REMEMBER

Cenotaph: a tomblike monument to someone buried elsewhere, especially one commemorating people who died in a war.

Two countries, side by side in the war and now at peace, Canada and The United States of America commemorate their soldiers on the 11th day of each November: Remembrance Day and Veteran's Day. 

As a child, our school in Cardston, Alberta, Canada passed out red poppies to every child on Remembrance Day and we walked, with our classes and teachers, to the town cenotaph. It was on the corner by the courthouse, a few blocks from the school. 

We would hear a speech, and at 10 a.m. two minutes of absolute silence was observed. This commemorative ceremony was particularly personal for me. My father and mother were usually there, and often my grandfather, and other relatives. Grandpa Neil returned from World War I, but his oldest son, Thomas Rex Forsyth did not return from World War II. 

At some point, before or after the speech and ceremony (or perhaps both), wreaths were laid at the base of the memorial, and we marched back to the school. My father would allow his children to stay with him, and after the crowd cleared we were permitted to trace the name of his brother with our fingers. 

F/O Forsyth, T. R. 

My oldest brother carries the same given name, Rex. 

Dad's cousin's name, Dudley Leavitt is also there. 

P/O Leavitt, D.T.

Late this summer I stopped to take some pictures. 

I wanted them to help me retain this memory fresh in my mind. 

My father taught me to remember.

Always, remember. 

ADVICE ANEW: BE MORE KIND

I received a message from my sister today.
Mother is near the end of her life. Doctor's have discontinued all medications except what is necessary to ease pain.

In June I posted 3 bits of loving advice from mom:

     1. Be Happy,
     2. Take care of yourself,
     3. Make time for family.

Midnight has come and gone, and I sit pondering life and death.

I teach gospel-doctrine class in Sunday School.
This week the lesson is from Alma chapter 40, 41, and 42.

It's about life and death - now and forever. These chapters are all about being perfectly changed, and restored to life after death. Alma also teaches that we acquire the attitudes, attributes and characteristics of all eternity now in this life.

As I sat pondering mother's 3 bits of advice, I wondered (if I could ask her advice one last time) what counsel she might give. I felt as if I heard her voice in my mind, reminding me of what I have heard her say many times:

"Be Kind."

I thought about that.
One of mother's characteristics is kindness.
I wondered, "Am I kind?"
Are my words and my actions kind?

As I considered this I imagined her voice speaking more firmly,
specifically and directly to me. "Be More Kind."

The 3 words summarize every aspect of her life and attributes.
"Be More Kind."

BILL AND ELNA CAMPBELL

I was talking to mother (Elna Jean Campbell Forsyth, daughter of William David and Elna Campbell, nee Bohne) last night. I was telling her about a woodpecker family here. I watched a baby, almost as big as its momma, be fed a worm she collected, ate, and gave back. Fascinating.

Mom began telling me about how much her mom and dad loved the birds.

I did not know that she got her love for birds from her Mom and Dad. 

She says they never let the kids molest the birds in anyway.
Grandpa, in particular, wouldn't let the boys climb up to disturb nests. 

They protected them. What a nice thing to know about my grandparents. 

As she talked about the birds and how her dad was so protective of the animals she told me a story from the 'timber.' She says she didn't usually go into the timber with her dad unless her mom also went. Her mother would go to bottle berries etc. (Bringing the jars from home with her.)

Mom says usually the kids slept outside, and their parents in a little cabin that was there. She told me how her dad always told them they were not to molest or to disturb the animals.

Then she told how one night they (the girls) could hear something and repeatedly were screaming and crying that it was a bear that was going to get them. But their parents kept telling them it was nothing. The girls kept insisting.

Eventually her dad came out with a lantern to look around. He had been splitting firewood and his axe was still in a log. That area happened to be where the sounds were coming from.

He discovered the axe handle was being eaten by a porcupine.

Mother recalls her father was always so meticulous in caring for his tools. You had to take care of tools because your lives depended on having them. This destruction of such an essential tool just went against his grain.

Mom said he killed the porcupine and it is one of the few times she ever knew her dad to get very upset or to kill an animal (except for food).

