The first anniversary of my move from California....
Has it already been a year? The country was also experiencing a new beginning with the inauguration of President Joseph Biden on Jan. 20, 2021.
I had frantically packed up my Palo Alto house, saw the moving truck take everything to storage until I had a new address, was saying good-bye to my previous life, and setting off on my new adventure in Utah on January 28, 2021. It has been a big change: new house, friends, city, church congregation, climate/weather, health care, etc.etc. I try not to feel nostalgic, but there are things and people I especially miss. But much of my family is here, and I think change is often good for us!
So, to give you an idea of what I've been up to:
No, I haven't been gambling (and I found out photos are not allowed in casinos), but Las Vegas is something you must experience once (and only once, I think) in your life. I rode with my son Marc and family to watch grand-daughter Hannah's gymnastics meet.
We stayed at Hotel Venezia, complete with canals and gondolas
and enjoyed the spectacular lights and sights and good food
The fountains at the Balaggio Hotel
And after a night in Saint George, we drove back home along the snowy desert freeway
The cold evening did not stop us from celebrating 3 of my kids' birthdays (Julie: January 10, Peter: Jan.15, and Marc Jan. 18), around the fire pit at my daughter Emily's house.
I finally saw the deer we're warned to watch out for on University Ave
(above)The view from my house
and Timpanogos on my walk along University Avenue
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Sunday afternoon Emily, Kelly and Aaron Taylor and their German exchange student/cousin Carl, who recently arrived from Hannover, invited me to walk in the crisp air through the snowy fields and paths. In the summer this park is crowded!
Mount Timpanogos from Provo Canyon is spectacular
We saw deer and wild turkeys.
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I enjoyed the beloved musical Fiddler on the Roof (set in 1905, first performed on Broadway in 1964), an amazing production by BYU. The author Sholem Rabinovitch, writing under the pen name "Aleichem" was born March 2, 1859, in a Ukrainian shtetl (an Ashkenazi market town), He created the character of Tevye, who became the centerpiece of many of Aleichem's short stories. The Kyiv pogrom (massacre of an ethnic or minority group, often legal) set off a chain reaction of anti-Semitic feelings around the Pale of Settlement (land set aside for Jews by Catherine the Great in 1792, eventually becoming known by that name ). The 1881 assassination of Alexander II was rumored falsely to have been committed by Jews, which spawned 22 pogroms over the next 3 years. In Russia there were an estimated 1,326 pogroms killing approximately 250,000 Jews.When the pogroms became increasingly violent in 1903, his family moved to Geneva, where they settled in 1906, and then to New York City in 1914. He had contracted tuberculosis, and died in 1916. His funeral attracted 250,000 mourners, making it one of the largest funerals in NYC history.
Winter is cold here, my plants are all dead, my sidewalk cracked,
since I spread on too much ice melt/salt, people stay inside more, but it's not so bad, really. I even have new next door neighbors from California, and continue to reconnect and make new friends (but I haven't forgotten you!) I hope January is the beginning of a better year for all of us, everywhere. May Covid-19 and all its variants soon be a thing of the past. Two years is more than enough!
Thursday, January 13, 2022
Happy New Year 2022
And I hope you, too, had a nice holiday season and are enjoying a healthy, happy start to the new year 2022.
I enjoyed Christmas Eve at my daughter-in-law Fernanda's parents' home close by in Orem with some of my grandchildren and some of her relatives. Hannah, Nick, cousin Nick, Hannah and Simon.
Marc (who does not have spiky green hair!), cousins, Uncle Carlos, Aunt Vania, Parents Gil and Sandra, and Fernanda
New Year's Day playing games, looking at photos and eating
As I did this 1000 piece puzzle entitled "Love one Another" I reflected on the wonderful people I am fortunate to know and love, and all those I hope to meet and know better in 2022.
My yard is a winter wonderland sometimes! I include the mountains as part of my backyard.
I attempt to shovel at least my front walk to prevent ice buildup. Oh, for California weather! I do enjoy walks nearby in the snow though.
My street just a few days later... still cold, though!
It was such fun to see so many former Palo Altans at a wedding open house for Tyler and Anna (Arnett)Downer in Springville.
