Surprise!

I was at a daughter's house visiting. The kids were playing, as usual. I was getting ready to leave. Without any prompts like "who has a hug for grandma!", Em ran up to me and wrapped her little arms around my leg as to never let me go! That just melted my heart! I quickly picked my snuggle bug up, gave her a big kiss, and hugged her long and hard... until she was satisfied, and grandma, too, that I had given all the love and happiness back that she had just given me.

On another occasion we were sitting in the theater room watching a movie. Out of the blue, little Em came up and sat by me, pulled my arm over to her, and just kept kissing me. What a nice surprise! Em is my youngest grandchild. She is almost two. She is so happy all the time. She is busy, but always has time to show affection. In a very spontaneous way. Love my little Emma Goo!

It's amazing just how much these little ones learn to trust us. Then they give their entire, unconditional love to us. Oh... how important it is to always live up to that trust. They deserve it! They are so dependent, loyal, and innocent. I love being a grandmother. There is nothing like it in the world.

Grandchildren can give you the best surprises in life! Here she is resting in her mother's arms.

Writing prompt #4: Write a blog post inspired by the word: Surprise.

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Six Word Fridays: Bump

Mile Marker 193; Dozing, Overcorrect, Skid,

Spin, Slam, Smash, Bump...Bump....Bump.

Help from Samaritans. Sirens. I'm Ok!

Car damaged and needs a tow.

Lesson learned. Never, ever drive when 

sleepy! End result could have been

much, much worse. On that day

the Angels were watching over me!

bump

July 24

I'll be celebrating today!

On July 24th,1847, the pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley and made it home. I am lucky enough to be a descendant of those courageous and faithful pioneers. They made the long 1300 mile plus trek by handcarts and wagons, from Illinois to Utah. Brigham Young's famous words... "this is the right place" affirms my own sentiments. This is home. I love it here. It is the right place!

It's also my dad's birthday. He has passed away, but we continue to celebrate and remember his life with the long standing tradition of lighting sparklers atop a cake.

I'll be watching the Days of 47 Parade. The days of watching it in person are behind me. I'll be sitting in my big, soft comfy armchair in my air conditioned house, in the theater room if I please! The temperature today will be slightly over 100 degrees. Hot! It is one of the largest parades in the nation. There are no advertisements. Just good old fashioned floats, marching bands, horses and covered wagons. All centered around a pioneer theme. I look forward to watching it every year, seeing all the old photos of parades past, and listening to stories of the early pioneers.

I'll have a BBQ with a couple of my children and their youngsters. We look forward to Green River watermelon and corn on the cob this time of year. Yummmm.

I'll play with the grandkids, watch them run around the yard twirling sparklers, and relish in the thought of how lucky I am to be their grandmother.

I'll reflect on all the good things I have in my life and call it a day. And it will be a very good day!

I can't think of anything I would rather do today. But if I could, I would wish my dad here on his birthday so I could listen to his wild and adventurous stories and jokes, laugh a bunch, and tell him how much I love and miss him.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Pioneer Day!

Writing prompt #1: 9 things you'd rather be doing today.

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Six Word Fridays: Chasing a Rainbow!

I found my pot of Gold

in Ireland! Not at the end

of a Rainbow, but in mystical

gardens and secret passages. In tall

stone towers and narrow dirt roads.

Over bridges, under waterfalls, and hidden

places where fairies dance and play.

Among the flowers, on the stream.

Shamrocks bidding me a good day.

Chasing a Rainbow was in vain.

It was in front of me all

this time! They say it was

the luck of the Irish that 

blessed my way. I found a 

wealth of treasure, lucky for me!

I recently spent 2 1/2 months in Europe with my husband. Ireland was a highlight of my visit. The B&B's we stayed at were by far the best in Europe. The food was excellent. The Irish are very friendly and helpful. And the countryside is breathtaking! Green everywhere! Narrow country roads, stone fences, thatched roofs, ruins and castles are a must see on a trip to Ireland. We visited the south and west coastal areas. We went to Ireland the first of June. Couldn't have asked for more perfect weather conditions. Recommended places to visit -- Blarney Castle and gardens, Kilarney National Park, The Cliffs of Mohr, and the Ring of Kerry. We are already planning a trip back. Next time we'll go to Northern Ireland. Can't wait!

By the way... it's good to be back!

chase

New Friends

Does a "new friend" have to be a person? 

A few couple of weeks before coming back home from Europe, I found a NIKON at the PX for half off. I had my "point and shoot" camera, which I love, but this was the real deal! Our last trip was back to England. Across the English Channel and to Dover Castle. I placed the strap over my neck and took my "new friend" with me. I have a lot to learn about it, but so far I'm lovin' it.

NIKON

I think my NIKON took some mighty fine pictures! 

Dover Castle was having "character days", when we went. The castle came alive, as members of the Royal Court of King Henry II met visitors at the "Great Tower". Knight School and Siege Practice was taking place, and if you have ever been to England you know what a show they can put on. The "Great Tower", or castle, is 83' high and 100' square. The walls are 21' thick. The inside of the tower is recreated to reflect how it was when first completed in 1180-1185 A.D. 

Pictures, left to right, starting at top -- characters of King Henry's Court, flowers lining path, Roman lighthouse and church, the Great Tower, underground secret medieval tunnels (also have underground hospital in the white cliffs of Dover and secret wartime tunnels... amazing!), firing hole, and white cliffs of Dover.

Did I say why I love Dover Castle and the history surrounding it? If you do family history research, you'll understand why. King Henry II is a g....grandfather (1133-1189). The great medieval fortress was created by him. And, another important King, Edward I (Longshanks) (1239-1307) was also a g....grandfather. It is both fascinating and exciting to learn where my roots came from. You can too at familysearch.org. It made my trip to Europe and visiting specific sites much more meaningful knowing who my ancestors are.

Meet as Strangers... Leave as Friends!

Britia had a huge smile on her face as I sat down beside her on a bench outside the Freiberg, Germany LDS temple. I'm a friendly person and immediately started a conversation. I asked her all kinds of questions... her name, where she was from, and what brought her here. She smiled and politely attempted to address my questions with the small amount of English she knew. Even though she was anxious to talk, she struggled with the right words. But that didn't matter! Not to either of us. We connected instantly, even with the language barrier. We chatted back and forth. I in English, Britia in Czech. We laughed in our attempts to understand each other. It wasn't long before Michael, a friend of her's, joined in on the conversation. He spoke English very well and proved to be a great translator for both of us. I learned about their roots in the Czech Republic, their faith, and their desires to come to America. It didn't take long for us to became fast friends. 

I recently spent 2 /12 months in Europe and made lasting friendships along the way, even if for a brief moment. Like the young 16 year old girl from the Netherlands working at the campground we stayed at, the Australian couple and Canadian woman who were on a tour with us in Toledo, the old gentleman from Ireland that took us on a "jaunting car" ride (horse and box) and entertained us with singing and stories, the high school students from England on a field trip, a young mother from Columbia sitting next to me at a "jousting" event, the young family from Jerusalem  touring Austria, Mary from Egypt who married a soldier friend, and countless German citizens both on and off post. And, last but not least.... Celia, our delightful French girl and exchange student who is staying with my daughter's family. She is my newest friend.

The world is small these days. Traveling throughout Europe gave me great pleasure in meeting new people and forging new friendships. The world is full of wonderful people! I have learned we are much more alike than different. You can find a "new friend" anywhere!

Writing prompt # 1: A New Friend

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