Tetélestai

Road Trip to Veyo

Tongue cannot interpret the joy and gratitude in my heart at this moment. What follows will be a second rate offering. (However, for being speechless, I am about to put down nearly 1100 words. Reader be warned )
It began with me picking up a cheap rental car reservation a couple of weeks ago. I had other intentions for the weekend that didn’t work out. So, I canceled some of the other reservations I had made but was inspired to keep the car reservation. After a week of contemplation, I decided I would go to Veyo to sit in the sun, soak in the mineral pool and eat their wonderful grilled food. Not that their food is uber great, just the fact that I wanted to enjoy the day. I mentioned to Bret that I was coming, and so we decided to make a family trek of it.
I picked up the car early, 7:00 instead of 9:00 a.m. thanks to friend Randy Keller. I got an upgrade. I drove a white Toyota Camry. I went home and finished packing, and got on the road by 8:00 or so. It was a wonderful drive, little traffic congestion and a beautiful day. Red Indian Paintbrush lined the freeway in areas that had been burned over years before. The area was still quite green from the wet Spring we have been experiencing.
I arrived at Veyo around 1:00 p.m. I changed into my swim trunks, oiled down and got in the pool. A refreshing dive and I was relaxed. I watched the kids play, jump in and out. What fun they were having. I found a chaise lounge, spread out my blanket and caught some rays.
After a second dip in the pool, I ordered lunch. I ordered a Pronto Pup. I don’t think I have ever ordered a Pronto Pup. I know I have finished off a few, but a Pup, Fries and refreshed my soda. I was set in the shade with a good book and a great lunch.
After the appropriate amount of time following a meal, I dove back into the water. It was refreshing each time I jumped in. Another turn in the sun, this time with the book, another dip, and it was time to leave. Darn it.
On the way into St. George I met with my father-in-law Stan Snow at the Arctic Circle. I had arraigned to meet him and share my heart’s desire –n to ensure that Lori have the resources and plan to purchase the Pine Valley home from his estate when he and Betty are passed. I told him that this was one of my top priorities for the near future, and to prepare what it would take to contract with him for this end. He agreed. We had a wonderful visit. In fact, it was a long longer than I had expected, for the kids were expecting me for dinner.
I was met with an excited “Grandpa Jim” from my granddaughter Faye. She had been waiting for me to “come to town.” What a thrilling welcome. It was wonderful as she kept my attention all weekend. Holland was there for dinner, as well. It was wonderful (I seem to be using that word a lot.) Bret and Lori were preparing dinner. Bret was grilling chicken and Lori had made a mac-n- cheese concoction with chard and tomatoes from her garden. They were also boiling a artichokes from a friends garden. What a treat.
We enjoyed dinner and then made our way into the backyard where I saw the results of their hard labor. Their lawn was coming in and they had a beautiful garden. Chard, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, squash of many varieties, it was wonderful. They have worked hard. Who knew… Anyway, we visited for a long while. Holland had to leave, Faye went to bed and we continued to visit. We talked about the garden, about their lives, about my life, about a great many things. I slept like a baby.
The morning started three different times. I woke at 6:30 just after Bret left for work. I woke again after 7:15ish, and wandered around a quiet house. I woke again around 8:00 to Bret making omelets, Faye crawling out of bed and Lori getting ready for work.
After breakfast Bret wanted Faye to take a nap, but it was too early. So, Faye brought me a book to read. Bret layed down on the floor, traded blankets with Faye and fell asleep. Faye and I got through several books before Bret woke up and said we were late to lock down the office.
He took me on a tour of his plant. It was really quite interesting all the machines, different steps, high tech stuff he deals with. I am amazed that he is responsible for things that go in airplanes, shuttles, tanks and even a part for a machine that helps sort mail. It was fun. I promised Faye an ice cream. She wanted green ice cream. We ended up with Brown Toppers at the “Ice Cream Store” Arctic Circle on the way out of town for Veyo.
What fun we had. Faye was a doll and didn’t want to get out of the water. She swam with floaties, something new for her, and made friends with anyone who would talk to her. We had lunch, I ordered another Pronto Pup, and swam some more. Faye was tired, but even after Bret lovingly tried to sing her to sleep; it was back to the pool. After a while, she finally would let us get out, pack up and leave. She was asleep before I got the car from reverse to forward pulling out of the parking lot.
I stayed for dinner – all out of the garden, chard greens, spaghetti squash with sauce, beets, zucchini bread with apricot syrup. What a treat. I brought some chard, zucchinis and apricot jam and syrup as a treat to share with others.
A beautiful sunset accompanied me out of town as I offered a prayer of gratitude. A Joe vs the Volcano moon greeted me around Fillmore and it the end of a perfect second day.
As I said, words escape me but, I can’t tell you how refreshed and alive I feel at this moment. I know I am loved by my family and by my Father in Heaven.

