My heart is so full!

As I listened to Saturday afternoon session of General Conference I felt truly blessed.  I was so moved by the speakers but also by that fantastic missionary choir. 

After Conference I watched a documentary on the Tabernacle Choir and again was moved to tears.

I love music!  I loved to sing!  Music speaks to my soul and testifies to me of the truthfulness of the gospel and the great love that the Lord has for each of us.

One of those maybe someday things on my bucket list was to someday sing with the Tabernacle Choir.  Once upon a time, many years ago, I had the opportunity to attend a workshop with the then choir director, Jerold Ottley (who by the way was a U of O alum) and that cemented my desire to “maybe someday”.  The years have played such marvelous tricks with my body that I am no longer able to sing at all.  Now I listen and feel the music in my heart and soul.

During those years when I could sing (at least a little) and was directing the Ward choir, I would frequently hear in my mind and heart the voice of a lovely young soprano whom I identified as my Lenae.  This experience was usually during special occasions like Christmas and Easter when choir performances were something extra.  One special occasion was while singing in a Stake choir for the dedication on the Portland Temple.

Over the past 2 years I have felt sweet duets which I have identified as Lenae and Lindsay.  A recent experience was with the song, “Jesus Loves the Little Children”.  Not the usual rendition but a different version that I am trying to find.  As the music comes to my mind I can feel of their sweet spirits.

There are days and times when the spirit is very close. 

Today as I watched the Missionary Choir and then the Tabernacle Choir documentary I decided that I can only hope and pray that my job someday will be to sing backup for those groups. 

Surely if the Lord can restore the hair on my head He can restore my voice!

Until that day I will listen and enjoy.  I am reminded of a saying of Grandpa Jays…. when asked what was new his response was; “The Gospel is still true!”  I add my testimony of that truth.

L&H’s

10/1/16

TRAVEL RESEARCH

I would love to be able to travel!  That, of course, was going to be one of those things I was going to do when I retired.  Now that I am here I can't afford it or is that an excuse because I don't want to travel alone?

What ever the excuse....I am not traveling.  So, I have decided to do my traveling via the internet.  I am in hopes you will find some interest in traveling along with me!

I have a fascination with covered bridges...hmmm!  I wonder if that stems from a time when my family was living way out in the country and we had to cross an uncovered wooden bridge across a creek to get to town.  One fine winter day when the bridge was extremely slippery the car lost its footing and went slippery sliding to the side of the bridge.  Half way over the edge that car up and changed it's mind and just teetered there...half on and half off the bridge.  My parents, brother and I all managed to get out of the car without rocking it over the edge.  Then we had the pleasure of listening to my father convince that car that it was the much safer on the bridge.

Back to my exploratory adventure with "covered' bridges.

Did you know that at one time there were 600 covered bridges in the state of Oregon?  The majority of them were built between 1905 and 1925.  By 1977 there were only 56 and currently only 51.  There are very few covered bridges left that are open to automobile travel.  Most are open for pedestrian and bike travel only.  

For today's journey, come along with me just a short jog up the road to the Gallon House bridge,  The Gallon House bridge was constructed in 1916 to cross  Abiqua Creek.  It is the last functioning covered bridge in Marion County. 

The Gallon House bridge was constructed during the days of prohibition so it not only served as a  means of crossing the creek to get from Silverton to Mt Angel.  It seems that Silverton was a 'dry' community and Mt Angel was 'wet'.  Mt Angel was basically a Catholic community with German heritage who brought with them to this country their love and know how of making fine brew.  Thus the bridge was named "Gallon House" for the gallons of brew that was bought and sold.

Mt Angel still keeps that German/Catholic heritage going strong.  On your next trip to see me we can take a trip to visit the Gallon House and other interesting historical sites in the area.  Without the brew!

Till then,  Happy Traveling!  

L&H's    

Genealogy blog 9/19/16

I haven’t figured out how to write my log on different pages as yet. When I get it figured out it will probably hit me right square between the eyes. Ugh!

I have spent several hours today trying to get the Leeper line back beyond the 1800’s. The last I have is Hugh and Mary with no maiden name for Mary. Hugh would have been born in or around 1790. The only child I show is George who was born in Tennessee in 1815. This is the George that I show came to Oregon in 1850. I have found a Georgia A. Leeper who is a sister of Alva C. born in Oregon. This was a new find so now I have some research to do!

Also found a Lillith A. Leeper who was the wife of George W Leeper. Both born in Oregon. They are both on the 1920 Oregon Census. It is recorded that they have a 3-year-old daughter named Dorothy. They are on the 1910 census with both in their 30’s born in Oregon. In the 1920 census they are in their 40’s and showing just the 3-year-old daughter. Can’t help but think there is more to that story! Opportunity for more research!

Plus, I found a household in Grants Pass, Oregon with sisters as the head of household and a 42-year-old brother-in-law named George M. Leeper and two nieces named Helen C. and Daisy A.
Daisy A. is on the 1930 census as the 19-year-old daughter of George M. and S. Emma Leeper. However, on the 1930 census they are living in Riverside, California. Questions, questions, questions. More research!

Hopefully I will have more to report next month!

FOR THE HERE AND NOW!!! For those of you trying to keep track of recent birthday’s….here is September.
September 12th Luke (19??)
September 20th Gail (1936)
Llwyn (1960)
September 26th Lindsay (1994–2013) Oh how I miss that sweet girl)

L & H’s

Hello!

Hello! 

My Grandma Hall always reminded me that the road to H**** was paved with good intentions!
Hmmm!  Guess I know where that leaves me.

