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Joy Fields (Wardleigh)

Since nobody will listen to me, and rarely does anyone read what I write, here goes:  To start of with, I MUST complain.  I am completely SICK, SICK SICK, of changing my clocks twice a year.  After all just who does it really benefit now days?  I know they used to say it was for the farmers.  Well; excuse me, have you seen the John Deer tractors they drive around now days?  Oh my gosh; I would be thrilled if my house had as many state of the art features as they do.  While I was on my mission in Iowa, I toured the factory in Waterloo Iowa, and got to know a family that had just mortaged the old homestead inorder to purchase one of those yellow and green monsters.  It had everything that the heart desires and more, at the mere cost of $185,000.00 plus a little change.  Back to my complaint, why can't we just set our clock and LEAVE it?  Do you know it's only 4:30 PM and it's getting dark?  There, I feel so much better, I should do this  more often.   

So, now Dan I am inspired to make a few comments about your last entry.  The restaurant's that you owned.  My hat goes off to you.  That is the hardest kind of work there is.  I agree with your son.  Not for me, it's too much work.  You said you are getting ready to come home to the USA, where and when???   You also mentioned your maid..... let me tell you about my maid, she is lazy, wants to be treated like royalty, NEVER wants to cook unless it's a pot of soup, and furthermore is always wanting to go somewhere fun.  Oh; come to think of it, I AM THE MAID.  Now for the final thought of the day, your M-I-L sounds like my step mother, rest her soul.  She not only made sure that none of my siblings got anything from my Mother and Dad's estate, she gave it strangers. Moreover, after many years of helping her with her shopping, cleaning, and any other thing she could think of 

including arranging for my friends to do her hair, her yard work and sell her house she personally uninvited me to her funeral.  (there were 9 or 10 people who attended).    Wow! did I ever get on a tangent......     Yippie! Life is good.                                                       

Janet Harris (Eller)

Dan:  Yes, I did, but I am among those who have reservations about the veracity of the stories told in either the Bible or the Book of Mormon.  And further, I don't think it matters.  We humans seem to need to have certainty about things that I don't think we can be certain of.  If it makes sense and is benighn, I can go along with an open mind and curiosity.  I would never attempt to convince someone else of the "truth" of any of these writings.  The proof is in the way we live our lives here and now and I think that any belief system which helps people live an ethical, kind life of good works is a good one.  I count most Mormons in that category.

By the way, on my fathers side (through Emer Harris) my ancestors settled in the Tremonton area.  On my mothers side (Christensen) they settled in the Bear River City area.  My ancestor (Lars Christensen's) original cabin which he built when Brigham Young sent him to settle the area is preserved on the square near the Chapel in Bear River City.  Strong people.  I am descended from the "ones who made it".  It leaves its legacy. 

Janet

Jack Durrant

HI Dan, I always enjoy your emails, you have a lot of info to share.  I did read about David Calderwood and the blue eyed indians.

Regards,

Jack Durrant

Joy Fields (Wardleigh)

Just a few more days before Thanksgiving, which is the beginning of the holiday season.  It is so different than when I grew up and when I was raising my children.  There were always big family gatherings.  In fact for many years there were so many of us that we reserved the Cultural Hall at the church for the day.  Now with my family scattered to the wind, except my daughter and her family who are going down to San Deigo for almost the whole week, I was beginning to think I would be spending the day here alone.  I am grateful to say that as of yesterday, I have been invited to join my best friend and her family for the day and stay over until Friday. Actually we are sort of family, because her cousin is married to my neice.  Is that what they call shirt-tail relatives? I tell her and myself that I am her Aunt, sort of....   About an hour ago I received a call from my Sister-in-law to join them for a pre-Thanksgiving lunch on Wednesday.  They live in beautiful Placerville. 

Joy Fields (Wardleigh)

Yes, Dan, I too read everything you post and everything that anyone posts on here.  I usually enjoy commenting, but have been under the weather caused by some medicine that i have taken for years.  It's called metformin, and caused me to have Lactic Acidosis, which took several weeks to figure out what the problem was.  I am grateful to say, now that we, (the Dr. & I) know what the culprit is I am no longer taking it.

Martha (Martie) Peck (Bond)

Dan I read your messages and really enjoy them.

I always have to travel for the Holidays.  Thanksgiving is with my daughter in Salt Lake.  Lots to be thankful there,.  One month ago my daughter, she is shet 45, had a stroke then they found 2 holes in her heart.  She is all patched up and back to running the hills of SLC.  Christmas I see my son and his family in Vancouver BC.  Lots to be thankful there.  In March my son was in a bicycle race and was hit head on by a truck passing illegally. He is back racing but his arm will only recover 70%.  So grateful for both children, and yes they are my children even if they are old.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Joy Fields (Wardleigh)

Joy Fields (Wardleigh)

This week is really full. Tonight was the Relief Society Christmas dinner.  It was lovely.  Now for my two parties and next week is the "Night in Bethlehem" for our whole ward party.  I will just enjoy that evening with my guests there.  We should do more of this all year.

