Sophie's Story

  In about ten hours 2016 will be over and 2017 will begin. I think we can all agree that it has been a tough year. In my case, it's been a very tough year.   Since many of us feel bruised and battered by the last 12 months, I think it's time we try something different. Something novel. Something almost radical.   Let's be nice to each other. I'm not talking about on the surface politeness, although I would settle for that if it's all I can get. I'm talking about real, genuine old fashioned kindness towards others. Let's try and understand that there are people out there who are scared. They worry about the safety of themselves and their families. They worry that laws that protect our environment from pollution may go unenforced. They worry about discrimination.   Instead of mocking these people, treat them with respect. Show them that you are not one of the ones they need to be afraid of. Don't write them off as left or right wing lunatics. Liste

  Hi This is Scamp. Colby and I are writing the column today.    I was surfing the internet a few weeks ago and found something called a "Sit and Spin". I thought it might have something to do with spinning yarn, so I showed it to Sophie. When she saw it she laughed. It turns out that a Sit and Spin was a popular toy when she was younger. It doesn't have anything to do with yarn. Instead you sit on it and move the handle in the middle and spin around and around.   It made me realize just how strange humans are. Only a human would find spinning around fun.   We've written about this before. I'm still amazed at how you humans like to carry strange shaped water dishes everywhere you go. Not only that, but you humans put some strange things in those dishes. Some of it smells good, but some of it is really weird. Sophie was on the couch drinking some white stuff out of her portable water dish. I sniffed at it and asked her what it was. She told me it was eggnog. I

   Yesterday a man wished my staff and me a Merry Christmas. Then he hung his head a little and apologized for doing so. Earlier in the day he had wished another person Merry Christmas and received in return a short lecture on how he was being offensive and insensitive. I felt bad for him. He was not trying to be either. In fact he was trying to spread a little good will, something in very short supply these days. I cheerfully responded by saying, "Merry Christmas to you too" with a smile.   I'm all for being more sensitive to those of other cultures faiths etc. I think sometimes we take this just a little too far.   For the record, I do wish my customers Happy Holidays. I do this because my customers are a diverse group of people. I have no way of knowing what holiday any given customer may be celebrating at this time of year. It is not because I'm ashamed of being a Christian. I don't believe that by saying "Happy Holidays", I am participating in

   Last Sunday the temperature was not supposed to get above zero. In fact, I think that high was supposed to be -5. This prompted a friend of mine to post on Facebook that she would be wearing pants to church. This resulted in a short Facebook exchange regarding the wearing of pants to church.   A little background is in order here. Female members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints tend to wear dresses or skirts to Sunday meetings. As far as I know there is no specific suggestion or commandment that governs this. The only "rule" for lack of a better term is that women and men are to dress modestly, neatly and be well groomed. Those who will participate in passing the Sacrament are strongly encouraged to wear white shirts and ties.   I was already planning on wearing pants to church. When the temps get below zero, skirts and dresses are simply not practical especially if there is any chance that you might get stuck in your car. I responded that I would a

   A few weeks ago C flew to South Carolina to attend the funeral of his beloved Aunt Midge. It was a time of mixed emotions. It was sad to know that there was only one aunt left alive, but it was a good time to see his cousins. Some of them he hadn't seen in 20-30 years. It was good to get caught up. He also got a chance to drive around the countryside. Winter in South Carolina is much different than it is here. There were leaves on the trees and it was beautiful, more like late October.   The day that he left, C packed his bag and checked out of his hotel. He was planning to go to a regional breakfast place that we like to go to when we are visiting there. There was a line of people waiting to be seated. One of those waiting was a Baptist preacher and his wife. C ,being the friendly guy that he is, started talking to them. They were from the area. They had a good time talking while they waited to be seated.   Eventually the couple's name was called. They ended the convers

     The first winter storm is happening this weekend. It's supposed to snow off and on all weekend. The temperatures are supposed to drop to well below zero. I love these weekends in the winter. It means we have to stay home.    I'm all right with this. I have plans for this weekend. I'm going to bake cookies.    Baking is something I love to do. I don't get to do it as much as I'd like because C and I just don't need the calories. I also work a lot these days.   I am ready to do this. Yesterday, I had the night off so we were able to go grocery shopping. I bought flour, sugar, molasses and peanut butter. I got some Ritz crackers and some chocolate almond bark. I got some chopped dates and also raisins. Even thought I have no plan to make chocolate chip cookies I bought some anyway. They were on sale and who knows, they might be needed.   Now I have to decide what to bake. One thing I always make is chocolate covered peanut butter sandwiches. Those are ma

   The phone call came at supper on Sunday. We had been expecting it for the last few days. C's beloved Aunt Midge had passed away. We knew this was coming as she had gone into hospice right before Thanksgiving. Cancer, liver failure and a fall had finally taken it's toll.   Midge was the youngest of the twelve children in C's father's family. She was tall, red haired and known to be lively and free spirited. During World War II, she was living with her family in San Bernardino, California. While living there she sang with her sisters Donna and Lorraine. They sang in three part harmony on the radio similar to the Mcguire sisters. At some point, their mother decided that it was best for all of them to move back to their home in South Carolina.   Midge was C's favourite aunt. She always dressed well, had a nice car and a nice home. Her daughter, Katie, was C's close friend. They liked to play together. She also had open welcoming arms and food in her fridge. T

  Our last stop when we ran errands today was Target. St. Nicholas Day is coming up and I have a shoe to fill. Normally when I go to Target I know what I'm going to get. I get it and get out. Spending too much time there tends to result in buying things that we don't strictly need.   C went to look at some cards and I headed for the seasonal section. I was hoping to find most of what I wanted there. The challenge is that I have to walk past the sleepwear section in order to get there.   A word of explanation is in order here. Most women have something they like to shop for. It can be shoes, purses, tops, books, jewelry or any one of a number of items. I like to shop for pajamas. Walking past the sleepwear section in any store is a risky proposition because I will always want to see if there are any cute PJs that I can buy.   I have a lot of pajamas. I have winter ones and summer ones. I even have transition pajamas. Those are the ones that you wear when it is too warm for