Since It's Leap Year Day, I Must Blog About Bob's Vertical Challenge...It's Tradition

I don't know what it is about February 29th, but for the past three Leap Year Days I've blogged about an annual event from the last decade...

Bob's Vertical Challenge.

If you were fortunate enough to participate in non-profit events, they were a blast. Basically, teams of four skiers/snowboarders competed to see who could ski/snowboard the most vertical feet in a limited amount of time. The event was held at Snow Basin Ski Resort and proceeds went to benefit the Boy Scouts of America, Trapper Trails Council. Eventually, the event went the way of all the earth, but it was a lot of fun while it lasted.

I've blogged daily since 2011. On Leap Year Day 2012 I blogged about the Vertical Challenge. I completely forgot that I blogged about the event, so on Leap Year Day, 2016, I used the same photo from exactly four years earlier and blogged about the event again.

I did not realize this error until exactly four years later. On February 29, 2020, I decided to look at my blogging history to see what I blogged about on Leap year Day in 2012 and 2016. Turns out, it was the same thing. So, on 2/29/20 I blogged about the two previous Leap Year Day blog posts.

This leaves me no option as to this year's Leap Year Day blog post topic...

Gotta go with Bob's Vertical Challenge!

It was such an amazing event. Most took the day to be free from work and enjoy time on the slopes, but other teams really went for it. The amount of vertical feet skied/snowboarded by some of those teams was staggering. It raised a lot of money over the years for a good cause.

Happy Leap Year Day/Bob's Vertical Challenge Memorial Day everyone!

What A Difference Four Decades Can Make...

 I came across an add for a car. Well, parts of a car, in reality. It's true when you buy a car--any car--you're actually buying many parts that when put together, you get a car. The car I found online had car parts...just not enough for the thing to actually work as a car is intended to do.

What a difference time makes.

The fact that the grouping of car parts cost $500 is what really caught my attention. Any frequent readers of this blog know I'm a sucker for old Volkswagens, and that my first (and many cars after...) was a bug. We called it Greenie and it had tons of personality. It also had a working (somewhat...) engine, a functioning transmission and the ability to move under its own power.

Something the car I found online did not have.

No engine, no transmission, and little more than what you see in photo.

My first car and this car cost the same amount of money. Shocking, I know. Back then, $500 could get you a whole car, one that was legal to drive on the road. You could buy a lot of things for $500 back then. For example, $500 would pay for 1/3 of a year of college--unbelievable, I know. My friend took out a loan for his first car. $500 represented five payments.

I think those days are gone forever.

If I were handy, and had an extra VW engine and transmission and other car parts, $500 might be a good price for half a car that's more than five decades old. Then I could haul it to my house, put in under a tarp or in the garage and hopefully one day, set a goal to put it back together. Then I could say the same thing I said back in 1982..."Oh, this car? Yeah, it cost me $500."

It Was A Dark And Windy Night...

 One thing that surprised us when we moved north was the weather. You'd think that living only sixty or so miles up the road would not make that much of a difference, especially when on a clear day you can look south and see the mountain range on which we used to live.

But, it does.

It's much more windy up here.

Wind is a pain, and when it's cold--like last night--wind can be brutal. It is so windy here that on more than one occasion I seriously considered installing some energy-generating windmills. It seemed to always be blowing.

This year, however, things have settled down. I've not taken careful notice, but it seems we've had a kinder, gentler winter, at least, until last night. Last night things were more like what we're used to. The wind blew and blew. What little water that came with it froze to the side of our house. Luckily there wasn't a lot of moisture associated with it...if so, the roads would have turned to ice rinks. We sort of dodged a bullet this time.

I admit, it was cool touching the side of the house and feeling the frozen bumps attached to the siding.

As winter turns to spring, we'll have fewer and fewer of these storms this season. I do love the variety of weather we have in our state. Still, I thought the weather would be more, you know...the same.

I Have No Idea Who Made This...But I'm Sure There's A Story Behind It

 I admit, when I first saw the thing I laughed. It was, in a word, ridiculous. I've seen many apparatuses (or is it apparati...?) mounted on platforms, but I had to take a double-take when I spotted the red tricycle at our local thrift store.

It was one of a kind.

My wife spotted it, too. It was hard to miss, honestly. We even chatted about it after we left. I tried to make a joke, but my wife brought up the prospect that maybe someone built the thing for a special purpose...

Like, for a handicapped child.

That changed my perspective completely.

