What are the most memorable and treasured gifts you have received in your life?
The year my dad wrote a poem and hid the pieces to a trampoline was a favorite Christmas memory. It was so unlike my dad...I still don’t know if my mom put him up to it or if he did it all himself, but it was amazing. I knew that he went to a lot of trouble that year and I have always appreciated that—especially as I have gotten older.
My favorite gift I have given came in Christmas 1994 when Genius Golfer and I gave our parents a special gift...we wrapped up a tiny diaper and used a special poem to tell them that we were expecting Jill. They were surprised, but thrilled.
Sunday, December 24, 2017
Sunday, December 17, 2017
#52 Stories-Story #12
What different occasions do you celebrate each year?
We celebrate birthdays, Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter, 4th of July and Valentines day. When the kids were little we made a bigger deal out of the lesser holidays--but Genius Golfer and I still exchange little gifts on Valentines Day and our wedding anniversary.
We celebrate birthdays, Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter, 4th of July and Valentines day. When the kids were little we made a bigger deal out of the lesser holidays--but Genius Golfer and I still exchange little gifts on Valentines Day and our wedding anniversary.
Sunday, December 10, 2017
#52 Stories: Story # 11
Which of your childhood holiday traditions have you continued into adulthood?
This was a good question. I don’t think that I had many family holiday traditions. But I guess we still make and eat blueberry muffins on christas day. THat w as something I did as a child that always felt special for the holiday—though we also did that for General Confernece Sundays and we usually still do that too.
We still usually set up a Christmas tree. The kids each have a set of personal ornaments that they chose each year—that they will be able to take with them to their own homes when they are ready to have their own trees some day. I usually decorate with Christmas decorations and play Christmas music.
We exchange gifts. I make treats that we only have at Christmas time. I suggest something to give our neighbors. All that was done as I was a child too.
I remember my mom trying to give away the alcoholic gifts that their vendors at work, or even customers who didn’t know they were not drinker would give them—usually to the garbage man or the used oil guy that picked up their discarded oil. I have tried to remember those that serve our family—like the mail man and the garbage collector—even though Genius Golfer thinks I am crazy to do it. I usually just given them a box of Christmas goodies that I made so something, rather than alcoholic gifts, but they always seem surprised that anyone would think of them and that they “are just doing their job”.
All of the traditions that I say we “usually” do, I say usually because as the kids have grown up and are away for college in other places, it is harder to do the traditional things because it is just us at home for most of the holiday season and sometimes it seems like too much work. Maybe when the kids bring grandkids home to see us that might change, but for now we are the ‘less is more’ kind of holiday keepers.
This was a good question. I don’t think that I had many family holiday traditions. But I guess we still make and eat blueberry muffins on christas day. THat w as something I did as a child that always felt special for the holiday—though we also did that for General Confernece Sundays and we usually still do that too.
We still usually set up a Christmas tree. The kids each have a set of personal ornaments that they chose each year—that they will be able to take with them to their own homes when they are ready to have their own trees some day. I usually decorate with Christmas decorations and play Christmas music.
We exchange gifts. I make treats that we only have at Christmas time. I suggest something to give our neighbors. All that was done as I was a child too.
I remember my mom trying to give away the alcoholic gifts that their vendors at work, or even customers who didn’t know they were not drinker would give them—usually to the garbage man or the used oil guy that picked up their discarded oil. I have tried to remember those that serve our family—like the mail man and the garbage collector—even though Genius Golfer thinks I am crazy to do it. I usually just given them a box of Christmas goodies that I made so something, rather than alcoholic gifts, but they always seem surprised that anyone would think of them and that they “are just doing their job”.
All of the traditions that I say we “usually” do, I say usually because as the kids have grown up and are away for college in other places, it is harder to do the traditional things because it is just us at home for most of the holiday season and sometimes it seems like too much work. Maybe when the kids bring grandkids home to see us that might change, but for now we are the ‘less is more’ kind of holiday keepers.
Sunday, December 3, 2017
#52 Stories--Story #10
What were your favorite hobbies or pastimes in your childhood?
As a kid I rode my bike to the neighbors' and played with friends like Susan, Lisa, Tracy, sometimes Brenda and Lainey. From the time I was about 10 I participated in 4H and we did a lot of things there--I raised dairy goats with some of the same girls. We spent a lot of weekends each summer showing the goaties and ended the summer with a week at the country fair.
I jumped on the trampoline with my sister and cousins when they visited and I just spent time in the weed field around our house. I placed with my pets--Waldo, the wonder dog and the many cats we had over the years.
