My Computer "Annus Horribilis"

It has actually been more like a horrible year and a half.  

I have a “love/hate” relationship with computers lately and have even been called the technology “angel of death” My problems initially started in Guyana when the district president’s adorable little 2-year-old picked off two computer keys.  I could still use it, but it was awkward and couldn’t be repaired so I decided it was time to replace my pretty little red Dell.  The salesman at the St. George Best Buy store convinced me a Toshiba was the “best thing going” but to my dismay, almost immediately I began having problems.  The Geek Squad tried to repair it, but by the time it was determined I had “a lemon” the warranty had run out.  Ed decided to do some research and found a great deal on a 17” Dell and ordered it, but come on … 17”?  It was just too big, so we sent it back and ordered a 15” instead.  The size was right but when it, too, began to misfire in a variety of ways, we sent it back … and I went back to the Toshiba.

While visiting David and his family in Denver, Dad and son got their heads together and negotiated a deal for David’s Apple computer so he could get a new one.  Once home, Ed – like a kid with a new toy - suggested I take his Samsung (purchased in Guyana) because it had “never given me a minutes problem.”  Shortly thereafter, the Samsung started displaying a blue screen and the Toshiba a black screen … and I was ready to jump off a tall building in my frustration!!!  

The solution?  I called David, and with his “family discount,” got a great deal on a 13” Retina Display Mac Book Pro, which he assures me, is going to provide at least five years of problem-free use.  I hope so, but with my recent computer history I’ll have to see it to believe it … so pray for me!!!

Benns' See the West

We said goodbye today to Kenrick and Rose Benn at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas.  Our dear friends from Guyana have been in the United States since September 20 when they flew into the Seattle-Tacoma Airport and into the welcoming arms of BJ and Marty Summers who hosted them for ten days at their home in Leavenworth, Washington.  These wonderful missionaries who served in Lindon, Guyana for their entire 18-month mission then drove the Benns through parts of Idaho and Oregon to Salt Lake City in time for the WIM Reunion (see April 5 post) and the church's 182^nd Semi-Annual General Conference. 

The Benns had tickets to three sessions and while in downtown SLC, they visited the Church office building, where they met and had a brief conversation with President Dieter Uchtdorf, a member of the First Presidency (President Benn was ready to go home at that point … having his prayers to meet a General Authority while in SLC answered beyond his wildest expectation). 

Larry and Karen Harris, who were the WIM’s CES missionaries, took the Benns after conference, hosting them in their home in Layton for a week before passing them along to Lynn and Sharon Angus for a 3-day visit in Vernal.  From there, the Benns traveled back to the Wasatch Front for 4 days with Ralph and Paulette Childs who served their mission in the WIM office in Trinidad and a couple of days with the Hymas'.  The Childs’ then drove the Benns to southern Utah, by way of Cedar Breaks and other sights along Hwy. 89, delivering them to the LaVerkin home of Val and Marcia Cook.  They enjoyed the company of the former WIM humanitarian service missionaries for another few days before arriving at our house where we hosted them for 8 days showing them the sights of Washington County, including Zion, Snow Canyon, Tuacahn, took them on the St. George Art Museum Home Tour and introduced them to friends and family.  Jim and Mary Andrus, who live just a few blocks from us and who took our place in the WIM office in Trinidad, insisted we share the Benns with them for two days during the week. 

During their 5 weeks in the U. S., the Benns saw many memorable sights, attended several temples – including, while in St. George, doing baptisms, confirmations and initiatories for family members of Sharon Danraj in Georgetown.  On Saturday, October 26, 2013, we drove them to Las Vegas.  We only had a short time to explore “Sin City” but were able to squeeze in a quick visit to the Coca Cola store, the M&M store and drove the Strip.  Rose wept at the thought of having to say “goodbye” which was reminiscent of the days before we left Georgetown for our home and family in St. George.  What lovely people who we will love “forever and always” no matter how far apart we are in miles!

Breakfast with Kris

We didn't get a picture with Michael who had to leave early when Lilly developed a "sore tummy" but we were pleased to have breakfast with our youngest son, our 5-year-old granddaughter and Kris visiting on the Wasatch Front on the same weekend we were there for our mission reunion.  It has been a difficult year for our 3rd daughter so we were glad to see her even for just a little while. There were a few tears as well as some laughter ... just not enough time to get caught up.  We hope to see her again soon.

