LIFE'S STUFF

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is that most putts don’t drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just like people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is just like an old time rail journey ... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride." — Gordon B. Hinckley

This has been a few weeks of just the normal, every day "stuff" of life. The delays, sidetracks, beautiful vistas of every day life. Hence, the title of my blog.


Grandma, who's heard various relatives talking about their blogs and facebook/youtube accounts, is introduced to the internet. Her conclusion: "I wasn't meant to live in this century!"
Spring is coming slowly to the Gorge. To me, the month of February is sort of the ugly duckling phase of life here. However, the days now are wonderful. After stewing inside for a few weeks due to a cold and the bad weather, Dad is in heaven--outside with his rocks, roses, and birds.

The Gorge is experiencing the same economic decline as the rest of the nation. A few months ago, the Columbia Gorge Hotel closed its doors, declaring bankruptcy and waffling out on paying their employees. The saddest sight is that the beautifully manicured grounds are already deteriorating!

We are still teaching our Institute class. This is the smallest group we've had all quarter. The two on the right are mother and daughter, and the young man is a security guard from Goldendale.

Grandma is hanging in there. As the cane in the background attests, she is having trouble moving around. Remember that she is quite confined to her little apartment. She would love a phone call, a card, a picture!!

Michelle says that this picture makes her want to throw up! I couldn't agree more!! The pilot of this Coast Guard boat is Steve!!

Dad and I have been attending some of the senior citizen luncheons to give our friend, Andre, some moral support. We're some of the youngest senior citizens there, and Dad is often asked to dance, so it's a kick for me to watch him squirm his way out of such invitations. The lady at the mike is singing a beautiful love song to her sweetheart on their 50th anniversary!

The little guys are Wyatt and Kahlil with their Grandma Niehoff. Tom tells me that the boys like costumes; hence, Kahlil's snowboarder googles and outfit and Wyatt's hockey jersey. In order to "play" being a snowboarder, Kahlil must don this full regalia and Wyatt does the same. Interestingly enough, I had a conversation about Kobe's need to don his Indiana Jones hat and whip in order to play Indiana Jones. Oh, does that bring back memories of their fathers doing exactly the same thing.

Life's "stuff" is what gives us subject matter for blogs, stories to share with others, inner comfort on a rainy day, and reminds us that President Hinckley is right--we must be thankful for the ride. I am! What a rich and wonderful life we have. Hope you're letting the "stuff" of your life give you pleasure and HOPE. Love, Mom

Mark Twain said, "There is never yet an uninteresting life. such a thing is an impossibility. Inside the dullest exterior, there is a drama, a comedy, and a tragedy."