Givingthanks for Thanksgiving!

Well tonight I had to watch the rest of the Crowther bunch walk out the door and head back to the pains of reality. My work in Logan gives me the excuse to stay and enjoy one extra night in bearadise. So I came up here to the cabin last monday night and got to spend a couple of days by myself here just relaxing, eating steaks, and drinking dew. Many people would think that sounds like paradise but I have learned otherwise. So this Thanksgiving all I want to say is I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for the fact that I feel a great void inside when they are not around. We have always said, "A family that plays together stays together" and I don't know anyone that plays like us! So thanks guys for an amazing Thanksgiving it really sucks to see it end! Love ya all!

Are Your Pictures Worth Saving?

I take a lot of pictures. I have boxes of photos taken with film, stored in my closet. I have photo albums galore lining the shelves in my study. I have an external hard drive that sits on the side of my desk filled with literally thousands of images. My life has changed over to the computer era. My film camera now sits in my closet collecting dust. I shoot everything in digital. I practically live on my computer and I'm always transferring pictures from my camera to my computer, then onto my hard drive.

I hear it continually, the same advice, over and over again, "Back Up EVERYTHING." When you work from a computer, being told to back up everything is as common as being told to brush your teeth when you're a kid. Yes, you must do it every day, twice a day, three times a day if you are me and you want your computer to run fast and smooth.

A year ago my sister had a horrible fire. She lost her home and everything in it. Seeing the devastation first hand made me realize I can back up to infinity and beyond and it's not going to do me one bit of good if my house burns down and I'm not lucky enough to be standing outside with my external hard drive tight in my hands. I could always back up my photos to an off site server, but backing up as many photos as I take would be so time consuming.

Take a look at my next purchase.

Solo IoSafe! I am buying one of these come Monday! Why? It's fireproof and waterproof. Watch this.



I'm going to protect my work, my memories and any other important documents I keep on file.  Want to know more? Check out Io Safe Solo, You'll be impressed.

Happy Thanksgiving

The other day I was standing in my kitchen when I heard the back door open. I was getting ready to make pies for Thanksgiving. All the preparations had been made and I was starting to whip up my first set of crusts. When I heard the door shut, I looked at the clock and figured Kaedell had arrived. I waited for the sound of little feet. Eden walked in first. She greeted me with her usual perky smile and then a stranger suddenly appeared before me. I threw my hands in the air and shouted, "Santa Clause!" He was much shorter than I had seen in previous years, still the same, I walked right up to him and asked if I could climb up on his knee and tell him everything I wanted for Christmas.  With that comment laughter ensued. I don't think Santa had thought about me sitting on his knee. He was obviously stricken with humor at the thought. As he was laughing I squealed, "Corbin, It's you! I thought you were the real Santa for sure!" (It's very important when you are a grandma that you play your part well.)

Corbin wore his santa hat all day. Kaedell told me he had spotted it at Winnco when she was grocery shopping and since it was only .99 cents she brightened his day and bought it. After all the pies had been baked and a storm blew in, we quickly started sending everyone on their way. Kadie hung back since she didn't live far. "We have to make cookies out of the left over dough mom," she went on to tell me how that's the best part of pie day. After the cookies came out of the oven Corbin was sitting at the bar happily eating his fair share when our conversation about the hat started up.
"Corbin," I said. "You almost had me fooled with that hat."
"Really grandma," was his reply.
"Yup," I retorted. Then I went on to tell him how there was only one thing that made his disguise that day a sham.
"What's that grandma," he inquired. I paused for a minute and leaned in real close to him. Then I whispered.
"Corbin, Santa has a beard! Where is your beard? You've got to have a beard if you're going to be believable!" That was all I said and then I smiled smugly. I could see he was really thinking over my impounding words. I could tell his mind was plotting the acquisition of a real beard. That was the end of our conversation.

We finished cleaning up and consumed all the cookies. Then the bundling took place, lots of hugs and kisses and I watched the car lights disappear down the road.

Pie day is a wonderful day. I went to bed happy and tired.

The next morning I woke up to my phone announcing a Facebook post had come in. I pulled it open and to my surprise. There in my inbox was a picture of Santa Clause ---The real Santa Clause! He was winking at me. There beneath his picture was the caption, "Now do you recognize me?"

