lodestar

through sickness and health

2012-02-14T20:43:00.003-07:00

Elizabeth Barrett Browning
"God's gifts put man's best dreams to shame."

you give me roses

i give you hagen-daz

sick in bed

all today

yesterday

feeling crummy

you

grouchy when the home teachers come

give me that look

when i pass the phone

inhale Afrin

drink loads

cough, sneeze, and blow

over and over and over

you

find humor in my misery

smile at me when i look so wretched

enjoy the steam filling our room

we are sweethearts

...

three tries and 20 candles extinguished!

2012-02-13T18:32:00.001-07:00

...

they gathered in Bountiful

2012-02-11T13:57:00.000-07:00

they gathered

for a funeral

her children

each a crowning jewel

grandma Clark then
1967 or 68

11 of her 13 children pictured

2 deceased

my dad is on her lap

he is the youngest of thirteen children

she is surrounded

the big boys are working

here is my dad holding something on his head

only four siblings remain

...

birthday girl

2012-02-10T10:57:00.001-07:00

a great start to many friend birthday's this year

those birthdays just keep coming

and girls must celebrate

fish tacos for me

salads for the rest!

this is what friend love looks like

...

their dream come true

2012-02-08T16:18:00.002-07:00

so so pleased for these boys

they are brothers

on Monday they opened their pharmacy

here in Holladay

a proud wife and mama

...

road trip to Idaho

2012-02-05T09:22:00.002-07:00

we are on our way

another boy... another afghan

we are in Idaho
Nate is celebrated

enjoying our children and their's

...

i dreamed a dream

2012-02-04T09:04:00.001-07:00

i went to sleep with a question

and in the night

the answer came

i like this book

the third time through

even better

...

they practice Visiting Teaching

2012-02-01T20:41:00.000-07:00

companions for one night

Through visiting teaching we provide watchcare by contacting each sister,

sharing a gospel message,

and seeking to know her and her family's needs.

Visiting teaching becomes the Lord's work when our focus is on the people

instead of the percentages---Julie B. Beck

In reality, visiting teaching is never finished.

It is more of a way of life than a task.

Faithfully serving as a visiting teacher is evidence

of our discipleship.---Julie B. Beck

...

thankful

2012-01-30T16:42:00.001-07:00

(770-780)

spaghetti...just the way i like it
my darling
new music
honest answers
pearl polish on my toes
a quiet house
clean teeth
involvement with the young women
their leaders
the sacrament
liz is safe

...

Chocolat

2012-01-28T09:36:00.004-07:00

this is one of my very favorite movies

ever since I went to the chocolate factory
on Wednesday evening

my mind returns to

chocolate

the story...timeless

these actors...believeable

the romance...sweet

warning...spoiler!

and then he goes berserk

I too may crawl into a window

and gorge myself sick

when this challenge is over

Our NO Dessert Challenge

almost 9 mos. and still running

six players remain

...

once a week...every week

2012-01-26T16:11:00.001-07:00

we gather

learn

laugh

and last night

get ridiculously

high on chocolate

i hang with these girls

i don't eat sweets

but they were giddy with joy

nothing quite like the smell of chocolate

nothing quite like being locked away from your car

when it's time to get these girls home

...

two great women

2012-01-25T23:07:00.001-07:00

my aunt AnnaLee

my grandma Clark

they took the time to show me they cared

many many times

...

2012-01-24T22:53:00.001-07:00

all i see

2012-01-24T09:19:00.001-07:00

he is still crazy for her.

...

wrapped in his mama's love

2012-01-23T21:56:00.003-07:00

...

when it is gloomy

2012-01-19T09:03:00.001-07:00

i know how to let in the sunshine

...

Kelsie is 5

2012-01-17T18:02:00.002-07:00

The Birthday Child
By Rose Fyleman

Everything's been different,
All the day long.
Lovely things have happened,
Nothing has gone wrong.
Nobody has scolded me,
Everyone has smiled.
Isn't it delicious
To be a birthday child?

...

always a gift

2012-01-17T17:47:00.000-07:00

the sleep

the dreams

the waking

the colors

the dawn

all

a blessing

as long as i live and breathe

i will praise Your name

remember Your love

...

2011...in a blink you were gone

2012-01-07T14:20:00.000-07:00

lydia...soon to be two years old

when you become five years old grammy takes you to Build A Bear

dinner with my dear ones...but where in the heck is kel?

crazy for this man

...

just a stick

2012-01-07T13:58:00.000-07:00

weeks ago

you were called to serve

plain really

just a stick

to support

the mighty bloom

with all its spendor

color calling for attention

now the color has faded

but just look it you

sprouting

growing life

teaching me

...

we celebrate!

2011-12-27T10:27:00.001-07:00

Joy to the World

Up on the Housetop

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas

Santa Baby

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

O Christmas Tree

Jingle Bells

Silent Night
(it's a boy!)

Let It Snow!