MOM'S ADVICE

I was 20 something.

I told my mother some of my miseries in life.

She told me, "Man is that he might have joy, and that means woman too!* Always remember that."

From my mother I learned to not live in misery. She supported the choices I needed to end misery, and make important changes.

In my 40s I again sought her wisdom.
She was in her 60s.

I asked her, "If you could change anything in your life when you were my age, what would you do differently?"

Her reply was simple - yet ever so wise . . .

"Take care of my knees."

 She pointed out that she sometimes saw me weeding while kneeling on the hard ground or doing things in the house on my knees. She wished she had been wise enough to simply pad and protect her knees when she was younger. She advised, "Never kneel on concrete."

I decided to take care of my knees, and all the rest of my body.

Knees were a simple thing. I have never regretted acquiring good kneeling pads - and using them indoors and out. And I began to use a pillow when I pray. I am still working on taking better care of my physical self. It is an ongoing project and challenge.

Recently I again probed for advice.
This time about the challenges of aging.
I am now in my 6th decade.
Mom is almost 86.

I reminded her of her counsel about knees 20 years ago and asked, "Mom, what would you counsel me about being 62?"

"Slow down!" was her immediate answer.

June 2016 photo by Rex Forsyth - making time for what matters

She said her children and grandchildren rush about here and there, hurrying, always in a hurry to accomplish more sooner.

We take our kids to lessons, we work, we play, and we hurry - constantly on the go.

"Take time to enjoy the things that matter most," she said. "Nothing is more important than your family. Someday they will be gone and you will miss them!"

She ought to know.

Thanks Mom.

Three succinct bits of loving advice:

1. Be Happy,
2. Take care of yourself,
3. Make time for family.

*2Nephi 2:25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

HOLLYHOCK DOLLS

It’s early spring here in Washington and I’m antsy for flowers.

The tulips and daffodils have tips peeking out on the sunny side of the house, but for now I must be content with memories.

Flowers create lasting memories.

 Were you ever teased that you liked butter when a dandelion was held under your chin or by your cheek so that a yellow glow appeared? If you haven’t played that old game be sure to try it with the first dandelions of spring.

Grandma Ames 'dandelion' vase

And surely you’ve made flower chains or crowns!

Children from the past made dolls with hollyhock flowers; they are simple, and no tools are necessary.  At one time these flower were found in almost every garden.

Perhaps your own grandmother (or other ancestors) grew hollyhocks. They are so common and so ancient that they have been found buried with a Neanderthal man. 

My mother taught me to make Hollyhock dolls, and says she learned it from her mother. I asked grandma who taught her how to make them.  She replied, "everyone knows how to make them - anyone could have [taught me]."

But that was a very long time ago . . .

So—perhaps  you have never made a hollyhock doll.
But ask your grandmother – maybe she did!

Some may wonder when it would be useful to know how to make a doll from flowers—trust me on this one.  It ranks next to dandelions and butter for charm, and dandelions are charming – right?

I think we’ve all blown dandelion seeds!

Children love hollyhock dolls, AND guys—listen carefully—it is a great way to impress and flirt with most girls.

Hollyhocks are a biennial, and reseed readily.

With even limited water, they grow flowering spikes 6-8 feet (or more) in height, and many in colors, sizes and varieties.

Hollyhocks grew near pioneer cabins and dugouts because they survive in poor soils with little care.
One of their common names is “alley orchid.”   They are also tolerant of frost and heat, and all parts of the plant are edible, as well as useful medicinally .

In the past, a bucket of water (carried from a stream or pumped by hand from a carefully primed well), had many uses. Water could be precious, with every drop doled out carefully.

After washing dishes, that water could be used to clean boots or scrub a floor. After water became so dirty it was 'almost mud,' then vegetables were watered, and lastly flowers—often hollyhocks.

To make dolls you need 2 kinds of blooms.

A fully open bloom for a 'skirt' - larger is better - after all we want a 'full' skirt – right ladies? (wink).
But if you want a more narrow skirt pick a bloom that isn’t opened as far - use your imagination.