Then, the funny looking amalgamation of metal, plastic, and rubber became something else.

I did a quick internet search to see if this was mass-produced or a one-off. No matter what I entered into the search engine, I couldn't find anything that came even close to this thing. That, in and of itself, is unusual. It deepened the mystery.

When thrifting, you come across many strange things, things you may not quite understand. This piece is a prime example. There's got to be a story behind it...I just wonder what that story is...

I'll probably never know.

Give Thanks...Tuckered Out

 This afternoon, I woke up from a nap, a nap well-deserved after having family over. I glanced over at Bec the dog and this is what I saw...

A dog, tuckered out.

Boy, I understood how he felt.

For the first time in several weeks, we had the family over, son, daughter-in-law, daughter, son-in-law, boys, mother-in-law, and grandson. Our house grows smaller with each person who walks in door, but at the same time, it expands as each personality adds to the fabric of family.

As the door closes on the final visitor, the house once again resumes to a sense of normalcy. It becomes larger, quieter, but sadder as well. Such is life...we can only appreciate the good when faced with the bad, the companionship when it's gone.

I am a blessed man...of that there is no doubt. I'm thankful for the time with family, thankful that we all live (relatively...) close and that we're able to gather, break bread, and share/create memories.

Yes, when I look at the dog, tired and resting, I know how he feels for I feel the same...

And it's so worth it.

Well...It Was Fun While It Lasted

I am a soccer fan, not a fanatic from which the word is derived, but I do like the game and I like watching the game. Last year Apple TV+ bought the rights to all Major League Soccer (MLS...) games. I remember a year ago looking at my phone wondering if it would be worth it to shell out the $$ to sign up for the season.

I knew I wasn't going to do it. It's hard to justify the cost. I'm a fan, but not that much of a fan. 

I was okay with the decision. Even when the MLS games were on broadcast TV and cable, I didn't watch them all the time. I knew I could live without the games. Then, something happened. Our phone carrier decided to give its subscribers the MLS season pass...

For free!

That's something I definitely support.

Maybe because it was free, I didn't take full advantage. I tried watching most of the Real Salt Lake games and I'd occasionally catch a game or two when RSL wasn't playing. I'm glad I had access to the games. It was fun.

Someone somewhere decided not to continue the perk. Yesterday was the last time I had access. As I write this, RSL is playing St Louis. My team may win, or they may lose (or tie...). The funny thing is, the outcome of the game is not based on whether or not I watch.

Good thing.

In the past six months, my watching habits have changed drastically. And that's a good thing. I should be doing other things with my time. I know that. Let's find out what those things are...

Shall we?

May I Never Tire Of The Skies...

 I thought where we once lived had the best skies...skies unparalleled by any others in the area. I felt this way for good reason. All a person had to do was look. We lived on the eastern slope of a mountain, to the west was an island surrounded by water (at least, it used to be...), and when the sun set over the island, it because pure magic.

Funny...now one's perspective hides things, hides opinions and truths and facts that are in plain site, but remain unseen, unknown.

Though I loved the views from the side of the hill, I didn't realize how restricted it was. We lived in an area where the mountainside curved and restricted views for much of the hillside and the valley. Add to the fact that decades and centuries old trees grew and diminished what we could see even more.

We moved...

And that made all the difference.

Now, instead of living on the eastern side of a mountain, we live on a northern side of a hill. We're not so elevated as we once were, but the views...oh, the views. Before the view was narrowed, now the sky explodes with clouds and blue from horizon to horizon. It's stunning.

I've taken so many pictures of the sky and the mountain range, they could become old hat, but for so many years, I saw beauty and appreciated it greatly. I'm doing to same now.

I hope I never tire of the skies.

Guess I'm A Sudoku Fan Now...

 Looks like I've found a new way to waste time...

Playing sudoku.

I know I'm late to the party. The game's been around for ages. I even tried it once or twice, but it never caught my fancy. I think it's because I played using paper and a pencil. Maybe it's because I thought I needed to use math skills to be good at the game. Whatever it was, I sort of ignored the game.

That is, until I came across a free sudoku game for my phone. I downloaded it, and it's been my game of choice ever since.

I'm picky when it comes to cellphone games. They have to pass certain standards. The biggest, they must not get increasingly more difficult the more you play. I realize this eliminates 95% (or more...) of all games. Because of this rule, I only have a couple of games on my phone that I access and play.

