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Show -NEWS- Spanish Fork Covering what matters most WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2007 • A3 What if you were a bachelor? My dad rocks! There and Back Again Shirlene R, Ottesen Lately, for some reason, I seem to be a week behind in writing about a special holiday or observance. My column last week should have been on Father's Day and Flag Day, but now they are both gone so here I am writing a belated Happy Fathers Day to all the fathers out there. I hope you had a nice day. There may befleetingmoments when some of you fathers might envy the bachelor and his single life, but think of all the things you would have missed out on; "Such as the tingling thrill of a cold popsicle dripping down your back at a family picnic. The sensation.of three young children jumping up and down on the bed at 5 a.m. on Christmas morning, announcing that Santa Claus had left and 'Come see what he left.' If a bachelor wants burned toast and cold eggs for breakfast, he has tofixit himself. A married man finds his waiting on the table when he gets up. If a bachelor wants a dent in the fender of his car, he has to go out and get one, but a father can have his wife or teenage son do it for him. A bachelor watches basketball games on television, while a father enjoys the privilege watching Sesame Street, cartoons or Mickey Mouse. A bachelor doesn't know the thrill of those deductions on his income tax return or going to PTA meetings to hear child guidance experts, usually bachelors, telling him how to raise his children. A father is someone who is forced to endure childbirth without an anesthetic. A father growls when he feels good and laughs when he's scared. Fathers are those people who give daughters away to other men who aren't nearly good enough*so they can have grandchildren that are smarter than anybody else's. A father is a guy who has snapshots in his wallet where his money used to be. A father is a guy who gets to answer questions like, "Who pays Santa Claus' salary?" And, "How do doctors make a living if people don't get sick?" "What kind of a car does God drive?" "Do bumble bees go to church?" "What happens to light when it goes out?" Well, I hope all you fathers had a nice day and we do appreciate all that you do for your families. Why is it when it is 9 p.m. in the summer, we find ourselves still outside doing yard work, cutting the lawn, etc, and when it's 9 p.m. in the winter, we are exhausted and ready for bed? I notice on the calendar that tomorrow is the June 21 and the longest day of the year. That means the days will now begin to shorten. It doesn't seem possible that we are almost half-way through the year already. Tomorrow is also the beginning of another season of summer. The rain that we had last week was a good one. The corn, hay and grain are all growing and look good. I mention it because there are sections of our country where there is a severe drought and farmers are having a tough time. So, along with the irrigation water, we are thankful for all the rain that we get. June 14, 2007 was Flag Day. I appreciate all those who display the flag on their homes or lawn during special observances. We have a flagpole in our front yard and we just got our flag up in time for Flag Day. I wanted to display it on Memorial Day, but our flag needed a little repair work and it took some time bows, blue and yellow strawberries and green and red normal hair pins. That Jazlyn CrandaU is when the fun started, i began clipping every single If I could pick any dad barrette into pad's thinning in the world to have, I'd hair. After all that, he even still choose mine. Not let my mom take a picture. only is he good with things It's in my photo album and like fixing garage doors no one is going to steal it and framing our house, but he is a people person. from me. (Don't even think He can sell to anyone. about it Mom.) Another thing awesome His company's profit has increased by almost a about my dad is that million dollars since he whenever one of us gets became their sales rep. sick, he always checks in That is pretty amazing. from work to make sure However, no matter what we're okay. During the job he has, my dad is months October through always there for his family March, when I was fighting ,every cold virus known to first. My dad supports us in mankind and inflicted with everything we do that is migraines, mononucleosis right or good. Justin, Jessica, and strep, he was behind me Julie and I are all running each step of the way, taking and he helps by bringing me to the doctors whenever us to meets, buying shoes needed and calling me off and Gatorade and cheering from school. us on. I remember once he What I love the most came to a track meet ill and about my dad is the help sat in the sun for a few hours he gives. Whenever I have just to watch our races. a problem, he either gives My dad likes us to be in me advice that will fix shape and healthy. In order the dilemma or he fixes it to keep usfitthis summer, himself. Lately, he has been we have been carted off to focusing on my collegeneeds at least one road race a week and trying to get everything and we get rewarded if we such as apartments, food, run or exercise daily. My leadership camps, etc... in dad also impresses on us order. My dad is very good that if we live healthily, then at that. we will live longer and do Thank you Dad for better things with our lives. everything you do for our I fully believe that. Once when I was a little family. We love you and girl, I brought out a carton appreciate your advice, of plastic hair clips of love and support. There is assorted colors and shapes. nobody in the world like There were pink and orange you. You rock! All That Jazz Courtesy photo to put a few stitches in it to hold together. Our American flag is a glorious sight to see. Long may it wave over "the land of the free and the home of the brave.