Rain & Shine

GREEN SPRING 

Never do I remember our hills being so green in the spring. The lavish rains transformed our desert landscape into a lush green carpet.As with Brent and Jan, the power company has never come to inspect so we can switch over to the solar panels and capture the sunshine. 

 

SOLAR PANELS

Copying Brent and Jan, DeRay had solar panels installed on our roof. What do you think? The solar panels cost twice as much as our first house.  We’ll never live long enough to recoup our investment but who’s counting? 

We were plum worn out watching the industry from 7:30 AM until dusk.  We’re not used to having 8-10 strange guys in and out, up and down, in the attic, on the roof. DeRay told them he wanted a discount for using his engineering skills to hook up the electricity and place the panels.  They acknowledged his expertize too telling me how much time he saved them and how much more efficient the panels were but, alas, no monetary compensation.

Now my exercise room in the basement is The Control Room,

but who's counting?


 

As with Brent and Jan, the power company has never come to inspect so we can switch over to the solar panels and capture the sunshine.  

Honoring Differences

Churches have a long history of punishing anyone who isn’t perfect in every way. When maybe, in the eyes of God, the worst sin of all is to not love, accept, honor, respect, and include those who have no control over the conditions under which they were born. Maybe marginalizing, rejecting, and ostracizing them is grievous to God, especially when it leads to suicide.

Supreme Court Ruling Makes Same-Sex Marriage a Right Nationwide

By Adam Liptak  JUNE 26, 2015

WASHINGTON — In a long-sought victory for the gay rights movement, the Supreme Court ruled by a 5-to-4 vote on Friday that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage.

“No longer may this liberty be denied,” Justice Anthony M. Kennedy wrote for the majority in the historic decision. “No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were.”

Marriage is a “keystone of our social order,” Justice Kennedy said, adding that the plaintiffs in the case were seeking “equal dignity in the eyes of the law.”

The decision, which was the culmination of decades of litigation and activism, set off jubilation and tearful embraces across the country, the first same-sex marriages in several states, and resistance — or at least stalling — in others. It came against the backdrop of fast-moving changes in public opinion, with polls indicating that most Americans now approve of the unions.

As Justice Kennedy finished announcing his opinion from the bench on Friday, several lawyers seated in the bar section of the court’s gallery wiped away tears, while others grinned and exchanged embraces.

Outside the Supreme Court, the police allowed hundreds of people waving rainbow flags and holding signs to advance onto the court plaza as those present for the decision streamed down the steps. “Love has won,” the crowd chanted as courtroom witnesses threw up their arms in victory.

In remarks in the Rose Garden, President Obama welcomed the decision, saying it “affirms what millions of Americans already believe in their hearts.”

“Today,” he said, “we can say, in no uncertain terms, that we have made our union a little more perfect.

 SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 Utah) In a historic decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday that gay and lesbian couples across the country have a constitutional right to marry.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement Friday:

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acknowledges that following today's ruling by the Supreme Court, same-sex marriages are now legal in the United States. The Court's decision does not alter the Lord's doctrine that marriage is a union between a man and a woman ordained by God. While showing respect for those who think differently, the Church will continue to teach and promote marriage between a man and a woman as a central part of our doctrine and practice."

The Church has outlined its doctrine and position on marriage in the document The Divine Institution of Marriage.

Like religious adherents across the nation, Utah faith groups were divided in their reactions to Friday's Supreme Court ruling allowing same-sex marriage throughout the U.S. — some were disappointed, others exhilarated.

Utah's two largest religions, the predominant LDS Church and Salt Lake City's Catholic Diocese, maintain that marriage is only between a man and a woman, and neither church is about to bend its teachings or its opposition to gay marriage.

The high court has jurisdiction in civil laws, but not over heavenly decrees, they argue, and both faiths want to keep it that way.

"The court's decision does not alter the Lord's doctrine that marriage is a union between a man and a woman ordained by God," The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said in a news release. "While showing respect for those who think differently, the church will continue to teach and promote marriage between a man and a woman as a central part of our doctrine and practice."

Given the Constitution's freedom-of-religion protections, enshrined in the First Amendment, the ruling does not force churches to recognize same-sex marriages.

That means, of course, that marriages performed in LDS temples will continue to be between only faithful men and women. Mormons view such marriages as lasting for eternity.

LDS leaders teach that same-sex attraction is not a sin, only acting on it is.

Top Mormon officials, including apostle D. Todd Christofferson, also have said Latter-day Saints who support gay marriage are not in danger of losing their church memberships or temple privileges.

The Salt Lake City Diocese, which oversees Utah's 300,000-plus Catholics, said the court's ruling does not end "the debate over the definition of marriage."

