What do you do when your baby girl says, “Dad, want to go for a hike?” And it’s the middle of the work day… Today, I decided it was time to take a little bit of my own advice and “gain the red edge.” I pushed off a conference call (thanks Josh Barnett) and hit the trail. We headed up Logan Canyon to Riverside Trail. It’s a short beautiful hike that follows alongside the Logan River. We shared a bottle…
Memorial Day is full of stories. Stories about ancestors, heroes, and family connections. A walk through the cemeteries on Saturday was a journey full of stories. One of those stories is about Elliot Larson of Monroe, Utah. NAVY MUSICIAN 1ST CLASS ELLIOT LARSEN Elliott Larsen was a Navy musician 1st class on the USS Oklahoma. He was 25 and just days from returning home when he was killed when Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941. His body was never recovered…
There are many reasons why we should talk about suicide. 13 Reasons Why is now one of them. The raw and very graphic original series from NetFlix attempts to address the tough subject through the suicide of high schooler Hannah Baker. The girl records a collection of 13 cassette tapes explaining why she blames specific people for her suicide. Her intention is for each person to understand the impact they had on her life that resulted in her choosing suicide. The story is…
Songs have long been penned and sung about mothers. One of my most favorites is “Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” sung by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. I would practice my best southern drawl and belt out my best imitation when the only one listening was our old milk cow, Bessie. Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys Don’t let ’em pick guitars and drive them old trucks Make ’em be doctors…
Soar you shall Into the outer reaches Of the Wild Blue Yonder Charting paths Perhaps navigated by others But now yours to claim Stretching forth Practically applying knowledge Discovering potential unknown Then someday As you rise on created lift Others too you shall help soar Crawl Walk Run Fly Launch Soar No eagle Who envisions the golden sky In the nest his feathers remain — Les Patterson Written in tribute to Drew Merritt as he graduated from Utah State University…
Our son Clint doesn’t often need any help. He turned 26 last week. He’s a responsible young man, quite the gentlemen, and extremely confident. He can drive cross country without hardly taking a break, a feat he executed quite seamlessly for Rebecca and Taylor’s wedding. He’s been married to a beautiful young lady Daniella for two years. He’s a staff sergeant in the Marine Corps. And he’s a strapping 6’4″ tall. So sometimes I forget he was once a little kid. This past…
Our daughter Rebecca was four years old when we moved to Hyde Park on May 20, 2000. As we got to know the neighbors over the next couple of weeks, we were surprised to find many of them already knew who we were. “You must be Rebecca’s parents!” It seemed our little miss Becca had already made her way around the neighborhood, knocking on everyone’s door, asking the same question. “Do you have a four year old I can play…
Have you ever considered the power of extraordinary words? Great leaders of all ages and all walks of life have been immortalized by their words, both spoken and written. Such words have moved people to take action that changed the course of history. Give consideration to the unforgettable words of Martin Luther King, Jr.: “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to…
Sometimes the simplest of things can inspire creativity. Such was the case with this display of Easter ties at the Kater Shop in Logan, Utah. Why buy a tie For Easter time When I can chase Things that matter. Like chocolate Sweetly divine Or better yet Asparagus. One tickles tongue But makes me fat The other keeps Me lean and trim. On second thought I think myself Ho hum no more I’ll take the tie. Flowers pretty Adorn said tie Symbol…
One of the most touching stories in all scripture is when Jesus raises his very good friend Lazarus from the dead. It is from this story my daughter Leslie shares one of her favorite scriptures, John 11:35, “Jesus wept.” It’s not hard to comprehend the sadness and emptiness people felt when Lazarus died, especially his sisters Mary and Martha. Some may wonder why Jesus wept when He knew Lazarus would soon rise from the dead, and that he and all…