Saturday, July 25th, 2026: Anthony calls James, Brian fixes my phone ringer, Kim makes RS cookies, K& B leave for home, thunder & rain, Lynn Jones calls, started EML volume 7, blog, "Love Under the Mistletoe" wordstrips for lesson

 

Trujillo, Peru

Temple #147.

James woke up with a call from his friend, Anthony Romyak. Anthony just wanted to visit. He talked about his cat and his beautiful roses surrounding his property. It made James want to pay a visit to Anthony. It was good to hear from him.

My new phone has not been ringing and I'm not sure why. I asked Brian if he would look at it. He did and was baffled until he went in to settings and scrolled down to Sounds & Haptics. My ringtone was turned down. Brian turned it up and everything was fine. Thanks Brian!

Kim was making my oatmeal butterscotch, chocolate chip cookies for Relief Society tomorrow. She is making 48. James and I both tried one and we both loved them. Kim had quite a baking schedule for July. Here are the things that I remember: Brownies for Ruby, sugar cookies for Lola, snickerdoodles for workers who helped us. Cadbury chocolate brownies for Jared Ammon, Cadbury chocolate chip cookies for Joe, some kind of an apple cake for Max's birthday, two carrot cakes for Barbara Tignor's birthday, no-bake cookies for James - two batches, 48 oatmeal butterscotch and chocolate chip cookies, 100 chocolate chip cookies for Brian's elders quorum. 

There may be more, I will have to check with Kim. All of this baking and Kim hardly eats any carbs herself.

After Kim was finished with the cookies, she and Brian left for home. She is going home for a week to see Joe, her kitties, and to teach her Primary class. Stacy has been teaching the last month. 

Love these two!

Lots of thunder and lightning this afternoon and a little rain. Scooter was sprawled out asleep on the little table I have out on the deck. After a crash of thunder I looked out had he was hiding under the couch. It is raining all around us but we are just getting a slight drizzle here.

President Lynn Jones called me today to check on James's progress. We had a nice visit and I thanked him for his care and concern.

I started volume 7 of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion today. Niall Pierce kissed Emma at the end of journal six and I want to see where this relationship goes.

I spent time studying for my lesson tomorrow about the "Character of Christ" by President D. Todd Christofferson. This is such a good talk. Kim has only been gone a few hours and I already miss her.

I finished blogging July 9th and 10th then went in to watch the newest Hallmark Christmas movie, "Love Under the Mistletoe" starring Jen Lilley and Nick Bateman. It was nothing special but it was festive. I made wordstrips of the attributes of Christ from chapter six of "Preach My Gospel", The Attributes of Christ. James came in and joined me. I love it when we are cozy like this.

The picture of Christ Michelle Beckham

made me.

Joe and Belle

Friday, July 24th, 2026: 60th High School reunion in Snowflake, Walmart, showers on the way home but none in Vernon, Ruby finished her miniature, Kim mows lawn & James edges, Christmas movies

Payson, Utah

Temple #146.

I got up at 3 am and took my Prednisone. Later I took 2 Tramadol and 2 Tylenol. I want to feel my best for today's high school reunion. Before I left I took 2 more Tramadol and 2 more Tylenol. 

James and I left around 10 am. for Snowflake. The first event for our reunion is lunch at the Silver Creek Senior Center. I have the address in my phone but I wasn't using it. The address is on Main St. in Snowflake so I figured we couldn't miss it. I remember seeing on MapQuest that it was next to a Furniture Gallery. As we were going through Belly Button, the little community between Taylor and Snowflake, I saw the Furniture Gallery, so I was on "high alert." 

Northern Pioneer College had a sign, Silver Creek Senior Center so I made a turn and followed the sign around behind a building and there it was, the senior center, in a manufactured building. There was a big sign that said, "Welcome Class of 66." We thought we were still in Belly Button, but I guess we were on the edge of Snowflake. 

We went in the same time as one of my old boyfriends, Gene Coon. He was my boyfriend when we were in the 8th grade and he would walk to school with me everyday. I remember he had a job as a short order cook at a restaurant called the Malapai Inn. I was impressed that as an 8th grader he had such a "prestigious" job.

