Musings from "OLD" Paradise

Swedish Christmas

2011-12-29T18:47:00.000-08:00

We tried to have a Scandinavian Christmas Party to honor our Swedish roots. Our daughter wanted swordfish and that fit nicely. She marinated it and roasted it. We made two different kinds of soup, had salads, potatoes, cauliflour tart, and so on and on. I read about a little gnome named Tomte that lived under the floorboards in Scandinavian homes prior to the legend of St. Nick. I got the idea to make these little guys. They are made from pears, peppers, string beans, nampa cabbage, and cloves for eyes. They were a hit. Our niece Molly married a Swede and it was fun to have Swedish guests and the story of St Lucia. performed and told to us. Molly came out complete with a white gown and a crown of candles. It's a gruesome story, but worth the read.

This photo was taken by our daughter on a walk with cousins before the party.

Inversion in SLC

Daughter and Niece enjoy a gorgeous day snowboarding--the day before the party.

Holiday Sale & Events

2011-11-17T20:55:00.001-08:00

Paradise Holiday Artisan Sale
This is a really fun event that we've put together at the Paradise Town Hall on Dec. 10th, Saturday from 10 AM to 4:30 PM. We have more artisans and variety than we've ever had before. We'll have pottery, goat milk soap, decorative tiles, jewelry, crafts, baskets and drawings. Bring a can of food for the food bank and be entered in a special drawing to win pottery and handmade gifts.

We're especially lucky to have live music from our talented local musicians. Please see the link for more information.

On Dec. 2-3rd, I'll be part of the Winter Gift Market at the Bullen Arts Center. This is the best collection of artisans and gifts in Logan for the holiday season. Live music and food as well. It's free and part of the gallery walk. I'll have a wide variety of pottery, plus my novels. On the 2nd I'll be part of the Moonlight Madness sale at the Book Table.

Dec. 3rd-19th. My pottery will be part of the wonderful holiday exhibit and sale at the Finch Lane Gallery in Salt Lake at 54 Finch Lane Art Barn

When did I get so lazy?

2011-11-01T10:05:00.000-07:00

I used to love Halloween. My mom often sewed a costumes for me. Though I don't remember all of my costumes, one I remember was a Panda bear. The reason I remember was that I was sick that year so my mother said I had to go trick-or-treating while it was still light outside. This was not acceptable but it was that or nothing And since I couldn't go by myself my brother Brian and friend Geri were roped into going early. Many people asked what we were doing out so early and they weren't sure what I was so I was embarrassed. It's funny how being embarrassed makes seemingly unmemorable events move to the forefront of our cluttered brains. At the Elementary school I attended they used to have a great carnival with spook alleys and cake walks and carnival games. I loved it. As I got older we started going to all spook alleys in town. Now they of course have corn mazes, but back then it was just spook alleys. The best one was at the Utah State "Mental" Hospital (the white house on the hill). It was more frightening than others because you weren't quite certain that the guy with the chain saw and a bloody corpse wasn't an actual murderer. Fun! Later I got to participate in this spook alley for a few years in a row--no I wasn't a patient--but a volunteer. Proceeds went to the March of Dimes. Being a spook and scaring the daylights out of people was more fun that being spooked.

When my own kids were little I didn't like them to eat candy. I know, somehow the mother in me pervaded the magic of Halloween. Eventually I got over it, but when they were little I only let them got to a few houses in the neighborhood. But I always loved dressing up that is until I somehow got lazy about the whole thing. About the last time I had to take my daughter trick-or-treating I quit bothering. My daughter was hugely into Halloween and had to have a different outfit each year. Our son seemed content with Dracula teeth and garbage bags for capes--poor kid, but our daughter was a jester, a Tigger, a clown, and so forth. I sewed the Jester outfit and was supremely proud of it since I am not a seamstress and because it was beautiful. We even made a matching hat and collar for Pickle the dog. He however did not like trick or treating. While looking for a picture of Halloween I didn't find the one of the Jester--so you'll have to take my word for it. It was fantabulous!!!

He's filled with a hamburger and rice etc. casserole.

The bowl of candy waiting by the door. By bedtime it was still the same.

Okay this Halloween, the highlight was stopping Sunday to see the grandkids and our son and his wife. Thanks to my daughter-in-law Halloween is always going to be fun. I hope they send me a picture because their outfits were great. Now back to our tradition. My husband and I started making dinner in a pumpkin many years back. So this year we kicked back, made our dinner in a sweetmeat squash, had strawberry shake for dessert, ate popcorn and watched Charade. It was great. We've done similarly the last few years and then listen for the doorbell to see the creative costumes when treaters come to the door. However this year, we watched the whole move with no interruptions and no trick-or-treaters. Sad!

Our Halloween meal--yummy.

I found a few pictures from Halloweens past.

Grouse Creek School about 1988

Cultivate Talents, Reap the Rewards!

2011-10-09T18:10:00.000-07:00

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about talents and interestsand how they are formed. I’ve thought about my own childhood and how myexperiences shaped my life. I’ve thought about my friends and how they formedtheir talents and interests. Sometimes talents and interests are the same andsometimes not. For instance I have a great interest in hiking and it’ssomething I regularly do, though I don’t think hiking is something I’mparticularly talented at. In fact, often when I’m with a group I might be thelast one to make it to the destination. Both talents and interests enrich mylife and the life of my family

However, there are two things I’m particularly talented atand I have been doing these two things from very early on in my life. The twothings are writing and pottery. Mymother is a writer and during my childhood wrote for the local newspaper. Shetook classes. She read us her stories and it sparked my interest. My aunt EmmaLou Thayne is also a writer. Though I never talked to her about writing when Iwas little, the desire to be something like her was instilled. I had teachersas young as third grade who had us write stories and share them in class. Ifound out quite early that I had some natural ability. In eighth grade whilesitting in a science class and feeling rather bored I began to write a story.It was a story about an abused boy. It was a touching and yes, sappy story butmy mother thought it was wonderful and entered it in a contest with the Leagueof Utah Writers and it won an award in the youth category. I was hooked. Fromthen on, I wanted to be a writer.

Now about this same time in my life, I also had an interestin art. I had very artistic brothers and while I was less artistic I was stillinterested. I took art classes in school. In ninth grade the teacher Mr.Neilson had a unit on clay. I loved making things out of clay. One of theprojects I made was a giant tennis shoe. I gave it to one of my friends and shestill has it, some 40 years later. Then Mr. Nielsen brought the potter’s wheelout of a closet for a couple of days and we each got a short turn on it. Myfirst pot was thick and small. Pottery is something that no one really has anynatural ability. It is a skill that has to be learned, practiced and perfected.From the time Mr. Nielsen brought the wheel out of the closet I was hooked, butit would be a couple more years before I would have the opportunity to learnthe skill in high school. I think about the rest of the kids in my class. Whywas I hooked and they were not? What has to happen to our brain that turnssomething from an interest into a skill?

I had another friend Susan who was also in lots of my artand English classes. In high school she learned how to do the wheel right alongside me. After school she got on the bus and rode to her house up Provo canyon.Often rather than going home, I would stay after school and throw. (that’s whatit’s called—throwing) I would stack the balls of clay up on my wheel and try tocenter them. And when I’d fail which I inevitably would, I would try again, potafter pot and by the end a pile of slop and sometimes a pot worth keeping,firing and glazing. Eventually my teacher, then Mr. Bird would have to go home.I along with another student or two would beg him to let us stay. Sometimes westayed until midnight, promising the janitor that we would lock up. Eventually we got into some trouble forthat and we had to get permission from the principal to stay late, but theycapped the time at 10 PM. My dad had a hard time believing that’s what I wasreally up to, but after months of this hours and hours after school, long intothe night, I started bringing home my wares—then he would proudly show off mywork, even my rejects that I’d thrown in the garbage, he’d dig out and show hisco-workers and try to sell the “junk” for 50 cents or so. He’d give me the money he’d earned.

What I’m trying to get at is that I didn’t have any naturalability in pottery making. I was creative, had a lot of desire and worked hardto learn the skill. So many other things I do and have done spur ideas thattransfer somehow to my artwork or to my writing. My science class –contributedto my first good story—because I was too bored to listen. Eventually I majoredin art—not because I had any real talent in drawing, I still am just “prettygood” at drawing, but Ceramics/pottery was part of the art department andpottery was something I was passionate about.

Now back to some of my other friends, Susan. In high schoolSusan was a fairly skilled potter, but the spark that hooked me didn’t hookher. So what did? When Susan went home from school she often went to the sewingmachine. She became skilled and developed a real talent in sewing. Both Susanand I took home ec in junior high. Both Susan and I had to sew first a hot padand then a skirt. That was about all I ever made. Sewing was ok for me, but Ididn’t love it. I never went home from school and sewed. So because I excelled eventually inpottery and Susan excelled in sewing. Was the home ec class as waste of timefor me? Were the art classes a waste of time for Susan since she never madeanything beyond her classes? I don’t think so. I think being exposed to lots ofdifferent learning activities in and out of school helps develop who we are,helps us to find our passion, and helps us to find ways to contribute tosociety. I can sew and havesewn a couple of Halloween costumes for my children, believe me I’m very proudof them because they were so difficult for me to do. It would have been easierto call Susan and have her do it. I can mend a seam and sew a quilt blockthough I usually have to have someone thread the machine for me.

Something else though that I gained from my friend Susan wasmy interest in hiking. On Saturdays or sometimes after school we would walk upthe mountain from her house and hike to a waterfall. She taught me to love themountains. Isn’t it great what we can learn from each other? My love for themountains has always brought me so much enjoyment. It has brought my familyenjoyment and is one of the things I have passed on to my children. Myfive-year-old grandson just hiked a full six miles with me without any help. Mylove for the mountains is reflected in my pottery and again in my writing. Onebenefits the other. Time is not wasted doing something we enjoy or that we canshare with family or friends.

Another friend I had was Shellee. From 2^nd grade on Shellee was one of my bestfriends. Shellee had a natural ability at all things athletic. If it involved aball, a bat, jumping, dancing, or running, chances are Shellee was very good atit. In 4^th grade whenever Shellee got up to bat everyone in theoutfield backed up. When I got up to bat the outfield didn’t even need to worry,but the infield needed to move up. I had no skills, but I loved to play.Sometimes after school, our neighborhood had baseball games. The whole gangplayed--boys and girls. Shellee taught me how to hold a bat, how to watch theball, how to catch, and how to hit. I never became like Shellee, but I learnedto play well enough that I didn’t strike out every time. I had fun. I didn’t goon to play baseball, but still it was not a waste of time—I was developing mypersonality and gaining friends, and learning sportsmanship. Shellee on theother hand didn’t go on to play baseball either. There weren’t a lot ofopportunities for females in sports in the 60’s and 70’s, but years later whenI met Shellee in a park for lunch with our young children, she brought her three-year-oldson and I had mine. Her three year old could already swing a bat, hit a ball,and catch. Although she managed to pass on her athletic skills to all of herchildren, at least one son went on to play professional baseball. Her talent,her desire, her passion for sports increased her enjoyment and ability as amother. Shellee too was in the same art classes that I was, but did not take itany further and yet she is the friend who still has that shoe pottery piece Imade in the ninth grade. Againisn't it nice what we gain from each other and how we can bless each otherthrough our talents and interests?

Another friend was Rosanna. Rosanna was one of theneighborhood gang. She played baseball. She took art classes too. But insteadof signing up for extra art classes she signed up for Drama and Choir. WhatRosanna ended up becoming passionate about was singing and acting. I’ve seenRosanna in performances at BYU, Sundance theatre, Hale theatre, in commercials,and in church films and now during General Conference singing in the Tabernaclechoir. Rosanna made some pottery with me when I got my wheel. As far as I knowthose were the only pots she ever made. Her passion was not clay butperformance! And look how many lives she’s touched with her talent.

Now back to writing. I learned in 3^rd grade thatI loved writing. I learned by 8^th grade that I had some naturalability. So what did I do? Whenever I could I signed up for Creative Writingcourses. I took classes at BYU before transferring to USU. At USU I took poetrywriting, short story writing, and so forth. Eventually—like twenty years aftercollege graduation I attended the League of Utah Writers in Logan and met somefriends with similar interests. We started a critique group. I attendedconferences. I read books on writing. All the time I was writing some shortstories, but didn’t begin writing my first novel until the year 2000. In fact,it was one of my century goals.

I didn’t really know I could write a novel, but I tried itanyway and it turned out good. It takes a lot of work and it takes a lot ofdesire. It takes a lot of practice and continuing to develop and learn. So eventhough I always wrote a little I didn’t get serious until I was forty yearsold. In fact it was a mid-life crisis that sent me back to college to get asecond degree in English which reminded me that I was pretty good at writing. Ourtime to find our passion doesn’t have a time limit. There is no one setting astandard except ourselves. Olive Ann Burns was 60 yrs. Old in 1984 when shepublished her first novel “Cold Sassy Tree” which became a best seller. Shedied of cancer before completing her second. And yet her book continues and isbeing read by young and old alike today and has reached wide audiences and muchacclaim.

Talents and Interests are worthdeveloping. They are worth sharing. They make us who we are. Whether you makethe best Lemon meringue pie, or garden, or know how to be a good friend, orwrite a book, making and sharing talents is important. We are told to let ourlight shine. But we aren’t told what our light is. We each have a unique lightdon’t we? Isn’t it nice that we don’t all love the same things? Isn’t it nicethat we don’t all know how to make pottery? If we did who would appreciate mywork? Isn’t it great that we all can’t sing a song or act in a play? Natural ability helps sometimes too,but exposure can lead to desire which can lead to a passion, then add the time and learning and practice to reallycultivating a talent and reap the rewards. It takes all the ingredients. Thereare no shortcuts.

Stepping out of Grouse Creek into the World

2011-09-20T13:38:00.000-07:00

When our daughter was all of five years of age we lived in Grouse Creek, a town of less than one hundred people set in the desert hills of Northwestern Box Elder county. When she was five she wandered off and her excuse was that she couldn't help it because her feet just kept going and going. Wandering off in Grouse Creek was dangerous with literally millions of acres of canyons, gullies, hills, cliffs and desert to get lost in. So when my husband found her well beyond where a five year old should be, we were greatly relieved. Now at 27 her feet have taken her the world over. I'm pretty sure she feels the same way too--that she can't help it. The need to see, feel, and explore has not dissipated. This small town girl has lived on her own in Denmark, Austria, Alaska, Argentina, Guatemala, San Francisco, Brooklyn and now Manhattan. She has traveled throughout Europe, South America, Central America, Cambodia and Thailand--and I'm sure I've missed some. Her ventures aren't with groups and usually aren't even with friends, though she makes friends easily and stays in touch with people from every corner of the world.

For a mother having a daughter like her is both a challenge and a reward. Worrying comes second nature to mothers and maybe even easier for me than some. People used to ask me if I worried about her and I would answer, yes, but I try not to think too much about it. Then for some reason many people feel the need to tell horror stories about whatever country or place she happened to be living in at the time. "Did you hear about the earthquake, murder, drowning, typhoon, drug cartels, hurricane, bombing, and so on and so on?" "Yes, but did you hear about the _____ (fill in the blank) that happened right here in happy valley, Utah?" Danger is around every corner whether it's in the tiny town of Grouse Creek or bustling cities of Buenos Aires or NYC. So you might as well live your life putting one step in front of the other exploring the world and seeing what is out there--letting your feet take you wherever they will. I was lucky enough to share my birthday with my daughter. We walked a lot, saw a lot, and I enjoyed it all. When I got on the plane she sent me a text message. It was simply a sad face. I got tears in my eyes and my heart ached. Saying goodbye never gets any easier from the time she embarked on her first camping trip in the mountains, or one of her many adventures.

NYC from a bridge

Sculpture at Storm King

Roy Lichtenstein sculpture. We liked the reflection better than the sculpture.

Loved this stone wall at Storm King

Buddha Torn apart

The Kiss with Daniel

The Kiss with Ginger

A Henry Moore. I loved this British artist when I first saw his work in England 34 years ago.

This one was fascinating from every angle.

Riding the Ferry. An inexpensive way to see sights.

Ginger

City at sunset

Bluff State Park

Bluff State park Tree

The beach all to ourselves in Connecticut

Highlights of Summer

2011-08-30T21:25:00.000-07:00

Meadow Creek

Do other people get a bit depressed at the end of summer? I remember as a child being super-excited for school to end and yet almost as excited to start again, find out who my teacher would be, who would be in my class, and to get back to a routine. Now that I'm an empty-nester and a grandmother, I hate to see summer end. This summer was different. Usually my husband and I go on hikes and bike rides almost every day, but this summer my husband had knee surgery so I only went on a few hikes, some before his surgery--though he was in pain--and a few without him. Now school is on, my husband is back in school teaching and I'm feeling less that summer-fulfilled. But this summer wasn't without blessings, joys, fun, and meaningful experiences. At the end of May we had our third grandchild born. He's sweet and beautiful. In July we had a quick trip out to Grouse Creek to celebrate the Fourth, watch a small town parade and visit some favorite spots like Meadow Creek--land owned by my husband's family for the generations.

Hike with brothers

At the end of July, we had a family party. My mother, and all four of my brothers came. We also had some of the next generation too. It meant a lot to me that two of my brothers came early to go on a hike. By this time my husband had already had surgery so he was out of commission and I was having nature withdrawals.

In August our oldest grandson turned five and we got to celebrate with him. He got a new bike, but was especially excited about the cake his mother made for him.

A few days later we headed for our annual cabin trip in Montana. This one was extra-special. A nephew married his beautiful bride and mother of his child--truly a ideal match. They got married right in front of the cabin our grandpa built in 1961. I also got to be with our two children and two of the grand-kids. And the kids loved hiking. As long as we mentioned Dora the explorer the almost three-year-old could hike and hike.

My daughter agreed to a quick hike to another one of my favorite places on earth before flying back to NYC, White Pine trail in Logan canyon.

The summer highlights out-weighed the difficulties. I had to do some pottery sales without the help of my husband, but found that friends will go to great efforts to help me when needed. I learned how to move sprinkler pipe--again thanks to some good friends and new friends who pitched in to help the novice. I learned how to change a flat tire--twice. The first one my BIL came to the rescue, the second I pretty much did by myself. I took care of animals, mowed lawns, and whacked weeds. I still hope to fit some hikes in this fall. Husband is back to teaching school, now on one crutch and doing well. I hope next summer he'll be fit and ready to go.

Tristi Pinkston's New Book

2011-08-11T21:59:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Hang ‘em High Hoedown, counting down the days until the release of Tristi Pinkston’s new novel Hang ‘em High, the third installment in The Secret Sisters Mysteries.

When Ida Mae Babbitt receives an invitation to visit her son Keith’s dude ranch in Montana, she’s excited to mend their broken relationship, but not so excited about spending time with cows. Arlette and Tansy go along with her, ready to take a vacation that does not involve dead bodies or mysteries of any sort—one must have a break from time to time. But it seems a no-good scoundrel has moseyed into Dodge City and is bent on causing all sorts of trouble for the ranch. Unable to keep her curiosity in check—

especially when it seems her own son is the most likely culprit—Ida Mae decides to investigate. Can she lasso the varmint and get him to the sheriff in time?

You are invited to the launch party:

When: Saturday, August 13th, 12 – 4 pm

Where: Pioneer Book, 858 S. State, Orem

Prizes, games, Dutch oven cobbler (first come, first served)

Tristi will be joined by authors Nichole Giles, Heather Justesen,

Cindy Hogan, and J. Lloyd Morgan

To count down to this book launch, Tristi is holding a contest, and you can win a ton of great prizes!

On my blog, you can win:

One of my Sun Tunnels and Secrets books given away by my publisher.

To enter

1.       Be a follower of my blog.

2.      Go to Tristi’s blog at http://www.tristipinkston.blogspot.com and become a follower of her blog.

3.      Leave Tristi a comment and tell her you’ve been to my blog, and tell her one reason why you’d like to win my book.

All entries must be received by midnight, August 12th, MST.

Be sure to check Tristi’s blog every day for information about the next prize – you’re in for a rootin’-tootin’ good time as we count down the days!

Tristi Pinkston's Newest

2011-08-11T21:19:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the Hang ‘em High Hoedown, counting down the days until the release of Tristi Pinkston’s new novel Hang ‘em High, the third installment in The Secret Sisters Mysteries.

especially when it seems her own son is the most likely culprit—Ida Mae decides to investigate. Can she lasso the varmint and get him to the sheriff in time?

June in Paradise

2011-08-02T22:02:00.000-07:00

I know you all get sick of me telling you about how lovely living in Paradise/Avon is, but with all the rain this year we had an especially beautiful batch of flowers growing behind our house. I thought I'd share a few shots.