WIM Reunion a Fun Evening with Friends

There wasn’t much in the way of decor, but there was lots of hugs, handshakes and reminiscing when about 60 – young and not-so-young – returned missionaries gathered for a West Indies Mission reunion on Friday, October 4, 2013 in the BYU Wilkinson Center in Provo.  Special guests were President and Sister Benn from Georgetown, Guyana who had – earlier in the day – had their first experience with snow and cold but were warmed by the affection of those who served in their country.  We were also delighted to have in attendance, several who made history as the first North American young women to serve in the WIM.  It was a pot luck dinner which turned out to be a “loaves and fishes” miracle.  Only a few of the young missionaries brought food to share but all came with an appetite.  For awhile we were going to have a balanced meal of cookies and cake – but it turned out there was plenty of food and a good variety, as well.  It was such a fun evening – made even more so, because most stayed long after dinner to visit and relive their enthusiasm for missionary work.  Our reunion, which was supposed to be from 6 – 8 p.m. ended up being 6 until a little past 10 p.m.!!!  It was so much fun to see those with whom we served and who we have learned to love like family.

Grandma Doris Celebrates 90 Years

She couldn’t stand up, but she enjoyed the opportunity to dress up for her 90^th birthday party on September 20, 2013.  Doris Mae Bradford Henion, born September 20, 1923, was the guest-of-honor at a gathering of some of her square dance friends, Yolanda (a volunteer at Crown Pointe), Claudia (Yolanda’s young friend), Ed, Larry and I.  We had the traditional cake and ice cream, balloons and a slide show (Larry has spent a great deal of time digitizing our family photographs) of her from birth through her good years.  She looked at the pictures of her childhood and loudly declared “I never had black hair.  Someone must have colored those pictures wrong!”  We partied until about 9:30 p.m., then when everyone else had left, we went back to her apartment to help her get ready for bed.  She seems to have enjoyed and appreciated our efforts to celebrate her life … although she was very unhappy to have people know her age.  “Don’t tell everyone I’m 90 … they all think I’m only 60!!!”   

A Day on Catalina Island

Our trip to Catalina was also a fun day - and another day to celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary. Along with my brother Larry and about 200 others on board the Catalina Expess, we traveled “26-miles across the sea, Santa Catalina was awaiting for we ….” as the old song says.  Our day included a 2-hour inland tour and a walk through the beautiful little community of Avalon, which was welcoming “stars” and would-be stars to the island for the 4^th Annual Catalina Film Festival.  We also enjoyed the small shops and restaurants, the harbor filled with sailboats, and the beautiful blue sky and sunshine and the clear ocean water.  It was a perfect day!

For those who enjoy a little trivia, here are some facts about Catalina we didn’t know:

·         The Wrigley family (famous for their chewing gum, including Black Jack) purchased the entire island in 1919 for the sum of $2 million.

Twelve buffalo were brought to the island for a western movie (“The Vanishing Prairie”) but when the film wrapped, the producer made the naïve decision to leave the animals on the island because “what harm can 12 buffalo do?”  Years later at their highest peak, there were approximately 500 buffalo living on Catalina Island.

·         Goats were also imported for the purpose of keeping the foliage under control.  Years later at their peak, there were 40,000 goats on the island … requiring helicopters and US Army sharp shooters to solve the problem.

·        Mrs. Wrigley hated the Catalina resident and author Zane Grey because he would take Mr. Wrigley out on his boat on the premise of fishing, but they would both come home seriously drunk.  In an attempt to protect her drunken husband as he drove up the mountain to their home, she planted eucalyptus trees – about 10 feet apart - on the canyon side of the road. 

·         Mrs. Wrigley also had a bell tower built on a mountaintop near her home.  It rang out every 15 minutes in the morning so all her employees would know how long they had to get to work … and also to interrupt Zane Grey’s thoughts while writing!!!

·         The Catalina Film Festival is a fundraising event in support of the Conservancy District which protects the island and its environment.

Our Time in SoCal

We recently traveled to SoCal for a variety of reasons, most importantly to celebrate my mother Doris Henion’s 90^th birthday (although she didn’t want anyone to know her age).  While there we (including my brother Larry who flew in from Seattle) began the process of cleaning, sorting and discarding at Mother’s home.  For two days, we went through every cupboard, drawer and closet to completely clean out the laundry room, the hall, the barroom and the sewing room / office.  In the process we filled the neighborhood dumpster to the brim (and overflowing), took two carloads of reusable items to the local Goodwill … and when we were exhausted from the effort, we took two “mystery trips” planned ahead of time to Knott’s Berry Farm and to Catalina Island in celebration of our 50^th wedding anniversary.

Our day at Knott’s was filled with nostalgia as we tried to remember the last time we had been there.  The park was nearly empty, so we spent the day enjoying the old Ghost Town and walking right up to some pretty wild rides in the newer section of the park – several which we rode more than once.   The park was gearing up for Halloween so many of the rides were closed for maintenance or in preparation for a month leading up to All Hallows Eve, but we had adrenalin rushes on the Pony Express, the Mouse, the Mine Train, Log Ride and the Wild Rapids.  It was a fun day .... with some GREAT rides and waaaaaaaaayyyy cheaper than Disneyland!