Holly Jolly Christmas

Twelve Days of Christmas

O Holy Night

Jingle Bells

The Night Before Christmas

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Do You Hear What I Hear?

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Pine Cones and Holly Berries

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Let There Be Peace On Earth

Away In A Manger

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Angels We Have Heard On High

Rocking Around The Christmas Tree

Greatest Gift Of All

...

six Christmas cards

2011-12-19T16:52:00.000-07:00

from six of my children

Making the decision to have a child is momentous.
It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
~Elizabeth Stone

It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself. ~Joyce Maynard

There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings. ~Hodding Carter, Jr.

Your children tell you casually years later what it would have killed you with worry to know at the time.
~Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotic's Notebook, 1966

Give me the life of the boy whose mother is nurse, seamstress, washerwoman, cook, teacher, angel, and saint, all in one, and whose father is guide, exemplar, and friend.
No servants to come between.
These are the boys who are born to the best fortune.
~Andrew Carnegie

The guys who fear becoming fathers don't understand that fathering is not something perfect men do, but something that perfects the man.
The end product of child raising is not the child but the parent.
~Frank Pittman, Man Enough

yes, I am a very blessed mother.

...

another year older and wiser too...

2011-12-17T08:59:00.005-07:00

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Ed, celebrates his birthday on the 10th
now a teenager

Valerie party's it up on the 12th

and I never met a kid that loves a birthday quite like Joe

he rocks the whole month, but the 15th is HIS day

...

"i will"

2011-12-15T17:31:00.001-07:00

December 15, 1973

our day

close to Christmas

our dreams take flight

(telegram received at our reception from my wonderful Aunt Anna Lee and Uncle Norm)

thirty-eight years ago

filled with promise

eager to ready-set-go
i hit the jackpot sweetie
when i met you

Joseph

the best anniversary gift ever

born in Pennsylvania

the boy with his "coat (afghan) of many colors"
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

...

a magical thing

2011-12-12T07:38:00.000-07:00

I Heard a Bird Sing

I heard a bird sing
in the dark of December
A magical thing
and sweet to remember.

'We are nearer to spring
than we were in September'
I heard a bird sing
in the dark of December.

Oliver Herford (1863 - 1935)

...

another step

2011-12-06T14:08:00.001-07:00

‘What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step.’
~C. S. Lewis

it's been that kind of day.

selecting the books
taping the photos of sweetie and me inside
writing a small personal note
wrapping and ribbon
secure a snowflake ornament

trip to the post office for the Chicago boys

this life of mine is sweet

...

to rebuke the winds

2011-12-02T06:13:00.001-07:00

the house got cold
power out
life slowed way down
busy plans stood still

we played hearts
went to lunch
sat in the best room
"shooting the breeze"

the wind howled
the house shook
30+ trees down at dad's house
Anson called

nature's power
a reckoning
a reminder
i am small

photos by audree steed

...

home sweet home

2011-11-29T07:13:00.001-07:00

“As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler; solitude will not be solitude, poverty will not be poverty, nor weakness weakness.”

Henry David Thoreau

Hank and Kate meet...fast friends

...

to live well

2011-11-22T06:55:00.001-07:00

(763-769)

scrambled eggs
"will you come lay with me?"
Mike Akin
children who honor their dad
feast preparations
he trimmed the roses
desire to try

"Let us remember, too, that greatness is not always a matter of the scale of one's life, but of the quality of one's life. True greatness is not always tied to the scope of our tasks, but to the quality of how we carry out our tasks whatever they are. In that attitude, let us give our time, ourselves, and our talents to the things that really matter now, things which will still matter a thousand years from now."

--Spencer W. Kimball, "A Gift of Gratitude", Tambuli, Dec 1977

...

random thoughts

2011-11-18T19:04:00.001-07:00

he always took care of me

Wednesday's gracious gift

another year older and wiser too

the birth of a mama

a room filled with woman hearts

a timely message

a favorite nursery rhyme

once upon a time it felt like me

a favorite pastime

a season of abundance and thanksgiving

val loves to puzzle

jack is growing bigger before my eyes

she sings as lovely as she looks

one of a kind

already so much missing in my life
then again

"'Tis better to have loved and lost
then never to have loved at all."
Tennyson

and not gone for good

so many things i like about this photo

wish i knew who took the picture

an emotional week

"buckets of rain, buckets of tears"
bob dylan

...

honoring all who served

2011-11-11T19:33:00.001-07:00

in honor of you

stand tall, put my hand over my heart when i say the pledge of allegiance or hear the national anthem...or watch the flag pass by
learn flag etiquette
vote
don't complain......campaign
express appreciation
remember you in my prayers
pray for your families
study American history

...

heaven at Settebello's

2011-11-11T18:22:00.001-07:00

today we went to lunch
laughed over pizza
sharing remains
food
"remember when's"
and now

basil fresh
imported flour
hot and sliced
all eyes were blue
mine brown and beholding
savoring

today we went to lunch
so much more to me
leaning in
listening
they at lunch
i in heaven

...

what might have been

2011-11-09T06:10:00.002-07:00

mornings like this
when the moon spills
lighting my room
dark
still
alone
only the clock breaks this quiet
i think of you
i wonder at His plan
i wish
and wish
but deep inside
if i look
really stop and feel
this longing for you
whole
what might have been

...

one down, six to go

2011-11-07T20:57:00.003-07:00

seven months

dessert, candy, soda free

just in time for the holidays

and PUMPKIN PIE

David, you have been an awesome opponent!

