I found this on facebook, and it looks like a good way to introduce myself.
Marriages................... 1
Divorces......................0
Proposals................... 2 I was desperate before I met Sheri
Tattoos....................... 0
Piercings.....................0
Children..................... 8 awesome children (1 in heaven)
Grandkids.................. 10 and almost 11. Mine are the cutest
Surgeries....................1 tonsillectomy
Quit a job...................Yes, at the turkey farm, and some others due to school issues
Flown on a plane........ Yes,
100+miles in a car........Mileage or speed? Yes on both
Shot a gun...................Yes
Hit a deer.................... More misses than hits
Hit a deer in a car.........No, my wife has
Zip Lining ....................Only the one at Camp Lehi which isn't there any more.
Fallen in love................ Yes, six infatuations, one love
Watched someone give birth.....Yes. first was the worse
Watched someone die.... No
Cried over someone.........Yes, several people including my sister
Been to Canada.............. Yes
Been to Mexico................Yes
Rode in an ambulance...... No
Visited Las Vegas........... Yes.
Sang karaoke.................. Yes but I am not very good at it; I need a pianist who can fudge over my mistakes
Been downhill skiing.........No
Rode on a motorcycle.......Yes
Rode on a horse............. .Yes, one of the scariest things I have done, during Star of Justice
Stayed in a hospital........ .No, not over night, except with Sheri having babies
Donated blood................ .Yes, it makes me queasy
Rode in the back of a police car...No just the front with Roosevelt PD making a visit..
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Saturday, December 24, 2016
World Symposium on Hunger
I attended the Symposium on World Hunger held at the Spectrum in Logan in 1981. This was my last year at Utah State. I remember attending with my mother. I also assume Charlie and Dianna were there.
John Denver and the Mormon tabernacle Choir sang. I remember the choir performed "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and several other songs. I don't remember the discourses, but I do remember they predicted ending world hunger by the end of the millennium which would have been 2000.
I don't have any pictures, but here is a rehearsal picture I found. That is the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in the back ground in rehearsal clothing. They were dressed up for the Symposium.
The high light of the evening was the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and John Denver performing "I Want to Live" a John Denver song. I also remember the Spectrum being pretty much full. It was a wonderful free concert.
John Denver and the Mormon tabernacle Choir sang. I remember the choir performed "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and several other songs. I don't remember the discourses, but I do remember they predicted ending world hunger by the end of the millennium which would have been 2000.
I don't have any pictures, but here is a rehearsal picture I found. That is the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in the back ground in rehearsal clothing. They were dressed up for the Symposium.
The high light of the evening was the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and John Denver performing "I Want to Live" a John Denver song. I also remember the Spectrum being pretty much full. It was a wonderful free concert.
Friday, December 16, 2016
Fires in Hyrum
I was thinking about fires in Hyrum during my growing up years. Hyrum had a volunteer fire department. It was common to follow the fire ruck to see what was going on if the siren ever went off. (It wasn't common.) Our neighbors across the street had a fire. If my memory doesn't escape me the Hailstones were living in the home. It was pretty scary, but everyone escaped. You know how rumors are, and the rumor was someone was playing with matches in a bedroom. I don't know if there is any truth to that. The house was a total loss, and the Hailstones moved to a different home in Hyrum. There was also a fire at the Doctor's Offie. We were at school, and all got close enough to see what was happening. We were so relieved to know it wasn't the theater burning down, which was next door. However a few years later, the movie theater did burn.
Most other fires I noticed were grass fires and that kind of thing. I am not sure if any other structures had fires in Hyrum during the time we lived there. I am sure there are more.
Most other fires I noticed were grass fires and that kind of thing. I am not sure if any other structures had fires in Hyrum during the time we lived there. I am sure there are more.