We always had chores to do but once we were done with those we were pretty free to do whatever we felt like. I remember making forts in the weeds with Susan, a close neighbor. We played Barbies together and had a very busy imagination world outside in the dirt and weeds.
Tracy's family raised golden Labrador retrievers and she and I would put on shows for the dogs pretending to be the Carpenters or Sonny & Cher-like shows. We would sing along to her tape deck into the hoses near the dogs' kennels.
Lisa and Lainey lived further up the street and their families had horses. I was never very comfortable on the horses, but they were sure beautiful and powerful and I wished I was good on them. They were a little scary to me still.
As I got older, I had friends in town like Julie and Jessica. We'd bring our bikes to town and ride all over the sidewalks of Gilroy. There were still Barbies to be played and imaginations to exercise.
We always had church things to do--Primary was held every Wednesday after school. We did that every week. I don't recall what kind of things were did, but it was a stable place with a lot of good friends that helped me feel right at home.
My grandparents moved in with us when I was about 7. I learned to drive Grandpa's electric wheelchair--he even provided a "driving test" for us to that we had to pass to get his "driver's license" he had made for us. While my gram was still healthier, she did things with us that helped us use our imagination in new ways. I remember her teaching me the basics of the right hand notes on her organ. I figured out how to play a few songs--just the right hand. She loved to play the organ and probably wanted to teach me more but I got busy doing other things and never finished lessons with her--or ever learned the left hand.
I gained an interest in photography through 4-H right away--I was 10 when my parents bought me a 35mm camera. After that I could entertain myself for hours with that camera--and the rolls of film I was always asking for. I loved the creativity I felt and I loved it when I got to work in the dark room under the direction of our 4H leader, Huck Hagenbuch.
I had a pretty idyllic childhood that way: lots of stuff to make up and do on our own.
As a kid I rode my bike to the neighbors' and played with friends like Susan, Lisa, Tracy, sometimes Brenda and Lainey. From the time I was about 10 I participated in 4H and we did a lot of things there--I raised dairy goats with some of the same girls. We spent a lot of weekends each summer showing the goaties and ended the summer with a week at the country fair.
I jumped on the trampoline with my sister and cousins when they visited and I just spent time in the weed field around our house. I placed with my pets--Waldo, the wonder dog and the many cats we had over the years.
We always had chores to do but once we were done with those we were pretty free to do whatever we felt like. I remember making forts in the weeds with Susan, a close neighbor. We played Barbies together and had a very busy imagination world outside in the dirt and weeds.
Tracy's family raised golden Labrador retrievers and she and I would put on shows for the dogs pretending to be the Carpenters or Sonny & Cher-like shows. We would sing along to her tape deck into the hoses near the dogs' kennels.
Lisa and Lainey lived further up the street and their families had horses. I was never very comfortable on the horses, but they were sure beautiful and powerful and I wished I was good on them. They were a little scary to me still.
As I got older, I had friends in town like Julie and Jessica. We'd bring our bikes to town and ride all over the sidewalks of Gilroy. There were still Barbies to be played and imaginations to exercise.
We always had church things to do--Primary was held every Wednesday after school. We did that every week. I don't recall what kind of things were did, but it was a stable place with a lot of good friends that helped me feel right at home.
My grandparents moved in with us when I was about 7. I learned to drive Grandpa's electric wheelchair--he even provided a "driving test" for us to that we had to pass to get his "driver's license" he had made for us. While my gram was still healthier, she did things with us that helped us use our imagination in new ways. I remember her teaching me the basics of the right hand notes on her organ. I figured out how to play a few songs--just the right hand. She loved to play the organ and probably wanted to teach me more but I got busy doing other things and never finished lessons with her--or ever learned the left hand.
I gained an interest in photography through 4-H right away--I was 10 when my parents bought me a 35mm camera. After that I could entertain myself for hours with that camera--and the rolls of film I was always asking for. I loved the creativity I felt and I loved it when I got to work in the dark room under the direction of our 4H leader, Huck Hagenbuch.
I had a pretty idyllic childhood that way: lots of stuff to make up and do on our own.
Sunday, November 26, 2017
#52 Stories--Story #9
What qualities in friends do you most admire?
I've been very lucky to have some wonderful friends in my life. And each of them have had wonderful qualities.
I love having an honest friend. Honesty is even better when they have tact and compassion with that honesty.
I love my friends to be loyal.
I love my friends to be good examples of integrity. Their values may not be exactly what mine are, but when they live with integrity to those values, my own desire to live up to my values increases too.
