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| ALPINE LOOP FALL COLORS |
SWISS DAYS - MIDWAY, UTAH
Traditional Swiss food options including fresh ZOPF (braided Swiss bread in the picture) Bratzeli cookies were the only purchases we made. The bread made the best French Toast with fresh raspberries from my garden to top it off.
LABOR DAY WEEKEND
FAMILY
Last month I shared about my cousin, Shirley who was in the hospital. She has moved into her nieces home and we went to visit her. We were so surprised when she answered the door and was walking with a walker and looked so good. She is recovering from her femur surgery and now will continue to battle the cancer but she is in a great place and receiving wonderful care. I have really enjoyed visiting with my cousins especially as we all get older and have limited time together to share memories.
SEPTEMBER 11 - 25th Remembrance
Russ was at work at American Airlines Headquarters. Emily and Brian were at school and I was home getting ready for work with CNN on TV. I was going to teach the Adult Institute Class that day for Bro. VanDrimmelen as he was flying to Las Vegas to defend his Master's Thesis at UNLV.
When it appeared on the TV that the first tower had been hit and it was an American Airlines Airplane I was glued to the screen. I watched in horror as the events unfolded. I called Russ and things were happening quickly at headquarters. We could only talk for a minute as they were going into full security alert and going into lockdown. That was traumatic in and of itself. Was American's Headquarters the next target? I started praying and had to make decisions about the Institute class - should we cancel or still hold it. At first I wanted to just stay home and then I felt very strongly that I needed to be at work and be there for anyone who came and that we could pray together and be a support to each other. Everyone came and we had a really spiritual experience. One of my first concerns was Bro. Van being on an airplane to Las Vegas. I had no contact with him and we prayed he would be safe. We then learned that they had grounded all flights and that he never left DFW. That was a relief to all of us.
This event was the beginning of a significant change in my life. We lived in the same neighborhood as the Islam Mosque. The neighbors behind my house were Muslim and we had a few encounters with them as neighbors-usually a stray ball or toy in our yard, but were not sure how we could associate with them. One day a few months before this day I had returned a ball to their home that had come into our yard. When I went to the door I saw that their living room was filled with a huge main frame computer system. I thought it was strange and figured they had a business or something. They were very nice and we had a few encounters after that.
After 9/11 the Mosque had a week that they opened their doors to an Open House to allow people to Come and See what and how they worshipped and to answer questions. I decided I needed to go so I could be better informed and to also know how to be a better neighbor. It was the beginning of a change of heart and prepared me for experiences I have had since.
As it turned out, on the afternoon of 9/11 a moving van showed up at my neighbors house and they moved out all of the computer equipment. I happened to mention that at a class I was teaching and one of the students' husbands was an FBI agent. She told him what I had seen and within the hour I was contacted by the FBI. Our neighbors moved and things changed for a few years in our neighborhood.
We have never been to New York and I would still like to go to ground zero and see the memorial to all those who are remembered there. It was nice watching the programs this year in their honor and to see and hear the stories of some of the survivors and the children of some of the victims. I am grateful for having a greater understanding and wisdom from this experience and the blessings that have come to me as a result of this day.
September brings BYU FOOTBALL! Russ actually watched this game live on TV as he was confidant they would win and win they did. We had the opportunity to go with some friends but it was a hard NO - he still thinks he is bad luck to the team for him to be there so we just watch at home. We are just great fans!
FAVORITE READS THIS MONTH
This is a 2020 memoir written by an anonymous author about how creating a witty, fictional Twitter persona helped her survive deep personal grief and rebuild her life.
I enjoyed the theme and the story. It had more language than I normally like. It is the book that was selected for the Book Club I am in so I read it - look forward to discussing it and hearing what others got from it.
I really enjoyed reading THREE QUEENS by Rebecca Connolly. It is a biographical historical fiction about Abigail Adams, First Lady of the United States and her time in Europe with her husband before he was President as a diplomat and her relationship with Queen Charlotte of England and Marie Antoinette of France. A great read!
