181- Jake- My Daddy

Today my Daddy would be 112 years old if he was still alive. No, that's not a typo... he was 55 when I was born!

Here he is as a baby with his SISTER, Frank. (Her given name was Francis Amy, but she always went by Frank). He was born in Texas the second child and first son of Fleming and Sara Caraway.



We only have these two photos of Daddy as a child, but I have a whole catalog of mental photos formed by listening to Daddy tell stories about when he grew up in Texas and later moving to Washington State. I can see all of it in my mind just like an ol'-timee-movie. Don't they look like a happy family?



My folks met in about 1940 at Sweet's Ballroom in Oakland, CA. They courted for about a year and were married in April 1941. I love this photo of Daddy. It is one of the very few times I've ever seen him in a short sleeved shirt. He always wore long sleeved shirts, even in the summer, to protect his sensitive skin.



This photo has been featured on my blog before, but it is one of my favorites. Mom used to tell me how Daddy would hold me with my sore-colicy tummy in the palm of one hand. I used to think, "How could that be?" But when I see how big his hands were I see how easy it would have been.



Sadly, my parents didn't live together most of my growing up. But I never doubted my Daddy's love for me.

Besides being a good story-teller Daddy would read to me, but had a habit of falling asleep during the story. Instead of just stopping, he'd keep talking but say crazy things. I'd thump him on the chest with my head and he'd wake up again and keep reading from where he'd left off.

I remember the last time I saw Daddy. I was 17, just graduated from high school, married and moving across the United States to Virginia. I could see the sadness in his eyes; here was his baby all grown up and leaving home. I was stunned when he died suddenly a month later.



This is the last photo taken of Daddy on his 73rd birthday; 39 years ago today. Sadly I wasn't there! I was off living the "big-pig" life and not looking back.

Once again I will express my gratitude for my knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the saving ordinances that allow families to be sealed together for eternity. I'm grateful that I have continued to feel his presence in my life and I still have no doubt that my Daddy loves his little Joanie.

Happy Birthday Daddy... love you so much!


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180- My Ode to the Wildflower...

I've been looking through old photos (well, just since I got my camera in March) and found that I had LOTS of photos of wildflowers.

What to do? What to do?

The idea popped into my mind to combine them all in one post but, ack, I had LOTS of photos. Finally I settled on making a scrapbook page that included the my 17 best or favorite photos. (and that wasn't easy) I tried not to use any that I've previously used in my Project 365; the only exception is the California Poppy... my favorite wildflower.


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Journaling reads-
My Ode to the Wildflower... This year my travels were just right to enjoy all of the wildflowers. I started in CA in mid-March. I have to say that my all time favorite wildflower is the California Poppy. But there are so many others that catch my eye and make me want to capture their beauty. I wish I was like my sister, Ann, and I could tell you the names of all of these. Alas, I cannot. Whether named or not I enjoy their beauty.

179- The Burrs in Life

I love to take walks. I've been blessed with good health and lovely places to walk. I never *tune out* nature with a walk-man (did I just date myself?) or iPod. I love the sights and sounds of nature. I do some of my best thinking as I walk.

A couple of years ago I took a jaunt down to Hunter Valley (a neighborhood down by Hobble Creek) where I met a darling little donkey in a pasture. This poor little guy had burrs all caught in his ears. I knew that if he would just be patient I could remove those burrs... I could tell they bothered him. But, you see, I was a stranger and he didn't trust me.


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Today was our Stake Conference. We had two visiting General Authorities; Elder Richard J Maynes (say Mains) of the First Quorum of the Seventy and Elder Steven J Lund of the 5th Quorum of the Seventy. Elder Lund said something that took my mind back to burrs and my little donkey friend. "We all carry just about as much burden as we can bear." He explained, as we all know, that this life is a test but the "atonement is Heavenly Father's response to injustice" in this life.

I Googled burr and found: "A burr is a seed or dry fruit in which the seeds bear hooks or teeth which attach themselves to fur or clothing of passing animals or people. The hooks or teeth can be irritants and very hard to get off of clothing, such as wool or cotton."

Aren't our burdens much like these burrs that *grab* onto us and won't let go? Are we like my little donkey friend? Do we shy away from that person who could help us... if we would just trust Him? The older I get the more comfort I take in knowing that "This life is not always easy, nor was it meant to be; it is a time of testing and proving." But if I will just remain faithful... I will lead back home... comforting thought!

178- Bamboo-like Grass

As a child I loved to play in the field behind our house. I loved looking at all the different kinds of grasses that grew there. I am still amazed at all the different varieties of plants; each so special and unique.

I saw this lovely bamboo-like grass at Cascade Springs and the light was just magical.


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177- Oquirrh Mountain Temple

Rebekah and her men/boys are in Utah on vacation. They brought Tadhg up for BYU basketball camp Monday and then continued on up to Malad, ID to visit with Curt's folks.

Laster-night, when they got back down this way, we kidnapped Bek while the boys did boy things (to earn man-points?)

Today we went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House. What a wonderful experience for the boys! And what fun for Grammie to get to see them, even if it was just for a short time.



Just as we were leaving I remembered that I heard that Moroni had been struck by lightning in one of our recent storms. The boys got a big kick out of it. Poor Ranoni!



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Bwahahahahaha... I thought it was funny that one of the textures I used on this photo is called Into the Frying Pan!!

176- Living Water

Doctrine & Covenants 63: 23
But unto him that keepeth my commandments I will give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life.

175- The Gutter Goddess

Funny title... I earned it years ago!

When we lived in Palmdale it was only a hop, skip and a jump down to P's house. P has been my best friend for years and in the last 6-7 that we lived there I helped her take care of her folks. Hey, I even put in a "P-path" so I could walk out the front door, make an immediate left down the path to the sidewalk to get there faster. The problem was that the short section of neighborhood I walked was a low spot and collected all the leaves, grass, trash and ick in the gutter. I had to walk past that smell frequently!

So one day, armed with my rake, I headed down the street and raked all of the muck out of the gutter so it would dry. Then a couple of hours later I followed behind with my broom and shovel and put all of it into my wheelie-bin.


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Uncle Steve (Auntie P's husband) is the one who christened my the gutter goddess when he caught me at work one day. (Hey, I've been called worse things!)

Today while I was playing the gutter goddess of Springville (can you tell me why I keep moving to corner houses with low spots?) I remembered those days in the desert and how I got my title.

(The good news... all of the dirt and grass in my gutter here is dry.)

Another Random Thought-

I think that hard work is good for the soul!

174- Essence of Summer

I back in grade school towards the end of the year I would get an assignment something like this: What Summer Means To Me or What I Will Do This Summer.

When I look at this photo is reminds me of those long ago summer days when I was a child. I can smell the freshly mown lawn. I can hear the crickets. I can taste the freshly picked, sun-warmed, red raspberries. I can feel the cool breeze caressing my face as I sit in my tree fort hidden from the world. I can see my Mom on the back porch, sitting in one of the old cricket chairs, reading a book.


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I remember how carefree I felt. All I had to think about were those long summer days of swimming, having sleep-overs with my friends, playing at the creek, riding Blue, exploring the pasture behind our house in grass so tall that I could hide in it. I relished in the feel of the cold, dew-damp grass on my bare feet while I played "car-light-poison" after dark. I waited with anxious anticipation for my sisters to come home from college for a visit.

Yes, those were happy days. Those were simple days...

173- On The Wire

I know that everyone goes through their problems and adversity... but sometimes I just get weary. It makes me recall the words of Elder Quentin Cook's general conference talk that was made into a video.

"This life is not always easy, nor was it meant to be; it is a time of testing and proving."

Yesterday I learned the lesson once again that the Lord loves me and will not leave me hanging on the wire comfortless.



I was walking and thinking; feeling overwhelmed and sad when the words of a Primary song came to my mind.

Faith is knowing the sun will shine lighting each new day.
Faith is knowing the Lord will hear my prayers each time I pray.
Faith is like a little seed: if planted it will grow.
Faith is a swelling within my heart.
When I do right I know.
Words: Beatrice Goff Jackson
Music: Michael Finlinson Moody

When I got to the second line I was filled with the Spirit testifying to me that the Lord knows my problems and He is there. It isn't easy, but I don't have to do it alone.

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172- At Sunset

There is something magical about the light at sunrise and sunset. As our family was leaving after dinner tonight I notice how lovely even my little feverfew plant looks all bathed in golden light.



I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world...

171- Moose

This has been a banner week for getting out and enjoying nature! My sister and her husband came up yesterday for a visit on their way to support #4 son in the Wasatch Back Run. They wanted to surprise him Saturday on the last of his 3 legs (yeah, 3.6 miles at a 7.96 incline! ouch). We went out to scout out the trail so they would know where to go to find him today.

Since we were headed that direction we took them to Cascade Springs (they'd never been!) It is the most beautiful park; what a treat to be there twice in a week's time!



