Sunny California -- May 27-30, 2009

We had a memorial service for Aunt Laura's husband Don Seavey on Friday, May 29th. About 35 people were there to support Laura and her sons, including her two brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors, and five drivers from the San Diego transit system. The bus drivers knew the Seaveys, liked them and looked forward to seeing them during their runs.

Laura and son Lonnie.

One of the drivers told a fun story about Lonnie at a time when McDonald's had a 12-cent hamburger deal on Tuesdays. Lonnie and the driver went every Tuesday for their hamburger treats, until one day when the bus driver found the whole family waiting, ready to go the McDonald's . . . Don, Laura, Lonnie, Aaron, Wendy & Holly. He knew them all by name.

Picture: Cousin Tom & wife Joann, the McDonald's bus driver, 2 ward members, Bonnie the bus driver.

Family picture: Brothers & Sisters -- Laura, Wayne, Lyne, Jim, Bonnie.

Wish I had more pictures. This last week I've expended more elbow-grease than picture-clicking, but it was necessary. We washed walls, Jim re-did ceilings, then we painted in the kitchen, living room and hallway. Glad we had the opportunity to help out. Good to be with family.

Another One Bites the Dust!!

Last Monday night, I was busy baking cookies and banana bread, getting ready to go to California for the rest of the week. Wayne was reading to me, keeping me company. I have my head in the cubby where the mixer lives, doing my thing. Wayne is gone when I look up again. Pretty soon he comes in, all excited.

"Hey Honey, know that snag on the back of the lot? It just went down! Come see!"

I went outside with visions of a torn up fence in my mind. A big silver poplar snag has towered over everything else on the northeast back corner of the lot for years. I can't remember the last time it had leaves. It has made a fine lookout for hawks and other birds wanting a clear view of the neighborhood during that time. I thought of dropping it for the wood a few years ago, but the limbs would have taken out the neighbor's nice tight wire fence along the lane strung on straight steel posts, which would have made the fence loose, and the posts, well, less-than-straight.

The wind felled the tree on the diagonal towards the southeast, doing no harm to the fence. The sheep in the field must have scooted out of the way, but by the time we went to look, they were all sampling green leaves from a few small trees that the big one had brought down.

The only hole in the fence was caused when the tree uprooted itself! Wayne and Jim had that fixed in a trice, and the fence is as good as ever it was. [We always have had a rather picturesque back fence! Makes the beautification ladies nuts!]

Honoring Those Who Serve: Memorial Day 2009

A small town, population 850.

A community school, established 1896. Hardworking, good neighbors who help each other.

An annual tribute at the Town Cemetery, sponsored by the American Legion, honoring those who have served in the Armed Forces over these many years.

Wayne & I have made a point to be at the cemetery, 8:00 a.m. on Memorial Day, to enjoy stories of our pioneer neighbors and spend a little quiet time honoring our community and nation. Fresh country air, American flags flying, "new" sunshine, the veterans' dignified honor to our Flag as they post it and salute. Wonderful!

A bugler accompanied the flag-raising with To the Colors. His clear tones through the trees and in the quietness of the morning air foster thoughts of patriotism and Country.

The American Legion also performs a service-ceremony, retiring used and old American flags from service. All veterans and uniformed Scouts are invited to participate, our friends and neighbors, young and old.

One of our neighbors served in WWII in the South Pacific. Every Memorial Day, many of his 10 children, spouses and grandchildren come home to share this choice occasion with their Dad.

And when the speaking and ceremonies are all over, the bugler plays Taps as the vets and scouts salute and stand at attention.



So this year [guess this shows how old we are getting], instead of asking an Old Timer to talk about the early years in Elsinore, one of our boys' very good friends was asked to speak, Master Sgt. Shane Peterson, Utah National Guard.

Dig, as the kids call him, has been in the Guard for about 20 years now, served a tour in the Middle East, and is now working fulltime for the Guard.

Dig spoke about extending the blessings of freedom to all peoples: He is willing to serve to do that.

Cannot say enough good about Dig: he has been such a good friend to us all over the years, so strong and steady doing many good things.

What a great blessing it is to have such neighbors and friends! We watched the older men whom we see every week at church, performing their duties. And we saw our Scoutie boys, diligent and sober in honoring their country and flag.

What a privilege it is to pay tribute to our wonderful nation and those who serve in her Armed Forces.

Our dear friends, Shane & Staci.