Published again...finally

Been several months since I've been published anywhere, but I had two articles and several photos in this month's US Archery magazine. I didn't get paid for them, but did get 5 free copies of the magazine. I wrote the articles back in October when my hubby was in charge of the target archery for the local Huntsman Senior Games. Since then I've submitted several articles to different magazines but seemed to have hit a dry spell in publishing. (Click to enlarge images.)

Then I got involved in finishing up my hubby's biography for Christmas presents to his family. Sometimes you can be doing too many things and I've felt lately the need to DO LESS so I'm trying to eliminate some duties like being the monthly Heritage Writers Guild newsletter editor-done that for 17 months, and then I'm being released from teaching family history in Sunday School for my church-been doing that weekly for the past 2 years. So what will I do with all my free time. LOL!

Well, I joined a new camera club in our retirement community. I controlled myself and didn't volunteer to be an officer. We will be called Image Catchers. I preferred the name Shutterbugs but...the other name is okay. My Utah Geology class is over and I'm not signing up for another one in January because I will be teaching two classes-Write Your Life History for our local Family History Center and Become a Healthier Slimmer YOU for the Community Education program. Trying to be selective in how I use my time according to my priorities.

I also want to attend a local poetry group starting in Jan 2010. Sounds busy, but different as I focus on other areas of my life to develop. Still writing weekly columns for the local newspaper and blogging daily. I have several writing projects in mind-Animal Poetry for Kids, and another family history of my 1st great grandpa Wm. Marion Johnson Sr-a saloonkeeper and miner to publish for our next Johnson reunion. On to the future. Oh yes, and a new grand daughter expected anyday to visit and love!

Indecision

Is part of life...will it snow or rain?
Then it's sunny and warm oh yes!
Will the baby come today or not
until tomorrow or later-probably.



Life is full of unknowns that perplex
humans who like to carefully schedule.
Somethings happen serendipitiously,
if you like surprises then you'll like LIFE.



Good times follow bad times then
sudden difficult challenges are forgotten
by wonderful blessings that come out
of nowhere. Life is constantly changing.

Happy Birthday Baby

My last baby boy (my children were all boys-four of them) has his 27th birthday today. Jeffrey who is graduating this month from Utah Valley University with his BA degree in International Business. Now he'll start on his MBA, he's ambitious although a new baby expected later to join his family this month may slow him down a little. Now the real education called "parenting" begins. I'm happy for Jeff's accomplishments and desires to take on responsibilities. He has a lovely wife Rachel by his side. On to the future...

Tis the Season

Interesting how there are so many PARTIES
this time of year as we come together, CELEBRATE
exchange presents, and eat lots of fattening food
That lays the foundation for our DIETING
in the New Year, RESOLVING to have more
self control and exercise regularly...SOON


Tomorrow is coming and yesterday is gone
only the NOW MOMENT counts as we plan
carpe diem before it DISAPPEARS into night
ATTACK that list of things to do, check it
but remember to PRIORITIZE, make time for
those most important, FAMILY and FRIENDS

That's why I like sending homemade cards
gifts thoughtfully given and mailed out soon
enough for others to receive them in time
This year I'm giving the gift of my hubby's bio
collected over 16+ years of note taking and
interviewing, compiling and scanning photos

The GIFT of FAMILY, the real reason we are here
on this earth to strengthen those bonds begun
here but lasting beyond death to all ETERNITY

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all

Don't forget whose birth we celebrate...

Article #82 Sights of the Past

I still remember what both of my grandparents’ homes, no longer standing, looked like. Sometimes I’ll awake from a dream and recall being in grandma’s kitchen or dining room. It still exists in my memory even though grandmother died in 1967. It’s been more than 40 years since I walked through her modest front door. By the front window she always had some geranium flowering plants growing to add some color and cheer to her life since she didn’t have a yard to grow her favorite lilacs or others flowers after moving to Eureka from Silver City. All she had was a cement front porch, no grass and an old tree growing by the side of the house. There was an alleyway on the side of her house, but no garage. In the winter when the snow was high, it was difficult to shovel the driveway. There was just one way out the front door to get to the street. (Photo of my aunts l-r Ethel, Esther and my mom Evelyn standing in front of Grandma's house in Eureka, Utah.)

Grandma’s house had an upstairs where my mom and I had a small apartment that we shared. A long stairway led to our hideaway but alas we had no bathroom up there. We had a little chamber pot under our bed for when it was too cold to make the long walk downstairs to the one toilet shared by everyone including grandma’s borders. Across from the community toilet and shower that were in separate stalls, there was a huge washbasin with a large decorated mirror when boarders could lather up and shave their whiskers before heading off to work.

I remember Grandma’s stove in the dining room that required lumps of coal to heat the whole house. The only other source of heat was the kitchen wood stove that was used all year round for cooking despite the temperature indoors or out. Hauling in wood and taking out ashes were regular chores each day for my uncle Clarence. Next to this cozy stove was where I had my Saturday night tub baths. (Photo above of Grandma Johnson who was so proud of her home in Eureka, Utah with hot water and an indoor toilet.)

My other grandparents lived in the Union Pacific railroad company home, a simple but well kept block home that grandmother kept meticulously clean. I was so sad when grandpa retired and they had to move from that home to a newer home in a different part of town. I had so many memories in their old house, but grandmother was excited to finally have some of the modern conveniences like a garage that her neighbors had. (Photo of my parents and me outside my grand parent Vernon's home by the railroad tracks in Milford, Utah.)

Busy month

It seems to me that sometimes we get too BUSY

especially at Christmastime with all the shopping

wrapping, sending cards, decorating and cooking

What would happen if we SIMPLIFIED the holiday

and pondered more about why we celebrate and what

a wondrous GIFT was given us with the holy birth

How could a simple event so many centuries ago

be CELEBRATED throughout the world even by those

who don't believe in the Son of God born to woman

Maybe it's time to take on less projects or activities

spend some time REFLECTING on the biblical story

and all it's ramifications to mankind and our world

I find myself more and more saying NO to taking on

extra tasks or assignments and finding more joy in

the FEW that I choose to involve myself with nowadays

What we celebrate

Each year I like to buy a book about the real Christmas story to share with my grandchildren while we act out the nativity scene with figurines. I want them to know why we celebrate this holiday season. I was so pleased to see this photo of my son Daniel and his wife Tina and my four grandkids in a nativity scene complete with costumes that they had taken last weekend. (Above photo shows l-r Heather as the angel who proclaims the Christ child's birth, James a short wiseman or king who brought presents to baby Jesus, Tina in blue is Mary mother of Jesus, Daniel is Mary's husband who would adopt and raise her Holy child as his own, Emilee and Nathan two more wisemen who brought gifts to the new King. Missing are the shepherds who saw the new star shining in the sky over the nativity location and came from their fields to worship the son of God born on earth.)

There is nothing like acting out the nativity scene with biblical verses to reinforce what we are celebrating. This is what Christmas is all about: giving to one another and those less fortunate, and REMEMBERING the Christ Child born so many years ago in Bethlehem. I know this is a real event that happened and not just a make believe story. His birth has greatly affected generations of people and was foretold since the beginning of time in the Old Testament of the bible. Let's put CHRIST back in Christmas.