Feeling Thankful

 Fall decorations added in our home in September

even though being in self-isolation due to Covid-19. 

It has been very uplifting following our prophet's invitation for the seven days leading up to Thanksgiving to share each day on social media a "grateful for . . ." entry.  It has been so nice to have thoughts from family and friends fill each day's postings with positive and uplifting messages.  My seven days of posting were being thankful for (1) Technology whereby we could receive President Nelson's timely invitation to unite for those seven days, (2) the Prophet, (3) Sam, (4) Friends, (5) Family, (6) our Beautiful World, and on Thanksgiving Day: (7) the Savior and the Gospel; and I included my thoughts about each topic and appropriate photos.  I hope to see the positive trend continue and have less negative postings in the coming days, which had become so prevalent related to the presidential election.

Sam added two interesting posts, which have been appreciated by family and friends, one receiving 107 "likes."  With his unique perspective, he wrote about being thankful for "dirt," - more importantly for "mud," -  as the mixture of dirt and water provides the basis for all life on earth.  He wrote:  

"The ratio of dirt to water varies from place to place and influences the variety of plants and animals that thrive there.  For example, rice needs more water than wheat, but they both need some mud.  When the ratio of water to dirt gets out of whack (too dry or too wet), the plants we were trying to grow don't do well.  So today when we are eating our corn-fed turkey, mashed potatoes, rolls and pumpkin pie, be grateful for mud."

This was his other "grateful" post:

First, indoor plumbing. I remember hating to go to the outhouse when it was dark, really cold and the wind was blowing. Also, toilet paper was a big improvement over an outdated Sears Roebuck catalog. 

Second, electricity brought right into the home. After that, we had electric lights rather than kerosene lanterns and candles; we could listen to the radio; Mom got a few electric appliances and we bought a refrigerator rather than using the old ice box. 

Third, central heating sure beats a coal stove sitting in the middle of the living room to heat the whole house. I remember getting up in the morning with ice on any water that was left out.

Fourth, air conditioning, although it didn’t come until later; tractors and combines with cabs and AC were sooo nice. It was even good for homes and cars.

I’m grateful to have lived long enough to have these memories!

This photo is of Sam with his sisters 

on a horse in front of their home

on the farm in South Dakota. (1944)

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Sharing some of our autumn photos: 

A little attempt to keep things "normal."

Due to an early frost, our fruit harvest was small

from our trees, but one apple tree produced this huge one.

Sam and I have enjoyed going for car rides together
to explore places near our home and see the seasonal changes.
These deer were in a neighborhood near some very nice homes
in the Mapleton area.

On October 10th, Sam took our friend, Kim,
for an outing to see the fall colors.
They had been taking little tours regularly
after Kim was released from being in isolation

during recovery from a serious fall in mid-February.

These are photos Kim took with his phone
as Sam did the driving.

There are many beautiful places to see in Utah.

We enjoyed visiting with Doug & Shannon's family

in our backyard when they stopped here

on their return home from a fun family trip 

in southern Utah.

Ryan and Tani came to personally wish

Sam a "Happy Birthday" on November 9th.

Tani had to stay in the car, since she has had

to be connected to oxygen since being

released from the hospital due to her serious

time with Covid-19 and pneumonia.

Ryan had a severe case of Covid-19 and pneumonia, also;

but he had recovered except for the lingering loss of energy.

Kyle an Koryn also had Covid-19.

Our other family members who have had Covid-19

are Jenna, Shannon, Trent, Jessica, Smyth, and Zack.

Fortunately, only Ryan and Tani have 

had it turned into pneumonia.

The others had cases ranging from 

experiencing symptoms similar to a bad case of flu,

to feeling crummy for a couple of days,

 to only experiencing a loss of taste and smell.

Ryan has been insistent that Sam and I

take precautions by keeping away from people

so we won't get this virus.

We have been obedient and stay in self-isolation.

Beth had posted on our ward's Facebook page

about Sam's having a birthday,

and he was surprised with the friends

who drove by and stopped to wish him a

"Happy Birthday" from their car or on the porch.

Beth and Todd's family stopped by on

Thanksgiving evening and brought us an

assortment of delicious pies for dessert.

Earlier in the day Beth had brought over

the turkey, dressing, and the traditional meal. 

We love our growing family.

Here is a cute picture Jeff sent us of their

daughter Ella, our youngest granddaughter.

Ella Joy Ireland

(She was born March 24, 2020.)

Mabel Eliza Ure

Blessed on Thanksgiving Day, November 26

Daughter of Matt and Brittney Ure

(born September 8, 2020)

Our latest stray cat that has apparently adopted us.

What shall we name it?

