Category Archives: Musings

That Was the Year That Was: 2010

Looking back on the last year of my life, I’m amazed at what a great year 2010 was. I say that, in spite of the fact that my wonderful mother-in-law, Virginia Murphy, passed away on October 1st.  You see, my MIL would tell me to not let her passing stop me from celebrating all thatContinue reading “That Was the Year That Was: 2010”

A White Thanksgiving

  This is a different Thanksgiving for us. To begin with, snow is falling, the Christmas decorations are already up, and as I write this, I hear the Osmonds singing “The Christmas Waltz.”  It almost feels like December 25th, but there’s no tree dropping pine needles on the floor and the kids didn’t wake meContinue reading “A White Thanksgiving”

Kicking the Cable Habit

Cable is expensive.  It may lure you with special deals and  the promise of HD wonderfulness, but it’s a huge racket.  You can enjoy hundreds of channels without paying more than $9.00 a month.  And it’s all legal. Here’s how our family kicked the cable habit and ended up saving ourselves more than $1300 aContinue reading “Kicking the Cable Habit”

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes

I can honestly say that my wedding was like the end of Walt Disney’s Cinderella. Okay, there were no talking mice, and I did not have to go around the world with a shoe looking for the girl whose foot would fit inside.  But I did leave my wedding in a pumpkin-shaped crystal coach withContinue reading “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes”

Driving at the Top of the World

I’ve driven great heights before.  This week, I’d already driven the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park.  It’s a national architectural and engineering landmark.  It takes you from the valley floor up amazing switchbacks cut right into the cliff walls.  All the way to over 6,000 feet.  That’s pretty high. I’ve driven Utah State HighwayContinue reading “Driving at the Top of the World”

An Oasis in the Middle of Nowhere

Imagine having left everything you ever knew and venturing across the American West in the late 1800’s. To the north, the Indian Wars are still in full swing.  The memory of what happened at Little Bighorn is still fresh.  To the south, unrest between Texas and Mexico continues unabated.  You’ve followed the Oregon Trail.  OrContinue reading “An Oasis in the Middle of Nowhere”

Battlefields

It was at least 30 years ago when I last visited Last Stand Hill. It hasn’t changed that much. It is still extremely hot.  It’s still a tall hill in a series of hills overlooking a fairly insignificant river.  It still has a memorial on top. But it was not the same. It wasn’t theContinue reading “Battlefields”

Glaciers, Waterfalls, & Wonders

I didn’t think I could be that amazed by Glacier National Park. It’s high.  It has glaciers.  It has a famous road. But I was unprepared. I can’t begin to describe it in words. Going-to-the-Sun Road, which is nothing short of the most beautiful road I’ve ever driven on, is a marvel.  As the sunContinue reading “Glaciers, Waterfalls, & Wonders”

That Home Belongs to You

Watched Disney’s Bolt with the family not long ago.  I’ve seen it before, although I do feel a little guilty about never having seen it in the theatre.  It’s a great little film, full of wonderful voice acting, fantastic animation, and an engaging journey of discovery. But what I love about Bolt most of allContinue reading “That Home Belongs to You”