It's About Time. What the Heck Are We Up To? Fighting The Birds

I'm not sure where to begin, so this posting won't be a book, maybe. First off, I must say it is so "Redneck" to end a sentence with a preposition--yes, I'm a redneck, yes, I have a farmers tan, and yes, it doesn't look attractive when I go for my swimming exercise class.

We are happy! Heavenly Father has blessed our family so much these past two weeks. I can't even describe how I feel in words. I've said that before and it's true! The joy is comparable to nothing else that I've ever experienced.

Our life is not perfect at all. That is a normal mode-of-operation around here. In fact... I have some major concerns about little things that I could actually come unglued about (another preposition, rats!)

Birds! Birds are driving me crazy. If I'm there, as in crazy, I'm blaming the birds. I told my sister I'm taking out the snake gun with bird shot and shooting annoying birds. Before you think I'm a total jerk for killing birds, let me let you into my world of birds.

Our owls--three different species are eating our kittens. I know I can't kill any of them but they make me so mad, I'm dangerous. We had a little black kitten that survived the big Great Horned Owl. We also have The Barn Owl or Screech Owl, and a spotty, squatty, owl. I'm not sure of it's real name and the squatty owl, I have no beef with. (ugh...preposition, again!) The Great Horned Owl and the Barn Owl... I could literally shoot with no problem, sort of. Hahahaha There I go again. Preposition.



Our little scrawny black kitten that was the runt was picked-up by the owl and the owl ate its ears, toes, broke it tail, and defurred it in many places on that little kitty's body. It was dropped in a big bush because that scrawny kitty is crazy mean! Some of the other kittens were not so lucky.



Kiely was out feeding late, around nine, and of course all the animals follow her like she's Snow White. Out of no where, huge flapping white wings descended and almost hit her face trying to pick-up that little black kitten again. Kiely thought it was a Rodan "Giant Monster of the Sky," ("B" rated Japanese Horror Film from the late 1950s) The owl looked like an ancient Pterodactyl. It was "ginormous" and screeched at her, claws drawn and down, wings flapping, and eyes blazing. It was here! Honestly I don't think she'll ever recover and will never be forgotten. Okay...the huge Barn Owl gave Kiely nightmares.

That owl even tried to get our Cockatiel, Fabio.

Fabio was in the window last night and the owl came down after it and smacked into the window. Fabio freaked out and I had to cover his cage to calm him down. We actually have him because of our canyon neighbors, the Colvard's, rescued him. Fabio was all torn-up from a hawk-attack and survived and he is very happy now. Today, I considered letting the owl inside to feast on Fabio, because he isn't as "Fabio" as the real Fabio. My picture that I took of him was blurry because he was attacking me while I was taking his picture, so my picture is too fuzzy to use. The good picture doesn't do him justice. Fabio, the cockatiel, has a mop of fluffy-tuff on his head that looks like a huge mohawk.

Let's see... Fabio happy... He never actually made noise until Kiely found fun cockatiel songs on "You Tube." She played lots of them. One after the other, and guess which one he picked to sing? It was the one... only played once... and that bird decided he loved it? Right! "The Mexican Hat Dance!" Fabio did sing "Old MacDonald had a Farm," once because it was our home-phone-ring-tone. I changed it to the regular ring and guess what? We try and answer, the bird. He picked-up on our donkey's bray. And... he coughs all evening, that's been a recent favorite because I was sick. It's actually his favorite tune after the "Mexican Hat Dance." Cough, cough, cough. STOP! The bird is freaking me out. Oh, he bites, too. I won't kill him, but often... I'll cover him when he gets outta' control.

This is the kicker.. I'm resting in my bed from a huge aerobic workout. I just returned from the exercise pool in Ventura and I'm so tired. The instructor is an Ex-drill Sargent in the Marines. Actually, I shouldn't say "Ex" because he's still a Marine. You know once a Marine, always a Marine? Guess what starts on my wall of my bedroom while I'm trying to rest? A stupid woodpecker. She's drilling a hole under the eaves about 25 feet off the ground. I went out and shoo'd her away... but I just got cozy in my bed again and she started-up with this horrible drilling. We did have a woodpecker that was quite "brain-challenged" trying to drill a hole in our metal chimney a few years back. I didn't think I could live through that noise and Steve was no help, he got such a break from the woodpecker by going to work. I heard it all day. Just like now.

My House! I Took These
Pictures To Prove That
Woodpeckers Have Invaded Us

I went outside and she won't fly away. I threw rocks at her and one time hit Steve's side of the window. I'm such a wimp, it fortunately didn't break the window to pieces. Out-of-nowhere, the hammering stopped. I still had my camera and guess what? She's in the hole. Me calling Steve now, will not help. I hope the bees that have relocated from my mother's house to our attic will make her fly away. I wonder why all the squirrels haven't left the attic?

And that's another thing ...okay, I let Buster, the squirrel, live in my attic and I give-in a little here...you know only one squirrel. He THEN, he brings every relative that he knows... to come and bunk with him. I feel so taken advantaged here.


One more bird I can't tolerate, is the dang red-tailed hawks. It was nice to see one once in a while, but there are so many of them near our house when they migrate here for nesting. Guess which car they have chosen as their litter box? The FJ, my new car! I think Bree got it once on her new red paint job on her BMW. Yesterday we went to Ojai to fix a saddle with new leathers. My car wasn't home, so they used my porch. It was their calling card to let me know that the hawks are here. It wouldn't be so bad if my mom had not had a hawk drop a gopher snake on her head and shoulders. I see the shadow and run for cover, it's either poop or a live animal. I just had a thought, "What if it was a rat or worse, a mouse?" I think I would faint right there.

