~Life On Our Rock~

Kaili Hates Big Hair

2011-01-29T20:47:00.004-10:00

This is a little movie made from a series of photos I took of Kaili playing with her dolls. When her grandmother placed a new doll on the table, this is what happened.

Some Scary Stuff

2010-10-16T10:20:00.003-10:00

Since Rachel and Susan are trying to figure out how to dress-up their babies for Halloween, I thought it appropriate to post a few ideas from the past. Obviously, store-bought costumes were not a priority for us.

Chris & Jason

2010-08-25T21:03:00.002-10:00

Just a couple of fun shots of cousins with their favorite uncles (other than me).

Linda's Baptism

2010-07-20T17:12:00.006-10:00

Michelle has been teaching and fellowshipping her friend, Linda Jablonski. Since Susan has been here, she has also been participating in the missionary discussions each Friday afternoon at our office. A missionary couple, the Moores, have been teaching, with the full time missionaries pitching in once in awhile. Anyway, Linda was baptized two weeks ago! She is so excited and such a great person and member. Here are some of the photos of Linda, Michelle, Susan, Sister and Brother Moore, and Linda's husband, Bob.

Little Cousins

2010-07-18T21:03:00.004-10:00

I scanned in a few photos of the kids and some of their Gleed-side cousins from way back. As I keep going through and indexing photos, I will scan in others. What a bunch of little crazies!

Stuff We Do

2010-05-31T22:11:00.004-10:00

Instead of wasting my time in front of the TV, I have started sorting and categorizing all of our family photos. I bought several photo keepers, each with 12 individual photo cases. I am sorting the photos by name for each child, Michelle, and me. I also sort separately all photos that have more than one family member. I have separate cases for any photos with a parent or grandparent of mine or Michelle's in the photo. Finally, I have separate cases for miscellaneous people (cousins, friends, etc.). As of now, I have sorted around 5000 photos, trimming many of them to fit the cases, and cleaning off tape and preserving fragile ones in acid-free sleeves. Some day, my posterity will rise up and bless my name! Or not. Either way, I have really enjoyed looking at all of those photos and walking down memory lane. (Some of them are blackmail material, so be nice to me).

Every Monday morning Michelle keeps the computer nearby while she gets ready for the day. In this way, she can see the very second Mitchell's email comes in from the Mission. Then, she emails him in "real time" to make sure he is still alive, and he answers a few of her interrogatories on the spot. What a super missionary mommy!

Mother's Day Photos

2010-05-10T20:35:00.003-10:00

Just a couple of photos from Mother's Day dates.... Michelle and Susan (she's the hapai one - meaning pregnant). The sunset is from our Lanai, taken by Susan.

Kaili is Here (Rachel too)(Susan & Clayton too)

2010-01-24T00:25:00.005-10:00

Kaili, Rachel, Susan and Clayton are all here!

Favorite Michelle Photos of 2009

2009-12-15T10:41:00.011-10:00

Today is Michelle's birthday, and I love her! I decided to post my favorite photos of her taken this year. Michelle hates to be photographed, so these are the best I could do.

New York New York

2009-12-02T17:13:00.007-10:00

Hi there. All of us who met at Ryan and Becky's house in Syracuse had a great time! We went to the Palmyra sites, Cooperstown (Baseball Hall of Fame), and we were in NYC for the Macy's parade and other excitement. Here are some pics. Restaurant above is Farley's in Scranton, PA where the employees of the TV series The Office eat some times. Niagara, and Palmyra (Smith Cabin) are represented. Walking w/Kaili along the Erie Canal, and of course the Big Apple. We had a blast all in all.

Arrivederci, Dad

2009-11-06T19:52:00.003-10:00

This is from today's (Friday's) round of Golf at the Mauna Lani resort. Dad says he thinks this may be his favorite golf course in the world. He parred this hole. He is leaving for the mainland on Monday. For those who don't know, Dad was here for work. I proposed that a nonprofit here hire him as a paid consultant to help the organization through some tough decisions and restructuring. He really did a nice job and everyone was so impressed.

