Murray Family Newsletter Blog

New Addition...

2011-09-25T15:39:00.000-07:00

Hello Murray Family members,

We usually don't write, because there usually isn't anything worth mentioning! That has changed! As many of you know, we spent time getting approved for adoption through LDS family services. After being approved for over a year, and not hearing a single thing from them about a potential placement, we decided to look at other avenues! We got a phone call from Kevin's co worker in March. She said that a mutual friend of hers and Kevin does emergency foster care and had 2 babies that needed to be adopted. Kevin called her to get information about the process of getting approved for state and county adoptions. She said we had to sign up for a mandatory 9 week class at the local JC called "Partnership in Parenting." She said that the next class started in 4 days! We signed up immediately and though Kevin is currently doing school for a Doctorate program, we felt it was important to attend the class! Good thing we did, because the person who heads that class got fired after our class, and now it is not in session until further notice! During that class they focused primarily on behaviors that the kids could have, and how to deal and cope with those behaviors in a therapeutic way, but Kevin and I do that at work every day, and have done that for years, so we took time in the class to fill out all our adoption paperwork. In that class was a "foster parent mentor" to answer any questions that we had about how the system works for foster and adoption in the county. Her name was Natalie, and she was a fountain of information. We befriended her and asked her questions during breaks of all the classes! She gave us her card and said that in our county she is also the president of the Redwood Empire Foster Parents association! We kept it and decided she would be a good contact for us! We ended up having to have an orientation meeting and 3 additional training sessions and several sets of lifescan fingerprints. Finally we met with social workers one for the county and CPS and one for the state adoptions office! In June, Kevin had to contact a CPS worker that he has worked with several times through work. Him and this lady, had a client in common and have worked together several times in the past. He mentioned at the end of the call that we were trying to adopt and to keep us in mind if anything comes up. She seemed excited and said that she works with teenaged pregnant girls who will have to give up thier babies, and said, there was a baby due in July! We were excited about having yet another good contact! In August, we finally we got foster parent licensed! Our state adoptions worker also took a 3 week vacation around that same time and we asked that no one contact us about placements until she returned. The county will sometimes try to place kids who are not available for adoption with couples, because they just need more couples, so we asked that all agencies wait to contact us until our state worker returned. She could turn down the ones that weren't a match for us. Also around that time, we decided to join the Redwood empire Foster parents association and contacted Natalie for the details! We ended up going to an Ice cream social event the next week! We met several amazing foster parents and held lots of babies and got phone numbers from other couples! We figured it would be nice to have babysitting trades with other licensed people and that they could give us advice on how the process works. There are some amazing couples doing wonders for these kids! We also got to see Natalie again, which is always a plus! She is an extraordinary woman! So, we were biding our time waiting for August 24th when our social worker would come home from vacation.

