My Title of Liberty

JANUARY 2010

On January 1, 2010, Friday, New Year's Day, Jesús' Birthday, I got up at 7:45 am. I had an egg sandwich and oatmeal for breakfast. Ed came over and we watched "Barney Miller" episodes. I had Tess make me oatmeal at lunch time, as I didn't think I could stomach the sandwich and soup she had prepared. Ed left in the mid afternoon. I was able to eat everything for supper: mixed veggies, fish sticks, mashed potatoes, and diced pears, though the mashed potatoes made from a package were a bit salty. I watched "The Twilight Zone".

On January 2, 2010, Saturday, Ernie's Birthday, Stephen's Birthday, I got very little sleep all night. My right foot (mostly) was in great pain and I could barely stand to put my weight on it to transfer to my wheel chair, to the toilet, or back to my bed. I took Loperamide several times.

On January 3, 2010, Sunday, Kate's Birthday, I got about 3 hours' sleep at first, then had trouble sleeping the rest of the night. When I got up in the morning, I had to change my clothes and my bedding. I had cream of wheat and an egg sandwich for breakfast. I soaked my feet in Epsom salt (Tess heated the water for me). I found two voice mails from Larry after discovering that my phone was turned off (I didn't do it). I phoned him back and told him I couldn't go to Church today. He confirmed that our Ward meetings now begin at 2:00 pm, as I had guessed. Lunch was a Nutella sandwich and lentil soup. No bowel movements at all today, excluding passing a little gas. I wrote checks for tithing, etc. and my rent. I ordered new checks online from the bank and I will have to wait for them before writing my SPD check. At least my address will be correct now. Before supper, I shaved with an electric hair clipper my facial hair that has grown unchecked since my last temple trip. Supper was meat balls, mixed veggies plus broccoli, pasta salad, and a 32 oz. flat Coke. I had Tess check my blood pressure. SHe got 92/55 (even lower than Sana got last Thursday before the Doctor took me off my furosemide. I watched "House".

On January 4, 2010, Monday, I have passed no stools since very early Sunday. I had great difficulty sleeping due to the pain in my feet. I woke in a sweat again. Before breakfast, I had Winda take my blood pressure. She got 102/67 - higher than yesterday, but still low. I had fried egg, 1-1/2 tiny rolls, oatmeal, apple slices, and orange juice for breakfast. I browsed Amazon.com for BB pistols. Just before 10 am, I passed my first coherent stool in nearly two weeks. I sang karaoke until lunch time. For lunch, I had a kind of mild chili, carrots, and sliced apples. Sana, my nurse called to check on me. She and Doctor Tierney will plan to see me tomorrow about 1 pm. They will also set up an appointment with my podiatrist soon. I tried napping. Supper was breaded chicken (very tender), beet slices, and corn on the cob. Brenda from Elderplace phoned to tell me she would pick me up at 1 pm tomorrow and my appointment with the Doctor is for 1:30 pm and I would be brought home shortly thereafter. Winda and I discussed tomorrow's menu for supper. Tenatively, it will be baked potato, roast beef, and peas.

On January 5, 2010, Tuesday, I got up at 7:45 am. My feet were in slightly better condition than when I went to bed. I had an egg sandwich, half a blueberry muffin, tator tots, and a fruit cup for breakfast. I spent most of the morning online, responding to questions and polls on Sodahead. For lunch, I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and soup. Rich picked me up at 12:45 pm and drove me to Elderplace. Someone took my vitals. I weighed 311.2 lbs and my blood pressure was 112/68. My temperature was 98.1^o and my respiration was 12. I went up to the doctor's office and was seen first by Sana, then by Dr. Tierney. My furosemide and Potassium were restored. I will go back to having milk products. I went to the Columbia Room and joined a song and scripture activity. The chaplin asked me to hold the microphone and effectively become the song leader. I think I sang about 18 songs. I had two juices and a fig Newton bar while I waited for my ride home. A medical driver working out of Glendoveer drove me and two others home by 4:35 pm. Larry left a new Priesthood manual: "Gospel Principles" with Winda while I was still at Elderplace. For supper, I had roast beef, baked potato, mixed veggies, peqach pie, and Neapolitan ice cream. Winda gave me a baked potato for my 8 pm snack. We watched "Stargate Atlantis". When I went back to my room, I watched "Stargate: SG-1". I watched "Bones". Someone from Feature Films for Families called and I ordered five DVD movies for $29.75, including shipping. They should arrive within 10 days. Winda brought me my new meds, which I didn't need to have delivered (even says so on the doctor's order) since I still had the ones I didn't take.