One

2009-10-24T23:53:00.006-10:00

Blake Nitta was baptized today, and I had the honor of performing the ordinance. Michelle gave an extremely moving and interesting talk on the Holy Ghost. Truly a masterpiece. For those who don't know Blake, his wife, Renee, and Michelle are good friends, and Renee babysat our children, particularly Susan and Mitchell when they were young. Their children, Makenzie and Justin, were interchangeable with our own children for a time. Blake's conversion was in part sparked by a letter Michelle wrote to each of the Nitta family members a couple of months ago. We had the privilege of participating as the missionaries taught Blake.

Ironman Kona 2009

2009-10-12T22:22:00.011-10:00

Here are some shots from the Ironman, taken with my new lens, Tokina 11-16mm. I need some practice, and maybe some instruction, but overall I love the lens.

Simple Stuff

2009-10-09T13:54:00.005-10:00

Just a short update. Dad is in the house. Here he is doing what he loves to do. In addition, he is working hard to save a nonprofit that hired him as a consultant here in Kona. I have a new ultra-wide lens, and what better to try it out on than...Dogs in Trucks! I will practice and then shoot some shots at the Ironman championships tomorrow, and then post some results.

Peace

2009-08-30T19:04:00.010-10:00

Saturday morning we decided we should just go to the beach...so we did.

The sun, sand, blue and purple shades of the sea, and the lounging on the beach were just what we needed. And it was free!

For the gazzillionth time, I promised Michelle I would never make her move somewhere else to live. While Michelle floated in the salt water and sunbathed, I took a walk on the Kahakai sea trail to take a few photos. Afterward, we stopped at the Mauna Lani shops and had milkshakes at the Marble Slab.

End of our Mission

2009-08-15T12:04:00.006-10:00

You may not have known...but for the past 2 years we (Michelle and Darl) have been on a CES part-time mission, primarily teaching Institute. We have now been released, and are finishing our last Institute class next week. As we were putting together some of our materials for our replacement couple, Darl made a list of some of the internet resources he uses for research on gospel topics. Some of them you probably would not think to use, or did not know about, so we thought you might benefit. Here they are:

BYU Studies: http://byustudies.byu.edu/
Has searchable scholarly articles on many topics

FAIR
http://www.fairlds.org/
Has many resources for those hard-to-answer questions that may come up from time to time.

BYU Harold B. Lee Library
Digital Image Collection: http://www.lib.byu.edu/online.html
All resources: http://www.lib.byu.edu/

The Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship
Articles/Research: http://mi.byu.edu/

Strongs Hebrew and Greek Dictionary
http://www.sacrednamebible.com/kjvstrongs/STRINDEX.htm

LDS FAQ
http://ldsfaq.byu.edu/

BYU Broadcasting - Dead Sea Scrolls
http://www.byub.org/deadsea/book/

Encyclopedia of Mormonism
Searchable version
http://www.lib.byu.edu/Macmillan/

Online Etymology Dictionary
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?l=b&p=9

Kona Signs

2009-07-26T21:35:00.011-10:00

Just a few weird signs from Kona.
I like the little guy running from the tidal wave. The parking stall says, "Motorcycle or skinny car." Click on photos to enlarge.

Quotes

2009-07-12T13:46:00.004-10:00

I am preparing a talk for next Sunday, and I sometimes peruse my lists of quotes I have collected over the years to get ideas and inspiration. I have collected them from all sorts of sources. Here are a few that I will pass along.

"It's not the disagreements that lead to divorce, it's the silence.” Jeff D. Opdyke - The Wall Street Journal Online

"The divine never touches human life without upsetting that natural order in which man is most at home." (M. A. Screech quoted in Harold Bloom, The Western Canon, p. 148.)

"Confront evil at the earliest opportunity." -- Walter Dunn

Most of us are tiptoeing through life so we can reach death safely. We should be praying, "If I should wake before I die." Life can get away from you. Don't be satisfied with just pumping blood. Tony Campolo, from a speech. (quoted in Reader's Digest, 10/96)

No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown. William Penn.

The soul is like a violin string--it makes music only when it is stretched. Quoted by Bruce C. Hafen in Brigham Young Magazine, Aug. 1996, The Mind, The Spirit, The Soul.

Suffering either raises us up to a higher consciousness, or it destroys us. Rabbi H. Kushner

The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. Theodore M. Hesburgh, quoted in Reader's Digest, Nov. 1995.

