Literary Savant

Sometimes I'm sure Maddie's purpose in life is to flummox us.

She just earned her Young Womanhood Recognition.

She's 15.

This may not be noteworthy to some of you out there, 

but to those of us here in the Ellsworth household, getting anything 

more than 5 minutes before your 18th birthday (and the eligibility expires)

is virtually unheard of. 

In fact, the procrastination gene is something that Bert and I have 

exploited to our advantage and counted on quite vociferously!

We made a deal with the kids that went something like this:

"If you're not responsible enough to earn your Eagle Scout/Young Womanhood Recognition,

or at least be working on the final project,

then you're not responsible enough to drive.  When and if you earn one of the 

above mentioned awards, only then do you earn the privilege of

putting everybody else at risk with a driver's permit."

See how handy that is?

But now we must pay the fiddler earlier than expected.

As I was lamenting this fact, Maddie and I began to read some of the journal entries

she had kept as one of the requirements.  We came across this one, written when she was 12, 

about the pets she had owned.

Oh good golly - I enjoyed Darcy's entry so much she just might get that trip to the DMV!

But, we'll see... nobodies actually called my bluff before,

and even I'm not sure how the story ends.

Hard Evidence Behind the Importance of Dad's

Bert was changing the broken, carriage-light fixtures on the garage last weekend.  He assigned Hydn to use the big broom and sweep the sidewalks.  As Bert had to keep his hands up for so long, trying to get the light attached, he began to grunt with the effort.  
Hy said, "Is dat hard work Dad?"  
Bert replied, "Yup."  
"Does it make you tired Dad?"  
"Yes it does."  
And then Bert saw the golden moment of parenthood/teaching opportunities and said, "But you know what I do when it's really hard work and makes me tired?"
"What?"
"I just grunt really loud and keep pushing through it until the finish."  
Hy paused from sweeping and then said, "....oh.  ....Well Mom says if you get tired and it's hard; to take a break.  I'm going to do what Mom does."  
Then he dropped the broom, got on his bike, and rode into the sunset.  Lesson averted.
 

January 2014

Happy New Year!

 

Christmas

We got company this year!  

We had people to watch out our window for!

We had people to play with, 

and cook for,

and visit.

Grandma and Grandpa came over the river and through the woods,

Justin and Jesse dragged in after finals,

and Ty, Michelle, Afton, and Eliza got to 

come for a bit by default.  

Hooray for cancelled flights!

Santa got us just what we wanted, 

but never knew that we did.

 

But even better were the family gifts.

You were supposed to make the gift for the person you drew, 

but if you felt it needed

 'a little something extra' 

you could add to it

(since we are not even remotely related to Martha.)

Here is Calder's gift from Bert.

His homemade was 'the gift of tongues' 

-donated by a local bovine.

Bert wisely added 'a little something extra'

and bought some language tapes to go with it.

We got to visit with the greatest missionary in all Asia!

We did some old traditions,

some new, 

and ate a lot 

(hoping that covers this picture -I don't have my glasses on to see just exactly what we're doing.)

We relaxed.

We went over to Bert's work to celebrate his birthday.

I will never forget the family night before Christmas where his lesson

reminded us all to remember "The Big Three" at this special time of year.

1.  Jesus' birth

2.  Joseph Smith's birth

and 

3.  Our families very own miracle baby - Bert

Good times.

Our service to our families miracle baby-

who happened to be crippled at the time-

after being trampled by a bull.

Probably for being so sacrilegious.

We tried out new toys.

We picked our last batch of nuts.
(Hahahahahaha.... oh Jesse - NO, I did not plan the hidden easter egg in this photo -
now you've kinda ruined it for me forever. :) )

And then we collapsed.

But what a peaceful sleep.

Frozen

Not to be confused with the Disney movie of the same name;

 we did not build a snowman,

neither did we sing.

Nor did it end happily.

I just like this picture. It makes me smile.

This photo worth a 1,000 words has:
1.  The weeds Hydn picked for me from the pasture.  He brought them in still trailing the dirt clods tightly wrapped around the roots.  He kneeled on one knee, bowed his head, and brought them from behind his back saying, "For my bootiful highness." 
2.  It shows a picture of the most wonderful mother in law I could ever dream of having.  In any picture of Joyce I not only see her, but I can hear her.  I wish you could all hear her.  Her enthusiasm/optimism for life is infectious.  She was determined to wear new sparkly earrings even if it meant having her blind son in law re-pierce her ear with a scout, mother's badge pin.  Best use that pin will ever see.
3.  It shows the picture 'when pigs fly' that Jesse painted for me when she was 12. 
4.  It shows the word art, "HOME".  The same one that has accidentally been broken, but then symbolically repaired - over and over again.
5.  It shows our schedules/goals on the cupboard door, which are often ignored or forgotten, but never taken down or totally forsaken.
6.  It shows the newly distinguishing gray hair, capable/strong hands, and careless style of my husband.
7.  And best of all - it doesn't show the 30 some odd dishes waiting to be done, the sticky floors, or the burnt lunch on the cupboard that was politely ignored.

ROAD TRIP!

I got this email today and I'm thinking this may be the only opportunity I may ever have to buy a life size doll of General Ulysses S. Grant.  Who's with me?!  What a hoot.

American Civil War Wax Museum

Auction

 

The Gettysburg Heritage Center, formerly the American Civil War Wax Museum, announced this week they will be selling off display pieces from the 52-year old museum. Now under new ownership, the storyline and the method of delivery will shift from the current static wax figure vignettes, which tell the story of the War Between the States to a more interactive and engaging experience about the town - before, during & after the Battle of Gettysburg.

The auction will be conducted by PA Onsite Auction Co., on Saturday, March 15 at 9 am. The snow date will be Sunday, March 16. Items for sale include approximately 95 Civil War life-sized figures dressed in period clothing, oil paintings, antique furniture, lighting, small antiques, wall hangings, props, and store displays. In addition, many of the full murals, curtains, painted walls and other backdrops to create the various vignettes will be up for sale.

"We feel the auction will appeal to a diverse audience including theater groups, both community and professional; antique collectors; and those who would like to own a piece of Gettysburg history," explains Gettysburg Heritage Center President Tammy Myers.

The Gettysburg Heritage Center will begin working on the new gallery immediately following the on-site auction. It is expected to open in late May. Renovations to the gift shop and theater are currently underway, and they will open to the public April 1.