I'm not posting a picture of a crow...but you know they carry West Nile Virus. Never-mind... I found a perfect picture of the crow I like....

We have four horses and two donkeys. Crows awake at dawn and fly up the Santa Paula Creek every morning at dawn. Caw, Caw, "in your craw!" They didn't live here when I was little. What's up with the new population explosion? I hate giving the shot/vaccination to the horses and donkeys. It's a separate shot so they know what's coming, after the combination vaccinations. Yes, that's when I fell and hurt my knees so bad. Thank you crows. NOT!

I love the Mocking Birds, the sparrows, love the Quail, the beautiful Meadow Lark and we have our dear Road Runner that runs through our place on the same track everyday. Our chickens are precious and the Mourning Doves, in the morning just remind me.... "THIS IS HOME".


I had to stop today because a huge flock of Mourning Doves were eating the grain in front of the chicken pen. I do love them and they are beautiful.



Oh by-golly, the Barn Swift... I could just kick. Yeah, they say, "Let's all fly down the chimney for them and clean it!" By the way... Message to Swifts. "Swift's it would be a good idea to have a plan how to figure out how to get out of the house you fly inside." Black soot goes everywhere and you leave all your dead friends in drawers, behind the refrigerator, behind the hutch and in the bed and that is not good options.

Oh Swifts! The sister missionaries were at my mom's house visiting with her. My mother isn't a member yet and they all were having a very spiritual conversation. The Swifts, by the hundreds came down the chimney and scared the sisters so bad. They thought they were from the devil himself, flying black bats (they were sooty and actually do look a bit like a bat) to not only scare the sisters away, but to stop the Spirit of the moment. One sister wouldn't go back. :( The other sister helped clean. Weird birds...You take a handful of birds and throw them out the front door and they fly back in. Tell me Swifts, "Is the fun worth the collateral damage?" The sister that was so afraid and screamed and screamed was near the end of her mission and she said she didn't have a "Welcome Home Talk" prepared. She certainly had a lively story to tell her home ward when she arrived home.



I am now in a tizzy and a little thought creeps into my mind from our Prophet President Spencer W. Kimball, the President of the Church and an article he wrote the late 1970s. "Think of The Prophets" favorite children's Sunday School hymn. Yes, I remember. I have the Book. What would The Prophet Do? This is from a message from the Prophet: Spencer W. Kimball, “Fundamental Principles to Ponder and Live,” Ensign, Nov 1978, 43
His favorite Children's hymn: Deseret Sunday School Songs was published in 1909, no. 163

"1. Don't kill the little birds,
That sing on bush and tree,
All thro' the summer days,
Their sweetest melody.
Don't shoot the little birds!
The earth is God's estate,
And He provideth food
For small as well as great.

2. Don't kill the little birds,
Their plumage wings the air,
Their trill at early morn
Makes music ev'rywhere,
What tho' the cherries fall
Half eaten from the stem?
And berries disappear,
In garden, field and glen?

3. Still, like the widow's cruse,
There's always plenty left;
How sad a world were this,
Of little birds bereft!
Think of the good they do
In all the orchards round;
No hurtful insects thrive
Where robins most abound.

4. Don't kill the little birds,
That sing on bush and tree,
All thro' the summer days,
Their sweetest melody,
In this great world of ours,
If we can trust His Word,
There's food enough for all;
—Don't kill a single bird!"

"I suppose in every country in the world there are beautiful little birds with their beautiful plumage and their attractive songs."

"I remember that my predecessor, President Joseph Fielding Smith, was a protector of these feathered and other wild life creatures.

While President Smith at one time was in the Wasatch Mountain Area, he befriended the creatures from the hill and forest. He composed four little verses as follows, and opposite each he drew a little picture. Of the mountain squirrel first, he wrote:

This is little Chopper Squirrel
Up in the mountains high.
He begs us for some grains of corn,
With thanks he says goodbye.

And then the bat was next:

This is little Tommy Bat
Who flies around at night.
He eats the bugs and ‘skeeters’ too,
Which is a thing quite right.

Then he came to the deer:

This is little Bambi Deer
Who comes to the cabin homes.
She licks the salt we feed to her,
And on the mountain roams.

And then the birds:

This, our little feathered friend
Who sings for us all day.
When comes the winter and the cold,
He wisely flies away.

Now, I also would like to add some of my feelings concerning the unnecessary shedding of blood and destruction of life. I think that every soul should be impressed by the sentiments that have been expressed here by the prophets.

And not less with reference to the killing of innocent birds is the wildlife of our country that live upon the vermin that are indeed enemies to the farmer and to mankind. It is not only wicked to destroy them, it is a shame, in my opinion. I think that this principle should extend not only to the bird life but to the life of all animals. For that purpose I read the scripture where the Lord gave us all the animals. Seemingly, he thought it was important that all these animals be on the earth for our use and encouragement."

