Leap Year Day

February 26, 2024

Have you ever wondered if you could get everything done if there were more hours in the day?

• This week we get an extra day to catch up on our tasks.
• What will we do with the extra time?
• Some may squander the additional 24 hours.
• Most will use the time to move forward.

Did you know there is a Leap Year Capital of the World—Anthony, Texas AND Anthony, New Mexico?

There are several traditions that people follow on Leap Year Day.  One of the most interesting....depending on your point of view....is women proposing marriage.

No matter which, if any, Leap Year Day traditions you follow, considering doing something positive for others.  An extra 24 hours is, after all, a gift of time. Use it wisely!

Potholes

February 19, 2024

As my family and I were preparing to move from Phoenix to a state with "real" winters, I was apprehensive about many things. But I was most nervous about driving in the snow and ice. After all, I hadn't had any practice with either in the "Valley of the Sun".

Oh, yeah. We were moving in the middle of December!

I was warned about wet snow, slushy snow and black ice. So I equipped my 1-ton 15-passenger van with snow tires, studs, and even had the tires siped.  I also carried four 25-pound bags of traction sand, chains and a shovel "just in case".

Then I began my adventure of learning how to drive in winter conditions. I started out very slowly and spent a lot of the time pulling to the side of the road letting others pass me.

After a week or so, I became confident and actually began driving the speed limit. "Wow", I thought, "driving in the snow is not as bad as I thought it would be."

However, as I was breezing along one day, the most incredible thing happened. I went over a section of the road I traveled daily. Only this time, I became airborne.

"What was that?!"

As I returned home along the same route, I saw little red flags and realized I had just encountered my very first frost heave.

Learning to drive in wet snow, slushy snow, black ice and even watching for frost heaves did not prepare me for my next driving hazard—potholes

I don't know why they call them potholes. They are definitely larger than any pots I've ever seen.

What is really amazing is how quickly they appear. One day the road is fine and after a day of "warm" temperatures (34-37 degrees is not "warm" to an Arizona gal), the roads are one giant pothole.

I've noticed places where the county has attempted to fill in the holes. But it doesn't make any difference. New holes appear quicker than old holes can be repaired.

Now I have become very adept at swerving to avoid these hazards. Swerve to the left; swerve to the right; swerve in both directions at once!

Happily, the sheriff never stops me for driving on the wrong side of the road!

Valentine

February 12, 2024

As we think of Valentine's Day, we usually think of those closest to us; i.e., spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend. Some of us send Valentine Cards to our children and grandchildren.  One of my favorite memories is receiving a Valentine's Card from my maternal grandmother.

What about those of our friends who are widowed, divorced, never married, fatherless, motherless, etc.  Let's reach out to everyone this year.  You probably know someone who is lonely.  What about reaching out to him/her?

This is the ninth Valentine's Day since my father died.  It has been interesting how unexpectedly I'll think of him.  We were never particularly close so I was amazed how thoughts of him crept into my mind as I was preparing this Column.

What about you?  Do you have a parent to reach out to this Valentine's Day.

As written last year, love is an action word.  Who are you loving these days?  The answer?  Everyone.

The Savior said,

• "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another" (John 13:34).
• "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you" (John 15:12).

Truth (usually) Lies Somewhere in the Middle

February 5, 2024

Two good friends are ending their marriage. To each other. What went wrong?

We've all heard the expression "He Said, She Said". Usually the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

Sadness comes as we realize both are really wonderful people. So what happens to cause a couple to divorce?

Oh, there are big things that can happen.....abuse, infidelity, etc. But many marriages end for one reason:

P-R-I-D-E

Probably the couple doesn't know when Pride snuck into their marriage. They may not even realize it now.

How else can you explain two perfectly nice people suddenly not being able to stand one another?

Was it because he didn't take out the trash often enough? Was it because she didn't rub his shoulders often enough?

No matter what happened for this couple to feel as though they no longer love each other, one thing is for certain. Pride snuck in.

They no longer put the spouse ahead of themselves.

So what is this thing called Pride?

Did she care more about how she looked when she went to lunch than what she looked like at home?

Did he use kinder words to his co-worker than to his wife?

Did she listen, really listen, when he was talking?

Did he quit telling her things because she acted disinterested?

As you ponder your own situation, are there improvements needed?

No, I am not talking about improvements your spouse needs to make....I am talking about improvements needed by you.

Think about it. Ponder it. Pray about it.

Let's have no more divorces because of Pride!