading the words correctly. In fact, it was creating new words that were not in the text, example, it turned "just" into "fust."

Nope.

I downloaded a couple of other apps and haven't been able to get what I once had. I'll need to do more hunting.

We live in such an amazing times. The very thought that we can take any book, download a digital copy, then be able to have a program read it out loud boggles the mind. I'm hoping there's an app out there that will allow me to do it. We'll see.

Give Thanks...For Church

 It's Sunday. For some, it's the best day of the week. For other's, it's a bittersweet day because it's one day closer to Monday and returning to the grind.

I suppose I go back-and-forth between the two extremes.

Growing up, we went to church on Sundays, every Sunday. I can't imagine it was easy for my mom to get three children, three young children ready and take them each week. I remember we'd sit on the small pews, left side, closer to the front than the back. Those benches on the sides were not big, but we all seemed to fit. How many hours I'd look at the wood grains in the pews, see the paint flaking on the window seals, stare at the ceiling and follow the lines in the patterns...

And that mural. 

I stare at that thing for hours and hours and hours, imaging those kids sitting in supposedly same benches almost one-hundred years earlier.

So many hours in that building, and not just Sundays.

Mine is a story shared by millions, a childhood where religion is a building block on which a life begins. The past couple of years have been different. A few years ago churches--and pretty much everything else--were closed. Even if we wanted to go to church, it was not an option. I think that experienced changed us both collectively and individually. 

These days, I walk the halls of a church I'm still figuring out. It's full of people I mostly don't recognize...but it's still church, still a place of worship. I'm grateful I can attend, grateful so many sacrificed so much to build it and to maintain it. 

Years ago, as I sat on those hard benches (without padding...), I used to look at the ceiling, the floors, the walls. We had no smartphones back then. I wonder if the kids who attend the meetings now do the same thing. Do they stare at the ceilings, the floors, the walls, the benches?

Probably.

Must Have That Creative Outlet...For Some, Painting Miniatures

 My son signed up for a kickstarter project a few years back. Not having much experience in kickstarter projects, neither he nor I knew when he would be getting the things promised in a kickstarter enticement. Turns out for this one, it took years.

For my son, it was worth the wait.

In fact, the box of game pieces that double as paintable miniatures is one of several boxes that will be--hopefully--forthcoming. 

Watching the smile cross my son's face as he showed us his new-found treasure make me think about having a creative outlet. My son takes after me in a lot of ways, not just the way he looked as a child. For years my son has pursued the arts. He's a gifted artist, computer video editor, and now he's painting miniatures. It's almost as if he has to do something creative. 

Back in high school I got my first real camera and I thought about becoming a professional photographer. That seems to be the start of me having/needing a creative outlet. For years, the urge to create sort of faded, but returned later when I started to write. It's been a decade since my first short story was published...can't believe it's been that long.

Currently, I take pictures and I write in this blog. I've let the other outlets slide a bit and that's something I need to rectify. There's pros and cons to creativity, and it comes at a cost. Sometimes the cost can be high. Though I'm glad my son (and his other siblings...) have that creative streak, I hope the can navigate the ups and downs of it all.

I don't know if I'll be painting miniatures. You know how it is getting older, your hands are less steady and your eyesight fades. My son, however, he's got his whole life ahead of him. I just pray it won't take years for the next delivery to arrive.

Not Many Memories...Of Getting Stuck In The Snow

Two days ago I sat in my office and watched as a White Pontiac slid down a snow-covered field and stopped, unable to continue. It was, in a word, stuck. The two teenagers in the car were also, in a word, stuck.

In a way, it brought back memories to when I was a teenager.

But, in another way, it didn't.

I grew up about an hour south of where we now live. The climate is pretty much the same and was most likely the same forty some years ago when I was learning to drive both in the snow and not in the snow. Here's where it gets weird. I don't remember getting stuck in the snow a lot. It helped I drove a VW Beetle, one of the best cars in the snow. Plus, I think they did not plow the roads as much back then. Yes, there were fewer cars on the road, but you would think with poorer driving conditions people would get stuck more often.

