Daydream Believer

[Veda]

Daydream Believer 

Ramblings and heart felt thoughts on: yesterday . . . today . . . and tomorrow.

I suppose this would be considered Volume II, as my old writing spot is called one in the same. 

So, with that said . .  . Here I am back where thoughts or anything else can be written.
Where the mind tends to get caught up in a memory, an idea or just whatever else spills out onto paper. 

I almost feel like I need to sing the "Welcome Back Kotter" song to myself (and I just did)
Just the chorus though. 
 
Welcome back, welcome back welcome ba-a-ak.

So with that said . . . I'm home and will write from time to time. 

 







 
 

[Oliver]

Let 'er rip!

[Veda]

"Wonder is the beginning of Wisdom" (Greek proverb)

When I read this quote, it seemed really deep. I wonder about things all the time, but rarely feel that I've come to the point of thinking wisdom actually enters into the picture. 

However . . . when that "Ah-Hah" feeling DOES comes along, that just could be a tad of wisdom creeping in.

Well, that's how I feel about it today anyway. 

[Veda]

Quote from: Oliver on July 22, 2009, 12:54:41 AM

I'm about to blog something about "snapshot memories". To me, those are simply images in my mind of things that have stayed there since, well, at least Collett Days, for instance, seeing Mr. (Charles) Handley in the little kitchen for his music lessons for me and a few others.

Do you still have a degree of snapshot memories from school, work, etc; from long ago?
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Veda’s reply:

So many as well Oliver, however over time some of the images are starting to fade.  I'm in the process of writing a list of topics, and then taking the time to write about each one as time permits.  They could as well show up on my blog in the future.
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That brings me to one of my topics today . . .

One of those memories I want to share today has to do with a Birthday Party when I was around 9 years old.
 
There are no physical old photographs in my fading collection to pull out and ponder on for a moment to bring the day into view, but there's no need, as that one birthday is etched in my minds view ever so vivid.

Kids birthday parties, especially when you're one of the kids can be a lot of fun.  Games, laughter, chasing each other around when it's an outdoor party can be chaotic for the parent but the pure joy of children playing together makes it all worth while. 

Shopping ahead of time for that perfect gift is another thing.  Mom and I went shopping and of course I wanted to buy a toy or something FUN, but mom said, well, let's go look in the clothing part of the store too, maybe we'll find something there that could make a great gift for Toby. I questioned her sanity at the moment, but followed her out of the toy department.

Toby was a cute boy, always a little more quiet than others but he had a smile that let you know without a doubt you were his friend.  There was never a snide remark from him toward anyone. On the other hand though, he was at times looked down upon by others, (at least that's the words my mother used to explain it to me)  Their family seemed a little different, maybe not as shiny and polished as some, but their kindness to others truly outshone just about anyone else in the neighborhood.  They were a good family, the parents taught their children to respect others and to be kind despite what others might have said toward them. 

Well, as my mother and I shopped, I conceded to picking out a striped pull over t-shirt for Toby's birthday present.  I didn't think he was going to like my present, especially when I saw a game I really wanted to give him, but mom's words and a little more coaxing led us to the counter to purchase the shirt. 

The Birthday Party day arrived, and after the games and the cake and ice-cream it was time for Toby to open his presents.  Oh, he was so excited with so many new toys and he even got the exact board game that I wanted to buy for him, CLUE. So, I held my gift back, wondering if I would really give it to him or just hide it under my chair and give it to him after the party without anyone else looking at it.  But it was too late, someone said, "Hey wait . . . here's one you haven't opened yet", and pulled it out from under my chair. 

No turning back now . . . so I waited as he tore open the box, just like he did with every other gift that was brought for him.  Then he paused, my heart skipped a beat as he peered into the tissue paper lined gift box and looked at me and then started to yell . . . "Hey, MOM . . . . I got a new SHIRT!!!!"  His grin grew bigger and bigger and he even went as far as to hold it up to his chest to show everyone! He said "Thank-you so much!" 

He in turn set the new shirt on the ground with his pile of birthday treasures and we all went to play tag. 

The party soon faded away like any other summer day, Toby and his family moved out of town just as the school year ended and I've never seen them since.  Wish I could at least remember his last name, but I’m so glad to have that memory so vivid after some 50 years. 

The realization of how the shirt was appreciated, was shown by how many times he wore it to school that September and accompanying months until I think it was literally ready to fall apart.  We never again talked about the shirt after the party, but he only seemed to have about three and rotated them every three days that school year. 

