When you're cute...

...there's no such thing as a bad-hair day.

A walk on the beach

The anticipated ice storm and snow didn't come, so we were able to make it out to the Coast from Portland without any problem last weekend. And then the sun shown all day. And at evening, the cloud bank stayed just enough to the south and east that the sun was able to peak out before setting. And the tide being out made the beach all shimmery with reflections. And this is what happened:

These colors are all as captured by my camera. I made no changes. Credit goes to the Creator.

'Tis the season

....to write so many lists you need a list to keep track of your lists.

....to be thinking of so many disparate things that you forget one very most important thing.

....to stand in line at the post office and the grocery store and the photo lab and tell yourself that this is all part of the season you're happily sharing with those really slow people in front of you.

....to wonder how you were ever busy before, when you didn't have wrapping and shopping and decorating and sending to do -- just cleaning and cooking and picking things up at the store and volunteering and working.

'Tis the season to turn on the holiday music really loud and sing along with whoever's singing and remember that everything you do at Christmastime is going to make someone happy. And that will make you happy too.

Here's a happy picture:



Here's a happy verse I wrote some years ago and attached to a Christmas cookie cutter, to help my friends, similarly yoked, with their holidays:

I can shape the holiday, I've all it takes to start
The decor, lights, the treats and gifts are only just a part

I also have a family whose joy I want to feel
And faith to know the Savior's birth makes celebrating real

The shape of every busy day is largely up to me
I'll start with prayer, set steady goals, remember He taught peace

I know the Savior knows my needs, to follow is my choice
That on this holiday to Him, I can, with all, rejoice.

Love to all!

When they're down

The only way to get noticed is to mess up.

I first noticed this at church with organ music.

Organ music is just there, like light fixtures and carpeting, until something goes wrong. Hit a sour note and everybody looks up to see who's playing. Even if you've played 239,647 notes right, the one's that's wrong gets the attention.

This, I would tell a friend organist commiserating over a goof, is why it's OK to mess up on the organ now and then: To get noticed.

But there's messing up and there's messing up. There's accidentally messing up and there's stupidly messing up and there's intentionally messing up.

And the news has been full of all manner of messing up lately.

Take the local quarterback, whose post-game tirade has sucked all the glory out of hard-won victory. It was stupidly messing up and it's what people are talking about and remembering more than his game-winning touchdown.

Take the party-going interlopers who thought it would be a lark to crash a White House dinner. Their intentional mess-up is probably not bringing in the kind of attention they'd sought.

Take Tiger Woods, who messed up in all three ways, and do with him what you will. I can't look anymore.

The rhetoric is tiring. The ugliness depressing.

It's a kick-em-when-they're-down culture we've become.

If everybody could just all go through life and not mess up....

But since we can't apparently, maybe we should just let people fix their own messes without our nosy interventions and maybe we should just admit that sometimes we mess up too and maybe we should try and remember where possible, those other 239,647 notes.

I hear the White House dinner really was quite nice.

Finding the good

My computer was in the fix-it shop for SIX DAYS last week. Six VERY LONG DAYS.

Things you can't do when your computer is in the fix-it shop:

--Find out who is sending you messages via e-mail and assuming you got them.

--Watch Office episodes you'd missed.

--Confirm that the local theater company mispronounced Jean-Francois Millet 1,000 times during its play.

--Get the agenda of the Kaysville City Council meeting.

--Broadcast your family news to the family newsletter.

--Find out what the stock market is doing at any given second and why.

--Get directions to your next appointment.

--Draft letters and stories for various assignments.

--Download pictures and send them off to interested parties.

--Locate hotels for future travel plans.

--Post new blog entries.

Things you have to do instead:

--Wait in line at the library with mostly pre-teens, for your turn at the computer.

--Get all your Internet business done in 30 minutes due to library rules.

--Listen in on the couple next to you at the computer, who are trying to get a $20 gift card for spending $100 at Walmart by yelling at managers on the phone, while sitting at the library computer.