This is where I wonder if my memory is as reliable as I think it is. You know how older people (of which I now feel being a part...) will tell the young'ins about how life was back in the good old days? Are they just making stuff up? Are they embellishing? Or, are they relating facts as they really were? I think about this when I'm trying to remember what it was like as a teenager driving a car in snowy conditions.

Back to the present--I watched for a while as the two teenagers tried getting the Pontiac unstuck. They were unsuccessful. After a bit, when it was obvious they needed help, I called out to my youngest and we set out to give them a push. They must have called a friend because as we left out house a big Ford pickup truck drove up. I thought he might tow them out, but instead, all of us got behind the car and freed it from its frozen prison.

I wonder if in the future those teenagers will remember the time they drove down a field in January and required the help of strangers (and possibly a friend...) to get them unstuck. Then again, will those hearing the story believe them..?

 

The New Way To Watch Sports...

 Such is life in the twenty-first century.

At least, in our house.

There was a time when I watched a lot of sports. On any given Saturday I would find myself in front of a TV, or even go to the games in person. It almost didn't matter what sport--I credit ABC's Wide World of Sports for that. 

I mean, when there's only three channels on TV, you watch whatever's on, so we'd watch bowling and figure skating and surfing and alpine skiing and whatever it was they'd show. And we'd enjoy it...

Or, at least I think we would.

I'm getting off the subject. Fast forward several decades and I'm no longer someone who watches hours and hours of sports every week. I haven't completely removed sports from my life--I mean, I check the scores, but NFL, MLB, NBA...don't watch them. I do watch a lot of college sports, however. Take for example, the National Football Championship. I was interested, but not enough to go to a different room to watch (especially after the first quarter...). No, I loaded up the game on my laptop, and watched something else on the living room TV with the family.

This works out well for a few reasons. One, I can be a "casual fan." This works great, especially if it's a game that isn't that interesting. Plus, I can engage with the family, watch what they're watching. There are few sports programs my family even watches so watching by myself isn't as fun.

As sports goes, we're entering the most boring time of the year. Even if I watched the major leagues, all that's on right now is basketball. But, soccer's right around the corner, then that forever-long time to wait until college football begins anew.

I don't know how long I'll be watching games on the computer with the sound off while other things are happening around me...maybe a few years. Then again, if I disconnected from sports all together, maybe I could get some other things done...

Like writing.

Apparently...This Is The Holy Grail Of Danish Cookbooks

Last night my wife and I enjoyed a "hyggeligt" evening with a neighbor couple. We chatted, swapped stories, and best of all, shared Danish food. If you're unfamiliar with all foods Danish (other than pastry, of course...), you can find all you need to know about the topic contained in the pages of a book appropriately called, A Taste of Denmark, by Stig Hansen.

Apparently, it's the Holy Grail of Danish cookbooks.

Our hosts, Pia and Scott, have a copy of this book. It is revered, it is cherished, and most importantly, it is used. My wife and I had not heard of this book so they brought it out for us to get a look at it. They also said that even buying a used copy of the book was pricy. How pricy? Here's a link to an eBay page. You can access the page by clicking: HERE.

In my experience, though not every time, that things cost more for a reason. An average cookbook can cost between $10 - $20. Not this one. I've also experienced first hand that when something is more expensive, it tickles a place deep in my mind that makes me want that expensive thing. I mean, it's expensive for a reason. The best cars cost more, the best food costs more, the best Lego sets cost more, and I seem to want them all. 

I then regain my senses and change my mind. Most of the things I "want" I don't really need.

But, the Danish cookbook, we may have to give that a second look.

 Last night's food was delicious--thank you Pia and Scott. The recipes from last night came from the book. Yet another reason to check it out.

If you're interested in learning more about all things Danish (food edition...), check out A Taste of Denmark, by Stig Hansen. And if you buy it an it's not your cup of tea, let us know...we'll take it off your hands for you. ;)

If You'd Like To Perform On The FanX Stage Next September...Just Fill Out The Application!

 

Even though it's months away, it's never too early to think about next Season's FanX. Some people think about it a lot...almost the whole year long. Some people, as soon as the final FanX event ends, they're already planning the next show twelve months in the future.