"President Joseph F. Smith said, “When I visited, a few years ago, the Yellowstone National Park, and saw in the streams and the beautiful lakes, birds swimming quite fearless of man, allowing passers-by to approach them as closely almost as tame birds, and apprehending no fear of them, and when I saw droves of beautiful deer [feeding] along the side of the road, as fearless of the presence of men as any domestic animal, it filled my heart with a degree of peace and joy that seemed to be almost a foretaste of that period hoped for when there shall be none to hurt and none to molest in all the land, especially among all the inhabitants of Zion. These same birds, if they were to visit other regions, inhabited by man, would, on account of their tameness, doubtless become more easily a prey to the gunner. The same may be said of those beautiful creatures—the deer and the antelope. If they should wander out of the park, beyond the protection that is established there for these animals, they would become, of course, an easy prey to those who were seeking their lives. I never could see why a man should be imbued with a blood-thirsty desire to kill and destroy animal life. I have known men—and they still exist among us—who enjoy what is, to them, the ‘sport’ of hunting birds and slaying them by the hundreds, and who will come in after a day’s sport, boasting of how many harmless birds they have had the skill to slaughter, and day after day, during the season when it is lawful for men to hunt and kill (the birds having had a season of protection and not apprehending danger) go out by scores or hundreds, and you may hear their guns early in the morning on the day of the opening, as if great armies had met in battle; and the terrible work of slaughtering the innocent birds goes on.

“I do not believe any man should kill animals or birds unless he needs them for food, and then he should not kill innocent little birds that are not intended for food for man. I think it is wicked for men to thirst in their souls to kill almost everything which possesses animal life. It is wrong, and I have been surprised at prominent men whom I have seen whose very souls seemed to be athirst for the shedding of animal blood.” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1939, pp. 265–66.)" I think I have my answer, here. Follow The Prophet and I will.

Last minute update...I found my answer to all the ugly bird noises and distractions. Dance with my Ipod and sing at the "top of my lungs." My exercising at the pool did a lot for my energy, but of course the exercise just does nothing for keeping me in tune, and that's funny! You think I could just harass the birds? Oh dear, I hope Fabio wasn't listening???

Tree-huggers unite. I all the rare birds and animals have come to our home for refuge. Don't worry, they'll be safe. We'll cuss each other, but I won't harm any. This is a wild life sanctuary. BTW, if you want to bird-watch the tons of birds, please ask permission, because I shoot trespassers. Ut-Oh! Long Post. Sorry.

Finlee's Baby Blessing. Immeasurable Joy In Family

We were caught unaware of how our feelings would be... when dear Finlee was blessed at Church yesterday. I have some notes, but through my foggy glasses, I'm not sure how much I wrote about the sweet Blessing gave to Finlee.

If you read my blog at all, you know that I'm never one to be at a loss for words to describe my feelings. I reflect on yesterday and all was so heart-felt; and really a moment in time that we treasure beyond words. Truly a time that goes to that place where our written journals can't describe how much love we have and realize how blessed we are here on earth. We are grateful beyond measure to our Heavenly Father and our Beloved Brother and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Be sure to turn off my music player on the left to hear the video.

Can I write... without making a comment? My mom's a baby hog and all the children were suffering from Halloween hangovers. This picture was taken just before Primary started and Preslee had already thrown-up on her teacher. Check Dean out...all the children went "unreasonably feral" after this picture. Steve and I went home and counted our blessings, instead of sheep. The Irving Berlin song was played during Sunday morning's "Music and The Spoken Word".

Bee Happy...

Bree and Tressa: Love you guys and you were both in our hearts, as well as your family. Bree...that is a beautiful, beautiful Blessing dress.

Tanner Is A Deacon

My grandson, Tanner, the first to be twelve, received the Aaronic Priesthood recently. I know all the aunts and uncles wanted to be there. The room was full and there were maybe 11 children there. Steve is in his uniform because he was teaching a CERT class (Community Emergency Response Team) in Santa Paula. It took a real coordinated effort to get a substitute teacher for him to cover him while we went to Ventura Stake for the ordination. We pulled in the parking lot and Dustin was waiting on the steps. Right behind us, Kiely and Grandma Dune pulled-in and Marnie and her kids, and Larin and her kids...convoy...but it just looked that way.

Dustin looked so serious and focused on the ordination. He would only have two young men in his family to bless and pass on the Keys of the Priesthood. I think about the greatness of the moment it not only brings joy, but great hope, and responsibility. The Priesthood is real and the ordination, is one of the most spiritual blessings I could even attend. In no way is this ordination taken lightly or without great reverence.

Besides all the extra grandchildren. Liz and Kasea Cummings, Tanner's grandmother and mother were there. Of course, Grandma Dune Lazenby, Steve and I and Dustin's wise and wonderful, Bishop Larry Young.

Tanner received not only the Aaronic Priesthood but also a blessing and it was beautiful. I hope he remembers it always.

We took a few pictures afterward and Steve and I left quickly because he had to get back to class, pronto. It was hard to leave. Bishop Young is so right, in every way. Bishop Young's words of wisdom and love made the ordination ever more memorable, especially under the circumstances. We all were edified, uplifted, spiritually lifted, and our testimonies grew and love. It was just a small passing moment but... imprinted on my mind, as everyone in attendance felt the Spirit, and reverence, and the magnitude of the importance of The Priesthood is.. in our lives. All of the children felt it and were quiet as when the Prophet came in to General Conference.

Here's The Order and Line of Priesthood for Tanner Lazenby.

