tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18389998663260950522023-11-16T00:02:13.291-08:00Chew on the Things of LifeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-74574667828902675422011-01-01T01:52:00.000-08:002011-01-01T01:52:03.752-08:00 The original 1973 kitchen with a drop ceiling and<strong> </strong>fluorescent lights. After 35 years, the electric coil burners still worked but the oven didn't. Yeah for microwaves.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGyO-3A4q16hDpR0Y4xQYzp4TbPyjF6Jza1jiwUzKBbXvMsDjZ5dQgol9dgIMPHS3ig4qeYBt_UtkjI3FYgpcTJTYS3cT6jGbnTYSQiAE0pqvQEx_uSMh8wKrJ6MIw1uLAqx7sWbkVGfG/s1600/clean+kitchen+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGyO-3A4q16hDpR0Y4xQYzp4TbPyjF6Jza1jiwUzKBbXvMsDjZ5dQgol9dgIMPHS3ig4qeYBt_UtkjI3FYgpcTJTYS3cT6jGbnTYSQiAE0pqvQEx_uSMh8wKrJ6MIw1uLAqx7sWbkVGfG/s320/clean+kitchen+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is how I had it set up. Everything was accessible. The pot lids on the back splash I affectionately called my "hubcap collection". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45f6x5eO0UA0yDCGhGD5V0hNyYj5zCF-nl0sfmAQDKoGJxm1JdqLUOuClfBUjlGTIO3S8p9I3lZ0Fu1UWWweTu3D3RBgUoWLvPnls41wWp1eALprsqY5iC4dflRezNJ3_MqRpT-M5pcBi/s1600/as+I+liked+it.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45f6x5eO0UA0yDCGhGD5V0hNyYj5zCF-nl0sfmAQDKoGJxm1JdqLUOuClfBUjlGTIO3S8p9I3lZ0Fu1UWWweTu3D3RBgUoWLvPnls41wWp1eALprsqY5iC4dflRezNJ3_MqRpT-M5pcBi/s320/as+I+liked+it.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now I have a gas cook top, cherry cabinets and corian counter tops. I have to redefine "accessible" but it's working for me. (Old dog, new tricks category) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlp-7OiL1MvnuTg-R4t4vQjqPHPpkk9KIb9neRQMGTBuYU18eumSPSncPGojdBAtg_aGRvipyQnJ1jV5jZOhudA_qPGFhBGhNqt23fQdj5vEbjZiTzkQpSXrD05KmcR-EQrJUixPAqwHG/s1600/new+cooktop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlp-7OiL1MvnuTg-R4t4vQjqPHPpkk9KIb9neRQMGTBuYU18eumSPSncPGojdBAtg_aGRvipyQnJ1jV5jZOhudA_qPGFhBGhNqt23fQdj5vEbjZiTzkQpSXrD05KmcR-EQrJUixPAqwHG/s320/new+cooktop.jpg" width="320" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-9311598463917559582010-12-31T23:33:00.000-08:002010-12-31T23:36:10.466-08:002010 guest bath remodel<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmtRITULumm4vH4AJxWvMX7AawQF8avi0AiyoLydv_1LszKa-3DV77AxwSPv82i7wTpvYHPY8tc9NO6WEVVo5Rc6iufMVPfX6zS5ntpCIxA8-E0pyIEMbSKZQmH3xXmhCNKbsvLeOFSRr/s1600/img_2975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Unfortunately, I have NO photos of the original bathroom. I could ask a neighbor for a photo of <em>her</em> guest bath since our houses were built at the same time using the same materials and floor plan. However, I hesitate in asking her for an ugly "before" photo. <br />
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In words, the original bathroom was narrow and tiny. The soffits (2!) made it worse. If guests wanted to shower and change clothes, there was no where to put things. We won't talk about the towel bar falling off the wall every third time a towel was put on it.....<br />
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Another "feature" was that if you were at the front door and looked down the hallway on your right, you could see the toilet through the open bathroom door (and unless occupied, it was always open.)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now, coming down the hall, this is the view of the new "salle de bain". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmtRITULumm4vH4AJxWvMX7AawQF8avi0AiyoLydv_1LszKa-3DV77AxwSPv82i7wTpvYHPY8tc9NO6WEVVo5Rc6iufMVPfX6zS5ntpCIxA8-E0pyIEMbSKZQmH3xXmhCNKbsvLeOFSRr/s320/img_2975.jpg" width="240" /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The close up in the mirror shows the bath/shower. Dang. I should have turned on more lights.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7V7dHdp1yLHN9QzesoWMlqm5SSeq0KJ0ZUJJr1pI3ZEhIRGdKoPIBafeqG1kQnFMurhPuSQ2IvCfOkHYkkm9qmyqTyMJghxLuBrAdxuceahPWOQiZReGTAJExhn44MdFZJXEt0iYdps0/s1600/img_2974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7V7dHdp1yLHN9QzesoWMlqm5SSeq0KJ0ZUJJr1pI3ZEhIRGdKoPIBafeqG1kQnFMurhPuSQ2IvCfOkHYkkm9qmyqTyMJghxLuBrAdxuceahPWOQiZReGTAJExhn44MdFZJXEt0iYdps0/s320/img_2974.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> There, that's a little better. I LIKE lights!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SUac5M_JFKOCO39Pr_V0BxtVB4tUv0j6jApgYOz1aWLi99GTJudkMCiTgf8jtJY1ylZr3HVxp0um-Oo2ontrt6khpz5rC7iWIyHdN5b8nKj1aWM20Tpy5GnEWk8GJaVVYjaJaYH6K7J2/s1600/IMG_2977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SUac5M_JFKOCO39Pr_V0BxtVB4tUv0j6jApgYOz1aWLi99GTJudkMCiTgf8jtJY1ylZr3HVxp0um-Oo2ontrt6khpz5rC7iWIyHdN5b8nKj1aWM20Tpy5GnEWk8GJaVVYjaJaYH6K7J2/s320/IMG_2977.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And here's one over the shower. I tell ya, NO MORE SOFFITS!!!</div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWo9o9hp2aTb7uTTrn4i1HhLx_ZsobJruvDD0xhrV4illFzTRLptwBJfE_SRzIIAfZyxvfUtpVUmvMY9YWn3-EaGqjwNBFJWQN_M6KltEBEB6g1vz2uyWlvytVC-etPXxUNjSlqvz2Its/s1600/img_2978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWo9o9hp2aTb7uTTrn4i1HhLx_ZsobJruvDD0xhrV4illFzTRLptwBJfE_SRzIIAfZyxvfUtpVUmvMY9YWn3-EaGqjwNBFJWQN_M6KltEBEB6g1vz2uyWlvytVC-etPXxUNjSlqvz2Its/s320/img_2978.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
You don't need a picture, but trust me, the tub is deeper now too. It doesn't have jacuzzi jets but neither do I have to put my feet up on the wall if I want to get my shoulders under the water! Woohoo!! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPXKNrIzt6RAEwQySJgYe4A8rH_piDFBqqAmdsI9bXVzt4EMnO4OIhCitaYjyRXpaYi39EIkL_8TKbSEGHZEL_rXD4EvzuexMyab0sXb5T2c0CRAn5MW8I-SQh5MKEMnMm7KkObUWlDU1/s1600/IMG_2976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-26065621998826367422010-12-31T22:01:00.000-08:002011-01-01T01:16:07.668-08:002010 the first project - master bath remodel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Basic, simple bathroom (cleared of my clutter). I didn't get a photo of the soffit... the dropped ceiling that loomed over the sink and toilet. This house was big on soffits. In the bathrooms, in the bedroom, in the kitchen. They made the normally low ceilings worse. Acck! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzA9JOhFeOfhyphenhyphenyEqq681nui5eh1jh-OYQGNLCghfw0C6W9zNn-QIdfVE_tS6vkUcCY77zZiMGRUDKOg1f6ZOyfwWyMzwMrzg7E7ZQemMDxwfvAczOFjCnOBQ8viCoRPgMWMCJY08-LicF/s1600/bare+master+bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzA9JOhFeOfhyphenhyphenyEqq681nui5eh1jh-OYQGNLCghfw0C6W9zNn-QIdfVE_tS6vkUcCY77zZiMGRUDKOg1f6ZOyfwWyMzwMrzg7E7ZQemMDxwfvAczOFjCnOBQ8viCoRPgMWMCJY08-LicF/s320/bare+master+bath.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
And here we have the "frosted" glass shower door. Too bad you can't tell that it's sagging off one hinge and the catch to keep it closed is missing.... <br />
I totally endorse built-in, tiled ledges for shampoos and such. My old shower caddy was "icky"! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jToR1E6yn3I9qTbeB5qsUrdqtI4o0z9bhZOjQH1vBh-GV8iG1Y4kMlT_Ih2Yfrf2z5MzqaZ-FViBuEKYKrRZZWkUw152VkmIsSs6OEkiLsjtHk0EHxFhZ9XAv3zpaPK785z-6cTA1sUg/s1600/bath+pre++remodel+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6jToR1E6yn3I9qTbeB5qsUrdqtI4o0z9bhZOjQH1vBh-GV8iG1Y4kMlT_Ih2Yfrf2z5MzqaZ-FViBuEKYKrRZZWkUw152VkmIsSs6OEkiLsjtHk0EHxFhZ9XAv3zpaPK785z-6cTA1sUg/s320/bath+pre++remodel+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and now, the new clear glass door with subway tile. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DkjQDvc5wdsEnJzbIMgRaTLLMaAVeb464_wAqcYr_NdonBIXRHd6Lr8s6t5fc_fwlykP92hbKOB3H-NmpYo9BqSLO22jFS0jXbmxDAXMSPJPOG3t8JMsszgkdRuEuuvQdxpY5UXmrq5n/s1600/IMG_2968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DkjQDvc5wdsEnJzbIMgRaTLLMaAVeb464_wAqcYr_NdonBIXRHd6Lr8s6t5fc_fwlykP92hbKOB3H-NmpYo9BqSLO22jFS0jXbmxDAXMSPJPOG3t8JMsszgkdRuEuuvQdxpY5UXmrq5n/s320/IMG_2968.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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The best part about this photo (and the new bathroom) is the ceiling! It isn't any higher than in any other ranch style house but with the soffit gone, it seeeeeems so much higher. It makes <em>all </em>the difference!! <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZdVgB5eKbkzFpyBlnrGkhaRHlg3VLRojDViPjKfUO9R1Bn02WBC5ZaVJK_LPltKrYR8alWFVOt6_PQgBShTaIR5vsovCWS989Zxfj7sSjjN1HL60-IEXKP89gYwZtILkaQUnbFXTL013/s1600/bath+post+remodel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZdVgB5eKbkzFpyBlnrGkhaRHlg3VLRojDViPjKfUO9R1Bn02WBC5ZaVJK_LPltKrYR8alWFVOt6_PQgBShTaIR5vsovCWS989Zxfj7sSjjN1HL60-IEXKP89gYwZtILkaQUnbFXTL013/s320/bath+post+remodel.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the total view from the bedroom. Tiny bathrooms are hard to photograph. I don't know how those camera men on HGTV do it! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vtImk7H39GGl9iqUkCfDIm7l2Xn8TQI-x49xVHUFeTinr57KCUd1AgMJX1sJs7BGOyaFKa-ij3sgKaRLBaXAbehPKlsJYLMJXJF0FQB4dTupdL7wNh3inXCVsc0wraTgplV2oIdG4X_4/s1600/img_2970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vtImk7H39GGl9iqUkCfDIm7l2Xn8TQI-x49xVHUFeTinr57KCUd1AgMJX1sJs7BGOyaFKa-ij3sgKaRLBaXAbehPKlsJYLMJXJF0FQB4dTupdL7wNh3inXCVsc0wraTgplV2oIdG4X_4/s320/img_2970.jpg" width="240" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-23093469741030061032010-12-31T21:02:00.000-08:002011-01-01T01:32:46.598-08:002010 Kitchen remodel<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Pfa74lrwsQtyq5OpWqlHYPSvMz3J7Dw3ywrIrPBHQSSNd1lKMH7wUWdt5R8M0dEolGL-v5QpAT3SmTXQ8QTByPWvaiqgDLk9sIJmQ4SnD_amGkcc2MA3hg8sicHEwo0DuetoIlGbULIa/s1600/count+down+to+wall+destruction.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Pfa74lrwsQtyq5OpWqlHYPSvMz3J7Dw3ywrIrPBHQSSNd1lKMH7wUWdt5R8M0dEolGL-v5QpAT3SmTXQ8QTByPWvaiqgDLk9sIJmQ4SnD_amGkcc2MA3hg8sicHEwo0DuetoIlGbULIa/s320/count+down+to+wall+destruction.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It was too late to get a shot of it as a little breakfast nook under the light. Oh well. <br />
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The wall between the kitchen and dining room is going to come down. <br />
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That's a refridgerator with all the cartoons and such stuck to it. <br />
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You can't see the backyard at all from the kitchen. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2oz5Lh7JoF0eLFI0j6SCV3qAROb_AfCBI9HomNkAF7s8g-zWTb7fx10Q1cFN4Phyphenhyphen7-GDBQl_JFjeBq1-iJSz1JbBFWNa3VRRJjsuh3KhAKqgCyyvYu41qG7F400qHQ7GzcV6YXYUQIAtW/s1600/from+the+dining+room+to+the+kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> <br />
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The wall is gone. Hard wood flooring has been installed. The backyard can be enjoyed. Still missing the dining room table. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2avqHkXse77_ziMXOBu3wosdKVDX1xAR_TF6qFH2DjnHUUV4I98_8iy09iomXSq1WwTN3i8MInvizfqWlk6XcDdCQDFNNjPHcVtrZJpSoPuwR-SH_WTG_e6v9hw41IsIjb27XCNEUFWdX/s1600/looking+out+to+the+dining+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2avqHkXse77_ziMXOBu3wosdKVDX1xAR_TF6qFH2DjnHUUV4I98_8iy09iomXSq1WwTN3i8MInvizfqWlk6XcDdCQDFNNjPHcVtrZJpSoPuwR-SH_WTG_e6v9hw41IsIjb27XCNEUFWdX/s320/looking+out+to+the+dining+room.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another "before" view. This is taken from the other direction. We are in the dining room and are looking around "the wall" into the kitchen.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2oz5Lh7JoF0eLFI0j6SCV3qAROb_AfCBI9HomNkAF7s8g-zWTb7fx10Q1cFN4Phyphenhyphen7-GDBQl_JFjeBq1-iJSz1JbBFWNa3VRRJjsuh3KhAKqgCyyvYu41qG7F400qHQ7GzcV6YXYUQIAtW/s1600/from+the+dining+room+to+the+kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2oz5Lh7JoF0eLFI0j6SCV3qAROb_AfCBI9HomNkAF7s8g-zWTb7fx10Q1cFN4Phyphenhyphen7-GDBQl_JFjeBq1-iJSz1JbBFWNa3VRRJjsuh3KhAKqgCyyvYu41qG7F400qHQ7GzcV6YXYUQIAtW/s320/from+the+dining+room+to+the+kitchen.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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View from the dining room into the kitchen. The wall is gone and laying the hardwood floor is in process. The living room is on the left with someone coming in the front door. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZry81uB-srPnnMnhF5xNzl9ghfcia-JN5C6nuQ_NbKxPuQovePhGf1lkBbK3mOqnSVrSlZq9zuB4hQWz0R2GIuBZmzK7bQB614ormpJHzWV60c8ssTn2Qf53KtM8evy2reGyfZzHV1fY/s1600/an+inside+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZry81uB-srPnnMnhF5xNzl9ghfcia-JN5C6nuQ_NbKxPuQovePhGf1lkBbK3mOqnSVrSlZq9zuB4hQWz0R2GIuBZmzK7bQB614ormpJHzWV60c8ssTn2Qf53KtM8evy2reGyfZzHV1fY/s320/an+inside+view.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Viewing again from the dining room. The wall is definitely gone with a new pennisula in it's place! (The living room is still on the left.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmq0wfvqdgPcVmilTVmi-ThFjUGp5EkraVkC90hyphenhyphenRhvol18TkMmUSEgzJ-icifByXwl7XRxqqrbsHX9sNk-BQha-WTCo3CcOa52QP4vaTqoq2xl7R-McUXQ2J8j0CxespT2f7bNpYehHS/s1600/new+view+without+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmq0wfvqdgPcVmilTVmi-ThFjUGp5EkraVkC90hyphenhyphenRhvol18TkMmUSEgzJ-icifByXwl7XRxqqrbsHX9sNk-BQha-WTCo3CcOa52QP4vaTqoq2xl7R-McUXQ2J8j0CxespT2f7bNpYehHS/s320/new+view+without+wall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Another view just because it doesn't cost anything to add another photo! Haha. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTvy27WJb90vN5OQlR5snYGqZItI__FFMgd1Noh12ARl7E5VyKt_hxYzmsXctZVMwOhT93FxijnBOe_FJoFO6mR_BHq4FGp8i-BZMWA2ojrLsekJn9bBeNSKuRDqCfNwKo86EpfniFnYU/s1600/kitchen+counters+east+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTvy27WJb90vN5OQlR5snYGqZItI__FFMgd1Noh12ARl7E5VyKt_hxYzmsXctZVMwOhT93FxijnBOe_FJoFO6mR_BHq4FGp8i-BZMWA2ojrLsekJn9bBeNSKuRDqCfNwKo86EpfniFnYU/s320/kitchen+counters+east+side.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-26514095791927756052010-12-29T22:26:00.000-08:002010-12-31T21:22:54.808-08:00<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div><div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>2010</strong></span> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>The year of the remodel - the sunken living room</strong></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIH3WZJ185cPVG9yH4Kw9KzngxA62b6aZ5QXjatFaGxpwQGJ4UIq-fBhDUDVvL8sXgh3rAhnD43lSNbdZdizUvjh9KUqca2xoK3-gB4Ag0NCWrVnGjuATOHTNyJrzAS9vSvEJnhUzWy9QN/s1600/fireplace+remodel.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556334063515664834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIH3WZJ185cPVG9yH4Kw9KzngxA62b6aZ5QXjatFaGxpwQGJ4UIq-fBhDUDVvL8sXgh3rAhnD43lSNbdZdizUvjh9KUqca2xoK3-gB4Ag0NCWrVnGjuATOHTNyJrzAS9vSvEJnhUzWy9QN/s320/fireplace+remodel.jpg" style="float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 274px;" /></a><br />
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I had a mantle made and tile work done to cover the original, circa 1973, white brick fireplace. (See <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Polaroid</span>).<br />
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I was proud of the job, however, pride <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">goeth</span> before the fall. Upon inspection, plywood was left exposed along the edge of the tile. It was.... ahem...a fire hazard. Sheesh..... (rolling my eyes). <br />
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<div>I lived with it as a decorative piece. For 15 years, it was good for burning candles in it, ala Martha Stewart.<br />
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When I wanted the floor raised, it was an easy decision to remove the fireplace altogether. It was easier and cheaper than somehow raising it from the sunken living room and fixing it too. </div><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div>Here it is before it completely goes away......<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRlSoE3k0pZBu-UpyadN9zKwuZMmktKbNH_epnhfzJjsdmH-RZKrI8AySmPlcYBD8zOCaDmXde3u-3vCkKNyCuQnsF9B3hi9TAEzvQvXrAImhaMoOiPYzJQD-WyjsQBBF0o0oAHIlLmd9/s1600/IMG_2414.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556336259201205026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBRlSoE3k0pZBu-UpyadN9zKwuZMmktKbNH_epnhfzJjsdmH-RZKrI8AySmPlcYBD8zOCaDmXde3u-3vCkKNyCuQnsF9B3hi9TAEzvQvXrAImhaMoOiPYzJQD-WyjsQBBF0o0oAHIlLmd9/s320/IMG_2414.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZb68jljUTeITaiJS7tFqx15V9EpaNwO4IcNX1z4jZQtFfaynzXG5DfHheabxB_QMa6Wetbd7deaim8V7fpYsTSzlPPOn2b70K3WVyrDGcbLYnpQEVlqrxLkPKiK5ga-AXkpnxQxkZcRIN/s1600/the+new+vista.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZb68jljUTeITaiJS7tFqx15V9EpaNwO4IcNX1z4jZQtFfaynzXG5DfHheabxB_QMa6Wetbd7deaim8V7fpYsTSzlPPOn2b70K3WVyrDGcbLYnpQEVlqrxLkPKiK5ga-AXkpnxQxkZcRIN/s320/the+new+vista.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div></div>The fireplace is gone. The floor is raised and a window installed..... <br />