Exploring The Neighborhood

I finally did it. I went exploring the new neighborhood.
While I lived with my mother, I walked regularly what I called "Around the Block". This meant I would walk up Upland Drive, past Skyline High School, then turn left along the frontage road. This took me to Millcreek Road, which I followed to 2700 East. Around the "S" curve, and up Broadbent Drive. That led me to Craig Driove and the back up Twinbrook and home. Took about 50ish minutes to do. Had some ups and downs and was a good workout. It helped in my recent weight dropping.
Tonight I tried, for the second time, a route that I think I can enjoy. I go north on Center St. to Mineral Springs Park and cross 300 West just below the Tesoro station. I clip down 300 West all the way to North Temple and cross there. I turn back north on 200 West, turn at Girrard St. and I'm done. This takes about 50 minutes. Just right.
While walking along 300 West, I discovered a cute coffee shop / diner, Mulberry Coffee and Cafe. I will have to try it soon. I wonder if they have wifi?
I also discovered where the ALCU office is. And, almost right next to it, is the office of Sunstone magazine.
I bought some white shorts and have a white shirt, so I will be seen at night. It beats sitting in a hot apartment watching TV.
I hope to learn more about my new territory.

A Pair of New Glasses? Not for me!

Reticular Activation. That’s the principle that described my last blog. The brain begins to point out all the other items you are focused on. Thanks to Jeremy Lock.
So, I have to admit, I recently went to the eye doctor to get my eyes checked. I have mostly 20-20 vision still. There is just a little sweet spot that I have a hard time focusing on, like the end of my arm. The Dr. wrote a prescription for me. At her shop the girl in charge of selling glasses found a wonderful pair that looked marvelous on. $300.00.
I have never shopped for glasses myself, but I was able to purchase glasses for Lori, Cody, Arti and Holland at Walmart or Shopko for a lot less than that. I took my prescription and left.
Since I was learning about time wasting, I wondered how much time I was wasting looking for glasses. So, I thought I would investigate buying a pair of glasses to wear most all of the time.
Last Saturday, I drove buy Eye Masters. They were having a sale -- $59 for two. I went in. The pair I found were $99. BUT, she could do a buy one get one free deal. So, I found another pair. Then I found out why people don’t buy glasses willey nilley. $89 for each lens; scratch resistance coating, $69; Fitting $0. Anyway, by time she added it all up it was between $319 and $369, depending on the glare coating I picked. For Two pair of glasses?
You know what? I think since I am mostly 20—20, I can afford a hand full of readers, no matter how much I hate trying to find them around the house.

Universal Law

I have to write this, even though I just updated yesterday. (please read circle of life, it is much more interesting.)
Anyway, I am reading this really great new book "The Compound Effect" by Darren Hardy (www.thecompoundeffect.com) and he writes that when you start focusing on something, your mind begins to see that object all around you. Like when you want to be a new car, and you pick out the one one want, you start seeing them all around you. Like they were never there! well, he writes, they were there, you just weren't focused on the object.

So, after spending the weekend looking and looking for my reading glasses, (I have several pair) I was stumped. The only pair I could find were the plastic ones that NEVER leave the bedroom. So I woke up this morning, (Monday, June 14) and packed to go to the Novelty Store where I buy them buy the handful for real cheap. I was focused. As I packed, I found THREE PAIR of glasses, in places I thought I had looked. No need to go buy them. Where were they when I was looking?
That just goes to show that success is right there if you really really focus on it.