Tanner McKean Lazenby was ordained by:
Dustin McKean Lazenby
Who was ordained by:
J Douglas Lazenby
Who was ordained by:
Kenneth Tanner
Who was ordained by:
Samuel E. Taylor
Who was ordained by:
Orson F. Whitney
Who was ordained by:
Joseph F. Smith
Who was ordained by:
Brigham Young
Who was ordained by:
Joseph Smith
Who was ordained by:
Peter, James and John
Who was ordained by:
Jesus Christ

I'm so grateful I was able to attend that spiritual moment. Tanner passed the Sacrament for the first time on Sunday. Dustin was so worried about him. I remember the first time Dustin passed the Sacrament. The Young Men's President didn't give him any slack and put in on the center section, I believe, is the hardest to do. I don't remember much except I know he did well.

Tanner's first assignment as a Deacon, was passing the Sacrament. Dustin tried to take Sunday off, I mean..really tried. But with the flu and fire season...Dustin was mandated to stay, as was my husband. Kiely took the Lazenby kids to Church and Kasea's family came. They all sat in the center. Jeff and Susannah are in the same ward and Susanna is Dustin's cousin. Jeff said he'd take care and help Tanner if he needed anything and would keep Dustin updated and he did. Of course, Tanner was assigned the center section, but maybe he choose it to be able to pass the Sacrament to his own family. It was reported from all our family, he did great.

Steve, Kiely, and I are really proud of you Tanner, and so is the huge, rest of your family. We love you.We were able to see Tanner pass the Sacrament in the Santa Paula Ward. We have no deacons right now. Tanner was visiting to see Finlee's Blessing and he went to go help to pass the Sacrament. He passed it to our family. First time Steve and Dustin were able to see him. It made all of us cry. Steve's heart was especially full. (translation: lots of tears of joy)

I Stinking.... Have the Swine Flu

Here I am enjoying the beach and I have the Swine Flu. I totally posed for that picture. My head feels awful. I had to leave soon after our picnic because of the glare of the water and sand.

You just might want to compare symptoms:

• A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough). Aches
• Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
• Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
• Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
• Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
• Chills are uncommon with a cold.
• 60% of people who have the flu experience chills.Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
• Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
• Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
• Sneezing is not common with the flu.
• Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
• The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hand and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.

Headache YES!!!! Swine Flu

• A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
• A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
• Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
• Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
• Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
• Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

One way to stop the spread of the epidemic is to spread the awareness.

Thursday was rough. I had a strenuous workout at the pool. My head felt like bursting and no, I had not been bitten by a vampire. The physical trainer said I need more water and that would help the headache. I figured I really doing something here. I'm so weak I almost can't get out of the pool. Yep, I worked, worked it! My long muscles were really sore and I was so hot I felt like I was having a hot flash that wouldn't quit. I positioned myself between two windows for the breeze. My brain was telling me, "Working out is really doing something here, so hot and I'm in a pool." Yes.
Steve came by to pick me up and we went straight to the beach out at the Piers on the Rincon. (no piers, now...but we still call it that) It's where you see the Richfield Island.

I had sunglasses, a cap, wet hair and old, torn-up, boot-cut, flared levis. I felt right at home there at my brother's favorite surfing spot. Short, fast, waves...I don't know, I didn't like a short ride. All that moving the board back-out and catching a wave; and it's over in seconds.

I have great memories of this spot. Parties mainly, but the travel to the Richfield Island was incredible. It's man-made. I went there for school on a school bus that was the same width as the pier. I was so scared, but it was fun noticing all the schools of grunion swimming around out there. My class was a special summer class that was college credit and what California calls an AP class.

I was so naive that when we were going out there the older boys told me that the big rocks around the island were painted with reflective paint so ships wouldn't hit it. I believed it because back then, in the mid-1960's our main Telegraph Road was repainted with the reflective paint. Shoot, I thought the reflective stuff would be painted everywhere. Good idea even now. We got out to the island and I saw what it really was... all a bunch of bird poop.

There's a heavy, heavy walkway that's made of wire mesh that you can go down to a boat, or for scuba, or just to fish. I saw 4 foot in diameter starfish down there on those huge cement boulders. Beautiful purple color. The pier's heavy posts are covered with mussel and pretty fish everywhere, trying to munch on them. We were in the water to our knees because the tide had come in. We really were in there with the fish and they weren't afraid of us. I do remember it was really cold water. Remember that point.

This would be a perfect surfer day. Maybe not for professionals, but for beginners. The waves were about 3 to 4 feet and broke perfectly to the left. East. Our beach faced south. The offshore winds were going good and the mist was spraying behind the waves--so smooth looking.

I would never, ever surf here. My dad told me when I was a little kid that this place was the string-ray incubation and breeding area of the Rincon. My brother's surfed the Piers all the time and never even saw a string-ray. However at the Cove or Mondos, if you fish there...you're going to catch a sting-ray.

It's a great grunion spot with lots of sand. All Mormon YW and YM have their parties there. We always have a fire and the fire station is less than 1 1/2 away. Never busted. It has no signs, no lifeguards, but the best thing is... some boy scout (?) built a great set of stairs to get down the rocks.

It was a wonderful place to go for a picnic. Steve had made us bologny sandwiches and after we ate, Steve started snoring. My head was pounding from the reflection of the water. I had a hard time standing. I was so worn-out from swimming and finally my fireman got on his knees and I actually used his bad shoulder to steady me as I stood-up.

