rhyme anytime

When it comes to being an artist
I don't know where to begin
But I can rhyme anytime
Just hand me a pencil or pen

Manners - Etiquette - Emily Post - Ugh!

If I just didn't have to eat when company came around
If I could eat in private - miss those banquets in our town
My food would taste much better, my drink would be much wetter
And I wouldn't start to choking when the food was passing down!

If I could eat all by myself I wouldn't have to know
How to get the lobster from it's shell, or hold my knife just so -
It really wouldn't matter how I cleaned up my platter
No one else would ever-ever know!

If there were no one else but me each time that dinner came
I'd do exactly as I pleased and for supper do the same
I could chomp my carrots loudly, slurp my soup up proudly
And NO ONE ever, ever could complain!

-Orvetta

P.S. I had to teach a lesson on "Table manners" in my MIA lesson so I began it with this poem.

Contentment, By The Farmers Wife

I watched the closing day descend, the amber sunset glowing
The spacious sky held birds in flight, I heard the cattle lowing
My eyes beheld the fields of grain spread out as far as eye could see
The cooling shadows softly fell encircled by majestic tree

And peace spread o'er my valley as I felt the day depart
The quietness of evening placed thoughts within my heart
Dear Lord, Oh let me thank thee - for all of this that's mine
The sweet contentment that I feel and for Your love divine

A husband here beside me, my cup, it runneth o'er
A baby in my arms to love and still Thou givest more
Oh tell me, what is it Thou would have me do?
I know I must repay for all these joys and blessings that are mine today!

And as I paused and wondered, the words came strong and true
Just spread your love to others - as I have given you!

Let's Laugh (The Whole Truth)

Our church supper was over and I was asked to lead the big group in some fun, action sing-alongs. We were all enthusiastically enjoying ourselves. I couldn't help but notice the very back of the room where the oldsters were congregated, striving to join in and be as limber as the rest of us. Desiring to acknowledge and praise them for their efforts I said as my baton stopped, "Very good, very good. I especially want to thank you seniors for your great efforts - and I could hear some creaking bones in the rear end."

P.S. I was the first on to head home after the closing prayer.

(the whole truth)

My husband and I were heading for the city one early snowy morning, leaving our little country town in sweet slumber. Suddenly we found ourselves gliding uncontrollably into the steep barrow pit. We were wedged in, no visible help in sight. My husband, the driver, wanting no negative response from me, tossed me the morning paper. With his square jaw set he said,"Read and relax until help comes." By habit my eyes fell first on "Today's Chuckle" which read, "It takes a lot of nuts to hold a car together but only one to tear it apart!!!"

(the whole truth)

Oh, I've got to tell one more about my husband. We were driving to Texas and we found ourselves in eerie spaciousness - no mountains, no rivers, no stream, no moon, and which direction were we driving? I ventured we were driving East. He said we definitely were not. I then remembered we had installed a compass on the dashboard before our long trip. I peeked at it. We were going East! I said, calmly and sweetly, "Look at the compass." He looked, started shaking it emphatically, and said, "The darn thing's broken!"

My newly married daughter, the perfectionist, called me on the phone wanting my homemade turkey dressing recipe. I described in detail, but in talking about crumbling the dry slices of bread up she had to know exactly what size of crumbs. I made several attempts, but she needed it more precise. Not wanting to, but I whispered quietly, "Like when we partake of the sacrament." She next said, "But Mom, are you talking about your ward or mine?"

May 6, 2010

Life Is Good!

And may we know as we continue and turn the pages of life that life is good!

And no matter how many heartaches come our way, they will never, never outweigh the good things that surround us day by day.

Family Togetherness

As each page is turned
A memory comes through
A chuckle, sweet moments -
A tear drop or two.

We've blown birthday candles
Kept our family together -
Motorcycle adventures
No matter the weather.

There are ball games and spring break
To boat at the "Res"
Those Blue Notes performers
Where Mom's still saying, "Yes."

These pages are full
Of achievements galore
We see red hats and red robes
Appear through the door.

