Confused

Last blog I displayed this "Christmas " cactus blooming. Eleven days later it is still blooming as if it were Christmas. Maybe it is a "George Washington's Birthday" cactus. We could state several other dates in the year when it blooms. Any way it is a joy. Yesterday, we had a house of happiness here with children, grandchildren and great grand children along with Clarine's sister - fifteen of us total. We would have gladly welcomed more, but there were reasons. We visited and talked and displayed our love and concern for one another. It was a happy time for me. Life is good.

Tonight, Clarine and I are going to the stage production, Beauty and the Beast, presented by Tooele High School. We saw it performed by Grantsville High School a couple of years ago. I don't remember it well enough to make a good comparison.

I heard from every one of my children, some grandchildren and friends yesterday, either by phone, internet or in person. I am now a solid eighty-one years old. I will never see eighty again.

Clarine and I went to the swimming pool in Tooele this morning. It will be closed for cleaning and repairs for three days, so we just went for a drive around the valley - Tooele to Grantsville and thence to I-80 and back to Stansbury Park. We drove more slowly than usual. There were times when I had to speed up to avoid causing problems, but it was a happy drive. gwh

Christmas Is Past

A few weeks before Christmas in 2008 this Cactus bloomed. As Christmas came there were still a few spent blossoms hanging on. Today as this picture shows, it is blooming anew - probably only two months have elapsed between blooms. I am suspicious that there are two different plants in the pot, as I seemingly get a different shade of blossom from time to time. Never-the-less these are gorgeous full blooms. It makes me happier when it blooms. This plant is so copious and prolific with so little care. It is a blessing.

This passed week, one day, I got two notices from the Utah Tax Commission. They are asking questions about the years 2005, 2006. They told me to make some copies of my federal returns and mail them to them. I have done so. Now the ball is in their court once more. I am not optimistic that they won't want to adjust my returns. Taxes seem to get complex any more and it is busy work to fill out the forms. Today I preliminarily figured my Utah state tax for the year 2008. Utah is going to a "quasi" flat tax. The rate is now basically 5% instead of seven. They certainly calculated the change to favor the state as my taxes are roughly 50% higher than before, and they are more complicated to figure. (I might say I expected as much. I am not very enamored with politicians of any ilk.) By and large they are selfish, petty, unstatesman-like and always asking for some one to contribute to their "war chests." So much for the "sour grapes." gwh

A Plentiful Storm

Last night and early today we had a plentiful rain storm that put snow in the mountains and water on the ice of the lake. Meanwhile the old rocker that I improved greatly sits sheltered on the front porch waiting for warmer weather so that someone can sit in it and bask in the nice temperate atmosphere. The water on the ice looks nice, but the strength of the ice is likely getting risky for a human to step upon.

I started my service in the Salt Lake Temple as an ordinance worker last Saturday. I was so happy that they were going to start me on a session with one of the lesser speaking parts. I think there was probably a little pride on the surface. Any way I started giving the part and it was going well, when I had a senior moment. I couldn't think of what was to be said next, and the person prompting me spoke so softly that I could not hear it. After a few attempts, I finally got what he was saying. It seemed like I stood dumb-founded for minutes. I suspect it was seconds, but it had the needed impact on me. I was quite humbled - a good antidote for pride. I served in other capacities without incident, and it was very nice to be able to serve in those ordinances once more.

I talked with Kenneth on the telephone yesterday. He didn't know that I was still teaching the gospel doctrine class in Sunday School. I updated him, so that he now knows that I have been teaching the class for over five years and still enjoy it a lot. Yesterday's class went quite well, and I probably built back a little pride. What I need to do is give the credit where it belongs and steer away from the destroying monster that pride is. I will get my camera out again one of these days and give you a post with some dialogue. gwh

Three Weeks

The photo with the stitches under the left eye was taken on 12 January 2009. The other was taken this evening, 3 February 2009. The relatively large interval was occasioned by the lack of feed back on the pathology of the biopsy taken on the 12th. After three inquiries on various days I finally got a response today that the biopsy results were negative with respect to the tissue sample being cancerous. So that is good news. The scar is healing quite nicely too, don't you think? In 19 more days this ole' feller will top out at 81 years of age. I have to admit that I am slowing just a tad. When I was out running this morning, I passed some high school students waiting for the bus. One of them that I know said, "Out for your morning walk, huh?" I was a little insulted, but regained my composure and answered, "Yeah, but it is supposed to be a run."

Ground Hog Day was yesterday. It was very sunny here, so I'm hunkering down for six more weeks of winter. The lake is frozen quite hard now. The Canadian geese wander around on the ice waiting for a turn to get in the water at the few places that are warm and the water is not frozen but quite small in area.

All-in-all I am very blessed and happy. I wish the same for each of you. gwh.