I walked down to the wet sand and noticed that the tide must be coming in and the breakers were getting a lot higher. I was so hot.... so I just walked into the clear water and watched my "piggie toes" be happy. I really got wet and sandy. The water was so warm and felt so good. (odd, I thought before the water was really cold, before) I wanted to farther-out but Steve was already up the hill. I didn't think of sting rays, just watched the Sand Pipers look for sand crabs. Of course, I started looking too. I walked toward the shore and as I got to the sand I looked down and I was like a Border Collie herding a flock of Sand Fleas. Actually, that was kinda' fun. Some joy in little strange things, it's so easy to entertain me. I got up the steps but the hill was harder than I thought and I was so weak. I thought of my "inner-surfer-girl" and just scurried up the hill not even thinking I might just slip-down the loose dirt.

Steve came around the bush to help me and was surprised I was already up and ready to go. I did that without my arms out for balance, not holding on to anything, but my pants...they were so heavy if I hadn't held on to them I would have lost them. My feet and legs were super sandy and I got in the FJ, just that way. I thought I would take some sand in the house and sprinkle it on my bed. Memories of a kid's beach-cabin days of every summer.

Later:

I was so much sicker than just tired. My head was killing me and my back, and I just couldn't down enough water. I attributed it all to my hard work-out, even my hot-feeling. As soon as I laid down my tired, pounding head; the coughing started. I made an appointment for the doctor. I'm having trouble with my medication for my heart, right? Wrong, it's the Swine Flu. I was "Typhoid Mary" at our swimming aerobic class. There were only about 2 people left swimming besides me, still attending the class. I was confirmed that I had The Swine Flu at the doctor's office. Temperature. Great, no wonder I liked the cold water. No wonder I hurt so bad... everywhere, and tired, and pounding head-ache. I was growing a bronchial pneumonia in my right lung and had a sinus infection.

So now... I'm quarantined. Actually, doing my blog is hard, it's hard to sit-up straight. I was so lazy to not get the shot. This stuff hurts and if you don't take care of it, this flu will put you in the hospital. My great-grandfather, Emmett O'Connor died of the Swine Flu in 1917. My mom says that my grandpa was just a little kid (he was 9, I looked-up the records) and had to walk though deep snow in Salt Lake City, Utah to the druggist because he was the only one that didn't get sick. Odd that my thoughts go to Twilight and the Swine Flu Epidemic and Edward dying in bed.

I think I'm having a mild case because younger people, my grown children's age, would have a really hard go at getting through this. It's so easy to blame aches and pains on other things and then you're the carrier or to give it to someone who could become very, very sick.



Pigs laughing! Not funny, McGee! All pigs bite me when I go in the pen, like dog bites, always! Soooooo, I've had bland pork tamales since I've had this Swine Flu.. and I plan on eating more. Maybe I'll have bacon tomorrow!

BTW....Don't work on your blog when you are sick. This was the hardest blog I've ever done. It took on a life of it's own.

Computer Troubles... But Loving Utah and Feeling Great

I'm back online, but we were celebrating disaster week at Danger Ranch: Three injured and one dead. No dead horse, sheep, goat, or chicken. It's my phones and my computer! The injured ones were real...Adree slipped-off the horse. Horse's fault..... and Dallin cut his finger. No details here on that sweet mess, but it just hurts me to write about it. Razors. The third injury was one of the horses. Steve's horse has decided to kick her feeder when it's empty. Nice mess and she hasn't learned yet that it hurts her leg.

Oh yeah......FROG DIES ALSO..SAME DAY...the fire sprinkler wires and early morning 1:30 am making the smoke alarm scream throughout the land. DEAD FROG. FRIED! Sorry Marnie, I forgot. Danger Ranch has interesting, crazy, every daze! Marnie's house, not mine. The mansion is not immune.....it sits on Danger Ranch!


Okay..a couple neighbors and I were talking... and we found-out all of us that bundled our stuff, like...our phones, the Internet, and TV. It came to light that we must have bought them all at the same time. The big phone lines are shared.... and we are out of luck. Sweet. That made my husband furious, mainly because we all didn't have 911 and he was going to the city council to really "stir the mud" and I mean, really! He's the Disaster Specialist for the City of Santa Paula. We couldn't even call in a fire, get an ambulance, nothing.

Steve talked to the cable company and they said it will be a few days maybe 24 hours and still they didn't get it done. Steve did one more "mad march" to the cable company with the admonition that it better be fixed before Monday night, or they will hear about their inept service over channel 10 and in the newspaper. The cable guy was here in 1 hour.

I had so many plans to write about Conference, Kiely's college, the Temples, and my dear family.
And of course...squeaky cheese. You all know that squeaky cheese is a mistake. It's the cheese that gets too high in temperature too fast and it is lumpy and rubbery....just exactly like my whole family loves it. I make cheese, but I've only done that once--save the real "Beaver Squeaky Cheese" to Utah. It's special, it really is!

Funny thing when Kiely put the cheese in her mouth, and she's 20, she said exactly what she said when she was about 6 years old. "It feels like a bunch of mice in my mouth" and laughing hard at the same time. I thought she was going to choke. Yummmm.

Cache Valley Cheese

I wish we had complained about the phone and Internet earlier. We went along over 3 weeks without phone and Internet. TV worked, why could we get TV? Kiely, Steve and I had just come home from Utah and Kiely has all these beautiful pictures and I have so much blogging to do, so frustration just took over. Actually, my physical activity level went-up because I had to do my Internet at the Family History Center in Ventura and I did more of my aerobic swimming class...well, I just stayed and it's also relaxing. I really love that place and playing in the pool really tires me out. Wonderful! Really, I sleep like a little kid that has played at the beach all day. And I think that by working-out longer; I may have lost more poundage off my bod (Something that sneaks-up on me while tripping-out) That didn't sound like it was supposed to. I gain weight when we travel. How's that?

