HEAVY SNOWS IN NORTHERN UTAH--AND STILL SNOWING!

In the past 24 hours, we have been seeing a near-record snowfall.  I snapped some pictures this morning of the deep, fluffy white snow--and it was still snowing!  Last year we had drought conditions, so, although the snow has caused hazards on the rode and with power lines, trees, and homes, it is good to know that our water needs have been met this year--and, of course, the skiers and snowboarders are ecstatic.

The first snowfall of the season--WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES~

We had our first big snow storm of the season this morning.  It's a good thing I harvested all the blooms last night--dahlias, roses and florist mums.  Just two days ago I was marveling in the bight fall colors--What a difference a day makes!

THE TIME OF YEAR FOR BEAUTIFUL SUNSETS & SUNRISES

Utah is famous for its sunsets--especially in late summer to fall.  We have had some beautiful sunrises as well.  I never get tired of them--their beauty reminds me that there is  Heaven, and that the beauty there will surpass even my wildest dreams!

SUNFLOWER CAMP - DAUGHTER'S OF UTAH PIONEERS (DUP)

I had a fun experience yesterday afternoon; I visited the Box Elder Company, SUNFLOWER CAMP of the DAUGHTER'S OF UTAH PIONEERS.  This group meets every month (summers off) to celebrate their pioneer heritage.  My mother has been a member for many years.  My dad's mother was also a member before she passed away, as well as her mother before her.  This women's organization is dedicated to preserving the history of the original settlers of the geographic area covered by the State of Deseret and Utah Territory, including Mormon Pioneers, but not limited to Mormons.  It is open to any woman who is over the age of 18, in good character, that has a lineal (or legally adopted) descendant of an ancestor who came to the Utah Territory before the completion of the railroad on May 10, 1869.  The organization has been around since 1901.  The group follows the lead of other national lineage societies, such as the Daughters of the American Revolution, and they also act as a nonpolitical and nonsectarian organization.  Their efforts are many--DUP has worked to conserve historical sites and landmarks, to collect artifacts, relics, manuscripts and photographs, and to educate its members and the general public.  Numerous books have been published by the society, including community and family histories, cookbooks, history texts, children's stories, and a four-volume collection of biographical sketches "Pioneer Women of Faith and Fortitude" (1998).  The meeting I attended opened with prayer and a song, announcements of upcoming events, and then an ancestor history was shared by one of the members.   Linda Mortensen taught the outlined lesson, which was on the handiwork of the pioneer women.  She shared information and examples of tatting, crocheting, quilting, hairpin lace and braided and coiled rugs. We also learned about bobbin lace, hats, basket weaving, and "red work--" embroidery done on tea towels, aprons, curtains, splashers, bed covers and tidies--completely in red thread.  It was very interesting learning about those soon-to-be "lost arts."  The group was small--with just eight women, including one visitor who had been invited as a possible member, who was eligible to join the group. Their camp has dwindled over the years, with older members passing away.  I know they would like to recruit more members.  However, this fun group of ladies seemed to have a good time, and I, for one, was glad to be in attendance!  For more information on DUP, go to dupinternational.org.

THE WEDDING OF THE RAILS

4 years after the Civil War, the United States was joined from coast to coast by a TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD as a ceremonial spike was driven at PROMONTORY POINT, UTAH.  Known as "THE WEDDING OF THE RAILS," this historic event took place on May 10, 1869, and is still re-enacted today, every May 10th.  Travel time from the Atlantic to the Pacific would soon fall from as much as 6 months down to just 1 week!  It was a staged media event, with 2 locomotives sitting just a rail tie apart from each other. With crowds of people looking on and cheering, former California Governor Leland Standford (and railroad financier), drove a single golden spike into the final tie with a silver hammer.  The rail lines from east to west were joined!  A telegraph operator let the entire country know with a simple message: "DONE!"  Each year, the event is re-enacted, using replicas of the original locomotives, and local actors and townspeople.  The ceremony was Tuesday, and is always covered by the local newspaper.  If you're interested in history and want an interesting site to visit, I recommend traveling to Promontory Point, where the replicas still stand.  (The photos were taken on a visit to Promontory Point several years ago; my parents are in the photo).

THANKSGIVING PRAYER--LET'S GIVE THANKS!

Today is one of my favorite days of the year--Thanksgiving!  And, the name says it all--Thanksgiving--What a better time than today to reflect upon the many blessings and opportunities we have, and give thanks for those blessings.  I cut something out in the  paper years ago, and I still like to read it every year to remind me of what's important.  Abigail Van Buren first penned this traditional Thanksgiving prayer and I think it's worth repeating: 

Oh, Heavenly Father,

We thank Thee for food and remember the hungry.

We thank Thee for health and remember the sick.

We thank Thee for family, and remember those who are alone.

We thank Thee for friends and remember the friendless.

We thank Thee for freedom and remember the enslaved.

May these remembrances stir us to service,

That Thy gifts to us may be used for others.

I have a great family--a good husband, six children (one deceased), 3 great in-law children, and 5 beautiful grandchildren.  They are truly the light of my life!  I am thankful for them this day, and want to express my love and appreciation to them this Thanksgiving Day.

I'm not only thankful for my  family, but good friends, my good health, and a special "Thank You" to those who are, and who have, served to help keep my freedoms in this beautiful land.   My Dad, D.L. Holland, served in the US Navy in the submarine service during WWII.  He served in many war patrols and hearing about some of the harrowing experiences he had makes me so thankful for men and women like him.  Great sacrafices are made in order to serve country.  Countless men and women, and their love of country and a willingness to serve have helped pave the way for the freedoms that we all enjoy.  I honor them and am thankful for them this day.

MOOSE IN THE YARD! OUR SUNDAY MORNING VISITOR

When our back outdoor patio sensor lights went on this morning at about 6:30, little did we know the excitement we'd have in the neighborhood this morning.  We looked out and didn't see anything on the patio.  (Sometimes passing raccoons, cats or dogs set them off).  However, after they turned on for the fourth time in a short time, I looked further back in the yard, and saw a great big, moose!  I ran and got Terry, my husband, and we watched it for awhile.  He was just sitting on the back lawn by the apple trees. At one point, the moose stood up and was eating the apples off our Golden Delicious apple tree, and tasting the Concord grapes that grow along our 4-foot chain link fence, which was about the height of the moose when he was sitting down. After calling Animal Control Services and being referred to a dispatch employee, a police officer came and said he would call it in to The Division of Wildlife Services.  After a short time, 4 DWS officers came, along with 3 additional policemen.  They tranquilized the animal by shooting it in the shoulder with a gun carrying the solution in a dart, and it only took about three minutes before the huge animal got wobbly and knelt down.  The 8 men then took a special big tarp and worked to roll the tranquilized animal onto it, which was no easy task;  they estimated its' weight at about 900 pounds, and thought the male moose was about  5 years old.  It took all eight men to drag him out of the yard and drag him into the trailer.  DWS tags the animal when this happens, and this moose already had a red tag on his ear--so this isn't the first time this moose has come into a residential area.   The moose had an injury on its' underside area that had infection in, and so this moose may have been sick.  The DWS officer said they would document everything, and then set the moose free in the mountains.  At any rate, this Sunday morning visitor caused quite a stir in the neighborhood.  I was happy that they took care of the moose in such a kind, humane way, and that no plants or flowers were ruined in getting him out--and I have some fun pictures for the grand kids!