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and now, with a new view, it looks like I need to do some yard work......<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSASue8zUWN4IL2Dz4Mhl0R-921SyYudlmbc066sXcJgccemUfsgXW1y-7jtHom9d4h5j5WIkRMrPN00cR6hHFW22YU2mY2ubz_ArpDWVs01_SbAqY4njMw9mmt1p5mWGo9IOrrwn6BFcN/s1600/living+room+floor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSASue8zUWN4IL2Dz4Mhl0R-921SyYudlmbc066sXcJgccemUfsgXW1y-7jtHom9d4h5j5WIkRMrPN00cR6hHFW22YU2mY2ubz_ArpDWVs01_SbAqY4njMw9mmt1p5mWGo9IOrrwn6BFcN/s320/living+room+floor.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-88244463100122417732009-06-12T23:24:00.000-07:002009-12-12T23:51:23.028-08:00<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvdp9-np2kBmmWE1rDmUW1AUNgdYDOcrhByGz9F_vPg9TEEkYXuuf2B50VYE2Jsy4Ne1KA93iJRlOFxbDjB6DtUEhaqr3PS7nQsGkO9KwFC-SN6JsEFRLSuqaIGz0mjdwozpJdbM_lVFZ/s1600-h/Best-Chicken-full-5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414623151541914498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 132px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvdp9-np2kBmmWE1rDmUW1AUNgdYDOcrhByGz9F_vPg9TEEkYXuuf2B50VYE2Jsy4Ne1KA93iJRlOFxbDjB6DtUEhaqr3PS7nQsGkO9KwFC-SN6JsEFRLSuqaIGz0mjdwozpJdbM_lVFZ/s200/Best-Chicken-full-5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>June: The month of deaths and birds. I’m taking care of the neighbor's two chickens and small garden for a couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a bother to go let the chickens out in the morning and then go shut them in at night. Yet, when I approach the coop and hear their little clucky noises, I change my mind. Henrietta and Penelope are endearing. (Or, at least now they are. They might not seem so fetching with the winter dark, cold and rain.)<br /><br />The home-made coop has a pitched roof made of a wavy, clear plastic. I can see the 2 chickens inside doing whatever it is that chickens do. One morning I observed both on the long perch extending the length of the structure. One of them was walking carefully along the bar, heading for the other side of the shelter. She made good progress until she reached the other, all hunkered down, roosting in the middle of the bar ~ blocking the path. The first didn't stop or even hesitate. She just dug in her claws and climbed her way over the back of the one that was in the way. (Squaaawk!) It made me laugh.<br /><br />It's funny watching them through that wavy plastic and see them watching me back. They look at me so intently. I'm thinking they are hoping for some fresh feed but then again, they might be wondering about my distorted image as they look through 1) chicken eyes and 2) wavy plastic. What does a chicken think?? What does a *captive* chicken think?<br /><br />One evening, in the warmth of the wonderful summer air, I walked to Lamb’s Thriftway for a few items. I was passing a field when there was a fluttering of feathers and a bird fell from a tree into the tangled grasses. I didn’t see any movement after it fell so I crossed the ditch to investigate. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonf9Ha_TXfPHxPR-_gWcm739l02zm7xAB2hqRRiixlUwDYT8JJkN4VR_4S9FlFEzqzEtLH1aX0IRLvSznfIuEaGI66bpDiuwhW_SQJKtQb-Vc-uEzwkX_erewEPu7KuOKax7tMD-EKhGH/s1600-h/white+crowned+sparrow.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414625023627036930" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 183px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonf9Ha_TXfPHxPR-_gWcm739l02zm7xAB2hqRRiixlUwDYT8JJkN4VR_4S9FlFEzqzEtLH1aX0IRLvSznfIuEaGI66bpDiuwhW_SQJKtQb-Vc-uEzwkX_erewEPu7KuOKax7tMD-EKhGH/s320/white+crowned+sparrow.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was a sparrow of sorts. I wasn’t sure what kind. It was lying still in the open field. It was breathing heavily and blinked at me as it lay there. Its feet were curled tightly and one wing was outstretched. I watched it for some time wondering if it was a fledgling out of the nest for exercise or an older bird that was dying. I looked up for a nest and parent birds. Nothing was evident.<br /><br />Studying this poor creature, I decided it was not healthy and was probably dying. I wished I had water to give it…and wondered if it had been able to find water during the hot day. I wished I could scoop it up and take it to Audubon for treatment. I also knew that picking it up would be an additional stress which would certainly kill it. I left it, hoping a cat wouldn’t find it and continued on my way.<br /><br />On my return, I checked on it again and found it on its back. It was still breathing…only lightly. I knew it would soon expire. I’ve thought of the different deaths I’ve dealt with during the past two months. Disease, accident, and incidents of age, all led to a loss and an inevitable gap in the circle of people I know. I reflected on my friend battling cancer in Idaho and of others here closer to home.<br /><br />I mused on how deaths occur to animals in the natural world. Wildlife author Ernest Thompson Seton said, “The life of a wild animal always has a tragic end.” This bird would be the first I have witnessed that just falls from a tree and doesn’t have the strength or ability to save itself. No family or friend was there to help – just a passing human who let it be. I thought of the scripture where Christ says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father [knowing]. <a name="30"></a>But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. <a name="31"></a>Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31)<br /><br />My Idaho friend no longer has any head hairs to count but Heavenly Father is aware of her fight, her body and her spirit. I don’t know what or when her end will be. Or mine either. I don’t know if the little bird was old or maybe had been poisoned. It died alone, without notice. Not even by me. I had walked away after I saw that it was weakening with each moment.<br /><br />I’m hoping that as we live our routine, daily lives, we are surrounded by people who care about us. I pray that when the time arrives for any one of us to leave Earth that people either known or unknown by us, will be there with us, to ease our transition through to the next life with their protection, concern and love for us. Each one of us is worth that care.<br /><br />I am comforted to know that my value is greater than that of many sparrows even as they are all loved by Him, our Creator, my Father.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-27463660792307887432009-02-27T00:04:00.000-08:002009-12-13T00:36:27.160-08:00<div>From Oman to Dubai for stake conference with Elder Jeffrey Holland presiding. Incredible. Dubai was crazy with constr<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2gIACbxLU7W5rXMWgVo-tKCKdQHNBezsWyyYJH0iJtf9IpyrREjCf1F5RzRCrNkN1OkfJUkkcJpFurdAZZ5qiUXkKT45nJzVjfjUG-XY-vhhvSsfJ6qRyM9b-WHwPRTIhyXHkMuXwzer/s1600-h/dubai+construction.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414634981697009938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2gIACbxLU7W5rXMWgVo-tKCKdQHNBezsWyyYJH0iJtf9IpyrREjCf1F5RzRCrNkN1OkfJUkkcJpFurdAZZ5qiUXkKT45nJzVjfjUG-XY-vhhvSsfJ6qRyM9b-WHwPRTIhyXHkMuXwzer/s320/dubai+construction.jpg" border="0" /></a>uction everywhere. Paper maps and the GPS were worthless as detours and re-routings were everywhere. Freeways were 7 lanes wide in each direction.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVhyA7pmdB-XM2oSUvJTJ7ODtWO7-tM7gttSlp8O72NWa28bdQLGQFc4l72LPMmUkx5JWynJXCJe_qLCznotKbIq67w78l58QAbe4CQSWNB3BfQvwJLup3SvfaYAbhyphenhyphen5JOeS5EmQTOpQr/s1600-h/dubai+twin+towers.bmp"></a> Hotels being built everywhere. Can't describe it except to say perhaps it was crushing. Traffic and populations were mixed, tight and busy like New York City. Yet, in the desert, it had the mega porportions as you'd find in Las Vegas. It was an amazing place but not where I'd want to visit again. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-56063662728033930322009-02-20T13:30:00.000-08:002009-12-13T00:41:10.672-08:00From Mughsayl to DhalQut to Karfut<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ol5S-SR2oteirwvFlF-T73aT3Fm634vkDPTs7HiAc1v-BbEspFA41ZxdHGeBfyA1lpziz9y6JzeUKXnAsl5SoNPWp-s6t7rEhHdGwNw80GpJpNb8VHI0UbopaXLjEZWXrbeYaOz7CNZ_/s1600-h/IMG_1030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312574192676639362" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Ol5S-SR2oteirwvFlF-T73aT3Fm634vkDPTs7HiAc1v-BbEspFA41ZxdHGeBfyA1lpziz9y6JzeUKXnAsl5SoNPWp-s6t7rEhHdGwNw80GpJpNb8VHI0UbopaXLjEZWXrbeYaOz7CNZ_/s320/IMG_1030.JPG" border="0" /></a> February 13 - The day is hazy. The wind blew all night. Visability is lousy. They say it's a north wind so it has kicked up all the dust in Saudi and brought it this way.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Feb. 14 We drive to Mughsayl~ another proposed site for the Land Bountiful. We slept in the cave here last October. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5b2vLrEDfTMoqhYCrPeEyb8rsI8gzaPSeWP9QSuKi9PEnttywd9hxtVRfQTEGm8eCp8cbNFXojyXyODfmCRYjz0JpydInfDqCj5bxZcU70nit3f5AvOuxMI2-PUSSrOIVlFroIVwCPLM/s1600-h/IMG_1076.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312575004273870658" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5b2vLrEDfTMoqhYCrPeEyb8rsI8gzaPSeWP9QSuKi9PEnttywd9hxtVRfQTEGm8eCp8cbNFXojyXyODfmCRYjz0JpydInfDqCj5bxZcU70nit3f5AvOuxMI2-PUSSrOIVlFroIVwCPLM/s200/IMG_1076.JPG" border="0" /></a>There was a storm off the coast of Somalia in Africa which brought rain and rough seas. It's strange being back, but this time, in good weather. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>We climb to the top of the "cave". Take photos of excavation work done by BYU and the parking lot so far below. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqayeYNIJUbU2_H-C3HCzxOC6xZXhNmKssCyhk1ihyphenhyphenIBWOEI72xbw235lmabSS8nStKVrxpWVy9Ox7eW0eOLlYYId20Lx_qXm_DzwnqZPLpzSuxEoyfCV_7luD6A8ZSzcQ6HtVRvzsf1W/s1600-h/IMG_1077.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312574674229718194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqayeYNIJUbU2_H-C3HCzxOC6xZXhNmKssCyhk1ihyphenhyphenIBWOEI72xbw235lmabSS8nStKVrxpWVy9Ox7eW0eOLlYYId20Lx_qXm_DzwnqZPLpzSuxEoyfCV_7luD6A8ZSzcQ6HtVRvzsf1W/s320/IMG_1077.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>If the Land Bountiful, is Mughsayl, as some propose, this picture would be from Nephi's mount. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLj6fUalJCuaMDe2paHtjc5gtTAjQiX6Ut4Z4puvnF0HuImsz79RGpcs99Ug3-RoUzAwoO2s1euWWiswDfRpTx9Qjv75oyFdH12iojGhDxNb42p7iv608MAGFrcE1j-17s2Xf9-Wg8uzYJ/s1600-h/IMG_1081.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313304987728336946" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLj6fUalJCuaMDe2paHtjc5gtTAjQiX6Ut4Z4puvnF0HuImsz79RGpcs99Ug3-RoUzAwoO2s1euWWiswDfRpTx9Qjv75oyFdH12iojGhDxNb42p7iv608MAGFrcE1j-17s2Xf9-Wg8uzYJ/s320/IMG_1081.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>We have a delicious lime/lemonade at the dusty, primitive, little cafe. I didn't expect the beautiful presentation!!<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312575391348129266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWF4at8XUv5nNhGBTS1bb6Sl77sF4WD0uNomcXss0dnFYALhzWXfSbW2OFjsQd_36GoBbP7sRkBawKXvIkBAQOKN7Iskm4FIDOjdlMeDy2R3Su_5tNte2QxcPeDuXTkq0occ0XegDlR6OX/s320/IMG_1080.JPG" border="0" /> The ocean is too rough from the dust storm. The fishing boats are grounded. We have to camp in the rest area at DhalQut. Whenever I'm here (twice now), we have rough seas. Why is that? If we ever get in, will we be able to get out?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEoMANUynCaH3-NqBdnyPEwkg7pvmMCGBTOF2hyK0CCflR_r_IVEI0MgGfwCkvEjcb5AIC4C06Ue6kXSG0W9aRVVMe2ZA7NajCQvEGIxAMFwBOyD_vSZlWLLKaejq_FRQi35uBrXkL4IX/s1600-h/IMG_1126.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312525030333249394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjEoMANUynCaH3-NqBdnyPEwkg7pvmMCGBTOF2hyK0CCflR_r_IVEI0MgGfwCkvEjcb5AIC4C06Ue6kXSG0W9aRVVMe2ZA7NajCQvEGIxAMFwBOyD_vSZlWLLKaejq_FRQi35uBrXkL4IX/s320/IMG_1126.JPG" border="0" /></a> Warren thinks sleeping in the car shouldn't be any different than sleeping on an airplane. He has body kinks in the morning. (Surprise). Yep, not any different. </div><div>Note to readers: Dust storms aren't good for the sinuses either.</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>February 15 My last meal before heading out for a week of camp food.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLFaQYlaKGR3jJXcDl7nT-XefDdKha1l6QRB7CIU0YJuKB6Ko7U0RrIJVc9cwXrDIq2_tnpbLGLOyDDMMYFE9Cd0F6N7nWXyZE70bgsSueubVa6GaIpNnYsdPwMLLttD0riUSYGvtKqYq/s1600-h/IMG_1105.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312549767402697826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfLFaQYlaKGR3jJXcDl7nT-XefDdKha1l6QRB7CIU0YJuKB6Ko7U0RrIJVc9cwXrDIq2_tnpbLGLOyDDMMYFE9Cd0F6N7nWXyZE70bgsSueubVa6GaIpNnYsdPwMLLttD0riUSYGvtKqYq/s200/IMG_1105.JPG" border="0" /></a> Their Indian curry isn't anything like what they serve in the States!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>The town of DhalQut:<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313297555721845058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabeFyjfkAOm9i4FaCJO29yTCAkyIEaoEx-2yu2h36wdYmvQmxKpAQiEIuF71lEuNv62OLPYsgl8101ZBKIVHqoHN_vwoTh91455ox9tfmrYrJjQfsBg5-NWt_fRyLPxnjLUeoUYCw_q-i/s400/IMG_1083.JPG" border="0" /> </div><div></div><div>Sights around town: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJ4jImCAeUJnQC0SDqFtytYOzfiqV4qPqWdHPiAOVi-oDq0R20OE_fQ8Ybu8gDKskXjfVdCsrvKfuP1Y5_J0ArwTwA0OoszwtBc1REedqcJ0SjGySY1Ja9nGx8xEQX2hZspdoRjrmAmf_/s1600-h/two+camels+on+the+beach.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313300560605217826" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 198px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJ4jImCAeUJnQC0SDqFtytYOzfiqV4qPqWdHPiAOVi-oDq0R20OE_fQ8Ybu8gDKskXjfVdCsrvKfuP1Y5_J0ArwTwA0OoszwtBc1REedqcJ0SjGySY1Ja9nGx8xEQX2hZspdoRjrmAmf_/s200/two+camels+on+the+beach.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudnZPXRHU-0Wvad9ZaKf6bY-iihbUJ180KQ92ZP8-gU4DYv-11wZ0Wgw2DWwl7H_mxm8qY1R_W1eCBNRsoP7nezzb0tXh_3iOtmzFAjlSyH5weehQZ5M5lELZA_3X2ko-7iqLxFfgAkoO/s1600-h/IMG_1101.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312554542124488514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudnZPXRHU-0Wvad9ZaKf6bY-iihbUJ180KQ92ZP8-gU4DYv-11wZ0Wgw2DWwl7H_mxm8qY1R_W1eCBNRsoP7nezzb0tXh_3iOtmzFAjlSyH5weehQZ5M5lELZA_3X2ko-7iqLxFfgAkoO/s320/IMG_1101.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmACF6y6TgHj8gAu2F-EAuqbqFFfoJwo3aBbCFqQYZ5F7T9XQRQ46kIM6Hy5qYHTyQi85Czz8RXTjoGaNzJR2fKxtSGgHFAClvadxR7nG4L3XdS8AnPEYy_sTawtinrnbdyn_baaSlJRt/s1600-h/IMG_1103.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312556703017978562" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmACF6y6TgHj8gAu2F-EAuqbqFFfoJwo3aBbCFqQYZ5F7T9XQRQ46kIM6Hy5qYHTyQi85Czz8RXTjoGaNzJR2fKxtSGgHFAClvadxR7nG4L3XdS8AnPEYy_sTawtinrnbdyn_baaSlJRt/s320/IMG_1103.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4OhHzzxt_S4JIHsKIQsSgWZH4wzPPd6IgzgUeZmRNyWeQq35xZhHxIrNZjmBXWnPriy3Qk26MaCKa64jiEPJfMol-XEBth2FxYyt6zsUkSKZqi-Mi1DYazKbcy2SscI6l5iMYNtypVGK/s1600-h/IMG_1093.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312559426512998626" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4OhHzzxt_S4JIHsKIQsSgWZH4wzPPd6IgzgUeZmRNyWeQq35xZhHxIrNZjmBXWnPriy3Qk26MaCKa64jiEPJfMol-XEBth2FxYyt6zsUkSKZqi-Mi1DYazKbcy2SscI6l5iMYNtypVGK/s200/IMG_1093.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgA-iPNEeuQw9AGkhVGpe1FAdhz7sN1ul6drF-oNP0N1mXyR37HusTcmS6qKS3k85qknoMGCrNtlZFfBYHexdDU6XJa6Eqi96RM36PuOpLgnTOcZlbuSyVVCOx8Lq5Il1nAiYYGe3si0Jb/s1600-h/IMG_1111.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313298271075288098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgA-iPNEeuQw9AGkhVGpe1FAdhz7sN1ul6drF-oNP0N1mXyR37HusTcmS6qKS3k85qknoMGCrNtlZFfBYHexdDU6XJa6Eqi96RM36PuOpLgnTOcZlbuSyVVCOx8Lq5Il1nAiYYGe3si0Jb/s200/IMG_1111.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312559748936082258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrx7I5p6mUYLKJ0690jf9ztXGtfLL1Dw4y2hxlAfsnF39qzxsqJUV9MHjP5j0Pa1NFOwJNcBP8JC7M1Yrll7znY7K6bDNrDwxYgQmaV-l1e_pr5Ffdr-Rr6z9_u0zsjUn-Q0do-lNnuLc/s320/IMG_1136.JPG" border="0" /> I convince kids to let me take pictures of their feet or their hands before I get shots of their faces. Seeing the immediate ditigal results is fun and warms them up.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQGKdKnt9Gcxcr26tTR3a_ZhIAYtf1qc5ujr1vR02XPtCkJtrbM5Xy9ckheFaqhAINmWIRl2PoiOlthhdyMAEVNTJFKFi6TVdBv8CPwHBqikEP7Avckr40qc-UTzROBlYTZBoe7INF0zQ/s1600-h/IMG_1120.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312557527117055186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQGKdKnt9Gcxcr26tTR3a_ZhIAYtf1qc5ujr1vR02XPtCkJtrbM5Xy9ckheFaqhAINmWIRl2PoiOlthhdyMAEVNTJFKFi6TVdBv8CPwHBqikEP7Avckr40qc-UTzROBlYTZBoe7INF0zQ/s200/IMG_1120.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312562486412592466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jOgCRUpUrmUgGQEHvD4pWL6UQ9dMcD4rEzSxCVFxLGLPrjA-Bzs0t7IAlSU1gxLcinEkkJC0vZ8in-6T_b8N-tNsbZ9ET5wzaMjHYtIge37BCSplbFIKElvvPMdzx5gcVos8nupDmbc-/s200/IMG_1124.JPG" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIk99kvZ6QfhLqmSVrq8oCq8ZvZfmqWJADn4dkOavSGNUIo6MdhbAMaWyy2q9R04r-Y2x9EhFot0JcAA6Mhzqo2DYJnnX24JXiWz90sFMSAhklr7cv-rOnGWIFT6MZxEaQt47w_4IzLlCM/s1600-h/IMG_1123.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312564994256080370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyYk5V-u26J5qIANJNRltSq5Gf9FDijZjJGe2VsOCpdzdZ11AJsh0w9sy-GPtC0MXZEh5TPiber28-THQJPCK-I5bg3rt__kZlTRxG9aMVXJhTvsgSr1-B1vLI5Wdf8i6j1Hh39uRAxUo/s200/IMG_1119.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWybqzYI63VDJYgk180j3SfRF2RhI_GkJQ3sPgMTq4ijEGmRflAcI-zEypznxOBHM5_S_cudStbzuXVia1EgcSbnJ7jukMcRkfRJfYA5wVCeijSqNMG89BBkLp_RE0kY7VdzkC8O8EarU/s1600-h/IMG_1125.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312557832372131170" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWybqzYI63VDJYgk180j3SfRF2RhI_GkJQ3sPgMTq4ijEGmRflAcI-zEypznxOBHM5_S_cudStbzuXVia1EgcSbnJ7jukMcRkfRJfYA5wVCeijSqNMG89BBkLp_RE0kY7VdzkC8O8EarU/s200/IMG_1125.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIk99kvZ6QfhLqmSVrq8oCq8ZvZfmqWJADn4dkOavSGNUIo6MdhbAMaWyy2q9R04r-Y2x9EhFot0JcAA6Mhzqo2DYJnnX24JXiWz90sFMSAhklr7cv-rOnGWIFT6MZxEaQt47w_4IzLlCM/s1600-h/IMG_1123.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312559178944003922" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIk99kvZ6QfhLqmSVrq8oCq8ZvZfmqWJADn4dkOavSGNUIo6MdhbAMaWyy2q9R04r-Y2x9EhFot0JcAA6Mhzqo2DYJnnX24JXiWz90sFMSAhklr7cv-rOnGWIFT6MZxEaQt47w_4IzLlCM/s200/IMG_1123.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Feb. 15th (Noon): All is clear. It's time to head for </span>"Bountiful". </div><br /><div>First: We must procure and load up a seaworthy vessel.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKljdSHczvGa3qwpSqV_89YuzSWxbmExcwaUbv6SVChdeYJJAwfndssdQfLIBrgwi1AFA7_WGSkVqJwq0F-IpMRM7TNfdxDUt_7rNgK3QjiXaOAGTlo0f3NOxO7xBDJFBKuWBflenDU3w/s1600-h/IMG_1148.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312567435412859250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKljdSHczvGa3qwpSqV_89YuzSWxbmExcwaUbv6SVChdeYJJAwfndssdQfLIBrgwi1AFA7_WGSkVqJwq0F-IpMRM7TNfdxDUt_7rNgK3QjiXaOAGTlo0f3NOxO7xBDJFBKuWBflenDU3w/s200/IMG_1148.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSk-gZyAkjaNIBBUqchsiXxHJOw2AaFfTVx6u8whN372FdqUJ4cRNxKxW2kL3IHFNCZosTnKbX_pOBhUxIYPX6gontzw0YO-XtRTwCPnp1DygPu8uH3FmgA164jm-25groWPjKNT-o9lua/s1600-h/IMG_1160.JPG"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><br /><div>Second: A handsome skipper! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbi-JU9psAIxTnADvgYNYjCJZQKBA8QXzpRlclZi-Daisp1AZTuInXMht05pogEjs15-cIl0cfDMDFLCp5QfC8WapSpl9tDTAF0mvx4uR6R86w1TXYHqSBIon5352Hjb5-F0aRDz5Ar_T/s1600-h/The+Skipper.jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtNW1pCa_f4a_Ikkkaq7qo8tF_hRA2sH-Rko30JxvuGu5b0LLv0wCsIt-x6KkJYo2GRv5Ymkibe4D-nP2bKcts7HG-YCshCSChK00OCEfpj2xHeSWjy0Ce6ldB3Q_o-riA5sveU44I239/s1600-h/The+Skipper.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313303499728973026" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 330px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtNW1pCa_f4a_Ikkkaq7qo8tF_hRA2sH-Rko30JxvuGu5b0LLv0wCsIt-x6KkJYo2GRv5Ymkibe4D-nP2bKcts7HG-YCshCSChK00OCEfpj2xHeSWjy0Ce6ldB3Q_o-riA5sveU44I239/s400/The+Skipper.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguL0sGOEiHWUGNrmVRkdxLqgDzed1TO6QwksQw3ufWyHguSnaPBEatnigbxSheMYZbG_igne86p3XdQwiruqemCEU-sU3hXDDtXSxZ36HZy47Dkxt4fVmEKM_5KC8eYdJNn77kthlry9tQ/s1600-h/IMG_1155.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312582685392770706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguL0sGOEiHWUGNrmVRkdxLqgDzed1TO6QwksQw3ufWyHguSnaPBEatnigbxSheMYZbG_igne86p3XdQwiruqemCEU-sU3hXDDtXSxZ36HZy47Dkxt4fVmEKM_5KC8eYdJNn77kthlry9tQ/s320/IMG_1155.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Just call me "Mrs. Howell the Third, Lovie!"<br /></div><div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div>Sorry, no photos available of our "Exciting Beach Landing" but we do have some as the Minnow leaves us and heads back to her home port.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQ1GNBV2i7yRiuUTuA8U_rcQywy71aAceUwLyYJWn5mj2gx8f5cHIJP9KeNdqrXFrJvfYChi5gUULmCl43YbpZpyINpqj7H16WEOYzsgFzWnmoop20ftCmMhUVwIWZDOX8I3sCULQd8K9/s1600-h/IMG_1166.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312567003825627698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQ1GNBV2i7yRiuUTuA8U_rcQywy71aAceUwLyYJWn5mj2gx8f5cHIJP9KeNdqrXFrJvfYChi5gUULmCl43YbpZpyINpqj7H16WEOYzsgFzWnmoop20ftCmMhUVwIWZDOX8I3sCULQd8K9/s320/IMG_1166.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>If you have a minute, there's a departing action shot:<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz68wrrMTW_iAGH-DP2zJkx9DP38cV9nmHb-H0uuaywTNFgzppKEdT3kUvorW8Vtzrp1pXZJ5DJ75D48P6ndA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />We kick away the dried evidence of locally grazed cows and camels. Camp is quickly set up. The day is still hazy from the Saudi sand storm dust. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312521707519165122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HCATZNsPP5R0A_OKu_orQ4bzQD6bJcN6TbIC27MQBrml-Dsnuu5MHiJUWO3IhJo7xN-_hAW_HGarzO5AfEpXwyNeOZyk4_bWq_A1MduTt6Co38G-M1vCrr799825zlKlMGmMXb6uToaO/s320/IMG_1174.JPG" border="0" /> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-21649709380108774952009-02-12T23:08:00.000-08:002009-12-13T00:37:46.324-08:00Camping at "Bountiful"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYonFlWYIk3n7y18swwHAvisOpa_z4DwqcVe7Vbzgj6uZJQcbumkSf8ZiZu5E0yyy9pwcj7LSuHgAGvleCK41EmhaZVGMfSDAFHhR8XOOmDbQQMv8QqqwPC2YJ_dtBgAtZIEBl5FFiA_4R/s1600-h/IMG_1262.