BLESSINGS ARE RECEIVED BY ATTENDING THE TEMPLE
To celebrate and usher in a new millennium in 2000, the Grand Junction Colorado West Stake had its first stakewide Temple Day at the Vernal Temple where each ward was assigned its own temple session so the saints could enjoy attendance at the temple surrounded by ward members. The tradition has been expanded as we are now assigned to the Monticello Temple.
We had another successful stake Temple Day in June of this year. I felt such peace among our members who participated and could feel their love for the Lord and each other as we served together in the temple. I continue to be impressed by the large number of temple workers from our stake who serve in the temple and their dedication in serving. They bring a special spirit to our stake as they officiate and serve on our stake Temple Day. I feel a sense of heaven when I attend the temple with stake members and see stake members as temple workers. I feel the power of prayer when I witness ward members surround the sacred altar of the temple and petition the Lord to bless those in need.
The Stake Primary organization continues to provide excellent instruction on the temple at the adjacent Monticello North Chapel. It was my privilege to address these children as they were brought to the front door of the temple and teach them about the temple and encourage them to grow up and be found worthy to enter the temple. I was pleased when I asked them questions that they had an understanding about the sacredness of the temple. Our Primary workers provide a great service in instilling in these children a love of the temple.
Many participated in temple baptisms. Other participated in the “endowment” session or sealing sessions. When we go to the temple for the first time to participate in an endowment sessions, we make sacred oaths to the Lord to keep his commandments and he promises us a place in the Celestial Kingdom if we keep our covenants. Here are some of the reasons why we need to return often to the temple.
a. We1 can’t and don’t remember all we are taught in the temple the first time we attend-we need to return so we can retain what we are taught.
b. We need to do temple work for those who died without going to the temple. It is particularly important to do the work for our own relatives. My daughter rechecked our family genealogy with the church temple records and found some ordinances were not complete. It was a special privilege to be baptized in the Monticello Temple for these relatives.
c. We renew our temple covenants when we return to the temple as we are reminded what we promised when we first went through the temple and are reminded what the Lord has promised us if we keep our temple covenants. I urge members to not only participate in “endowment sessions” but to schedule themselves for a “sealing session” and an “initiatory session.” It is in the “initiatory season” that the promises are made to us-we need to remember those promises the Lord has given us and be reminded why we wear temple garments.
d. In the temple we can cut out the world and concentrate of what things in our life are really eternal. God will inspire us in the temple of the things we need to change. It helps us prioritize our lives and concentrate of the things that really matter. I remember talking to a good friend just after he attended the temple with his spouse and all his children. His wife had a terrible disease that has now taken her life, he had lost his business because government regulation changes had destroyed its value and his house was about to be fore closured but he told me it didn’t matter-having all his family together in the Celestial Room is what really mattered and what was important.
e. The temple lis a great place to get answers to prayer. I have had many experiences of attending the temple to receive an answer to prayer and the Lord’s will has been made known to me. We need to be reverent in the temple and particularly the Celestial Room so members can communicate with Heavenly Father in prayer.
f. The temple is where we can feel and receive peace. It is where we can feel our Heavenly Father’s love. A few years ago I was very worried about a legal matter I was working on at my law practice. I needed peace in my life and told my wife we needed to go to the temple with the hope I could find peace about this situation. Just after entering the Monticello Temple I met a temple worker that had gone through a terrible experience, both legally and emotionally and had survived and weathered the storm. Upon seeing my friend, I received peace that I to would be able to survive my potential difficulty and received the peace that comes from Jesus Christ and stopped worrying about the situation The matter was concluded without difficulty, I had found my peace in the temple.
We are so blessed to be close to a temple. We are so blessed to have faithful temple workers in Monticello from our stake. Our temple is so intimate-so personal. We can worship there with our ward family. We can pray at the temple altars with those we know. We can feel our Heavenly Father’s love and feel the tenders mercies of Jesus Christ. We can be better people by attending the temple. May God bless our stake as we take advantage of the temple. I promise you that attending the temple will give you power as you face life’s difficulties. I thank you for your love and support.