--Clean your desk at home.

--Clean the drawers in your desk at home.

--Clean your toenails at home.

But, as with every trauma in life, good comes of trial. And this good comes just in time for Thanksgiving. Now, in addition to my usual appreciation for home, family, food, health, church and country, I am thankful for:

--Computers

--Phones of all types

--Cars

--Planes -- so, so grateful!

--Cameras

--Furnaces

--Men who fix computers

It's a great time to be alive!!

Oh, and could I add ... sunsets?!

Out of kontrol

The world would be a simpler place if "cat" started with "k" and "knife" started with an "n" and "face" was spelled "fase." At least in English-speaking countries.

Why do we even have a letter "c" anyway? And why does "s" sound like "sh" in sugar?

I'm not sure how all these variations on exceptions came to be (kame to be), but they never really bothered me until I started teaching English to someone from a totally different culture with totally different language experience. And no writing or reading at all.

How on earth can one teach the differences of the shapes like b and d and p and g, when they're so similar in looks with such a minor variation in sound? Couldn't somebody have come up with symbols that were easier to distinguish?

This falls into the ever-enlarging category of: things I can't change because they're out of my realm of control.

Things like winter coming before you're ready for it.
Or health-care legislation that takes reams of paper to print when all that really needs to be passed is law #1 -- everybody has to have health insurance and law #2 -- nobody can sue doctors for more than $x million.
Or like oil refineries that are eye-sores and safety hazards to your community but that got there before you did so you're stuck with them.
Or like effects of aging that are no fun but better than not aging.

When things are out of your control (kontrol), you just have to go with the flow. That's the lesson that I'm giving my friend from Somalia along with the English lessons. As I try to show how letters become words, like how "b-o-w-l" becomes "bbboooowwwwllll" by sounding it out, and then how "c-u-p" becomes "cup" by sounding it -- oops doesn't work -- I just shrug my shoulders and shake my head and smile and say, "funny English."

That's all you can do sometimes. Shrug your shoulders, shake your head and say, "funny world."

Lights of Massachusetts

Take an ocean and add a lighthouse and you've got something pretty exceptional.

There are many who are inspired by the beacons that have meant safety to seafarers over the years. I count myself among them.

Many thanks to Kraig of http://www.lighthousefriends.com/ for guiding us to these Massachusetts lights:

(The top three are of Eastern Point Light on Cape Ann from different angles. Those below are Cape Ann (Thatcher Island) Lights, then Annisquam and then on Cape Cod: Nauset and Highland. On Nantucket island: Brant Point and finally on Martha's Vineyard: Edgartown Harbor Light, East Chop Lighthouse and Gay Head (Aquinnah) Lighthouse.)

By the numbers:

Massachusetts lights -- 62 (as near as I can tell)

Those we saw -- 20

Those we saw at sunrise -- 3

Those we saw in storms -- 4

Those we went in -- 2

Those we were close enough to touch -- 8

Those we saw from the sea or across a harbor -- 9

Every setting was different, every light was unique. Every one perfect in its own way.

These too

The moon had perfect timing that night.

Just because

Just because I like it.

History and Literature

You get a lot of history when traveling in New England. History that celebrates discovery, revolution and independence.

One day in our travels the history largely revolved around literary figures, their homes, their writing and their inspiration. That was the day we started in Salem at the House of Seven Gables made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne and ended at Walden Pond, Thoreau's inspiration.

In between we saw Orchard House, home of the Alcotts; The Wayside, home at various times of Hawthorne and the Alcotts and Margaret Sidney; and Emerson's home.

The most fascinating thing of the whole day? For me it was a comment on an informational sign in the house where Hawthorne once resided. I haven't been able to confirm it, but it struck me.

It said Hawthorne was a bit of a recluse at times and that when one of his books got bad reviews, he gathered up the copies he'd given to his friends and burned them all.