Notice bud at top middle right

For the head or ‘bonnet’ use a smaller tighter bud.

Notice buds have 2 layers of green around the base of the flower just above the stem (see above photo). Peel away the greens, being careful to not damage the bud or deeper petal layers, and look for a small hole.

removing first green layer

 You may worry something could fall apart - don't worry so much - it won't—the layers pop right off (with only the guidance of a thumbnail).

Here is a close-up so you can see it coming apart

Remove the second layer of green, and hidden underneath, several indentations are visible at the base of the petals.

If you can’t see a little hole in the middle yet, that’s OK— use your fingernail to remove a tiny bit more of the white soft part in the very center of the flat 'base.’

Note indentations by base of petals - these will be eyes

Right in the middle, there will be a tiny little hole.

Position the stem of the 'skirt' to go into the 'head.’ If the stem is too long it may resist pushing into the hole. Shorten it a tiny bit to make it stiffer.

Skirt stem above is too long, Adjust as needed.
Shorter a little bit is stiffer. 

Gently push the stem of the 'skirt' into the small hole in the bud until they are pressed snugly together.

Never use dangerously pointed objects to poke holes or hold these together.
That is entirely unnecessary.

The sap from the plant acts like a seal.
This will also keep them fresh.
I have left these in the sun several hours and they were not wilted.

OHH! Look!

A dolly with eyes, a green collar, and a huge headdress!

 Sometimes we pinched off or added on other flower parts for aprons, bustles etc.

Curious oddities can give unique personalities.

See this bustle from leaves that haven't separated

Imagination is the key ingredient here.

That’s it!!
That’s all there is to it.
Simple.

And no tools are needed.

Give it a try this summer.

HAPPY IMAGINING!

GROWING

The old chair squeaked
As I rocked you - and me
I felt movements
Softly beneath my heart
And watched me swell
As you grew
And I patted you
And held you close
And warm.

Now I hold you
Enclosed in my arms
And I feel you stir
Above my heart,
Against my breast.
You give me warmth
And I watch you grow
And I grow too.

Happy Birthday
A poem I wrote when you were an infant.

RECIPE INDEX

Breads / Rolls
     Crescent Rolls by Caye (scroll to bottom)
     Perfect Pancakes (use Krusteaz mix)

Broccoli and Cauliflower
     Broccoli Christmas Tree
     Eat a Christmas Tree

Cakes and Cupcakes
     Sunshine Cupcakes Candy Corn toppers

Canning and Preserving
     Pears: Love Hate

Casseroles
     California Wheat Casserole
     Vegetable Supper - crookneck squash stuffed

Cookies and Treats
      Cookies and Cabbage (recipe, sheep idea)
      Melting Snowman Cookies
            Think Spring
            Yes, I Did!
      Shortbread (for press)
      Thanksgiving Turkey Treats 2011 with Candy Corn
      Turkey Treats 2010 with Candy Corn

Diet Hints
     Cookies and Cabbage (and blueberries)
     I Believe I Can: Less Food
     Pound for Pound
     Rewards chocolate pants

Fasting and Feasting
     Freely Feasting
     Not So Slow Sunday

Frosting
     Eat Cake (whipped topping mix)
      
Garnishes
     Sugared Pansies: Sugar Sugar

Holidays
     Little Smokies: Sweet! Hearts 
     Thanksgiving Turkey Treats with Candy Corn
     Turkey Treats with Candy Corn

Pie and Pastries
     Lemon Pear Pie

Snacks
    Broccoli Christmas Tree
     Eat a Christmas Tree
     Little Smokies: Sweet! Hearts

Squash
     Green Summer Stir-Fry
     Vegetable Supper - crooknecks

Stuffings
     Bread with Squash

Zucchini
     Green Summer Stir-Fry

THE SPIRITS OF CHRISTMAS

 Our old copy of Dickens Christmas Carol
Loved to pieces (published before copyright dates were  inscribed)

We found a lighted Christmas ornament this year, with the reformed Scrooge from Dickens’ Christmas Carol coming into the Cratchit home with Tiny Tim on his shoulder.