[3rd quarter moon] On January 6, 2010, Wednesday, I got up at 7:50 am. For breakfast I had: an egg sandwich, cream of wheat, and diced pears. At the table we discussed different meats, deer, sheep, etc. I could not remember what sheep meat, so I finally gave up and looked it up on the internet (lamb, hogget, and mutton). Mutton was the word I was trying to remember. It also applies to goat meat. I checked my online communications. It is another rainy day. I napped until lunch. I had an egg salad sandwich and pasta salad for lunch. I watched "JAG" and "Suite Life on Deck". The furosemide is definitely working and the swelling in my feet seems diminished. The greatest pain is from my left knee (probably sprained). For supper, I had: chicken, Brussells' sprouts, squash, peach pie, and Neapolitan ice cream. I watched "NCIS" and "Bones".

On January 7, 2010, Thursday, I got up at 7:45 am. For breakfast, I had eggs, biscuits with gravy, two Vienna sausages, and diced peaches. I went online, checked my messages, and replied to Sodahead Questions. Ed showed up and we watched "Law and Order" until he left in the afternoon. For supper, I had two fish filets, broccolli and cauliflower, a chicken leg, spice cake, and orange juice. I watched "Chuck".

The "Elvis" Impersonator

On January 8, 2010, Friday, I got up at 7:45 am. I had eggs, rolls, and oatmeal for breakfast. Torian picked me up at 8:40 am. We arrived at Elderplace about 9:40 am. I took a photo of a cardboard Elvis in the Columbia Room. It looks rather lifelike. I weighed 311.6 lbs. We had Lisa's Discussion group in the Deschutes Room. I sang karaoke in the Sandy Room before and after lunch. I had the hamburger with corn and zucchini for lunch. Torian got me home by 2 pm. I napped until supper. I had spaghetti for supper.

On January 9, 2010, Saturday, I got up at 7:45 am. I had eggs, diced pears, and pancakes for breakfast. Dad would have been 81 today. I received my Oregon ballot at breakfast, voted No against both tax hike proposals, and got it ready to mail. I went online and replied to Sodahead Questions. I napped most of the afternoon. After supper (potatos, tuna noodle casserole), I phoned Mom and visited for a while. I watched "As Time Goes By", "My Family", and the last half of "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow". I watched "Eragon" before going to bed.

The Stake Center at 5:00 pm

On January 10, 2010, Sunday, I got up at 7:45 am. I had an egg sandwich, cold cereal, and sliced apples for breakfast. I shaved for Church. I napped until lunch. After lunch, I dressed and packed for Church. Larry picked me up at 1:30 pm. Our Sacrament talks were on "The Gifts of the Holy Spirit" and "The Primacy of Faith in Jesus Christ". Our Sunday School Lesson was on the Pre-existence. We met in the chapel for our Priesthood opening and the High Priests used the choir stand for our Group meeting. The lesson was "Our Heavenly Father". They had to put away chairs in Room 107 and the Multi-purpose Room. Larry got me home about 5:20 pm. For supper, I had mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, beef?, diced pears, and some sort of short muffin. I got a couple of the short muffins for my HS snack.

Map of Powell Valley Ward

On January 11, 2010, Monday, I got up at 7:41 am. I had eggs and pancakes for breakfast. I went on Sodahead, then napped until lunch. My feet seem to be getting better. I had mac and cheese, yogurt, and pineapple for lunch. I went on a new Church site and found a Google Earth map of my Ward. I edited Articles of Faith, added Introductory Note for the Pearl of Great Price, edited Joseph Smith - Matthew and Joseph Smith - History. I was informed of a Podiatrist appointment tomorrow - I will be picked up at 1:15 pm, so I can't go to the temple tomorrow. I added Moses 1, Moses 2, and Moses 3. For supper, I had salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, garbanzos, a cookie, and apple slices. I added Moses 4 and Moses 5. I watched "Bones" and "Castle".

