Thirty Echoes

 

We’re warned by those who work with the homeless not to give cash to panhandlers. They say the money won’t go to food or shelter. It just fuels whatever addiction put them there in the first place. But what if you donated a lot of money – enough to really make a difference? That’s the question the documentary “Reversal of Fortune” tried to answer in 2005. They handed $100,000 to Ted Rodrigue, a man who lived under a bridge and recycled beverage containers to buy food, beer and cigarettes. His first purchases were a new bicycle and an amusement park trip. Then he rented a motel room. Ted’s family learned about his windfall and invited him to come for a visit. They encouraged him to find a job and invest his money, but he was only concerned about the NOW. Within six months, the money was all gone and Ted was back under the bridge, dumpster diving for bottles and cans.  

Four Valentines

 

Two weeks ago, Heather and I watched Lady and the Tramp as we drove to the hospital and back. At the end of the film Jock (a Scottish terrier) and Trusty (a bloodhound) chase the dogcatcher’s wagon through a thunderstorm. The horses are spooked and the wagon overturns, injuring Trusty. Jock finds his wounded friend and howls. I’ve seen the movie dozens, maybe hundreds of times. But this time I thought, “That’s dumb. Scotties don’t howl.” A day or two later, I heard an odd, melodic sound in the back garden. I opened the door and caught Lassie howling. There was an emergency vehicle passing by two blocks away, and she was singing along with the siren. I’ve since been told Lassie sometimes howls when she thinks she’s home alone. I looked it up. According to Google, some Scotties may howl when they’re excited, when they hear a high-pitched sound, or to express separation anxiety. 

Starry Bloom

 

This is not the future Saturday morning cartoons prepared me for. I really expected by this point in my life, I’d be living – or at least vacationing – on the moon. Or maybe Mars. I’d have an ultra-modern home with 360-degree views, like the space needle. I thought I’d be zipping here and there in my own personal rocket ship. And I KNEW I’d own a robot: like Rosie on the Jetsons. She’d keep my house clean and tidy, do the dishes and laundry, and maybe remind me of tomorrow’s haircut appointment. Well, I DO own a robot vacuum. It’s a tossup whether he’s working for me or I’m working for him. And maybe he's sharing my data with China. Ten-year-old me would have thought robots calling me on my phone would be cool. It isn’t. Now we have artificial intelligence eliminating human jobs, making us doubt EVERYTHING, and making the price of electricity skyrocket. Not what I signed up for.

Twenty-Five Echoes

 

A 90-year-old couple are having trouble remembering things, so they visit their doctor. After a check-up, the doctor says they’re physically fine. He suggests they may want to start writing important things down so they won’t forget them. Later that evening, they’re both watching television. The husband gets up, and his wife says, “Where are you going?” “To the kitchen,” he replies. “I thought I’d like some ice cream.” “Could you bring me some, too?” says his wife. “Sure,” he answers. “I’d like strawberries and whipped cream on top,” she says. “Maybe you should write it down so you won’t forget.” “I don’t need to write it down!” he barks back, and he leaves. A few minutes later, he returns with a plate of fried eggs and bacon. His wife looks at the plate and exclaims, “See? I SAID you should have written it down! You’ve forgotten my toast!”

Valentine Heart

 

Mark Twain once said, “If you don’t like our weather, just wait a few minutes.” I actually prefer George Carlin’s quote, “The weather will continue to change on and off for a long, long time.” So far, our winter has been remarkably mild. But that could change on a dime. If you hear the words “winter storm warning,” make sure all your devices are charged and your gas tank is full. Check flashlights and spare batteries. See that you have at least three days of non-perishable food that doesn’t need cooking. Fill bottles and tubs with water. Fill your freezer with ice. Bring pets indoors. If the power goes out, use flashlights, not candles. Unplug sensitive electronics. Close curtains to retain heat. Make sure your neighbors are okay. When the power comes back on, check for frozen pipes. Toss any spoiled food, and gradually plug your devices in again.

February Door Banner

 

“Our Savior Jesus Christ is our ultimate role model. We’ll be blessed if we model our lives after His teachings and self-sacrifice. Following Christ and giving ourselves in service to one another is the best remedy for the selfishness and individualism that now seem to be so common. Parents also have a duty to teach children practical knowledge apart from gospel principles. Families unite when they do meaningful things together. Family gardens build family relationships. Happy family experiences strengthen family ties. Camping, sports activities, and other recreation are especially valuable to bond families. Families should organize family reunions to remember ancestors, which lead to the temple. Parents should educate children in the basic skills of living, including working in the yard and home. Learning languages is useful preparation for missionary service and modern life. Families flourish when they learn as a group and counsel together on all matters of concern to the family and its members.” – President Dallin H. Oaks

Two Dozen Echoes

 

An elderly priest died and was welcomed at the pearly gates by Saint Peter. “Father Mulgrew, we’ve been expecting you,” said the saint. “Please go with this angel. We’ve got a lovely retirement shack on the edge of the woods. It’s a humble place, but I promise you’ll be comfortable.” The priest settled in, but not long after, he returned to the pearly gates with a question. “I feel as though there’s been a mistake,” the priest said. “Not far from my shack I noticed a magnificent mansion. The fellow who lives there was a taxi driver I knew from earth. Surely it cannot be intended that a man like me should receive such a modest reward compared to him!” Saint Peter smiles, “Let not your heart be troubled, Father Mulgrew. You were a faithful servant of the Lord, and that’s why you’re here. But when you preached, some people slept. When that man drove, people PRAYED.”