Aging- A Glorious Secret

"There's this youth culture...it really discards people once they reach a certain age.  I actually think that people are so powerful and interesting - women, especially - when they are older.  We've got so much to say, but popular culture is so reductive that we just talk about whether we've got wrinkles, or whether we've put on weight or lost weight, or whether we've changed our hairstyle.  I just find that shallow."  ~Annie Lennox

Not so in this neighborhood where I live surrounded by so many incredibly elegant, talented women. They are so beautiful in so many different ways.  It is because of how they have lived and what they have lived through.  Their beauty radiates through their eyes and in their smiles.  They have accumulated wisdom that only life can give you.  I find great comfort being around these lovely women.  

I have been walking in the early mornings with a few of these 'girls'.  

January can be cold when you live so close to the mountains, but we get up early and get ourselves moving!  One of our group has had a stroke, two have pacemakers, one of those nearly died before she got hers, and I couldn't breathe for three years.  

We have always cared for each other during those times, and also during emotional upsets.  

And so we marvel that we are out walking at all! 

 We notice the blue sky, the sun when it comes out from behind the mountains. 

 We notice every beautiful thing as we walk, because we have lived and we are so grateful for each other, for our surroundings and for the fact that we are actually walking!  Oh, what a wonderful world.  How much better to be on this end of things. To know what we know. 

 It's almost like having a glorious secret. We'd like to share it with our younger sisters, friends, daughters... but we can't.  

For they must live it. 

 Then they will know.

  "Growing old is a mandatory process. For women, for a period of time, we might even resist aging as we try our hardest to fight off wrinkles and hang on to the physical beauty of our faces.  Yet, getting old is a natural process where things are slowing down, and you'll begin to see that the sparkle in your heart and the twinkle in your eyes make you beautiful in a way that's not achievable in youth. 'Age' is the acceptance of a term of years.  But maturity is the glory of years."

Relaxing in the Garden- Glorious Summer

Can't believe we're almost halfway through glorious summer. 

 I love warm summer nights. 

 My upper garden has been a mess of vines for the last few years.  

This year we cleaned it out and added quite a bit more space. 

 So nice to go up my steps and hideout while reading a book or just star gazing.

  Perfect spot to relax in the evening.

I've always enjoyed the concept of "rooms" in my garden.  

Another lovely place to enjoy warm evenings is my back patio.  

Sometimes I just sit and listen to those wonderful summer sounds.

Something fun going on in the gardens around my neighborhood is our weekly lemonade gathering.

  Once a week we gather and enjoy a cool glass of lemonade, visit and just enjoy each others flowers. 

 It's nice to stop once in awhile and relax with good friends.

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on

 a summer's day,

 listening to the murmur of the water,

 or watching the clouds float across the sky,

 is by no means a waste of time."

~John Lubbock

A Sewing Project

My mother was a talented seamstress. 

 She sewed for herself and we three girls always had beautiful clothes created and sewed by our mother.

  She had a little sewing room right off our family room, so she could sit and sew,

 but still be a part of whatever was going on downstairs with the rest of us. 

I sewed a little bit when my kids where little,

 but haven't even had a sewing machine for years

Jim bought me a new sewing machine a few weeks ago,

so I thought it was time to start creating.

Last night my friend Marcie and her mom Kathy came over and helped me

cut out a dress and a skirt, using a dress I had and just measurements for the skirt. 

We started about 7:00 pm.  

 They left at about nine when the skirt was complete. 

 I stayed up til about eleven and finished the dress.

So this morning I have a new dress and the skirt goes to Abby. 

 I'm really excited to have completed this project so quickly.

  Nothing went wrong as I sewed these up. 

 I even put the sleeves in the dress with no problem! 

 Kathy showed me how to make the yoga band for the skirt.

  I really appreciate her help. 

Kathy is my age,

but it was a little bit like having my mom there helping me along my way. 

"The fragrance always stays in the hand that give the Rose"

What a wonderful world. 