Joy Fields (Wardleigh)

Yes Dan and anyone else who is in my area do stop and we can catch up on 50+ years.  I always have my caffeine free Diet soda, lots of ice, and more.  I live right neat I-5 and I-80 toward Reno.  Dan correct me if I am wrong, but I am thinking that you might be somewhat of a horder.. Is that true?  When what's his name left I was forced to sell my house so I liquidated a lot of big items.  When, in 2004 I went on my Mission, I thinned out some more.  Then when I moved to an apartment in Elk Grove, even more had to go.  So when I bought this house there is just enough to make me happy. I tend to be somewhat of a minimalist when it comes to filling up a room.  No area rugs or coffee table for me.   I love  open  spaces so when I have people over there is plenty of room to move around.  I also like vintage furniture.  My dining table the oldest is about 130 years old.  I still have my cedar chest that I got for christmas in 1961. 

Dan it sounds like you are destined to become a Texan next.  My Son is growing roots in El Paso.  They have a beautiful house with a lotus blossom shaped pool, great schools and the church is wonderful.  He and his wife and three kids are all active and happy there. All of my children and families are active members of the church. My second daughter is thinking about putting in a transfer so she can move back to CA, probably in Sacramento.  We have more activities for the singles here than they do in Ogden.  Go figure??? My daughter in BC Canada is doomed to stay there, because that's where her husband and daughters have deep roots.  My youngest daughter lives near to me, but she is so busy that she almost needs to wear a name tag when she comes over, so I know who she is.  She really has the theatre bug bad.  She is a natural DRAMA QUEEN,  HA!  She is really good at acting singing and dancing.  I was in one play about 4 years ago, and that was enough for me.  Too many lines to memorize.       It was called "Rock around the clock" I played a  _______ wife.  One of my solo's was Why can't you behave?  That part was fun, it's much eaiser to learn lyrics than lines.  Don't ask me why, because I don't know.  Time to go make up the goodie bags for tomorrow evening.  Have a great week.  JOY       

Joy Fields (Wardleigh)

It all sounds beautiful.  Those are the kind of things that make memories last.  One of my favorite things is a hutch that a family friend built in the early 70's.  He died in 1987, and I really treasure it.  Now it's time for my grandkids to be here and start our decoration party.  FUN; FUN; FUN!

Joy Fields (Wardleigh)

I watched it, I loved it, I shared it on my facebook page.  AND besides I was just driving home from a retired UAW Christmas party where I sang with the Dixie Land band to entertain the other members when one of my other favorite Christmas songs  was playing.  That one is Silver Bells.  It's one that I always get teary when I sing it.  It reminds me of when my sisters and I went /Christmas shopping in downtown Ogden, with our mother.  It was getting dark, when we walked past the JC penny window display.  I'm sure many of you remember just how beautiful it was with all the different scenes.  It started to snow, Washington Blvd had garlands and bells across the street,  We got in the car and Mom turned on the radio as we were driving away, when "Silver Bells began to play.  Those are the memories that make the whole month of December so special to me.  Of course Dan, Like in Baby it's Cold Outside, these memories are best when shared with others, especially the grandkids. 

On Saturday evening we will be having "A night in Bethlehem at the church, with a living Nativity, the real reasons for the season.  My daughter, son-in-law and grandkids will be there to share that experience too.

Joy Fields (Wardleigh)

Dan, Your life has been so interesting so far.  What will you do for excitement in the next phase? 

Mike Liptrot

Dan,  It's been a while, but I really enjoyed your bit on Columbia. Nothing like a tight spot now and then to help us appreciate the relative safety we have here at home... I agree with our classmates, your post military life has been a great adventure, & I can see those experiences have left a mark and helped shape the broad thinking individual you are today.  I have followed everyone's posts with much interest, very much enjoying the honesty about everyday life struggles, and celebrations...and how our experiences have shaped who we are today.

One thing I know for sure, at 71 I understand there is so much more to learn, and so little time with which to do the learning. Since being Honorably Discharged as a Navy Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Hospital Corpsmen in support of the third Marines 1962-1965, I have not had near the adventures you have experienced Dan.  However like others life has provided experiences that helped shaped who I am today... Like you I have traveled  much of the World and learned learned about other Cultures, Questioned many of my own beliefes about those other people. I gained an appreciation for what we have in the United States. In so many different ways. And how truly spoiled we are, and what we take for grannette.

Perhaps some of these specific "Significant Emotional Events" would be worth discussing... Anyway Dan  thanks for sharing. I found it very stimulating!!

