Take The Time Now Tomorrow May Be To Late

Last Sunday at the first of Priesthood class our teacher asked if we had ever done anything we regret.  I thought about this all during class.  I have done a lot of things I should have not have and many things I known better to do.  After much thinking I really don’t regret any of them; if it weren’t for my mistakes I would not be where I am today.  Now don’t get me wrong some of this schooling was pretty rough it caused lots of heart aches and tears. 

Last week was one of them times; I was so busy I did not take the time to go and see someone that I loved very much.  I knew she was sick but I told myself that I would be back in Vernal soon and I would take a few minutes and go see her then.

 As I was leaving Vernal I had a strong impression to stop by and tell her that I loved her but it was a bit out of my way and I was in a hurry.  I have been thinking about her and her family ever since.

I got a message from my Mom last night that my aunt Kathy had passed away.  I can’t tell you how much regret I had for quite some time.  I was beating myself up most of the night.  I just wished I had followed that impression to go and see her and give her a big hug and let her know how much I loved her.

I did talk to our Heavenly Father and ask him to let her know that I was sorry.  I know she is so happy now she is with her family that has passed and our Heavenly Father.  This has given me much comfort knowing she is having a glorious reunion right now.

The regret is gone thanks to a loving Heavenly Father.  He has taught me another valuable lesson in life.  I replaced regret with learning I think that is how it is supposed to work.

The lesson this has taught me is not to take life for granted.  Don’t wait until someone is sick to go and see them.  Take the time when they are well.  If I have the impression to do something do it don’t put it off or I might not get another chance.  Take the time today tomorrow may be to late.

My heart goes out to all the people that loved Aunt Kathy.  I know she had many good friends and family that loved her dearly.  She will be missed.

Them Old Brown Hills

I had the most spiritual time the other day.  It did not start out that way in fact quite the opposite.  You see I was supposed to meet with some people about work; I was on a tight time frame and they had put me off several times.  I guess my since of urgency was not the same as theirs.  I was told that it would be a while and they would call when they were ready. 

Needless to say I was a bit agitated.  I figured I would drive out to what we call the brown hills; east of Vernal.  I have spent a lot of time out there, driving around, riding horses, riding motorcycles and ATV’s, I have also spent many of hours out there just parked and thinking. 

I pulled up onto a ridge that I have been on many a times.  I will admit I was stewing pretty well.  I decided I better pray and talk to my Heavenly Father.  This was the best thing I could have done we talked for quite a while and I started to feel much better about things.  After praying I got looking around and remembering a lot of things.

I was looking around me and remembered the times we would ride our horses to Sunshine Dam and the times we would Rabbit hunt, the many times of being stuck out in them clay hills. I looked to the west of me I could see Split Mountain.  I thought of the times we spent over there.  I looked a bit more north I could see Diamond Mountain.  I remembered the times hunting with my best friends they really loved Diamond Mountain.  I looked straight north I could see Grizzly Ridge.  I also remember hunting up there.  I looked a bit north east I could see the Phosphate minds I thought of all the people that made their living working there.  I turned even further to the east.  I could see North Fork and South Fork I followed them on down to the Red Pine Setting.  I could remember the trips down the trail to go fishing and all the fish that was caught down there.  I just kept turning little by little.  I saw the Bally Mountain I remembered that big old bull elk we missed up there and the time my friend and I rode back in for the opening day of elk season to only get snowed on.  I saw the Massey Ranch and thought about them homesteading that area.  I saw Little Mountain, U Hill, Asphalt Ridge, the Sand Hills, The Peak, the Goose Ranch, Red Wash and Blue Mountain.

I had turned a full circle; the things I mentioned were just a fraction of the things I saw and remembered as I turned that circle.  You see it took well over an hour to make the full turn.  I realize Heavenly Father was showing me the things in life that was important to me at one point or another and many still are.  I thanked him for helping me to take my mind off the stress and enjoy the moment.

I do love Vernal and its surroundings.  I have had many great times there.  I wish I could write all of them down and share them with you.  I will try to write them down as much as I can.  I do love my Heavenly Father for all he dose for me and my family I am extremely blessed.          

The Motorcycle, Pond and Stumps

Growing up we were given an old motorcycle from Uncle Donald.  I can’t remember much about it other than it did not have first or second gears.  So to get going you had to start out on a downhill or push it.  When it got going man it was pretty fast. 