 That is a strange sentence to write down after reading the newspaper and listening to the news.  There are so many things going on that can bring a person down.
 I have had a particularly rough month.
 But even with all the heartache, physical illness and all kinds of other strange goings on..there is still so much of heaven everywhere.
 The contrast for me is so strong.
 When I get down or falter or go back a step or two,
 what keeps me going is the army that Heavenly Father chose to bless me with.
   I believe that Heavenly Father works through us.
 I am constantly amazed by the courage of people like Tyler Hallsey and his family and Burgen Jensen and her family.
 They give me strength.

 I live in an area that could only be called Heaven in the middle of a world in crisis.
  Here we have a bit of peace. 
A little bit of land with houses dotting the hill..and those homes are filled with people who all have problems,
 but who take care of each other
Such a pure love dwells here. 
The closeness that we feel is priceless.
 The love that ties us together is a rare thread, it doesn't break.
 All of the people give of themselves over and over again.  They never stop, they just keep on giving.  I have been the recipient of their generosity and love over and over.

 

"..have miracles ceased?  Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men."

 

Moroni 71: 29

 

Miracles have not ceased and angels do exist. 
They are all living in my neighborhood. 

 

"..charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever.."

 

Moroni 71:47

 

And these angels who live here have the charity that this scripture is talking about. 

My dear friends and neighbors have given out so many roses over the years. 
It smells like a rose garden as you walk down the street.

I am so grateful I live among these lovely people.

Lone Peak Liberty Days

Our small neighborhood parade is growing.  Grandkids come back with their parents to the place where they grew up. 

We gather together to celebrate our nation's birth..and this place we call home. 

We honor our veterans and celebrate our "Liberty Lovelies"  These beautiful women who have gracefully taught us how to live our lives.

 

And of course there are the spectators..

Cheering us on!

We love getting together on this special day.  We love seeing kids that have grown up here who come and bring their families.  We love celebrating our heritage, our freedom and this beautiful part of the world that is our home. 

Turning 60 at the Sego Lily Spa

 

 

Yesterday I turned 60!!!! 

 I got up as I usually do

Got dressed..a little slower,

(due to my age)

 

Went out the door to take care of the grandchildren. 

When I got to my daughter's home a wonderful surprise waited for me there.

Three of my five kids were there with four of the eight grandchildren. 

They had fixed a delicious

breakfast. 

 After eating,

 they were sending me off to a spa!

FOR THE WHOLE DAY!!!

 

I have never spent the whole day in a spa.

Maybe being 60 isn't going to be that bad. 

 

 

I can't say enough about the

 Sego Lily Spa. 

The Facility is lovely and the treatments are all to die for. 

What a wonderful way to spend my day.

 

The spa day was fabulous,

 but the present I loved the most was the thought that went behind the gift, 

 I loved the notes from nieces, nephews, sisters, and my brother, kids,

 and grandkids, and my dear husband. 

Visits from my friends. 

 I love them all so much and am blessed to have these people in my life. 

 Getting older isn't bad at all when surrounded by so many blessings. 

A few Regrets...These aren't among them.

Yesterday in church our neighbor gave a talk about regrets.  It was a fabulous talk.  He went through life stages and how we have small regrets in our early years, but maybe as we get older there are bigger regrets.  He ended his talk with a letter from a friend who has only a few weeks to live due to illness.  He listed his regrets, which basically had to do with loving more and spending time with those loved ones, expressing his love to them more often.  Of course we think of those things as we get close to the end of our life.  But they are such simple things..things that can be done each day, just a quick hug or an "I love you"  letting someone express their feelings freely..loving unconditionally.  I have so many regrets, but I thought I'd list a few of those things I don't regret this year. 

I don't regret surrounding myself with these guys, seeing their happy faces.

Their smiles bring joy to my life.

   

I don't regret seeing Jim smile.  Especially when he is with his grandkids.  That's when the joy comes out the most.  He's got a great smile.

I don't regret working in my garden.  I love planting those beautiful flowers and seeing them grow.  What a lovely season, barefeet on hot cement, sitting outdoors late into the evening, watching the sun set. Summer, my favorite time of year.

I don't regret travelling.  I always love seeing different places, experiencing different ways.  It makes me appreciate the beautiful world and also the beautiful spot I call home.

I don't regret spending time with family and friends.  These women are my support, They are who I turn to who and who turn to me.  I love them.  Girlfriends are the best. 