Learning New Things

2011-07-20T22:05:00.000-07:00

This is the summer of new things. Most summers are pretty blissful. My husband and I often get up in the mornings, share a nice breakfast, go on a hike or a bike ride, then come home have lunch, do some jobs, attend some activities, go to art festivals--you get the idea. This summer is being dominated by my husband's knee surgery. He's out of commission for the rest of the summer. This means I'm the one getting the newspaper in the morning, checking the chickens eggs, feeding the cats and chickens, watering, mowing, weeding, weed eating, carrying garbage to the bottom of the hill, doing the laundry, icing my husband's leg, keeping him fed and comfortable. I know lots of you probably do all these things--but he's always shared in the work.

Lots of farm kids learn to move sprinkler pipes when they are twelve years old. It's a great skill, builds muscles and teaches responsibility. But I didn't grow up on a farm or even remotely close. I grew up in the middle of Orem, Utah. I played in irrigation ditches and turned on the sprinklers on our lawn and ran through the rainbirds in the park across the street and got in trouble when we dammed the ditches and made our field into a lake large enough to canoe in. So moving pipe is something I didn't do. So at age 53 it's a new experience. I have a good friend and neighbor who has come to the rescue, and another woman saw us working and helped, so I've learned a new skill. Tonight though my friends couldn't help so my husband helped on crutches. We've been spoiled. Now back to work.

Contest Winners!

2011-06-20T21:06:00.000-07:00

This took me a while to post. I've been busy with Summerfest--a really fun art festival in Logan. Now that it's over I decided to finish this. The winner of Sun Tunnels and Secrets is Christopher who read and signed a review on Janet Jensen's blog. The winner of either False Pretenses or A Question of Trust is Delma Smith of Ogden. The winner of the Frog is Heather Moore. I used the website Random.org to choose the winners fairly. I hope some of you will pick up Just Shy of Paradise or one of my other books. I've had a surprising number of people tell me Just Shy is their favorite. I'm surprised because it's quite different than the other. Thanks everyone who entered and I hope you'll check back now and again.

Contest to win Novels!!

2011-05-26T14:36:00.000-07:00

As the reviews are coming in for "Just Shy of Paradise" I'd like to reward my readers by giving away two of my novels and one of my frogs. Look at the photo above to see what they look like. I'll be giving away a copy of 2010's Sun Tunnels and Secrets, and a copy of either False Pretenses or A Question of Trust--winners choice. Here's the rules. I'll post links to the reviews here. After reading a review post a comment on their review for one entry, Either Facebook or Twitter about it for another, and Follow my blog for a third. Make sure you let me know what you are doing so that you can have a good chance at winning. The link to my blog is www.carolethayne.blogspot.com

Julie Coulter Bellon's review

Janet Jensen's review

Jolynne Lyon's review
Susan Dayley's review

Ldstorymaker conference and other cool stuff.

2011-05-15T16:48:00.000-07:00

Last week I attended one day of the Storymaker conference that was held in SLC. It's always good. I always tell people that it's for anyone who wants to improve their writing, not just LDS--though it's mostly geared to fiction. Ever since I joined the storymakers about 8 years ago, I've helped in some capacity with the conference. This year I got to help authors or potential authors pitch to a publisher. I knocked on the door and kept things moving for an hour with the fabulous Lisa Mangum of Desert Book. Lisa is one of those people that puts people at ease and believe me it can be scary to pitch your idea in less than ten minutes--I've done it and know the heart-pounding anxiety it produces, but Lisa couldn't be more genuine. So I'd stand out the door and try to get the potentials ready by pitching to me first and giving encouragement. I got to meet some awesome people. It was fun and who knows maybe next year I'll dare do it myself. Here's some pics from the conference.

This is me with some other authors Ronda Gibbs Hinrichsen and Joan Soward.

This is me next to my editor Linda Mullineaux. She's as nice as she is lovely. And another author who I just met in person but knew online for a while Joyce Dipastina.

These last four pictures are of the winners of my novels at the conference. I like that three of the four winners are men and that at least one is another published author. I like it because some mistakenly believe writing and reading are a feminine activity.

Last but not least. I recently became aware of an author who has some exciting things going on. Check out this article in the Deseret News.http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705370789/Local-author-debuts-new-interactive-kids-books.html
Karl Beckstrand served an LDS mission to Chile and that's where my son served too. Like Karl, my son has continued to use his language. My son is teaching his own children Spanish. They are being raised bi-lingual. Beckstrand's books sound really fun to me. Here's his site if you want to know more about his fun interactive books. http://gozobooks.com/ He's also got a booksigning coming up. It's Wed. June 15, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunflower Market: 656 E. 200 South, SLC, UT, USA. Good luck Karl.

"The Crazy daze of Motherhood" by Jane Still

2011-04-11T22:20:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago when Jane Still joined our LDStorymaker group I was intrigued by her name. I mean Jane is so refreshingly unpretentious. Even after all these years it's STILL a good solid name. I mean I imagine sometimes Jane Still has conversations with people like this. "What is your name?" "Jane . . . Still." "Jane what?" "Jane Still." "I know it's still Jane, I didn't expect it to change, but what's your last name Jane?" "No, it's Jane Still." "I get that your name is still Jane, but...what is your last name." "Still what?" ...

See what I mean? I value humor higher than I value any other trait, higher than honesty, loyalty, thoughtfulness...just about anything. If you can make me laugh, I can forgive you of almost anything. If Charlie Sheen was just the least bit funny, I could forgive him for being completely narcissistic, but he's not. Nothing funny about a completely self-absorbed middle-aged star flushing his life down the tubes. But I digress, back to Jane. Not only was she funny, she is STILL funny. I don't know her personally, but I'm pretty sure I'd like her...still. She looks at the funny side of life and mothering. My favorite part in this little gem is all about going to the doctor and dressing and undressing. If you've ever been the doctors you'll relate to this dilemma. One thing about Jane is that she is still obviously not afraid of laughing at herself or her kids, or her husband. Another part I love is that her husband's answer to all problems is to drink more water. Don't we all know someone like that? No matter what you tell them, they tell you advice that sounds the same. A one size fits all approach. No matter what problem you have, they might say, "Well the thing you need to do is eat more spinach." You could say, our plumbing is acting up again, and they would still tell you to eat more spinach. This is how Jane's husband is described in one of the anecdotes in the book. The book is a short 88 page delight complete with drawings to help you get the picture. I smiled and laughed all the way through it. You can read more about Jane Isfeld Still. Or visit her blogspot.

2011-03-14T13:17:00.001-07:00

Goodreads Book
Giveaway

Just Shy of
Paradise

by Carole Thayne Warburton

Giveaway ends April 10, 2011.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Just Shy of Paradise--NEW BOOK!!!

2011-03-12T10:03:00.000-08:00

Announcing my new arrival. Just Shy of Paradise is different from my other more action packed suspense books. It's set in a different town. I've moved away from Grouse Creek for this novel and set it in my current town of Paradise. It's tricky when you decide to set a novel in your place of residence. You can't make the bad guy stand out as the true local bad guy. And yes there is a bad guy in this story, though not necessarily a rue bad guy in Paradise. We'll let you guess about that. tThere is action. There is romance. There is suspense, and even some mystery, but no one actually get's murdered in this book. And no one get's abducted. Some people almost get killed though. Hmmm. I do have a hard time telling people what this one is about without giving too much away. But here's a little. It's about Lily. When Lily was four years old, she was celebrating her birthday with her family on their family property on the Little Bear River. She waded out into the stream and was swept away--no one in the family noticed. But she was pulled out of the river by a "little angel" and set on the banks safely for her family to find. Most of Lily's life, she feels inadequate. She feels as if she doesn't live up to the miracle that saved her. People always tell Lily that God must certainly have something special in mind for her to have created such a miracle to save her. But she doesn't feel special. She has a hard time in social situations and is in therapy for anxiety.
This book is also the story about Sky. Sky is half Shoshone and half Swedish, though looks more Native American. He has just been served with divorce papers and his ex has taken their young son to live far away. He finds solace in fishing and especially likes a certain piece of property where he used to fish with his father who died when he was young. The property is owned by Lily's family. This book explores some Cache Valley history, culture clash, and prejudice. There is romance too. It's a tender story and one that is dear to my heart. I became aware of the Bear River Massacre when we moved here years ago and then read a wonderful book about Chief Sagwitch by Scott Christensen (USU Press). Sagwtich probably walked regularly right across the property we now own. He stood out to me as a man of great honor and I wanted to pay tribute to him in some small way. I don't write historical fiction (yet) so needed to find a way to write his story in a modern way. So Sky is Chief Sagwitch's great, great, grandson. He's heard the stories and dreams dreams. He and Lily keep getting thrown together in serindipitous ways and Sky wonders if his ancestors are orchestrating the events.
I hope this book finds new readers in Cache Valley and that my devoted readers will give it a chance. There's a contest to win a free book on Goodreads and it's available on Amazon

Where Ideas Come From

2011-02-16T20:41:00.000-08:00

I’m often asked where I get ideas for my novels. I have three published so far. A Question of Trust, False Pretenses and Sun Tunnels and Secrets

My ideas come from life situations. Ideas come from listening to the news, reading, listening to people talk in cafes, or in church, or on the bus. They come from dreams, or from driving down the road—in other words—ideas just come. Once at a workshop on writing, the presenter, Ken Rand, said our first ideas are often cliché. He said to twist the idea and then twist it again to come up with something fresh. With my newest published book, “Sun Tunnels and Secrets” I tried to do that. The first idea was to have a hero from my other two books, Sam Carson, an all-American cowboy find a body near the Sun Tunnels. Images of Sun Tunnels

My husband and I had just been to see these and he had an idea to set a mystery there. But then something happened in real life to change that. Some friends, two sisters and one other woman, all originally from Grouse Creek where my novels are set had an experience. In their experience they decided to take a little day trip to the Sun Tunnels also.

The Sun Tunnels are a land-art project done by the artist Nancy Holt in the 1970’s. Remember the Spiral Jetty? That’s the project done by her late husband Robert Smithson. Anyway, these friends, all over the age of 70 at the time came across a man who had been beaten and left. He could very well have died had they not come across him since the area is so remote, dry, and it was late June, so hot. Anyway, I heard about their incident and it got me thinking. I twisted the original idea. What would happen if not a handsome cowboy finds a body—cliché—but what if three women, elderly women, sisters, find a body? Perfect! Meet Norma. Norma is seventy-nine years old and her husband just passed away. She writes poetry, news stories, and is about to have her life disrupted with a secret her late husband kept from her. Mabel is eighty-two, feisty and optimistic, always wears skirts, Nikes, and a baseball cap. Then there is LaRue, the oldest who is prudish and never quite approves of anything her sisters or anyone else does for that matter. I loved these women from the start. They were fun to write because they were tireless and had depth. They had ideals and life experience. Writing older characters is one of my strengths. But I needed some younger characters in the story to give the book a wider appeal and so I could have more romance. It’s hard to write romance for people well over seventy—though possible and there is some in here for the older sisters too. So I brought back two characters, young handsome Tony, just graduated from college and beautiful, but shy and distraught Kelli Carson. She comes to Grouse Creek to work for the summer. Then Tony follows, pretending to be there for ranching, but really to convince Kelli that they could be more than friends. Well that part might be a bit cliché, isn’t romance always cliché? So these characters had to have some things in their life that was unique to them.

As writers, we could all take the same basic idea and yet write it in such a way that most readers wouldn’t notice that the idea was the same. Yet to make stories fresh is always a challenge. On the back on Sun Tunnels, the blurb says “On a trip to the Sun Tunnels in the Utah desert, Norma and her sisters find a body on the side of the road. But this awful discovery turns out to be the least of their problems. Norma’s husband just passed on, and she learns he kept a secret from her for sixty years. LaRue is keeping a secret from Norma. The sisters’ young friend Tony is keeping a secret about his famous father, and Tony’s mother is keeping a secret of her own. Tony is secretly in love with his friend Kelli who, recently escaped from a polygamist cult. And who is the mysterious young car thief with whom Norma feels a special connection? Everything converges in Grouse Creek at the Fourth of July celebration. Will secrets prove everyone’s undoing”

Another strength readers have noticed in my books is the ability to make the settings “real enough to taste the Idaho dirt and smell the pines” Jenny Hansen—Meridian Magazine. One way that I do this is to set my stories in places I know really well. Sun Tunnels takes place almost entirely in Grouse Creek and the surrounding area. My husband is from this small community and twenty years ago, we lived there for five years and taught school in the K-10, two-room school with only 24 students. There are very few places in the world left like Grouse Creek. I’ve written the way I remember it from twenty years ago. We still visit, but it’s changed somewhat. For one thing there are fewer people. It’s gone from 100 people down to around 70. People who live 60 miles from a grocery store are a special breed. I’ve set three books in Grouse Creek so far because of its uniqueness and how much fun it is to describe. Often people think a small town is a town of 2000 to 3000, and really they have no idea that communities as remote and tiny as Grouse Creek still exist. It makes for fun situations. It makes for some small-town eccentricities that are fun to play on. I remember once when we lived there, I was riding bikes with a friend and she noticed a piece of carpet that fell out of someone’s truck on their way to the dump. “Looks like so and so got some new carpet in their living room.” I laughed thinking where else would you know what was happening in town by seeing a piece of garbage on the side of the road? Grouse Creek has a sign at the beginning of town, that says “A Town like No Other.” As writers it really is hard to write about a place unless you have intimate knowledge of it. I have written about places I’ve only visited, but in those cases I’ve written as a visitor, not as an insider. Insiders have a special knowledge that others don’t. You can research, but make sure you know what the locals say, where they hang out, and what they do.

Ideas come. They come from everywhere. Making ideas fresh is essential in making your book stand out and matter.

Blizzard in Brooklyn--Bell's book Saves the Day!

2011-01-02T18:07:00.000-08:00

What do you do when visiting your daughter in Brooklyn, New York while she's at work and your husband is sick and New York is getting the biggest snow storm in five years? I'll tell you. You are glad that your threw in a copy of Braden Bell's "The Road Show." http://www.bradenbell.com/. The book is slim and has an intriguing cover. I admit I was skeptical though. I knew the book had a message--a religious moral. As an author I think these types of books are difficult to manage. It's too easy to cross the line into the sentimental, too sticky sweet. But Bell's book doesn't cross that line. What he has done is create a tale a little similar to "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." In The Road Show we are drawn into the story by a cast of believable characters, all beset with different problems ranging from addiction, loneliness, pride, selfishness, depression,and greed. Throw the group together with the assignment of doing a road show that will win first place.

Our main character is Scott. He's working toward a masters in theater, but his addiction to pornography has derailed his progress and he's about to be thrown out of the program. The bishop of his ward doesn't know this, but knows he's a talented young man and asks him to write and direct a road show (short play) with only weeks before the production. He accepts this and meets the rest of the characters in the story with their own problems. We are caught up in their own mini-stories within the larger story. I especially related to Ed. Ed is a little more liberal. He wears his hair long and spouts off in church with off-the-wall questions and statements. He's lonely because everyone thinks he's out there. But he's a talented song-writer and musician. Stephanie suffers from postpartum depression. Her husband is a gem, but is getting weary of carrying the full-load. He encourages her to try-out for the production. She has a gorgeous voice and with Ed's talent, we know she find a channel to use her talent and work towards healing. The story unfolds as an analogy and teaches about the Atonement. It's well worth the read. It's a light book that won't bog down with too much scriptural definitions. It's inspirational and fun at the same time. I look forward to more from Braden Bell.

Contest to win Handmade Stoneware Pitcher!

2010-12-01T20:22:00.000-08:00

The Winner was Stephanie Black! Congrats.

My publisher Walnut Springs for "Sun Tunnels and Secrets" is helping with a contest to give away one of my pieces of pottery. Just go to any of the blog reviewers and leave a comment and you'll be entered. The more reviews and comments, the better chance you have to win. Want to win a copy of Sun Tunnels and Secrets? It's easy.
1. Visit the fabulous reviews and leave a comment letting us know why you're excited to read Sun Tunnels. Remember to include your email address.
2. If you tweet about the blog tour, or post about it on your blog or facebook, leave the link in the comments section and you'll receive an additional entry.

****
On a trip to the Sun Tunnels in the Utah desert, Norma and her sisters find a body on the side of the road. But this awful discovery turns out to be the least of their problems. Norma's husband just passed on, and she learns he kept a secret from her for sixty years. LaRue is keeping a secret from Norma. The sisters' young friend Tony is keeping a secret about his famous father, and Tony's mother is keeping a secret of her own. Tony is secretly in love with his friend Kelli, who recently escaped from a polygamist cult. And who is the mysterious young car thief with whom Norma feels a special connection? Everything converges in Grouse Creek at the Fourth of July celebration. Will secrets prove everyone's undoing?
November 30
Alison Palmer--Tangled Words and Dreams

December 1
Braden Bell--Braden's Blog

December 2
Danyelle Ferguson--Queen of the Clan

December 3
Jewel Adams--Jewel's Best Gems

December 6
Tristi Pinkston--*Trisit Pinkston
December 7
Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen--The Write Blocks

December 8
Diony George--Diony George

December 9
Marsha Ward--Writer in the Pines

Paradise Pottery Artist Sale and MORE!

2010-11-13T10:40:00.000-08:00

Marilyn Krannich's Soup Tureen

Browsing Jeani's Wares

Plan on coming to our Paradise Artists Holiday Sale. Saturday NOVEMBER 20th from 10-5. This year there will be four of us: Marilyn Krannich--Great Functional Pottery, Jim Parrish--Fine art Photography, Me--Potter. I have some new things this year--Funky little handmade bells, my usual stuff and my novels. And we're once again being joined by Jeani Anderson-Jenks. Jeani will bring her hand-dipped chocolates, mittens, aprons, felted purses, jewelry and more.

One of the highlights of the day is Dale Major and his family will perform at NOON. Erin has a voice like and angel and plays the fiddle. Jake plays the bass. Dale does about everything and is a premier performer. They are great to say the least and we are so lucky that they come. I hope all of Paradise comes out to hear them. We'll of course have refreshments and good deals too.

Now write down a few more events. On Saturday November 27th 10-4, I'll be doing a "Come Write on my Studio Wall sale. This sale will be FUN! Please bring a quote that inspires creativity. Maybe something from a writer, artist, or philosopher. Write it on my wall and you'll be entered in a drawing for pottery. I'll provide the pens and even have a quote book just in case. Also everyone who participates get a handmade magnet for their fridge. If you can't make it that day come on Dec. 11th for a repeat. My studio will be open for business during daylight hours starting November 22nd through the month of December if you want to stop in.
On December 3rd and 4th--starting Friday during the gallery walk at 6-9pm. All day Saturday--I'll be at the Winter Gift Market with my pottery and books.The Winter Market will be held in downtown Logan and the Bullen Arts Center on 43 South Main.

How to get to Paradise Pottery. We're about 6 miles south of Hyrum. Go south past the old church to the 4 way stop sigh. Turn right and head south past the Avon sign. The road bends and comes to a T intersection. At the T turn right, but don't straighten the car completely out before turning left onto a dead end road (11000 S). Go past about 4 house on the north side of the road and turn onto a dirt lane to my bright yellow studio. It's a gorgeous drive but be careful of all the PIPELINE traffic.

Interview and photos with JoLynne Lyon

2010-10-31T21:41:00.000-07:00

http://mountainlyon.blogspot.com/2010/10/sun-tunnels-and-secrets-great-story.html

Spooktacular Giveaway only 48 hours to go

2010-10-29T21:46:00.000-07:00

With just two days to go, I only have four entries for the contest to win a copy of "A Question of Trust." This is my first novel, but still remains a favorite of many of my readers. It's set in Grouse Creek and is about Stacey who meets a man who was accused of murder 50 years earlier. She begins to unravel the truth and at the same time finds that the young man she thought was her boyfriend isn't who she thought he was. It's fun and mysterious. I hope you'll enter to win. Just leave a comment on this or the previous post and you'll be entered. If you blog about it, you have an extra entry.

A short review from a Grouse Creek Enthusiast!

2010-10-20T21:33:00.000-07:00

Us Grouse Crickers owe a lot to Alan Smith. He is our webmaster and keeper of an extensive Grouse Creek List. He keeps us informed of deaths, births, and events. I appreciate his response to my writing over the years. Thanks Alan.

Here's his review:

All,

I just finished reading Carole's Thayne Warburton's new book and I really enjoyed it. It is so easy to identify with the characters and their surroundings. Although Carole will tell you that all of her characters are fictional, I think after you read the book, you will see a little bit of a lot of folks who have lived out there reflected in the book. I find myself reliving some of my childhood and remembering why I am drawn to the little town of Grouse Creek and their rural ways.

Some of you may be familiar with the original incident at the Sun Tunnels with Delma Smith, Verna Richardson and Marge Glines that inspired the title and the first chapter of the book.