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318410157889331522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYonFlWYIk3n7y18swwHAvisOpa_z4DwqcVe7Vbzgj6uZJQcbumkSf8ZiZu5E0yyy9pwcj7LSuHgAGvleCK41EmhaZVGMfSDAFHhR8XOOmDbQQMv8QqqwPC2YJ_dtBgAtZIEBl5FFiA_4R/s400/IMG_1262.JPG" border="0" /></a> Camels on the beach in the fading light.<br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvAWe7SPHpK4eGcn-O4XAgm6fILSNo1ceD7mxx8uftMHqsPXheVovAJaUdnW9KD1Y71cowj1Jfk0SViIigwlLEPNnGVGnuvUFVh8aSH1Ost4qWoGYNaGuxwc-N2hfTeI1kFc6ZOojjhkE/s1600-h/IMG_1419.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316525804548226770" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvAWe7SPHpK4eGcn-O4XAgm6fILSNo1ceD7mxx8uftMHqsPXheVovAJaUdnW9KD1Y71cowj1Jfk0SViIigwlLEPNnGVGnuvUFVh8aSH1Ost4qWoGYNaGuxwc-N2hfTeI1kFc6ZOojjhkE/s200/IMG_1419.JPG" border="0" /></a> Sunrise.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div></div><div>Sunset behind Nephi's mount to the west.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316673242694559138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5T5Y_XD1h0LjFdyuUuiqx_cah7Y35q_vo0SA-sg6-pgFXUXj265FNE0gvfhx4SsKAsK2jw5NbHebUSXygfHY50Uzev4VwGzPyQrbv3QpQ5osKDn5-ZRgDFDRK8cLTgzNhTtNU-rCvKnAv/s320/IMG_1358.JPG" border="0" />The reeds and marshes near camp support an abundance of birdlife. Nephi's mount in the background.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOpPpQWUAal0q69cGS9ZzcpGoVDkeFo5gB0zhvX_zLM2QAXKYRJTO4APGWKpbJSfUNGGcW4hxl0bgAUDKPU7jv3jn6K8NawfUEmukxcPf30yfBl5Wuxr5Pa08redVkT_s3GkyT4qHq_En/s1600-h/IMG_1180.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316526322628517170" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOpPpQWUAal0q69cGS9ZzcpGoVDkeFo5gB0zhvX_zLM2QAXKYRJTO4APGWKpbJSfUNGGcW4hxl0bgAUDKPU7jv3jn6K8NawfUEmukxcPf30yfBl5Wuxr5Pa08redVkT_s3GkyT4qHq_En/s320/IMG_1180.JPG" border="0" /></a>Yes, there are caves. I imagined all the Old Testament stories of people fleeing to hide in caves, burying loved ones in caves and just living in caves. They are more like large overhangs, not what we call caves where I come from.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3OqWPDukWz1KW4KRybY7B2UBnxjXg4gaQW_5IkWl9-x3cfREHte8ZIloELNEGVl3XJZCiSsMSXskomKfs9riu1pX0rHNDUke5L1bWBnkr0aLsm8Tg1cLXh22GFaW5mh1xYw46Jgo7Wyi/s1600-h/IMG_1282.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316672951256387298" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3OqWPDukWz1KW4KRybY7B2UBnxjXg4gaQW_5IkWl9-x3cfREHte8ZIloELNEGVl3XJZCiSsMSXskomKfs9riu1pX0rHNDUke5L1bWBnkr0aLsm8Tg1cLXh22GFaW5mh1xYw46Jgo7Wyi/s320/IMG_1282.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0j92u5ZDid59lLxsZJJkNbpPYLM3_0QL2Jp2133SbJtJSVUVtCAb5Vnpcc587YDAVRkfDchTYHMi79Ht_HVkQUYHSA2AV7dS-4JjHlIGOiOPndbxerEp7wsSZ70xX7774HPlpjhtzVLxf/s1600-h/IMG_1254.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316676080616378562" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0j92u5ZDid59lLxsZJJkNbpPYLM3_0QL2Jp2133SbJtJSVUVtCAb5Vnpcc587YDAVRkfDchTYHMi79Ht_HVkQUYHSA2AV7dS-4JjHlIGOiOPndbxerEp7wsSZ70xX7774HPlpjhtzVLxf/s320/IMG_1254.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>We now pause for a video presentation. This was taken before the camping trip. These frisky youngsters are just way too cute!<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzvvxmenWBmbGAeYbkxHqPpmshPMaDCTo7Ps0PRUDuRy17XWyc1WekZLISxUVBtqOALlfti1O3ec_WWXFDJ9A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div></div><div>And meanwhile, back at camp.....<br /><br />This general place, WadiSayq, was called "Land Bountiful" by Nephi's family. Today the particular beach, is "Karfut". I personally call it "Bug Beach". The bugs are plentiful as well as bountiful. Warren assures me these bites are from ticks. Oh great! (rolling my eyes)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHFAaqwbt3ugXBUwQuOFocfuqYTNaUE6Ga6hRd24jnJh8Ir2cEAjpLp3O5R6oPMgLNmrN7gCVi6ENdV7VqI6wW4xPNSExbFEicmugZEGntJZAxbHSXdU_jN5WYkje3pDA-cVRLvlUz1nJ/s1600-h/IMG_1176.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312713704066663858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHFAaqwbt3ugXBUwQuOFocfuqYTNaUE6Ga6hRd24jnJh8Ir2cEAjpLp3O5R6oPMgLNmrN7gCVi6ENdV7VqI6wW4xPNSExbFEicmugZEGntJZAxbHSXdU_jN5WYkje3pDA-cVRLvlUz1nJ/s320/IMG_1176.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318411961469916994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRg0uTOdaPOs9kMp7A_HDoPbCahc_ODRifnBU3ZApHqjfOTRyh1jdZE9Z44hRRyXMTwme_Dcb2MZJKq5irkN4f3QNSKr__L3N3vQ3njQJbuEb2n2EWH5K0KrkDTmfsyWskpW0N4u-YwD7m/s320/IMG_1426.JPG" border="0" />Monday the 16th. I'm thinking about how nice the people have been. Friendly, helpful, honest and generous to a fault. They do have locks on doors so things aren't perfect. However, I am realizing how guarded I feel at home and how relaxed and safe I am here. </div><div><div><div><div><div><div></div><br /><div>Zillions of sand crabs on the beach. I wonder if it comes down to playing Robinson Crusoe, if they would make good eating? </div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAyGMUa4VdF8BD6vzQkymRq0WVXL0h9mYEsVj6ASFswLpPo8AUbLOD5KbkyvCjEV0Ef5NCtKNo4RBo-BJZwLbNHxmjwFe_Ms1e4WX-qDqOKY1l-NkZLvIHH46GbyM2PomUdnImqbfkoOk/s1600-h/IMG_1407.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312589372430844386" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAyGMUa4VdF8BD6vzQkymRq0WVXL0h9mYEsVj6ASFswLpPo8AUbLOD5KbkyvCjEV0Ef5NCtKNo4RBo-BJZwLbNHxmjwFe_Ms1e4WX-qDqOKY1l-NkZLvIHH46GbyM2PomUdnImqbfkoOk/s320/IMG_1407.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWG53GG67AKWtZCuR2V2gJIkNCaFFWQt4-JheFB7CS43_LpVZfO-PTVJTdWLM-Kxd5dRajqWuEbekSLAgH6EQfEzJRSzWPZGs_4J6kVIzoLMF7v69FxkSdrgF1kIK-JNr0muyWrfgv3Xi/s1600-h/IMG_1144.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312590669904903330" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWG53GG67AKWtZCuR2V2gJIkNCaFFWQt4-JheFB7CS43_LpVZfO-PTVJTdWLM-Kxd5dRajqWuEbekSLAgH6EQfEzJRSzWPZGs_4J6kVIzoLMF7v69FxkSdrgF1kIK-JNr0muyWrfgv3Xi/s200/IMG_1144.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />They build these pointy hills as they dig into the sand. I can't figure how they do it. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-C1O7MkJYS1emAf3zhne1P10SyKCFjy0R4Wo9rbhH1JqVHFBbuBgIQfcobXQu1Ea5EwDJywF2nOkLgZ_uN0S4dWOd6E54KuP6ZV8UY0v3SLOQVBDkPgoZXFd1IBBcBUByt-Glz3lnr-n/s1600-h/IMG_1251.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316677684079832882" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-C1O7MkJYS1emAf3zhne1P10SyKCFjy0R4Wo9rbhH1JqVHFBbuBgIQfcobXQu1Ea5EwDJywF2nOkLgZ_uN0S4dWOd6E54KuP6ZV8UY0v3SLOQVBDkPgoZXFd1IBBcBUByt-Glz3lnr-n/s200/IMG_1251.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMH6qcXjDL_xUIhIoflQkjWRsCrApo0LqybqBUci2sZeVrzqe_CwSYbDvls-jcitM3MkNyEz6lpNvqZ82uAk36wNNsicVdniCNh0HnTXF1OF27gL6fey_f_bTKfUSe1S3RzdRTu6llJqC/s1600-h/IMG_1179.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316677307716552418" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMH6qcXjDL_xUIhIoflQkjWRsCrApo0LqybqBUci2sZeVrzqe_CwSYbDvls-jcitM3MkNyEz6lpNvqZ82uAk36wNNsicVdniCNh0HnTXF1OF27gL6fey_f_bTKfUSe1S3RzdRTu6llJqC/s200/IMG_1179.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div>February 18th. Life has fallen into the mundane and routine. Warren takes photos in the morning light and then, to avoid the heat, we are both back at camp by 10. We sit around, nap, slap bugs or think about the next meal until 3 or so. Then it has cooled a bit and it's time to take more photos. It's dark and I'm in my tent by 7. That's pretty much it. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316677458231743330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7t05RRrGO-kVTRf3JB-e7e0e7q4MBvUoKhHy0YwwQTDDiXSt9y1zmDxiWcs1dLpWb3Zz_gfoCqJEQ9PgStaKKpoYOrPikfgC41eDnkwUOFIR_gR5cfLRHXO-ReLemGFv9knZft3FPmtP/s200/IMG_1240.JPG" border="0" /></div><div>I busy myself with my Christmas cards. This year I even missed the Valentine deadline. I dug up the old blanket. It came in handy.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmWFR552-CyDueFu6xoHt-3NtYcHPUl1y4ppY68o8iWL6sJrp_dAwKyoARiNfB1q2qNUjdsVUv_LBJVzva37SZeq8YsCjlPFsPPcUazg60-ATcMrIa0xVVvBmpt6McY3DO71zqARtJN_i/s1600-h/IMG_1274.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312715325706872914" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmWFR552-CyDueFu6xoHt-3NtYcHPUl1y4ppY68o8iWL6sJrp_dAwKyoARiNfB1q2qNUjdsVUv_LBJVzva37SZeq8YsCjlPFsPPcUazg60-ATcMrIa0xVVvBmpt6McY3DO71zqARtJN_i/s200/IMG_1274.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Cows on the beach are frequent.... and friendlier than the camels. Camels would have made a more exotic photo but I didn't get one. I doubt you will see many Land's End catalogs sporting this kind of promotion. (I'm talking about the beach cows - not the girl in the suit!)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318412854226444610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKBcHtXoGJsEUU1yE0k7woa4OZD3kdhCKGgzFHnGeuyLfL9baXtQA60WXn0RcqISIcD7pN6PuB-hdNzlRDiofmzotfgX-CtzWrVrF2it0b23leUarBes3DoH0wYkG79GtJrpwwczoo8gf/s320/IMG_1342.JPG" border="0" /> <div>The day's sea breeze is welcomed. I rig my tent's rain fly for a sunblock. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMm97PQpreg8QuSM7Owl1y9zqf5GFXxCWt9J6yWbJIG8TFLKEZXF8kiqTEVS7iMFH2_UiUQUDKrdxa4lQrrGcRyEF4_7jD5d14QqE9VVBw-BOPkS2rbvkRIpzGQWVyllK-Ut3diJc-BvFM/s1600-h/IMG_1383.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318405863971438706" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMm97PQpreg8QuSM7Owl1y9zqf5GFXxCWt9J6yWbJIG8TFLKEZXF8kiqTEVS7iMFH2_UiUQUDKrdxa4lQrrGcRyEF4_7jD5d14QqE9VVBw-BOPkS2rbvkRIpzGQWVyllK-Ut3diJc-BvFM/s320/IMG_1383.JPG" border="0" /></a> Warren tries to do something with the ladder for his tent. He doesn't do anything about the rock under his tent but wonder why it was hard to sleep on. Not much different than airplane arm-rests ....<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318407438390890226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 144px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0A2LiAuWJgSMaHJIPENKzcqFyOjbs0QO22BJOKMWtmwsRszj2yHEiUeGUlybF1W3gI0JFKCatSFluFzGWL3nnXKa5hFkYLe-JIyGwr9ByAuArdoFUAQNklsBmuPpIp_2-V5lrqG_y1Hxh/s200/fish+for+lunch!.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Natives come by camp with a 2 German tourist girls. They have a (still kicking) fish.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMX8H1_YOUOuSMWA8yZrac4zJfC69bnl9083Nwzz0w3Ya9n9xelPBeWxjLglBuh-qNxtKM9UwXHzNsX9ABfGTjDL27mIDUxPr3Zh3CjDOY-WmVoOJklLygAzErOhVSeMhkj0OlJU3hiNSk/s1600-h/IMG_1269.JPG"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0l7UIkLrtQoLfNcCnjbCPE2BeqDXkU5WXB0Rtjd4A3lrwcswuw4LnABI91IaXu_oQmkQNT1yVzSMELmkNfdYC6RSQbYcaC4ZaJ1nnIrRT3T5JGVWX5ZD9bT4wpo5MxEP2sS5mE7sr1ms/s1600-h/IMG_1271.JPG"></a>They were going to eat it themselves but in the culture of generousity, they cut a filet for us. We wrap it in foil, throw it on the grill and have a delicious lunch in only a few minutes. </div><div></div><br /><div>Earlier, I had calculated our remaining food supply and determined we need to reduce ourselves to 1/2 rations. The fish is a blessing. And it walks right into camp!<br />On the way to the spring for water, we come upon the largest, scariest snake I've ever seen outside a zoo. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNyR4isn3XXZScIPKwoLZXrjFX5Q95LzGx57FBifg1Lw350S3nJHPuWJleUBUC0sO7sPy3C2kA-UeK89QNk-sUk3fZnKk_n6VPGrRiC5u_NTYXC-6C_jOlQwCaq2sfne5Gn819hjJSCkp/s1600-h/IMG_1348.JPG"></a>Warren avoided stepping on it. The "Expedition First Aid Kit" has nothing for snake bites or bee stings. Does this make sense in the land of "much fruit and wild honey"? Does it sound like we were really prepared for this trip?? <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZhI2lYDW0lfVr4pu6U6PGYQ_utkHlCF8UYOveu_JmAbMMIijqHewWH4bzVTD6DIfKLOnu_kUYCUE-r3Wu1M7P_P68Eui4bHASzNy2T8YMNh07m7MUNVoQFYKz49IShKgU4CI7IGRFkgw/s1600-h/IMG_1348.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314538058863678098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZhI2lYDW0lfVr4pu6U6PGYQ_utkHlCF8UYOveu_JmAbMMIijqHewWH4bzVTD6DIfKLOnu_kUYCUE-r3Wu1M7P_P68Eui4bHASzNy2T8YMNh07m7MUNVoQFYKz49IShKgU4CI7IGRFkgw/s200/IMG_1348.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314538158122915538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqCUdH_91TE3aW1iskC8UpwMX1RdmPX9sm28SDe-wfW8fPZ-GR4KRir1Y4FEJcLDiz6rjNX2cXJwlmvte5Qw1RBkbadIqs9SdUuk7fG8Cc_AV6CYjelrowk2BXmZfmGGEEAdO4uMFmVOq/s200/IMG_1349.JPG" border="0" /> <span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;color:#000000;">There are beautiful birds to counter the scary snakes...</span><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgR8_tC4FczXG0TGv9zUcRf4p_KaN-FrEFEez90n_v6r8d5LK31IlPJbSQgBW3-T2K8yK77ObQOgo28IXb1eb1gIZzJwxvPHx6moAe669v27HXAA1Mg0NQzz3ymnT1Va-EZU3nwoSRByc/s1600-h/IMG_1194.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314539896287172194" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgR8_tC4FczXG0TGv9zUcRf4p_KaN-FrEFEez90n_v6r8d5LK31IlPJbSQgBW3-T2K8yK77ObQOgo28IXb1eb1gIZzJwxvPHx6moAe669v27HXAA1Mg0NQzz3ymnT1Va-EZU3nwoSRByc/s200/IMG_1194.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzEXijPaIQnyL-YAC_MUHwuSl53WGHKXHCoLOqdHpKMbKlxUXKBHag2c7bGkLRYrkO1bGPPAA89K45kCcZREcD4FoPcVaXISSxf8-i4SsQxegRiHGBsUcbIBvNvb2lmIV_48HX7np4XVo/s1600-h/IMG_1191.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314539644797401906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYzEXijPaIQnyL-YAC_MUHwuSl53WGHKXHCoLOqdHpKMbKlxUXKBHag2c7bGkLRYrkO1bGPPAA89K45kCcZREcD4FoPcVaXISSxf8-i4SsQxegRiHGBsUcbIBvNvb2lmIV_48HX7np4XVo/s200/IMG_1191.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314539760775764642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gsJ1u6rtztoND6IJmg0YMslDSZjfdLIjLp4-nAA-NDgImQUUVTM5Y6oZjRs-fbkCO7Nr2ZQ-k3Zk69YJmEaBHb_7nhzyPqRBgc9VHdwFa0eZ9-sZyyqIq-zqzGkJT7T9kB9rqdFeHoON/s200/IMG_1193.JPG" border="0" />And interesting trees... (not just palms)<br /><div></div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrr-hWkUAeU6ovUC2OWk3GcRIBtAPOU-jGngPT2QVaqdcHF5fasTI8HjbOQ3zwcNbS0LLtC7s-iem8rxDwEV1UNNWzAtlYoPEq4gxlRxW8heA5AKG0wShl4QnNVCO-sc0cFJjnPtoXajOb/s1600-h/IMG_1244.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314543403909544930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrr-hWkUAeU6ovUC2OWk3GcRIBtAPOU-jGngPT2QVaqdcHF5fasTI8HjbOQ3zwcNbS0LLtC7s-iem8rxDwEV1UNNWzAtlYoPEq4gxlRxW8heA5AKG0wShl4QnNVCO-sc0cFJjnPtoXajOb/s200/IMG_1244.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314542894556149602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66DPsQcDMVXJIKDMB50iFCzV_i3qynnT8KStIn-Q0ZV4uOi0iqXGeNoUV82BaucPMw3LSTVkFccPuQWjpTLuBbRXAiWUVikdH1vfW6c8OqETUtEMZRdz7DqOSnJFifr7MTTsPoSH10uvm/s200/IMG_1347.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314539385395771666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwgONICpasdrp1Wjq91UewSFuSdONyPbLJJqRXbY5D7FthfNOUYqpTyKATfmXuX6fHFilTO-cmfa_R8LKmwm7Mjy3dDvp8o-YSP7X54LjY1iaoPV_r6qEb78CQ-e4xEjAfOzmbDjAoZ16/s200/IMG_1369.JPG" border="0" /> The end of the week. We have one can of tuna left between us. The guy who was supposed to come fetch us from the beach isn't here. If he doesn't come soon, I will return to the spring waters with a different attitude. I've heard that snake tastes like chicken. (The cows will be next.)</div><div></div><div><br />Our man comes!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316524277214662594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUDj4EFedhJ7gEWpWNTemDBphr8x-Fp3mDk63Wi4rb7cTaBrdW3orON8pjCoKWHO46PGdlxe_u1ypZBY971PaC9fAt8UFs4R1E95L5HXxEVI_KF4_iuDWcgOHWzItquUBbrkUFHDa47Aa/s320/IMG_1425.JPG" border="0" />We went by some of his lobster catching friends on the way back. Check out how beautiful the water is!! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BZj046zwBc8Mb8nmIYv2PATuDV8mld_m_AJYg0kvB2tLbMJWqU898hyphenhyphenPhdy8BL7V5Pvy0zsZU1sMJ1vbor9HVaXwBZZRcOwoxqxcCmmPCNsXcnsgtQU8I7qe5abuxAvPpt3y5qrnHnXe/s1600-h/IMG_1428.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316524594825075634" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BZj046zwBc8Mb8nmIYv2PATuDV8mld_m_AJYg0kvB2tLbMJWqU898hyphenhyphenPhdy8BL7V5Pvy0zsZU1sMJ1vbor9HVaXwBZZRcOwoxqxcCmmPCNsXcnsgtQU8I7qe5abuxAvPpt3y5qrnHnXe/s320/IMG_1428.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nbHImbueQl_hQWDojjgOHWhpDw-DJknlNjm7d_XGf-JFOdRHhV-TnCzI-KtR-H79jJIlVmOuERFug5XvSYDmx4bSJ79_mE5aFMeTpMfohzp54XJJK-6qCTgJTVQrkGsoyYMzAD9cnFd1/s1600-h/IMG_1425.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjX-7E4Hnh-kIz8ifT_Zn-V5k1hGOxquxmX0PegPMSao6EVfsyPUY7Ks9sqgQaPuL1P0N_sJAu4ccKnK0RCH9ZZClwiAsmZyG_R0d01gt3GrJUY2b4cnoyejf-7DZBYDpFwlp0qg3QyHQa/s1600-h/IMG_1429.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8-ER43W33c2Ljm2MceSpnDBxZ7uXvS-BoIknstaqP3gIMNLbxQSW5Noa0E94mvpj-vH9gP3Db2wz_rmk_49QmLI7T_9x9KKFitdtu-HV0k2xgiaZJkWJ9SVnjkIF3K4nWqZV7IutBLp4/s1600-h/IMG_1428.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-31777735368336118322008-12-08T18:43:00.000-08:002008-12-24T22:21:31.658-08:00Part 2 of the Epic Saga<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLspOEB8zTDYwDFMsRXu64zb3bY9yVPtwu9dTREvtdZW4xT8Cc0mHJXoxt9SDUMVbyYRrle7v-7mqy3PHY1gD_W76XM_W37a36qTt5mlc8tNUqBX0A3qYKETDdLra6djQbboGocOZXLotW/s1600-h/camel+solo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281063026503012450" style="WIDTH: 176px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLspOEB8zTDYwDFMsRXu64zb3bY9yVPtwu9dTREvtdZW4xT8Cc0mHJXoxt9SDUMVbyYRrle7v-7mqy3PHY1gD_W76XM_W37a36qTt5mlc8tNUqBX0A3qYKETDdLra6djQbboGocOZXLotW/s200/camel+solo.jpg" border="0" /></a>I'm following the trail of the Book of Mormon prophet, Lehi, as he left Jerusalem, Israel for a point near Salalah, Oman. There, the scriptures record, his son Nephi build a boat and the family set sail for Meso America about 600 years BC.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div>A secluded coastal valley has been discovered that exactly matches the scriptural description in Mormon's book. The camels are ready and eager to go. </div><div></div><div>Click here for a map showing Lehi's trail that we are following</div><div><a href="http://www.latter-day.com/bofm/arabia.htm">http://www.latter-day.com/bofm/arabia.htm</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Back to the journey and more on camels later.<br />+++++++++++++</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"><em>Where is Mecca from here?</em></span></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQ3hqqtQaPdUwAhXzghsG93wtePTdu3rpc68YhFI7GcSnSEp-9d_w1WM_eJjzJudLgesvU1WTuvbTkDdcr22Wh8isj8miHSYqkhClIT213mt4oUV-uHRGbjhsjgR1dy0BsUoO3NS4kvmx/s1600-h/IMG_0593.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281696706311189202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQ3hqqtQaPdUwAhXzghsG93wtePTdu3rpc68YhFI7GcSnSEp-9d_w1WM_eJjzJudLgesvU1WTuvbTkDdcr22Wh8isj8miHSYqkhClIT213mt4oUV-uHRGbjhsjgR1dy0BsUoO3NS4kvmx/s200/IMG_0593.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>On the flight from NY, along with altitude, ground speed, GPS location etc, the TV monitors also showed an arrow, angling off one side of the plane, like a compass direction. It wasn't pointing north ~ unless we were <em>really </em>lost. My seat partner explained that it pointed towards Mecca. If you're on a plane for 12 hours and need to pray 5 times a day towards Mecca, it's a handy aid.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_YV6wKRhg7YgNlSED6DfZiY19vwMszfGZyJfK_hV12tL3E2syLJOasVhVGpn3W1GwopRjg9AJFiWKqgigeGRN0YWTxJlZSmzzMeYGNt7DI5ndbKebOxCiJnEadXDy1jlNO0uxYBI8e_I/s1600-h/IMG_0576.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277741384368792242" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi_YV6wKRhg7YgNlSED6DfZiY19vwMszfGZyJfK_hV12tL3E2syLJOasVhVGpn3W1GwopRjg9AJFiWKqgigeGRN0YWTxJlZSmzzMeYGNt7DI5ndbKebOxCiJnEadXDy1jlNO0uxYBI8e_I/s200/IMG_0576.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNLY7M5-xAHy7FeOP_YKatVkuUb3p92poBfR4cVsizoJNfwp50JLAJliMd5RTjBD_KHtG8MSwRY4tVLFoRLEMdUByzy3fp5qZvFsieRFJIlT5yZpa3TMzliEfCnV5JJtR_44j1GisBagA/s1600-h/IMG_0592.