Another Flaming Gorge weekend.

Crista stayed with us this week while Matt attended a Trade Show in Las Vegas.  That made Ruby the main star of the week, although I was able to see a few of the other grandchildren when their mommies came by to see Crista.  It was a great to be able to spend some time with Crista and Ruby.  We did a little shopping, did a little visiting, and basically enjoyed the baby together.  

Because of Crista's visit we were able to spend a little time with Adrienne and the boys, and an afternoon with Jieun's girls (minus Doyeon who was getting her cast taken off)

I've been reading a book called, "Four Seasons in Rome, On Twins, Insomnia, and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World."  by Anthony Doerr.  It's really not the type of book I like to read, but I've found some pleasure in reading it.  It's kind of a journal or memoir, by the author of another book I read, "All the Light I Cannot See" about a blind girl living in France during World War II.  I was curious about this book (Four Seasons) because I had read that it was the author's experience in writing the other book-- All the Light...  which took him 10 years to write.  It was an excellent book that I would recommend.  Anyway, back to the other book (Four Seasons...) I had to give you all this background so I could quote this interesting passage: 

      "The mind craves ease; it encourages the sense to recognize symbols, to gloss.  It makes maps of our kitchen drawers and neighborhood streets; it fashions a sort of algebra out of life...Without habit, the beauty of the world would overwhelm us.  We'd pass out every time we saw-actually saw--a flower.  Imagine if we only got to see a cumulonimbus cloud or Cassiopeia or a snowfall once a century: there'd be pandemonium in the streets.  People would lie by the thousands in the fields on their backs.  We need habit to get through a day, to get to work, to feed our children.  But habit is dangerous, too.  The act of seeing can quickly become unconscious and automatic.  The eye sees something--gray-brown bark, say, fissured into broad, vertical plates--and the brain spits out tree trunk and the eye moves on.  But did I really take the time to see the tree?  I glimpse hazel hair, high cheekbones, a field of freckles, and I think Shauna.  But did I really take the time to see my wife?"

"...Over time we stop perceiving familiar things--words, friends, apartments--as they truly are.  To eat a banana for the thousandth time is nothing like eating a banana for the first time...The easier an experience, or the more entrenched, or the more familiar, the fainter our sensation of it becomes.  This is true of chocolate and marriages and hometowns and narrative structures.  Complexities wane, miracles become unremarkable, and if we're not careful, pretty soon we're gazing out at our lives as if through a burlap sack." 

Roy has always been so good at really seeing things.  I can drive with him to Flaming Gorge and read a book on the way.  Without him being willing to interrupt and point things out, I would be indifferent to the beautiful scenery passing me by.  I'd never see the antelope or the deer, or the mountain goats. 

Just because we've driven up there a dozen times, doesn't make it less beautiful.  This time I tried to at least take a moment here and there, to truly look at the beauty that literally surrounded me.  Flaming Gorge is one of Heavenly Father's truly great creations.

Just a few more pictures of our 1-day (overnight) Flaming Gorge outing

Dad had major fishing success!  This is what he caught

I mentioned in last week's entry that it was Nick's birthday this past Wednesday, so Happy Birthday again, Nick.  Also, it was my dad's birthday on Thursday.  Another reminder that this wonderful man isn't here on earth with us anymore.  We sure miss him.

 Next week will be very interesting because we found out today, that the committee that were looking for host families for the International dancers here for Summerfest were desperate today to place a few more people and we agreed at the last minute, literally, that we would take one couple.  They are from Lithuania, and we spent an enjoyable afternoon and evening with them today.  They seemed especially impressed that we picked the peaches right off our tree for our evening treat.  They even took a picture. 

That's all for this week.  It's enough.  It's 11:30 pm and also I don't want to bore anyone.  Love you all!