Life with grandchildren is so fine!

Today is Thanksgiving. Here I sit at my cabin. Today I am feeling so blessed. It is the day I purposely stop, pause and count. I am overwhelmed, the counting is endless! Today I am thankful I have my health, my children have their health, my grandchildren have their health. That is a plentiful amount of blessings with out counting anything else! I am warm today. It is 20 below zero outside, right this very minute. Inside my home away from home, the fires are burning rich in my hearth and my heart! I am safe, protected, and free. I am an American! I am with my family today. Love surrounds me and with that I see untold beauty in the day. All I have and enjoy this day I owe to my Father above. His love is my sustaining breath! And to my Savior, my brother who makes up the difference for me. I give thanks for this day. My heart swells with gratitude untold.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!   ---From the real Santa and I!

The Very Best Years

Man With A Drill had a very wise father! Years ago, when we were in the thick of raising our children, every time Lorin came out to our house to pay us a visit, he would leave echoing the same remarks. He was as faithful as clock works with his impounding words. First he'd spend some time with us depending on the occasion, then as it came time to make his way out the door, he'd pull a butterscotch candy out of his pocket and give each one of the kids their gold colored treat. He was a man of habit. Then came the usual hugs and departing kisses. After that, always, without fail, just as he would turn to make his way out the door he would look up at Man With A Drill and I and then came the repetitive phrase I grew to know so well, every time he left, the words exactly the same, "Enjoy these years," he'd say. "They are the very best ones!"

At the time I was usually worn out from a day filled with small kids running me ragged. I remember sometimes thinking he was nuts. During those times I would look at him in bewilderment when he made that statement. And often times after he left, Man With A Drill and I would laugh and and poke fun.

Tonight I was helping Seth find some pictures for his wedding video. Kaedell has the above little picture printed. It sits on her shelf in her kitchen. Every time I see it I tell her I want one. It's the best picture ever. It was taken from a slide. That's how you took pictures in my era.

Tonight it's late and I am all alone. I'm in my usual chair. I'm facing my usual computer screen. When I opened up Seth's wedding video file I stumbled upon this picture. Seth had found the slide and had it printed. He then scanned it onto my computer. I was shocked when I opened up the file and saw it. I pulled the picture up, made it big as life on my monitor. Just looking at it immediately brought water to the surface of my tired and sagging eyes. Seeing it there in front of me, I sat back and thought of the very day the picture came to be. All of the memories surrounding the day came rolling back to my mind and my heart.

We were in Cleveland. Our friends Jack and Liz had invited us out to Jack's father's farm. It was a beautiful farm, with vintage old barns and a white farm house to rival any farm house you could ever dream of. The property was so large it even had a lake on it. We spent the day having no end of fun. We played games, fished, and paddled around in the old boat they kept on the waters edge tied to the dock. Then just as the sun was fading we spent the late afternoon catching huge frogs for dinner. We didn't tell the kids we were planning on cooking them. They had so much fun catching those frogs. And I was happy Liz had cooked a ham to go along with the frog legs Jack insisted we have. I was surprised, after Jack finally got me to taste one, I had to agree with him, frog legs taste just like chicken. After dinner we sat out on the old porch and talked and had watermelon.  That's when I got my camera out and snapped the picture. My three cute little kids, Seth, Emilyn and Kaedell, all of them enjoying their watermelon. If you look close you can see it dripping down Emy's chin.

That was nearly 29 years ago. I just want you to know, I'm not laughing now at Lorin's repetitive words. Tonight as I solemnly look at this little picture before me, I have great clarity. Now, better than ever before,  I know what Lorin was trying to tell me. Oh how I wish I would have listened closer back then! He was right, those really were the very best years. And tonight, if I could have one wish, I'd like to go back and do it all again. I'd take Lorin's advice straight to the bank, and I would savor those precious years with a lot more thought and vitality! I'd pay more attention to that which is of worth and I'd stress less about all of the hub-bub that means absolutely nothing. When you are a young parent you tend to frett over a lot of junk that just doesn't matter.