What I most like about the game is that it's possible I do not have to do any guessing. I can take my time and look at the numbers. Check out how many 1s, 2s, etc. Then, by process of elimination, I begin filling in the spaces until I either can't proceed without guessing or I've solved the puzzle.

I've got a solitaire game, a mahjong game, a coloring game, and now, a sudoku game.

That should keep me busy for a while...

Writers Cantina...Registration Is Now Open!

 As sure as winter turns to spring and those who live in colder climes venture out from their hibernated states, a writer's mind turns to other things...creative things. It's perfect then, that we're about to enter the season of gatherings. Or, in other words...

Writing conventions.

Last year a group of friends and colleagues decided there ought to be yet another destination for those who want to improve their craft, and so the Writers Cantina Writers Conference was born. The newborn entity took its first steps last summer. This summer, we're seeing if it'll speak.

What will those first words be, I wonder.

If you're in the area June 28 - 29, 2024, check us out. For more information, check out the website by clicking: HERE. You can also register to let us know you're coming.

Writers Cantina focuses on providing practical and useful knowledge to both the novice and experienced writer. What I love about smaller conferences is the access you have to some incredible talent. There's something for everyone--those with the knowledge and experience helping those looking for help. 

Last year, was great. We're working to make this year even better.

Because Of The Internet...I Got No-Bake Cheesecake

 Yup, tonight my wife and I had a delicious dessert--No-Bake Cheesecake--and I have, in large part, the internet to thank for it.

My wife got the recipe from a YouTuber she follows. It took little time to make and it tastes wonderful. But, it was due to the internet that caused it to happen.

I think we take for granted just how much our lives have changed due to a system to interlink computers. Pre-internet life wasn't dissimilar in many ways. Back then, a person most likely heard about a new recipe from a friend, magazine, or quite possibly, a morning television news program. If the interest was strong enough, the person would need to do a little work to actually get the recipe, be it copying  it from somewhere, or buying it from somewhere. Point is, there were steps one had to take to get the recipe.

Now, click a few keys on a keyboard and the world is your oyster, or in this case, your cheesecake recipe. Of course, part of the process is not all that dissimilar than it was before. You follow the instructions and if done correctly, you get a finished product. The reason I believe the internet provided me this tasty treat tonight is because without the internet we most likely would not have known about the cheesecake and therefore, not made it.

I've often wondered what life would be like if the digital revolution were to go away. It's possible--highly possible that one day we could wake up and none of our computers work. On thing I am certain, however. Even if that happens, we'll not stop making desserts...they might not be new and exciting, but I'm sure they'll still taste great.

Another Dog Story...This One Made Me Mad

We are once again helping a child learn to drive. It's a rite of passage and this will be our last time, unless we are fortunate enough to help the grandchildren (if we're still able to drive, that is...). The other day my son and I were driving south of town on the almost-empty roads when we spotted a dog.

Because we live in a sparsely-populated area the biggest threat while driving is animals, domesticated and otherwise. My son spotted the dog, a black and white husky, before I did. "There's a puppy." I looked up and spotted him as well, a beautiful dog lazily trotting down the road. We carefully negotiated around the dog and went on our merry way.

And, I forgot about the dog.

That is, until I spotted a notice in our town's local Facebook page. It's been a few days, but I remember the basics of the post. It asked if anyone knew the owner of a husky seen roaming the streets south of town. And it was the same dog. The post raised the possibility that the dog...

Was abandoned.

That's when I got mad.

The post said that several people had tried catching the dog so it wouldn't get killed running around on the county roads. Also, they wanted to bring it inside to keep it warm. Thank heavens for good-hearted people. The dog kept eluding them. Finally, someone was able to capture it and took it home until its owner could be found.

Turns out, no one came forward. Looks like it was abandoned after all.

A day or two passed. Another post showed up on Facebook. This time, however, the news was not bad...quite the opposite. Turns out someone saw the post and adopted the dog--the best news of all. From reading the comments of the earlier posts, it appears many people use the open fields as a dumping ground for unwanted animals. If only all the abandoned animals find their fortunes bettered like this one.

Give Thanks...For Choral Music

I got into the choral singing late in the game. Most of my friends took choir in jr. high school. Not me--I took band. I actually liked band, even though I didn't practice as much as I should have (or admitted to doing...). When I moved to high school, we had a choice to take music classes or not. I quit band. I also didn't have to take choir, so I didn't.

My loss.

