A Bit of Nostalgia, a Lot of Fun

This past weekend I went with Kyle and Katrina and their girls on a boating excursion. We filled the boat and pickup bed with gear, food and clothes and headed for Piute Reservoir. It was a bit windy and sprinkled on us a little when we were setting up the tent. Piute is a smaller reservoir with camping sites around the shoreline. There is no potable water so we hauled our own water. We ate dinner and cooked S'mores and went to bed. Saturday morning was a fairly mild day, just a bit breezy at times. We didn't get on the water as early as the Hatch clan used to go out but the water was quite nice. Katrina and Kyle skied and then we towed the girls around on a Nautica three-man towable tube. We all took a ride on it and later Kyle and Katrina skied again.


After dinner, we cleaned up the best we could and drove about 30 minutes to Panguitch to their hot air balloon festival. Panguitch has a lot of old stores and buildings and there are several shops that sell great Americana antiques. We wandered around the shops and streets waiting for dark while the balloonists set up their balloons up and down Main Street and Center Street. It was fun to see all of the balloons glow when they fired their burners. They didn't launch, just glowed for a while and then took down their balloons. It was an interesting event.

Between the boating trip and the trip down Americana Main Street of Panguitch, there was a lot of nostalgia for me, some things taking me back to my youth (the antique shops made me feel like I was back in my parent's home with the old Frigidaire refrigerator, treadle sewing machine, the old tin bathtub, saddles and cowboy hats and chaps, etc.) and others reminded me of our Hatch outings, such as: tent camping, hauling water, campfires, S'mores, heat, sunburns, sand, "glass", being the "spotter", gasping cold water, wind and waves, The Beach Boys, sand castles, bugs and mosquitoes, treks to the John, neighbors playing their loud music and laughing late into the night. Even the ride was nostalgic as we passed many farms that reminded me of Montana as a child, old farm equipment, aging buildings etc. All in all it was a very enjoyable weekend. We ended with a birthday celebration for Katrina yesterday. Happy Birthday, Katrina!!

Hummingbirds and Moms (and Dads)

As I was looking for a document the other day, I found a story I had written about our summer of the hummingbird (the year Teresa left for college). It goes like this:

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One summer day, without announcement or invitation, our temporary guest moved in. Well, not in just a day, more like a few weeks. The porch light seemed like a good choice for a home. With its plastic panes long since gone, victims of time and use, the frame hung there gathering cobwebs and dirt. It seemed apparent that she would not be disturbed here. Only one light bulb worked now, and oddly enough, she chose the corner farthest away from the working light bulb. At first it just looked like bits of leaves caught in another cobweb, but after a few days, I could tell these fragments were carefully and intentionally placed. It seemed to take forever, but soon the nest resembled half a walnut shell, just the right size to hold a hummingbird, and she moved in.


She was very cautious at first, sitting tentatively in her nest ready to take flight whenever we walked in and out through the front door. It became a habit to look up at the nest whenever I went in or out to see if I could get a glimpse of her before the hum of wings and flash of color announced her retreat.
It wasn't long before she seemed accustomed to the clamor in our yard and remained in the nest in spite of the traffic and noise. I had only seen a few hummingbirds in my life, and never so close up, but I realized that since it is not common to be able to get such a close-up view of a hummingbird, her strong resolve to remain in the nest must have grown from the fact that there were eggs in the nest. I decided that the next time she took flight, I would look in the nest and see for myself. I got a mirror ready and when the opportunity presented itself, I chanced to peek. Sure enough, the mirror revealed two little pea-sized white eggs.


I went to the Internet and looked up information about the hummingbird to see what the incubation time would be. I wasn't sure exactly when the eggs were laid, but the incubation time is usually between 14-21 days, depending on the temperature. I calculated that by the time we returned from a weekend trip for a family reunion, the hatching should be complete. Upon arriving home, I took the first opportunity I could to check the nest. The mother was gone so I grabbed my mirror and looked in. At first all I could see was the broken egg shells, and I was saddened that they did not make it, but in an instant I could detect two little open mouths in the grayness of the nest. The hatchlings had both survived.


Now the mother hummingbird's courage was tenfold as she remained on the nest to keep her babies warm until their feathers grew sufficiently and yet taking frequent flights to forage for food for them. I watched her whenever I passed by the window and occasionally saw her feeding her young. It was a daunting task to think about, because hummingbirds use so much energy just in ordinary flight, that they require great amounts of food to maintain their own energy, let alone feeding two growing babies.