President Kelly Summers
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
IOM, Scotland and England
> > Isle of Man > > July 3 - Our B & B was run by Millie and Graham, a lovely couple from England. They cooked us a bland English breakfast every morning that we tried to season up a bit with their weak salt and pepper. Millie even told us that she noticed in her last visit to the States that our food was far more flavorful than English food. We all agreed and started ordering our eggs with bacon (which was really just salty ham) to give them more of a taste. > > Nigel met us at the B & B and took us around to several sites that were part of the Kelly and Quine family histories (relatives on Dad's side). We hiked hills, saw family ruins and marveled at the beauty of IOM. Mom thought that it reminded her of Oregon. > > In the evening, we met Nigel and his extended family at an Italian pizzaria. At first we were all a little shy but we soon got comfortable and spent a wonderful evening learning about our Manx cousins and their lives on the island. > > July 4 - We went to all 3 and a half hours of church which ended with fast and testimony meeting. Dad bore a sweet testimony of the truth of the gospel and how grateful he was to be worshiping with his Manx brothers and sisters. I sat next to Tania, who soon became my new BFF and she gave me the low down of everyone who bore their testimony. We were all amused that the meeting was stopped twice to sort out a parking jam in the car park (parking lot), thus the 3 and half hours. Tania told me that they often have parking problems. After the meeting, many people came and talked to us and we learned that many of William Kelly's descendants like to come visit his homeland as well. Everyone at church was very friendly. > > After church we had to deal with our laundry which became quite an ordeal. We spent about $33 to do 4 loads in the wash and 2 loads in the dryer. We only had 45 minutes before the laundry mat closed. In the end, we ended up hanging up half of our laundry around our rooms hoping it would all dry by the morning. Mom said it reminded her of Hannibal, Missouri, and this time we all agreed. We left our laundry problems to drive around the island for the rest of the day. Mom saw haystacks that reminded her of Kansas but Connie pointed out that the sea in the background sort of ruined her comparison. We drove to Peel and walked around it's castle, marveled at how sheep grazed on steep slopes and encouraged and, at times, laughed at Connie as she drove on the left of very narrow, hilly roads. > > This might be a good time to describe what it's like to drive in the IOM. STRESSFUL pretty much sums it up. Connie and I have done a pretty good job so far with the occasional hiccup. Connie has been honked at several times for driving in the the fast lane, I've hit the bumper of the car in front of me when parked on a hill (no harm done other than to my confidence), and we've both have had a hard time not hitting the left curb on occasion. The hardest part has been the accessory movements like shifting and signaling with the left hand and looking the correct way for on-coming traffic when turning. At least once a day we walk to the wrong side of the car. Also, we were a little rusty driving a standard at first, especially in a mini van. It's probably best if you keep us in your prayers. > > We ended this day looking for a restaurant called Costas (a place recommended by Millie). It turned out to be Costers (we didn't take into account her accent) and it turned out to be a Tex Mex restaurant. We were a bit skeptical as we entered and knew we were in for it when we were asked if we wanted chips (French fries) with our enchilada. Not Tex Mex. > > July 5 - Nigel got us tickets to Tynwald which is IOM's biggest national holiday. It's when their parliament is called into session and it's full of all sorts of pomp and circumstance. First the procession (300 people consisting of MPs, special guests, mayors, clergy, etc. -many decked out in big hats and some with those white wigs) were in the church for songs, prayers and speeches. Then they marched out VERY slowly, read the laws that were passed over the last year (only 10) and swore in the new MPs. We couldn't leave because the Coroner (local sheriff) told us we were fenced--aka we weren't supposed to leave until the outside stuff was over. Then someone else fenced us in the Manx language. Then they marched back to the church VERY slowly and who knows what else happened because at that point we left-- we unfenced ourselves. If you feel like you missed this time honored tradition, not to worry, Kate filmed about 45 minutes of it. > > We spent the rest of that day leaving IOM and flying to Scotland. That night we got lost looking for our hotel but were very pleased when we found it-- an old manor on a big park and golf course. Before bed, we drove and found the coal mines that Elizabeth Cunningham's family probably worked in. We returned around 11 PM and it was still light.. > > Scotland > > July 6 - We left our fun hotel to go into Edinburgh to tour the castle. We scored a great parking spot right below the castle. We all enjoyed this tour which included a glimpse of the Scottish Honors (crown, sword and scepter), military memorial and old buildings and other castle stuff. Mom was a trooper because I accidentally took her the wrong way twice which involved going up hills to correct. > > After the castle, we dropped by the Edinburgh