Such is life.

This is an invitation for those of you interested in participating in next September's show. If you have an act and you'd like to showcase that act on our Vendor Floor Stage, we'd love to hear what you've got. How do you submit your ideas, you ask? Simple...

Just fill out our application!

You can access the application by clicking: HERE. Now, I cannot guarantee you a place on our stage, but I can guarantee if you do apply, we'll consider your request to see if it fits in what we're trying to do at FanX.

Maybe you don't have an act, but if you know someone that does, please forward this post to them so they can submit an app. We're looking for fun, engaging, entertaining acts that our guests will love. Again, please let us know what you've got and maybe you'll be performing in front of Utah's largest convention crowds. Just fill out the application and we'll see what happens. Good luck--we'd love to hear from you.

Remembering My Mom (And Grandpa...) While At The Dentist

 Funny how something can bring back memories. Case in point, going to the dentist. As I sat there waiting for the cleaning to begin, I was reminded of my mother. Not because she was a dentist or involved in the dental industry in any way, but because of something she said.

"When I die, I want to have all my teeth."

You may think that's an odd thing to say, and in a way, I agree. Of all the things you want to have when you die, I think teeth might not be something you'd consider. 

Then again, you'd have to know the time in which my mother lived to better understand.

My mom was born in 1931, just as the Great Depression was starting. She live in rural Idaho where they didn't have much. My mother recounted to us her memories of when they hooked up both electricity and indoor plumbing into the family home. That right there is enough to blow your mind. Not many in America can even comprehend living in a home without indoor plumbing or electricity.

She did both.

There's something else people in her day dealt with that few today would understand...

Losing your teeth.

I have few memories of my grandfather, my mother's father. He was the only grandparent I met. My father's parent passed away in the 1950s and my mother's mother died the year after I was born. No, Grandpa Knight was it for me. He was a dairy farmer living in the same home where my mother grew up. He had a kind smile, a gruff laugh, and prickly whiskers on his face. He lived in the coldest place on earth and passed away when I was ten-years old.

And, he had a full set of dentures. He used to take them out and show us--in my opinion--just to see the expression on his grandkids's faces. He wasn't alone having lost all his teeth. I have not done any research, but I know many people had dentures back then. We're fortunate enough to live in an era where dental health has improved greatly since those days. Considering the world in which my mother lived, it makes sense for her to want her own teeth when she died.

My mother passed away sixteen year this upcoming July. I'm happy to say, she got her wish. Funny how sitting in a dental chair waiting for the jibs and jabs can dig up some wonderful and bittersweet memories.

Give Thanks...For Selfless Friends

 There's a group consisting of a couple of hundred people (or more...) that received some news at the beginning of the year. We're a close-knit group...close because we've shared common experiences, and there's one person that brought us all together...

Blake Casselman.

If you're unfamiliar with Blake, he is an extraordinary individual. He wears many hats, screenwriter, teacher, film director/writer/producer, husband, father, friend. And since 2013, he's also been the Programming Director for the FanX Salt Lake Comics Convention, formally known as Salt Lake Comic Con. On New Years Eve he took off the Program Director hat and transferred it to another. 

End of an era.

Every once in a while a person enters your life that, unbeknownst to you at the time, will change your life forever. I didn't know many years ago it would happen to me. I was attending LTUE, a writers symposium held in Orem, Utah and I sat in on a screenwriting class. Blake was one of the panelists. After the panel I introduced myself to him and told him one of my scripts was made into a short film. He invited me to attend a screenwriters group that met every other week. I accepted his invitation and started attending.

When the first Salt Lake Comic Con was announced, Blake was hired to be the Programming Director. He approached me and several other writers and artists and asked if we'd like to participate as panelists. I accepted that invitation as well. Thus began an almost decade-long relationship with Blake and the convention. I started as a panelists and a few years later, I began helping Blake and his team as an Assistant Programming Director. 

