The Far Side still makes me laugh!

I really miss Gary Larson and the Far Side cartoons.  Even though I've seen most of them many times they still make me smile so here is one for today.  I love doing this kind of stuff to my children.

A Day at the Calgary Zoo

We spent a fair portion of the day today exploring the Calgary Zoo with our grandson.  His first trip but I'm sure not his last.  We had a wonderful time and especially enjoyed watching the newest attraction at the zoo, the penguins.  Timed it just right so we got to see them being fed.  I've included a video we shot of the penguins and a few pictures of our day.  There is nothing more fun than spending time with our kids and grandchildren.  Eli was full of excitement and awe as each new creature was within his view.  His monkey imitation is the best!

Husband of the Year Award

I got an email today containing the pictures included in this post and it was labeled as above.  I don't normally forward these things along but thought this was quite humorous as well as telling about the way things have changed over the past 50 years.  So have a look and hopefully you don't see yourself in any of these pictures.  Pictures were labeled with the countries as shown but I have no way of confirming if they are accurate.  Enjoy!

Greece

Ireland

Poland

Serbia

United Kingdom

USA

The note indicated that the Irish gentleman is the winner but I think the guy in the following video takes the award.  Really feel sorry for this bride, looks like years of abuse and hell in store for her.

My Mom, Words Cannot Express

Mom

My Mother was a remarkable woman who, without much help, raised four boys in trying times and taught the value of living a life filled with appreciation for friends, family, gifts and talents.  She loved sports, her dog Buffy, a good brownie but most of all her family.  This entry is dedicated to her and the things she loved and the things she cherished.  Below is her favourite poem which we, her sons, had all memorized at a young age and truly have written upon our hearts.

In Loving Memory: Merlyn Jenson Wright / May 13, 1933 - October 29, 1993

Abou Ben Adhem - James Henry Leigh Hunt (October 19, 1784 - August 28, 1859 / Southgate, London

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An angel writing in a book of gold:—
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said
"What writest thou?"—The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord,
Answered "The names of those who love the Lord."
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerly still, and said "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellow men."

The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.

As Mother's Day approaches I always find myself thinking more and more about my mom.  Her birthday often coincided with Mother's Day and I can't help but think of how life would be different for me, her grandchildren and now her great grandchildren.  She would have been in her glory to have all these little ones glamoring for her attention, anxious to read books with her or play cards on the floor.  She was an exceptional, caring and supportive mother with an unlimited ability to give of herself.  I love to see how my wife has incorporated many of the grandmotherly things my mom used to do with our kids now that we have our own grandchildren.  Almost twenty years have passed and not a day goes by that I don't think of her and miss her more than words can express.

Missing My Dad

A few days shy of my dad's 75th birthday in 2006 he was thrown from a horse as he was getting ready to take one of his grandchildren for a ride and suffered a severe head injury which resulted in his death.  Days before his family had gathered in anticipation of his 75th party so he had lots of loved ones nearby when he left this earthly plane.  My dad, at times, was a mystery to me but he was loved by many and you couldn't help but like him.  It was often said that he should have been a movie star with his good looks and quick smile but it was these very things that sometimes got him into trouble.  I have tried to learn from his stories and example of hard work, self reliance and patriotic service as well as how to be a loving grandfather.  When he passed he left me three things which I cherish.  When I was twelve I took a hunter's safety course in preparation of being able to hunt pheasants for the first time.  (A pastime which I still enjoy with my son to this day.)  While taking this course I had to take the shooting portion of the course with an old Remington bolt action .22 caliber rifle that my dad had for many years.  Years later, as a gift I refinished the stock on this old rifle and blued the barrel and surprised him with it.  One day I will pass this collectable to my son.  Secondly, he started a life history shortly before his passing and I love looking through these pages of stories, some of which I had never heard until it was too late.  And lastly, he left me a memory full of thoughts, sights and impressions that I hope have made me a better man.  I think of him often and my brother, Mike,  summed it up pretty well in Farrell's obituary with a few excerpts posted below:

One of a Kind:  John Farrell Larsen / August 31, 1931 - August 21, 2006

August 22, 2006

Farrell Larsen was born on August 31, 1931 to William Lavor and Ivadene Anderson Larsen in Garland, Utah. He was one of seven children and enjoyed a wonderful bond with his brothers and sisters, their spouses and all of the nieces and nephews. While growing up on the family farm on West Factory Road in Garland, Farrell learned the values of hard work, family, sacrifice, self-sufficiency and industry. In addition to his fabulous and ever present smile, Farrell's penchant for hard work was one of his defining qualities. He was also quick to laugh, he loved a good joke, engaged in his share of mischief and he amazed us all with his never-ending supply of "Farrellisms"-his own brand of philosophy, wisdom and social commentary all rolled into spontaneous expressions perfectly suited for just the right situations.