In my sophomore year, my brother was a senior, He was in choir and madrigals and did quite well. When I became a senior, I decided to get involved. I joined the choir, went to state and lettered with our double quartet and had a blast. After returning from my mission, I joined the Mormon Youth Chorus and sang with them for three years. In my second year at college a friend of mine told me the University of Utah's A'capella Choir was looking for singers. I auditioned, made the cut, and it changed my life forever.

For the next six or seven years, I was involved in a choir. After I got married, my wife and I sang with the Utah Symphony Chorus, but after a few years, we stopped. I joined a regional choir for a season or two years later and that's where I've stopped singing in large choirs.

It's too bad. I really miss it.

Sometimes I'm reminded of those days. Last week I read about a combined high school choral concert happening just down the street. And to make it even better, Dr. Peter Steenblik, a theater friend who has moved on from little Rodger's Memorial Theatre gigs to get his Phd and now teaches in Florida, was directing. I went hoping to say "hello" to my friend, which I did, but it also brought back wonderful memories from my days singing beautiful music under the direction of incredible directors like Becky Jarman, Robert Bowden, Ed Thompson, Michael Huff, and others. They are amazing talents and even better people.

I'm thankful for those who create the music, for those like Dr. Steenblik, who have dedicated their lives to bringing that music to the masses, and I'm thankful for the opportunities I had with the music. 

The high school choirs were great and the place was packed. You can't ask for more than that.

    

Logan's Grandpa's Bookshelf...With A History Straight Out Of A Novel

Yesterday, my wife and I checked out some of the local shops in downtown Logan, Utah. The one store we wanted to visit was closed. Bummer. I had some trash to throw away, so I ventured up the street to the nearest garbage can. It was there I spotted a small business that was open...

A bookstore.

Score!

It's called Grandpa's Bookshelf, and it's adorable.

The entire shop is long and narrow, not much wider than an RV. It's broken up into individual rooms, each room containing its own genre of books. I'll bet the history of that particular building is fascinating. We met Grandpa of Grandpa's Bookshelf, a nice man who quietly went about the tasks of running a quaint small business. 

And the place was crowded, too. Granted, it didn't take much to crowd the space, but people kept coming in. It also answers the eternal question, how many books can you cram into a small space? The answer...

Quite a few.

While we were there, we struck up a conversation with Grandpa and he said he took over the store after he retired. Today I decided to do a little research on the store, so I did an internet search. I found a story from 2022 in the Salt Lake Tribune. It's amazing. I highly recommend you read it. You can find the link by clicking: HERE.

The story behind the store is more interesting than many found in the pages of the books on the shelves. If you're in Logan and you've got some time on your hands, check out Grandpa's Bookshelf at 29 West, 100 North. 

It was inspiring.

Almost $450 Worth Of Exercise Equipment...For Twenty Bucks

What you see are two pieces of exercise equipment I purchased at a thrift store. I got one (the bigger...) one week, and the smaller one a week later.

Grand total for the two: $20.

A quick internet search list the cost as $269 (for the bigger one...), and $179 for the smaller. You could say, I scored two deals. 

When you buy something second-had (or third, fourth, or more...), there's only one item, flaws and all. Take for instance, the Rodeo Core (blue...). It's one of the strangest pieces of exercise equipment I've ever seen. If you don't believe me, do an internet search and watch a video of it in action. I'm sure you'll agree with my assessment. It cost us $15. The reviews say it's quiet, but mine's not. The thing's as creaky as a haunted house. It does work, though, but if anyone else is home, they know I'm using it to work out.

Then, there's the second one (white...). It's called a Desk Cycle. It has two flaws...technically, three. There's an electronic device used to keep track of a person's progress that was not included when we bought it. I didn't think it was that important since I'm not using it to track my progress. That's the first flaw. Then, the unit's missing the rubber boots on the back post. They are important--they keep the Desk Cycle secured in place. That's flaw #2 and #3.

Still, for $5 I'm willing to look past those flaws.

You could say we made off quite well with our two purchases. But, there's no way I would have bought either of these new, and not just because of the costs. We only picked them up because they were so cheap. Yes, they may be great deals...

But, only if I use them.

Lost Dog Story...

 There's a lot of knocks on social media, and most are deserved, but there's also good...

And when it's good, it's really good.

Our little community has several lost pets sites on Facebook. I'm sure other communities do the same thing. It's good for people to connect to help lost animals. Last night I was doing a little surfing when I noticed the first picture.

Poor little guy.