...

my name is Cristie Clark Carter and I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon

2011-11-06T05:51:00.001-07:00

I read from its pages every single day.

...

William Tyndale

2011-11-05T08:42:00.003-06:00

where does your devotion spring from
growing up affluent
yet
concern for the plow boy

"To scatter Roman darkness by this light
The loss of land and life I'll reckon slight."

in your forty years to die a martyr
brilliant
dedicated
cold requesting warmth

i will always honor you
feast at your sacrifice
William Tyndale
brave, bright and true

"Scripture is a light, and shows us the true way, both what to do and what to hope for, and a defense from all error, and a comfort in adversity that we despair not, and strengthens us in prosperity that we sin not."

William Tyndale

...

goodbye lovely October

2011-11-01T22:44:00.002-06:00

where is the "good" in goodbye?

...

faye

2011-10-31T06:13:00.000-06:00

my darling friend

faye kotter

aka witch faye

soon to take flight

The Autumn Sonnets

If I can let you go as trees let go

Their leaves, so casually, one by one,

If I can come to know what they do know,

That fall is the release, the consummation,

Then fear of time and the uncertain fruit

Would not distemper the great lucid skies

This strangest autumn, mellow and acute.

If I can take the dark with open eyes

And call it seasonal, not harsh or strange

(For love itself may need a time of sleep),

And, treelike, stand unmoved before the change,

Lose what I lose to keep what I can keep,

The strong root still alive under the snow,

Love will endure -- if I can let you go.

~May Sarton

...

in the wee small hours of the morning...

2011-10-30T06:55:00.002-06:00

i wonder
i bake potatoes
i read my scriptures
i pray
i fool around on the computer
and, i wonder some more.

because,
i think albert einstein is pretty smart

and,
something inside feels like a sopping sponge
if i press...

humbled at the price, the cost
throughout the ages
His word
the bread of life

...

they eloped

2011-10-25T18:24:00.001-06:00

59 years ago today

Bonnie and George eloped

they were 17 years old

they drove to Evanston Wyoming

Saturday the 25th

in my dad's

barcelona blue Ford 1948 convertible

with the top down

no waiting for a blood test there

Bishop Harris an LDS bishop

met them at the courthouse

Bishop Harris had never met them before that very day

he was wearing a blue suit with a red tie

mother (Bonnie) took her best dress to a girlfriends house

it was black brocade and strapless

(George) my dad picked her up at home

after which they stopped and picked up her dress

they changed into their best clothes

once they got to Evanston

blood tests at the hospital

then off to the courthouse for a marriage license

"the whole thing didn't cost more than ten dollars...

gas and all"

they were married between noon and one

this marriage had all been decided the night before

my mother said, "let's get married"

my dad agreed

they drove back to Bountiful

took off their nice clothes at Slim Olson's

Alton (my dad's brother) met them there

he got wind of the marriage

mother's girlfriend (the one holding her dress) told her mother

who called my nana

who called the Clark household in Bountiful

my Grandma Clark was in Mexico visiting her family

but, Nana asked if anyone there was the wiser

dad says, "i had her home before dark...she didn't dare tell her mother"

when Grandma Clark got back in town she asked my dad

"have you been familiar with that girl"

he honestly replied, "no"

"did you marry her?"

he honestly replied, "yes"

"then you had better hustle over to her house and tell her mother"

he did and there were no "congratulations" offered

nana was ticked

nana then got in the car with my mom and dad

and drove to AnnaLee's house

they told AnnaLee (my mother's oldest sister) what had transpired

again

no "congratulations"

they were legally married for ten days
before they lived together

at $30 a week
this was their first home

for only two weeks

"ten minutes after we moved in
you were conceived"

he tells me today

wait a minute...

what the....
the Colonial Village Motel?

that cute little bungalow behind us
their first little home...#30

I had offered to take him on a joy ride to Evanston

"only if your mother comes too"

now

mother is in heaven

he thinks of her every 25 seconds

at least that's what he says

and i believe him

we had lunch close by

i'll be darned if he didn't know the guy who owns the place

from a very long time ago

he tells me stories of Greek families

as we eat Greek olives

and delicious sandwiches

we walked through a little neighborhood close by

where all the front doors

face a garden path

and

each other

no street in between

their back yards face the street

i'd never seen such a thing

Boulevard Gardens

59 years ago today

this love is forever

Happy Anniversary Dear Daddy

...

how hard can it be at the DMV?

