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Show Volume XXV Issue VIII The Ogden Valley news Page 13 June 15, 2018 Valley Elementary Students Perform for Members of Armed Services Eighty-two third-graders at Valley Elementary presented a heartfelt program, “I love America,” to dignitaries, parents, and to the student body. Mayor Jim Truett was in attendance and stated, “This was one of the best programs on America I have seen in a long time.” Other dignitaries came from California to witness songs, recitals, poems, and the posting of colors by the third grade class. Our military, those who are currently serving, or have served in the military, were also honored by five students representing each branch of the military. We are proud of our students and their teachers—Mrs. Handsaker, Mrs. Combe, Mrs. Ashment, and Mrs. Wood— for their dedication and hard work. Define Your Un-Kind By Tammy joy Lane, International Speaker, Kindness Life Coach, Soul Ignitionist I made a list of the times when I struggle to be kind. I thought it might help me be more aware, and then I could upscale my kindness skills with this additional information. I’ll just share my list with you: • Morning Time • When I’m Hungry • When I’m in a hurry • When I’m late • When I’m loading kids in the car • When I’m tired • When I’m stressed • When I’m thinking about what to cook • Homework time • While driving • When my kids don’t respond • Night time • When I spiral • When I replay negative conversations over and over • Bed time • When I’m thinking about doing something I don’t want to do . . . . It looks like, for me, the hardest categories of time are when my basic needs aren’t being met, transition times, and when I’m around my family. I mean, it is easy to be kind when someone is paying me, or when I’m with people I don’t have to clean up after, or am with people who appreciate my existence. So now what? Awareness is the first step, but the next step is vital: Noticing and then choosing to shift. Take Care of Yourself. If no one has told you yet, you are the most important person in your own life; you have to learn how to take care of your own basic needs: eating, sleeping, water, time off, and whatever else you need must be taken care of by you. Think about it . . . . If you go around serving people when your Wheeler says rattlesnakes are fully protected by Utah law; it’s illegal to harass or kill one. “Rattlesnakes are an important part of Utah’s this summer, watch the trail ahead of you, and ecosystem,” Wheeler says. “They help keep the check carefully before stepping over rocks, rodent population in check. And that helps keep reaching onto ledges, or sitting down on a rock the diseases rodents carry in check too.” or log. If you see a rattlesnake, Wheeler recKeeping Snakes Out of Your Yard ommends the following: Rocky, talus slopes aren’t the only place in Utah where you might encounter a rattlesnake. Tip 1 - Remain calm. Do not panic. Depending on where you live, you could find a Rattlesnakes will not chase you. snake in your yard. Tip 2 - Stay at least five feet from the snake. Aside from building a fence that rattlesnakes Give it plenty of space. can’t penetrate, Wheeler says the following are Tip 3 - Do not try to kill the snake. Doing so the best ways to keep rattlesnakes out of your yard: is illegal and greatly increases the chance the snake bites you. Tip 1 - Reduce the number of places that proTip 4 - Alert people to the snake’s location. vide snakes with shelter. Brush, wood, rock and Advise them to use caution and to respect the junk piles are all items you should get rid of. snake. Keep children and pets away. Tip 2 - Control rodent populations. Tip 5 – Keep your dog on a leash. Allowing Bird feeders and water are two of the your dog to roam increases the chance the dog main items that draw rodents to yards. will find a snake and get bit. Tip 3 - Avoid scaring away harmless snake species, such as gopher snakes. Having other Fully Protected - Six rattlesnake subspe- snake species on or near your yard may cies live in Utah. The most common is the Great deter rattlesnakes from wandering through. Basin rattlesnake. The Great Basin “rattler” is Tip 4 – Wheeler says he’s heard of people using found across the state. “snake repellents.” But he isn’t aware of any Rocky, talus slopes are the places in Utah scientific testing that shows these products are where you’ll most likely encounter rattlesnakes. effective. In fact, Wheeler says there’s a good chance For more information, call the nearest you’ve been close to a snake while hiking and Division of Wildlife Resources office or the never knew it. “A snake’s camouflage allows DWR’s Salt Lake City office at 801-538-4700. it to blend into its surroundings,” he says. “They’re tough to see.” RATTLESNAKES cont. from page 11 basic needs are not taken care of, then you can become resentful and mean, which ends up not really helping anyone anyway. Transition Times. This, basically comes back to planning, pre-planning, and being flexible when life doesn’t go as planned. It’s 2018, people! Why are we still surprised when life doesn’t go as planned! It has been happening since before kindergarten and in our old age we still act so blindsided to the fact that life doesn’t go precisely according to our own agenda! Let it go, breathe, it is all going to be okay! Leave time for life to happen; leave space between events. Go early, stay late. Be that person who is calm in the storms of life. Nothing is really that big of a deal. Family. The Family part of it . . . I don’t know. I don’t know why we give the worst to those we love the most. You probably have it figured out and can teach us all. So, if you have the family piece figured out, please teach me! This is my constant struggle…as my now 5-year-old said when she was 3 years old, “Mom, How come you are so nice to everyone else and mean to us?” I don’t know. I keep trying to fix it, but it feels like everyone ups their game and I keep falling on my kindness face. Seriously, if you have ideas on this piece, email me at <yestokindness@gmail.com> I guess my main point is, keep trying, breath a lot, and don’t buy that one way to Tahiti, as tempting as it may seem! You are the mom/dad your kids need, and you are good enough now. I would challenge you to Define Your Unkind, and become more aware of the times and places that you struggle with kindness. I think it will be a big step in shifting the world to a kinder place to live. Just remember that you are doing better than you think, and more good than you know. You never know what people are hiding behind their smile . . . or their scowl. In a world where you can see anything, see the good. In a world where you can be anything, be the good. It Matters. You matter! Subscriptions available for out-of-area residents at $18 annually. Send payment with mailing address to: The Ogden Valley news PO BOX 130, EDEN UT 84310 |
