Y 2 K

           Y 2 K EDITORIAL Jan 2000 

   Well since Grandpa is the so-called editor of this family newspaper I am taking the opportunity to editorialize a little.

   A couple of things are for sure. If you are sitting somewhere reading this, then we know the world did not end in January 1^st, 1999. We also know that the postal service must still be functioning. If you have lights on to read with, then we also know that the power plants did not all shut down?

   The “doomsayers” will really be disappointed if nothing happens at the end of the millennium. We have been told a lot if things are going to or MIGHT happen. They range from the ridiculous to the sublime. A short list of what has been envisioned in the news media; the past few months are listed here so we can look back and laugh or read it and wonder why we did not take it more serious?

          1.The World will come to an end.

          2.All the power plants will shut down and we will have no power.

          3.All the sewage plants will spew raw sewage into the streets of the cities.

          4.No power=No gas pumps, no electric stoves, no lights, no traffic control, no             computers, no freezers or refrigerators –(and on and on and on?)

          5.Terrorism. (I think this might be one that could be a reality.)

          6.Computer problems. (Another definite possibility.)

          7.At midnight all the airplanes flying by computers will fall out of the sky.

          8.All ships will have no navigational controls.

          9.We will not be able to buy groceries because their computers will not work.

          10.No prescriptions for the same reason.

          11.Water plants will shut down and we will have no water to drink.

   Now back to common sense and a little reality. First, if number one on this list happens we will not have to worry about any of the others! However if we just make a little preparation, as we have been told as a Church, we should not have anything to worry about. I think I will listen to a Prophet and the other leaders of our Church rather than the doomsayers of the press and media.

   President Hinckley responded to some questions about the upcoming Millennium in the December 11^th issue if the Church News. He said, among other thinks that, “I am excited. The very concept of being present to step over the threshold of one Century to another and from one Millennium to another is for me a wonderfully exciting thing. I just feel fortunate to be able to do that.” This does not sound to me like a person who expects the world to come to an end on January 1^st.

   He also said that in the 21^st Century he expected, “progress, growth, strengthening and a larger membership.” He also said, “If the members will live the gospel, nearly everything else will take care of itself.”      W.R. Baldwin

   I was cleaning out some “stuff” in my old desk and run across this. My first thought was, “has it really been 15 years since all this was going on.” We had a little family newspaper at the time and I wrote this (half in jest and half really questioning.) I can remember it like it was yesterday. There were special editions of newspapers printed, special documentaries on TV and of course a lot of people just talking about it.

   It has been a wild ride for those last 15 or 16 years. Reading this stirred up a lot of memories for me and I thought it might for others who read my blogs.

   I love going on reminiscing & memory trips.

Wallace R. Baldwin

30 Dec 2015

ANGELS I HAVE SEEN

ANGELS I HAVE SEEN?

   He was not very old. I would guess about eight or nine years. He was sitting on the edge of the reflecting pool, near the Temple, and making little riffles in the water with his finger. I had been watching him a little while. He seemed to be waiting anxiously for someone.

   After sometime I decided to walk over and talk to him. As I approached him I asked him if he would mind if I sit by him a few minutes. He told me no that he did not mind; in fact he thought it would be nice.

   I sat down and he pointed to a couple that were a little ways away and told me that was his Mom and Dad and they were visiting with some old friends they had not seen for a long time. He had told them that he would rather sit by the reflecting pool than go over with them and listen to OLD people talk.

   He asked me if I worked here and I told him no, not really, I was just here to spend some time in the Temple. I explained as best I could what it meant to “attend the Temple.”

   We were talking and a nice looking lady walked up and asked if we would mind if she sat by us. She had striking black hair and a white dress that was so white it almost sparkled.

   I told them I had to leave anyway because my wife would be here in a few minutes to get me. I thanked them for visiting with me and left.

   After I had left the boy stared at the lady, for more than a few minutes, and finally she said,”are you Ok or can I help you with something?” He looked at her and said, “May I ask you something?” She answered that of course he could. She was quite startled when he asked her if she was an “Angel.”

   At first she was not sure how to answer, but she finally told him that her name was Angela, but some people in her family called her Angel. 

   He told her he sure would like to talk to a real Angel; because he had a lot of things he wondered about that OLD people did not seem to want to talk about. He told her he knew she was OLD also because she looked about 30. She kind of giggled and asked him if 30 was really old. He told her yes it was, but she was pretty, so if she was 30 she must be a young 30.

   Then Angela suggested he ask her the questions and told him she would try to answer them, and if she could not, she would try and find someone who would?

   Then she said, “First do you have a name?” He told her his name was Thaddeus, but everyone called him Thad. The reason it was Thaddeus was that was also his Grandpa’s name.

   So Thad told Angela his story:

   I had a baby Sister that died when she was just a few days old. Everyone tells me it is OK because she now has gone to live with Jesus. But when my Grandma died they told me she had gone to live with Jesus also. And when my Uncle Steve died they told me that he had gone back to live with Jesus also.

   Well now I am glad they have all gone to Heaven to live with Jesus, but where is that? Some of the older people say Heaven is up in the sky and some say it is right here on earth, but that we just cannot see the people? In fact some people say that my baby Sister may be right in that Temple over there?

   Sometimes I think I feel my baby sister right here by me--- do you think that is possible? Sometimes that is hard to understand.

   My Grandpa tells me that we may not all be together right at this time but we will sometime in the future. I think that is right, but I sure hate to wait a long time to see them.

   Well Thad and Angela talked for quite a while. She answered most of his questions. She told him, that it sure was possible that he might feel his baby Sister’s spirit with him at times. He probably will not see her but she may visit him quite often.

   She also convinced him that his Sister really could be in the Temple if there was a reason for her to be there.

