tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58611302012-01-29T12:41:50.667-06:00Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.comBlogger8451100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-82024317081052226362012-01-29T12:41:00.003-06:002012-01-29T12:41:50.675-06:00

WATER a medley by Steve Marsh   a man is supple and weak when living hard and stiff when dead   No power or influence can be maintained, except   the hard and the strong are the signs of death the supple and changing the signs of life   by persuasion, by long suffering, by meekness and by gentleness   that which is forceful will not vanquish that which is strong will fall to

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-43127088437897040452012-01-26T21:36:00.000-06:002012-01-26T21:36:44.799-06:00

This one just made me laugh.  Clicking on the ad?  Meh.  But the "I don't have anger issues.  I just prefer to solve my problems with violence." -- just seemed like half a dozen tropes all rolled into one.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-89601349452200106052012-01-26T07:22:00.001-06:002012-01-26T07:22:59.545-06:00

I used to post annually on the death days for my daughters.  Then I let a rather nasty troll keep me from it because I did not want to deal with the pain. But Jessica died on the 26th of January, and I do not forget her.  As for the troll, may they be cursed to hold on to their own pain, until it is consumed and frees them. I also wanted to remember and note the passing of Mary Adams.  She was

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-19561353386716869622012-01-20T13:10:00.000-06:002012-01-20T13:10:43.653-06:00

George Albert Smith was the eighth president of the LDS Church.  He suffered from  lupus erythematosus (an autoimmune disease) and was disabled for a period of about two years (bedridden from 1909 to 1912). George Albert Smith was born on April 4, 1870, in Salt Lake City. His father, John Henry Smith, and grandfather, George A. Smith, had both been counselors to Church

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-24544294202861471422012-01-15T22:11:00.000-06:002012-01-15T22:11:08.202-06:00

It is easy advice since this type of argument is a personal failing of mine. I'm going to start with an example involving beards. The classic example is someone who would like to see their husband wear a beard. They start with the argument that the beards looked so good on the old prophets. The response, is to say "don't you respect the modern, beardless prophets?" The counter response is

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-91550968988846062612012-01-08T18:54:00.000-06:002012-01-08T18:54:10.457-06:00

Grief, Loss, and Recovery is my post for Feminist Mormon Housewives' "Manuary." They were very kind, and it was good to share with them, though some of the stories of their experiences are heart rending.  Visit and read the comments.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-74207113344872420052011-12-31T13:22:00.001-06:002011-12-31T13:22:49.772-06:00

I'm half Greek.  I know, I'm blond, but so were the "fair haired Achaeans."  I have a grandfather and a grandmother who were both born in Asia Minor.  But my mother was estranged from her family, something with her dropping out of college and catching a train to run off to California to marry my father.  I met my grandparents only once.  My uncle died young, I only met one aunt through letters,

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-91795778578987664142011-12-28T11:48:00.001-06:002011-12-28T11:48:47.431-06:00

When Win and I were engaged, I visited her family for Christmas (my parents were in Saudia, unable to get exit visas).  Her mother had tried a change in the way she made chicken, going from fried to breaded and my father-in-law to be did not like it. So, we offered to go get some KFC.  We drove what seemed to be forever and no KFC was available in Walnut Creek or the environs, but we came across

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-72683569770922231142011-12-23T06:09:00.000-06:002011-12-23T06:16:59.903-06:00

A carol for the season

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-34509198148247515792011-12-13T07:08:00.003-06:002011-12-13T07:08:31.936-06:00

Job has some wonderful lessons.  For example, Job's sufferings are not complete when he loses all of his possessions.  They don't reach a fullness when his children die.  No, as he sits in the ruins of his house, covered in ashes and using a potsherd to scrape the boils from his body, his suffering reaches its peak when his home teachers show up to badger him into submission. Doesn't everyone

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-3489193209917235102011-12-11T21:40:00.001-06:002011-12-11T21:41:21.491-06:00

I go to thinking about the Christmas I bought a small live tree, Heather Nicole Marsh kept it in her room and Allison Del Rio made ornaments out of the foil covered Reeses Peanut Butter Cups they have for Christmas. We've a tree and some decorations out, but emotionally, it feels like it did then this year.  I've been asked to do a manuary post on grief and related topics, couldn't sleep

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-66363409437422184802011-12-06T21:46:00.001-06:002011-12-07T01:42:16.648-06:00

Michael Lyons got my attention years ago with some of his research and work. It was almost in parallel with Nibley (and yes, Michael did end up illustrating some of Nibley's work, so they drew together a bit over time). In the underground tomb of Fan Yen-Shih, d. A.D. 689, two painted silk veils show the First Ancestors of the Chinese, their entwined serpect bodies rotating around the invisible

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-14648444305126657252011-11-28T07:36:00.001-06:002011-11-28T07:45:12.825-06:00