Over the next few weeks we watched as the baby hummingbirds grew larger. First we could see the tips of their beaks, then more and more until we could see their heads. It didn't take long for their bodies to completely fill the nest and it seemed that the nest would soon break apart with the load placed on it by two nearly full grown chicks.


During all this time, at intervals the mother would appear, perch on the edge of the nest and feed her babies, and then take off again. Finally the day came when the baby birds left the nest.



They did not immediately fly away, rather landed on the porch below, flitted from one spot to the next as they tried their wings, and after a period of "practice" they gained the strength to fly away.



As I watched this mother hummingbird caring for her babies and then stepping back and letting them try their wings, I thought of our own years of caring for our children that seems to be drawing to a close as our youngest child has recently gone away to college. Does that mother hummingbird feel the same emptiness inside that I feel when she looks at her empty nest? I hope she finds comfort in knowing that her children have learned how to fly. Hopefully they will know she misses them and come back to visit…

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Now I can stand back and watch all of you and cheer you on. I think your Dad is cheering too. You are who you are in large part because of his influence. Way to "fly"!!

Historic Washington, D.C.

Well, I finally made it to the Nation's Capitol, Washington D.C. I spent 2 1/2 weeks in June with Bryce, Heidi and Isaiah so that Heidi could start training for a new job. I got there a few days before she had to start work so we could do some sightseeing. Can you believe I forgot to take my camera?! Luckily, Heidi took her camera...well she actually forgot her camera part of the time too :), but we got some pictures to document my visit. The weather started out nice and we were able to see quite a few monuments/memorials in the first couple days before the weather got rainy. Isaiah was very good to sit in his stroller all day long while we rode the Metro and roamed the National Mall. The first day we visited the Washington Monument Lincoln Memorial Jefferson Memorial and Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial Korean War Memorial, World War II Memorial, and the Holocaust Museum. We also saw the Capitol Building and White House but did not tour them. (As a side note, two weeks later, on June 10, an 88-year-old man went to the Holocaust Museum and opened fire with a rifle and ended up killing a guard.)

The second day we went to Arlington Cemetery and wandered around and watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. That was about all we could manage that day because it was quite warm


Sunday afternoon we drove to Baltimore and visited Fort McHenry and watched them retire the enormous "Garrison Flag" (a replica of the 30' X 42' flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes that flew over Fort McHenry when Francis Scott Key wrote the words of the "Star Spangled Banner". That flag is now in the Smithsonian) and raise a smaller American Flag for the night

Then we drove past Johns Hopkins University so I can tell people "I went to Johns Hopkins". I'll bet Alex is so envious!


From there we drove back to D.C. and visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial...


followed by a brief stop at the National Archives Building. I kind of teased with Heidi all week about finally being able to stand...not on the famous ground where memorials are built to our founding fathers but...where Nicholas Cage stood during the making of "National Treasure". It's true!! But we did see the original Declaration of Independence and the other documents in the Rotunda for the Charters of Freedom. It was kind of dark and cold in there but I had a reverent feeling in that room.


Next stop was the fairly new Air Force Memorial. There was not a large throng of people here and we enjoyed a peaceful visit to the monument built to honor members of the Air Force.

I thought of Verlin even though the only time he flew in the Air Force was when he was traveling from one place to the next. From the Air Force Memorial we could see the Pentagon and part of Arlington Cemetery.




Heidi then took us on a roundabout route back home on I-495 so that I could view the Washington D.C. Temple as it suddenly loomed in front of us as we rounded the bend.

It was beautiful in the evening sun but more so when we drove to the temple grounds and viewed it from a closer perspective. It was the perfect ending to our day. The following Tuesday evening I had the privilege of attending the temple with Heidi. On my last day in Maryland, Bryce and Heidi took me to the National Cryptologic Museum next door to the National Security Agency in D.C. It explains the role of the NSA in the history of cryptology and national defense. As with the other places we visited there was far too much to see and read in a short period of time but the video gave us a good overview of the history of cryptology, breaking and making codes to pass or intercept secret messages during the various wars including the cold war and in today's complex global fight against terrorism. Following our visit we stopped for lunch and then Heidi took me to the airport. I was introduced to a new favorite sandwich shop while I was in Maryland. It is called Potbelly Sandwich Works and they have yummy sandwiches! I had a great time and was sad to see it end. But there are bound to be new adventures ahead.

