Oh memories - part of getting old

ASPIRATIONS Fred Jepson Friday, August 15, 2003 This place reminds me of my youth And tender times so long ago When I would wander through green fields Before the coming of the snow. But snow did come and I grew old And summer days gave way to storm The wonders of a young man’s dreams Became less bright and not so warm. The dreams I held of conquering all Were shelved in some forgotten hole The labors of a working man In years to come soon take their toll— I’ve run across them once, or twice; Those dreams I had in bygone years. I searched them close then gave a sigh For things that once I held so dear. And after I had read my fill I folded them with tender care And put them back into their place And sank back in my rocking chair.

This party or that party

Saturday, August, 16, 2008 Today Judy and I had the choice of either going to a neighborhood party at the pavilion, put on by the ward or going to a party/dinner put on by our old ward with previous members being invited. I preferred to go to our neighborhood party but Judy wanted to go to the other. As usual we did it Judy’s way. It was ok and it was nice to reacquaint ourselves with old friends but I still wish we had done the other. What would have been best of course is if we could have done both; it having had been on different week-ends or some such. In church today I had two people come up to me and ask why we weren’t there and said they missed hearing me sing to the karaoke machine. One of them said that I was the best doing it last year. Like I said, I wish we could have done both!

emotional good-bye

Saturday, August, 16, 2008 Alexa, Gavin, Greg and Niki left today on a plane to go back to their home in Arizona. I think it was a blessing for Judy and me that we had them at our place first and that they left from Greg’s parent’s after a good long visit with them. That way it wasn’t such an emotional shock for us as it was for Lynn and Dave. They; Lynn especially were in tears even before Judy and I showed up to take the kids to the airport. At Niki’s discreet suggestion, Judy and I got back in and waited in the mini-van while they said their final goodbyes, though they followed them to the car and the emotional good-byes continued in the driveway. Judy and I held our composure which, I hope at least, made it easier on them to say good bye to us at the airport. It is not so traumatic for us as we can fly free whenever we wish and can drop in on them time to visit. For more on their visit see their blog listed to the right.

Kids at the pool

At 3:30 or so Corey and his family and Niki and her kids came over for a barbeque and visit. Greg came a little later after an appointment in Orem. Corey cooked hotdogs and hamburgers on the grill and Judy made the accoutrements. I had earlier boiled potatoes and eggs for potato salad. After dinner we adjourned to the pool. I think our nine-year-old grandson, Jayden must not have been feeling very well; at least he wasn’t later in the evening. After just a short time in the big pool, he went to the kiddy hot tub and was there until we all got out to go home. At one point Stacey went to check up on Jayden. When she said something to him, he made a motion with his head for her to go away and then made another head motion toward the cute little girl he was sitting next to and I guess having a conversation with. Stacey took the hint and left. She told the rest of us what had transpired and after a good giggle we decided not to go home for an extra fifteen minutes or so. When he and Corey were in the shower afterwards, Jayden said, “I was that close!” Interestingly enough just a short time before; the day before or so, he asked his parents when boys start having girlfriends. They responded, “In the third grade!” knowing he was going into the third grade starting next week. Later at home they talked to him about how the church says you should not date until age sixteen. Greg and Niki’s two-year-old Alexa is starting to feel comfortable in the pool. Before, she pretty much clung to her mom or dad. At the very end today she was jumping off the edge. Greg’s roughhousing with her helped her open up I think. Bailey made sure she got her share of roughhousing with Greg also. .

MURKY WATERS

I think I will start throwing in poems I have written...one or two...here and there 08/31/1995 So you think you are a poet? You can make two verses rhyme. You are giddy and you’re singing. And you’re happy all the time. You think you are a poet? You think the world is yours? You think the sun is shining, Through perpetually open doors? I’ll tell you something fellow, Before you’ve gone too far; Before you are committed, Before your soul you mar; Poetry is awful, It’s reflecting on the past, It’s peering in the future, It’s the storm before the mast. It is wading in new waters, They are murky and they’re black; And the tide will draw you under. And you’ll never more look back. It’s reliving your past failures. It’s hoping you are sane. Poetry is suffering, Poetry is pain..

Longing for the open places

Well here it is August 2008 and I haven’t written a poem for years. I have not felt inspired…just sitting here wishing I lived in or at least had a second home in West Yellowstone or Island Park or Brian Head or some such. I fear I will never be happy in “civilization” But what to do when the spouse you love is a “city” girl. Alas I keep praying for wealth enough to help the kids and have enough left over for a second home but I also pray, “Thy will be done!” Maybe happiness for me, in that sense is to be in the next life. I’m going to continue praying though.

Gavin's Blessing

Monday, August 11, 2008 Yesterday was our grandson Gavin’s blessing. His father Greg did the honors in Gavin’s other grandparent Chazen’s home. The Chazen’s bishop presided and afterwards told Greg that it was perhaps the best blessing he had ever heard. After the blessing we had a taco bar provided by the Chazens extended family then the youngsters played volleyball. Judy and I didn’t eat a lot. Tupo Falou’s homecoming was yesterday also and they had a luau type buffet at the clubhouse afterwards so we weren’t very hungry. We ate a little bit at each. Jim and his family came Saturday afternoon and stayed the night. They went back home last night. They took Sierra with them as Chris was leaving for Houston on a 6:00 a.m. flight meaning leaving here at 4:00. Suddenly it was so quiet here I broke down and turned on the TV. Shame on me. Corey and his family of course were at Chazen’s too.