Here's the Conway Twitty version.
And then this wonderful performance, a duet with Bette Midler and Wynona Judd.
Sunday, February 25, 2018
The Rose: Still an amazing song
The moment I heard Bette Midler's hit song The Rose, I loved it. I cannot read the words without applying them to my own life. They are powerful words that stand reach down to the depths of my soul. It's a song that stands the test of time. I have loved other versions of this song as well, including, but not limited to, Conway Twitty's version. Still great after all these years, and quite possibly in my top ten all time. Enjoy!
And then this wonderful performance, a duet with Bette Midler and Wynona Judd.
And then this wonderful performance, a duet with Bette Midler and Wynona Judd.
Sunday, February 18, 2018
Sharing the sunrise
Earlier this morning, when I looked out side, my eyes were filled with wonder as I gazed at the Beautiful hues in the eastern sky.
I don't think I'll ever tired of this glorious work of God. My plan is to post pictures like this in my blog until the end of my days, or until something happens to change my ability to post and share with you the things in which I find great joy.
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Skiing was a glorious adventure
Monday I had the opportunity to go skiing at Brighton. I was excited because I'd been watching the weather forecast and it looked like I might get some fresh powder. None of the friends I had asked, including my brother Mike, could go, so I was going solo--not quite as fun, but still, I've gone skiing alone before and still had a great time, so I was rarin' to go.
I had gotten off to a late start because as I got five minutes away from home, I realized that I had left my ski ticket voucher at home and had to go back to retrieve it. Once home, my wife, Ann was having trouble with the sound on the computer, so I stayed for a little longer to make sure she got it back on, and then I left.
The lifts were already open when I got there and by the time I got dressed and ready to go, they'd been running for about half an hour. The snow was coming down fast and furious, and as I went up the Majestic lift, the snow was blowing right in my face. I always take an easy run or two to get myself warmed up before doing something more strenuous and this was no exception. By the time I did my second tour on that lift though, I wanted no more of it. It was running so slow and I could see the other nearby lift, called the Crest Express, running a lot faster. I took that lift the next time and when I got off on top, my glasses needed to be cleaned off. I'd been okay so far without goggles in my brief three year return to skiing, but with the snow coming down and the wind blowing so hard, I definitely saw the need for some good "over the glasses" goggles. Anyway, I stopped when I got off the lift to clean my glasses. I had brought a microfiber cloth with me and as I wiped them off, the left lens came out of the glasses. Great I thought, just what I needed to happen. However, I was able to pop it back in and I headed down.
I pretty much stuck with that lift the rest of the day as the runs were long and fun and had a lot of variation. And there was an awesome 4-5 inches of powder everywhere! I was impressed with Brighton's runs. I had not been there in thirty-plus years, the last time being when I went night skiing with Mike when he was fourteen. I liked it better than Solitude, where I have been doing most of my skiing, because I've been able to ski cheaper at Solitude. The particular time when I went to purchase my ticket from liftopia, Brighton just happened to have the cheapest ticket for this particular day. One advantage Solitude has over Brighton, other than price is a lot more restrooms scattered around the slopes.
I wanted to get ten runs in before I stopped for lunch, and though it was still snowing, it slowed down a little as I headed to lunch. By the time I got done with lunch though, it was snowing harder than it had all day and I was pumped to get back up there.
I managed seven more fantastic runs after lunch and by then my legs were getting really tired. I stopped after seventeen. When I got home and went to clean off my glasses, the lens fell out again and I couldn't get it back in--I ended up digging through my bedroom dresser to find my spare glasses, and then later, when I had to go to Walmart for some things, I stopped by their optical department and they put the lens back in for me. I consider myself lucky that I was able to get that lens to stay in for as long as I did. I had my old pair of glasses in the 4Runner, but ended up not having to go back and get them.
I think that was my last time skiing for the year. I had planned on taking my granddaughter for a lesson in March, but with as little snow as we have, and for some other reasons, I think I'm going to have to take both my oldest granddaughters next year together. That might be better anyway. They have great deals on lessons in January.
I had a glorious adventure on the slopes. Now it's time to start planning some hikes. I can't wait.