It's difficult to express just what this friendship has meant to me. Because of Blake giving me an opportunity, I've made life-long friends in the writing community. I submitted a novel that was published by those friends and I've had so many incredible experiences that I doubt would have happened had I not entered that screenwriting class years ago and struck up a conversation with the very approachable Blake Casselman.

The news of Blake stepping down reached our panelist community on New Years Day. As part of his team, I knew of his decision earlier. I know the reaction of the other panelists because it was mine as well--shock, sadness, a feeling that the convention that we all love had lost a kind and selfless soul. Many of us know how hard he fought for us, but few understood just how hard he fought. Working with him behind the scenes, I saw.

The FanX Salt Lake Comics Convention will continue. Blake with participate with us, but this time as a panelists, an incredible weight no longer resting on his shoulders. It'll be nice to see him free to enjoy the event that owes so much of its existence to him, so much that makes the event special because of him. If you know Blake, you understand. I, and so many, are fortunate to call him friend.

Three Mornings...Three Pictures

 Three mornings...three pictures.

Three different pictures.

This time of year I'm fortunate enough to be awake when the sun rises above a mountain range in the east. This also happens six months from now. To say I'm fortunate enough is somewhat misleading. If I wanted, I could get up every morning and check out the eastern skyline, but I choose to sleep in occasionally. 

Looks like I'm missing out.

These last three days, however, I've been able to capture three sunrises. These are not the most spectacular sunrises we've seen in our short time up here, but they are interesting.

I've mentioned before that where we used to live, we rarely saw sunrises. I mean, they were there, but we lived close to the mountain and there just wasn't enough sky. Now, we're about twenty miles from the mountain range so we're able to see those incredible sunrises.

When I'm working, I open the blinds and let nature paint me a picture. Not all of them are good, but they're all unique. Something about sunrises and sunsets. It's as if they're created just for the person looking...all they have to do is look.

Tomorrow is Sunday and I have early church. By the time I'm up and ready, it might be too late to catch the sunrise, or there may not even be one with any color. Still, I'll bet somewhere someone will be up and able to look east, to see the sun rise above the mountains. And I'll bet that person will feel like the sunrise was created just for them.

I Mean, The Lagoon Wooden Roller Coaster Is...Practically New

I find philosophy fascinating at times. The riddles, the unanswerable mind juggling found in the science have been debated for thousands of years. These debates continue because there are no definite answers. Still, I find they tickle my mind. A somewhat minor thought experience can be found in the Ship of Theseus. If you're familiar with the riddle, it goes something like this (paraphrasing...): if you take a ship and over time replace each section of the ship until eventually everything in the ship has been replaced, is the ship old or new?

See? Fascinating.

Today, I stopped by a place for which I am familiar, Lagoon Amusement Park in Farmington, Utah. I've driven by the park literally tens of thousands of times in my life. Each time, I've been able to spot the iconic wooden roller coaster. Though I've seen it that many times, I've ridden the ride most like a couple of hundred times. Having climbed aboard those cars as a child tall enough to ride to into my fifties, you get a "feel" for the ride.

To me, it always felt like the structure is only moments away from completely falling down.

I'm not the only one who feels this way. In fact, many say the feeling of an old, rickety ride, the wondering if the wooden beams will support the weight of the car and riders is part of the fun. My mind knows it is safe--I personally know many of the men and women who work tirelessly to make sure the rides are safe. Still...

There's something about it that makes me question.

Today I saw something I don't think I've ever seen before. Workers were servicing the ride (which they do all the time...), but I'd never seen sections of track missing from the ride. I looked at the ride again. Everywhere I looked I saw new--relatively new--beams. Everywhere. In fact, I didn't see an old beam anywhere on the ride. Of course, I scanned the ride, not taking all day to inspect every piece of wood, but if you stand there, you'd be hard pressed to see any wood that wasn't new.

This is basically a new ride.

I'm sure many who are more knowledge about the ride specifically and wooden coasters in general will say I'm late to the party, that wooden roller coasters are maintained this way to assure safety. 

So many times I drove or walked by that old ride, I thought how close it must be to just crumbling under its own weight. After today, I don't think I'll ever look at that ride the same way again.