Joy Fields (Wardleigh)

Dan and Mike YOU are not wrong.  Even though my personal life was not connected with the Military at all there have been traumatic events in the past that I had to come to grips with.  I am so amazed that  you sacrifised so much for our freedom as my son and grandson are doing right now.   Also I am honored to say that I knew you when.......

Joanne Uhrich (Goldben)

Yes, I watch the video and enjoyed it very much, thank you for sharing it with our classmates.

Val Lasko

Dan love your stories; but when you spoke of opening a breakfast restaurant visions of a great Denver Omelet keep flashing in my mind, a wonderful distraction.  You have great insight into the problem of PTSD. I have had some expereience with PTSD as a veterans court advocate in Calif. Calif. is trying to keep the vets out of the prison system and into some type of training; also UCLA authored amendment 3042 making PTSD a disease process under the family codes. More to come---

Val

Joy Fields (Wardleigh)

HFirst of all, NO I am not like those old ladies. (However it is a funny story.) I have restricted myself to only driving in California, simply because I seem to get speeding tickets when I drive out of CA.  The first two times were on the same day in Washington.  Number one was when I was getting off the highway 97,in a small town to take a lunch break on my way to BC where my daughter lives.  Number two was about 90 minutes later getting back on the road after lunch.  Same place, same speech by the highway patrol officer.  By then I was suspusious that it was my California plates that attracted their attention.  This was about four years ago.  Number three, about two years ago,  I was driving home from Utah, just outside of Well's Nevada, not another car on the road, but this time the Highway patrol car was hidden behind a small hill.  The state of Nevada will allow payments.  (Isn't that sweet?)  From that day on I WILL NEVER AGAIN drive out of CA.  So, there ya go. 

As for your story, it was very interesting.  It must have been terrifying for that man and his son during such an unsettled time.  Of course, it's even worse now. 

Joy Fields (Wardleigh)

No I don't have a red car AND I have used cruise control and got a ticket too (years ago)..... I'll just fly out of CA...... and drive with my lead foot here.   LOL!

Pam Profaizer (Wilker)

Hi Guys,

First I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas.  We will be in Texas for Christmas.Still keeping ahead of Curt's M.Myaloma so all is good.

Val, I spent 5 yrs. working in a food kitchen and resource center for the homeless.  Ninety percent of my clients were Vietnam Vets. The need for them is tremendous and I applaud you for your work in their behalf.

Joy Fields (Wardleigh)

My daughter Sherrie was recently given some incorrect information about the Egyptian Theater in Ogden.  When I went on facebook and asked if anyone knew the details I received a response from the General Manager.  It was never completely torn down, however it was restored.  I didn't know that the Peery family owned it and the Rainbow Gardens.  I have so many memories of both the theater and swimming at Rainbow Gardens and being on bowling leagues there too.  Last summer when I was in Ogden I had lunch at Rainbow Gardens again.  I would love to see the Egyptian Theater again.  There is a youtube history of "Peery's Egyptian Theater History " that is quite interesting. 

Pete Belliston

This says it pretty well -

Martha (Martie) Peck (Bond)

Pete,

This is hard to take....but true.

Martie Bond

Janet Harris (Eller)

Joy:  Remember when you mentioned you were going to Ogden last summer, I suggested you try to see the Egyptian Theater?  I loved it (and Rainbow Gardens) when growing up and saw many movies there.  One summer about ten years ago I was able to see a movie (Red Nichols and His Five Pennies) at the restored Egyption Theater.  What a beautiful place!  The summer of our 50th, there was nothing showing there so I could not see a show.  I believe Marty Peck mentioned that it was her family which was instrumental in saving and restoring the Egyptian.  It is a priceless art deco theater from the 20's, I believe.  

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE.     Janet

Joy Fields (Wardleigh)

Hi Janet, I will definitely NOT miss it again.  I'll be back there in a couple of months, not quite sure of the date yet.  My Daughter, Sherrie went there to see the Nut Cracker Ballet last night.  I can't wait to hear from her what she thought about the Theatre that I have told her so much about for years.  The Egyptian Theatre is where I went on one of my first dates with old what's his name.  I couldn't say what we saw. because I was more interested in him than the movie or the theatre at that time.    Speaking of Theatre's I just got home from seeing my 9 year old granddaughter in her school's Christmas show.  Believe it or not it was "A Hawaiian Christmas".  Of course they were FABULOUS.... Grandkids..... The reward for being a parent.  What fun. Oh the name of the school is Creative Connections Academy.  It's a charter school so they have an abundance of cultural events.  Back to the Egyptian Theatre, I am really excited to get in there and see something.  I saw on the list of coming events a program that sounds good and it's free.  Keep warm and have a Merry Christmas.

Joy Fields (Wardleigh)

RIGHT ON PETE!!!