Happiness is (two kinds of ice cream)

The other evening I attended a class where the instructor posed the thought, "Name a day when you were really happy". It got me to thinking about the state of happiness. I recall days and years of depression, sadness, and downright misery. Things have changed for me, and it isn't because life is smooth sailing.

For years my little mom tried to help me grasp the concept that Abraham Lincoln espoused, "A man is about as happy as he makes his mind up to be", or something along those lines. Well, I think I finally understand it. I can't wait around for someone or something or some circumstance to make me happy. I must do that myself.

Life is too short (and too long) to make an "I'll be happy when...." list, because that list is never completed. It just keeps getting longer. Don't get me wrong. I am sure my life is less than perfect in other people's eyes, but it's my life and I love it.

I love everything about it, even the hard stuff. I am grateful for every day I have on this beautiful sphere and for every opportunity to be with my kids, grand kids and friends. Hard days happen, but thankfully, I don't have to let my life be hard because of it.

So, the answer for me, "Name a day or time you were completely happy", yesterday, today, right now. I am truly happy.

Bedtime Stories

I am a bedtime story person. When I was young, I loved when my mother would read to me. When I was a little older, I loved reading my own book. During the summer I would hide a flashlight under the covers and read late into the night. I loved reading to my children just before bedtime. We read so many fun authors as they grew up.

As my eyes have changed during the years, it is less comfortable for me to read without a crisp, bright light, rendering my evening reading less enjoyable, therefore I have curtailed it.

Last year for my birthday, my darling family gave me an ipod. I have filled it with audio recordings of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings and many many movies. It has now become my ritual to watch a portion of a movie before I go to sleep.

It is a delicious feeling to snuggle down in bed and partake of adventures and comedies and dramas to settle me down from the day's toil. It is also my great delight that the source of this joy came from my beloved family. I actually feel as though my children are reading to me. My heart is full.

Today we have initiated the newest fudgepan licker generation. We made fudge and I am gratified that this new generation was as enthusiastic as the generation prior. It was a delightful experience for me and I can't wait to corrupt the others (Alex, Ryanne, Darien and Marius.)

A New Generation of Fudgepan lickers

Handcart Days in Bountiful

In younger days, this was an event we took the children to see, along with the parade which happens the evening before.

I was lucky enough to have Darien and Marius with me this time as we explored the various options at the Bountiful City Park.

My favorite parts were the actual pioneer activities which included carding wool and watching it be spun into yarn, the Indian flute demonstration by Nino Reyos who performed in the 2002 Olympic torch ceremonies, and the double man saw trial (completed expertly by the boys).

I think the boys like the ponies. However, there was a fiddler there who was letting the kids take a try at playing the fiddle. Both boys gave it a whirl. It was delightful.

When we were done, we were dehydrated, but had a good time.

As I look through the family photos, I have found a few of our "Dog of Blessed Memory", Choochi (formal name Duchess).

She was acquired by Tamara who stole her from an abusive situation. (Tenderheart Pab). For the first two years of her life she chewed everything and anything that came in her path; from tooth brush to hairbrush to mascara to my favorite little wooden stool made by Jeffrey in junior high wood shop, and everything in between.

When she turned two she suddenly became the most marvelous companion and friend to everyone in the house. We nearly didn't make it through her baby stage, but are so glad we did. She had a great sense of humor too, as witnessed by friends who told stories of her sneaking up and giving a loud and scary bark (in the dark), then walking away quite pleased at the reaction.

We only had her two more years, but they were great years. We were all devastated at her passing and mourn her still. She is, by far, my favorite dog of life.