Friday, December 28, 2012

Christmas At My House



One of the absolutely wonderful things about Christmas is that for a few days I have all of my Family under one roof. At Christmas we go out and buy our own gifts and wrap them. The fun is watching each other open our gifts and see what each other bought. For fun we write on the gifts of a family member who "gave" us that gift. It us most fun watching the grandchildren open their gifts. Sean is as wired as he Can be and is excited for each gift. We then have a really wonderful dinner with many traditions. One of my favorite dishes is Pomegranate salad that Kristine makes. Then the family plays a game of Shanghai Rummy which is very loud and boisterous. I politely excuse myself from this game because to me it is annoying and tedious. The rest of the family really enjoys playing the game. I had a good Christmas and enjoyed the interaction with my family.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

I Dreamed A Dream



One of the most enjoyable experiences of my life was to go with my Family to see Les Miserables live in the Capitol Theatre. I loved it and have seen it several times since. Last night I went with my girls to see the new movie version. It was perfect.The Actors were phenomenal and each one fit the character the portrayed. The scenery was outstanding and the sets were spectacular. My all time favorite song is, "Empty Chairs and Empty Tables," and it was performed so well I had tears. I loved this movie so much that I am going to go back and see it this evening.

I went last night to see the movie again and it was twice as good. I paid attention to the scenes and the costumes. There are some Academy Awards here for sure. At the end of the movie, the both times I saw it the audience clapped, The final scene and song gave me goose bumps. I highly recommend this movie. I believe I would see it again, and I will definitely have a copy in the future.


So I went and saw this Movie for a third time ans it is still emotional and full of feeling. I have never done that before. I will probably go and see it again but not for a day or two. I can't  get the songs out of my head. I use them to sing myself to sleep.


Yes, I did see it for the fourth time. I was very tired and I slept through parts of it, but it was still very entertaining. I thought an interesting touch was that Colm Wilkinson who played the original Jon Valjon, played the priest. I have heard a lot of criticism of Russel Crowe, but I thought he did an excellent job. He just kept getting better. Amanda Siegfried got better with each showing to. Marius was outstanding. In his singing and his acting.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Wilson


I Hate To Tell You How Often This Happens.

 
 
I am deaf in one ear and can't hear out of the other, My wife talks in the softest voice, I say "What" and she replies in the softest voice, so finally I agree. I lay awake at night and worry about what I missed, and what I agreed to during the day.

Really?


Bless the little Children and their Teachers.


I was truly saddened by the shooting of the students this week. It is a tragedy beyond understanding. I send the Hope to those mourning that I believe sincerely that you will have the opportunity to be with your children again and that you will be able to raise them. At the moment they are truly Angels and are enfolded in the arms of Jesus, and they have touched the face of God

Christmas

 
 
I wish the Christmas spirit which we have at this time of the year, would linger in our hearts for the rest of the year.

Friday, December 7, 2012

The Cellist

 

 Marilyn and Her Cello Teacher Jamilynn at her Cello Recital.
 
 
My Daughter Marilyn who is thirty-something has had a dream of playing the Cello. One day she decided she was going to do it. She got a Cello, and went and found an excellent teacher and began her dream. Last night she gave her first recital with the assistance of her Teacher. She has only been taking the lessons seven or eight months Although very nervous, she did an excellent job. I believe this shows that it is never too late to take hold of a dream. Her Mother and I are very proud of her. She has great support because half of the audience was there to see her.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Huh??

 
 
 
Have you ever wondered what Mount Rushmore looked like from the Canadian side?

Another Happy Tuesday



Mrs Cossa in the classroom.