Marriage is somewhat like undertaking a Lego project without instructions. Ammunni Bala Subramaniam (Time Magazine) as quoted in Reader's Digest, Nov. 1995.

There is more to life than increasing its speed. Mahatma Gandhi.

Regardless of how you feel inside, always try to look like a winner. Even if you are behind, a sustained look of control and confidence can give you a mental edge that results in victory. Arthur Ashe - International Hall of Fame Tennis Player

Some of the world's greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible. Doug Larson, United Feature Syndicate.

Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle that fits them all. Oliver Wendell Holmes, ___________________. (Quoted in Clark Memorandum article by D. H. Oaks.)

"Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them."
Albert Einstein

Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts or measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away. George Elliot quoted in The Treasure Chest, ed. Charles L. Wallis, (New York: Harper and Row, 1965) p. 102.

For some, time is like getting caught up in sticky taffy. For others, it is like a sudden karate chop of changed circumstances. We must have faith in His timing as well as His existence. Concerning this life, the only way to go is through it, there is no way around. [Neil A. Maxwell, excerpt from video Enduring to the End].

“Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
~ Harold Thurman Whitman

Father's Day

2009-06-21T19:43:00.008-10:00

We took a little walk before dinner for a Father's Day activity. We went down near "End of the World" for the Gleeds and any others who know where it is.

We saw this beehive in the rocks.

A few shots of the interesting rocks and ocean.

Michelle bought me a nice dress/diving watch for my birthday.

Kalohe

2009-05-17T20:23:00.004-10:00

Kalohe is a Hawaiian adjective for someone (usually a child) who is a bit of a rascal. Kaili looks a little kalohe in this picture, but I am sure she is just too sweet to be truely rascally.

Just Some More Ocean Pics

2009-05-10T21:08:00.008-10:00

We had a nice Mother's Day weekend getaway at the Hilton Waikoloa. While Michelle lounged reading in a little cabana by the ocean, I shot a few pictures.

Last night there was a beautiful full moon and clear sky. I thought if my Mom were here, she would have pointed out that moon and how beautiful it was.

An a'ama (rock crab) shell. They shed their old shells every once in awhile, to grow a better one. I wish we could do that.

You can see the blue streak in the water, a pretty big male uhu (parrot fish) swimming around.

Just Sunday Photos

2009-04-28T21:07:00.003-10:00

Michelle made me go take pictures on Sunday to get out a bit. She told me about the flower blooming on our bromeliad(?) and then I headed for the ocean and took a walk. As always, click on the photo to get an enlarged view.

We Have Adopted Seven Babies

2009-04-12T20:06:00.009-10:00

When Michelle drove into our driveway after church today she saw seven or so little chickies about the size of her thumb (before they fluffed out). At dinner, she announced that they were sent from heaven on Easter so we would no longer be empty-nesters.

Click on the photos for cute close-ups.

Cars have been stopping and neighbors have been coming by to look. When people get too close, the mom takes her chicks to hide in our hedge. They appear to be Gray Francolins, a type of partridge.

This evening, the mom and dad each took some of the chicks under their wings to sleep. All of the chicks are under there somewhere.

Commercial: Send in your Seven Days photos (see my last post!!)

Seven Days

2009-04-09T13:04:00.007-10:00

After seeing photos from a "Seven Days" group on Flickr.com, I have decided to hold our own Gleed Seven Days self portrait event! The rules are below. Anyone can participate (you should at least know a Gleed, though). We will use a Picasa Web Album, and you can email directly to the Web Album as shown below. Chris has also agreed to post them on Gleed.net for posterity. Here are the rules:

1. Take a self-portrait every day beginning this Sunday, April 12th through Saturday, April 18th. If you miss a day, fine. Just try to post each day.

2. If you can, tag or label each photo "7days:x", where x represents the day. For example on day 1, you'd use the tag or label: "7days:1". This will make it easier for Chris to keep track.

3. There are two theme days: Day 2, Monday - "Red" (in honor of Jenna Lee) and Day 5 - Thursday - "Crazy." You are free to interpret the themes however you wish; just incorporate something about the theme.

4. You should be the one to press the shutter release, or set the timer, or press the remote, feed the money into the photo booth, click the mouse button to take the picture, push the cell phone button, etc. - hence self-portrait. However, if you are including your young children, just do your best to have the child involved in the taking of the picture somehow.