Is it new, or old?

Yes.

Shopping By Text Message...A Way Of Life For Husbands Everywhere

 These are two pictures I've used lately while grocery shopping, only two examples of how I have successfully completed a grocery shopping errand.

Yeah, I know...

Pretty pathetic.

I should know what I'm supposed to be buying. Those tortilla for example. We've only purchased that one brand for probably a decade. I saw it, threw one in the cart, but decided to pick it up and snap a quick picture of the package and texted my wife just to be sure.

I did the same thing with the chips...

Just to be sure.

For both instances, I punted. I relied on the expertise of an expert--my wife. I know it's not politically correct, but my wife has chosen those items (and thousands of others...) since we've been married over thirty years ago. And because I am not the primary shopper/chooser in the household, I wanted to make sure my choices were right before I bought them and brought them home.

I saw something years ago that showed a "Shopping List for Husbands." It was just a bunch of photos of the things the husband was to buy. It was supposed to be funny, but...

I thought it was genius.

Perhaps not all husbands resort to this method of shopping, but I know I do, and I don't see me stopping anytime soon.

Remembering Winter Storm Gandalf...Ten Years Later

 A memory popped up on my Facebook feed this morning. Interestingly enough it centered on something I posted exactly ten years ago today...

Pictures of lots and lots of snow.

This winter we've been experiencing a lot of storms, as have others. I've seen many people comment on it, as if they've forgotten that there were times when we would get a lot of snow in the winter. The last couple of years we've somehow forgotten that, being in a drought and all. Looking at those pictures, it reminded me of that storm--it was even named, Winter Storm Gandalf. I found a link on it from the Weather Channel. You can access the link: HERE.

This morning we shoveled the neighborhood driveways again. That's the fifth time this winter, one more than last year. And, we're expecting more snow over the weekend. I don't know if we'll be called out again, but it's a possibility.

I remember that storm a decade ago. I remember shoveling out neighbors who were stuck in the cul-de-sac. It was fun looking at the old neighborhood, seeing friends. I don't remember being sore from all that shoveling, but I'm sure I was. I know this because I'm sore today. Of course, I was younger then...still, lots of snow translates to lots of snow removal.

Remembering Winter Storm Gandalf. It was a big one.

Out Driving...With The Youngest

 I've been fortunate enough to help two of my children learn to drive.

Now, I'm helping our youngest.

Some things have changed, and some things have not.

When I helped teach the first two, we lived in an area with many more people. I remember driving the kids to an empty parking lot and swapping seats. Then, they would putter around the lot, practice their turning/stopping/signaling skills. They'd get a feel for the wheel, the brakes, the gas, and after a while, we'd change seats and I would drive us home.

This is when they first learned to drive. Of course, over time, they got better until eventually I would climb in the passenger seat and my child would drive us to wherever we were going and many times, would drive us home, too. But, I did not let them on a busy road with other drivers when they were first learning.

This time, it's a little different.

On Sunday, my son and I pulled out the van and I drove to rural Bothwell, Utah. If you're unfamiliar with Bothwell (rural, or otherwise...), you're not alone. I'm not dissing the place. In fact, I'll bet most Bothwell residents would prefer that people did NOT know about where they live. I chose the area for my son to get in more driving time because, well...there's not much there.

And on a Sunday afternoon in January, I suspected we'd be practically the only car on the road.

I was right.

My son climbed in the driver's seat and we were off. We did not go fast, and my son practiced pulling over and stopping several times just in case someone came up behind us and did not want to travel at the same rate of speed as us. The area was perfect, flat valley, long straight (and deserted...) roads.

The driving lesson was a success. He drove for a half hour, made two trips round a loop of a few homes and sod farms, was passed only once, and even drove by a county sheriff. 

So much different than a church parking lot.

We'll go out again and probably to the same spot. My son liked it--he felt comfortable and confident. Hopefully, that will make me comfortable and confident as well.

Glad To Have Donk Back...

 Last October, while driving home from my Halloween gig, my trusty Subaru (we've lovingly called, "Donk,"...) began to sound a little funny...

And not in a good way.