Mission home so Dad could say hello to the Paynes who are serving a mission there from Dad's stake. > > We then headed south out of Scotland. We found Hadrian's Wall and drove along it for a while. We even found the tree from Kevin Costner's Robin Hood where he saves the kid from soldiers. Sadly, this seems to have excited us more than it should have. Lots of pictures were taken. > > We continued south and ended up staying in a Travel Lodge off the road (probably comparable to a Motel 6). Connie was involved in some sort of duve drama up at the front desk that I don't think even she can explain. > > Lake District > > July 7 - We started our day touring the pencil museum in Keswick, the place where graphite was discovered. It turned out to be a delightful little museum (thank you, Rick Steves) and we spent just as much time in the gift shop as we did going through the museum itself. > > We spent the rest of the morning driving through the North Lake District. It was absolutely beautiful. Huge green covered mountains spotted with little cottages, sheep and stone fences. I broke a sweat driving through those steep passes and one lane roads but now that it's over, I can say it was well worth it and I'd love to go back and do some hiking. > > After taking tea in Keswick (only Carol and I ordered some herbal teas) we drove to Preston an attended the temple. It's a beautiful temple. > > After eating dinner and watching the Germany vs. Spain game (yeah Spain), we looked for our hotel for an hour and a half in the dark. We were saved by two girls Dad approached in a McDonalds parking lot at 11:15 PM. They escorted us to our hotel and we were all very glad Dad is friendly. Tomorrow we will explore Liverpool and see some of the towns associated with Susanna Stockall and Thomas Summers. Hope you are all doing well. Loves, 3Ks & 3 Cs >
Denmark and London
The church where Johanna Swenson was raised in and later reprimanded for joining the church was pretty cool. There were lots of well taken care of graves around the church which made it a peaceful place and it was interesting to realize and see how old it was and it is still an active church.
We saw several other towns where our g-g-parents were born or married and then made our way to the northern most tip of Demark where the North Sea meets the Baltic Sea.
That night we stayed in a motel with no staff. Carol checked in at a kiosk and her credit card became our motel key that got us through the two outside doors and our room. This was also the room with the 3 level bunk beds. It was a pretty cool concept.
We left the next morning and flew back to London, met Kate and took a double-decker bus around the city for 2 hours. Mom loved it, Dad was almost asleep by the end. Our guide was pretty funny with a good mixture if historical and pop culture references.
This morning we did Westminster where Mom said the Limestone it was made from reminds her of the houses in ... yep, you guessed it... Kansas. We all enjoyed the tour. Then we split up and some did the boat tour on the Thames and others went to the war rooms. Any guesses who went where?
In the afternoon we flew to IOM where Connie got her first taste of left sided driving. She demanded silence unless it was to remind her to stay left. We are here for 3 days and are excited that we won't need to change hotels. Now off to bed.
Loves
3Ks and 3Cs
Made it Across the Pond
After a 9 hours on the plane we made it to Heathrow then took a 2 hour bus to Stansted airport where we waited 30 minutes for our driver from the hotel to pick us up. On the plane, both Mom and Dad were individually fascinated by the map feature in front of them and would periodically update us all exactly where we were. Mom was disappointed we didn't fly over Iceland. Dad got up at one point to use the restroom in the back and got freaked out when he realized that there was only a thin piece of metal that separated him from 600 mph (another fact from the map feature that was closely tracked by both parents). He couldn't relax enough to do his business with that thought so he moved to the center of the plane.
Obviously we are all really tired so after we eat dinner we will all be heading to bed. Dad's eating his first Indian food which i think he is nervous about and Connie has banned him from fixating on prices out loud.
Mom and Dad have been troopers and Dad has already made several friends among our fellow travels. On the coach (English bus), we made an Irish friend who answered almost all of his questions but not all because he's Irish which we discovered half way through our conversation. Mom is convinced that so far, England looks like eastern Kansas.
We get up early tomorrow and head to Demark. I'm sure we will all be wide awake as we haven't adjusted to the time yet.
Loves,
Kim
2Ks and 3Cs
Obviously we are all really tired so after we eat dinner we will all be heading to bed. Dad's eating his first Indian food which i think he is nervous about and Connie has banned him from fixating on prices out loud.
Mom and Dad have been troopers and Dad has already made several friends among our fellow travels. On the coach (English bus), we made an Irish friend who answered almost all of his questions but not all because he's Irish which we discovered half way through our conversation. Mom is convinced that so far, England looks like eastern Kansas.
We get up early tomorrow and head to Demark. I'm sure we will all be wide awake as we haven't adjusted to the time yet.