Ornament Inscription on back:

          “It was always said of him

            that he knew how to keep Christmas well,

            if any man alive possessed the knowledge.

           May that truly be said of us, and all of us.”

As David read again Dicken’s wonderful work, "A Christmas Carol," part of Scrooge’s conversation with the Ghost of Christmas Present captured his attention.

The Spirit of Christmas Present had been sprinkling the groceries of passersby with his torch.

     “Is there a particular flavor in what you sprinkle from your torch?”

       asked Scrooge.

     “There is. My own.”

     “Would it apply to any kind of dinner on this day?” asked Scrooge.

     “To any kindly given. To a poor one most.”

     “Why to a poor one most?” asked Scrooge.

     “Because it needs it most.”

When Scrooge journeyed forth with the Ghost of Christmas Past he expressed his fear of falling – being mortal.

The Spirit of Christmas Past touched his heart saying, “Bear but a touch of my hand there and you shall be upheld in more than this.”

The Ghost of Christmas Present bid him, “Touch my robe and hold it fast.”

After being transformed by these two spirits, and after being shown the headstone of his own grave, Scrooge, as Jacob in the 32nd chapter of Genesis, wrestled with the future. “In agony he caught the spectral hand. It sought to free itself, but he was strong in his entreaty, and detained it….”

May we lay hold of the Spirit of Christmas and thereby master our Christmases yet to come.

Love the Ames

O [SING] ALL YE FAITHFUL, SING

Today Church featured hymns chosen by the Ward Council with short readings between each musical number. It is one of my all time favorite Christmas Programs - ever. Thank you Bishop Dax Wells and everyone else that contributed.

One of my earliest memories is singing with my family.

We would gather together and sing, just to sing,
especially near Christmas.

The songs and carols of the Christmas season always lift my heart.

Please join us.

12:00 a.m. O Come All Ye Faithful.

This unique version shows how people who worship at Westminster Abbey rejoice in the joy of the Savior's birth. Although the words they sing are not common in popular music, we can nevertheless follow their words and hearts toward Jesus Christ.

Westminster Abby, a large Gothic cathedral in England, was founded in 960 A.D., and is steeped with history.

Many of our ancestors are from Britain, and specifically from the London areas of Britain. What was worship at Christmas time like for those that have seen and walked near or in this building?

3:00 a.m.

O Little Town of Bethlehem 

Some religions believe they know the actual site of the birth of Jesus Christ.

14 pointed silver star marks place believed to be site of the birth of Jesus Christ.
 "Jesus birthplace in Bethlehem" by DE.MOLAI -
Originally uploaded on the Italian Wikipedia. 
Licensed under Public Domain via Commons

The Church of the Nativity,located in Bethlehem, is a World Heritage Site.

This link provides a virtual tour of the site first identified in the mid-second century by Justin Martyr.

6:00 a.m.

Away in A Manger

What were his grandparents like?

Lyrics

1. Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head;

The stars in the heavens looked down where he lay,

The little Lord Jesus, asleep on the hay.

2. The cattle are lowing; the poor baby wakes,

But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes.

I love thee, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky

And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.

3. Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay

Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,

And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

Text: Anon., ca. 1883, Philadelphia

Music: William J. Kirkpatrick, 1838-1921;

harmonized by Rosalee Elser,1925-2007. (c) 1980 Rosalee Elser.

9:00 a.m.
Stars Were Gleaming

1. Stars were gleaming, shepherds dreaming;

And the night was dark and chill.

Angels' story rang with glory;

Shepherds heard it on the hill.

Ah, that singing! Hear it ringing,

Earthward winging, Christmas bringing!

Hearken! We can hear it still!

2. See the clearness and the nearness

Of the blessed Christmas star,

Leading, guiding; wise men riding

Through the desert dark and far.

Lovely showing, shining, growing,

Onward going, gleaming, glowing,

Leading still, our Christmas star!