Under Consruction

Core Value Number One

((They say to be careful of what you put on the internet. However Darren Hardy, publisher of Success Magazine and a new book The Compound Factor suggests that this is one way to get others to assist in becoming the individual you want to be. This one is personal, but I am prompted to send it out to the universe so that it (the universe) knows without a doubt what I want.))

As I continue to grow and reinvent myself, it is amazing how friends, God, past experiences and all your synapse’s firing at the same time will help guide your path.

I am reading a book that has an exercise to help the reader understand his/her core values. It starts with a list of three people you admire most. I paused right here because I really wanted to do this right.

I have a friend that “teaches” there are eight core values, and they all tend to be negative based (I’m not good enough, I am unloved…) and recently I have come to believe that core values ought to be more positive than negative. So, I have list of about 12 “I AM” statements that help the present me know what the future me is, now. I also have four “Big Hairy Audacious Goals.” I read these twice daily. Among them both are the desire to help lift others, invest in others, and help other reach their ultimate potential. These statements help direct me to my core values - who I am.

Thanks to a conversation with a dear friend, I realized who my first person I admire most is/was. I believe his name was Mel. (I can’t remember is name, but Mel comes to mind.) He was a true millionaire cowboy.Worth more than you would know just by looking at him. I met him in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. His family owned two very large cranberry marshes. (thus my love for everything cranberry) He also owned two large cattle ranches, one in Wisconsin and one in Arizona. He lived in Arizona much of the year due to allergies. His was the first cell phone I had ever seen. In 1976 it was a dial up radio phone that fit in a brief case. He bought and sold herds of cattle without ever seeing them. He sat on the Board of Ocean Spray. I was impressed! However, looking at this former National Rodeo Association Bronc Riding Champion, you would never know his worth.

His real worth was introduced to me by two strangers he brought into his home, while I lived there. (We, my companion and I, house -sat while his family lived in Scottsdale.)

One was a former “drunk rodeo professional” whom Mel l had invested time and love and assets to build him up. His talent was in horse training. One of the best in the business, Mel told me. He took this man, helped him purchase a stable, horses, tack shop and put him in charge. In short order, this man was the owner --in control of his own destiny, instead of following the rodeo circuit and drinking away the winnings. (Mel said he saw a lot of that.) This man owed his life to Mel. He helped him dry up. Get back to church and become a family man again.

The other was a down-on-his – luck beekeeper from Arizona. Mel had brought him from Arizona to manage the bees on his marshes and then set them out on the fields in the area. Then, instead of killing or hibernating the bees as he had done in the past, he allowed him to take the bees home to Arizona for the winter. There he could keep the proceeds from the honey. In a few years, the keeper would own the bees, and contract with Mel.

I learned from these two men that their stories were not isolated. Mel invested in the lives of his friends and companions regularly.

I determined then that I wanted to be like that man. I will probably never be able relate this story in person, (tear drop, tear drop, sniffle) but Mel is example core number one.

I dedicate the next 30 years to core value number one: I am a lifter of others. I invest in others.

Thanks for your help, universe, I won’t be able to do it without you.

Circle of Life

Disney and the Lion King do not have the "Circle of Life" market cornered.
Today friends and family overfilled a church, the overflow and the foyer to celebrated Austin Atkinson's soon departure to the Baltics. He is the oldest of my youngerst sister ( she is seven of eight) who's family is designed a lot like mine -- two boys a girl and a boy.








