It May Not Be Changing The Time On A VCR...But It's Close

 The old joke went something like this, "You're so old, you can't even stop the flashing 12:00 on your VCR." That joke's so old, it's never heard anymore. Why? Because almost no one has/uses a VCR machine nowadays. Like a rotary phone, a child born in this century most like has never seen one, let alone how to use it (although, the rotary phone seems like it would be self explanatory, then again...). 

Case in point, my youngest's digital wristwatch.

We bought this thing for him years ago and it refuses to die. He's been on a construction site for the past year and the thing just keeps on ticking, though it's not a Timex (another old joke many might not get...). When you use a timepiece for any length of time, it will need to be adjusted.

That's where I come in. 

I've been called in to re-set the clock at least twice a year, when the clocks are also re-set. The other day my son brought me the watch and said something happened and it needed to be re-set. I know this is something he can do, something he can learn, but I grew up with these things. Re-setting them is second nature. Plus, it's nice to be asked to help out.

I have no idea when this thing will stop working all together, maybe next month, maybe never. And as long as I'm around, I'll be glad to fix it for him. 

I also remember how to set the clock on a VCR...

If anyone needs that, just let me know.

Sometimes...It's What You Don't See

 This is a picture I texted to my wife a few days ago. It's the front of a crock pot set to cook for ten hours, or, in other words, on low.

There's other things to see in this picture. There's a few remnants of past meals...this particular crock pot has been in the family for years. I don't know the life span of your average crock pot, but this one just keeps on cooking. 

Of course, there's things you don't see.

I took the picture and sent it because I was asked to do a favor. Since I work at home and my wife was away and wouldn't be back in time, she texted me and asked if I'd put a pre-prepared meal in the crock pot and set the timer for ten hours. It's a simple act, I know. But again, life is full of simple things. In fact, most of life is the small, simple things. We go on vacations every five years or so, which leaves all the days in between full of non-vacation days. 

I saw the picture in my photo library and it reminded me of the request, of the action, of the give-and-take that has kept us together for more than three decades. 

It's sometimes what you don't see that is the biggest story.

In Search For The (Almost...) Perfect Danish

 I've been on a Danish kick lately, and I'm not talking about the pastry. Last week I met up with some of my Danish missionaries. Christmastime takes me back to the country as well. And when I see fireworks on New Year Eve at midnight, I remember watching a bunch of drunk Danes almost blow off various body parts on New Years Eve in Copenhagen as they lit incredibly dangerous fireworks off as they rang in the new year.

But, this post is about food, specifically Danish pastry..sometimes called danish.

It's funny. After we returned from living in Denmark, you never look at pastry the same. Yes, there's some excellent desserts in America, but it's sort of like thinking about good American cars and comparing them to what they make in Germany. Except it's Denmark not Germany and pastry not cars.

When we used to get together in the years after our time in Denmark, we'd talk about how much we missed the food. Sometimes someone would chime in about a bakery somewhere that had good Danish pastry. The follow up response was always, "it's good, but not ægte." We were good at spotting non-genuine attempts.

My friend and fellow Danish missionary posted on social media today about a place in Salt Lake that is trying to create delicious food for all of us. There's a Denmark connection as well. The owner was married to another former Danish missionary, a friend who passed away during covid. It's called Deliciously Flaked...great name. You can find out more about the company by clicking on their website: HERE. I've recommended products and books I haven't tried before. I feel good doing it for this business because it will help out a friend's family.

I know many of us had our own pastry favorites, but one that eludes bakeries here is something called a Trekant. It's basically a big triangle pastry covered with chocolate and filled with cream. You almost never see them over here. Deliciously Flaked sells them. Next time I'm down south, I'm going to give it a try.

Always in search for the (almost...) perfect Danish.

Give Thanks...The Kindness Of Others

 If you've followed this blog the past week, you know it's been a crazy one for me. I ended up working for five of the seven days and attend the FanX Comics Convention. Since I live about seventy-five miles away from downtown SLC where the convention was held, the only way I could have pulled this off is due to the kindness of others.

Specifically...a hotel room.

I have attended every Salt Lake Comic Con and FanX convention that's ever been held. I've participated as either a panelist, a vendor, or an organizer. Since 2013 I lived about fifteen miles/fifteen minutes from downtown Salt Lake. It was no problem just hopping in the car and driving a short distance. 

All that changed last year--not complaining.

Thankfully, I was able to stay downtown this year, thanks to these at the con. The room was literally across the street from the convention hall. I had incredible views in the evening, and the mornings. It allowed me to do a better job (in my opinion...) at the convention, be more focused, more attentive to others. I'm grateful that I have friends and colleagues that helped me not only do the show this year but keep my weekend gig. I'm grateful that others thought about me and considered my situation. The kindness of others...a wonderful thing.

Why do Some Of The Most Simple Projects...Turn Into The Biggest Headaches?

 I suppose it's an eternal question. Why do some of the most seemingly simple projects turn into the biggest headaches?

Case in point, setting up washers and dryers.

We recently moved, as did my mother-in-law. In fact, she just moved in today and we're glad to finally have her join us in Northern Utah. When you move, there's a ton of things to worry about. Some of the projects are huge--getting everything moved, and organized once you're in--then, there are things that seem simple.

I thought, incorrectly, that hooking up our washer/dryer combo after the move would be one of the simpler things. First, our washer. We noticed the hoses were aged so we decided to get new ones. I chose the ones with the "L" end thinking they'd be easy to install and they'd fit better. Well, it wasn't easy. I ended up installing the hoses backward with the L bend connected to the wall.