Loves,
Kim
2Ks and 3Cs
Friday, April 2, 2010
IF FOUND ONE MORE SKUNK
FOUND ONE MORE SKUNK
Last week when Kate and Aaron were in G.J., I made a list of things they could do to help Clarissa and I. A big one on the list was to help me dig up the lawn and uncover the septic tank lid so the tank could be pumped. I try to do this at least every five years. We dug it up with the help of Curtis and Michael and Goodwin’s Septic Tank Service came and pumped the tank. I have two leach fields in the pasture and each spring when I burn or start the irrigation system, I switch the valve to alternate which leech field is used for that year.
The value is located next to the white fence at the front of the house in a four inch plastic pipe inserted about two feet in the ground. I have a special tool to reach to the bottom of the pipe and turn the valve to force the septic tank flow into the field not used the previous year. The opening to the pipe is usually covered by a lid but it had been knocked off so the pipe was open. I pushed up my sleeve and stuck my bare hand into the pipe past my elbow to clean out the debris which I knew would have fallen into the pipe over the last year so I could insert my valve tool into the hole. The first fist full I pulled up was leaves that kind of sealed the pipe. I re-entered the pipe with my hand and the next handful was very wet and gooey. I expected some wetness because the pipe was open and rain and snow could enter the pipe. This substance also was accompanied by a strong pungent odor. I continue to pull handfuls of material from the hole which included hair and decayed flesh so I could insert the tool.
The septic man came over to where I was working because of the smell. Aaron came over too but told his kids to stand back because of the odor. The septic pumper said, “WHAT’S A SKUNK!” Aaron added-“There is its head” pointing to a mass I had pulled out of the pipe and laid by the pipe. All I knew was the stink was bad and my face was a few inches from this sticky mass. There was no reason to stop however because my bare hand and arm had already been up and down the hole and it wasn’t going to get any worse so I cleaned out the hole the best I could. Aaron was scared I might get infection and the pumper hated the smell. Aaron dug a hole in the pasture about 50 feet away and buried the mass in it while shouting at his boys to stay away. I washed off my arm with the garden hose and was then directed into the house where I was advised by Clarissa to strip and shower while she washed all the clothes I was wearing immediately. The stain didn’t wash out of the sleeve on my 2009 Bolder Boulder shirt.
I went to the store-bought some plastic gloves and removed a little more from the hole so the tool attached to the valve and I got it turned. I didn’t get sick but occasionally I smell skunk. I don’t like skunks but I do have some feelings for the little skunk that climbed down the pipe and couldn’t get back out.
K.K.SUMMERS
4-2-2010
Last week when Kate and Aaron were in G.J., I made a list of things they could do to help Clarissa and I. A big one on the list was to help me dig up the lawn and uncover the septic tank lid so the tank could be pumped. I try to do this at least every five years. We dug it up with the help of Curtis and Michael and Goodwin’s Septic Tank Service came and pumped the tank. I have two leach fields in the pasture and each spring when I burn or start the irrigation system, I switch the valve to alternate which leech field is used for that year.
The value is located next to the white fence at the front of the house in a four inch plastic pipe inserted about two feet in the ground. I have a special tool to reach to the bottom of the pipe and turn the valve to force the septic tank flow into the field not used the previous year. The opening to the pipe is usually covered by a lid but it had been knocked off so the pipe was open. I pushed up my sleeve and stuck my bare hand into the pipe past my elbow to clean out the debris which I knew would have fallen into the pipe over the last year so I could insert my valve tool into the hole. The first fist full I pulled up was leaves that kind of sealed the pipe. I re-entered the pipe with my hand and the next handful was very wet and gooey. I expected some wetness because the pipe was open and rain and snow could enter the pipe. This substance also was accompanied by a strong pungent odor. I continue to pull handfuls of material from the hole which included hair and decayed flesh so I could insert the tool.
The septic man came over to where I was working because of the smell. Aaron came over too but told his kids to stand back because of the odor. The septic pumper said, “WHAT’S A SKUNK!” Aaron added-“There is its head” pointing to a mass I had pulled out of the pipe and laid by the pipe. All I knew was the stink was bad and my face was a few inches from this sticky mass. There was no reason to stop however because my bare hand and arm had already been up and down the hole and it wasn’t going to get any worse so I cleaned out the hole the best I could. Aaron was scared I might get infection and the pumper hated the smell. Aaron dug a hole in the pasture about 50 feet away and buried the mass in it while shouting at his boys to stay away. I washed off my arm with the garden hose and was then directed into the house where I was advised by Clarissa to strip and shower while she washed all the clothes I was wearing immediately. The stain didn’t wash out of the sleeve on my 2009 Bolder Boulder shirt.
