Fall Flew

     I remember thinking at the beginning of this year that time seemed to be moving slowly; now, the last three months seemed to have flown by.  Lots to cover:

September:  

     Started by taking a weekend trip to the cabin with Sandra.  Beautiful fall colors along the reservoir and in the mountains.  We went golfing on the course near the cabin and I got these shots. 

The fountain in the pond on #8 above and looking down from the first tee box below.

     The next scheduled thing in September was a trip to Tennessee to run in the Smokey Mountain Half Marathon.  The first sign of trouble was when our flight to Denver was delayed in Idaho Falls.  I have been to the Denver Airport before and know how huge it is (the last time I was there I had to get on a shuttle to get to my connecting gate), and we didn't have a lot of time to make our next connection.  We were assured the flights out of Denver were delayed too.  Get to Denver and our next gate is over half a mile away (we know because we walked it later).  The guy at the ticket desk has us jump on a golf cart type jeep to hurry us there, but it didn't seem to be in the biggest hurry.  It still stopped for drop offs and to pick up another couple and to run and charge another vehicle.  We finally get to our gate and the door is shut and nobody is around.  We can see our plane out the window--with the gateway still attached--but nobody there to let us on.  Quinn runs over to another desk to speak to someone.  They get on the phone with someone official and we are informed we are SOL once the door shuts.  

    Walk back to the United counter and find out the next available flight is 24 hours later which would put us in Tennessee too late to attend the expo to pick up our packets and that would mean we would need to be at the race by 5:00 am the next morning to get our numbers.  It would also mean spending the night in the airport because we had no luggage and they assured us if we didn't make the plane neither did our luggage (FALSE). We had to think about what to do next and make phone calls to see if we could get any of our money back from the hotel and car rental.  By the time we had talked on the phone and been put on hold numerous times and discussed our options, we decided to just fly back home and bag the trip.  Returning to the United counter, we found we were one of dozens of people stranded by missed connections and then it was over an hour wait in line to get arrangements made for a flight back to Idaho.  Another tight window to get to our connecting gate and that is when we measured the distance as we hightailed it back to almost the same gate we came out of.  Safe flight home, stop at McDonald's since we hadn't eaten all day, and home about 11:00 pm.  A very disappointing and long day, but we did find out our suitcase made it to Tennessee and took three days to come home to us.  This is a partial view of the line of people in front of us to rearrange flights.  I think I counted 24 parties ahead of us.

     Since we didn't make our trip to the South, I was able to substitute teach three days the next week, had everyone over for chili on Sunday, and we attended the funeral of our next door neighbor Glenna Transtrum.  The end of September included taking my new friend Sunday Turner on a tour of Matt's potato operation--it was fun to show her how the harvest works and she was most impressed with the cellar and that it would eventually all be filled with potatoes--and another trip to the cabin with Sandra.  I took my sewing machine this time and got some projects done and I invited Sunday to come up and spend the day, which she did! 

Above are two pillowcases for Preston and Delanee--both getting baptized 

together in St. George.

I made this baby quilt to use up leftover flannel, but it uses up a surprisingly small amount.  I could probably make 50 more with the scraps I have.  I put the binding on at the cabin.  Below are more snap purses.  The Halloween purse was for a missionary Sister Lauren Anderson who I correspond with.

     I next had the Murdock boys for the day as Katie was working in the harvest and the two oldest stayed for a sleepover.  We spent lots of time playing in the park at Jensen's Grove.  The month ended with a Relief Society Social in which Quinn was among others who cooked Dutch oven dishes.  He made my favorite turtle cake.  The meal was yummy, but I left before the games began so I could attend my book club.  The book: The Book of Lost Friends (4 stars).

October:

     This month included more substitute teaching (a LOT more), dehydrating apples and making pies, Kara and Terry's mission call to Costa Rica, tracking the girl's ballgames on the GameChanger app, attending the Pocatello Temple Open House with Sandra, watching Adi and Rylee run cross country, playing Annie I Over on Sundays, and ushering at the temple open house (NOT).  

It is very hard to get pictures of runners--and the one below is taken from a video but it has them both in the same frame.  

We really enjoyed attending their meets--an easy spectator sport.

     Quinn and I had every intention of ushering at the temple open house.  We attended the pre-meeting at the church the Sunday before and arrived early for the pre-meeting before walking up to the temple that morning.  It was only after we sat and waited for a turn to usher and the ones at the beginning of the line were already back and ready to go again, that we decided we were not "essential" and they could get along fine without us.  Besides, Quinn had already done a shift working as a parker and traffic stopper for an afternoon.  At that point, we handed in our badges and went for a drive up a canyon in Pocatello and saw a TON of wild turkeys.  Quinn was counting while I took pictures and there were at least 50-75.  Some were flying into Russian olive trees and a house had an entire flock? fleet? in their yard.  If they are as trashy as geese, I felt sorry for the home owner.  After the sighting of all the wild turkeys, we went to a yummy breakfast at ButterBurr's.  

