Sepia Scenes & Window Views: Stuart Guard Station

"It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.”
~Robert Louis Stevenson

The Energy Loop: Huntington/Eccles Canyons Scenic Byway
Stuart Historic Guard Station Visitor Center, UT

Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corp, this little building tucked among the trees accommodated a ranger and his family. Since its days as a ranger outpost, the ranger station has been converted to a visitor center where travelers can stop to tour the little building and learn a little of the forestry history in the area. In the '30s, ranger stations were built "a hard day's ride" apart. Their inhabitants had to be self-sufficient for the most part. Even now, the volunteers who run the station have no telephone. Electricity comes only from solar power.

Visitors to the guard station will find exhibits and original architecture and equipment in the station. Old pictures and accompanying information offers a new view of what life was like just 70 years ago in the Manti-La Sal Forest.

Nearby, visitors will find a walkway to the 1995 National Christmas Tree-- or what is left of it. A stump and a plaque is all that remains of a majestic fir tree that graced the capitol for Christmas.

view a picture of my granddaughter sweetings crossing the little plank bridge at this same location by clicking here

photo by

Wordless Wednesday: Fall in a Mountain Canyon

visit cake crumbs to see another view of this same spot

A-Z Wednesday H

hosted by Vicki
at Reading at the Beach

Welcome to A-Z Wednesday!!
To join, here's all you have to do: Go to your stack of books and find one whose title starts with the letter of the week. Post:
1~ a photo of the book
2~ title and synopsis
3~ link(amazon, barnes and noble etc.)
4~ Link back to Reading at the Beach. If you've reviewed your book you can add it also. Be sure to visit other participants to see what book they have posted and leave them a comment. (We all love comments, don't we?) Who knows? You may find your next "favorite" book.

THIS WEEKS LETTER IS: H

Since this is "read a banned book week" I was going to pick a banned book. The only H book I've read that has been banned is the Harry Potter Series. So I decided not to post about those books because hasn't EVERYBODY read them?

So I chose a book I absolutely love.





The Hero and the Crown
by
Robin McKinley


Synopsis
From childhood, Aerin had been haunted by the story of her mother-a "witchwoman" who enspelled the king and then died in childbirth, leaving behind a newborn daughter and an heirless land. Left to her own devices, Aerin grew up wild, doing her best to live up to her reputation as the disappointment of the realm. But little did the young princess know the long-dormant powers of her mother would wield their own destiny, and leave Aerin with a duty to her scornful homeland that she couldn't refuse.


Biography
Robin McKinley is a New York Times bestselling author who has won various awards and citations for her writing, including the Newbery Medal and a Newbery Honor.


If you love a good mix of fantasy, romance, adventure, and heroics--give this book a try. And then follow it up with its sequel, "The Blue Sword"

Book Review: The Book Thief

The Book Thief
by
Markus Zusak


About the Book
Barnes and Noble



It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .
Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.
This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.

About the Author:
Barnes and Noble

Markus Zusak is the author of I Am the Messenger, winner of the Children's Book Council Book of the Year in Australia, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, and Getting the Girl. The author lives in Sydney, Australia.

My thoughts:

This book covers a subject that has been written about excessively and from every point of view; Hitler and World War II. Even though it is a common subject, this book is unique. It is told through the eyes of death, which creates a very interesting and different perspective.

I’m not going to go into the details of this story, because each reader deserves to discover it. I will tell you that it was beautifully written. It speaks to the heart and touches the soul. This is a book to be savored, again and again.

I recommend the purchase of an edition that would look good in a library; a book that has a leather cover, a cover that will age beautifully over time. It would be a fitting tribute to the message in this book if everyone who read it kept it as part of their collection. The book should stand as a reminder to respect life and to treat each other with kindness.

