Battle of AGING

Controlling the negative voices inside that want to derail us isn't easy, but the first step is to become aware of what we are hearing. Then analyze the source of the voice-if it's negative I feel that it comes from the Dark Side or whatever name you choose to give to the adversary or the opposition, ying-yang structure of life. After visiting my retina specialist today-been receiving treatment for almost two years for macula edema probably related to diabetes or high blood pressure or aging all of which I'm facing,I didn't receive much encouragement from my doctor-other than we'll overcome this... I'm wondering....when?

So after another of my monthly shots in the eye, it was difficult to remain positive but what other choice do I have? As I left the doctor's office, I realized as I looked at other patients arriving with eye patches on that I could still see with my left eye though it's blurry. My right eye is 20/20, and I just renewed my driver's license for the next 5 years. It's just easier to give in to SELF PITY AND DESPAIR instead of SEEING THE POSITIVES. I remember going to my foot doctor for some issues recently and seeing others with missing feet. For the moment it struck me how blest I am. Also some of my ailments are improving. My rotator cuff is better after a steroid shot, and I can actually use my left arm while curling my hair!

I think the SECRET OF HAPPINESS in life is focusing on the good parts, the blessings daily that we take for granted: life, family, love, purpose and opportunities to continue learning. I forget that daily...how about you?

Family Weekend Celebration

We drove up Sat morning to Utah Valley to celebrate Emilee's mission call for our Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She leaves July 5 for Paris France mission and will be gone 18 months. Taking French since Jr. High, now she'll get the chance to use all that learning while teaching others in France about the restored church. More photos on facebook.

The Hatches: l-r Tina, Emilee, Daniel, Nathan, back" James & Heather

The twins have now complted a year of college, so proud of them both.

Grandkids galore: Lorien in front, bro. Eddie + Heather in back

Nicosia family on Tina's side gathers to celebrate and visit.

All the friends, grandkids and cousins sat together.

Open house on Sat pm with food, swimming, etc.

American and French flags are displayed everywhere

Visiting the new FAMILYSEARCH CENTER

St George just opened up their new Family History Center near the temple. We took a tour there and were amazed. Tomorrow's the last day of the guided tour-take some time to check it out if you live nearby.

Brand new, it's beautiful inside...

Free to the public open M,F 9am-5pm TWT 9am-9pm, Sat 11-3 p

Lots of huge computers to see your pedigree chart on

This was a photo of our tour group, but you can take family group

It's unbelieveable all ths info stored on familysearch-photos&stories

There's a world map that will show where your ancestors came from.

An area for children to play while parents do computer research

There's a room to video tape family stories in person.

Missed the room where you can see your face on ancestral costumes

So much information. There's also one of these centers in SLC

Lots of people being amazed by all there was to see and do.

Want to do research, all these computers connect to Internet

Two classsrooms for family history classes.

This is a slide scanner, going to be using this soon this summer

Just a block  north is the St. George LDS Temple

Physical CHALLENGES

Reaching the age of 77 this summer has brought its health challenges. After a fall at home several months ago, suddenly my shoulder was very painful and I couldn't use it. Well, no problem except when you want to reach for something or try to get clothes on or off. Not fun, so a trip to an orthopedic doctor came back with the diagnosis of slightly torn rotator cuff. I didn't even know I had one until my left shoulder started to ache and then the pain went down my arm.

Well, the treatment I chose was a steroid shot and exercises to do at home. i remember asking my doctor if the shot would hurt and he said I don't think so. Which was silly because I've been getting monthly shots in my left eye for over a year for some vision problems after my cataract surgery. Of course, they numb your eye with drops. Well, the shot didn't hurt and helped so much. Now I'm doing daily exercises and improving lots. Thanks to hubby who has stepped up to the plate and helped lots with daily tasks. Here's a poem I wrote about it.

Torn Rotator Cuff

A teacher always there

twenty four hours

night and day a reminder

of my humanness.

A dull ache unless I try

to move quickly then

pain increases, mobility

is optional, stiffness rules.

What life's lessons

await me from this?

I ask, the same answer

comes............patience.

Happy Father's Day

To all those men in our past and present who have stepped up to the plate to take responsibility for supporting their families with their labors, time and love. There are many in our lives and among our families that have stepped in when father's were missing also.

My Vernon, Johnson, Lowe, Stevens, Hortin, Wilkins fahers are my heritage.

My day and mom, he died 72 years ago today.

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THE OLD AIRPORT by Lin Floyd

            Milford, Utah June 18, 1945

Outside of town, an empty hangar stands

            alone in a forgotten place.

Breezes blow through a tattered windsock.

            Stacks of tumbleweeds trapped

by sagebrush long for release from barriers,

            to fly away to freedom...new adventures.

No airplanes use this empty landing strip now.

            Weeds take control of runways

once filled with private flying machines:       

            World War II Piper Cubs used

to train military pilots for armed conflict,

            sold as surplus...after the war.

Just a simple metal frame covered by

            thin linen with tandem seating.

Fuel tank in back balanced the engine

            with one propeller in front.

An inexpensive way...to promote

            the popular pastime of flying.

As a young girl not yet five, I remember

            soaring over this sacred sanctuary

before my father left on his last...final flight.

SURVIVING SUMMER

Life is full and despite health issues that seem to multiply as the years go by, I'm enjoying my endeavors and connections with family and friends. Good news from sports medicine doctor today my fall a couple of months ago that settled in my left shoulder is probably a slightly torn rotator cuff but is fixable or liveable without surgery just a steroid injection and exercises. Here's some photos from the past week with my friend Caryn who now lives here year round and is experiencing her first hot days of 110 degrees coming up this weekend. I suggested to her that we go to air conditioned movies or malls then hurry from AC homes to AC cars to AC events. We are enjoying our last cool mornings and being indoors working on project in the heat of the day and evenings now that SUMMER HAS ARRIVED.

Texas Sage is blooming like mad out our windows.

This we thought was a shrub became a flowering tree.

Our dry river bed is filled with blooming yucca!

Caryn is making us a gourmet ham sandwich.

So fun to listen to her fountain, watch birds, eat and talk in coolness

Coolness close to home

So happy we have some pine trees, gurgling streams and coolness within an hour's drive of us in Pine Valley mountains especially in our hot days.

All snow on mountains as melted but it's still cool up here

A fishing pond attracts many tourists

Hay is growing in the valleys

Deer like all the food everywhere to nibble on.

Listen to the Santa Clara River as it heads downward into the desert

Homeward drive through the volcanic red, black and white rocks

I love nature, it brings peace to my soul.

SUMMER IS HERE!

The official temperature today was 100 degrees. Thank goodness for air conditioning. Now to get going on a revised vacation plan to Torrey Utah which is in the mountains several hours from here. We'll save our plans for Northern Idaho and a longer trip for later. Looking forward to feeling green coolness and getting away for a few days.