Sunrises and Sunsets

I've posted some pictures from the last couple days at my Flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/summersfire/ and at picasa: http://picasaweb.google.com/mindy.thmpsn

Thanksgiving-time 2008

Back in 2002, my son Shane (center) played Babe Ruth All Stars with Mike (left) and Tim (right) Dewhurst. This is a photo taken at the Pacific Southwest Regional Tournament in Galt, California (near Lodi).

(The photo below is of my son, Shane (right), with Mike Dewhurst- taken December 2, 2008).

On Tuesday, Shane and Ryan drove up from San Gabriel Valley to spend Thanksgiving with us.
After visiting with each other for a bit, Shane said that he had some bad news: our mutual family friend, Tim Dewhurst (age 23), was killed in a car accident. Tim and Shane had played a lot of baseball together - including the 2002 World Series "Dukes"Team that went to Stamford, CT. Shane had also played on the same team as Tim's brother, Mike in the 2000 Babe Ruth World Series in Moses Lake, WA, which they won.

Mike & Tim's dad, Pete had become our friend. He helped our family by repairing the "BIG RED" Chevy truck which has been passed around the family. We have some good memories with the Dewhurst family both on and off the baseball field, like getting on a bus in San Francisco and Pete handed out tickets using a (non-politically correct) fake Chinese language. I laughed so hard that I cried. During that same trip, Shane, Tim & Mike spent a good amount of time spitting off the Golden Gate bridge and watching how the air currents would catch it before gravity took hold. The photo below shows the partners in crime!

I clearly remember the time that Scotty Nestor (one of the Dukes' teammates on the Stamford, CT team) told off Bobby Valentine, who was the coach of the New York Mets at the time and Pete defended him. Tim, Pete, Shane and I went to New York City (with the rest of the parents and teammates) and one of the stops that we made was "ground zero" for the World Trade Center only 11 months after September 11, 2001. It was a somber moment that we shared. We later ate at a McDonalds that was 2 stories with a guy playing on a grand piano upstairs! (only in NYC!)

On Tuesday, December 2, 2008, I drove to LA County to meet Shane. After lunch at his old work (Islands Restaurant in West Covina), we went to Pomona First Baptist Church for Tim Dewhurst's memorial service. There was about 1000 people in attendance. The service was very special. Several of Tim's friends spoke and his brother, Mike, said that Tim wanted the best for every person he met. In fact, Tim saw the best in others and tried to help them be their best. Mike had the song, "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton played. That's when I started to sob. Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven... cause I know I don't belong.. here in heaven (some of the lyrics).

One of the moments that touched me in the memorial service was the pastor read from Tim's Bible. It said a lot about this fine young man with the things that were marked and noted in his scriptures. He said that B.I.B.L.E. stands for Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth. How ironic he would write that. And from the things I heard at the service, Tim did his best to live his life accordingly.

We went to the graveside service and met up with Charlie Paz (one of the Dukes coaches), David Uribes (who was on two of the same World Series teams as Shane) and Scott Nestor (who was released by the Florida Marlins organization and was picked up by the Philadelphia Phillies). The photo shows these MEN (no longer boys) at the cemetary. (L-R, Shane, Scott, Charlie, and David).

Shane (#19), Scotty Nestor (the tall one) and David Uribes (directly beside Shane) - at the State Tournament in July of 2000. These boys were 16 at the time!

Shane and Charlie Paz after winning the 2000 16 & under Babe Ruth World Series in Moses Lake, Washington.

We were invited to the family home after the graveside service for Tim. There we got to hug the family. Mike gave Shane a big hug and then realized that I was standing there. After our own big hug, we both said that it was so wonderful to see each other, even under these circumstances. I was glad to be there for Shane, for Dewhurst family and to honor Tim's memory. I needed to be there for myself as well. I can't even begin to understand the depth of hurt that the family must be feeling right now. In less than 6 months, this is the second set of parents that I know that have had to bury their child (even though they're adults when they passed). I wish I could take the pain away for them, but I know that I can't. I hurt for them!

Happier times. (Left to right: Pete, Mike, Shane, Tim, & Stan) in San Francisco, July 2002.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So back to the details of our Thanksgiving: we went for a ride at Dove Springs before returning home for Thanksgiving Dinner. It had rained the day before so we HAD to find some puddles!

This was Ryan's first time riding! He did a great job and I think we've got him hooked!

Stake Youth Halloween Carnival

Brother-sister acts: Cory & Erica Lange looking "MARVELOUS" with Maddy & Ben Jacobsen looking equally fantastic!