On January 12, 2010, Tuesday, I got up at 7:41 am. For breakfast, I had eggs, hash browns, biscuits with gravy, and sliced apples. I managed my first tub bath in weeks since my feet and knees are doing better. I dressed. The music lady came and I joined in. For lunch we had chili and Macadamia cookies. The MetroWest driver picked me up way late, 1:55 instead of 1:15 pm, but it worked out with the doctor's office. One of the doctor's assistants trimmed my toenails, the doctor trimmed a wart on the left foot and was concerned about one of the toes on my right foot. If it heals within the week he wants to see me in 5 weeks. Jay drove three people home. I was home just after 4 pm. I checked my blood pressure and got 109/74. I reorganized some things in my room. For supper, I had bean soup and cake. I made up my bed with new bedding and then rested listening to gospel music until Br. Christiansen and Larry arrived. They visited with me for about half an hour, mostly getting to know me. I felt less tired after they left.

On January 13, 2010, Wednesday, I got up at 5:00 am and checked my online messages and responded to Questions and replies on Sodahead. I went back to bed at 6:30 am. I got up at 7:51 am. For breakfast, I had eggs in waffles, pear quarters, and mixed cold cereal. I checked my online messages and went back to bed. I napped until 11 am. I added Moses 6. Before lunch, my blood pressure was 108/71. pulse 78. For lunch, I had corn chowder and pear quarters. After lunch, my blood pressure was 112/70. pulse 81. Winda brought me a large box that was delivered. It was the white pants and temple robe and sash that Steve had special ordered for me. For supper, I had homemade meatballs (delicious), mixed veggies, garlic bread, cookies, and Neapolitan ice cream. I added $15 to my Verizon Wireless account. I added Moses 7. I watched "NCIS".

[new moon] On January 14, 2010, Thursday, I got up at 7:41 am. For breakfast, I had a sandwich with eggs and tater tots, a half a blueberry muffin, diced pears, and orange juice. I went online and checked my communications. Ed showed up about 11:30 am. After lunch, we watched "The Last Brickmaker in America", "Beautiful Dreamer", and "The Inheritance". After supper, we watched "Tomás and the Rainbow".

On January 15, 2010, Friday, I got up at 3:00 am. I ate a blueberry bagel. I checked my online messages. I added Moses 8, Abraham 1, Abraham 2, Abraham 3, Abraham 4, and Abraham 5, including the facsimiles, and completing the Pearl of Great Price. For breakfast I had an egg sandwich, oatmeal, and applesauce. Torian picked me up about 8:40 am. We arrived at Elderplace about an hour later. My weight was 309.3 lbs. and my blood pressure was 118/68. Sana and Dr. Tierney looked at my feet. I began singing karaoke in the Sandy Room at 10:30 as there was no Art class there and they've been serving lunch early lately. I had the fish for lunch. LIsa had her discussion group in the former coat room by the front entrance from 12:30 to 12:50 pm. Torian got me home by 2:25 pm. I checked my online messages. For supper, I had fudge, pear slices, mixed vegetables, and pasta with ground beef and brocolli.

On January 16, 2010, Saturday, I got up at 7:50 am. For breakfast, I had an egg, a roll, diced pears, cream of wheat, egg nog, and orange juice. I checked my online messages. I napped until lunch. For lunch, I had an egg salad sandwich, pasta salad, and orange juice. I watched "Cow Belles" on Disney. I watched "Bones". My check order came in the mail. I wrote the check for Aging and Disability Services and got it ready to mail. I had stew and sliced pears for supper. I watched "The Pacifier", "As Time Goes By", and "My Family".