2011-10-25T10:23:00.001-06:00

Today was to be the day!

Renew my drivers license

I collected all four pieces of identification

I came with the fee

who knows where in the heck my SS card is

I haven't seen one of these since college

at first the lady looked shocked

her head jerked back a little

"you've never worked?"

"well, yes I've worked"

"doing what?"

"I have eight children"

then she looked disgusted
"come back when you have a SS card"

I felt like one of these.

...

31 years young

2011-10-23T15:02:00.000-06:00

Edward Williams Carter
was born in Lansdale Pennsylvania
October 23, 1980

He is the fourth of eight children

with a birthday close to Halloween

he was an adorable little boy

he could play with Shipwreck for hours

He had a huge crush on Vanna White

when he was a little boy

she called him once on his birthday

(i pretended to be her)

his hero was MJ

Nike

and Mike Schmidt

Eddie lived for two years in South Africa

preaching faith, repentance, and baptism

painting by Liz Lemon Swindle

he loves to talk politics

and

push buttons

some favorites

he listens to Jim Rome daily

he graduated from the U

but he's TRUE BLUE

he called Dr. Laura who basically said,

"grow up and be a man"

he is still a huge fun

just look at your life dear boy

you are beloved

and you love
could there be anything better?

Happy Birthday!

...

forty-four years ago today

2011-10-22T07:34:00.002-06:00

October 22, 1967--I received my Patriarchal Blessing.

These many years later I am still so thankful for the source of care, comfort and guidance it has been for me.

All my life I have been thankful for this personal scripture.

I visited the Patriarch, Alma Dorus Eakle, when I was fourteen years old. It was a Sunday morning and my mother dropped me off at his modest little home in Woods Cross. I went fasting and eager. I had heard about these blessings and was curious to see what this experience would hold for me. Two weeks later when the typed and recorded blessing came in the mail I was pleased to finally be holding my very own Patriarchal Blessing.

"As you seek the Lord in prayer, so shall peace be in your heart and in your home and a haven shall be created unto all who come into your habitation."

Just a snippet of promise and fulfillment.

...

Special Olympics 2011

2011-10-16T07:17:00.000-06:00

Our Day of Service

...

still my favorite video

2011-10-15T06:51:00.002-06:00

it's been a couple of years now.
sucked in by the creativity.
still enjoy it. xox

...

still a fan

2011-10-14T22:45:00.003-06:00

after all these years.

...

Count Your Blessings

2011-10-11T06:49:00.003-06:00

(750-762)

a purring cat on my shoulder
a kitchen faucet that isn't squirting water to heck and gone
a good morning text
ability to do
math is better for sis this week
my children are good people
sore muscles from Jazzercise
sleeping with the door slightly open
autumn nip in the air
a big moon shrouded...hunter's moon
increased faith and testimony
smiles
cherry jam

“I believe a strong woman may be stronger than a man, particularly if she happens to have love in her heart. I guess a loving woman is indestructible.”
John Steinbeck--- East of Eden

...

a trip to Manti

2011-10-10T07:06:00.002-06:00

we left SLC late afternoon

Friday

traffic was slow past Provo

a stop in Springville for Mexican food

dinner

vintage pharmacy

drug store

everything old school

run down

i had forgotten about these scales

apothecary

days gone by

we ate mexican food here

left sufficiently stuffed

great chips...creamy refried beans

back to the drug store

ice cream soda (sort of) a first for Sam

cone for sweetie

in Manti
a pioneer cottage

cozy and warm

glow in the dark dice

yahtzee

early morning temple
just across the street

our destination

sam and melissa stayed at the manti inn

great morning spent serving and being blessed

we were in awe

sam and melissa
always sweethearts

flowers on the temple grounds

hit by a winter frost

a stop in Indianola

our family cemetery plot

my mother's people

Richard Henry Spencer
my great-grandfather

newspaper article for their 50th year wedding anniversary

Ann Reynolds Spencer
my great-grandmother

INDIANOLA: Mr. and Mrs. Richard H. Spencer, pioneer residents of Indianola, entertained in honor of their fiftieth anniversary at their home in Indianola recently. They were married in the Salt Lake L. D. S. endowment house February 14, 1884. They journeyed from Indianola for eight days in covered wagons with four other couples that were married the same day. All the others have since died. Mr. Spencer was born in Payson, October 12, 1862. He came to Indianola in 1875 with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John and Ann Reynolds Spencer. They were called as missionaries by President Brigham Young to labor among the Indians of Indianola. Mr. Spencer became one of the most prominent farmers and stockmen of the community, and has always been active in civic and L. D. S. church work. He filled a mission to Great Britain in 1900 and was bishop of Indianola ward several years. Ann Reynolds was born in Mt. Pleasant January 22, 1861, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Levi B. Reynolds. She came to Indianola with a sister and has made this her home since. She always has been active in L. D. S. church work, serving 25 years as choir leader. Of their 12 sons and daughters, eight are living, J. Edison, H. Murt and Vard Spencer, and Mrs. R. D. Tibbs, Indianola; R. Les Spencer, Gunnison ; Mrs. J. R. Seeley, Hazelton. Idaho ; Mrs. J. M. Price and Mrs. J. H. Peterson, Salt Lake ; also 30 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

