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Show SPANISH FORK WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 20Q9 • A3 Covering what matters most Celebrate the 4th talking about and try to fill in the blanks. Sometimes I guess right and other times I don't. Such is life. Things Shirlene R. Ottesen that I used to do rather easiYour chuckle for the ly a few years ago now take week: "How was your more effort and take longer golf game, dear?" asked to accomplish. So be a little Jack's wife. "Well. I was patient with us of the senior hitting pretty well, but my citizen generation. Talk eyesight's gotten so bad I a little louder and speak couldn't see where the ball clearly and a little slower. My greetings to the fawent" "You're 75 years old now. Jack, why don't thers reading this column you take my brother. Scott, last week was a little late. along?" suggested his wife. Instead of coming a few "But he's 85 and doesn't days early, it was a few even play golf anymore." days late. But better late protested Jack. "But he's than never. Boy, if you live in or near got perfect eyesight. He a rural area you sure can tell could watch your ball." his wife pointed out. The next that the rains have stopped day. Jack teed off with Scott — at least for a few days. looking on. Jack swung and The hay fields are buzzing the ball disappeared down with activity. Some farmers the middle of the fairway. have been busy turning the "Do you see it? asked Jack. rained-on hay so it can con"Yup" Scott answered. tinue to dry. Others have "Well, where is it?" yelled been baling their hay and Jack, peering off into the giving the hay that hasn't seen the sun for several distance. "I forgot." Have you noticed that weeks a chance to grow. It has remost of my jokes are about those in their advanced years? Sorry about that. Some of them are pretty funny, but getting old isn't much fun. I guess if you laugh at these jokes. it probably means that you can relate to something in the joke. I can relate to those about not being able to hear so well. I find myself asking people to repeat what they say. But I've also noticed that some people don't speak clearly. They tend to talk fast and sort of mumble. They don't pronounce the t's and d's distinctly. Some don't speak in complete sentences, so I have to guess what they are There and Back Again ally been a bad situation. The hay that was cut three weeks ago was almost covered in some fields with the second crop that was growing around and over it. I passed one farmer today who was baling his, and the dust was just rolling out of the baler. I don't know if the cattle will eat it or not, but it doesn't look very appetizing. We went to a green-chop system several years ago, which has been a lifesaver this year. We only have one morefieldof young hay to chop and we'll be done. We cut our hay one day and chop it the next, so that has worked well for us. But now we have grass hay to cut and we bale it so we're hoping for some good, sunny weather. I don't know where June went, but here we are in the month of July. The year is half gone already. By the way, six months from last Thursday is Christmas! Just thought I would throw that in. Frankly, I'll be glad when this whole year is gone. I shouldn't wish my life away, but with the economy and especially the farm prices the way they are, this will be a year to remember with not many pleasant thoughts. This Saturday we will celebrate the 4th of July, and I wish all of you a happy one! We still live in~a great country, and although we have our share of troubles. I wouldn't like to live anywhere else. I guess no matter where you live, it's home when you have family and friends around you. Our valley is so pretty right now and it's nice to see a clear, blue sky. With the rather frequent storms that we had the past weeks, I found the sky so interesting. It was filled with huge white clouds that billowed and drifted over the valley. Then the wind would start bringing dark clouds and you could see the storm coming. Mother Nature can be pretty interesting. Happy 4th of July, everyone! Summer is family reunion time Anne Halsey of Maryland, who also joined her siblings and other family 'Round and About Benjamin members at the reunion. Kathleen Olsen ••• Benjamin 2nd Ward sustained a One sure sign of summer is fam- new Relief Society presidency inily reunions when we get to visit with cluding Marilyn Anderson, president; relatives not seen much at any other Karen Williams and Barbara Anderson, counselors; and Shirley Diatime. The Roberts family recently held mond, secretary. We wish them well the David Roberts reunion at the in their new callings. Being