I went to the store-bought some plastic gloves and removed a little more from the hole so the tool attached to the valve and I got it turned. I didn’t get sick but occasionally I smell skunk. I don’t like skunks but I do have some feelings for the little skunk that climbed down the pipe and couldn’t get back out.
K.K.SUMMERS
4-2-2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
SKUNKS
SKUNKS
3-15-2010
My first experiences with skunks were in Monticello. As a child, I knew that Jack Nielson, our next door neighbor had a war with skunks. I knew Jack had a chicken house and that the skunks had a fondness for chicken eggs – they would dig holes under the chicken house walls to obtain access to the eggs. He would place the claw traps in their holes to catch them. He had a long wire hooked to the trap to pull the trapped skunk away from the dwelling houses without getting sprayed and then shoot it. I also knew that we were not to shoot a skunk near the cabin at Beaver Creek because is we only wounded the skunk it might crawl back under the cabin and either spread its scent or die, both options would result in making the cabin uninhabitable.
When we moved to the Redlands, I built a chicken house and raised my own eggs. Soon the skunks found they had a source for chicken eggs. I remember when I only had a couple of hens left that I went to the chicken house at night, turned on the light and put my hand into the laying nest to collect an egg when this skunk was already in the box checking for eggs. I don’t know who was scared the most but the skunk jumped out of the box and exited the chicken house in one direction and I fled out the door in the opposite direction. I was scared and felt very lucky that the skunk didn’t bite my hand. I decided I would out fox the skunk so I started to collect the eggs before dark when the skunk would make it’s visit but the skunk, after a couple of days without finding eggs countered by returning , killing the chickens and dragging them off. I never had chickens again-the skunk won.
We have had other incidents with skunks at our Redland’s home. Kenny was walking down E 7/8th Road to catch a ride for a Cub Scout activity when he got sprayed by a skunk. Clarissa cleaned him up the best she could and took him back to get on the bus. Other boys complained about the skunk smell but Kenny didn’t fess up that he had been sprayed. Last Fall, the Water boys were walking on the trail mowed through the trees and would see skunks but the skunks never sprayed.
My trouble with skunks started again when we got our cats, Lewis and Clark and fed them outside. The skunks discovered that there was cat food left overnight on the back porch in the cat dish and make a regular check each night for a treat. I came home one night and part way up the back steps discovered a very large and agitated skunk on the back porch. I didn’t want to have the skunk spray our back porch but the only unlocked door to get in the house was next to the upset skunk. The cats will jump off the porch but the skunk was too scared to jump. It’s only path was to come toward me and go down the steps to exit the porch but it didn’t want to come closer to me. I had to back off and leave the area and wait for the skunk to leave on its own so I could get into the house. We started to bring in the cat dish before dark and that helped a lot but the skunks would still check out the back porch. We left cat food in a closed plastic bottle for Wendy to feed the cats when we were gone and a skunk chewed through the plastic bottle to get to the food. Surprisingly our cats are not bothered by the skunks and visa-versa-they walked around each other and have no fear or fighting.
In the last couple of weeks I have been invaded by skunks. Two skunks were hit and killed by cars on 20 Road just north and south of our mail box. When I came home last night in the dark, one skunk was traveling up our lane probably on its way to check our back porch but gave up and hid under the storage shed for my client files. I then approached the back porch. We have one of new energy efficient light bulbs that doesn’t put out much light but as I started up the stairs I could see a smaller skunk with two stripes down its back in its white fluffy hair. It acted very confused and didn’t know what to do and didn’t seem to be very smart. I yelled at it and gave it room to come back down the steps but is didn’t know what to do. Again, I didn’t want to scare it and get the back porch covered with
skunks scent. The front door was locked so I stood under our bedroom window and yelled loud for Clarissa to come and help me. My yelling didn’t raise Clarissa because she was on the other side of the house listening to TV but I did manage to get our neighbor’s dog upset and barking at me. I continue to call for Clarissa, the dog continued to bark until the neighbor women yelled at the dog to shut up and the skunk continue to eat out of the cat dish with no intent on leaving. I then went on the opposite side of the house and yelled under the window to the TV room to Clarissa. She got out of her chair, walked down the inside chairs and open the front door. We then checked the back porch and the skunk was still there eating and wouldn’t leave at our screaming. Clarissa wanted to open the door and scare the skunk away with the door or the broom but that was too risky. After a while the skunk left. I will now have to take in the cat dish before dark and get a bright light bulb outside. There has got to be more illumination outside so I can see those skunks. I HATE SKUNKS. I DON’T WANT THEM AROUND MY HOUSE.