I don't know what it is about dryers, but I have the hardest time installing dryer hoses. We ended up going to the hardware store thinking there had to be larger hoses since the pipe in the wall was so wide. Nope--they didn't make larger hoses so I had to crimp and bend and adjust until finally, I was able to finish.

So, with all that experience, I thought hooking up my mother-in-law's washer/dryer would be a piece of cake. It was for the washer--much easier than ours, but the dryer...once again, nothing came easy. After an hour of trial and error and finally success, I went to plug in the dryer. 

Who knew there were different plugs for dryers?

I didn't. When we moved, ours fit. Turns out we need to get an adaptor for my mother-in-law's.

I suppose I should just change my perspective. Instead of budgeting five minutes for a five-minute job, I should budget an hour, no matter how easy it may seem.

A worthy goal, but I'll probably not do it, and realize a half hour into something that I should have remembered about those "simple projects."

A Physical Manifestation...Of Goodness

We saw the display Friday as we ran errands. I have no idea when it was set up or by whom, but whomever is responsible for setting it up probably doesn't want anyone to know it was them.

I've seen pictures of similar displays on social media. There could be hundreds, if not thousands of these things across our country and the world. Just the sight of it tells me that there is still good out there, especially now when things can look bleak.

I've lived in my hometown most of my life. We could have ended up anywhere, but we chose to remain in Farmington. Even though many of the people I knew as a kid growing up in our community have moved or are gone, there's a spirit that still resides in the sycamore-lined streets.

When we spotted the Free Community Pantry, we stopped so I could snap some pictures. There was food, sanitizer, Pedailyte, and toilet paper--even a bag of mini candy bars. The contents of the whole thing maybe cost $100, but the signal it sends to those who see it is worth so much more, at least it did for me. When I spotted the pantry I saw people wanting to help others, neighbors willing to give of what they have so those without can be given a break, a sliver of hope.

In many ways, I'd love that the items in the pantry to remain and not be used. It would let us all know that those in our community have what we need, or at least feel others may need the help more. Since I don't leave the house on a daily basis (who does...?) I won't be able to see if the items are being taken and hopefully, replaced. But, the fact that the pantry exists is a good indication people will continue to help out. Yes, with all the negativity out there, it's good to see a physical manifestation of goodness.

Hanging Out At My Friday Gig...

On most Fridays, I commute (my longest commute of the week...) to a small office in the Salt Lake Valley. It's a small-ish unobtrusive office. Unless you know where it is, you'd most likely drive right by it. But in that little office, magic is made.

In 2013 a group of people got together and put together a convention, the first of its kind in the state. I doubt even they knew how successful that first show would be or that it would still be going strong six years later. I'm one of the lucky ones. I've been fortunate enough to be involved in each show, each convention. This last one, however, the one in April, I helped out in a different way. 

I had responsibilities.

Like most people, I have a day job. It's a good job that provides food, shelter, transportation, and cable/internet for the family. But my job doesn't require a lot of creativity. In fact, working with the government, they frown on being "creative" in my daily duties. I'm to do my job by the book, according to policy, or else I'm doing it wrong.

That's why I enjoy helping out at FanX so much. I work with people who entertain for a living, writers, artists, performers, musicians, be it part-time or full-time--there's something in their life that makes them create. It's a sometimes difficult world to live in, but it's also an amazing one.

The work I do during the week is important. I provide vital necessities for some of the most needing people in our society. But I also help provide something important to a lot of other people, the ability to enjoy themselves, to lose themselves in a world of fantasy and make believe. The gig I have on Fridays is about as far from the one I have the rest of the week. It's satisfying, just in different ways.

A Note On Our Fridge At Work...

Right after Hurricane Irma hit, a note showed up at work. As I put my leftovers in the fridge before work began, I saw it and I took a picture of what I saw. It was to remind me of things.

Most of my immediate family live either in Utah or the western United States, so none of them were affected by the recent storms. That still doesn't lessen the impact of the devastation on those hit. It's just that when you don't personally know those affected, it doesn't feel as bad.

As stated earlier, I took a picture of the family to remind me of things. Fortunately, I've never experienced anything close to losing everything you have due to a disaster. As I write this, I look around my room and see a house we built for our family. I see a row of journals I've spent the last forty-plus years writing. I know, when these things happen, we see people say the most important thing is that they survived.

That's 100% true, but still, to lose all your physical possessions--it can't be easy. The picture reminds me that things can be replaced, people can't. Also, it is good to give. This past month has been tough on so many people, and that's just in one part of the world. People have endured disasters, personal issues, and other things that make life a challenge. What makes humanity so great is that we'll survive this, too, and like the muscle constantly used and tested, we'll be stronger because of it. God bless those hit hard by nature the past couple of weeks. And may we remember to do what we can to help them out as well.

"I Have A Favor To Ask Of You..."

"I have a favor to ask of you."

My wife shyly asked a few weeks ago.

Now, that simple sentence can mean a lot of things. It's one of those situations where you kind of need to be there to understand just what the "favor" might be. In this case, I knew, by the way she was asking, that it wasn't going to be a huge thing like getting up on a ladder and fixing the loose siding, or make a call for her she didn't want to make herself.

No, this was something she needed me to do, and after she asked me, I realized that to her, the favor was a bigger deal than it was for me.

"Sure," I said. "What's up?"

"Can you MC our talent show?"

"Of course!"

I did and I had a blast. I got to dress up in the tuxedo I bought from the Deseret Industries. I found a corny website with very bad clean jokes and we had a very fun evening. The girls who performed did an amazing job--each one of them.

It's fun MC'ing an event where the people there want to have a good time. They want to be entertained. And when they laugh at the following joke:

"What's white and cannot climb a tree?  A fridge."

You know they're going to have fun and I'm going to have fun, too. Good times!