 

I certainly don't regret loving and being with "my girls."  We're outnumbered, but a strong force in the family.  Beautiful each one with different and individual strengths.   How grateful I am to be apart of these girls lives. 

 

I have many regrets.  Things I wish I would have done better..things I wish I wouldn't have done at all.  But, spending time with loved ones,  spending time out in the beautiful world,  these things I only regret not doing more of.  So very grateful for these simple, yet most important blessings in my life.

A Gathering of Loved Ones

Just another group of my most precious loved ones.  A gathering last night for some of Aunt Polly's homemade chicken noodle soup, aunt Julie's pretzel jello, and other delights brought in by our gang!  Almost fifty crammed into our home.  And of course the original "name game" group stayed and played after everyone left. 

As I post these different pictures during this Christmas Season, each one could be our Christmas Card, for all these people are so dear to me. 

My family of course. 

Then the extended, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, who, I love so dearly and love seeing each one, and of course our dear neighbors and friends. 

What would I do without all these wonderful people in my life? 

 I am truly blessed. 

Christmas Bells are Ringing!

Early Saturday morning before Christmas the Choir always practices. 

Just to make sure we remember our songs for Church the next day.

It is so nice just to go and see my friends, who love music, love one another and love singing praises to our Savior. 

There's always something to laugh at, or some song that makes everybody cry...

 (either from the message or how badly we sing it!)

We have so many talented people. Several who play the flute, soloists.

 A bell choir, and Pat, who has kept the music in our ward alive for over thirty five years.

 She's amazing.

We hope the angels will sing with us tomorrow. 

 (They have on many occasions, you know.) 

Merry Christmas

Gardner Village and some Silly Witches

When pumpkins start appearing everywhere,

 there's nothing left to do...

but,

 become a witch!!!!! 

 Isn't that what everyone does at this time of year??

But of course.

So my other witchy friend, Pat and I flew out to Gardner Village,

 found our favorite shop

 (Vintage Chic, it's where all fashionable witches go, you know). 

 There, we found other witches,

 Pat danced,

 and we tried to keep warm! 

And then, because we were exhausted,
because we are grandma's and very old
witches...
we

FLEW HOME!!!

 

Come see us tonight

i'll be there with another

witch at

Vintage Chic

"TRIBUTE TO FALL"

When I first feel that cool fall air in the morning and see the leaves change and pumpkins start showing up everywhere, I always think back to the fall when "Tribute" was born. It was many years ago, because my son Nick, who is now 33 was about 10. According to my journal, this is how it went.

"When I was a younger mom I decorated my home for each holiday

- even St. Patrick's day took a day of my time to make everything green.

 But Fall and Christmas took days.

Of course my friends were all engaged in these same activities,

 making their homes look festive for the season.

 One year when my son was about ten or eleven, I had just finished a masterpiece on my mantel for fall.

 I called my friend Pat right over to admire my handy work... and admire we did.

Nick, just in from school joked as Pat came in,

 " You have to see my moms Tribute to Fall".

Ever since any decoration for a season has become known as

"Tribute" to Christmas, Fall or whatever season we are in.

Well, a few years back I was in bed, sick. I just didn't have it in me to get "Tribute" out.

I had a phone call from Sue, the most concerned of neighbors.

Her first sentence was "I hear you might not get your Tribute up!"

It almost sounded like our country was being invaded or some such disaster.

She was that upset!

 I found out that if I was not well enough by the first week of October that Sue, Colleen and Pat would be over here making sure my tribute was up in all its glory,

because it just can not happen one year.

It seems a small and very unimportant thing when you look at the state of the world.

Wars, hurricanes, tornadoes that take peoples lives and homes.

 But what if all neighborhoods were like mine, where people were so concerned that they would come and put some fall leaves up just to see a smile?

 Somehow, when I look at it that way it seems as big as world events.

 It seems more important. Friends loving friends, looking out for each other.

We are all so different yet because of love we are the same. "

We have put up "Tribute" for others when they didn't feel well. We take each other to the hospital,

we sit with each other, comfort each other, laugh and talk and have fun together.

 

Each fall as I put my leaves and pumpkins out,

I am ever grateful for the beautiful world I live in, for the friends I am surrounded by,

 for a son who still has a funny sense of humor, who makes me laugh,

 for traditions, for those who continue to care,

 no matter what comes our way.