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Christmas Program Hyrum Second Ward: 1975
Before my mission, And and Sherry Nelson, a young woman a year younger than I, were put in charge of our ward Christmas Program, Hyrum 2nd Ward. How we were assigned this I am not sure, but it was quite a large task for young people. I think people thought I was more talented than I was, however without Sherry's help it would have all fallen through. We did get help from several different organizations, and insisted that they help us with skits and songs etc to fill in the time of the program. I personally ended up in a couple of skits. In one I was an angel and someone put glitter in my hair. Sherry narrated if I remember correctly. The theme was finding the true meaning behind Christmas. I remember my younger brother's age did something with the Red Baron and Snoopy. Of course our evening ended with Santa Claus. Tom Smith use to be the best Santa Claus.
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Pioneer Day Children's Parades
Every year as a youth, the Pioneer Day Children's Parade was something to look forward to. This was usually celebrated on Primary Day close to the 24th of July. Back then you had primary one day a week outside of Sunday meetings. During the summer this meeting was held during the day, and when school was in session was held after school. There was always an organized parade for the fourth. Children would decorate their bikes or wagons up in pioneer style, or just in streamers. Our usual get-up was a loin cloth. My mother had sewed a loin cloth to shorts so they were modest, and then we would paint our faces with crayon. That was how we participated in the Primary parade for many years. We often had really short hair for the summer, so our entire costume was never very authentic. I know Weldon escaped this costume by decorating his bike one year, but usually there was no escape. My mom liked things organized, and Indian loin clothes were organized.
In Hyrum we would take the parade around a block. Around the block in Hyrum is a half mile. I also participated twice in Carbondale (Illinois). Here there was a busy street in front of the church, so our parade was around the parking lot a couple of times. Of course the Carbondale Branch had a smaller showing, but some years in Hyrum the parade would extend for half a block, although the roads were wide and the Primary organizers usually had us three or four across. I don't remember singing any songs, but I am sure there was an opening while we waiting for more children to gather who might be running late.
In Hyrum we would take the parade around a block. Around the block in Hyrum is a half mile. I also participated twice in Carbondale (Illinois). Here there was a busy street in front of the church, so our parade was around the parking lot a couple of times. Of course the Carbondale Branch had a smaller showing, but some years in Hyrum the parade would extend for half a block, although the roads were wide and the Primary organizers usually had us three or four across. I don't remember singing any songs, but I am sure there was an opening while we waiting for more children to gather who might be running late.
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Art I like: America's Art
America’s Art: Smithsonian American Art Museum, Theresa J. Slowik, Abrams, New York in association with Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2005.
This book of art very much reads like a history text. It covers very briefly the history of the United States, from early settlers, the land, the fight for liberty, early farming, Westward expansion, the Civil War, the Rise of Industry, the cities, The renaissance, the Southwest, the Great Depression, folk art, WWII, and then our current state of being with the technology revolution.
This is also good for a looking at book, with many different types of art. I think I enjoyed the folk art best. This book included early photography, modern photography, sculpture, painting and other mediums.
Some of the favorites are:
“The Girl I left Behind Me” by Eastman Johnson
“Orion in December” by Charles Burchfield
A painting and statues of Thomas Jefferson, a painting of George Washington, and a bust of Abraham Lincoln.
“Aurora Borealis” by Frederic Edwin Church (to some represented the end of the Civil War and God’s pleasure with the Union victory.
“Plate” black on black by Julian and Maria Martinez
Monday, July 4, 2016
Duckwater Shoshone Tribal School: Basketball Coach
My first year in Duckwater I helped out by coaching the basketball team for the K-8 schoold. This was a joint team with kids from both the Duckwater County School and the Duckwater Tribal School. We practiced in the Tribal gym. We played Lund twice, Ely Junior High School once, and a parochial school in Ely. We played close in a couple games, but Ely Junior High really skunked us. We improved through the year however. Some of the he kids on the team were Chris and Stephen Powers, Willie Blackeye, Willie Morago Amy Halstead and Kathy Hanks.
We did have some problems with playing in a disciplined style and getting into s set pattern, but as we set more realistic goals during the year we felt OK about the way things turned out. We especially had problems with pressure and controlling the ball. We lacked a good guard or a way to break a press. The second year I was in Duckwater their were less kids of playing age and less interest so we didn't field a team.