Words: Nancy Byrd Turner,1880-1971

Music: Polish carol; arr. by Darwin Wolford, b. 1936

Words (c) 1930 by Presbyterian Board of Christian Education; renewed 1958; from Hymns for Primary Worship. Used by permission of Westminster/John Knox Press. Arr. (c) 1989 IRI.

12:00 noon

While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night

Oh Yeah! watch these sheep - we should follow the shepherd, AND - unlike these sheep, we should think for ourselves so we can receive inspiration and personal revelation suited to our stewardships and needs.

I truly love this depiction of the angels coming to shepherds by night.

Lyrics:

1. While shepherds watch'd their flocks by night,

All seated on the ground,

The angel of the Lord came down,

And glory shone around.

"Fear not," said he, for mighty dread

Had seized their troubled mind;

"Glad tidings of great joy I bring

To you and all mankind."

2. "To you, in David's town this day,

Is born of David's line

The Savior who is Christ the Lord,

And this shall be the sign:

The heav'nly Babe you there shall find

To human view displayed,

All meanly wrapped in swathing bands,

And in a manger laid."

3. Thus spake the seraph, and forthwith

Appeared a shining throng

Of angels praising God, who thus

Addressed their joyful song:

"All glory be to God on high

And on the earth be peace.

Goodwill henceforth from heav'n to men

Begin and never cease."

Text: Nahum Tate, 1652-1715; based on Luke 2:8-14

Music: Yorkshire carol, ca. 1800

Glow in the Dark Angel 2013 tree

3:00 p.m.

Angels We Have Heard on High

played by The Piano Guys

Lyrics:

1. Angels we have heard on high

Sweetly singing o'er the plains,

And the mountains in reply

Echoing their joyous strains.

(Chorus)

Gloria in excelsis Deo.

Gloria in excelsis Deo.

2. Shepherds, why this jubilee?

Why your joyous strains prolong?

What the gladsome tidings be

Which inspire your heav'nly song?

3. Come to Bethlehem and see

Him whose birth the angels sing;

Come, adore on bended knee

Christ the Lord, the newborn King.

Text: French carol, ca. 1862

Music: French carol

6:00 p.m.

Joy to the World

Dancing Snow Couple ornament 2013

What makes you dance with JOY? And sing hallelujah?
Here's another wonderful version of Joy to the World

9:00 p.m.

With Wondering Awe

The human voice is an instrument of wonder. I love barbershop. Sing like that at my funeral, eh?

My favorite 3 wisemen. 

And this rendition is worth every second of the 4:40 minutes. 

Lyrics

1. With wond'ring awe the wisemen saw

The star in heaven springing,

And with delight, in peaceful night,

They heard the angels singing:

(Chorus)

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna to his name!

2. By light of star they traveled far

To seek the lowly manger,

A humble bed wherein was laid

The wondrous little Stranger.

3. And still is found, the world around,

The old and hallowed story,

And still is sung in ev'ry tongue

The angels' song of glory:

4. The heav'nly star its rays afar

On ev'ry land is throwing,

And shall not cease till holy peace

In all the earth is growing.

Text and music: Anon., Laudis Corona, Boston, 1885

The Holy Night, by Carl Heinrich Bloch

12:00 midnight

Silent Night

Lyrics:

1. Silent night! Holy night!

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin mother and Child.

Holy Infant, so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace;

Sleep in heavenly peace.

2. Silent night! Holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight!

Glories stream from heaven afar;

Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia!

Christ, the Savior, is born!

Christ, the Savior, is born!

3. Silent night! Holy night!

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from thy holy face,

With the dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth;

Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

Text: Joseph Mohr, 1792-1848; trans. by John F. Young, 1820-1885

Music: Franz Gruber, 1787-1863

https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/silent-night?lang=eng

HONESTY AND INTEGRITY

In accounting class this week we are asked to explain success and post a business motto.

The assignment states,

"Topic Lesson 10 (Chapter 11):

Many companies have mission statements that outline their values and objectives. They describe desires to provide the best service or products possible, to do so in a competent and trustworthy manner, to provide a superior value to customers, and so forth. Most often, these mission statements are framed nicely and hung in the reception area of the company’s headquarters where they do little more than provide an attractive decoration on the wall.