That just does something to me. Me, who can't throw away an interesting article or give away an old shirt. Me, who doesn't sell many books but keeps writing new ones anyway. Me, who can't take 20 steps in a new place without taking a picture of it and can't delete even the bad ones because someday I might want to see things from just that angle.

Because you can't relive it. Or rewrite it. Or recapture it.

So you have to embrace it. Imperfections and all.

Even if no one else does.

Top: The House of Seven Gables

Above: Orchard House

Below: The Wayside
Below that: Emerson's home

Above: Replica of Thoreau's temporary home near Walden Pond.

Below: Walden Pond. (I bet he didn't stay in much.)

He does too deserve it.

He didn't ask for it and was the first to admit he doesn't feel worthy of it, so it's just plain wrong that President Obama's getting the drubbing the world is dishing out for being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Especially when he does in fact deserve it.

Yes, so he was nominated early in office, but those making the decision have had these nine months to consider it. Perhaps in that time, they have seen what I have seen:

--Steps have been and continue to be taken to close Guantanamo, a blight on American belief in freedom and justice.
--The missile shield program that caused such tension with Russia has been dropped.

In addition, Obama has been seen:
--Reaching out with rationality to the world's Muslims.
--Meeting with Israeli and Palestinian leaders (remember Bush waited seven and a half years to address that issue).
--Speaking candidly to the UN about what America can and can't do.
--Being willing to talk to leaders of rogue nations (Bush just called them names).
--Pulling out of Iraq to the extent possible.
--Taking a long time to consider the ramifications of an Afghanistan build-up.

Wasn't there even something about shutting down more of our own nuclear arsenal?

Why didn't anyone think of these things before? Doesn't each lead to peace?

I applaud Obama's efforts to use diplomacy and to go where others have not thought to go.
I applaud the Nobel committee's decision.

I believe all these moves will in fact lead to greater peace in our crazy world.
And I hope all those criticizing will take a step towards peace as well, by letting it go.

East Coast views

Imagine my surprise, when... ...on rising early to take pictures of the sunrise at Hyannis Port, Massachusetts...

...I spotted a lighthouse across the harbor from the dock where I was shooting.

That happened again and again as we explored New England's capes and islands. Lighthouses of many sizes and colors and signals popped up with sufficient frequency that even a buff (or "nut" as some call it) like me was inspired from sunrise to sunset.

There's something about a lighthouse. Its dramatic presence, its history, its guiding light, its security, its promise.

I never got tired of photographing them -- this one alone from many angles -- as we passed it heading out on a ferry......heading in on the ferry... ...heading off for dinner... ...even having dinner.And a couple mornings later -- more still.
Yes, we had a great time in Massachusetts.

And we saw beautiful things.

And we took many photos.

And this is just a start.

Around the world just down the street

It was possible this summer, to go around the world without leaving the neighborhood. Bountiful's Summerfest International allowed us to enjoy a bit of Hungary (below), Spain (below that), South Korea (you get the drift) and beyond.

(OK, so these girls aren't dancing right at this particular minute -- they are enjoying my photographs -- also a trip around the world -- so here it is.)

Music from South Korea (above -- OK and now I've confused you) and Salt Lake, art from Africa and Arizona and food from Equador and Hawaii, enriched those who attended, without requiring so much as a passport or a hotel reservation or a wait in a security line.

Kudos to those organizers who brought so many talented performers from so many far-away places to Utah for our entertainment and education. And kudos to them for -- probably an even harder job -- getting so many of us to the park to enjoy this taste of culture and art.

An aside:

A few of these pictures and many, many more of many and varied places by many, many other photographers, have been submitted to a fun enterprise sponsored by Media One. Media One, the company that coordinates Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret News circulation and printing and such, is putting together a book of Utah pictures by local photographers. You can submit your own or vote on those that have already been submitted for inclusion. It's a fun site to wander through -- many exceptional pictures of beautiful places, people and events in Utah. If you want to take a look and vote -- now's the time -- through September. Kinda fun to see what's happening in the state, and kinda fun to think your vote might impact the outcome of a book (that you can also buy!). Check it out: www.capturemyutah.com. Another chance to travel!