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277741391020885346" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNLY7M5-xAHy7FeOP_YKatVkuUb3p92poBfR4cVsizoJNfwp50JLAJliMd5RTjBD_KHtG8MSwRY4tVLFoRLEMdUByzy3fp5qZvFsieRFJIlT5yZpa3TMzliEfCnV5JJtR_44j1GisBagA/s200/IMG_0592.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Hotel rooms had aids too. Prayer rugs were also provided. However, no Gideon bibles in the bedside tables. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><div><div><div><div><div>**************<br /><div>We had a "cultural" adventure in Jordan. The people belong to tribes. Each has their own status. If you mix nationalities, job positions, and politics with a dash of liquor.... whoa! </div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>I don't understand a lick of Arabic but body language told me to duck. </div><br /><div>Sorry, no photos of that. </div><br /><div>---------------------------</div><div>Leaving Petra, Jordan behind (scroll down for an earlier entry), we flew overnight to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Musqat</span>, Oman. A beautiful, clean, modern city brought into the 21st century only recently by the present sultan who was educated abroad. </div><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div></div><div>We attended church in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Musqat</span>. The little branch was thrilled to host us. They have a beautiful building. I took pictures of every room and every ceiling. I'll spare you the over kill. The members there are mostly oil company employees from the states or elsewhere. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuYeIqX5H_b3Isl_vz6E3lPGJlUiOm4HPT9vGRFiezEbbCfO_jDPesDAXF-E36y6xifc-MdKf7mNWXFuyNpp01rkOn2S-pvIqOSbFT9dfbMvX-DQKQ6wRzstbKpMmpXqPagIEiuga7V2S/s1600-h/IMG_0232.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277617996037214818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAuYeIqX5H_b3Isl_vz6E3lPGJlUiOm4HPT9vGRFiezEbbCfO_jDPesDAXF-E36y6xifc-MdKf7mNWXFuyNpp01rkOn2S-pvIqOSbFT9dfbMvX-DQKQ6wRzstbKpMmpXqPagIEiuga7V2S/s320/IMG_0232.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYwBuQDrOawtCMN0mM_qMytSrMZHWhyphenhyphen29vhpIpBn6ZHjS5sanJ7IGt9nvoVIpHDcjweDVu8KbeAW2WPIAN6F3FAAwQMv6RuPm___R3H4Akv1UmkECT1B3762cHyM0M-3_jzG7PaDD80d-/s1600-h/IMG_0202.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Visiting the Sultan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Qaboos</span> Grand Mosque of Muscat was sensory overload. I just love mosques!! </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277742809648290130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EtzrVNci7ZMnXOhCCgS5RENQAcyPgRrVb46Tn1KZOcz-UmeWf-rDXtgqjIdSSSkmDmRjpca8Pwj7NkaLQ6TtGioKQqNCV2VX0mb__-mKljTy3lSvELWszLxeL23veebybg9-Ao-vP7JE/s320/IMG_0236.JPG" border="0" /><br />Note the reflection in the marble!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9fPZL_jKLha7hllDKnobAm7Pu1NVlERjU_8TCcull9PDxOPVS3IWx5tL9l5uD53yS63rnmd_j3Z5AF3i-nHE6rPYG82ihJUbIcPq_j1iQcTyOg9P5tuuUWBhm7jnIPPoMdmDlShqV1vE/s1600-h/doorways+at+the+mosque.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277621293324570594" style="WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9fPZL_jKLha7hllDKnobAm7Pu1NVlERjU_8TCcull9PDxOPVS3IWx5tL9l5uD53yS63rnmd_j3Z5AF3i-nHE6rPYG82ihJUbIcPq_j1iQcTyOg9P5tuuUWBhm7jnIPPoMdmDlShqV1vE/s320/doorways+at+the+mosque.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYy7n3uvnLTFiOGLLK-65SgrqvrtkQ-nJAzbrbjly0JeyfetZPb1-Sc9tul5Kb86Hi_tWqOFrmgBLRNn5LhOoAY4BpLOc91VNCZeQIsCFQCgpN2vQd6RPb8vWCMb_17zZlqrrUObn-0t4N/s1600-h/IMG_0245.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277621315652214466" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYy7n3uvnLTFiOGLLK-65SgrqvrtkQ-nJAzbrbjly0JeyfetZPb1-Sc9tul5Kb86Hi_tWqOFrmgBLRNn5LhOoAY4BpLOc91VNCZeQIsCFQCgpN2vQd6RPb8vWCMb_17zZlqrrUObn-0t4N/s320/IMG_0245.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div>The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Quran</span> (or Koran) on the building<br /><br />Detail of a doorknob.....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRn1THw-LEvsi7REOLafk0fos4nXfLmp6pk1VDgYu0o3esVZmlMLN7_l6lEGYH9Q7X_0Ox0bTxl08riQaLiC0h6maRz4_sB7cP9iFSzfEplYeP5Hm7bBjD62VuKT7SDUJgk6s9hKEv6WGs/s1600-h/IMG_0242.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277623442418423954" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRn1THw-LEvsi7REOLafk0fos4nXfLmp6pk1VDgYu0o3esVZmlMLN7_l6lEGYH9Q7X_0Ox0bTxl08riQaLiC0h6maRz4_sB7cP9iFSzfEplYeP5Hm7bBjD62VuKT7SDUJgk6s9hKEv6WGs/s320/IMG_0242.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div>Marble tile everywhere<br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oFsq8YhcytT3i9KkGYc0xY8QgVJhdmHT9lb1mNTHDiUMY-GfVNRQ97BrpD8MNiPlpulPMfYDxrsq_U9TIeALT0v-Ab5oCrVpCxSCESwR4p8OorLmebPM9JohZlwFIvEK9nYM_qy_gOcC/s1600-h/IMG_0244.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277623441287307458" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oFsq8YhcytT3i9KkGYc0xY8QgVJhdmHT9lb1mNTHDiUMY-GfVNRQ97BrpD8MNiPlpulPMfYDxrsq_U9TIeALT0v-Ab5oCrVpCxSCESwR4p8OorLmebPM9JohZlwFIvEK9nYM_qy_gOcC/s320/IMG_0244.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div>This mosque is simply amazing. The men's section holds more than 6,000 praying men. Suspended is a chandelier made of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Swarovski</span> crystal. It is 8 meters across and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">weighs</span> 9 tons</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HNi3a7DbMHo4uzEYlorkfNUzEJR20RDHnG3PUv5qUui2AfiOUSPiKdeyOI7IQA8eUvy1MGAV7pr6xdg9Nmlr5XQNy1SqIDPaaP7GayDyYaHSkB7XglM2egfdXpW7FpYeVbqi6qRdbAOo/s1600-h/the+men%27s+place+to+worship+at+the+mosque+Leah%27s+photo+g.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277621322755080994" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HNi3a7DbMHo4uzEYlorkfNUzEJR20RDHnG3PUv5qUui2AfiOUSPiKdeyOI7IQA8eUvy1MGAV7pr6xdg9Nmlr5XQNy1SqIDPaaP7GayDyYaHSkB7XglM2egfdXpW7FpYeVbqi6qRdbAOo/s320/the+men%27s+place+to+worship+at+the+mosque+Leah%27s+photo+g.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLi3vtm-h0iSaYtM0Tyy0EwFm_AUHbFsNpilx6xH97BxhRo-jaRscpNyc14Z4aZPLiZ3i9qsY9-ndMBb9CgwL80oNqq6ShtQjpiW_BWYkw4ciz_sWLIUFkKSC5BfQqvUk0WwyYqFRq1JNh/s1600-h/IMG_0256.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277623435734417938" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLi3vtm-h0iSaYtM0Tyy0EwFm_AUHbFsNpilx6xH97BxhRo-jaRscpNyc14Z4aZPLiZ3i9qsY9-ndMBb9CgwL80oNqq6ShtQjpiW_BWYkw4ciz_sWLIUFkKSC5BfQqvUk0WwyYqFRq1JNh/s320/IMG_0256.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div>The carpet is all <strong>one</strong> woven piece! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXt7VWy3r6o3zj7QIYRjKI8D86eMqSuvQ9lt7atK5zGCIc1SS2PHU8g5YwC6riXkqS_FUNDpbV5zp0bJZZwHeXI-4fM6d8s1rIqS3XMdWXarjiipBtSDfDKfV_yYzZRj-_AU8Dr3uYEcB/s1600-h/IMG_0254.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277621304564287298" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXt7VWy3r6o3zj7QIYRjKI8D86eMqSuvQ9lt7atK5zGCIc1SS2PHU8g5YwC6riXkqS_FUNDpbV5zp0bJZZwHeXI-4fM6d8s1rIqS3XMdWXarjiipBtSDfDKfV_yYzZRj-_AU8Dr3uYEcB/s320/IMG_0254.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Pictures can't describe the size and grandeur of the men's prayer room. Pictures describing the size and grandeur of the women's section however, *<em>is*</em> quite possible. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Conveniently</span>, women can pray at home. Here, Leah is modeling. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSCe2Wv7cJLp8zTYwDKt8wLq6TkJZSU6wP9IiYrNqoEHC_E8H-Y1-SkwiJDzOD-co832RIHokMg2JhgDCczXpu1X9dhyoDX77zJxHCOuO9wLoCqC9eb7RSRodH-FnfW1yiOip9pklhLv2/s1600-h/the+women%27s+place+of+worship+at+the+mosque+-+leah+posingpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277623429878030658" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSCe2Wv7cJLp8zTYwDKt8wLq6TkJZSU6wP9IiYrNqoEHC_E8H-Y1-SkwiJDzOD-co832RIHokMg2JhgDCczXpu1X9dhyoDX77zJxHCOuO9wLoCqC9eb7RSRodH-FnfW1yiOip9pklhLv2/s320/the+women%27s+place+of+worship+at+the+mosque+-+leah+posingpg.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;color:#009900;"><em>The Boat......</em></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWECh3kK10SOdDPD6oF1rOhP_2rqUBDL2cr_uUYk_1u2OkzlRS9tFq3zZVhxkECth8VD8r3euNEkaQZu3sZqfAcO4vo5RDpXCH943siWOoUrVhVit5u5U75J1DTqAhWWIJbPoIy7z-J6cZ/s1600-h/IMG_0265.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277748949961855090" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWECh3kK10SOdDPD6oF1rOhP_2rqUBDL2cr_uUYk_1u2OkzlRS9tFq3zZVhxkECth8VD8r3euNEkaQZu3sZqfAcO4vo5RDpXCH943siWOoUrVhVit5u5U75J1DTqAhWWIJbPoIy7z-J6cZ/s320/IMG_0265.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:100%;color:#000000;">We visited a National Geographic site where a crew was constructing a replica of a 3,000 year old boat. The planks were being hand carved and then sewn together. The rope, made of coconut fibers, becomes stronger in seawater. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPi0mT7jZY5IrX1eDuMtdH0jy4hA2A3Cx8prPcR8bB1KjLV_AvoTwovJBVsfDAGvOVWgTF0Isa_pl1tNPdy8XbCixuNGc9DWjqWYLMSO10lPb-0JJV_BccXTL1Ty0_mg3gDbxzv3RNnEx/s1600-h/IMG_0276.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277744059654382738" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPi0mT7jZY5IrX1eDuMtdH0jy4hA2A3Cx8prPcR8bB1KjLV_AvoTwovJBVsfDAGvOVWgTF0Isa_pl1tNPdy8XbCixuNGc9DWjqWYLMSO10lPb-0JJV_BccXTL1Ty0_mg3gDbxzv3RNnEx/s200/IMG_0276.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFB-niXDFBwmz0ZkUKZYIoVmyrLUIweLBCkv6fMHWm5AMvHd3cTorjcJEkR1itPj42QKmcEllmp0aSnSh87W6zu-5dHrt8gTW1dJ6CMRvUrp3aT1yLI-6wbOV-WbEQDHTdhJw8SprdfT-0/s1600-h/IMG_0274.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277744055886197298" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFB-niXDFBwmz0ZkUKZYIoVmyrLUIweLBCkv6fMHWm5AMvHd3cTorjcJEkR1itPj42QKmcEllmp0aSnSh87W6zu-5dHrt8gTW1dJ6CMRvUrp3aT1yLI-6wbOV-WbEQDHTdhJw8SprdfT-0/s200/IMG_0274.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrSwfAr6ad_ZESWBVETQVWBUXp6B5FNuNAbwqKfWw05LbrOuwRxTgEpdi0JzdBJU5IOI5PXE5v0xYoD1CSmnb-vOSel0zg1Ve8rA_lJK_yuiaJu6xaA9E8J6hcUHiumPj8RkXd7_Mdsdc/s1600-h/IMG_0277.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTndDfMI9Yi47VjsLhVnjG4-m8Xdyp17Zg-0bgxvNtVbGgjZ3TA43CJtvYH0m5yLNjq4MWs5s9fJdKL0Mm0IOTvfjHBkLEWtSr488IBJg1MicLvqjqMuhMbl8gJvDrgUeuGuuqj_Cip7Qk/s1600-h/IMG_0275.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277744048683777138" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTndDfMI9Yi47VjsLhVnjG4-m8Xdyp17Zg-0bgxvNtVbGgjZ3TA43CJtvYH0m5yLNjq4MWs5s9fJdKL0Mm0IOTvfjHBkLEWtSr488IBJg1MicLvqjqMuhMbl8gJvDrgUeuGuuqj_Cip7Qk/s200/IMG_0275.JPG" border="0" /></a></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-62856435406178109782008-12-06T20:38:00.000-08:002008-12-24T21:46:31.789-08:00The night in the cave....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQK5_73ggr0aX4_N9jEa-olj1b_7VRofgxcjHiyE3Q2OJUlAsHFpLVBllmoyIS9IqedAlEvasu3wddhMpkfPXUos0hfmMAQY334YjDh5reb0LrZ-Amselk8nKn01Y6XJ7bD0IQSG18aiC/s1600-h/IMG_0505.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283588428317554930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQK5_73ggr0aX4_N9jEa-olj1b_7VRofgxcjHiyE3Q2OJUlAsHFpLVBllmoyIS9IqedAlEvasu3wddhMpkfPXUos0hfmMAQY334YjDh5reb0LrZ-Amselk8nKn01Y6XJ7bD0IQSG18aiC/s320/IMG_0505.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>With the storm at sea, the planned beach camp was canceled in favor of cave camping. Our guide was born in a cave and although he is a city dweller out of necessity now, he loves his home cave and goes back often. </div><div> </div><div>He told us of hauling water in goatskin bags and described how clean the caves always were before plastics and other city garbage came into their lives.</div><div></div><div> </div><div>On the other side, he said many children died from drinking water soiled by camels. And water from goatskin bags didn't taste that great. There are tradeoffs for either lifestyle. </div><div></div><br /><div>The table was spread for our evening meal which was more like a picnic of survival food, but we ate it with relish. </div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jvoPDDutID3eo3ttscUFh8q96j1HgLR3OifyQFUJA7lL2Bh0fXcb3NNIdfkm81m6Lnj65WddI0lborV1kRO5xQYi7mJiaYtU-N_j6rJGCNK4TeoJCht1Kel5-JR6PdfWiftuYPwr1349/s1600-h/IMG_0465.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283585327909353186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jvoPDDutID3eo3ttscUFh8q96j1HgLR3OifyQFUJA7lL2Bh0fXcb3NNIdfkm81m6Lnj65WddI0lborV1kRO5xQYi7mJiaYtU-N_j6rJGCNK4TeoJCht1Kel5-JR6PdfWiftuYPwr1349/s200/IMG_0465.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283589819402771426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7V1CtR_zJrGEIYABf2DE27UxDLuqyZZHFwpw1e1mQkvIxJvdgQFK519vy5CQULRkwabnep-nPb8CzalaPi2yx1ViUsg5HuHKxGIhJt6jNuy9aSWvlWnfZ2otBcNWJqyods5TislsB0J8/s320/IMG_0480.JPG" border="0" /> The rain shifted during the night. People near the outer edge of the cave had to get their sleeping pads in, closer under shelter. Our guide who was sleeping near-by, confessed later that he had awakened and saw "his children" scurrying about. He thought about offering to help but decided he would pretend to sleep through it.<br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkkGgJRAkoDYmLafcZx_bbHcFdwCOdajiJlfzMiN5chTu0QehwYnzyjnIvZwIPNmWYCw-ZJy9-F3s3pmVr20HeQVncwAOUW09MAIUcujgYxW0xn9jluWa5tG1xwewqxZZunKeDZKYCE61/s1600-h/Marneef+Cave+Mughsayl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283585314147654114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkkGgJRAkoDYmLafcZx_bbHcFdwCOdajiJlfzMiN5chTu0QehwYnzyjnIvZwIPNmWYCw-ZJy9-F3s3pmVr20HeQVncwAOUW09MAIUcujgYxW0xn9jluWa5tG1xwewqxZZunKeDZKYCE61/s200/Marneef+Cave+Mughsayl.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The Cave<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>A member of our group awoke to meet this strange bedfellow next to him.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283587638736621714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmPqEnz2GXrXWncrqFYb5YmIdSRYIJ1vyxP4X2HOstfFTd9VK2ibA2sXJo3fbYZS__3fPDms6UGhXf3DzVj667ol58sdZ9N_QOcsQCz7280PBvA0GU9o95ESk0Bwy01Ufovq96innj2-3/s320/strange+bedfellows" border="0" />I'm sorry there wasn't an object such as a shoe in the photo to give a size comparison. </div><div></div><div> </div><div>Although no one slept well that night, the cave camping was one of the highlights of the trip.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div>A hard boiled, breakfast egg. Their chickens are more sophisticated than ours...</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1gFaO5DIXrJlOmV-vGKJEtPql_qKDZY9nu7TyyzHDaz5YfmvzRlPlLIoN6Mvqbyk82AxxmF7ORhfkT1mMmujXNsM_W-e57LPqGYfFHdqWxwQ1-bWUUsTIV_p25Rrgy4QMTpIVXSVsewI/s1600-h/Fresh+eggs+in+Mughsayl.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283592475627554594" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1gFaO5DIXrJlOmV-vGKJEtPql_qKDZY9nu7TyyzHDaz5YfmvzRlPlLIoN6Mvqbyk82AxxmF7ORhfkT1mMmujXNsM_W-e57LPqGYfFHdqWxwQ1-bWUUsTIV_p25Rrgy4QMTpIVXSVsewI/s400/Fresh+eggs+in+Mughsayl.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1gFaO5DIXrJlOmV-vGKJEtPql_qKDZY9nu7TyyzHDaz5YfmvzRlPlLIoN6Mvqbyk82AxxmF7ORhfkT1mMmujXNsM_W-e57LPqGYfFHdqWxwQ1-bWUUsTIV_p25Rrgy4QMTpIVXSVsewI/s1600-h/Fresh+eggs+in+Mughsayl.jpg"></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1gFaO5DIXrJlOmV-vGKJEtPql_qKDZY9nu7TyyzHDaz5YfmvzRlPlLIoN6Mvqbyk82AxxmF7ORhfkT1mMmujXNsM_W-e57LPqGYfFHdqWxwQ1-bWUUsTIV_p25Rrgy4QMTpIVXSVsewI/s1600-h/Fresh+eggs+in+Mughsayl.jpg"></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-90841333519502181142008-12-05T23:27:00.000-08:002008-12-25T00:09:27.657-08:00A "wadi" is the valley through which water runs to the sea. The point where the water enters the ocean is called the Khor. We visited 3 proposed sites: Khor Rori, Khor Mughsayl and Khor Kharfot. One of them could possibly be what Nephi called the "Land Bountiful"<br /><div><div><div><div></div><br /><div>The scriptures list 12 distinctive traits. 1) It must lie nearly eastward from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nahom</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Yeman</span> where Ishmael died.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WZpOSO5DNZsguxhVAsyLGOh0ptXuEsgElXE63bgyNNIEzYaSLfBjz3Spogw1Ci8feTvXoOJK9TOMtCYyjnWuelixJ3X_-BhIwmWFlKZDT8hxsoMR5H9yRnG3SVTQLCuvthlb5UEB8aF5/s1600-h/Bountiful+%232+Leah%27s+camera.jpg"></a></div><div>2) It must have access to the coast. </div><div>3) It must be a fertile area, </div><div>4) with much fruit, honey, </div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIp7aONKiGr1Q2195RiGv11Utvdqv4MXqvxcqNye26vB14Na_zqcqKmTpXDc3dprkKdhU-D70VShEYoiXiEQ9RqU_FKDC1awDwFMe-YYoRoqpvx651AWGwLJRDhiZPYyglqaztK_jqR4D/s1600-h/Mughsayl+Oman.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283547504155302338" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIp7aONKiGr1Q2195RiGv11Utvdqv4MXqvxcqNye26vB14Na_zqcqKmTpXDc3dprkKdhU-D70VShEYoiXiEQ9RqU_FKDC1awDwFMe-YYoRoqpvx651AWGwLJRDhiZPYyglqaztK_jqR4D/s200/Mughsayl+Oman.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Khor Mughsayl in stormy weather </div><br /><div></div><div>5) ship building timber and </div><div>6) a year-round water source.<br /></div><br /><div>Khor Rori</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqYLKBICAAdIovRiLYnamyyq9CEVM_Y43kdWuBIEpov9PGpMSLY-oOGyZMgixAUuyC6CjE774S8NbEO9flAAN4BdI7d2JJXC4Yy2EpcDKXMTX_yHOO-wX6828GrZSZ3XLrY2O3GxOOw7H/s1600-h/Khor+Rori+%231.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283547503194352690" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqYLKBICAAdIovRiLYnamyyq9CEVM_Y43kdWuBIEpov9PGpMSLY-oOGyZMgixAUuyC6CjE774S8NbEO9flAAN4BdI7d2JJXC4Yy2EpcDKXMTX_yHOO-wX6828GrZSZ3XLrY2O3GxOOw7H/s200/Khor+Rori+%231.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWvkqOI8RNu2MuqFksEnNt8jrta6Beqx6VYPe6yUOFvSs1Dm7YoaIYplZitQvQwMwd6lpzqd278EpAUiEm4eqgqIrvUamhN0ZXmwXCs6d9Aoso2Xd4c-3TojFZUe3DjUg4rY3RLlLXDyF/s1600-h/Khor+Rori+%231.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283635578135692738" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWvkqOI8RNu2MuqFksEnNt8jrta6Beqx6VYPe6yUOFvSs1Dm7YoaIYplZitQvQwMwd6lpzqd278EpAUiEm4eqgqIrvUamhN0ZXmwXCs6d9Aoso2Xd4c-3TojFZUe3DjUg4rY3RLlLXDyF/s200/Khor+Rori+%231.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>It needs to be<br />7) a sheltered port with </div><div>8) access to the open ocean. </div><br /><div>Even more specifically, there needs to be </div><div>9) a "mount" nearby with </div><div>10) ore and flint present and </div><div>11) points from which one could be thrown into the depths of the sea. </div><div>Finally, 12) it is most likely secluded from a populated area. </div><br /><div></div><div>In visiting the first two candidates for the Land Bountiful, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kor</span> Rori and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Khor</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Mughsayl</span>, it was quite obvious to me that they were missing on a few important points. </div><div></div><br /><div><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Unfortunately</span>, the third and most perfect candidate, was unavailable for us to explore. The storm off the coast of Somalia, in eastern Africa, sent high winds, unusal rain and rough seas to the Omani coast. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283564736803232066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedJrNSAKGIkKL4wZiYhCxYcOueJXXszZdcK3S_XlG3fwT5EM-nbbQi0y9wNEWOrxV8UktygkSpuOfS0SgNMM8o7Ko8PYAVf67PG1b2bFseVB7nbgwqrkMNvunJY3UP9tD8fmeehX2vjfM/s320/storm+over+the+arabian+sea.jpg" border="0" />It was too dangerous for our little, hired fishing boats to take us in. We were terribly disappointed and could only imagine how perfect it must be.