MEMORIES OF DAD AND HOMESTEAD CRATER

While perusing an extended family member's blog the other day,
memories of an earlier time flooded my mind. Nicole mentioned
that she and her husband had recently spent some time in
Midway staying at the Homestead and while there had hiked the
"crater" and even swam in it.

Immediately a flood or memories of an earlier time assaulted
my mind. Memories of by gone days associated with the
Homestead and my growing up years in Midway.

One of these memories focused on the "crater" itself. We were
constantly warned of its danger and its "bottomless pit". The
opening in the crater was enclosed and even the top was
covered with screen to prevent anyone from "falling in". I
can remember tossing rocks through the wire screen and
waiting to hear the "splash". Sometimes we never heard it
as it was so deep and far down. It was a place to be feared, a
place to be treated with respect and a place to "stand back"
from.

On the side nearest the swimming pools and main buildings
were cement stairs that you could climb to reach the top.
The crater, itself, was barren of landscape and was really just
good old "pot rock".

Dad was in the construction business and through the years
had done a lot of work for the Whittaker's including building
the Farm House, Ranch House, and private residence of
Ferrin and Martha which later became a guest house.

So when a telescope was wanted at the top of the crater and
cement work was required my Dad was asked if it could be
done and if he would do it.

There were no roads leading to the top of the crater and no
cement trucks with long hoses to pump the cement to the top.
Previous attempts had been made to drive up the side of the
crater, but no one had succeeded. It was very dangerous
and a vehicle could easily lose traction, slip and slide, and
even roll.

But my Dad loved a challenge! The harder and more difficult
it was, the better he liked it. He spent time studying the
crater and determining the best way or angle to follow to
successfully reach the top with a load of freshly mixed cement.



(Dad in jeep with cement mixer, getting ready to load cement
into back of jeep)



(Gravel, sand and bags of cement were hauled in the back of his
other "work" truck. The cement mixer and truck were at the base
of the crater in the parking lot)

The cement was mixed in the mixer and then loaded into the back
of the jeep. As Dad started up the hill we all held our breath. This
was a steep climb and a challenge he enjoyed. We all had great faith
in his abilities, but it was still nerve-wracking to watch. The drive up
the hill was very slow-going and required much concentration on
Dad's part. Slow and steady, not too fast and don't let the engine die.
It took several minutes to reach the top of the crater. Cheers
erupted when he "made it" safely to the top. This was a great feat!



Once he made it to the top of the crater, cement was shoveled
into a wheelbarrow and "poured" where needed for the project.
Then it was downhill for more cement. Coming down was as tricky
as going up was--didn't want those breaks to burn out and low
gear must be used. Still needed to maintain a balance of speed so
as not to lose control. I think we all breathed a sigh of relief with
each successful trip and it took several!



Dad and his helper, Ralph Kinsey, on top of crater. Project completed!



I was so proud of Dad! And even though I was aware of the dangers
involved, I so badly wanted to ride up in the jeep with him. But that
didn't happen. It was far too dangerous!

The year was 1958. The month--June. So much has changed from
those early pioneering years. In many ways Dad was truly a pioneer
in the construction business. Always a perfectionist in his work and
always seeking a better way to do things.

Preventive Measures

I'm sitting here looking at my lawn, or what used to be my lawn, next
to my patio. It is slowly trying to recover from an infestation of June
Bugs. They have literally destroyed a fairly large area of lawn, leaving
dead grass where they have eaten the roots, and small holes where
they have burrowed up through the soil. The hard green striped shell
has been left behind, probably rejected by birds who have feasted
upon these gruesome bugs. Not only have the June Bugs made holes
in my lawn, but the birds have pecked away at the grass and dirt
to find these tasty morsels.

They are not a pretty picture! And, because they seem to come out
at night and are attracted to light, I have several places on my screen
patio door with small holes. Think they may have popped the screen
as they have flown into it trying to reach the light shining through.

The interesting thing is that one day my grass was green, lush and
very healthy. And, the next day it looked brown and lifeless. I
couldn't believe how quickly things changed. I have since learned
that this did not take place overnight, that the eggs were probably
laid last fall or this spring, larvae developed and although I had
treated my lawn for grubs, the damage had already begun and
"they" proceeded to become this ugly beetle who would eventually
destroy everything in its path to survive.

Professional help was called in and treatments began to kill present
and future bugs and to help restore my lawn to a good healthy turf.

As I have observed this problem, I couldn't help but think about how
it relates to life and how careful we must be in our everyday living so
that "bugs" do not "infest' us. Families and lives don't just fall apart
overnight, testimonies aren't lost in a day, marriages and friendships
are not always destroyed in a moment.

Many times it is the small things, simple by some means, that we may
do or not do that begin to slowly eat away at us until before we know it
our lives have changed and we have lost those things that are precious
above all else.

We simply skip daily reading of our scriptures, find an excuse to stay
home from church, put off important things until "tomorrow", place
"things" and "wants" above families and loved ones, allow "gadgets" to
steal our time, debate prophetic counsel as to whether it really
pertains to us or not. Oh, there's ever so many more "bugs" that
we must be on the alert for.

How careful we must be with our preventive measures so as not to allow
those things of "little" value to destroy those things of "greater" value.
Slow, oh so slowly, Satan advances his cause. We must ever be on
guard, watching daily, being alert to all things surrounding us, our
families and loved ones that may destroy or harm those we love and
care about.

However, should be we become "infected" there is always help available
if we will but just seek it. Our Heavenly Father is only a prayer away,
Scriptures just need to be opened, Priesthood leaders are standing
nearby and loved ones are only a call away.