This month I joined a new Book Club and our first book was THEO OF GOLDEN by Allen Levi.
This has to be one of my all time favorite reads. It is so well written and telling about people and their relationships. I loved his relationship to all people and his genuine interest in each person he came in contact with. A true story of Love.
Our Book Club discussion was one of the best I have ever attended. Everyone was involved and shared their favorite parts of the book. It was a wonderful evening. I was asked to to provide the refreshments so I made my favorite Fall treats - Pumpkin Mousse, Granola Bars and apples with Caramel Dip. The Host made homemade grape juice from her own grapes to represent the Port Wine from the story. It was delicious!
The novel unfolds through correspondence written between 2012 and 2022, structured around letters rather than traditional chapters. Most mornings at half-past then, Sybil writes letters to her adult children, her brother in France, friends, local academic figures, and famous authors like Joan Didion and Larry McMurtry.
"The letters have been far more meaningful in my life than anything I did with the law. The letters are the mainstay of my life, where I was only practicing law for thirty years or so. The clerkship was my job; the letters amount to whom I am."
That sums up how I feel about the Blog. I really enjoyed the feelings and love that was written in this story.
TEMPLE OPEN HOUSES
This Temple is located 8 miles from the Historic MANTI TEMPLE that was dedicated in 1888. The Temple underwent an extensive preservation and renovation project from 2021 to 2024, which successfully retained its historic hand-painted pioneer murals before it rededication in April 2024. During the renovation, Pres. Russell M. Nelson was very concerned that to retain murals they would not be able to make some changes allowing for ADA accessibility and so he prayed for some time and was inspired to have another Temple built in nearby
Ephraim, UT that would accommodate any ADA needs. It would also benefit the students at Snow College as it is within walking distance.
The area was settled in the mid-1800s largely by Scandinavian pioneers. Honoring that heritage and its agricultural legacy, the temple features wheat motifs, oxeye daisy and forget-me-not blossoms - flowers long cherished in Scandinavia - reflect the cultural roots of Ephraim's early settlers.
We had a delightful day driving to Ephraim to attend the Open House and then stopped by my cousin, Terry's house. I have really enjoyed getting to know him and his wife, Diane better.
The sweetest part of the day was stopping at the Red Barn for a fresh apple slush with caramel vanilla twist ice cream drink. It is a special Fall treat to make that stop. We also got fresh Apple Syrup - Oh so delicious on waffles.
MONTPELIER IDAHO TEMPLE
We took my sister, Pam with us and had a really nice day. We picked her up and then stopped in Logan, UT for lunch and to charge the car while we ate.
This historic Tabernacle is a semi-circular religious and community building, constructed in 1917.
The Church wanted to give the building to the City of Montpelier or to the School District in 2012. Local Church leaders did not want to loose the use of the beautiful building and petitioned the Church to renovate it and keep it for the Church's and Community events. It took them about 3 months to consider that option and the building underwent a careful historical preservation and seismic upgrade project between 2013 and 2015.
It features a 1,200-seat auditorium with a curved balcony, an organ loft, and large mural paintings by regional artist Minerva Teichert - the same artist who painted the historic murals in the Manti Temple. The Temple tour began in the Tabernacle listening to organ music and then we walked across the street.
The design of the Montpelier was similar to the Ephraim Temple, a little smaller and with different decor on the inside. It is the 8th Temple in Idaho.
The interior is filled with Gold and blue carpets with Breccia Auro Light Stone (green color) that was quarried from Italy, Spain and Brazil. The Chicory flower and reeded motifs are found throughout the Temple.
Two Open Houses in a week made for some really special days and nice travels.
WICHITA KANSAS TEMPLE
The Wichita Temple is the first temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the state of Kansas. They have traveled to Kansas City MO or Oklahoma City, OK in order to attend the Temple. The groundbreaking was held on Sept. 7, 2024. It is a single-story structure about 9,950 square feet on 6.42 acres. It is a very small Temple that sits on a beautiful large site in northern Wichita. The design motifs of the Temple draw inspiration from the Kansas landscape and local artistic heritage, incorporating rolling wheat fields, sunflowers and art deco elements. A color palette of sage green, golden wheat, soft paprika and buttercream echoes the vast prairie and agricultural vistas of the Great Plains. The beautiful stain glass was designed by Holdman Studios of Lehi, UT.