On Tuesday the 23rd, mom and dad left for Utah, and I got a phone call from our state worker saying "we have a baby for you! its a girl! But that is all I know!" Then the next day I was at work, and got a call from our Amy (our worker) She said, "we have a girl and she is 1 month old, but that is all we know!" Later that day, I got another call giving us more information! The baby's mom is 17, and has been a ward of the court since she was 12. She has been in several group homes, but manages to AWOL from them more than she is actually participating in them! As a result, she has only completed her first semester of her Freshman year. She wants to get the baby back, but our worker and her own social worker think it is not even a remote possibility! She gave a name of who she thought the father was. The court ordered DNA testing, and it turns out that he is the father, and now he wants to try and get her, but he is barely 18, doesn't have a job, or a way to get up here to have visits. He met the baby's mom at a group home that they were at together! Anyway, the social workers don't seem to think that there is a good chance that he can hold it together enough to get the courts to agree to let him have her! We ended up doing a lot of praying and thinking and talking about it! We decided we wanted to meet the baby! they made us wait for 5 days to see her after we told them we wanted to proceed! It turns out that the baby was place in the home of Natalie! (the foster parent mentor and president of the redwood empire foster parents association) :P Natalie picked her up at the hospital when she was 2 days old and had her ever since! We ended up driving to Natalie's house and falling in love with this beautiful sweet little girl! We put a transition plan in place! We met her on a Thursday, but were supposed to go visit her at Natalie's house on Friday. Natalie has 2 kids of her own and another foster daughter, so when we got there Friday, she said, if you take the baby out, I can take these other kids to the park. We cant go to the park when I have the baby! So we took her on an outing! We went to Costco, and to moms vacant house, (she needed a diaper change) and then the outlet mall to buy a couple new outfits! We had to take her back to Natalie's that night. On Saturday, Kevin had a 4 hour visit by himself because I had to go to work, but he spent time with her and took her for her first ride on our stroller. He said he walked around the same block over and over, because he was afraid to cross the street with her! :P On Sunday, Natalie and the baby (Peyton) came to our house and we spent time with her. On Monday, she got dropped off in the morning and we spent all day with her and took her home that evening. Same thing on Tuesday. On Wednesday, I got a call from Natalie while I was at work, saying that Peyton was unsettled and having a rough morning and she thought that if I talked to her, it might help her settle. She was crying when I called back. and by the time I was done she was cooing! Natalie brought her to our house that evening. The original plan was to have Peyton move in permanently on Friday, but on Wednesday, Natalie said, "we are just torturing this poor baby. She is ready to transition now! Why don't we plan on tomorrow after work!" Thursday was the longest most unproductive day at work for both of us! It was absolutely brutal! We ended up meeting at our house and driving up to Natalie's to get our baby girl! We named her Peyton Marianna (pronounced Mary Anna after both of my grandmas, but we did the I instead of Y because Kevin's grandmother is Marie. It also covers Lisa, Mom and Kevin's sister!) She has changed everything in our lives, and she is an absolutely joyful and sweet little spirit with spunk! She turned 2 months on September 9th, making her 11 weeks old tomorrow! She is a good night sleeper. She goes down about 10:00 and wakes up between 3:30 and 4 for a bottle, then goes right back to sleep. She then wakes up around 6 or 6:30 and wants to cuddle. Usually I go get her and we snuggle and sleep on the sofa until she totally wakes up. Also, the CPS worker that Kevin works with, who told him of a baby due in July....it was Peyton! There have just been too many small things that have happened and connections made to bring her into our lives for us to doubt that she is really ours! Now its just the waiting game. The mom has her 6 month court in February where they can either sever her rights as a parent or give her a 6 month extension on getting herself together to try and get Peyton back from us. The father has to hold down a job and talk with a lawyer about getting his status changed from alleged father to presumed father. He says he wants her, but has not taken that first step yet! We are ready for an emotional roller coaster ride, but all the waiting and emotions are worth it when we see our little girl! I will attach some pictures and hopefully Allison can put this up for me with her pictures! We are totally smitten with this sweet little girl! She is an absolute treasure! Please keep us and little Peyton in your prayers and if you go to the Temple add our little family, especially Peyton, that Heavenly Father can have a hand in making sure that she ends up where she is supposed to. Thanks so much for all the love support and prayers in our behalf! We really appreciate it and love that she is part of this great and wonderful extended family! :P

Love Susannah and Kevin

First Time Meeting Peyton

Transitioning

First Week Home

April 23, 2011

2011-05-05T12:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,

Here it is almost May and it is still quite cool. Do we forget or is this Spring similar to the one we had last year? As I listen to the Green House show on KSL it must be about the same. No matter what the weather was or is I see from your news articles life still goes on for you as it does for us.

For us there have been graduations, presentation and operations.

Our Sharon, about two weeks, ago had an operation on her thyroid. The operation, as operations go, went well and she is now on the mend for which we are grateful. Last Friday the 19^th Jason graduated from the Police academy at the point of the mountain. I must admit, he looked sharp in his new uniform. We are now looking forward to Joshua completing his mission next month. It seems in many ways the time has really gone fast. We are also looking forward to the blessings of two grandsons. They are Alexander Murray, Neil J and April’s son and Benjamin Frampton, Brandon and Anna’s son. So Zion is growing.

Reed and Natalie were here today and Reed planted me a tomato plant. He said we are going to take a chance. He said just think if it makes it you will have tomatoes before anyone else. To which I said okay let see what happens.