And it's hard to believe
These school days are through!!
And here's where we all
Shed more tear drops than two!

And then, when the month of May comes to its close
Oh - what memories are ours as we fill our hearts
Then cover our loved ones
With our thoughts and our flowers.

Oh yes, surgeries and shoe boots
And crutches we'll see
There's been good times and bad times
For you and for me.

And we've gathered together
Bowed reverently in prayer
As our loved ones have left us
To be in His care.

We know that God gives
And He taketh away
Let's give thanks for His goodness
And acknowledge His way!

Our three days at Fish Lake
Our highlight of joys
From silver-haired Grandma
To those vigorous boys!

Oh - the strains of that music
Made her turn back to "Young"
As she got up and waltzed
Around with her son!

So you'll find Family Togetherness
Links all the pages
The most precious gift
Throughout all the ages!

Much love,
Mom
(Grandma)


August 24, 2005

A Lot To Say!

You'll see I'm not fancy in any way -
But I cover each page with a lot to say!

And my lines may be crooked
There's no accurate measures
I'm too engulfed to boast of my treasures!

Love,
Mom
Grandma
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo


August 21, 2005

Memory Lane

Let's travel along through Memory Lane
And live those moments once again
Too fast time travels through our years
Let's enjoy our smiles, remember tears
Such wondrous blessings are yours and mine
Oh life - how precious how sublime.

July 2009

If Pages Could Speak

If the pages in this book could speak,
They'd talk with you and me
Give way to inner thoughts they know
That you and I can't see.
The picture shows the beauty - the color and the glory -
But lying silently behind - is real drama - the whole story!
For a camera cannot capture the feelings that lie there
Be it pride- or hurt and heartache - the face will hide with care.
Yes! There's great big heaps of happiness
And then there's sorrow and strife
Put it all together -
And that's what we call life!
So turn each page with tenderness
Release your smiles or tears
Time moves on so quickly
Catch - and hold these years!


Written January 4, 1996

Orvetta's thoughts (to Steve's family): Much love to all of you! How I love you all. You're a family to be proud of - all the way - you highlight my life.

Memories Of You

These pages that you start to view
Just tell my memories of you
There's nothing fancy - nothing clever
Just holds my thoughts
That are forever!

You are so precious to me!

Clouds

Clouds adrift in the summer sky
Resemble life as they wander by
Always enduring
Moving on
Always returning - never gone -
It's the circle of life!
For memories are forever!

Through My Window

So much I see through my window
A branch of blossoms in the spring
A fleecy cloud in summer skies
A little child - a precious thing.

I've watched the crimson sunsets fade,
The thrush returning to its nest
Busy traffic heading homeward
A tired world - seeking rest.

So much I see through my window
The last dry leaf of amber fall
The quiet snow of wintertime
Marshmallowed o'er my garden wall.

Its there I count the stars at night
And count my many blessings too
Its there I measure my regrets
And humbly ask forgiveness too.

And when my heart is troubled most
Seeking release from pain and care
I wander to my window then
And feel His presence with me there.

He soothes my wounds, and lifts my soul
While all lay silent in the sod
So much I see through my window
As I linger there - with God!

To A Spider In The Bowl

I can see you spinning round and round
Caught within your snare
Helpless creature that you are
Struggling in your prison there.

Your efforts are so futile
They'll endlessly go on
Yet you are weak and know not --
That your strength will soon be gone.

And mighty giant that I am
Just the merest puff of breath
Could give you back your freedom
And save you from this death.

And as I tower above you
Your fate within my hands
I recognize your nothingness
Controlled by my commands.

So plead with me - beg of me
That I might mercy give
For my very slightest gesture
Could let you die -- or live.

And as the shadows of the day
Moved across my room
I viewed again this tiny dot
In coiled, conceded doom.

I pondered as I stood there --
My head bowed shamefully
Compassion crept into my heart
My soul began to see --

As my thoughts began to soar and rise
To Him who dwells above
I felt His greatness over me
I pleaded for His love.