...

i can't decide

2011-10-04T08:29:00.001-06:00

which month i love the most

my boys going to conference

happy birthday dear Lynda!

woke up to a misty moisty morning
sparrow at the feeder
Amanda Knox homeward bound

the gamers have completed six months
no soda~no desserts~no candy
all seven players still playing

Tuesday
Lynda's birthday
stretching
another day filled with promise

...

yes...

2011-10-01T15:55:00.000-06:00

i like this so much.

...

Death, Be Not Proud

2011-09-30T19:02:00.002-06:00

Kristi G. Bringhurst Clark

Kristi G. Bringhurst Clark
1970 ~ 2011
Our sweet wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend Kristi G. Bringhurst Clark, age 40, passed away in Salt Lake City, Utah on Thursday, September 22, 2011 following complications of a massive stroke.
Kristi was born November 20, 1970 in Murray, Utah to Vickie Dawn Dorman and Gary P. Bringhurst. She graduated from Davis High School, 1989 and was a barber by trade. She married Anson Bowen Clark, November 28, 1989 in Farmington, Utah. Their son Anson Bowen was the light of her life. She enjoyed rollerblading, tennis, hiking and being outdoors. Kristi loved a joke, piano, music, and was artistic. Kristi was a kind, gentle, loving, and generous woman who brought happiness and joy to those in her presence. She was a devoted wife, mother, and daughter. She is loved dearly and will be missed profoundly. She gave to all who knew her and was an organ and tissue donor in death.
She is survived by her husband, Anson Bowen Clark, their son, Anson Bowen, Farmington, her mother Vickie Dawn Dorman (Steve), father Gary P. Bringhurst (Sandy), siblings, Tiffany E. Gatten (Rick), Jason Bringhurst (Jen), Star Jaques (Jeff), Steven (Emilee), step siblings Jeni Newson, Mandi Young (Brent), Ashley Holcomb (Nate), and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her sister Amber and brother Ryan.
A celebration of Kristi's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 30 at the LDS Farmington Fairway Chapel, 1533 North 1075 West, Farmington, Utah.

Published in Deseret News on September 28, 2011

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee

 Mighty and dreadful, for thou are not so;

For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me. From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,

              Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,

And soonest our best men with thee do go,

                         Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.

Thou'art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,

                    And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,

And poppy'or charms can make us sleep as well

                 And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?

One short sleep past, we wake eternally,

And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.

~John Donne

...

then...

2011-09-29T14:05:00.000-06:00

in all honesty
you were my first little boy
crazy for you from the start
stories whispered in your ear
boy in my lap

you
Anson
lit a flame of desire
to have my own little boys

...

Happy Birthday!

2011-09-28T12:16:00.000-06:00

35 years ago

she was born

my first little baby girl

Alison

ever sober

the sister of many

for pete's sake...don't let her slip!

she mothered each and every sibling

she's a natural

my trusty helper

now trusted friend

we both gave birth on the 28th
the very best birthday present she ever had
a day i always feel blessed

her first son
happy birthday dear Carter
happy birthday to you!

...

when upon life's billows

2011-09-27T15:48:00.003-06:00

(731-749)

beautiful September skies
enjoy Hale Theater with children
Andrew Lloyd Weber
"any dream will do"
kristi
anson
young anson
siblings
home grown tomatoes
changing autumn leaves
poetry
throwing the frisbee with jack
seeing claire during recess
wild atlantic salmon
fresh basil
crickets in the evening
RS conference
clove lotion bar
liz lives here

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Johnson Oatman Jr,.

...

living her dream

2011-09-26T16:42:00.001-06:00

our little house on Calvin

those curtains hung in every house i've lived in

Sears

machine wash and tumble dry

sam.........mama..........alison........katie

cristie--23 years earlier

...

one day at Lagoon

2011-09-25T07:19:00.001-06:00

this is my son Samuel

he always looked after his sister

Laurel

she took scissors to her hair

botched it so badly

we evened it out with the clippers

see her dimple

she's darling

his happy smile

ever looking out for her

to this day

...

1964

2011-09-23T18:50:00.000-06:00

backyard...1800 South.