I was reading someone who wondered why people were not out there confessing minor sins to their bishops and keeping anything significant to themselves.  It occurred to me that they really needed a significantly better understanding of confession, the LDS Church and life. Then I thought of this quote, from a 12-step program on step 5 (step 5 is:  Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-49081214322643904642011-11-27T11:02:00.001-06:002011-11-27T11:19:03.174-06:00

I recently read " In any case, Equality to me is also equal rights, equal justice, and equal opportunity." I'd been thinking about equal rights again.  The largest problem with the various "isms" is two-fold.  First, "others" are not different enough.   If they were, then discrimination would make sense.  Would probably still be resented, but it would at least make sense. Second, discrimination

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-8594988877335459162011-11-26T09:53:00.001-06:002011-11-26T09:56:10.224-06:00

Nikki Matthews Hunter Eavesdropping on the all-girl D&D game going on at my house, I hear, "I'm dancing on the table to detect traps... http://www.facebook.com/idahospud/posts/10150413815534207   ;)

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-3890797710101813342011-11-17T21:27:00.001-06:002011-11-18T07:39:27.582-06:00

Ok, thought I would review Mormons and Monsters (or Monsters & Mormons), given I reviewed the Catholic equivalent (Infinite Space, Infinite God) collection of short stories a while back. The volume is large -- an advantage of eprinting --  and contains a wide variety of formats, styles and genres.  I'll comment briefly on the various stories which for the most part cross Mormon or LDS settings

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-61261422638301783282011-11-17T06:56:00.000-06:002011-11-17T06:58:44.190-06:00

Opening Doors… Report Or just watch the video, below:

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-14763787119497482962011-11-17T06:54:00.000-06:002011-11-17T07:05:35.771-06:00

To just quote the facebook feeds ... Jeanne Merritt just received word that Teresa Mouser Rainbow has passed away. Sad day for all that knew and loved her, Terry you will be missed. Like Jeanne Merritt Terry fought a long battle with breast cancer, her sister said she was doing really well and just passed away in her sleep Sunday night. 17 hours ago · Like Jan Wooley

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-29206093116240900622011-11-13T12:57:00.001-06:002011-11-13T21:19:13.340-06:00

I've been thinking about this general topic for a while, then I listened to this podcast: You know the bromide: “a winner never quits, and a quitter never wins.” To which Freakonomics Radio says … Are you sure? Sometimes quitting is strategic, and sometimes it can be your best possible plan.\ To help us understand quitting, we look at a couple of key economic concepts in this episode: sunk

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-5788214652578726512011-11-12T19:31:00.001-06:002011-11-13T07:21:33.971-06:00

Since I made my youngest cry when she was a baby and heard me sing at church, obviously not me. Just ran across the website for someone I knew, in passing, in law school: http://cannongate.com/Pages/album.html http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/0be5c681fc/buzz-aldrin-s-rocket-experience -- her latest on youtube (Note, the title of the post originally had a typo in it and said "signing" rather

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-16540267481734924832011-11-12T16:44:00.001-06:002011-11-12T16:44:51.596-06:00

Who wants a style of her own, including a lack of 90 degree angles and slightly off level surfaces.  We are working on compromises now. Which is much of life.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-29453135539160964682011-11-11T19:14:00.001-06:002011-11-11T19:31:01.151-06:00

One thing I appreciate about grief support groups and 12 step groups is the "express no opinions on outside issues" stance -- based on hard lessons learned.  If you are a parent whose child has died, I don't care if you are a Republican, a Democrat, a Maoist or a Randian, you are in pain.  The shared pain binds us together, the other matters are not relevant. It becomes more significant as you

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-79601026833522703432011-11-08T21:26:00.000-06:002011-11-11T19:07:16.265-06:00

I've seen a lot of discussions about "privilege" in passing, including a rather long diatribe about neuroprivilege (or the way that those who lack certain psychological afflictions are privileged), that pretty much biased me on the point. But then I was reading a post that I very much agreed with when I hit this in the comments:  one of which pointed out that discussing things in terms of

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-37940637028333044652011-11-06T07:52:00.000-06:002011-11-08T20:10:29.389-06:00

Introduction Recently I read the autobiography of someone whose learning curve was different from the norm and who may have had some ADD (attention deficit disorder).  His final post in the series was at: http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=14045 Some background Many of the experiences he had, I had as well.  My third and fourth grade teachers were trying to "mainstream" a

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-58788694570566235622011-11-03T21:37:00.002-05:002011-11-03T21:37:22.930-05:00

I know, this looks like an advertisement. I know, this is a copy of an advertisement. But (1) no one is paying or compensating me to post this and (2) it is really neat stuff.  So, I'm sharing it. For an alternative to these tiny houses, http://www.desertteardrops.com/window.html TUMBLEWEED TINY HOUSE COMPANY Deelighted For six years, Dee Williams has been living in her