Wandering the streets of Spring City

 

We spent a perfect day with our friends, Teri and Dale, wandering around the streets of Spring City, Utah.  Seeing the lovely old homes, visiting with the city's many artists, and of course, taking pictures of their gardens. 

We caught the beautiful blooms just as summer turns to fall.

 

The hollyhocks were everywhere.

 

 

"If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere."

 

~Vincent Van Gogh

 

We certainly found it in Spring City.

Independence Day in my Neighborhood

Because of the courage and bravery of our Founding Fathers, we today are celebrating the birth of our Nation.  How blessed to be living in such a beautiful country.  To have the opportunities and freedoms that sometimes we take for granted.  Because of their (our Founding Fathers) foresight we are able to enjoy activities like we do in our neighborhood. 

We gather as neighbors for a breakfast where we celebrate the birth of our nation, our friendship and our blessings.  We are grateful to the Jorgensen's who have hosted this for about 33 years.  The neighbors participate in setting up, preparing the food, and clean up.  Hundreds show up, many who have grown up here bring their children back for the fun.

There's a mix of old times and new comers.  Everyone is welcome and feels it.   

After the breakfast we get ready for the parade!  You can't have the 4th of July without a parade and a popcycle!

We've got our Grand Marshall, we've got our Royalty, we've got children on decorated bikes, we've got our spectators!  Who could ask for more?

Happy Independence Day!

Women from the Book of Mormon

A number of years ago, these talented ladies wrote and performed a program about the women from the Book of Mormon.  They wrote the lyrics, music, came up with costumes and sets within approximately a two month period of time.  They truly felt as though they were inspired.  They performed this program all over Utah, at women's conference, in the Washington DC area and for the General authorities wives.  After about five years they stopped performing themselves and made the script available for wards and stakes so they could put the program on for their own areas.  It has now been performed all over the world.

For our ward Relief Society birthday party (and since we have an in) we got them to perform again.  My friend Pat, who is in the group, was in charge of the production.  With the help of the original cast, she added members of our own ward, making it a larger ensemble.  Our ladies were fabulous!  Our homemaking committee did a great job with scenery, giving us all a book of mormon feel.

These women (in the book of mormon) were made to feel real, having the same heartbreak, worries, and humor that we have today as we worry about our children in the number "What's a mother to do?"  or asking as the three nephies wives did, "they should have asked us first!" 
I am always amazed, yet shouldn't be surprised that small ward productions everywhere put on such first rate shows such as these. 

The ladies in our ward loved the show.  We had about ninety people there!  Refreshments were sweet breads, cheeses, olives and grapes, in keeping with the times, served in baskets.  What a lovely night we were given and a tribute to women whether living now or then. 

"DAUGHTERS IN MY KINGDOM"

I'm in the primary, but my night job is Visiting Teaching Supervisor. This last Sunday we had our Visiting Teaching Conference.

Teri and I decided to do it in conjuction with the beautiful book

"Daughters in My Kingdom."

 We wanted to do a program that would properly introduce this lovely book to the ladies in our Ward.

 I read the book a number of times to pull together a program to do just that.

I loved everything I read in this book.

 It talks about how the "history of Relief Society is filled with examples of ordinary women accomplishing extrordinary things."

 As I worked to pull this together small examples of this happened as they always do here.

 Just" ask and it shall be given."

 Women came together and presented a program just as I had envisioned.

The book tells us how

 "The world's greatest champion of woman and womanhood is Jesus Christ."

How wonderful to know that He knows and loves us and wants women to be happy and successful in whatever we want to accomplish.

From the very beginning, women of Relief Society have been guided by the spirit of inspiration.

 As the pioneers travelled west, they did not necessarily have meetings but they continued to serve one another.

They helped one another through many trying times.

"The women found spiritual strength in each other's love and compassion. Throughout the journey as they suffered trials of illness and death, they prayed in faith for each other and comforted each other. The love of God flowed from heart to heart. These faithful pioneer women had a vision of their power and potential for service. They helped establish homes and communities. Through deeds of faith and charity, they saved souls."

