Oh, it is hot outside. I came home from a doctor’s appointment today and looked down at my poor lawn and wondered if we are going to make it through the summer. I saw that the only thing that seemed to be surviving are the weeds. Why is it that the weeds seem to do well no matter the time of day or night, spring or summer, winter or fall, but the lawn, it is dieing of thirst. This is Just not right, is it? Well, in any event, this time from the end of July to the early days of August is known as the Dog Days of Summer. I just doesn’t seem like the heat will ever end.
Well, this morning was one of those mornings that you hate to have. At about 3am this morning, the old eye lids came wide open and I couldn’t go back to sleep. I tried this position, that position, and to no avail. I just couldn’t sleep.
Therefore, one thing lead to another, and at 4am I was on my way on a neighborhood walk. I had never done that and thought that it would be a different thing to do. On my way, I ran across Mike Hiatt, who was getting ready to go fishing. No one else was crazy enough to be out that time of the morning, but as I walked I had a very interesting experience.
I realized that I was very grateful for all of the people that have been in my life. I know a lot of wonderful and good people, and for some reason, walking their in the dark, by myself, I was grateful for the good influence they have had on my life. Funny thing to experience at 4am in the morning, but still, that is what I felt this morning.
As some of you may know, we in the west have been suffering through a drought recently and have experienced very hot temperatures. I was sitting here at this computer just a few minutes ago and thought I heard drops. I looked over at the window, and what was I to behold but raindrops. A few, not too many, but actually a few rain drops. Will wonders ever cease in this desert. Many people around here, because of the green trees and the lawns, continue to forget that we live in a desert, but we do live in one, and rain can be a rare commodity.
Last year at about this time we were in Taiwan, where rain is plentiful, the people live in the subtropics, and everything is green because it rains so much. Ah, I miss Taiwan, but I also love Utah. What a dichotomy.
I looked out of the window at the bank in a southerly direction yesterday afternoon and it was ominously black and growing blacker. Apparently there is a fire down near Nephi and it was casting a shadow on Payson. It brought back some very unpleasant memories for me. Approximately 2 years ago we had a fire up on Rocky Ridge and that was not a pleasant experience. I don’t think I want to be in danger of having my house burn down and this site brought back the memories of that afternoon when a fire roared down the ridge. I hate fires now, and don’t ever want to have this experience again. Hopefully, it is not burning in our direction.
Well, Bonnie and I made it up to Wyoming to attend the wedding of a friends child. The children will all be there too. Therefore, yesterday we had a chance to get together with the kids.
I can’t help but say that I had a good time with the family. This time in an adults life can have a lot of payoffs, and this was one of them. We had a family picture taken of us and all the kids, we had two meals together, and of course, we got to fawn over and hold our new grandchild. It is so fun to have this type of a reunion. It wasn’t an official reunion, and it was better than an official reunion. We had a lot of fun.
I didn’t know that I cared so much, about the yard I mean. I have always had pride in my yard, how it looked, how well it is taken care of, and whether or not it is in the best shape process possible. However, I didn’t think that I would be a nut case about it.
That all changed today. I was home in the morning getting ready for our trip to Wyoming for a Friend’s childs wedding. First thing in the morning, up drives a whole bunch of trucks with men working for Utopia. Utopia is in the process of putting in a fiber optic network in town. They of course have the right, because the city has utility easements, to come onto my yard and work on the line.
They unload what seems to be a monstrous piece of equipment, and proceed to drive it up on my lawn so they can drill underneath the street. The piece compacted severely my grass and I am not sure if it also, at the same time, broke any water lines or so forth. All I know is that I was in a complete state of stress over this situation. I was paralyzed, couldn’t seem to get anything else done. I didn’t know I cared that much about such a small thing as yard stress. Well, I think it was a huge thing because where I had a level lawn, I now have nothing but huge tracks that will be there forever.
I spent the evening outside, trying to repair one of the sprinkler system heads in the front yard. I think that no one should hire me as a landscaping master. I spent about an hour out doing that project, one that probably should have taken maybe 20 minutes. Again, it is a situation where I if I had the experience, or the right tools, then maybe I should be able to get the job done. Oh well.
As is the case as I grow older, I think often of where I am in this life, what I have been through, and where I am still going. I have recently declared myself as a candidate for a City Council seat here in Payson, and despite the fact that I may often be afraid of what can happen, I am going to see it through to the “End of the Line”. I have been listening to a super group formed in the 1980s, The Traveling Wilburys.
The Traveling Wilburys were formed in 1988 and consisted of
5 members:
Bob Dylan -Lucky Wilbury (Boo Wilbury),
Jeff Lynne - Otis Wilbury (Clayton Wilbury),
Tom Petty - Charlie T. Jr.(Muddy Wilbury),
Roy Orbison- Lefty Wilbury,
And
George Harrison - Nelson Wilbury (Spike Wilbury)
They were the first of the ‘Super’ groups combining stars
of the musical world, and genuine friends,who had each
achieved fame with their own musical talents.
I listened to this song, which I love, and it made me think of the travel through life and what I am to now:
(Chorus 1)
Well it’s all right, riding around in the breeze
Well it’s all right, if you live the life you please
Well it’s all right, doing the best you can
Well it’s all right, as long as you lend a hand
You can sit around and wait for the phone to ring
Waiting for someone to tell you everything
Sit around and wonder what tomorrow will bring
Maybe a diamond ring
(Chorus 2)
Well it’s all right, even if they say you’re wrong
Well it’s all right, sometimes you gotta be strong
Well it’s all right, As long as you got somewhere to lay
Well it’s all right, everyday is Judgement Day
Maybe somewhere down the road aways
You’ll think of me, and wonder where I am these days
Maybe somewhere down the road when somebody plays
Purple haze
(Chorus 3)
Well it’s all right, even when push comes to shove
Well it’s all right, if you got someone to love
Well it’s all right, everything’ll work out fine
Well it’s all right, we’re going to the end of the line
Don’t have to be ashamed of the car I drive
I’m just glad to be here, happy to be alive
It don’t matter if you’re by my side
I’m satisfied
(Chorus 4)
Well it’s all right, even if you’re old and grey
Well it’s all right, you still got something to say
Well it’s all right, remember to live and let live
Well it’s all right, the best you can do is forgive
(Chorus 5)
Well it’s all right, riding around in the breeze
Well it’s all right, if you live the life you please
Well it’s all right, even if the sun don’t shine
Well it’s all right, we’re going to the end of the line
I guess I am going to the end of the line with this new adventure. We shall see how this all comes out, but I am sure it is going to be a real interesting challenge.
As I mentioned earlier, I have been considering whether to run for City Council. I have decided to move forward and make that run. I am going to file today to run for the Payson City Council. This will be an interesting experience. I hope it is a good one.