I have been waiting 3 years for this book to be published and it was worth the wait.

The book can be found at any Deseret Book store or it can be purchased on Amazon.com

Alan Smith

Grouse Creek
"A Place Like No Other"
www.grousecreek.com

Susan Dayley and "Redemption"

2010-10-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

Recently I had the opportunity to read a fine historical novel, Redemption written by Susan Dayley. I also interviewed her and found her to be full of interesting insights. I have to admit that I hesitate to pick up and read historical fiction for fear that I will get bogged down in detail and history. In short, I'm afraid it will be boring. However Dayley's writing is anything but boring. She is s master of the English language and words and metaphors flow, causing the reader to want to see what will happen next. She weaves a powerful tale from a brief story in the bible. Wasn't the story of Jonah every child's favorite. Who wouldn't want to hear about being swallowed up by a whale and spewed into an evil land.

Here's a brief example of her writing:

After a great rushing, scraping against sharp teeth,

then a squeezing, pushing sensation, Jonah lost

consciousness. When he began to sense his body again,

he was in total darkness. Slime and weeds were wrapped

about his head, and he shut his eyes tightly. The stench was

overwhelming, but Jonah found that his arms were pinned

against his sides so he could do nothing to cover his nose and

mouth. Each breath brought in the smell of half-digested fish,

the tendrils of weeds, and very little air. Having determined

that he was within the belly of a great fish, he began to black

out again, giving himself up for dead. After a few hours, he

revived only to find he was still in a mortal hell.

For three days and three nights, Jonah lay in the belly...

Can you see why I was entranced by the words of this story? Susan Dayley's strength is creating a believable scene with description that isn't overly wordy, but vivid and at times gripping. I found Jonah to be a character that I sympathized with and saw the human side to the prophet. H do you build suspense when everyone already knows the ending? Somehow Dayley was able to do that. The book is available at Amazon and Deseret Book and elsewhere.

Here's the interview. ENJOY!

1. When did you first notice that you were interested in writing?

I’m not sure when I first noticed, but my third grade teacher remembered years later that I would compose reports in rhyme. By ninth grade I knew I loved to write stories.

2. How did you develop your talent? Lots and lots of writing. This last year I’ve been on a journey of soliciting feedback and taking every comment very seriously. I hope to improve the quality of my writing to match my desire.

3. What prompted you to write Redemption? I was teaching the story of Jonah as Literature at a private school. After researching background information: the city of Nineveh, Ships of Tarshish, Cities along the trade routes, etc., I found myself fascinated with this ancient world. I realized there was much more to the story of Jonah than just being swallowed by a big fish.

4. How did you do your research for the story? Aside from books written by archeologists who participated in actual digs, I resorted a great deal to the internet. There is a wealth of information published there, but it’s always good to double check for a second, confirmation of facts. Jewish sites became a favorite and I learned about the Mishnah. The Mishnah is the first part of the Torah, being a redaction of Oral Rabbinic Traditions.

5. What do you suggest for budding writers of all ages? Write what you love. Listen to the advice of others and always work to improve. Oh, and read. Read every opportunity you can. I have books around my house for reading in different rooms and between different tasks. I also read in the car (mostly when someone else is driving).

6. How would you encourage children who love to write? Learn about the authors of great stories. For example, Louisa May Alcott based Little Women on her own childhood. Have a child read the book, then write a series of stories about themselves.

7. What is your writing schedule like? Lately, as much as I can get away with. Actually I wrote about this recently at http://annebradshaw.blogspot.com/2010/09/guest-blogger-author-susan-dayley.html

8. What is your current work in progress? It is the story of King Hezekiah. The more I learn, the more amazed I become. I had no idea how fascinating his story was.

9. Three words to describe yourself? Rejoicing, inquisitive, adventurous.

10. Who are some of your favorite authors and books? In no order: Leon Uris—Mila 18 and Exodus; Dickens—Tale of Two Cities and David Copperfield; M.M. Kaye—The Far Pavilions; David Barton—Original Intent; Ayn Rand—Atlas Shrugged; Frederic Bastiat—The Law; Taylor Caldwell—Captains and the Kings; Homer—The Illiad; C.S. Lewis—The Screwtape Letters and Mere Christianity; Ann Wigmore, Jethro Kloss, Arnold Erhart; and of course, Jane Austin—Pride and Prejudice and Emma. Another day and I would add a dozen more.

11. If you could go back in time for a day where would you go? This is difficult to choose, but that is why I love books—I can go back in time to various places and events. It is also why I write about historic heroes. But for today, probably to walk through Jerusalem when it is under siege by the Assyrians. I would want to see first hand the walls, Hezekiah’s tunnel, the machines in the towers, and the sundial And of course, the temple. And perhaps the palace buildings. But most of all, I would want to peer into windows and walk through the markets and observe the daily life of a people whose faith and faithfulness is their greatest defense.

12. How much of Redemption is true? And how much is imagined?

The story of Jonah in the scriptures is limited. The Mishnah added about his mother, his prophetic calling by Elisha and his ordaining Jehu as the next king. For Jonah to go to Nineveh he would have to cross the desert. He probably travelled with a caravan along the trade routes. So how much is imagined? Most of it, of course, but all of it is probable.

Launch Party Saturday

2010-10-07T18:40:00.000-07:00

Come to the Book Table in Logan 29 S. Main, on Saturday October 9th anytime from 10 AM to 1PM for our launch of "Sun Tunnels and Secrets." Besides having an opportunity to buy a book and have it signed if you'd like--you can put your name in for a drawing. We'll be giving away 4 books: "Redemption" by Susan Dayley (this is a great book about the story of Jonah), "Queen in Exile" by Donna Hatch, which looks super good, "A Question of Trust" and "False Pretenses" by me. Also I'll be giving away a couple pieces of my pottery. The Book Table is providing refreshments as well. Of course they always have so many wonderful things besides books to look at. I hope I'll get to meet a lot of you there.

Some sales are sales and others are sales!

2010-09-29T20:27:00.000-07:00

So if that doesn't make sense let me explain. I go to a lot of different places to display my wares and sell pottery. Over the years all the hundreds of pots I've sold sort of mush together. This year at Trout and Berry days I didn't sell as much as usual--pretty much par for the whole summer of sales. The economy has taken a bite in the profit margin. So towards the later afternoon when I was still hoping to make an extra fifty bucks, I sold one of my frogs to a boy. He didn't have the full amount, but since he paid for it all in quarters I didn't mind that he was a dollar short. He was thrilled with it and later came back with his brother. This time he and his brother had managed to scrounge up more quarters, enough for a dish. I've sold more at one time to customers before, but seldom has a sell brought me more pleasure.

If you live in Cache Valley come hear me speak about my new book "Sun Tunnels and Secrets," at 7 PM on Monday, Oct. 4th at the Hyrum Library. There will be refreshments and door prizes--chances to win books and handmade pottery. I'll have books to sell, portion of proceeds will be donated to the library.

Oct. 9th, I'll be at the Book Table in Logan from 10-2. We'll give away more prizes and I'll be on hand to sign books. I hope you can make it.

And last but not least--a shot from my birthday hike. Thanks everyone. I love you! by the way the guy with the ball cap ran the TOU marathon before coming on our 9 mile hike.

Sun Tunnels and Secrets

2010-09-01T13:30:00.000-07:00

Check out Susan Dayley's review of my newest book "Sun Tunnels and Secrets." It is for sale on Amazon. I'm pretty sure it is in some stores, but I'm not sure where. Has anyone seen it in Desert Book stores? Basically, while the book is a stand-alone, in other words you don't have to have read my other two published novels to know what's going on, it does continue the story started with "A Question of Trust." In Sun Tunnels three elderly sisters stumble on a body on a trip to the Sun Tunnels, a land art project in the west desert of Utah. This awful discovery turns out to be the least of their problems. Norma's husband just passed away, and she learns he kept a secret from her their entire marriage. The sisters' young friend Tony is keeping a secret about his famous father, and Tony's mother is keeping a secret of her own. Tony is secretly in love with his friend Kelli, who recently escaped from a polygamist group. And who is the mysterious young car thief with whom Norma feels a special connection? Everything converges in Grouse Creek at the Fourth of July celebration. Will secrets prove everyone's undoing? This is a story of relationships and trust, of romance and dreams.

Check out a blog I recently discovered: Side Notes.

If you enjoyed my book Sun Tunnels be sure to nominate it for a Whitney Award. Whitney's are like the Oscars for LDS fiction--honoring writers for their craft. It's a fabulous idea that has really grown in the last few years.

Rejections! Book Give-AWAY for you!

2010-08-25T08:57:00.000-07:00

I get rejected a lot. Sometimes I feel like a desperate 16 year old boy in search of a date for the prom. About January I start thinking about what pottery shows and sales I want to apply for. Many people don't understand that artists, potters included, don't just pay a fee and show up at a festival. It takes a bit of research to find the shows that will be best to showcase your work. Then you apply with up to a $50 non-refundable fee to say nothing of the booth fee if by chance your accepted. You send slides (now much of this is online) of your work and your booth. Just a fraction of artists that apply to any given show are allowed in. Now I'm not talking about county fairs--I'm talking about bonafied art fests. They are expensive and difficult to get in.
Sometimes I try out a sale. Two years ago I went to an art festival near where our son lived. It bombed. I could have sold more on my front lawn with a handmade sign stuck to a telephone pole. I wasn't rejected in the application process, but my the numerous festival goers with obvious money, who said things like, "Beautiful work, but I don't know how I'd carry it on the plane." If I hadn't been staying with my son's family, I would have lost money on that sale. Last year, we went through the same thing at a Montana show. This one bombed out because of the economy and the weather. Anyway making and selling pottery is not for wimps. And neither is book writing and publishing. Either way you must be prepared for a lot of knocks along the way. Sometimes I get sick of it all, but then every once in a while there's a silver lining. I hear there's a book give away of my newest book on Good Reads. Sun Tunnels and Secrets. And check out Anne Bradshaw's blog. We'll be giving away my first book "A Question of Trust" there. If you don't win, you'll find it on Amazon or you can order it here.

Earth, Wind, and Fire. . . and water.

2010-08-08T07:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we went on a hike up High Creek Trail starting in Cove. Wow, it was so beautiful. I'd heard of this trail for years. Last year I made an attempt to hike it, but we had a lot of water crossings. Still last year was fun too. This year though--bridges ran over the stream. The bridges weren't new either. So I'm not sure where we hiked last year. Last year we started in Richmond and wound around looking for the trial head. The Cove way is more straight forward. Well, there are plenty of vistas and the the creek is beautiful. The flowers are still great even. We saw plenty of Indian Paint Brush--not as many as on the White Pine Trail, but still ample to delight the senses.
Before the hike though, we had to detour to drop something off at my cousin's house in Smithfield. On the detour off the main road, our friend Mike said, very calmy, I might add. "Is that house on fire?" Without any urgency in his voice at all--so eventually my husband turned around and then around again until we were in front of an older home. Smoke was indeed coming out from under the roof on all sides. A mail carrier sat out front eating her lunch. We asked her if she thought the house was on fire. She jumped into action--knowing the occupant. We banged on doors and windows calling for the occupant, an elderly woman. Mike called the fire in, and within a minute we heard sirens.

Well, Mick and I are very cautious about calling in fires, having once called in a fire that turned out to be nothing but smoke--perhaps even smoke from a barbeque. And that time fire trucks from our town and neighboring towns converged on the smoke and jumped out in full fire fighter attire. They kind of wondered I believe who the idiot was who called in the fire. We'd said "Next time, we'll make sure we see the flames." This time there were no flames, but the smoke came out from under the roof and out the window. Indeed the whole house was filled with smoke. About the same time the police officer stepped into the home and grabbed a burning pan off the stove, the elderly woman came hobbling safely out of the back yard--where she was presumably doing yard work. Mike made a comment to the police officer that the woman must have been cooking meth--what with the green smoke from the pan, a sure sign of meth. Yes, he was joking, but I'm not sure it was the best time. When the police officer cracked open the door of the house again, a cat came barreling out. The elderly woman kept trying to go back into the house. She wanted to open some windows to let the smoke out, but they wouldn't let her go in. Any time the police officer left her for a minute--she'd try to get in. Finally, right before the firetrucks got there, we left. Then we had our wonderful, albeit a bit hot hike.

Later that night, we were coming home from a wedding reception. The trees in Hyrum have been ravaged by recent wind and hail storm. We passed by our old house once again. Sadly, the house has been foreclosed on, and the nice buyers have moved. The house has been vacant at the hottest part of summer. This time I decided I couldn't stand to watch all the trees we planted die. The house is not ours, but still letting trees die isn't right. I got a hose and went back. Then from 9 to 10 at night I watered. I don't know if I saved any. I'll do it again next week. The willow tree seems to be completely dead. And this is the tree that made me cry. Our daughter has always been a unique person and came to us with a strong will and creative mind. When she was three years old, she wanted two light bulbs for Christmas. We later realized, it wasn't a light bulb she wanted, but a light cover. She didn't like staring up at the bare light bulb at night in her bedroom. The other light bulb she wanted was a night light. From about then on forever and ever, she wanted a pig--but never got one. When she was eight she wanted rose bushes. And when she was ten?--not sure the exact age, she wanted a willow tree. We have pictures of her standing by that tree. We were going to take pics every year on her birthday, but we would forgot so only have a few. I thought I had severed ties to the old house. I think I have, but the trees well they are another story and they each have their own story.

As far as I know, my old neighbors didn't call the police for my trespassing.

Fourth of July Celebration in Grouse Creek, Utah

2010-07-09T22:47:00.000-07:00

It's been some years that I've been able to attend the celebration in Grouse Creek. I've missed it. From the rodeos, live music, parade and program--there's nothing quite like it. I got pocketfuls of candy without having to knock over any little kids to get it. We enjoyed several walks and hikes.

In about a month my newest novel will be released. The book is set for the most part in Grouse Creek in the time period that we're in right now. It starts on the night after the summer solstice June 22 with three elderly sisters from Grouse Creek finding a body in the desert. Even though I took as a springboard the true incident that happened to Marge, Delma, and Verna--I hope when you get to read the book you won't mix up my story with these people. I in no way intend my characters to be them. Anyway I'm so excited for the book to come out and know/hope my readers won't be disappointed in the story.

This is where my story begins--at the Sun Tunnels and the book will be called Sun Tunnels and Secrets.

I love Small Towns

2010-06-04T09:36:00.000-07:00

Monday we had a sale at the Paradise Town Hall. There was a breakfast served up by the local Fire Department. I don't know how many came, but a fair amount came into visit and browse our wares--some to buy. It was fun to hobnob with old friends now that I've moved all of three miles down the road. Still we're all a community. We know most by name--almost all by their face or even more likely by the vehicle they drive. We had a raffle to give away pottery and photography. I had my cousin's daughter reach into the bucket after I shook it up a bit. She reached in and pulled out a ticket and handed it to me. All it had on it was a first name--no last name--no phone number. I laughed. Only her first name was needed. Marjean is an icon of our town. When I teased her about not putting her last name she said. "I didn't want to fill out all that information and everyone knows who Marjean is." Indeed everyone does.

In reality Paradise and Avon are 10-20 times larger than the last town we lived in. That's hard to believe since the two communities combined are less than 2000 people. Grouse Creek, where my husband and I taught school, and where he proudly calls home, had less than 100 people by last count. I think it's down to around 70 now. After we'd moved into these larger towns, one of our friends was shopping in Wal-Mart when the checker noticed she was from Paradise. "You might know Carole and Mick Warburton." They did. "Tell them Jason from Grouse Creek said hello." My friend asked for a last name and he laughed and replied that she didn't need one--they would know who Jason was. Indeed we did. We taught Jason in that school for all of the years we taught.

In Grouse Creek someone once told me that the town is so small that you know whose checks are good and whose husband's aren't. I loved that line and have used it in at least one of my novels. Another time in G.C. I was bike riding with a couple of good friends when we passed a piece of carpet on the road that had fallen out of someone's truck on the way to the dump. "Look's like (so and so) got new carpet." Imagine being able to recognize someone's refuse! That's a small town.

Now we live in the kind of place where each morning I'm awakened, not an ordinary rooster, but by a rooster pheasant who crows outside our bedroom window, where if we're gone for the weekend and our horses get out, we can count on someone rounding them up, repairing the fence, then tossing them some hay so they don't get out again. We live in the kind of place where often only one name is needed. However that name wouldn't be Carole--there are at least five of us. But just like Anne with an 'e' in Anne of Green Gables--Carol--with an e sets me apart. If I can't be a Marjean, than I'll settle for Carol with an 'e'.

Paradise Artists' Sale Coming Up!!!

2010-05-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

Once again we're having our Memorial Day Artist's Sale at the Town Hall in Paradise 9035 S. 100 W. I'll have my frogs, bowls, vases, chip and dip plates and more. Jim Parrish has been busy photographing scenes and will have some new work.

I'm also excited to show off the new versions of my old books--"A Question of Trust" and "False Pretenses" will be offered again at only 10.00 each.

Also we'll be joined again by Jeani Anderson-Jenks, a local crafter who does jewelry and recycled mittens and other things.

One of the best things about the day is our local entertainers, the funny and talented, Dale Major and his children Erin and Jake. They will perform at 9 am so that the breakfast eaters can enjoy them as well.

Once again we will offer a chance to win pottery and photography--proceeds for the raffle will be donated to the Paradise Fire Department.

Email me at mcwarburton@gmail.com for information.

Interview with author Erin Klinger "Between the Lines"

2010-05-04T08:28:00.000-07:00

Fellow author Erin Klinger has gone through much of the same, sometimes agonizing difficulty to get her books published that I have. It can be discouraging at times. A couple of years ago I had an opportunity to read her work in progress and give her feedback. The book was great and I knew that it would be accepted for publication. She had to go through some rewriting to have it accepted by our publisher Covenant Communications, but her hard work paid off. I look forward to reading the final product. It is my privilege to interview Erin on my blog. I hope you'll enjoy reading about her and her books.

Author Interview

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I was about eight years old, actually. I wrote a silly little story (though I probably thought it was groundbreaking when I wrote it) about a dog who wanted a dog house for Christmas. I still have it saved in a scrapbook somewhere. My love of reading prior to that and ever since only strengthened my desire to become a writer. I soaked up everything I was taught in my English and creative writing classes in junior high and high school. Then after I got married and was busy raising children, I started writing a couple of different things when my kids were napping or playing. Between the Lines is my second novel.

Is your book based on a personal experience?

Not in the least. :) But I do love watching television shows that mix character relationships with criminal investigation--Alias, Castle, Bones, etc. My passion for those kinds of stories made me try my hand at romantic suspense. To my surprise, I actually love writing bad guys almost as much as I love writing romance! Who would have thought?

How long did it take you to write the book?

Um...forever. :) In its various incarnations, it was probably a three-year project. It doesn't normally take me that long, but it started out as mostly romance until Covenant's evaluators decided they thought I should stick in more "bad guy stuff." So I rewrote. Then resubmitted. Then had it accepted and rewrote various aspects of it many times. It's been a long road, but I'm happy with how it turned out.

What books or authors have most influenced your writing?

Definitely Kerry Blair, first and foremost. Her "The Heart Has It's Reasons" and subsequent books in that series were the first LDS books I fell in love with. They really were a turning point in my life. Shortly after I read them, we started exchanging emails, and she became a dear friend. She had an enormous impact on my decision to keep trying to get publish. Also, Traci Abramson's books really turned my thoughts to writing LDS suspense. She's such a master at it! I greatly admire her and her writing ability so much. Just getting to know her has inspired me to become a better writer.

What can we look for next? What current projects are you working on?

Between the Lines is out the first week of May, and I'm very excited about that! I hope all the years of hard work put into this book helps it to be something people enjoy. So much of my writing time has been focused on getting this book ready that I haven't fully jumped back into writing my next project. Now I can do that! Its working title is "Deceit," and the book is high-energy action (the helicopter chase scene as the bad guys try to chase my main characters through the mountains of Colorado continues to be my favorite!) with a tale of rekindled love--if my characters make it out alive, of course!

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Finding time, mostly! Being a YW president, raising five kids, and working part time as a medical transcriptionist rarely leaves me spare time. But writing seems to be vital to my mental health, so I squeak out whatever time I can.

Do you have any advice for other authors?

Yes! Don't give up! I talk to so many aspiring authors, and most of them think the path is easy: write a book, send it off to a few agents, and then it's published. When they find out there's a lot of hard work and heartbreak along the way, they get a little freaked out. But anything worthwhile takes work! So be prepared to work, and don't give up! Most of the joy in the experience, I have found, comes in the friendship and learning experiences you discover along the way.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

In my 2 seconds of spare time? :) I love to play tennis, and I love to read. It seems to be easier to find time to read (while waiting for kids to come out of school, or in bed at night during the news broadcasts) than to play tennis, so I find myself reading more often than pounding tennis balls across the net.