It is sad to look outside and see what was once beautiful green and
inviting grass gone. I know, though, that with the right help, it will be
restored. I think of my family, loved ones, and even myself, and know
that with the right help and keeping those preventive measures in
place, we can continue to grow and be all that our Heavenly Father
would have us be. We can truly blossom!

Frustration

This past week has been very frustrating for everyone at work and it
has been interesting to me to see how different people handle their
frustrations. The store has been installing a new system that affects
almost everyone and as is usual with a new program there have
been many glitches. But, once the program gets the kinks out I think
it is going to work well and in all honesty, I think it is similar to the
old one---just more pages for us as bookkeepers to sort through.

Training for this new program was set up for front end managers
and checkers last week. Times were signed up for, but sorry to say
those who were in charge were late getting there, slow to set up and
kept many standing around. Very frustrating to those who had
arranged their daily schedule around the training only to find that
they were sent home after standing around. Some were fine with
it, but others were very upset.

Management was also frustrated because times were having to be
rescheduled and of course, wages were being paid for no work!
People again were frustrated because they would have to reschedule
or be trained by someone else.

On top of all this, glitches often made it impossible for a checker
to access her drawer, credit cards weren't working as they should,
products were not ringing up correctly. Much frustration!

I was scheduled for training with the bookkeeping aspect on Monday
with a couple of others, but got a call on Saturday saying it was
postponed until Tuesday. Didn't bother me a bit! Just gave me a
extra day to enjoy at home as I was supposed to work the rest of
the week while my job sharing partner took some time off to help
with family. Tuesday came and went as did Wednesday and still
no training and we found ourselves doing everything by hand.

I was quite surprised with my job-sharing partner and how she
has handled all of this. Not good! She has been extremely
frustrated and has come in everyday which I don't think has helped.
Today I spent 8 hours at work with two others on conference calls
working out things and learning the new program. Things were
not totally resolved, but I think we're getting there. Will go in
early again tomorrow and see where we are at.

The week has been frustrating to everyone and I've seen a side
to some that is not the best while others are patient and just roll
with things knowing that eventually all will get worked out.
Yes, it has been hard, but I am beginning to see the light at the
end of the tunnel. I'm sure we are all learning how to deal
better with our frustrations as it isn't just the employees who are
frustrated, but management also feels it and so do those
computer guys who are installing the new programs and trying
to get them set up to everyone's satisfaction.

Perhaps this is just a test in patience and endurance...
The question is: How are we all doing?

A Day filled with Memories

Yesterday flew by. I couldn't believe how much energy I had; of course
I always do when I find myself unhindered by anyone in the house.
It was a little surprising considering I hadn't slept well the night before
because someone was up most of the night doing what I don't know.
Normally, when this happens I have no energy and usually fall asleep
briefly when I sit down to watch the news. But, not yesterday!
I was like the energizer bunny!

I spent most of the day downstairs working on my 4-generation
family history books. Typed histories were in place, just needed to
insert pictures. Now you wouldn't think that would take very long,
but it took most of the afternoon and early evening as I just
couldn't make up my mind on paper to use to mount them. I
actually took time to redo some pictures I had done a while back
because I wasn't happy with them.

It never ceases to amaze me how close I feel to those who have
gone on when I'm assembling their histories. Memories of my
grandparents, on my dad's side, flooded my mind. I recalled how I
loved to visit them each morning as a little girl before I would have
breakfast. I always had to make sure "they were ok."

Grandpa was an avid gardner and weeds did not last long in his
garden. He would be out there with his hoe daily. We would have
wonderful talks as I visited him and "helped" pull weeds, But, the
thing I remember most was eating turnips. They were so delicious!
We'd wash them off with the hose and then chomp down on them.
There was nothing better and sad to say I can't stand turnips now.
Perhaps it was because they came from Grandpa's garden that
made them so yummy!

I was sad when they moved to Orem and missed my daily visits.
When dad started going to Orem to build homes, I often went
with him to help sweep up and clean up so his helpers could
work without all the mess. But, the nice thing was I could slip
down to Grandma and Grandpa's for a nice visit. Many times I
would get to stay overnight and that was a treat! Even though
they didn't play games with me and I was often put to work helping
Grandma with canning or other things she might be doing, I
felt loved! That meant a lot to a little girl!

So, did I get the photo's all in? No! But, today is another day...
a day to share more memories and remember loved one gone
away for a time. Hopefully, as my sister and I complete these
books, we'll know our ancestors better and recognize them when
we meet again in the hereafter. And, most importantly, our
children and grandchildren will come to know these wonderful
family members whose names they carry and the noble heritage
they have.

A New Day

The sky is clear, the sun is peeking over the mountain tops and

there is a nip in the air. Windows are wide open and birds serenade

me as I sit here at my computer. It's heavenly!

And to top it all off, I'm here by myself! I look forward to the

times when no one is in the house for a few days but myself.

He's gone on a camping trip and I feel free! Free to just be

myself and do what I want to do. Of course, most of the time

I do that anyway, but there's a different feeling when he's not

in the house. It's hard to explain, but I feel different, the house

feels different and it's positively marvelous!

For some time now I have wanted to do a blog where I could

just express my everyday thoughts and feelings. My other

blog is family oriented and focuses on our activities. Here

I hope to just ramble about whatever comes to mind.

Since this is all basically new to me, it may take awhile to

get set up the way I would like, but at least it gives me an

out and everyday I can post a few thoughts.