The 13th Article of Faith states: “We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”

Consider this as a personal mission statement for your career or business dealings. Ponder various aspects and post your thoughts about how it could make you more successful or prosperous. How do you define success?

What are the strengths of the 13th Article of Faith as a mission statement for your occupation? What are its limitations? If you were to write your own mission statement, what would it say?

I answered:

The 13th Article of Faith would look terrific done in word art or calligraphy in the popular styles of today.

For example it could be cleverly arranged in groups of vinyl word phrases as a focal wall in the reception area. I think it would be a business draw—perhaps a bit ‘in your face,’ but why not?

It would make a bold declaration to anyone and everyone regarding personal morals, and the kind of integrity expected of and in the company and of its employees, as well its expectation of its customers. Believing in the good in people encourages them to exemplify the good they know is expected of them.

What would you think if you walked into an office and this was wall sized staring back at you?

Artsy people can make my 5 minute image fantastic and arrange it to fit any size and shape of wall but I imagined it down a tall narrow wall, mostly useless for anything else except just being an element of architecture.

This mission statement would turn that spot into a business proposition and conversation piece. It might even become a draw. The limitations of any motto or statement involve the people implementing the goals of the statement. The things that motivate an individual, and the effort he or she is willing to expend in pursuing any specific accomplishment defines the parameters of success or failure.

My personal motto would be Elder Dube’s (of the Seventy) October 2013 instruction,
“Look Ahead, and Believe.” We must always be aware of and looking toward the future, while believing the best and working toward it.

Some definitions of success mean to finish something perfectly or completely. Success for me personally is making my best effort (but as President Hinckley quipped it has to be “my very best”) to complete a particular goal or assignment.

VOICES

Sometimes I think.

Just that.

I think about everything, and anything - even thinking - and I know I am thinking.

Other times I have thoughts.
Sometimes I wonder about such thoughts.

I recognize they are not inherently mine.

Some thoughts comfort and give hope, courage, and power to act or accomplish many good things.

Other thoughts cause despair. They bring hopeless feelings, or even a wish to cease to exist. I feel without value, purpose, or significance. These thoughts indicate I am without importance.

Recently, I avoided serious contention and conflict with a loved one. I was pleased. A calm stillness and quiet, akin to nothingness, lifted away unresolved cares and concerns.

Later on a thought came so strongly to my mind that I can only describe it as a voice. The voice stayed with me a long time, and berated every human fallibility I experienced.

When I stumbled I thought, “I’m so clumsy.”

When I dropped a spot of juice on my shirt I thought, “You're so sloppy.”

At lunch I spilled some salsa on a worksheet. I was shocked to hear, “You are such a pig, a disgusting pig!”

Suddenly, I recognized something important.

That voice was not me.

I never call anyone a pig, much less a disgusting pig.

I began to think – and ponder.

I began to think about my thoughts, and that voice.

Shudder.

It is the voice I hear when I am in despair.

I also recognized that this incident is not an isolated occurrence.
This is the same voice that fosters pride and fear, discouragement and addictions, but at the same instant condemns every such leaning.

There is opposition in all things. There are forces for light and good, and forces of darkness against good. The spirits that want to damage and destroy all, in every miserable way possible, would love to be welcomed into mind and heart and invited to stay. When peace supersedes contention; anytime conflict is avoided, dropped, or stopped so are those forces. 

I thought about the thoughts; those voices I hear.

Too often I have internalized and personalized a voice.

This time the voice was so foreign that I didn’t think “I am a pig.” I don’t call anyone a pig—especially not myself. (Then I recalled a few times recently when I had randomly ‘thought’ (and rejected) that about someone. How sneaky! That voice is downright sneaky!

Jeffery R. Holland humorously suggested, “Like thieves in the night, unwelcome thoughts can and do seek entrance to our minds. But we don’t have to throw open the door, serve them tea and crumpets, and then tell them where the silverware is kept! . . . Throw the rascals out!”