Our Eldest Comes to Visit

Kelly and Gary were down this weekend to attend her 30-year class reunion (she tried to talk him out of attending, but he would not be dissuaded).  They golfed with classmates (she was the only “girl” who showed up on the links) and had dinner at Staheli Farms, sharing a table with Stacy and Rick (another of her classmates).  On Sunday we drove up to Zion and had lunch together before sending them on their way.  It was a nice weekend with our oldest daughter and her husband.  We hope they will come back again soon.

A Visit to the Mile High City

We spent 10 pleasant days in Denver, bookended by David’s birthday on August 18 and David and Jan’L’s 19^th wedding anniversary on August 26.  When we left St. George for our 24-hour round trip, the car was filled to the brim with Jan’L’s favorite hometown goodies, including a dozen loaves of Grandma Sycamore bread (safe for Kole’s allergies), a gallon of Wild Coyote ranch dressing and another of Wild Coyote salsa; two dozen orange rolls from Grandma Tobler’s and a new faucet for the kitchen sink!  Jan’L had already left for her nephew Matthew’s wedding in Southern California when we got there, so Saturday was spent playing with the boys at Heritage Square where we enjoyed the alpine slide, Disney-esque tea cups and taking lots of pictures.  On Sunday we were blessed to witness Kaler passing the Sacrament and were pleased to see David can still wear the suit he bought at the time of their wedding.  He is keeping himself slim and trim – despite consuming a healthy serving of birthday cake and ice cream after opening his gifts - a gun safe from M/D and an assortment of carefully selected gifts from his wife and children.

 

During the week, while the boys were in school – Kaler is a freshman in high school, Kole is in middle school and Kyle, a 2^nd grader who reads at a 5^th grade level – we explored the sights around Denver.  On Tuesday we traveled to Estes Park / Rocky Mountain National Park (luckily, Dad had his Golden Eagle pass in his wallet) including the beautiful – and haunted – Stanley Hotel which was the inspiration for “The Shining” one of hundreds of ghost story novels by Stephen King. 

 

On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Ed and I played tourists in the “Mile High City.”  We attended a session at the Denver Temple but almost didn’t get in because we couldn’t find a parking place.   Ironically, the Fort Collins Temple groundbreaking was being held on the same day. No question Colorado needs another temple. 

We went to the Denver Art Museum which I thoroughly enjoyed.  Everything I saw made me smile!

On Thursday, Jan’L flew off to Tennessee for another long weekend with her family at the Nascar races – leaving us to ride herd on the boys while David worked.

 

On Saturday, we loaded the boys up for a “mystery trip” to the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum (Jan’L thought it was a “boy trip” anyway so didn’t mind missing out).  The boys ooooed and aaaaahed at the big planes, the little planes, the old planes, the new planes, the toy planes and the simulators!  It was a pretty expensive day, but worth it to see how excited they all were.

Intermittently throughout the week, we helped with homework and with Kaler's preparation for his Sunday School lesson, played Monopoly (Kaler beat us all by a substantial margin), had some good conversation with our oldest son, did a steady stream of dishes, enjoyed breakfast for dinner and a hobo dinner on the backyard grill and had a couple of movie nights (Hachi, 42, Epic …) with David’s famous carmel corn.

 

When it came time to leave for home, the boys all cried.  “A good sign,” David said as we waved goodbye … but I’m not sure he meant because the kids were sorry to see us go or because when he said it, we were backing out of his driveway!

My New Handyman

Our summer has been busy with lots of travel and visitors, work and volunteering, projects around the house and yard work.  We’ve ushered at Tuacahn a half dozen times, chaired the ward Pioneer Day Picnic at Pine Valley, bottled the harvest from our garden and socialized with many family and friends – all in our usual triple digit Dixie summer weather.  In the middle of it all and as part of our ongoing efforts to update our 22+ year old house, Ed checked into hiring a craftsman to lay tile in our three bathrooms and the laundry room.  The cost was exorbitant so he decided to do it himself!  With absolutely no experience but with good advice from Stacy’s husband Rick and our son David on laying out the 12” tiles, he dove into the project.  I must admit I was very skeptical.  He has always been a “suit” so I just couldn’t imagine he could successfully turn into a tradesman … but despite the effort of getting up and down a hundred times and having aching knee joints, he did a wonderful job and our bathrooms and laundry room now look amazing!  In addition, we saved more than $1000 in labor!  Not bad for a retired banker whose hue and cry is always, “I’d rather be golfing!”