We did have some problems with playing in a disciplined style and getting into s set pattern, but as we set more realistic goals during the year we felt OK about the way things turned out. We especially had problems with pressure and controlling the ball. We lacked a good guard or a way to break a press. The second year I was in Duckwater their were less kids of playing age and less interest so we didn't field a team.
July Fourth in Hyrum for the Big Celebration
Growing up in Hyrum, we participated in numerous July Fourth Celebrations. I remember when I participated in Hyrum Little League, that we were often lined up and marched down Main Street as part of the parade. Everyone would be in their uniform. Walking a mile or more was hard back when you were young. A highlight of the parade was the Sky View Marching Band when I was growing up. Mountain Crest High School was not yet built. Sometimes the Logan Band would also participate. Floats were all home made, and usually on a trailer behind a vehicle. Sometimes they were sponsored by wards and I remember helping with decorating some. The parade has always had lots of horses. And with horses come popper scoopers. I think Weldon worked one year as a pooper scooper. These were usually young men.
But the parade didn't start our day. The day would start with Dad hauling us kids down to Hyrum Square where the Lion's Club would offer a Chuck Wagon breakfast as a fund raiser. I loved those, and I can still taste the pancakes and butter and syrup. It was a big feed which would take place under the covered pavilion by the big outdoor fireplace.
After breakfast, then we would head home before heading to the parade. Usually we would line up to watch the parade close to our home. We never saved spots, and sometimes regretted that when we didn't get a good place to watch the parade. However there was usually someplace we could fit in. Dianna was in the parade one year, riding on a float. This was probably about 1969.
After the parade there were activities by the Square. We would watch the parade and then drive down to get there more quickly.
As a youth we often participated in an Independence Day baseball game. I know Weldon and played in games when we were young, and then we participated by coaching. We would make sure there was a team coming to play us that day, and there were some good games. These were mostly Little League games. The game would usually start about 2 p.m. so it wouldn't interfere with other activities. It just wasn't Independence Day without a good ball game. Usually we played without spectators, but this day allowed us to play in front of people.
Hyrum usually had fireworks. I remember one year they were over the lake. They have also been presented at the Square. There was also often a youth dance which was fun when we were a bit older.
In the days when I was growing up, we usually didn't have runs. I know a run from the canyon, as well as a mile run down Main Street have become popular.
But the parade didn't start our day. The day would start with Dad hauling us kids down to Hyrum Square where the Lion's Club would offer a Chuck Wagon breakfast as a fund raiser. I loved those, and I can still taste the pancakes and butter and syrup. It was a big feed which would take place under the covered pavilion by the big outdoor fireplace.
After breakfast, then we would head home before heading to the parade. Usually we would line up to watch the parade close to our home. We never saved spots, and sometimes regretted that when we didn't get a good place to watch the parade. However there was usually someplace we could fit in. Dianna was in the parade one year, riding on a float. This was probably about 1969.
After the parade there were activities by the Square. We would watch the parade and then drive down to get there more quickly.
This picture isn't from the parade, but it shows our uniforms form the days we would have been in the parade or played on the Square. |
Hyrum usually had fireworks. I remember one year they were over the lake. They have also been presented at the Square. There was also often a youth dance which was fun when we were a bit older.
In the days when I was growing up, we usually didn't have runs. I know a run from the canyon, as well as a mile run down Main Street have become popular.
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Fourth of July Songs
Break out in song at your fireworks celebration this year:
I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy by George M. Cohan
I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy
A Yankee Doodle, do or die
A real live nephew of my Uncle Sam
Born on the Fourth of July
I've got a Yankee Doodle sweetheart
She's my Yankee Doodle joy
Yankee Doodle came to London
Just to ride the ponies
I am the Yankee Doodle Boy
Kids Version of Yankee Doodle:
Yankee Doodle went to town
A-riding on a pony
He stuck a feather in his hat
And called it macaroni
Chorus
Yankee Doodle, keep it up
Yankee Doodle dandy
Mind the music and the step
and with the girls be hand!
Father and I went down to camp
Along with Captain Gooding
And there we saw the men and boys
As thick as hasty pudding.