How small and insignificant
I felt within His power
The sorrow -- and humility
I knew within this hour.

Oh helpless creature that I am
I fall on bended knee
And God in all His mercy
Looked down and smiled on me!

Orvetta's thoughts: For when men get too much power, and too much pride in the heart, they are unknowingly in dire need of a humbling experience to make them humble again and fit for God.

Lovely Things

My world's so full of lovely things
Each rising dawn brings beauties new
If only I could keep a part of
Every day that passes through.

The rain must over fertile fields
The stately tree so tall
The crimson sky at sunset
As the twilight shadows fall.

If I could only stretch my arms
And capture all I see
I'd hold it close securely
And keep it there with me.

I linger with the summer
And feast upon each hour
Explore each heavy-laden branch
Til I know every flower.

I touch each fragile petal
Of the roses in full bloom
I find the springtime lilac
And drink deep of its perfume.

Oh doesn't your heart pity
That man that doesn't see
This beauty that surrounds him
Who walks on aimlessly.

Tho' robins send their thrilling notes
Across the fragrant air
His ears are deaf -- silent
He goes on unaware.

The golden morning sun will rise
And open my new day
Compelling me to reach beyond
With it's magnetic ray.

I dare to race the wildest winds
And o'er green meadows fly
Releasing all my secret dreams
I toss them to the sky.

My thoughts will build as rising
Waves that push through heaving foam
My hopes shall reach the highest peak
I'd conquer heights unknown.

Oh doesn't your heart pity
The man that cannot feel
This vibrancy of morning
His soul unmoved -- still!

And should this day escape me
And vanish from my sight
I'd love the quiet gray of dusk
As it softly turned to night.

And doesn't your heart pity
The man who doesn't know
The peacefulness of evening
As life's shadows fade and go.

My world's so full of lovely things
Each step I take brings beauties new
And if I could, which would I choose
To linger with til day is through.

If God would only take His hand
And gather all for me
Then hold it in safe keeping
For my eternity!

May 21, 1968

Memories of My Mother

Today my heat is filled with love, and deep humility.
And memories of a mother
That God had given me.

He gave me someone special
Who was kind and sweet and true
Who found her hreatest joys in life
In the good that she could do.

If one could read inside her book
That tells of her life's story
They'd find her sons and families
To be her greatest glory!

Each page so tenderly would hold
The warth and love and pleasures
Each special person brought to her
And each, a cherished treasure.

She did not seek for riches
Her guest was not for fame
The simple things she valued most
The joy of work, an honest name.

The little thoughtful things she did
Somehow could say so much
And all who knew her felt her love
Her quick ways - her gentle touch.

You see, she taught her sermons
Not by words as many do
But by her deeds and actions
Her creed came shining through.

Many useful years she gave
Before her illness came
And many days and months she's laid
In suffering and pain.

And now today she's left us
For a more exalted sphere
I'm grateful for the life she lived
While she was with us here.

And there's rejoicing in my heart,
combined with memories
That she is free from earthly care
Her soul has found release!

Composed for the mother of Robert E. Steele

Story Of Our Lives

I've just been adding and totaling since two thousand three has begun
So many paths we've traveled, let's turn each page one by one.

We've sung our "Happy Birthdays" blown the candles, had our cake
Jumped so high from our Palladium seats as those three pointers she would make!

We've watched the Priesthood circle and hold within their arms,
A tiny little baby boy so cuddly and warm.

And then we've heard his father's voice so touched with gratitude and love,
Pronounce his name, then blessings sought from our Father up above.

Now we're dining out together. It's grandma and her children, all.
Enjoying, talking laughing! Oh the memories we'd recall!

And now I look upon him, this fine young man sits there -
His father's hands upon his head, in my heart a silent prayer!
For he's ordained to be a priest, advancing on his way
And all the family gathered there upon this Sabbath day!

Now there is a time and a season as we each fulfill our years
The family has all gathered - at the graveside shedding tears.

