Thoughts and stories, by Pal

This beautiful article was in Meridian Magazine last Monday, a week ago.  I just read it, and want to share it with all your dear friends who read this blog.   I have been quite busy and haven't written for a week today!    I want to add my testimony to this article.  I knew dear Larry Barkdull in 1989, when he agreed to publish 3 simplified music books I had written.  At that time he owned Sonos Music, which since then sold to Jackson Music.  He passed away a few months ago, and Meridian Magazine is still publishing his wonderful articles.  He is so gifted as a writer also, and his book "Rescuing Wayward Children" is often referred to.    Is there a family out there which does not have someone who is troubled, and needs our gentle and sincere testimony of the truthfulness of our Gospel, Jesus Christ Himself, The Book of Mormon, and other ways we can help give hope and inspiration to those among us who are struggling.  We a...

I saved this article from Meridian Magazine, published in February, for such a time as this -- when I don't have time to write a new blog because I had such a fun time tonight in a musical Family Home Evening. Is Social Media Bringing You Down? By Maurine Proctor  · February 8, 2017 Sign up for Meridian’s Free Newsletter, please  CLICK HERE We asked Meridian readers to weigh in on the pitfalls of social media, particularly its power to depress their hearts and spirit. Readers weighed in. You can join in the conversation. Social media has utterly changed our world, and like splitting the atom, its power cuts both ways. So we won’t be bombarded by letters defending social media, let us admit right up front for many it’s been a boon. People are connecting with old friends they haven’t seen in years, they stay in touch with people they otherwise might lose, they raise funds for good causes, they get new ideas. I just connected with a...

This article about growing older is very fascinating!  Now I am 82 years old, even that age doesn't sound so old!  Growing old is really a privilege, and a great joy!  So those who are younger, don't dread getting old!  It's a blast!  I have been to a fascinating 3 day seminar about Mastering your Influence, and I will tell about it in upcoming blogs!  You're never too old to learn new and interesting things, and associate with people of all ages! A photo taken recently with our daughter Delsy, Dr. Andrew Barnum, (the husband of my older sister Delsy deceased many years ago, for whom my daughter Delsy was named), and Vina Ruth, my sister.  Andrew is 92 and still extremely sharp, working 4 hours a day at the college, volunteering his expertise and experience.                    My dear sister Vina and me, learning how to take "selfies"! Poll: Optimism on aging grows MATT SEDENS...

Today I went with my daughter-in-law Julie to the 2nd grade class she has been teaching, but retired recently.  I taught them a bit about art, and they drew a flower to put in a card for their mother on Mother's Day.  It was fun to tell them how many things in this world have a pattern - flowers sometimes 3, 4, 5 or 6 petals, etc. and see them try to make their own creations.  My interest in art found this article and short video below very fascinating!  I hope you will enjoy it! Man Isolated Himself For 25 Years In Desert With Only His Dog, His Amazing Underground Creations Will Astound You. INSPIREMORE.COM Man Isolated Himself For 25 Years In Desert With Only His Dog, His Amazing Underground Creations Will Astound You. Josh Starling High in the deserts of Northern New Mexico, you might stumble across the entrance to a normal looking cave.  Well, it is anything but normal.For th...