Along with Captain Gooding
And there we saw the men and boys
As thick as hasty pudding.
Chorus
And there was Captain Washington
And gentle folks about him
They say he's grown so tarnal proud
He will not ride without them.
And gentle folks about him
They say he's grown so tarnal proud
He will not ride without them.
Chorus
God Bless America
God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.
"Proud To Be An American"
The Star Spangled Banner
If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.
And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.
From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there's pride in every American heart,
and it's time to stand and say:
I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.
And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.
From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there's pride in every American heart,
and it's time to stand and say:
I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.
Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that starspangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
‘Tis the starspangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the starspangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the starspangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Duckwater Recognition Award
Duckwater May 30, 1985: In Duckwater the tribe had an annual recognition dinner to honor their employees and tribal members. I remember the first year I was there at the awards ceremony hoping maybe one of the awards would come my way. It didn't.
However my second year the tribe did present me with a certificate of appreciation. Jerry Millett, the Tribal Chairman, present me with the award. Ironically it came on the same day I resigned to take employment in Utah.
My journal notes, "The Tribe honored me with a certificate of appreciation the same day I announced my resignation. They had planned it previously"
I felt the award was well earned. I really feel I did my best in my employment in Duckwater. At times it took thinking of creative ways of making use of myself--but for the most part I kept busy, and hopefully I had an influence of good.
However my second year the tribe did present me with a certificate of appreciation. Jerry Millett, the Tribal Chairman, present me with the award. Ironically it came on the same day I resigned to take employment in Utah.
My journal notes, "The Tribe honored me with a certificate of appreciation the same day I announced my resignation. They had planned it previously"
I felt the award was well earned. I really feel I did my best in my employment in Duckwater. At times it took thinking of creative ways of making use of myself--but for the most part I kept busy, and hopefully I had an influence of good.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Moses Lake Stake Conference
When we lived in Othello, (up until 1963) Stake Conference was in Moses Lake, about an hour away in those days. There were two Sunday Conference sessions, morning and afternoon. I imagine it was feasible to run home; however a better strategy was to have a picnic lunch. I remember the most common lunch was ham sandwiches. I think ham sandwiches have been one of my favorites, maybe as a memory to good times with friends. Even though it was the Sabbath, we kids would find something fun to do as we waited for the next session. Usually we would play in the grounds of the church, tag or hide and seek.
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Poetry I Like: Now We Are Six: A.A. Milne
Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne, decorations by Ernest H. Shepard, Dutton Children's Books, New York, 1927.
A.A. Milne has an incredible talent to entertain children. He is the author of Winnie the Pooh. These are poems as if they were written by Cristopher Robbin between ages three and six. A couple of my favorites are:
Busy
I think I am a Muffin Man, I haven't got a bell,
I haven't got the muffin things that muffin people sell.
Perhaps I am a Postman. No I think I am a Tram.
I feeling rather funny, I I don't know what I am--
BUT
Round about
and round about
and round about I go--
All around the table,
The table in the nursery--
Round about
and round about
and round about I go.
Swing Song
Here I go up in my swing
Ever so high.
I am the King of the fields, and the King
Of the town.
I am the King of the earth, and the King
Of the sky.
Here I go up in my swing. . .
Here I go down.
The End
When I was One,
I had just begun.
When I was Two,
I was nearly new.
When I was Three,
I was hardly me.
When I was Four,
I was not much more.
When I was Five,
I was just alive.
But now I am Six, I'm as clever as clever.
So I think I'll be six for ever and ever.
I really enjoy this collection of poems, because of the facility Milne has to paint a picture outside the box. He encourages imagination and exploration.
Monday, June 13, 2016
Anthony's Sealing, June 13, 2009
My daughter Miranda brought tears to my eyes today by reminding me that it is seven years since we took this little gut to the temple and he became a part of our eternal family. We had already finalized the adoption a couple months before. This was a special day. How Tony enjoyed running around the water fountains.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Will Rogers Quotes
The humorist Will Rogers use to say, "Well, all I know is what I read in the papers." He made a living reciting the humor he found in the papers. He made fun of many politicians but said, "I never met a man I didn't like." So here is some more of his wit:
An ignorant person is one who doesn't know what you have just found out.