On January 17, 2010, Sunday, I got up at 7:45 am. For breakfast, I had a roll with an egg, applesauce, cereal with eggnog, and orange juice. I napped for a couple of hours, then got up and studied my Priesthood lesson, "Our Heavenly Family". For lunch, I had a peanut butter and jam sandwich, noodle soup, and blackberry yogurt. I shaved and dressed for Church. Larry picked me up at 1:30 pm. I lent Phyllis at Church two DVD movies. The Sacrament talks were:
Brandon Miller: on How to be a Friend: Loyalty; Encourages you to do what is right, and not ask you to do what is wrong; Hyrum and Joseph were true friends; The Savior is "a friend that sticketh closer than a brother".
Br. Josh Kahan: on Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy. Our life here is but a pinprick in eternity
Br. Dave Ralstin: on Fasting with Purpose: Purpose gives you power to do what otherwise might not be possible.
Sunday School was about the Creation, mostly from the Book of Moses.
My Priesthood lesson went well, on Our Heavenly Family.
Larry got me home by 5:35 pm. I had baked potato, mixed veggies, a brownie, and a fruit cup for supper. I checked my online messages.

On January 18, 2010, Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I got up at 7:40 am. I discovered that I had been taking my nighttime Metformin in place of my morning Metformin and vice-versa. I corrected that. I had an egg sandwich, oatmeal, and applesauce for breakfast. I checked my online messages. For lunch, I had three cookies, clam/corn chowder, and sliced pears. I listened to KKAD AM radio and replied to Sodahead Questions, Blogs, and replies. I chatted with Erin online. For supper, I had a baked potato, fish sticks, some tofu with broccoli, some sort of pie or cake. I watched a PBS documentary following the route Columbus took to America.

Flower Garden near the Temple Entrance

Looking toward Mt. Hood on the way home

On January 19, 2010, Tuesday, I got up at 7:44 am. For breakfast a had a sandwich of eggs and tater tots, diced pears, and orange juice. I checked my online messages. I shaved, bathed, and dressed for the Temple. I tried phoning Sis. Lucas about the Veil Training but got a busy signal. When I got through, it was the Temple. Sis. Lucas came back to her desk before I finished talking to the receptionist. She set me an appointment for 1:30 pm the coming Saturday. Larry picked me up at 10:45 am. We picked up another brother from the Ward then headed to I-84 to go to the Temple. We arrived at the temple at 11:30 am. I got my shield and white socks and changed into them. I was initially given the names of 8 men who have died. Later, I was allowed to do 3 more, making a total of eleven. The work I did is called Initiatories, sometimes Washings and Anointings. It is what was done symbolically to Aaron and his sons in Exodus 29:4,7:

"And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring
unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,
and shalt wash them with water. ...
"Then shalt thou take the anointing oil,
and pour it upon his head, and anoint him."

And it is mentioned in a more general sense in Ezekiel 16:8-9:

"Now when I passed by thee,
and looked upon thee,
behold, thy time was the time of love;
and I spread my skirt over thee,
and covered thy nakedness:
yea, I sware unto thee,
and entered into a covenant with thee,
saith the Lord GOD,
and thou becamest mine.
Then washed I thee with water;
yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee,
and I anointed thee with oil."

On January 20, 2010, Wednesday, I got up at 7:44 am. For breakfast a had eggs, pancakes, and diced pears. I checked my online messages. Ed showed up and we watched "Walker, Texas Ranger" and "JAG". I had a tuna salad sandwich, baked beans, and a vanilla gelatin dessert for lunch. I continued watching "JAG". Then I watched a History Channel program on "Presidential Movers", including Air Force One. For supper, I had a big cheeseburger with fries, and more gelatin dessert. There was some cornbread, but it turned out to be laced with jalapeño. I watched "Stargate SG-1", "NCIS', and "Leverage".

