August has been dry and hot, but our lawn and garden look nice with Sam's caring attention. The corn has done really well. We have shared it with family and with groups at a couple of social functions held in our backyard, and we have driven around the neighborhood this month giving away corn to families. This week, we posted on our ward's Facebook site that we had corn available to anyone wanting to come by and get it. As I am writing this, another person responding to this invitation knocked on our door wanting to take us up on this offer. I am remembering how Sam's father had such nice vegetables grown in his large garden near the Little White River and would share it with "the widows." Most of the homes in our area do not have gardens large enough to grow corn, so families have appreciated the free corn; and it really has a good flavor.
Sam with more corn ready to share with others in the neighborhood.
Rebecca and Brynlee having fun on the trampoline.
Our cornfield is in the background.
Hot summer days make our pool especially inviting.
This summer, Rebecca has become comfortable
in the deep end diving off the diving board.
(Isaac, Jacob, Rebecca, and Brynlee)
One of the grandkids came up with the idea
to set up a portable net across the pool
for a game of "volleyball."
With his dad as his partner, Isaac is getting ready
to bat the ball across the net
to Jacob and Joshua.
(Sam is at the edge of the lawn.)
Refining the game, the net was moved so
the tubes were not required
for those in the deeper water.
The game continued with Joshua and Jacob
opposite Doug and Ethan.
The Rose of Sharon bushes in full bloom.
A new bird found our backyard,
and we watched as it explored around the lawn.
It resembles the photos we found online
of a Glossy Ibis.
A close-up look at our new visitor.
This month, we enjoyed having
Lee Ellertson talk about one of his
interesting pioneer ancestors;
and he and Dana provided the refreshments
for our Empty Nesters group meeting in our home.
(Dana and Lee Ellertson)
This year Sam didn't go with me
to Education Week at BYU,
and I went with Sandra Cook.
It was Monday through Friday,
August 15-19,
and we especially enjoyed the series of talks
presented by S. Michael Wilcox and those
by Brent L. Top.
This year's theme was:
“Assist Individuals in their Quest for Perfection and Eternal Life.”
(Sandra Cook and Narene)
One of the highlights of Education Week
was listening to Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's talk.
Focusing his remarks on the topic, Religion: "Bound by Loving Ties,"
Elder Holland spoke to more than 17,000 people in the Marriott Center
about the important role religion has always played in societies.
“We should be genuinely concerned over the assertion that the single
most distinguishing feature of modern life is the rise of secularism
with its attendant dismissal of, cynicism toward, or marked
disenchantment with religion,” he said.
(Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and his wife leaving the stage.)
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We always enjoy having family come. Scott, Kristine, Jenna, and Shannon
were here for a short visit when they brought Jenna to begin her freshman year at BYU.
Trent and Jessica stayed with us for several weeks while they were waiting for their name to come up on the waiting list for an apartment in Provo. They moved out last week, and Marisa has moved in while she is completing her final year at BYU.
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Todd and Beth's oldest entered the MTC
last month and left July 27th for a two-year mission in the
Arkansas Bentonville Mission
(including parts of Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas).
Amanda and Megan are juniors this year and on this day
they were supposed to wear their school t-shirt.
With her red shirt, Megan chose to wear the raindrop skirt
I had made and wore as a teenager.
How fun is that!