An onion can make people cry, but there has never been a vegetable invented that can make them laugh.
Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for.
Diplomacy is the art of saying "Nice doggie" until you find a rock.
Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.
I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they do today. (Wouldn't he really be embarrassed today.)
Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.
I'm not a real movie star. I've still got the same wife I started out with 28 years ago.
There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you.
I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.
When I die I want to die like my grandfather who died peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming like all the passengers in his car.
Lettin' the cat out of the bag is a whole lot easier 'n putting it back in.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is to stop digging.
Strangers are just friends I just haven't met yet.
Do the best you can, and don't take life too serious.
You've got to go out on a limb sometimes because that's where the fruit is.
An ignorant person is one who doesn't know what you have just found out.
An onion can make people cry, but there has never been a vegetable invented that can make them laugh.
Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for.
Diplomacy is the art of saying "Nice doggie" until you find a rock.
Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.
I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they do today. (Wouldn't he really be embarrassed today.)
Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.
I'm not a real movie star. I've still got the same wife I started out with 28 years ago.
There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you.
I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.
When I die I want to die like my grandfather who died peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming like all the passengers in his car.
Lettin' the cat out of the bag is a whole lot easier 'n putting it back in.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is to stop digging.
Strangers are just friends I just haven't met yet.
Do the best you can, and don't take life too serious.
You've got to go out on a limb sometimes because that's where the fruit is.
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Happy Birthday and Happy Mother's Day
I have shared Sheri's birthday and often mother's day since 1983 with this beautiful woman. She is a wife, mother, grandmother, friend, primary president, driver, fixer, etc etc.
Friday, April 29, 2016
Outdoor and Night Games: Hyrum in the 60s
Some of the games we played growing up were large community games. These were games such as kick-the-can, hide-and-seek. We lived kitty-corner from Todd Nielsen and I remember going there for some very large kick-the-can games. This was hard on whoever was "it" because it was almost impossible to capture a large group before someone kicked the can and set everyone free.
In this game someone is "it" and attempts to capture everyone while also defending the can (a can placed in an open location.) this could become tricky as if you went on direction to capture someone, somebody could come from the other direction and set everyone free. However it was a good evening game in the summer.
Tag was also common. Again we would often play in the Nielsen yard. They seemed to have a big front yard and many of us would congregate there. Different tag versions included regular tag. However we would also play frozen tag, where the person "it" had to capture everyone. If he touched you you were frozen until someone not touched yet could tag you and then you were unfrozen. This game seemed to be a bit more even than kick the can and not quite as difficult for the person "it."
Other communal games would be participating in sports. On day we went to the Nielsen'a for a big game of football. Everyone had their own t-shirt upon which they had put numbers with magic marker. I remember I tended to Willie Wood of the Packers. One child, whose mother didn't want to mark a shirt, came with the numbers pinned to the shirt. Some people just don't understand. You can't play with pinned numbers because they are dangerous if a tackle sport.
We would also organize baseball games in our community. When we first moved to Hyrum, there were two vacant lots next door. We used these for a baseball diamond. We would have friends from a couple blocks away come to play. This would include the Wengreens, the Nielsens and the Burnetts. Even Denny McClain would come at times. We had quite some adventures. This lots included hills form soil removal when they put in our house. This made a nice home run fence. Our bases were not always conventional. We had a big rock as our third base. Charlie was playing third. One game a low liner was hit. The ball hit the rock and bounced up and caught Charlie a good one in the face. I can't remember where, but it was bloody and painful. We replaced our third base after that.
We had some good fun. When they finally built homes next door it did not destroy our baseball games. We then moved across the street next to the Burnetts where there was a pasture which sufficed for a good baseball playing field. Weldon would usually put these games together. It is interesting because when he was 15 he started running Hyrum Little League games and organizing leagues on a broader basis.
In this game someone is "it" and attempts to capture everyone while also defending the can (a can placed in an open location.) this could become tricky as if you went on direction to capture someone, somebody could come from the other direction and set everyone free. However it was a good evening game in the summer.