In the healthy family, first and best, we can learn to listen, forgive, praise, and to rejoice in the achievements of others. There also we can learn to tame our egos, work, repent, and love. In families with spiritual perspective, yesterday need not hold tomorrow hostage. If we sometimes act the fool, loving families know this is not our last act; the curtain is not rung down.
Neal A. Maxwell, “‘Take Especial Care of Your Family’,” Ensign, May 1994, 88

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i will miss you

2011-09-22T21:12:00.001-06:00

Kristi Bringhurst Clark

pam................kristi...............laurel

my sister-in-law Kristi passed away today

she was forty years old

i will always appreciate her genuine kindness

she had a soft spot for the "under dog"

she had compassion
even in the end
donating

she loved my brother

and she was always so proud of her son

she leaves a hole

and a smile

“Faith in God includes Faith in God's timing.”
― Neal A. Maxwell

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life can turn on a dime

2011-09-21T13:04:00.000-06:00

i was fifteen years old when he was born

this is my brother Anson

he is the youngest of six children

he is named after his great-grandfather

Anson Bowen Call

i adore him

this beautiful girl Anson is with is Kristi

i was around when he met her

we were at Lagoon

he started the day hanging out with us
met Kristi

and the rest is history

sweethearts then marriage

they have one son...Anson Jr.

Kristi had a stroke two days ago

for eight hours she waited

to be found

this little family needs your prayers

Fear thou not; for I am with thee:
be not dismayed; for I am God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
yea, I will up hold thee with the right hand of my righteousness...
For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand,
saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
Isaiah 41: 10, 13

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Russell

2011-09-21T07:24:00.000-06:00

mother would say
"my boy Russell"

why?

i have no idea

one thing for sure

she adored this boy

one afternoon they had an argument

outside

in the driveway

she was hosing down the driveway

she always did

it wasn't long before he was soaking

stunned
grown-up and soaking

all wet

1. Lit. completely wet. Nathan got hosed down by his mother and now he is all wet.

2. Fig. mistaken; wrongheaded; on the wrong track. You're full of baloney Nate. You're all wet. If you think that you can pull a stunt like that, you're all wet.

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change is inevitable

2011-09-20T08:21:00.001-06:00

1983

So many things i like about this photo...

my mother's smile
she's holding Laurel
Laurel has her blankie
my dad's arm resting on my shoulder
ali's little shorts
ed in sun glasses
the way sweetie has his hands on ed's head
i'm holding spencer
anson
angie holding jessica
pam and jeff are young and happy
daniel looking out
Laurel is distracted
my moccasins
that faithful van

i wonder who the photographer was...

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dinner, bath and bed

2011-09-19T19:51:00.003-06:00

slippery summer bodies

grandma's tub

all smiles

all mine

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departures

2011-09-17T17:38:00.003-06:00

one of the best movies i have seen in a long time

from South Korea

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eight years old

2011-09-15T07:58:00.002-06:00

she had dreams

even then

her two front teeth

big and permanent
ready-set-go

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Chicago...part 2

2011-09-12T16:31:00.004-06:00

downtown...Michigan Avenue

Isaac's pet snake....pedro eating two mice

the first one...easy does it

the second one...yikes

the snake is fed

the kids are tucked away

homework is done

happy parents

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the windy city

2011-09-09T08:00:00.001-06:00

Katie directing traffic

Marilyn

sis on the move

the Tribune Tower

pieces embedded from all over the world

granite from the Salt Lake Temple

this is how these pieces are scattered on the building

Nike town reminds me of Ed

all things Mickey reminds me of the little girls

Claire and Kelsie

after the big fire

the Water Tower was all that remained

sis at an abundant Anthropologie

the girls glamed up at Sephora

warm and fed

windy and cool blowing from the lake

lovely texture and colors from a tree trunk

not your average manhole cover

great Mexican food

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cheer up charlie

2011-09-05T21:49:00.000-06:00

when you cry
i feel terrible
helpless to fix
wanting to rescue

knowing
"the sun will come out tomorrow"
just the same,
when you cry
i do too

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matt 5:44

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five months down...longer to go

2011-09-03T11:00:00.002-06:00

all players are still in the game
a modest amount of grumbling
someone's bound to cave

only time will tell!

...

maybe 1982...angie would know

2011-09-02T05:56:00.000-06:00

my parents with their six children

audree anson angela jeff nathan cristie

to be raised a clark

short showers
leave shoes at the door

reliable

opportunity

responsibility
thrifty
clean
organized

no nonsense

prompt

speak up

buck up

you can do it

tell the truth

affection

cucumbers in vinegar

whole wheat bread

whole milk

shut the door

it's useless to worry

"you can always tell a clark, but you can't tell them much"

not very flattering, but a whole lot of truth

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my brother the barber

2011-09-01T06:43:00.000-06:00

my brother Anson is fifteen years younger than i

he is the baby of our family
he has a happy heart
and a quick wit

his business is located in Farmington
all of the Clark pioneer homes are down the street

my brother is creative
he has airplanes suspended from the ceiling
he made that stained glass pane
painted the guy on the outside of the building
decorated the inside...all cool retro stuff

a disco ball
with vinyl records playing
a pretty good collection

his place is a visual feast
reminders of days long gone

sweetie is a faithful customer
he smells like bay rum when he's done

this is my brother nate and my dad...they have the same name
they are sitting on an old church pew

we are horsing around
(without the horse)

i love these men
the photo would be complete if Jeff were here
see how trim and handsome sweetie looks!

come to Farmington
Anson will give you an awesome haircut
and he's fun to talk to

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so blessed...