Us cousins would get together down in the field and ride around.  Between us all we had a couple motorcycle’s a Toat Goat and a three wheeler.  We would spend hours down there taking turns, riding double.  We would have a blast

I believe it was Tavis and Steven that done the old Motorcycle in.  You see there was an old shallow pond we would ride threw and if you went through it just right you could catch some air coming out.  It was kind of difficult to get much speed because the pond was in the corner of the field.  So you could only go so fast and make the corner to enter the pond.  After you entered the pond you could not give it the entire throttle because there were some stumps on the other side of the pond we would have to dodge.

Well this day Steven and Tavis were feeling pretty brave; they were riding double and were going faster than any of us had ever went toward the pond.  I was watching in amazement as they made the corner into the pond.  As soon as they made the corner; already going twice as fast as anyone had ever gone they throttled it all the way hitting the other side the motorcycle and Steven and Tavis were in the air.  They flew further than ever before but where they landed is where they stayed. 

You remember them stumps I told you about well they were about two feet tall and they were about a foot and a half around in diameter.  There were probably about a dozen or so scattered on that side of the pond.  I bet you are starting to figure it out by now.  Yes they landed right on one of those stumps; dead center.  It literally broke the motorcycle in half with Steven at the front Tavis at the back.

Yaw they were okay little bruised up but okay.  I am sure there pride was hurt a bit but they got over it quickly when they realized they jumped further than anyone else had ever jumped.

I believe they still hold the record of course the motorcycle was unable to be fixed and the pond is no longer there.

I love to look back on these special times we spent together.  If our parents new half the things we done they would have had a heart attack.   

My Genealogy and the Dream Ranch

Genealogy; I have been pretty stubborn when it comes to genealogy I would much rather someone else do it and I reap the benefits.  Well I got a wakeup call the other day.  My Heavenly Father has been trying to direct me for quite some time now but I pretended I could not see it.  I ignored it so long I got to where I really did not recognize the promptings I was receiving even though they were coming in stronger and stronger.  I finally got it the other day.

It started out several years ago maybe even longer; I had read moms family history book on her Grandpa and Grandma Frandson.  I was really interested in where they were raised (Johns Valley) although I did not know where it was I was intrigued.  I never really perused it but I did think of it often.

I guess it was a couple years ago I saw the ranch of my dreams.  It may sound crazy but I had even seen this ranch in a very vivid dream about a year before and had some similar dreams when I was growing up.  So you can only imagine the excitement I had when finding this very special ranch.

Well I have studied this ranch inside and out I can tell you, probably more about it than the owner.  I was obsessed with it.  I prayed often on how I might find a way to obtain this ranch at one point I even prayed someone would buy it so I could get it out of my head; talk about a hard prayer.

So now you know my back ground on this.  Genealogy was the last thing on my mind.  It was Thursday this week (2/13/14) when I learned the location where My Great Grandpa and Grandma had been raised.  Can you guess where?  Know it was not on the ranch but very close to it.  I feel there is a connection between my relatives and my Dream Ranch. 

I am on a personal quest to learn as much as I can about my family and this area where they grew up.  I am convinced that I am supposed to work on this line of my family and find the stories they have to tell.  I think I got some relatives up in Heaven that are pushing me to do this.  I just wish I could have made the connection sooner.

It may have never been in the cards to get this silly magnificent ranch. It may just be a tool Heavenly Father used to make me wake up.  I will be okay either way but I like to think there is some great history between the Dream Ranch and my family.  I will keep you posted as the story unfolds.  I hope it will be a great chapter in my life.  Who knows maybe the Dream Ranch is in the cards?

The Bumble Bee

Quite a few years ago I was driving down the road with the window open in my semi-truck when something happened that darn near caused me to wreck.  Have you ever seen one of those big; I mean really big Bumble bees?  Well this particular day I did more than just see one.  As I was driving down the road I had my elbow resting on the window seal feeling the cool air blow around me.  Out of the corner of my eye I seen him; okay I don’t know if it was a boy or girl all I know was it was really big.  He flew in the window and right down my shirt.  Now I know it’s not a good idea to stand up and undress while driving down the road but at the moment it seemed like a pretty good idea.  That big old bee was just as excited as I was flying around in my shirt.  I made record time getting my shirt off the big old Bumble Bee flew around in the cab for a minute then he flew out the window.  I think we were both happy it was over.

I am not even sure if they sting but I was not interested in finding out.

Toat Goat and Woopty Doos

Tote Goat; who knows what a tote goat is?  Well we used to have one growing up we loved it.  I was telling Hunter about a time we were at the sand hills with it.  So I thought I would share it on my blog.