Brother Jacobsen is our new YM president and here he is with Erik & Berlyn.

Sister Gubler had some fun carving her pumpkin.

Fun with Friends

What happens when 5 families get together? We have a lot of fun! The Anderson's, Harris', Peterson's, and us, the Thompson's are pictured here. The fifth family was the Jespersen's but they couldn't join us on this ride since they had soccer games. It was a lot of fun and it's something that I hope we do again sometime soon. The ride took us from Jawbone Canyon to Kelso Valley all the way to the border with a portion of Sequoia National Forest.

That's Stan on his quad turning around a little ways up the dirt road. Can you tell from the photos that we were COLD!!! My hands were numb at one point during the ride. We stopped with Rick & Diane Harris and warmed our hands against the quads' exhaust! It was as cold as I've ever been (at least while riding).

This is a great shot of Erik Thompson and Ryan Anderson!

more Yosemite

This is a favorite place of mine to take a photo of Half Dome. In another month, many of the leaves will have turned yellow to orange. There was actually more water than we expected - but it was typically dry for fall. It was beautiful! On October 4th (a week and a half after we were there), the Tioga Pass (shown in the picture) closed due to snow!!! We were glad that we took the trip when we did.

Nerds R Us!

Stan and I were able to "escape" on our own for four whole days! We went up to the high country in the Sierras to Tuolumne Meadows. We had a wonderful, relaxing time. I read two books (over 900 pages), we hiked, we did some sightseeing, and we just enjoyed the quiet. With Stan's work schedule and me being in YW plus having my mom (still) here, this was just what we needed!

Some of the pictures are posted on my "Facebook" pages plus a few are on flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/summersfire/
if you want to take a look!

Now, we're back home and trying to figure out the best way to meet my mom's needs. She probably can't go home again - at least not to live alone. So some decisions need to be made. And, those decisions aren't easy ones to make. This is going to take a lot of thought, prayer, and planning to get things worked out.

random thoughts

So, my mom is still here - for almost 9 weeks. I have to say that this has been difficult. My posting on this blog has been scarce. I'm ready for some normalcy! Stan still doesn't have a calling (sigh). I hope that changes ASAP since it's really hard for him.

sunset pics

http://www.flickr.com/photos/summersfire/ more sunset pics posted here

Beautiful Sunset

I love the colors in the sunsets that we get in our area. This was taken from the Antelope Valley - about 50 miles from our house.

Service

These girls taught me a powerful lesson at camp. When Heidi and Amber returned from their hike, the Berlyn washed their hair, and other girls took off their hiking boots - and washed their feet. It makes me think of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. The girls were given foot massages as well. After that long backpack trip, what a welcome relief this must have been!

I'm really proud of these young women.

Here's a link to many of the photos from camp:

http://picasaweb.google.com/mindy.thmpsn/GirlsCamp2008

As for me & my house, we will serve the Lord...

If you're offended by reading things with a religious/spiritual theme, please don't read the following. I assume since you have my blog address, you won't be offended!

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and e very single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees.. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters ce lebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu & nbsp; If people want a crèche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot20of us who are wondering where Nick and Jessica c ame from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I beli eve He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Mu rray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou sh alt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.

Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully, Ben Stein

Golden Hills Ward Youth Activities

So this is Erik with his girlfriend of three months, Berlyn. Neither of them wanted to have their picture taken but I did it anyway! We were at Central Park in Tehachapi for a picnic with the youth from our ward on July 19, 2008.

I even took a picture of all the leftover food. We sent some of it home to feed the missionaries who live at Ron & Dianne Miller's home. Nothing says "picnic in the park" like watermelon and hot dogs!

The girls planned a picnic and water fight activity for July 9th, 2008. This photo of Stan was taken at the Ward building that night. It ended up being the last time he was with the youth in his role in the Bishopric.

This photo of Erik was taken that same night.

Imagine That!

We have a friend (pictured) who would always says, "Imagine that!" whenever someone was asked to do something that he found to be a no-brainer. For instance, "you want us to arrive at church 5 minutes early?" Imagine that. "You want us to sacrifice our time" (even though it's for service to the Lord - or to others...) Imagine that.

We're going to miss Mr. Imagine That (Bryan). He and his family of a wife and five boys (!) are moving to Wyoming this week.