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-24283675469497859972011-11-02T07:53:00.002-05:002011-11-02T07:54:00.731-05:00

http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/2011/11/what-would-comfort-you/2914/  That is a fair question and a good one, that Matt asks.  You can read all of this, or you can jump down to where I answer the question directly rather than explain why, in some ways, it is harder than it looks. There are some problems. That is why the problem is harder than it looks Some people refuse to be comforted.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-51950182299970060152011-10-28T18:54:00.001-05:002011-10-28T18:54:27.413-05:00

That is the topic I address at: http://www.wheatandtares.org/2011/10/28/so-what-is-scripture/ I think it is both more and less than many people use it for, wider and narrower than what they accept.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-27976121591905507062011-10-26T08:01:00.004-05:002011-10-26T08:01:57.684-05:00

I've taken to using LinkedIn updates as a stepping board for looking for old classmates on Facebook.  Slowly, but surely touching base with the people I can find from high school through law school.  For the most part I'm just curious about how they are doing. But then I get comments like "what a nice looking family you have..you seem very happy."  My response is always something soft.  I'm glad

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-75933593968438646102011-10-24T15:22:00.001-05:002011-10-24T15:22:37.181-05:00

Recently, in Feminist Mormon Housewives, the “Mormon Therapist” asked a question about what a child should do it they had gone to their (step)mother about being sexually abused by their brother, the (step)mother had taken them to the bishop and the bishop had sent them to CPS (Child Protective Services) but the stepmother had not gone out of fear at what CPS would do to the family. It was

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-2849130026034321772011-10-24T13:38:00.002-05:002011-10-24T13:38:44.557-05:00

I knew Owen while I was at law school.  Later I heard that he had done a typical days work, where he put in some voluntary overtime so he could share money with someone in need, had stopped by the widow next door to fix her porch and then had gone home where he was shot to death by police officers in his own kitchen. Obviously there was more to the story.  Owen had been in an automobile accident

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-51129215835594192412011-10-23T09:07:00.000-05:002011-10-23T09:07:04.288-05:00

Or just a house party.  We've had a couple FMH bloggersnackers at the house, those were fun, but there were lots of people who just wouldn't come to one that I linked to FMH. So maybe just call this one a free range bloggersnacker or something. Next, figure out a date for it.  Then the menu (for various special food needs).

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-80464711345892414712011-10-22T11:55:00.002-05:002011-10-22T11:55:23.052-05:00

Well. West Side Story Dallas | MusicHallatFairPark.org We went last night, to finish up the night at the state fair with a musical rather than Randy Travis.  I'm not that much into country-western, but I think it was close to a real mistake. Someone decided to translate a number of the songs into muddled Spanglish to be sung in a rather muffled, opaque way to where the words kind of

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-352484674284121892011-10-20T19:56:00.001-05:002011-10-20T19:56:40.503-05:00

Lets be honest.  I oppose abortion.  I am very "pro-life."  But, like Cain, who is running for president, I really think that the decision, at the end, is between the woman involved and God, with others having a duty to do many things, including letting the woman involved have the final choice. Now, I believe in informed choices.  I was struck when reading about an abortion clinic in Dallas

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-90697278604509933482011-10-18T08:43:00.001-05:002011-10-18T08:43:53.893-05:00

Was talking with a friend and he said that about the time you turn fifty or so you need to accept that with greater frequency the people in your life will start dying or becoming incapacitated. Early on in my life I had the misfortune of having a number of people who liked me very much and believed in me a good deal who were also at the end of their work (and often personal) lives.  In my late

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-68037770815911211342011-10-17T18:44:00.000-05:002011-10-17T18:44:22.900-05:00

Regarding Suzette Haden Elgin I was asked to "tell everyone that she's really sorry, but she just can't communicate anymore. She just can't focus on things well enough to even answer an email, let alone talk to anyone." I'm certain she would be grateful for prayers, but she is not always lucid and can not take the strain of communicating with people.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-43961654871424416692011-10-17T06:43:00.003-05:002011-10-17T06:43:45.765-05:00

It can be hard to believe in the Bible.  For example, it says: When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-41852229435333402562011-10-16T10:49:00.002-05:002011-10-16T11:05:27.573-05:00

I've returned my LG Thrill to AT&T for an iPhone.  I pick up the iPhone Monday. In general, I'm only a mixed fan of Apple products.  The iTouch my wife had for work, that I've inherited, is not a bad ebook reader (the kindle app works very well).  Makes a good mp3 player.  The podcasts I've downloaded still don't show up reliably. As for the brand new Mac my wife got ... well, she was using my

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-68799807054432796612011-10-15T21:43:00.003-05:002011-10-15T21:43:46.296-05:00