I had gotten off to a late start because as I got five minutes away from home, I realized that I had left my ski ticket voucher at home and had to go back to retrieve it. Once home, my wife, Ann was having trouble with the sound on the computer, so I stayed for a little longer to make sure she got it back on, and then I left.
The lifts were already open when I got there and by the time I got dressed and ready to go, they'd been running for about half an hour. The snow was coming down fast and furious, and as I went up the Majestic lift, the snow was blowing right in my face. I always take an easy run or two to get myself warmed up before doing something more strenuous and this was no exception. By the time I did my second tour on that lift though, I wanted no more of it. It was running so slow and I could see the other nearby lift, called the Crest Express, running a lot faster. I took that lift the next time and when I got off on top, my glasses needed to be cleaned off. I'd been okay so far without goggles in my brief three year return to skiing, but with the snow coming down and the wind blowing so hard, I definitely saw the need for some good "over the glasses" goggles. Anyway, I stopped when I got off the lift to clean my glasses. I had brought a microfiber cloth with me and as I wiped them off, the left lens came out of the glasses. Great I thought, just what I needed to happen. However, I was able to pop it back in and I headed down.
 |
| You can see that left lens is a little foggy. |
I wanted to get ten runs in before I stopped for lunch, and though it was still snowing, it slowed down a little as I headed to lunch. By the time I got done with lunch though, it was snowing harder than it had all day and I was pumped to get back up there.
 |
| The sun poked out from time to time |
 |
| Down in the parking lot, it wasn't snowing as hard as up on top. |
I think that was my last time skiing for the year. I had planned on taking my granddaughter for a lesson in March, but with as little snow as we have, and for some other reasons, I think I'm going to have to take both my oldest granddaughters next year together. That might be better anyway. They have great deals on lessons in January.
 |
| Further down the canyon, there just isn't much snow at all. Looks like May up there. |
Love means saying you're sorry
I think I know what the most ridiculous quote about love is. It came from that film in 1970, Love Story. I don't remember much about the film, but the quote will stay with me forever:
Love is never having to say you're sorry.
Isn't that crazy? If you love someone, you will say you're sorry. It's kind of the exact opposite of the quote. Not that one should go around saying they're sorry all the time, but when it's warranted--and in any good relationship, it often is, you should say it.
Personally, the more I talk, the more I put my foot in my mouth. I have found that once you let those words fly, you cannot get them back. I guess that's why I'm generally known as a quiet man--I don't want to say the wrong thing, so I often keep quiet. But not often enough. I still manage to hurt those I love with my words. And for that, if I've hurt any of you, I apologize. I am hoping though that my loved ones love me enough to know that sometimes I say things out of hurt or anger that I should have just not said out loud. Sometimes I say things out loud though, to let my loved ones know I was hurt or frustrated. That's not always the right thing for us to do. Often it's better to just relax, chill, and think of all the good things and good times we've gone through with our loved one.
And the reason why is because sometimes we never get that chance to make amends.
So, contrary to the "wisdom" of Love Story, I will just say "I'm sorry" right now for my words I let fly from time to time. I will still make mistakes as friends do, but I think I will just treasure up the memories I have with all my loved ones, and look forward to the wonderful times yet to come.
Have a fabulous Valentine's Day!
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Thoughts on healthy lifestyles
As a self-described health nut, I'm always looking at ways to live healthier and happier--even into advanced age. Fitness has always been a big issue with me, and in fact I find myself frustrated about it way too often when the demands of my job and life as a caregiver affect my fitness plans, which they do frequently. Often also, in those fast-paced demanding days, I find myself reaching for the easy thing to eat, instead of carefully planned and cooked meals. My lunches often end up as General Tso's Chicken along with some kind of pasta (though spinach pasta is part of the mix--or at least green pasta) with bits of broccoli in it.
That being said, I do put an immense amount of thought into doing what I can do easily to eat more healthy, and I investigate thoroughly the evidence for longevity and lifelong health that is evident in certain societies.