My first thought on this thread was "Wonder is the beginning of Wisdom” and it really hits home as I reflect back today.

My mothers practicality showed me how there was a greater need for Toby to have a new shirt from me than a toy that year, and to not let the looks of others detract from a gift given in love for another. I'm so grateful for the lesson learned, and to try and take it into my daily life with others, and thus . . . comes the wisdom, to look beyond a feeling of what others may think about what you do. When it's a good thing, just do it.  The gift may look like nothing to others, but in your heart the feelings of joy are over whelming.

At times when I’m shopping, I go to the boys department and look for a striped T-shirt, then I see Toby again with his tussled yellow brown hair yelling . . . “Hey, MOM . . . I got a new SHIRT!”   
 

[Guardian Angel]

Veda, what a wonderful memory!

[Pat Testa]

Veda...I loved that story and hope you share LOTS of your memories with us...that's what keeps them alive. I'm sure wherever Toby is now...that he has a special memory of you also

[Oliver]

(and could your mom, by chance, have known that Toby would be getting the Clue game??) (just before my 7th birthday I had money I was allowed to spend for a toy and my mother steered me away from the one I wanted: my sister gave it to me shortly thereafter on my birthday)

[Oliver]

Well, here it is almost the middle of September 2009.

[Pat Testa]

Ah yes...the seasons are changing...the leaves are falling...my rake is handy...

I just read where Patrick Swayze passed away at the tender age of 57. Isn't it strange how we get attached to these people who entertain us?  It's as if we really know them and yet their lives are so different than ours.  But, I think the thing that really gets to me is that EVERYONE will eventually pass away...even those who will live on in the movies and television shows...until, one day, you will wonder...did they die or are they still alive? Okay...I didn't mean to stray from your mid-September remark. My mind just started wandering...if you happen to find it...send it back to me

[Oliver]

Hey, looks like we've shanghied (sp) Veda's blog! I wonder if she'll mind?? Or notice?

OK, Pat, here's your brain back, I saw it way out in the pasture with mine and yelled at it to be a-gitting back in Texas where she belongs.

Hmmm, who's still sharpening pencils..... Here's one way to find out:
 
 http://www.whosaliveandwhosdead.com/actors.asp

Now, I'm gonna try to sneak out of here quietly to avoid hearing Veda get angry and let fly an epithet or two like "fiddlesticks!" or even the "s" word (Schlarman).....(just an Oliver joke, one that get's him into BIG trouble, but Pat knows all about that)

I'm outta here!

[Pat Testa]

Hi Veda...we're just keepin' your blog going...I, for one knew you wouldn't mind...heck...mine is just sittin' there doin' nothing most of the time...any one who wants to wander over there is certainly welcome.

[Veda]

Hello and welcome! Oh wait . . . you're already here! lol

Thanks for posting on my blog, heck . . . I wasn't using it anyway! lol 

Bruce and I are still volunteering at the rundown ranch, so not much time to have the fun I love.
I'm talking about writing more on the Briarpatch Oliver, so keep those thoughts lofty! 
No, not in the tree tops, but above the neck.

I like that we can tease each other.  Maybe I don't do it as much as others, but you all sure give me a laugh from time to time.

Any who, it may still be a while before I delve into something to write about.  Haven't had much time to daydream lately and that truly IS on my list of favorite things to do. 

Speaking of Schlarman . . . Oliver.  My class of 67 is having a get together this weekend for all of us  turning 60 this year.  I think there's even supposed to be a special  place at the homecoming game for us to cheer from and of course talk.  Wish I was going to be part of that fun, but alas, here I sit in Utah of my own fruition, giving up the chance to be home. Somehow it just didn't fall into place.  Not to say that I'm not a tad melancholy tonight, (OK, so I am, so what!) lol 

I was also looking forward to sitting a spell with you again Olly and having a jaunty talk like last time.  Do you still have the two houses? Did I ever send you the photo that I took of you? Are you still driving the neighbor around in his van?  Do you ever see John Shields?   

I should close this blog spot, starting to ramble aren't I?  Time to hit the hay and saw some logs.  Oh by the way, the first thing hubby needs to do tomorrow morning when we get to the ranch is to try and get the pump fixed, or there will be no "inside" potty breaks. Yikes! I'm not afraid of anyone being around there, just that the horse flies are a tad vicious! lol  Nighty-night.

[Oliver]

I am "only" 60, but I'm slipping some, Veda. I just saw your entry from 6 days ago.