I hope this letter finds everyone doing well

Love, Uncle Neil

Sharon, Charlene and Deward fawns July 4, 1960

June George Ella about 1944

Darrell’s pet Badger

From Anna and Wilmer Murray’s Journal April 18, 2011

2011-05-05T12:36:00.002-07:00

Monday, April 7, 1980
Lester came for us at nine o clock. We went for Ruth and were soon on our way to Vernal. I was awake at 4:00 A.M. so I was sleepy but made it fine. We saw Uncle Wills’ family. Thora, Anna, Phillip, Ward and his wife and three of Thora’s Children. We saw Eva at the chapel after we went to the viewing. She looks good. Has lost a lot of weight. Didn’t see Lee.
Lester dropped us off here at home then went on. We tried to get him to stop at Vernal or Roosevelt to eat but he thought he had better go home so he could stay on his diet.
After dinner I went to survey again.

Tuesday, April, 980
Spent the day surveying, people are nice to me. I am finding a lot of strangers but also renewing friendships. Five hours today.

Wednesday April 9, 1980
Iri’s birthday, he would have been 80. I worked on census until time to go to the Doctor. Dad’s blood pressure is still too high. Dr. White gave him some pills to try and said to come back in a couple of weeks. I’m concerned about Dad, he is too tired. I surveyed until 6:15 then worked here at home from 8:30 to 10:30. Six and one half hours.

Uncle Tom, Aunt Han and Grandfather James B Murray

Larry, Perry, Aunt Margaret, Leslie, Lester and Kent Maxfield

Story Time

2011-05-05T12:36:00.001-07:00

No Empty Yesterdays (Life in the 1930s)

This last Tuesday, April 19, 2011 while riding with Brian, Sharon and Marie to attend Jason’s graduation exercise where he and several others were certified as Police officers for the correction facility at the point of the mountain, Marie asked me if I had ever been to Marion’s in Roosevelt. It seems that one of her friends is an Eldridge who still have relatives in the Basin. This friend must have been telling her about some of their experiences in the Basin of which included visits to Marion’s. I told Marie that yes I was familiar with Marion’s and then I felt bad that, as a grandparent and on our many trips to the Basin, I had never taken her to Marion’s. It was then that Sharon told about her grandfather Murray taking her and Reed to Marion’s. As she told about her visit there I could remember Reed telling about, I guess, this same visit. At least it was his first time there. I guess at this time they must have ordered a malt. According to Reed they placed this large glass in front of him and filled it to the top from the stainless steel mixing container and set the container on the counter. Reed said he thought he did pretty good being able to drink all of the malt in the glass, then just as he was finishing, the person waiting on them took the stainless steel container and filled his glass up again. Of course grandfather was watching and I’m sure was observing the expressions on Reed’s and Sharon’s faces as their glasses were filled again. Sharon said Grandfather sure laughed. Me, knowing my dad can just hear him and yes see him.

This, of course, brought memory of me experiencing my first banana split. This event, however, did not involve Marion’s, I don’t think Marion’s even existed then but it did take place in Roosevelt at the Huish Drug Store. At that time the Huish Drug store also had a fountain where they sold sandwiches and ice cream treats. Now to set the stage I must tell you that money for our family and a lot of the other families in the Basin was not all that plentiful so looking back on the event LaVora and I, especially LaVora, realized that it was a sacrifice on our folks part to provide this special experience for their children. Myself I could not have been more that five or six years old and that would make LaVora eight or nine. Anyhow Mother and Dad took us two kids into the Huish Drug store and ordered each of us a banana split and left us there alone. Now the banana splits they built in those days were huge and of course had all the toppings and then some that one would see today. Now, I must say, to me, that dish of bananas, ice cream and all the other things placed on it must have looked like a “Kitchen Sink” like they serve at Trolly Square. As I recall LaVora finished her banana split and ended up finishing mine as well.
The rest of the story: LaVora felt that the reason mother and Dad did not stay with us was because they could only afford to buy a treat for their children. Therefore they waited in the car while allowing us to have this unforgettable experience. Interesting the sacrifice a parent will make for a child.
I’m glad that Dad and Mother in later years could provide this same experience for their grandchildren and afford to be present and share the experience.

A Typical Soda Fountain in the 30s This picture, in a way, resembles the interior of the Huish Drug Store. The main difference being that the Huish Store was smaller and I don’t ever remember the Huish being that busy.