Mt. Hood viewed from Vancouver, WA

Welcome to Woodland, Washington

On January 21, 2010, Thursday, I got up at 7:44 am. For breakfast, I had an egg sandwich, oatmeal, sliced pears, milk, and orange juice. I checked my online messages. I tried going back to sleep, but Ed showed up. We watched "Believe in Me" on DVD. After lunch, Ed asked if I wanted to take a ride with him. We went first to Dairy Queen, where he had lunch and I had a fish sandwich and a small strawberry sundae. Then we went to The Grocery Outlet on Division Street about 199th Ave. I bought two cans of S&W Baked Beans with bacon and brown sugar, 5 Fiber Plus dark chocolate almond bars, and a small bag of Malt-O-Meal Chocolatey Frosted Mini Spooners (shredded wheat). The beans and bars for my emergency backpack. Then Ed headed toward Portland. I asked him where he was going next and he said, "How about north?" I said, "Sure." We drove north on I-205 into Washington. I got photos of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens. We stopped at a Rest Area north of Vancouver. We passed Kalama and stopped in Longview, Washington where Ed wanted to check out something. Then we headed south. We went through part of Woodland, then continued south back to Portland. We stopped again on Interstate Drive where Ed went into a car repair shop for a few minutes. Then Ed brought me home by 4:50 pm. Ed took off for his neice's after letting his engine cool a bit. For supper, I had potatoes, a boiled egg, and kind of a stew. Packaged custard was for dessert. I updated my web journal and checked my online messages. I copied my photos to my computer.

Birds on bare branches

On January 22, 2010, Friday, I got up at 3:40 am. I checked my online messages and went back to bed by 4:45 am. I couldn't go back to sleep for thinking, so I got up again at 5 am. I checked my online messages some more and went back to bed at 6 am. I napped until 7:15 am. For breakfast, I had an egg sandwich, oatmeal, and orange slices. I took pictures outside. Torian picked me up at Lois' next door. At Elderplace, I weighed 309.5 lbs. Lisa's Discussion Group was six strong. I sang karaoke in the Sandy Room. Ed showed up and I made him a guest for lunch. We both had the fish. I sang some more after lunch. Ed went on somewhere (he is driving a loaner car while his pickup is in the shop) and Torian brought me home. I checked my online messages. I copied my photos to my computer. I napped until supper. For supper, I had a corn meal tortilla, steamed cauliflower, tofu, and custard. When I got back to my room, Erin had tried to IM me a file with a story she wrote, and the poem her boyfriend wrote upon which her story was based. I downloaded it and read it. It is really good and it reminds me of her drawings. I watched "NCIS".

Moon at 12:30 pm

My First Bishop in July 1977

Moon above the Temple

Moon above the Temple at 3:00 pm

Mt Hood

[first quarter moon] On January 23, 2010, Saturday, I got up at 6:56 am. I checked my online messages. For breakfast, I had an egg sandwich, and English muffin, cream of wheat, apple slices, and orange juice. I measured my temple pants. The legs are 40", not 30" long. They will have to be shortened and hemmed. I updated my Sodahead profile. I checked my online messages. I verified that Larry would pick me up at 12:30 pm. I shaved and packed for the temple. For lunch, I had an egg salad sand wich and chowder. Larry picked me up at 12:30 pm. We arrived at the temple a little after 1:00 pm. I rented trousers ($1.10) and changed into my white clothes. I was met in the hall by my trainer and escorted by the elevator to a training room on the 2nd floor. He went over some of the rules for dealing with names and how to handle persons with limited physical capacities. He went over the script with me. I did a lot better than I thought I would do in a short time. At 2:10 pm, the training was done. I asked to use a restroom and he showed me to one on that floor. He went to check on the progress in the endowment room. While I was in the restroom, I began thinking of my first Bishop, W. Paul Hyde. I had last seen him a few years earlier at the veil (he was the veil worker that time). I wondered if he was even still alive. I determined I would ask my trainer if he knew him and find out what I could about how he is doing. I went back into the hallway to wait for my trainer to come back. Only a moment or two later, someone tall was coming down the hallway toward me. I thought I recognized him, but it couldn't be, could it. The man also did a double take when he saw me. It was my first Bishop. We clasped hands. About the same time my trainer returned and I introduced my former bishop to him and explained how I had just been thinking about him moments before.
Br. Hyde said, "And he still wants to shake hands with me."
I said, "Well, I did think you were a rather odd person when I first met you."
I said, "I didn't even know if you were still alive or not."
He said, "Some of my grandchildren don't know if I'm alive or not."
I said, "Well, that's their fault."
He said he thought it was 5 years ago when we last met, and we clasped hands again before my trainer pushed me to the veils. I considered the meeting of my bishop and the surrounding circumstances to be a miracle. At the veils, my trainer put me through an abreviated session using an otherwise unused endowment room, mostly to see how I handled the physical differences working from my wheelchair. Then someone else assigned me to veil 14 for room 2, where I brought one patron through the veil. He did perfectly; I made one little mistake, but someone was there to help me out. Afterwards, I went downstairs and changed back into my street clothes. When I came out of the restroom, Larry, who had been doing initiatories (10) was already in his street clothes. We went out to the car. I took a couple of photos through his sun roof and several more on the way home. On our way home, I told Larry about meeting my first bishop and he knew him. He told me Br. Hyde is a Temple Coordinator. I was home about 3:30 pm. I visited with Tess about cooking and with Margaret about the temple before returning to my room and changing out of my white shirt and tie. I updated my journal and copied my photos from the camera to the computer. For supper, I had meatballs, tater tots, mixed veggies, a chocolate muffin, and orange juice. I posted a blurb on Facebook about meeting my first Bishop and a photo of him in July 1977 just before I went to the Idaho Falls Temple for my own endowments. I checked my online messages. I watched "As Time Goes By" and "My Family".