From the post, it's not the first time this fella has busted out. That must be terrifying. We have a dog, but he's never allowed off a leash, unless he's in the fenced backyard. Of course, it's possible he could escape--dogs are smart, after all. So far, we've never had to utilize the "Lost Pets" site.

Maybe it was just the algorithm, but immediately under the first picture, someone posted the second picture...you guessed it, the same dog. In the comments under both pictures were links to the other post. Like me, others saw what I saw...a lost puppy post, and a found puppy post and thankfully, it was the same dog.

The people posting did not have to do what they did. They could have ignored the dog and just let it roam thinking someone else will take care of the problem, but they didn't.

Sometimes, when you see all the bad on social media, you might think that's all there is. Seeing some good renews my faith in humanity...

And canines.

See That Look...?

 I work at home, something millions of people now do and something I love. Being home means that there's always someone home with the pets. Of course, I don't spend all day with the dog--he's usually lounging on his doggy bed--but it's nice to be home so an animal is not alone for long stretches at a time.

I have a son that also works at home. He's a graphic designer and video game creator. Our dog has been lucky to have someone almost his entire live.

Once in a while, though, the pet's owner needs to leave.

And when that happens, the dog knows he's gone.

Yesterday, my son had errands to run so he left. Even though I was home, the dog was sad. That sad dog wondered into my office looking for a little attention. I snapped a picture of him as he sat and looked at me. 

I wished I could take the rest of the day off work, or at least, take time off until my son returned. I'd play with the puppy, go outside and get some fresh air into my lungs. But, I couldn't. He was telling me with his eyes what he wanted. I doubt I conveyed my thoughts through my eyes. I hope he understood I wanted to help, but he would just have to be sad just a little longer.

Dogs...it's been said we don't deserve them. I believe that to be true. Our dog is totally dedicated to his owner. Even though I was in the house, he still missed his owner.

See that look? It's the look of love.

Hidden Talents...

Several days ago I posted a photo of our street draped in a thick fog, a fog so thick almost everything disappeared into the black.

It was beautiful.

Beautiful, that is, if you don't have to drive or go anywhere, which I didn't.

I snapped a few pictures, chose the best one, and posted it.

Since I post a picture every day, people sometimes respond, but most don't. I'm fine with people not commenting or "liking" the photos. I leave many photos and posts I see uncommented and unliked, but I do appreciate (most of...) what they contribute.

A few days after I posted the photo, a friend and former co-worker commented on my photo. I'm glad he did. He wrote a few lines of beautiful prose. I'm including them here.

As I quietly walked the street, there was an object on the ground close to a stop sign. I couldn't make it out. Then, I noticed a light far in the distance that I had not noticed before. Was it another street light? Was it a porch light above someone's back door? Or, was it headlights from a car speeding towards the corner where I stood? I stopped to ponder. It was then I heard a woman's scream and footsteps rapidly pounding the pavement behind me. . . (My contribution to your story, Scott.)

I've known this friend for more than a decade. We worked together--in adjoining cubicles--for many of those years. His words were an inspiration for me. I love what he wrote. In fact, an entire novel, or a series of novels could evolve from that lone paragraph.

Hidden talents...

Sometimes...You Win The Little Battles

 Sometimes...

Friday we found ourselves out and about running errands. When you're driving and you stop a half a dozen businesses (or more...) in a day, you end up parking in some good spots, some not-so-good spots, and some terrible ones. But, every once in a while, you get lucky and strike gold, or in this case, that coveted "closest possible parking place to the business front door" parking place.

It happened on Friday. 

Yeehaw!

I know it's a small victory, one of the smallest, really. If we had parked even one spot farther from the entrance, I most likely wouldn't have given it a second thought. My philosophy is you hope for the best and see what drops in your lap.

Funny how life is full of little battles. Why is it guessing an answer on Jeopardy, when the correct response eludes the three smart people on the show, bring a moment of joy? Why does finding a $5 bill in the pocket of an old jacket make your day? How can a puppy coming up to you when you're walking on the street, his tail wagging and wanting to meet you bring a smile to your face?

These little battles...sometimes they make all the difference.

I suppose parking so close didn't really make that much of a difference. It saved us a couple of steps, only seconds in real time. In the grand scheme of the universe, it didn't change anything. Still, I was excited enough to smile at our good fortune and snap a picture of the event.

Sometimes...you win the little battles.

Give Thanks...For Opportunities

 Friday, my wife and I were returning home from a trip to the big city of Logan, Utah. It's a half hour drive, more or less. Many times on the drive, we'll listen to podcasts, or the audio of YouTube videos. On Friday, we were listening to a woman who discussed side hustles.