First we had to find our badge and then pay for our lunch before we found a place to sit for lunch. We visited with a few of our classmates before sitting down. I loved seeing my friend Sharon McCleve who came down from Utah to be here. I also enjoyed visiting with Deanne Hunt Hatch who is Rita's cousin on her dad's side. She told me her older sister Sonya has Rheumatoid Arthritis. Interesting that Rita and a cousin on both her mother's side of the family and her father's side of the family all for RA.

We sat by Ted & Carol Kiepke, and Gene Coon. There was an empty seat next to Gene and I told him maybe someone would like to come and sit by him. He commented, "No one wants to sit by me." I thought maybe Rita would but when I spoke with her she said John Payne had already asked her to sit by him and she didn't want to be rude. The only problem is, John has a wife. Rita says she is bedridden, but that shouldn't make a difference. She also said, "we aren't going to do anything." Later, when John left his seat, Gene went and sat by Rita. It made me laugh. I'm cheering Gene on because John is still married.

For lunch there was a small salad bar and homemade chicken noodle soup, pulled pork sandwiches, beans, and potato salad. For dessert there were some kind of cookies. James said the potato salad had a smoky flavor and was really good. 

We sang on high school song and then a gentleman with the last name of Adam's told the story of America's fight for freedom and the coming forth of the Constitution. It was really good, but a little long.

Mr. Adams, probably a relative of 

John Adam.

That's Ladon Warner holding the microphone. She is the one

that makes all of the reunion arrangements.

Ladon wants us to ride in Snowflake's 24th of July parade tomorrow. James and I will pass. She has also ordered lunches for everyone from Sonic. We told her we would not be here tomorrow. 

James and I snuck out a little early because it sounded like Ladon was going to go around and have everyone tell a little something about their lives. We didn't want to stay that long as we were both tired. We did stop at the Taylor Walmart and pick up a few things.

Those who attended the reunion: Ladon Warner, Deanne & Marion Hatch, Rita Tenney Solomon, Gene Coon, Ted & Carol Kiepke, John Payne, Bruce Greco, Barry Flake, Sharon McCleve Beck, Loretta & Randy Willis, Richard Farabee, Deon Whipple, Pete & Chris Whipple, Blake & Karen Sherwood, Alan & Delsey Frost, Kent & Ava Hall, Kathy Hunt Brewer, Charlie Hendrickson, Richard Gonzales, Michael & Margaret Chlarson, and two guys sitting by Loretta that I didn't recognize.

We got rained on on the way home but there was no rain in Vernon today. Brian is here with Fairlife shakes, and trail mix from Costco.

Kim mowed the back lawn and James edged it. 

I got a text from Ruby. She finished her miniature teahouse. Lola says she is almost finished with hers. Also, Darrel & Trina got a new truck. 

It was 117 in Phoenix today.

Today's Christmas movies: "Christmas Scavenger Hunt" starring Kevin McGarry, "Double Holiday" starring Kristopher Polaha.

James, Barry Flake, Gene Coon

James and I at our reunion

 

Thursday, July 23rd, 2026: Happy Birthday Summer! Inklings - A Mary Magdalene Day, Kat & Larry here, trip to town - mail Kacey's pkg, return cane w/seat, Charlie's scriptures, HD, call from Harold, more rain, finished 65 handouts, Kim & cookies, more Christmas movies

 

Cordoba, Argentina

Temple #145.

Inklings was so good today. Emily discussed President Uchtdorf's talk, "Encounter at the Empty Tomb." These were Emily's suggestions to come closer to Christ:

1. Get 10 minutes of sunlight every morning.

Remember, Christ is the Light of the world.

2. Have your first encounter with Christ through prayer, scripture study, etc.

3. Go forth testifying and doing good.

4. What did I feel, see, experience, today?

5. Consider this a disciples journey. (Kacey, did you get #5?)

Kacey ordered Charlie's scriptures and carrying case today and I agreed to pay for them as I have done for all of our grandchildren.

Kat & Larry came today, maybe for the last time. Kim, James and I made a trip to town to mail Kacey's care package, return the cane with the seat, and buy some more stain at Home Depot. While we were in Home Depot shopping, Harold called and said that Polly's funeral wouldn't be until August 22nd and they didn't know where it would be yet.

We got some more rain today and I got a flash flood warning on my phone. I kept getting the warning over, and over, and over again. Maybe it was for the Kick'n'Back camp. They are down in a wash.