Time for a Change

Our Bishop, R. Bryan Hoggan, is moving to Wyoming, so he was released today (July 20, 2008) which means that Stan (and John Handy) were released as his counselors. I didn't think I'd cry, but I did as Bryan spoke. I'm happy for his family to have this new opportunity but I'm sad to see them go. I hugged each of he and Janel's 5 boys and Janel had tears in her eyes. She and I have become friends. Change is part of life and part of serving in the church.... we'll get used to this in time. The new Bishop is Gary Eisenzimmer, who is a great man and a great choice for what our ward needs. His counselors are Wayne Jepson and Ted Hobart. They will make a great team!

Old Endings and New Beginnings

Tomorrow, my mom is coming to stay with us for awhile. Her bones are so brittle she doesn't even realize that she's breaking them by twisting and turning. It's so hard to see our parents age and eventually, die. They were invincible to us as children. The things we consider "normal" have to change - to ebb and flow into the healthy fluidity that is required to keep up with life. Two years ago when my husband had a serious torso trauma in an ATV accident, this fact came through to me loud and clear. We are still getting used to the "new normal". Part of any loss is the process through which we accept the changes that occur. My husband, Stan, will never be the same. My mother will never be the same. Stan will always have some limitations. She will always be in pain. I just want to help her through her journey of acceptance - and give her some dignity in the winter of her life. Our lives are filled with family, church callings, service, horses, outdoor recreation, art, music, and the everyday happenings of life. .



And YW camp is in less than 10 days away and other ward changes are coming. I am in the process of delegating some responsibilities to those around me. I need to remember to take care of myself - through swimming, riding, journaling - so that I can better serve those who need me.

(I didn't draw this artwork - it's from a free clipart collection).

Random Rumblings

We had a good July 4th. We went to breakfast with our ward family, which was cool. There was even an mini-airshow put on over the skies of Tehachapi. After coming home, Stan took the engine out of the '64 Chevy Malibu (i.e., the Chevelle, the tin can, etc.) The engine is literally in pieces. (sigh) Anyway after BBQing chicken, we joined the Peterson's in the Home Depot parking lot to watch the small annual fireworks display that is put on from the airport. We had a good time. The traffic coming home was backed up - but that's life in a small town. Most folks come out to support the local activities, which is something that I like!

There are so many fires burning in California right now. There's one (the Piute fire) in Sequoia National Forest that isn't too terribly far from us. The last report states that the fire has burned 28 square miles and it's *only* a week old. I say *only* because there are other fires still burning which started on June 21st from the 6000 lightning strikes that hit Northern California. Today, from our bedroom window, I can see the brown smoke in the air from the Piute fire. Last week after church, we could see plumes of smoke, but the wind shifted and the smoke has been drifting in a more northerly direction. The photo at right shows about how it looked last Sunday.

This is a pic of the fire that was taken on July 7, 2008 from closer to the fire line. It gives me an eerie feeling.

After nearly two years as a Family History Consultant, last February, I was released. Two weeks later, our Bishop (R. Bryan Hoggan) called me into his office to give me a new calling. Since February 23rd, I've been the Young Women's President. I've been in a presidency before (Primary) but this is my first calling as President. I was speechless at the time! With Stan in the Bishopric, our lives have been busy, and now they're even busier. We're preparing for Stake Girls Camp, which is a big deal. I'm still camp director as well as YW President. I love my calling and I love the girls! I'm learning so much and I have much more to learn. Back in May, the Young Men did a "Fear Factor" activity which ended up being a lot of fun. One of the "events" was to pull raisins out of tapioca pudding. As you can see in the photo at left, more tapioca got on the participants than stayed in the trays! That's our son, Erik on the left, Sophia Barraclough in the center and Kendra Harris on the right. Our friend, and neighbor, Ryan Anderson is directly behind them, with Bishop Hoggan and his son, Brayden (in the orange shirt) farther back.

Jay Leno at his best!

I haven't checked to make sure that Leno said these things but they sure hit home with me!


ATTRIBUTED TO Jay Leno :
As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark
'
The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we unhappy about?''

A.. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?

B.. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?

C.. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?

D.. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

E.. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?

F.. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?

G.. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.

H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

I.. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.

J... You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.

K.. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

L.. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

M.. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats he world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad?

Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful Heart every day.

Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts. How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!

Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your birdcage. Then start being grateful for all we have as country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?' Jay Leno

Wild Abandon

So, I've decided that this is my favorite photo from our most recent Yosemite trip. I didn't take the picture but I call it, "Shane praying to the Yosemite water gods". You can add your own caption! It's just a great expression of what's right in Yosemite and Shane's enjoying it with wild abandon - especially after the grueling hike to get to the falls!

quotes

Leadership is doing what is right when no one is watching.
-George Van Valkenburg

No man was ever wise by chance.
-Seneca

Growth in wisdom may be exactly measured by decrease in bitterness.
-Friedrich Nietzsche

Don't solve your problems, dissolve your problems--so that they should not recur again.
-Yogi Bhajan

Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.
-John F. Kennedy

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.
-Albert Schweitzer

One must care about a world one will never see.
-Bertrand Russell

That they may have a little peace, even the best dogs are compelled to snarl occasionally.
-William Feather

Humility is the solid foundation of all the virtues.
-Confucius

When the student is ready, the needed scripture will come.

--By Myke Weber

When the student is ready, the teacher appears.
-Tao saying

Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.
-William Jennings Bryan

believe in yourself

Praise and blame, gain and loss, pleasure and sorrow come and go like the wind. To be happy, rest like a giant tree in the midst of them all.
-Buddha

If you don't run your own life, someone else will.
-John Atkinson

---

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"Fat" Feet

When I was a child, I felt insecure and embarrassed by my "fat feet". I always wanted to go barefoot and my mom would tell me that my feet would get wider if I was constantly barefoot. I was adopted at birth so she didn't share my characteristics. It has always been a challenge to find shoes that fit! And, with my mom's admonitions that I was making my feet wide, I felt responsible for my funny feet. I had one friend suggest that if I lost weight, that I'd have narrower feet as well. (sigh) Fast forward several years and I find out that my feet are typical of Native Americans/American Indians/Amer-Indians (use whatever term best suits your way of thinking). This is from a documented and often cited research paper about American Indians entitled, "Physical Characteristics" by Laurie Beth Duffy:

Many people are surprised to find the physical characteristics running in their family, indicate they are descendents of Native Americans. At this point I usually have someone who accuses me of perpetuating stereotypes of Native Americans. Well, the characteristics I will mention are all based on medical studies. A little research is all that is needed if someone is interested in the facts behind them.

• High cheekbones where glasses set high on the face and get all smeary on the bottom of the lens. *
• Almond shaped almost oriental looking eyes?
• Lazy eyes in children.
• Heavy "fat" eyelids where the eyelid appears to have an extra fold.
• A melanin (pigmentation) in the back of the eye on the retina peculiar to Native Americans.
  
• "Shovel" teeth, the teeth have a ledge on the backside. Run your tongue across them, they feel almost like a shovel shape. *
• Large front teeth with a slight or more than slight gap. (I have large front teeth, but no gap)
• Lack of the Carrabelli cusp on the maxillary first molars, which is missing in Native Americans. (not sure I have this one)
  
• Large heavy earlobes. *
• Crooked fingers particularly the little finger or pinky. *
• An inverted breastbone. Often called a Chicken Breast. The bone actually makes an indentation in the chest. (not sure I have this one)
  
• Little toes that lie under the next one. *
• A second toe longer than the big toe. *
• A wider space between the big toe and second one. *
• An extra ridge of bone along the outside of the foot. *

(For each characteristic that I personally have, I've marked the list with an asterisk. * )

Other similar articles mention the presence of a dark melanin spot on the base of the spine of newborns, which disappears in time. My second son had this mark!

And back to the story about feet - Nike has come out with a shoe designed specifically for Native American feet!

From the New York Post:

NATIVE AMERICANS TAKE A WALK IN NIKE'S SHOES
By PAUL THARP

September 28, 2007 -- Nike has invented a new sneaker designed for especially for the feet of Native Americans - no joke.

The company said it fielded a few crank queries over its new Air Native N7 from individuals asking if shoes also are being introduced for other ethnic groups.

"We've had a few questions about that regarding other groups, but this is a very serious product," said Nike spokesman Kejuan Wilkins.

He said the Native American sneaker was developed over the past two years at the request of Native American health advocates, because Native Americans have been unable to find sneaker sizes suitable for their much wider feet.

Scientific tests and scans done on 70 tribes by Nike and Native American medical researchers showed that 86 percent of males have a shoe size width of "E" or larger. Among females, 97 percent had a width of "C" or larger, compared to average of "B" widths for non-Native American women.

"It's been a serious problem for Native Americans to find suitable and proper sizes for exercise or sports shoes," said Wilkins, noting that Nike pioneered the oversized sneakers of size 20 and larger for pro basketball players.