Once in a while Dad would load up the old tote goat and we would go on an outing.  This particular time we headed for the Sand Hills.  Now the old tote goat did not do very well in the sand but behind the sand hills was some clay woopty doos.  We loved taking the tote goat over the little rolling clay hills.  If you went as fast as you could over the woopty doos you could get butterflies in your stomach. 

We all took turns giving each other rides.  It was my turn and I was giving Angie a ride she was just little.  I took her straight back to the woopty doos; every time I would go over one she would squeal.  I thought she was having fun and liked going over the woopty doos.  I went over them several times before heading back to give someone else a turn.

When I got back to the others I picked Angie up and handed her to Steven.  As I handed her to Steven I noticed something missing on the tote goat.  Now let me describe how the tote goat was set up.  The motor was a Briggs and Stratum and it was positioned about half way under the seat and to the front.  The spark plug was just in front of the seat with a heavy peace of rubber flap covering it. The seat was just big enough for one person so the passenger would need to ride just in front of the seat on the rubber flap.

I guess you can probably imagine what I noticed missing when I handed Angie to Steven.  You are right the rubber flap was gone.  Needless to say I don’t think she really liked the woopty doos at all; every time I would go over the woopty doos it would bounce Angie just enough to touch the spark plug.  Now I don’t know if you have ever been shocked by a spark plug; I have it will light you right up. 

I did feel bad but it was kind of funny.  We did find the rubber flap and get it back on at least that day. 

Sorry Angie  it was not intentional it was an accident.     

The Bike Ride

I was talking with my nephew Hunter Twinn about my experiences on bicycles and thought I would share one on my blog.

I guess I better start out by describing my bike.  It was a pink girl’s bike with the banana seat and hippy bars the only thing it was lacking was a basket and pink tassels off the handle bars.  I loved that bike it was the fastest bike around; at least in my opinion.

When we were younger we learned if we wanted to go bike riding we would ask Mom and if we wanted to go horse riding we would ask Dad.  Not that they did not like one or the other but Dad was raised on horses Mom was raised on bikes.

Well I guess I better get to the story.  It was middle of summer and we wanted to go bike riding.  Steven, Cody Jackson and I liked going to the sand hills or Devils Canyon but we had been there often so we decided we wanted to go clear to the river.  The river was about seven or eight miles away.  Getting there was easy getting back was a job.  It was around two miles of a twisty steep downhill to the river.

We made it to what we called the peak; the peak was where the road turned down toward the river.  We stopped at the top of the road before heading off to the river.  Now let me describe the road getting down to the river.  It was half pavement and half gravel, it was really steep and lots of hard twist.

Well you know young boys one of us said race, and the race was on.  Now I got to tell you I was pretty competitive and hated loosing.  I would through safety right out the window when I was younger; I had no fear.  We were going as fast as we could down the old road I was in last place.  I pedaled faster and faster.  The road was going from pavement to gravel with a few big old pot holes.  I started to ketch up; as we started to approach the first big turn I believe it was the sharpest turn on the hill.  Steven and Cody were slowing down for it I figured this would be my best chance of getting ahead of them.  I just pedaled faster as they were using there brakes.

I remember it was like yesterday I blew past them like they were sitting still.  I turned to give them that look; you know that one when you are the fastest.  I was going really fast I started into the turn thinking I would be okay but then the bike started kind of sliding I still thought I would be okay I was on the inside of the turn.  I knew using my brake would just make it slide faster so I just kept pedaling I figured I would ether make it or not.  I was sliding faster than I thought the outside edge of the road was getting closer and closer.  Yaw I was getting pretty worried at this point.  If I don’t make it and go off the edge it’s not going to be good; it was straight off clear to the bottom of the draw. 

Well you probably guessed it I did not make it.  I could see I was not going to get around the turn and there was a small berm on the very edge of the road.  I know the berm would flip me so at the last second I turned right off the side of the road thinking I would have better luck going straight other sideways off. 

Looking back it probably didn’t matter what way I went off the bike rims would not have made it.  That’s right it really messed the bike up I was not even sure at that point if it was fixable.  Honestly I was just happy I was alive I was bleeding all over from the rocks and brush.  No broken bones or missing teeth so I was good.

Steven and Cody said it looked pretty cool me flying off the edge like I planned it.  Of course both of them said they knew I was going to wreck going that fast.  I think I could have made it if I would have started my corner just a bit tighter. 

We did not let that stop us from going to the river I just rode double with Steven only we went much slower.  I washed up in the river and we played the rest of the day.  We lucked out when we were leaving Mr. Slaugh was heading home from his farm on the river and gave us a ride to my broken bike helped us load it up and gave us a ride home. We were really grateful for the ride and thank Mr. Slaugh.

It took a long time to fix my bike; thanks to Dad for helping me.

Crazy Desire to Write

I did not write on my blog yesterday.  I thought about writing for quite a while but I started wondering why am I writing a blog?  What am I trying to accomplish?  How did all this get start? 

I guess it all started several years ago but I dismissed it; writing is just not my thing.  Oh it came around once in a while but I really did not entertain it much.  About six months ago while I was driving over the road I got an overwhelming desire to write.  It was crazy I never did well in English.  I really don’t even read that much.  I tried to blow it off but it just kept coming back.  I did not even know what I should write about.  I did start doing better writing in my journal and I was writing long text messages to my family.  That seemed to help ease this desire to write for a little while but  It was not long before I felt that desire to write more.  I never had a feeling like this.  It was almost like when you get one of those cravings for something but you just can’t put your finger on it.

I Figured I better consult with Heavenly Father; it was driving me crazy.  Of course I was probably asking him the wrong things.  You guessed it I asked him to take away this silly desire to write.  I was telling him all about how I hated English in school and I mentioned to him about how I did not even read a full book until I was in my late twenties.

Well it worked for a while then something strange happened to me.  I started making up a story in my head.  Now it started out as just random thoughts and some old dreams then I started putting these thoughts and dreams together and a story was starting to develop.

Soon it was all I was thinking about, this silly story.  It was not a bad thing I was rather enjoying entertaining it.  I had the basic story all figured out but I would change it up often.  It was all jumbled up in my head nothing was in order.  That’s right; the desire to write started to come over me.  I could not deny it any longer. 

I stopped at a Wal-Mart got me a special note book just for this story.  I should have got several note books I never knew it would be so difficult to take what was in my head and write it down.  This crazy desire to write was so strong; I stayed up late most every night writing I would write after church and even in the middle of the day on my lunch break.  I would read it out loud and record it.  Then I would listen to the recording and start rewriting till it made sense.

It was not till I arrived home just before Christmas I was able to get my writings on the computer.  This is when it started to come together.  I could copy, paste and delete and yes I had spell check.  I worked on my story thinking I would like to read it to the boys and Pretty Girl; my family would all be together the day after Christmas and I had to work hard to have it ready.

I had a lot invested into this silly story, mentally and emotionally.  The time was finally here I presented my story to my family and asked if they wouldn’t mind listening to it.  I knew I would not be able to read it out loud without choking up; I told you I was emotional about it.  I asked Pretty Girl to read it she done great.

I had never written a story before; it was a personal accomplishment for me. I felt relived the desire to write was gone it felt good I thanked Heavenly Father for taking it away.  A few days went by and guess what the desire was back.  I could not figure it out why me. 

Well Pretty Girl had a blog My Kith, Your Kin, Our Family and I liked hers so I thought maybe I could start a blog write in it once in a while and be okay.   Well I started my blog January 4 2014 with my story The Dream and 37 posts later.

So that’s how it all got started but what does it mean, why do I have this desire to write? 

I got thinking maybe I am seeking some sort of glory, recognition?  I thought about it for a while I hope that’s not the case.

It could be I need to learn?  There could be some truth to this I have learned so much.  My spelling has become so much better; spell check actually knows what I am trying to say now. I and the computer still argue about correct grammar; this is a hard one because I want to learn but I want to be myself also.

After putting way to much thought into this I have come to the conclusion I don’t need to know why the desire is in me.  I realize Heavenly father helped put that silly story in my head to get me to write.  I don’t know why he wants me to do it but who am I to argue.  I have learned so much and hopefully I will keep learning.  You want to hear the funny part; I really am enjoying writing. 

I have changed my prayer from asking to take the desire away to helping me do better and of course I ask why he wants me to learn to write.  I guess in time I might get the answers but until then I hope you enjoy my blog as much as I do.

P.S. Thanks for reading and I welcome any comments or advise.

LDS Ensing Jan. 2014

I am just adding some quotes from the Jan. 2014 Ensign that I really liked.

Enduring Well

By Elder J. Christopher Lansing

Area Seventy, North America Northeast Area

We should not expect the Lord to remove our challenges just because we promise Him that we will always be faithful if He does. Rather, we are to endure well, and then we will be blessed.

I was going to just add some quotes from this talk Love Your Wife.  But it was all so good I just added the whole talk.

