Stewed Tomatoes

 

John and I have been married almost 46 years. Every summer we’ve tried to grow something we could eat. Our first garden was a potato patch outside our basement apartment window; a colossal failure, but we learned a lot. We’ve grown veg and herbs in patio pots when we didn’t have any actual soil of our own. Space was always our biggest concern. Not this year. Half of this year’s garden was sweet corn. We had a wonderful crop, but it was all ripe the very same week. We planted a few more tomatoes than necessary, and were quickly overrun with cherry toms. The Japanese eggplant and zucchini were awesome: not too much or too little. This year’s peppers were the biggest, most beautiful ever. But our sorry pumpkin plants produced nothing but spindly vines. Next year, we plan to plant corn in phases, do fewer cherry tomatoes, and maybe pray over the pumpkins.

Four Big Red Hearts

 

“Voting in government elections and performing other civic duties when we have the opportunity is a sacred responsibility, a God-given blessing, and a duty to be carried out with honor and trust. I have a testimony of the importance of being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. Because we’re subject to rulers, we must do all we can in diplomatic, legal, and supportive ways to select and help elect officials who are honest, wise, and good. We should also consider running for office ourselves. I’m always pleased when a First Presidency letter is read in sacrament meeting just before each election encouraging Latter-day Saints to be involved in the election process and to choose able and honest political and governmental leaders. The First Presidency reminds us ‘as citizens we have the privilege and duty of electing office holders and influencing public policy.’” – Michael A. Neider, October 2012

Thirty-Nine Butterflies

 

“We’re grateful for the noticeable increase in those who respond to sacred invitations, change their lives, and accept the opportunity to follow Jesus Christ. They enter the covenant path through faith, repentance, baptism, and confirmation as taught in the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon. We cannot underestimate the significance of sacred scriptures both in conversions and in remaining faithful in the gospel. The ancient prophets described in the Book of Mormon knew about the mission of Jesus Christ and taught His gospel. The Book of Mormon helps us draw closer to God as we learn, understand, and apply its teachings. To know the Book of Mormon is the word of God, we need to read, ponder, and pray about it and act according to its precepts. The prophet Moroni promised God will reveal the truth of the book to us as we pray with a sincere heart. Studying the Book of Mormon is essential for enduring conversion.” – Elder Quentin L. Cook

Christmas Eve

 

Blanca Tague and her husband, a cross-country trucking couple, were at a truck stop in Laredo, Texas in 2017. They noticed a scrawny grey tabby begging truckers for food. He was too scared to let anyone near him, but when Blanca’s husband offered him a piece of chicken, he was able to grab him before he could run off. The Tagues realized they couldn’t just leave him in the truck stop parking lot, so they brought the cat onboard. They intended to help him gain weight, and then find him a forever home. They didn’t count on falling in love with him. They ended up naming the cat Grayson. It’s been seven years now. Grayson and the Tagues have been to every state in the U.S. except Alaska and Hawaii. “He’s my world,” says Blanca. “I’m so glad we were able to help him; he’s been at my side along the road and on all our journeys together.’

Nosegay

 

The Nazis called it Ostwall (East Wall) or Festungsfront Oder-Warthe-Bogen (fortified front between Oder and Wartha) and the locals called it Regenwurmlager (earthworm camp). It was an elaborate series of bunkers and interconnected tunnels intended to defend Germany from invasion by Russia or Poland. Construction started in 1932 in what used to be eastern Germany (it’s western Poland now). It was intended to be finished in 1951. When Hitler himself visited the construction site in 1935, the system of tunnels was already twenty miles long and 130 feet deep. The modern-day equivalent of $100 million was spent building the system, which included railway stations, workshops, engine rooms and barracks. But Ostwall saw little to no actual wartime use. Today, parts of the fortifications are open to visitors. But most of Ostwall has become the world’s largest man-made bat preserve, housing some 37,000 flying mammals.  

Halloween Placemat

 

When “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” was released in 1966, nearly everyone who saw it loved it. Everyone, that is, except Ray Bradbury. The legendary science fiction author found the popular Charles M. Schulz/Vince Guaraldi Halloween television special deeply disappointing; a lackluster depiction of one of his favorite holidays. And he decided to do something about it. In 1972, Ray Bradbury wrote “The Halloween Tree,” a fantasy novel that explores ancient Celtic, Egyptian, Greek and Roman cultures and how they helped to shape the way we celebrate Halloween today. For years, Ray Bradbury dreamed of having an actual Halloween Tree in Disneyland, and in 2007 his dream came true. You can find his tree in Frontierland, decorated with pumpkins and twinkling orange lights. “I belong here,” the author said at the tree’s dedication. “I’m glad I’m going to be a permanent part of the spirit of Halloween at Disneyland.” Happy Halloween!

Big Red Heart

 

We try to visit Disney parks when they’re less crowded – not entirely for the reasons you might assume. Sure, the shorter wait times are nice. It’s lovely to find a free table so you can relax while enjoying your Dole whip or churro or corn dog. It’s great to get where you’re going without people literally tripping over the wheelchair. (Why is our chair so hard to see? Do we need to paint it hunter orange?) But the thing we love most to do when we’re in the parks is chat with cast members; something you can’t really do while they’re crazy busy. We ask where they’re from, and what led them to work for the Mouse. They all have amazing stories, and they all seem to love sharing. My favorites: a waitress who grew up in Harrogate, a boat pilot who remembered Brook’s House of Barbecue, a train conductor who was third-generation Disney, and a cashier who serenaded me with, "More I Cannot Wish You."