Clara's Canine Capers

Yesterday, Sunday, the family gathered at our house for Sunday dinner. The food was fine, the company was great, but the highlight was Clara's encounter with Winnie's doggy door. Clara is very good at figuring things out. She has learned how to work the safety gate on Anna's stairs; she just isn't quite heavy enough to trip the latch. (See Courtney's post for a photo.)

Clara has watched Winnie come and go through the doggy door and decided to give it a try. It was very satisfactory and she went in and out several times before we finally closed the covering panel -- kill joys!

Inside

Outside

Clara is a busy little bundle. And we love her.

OXO

D.

It's Their Fault!

This morning there are three inches of fresh snow on the back fence! OK, it isn't that unusual to have snow during March and even early April in Utah, but it still bugs. The cause of the storm has nothing to do with weather patterns, it is all the work of Kris and Katy who washed their cars yesterday. Nothing is more effective than car washing to create a storm. Sigh.

YIKES!

Hmmm?

Kris tries out her new car-washing gadget

Katy is trying for the clean-car award, just like in WA

Keep watching for spring in a town near you.

OXO

D.

Warm and Sincere Felicitations to Maren

On this, the 25th day of March, I want to wish our dear "Maryleborn" a very happy birthday! I have many happy memories of life with you as you grew up. One of my favorites was when as a very small lass, in your little red jacket, you shadowed me everywhere I went in London. What larks we had riding at the top front of the old red Routemaster busses.

I am proud of who you have become. You have a trophy husband, two wonderful and humorous little sons, an attractive and homey house, and you are a killer cook. I love you and hope you have a fun and happy day.

OXO

Dad

A Happy Easter Weekend

Saturday, while Rob, the night-shift worker slept, Anna and the kids came to Provo. We spent part of a beautiful but slightly cool afternoon at the park. The Wasatch School playground was the focus of our fun.

Later in the afternoon everyone gathered at our home to dye eggs and eat supper. After the dishes were done, we all marched to the Trammell's house for an open house for Jake who has been called to the Nebraska Omaha Mission. It was fun to see all the Trammells again, kind of like a mini reunion. Phillip said he could still remember their phone number after all these years; we all could. And the Trammell girls still remembered our number. Some silly things time doesn't erase.

Today (Sunday) Kris and I went to hear Jake talk. He did a great job and his grandma, Sue, was the "youth speaker." This afternoon we gathered again at Emily's for a Easter dinner of traditional leg of lamb. An Easter egg hunt was the final event of the holiday weekend. We missed our Arizona cousins and hope they had a nice weekend too.

The Hastings kids

Tucker going up the slide

The dying begins

Katy, Ollie, Meg, Jayson, and Phillip mentally prepare to dye their eggs

That's a lot of eggs!

Ed and Sue Trammell with the Taylors

Leah and Jessie with Leah's baby

Katy and Kris in their Easter frocks

Lamb, mint sauce, potatoes and gravy, and green beans - Yum!

The troops lined up for food - Katy and Courtney have been joined by Meg in the Silly-Face Club

Clara is a constant source of entertainment

Egg hunters celebrate their success

Tomorrow it is back to school and work. Sigh.

OXO

D.

Stuff That is Floating Around in My Head

Just like many others in the USA, I have been mulling over the candidates for president in both parties. I read someones opinion about Obama's speech and some of the responses and it got my thoughts churning.

I distrust the United States Government and all of those associated with it. I do not see one party as better than the other. I would, in general, find more to like in terms of fiscal-conservative principles in the Republican platforms. I have, however, always opposed the Iraq War, even before I learned about the inconsistencies and lack of believable government explanation of the "terrorist" attacks of 9/11. So I am a conflicted political freak.

I liked Mitt Romney as a problem solver, but hated the fact that he threw over his moderate Republican stance in order to pander to the conservative Christian right who did him in in the end (but, hopefully, are now irrelevant). I have an instinctive feeling that Hillary Clinton is dishonest and expedient, and would be mauled to death by the Republicans, should she be elected. I predict, if elected, her husband would put his oar in and she would spend her presidency on the defensive. I used to LOVE John McCain until he caved so quickly on torture to Bush/Cheney, who comprise, I believe, the greatest presidential disaster in my lifetime; there may have been worse, but I don't know them. I also have concerns about McCain's age. Even though he trots out his nonagenarian mother as an example of how his future looks, I still have concerns about his current mental state. Heck, I am only 61, and I have loads of senior moments. I genuinely believe he is too old. (Possibly, a strange statement from a Latter-day Saint.)



I have come to feel that Obama displays characteristics that will make him a good president. After eight years of holding my ears and screaming every time George Bush speaks, I admire Obama's eloquence and intelligence. I also think that he has shown good judgment in his debates and the way he has run his campaign. I like the way he has raised money with millions of small donations from the people. I like that he would be willing to meet with our enemies to see if there is any common ground and room for conciliation. I am also persuaded by what his close associate has said about him in a Chicago Tribune oped piece. I like what he says about many things, particularly the environment, the war, and influence pedaling in Washington. Whether he can deliver, I don't know, but that wouldn't keep me from voting for him. I am impressed by Governor Richardson's endorsement. I respect him, and the fact that he is part of the Clinton "family" gives his opinion extraordinary weight.

Reverend Wright is a non-issue for me. I have listened to the all of the sermons from which Faux News clipped the tiny sound bites and I found him charming, thoroughly Christian, and I agreed with every thing he said (I haven't seen the AIDS one). Many times during the last eight years I have felt the same emotions expressed by Wright. I have abhorred the actions of government/bankers/and big business. I love the history, the land, and most of the people and proudly hang the flag on national holidays. I wouldn't be opposed to wearing a flag lapel pin, although I don't own one, but would scream bloody murder if I were required to wear one. Living abroad has given me a less dewy-eyed view of what America really is. Just like the very best people in our lives, America is not infallible or perfect and right now is being very naughty. Because of his his own history and the history of his race in this country, Reverend Wright probably feels even more deeply than I. When you hear the whole speech in context it might even resonate. Americans can't handle anything longer than a tiny sound bite, so this may be hard -- it takes about 10 minutes.



So I liked Obama before his speech on race, but listening to him speak in Philadelphia, I was genuinely impressed and wanted someone this rational, thoughtful, articulate, and intelligent leading my imperfect America. I don't know if he really can bring the country together, but I believe he has a better chance than HRC or JMcC.

Clara's Birthday

Clara Ivy Hastings was born 14 March 2007. The year since her birth just screamed by! We joined the Hastings in Taylorsville on Friday afternoon to celebrate her survival. It really merited a luau, but Meagan's grandma was not available to cater. We had to take off before the food and cake to join our friends at the Ostergars for "Group Dinner," which was delicious and very fun. But in spite of the early departure, we had a nice time. Thanks, once again, to Anna and Rob.

Clara has lots of help with her presents

The doll (from the Ensigns, I believe), was a great hit

The birthday girl shows her bottom teeth

The siblings and cousins Max and Lizzy making goofy faces - Clara is using the phone - the cake looked so good I made one today

Oh yes, and by the way, if you enlarge this
you will see that it's snowing today

Tchau for now.

OXO

D.

TTT

Anna requested that I post the Taylor Tiger History, so here it is. You will also see the Taylor Tiger Flag, which also doubles as a pouch to hold all the important Taylor-Tiger stuff. Kris made the flag out of felt with a little machine stitching and some glue. It has certainly weathered well the ravages of time.

This is the flag/pouch

Above is the History of the Taylor Tigers, authored and signed by William Oliver Taylor in June of 1984

The Taylor Tiger Pledge, also found in the flag/pouch, reads as follows:

"I pledge of allegiance to do my work as a Taylor Tiger should. To not fight or boss, but to be good. If there is anything we can do to improve the cabin or each other we will try to do it.

Taylor Tiger

Enjoy!

OXO

D.