Love Your Wife

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Counsel repeatedly given to husbands by prophets and apostles consists of three simple words.

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If a husband will put his wife’s needs above his own, his love for her will increase. That’s the counsel given by President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, who repeats a three-word teaching often given to husbands by prophets and apostles: “Love your wife.”

“It will take faith and humility to put her interests above your own in the struggles of life,” President Eyring says. “You have the responsibility to provide for and to nurture the family with her while serving others. That can at times consume all the energy and strength you have. Age and illness may increase your wife’s needs. If you choose even then to put her happiness above your own, I promise you that your love for her will increase.”¹

A Sacred Responsibility

Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explains the responsibility that husbands have to love their wives. He says that of all priesthood duties, a husband’s primary responsibility is to his wife.

“Priesthood offices, keys, callings, and quorums are meant to exalt families,” he says. “Priesthood authority has been restored so that families can be sealed eternally. So brethren, your foremost priesthood duty is to nurture your marriage—to care for, respect, honor, and love your wife. Be a blessing to her and your children.”²

Another way husbands can be a blessing to their wives is by “[keeping] alive the spirit of romance in [their] marriage,” Elder Nelson says. “Be considerate and kind in the tender intimacies of your married life. Let your thoughts and actions inspire confidence and trust. Let your words be wholesome and your time together be uplifting. Let nothing in life take priority over your wife—neither work, recreation, nor hobby.”³

Elder Nelson teaches that “expressions of love and appreciation do more than acknowledge a kind thought or deed. … As grateful partners look for the good in each other and sincerely pay compliments to one another, wives and husbands will strive to become the persons described in those compliments.”

And he adds: “Above all, do not be selfish! Generate a spirit of selflessness and generosity. Celebrate and commemorate each day together as a treasured gift from heaven.”⁴

Lead Out in Love

Husbands can be a blessing to their wives by “lead[ing] out in family activities such as scripture study, family prayer, and family home evening,” says Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

He also teaches that husbands should frequently express love to their wives: “Do you tell your wife often how very much you love her? It will bring her great happiness. I’ve heard men tell me when I say that, ‘Oh, she knows.’ You need to tell her. A woman grows and is greatly blessed by that reassurance. Express gratitude for what your spouse does for you. Express that love and gratitude often.”⁵

Help Each Other

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles teaches about the love and support husbands and wives should share: “One of the great purposes of true love is to help each other. … We can endure almost anything if we have someone at our side who truly loves us, who is easing the burden and lightening the load.”

He also explains that “love is a fragile thing, and some elements in life can try to break it. Much damage can be done if we are not in tender hands, caring hands. To give ourselves totally to another person, as we do in marriage, is the most trusting step we take in any human relationship. It is a real act of faith—faith all of us must be willing to exercise. If we do it right, we end up sharing everything—all our hopes, all our fears, all our dreams, all our weaknesses, and all our joys—with another person.”

Elder Holland points to the need for selfless caring: “True love blooms when we care more about another person than we care about ourselves. That is Christ’s great atoning example for us, and it ought to be more evident in the kindness we show, the respect we give, and the selflessness and courtesy we employ in our personal relationships.”⁶

Show Love and Gratitude

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explains that expressions of love and gratitude “do not need to be flowery or lengthy. We simply should sincerely and frequently express love.”

Husbands also show their love by how they treat their wives. As Elder Bednar says: “We should remember that saying ‘I love you’ is only a beginning. We need to say it, we need to mean it, and most importantly we need consistently to show it. We need to both express and demonstrate love.”

Couples can enjoy a richness of joy, trust, and strength, Elder Bednar promises. “Feeling the security and constancy of love from a spouse, a parent, or a child is a rich blessing. Such love nurtures and sustains faith in God. Such love is a source of strength and casts out fear (see 1 John 4:18). Such love is the desire of every human soul.”⁷

Husband and wife support each other in marriage. See November 2013 Ensign: Henry B. Eyring, p. 69; Dallin H. Oaks, p. 72; Russell M. Nelson, p. 106.

Family-Centered Church

“We know that the marriage of a man and a woman is necessary for the accomplishment of God’s plan. Only this marriage will provide the approved setting for mortal birth and to prepare family members for eternal life.”

Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “No Other Gods,” Ensign, Nov. 2013, 73.

 

 

One Of My Many Proud Moments Being A Father

Being a father I have had many occasions to be a proud father.  This is one of them times; the whole family was excited for the plane to land at the Alamosa air-port.  You see Trevor was coming home off his mission.  It had been two years since we had seen him.  Yes we had received pictures but that’s not the same.  I wanted to give him a big old hug and tell him how much I loved him and missed him.