</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ktSYI5n7xkI8SFnrj7LckExhtN6hQN1GSnZY6jReabZxMfiZIBNvws_jYg6qut4qMWoibe2lmhq51PDuKVycVzILEjj1HBilNXplhckSHBj3TKGw2dAw-PS7G8tzJyrGzXG99M6gF6Dr/s1600-h/IMG_0555.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281771966408909682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ktSYI5n7xkI8SFnrj7LckExhtN6hQN1GSnZY6jReabZxMfiZIBNvws_jYg6qut4qMWoibe2lmhq51PDuKVycVzILEjj1HBilNXplhckSHBj3TKGw2dAw-PS7G8tzJyrGzXG99M6gF6Dr/s200/IMG_0555.JPG" border="0" /></a>Khor Kharfot through the mist<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br />Khor Rori on a beautiful day!<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vPR9E5BiXA-9gEHtNTSPpoxyS8uA5egGaG3ShOZMDF__bga4Y0R8-er1B_ubbZVwPm50_ohX-Eu07S4bpJEyDZqN9WQzuHqXukVTtw9JKDB8RxYf8FOPGUKEGyBVcBJjKjOEfmlMV6ad/s1600-h/IMG_0406.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283633947017714866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vPR9E5BiXA-9gEHtNTSPpoxyS8uA5egGaG3ShOZMDF__bga4Y0R8-er1B_ubbZVwPm50_ohX-Eu07S4bpJEyDZqN9WQzuHqXukVTtw9JKDB8RxYf8FOPGUKEGyBVcBJjKjOEfmlMV6ad/s200/IMG_0406.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-_NVI3JkIwx4Uitp5Dymyq61tH7iJNp2r3ULMtt14bfsqWfKYcWCx8Apdxrkrkb8q8iUXCBF8icpDeqXUZJ6ESfzEpDzznDF9cpc3eZ01W_Guac2SjcG45UK5iOpOGnV_j97kQ1_EAXv/s1600-h/IMG_0405.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283634127882068386" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-_NVI3JkIwx4Uitp5Dymyq61tH7iJNp2r3ULMtt14bfsqWfKYcWCx8Apdxrkrkb8q8iUXCBF8icpDeqXUZJ6ESfzEpDzznDF9cpc3eZ01W_Guac2SjcG45UK5iOpOGnV_j97kQ1_EAXv/s200/IMG_0405.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283633272803279138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3GAlvbkGh_Fs6cqvxcef5umxkoaL7-uOuWg1WcnufWDOk6roxbWu26HYmWK3eKsBK00GPvM8skm3zpfpbpSQxV8ihhrpwZIAkoNTxXS1JGKF2VmBom6M8b9jETNzJJJ-n9IynWBA-PwQ/s200/img_0407.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-88561181076676626372008-12-03T00:09:00.000-08:002009-02-03T01:15:16.414-08:00Greeting a camel...... One must always be respectful. A camel never forgets. Our guide is the St. Francis of the Arabian world. He is kind to camels and to us, his "children"<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283641794113029634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sNOw8l3r7dOHiv3G8U78cR8lW9FLCgGQUN8egV0SFXOyJvXjFRHDF6ALRt9blOWwk7SnTH4D6Fqj0tiYuuvUaYzE6OzjjvjVMnmrLF0Vpl1-fqi82IqFLX1Wyy9zg2I7tu9XINLB8Je3/s320/IMG_0362.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>Ali, an expert in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">hieroglyphics is </span></span>finding the bridge between the ancient people of Colorado who wrote in the same language as a historic Arabic group in Oman. A <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">fascinating</span></span> study.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5z-OBvTYd0UVgECQqsYcTUxwMlJQWgaqSkOwuPs9j7jfVnNq-wW0lMu6yWQrN80uxqDxnRANh5TOyhholX30SDHf3L8gewf4uGdgZGQq2h9qNJUi1HdcSHRo6QnMwS0iQjhii3UZ2hH_c/s1600-h/Ali+Al-Sharhari%27s+Charts+-+language+of+People+of+Aad+%26+Colorado.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283642799905180178" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5z-OBvTYd0UVgECQqsYcTUxwMlJQWgaqSkOwuPs9j7jfVnNq-wW0lMu6yWQrN80uxqDxnRANh5TOyhholX30SDHf3L8gewf4uGdgZGQq2h9qNJUi1HdcSHRo6QnMwS0iQjhii3UZ2hH_c/s320/Ali+Al-Sharhari%27s+Charts+-+language+of+People+of+Aad+%26+Colorado.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283641787497241778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizUUPr4XW1X-ru3VujQmalib3IJveXBpSTaQ0DDmbjDn-gQ2xg31HXLn5ZnrLr0UOMFQZA7AeV1XB9yQzcpay9b6SQn347kli_nasigs8gbf9yvF6wKcuvio1hfyP5l7bkxHPpkmjK93_t/s320/IMG_0298.JPG" border="0" /></div><div><br />Wherever you go in the world, there's always a discussion whether active<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283641776613361042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75gcfClSRq3jmg01nMUYCYpj5X-2zsAMtVIdkZMyqjI7kvCQ13q87yi_MyUDEGd8cp5_2YVz4wUjlj4n5e9zgr2cqPNw3GLo7jCzs5oG6aY6ETTDK8smC2gDkt9w42w0Eje-rxQ3EmtJL/s320/IMG_0549.JPG" border="0" /> Or passive....<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283641771804141426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzV4c6f6HfA827VvR6cjAhsjY8FqnPCmlyyRfUnbCXxhaOSWM9JHW8nelOwS4as6-djXwhwHvUBsnEAqDIgPFKB4lxTdpWZMr6BzixcOiqjf6Zfx2CXOSTSKhGmekEUHg2JMZn65UUEVJ5/s320/IMG_0534.JPG" border="0" />A mediating moment while the tourists take pictures of the same <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ol</span></span>' thing that last week's tourists took pictures of. A bit of the new with the old - such as <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">guard</span> rails and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Coleman</span> coolers.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuX_kWZ_CJYpJyRUb4vPbOLO1Pk5tI4O3vJ6JQQ-jJ0IrY2rM7vNt94VWWfnHJO3GG1_nSABd5grJedgiF7y1L9xyMYOqdwSD28_XJ1MCDfWmWOBzRWb0uT8CViW7UtpyBoalsB31fkG7/s1600-h/IMG_0543.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283641121707177490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuX_kWZ_CJYpJyRUb4vPbOLO1Pk5tI4O3vJ6JQQ-jJ0IrY2rM7vNt94VWWfnHJO3GG1_nSABd5grJedgiF7y1L9xyMYOqdwSD28_XJ1MCDfWmWOBzRWb0uT8CViW7UtpyBoalsB31fkG7/s320/IMG_0543.JPG" border="0" /></a> Finding the native fruit....<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpp2__qGEHkwS-VUfc81QcKL4LTvLCjkDm9VZuqCkETqOn6wbpLrQ-9U78ZLRgOryS2R4fG4wVipK2PHpfT6ZpperNE8Vg0_6BiFePIRs0N-L-olGX3HdyDVVa6Ubhxwp2MoUSnYjqzEPo/s1600-h/IMG_0537.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283641114117253682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpp2__qGEHkwS-VUfc81QcKL4LTvLCjkDm9VZuqCkETqOn6wbpLrQ-9U78ZLRgOryS2R4fG4wVipK2PHpfT6ZpperNE8Vg0_6BiFePIRs0N-L-olGX3HdyDVVa6Ubhxwp2MoUSnYjqzEPo/s320/IMG_0537.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />An offering of fruit to one of his ailing tourist "children".<br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZKxShJNgzMpyr4tkY_9cUq51D942PNmEJuMfQISg4b52zmcMr9rzesG-R-x1lnU3LcDHKMsKYmAm7zo1yyViK7JFVOvTFxjnvkrsyHfl5_zc0ww89c9vNvYaNp7Iqb9PhrrusvO9tpHK/s1600-h/IMG_0570.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283641099342165394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZKxShJNgzMpyr4tkY_9cUq51D942PNmEJuMfQISg4b52zmcMr9rzesG-R-x1lnU3LcDHKMsKYmAm7zo1yyViK7JFVOvTFxjnvkrsyHfl5_zc0ww89c9vNvYaNp7Iqb9PhrrusvO9tpHK/s320/IMG_0570.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A peaceful man with a kind heart and a gentle nature. A practicing example of a pure religion. One that serves with good and sincere intent.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283641779532826658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7FLopur-khcK2lIqG-uDFlcVnPFgflG-R4k9p_HydctYkXUfannoWHy6RBlaFF-EHA4wSehauEwbA8QufkxQs66zmZ5hgIKW0SYtrzeKrxKqjCzOooCmrQ2MP_-IHDymgKWGQ1MrDGvS/s320/IMG_0299.JPG" border="0" /> </div><div> </div><div><br />-------------------------------------------------------------------<br />There are no stray or "wild" camels. Their names are known. There are desert camels and mountain camels. There are milk camels, meat camels, packing camels and racing camels. There are no forgetful camels or insensitive camels. You must treat them kindly. </div><div></div><div>After a few days, we got used to seeing camels strolling around.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dqX_cuMDGPIU4cTaXpvrjKyKRPZW9P0PHGCDknaJyECdQvjLwiLjbmrQspoboFmMrvS_-BqqoU0qIB6-kxutb9uwVhz6t9mAHHpKagCII5TOrzQ3qf7eIsiX48N3GaoZdyxZe1QPKkFS/s1600-h/camel+crossing+-+Scot+Proctor.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283638572503972946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dqX_cuMDGPIU4cTaXpvrjKyKRPZW9P0PHGCDknaJyECdQvjLwiLjbmrQspoboFmMrvS_-BqqoU0qIB6-kxutb9uwVhz6t9mAHHpKagCII5TOrzQ3qf7eIsiX48N3GaoZdyxZe1QPKkFS/s320/camel+crossing+-+Scot+Proctor.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>And then we met the "friendly camel" who loves people.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283638546452017042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkIVXybVWB0oSsvFYlkk1vLkVpK_5RsxlFLjqLTyieVHd6a09FFH9aByt0caDPOukUXUmHHZ1lDu8uMHvYrlhkNfzufiEThpOWH93MTd7BotKvGENUSPw-qXDICoEqaYqUh4YvM0QhMIn/s320/kissing+the+camel.jpg" border="0" />He was an orphan brought up in a household with the children. They taught him all about Classic Coke<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283637688149096690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8va9J1ItyWaTn9N5hTGeqsXiE6PtPgUZVy7sCmT_nVG-yqplsQSau0YoAqGsZ0_DvOCXsbOpKmxQsBfIuvDlocPpLaH_L5Qy5j6_ShKMlD6-as4JTWeIOZiL7BtZOwhLsM7SGwad31nvY/s320/camel+and+coke.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybu53wMhB9uyCMtHFeRCrsmfyuUJo-fH9JXy4OkshQO2D9jS6ag7p9g5k0MobpWRdRGKLVrwaSDXtdHqk1xDDYWitITB84P4xkZ3ntMoypePax6p_oquPwZyAZeAr6UxYLvBDITPeEoWw/s1600-h/photo+op.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283638551604594130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybu53wMhB9uyCMtHFeRCrsmfyuUJo-fH9JXy4OkshQO2D9jS6ag7p9g5k0MobpWRdRGKLVrwaSDXtdHqk1xDDYWitITB84P4xkZ3ntMoypePax6p_oquPwZyAZeAr6UxYLvBDITPeEoWw/s320/photo+op.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283638566344432290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 294px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyeuOaFDsiUUug949t1lzt1S4-N_yAU9XeTgWNKjNjw-WVPJNZcDhM3lGWoaAEjoxHQRBauWY-PDf-RiyWrPrCh2zG_igrxd1ArQ_Btj184xiSs4T5ujhK8h-LaRjffLvjuGemhmmZpANE/s320/camel+and+coke.jpg" border="0" /><br />He downed 2 cans straight. I imagine it would become expensive if he had a craving to refill after a long desert trip.<br /><div><div> </div><div><br /><div>This baby camel is less than 2 weeks old. Dang cute.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0V-O2rcuOypN6LQ7SKHDauYgY6AEsk9s-wAXo6p8k4heTY3YrGp4HbAY3jwosBc6U3eN9F408zeZyQMkVDe-XT7e_xrfEwS2cbKLFmVgo961VhrfyfUwLRmfVqJbq9sU0DHJ5qySf2adg/s1600-h/camel+caravan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283637695164622818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0V-O2rcuOypN6LQ7SKHDauYgY6AEsk9s-wAXo6p8k4heTY3YrGp4HbAY3jwosBc6U3eN9F408zeZyQMkVDe-XT7e_xrfEwS2cbKLFmVgo961VhrfyfUwLRmfVqJbq9sU0DHJ5qySf2adg/s320/camel+caravan.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCdQKCucq2bYl0OxRQhWVzODCHnlFcbZP4qxGOPhkR08QglIaj1PjeMvV4YY0ROAB83rTnfSrLszbV3k_QGjHK4irU1cUPOX9TlD2o7GFbWTwgtrnWV_aGimthGvJS0h_K7ipyxzUP5uC/s1600-h/IMG_0385.JPG"></a>Looking out to sea at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Khor</span></span> Rori<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-YIOir5YxR6_iE9UZOXno2AtpfMWEasgBMgF7-i-DJKucf8K7h-hD0IhC5W94M2kPjypYvTdRsyiU89wc3bgiAHXgvXwjMI2HGXlh_vN4LFEXsCvvHsVfr0_fNwhzeyysBctoBg2-SuI/s1600-h/IMG_0400.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283637680462855458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-YIOir5YxR6_iE9UZOXno2AtpfMWEasgBMgF7-i-DJKucf8K7h-hD0IhC5W94M2kPjypYvTdRsyiU89wc3bgiAHXgvXwjMI2HGXlh_vN4LFEXsCvvHsVfr0_fNwhzeyysBctoBg2-SuI/s320/IMG_0400.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-48666195566426109992008-11-05T16:59:00.000-08:002008-12-11T00:46:26.052-08:00Dancing in the Arabian sea and drinking camel's milk<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37A776_F_h3UrFeQxC9wlUMjzLjAI7wLLd9RH7srrtuqZ_LRirHEydnzolwABf22vieZLAwlg2JdVWdxMEa55nENPTkEmIJVLYFlwRfFjrpKEhPbaSqP8JWUccqtSjWkyLpqAm6OIKaPu/s1600-h/IMG_0017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266215288935020594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37A776_F_h3UrFeQxC9wlUMjzLjAI7wLLd9RH7srrtuqZ_LRirHEydnzolwABf22vieZLAwlg2JdVWdxMEa55nENPTkEmIJVLYFlwRfFjrpKEhPbaSqP8JWUccqtSjWkyLpqAm6OIKaPu/s400/IMG_0017.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">In the Beginning.....</span><br /></em>The early morning sun is rising in the wilderness. Our journey started in Jordan ~ John the Baptist country. Strangely, the "wilderness" means lots of hills of rock and dirt.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Lehi's</span></span> Trail is on this map. We didn't follow it exactly. Lacking the time, funds and political connections, we flew <em>over</em> Saudi Arabia instead of going through it as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Lehi</span> did. Click here!! Check the map!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.latter-day.com/bofm/arabia.htm"><span style="font-size:180%;">http://www.latter-day.com/bofm/arabia.htm</span></a><br /><br />We started and finished at the same points however. Before picking up the trail in Jerusalem, we came from Jordan and then crossed to Israel. Here we could see there weren't any welcome mats out for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Israelies</span></span> on the Palestinian side.....<br /><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270456651898815442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho9T1-yQ7B4sihYt-jCs75hGvcbTVxQuvnUK5yyf-Mc3nmTat1nyDDLCiv99Xwu7qt9nus3thLWsz67LUSnstjrxfcgnip-PC6WqzU4vKKDjANZJn-EIZ6Gnb0fnVvPF4VDdBJ_sE9t7yc/s400/IMG_0021.JPG" border="0" /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Lehi</span> lived in Jerusalem until he was called by God to leave. We followed his trail down past the Dead Sea and out to the Red Sea. That is where we crossed back into Jordan to catch a flight for Muscat, Oman. From there we flew to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Salalah</span></span> in the south of Oman. (Check that map!) There 3 proposed sites for the Land Bountiful awaited our inspection. If only <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Lehi</span></span> had it so easy.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#990000;"><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">Meanwhile, back in The Big City</span><br /></span></em>The Dome of the Rock is my favorite spot in Jerusalem. To be more "spiritually correct", I should say my favorite spot is the Garden of Gethsemane or, the Garden Tomb - but this mosque has such wonderful mosaic work! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LttKpsXX3YDy7jcoUU4x45XFY7NFBJfP7G5PYR_GlddwJJgQ_naQyYFMBzMn4K6iIsPj42lrCznBjlwPyuvQdL5H6QQl-Z1WQCSoBM0U3h0B-_0eNmLSFDRUiVAT8mu_FGj2T5YCOcMJ/s1600-h/IMG_0088.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277608168299688802" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LttKpsXX3YDy7jcoUU4x45XFY7NFBJfP7G5PYR_GlddwJJgQ_naQyYFMBzMn4K6iIsPj42lrCznBjlwPyuvQdL5H6QQl-Z1WQCSoBM0U3h0B-_0eNmLSFDRUiVAT8mu_FGj2T5YCOcMJ/s200/IMG_0088.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVLTn5m7fi5uMbaa9vOjICIUvqMA8aDNNXiAd4vsllBsXiY7J4Qf_KStXRG5NvOFcAmmvb_5_xq3Vr1TpDvwIsT_fleEqRqPA_X54FhPENEn5I2vw43LyRFNESKmQ31GWuYXf75NL8e8f/s1600-h/IMG_0089+(1).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265414336334285010" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVLTn5m7fi5uMbaa9vOjICIUvqMA8aDNNXiAd4vsllBsXiY7J4Qf_KStXRG5NvOFcAmmvb_5_xq3Vr1TpDvwIsT_fleEqRqPA_X54FhPENEn5I2vw43LyRFNESKmQ31GWuYXf75NL8e8f/s200/IMG_0089+(1).JPG" border="0" /></a> You may click to enlarge it!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTVLTn5m7fi5uMbaa9vOjICIUvqMA8aDNNXiAd4vsllBsXiY7J4Qf_KStXRG5NvOFcAmmvb_5_xq3Vr1TpDvwIsT_fleEqRqPA_X54FhPENEn5I2vw43LyRFNESKmQ31GWuYXf75NL8e8f/s1600-h/IMG_0089+(1).JPG"></a><br />I am enthralled with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">BYU</span></span> Jerusalem Center. The architecture of the building is nothing short of inspirational. Free community concerts are held every Sunday evening.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CXbNlgdEiSxxCFIwoyKxHY1VwR7MDETGymUYfeQ9HpIwnx6c1f5p0kFCVVZwWXtjIRwmYiu8wkyl7FYr06FElxQkMTpGxgvbpzZlSjTyjQmZ9XZ0pbalfnsJF2Vwew7hylfkeiZaB6zu/s1600-h/IMG_0107.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265415020829184418" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CXbNlgdEiSxxCFIwoyKxHY1VwR7MDETGymUYfeQ9HpIwnx6c1f5p0kFCVVZwWXtjIRwmYiu8wkyl7FYr06FElxQkMTpGxgvbpzZlSjTyjQmZ9XZ0pbalfnsJF2Vwew7hylfkeiZaB6zu/s200/IMG_0107.JPG" border="0" /></a>The audiences view the lights of Jerusalem through the scenic windows as they listen to the finest organ in the city. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77qje7ODCebBSZiSGZTOUwqismTlPegTlBiRdtB2oOH58ggj1WtPp8-w8yXovGZ1QlBlgxq8iaka1fs28ZyOXioA2GMbhcIm1jP0toDSp7S7ZIxMSZoqIWQ-IirthOZhAzs5BWtl7RQE1/s1600-h/IMG_0114.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266168202908690306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77qje7ODCebBSZiSGZTOUwqismTlPegTlBiRdtB2oOH58ggj1WtPp8-w8yXovGZ1QlBlgxq8iaka1fs28ZyOXioA2GMbhcIm1jP0toDSp7S7ZIxMSZoqIWQ-IirthOZhAzs5BWtl7RQE1/s320/IMG_0114.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It is the most incredible place of all - right up there with The Dome of the Rock.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCgb4vu7DxwjycnGzlP0gfmfCMNB5LGvtwIIsp8zqZE_rjHmitUfZBmokWOoc66gMrgoVmzxLSMjmXCvpbxgbR1TuSHFa-A2uFpm5-IluZmxB5SJ1VyMYt0WCjSLPbbIyCl3utbx89ReQh/s1600-h/IMG_0110.JPG"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266167577804121650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Wf72380P-r3_GtxW8Jli8t2IKWDQqbP7rCI9nBaisI44PVoyWJqU4R9Q9GWjAGCt8F8XIPqugYoSoidhbnGu9M0O4whVkXYfLhSVac6oa1I0z0mfnQ-8pngEnRhlq5D59471taLmZH0O/s320/IMG_0110.JPG" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUbc1oXIULV_KZTVdzBtzDPso96ySPfUgWeRrHd_U1_EI5_tl_gwxe1l8QUyEfBg2qTJDLc4XK2jizwqPBv8CpYl5ZRttpBtwGNEucSWKNIHnVT4swg9BML7irSvNCtscT3VfTypn9wHp/s1600-h/IMG_0114.JPG"></a><br />There are a lot of feral cats. This underfed kitten isn't as big as the curb. I had to bring the photo home since I couldn't rescue the kitty.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54Vr_5IXu11bUAlps36N_8I8V1PBnIzxXIa_JubwG3oTqBz8psOBh-kxNQ0j-5q21fiOBEFecPjf-SM7iJvx7PzyuU-soKW-EVCuoxw6xpk24YHw7xJVEoWA8tUt-a1ns-Wv8twHAZa7y/s1600-h/IMG_0092.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265419709134779714" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54Vr_5IXu11bUAlps36N_8I8V1PBnIzxXIa_JubwG3oTqBz8psOBh-kxNQ0j-5q21fiOBEFecPjf-SM7iJvx7PzyuU-soKW-EVCuoxw6xpk24YHw7xJVEoWA8tUt-a1ns-Wv8twHAZa7y/s200/IMG_0092.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">Leaving the big city...</span></em> We descended to the Dead Sea. We saw the hills of Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. </div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7OpKKl9Jl53GZBhfqlfHVKC6rhaV8XJsEafSCOOHxBF3Lf04ZN1__7_3YCGfKiHs77k4NytIilwv7apx4n3qotCs9EiMEzsLMGPPtUHXCPNX-iA4Bg1gvKvS9XQQaj-RE15E25uOx0Jb/s1600-h/Where+the+dead+sea+scrolls+were+found+-+credit+to+Leah.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277608812205429986" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7OpKKl9Jl53GZBhfqlfHVKC6rhaV8XJsEafSCOOHxBF3Lf04ZN1__7_3YCGfKiHs77k4NytIilwv7apx4n3qotCs9EiMEzsLMGPPtUHXCPNX-iA4Bg1gvKvS9XQQaj-RE15E25uOx0Jb/s200/Where+the+dead+sea+scrolls+were+found+-+credit+to+Leah.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>We stopped at the oasis <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Ein</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Gedi</span></span>. It could have been here that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Lehi's</span></span> family stopped while the boys returned to Jerusalem to fetch the plates from their Uncle Laban. Later, they went back again to invite their Uncle Ishmael, and his girls, to join them. It probably took them a month to make the round trip from this spot.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvcm37PCvJRW9VxZLN22tN1hp9MuD8o4fe_w6LRPWzgWYxGEKWQesobtW0Qi_uyTp_JzvxwTJae-c7V8wmo3U6YaGGyJsprX1CJo3tdfA56A35UGi88wXrxEBnifN2-gxxeA9LAO9cu4e/s1600-h/IMG_0137.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265432814909398274" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvcm37PCvJRW9VxZLN22tN1hp9MuD8o4fe_w6LRPWzgWYxGEKWQesobtW0Qi_uyTp_JzvxwTJae-c7V8wmo3U6YaGGyJsprX1CJo3tdfA56A35UGi88wXrxEBnifN2-gxxeA9LAO9cu4e/s200/IMG_0137.