 ~Bathsheba Smith

"When World War II ended Relief Society sisters worldwide had suffered much sorrow and deprivation.

Through it all, they continued to serve one another, strengthen families, and bolster testimonies.

In times of trial and uncertainty, sisters worldwide followed Mormon's admonition to "cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all."

They demonstrated their sure understanding that while all things must fail..

"charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever".

 Time and time again, women of the church stay true to their motto:

 "Charity never faileth."

Today the women of the church are stronger than ever.

 " If you live up to your privilege, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates...

If you will be pure, nothing can hinder."

~Joseph Smith

President Kimball was asked if he had ever been to heaven?

 He answered that he had glimpses.

Well this past week I had glimpses.

 I had the music 'Come, Come Ye Saints' and 'Sisters in Zion' going through my head during the pioneer segment of this program.

 And of course Pat, who had family with her all week, took the time to arrange those two songs together so my friend Laurel could play them on her flute.

Pat also came up with a beautiful song to end our program and again my friend Betty along with five other beautiful voices came together in perfect harmony.

Teri always finishes with a perfect touch.

She talked of the "glimpes of heaven" that she had observed as Relief Society President.

Many have been blessed as women served,

from Sandy recovering from a brain tumor,

Barbara from cancer,

and would you believe it - two mom's with two sets of twin girls born in the last nine months!

 So many women caring for one another just as they have from the beginning.

Clarissa Williams said,

"Through our organization the gospel has been preached, the needy have been looked after, the sick have been comforted, the downhearted have been cheered..The greatest thing in the world is love. And if we keep that always in our hearts, and give it as a message to those about us, we will be blessed and will be instruments in blessing those with whom we associate."

I love these women.

They are truly a fulfillment of the vision of what Relief Society was and would become.

They are examples of ordinary women

 accomplishing extrordianry things.

THE ADVENTURES OF THE WILLOW VIEW WITCHES

Ok, so here's what happened as the Willow View Witches flew out spreading good will and joy yesterday.

They gathered together and decided just which way to fly...

made a circle around, just to make sure the old brooms were in working order.

touched down to visit a few of our near and dear friends in the neighborhood before heading off to scare Aunt Marie!

Then off for a photo op at a lovely little retailer in a neighboring village.

There was a party later on that evening with many other strange and endearing characters. We fit right in. It's so nice to live in a place where regular people suddenly turn ghastly - oh, I mean ghostly for a few weeks each year. Actually we three witches are just quiet little women who normally go about our business....

Today, it's as if it were all a dream- a good dream or a bad dream, we just don't know?!? Pat has to get to the business of playing the piano, Colleen, who doesn't like to perform, is wondering what got into her? And I'm still trying to figure out just what to do with my hair?!

Not really, we're all so exhausted we're in a coma.

 Hey - who's that other lady in red?

4TH OF JULY

For 32 Years our neighbors have hosted a fourth of July breakfast.

Every year it gets bigger and better!

No one misses the breakfast.

Children come back with their kids. 

It's fun to see everybody together celebrating our Independence.

 About 20 years ago we started a children's parade, which became a children's race. 

 Who could get from point A to point B the fastest. 

Well this year, my friend Pat and I decided to take the parade up a notch. 

Pat made banners.  I got some music, and we elected royalty. 

Got a convertable.  With the help of our friends we even came up with a name.
" The Lone Peak Liberty Days."
 Told the kids

it was no longer a race, it was a parade and off we went. 

 Bigger and better than ever!

 Royalty in place.  Of course the "Liberty Lovelies" weren't recognizable...

(we heard one little boy say "that sure doesn't look like your mom!"

 Of course, Carol, one of our "Lovelies" was fashionably late! 

 but it all worked out....

 She got on board and they were off.  Leading the grand parade!

And as you can see if was grand!  (notice all the spectators - upper right corner). 

Popcycles for all at the end of the route. 

People were enthused by the new additions,

A committee is all ready forming. 

It will be bigger and better next year. 

There will be a band! 

 I can see it now! 

 76 Trombones led the big parade! 

 Several cars of royalty! 
(everyone will want to be a Liberty Lovely)

We will start the elections in May! 

We might even get more than 6 people watching!!!