Logan in May

I had the opportunity in the month of May to spend two weeks with Alex and Laura hanging out with Graham while Laura attended class at the University. It took a day or two for him to warm up to me, but when he figured out that I was the one to take care of his needs, especially at mealtime, he was quite friendly and loving. We enjoyed going on walks. We walked to the temple sometimes and to the grocery store sometimes. We walked down to Mooch's (a gas station/car wash) on Main Street and visited with Sonia while she was at work. For Mother's Day I spent that weekend with Shane, Sonia and Taylor. I enjoyed spending time with them. The last Friday there I went with Alex, Laura and Graham up Logan Canyon and we cooked hot dogs and marshmallows over a fire. The picnic area was full of people enjoying the first mild days of spring. My visit ended all too soon!! A day or two before I visited with Alex and Laura I had my laptop out and let Audrey see herself on my computer with the Webcam. When the kids see the slideshow that plays as a screensaver on my desktop, they like to identify the pictures that come up. When Audrey saw herself on the Webcam she started saying, "Audrey, Audrey". I saved the litte clip I made of her. When I got to Logan I noticed that Graham and Taylor both enjoy looking at themselves in the mirror so I let them look at the Webcam also to see their reactions. Later, in Maryland with Heidi and Bryce I learned that Isaiah has a great interest in computers and keyboards so I filmed him on Webcam also. He was not too interested in the picture on the screen but really got excited that I was letting him get that close to my computer keys which were "off limits" most of the time. Here is the "candid camera" video of the kids. I don't think it will win any nominations for the Oscars but it is fun.

Take Time to be Thankful

When I was sitting in Fast and Testimony Meeting Sunday I was reminded of how blessed I am, and I thanked Heavenly Father for His kindness in my behalf. I thought with fondness about my children (and their spouses) and my grandchildren and reviewed each of your virtues and talents. Unless I tell you, you won't know how much I love and appreciate each one of you, so let it be known that you are all so very special to me. I have enjoyed recent visits with some of you (which I will talk about later) and hope to see others in the near future. I enjoy your blog pages too that help us keep in touch in between visits. I hope you are all enjoying your summer.

Things that make me smile

A few years ago I planted some bulb flowers in my front yard. Each spring it gives me reason to smile as they emerge in anticipation of summer. Sherri and I found it interesting that there were so many daffodils along the roadway and in the fields along our route in Oregon. We wondered how daffodils could grow wild, or do they. Someone had to put the bulbs there. Perhaps that was a little part of Eden transplanted to the west coast. Oregon surely is beautiful enough to be so.

My grandkids and the varying names they give me make me smile. This one used to call me Mumbas but now that she can hear that there is a "g" in my name, she calls me Unga. She makes me smile a lot!

Other things that make me smile are thinking about...
My fun loving mother.
A beautiful sunset that a grandchild discovers and shares.
The beautiful temple on the hill.
My children (and spouses) and your unique personalities and talents.
All my grandchildren--each is special!
Fun times we have had together.
My eternal companion and dearest friend--your dad. He made me frustrated at times, but he made me smile a whole lot more.

This week as we approach Easter Sunday, I am especially grateful for my Savior, who made the resurrection possible and gave us the gift of eternal life and the opportunity to be with our loved ones throughout all eternity. When I don't feel like smiling, I just think about Jesus and all he did for me and I am able to smile again.

New Meaning to the Words "Yo, Heave Ho!"

Aaron and Sherri invited me to take a trip to Oregon with them so we could see Pat, Dick and my mom. They drove out and picked up Mason on Friday, March 27th, and I flew to Portland on Monday, March 30th and they picked me up at the airport.


We went to Multnomah Falls and then drove to Dallas and spent the night with Dick and Pat. Gary and Denise drove there and we got to visit for a couple hours with them. It was good to see my mom again.



We left Dick and Pat's Tuesday morning and took a scenic route along the coast down to Newport. We ate a late lunch, which ended up being our dinner, at a seafood place on the waterfront and then went and checked into our condo at Little Creek Cove. It was a lovely secluded place on the beach. Thank you Aaron for such a nice home away from home.

