MEMORIAL DAY in EMERY COUNTY

We were lucky to spend Memorial Day in Emery County. Pop is a member of the American Legion and spent the morning going to 3 different cemeteries to render honors for the veterans. It started in the Ferron cemetery at 10:00am. Many of the people from the tow showed up to listen to the prayer that was given, watch as the Legion members shot their weapons and then listened as "Taps" was played by the bugler.
I got a little emotional. Thinking of the freedom that me and my children have and people that have helped to defend it. I know we live in such a wonderful country and I am grateful for those that have protected our country, so much so that they have given their lives in doing so.
After Ferron, we drove to the Molen and Castle Dale cemeteries were the program was repeated. The difference in cemeteries we interesting. The Ferron and Castle Dale cemeteries had been lush and green with trees and bushes. Once we got to Molen it had an entirely different look...dirt mounds with headstones, but it looked like something you would see in an old western movie. What some families had done to "decorate" their plots, they had brought out grass clippings and scattered them on the mounds to help them look green. Mom said this was something that was done quite frequently back when she was a child.
We also took a little time during the weekend to drive out to the Emery cemetery to leave flowers on the graves of our family members. It was neat to listen to mom tell me stories about the family members I was not blessed to know.
As we left the last cemetery, I turned back and look at all the flowers, flags and decorations and it took my breath away.

MY 38th BIRTHDAY ?!?!

I have ALWAYS loved my birthday...what's not to love? You are the center of attention for one day, people sing to you as they bring you an entire cake and then you open presents.

Well, this was the first year that I approached my birthday with my trepidation...HOW COULD I POSSIBLE BE 38 (almost 40)? Where has the time gone? I have a son that is going to be a Freshmen in high school...SERIOUSLY? I was JUST in HIGH SCHOOL!!! I went to a wedding last month where I was friends with the PARENTS of the groom.

I think the other realization I have had is how much my own parents DIDN'T KNOW. I remember thinking they were so old and experienced that they were making the decisions for me and brother from this vast knowledge that they had acquired as adults. I thought that once I got into my 30's suddenly I would be graced with this same knowledge...IT WAS ALL A LIE!!! I am here here to tell you, you don't receive some special "parent knowledge". I am seriously winging it as a parent. You know I am trying to make the best decisions I can, but I am still LEARNING as I go along...

So, May 30th came and we did celebrate. I attended church with my family, which is one of my favorite things to do. Then that evening Mom and Pop made me their favorite dish they had while they were in Italy...Bistecca Trestevere con Rucola (Beef steak in the Trestevere style with Arugula) and it was DELICIOUS!!! There was no birthday cake slathered with icing (due to the fact I am cutting out sugar for a year), but my mom did make me a yummy orange-cranberry bread which she stuck 2 pretty candles that look like roses.

I survived the increase of a year and after thinking about all I have accomplished in my 38 years, I am pretty happy and look forward to what the next 38 hold in store for me.

SAN RAFAEL SWELL

We went down to Ferron for Memorial Weekend. Steve brought along the canoe and decided to let the twins come along with him. The water level of the river was not as high as he hoped and there was some concern that what should be about a 5 hour float would be slightly longer. But that was not going to stop this adventuresome trio. They hit the water about 9:00 am. I went back to mom and pop's and we packed up a picnic to bring back down to "the swell" to greet them once they were done.
As we made our way to the Swinging Bridge, we stopped at the Buckhorn Panel and appreciated some of the pictographs that had been left there by the indians. I have always been fascinated by these images and would love to know exactly what inspired them. These characters that have big hands and long bodies. You can make out animals, which assumed were deer and some things that look like snakes.


After leaving the panel we ended at the campgrounds near Swinging Bridge. It was there that we unloaded the ATV and Zack and Belle took turns driving it around the area. I began to watch the time anticipating Steve and the girl's arrival. Once it was well past the 5 hour mark, we decided to break into the picnic fixings and make sure we left some for the canoers. After lunch was through I decided to give the ATV a try. I have been a little skeptic to get on the thing. I have never driven a moped, motorcycle or any other motorized vehicle, so the thought of driving that "beast" was a little scary. Once I got on, I realized it was not a beast at ALL. I even got a kick out of doing it, which meant that now Zack and Belle had to take turns with me.
Steve and the girl finally made it to the bridge at 3:00 pm (2 hours later than anticipated). They had a wonderful time in spite of the water level, but were very glad to be done and ready for some lunch. Once bellies were filled, the girlies ventured to the other side of the river to explore. They climbed up the hills looking for pretty, gem-like rocks. Once they were tired of that they would go down to the river and wade in there. It was a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon.