The Sublime Roundabout

Another classic! Come on - sing it with me! "Wit' a little bit o' bloomin' luck!"

Ammon and I sing this in the car at the top of our lungs... A CLASSIC!!! PS - Don't call me "Freddy" or you DIE!!! LOL!!! Freddy: When she mentioned how her aunt bit off the spoon, She completely done me in. And my heart went on a journey to the moon, When she told about her father and the gin. And I never saw a more enchanting farce Than that moment when she shouted "move your bloomin' ".... I have often walked down this street before; But the pavement always stayed beneath my feet before. All at once am I Several stories high. Knowing I'm on the street where you live. Are there lilac trees in the heart of town? Can you hear a lark in any other part of town? Does enchantment pour Out of ev'ry door? No, it's just on the street where you live! And oh! The towering feeling Just to know somehow you are near. The overpowering feeling That any second you may suddenly appear! People stop and stare. They don't bother me. For there's no where els

God Speed, Brudda... This song brings tears to my eyes. Brah. You got a great set of pipes. Thank you for sharing your gift with us. Kaleohano, 'o Kaleohano kou inoa Kaleohano (a name meaning:The Voice (of) Authority and Respect), Kaleohano (is) your name Ku'u home, ku'u home, ku'u home 'o Keaukaha* My (in a form expressing affection) home, my home, my home, Keaukaha Kaulana 'o Keaukaha Famous (is) Keaukaha (E hana hou I ka paukû mua loa ) (Repeat first verse) [ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/i/israel_kamakawiwoole/kaleohano.html ] Kaleohano, 'o Kaleohano kou inoa Kaleohano, Kaleohano (is) your name Ku'u 'âina, ku'u kulâiwi, a huli I ke kai My land, my native land, and dashing and receding (is) the sea Kaulana 'o Keaukaha. Famous (is) Keaukaha. Aloha au Iâ Mauna Kea, I ke anu o ke ahiahi Love I Mauna Kea (meaning, White Mountain, referring to mountain on the island of Hawai'I), in the cold of the evening. Ho'olono, ho&#

Oi lienda Bella che fa? Bonita, bonita que tal? But belle Je ne comprend pas francais So you'll have to speak to me Some other way There is no combination of words I could put on the postcard And no song that I could sing, but I can try because this is your heart and this is Our dreams and they are made out of real things Like a shoebox of photographs with sepia-toned loving Love is the answer at least for most of the questions in my heart, like Why are we here? And where do we go? And how come it's so hard? It's not always easy and sometimes life can be deceiving I'll tell you one thing, it's always better when we're together Mmm, always better when we're together Yeh, we'll look at the stars when we're together Well it's always better when we're together Yeah, it's always better when we're together All of these moments just might find their way into my dreams tonight But I know that they'll be gone when the morning light sings O

So today was ward conference. It was surprisingly good. All of the talks were right on - not too long winded or anything... Ha! That coming from the king of long wind... In second hour I have been attending our ward's gospel essentials class. It is really good. Since most of our class is quite knowledgeable in gospel topics, we have the luxury of going quite deep with some of the discussions. I am convinced that this is more palatable than the pabulum they could be getting... Today President Howard led the discussion. He started out talking about what is real. A good question! Is reality based on what we can perceive, can measure, even describe accurately? Can one accurately describe the taste of salt? The short answer is no. There are experiences we have that are sublime and beautiful if impossible to describe. Our inability to express what is in our heart does not make it any less real. I would submit that it makes it MORE real. Our eyes and senses can be deceived, while experien

With everything ahead of us We left everything behind But nothing that we needed At least not at this time And now the feeling that I'm feeling Well it's feeling like my life is finally mine With nothing to go back to we just continue to drive Without you I was broken But I'd rather be broke down with you by my side I didn't know what I was looking for So I didn't know what I'd find I didn't know what I was missing I guess you've been just a little too kind And if I find just what I need I'll put a little peace in my mind Maybe you've been looking too Or maybe you don't even need to try Without you I was broken But I'd rather be broke down with you by my side With everything in the past Fading faster and faster until it was gone Found out I was losing so much more than I knew all along Because everything I've been working for Was only worth nickels and dimes But if I had a minute for every hour that I've wasted I'd be rich in

This one makes me laugh... always has!!

Life is interesting , Sam Donaldson thought. He had brought back those tiny bits of metal to the Sheriff's office. The FBI agents he'd brought with him from Las Vegas had been generously provided with ample space to set up shop, and they put it to good use. The Sheriff also made available to Sam the resources of the Sheriff's department. This made sense to Sam - the Sheriff cared for his men and would want anything and everything possible brought to bear that could help find out where he'd been and what had happened to him. The disappearance of Deputy Jake Trotter had cast a pallor around everything and everyone at the Sheriff's office. These people were barely holding it together. When he'd pulled out the baggie, he'd originally wanted to keep his find to himself and his agents. He wasn't even sure what he'd found. But at that exact second, however, Deborah - the matronly lady from dispatch - happened to come in with a plate of cookies. Her eyes got

1 John 5:13-15 13) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 14) And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us; 15) And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. Doctrine and Covenants 121:45-46 45) Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence was strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. 46) The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever. This idea

Not Smokey Robinson... But the English Beat ROCKS!!! Now if there's a smile on my face, it's only there tryin' to fool the public, but when it comes down to foolin' you; Now honey, that's quite a different subject. But don't let my glad expression give you the wrong impression. Really I'm sad. I'm sadder than sad. You're gone and I'm hurtin' so bad. Like a clown I pretend to be glad. (chorus) Now there's some sad things known to man, but ain't too much sadder than the tears of a clown when there's no one around. Now if I appear to be carefree, it's only to camouflage my sadness. In order to keep my pride I try to cover the hurt with a show of gladness. But don't let my show convince you that I've been happy since you decided to go. Oh, I need you so. I'm hurt and I want you to know. (chorus) Just like Pagliacci did, I try to keep my sadness hid. Hiding in my room I try But in my lonely room I cry the tears of a clo

I am the big brother... This was either 1983 or 1984... I like '84 better because of the big brother reference... :-) It couldn't have been much after that, though. Lindsey - the baby in my arms - couldn't have been much more than two... Not sure what Andy's looking at... and Shellie's sure cheesing it up... LOL!!! I'm not sure what I was thinking, but I'm not looking really happy to be there... Maybe I was jealous of Josh's shirt... HA!!!

‎"Being persuasive is hard because it demands you consider, even for only a moment, for purposes of argument that you might be wrong…To really hear opposing points of view, you must make yourself open to them. There is a catch here. Sometimes you might find that after really hearing an opposing viewpoint, you can’t refute it. Then you... must do the unthinkable: Change your own mind. " - Mark Bowden

I was dreaming. It was one of those dreams that is so very real, yet too perfect to be real. One of those dreams where you do not want to wake up because it is so sweet, so wonderful. It was just Janice and me. We were walking on a beach in a place I'd never been before, but a place that felt like home. The sound of the water gently washing up onto the sand filled my soul with incredible peace, even in my sleep. It was that sugar-white sand that blazes too bright to look at. It contrasted wonderfully with the deep, green jungle at the edge, and the blue of the sky and the sea. We walked at the point where the water and the sand met, our feet pushing into the sand and making footprints. Looking back at our tracks, I marveled again at her smallness, her steps taking at least two to match one of my strides, her feet so delicate and tiny next to mine. I looked at her. Each time I looked at her it was like the very first time. Even in my dreams, her incredible beauty and energy and ligh

I love this movie! So good... so me - the way I get into books...

Here's the pic I noted was sent last night. I assumed it's her left hand because the ring finger appears to be the second over from the left... I guess it could be her right hand, but then her ring finger would have her class ring (from BYU, cough-cough) on it... I think the thing on her pinkie is one of those oxygen detector things... My sister has great hands. Like my mother's. She's very talented - her hands can play so many different instruments and have led people while she conducts music. I've seen her hands lovingly caress her children and her husband. I've seen her hands work. I've seen her hands do so much... It's painful to see them like this. It really breaks my heart.

Another from the Beatles... Lyrics - Who knows how long I've loved you You know I love you still Will I wait a lonely lifetime If you want me to, I will. For if I ever saw you I didn't catch your name But it never really mattered I will always feel the same. Love you forever and forever Love you with all my heart Love you whenever we're together Love you when we're apart. And when at last I find you Your song will fill the air Sing it loud so I can hear you Make it easy to be near you For the things you do endear you to me Oh, you know, I will I will.