I bet Trevor was excited but curious also; you see when he left we were living in Parachute.  While he was gone we moved to the Valley.  We told him all about it but I could only imagine his thoughts.  

We arrived at the air-port a few minutes early none of us could wait.  I could feel the excitement in the air.  I knew the boys and Pretty Girl were just as excited to see him as I was.  Being the dad I knew I would need to let them all go first when he arrived.  Well it was getting closer we heard the plane coming in for a landing; I am not sure I have ever been this excited before.  We could see it taxing up to where they got off.  Then the passengers started coming into where we were but no Trevor, I mean Elder Stubbs.  I can’t remember if he was the last but he defiantly wasn’t the first.  As he walked in I could not hold the tears back; tears of joy.  The boys all ran up to him and were hugging him and talking with him.  I thought I would never get my turn.  Pretty Girls turn came up and she let me go ahead of her.  I know it probably was not the right thing but you can bet she did not have to ask twice.  I gave him a big old hug and probably got his suit wet from them tears of joy.  I finally let Pretty Girl in to give him his hugs.

We all talked and hugged for a bit while we were looking for his luggage.  Yes can you believe it they lost his luggage.  I was not overly concerned about the luggage I was just glad to have him home.  We loaded up and headed for home.  I got to tell you the ride home was anything but quite but I did not mind I was in heaven listening to the boys telling Trevor all about what he missed.  Occasionally he would get a word in edge wise. 

As we arrived home we piled in the house.   While the boys showed Trevor around Pretty Girl and I set the table for dinner.  Pretty Girl had made a nice dinner a beef roast, mashed potatoes and gravy and beans and bacon.  We finally were all sitting around the table and I bet you can’t guess who I asked to say the blessing.  Dinner seemed to take a while I think there was more talking than eating.  I had made a big chocolate cake for desert.  We talked for a long time.  I finally told Trevor I needed to go to bed.  So we had family prayer; you guessed it I asked Trevor to say it.  I gave him another big old hug along with the other boys and told them all good night and headed for bed.  I did not get much sleep that night the boys stayed up way late but I did not care.  I just enjoyed every minute of them talking and laughing.

I can’t explain the joy I felt that night I guess being a father, when you hear your family having such a good time it just brings a special joy to your heart.  The only thing that would have made it better is if Tyler and his family could have been there.  I thank Heavenly Father often for these kinds of memories.  I bet he enjoys them as much as I do. I am sure there are many more to come.

The Air Horn

I saw this on Facebook and it brought back a something that happened to me a couple summers ago when I was working for Robins Construction hauling gravel.  I was hauling to the town of Antonito from the pit.  About half way between there was a couple young boys that would run close to the road and give me the arm signal to pull the air horn.  Now I would pass this house around every forty five minutes and those boys were ready.  I knew there dad was a Highway Patrol so when I saw his patrol car home I did not think much about it until about my fifth or six trip.  That’s when it hit me he was probably in trying to sleep.  I bet he was working nights.

What was I going to do those boys were looking so forward to me blowing that air horn.  I thought about it all the way to the pit.  After loading my trailer I made up my mind; I could not let those boys down.  I remembered when I was a young boy in Point of the Rocks, WY.  Steven and I and our Friend Tommy would stand down by the freeway and if one of the trucks would not pull that air horn we would be really sad.  I was not going to do that to those boys.

Another time I was in Denver, CO. going down the freeway when a young boy in a car gave me the arm signal to pull the air horn.  So I did I reached up and pulled it all the way.  The poor driver darn near run clear off the road so for safety reasons I don’t blow the air horn unless I know the driver knows also.

Well there you go the air horn stories.  

The Red-Neck Ski Team

Some of the fun things I have done with my boys are Skiing.  We could never afford to go much but when we did we made the most out of it.  The stories I could tell.  Okay maybe just a couple stories.

Now we are not your normal ski bums; I guess you could call us the red-neck bunch.  We did not have them fancy ski pants and jackets we had Levies and Carhartt coats; and the boys Carhartts all had Stubbs embroidered on the back.  Oh and we would usually all was wear insulated leather gloves.  We were pretty noticeable.

One of my favorite times was when I believe Trent and I was behind Taylor and Trevor a couple of people at the bottom of the ski lift.  Taylor and Trevor were getting ready to get on the lift; I think they got their skies crossed.  I am really not sure but for whatever reason Trevor lifted up his foot witch made the back of his ski go onto the lift.  Now all this was happening quite fast; all I know is I seen Trevor do a front flip Taylor looked like he was standing on his head.  They both looked like they had never been skiing before.  At least we were on the bunny slope.