Every Tuesday I help with a sixth grade class. This week Mrs. Cossa said she would like me to come all day, because she had a project that needed two adults. First I told her thanks for considering me an adult, and I would love to be there. The project was a Math lesson. We made Play-Doh and had to make half a batch. The lesson was they had to figure out in fractions what the new recipe would be. Now you think making Play-Doh with sixth graders would be boring for them, but surprisingly we had a lot of fun and they liked the project. I also did some chores for Mrs. Cossa like making the word Noel in die cuts for a future project. I was requested by the students to help them in spelling and then graded their papers. I also washed all the bowls and utensils used in the Play-Doh project. Mrs. Cossa's husband is from Africa and she spent a month there on vacation. She showed some wonderful pictures, showing the Kids how they lived in small villages. I hope the Kids realize from this how good we have it here. Virginia taught school for 33 years and I hardly remember an evening at home where she didn't have schoolwork to do. My goal with Mrs. Cossa is to do as much of her busy work as I can and allow her to enjoy her family in the evening. It is a wonderful day for me and I love the Students.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

The Boys



These two beautiful creatures are my dogs Red and Rusty. Red is a Cavalier Spaniel, and Rusty is a Cocker Spaniel. Truly, these dogs are very special. They are part of Virginia's and my life the we wouldn't know what to do without. They are both very loving and gentle. They have become very bonded, and it is sad when we separate them for any reason. They cry and are very sad until they are together again. I got Red because of a very  fortunate meeting. I was walking across a parking lot and there was a girl walking this cute dog. I noticed that the dog was living in her truck. When I got into the building we happened the get on the elevator together. I mentioned to her what a cute dog he was. As she was getting off the elevator she mentioned that she had to find a good home for him because she was going through a divorce. I quickly jumped off the elevator and said "Here I Am." I told her he would have a loving home and that he would be well taken care of. After a few days she deemed that I was to have him. When she gave him to me she said, "Do you believe in fate." She was very worried about him and I was the answer to her prayers. My wife Virginia did not want another dog, but it was love at first sight and now they are best friends. Rusty came to us because my Daughter Marilyn wanted to get a dog. She was going through a bad time and wanted a dog that was hers. Virginia and I were not thrilled about the idea but joined in because we knew Marilyn needed something to take care of. She found an ad in the newspaper and wanted to go and get this dog that was for sale. We went and found that the dog was living in a crate because the owners had moved home with her mother and the home was very fancy and they did not want a dog running around. It was love at first sight for both Marilyn and I, so we purchased him and brought him home. His name was "Estelle" which we thought strange for a male dog so we changed his name to "Rusty" because of his coloring  and it went with "Red". He is now a joy in our family, and a best buddy to Red. Rusty is "Marilyn's" dog, but Virginia and I are very close to him. We have a Motor Home and they both love to go on vacation. We consider ourselves very blessed that they are both a part of our family.

Monday, December 3, 2012

The REAL Duke of Earl


I called my blog the Duke of Earl because of this song. When I wore a younger man's clothes it was a number one hit. It seemed every where I went in high school the chant of Duke...Duke... Duke would follow me. I kind of liked it because it was some attention. For awhile my nickname became Duke. After the song lost popularity it went away. But a funny thing happened in my older years, my co-workers started the chant again and it felt good. There were several artists who covered the song, but to me Gene Chandler will always be "The Duke of Earl."

Sunday, December 2, 2012

The Lovely Viviene

This little cutie pie is Viviene the Daughter of my niece Allison. This is a good picture as she is full of vinegar. She has personality oozing from every pore. I like here very much, and I wish she lived closer.

Friday, November 30, 2012

Canadians are Unique


An Avid Festival of The Trees 2012

My Daughter Phaedra, is an English Teacher at Hunter High School. She is responsible for a program referred to as AVID. This is a program to help, and find scholarships for students and to prepare them for College. A wonderful program with wonderful events. Each year these students are given the opportunity to Volunteer for  several  great causes. A learning experience for them, and a great help to the community. Yesterday they went to The Festival of The Trees. This event allows people to decorate trees and put them up for auction. The proceeds go to the Primary Children's Hospital a wonderful place dedicated to the healing of Children regardless of their financial situation. Many of the Trees are dedicated to young children who have passed away. All of the trees are heartfelt, beautiful and some heart wrenching, bringing you to tears. The students are given an assignment to monitor a group of trees, protecting them and to answer questions about them. This lasts for a three hour period. It is hard to stand there for three hours, so I truly admire there dedication to do this every year. I have been fortunate to be able to go with them twice. They are the greatest group of young men and women, and I am very proud to be associated with them. They all were dressed very well and the young men were handsome and the young ladies very beautiful. The beauty also radiated from the inside. A wonderful experience for me and I will always answer the call if they need me



 
These are a few of the Avid Student volunteers. Are'nt they a good looking group?
 