We have much to be thankful for.

Now it is time to begin 

putting up the decorations for Christmas!

Election Memory

Mount Rushmore
Family Reunion in South Dakota - June 6, 2009

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Some of my family may remember this from my past, but on this election day I thought I would share an interesting experience I had in South Dakota where I used to serve on the election board in Bennett County.  During that period, there was an important election when South Dakota received unusual attention from Washington, D.C. who sent politicians and lawyers to our county.  Senator Tom Daschle was running for re-election while serving as majority leader of the Senate.  All during the day when the polls were open for voting in person, we had Washington poll watchers sitting with us throughout the day observing the process and checking to see which Democratic voters had not come in yet to vote.  They had drivers who then would leave to go find those voters and bring them in to vote.  The Native American population in Bennett County was known to vote above 90% Democrat and most of these voters were available and easy to find in our small community.  As one of these voters went into the booth with her ballot, she said loud enough for us to hear:  “Well, who are these other guys?  They didn’t say anything about them.”  In reply to her comment, as chairman of our election board, I replied she could vote for those she wanted to vote for.  It was also revealing to learn about the numerous $100 checks being cashed by Native Americans who said they had been paid to “cover gas money for coming in to vote” or for “letting a Daschle sign be put up on their property.”

Our state’s small population made campaigning possible with low cost per voter; and although the majority of South Dakotans were registered GOP, Daschle as a Democrat easily had won the vote in South Dakota in previous elections.  He was personable and would come in person to campaign.  This time, though, Daschle lost the election.  During that year’s campaigning process, Daschle had received a lot of national attention as Senate majority leader; and voters in South Dakota learned more about his more liberal views being revealed on the national news.  Daschle’s wife was a lobbyist in Washington, D.C.; and after losing, Daschle became a lobbyist, too.  An interesting and revealing memory.

Blessings in a Pandemic

We wish we could welcome you to our home for a visit;
but temporarily during this pandemic, we will have to settle for phone visits
and keeping in touch on Facebook or through this blog.
 
We do look forward to the time we can get lives back to normal.

We have fasted and prayed for family members who have gotten Covid-19 and for other family and friends to be safe from this virus.  Ryan has urged Sam and me to stay home and self-isolate after he and Tani have personally suffered with this virus and the resulting pneumonia.    

Ryan said he had never been so sick; but thankfully he has gotten through it, although still experiencing tiredness and not fully back to normal yet.  When Ryan's condition resulted in pneumonia, he did go to the emergency wing of the hospital where he was prescribed an antibiotic and cough medicine and sent home.  Tani was a week or so behind Ryan in experiencing symptoms; but she was admitted into ICU with her oxygen level being very low.  She was released from the hospital yesterday (November 1st) and is now at home where it is expected she will continue to be on oxygen for an extended time.  Tani has been sleeping much of the time, but fortunately does not have the harsh coughing Ryan has had. Koryn and Kyle have also tested positive for Covid, as has Zack at BYU-Idaho; but the younger patients have had milder cases.  Koryn's only symptoms have been loss of smell and taste.

As of November 2, 2020, according to the World Health Organization, there have been more than 46.6 million confirmed cases worldwide with more than 1.2 million deaths attributed to this virus, which was first identified in Wuhan, China in December, 2019.  It spread throughout the world and was declared an international pandemic in March, 2020.   

People have experienced many changes in the way they live during this pandemic, which has resulted in the closing of businesses and schools, travel restrictions, sporting events canceled, and family and friends having to postpone traditional activities.  Had the travel restrictions gone into place one week later, Sam and I would have been on our Fun For Less Tour's Africa Safari, which has now been rescheduled until 2022.  We're glad we didn't get quarantined in Africa!

 

Some of the ornamental squash grown in our garden this year have been unique.

 

We have had nice weather this fall,
and we have enjoyed the autumn colors.
This photo and the one below were taken in our front yard.

 

The chrysanthemums add bright color in the fall.

We have had a frost, though, so they have now lost some of the brilliance.

During this time of self-isolation, Sam and I have gone on walks

and also almost daily drives.

We saw these deer on one of our outings in Mapleton.

 

 

On several drives through our neighborhood,

Sam has loaded our trunk with pumpkins and squash from our garden

to give away to those who like to have them to decorate on their front porches.

It is nice to see them enjoyed by others. 

Of course, this was before the recent spike in Corona virus cases in Utah County.

 

 It is not looking promising for family gatherings at Thanksgiving time,

but we are hopeful it will be better by Christmas.

If not, Sam and I may have to watch from a safe distance

while Santa delivers his gifts to the grandchildren.

 

 

Whether in person or from afar,

we do give thanks for family and friends.