     The night before Halloween, I drove to Kara's and spent the night to attend my first play of the season in SLC.  The play was Frozen and I loved it.  It felt so good to be back in the theater.  I didn't arrive home until after the trunk or treat had ended in front of our house.  I wasn't able to see the kids in person, but here are some pictures from the holiday.

Wes was Peter Pan, so Katie and Matt were lost boys.

Saw the cartoon below on FB and just had to include it for our Ruth.

A well decorated yard near the Pocatello Temple:

November:

     The month started with a trip to St. George to drive Sandra to the double baptism and for me to visit my doctor and spend time with Chad and Peachy.  Didn't get to spend a lot of time with C&P because they are very busy with their jobs and school, but we did get to play a game of Five Crowns and Scrabble and go to the movie The French Dispatch.  Chad also made me dinner.  I got to see a lot of Kristine and her family and we spent a day figuring out how to work her fancy embroidery machine and then embroidering 30+ names of her family members to be put on stockings for Christmas.  I think we mastered that part.  We also got a notion to finally sew together a tree quilt we had cut out a couple years before.  We were up until 1:00 am sewing and what we didn't finish, I brought home with me and did.  The quilt is now at the quilters, so I will take a picture of it when I finish it.  

These are an example of some of the stockings.  The oval name tag is what we made and then attached to the socks.  

This is the progress of the Washington County Temple near Kristine's home.

I saw this great white heron on my first walk to the bridge over Virgin River. 

This is Bob Carlos.  He use to live at Aubree's home in AZ, but now resides at Kristine's.  He is quite entertaining to watch and comes toward you when he hears your voice.

 

     Kara and Terry drove up the Tuesday before Thanksgiving to attend a session at the Pocatello Temple and then spend the night with us.  It was good to have one last visit before they report to the MTC on Monday the 6th.  Everyone had other plans for Thanksgiving Day, so I spent the day putting up my Christmas decor and watching Pride & Prejudice on PBS.  That night, Quinn and I watched Jumanji (he had never seen it) while I made pies and he seeded pomegranates.  The following day we had an abbreviated dinner: turkey sandwiches, cheese and crackers, pomegranate salad, and pies.  We had all the Murdocks and Audrey, Beau, and Gus.  Enjoyed ourselves and played Sequence with K&M while Wes napped and A took the boys to a light parade in Pocatello to collect candy.

     That brings me up-to-date with December.  Today I took Sunday to the Christmas Tree Fantasy and tomorrow I drive to SLC to see the second play of the season--Mean Girls.  Unfortunately, Quinn is sick with a cold now and he didn't golf today or yesterday so you know he really is sick.  On Wednesday, the last day he golfed, he got a 74! so I know he is anxious to get out there again while weather permits.  

I planted these mums after I brought them home from the cemetery Memorial weekend.  They are finally blooming in November.  

Below my Christmas cactus is starting to bloom too. 

I wanted to capture the flag lined street that welcomed The Wall That Heals that came to Blackfoot.  It was a very touching memorial and Quinn and I enjoyed walking around it.

Below is a memorial in Thayne, WY, for one of the Marines killed as the US tried to evacuate in Afghanistan.  His name is Rylee McCollum from Wyoming and his wife was expecting their first child when he was killed.  So sad.

The Murdock boys on Thanksgiving Day.  Below is poor Wes getting reprimanded for making a mess of Katie's puzzle.  Luckily, all the pieces were found and it all came together despite his "help".

More snap purses.  The Christmas ones are for the grandkids to give their teachers.  I think I am done for a while.  

This is a pillowcase for Kimberly's daughter Gwen who is getting baptized tomorrow.

Here are a few memes from FB I wanted to remember:

Officially Christmas ready.

Last Sunday, Quinn and I went for a drive to see some lights.

A couple of beautiful sunsets this fall.

 

Summer 2021--that's a wrap

 

    Actually, you could insert the name of any diet pop and it would still work for me.   

    I will begin where I left off at the end of June.  I started July with McCrae staying with me while his folks went on their annual float trip with their friends.  He came home with me Wednesday night and Thursday Katie and the boys came in for some play time.  Dax had a sleep over with us and the next day Gus, Dax, and I hiked around Freeman Park and then they played in the creek that runs through it.  They were major complainers about the hike (I wanted to pass this off for my trail series), but they loved the creek that was shallow enough for Dax to wade in.  From there we had lunch at Costa Vida with Katie, Rhett, and Wes.  Gus wanted to go to McDonald’s so was not happy about our choice.  On the way in he was complaining about what he was going to eat, to which Dax commented, “Gus, you should try new things,”--this advice coming from the kid who HATES to try new things.