released Steven Roberts cabin near the west after nearly three years of service fork of the Duchesne River not too were Phyllis Brock, president; Pat Ivy far from their former home in Ta- and Marin Chandler, counselors; and biona. Those from Benjamin who Christine Stubbs. ••• attended were Nadene Roberts and A baby girl was born to Joe and Dean and Hillary Roberts and their Jeanette Neil on May 19, 2009, at the six children. The group spent time visiting, Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. playing games, and hiking to the She is named Alexis Michelle and has Grand Daddy Lakes. Visiting with her two older sisters and two older brothmother and other family members was ers to welcome her to the family. Madison's Avenue Kirbyand Jeanna Beckstrom have moved into their lovely, new home along 3200 West. They have now taken down the older home that had been on the property which really changes the looks of that part of Benjamin. ••• Ray Davis and Marlee Robinson were married in the Salt Lake Temple on Friday, June 12, 2009, with a reception honoring them that evening in Heber. Ray and Marlee plan to make their home in Sandy. Ray will teach in the Sandy area. Dave and Paula Davis of Benjamin are Ray's parents. ••• It seems as though we got a bit of a late start on summer this year, so make up for lost time by enjoying it an extra amount. Telling the kids about cancer So we picked a Monday night to tell them, and invited my parents to be Rosemary Jarm an there. My parents knew what was going on and When the pathologist were ready to be there for telephoned with the results extra support. I mulled over what of my biopsy, he ended the to say for days, but still call with an apology. "I'm sorry," he said. I wondered found myself at a loss how many times a day he when the big night came. had to make phone calls Then the miracle hapthat ended in "I'm sorry." pened. Every night as a After all, over 750 people family we read a chapare diagnosed with cancer ter from the scriptures. every day. I started feeling When we opened our books to where we had sorry for him. left off, we all discovButthenI began to think ered to our chagrin that about my children. How was I going to tell them? we were on one of the Give it to them straight or longest chapters in the put it off as long as pos- book, not to mention one sible? Certainly, I would of the most challenging need more than an "I'm to comprehend. As the sorry" to get through this others began to moan, I one. Within five minutes, I began to grin. Somehow, we made it was on the phone with my through the entire chapter mother-in-law, a certified grief counselor. Needless and at the end; we had the to say, my question caught perfect chance to discuss her off guard, but eventu- how our family just did ally she was able to gather something really hard. We her thoughts and give me talked about how good it felt to have that long some valuable advice. chapter behind us, and Basically she said that the children should not how it wasn't as bad as we be lied to in any way. thought it would be. The children then got They'll find out sooner of to hear the word "canlater anyway, be it through cer," and that was hard. overheard conversations, or just picking up on little But then they learned that nuances ... they'llfindout. cancer doesn't have to But only give them the in- mean dying; sometimes formation that is pertinent it just means that summer to them, those things that is going to be really hard will directly affect their and boring. But that's ok lives. Don' t overwhelm — because together, our them with every minute family can do hard (and even boring) things! detail. My Unintentional Life Letter to the Editor Prayer Response I'm writing in response to the letter from Luke Graybill of Spanish Fork who was offended because a prayer was offered at the Miss Salem pageant and the name of Jesus Christ was used. I offer my condolences to Mr. Graybill, whose life is clearly so devoid of meaning that he feels he must monitor the prayers being uttered at public gatherings here in the Beehive State and invoke Supreme Court rulings to buttress his outrage. I wonder if he is equally concerned about the usurpation of constitutional guarantees coming from the Obama administration on almost a daily basis. Gary Davis Salem by "Big Al" and "Farnzy HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING • Service • Furnace Replacements • A/C Add Ons • Green Sticker • Financing OAC bryant r 5 o jn •a a H*«tingftCooling Syst*nu ©2009 Madingo L.L.C.. Allan CMsen and Darren Fames "America's birthday cake Is ready. Mom, can you drive us to the White House?" WHATEVER IT TAKES |