   Angela talked to him about having good friends and about going to Church. He told her he had been Baptized in his Church. He told her he hoped his big Brother would go on a Mission for his Church, so he could tell him what is was like when he was old enough to go.

   After while Angela stood up and said. “Oh, Oh I have to go, here comes my Angel Husband.” She hurried off around the reflecting pool.

   Well just as she left, here came Thad’s Mom and Dad. They asked who the lady was that he was talking to. He told them it was not really a lady, it was an Angel.

   They all turned to look in the crowd by the reflecting pool for a tall dark haired lady but none of them could see either she or her “Angel Husband.”????? 
WRB
Dec 2015
  

Carl Says "The end is near"

I don't normally go to  up-town Salt Lake City during the holidays. (To many people!)

I did go last week and I saw a man holding a sign that said:

      THE END IS NEAR

When I got home I wished I had ask him four things?

WHAT END?

1. The world as we know it?
2. Our lives?
3. Our happiness?
4. Our misery?

Oh well he probably would not know the answer anyway.

 

One Christmas in a small town

I posted this several years ago, but being the Christmas Season I thought I would post it again. If anyone out there was born in a small town back in the 1940's or 50's it might bring back some memories. WALLY

One Christmas in a Small Town

                                ONE CHRISTMAS IN A SMALL TOWN

He lay very still for a few minutes, perhaps even holding his breath to make sure he could not hear anyone moving about. He had finished eating his cookies and milk in his bedroom and had called "goodnight" to his Mom and Dad quite a while ago.

When he was sure they must be asleep by now he quietly slipped out of bed being careful to step on the homemade braided rug beside his bed. He knew the stories he had heard about your foot sticking to the cold linoleum, like your tongue does to an ice tray were false, but he did not want to take any chances.

He crept out of his small bedroom and across the kitchen, again making sure he stayed on the rugs and did not step in the cold linoleum. In about eight steps he was in the doorway to the front room where the Christmas Tree had been decorated and lit and was awaiting the appearance of Santa Clause. Of course he and his friends now did not think there was a Santa Clause, but they were not sure? Maybe, just maybe-----? Never the less he wanted to see what awaited him under the big blue spruce that was their tree this year.

He peeked around the doorframe and was not really surprised that it looked just like it had when he went to bed. There were presents under the tree, there were cookies and milk on the end table for Santa and the lights were winking and blinking but nothing had changed. There were no new toys or gifts added since he went to bed. He said to himself, "well that is what I expected to find. I wonder how they know exactly when I am to sleep or just pretending?"

Of course it seems he had just gone back to bed and had just fallen off to sleep and he heard his Dad up building a fire, and then he knew! He knew that Santa had come and that it was OK to get up. He called to his Dad and asked, "has he been here yet?" And he answered. "of course Son but lets let the house warm up a little before you get up so your feet will not stick to the linoleum."

That was the beginning of another Christmas day, just like they had been for as many years as he could remember. When the house warmed up he and his Sister and Mom and Dad all opened their presents and ooohhd and ahhhed just like they did every year. They were thankful they were together and they always got some presents from that unknown Santa Clause.

After a quick breakfast the day's activities would begin just as they did every Christmas Day for as long as he could remember. He would bundle up in his warm coat, hat, gloves & boots and run as fast as his legs would carry him to his best friends to see what had been left for them under their tree. After a short visit and a piece of Christmas Pastry he and his friend would be off to the next friends house to do the same thing over again until they had visited all their friends in town. Each time they might pick up another person to go with them until in the end there might be ten or twelve kids trudging into a home to inspect gifts, eat cookies and have a Christmas drink. It was a grand time and one the young man would remember all his life, and even tell his children and grandchildren about.

Even though there might be ten or twelve children going from house to house. covered with snow and laughing and acting like children, they would never be turned away from their friends homes and would always be offered some type of "goodie." It seems in that small town that Christmas was the time for all the Mothers to try and outdo each other making goodies to hand out. I remember Greek Cookies, Pitisa, Italian biscuits, Fruit Cakes (soaked in wine cloths), Fudge, Butter Squares, Divinity and an array of things that were hard to imagine. We were even offered home made Wine by the Greek and Italian families, but we usually turned this down, hoping not to upset them.

It was usually afternoon when we finished visiting with friends and then it was time to visit the Aunts and Uncles (real ones and adopted ones.) There were many people in our small town who we called Aunt and Uncle but they were really just friends of our Mom and Dad's. Some times I am not sure if we really knew if they were relatives or not. Of course at those homes we had to eat. It was either a Turkey sandwich or a salad or it could be a full course dinner again. We never knew what it would be but we did know that we would be invited to eat. It seems in a small town that was closely knit together one of the favorite activities was to EAT.

After eating it was off to play, usually in the snow. If some of us were fortunate enough to get new sleds we could not wait to go try them out on the big sledding hill in Flat Town. We never had to worry about whether we would have enough snow. In fact our worry was usually the opposite. Who would be the one to walk up and down the hill in the thigh deep snow to pack down the trail for the first ride? Or if we got skates that clamped onto our shoes we would go to Hoopes' Pond and take our scoop shovels and shovel the snow of the pond so we could skate.

We would play in the snow until dark and then build a fire and play until we were so tired we could not get back up the hill. We were so wet and cold our pants were like cardboard--- but we did not care because we were having fun.

Our Christmas Day's were perhaps not as spiritual as they could have been, but the closeness and the love of other people of all faiths and all nationalities was ingrained deeply in me in that Small Town.

By W.R. Baldwin
9 Dec 2002
                        MERRY CHRISTMAS AND I HOPE ALL OF YOU HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR AND BUILD A LOT OF FUTURE MEMORIES.
WALLY

MEAL IN HEELS #2

I posted a blog in May of 2014 about a group of ladies that I called my MEALS IN HEELS. Well four of them showed up at my house today to tell me Happy Birthday. The picture above is what they delivered.

