Veteran's Day Memories

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

— John McCrae

This is a poem that my mom, Alice Houston Rasmussen memorized as a school girl, and recited it all of her life. It was the most famous poem written for World War I.
As a young girl growing up in Price, UT, we would buy paper poppies
from veterans and wear them. The money was raised for the veterans who served in the wars. We probably celebrated the day more in the 50's and 60's than we do today. May we always remember the men and women who died fighting for the freedoms we enjoy in the United States of America.

Gratitudes on Tuesday

The house is quiet and Adam has left to go back to Salt Lake, alone. Lisa just left with her family to go to her brother Brian's place in Escrito to spend the day. I am thankful for their visit here over the weekend, and:

• for having little Ryan running all around the house, and so quickly for a new walker. She is so happy and funny, and lovable.
• for Adam and Lisa being so helpful and being inclusive with everyone.
• having Brian and Rena and Lexi stay here too. They are easy to have around, and seem to feel at home.
• we enjoyed our early Thanksgiving celebration with the Bayleys and the sharing of food and laughter.
• I enjoyed a great visit with Lisa and Adam before he left on Tuesday.
• I am grateful for all of our family and their good and generous hearts to those around them in all parts of the country.
• I am thankful for the association we have had with the Erskein family and pray that they have a safe move and success while living in Utah. I will miss Brett, Adriene, Maddy, Gracie, Tate, and Lauren and the joy they brought to our lives.
• May we all have joy in the success of others we associate with in our lives whether it be spiritually, socially or physically. Let us buoy each other up and not tear each other down. Let us support each other in kindness and love, and forgiveness.
  

Grateful on Tuesday

I'm grateful for:

• enough sleep to still get up at 5:30 AM
• my feet and legs--never a day goes by that I don't thank the Lord for them
• the ability to still drive a car
• my great husband--and the fact that he is coming home tonight from Santa Fe and won't have to be gone all week for work. Yeah!
  
• the 60 degree weather--so I can still drive around with the top down
• Costa Vida that opened here in Farmington --because I am already addicted to their sweet pork salad
• my family--always

Halloween Recap

I can't believe I am saying this, but I think I like Halloween. After all the years of tolerating the draculas and goblins of sorts, I really enjoy the effort of so many who come up with such great costumes.

We always have about 700-900 people (I would say children, but many are NOT children) come to our door on Halloween night. This year was no exception. However, since Bruce and I were in charge of the dinner served at the Tri-Ward Halloween party this year, we had 2 guys from Buchanan Consultants here on the front porch passing out our candy until we got home. At our house, you don't even have time to go inside until the next little creatures knock on the door. So even on the coolest nights, we sit on our porch and give out hundreds of pieces of candy.
We know they drive here from all over the area, because we don't know hardly any of them. They are polite, and we get our own Halloween parade for 4 hours.

As for being grateful, I am very thankful that it is over. I made the Connie Mack recipe of chili for 500 people and Bruce and I were in charge of buying all of the trimmings for Frito Pie, and of course the popular hot dog. We hae the Elders quorum set up 30+ tables and fill the cultural hall. It was a mad house all night, and we ran out of "dogs" after a 30 minutes and someone ran to Sam's Club and bought mucho more. We had 4 hot dogs left over, and 100 buns. I knew they wouldn't eat as many buns. I was too lazy to take them back to Sam's, so I gave them out that night and at church on Sunday. It cost all about $550.00. That is not too shabby. I couldn't get to the bishops' office fast enough yesterday to get my money back.

We have hardly any time to breathe before the next big dinner. We had a planner's meeting for the ward Christmas dinner and program on December 7th. That is just 4 weeks away! Yikes. I am overwhelmed. So between getting people to help, planning the dinner, decorating, and the program, I just hope it comes together soon. The bishop wants it simple and I just want it to be somewhat spiritual, instead of the free-for-all that we have had the past 3 years. And I want a home cooked meal instead of an all Sam's Club cooked dinner. I should have kept my mouth shut, because we got our new calling as activities co-chairmans right after Christmas last year. I feel the pressure.

I am so thankful for so many good friends like Louise, Gail, and Margo who came to my aid last Wednesday and helped cut onions, tomatoes, celery, carrots and make chili. They are the best!