So here is the other season, wedding bells, the bride's bouquet!
See the sparkling girl who caught it, she knows her turn's not far away.

Not wedding bells but school bells are starting now to ring
It's seminary graduation and "Good Old School Goodbye" she'll sing!
And the nearly college graduate is locking up his flat
To head to spacious new green fields he's so anxious to be at!

And so we turn the calendar page, we're to the month of June
And we all know that "Summer Theater" is coming up real soon!
Time to play and drop the work, for the wolf to make his howls
And how it amazed us all to see those big eyed, hooting owls!

And those hyenas with their mocking laugh, we laughed through every minute --
The ghost, the skunk that sprayed around! ('Twas only water in it).

Hot summer's now upon us, July parade comes down the street
To see that bright pink dress swing by, 'twas worth sitting in that heat!

And as we see the waving flag, our loyalty breaks through
We love our town, our country free, our own red, white, and blue!

And oh the joy of families -- the blessings heaven sends
This, the greatest gift of all -- the gift that never ends!

August 9, 2003

Pumpkin Pie

Sam was hungry for a pumpkin pie
So I said that I would bake one.
One big can makes two big pies
So to John and Joan I'll take some.

I looked upon these steaming pies
And figured I'd better decide
Who gets this much, who gets what
How shall I divide?

There's five for John and four for Joan
And Sam can still have plenty
But wait until you hear this out
Cause he did not get any.

Before it got delivered
I heard someone say
That Nate and Erika decided
That they'd arrive today.

Now seven for John and four for Joan
Now how much will remain
Oh dear the thought has struck me
I must deliver down the lane.

A funeral now has been announced
One pie I'd better take
This would be the thing to give
No need to bake a cake.

Oh dear now what should I do
I've promised John and Joan and Sam
So I have got to follow through
I'll do the best I can.

So the pie for seven will go to John
I'm trying so hard to please
I'll bake the frozen one for Sam and Joan
They got the Sarah Lee's.

January 25, 2001

Topaz

When Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese, the United States government decided to gather all Japanese throughout the U.S. and put them in concentration camps - where freedom was taken from them.

Several thousand acres of land were purchased out in Millard County. This is west and north of Delta -Delta being the only nearby down with shopping areas and etc., service stations, hospitals and etc.

By September of 1942 a good part of the camp was built. The location - way out on barren ground by itself - was settled with tall mountains surrounding it, and one of the mountains was called Topaz Mountain. So that's how this concentration camp got its name - the mountain was north-west about 20 or so miles away.

It was sad to think of these people - imprisoned you might say - ripped from their homes, places of business, and out in a barren land of nowhere. Their living quarters so scanty and meager - long lumber barracks, partitioned walls inside didn't even go clear up to the ceiling. There was no privacy to speak of.

And high barbed wire fences closed it in and guards on duty always shot at anyone trying to escape. One Japanese was shot and killed tyring to escape - another sad tragedy. Some of the Japanese were so uncontrollable they were moved from Topaz to a concentration camp in California. So, the population was reduced to 8,778.

Ushered into our area by train, they were allowed to go into Delta to shop and etc. They were closely watched going and coming.

I had the experience of having five Japanese at my home Monday through Friday, as with war on, our young men called in service had left Delta desolate for farm help. We had large acres to care for, you know, no modern machinery much in 1942, so these five men had my two upstairs bedrooms. We formed a good friendship. I cooked for them three meals a day. They worked hard on the farm. They were very clean and bathed every evening.

These people created a new life. They had their own Post Office, their own hospital of 128 beds, their own eye and dental clinics, own fire department, own newspaper, own government offices and buildings.

They created their own schools:
3 preschool nurseries
2 elementary schools
1 high school
1 adult education school

They were proud of their schools of art, music, sewing, and classes in "Americanness."

They set up recreational programs - basketball, baseball, bridge tournaments, ping pong, hunting arrowheads, rock gardens, making artificial flowers, a theater, and a public library with both English and Japanese books. Once a week, they had a record concert.