I love friends with a sense of humor--and even a dash of sarcasm and snark help.
I love helpful and cheerful friends.
I love friends with kindness built deep into their beings.
I love generous friends.
I love grateful friends.
I've been very lucky to have some wonderful friends in my life. And each of them have had wonderful qualities.
I love having an honest friend. Honesty is even better when they have tact and compassion with that honesty.
I love my friends to be loyal.
I love my friends to be good examples of integrity. Their values may not be exactly what mine are, but when they live with integrity to those values, my own desire to live up to my values increases too.
I love friends with a sense of humor--and even a dash of sarcasm and snark help.
I love helpful and cheerful friends.
I love friends with kindness built deep into their beings.
I love generous friends.
I love grateful friends.
Sunday, November 12, 2017
#52 Stories--Story # 8
In what ways do you sacrifice your time to volunteer in your community?
Most recently, I have taken a bit of a respite. But this year I hosted a neighborhood cottage meeting to offer information regarding a proposition that was on the ballot this past week. Prop 3 was poorly written and not responsible in the ways it demanded funding for road repair and upkeep. It would have cut funding--and essentially the availability of other city services including the library, pool, senior center, and Strawberry Days to name a few--to fund 20% of the general city budget directly and solely to roads.
I did spend 18 years as a volunteer at the kids' school with the PTA locally. I served as everything from a room mother to a carnival helper, to a book fair volunteer walking classes & kids up and back from the fair, to PTA president at each of the schools the kids attended--elementary, junior high and high school--to council president to the region board as a member representing our council.
I served as a the PTA rep on the School Community Council s at the Junior high and high school, and at the elementary as a SCC member. I served on a district level community committee about the Space Center. I sat on a text book selection committee at the Junior High.
In the community generally, I served for three years as a photographer for the Strawberry Days committee, where I attended EVERY event the week of Strawberry Days to record the events on film, and then used those photos for publicity for the following year.
I also served as a Swim Team mom for the summer Rec Team in the city. I mostly served as a the "Bull Pen" wrangler where we lined up the kids in the heats and lanes they were assigned and then kept them entertained while they had to sit and wait.
And there was a season where I sat on a community committee regarding our Public Safety Building proposal. That was a steep learning curve, but I sure appreciated all the tthe city management and safety personnel did with what they had in place. I am glad that two ballots later we finally passed a bond to fund a new PSB.
Community volunteerism is exhausting but super interesting as well. I have met wonderful people as I served--especially in PTA. I don't miss the hours I spent doing community service, but I do miss the friends I made in each branch of the community. It was total worth the effort and stress and worry.
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
#52 Stories--Story # 7
OK, I was out of town last week and this Sunday I just completely spaced writing--this is why you need to make journaling a HABIT. My bad.
What motto or creed do you live by?
I am not perfectly living it, but I certainly try to follow the Golden Rule: Do unto others what you'd have them do to you. That isn't a bad way to live your life, really. When you try to do this, I think you look for other's feelings to determine what or how you should proceed. Thinking of other people makes you a little more compassionate and thoughtful and when you approach the world with that line of thought, many more time than not, that is what you feel back from the world at large.
What motto or creed do you live by?
I am not perfectly living it, but I certainly try to follow the Golden Rule: Do unto others what you'd have them do to you. That isn't a bad way to live your life, really. When you try to do this, I think you look for other's feelings to determine what or how you should proceed. Thinking of other people makes you a little more compassionate and thoughtful and when you approach the world with that line of thought, many more time than not, that is what you feel back from the world at large.
Sunday, October 22, 2017
#52 Stories--Story # 6
What were the faith and religious traditions of your ancestors?
The only formal religious affiliation I know of it that my maternal grandmother and her family before her were Lutherans. The Finnish side of the family was baptized in the Lutheran church--in Frederick, South Dakota, it was the Savo Lutheran community. They worshiped in this church:
Even when I knew her, my grandmother--by this time living in Kelso, Washington was a religious person, and worshiped with friends in a local church in their town. Grandma Bernice was an avid pianist and more than once I remember her telling me that she had played the piano at their Bible study or women's meeting. Knowing her, I am sure her devotion to the faith community was as much a social one as it was a religious one.
My paternal side had no long standing affiliation but were Christians of one denomination or another. My paternal grandparents joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when my dad was 8 years --1950.
Upon their decision to marry, my parents attended both the local Lutheran and LDS congregations to see which they could get along together in as a family. I recall my dad telling me that there was no way he could have been a Lutheran as there was too much formality and recitation in their service. My mom, meanwhile, had a dear friend who had introduced her the LDS faith, and once my grandfather--her dad--allowed it when she turned 18, she was baptized into the LDS church. I don't believe she ever looked back.
