Moving Day

So it may be early in his life but Parker showed himself worthy of Elder's quorum material today. We moved a family we home teach in our Ward to the neighboring Ward. We had sufficient numbers and the key part was Jay (smart at moving, packing a truck and beastly strong), his son Jeff (willing to do and lift anything), and Parker (able to match any one pound for pound in lifting and work ethic). The added bonus of Parker is the two boys of the family would take him for an older brother in a minute based on his kindness and fun and mad Wii skills.


The day finished with a cheesy movie "New in Town" that was a fun minnesota flick.

Ski-U-Mah

Sports are such a source of conflict. I live in Illinois, yet how could I ever cheer for the Illini over the Gophers. I can not. I did not. Ski-U-Bah. And so it was great fun watching a truly defensive game, with the Illini owning a dominating streak, where the Gophers snap it by winning 59 - 36 , in a most convincing fashion.

But the conflict doesn't end there. I love the Gophers and harbor such ill feelings for all things Hopkins that it is truly a struggle to cheer for Blake N. Hoffarber . He is quintessential Hopkins but fortunately for me I have matured sufficiently to cheer for him while he wears a Gopher uniform; something I could never do to the limited time, all for himself, Hopkins alum Kris Humphries.

Lose Sleep over Russia

I enjoy Brigham's writing style and find his articles well-thought and constructed. The most recently published by BYU Political Review regarding Russia is worthy of a quick read.

Lose Sleep Over Russia

Disruptive Marketing

Heard in a meeting:

" A penalty fine can be accommodated in a budget, as long as it isn't a misdemeanor or a felony its ok"



Where are your ethical boundaries?

Ticket To Ride- Europe

So - the wonderful part was that Lucy Taylor had a gymnastic tournament in near-by Lyle, Il, literally the neighboring suburb. And for Lucy to compete she needed a ride and that ride was graciously provided by her dear parents Brad and Ann. Who stopped by for an extended visit , dinner and game time at our home. After a few rounds of Bananagrams the conversation turned to Ticket to Ride, which oddly enough we have here in our game pile yet had never played. A NEW FAVORITE. The game was almost as much fun to play as it was to play with Brad and Ann.

We welcome visitors always - with or without game playing time on their hands.

The Last Lecture

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

Many professors present “The Last Lecture" as part of their retirement process. Professors are asked to consider their demise and to ruminate on that which matters most. And while they speak, audiences can’t help but mull the same question: What wisdom would we impart to the world if we knew it was our last chance? If we had to vanish tomorrow, what would we want as our legacy?

The book is an enjoyable read and does in fact set one pondering regarding living life to its fullest and capturing the moment, overcoming obstacles, and enabling the dreams of others. The book shares tidbits and some insights; but I felt compelled to dive into a deeper last lecture series. I thought of the prophets in the scriptures and their farewell lectures and then my thoughts turned toward more recent prophets thinking their last lectures would have a germain and compelling content for today. One could gather them all, I did not. There are different ways to build the list: favorites, most renown, or as I chose starting with apostles who were called after Hinckley but have passed on.

The list and connections follow and make for an interesting read, I have made an attempt to get their last public discourse, there in fact may be latter talks, in which case I would appreciate the update. Read one or two; and I hope you will enjoy them as did I.

Gordon B. Hinckley (served as apostle #75 from 1961-1982)

Stone Rolled from mountain

Nathan Eldon Tanner (served as apostle #76 from 1962-1982)

Let us do as we have been counseled

Marvin J Ashton (served as apostle #80 from 1971-1994)

A Yearning for Home

Bruce R. McConkie (served as apostle #80 from 1972-1985)

The Purifying Power of Gethsemane

David B. Haight (served as apostle #82 from 1976-2004)

How Great the Wisdom and the Love

Elder James E. Faust (served as apostle #83 from 1978-2007)

Message to My Grandsons

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (served as apostle #84 from 1981 – 2004)

Remember How Merciful the Lord Hath Been

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin (served as apostle #88 from 1986 – 2008)

Come What May, and Love It

Thinking of Dad

Cavaliers 93, Bulls 102

Sky box view of lebron free throw after monster dunk

First time I ever came to a Bulls basketball game was in fact in 1988 to not watch the Bulls but to attend the NBA All-star game dunking contest won by Michael Jordon (though more because of hometown favoritism - Spud Webb dunking was infinitely cooler - and Dominique Wilkins as good if not better but this was Michael's day and weekend) - it was spectacular.