5. You don't have to be alone in the picture, but the main draw of the photo should be you.

6. Use your imagination. We are not talking traditional portraits here. If you have a nice looking toe, maybe you should photograph that. Maybe the back of your head on bad-hair day?

7. Include your name, and a description about the photo or what's going on in your world the day you took it.

8. To upload your photo, email it to gleedlaw.sevendays@picasaweb.com. In the subject line of your email, put "Seven Days" (without parentheses) and it will automatically be added to the album. If you don't put "Seven Days" it will still upload and I will move it to the right album. Or, you can email it to Chris at cgleed@gmail.com, or to me at holospeed@gmail.com and we will upload it for you.

9. If you know how to resize photos, try to resize at 1600 pixels or less before sending. Otherwise, don't worry about it.

10. You can add comments to the photos you see in the Web Album, so spread the family love!

I really hope this works. Here is the link to the Seven Days web album so we can see everyone else's photos.

To the top-right is a self-portrait Mitchell took in the fountain at the Provo Temple.

Just Some Quotes I Have Collected Recently

2009-03-29T17:32:00.003-10:00

Toula Portokalos: [narration] My family is big and loud but they're my family. We fight and we laugh and yes, we roast lamb on a spit in the front yard. And where ever I go, what ever I do they will always be there. (From the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding - written and starred in by Nia Vardalos)

Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever. - Lance Armstrong

To live and not learn is not living;
To learn and not understand is not learning;
To understand and not do is not understanding.
Chinese Proverb Quoted in "The Challenge: Basing Your Career on Principles" by Alexander B. Morrison. Life in the Law, 2004, 93.

Leadership Lesson from the Boston Philharmonic

Benjamin Zander, founder and conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, shared a revelation that had come to him as he was conducting his orchestra. It happened many years into his career. As he stood in front of the orchestra with his baton raised, Zander suddenly realized that he, the conductor, makes no sound. Although it was his picture and name on CD’s, Albums, and posters announcing the concerts, he realized that he makes none of the music himself, not a sound. He then realized that his job, as conductor, is to get the best music out of the musicians. His role is to coach, encourage, support, and occasionally push. But the conductor never makes a sound.

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do.
- Eleanor Roosevelt

The true voyage of discovery is not so much seeking new landscapes as it is seeing with new eyes. Marcel Proust

Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. Helen Keller.

In the course of life all of us spend time in "dark and dreary" places, wildernesses, circumstances of sorrow or fear or discouragement. Our present day is filled with global distress over financial crises, energy problems, terrorist attacks, and natural calamities. These translate into individual and family concerns not only about homes in which to live and food available to eat but also about the ultimate safety and well-being of our children and the latter-day prophecies about our planet. More serious than these-and sometimes related to them-are matters of ethical, moral, and spiritual decay seen in populations large and small, at home and abroad. But I testify that angels are still sent to help us, even as they were sent to help Adam and Eve, to help the prophets, and indeed to help the Savior of the world Himself. Matthew records in his gospel that after Satan had tempted Christ in the wilderness "angels came and ministered unto him." Even the Son of God, a God Himself, had need for heavenly comfort during His sojourn in mortality. And so such ministrations will be to the righteous until the end of time. Jeffrey R. Holland, The Ministry of Angels. Ensign, November 2008, 29-31.

2009-03-27T16:44:00.002-10:00

Saw a whale last Saturday hanging out at A-Bay.

Bubba Gump's Tradition

2009-03-13T22:59:00.003-10:00

This evening we renewed the old tradition of going to Bubba Gump Shrimp Company restaurant in downtown Kona. The restaurant has been around now for 10 years at least, and when Jack and Mary came to visit, they would treat us (kids included) to dinner, unless I could wrestle away the bill, which was unlikely if you knew Jack Smith! Anyway, it was a nice evening, with a sunset and body boarders and all.

Favorite Pics Of Kaili From My Recent Visit

2009-03-03T21:34:00.007-10:00

Dextrous Little Piggies

Help! Now what do I do?

Burp coming!

Grandpa in her palm

Ah, admit it already. You know I'm the cutest.

Disco Moves

Mary Smith is in the house!