As we started up the top loop of the trail here came these two moose cows ambling through the grass on their way to get a drink at the springs. They were so beautiful. Their coats nice and shiny, you'd think they'd just been brushed. They were very cooperative as we continued our trek around the springs letting me take 60-some photos of them (that's what happens when you have your camera set for burst!)



Later while driving the Wasatch Back Run route from Midway to Park City we saw a tiny, baby fawn. It couldn't have been too old as it was still quite unsteady on its legs. It was so cute, spotty and wobbly, but much too quick for me to get my camera out!

Good times...

170- Utah Valley from the Y

I just love it when things work the way they are supposed to! I've read several books on photography and Photoshop. I love learning all the tricks. But this one? This one is over the top!

I opened 8 different photos (taken with a panorama photo in mind). In Photoshop Elements 7 went through all the steps and here it is!

Utah Valley viewed from the Y.

169- Little Joanie Hikes the Y

Ever since we moved to Utah I've been saying that someday I want to hike to the Y. Well, that someday was TODAY.

I've noticed something interesting about the atmosphere. Depending on clarity, humidity, something... objects (like the Y) will look very close or VERY far away from the same position. Since I drive up 9th East in Provo on a regular basis I've gotten a good idea of how this works. I always say I want to hike the Y when it is REALLY CLOSE!

Camille and I arranged for a girls-hike this morning. I knew that she would be able to out-hike me, but she is a sweetie and was very patient with my slow going. We started the trail at 9:34am. Camille told me that it normally takes about 45 minutes to hike the Y.

There was a low hanging mist that obscured the tops of the mountains and was clear down to the top of Y when we started. It was so cool to watch it swirling and dissipating.

There are eleven switch-backs to get from the trail head up to the top of the Y. The trail starts 5147 ft elevation, in just over a mile it ascends to 6221'! That is a fairly steep grade!

At 10:32am we reached the bottom of the Y (6084').


The last scant quarter mile took us (me) another 17 minutes (hey, I was runnin' outta steam!) Here we are; tired, happy, sweaty... but at the TOP! Time = 1 hour 15 minutes.

(I love the reflection of the valley in my glasses)

We looked back down to the parking lot and there was little Beatrix, patiently awaiting my return (she's always good that way!)

Camille told me this rock reminded her of Little Mermaid... what can I say?

And here we are back to Beatrix and ready for a scrumptious brunch at Mimi's. What a fun hike with my sweet daughter!

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168- Rainbow

6:21pm
I looked out my wonderful *playroom* window and saw my neighbor's little 6-year old granddaughters playing in my puddle! (I'm going to be so sad when the city fixes this section of road and my *Lake Lewis* is gone!) I ran out with my camera in hand... and, of course, they were willing subjects for my photo-op.



6:35pm
I've finished mending a bag for *grandma*-neighbor and we walked out the front door so I can get shots of the monsoonal rain. What a beautiful sight. (I haven't had to run my sprinklers in over a week!!)



6:37pm
I dash to our bedroom window and take the screen out so I can get shots of our beautiful, vibrant, Hobble Creek double rainbow.



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167- Road Trip!

Stuart called me and asked, "Where are you?"

I told him, "Evanston, WY!"

His response was, "Why??"

"BECAUSE WE CAN!"



Recently we've started taking one-day road trips just to see what there is to see. That is one of the beauties of being retired. A couple of weeks ago we went over to Price (I'd never been there). Gordon warned me that there was nothing there. Oh, contraire... there is a gas station that serves absolutely awful gut-bomb hamburgers! The drive was beautiful, but Gordon was right... there is nothing in Price.

Today's destination was Logan... just because. But today we found the Gossner Cheese Factory (famous Cache Valley Cheese) and had a nice picnic under huge trees in their parking lot of ice cream, cheese, bread and butter (In that order!). Cache Valley is absolutely gorgeous... green, pastoral.

Logan Temple

From there we decided to travel up the road a bit to Bear Lake. What a beautiful day for a drive in the mountains. I love the blue sky with enormous cumulus clouds. The wildflowers were in bloom and the first view of the lake... breath-taking.


Bear Lake

Once at Bear Lake we had to make a choice... which way around the rhombus to get back home? We opted for the circuitous route via Evanston, WY and sneaking home the *back way* through Heber City.

Harley joined us for this jaunt. He used to crawl in backseat and hang out there, but today he turned the console into his little resting place... funny little dog.



What a lovely day for Mom, Dad and Harley to make a road trip!

166- Pelicans in Utah?

I first saw these birds a couple of weeks ago... the first thing out of my mouth was Pelicans? In Springville? They live in a pond up on 1400 North at a pond on the Flowserve property. I've seen them several times since then, but never with my camera in the car.