3-15-2010
My first experiences with skunks were in Monticello. As a child, I knew that Jack Nielson, our next door neighbor had a war with skunks. I knew Jack had a chicken house and that the skunks had a fondness for chicken eggs – they would dig holes under the chicken house walls to obtain access to the eggs. He would place the claw traps in their holes to catch them. He had a long wire hooked to the trap to pull the trapped skunk away from the dwelling houses without getting sprayed and then shoot it. I also knew that we were not to shoot a skunk near the cabin at Beaver Creek because is we only wounded the skunk it might crawl back under the cabin and either spread its scent or die, both options would result in making the cabin uninhabitable.
When we moved to the Redlands, I built a chicken house and raised my own eggs. Soon the skunks found they had a source for chicken eggs. I remember when I only had a couple of hens left that I went to the chicken house at night, turned on the light and put my hand into the laying nest to collect an egg when this skunk was already in the box checking for eggs. I don’t know who was scared the most but the skunk jumped out of the box and exited the chicken house in one direction and I fled out the door in the opposite direction. I was scared and felt very lucky that the skunk didn’t bite my hand. I decided I would out fox the skunk so I started to collect the eggs before dark when the skunk would make it’s visit but the skunk, after a couple of days without finding eggs countered by returning , killing the chickens and dragging them off. I never had chickens again-the skunk won.
We have had other incidents with skunks at our Redland’s home. Kenny was walking down E 7/8th Road to catch a ride for a Cub Scout activity when he got sprayed by a skunk. Clarissa cleaned him up the best she could and took him back to get on the bus. Other boys complained about the skunk smell but Kenny didn’t fess up that he had been sprayed. Last Fall, the Water boys were walking on the trail mowed through the trees and would see skunks but the skunks never sprayed.
My trouble with skunks started again when we got our cats, Lewis and Clark and fed them outside. The skunks discovered that there was cat food left overnight on the back porch in the cat dish and make a regular check each night for a treat. I came home one night and part way up the back steps discovered a very large and agitated skunk on the back porch. I didn’t want to have the skunk spray our back porch but the only unlocked door to get in the house was next to the upset skunk. The cats will jump off the porch but the skunk was too scared to jump. It’s only path was to come toward me and go down the steps to exit the porch but it didn’t want to come closer to me. I had to back off and leave the area and wait for the skunk to leave on its own so I could get into the house. We started to bring in the cat dish before dark and that helped a lot but the skunks would still check out the back porch. We left cat food in a closed plastic bottle for Wendy to feed the cats when we were gone and a skunk chewed through the plastic bottle to get to the food. Surprisingly our cats are not bothered by the skunks and visa-versa-they walked around each other and have no fear or fighting.
In the last couple of weeks I have been invaded by skunks. Two skunks were hit and killed by cars on 20 Road just north and south of our mail box. When I came home last night in the dark, one skunk was traveling up our lane probably on its way to check our back porch but gave up and hid under the storage shed for my client files. I then approached the back porch. We have one of new energy efficient light bulbs that doesn’t put out much light but as I started up the stairs I could see a smaller skunk with two stripes down its back in its white fluffy hair. It acted very confused and didn’t know what to do and didn’t seem to be very smart. I yelled at it and gave it room to come back down the steps but is didn’t know what to do. Again, I didn’t want to scare it and get the back porch covered with
skunks scent. The front door was locked so I stood under our bedroom window and yelled loud for Clarissa to come and help me. My yelling didn’t raise Clarissa because she was on the other side of the house listening to TV but I did manage to get our neighbor’s dog upset and barking at me. I continue to call for Clarissa, the dog continued to bark until the neighbor women yelled at the dog to shut up and the skunk continue to eat out of the cat dish with no intent on leaving. I then went on the opposite side of the house and yelled under the window to the TV room to Clarissa. She got out of her chair, walked down the inside chairs and open the front door. We then checked the back porch and the skunk was still there eating and wouldn’t leave at our screaming. Clarissa wanted to open the door and scare the skunk away with the door or the broom but that was too risky. After a while the skunk left. I will now have to take in the cat dish before dark and get a bright light bulb outside. There has got to be more illumination outside so I can see those skunks. I HATE SKUNKS. I DON’T WANT THEM AROUND MY HOUSE.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
JOHN D. WHETTEN REMEMBRANCES
REMEMBRANCES OF JOHN D. WHETTEN
Congratulations on your 70th birthday. On this important milestone in your life, I take this opportunity to express my feelings and appreciation for you.