"As Catholics, we seek to uphold our traditional belief in marriage as a sacrament, a well established and divinely revealed covenant between one man and one woman, a permanent and exclusive bond meant to provide a nurturing environment for children and the fundamental building block to a just society," the diocese said in a statement. "Although we respectfully disagree with those who would define marriage otherwise, we firmly hold that all persons are loved by our compassionate God and deserve the respect and dignity that is inherently theirs as human beings."

Utah Catholics "acknowledge the right of our nation's highest court to provide for a well-ordered society," the statement added, "by establishing laws that protect the common good and safeguard the civil and contractual rights and privileges of its citizens."

At the same time, however, the diocese urged Utah "lawmakers and judges to respect those institutions that are beyond state and federal jurisdiction, institutions such as sacramental marriage that transcend civil law and whose origins precede the existence of the state and go beyond its competence."

Imam Muhammed Mehtar, who leads services at the Khadeeja Islamic Center in West Valley City, took much the same approach.

"It is our duty to teach that which is good and refrain from that which is poor in choice," Mehtar said. "God wishes us to continue procreation for the sake of sharing good, kind, loving values."

By that, the imam means in "traditional" male-female led families.

Still, Muslims live in a country "whose values are secular," Mehtar said. "In such an environment, we feel that when individuals make choices that are contrary to us, we will try to defend them, their safety and well-being. We will never say, 'Hurt gays and lesbians, or take away their rights, or that they are less human than we are.' "

Muslims should simply say, he explained, that "we have different values."

Other people of faith cheered the ruling.

Why are churches the last when they should be first for social and spiritual justice?  For acceptance of those who are different? 

And I’m not just talking about gays.  

After an incident that happened here last week, for us in our situation I feel:

I am not connected to humanity

I am an island

I stand alone

 Where is compassion? Love? Acceptance? Respect for the rights and privileges of those who are different? Loving kindness?

“Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us completely. ... He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken.”― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

 “Don't judge me because I sin differently from you.” ― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Speaking of sinners, my hearing aids have no church training. Right during the sacrament prayer, they go “bing – bing – bing” then sing “Do – Re – Mi”. 

Irreverent.

Zubits

are designed to make shoe-tying obsolete.

 Ed's shoes left; mine right.

   “I can’t do it. I just can’t” Ed wails when we try to get him to use the magical zubits to fasten his shoes. Amy bought a set for me and one for him. I love mine. They are strong magnets and fly together. To take your shoes off, you step on the heel with one foot and bend the other knee.  ZAP they pop open. It is so much fun. But Ed would have nothing to do with them and went into orbit when we mentioned it. He has such a hard time with anything new. We tried to appeal to his intellect telling him they were scientific.

                “You love Bill Nye the Science Guy,

                You are Ed Hugh and you love science too!”

   “I love astronomy and aviation,” he reminds me.

   I did my best but he still maintained he hated them. “I love my new shoes but I hate the magnets.”

   Finally Amy spent a little time with him and now he puts them on and off all day long as he rides his trike and walks the cul-de-sac.

Postscript: We loved our zubits so much that Amy ordered her and dad each a pair. Now we’re all on zubits! No more laces!

Stake Conference on Father's Day

I’m pretty sure Eddy was the only one in the whole congregation at the Regional Center (formerly the Valley Music Hall) who listened to stake conference. DeRay was sound asleep; I was watching the people in front, listening to the people behind, watching half the congregation file up and down the stairs endlessly. It’s only two hours. Can’t people hold still? Two rows in front of us a gaggle of girls, including the mother, all have long hair, and they played with each other’s hair twisting, winding, snaking incessantly, or scratching each other’s backs. They passed gum from one end to the other jostling and fighting over it, even the dad.  Directly in front of us a father of four scrunched over three people to confiscate a smart phone from his daughter on the far end. She seethed, then pushed out the other side of the row and disappeared. The mother played with the phone for the rest of the meeting. Maybe she was checking her daughter’s texts, I can’t say. At one point, on her phone she showed the woman sitting next to her what kind of gel she puts on her hair.  The young couple next to them took their toddler out ten times. Or more. Would she have been better off at home? But no one could see her. All around us, people were on their iPhones, iPads, kindles. A chorus of constant clamor. Didn’t anyone learn about reverence in Primary?  Like I say, I think Eddy was the only one listening in the entire edifice. How can he concentrate when there is so much going on?

I've had many titles:

I've been called bishop,

 stake president;

mission president;

and now elder

as a member of the

Council of Seventies,

my favorite title

is that of Father.