He was proud of his sons and hesitated not in the least to brag about them or his beautiful grandchildren, often declaring that "there wasn't an ugly one in the bunch!" He could always be found on the sidelines of sporting events cheering on his grandsons and engaging in all manner of political incorrectness, thereby endearing himself to some but certainly not all.

Farrell was a spiritual man in his own way. His eloquent prayers and heart-felt thanks for the blessings of life and family stood in juxtaposition to his colorful language used on occasion for special emphasis or when dealing with a stubborn horse. He was quick to offer help to the boy scouts, the widows, neighbors, and those who could use his help.

Truly you could not take the farm out of this country boy. His grandsons marveled that "with a hammer and cutting torch, grandpa could fix just about anything." Farrell Larsen wasn't a perfect man, but he was a damn good man. Guys like him-with a big heart to love you, big hands to help you and a big smile to encourage you-don't come along every day. Nope, they sure don't.

Dakota, a brown-skin friend.

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went. - Will Rogers

Dakota

A couple weeks ago, my brother lost his best four-legged friend, Dakota.  She was a great comfort and companion to their family and it saddened us to hear of their loss.  We have many fond memories and stories generated in the fields of South Dakota pheasant hunting with this hell-bent hound.  Today, the day after Easter 2012, my wife found this poem among our collection and I felt impressed to share it here:

My Gift to Jesus - Jane L. Sears

I wish someone had given little Jesus
A dog as loyal and loving as mine
To sleep by His manger and gaze in His eyes
And adore Him for being divine.

As Our Lord grew to manhood,
His own faithful dog would have
Followed Him all through the day
While He preached to the crowds
And made the sick well
And knelt in the Garden to pray.

It is sad to remember that Christ went away
To face death alone and apart,
With no tender dog following close behind
To comfort it's Master's heart.

And when Jesus rose on that Easter morn,
How happy He would have been
As His dog kissed His hand and
Barked its delight
For the One who died for man.

The Lord has a dog now,
I just sent Him mine,
The old pal so dear to me.
And I smile through my tears on this first day alone
Knowing they're in eternity.

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Writing a Personal History

Last night I attended a meeting and got to hear two of my friends speak about various things but what I came away with was a greater desire to start working again on my personal history.  Both of these men are somewhat senior to me and I respect them greatly.  Bruce recently knocked on death's door and made his way back to the land of the living with a new found appreciation for life, family, friends and the power of prayer.  I was touched and humbled by his remarks and my own mortality is a bit closer this morning as I write this entry.  Lee, my other grandfatherly friend, stirred within me a greater desire to leave something meaningful and of greater worth than money or gold and that is a detailed history of my life.  My father, shortly before his death, started to write a history and I truly cherish it but wish that it was more detailed and encompassed more of his life.  So, I am starting now to put down in a list the things that I think will be meaningful and of value to my posterity.  I have not lived a flamboyant life by any means and it won't be made into a movie staring Alec Baldwin, but I will probably gain more from the exercise than anyone else and perhaps it will help me sidestep Alzheimer's.

It's not a bad idea to include pictures that will help those that read your history to have an appreciation for the time in which you lived.  Not unlike the picture of me and my mom in front of the gas station that my dad owned many years ago.

Link for helpful hints on writing your own personal history.

Conoco Station, Brigham City, Utah 1961

Easter Message

As most of the Christian World celebrated Easter this past weekend I reflected upon a number of things most of which included my family and the close bonds that we share and the struggle that it is to maintain the fabric of life that interweaves our hearts and souls.  My wife and I enjoyed a meal at one of our favorite restaurants a few nights ago and as I looked about and observed the other patrons I noted that many there were families, however, most were spending their time staring at an electronic device rather than interacting with one another.  We absolutely live in a fast paced world and as a parent and grandparent I see these rare opportunities for one on one interaction with family slipping away and would that I could turn back time and have some do-overs.  At this Easter, I am challenging myself and would you as well to reflect on what you are writing on the tablet of your heart and worry less about what you write on the tablet in your hands.
I know of no better depiction of the meaning of Easter than illustrated in the media event included here.  Please take a minute to see what Jesus Christ has done for us.