Leaving church at Suppertime

On January 24, 2010, Sunday, I got up at 7:45 am. I checked my online messages. For breakfast, I had an egg sandwich, an English muffin, a mixture of cold cereal, diced pears, and orange juice. I wrote the 47th email to "Gary" who has been criticizing the Church, telling him of my visit with my former pastor before I was baptized into the Chuch, and how I checked the context of a passage he gave me from the Book of Mormon, when he claimed it contradicted the Bible, and how, in context, I found no contradiction. I sincerely hope that his heart will be opened so that he can see the truth in the scriptures and not just what he has been told by "authors" and "researchers".
I found William Paul Hyde and some others I knew in the West Salem Ward years ago and sent Friend Requests through Facebook. Hope to be able to share with them soon. I napped until lunch. For lunch, I had a hot dog and some chili. I checked my online messages. I changed clothes and packed for Church. I wore my wool poncho because it was raining. Larry picked me up at 1:35 pm. The Sacrament talks were by:
* Sis. Cambria Rial: on Agency, to act for ourselves. It is for our benefit. 2 Nephi 2:26-29.
* Br. Richard Stark (in the Ward for 6 months): on offering up a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
* Br. Jamin Roth: "Th idler shall not have place in the Church". Self-sufficiency, providing for your family, balance, children to learn to work. Work is a blessing. Honest wages vs. filthy lucre.
The Gospel Doctrine lesson was on the Fall. The three pillars of Salvation are: The Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement.
The Teachings for Our Times lesson in High Priest Group was "The Love of God" by Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, presented by Br. Holwege.
I took a few photos outside while Larry helped put up the chairs. I was home by 5:30 pm. Tess had held up dinner for me. For supper, I had "something like meatloaf", mixed veggies, mashed potatoes, diced fruit, and a chocolate muffin. I checked my online messages.

On January 25, 2010, Monday, I got up at 7:45 am. For breakfast I had an onion omelet, two pancakes, a banana, and orange juice. I checked my online messages. I napped until lunch, which was delayed until 12:20 pm. For lunch, I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, sliced pears, and tomato soup. I checked my online messages. I napped until suppertime. I copied the 2008 photos from my hard drive to a data CD and then deleted them from the hard drive to save space. For supper, I had stew, sliced pears, a chocolate muffin, and Neapolitan ice cream. I checked my onlinme messages. I watched "NCIS".