Kim and I finished my 65 handouts for Relief Society, Young Women leaders and Primary leaders. 

Along with the handouts each sister in Relief Society will get an oatmeal butterscotch cookie.

Kim has been making cookie dough all week and freezing it for their ward's elder's quorum. Brian is the elder's quorum president and he ask her if she could make 100 cookies. They Young Men and Primary kids have been coming in to get cookies. When the 100 are gone, they are gone.

Kim is also making two kinds of no-bake cookies for James. He remembers his mom making these cookies and he loves them. The first batch she made had peanut butter, and the second batch had Nutella. Honestly, as much as I like Nutella, I liked the peanut butter ones better.

More Christmas movies!!

Happy Birthday Summer!

The series I watched when I was first

bed-ridden with arthritis.

Dr. Hamblin's house on Woodland Rd. in Lakeside.

He has 12 or 13 children.

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2026: Polly Brookbank Cluff passes away, rain, some flooding around the state, RS handouts and Christmas movies w/ darkened skies, Kacey's pkg ready to mail, Pierce pulls J's wisdom tooth, Laura still has not received her bday card

 

Phoenix, Arizona

Temple #144

My best friend from high school, Polly Brookbank Cluff, passed away today. She had terminal cancer. Rita texted me to tell me.

My Prednisone is helping, but it certainly makes me hungry.

It rained off and on all day long. Some place in Arizona are experiencing flash floods. It is so cozy to have darkened skies and rain while we are watching our Christmas movies. 

After finishing my two blog posts, I worked on my Relief Society handouts most of the rest of the day. Kim was a huge help. She finished the envelopes and KitKat bars and cut out most of the laminated bookmarks. She also helped me get Kacey's care package ready to mail.

James slept a good part of the day. He was so fascinated with his rotten wisdom tooth that Pierce pulled, but after showing it to both Kim and I, he went into the bedroom and took a long nap because of a headache. I told him I would talk about his tooth on my blog but I would not show a picture of the actual tooth.

Laura still has not received her birthday card. Her birthday is on the 15th and I mailed her card on the 13th. Where is it? Did I forget to put a stamp on it? I did mail it at the Vernon post office which is the definition of "snail mail" but this is ridiculous, even for them. 

"Jesus Christ broke the bands of death imposed by the Fall. With His Resurrection, He secured salvation from physical death."

- Ronald A. Rasband

2 Chronicles 20:21

And when he (Jehoshaphat) had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.

Polly Brookbank Cluff

Always laughing

Uncle Delbert's oldest son, and James's cousin.

He turned Mohammed Ali down in an arm wrestle.

Tuesday, July 21st, 2026: Happy 1st Birthday Benson! Max's big trip, low tire, Kat & Larry, return yellow lids the wrong size, PO - cane w/ chair - James wants it returned, wait for pilot car, bank, HD, Wlmrt, cookies & handouts, green is better than brown, watermelon for horses, Prednisone, "Naughty & Nice", "Snow Bride"

 

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Temple #143.

Happy 1st Birthday

Benson!

Such a handsome boy!

Max, Sheri, and Ian are leaving for California tomorrow. Max is running in the San Francisco Marathon later this week. Even though it is out of the way, their first stop will be in San Diego, per Max's directions.

I am miserable again this morning taking Prednisone, Tramadol, and Tylenol. 

Kat & Larry came a little early because James told them they owed him some overtime. 

Kim, James, and I left for town around 10:30. I am grateful to Kim for loading the car; a wheelchair and six large storage bin lids. 

We stopped at the Vernon post office. The cane I ordered that has a seat on it came in. I probably won't even open it because James wants me to send it back. James also got the part he needed for his laser and the stuff I ordered for Kacey's care package was there also. 

When we drove up the road to get on the 60 there was a sign that said, Wait for Pilot Car. We waited for about 10 minutes and when no pilot car came I turned around and went back to 3144 to go on the backroads. 

Our first stop in town was at the bank to get cash for Kat & Larry. We found the sweet shop that Neal Tarwater told me about but none of us really wanted anything sweet. It's just nice to know where it is for future reference.

We stood in the customer service line at Home Depot only for the woman working behind the desk to tell us to return them and get the ones that are the right size. She said to just wave at her afterwards, which we did. We also went into the nursery part of the store and got some weed and feed for the yard. Kim pushed our basket and I pushed James in the wheelchair.

