Wednesday, November 5, 2008

A Day for Gratitude, Pride, and Rejoicing

There is reason to rejoice today, and to feel deeply proud of our country.

Virtually all nations have at least some deep racial or tribal divisions. Many countries include relatively small racial minorities who are despised, oppressed, and devalued. Even in Europe, where we seem to think they are somehow more enlightened than us jingoistic redneck Americans, the racist leanings are much more overtly hostile and frequently and publicly displayed, in ways that in America would result in lawsuits, outrage, and relentless public shaming of the perpetrators.

What makes America such a freakish exception to the history of the world was on display in the electorate last night. I don't know of any other country where such an aforementioned minority has gone in a single generation from the former status to having one of their sons elected to the highest public office in the land.

The peaceful transition of power from one President to the next in this country is a miracle in itself. That Americans have once again put history on its head not only by continuing this rare and precious tradition, but also by electing a member of a racial minority as chief executive, when such an event was considered a complete impossibility even earlier in my own lifetime, shows an amazing and admirable idealism among our citizens. This idealism is one of the chief strengths of this nation, the greatest to ever arise.

Of course I have still some serious misgivings about the ideology and mettle of Barack Obama. No objective reading of his past record, statements, and associations can leave the serious mind completely without worry in that regard. But he will be the President of the United States, and I believe that the solemnity, the magnitude of that office's power may chase away some of the radical silliness he has exhibited in the past.

So congratulations to President-Elect Obama, and my gratitude for John McCain's statesmanlike words in his concession speech. I hope that Obama's expressed commitment to bipartisanship and to being the President of the entire country is sincere and that he finds a path to make it a reality. My hopes and prayers are with our new President to be, his family, and the nation he has been called upon to govern.

So today I thank God once again for the miracle of American representative government, and implore His blessings upon America, our leaders, our citizens, and that He smile on our continued liberty and prosperity.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Some Video Memories

Johnny from his memorable February 2008 performance
art (featuring possibly modern dissonant music):



Somewhat reminiscent of a December 2004 performance
by his big sister:

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

July in Utah

Sandy chillin' with Jeremy
Could be Gollum in the background there...

Emily isn't always amenable
to paparazzi stalking her
with cameras.


Check it out! We've discovered DIRT!

Grandmas can't resist babies.

So happy it's Emily's birthday!

Johnny takes a breather
between watermelon binges.

Meet Percy!


Actually, they look like this
even when you're not
taking their picture.


What is that classy looking gal
doing, hanging around that
NERD? ;)


Happiness is a cool toy with
wheels and having the evening
free at Grandma's house.

Moto Mishap

Joseph trying out a downsize motorcycle
at a friend's house. Looks fun, eh?
No way this will end in the
emergency room. Nope.

An enjoyable little dig on some
public land nearby.

End of lap 1: Everything is fine.

End of lap 2: Everything is fine,
except for a bit of a scrape on the knee.
Something about trying to do a u-turn in
some gravel down the road.

Ouch! Looks like it might need
some dermabond.

Or, possibly, a stitch or two.

...or 6.

Evel Knievel here was profoundly traumatized.

Vernal, 2008

The new museum of natural history
fieldhouse in Vernal is pretty cool. Lots
of stuff for the kids to try out hands-on.

Johnathan wasn't thrilled with the huge
mammoth staring down at him. And
he didn't think it was much of a
Kodak moment, either. I told him
I only shoot using Canon hardware
but he wasn't having it.


My kids never misbehave. They certainly wouldn't
be caught with their finger up their noses when
a picture's being taken. Hmph.


The Fairbankses! We laughed, we cried, we caught
a lot of fish at Steinaker, and a good time was
had by all.


Ashley Creek

There's a road that comes off of Taylor Mtn
Road, then there's a trailhead, poorly marked.
Then a long hike (with "little feet" in tow
about 2hrs down, closer to 3hrs up).
Some of the most beautiful scenery
in the world.





The stryations on this tree don't look like any
man-made tools. There is evidence of beaver
dams nearby in the creek.

A stitch of the panoramic view seen
during the hike down.

Hiking the Loop

It's an annual tradition that helps us keep track of
how progressively out of shape we are.
(All of us except grandma, but she can tell you all about that.)








Wardle Reunion 2008




I think Johnny put about 10k miles on
this dump truck during the trip.

Merlin (yes, the one from the 70's) is the
most advanced electronic entertainment
we allowed on the trip. :)

No matter how hectic your toy truck playing becomes,
never forget to stop and pick the dandelions.

Shangrila, courtesy of Cabela's and Sam's Club. And others.

If you watch this subversive long enough,
you might get the idea he's got a thing
for baseball.

The outdoor shower has gotten progressively less
craptacular over the years.

Patty!!!!

I don't know these ruffians. Yes, I'm sticking with that story.

Grandpa watching the grandkids speeding by.

A new look for Emily. It didn't last long.

Meagan trying her best to pout for the camera.

These slackers refused to clean the fish.

Johnny finds a use for the screen enclosure around the
trailer awning.

Emily figuring out which way is up.

Meagan performs for the reunion amateur hour--
ouch! I mean, um, talent show.