David's Fat Legs

All our kids were scrawny. When small they were all in the 3rd percentile for their age. Our pediatrician just got used to it, but every once in a while he changed nurses and we had to teach the new one that it was okay, and that our kids were healthy.

David was one of the scrawniest. One summer day, he must have been 5-ish, he came in after playing outside all day. Mildred looked down at his legs, which were pretty much covered with bruises (as little boys can do), and said "David, look at those legs".

He looked down and said "Yeah, they're fat, aren't they" :)

Quarante Litres

When we lived in France the first time (1959-1963) we brought with us a turquoise 1956 Mercury. We took that beast all over Europe with a rack that my dad made piled high with camping equipment.

Since the US military was in just about every country in Europe that wasn't behind the Iron Curtain, a very nice perk was gasoline at US military prices, instead of having to pay the what civilians did.

My dad would buy chits before a trip, each of which was good for 10 liters. They could only be redeemed at gas stations that displayed a US Quartermaster placard, so when it was getting to be about that time we all kept our eyes peeled for one.

Now my dad never really did learn much French. But he did know to say "quarante litres" (40 liters, or about 10 gallons). Then it was (apparently) my job to monitor the transaction.

I remember one time the gas station attendant wasn't paying attention and went past the quarante litres. But with the chits it was all (10 litres) or nothing. So my dad ended up having to pay the difference out of his pocket.

Boy, did I get in trouble!

My ear buds are nice and minty

I got tired of mangling my Apple ear buds but wanted to carry them with me.

I got a can of Altoids Smalls, ate the mints and wiped it out as best I could. The ear buds fit in there very nicely, and the can fits in my pocket.

And they are nice and minty :)

A Big Hand for the Little Lady

If you like smart, funny, touching movies with lots of stars and a surprise ending, this 1966 film is a must.

Starring Henry Fonda, Joanne Woodward, Jason Robards, Paul Ford, Charles Bickford, Burgess Meredith, Kevin McCarthy, etc., this western has a recovering poker addict (Henry Fonda) getting into the yearly "big game" that is normally reserved for a select few in the area.

He gets the poker hand of a lifetime and promptly keels over with a heart attack (don't worry, he survives). In order to save their life savings which are on the table, his wife (Joanne Woodward) must do the thing she hates the most and play out his hand. Unfortunately, she has neither the knowledge to play it nor the money to stay in the game.

The outcome is fun, sly, and for me was not predictable.

I highly recommend this movie, it has been one of my favorites for many years.

QUOTE: (After the poker game is over)
"How many truly exceptional women have you known in your life?"
"Only one"

Marriage

Marriage, even to the best of partners, doesn't make you wise, strong, elegant, efficient, sexy, patient or honest. What it can do is teach you how to love, and maybe how to be loved. It really helps if you bring those other things in with you.

Oops

Our instructor in High Priest Group today told a really funny story. I believe it was a story that came from one of the General Authorities.

There was a woman at the airport waiting for her flight. She was hungry, so purchased a bag of cookies from the convenience store. Of course being inside the airport she had to pay a premium for them.

In the waiting area there was a bank of seats facing another bank of seats with a table between them. There was a man sitting across the table from her.

She took a cookie from the bag which was now on the table. The man also took a cookie. She was miffed but didn't say anything.

She took another cookie and another cookie, and each time she took one the man also took one. She started to get really angry. How dare he!

Finally there was one cookie left in the bag. The man gestured for her to take it, which she did. But by this point she was so angry that she got up and stomped over to wait in line for her flight.

Once aboard the plane and situated in her seat, she opened her purse.

There was her bag of cookies.

King Herod

This is my "palace" (the Primary room) at our ward Christmas party last night. I had a blast; the ward members went from room to room on their "Walk Through Bethlehem". I had a little speech about how wealthy I was because I was greedy. I explained that I had sent the Wise Men to Bethlehem but they never sent me word. Then I gave them a ring pop to remember me by.