I was swimming with my friends in Water Fitness the other day and three of us were in the deep end, where the topic was "grandmas." Kathy told us that her grandma, who was in failing health and practically on her deathbed, asked Kathy’s mother to go to the bank and get cash for her purse. She always liked to have cash in her purse. “It’s good luck to have some cash in your purse,” Grandma said. So, Kathy’s mom went to the bank and cashed a check for Grandma, brought home the money, and Grandma put it in her purse. A week later Grandma died. After her funeral, at the wake, the caterer came up to Kathy’s mom and said, “I’m sorry, but we don’t take checks. I’m going to need cash for this food. The total is $400.” Kathy’s mom had no idea of this policy because she’d been busy preparing for the funeral and not the wake. She was stumped for a minute, only having credit cards and a checkbook in her purse. Then she remembered the cash in her mother’s purse and went upstairs to see if it was still there. Lo and behold, there it was - $400. Grandma saved the day at her own wake and truly was lucky in the end, after all was said and done.
Our other swim friend, Gayle, said her grandma used to tell them that when they saw a penny and picked it up, to think of her — Grandma. Now every time Gayle picks up a lucky penny she thinks of Grandma. I think I’ll tell my grandchildren the same thing. And when I find pennies I’ll remember my own Grandmas.

Litterbugs

When I walk down our country road and see the trash in our barrow pits it makes me wonder...Where's your bringin' ups, people? This is what I've noticed: For every 15 beer cans there is one soda pop with caffiene can. In the year 2010 there were no chocolate or white milk containers in the 4 mile round-trip stretch that I walk. I've drawn my conclusions, now you draw yours.

10 New Things I've Learned This Week

Even as a baby boomer who knows a little bit about this world, I'm still learning. For example: 1) Dr. Oz says that if you have yellow pit stains on your undershirts you're probably sweating at night and have a hidden virus that you need a blood test for. 2) Nate Berkus says every surface in your house is a possiblity. 3) Elder Holland expressed great love and support for us and General Conference is a great place to be. 4) Online research into dog seizures (poor Gabe has had 3 grand mals in the last 48 hours) says that some dry dog foods contain ground up dead cats and dogs and their COLLARS in the food, and that vets, like human doctors, usually just treat the symptoms of dog epilepsy. (Which may be caused by brain tumors, genetics, dog food, hypoglycemia.) 5) It's hard to touch your toes after being inert for 6 weeks because of surgery. 6) Our grandkids voices really can get more louder in a big house than in a small one. 7)Trader Joe's white cheddar popcorn is really good. 8) Uncle Woody's Butterscotch carmel popcorn is better. 9) I miss getting ready for Halloween with my little kids. 10) If you sit still for 10 seconds on the porch, orb spiders can spin their webs on you. That can make you feel kinda old. At 80 years of age, Michaelangelo said: "Ancora Imparo." Translation: "I am still learning."

Near Grace

This is my current fine art photo on display at the Eastside Association of Fine Arts spring exhibition on Mercer Island, Washington. It was one of those serendipitous moments when the evening sun is just right, pulling all the vivid colors from the earth. We were traveling in southeastern Idaho by car, going about 70 mph. I yelled to Steve as I grabbed my camera, "Roll down your window!" (I'd been taking pictures like this all along our trip.) He acted fast. I snapped. This is the happy accident that resulted. It's an unretouched digital photo. I called it "Near Grace" because we actually were nearing Grace, Idaho; but mostly because at that moment I felt God's grace so acutely in the beauty of the earth. It made me want to draw closer, nearer to His grace. When do you most feel His grace in your life?

Some of my fellow writers gather to celebrate The Film School's 5th anniversary reunion. In the front from left clockwise: Mark Bourne, Stewart Stern (screenwriter of such classic films as Rebel Without a Cause), me, and Elizabeth Bourne. We're also celebrating Mark's first event out since battling back from open heart surgery in July. Stewart wants to know what we're all working on...hmmmm. Life.

Fiona's Trick

Our kitten can lick her nose without even trying. Wouldn't it be fun if our talents came this easily? What are your talents?