Women in the Scriptures: Recommended Reading

Women in the Scriptures: Recommended Reading

Boston Bootcamp - Epilogue

I flew to Seattle, airline lost suitcase, got in a traffic jam back-up because of a burning oil tanker on freeway at rush hour. Finally got to Centralia. Friday spent with Sam and Jen and Jen's mom & Jerry and Jen's Aunt Margie at Lakefair in Olympia, WA. Big carnival on the lake. Ate elephant ears and hamburgers with lots of greasy onions, saw antique car exhibit, walked around lake in front of State Capitol Building. Delivery man came with suitcase. Saturday slept all day. Sunday attended church in Centralia, went to barbecue with Jen's family, played ping-pong, pool, piano, and laughed ourselves sick over hobos. To me hobos are spiders. To Margie they are people. Our conversation couldn't have gotten crazier. Good food, family, friends, fun, faith, freedom. Drove safely to Ontario on Monday listening to Neil Diamond much of the way. Can life get any better than this?

Boston Bootcamp - Part Seven

Wednesday, July 14th, found us at Newport, Rhode Island. We toured 4 of the famous mansions fro.m the gilded age. That means there was no income tax back then, so people could get filthy rich. I won't mention any names. You should look them up. It was totally opulent to the point of disgust, and these people only lived in them as 'summer' homes for around 8 weeks a year!
The drive along Ocean Drive was incredibly beautiful with large waves breaking on the rocky coast. We also saw Fort Adams, one of the many forts built along the eastern coastline and manned with canons for protection. With fear and trepidation I headed back to Boston and the heat and stairs. Amazingly enough, the outside stairs to be Brownstone had been demolished. They each were about a foot high and I suggested using a pulley and rope to help people get up them. With fear and trembling, I grabbed my suitcase and marched up the back Brownstone stairs with hardly a huff or puff. The next morning, I grabbed the suitcase and ran (well, kind of) down the stairs to meet my ride to the airport. My knees did not hurt. I did not wheeze or huff or puff. Could this experience possibly have been to the benefit of my health? Can life get any better than this?

Boston Bootcamp - Part Six

Monday night we stayed in a little motel called "Sea Mist" on Cape Cod. We waded in the warm ocean that evening. Whoever said the Atlantic was the cold ocean didn't put their feet in the beach off Cape Cod in July. Tuesday, we were off to the famous town of Provence, Cape Cod. From our boat, we saw several large humpback whales and a calf frolicking in the ocean. Ate pizza, ice cream; did not see Jaws. Perfect day.

Boston Bootcamp - Part Five

While I was in the heat wave in Delaware with the Arnell's, Matt and Becky were taking turns sleeping on the couch where the air conditioner could blow on at least one of them. Matt quipped, "Who thought we would ever be fighting over sleeping on the click-clack couch?"
After I had a peaceful night's slumber on the couch, and Matt and Becky tossed and turned in the heat in their comfy bed, we left Monday morning to see Plimouth Plantation and the Mayflower. Those poor Pilgrims! It was so depressing to see what they went through. I think the ship was the better deal. If I had to choose, I would have chosen to live with the Wampanaug Indians. I think they had the better plan for surviving. I decided to be grateful for my life, even in the heat and while climbing endless flights of stairs.

Boston Bootcamp - Part Four

Boston Bootcamp - Part Three

From Boston, I went with Woody and Shirley Arnell. They are movers and shakers! Woody is a walking, talking history book and tour guide, not to mention a dedicated driver. I marvelled at the size of the bridges and the Hudson River. Rode the ferry from Staten Island right past the Statue of Liberty to New York City where the heat wave and stairs were in full force and ever present. The carriage ride at night through Central Park will always be a cherished memory as will seeing the LDS temple right there, emitting calmness and serenity, in the midst of all the hubbub and chaos and craziness of NYC. By the way, the subways are NOT air conditioned, and you have to climb stairs to get the the bathroom in McDonald's. What is the world coming to?

Boston Bootcamp - Part Two

Did I mention we had a lovely dinner with my nephew, Jared Hansen, wife Marjorie, and Jake, Will, and Lizzy ? Did I mention that when you open their front door you are faced with a flight of stairs? Oldest daughter Bree, was at the Pioneer Trek. Will became our cherub as he lay naked, gleaming white, in the hammock under the green trees in the forest behind their house. You have competition, Edward! Onto the 4th of July! Matt, Becky, Shirley and Woody Arnell and I attended church at the beautiful, newly completed Cambridge chapel. It has three levels of underground parking!! It was the first Sunday meeting held there. Did I mention Becky and Matt teach Primary? Do I need to? Afterwards, we went to the Charles River and hunted down Woody and Shirley. Then together we began the hunt for Jared and Marjorie's friends who were saving a spot for us all. Miraculously we found them. A big hint was Moroni's Banner of Liberty flying from their tent. They were wonderful and supplied us with good food and fascinating conversation. Soon the Hansen's joined us and we were treated to fabulous fireworks accompanied by the Boston Pops right in the same town where America's fight for freedom began. Can life get any better than this? Did I mention the heat wave is still in progress?

Boston Bootcamp - Part One

I arrived in Boston late the night of June 15th. Matt and Becky picked me up from the airport. We went to their apartment, on the top floor of a Brownstone. That was when I knew I was in for it. The stairs!! I was, however, after several minutes of catching my breath, amazed at Becky's seemingly innate ability to make aywhere she lives into a lovely and inviting home. We stayed up until 3:00 am laughing and talking. During the next few days I spent the afternoons looking around Boston with Matt as guide. One afternoon we went into the IMAX by the aquarium. The girl at the desk told us there were no shows available since private parties had reserved the theater. I must have looked very disappointed because she said, "Oh, here are two tickets. Just go on in." We got to see two shows for free! I kept looking around for some famous person, but didn't see one. Whose party we crashed? We'll never know. We saw several of the well- known historical sites, such as Bunker Hill, the Commons, and Old Ironsides. Becky would join up with us after she got off work. Becky also had me over to her beauty salon where I met a group of older Italian women who all come together to get their hair done on Thursday mornings. This was definitely my inside glimpse into the Italian lifestyle. They ate, argued, oohed, aahed, laughed, and had opinions on everything. I learned that if you have an only son, he is your 'Christ Child'. On Friday, Becky outfitted me with a pair of prescription sunglasses with transition bifocals and polarization. (she also works at LensCrafters). The sunglasses were completely finished in one hour, so I could wear them to the Red Sox game that night. I am absolutely astounded at Becky's ability to find good employment quickly whether in Atlanta, Pocatello, Boise, or Boston. At night we dined on decadent Italian pastries, (from Mike's bakery) whole lobsters, (Dick's Last Resort), Caprese salad, strombolis, and baklava. All kosher, of course. All these wonderful adventures were accomplished during an extreme heat wave, which added much intensity to the Bootcamp experience. I have heard sweating is good for you, so I had a lot of 'good' added to my life. Friday night we were off to Fenway Park. Baseball was the sport of my youth. The Sox vs Orioles game lived up to my every expectation as did the stadium and food. I became a die hard Red Sox fan when the crowd broke out singing Neil Diamond songs between innings. Life could not possibly get better than this. (minus the ever appearing stairs and the stifling heat)