Especially if you are one of the dispossessed? By dispossessed I mean that you don't have the right relatives, you don't have friends, you aren't educated, you may have disabilities.  I grew up in trailer parks, I've known a lot of the dispossessed. Often there is a confluence between the issue of being dispossessed and having to deal with "minor" apostasy.  I'm putting "minor" in quotes on

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-79492897953864323962011-10-15T19:04:00.001-05:002011-10-15T19:04:32.564-05:00

Something that happens in large organizations is that there are many voices.  On any topic, there will be many voices, and there comes a question of what and who is heard, and what they are heard to be saying. Part of what happens is what people read into their audience.  Of my two mission presidents, the first had dealt with young men most of his life as a university professor.  The second

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-3574718656303173562011-10-15T14:29:00.004-05:002011-10-15T14:29:44.655-05:00

To figure out whats eating you, quit eating. If you eat in response to stress, you can get a better feel for what is causing your stress by not eating so you can feel it. Well worth remembering.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-9316533597956650852011-10-14T08:47:00.000-05:002011-10-15T14:28:16.612-05:00

I've caught myself being grouchy with people recently.  Mostly it is with someone who is being critical or complaining.  I'm thinking I just need to stop being grouchy, or at least stop posting when I am grouchy. Now I would not advise that for everyone.  I think I love Annegb's posts as much for the forthright honesty they have as for anything else, and if she did not express herself when she

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-1455274651440559062011-10-08T13:27:00.000-05:002011-10-08T13:27:12.258-05:00

A forum inspired by the novel Sunshine, but just the recipes that would have been in the book if there had only been room: http://robinmckinleysblog.com/forum/index.php?t=thread&frm_id=11& Sunshine is the one recommended by NPR as one of the 100 best SF novels of all time. While the author is extremely insistent that there will never be a sequel, it turns out there is another novel coming in

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-45763310504606693062011-10-08T11:40:00.000-05:002011-10-08T11:41:02.075-05:00

Christians in the Hand of an Angry God (part 1) and Perry camp plays the Mormon card  . Just seem to go together.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-87436056271221782212011-10-06T07:53:00.003-05:002011-10-06T07:53:53.902-05:00

I read a beautiful, poetic post at http://segullah.org/daily-special/pictures-of-the-dead/#comment-193661 about a mother and her stillborn child.  It is touching, honest, direct. It also embodies a truth -- our pain is our pain and it is as large, or larger, than we are.  There is never something less or trivial about another's pain. I remember the first time that hit home.  Some friends of

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-46763153336353228302011-10-05T08:26:00.002-05:002011-10-05T08:26:55.859-05:00

I got an interesting communication asking me if I, or anyone else related to Thomas B. Marsh, had ever contacted the Church on "setting the record straight." Hi Stephen how are you? We haven't had any communication in years. I have always wanted to ask you if you were a distant relative of Thomas B Marsh. If you are and knowing what you know have you or any Marsh's asked the church to set the

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-28807747511811776812011-10-02T21:26:00.001-05:002011-10-05T07:43:56.934-05:00

Well, I can be connected with the house wifi network and this app can't find the wifi ... It used to sync over the usb cable, which, of course, would be perfect.  The wifi is really a complete bust. Though, at least, I now get "android disabled secured with wep" error messages with the phone and the house wifi. Guess that is part of their goal to push me to a higher data plan. Well, I'm

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-19321361864724522332011-10-01T22:10:00.001-05:002011-10-01T22:10:49.505-05:00

Read Kahil Gibran on death, listen to this song, think of Raymond, you have the heart of the funeral. You would know the secret of death. But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life? The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light. If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life. For

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-8899502853467668632011-09-28T16:54:00.000-05:002011-09-30T16:52:31.373-05:00

I've had two guys I knew commit suicide this year, both guys who used to work in the same office as I did, though they were not close to me.  Then, this morning, I heard that Raymond  had taken his own life. He was a guy in a group with me, who I had been reaching out to, and text messaging until my cell phone died (and took a number of phone numbers with it) a week or so back.  I got the news

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-53592506161080683562011-09-27T08:05:00.000-05:002011-09-27T08:05:06.453-05:00

Sometimes it is interesting to find myself in my life.  I'm used to an emotional ebb and flow that goes with specific dates or holidays that have migrated themselves.  December 26 and January 26 as days children died.  Valentines day, before and after.  (Jessica and Courtney were born two days before and two days after Valentines, they died January 26 and December 26).  Robin managed to

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-77170119266784257882011-09-18T11:41:00.003-05:002011-09-18T11:41:57.723-05:00

You know what, though? Having stood on the other side, I hope that isn’t the truth. I need to believe that part of the reason she has come through with such grace is because she doesn’t have to explain herself every where she goes. People just know, and they either accept it or they don’t, and there is no hemming and hawing around the edges. I want that. I want to be known as who I truly am, not

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-46984160626609299342011-09-18T11:19:00.000-05:002011-09-18T11:27:52.665-05:00