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />These ibex aren't much to look at - especially since they blend into the rocky scenery. However, they might have been food for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Lehi's</span></span> family while <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Nephi</span></span> and his brothers were on their mission to Jerusalem. Eating ibex (if ibex were there then) would have saved on camel <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">slaughtering</span>. </div><div><br /></div><div>At <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Ein</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Gedi</span>, o</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">ur</span> guide talked of this "floating water" ~his native description of a waterfall. (It's actually visible if you click to enlarge it)</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvLBRejwryzGU5M5R3zu1j0EekqeKXfvqsYVrn5bmfIk4INNwxu28NQn2QPtug_0gx8HCuAYUYr-9fyQsYRIyZ_ieZZsu65U8DrR4ZQot7ra1Zfb3_q9WumTZ443tDLlCcEWksrzIW1Ca/s1600-h/waterfall+at+oasis.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277609789267880114" style="WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvLBRejwryzGU5M5R3zu1j0EekqeKXfvqsYVrn5bmfIk4INNwxu28NQn2QPtug_0gx8HCuAYUYr-9fyQsYRIyZ_ieZZsu65U8DrR4ZQot7ra1Zfb3_q9WumTZ443tDLlCcEWksrzIW1Ca/s200/waterfall+at+oasis.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A replica of the portable tabernacle that the children of Israel carried around for so many years in the wilderness.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTjW5kpdzpwIa8b82rXHLRgEFPjqp9HVxK5pzf2JminC2zGQ8eXN8De-oiKZ-orPQl7ybdeKNSFDuPzM-ASvEWv83JyVsNfBw9NRydFMZvCu0sTxfyak3iP1fd1ue5lfcohUbJ-6KZZuZ/s1600-h/IMG_0147.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265436766235839218" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTjW5kpdzpwIa8b82rXHLRgEFPjqp9HVxK5pzf2JminC2zGQ8eXN8De-oiKZ-orPQl7ybdeKNSFDuPzM-ASvEWv83JyVsNfBw9NRydFMZvCu0sTxfyak3iP1fd1ue5lfcohUbJ-6KZZuZ/s200/IMG_0147.JPG" border="0" /></a> Egypt plays a close role in the history of Christianity. I never made the connections before. I knew Mary and Joseph went to Egypt to save their baby boy from Herod. Abraham frequented the temple in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Luxor</span></span>. Moses was raised in Egypt. Joseph was sold as a slave to Egyptians. His family went to Egypt for food years later. Yes, I'm starting to see a connection .....<br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"><em>Working the mines....</em></span> Egyptians mined copper in the Israel. (At a place called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Timna</span></span>, to be more exact....) The Incense Trail we followed was a common trading route for transporting goods between Israel and other countries. It makes perfect sense that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Lehi</span></span> and his family, being prosperous business people, would know the Arabic, Hebrew and Egyptian languages. The family would also have all the traveling equipment ready at hand to pick up and leave town when God told them to.<br /></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Nephi</span></span> was probably apprenticed in metallurgy. He had an appreciation for the metal work in Laban's sword hilt; he, himself, owned a bow of fine steel; and when God commanded him to build a boat, he only asked where to find the metal he needed to make some tools.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYLdXxne1F490pHiFyc-HDxJc0cMcXSc9DlmcgyOfz9Y-0mjOhAwGHC8NmV7LANPL97oCVL0V_cxWRHJiUNkbxuhy0ka3-_5gfveAZkKaGYyQe770gCD_plLcmgklVUl1fUBH1q4_lm93/s1600-h/IMG_0153.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265437430611495218" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYLdXxne1F490pHiFyc-HDxJc0cMcXSc9DlmcgyOfz9Y-0mjOhAwGHC8NmV7LANPL97oCVL0V_cxWRHJiUNkbxuhy0ka3-_5gfveAZkKaGYyQe770gCD_plLcmgklVUl1fUBH1q4_lm93/s200/IMG_0153.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The mines at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Timna</span></span> are narrow, unimpressive, shafts. The openings to the shafts aren't very exciting. </div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1hz48IW8JtSz-RCVbQb0E3ECy1aASC1mgxtieKfkPyigEVnkjWGHHXH-AoHhlsfAONyPWKoqVuNNm7dyfcNloN7Zx14tebbPHpsFDmUDQ_om8ToEx80UcSbCcMgZ0F4yGncZEHIPzp17/s1600-h/IMG_0157.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266155135303823058" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1hz48IW8JtSz-RCVbQb0E3ECy1aASC1mgxtieKfkPyigEVnkjWGHHXH-AoHhlsfAONyPWKoqVuNNm7dyfcNloN7Zx14tebbPHpsFDmUDQ_om8ToEx80UcSbCcMgZ0F4yGncZEHIPzp17/s200/IMG_0157.JPG" border="0" /></a> The covers aren't any more exciting than the holes are.<br /></div><br /><div>Digging and passing along small buckets of ore without electric lighting or ventilation made me wonder. Why didn't they do the open pit method, such as the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Kennecott</span></span> copper mine in Utah? </div><div>Maybe because using hand tools back then was a lot of work. Ya think?</div><div></div><div></div><div>There are footholds carved into the shaft for moving up and down. Here is a cut-away example of what the shafts look like inside.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZk_OUXJFfhjkeNdElRi0oYY2EBOgGdJeTlLDfJH5SsMlcG1xRUnFRT8dUAxUCRvCT09hfT1shK_iccvYAOrYyTlFqi9rTxso41lBTkJ136Bg8mgZrrM2rGd20nWkyCt43MF-NtjuV_2e/s1600-h/IMG_0158.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265442330564004082" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZk_OUXJFfhjkeNdElRi0oYY2EBOgGdJeTlLDfJH5SsMlcG1xRUnFRT8dUAxUCRvCT09hfT1shK_iccvYAOrYyTlFqi9rTxso41lBTkJ136Bg8mgZrrM2rGd20nWkyCt43MF-NtjuV_2e/s200/IMG_0158.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"><em>Big Dreams.....</em></span>We were told that later in our tour, we would be camping out. We would experience what it was like for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Lehi's</span></span> family to be on the move and sleeping <em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">al</span></span> fresco </em>under the Arabian stars. I was looking forward to it. </div><div></div><div></div><div>Since leaving the hotels, the quality of toilet facilities were often disgusted... uh....I mean discussed among the women on the tour. I wonder if Ishmael's girls ever said anything? </div><br /><div>We came across this "Out of Africa" camp site. It fostered hope in the non-campers of our group that our campsite would be as pleasant. These are nice tents.... the "bathrooms" I declined to photo.... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">eeewww</span>.</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJAtayMSuCWJulSFalGHGKA5idfj0asuEWQQWVtZpIdYZxhT_vjx5Xr2OKTjCPUHLRpsZS2lAX9eDvO4xIVpI9NsDXWlnnr7s9QY8Zp69YtsNfP779j8myBk4-kDHNsFOTROpv8RzHSZZ/s1600-h/IMG_0164.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266166448947527074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJAtayMSuCWJulSFalGHGKA5idfj0asuEWQQWVtZpIdYZxhT_vjx5Xr2OKTjCPUHLRpsZS2lAX9eDvO4xIVpI9NsDXWlnnr7s9QY8Zp69YtsNfP779j8myBk4-kDHNsFOTROpv8RzHSZZ/s320/IMG_0164.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsdir5sMemOrCdDhC6fL8blF8QgFkyEmwX2spr2uB11GRTEfEdacbcj19EQxCJQcZbqa5TSWgHARDo1STzVZxL55tfDkooxwcFCHoHe0B1phm76ToYjWTvDi8ClfSMyatd8g15THbWKZF/s1600-h/IMG_0163.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274385493267603090" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsdir5sMemOrCdDhC6fL8blF8QgFkyEmwX2spr2uB11GRTEfEdacbcj19EQxCJQcZbqa5TSWgHARDo1STzVZxL55tfDkooxwcFCHoHe0B1phm76ToYjWTvDi8ClfSMyatd8g15THbWKZF/s320/IMG_0163.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Lawrence of Arabia needed to be rescued! We mounted several sagging, dinged up, rusty jeeps and rattled out at full speed over the desert sands. No seat belts! The thrill! What would mom say? What would Uncle Sam say? Who the heck cares???<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6yFmfYY3R65hdQM-YGX7xn1T5LxKBej0ZW4iTr8kE4Mn1ur7dNy4nJu2hKASu_YpCP8v7NqyExDPGv1nQUJxlGmjASWAHn90zPj1EPH6ikEcQ69f6xuYzR0AJ6ydNasE_Gw6hNaR7dUu/s1600-h/IMG_0165.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266217281038649538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6yFmfYY3R65hdQM-YGX7xn1T5LxKBej0ZW4iTr8kE4Mn1ur7dNy4nJu2hKASu_YpCP8v7NqyExDPGv1nQUJxlGmjASWAHn90zPj1EPH6ikEcQ69f6xuYzR0AJ6ydNasE_Gw6hNaR7dUu/s320/IMG_0165.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div>After following the trail down from Jerusalem, past the Dead Sea to the Red Sea, we crossed back to over to Jordan. There we could see Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. All 4, are neighbors to each other. The dirt and hills weren't much for pictures, and neither was I, so I'm having Leah model here. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOUOUapRZNIdrZo8CllidpSb28JcsHZacpzXooQ7H6l5ghF5TVXTEn2aFsIb0VDp5cPCapSBRAKdR4dikCxO7OhlFmZteRXV9O5oaikUDflUSEaXNZLi0-oFY1wLypGcMnrFe9VRTlcdk/s1600-h/the+4+corners"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274383484239604818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieOUOUapRZNIdrZo8CllidpSb28JcsHZacpzXooQ7H6l5ghF5TVXTEn2aFsIb0VDp5cPCapSBRAKdR4dikCxO7OhlFmZteRXV9O5oaikUDflUSEaXNZLi0-oFY1wLypGcMnrFe9VRTlcdk/s320/the+4+corners" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Standing in Jordan with Egypt on her right, Israel on her left and Saudi Arabia at the end of her shadow (give or take a several kilometers...)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Back on the bus.....and in southern Jordan, we visit Petra !! Maybe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Lehi</span></span> knew of this magnificent and mysterious lost city. It was a vibrant trading hub that vanished from maps in the seventh century AD. In 1812, a Swiss scholar disguised as a Bedouin trader discovered and identified the ruins as the ancient <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Nabataean</span></span> capital.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7n5pqDe4kh7hGZBTmOIIZzhAuUQprqzrMlOz3b55C80tmw1zFXpwGVrRVje1ipP6pfwdf_cn0eSZWfbTg39KXBpwAtRTH6AKc6iXdDt2PuzleclQn3QaEz49BfcseY9RuMIT9pvDAVux/s1600-h/the++treasury+at+Petra+Jordan+-+Leah%27s+photo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275653931633424610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7n5pqDe4kh7hGZBTmOIIZzhAuUQprqzrMlOz3b55C80tmw1zFXpwGVrRVje1ipP6pfwdf_cn0eSZWfbTg39KXBpwAtRTH6AKc6iXdDt2PuzleclQn3QaEz49BfcseY9RuMIT9pvDAVux/s200/the++treasury+at+Petra+Jordan+-+Leah%27s+photo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Petra is located in remote desert canyons. It was at the cross roads of caravan trade routes between Arabia, Syria, Palestine, and Egypt. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Nabatiaeans</span></span> carved the city's temples, tombs, and theaters directly into the region's red sandstone cliffs.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFL1p1P_WZLlGobD_ozmv2NrR7gnyqLf4M4g7XC9qQ1XCEN6XCiSiNHSimb1UGcDYqiqAezUBqXnxklSn_8eNYz1L1f1Ec6xJ25x732kNmkJrHhUdf93OOk2vx4uDxkYPX8Ii36VGM9Iv5/s1600-h/framed+treasury.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274387315110168594" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 120px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFL1p1P_WZLlGobD_ozmv2NrR7gnyqLf4M4g7XC9qQ1XCEN6XCiSiNHSimb1UGcDYqiqAezUBqXnxklSn_8eNYz1L1f1Ec6xJ25x732kNmkJrHhUdf93OOk2vx4uDxkYPX8Ii36VGM9Iv5/s320/framed+treasury.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEZoISCf864oFq4Ylcf1Zi-pNCCao_TnWE9dtrQv3gh7WhpA1X07Pdt44eAhenD2CjTAmc906mUl4ZSYh_O7aJe84C3IHwjBbBJfrEf0xuwKoGuUKDXmgYP-7AERATuDmeXFTGkk7Eh5K/s1600-h/IMG_0189.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266213176936424962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEZoISCf864oFq4Ylcf1Zi-pNCCao_TnWE9dtrQv3gh7WhpA1X07Pdt44eAhenD2CjTAmc906mUl4ZSYh_O7aJe84C3IHwjBbBJfrEf0xuwKoGuUKDXmgYP-7AERATuDmeXFTGkk7Eh5K/s320/IMG_0189.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71aFHj8VhB3DSN6B7hOlJ5VQF05WAENzJs2-pK5HFArzXsjHqJpTVHVQF225ZsDKqVbbrNuTticEgoyClaOlrc4q5xQfdaHt5aa_ThbgXEFD5_UDyLkGpKBKofZrr-kFZP4Z-lDBCkQam/s1600-h/IMG_0187.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266213726584987890" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71aFHj8VhB3DSN6B7hOlJ5VQF05WAENzJs2-pK5HFArzXsjHqJpTVHVQF225ZsDKqVbbrNuTticEgoyClaOlrc4q5xQfdaHt5aa_ThbgXEFD5_UDyLkGpKBKofZrr-kFZP4Z-lDBCkQam/s320/IMG_0187.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I didn't take many photos of the place. However the "Treasury" and the carved edifices in the rock are amazing. If it is possible to capture mystery and greatness at all, try this slide show of someone <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">else's</span></span> photos. <a href="http://www.pbase.com/mansour_mouasher/petra" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.pbase.com/mansour_mouasher/petra</a>.<br /><br />Personally, I distracted myself with a little horseback riding adventure as you can see.....<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274388464422549378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBHSUSCU-YwVcMqNrMxezuF9A3sjXHhstpm7GS97QIYPdzAvMp6_Q6gTc02oXbgKhQFLEShI4WbW2y3vPkm9-pbN9DmiolHln7NLRsHFN-0jiY4LRM7J_jDRm8fl0SsPUvlIN6QJ7C61C/s400/IMG_0191.JPG" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><em>Next it is "Good-bye Jordan, and Hello Oman!"</em></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjag7XenUQeIJ5tFZYGCLHI6aNSQXDilLSDkF8zZjhSq4QmUSVNCiKXQj1NUfQmznWZKqmBY2h4ZkvrpAsAgMaEAm0MouUk-p-hbddpwXnXaYhuU1HQlO47pt7SENDo7ZqrdUPIoDgTluqS/s1600-h/IMG_0475.JPG"><em><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271943008739755890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjag7XenUQeIJ5tFZYGCLHI6aNSQXDilLSDkF8zZjhSq4QmUSVNCiKXQj1NUfQmznWZKqmBY2h4ZkvrpAsAgMaEAm0MouUk-p-hbddpwXnXaYhuU1HQlO47pt7SENDo7ZqrdUPIoDgTluqS/s200/IMG_0475.JPG" border="0" /></em></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#000000;">journal writing by lamplight in the cave at</span> <span style="font-size:100%;color:#000000;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Mughsayl</span></span></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-71581592302447444672008-09-24T23:35:00.000-07:002008-11-19T11:48:04.545-08:00Life on the home frontThe list of things to accomplish each day is long and detailed. What actually is done.... short and vague.<br /><br />Today I had only 3 fixed appointments: Meet a new couple in the ward and assess their needs; an orthodontist appointment (all of 10 minutes); and a prison class in the evening.<br />So what happens? The gutter guy came early to finish yesterday's job that was supposed to be done Monday. We exchange roof condition comments, drainage plans and life stories ~~ he's a former meth and heroin user but found the Lord in 1996.<br />I return some prunes I was given a week ago to the neighbor down the street. I was to process them while he was out of town... as they ripened, one by one, I ate them one by one. Now he's back, so he can have what's left and can process them himself.<br />A friend came by to borrow a pump for her kayak. We chat while her boy plays with the pump and grins at me.<br />I learn of a death in the ward. I send out a notice to others who should know.<br />I met the new people. Their stories, together, took an hour and 45 min. to hear. I still slid into my orthodontist appointment close to on time.<br />After returning phone calls, I'm off to be a facilitator a special Prisoner Transition class. It was an experience that would be difficult to describe in a blog. Hard to shake. So much different than the objectives of Police Academy class I took the night before.<br />So the day is finished and what accomplished? I had "relational encounters" and exchanges with people but have nothing concrete to show for it. That's not all that bad. If we are fortunate, our relationships will endure longer than the tasks that have been done.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-74295009355745176152008-07-30T10:05:00.000-07:002008-12-05T23:03:10.776-08:00"I gotta get out more" (and then baling hay)I've started reading "The Geography of Thought" which is about the differences in Western and Eastern thinking. Westerners learn nouns easily because we stress objects, what objects do and how to control them. Asians see "things" as they interrelate, or are connected, to a whole. Nouns, to them, aren't as important as the relationship the noun has with the background in which it is placed. Since I’m a Westerner, this book makes my head hurt ~ in a good way.<br /><br />Last Tuesday I went to the coast to visit old friends. It was a beautiful day. I spent the night. The next day was beautiful too. I enjoyed being with the family I was visiting. I swore that I needed to get out of the house, (and Portland), more often. Following up on that promise-to-self, that next Saturday, I went out to Vernonia and bucked some hay with a friend of mine who owns a small farm. We brought in 70 bales which was a lot but they had baled close to 5,000. Looking at what they have left to do, I don't think my contribution was much at all but out of many small efforts, eventually great things come to pass.<br /><br />It was hot and sticky work but it was good to do. I used to have a horse and love the smell of hay and warm, wooden barns. It took me back to my earlier days of getting hay in for my horse. It was also nice to ride in the back of a pick up again. That's been illegal (on the street) for so many years now that just riding in the back of the truck in the hay field and across the creek to the barn was a great memory experience.<br /><br />I am grateful that I could pick up those bales although I couldn't get them higher than 2 levels on the wagon. The men, with their greater upper body strength, could toss them (65 lbs!) 4 to 5 levels high all afternoon. How can that be?? Men can be amazing that way. I love men!!<br /><br />A friend has moved from the ward but we try to “visit teach” each other once a month. (We visit more than teach. It only means “schedule it in”.) Last month we did the search for fresh eggs and heritage chickens on the farm in Canby. Tomorrow, we are going to take my little kayaks out on the Tualatin River for a couple of hours. It’s a quiet little river – there is no risk of being buzzed by jet skis. We’ll look for birdlife and maybe try catching some crawdads. It’s SUMMER!! I will get out – if only for a few hours.<br /><br />While in Sweden, I learned about Rhubarb juice (“saft”). I loved it. I also have a fondness for rhubarb crumble. When anyone gives me his/her garden rhubarb, it's a tough decision on how to "spend" it. Next year, I’ll have to plant my own. This year, I’ve made both a crumble and the saft. To each I added some orange zest. Wow. I love it even more! I think it is a marriage of flavors never to be torn asunder. I am so impressed that it turned out so well. Woohoo!<br /><br />A quote I like from a prisoner in my Toastmaster class: “Look at a setback as a setup.” He meant of course that it was a set back to be in prison but it can be a set up for a better life later (if you made good use of the time). This guy is an inspiration. Last month he was elected Club President. It will be interesting to see how he does. We have some really fun personalities in our club now. The laughter is back and I am happy! I love my prisoners! I love life!<br /><br />PS And I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It brings hope, happiness and life to my life!