Sophie's Story

           The past few years it seems like we get a lot of rain in the spring. I've never checked to see if my feelings match reality. I've taken to calling it monsoon season. Last year, there was so much rain that our sump pump was working constantly to keep the water from our basement. I gained a new appreciation for sump pumps.          We got our garden planted before the rains started. I was happy that I didn't have to water the carrot and wildflower seeds we planted. I got concerned as it seemed there were no days without rain. I hoped that my seeds would take root and would not be washed away or rot.          Tuesday there was no rain in the forecast so we loaded up and went to our favourite trail for a ride. It felt good to stretch our legs and get some extended time outside. The river was high but not overflowing the banks. Once the weather gets warmer it will be a fun place for people to tube. ...

           In January 2009, Jeffrey R. Holland, member of the Quorum of the Twelve of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and for president of Brigham Young University returned to that campus to speak at a devotional. The title of the speech he gave is 'Remember Lot's Wife'. As it was the beginning of a new year, Elder Holland spoke on faith and the future.           One of the things he talked about was wanting to live in the past. The "good old days" when life was better and everything was easier. Having a "I wish I were eighteen again" attitude.  Nothing in the future could be as good as the past. He claimed that this demonstrated a lack of faith in the future.          Then he brought up the tendency to remember past mistakes, our own or someone else's. He referred to it as "the worst kind of wallowing in the past" and said that when someone has repented of their mistakes and is tru...

           Last week C and I did some much needed shopping. The tennis shoes that C wear for pickleball were getting worn out and I needed to replace some clothes that were getting worn out.           The first place we went was the shoe store. While C was talking to the salesman about the right shoes for pickle ball, I looked around. The first thing I looked at was tennis shoes. I was thinking about buying a pair to wear at work. Most of my coworkers wear tennis shoes to work. The shoes that I have are pretty comfortable but I wondered if a good pair of tennis shoes would be more comfortable especially on days when I work long shifts. An employee approached me while I was looking. I hadn't planned on trying anything on, but figured it couldn't hurt.           A bit of background might be in order here. When I was younger, I wore tennis shoes to work. I had a white pair specially designated for thi...