Read a teaser I posted about this book here
I did read a review that I really enjoyed, you can read it here









this book is part of my e-library

__________
a few quotes from the book that I enjoyed

description of a book burning in Molching, Germany

The orange flames waved at the crowd as paper and print dissolved inside them. Burning words were torn from their sentences. On the other side, beyond the blurry heat, it was possible to see the brownshirts and swastickas joining hands. You didn't see people. Only uniforms and signs.

location 1470


Leisel's first experience in a Library

Steadily, the room shrank, till the book thief could touch the shelves within a few small steps. She ran the back of her hand along the first shelf, listening to the shuffle of her fingernails gliding across the spinal cord of each book. It sounded like an instrument, or the notes of running feet. She used both hands. She raced them. One shelf against the other. And she laughed. Her voice was sprawled out, high in her throat, and when she eventually stopped and stood in the middle of the room, she spent many minutes looking from the shelves to her fingers and back again.

How many books had she touched?

How many had she felt?

She walked over and did it again, this time much slower, with her hand facing forward, allowing the dough of her palm to feel the small hurdle of each book. It felt like magic, like beauty, as bright lines of light shone down from a chandelier. Several times, she almost pulled a title from its place but didn't dare disturb them. They were too perfect.

location 1769

* that passage makes me want to weep.

Max (a jew) in hiding--
He had eaten only the foul taste of his own hungry breath for what felt like weeks, and still, nothing.
location 1821

on war--
I've seen so many young men over the years who think they're running at other young men. They are not. They're running at me. (death)
location 2266
Those who remained were firing into the blank pages in front of them. Three languages interwove. The Russian, the bullets, the German.
location 6026

Liesel, describing the sky to Max--
The sky is blue today, Max, and there is a big long cloud, and it's stretched out, like a rope. At the end of it, the sun is like a yellow hole.
location 3112

Reread June 16, 2010 for RS Book Club
Although I had a copy on my kindle I bought a copy and read it so I knew what pages to refer to.

Book #4

Tuesday Teaser: The Lost Symbol

This weeks teaser comes from
The Lost Symbol
by
Dan Brown



hosted by an adventure in reading

My name is Robert Langdon, I'm in Washington D.C. standing in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building. I have just been given an invitation. A very grisly invitation.


hosted by should be reading

today's teaser

"A formal invitation had just been delivered. Someone was summoning Langdon to unlock a mystical portal that would unveil a world of ancient mysteries and hidden knowledge."

location 1194 on my kindle

Tuesday Tales: Little Black Sambo

see book details at Barnes and Noble

When my kids were growing up I would let them listen to books on tape as they went to sleep. One of their favorites was "Little Black Sambo" by Helen Bannerman.

This week is read a banned book week. I was so surprised to find out that this children's story was listed.


Full text posted on this web site
previous post about banned books

Monday Mission: Resume

Name: Kaye
Date: 9/28/09
Address: small town USA
Phone #: the last land line on earth
Email: theriverdaughter at gmail dot com
Web Page: The Road Goes Ever Ever On

Position applying for:
Wedding Planner

Education:
schools attended: small town high school
degrees earned and date: high school diploma too long ago to remember

honors awarded: high honors, honors at entrance scholarship to small town college campus

Work Experience:
Wedding Planner/Jensen Family Productions
Late 1970's to present

I organized and planned weddings for members of said company (four of my own so far, I have also assisted with the weddings of 15 nieces and nephews, and one pre-wedding advice activity for young girls)

Work Related Skills:
Mother of 4 girls, budgeting, accounting, event planning, time managment, wedding apparel seamstress, wedding apparel selection, building reservations, catering reservations, transportation specialist, photography reservations, floral design, floral reservations, advice giver, chef when needed, janitorial duty when required, wedding décor designer and builder, fully capable of planning and supervising event from engagement to wedding. Creator of handmade quilts for each child

I’ve only freaked out a handful of times. I’ve never run out of food, People seem to enjoy the events I’ve planned. My partner is calm and collected and helps out with occasional moments of panic.


