Because It Mattered To Her

I am so lucky to have quite a few tangible mementos that remind me of my parents. One of my most treasured is this set of bowls. I hardly dare use them because I am so afraid that one will get broken. When I was a child, I distinctly remember dinners when my mother's delicious black eyed peas, or chicken salad or 5 cup salad was served in one of these bowls. However it is another memory that makes them precious to me. My father was the gentlest of men. He never liked to make any kind of trouble or create any sort of disturbance. I am sure that is why this particular incident made such an impression on me. My mother had used one of these bowls to take a meal to a family in our church who had just welcomed a new baby. After several weeks, the bowl had not been returned even after my mother had asked to have it back. A couple more weeks passed and still the bowl was not returned and my mother was upset. My reserved, unassuming Daddy drove over to the home and asked for the bowl. I know this was not easy for him to do as he didn't like to make waves but he did and returned with the bowl. Why did it matter to Daddy? It was just a bowl. It mattered to him because it mattered to my mother. What a perfect example of love! And what a valuable lesson for an impressionable young girl.

This and That

Even though we have lived in Eagle for years, this was our first time at the Eagle Fun Days - Water Parade! We all enjoyed it but no one more than Isabella.  Our 'water girl' loved every minute, even when being sprayed with water from the fire truck.  You can tell by my expression that the cold water was a shock!  Definitely will plan to go to this one next year and we'll be better prepared with our own super soakers and water!

Isabella continues to be a total delight.  Last Sunday we had a treasure hunt with clues that eventually led her to the 'treasure box' I bought years ago in Dubai.  It is filled with Mardi Gras coins and necklaces thanks to my dear friend, Janet Brown.  Definitely treasures to this little girl!

 Ice cream continues to be an important part of our Sunday night dinner, no matter what else in on the menu.

And after almost 17 months George and I went back to the temple.  So wonderful to be in that place of peace, learning and revelation!

Looking at this non-selfie stick photo I can definitely see the advantage of using one!  Without it I am all NOSE!!!!

 

Messi Gets His International Trophy

I know that I am not unbiased in the whole GOAT debate.  Who is the greatest of all time?  Ronaldo or Messi? Pele or Maradona? I love FC Barcelona and I love Messi so I was understandably thrilled when Argentina won their first international trophy in this year's Copa America Tournament. Before this year, Messi and the Argentine National Team had reached 3 Copa America finals and one World Cup final, losing each time.  He does have an international Olympic gold medal and one from the Under-20 World Cup.

I was just thrilled for him.  His joy was visible for all to see. I think mine was too!  In the bottom photo he is calling his family just after the awards ceremony.  How I would have loved to see those little boys celebrate with their Dad!

By the way, this tournament also saw him take home awards for the Top Player and the Top Scorer.  Does this settle the Greatest of All Time debate?  At our house YES....for the rest of the world, probably not. 

Hikes

Before I met George I don't believe that I had ever been on a hike, at least not a serious or long hike.  My first official hike was at George's Dad's ranch when we got engaged in June of 1975.  Since then, I have hiked many miles over varying terrain in several different countries.  I love being out in nature and accomplishing the goal of finishing a hike. 

On this California trip we enjoyed two beautiful hikes.   

The first was to Eagle Falls and Eagle Lake by Lake Tahoe.  It is a fairly easy 1.9 mile out and back trail that has waterfalls, creeks, a lake, granite peaks and lush vegetation.  The only negative is that the parking lot is way too small for this popular hike. We were lucky to find a spot on the road.

Eagle Lake

Rule following me was somewhat worried because we hadn't gotten a 'permit'. Turns out that we weren't the only ones.  I think that the permit is only needed if you go into the wilderness past Eagle Lake.

There are lots and lots of stairs and I do believe many of them were made for giants, or at least people who are taller than I am.

Our next hike was at Lassen Volcanic Park, which I admit I had never even heard of.  Again we had a problem finding a parking spot to go on the Bumpass Hell hike to the largest geothermal area in the park.  This time there weren't even any spots on the road so we decided to go on to Cold Boiling Lake and try hiking from there to Bumpass Hell.  

This was a 5 mile out and back trail with a 900 ft. elevation gain....lots and lots of UP  and UP and Up but we made it and enjoyed it very much.