2009-02-14T22:03:00.005-10:00

Michelle's mother, Mary, is here for a few weeks. She is a lot of fun to have around. This is a shot of the two of them relaxing today at Kua Bay (click on photo for full effect). We went for Thai food last night for Valentines Day. House guests keep us in denial that we are empty-nesters.

Cousins!

2009-02-11T18:04:00.000-10:00

Comparison

2009-02-07T22:23:00.002-10:00

I know it is too early for this...and Rachel (on left) is older in her picture than Kaili is in hers. But, aren't they cuties?!!

Hawaii Snow

2009-01-26T20:10:00.004-10:00

After church Dad and I took a drive up to the 14,000 summit of Mauna Kea to look at the snow and telescopes. It was about 32 degrees and a bit windy at times. Yes. There is snow in Hawaii. Just not at sea level where the temperature was in the 70's.

2009-01-23T21:46:00.004-10:00

Click here for a link to a bunch of Andrew and Rachel's new photos of Kaili (pronounced Kye-lee).

Also, Mitchell's address at the MTC is:
ELDER MITCHELL LYMAN GLEED
MTC Mailbox #101
WA-SPO 0324
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, Utah 84604-1793

Name This Baby!

2009-01-20T09:25:00.004-10:00

Here is the first photo of our 1st ever grandchild. Girl, 19 inches, 7lbs 5oz Here name is....[undetermined]. Well, it has been only 3 hours since she was born. She is soooo beautiful.

Goings On N Stuff

2009-01-17T21:32:00.009-10:00

Well, here are the last Kona photos of Mitchell before leaving for the MTC. We had just finished the setting-apart and stopped at Pine Tree Cafe for dinner. Then to the airport.

The pic below was taken today at the training for Walking Scorers who will be following pros and keeping electronic scores at the PGA Senior tour event next week - The Mitsubishi Electric Open. With luck Dad will be assigned to Hale Irwin or Tom Watson or someone equally famous.

Another Spectacular Sunset From The Lanai

2009-01-11T19:52:00.003-10:00

We had quite a little storm today. Whenever a big storm passes through, it leaves spectacular, colorful sunsets. In case you did not get it, here is the link to Mitchell's mission farewell talk from today: Mitchell's Talk

100 Photos of Christmas 2008

2009-01-10T15:48:00.003-10:00

I posted a slideshow below of 100 photos from the many taken during Christmas. Click on it for a view of them in larger format. In looking at the photos, this one is the one that makes me laugh most for some reason. It is truly bonzerlicious and snastacious!

The Best Christmas Present

2009-01-02T12:17:00.001-10:00

Last Sunset of 2008

2008-12-31T21:33:00.003-10:00

Here is the last sunset of the year, taken from our lanai. Happy New Year 2009!

Apologies for these Christmas Photos

2008-12-27T13:00:00.008-10:00

I know it has been cold where you are. We had a beautiful Christmas with all 9 of use together at our home in Kona! We went surfing, standup paddle boarding, ocean kayaking, bodyboarding, swimming, walking, running, touring, fishing, and best of all, we were all in the temple together for Mitchell's first visit to the temple in preparation for his mission. It has been a dream Christmas for us as parents. Yet, we feel a bit guilty to have had beautiful weather. So, we have included this first photo above, taken yesterday when it clouded over and the wind chill factor brought the weather down to 73 degrees! We started bundling up, as you can see.

Thanks, Dad

2008-12-18T09:15:00.003-10:00

When I saw the story that Sammy Baugh died at age 94, I immediately thought of dad, and said to myself "Thanks, Dad, for teaching me who Sammy Baugh was when I was young." I get that same thought whenever I see old footage of baseball and I realize I recognize many of the names from things Dad may have said about that player's history or impact on the game.

It is not so much that I revere these old-timers; it is that the mention of their names makes me instantly connect with my father, and I like that. Thanks, Dad.

Broke da mouth Shoyu Chicken

2008-12-05T07:50:00.005-10:00

Last Sunday I did the cooking. For you who miss "plate lunch" from Hawaii, here's a nice easy recipe to make in the crock pot. I cooked it on low heat for about 4 hours and the chicken was "fall off da bone" ono! (Ono = "good" in Hawaiian). If you can find Huli-Huli sauce, it is all you need (maybe add a bit of brown sugar and garlic if you want it). If you use Shoyu (Shoyu = Soy Sauce), the recipe is below.

