Thoughts and stories, by Pal

About 6 years ago, we had a retired teacher's party at our local city park.  Jaden played his now well known violin fiddle numbers, and I was so entralled with his playing that I went up to him after and asked if he needed a piano accompanist.  He did!  At that time he had just graduated from high school.   He came to my house that day, and we have performed together many times since then.  During that time he went on a mission to Oregon, and we resumed when he got home. He is now married and going to Dixie State University here in St. George.   A couple of years ago when Dixie put on "Fiddler on the Roof" Jaden was the fiddler!  You'll enjoy his medley of tha"Fiddler"!   And there is a beautiful soprano solo by Susannah Sewell Collett also in this list.     We'll play at a special 100th Birthday Party at the local Elk's Club on May 21st, coming up.  He also sings!  # 7, Orange Blossom Special was my dear hus...

The Town and Country Bank in St. George has a weekly half hour concert at noon here in St. George.  I have performed there a few times.  They always make a video and post it on YouTube.  So here is one concert I just played the piano.  Others have had other soloists I accompanied, and I'll post them later.  I got a new computer last week, and found they turned out okay.  My old computer couldn't get a good sound or picture, and I didn't know if it recorded well! I  don't have a picture of me playing the piano recently, so I'll post one of me in 1950, all dressed up for my first formal dance.  My first formal was light orchid, my favorite color.  I was also wearing a blouse of that color the night Wayne and I got engaged, July 27, 1955. Pal on the piano, January 27, 2014, age 79, at Town and Country Bank, in St. George, Utah, every Friday.  Link to start:   (You have to copy and paste to get it started.) https://www.yout...

I love to hear about the Prophet Joseph Smith's First Vision.  Between Wayne and I we had 19 direct ancestors who met, knew, and believed him!  I'm so thankful for my wonderful faithful ancestors!  They went through a lot for their faith.  Click on the links to learn more. LDS leader speaks to young adults about different accounts of church founder's First Vision By  Marianne Holman Prescott ,  Deseret News Published: Sunday, May 1 2016 10:30 p.m. MDT View 16 photos » Elder Richard J. Maynes speaks during the Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults from the Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City Sunday, May 1, 2016. Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Summary “The Restoration of the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the latter days has been foreseen and predicted by prophets throughout history,” said Elder Richard J. Maynes during a Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults on Sunday night. “The Restoration ...

One of my favorite stories of my dear mother's life.  It is such an inspiration in many ways.  I hope you enjoy it again, if you already have read it.  I noticed this was read 2 times yesterday, and often when an old entry was read by someone, I go back and read it again myself.  I felt this was worth repeating!  I posted many family history stories early on in this blog.  I may repeat some that you haven't read lately. This was originally # 140, and posted on April 30, 2014, just over 2 years ago. This touching story is told by my mother Ruth in her journal:  (It brought tears to my eyes just reading it again -- ) My mother Ruth Allen Miles, about 1974. Two main tragedies happened during my last year at Dixie, both involving my mother.  Just before  Thanksgiving we were expecting George to come home.  Mother was alone and either fell or perhaps fainted  and fell between the stove and the wall.  On the stove was a...

There is another beautiful Fast Sunday almost here.  We have an interesting thing in our ward.  Our wonderful bishop, a Seminary teacher, was made our Stake President 2 weeks ago.  He has been doing double duty for those 2 weeks, and we are wondering who will fill his shoes and be our next bishop! ?  It is so inspiring to recognize the Hand of the Lord in the calling of our leaders.  I truly sustain our leaders, from our ward, to our Stake, to the whole Church!  Last night I went to an inspiring talk in our local Tabernacle here in St. George by Sister Elaine Dalton, a past President of Young Women in the Church.  One comment she made was that she felt she was born with a testimony!  That rang true with me also.  I have never had a time I didn't thoroughly love and sustain the Prophet, and all associated with him, from my childhood on.  I have heard so many wonderful family history stories about my valiant ancestors.  I have trul...

This is such a good article!  It reminds me of a situation in my past, in which I had an experience similar to what he describes.  I'll tell about it at the end of the article. It comes from the blog below called "Middleagedmorjmonman."  Middle Aged Mormon Man -- The link is below: http://middleagedmormonman.com/home/2016/04/caring-caring-less/ Caring More About Caring Less MMM Apr 24, 2016 22 Are you worried? Losing sleep? Feeling stressed? Are politics freaking you out? How about ISIS? The Zika virus? Personally, I worry about many great and important things. And stupid things. And, occasionally, crazy things. You? We might just be wasting our time. Our energy. Our emotional health. Even our spiritual health. I’m sure I’ll get some pushback here, but I am convinced that sometimes it would be in the best interest of our physical, spiritual and emotional health, and the people around, us to sometimes care  le...