I've been listening to the podcasts from Writing Excuses.  First I got the first three seasons on CD.  Now I have the five season DVD to listen to.  But it has made me appreciate some books more and some authors a lot more. The Alloy of Law: A Mistborn novel.. Yes, I'm really looking forward to it.  Have already read the on-line chapters, and the cover is close to perfect.  http://

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-49569281607921399342011-09-11T09:41:00.001-05:002011-09-11T09:41:15.452-05:00

evil and deluded men ... I was thinking about that comment in a blog post, and it made me reflect that for the most part, much of what is going on in the world today is weaponizing mental illness. I realize that there are alternative names for suicide bombers, though the alternatives actually are ones that the bombers would prefer. But what is significant about so many of them is that they

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-68948912550641970962011-09-11T09:24:00.001-05:002011-09-11T09:24:46.131-05:00

I noted that my preference in theoretical politics is libertarian marxism.  That is where the state controls the banks and the military/police (including regulatory power) but uses the market for distribution. In application that means state sponsorship of worker managed industries.  The problem with those is that they run into serious problems when there is a significant rate of technological

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-62563483402394347042011-09-05T10:39:00.001-05:002011-09-05T10:44:35.797-05:00

Another version I very much like is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux2jJubwQew But this is a song that has always touched me.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-50750459042799163442011-09-03T23:45:00.000-05:002011-09-03T23:45:38.781-05:00

They now have a users page to support blogging, etc. It has been fun to share this edition of the Bible with family, friends and my children.  We have it on I-touch/I-phones at home, in print and, of course, on-line. ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// I was asked about false friends.  The type that you leave the room and they will be

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-78447887413620884702011-09-03T21:19:00.000-05:002011-09-03T21:19:09.742-05:00

I once consulted on a capital murder case where the accused was, I believe, innocent of the crime he was accused of, a simple murder in the course of a burglary.  The real reason everyone knew he was innocent is that he always raped the women he murdered in the course of burglaries.  This person had not been raped, only murdered. But it made me think of relative innocence -- not to mention, that

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-85403719088783672652011-08-29T20:56:00.000-05:002011-08-29T20:56:40.063-05:00

Several things.  First, I've moved my comments on writing off of this blog and over to my occasional "off-topic" blog at http://apostephen.blogspot.com/ Second, a new set of affirmations. I can love those whom God loves. God loves me and I can love myself. God's healing can not harm me. I can accept God's Work and Glory. I can accept God's love. Third, I'm going to start work on a law

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-61199961731058694802011-08-27T22:47:00.000-05:002011-08-27T22:47:48.555-05:00

Reframing things can be a powerful tool.  I've had two times when reframing made a significant difference. The first involved two of my nephews.  There was a book I wanted written for them.  In my mind I knew just the author to write it, someone with over a million volumes in print and scores of titles.  I approached them and suggested that they write the book.  Silly man, she said, I've been

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-82584874763172721692011-08-19T19:00:00.000-05:002011-08-19T19:00:29.715-05:00

Fifteen minutes long, because you're in a hurry, and we're not that smart.I was given the first three seasons on CD as a gift for Christmas.  I'm just listening to them now.  I'm midway through the first CD (all the podcasts are available, both podcast and transcript, for free at http://www.writingexcuses.com/ ). From the first, I now know that if I want to pitch a YA novel, my letter should go:

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-88606817401483616402011-08-17T21:33:00.001-05:002011-08-17T21:38:44.078-05:00

To start with, I have not the slightest idea of how mission presidents are trained or oriented now.  This is really about how I wish some of them had been given the chance to think thirty years ago. Day one, for orientation, have them read the essay Pillars of My Faith and then write down three comments they would make to the author.  Follow that by reading some comments with approval and

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-37263317633979807062011-08-17T08:09:00.000-05:002011-08-17T08:09:15.208-05:00

It is important to seek God's view of ourselves from time to time.  For me, it often brings to mind places I need to improve, changes I need to make. But very often, for those who have self loathing and self hatred, it brings them to repentance, to an acceptance that if God loves them, then perhaps they can love themselves.  I have been struck at times by just how much God approves of some

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-15134075719804872822011-08-14T21:55:00.001-05:002011-08-14T21:56:54.382-05:00

Got to see my mom on her mission and to take her to dinner and go to church with her.  Otherwise, on this vacation, I spent most of it visiting family.  Got to see Heather, Mike and Robin at BYU, my in-laws and Kelly the cat in Washington, and my brother-in-law George and his wife and children in Washington as well.  So very busy, but very much worth seeing everyone. Got to see one of the mice

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-35046655653122822242011-08-03T08:20:00.001-05:002011-08-03T11:45:31.191-05:00