Steve picking us up in front of the Temple

On January 26, 2010, Tuesday, I got up at 7:45 am. For breakfast, I had an egg sandwich in a long roll, oatmeal, sliced pears, milk, and orange juice. I checked my online messages. I shaved and dressed for the temple. Winda gave me a banana to take with me. Steve (driving) and Larry picked me up, then went and picked up another brother before heading for the temple through Damascus and I-205. When we got there I had about 20 minutes to get ready. I rented the white trousers and changed into my temple clothing. Someone pushed me to the chapel where I was given a blue "Veil Worker" tag for my shirt pocket. Then Larry pushed me up to Room 2 where I entered by a door on the Sisters' side and wheeled to the Brothers' side of the stage. I was asked by a worker if I would like to join in the Prayer Circle, and since there were very few patrons so far, I said I would. Later, a total of 24 patrons were present, making my assessment unnecessary. One thought that came to me during the session was that the Lord (symbolically) reaches through the veil to us after we seek his counsel. I discovered I still had my breakfast pills (untaken) on my wheelchair. I did join the Prayer Circle and a Sister came up to join me in the circle. After being brought through the veil myself, I brought two other patrons through. With the first one, I got lost for a moment and recovered. With the second, the brother who came with us, I misworded one part and someone was at my side to correct me. The four of us visited in the Celestial Room briefly, before going downstairs to change back into our street clothes. I added three names to the Prayer Roll: my daughter, her mother, and their upstairs neighbors (God knows their names). We went down to the basement and showed the new brother the Baptismal font before going to the cafeteria for lunch. I had Prime Rib, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, tapioca pudding, and milk. I took what pills I could from this morning with my lunch pills. I took some photos outside the temple and some more on the way home. We won't be going back to the temple for three weeks as the temple closes for two weeks starting next Sunday. Steve dropped the other brother off first, them me. I was home by 2:40 pm. I copied my photos to my computer and updated my web journal. I checked my online messages. For supper, I had garlic bread, some kind of skinny noodles with meat and veggies, sliced pears, and custard for dessert. I watched "Stargate SG-1". My Home Teacher came at 7:10 pm, leaving a message from Pres. Uchtdorf. He will see about providing me with an Ensign, more for having around for others to read here than for my need since I can read it online. He left at 7:35 pm. I watched "Bones".

On January 27, 2010, Wednesday, I got up at 6:20 am. I checked my online messages and replied to an email (Facebook) from another former Bishop, Gerald Tippets, updating him on my life and family since I left Salem. I napped until lunch. For lunch, I had soup and a banana. I checked online messages. My daughter is worried about finances for school and her mother is worried about becoming homeless. I watched "Cheers" and "Becker". I watched a History Channel program comparing Indiana Jones and archaeology in real life. For supper, I had broccoli, chicken, Jo Jo's, apple pie, and pear slices. I helped Margaret with her TV and she gave me some potato chips. I watched "Stargate SG-1", "Bones", and "NCIS".

Oregon Fairview Home where Dad was a Psychiatric Aid

On January 28, 2010, Thursday, Margaret's 84^th Birthday, I got up at 2:30 am. I checked my online messages then went back to bed. Still couldn't sleep, so I got up again. I tried backing up more photos to a CD but that failed. I added pictures of my early computers to the Computers page. I checked my online messages and went back to bed at 6:00 am. I got up at 7:45 am. For breakfast, I had an egg sandwich, three vienna sausages, Rice Krispies, milk, and orange juice. The News said that the old Fairview Home, where Dad once worked as a psychiatric aide, burned down last night. I added water to my fish tank. I checked my online messages. I moved my TV across the room, and my mirror to a different wall. I began taking down my Christmas tree. Ed showed up. We watched TV together. For lunch, I had chowder and chocolate chip cookies. Ed left at 3:00 pm. I finished taking down my Christmas tree. For supper, I had pizza, cucumber slices, some fruity pastry, and a gelatin fruit dessert. I moved my bed to a new wall and put new bedding on it. I watched "NCIS".

Windy Day in Gresham, Oregon

On January 29, 2010, Friday, I got up at 5:30 am. I checked my online messages then went back to bed. I got up again after trying to go back to sleep. I updated my last autobiographical web page. I copied my web files to my Pocket PC and plugged the Pocket PC and my cell phone into their chargers. I hung up clothes that had been returned from the laundry and had been stacked around the room. For breakfast, I had an egg sandwich, an English muffin, and oatmeal. Torian picked me up at 8:40 am. I arrived at Elderplace an hour later. I weighed 309.7 lbs. My blood pressure was 130/66. I bought two Cokes from the vending machine - regular, not diet, because the diet was all sold out. I participated in Lisa's Discussion Group in the Deschutes Room and sang Karaoke in the Sandy Room until lunch was served. I had the breaded fish. A new chaplain named Joe read something to each table. I sang karaoke for a few more minutes before it was time to leave. I loaned two more DVD movies to Phyllis and got the first two back from her. I got home at 2:00 pm. I hung up a few more clothes in the closet. Ed showed up about 2:15 pm. We watched a documentary about the history of bullets. Ed left at 5:00 pm to get something to eat. I discovered that I had apparently lost my cell phone at Elderplace. For supper, I had broccoli and cauliflower, mashed potatoes and gravy, barbecued chicken, and peach pie. I moved my computer and got it hooked up again, except for the printer. I hung a flag across the window. I watched "Bones". I checked my online messages.

