What's going on?

I'm wondering if the planets are in/out of alignment--strange happenings across the land--for example:

--Sun in the NW forecast for next five days
--Trina misses the greenery of Washington
--Mike starts a blog
--Rebecca and Sylvia will fly to Seattle end of April, then drive with Amy 280 miles to Spokane for "Time out for women"
--I tear out two bushes only to replant three
--My oldest just turned 41 and I'm 4 months from 67
--I have no lesson or workshop or talk to prepare this week
--No medical appointments this week

What's next....?

Spring pruning

Spring is in the air here in the lush NW and our arborist and his two man crew are working their magic on our tall firs, decorative trees and various shrubs.  We had them pull out some useless bushes, grind down some stumps and shape the trees--snip, snip, snip--our yard is getting a serious haircut--high and tight!

Homonyms

Was reading a clever article on homonyms plus saw on FB that Barry and Rebecca had joined a homonym group. Thought you might enjoy this poem about homonyms and spell checker.

An Ode to the Spelling Chequer

Prays the Lord for the spelling chequer
That came with our pea sea!
Mecca mistake and it puts you rite
Its so easy to ewes, you sea.

I never used to no, was it e before eye?
(Four sometimes its eye before e.)
But now I've discovered the quay to success
It's as simple as won, too, free!

Sew watt if you lose a letter or two,
The whirled won't come two an end!
Can't you sea? It's as plane as the knows on yore face
S. Chequer's my very best friend

I've always had trubble with letters that double
"Is it one or to S's?" I'd wine
But now, as I've tolled you this chequer is grate
And its hi thyme you got won, like mine.

—Janet E. Byford

Odds and Ends

Here's what's new this week:
--Had a nice talk with son Mike--congrats on the new home--pictures were great! Really glad you and the kids are moving out of gangland.

--Missed going to to the temple today but needed time to put finishing touches on on my presentation tonight at relief society: Spiritual Foundations of a Joyous Marriage; just wrapped it up and am going to relax until it's time to go

--Arborist came yesterday, gave us an estimate on pruning our 11 evergreens and our numerous decorative trees; also going to grind down three stumps and pull out two large bushes; Melba wants to plant two or three burning bushes or whatever they're called--bright red leaves in the fall--very popular around here (see image)

--Lawn mower guy dropped by to pick up my mower for spring tune-up; the lawn is already starting to grow and the crocuses and tulips have already stuck their little heads up out of the ground and are trying to decide whether to bud or not

A small speed bump in Melba's health care

Melba and I met with a doctor today as part of her pre-surgery visits. Everything was good except her hemoglobin was too low so the doc can't recommend surgery yet. So she'll have to meet with her GI doc, find out what the problem is, fix it, and hope we can get her labs up in time for her scheduled surgery on 2 Mar. Semper Gumby--always flexible!

Reflections on marriage_Part 2_the lighter side

Thought I'd share a couple of marriage jokes I have used over the years to humorously highlight husband and wife gender differences:

1. One night a wife found her husband standing over their baby’s crib. Silently she watched him. As he stood looking down at the sleeping infant, she saw on his face a mixture of emotions: disbelief, doubt, delight, amazement, enchantment, skepticism. Touched by this unusual display and the deep emotions it aroused, with eyes glistening she slipped her arm around her husband and softly said, “A penny for your thoughts.” “It’s amazing!” he replied. “I just can’t see how anyone…can make a crib like that for only $146.00!!”

2. A policeman spots a woman driving and knitting at the same time. Driving up beside her, he shouts out the window at her: “Pull over.” “No”, she shouts back, “a sweater!”

There you have it--viva la difference!

Reflections on marriage

Next Wednesday I'm giving a presentation to our ward Relief Society on the "spiritual foundations of a joyful marriage". I'm currently in the "review of literature" phase and thought I'd share some snippets that struck me as interesting or insightful.

--"I am satisfied that a happy marriage is not so much a matter of romance as it is an anxious concern for the comfort and well-being of one's companion." (Gordon B. Hinckley)
--"Many couples permit their marriages to become stale and their love to grow cold like old bread or worn-out jokes or cold gravy. Certainly the foods most vital for love are consideration, kindness, thoughtfulness, concern, expressions of affection, embraces of appreciation, admiration, pride, companionship, confidence, faith, partnership, equality, and interdependence." (Spencer W. Kimball)
--A lack of time in a marriage is a greater problem than a lack of money
--"Our love for [our] spouse...is reflected most powerfully in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds." (David A. Bednar)
--"When you are forgiving you can drop the burden of resentment and anger. It is a better way to experience each day." (Larry Jensen)
--Problems occur in marriage when we violate gospel principles. Redemptive healing and peace comes through obedience to gospel principles.
--"God designed marriage to make us both happy and holy". (Carol Heffernan)