Blue Moon, New Moon and No Moon

Busy morning started at 5 am when I awoke after dreaming of taking photos of the MOON HAPPENINGS. It was COLD probably around freezing when I bundled up to go outside to LOOK up at the moon. There it was being eclipsed by the earth's shadow. Of course, it's still dark and my camera even with its flash off doesn't get enough light in to take a sharp photo of the moon.

So BACK INSIDE to look up my camera's manual on my computer to know how to reset my ISO setting. That done, I'm BACK OUTSIDE, but can't hold my camera still enough to take a clear photo with a longer shutter opening. So BACK INSIDE into the warmth to find my tripod, then put my little camera on top, then BACK OUT into the cold again and the moon is almost totally eclipsed.

Well I think I'll just WAIT till it comes out of the earth's shadow to get the true color...lol! I sit down in my recliner and soon go to sleep to WAKE UP at 7:15 am to GO OUTSIDE, but the moon has gone below the horizon. So here is my photo from this morning.

Exploring Kayenta

In all the many times I've been out to Coyote Gulch in Kayenta with my friend Caryn and others, I never realized my hubby hasn't been there with me. So, today I have to take some flyers about our poetry workshops out there to distribute. Allen and I made a day of it with BBQ lunch at Desert Grill in Santa Clara then walked about Kayenta's art colony.

Love the variety of wind sculptures they have

Fun shadows from cactii

Santa Fe architecture rules here

Love the red rocks everywhere...

High priced homes everywhere

Great views every direction

You are the GIFT

Inspirational devotional talk You are the Gift given at BYU recently by Sharon Eubank of the LDS Relief Society general presidency contained great thoughts for everyone to consider in this day of turmoil in our society and divisions along political, economic and national divisions.

"If we change our perspective so that caring for the poor and the needy is less about giving stuff away and more about filling the hunger for human contact and about hearing meaningful conversations and creating rich, positive relationships, then the Lord can send us some place. Every single person can do this on his or her own. You don’t need a fund, but it’s going to take some commitment."

"We live in a world that’s coming apart," she said. "It’s being pulled apart, so that the unity of community, and the respect for other people’s beliefs and tolerance of differences and the protection of the minority voice is being shredded. It’s extremely destructive to all of us when everyone outside of this narrow little clan becomes an enemy that we’re going to vilify. As those forces in our society rise up, then so must an answering strong sentiment and a skill set on the opposite side."

Sister Eubank left BYU students with some questions to consider: "How are you going to help people who are poor in spirit? Can you stitch a relationship as well as you can stitch a quilt? What enemy are you going to start viewing as a brother?" I WOULD ADD how can we heal DIVISIONS in our own families and communities? Start being KINDER to each other, forgiving of DIFFERENCES and do some HEALING? What are your thoughts?

Take TIME to COMPLIMENT

Lately have had several people take time to COMPLIMENT me on something. Wow, if that isn't wonderful to hear in our CRITICAL world. One member of my church, commented on what a good job I do teaching. Well, I love to teach and have taught in church since 1964 when I first was asked to teach GENEALOGY. Of course, it helps if you love your topic. I love teaching others about SELF IMPROVEMENT which is what GOSPEL TEACHING is all about.

I've been teaching since 1962 when I graduated from BYU with a BS degree in Physical Education (Dance) and began work on my Masters Degree in Dance and received free tuition for graduate studies while I taught. Later I would teach DANCE for 10 years in college settings, then go back to school and received an ELEMENTARY TEACHING CREDENTIAL and I taught FIRST GRADE after my divorce-that was a challenge! While doing that I attended BYU again and got a library endorsement on my teaching credential and became a school LIBRARIAN teaching all grades.

My next JOB was COMMUNITY EDUCATION COORDINATOR for Utah State University-Uintah Basin when we moved to Roosevelt after my marriage to Allen. I loved organizing, taking and teaching some classes in a wide variety of topics: computers, writing your life story, photography, guitar, calligraphy, flower arranging, water color, weaving, basketry, petroglyph study, photoshop, wood carving, woodwork, jewelry making, cooking, etc. It was fun to find qualified teachers for various classes and actually learning new skills helped prepare me for retirement hobbies.

During the years, I've received my share of CRITICISMS also which can stop you dead in your tracks or be a GREAT TEACHER to help you improve. But I'm most thankful for loving friends and family who along the way have ENCOURAGED me and COMPLIMENTED ME. Take some time today to do that. Leave a positive compliment for a friend on a BLOG or in an EMAIL or in PERSON, it will make their day. Also a little kindness to yourself always help. What COMPLIMENT CAN YOU GIVE YOURSELF?

Making PROGRESS in the New Year

Well, I'm liking the NEW YEAR and focusing on ACT DON'T REACT and living each day with gratitude  is certainly better than just reacting to whatever comes. If that makes sense to anyone. There will always be challenges in everyone's life, but they can be valuable life lessons. I feel like I'm making PROGRESS-moving forward with worthy goals. Learning to say no to new projects that I don't have time or energy for but focusing on my priorities:

1. Studying scriptures and praying daily keeps me in tune with inspiration that can come my way.
2. Being grateful for my many blessings helps keeps me focused on the good in my life.
3. Pursuing goals and activities that I love like interacting with family, doing genealogy research, preparing lessons and teaching fills my bucket.
4. Life is good. Looking for serendipity helps....unexpected blessings.

How's your NEW YEAR coming?

Happy 49th to my son DANIEL

Amazing how fast the years fly by and my second born son is now a father of three teenagers and one almost 12 years old pre-teen, busy husband and teacher of Digital Design at UVU. He's a go-getter who accomplishes lots with his time serving others, leading his family, teaching and developing his talents and abilities. Through the years he's been there when I've needed his help with whatever-teaching me all about computers, repairing my digital equipment, coaching his younger brother's soccer team, being a mentor and supporter and great example, calling me often or emailing to see how I'm doing, cooking great meals for family get togethers, listening and asking questions that show that he cares for everyone whether in our family or in the community that surrounds him. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Son.  Love you always and forever, Mom

Special Baptism DAY

Rory is ready to be baptized by her dad, my son Jeff

Son Daniel taking a photo of Lorien and her brother Eddie who was so excited.

Five of my seven grandkids were there. Missing Emilee in France and Hakan in NM