Trent and I tried looking like we did not know them but the Carhartts gave us away.  We tried not to laugh but we could not hold it in.  I told Trent (we better be careful we don’t want to look like his brothers.)  By the end of the day everyone knew the Stubbs.  I was asked many times if they were my boys I would always proudly say yes.  Even if they could not get on the ski lift without stopping it while they get up off the snow.

One of the things we would do is play follow the leader.  On occasion Trent was the leader and he took us up to the top the trail marked expert.  Now we were fair skiers but expert I think not.  Well Trent went right to the edge of the moguls.  Now if you don’t know what moguls are; let me explain it looks like someone took an ice-cream scooper and started taking scoops out of the snow.  I have to admit I was not looking forward to this but Trent was the leader.  I tried to talk him into going around the moguls but he insisted.  I remember the look on Taylor’s face it was pure fear.  Poor Travis did not know enough to know this hill was probably going to kill us.

We all lined up on the hill; I am sure we were quite the site all scared to death.  I talked Trent into letting us all go at the same time on the count of three.  We all counted out loud one, two, and three and off we went all I really remember were my skies flying my body flopping and flipping down the hill.  I thought for sure the boys would be in as bad of shape as me.  When I finally came to a stop I looked around and Trevor was the only one I could see.  I yelled over to Trevor (where are your brothers) he did not know. 

We looked all around us, then we heard voices yelling are you guys okay.  It is our leader Trent and Travis and Taylor they did not go on three.  Truthfully I was kind of glad it beat Trevor and me up pretty bad.  They skied around on the intermediate trail and met us at the bottom.  We all had a good laugh; I still think it was planned.  One thing about it Trevor and I got bragging rights even if slid the rest of the way on our butts.

It has been quite a few years ago since we went skiing.  I can’t wait to go again only this next time Trent can’t be leader.  Well maybe Trevor and I will give him one more chance.  We will have so much fun with the whole Stubbs Gang Tyler, Tyson, Janessa and our Princess if she is old enough, Trevor, Taylor, Trent, Jacob, Travis, Ryan and who knows we might even get Pretty Girl on some skies. 

A Flood of Emotions

About eight months ago I had a flood of emotions go through me.  It was when I was flying out to pick up my truck in Rapid City, ND.  I was going to fly from Alamosa to Denver then on into Rapid City. 

Let me set the stage I had never flown before this was my first time.  I knew I would be changing flights in Denver and I do not do well in crowds.   I had only been away from My Pretty Girl a few times.  Driving over the road was a big decision for my family and me.  The thought of being away from Pretty Girl and the boys was really troubling me. 

I woke that morning excited to be flying I had always wanted to fly.  My bags were packed; I had gone over everything several times to make sure I did not forget anything.  We would need to be at the airport early to check everything in.  I was nervous, excited, scared, happy and a little bit sick to my stomach. 

Well it was finally time I gave the boys each a hug and got out of there before they could see the tears roll down my cheeks.  As Pretty Girl and I drove to the small airport in Alamosa we talked and planed for when I would be home; nether one of us knew when that might be we were hoping in a couple weeks.

As we got to the airport I almost wanted to turn back.  We made our way into the building.  Got my luggage checked in a lot faster than expected.  This gave us time to be together before I left.  I don’t mind telling you fear was taking over at this point.  It was not fear of flying it was fear of leaving my family.  It was time I needed to check in.  

Pretty Girl went as far as she could with me.  I went through the metal detector and was led to a room where I could see Pretty Girl through the door we waved one last time as the door was shut.  I can still see Pretty Girls face she looked so sad.  The feeling when that door shut I will never forget.  I was heartbroken it was like the end of the world.  I can’t really put it into words the feelings that I was feeling.  I sat over away from everyone bowed my head, closed my eyes, folded my arms and said a prayer.

It was not long and we were boarding the plane.  My fear was replaced by excitement.  I know Heavenly Father helped with that.  Flying was something I will never forget; it was amazing I would love to experience it again someday.  Although I could do without the Denver airport it was a crazy place; I almost got on a plane headed to Ceder Rapids I am not even sure what state that’s in. 

After getting to Rapid City and talking with Pretty Girl on the phone I felt much better.  I have had to leave my family many other times since then.  None have been as hard as that time in the Alamosa airport thank goodness.

