Stormy Adventure

Adventure has been a part of my life since I can remember. My father had an adventurous job with the State Fish and Game. And he was a very adventurous man. He included his family on his many hairy, scary, wild, and exhilarating adventures as often as he could. Summers spent in mountains, camping weeks on end, riding horses, canoeing on lakes, rafting the rivers, hiking, fishing, hunting, participating in war games, counting deer, chasing ufo's and poachers. That does not include all the other times adventuring at home and around our neck of the woods. All six of us kids and mom had the rare privilege of experiencing a very adventurous life! 

I am about to tell you, in my dad's own words (from his journal), about a very STORMY ADVENTURE that includes me!

It was the year 1965. While reading the newspaper an advertisement caught my eye. "Little Buckaroo Rodeo". I thought that sounds like a prime idea and perhaps we could engage them to come to Carbon County. I got a hold of Mr. Bernice Hunsaker of Tremonton, Utah and after some negotiating around he agreed to bring his outfit to Price and help us support the Ward budget. I had the responsibility of getting the rodeo grounds, advertisement and signing the riders on. A Shetland pony is a small animal, but a large one as viewed by most of our riders--6-9 year old. Boy! When those ponies came out of the chute, nostrils flaring, eyes a bulging and doing their best to dislodge the little culprit astride--those kids knew they were in for the ride of their life.

At the start of the show Bernice would have a pony catching contest, where the small children in the crowd would chase down the colt of their choice. There would be 15-20 colts turned loose in a small arena and the children turned loose to chase after them. Carol (that's me!) entered the contest and was the first to lasso and catch her pony. She was broken hearted when she brought the pony to the gate and found out she didn't get to keep it--they only had the privilege of chasing it around the arena and making a capture. Big tears flowed down her cheeks--not unnoticed by Bernice.

That night when the show was over he told Carol to take her pick of Ponies and wouldn't you know it she picked a little Palomino stud colt. I was sure grateful to Mr. Hunsaker since Carol felt so bad--she was only about seven. It didn't take us long to find out he was a small piece of dynamite and very temperamental. She immediately named him "Stormy". We loaded "Stormy"  into a full sized horse trailer and headed for home.

On our arrival at the house--Stormy was gone. He must have jumped out of the horse trailer somewhere along the way. Carol got her heart broke again--twice in one night. The imagination can conjure up all kinds of things about the location and condition of the colt. I must have been going a good clip when he managed to clear the trailer bed. It was a pitch black night, but we started to back track. We finally located the little feller about half way between the rodeo grounds and the house and examination of the little critter didn't reveal any more than some minor scrapes and a bruise or two. Carol was once more the proud owner of a "Rascal".

Stormy

Amazing what a young child will remember about the same event! The entire event--leading up to, participating in, and "winning" the prize--was done with much anticipation and excitement. Done with hard and diligent work for a youngster. And so emotional--- experienceing all the ups and downs that led to "final outcome!" I don't know how I ever survived such an adventure!

My memory recalls being part of selling  tickets to the Little Buckaroo Rodeo. I remember going from door to door, in my neighborhood, selling as many tickets as I could. I don't know if it was in my mind at that time, but for some reason I thought whoever sold the most tickets won a Shetland pony. And, it was going to be me! I was determined to win my "pony!"

I remember running around the arena trying to catch a pony. I ran with vigor and intent to capture one-- because it was the pony I was going to keep! Yes, I had my heart broken when I found out I couldn't keep him. It was so disappointing. I cried big crocodile tears. I thought I earned him! I sold tickets and I did everything possible to keep the pony I caught. I worked hard for my prize, just to find out I couldn't keep him.

At the end of the rodeo, you can imagine my young hearted joy, when the nice man, who brought the rodeo to town, took me to the corral and let me pick a out a Shetland pony to call my very own. 

He had beautiful, shiny, golden brown hair. And, he was just my size! I named him STORMY. And, it wasn't long before he literally lived up to his name. In fact... he proved his name on the way home that very night! Even with his feisty attitude, Stormy was my friend. I would often ride him five miles to a cousins house where we would ride our Shetland ponies for hours. There was a stretch of pasture grass that ran along side and in between the old highway and canal going to Carbonville, where Karen lived. When we reached that grassy path, it became a race track. I'd let the reins down and Stormy would take off like a "bat out of hell" and run like the wind! It was so thrilling--Stormy and I running and riding like lightning! We would surely win the race! 

As time went on, and I grew older, I rode Stormy less and less. But I still continued to greet him on occasion, in the pasture behind the house, with a bucket of oats. I don't know what happened--maybe I wasn't giving him enough attention, but he started to lash out at me when I put the bucket of oats down for him to eat. One day, while I was setting it down, he pushed back his ears like he was mad and pawed me hard with his hoof. He sensed that it scared me and from then on took advantage of it. He continued to get more aggressive with me with each visit. He wasn't as kind to me as he once was, but I still loved my pony. He brought adventure into my young life and gave me the memories of some of the best years of my childhood. 

