JANUARY MUSINGS

In case you are interested in trivia, yesterday, January 26th was “National Bubble Wrap Day.” Today is Mozart’s birthday so today I will listen to some Mozart music. Today is also Jack’s mother’s birthday. If she were alive, she would be 103. My parents were married January 9, 1918 so January 9th was their 91st anniversary. I just thought you’d all appreciate a little nonsense.

On February 4, 1991, the following article, written by me, was published in the Southern Utah News and the Page Chronicle:

“Here we are---already into February and, as yet, I have no clear-cut idea of which resolution I’m going to work on in l991. I have several in mind, each of seemingly equal importance. How do I decide? I wish I knew. Being able to make decisions has never been my most notable characteristic.

“For instance, I go into an ice cream store for a cone. They have 31 different flavors. It’s impossible for me to decide whether I want Butter Brickle, Praline Pecan, Black Walnut or Mocha Fudge.

“What do I do? I compromise by getting a cone with all four flavors. That would be a nice, simple solution if the salesperson didn’t always ask which flavor I want on the bottom. Immediately it throws me into the position of having to make another decision---choosing which flavor I want to taste last. If I knew which flavor I wanted to taste last, I’d only need one scoop! See what I mean?

“To make a resolution is a serious step. It demands a great deal of thought and a lot of commitment. Each of the resolutions I need to make will require a change in lifestyle. It is highly improbable that a person will/can make more than one major change in him/herself at one time, and I’m talking three drastic alterations in behavior.

“Okay, I’ll enumerate the choices:
1. Lose weight.
2. Be punctual.
3. Get organized.

“My doctor says to lose weight is of prime importance. My hair dresser says that punctuality is a virtue. My dear husband cries out for me to get organized.

“Should I attempt all three resolutions at once? By trying to accomplish all three, do I doom them all to failure? If I choose only one---which should it be?

“Therein lies the dilemma.”

Now, in 2009, I can add a postscript to the above. I still need to lose weight and my office is a mess. Yes, I do need to get organized. However, I have made great strides in the punctuality thing. When we lived in the Garden Heights North Ward I was the Ward Organist for many years. I liked to be at the Chapel 15 minutes early so I could start playing the prelude music ten minutes before the meeting was to begin. Generally, I was there 15 minutes early. As the Ward Organist I was almost always on time---rarely even two or three minutes late. The punctuality problem was elsewhere in my life. I remember in those days when I would arrive at the Chapel 15 minutes early there were always half a dozen “older couples” already in their seats waiting for the meeting to commence. I used to think: “Don’t you people have anything better to do than sit here for 20 minutes waiting for Church to begin?” (As you all know, most people arrive at Church within the last five minutes before the appointed time. And, of course, some people generally come in a little late.)

Now that I’m an “older person” I have become one of “them.” Yes, I leave the house about 30 minutes before Church time. It takes me between five and ten minutes to get into my van, drive, park and walk into the Chapel. I sit and wait. Also, in most other aspects of my life I am punctual these days, and, you know what? I feel good about that. I suspect it would feel equally as “good” to lose weight and get organized. We’ll see how this all turns out. I will make a report next January—that is, inasmuch as I’m an “older person,” I will report if I remember. If I forget---please, all you young people out there, remind me!

Happy birthday to Dallin, January 22nd; Ember, January 25th; Erica, January 31st. Hope you all had/have a great day.

I love you all.