One of the Native American researchers who helped develop the sneaker, Dr. Rodney Stapp of the Urban Inter-Tribal Center Dallas, said Native Americans need "the antidote of movement and sport." He said they suffer some of the highest rates of diabetes due in large part to being overweight and inactive.

The sneakers will be sold only through Native American marketing channels, and will be retailed at a steep discount, costing around $40 a pair. Nike said proceeds will go directly to Native American groups.

Two Wolves - A Cherokee Tale

An elder cherokee was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said to them, "A fight is going on inside me. It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.

One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.

This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too."

The children thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old cherokee simply replied,"The one you feed."

Image and story from: http://www.aaanativearts.com/article658.html

Our Latest Yosemite Trip

In May of 2008, Stan made a passing comment, “When are we going to Yosemite again?” That’s all the encouragement Katie and I needed to search for campsite reservations! We managed to find what appeared to be a cancellation for three short weeks in the future. Most sites book 5 months in advance, so we felt lucky. We grabbed the reservation and invited Ryan and Shane to join us.

On Monday, June 2nd, we left Tehachapi at about 5:30 a.m. We had to stop for our traditional McDonald’s junk food breakfast! It’s only a short 3-hour drive from Tehachapi to Oakhurst, which is just outside the Park. After gassing up (at $5.09 per gallon – yikes!), we made it to the Park entrance to use our “Park Pass” that Katie and I had bought back in March. Erik had work to do here at home and Ryan had college work to turn in, so they weren't able to join us. And, Scott couldn't really get here from Texas for this trip.

We got to the campground about 10 a.m. and had about two hours to spare before we could occupy our campsite. We drove to the Village and had hamburgers for lunch and just enjoyed the cool morning air. Even though June is considered summertime in Yosemite, it still felt like Spring. The deciduous trees were green again and all around was the sound of robins and rushing water. For this year, the peak time for waterflow was about a month ago, but many of the falls were still flowing at a high rate. We hadn't been to Yosemite at this time of year before - we'd either go earlier in the Spring or later in Summer or Fall. This was the PERFECT time to see Yosemite at it's best!

After setting up our camp (site #207 in North Pines Campground in the Valley), we decided to go check out lower Yosemite Falls. We hiked to the base of the Falls where we met two LDS families from Spanish Fork, Utah. We'd brought snacks with us, so we stayed for awhile to enjoy the scenery near the falls. Back at camp, we had chicken fajitas for dinner and a quiet evening of reading and sitting around the campfire.

The next morning (Tuesday, June 3rd), we drove up to the Glacier Point road to locate the trailhead for Taft Point. This was a trail I'd taken as a teenager and then introduced it to Stan last summer. The reason for the large gap between the two visits was that I didn't feel safe taking young children on the hike! Each of the fissures and most of the Taft Point area had serious dropoffs with no guard rails. I thought it best to not worry about children falling off the edge!

This is the view from the Taft Point and Sentinnel Dome trailhead.

There was still some snow on the trail. We had to find a safe way to cross some of the sloshy areas. Katie and I had brought walking sticks so that helped with crossing the snowy areas as well as the stream crossing we had to make.

Getting to Taft Point and the Fissures isn't too bad of a hike - coming back is another story! It's quite a hike back up, especially the first 150 feet of climbing. But the hike is so worth the effort!

This is the view UP the trail on the way back.

Notice the people at the railing at Taft Point.

One of the five fissures.

While we were waiting for Shane and his friend, Daniel, to join us at Glacier Point we took several pictures of Half Dome and Nevada and Vernal Falls. We had a few squirrels and chipmunks to entertain us while we waited.

On Wednesday, Stan, Shane and Daniel were wanting to take a hike. We encouraged them to hike to the bridge where you can see Vernal Falls. They decided to go to the top of the falls, which is a tough, misty hike. These are their pictures!

The view of the falls (and the surrounding mist) paints a beautiful picture and it's what Yosemite is all about.

Daniel standing on the tough steps that lead up to Vernal Falls. The guys were TIRED after this hike!

We went to Curry Village that night for the buffet dinner and then Katie, Shane, & Daniel played Phase 10 (a card game), while I sketched in my sketchbook and Stan warmed himself by the fire he'd built. We stayed up late talking about old times and the good memories we have of the baseball/softball years - and other camping trips. I wish Scott, Ryan and Erik could have been there! The next morning, Shane & Daniel had to leave earlier than us to avoid LA traffic. Breaking camp is always a tough thing to do. The place that had been home for a few days became empty again.