Plain Pine Tree

 

If a tree falls in a forest, and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? What if there are 80,000,000 trees? On the morning of June 30, 1908, near the Tunguska River in Russia, there was a 12-megaton explosion. Roughly 80 million trees were flattened by what is assumed to be an exploding meteoroid. It’s classified as an impact event, although no impact crater was ever found. The meteoroid (or whatever it was) is thought to have disintegrated high above the earth’s surface. The area where all this happened is very remote, so there were no confirmed casualties. But Russians going about their day hundreds of miles away reported a bright flash of light, a blast of heat, and a sound like cannon fire. People were knocked to the ground and windows were shattered for miles. I suspect the Tunguska incident is why June 30 is called “Meteor Watch Day.” Because there are meteor showers in nearly every month EXCEPT June.  

Four Large Sawtooth Stars

 

“I like people who begin by blurting out something overly personal. I like people who aren’t afraid to walk around with a stain on their shirt. I like people who ugly laugh at their own jokes. I like people who give compliments to strangers in the grocery store and make friends when they’re washing their hands in the bathroom. I like people who get passionate about ideas and excited about others’ success stories. I like people who live a little outside of the box, who march to the beat of their own drum, and who make it a mission to help those around them.” – Amy Weatherly, author of I'll Be There, But I'll Be Wearing Sweatpants

Windblown

 

No one really knows for sure, but a lot of people suspect the legend of Paul Bunyan came from the north woods; from lumber camps in Canada and the northeastern states. Unlike Johnny Appleseed, he was probably never a real person. Instead, Paul Bunyan was most likely just a collection of tall tales told around a fireside at the end of a hard day. My first memories of Paul and Babe, the big blue ox involve a musical animated Disney short that first aired in 1958. It featured The Mellomen and the voice of Thurl Ravenscroft. Then there was a picture book in 1984, written and illustrated by Steven Kellogg. My kids and I read it so many times the spine broke and the pages fell apart. June 28 is Paul Bunyan Day. I’m not sure how one celebrates Paul Bunyan Day. Maybe with a tall stack of flapjacks and maple syrup? 

Large Star

 

“My brothers and sisters, when we truly are in awe of Jesus Christ and His gospel, we are happier, we have more enthusiasm for God’s work, and we recognize the Lord’s hand in all things. Additionally, our study of God’s words is more meaningful; our prayers, more intentional; our worship, more reverent; our service in God’s kingdom, more diligent. All these actions contribute to the Holy Spirit’s influence being more frequent in our lives. Thus, our testimony of the Savior and His gospel will be strengthened, we will keep Christ alive in us, and we will live our lives rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, … abounding therein with thanksgiving. When we live in this way, we become more spiritually resilient and protected against falling into the trap of spiritual apathy.” – Elder Ulisses Soares

Ninety Arkansas Crossroads

 

We had a lot of strawberries to use up Father’s Day weekend, but not much sour cream. So, rather than run to the store (again), we made this sour cream-free ice recipe. It was still a big hit.

 

Fresh Strawberry Ice Cream

 

1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled

3/4 cup whole milk

2/3 cup granulated sugar

Pinch salt

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract (Please don’t use imitation)

 

Put the strawberries into the bowl of a food processor or blender; pulse strawberries until coarsely chopped. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, sugar and salt until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla. Stir in strawberries. 3. Cover and refrigerate an hour or two. Pour mixture into ice cream freezer bowl and process until thickened, about 20 minutes. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze about 2 hours. Frozen strawberries may be substituted if fresh aren’t available.

Sixteen Medium Stars

 

It’s summertime, and your car’s been parked in full sun. Even if it’s only 90 degrees outside, it can quickly get well over 130 inside the car, especially if you forgot to crack a window or use solar shades. Once you start your car, open all the windows to flush out that super-heated air. After a few minutes, roll them back up again and engage the “recirculate air” mode. (That’s little button on your dash with an outline of a car around a bent-backwards arrow.) If your car’s recirculating air, it won’t be pulling hot air from outside to mix with the cooler air your car’s AC is pumping. The car will cool down faster, and there will be less wear and tear on the AC system. Also, if you’re stuck in traffic or waiting at a stop light, you won’t be breathing exhaust fumes from the cars around you. 