This picture just doesn't
look real--
like someone painted it.
Kiely took this beautiful
picture in Snow Canyon.

I love Utah!

More blogging very soon!

College, Conference, Collision, and Happy Ancestral DNA

We are on the far-left-center, where the tiny little arrow points Steve out. I saw the photographer but didn't quite know the scale of what the picture was going to be and it is not even all of the 21,000 or more people that were there on Sunday afternoon.



It was a bit of a slow-go when we arrived in Las Vegas, right as the sun was going down. Traffic was terrible. But we made it to St. George about 7:00 p.m. or so.

Kiely's Choice

Conference weekend and we finally confirmed that we were going to try and attend one session of Conference. We were going to be in Utah looking at Kiely's college pick. Okay, so why not try to make Conference? We had no tickets, but my daughter Bree assured us that the stand-by tickets are available if your group arrives early. We were excited about Conference and the chance we had to show Kiely that there is more to Utah than gray, brown, black, and white. Our family always traveled to Utah in the winter, the season when our business was at the slowest time.






I still can't believe that in the neighboring town where Grandpa Doug's parents were married the cattle passed right by the Temple down one of the main streets. The cows were wondering all over everyone's yard and eating flowers and NO ONE is watching this... but us three and the SUV guys. And "TA DA" Here we are taking pictures and being cheerleaders along the way. I so felt like "Duhr, Big-City, California." All of us were embarrassing ourselves.


We couldn't see how the Norwegians made this an upside-down boat. Maybe when the Visitor Center is open we can come back and revisit and really learn the details of the architecture . Kiely loved the Temple and it was just beautiful. This is Kiely's picture from the road below.

The beautiful St. George Temple. We picked cotton right outside the Visitor's Center. I had never done that before and was excited about it because we raise wool sheep. No one else thought the cotton was that interesting especially my husband, who served his mission in the Central States. It's still in the pocket to feel in my Toyota FJ.

Oh St. George! We had so much fun. Kiely and the Knapp family hiked all over Snow Canyon and we tried to take pictures. The names on the cave were made by early settlers to the valley and are written in axle grease. All of the Knapp Family and Kiely went to the Petrified Sand Dunes and the caves.

All of us went together to eat and meet a missionary were knew from our mission. The picture is my son-in-law Dave, Larin and Finlee. Below, I have a couple pictures of the boys, Jaxon and Dean. Why does Dean always think he's a pirate? Pirate grandchildren. I have a lot of them. Huh, Jane?

I think the restaurant was very, very popular place because it was so crowded. Yummy.... and We met the recent, former Elder missionary at the restaurant and was able to meet his beautiful Fiancee.

Grandma Dune's house that she helped her family build. The original was taken down at the same location. This is in Payson, Utah. The Patten family lived there and were some of the first to settle the area.

Peteetneet Grammar School. It's now a cultural arts and historical museum. It has this center foyer and all the rooms on each floor are like petals of a flower. Steve's mom, aunts, uncles, and cousins and probably even more ancestors went to that school. It's a mighty structure in honor of a Chief of the Native Americans that were near the town.

My picture came out a little fuzzy. I couldn't see much it was raining and I was crying.

This is a picture from the Church News and it shows the people pouring out of the Conference Center. It's the same view of the front only, way up high and and a little right. You can see the same four columns in the front. I have no idea where we are in this picture. hahaha

We were blessed to visit with Aunt Margaret, just a few blocks away. We had to stop and say "Hi" and give hugs. I have to admit I was glad to stop and catch my breath, too. Now there was light rain, but it felt like sunshine to us. Kiely said, "Man, she's spunky!" "I wanna be like her at her age!" Steve told her that your Grandma Dune is the same way and she said, "No...she's more direct." (Aunt Margaret)

Back To The Beginning from my Journal

We started late on our "trek" to Utah. Kiely was still in class and we didn't leave Santa Paula until about 1:00 pm. There is no way to explain the excitement Kiely had over seeing the college. She was just as impatient as she was when she was six years old. "Are we off the road yet?!" Her constant baby saying, that we heard over and over. Kiely was in what seemed like a repeat. Deja vu, only grown-up. We took my mother because my Aunt Eileen and Uncle Terry O'Connor that now live near St. George. Mom wanted to see him a lot and we really wanted to stop and see them--we don't know Hurricane at all, but we found their house. We love them so much! They are really fun couple and Eileen is the same age at I am.

The college was better than we ever imagined. The classes and programs, the amount of Church members, and even the weather, was way above our expectations. Kiely kept saying this was were her "Happy Ancestral DNA" was making her jump around and be like she was on a huge high of Mountain Dew and chocolate. We were at the college and the town that had been settled by the Danish. The sheep were due down from the mountains like the cattle in the town near there. Another big round-up. I would have loved to see that, too.

We went to the Norwegian town and said, "FEEL your Ancestral DNA, here, silly." We found the Patten house and tried to tell her how Patriarch Moroni Lazenby lived here, also. He is a great-great uncle to Steve. The town seems like it has thrown us back in time to the 1890's and was made like Brigham Young liked. Big wide streets, so a wagon team could make a U-turn anywhere and not have to make a "three-point-turn". That would be so awkward, I can't even imagine. If it weren't for all the SUVs and snow mobiles parked everywhere; the whole experience would have been surreal. I noticed all the architectural stars on all the houses in both small towns, like Texas. Kiely sure took a lot of pictures of just houses.