I ran across a post about "How EFY Promotes Immodesty." Now I have a strong dislike for bathos and sentimentality.  I grew up in trailerparks and below the poverty line and definitely on the wrong end of most social divides.  But I am aware that -- as pointed out in http://www.wheatandtares.org/2011/07/21/reflections-on-efy/ -- that the Church is providing financial support for attendance at EFY

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-60077407393168518392011-07-27T20:25:00.000-05:002011-07-27T20:25:26.986-05:00

I ran across this and really liked it. 1. Get Connected- You know, make friends and then make more friends. Probably not a bad idea. 2. Keep a Journal- Do you think a blog no one reads would count? 3. Take Care of Yourself- Not as easy as it sounds, but I think this one is worth the effort and it should pay off in the long run, whether it builds resiliency or not. 4. Remain Hopeful-

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-56862164762373663012011-07-27T20:19:00.000-05:002011-07-27T20:19:03.727-05:00

Who can resist someone talking about Ignoratio Elenchi? http://pix2brix.com/ -- worth a visit

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-71938798094363841382011-07-18T08:13:00.000-05:002011-07-18T08:13:42.402-05:00

Yesterday, while we were on the way to Church, our eleven year old interrupted us with a "you've got to read this."  We had her read it to us.  She had just finished Matthew Chapter 6 and had to share it. Of course they had read it a couple of weeks ago at Church.  Not the same impact.  She's smart (three standard deviations above her class's norm on her latest assessment scores), but two weeks

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-59358006242521940752011-07-09T15:23:00.001-05:002011-07-09T15:26:42.312-05:00

Ok, we saw this at the Plano public library and brought it home along with another movie that the staff recommended.  The version we watched was in Hindi with English sub-titles. 2007 copyright. Wiki summary at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vivah The one we watched had a different cover than these two covers (which apparently are the ones for the American export versions): Vivah

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-35903935579381362532011-07-07T06:14:00.001-05:002011-07-07T06:14:49.977-05:00

So, there was a recent thread on "intellectuals" where the starting post noted that the word: it connotes not intelligence (a word with its own Mormon history), but a certain kind of attitudinal disorder.  Indeed, I have since learned that to qualify among the Saints as an intellec-chal requires neither grades, nor credentials, nor learning, nor for that matter, intellect, but only the disturbing

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-39590783963166980212011-07-03T07:49:00.001-05:002011-07-03T07:49:39.681-05:00

There is a short story, with a longer name than just "Persistence of Vision" but it evokes the feeling of things that endure.  I have to admit I am always amazed at the endurance of emotional resonances in my life. For example, while Robin was born on July 6 and died on August 31, I still associate the 4th of July and Labor Day with her birth and death and emotionally they hit me on those days

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-20650258559810438852011-06-26T20:26:00.000-05:002011-06-26T20:26:38.993-05:00

We had our regional Jubilee.  It was obviously not a product of correlation. Parts were good.  Parts were hideous.  Parts were funny (such as the "ohh, look at that cute lesbian couple" remark one person in the audience managed to say at a moment their voice would carry).  They had clips of lots and lots of the kids saying things.  No universal format.  No apparent style guide.  Kind of fresh,

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-25681795038750046002011-06-21T19:22:00.001-05:002011-06-21T20:22:24.628-05:00

This week I had the first good Father's Day I've had since 1992. I've started half a dozen posts on Father's Day, from one about my dad's music (based on NPR) to a grief recover one, to just my surprise at not only how pleasant the day was, but how much I appreciate my wife's live and kindness and my children. I'm still not completely able to express any of that, but it was a good day. I miss

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-64755687269915558272011-06-12T21:44:00.000-05:002011-06-12T21:44:53.766-05:00

http://vimeo.com/20143344 Tourette Syndrome: Up Close from Cut to Create on Vimeo. It was a great loss in more ways than one when she fell off that cliff. She has the 3/4" she lost in height from the fall. It has finally come back. But she missed camp this year, that is something that won't come back.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-33267121483659156772011-06-04T06:35:00.000-05:002011-06-04T06:35:14.515-05:00

I've enjoyed a number of various conventions over the years.  I've spoken at a number of different groups and meetings.  What is fun is that so few of my interests have significant overlap.  The ADR professionals are really not very interested in RPGS.  The lawyers who have an interest in ethics are not necessary ones interested in the other legal areas I am asked to present in. But I really

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-34312739628451790592011-05-28T10:11:00.001-05:002011-05-28T10:27:39.015-05:00

I participate in a men's group on Saturday mornings.  It does my heart good.  I've been attending for years now.  Recently, I found someone else in it painful enough that I started showing up late, leaving early, looking for excuses not to be a part.  The group has dropped significantly in attendance. That person has gotten under control and it was great to see the guys this morning.  They are

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-44121792313211493172011-05-27T07:07:00.000-05:002011-05-27T07:07:46.607-05:00