ahem . . . . wedding planner extraordinaire taking pictures at my latest event
thank you note from my latest client (daughter #3)
Dearest Mommy,
Thanks for the perfect wedding. I loved everything about it. The dress was everything I ever wanted and it was the best day ever. You are the best mom in the world. Thanks for all your love and everything. We love you :)
J4 and hubby.

this post is this weeks moday mission

hosted by the painted maypole

Banned Book Week

This week is "banned books week"

This is a link to a list of banned books

http://www.abffe.com/bbw-booklist.htm

I've read the following banned books:

Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
Summer of My German Soldier by Bette Greene
Indian in the Cupboard, LYNNE REID BANKS
The Face on the Milk Carton, CAROLINE B. COONEY
Da Vinci Code, DAN BROWN
Power of One, BRYCE COURTENAY
The Cay, THEODORE TAYLOR

I recently read "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. This book is set in Germany during the second world war. The following excerpt is a description from the book of a book burning.

" The orange flames waved at the crowd as paper and print dissolved inside them. Burning words were torn from their sentences. On the other side, beyond the blurry heat, it was possible to see the brownshirts and swastickas joining hands. You didn't see people. Only uniforms and signs."

Read a banned book this week.



here is a post by Well Mannered Frivolity--check it out.

Monday Movies: Back to School

hosted by Molly at the Bumbles

This weeks topic . . . . movies related to school

Here are my top 10

10. Ferris Buellers Day Off
9. American Grafitti
8. Napolean Dynamite
7. To Sir With Love
6. Lean on Me
5. Lucas
4. Pay it Forward
3. Harry Potter Series (Hogwarts is the Best School)
2. Anna and the King
1. Mean Girls

Over the weekend . . . .

no movie for me but I did watch the BYU-Colorado State football game where-in the Cougars came off Conquerors!

This week was season premier week on television
I watched NCIS
Numbers
and survivor--What do you think of that Russell (what a creep). I hope his team figures out what's up before they're all voted off.

But we did have some excitement in our little town this weekend . . . .

Former President George Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney flew in to do a little hunting. My daughter in law works at our one strip one hanger airport and got to shake their hands. And since we are republicans in Utah, it was a big thing :) So be happy for us.

Sunday Scripture: Children

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Mark 10: 13-14
KJV

LDS Edition







The girlies three sang and spoke in their Children's Sacrament Meeting Program today

Photo Hunt: Twisted

Twisted . . . what do I think of when I hear the word twisted. . . . pipecleaners came first, but I didn't have any.

Then I thought of my youngest daughters long blond hair all twisted in a braid.



here is a picture of it

then while I was looking through my files for this picture I found something else that was quite twisted.

This Cottonwood Tree lives in the dessert and battles drought, freezing temperatures, blistering heat, sudden floods and violent winds.







I think I'd be a little twisted too

Book Review: Too Much to Carry Alone

Too Much to Carry Alone

Camille Fronk Olson

Genre: LDS Inspirational

About the Book
Deseret Book

Are you carrying a burden or facing a challenge that defies resolution? Challenges are an inescapable fact of mortality. But do we make our burdens heavier by trying to carry them alone?
The Lord has promised us His help if we will turn to Him. Author Camille Fronk Olson writes, “Each of us is personally invited to come unto Christ and trust Him to heal us.” She testifies that “by accepting His invitation to come to Him, we find the way to resolve every one of our problems. We are not talking about temporary, Band-Aid treatments but eternal solutions.”
With such help available, why continue to be weighed down? The Lord has promised to lighten our burdens and give us rest if we take His yoke upon us. This perceptive and hope-filled book reminds us that the only real and eternal solution to our problems is to believe in His promise — and shows us how to take Him at His word.