 




The Santa Volunteers thought I was coming to replace their Santa and were nervous that I did not have on a Santa's Suit. We straightened out who I was and they encouraged me to volunteer, which I am going to do next year.
 


 I have a long white beard, and long white hair. As I walked around the festival, it was wonderful for me to see the excitement in the little children's face's as they thought I was Santa Claus. I was stopped many times and talked to kids to the delight of their parents. I was so inspired by this, and at the encouragement of the Festival organizers, I am going to volunteer next year to participate.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Happy Tuesday

Mrs. Cossa
Tuesday is a happy day for me because I get to go and spend the afternoon with a class of sixth grade students. I like them all very much. I love the Teacher, Mrs. Cossa. It is fun to watch her deal with these kids and to attempt to keep them under control. They are wired after Thanksgiving Holiday. They are basically a great group of kids, but they are 12 years old and they have their moments. I help Mrs.Cossa with her busy work, cutting and copying. I help the students with their reading program and with their spelling. I also take individual students and have them read out loud to me. I try to encourage them that reading is very important in their lives. They can pretty much go where ever the minds can take them with reading.So all in all Tuesday is a special day to me. I should add that my Grand daughter Tashena is also in this class. Sometimes it proves awkward. Today for instance, I have long unruly hair. Tashena today said, "Grandpa, did you even make an attempt to comb your hair today?" All kinds of giggles around the classroom.I love it.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Irony

I am A Canadian and I love the game of Hockey. At the present time the owners and the players are in a lockout and there is a chance there will be no Hockey this year. The owners want more money, so this picture interested me. Mario Lemieux is the owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins. This is Mario's 20 Million dollar home he just moved into in a ski resort in Quebec. I can now see why the owners need more Money. 

Saturday, November 24, 2012

In Flander's Fields


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Lincoln Enigma

This Monument has always been an Enigma to me. Why would the State of Wyoming build a Monument to Lincoln? This Monument is just East of Laramie Wyo. on I-80. It also serves as a rest stop and a visitors center. Today I got my answer. The Monument was carved by Robert Rusin a University of Wyoming art professor. It was commissioned to honor Lincoln on the 150th anniversary of his birth. It was originally placed at the Highest point in Wyo., but when I-80 was built it was moved to it's present location. The ashes of Robert Rusin were interred in a special hollowed out niche in the Monument. I have passed this Monument many times and now I can pass it and know it's purpose.

O CANADA

 
The Maple Leaf the official Flag of Canada since 1966 
 
 
 
 
 The Union Jack the Official Flag of Great Britain since 1606
 
 
 
The Canadian Flag prior to 1966 
 
 
The Canadians truly love there flag, you will see it everywhere in Canada. Prior to 1966, Canada was a British Commonwealth Country. Our Flag at that time reflects our allegiance to Great Britain. In 1776 The United States was also a British Commonwealth Country. You guys beat them up and sent them home and created the USA. We waited 200 years and then asked them nicely and they said okay. My Grandfather was a Scot and a died in the wool member of the British Empire. He was very upset when we adopted the Maple Leaf as our National Flag. Lester Pearson was the Prime Minister at the time so Grandpa forever called the Flag, "Pearson's Snot Rag." We still are a Commonwealth Country, but we decide our own destiny. The Queen nominates a Governor General who is Representative for her but has no authority.I am still a Canadian Citizen although I have lived in the USA for 35 years, I am grateful for my heritage and very proud of it.