So there ya go. If you are reading this and you have small children at your feet, then take heed. Turn around and take a long look at them every chance you get. Get down on their level and really take a look. Spend time with them. Instead of worrying about the job, the car, the house, the yard, and the demanding routines of life, take some time and be a kid while your kids are kids. Go for many a walk, stop and smell the flowers. Be creative in the time you spend with your children. Watch how you talk to them, and laugh a lot at yourself. Most importantly spend every chance you get enjoying them. Pay greater attention to how you work and play with them, how you interact with them.  And like Lorin said, "Remember . . .Enjoy these years, because every word he echoed is true, "They really are absolutely and without a doubt, the very best ones ever!" PS, Don't forget to take their picture, so 29 years later you can sit in a chair, look at it and kick yourself for not paying closer attention to everything I just said!

One picture. Did I tell you it's worth a million dollars to me today!

Happy Birthday Seth

I love the above picture. It was taken on Seth's mission in Malaysia. It didn't hit me at the time when I first saw the picture,  but now as the years have gone by when I take a look at it, something about it touches me. Seth has a special way with kids. I swear he is a kid magnet. They love him, they are drawn to him. I think it has to do with the size and honesty of his heart. Children are a good judge of character and of seeing a person's real intent and I think that's why they love being around Seth. They too can feel the greatness of his heart and they know it's a good one! He himself is a kid at heart.

Well, today I just want to take a minute and wish this big kid at heart a very Happy Birthday!

I feel lucky to be your mom Seth! You are a wonderful son!

In just a very short time, I get to go to the temple and watch my son be sealed for time and all eternity.

(I've got another post on that coming.)

The day we all attend the temple is going to be a beautiful day no matter what the weather is doing! And one thing about having a great heart, it draws in other great hearts! First there was one and now there are two!

I am thankful the Lord saw fit to bless me with wonderful children.

I am thankful for you Seth. You are a great young man and your life reflects it. You have always made your mom and dad proud! Happy Birthday! I hope you had a great day today. Thanks for always being a good influence on those around you and for being such a great member of this family! We love you! Happy Day, the day your were born!

Go FREMONT! TAKE STATE!!!

Even Weber High Wants the Fremont Silver Wolves to WIN!

Des said they showed up at Fremont today with a big send off package

Wishing the Wolves their very best.

(Maybe Weber isn't so bad after all!)

Fremont is now referred to as "THE SILVER WOLF NATION!"

They're mean and they're fierce.

They are 'THE PACK!'

Today is the BIG GAME!

FREMONT against BINGHAM.

They say we're gonna to lose.

We'll see about that.
Gabby, Aubs, and Des say "NOT"

They said, "The Pack ain't goin' down without a fight!"
And I know one thing . . .
I think Bingham underestimates Fremont!

As Wyatt Earp said on the movie "Tombstone."
(My most favorite line in the whole movie)

"You tell em we're coming! You tell em Hell's comin' with us!"

GO FREMONT! TAKE STATE!!!

On my honor, I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

Hola! In case you didn't see it on Facebook, me and Gav are officially Cub Master and Cub Den Leader of the Buena Ventura Spanish Branch. We are pretty overwhelmed and excited. If any of you are involved or know someone involved in Scouts and have witnessed anything that left an impression... we are very open to any and all ideas. Other than that I guess we are going to be sitting around a round table... or something ? Ha ha. yeah, Pack 685.

I NEED MORE SPACE!

The notice kept popping up every time I tried to add more pictures to my blog. "Whoops! You're out of space. You are using 100 percent of your 1 gigabyte quota for photos." Then in big bold blue letters "PURCHASE MORE SPACE!"

So I did. I paid five bucks for the entire year and bought 80 gigabytes of, 'whoop--- your you know what' space! Now I can post all the pictures I want with out some computer message driving me NUTS!

I'm in a bit of a fowl mood tonight! Well, I am a bird! I don't know why either. Ok, so I do know why. Despite the day though, despite the cause and effect, I got some things done I had been putting off forever. I even cleaned my pig-stye bathroom. I think I can actually stand to walk in it now. I spent the afternoon trimming bushes and clearing out leaves along with my head. It was productive and reflective work!