Butterfly

 

“In the light of the moon, a little egg lay on a leaf. One Sunday morning the sun came up and – pop! – out of the egg came a tiny and very hungry caterpillar.” My favorite children’s book begins this way. It tells how the caterpillar eats (and eats and eats), molts into a chrysalis, and then emerges as a butterfly. It’s a lovely metaphor for growth and change, and it’s a miracle. It’s also pretty gruesome. The caterpillar actually DIES. Using enzymes triggered by hormones, it digests itself into a protein-rich goo. Once all the rest of the caterpillar has disintegrated, sleeper cells in the imaginal discs build the goo into a new creature with wings, legs, eyes and antennae. The other day, my three-year-old granddaughter was running from a butterfly, yelling, “Don’t let it BITE me!” I told her butterflies don’t have teeth, and explained the proboscis. Now she runs from butterflies saying, “Don’t let it SUCK me!”

Thirteen Medium Stars

 

I don’t know who needs to hear this right now, but I do know that someone does. If it’s you, I hope you’ll read these words and come to believe them. If it isn’t, I hope you’ll share them with someone who does. “Your impact on other people is much bigger than you think. Someone still giggles when they think of that funny thing you said once. Someone still smiles when they think of that lovely compliment you gave them that one time. Someone silently admires you. The gentle advice you give has made a difference for people. The support and love you’ve offered has made someone’s day. Your input and your opinions have made someone think twice. You are not insignificant or forgotten. Your existence makes a positive difference, whether you see it or not.” – Author Unknown

Thirty-six Assorted Pine Trees

 

Today is officially the first day of summer. I have my summer bucket list ready, and ninety-two more days to get them done. Now that I have it actually written out, I’m amazed to see how many of them involve food:

Toast marshmallows, and use them for s’mores

Visit a water park

Make peach or raspberry jam

Sleep under the stars

Grow some tomatoes

Watch a fireworks display

Host a BBQ

Do a sci-fi movie marathon

Go for a hike

Run through a sprinkler

Eat watermelon and spit the seeds

Have a backyard pizza party

Attend a summer concert – or stage one

Make a fresh fruit pie

Visit a farmer’s market

See a parade

Make some popsicles, or homemade ice cream

Visit a lake

Ride a roller coaster

Squeeze some lemons and make lemonade

Visit a zoo

Go swimming

Complete a summer reading list

Roast hotdogs on a stick

Nine Medium Stars

 

“A key component of trusting in the Lord is moving forward, believing He will guide us even when we don’t have all the answers. It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what matters. It’s applying the doctrine of Christ in our lives as we strive to become more like Him. The more we do to stay firmly on the covenant path, the more our faith in Jesus Christ will grow. The more our faith grows, the more we will desire to repent. And the more we repent, the more we will strengthen our covenant relationship with God. That covenant relationship draws us to the temple because keeping temple covenants is how we endure to the end. As we center our lives on Jesus Christ, we will be guided to do what mattereth most. And we will be blessed with spiritual strength, contentment, and with joy!” – Rebecca L. Craven

Eighty-one Arkansas Crossroads

 

This recipe is similar to Zupa Toscana, with a few notable differences. Toscana has Italian sausage and potatoes, while this soup has meatballs and acini de pepe. It’s more work than most slow-cooker recipes, but it’s worth it.

