Neanderson: May 2009

Cheaper than Botox

AFTER

BEFORE

I had a request from an estate planning lawyer in Florida for my resume with a photograph. Since I didn't have a current photo to use Marge took a few pics and we picked one--the BEFORE photo immediately above. It looks OK but I have a problem with "bags" under the eyes and I wanted them to go away quick. The reason--my friend in Florida needed the BIO with a photo in about 30 minutes to show a client.

Since there wasn't enough time for Botox or Plastic Surgery, I turned the problelm over to Jenni who used "photoShop". In a matter of minutes the bags had been removed. Look at the AFTER photograph. What do you think?

Maybe I can slim down my "gut" with the same process.

Thomas the Train On the Heber Railroad

Here are two pictures of the back side of Timp. taken from the Heber valley. One shows Deer Creek Reservoir - the source of Provo city water. There were lots of campers, boaters and fisherpersons out on the reservoir and the Provo river which comes out of the reservoir and flows down Provo canyon.

Below is the Thomas Train Engine coupled to the Heber Creeper for the day. The actual driver engine is on the other end of the train. Loads of people (mostly with small children) took the ride and then stayed on for some of the entertainment and food. One group from Springville (parents and 8 children who all play some stringed instrument) performed. Quite good. Mostly fiddlers.

There was also a magic act which entertained.

See the group below. Can you find Thomas? From left to right - Grandpa, Thomas, David, Nathan, Jackie and Marge.

Below is David's friend and his daughter. John, the mother of this girl is chinese from Bejing. This little girl is about one and a half and to me looks quite western--like Sophie.

Here are the two fathers and kids along with the conductor on the train.

Marge and I and Dave & Jackie and Nathan in Green River for Memorial Day

The old depot at Green River has been turned into a working building for freight train crews. Passenger trains no longer pass through or stop. I am standing in front of a diesel unit ready to pull a freight train with about 120 cars behind. Green River was once the most important UPRR center between Omaha and Ogden. No longer. When the steam engine was discarded in favor of diesel the town (then about 3,000) shut down. But, now the town as a population of about 12,000 and most of the residents work in various mines to the west of town, i.e. trona and other catalytic minerals are mined. Below are David, Nathan and I in front of the same train.

This is the home where I was born. It is located on the north side of town on the street which fronts along the rail road. I can even remember the two large pine trees when I was very young so you can get some idea of their age. The fence is new and the house is a different color.

Near the "River View Cemetery" are various and unique rock formations. Below I am standing in a canyon to the east of the Cemetery. This is a spot that has an interesting story. When I was about 1 and 1/2 years old my brother was 6 and 1/2. We had a pet Magpie bird that died and my brother wanted to bury the bird. So he told our mother he and I and a neighbor boy and his little brother (about the same ages) were going to find a spot and bury the bird. She envisioned that we would go to the back yard and dig a hole. Not the case. My brother made a lunch of sandwiches using bread, raw bacon and lots of mustard. He and his friend then prceeded to carry us little guys piggy back style and they hiked about 3 miles up past the cemetery and into the canyon where I am standing. When we couldn't be located mother and dad called the police and went looking. On a whim they went to the cemetery (I guess thinking that we wanted to bury the bird in the cemetery). It was only by chance that we were spotted.

Hiking and looking for caves was a favorite of mine when I was older.

Next is a photograph of David, Nathan and I at my parents graves. As David says, we are 4 generations of Andersons.

Here's a view of the cemetery expanding east through the canyon where we buried the bird.

Below Marge, David, Jackie and Nathan are at my parents graves.

Below I am placing some large roses on the graves which were delivered by a florist engaged by Griz and Rusty. The roses were very large and beautiful. Marge and I brought some colorful red and yellow flowers. Earlier in the day before we arrived my cousin Patricia Fenton McWhorter put some flowers on the graves.

We also visited the graves of Charles Henry Fenton and Alice Boyd Fenton - my grandparents. Charles died in 1931 before I was born. Alice died in 1942 of stomach cancer. I remember her because she stayed in our home at the the east end of town for her last few months of life.

The famous Castle Rock below!

East of Green River there is an area called Scott's Bottom. It is a park on the river where my father and I frequently went fishing. We caught lots of cat fish.

Scott's Bottom below.

The view across the river and Scott's Bottom.

May Update

Ken and Catherine Groscost came for a visit on Friday. Catherine's aunt died (age 85) and her funeral was held on Saturday in South Jordan, Utah. Meanwhile, they have been spending time with Nick and MaryAnn Smith. You will recall that Nick Smith is suffering with liver cancer and has a long road ahead for recovery. Right now he is being treated at the Huntsman Cancer Institute with Chemo Therapy and some other procedures. He is age 62.

Mom and I are thinking of going to Green River on next Saturday to visit the River View Cemetary. Dave, Jackie and Nathan are planning to come along. It's been a while since I was there. Although, most recently Heps paid a visit last month.

Mom and I have been pushing David to start a blog. Right now he's missing all of the wonderful ideas and insight coming from blogs. So, even though I don't post as often as John I am trying to keep up with the Harts and the Specks.

You have probably read that our Utah governor, John Huntsman, Jr., has been named as the ambassador to China (the PRC). Seems like a good idea. He speaks the language and has some experience with business in China. I believe he and his wife adopted a girl from Taiwan.

Right now I seem to have plenty of work and am keeping busy but still have time for doing other stuff. Marge is still dedicated in her passion to enter names in our data base.

Today I learned that a new building is being constructed on the BYU campus for BYU Television. It appears that BYU Television is in over 180 million homes world wide. The construction ($45 Million) is from individual donations and is not out of tithing receipts. President Samuelson who is in our ward and is a neighbor is very positive about the programming.

The Eagles Have Landed in Salt Lake City

Tonight I went with Dave and Jackie to an "Eagles" concert in SLC. Yes, the Eagles. You remember going to their concert when you were a senior Ami. The tickets were also cheaper tonight. For the first half of the concert I enjoyed the music. Good harmony, not too loud, and some old tunes from the late 70's. To name a few:

Lying Eyes
Hotel California
One of Those Nights
Witchy Woman
I Can't Tell you Why
In the Long Run
Life's Been Good to me So Far

The second half was much toooo loud and for me just too much electric guitar, a sound system ready to blow, and uninteligible words--if indeed they were words. I wouldn't know because I couldn't understand. I think I lost some of my hearing and maybe some of my soul.

Dave and Jackie seemed to have enjoyed the whole concert. Mom stayed with Nathan and would not have liked the concert. She can handle "Blues Clues" and the "Wiggles" but not the "Eagles."

The senior member of group was a guy in his 50's named "Hendley." I may have the spelling wrong. Anyway he was a co-founder in 1971 and is still active. There was one other member of the original Eagles. The balance are more recent -- the 90's and later.

Maybe I'm just getting too old. Should I stick with the Lawrence Welk Show?

Anyway, that's my report.

Happy Mothers Day to Marge, Hui, Jackie and all our Daughters.

B. Ray

Skagit Valley & the Hep House

Brit practicing the piano. She is dedicated!!

On the Bainbridge Island Beach with Cathi and Dan. Great Fun!!

Marge and I, along with Catherine and Ken Groscost went to the Skagit Valley north of Seattle to see the tulips in bloom. I'm told there are more tulips grown in the Skagit Valley than in Holland. Anyway, check out the colors and variety.