Well, actually it turned out they wanted to call my dad, but they asked her permission (and did not even ask him).  She said yes, and when he got back in town from his assignment (he was on the district counsel) he was informed he had been called, and sustained in his absence. They left him on the district counsel so that they could have someone in both callings present for the reorganization.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-62333941132986906952011-05-24T21:32:00.000-05:002011-05-24T21:32:35.726-05:00

Especially when you are trying to watch the weather on the television.  I'm still not sure why ours went off.  The intense weather is south of here.  Glad I'm not trying to watch a Texas Ranger game at the ballpark in Arlington. Going to get everyone to bed early tonight, and settle everyone in now. Peace. And my prayers for those in Joplin and other places where the sirens were for them.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-71135246693734875392011-05-24T00:08:00.001-05:002011-05-24T07:52:17.579-05:00

There are three kinds of mysteries.  The mysteries of godliness, by which men become more like God.  Faith, hope and charity are the chief among these. Next are the mysteries of creation. If the mysteries of godliness are the similar to knowing how to live in a house, the mysteries of creation are similar to knowing how to build a house (most people think of these when they think of "mysteries")

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-65499393864740227192011-05-18T22:18:00.000-05:002011-05-18T22:18:37.058-05:00

"Leave rationalization behind and begin to practice integrity ... " (from a 12-step manual) Utopias fail for a number of reasons. The biggest reasons are: Failure of economic alignment Generational conflicts Collapses of integrity Loss of community Insufficient resources. Collapses in integrity can be driven by economic or generational issues, but are often just greed.  The early LDS

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-11062584226264744992011-05-15T17:51:00.000-05:002011-05-15T17:51:07.963-05:00

Seems strange, but blogger managed to lock me out for a while.  Suddenly, today, my password is working again, as if nothing had ever changed.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-77394215508593559982011-05-03T20:37:00.000-05:002011-05-03T20:37:57.217-05:00

Christ often remarked on commandments and rules that existed because of the weakness of the people and that reflected not the eternal world, but instead the cultural and social failings of the people.  On divorce, mocking others, tithing, charity and a number of other topics he had cause to address those types of commandments. First, he would affirm that the commandment was of God. Second, he

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-50980200614611961372011-05-01T11:49:00.000-05:002011-05-01T11:49:14.564-05:00

After the reading in the Bar Mitzvah we attended yesterday, my wife pointed me to a line of analysis that would strongly imply that the priesthood is only given to those who are truly free. The priesthood ban reflects nothing lacking in Blacks, but rather the sin and oppression (not yet ended) that they were enduring. In that analysis one finds a similar conclusion that women not having

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-41326202526744023192011-04-24T11:34:00.000-05:002011-04-24T11:34:33.759-05:00

A good lead into Easter. All around improvements for Rachel.  Got to talk to Heather, will see her not too long from now.  Get to hear Win breathing when I'm asleep. May Easter be joyous for you.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-82222433240597991342011-04-12T07:19:00.000-05:002011-04-12T07:19:33.622-05:00

Pictures of the new lights I promised to upload for Heather.  

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-56660853547703944562011-04-11T08:19:00.000-05:002011-04-11T08:19:23.410-05:00

Phoebe in Wonderland - DVD (June 23, 2009) Starring Felicity Huffman and Elle Fanning Phoebe in Wonderland (Theatrical Release Packaging) - DVD (June 23, 2009) A movie about a child with Tourette's Syndrome, a mother who blames herself, obsessive-compulsive behavior and Alice in Wonderland.  Made me just about cry.  If  your child has Tourette's, you will really see yourself in this film.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-28965164485506767362011-04-03T20:56:00.000-05:002011-04-03T20:56:04.824-05:00

~ REGISTER NOW ~ "Religion, Conflict, and Peace:" Walking The Talk to Compassion and Harmony April 8-10, 2011 Henry Ford Community College Dearborn, Michigan USA A Multi-disciplinary, Multi-cultural Conference an Official Partner and Event of the Charter For Compassion and the Parliament of World's Religions Keynotes by: Huston Smith and Rabbi David RosenTo be confirmed: US

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-25044193956339456942011-03-23T21:43:00.000-05:002011-03-23T21:43:44.326-05:00

We refuse to be bound by the interpretations which others place upon our beliefs, or by what they allege must be the practical consequences of our doctrines. Men have no right to impute to us what they think may be the logical deduction from our beliefs, but which we ourselves do not accept. So often it seems that someone else tries to define for us what we are, what we believe, in whom we

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-80564498392459031012011-03-17T16:45:00.000-05:002011-03-17T16:46:08.229-05:00

Ok, not a car or even a bicycle, but she is getting really good with this new vehicle.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-35890269255465413602011-03-14T19:48:00.000-05:002011-03-14T19:48:33.773-05:00

http://www.turnerfallspark.com/ is the location, has always been a family favorite. Transverse process fractures, lung contusion, fracture to left heel, bruised, split her pants.   http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00368 kind of explains what a transverse process fracture is.  To quote "transverse process fractures are predominantly treated with gradual increase in motion, with or