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-56293094801559156802008-06-30T12:12:00.000-07:002008-12-03T12:13:00.104-08:00Finally I’ve made a start on my garden. I bought veggie plants in May and they have struggled in their little black starter pots until just last week. This is really pitiful!! I took a week to dig out a raised bed that ran parallel to my back fence. I wanted it turned 90 degrees because it was difficult for me to reach across 4 feet to get the goodies in the back. By turning my beds, it’ll be easier to work both sides of the box AND the plants will receive more light since they will be out and away from my trees. (Something I didn’t think about earlier). The other box will wait until fall. It feels good to finally get the poor tomatoes into a real home.<br /><br />They say that gardens always change. As I pull out the weeds, I think of unwanted sin. (All sin should be unwanted….eh?). There are different sins and different weeds. Both have different appearances; have different root systems, and different means of spreading. And for both, the longer they go; the more they both get entrenched and are a bigger pain to get rid of.<br /><br />If you only rip off the top, it will look good for awhile but the roots fester underground and will soon return with a vengeance. The weed, or sin, will be bigger and stronger than ever. Or, if you kill it after it has cast seeds, then it’s ever so hard to eradicate. One needs to get it early before it goes deep and before it can spread. It is easier to do early than it is later. I think these thoughts very time I weed and don’t get a root. Darn! More sin to go after in my garden!<br /><br />I’ve been studying up on backyard poultry. I’m thinking about getting some chickens of my own. A poultry magazine I read was very critical of the Cornish Cross chicken which is popular for the commercial meat industry. It matures in 8 weeks rather than taking 6 months as it does for a regular chicken. 4H kids can’t raise them for show because they die of their abnormalities at 12 weeks of age. They topple over from their oversized breasts and often suffer heart failure. I was horrified to learn this. <br /><br />I visited a farm in Canby to have a look-see at organic, pasture raised chickens. The all natural lady running the place told me Cornish X chickens are just great. They produce only white meat with no fat. Since they grow so quickly, they are cheaper. Chicken feed is 50% corn. Feed costs have gone up 250% in the last year. You can’t afford to raise a regular chicken for 6 months just to be killed.<br /><br />“Hmmm…,” thinks I. “It must be like breeding English Bulldogs or Irish Wolfhounds. Each has its own bred-in weaknesses but also have their breed specific purpose. I guess I’m OK with Cornish Cross birds. Learning from different sources makes coming to conclusions interesting. Talking to her altered my thinking ….and I might yet change it again. Stay tuned!<br /><br />Speaking of education, I heard a quote the other day attributed to CS Lewis: Some people say, ‘Lord, thy will be done.’ Others say, ‘Oh, OK Lord. Have it your way!” (Or maybe it was, “OK, Lord. You win. We’ll do it your way.”) Bottom line, we need to give up trusting our own knowledge and realize there is a greater wisdom out there than we have. Yes, we need to study and learn about things. But also accept and trust some things (like the commandments) have been clearly laid out for us whether we agree or not. It is in our best interest to trust God even if we don’t understand the reasoning. Our Heavenly Father is right ~ 100% more often than we are. We might as well do it His way and save ourselves some trouble. Avoid weeds!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-52157938490993563302008-05-30T10:03:00.000-07:002008-12-03T12:50:20.957-08:00Spring has sprung with enthusiasm. Weeds have been growing for awhile but today is the first day that it’s actually been possible to get out and dig around a little, I’m surprised at how it’s more difficult for me to get up and down than I remember from last year. Really surprised! I know women who are in their 80’s still puttering around in their gardens. Fairly big gardens too. I’m a wuss.<br /><br />I’m again having fun with my prisoners. The club is building up in numbers again thanks to some recruiting work done by the few who were still left. I often lose men unexpectedly to transfers, or they get released. Both situations are annoying. However, the men like being released, so in that case, the only one complaining is me.<br /><br />I’m involved with the community “adopt-a-landscape” project in the neighborhood. It’s a massive effort getting through the government red tape, getting permission to do this or that; gather up volunteers, find donations, draw up designs, get irrigation installed, find plants, etc. Somebody else has the vision and doing most of that work – not me. I’m driving the truck!<br /><br />Next Friday, I’m taking a 17’ U-haul for a drive to fetch all the plants from some nursery near Salem. It should take me an hour or so of driving. I recruited a friend to go with me. She’s in her 70’s, pretty feisty, loves nurseries and always up for an adventure. We’ll be like Lucy Ricardo and Ethel Mertz heading down the highway. Whoohoo!<br /><br />I haven’t tackled a big truck like that since I moved to this house 16 years ago. Can’t believe it’s been that long. Thinking back, it’s been 23 years since my brother Mike died. It was then that my life changed - overnight, I became a “Pizza Baroness”. The last 8 years have gone faster than the rest. The Y2K scare not a year or two ago, but 8!<br /><br />Then, there are my boys in blue – the ones serving time. Days, months and years removed from the pace of the world. When we first started the Toastmasters Club, we discussed when we should begin our meetings. Their “call-out” was for 6:30 but sometimes, because of traffic, I couldn’t always get there by then. I said that I hated for them to be sitting around waiting for me if I was going to be ½ hour late.<br /><br />One of them said, “Oh you forget. We got nuttin’ but time for sittin’ around waitin’.” True, the guys are busy with work and classes but there’s a lot of sittin’ around waitin’ time too. So what to do while you’re waiting? As another man stated in one of his speeches, “You can serve time, or you can have time serve you.” He’s taking advantage of every class offered and works at waking up in the morning thinking that he will be successful and the day will be successful. Some of these men are truly inspirational.<br />Today is the day that we prepare for tomorrow. One minute at a timeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-32424453563657890982008-04-30T12:16:00.000-07:002008-12-04T00:49:45.545-08:00I've been around the same geographical area for most my life. I have had friends long enough now to have watched them marry, have children, and now have grandchildren. It astounds me as I think "I was there before this child was even a 'twinkle in the eye' ~ in all the time that has passed what have I done? Whom have I met? Have I settled into a boring rut?" Possibly. Yet, I'm finding that my connections are circling outward from my one, single, stagnate spot here in the NW.<br /><br />Last week, my young friend, Heather, was flying back from a trip to LA. She was chatting with her seat partner about life, her expected baby, and moving to a different apartment in Beaverton. She mentioned that a friend, who had never married and didn’t have kids, was letting her store extra things in her garage. The seat partner asked, "Would that be Sherry Chew?" Heather was astounded. (So was I when she told me.) They hadn’t talked of being members of the Church. As it turned out, the lady was from my last ward 16 years ago.<br /><br />A month or two ago, I was helping another pregnant and very sick friend get caught up on her house work. We chatted while I sorted laundry. I was telling her about my upcoming trip to Oman. I’m going to visit the spot where it is believed that Nephi built his boat with his brothers. As I was telling her that I knew the Australian man who was leading the tour, she stopped me and said, “I was college roommates with his daughter. “No!” True. She remembered that her roommate's parents were just discovering this region while she was in school. I met Mr. Down-Under after his divorce. We’ve dated some and have stayed in touch for the last 8 years or so.<br /><br />One of my Toastmaster buddies has accompanied me to the prison a few times. He’s Jewish and told me that he is married to a Mormon girl. After we chat, I always tell him to say “Hi” to the wife for me as we part. One day he emails me and says that his wife pulled one of my letters from her purse. I’ve been sending her these letters since I’ve begun writing them. She goes by a married name now of course so I had no idea there would have been any possible connection.<br /><br />I live in one spot, but the connections reach in all directions. Sometimes I think that maybe someday, one of those circles will bring me to meet someone who will fit with me. My little prayers about finding a husband of course, are still circling the cosmos but these recent events help me realize just how many people I know and how my circles over lap. Maybe having an unusual name (and personality??) have helped people remember me too.<br /><br />Sooooo..... Why all this? I guess it all comes down to: Heavenly Father knows who we (you) are and how you (we) are. I'm not sure how it all works out but we (people in general) are connected for whatever reasons. (On both sides of the heavenly/earthly curtain, if you want to take it that far).<br /><br />As I've done temple work for people, I have realized that there are many who have never had a chance to marry. They died single for whatever reason. (2 of my brothers, and a Downs Syndrome uncle, for example). Where they are now, they can't communicate to us if they have found companions on the 'other side' to marry. They must wait for the Resurrection simply because there's no other way to get it done.<br /><br />Can you imagine that? While I am waiting to find someone to marry, others might be waiting to get married after finding each other. This whole earth/eternity life thing seems to take a lot of "waiting on the Lord". It all takes patience.<br /><br />The Israelites wandering around in a wilderness for 40 years took some patience too. Many of us are doing a lot of wandering until we reach our own personal Promised Land. I try to see it as a time of refinement and improvement AND as an opportunity to do that which I probably wouldn't be able to do if I was married.<br /><br />I hope I'm a better person than I was 30 years ago. Maybe I’ve gotten selfish in some ways simply because I didn't have the marriage/children sacrifices to make. However, I've hopefully learned other good things instead. Maybe within the next 2 years (That would make 40 years of wandering in the dating desert), something will happen. That would figure. Right after putting big money into a house remodel, I'd face a decision of what to do with it 'cuz the man of my dreams would live in Morocco or somewhere else other than here. (I certainly hope he doesn't live in Utah!) :D<br /><br />Just some thoughts.<br />Sherry, not an administering angel just yet.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-48924599141493824782008-03-30T00:40:00.000-07:002008-12-04T00:42:42.063-08:00Other events – I’m cutting my house remodel in half. The expected estimated expense is mounting and can’t be justified. I still need to replace things that are falling apart – the clothes washer being the latest appliance to go. It died after 20 years of service. It had been so faithful. It was the old horse that had willingly carried out its duties without complaint, without appreciation, for so many years. The dutiful servant finally buckled at the knees, went down and breathed its last. How can one get sentimental over a washing machine?? I can. (Well, momentarily, anyway). I remember making the agonizing decision buying it so long ago. The thought of having to shop to replace it, gives me a headache.<br /><br />My dogwood is starting to bloom – after the daffodils, it’s nice to see more flowers coming. A lot like life … sad to see the daffodils go….. Like people and washing machines…. but new, fresh, good people, things and flowers are always coming along to be discovered and enjoyed.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-28243318113841120492008-02-14T00:36:00.000-08:002008-12-04T00:37:42.077-08:00Happy Valentines Day and other greetings of the season!<br /><br />I’ve promised my self that I would visit more people this month and yet the month, like many others, is rapidly disappearing. The good thing about it is that it means that spring is getting closer and closer!! Nothing wrong with that!!<br /><br /> This winter I’m taking a HAM radio class and beginning tap dancing. Unfortunately, I’m going to have to take the radio course over again. Taking 2 classes at once was too much while continuing with my other activities.<br /><br />I’m enjoying the tap class. My next door neighbor talked me into it. I thought maybe it would be a way to get me to exercise. I already know that I don’t possess any rhythm but I thought it might be fun anyway. During the first lesson, I found out that it also requires balance!! <br /><br />While standing on one leg, I have to wiggle and tap a pattern with the foot attached to the other leg. After several spastic taps, I feel I’m going to topple over. Maybe if I really work at this, it will help stave off future mental dullness and physical entropy. There’s always that hope. Maybe I can combine it with my HAM radio class and work out a tapping routine where I can do Morse code with my feet while dancing to Frank Sinatra? I don’t think so.<br /><br />Given this lack of coordination that I have and remembering all my miserably failed efforts to learn to dance through out my life (folk, ballroom, square, etc.), I’ve decided that developing talents means exactly that. If you have a talent, develop it. If you don’t have a talent, don’t torture yourself. I’ve spent a lot of time and frustration trying to learn to sing, dance and otherwise express myself musically. I’m grateful for the exposure and the experience but now I’m just going to call it that without any expectations of anything more.<br /><br />I’m grateful for my friends who push me into these things. It reminds me of the early lives of the baby sea turtles. The mama turtle comes on shore and lays her eggs in the warm sand. When the babies hatch, they instinctively head for the water. However, for some reason they don’t continue to the water but stop crawling before they get there. It’s only when the others, coming up from behind, bump into them that they start moving again. <br /><br />If wasn’t for that motivation, none of the little turtles would make it. I wonder about the last ones. There isn’t anyone to bump them. Unless they are unusually determined, they are the ones more likely to be eaten by the cranes or dried up in the sun. I’m grateful to my friends who keep bumping me along and help me gain good experiences and learn new things. Good friends have been my guiding steps through life. I am thankful for them.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-33888285213489962852007-12-31T01:16:00.000-08:002008-12-04T01:23:55.212-08:00My neighbor up the street told me that at her new job, a young co-worker shared that he had testicular cancer. He was going in for an operation and they would have to remove everything. She was just sick about it. She said he was a cute Mormon boy who had served a mission and recently married in the temple. He had already made a donation to a sperm bank so if he survived the cancer, he and his new bride might still be able to have babies in the future. My friend wondered if the church was taking good care of him and if there was anything that she, and her co-workers, could do. <br />I told her not to worry. His ward would no doubt smother him with care. If she liked, I could contact his ward and see if they could share meal duties. I happened to have a friend who lived in the same town as he did. She might be in the same ward. It was easy enough to find out. <br />I found my friend vacationing in Arizona. (Thank goodness for the accessibility of cell phones!) She didn’t recognize his name but she just happened to have a new ward directory with her. There he was, listed with his wife. (The fact that my friend had a directory with her is amazing enough but a newly updated one?? How often does that happen?)<br /><br />From her, I got the name and number of her ward Relief Society President. (The RS Pres. has responsibility over all the women in a ward including tracking “welfare” needs. I’ve held the same position in my own ward since June of 2006). <br /><br />I called and asked the RS President if she knew the couple. She said yes, the wife had been coming every week but the husband had stopped coming some time ago for no good reason. I explained what the young man was facing and that his co-workers wanted to coordinate taking in meals. She was shocked to hear the news and said she’d visit them right away. <br /><br />This is the email I received from her the following Monday:<br /><em>“Thank you so much for your phone call on Saturday morning. I was able to track them down by afternoon and had a good conversation with both of them. Your neighbor’s efforts were an answer to Ann’s [name changed] prayers. So please thank her and tell her that when you talk with her. Ann was being respectful of Ken’s [name changed] tender feelings. They haven’t been married a year yet and this is a big trial for them. <br /> I talked with Ken and shared with him that I had two nephews go through this. “Our ward was fasting Sunday for another member who has cancer of the thyroid and having surgery on Wednesday. After talking with the Bishop, we quickly sent an email around and made a few phone calls. We added Ken to the ward fast. Ann came to church yesterday and received a great deal of love and support. The Elders quorum was going over after church to talk to Ken. We have meals going in and support all over this. Thanks again for the heads up.<br />“Ken will have surgery on Thursday where they will remove his other testicle. He said that the doctor told him on Friday that it is in his lymph nodes and has spread but they don’t know yet where and how far. So he does have some hard days ahead. I told Ken that the Lord really must love him to answer prayers through a new friend at work. He tearfully was touched that those he works with would even be interested.”</em> <br /><br />I’m sure being new in the ward, this young couple felt they didn’t have friends yet with whom they could share their personal burden. Maybe they didn’t want to come in feeling like a pity case. For me, it was a testimony about how the Lord works. He knows who we are. He knows what is happening to us. Our secrets aren’t secrets from Him. He knows where we need help and He’ll get it done. It is up to us to take the action that is required. I love how this has turned out for this young, frightened couple. I pray that all will go well. Maybe it won’t. But if it turns for the worst, at least they won’t be alone. Nobody should be.<br /><br />Everything else is going really well - I have absolutely nothing to complain about. I love being Relief Society President more than I ever, ever thought I would. I'm not the best organized one they've ever had, but I have a couple of wonderful counselors who patiently remind me of things to follow up on. I love them!! And Heavenly Father too. He is too good to me!! I pray that He is blessing your life with great happiness and will continue to do so through out the New Year. Happy 2008!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-81420132962054148242007-12-20T01:08:00.000-08:002008-12-04T01:09:42.733-08:00A year in review……nah… random events as I think of them….Yes, that’s what it will be. <br /><br />I’m thoroughly enjoying my prison Toastmasters club. I’m at the men’s prison on Thursdays and I occasionally substitute at a women’s prison. One thing I’ve learned about those wearing prison blues: The men miss women and the women miss clothes. I told this to my men prisoners and they responded that women don’t need clothes!