Climate Adjustment

View of my backyard in Hyder

My backyard in Shelley

I have spent the last six winters in Arizona, with Trixie and her family. That way I get to spend some time with Trixie's and Phil's families (Phil lives in Gilbert, about 1 1/2 hours from Hyder) - and at the same time escape the Idaho winters. This year I came home a little too early, I'm afraid. Look at the contrast between the two places.

But it's really good to be home again - inspite of the weather.

Houseplants on Death Row

I’ve always had houseplants - lots of them. I can’t imagine a home without them. But you’d better not ever give a plant to three of my four daughters - because they will surely die! (The plants, not the daughters).

While I was in Arizona for the winter, Judy neglected my plants to the point of no return. Most of them were gone when I got home - only a few of them were still sorta alive - Judy thought maybe they could still be resurrected.

So off to the store to get a new supply. And from now on I’ll buy a few every week.

Marathon

Known for its breathtaking beauty, the red rock country of Sedona is host to one of the most inspiring and rugged marathon races. The third annual Sedona Marathon, held on February 9, 2008 had 1,687 runners from ages 4 to 78 participating in a marathon, half-marathon, and 5K. Participants came from around the world—Japan, Germany, Belgium, Canada, and 46 U.S. states.



The race was challenging both because of the altitude (4500 feet), and the route--half the course was on the dirt roads of Coconino National Forest. This is one of only two races in Arizona that is USATF (U.S. Track & Field) certified.

And guess who participated in this race? ARIANA!!

She ran the half-marathon as no. 623 and came in first in her age group, with a time of 1:58:46. Congratulations!

Ariana joins cousins Tara, Lisa, and Angela, who all ran full marathons in the past. (I got Angela's picture from her blog, and - sorry folks - I don't have pictures of Lisa and Tara).

Teach Me to Knit

The Mutual girls asked me to teach them to knit. There wasn't time to get into a lot of detail - all I could show them were the two main stitches, purl and knit, and some of the patterns they created.


I tried to tell them how to hold their needles to obtain maximum speed






but some of the girls had their own ideas. If I had been like the teachers in the Netherlands, I would have whacked their hands and made them do what I told them to.


We spent the first week learning how to cast on - and use just the knit stich. The second week was spent learning how to purl, and how to pick up dropped stitches.



I hope the girls will continue using what they learned, and make some fun articles.

Our Prophet Dear

Today funeral services were held for Gordon B. Hinckley, our beloved president and prophet, who died at the age of 97 on Sunday, Jan 27, 2008.

In November of 2000, President Hinckley challenged us to set goals for ourselves to be grateful, be smart, be clean, be true, be humble, and be prayerful. These six "Bs," as President Hinckley called them, are a marvelous standard for all Latter-day Saints.

I am grateful for the life of this great man.

He is now with his beloved Marjorie.

My Grandmother Aartje

This is the only picture we have of my grandmother (my father's mother). And she has such a stern look on her face - but her children all say that she was a fun-loving person. She often danced around the house.

My grandfather was a glassblower - the factory whistle would blow at noon - and the workers would go home and have dinner. When my grandmother was courting my grandfather, she would run to the window when the whistle blew, so she could see her beloved walk to his mother's home. One summer day, the rose bush in front of her mother's window had grown so tall that it blocked her view. That just wouldn't do, so she took a knife to the bush and whacked the whole thing off, almost to the ground.

For centuries, it has been tradition in Holland to name the first son for the father's father - the first daughter would get the father's mother's name - the second son was named for the mother's father, and the next daughter would get the mother's mother's name. Other children's names would be taken from great grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.

For this reason, I have five cousins who are named Aartje, all named for our grandmother. The last three Aartjes born (of which I was one) were very close in age. Because of that, the families were tempted to compare them. So we have Tante Beth's Aartje (the prettiest), Uncle Huib's Aartje (the smartest), Uncle Tice's Aartje (that was me) - (the sturdiest!) Oh well, I survived. The three Aartjes are now 80 years old. Uncle Huib's Aartje lives in the Netherlands, so it's pretty hard to get together - but we're thankful for e-mail and phones. Tante Dien's Aartje is 88 years old, and lives in Australia.

On our wedding day, my husband and I did the work in the temple for grandmother Aartje and her husband Huibert. That made the day even more special.

Great-Grandchild Number 7

Samuel Kent Skousen

Jan 21, 2008 - 1:29 pm

9 lb - 22"

I am a child of God, And he has sent me here

Has given me an earthly home, with parents kind and dear.

I am a child of God, And so my needs are great;

Help me to understand his words - Before it grows too late.

I am a child of God, rich blessings are in store;

If I but learn to do his will, I'll live with him once more.

Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,

Help me find the way.

Teach me all that I must do

to live with him some day.

-

Samuel Kent Skousen

son of Robert and Christine Skousen

grandson of Mark and Trixie Skousen

great-grandson of Robert and Aartje Smith