Kim and I went in Walmart while James stayed in the car, getting a great parking spot because of my handicap sign. I picked up my Prednisone that AARA called in and my monthly supply of Tramadol. There was no charge for either prescription.

Kim went one way and I went the other to conquer our lists. Kim is making three different types of cookies this week; 100 chocolate chip cookies for their wards elders quorum, 45 cookies for my Relief Society sisters, and 2 dozen no-bake cookies for James like his mom used to make him. 

Kim finished my RS envelopes and is now working on the KitKat handouts. She is such a great help!

Did I mention how beautiful and green it is since the rain. I love green so much more than brown!

Kim fed watermelon rind to the horses. They absolutely love it. James says it was one of the best watermelons he has ever had.

We watched two older Christmas movies:

"Naughty and Nice" starring Hilarie Burton and "Snow Bride". I can't remember the name of the actress in Snow Bride but it's one of my favorites.

I am already feeling better because of the 10 mg. of Prednisone I took today.

Love!

Monday, July 20th, 2026: Arthritis is kicking my behind, Talk w/ Rita - she takes Prednisone everyday, call AARA - Prednisone prescription, aching from head to toe, lots of rains and lots of Christmas movies, I sleep on the recliner

 

Gilbert, Arizona

Temple #142.

Arthur (arthritis) is kicking my behind. I am miserable enough to call AARA and have them call me in a Prednisone prescription. 

My cousin Rita says she is on 1 mg. of Prednisone everyday and she feels great. I am hurting from head to toe.

I got the address for the Silver Creek Senior Center in Snowflake from Rita today. That's where our high school reunion is on Friday.

We got lots of rain and watched lots of Christmas movies today. I slept on the recliner a lot today.

"Christmas List" starring Alicia Witt and Gabriel Hogan.

"The Mistletoe Inn" starring Alicia Witt and David Alpay.

My friend, Dianne Heyman

Starting to get green.

Sunday, July 19th, 2026: 4 Trams, 4 Tylenols before church, Tom is a sweet, purring, cuddler when he wants to be, Lily Flake serving a mission, stake YW counselor Sis. Gardener, Steve Allen, teacher training meeting, "A Dance in the Snow", Brian leaves after fixing chili

 

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Temple #141.

I took four Tramadol and 4 Tylenol before church. That's how much I hurt. Tom comforted me, cuddling and purring as I held him.

We all went to church and sat in the last row, again. Well, James and I were in the back row and James was on the end because of his walker. Kim likes to be on the end so Brian made another row, where Kim could be on the end. Neal & Kim Tarwater and Dave Montgomery came and sat with Kim and Brian. Tammy Montgomery is in Texas visiting grandchildren. Dave stayed here to work on the home they are building in Snowflake. 

Dave Kostusiak was presented to receive the Melchizedek priesthood today. I hope that means that he and Ellen are preparing to go to the temple. Cindy and Doug Brown are back from teaching in China. They gave the opening and closing prayers. 

Lily Flake is going on a service mission. She has autism and this is the first time I have ever heard her speak in church. She will be serving in the Flagstaff mission, of which we are a part. She said she was looking forward to serving in the temple with her grandmother.

Sister Gardener a counselor in the stake Young Women's presidency, talked about attending our ward conference in January where the youth sang, "Walk with Me." This was the first time they had heard the song and knew they wanted to use it in their upcoming stake youth conference. 

Steve Allen, a member of our ward and a friend, was the final speaker. 

Kim and Brian went home after sacrament meeting. James and I stayed and attended the teacher training class taught by Susan Goodman and Tamara Applegate. James found out he is still wanted as an elders quorum instructor and will be teaching the same week I teach in August. 

The meeting was about inviting the Spirit into the classroom and adjusting to the new 25 minute schedule. 

Brian left for home after making Kim a pot of chili for the week. 

Our Christmas movie this week was a good one, "A Dance in the Snow" about a girl who has autism and her mom and getting through high school.

Sheri texted and said Dawn went to church with Terry & Cathi today. Yay!

"This is mortality. A proving ground. A place designed for growth."

- President Emily Belle Freeman

2 Kings 23:3

And the king stood by a pillar, and make a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.

Rebecca & Brent's family