We decided to park Donk. Thankfully, I only worked that gig on the weekends and I was able to borrow the family minivan to finish out the season. Donk sat in the garage waiting for an opening at our favorite mechanic's shop. The date came and we took in the car. The result? Pretty much what we suspected.

The transmission was shot.

Bummer.

I was especially bummed because I really liked that car. I bought it two months before covid hit and it served us well giving us a second vehicle and one we felt confident driving in the snow. Plus, the cost of replacing the transmission eclipsed the value of the car. We resigned ourselves in saying good-bye to Donk and we started looking for another car. I snapped a picture of Donk and lamented on social media that I was sad because I really liked that car.

Many of my friends saw the photo and some offered condolences. But one, went a step further. He asked what was wrong with Donk. I told him. He then said he'd check out something and get back to me. The fact that my friend is a master auto mechanic with decades of experience.

We saw a glimmer of hope in a dark space.

Fast forward four months and Donk once again sits lovingly in our garage, but it no longer makes the horrible sound, it no longer worries me that it'll leave me stranded on the side of the road. No, Donk has a new transmission and the ride is ever-so smooth, as smooth as a manual transmission can be.

After something like this happens, you look back at the things you've learned. I learned that the used car market is full of cars that--to me--don't seem worth the asking price. But, if people buy the cars, then I guess they are worth the asking price. Some people out there are extremely good and will go the extra mile to make other's people's lives less crappy. I've learned that we live in an incredible time and country. I've learned how important it is to have a vehicle you can trust parked in the garage.

Thanks go out to my friend for the support. The car is running just fine.

Give Thanks...For A Birthday

 Every Sunday I try and blog about something for which I am thankful. It's not every day your spouse has a birthday on a Sunday...

This year, it happened for us.

Yes, it's my wife's birthday. I will not say which birthday this is for her--that's up to her to say--but I will say another year has passed, another 365 days, another trip around the sun.

To say I'm grateful for her is an understatement. We've been married for more than thirty years. I cannot imagine my life without her. Without her, there would be no children, no incredible memories we've shared, no first Christmas tree atop my old '76 Volkswagen Beetle.

And so much more would be gone.

Yes, today is her birthday. She's a year older...actually, she's a day older than she was yesterday, but from now on if she wants to divulge her age, it will be one more than it was yesterday.

Love you, Babe! Happy birthday.

What Were We Thinking?...A Modern-Day Tale

 We really should have known.

And, I suppose, we did.

But, sometimes you just have to bite the bullet...

And go to Costco on a Saturday afternoon.

We had errands to run today, a quick trip to Davis County. When we discussed our plans earlier, we casually said we can take care of other business while away. We pulled into the Costco parking lot and watched the loosely-choreographed chaos that is trying to find a parking spot. There's always several spots what feels like miles away.

I know they tried, but that parking lot...uff.

Once inside, there's a false sense of calm, as if you've somehow escaped the worst of it. You and your cart navigate the aisles with others trying to find the items you "need." Funny, the same people pushing their carts are the same people behind the wheel of several ton vehicles trying to do their best to get the closest possible parking spot--many drivers who may or may not stop to let a person cross. Even though I've been to Costco dozens--maybe even hundreds of times--it's the first time I've ever thought of my fellow shoppers that way.

The search continues. 

Eventually, we had amassed the things we needed (and a few we didn't...) into the cart. The next obstacle...the check-out line. Oh, the humanity! It's like being stuck on the freeway where you can almost see the accident a mile or two up the road. You know there's a point where you'll reach the register...all you have to do is wait and move ever-so-slowly forward.

After checking out, and after we cleared in-house security, we breathed fresh air and made it to our car many steps away. A few stops and starts later, we entered the roadway joining other drivers leaving behind the experiences of the past recent history behind...

In all it's glory.

What were we thinking? Fair question. We're thinking next time we'll go to Costco on a different day.

When Your Search Yields Good Results...

 Success.

It took months and month of searching, but last week, me and my boys entered a second-hand media thrift store and came out with our prize.