Father's Day

It’s Father’s Day, what’s on your mind? Facebook asks.

My children have an exceptional father who would and does do anything and everything for them.

They are blessed beyond belief.  Do they know?

Golden Wedding Anniversary 2006.
I don't understand why Brigitte doesn't like me using a 9-year-old picture.
Doesn't she always want to be 10-years-old?
Personally, I liked it.

August 2013

 These pictures are two years old - the last time we got together.
I have to post all three to catch everyone.
They could use some photoshop work.
(Or a change of characters.)

My own father deserted us when I was 10-½ years old.

Before that he was a very good father, who sacrificed his own comfort and well-being for us.

Oh, he didn’t desert on purpose;

he was killed accidentally while tending his sheep.

Yet in my young mind,

he was in heaven with green pastures and roses

while we were down here in the mud,

struggling to make ends meet.

At least my mother was.

Never underestimate her.

Her courage pulled us up by the bootstraps;

we did not feel sorry for ourselves;

We did not starve, we did not want;

we survived and thrived.

And that’s what’s on my mind this Father’s Day.

John Lynn Esplin

I was a

Tender of sheep

Trainer of horses

Wooer of Amy Heaton

Father of eight children

Survivor of the Great Depression

Builder of a sheep operation

Follower of public events

Lover of good livestock

Care-taker of land

And passed on

At age 43

By DeLoy H. Esplin

My sister, Shirley, barely 18 years old, wrote this poem when Daddy died. It seemed to give Mama a lot of comfort, as she wanted to read it to everyone who came.

Dear Daddy,

There is one in a million, and Daddy that’s you.

Some live for themselves, but you are one of the few

who lived not just for the love of the life you live.

Daddy, you loved and gained from the joy that you give.

For success in marriage between you and our mother,

you faced problems, pure joy, one thing and another.

Jointly, you raised a fine brood who’ll anytime say,

“There’s no better Dad, with his quiet, humble way.”

You helped with the housework and played games with us too.

The ‘counsel’ you gave was by watching what you’d do.

‘Quiet pride’ we understood, when you were around

Comfort and strength in your strong build, courage we found.

You lived with your work, it kept you a lot away.

While your loved ones at home for your safety would pray.

What joy, hearing the pickup come up to the gate

“Daddy!  Daddy!” To hug you, we could hardly wait.

“Where is Mama?” you would ask, with love in your eyes,

the building stone for successful family ties.

There was no person of whom you ever talked ill.

The friends that you have made are the friends with you still.

You loved your work, but you got sick.  As we all know,

herding sheep is very hard in rain and in snow.

You accomplished far more than it may have seemed

Your goodness on earth is greater than you have dreamed.

You could not live unless you lived giving your best.

You loved your family but you needed this rest.

The way you went, we do not fully understand

It certainly was not the way we had planned.

Daddy, maybe it was best for you to leave us now.

When there’s a will, there’s a way.  It’ll work somehow.

In heav’n you’ll be with us to help.  We needn’t fear,

Though your leaving is hard; without us shedding a tear.

You needn’t worry for us.  With courage we stand.

God knew best and we’re happy you died on your own land.

A prayer, God, we’ll live as Daddy would want us to.

Even though life will be hard, we’ll see it through.

Our life and home have been happy; they still shall be.

We’ll take good care of Mama.  All of us.  Just see.

With God’s guiding Spirit, and prayer, we’ll feel you’re near.

YOU’RE A WONDERFUL DADDY, WE’LL ALWAYS HOLD DEAR!

                            Affectionately, Shirley (1947)*

                              * With minor editing by Shirley, Jeanette, & DeLoy 2001
He had pneumonia but felt he had to get back out with his sheep, so he was in a weakened condition.

My brother Lynn’s granddaughter, Amy, wrote on a card to him on his birthday a few years ago:

“Happy Birthday Grandpa. Jamison wrote this poem about your father after I read part of your autobiography to him. We admire you and your story so much.  Love Amy & Jamison”.

 

         The Shepherd

            By: Jamison Norlander

And morning in the mountains

And the shepherd to the sheep,

While the mist is on the meadow

And the children lie asleep.

The flocks are thus divided,

And tho’ one retains him more,

He must hurry to the other

As the father did before.

Behind him is the shelter

Where the son abided late

To hear tell of the horizon,

Or the curvedness of fate.

Before him is the meadow

And the curving climb beyond.

Beyond that awaits the nothing

Or the everything of dawn.

He pauses at a vision

Of a face upturned, and kissed;

And the other flock calls faintly;

And he walks into the mist.