I was very, very appreciative. I also was more than a little emotional. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

Some one must have passed along that my old favorite quilt had become a little ragged?
WRB
7 Dec 2015

NIGHT- "A Book"

         Night

 A GOOD READ

        by Elie Wiesel

 Perhaps to begin I might say maybe this book should not be called a GOOD READ. One of my Grandson’s who is in High School, was assigned to read it. He in turn called me and asked if I would like to read along with him. 

*It was a riveting book.

*It made me wonder how much inhumanity a person can be put through before they go mad?

*How much can one endure and still keep hoping that the next day will be better?

*I thought it was a dark book, but it was written to preserve a memory of dark things done in a dark time.

*I am glad I read it—once I started it I could not put it down. I read it in two days, and even though I am finished and reviewed it in my mind, I still have many thoughts about how human beings can treat others, and not seem to think it is wrong?

   I would suggest it to anyone who is interested in the Holocaust.

WRB

4 Dec 2015

DO IT YOURSELF

DO IT YOURSELF

   Things are a little different as you get older! At least today was a little different than my normal days, if there is such a thing as a normal day, when you are --older than dirt. 

   I got up today and done all my normal things, shower, read the newspaper, made my bed, the went to MacDonald's for my usual breakfast treat---A #2 w/Large Diet Coke--easy ice. I think the gal has it memorized by now.

   I ate and headed for home. Well when I got here, what to my wondering ears did I hear----- The Carbon Monoxide detector doing it's "beep", "beep" thing.

   The first thing that went through my head was, "can I reach it to take it down, without a ladder?(I have been banned from ladders by my daughters.) 

   Well of course I could---with my left hand holding up my right arm, I finally got the detector off the wall. I changed the batteries and turned it back on. It still kept beeping! So I dug out the instruction manual (sure glad I never throw anything away.) Of course it says if it keeps beeping, either it has been in use to long and is not working properly (somewhat like me) or the batteries are not installed properly. Fat chance of that, they will only fit in ONE WAY. Sooooo I took it over to the fire station to have it checked out. Of course they told me it was either to old or the batteries were installed improperly. Imagine that?

   Well at that point I decided to opt for the old and worn out situation. (I felt I could relate to the worn out thing!) I went to one of the big box stores and found out of course they do not make that model anymore, but they have a replacement that is only about $60.00. I took it and started for the door, but then decided to be frugal. I put it back on the shelf and came home and fired up (Myrtle) my computer and checked out the page for the company that made my old detector. Yes they have a DIRECT replacement, and yes they do cost about $60.00 (at the big box stores.) However you can get them at True Value Stores for $29.00. --WHAT, you mean the exact same thing? Yup the exact same one.

   Well so as not to make this (Very interesting??) Blog any longer, I went to True Value Store and got one. I came home and did the reverse procedure of holding my right arm up with my left hand, I got the screws in the wall and "Viola" I now have a new CO detector.

   Oh ya, and by the way, it only took me about 1/2 a day!!

   GETTING OLD IS GRAND --SOME DAYS?   

   

SANTA CLAUS

                        SANTA CLAUS

   The frazzled Mom almost dragged her little boy into the barber shop for a haircut. He had needed one for a couple of weeks now, and it was either today--- or who knows when?

   The first words out of the boy’s mouth were, “well how long is this going to take?” As if he had anything more important to do?

   Then he heard a voice from one of the chairs in the front of the shop. “You seem to be in a big hurry young man.”

   There was a big man just getting out of the barber chair. He had a full head of white curly hair and a large white beard, with a pair of little wire rim glasses perched on his nose.

   The young boy just about choked as he starred at him, and said in a voice of wonderment, “are you Santa Claus?”

   And the questions kept coming, not even giving the man time to answer them--- “Do you live in our town or at the North Pole?” “How come you have on Levi’s a plaid shirt and boots?” The boy hurriedly looked out the window and then went on; “and where are your reindeer, and where do you get all the toys?”

   The man put his hand in the air and said, “Whoa, slow down and wait a minute, you are asking questions so fast I can’t even answer them.”

   The barber had great big smile on his face as he flipped his neck cloth that was around the big man’s neck, and big bunches of white hair fell on the floor.

   First off, the man said, “Do you have a name?” The boy said, “Yes sir I sure do. It is Jimmy Hanover, but I like Just Jim better.”

   The man put his hand on the boys shoulder and said,”Come on Jim, let’s sit over here on the bench while we wait for your turn, and I will try and answer your questions.” 

   They sit down and the man said,”Jim I guess that lady that you came in with is your Mom isn’t she.” Jim reckoned that yup it sure was.

   Then the conversation went on; “You asked about the red suit, well it is hard to keep clean so I suppose Santa would only wear it for special occasions, and Christmas sure is one of those special occasions. I am sure Mrs. Claus keeps it clean, hung up and ready to go, especially for the Christmas. I would think Santa wears Levi’s and plaid shirts and boots for work, just like I and most men do.         Jim chimed in, “My dad is in the hospital. He was in a car wreck, but we are hoping he will be home for Christmas.”

   The man said he was sorry to hear that and that he also hoped that Jim’s dad would be home for the Christmas Holidays.

   Jim was listening so intently that he had forgotten that his Mom was there. She called him and said, “Jimmy you come right over here and sit by me, and quit bothering that man.” The big man said, “That is OK ma’am, I love talking to kids.” She told him that it was alright but if he was a bother to him to just send him right over to her, because as you have already found out he is quite a chatter-box.

   Well now you ask about the reindeer, and I am sure you know it is a long way to go clear around the world in One Night, so I think the reindeer just eat and rest most of the time. That is of course all except Rudolph, and I think he just kind of does his own thing most of the time.

   I think Santa just drives a car most of the time, at least until the snow gets to deep. In fact it is probably a lot like that big old Buick Roadmaster, parked out there in the street. It is that red car that looks like it has big teeth in the front, but it is really just the grill.

   Jim seemed to think for a minute and then said,”How come no one sees Santa except at Christmas time?”

   Oh I think people see him and just don’t know it. He probably looks a lot like me when he does not have his Red Suit on. I also am sure he is very, very busy, helping and supervising the Elves. They work all year long getting everything ready for Christmas.

   I suppose he travels around a lot in that big red Buick said Jim.  “Do you think he does Mister?

   Then Jim asked the man if he had a name? He said, Yes I do. It is Nicholas but I prefer “Nick”.

   Jim then told him that his Mom made him call older people Mr. of Mrs. So is it OK if I call you Mr. Nick? Nick told Jim that would be fine, in fact he liked it.

   Jim then asked his new friend Nick if he thought there was snow at the North Pole all year long, and was it cold all the time? Nick told him that he was pretty sure there was snow all the time but he would be surprised if Mr. and Mrs. CLAUS got cold. He told Jim he was pretty sure that they were always toasty warm, and singing and having fun as they worked making toys and getting the sleigh in tip top shape for Christmas Eve.

   Jim set quiet for a few minutes and then looked at Mr. Nick and said, “Are you old Mr. Nick?” Oh my yes, he answered. I am probably just as old as Santa Claus.

   Just then “Blackie” the barber took the neck cloth off of the man in the chair, flipped the hair off and called out, come on Jim you are next.

   Jim headed for the chair, but just as he was going to get in the chair he called to Mr. Nick, “You never did tell me if you were Santa Claus or not.” Nick looked at him, with blue twinkling eyes and said, “Well what do you think Jim?”

   Jim thought for a minute then answered, “well I really think you must be because you are so nice to talk to, and most old people do not like to talk to kids.”

   Mr. Nick said, “Jim I think you are a real smart boy and I agree with you.” Jim got in the chair and Mr. Nick handed Jim’s Mom 2 envelopes. He turned to the barber and said, “Ho Ho Ho “Blackie”, I will see you next time I pass through.

   Jims Mom looked at the envelopes that Nick had given her and one said, (Jim’s Mom open now). She opened it and the note said—I will be bringing Jim a shiny Flexible Flyer Sled for Christmas but do not tell him. The 2^nd envelope said (Jim-Open Now.)  Jim’s Mom gave him the note it simply said—Jim you are a good boy and I will be bringing you a wonderful gift for Christmas.—and Thanks for visiting with me at the barber shop today—SANTA

                                                              SO

                        Did Jim visit with SANTA in the barber shop—perhaps?

                Did Jim get a new Flexible Flyer for Christmas---Of course he did.

         Does Jim believe in Santa Claus---of course he does: And so does his Mom.

WRBaldwin

27 Nov 2015

MOMSENSE

MOMSENSE

I got this off of the Internet several years ago. So it is not mine! I do not know who originally posted it but as I have seen Mothers running around, and going to and fro getting ready for Thanksgiving I remembered it. When I read it a got a few chuckles out of it so I thought I would post it.

Momsense:

Get up now                                                         

Get up now

Get up out of bed

Wash your face

Brush your teeth

Comb your sleepy head

Here's your clothes

And your shoes

Hear the words I said

Get up now

Get up and make your bed

Are you hot?

Are you cold?

Are you wearing that?

Where's your books and your lunch and your homework at?

Grab your coat and your gloves and your scarf and hat

Don't forget you got to feed the cat

Eat your breakfast

The experts tell us it's the most important meal of all

Take your vitamins so you will grow up one day to be big and tall

Please remember the orthodontist will be seeing you at three today?

Don't forget your piano lesson is this afternoon

So you must play

Don't shovel

Chew slowly

But hurry

The bus is here

Be careful

Come back here

Did you wash behind your ears?

Play outside

Don't play rough

Would you just play fair?

Be polite

Make a friend

Don't forget to share

Work it out

Wait your turn

Never take a dare

Get along

Don't make me come down there

Clean your room

Fold your clothes

Put your stuff away

Make your bed

Do it now

Do we have all day?

Were you born in a barn?

Would you like some hay

Can you even hear a word I say?

Answer the phone

Get Off the phone

Don't sit so close

Turn it down

No texting at the table

No more computer time tonight

Your iPod's my iPod if you don't listen up

Where you going and with whom and what time do you think you're coming home?

Saying thank you, please, excuse me

Makes you welcome everywhere you roam

You'll appreciate my wisdom

Someday when you're older and you're grown

Can't wait 'til you have a couple little children of your own

You'll thank me for the counsel I gave you so willingly

But right now

I thank you NOT to roll your eyes at me

Close your mouth when you chew

Would appreciate

Take a bite

Maybe two

Of the stuff you hate

Use your fork

Do not you burp

Or I'll set you straight

Eat the food I put upon your plate

Get an A, Get the door

Don't get smart with me

Get a Grip

Get in here I'll count to 3

Get a job

Get a life

Get a PhD

Get a dose of...

I don't care who started it

You're grounded until your 36

Get your story straight

And tell the truth for once for heaven's sake

And if all your friends jumped off a cliff

Would you jump too?

If I've said it once, I've said at least a thousand times before that

You're too old to act this way

It must be your father's DNA

Look at me when I am talking

Stand up straight when you walk

A place for everything

And everything must be in place

Stop crying or I'll give you something real to cry about

Oh!

Brush your teeth

Wash your face

Get your PJs on

Get in bed

Get a hug

Say a prayer with Mom

Don't forget

I love you

**KISS**

And tomorrow we will do this all again because a mom's work never ends

You don't need the reason why

Because

Because

Because

Because

I said so

I said so

I said so

I said so

I'm the Mom

The mom

The mom

The mom

The mom

Ta-da

CARL'S PHONE

CARL’S PHONE

Carl says: My phone rang last night, so I checked the caller I.D. to see who it was. The caller I.D. showed –Name Unavailable.

Now I ask you: why would I want to answer the phone of someone who does not want me to know ---who they are?

CANTANKEROUS CARL'S TIME

CARL SAYS:
It is hard enough for me to remember that I have to be at a certain place at a certain time, without forgetting to change my clock to a different time and then remembering that I need to be somewhere at a certain time (but it really isn't that time, it is actually a DIFFERENT  time?) Then when I actually do get all my clocks changed-- I wonder if a actually changed them in the right direction?

So enough with all the clock changing OK???

I would say this (with tongue in cheek) but I am afraid I might bite my tongue with my false chompers.

Carls Traditions

 

Carl wants to know if Family get-togethers and other traditions should be nixed, mixed or just not thought about after the "spark-plug" person passes away?

"""HE SAYS WELL I SURE HOPE NOT"""

A FISH TALE

A FISH TALE ----- 29 Oct 2015

He was sitting on the dock with a fishing pole. An older man, just calm and serene.
A boy walks up the road and stands behind him. How is the fishing he asks? The old man says the fishing is great but the catching is not so good.
The boy says my Dad used to say that. Do you mind if I fish with you for a while?
The man waved at him and said, ”Come on over there is plenty of room.”

What are you going to use for bait, he asked. The boy said, Night Crawlers I guess I still have two left. OK well if you use all your worms and want to try some salmon eggs, there are some in that tackle box there on the dock.

The old man said,"You got a name son?" Ya, I sure do he said, it is Bob. It really is Robert, but I like Bob better.
Well mine is Wally the old man said. The boy said, my Mom told me I have to call older people Mister or Mrs.-- So is it OK if I call you Mister Wally. The old man smiled and told him, yes that would be just fine.

You got a cabin up here by the lake Bob? Yup we sure do. My Mom and big brother are down there now. My big brother is named Joseph, but he likes people to call him Joe. He don't like to fish. He just sits around and reads books and plays video's all the time. My Mom is resting at the cabin, she gets tired a lot.

Does your Dad like to fish, he asked Bob. Well he did, but he is not with us anymore. He has gone back to Heaven. The old man told him he was real sorry to hear that, and he bet it was tough not having his Dad around. Did your Dad like to come to the cabin with you before he went back to Heaven?

Ya but he was in a car accident. Before that we came up here a lot. In fact he used to say, this place must be what Heaven is like. We all loved it up here. Now my Mom just rests most of the time and Joe just lays around. I like to fish when we come but normally I do not catch many.
You going to be here very long, the old man asked? No we are going back home tomorrow. My Dad used to say we were going back to the "Rat-Race." My Dad thought that was funny.

Well they did a lot of small talk and fished for a few hours. I told him my wife of 56 years had died last winter. He got a serious look on his face and asked if I thought maybe his Dad and My Wife may have got together and talked.

Bob then got up and started getting ready to go back to his cabin. He told me he had to get back to the cabin to help get the dinner ready and clean up the dishes and stuff after they finished. He said I sure hope we can fish another time.

Mister Wally told him that he sure hoped so too. He said it was fun talking to you even if we never caught any fish.

Bob started on up the road and after a few steps he stopped and turned around and said, I guess I better tell you, you ain't going to catch any fish. The breeze has washed your hook up by shore and it is only about a foot out in the water---- and there is no bait on it!" The old man laughed and Bob snickered and they both agreed that they both enjoyed visiting and they did not really care if they caught any fish or not.

Well the old man did not see much of Bob. He saw him a few times and they talked and reminisced a little. Mister Wally thought about him quite often at first but then other things seem to get in the way.

During their talks he did find out that Bob and his family lived in the small town of Evansville, which was clear across the State from where the old man lived. He told Bob where he lived and if he ever got over there to be sure and look him up. He also found out that Bob's family were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

During their talks Bob also told Mister Wally about his sister Roberta that was killed in the same car wreck that his father was in. On one of their fishing/visiting days he said that he did not not like to talk about her much because it made him sad and sometimes he even started crying when he talked about her. The old man assured him there was nothing wrong with that. He told him that he still cried sometimes when he talked about his wife and she had been gone for a few years.

So over a period of a few years Mister Wally put Bob in the back of his mind, where he occasionally thought about him, but not very much.

Well I am sure you can imagine the day he was sitting on the dock with his line in the water at the lake by his cabin, and a big strapping, good looking young man walked up the road with his fishing pole and a box of worms, and yelled, Hi Mister Wally, can I fish with you for a little while?

Mister Wally jumped up (well if you could call it jumping up at his age) and they hugged each other and patted each other on the back.  The old man said, "boy it has been a long time Bob."

Well they did a little fishing and a lot of talking . This time they caught a few fish and Bob laughed and said, "I guess it helps if you bait the hook?"

They talked like they were old long lost friends and the old man invited Bob and his family to come down to his cabin and he would put a fish fry on for them. Bob thanked him but told him that his Mom did not visit much, and that Joe was off back east someplace at a La-Tee-Dah University so he was just with his Mom now. I will however, tell Mom that you invited us.

I suppose to make a long story shorter, I can say we met about one time a year, for several years at the dock by the lake at our cabin. We always got a fishing pole in the water but I don't remember if we caught many fish. However I do remember that neither of us really cared if we did or not.

It seemed we both really enjoyed the visiting and reminiscing. Many times I thought about what a strange coincidence it was for us to meet at all.

They were both older on this last trip and they talked about his dreams and about the old man's memories. Bob seemed to have a lot of plans for his life, and Mister Wally's was just winding down, so sometimes their tales were serious and sometimes they were comical. However they still seemed to enjoy their time together.

Maybe you can imagine Mister Wally's surprise when he went to church on Sunday and his Bishop came up to him and handed him a letter that he had just received the day before. He said I think this is for you:
It was addressed to THE LDS BISHOP
                                WELLSVILLE, UTAH
And inside was a note that said: Bishop I think you have a member in your Ward who's first name is Wally. I checked and there is only one Ward in Evansville, so I hope you get this to him. Inside there was a note simply addressed to: MISTER WALLY
                                                    LDS WARD
                                                    WELLSVILLE, UTAH
The note inside said: Hi this is from Bob your fishing buddy. I am leaving on a mission on the 10th of June 2010 and would really love to have you at my mission farewell meeting, if you can possibly make it. If you cannot make it please call me at 801-365-XXXX.

Well Mister Wally went to his farewell. He did not know anyone there, but the Bishop came up and introduced himself. When he found out who the old man was he said, I want to introduce you to Bob's Mom, she seems to have a soft spot in her heart for you.

We walked to the front if the Chapel and there was a lady, about 45 or 50 years old in a wheelchair. She put her hand out said, "well I finally get to meet the infamous Mister Wally?" Mister Wally was shocked, He had never even imagined that Bob's Mom was also hurt very seriously in the accident that killer her husband. Bob had never indicated why his Mom was always tired, or why she did not go many places. She had been in a wheelchair all these years.

She said they had a private joke in the family that there was an invisible man, named Mister Wally that hung around the lake in the mountains and Bob had become friends with him. She thanked the old man profusely for what he had done for Bob. And the old man told her that she was mixed up because it was Bob that had helped him a Little with the coping with his wife's death.

So was it a co-incidence that Bob and Wally met miles away from their homes and that they clearly had something in common. I THINK NOT?

(FOR THE MOST PART THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION--WITH SOME LIFE EXPERIENCES SCATTERED IN IT. As I was looking at some old pictures and reading some old journals this past week some of these thought came to mind.)

W.R. Baldwin
29 Oct 2015

    

CARLS DONUTS

Carl says, there is NOTHING, like a DUNFORD Chocolate donut and a glass of COLD Milk----------unless maybe TWO Dunford Chocolate donuts?

ETERNAL FAMILIES

ETERNAL FAMILIES       W.R. Baldwin 25 Oct 1998

Where did my Eternal Family go?

Did they stray away as they started to grow?

Did I teach them the things, to keep on the path?

Or did I try to teach, when in a state of wrath?

They learned to love from their Mother dear.

She taught them with love, never with fear.

Her love was unconditional all of her life.

Perhaps in her youth, she had her share of strife.

But her children, she thought, I will raise with love.

Then I can have them forever in Heaven above.

But she forgot the Lord’s plan of Free Agency.

They can choose yes. Or no, to come back to me

To live in the Lord’s Heaven as a family,

Or to the Terrestrial Kingdom, go separately.

Their choice is not ours, but theirs to make,

No matter what covenants on earth WE do make.

We teach, we pray and an example we live.

We hope it is good, the example we give.

Especially the Mother, with unconditional love

That she got from our Father in Heaven above.

Will our earthly family, which we raised from birth

Be with us, when we leave this old earth?

Will we be worthy to have them forever?

Will we be Celestial, and there will we gather?

I hope and I strive, and try to do right.

I pray by my bed both morning and night,

That each of my children and especially my wife

Will all live Celestial, in our after Earth life?

LIFE WITH BAILEY

                                                      LIFE WITH BAILEY

She was such a tiny little thing and was only with us for two days but my how she affected our family. She is my youngest Grand Daughter, born on the 2nd of October 2008. She left us to go back to her eternal home after only a two day sojourn here on earth. Her name was Bailey Grace Blake the third child of Chris & Jenn Blake. I am sure none of our extended family will ever forget her.

Her Birthday was just a few days ago and I was looking and some pictures and reading her Blog (written by her Mother), and I decided to jot down a few memories that came to my mind.

Jenn and Chris found out in July 2008 that Bailey had a medical problem but they did not know exactly what it was? In September they were told that her problem was much more serious than they originally thought.

As her Birthday approached, Family and friends reached out with help in ways they could not imagine. But the greatest help at this time may have been spiritual help from many, many people. Everyone in the family and in her neighborhood wanted to be with Bailey when she was born.

She was born at 8:30 AM on October 2nd 2008. Jenn will always remember that when Bailey was born she actually gave a little cry, which Jenn heard. I was not in the room but I am sure Jenn and Chris shed a few tears also. Before she was born no one knew if she would/ or could cry.

The hospital personal were absolutely incredible. They answered ALL questions, some were easy to answer and some very hard but after talking to them for some time it became obvious that Bailey would only be with us for a few days. Jenn had a great friend who almost insisted that she should have some pictures taken and even though she and Chris were a little reluctant, they were very, very happy that they did.

During the two days that Bailey was with us, all of the family members wanted to hold her and hug her and they all did. Parker was only eight years old , but he knew what was going on and he wanted to hold his little Sister like all the rest of the family. It was extremely hard to tell Parker his little Sister was only going to be with us a few days. Chris and Jenn talked to him and I am sure I could not have done it. My emotions were out of control, and I did not spend much time in the room with Bailey. I kept going in for a few minutes and then leaving again.

As I said at the beginning, she was a tiny little girl. She was only with us for two days, but what an impression she made on our family.
:Every one wanted to hold her and have a picture taken with her.
:Jenn and Chris were having financial problems because of all the medical bills and she wanted a headstone, "Oh so badly", and one of her Sisters heard her sobbing about it. So she made arrangements and took Jenn to pick one out and then paid for it.
:Chris and Jenn connected with other people who had gone through the same medical problem , with a child, and even though strangers, they comforted each other.
:I think that day each of our family members felt closer to each other. At least I did and I felt the others did also. This all happened because of a Little tiny girl who was born here with a very serious medical problem.

As I said at the beginning her Birthday was October 2nd 2008, so as I was looking at pictures and thinking about her that day she turned seven years old.

As I was reminiscing I also realized how fortunate we are as a family to know that she is living, waiting for us in a far better place and we can all be with her if we just make good choices while we are here on Earth.

I picture her now with her Grandma Donnie, Uncle Steve. She is probably cheering people up just as she did on her two day journey here with us.

The pain of losing her has eventually subsided, but her memory will always be with us.

Here are two poems that people gave Jenn at Bailey's Funeral.

A sweet little child
at a party one day,
when toys were being given away,
discovered a broken one,
and with a smile, said:
"I'll take it.
You see, I know my Daddy
can fix anything,
and soon it will be
good as new."

And once, perhaps, in heaven one day
when bodies were being given away,
a sweet little child
discovered a broken one,
and with a smile, said"
"I'll take it.
You see, I know my Father
can fix anything,
and someday it will be
good as new."

Now we, in all our deepest grief -
in searching for that sweet relief -
are clinging to that hopeful knowledge, too.
(by: Serena DeGiulio)

HER JOURNEY'S JUST BEGUN
by E. Brenneman

Don't think of her as gone away -
her journey's just begun,
life holds so many facets -
this earth is only one.

Just think of her as resting
from the sorrows and the tears
in a place of warmth and comfort
where there are no days and years.

Think how she must be wishing
that we could know today
how nothing but our sadness
can really pass away.

And think of her as living
in the hearts of those she touched ...
for nothing loved is ever lost -
and she was loved so much.

                   
W.R. Baldwin
2015                                    

Carl's Movies

CARL'S MOVIES

         As A Teenager-1940

Mother, Mother may I go ?--

To the midnight picture show?

All my friends are going you see---

And they don't want to go without me!

           As a Grandpa-2015

Grandpa, I am on my way home,

And I am stopping by "red box."

Do you want a movie, 

And pizza in a box?

WHAT HAPPENED TO MY DAYS--

WHAT HAPPENED TO MY DAYS---?

Here I am sitting and reminiscing. It seems like I do a lot of that here of late. Do you think perhaps we do a lot of remembering things, because we are afraid we might forget them in our old age?
When I first started my Blogs at least part of the reason for doing them, was because at times when I was sitting alone and thinking, I decided I should write my thoughts down, so that my Grand Children and Great Grandchildren might get some idea of what life was like when I was a youngster.
What happened to the days when, if you wanted  to purchase something--- you saved your money until you had enough and then you went and paid cash for it?
Of course when I was young we did not have a TV or the Internet or even newspapers-- blasting at us 24 hours a day, telling us we needed this or we needed that, and it would be almost impossible for us to live without it.
What happened to the day when you could walk down the street, or go to a store, and not see half dressed or almost dressed men and women out in public?
When did we have to start buying new furniture because we had changed the color of paint in our homes. Or perhaps the furniture we had was to old fashioned? It seems we bought furniture as soon as we could after we were married and it was not unusual for it to last 20 or more years?
What happened to the days when you could walk down the street, go to the store, or watch TV and not be subject to filthy language like we do today? And now on TV and the Internet they have so many Hate Messages, you wonder if you even want to turn them on?
And now on TV, Internet and even newspapers seem to think it is OK to use raunchy or filthy language if you just replace a couple of words with something like (******) or (x-AO)-?-#@). When they do that, is not the word really still there?
The TV's seem to tell us you cannot enjoy a hamburger, unless you eat it half naked, with the catsup running down your chin. You cannot buy tires, unless they are sold by a (nearly naked) girl. This new car would be better for you because the girl showing it off wears little or no clothing. And of course you should not watch the news, unless one of the people is a female, sitting on a chair with her skirt slit clear to her waist? (well maybe not quite.?)
And yes in our day we did have some bullying, but not to the extent it is today. No one seemed to resort to guns or knives or 3 or 4 thugs beating up on one other guy, sometimes just because the way he looks.

WHAT HAPPENED TO MY DAYS?

YES I REALLY THINK THEY WERE--

THE GOOD OLD DAYS--------

Stringed Musical Instruments

                     Stringed Musical Instruments

                          MUSIC TO CALM THE SOUL

   When I was young I don’t think I ever heard a violin, or any other stringed instrument being played. If I did it must not have impressed me as I sure do not remember it.—Then of course when I finished up this blog I realized that is a not a true statement, because a violin and a fiddle are pretty much the same instrument, but usually playing different types of music. That is actually not a completely true answer either, but it is the easy answer.

   As I got older I realized I actually liked and perhaps even enjoyed listening to stringed musical instruments making easy listening music. When I was in my mid teens I purchased a 33 RPM record that I enjoyed. It was The Grand Canyon Suite and there were a lot of crescendo’s in it, as well as the comforting strings. I used to lay on our front room floor and listen to it for hours.

   If course I am in no way a music “aficionado” in any way, but just a guy that knows what kind of music I enjoy.

   I don’t know exactly when I realized stringed music was comforting, calming and serene. Maybe that is where the old saying that certain music came to be known as, “music to calm the beast in Man.”  

   Many, many years ago I moved into an area where lived a man that taught Cello music. He also played a beautiful Cello, and for the first time in my life I realized a Cello and a Violin could be played solo and make beautiful, calming music by their selves. (Of course with a trained musician—Ha Ha.) Everytime this fellow played the Cello in Church I was completely relaxed. I also felt the same way when a beautiful violin solo was played.

   My wife spent quite some time in Care Centers during her last few years. There were several times when a stringed quartet came to play for an activity. Each time we both made the comment about how calming and relaxing it was. And I learned something new again. I learned that a string quartet is usually made up of two Violins, one Viola and one Cello. She commented once to me that she thought that must be what the angelic music must sound like, and I agreed with her and while I listened and meditated I was completely relaxed. The first time they played, I talked to them when they were finished and got a lesson on the difference in a viola and a violin.

   I guess there are a lot of instruments, in fact hundreds if you thought about them on a world wide basis. Some that I am sure fit that category are, Harp- Banjo- Guitar- Ukulele and a long list of others.

   As I sit here for a couple of nights. Pondering what to put in this blog, I realized I have been concentrating on stringed music that to me is relaxing, soothing and tranquil.

   One night a couple of years ago I was watching TV and a young lady came on, walking across the stage and calmly playing the violin, so I decided to watch the show.

   The next thing I knew she was dancing, running, jumping and doing gymnastics all while she was playing a violin. The only word I could think of at the time was that this young lady was phenomenal.

   Her name was Lindsey Stirling. She, for sure, gave me a different outlook on playing the violin. It was vibrant, loud and active. She probably burned up more calories during a one hour presentation than any superstar athlete. I have never seen her preform again but I could easily become a fan if I watched TV or went to concerts.       

   So a couple of things, that are just my opinion, to sign off here-----

   A Fiddle and a violin are pretty much the same instrument: the big difference is the music they play and where they play it.

   A Viola is mostly just a bigger Violin with a different sound (easy explanation.)

   I know for a fact (my humble opinion) a Cello makes beautiful music as a solo. I love to listen to Richard as he seems to be a perfectionist.

   While working on this blog I asked a few people (who probably know less that I do about music,) for opinions and help.

   One of the answers I got when I asked the difference between a Violin and a Fiddle was, ----He heard an old story once that you might get beer or catsup on your instrument if you played a Fiddle, but that would never happen when playing a Violin.      

W.R. Baldwin

5 Oct 2015

  

LIKES & DISLIKES

                                  

                      

LIKES AND DISLIKES

                      LIKES & DISLIKES

I think it is very obvious that everyone has likes and dislikes and there is no way that anyone wants to list all of their likes and dislikes. I did want to get into this a little so as I sit one night in a motel room in Idaho Falls, Idaho, many years ago I brainstormed this subject for a couple of hours and this is what I ended up with!

I LIKE the smell of Christmas trees---The first fall snow on mountain peaks---old barns---an eagle soaring in a blue sky---the smell of new cowboy boots---Yellowstone Park---and riding a snowmobile on untracked snow.

I DISLIKE rude, sullen teenagers---wind---radio and TV commercials---flat tires---fog---fishing alone---a ballpoint pen that will not write---and the smell at the zoo.

I LIKE western music---night rodeos---good books---classical music---the smell of a new car--- and Christmas morning with children.

I DISLIKE hard rock music---the smell of burned hair---mud---slick roads---clothes that fit to tight---strange towns---and drivers that tailgate.

I LIKE smiling happy teenagers---Spring---birds singing in the mornings---fruit trees in blossom---roses ---Australian accents---Fall---and the full moon reflecting on winter snow.

I DISLIKE spiders---the phone ringing late at night---traffic jams---dirty windows---breaking in new boots---being sick---and left lane freeway drivers.

I LIKE the sight of a beautiful horse---the gentle rain on the roof---comfortable old shoes---old movies---soothing music---sunsets over Great Salt Lake---and to sit on front of a warm fireplace in Winter.

I DISLIKE crowded campgrounds---cloudy days---mini-skirts on older women---dull pencils---televisions in the kitchen---empty ice trays---and continued next week television shows.

I LIKE holding my grand children---campfires---being in the Temple---a field of mountain flowers--- a rushing mountain stream---a warm day in winter---new babies---and the sight of a pristine mountain meadow.

I DISLIKE a fireplace that smokes---people who whisper in the Temple---gossip---funerals---hospitals—cigarette smoke---dirty snow---and “holier than thou people.”

I LIKE the sight of animals in the wild---the sounds of waves breaking on the shore---a big order--- the smell of homemade bread---the smell of lilacs in bloom---football games---fishing with a friend--- and traveling with my wife.

I DISLIKE being alone in a motel room---dead animals on the highway---icy sidewalks---dirty clothing on the floor---drawers hanging open---poor losers---and people who take games too seriously.

I LIKE a kind word from the Boss---soft deep new carpet---pepperoni---the beginning of a new year--- the smell of new sawdust---other people’s dogs--- and a well prepared Church lesson.

I DISLIKE being interviewed by ANYONE---soggy newspapers---shirts missing buttons---unmade beds---sweet pickles---and zippers that don’t zip or unzip.

I LIKE waking up feeling good---the smell of the soap factory---vacations---the smell of spice after shave---to snuggle my wife---women’s perfume---black jelly beans---crisp apples---and the smells in the house at Thanksgiving time.

I DISLIKE smelly ashtrays in a restaurant---painting anything---women smoking---wilted green salad--- complaining people---bus fumes at intersections--- and political promises.

I LIKE my daughters---my son---my grandchildren---my son-in laws---my whole family---and especially my loving wife Donnie who has put up with my likes and dislikes for all these years. And for her loving, giving, and forgiving personality.

As I said in the beginning everyone has his or her likes and dislikes. I imagine if some psychologist got hold of this he could analyze it and come to some conclusion as to what makes me tick. Or better still maybe why I do not tick?

In reading it over before I typed it I feel that I am about like the majority of other people I know in my likes and dislikes, and that is not to strange, because I have said for years that we as a people seem to attract and associate with people with similar interests. Enough of LIKES & DISLIKES.

Written 1988 in Idaho Falls, Idaho

By: W.R. Baldwin

Although this was written a long time ago I just run onto it a few days ago as I was cleaning out some old desk drawers. In reading it I decided not a lot has changed in all those years--except of course the things I cannot do anymore because all of my parts do not function as well as they used to. ----------But it is still pretty much how I think so here it is and maybe it will bring back some memories to some of you.
Wally