Italian Wedding Soup

 

1 pound lean ground beef

1 egg

1/4 cup onion, finely chopped

1 teaspoon each dried parsley and oregano

1 clove garlic, minced

1 slice bread torn into tiny pieces

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon olive oil

8 cups chicken broth

3 large carrots peeled and chopped

1 small onion diced

1 tablespoon each dried parsley and oregano

1 clove garlic minced

8 ounces fresh spinach or kale

1 cup acini de pepe or other small pasta

 

Combine first 8 ingredients and shape into 1” meatballs. Brown in olive oil. Add to slow cooker with next five ingredients. Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours. Thirty minutes before serving, add spinach and pasta. 

Four Medium Stars

 

The third Friday in June is Take a Road Trip Day. Summer weather’s here, even if summer won’t technically arrive for a few more days. Kids are out of school, and adventure’s calling. It’s a great time to grab some snacks and hit the road. Some of my happiest childhood memories involve road trips. When we lived in California, we’d get lost for fun. We’d find ourselves at a beach or an out-of-the-way park, or an eatery shaped like a donut or a dinosaur. Of course, gasoline was under a dollar a gallon back then. If the price of gas is taking the fun out of your Friday, you can still hit the road on a bike, a pair of roller skates or your feet. I don’t think the vehicle or the distance traveled is the point of a road trip. The point is to get out there – to see new sights, or see old ones in a new light.

Hourglass on Point

 

This is Heather’s favorite ice cream flavor. It’s also the one my grandkids ask for most often.

 

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

 

2 cups 2% milk

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

1 cup MINIATURE semisweet chocolate chips

 

In a large bowl, stir together the milk, cream, sugar, salt, vanilla extract and peppermint extract until the sugar has dissolved. (You could add a few drops of green food coloring at this point, but I generally don’t. Pour mixture into an ice cream maker, and freeze according to manufacturer's instructions. After about 10 minutes into the freezing, add the chocolate chips. (If you can’t find mini chips, you could always chop up regular ones.) After the ice cream has thickened (about 30 minutes), spoon into a container, cover and freeze at least two hours.

Medium Star

 

Like most parents, we’ve always hoped our kids would grow to be happy, well-adjusted adults. We’ve wished for them to find success in whatever field they choose. We’ve prayed they’d love and care for each other long after we’re gone. I’ve no doubt Christoff and Paulina Dassler had the same aspirations for their children. Their son Adolf (Adi) had the novel idea that athletes could excel with shoes specifically designed for their sport. He and his older brother Rudolf founded Gebrüder Dassler Sportschuhfabrik, which outfitted German competitors in the 1936 Olympics. During WWII the brothers had a falling out. Adi told the Allies Rudolf worked with the Nazis, which kept Rudy in prison for a year. Rudy tried to snitch on Adi, too. In the end, the brothers divided assets and went their separate ways. Adi gave his new sportswear company his nickname and the first three letters of his last name: Adidas. Rudy’s new venture was named simply Puma. 

Oh Susannah

 

In mid-April I found some interesting articles about the construction of the RMS Titanic, its sinking, and the aftermath. In the days of library card catalogues and leather-bound encyclopedias, when you move on to other subjects, that’s the end of it. The Internet doesn’t work that way. For weeks I’ve been bombarded with Titanic stories, whether I want them or not. Occasionally I’ll see one worth reading, like this: The public was understandably upset that the Titanic had insufficient lifeboats for passengers and crew. So, congress quickly passed the LaFollette Seaman's Act, mandating more lifeboats. July 24, 1915, the Great Lakes excursion steamer Eastland “turned turtle” in the Chicago River, killing 844. Like most Great Lakes ships, Eastland had no keel. It was top-heavy, carrying many more passengers than it was meant to, along with the additional (completely useless) lifeboats. It simply flipped over. Lawmakers were actually warned this might happen, but they felt they had to do SOMETHING.

