26 February 2017

 Hello to my family!

   Last week as I was out taking a walk and listing to music (through my Bluetooth/hearing aids) on Spotify a song came on that I hadn't thought about in years and years. I started laughing and I'm sure that anyone watching me would have thought I had lost it! It's called the Tennessee Bird walk, by Jack Blanchard and Misty Morgan...it's just silly, but it made me laugh when it first came out in 1970 and still does, I guess. It's much funnier if you listen to it.

 Take away the trees and the birds
All have to sit upon the ground, uum
Take away their wings and
The birds will have to walk to get around
And take away the bird baths
And dirty birds will soon be ev'rywhere
Take away their feathers and
The birds will walk around in underwear
Take away their chirp and the
Birds will have to whisper when they sing
And take away their common sense and
They'll be headed southward in the spring

Oh remember my darling
When spring is in the air
And the bald headed birds
Are whisp'ring ev'rywhere
You can see them walking
Southward in their dirty underwear
That's Tennessee Bird walk

How about some trees so the birds
Won't have to sit upon the ground, uum
How about some wings so the
Birds won't have to walk to get around
And how about a bird bath or two
so the birds will all be clean
How about some feathers so their
Underwear no longer can be seen
How about a chirp so the birds
Won't have to whisper when they sing
And how about some common sense so they
Won't be blocking traffic in the spring

Oh remember my darling
When spring is in the air
And the bald headed birds
Are whisp'ring ev'rywhere
You can see them walking
Southward in their dirty underwear
That's Tennessee Bird walk

Another song, not so silly, is called Don't Push Send, by Carrie Newcomer.. I read about it on the FlyLady's website. It's about the regret we feel when we respond to someone in haste. I'll be looking it up.

   Yesterday morning we had some complications with our connection to the well next door, so I wasn't able to go to Sherman Beck's funeral. Mama, Jim and Jake went though and had good roads and great visits with everyone. I'll scan the funeral program tomorrow and send it to you all.

   I guess one of the most memorable things that happened at the funeral was when one of Sherman's sons was talking to all the little grandchildren around the coffin, just before it was closed. Most of these grandchildren have never known their "Punka" without Oxygen and a Walker. He told them that now when Punka has a resurrected body he will be able to run and dance and play with his grandchildren. One of the boys, about 5 years old, said really loud, "Wow, that'll be weird!"

   In our Ward yesterday there was a funeral for Sister Blanch Stoddard; she is Gene and DeVerl's mother. She was 100 years old. Dad was good friends with her youngest son, Gary, who died in 1977 when he was struck by lightening. Dad spoke at his funeral. It was the summer after Dad's mission and not long before we met.

   Today in Sacrament meeting the assigned speakers were Rowdy Rigby, Jace Rumsey and Jonathan Stoddard.  I kept trying to figure out what they had in common; I was pretty sure they weren't in a presidency together or something. Then it hit me that they are all three divorced, all trying to stay active in the church and raise their kids in the gospel.  I think it's nice that our bishopric doesn't leave them out of opportunities that they might not have, given their situations. And even though they're going through a rough time, they have things they can teach us.

   Dad is in Washington D.C. right now and will be going to Apple Valley on Thursday. Maddie, he has your birthday present in his suitcase!

   Saturday night he'll be home and then leaves again the next day for Reno, where he has meetings the next week. I think he'll be home March 10th.

   Ben, are you on your way home soon? I'm looking forward to hearing all about this most recent trip.

   After seeing Steve's video about Rocket fuel, I felt the need to watch October Sky. Then today after Daris Howard stopped by for "Friend's of Scouting" and I gave him all my cash, I said to myself, "she has no cash." I'm sure most of you know what movie I'll be watching next! 

   Love you all!  Mom/Johanna/Nana

Hi, on Tuesday I finally found out that I made it to the State Geographic Bee! This means we will be coming to Rexburg on the 31. The Geo Bee is going to be held in varying places in the Manwaring center. We noticed that the weekend right after that is General Conference. YAY!! So happy!

    Naomi