Many struggle with the type of “dark night of the mind and spirit” that Elder Jeffery R. Holland described in his October 2013 General Conference talk “Like a Broken Vessel.” These things can immobilize and debilitate if allowed to linger. Thankfully lingering is not necessary and the spirit can rule the flesh.

I choose what to think, what to say, and how to act.

Attitude is everything.

Thoughts that come to mind need to be filtered. Thoughts need a security screen the same way a computer requires an anti-virus program. Kindness—to self and others—is a security screen for thoughts.

Kindness immediately rejects and casts aside every intimation of every thought that is not kind.

Simple, sincere kindness to all around us always includes ourselves—much like being in an emergency in a plane and needing our own O₂ mask before attempting to help anyone else. Without vital oxygen—as vital as kindness for self—breathing and living becomes increasingly difficult; an abundance of either increasingly simplifies breathing and living. 

There are things that help “move along” thoughts and prevent us from hurting self or others. The first and most significant is service. Spencer W. Kimball, twelfth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, taught that when we feel like there isn’t much of self to find, that we can immediately find more of the essence of our self in service.

Serving others also fosters connections to others. Being appropriately connected to others is one of the most influential ways to protect anyone from trials or abuse of all kinds, whether within or without the family and home. When we are connected lovingly to others we know they are concerned for us and we are more concerned for them.

Connections help foster kindness, patience, and a host of other virtues that help us think and focus on respecting needs of others as well as ourselves.

Elder Holland instructs, “Cultivate and be where the Spirit of the Lord is. Make sure that includes your own home or apartment, dictating the kind of art, music, and literature you keep there. If you are endowed, go to the temple as often as your circumstances allow."

 [And if you are not endowed you can go sit quietly near the temple and feel its influence and power.]

Elder Holland continues, "Remember that the temple arms you ‘with [God’s] power, … [puts His] glory … round about [you], and [gives His] angels … charge over [you]’ (D&C 109:22).  And when you leave the temple, remember the symbols you take with you, never to be set aside or forgotten” (Oct 2013, Like a Broken Vessel).

REMEMBERING WAR

The Vietnam war is so highly controversial that even yet many veterans of that war are seldom honored. In 1982 a memorial to those that served their country in that war was erected in Washington D.C. It has become a cultural icon.

1982 dedication of Vietnam War Memorial

 History and its ongoing documentation diverges, sometimes does not perfectly agree as it evolves, and is readily found.

We choose to remember and honor the men and women patriots that made difficult choices in a difficult time, though historical controversy continues.

Ken Shelton circa 1967

One of those men, is Papa's first cousin Ken, the son of a brother (Herman) of Papa's mother, Katherine Shelton Ames. The Shelton family sent several cousins to Vietnam.

Ken's brother Dan Shelton served in the Air-force. Although he did not see active fighting he was transferred many places including Texas and Japan.

Robert (Bobby) Shelton,Third Class Ordnanceman front row: 2nd from left.
Taken at aircraft maintenance area (Sangley Point, PI) circa: early 1960s.
VNVP-40 Crew 3 flying P5M Marlin Seaplanes out of Sangley Point, PI,
Conson Island, VN, Kamron Bay, VN and the waters off Danang, VN

Their cousin Bobby Shelton served in the US Navy. He is the son of another brother to Katherine Shelton Ames, Gibb. Gibb was a World War II hero.

Robert Lee Shelton

We honor them all, but today we focus our gratitude toward Ken Shelton.

At Papa's request Ken agreed to be the subject for this 'guest post,' and came for lunch yesterday. Papa's transcription follows. Although Ken did share some of the atrocities and horrors of war we decided to not honor those. This is not to minimize in any way the magnitude of those events. Our choice is instead to focus on and honor Ken's resilience and enduring fortitude. Thank you Cousin Ken for your military service.

Many thanks to Ken's daughter Rachel, and his sister Patricia (Mike) Erdmann, for providing some pictures.