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-33588263126873317882011-03-12T21:40:00.000-06:002011-03-12T21:40:48.865-06:00

About my experience at the gym today ... Other threads about my lifting at: http://tnation.t-nation.com/free_online_forum/sports_body_training_performance_bodybuilding_senior/returning_to_iron http://tnation.t-nation.com/free_online_forum/sports_body_training_performance_bodybuilding_senior/the_over_50_lifter My training this year has been spotty.  Realized I need to just lift to lift, not for

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-90338179033804037552011-03-03T20:38:00.000-06:002011-03-03T20:38:07.745-06:00

There have been some discussions stemming from a woman in Utah who spent about thirty-two thousand dollars on a small child's birthday party. Themes of this type have a long history in the bloggernacle. Other groups have them too, such as concerns in Jewish quarters about six and seven figure bar mitzvah parties. There is even a television series. But it made me think of going shopping for

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-67690761882507774802011-02-26T10:21:00.001-06:002011-03-03T20:39:11.265-06:00

February always finds you folding local papers open to the faces “passed away,” to wonder what they’re holding in those hands we’re never shown. The places formal photographs refuse to mention. His tiny feet, that birthmark on her knee. The tyranny of framing our attention with all the eyes their eyes no longer see. And darkness comes too early, you won’t find the many things you owe these

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-7441528682926917992011-02-23T21:30:00.001-06:002011-02-23T21:41:07.754-06:00

I listened to a law school dean talk about the law school bubble.  It was interesting.  We talked later as well and then I talked with others.  This is a mix of what was said, my thoughts and the thoughts of others on the recent discussion about the law school bubble. First, one thing that a law school can do to move itself up in the rankings is to spend more money (it does not matter on what

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-19242344642990886312011-02-16T21:25:00.000-06:002011-02-16T21:25:26.233-06:00

Courtney would have been nineteen today, the 16th of February. Jessica would have been twenty-five on the 12th.  Robin would have turned fourteen later this year.  I have to admit, I am weak.  In many ways I am still completely undone by their deaths in the time between 1993 and four and a half years later. I tend to feel that much of my life has passed me by, washed away by death and loss and

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-79101094276231466372011-02-02T01:22:00.003-06:002011-02-02T01:43:31.774-06:00

Seems appropriate that right after the snowflake ball (a girl scout activity) we had a lot of snow flakes. 18 degrees and dropping, snow and glare ice, just closed the freeway again. I'm off to work, they only gave us a delayed opening. ............................................. I wanted to add something.  This last week was really rough. It started with some events that triggered many of my

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-33771073774642559542011-01-31T21:27:00.001-06:002011-02-02T01:44:18.211-06:00

The most incredible part of what is going on is the places where the demonstrators are responding to beatings with serving water and refreshments to the police after the beatings. The ongoing story is incredible.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-53445473716195652012011-01-27T18:48:00.001-06:002011-01-29T05:21:35.048-06:00

I have a simple riff I've done on "what are guys thinking?"  It is kind of funny, kind of true (when limited to "guys" -- that is the mainstream social construct you are likely to encounter in America). I've a second riff that relates to the results of what happens as guys transition to being men and how they learn to see the real beauty in people around them rather than skin deep.  The two kind

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-1385137008908414882011-01-25T20:20:00.000-06:002011-01-25T20:20:05.722-06:00

I was really feeling swamped at work, a failure in my personal life and just overwhelmed.  Then Win came back from visiting her aunt Bobbie and I'm suddenly feeling hope and light again. I miss my girls.  I miss much of what I hoped my life would be.  But my dear wife gives me such hope and joy. It is hard to explain, but it is a little like being reborn every time I see her.

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-30581135826241292502011-01-12T07:37:00.001-06:002011-01-12T07:45:13.408-06:00

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-25022642546513500942011-01-11T08:32:00.001-06:002011-01-11T08:37:00.049-06:00

Was looking at some wedding pictures.  The bride's parents looked old.  I turned to my wife, "that's not right.  I'm sure I'm the only one who looks old these days."  Guess it is happening to all of us. Life is full of surprises.  We had some house guests for a funeral.  They were quieter than the cat. What else can I say about them, other than they were more pleasant than the cat as well. Lots

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861130.post-17527365387929079652011-01-04T21:19:00.001-06:002011-01-04T21:22:44.268-06:00

has a blog ... http://yes-i-ka.blogspot.com/2010/11/m-family.html We were very pleased with her work, and the pricing is the best I've encountered in a long while. And someone, bless their hearts, blogged about me: http://honoringourangels.blogspot.com/2010/12/ethesis.html Also, pictures of Krista Oakes and her family about a month before she died.  She was so filled with life: http://

Stephenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00219023897626648057noreply@blogger.com3