I used the **** because I don't appreciate the four letter words....I was taught that it was a lack of education when we couldn't come up with better language to express ourselves.....I am not really well educated but I don't choose to show just how uneducated I am!!  With that said; I will use **** and you can insert whatever explanatory word fits your vocabulary.

Now that I have that off of my chest...

It has been such a thrilling, beautiful, hot, lovely, hot, contemplative, hot (did I mention hot?) summer.  

I have thrilled to the addition of 4 new great grandbabies this year.  I only wish they were closer so I could do some rocking and cuddling.   I do LOVE babies!  That makes 17 greats and number 18 on the way!  The family tree just keeps sprouting new branches and leaves.  It is so marvelous!

Lonnie and Lori came and spent a week with me....we spent the time trying to decide if it was time for me to move closer to family.  (Silverton is about 15 miles from Salem and/or Aumsville)  The final decision was 'not quite yet'.  I have really felt that for now, here is where I need to be.  Just hope my dependence on Loel and Melanie doesn't wear too thin.  It seems my 'get up and go' is rapidly changing to 'got up and went'. 

My western-country thrill over the past few months is finding the itty bitty frogs in my flowers and garden.  I need to do some research and write a story about them.  I have asked Laine to come up with a name for my story book frog.  He hasn't sent me a prospect yet.  Do any of you have a suggestion?  Google the song "Froggy Went A'Courtin".  Listen to the rendition by Burl Ives and see what you can come up with.  Any and all suggestions will be carefully considered.

I am running out of thoughts, but want to make sure you know I love the Lord, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true.  I love each and every one of you so very much.  L&H's

Grandma Gail

Once a Day and Sometimes More!

Once a day and sometimes more, you knock upon my daydream door.

 These are the words from a poem from many years ago, probably in the mourning of a lost love, but today I was reminded of the poem in remembering each of you and how very much I miss not seeing and/or hearing from you on a regular basis.  The magnificent conversations that I have with myself are not always very stimulating!

You may wonder why I have the address of Western Gifts or Western Decor....well, you see, it's like this; once upon a time, when I first set up this blog it was intended to be an affiliate blog to hopefully put some extra cash in my pocket so I could do some travelling.  Well as often happens, it didn't succeed!  I didn't truly get on board with social media and promote the items that I set out to focus on.  You may remember the blog I set up Go All Western.  This blog was cancelled due to inactivity...my following wasn't purchasing western apparel or horse tack from the vendors that I was supporting.  Again, largely due to my lack of advertising

As I thought about keeping Western Gifts  I decided, YES!  I live in the West, I love the western lifestyle, and this is my Gift to each of you!  Until next time!  L&H's

I'M BACK!!

I just spent an hour writing this fantastic monolog and poof it was gone!  I will try again....this time you will receive the condensed version!

A BIG THANK YOU to Lance, Lexi and family for their visit.  Greatly appreciated!  Yes Lance I found one small stain so when you receive the table cloth as an inheritance you will have a small memory to go with it...sure do love you guys!

A BIG THANK YOU to Jennifer and Lander for helping with my yard!  Praying for no more frost!

Thanks for Laine's baseball schedule...Sounds great....I will support as much as I can.  Will always be rooting Laine in spirit if not physically at the park.

Looked up the Linn County Pioneer Museum and am anxious to visit sometime this summer.

I am having a terrible time finding someone to vote for in this election year!  I don't have anyone to bounce ideas off of and I haven't found any candidate that I feel truly represents my feelings. UGHH!

Okay, I have rambled, hit the edges and did accomplish some semblance of writing.....why oh why can't I find the spell check?

In my scripture reading this a.m. I found a verse that really hit me....I think I will attempt to make it my motto...

.......Whether the Lord will that I be translated, or that I suffer the will of the Lord in the flesh, it matereth not, if it so be that I am saved in the kingdom of God.           Ether 15:34

And more especially if it is with each of you!      L&H's







 

2011 Vacation

Wow! I finally did it! What is IT you ask. I finally retired!
While I was at it, I fulfilled a 25 year dream (goal) of taking a cruise to Alaska.
Thanks to Vickie and much planning on her part, nine of us traveled by car to Vancouver, B.C. and embarked on what was for me a once in a lifetime dream.
The dream team consisted of Lenny, Vickie, Heidi, Rachel, Lee, Jill, Linda (Vickie's mom) Jasmine and myself.

We had some rough sea and rainy weather but it sure didn't damper our spirits or mar the beautiful scenery. There were day trips to Juneau, Skagway and Ketchican. Mendenhall glacier is magnificent. We visited a Salmon hatchery, rode a train through the White Pass & Yukon Route. Learning of the early pioneers to that vast country was truly mind boggling. We learning the history of the totem pole and their historical significance. I wanted to bring one home, but it wouldn't fit in my luggage. (I truly think I will need to design one and have it made for my newly landscaped front yard.) We visited with some huskies in training for dog sledding. The girls really wanted to smuggle some of them home. Some of the group did some kiaking (sp), I was not brave enough. UGH!

I sincerely felt like I was ready to come home after being gone for 9 days. However after being home for 2 days, I was ready to return and experience more of that glorious adventure. We sailed on a Holland America Cruise line the ms Volendam. I cannot say enough about the royal hospitality that was extended to us. The only way to travel! Ah, yes! Lenny treated me to a massage and facial. I was so pampered!

I would like to thank not only Vickie for all of her hard work in the planning and arranging but to my two cabin mates, Jazzie and Rachel. I would not have survived without Miss Jaz. I do hope she knows how much I love and appreciate her! I only have 2 regrets: 1) that the entire family (all 41 of us) were not enjoying it together and 2) that it took 25 years to do IT.

Until next time....L & H's