Happy Birthday to my Dad - with a surprise Heirloom Radio Restoration

This is a 1939 Zenith (9-S-367 Console Radio    
It was my Grandpa and Grandma Dickson's radio, and I remember as a little girl, playing with the fun spinning dial, and pushing the buttons, in the "back bedroom" of their home.  I never remember it working though.  After they died, my dad got it, and was always going to get it fixed up  and working himself.  He had the knowledge, being an electrical engineer.  As things tend to happen, it never got done, and now with his Parkinson's and failing eyesight, I knew it never would.

It was eventually moved to the shop, with an old sheet covering it.  Dusty and forgotten, I would occasionally look at it with sadness. Then I had an idea..........  What if I could fix it up?  How hard could it be?    Well, it turns out - pretty hard.  But I found "a guy" in Salt Lake (small miracle) - and within a matter of a couple of weeks, he had it FIXED and WORKING !!

He has restored 4 (5 now) of this exact model, and he said this was by far the best sounding, and best shape he's ever worked on.  He said it was a PLEASURE to work on such a good old radio.

Me being me - I couldn't wait till the 29th to give it to Dad on his 83rd birthday.  So about a week early, on the day we picked it up from Salt Lake, we took it to their home, and turned it on. Surprise, Surprise.  Dad was very pleased.  

Happy 83rd birthday dad........... with an 81 year old family heirloom radio to keep you company.  Love YOU !!

Early morning walks

Cam sent this picture the other morning.  She and a friend hiked on South Mountain early one morning at sunrise.  Isn't that a beautiful desert picture? Isn't that a BEAUTIFUL girl ?? (Love you Cam) 

Here's a picture from my early morning hike a few days ago.  I walked over to "Ada's" and back.  It will always be that to me.........  "Ada's", meaning Ada Waldron, who lived in an old red brick home (torn down now) at the intersection of Richville Lane and Hwy 66.  It's 3 miles round trip my my house to "Ada's" and back home.  

Made me think about other "walks"- my ancestors trekked from the mid-west to the Rocky Mountains to reach the Salt Lake Valley. 
  
Jemima Cook Toone, my 3rd great grandmother was with the ill-fated Martin Willie Handcart company. 

My 2nd great grandmother, Martha Derricott Tonks,  fell asleep by the side of the trail, exhausted from helping others.  When she awoke, the wagon train was gone, and she was left alone in the wilderness.  Thankfully she was able to find the trail, and met her husband who was walking back to find her. 

My 1st great grandmother, Martha Slade Dickson, crossed the plains at age 10 with her widowed mother and siblings, having a baby brother die in her arms on the plains of Wyoming. 

I come from a long line of great women who did HARD THINGS. 
I can do hard things too ! I am proud of my heritage.  

East Canyon Creek - 2020

We are having SO MUCH FUN, floating the creek this year.
Here's a quick 3 minute video to see what it's all about.



If you can't see the embedded video - click this link here 

Tearing down on the 24th

We have been looking for a shed (cheap) - that we can put down at the Property to be used as a "pump house" to cover the pumps and wet well.  I've been looking online for about two months.  It seems they were either too expensive, too small, or just not right in some way.  We knew we would have to tear the shed down, and haul in home.  I finally put an ad on KSL classifieds, stating that we were in search of a shed, and would tear down a shed.  Surprisingly, someone reached out !.  One day while we were in SLC area, we ran clearrrrrrrrrrr out to Herriman and checked this shed out.  It is 10 x 12, and 8' tall.  It was in great condition, and appeared to be just what we would need.  We made the deal, and set the date.  

Early in the morning on the 24th of July, Roger and I picked up Zac and Treyson and Tagg, and then met Landon at the Park n' Ride at the mouth of the canyon.  We headed down to Herriman and arrived a little before 8am.  We all went to work.  Here is Tagg, taking the trim off the outside.  

Zac cut the roof into two parts............... but it was too heavy to get down safely.  

He ended up cutting each side of the roof in half, and they were able to get it down in four pieces.  

I was a nervous Nelly of course - as I usually am, but all went well.  

Tagg's find of the day were some HUGE snails, which he ended up bringing home and keeping in a terrarium. 

Last piece of the roof.......

Now for the sides..  

Each piece was carried to the trailer

Almost done. 

All loaded up ready to head for home. It's only 10:30 am - 2 1/2 hours of work and $200, and we will have a "new" shed up and going before you know it.  

Shed gone - home owner happy
We're happy  too !
Alot of hard work on the 24th, but it was worth it.  

How do you forget something so SPECIAL?

Way back in May..........May 2nd to be exact, right when my phone downloading pictures was acting up, something SPECIAL happened.  I don't know how in the FINAL transferring of pictures (an arduous task) to my phone, these got missed!?!?!  I was thinking the other day, (no Roger, it didn't hurt) - and all of a sudden, I couldn't remember blogging about this.  I searched under "baptism" on my blog's search feature..........and sure enough.  I had somehow missed documenting this special day.  It was a good day, and  a hard day.  Because of COVID, it was different.  Only Zac and CJ's immediate (and I mean immediate) family could be there.  That was hard for THIS grandma, and others too.  But it made it extra special for their family I think.  We are proud of Thatcher for choosing to be baptized, and for Tagg and his ordination to the Aaronic Priesthood - he can now pass the Sacrament !  