2011-08-30T17:23:00.001-06:00

(709-730)

i can read
walking in early morning summer light
opening up the house to cool summer air each morning
tunes on my ipod
YOU RAISE ME UP...Josh Groban
joy in the calling
feet warmed by the sun
nate and greg visit
anson at the barbershop
my dad's "no soup for you"
hummingbirds still come
nathan scanned the scrapbooks
tomatoes from the garden
sweetie likes to plant, nurture and grow
Moroni has a solid sense of right and wrong
cucumbers
book group at Bear Lake
Bear Lake raspberries
my four boys, their dad...all holding...blessing Henry David
my body is healthy
my children are trying

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holding two babies

2011-08-29T22:20:00.000-06:00

expecting alison

sam in my arms

joy all over my face

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my brother

2011-08-28T23:24:00.002-06:00

we took the bus to slc
bought lunch
looked around
sat in the photo booth

we goofed off
took the bus home
photos all that's left
reminder of that day

yesterday you came
grocery bags in tow
fish sauce, indian spices
lamb a slow simmer
jasmine rice

this offering
savored by all
generously served
edible love
he is my brother
we share much

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apples don't fall far from the tree.

2011-08-28T14:22:00.001-06:00

...

the matter of words

2011-08-25T22:36:00.000-06:00

this is not a wall of books

stacked almost to the museum ceiling

is is a square box consisting of books...enormous

"This piece of art is made for the exhibition, for the gallery space, and it exists only for this, and it won't ever exist after this, it will be destroyed," Bateman said. "It relates to the architecture of this particular space ... moving it elsewhere would undermine some of the meaning that the work actually has."

With the help of museum assistants, building the 14-foot tall, 83,000-pound sculpture took about 600 hours. The books were carefully stacked and are held by gravity only; something Bateman said is only possible through following strict parameters of stacking and using plenty of experimentation and faith.

"This piece is about the idea of language and the relationship language has to objects," Bateman said. "I think, typically, people are attracted to books because people have a familiarity with books, and they are predisposed to like books. And I think when they see this many books together it transforms the way they think about books, and that's something people enjoy."

If You Go

The Matter of Words: Adam Bateman, Harrell Fletcher, and John Fraser

When: Through Nov. 26, visit the museum's website for hours

Where: The Brigham Young University Museum of Art, in the Marian Adelaide Morris Cannon Gallery on the main level of the museum, North Campus Drive

Tickets: Admission is free, free docent-led tours can be scheduled with at least one week's notice by calling (801) 422-1140

Info: www.moa.byu.edu

pretty much all week

2011-08-18T23:12:00.001-06:00

Susan Easton Black...Michael Wilcox...Lynn Scoresby

hanging out with sweetie

lots of walking

wandering
drive to Mapleton
some new ideas
Italian Place subs
running into old friends

remembering when

it's been a great week!

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it's Friday!

2011-08-12T21:36:00.004-06:00

Catherine's very talented/fun cousins at Island Park!

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family.

Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."

Jane Howard

something clever

2011-08-10T17:28:00.006-06:00

United Stereotypes of America

by Haley

(696-708)

melissa has her iphone back
down time
drying hair in the hot sun
to watch the last star disappear in daylight
reunion gave me a chance to see old friends
cherries
sucking on the pits
creative types
lunch with YW leaders
chap stick (badgers)
my july company was a blast
roses on the kitchen table
Tamar, Ruth, Rahab, Bathsheba

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nostalgia

2011-08-10T17:28:00.004-06:00

A GIFT OF TIME

by Shane Nickerson

I’ve always had the ability to recognize the happy moments I will miss later in life as I live them. It’s like a pre-nostalgia – a certain knowledge that in the future, I will lament the fact that I cannot go back to that particular sliver of time. Nostalgia is a nasty emotion. Linger in it too long and it grows stronger. Try to ignore it and it weakens you. I suppose nostalgia gives us something to yearn for, but that yearning feels awfully hopeless as memories fade.

My children, still young and unaware that they will one day want to have their own lives away from their parents, are at the age now that I know for sure I will miss very much. Though I often joke about how hard parenting is (and it is), I wouldn’t trade away this time of my life for an easier life of self indulgence. Being a dad has been an important part of my own growth as a person and fatherhood adds a complexity to my existence that I cannot imagine living without. My wife and I are still young enough to feel young and our own parents are still active enough to not seem too old. This is a happy time, which I know I will miss desperately as the years go by.