I do love her little Lutheran Bible though. I remember being enchanted by the colored cover and the picture of Christ at the beginning of it. She primarily used the LDS scriptures in her personal and our family study, but I remember seeing it on occasion and loving that little book of scripture.
The only formal religious affiliation I know of it that my maternal grandmother and her family before her were Lutherans. The Finnish side of the family was baptized in the Lutheran church--in Frederick, South Dakota, it was the Savo Lutheran community. They worshiped in this church:
 |
| Salvo Community - Lutheran Church destroyed by tornado in 1921 |
Even when I knew her, my grandmother--by this time living in Kelso, Washington was a religious person, and worshiped with friends in a local church in their town. Grandma Bernice was an avid pianist and more than once I remember her telling me that she had played the piano at their Bible study or women's meeting. Knowing her, I am sure her devotion to the faith community was as much a social one as it was a religious one.
My paternal side had no long standing affiliation but were Christians of one denomination or another. My paternal grandparents joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when my dad was 8 years --1950.
Upon their decision to marry, my parents attended both the local Lutheran and LDS congregations to see which they could get along together in as a family. I recall my dad telling me that there was no way he could have been a Lutheran as there was too much formality and recitation in their service. My mom, meanwhile, had a dear friend who had introduced her the LDS faith, and once my grandfather--her dad--allowed it when she turned 18, she was baptized into the LDS church. I don't believe she ever looked back.
I do love her little Lutheran Bible though. I remember being enchanted by the colored cover and the picture of Christ at the beginning of it. She primarily used the LDS scriptures in her personal and our family study, but I remember seeing it on occasion and loving that little book of scripture.
Sunday, October 15, 2017
#52 Stories--Story #5
What personal values do I hold most dear?
There are many that mean a great deal to me. However, my most dearly held personal values would include FAMILY, INTEGRITY, and DOING MY BEST.
FAMILY is vital and of eternal worth, as that is the most important set of relationships we can develop. I have responsibility to forge bonds with my parents, and sister and her family. I have duty to create a bond with my husband and children and their eventual families. Ultimately, we are bonding our family links from ancestors to descendants through temple work and ordinances offered there. Eventually we will have the chance to build that bond directly all the way back to the beginning and have those same relationships with our Heavenly parents. That will be the greatest worth and most cherished blessing from family.
INTEGRITY because I'd love to be recognized for being honest and staying true to what I say I will do. There is strength that comes from doing what is right, no matter who is watching, and I'd love to have that kind of reputation. For my word to be good enough for others to believe and count on would be a good marker of my character.
DOING MY BEST is important as I am not perfect in my behavior, but I try each day to be a little better, and do a little better. I hope other people would give me the benefit of the doubt when I do mess something up--thinking that I would not do something purposefully to hurt another person. DOING MY BEST is an attitude of continuing to try, of never giving up, of enduring to the end. The Lord has asked that much of me. And so long as I am trying to do my best, I can count myself in alignment with Him.
There are many that mean a great deal to me. However, my most dearly held personal values would include FAMILY, INTEGRITY, and DOING MY BEST.
FAMILY is vital and of eternal worth, as that is the most important set of relationships we can develop. I have responsibility to forge bonds with my parents, and sister and her family. I have duty to create a bond with my husband and children and their eventual families. Ultimately, we are bonding our family links from ancestors to descendants through temple work and ordinances offered there. Eventually we will have the chance to build that bond directly all the way back to the beginning and have those same relationships with our Heavenly parents. That will be the greatest worth and most cherished blessing from family.
INTEGRITY because I'd love to be recognized for being honest and staying true to what I say I will do. There is strength that comes from doing what is right, no matter who is watching, and I'd love to have that kind of reputation. For my word to be good enough for others to believe and count on would be a good marker of my character.
DOING MY BEST is important as I am not perfect in my behavior, but I try each day to be a little better, and do a little better. I hope other people would give me the benefit of the doubt when I do mess something up--thinking that I would not do something purposefully to hurt another person. DOING MY BEST is an attitude of continuing to try, of never giving up, of enduring to the end. The Lord has asked that much of me. And so long as I am trying to do my best, I can count myself in alignment with Him.
Sunday, October 8, 2017
#52 Stories--Story #4
If you had to pinpoint 3 main values that your parents tried to instill in you, what would they be?
There are many values my parents tried to instill in me--some more successfully than other, I'm sure--but if I had to narrow the focus to only three I think I would include: hard work, responsibility, and honesty.