Let me tell you, a meteorite found out in the mountains by two Japanese is now in the Smithsonian Institute in New York, the ninth largest in the world.

They had various religions and had five churches. Some were Buddhist, Seventh Day Adventist, and LDS churches.

Once a year, a handful of Japanese returned and held a reunion. They stood on the spot they once had to call home. I've been to their reunion as my singing group has performed there. I've stood on that spacious barren ground with steadfast hills still surrounding that once-lived spot. I've watched the tears roll from their eyes. I've seen the trembling lips that have spoken softly and emotionally as one another traded thoughts of those years of 1942-1945.

Heartbreakingly, the majority of those imprisoned here were Japanese-American citizens -500 of their boys in armed services, serving our country.

The war ended. They wrote to us and mailed us some gifts. I still appreciate and cherish my chopsticks in the black ebony box.

January 9, 2000
Interview with Jonathan

Catch The Sunshine

It's evening. I have just come in the house from mowing the lawn. The fresh white clothes are swaying on the clothesline. The cooling breeze is so welcome after a hot August day. A peaceful feeling engulfs me and I am counting my many blessings. The Lord has been so good to me. The world looks beautiful. Wherever I look I see opportunities awaiting me -- the green waving garden, refreshened with damp brown rows. Sidewalks that need sweeping and spraying -- clean clothes that need folding, good books to read, letters to write, friends to call, music to play -- oh, the world is ladened with interest, things to do, pleasures and comfort.

As I ponder over all of this before me, I realize that peace in my soul is what opens my eyes to the goodness of it all. For my thoughts carry me back to times when I have felt the weight of a complete contrast -- when my little room was dismal, with dusty shelves, unwanted books, cobwebs draped over my heart and that drab, boring feeling that says there is nothing, simply nothing worthwhile. Now when was this time? The sky, the trees, the people were still there -- but I, through a sudden and sorrowful disappointment in my life, began to feel forgotten, unnoticed, and lonely. I crawled in my little shell and closed the curtain -- clinging and nesting in self-pity. My heart gave way to that moment of ungratefulness.

Most of us experience at some time in our lives some sudden disruption to our happiness. We fall into these dreary, "lump in the throat" days, so bluish that even a tear dare not break through. If we could just motivate ourselves to dust off the first shelf, brush the cobwebs that cloud our view -- throw open the window and take a good deep breath. Tast the freshness of the morning, toss the crumbs to the birds, and let the heart sing merrily with them. Catch the sunshine as it travels, show it to a child. Oh yes, life can be beautiful, but the vision of it all lies deeply in the soul. The eyes are merely the windows that let it take flight.

August 4, 1980
To add to my life's story.

They Need Me

One little part of my environment has gone by me -- unnoticed. Through my family rearing years with seven children and a husband in the house, I've paid no attention to the pets -- the cats, dogs, puppies and what have you. I don't want to suggest that I've been cold and unresponsive. I have admired them, talked to them, but actually caring for their needs never crossed my mind. It's just that my minutes and seconds were tremendously scheduled and I subconciously, knew all eight of my household were warm, affectionate, and caring toward them.

Well, 1978 found me alone for the first time in this big house with major adjustments. I came to realize one day the cats were being neglected. I looked upon them suddenly thinking, "Where are the people of this house that have cared for you through the years? They are gone and now you have become my inescapable responsibility."

I am proud of my progress. They are my new friends. Each time I return home from the office they run to meet me. The gray cat and the white cat follow me to the clothes line, the garden, the incinerator and the mailbox. They have turned to me and I am needed.

When I am late getting home -- starved -- and meet the meowing cats I cannot eat one bite until their bowl is filled. My love and awareness of animals has taken on a warm, joyous feeling in life. I found myself, the other day, running across the lawn like a streak of lightning to shoo the cat away from a broken-winged bird. I arrived home last night and found one glass of milk left in the refrigerator. My purring cat, who had greeted me at my driveway with such pleading eyes caused me to go back outside and share it 50-50. What a satisfying experience!