Ingredients:

2 lbs. chicken thighs
1 cup Shoyu (Soy Sauce)
1 garlic clove, or 1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp ginger
1/4 cup brown sugar
Increase the above ingredients proportionally if more chicken is used.

Brown the chicken lightly, skin side down, in a lightly oiled (or spray oiled) fryer.

Add garlic and ginger as the chicken browns.

Pour the chicken and pan contents into the crock-pot.
Add the Shoyu
Add brown sugar, if desired.

I cooked mine for 4 hours at low setting on crock pot, and it was "fall off the bone" tender like I like it.
You can cook from between 1 to 2 hours at a higher setting. You can also cook this on the stove top in a pot, or bake it in the oven, if preferred. Serve on rice, with the juices.

It's broke da mouth ono!

2008-11-29T18:13:00.003-10:00

Some photos from our little nature walk on Thanksgiving.

If nature has made you a giver, your hands are born open, and so is your heart. And though there may be times when your hands are empty, your heart is always full, and you can give things out of that. Frances Hodgson Burnett, A Little Princess, (Lippincott)

Death is a debt to Nature due,
As I have paid it, so must you.
(from headstone of 20-yr. old soldier, Bunker Hill Mount Auburn Cemetery)

No Ice Fishing Here...

2008-11-25T23:34:00.003-10:00

When I go out on my stand-up paddle board on Friday mornings, these guys are all on the Kona pier, in one spot, fishing. Maybe when everyone comes for Christmas we can try out this spot.

I pulled some photos off my hard drive and put another slide show below, of solo shots and duet shots mainly with the kids, Michelle and me. Enjoy. Oh, and try out the song in my playlist (below) called "Little Boxes." Warning: Once you play it, it will be stuck in your head for a day.

Adult Acne

2008-11-24T22:10:00.002-10:00

Okay. This is a weird one. It's not a commercial. Several months ago I started having some real problems with my face. Adult onset acne, I suppose. My nose in particular started developing tiny pimples for no reason, especially if I had done any sweating in the sunshine. It was becoming embarrassing, as a 50 year old shouldn't be having acne problems! I started using some benzoyl peroxide wash Mitchell left behind, and it worked for a week or so, and then it seemed it made it worse. I tried the other product with salicylic acid. It got worse. I did some internet research and decided to try eating Black Walnut Hulls capsules. No effect, but I felt healthier, I guess. I tried organic vegetable soap, Baby Magic wash (which did nothing but reminded me of my mother every time I used it, so that was nice), and Neutrogena face wash, Nivea with Q-10 or whatever...nothing was helping. I was ready to go to a dermatologist when I came across this soap (picture) called Purpose from Johnson & Johnson. I now use it in the a.m. and in the p.m. and I have no problems! The label says its soap free, non-comedogenic, oil free, won't sting eyes (says it's clinically shown to be gentle as water). So, there you go. If you are an adult getting zits, try this. If you just need a nice alternative to soap to clean off your makeup or whatever, it is pretty nice stuff. I found it at WalMart.

2008-11-21T18:42:00.002-10:00

Here's a copy of the Letter I wrote to the Geico Gecko that got published in GEICO Direct magazine. The Gecko spelled my name wrong. Writing to Geckos is just a little "closet" diversion I do. I know he's not real.

You Are Beautiful

2008-11-18T23:08:00.001-10:00

Make sure you turn off my music playlist below before you watch this.

Dogs In Trucks

2008-11-17T19:53:00.002-10:00

For some reason I am fascinated by dogs in trucks. I took this one from my car this morning while waiting at a light. What is this dog thinking?

The Gold Lining

2008-11-16T17:17:00.006-10:00

Yesterday we again participated in the food packaging for the Jonathan Dale Miller Foundation's food packing. The foundation was established by my clients, whose grandson, Jonathan, died at 11 from a rare brain disease. His wish was that kids would have food and Christmas gifts during the holidays. He and Mitchell were good friends, and Mitchell created the website and maintains it. Those in the picture are primarily youth from our ward.

Silver linings are consolation prizes.
If I must have clouds, I prefer the gold variety.