HARD WORK
More time than I care to remember my mom would quote the old TV character, Maynard G Krebs, "WORK?!" Like that was a four lettered word to us. By doing this she was reiterating, gently, that we needed to learn to like working--or at the least appreciate the outcome working hard can bring.
My parents are two of the hardest working people I know. They very rarely slow down, and even the idea of "relaxing" tot hem is just work in another form.
While my dad worked for Snap On Tools while I was a little girl, first as a dealer then slowly into middle management that I really don't think he liked much, he worked hard, long hours and sometimes in grueling situations. Not everyone gets along with their boss, I knew that, but dad kept at it. Some bosses were easier to work with than others. Midway through my high school career my dad took a financial risk, and bought a local automotive shop in town. Long hours really came with this venture. And mom was right there with him. They made the shop successful together and with combined effort, toil, blood, sweat and tears, I'm very sure.
My mom was always working. Housework, yard work, gardening, canning, caring for my grandparents, getting my sister and I to and from our activities, participating with us in those activities, and working in her callings over the years. The only thing I even remember her doing for herself was a painting class when I was young. She took an oil painting class--she was really quite good at it too--but she worked at that too. Then she used the paintings she created as Christmas or birthday gifts for family and friends.
When dad wasn't working, he was still working at the house. He has always has a project--a race car, a vehicle restoration, a side job--going on at the shop at home. He helped my mom with stuff around the house too. Building or dismantling, repairing or reinforcing or improving. He used his skills to help us--building chicken coops or goat houses or sheep barns or rabbit hutches. He repaired fences, water pumps, drainage issues, driveways, swimming pool filters & heaters. There was always something that needed repair, and he figured out a way to do it.
They passed that work ethic to us. I got my first job when I was only 15. I worked the summer I turned 15 as a lifeguard/babysitter for the local Goldsmith Seed company for the employee's kids for the summer. I couldn't drive myself there yet, but they made sure I was there ready to work every day. I knew what was expected of me and I learned to find pleasure in a job well done. When I was 16 and could get a "real" job I applied to work at the fabric store in town, Beverly's Fabrics. I quickly was left to close up on weekends and I knew my manager counted on me to do a full shift's work.
RESPONSIBILITY
The hard work spills into this value too. Once, while I was working at Beverly's, I was scheduled to go into work on a Saturday about 2pm. But I had gone with friends to the beach that day. I "called in sick" to Marilyn, my manager, from a pay phone somewhere in Watsonville. I am pretty sure she could tell that I was probably faking--and just didn't want to work that day. She said nothing about and told me to feel better. I stayed at the beach with friends. Later, mom found out. They always do--who was I kidding?!? I certainly heard about the disappointment I caused and the lack of trust I displayed and the disappointment, did I mention that?
OK, lesson learned. Be responsible.
HONESTY
Telling a lie, not living up to your word, breaking a promise--these are all things I was taught early and often to avoid. My parents' word is their bond. A handshake from them was a solid as a contract. Telling the truth was imperative. I always knew I could trust my parents. I saw that trust in action as they worked with people, as they ran their business, and they dealt with our family and friends. In fact, my mom wasn't ever even very good at tricks or surprises a lot of time if it meant that she had to tell us something other than the full truth and nothing but the truth. Once in a while she could pull that off, but not very much. I love that about her. I always know she is telling me the truth and I always know I can trust her.
These three values all work together in a world where worth ethic has vaporized, responsibility is shirked as often as possible and honesty is hardly ever heard, to quote Billy Joel. My parents taught me these as much with their examples and behaviors as they did with their words. For that I will always be grateful.
There are many values my parents tried to instill in me--some more successfully than other, I'm sure--but if I had to narrow the focus to only three I think I would include: hard work, responsibility, and honesty.
HARD WORK
More time than I care to remember my mom would quote the old TV character, Maynard G Krebs, "WORK?!" Like that was a four lettered word to us. By doing this she was reiterating, gently, that we needed to learn to like working--or at the least appreciate the outcome working hard can bring.
My parents are two of the hardest working people I know. They very rarely slow down, and even the idea of "relaxing" tot hem is just work in another form.
While my dad worked for Snap On Tools while I was a little girl, first as a dealer then slowly into middle management that I really don't think he liked much, he worked hard, long hours and sometimes in grueling situations. Not everyone gets along with their boss, I knew that, but dad kept at it. Some bosses were easier to work with than others. Midway through my high school career my dad took a financial risk, and bought a local automotive shop in town. Long hours really came with this venture. And mom was right there with him. They made the shop successful together and with combined effort, toil, blood, sweat and tears, I'm very sure.
My mom was always working. Housework, yard work, gardening, canning, caring for my grandparents, getting my sister and I to and from our activities, participating with us in those activities, and working in her callings over the years. The only thing I even remember her doing for herself was a painting class when I was young. She took an oil painting class--she was really quite good at it too--but she worked at that too. Then she used the paintings she created as Christmas or birthday gifts for family and friends.
When dad wasn't working, he was still working at the house. He has always has a project--a race car, a vehicle restoration, a side job--going on at the shop at home. He helped my mom with stuff around the house too. Building or dismantling, repairing or reinforcing or improving. He used his skills to help us--building chicken coops or goat houses or sheep barns or rabbit hutches. He repaired fences, water pumps, drainage issues, driveways, swimming pool filters & heaters. There was always something that needed repair, and he figured out a way to do it.
They passed that work ethic to us. I got my first job when I was only 15. I worked the summer I turned 15 as a lifeguard/babysitter for the local Goldsmith Seed company for the employee's kids for the summer. I couldn't drive myself there yet, but they made sure I was there ready to work every day. I knew what was expected of me and I learned to find pleasure in a job well done. When I was 16 and could get a "real" job I applied to work at the fabric store in town, Beverly's Fabrics. I quickly was left to close up on weekends and I knew my manager counted on me to do a full shift's work.
RESPONSIBILITY
The hard work spills into this value too. Once, while I was working at Beverly's, I was scheduled to go into work on a Saturday about 2pm. But I had gone with friends to the beach that day. I "called in sick" to Marilyn, my manager, from a pay phone somewhere in Watsonville. I am pretty sure she could tell that I was probably faking--and just didn't want to work that day. She said nothing about and told me to feel better. I stayed at the beach with friends. Later, mom found out. They always do--who was I kidding?!? I certainly heard about the disappointment I caused and the lack of trust I displayed and the disappointment, did I mention that?
OK, lesson learned. Be responsible.
HONESTY
Telling a lie, not living up to your word, breaking a promise--these are all things I was taught early and often to avoid. My parents' word is their bond. A handshake from them was a solid as a contract. Telling the truth was imperative. I always knew I could trust my parents. I saw that trust in action as they worked with people, as they ran their business, and they dealt with our family and friends. In fact, my mom wasn't ever even very good at tricks or surprises a lot of time if it meant that she had to tell us something other than the full truth and nothing but the truth. Once in a while she could pull that off, but not very much. I love that about her. I always know she is telling me the truth and I always know I can trust her.
These three values all work together in a world where worth ethic has vaporized, responsibility is shirked as often as possible and honesty is hardly ever heard, to quote Billy Joel. My parents taught me these as much with their examples and behaviors as they did with their words. For that I will always be grateful.
Sunday, October 1, 2017
#52 Stories--Story #3
What extracurricular activities did you get involved in?
While I was a kid in elementary school I participated in 4H at our local neighborhood club called Sunset 4H. A lot of neighbor kids were in the club too. I tried gardening (Mr. Scariot was our local gardening leader), photography (Huck Hagenbuch was our leader), Foods (I don't remember the leader but my one foods competition at the country fair I did Lemon Squares, I remember that much.) I tried cake decorating, floral design, and sewing. None of those really stuck. I did participate with Dairy Goats tough and I LOVED that.
I got my first goats when I was about 10: Klara (an black and white Alpine) and Surprise (a LaMancha--they have minimal external ears--she looked like camel.) MaryLou Rawitser was our goats leader. We learned how to care fro them and to shop them from the time there were just little things and still ate from a bottle until they were at least a year old and were sent back to the dairy to get a little bigger and be bred. It was a great situation for us as we fostered the goaties as babies which helped the dairy, then returned them to the dairy when they were old enough to get about being milkers. The baby goats have personalities like puppies--only smarter. They are AWESOME! We'd show them all summer long and then live at the country fair in San Jose for about a week with the goats. So. Much. Fun!
In junior high I also tried Girls Basketball and then Track & Field. I was left handed but that was the only advantage I had in basketball. I was pretty uncoordinated and really never like running. For Track, I really enjoyed high jumping and the discus and shot put. Probably becuase at hte junior leevl there isn't much running at all.
In junior high I was part of the student government. My role wasn't an elected one though--it was the faculty selection that partnered with the student elected leaders. I was the Student Senate president--or some such title. I suppose I was pretty responsible and dependable. I had had some leadership experience in 4H and then throughout Young Women at church. I just recall I got to call and book the DJs for the school dances each month or so. Who lets a 13 year old do that?!