About the Author:
from the jacket

Camille Fronk Olson is an associate professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University and a former dean of students at LDS Business College. She has served on the Young Women General Board and the Teacher Development Curriculum Committee of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon's). A poplular speaker as well as writer, Camille is the author of "In the Hands of the Potter", "Mary Martha and Me", and "Women of The Old Testament".

My Review:

This book uses as the base of its text Matthew 11:28-30

King James Version

LDS Edition

Following is the breakdown of the scripture and the outline of the book

Come unto me (the invitation),

all ye that labour and are heavy laden (our condition without the Savior),

and I will give you rest (the promise).

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart (the cost):

and ye shall find rest unto your souls (the promise repeated).

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (a contrast to burdens we are currently carrying).

The subject of this book is deep and requires pondering and prayer. The author, however, has a way of taking the scripture, breaking it down and explaining it in such a way that is easy to comprehend. Her writing is simple and straightforward. The book is small (60 pages) and reads like the text of a speech. It doesn't take long to read but is one that stays in the mind, and the heart and requires additional readings.

Here is a quote from the book that taught me a lot and caused me to reflect quite a bit. I first heard this quote as part of a Sunday Lesson which is why I purchased the book and read it two times. This quote refers to a yoke placed across the shoulders of a person and used to carry heavy objects with ease.
"As a carpenter by trade, Jesus likely made yokes for both animals and people who had heavy burdens to carry. He knew that the most kindly yokes would be sanded smooth to protect the parts of the body they touched rather than cause sore spots. He knew that a strong yet flexible wood could receive a design in which the yoke bowed slightly in the center, relieving pressure from the neck when heavy burdens were attached. Jesus also knew about the importance of having the load perfectly balanced when it is attached to the yoke."

Whenever reading this passage of scripture I always pictured the double yoke used for oxen. I thought it meant that being yoked to Christ made it easier to carry our burdens, because he was there to help us carry it. The analogy of the yoke of Christ being placed on my shoulders to relieve my burden caused me to rethink. Christ does not remove my burdens and carry them for me, but through the power of the atonement I can bear my burdens much better. Christ has overcome the world, and because I know this, my faith in Him helps me through the pain and difficulty I experience in day to day living.

Photo Story Friday: How To Throw a Tomahawk

A tomahawk is a type of axe native to North America, traditionally resembling a hatchet with a straight shaft. The name came into the English language in the 17th century as a transliteration of the Virginian Algonquian word. Tomahawks were general purpose tools used by Native Americans and European Colonials alike, and often employed as a hand-to-hand or a thrown weapon. It originally featured a stone head, but later iron or brass heads were used. The metal tomahawk heads were originally based on a Royal Navy ballistic and used as a trade-item with Native Americans for food and other provisions. (wikipedia)
How to throw a Hawk:

STEP 1 You need a good Hawk to throw.



STEP 2 Get something to throw at. A sliced off end of a log about one foot thick is good.

STEP 3 Stand with your back to the block and step away about 6 steps, turn around face the block.



STEP 4 Hold the tomahawk by the end of the handle and throw as if you were playing catch.

P.S. If you hold the handle close to the bottom and point it in the direction you wish to throw, you will usually hit your target.



STEP 5 Be sure to stick your tounge in your cheek and lean forward throwing with your whole body



STEP 6 Ease up, and watch her fly



Nice Stick!

Now be careful how you throw that thing around :)

pictures of J1 by J2 (my two oldest daughters) at the American West Heritage Center in Wellsville, Utah

tutorial for throwing a tomahawk can be found here

Post Script:
After reading a number of comments I thought I'd like to add these pictures. The Heritage Center is a hands on place, so adults and children can experience for themselves and learn a little bit about their heritage. This is a picture of my 8 year old granddaughter preparing for her tomahawk throw. The mountain man walked her through it, and then she threw it by herself several times. My 10 year old grandson stuck it three times in a row after a failed first try. He was thrilled and still talks about it. Even the three year olds had a try. I'd recommend it to anybody of any age.

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek