Baby, it's Cold Inside.

Frost is on the lawn and there's a little bit of coldness in my heart. Not that I've turned mean, or angry or depressed, it's just that when the summer sun starts to fade, it takes a little bit of joy along with it. I've really got to figure out how to love fall again. Same goes with winter.

When I was younger, the thrill of snow was a wonderful thing. Waiting for the first significant storm was nearly as exciting as waiting to see what Santa had in store. And fall was just that amazing precursor, with its hunting trips, cool weather and brilliant coolers.

And so I sit here, begrudging the departing sun. Something really needs to change in this heart of mine.

A busload of Evangelicals

Heartfelt Thanks.

This past Wednesday, I walked into Hogar de Natalia Siman orphanage in Santa Tecla, El Salvador and delivered a carload of much needed kitchen supplies to the good sisters who care for the girls living in this little forgotten part of the world. The list of supplies included new eating wear, large industrial pots, cooking utensils, dish towels - and even a few electric blenders. And thanks to the girls in our local church congregation, each girl in the orphanage received a beautiful bracelet made especially for them by a girl their same age in another part of the world.

Besides the cooking supplies, we also provided a four month supply of milk for the girls.

All of this came as a surprise to the nuns, compliments of all you who so generously donated your time and efforts to make this happen. I wish you could have been there to see the smiles of the sisters and to receive the grateful hugs from those who's lives just became a little bit easier because of your generosity. With their economy faltering and their supplies quickly diminishing, our offering was truly a gift from heaven.

The sisters of Hogar de Natalia Siman send their love, and more importantly to them, they send their prayers of gratitude in your behalf.

Fresh Out.

As I sneak up on my 500th post, I've come to find that I am fresh out of ideas and good information. (Or maybe I just need to work on it a little harder.) Really, I don't know what I should say.

I guess I should hurry up and figure something out, or this is just going to be like one of those ultra (uber, if you will) mindless Tweets that say insightful things, like, "boy, I'm tired." Or, "Clipped my nails." Or, better yet, "Mama's hungry."

Those make my day.

I can report that our chickens are finally starting to lay eggs. Maybe it was the countdown calendar I gave them or maybe it was just the right time, but the eggs are starting to drop. If I wasn't so nauseated from the second round of the flu that decided to visit today, I would heat up the griddle to make an omelet. The truth is, Daddy isn't hungry.

Both Sides Now.

Holy Cow. It's complete meteorology madness.

Now that I've got two daughters living on two different islands in the middle of two very different oceans, a guy could go absolutely crazy checking the weather patterns and searching for would-be hurricanes.

It is the season, you know.

So now when I visit the national hurricane tracking website, I've got to check out what is going on in the Caribbean and then check out what is going on in the Pacific. It's back and forth. Back and forth. Who would have known that there could be a personality dysfunction called WOCD. That's right, Weather Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. We'll, for the record I've got it. I'm sure its genetics to blame. But as long as I've got two island dwellers who still call me dad, there won't be any cure for this compulsion.

Wish me luck. And break my knuckles if you see me heading towards a keyboard and a computer screen.

They, the Builders of the Nation.

(Editor's Note: It's early morning, July 24th. The majority of my family is not in the house and I am tempted to start up a lawn mower or start measuring wood for the saw. While everyone who lives in another place merely considers this another work day, we of Utah lay aside our tools to rest, or to celebrate or to vacation. And I'm no different.

But on this morning, I'm going reserve enough time to consider the acts of my fathers who provided more than I can ever imagine and certainly more than my gratitude can ever repay. Wherever you are, I invite you to do the same.

Attached is a link for a speech that was given more than sixty years ago and embodies the emotions I feel.)

http://www.mormontimes.com/mormon_voices/mormon_experience/?id=2220

Easing my way back to the blogging world.

I'll admit it. I've been AWOL. But I guess everyone needs a break now and then- it's just that this blogging break has been more of a sabbatical than an over-nighter.

It's been a crazy few month's but I've decided to once again take my proverbial pen-in-hand and start throwing a few words out there. So, that in mind, here goes nothin.