Fascinating.

It really was. She listed several things--some we'd thought about, and others that were new (not "new" as in never before considered, but not by us...). As we drove home, we discussed on the viability of some of the suggestions. One of them sounded promising...

Refinishing furniture.

Now, it's possible some of those reading this have done namely that--refinished furniture, and if so, you might be thinking that we're daft even considering it. That's entirely possible, but my mother-in-law refinished furniture for years and it hasn't had any lasting problems for her (that we know about, anyway...). 

Yesterday, I was chilling, checking out Facebook Marketplace and what do I see? Free furniture.

That's right...free.

The ad even said it would be a great project to refinish. And to top things off, the sellers (are they sellers if they are giving it away...?) were only a few miles from us. We drove the van over, folded down the 2nd and 3rd row of seats and loaded up the van. 

I have no idea if the plan will work. We may find that this one reasonably simple project will turn us off the refinishing bug forever. Time will tell. I'm thankful that we heard the suggestion. I'm thankful that I saw the ad. I'm thankful we were able to pick it up, and I'm thankful we're trying something new.

I'll keep you posted on how we do.

No, Facebook...You're WAY Off

 Back in January, a certain social media algorithm thought I might be interested in driving about an hour east and throwing myself into a frozen lake.

It's hard to express just how wrong that algorithm was.

I wonder if there was ever a time in my entire life when I would have been interested in this type of event. In my 20s...possibly, but even then, I'd most likely say "no thanks." And participating in these activities in my 50s might do permanent damage.

For fun, I pulled up the event's website to see what other activities were scheduled. You can check out the website yourself by clicking: HERE. Yes, it's more than just jumping into freezing-cold water. There's parties and get-togethers, and lots and lots of food. I suppose another reason for not attending is the cost. Sounds like it could be pricy.

I didn't click on the ad--just copied the picture. Had I actually clicked the picture (heaven forbid...), the algorithm might show me the same ad next January, or even worse, show me the ad over and over (and over...) again.

No, Facebook got it wrong. I wonder just how many of those algorithms out there are getting things wrong. Probably almost as many algorithms that exist.

Who Is Dan Aslett And Why Is He So Clean...?

 When we were looking to move, we traveled several times the hour north on the way to Northern Utah. Once you pass the third Brigham City exit, there's a billboard advertising The Museum of Clean in Pocatello, Idaho. It's a couple of hours driving on I-15. When I first saw the ad, I laughed at the prospect...a museum dedicated to the art of cleaning.

We're still going to get up there one of these days.

Closer to home, there's a store in Logan dedicated to cleaning. The name Don Aslett is on the marquee. Maybe it's because I haven't done a lot of cleaning in my life. I did not know Don Aslett. Apparently, he's done amazing things.

The man is a business giant, an author of 40 books, and a seminar king. From what I learned when my wife and I went inside the store, Don has spent his life trying to make cleaning as effective as possible. I took a picture of the storefront and posted it on social media. Many of my friends commented on the store, and Don's books. Heck, even visiting the store once I learned how to better clean my own house.

Don retired a few years back--good for him. He's left his mark and hopefully, made the world a better and cleaner place.

It's nice to see how hard work and dedication can pay off. The museum was founded by Mr. Aslett and seems a fitting tribute to his work and passion. Yes, we're going to visit one day. I'm sure I'll learn even more about the man and how to clean.

It was Groundhog Day...All Over Again

 Genius.

Back in the day, I wanted to go into advertising. I consider myself a creative type, but I seriously don't know if I'd be good at it. My brother worked in the industry for a few years. It was tough and, at times, kind of slimy, but I supposed all industries have a little of that in them.

Back then, advertising--at least to the causal observer--seemed simpler, if that's even possible. You had print, television, radio, billboard, even direct marketing advertising. Now...boy, it's the Wild Wild West. It's easier than ever to get your message across because there's so many different ways to do it. It may not reach as many people as before, but...I suppose that's the trade-off.

This past weekend, my wife and I watched the Bill Murray/Andie MacDowell classic, Groundhog Day. Since we streamed it (and because we're cheap and have the "with commercials" option...), advertising interrupted the broadcast. We're okay with that. Yes, they're annoying, but they're not that bad. About the second or third commercial break, we both noticed something peculiar...all the ads were from one company...Murdock Chevrolet. It's not unusual to see television ads from Murdock Chevrolet, but what made this a little different is the company ran the same ad--three times in a row--at each commercial break.