Twenty Small Stars

 

“We can choose to turn to the Savior today for the strength and healing that will enable us to fulfill all that we were sent here to do. In a familiar verse in the Doctrine and Covenants, the Lord encourages women and men to be ‘anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; for the power is in them.’ The power is in us to bring to pass much righteousness! President Russell M. Nelson testified, ‘Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God.’ I have come to know that as we strive to honor sacred covenants made at baptism and in holy temples, the Lord will bless us with His healing, strengthening power and with spiritual insights and awakenings we’ve never had before.” - Susan H. Porter

Seventy-two Arkansas Crossroads

 

Let me apologize in advance for my very odd sense of humor:

“When I see names of lovers engraved on trees, I don’t find it romantic. I think it’s weird how many people take knives on dates.”

“You don’t need a parachute to go skydiving. You need a parachute to go skydiving twice.”

“The other day, she asked me to pass her lipstick but I accidentally passed her a glue stick. She still isn’t talking to me.”

“A study recently found humans eat more bananas than monkeys. I believe it’s true. I can’t remember the last time I ate a monkey.”

“My boss told me to have a good day. So, I went home.”

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away. At least, it does if you throw it hard enough.”

“To teach the kids about elections, I let them vote on dinner. They chose pizza. I made them meatloaf because we don’t live in a swing state.”

Sixteen Small Stars

 

I love lemons. They transform sugar and water into a refreshing drink, and they turn egg yolks and butter into hollandaise. Whip up a little lemon curd, and you have a spread for toast, filling for a pie, or the beginning of these:

Easy Lemon Bars

 

1 box yellow cake mix

2 2/3 cups lemon curd (Use store-bought, or double this recipe: https://mombowe.blogspot.com/2018/11/court-house-steps.html )

1/2 cup butter, softened

 

Line 9x13” pan with parchment; coat with cooking spray. Using a pastry cutter, cut butter into cake mix. Press half the mixture into pan. Bake at 350F for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully spread lemon curd over the warm crust. Sprinkle remaining cake mix/butter mixture on top. Return to oven and bake another 20 minutes. Allow to cool for at least an hour before slicing into squares.

Pop Star

 

They weren't in my pockets. Suddenly I realized I must have left them in the car. Frantically, I headed for the parking lot. My husband has scolded me many times for leaving my keys in the ignition. He's afraid the car could be stolen. As I looked around the parking lot, I realized he was right. The lot was empty. I immediately called the police. I gave them my location, confessed I’d left my keys in the car, and it had been stolen. Then I made the most difficult call of all to my husband: "I left my keys in the car and it's been stolen." There was a moment of silence. "Are you kidding me?" he remarked, "I dropped you off!" Now it was my turn to be silent. Embarrassed, I said, "Well, come and get me." He retorted, "I will, as soon as I can convince this cop I didn't steal your car!"

Nine Small Stars

 

Grandma was struggling with Alzheimer's, and wasn’t able to live on her own anymore. Her family chose a care center for her, and then went to work dealing with her house and the things in it that she couldn’t take with her. A Lansing, Michigan auctioneer was going through her kitchen when he discovered a large marble slab the family said she’d used to make fudge. He turned it over and found an engraving: “Peter J. Weller died Dec. 26 1849.” Grandma’s candy-making marble was someone’s headstone! No one in the family had any idea where the stone had come from, so they turned to Loretta Stanaway, president of the Friends of Lansing's Historic Cemeteries. She found that Weller’s headstone had gone missing when his remains were moved from one cemetery to another in 1875. Last autumn, a memorial service was held when Peter J. Weller and his headstone were finally reunited after 146 years apart.

Thirty Assorted Pine Trees

 

The idea of ZIP (Zonal Improvement Plan) codes was introduced during World War II, when letter carriers left their jobs to join the war effort. It wasn’t actually implemented until 1963. Initially, ZIP codes had just two numbers: one for state and one for city. (You don’t have to be a genius to see this wouldn’t work long.) Today, ZIP codes are five numbers, followed by four more. The first number identifies your region. New York and Pennsylvania are zone one, everything northeast of New York is zero. The intermountain west is eight, and the west coast is nine. The second and third numbers in your ZIP code determine the central post office facility for your area. The fourth and fifth numbers are your local post office, and the four numbers after the hyphen are your specific neighborhood. None of this explains why my neighbors and I have to sort out misdirected mail every single week.