Passions

Is it the end of civility?

First we have citizens heckling Congressmen. Then we have a Congressman heckling the president. Then we have a musician embarrassing a musician at the same time as we have a tennis player verbally attacking a linesmen.

And I didn't forget the football player who punched out the other football player. That I consider a natural extension of his "game." When you are taught to wipe out the opponent for the entertainment of others and the aggrandizement of the group you represent, it is understandable that you might forget that you can only do it at certain times when wearing certain gear.

But when the challenges come from a Congressman, a musician and a professional athlete, things are getting out of hand.

Is this something else we can blame on global warming? Or eating non-organic food? Or our attention deficits and depressions? Or the vitriol virtual medias now spew out and then feast on?

It brings to mind a telling moment at a family reunion a year or so ago.

A group of adults were sitting around visiting when a little spat unfolded between two toddlers. One had a built-to-size lawn chair and the other decided he wanted it more. The original owner begged to differ. As the argument heated up, an adult stepped in and suggested a sharing arrangement. When that didn't go over, another adult stepped in and suggested taking turns. Neither child liked that idea so yet another adult rounded up a second chair and considered the issue solved.

But it wasn't.

Because now they both wanted the second chair.

Continued efforts by many and varied adults didn't solve the problem. We were helpless, all of us, as we watched the passions of toddlers supercede any logical solution. We knew only distraction and ultimately the wisdom of years would bring the problem to resolution.

Kind of like I feel today. An observer who doesn't quite get why there's a problem and has no idea what to do about it.

What is going on out there?

When is everybody going to grow up?

Being impressed, being disgusted

Things that impress me about the actions of the new president of the United States, Barack Obama:

1. He took his wife to a play in New York City.
2. He met up with his family in Paris during a business trip.
3. He looks at his wife with affection when they dance.
4. He took his family to national parks for a summer trip.
5. He took his family to a quiet retreat and had his staff ask the media to leave them alone together for a while.
6. He told fathers they have a responsibility to the children they father.
7. He walks his dog.
8. He apologized and tried to make amends after saying something stupid -- or should I say "stupidly."
9. He doesn't give up on a goal just because the opposition intensifies.
10. He lets Congress write the laws, just like the Constitution says Congress is supposed to do.
11. He cares enough about school children that he took the time (and hassle) to challenge America's youth in one of the most inspiring talks with some of the greatest insights and best encouragement ever, showing understanding and sensitivity and confidence in their abilities and a faith in their future.

Things that disgust me about some citizens in the United States of America.

1. They get riled over the President of the United States taking his wife to the theater in New York.
2. They get perturbed over some expense issue regarding the first family's trip to Europe.
3. They talk cynically about the president's attempt to clear the air with individuals in a racially-charged dispute.
4. They exaggerate to the point of absurdity the issues being debated before Congress.
5. They bring up nonissues beyond belief like place of birth.
6. They take exception to an address to school children in America by the President of the United States.

I think it's all these talking heads on all these cable channels, making mountains out of molehills. I think it's wild Internet postings. I think it's crazy radio talk-show hosts. I think its racism. I think its close-mindedness.

I think it's time for everyone to hold on to their hats and put on their brakes and open up their eyes and get a dose of what matters and what doesn't and when something wise is being said and when someone duly elected is providing leadership.

And in the meantime, everyone can get a shot of good old fashioned wisdom that is just as likely to bring a tear as it is to bring renewed hope and dedication from:
www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-in-a-National-Address-to-Americas-Schoolchildren

Speaking of showing what you're feeling

This young man seemed to take exception to the music of the Spanish troupe performing at Bountiful's Summerfest International.

Perhaps he thought his father felt the same way.