Papa: "I used to enjoy visiting my cousin Ken [Shelton] and listen to him tell stories about being a cook in the army. I called him up the other day and he agreed to come over and tell me some more stories. Some of the stories emphasize that war is a dangerous place to be and that soldiers have hard job to do. I appreciate hearing those stories. I thanked him for living through them. He also told me some stories which were a bit more humorous – stories which should be shared: 

 
The Fastest Bread-Cutter in the World

"Cousin Ken tells that in Vietnam the army had bakeries which would send bread out to the soldiers. The bread wasn’t sliced when they got it, 'so you had to slice all bread by hand.' It came in two foot long loaves. Ken claims that at home he cut bread so poorly that he would get in trouble for the way he did it. He could cut it no better in the army. The loaves had to be cut into army regulation half inch slices.

"His commander gave him the assignment to slice bread for 150 soldiers. Kens explained that he couldn’t cut bread but the commander told him that he was going to slice bread.

"Ken did slice the bread. It took him 3 hours. His commander came to him saying that the other cooks had reported that he had not helped cook at all. 'Well, I was slicing bread; I told you I couldn’t cut bread' 

“'Well, you will cut bread until you know how.'

"Ken returned to the task of cutting bread. While cutting he stopped and considered, 'Maybe it’s the knife.' He sharpened the knife so that 'it was so sharp it could slice through anything. It was so sharp I could shave with it.' He also reshaped it. With the sharpened, reshaped knife – and practice, he was finally able to slice bread for 150 men in six and a half minutes—the same amount of bread that had taken him 3 hours on the first try.

"After that, when Ken was cutting bread men would stop to watch. One day he saw the LDS chaplain (or non-denominational chaplain who happened to be LDS)* watching him. 'What are you doing here?' Ken asked. 

"'I came to watch you cut bread. They told me you were the fastest and it is true. You are the fastest bread cutter in the world.'

Ken Shelton 1967

Lighting the Stove.

"Cooking had its own challenges. Ken would get up at 3 am and prepared breakfast in the dark. He fueled up and pressurized the burners for the stove from the truck's compressors. When the burner was ready he stacked 5-gallon water cans two high around his stove and then he would lie on the ground to light the burner. The bright flash of yellow light from the flame could be seen for miles. He stayed on the ground until the flames got hotter and turned blue, then stuck the burner in the stove and started cooking biscuits. He says, 'Sometimes the men got biscuits for breakfast.' Ken explains that the blue light cannot be seen very far and he was safe until the sun started coming up and made a silhouette of him. It was usually at that time of day he would be shot at. Sometimes the enemy would shoot at him a couple times in a day, sometimes only once in a couple days.

"A fellow soldier, on the last day of his tour, was concerned that Ken had become too used to getting shot at. They were sitting on a water can talking. There were a bunch of 'four duces' (4.2 inch mortars) right behind his mess tent. 'They all fired in unison so you had no warning.... When those four duces went off his feet went about six inches off the ground.'

Vietnam era mortar

"Ken says when he settled down the soldier said, 'Oh that makes me really sad.' 

 “'Why's that?' asked Ken.  

“'Cause you’re not going to make it.  You didn’t even flinch.'  

“'That was outgoing,' explained Ken. 'When it’s incoming you've never seen anyone move as fast in your life as I’m going to move.”
  

“'No, you’re not going to make it,' answered the soldier.

"Later that night they were sitting on top of the captain’s bunker watching an air to ground fire fight on the next hill.  There were about seven helicopters in the air.  Ken said it was beautiful to see the tracer rounds going up and coming down.   He says, 'Immediately below this hill we were looking as a sniper shot at us…. We saw all the tracer rounds come out of his gun…. As soon as I saw the tracer rounds coming out of that guy’s barrel I started to roll to the left and down.'  He was already lying on the ground as a bullet went past the other soldier's head.   He landed on the ground next to Ken.  As soon as the adrenaline settled down enough for him to talk Ken asked, 'was that fast enough for ya’?'

“'I think you’re going to make it,' the other soldier replied.

"I guess he did.

"Thanks cousin.  You’re a hero!"

* The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) provides many resources to its members in military organizations. In May 2003 President Gordon B Hinckley provided counsel, comfort, and guidance to members about military service, in his talk "War and Peace."