Late in the afternoon, Corbin came over and improved things.   He and Kaedell stopped by. When it was time for them to leave, Corbin looked up at me and instantaneously started to cry. I tried to remind him about the rule at grandmas. I calmly said to him, "Corbin use your voice, you need to talk to me bud. You just need to ask for what ever it is you want. Remember Corbin, you don't start crying until after you ask and I say no, not before." You should have seen the look on his face when I said the "no" word. Suddenly, he sucked in his gut and swallowed the big lump in his throat, then he looked up at me and with a quivery voice said, "Grandma, can I stay and play." I thought he was going to pass out with anticipation waiting for my response. "Sure," I said all enthusiastic like. That' s when a serious grin broke out and consumed his face. LOL! That's how you make a five year old's day by the way, just say yes to whatever they want!

It's late now. Corbin has long gone home. I'm in my cave - my sanctuary. I'm tired. My head hurts and I'm wondering if my re-occuring sore throat is back. I'm glad today is over. I'm trying to reflect on the good that was fighting to break through. Hopefully I don't have to repeat this day for a long time. It's been a trying one. Such is life. Kelson reminded me of something, however, tonight he said, "Mom, I'm glad today is over too, I'm even happier no matter how bad today was, I have tomorrow to look forward to." Kelson is always an optimist! I'm glad he reminded me. I too am grateful for new days and new opportunities for change. Anne of Green Gables said, "Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it!" that's my favorite quote of all quotes. I am thankful! I'm thankful I can go to bed tonight and get up in the morning to a new day fresh with new opportunity.

Tonight however Google reminded me about the need for space. There is a great need for space in this life. I was in a mood to buy space tonight, I think it was symbolic. Today, along with the space I bought for my blog, I wish I could have paid five bucks and purchased 80 gigabytes of space to escape the part of life that every now and then wants to slam me to the ground. Well, it didn't completely get it's way.

Now all of you Crow's that have been trying to post your pictures of your month's activities, post away! We now have space galore! I love space! And three cheers for going to bed and rising up to a new day with new space in it!

A Good Re-Post

Over one year ago I posted this video on the blog. Some things in this life are just worth re-posting! Today I had to make a hard decision. I hate hard decisions. I've learned however, we sometimes hold onto things out of habit. And the fear of change is sometimes overwhelming. Yet if we are unwilling to let go of that which we've always known and embrace new opportunities for change, God cannot bring anything new into our lives. It is true, when you ask God for clarity, He will give it to you.
I know it wasn't by accident that I stumbled onto this clip again today. Just watching it once again filled me with the knowledge that my Heavenly Father really does guide my life. He understands my situation today and has once again cleared out all the clutter in my mind, giving me great clarity and the peace to know the decision I have made is the right one.

Super Fan!

Here she is and it's official now. The other day at school Mr. Long, (Deserey's principle) called her into his office and handed her a t-shirt. "What's this," she quickly asked. That's when he launched into a dissertation on Deserey's school spirit, her enthusiasm, and all the great things she's been doing to foster everyone's excitement and support for the football team. Mr. Long told Des, "If anyone deserves to be officially crowned a "Super Fan," well Des, that's you!" He went on to tell her what a great student and leader she is and how much he likes working with her.

Des is indeed a super fan! She's painted so may paw prints on her face this season (a mark of her true devotion) I think she can do it in her sleep now. Each week the paw prints take a new path across her face, boldly declaring her love for the pack. This Friday she gets to paint the trail of all trails. I'm sure it's going to be good! I'll have my camera ready.

This week Fremont plays Bingham at the "U" for the game of all games. Des is pretty pumped she'll be standing in the bleachers front and center. She'll be wearing her Super Fan shirt. And when she goes home she'll have no voice left.

This is it, winner takes all! I'm thinking I'm going to go to the game as well. I don't want to miss David taking down Goliath. I'm going to go and root hard for the silver and the blue because I think just when Bingham isn't looking Fremont could actually turn and walk right off the field with the win! That's how it is when the underdog shows up united in an unstoppable spirit and Fremont has something this year they haven't had in a long time, it's called supreme determination.

Did I tell you Desi got herself a wolf hat for the upcoming event. It has ears, fur, and everything. Oh don't worry, I'll post a picture after she puts it on. I get such a kick out of her. I also get a kick out of the tabloids.  For the last three weeks the Silver Wolves have been predicted to lose. I'm happy to say, a lot of people were a little bit surprised when Fremont won the last three games. Most comments boardered around, "Who is Fremont?" So, heads up Bingham. This school might be little, but this is one student body that stands united. I hope they win. This is one team that deserve to win. And with all the super fans like Des, how can we lose. Cross your fingers everyone!