A little in junior high and then again in high school, at least my senior year, I was on the yearbook staff. I had photography experience and could write fairly well. That was a fun time too!
I started a love affair with live theater in high school as a 4 year member of the Mime Troupe. A group of kids across all four years that learned pantomime sketches and did some improv too! I love the improv stuff. We performed for the school, at elementary schools, local city celebrations and county fairs and once a year at the Shriners' Children's hospital in San Francisco. That was always a good time. I made great friends and learned a LOT! I learned about auditions and along with the drama classes I took from Mr. Maya, the drama teacher, I learned to love performing and making people laugh. Again, I had opportunities for leadership here too as I eventually served as Mime Troupe president.
Eventually I did stage management for other plays and eventually acted in some and as a senior, had a leading role in the Senior Play and then directed the student directed Spring show that year with my friend, Darin Carter.
Because I had room in my schedule my senior year I also tried out for the brand spanking new Chamber Choir--which I made mostly due to the flexibility of my schedule than for my talent. I learned so much from Mr. Robb, the director, and made terrific memories and friends.
While I was a kid in elementary school I participated in 4H at our local neighborhood club called Sunset 4H. A lot of neighbor kids were in the club too. I tried gardening (Mr. Scariot was our local gardening leader), photography (Huck Hagenbuch was our leader), Foods (I don't remember the leader but my one foods competition at the country fair I did Lemon Squares, I remember that much.) I tried cake decorating, floral design, and sewing. None of those really stuck. I did participate with Dairy Goats tough and I LOVED that.
I got my first goats when I was about 10: Klara (an black and white Alpine) and Surprise (a LaMancha--they have minimal external ears--she looked like camel.) MaryLou Rawitser was our goats leader. We learned how to care fro them and to shop them from the time there were just little things and still ate from a bottle until they were at least a year old and were sent back to the dairy to get a little bigger and be bred. It was a great situation for us as we fostered the goaties as babies which helped the dairy, then returned them to the dairy when they were old enough to get about being milkers. The baby goats have personalities like puppies--only smarter. They are AWESOME! We'd show them all summer long and then live at the country fair in San Jose for about a week with the goats. So. Much. Fun!
In junior high I also tried Girls Basketball and then Track & Field. I was left handed but that was the only advantage I had in basketball. I was pretty uncoordinated and really never like running. For Track, I really enjoyed high jumping and the discus and shot put. Probably becuase at hte junior leevl there isn't much running at all.
In junior high I was part of the student government. My role wasn't an elected one though--it was the faculty selection that partnered with the student elected leaders. I was the Student Senate president--or some such title. I suppose I was pretty responsible and dependable. I had had some leadership experience in 4H and then throughout Young Women at church. I just recall I got to call and book the DJs for the school dances each month or so. Who lets a 13 year old do that?!
A little in junior high and then again in high school, at least my senior year, I was on the yearbook staff. I had photography experience and could write fairly well. That was a fun time too!
I started a love affair with live theater in high school as a 4 year member of the Mime Troupe. A group of kids across all four years that learned pantomime sketches and did some improv too! I love the improv stuff. We performed for the school, at elementary schools, local city celebrations and county fairs and once a year at the Shriners' Children's hospital in San Francisco. That was always a good time. I made great friends and learned a LOT! I learned about auditions and along with the drama classes I took from Mr. Maya, the drama teacher, I learned to love performing and making people laugh. Again, I had opportunities for leadership here too as I eventually served as Mime Troupe president.
Eventually I did stage management for other plays and eventually acted in some and as a senior, had a leading role in the Senior Play and then directed the student directed Spring show that year with my friend, Darin Carter.
Because I had room in my schedule my senior year I also tried out for the brand spanking new Chamber Choir--which I made mostly due to the flexibility of my schedule than for my talent. I learned so much from Mr. Robb, the director, and made terrific memories and friends.
Sunday, September 24, 2017
London: Day 4--mostly photos, again
Day 4 in London was Nirvana, as sure as I could tell. The girls and I took a double-decker bus to the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio Tour in Leavesden Studios about a an hour outside of London. It was worth every galleon I paid--for all of it. Gorgeous! And I was so moved by the thought that this set of films--and books--encompasses my kids' childhoods. I was a weepy mess at some points!
#52 Stories--Story # 2
What subjects did you excel at in school? Which were hardest for you?
I was pretty lucky as most subjects in school came fairly easily to me. I was a good student and I liked doing well in school. I kept out of trouble with teachers and had friends in every grade. My favorite subjects were history and English--most of the time.