Four Small Stars

 

“As we strive to build faith in the Savior, we may not fully comprehend God’s love for us, and we may obey His laws out of a sense of obligation. Guilt may even become our primary motivator rather than love. As we seek to increase our faith, we may be confused by what James taught. He reminded us ‘faith without works is dead.’ We may stumble if we think everything depends on us. An overdependence on ourselves can impede our ability to access the powers of heaven. But as we move toward true faith in Jesus Christ, our mindset begins to change. We recognize obedience and faith in the Savior qualify us to have His Spirit always to be with us. We recognize obedience to God’s commands enables us to be trusted of Him. With His trust comes increased light. This light guides our journey and allows us to see more clearly the path we should take.” - Elder Larry S. Kacher

Tilt-a-Whirl

 

The narrowest distance between mainland Russia and mainland Alaska is approximately 55 miles. However, in the body of water between Alaska and Russia known as the Bering Strait, there are two small, rocky islands. In 1729, the first European to explore this area, Vitus Bering, landed here on August 16, the feast day of the martyr Saint Diomede. Bering named the islands Big Diomede and Little Diomede. Big Diomede is owned by Russia and Little Diomede belongs to the United States. The stretch of water between these two islands is only about two and a half miles wide and actually freezes over during the winter. So, you could technically walk from the U.S. to Russia on this seasonal sea ice. If you were to walk from one island to the other, you’d also be crossing the international date line. That’s why these two tiny islands are also known as Tomorrow Island (Big Diomede) and Yesterday Island (Little Diomede).

Small Sawtooth Star

 

On February 3, 1947, the small town of Snag in the Yukon Territory was hit with a big cold snap. The temperature reached -62.8 Celsius (I looked it up. That’s -81.04 Fahrenheit!) and hovered there for about a week. At that temperature, exposed skin will freeze in three minutes or less. When you exhale, your breath makes an odd hissing sound as it freezes. It will hang in the air behind you for hundreds of yards. Locals discovered sound travels much farther through cold, dense air. People at the airport (most towns here do have airports) reported clearly hearing voices of townsfolk speaking in town, at least five kilometers (more than three miles) away. Stories like this explain why the cruise season in this part of the world is only five months long. The scenery here is epic. It’s a beautiful place to visit, but you wouldn’t want to live here.

Three-Inch Block Border

 

The Great Klondike Stampede began in 1896 and ended about three years later. An estimated 100,000 would-be prospectors headed for the Yukon in search of fortune. Only a third of them ever made it there. About 4,000 actually became prospectors, and just a few hundred struck it rich. Jack London was one of these starry-eyed optimists. He was barely out of his teens when he dropped out of the University of California at Berkeley to spend a year in the Klondike. He returned home with empty pockets, but a head brimming with stories. His two most famous novels, Call of the Wild and White Fang, are filled with the people and places he found there. Both are told from a dog’s point of view: one is a domestic dog who goes wild, the other a wolf/dog who becomes tame. Both have been adapted for cinema and television several times. My advice: skip the movies. The books have all the adventure and none of the CGI dogs. 

Six Polka Dot Pines

 

Four years ago, our Alaskan cruise ship visited Victoria, B.C. It was the end of September; the end of the Alaska cruise season. It was also the end of the day. We docked at sunset, and by the time we got ashore, darkness had fallen. We were only there a few hours. We found no shops or eateries open. The whole stop seemed sort of pointless. We asked, and were told the cruise ship HAD to dock there, however briefly. All foreign-flagged ships are required to pause at an international port for cruises departing from the United States. Cruise ships were banned from Canada most of 2020 and 2021. Last year, U.S. lawmakers passed a law to temporarily allow ships to skip the perfunctory stop in Canada on Alaska cruises to salvage what was left of the season. This year, Canada insists all ships visiting her ports be 100% vaccinated – up a bit from the CDC’s 95%.