Any last words you want the reader to know?

I'm just excited to be sharing my passion for reading by writing something I hope people will enjoy. If I've been able to give somebody a few hours of escape or enjoyment through the pages of my book, I'll feel like my time writing has been well spent. Every time I hear somebody say, "I haven't done a lick of housework in 2 days because I was too absorbed in your book!" I feel like I could die happy. :)

Random Notes from 7th Annual LDStorymaker Conference

2010-04-28T09:38:00.000-07:00

Marion Jensen alias Matthew Buckley needs to write for television--the guy is a comic genius--total deadpan with killer jokes. He did the welcome and introduction.
Next I attended Laura Rennart's--How to Ace the Audition. She said to have an elevator pitch memorized focusing on Who? What? Where? and Why should I care? What is the unusual detail that sets your story apart? Get at the HEART! The elevator pitch is something that you can tell someone about your book in under three minutes. She was great. FOLLOW SUBMISSION GUIDELINES and do your research. Don't send a thriller to someone who doesn't publish thrillers.

Next I attended Josi Kilpack's session on getting the most from booksignings and launching parties. I've been friends and an admirer of Josi for about six years. I've attended several of her awesome book launch parties and hope to do the same thing when my next book comes out. Which I hope will be before I die. Everyone keeps asking me and well that's all I can tell you for sure. Anyway Josi sends out about 350 postcards even to those who couldn't possibly come to the party, but it's a way of creating an event with your book and letting everyone know where they can get one. In other words don't forget to include online ordering information. Make sure that you know what else is going on in the community and to not schedule the party at the same time. Josi does her launch parties at a local independent bookstore in her community.

Then I attended Jeff Savage's session on villains. Jeff is one of the best presenters that I know. He is professional. He is courteous. He is generous with advice. And most important he is funny. The main thing I learned is that I need a more menacing and clear villain in my work in progress. But that the villain has to be believable and basically like the hero--they should have clear motives.

By this time on Friday 4:00--I was really tired. Still recovering from the lingering effects of pneumonia, I was drifting a bit during Stephanie Black's session on techniques for mystery/suspense writers, but she is really good also. Stephanie's book just took the Whitney for the best suspense of 2009. I haven't read it yet, but it looks really creepy doesn't it? I learned that she loves Jack Bickham, so I've resolved to read what he has to say. One of my favorite quotes from her session is "Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water." Kurt Vonnegut.

The keynote speaker for Friday night was David Wolverton/David Farland highly successful writer and teacher. They honored him with a lifetime achievement award Saturday night at the Whitneys. At our dinner table I sat by some friends, Anne Bradshaw, Jolynne Lyon and Amber Smith. We discussed how much better the food was at this conference than one we'd been to that was not a storymaker conference, but I won't mention any names.

Saturday: One of my wip (works in progess) is to write the story of a friend of mine who has had a very interesting life so I attended a session by Mary Greathouse on writing memoirs. She has a lot of great sites to go to and good information. It was geared more to those who want to write family histories, but I still found it helpful.

Sarah Eden: A storymaker whom I've never met--we're a very large group now--was hilarious. My goodness she has a lot of energy. She is not a fan of the old time greats, like Charles Dickens, at least in how they have pages and pages of description that isn't necessary to the story. She showed us how detail could be used to show character and so forth. How details should be appropriate for the character, to use and example she put up a scene where two guys are working out in the gym and discussing their outfits and the periwinkle walls. She had contests to have the group fix the passage. One changed the gender, one change their sexual orientation, and one changed the wording, but kept the scene. It was fun and telling.

Stacey Anderson: "The Santa Letters" has done a tremendously good job at self-promotion and taught us how to do the same. Lots of what she does, I realized I'm just not cut out for. I have a hard time putting myself out there. But there were things I could do and I tried to focus on those. One good idea was to send out News releases to the media-- not press releases. She worked for a newspaper and knows that most press releases get tossed. Look for ways your story can be made into news. She sent her book to some influential people--like Laura Bush and got a personal letter back from her. She could do that because her book related to drunk driving. Mine--well they are suspense. I'd have to come up with another angle. Many of my friends and I help each other with blog tours and social networking. Those are things I can do.

Ok, by this time I really wanted to go home. I still wanted to visit a bit more with my mother in Orem, but at 2:00 I had an important meeting with the senior editor Kirk Shaw at Covenant--my publisher. I'd never met him before so of course was just a bit nervous since I wanted to pitch my next book to him, well as luck would have it, he sat down in the open chair next to me at lunch. This made the meeting with him easy and worthwhile. He gave me lots of encouragement and some good ideas on how to get this next book published. It's a mystery set in Yellowstone National Park.

By now I was late to the final workshop I would be attending, Dave Wolverton's. He gave great advice on making our books more successful--one was to strike an emotional cord. People love books that will make them laugh and make them cry. Another was to broaden your audience. He told us how he made a character with a German name who had a Japanese heart. The book was very successful in Germany and in Japan. I was so tired though, I ended up leaving early, saying goodbye to a few friends out in the foyer and I was on my way back home--geared and ready to WRITE!

I love to write and am happy to feel like I'm getting back in the game.

Good-bye San Francisco

2010-04-22T13:28:00.000-07:00

Our daughter has lived in San Francisco for the last 16 months and last weekend we visited for the third time. I'm not sure I'll ever go there again because she'll be moving soon, but we had a great time. We did lots of touristy things, like saw Wicked, visited three museums:The Museum of Modern Art, The Legion of Honor, and De Young. I'm not sure which was my favorite--parts of each stood out. I loved the ceramics in the Legion of Honors and the old time masters works, like Giovanni, Rembrandt, and even the Impressionists Monet and Manet. I realized how much I've forgotten from the days that I packed my hefty Art History book around the USU campus studying for Professor Michael Bull's comprehensive tests. By the time we visited De Young we were so tired we couldn't give it the time that it deserved. It may be my favorite. They had a gorgeous display of Amish abstract quilts and minutes before they closed we went to the lookout tower and looked out over the impressive city and bay.

It was our 31'st wedding anniversary. Last year I wrote a blog about my husband called 30 years of Nice. He's never lived that down from his brother Larry who loves to tease him about it. But now I could write another one called 31 years, but I'll let last years suffice.

The best part of the trip of course was spending time with our daughter and seeing how well she navigates the world. She confidently rides the city on her mo-ped. Maybe the best thing about being married for 31 years is having fabulous adult children to visit and now two beautiful grandchildren. All in all life is pretty darn good.

A Confession? or This is not an endorsement of WalMart

2010-04-03T13:13:00.000-07:00

Everyone who knows me well, knows I do not shop at Wal-Mart. Up until a few weeks ago, I hadn't spent any money at a Walmart in at least five years. I actively avoid Wal-Mart because I believe it is better to support the little local stores. I don't like big-box stores on principle, and was especially upset with WalMart when they built a second store in our not-so-large valley. So what broke my record of not stepping into a WalMart? I'll tell you. We were between a rock and a hard place or that is in great need--the ox was in the mire. We were visiting our son's family in Avon, Colorado--yes if you've noticed the irony here--we live in Avon, Utah. We're hoping our daughter can find a town to live in named Avon as well so that we call all be connected in a strange sort of way.

Anyway back to my tale, we wanted to go swimming with our grandkids at this really cool recreation center. We hadn't known ahead that we needed to bring a suit. There are exactly two stores that sell swim suits in Avon, one is Sport's Authority, right beneath our son's condo, and the other is Wal-Mart. My husband is more avidly against shopping at WalMart than I am, so we headed down to see what we could find. Being the time of year it was we found a couple of racks of suits that were all on sale. Great, we set out picking out suits to try on. I found a handful of suits that I thought might fit me. I squeezed into the first one and couldn't get it on. I tried the next, and the next, and the next. Every single suit made me well aware of the pounds I have put on in the last few years. Fat seemed to ooze out of the suit and hid nothing! I immediately vowed to begin the elusive diet once again. The suits were made for people who actually swam. The suits were made for athletic people and not just grandmas who wanted to bounce around with their grandkids. Mick found a suit easily. I mean how hard is it to find a pair of baggy shorts to wear? But after our children called and asked what was taking us so long, I admitted that we were going to have to go look at WalMart. I found the racks and racks of suits made for women like me and women much much bigger than I am. These suits were made for women who wanted to keep the fat hidden from view. I chose a couple to try on and suddenly felt slim again. Instantly was gone the desire to starve myself back into thin again. I looked pretty darn good after all. I quickly chose two suits for less than the price of one at the other store and threw in a pair of swim shorts I could wear and headed to the check-out. Yes, I did feel a bit guilty. I was now an official hypocrite. But it was so worth it. We had so much fun kicking in the pool with our two grandkids and our son and his wife. We got to see what a wonderful little family our son has. Sometimes compromising values is worth it. Right?

Writing Group Essentials

2010-03-01T20:41:00.000-08:00

About a decade ago, I didn't know I was capable of writing a whole novel.The idea of keeping a story going for 300 pages seemed impossible. I knew I could write. I'd always had teachers commend my writing. I loved writing stories even when I was eight years old. I owe some credit to a third grade teacher who had us write creative stories and then mimeographed the pages and gave them to us. Ever since that first publishing experience I was hooked! It was my goal to get published again. After going back to school and getting a degree in English, I hoped to continue on with my development and so we formed a writing group. For our first meeting,I wrote a short, short story without an ending. I essentially had three interesting characters, a great setting, and a good premise and from there my first novel, "A Question of Trust" was born. Since then I've published a 2nd book and written three more that I hope will someday find a home. I owe most of my writing success to my writing groups.
Here's a few guidelines: 1. Take your writing group day seriously. This means to plan on having something to share each time. Your group can only handle so many times, of "I didn't write anything this time."
2. Whether you meet once a month, twice, or every week, try very hard to make it to most of your meetings. Put it on the calendar and plan around it.
3. Keep the group small enough that you can each share your writing and discuss it. I belong to two Critique groups, both with 3 to 5 members. You each need at least 30 minutes to share and discuss.
4. Plan on catching up with the latest news, but don't let this dominate your discussion. If you need to use a timer.
5. Don't let one person dominate. If it's you--cool it next time.
6. When critiquing always give more positive comments then negative ones. Most of us learn more from what we are doing right, than what we are doing wrong. Don't just make up a suggestion if you don't really think it. Bad advice is not better than no advice.
7. Be generous. If you know of good resources, contests, workshops, publication options, then share with the group.
8. Share in each others joys and sorrows. In one of my groups when I'd been rejected yet another time, the group had a little sympathy tea for me. It made me feel better to know they cared. When I got my first book published, I took my first group out to breakfast to celebrate. When someone get's published--be genuinely happy for them. Your time will come!
9. You can get over-grouped. In other words, if you go to so many writing groups that you are having trouble finding the time to write, then it may be time to cut back.
10. If you haven't found a group to join, then start your own.

One Year Later...

2010-02-16T18:26:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day doesn't mean the same thing for me anymore. Last year on Valentine's Day we were roadside witnesses to a tragic accident that took a young man's life. In the year since then, I've learned a lot of life and death. I've learned a lot about love and life. I've learned a lot about grief and pain. I've learned that someone I never knew could change my life forever. I feel emotion more deeply than I did before the accident. I read the paper with trepidation. Watching the news can cause me to tremble all over again.
And yet if I could choose over again, to have taken a different route, to choose not to have been there when Josh Discuillo was hit by a car, I would not change our route. Because I was there I was able to meet his family and share in their grief. It taught me more about the face of grief and tragedy, that every life and death effects a myriad of people in different ways. Like the ripple of a stone in water. The parents are effected the most, then the sibling, the close friends, the neighbors, and so on down to in our case, the witnesses to the accident. The ripple in my life is deeper than I could ever have imagined and yet for some reason my being there seems to be no accident. Valentine's Day for me will always be a day to remember the life of a great young man and to pray for his family.

I'm not a crazy cat person!

2010-01-16T19:15:00.000-08:00

It isn't that I'm one of those crazy cat people, it's just that I like--okay I love--my cats. Back in the late 70's when I was attending USU, I'll never forget the day that one of my neighbors on Darwin Avenue came over and asked if I would help with a service project. No one had shown up for the sorority service project she was in charge of--cleaning an old woman's house. Even though I wasn't in the sorority, I said I would be glad to help. I think she rounded up a couple of other girls, but I honestly don't remember anyone else besides her helping with the cleaning.

"She has a lot of cats," she said apologetically. "Heather" was a really pretty girl. I mean really pretty. All of the guys in our student ward would ask her out and the rumor is that none of them had managed to get a date. Well it wasn't because she was snooty about her looks. She wasn't. She was a sweetheart. And I didn't know it yet, but would learn in the next five hours that she was tougher than she looked. Anyway I told her I loved cats. She looked sheepish when we entered the house, like she was embarrassed about what we'd see next. I have a feeling even she hadn't known how bad it actually was. I guess the state or city or whomever made such decisions would've condemned the woman's house and take her cats away without help. It should have been. Looking back, it was without a doubt one of the worst experiences I've ever had. We literally scraped feces off everywhere--even the walls. Cat poop nearly covered the carpet along the edges of the living room,kitchen, and bedroom. Cats walked all over the kitchen counters while we cleaned. I remember counting about 20 cats. Of course I petted them whenever I could, between scraping up the encrusted poop. We washed all the cupboards out, all the counters, all the floors, everything. And we didn't have any equipment. We should've been wearing full-body protection, but we had nothing, but a few sponges, buckets, paper towels,and spatulas. I think I kept wondering how this woman got the way she was--how was it she couldn't bear to give a cat away, but I knew. She was a crazy cat woman. I'm not...Yet.

The Tree

2009-12-27T20:14:00.000-08:00

We decided to go back to our old tradition of buying a living tree and plant it after Christmas since we have a lot of property now. We were kind of excited to do this again and my husband bought a tree at a nursery in Brigham. Well he happened to bring home the small tree when my good friend and neighbor was leaving our house. She noticed the pathetic looking tree that stood upright on the back seat of our car and barely touched the roof. My neighbor felt sorry for us; a new house with a large window and my husband "so conservative he would only buy a little tree."

The next morning I noticed her husband set a tree next to our horse stable. I thought that was strange. Maybe he thought the horses liked to eat trees. So I asked my neighbor why her husband put a tree there. She started to look sheepish and laugh. She explained what she thought and that they had an extra tree. We put the tree up. It is gorgeous next to our large picture window. We set our live tree outside where we can see it through the window. It is indeed pathetic looking. We may have to rethink our tradition.

Paradise Art & Musical Event

2009-12-08T20:39:00.000-08:00

This Saturday December 12th from 10 am to 5 pm in Paradise Town Hall we'll be holding our semi-annual art sale. This year's event will feature my pottery, Marilyn Krannich's pottery, and Jim Parrish's photography. Both Marilyn and I have been doing pottery for over 30 years. I'm happy to have her join us again in this sale. Our work is quite different from each other and you're bound to find something that you like. We'll have pie plates, vases, bowls, platters, chip & dip plates, and of course I'll have some frogs. We both specialize in functional one-of-a-kind work.
Jim often has work from around our own scenic area. He will also have a close-out on some of the photography he's had around for a while.

We're especially pleased to have some local musicians join our event. Dale Majors is a talented cowboy who plays guitar, sings, and writes some of his own music. His daughter Erin has a beautiful voice and plays the fiddle proficiently. They perform from 1 pm to 3 pm. They are a delightful duo. I hope folks will come out to support them.

From 3 pm to 5 pm we're very lucky to have Wade & Cara back. They play a multiple of string and wind instruments and are a must-see, must-hear team who have performed their world folk music in several different countries.

Our Thanksgiving

2009-12-01T21:52:00.000-08:00

Our son told us that the rules for a successful Thanksgiving Dinner were simple, don't try new recipes and never skip the turkey. So before our all-out traditional dinner with grandmas, cousins, brothers and the rest of the whole fam damily, we had an alternative dinner with just us. We broke all the rules. I mean what wouldn't a mother do for her daughter? Especially one who is as wonderful as ours and who we don't get to see all that often. Our daughter doesn't eat meat, gluten, or lactose (cow's milk). All of her life she has suffered from stomach aches. Lots of tests have been run but nothing was ever found to be wrong. In her childhood, every time she said her stomach hurt, I did what any Scandinavian mother would do--I gave her a glass of milk. And sometime when I felt really motherly, I made a piece of whole wheat toast to go with it. After lots of experimentation on her own, she discovered a way to avoid the constant stomach pain. Get rid of the milk, get rid of the wheat, and get rid of meat. So being a good Scandinavian mother even though it goes against all of my own instincts, I support her--at least for one day. So we had to get creative if we were going to eat anything at all. She brought a section from her newspaper with some delicious sounding recipes, but you know how almost nothing ever turns out the way it sounds? Well it took all of us to help with this dinner because we were hungry and wanted to eat before midnight. I must say I was skeptical when I tasted the dough to make the gluten-free pie crust. It was a bit on the yuckky side, but our dinner turned out absoltely delicious including the crust. Everyone of us thought it was one of the best dinners we'd ever had, at least that we had cooked. And afterwards we still felt good. None of the groaning and near passing out that we enjoyed the next day after our turkey, dressing, and everything that goes with it.

Our alternative menu was a cauliflower-leek tart, warm sweet potato and apple salad, green bean gremolata,and apple cranberry crisp. Tonight each of my two children have asked for recipes from the San Francisco Chronicle section that we got the recipes from. Daughter in S.F. asked for the tart, and son asked for the warm salad recipe. The only thing that wasn't a hit was the green been dish but I suspect that it's because I was making it and didn't follow the recipe very closely. In short I goofed a bit. It was okay. Here are the ones that we all highly recommend.

Cauliflower-blue cheese tart

I medium head cauliflower, cut into small forets
2 TBS olive oil
course salt and ground pepper
1 Tbs. butter
2 leeks, well washed and thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic
1 crust
2 oz. mild blue cheese or use percorino or parmessan (we used a mild white cheese since aged cheese gives me migraines.)
3 large eggs
1 cup milk
We made our own pie crust following a regular recipe, but substituting gluten-free flour.

preheat oven to 375. Toss cauliflower with oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and spread on a large rimmed baking sheet. Roast until c. is well browned about 35-45 minutes.
Melt the butter in a saucepan set over medium. Add the leeks and cook, stirring often until wilted and beginning to carmelize about 10 min. Add the garlic and cook for a minute more stirring often . Let cool slightly.
In a bowl, whisk the eggs and milk. season with salt and pepper . Roll out both of the pie crusts and fit one into a 9 inch pan. In using cheese, sprinkle over the bottom of teh pastry. top with c. and leeks. pour egg mixture over filling.
cover with remaining crust and pinch edges together. Bake 45 min. to 1 hour until the crust is evenly browned and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean

Warm Sweet potato and Apple Salad
2 lbs. sweet potatoes (i used three medium) peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick
2Tbs. olive oil
1 red onion
1 Tbs. Dijon mustard
1/4 cup red wine vinegar (we didn't have any, so threw in a dash of rice vinegar)
1 Tbs. maple syrup
1 golden delicious apple (we used two)
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbs. chives (we used green onion)
Instructions: Place sweet potato slices in a pot and cover with col, salted water. Bring water to a boil and let simmer until poatoes are tender but still hold their shape, about 10-15 minutes. Drain carefully.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a frying pan on medium heat. Add half of the onions, and saute until caramelized, about 10 min. Add the mustard, vinegar and syrup, and stir until incorporated. Let simmer for about 2 min.
Add the apples, stir to combine, and remove from heat. Mix gently with the cooked sweet potatoes and remaining onions, and season to taste. Sprinkle chives on top and toss.

--

Scandalous Desserts and More

2009-11-11T21:08:00.000-08:00

My goodness what do you find out with a group of women, older women at that? Even though I don't consider myself old enough to be a member of the Daughter of Utah Pioneers a few years ago my friend Sherry invited me to attend with her. I assured her that I would not want to belong to group of old ladies (sorry this is what I thought). Sherry lured me with promises of good food. Well the food was great and the company was fun. At 52 I am one of the youngest members in the Sagwith camp. Last month I mentioned that I'd been to southern Utah with a group of Mormon Feminists. "Polygamists, did you say?""No feminists." "Who made the pumpkin pie?" several women wanted to know. Marjean, who brought the pie answered, "Sam's." "Who did she say made the pie--Sharon?" "Oh Shirley made the pie" By this time I'm laughing. Marjean is laughing trying to explain that she picked up the pie at Sam's Club while Donna is still laughing about the Feminist Polygamists. Now all this confusion is not because they women are just too old to hear, although that might be a little of the problem. The problem is that the tables are set out like a big long banquet table and what is said at one end will surely change--just like that old game we used to play at birthday parties. You know where you whisper something like, "Last night we ate pizza," and it turns into "The end of the world is here!" Or something scandalous--always something scandalous which brings me to the next month at DUP.