Me, on My Bed at My Computer

On January 30, 2010, Saturday, I got up at 7:40 am. I checked my online messages. For breakfast, I had egg, three pancakes with syrup, and orange slices. It took a couple of hours as I kept getting bumped off, but I managed to update my web files on the internet. I checked my online messages. I mounted my AM/FM radio on the wall next to my bed and listened to "The Sounds of Sinatra" on 1550 AM. For lunch, I had an egg salad sandwich and spaghetti style soup. I watched "Asteroid" on TV. About 1:30 pm, the power went out. The heater in the bathroom ceiling shorted out and was smelling of smoke so they turned off the breaker. Dan pulled the heater out of the ceiling, disconnected it, and taped the ends of the wires. When they turned the power back on I reset the TV and the computer. I watched "Legend of the Seeker" and "Bones". For supper, I had mixed veggies, potato salad with too much dill, and some chocolate cake. I checked my online messages. I watched "As Tome Goes By", "My Family", and "New Tricks".

Mt. Hood at Sunset

Sunset after Church let out

Sunset after a few more minutes

On January 31, 2010, Sunday, I got up at 7:45 am. I checked my online messages. For breakfast, I had an egg sandwich, mixed cold cereal, and apricots. I continued checking my online messqages. I listened to "The Sounds of Sinatra" on the radio and napped until 11:00 am. I checked my online messages and packed my bag for Church. For lunch I had a hot dog and refried beans. After lunch, I shaved with my electric razor, bathed, and dressed for Church. Larry and Glenna picked me up at 1:30 pm. The talks were by:
* Maddie Childs (daughter of John and ): on Gratitude, as aspect of "Doing What Is Right". "We who receiveth all things with gratitude ... ." Express appreciation to everyone. Luke 17, The Ten Lepers - only one was thankful.
* Br. Larry Hall: on Service. Topical Guide references. Feed the hungry, holding a door open. Receiving service allows others to serve. Mosiah 2:16-17, "... ye are only in the service of your God." Smile so people can tell you love them. Go to the temple.
* Br. Jim Caudle: "15 minutes spent with 200 people is 50 hours of time." Our bodies are temples. In the pre-existence, we wanted our physicqal bodies. D &C 89, in 1833, The Word of Wisdom was given, made a commandment in 1851. Remember, we represent the gospel, the Church, [and Christ himself]. All the do's and don't's are for our good. Experts say, "caffiene should not be consumed by children." [If it is not good for children, how can it be good for adults?] Keep the commandments. Faith and discipline.
In Sunday School we discussed Cain and Enoch.
We had a joint Priesthood/Relief Society meeting for our last hour. Br. & Sis. Pelton presented information about the New Family Search Program. In the Scriptures we read of the Book of Remembrance that was kept for Adam's posterity for all the generations of Adam. Now we are in the process of gathering all these records together. New Family Search is the latest step in this process. God has inspired men to invent tools that will help: computers, the internet, etc. Elijah came in 1836 with the keys of the sealing of the family of Adam. Since then interest in genealogy has increased and there are multitudes of geneaqlogical societies in existence. I picked up a brocure about it afterward.
I went outside and got a good photo of Mt. Hood and more photos of a beautiful sunset. Larry got me home at 5:31 pm. For supper, I had broccoli and cauliflower, macaroni salad, two chicken drumsticks, and ice cream for dessert. I copied my photos to the computer and updated my web journal. I checked my online messages. I watched "M*A*S*H", "Barney Miller", and "Becker".