This past summer our family went on a yard sale binge. Almost every weekend we'd load up the van--including our standard poodle--and search for treasure. Every once in a while we'd run into a stash of media, vinyl records, cassette tapes, and movies--VHS and DVD. We'd check every box, every crate, every nook and cranny for films we'd like to add to our quaint but increasingly ancient collection.

Every time we'd come up short.

You see, we were looking for the 1992 classic, Singles, a musical tale of heartache and triumph set in the grunge capitol of the world...Seattle. If you've seen it, you know. 1992 is when I graduated from college, when my wife and I got married. The film (even with some outrageous exaggerations...) is a cultural snapshot of the age, sort of a hipster anthem. 

It has, apparently, failed to speak for future generations.

This store in Logan is amazing. It's in the Cache Valley Mall, a once-sprawling oasis for most things retail. Now, it's a shell of its once-former self. This second-hand consignment store set up shop in an anchor space and it's huge. They have video games and players for every era. They have novels, magazines, trading cards, and yes, VHS and DVD movies. My wife and I visited the store several months ago. We searched the stacks and stacks of movies, but not Singles. 

Last week, however, it was there and I snatched it up.

It's a tale with a happy ending...just keep searching and good things happen. At least, it did this time.

Saw This Making The Rounds On Social Media...Worth A Share

 I am probably like a lot of writers...the more you get into the craft, the more writers you meet, and the more writers you meet, the more books you want to read.

To compound this problem (because it's difficult to read everything your author friends write...), as time goes on, you produce books and stories for others to read. So, not only are you overwhelmed by all the new stories to read, you're out there trying to get others to check out your stuff.

I learned quickly that I would not have enough time nor money to purchase and read everything from the authors I've met and become friends with. As a writer I so desperately want to read these stories--I mean, it's incredibly cool to read a novel and you know the author.

When I saw the above photo floating around on social media today, it hit home because I feel so bad when I am unable to purchase all the books I want. I'm always wanting to support my friends (and have them support me...) in ways that are not strictly financial. There are other ways to help. 

Some of my writer friends love statistics. They can tell you the how well a book can do based on Amazon reviews. I've heard symposium speeches where writers will break down the stats on reviews. Once a book hits so many reviews, the algorithms change and it helps increase the book's visibility.

There are other things a person can do to help an author--most of them focuses on letting as many people as possible know about the book. Basically, spreading the word. Following the author on social media helps as well.

Because it's relatively simple to get a book published (after it's written...) nowadays, there are literally millions of new books out there vying for attention. Because of all this noise, it's hard to have your written words be seen. By doing some simple things, you can help an author's words reach more people...

And it only will cost your time.

Another Year...Another Chance To Read/Critique Art

For the past several years (except last year...), I had the opportunity to be part of a high school writing program. No, I'm not contributing stories...I'm critiquing them.

And with most things, there's more to the program than meets the eye.

 A friend of mine oversees this program. Years ago she asked me if I would be a judge for these scripts. I agreed not knowing exactly what it would entail. I figured I'd learn soon enough, and I did. High school students write a play--something short in nature, something that can be produced on a stage--and they submit the plays to the judges for our opinions.

Because we homeschool, I don't have a lot of experience with current high school students. We do not attend events at the school. We don't frequent places they go. I suppose the only time I interact with teenagers is at church, and I hardly talk to any of them there. This assignment allows me to get into the minds (every so slightly...) of some of these students. What I experience from these stories are heartwarming and heartbreaking. They make me laugh and make me think. 

It's natural, when reading stories created by teenagers, to think about the our younger years. I did that a lot while reading these stories. Some put me back into the classroom, into restaurants where we used to hang out, into conversations I had with my friends. But, some things have definitely changed.

If you read between the lines, you can tell it's a different world.

There's a lot of pain and angst in the words, but also a lot of hope. I guess because there's opposition in all things, the highs must match the lows. There's a lot of brave kids out there.

It takes a long time to critique all of them. There were over fifty this year. Some years there's more, some years there's less. The renumeration doesn't come close to the time I spend as a judge. I don't do it for the pay, but for the experience. It makes me a better writer, and hopefully, a better person.