Tag was also common. Again we would often play in the Nielsen yard. They seemed to have a big front yard and many of us would congregate there. Different tag versions included regular tag. However we would also play frozen tag, where the person "it" had to capture everyone. If he touched you you were frozen until someone not touched yet could tag you and then you were unfrozen. This game seemed to be a bit more even than kick the can and not quite as difficult for the person "it."
Other communal games would be participating in sports. On day we went to the Nielsen'a for a big game of football. Everyone had their own t-shirt upon which they had put numbers with magic marker. I remember I tended to Willie Wood of the Packers. One child, whose mother didn't want to mark a shirt, came with the numbers pinned to the shirt. Some people just don't understand. You can't play with pinned numbers because they are dangerous if a tackle sport.
We would also organize baseball games in our community. When we first moved to Hyrum, there were two vacant lots next door. We used these for a baseball diamond. We would have friends from a couple blocks away come to play. This would include the Wengreens, the Nielsens and the Burnetts. Even Denny McClain would come at times. We had quite some adventures. This lots included hills form soil removal when they put in our house. This made a nice home run fence. Our bases were not always conventional. We had a big rock as our third base. Charlie was playing third. One game a low liner was hit. The ball hit the rock and bounced up and caught Charlie a good one in the face. I can't remember where, but it was bloody and painful. We replaced our third base after that.
We had some good fun. When they finally built homes next door it did not destroy our baseball games. We then moved across the street next to the Burnetts where there was a pasture which sufficed for a good baseball playing field. Weldon would usually put these games together. It is interesting because when he was 15 he started running Hyrum Little League games and organizing leagues on a broader basis.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Duckwater Personalities: Sophie Allison and Irene Mike
When I was in Duckwater, Sophie Allison and Irene Mike were already part of the Senior Center program. However they were both still very active. They were sisters. They were some of the few who actually attended the Lund Ward on a regular basis. And when we started a branch in Duckwater, they were very active.
One of the most impressive things about Sophie Allison was her weaving. I feel, in her own right, she was keeping a vanishing tradition, with lots of history in Nevada, alive. I visited her one afternoon while she was preparing willows for weaving. She gathered the willows from along creeks. The Currant Creek had a large patch of willows and this was a favorite spot for gathering. She would keep the willows in water until she was ready for them. She would take a willow form the water, and then hold it in her mouth. With her fingers she would peel the bark away. In this manner she prepared the willows for weaving. Sophie was adept at making cradle boards. They had a different design on the hood for boys and girls.
She also made baskets. Mostly she would make baskets to assist in the gathering of pine nuts. I remember she would make cone shaped baskets for this.
This is a skill that was important to the original Shoshone. I don't know who is carrying on this tradition now that Sophie is gone.
Many of the children from the reservation looked to these two women as Grandmother.
One of the most impressive things about Sophie Allison was her weaving. I feel, in her own right, she was keeping a vanishing tradition, with lots of history in Nevada, alive. I visited her one afternoon while she was preparing willows for weaving. She gathered the willows from along creeks. The Currant Creek had a large patch of willows and this was a favorite spot for gathering. She would keep the willows in water until she was ready for them. She would take a willow form the water, and then hold it in her mouth. With her fingers she would peel the bark away. In this manner she prepared the willows for weaving. Sophie was adept at making cradle boards. They had a different design on the hood for boys and girls.
girl |
boy |
This is a skill that was important to the original Shoshone. I don't know who is carrying on this tradition now that Sophie is gone.