Alaskan Cruise - DeRay's 81st Birthday - Victoria BC Part 5

Victoria, British Columbia

Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada, and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada’s Pacific coast. Named after Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and, at the time, British North America. Victoria is one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest, with British settlement beginning in 1843. The city has retained a large number of its historic buildings, in particular its two most famous landmarks, the British Columbia Parliament Buildings (finished in 1897 and home of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia) and the Empress hotel (opened in 1908). The city’s Chinatown is the second oldest in North America after San Francisco’s. The region’s Coast Salish First Nations peoples established communities in the area long before non-native settlement, possibly several thousand years earlier, which had large populations at the time of European exploration. Victoria, like many Vancouver Island communities, continues to have a sizable First Nations presence, composed of peoples from all over Vancouver Island and beyond. DeLoy served 8 months of his mission in Victoria, from May 1958 to the end of his mission in early February 1959.

We played Oh Heck in the game room several times.

Carol won today.

To celebrate DeRay’s 81^st birthday, we had lunch in O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill. They advertised English style Fish and Chips. We were disappointed they were nothing like the Fish and Chips we enjoyed in England.

DeRay likes the shirt Carol and Verla gave him better than any shirt he has ever bought. He’s worn it since we got home to go out to lunch with Cai and Suzanne and with David Henderson. When he wants to look sharp, he puts it on! 

*#^@&%*The ultimate Birthday hat*#^@&%*

Oh, Oh, this is going too far!

After lunch, we went to the employee's show.

           DeRay always found the handicap seats.

When we stopped in Victoria last time 11 years ago, the bus into town was free. Now it is $10 each way. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that a two-hour tour of the city for $20 each was a bargain.  Three other people joined us who wanted to see exactly what we wanted to see for two hours instead of three or four. The salesman spoke perfect English. How did we know he was going to slip in a heavily dialect speaking driver from Singapore? Our driver got $80/hour. The rickshaw drivers get $120/hour (and don't have to buy gas!).

 These kites are each controlled by a different person and perform in perfect synchronization. Quite a show.

Governor’s mansion and gardens.

I feel a little dowdy around my sisters who have nice new clothes and professional hair dos.

Hedges with style.

On a clear day, you can see forever. Our guide was rather impressed that we could see Mt. Baker (10,781 feet) in Washington.

Some people go with a guide in
an antique Pontiac to tour the city.

This is a giraffe tree. Our guide promised it was meant to be and wouldn’t fall on us.

An elephant.

                            Fisherman's Wharf

In honor of DeRay’s birthday, he played, I know you won’t recognize it, but it’s Danny Boy on his harmonica.

On other cruises, I have walked each day around the deck for a mile or two. This trip, I walked one mile once. Lovely. Ed and I did not get to the exercise room once. Where did the time go? We did have a long walk to our room from the dining room (aft) and the showroom (fore) and Spinnaker three times a day. We were more toward the front but the halls were very long to get to the elevators.

Since we missed formal night on Sunday, we decided to dress up for DeRay's birthday. 

DeRay is holding the card they gave him for his birthday that entitled him to a happy birthday song in the dining room and a free cake. What would Ed have done if they had sang Happy Birthday to him?

OK, this is the promised Men's side in Tsar's Palace. What would DeRay's mother have done with him?

How often do you get prime rib cooked to perfection for your birthday dinner?

I think Carol and Verla were the first ones off the ship. We shuttled back to our van with five other cruisers and would you believe the young man sitting next to me was from Kaysville? He grew up about four blocks from us. It's a small, small world. We were on our way home by 8:30 AM.

Mount Rainier (14,411 ft.) and Mount Adams (12,000 ft.)

I started to drive somewhere in Washington or Oregon. Sitting in the very back, I had paid no attention when we pulled off the freeway so DeRay was guiding me back on. Verla, who had been turned around the entire trip, always feeling like north was south and east was west, said, “I feel like we’re going straight west.” “Ha. Ha. Verla. You’ve been turned around the whole trip.” Then I saw a “west” sign and mileage to Portland. “Wait a minute! I think we are going in the wrong direction.” Only two miles to an exit. Luckily.  Saved by Verla! She drove for 2 or 300 miles, even after dark she was so eager to get home.

We couldn’t find her cell phone when we got home. After searching for 20 minutes, she was determined to go home and come back for it tomorrow. “Just stay the night,” DeRay insisted, “we’ll find it in the morning when it’s light.” It’s 1:20 AM. Finally Melissa and Carol looked in an open bag I had carried in and there it was so she went on home in the wee hours of the morning, as did Carol and Melissa.

Thanks to DeRay for planning and masterminding this Alaskan Cruise. Love to all of you for the pleasant memories.