TODAY... when I went out to run errands I put my camera in the car... just in case I found something I wanted to photograph (silly girl... what was I thinking!) Today there were four... it appears to be two couples and they all hang together... segregated from all the ducks.



I've always been under the impression that pelicans were sea birds, not fresh water birds, but we all know that seagulls are here in Utah (and in the Antelope Valley, CA aka Palmdale) So I did a quick wiki search on pelicans (look here and here). And there they were! Humpy-bumpy beaks and all! I think these may be the American White Pelican.



What a fun photo find for my fine day!

165- Thundershowers

We are having an interesting spring here in Utah. In the five springs we've spent here this is the first one like this. I feel like I am on the east coast! Every day we end up with thundershowers in the afternoon.



I cornered a couple of Springville old-timers and asked them if this was *normal* weather for June. They assure me that it is. I guess after 23 years in the Mojave desert and decades of drought I just don't recognize a *real* spring!

Each day I wake up to partly cloudy skies and by afternoon the thunder clouds have started to gather. I can hear the timpani drums starting to warm up; soon the cymbals join in and it usually ends with cracking-cannon fire (You know that kind of thunder? The kind that startles you with the sheer decibel force!) We've had hail, rain that blows sideways and UP and of course, just the gentle piccolo of the showers.

What a treat... especially for my garden!

164- Old and Gnarled...

... but still very beautiful.

The minute I saw this shot in my mental view-finder I knew that there was a story to be told. I just love the *compare and contrast*.



I can't help thinking how wonderful *old* friends are. All of my life I've had *old* friends and I love the depth they've added to my life. They have so much wisdom, character, love and humor to offer. (I was talking about this subject the other day with DeLoris and asked her what is going to happen when I am the old one? Will I have young friends? I sure hope so!)



DeLoris has had more than her share of health problems in the last year. First she broke her hip and had to have surgery. Then the bones failed (osteoporosis) and she had to have hip-replacement surgery. She's had her share of discouragement and has received several priesthood blessings. She was told that her time here isn't finished... she is here for her children. (And I will add, for her friends.)



I know that this burl wood is caused by adversity (fungus, insects, etc) but it is highly prized by wood workers for its beauty. Not everyone who looks at this *canker* will think it beautiful... but those who have *eyes to see* behold its beauty.

That brings me back to my DeLoris. Last Sunday after Sacrament meeting was over one of the young men in our ward told DeLoris she was beautiful. He could see her beauty, the beauty that comes from within and radiates into her countenance. DeLoris said she was dumbfounded, no one had ever told her she was beautiful in her whole life. But just to make sure that DeLoris got the message that her Heavenly Father was sending to her she was told so again by a sister as she was leaving the chapel.



I am so appreciative of this bonding of families and friends, youth and age. Just as the new plants sprout and grow in the hollowed out log; we feed and nourish those around us... what a beautiful plan.

163- Art City Days

Springville is known as Art City. We have a lovely art museum in town that has wonderful exhibits. Each June Springville celebrates Art City Days. They used to have the celebration at the city offices at the corner of Main and Center, but because of the new city office buildings being under construction they've moved the festivities to various other locations.

As I was driving down Center this morning I could see the hot air balloon and it took me right back to that first June we were here and I saw all the hot air balloons as they were taking off... including a PIG balloon!

Since it is Art City Days I thought I would get in on the act. I am offering up my "altered-reality" of what I think Art City Days should look like... you know, deep blue sky, big fluffy clouds, beautiful weather (not torrential down-pour worthy of Cambodia!)

This is what it should look like!


Balloon photo taken 6/12/09 Sky photo taken 4/5/09)

162- Cascade Springs

What a beautiful, yet rainy day! DeLoris and I had a date for a drive today and we decided that Cascade Springs might just be the spot. This isn't our first trip to Cascade Springs, we went several years ago when she was more agile and we walked all around. But today I was somewhat concerned because DeLoris needs her walker or a 4-legged cane... but I shouldn't have been. She has got to be one of the spunkiest gals I know.



There are two ways to get down to the springs, one is fairly steep, but not dangerous and the other has a very friendly incline/decline, but of course is longer. DeLoris told me that as long as I didn't rush her we'd be ok. So off we started on the longer, less steep way. I love my outings with DeLoris, we both enjoy nature and when one goes at a lesuirely pace one sees all sorts of of wonderful things.

The first thing that really caught our attention were these sweet little red wildflowers. I have no idea what they are. I'd taken a photo of them back on the road, but they hang down... DeLoris tipped it up so we could see how pretty they were.