I remembered how frantic life was for Lori and I as we sent our oldest on his way to Seattle.
We had just moved into a new log home. We didn't have our sprinklers or lawn in. We were expecting a huge crowd (any time my family gets together, it is a huge crowd). I had a chance to get a lot of FREE sod. We worked frantically. My friend, who did sprinklers for a living, was hours ahead laying pipes and sprinklers of my brother-in-law Doug Snow who got to show us his expertise on a small Ford Tractor as he spread a thin layer of top soil. He was hours ahead of a crew that was taking sod from the Gunnison City Park. Th city was getting a new swimming pool and the guy digging the foundation gave me two days to collect all the sod I could. It was a miracle. Father-law, Stan Snow, some kid who was drifting through town who needed work, me and the boys cut, stacked, moved and laid nearly a half-acre if lawn in a matter of two days.
Of course, the lawn was beautiful and just in time for the crowd. It was a blessing as it kept the red dirt/sand out of our new carpet.
Louise and Brian,have double the trouble. they get twice the crowd I had. Over the past 30 years, Louise's older siblings are now grandparents. The cousins, who have married and born children, are very supportive when it comes to missionaries. They bring their little ones, to everyone's delight. Now we are an even bigger crowd.

All of this came to mind as I sat by one of my sons in the very very back of the overflow section. Cody and Kimberly are about to duplicate three-fourths of my family -- Two beautiful boys, and they are expecting a girl. (What are the odds?)

In 15 years it will be their turn to prepare a son to go into the world, to prepare a meal for a crowd that will probably be ......
Ah, the Circle of Life!

Stop and Smell The Roses

My mother tells me that I like to drive.
Actually, I do. One of my favorite rides is along the Wasatch Blvd in Salt Lake City. It rolls along the mountain bank, and you can see the entire Salt Lake valley. This ride is really quite spectacular at night. You have a valley full of lights, colors and patterns.
I have learned the advantage of riding around town on a scooter. The smells. I get hit with whiffs of fragrance that can bring a smile to my face. I love driving by Lilac bushes in the early spring. I like this smell. Then, I have a nose full of Russian Olive trees as I ride along Van Winkle Express way. I am lucky that I don't have an allergy to this tree, like many of my friends.
Then there are food smells. My son lives right across the Rio Cafe on 33rd South. You can smell the barbecued pulled pork, especially when you drive by early in the morning.
The other day I was riding and was hit with the sweet smell of sweet breads. Cinnamon, sugar, yum mm.
My recommendation? If you don't dare doing a scooter, drive on the side roads, instead of I-15, and roll down your windows. Remember the old adage "Be sure to take time to smell the roses"!

Marvelous Day At Manti

The whole Jim Olsen and Lori Snow Olsen clan gathered at the Manti Temple to participate with Artimesia. It was a wonderful experience. I am sooooo proud of all my children -- They were all there, dressed in white. A humbling moment.
Afterward we took a series of family portaits. We took some whole family group shots, Lori with the Grand Kids, (And I HAVE TO SAY, I HAVE TGHE CUTEST GRANDCHILDREN IN THE WORLD!) (NO, REALLY!) We also took couples with kids. I wanted to document the moment for what is was, an historic event. I have posted the picture with all of us in a group shot. I am still waiting for the other pictures. It may be a while, as the photographer went out of town for a week. Bummer. Please don't publish this picture yet. Thanks.
After the Temple and pictures we gathered at the Rex Brown home, where Arti rents a room. The Brown's are on a mission, but Arti and their daughter, Cassie, take care of the place. We had Subway's, salads, chips and cookies! We had plenty to eat, in fact, i saw someone putting sandwich's in the fridge for another day.
Thank you Arti! You are special to us all, especially your Heavenly Father.

New Digs

I don't know what all you did over the Memorial Day weekend, but I moved out of my mother's basement. I KNOW, I caught some people really off guard. I had people placing bets that I would never get out on my own.
I am in a fairly cute one bedroom apartment in the Marmalade District of Salt Lake City. It is pretty clean, newer kitchen, acceptable carpet, windows in every room In fact, I need to buy some curtains, if you know what I mean. The building is owned buy a friend. The down was low, rent is lower than most properties I priced. I am gonna be happy as soon as every thing finds a place for itself.
Thanks to those of you who sent me suggestions as to how to make the transition easier. The best suggestion came from my cousin Robert. He's a PhD type in Georgia. He suggested I write a book with lists. That's good idea, cause Googleing did not come up with anything. I've always said that we all have a book inside us. I just didn't think mine would cover being divorced, ha ha