It's was like the "Groundhog Day" of commercials.

I've noticed ads on streaming programs many times duplicate the message, but every ad at every break? Well, it could be coincidence, or it could just be a genius move by someone.

I don't know which. I'll probably never know.

But, if it was planned or not, it was one of those serendipitous moments in life.

To Mourn...And Remember

 We only mourn, to the degree that we do

Because of Love...a love cruelly taken

But always a part of us.

May we forever mourn

And remember

And be grateful for the memories.

A New Game Store In Town...Cards Of Ruin

 When you relocate to a smaller community, there are things you do without. Oh, we can get in our car and drive an hour to where we used to live and be back in the world where things are close and all those things you "miss" are within reach.

Ah, those were the days.

While surfing social media the other day, I found a new business opening in our little town. It's a game store, something I feel will be appreciated and hopefully allowed to grow. 

Funny thing about wishing things existed...sometimes you get your wish.

Before we moved, we lived in the thick of the state's most populated area. There were several game stores within a fifteen-twenty minute drive of our house. And these were big stores, stocked with the latest games, rows of tables for gaming, and so many miniatures...amazing stores. I lived close to them for years...

And I never went.

They were close and had everything and I didn't go. Sure, I can claim poverty as a reason, but even though I applaud these businesses and am glad they're there, I just don't spend a lot of money at them. So, when I found a new store in our town, I was thrilled. It is not big, nor is it stocked with the latest game. It's brand new and they're taking their business baby-steps. I want them to succeed to badly. I just hope there are more patrons willing to spend than those who don't. 

The store is Cards of Ruin. There's another Cards of Ruin in Hyrum in the valley to the east. Yes, it's a new store. Let's hope it will eventually lose the "new" and just become the store that's been there for a long time.

Almost As Cool As The Original...Almost

 We've been on a Lego kick as of late. It started last year, but really ramped up around Christmastime. In fact, our family gave and received more Lego products last Christmas than ever before. But, the other day my son ordered something amazing.

The Lego Atari Video Computer System.

It's hard to describe just what that big box and those little boxes meant to a generation...my generation. It was the start of an entertainment revolution. It literally changed the world. I'm not video game historian, but I do know that the creator of Atari worked at the same place I worked (Lagoon...), and attended the same university I did (U of U...). He went on to create "Pong," considered to be the world's first video game. From there, that little game became what you see on the box.

I can't remember if we had one of our own...it's been many decades, but I do know my friends had the console and several games. Let's just say, I had access. The games, by today's standards, are almost laughable. It's like comparing stick figures to AI art. But, oh...how wonderful were those stick figures. 

The industry has not only evolved but exploded. Every corner of the planet knows about video games. It's opened doors of creativity rarely seen in the history of humanity.

And now, Atari's received perhaps its greatest honor...it's become Lego-ized.

Once the kit is fully assembled, it will sit on a shelf as a work of art. I'll bet there are Atari game consoles sitting on shelves all over the world as reminders of an earlier time. My son's latest Lego kit is very cool...almost as cool as the original.

Give Thanks...For Another Winter Night In Garland

 I'd most likely heard of Garland, Utah before we moved, but I wasn't sure I knew where it was. I'm sure back in the day Garland was independent ,with a buffer of fields and roads separating it from the other communities in the area. It's no longer the case. Like so many communities, the line where one town ends and another begins is defined by a road, or a fence. On one side, the mail is delivered to one town listed on the envelope, on the other side of the street/fence, the town  listed on the mail is something else.

Even in this little valley.

By the time we arrived, Garland blends into Tremonton to the south. I'm not exactly sure where that line is, but I know the high school is in Garland, and by the time you hit Kents Grocery Store, you're in Tremonton.

So, when I snapped a picture of a beautiful full moon on a crisp winter night, from my perspective it hung directly over the small, quaint hamlet of Garland.

The landscapes are different here. It's been a while since we lived in a valley, having lived for decades on a hillside with a narrow valley separating one mountain range and a large lake. Everything was condensed, mashed, crammed in...homes, businesses, roads, parks, even trails. If you stay in your home and never venture out, you don't feel the outside world encroaching, but once you leave, it surrounds you.

I'm thankful to live in such an amazing place. I'm thankful for the people and for the land. I've fallen in love with the views, the openness, the fields where one day hundreds and thousands of homes will rise from the ground proving sanctuary for those inside.