Writing prompt #2: Write a blog post inspired by the word: adventure

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Quotography: Music

Perhaps nothing invites the spirit so effectively as the right music. It can inspire, heal and awaken us!

Songs of the heart

The first time I walked back into County Lanes Assisted Living Center, after my trip to Europe, I was immediately welcomed with the feeling of warmth, love, and friendship. I noticed right off that my favorite lady was no longer with us. I was relieved to find out that she moved, and had not passed away. A couple of other of my favorite sister's had succumbed to bad health, leaving them more dependent than ever on aids to assist them. But that did not diminish their spirit, because it radiated out like sunbeams. My spirit was renewed that day, in more ways than one.

As we started to sing the opening song, the spirit immediately engulfed me. My voice cracked and my lips began to quiver. The tears welled up in my eyes as we sang How Great Thou Art. It took me back to Dad's life. That was his life, through and through. It took me back to his funeral. Those sentiments came out in both song and words expressed that day. 

That day at Country Lanes I was surrounded by the sweetest group of elderly women, the spirit so strong, that I could barely get the words out. But they were loud and clear in my heart. 

1. O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, Consider all the worlds thy hands have made. I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder. Thy pow'r thru-out the universe displayed.

2. When thru the woods and forest glades I wander, And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees. When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur, And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze.

3. And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, Sent him to die, I scare can take it in. That on the cross my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.

4. When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation, And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration, And there proclaim, "My God, how great thou art!"

Chorus

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee, How great thou art! How great thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee, How great thou art! How great thou art! 

The most defining moment in the song came when the words... "And when I think that God, his Son not sparing, Sent him to die, I scare can take it in." I truly felt only love and adoration to Him that gave His life for me. I can't even begin to comprehend the magnitude of that gift, the love, the burden borne for me personally. I scarce can take it in!

I thought about being at dad's graveside when Alia, Ann, and their girls sang the song, once again. Their voices rose to the heavens and I felt the angels join in. I will never, ever forget the feeling that pervaded me that day. 

Our Relief Society meeting didn't end with the opening song. We enjoyed a wonderful prepared lesson and closed the meeting with yet, another song that has become near and dear to my heart. How Firm a Foundation. Mom's favorite song which was sung at her funeral, as well.

1. How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in his excellent word! What more can he say than to you he hath said, Who unto the Savior, who unto the Savior, Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?

2. In ev'ry condition- in sickness, in health, In poverty's vale or abounding in wealth, At home or a-broad, on the land or the sea- As thy days may demand, as they days may demand, As they days may demand, so they succor shall be.

3. Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed, For I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous, Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

4. When through the deep water I call thee to go, The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o'erflow, For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

5. When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply. The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design, They dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

6. Ev'en down to old age, all my people shall prove, My sov'reign, eternal, unchangeable love; And then, when gray hair shall their temples adorn, Like lambs shall they still in my bosom be borne.

7. The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose, I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never, no never, no never forsake! 

I was once again taken back to the day that Leslie and I were in mom's room at the Care Center, when I had an overwhelming urge to sing her a song... her favorite song. We went in search of a hymn book, and Leslie and I sang to her. We didn't have the most beautiful voices. Far from it, but it was beautiful to her. I could hardly sing. The spirit was so strong. We came to the end, and she asked us to sing it again. We did! It felt good. I had never sang to my mother before. But those words... "fear not, I am with thee..."  connected our spirits on a level that only the heart can understand. I loved her so much, and I knew she knew it! 

It wasn't long before we had the entire family up singing to her. A beautiful choir made up of her sons and daughters and grandchildren and spouses. Singing hymns. Harmonizing! It was like a choir from heaven. Angels joining in. Several grandchildren have exceptional voices. I remember being overcome with the spirit as Kevin and Jacob sang in their booming bass voices. Annie played the organ. Teri Beth played the violin on another occasion. She can make the most beautiful music with that instrument.

One of the aids commented to me, afterwards, that she heard singing and was drawn to where it was coming from. As she approached mom's door, she stopped, peeked inside, and lingered as she listened to the most beautiful music she said she had ever heard. Her heart was filled to the brim with the spirit and said we sounded like a heavenly choir. Our music not only comforted mother and her family that day, but it touched many residents and workers, alike.  

Mom loved music. It was so soothing to her. She sang her entire life. She sang in ward choirs, in the Singing Mother's Choir, and at home. One of my best memories was her knocking lightly on my bedroom door early in the mornings to awaken me for school. Her loving voice... "Ere you left your room this morning, did you think to pray..." still resonates in my heart and soul today.

Something about music

I swear in my pre-earth life I had musical talent, and I am praying it will be when I pass from this life, too. My singing voice is just ok, but I can hum anything and stay on pitch. I love to hum, and I find myself often humming hymns throughout the day. Music, that is... good inspirational music, moves me in a way that I can not even put into words. It enters my heart and finds a place to stay. One time I had hummed my day away, and Dave told me to"stop!" He couldn't take it anymore! It was only then that I realized how much music really was a part of my life, even though I was not playing any musical instrument at the time and I was not in a choir. 