Which brings up something I just ran across today. I have done cursory investigation of the Paleo dieting regimen in the past and fairly recently discussed it with a fellow health enthusiast and was reminded that the Paleo diet ousts dairy products. The reason given for that is that humans eating dairy products is a relatively recent event in their eating lives. Recent meaning, only in the last 10,000 or so years have domesticated animals existed and prior to that, folks would have had to milk wild wildebeests and musk oxen--not a very pleasant sounding task.
My prior research into longevity though suggests that in one area of the world, goat's milk is a key contributor to that society's tendency toward long life. Dan Buettner's classic treatise on the subject, The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest identifies goat's milk as one of the factors. This according to longevity studies of the Ikarians of Greece. Goat's milk apparently promotes healthy intestinal flora and is high in tryptophan, which is a stress-relieving hormone. See the book review here: Clickety-click
I concur with much of the Paleo dietary guidelines though. I'd add that the late exercise and diet guru Jack LaLanne believed in eating things that were as close to their natural state as possible. I firmly believe that eating that way plus having a killer exercise regimen let LaLanne live until he was over 96 and much of that very healthy--at the age of 70 he pulled seventy boats, some with people aboard, for a one mile swim.
Though I haven't yet reached LaLanne's proficiency at either fitness or dieting, I'm working hard at perfecting both. For breakfast most days of the week I make a smoothie filled with all kinds of good stuff. The mainstays include spinach, blueberries, carrots, raw eggs, bananas, and turmeric, though I occasionally throw in other greens like kale and am planning on trying beets soon. When I don't feel like making the smoothie, I have some oatmeal with blueberries, real maple syrup, and plain whole milk yogurt. When I really go off the road of my diet I will eat whole wheat toast with Crazy Richard's peanut butter (made with only peanuts) and a glass of whole milk. Whenever I miss my smoothie, I try to make it up later in the day. That doesn't mean I don't go AWOL every once in a while on my good eating habits. I do. But then I try to get back to what's good and healthy within a day or two of messing up.
That being said the second component of maximum health is a good exercise plan. I am convinced that exercise is just as key as a good diet is at helping someone maximize their potential for a long and healthy life. Right now I'm doing a variety of strength training exercises along with stair climbing for cardio. Often on my days off, I am hiking, skiing, or just getting outside and working for those stress relieving, emotional healing, life invigorating excursions that renew both body, mind, and soul. I won't be towing any boats across the bay any time soon, but I hope to lead a vigorous life well into my nineties, if not beyond.
Lastly, the keys to good healthy lifestyles include having good interpersonal relationships with family and friends, laughing a lot, and lots of hugs. That kind of thing I can get behind any day of the week.
That being said, I do put an immense amount of thought into doing what I can do easily to eat more healthy, and I investigate thoroughly the evidence for longevity and lifelong health that is evident in certain societies.
Which brings up something I just ran across today. I have done cursory investigation of the Paleo dieting regimen in the past and fairly recently discussed it with a fellow health enthusiast and was reminded that the Paleo diet ousts dairy products. The reason given for that is that humans eating dairy products is a relatively recent event in their eating lives. Recent meaning, only in the last 10,000 or so years have domesticated animals existed and prior to that, folks would have had to milk wild wildebeests and musk oxen--not a very pleasant sounding task.
My prior research into longevity though suggests that in one area of the world, goat's milk is a key contributor to that society's tendency toward long life. Dan Buettner's classic treatise on the subject, The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest identifies goat's milk as one of the factors. This according to longevity studies of the Ikarians of Greece. Goat's milk apparently promotes healthy intestinal flora and is high in tryptophan, which is a stress-relieving hormone. See the book review here: Clickety-click
I concur with much of the Paleo dietary guidelines though. I'd add that the late exercise and diet guru Jack LaLanne believed in eating things that were as close to their natural state as possible. I firmly believe that eating that way plus having a killer exercise regimen let LaLanne live until he was over 96 and much of that very healthy--at the age of 70 he pulled seventy boats, some with people aboard, for a one mile swim.