Beautiful begins With "K"

I'm working hard at learning better photography skills.

Right now I'm taking a class on "LIGHT."

It's a vast sea of learning. Some days I feel like I'm drowning. There's so much to understand, OCEANS! There's so much to remember. It's literally a larger subject than any body of water that covers the earth. Well, to me, it feels deep and wide, not to mention turbulent. It defiantly tosses me around some days.

My class is teaching me several things: What is light? Where does it come from? What is it's source. On and on. Wow! Let me write a book on that subject spiritually and photographically speaking.

Last night I came home from my class exuberant to retain it all. At my age I have come to love learning. My head was spinning. I was like a sponge all night, sucking it all in! After I got home, I came up to my cave and pulled up this picture. The light is so nice. It falls soft on my granddaughter's beautiful face as well as radiates from deep within her. I love the catch light in her eyes. Isn't she a doll! Beautiful really begins with a "K."

Saturday I get to practice what I'm learning. I can't wait! Practice. Yum! Today I'm paying more attention to light. Why do I have this sneaky suspicion looking for light is going to make my day go much better. Light and how it affects life . . . this topic amazes me with a camera in my hand or without. A subject for another day.

Have you been SPOOFED?

Let me pull up my soap box! Yes, I'm going to get on it! If you see capitalization in this post I am yelling and possibly shaking my fist!

This last week I have gotten countless emails from warm loving souls I know. I get so excited when I see their name appear in my inbox. The trouble is I open up their email only to discover they didn't send it to me at all. Someone else sent it to me using their identity. It's called SPOOFING!

Email spoofing is defined as masking the sending address to make it look like someone else is sending it rather than the sending party. It is often used to try to simulate emails from various websites in order to phish information from the user and steel identities.

Luckily in getting so many spoofed emails I have come to recognize them. Usually a spoofed email has no subject in the subject line. Remember I said, "Usually."

Today I actually got an email from myself. For reals! The criminal was actually faking being me and then sent it to me at one of my other email addresses! Ok, this is where I'm throwing my hands up in the air and screaming. The problem arises in how people SEND their emails. This is where it's going to get a little heated!

Everyday I get a few emails from lots of different people. Cute funny clever goodies to read. The trouble is when I open up the email there in the "To" box are a gazillion addresses. (this is where I go ballistically wild and rant and rave.) Now I can see every single address in the "To" box. The trouble is so can EVERY SINGLE COMMON CRIMINAL! DO YOU WANT EVERY CRIMINAL OUT THERE VIEWING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS? I DON'T!
I'm going to try and calm down now. Maybe if I talk real soft and slow, maybe if I plead and beg, everyone who reads this will comply. I think I will pray as well!

In order to keep an email address PRIVATE there is a very SIMPLE fix. The fact that it is so simple and such an intelligent wise responsible choice leads me into a rage when people refuse to do it. I think the reason people don't apply this simple measure is because they lack knowledge. I'm hoping it's not because they are lazy and irresponsible.

I have to say here though, not knowing how to use this simple tactic is as idiotic as standing in front of a faucet and saying, "I'm thirsty and I don't know how to get water."

SO HERE'S THE FIX!

PEOPLE! WHEN YOU SEND MASS EMAIL TO MANY ADDRESSES AT ONCE, PUT THOSE EMAIL ADDRESSES IN THE BCC BOX!  PULLLLEEEEESE! Yes, every single one of them! You don't have to put a single address in the "To" box. You can put ALL of your addresses in the BCC box and that way you keep the creepy people from getting all the information! All the mail is delivered the same. Trust me it will get to the person you are trying to send it to. Nothing will happen other than all of the people that have now had their email address held private will thank you, esteem you, and sing praises to your name forever more! RESPECT THE PRIVACY OF OTHERS BY KEEPING THEIR EMAIL PRIVATE. You can do this by using the "BCC" box instead of the "TO" box. BCC BOX. say it over and over again. Use it! You'll love it! I sound redundant don't I? It's because I'm at the end of a short rope with a little tiny knot!