Back to the college town. She had appointments and a tour. Kiely's "bells and whistles" went-off again. This is were my "Happy Ancestral DNA" is, it's here. Steve and I in unison, "You just like the school, stop it!" I told her it was because there's Walmart across the main highway and she just wants to shop. She didn't take that well.

We stayed in Richfield and then Sunday morning took off to Conference. We had plenty of time to get there. Our pit-stop was a Stake Center in Payson and we took pictures of the family home and the museum that was once a grammar school. All the Patten family children attended school there in the beautiful building called, Peeteeneet Grammar School. It was raining so hard, I didn't even get out. Of course it was closed, but Kiely wanted to peer in every window.

The FJ was back on the road again and it started raining harder and harder. Lightening and thunder and slower traffic. We couldn't even see out the front window, our wipers weren't fast enough. Then it hailed and near Sandy almost to Salt Lake City, and then it started snowing! It was so pretty. We couldn't see the tops of the mountains, but the canyons were breath-taking with the Autumn leaves of gold, red, and green.

A wreak happened in front of us and my fireman hero just parked it in the medium and jumped-out. No words. He has done that so many times. A lot of people stopped, but he was in his working mode. Everyone standing, but the blue car ahead. He stuck his head inside and it looked like a bunch of young adults going to Church (Conference). They were all fine except they were dazed and kept going out into oncoming traffic. Steve was pulling them off the road, checking them for, I think the term is TBI or Traumatic Brain Injury.

The paramedics arrived and we just left, knowing now we would be late. I never feel bad about the prospect of postponement or "change of plans" it has been with me, all my life. Fireman's wives have to be flexible and how much more important it was to stop, then to be at Conference. It was still on the radio, loud and clear. I love new cars, not because of the shiny new paint, or the new smell, but the fact is that the car can be so totaled and yet a life-saving cage of protection. Cars rolled, truck was upside-down. Everyone scooted-out, okay. I do believe that there were guardian angles with all these accident victims. The accident could have been so much worse.

The only place we could park was way down along a neighborhood street, about a mile from the Conference Center. Steve went on ahead to the stand-by line. I couldn't catch my breath. I now realize the altitude was getting me. Kiely sat me down in the front on a rock as big as a bench right at front of the Center and took-off to see where her dad was in line. I started crying, people everywhere with signs to try and get tickets, they were like street beggars, everywhere. The protesters were behind me, but I never heard a word. The Temple wall across the street, was surrounded by young adults singing and they drowned-out any noise from the people that were there to cause a continuing source of intimidation, protesting, and religious harassment. The protesters were on private land and I believe were breaking the law. No one even looked at them or engaged them in conversation. It was like the protesters didn't exist. Latter-day Saints generally are so cool-minded.

Hundreds, if not a thousand people were in line for stand-by tickets. Steve or Kiely were updating me on their progress. There, finally.... were only about 100 people ahead of him, then only 10. The tickets were stopped, being held-back for only those in line. I wasn't there and Kiely and Steve decided that they would take me to Temple Square and we would listen to Conference on the grass and in the rain. I was soaked on the rock bench. Kiely and I had been praying hard for tickets...I think that's why I was crying. I wore my swimming mascara so my face didn't turn black.

Out of nowhere... a man handed the couple behind Steve two tickets and then turned to Steve and gave him three. I asked Steve if he was praying for tickets, he said, "No, I was doing the work and I left that up to you and Kiely."

Diana and Jim were there with friends and we couldn't find them.... so many people. Our seats were wonderful. Actually any seat is wonderful...Diana and Jim were way up high. I was in heaven and overwhelmed by the crowd of people in the large room. The lilac backdrop and dresses of the choir were just beautiful. And the jewels of the pipes to the organ made this place even more incredible. We were about... give-or-take.... 50 or so, rows away from the front. My picture shows Steve, who towers over us all and he stood out just enough for me to find him in the picture. I saw the photographer take it. He's under the tiny lilac arrow above.

I have never been to an assembly of people so large. I have never experienced the complete and total reverence given to the Prophet when he walked-out of the hallway. Not one peep. I sat down again and started crying--no noise, just happy to be there and see the Prophet of the Lord and get first-hand counsel from the Brethren, Sisters, and the Prophet himself. The Spirit was so strong and we all will never be the same. I knew I was in the right place. Heavenly Father blessed us, even though we were late. Were we blessed because we stopped to help the young adults in the wreck, knowing that the time spent there meant losing a seat? I have no idea, but I am so grateful for the chance that Steve, Kiely, and I attended Conference for the first time.

Funny thought came to mind: I stopped and did this silly wave when President Monson was waving good-bye and he stopped and did the same silly wave back to me.

My hair was straight as a stick. I saw myself in the windows of the Conference Center. I was a drowned, chubby, rat. My handkerchief will never be the same. I even made holes in it. What's that about, excitement? yeeaaahhh.

My Steve ran like the marathon man that he is... and he brought the car over to a parking lot to help me inside. We didn't say much, but we knew we needed to see Aunt Margaret Gasparac. She opened the door like Dune and waved us in and also apologized about the rain. We were loving the rain. I'm sure with all the hay fields just cut, we were about the only ones enjoying the raindrops and wonderful fresh smell of rain. I hope the weather quickly dried the fields and there wasn't much damage to the crops. We only stayed a few minutes, took pictures, gave hugs, and love. She stood at the door until we were around the corner, just like my mother-in-law, Dune.