Friday, November 23, 2012

The Life of PI

Yesterday I saw the movie, Life of PI. If I could use only one word to describe this movie, it would be beautiful. It is the story of a young boy from India. His father has a zoo, and due to economic hardships they decide to move to Canada and take the Zoo animals with them in the hopes of selling them. Traveling across the Pacific on a Japanese Freighter, they encounter a terrible storm and the Freighter sinks, with the boy being the only survivor. His is in a lifeboat with an injured Zebra, a Hyena, a Baboon, and an unexpected Bengal Tiger who is a stowaway. Through natural selection the Boy and the Tiger end up alone on the lifeboat. The story tells of the battle between them, and then a truce for survival, and then friendship. It is a beautiful story, well filmed, and well acted. There is a point that brought me to tears. The end has a twist that will make you think about the story. A must see, and I loved it.

Lincoln The Emancipator

I am not a movie critic by any means, but I wanted to share my experience with the movie Lincoln. This is going to be, hands down, the Oscar winner for best picture. The star, Daniel Day-Lewis will, hands down, will win the Oscar for Best Actor. And there will be various other Oscars for this Movie. The movie is about the three months leading up to the passing of the 13th Amendment. The Law that gave Freedom to the Slaves. It also shows how the end of the Civil war came about after the Amendment was passed.  Day-Lewis channels Lincoln to the point where you believe you are watching a documentary. You know what is going to happen but the excitement builds to the passing and you actually want to stand up and cheer. There are a few movies that I have seen where the audience actually applauds at the end and this was one of them. I would highly recommend this movie and I will probably go see it again.

PERSONAL POLITICAL OPINION......Read at your own risk.

I find it ironic that the Republicans passed this bill with the help of a few bribed Democrats. And yet the Black population is entrenched in the Democratic party today.
Sorry, I just couldn't resist this.


Thursday, November 22, 2012

Abravenal Hall

This is the beautiful Abravanel Hall in downtown Salt lake City. It is the home of the Utah Symphony which I have enjoyed many times. I have heard in concert, Mandy Patimkin of Princess Bride fame. He is a very fine singer and loves to sing tunes from Ira Gershwin. I have seen Anne Murray a fellow Canadian who I enjoyed very much. Recently I saw Amy Grant there, and it was a fun night as she sang songs yelled out from the audience. My family always plays her Christmas albums as we lead up to Christmas Day. One of my favorite songs is "Midnight" from Cats and I had the priveledge of hearing Elaine Paige sing it. She was in the original cast of Cats. She is a beautiful lady with an an incredible voice. I enjoyed that concert very much. I went two weeks ago to hear Ravel's Bolero with the Utah Symphony. That was special to me so I will describe it in another blog.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Jager and Red

I  wanted to Blog a picture of these two dogs. One is Red, who is a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel and is my dog. The other Jager, a Black Labrador Retriever who was owned by my Daughter Kristine, and her Husband Trent. Jager was possibly the best dog that I have ever known. He was very gentle and very, very smart. He and Red were best buds as you can see in this picture. Jager got very sick and despite a valiant effort by his owners he passed away. I miss him very much.

Glacier Trip

 
This is Virginia standing by the wheel of a bus that is used to take passengers on a cruise of the Glacier up in Banff Alberta. It was a VERY big bus and I would love to drive it. It is a unique experience to be out on a Glacier and have the ability to walk around on it.

Sean


This is Sean. My daughter Kristine Adopted him when he was 5 and he is now going to turn 8. This picture says everything about Sean. He is very cute and very endearing and can win you over with his smile. He is a bundle of energy that never stops moving. He loves his parents and is very happy in his family. He goes to Karate twice a week and has advanced several belts already. He is very athletic and I believe he will excel at any sport he wishes to try. He loves to climb and jump off of anything, sometimes making his Grandpa very nervous. He is not afraid to jump from heights. I am very glad he is in our family.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Tashena



This is Tashena Marie Ashby. My Daughter Kristine adopted this most beautiful little girl when she was 5 years old. She is now 12 going on 21. She is very bright and a truly great dancer. I believe that she will excel at any sport that she wants to. I am excited about the possibilities for her in volleyball, she is a natural. Her and I struggled at first until she got to know my nature. I love to tease. She is at the point now where she gives it right back to me. She dances with the Tanner Dance at the University of Utah. I recently went to Grandparent's day where you observed a 1 1/2 hour class. There are about 26 young ladies in her class. They are all beautiful and talented. I am of course prejudiced but I think she excels.