The first time I knew music would be a part of my life was when I took piano lessons. I was young, but old enough to feel the thrill of making music. I pictured myself as a concert pianist as I moved my young crocked, double jointed fingers up and down the keyboard. When I turned 14 years old, everything changed. I became interested in a particular boy, and my world, as I knew it, would never be the same. I abandoned my piano lessons and school band. I lost interest in the very thing I once loved. I don't know how that was possible, but I did.

I married the boy that took my interest elsewhere, and several years later we were living in Colorado with a young family. I secretly wanted a piano and was always on the lookout. One day I found a turn of the century baby grand piano. I was so excited! We bought it for $900 and had it restored. It was beautiful! It was my dream to pick up playing the piano again and have my children learn to play. I was even called to be the pianist in my ward Relief Society. I was so scared. It had been so long. I felt so intimidated. I didn't know how I would ever be able to do it. It was only a matter of a few weeks that we moved from our Steamboat Springs branch to Craig. You could say I was saved by the move! The R.S. president had told me she was inspired to have me called to that position. Makes me wonder all these years later had we stayed and I accepted the call and challenge.....

Years later, still. I was on my second marriage. We were selling fruit at the Farmer's Market in SLC, when a lady stopped at our booth. As she picked out some fruit we struck up a conversation with each other. We were drawn to each other... like we knew each other from somewhere before. Her name -- Sue Jarvis. She said she knew me. I told her I knew her. We tried to make the connection, from previous places where we might have lived and knew each other. Her name was even familiar to me. School, perhaps? And then she asked me if I sang. Surely that was where she knew me from! She was involved in the music department and choir at BYU. We never did figure it out... but we were kindred spirits and we knew it. She departed and I went about my business. And, I have never forgotten her. Even though our encounter was for a brief moment, I felt like I have always known her. I hope I bump into my friend again, someday. And... we sing together!

When Audrey and I made our trips from Brigham City to Price, we sang songs all the way through Spanish Fork and Price Canyon. These memories with Audrey are so dear to my heart. We belted out Patriotic songs, Especially for Youth songs, church hymns, primary songs. Now, that Audrey is grown, I love to sit by her in church and listen to her beautiful Alto voice. And then... just like that she can switch to Soprano. I don't know where she acquired such a beautiful voice, but it is heavenly to me. She is, indeed, sunshine to my soul. For more reasons than one!

I remember right after dad passed away, I really changed. I experienced a mighty change. I thought of Alma the younger and what he experienced. That he had no more disposition to do evil. I felt that way. And I only wanted to listen to good, inspirational music. To this very day, that is what I listen to. It is healing, comforting, and inspirational. As I made the many trips through the canyon on Hwy. 6 from Brigham City to Price and back, to visit family. I would put in the Especially for Youth CD's and sing to the songs. How Great Thou Art, Come Thou Font of Every Blessing, and so many more. 

A year or so before mom passed away, mom gave me the piano I grew up on. Oh.. it's not good enough to play on. It's out of tune and there is no hope of fixing that problem. But, every now and again, I get out the piano books of my youth and play the songs that were so familiar to me. It takes me back to the time I imagined myself as a concert pianist. No, I never will be. At least not in this life. But I get so much satisfaction from playing the old ivory keys of my youth and dream of the time I will be! 

Good music is a heavenly treasure. It resonates truth, joy, and enlightenment. It inspires me to reach higher. It is in my soul and always will be.

Summer Fixins'

Summers are filled with sun, family picnics, fresh fruit from the orchard and produce from the garden. 

My childhood is filled with fond memories of yummy fresh garden meals, courtesy of the family garden and mother! It was not summer without eating a B.L.T. (bacon, lettuce, tomato) sandwich. Throw in a fresh picked corn on the cob and tree ripened peaches, and you had the most delicious meal ever! Perfect for a hot, lazy, summer day.

I have enjoyed this traditional simple summer fixin' for over 50 years. I grew up on it, my kids grew up on it, my grandchildren are growing up on it. The hubs just got back from Europe a couple of days ago. This was our first lunch together. Oh.... yummmm! 

Directions:

B.L.T.

While frying some bacon, slice a fresh garden tomato, tear some lettuce, and toast some bread of your choice. 

Spread mustard and light mayo on toast.

Add veggies and bacon.

Variation: substitute basil for lettuce (nice tasting surprise!)

Corn on the Cob

Put a young, tender cob of corn in a pan of boiling water and cook just until tender (about 8-10 minutes)

Spread on margarine (we like Smart Balance), and salt and pepper to taste.

Fresh Sliced Peaches

Peel peaches.

Slice peaches into bowl. Sprinkle on some sugar, if desired. Let sit for awhile. It makes the most delicious sweet peach juice ever!

What do you like to fix in the good ole' summer time?

Writing prompt #2: Share a favorite recipe from your childhood that you still make today.

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