Alrighty, I'm taking a deep breath now. I'm relaxing. I'm calming down. I'm hoping people will read this and go, "Oh, that's easy, I didn't know I could do that. Groovy, I'm down with it!"

I'm putting my soap box away now. Thank you for listening! Thank you for your patience. I apologize if I wasn't my best self. Forgive me. I'm going to try to go back to being a really nice person.

BCC box . . .

PEOPLE. . . USE IT!

Oops, sorry. I almost got out of control! Calm, I'm thinking calm. . . . .

 Check out this link for more on spoofing and phishing. http://usgovinfo.about.com/cs/consumer/a/aaspoofing.htm

What A Picture! WOW!!!

I know you'll find this hard to believe, but the above photo was taken with an iPhone. No editing has been done as of yet! If you know anything about the iPhone, then you know it's absolutely one of the most spectacular pieces of technology you'll ever hold in your hand, but the camera built into it, for lack of a better word ---sucks! Ok, that's my biased opinion. I usually have a three thousand dollar Nikon in my hand with a twenty eight hundred dollar lens on the end of it, so it's hard to give the iPhone a fair phone camera critique.

Even worse, I can't take credit for this picture! @#*^! All of us Crowthers love to drive by the Logan Temple when we travel home from the lake. Man With A Drill was the lucky dog who came upon this beautiful scene. He said he drove down the hill and didn't really see the temple glowing there till he got all the way to the bottom. He said to me with all his heightened exuberance, "I nearly missed it." Then he went rambling on about how he took one last look in my rear view mirror and there it was. Thankfully he seized the moment, whipped his car around, pulled out the only camera he had, and framed one of the most stunning shots I've ever seen.  Brilliant! Bravo! Pat, pat.

I thought it was so beautiful, absolutely beautiful! I love the Logan Temple. This photo's a definite framer! Well done Man With A Drill . . .And An iPhone!

Antelope Island

This is my friend Karen. We went to school together, you know, way back when the dinosaurs roamed the earth. Well, I must confess I am starting to feel a little pre-historic, especially when I get on a bike and follow her off in to the wild blue yonder. 

I love Karen. There are a million and one things I love about her, but first and foremost is her sense of humor. She can hold the straightest face while delivering a punch line that will knock you over with laughter. She is so much fun. I also love her take on life. She's a lifter of the human spirit, and an optimist. I love being around all that positiveness. I also love that she is a spur of the moment girl.  She loves living life to the fullest. And I must mention, there is one last thing I love about her . . .she waits for me on a bike!  

I hadn't seen Karen for years when one day she popped up on my Facebook page. We re-connected and the next thing I knew I was in a pool learning how to lap swimming. Like me, she also likes to stay in shape.

The other day she invited me to take a bike ride out to Antelope Island.  I hadn't been out there since Desi was in the second grade and when she ask me I was a little hesitant. I then however decided no matter what was going on in my life or no matter how busy I was, I was going to stop and take the time and go. Sometimes you just have to grab hold of life while you can. I'm so glad I did. I have never enjoyed my self more. It was beautiful and we even saw lots of buffalo.

We stopped at the causeway to take in the sights. It was the perfect time of night to hit the bridge. Everything was picturess! Fall on the island is beautiful.

After stopping to rest we climbed back on our bikes. I was just starting to peddle away when suddenly I saw Karen fall over. When a person clips their feet to a set of bike peddles and then they suddenly fall over, it's a pretty shocking sight.  Well of course I was deeply concerned about Karen's immediate welfare so I rushed right over. "Are you ok," I blurted out? "I feel so stupid," she mumbled. We then chuckled over the silly incident and proceeded to once again climb back on our bikes. I had just clipped my left foot in and was working on the right foot when the next thing I knew, serious gravity was bone slamming me to the asphalt. I tipped over! My hands hit first, then my knee dug into the asphalt with a zillion rocks grinding into it, then my head hit the pavement and a billion shock waves shuddered through me.

That was it. When all the motion in me came to a hault, I started laughing and I couldn't stop. Karen was trying hard to keep her spasmataic giggling under wraps, you know, since my knee was hurting and all. It was impossible however, she could not contain herself and soon her laughter broke through in ominous waves. It was a side splitting moment for both of us.

After the whole ordeal, Karen insisted I pose for the picture. Well, it was a proud moment ----MY FIRST FALL!