Sophie in the middle and Irene on the right |
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Poetry I Like: The Song My Paddle Sings
The Song My Paddle Sings |
E. Pauline Johnson (1862–1913) |
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Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Duckwater: Digging a Sewer Leach Line
In doing social work, sometimes you do what is needed. While I worked for the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe, a tribal member's house burned, and a family was homeless. I was on the phone to arrange with B.I.A. housing for a double wide trailer to be provided. The tribe provided a property for the same, and would get water and electricity to the site. The septic tank would also be provided by the B.I.A. However they would not provide the labor for placing the septic tank nor the leach line. That is one of those extra duties as assigned. Someone from the B.I.A. directed the project, and I and tribal employees provided the labor. We spent a day putting this in. Of course a back hoe did most of the heavy work, but there was shoveling to get the right slant, and then shoveling in gravel. I don't know much about such things, and just did what I was shown. However it felt good to provide a real contribution, and for the family with there young ones to move back in. I was able to visit them a couple months later delivering Christmas gifts provided by Save The Children. It takes a community sometimes.
Sunday, January 24, 2016
Duckwater Community Projects 1983-85: Physical Education: Duckwater Shoshone Tribal School
When you work for a small community, you become involved any many different activities. On of those was helping the Duckwater Tribal school with recreation. I had experience with community recreation in Hyrum, Utah where I grew up. I also drew lots from materials I borrowed from Clyde Buff, who had graduated in recreation from Utah State University. I too had taken a class in this topic.
My first year in Duckwater I was pressed for some consistent things to do. As a result I volunteered for doing physical education at the Duckwater Shoshone School. Usually I would try to fill the time with activities. These were games and activities I found in a large book Clyde had from school. We played some pretty fun games. One of the favorite was "pomp" a game I played growing up in Hyrum. We went through lots of games, and then picked the ones we liked best. We played a crab walk soccer and chase games, and pomp became a favorite. He also did several different types of relays. We also played freeze tag. During the winter we had the use of the tribal gym. During the summer we played outside. Then we played softball. We also played soccer and tag.
One year Jan Halstead helped sponsor an American Lung Association Olympic marathon. This event was a joint County School and Tribal School event. The kids took pledges and then participated in several different Olympic type events. These included broad jump, Frisbee throw and a short dash. I helped train the kids and then participated as a judge for some of the events.
Another joint event was a jump rope-a-thon. Jan also helped sponsor this. Some of the kids took part in this as well. We had fun in P.E. jumping rope and practicing for this. Rondee Graham, one of the younger children, was a very good jump roper. When we did the jump-a-thon groups of four would take turns so one of the four would be jumping all the time.
My first year in Duckwater I was pressed for some consistent things to do. As a result I volunteered for doing physical education at the Duckwater Shoshone School. Usually I would try to fill the time with activities. These were games and activities I found in a large book Clyde had from school. We played some pretty fun games. One of the favorite was "pomp" a game I played growing up in Hyrum. We went through lots of games, and then picked the ones we liked best. We played a crab walk soccer and chase games, and pomp became a favorite. He also did several different types of relays. We also played freeze tag. During the winter we had the use of the tribal gym. During the summer we played outside. Then we played softball. We also played soccer and tag.
One year Jan Halstead helped sponsor an American Lung Association Olympic marathon. This event was a joint County School and Tribal School event. The kids took pledges and then participated in several different Olympic type events. These included broad jump, Frisbee throw and a short dash. I helped train the kids and then participated as a judge for some of the events.
Another joint event was a jump rope-a-thon. Jan also helped sponsor this. Some of the kids took part in this as well. We had fun in P.E. jumping rope and practicing for this. Rondee Graham, one of the younger children, was a very good jump roper. When we did the jump-a-thon groups of four would take turns so one of the four would be jumping all the time.
Monday, January 4, 2016
Skinny Dipping in Rigby
One time we were in Rigby, my father was determined to show us his old swimming hole. It didn't matter that it was Sunday, nor that we not brought swimming suits. My Dad was determined that we try out the idea, and he took pictures of his to document the event. We took our cousin Danny, as well as a couple of the Olsen boys who came with the directive form their father to not get wet. However in swinging across, one of the brothers fell, and to not be the only one punished pushed the other one in so they were both wet. Their father was mad. Sara and Clyde drove down to look for us, and caught Weldon in the raw. I was smart enough to stay in the water.
Danny behind and my brother's behind as well |
Yours Truly |
Cousin Reed Olsen swinging. He missed and got wet and man was his dad mad. |
Me and my brothers |
This is Weldon |
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