I'm afraid that if you don't like the Beatles I don't like you very much... Lyrics - She was a working girl North of England way Now she's in the big time In the USA And if she could only hear me this is what I'd say Honey pie, you are making me crazy I'm in love, but I'm lazy So won't you please home Oh, Honey Pie My position is tragic Come and show me the magic of your Hollywood song You became a legend of the silver screen And now the though of meeting you makes me weak in the knee Oh, honey pie You are driving me frantic Sail across the Atlantic To be where you belong Honey pie, come back to me Will the wind that blew her boat across the sea kindly send her sailing back to me T. T. Tee, Now honey pie You are making me crazy I'm in love but I'm lazy Son won't you please come home Honey pie, come back to me Come, come back to me, Honey pie ha, ha, ha Honey pie, honey pie

It's really true - A woman is a creature that has always been strange... ;-) Lyrics - I got a gal that's always late Every time we have a date But I love her Yes I love her I'm gonna walk right up to her gate And see if I can get it straight Cause I want her I'm gonna ask her Is you is or is you ain't my baby? The way you're actin' lately makes me doubt Yous is still my baby-baby Seems my flame in your heart's done gone out A woman is a creature that has always been strange Just when you're sure of one You find she's gone and made a change Is you is or is you ain't my baby Maybe baby's found somebody new Or is my baby still my baby true? Is you is or is you ain't my baby? The way you're actin' lately makes me doubt Yous is still my baby-baby Seems my flame in your heart's done gone out A woman is a creature that has always been strange Just when you're sure of one You find she's gone and made a change Is you is or

Scott Joplin was born in east Texas near Texarkana in 1868. He was one of the first generation of post-slavery African Americans who found themselves in a world where things were changing. Mostly these changes were good, but some of them were difficult, remnants of old hostilities left over from a brutal and prolonged conflict and the perceived wrongs stemming from the War of Northern Aggression. Joplin grew to find a talent in the piano, and his creative mixture of different kinds of musical styles he was exposed to - from gospel to classical to brothel jig music - enabled him to generate and pioneer a new type of music, called rag or ragtime. The term stems from the ragged syncopation associated - even still - with this style of music. Ragtime music evolved into the blues, jazz, and even rock and roll. All of these musical styles stem back to one source - Scott Joplin. While he was not working in a vacuum, and others influenced him as he influenced them, his music was the standard. O

My sister is back in the ER this morning. I got a text late last night from my sister Shellie (thanks, Shellie!) saying that she was in the ER and getting some help. They were able to find a vein in her left ring finger. Finding a vein that they can use on my poor sister's battered body is a difficult proposition at best, so the fact that they could find one they could use so easily and get it in on the first try is a small miracle. And she'll take all the miracles she can get at this point... I am often struck by the inequities in life. Some of us bring on our own consequences of our actions, while others of us are forced to endure things that are incomprehensible and so very unfair. We have the best of intentions, but things often go awry. I am not sure why that is, but it can be frustrating and disheartening. Perhaps in all of our feeling picked on and lonely and hurt, we should remember the One who went through all of this, through no fault of His own, and took it upon Hims

Another great hair band from the 80s... This album actually came out in 1992 - the year I graduated from high school... yep. I'm officially an old man... :-)

One of the better 80s hair bands... This is one that I sang to myself on the plane home from boot camp. I also used it for an architecture class power point presentation. Good stuff, Maynard. Lyrics - You know I'm a dreamer But my heart's of gold I had to run away high so I wouldn't come home low Just when the things weren't right doesn't mean they were always wrong Just take this song And you'll never feel Left all alone Take me to your heart Feel me in your bones Just one more night And I'm comin' off this LONG and winding road I'm on my way I'm on my way Home sweet home Tonight, tonight I'm on my way I'm on my way Home sweet home You know that I've seen Too many romantic dreams Up in lights Falling off the silver screen My heart's like an open book For the whole world to read Sometimes nothing-- Keeps me together at the seams I'm on my way I'm on my way Home sweet home tonight, tonight I'm on my way Just set me fre

Just in case you missed the early 90s musical reference: Lyrics - Well, you can stake that claim Good work is the key to good fortune Winners take that praise Losers seldom take that blame If they don't take that game And sometimes the winner takes nothing We draw our own designs But fortune has to make that frame We go out in the world and take our chances Fate is just the weight of circumstances That's the way that lady luck dances Roll the bones Why are we here? Because we're here Roll the bones Why does it happen? Because it happens Roll the bones Faith is cold as ice Why are little ones born only to suffer For the want of immunity Or a bowl of rice? Well, who would hold a price On the heads of the innocent children If there's some immortal power To control the dice? We come into the world and take our chances Fate is just the weight of circumstances That's the way that lady luck dances Roll the bones Jack...relax Get busy with the facts No zodiacs or almanacs N

Got questions? Like, just what is six times nine? What is the Ultimate Answer to Ultimate Question of Life? Why does it happen? (Thanks, Rush - the BAND Rush, not Mr. Limbaugh)... This little gem will answer all of those things.

I don't know why I do this to you - inflict my picture on you. I don't know if anyone will ever even see this anyway. Ah, well. Here you go!

I am at home today. There's work to be done here and I'm the man for the job. I wonder why it is that whenever my wife gets an idea for a project it translates to more work for me... HA! Yesterday was an interesting day. Sundays are usually days of rest and peace, but yesterday was particularly good. I struggle a lot. But I am starting to realize that my struggling is not in vain, nor do I struggle alone. I am grateful for the love and support of the few who know and really understand me and my heart. Because I am not a struggler, even though I may struggle. Does that make sense? I am not defined by the struggle. I am a son of God, and I am on the path that will lead me to Him. I do not understand why life has to be the way it is. I don't understand why I feel so weak and helpless... But I know that God loves me. That may be all I need to understand, after all. So struggle I shall, until I overcome. The last enemy that shall be overcome is death - spiritual and physical. It

Deborah hated some parts of her job. Since moving to Panguitch from Cedar City more than thirty years ago, Deborah had worked at the Garfield County Sheriff's Department. It was a small department that had a large area to cover. None of the small towns in the County could maintain their own police force, so the County received a small amount of money from each of them to provide services. It created a big burden - there was over 5,000 square miles of land to cover, and the population was small but scattered. The biggest problem the department usually faced was with illegal marijuana plantations located deep in the mountains. There was a big effort to eradicate these operations, but they were difficult to find and not very lucrative to pursue. There were times like this, though, which hurt a lot. Because the department was so small, it was like a family, each member of the staff feeling like they were an intimate member of the team and very close in heart to those they worked with.

I lay next to her in bed, our legs intertwined, her delicate head resting on my chest. We were always close, physically. We loved the touch of each other's skin and both of us could not sleep without some kind of physical contact - a hand, a leg, a foot, an arm... It served to enhance the tie that we felt for each other, comforting, warm, and peaceful. When I had to go out of town on business trips I missed her terribly. My heart literally ached, full of the sweet longing for her and her closeness. So here she was, and all was right with the world. For the moment. "Will you please, please tell me what's going on, Janice?" I pleaded. She'd been evasive for the past couple of days, saying she didn't understand everything herself. She'd spent a lot of time with Rick, talking and discovering for herself what was going on. Our quarters had been changed. We were now in a suite of rooms, with our own bathroom and even a small kitchen. The children were in their o

Thompson Twins... Yeah... I have a picture,pinned to my wall. An image of you and of me and we're laughing and loving it all. Look at our life now, tattered and torn. We fuss and we fight and delight in the tears that we cry until dawn Hold me now, warm my heart stay with me, let loving start (let loving start) You say I'm a dreamer, we're two of a kind Both of us searching for some perfrct world we know we'll never find So perhaps I should leave here, yeah yeah go far away But you know that there's no where that I'd rather be than with you here today [Chorus] You ask if I love you, well what can I say? You know that I do and if this is just one of those games that we play So I'll sing you a new song, please don't cry anymore and then I'll ask your forgiveness, though I don't know just what I'm asking it for [Chorus]

I really like Austin. Like many college towns, there is a vibrancy here that is very appealing. The suffusion of fresh, young minds every fall is so healthy, so invigorating for a city. It is not just the money they bring, it is more importantly the youth. It is fun to see all of these young people laughing, playing, and enjoying life. It makes me feel as though I were one of them. It's been a long while since I was... Tonight we went to eat at Texas Roadhouse. It was pretty good, but there was just so much food! I couldn't even finish all of what I ordered... The rolls and cinnamon butter were so tasty - I totally loaded up on that before the meal even arrived. Still, the company was awesome - Bryan, the City Administrator, and Virgil, the Police Chief, kept things interesting. They are really good guys and a lot of fun to spend time with. After dinner, the Chief wanted some ice cream. How he had room after eating his steak and baked potato I will never know. But since he was

Today I'm headed to Austin. I will stay the night at the Holiday Inn - Town Lake. I've not stayed there before but I've had pretty good success with Holiday Inn in the past. So here's hoping! I'm not a big fan of hotels. I don't like the way they smell - like stale coffee and sweat and travelling people. I don't like the beds - from the funky way they make the bed (I ALWAYS pull the sheets out from being tucked in, usually before I even get in!) to the idea that I've shared this bed with who knows whom... I don't like the noise and the extraneous lights that come in. And I really don't like sleeping in a strange place. It takes me usually three days before I can get settled in, and this one will just be the one night (tonight)... But my least favorite is sleeping alone. When we finally got Elise to sleep last night, Youngshin commented that she (Elise) sleeps better when she's with/near someone. That's the way I am, too. I don't like

Scott Moore is married to my cousin Celeste, both of whom are of the finest people I know. They are yoga instructors, practitioners, and believers. I miss these people. I miss being able to go and hug someone who really, really loves me and understands me. I miss the joy of shared blood and relation. It's the hardest thing about being so far away from family. I don't have the luxury of going home to mom or sister or brother - even when I would... I also wish that men were allowed the kind of freedom of expression and openness that women are afforded. Ah, well. Perhaps tomorrow... Here's Scottro's love note for today: The root of the practice of yoga is loving awareness. So to that end, and because it's Valentine's Day, I've written a love letter. Here goes . . . I love moving my body. I love a moment of stillness and the chance to draw inward and feel the moment. I love to watch someone else offer a random and selfless act of kindness, to see a person stoop

Asleep (Keats) Asleep! O sleep a little while, white pearl! And let me kneel, and let me pray to thee, And let me call Heaven’s blessing on thine eyes, And let me breathe into the happy air, That doth enfold and touch thee all about, Vows of my slavery, my giving up, My sudden adoration, my great love! To Some Ladies (Keats) What though while the wonders of nature exploring, I cannot your light, mazy footsteps attend; Nor listen to accents, that almost adoring, Bless Cynthia’s face, the enthusiast’s friend: Yet over the steep, whence the mountain stream rushes, With you, kindest friends, in idea I rove; Mark the clear tumbling crystal, its passionate gushes, Its spray that the wild flower kindly bedews. Why linger you so, the wild labyrinth strolling? Why breathless, unable your bliss to declare? Ah! you list to the nightingale’s tender condoling, Responsive to sylphs, in the moon beamy air. ’Tis morn, and the flowers with dew are yet drooping, I see you are

I've never seen this movie, either - I understand it's pretty crude. But a buddy of mine and I used to quote this to each other all the time... For some reason I find it very amusing... His Dudeness, or Duder, or El Duderino - if you're not into the whole brevity thing...

I Sing the Body Electric (Walt Whitman) I SING the Body electric; The armies of those I love engirth me, and I engirth them; They will not let me off till I go with them, respond to them, And discorrupt them, and charge them full with the charge of the Soul. Was it doubted that those who corrupt their own bodies conceal themselves; And if those who defile the living are as bad as they who defile the dead? And if the body does not do as much as the Soul? And if the body were not the Soul, what is the Soul? The love of the Body of man or woman balks account—the body itself balks account; That of the male is perfect, and that of the female is perfect. The expression of the face balks account; But the expression of a well-made man appears not only in his face; It is in his limbs and joints also, it is curiously in the joints of his hips and wrists; It is in his walk, the carriage of his neck, the flex of his waist and knees—dress does not hide him; The strong, sweet, supple quality h

There is a traditional Japanese poetry known as haiku. This presents a challenge to western writers who are used to writing in a certain meter and style. Rhyming is usually involved in western poetry as well, although this is becoming less significant. Instead, the haiku focuses solely on form. Western writers attempting this kind of poetry have adopted certain rules. Among the rules generally accepted are the maximum of 17 syllables and three or fewer lines that are arranged in a five-seven-five syllable pattern. The last line usually contains a twist that adds interest and intrigue. Haiku that are ironic, sardonic, and/or humorous are particularly valued. I am not as clever as some folks I've read, but I would like to try my hand. From time to time I will write them as inspiration strikes me. I Sunshine breaks through clouds Raindrops fall from leaves to soil Thirsty for moisture II Warmth from above comes Like the feather of a dove And brings my soul peace III Nothing can dim li

This is another one that I really like. So wistful and full of longing and pain... Our high school did this my junior year. It was a lot of fun, too. We had some really talented folks at our school and it was fun to be with them in something like this...

Ok, so I like musicals... When I was in high school I was in a production of Annie. I had never played the trombone before and was thrown into a world of six flats and five sharps... All within the same song!!! But it was a total blast and we spent many, many hours in the pit getting everything right. We must have done something right because the production that was done in Payson later that next summer asked us to come and play for them. That was my first, and only, paying gig as a trombone player... I still sing this song at the top of my lungs every chance I get. It still cheers me up. This version is particularly beautiful.

Les Miserables is my favorite book outside the scriptures. I wish I could read French so that I could read it as it was originally written. Alas for my own deficiencies... Maybe someday... For those of you who are unfamiliar with the book, it is the story of several characters whose lives touch and are bound to the life Jean Valjean. Jean Valjean is a poor man who is convicted for a crime and ends up serving many years due to that crime and also for attempted escape. As a convict, he is required to show his yellow passport at each city he enters, letting everyone know that he is a convict. He is able, through some pretty dramatic events, to hide the fact that he is a convict in the city of Montreuil sur Mer. In that city he is further able to become quite rich, using industry to bless the entire region. He eventually is elected mayor. Things look pretty good for him. But one day he hears that a man who looks like him will be tried in a distant town for crimes that he, Valjean, committe

The Smiths. So depressing. And yet, not. Good times for a change see, the luck I've had can make a good man turn bad So please please please let me, let me, let me let me get what I want this time Haven't had a dream in a long time see, the life I've had can make a good man bad So for once in my life let me get what I want Lord knows it would be the first time Lord knows it would be the first time

The Smith's. Gotta love them... Oh ... I know I'm unloveable You don't have to tell me I don't have much in my life But take it - it's yours I don't have much in my life But take it - it's yours Oh ... I know I'm unloveable You don't have to tell me Oh, message received Loud and clear Loud and clear I don't have much in my life But take it - it's yours I know I'm unloveable You don't have to tell me For message received Loud and clear Loud and clear Message received I don't have much in my life But take it - it's yours I wear Black on the outside 'Cause Black is how I feel on the inside I wear Black on the outside 'Cause Black is how I feel on the inside And if I seem a little strange Well, that's because I am If I seem a little strange That's because I am But I know that you would like me If only you could see me If only you could meet me Oh ... I don't have much in my life But take it - it's yours I

When Janice was seven, her teacher asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up. This was a normal question, one that every child is asked from time to time. Janice could still remember her response. "I want to be the leader of the world," she'd said. "I want to work to right injustices and inequities throughout the world and make it a better place." Her teacher was impressed that she knew words like "injustices" and "inequities" but did not pursue it, thinking that this was just another manifestation of the intelligence she'd come to expect in her very private student. Janice realized much later that she was just regurgitating the doctrine she'd been taught since she was very small. She'd had that desire burned into her - to fix the world through an appropriate use of power and the careful manipulation of information. This game was taught to her early and she witnessed it being played by the two most masterful people on earth

I stood there gazing into her eyes. I had first seen her eyes across a crowded bistro in San Francisco. She had ventured across the Bay with several of her friends, and was clearly uncomfortable in such a crowded setting. But her eyes were full of light and life, and her smile flashed brightly across the room. My wife had recently passed away; I was not ready for a new relationship. But when I saw her I was intrigued. Standing here like this reminded me of our wedding day those many years ago. We stood on that grassy knoll in the park. There we were, surrounded by just a few of our closest friends and relatives. Then she was dressed in an ivory, antique looking dress of satin and lace that fitted her contours perfectly, elegant, simple, and stunningly beautiful. Her feet were bare but her hands were covered with lacy gloves as she reached up to touch my face when we were told we may kiss as husband and wife. Then, too, I was lost in her eyes - those electric blue eyes that contained th