I distinctly remember the first time I met you at BYU. We had both returned to school for our first semester after our missions. We had two afternoon Political Science classes back to back and I was walking to the second class when you caught up to me on the sidewalk, introduced yourself to me and we started to talk. I also started to catch a ride home with you to lower campus after the second class-I lived next to lower campus and you had a math class there which you had to take as a requirement to take other classes necessary to apply to an MBA program. We soon discovered we had a lot in common and our friendship grew and developed. We both applied to graduate school at the University of California at Berkeley, both were accepted and we became roommates at Berkeley. We shared so much together. While we have not seen a lot of each other since our Berkeley days, our relationship is based on the quality of our experiences together and not the quantity of time spentp together. A partial list of those experiences include:
1. Our first meeting.
2. Talks as we drove together to lower campus.
3. Study group sessions at the law library in the Smoot building.
4. Listening to news reports on your VW radio on the assassination of Pres. Kennedy.
5. Sharing of spiritual experiences and trying to find a wife.
6. Meeting your family and being loved by them.
7. Graduating at the same time and helping you during our last finals when you and your whole family were so sick.
8. Trip to Berkeley to find an apartment.
9. Being roommates at Berkeley and observing how many TV dinners you can eat after you have eaten dinner.
10. Home Teaching together.
11. Attending your institute class.
12. Double dating together.
13. Great date in San Francisco at the Hungry I.
14. Engagement announcement party together at Bishop Jensen’s home.
15. Attendance at each other’s wedding reception.
16. Trips to the wine country and boating on the Russian River.
17. Touring San Francisco and following Princess Grace Kelly around.
18. Trip to Show Low, Arizona and spending the weekend with you.
19. Your call to me when you were being operated for cancer the next day.
20. Dinners in the Bay Area when we visited there.
21. Telephone calls.
22. Showing you around Grand Junction and seeing where you lived and went to school.
23. Trip to Martin’s Cove and walking Rocky Ridge-a very special experience together.
24. Sharing your writing products and having your missionary books available for me to give to missionaries in my stake when I interview them for their missions.
It is ironic that I moved to the community where you grew up. The Whetten name is still remembered here. I wanted to be a lawyer is a city close to my parents. You wanted to work for Clorox, get trained and then be president of a large corporation. Each of us has accomplished our goal and were happy. Our relationship is based on mutual love, not competition. You were happy in what I accomplished and I was happy in what you accomplished.
Thanks for your love, friendship and support. You certainly have been an important part of my life. I thank God I have a friend such as you. I am a better person because of you.
Your eternal brother,
Kelly Summers
Congratulations on your 70th birthday. On this important milestone in your life, I take this opportunity to express my feelings and appreciation for you.
I distinctly remember the first time I met you at BYU. We had both returned to school for our first semester after our missions. We had two afternoon Political Science classes back to back and I was walking to the second class when you caught up to me on the sidewalk, introduced yourself to me and we started to talk. I also started to catch a ride home with you to lower campus after the second class-I lived next to lower campus and you had a math class there which you had to take as a requirement to take other classes necessary to apply to an MBA program. We soon discovered we had a lot in common and our friendship grew and developed. We both applied to graduate school at the University of California at Berkeley, both were accepted and we became roommates at Berkeley. We shared so much together. While we have not seen a lot of each other since our Berkeley days, our relationship is based on the quality of our experiences together and not the quantity of time spentp together. A partial list of those experiences include:
1. Our first meeting.
2. Talks as we drove together to lower campus.
3. Study group sessions at the law library in the Smoot building.
4. Listening to news reports on your VW radio on the assassination of Pres. Kennedy.
5. Sharing of spiritual experiences and trying to find a wife.
6. Meeting your family and being loved by them.
7. Graduating at the same time and helping you during our last finals when you and your whole family were so sick.
8. Trip to Berkeley to find an apartment.
9. Being roommates at Berkeley and observing how many TV dinners you can eat after you have eaten dinner.
10. Home Teaching together.
11. Attending your institute class.
12. Double dating together.
13. Great date in San Francisco at the Hungry I.
14. Engagement announcement party together at Bishop Jensen’s home.
15. Attendance at each other’s wedding reception.
16. Trips to the wine country and boating on the Russian River.
17. Touring San Francisco and following Princess Grace Kelly around.
18. Trip to Show Low, Arizona and spending the weekend with you.
19. Your call to me when you were being operated for cancer the next day.
20. Dinners in the Bay Area when we visited there.
21. Telephone calls.
22. Showing you around Grand Junction and seeing where you lived and went to school.
23. Trip to Martin’s Cove and walking Rocky Ridge-a very special experience together.
24. Sharing your writing products and having your missionary books available for me to give to missionaries in my stake when I interview them for their missions.
It is ironic that I moved to the community where you grew up. The Whetten name is still remembered here. I wanted to be a lawyer is a city close to my parents. You wanted to work for Clorox, get trained and then be president of a large corporation. Each of us has accomplished our goal and were happy. Our relationship is based on mutual love, not competition. You were happy in what I accomplished and I was happy in what you accomplished.
Thanks for your love, friendship and support. You certainly have been an important part of my life. I thank God I have a friend such as you. I am a better person because of you.
Your eternal brother,
Kelly Summers
Monday, January 18, 2010
SAN JUAN RECORD ARTICLES
January 18, 2010
Dear Gary,
After reading “Living and dying; but still thankful” in the San Juan Record, I needed to tell you again how much I enjoy your articles in the paper. Your views about living in Monticello are my opinions also. Yes, Monticello is isolated, cold and windy but it’s the people that make the difference. The receptionist at my office was bored so she volunteered to type up the dictation of my history of growing up in Monticello. I described the terrible car accident near Green River that killed Mrs. Redd and Bob Barton and seriously hurt seven others, the Boy Scout wreck that killed young men and their leaders near Blanding, the Lariat Café disaster, the numerous car accidents that wiped out teenage friends, the cancer deaths and the fasts to end the droughts. She said it depressed her that I had such a sad life growing up in Monticello but I assured her it was a glorious experience to live in Monticello because of the people. There is nothing like a small community that laughs, mourns, cries, fasts and prays together regardless of their religious faith and just cares and loves each other.
I particularly was impressed with “Mile posts in life” and the article about “Hands”- all great writing. I look forward to reading future articles.
I’ve lived in Grand Junction for 42 years, far more than I have lived in Monticello. In fact, I don’t know a lot of people in Monticello anymore as my acquaintances and those I grew up with are dying off. I live in Grand Junction but Monticello is my home. When it is my time to leave this earthly existence, my body will be placed in the Monticello Cemetery among the people I loved in my youth and watched over by the Horsehead.
Thanks again for your powerful writings,
Kelly Summers
Box 203
Grand Junction, CO 81502
Dear Gary,
After reading “Living and dying; but still thankful” in the San Juan Record, I needed to tell you again how much I enjoy your articles in the paper. Your views about living in Monticello are my opinions also. Yes, Monticello is isolated, cold and windy but it’s the people that make the difference. The receptionist at my office was bored so she volunteered to type up the dictation of my history of growing up in Monticello. I described the terrible car accident near Green River that killed Mrs. Redd and Bob Barton and seriously hurt seven others, the Boy Scout wreck that killed young men and their leaders near Blanding, the Lariat Café disaster, the numerous car accidents that wiped out teenage friends, the cancer deaths and the fasts to end the droughts. She said it depressed her that I had such a sad life growing up in Monticello but I assured her it was a glorious experience to live in Monticello because of the people. There is nothing like a small community that laughs, mourns, cries, fasts and prays together regardless of their religious faith and just cares and loves each other.
I particularly was impressed with “Mile posts in life” and the article about “Hands”- all great writing. I look forward to reading future articles.
I’ve lived in Grand Junction for 42 years, far more than I have lived in Monticello. In fact, I don’t know a lot of people in Monticello anymore as my acquaintances and those I grew up with are dying off. I live in Grand Junction but Monticello is my home. When it is my time to leave this earthly existence, my body will be placed in the Monticello Cemetery among the people I loved in my youth and watched over by the Horsehead.
Thanks again for your powerful writings,
Kelly Summers
Box 203
Grand Junction, CO 81502
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