Pondering on the Parade of Homes

We love viewing the houses each year in the Parade of Homes. The innovations and clever uses of space, decorating ideas and new materials out there are fun to see. But mostly, it's intriguing to see what can be done when money isn't a factor--or rather, the lack of it. If you had all the money necessary, I wonder what differences there would be? I would not spend ALL my money on a house, anyhow. Don't want 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, home theater, indoor basketball court and 3 kitchens. But I'd love a fireplace in the master suite, my own balcony. A turret for the grand piano, a playroom with an indoor treehouse, a stage and a dollhouse etc. Dad would like the outdoor fireplace, a hot tub and a private waterfall...I'm guessing. Don't need real granite countertops (we saw some that were cement, painted and glazed, too) but it would be nice. We see dumb stuff, too. There was a kitchen floor of bricks--looked really cool but how do you mop that? Somebody put carpet in the laundry/mud room--that's asking for trouble. But it's sure fun to see the old-fashioned sinks make a comeback (even if they're not very practical) and a living room with 3 French doors on either side--now that's cross ventilation!

HELP! Dad and I are responsible for coming up with entertainments and activities to keep busy, boys from age 12-18 at an Aaronic Priesthood camp for our stake next week. We are senior couple in a zone--the camp is organized as for missionary training. We thought of a "Rootbeer Taste Test" and the Candy Bar game like we play at Christmas. Dad can bring kickball and the tug-of-war rope from school....is that enough? Is there something you remember from your youth days that would be good? We'll have 14 boys in our zone. Thanks.

I've been thinking about sleeping positions--having witnessed little Simon's favorite: on elbows and knees with face smashed into the mattress (refer to Jacob for a picture). Dad's most frequent is on his side, with one hand under his head and the other holding his chin. I've wondered if it is a subconscious form of keeping himself from snoring or talking in his sleep...
Then I remember Eric napping once with his hands in his pockets, Shannon rolled up in a blanket, tied with ropes and perched on the top of the headboard (about 4 " wide). And the grand-sleeper of all, Jeff, who could sleep virtually in any position in any place. I have a photo of him in his highchair, hands behind his head, flung back and mouth open; another one he is face forward onto the table smeared with spaghetti sauce; one he's curled into a stuffed chair, etc.

I have to change positions frequently, but generally am on the side/back one way or another. I suppose the important thing is that we do sleep. Such a lovely thing it is, too.

I have had a medical adventure the last couple of weeks the likes of which is unique to my experience (and likely unique to anyone who would be reading this). Who was the creative genius that woke up one morning and said, "I know, when the retina of the eye detaches, we'll just insert a bubble of gas through a needle. The bubble will push the retina back into place and all will be hunky-dory!"? You must admit it's peculiar.
Which makes one consider some other bizarre procedures, such as burning off warts with liquid nitrogen, or inserting plastic straws into the neck to help out the heart. We live in an amazing world.
Perhaps you are aware of medical oddities you could list...

Whitney's Recital

Slipping Backwards

We forget what we left behind when it isn't revisited somehow. I'm talking about having returned to Wyoming to visit Tim and Family. We went into Albertsons in Rock Springs to buy some mushrooms and a pineapple for the BBQ. It was like moving back in time. The atmosphere was different--even from other Albertsons. The people are different. There were more tank tops, facial hair and tatoos. They spoke a different language. The parking lot held a higher percentage of trucks. The weather was even different. The wind blew constantly, of course. I got cold in the evening, earlier than usual. The culture was different.

Do I regret living there? Nope. It was a great place to raise kids. They had to determine who they are and what they believed early on. Do I miss it? I miss 2 things: 1. The people (the courage to be good, to be refined when it's not popular is inspiring). and 2. The High Desert where I used to walk with the dogs and met wild things like foxes and pronghorn. Would I ever go back permanently? Nope. I love Springville seasons, mountains and BYU cultural stuff. I love the Arts activity. Interesting to ponder, though.

Is That Funny?

I've been pondering on laughter. Coming to conclusions: It's curious what kinds of things strike us as funny. Some of that comes from our childhood "culture." Some things are funny to one person that leave another unmoved, depending on how one identifies with the situation. For example, the parents of a retarded child don't find "little moron" jokes very funny. Pollock jokes offend those from Poland. One can compensate for those predispositions, though. Fraternizing with others will eventually lead us to see with their eyes and justify that perspective, even if at first, we don't agree with their points of view. For right or wrong, we move on the scale of appropriate humor through the saturation-effect.

So, by extension, our spiritual backgrounds predispose us to accept or reject certain kinds of humor. However, if we immerse ourselves long enough, we can adjust our response. Which is why we're taught to avoid light mindedness. Makes you think. If you laugh at unholy humor, especially if you seek it out, you're denying your spiritual heritage. And breaking certain covenants. So, that's what I've been thinking about. Thanks for "listening."