Karen is the one who talked me into clipless peddles.  "You can't ride with me until you get them," she would say. "They improve your ability to go farther with less energy," she would tout. "You'll never make it long distances without them." That was her story, and she was sticking to it. I finally relented and made the change, however, once my feet were tied down I just knew sooner or later I was gonna biff it. Everyone does. And I mean EVERYONE! I worried about it something fierce every time I rode my bike. Now lying there, I was so thrilled and relieved to have it over with. It wasn't bad either. I was glad I had gloves on, they protected my hands. And I didn't rip my pants, I was ecstatic over that. And for a fifty year old lady, the asphalt was considerably kind to me. It was a good first fall!

After realizing the falling thing wasn't so bad, I picked myself up and proceeded to climb back on my bike. My dad always said, "When you get bucked off, you've gotta get right back on!" I figured if that was good sound philosophy for a horse then it had to be good sound philosophy for a bike too. Karen and I now refer to ourselves as Derelict #1 and Derelict #2

We rode that night until we got stuck between some buffalo. We both decided with our luck we were not going to see if we could ride between them up a hill. I was not feeling up to out peddling buffalo! We thought we'd save that for a luckier day.

This was the last shot of the night. The autumn sun was fading fast, and I marveled at the beautiful golden light on everything. It was so quiet and peaceful by the harbor. One lone boat left in the dock made me think of how sad I am that winter is soon approaching.

I can't wait to go back to this place that is practically right in my back yard. The next trip is going to be the beginning of my first annual tradition ---a bike ride with my grandkids to Antelope Island. I can't wait. We're going to take a picnic lunch. Float in the lake, skip rocks and count the crickets. Karen gave me the idea. It's a goody!

Antelope Island . . . I love it! If you haven't been in a while, fall is the perfect time to visit!

The Trick? No! The Treat!

They came with their buckets,

Their pumpkins,

Their grins.

They came wanting goodies,

From the green spider tin.

They knocked on my door

And shouted "Trick or treat."

They scared me to death.

My heart skipped a beat!

Lady bugs, Tigers, 

A Blue Peacock too?

A look a like Des

and Harry Potter, Wah HOO!
A Kitty and Bumble Bee,
All lurked at my door.
I ran for my camera,
"Stop Nanny, no more!"

So I reached for the mother-load
This Grandma's not cheap.
I filled their containers
To the top in a heap!

The night was YumZilla,

I love Halloween,

My Grandkiddies are awesome,

Their costumes were keen!

I can't wait until next year,

Who knows what they'll be.

Doesn't really matter

Cause I get to be ME :D

My Grandkids are always
The best thing in life.
Now that's the real treat
On this dark Hallowed Night!

Faye B. Crowther

Happy Anniversary Gage & Missy

Time goes by way too fast!

And Before you know it, your celebrating once again!

I want to say 3 years.

Keeping track of these kids isn't easy.

I can barely remember when I got married.

Today though I just want to send them 

lots of love and a wish. . .

Hope your day is wonderful today!

You are a beautiful family!

I'm so happy you're mine.

Happy Anniversary!

We love you!

Best Friends

They are best friends, simply put. Describing a friendship like theirs is really quite impossible. They're like your perfect pair of shoes. You never see one without the other. Des came in my study just before she went to bed tonight. She needed a picture. We were searching when we found the one above. "Oh, edit it for me mom, pullleeeeese" she quickly said. So I did.

When I look at this picture I try to understand how such a unique and truly remarkable friendship came to be. These two girls have a friendship that I've never seen before, not even in the best Hollywood movie. It's rare and amazing! I can only ascertain they were bonded in heaven. I can see them there just before it was their turn to come to earth. I can see them standing before our Father begging. Can't you see them there in front of Him pleading? If you know them, if you are the least bit familiar with them, your understanding will be crystal clear and your answer to my question will be head shaking yes. I'm sure God couldn't take the pressure, he gave in, basically relented to allowing them the gift of being best friends on earth! Yup, I just know that's how it happened.

Aubs and Des ---BFF

(PS, Look at Aubree's dimples. Aren't they adorable!)
I love you girls!