This month we had a luscious dessert. I recognized the dessert and used to make it when I made such things back in the day. The recipe was given to me as Oblong Pie. As we ate this dessert, someone said, Myrt calls this Filthy Wilma. "Filthy Wilma?" Yup that's right. So I came home and looked up the dessert and came across this quote in a blog about the dessert. "Anyway. So when I arrived (finally!) for the wedding, one of the first pieces of news gleaned from my brother and my sister was that there was a pan of Filthy Wilma in the fridge, left over from the previous night's festivities. What is Filthy Wilma? Well, as Amilynne puts it, if you're a good Mormon, it's Republican Dessert, and if you're a bad Mormon, it's Filthy Wilma."

I wonder what the name of the dessert would be called for me, a semi-decent Liberal leaning progressive Mormon? Luscious Linda, Jolly Jack, Obama Dreamcake, Raunchy Rachel, Hotty Hilary--Okay now they are sounding--well a little raunchy. Anyway it sounds a bit like our conversation at Relief Society tonight--or whatever it is they are calling it these days. I would tell you what the bishop's wife told us, but you can go over to her blog at Clawson live and search "F word" for the story. It's a good one with a good moral and everything. And here's the recipe for Filthy Wilma or whatever you want to call it.

Filthy Wilma Recipe
CRUST:

1 c chopped nuts
1 1/4 c flour
1 cube melted butter

1st Layer

8 oz cream cheese
1 c powdered sugar
1/2 container Cool Whip

2nd Layer

1 small pkg. chocolate instant pudding
1 small pkg vanilla instant pudding
3 c milk

Last Layer

1/2 container Cool Whip
chopped nuts

Mix crust and press in 9x13" pan. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. Chill before adding each layer. Combine each ingredient for each layer and top with the chopped nuts.

Christmas Romance & Family Nights

2009-11-03T17:31:00.000-08:00

Last year I read one of Aubrey Mace's books "Spare Change" and found it really cute and different from most LDS romances. So when she asked for volunteers from our LDStorymakers to do a review, I volunteered. This is a quick read. I loved the beginning which is laugh out loud enjoyable. Abbie had given up finding the perfect man and contents herself with a fulfilling single life as the owner of a bakery and doting aunt. On Christmas Eve on a whim she quickly scrawls a note to Santa asking for a man. She sets the note out with a can of Pringles and a Coke and goes to bed. Of course, in the morning she is shocked to find a handsome man who has no idea how he got there. And yes he had eaten the chips and drank the Coke. The pace slows but keeps you interested enough to the last page. Of course you have to find out if the man with SBC on his silk pajamas really did come from Santa. It's reminiscent of the movie "Santa Clause" and old Christmas comedies. This book is an unapologetic light and a feel-good read for women who want to escape for a few hours. It won't change your life, but I don't think it was meant to. I believe it is available in most LDS bookstores.

2. Another one of my friends, Anne Bradshaw, has really worked hard to put out a great help to LDS families. Anne compiled a wonderful idea book of family home evening ideas from Mormons that are somewhat recognizable or outstanding in some way. I say all this a little hesitantly because an idea from me is on page 149. I hesitated to be included in this book because she called it "Famous Family Nights," and I'm neither famous or good at family home evenings. However it's an honor to be included in this fun little book. One of my favorite posts comes from Matthew Buckley author of the "Chicken in the Headlights" books describing his brother measuring belly button lint. Doesn't that remind you of some of your attempts at FHE? Anyway, there are some spiritual posts too and some that are really of help. I can see this being a wonderful gift for grandparents to give to their children or Home teachers or Visiting Teachers to give to their families. Wouldn't that be fun Christmas gift? Do not let the cover put you off. I have to say I am not a fan of the cover which makes it look like it is for little kids. This is a book for all age families. My post deals with adult children so I know this is true. Anyway it is also available in LDS bookstores and at Anne's website.

Sasquatch was here!

2009-10-23T22:43:00.000-07:00

Recently I talked to a neighbor who saw prints of what in her opinion could only have been made by Sasquatch. The prints were clearing imprinted in the sediment in the bottom of the empty canal in the spring before the water was released. Unfortunately there was just enough seepage in the bottom of the canal to erase the prints before she was able to document them. She did however find a very good print on the side of the canal that had not been obliterated. If you found prints what would you do? Probably exactly what she did, she went to find a neighbor to show so someone else could witness the sighting. But the neighbor brought his dogs who ran through and ruined the print.

Well I had never met my neighbor and her story had superseded the meeting with her. In other words I'd heard about her belief. And I like anyone else would have assumed she was a bit off. But here's the rub. She's not. She's as sane as you or I. Well as sane as I am and I'm here to tell you, she believes what she saw could only have been made by Sasquatch which means he or she came very close to our house. So is that cool? Yeah, I think so.

The Magical side of Life

2009-10-07T20:00:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard of Crazy Creek? It's a beautiful waterfall outside of Yellowstone's N.E. entrance on the Beartooth highway. Not very many people go there, but it's so lovely. Usually it's a rushing cascade over giant boulders, but these pics were taken over UEA and conference weekend. Thanks church leaders and school leaders for coinciding so we could have a few days enjoying life. Contrary to what you may believe Yellowstone might have been warmer than Cache Valley. Our friends, Jeannie and Lee H. came along with us--actually drove because Lee says he gets carsick, but I do believe he also likes to be in control. I was worried about relinquishing my control, but found it liberating to relax and let things happen and not be in the figurative or literal driver's seat for a change. If Lee reads this he'll have something smart alec to say. He always has something smart alec to say.
Because of a fire south of Fishing Bridge we had to kill some time, so we went to Old Faithful. I have to admit Old Faithful isn't even close to my favorite feature in the Park. But look at it--isn't it beautiful? I was feeling awe-inspired when some guy's cellphone went off, right at the peak. What do you think he did? He answered it. And proceeded to chit chat not even mentioning that he was watching one of the most amazing phenomenon's of all time. I could hear every word he said while the rest of us ooohed and awed or just felt that funny feeling deep in your chest. It's the feeling you have when you see a newborn baby, a couple getting married, or watching a fire burn in the fireplace that your dad built in a cabin you've been visiting for 49 years. Cell phones kill the magic. Ok enough about that. My battery is about to run out because we're in a power outage and my good friend Jason Kimber who is a new father has informed me that the power outage is going to last for a few hours. I love that I got to see Yellowstone in the fall before the leaves fell. It's a first for me. I love spending time with friends, I love spending time with my husband. And I love Silver Gate, Montana. Life doesn't get any better--even a cell phone can't ruin that or a power outage.

Go to Helen Waite right after driving through Paradise

2009-09-21T17:06:00.000-07:00

You have to love Paradise. Well not everyone does I guess. In August there were two concerts in the lovely hamlet of Old Paradise (Avon). The first was held right across the meadow from me. It was loud and obnoxious. Not even close to being my cup of tea. A stream of young people drove in and out of this concert until the wee hours of the morning. It sounded like heavy metal or maybe just shouting, but I didn't move out to Avon to tell my neighbors what to do. It's one day--no biggie. The very next week there was another concert. This one was a music festival with professional bands. People again descended upon our hamlet. This one was held a little further away from me and definitely brought more people and a greater variety of types from neighbors to professionals from all walks of life. From what I heard--four bands were featured, saving the quieter venues for early morning. My husband and I were picking chokecherries right behind the concert and could hear it plainly, but as we finished and walked down our lane we were disappointed not to be able to hear the music anymore.

I was surprised the next morning when I opened my paper to see a very angry letter printed in the Logan newspaper about not the first concert, but the second concert. What's worse is that the Herald Journal had not adequately screened the writer of the letter and had inadvertently allowed a pseudonym "Helen Waite" from Avon. Now for some reason I didn't catch the joke right off. I mean it sounds like a real name only I was pretty sure no one existed with that name--here. We're a small town and know most folks. Then someone said, so do you go to Hell 'en Wait after you've been to Paradise and I along with most others caught the joke. Only jokes are supposed to be funny and clever and this letter was neither. It was mean-spirited. And mean-spiritedness isn't what most of us in this town are about. I hope the letter writer has since recovered from their temporary lack of decorum and won't repeat their vitriol next year when the concert is held again.

There was another pretty loud musical event held this last Saturday right next door to me. It was a barn dance, lots of fun and full of good will. This is what I love about my town. I love that we had a decent rock and roll band and a country western band play and all with local talent. I hope there won't be any letters to the editor. I hope we don't discourage diversity.

Fire-fighting Females and Lovely Meadows

2009-08-19T21:56:00.000-07:00

We just wanted to see the flowers on the hike to White Pine. Our daughter was home from California for a few days, but the hike ended up being a little more than we bargained for. I'd done the hike the week before and wasn't sure I had the energy to make it all the way. Dear daughter ended up running the last mile, so she could see the lake and get back to swim at a friend's pool. She wanted to pack all of Utah summer fun into short time she had. So she ran down to the lake, passing a group of middle-aged women from Shelley, Idaho. They were on their way back and when I got to them they said they'd wanted to give daughter a speeding ticket. On our way back we came across the women again when they were fighting a fire left by a careless camper. My husband and daughter joined them to see what they could do. I sent a group of young hikers up to join them and our daughter ran down the trail to report the fire that was now engulfing a tree and spreading. Shovels and professionals were needed, not just a group of Chaco wearing kids, Nalgene water bottles, and fearless females snapping pictures and stomping out flames.
So I ended up hiking down, figuring I could wait by Tony's Grove, stay cool, get a drink, and eat some more. Yeah, well they'd had enough help. So on my way down, daughter was on her way back up. She had reported the fire and and was now headed back to take more water to her dad. She mentioned that she had to break into the car with a stick because she'd forgotten the key. So I waited at the car for a couple of hours, fully expecting to see the firefighters show up. My head ached from the sun, not enough water or food. It was hours later than I had expected or prepared to be out. No one ever showed up to fight the fire, but finally the Relief Society ladies from Shelly, Idaho come down the mountain. They reported that they had seen my daughter on the trail, mentioned her running ability and asked if she is in competition. By now she had logged over ten miles--mostly running. Mick, they said was checking hot spots. I took photos of them for their scrap books and maybe to pass around in church. And Mick finally showed up--no daughter! He hadn't seen her. So he headed back up the trail. Eventually Mick and daughter showed up together. He'd come back a different way. So when daughter got to the fire spot and couldn't find him, she worried she'd find him dead in a pile of black ash, or slumped over from a heart attack.
Daughter missed her chance to swim that day, but she had an adventure and got plenty of exercise. I got a migraine but still enjoyed the beautiful meadows and weather. Some women from Shelley, Idaho went beyond the call of duty and possibly saved Tony Grove area from a major forest fire, but whomever started it--will never even know the disaster they caused, and some forest rangers should thank all of them for saving them the trouble. So to all of you who fought the fire on the White Pine trail without thanks from anyone--the group of kids, the couple who first saw it, the lovely Relief Society group, my beautiful daughter, and my tireless husband. Thanks. You did a good thing.

On a Wing and a Prayer

2009-08-08T15:03:00.000-07:00

My good friends Larry and Barbara (also my brother-in-law and sister-in-law) told me they are sick to death of reading Pigs, Pigs, Pigs and wondered when I would update my blog. Hurray!!! Someone is actually reading my blog. Sorry to those of you who have stuck with me through my busy time of year. I've had a bunch of art festivals and family events. But now here's something interesting...I hope.

It happened this way. We’d just seen an entire pack of wolves in the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park. We’d seen wolves before, but never anything like this—seven all together. I was still on a high from the rare sight. It was starting to be dusky light and we hoped to get back to the cabin in Silver Gate Montana before our little grandchildren went to bed for the night, so I drove a pretty good clip, still pausing the car when we saw elk, deer, antelope, and huge bison, literally on the road at times.
I was going around 50 mph when Mick said, “Don’t hit it.”
“What?” Then I could see it too. A little gosling, or something tiny standing in the middle of the highway. I swerved around it. Then Mick decided he needed to help the little bird get across the busy highway. Besides now a car was approaching in the opposite direction. Would it hit the bird? I couldn’t find a good place to turn around on the narrow highway. Finally, I just turned around, miles past the bird.
When we got back to the spot, the other car we’d seen was stopped in the road. Had they hit the bird? We couldn’t see anything smashed and then they drove over into a turnout. We pulled alongside their car—now noting that it was a gray Subaru Forester almost exactly like ours, only a bit more packed with stuff and two young women, probably in their twenties in front. We’ve always felt a camaraderie with Subaru drivers. There are usually at least a few things you will have in common. It’s kind of like a giant club. We rolled our window down and so did they.
“Did you help the bird?” I asked.
“Yes.” The driver said in a timid voice. She had a look on her face like she was hiding a secret.
Then we heard—chirp, chirp, chirp. And she held the fuzzy yellow gosling up for us to see.
“What should we do with it?” She asked.
Mick was convinced we’d be able to find the other part of her family. So we began to look for a mother and father goose. We traipsed up and down the banks of the very swift and full Soda Butte River, but couldn’t find any sign of the parents. We didn’t dare put it in the water, because we knew without a mother it would be lost in the roar of rushing water.
We discussed what our options were. We could take it to the rangers, but one of the young women worked in Mammoth, and figured if they showed it to the rangers they would lecture her to let nature take its course and abandon the bird. Or worse slap a fine. There are rules a plenty to be broken in the Park. In Yellowstone it is not acceptable to interfere with nature, but in this case—the road caused the gosling to get lost. The road doesn’t fit into the wild scheme of survival of the fittest, at least in my view it shouldn’t. The young women kept calling it a duck, but it was a gosling. Anyway after jokes about bird-napping, they took the baby—determined to find some calmer waters ahead where they knew some other ducks or geese or whatever.

"I like your car," the driver said before pulling away.

I’m hoping on a wing and prayer that the little gosling somehow makes it.

Pigs, Pigs, Pigs!

2009-05-28T21:03:00.000-07:00

It might be fitting that my studio was once a pig farrowing barn. I like pigs. I've always liked pigs. Pigs are one of my favorite things to make with children. When we moved into Paradise 18 years ago our realtor told us that no pigs were allowed in Paradise even though other animals were. She may have been wrong, but we believed her. Our daughter wanted a pig for her 8th birthday. We didn't really want to buy her a pig besides, the realtor told us they weren't allowed, so we bought her a guinea pig. My husband ended up being highly allergic to it and eventually it succumbed to a neighbor's dog when it was enjoying an outing on the lawn.

Well, my occasional job of going into schools to teach pottery got canceled this year due to budget cuts. But I did a freebie for one very special 1st grade class--my husbands. Here's some examples of the pigs they made. They really did make them. Aren't they wonderful?

It's all Good

2009-05-20T21:59:00.000-07:00

In one month we will have been in our new house for a whole year. I can't believe it. There are still boxes I haven't even looked in yet. The other day I remembered a favorite thing I haven't seen since the move. It's a beautiful oil lamp that my husband bought me for my birthday a few years ago. It is a hand-thrown, hand carved porcelain lamp with frogs. Yeah, I know I make pottery--but this was made my a real artist--not someone who pretends to be. I hope you're smiling about this, since you all know I'm a potter. I love to have other potters work. Last month my good friends K. and Kerri Rasmussen, well Kerri is my good friend and she's married to K. and he's a friend, but not a good friend if you know what I mean. K. if you're reading this you know I love you and your lovely garden, artistic mind, and your skiing ability. Anyway my friends brought me a gorgeous tall vase--with a leaf design.
Anyway back to my frog pot--even without that lovely pot, every single day I think about how much I love living here. Besides the house being great, I sometimes have to pinch myself to make sure I'm really looking out my windows at such an amazing view. Lately we've started hiking again. Last Sunday our friend Mike came over and we all hiked up Paradise Dry. The spring wildflowers are just starting to come out. The whole mountain sides are yellow with arrow-leaf balsamroot--a sunflower relative. And if you look closely you can see tiny bright blue forget-me-knots, and pink clematis. Soon the lupine will bloom.
I've started to feel comfortable in my new world of friends. I have some great friends to walk with. I still try to connect with my friends from Paradise whenever possible. I really am blessed and lucky! People are so good to me. Life is good. I've already forgotten what it feels like to get butted by a ram, but just so you don't think things are perfect, I did fall down the stairs--hit my back, bruising it deeply. And I twisted my ankle and it's throbbing in pain even as I write this a whole week later. So... other than that--it's all good.

Dama-rama-ram-damn-Paradisiacal life

2009-05-04T09:17:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while everything seems idyllic. I had one of those days Thursday May 1st. I worked on glazing pottery all morning and loaded the kiln, while listening to a book on tape of one of my favorite authors, Anne Tyler. Then one of my good friends called and invited me to lunch at the newly renovated Cracker Barrel (not to to mixed up with the chain) in Paradise. Marilyn and I meet for lunch a couple of times a month and it's always great to catch up with good friends. We especially enjoy the Thursday special at the Cracker Barrel which is a pulled pork barbeque sandwich.

Later that evening, Mick was meeting one of his friends for a horse ride and to check on cows. I decided it was the perfect time for a walk. While I was walking up South Canyon paralleling the Little Bear River, I watched the rushing water--hoping to see a blue heron. I didn't but watched a pair of mallard ducks take off. A pair of geese were on the nearly impossible vibrant green pasture. I've seen the green of Scotland before--nearly fluorescent--in the springtime Cache valley nearly matches that brilliance. The snow capped mountains still loom above the valley and I can't think of anything more beautiful. I'd been thinking about my perfect idyllic day on my walk--literally basking in the joy that I felt good both physically and spiritually, when I came upon a ram that was out of its pen. I passed by the ram without a thought. Then I was aware that the ram was following me and I turned around just in time to pick up my foot and stop its massive head from pounding into my backside.

That was just the beginning of at least a dozen such attacks. If I tried to go around the ram, he followed me and continued to butt me--only one time did he manage to connect with my body instead of my foot in his head--but it was more than enough to show me what a head butt from a ram felt like, and something I didn't want repeated. I yelled, hoping to catch the attention of a family that was sitting on a wagon just below the ram. I don't know if they heard me, but they weren't about to come to my aid--possibly because I found out later it wasn't their ram, and possibly because they didn't realize how much I needed help. I tried to shoo the ram, but nothing effected him. All he wanted to do at that moment was attack me. Finally he decided that just ramming me wasn't enough. He needed a running start, so he began backing up first so he could get a galloping wallup when he rammed me. If it hadn't been for my foot connecting each time with his head he would have knocked me down and pranced on me with all of his three to four hundred pounds of wooly weight and muscle. Rams are not cute little mammals like you might be thinking. They are bred to be tough so they can do what rams do. Why intimidating a naive rural transplant is part of that I have no idea, but I wasn't about to let him get his way. The stand-off may have only lasted five minutes, but it seemed like it would never end. I kept trying to get him to go to the family that seemed to be ignoring me. After each attack, I managed to get a few more feet down the road and closer to my the direction of my home. Finally, I was behind him. And he began to walk non-chalantly down the road as if he'd never done what he'd done to me. I didn't question my sudden good fortune. I thought he was getting further away from his home, but I didn't care--at least he'd stopped ramming me for the time being.

Did I win the fight with the ram? Or did he win? Well it didn't matter. My heart was still pounding from the encounter when he turned and walked up the hill toward what I now realized was his pen. His owner jumped behind a fence to let him pass. I said, "your ram has been ramming me."
"I'm sure he has." she said.
I'm sure she had no idea how frightened I'd been.
A little ways further, maybe 100 yards I spotted my husband on his buckskin mare, Starbuck. "Hey, I just got rammed by a ram," I said hoping for some comforting words.

"Well, I just got thrown. Some chicken spooked her and she rolled me off and took off running across the highway."

"Ohmigosh, are you okay? Is the horse okay?"

"Yeah, I guess everything is okay. Are you okay?"

"Yes," I said with a little bit of a whine. "Watch out for the ram and I'll see you home."

So the next morning, my husband checked on the horse on his way to work and she was acting funny. He told me to keep an eye on her. I noticed around ten that she was lying down flat in the pasture. I walked up to her and she wouldn't lift her head, but was breathing all right. A curious horse from the neighboring field kept pushing his head over the fence to get as close as she could to our horse. I petted its nose and walked back to the house. Around 11:00, I was able to get hold of Mick and he told me to call the vet. When I told the veterinarian that the horse had been lying down for maybe two hours and seemed really sick, he came right out. But just like when you take your car into the mechanic, whatever was wrong suddenly isn't. And our horse now got up and acted pretty healthy. He checked her over with our other four curious horses pressing against the doctor constantly, annoying him and making it difficult to work. He gave Starbuck a a couple of shots and said it was nothing life threatening.

Well, Starbuck died Saturday night. No, we don't blame the vet. Something he couldn't see must have taken her life. She didn't seem THAT sick even to us. Mick led her down to the corral because it was rainy, and went to get her a little bit of hay. And when he came back, she was dead--just like that.

When he told me that night, I thought this is what rural life is all about. You take the highs and the lows, the newly born colts, calves, lambs, and chicks and revel in the beauty. Then you bury one of the best horses we've ever had. You hike, walk, ride bikes, and horses and see the wonders of nature and then a ram butts you, or you take a tumble, and you're reminded that things will never be idyllic for long. I guess that's the way life is supposed to be.

P.S. I told some friends this story and one guy said--the ram must've been a Republican. I emailed my brother a brief telling and he said, "that ram must've been a Republican." Interesting huh? Then my brother said "R-A-M Republican--assault--machine." My brother is a Republican, unless he's recently converted.

My Favorite things about LDStorymakers Conference

2009-04-27T15:14:00.000-07:00

Before I published my first book "A Question of Trust" I knew very few authors. Authors seemed way too cool for me to know firsthand. Well...they are, but then they aren't any cooler than any other talented people. So one of my favorite things was seeing some of these friends--cool people--who have gone after a dream. And meeting and hobnobbing with great people who are setting aside time and effort to learn something new. Over 250 writers attended this years conference.
I loved meeting Dean Lorey--a genuine Hollywood scriptwriter and author--and a genuine guy all around, approachable and didn't seem to mind a bit when I gushed over him and had our picture taken together--something I never do. He worked as a writer on one my all time favorite T.V. comedies--Arrested Development. Seinfeld is the only show that for me was in the same ball park as "Arrested Developmen t." Dean also has a Children's series out called "Nightmare Academy" that seems like the kind of books I would've enjoyed reading with my kids. He spent nearly an hour treating us with stories about writing his first screenplay--a hilarious sounding tale about a boy going to the prom with his dream date, but dying first and turning into a zombie--but still going on the date. He also told us about meeting and marrying his wife of 14 years, writing "Happy Gilmore" and other such life-changing events as losing his hair and discovering this by viewing a film with camera shots from above.

All of the workshops I attended were great. One of my favorites was hearing Matthew Buckley explain why ebooks and the like aren't necessarily a bad thing, using numerous funny slides to illustrate, including a dog--well maybe not the exact dog--that got sued by the recording industry for illegal downloads. Matthew encouraged us to view the new trends as an opportunity.
Another one that was fun was the mystery/thriller panel, which included my good friend Josi Kilpack, also Liz Adair, Stephanie Black (Whitney winner for this year), Julie Bellon, and JoAnn Arnold. I don't know why there weren't men included, but with Kerry Blair moderating it was fun. Like I said all the workshops were great and is one of the best workshops hands down, and I really don't think you need to be LDS to learn from these authors. After all the discussions on writing plot, character, and conflict apply to writers in general.

If you missed this years workshop, we're doing a fundraiser workshop for the AVA. When I say we--I don't mean storymakers, but I do mean some great Cache Valley writers and one amazing Box Elder County author. It's May 9th. It's bound to be fun.

Art in San Franscisco's Mission District

2009-04-16T22:16:00.000-07:00

Beginning at our daughter's backdoor in San Francisco's
mission district--art work can be found everywhere. I loved the unique diverse neighborhood where real people work real business's and make everything from cookies to noodles to repairing shoes. What a great place!

The cat totally intrigued me. She sleeps in an out-of-business store window with a picture of herself. Of the dozen shots I took, I chose this one because you can see Mick and daughter in the background.
There are amazing murals, store fronts, and grafitti. I failed to get photos of some of the best work because I had planned to get back out. Maybe next trip.

Thirty Years of Nice!

2009-04-08T07:28:00.000-07:00

Thirty years is a long time to be married! Remember the Paul Simon song, "Still Crazy after All these Years?" I don't know if that's the official title, but that's how I feel. In all of those years, near strangers have told me how incredibly nice they think my husband is. It happened at a party I went to recently with some people my husband serves with in his church position. "My wife thinks you walk on water," the man said to Mick. Then he went on to say how nice she thinks he is. I'm baffled by this kind of thing--not because it isn't true. It is true! But why is it so obvious to so many people. I asked Mick what he had done for the man's wife, and he said, "nothing that I can think of." Looking back it was one of the first things I noticed about him. In fact, his niceness irritated me--that is until I fell head-over-heals in love. And during all that thirty years of marriage--kindness is something that never wears out it's effectiveness. I don't know how he is the way he is. It's beyond my grasp.

When our children were teens, I remember asking them if people thought I was nice. "Everyone likes you," son said. "Yes, but do they think I'm nice?" "All my friends think you're cool, Mom," daughter said.
"Yes, but do they think I'm nice?" My kids would act like they were thinking about this and then they would start with the same answers. "Everyone likes you--Everyone thinks you're cool." But never could my kids say I was exactly nice. By the world's view--I am nice. But you see, our children have an example of nice that I could never measure up to--nor would I want to. I am the recipient of that kind of nice, but less often the giver. It's the kind of nice that George Bailey seemed to posses. The kind of nice that sacrifices desires, wants, and often needs if someone else could use it or even wants it more than you. It's the kind of nice that allows others to step in line first at a church banquet. In the small town of Grouse Creek, if there was food being served I was often the first in line and Mick was the last. I would be done eating before he even got through. It's the kind of nice that always stays afterwards to clean up. It's the kind of nice that will always notice a child's needs, or an older persons, or just about anyone's. It's the kind of nice that hesitates to speak, making sure his words will not offend. It's the kind of nice that quietly looks after the children in a crowd. Children always are drawn to my husband--they just seem to have a sense about his nature. Cheiko Okazaki said, "...We can never afford to be cruel or indifferent or ungenerous, because we are all connected, even if it is in a pattern that only God sees." In thirty years, I can say I have never seen my husband to be ungenerous, cruel, or indifferent.
He is so much more though than just nice. There are a lot of things most people can not know about my husband. Because he is unassuming and always kind, they can be led to believe he doesn't have opinions. And often in a room full of people discussing religion, politics, and even the weather, they may assume he is in agreement--not because he agrees, but because he listens and asks questions--seldom asserting his own ideas. Mick is very smart. He could talk endlessly about historical events, especially in the settling of the West and Native Americans. He is passionate about his home town of Grouse Creek. Even though he seldom shows anger, if you want to see steam blow out of his ears--ask him what he thinks about No Child Left Behind. He has strong opinions about politics and religion that no one else except for a few close family members know. He loves horses, nature, birds, wildlife, Yellowstone, hiking, and most of all his family, especially me. There has never been any doubt of that. My husband doesn't read my blog--should I tell him to read this one? Thanks Mick for thirty years of way more than nice.

Worth the price?

2009-03-27T21:56:00.000-07:00

So for the last five years I've hesitated to part with the money to buy a season pass to our local resort, Beaver Mountain. Beaver is one of those places that really doesn't have a counterpart as far as I know. It's still run by the Seeholzer family, has stayed small, and has not succumbed to the zealousness of some resort owners. Well this year, I decided that I needed to ski. I needed it as much as I needed other health professionals who help me have the best quality life possible. It's easy to drop 500.00 for an experimental procedure with the hope that it will cure migraine headaches, so why did it take me so long to decide that $270.00 dollars was worth the investment in my well-being. Here I am with some potter friends, Kerri and K. Rasmussen from Hyrum. We've had lots of good laughs on the slopes, and lots of good conversations on the slopes.
Another thing I do that doesn't cost any money, but does take committment is that I walk around 3-4 miles at least 5 days a week. The other day five of us from the same neighborhood walked together. Psycho-therapy costs on average about $175.00 an hour--and it may be well worth the cost, but it certainly isn't as enjoyable as a walk in nature, or skiing with a couple of long-time friends, or new friends. The other day I skiied with someone I'd only known for a couple of walks. A few years ago, a woman who has come to become a great friend had only one criteria for a ski partner--a Democrat. She called someone she knew and asked if she knew any Democrats who skiied. Well I fit the bill and we've been great friends ever since.

Could Obama's Stimulus Package be the Miracle of the Seagulls or...

2009-03-18T13:55:00.000-07:00

This great article from The Washington Post hits close to home to my friends from Grouse Creek. A few years ago, I took a friend and her kids out to our family's ranch house in Grouse Creek. I think the writer below describes these pests pretty well. Let's just say we were shocked at the sight of thousands of otherworldly insects crawling all over the yard, sidewalk and outside walls of the house. The inside of the house had a few too, like on the edge of the sink where I brushed my teeth the following morning. One thing the writer doesn't mention is the high-pitched chirp the critters make. And they all move in unison in response to noise--which is creepy to say the least. The article below shows that one man's pork-barrel project is another man's pork--or livelihood. Another irony here is that my guess is that McCain took close to 100% of the presidential votes cast in this tiny hamlet. We never know really what an earmark is all about unless each is scrutinized. Enjoy the article.
One of Those Earmarks That Bug People
But Utahans Consider Cricket Measure Vital

By Philip Rucker
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 17, 2009; Page A01

Big bugs with bulging goggle eyes swarmed the remote Utah ranching outpost of Grouse Creek like a biblical plague. Each of the past four summers, the hungry critters known as Mormon crickets have marched by the tens of thousands over grassy hillsides, past juniper trees, across dirt roads and through ranch houses. The noisy insects have devoured crops, frightened children and threatened families' livelihoods in the tranquil high desert.
"It's almost like an Alfred Hitchcock movie," said Brent Tanner, who helps run a large cattle ranch in Grouse Creek that has been in his family since the 1870s. "You just see swarms of these large crickets that move in and can be devastating to crops, and certainly are very irritating. They'll just crawl right into your house, get up on your walls. It's enough to drive a person totally insane."

And this summer, scientists say, it's a sure bet Mormon crickets will be back.

So to the 80-odd folks who live in Grouse Creek, the $1 million congressional earmark secured by their state's junior senator to kill the insects is hardly wasteful pork, as it has been demonized. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and television comedian Jon Stewart may lampoon it as an egregious example of government spending, but to Grouse Creek, the earmark is salvation.

"Everything that's green is just gone," said Tanner's older brother, Jay, who described what happens after Mormon crickets hatch on federal land, migrate onto his family's Della Ranches and eat up acres of grass, alfalfa and cattle feed. "When the crickets come and devastate the area, then I'm done. There's really nothing I can do. It's just like coming in and stealing money out of my wallet."

The passage of a $410 billion omnibus spending bill last week rekindled the debate in Washington over lawmakers' long-standing and fiercely guarded practice of appropriating public money for pet projects. The legislation contained more than 8,500 earmarks, which together accounted for roughly 2 percent of the bill's overall spending.

President Obama, even as he imposed new rules aimed at curbing earmarks and making them more transparent, signed the bill and voiced support for lawmakers having a role in the process.

"I recognize that Congress has the power of the purse," Obama said. "As a former senator, I believe that individual members of Congress understand their districts best. And they should have the ability to respond to the needs of their communities. I don't quarrel with that."

But since the bill was introduced last month, McCain, among the most vocal critics of earmarks, has highlighted projects he considers pork-laden. Opining on his Twitter page about the Mormon crickets earmark, he asked, "Is that the species of cricket or a game played by the brits?"

(In fact, it's neither. Mormon crickets are actually katydids that got their common name when Mormon pioneers settled in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. After their first crops were harvested, according to legend, millions of voracious insects swarmed them. But a band of seagulls swept in, ate the insects and saved the crops. Ever since, the bugs have been called Mormon crickets, and the settlers, crediting divine intervention, incorporated the seagull into spiritual lore.)

On television, news anchors and late-night hosts were astir over earmarks that sounded silly: the Mormon crickets, of course, but also $1.7 million for a honeybee laboratory in Texas, $238,000 for the Polynesian Voyaging Society in Hawaii and $1.8 million for swine odor and manure management research in Iowa. "This bill is nothing but a porked-up pork chop of pig pork and bacon pork," Stewart deadpanned on "The Daily Show."

Earmarks do not mandate additional spending. Rather, they require federal agencies to set aside portions of their budgets for specific projects. Critics say this process has long been ripe for corruption. McCain recently called the spending provisions a "gateway drug" to possibly illegal forms of influence peddling. "This evil has grown, and it has grown, and it has grown," he said.

Indeed, former lobbyist Jack Abramoff and former congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham, a California Republican, are in federal prison after criminal investigations connected to multimillion-dollar earmarks, some of which were tied to campaign donations from lobbyists and their clients.
But Sen. Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said, "The trouble is not earmarks, per se. The problem is secrecy, which sometimes can lead to abuses."

When it comes to Mormon crickets, there is no quid pro quo. There are no lobbyists, unless you consider the Tanners to be members of the K Street crowd.

"Who gave me the campaign contribution with respect to Mormon crickets?" Sen. Robert F. Bennett (R-Utah), the earmark's sponsor, said in an interview. "The answer is, obviously, nobody."

This is not the first year Congress has allocated funds in the budget of the Agriculture Department's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to control the insects. Since 2002, earmarks of $350,000 to $1.1 million have been aimed at cricket control, and local officials say the controls appear to be working. At their recent peak in 2004, Mormon crickets infested about 2.8 million acres, a figure that declined to 37,500 acres in 2008, according to state data.

But officials say the insects are difficult, if not impossible, to kill off. "We don't believe eradication is possible," said Larry Lewis, spokesman for the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.

Mormon crickets, described by scientists as cockroaches with grasshopper legs, are seasonal insects that have pervaded the American West for centuries. They hatch after the snow melts in spring, quickly grow to adult size of nearly three inches in length and usually die off by winter. They travel in bands, like locusts, and a single female can lay as many as 80 eggs.

"They grow exponentially if they're not controlled each year," Lewis said.

State officials kill the insects by laying poisonous bait -- rolled oats laced with insecticide -- around populated areas and private ranches, Lewis said. The cost is shared equally among the federal government, state government and landowners.

"They have a small effect in killing them off," said Patrick D. Lorch, a biological scientist at Kent State University who studies Mormon crickets. "Honestly, there are billions of these crickets out there."

Lately, ground zero for Mormon crickets has been Grouse Creek. There, residents said, the cricket swarms have been so dense that ranchers driving over them on a road leave behind a gooey layer as slick as ice. Townspeople keep brooms by their front doors to sweep away crickets when they open their doors. One woman woke up in the middle of the night to find a squashed cricket next to her in bed.

"It's pretty traumatic," said Duane Runyan, who teaches with his wife at Grouse Creek's two-room schoolhouse. "For miles, the town was just covered with crickets everywhere. . . . You'd walk out and at first you wouldn't want to step out there because everywhere you go you'd have this crunch and sickening grossness."

There have been economic consequences, too. In ravaging pastures, Mormon crickets leave cattle without feed, dealing a blow to Utah's agricultural economy, which Bennett valued at $340 million. So spending $1 million on cricket control to protect the area's cattle industry should be an easy choice, Bennett argues.

"Put it in purely economic terms, I believe, a case can be made that the feds make money on this exchange," he said.

Bennett, a top Republican on the Appropriations Committee and a close adviser to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), sponsored 64 earmarks totaling $93.9 million in the latest bill, ranking him 41st among 100 senators, according to the anti-earmarks group Taxpayers for Common Sense. Bennett said his earmark for control of Mormon crickets is "as defensible a one that they'll ever find. It's good public policy, it's good economic policy, and it's the kind of thing a representative from the West should do."

Like many lawmakers, Bennett used an earmark to help solve a problem that is plaguing his constituents. Say some lawmakers: How else would the concerns of their communities be addressed in Washington?

House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.), who represents some of the nation's poorest majority-African American communities, sponsored 31 earmarks totaling $36.1 million, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense. Clyburn said it is not just his right but also his responsibility to funnel funding back home.

"If you get rid of earmarks, what happens to these communities?" Clyburn asked. "You would have more ill health, more high school dropouts, more people committing crimes. You will have all those kinds of things that come when people lose all hope."

Critics argue that lawmakers should not have unchecked authority to allocate public dollars and that these decisions should be left to federal agencies.

"I don't doubt that Utah has a serious problem with the Mormon cricket," said Sen. Claire McCaskill (Mo.), one of three Democratic senators who voted against the spending bill. "I'm just not sure that it's fair to the other states. . . . I think the process of earmarking is too arbitrary."

For weeks, ranchers in Grouse Creek have listened to McCaskill, McCain and talk show hosts such as conservative Sean Hannity rail against pork-barrel spending. But they politely disagree.

"I voted for Senator McCain and I know he's straight down the line on no earmarks, but I would disagree with him," said Brent Rose, 53, who tends to 1,000 cattle on his family's sprawling ranch.

"I would ask, 'Doesn't the government have a responsibility to control the pests that come off of their land?' " Rose said before stepping back outdoors to feed his animals and prepare for summer.

Spring Pottery Workshop & Classes

2009-03-06T09:36:00.000-08:00

Spring Pottery Clay Workshop: Sign up for one class and see if you like it. When Thursday Evening March 19, 7 - 9 PM. This class will be hand-building for two projects. A clay animal bank, and something else of the students choosing. For anyone age 5 & up. A great class for the whole family. Maximum for class is 10. If I have more I'll set up more classes. Cost$10.00 each and $7.00 for a second member of the family. Glazing will be scheduled according to each student.

Spring class: Monday Daytime Class Starts March 30th 9:30-11:00, April 6, 20, 27th. The class will focus on hand-building skills, and will introduce students to a brief wheel-throwing experience. The class will do Coil, pinch pots, and slab projects. Cost is $25.00 per student. $18.00 for second family member. Ages 5 & up.

Thursday Evening class: March 26th from 7:00 - 8:30. April 2,16th,23rd,& 30th.See previous description. Typically this class has had more adults than the other one.

For those who have taken the class before, we will pretty much do the same projects, although you'll have more freedom to choose what you'd like to do.

Wheel-throwing Lessons:Are still being offered at $18.00 a 90 minute lesson.Scheduled pretty much anytime.

Where: 967 E. 1000 S. Avon, Utah
How to sign up! Call Carole 435-760-2592 or email at mcwarburton@gmail.com or regular mail at above address.
Please leave good contact information.

New Goals

2009-03-04T18:05:00.000-08:00

It's March and I'm finally getting around to writing down a few goals for the new year. It's all thanks to JoLynne Lyon. She's in my writing group and is a fantastic writer. Instead of bringing something to share that she had written, she brought a notebook and made a few writing goals. She asked if we wanted to make goals too. Well last month, everything I'd written had been rejected. It's kind of hard to see author friends getting books published, having book signings, getting national contracts--I'm talking about James Dashner who is most likely too busy hanging with the stars to read my blog--but who has a huge deal for his book, "The Maze Runner." And is already doing well with Shadow Mountain. I admit I'm so green with envy I could pass for Kermit, but James is pretty funny and did buy me dessert once last year, and even bought pizza for my husband and I last week, so...I'll forgive him his successes.

Anyway, I wrote a goal to finish rewriting my Yellowstone suspense novel by the end of the month. And to write two essays and send them somewhere. So there you go. Now you know my goals and can ask me how I'm coming. Thanks to all my friends and dare I say fans who keep asking me for my third book. Someday, someday maybe someone will see fit to publish it.In the meantime, I will try to keep my spirits up as long as James Dashner buys me food every once in a while.

Sweet, sacred, sad, scared, spiritual...

2009-02-25T22:13:00.000-08:00

Sweet, sacred, sad, scared, spiritual--all of these feelings wash over me several times every day. If you've read my blog from last week, you know that we witnessed a horrific tragedy on Valentine's Day. The accident is still on my mind numerous moments each day. Since that time, I've come to know a little more about the young man who lost his life. I appreciate Josh's sister telling me more about her kind, funny, quirky brother. She had an enviable relationship with him, so losing him is all the more sorrowful. We often describe our losses as heartache. It's amazing how well that describes what happens--your heart literally hurts. The pain is physical, spiritual, and emotional. Every portion of your being is involved.

Every day I walk about three miles into South Canyon. Two days ago, I saw a Great Blue Heron. It rose from the Little Bear River and landed out of sight, but I got to see it again around the next bend. There's also a lovely kingfisher with its distinct chatter-call as it flies from tree to tree along the water. I love where I live. The sky today was mostly gray, but yesterday the sun broke through and patches of vibrant blue and white scattered across the landscape. Walking clears my head and helps me to smile. There are a lot of cows on my route and yesterday they were feeding in a barn, but when I walked past they spooked and frantically ran like they were being chased by a wolf. I actually turned around to see what they danger was, but figured out it was me. I said, "Hi little cows--it's just me." But they ran anyway.

So so sad!