Matt and Katie Steiger, Brandon and Jennilyn Woolff, Grace Downer, Tyler and Anna, Miriam, Deanne and Jim Welch, Janet Asay, Dave Hatch, and son, and Cory and Heather Williamson.
I was so sorry to be unable to attend Aaron and Christina Miner's wedding in Phoenix. Mission leaders Todd and Sister Andrea Miner were able to make a quick trip from their mission in Cameroon, Africa, to attend the marriage of their son. (with son Spencer and family).
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Even Utah is resuming more restrictions since last weekend with the Omicron variant of Covid which has affected especially children worldwide. As we commemorate the Reverend Martin Luther King and the non-violent Civil Rights movement he led up until his assassination in 1968, I pray we will never see the rights of any race so restricted again. I am moved every time I watch films or listen to recordings or reflections on the sacrifices, martyrdoms, ugly persecutions, as well as brave leadership of so many men, women, and children of all races, but especially of Blacks in our country, South Africa, and elsewhere. We are all beloved children of God and need to see each other as such. There is still a lot of work for all of us to do for all to have equal opportunities for education, jobs, housing, just treatment in all aspects of life.
I recommend a series of talks and visuals presented by Stanford University King Center:
Utah is a beautiful winter wonderland with fresh snow, but requires good boots, salt and care! I still have a lot to learn about living here.
My street (my house would be the next on the left)
My back yard, which is filled with birds coming to my feeders
The Provo Temple
There is wonderful entertainment available in Provo. I especially loved the Cambridge King's College Singers, the BYU folk ensemble and Christmas Around the World performances.
Snow and cold didn't stop a great 9th birthday party for Julie's twins Stephanie and Elise Carlston from celebrating in their backyard in Millcreek (Salt Lake City). They were born on 12-12-12!
Elise with Santa Lucia crown
I don't think the Mexican pinata tradition was intended for the snow, but where there's candy, weather does not interfere!
Julie and the younger grand-daughters and I enjoyed a lovely production of the Nutcracker ballet.
Simon's piano recital was zoomed from home in South Jordan (Daybreak). He's amazing!
We enjoyed a beautiful creche exhibit at their church building, reminding me of the 34 (?) year tradition in Palo Alto, which has been virtual the last two years during the Pandemic. The village tradition comes from Italy, but shared throughout the world today. Here is a brief history: During the French Revolution, Christianity was under attack. Specifically Catholicism. All symbols of Christian worship were banned. In Provence, France, the people got around that by making small replicas of the townspeople and setting them up in their homes in small vignettes. Then at Christmas, they would hide the baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph amongst the little village scene. The devotion and faith of these people was truly courageous. Here are a few samples from Russia, Africa,and Europe.
One of my new friends,, Ramona Miller, recently moved from Midway. She was baptized awhile back in the Pasadena, CA ward where our ex-Palo Alto friend Gerard Jugant is now bishop). Such a small world!! We recommend the Tru Religion Pancake and Steakhouse (our brunch was amazing!) in Orem.
I recently indulged in and completed this 1000 piece Mucha puzzle.
What a joy to celebrate the marriage of Jameson Welch (who grew up in Palo Alto and served a mission in London)and Erika Boifeuillet at Tom Taylor's Bright building. His mom Deanne had lots of nice words to share.
I continued my holiday open house tradition on December 18. So many fond memories of my 49 year (minus mission and pandemic Christmases) tradition and of all my friends and students who used to come. I got so busy talking and hostessing that I neglected to take many photos. Here are just a few of my wonderful old and new friends:
Andres and Kelly (Chinchilla) Suarez, whom I knew in Ecuador. Both were Venezuelan refugees. Her family were friends and he was a missionary there in 2015.
Nettie Wise is one of my oldest friends from Palo Alto, figuratively and literally (she is turning 98 in February 2022).
Tom & Katy Taylor and Elena and Steve Soelberg, all former Palo Altans.
Alma Umber served in the Santiago, Chile Temple with me. We flew down there together from SLC, just before Christmas just 4 years ago.
While most of the family was still in town, we had dinner and a "white elephant" exchange, with some funny gifts costing about $5.
Marc surprisingly chose the perfect gift, a little carrier for their dog Marty, who was not invited to the party this time!
Aaron is trying to decide whether to steal a gift or pick one still wrapped in the center.
