Call Me Metro!!

These are the rantings and ravings of an aging boomer who continues to think himself reasonably useful. I know that my behavior makes my girls giggle and my wife shake her head in wonderment. Anyway, .....

For your enjoyment and at my own expense, I confess the following acts.

Facial Hair: Why does hair slow its growth on top and flourish in unwanted locations? Weekly, I find myself looking up my nose, checking my ears and mowing my brow to rid myself of unwanted thatches of long, bristly hair. I have 2 or 3 special little instruments designed to trim hair out of noses, ears and eyebrows. They sound like a dirt bike as they chop and pull the hair out of my ears. If I ignored my eyebrows, I would be able to braid them after only a couple of months. The other day after She Who Still Abides By Me had cut my hair on top, I found myself in front of the mirror continuing the process as described. As I stood in front of the mirror, my eyes focused on my back. How the heck did my back get so darned hairy.

Back Hair: The process started, the mind working, I consulted CJS, the bride. As I was driving to Palm Desert, Carly made arrangements for me to see the Queen of Wax, and that's not Madame Tussaud, in Provo this week. What was I thinking? On Thursday Carly carefully holding my hand coaxed me into the back room of a "salon" just off of State Street in Orem. With my daughter laughing and the Waxer waxing, we ripped off every strand of back hair. I was grateful for cold hands and now have a bald back. Gerry laughed at me today as she recognized my skin colored back. Did I tell you that my toe nails were hurting.

Pedicure and Manicure: Last night as I walked through Walmart, I couldn't help but notice the big board out in front of the booth offering a pedicure and manicure for $22. Why not I mused as I contemplated my hairless nose, ears and back. Of course my manicurist/pedicurist turned out to be a 50 + vietnamese guy who carried on a chortling discussion with his colleagues in his language about his goofy client. Actually my feet feel better, my nails look great and he had good hands. (He gave me a foot massage and it felt great.)

Little sister S. says that I am metro and tonight I confess I probably am. I have to keep close tabs on my unwanted and random facial hair. When we were young we used to call the guy that ran the Dairy Queen "Coconut Nose" and I don't want that handle, thanks. Will I get my back waxed again, I don't know. It really wasn't so bad, in spite of all that I have heard. Probably. My nails aren't painted but do shine.

So now you know. I'll tell you about Palm Desert next.

Ta Ta (it seems appropriate somehow that I sign off that way.)......

Why Sleep In?

I eased out of bed, unable to stay there any longer. Last night I had decided that I would explore the morning with my camera and it seemed like a good time to start. My intention was to go southwest about 15 minutes and take pictures of the bison, elk and antelope on a nearby ranch. My enthusiasm for this early morning project was motivated by seeing Kristy's pictures of fall on her blog and I wanted to experience the beauty.

Leaving the house at 6:15, I realized that sunrise was not to happen for quite some time and decided to head west out toward the mountains and see what developed (a little pun there). Kananaskis Country starts just past Bragg Creek and is only about 35 minutes from home. I had never stopped at the Elbow River Boat Launch just this side of the falls, so made that my first stop.

Absolutely the only sound was the river
cruising down stream.

The temperature was 0 degrees C. and the air was fantastic. A few minutes west of Elbow Falls a sign indicates that Hwy 40 (Kananaskis Hwy) is 38 km. away across the Powderface Trail. The next sign indicates that travel is not recommended and that travel is at your own risk, just what I wanted. The mountains were dusted white with moisture yesterday and I wanted to experience it all. The temperature fell to minus 6 as I climbed up the Powderface. Enjoy the pictures of my morning.

7:30 and the sun paints the mountains.


Snow briefly brushed the branches, with
a warm day expected.

Hoar frost and crispy weather invited me
to open my window and turn on the heat.


The road is pitted and washboard but
speed was not the desired effect. As I bumped
through the pot holes, fresh ice popped up
and splashed the underside of my truck.


Gorgeous!!!

And of course, a stop at the wonderful Kananaskis
Golf Course to snap the hearty, first group
out, after a lengthy hour and a half frost delay.

My faith renewed, my spirit grateful. Thank you Father, for this breathtaking world.

Reporting In......

Blogging vs. Facebook

No question, blogging is the far better means of communicating. Yes, it is fun to see profiles of people whose memories we cherish but blogging is a means to journal.

Labor Day Weekend (actually Labour Day in Canada but I can't bring myself to write it like that.)

We are in Edmonton this evening with the Brewertons. It is a weekend of games and bar-b-ques. (You all should be so lucky as to be treated to a Brewerton/Jackson bar-b-que.) Lee is a gourmet cook, Kristy can prepare anything and Gerry, well we all know what she does in the kitchen.

We went to church this morning in the Bears Paw Ward in south Edmonton. (The Brewertons home ward.) It is full of people from our past. Sister Helen Stringham was the first person we saw and my memories of their family is precious. Brother Murray Stringham (who passed away earlier this year) was my bishop when I went on my mission. I have a vivid memory of sitting on the edge of his bed, as he suffered through the first of many very serious illnesses, the day I was to leave and we shared tears together. Later we sat next to each other on a high council and hold each other in the highest regard.

Cec Purves is in the ward, one of our former bishops. Bishop Olsen, the kids current bishop is a long-time friend. The Champions, instrumental in Gerry's conversion and my favorite Sunday School teacher ever, are always there to greet. Of course it is home to Ronn and Wendy Gibb and many of their children, bff. It is full of friends.

This afternoon, I went to Sherwood Park to attend church with old friends and sister Susan and brother Harry. It is always emotional for me simply because I consider that time in our lives as the most influential in our development as a family. I always get a number of hugs and remember my friends there as dear forever. In fact, I still consider it home. (I may have made a contribution to the community as I ran a yellow light and noticed it had a camera.)

Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Carly and Jesse are in Provo, setting up their new apartment. They are just west of the Joseph Fielding Smith Fieldhouse, overlooking the tennis courts and golf practice area. This also puts them a couple of hundred yards from the Brick Oven, one of our favorite noshing establishments. (It used to be Heaps of Pizza, back when we were young.)

Andrew

Has completed his summer work in Dallas, TX and is now on his way home. The outstanding speeding ticket warrant in Amarillo, TX doesn't seem to worry him but we hope he doesn't experience any need to persuade a peace officer that he will look after it forthwith.

Andrew is at that point in his life where he is wrestling with his whole life. He desires to know what is in store for him and we are on the sidelines cheering for the very best. We know of his goodness and for that he will be blessed. After many long years, I know that education always helps and hope that he is of that opinion as well. Good luck, son.

Summary

And Finally (I Use Quotation Marks a Great Deal). Have you noticed?

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