2009-02-19T15:42:00.000-08:00

Life is fragile. A trite cliche until you witness it firsthand. By all accounts Josh was a wonderful happy BYU-I student brimming with promise. He had served a mission in Chile, the same country my son served in years earlier. On Valentines Day Joshua, his girlfriend and another friend were heading home from college for the long weekend. But he didn't make it.

We were going to Orem to visit family. The roads were slushy. Near Willard on I-15 an accident had just happened and we saw two cars pulling off onto the shoulder. My husband wanting to be sure everyone was all right also pulled over. The two drivers got out to check out the damage to their cars and exchange information most likely. As my husband walked toward the young men, a car slid out of control hitting the two men.

I won't describe what happened next. But even as I try to type this five days later, my hands tremble, my heart pounds, and my eyes tear up. Ever since being a parent, I've had a recurring nightmare of something terrifying happening and me trying to call 911 but not being able to do it. But as soon as I saw the horrific events my daughter and I jumped out of our car and ran to the scene. I wasn't aware of grabbing my cell phone, but there it was in my hand and I automatically called 911. My daughter too immediately called 911. I'm sure there were others who quickly called from their cars. Within minutes several cars had stopped. The emergency vehicles took too long to get there, but it wouldn't have mattered for Joshua. He really didn't have a chance. The other man was 31, and we haven't heard how he was doing, but he fared much better.

I'll be forever connected to Joshua DiScuillo although I didn't know him. Witnessing someone's final conscious acts on earth can do that. I wish more than anything that the accident hadn't happened. It isn't lost on me that a few feet or a few seconds difference and my husband might have been killed. But then a few seconds or a few feet difference and the car would have missed Joshua as well and everyone else. It was an unbelievable, unimaginable moment of standing in the wrong place at the wrong time. If, if, if, and why, why, why? Why him and why now?

I've thought a lot about life and death since the event. I know I won't ever be quite the same. As I tried to hug and comfort those standing at the scene who were obviously traumatized there was Josh's girlfriend huddled with another friend. They spoke in another language to each other--so I don't know what they were saying, but I can imagine the desperate prayers offered. A lone woman with a long coat trembled and cried as I hugged her. I heard her talking to someone and realized she was speaking in a bluetooth. She frantically described her car spinning out of control to an unknown person on the other end. She was the woman who had hit the young men. I can't imagine what she must be going through. The newspaper article said she was treated for shock. I hope she finds peace to continue with her life.

For those who were friends and family of Joshua DiScuillo, I offer my deepest love, my most heartfelt sympathy, and pray that you might find the comfort to go forward, always remembering your son, your brother, and your friend with warmth and fondness. But I hope that you can move forward and be happy. I have a feeling Joshua would have wanted that.

Overlooked or Underrated

2009-01-22T17:52:00.000-08:00

I just finished an amazing novel "Bound on Earth" by Angela Hallstrom. This book has a literary flair without bogging the reader down. Angela follows a cast of characters throughout their lives with interconnected stories. A few years ago I read the "The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint" by Brady Udall. I love Brady's writing, but you kind of have to go through the mind of a man whose obsessed with sex, which let's face it--might be all of them, but it gets a little old. Angela's book doesn't do that. It has Mormon characters, but again isn't bogged down by trying to attach messages. In this way the book reminds me of Chaim Potok. I expect great things from Angela in the future. She's won some well-deserved awards.

Another book that I read a few years ago which is excellent and which hasn't received the attention it deserves is Arianne Cope's "The Coming of Elijah" which won the Marilyn Brown award a few years back. Arianne is young and has so much talent everything she puts to paper sings. Her writing makes me think of Barbara Kingsolver, one of my favorite writers. I can't wait to see what Arianne will come up with next.

One more book that came out in 2007, won some awards, but has been overlooked is Logan writer Janet Kay Jensen's "Don't You Marry the Mormon Boys" named after a Mormon folksong. This book brings together two clashing cultures mainstream Mormonism with Fundamentalist polygamists. I would say this book also is somewhat literary. It asks more from the reader than many of the fast-paced LDS suspense novels, but is well worth the effort. Janet is an excellent emerging novelist.

Two movies worth shouting about are: "Lars and the Real Girl." Honestly I think this might be one of my all-time favorite movies. I've seen it twice now and then went out and bought it. It's an independent film. Some indies are too artsy and you end up watching the whole thing and saying, what the heck? Not this show. It's the sweetest movie I've ever seen without being sappy.

One that came out some time back is Saint Ralph--another gem. This one is PG13 for some masturbation scenes, which since the main character is 14 is probably apropos, but still for those sensitive be fore-warmed. This movie is charming, sweet, well-done, and has a great message. Ralph's father is dead, his mother is in the hospital in a coma and he is going to a strict Catholic school. He needs a miracle and is convinced that if he wins the Boston marathon his mother will wake up.

A television series we've enjoyed which I heard will be canceled is Eli Stone. If it isn't too late check it out. It's about an attorney with a conscience because he has visions due to a brain aneurysm. It has a lot of guest stars, like Sting and Natlie Portman. My husband and I also love Chuck and Pushing Daisies.

"Her Good Name"

2009-01-07T07:38:00.000-08:00

One of the side benefits of writing books is that I've become friends with some really cool people. One of those very cool people is Josi S. Kilpack who lives in a nearby small town. Small town people already have a connection. There's an unspoken understanding of what it's like to be able to mail a package without standing in line, to have people wave because they recognize your car--when I got a new car it took me a while to figure out that people weren't suddenly snubbing me, they were snubbing the car. And to know that most people are related, so it's best to keep your mouth shut if you're thinking about passing along some gossip. But with Josi, it's more than that conncection. She's just one of those people. You know, the kind of people you want to hang with--for the rest of your life if possible.

Josi is really a busy though. So hanging out with her for a day is difficult, let alone for the rest of your life. But there's a really easy way that everyone gets to spend time with her. And that's through her books. Picking up a book of Josi's is seriously like having her be your best friend for the afternoon. The kind of books I like to read are the ones where I feel like I could go shopping with the character and know what they would pick out to buy--take Chrissy, the main character in Her Good Name. She buys bright clothing that accentuates her cute figure, loves high heels--all different kinds--even knows the names of the types of heel, which right there says we wouldn't be friends, but she is frugal and hardworking and knows how to get a good deal. She is tough, says what she thinks, but is compassionate when it comes to the people she loves. Chrissy is proud of her Mexican-American heritage, but refuses to let people see her as a stereotype. I like Chrissy. That's why I got involved with the story when her identity is stolen and the other person gets into all sorts of trouble that messes up the real Chressaidia's life and she has to take action in a big way.

I was lucky enough to read "Her Good Name" before it actually came out in print. I highly recommend Josi's books. They really do capture your interest from the first page, gives you a bunch of new friends to hang with for a few days and even think about for long afterward. Josi is good at having each book be about something more than suspense or romance. This book brings identity theft to the forefront and includes information at the end on how to avoid becoming a victim, but the information doesn't intrude on the story.

Josi has a new book coming out in the spring. The next book proves to be a lot of fun. I've only read a chapter or two of the next one, so it will hold more surprises for me than this one did. It is a culinary mystery!

Christmas 2008

2008-12-29T20:16:00.000-08:00

Icicles on our house showing how the winds blows.
Beautiful babies on Christmas morning. And finally me with my nephew's wife at the family party.

Mormon Bishops

2008-12-14T21:52:00.000-08:00

My dad was a bishop. Most of the people who read my blog are LDS, but there are a few who aren't and may not quite understand the role of bishop in the typical LDS ward. They are sometimes called the father of the ward. Like fathers, they do a lot for the people they serve--without a whole lot in return. Bishops donate oodles amount of time to the community they've been called to preside over. They should be spiritual, compassionate, organized, a good leader, a good teacher, a model father and husband, a friend to the youth, kind to children. Well you get the idea. They should be about everything good--and nothing bad. Being the child of a bishop was a little bit of a pain in the neck, because if I was a smart alec in Sunday School, the teacher would pull me aside and remind me that I should be setting an example. I should've reminded the teacher that my dad was a smart alec too, so I came by it naturally, but I didn't. Usually, I just said I would try to do better, but I said it with a scowl and roll of my eyes--or a smirk.

Since that time, I've had at least a dozen bishops. In varying degrees, I've liked all of my bishops. Some I've known very well since my husband often served in the bishopric with them, well about six times, he's been in a bishopric. A bishopric consists of about 6 men who are counselors and clerks who help the bishop, but ultimately the responsibility of the entire ward of several hundred people lies squarely on the bishop's shoulders. The others can only do so much. I've worked closely with a few bishops in some of my own callings. Without exception, these bishops I grew to respect.

In Grouse Creek, our bishops wore cowboy boots, big buckles, and had an obvious tan line, typical of ranchers who wears hats and work outdoors. We've had bishops who drove school buses, farmed, taught, ran businesses and so forth. They can come from all walks of life. So where am I going with all of this? Bishops often set the personality of a ward. I'm in a new ward. Adjusting to a new ward is a challenge. For many of the years we've been in Paradise, we've been in the same ward and have made a lot of friends. I've been in a bit of a funk in our new ward. I feel a bit invisible, and even unloved. This is no ones fault, well except maybe mine. People are nice enough, but they don't know me. However, Mick and I are both happy with our new bishop. Yeah, we know it doesn't make any difference in whether or not the church is true, but we think he's pretty cool. Here's a picture of him with his family---trick or treating at our house. See?

The Power of the Individual

2008-12-07T11:59:00.000-08:00

For anyone who has stopped believing in the human spirit, the joy of service, and the power of the individual this book is for you. Or even if you believe in all that and want a good reminder of how it is done, then this book, "Three Cups of Tea" delivers.
Basically, in 1992 Greg Mortenson failed in his attempt to climb to the top of K-2. Exhausted, he stumbled into a small remote Pakastani village, where he was taken care of. He was surprised and shocked to find out that kids gathered for school in the open air and studied without a teacher. The village couldn't afford to pay 1.00 a day to hire one. He promised to return and build a school. In an effort to rasie the funds, and without any knowledge of even the basic functions of a computer, he wrote to hundreds of rich people and celebrities and only received 100.00 for his efforts. He sold all that he had and made a little over two-thousand. He needed 12,000. This story tells how with that beyond meager beginnings, he eventually was able to build nearly 80 schools and is still going strong. He learned the customs and traditions, worked with the people to accomplish unsurmountable odds. It really is a thrilling adventure and one everyone should read.

One thing that stood out to me, is Mortenson's belief that educating a girl is the way to change society. By educating a girl, you educate a family, and a village . . . and so on. His schools now are mostly built for girls.

The title of the book comes from this great line. "Here (in Pakistan and Afghanistan) we drink three cups of tea to do buisiness; the first you are a stragner, the second you become a friend, and third, you join our family, and for our family we are prepared to do anything--even die."
Haji Ali, Korphe Village Chief, Karakoram Mountains, Pakistan

If there were more people like Greg Mortenson, then peace could be more than a dream.

Consequences

2008-12-01T20:48:00.000-08:00

There aren't many photographs of my growing up years. The story is that every time anyone got the camera out, I stomped my feet and started to cry. The consequences are that the record of my life is sparse. This was one of my favorite photos of me. I look happy, my brother is laughing at me, and I thought the plant in the background was my hair. I loved that my hair stuck straight up!!!

This week I learned some more about consequences. The local newspaper doesn't like being told they "caved in." (see previous blog) I received no less than three less than friendly phone calls from the managing editor of the Herald Journal. It's clear that he believes bullying people who criticize them is the best way to do business. I was not prepared for the unprofessional confrontational tone the editor took with me. Somehow, I wrongly assumed that a newspaper would be used to criticism, after all they certainly make their living publishing the faults of others.
I still stand by everything I wrote. And for those of you not in the area, the letter. with a few word changes to satisfy the legal department was published last Wednesday. My letter to the editor was purposely disabled from access in the online edition. Yes, every other letter of the week was there, but not mine. After a phone call from a citizen and some emails, the letter is now available.
Numerous people have told me thanks for writing the letter. There are people who are continuing the cause of helping Mayor Atwood. There are people who are ready to keep digging until the truth is found out and justice is served. I like to hope that my letter might have stirred some action.

Living in Paradise can be HELL

2008-11-23T21:52:00.000-08:00

I'm not trying to implicate anyone in the brief telling of this story. I actually like the suspected person very much. However, it seems clear to me that justice sometimes needs to be served so people can move on. In the last few months I've watched the mayor of our town's personality diminish. He has lost weight. His wife is distraught. His children are scared.
This is the letter to the editor I wrote after the newspaper assured us a story would be written, but caved to pressure and didn't print anything. I know a lot of details are left out. This isn't good storytelling technique, but I don't know how else to tell it without implicating individuals unfairly.

Dear Editor:
Sometimes it’s easer to be quiet. However the citizens of Paradise are baffled by the silence of the Herald Journal concerning a case that has divided our town. Last Wednesday night over 60 Paradise residents showed up to a public hearing, in large part to show support to the mayor for the last eleven years, Lee Atwood. A reporter from the paper was invited to attend. The reporter assured us that some kind of story would be printed. However as the days have passed, once again it’s clear that this isn’t going to happen.

In short, our mayor has been maligned, harassed, and systematically set up in a complicated drug-dealing scheme that had the scheme been successful would most likely have sent our mayor to prison for a long time. Detectives made an arrest in the case several months ago, but now the county attorney’s office is dropping the case.

For all parties involved, we feel it’s important to bring this case to fruition. The victim in this case, the mayor and his family, and the citizens of Paradise, are being let down by the county. It is unacceptable that a person who works so hard for the citizens of Paradise at great sacrifice to his own business, and family should be treated in this manner. It’s one thing to be victimized by a disgruntled citizen who doesn’t agree with the policies that the mayor has been elected and sworn to uphold, but it’s quite another to be re-victimized by the system and the county, and even the newspaper who has chosen to cave in under pressure.

While I feel sympathy for the person arrested, it is important for him also to be able to tell his story in court so as not to be tried in the minds of community members. The truth needs to be revealed. While I don’t agree with Mayor Atwood on all policies, I now know after serving on Paradise planning and zoning for five years, that he walks a very tight line in making some difficult decisions. And in all the years I’ve worked with Lee, I have never seen him to bend the rules in anyone’s favor in the least degree, including his own. He is a man of extreme integrity. I have nothing but respect for him and I hope that the county attorney feels shame for deciding not to turn every stone to find the guilty person in this crime, and prosecute, so this good man and his family can go on with their lives in peace.

C. J. Warburton
Avon

Paradise Art Holiday Sale Saturday, November 22, 10-5

2008-11-17T20:28:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again. I've teamed up with photographer Jim Parrish again. Jim has been taking shots in and around Paradise and Cache Valley. He's experimenting with some new ideas and has some Ansel Adam's type photos ready. His work is adding to the decor in our newly revamped Cracker Barrel restaurant also.

I've got some great new pieces also. I've sold most of my chip & dip plates this summer, so I worked hard and made more. They seem to be one of my most popular items since they are so functional for holiday gathering and gift giving.

We are really lucky again to have with us Wade and Cara. They are seriously two of the most talented musicians I've ever heard. They play all kinds of stringed instruments that are works of arts themselves. I would tell you the names of them, but I don't know. Okay well Wade plays the guitar, but he also plays the citar and other lesser known instruments. They will play at 3pm in the afternoon. This is free.

We'd love you to donate to the food bank. Just bring a can. If you forget--no big deal. Leave us a dollar and we'll make sure it gets there.

If you just want to look around, hang out, browse and eat a cookie--we'll let you do that too.

Sometimes Life is too good to be true...

2008-11-04T19:29:00.000-08:00

Barring a disaster, it looks like we will have our first African-American president. History in the making--and we witness the event.

On a smaller scale about a month ago, our friends the Major's invited us to go on a moonlight horseback ride. It was cold. It was scary. I had to put all my trust in a horse and in our leaders. I couldn't see really where were going as our horse walked through dark pastures, trudged through tall sagebrush and junipers until we reached the top of the hills and could see the lights all the way into Logan main street--fifteen miles away. The temple a little gem in the dark. When we crestted the mountain I was behind the group and could see the horses and riders silhouetted with the nearly full moon. It was for me the ultimate Paradise event. Dale teased me about bringing my cell phone with me and asked if I was expecting Obama to call. I said he might--he'd been emailing me regularly along with Michelle and Joe Biden. Afterwards we sat around a fire on the Major's patio and sipped hot chocolate and visited.

I've been on some hikes this fall where I was sure that the world couldn't possibly get any better. Then last weekend I stayed with eleven other strong women--only one I had met before--and she only breifly, and yet we bonded as if we'd known each other all our lives. We talked, ate, and hiked in Zion's and Snow Canyon, staying at Millie Watt's beautiful vacation home in St. George. Millie is one of those women whose warmth and quiet dignity takes you in and makes you want to be like her. She was able to discuss without vitriol her sense of sadness and betrayal toward church and governmental policies which deny two of her children full rights of citizenship and fellowship. The other women ranged in ages from 30 and 67. They came to our retreat from California, Pennsylvania, Oregon,Washington, and the rest of us from Utah. And yet we bonded over a pie-ceremony. The next day some of us hiked through the Narrows in icy cold water--without proper shoes--for the conditions. But with each turn in the canyon a new view, and a desire to see more, to experience more, and to never forget the wonders.

Tonight watching the polls, I'm again feeling overwhelmed by the goodness, the hope, and the beauty in being alive.

Pottery, Pottery, Pottery!!! And More...

2008-10-22T10:13:00.000-07:00

Years ago I visited Joe Bennion's Pottery studio in Spring City, Utah and got to look around and he wasn't even there at the time. Little did I know that eventually I would have my own studio and shop that I could leave open all the time.

So this is to announce that my studio at 967 E. 11000 S. Avon, Utah is now open pretty much all the time. except when I'm set up somewhere else. This happens mostly in the summer. For those who wish to make the trek, the studio will be a help yourself type of deal if I'm not there. Since I live on the property, I think I can do this without disasters. At the studio there will always be some extra good deals going on. Right now everything in the studio is 15% off, plus I'll eat the tax, which means for you--more than 20% off. Think Christmas, wedding gifts, and so forth. I've started making great tumblers. These hold a good 16 oz. Come see what else there is.

The Paradise Art Sale will be Saturday November 22nd at the town hall. More on this later.(Studio will be closed this day only this winter.)

LESSONS: And now that I'm in a new place I'm offering lessons and classes. Any group and almost anytime. I'd love to do some group classes during the daytime hours, so if you have a home school group, or a stay at home mom group, or a mom and tot group, I'd love to start a class tailored to your needs. Scouts, church group, date night, family home evening--you'll be surprised with how much fun you can have with clay. The classes will focus on hand-building and can include projects, such as coil vases, slab bowls, and animal sculptures. The charge for a group lesson of up to six people is $30. for an hour and half session, add 3.00 extra for each person beyond 6. I can accomodate up to 12. Throwing on the wheel lessons are individualized and 20.00 per session. I'm starting a children's hand-building class Thursday Nov. 6th at 4:15. $30.00 for 5 weeks. 90 minute class. Email or call for more information. 435-760-2592 (If I get at least five students) AGE: 5 ON UP (CALL IF YOU NEED AN EXCEPTION) Also if you have little ones to take care of we can work out arrangements for this at my house.

UPDATE: I've added a MONDAY MORNING CLASS Nov. 10th THAT IS FILLING UP QUICKLY. THE CLASS GOES FROM 9:30 TO 11:00 AM. THE CLASSES WILL HAVE THREE HAND-BUILDING DAYS, ONE WHEEL-THROWING, AND ONE GLAZING DAY.

MAP TO STUDIO IS ON MY WEBSITE. FROM MID-LOGAN IT TAKES ABOUT 25 MINUTES TO GET THERE.

Out of the mouth of BABES!

2008-10-10T20:58:00.000-07:00

Is there anything better than Autumn in Northern Utah? I'm not sure, but I just spent a week in Avon, Colorado and it was a close rival. In Utah we have a variety of colors with the maple, scrub oak, and aspen. In the area of Colorado I was in there was such a vibrant golden, yellow and sometimes orange aspen and against the blue sky it was amazing. Everyone knows I love to hike, but I wasn't in Colorado to hike I was there to help out with my newest grand baby, Isabelle, and to keep the two year old occupied and happy--no easy task! But just look at him? Isn't he delightful? And now he has a brand new baby sister, who I'm sure will end up being every bit as wonderful.

Well even though most people know I support Obama, I promise I did not preach to the two-year-old, and my son and his wife don't own a television, so he has not heard any political ads. So imagine my surprise when on my way home from Colorado while riding on the Amtrak, my daughter-in-law called me so the grandson Pi (nickname) could say his newest word--loud and clear into the phone, " OBAMA." and then he laughed hysterically. "Did he just say Obama?" I asked. "Yes," more laughter coming form the phone and in the back ground the two year old is shouting Obama, Obama, Obama, and laughing with all his energy. Now this kid is talking well for a two year old, but I can barely understand him when he says Milk, or Sopo (frog in Spanish) Yes, he's a bi-lingual two-year-old. But my DIL said he just started saying Obama, so to be fair they taught him McCain, but Pi doesn't get quite the pleasure out of saying McCain as he does Obama. Such a smart little boy.