The weather forecast was for rain every day, and we got rain every day! Tuesday afternoon we were worried that our bottom fishing trip on the ocean Wednesday would be canceled but the boating company said it was a go, just no children allowed.

It was decided that Aaron and I would go fishing and Sherri and the boys would hang out at the condo until we finished at noon. We got up at 6:15 so we could be down to the dock by 7:00 a.m. I put on my shirt and pants, a fleece shirt and my parka. Aaron thought I needed a little more so he gave me a pullover hoodie. We arrived at the dock in a bit of a drizzle and donned our rain gear, both bib overalls and raincoats and rubber boots. I felt that I was prepared for any kind of weather. We each took a couple of dramamine tablets before we left the condo so that we could hopefully control the motion sickness.

After some instructions from the captain that were designed to scare off the weak hearted, we left the dock, idled out of the bay and entered the wide open ocean. It took us about 45 minutes to reach our fishing spot near some rocks some distance from land. It was hard to tell where we were because it was so rainy and foggy. The crew had placed fishing poles around the boat and told us to go ahead and take a pole according to our preference. One side had poles with lighter tackle and the windy side had the heavier poles. I tried a lighter pole for a couple casts and then moved to the larger gear. A bell would ring, signaling it was okay to cast our lines and if we caught a fish we were to yell out, "Fish On!" and a crew member would help get the fish in the boat because they had very sharp fins. Everyone around me was soon yelling "Fish On!" but I didn't get anything on my little line. When the bell rang again we all brought up our lines and they moved the boat a short distance and rang the bell a second time signaling that it was okay to drop our lines again. By the time I caught my first fish Aaron had deposited four fish in our box. For the next hour or so, we were so busy casting and reeling that we didn't really have much time to visit with each other. I just know that it felt awful wet and rough out there. Aaron was so good to check on me and make sure I was doing okay. Just once when we were moving to a new spot I had a sudden urge to heave ho over the rail but I fought it off and the wind in my face helped clear the wave of nausea that washed over me. A couple hours and several fish later, the crew told us that we had nearly caught our limit and it was time to head in, as the winds were approaching gale strength. On the way back we had to stop to pick up the four crab pots that had been dropped off on our way out to fish. Aaron had paid for two pots so he helped bring the pots in and and we got to keep half the catch--at least half of the keepers. We had to throw back all the females and any males under 6 inches.) It was while we were bobbing around on the ocean while picking up the crab pots that I finally lost my breakfast bagel. The captain said be sure to check the wind direction if you have to lean over the rail, but I didn't have time to do much checking and adjusting, just heaved and hoped it didn't come back in my face. So much for dramamine!

We ended up with 5 crabs to take home along with one ling cod and 10-12 sea bass. We ate the crabs for lunch and had some of Mason's sturgeon for supper that night. The next night we ate sea bass. I didn't get a chance to try the cod, but the sturgeon and bass was very delicious thanks to the cook--Sherri.


Wednesday afternoon we went to the Oregon Coast Aquarium and hung out a couple hours. Then Aaron went out on a pier that he had discovered Tuesday night and tried his luck at crab fishing with a couple of crab rings--smaller and a bit more portable than the pots we used on the boat. He brought home a few more crabs, not Dungeness like we caught earlier, but red rock crabs that allowed smaller ones to be taken. After cooking and eating them we decided that the next day he would only keep larger ones, since only the claws were worth eating. He caught several Dungeness but they were about 1/8" under the limit (a $250 fine if caught with an undersized Dungeness).

Thursday Sherri and I enjoyed some quiet time in the condo while Aaron took the boys out on the pier and let them do some fishing and crabbing. They had a good time but didn't come home with anything. Thursday evening after we ate yet another fish dinner, we had an early birthday party for Mason.

I think the best part for him was that he would not have to eat any more fish on the trip. He is such a trooper. He really enjoys fishing but knows that if he catches fish he has to eat them and they aren't really his favorite meal. I was impressed that he persevered.

We started for home on Friday. We drove through some beautiful and diverse scenery, a little sunshine, an amazing amount of moss on the trees.

A few minutes later, we were driving in snow!


We drove as far as Winnemucca, Nevada and spent a short night in a hotel there and then drove the last couple hours to Carlin to take Mason home. I got home about 2:00 p.m. Saturday and Aaron and Sherri and Morgan drove on to snowy Big Piney.