I don't know where the time went. We talked about movie sets in Payson and sang a few songs on the MP3 and we were back. Kiely again talked about her dang, DNA was happy as we passed through the college town. We still continued on to Hurricane and had a wonderful meal with my aunt and uncle. We sorta' forgot to eat along the way. My mother showed me all of my Aunt Eileen's paintings that hung throughout their home. I knew she had painted a little quail on a leaf for my mother, but this all was so incredible. I was touched by the one of her most recent paintings and that was of her and her sister at the edge of a beach shoreline saying "goodbye." I know that it represented the knowledge, hope, and faith that they will be reunited again as a family, after death. I'm so glad that they like being there with Latter-day Saints around them. I think even a Bishop lives close to them. I'm grateful because I know they will be taken-care of there.

A trip to the Cache Valley Cheese Factory to get "squeeky chesse" was next. I already blogged about that fun experience! "Mice in her mouth" When we finally got to Fillmore, California. We called Tressa to be out in front of her house to get the cheese. If she wasn't there, we would throw it on her lawn. Steve had to teach a CERT class in just an hour and we were so rushed and so tired. My poor mom and Kiely in the back seats. It was not exactly cozy back there.

As we got in the driveway, it seemed Steve jumped-out almost with the car moving. j/k He took-off to his class and Kiely and I laughed at the cacophony of the animals greeting us at home. The "Rooster Donkey" cracks-me-up! Still!

I just want to add... that I looked for Steve's ancestors in Utah. Hmmmmm. They were born in Ephraim. The great-great grandmother named Stevens was also from Ephraim. The great-great grandfather was born there. The Tilby and Stevens family homes are even displayed in his records. My mind is going...let's go find them, next time. The ancestors have a lot of connection with the Prophet Brigham Young's Muddy River Mission. I understand now, Kiely's "Happy Ancestral DNA". Her ancestors were from Ephraim, Utah and she really did have this... "Happy Ancestral DNA," feeling. I am excited for her. I have to remember this experience during my "empty-nest" trial. Journaling is good.

Empty Nest This is Where It All Gets Scary

The Last, Kiely Is Going To College

Do I want her to go? Easy answer: "No!" She has spent all her scholarship money and steer auction money on her education at three different community colleges. Some courses are still unavailable to her because incoming freshman always get first shot at Spanish and English 101. Not nice, actually since she has 86 transferable credits and since she has to have those two classes for graduation from junior college and to transfer to the state college it makes transferring difficult, but...well...she can still do it. Kiely is actually trying to get into a college not far from where Dave and Larin are going to live soon. She hopes to get housing, but they are planning for her to live with them just in case she doesn't receive a scholarship for the shared housing. Kiely has a strong "B" average and lots of leadership experience. We are going to send them a real example of being a well-rounded individual with a determination of all her sisters and brother, combined. She wants to learn so bad and loves school. Wow! If I only had that will-power when I attended school.

Kiely tells us all the time that Heavenly Father didn't want her to attend Cal Poly like her grandfather. I thought that not going up there to San Luis Obisbo or to U.C. Davis would break her heart. She has been disappointed with stories from so many new freshman that come back from BYU of stories (completely just stories, but she does want the LDS atmosphere) BYU isn't what they expected, and it was too huge to really acclimate. The weather, no friends, small town girls get confused....no Animal Science Department to speak of, and a great way to be lost in the shuffle. Small town girl hitting Provo would be like downtown Los Angeles with the same very fast cars, but super slippery and foggy. I think she made a wise chioce. She's excited that the school seems to fit her perfectly.

The tuition for an out-of-state person to attend any Utah school is about $8,000. Steve and I are still taking her up to the school this weekend and try very hard to attend General Conference, also.

Kiely has only seen Utah through a young babies eyes and tells us that it looks like an old sepia-type photo, even the lights on the Temple. Yes, we were only there in the darkest part of winter. What Kiely saw was white, browns, grays and black. She can't even imagine that it is as pretty as her Grandma Dune describes. Sooooo, here she is wanting to go to an upstanding school that has great discipline like an LDS religious school. She could study her chosen major in a smaller environment. She already knows some students that are going to the same school when she goes as a junior.

Is it weird for a mother to not want her to get accepted yet? I couldn't stand for her to be disappointed again. I am absolutely sure she could get in, if we had the money. It's all gone. Everything we saved for this day has gone to other priorities and the economy. Does she dare get a loan? We will have to do this like we jump into anything. We will have to rely on turning this over to the Lord and not worry. If she gets in and starts, maybe things will come for her to keep her there, or on to the next chosen college... that she's aiming for at this time. She has followed the advice of the Church leaders to attend local schools first, and then continue after accomplishing that goal. Kiely is ready.

This whole thing makes me "sigh" and then feel lonely. I'll miss her silly laugh and still running down the hall, practicing tap dancing on my living room floor, and trying to out-scream Tatum. And Sahara and I will miss her, "SSSSaaa---hairrrrr---aaaa," high pitched "hello" to her horse every morning.

P.S. From all the errors in my grammar, spelling, and verb agreement, etc. you can sure tell I didn't do much in college! Yes, all this school stuff rattles me completely.