As a workaround for that pesky problem of aging and lost years, I often imagine that an older me has been granted the wish to come back in time to right now. I pretend that 95-year-old future me has been given that gift just before death and that my one wish is to come back to 2011 to see my kids as little kids, my wife as a beautiful young woman and to see a world around me still within my grasp. I know it’s a bit strange, but it helps me savor the smallest moments around me that might otherwise slip away under appreciated, or worse, unnoticed.

I suppose it’s something of a nostalgia alarm.

It hits me at strange times. If I hear them playing and laughing in the other room, I wonder what it will feel like to dream about that very moment one day, when they have long since moved out and I won’t be able to walk in and hug them and play with them. I picture older me waking from a dream of my happy past, hearing the fading echoes of their young voices evaporate into the darkness around me as reality reclaims an old man from his sleep. I can actually feel the longing (as if I am that old man right now) to run into that room and see them as young children just one more time, to hug them and talk to them and tickle them and play with them and laugh with them. It’s a longing that I can vividly imagine and it makes my heart hurt.

But then, here I am. I have not aged and my nostalgia is premature. I have that opportunity every single moment of every day, I remember and I seize it with relief. This weird nostalgia alarm seems to go off in my mind each time some piece of me senses that I am missing time with them or that I am ignoring the happy family moments I will later ache for.

Yesterday, I was watching a baseball game in the living room. It seemed important, although I realize of course that it’s not at all. Outside, Lucy and Zach ran around the yard, chasing hummingbirds and inventing games to keep them laughing. Emmy crawled in the grass and discovered the brand new world around her. As I sat on the couch, the happy laughter and squeals from outside faded into the background behind the less important sounds of a televised baseball game. Inside me, that familiar alarm sounded softly. “Get out there while you can,” I thought. A wish granted, I imagined. Suddenly, the laughter outside became the only thing I heard. I recognized, with some sadness, that I will never wish for the chance to go back in time to see a baseball game on TV. I turned it off and joined them outside. Maybe somewhere, future me is enjoying this precious time as if he never aged at all.

Even if not, present me most certainly is.

Shane Nickerson is the executive producer of Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory and Ridiculousness on MTV. He is an actor, writer and happily married father of three. Originally from New Hampshire, he spends most of his time on Twitter: @shanenickerson. He hates onions and the Yankees.
See more posts from Shane

down time that is

2011-08-10T16:34:00.002-06:00

i do believe

as a matter of fact

this kind of time feeds my soul

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to kneel

2011-08-08T13:09:00.003-06:00

kneeling
hot sun
digging, pulling weeds
to reap and sow

kneeling
boney on tile floor
slippery little bodies
bathed

kneeling
surrounding
gathered with loved ones
"bless them, keep them"

kneeling
mopping
wringing out the dirt
fresh clean ready

kneeling often
holy offering
reminding me
of Him

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what the...

2011-08-06T19:46:00.003-06:00

ok...so i'm riding my blue scooter slowing for a turn

a bicycle rider is just ahead of me and asks me..."do you know what atrophy is?"

i say, "excuse me?"

he responds..."do you know what atrophy is?"

still smiling i shrug one shoulder as the road forks and we part ways. i'm thinking, did he say what i thought i heard?

i then wanted to cut through the path...run him down and ask...

"do you know what smug is?"...or
"do you know what jackass is?...or
"you think you're pretty athletic, huh"...or
"what gives you the right?...or
"don't mess with me chump."

i had a lot to think about on the rest of my ride. xox

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check it out

2011-08-06T18:31:00.004-06:00

http://dearphotograph.com/

my brother told me about this delightful site

Dear Photograph: If I could turn the corner in 1942, and walk right into my mother, I'd ask her,

"May I walk beside you one more time?" Love, Your Daughter

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every crow thinks her chick is the blackest

2011-08-03T12:49:00.004-06:00

that's what my grandma told my dad

and that's what my father said to me

right after i called him

Sam was just born

"he's so beautiful"

Henry David Carter
our 16th grandchild

the blackest crow i know

(photos Alison Carter Brasher)

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Saturday Night

2011-08-01T07:37:00.013-06:00

we did it all again
40 years later

high school

only this time we met

Oakridge Country Club

i fixed up the best i could

piled on the beads

took my own picture since i was the only one home
and headed out the door

foyer

hanging photos

albums from our era

copy of high school news paper

all rolled up in school colors

red and gray

table filled with memorabilia

paula did an amazing job decorating this room

angie always had the cutest hair

then and now

roger and i were in Mame together

i sat next to tom (on the right) and his wife liz

during dinner

gee he's a good guy

high school friends
karen and nancy

lovely women

janese and janet

cheryl

knew her all the way...K-12

she married Gary who worked for Merck

we met up again in California

the early years of our married life

then middle years in Pennsylvania

now in Utah

we lunch often

we went outside for a group photo

a bunch of helicopters flew overhead

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