Trapped with Six Young Men

Okay, this is not what I bargained for.....rain, mud, and six of my grandsons trapped inside the  RV.  I guess the first omen of the weekend was when, after borrowing Sheena's larger SUV, (mine only holds 5) , packing the over head and back, I loaded in the boys, and the car would not start.  All the men were gone, we tried to get it going, decided it needed a new battery.   Cori volunteered her car that holds 8, so we repacked everything into that car, and finally got on our way about two hours later than planned.  Once on the mountain it began to rain periodically.  The rain would break  for about an hour and they are outside playing war with their soft guns.  The rain would start, and they are right back in caked with mud and soaked.  The first night we were able to do smores around the campfire, they next night the wood was so wet...forget a fire of any kind.    I brought a few "guy" movies, Sandlot, Rocky, Rocky II, The Rookie, but that was my alternate activity.  I could have taken them all home the first  morning, but they were so disappointed, I just couldn't.  They promised they would help me and be excellent young men and they were.  I didn't hear one fight or major disagreement.  They were helpful and polite.  Justin, 15 yrs and Jade 14 yrs, treated Logan 13,  Brad 12 , Morgan 11, and Jaxon with patience.  Considering the large age difference, I was amazed how well they all treated one another.  Even with the wounds of Jaxon's eye ball getting wacked with a roasting stick, a soft bullet bruise on the cheek, and a large knife cut on Logan's little finger, they still were determined to have a good time.   My plan for this weekend was to share some granny-love and testimony of the power of the Priesthood.  Besides the fun, I had planned on a few stories about honoring the priesthood during WWII told around the campfire the first night and discussing the Sons of Helaman, then next night putting out a huge quilt in a open area, a circle with our heads and while looking at the stars, I was going to share some great pioneer stories of the priesthood in action while crossing the plains.  Then Sunday morning I would take them all to Alton ward, the little country church about 10 miles from our campsite.  Plans turned to reality when our three days were spent watching some movies, waiting for the rain to break, then running outside for a few hours of activity, then back in the RV caked in mud, soaked, changing clothes, eating junk food, and then repeat.  By Sunday there were no clean clothes and I was afraid I would not be able to get out of camp due to the mud.  I had a brief "fireside" inside the RV, Jade gave the opening prayer, and by the time I had finished one WWII story, the thunder was cracking.  I closed with my testimony and said, "Hurry, let's get out of here while we can." I never leave the Rv dirty.  Leaving filthy floors, dirty dishes, we literally were throwing packs, quilts, muddy boots, and guns into the back of the car.  I was so worried about damage to Cori's car if I had to go through mud and deep ruts.  Our roads are not maintained and are definitely for trucks, and when wet, can be very bad.  We had gone about a mile and just before we got to the gate to get on the highway,  rain started coming down so fast the windshield wipers could not keep it off.  We had got out just in time.  It made for some excitement for my young current and future priesthood holders.  I don't know if my plans were a complete failure.  On the way home, they were talking about when they could come to the mountain again.  One of the boys said, "Well, I want Grandma to be there when I go again."  That was all I needed to know.  It was all worth it, even with the mud and the rain.

Packing My Gun and Projects

Summer came like a strike of lightening.  We were unusually cool and then it hit...bam...110 degree.  Last night I looked at our temp at 10:30 p.m.  It was 91!  Why is a cool Idaho girl like me living in an easy bake oven? I have made a decision.  I AM OUT OF HERE.  I am no longer working, my calling doesn't start until end of August, Walt is working all day, the kids don't have any games this summer, so why am I here?  I am going to the mountain and I am not coming down until Jess has her baby the end of the month.    I am going by myself and who wants to visit is welcome.  I am loading up my music, autoharp, painting projects, books, and my gun.  Our 40 acres is a couple of miles from a main road and there are two gates someone has to go through to get in, but I still want my gun.  However, I doubt I will see any one that doesn't have four legs.  Walt will be at Youth Conference in Cedar City, so perhaps he can come for a visit at the end of the week.  Brandon built a wonderful deck for our 5th wheel, so I can put my chair back and feel the cool air.  My goal is to catch up blog on the activities of summer,  finish some projects, and watch the deer, squirrels, and chipmunks.

An Unexpected Gift

Sometimes God just hands you an unexpected gift. One you didn't ask for, but when it's given is what you were hungering for but didn't even know it.  My gift came quietly as I glimpsed a bit pink in the evening shadows shining through the trees near our place on Cedar Mountain last weekend.  Walt, Brandon and Jade had gone scouting for deer, and I was alone.   I put my book down, and thinking I needed to stretch my legs anyway, took a short hike to the hill not far from our RV.  I was not prepared for what I saw.  It took my breath away.  As far as I could see to the west from north to south exploded a protrusion of color.  Deep orange, coral, pink, and purple clouds streamed gold rays with the setting sun.  I looked up and the color was above me.  I looked east and the same shades were muted there.  How could a sunset be 360 degrees?  Soon my visual experience transcended into my spirit as I took in the wonder of it.  It was as if I was a little child  being wrapped in a soft velvet comforter.  I lingered until the night shadows quietly filled the sky with stars.

Mountain Get Away

Walt and I finally got away to Cedar Mountain for five days. His last words while loading the last box was "We will only come down if someone dies". Someone did. Someone we have come to love and respect through the years. We came down for viewing and funeral and went right back up. Walt surprised me with an invitation to go on a 15 mile 4-wheel ride on a trail near Stout Canyon. It rained for a few hours before we left, so the dust was minimal, and the trees and rocks were spectacular. The dust reduction was important to me because I follow Walt on my 4-wheeler and eat his dust,so usually lag far behind, but this trip I did not have to. It was fun and relaxing. My thumb was sore from running the gas feed, but fun none the less.

Cedar Mountain

At last, I am relaxing at our property on Cedar Mountain. Our fifth wheel survived all the comings and goings of the "men" in my life preparing for the deer hunt. They archery hunt and it starts the middle of August here. Right now, that means scouting. Yes, scouting must start at least a month before. This year grandson Jade, Dad Brandon, and son-in-law Brian have placed a motion activated camera on a deer trail near a blind. They have seen many big bucks this year.

I listen to narrations of their adventures, cook occasionally, and kick back with a book, art, or my harp the minute they leave. Walt and I are 4-wheeling today, then he is off to scout with his brother Ray. I love the peace of the mountain. I take long walks, watch the wild life, find my rock and gaze at the beauty. We can see many miles to the south from a high point. I call it my peace rock.