Life, Death and Rebirth. It is your own perspective on each.

Each of us have our own perspective of life on earth. To many- it is full of beauty and a winding road of bright flowers coming through the burnt forest; and to others, life is thick with thorns. All will eventually be forced to fight the demons within and we can make the choice to quickly pass through those thorns and not dwell on our misfortunes or go down in doom, permitting the thorns to have power over us. Today, we will present a photographic tour of Nephi and Juab County, and the reader may see the fun of life as I do and eventually watch the caterpillar become a butterfly. Make your Topaz key chain after the blast; skydive; ride a horse with your Amigo; rebuild a home exactly the way it was more than a century ago; live in a beautiful log cabin; embrace Big Boy; accept the grave remains of Joy; ride the wild side; taste the nectar as if a Bumble Bee; enjoy fishing but accept their hazards; enjoy Gods glory before the transformation, then watch the double rainbow which is my knowledge of our rebirth. Live it all today, but be kind to all. Life is not a do-over, not for this writer,  who is in the twilight of my years.

All Birthdays are the same, yet different.

Yesterday, I turned 73 years old. That is the oldest I have ever been, and yet I started to die on the day I was born. Sounds like a mix between what Will Rogers or Yogi Bear may say, but it's true. Which was your favorite birthday or one you remember the most? A one year old tot may not remember theirs, but their parents sure will, then at two-the parents of that child are proud of what that kid can do. Although the toddler can hardly walk, the parents believe the child is destined to become a world recognized marathon runner; or a Sterling Scholar as they said the word "Mamma" at six months old. Then comes when you were 13 and all of a sudden, you became brilliant overnight, and your parents were "so stupid"; then the descriptions of your parents change when you get a little more wisdom as you grow older. A big turning point for me personally, was at age 21, which at the time was the legal age to vote, and what a thrill it was to put the papers together to do that American thing. I was living in a foreign country, so there were a lot of hoops to jump through to get it to work, but always remember that birthday. And yesterday, was another good one. I traveled to Salt Lake and my second son-Troy took me too lunch and we were both happy, that maybe both of us are not as lost as we were, that we are beginning to search deep within ourselves, in order to find who and what we are. I also wanted to attach the letter by first son-Justin had sent on my birthday seven years ago. At the time, I am sure I read it, then put it away in a binder, where I would keep track of all the letters I received from my family; just like my parents; grandparents and great grandparents did. I guess it is a "family tradition". When my son "JJ" sent the birthday note, he was still going through struggles that life often presents us, but only Justin, me and his mother knew of his depression, which started when he experienced trauma as a young teenager, but held it to himself. He was our "golden  boy", excelling in anything he participated in, including basketball, baseball, and had the personal ability to get along with anybody, and quickly chosen as one who would communicate to battered children and help all people and animals. Although we worked through his depression without anybody else suspecting the turmoil within, I thought he had enough inner strength to pull himself out, but we lost him when he took his own life four years after writing the letter. It was only recently that I re-discovered the letter, and have re-read it many times, and how much it re-breaks my heart, but coming to terms he did fulfill all he could do while on earth, and our family has felt his spirit that he is okay, and time to go through his things and share the goodness of Justin Wm. Jones of Nephi, Utah. Fathers Day comes up in a couple days, and I will find my own seclusion, but remain proud of my Father, and the many fathers in my family, and stand proud of both of my sons so thanks to both of them for giving me the honor of being their father and a happy birthday it was.

How to remove a two barb fish hook from your thumb.

It seems like I took Fishing.101 either in college or with the Boy Scouts, but maybe it was taught by an old John Wayne movie, back in the days when men were men! When or where ever it was, I am still alive to write about it, and thought I would, before I see that bright light again! Today I took McCord Jones to nearby Burraston Ponds, as it was his first chance to be in the movies, or at least one that is being made for the Juab County Travel Council to show tourists the good stuff to see in Juab County. After the shooting, McCord needed to go help his grandpa celebrate his birthday. I didn't want to go to an old man's birthday party, as I was still the young and physically fit 16 year old stud I was more than a half century ago, so I strayed up Nephi Canyon with my pole and worms, I sought out that hidden fishing hole I made as a kid when my dad would drop me off at "Dad and Sons" on a Saturday and I would fish all the way home, as I loved fishing and my mother liked to cook and eat them. Needless to say after 50 plus years, Salt Creek changed its course, and my old brain got confused and this old body was slow moving through the run off waters. I slipped in the creek, striking my bad shoulder on a boulder, becoming dazed. Oh good I thought-it was my time to pass through the veil. My eyes opened when I saw a bright light and I shouted out "Oh God Help Me"! I then come to and realized it was only the sun coming in to view. It was then, I felt a voice which said "God Only Helps Those Who Help Themselves".  Dam, it wasn't my time and I got cold laying in the water. I got up and recognized that my shoulder hurt like hell, but I would do as my brother did, who survived the front lines of Viet Nam and a few years ago, slipped in American Fork Canyon and tumbled down rocks during a giant spring run-off, and still survived. I thought it was odd he wanted to say he was proud he kept his pole while tumbling over the boulders. But, I did the same thing as Hal Jones did-I checked to see if I still had my pole. I did and got up and decided I should head for home. But wait, I better reel in the line. In doing so, I found the end of the two barbed hook planted deep in my thumb. It wouldn't budge, so decided to go home and make a decision. I sought advise from friends who knew medical stuff. I went across the street to a local cattleman, I helped during calving problems. I decided to pull the hook out myself and like a good neighbor-Travis Garrett said it was my decision, but recommended I brace the thumb against the tractor. As I pulled the hook, he suggested I twist it so the hook barbs could exit. I was going to scream in pain, but he directed my surgery just like John Wayne would do with an arrow in his partner, and it worked. I was going to soak it antiseptic stuff to clean the open wound, but like Viet Nam Medics, you did the best you could with what you had. That is the end of today's story, and if I am alive when the sun rises, I can give thanks I have been granted more time to appreciate the world I live in and the family and friends who give me advice, saving me dollars going to ER, although I greatly respect those folks here in Salt Creek, Utah Territory.