Truck driving is for the birds.  I hope someday we can have that ranch and the only time I say good bye is just for the day at the longest.

Red-Neck Boys

You might be a Red-Neck if you?

I love looking at this old picture of the boys.  They are true Red-Necks even silly joined in.  It all started when we were cleaning the basement.  I told the boys to through this old couch into the trash dumpster.  I should have known the Red-Neck would kick in.  That old couch had a lot more good use in it.  I Love these silly boys so much.

Service

In church today our Priesthood lesson was on service and charity.  The first thing that came to my mind was Ray Sadlier.  I was married to his Daughter and worked with him doing Heating and Air-conditioning.  He was by far the smartest man I ever met at HVAC.  I will always be thankful to this man for the things he taught me.

You might think I am talking about HVAC and I am grateful for him teaching me about that.  The things I am most grateful for are the time we spent talking, I did not fully realize the impact our talks had on me.  We talked about many things, Heavenly Father, the Gospel, Family, Stories, and Poems.

It did not matter what we talked about ray had a way of relating it to a scripture or a poem or a story.  He never seemed to be short on words but I knew he also listened to me and cared about what I had to say.  I learned so much from our discussions.  Sometimes he would just tell stories and jokes.  He was quite the prankster he loved playing pranks.  I could go on for hours about Ray Sadlier.

Ray truly loved every one I never knew of him hating anyone.  There were times he really disliked some things people done.  I am sure I even done some things he did not approve of.  I saw times when people would take advantage of his good nature but he would just say something like (well I am sure they did not mean to) or he might say (they are good people they just don’t really know.)  I asked him on many occasions how he could still like that person after what they have done or how they were.  He always had a good answer then I usually felt bad for thinking the way I did.

Service was just an everyday thing for Ray before work most of the time he would need to stop by someone’s place to do something.  We would go on a service call to look at their furnace and end up fixing there washer or dryer or stove or even a leaky faucets sometimes all of the above and never charging what it was worth or most of the time he did it for free.  We would go on a bid and quite a few times he would bid the job cheaper than we could even buy the materials.  He would tell me he just figured they needed the help.

We sometimes ended up with things we could never use in a trade.  I know he knew that some people would not let him do it for free so he would see something they had stuffed in a corner.  He would act like that was something we had been looking for and get really excited and see if they would like to do some trading.  He was extremely good at this it took at least a year for me to catch on to why he wanted all this junk.

I learned a lot about helping people being around Ray.  Ray told me that we all had talents and specific skills and it was great that we could use them to make a living for our families but if we don’t use them to help others we were wasting them talents and skills.

I am sure there is much more service he had done in his life that no one knows about.  Thank you Ray for being such a great example in my life I don’t think there is a day that goes by without me thinking of you.    

Baking Creations for My Family

Baking; I never really thought I would enjoy it so much.  The only thing is I like to experiment and I don’t like to use recipes.  I like to fly by the seat of my pants; as my wife would say.  I like to think of it as a service to my family but in all reality they are my Ginny Pigs.  Sometimes things turn out pretty good other times not so well.

I was making biscuits several years ago I followed the recipe to the Tee.  When I pulled the biscuits out they were like hockey pucks.  The boys called them horse biscuits because Shaleb was the only one that would eat them of course he will eat anything.  I have got much better at making biscuits but I still really like the ones in a can better.

Once I kind of figured out the biscuits I started working on cakes.  I never use a recipe so I never make the same cake twice.  I usually don’t get to many complaints on my cakes especially from Jacob He usually likes them or maybe he just is really nice and pretends.  We have a big cast iron rectangle pan I like to use.  I remember when Trevor came home off his mission I made a chocolate cake the slices were six inches square by about four inches thick.  It felt fitting to celebrate Trevor’s coming home.

Bread is my Achilles, hill I like to try often I never get it to rise like it is supposed to.  Once in a while I get it to rise somewhat.  The only good thing is that I have found lots of ways to cook unrisen bread.  One of my favorites is to make fry bread or just go head and bake it.  Baking it makes really dense bread but it tastes pretty darn good.  One time I took my dough and braided it together put it on a cookie sheet and baked it.  It was a hit I get asked to make it again often; I guess I need to see if I can do it again.  The only thing is I might get lucky again.

On a more serious note I really like baking for my family. I really like it when we all sit down and taste my creations.  I enjoy hearing the boys telling me what they think.  I could be offended; I have some real food critics.  But most of the times they all have some swell ideas and it inspires the next creation.  Maybe one day they may become great bakers themselves.