After dinner we listened to and sang carols and Christmas songs accompanied mostly by the kids.
Luke and John played their fast and lively "Sleigh Ride" which they played for their recital this week. I enjoyed their sisters' recitals also.
Thank you all for the wonderful cards and emails you have sent. They warm my heart.
May your Christmas be joyful. May you know that God knows and loves you unconditionally and always. Our savior Jesus Christ is our perfect example, teacher, advocate, and friend. He gave his life that our every mistake or weakness can be repaired and forgiven. He wants us all to be happy and successful, and to comfort and bless the lives of all who struggle, who are judged unfairly, who may live and believe differently than we. May 2022 be filled with renewed hope and peace.
I meant to put this in my last blog. As we send wishes for peace and joy at this Christmas season, let us remember that peace must be constantly won. Remembering the sacrifice of so many (mostly young men) helps us realize that life itself is a gift, and that peace is not free and should never be taken for granted. And we can assuage our grief by serving others.
Eighty years ago this month, a surprise attack by Japanese forces occurred at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The attack killed more than 2,000, injured 1,178, and led to America’s entry into WWII. During the attack, six U.S. battleships were sunk, and more than a dozen others were damaged. The Japanese also destroyed 300 airplanes. The attack lasted less than two hours, and the following day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan.
The USS Shaw explodes after a Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941
The volunteers at Stories Behind the Stars are working on an ambitious project to tell the story of each Pearl Harbor casualty. As we mark the 80th anniversary of that fateful day, here are a few stories they’ve gathered:
Theodore Q. Jensen
Radioman 3rd Class Theodore Q. Jensen was born in a small Utah farming town. His father was an immigrant from Denmark and instilled a love of country and patriotism in his children. After graduating from high school, Theo and seven other young men from his tiny community enlisted together. Theo served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Oklahoma. On the morning of December 7th, he was granted a day pass and was gathering his gear aboard the ship when it was hit by several torpedoes and capsized. Theo was among those killed. There were mass casualties that day, and many of the fallen were buried without proper identification, including Theo. Back home, Theo’s family and the entire community mourned his death. They named the local American Legion post in his honor. In 2015, Congress authorized an initiative to exhume unidentified remains, and properly identify them through DNA analysis. On December 17, 2020, Theo’s remains were identified, and last June, he was reinterred in Delta, Utah.
Jack G. Smalley
Jack G. Smalley grew up in Toledo, Ohio, in a family that had a love for the sea. All four Smalley brothers served in the U.S. Navy. One died of an illness in 1932 during active service, but the tragedy did not keep Jack from enlisting. Shortly after his 18th birthday, Jack enlisted in the Navy in Detroit, Michigan. For a time, both Jack and his brother Bud served on the USS Arizona. Their reunion lasted nearly a year until Bud was reassigned to a ship in the Atlantic. Jack stayed on the Arizona and was near the portside anti-aircraft gun when the Japanese attacked. Eight armor-piercing bombs penetrated the ship. One fell on the deck near turret No. 2, causing a large explosion that sent Jack into the rolling waters of Pearl Harbor. News of his death did not reach his parents for five days. Jack’s body was recovered, and he was laid to rest at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Jack’s mother, Gladys Smalley, channeled her grief by immersing herself in wartime efforts. She sold war bonds, stitched chevrons on sailors’ uniforms, served sandwiches at the USO, and knit blankets for servicemen. She was also the director of a mother’s club that provided money for poor sailors to buy basic provisions. Her husband, Vern Smalley, said, “I guess that doing all the work she can for servicemen and organizations, and for the bond drives, is her way of showing how she feels about Jack.”
We stayed at Hotel Venezia, complete with canals and gondolas
The fountains at the Balaggio Hotel
And after a night in Saint George, we drove back home along the snowy desert freeway
The cold evening did not stop us from celebrating 3 of my kids' birthdays (Julie: January 10, Peter: Jan.15, and Marc Jan. 18), around the fire pit at my daughter Emily's house.
I finally saw the deer we're warned to watch out for on University Ave
(above)The view from my house 
and Timpanogos on my walk along University Avenue
Mount Timpanogos from Provo Canyon is spectacular
We saw deer and wild turkeys.