Though I haven't yet reached LaLanne's proficiency at either fitness or dieting, I'm working hard at perfecting both. For breakfast most days of the week I make a smoothie filled with all kinds of good stuff. The mainstays include spinach, blueberries, carrots, raw eggs, bananas, and turmeric, though I occasionally throw in other greens like kale and am planning on trying beets soon. When I don't feel like making the smoothie, I have some oatmeal with blueberries, real maple syrup, and plain whole milk yogurt. When I really go off the road of my diet I will eat whole wheat toast with Crazy Richard's peanut butter (made with only peanuts) and a glass of whole milk. Whenever I miss my smoothie, I try to make it up later in the day. That doesn't mean I don't go AWOL every once in a while on my good eating habits. I do. But then I try to get back to what's good and healthy within a day or two of messing up.
That being said the second component of maximum health is a good exercise plan. I am convinced that exercise is just as key as a good diet is at helping someone maximize their potential for a long and healthy life. Right now I'm doing a variety of strength training exercises along with stair climbing for cardio. Often on my days off, I am hiking, skiing, or just getting outside and working for those stress relieving, emotional healing, life invigorating excursions that renew both body, mind, and soul. I won't be towing any boats across the bay any time soon, but I hope to lead a vigorous life well into my nineties, if not beyond.
Lastly, the keys to good healthy lifestyles include having good interpersonal relationships with family and friends, laughing a lot, and lots of hugs. That kind of thing I can get behind any day of the week.
Sunday, February 04, 2018
A matter of trust
I have had trust issues since I was a much younger man. I can't really say what caused them. Maybe a single incident--maybe more. Be that as it may, my life since then has been one in which I have been skeptical of many things, including things people say they will do, or have done. Counterpoint to that though is that I have largely been religious my entire adult life, for most of it as a Mormon, and the last several years as a Bible-believing Christian. So, obviously, some manner of faith has been involved in accepting those differing belief systems. And while early on I found myself doubting some of the tenets of Mormonism and eventually all of it, I have never doubted the existence of God, nor that Jesus Christ was my Savior.
But still, I sometimes fall into a lack of trust in God. I find myself telling God that certain things are too tough for me and that I need him to solve the problem, because I have no answers. And then I forget about what I just asked God to do, and go about trying again to solve things that I have found myself unable to solve in the past. In effect, in those situations, I have given up on God or been too impatient, and I have waded in, both arms swinging, trying to dig out of impossible situations myself.
It's not that I don't think I should keep trying. I do. I have always believed that a man who quits is someone who is not to be respected. I post motivational quotes around the house and try to live up to them.
But how does that involve God? Is my impatience in God's timetable admirable because I want to get things done and I feel the need to keep on fighting? Or is my lack of faith a weakness that stems from my trust issues of the past? Why do I sometimes feel that I can only count on myself?
Deep down, I feel like I need to relax and trust. It's what I want to do. It's who I want to be. I believe strongly that God is there listening, and now I know that I never deserve help, but that God, who sacrificed himself for me on the cross, made me whole and continues to do so. I can trust in that. And I can trust that a God that mighty can do pretty much anything, including healing my distrustful heart. That is what I will ask him for. I don't deserve it, but I know that what he wants for me to. And that is good to know.
But still, I sometimes fall into a lack of trust in God. I find myself telling God that certain things are too tough for me and that I need him to solve the problem, because I have no answers. And then I forget about what I just asked God to do, and go about trying again to solve things that I have found myself unable to solve in the past. In effect, in those situations, I have given up on God or been too impatient, and I have waded in, both arms swinging, trying to dig out of impossible situations myself.
It's not that I don't think I should keep trying. I do. I have always believed that a man who quits is someone who is not to be respected. I post motivational quotes around the house and try to live up to them.
But how does that involve God? Is my impatience in God's timetable admirable because I want to get things done and I feel the need to keep on fighting? Or is my lack of faith a weakness that stems from my trust issues of the past? Why do I sometimes feel that I can only count on myself?
Deep down, I feel like I need to relax and trust. It's what I want to do. It's who I want to be. I believe strongly that God is there listening, and now I know that I never deserve help, but that God, who sacrificed himself for me on the cross, made me whole and continues to do so. I can trust in that. And I can trust that a God that mighty can do pretty much anything, including healing my distrustful heart. That is what I will ask him for. I don't deserve it, but I know that what he wants for me to. And that is good to know.
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