The next thing to skittering across our path was this spider with an egg sack in tow as large as itself! It stopped and *played dead* or was just being cooperative so I could get some good photos of it. Just think... in a week or so there will be tons of baby spiders all over the place. (Maybe I won't go back for a little while!)



There are these clever boardwalks that traverse the springs and one can get up-close-and-personal with nature. This little fellow was out on the edge trying to catch some sun and warmth between showers.



Just beyond the snake was this small columbine with a beetle on it. After I was finished shooting DeLoris asked what I'd been looking at. She was looking in the distance at the brush... but loved the little bug once she saw it.



We'd agreed that we wouldn't walk too far and wear her out. Well, the rain decided to come and really cut our walk short. When we got to the place where we had to choose the long easy way or the short steep way DeLoris handed me her cane, hooked her arm through mine and said let's go! I think we were both surprised how fast we could walk up that hill with a little incentive! Like I said... SPUNKY!

I have more photos of our outing, but I think I will save those for another post and other thoughts.

161- Funny Story

Yesterday my task-of-the-day was to clean out a smallish flowerbed that runs along the back of the garage. It had iris in it when we moved here but because of neglect it had become totally over-grown with grass. (I salvaged 16 rhizomes that I've transplanted in the new curvy bed.)

By now I've devised some pretty good techniques for weeding... but I don't know that I've ever seen so many root-bound grass roots in my life! It was so root-bound even the worms had moved out! No wonder I'd not been very successful in the past with just pulling weeds out!!

I'd only finished about one-third of the 16" by 16' flowerbed when I hit on what I knew was a ginormous rock. I dug, picked, scooped and forked at that stupid rock and I couldn't get it to budge. Finally I called Gordon to come out and help me. He took the fork and in one deft movement popped that guy right out of there. It was only about the size of a softball (Now you explain why I couldn't get it out! Root-bound? I don't know). Gordon said to give him a call anytime I wanted him to shrink a rock!

Later in the day, after I'd mowed the lawn and was working some grass clipping into that bed I found another rock. Again, dug, picked, scooped and forked... called Gordon. To make a long story short we had to remove one piece of curbing to get this bad-boy out of there. Looks like Gordon used up all his rock shrinking powers on that first rock. (This is our largest find to date...)


Ginormous rock and pretend ginormous rock!

160- Full Moon

The chances of me getting a photo of the day much earlier in the day than this one are pretty slim! It was taken at 12:13 am!



I just love the moon and her beautiful, silvery light. I love the way that silvery light filters in through the blinds into my bedroom.

I noticed that the moon was going to rise over our mountains as I was cleaning up the kitchen. Ahh, says I, I have a good reason to try out my new $25 tripod (Yes, I know, Scott Kelby would have a fit... ) I had plenty of time to get it out of the box and set up before the moon would make her appearance. I wish you could have been a little fly watching me in my jacket,slippers and glasses (well, I had on other clothes too!) trying to set up just the right shot. The clouds were floating past the moon and gave the shot even more character.

I was also surprised at how black and white this photo turned out. This is not a converted b&w... just the way it is at midnight!

159- Miniature Roses

I think I've mentioned that we're having the nicest spring here. I don't remember any spring that has been consistently this nice and temperate. We've gone a month or more without using the heater or the air conditioner! What a treat!

The other up side of this condition is that my garden is happier than it has ever been. My flowers and lawn are thriving. I have two miniature rose bushes (not to be confused with rose bushes that are miniature!) that I've let grow quite large. They are just covered with their tiny, intricate blossoms.



As I was pulling out of the driveway on Friday I noticed that the pink blossoms are just exquisite! They are light pink on the outer petals and almost electric pink in the centers. You have to keep in mind that this little blossom is only about 1.75" in diameter.

It just makes me happy to see them.

158- Happy Sabbath

I look forward to Sundays as a time for worship, rejuvenation, family and rest. I'm so grateful for this day every week.

This evening after I'd returned from Stake Choir practice (we will be singing for Stake Conference at the end of the month) there was a knock at the door and there were Kevin, Suzi and Ethan come to Grammie's house on a bike ride (and that is no small feat... 6 miles up hill all the way!) Suzi and Ethan were both dressed in blue shirts and looked so photogenic that I just had to get out the camera.



I got lots of good shots that Suzi wants to enlarge and put in Ethan's room... but this one is my favorite. Ethan was determined to get to this garden-ornament flower. He crawled through the ivy bed to get there. I love the little wet hand print on the porch and the wet spots on his pants from this morning's rain. He was not going to be deterred! Funny baby-guy!