But for now, a full moon shines below a valley, sparsely dotted with homes and farms and families...all praying for a safe night.

Getting Older...

Big deal...so I got my days mixed up. It happens. Actually, I thought it was funny. It happened during my second-to-last working day of the week. On the last work day of the week we gather all the trash in the house and take it outside. We then take the cans to the street for them to be picked up the following morning. I thought it was the wrong day so I got the cans ready a day early.

No big deal.

Humans made decisions based on bad data all the time. 

I am getting older, as is everyone who survives another day. I'm getting to the age where these lapses of judgements might mean something else, might be a signal to something else...something bad I suppose that could be said for me. Heck...it can be said for anyone. Does the fact that I got my days switched in my mind mean there's a larger problem out there? 

Anything's possible.

I'm not too worried. Even if it is the start of something, that's life. We all have a sack full of troubles and solutions. For some the trouble sack seems huge, for others, not so much. But we all have our troubles. It's how we handle them and deal with them that matters.

I snapped a picture of the garbage cans after I realized what I had done. I even posted the picture on social media. If we can't laugh at ourselves, then who can we laugh at?

I'm obviously no doctor, but I've heard that if you realize you've made an error in judgement, that's actually a good sign. It means you understand what's happening and you're not too far gone. I hope that's true. Then again, maybe I've been mixing things up for a while and I caught it this time.

Like I said, I'm not too worried.

A Very, Very Long Week...

 It's Friday, the traditional end of the work week. Most people love Fridays...it's their favorite day. Like everyone else who works "traditional" schedules, my work week ended, too...

And it was one of the longest work weeks of my life.

The problem wasn't the work itself. As far as that goes, it was normal, or as normal as things go with my particular job. I had a few unusual cases. "Unusual" makes my job a little harder. With most things, when situations arise that are out of the ordinary, it's like throwing a stick into the front wheel of an already-moving bicycle. It messes things up.

No, it wasn't the work that caused this week to feel longer than it was. No, it was something personal, something that changed at work...a change that cannot be reversed.

Our team got some bad news a week ago today. I returned to work Monday and tried to do my job as well as I could. I managed the cases, budgeted my time, and cleared the work, but as soon as I got in a rhythm, those thoughts I tried keeping in my subconscious crept into my conscious and a wave of sadness washed over me, throwing me off and forcing me to remember...

To remember.

Grief is a strange animal. It's like a ghost...something you can't touch, but you know it's there, and when you're at a point where you think you can confront the ghost, reason with it, maybe even bring resolution to the situation, the ghost disappears and for a fleeting moment, you think you've won.

Then, the ghost reappears, again, and again, and again.

This week, I did my job, but those thoughts returned. When I logged off for the last time this week, it was like I had run a long race and I could finally stop. 

In two days and two three nights, I'll wake to my alarm, sit at my desk, and log in to my computer. I'll open all the programs, the screens that allow me to do my job. Maybe next week won't be a long, or feel as long. That's my hope, anyway. 

As with all things, time will tell.

How Much Is A Cookbook Worth Anyway...?

 I've blogged about this particular book before. The other day I needed a subject for my daily picture and I spotted our trusty Danish Cook Book, a book we picked up almost twenty-five years ago in Solvang, California. As far as the picture goes, I liked how the book fit onto the countertop and the colors are great. If the picture had a fault, it's my two stocking feet that I tried to not get in the shot, but ended up in it anyway.

I took the picture and posted it to the digital universe. 

You never know the reactions you're going to get.

Sometimes, the pictures garner a lot of attention. Other times, at least from the comments, they're "meh" which is okay. I'm not trying to wow and dazzle with each daily photo. If it happens, all the better.

I did get an interesting comment on this picture. A friend and fellow Danish missionary commented about the cost of this book. I hardly noticed that there's a price sticker on our copy. The cost in 1999...

$4.99

If you've seen the book, it's not much of a book. It's more like a pamphlet. I'm thinking five bucks for this particular book is reasonable. My friend commented on my post and added a link to an Amazon page featuring the same book. You can access the page by clicking: HERE. The kicker? The book on Amazon costs $45.

$45

It's been twenty-five years. It shocked me that there was such an increase. Plus, the copy on Amazon appears to be in worse shape than ours (no water damage for us...). Seeing something like that always makes me ask, "Should we sell our copy?" I think we'll be keeping it.

Unless someone ups the offer by a lot.