Shovels

I learned something last night and today. We had an enormous snow storm. I am extremely grateful for the moisture. I still can’t let mother nature melt the snow on my driveway although Rich’s theory is starting to make some sense. So I was out shoveling last night while it was still snowing. Rich always tells me that it is futile to even start shoveling until the storm is passed. I feel like if I shovel twice, then it’s not as heavy. But the bottom line is: I like to shovel. I suppose I get it from my father. He is known for always having a shovel in his hand. . Fixing a ditch, moving something from one place to another, whatever the project, he would have his trusty shovel with him. Snow shovel or garden shovel I feel at home moving stuff – at the present time that stuff is snow. Last year Rich and I tried to shovel the driveway together. He doesn’t get it. Shoveling is a work of art. Zig, Zags, crosses, curves. The works of art you can make in the snow while shoveling a walk are immeasurable. He kept trying to go in straight lines. Let’s put our shovels together it will go faster. Faster is not the object. Holding the shovel and moving something is the object. The Linton OCD kicks in when shoveling snow. There are also rules. You can’t dump the snow on certain plants. Now I wouldn’t expect anyone else to know which plants I protect, so I think I will continue my work of being the snow mover. Today I found out he took my favorite snow shovel to Valcom. He didn’t know that I had a favorite until I heartily complained. I will await the next storm eagerly as long as I have my favorite shovel.

Hawaii -- December 2007 - Mahalo

Polynesian Cultural Center Friday December 7th, 2007


We spent Friday December 7th at the Polynesian Cultural Center. They had lots of shows and fun activities. Don't you think Rich would have made an awesome dancer?



Tap was a Samoan that did the Fire Dance at the evening show. His bi's weren't that much bigger than Rich's. :):):)



On Saturday we went to the temple. After the session we went over to the BYU Hawaii cafeteria and had lunch. Reminded me of the galley days with Daija and Michael. Rich watched the BYU-Michigan game on the TV although it was pretty blurry. I bought a book at the bookstore and was very content to read.


Sunday evening we took a walk on Sunset beach. It was a beautiful sight.



Monday morning we went on a hike to Waimea Falls. The park was closed, but we had met some locals and they told us to just walk up anyway and pay on our way out. Good plan, but we got busted and they park lady wasn't very happy with us. It was a beautiful park though and there weren't many people there. Only us and a couple of other "locals."



Helicopter Tour Monday December 10
On Monday we also went for a helicopter ride of the Island. It was awesome, although it took a while for my heart to stop racing. We were at least able to see Pearl Harbor from the sky because I hadn't looked into seeing what time they closed and when we got there Tuesday they were closing and so we didn't really get to tour Pearl Harbor.




The falls is over 1000 foot drop. A few years back 7 hikers were killed trying to hike to it. The falls is closed and you can only see it from the helicopter. Rich and I both had the thought that before they closed it -- this would have been a great Gutzman adventure





Dolphin Swim -- Sea Life Park





One of the highlights of the week was the Royal Dolphin Swim. It was at a Sea Park. We have a video of it and sometime if you are interested you will be able to see the Dolphins pull us and give us what is known as a foot push. It was amazing. Thanks to Trent and Jen Eckmen who took some pictures of us, we have a couple of shots of us in the pool with the Dolphins. Grandkids - get ready -- because Grandma thought this was so much fun that everyone should have a chance.

Philosophical Observations: It is amazing what you can grow when there is plenty of water. The shades of green are innumerable. The flowers are plentiful. The colors are brilliant everywhere - flowers, birds, fish.... This reminded me that we really do live in a desert.
The Hawaiin people are always saying Mahalo which means thank you. Are we too busy to thank people? When you are in a group it is expected that when someone says Aloha that you respond back with that greeting. Are we too busy to greet our neighbor?
The north shore is very country, the top speed limit is 45 mph (and yes Rich did go the speed limit) and you don't pass. People are very friendly, even to the tourists. The Polynesians seem to be gentle giants, ever ready with a beautiful smile and a warm handshake. The locals take your orders on paper, you wait in line and aren't wondering why they won't hurry(even if you do wonder -- it won't help)

The church is still a 3 hour block and they start on time even at 8:00 a.m. Brown skin, white skin, long hair, no hair, old, and young all come to worship and be grateful for our Savior and for this time of year when we get to celebrate his birthday and hopefully be a little kinder, a little gentler, and little more like HIM. Mahalo

Going White

Everybody talks about going "green" these days. In an effort to be PC, Rich and I are doing our part to be kind to the environment. We will no longer shovel the snow on our driveway. We want nature to do her part. We will shovel the sidewalk because if you should come visit us before Mother Nature does her part we don't want you to get hurt.



I didn't get these pictures taken before someone had walked on our lawn, but these are the views out of my new office location. I love looking out and seeing the mountains. I am extremely grateful for the snow.

I spent a couple of hours today at the dinosaur museum with James, Sam, Luke and their cousins Steven and Andrew. I don't think we learned much, but we made some awesome dams, castles, pools, and lakes in the play area. We missed you Mike L., I don't have much of an imagination, but the boys seemed to do pretty well on their own. We uncovered bones and had dinosaur bites for dinner. (For all those that wonder -- NO I didn't do it alone, I took along Felicia Jones to help me - she was awesome and then there were enough hands and laps to go around for the little guys)