It's All About The Light

I'm so excited! I've signed up for a photography class on light. I haven't even started the class yet, it's coming up soon, but in all my excitement I made Deserey come out of her cave the other night and model for me. The horizontal evening light was beautiful. In fact those simple words just can't describe how each individual subtle ray brought to life anything in it's shimmering path. Light fascinates me. Something in my soul recognizes it, longs for it, and is lifted by any hint of it's presence. Put a camera in my hand and the will to capture it grows fiercely intense. Capturing light with skill and creativity is everything in photography. I long to be good!

Deserey didn't have much patience for my constant clicking."Turn this way," I'd order. "Turn that way now," I'd beg. I tried to throw a please in here and there. She let me bug her for about 15 minutes and that was it. "I've got homework to do mom, we're done," she said and then she was gone.

Late that night when the house was dark and silent, I sat down in my favorite chair pulled the pictures up on my trusty Mac, and commenced to sink into a place that brings me peace and serenity. I turned the music on. Music makes everything in life sweeter. Then I spent the next couple of hours working with pictures. That's the greatest relaxation I know. Which is why I stay forever. I finally went to be just before 2.

I'm always writing about light. Light in a picture, light in my soul, light in every facet of life imaginable. You can talk about it's speed, you can talk about it's spectrum, it's ambiance, it's illumination. How about it's wave length, it's radiance, it's energy, what it's made of, and don't leave out it's force for good. I could spend an hour on light and sensation. How I feel when it touches my skin, or when it penetrates my eyes, or beads down on any part of me.

Last night I was tired and in a serious funk. Wanting to leave it behind me, I put on my running shoes and out the door I went. For five miles I couldn't stop the splendor that appeared around each corner. It was like God's greatest artist had painted the picture just before I arrived. I just kept repeating myself. "I wish I had my camera, Oh, how I wish I had my camera!" Every ray of light fell differently on every piece of nature it touched. It was magical the way it gave new life to old subjects. By the time I got home my funk was gone. All that beautiful light had cleared it away, and somehow the inside of me had been transformed.

I'm going to take that run again after my light classes, I'm going to take my camera along with me when I do. Ummmm, can't wait!

We Should Do This More Often!

When I'm working on pictures late at night on my computer, sometimes I stumble across the greatest finds of all time. Here it is, one photograph with lives etched in an era, frozen and framed for many generations to come.

So many things struck me when I found this photo. I laughed at the Blanch aurora that shines from within. The picture has a unique spirit about it. I laughed at both of the 'Scott's' on the back row. I laughed at their obvious lack of enthusiasm for photography. You should see a close up of their faces, just looking at them takes me back to all of their sarcastic comments as they stood for the click. It was obvious they were  being held hostage by a nagging spouse no doubt.

I loved looking at all the little kids in this picture. Taking the time to look over each small and innocent face fills my soul with complete satisfaction. Every one of these little people adds a giant serving of joy to life! Did I tell you they love going to great grandma's house together? You should see them energize each other.  The spark of childhood enthusiasm arcs back and forth between them giving way to gleeful laughter as they share in a serious bond of camaraderie. They love to run wild when they get to g-ma's. The great part is, they don't mind much stopping to have their picture taken. They're pretty happy people as long as you feed them.

My favorite part of the picture though are those little Christmas lights haphazardly strung above our heads. We never take them down now, we can't, somehow they have become a permanent fixture. Maybe it's the hidden ambiance they add to the old red brick home.

I love the faces in this picture. I love the people!  This is where my life began! This picture is something to treasure! And I know it's just going to grow more priceless over the years! I'm so glad we stopped for just a minute and captured the moment. We should do it more often!

Love you family of mine!

Fire In The Sky

Friday night I was talking on my cell phone with my sister. While I was busy yacking my jaws to her, I walked over to the kitchen sink to perform some menial chore, looked out the window, and in udder astonishment saw the most beautiful sight! The sky, it was brilliant with color and looked like it was literally on fire.  I honestly don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it. I told my sister I had to go. "I'll call you right back," I said to her in a rush. Then I abruptly hung up the phone.  When it comes to capturing light everything can change in a split second.

After grabbing my camera as fast as I could, I flew out the door, and ran across the street where I could get a better shot. I couldn't snap the lens fast enough. The photo you see above came straight out of my camera.  I haven't touched it with photoshop. Wow, Mother Nature can sure put on a show!