Targeting the Husband

2008-11-14T17:02:00.003-10:00

Now that we no longer have children in our home, Michelle has shifted her famous motivational and inspirational efforts toward me, her husband. This photo is what Michelle left on the white board in my office where I try to keep track of special projects. Children, unless you want me to become extremely successful, positive, motivated and perfect, you had better start inserting yourselves in this situation and taking-on some of the motherly vibes again. Let's spread it around so I can indulge guilt-free in my treasured moodiness and polynesian paralysis! Help!

Who Shall Separate Us From The Love Of Christ?

2008-11-12T19:51:00.005-10:00

Here's a crop of my hand-held moon shot. I can't seem to be able to get the moon clear and also have other framing (trees, etc.) in the same shot.

I decided to go down to the temple and see how it looked with the full moon. Spectacular! I only wish my photos would do it justice. "...shall tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" (I am trying to memorize Romans 8:35-39 which Michelle typed out on a card for me).

Moonshine

2008-11-12T01:45:00.003-10:00

Michelle went home this p.m. and worked on the Institute lesson while I went to the temple. Late (late!) I tried to get a clear moon shot last night, but this is the best I could do. I need to read up on my camera some more. Frustrating.

Not a Crab Spider?

2008-11-07T19:23:00.003-10:00

I shot this in the yard this morning. I always called these critters "crab spiders" but I just did some research and found out this is not really a crab spider but actually a "Crablike Spiny Orb Weaver" (Gasteracantha cancriformis). Imagine that. How would it be if we named people in this descriptive way? What would your name be?

What Do You See (2)?

2008-11-05T23:36:00.004-10:00

This baby gecko matches our carpet! It is about the size of a paperclip.
Click on the photo for an even closer view.

A Major Whoopin'

2008-10-31T17:41:00.002-10:00

Remember when I whooped you guys in Trains? I am looking forward to whooping you again at Christmas.

Can't Wait

2008-10-29T12:37:00.002-10:00

This is just a little reminder to prime you for your trip over here (children & spouses). Taken the other day at Old Airport Beach, the lowliest of our beaches. I hear some of you are seeing snow now. I bet you can't wait for some of this warmth, blue skies, and ocean breezes.

A Thousand Little Feet

2008-10-25T11:36:00.003-10:00

Every morning in recent weeks we have been greeted at our office with these millepedes that crawl into the office at night. Michelle usually picks them up. If you touch them, they curl into a coil and you can just pick them up lightly. If you stress them, they emit an odor. The odor is why birds don't eat them. Toads eat them, but we don't have those around. (click on the photo for a real close-up look)

What Do You See?

2008-10-23T22:48:00.005-10:00

If you look closer, you can see our little curious visitor at Old A's beach. Come and visit and we can sit on the beach all day and observe the a'ama while the a'ama observe us. (Click on photo for an even closer look)

2008-10-22T10:27:00.006-10:00

Poor Michelle. I have this new camera, a Nikon D90, and I take it to work with me on the hope that I might have an opportunity to slip away and take some photos. Unfortunately, I don't have time so I end up just shooting Michelle while I test out settings. It drives her nuts. But I liked this one. I was reading today a story that made me think of Michelle's philosophy of life. Benjamin Zander, founder and conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, shared a revelation that had come to him as he was conducting his orchestra. It happened many years into his career. As he stood in front of the orchestra with his baton raised, Zander suddenly realized that he, the conductor, makes no sound. Although it was his picture and name on CD’s, Albums, and posters announcing the concerts, he realized that he makes none of the music himself, not a sound. He then realized that his job, as conductor, is to get the best music out of the musicians. His role is to coach, encourage, support, and occasionally push. But the conductor never makes a sound. Michelle is that same kind of leader, I believe. She really does bring out the best "music" in me.

Family

2008-10-21T00:58:00.006-10:00

Having just seen all of my children at the funeral for Michelle's father, Jack Smith, I can observe that some of the finest people I know on this planet are my own children. And I can add the same for our daughter-in-law and sons-in-law. That's one example we have from Mom and Dad Smith- in-laws are as much children as non-in-laws! We are so fortunate to have all of us. Michelle and I are looking forward to having everyone here at Christmas, including the 1/2 bun-in-the-oven Rachel is cooking.

~~~Life On Our Rock~~~