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