    Off to the cabin for the July 4^th weekend.  We got to golf, swim, play games, ride scooters, swing and swing and swing, and visit with Thane, Linda, and Cassie.  We also took the boys to see the fireworks in Thayne Saturday night.  Sunday it was back home to mom and dad.

    I spent a week at Pasa-La-Coma as the cook for the YCL girls and all the stake leaders.  Ten meals in five days for about 60 people.  I had lots of good help in the kitchen and got to know some very nice people.  I enjoyed the speakers they invited and was happy Quinn agreed to come up for a night and cook Dutch oven desserts. 

    There was quite a stir when this moose was spotted in the swimming hole one night.

    In order to get the large handicapped shower in the morning, I would have to get up fairly early.  It allowed me to see some beautiful sunrises.Overview of the camp.

    I asked Kara to do the Temple to Temple 5K with me on my birthday.  Afterwards we walked to Hruska’s Kolaches deli and stood in line to eat—but it was worth the wait.  We then watched four episodes of Making the Cut and picked out who we wanted to win (Gary didn’t 😕 ) before I headed home.

We started at the Provo Temple.Ended at the Provo City Temple.

Saw this interesting artwork on our walk.

My kolache is ham and eggs.

    At the end of July, I went south to enjoy the Shakespeare Festival and spend time with Chad and Peachy.  I saw Pericles on the way down and brought Peachy back to watch The Pirates of Penzance the next night.  Saturday I had tickets for The Comedy of Errors, but when I arrived, there was a major rainstorm happening.  It canceled the greenshow, so I spent my pre-play time waiting out the storm on the balcony of the outdoor theater enjoying the thunder and lightning show.  A huge clap of thunder erupted right over our heads and then the lights went out.  Shortly they came back on, but I found out later that was only because of the generator.  While I was in my seat is when the Festival director came on stage to announce the show was canceled because the theater had no power.  Another rainy drive back to St. George all for nothing.  Bummer.  I returned a couple of days later to see Ragtime and that night was scheduled to see The Count of Monte Cristo with Kristine in Tuacahn.  She text me during the matinee to say she wasn’t feeling well and wouldn’t be coming with me to the night show.  Double bummer.  I enjoyed all the plays I got to see and it felt good to be back inside a theater after a 20 month hiatus.  Enjoyed time with C&P—playing games at night, binge watching Season 3 of Professor T, walking, getting a pedicure as a birthday present, shopping, and catching up on their lives. 

Progress of the second temple going up in St. George.

Other things of note:

💛Going to watch grandkids play ballgames and following on the phone app.  The girl’s Cyclone team won 1^st place in a three day tournament in Montpelier.

Wes and Beau hanging out at a t-ball game.

💛Boys and buckets.  A favorite pastime on warm days when the boys came to visit was to fill buckets with water and play outside.  Later in the summer, buckets of sand became popular too.

Dax learned to pump!

💛For Quinn's birthday, we took a drive to Sun Valley in the Vette.  We found the old house Jerry and Sandra partly owned and it still looks nice.  Sun Valley has grown and is still under lots of new construction.

💛Adilyn and Rylee got braces:

💛I took a hike up Fall Creek.  This was a four mile hike--two miles to a bridge and two miles back.  It called the first mile an "ascent" which was too kind a word for what it really was--straight uphill.  Once I had the first mile done, I just turned around and came back down.

💛Sewing.  I seem to be in a funk about sewing this summer.  I start projects but don’t finish them and can’t seem to find the motivation to sew much.  It will pass.  What I have been able to complete are a bunch of snap purses for different people.  I think I’ve done seven so far, but have several more to finish.  I also made an apron for my camp cook assistant but forgot to get a picture of it finished.

💛Spent a few days at the cabin with the Murdock family (minus farmer Matt) to enjoy their last full week of summer vacation.

💛Sang a lot of 'Happy Birthday to You' songs.

💛After a donation of canning lids from Sandra, Quinn was able to put up 20 bottles of salsa.  It has been impossible to find Kerr or Ball lids all summer--unless you plan to buy them with the bottles which we don't because we have enough bottles.  From our one tree, I got three bags of peaches to freeze, a peach pie and many yummy ones to eat.

💛We had our Capson Family Reunion on August 21.  Unfortunately, we had a small crowd of only 52.   I believe this COVID mess has put people off about gatherings.  We did have four Cotterell cousins from California come.  I haven't seen them in ages and we ended the day with just us having a good visit.  Of course, nobody was aware enough to get pictures!! That night we had a huge thunder and lightning storm--very impressive with tons of rain.  Kara came up for the reunion and I took this picture on our early morning walk:

💛Back to school😊

💛This and that:

Pocatello temple is almost ready for the Open House.

💛This sun shot isn't mine, but it was taken by FB friend Sandee Mathews.  She took it in Island Park and I am using it because it turned out better than the ones I have tried to take of the orange sun caused by all the smoke and grain dust.