<br /><br />I taught a Boy Scout the merit badge “Service in the Community” to a number of 12 year olds. I also helped get volunteers to ‘adopt a landscape’ and plant daffodils along 2.5 miles of newly improved road. Guess who I got to remove ivy and haul mulch? …..Anyone need a merit badge signed off?<br /><br />I submitted my DNA to a Genetic data base so I can connect my family line to others. I asked my brother to do it too. It seems that I don't have the "Y" chromosome needed to track my father's line. Interesting isn't it? I was sure I’d have something of my father tucked in me somewhere. I mean, I LOOK like him… but that’s not good enough. The “Y” chromosome is needed to trace male lineage. <br /><br />According to the tests, I seem to have some Jewish blood. A Norwegian, related 67 generations back, with the same markers contacted me. Since I have my father’s side traced back only 5 generations, and he had only a few more than that, we didn’t find much more in common ~ except maybe a smattering knowledge of Scandinavia on my part. As for the DNA, there aren’t enough people in the pool yet to find anyone closely related to me. I want to make family search and history writing more of a priority this coming year. <br /><br />Disasters have turned to successes. I was to care for a neighbor’s dog during the Thanksgiving vacation. I knew the dog barked when she was left alone. I knew the surrounding neighbors were angry about the dog’s noise and with the family too. When I checked on her, she was quiet so I didn’t bring her home with me. I couldn't hear her from inside my house so I didn’t know that she barked all night long. (Oops!)<br /><br />The neighbors didn’t know that I was the one ‘taking care’ of the dog but they sent me emails about the constant barking. (That's what I get for organizing the neighborhood). They said the family was abusing the animal and threatened to call the authorities (a $500 fine). I talked with several and calmed them down. When K returned, I confessed that the neighbors were now madder than ever. K assured me that it wasn't my fault. We both knew that the dog needed more attention than she was getting. Even when the family was home, the dog was always outside ~ alone and barking.<br /><br />Often K had thought about giving the dog away. She just didn’t know how to find a good home. She was afraid that someone would use the dog for medical experiments or, the new owners wouldn’t buy the medicine the dog needed for her ears or get her the necessary shots. And the children would miss her. She knew that her husband wouldn’t!<br /><br />It was also difficult for her because of a childhood experience. Back in Russia, when the family moved, her father shot and killed their family dog. K felt terrible and wanted to make it up to another dog. She picked a very sick puppy from a shelter and nursed her to full health. She would never let anything bad happen to a dog of hers. This dog always had the best of everything – except time. It wasn’t because K didn’t try. She walked her daily. Rain or gloom of night didn’t stop her. A year after the pup came into the home, K had a baby. The dog went outside and with two growing children, K’s time and attention was more severely divided. <br /><br />I put the dog's name on the prayer roll in the temple (God loves His animals too, right?) and then I sent out an ad by email. <br /><br />As President of the women’s group at church, I send out an email every week. It has little newsy items such as things people have to give away or announcements about events. Members who don’t regularly attend church receive it too. People contact each other directly, so I don’t hear anything unless someone happens to mention it later. That’s how I found out that one sister got the 5 ft dining table (plus 2 leaves) right after she had to sell hers to pay a lawyer bill. Someone else got some free wood to burn. Personally, I now have a clothes dryer! It's been really a great way to connect people and take care of needs. <br /><br />I announced that my neighbor’s dog needed a home with lots of attention and room to run. I wrote it up with detail about how the dog was good with children and cats and was so smart that she understood both English and Russian. <br /><br />The best response was from a couple who live a few streets away from me. They were perfect!! He used to breed Labradors. They have a farm in Washington with lots of room. He's retired and needs a dog to follow him around. When K warned them that the dog liked to dig holes in the yard, they responded, “That’s only normal”. It didn't bother them a bit. They like keeping their dogs inside the house with them, not outside, in the back, such as where K’s dog had been assigned.<br /><br />They spent thousands of dollars into trying to save one of their dogs. They would not neglect any health issues. Their grown children have Labs too. For vacations, family members take turns with each other's dogs. That avoids problems with kennel borne diseases AND provides more socialization. They know how to obedience train through praise and reward. What a blessing!! I'm just so thrilled that there wasn't any question that this was the perfect home for her. So easy!<br /><br />It was hard for K to see her dog go, but the home and the timing was just right. If I hadn't messed up over Thanksgiving by pushing the neighbors over the edge, it wouldn't have pushed K into finally doing what she knew needed to be done. This brought about a good answer for everyone. Happy new owners, happier dog, much happier neighbors, and a relieved husband for Katy - Praise Heavenly Father!! Mistakes can turn into good things!! I love life!!<br /><br />Everything else is going really well - I have absolutely nothing to complain about. I love being Relief Society President more than I ever, ever thought I would. I'm not the best organized one they've ever had, but I have a couple of wonderful counselors who patiently remind me of things. I love them!! And Heavenly Father too. He is too good to me!! I pray that He is blessing your life with great happiness and will continue to do so through out the New Year. Happy 2008!<br />Love,<br />SherryUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-36919363464986055222007-10-31T00:59:00.000-07:002008-12-04T01:00:24.091-08:00I sent a few postcards and some emails to people about my trip to Ireland and France. This is my first letter filled with more detail. You won’t hurt my feelings if you don’t have time or inclination to read it all. However, there will be a test later ! J<br /><br />Briefly, the first week my friend Dani and I spent on a bus going around the Irish Island. The second week we rented a car and went out looking for her family’s historical roots. There’s nothing like looking for dead potato farmers in small villages a century after they left for America. The small churches and historical societies we visited told us to “look on the web”. Well, heck that’s not as exciting as looking at some old crusted over tombstone, but it was fun seeing the area.<br /><br />This was the first time I’ve been in a foreign country (aside from Canada, which isn’t really foreign) that I was able to ask for directions in the native tongue and people immediately understood me. Even more amazing to me was that, despite the accent, I understood the answer. This has never happened to me before. (!!) <br /><br />As exciting as that was, the real problem I found wasn’t in understanding the answer. It was in asking the right person the question. When we were lost, many friendly people gave us directions. However, they were often wrong. Later, we would have to stop and ask again. Sometimes I felt that we should ask 4 or 5 different people and then take an average of what we were told. <br /><br />Side note: This is a lot like people looking for the way back to our Heavenly Home. They ask directions of everyone ~ and many want to help ~ but only a few really know. You have to ask several times before someone can give you an answer that takes you back to Heavenly Father without a wrong turn.<br /><br />Driving on the left hand side of the road in Ireland is quite an adventure. Here in America, right hand turns are easy. To go straight or turn left, one must stop and wait for traffic to clear. When a cop loses a bad guy he is chasing, the cop will make a right hand turn. Odds are that the bad guy made the same turn because it was easier than crossing traffic to go left. <br /><br />The opposite is true in countries that drive on the left hand side of the street. The left hand turns are “easy” and right hand turns are “hard”. I was happy to have had a week watching our bus driver before I took the wheel. A second person is essential for reading maps, street signs and giving verbal reminders such as “easy left” or “difficult right”<br /><br />Make a note of language choice here. If Dani said “hard right”, I could accidentally misinterpret. “Hard right” usually means: Go immediately right – now! “Difficult right” reminded me to wait and watch for cross traffic before venturing forth.<br /><br />Speaking of language choice… Here in America, we often say those in other lands who drive on the left hand, or opposite side, of the road are “driving on the wrong side”. The Irish don’t drive on the “wrong side”. They say that they drive on the “correct side”. The problem comes from confusing “Right and Left” with “Right and Wrong”. <br /><br />By saying, “Correct side”, it automatically means that either side is “right” as long as everyone agrees and follows the same pattern. Driving on the “incorrect side” causes problems because it is the “wrong side” for the majority. Having everyone agree on the same rules is what makes systems work. <br /><br />The problem we are having in our modern day is that we are trying to change Natural and Eternal Rules to our liking just as we change man-made rules. We believe that if the majority agrees, we can do what we want. I heard an expression the other day: “We don’t break the commandments. We break ourselves against them.” Some principles are the way they are. It’s to our benefit to work with them, ~ not against them.<br /><br />Back to the road….Although I managed the “right /left – correct” issue OK, I still had a wee bit of a problem placing the car on the road. I was in the correct lane OK but, according to Dani, I would often drift to the far left side of my correct lane. This put me up against the scratchy hedgerows along the sides and made Dani dig her fingernails into the car’s upholstery. <br /><br />I think, I was trying to put my physical body on the left side of the car (?) where it was used to being and taking the car with it. She’d have to remind me to move closer to the center from time to time. With Dani’s help, we did OK. We returned the car without any dings. Whew!<br /> <br />The driving habit carries over in walking too. Oncoming pedestrians wanted to pass me on my right hand side. I wanted to pass them on their left hand side. If I wasn’t watching and thinking too, I’d subconsciously tend to edge nearer and nearer to the right hand side, expecting to pass them on the right. At the same time, with them not thinking either, they were veering to pass me on my right. <br /><br />Our guide said that today’s traffic patterns developed from the early days of travel when there were robbers about. (And things have changed??) People carried their swords and knives on their left so they could draw them out with their right hand. When meeting someone coming along the trail, it would be easier to defend yourself if your armed right hand was closest to the other person. Therefore, you passed each other right shoulder to right shoulder. . True story? I don’t know. Why only the British Isles?<br /><br />I read somewhere that supermarkets are designed for the traffic patterns set in our heads. Since American and European drivers tend to make right hand turns more easily, stores are set up with certain products on the right just as you enter. In other countries, where they drive on the left side of the road, (which is “correct” for them), the stores have been designed, and products placed, so turning left is easy. Just a bit of trivia you can check out for yourself sometime. I forget where I read it.<br /><br />That’s a little (little?) summary of my trip – or at least the Irish part. Beautiful country, friendly people, and great weather ~ what more could someone want? Oh, and the food was good too. JUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1838999866326095052.post-28375484737253360562007-10-30T00:55:00.000-07:002008-12-04T00:55:51.836-08:00Story number #1 <br />On our first evening in Ireland, a group of us decided use our free time to see the town. When getting ready to go, Dani discovered that she was missing her purse. Of course she felt sick thinking of her credit card, passport, money etc. She tried to be a good sport. She said that she probably left it on the bus and it was OK. However, we knew she couldn’t enjoy herself if she worried about her purse all night. (And we would worry too)<br /><br />The driver had recommended a couple of pubs to visit. We thought he might be in one of them. We took a cab into town. In the first pub, we didn’t find the driver but we found a phone book and called the restaurant where we had eaten earlier. No luck. In the second pub there was no sign of him. We began to think that he had recommended these pubs as decoys. Maybe he was in his own favorite pub where he could savor his private time away from us, “the kids”.<br /><br />Somehow, we decided that if we found the bus, then maybe we’d find the driver too. At the time it seemed reasonable. It was a comforting thought. It would be a lot easier to find a huge tour bus parked somewhere in town than an Irish bus driver lodged on a stool in one of 200 local pubs. A bit impractical perhaps, but that became the mission.<br /><br />So off we went down the city streets, taking a right here and a left there, looking down alleys and into quirky corners. There were pubs everywhere of course but no bus. At one point, one of us suggested going into a random pub that was close by. I don’t remember why, but we went in. As we’re standing there looking around, ~~ in walks our driver! In all of the pubs in Killarney, he walks into ours. What were the odds?? We jumped him like twitter-pated girls. I demanded, “How are we supposed to find you in case of an emergency?” He said, “You’re not.” Ha ha. Funny guy.<br /><br />He did say the purse was on the bus and all was well. We were able to relax and enjoy the evening. Dani was able to sleep that night without worry. Heavenly Father was sooo kind!<br /><br />Story #2<br />I had a few hours to wait at the Charles De Gaulle airport before I could check in my bag for coming home. I was reading Alma 26 in the Book of Mormon. Ammon is praising God for the great missionary miracles that have happened among previously villainous people.<br /><br />An African man sat down beside me. I thought, “Should I or shouldn’t I say something about the gospel to him? Here I am reading this great missionary chapter. What good does it do if I don’t apply it to my life?” I decided to say something. As I was talking with him, a man sitting across from me leaned forward and asked, “Are you a Mormon?” I replied that I was. He said he was a Christian. I responded brightly, “So am I!” He re-defined himself as a “Christian Christian”. I said, “So I guess I’m a Mormon Christian?” Right. He informs me that I can’t be saved by the law only (my works). I need to have faith on Jesus Christ.<br /><br />Now, for the life of me, I don’t understand how a stranger can tell me that I don’t have faith in Jesus Christ. I responded that everything I do is related to my faith in Christ. If I didn’t have faith, I wouldn’t do anything at all. Christ said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” For me, that takes some work. If I didn’t have faith in Christ, I would just eat, drink, be merry and hope to be saved in the last day only because God is good. Repenting of my mistakes and shortcomings takes work ~ at least for me. He insisted that I was without belief in Christ’s power to save and then he excused himself to catch a plane.<br /><br />I sat there feeling sour and bummed. I had opened my mouth to share the gospel and I got shut down by someone who had a different perspective on religious beliefs. I’ve been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ for my entire adult life. I’ve been a full time missionary. Why am I so lousy at explaining what I know? I knew it wasn’t my fault that he wasn’t open to listen to anything I had to say or learn anything. His mind was set. I was condemned. I still felt badly. I reminded myself that Ammon hadn’t experienced instant success either. At least, unlike Ammon, I hadn’t been hung upside down in a prison for a few months first.<br /><br />Feeling discouraged and disappointed, I went to check in my bag. The line was long. People snaked through the Disneyland-like ropes and spilled into the rest of the airport. As I moved up closer to the front of the line, I noticed a small, very frail, elderly lady at the ticket counter.<br /><br />She had two huge suitcases on a luggage cart. Each must have outweighed her by twice her own weight. She was struggling to get them off the cart and onto the conveyor belt. The cart only rolled toward her when ever she tugged a bag. I watched her a bit and noticed that no one else was doing anything. The lady behind the counter just sat there staring into space waiting for the bags. The people at the other counters were occupied with their own affairs. The nearby security guard didn’t move. The people in line stood in their proper places behind the rope.<br /><br />I ducked under the rope and went to help. I told the tiny old lady to stand away as I yanked both bags off the cart and got them onto the conveyor. She was grateful and relieved. The people watching, back in the line, had circled my bags in a protective manner. That was nice. I felt good.<br /><br />It was a direct blessing from Heavenly Father. He gave me that opportunity to do a “good work” when I was feeling down. To let me know that good works are needed and necessary in this world. It made me feel better. It helped someone else. It was an example to others that they can step out from behind a line and help someone if it is needed. If someone doesn’t believe that I have faith in Christ that’s fine. I am still going to do works because it’s the right thing to do. <br /><br />Last weekend was General Conference for the Church. I was just home and enjoying the down time. One of the last speakers on the Saturday session was Jeffery Holland. He gave a passionate speech about people in the world who don’t understand Christianity and how we live it. He said everything that I wished I could have explained to the man at the airport. That speech was inspired for me personally. <br /><br />I don’t often say that about Conference Talks but this directly related to my recent experience that was still so fresh in my mind. I give Heavenly Father credit for this witness. He does love me and care about me. He appreciates the things that I try to do. No, I’m not perfect and no, I’m not going to “earn” my way back to my Father’s presence. However, I do need to do what He says needs to be done i.e. have faith on His son Jesus Christ, repent of my sins, be baptized by water, and receive the Holy Ghost from those who have the authority to hold the Holy Priesthood of God. The rest is “doing unto others”. That’s about it. Yes, its work, but I love it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0