*' Serviceman Every man who wears the colors of the old red, white and blue, Is a guardian of freedom and all that is good and true. Be he soldier or a sailor, or United States Marine, He deserves respect from people who a peace serene. May the good Lord always bless him, may He keep him safe from harm, And may dear God guide him homeward, home to city or the farm. So it is I write this message with the hope that he will know, That a million prayers are with him, in each place that he may go. Parting thought for' the week: Remember opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss. Play some brain flexin' games Bored? Games! Bob Sfutz As you know, I like a game with a fun theme attached to it. But there are also games I enjoy that can be classified as "abstract strategy" games. An abstract strategy game is one that has little or no theme and little or no luck involved. These are the brain flexing games. Chess is considered an abstract strategy game. I think thefirsttime I played chess was during recess in second grade. My opponent and I knew how each piece moved, but that was about it. I don't know if anyone ever did checkmate the other. Victory came in doses with each piece captured. "Ha, ha, I got your pawn!" Then, making a face, "I killed your horse!" I still play chess once in a while, but I'm not sure I've gotten better over the years. I still just work on capturing pieces and finally get around to considering a checkmate attempt when 80-90% of the pieces have been captured. So I don't win many chess games, but I don't have to win to enjoy it. That's the same with this week's game — an abstract strategy game that is quick to leam, but takes years to master.. .hen, hen, heh. It's the award winning Blokus! Title: Blokus Publisher: Educational Insights T^pe: Abstract Strategy Game Ages: 10-99 # of Players: 4 Time: 20-30 minutes Blokus is a game in which players try to play as many of their 21 pentomino-like pieces as they can before being "blocked" by the other players. The 21 pieces each player starts with consist of 12 actual pentominoes (shapes made offiveadjoining squares), five similar shapes made of just four squares each, two pieces made up of three adjoining squares, a two square piece and a single square piece. (Incidentally, if you play the single piece last, you get a small bonus to your score.) Each player starts by placing one of their pieces in one of the four corners on the 20x20 square board. Play continues clockwise with just one rule: your next piece must be played next to one of your other pieces on the board, but touch it only at the corners (think diagonal.) At no time during the game may you play one of your pieces so Benjamin: From BENJAMIN • A2 Park. Joining Clair and his wife, Lottie, were Mike and LuAnn Olsen and family of Orem, Wayne and Michelle Anderson and family and Kevin and Annette Anderson and family of Benjamin, Neil and Kathryn Anderson and family and Ryan and Alese Stewart of Lake Shore, Tim Mossman / Courtesy photo that it is side by side another one of your pieces. And so begins the challenge, since there is only so much space on the board and it's filling up quickly. The idea is to block your opponents while expanding your territory across the board as far as possible. The pieces are translucent yellow, blue, green and red, so it becomes quite an attractive display as the different colors interlock in what looks like a festive Jell-0 salad. As soon as you can't make a legal move on your turn, you are out of the game. Play then continues with the remaining players until they are also completely blocked. Then players count how many remaining squares they have -NEWS- not been able to play, and the person with the fewest wins. Blokus is a great thinking game that is also easy to understand and quickly played. It's light enough that kids and adults can compete together and feel like they are all being challenged. This makes it a good purchase for a family with a couple of kids who are around 10 years of age or older. While the box says you can play Blokus with two or three, it just isn't as fun that way. For two players try Travel Blokus, for three players try Blokus Trigon. You can get Blokus at Funfinity in Springville, at the Blakfyre Games in Orem or try it against a computer online at www.blokus.com. Maxine Lundell of Provo, Wayne and Rae Shepherd.of Fairview, Marsha Anderson of Spanish Fork, and Brad and Lauri Freytag and family of Orem. The evening was spent enjoying supper, games and storiesfromthe grandchildren of memories they have with their grandpa. Congratulations to Clair for this milestone in his life Of service. • Grandma's Recipes Lemonade Chill Grandma's Recipes Betty June Ott Here is an ice cream dessert that is so refreshing. My children helped mix it up when they were young. 1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream , 1 6 oz. frozen pink lemonade concentrate Soften ice cream and and concentrate. Drizzle lemonade over ice cream and stir just enough to marble through. Freeze. l_ the Oil Change Spanish Fork LOCALLY OWNED AND QPF.RATRD Serving you and your family with: INTEGRITY QUALITY SERVICE EXCELLENCE • PASSION • Spanish Fork • 5244,900 . • Mwiy remodeled 2,350 sq.ft. -Built 1997 •/'. V • 5 bdrm, 3 bath, large Family room, vaulted ceiling • .25 acre OWNER/BROKER 830-4755,423-8315 Serving the Spanish Fork area with quick and friendly service! 552 N. Main, Spanish Fork-798-7877 ) |