Quicky answers: The unfortunate man, 84, next door fell on Christmas Eve going to church, no less, rebroke a hip and had an awful time trying to recover and never did. He passed on May 15th. The house is now for sale, for some lucky person(s) to have ME, Oliver!, as a neighbor from heaven!

2 of my kids are next door, which makes me very happy.

Please do not send the picture of me you took. Ignorance is bliss.

Our friend is much the same as always. Sorry to say, we don't talk too often, however, his mom and I have talked more since Christmas (due to the neighbor's accident) than in decades.

Do you check out Classmates.com? I've joined though it is realllly sloooooow to navigate with dial-up, testing even my God-given patience.

Whoops, the bump strip just kicked in, bye! (guess my answers weren't so quick afterall)

odd: "above the neck" is where all those unlofty thoughts come from.......

 

[Veda]

I was thinking about the place Bruce and I have been going to for the past month and jotted down a few thoughts.  Decided that I might as well post them here and share with all of you.

North Pointe Utah Livestock - Ranch    September 29, 2009                                               

When you drive west on I-80, just two exits past the Salt Lake International Airport, you can be transfixed from the hub-bub of everyday life: consisting of city buildings, people walking on sidewalks dressed in business attire, many, many neighborhoods with myriads of children at school recess, parks, theaters, fast food places, grocery stores, shopping centers and most of all traffic that can scare the bravest of drivers.   All these aspects which make up the Salt Lake Valley and surrounding areas, are a necessary part of life, yet . . . just a few miles away is a hidden area to most that simply fades away into Nature 101. 

The North Pointe Utah Livestock ranch, consisting of 4,000 acres takes you back to a slower paced time, yet quickly as cattle come in and out of the ranch it can be quite the busy place in its own right.

As it came to be, it was and still is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. However, it has been categorized under different subsidiaries.

When the church felt the need to consolidate ranches, the now named property of NPUL went by the name of Magna Beef. With this consolidation, Magna Beef was closed under the Welfare part of the church and then transferred over to the Commercial land entity.  There’s said to be a master plan for a future city on this vast property, but with today’s economy it might be far reaching before it would ever (if ever) come to fruition.   

Even though the land was listed as commercial, there wasn’t a need to move forward with anything so the church leased the ground for a period of some 25 years, up until 2008.   Cattle were grazed here and also the Bailey Duck Club was initiated by the lessee. Not much interaction from the church department came into play with this land over the years, which allowed it to fall into a state of ill repair.   

Now, as it comes full circle and falls once again under the Welfare Program of the church, much work is needed to bring it into the standard that the church reflects. 

Much clean-up work and hauling away of debris has already taken place.  The remaining buildings are all in some state of needing repair.  Imagine your workspace consisting of 4,000 acres and only one working bathroom.  Non-drinkable water and with winter coming, an office that is unheated.  A place to house a family or two to take care of the ranch is sorely needed. 

Although corrals look nice with a weathered look finish, there are many places where you’ll find them hap hazardly bound together with what ever was close at hand at the time.  Bailing twine or a twist or two of barbed wire, etc.  Hinges on many over-aged gates are in the same manner of being held together. 

This can be a magnificent piece of land, bringing many cattle here, which it already does, to graze. With the abundance of free water resources available it could be transformed into a place of beauty as well as a place to grow cattle for the Welfare system. 

Birds and animals come across or abide on this land.  If possible, future revenue to offset expenses to run the ranch could be in the form of photographing and documenting the different types of wildlife and vegetation, to allow nature groups, in the future to come in and take advantage of the beauty that can be found here. 

Just a few wildlife creatures that have been sited and or photographed are: antelope, deer, coyotes, raccoons, voles, hawks, turkey buzzards, egrets, crows, doves, sparrows, swallows, kill deer, seagulls, cranes, pheasants, pelicans, snow geese and ducks. I’ve been told that there are far more to be discovered over the year’s time. 

With all this said, the ranch is immense; it will take more than just the few workers that toil here daily to turn it around.  Volunteers with helpful hands and a willingness to work needs to happen to bring the ranches plans to realization. 

If all goes well, in a year’s time or more this could be a great functioning ranch that the church would be proud to call its own.   

[Guardian Angel]

Your description is so vivid I can almost imagine myself there............   You are so lucky to be able to volunteer to bring that ranch into the present.  You must surly feel a sense of satisfaction after having worked there all day.  Sounds like God's country................