All dressed in white - Ready to get in the font.

In our church - when you are baptized, it is by immersion.  We follow the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Zac baptized Thatcher.  This is how it is done:

1. Stands in the water with the person who will be baptized.

2. For convenience and safety, holds the person’s right wrist with his left hand; the person being baptized holds the left wrist of the one performing the baptism with his or her left hand.

3. Raises his right arm to the square.

4. States the person’s full name and says, “Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen” (D&C 20:73).

5. Has the person hold his or her nose with the right hand for convenience; the one performing the baptism places his right hand high on the person’s back and immerses the person completely, including the person’s clothing.

6. Helps the person come up out of the water.

I'd say this kid was pretty happy :) 

Zac with his boys  - all looking pretty dapper !

Treyson is almost 15 - in another year, he will be able to be ordained a Priest, and will be able to bless the sacrament. 

That same day (May 2, 2020) - Tagg received the Priesthood, and was ordained as a Deacon by his dad.  He can now pass the sacrament, and has done so.  It was particularly special when we had a family sacrament service in Grandpa and Grandma D's home.  As a teacher, Treyson prepared the sacrament, Zac blessed it, and Tagg passed it.  

Before a person is ordained to an office in the Aaronic Priesthood, he must be interviewed by the bishop or branch president and found worthy. Also, he must be sustained in a sacrament meeting. With the authorization of the bishop or branch president, a priest may confer the Aaronic Priesthood upon another person and ordain him to an Aaronic Priesthood office.

Happy Day - Special Day 

After the baptism and ordination - later in the day, we met at the Property for a luncheon.  It was a wonderful day, and I think I may have previously posted pictures from that day at the Property............however somehow the baptism pics didn't get transferred to my computer, and therefore, I completely "spaced" getting this whole wonderful day "blogged" about for documentation...........this lady is getting old............. 

Other odds and ends

The Yard Master is worn out most nights...........

We ended up catching 3 skunks and 2 raccoons, and they got about 10 of our chickens.  We were able to replace 7 chickens (with some full-grown layers from someone who was getting rid of them).  I think we have the pen "varmint" proof now.  

I may have posted about this before, but Zac got the stock trailer in better shape than it was, before deciding he wasn't going to sink any more money into it.  It can hold some animals now, so that's good. 

CJ went with friends to East Canyon to kayak one day.  They had a good time. 

We found an owl, that was dead (just barely) at the Property.  We think a hawk must have gotten it.  

We finally got the windows for the garage, and they took the old out...........

.........and new in.......the mama is HAPPY !!

Landon and Kacey are finishing their basement.  I guess all that helping Steve & Yvonne got them excited !!  

Mom and Dad wanted a storm/screen door on their front porch.  It turned out to be more than was expected.  Zac and Roger had to build out the frame so it would fit.  

Another project at Zac's.  More cement to be poured.  

The PEAS are ON!!  We had a pea party last Sunday evening, and will have another one tonight to finish them off (hopefully).  

We are already getting good things from the garden !

And making yummy things to eat. 

Missing Cam....... She is looking for jobs in AZ, but they are few and far between.
School is still in jeopardy down there, as it is a COVID hot spot.  I'm glad Manda is home now (working from home), and just being home with her so she has company.  They are getting ready to do some remodeling on their home. 

Treyson and friend Alissa came over to check out the baby goats. 

I've got some "atmosphere" on the back patio........
Bought some cheap lights for $10...........then spent $15 on extension cords..........  that's usually how it goes (haha)

Nick and Cam - someone is tired.........

The triplets have been moved to Zac and CJ's.  We cut the feeder in half, so it works out well.  They are still on three a days.........for just a little bit more.  Our two sets of twins (Sonny and Cher, and Brooks and Dunn) are cut back to 2 a day.  

Something I am working on remembering.  We are very blessed.  I'm so grateful for Roger, and that I am a MOM, and that I am a GRANDMA.  Families are everything, aren't they? 

So are friends.  Here are Dave and Michelle Manning and Logan and Austin.  They live up in Washington State now, and we miss them.  Those boys are sure growing up !!

I'm grateful for my Savior.  I am striving to be more like him.  It is sure a LONG HARD process for me, but I will keep trying.   PATIENCE for me is the key.   I need to BE MORE PATIENT with others, and I need to HAVE PATIENCE in the Lord's timing.  It will all work out.  

Floating the Creek

Getting ready to make another run -  They put in at THE Property, with chainsaw and pruners, and a couple of hours later, were taken out at OUR property,  

Back up to the Richville Lane bridge, and put in AGAIN, and float down to THE Property. 

Hi Grandma !!

With the water backed up at the Welch Ditch Dam, it's a nice leisurely float down the creek.