Scout Camp

I got ready to blog, remembering all the fun shots of the Scoutmaster on the slide show I helped edit for the Court of Honor last week--this after Scout Troop 107 earned 27 merit badges at scout camp 2 weeks ago. However, in looking through the pictures downloaded from MY camera, I realize that the Scoutmaster was BEHIND the camera and not in front of it. I will search for Jeff 's flash drive and see if I can find the other photo contributions to see his grizzled look after not shaving for several days.

Instead, for now, see what fun activities the five scouts enjoyed.

Archery: Ashton learns how to pull back the string and steady the bow.





Swimming: It's hard to see it, but look for the green blotch near the railing. The boys were playing Keep Away with a greased watermelon. I asked, "greased as in canola oil?" and was answered, "No greased as in shortening!" Think of the fun!

Canoeing: The game here was to fill the other canoe until it "swamped." Early on, some of our "guys" lost their big blue 5-gallon bucket and only had a smaller white one to defend themselves. Obviously they could not hold out forever, and they all had a great swim in the lake.

Mess Hall: And what would Scout Camp be without really good food? Here, three of our favorites chomp down on some sort of burrito/chimichanga entree. Did they pose like this with their mouths open, or was this staged, do you think? At any rate, they had a great time and several rank advancements from their activities.

Bits and Pieces

Dad has my camera at Scout Camp, so no pictures, but here are a few Blips of what's going on around here:

WE HAVE FRONT SIDEWALKS!!! After waiting and waiting, they poured the concrete street while I was at school and the barriers had just been removed a couple of hours before we drove into the driveway. Now, with Dad away, they showed up Monday morning and poured our sidewalk from the curb to our front porch--and it's colored concrete--a goldish brown that pretty well matches the house.

PAGEANT: We are both working on Pageant committees (which pageant begins next weekend, Oh My Dosh!) which will require us to be at every performance or get a substitute. Now, lest that sound too daunting, it really is only 20 evenings of the next 28 or so. Dad is on security (you know, help find lost children and the like) and I am a Seating Coordinator--putting up and removing signs directing folks to Hearing Impaired or Wheelchair sections, etc. This should keep us busy!

SCHOOL: At last my grades were posted and I have received back nearly all my assignments from my Southern States Research course. I earned an A in American Heritage and the professor sent me a congratulatory email for the effort--I was astounded. My A- in Irish Research I already knew about, so no surprise there. I need to order the final exam for Southern Research and be done with that and then when Pageant is over, hit the Math Class like crazy.

GRANDMA & GRANDPA: My parents are doing well. Mom's machine to help her sleep in spite of her apnea seems to have the kinks nearly ironed out. She is feeling much more energetic and positive than I have seen her in years.

BRAD: He goes often to check up on Grandma and Grandpa. He is looking forward to a 4th of July/Kathy's birthday bash combination this afternoon. We will barbeque hamburgers and hot dogs at the Douglas home, and what do you want to bet the Hand and Foot cards will come out? Sounds like fun to me.

RELIEF SOCIETY: The others in the presidency covered for me for 2 months, and 2 of the 4 of us are away this week, so I am filling in doing extra jobs for them in return. I teach the First Sunday Presidency lesson on Sunday and will wrap other ideas around the theme "The Daffodil Principle" from a chapter (as well as illustrated book) of that title by Jaroldeen Asplund Edwards. Should be a fun discussion. I LOVE teaching!

The weather is hot and humid, but the breeze blows often and I have not had a horrid time with it to speak of.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY TO YOU ALL! and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!

Two More Weeks

I took the second American Heritage midterm exam yesterday and on the "Speed Back" portion, I got 89%. I'm not really happy with that, but there is nearly half a test worth of essay points still to be graded, so it could go up. Beyond that, I spend ALL my time studying. I have an invitation to go to Manti for Jackie Springgay's first time through the Temple, which I have declined. I seriously need to devote myself to the rest of the text and readings for American Heritage and then devour the Family History in order to utilize the Library in Salt Lake and the resources here on the campus. If I don't get it all completed, it will take me WEEKS to get even one film to view in Nauvoo.

So, wish me luck on the downward slope of this seven-week slippery slide! The days speed by, but each is interminably long in itself. We put rags in the doors of the floor rest room (which is RIGHT BY MY HEAD!!) so that the "middle of the nighters" wouldn't slam that blinkin' door shut and wake me up AGAIN.

Irish Research Class Completed

Just one last post, minus a picture. This morning I took the final for my Research in Ireland course. I scored a 96% and earned an A- for the final grade (I was given a B for my research project which was worth 35% of the grade, but then the project has been lost, so I can't even learn what I did wrong.) The professor did tell me I ought to have done more research in Irish records, which I could not do while still in Nauvoo....

AND, I have looked at more records in Salt Lake at the Family History Library while still on my way to BYU, and a few more snippets of research when I met my professor at the FH Library here on campus. We are going to SLC together on Saturday where I intend to completely pick her brain one more time.

The course is finished; it's too late to change the grade on the project, but I will never be through with the research on the McCleve, McFerren, McCracken, McConkey and Lamb lines from the Belfast area. They are totally fascinating to me!

As Always, Big Changes at BYU

First of all, this is the new Alumni Building, the Hinckley Center, as seen from my dorm area (note the entrance to the tunnel from the Cannon Center up to the Tanner Building at the bottom of the picture).

This is where Deseret Towers used to be. I have no idea what will be constructed here!

And yes--the main Creamery is being gutted--but not completely demolished. They tell me it will be going UP and OUT, with a larger area for production of BYU Creamery ice cream!

The shell of the Creamery building!

Say a quick "Goodbye" to the Cannon Center.

A new building is being constructed north of the present Cannon Center. It will function as the cafeteria and Cosmo Connection--in other words, it will take the place of the Cannon Center.

Here's the new building. It is scheduled to begin serving meals for Summer Term 2008. Then the old building will be razed and a new building constructed for Residence Life business.

Finally, a new multi-level parking garage is going in directly north of the Tanner Building. We walk past the dust that accompanies construction, each time we head through the tunnel to the campus.

You must agree, there is no end to the wonderful changes on this campus!

Sunday with Lynda and Brett

I spent most of my day this past Sunday with Lynda and Brett. I helped with the Primary music in their ward, and then had a luscious dinner with them--Brett grilled salmon outside and we feasted on salmon, asparagus, potatoes, salad, and finally coconut cream pie. Umm, Umm, Umm!

Kris Krohn and his family were part of the group--his wife Kalenn, and children: 2-year old Liesle and 3-week old Kaiser. I hope I have spelled names correctly--Lynda tell me if they're wrong and I'll fix it. The day was spent with the warmest of memories, the deepest and best spiritual discussions, and a house full of love. Thanks, Lynda and Brett, for being you!

Mother's Day Roses

Happy Mother's Day to me (from Jeff). Aren't these roses simply gorgeous? I didn't have a slip in my mailbox, but saw the box from ProFlowers--Jeff's signature. So I asked about that box and got to bring them home! They smell divine as well as brightening the room (you know those painted cinderblock walls!). Thank you, Jeff!

Here I am at BYU, struggling to figure out the Math 110 and enjoying the American Heritage course a lot.

I am loving the wonderful interaction with my roommate, Sharron, who comes from Texas near San Antonio. We have many common interests and experiences: teaching seminary, serving as Stake YW president and Ward RS president, etc. But then there are the amazing things like walking past a popcorn machine and learning we both LOVE popcorn, etc.

We both have community service to do, and have been 3 times to assist with activities at Rock Canyon Rehabilitation Center, near the hospital in Provo. Yesterday we helped a group of residents play a 2-hour game of Uno. I sat next to a young woman who wanted help with the lyrics to "Strangers in the Night." I would remind her of the second line: "wondering in the night what were the chances we'd be sharing love before the night was through." And she'd sing them in a croaky voice.

Then she'd come up with her own version. For example: "wondering in the night, after the dances, we'd be making love until the night was through." Now there are just a few small changes in the words, but great difference in meanings. She also had a sense of harmony, since after completing that refrain, she'd sing two harmonious notes that truly did belong in the chords in the interludes.

Other activities for the day: a HUGE crowd for Bingo. We helped residents put their (poker) chips on Straight Bingo, X Bingo (no other numbers counted) and 4 in Any Corner Bingo before going for the biggie: Blackout Bingo. When a resident won, he/she got to choose from prizes on a tray: cheetos, puddings, small candy bars, etc. One resident who needed only soft foods kept complaining that she had not yet gotten her favorite: M&Ms, Junior Mints, and Cherry Chocolates. This has been a really fun assignment.