Returning to my Roots

2008-09-29T11:26:00.000-07:00

Do fruit rooms exist outside of Mormon culture? Do other people have an entire room in their home devoted to food storage? Going down to the fruit room to retrieve a bottle or a can of produce used to scare me as a child. I would obediently head down the stairs into the recesses of our home, passing through a semi-dark, underused room, to the outer darkness of the storage room. One of the reasons it was so scary is that I had to step into total darkness and fish my hand around for the dangling string to pull the light on. Even with the light on, I imagined spiders and rats lurking. And when I was very young, I had an irrational fear that the three bears lived under the stairs, the fear never quite left me. Since I grew up during the cold war, I was quite certain that at some point, our entire family would be forced to live in the small narrow room to survive. I imagined that I would play with the elf Christmas ornaments with small styrofoarm heads and colorful costumes for entertainment.

Growing up I took the bottles of fruit the room contained, mostly peaches, pears, and grape jelly, for granted. I do remember my mom bottling and I have a vague memory of helping out, but not too much. My most firm memory of the event that took place was my mom pouring parafin over the small jars of jelly.
So when I got married, I thought bottling was pretty much a given. It was Ruth (pictured above) my mother-in-law who really taught me the how-tos. Our first apartment was in the same town--Tremonton. She was generous with her help and I don't think she even kept any of the fruit--maybe a bottle or two. But before our youngest was even five years old, I'd pretty much given it up. I found the whole task beneath me. We still dried a few batches of fruit, but I quit bottling. Besides someone figured out that like many good things the time expended and the cost per bottle wasn't worth the effort when you could buy an entire case for X number of dollars.

Recently, I was on a hike with some friends, and one of the women was talking about bottling and I suddenly wanted to do it, but feared I was too late. Then I remembered that my good friend Josi Kilpack loves bottling. Josi is almost young enough to be my daughter, and is about five novels ahead of me on her published writing, and has twice as many kids as I had when I gave it all up--and even with all that, she LOVES bottling fruit--especially peaches. So I emailed Josi and asked if peaches were still available. She lives near the fruit loop. If you don't know what the fruit loop is then you don't live in Northern Utah. Anyway, she said, "Probably, but hurry." So I had my husband buy some--he works near the fruit loop and I was set.

First though, I had to find everything that I hadn't used in nearly two decades--canner--found it buried under the box of Halloween costumes, bottles--two boxes were in the garage, packed along in our last three moves, and one box in the new storage room where they ought to be. And I'm pretty sure I tossed some, and recycled a few. Finally the rings--dug them out of my pottery studio where I used them for cutting out clay with school children, and last a trip to the store to buy the lids. Finally I was set and few hours later and a life time of flooding memories you see the result--21 bottles of peaches, 8 pts. of peach jam (which didn't really set), and some left over to eat. And now I'm ready to tackle salsa, tomatoes, elderberry jam and juice, current jam and so forth. It's funny I gave up bottling because I thought I was too modern to be confined to convention and now I found the process so enjoyable, so . . . what's the word--liberating.

A JEWEL of a Book

2008-09-19T11:19:00.000-07:00

J. Adams (Jewel) has written a layered young adult fantasy tale called "The Journey." This is an excerpt from chapter ONE: A gentle breeze stirred the lands and forests of Krisandor, the scent of pine and oak circulating through the comfortably warm air and adding a tantalizing sweetness that softly awakened the senses of a newly dawning day. Some would say the trees and the land were as old as time itself. Though Krisandor was established just a little over a thousand years ago, the land had always been there.

The Krisandorians were a beautiful, peaceful people governed, not ruled, by a peaceful king who loved them more than life itself...

And so the story begins. From that fairy tale beginning we already anticipate the peace can not prevail, that good will be interrupted. On one layer this is a timeless story, as old and classic as Snow White where evil will have a chance of destroying everything. This is also a love story, so should appeal to young teens who are just awakening their romantic inclinations. On a deeper level though, the book becomes an allegory. Choices even small ones can alter our course. But with each choice we make, we have the opportunity of turning back and righting the course.

Ciran is a lovely Krisandorian, who finds herself swayed to do something she was taught not to do. She loses her self-respect, only deepening the hold the evil Ubal has over her. What will Ciran do. Visit J. Adams site on this book and her blog.

Attention Herald Journal Readers

2008-09-15T09:46:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, the 14th a letter to the editor was published. They didn't clip off the tag-line at the end of the letter sending people to my blog. So if you're here expecting something about Zan's letter, you'll have to do a search for it. Sorry!! But now that you are here. Scroll down and enjoy some great blogs.

Review for "Surprise Packages"

2008-09-05T17:36:00.000-07:00

I just had the pleasure of reading the latest book in the series by authors, Nancy Anderson, Lael Littke, and Carroll Hofeling Morris, called“Surprise Packages.” I’d say it’s a cross between Jan Karon’s Mitford Series, and the television series "Desperate Housewives." I have to admit that I would have been able to keep all of the people in this novel in my head better if there had been an accompanying pedigree chart. There is a large cast of characters in the story. Also part of my confusion was due to the fact that I haven’t read the first two books in the series. But when asked for reviewers, I jumped at the chance, simply because I just knew by the title and the cover that it would be a book I would enjoy. Now I have to go back and read the first two so I can catch up.
This is definitely a series for women. It’s the kind of book that makes me so grateful for the women, the “Almost Sisters” I have in my own life. I was the only girl in my family growing up, so I more than others crave relationships with other women who really understand, who accept us as we are, but who help us stretch our limits too. It’s also the kind of book that makes you want to stay in touch, through phone calls, emails, and get-togethers, whatever it takes to stay connected. Reading this book is like sitting down for tea with a cherished friend and having a great conversation.
I don’t like reviews that give away plot lines, but in this book the plot is definitely character driven. The characters are the story. They are your own neighbors, your own family members, and your own best friends. They are YOU! Juneau, Deenie, and Erin deal with marriages, death, wayward children, drug addictions, abusive situations, custody issues, faith, and just about everything else you can think of. There are no easy solutions to the challenges the women face. There are lots of subtle lessons in this book—but the one that stands out to me is that we accept and love people including our children as they are—that the only one we can change is ourselves. It’s the old mote and beam from the teachings of Jesus. One minor thread of the story that I really appreciated was Erin’s ex-husband. He's gay. The way the authors dealt with this was the way I think our Savior would want us to, with unconditional love, tolerance, and forgiveness. One of my complaints about LDS fiction is that it often paints a rosy picture of life—that if you pay your tithing, and get married in the temple, you’ll have a fairy tale life. Another complaint I have is that sometimes all the good guys are LDS and the not so good aren’t. This book doesn’t suffer from that affliction. There is a touching scene where the gay father comes to the missionary farewell of his son. If this issue is something that you don’t want to deal with, don’t worry; it’s dealt with tastefully and honestly.
The strength of this book is its authenticity. Every woman who reads this book will relate to at least one of the women in the book. And even though this book touches on some gritty issues, it certainly isn’t depressing. It’s lively and even upbeat for the most part. This book is published by Deseret Book, so you can get it anywhere LDS books are sold. You can also visit the authors' site.

Interview and Book Review for Jaime Theler

2008-08-20T21:36:00.000-07:00

I've never met Jaime Theler, but after reading the book she co-authored with her mother Deborah Talmadge, Enjoying the Journey—Steps to Finding Joy Now, I would like to. Mainly I'd like to find out how it is that someone as young as she is has managed to capture so much knowledge and wisdom in her life. I admit that I'm resistant to any book or person who tries to change me in any way. I'm Fifty years old and pretty happy with how I am. I don't mean this arrogantly; it's just that I'm a bit on the laissez-faire side.

We just built a home with two sets of stairs. I love the view from the upper floor and our television is upstairs, but because I have to walk upstairs, I watch less television than ever before and mostly enjoy the views from the main floor. Steps equal effort. So keeping all this in mind, I found this book, even with its steps, surprisingly enjoyable, readable, and, better yet, applicable. The authors have filled it with anecdotal examples, quotes, and encouragement on ways to make your life more fulfilling.

The book is divided into thirteen varied chapters, everything from "The Pursuit of Happiness" to the final chapter, "Reach for Your Destiny." I think one of my favorite chapters is: "Live on Purpose." So many of us, myself included, just let things happen to us, failing to realize the ability within to take hold of the reins. In this chapter we learn about Nazi concentration camp survivalist Victor Frankl. "He observed that many of the concentration camp prisoners died when undergoing less hardship and suffering than those who survived. The survivors tended to be people who envisioned a future for themselves despite their present suffering, people who believed there was a deeper meaning in life and did not surrender to despair." The chapter ends with six steps from reading your patriarchal blessing often to writing your own mission statement.

I think the best way to read this book would be to read it and apply the steps using a companion journal. The two together would make an awesome gift. I would like to read it again and concentrate on the steps found at the end of each chapter. They really are a simple approach to making life more meaningful. Now I have some questions for Jaime, one of the co-authors.

1. What prompted you to write this book?

The idea for “Enjoying the Journey” had actually been bouncing around in my head for years. It began at a time when I was feeling awkward, lonely, and struggling to figure out life with three demanding children. I listened to a talk by Sheri Dew where she said, “No woman is more persuasive, no woman has greater influence for good, no woman is a more vibrant instrument in the hands of the Lord than a woman of God who is thrilled to be who she is.”

Those words really hit me, and I thought, “I want to be thrilled to be who I am!” I wanted to shine with joy like others I have known. The tricky part was how to do that. I once heard an author say that if you ever want to really learn how to do something, write a book about it. So “Enjoying the Journey” was something I had to write for myself, to work through things as I found my own answers. I just hoped others were in the same boat.

2. How did you organize it and work with your co-author?

We love email! Unlimited long distance helps a whole lot too. We talk over ideas, and then send chapters back and forth to each other until we get it right. It works a lot better than you might think, and it’s fun to have someone else to discuss all the little things with. Sometimes as authors you are so wrapped up in your project that you forget others don’t want to hammer out all the details. My husband gets this glazed look in his eyes sometimes.

3. Tell me something about the research you did.

At the beginning I was just sort of stumbling around, so I read anything I could get my hands on that talked about joy. I read a lot of LDS material, but also some psychology stuff. I talked with others, too. I started to notice some patterns, and things that came up many times. That helped me narrow down my research, and it was amazing how many experiences in my own life fell into what I was finding. I wanted to make this book for others who listen to great, motivational talks or read motivational books, and then aren’t quite sure how to apply it in practical terms. It really stretched me to go beyond just theories and figure out what I could do to really imprint what I was learning into my life.

4. Your first book is "Parenting Ephraim's Child." I'm not sure what that would be about. Can you tell us something about this book?

That was another book I had to write for myself. If I had to condense it to a nutshell it would be: parenting the strong-willed child from an LDS perspective. We know that the Lord’s strongest spirits have been saved for the last days, but parenting these strong spirits can be challenging. “Parenting the Ephraim’s Child” looks at the common temperamental traits of these strong children, gives parenting tools on how to work with them, and then how those traits are really spiritual strengths in the rough. The main premise of the book is that these children can be valiant in the latter days because of their strong spirits, not despite them.

5. Tell us a little about yourself, your family, and what you like to do and what you are good at.

I am smack in the middle of a family of three children, with a half-brother and half-sister on each end to complete the sandwich. I grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado, and went to college at BYU, where I met and married my husband, Jason. We ended up staying in Utah and now I’m the stay-at-home mother of three very active, intense, and wonderful children that keep me on my toes. I love to run and play tennis, sing at the top of my lungs in the car, read anything I can get my hands on, and, of course, write! As far as what I’m good at, I’m usually pretty organized and love crossing things off my list. I’m not really good at relaxing and have some workaholic tendencies I have to keep in check.

6. Who are some of your writing inspirations?
In LDS non-fiction I love Sheri Dew, and am happy to just bask in the magnificence of Neal A. Maxwell and C.S. Lewis’s writing (there’s no way I can even come close to them). I also read a lot of fiction and am inspired by the great turns of phrase of Elizabeth Peters, the wonderful character development of Jodi Piccoult, and the ability of Stephenie Meyers to suck into her stories two generations of readers. I love the imagination and depth J.K. Rowling brought to children’s fantasy through Harry Potter, and when I want to thoroughly enjoy an imaginative story told in a unique way I curl up with Eoin Colfer’s Artemis Fowl series.

7. Tell us something about your writing process.
For non-fiction I brainstorm often as I’m doing research. And I do a lot of research. My thoughts and what I’ve researched intermingles and grows through the whole process. For fiction, I’m still finishing up my first novel, so I’m trying to figure out what works best for me. I do know that I do better with more planning than flying by the seat of my pants. It’s been a fun learning experience.

Thank you so much for having me!

Trout and Berry Days!!!!!

2008-08-17T21:57:00.000-07:00

In Paradise on the fourth Saturday of August every year there is a great event called Trout and Berry Days. It's named for White's trout farm and Week's berries, both famous throughout the region. While there are a few events during the week, a turkey shoot--yeah they don't shoot a turkey, although I didn't know this for at least twelve years of living here, and now there is a golf tournament, plus sometimes a children's rodeo, although not this year.

Anyway on this Saturday, there will be a small town parade, pet show, craft fair, pie eating contests, trout scrambles, auction, games, children games and so forth. My favorite event is the culminating trout dinner. I already love trout, but this is seriously the best trout ever. I think the dinner is about $12.00 a plate and worth every bit.

Plus who wouldn't want to jump in a makeshift pond and try to catch a fish?

I'll be selling my pottery there. I've had a summer of dismal sales so I have a great selection and am offering some extra good deals. I've made some really cool 20 oz. tumblers, regularly $16.00 each which I'm offering for $11.00 each. I'm also offering my batter bowls, regularly $35.00 for 28.00, plus everything else will be at least 10% off. I hope to see some of you make the trek out to Paradise, but come early the craft sale goes from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Just over a month...

2008-08-01T22:58:00.000-07:00

We've been in the new house just over a month now. It still doesn't seem like home yet, but it's beginning to. I still call the old house, "the house." As in are you going up to the house? Maybe when we sell it and someone actually lives there, I'll stop calling it "the house." I hope so. I'd hate to accidentally walk in sometime and protest what the new people have done. I mean, like in--"Do you know how long it took me to peel off the old wallpaper and paint the kitchen blue?" Well, truthfully if and when we can sell it, I'll probably be thrilled no matter what they do. One thing is for sure, you put your heart and soul into a house, and it's hard to leave it all behind. Even when what you're are going to is wonderful.

The photograph is of our very first sunrise.
By the way, the party was great. We had around eighty people stop by. We met some new friends and lots of our old friends came by. There's still lots of people we'd like to meet out here in Avon. Many people brought treats and some I didn't even get to thank, not actually seeing what they set down on our counter. Anyway it was a great time. Thanks to everyone who came by.

Time to Celebrate!

2008-07-17T21:29:00.001-07:00

There's still a ton of work today, but this Sunday we're celebrating with a housewarming party. Old friends, new friends, and potential friends are all invited between 5 to 8 pm. If you'd like to come and need instructions on how to get there, email me at mcwarburton@gmail.com.

Speaking of babies...

2008-07-06T22:01:00.000-07:00

We just finished our new house and these baby robins were there to greet us, nesting on the electric box. I got a picture of them the day they left the nest. My husband had named them Frisky, Chow Chow, and Atta. I didn't get why until he told me they were all names of cat food. Hmmm, not funny! Well kind of funny. We brought our cats out and as far as we know the birds were gone before they became cat food.

I couldn't resist posting the latest photo I took of our grandson when he was here visiting last week. He loved running and running on our wrap around porch and running down our hill. His little legs would get the best of him and he fell a few times, but did pretty well navigating.

Saying Good-bye

2008-06-03T21:17:00.000-07:00

Dad died in his own bed. A stream of family and friends filtered in and out of his room the last few weeks. Mom was vigilant in seeing to his every need and in following doctors’ instructions on controlling pain. Just days before he died he came out of his coma-like state long enough to greet his first grandson. The doctors had done all there was to do; had prolonged his life longer than anyone had expected or even hoped for.

When dad was diagnosed with Lymphoma cancer, I was attending junior high school. When I was nearly twenty-two and had only been married for a few months, I saw Dad at the University Hospital in Salt Lake. “You and Mick better come down. I don’t think there will be another chance,” Mom had said into the phone.

I’d seen Dad sick before, awfully sick, dizzy and throwing up after his chemotherapy treatment, crawling down the hallway to the bathroom. Then often the next day, he’d seemed perfectly healthy as if the ravaging cancer just an elusive trick on his body. The first time I took Mick home to meet the family Dad was sick in bed. He talked to Mick for a few minutes before I went in. All I heard Dad say was, “Just remember one thing and you’ll get along fine—Carole is always right.”

I was always right and so was my dad, which made congenial conversation difficult. Dad had opinions about everything and so did I—only they were usually on opposite ends of the spectrum. Once at our family cabin in Silver Gate, Montana, we shouted at each other about the direction of the gas station. My friends stared in stunned silence. Later one of my friends whispered, “Why does it matter so much?”

As I walked the long halls of the hospital, I braced myself—what could I possibly say to my dying father. I’d never really been able to express my love to him. Should I now? As I stood outside his room trying to compose myself, I heard laughter in the room. Laughter? Finally I tiptoed in. There Dad was sitting up in bed teasing my cousin, Dinny, and her boyfriend—and they were all laughing. He was surprised to see us. Had we driven all the way down from Tremonton, just to see him?

“I guess I was pretty sick yesterday. I can’t remember a whole lot about it except the pain. But now look at me. I think I’ll see if I can go home in the morning,” he said smiling. He joked with everyone, the nurses, Mick and me, and his visitors. Dad was a bishop for many years and each time he stood at the pulpit, you could feel the anticipation. Everyone in the ward knew he would tell a joke. They were often jokes about himself, his bald head for instance. Once when he was admonishing the congregation to get their food storage, he added, “And I want you to know that I’ve taken the Brethrens’ council to heart and have my two year supply of shampoo. I got it the last time I stayed in a hotel. It’s a little bar of soap.”

Dad didn’t die then. He rallied as he had so many times before. Mick and I celebrated our first Halloween together and I persuaded Mick to dress up like a woman because I’d always wanted to put mascara on his long eyelashes, since mine were so short. We took homemade treats to our neighbors in our costumes. Then on November 2nd, 1979—I’d just gotten home from U.S.U. classes when the phone rang. It was my brother, Brian. “Where have you been all day?”
“School of course.” I should’ve known what he would say next—after all Dad had been in and out of a coma that last week, but somehow I didn’t know.
“Dad died this morning.”
I burst into tears.
“It was for the best—he…”
“I know, I know. I just wanted a chance to say good-bye.”
The truth is I just wanted the chance to say: Even though we argued often, no one could make me laugh the way you did. And no one made me feel like you did when you would tell people that your daughter was deep into “pot,” and then you’d show off one of my handmade pottery pieces. And you’d dig my reject pots out of the garbage can to take to work with you and sell them to your co-workers; then smugly hand me the few bucks you’d made. I liked the way you used to pull me onto your lap and make me give you a kiss on the cheek. And whenever I needed money you’d always say the same thing: “Bring back the change and no sass!” And I liked massaging that bald head that you were so proud of for you, and going out for a malt and pretending to be embarrassed while you explained to the bemused waitress exactly how to make it, with the ice cream two inches above the glass. Even though your cancer had gone into remission and you outlived the doctors’ most optimistic prognosis by four years there still wasn’t a good time to say, I love you.

Paradise Semi-Annual Artists' Sale

2008-05-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty sure there's nothing better for anyone to do on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26th than to come out to Paradise. Memorial--Paradise, see the two sort of go hand in hand. We're holding our fourth semi-annual Paradise Artists' Sale and this time the show/sale will include the supremely talented musicians Wade and Cara once again. They will perform around 10 AM and are not to be missed.

The artists featured will be: Carole Thayne Warburton--long time potter. Jim Parrish--long time photographer, and Marian Sullivan--long time painter. And if you come early enough you can enjoy the famous Fire Fighters and EMT Breakfast, sure to please, contribute to the raffle and have a chance on an art piece, or a quilt. All proceeds for breakfast and raffle will help support the Paradise Volunteer Fire Department.

When: Monday May 26th from 7 AM to 6 PM, Music 10 AM
Where: Paradise Town Hall
Who: Paradise residents--Carole, Jim, Marian, Wade, Cara
Why: To promote the artists in Paradise and to support our Fire Fighters and EMT's