Last night a group from work attended the Bulls - Cleveland game. Fun game and the last quarter and overtime were enjoyable; but I kept waiting for LeBron to bust it out and be spectacular. He scored some 25 points but, if you can say it this way, he scored them quietly and never dominated any part of the game. Rose has a couple of moments and will join the greats if he continues as he has started. Good time.

Favorite Hymns

One of Evan's favorite hymns is:

Baptism -primary song p 100

Jesus came to John the Baptist

in Judea long ago

and was baptised by immersion

in the River Jordon's flow.

To fulfill the law said Jesus
when the Baptist questioned why
and to enter in God's kingdom
in the royal courts on high

which has always intrigued me.

Evan's favorite song being about an ordinance which he wasn't required to participate in , in terms of the remission of sins; but for which he participated equally to enter into the kingdom and become part of the family of Christ. Necessary no but right for Evan yes. It augmented his commitment and feeling of belonging, it deepened his beginning of understanding, it allowed him to join, and gave him a common bond. I wonder if one some inner plane and spiritual dimension if his spirit understands the hymn, its meaning and parallelism to his own situation.

New in Town

I am not the movie critic of the family and for that fact rarely see a film in a theatre, nonetheless, this looks like it has promise; and hopefully a decent rating. Perhaps a must see movie for all with a mn connection: NEW IN TOWN
The chick flick version of Fargo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AMgBDlmgys

Must Read Books

This morning on NPR’s Fresh Air was an interview and discussion with author Jay Parini concerning his recent of Promised Land which examines 13 books that shaped and changed America.
What other books should be added to the list?
Where is the Great Gatsby? The autobiography of Malcom-X? The World is Flat? FountainHead/Atlas Shrugged?
Which have you read?

The 13 books:
Of Plymouth Plantation (1620-1647) by William Bradford
The Federalist Papers (1787-1788) by Hamilton, Madison and Jay
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (1793)
The Journals of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark (1801-06)
Walden (1854) by Henry David Thoreau
Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852) by Harriet Beecher Stowe
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885) by Mark Twain
The Souls of Black Folks (1903) by W.E.B. Du Bois
The Promised Land (1912) by Mary Antin
How to Win Friends and Influence People (1936) by Dale Carnegie
The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care (1946) by Dr. Benjamin Spock
On the Road (1957) by Jack Kerouac
The Feminine Mystique (1963) by Betty Friedan




One reviewer notes:“Readers who second-guess Parini's choices will enjoy his bonus list of 100 additional influential books, also chronologically arranged. Here you'll find such uncontestable selections as Joseph Smith Jr.'s "The Book of Mormon" (1830), Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle" (1906), John Hersey's "Hiroshima" (1946) and "Our Bodies, Ourselves" (1973).”

Got Game

I have longed enjoyed a Saturday filled with watching one of my children perform, play, compete. The tradition continues as Mackey plays volleyball with the Avalanche. With snow covered streets the drive was obnoxious but the games were good, entertaining, and Mackey played well.

Though perhaps not the ideal parent-child bonding activity, there is ample time for discussion, interaction, and bonding. The time to grow closer in a common shared enjoyment. And hey isn't volleyball a great sport!

A Silent Tribute to the Man

New Year Plunge

BRRRRRRRRRR



The new year has started officially as Rindy and mackey gain their walleye status by once again braving the freezing bone-chilling cold and plunging onto Lake Minnetonka. Crazy - yes. But an invigorating beginning of the year. They joined a dozen or so from the Ward and a couple of 900 other impaired thinking folks.