As a junior in American Lit, we had to read Billy Budd by Herman Melville. I hated that book. I don't even recall the storyline now. But that was the first class I remember NOT liking English. But even with that class, I did like some of the other books we were assigned. The older I got the more I enjoyed the literature and writing that was required.
I ended up finishing a bachelor's degree in History and I did love most of all the classes I got to take within the major. I loved American history the most, with a special fascination with 19th century American History. Even now, when I read for fun, I seem to always ended up back with British literature that is either written in or set in the 19th century--think, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. And I still love the civil war period of time in the US. I read quite a few biographies and even those end up being about people from that time period--post Revolutionary War to the 20th century.
The classes and subjects that I had a harder time with in school tended to be classes that were more subjective--art, especially. I loved drama, however, as it is closely related to English and literature. But I never was very artistic and struggled to draw, paint, sculpt or anything else that I had to create for myself. I enjoyed photography, though and saw that as a creative outlet. And as a senior in high school I sang in two periods of choir--but more because I can follow a leader and had room in my schedule than for my prodigious talent.
I did fairly well in math until my junior year of HS when I had trigonometry. Mr. Duke was my teacher then and I remember one assignment asked us to use the angles and whatever to figure out the height of the light poles that held the lights that illuminated the football field. I saw no reason to "do the math" but instead questions Mr. Duke why someone hadn't thought to measure the poles before they were installed on the football field. He was NOT amused. When he couldn't given me a reasonable answer, I quit thinking math was that important.
In college my major required either a single semester of statistics OR 4 semesters of a foreign language. I signed up for the stats class and made it through the first day when I immediately went and dropped the stats class and enrolled in the first of several Spanish classes I would eventually.
I was pretty lucky as most subjects in school came fairly easily to me. I was a good student and I liked doing well in school. I kept out of trouble with teachers and had friends in every grade. My favorite subjects were history and English--most of the time.
As a junior in American Lit, we had to read Billy Budd by Herman Melville. I hated that book. I don't even recall the storyline now. But that was the first class I remember NOT liking English. But even with that class, I did like some of the other books we were assigned. The older I got the more I enjoyed the literature and writing that was required.
I ended up finishing a bachelor's degree in History and I did love most of all the classes I got to take within the major. I loved American history the most, with a special fascination with 19th century American History. Even now, when I read for fun, I seem to always ended up back with British literature that is either written in or set in the 19th century--think, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. And I still love the civil war period of time in the US. I read quite a few biographies and even those end up being about people from that time period--post Revolutionary War to the 20th century.
The classes and subjects that I had a harder time with in school tended to be classes that were more subjective--art, especially. I loved drama, however, as it is closely related to English and literature. But I never was very artistic and struggled to draw, paint, sculpt or anything else that I had to create for myself. I enjoyed photography, though and saw that as a creative outlet. And as a senior in high school I sang in two periods of choir--but more because I can follow a leader and had room in my schedule than for my prodigious talent.
I did fairly well in math until my junior year of HS when I had trigonometry. Mr. Duke was my teacher then and I remember one assignment asked us to use the angles and whatever to figure out the height of the light poles that held the lights that illuminated the football field. I saw no reason to "do the math" but instead questions Mr. Duke why someone hadn't thought to measure the poles before they were installed on the football field. He was NOT amused. When he couldn't given me a reasonable answer, I quit thinking math was that important.
In college my major required either a single semester of statistics OR 4 semesters of a foreign language. I signed up for the stats class and made it through the first day when I immediately went and dropped the stats class and enrolled in the first of several Spanish classes I would eventually.
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
London: Day 3 (Summer 2016)...Yes. I'm Backdating
Day 3 in London included Kensington Palace (having just seen Will and Kate drive past us on the street as we walked there); high tea at the Orangery on the Kensignton grounds--deLISH! A quickish walk through the park to see the Albert Memorial and the Diana Memorial, then the from Paddington Station (yes, THAT Paddington) by train (where Shauna met some darling British business men, in insurance, they told me, and she was offered a job after a long complex conversation about "Brexit" vs. US presidential politics) to Windsor where we saw the entire group of Royals--from across the green--getting into cards to head to Ascot for the day as well as Steve Young (Yes, THAT Steve Young) with his family touring the Windsor grounds. a quick bite in the Horse and Groom for fish n' chips--another pub to check off my list--and another train trip into the city. Then we topped the day off with a ride down the Thames on a water taxi where we saw the London Bridge in the most beautiful light.
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