We were privileged to attend before the Open House was Open to the Public at a special event for Contractors and their families and the Temple Committee. We really enjoyed our time in the Temple with Brian, Beth, William and Nora. The Celestial Room was a really special experience watching the kids as they pondered and prayed and enjoyed the beauty. William said afterward that he thought he would cry from the special feelings he felt in the Temple. Very tender for a 14 year old boy.
We also got to attend the Open House on one of the VIP days and we went on a tour with 6 Baptist Ministers. They were invited to ask any questions they had in each of the rooms. They were very touched by the beauty and they asked very thoughtful and sincere questions. We visited with them after the tour and really enjoyed meeting them and having the time together at the Open House.
Nora found a butterfly in the beautiful landscaped flowers as we walked on the sidewalk toward the Temple. The prairie grasses and flowers were really beautiful.
Kansas has stunning skies and clouds with ever changing weather. It was beautiful and sunny during the day but the evenings usually were filled with rain and amazing skies.
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| Evening Sky |
Tuesday was Soccer practice for Nora and Play Practice for Will and
dinner at Fuzzy's. We were in the car from 3:00 until 9:00 pm getting them to all of their activities.
A highlight was watching Nora in a soccer game and enjoying the pleasant afternoon. She is a rising star and loves her time at soccer.
We played card games and board games, baked cookies and cooked meals together. It would not be a trip to Kansas without a trip to my favorite store - Aldi. The grandkids enjoy it too when they get to fill the cart with their favorite things! We got to see Brian and Beth on Friday when they took us for lunch before we headed to the airport to return home. The week went so fast and was filled with so much. We loved being with family and getting to experience the Temple and so much more.
The sun setting at DFW as we were flying home. Perfect end to our visit in Kansas.
FALL FOLIAGE AND SUNSETS
The clear day began to change and the clouds moved in. This changed the look of everything. The sun would poke out from the clouds showing a glimmer of light. It was nice in its own way. It got really windy and was hard to take photos with people in them.
We went to Cascade Springs and then over the mountain to the Heber Valley. We drove through Midway and on to Heber for dinner and ice cream at Dairy King - famous local joint. A Fall Special was Butter Beer Milk Shake. Great way to top off a beautiful drive.
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| Russ in the Wind |
They have a train that goes all around the restaurant. I loved watching the little kids who came in a saw the train - they were mesmerized like it was magical and had the biggest smiles. So fun to see what something as simple as a train can bring JOY! Trains and ice cream really are a special treat!
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| Dairy King Train |
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| Sept 6, 2026 |
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| Lindon Temple at dusk |
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| Bald Mountain 9/27 |
Our Evening walks have been so beautiful with the setting suns. We love our home in the basement of our house, but getting out in the evenings for a walk is one of the highlights of our day when we get to see such beautiful nature, Temples and Neighbors.
REAL LIFE
Russ started seeing a black dot in his left eye a few weeks ago and so we made an eye appointment. He was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration in his left eye. They did a laser treatment that day and then referred him to a Retina Specialist to have injections in his eye. We started the injections - he will have to have every month to two months for the foreseeable future. He will have to have laser treatments every 4 months in both eyes. All of this is to keep his eyesight and stop the degeneration most likely caused from his diabetes. Life is never dull at our house.
After 4 years of teaching the Adult Sunday school class at Church I was released from that service and called to be the Secretary in the Relief Society Presidency. It has been many years since I have served in Relief Society in a presidency and I am a little overwhelmed in this new assignment. I have been teaching for so many years instead of leadership positions and I have to get used to the busyness it brings. There is a time and a season for everything.
Happy Fall!
The Grimmett's