Cold Boiling Lake is not too impressive as far as 'boiling' but it is very pretty!

The views from the trail were simply beautiful!

And we did finally make it to Bumpass Hell - the geothermal area, which was a kind of mini-Yellowstone. The area must have gotten its name from the smell of sulfur.  Isn't that what hell is supposed to smell like?

Still thinking of Larry, I did a bit more 'nature photography'.  First a religious chipmunk at his altar.

Then a very cooperative yellow bellied marmot or rock chuck.  He was below the rock and I politely asked him to get on top of the rock, which he did and then posed beautifully!  I think he has aspirations to be in National Geographic.  He definitely showed me his best side!!!!

I totally agree with this advice from John Muir

Remembering Larry

The main reason we went on our trip to California was to celebrate the life of our friend Larry Helmandollar by attending his memorial service. 

Martha had asked me to take a couple of family photos which I was thrilled to do.  In 2021 it is mandatory to take one with masks and one without.  The masks had been embroidered with Larry's initials by one of Martha's good friends. 

The centerpieces on the tables at the luncheon were examples from Larry's many years of nature photography.  They were stunning.

As I was walking into the church, camera in hand, I happened to notice a beautiful butterfly among the flowers.  I like to think that Larry would have approved at my attempt at nature photography.

George dedicated Larry's grave at the cemetery where his parents and siblings were also buried.

We sang "Each Life That Touches Ours for Good".  It was evident that Larry's goodness had touched many because men that he had worked with 20+ years ago at Lockheed attended the service.  Yes, Larry really was a rocket scientist! I believe there were people in attendance from 7 different states which shows the quality of the man - Larry Boyce Helmandollar.

Each life that touches our for good

Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;

Thou sendest blessings from above

Through words and deeds of those who love. 

What greater gift dost thou bestow,

What greater goodness can we know

Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways

Strengthen our faith, enrich our days. 

When such a friend from us departs,

We hold forever in our hearts

A sweet and hallowed memory

Bringing us nearer, Lord to thee.

For worthy friends whose lives proclaim

Devotion to the Savior's name,

Who bless our days with peace and love,

We praise they goodness, Lord, above.

Selfie Stick

I finally bit the bullet and bought a selfie stick.  My cousin Bill's son, David, calls them 'Narcis-sticks' and I have always felt the same way but finally decided that it would be nice to have in case we were hiking in remote areas and couldn't find anyone to take our picture.

Turns out that there is a learning curve to using one.

Don't hold it too high....

Position it so you can't see that you are holding a stick....

Figure out the remote control....

We did improve drastically!  Turns out that you can teach old dogs, new tricks.

California Here We Come

Our close friend Larry Helmandollar died June 6, 2020, which was right in the middle of the pandemic.  At that time it was impossible to have a funeral or service of any kind in Lake Oswego, Oregon, where he lived or in Auburn, California, where he was to be buried.  After a delay of more than a year, we were finally able to travel to California for a memorial service and burial.  Perfect opportunity for a mini-vacation!

I was able to show George the area where I had worked for 3 weeks as a part of the Idaho team sent to California to finish the 2020 Census .  We started in South Lake Tahoe and drove all around the west side of the lake where I had spent days and days tracking down addresses. It is such a beautiful part of the world. 

On many of those days, I drove past Emerald Bay.  It's easy to see why this is one of the most photographed spots in all of California.  

I may or may not be addicted to McDonald's frozen coke.  It hits the spot after a hot day of touring!

After our Tahoe adventure we drove over Donner Pass to Auburn for the Memorial service.  Then on to Lassen Volcanic National Park.  We discovered that it is a bit like Yellowstone - smells and all.

On our drive home we discovered Lake Abert which is a large, shallow, alkali lake in Oregon.  It is approximately 15 miles long and 7 miles wide at its widest point and is slowly drying up, losing about 90%of its volume over the last decade.  No one really knows why.

Our last night was in Burns, Oregon population 2870.  It is about the same size as Lonoke, Arkansas was when I was growing up.  It reminded me of home in some ways.  We had a delicious dinner at Boomer's Place, best French fries I've ever had.  And then our hotel location gave us a front row seat to the town fireworks show.  

Such a fun trip!  Great to show George Lake Tahoe, to honor Larry's life and to see some new places.