From Anna and Wilmer Murray’s Journal April 2011

2011-04-05T07:46:00.000-07:00

Saturday, April 5,1980

I Called Linda Jackson. She said I could get her at 8:00. So I’ll have to get on the ball. When I got back from Lindas we watched conference and I made a batch of bread and ground some flour. Ruth called and said to come over to see President Kimball’s birthday party that was to be rebroadcast at 1:00 o’clock. I went out to tell Dad and forgot to turn the mill off. We took our bread and went to Ruth’s before I thought of the mill. We rushed back to turn it off. I was afraid it would be ruined but it is okay. I threw away the top part off the flour so we would not get any stone. We went back and watched the program, it was great. Ruth baked the bread. We stayed and watched the rest of conference and enjoyed it.
President Tanner had a hard time talking. He had to have some other brother finish his talk. It was very good. He did better conducting the afternoon session. Darrell called. Wanda Larsen called to tell us Harold Ashby passed away and Lila is in the Hospital in Salt Lake.

Sunday. April 6, 1980

Dewey called this morning. We watched conference. It was something outstanding and wonderful to hear the speakers in the Tabernacle then be switched to New York to hear President Kimball speak in the Peter Whitmer home where the Church was organized 150 years ago today, with President Joseph Smith standing in the same place as President Kimball is standing today. Then President Kimball dedicated the home that had been restored for this occasion. We are ever grateful to have such a wonderful experience in our lifetime. Our hearts were touched and it was hard to keep back the tears. Dad was as emotional as I was. We are grateful that we are privileged to live on the earth to witness the great things that have come about in our life time.
President Kimball left Saturday after being at conference in Salt Lake and speaking in the Tabernacle and then flew by jet to New York. We are proud and happy to be members of such a great church and thank our Heavenly Father for the wonderful blessings we receive each day, and each other.
After the first session of conference we went to John and Bonnie Urisks for Barbeque dinner. We took a raspberry and pineapple Jello salad. It was so cold we had to eat in the house. It was crowded but nice. We had a good time. Came home in time for the last session of conference. Thus passed another Easter Sunday.

Life in Myton in the 1930/s

2011-04-05T07:44:00.000-07:00

Once in a while I spend some time thinking about the many things that have taken place in my life time. Time line I think they call it. To day I just happened to be thinking about the automobile. When I came along the car was what one might say well perfected. The days of the Model T which made Henry Ford famous was gone and his Model A was probably the going machine at the time and I must admit it was kind of fun to drive. However today it is not so much the car that I want to talk about but the way they started the engine. You see at first there was no electric starter. The car was started by CRANKING it. There was a small opening, under the radiator, in front of each car where the crank could be inserted. When a person wanted to start a car they would of course get everything set, inside the car, like setting the spark, choke, throttle and by all means have the car in neutral. With all of this done the starter, who was the owner, would go in front of the car insert the crank and with the crank and man power, turn the engine over. I understand that there were a lot of hurt, even broken arms resulting from engines backfiring. That is the cranker would be trying to turn the engine clock wise and all at once the engine would want to go counter clock wise. Anyhow when all went well the engine would start and the cranker would then become the driver as he or she hurried into the car and under the steering wheel to quickly set the choke and throttle so that the engine would continue to run. Now with this bit of background there comes my story.

This particular day I happened to be walking home. I was on the sidewalk and approaching the Blaine residence. Mr. Blaine had his car parked on the sidewalk, where he always parked it, with the front end pointing east which of course was the direction that I was walking so that I was behind the car. It just so happened that Mr. Blaine was in the act of cranking his car. Which of course was no big deal because there was people out cranking their cars all the time that is if they wanted to go someplace or maybe just liked to hear it run. You see at that time the price of gas was about eighteen cents. The thing the turned this event into an adventure was the fact that Mr. Blaine forgot just one little thing. His car transmission was not in neutral. It was in reverse and when he gave the crank a mighty yank the engine came to life and here the car came right toward me. I was so close that I did not have time to react and I just knew that the car was going to hit me. As it turned out for some reason just before the car got to me it turned and went out into the street with Mr. Blaine after it. What was interesting was that Mr. Blaine was a heavy set man but it was plain to see that when he needed to he could run because he was able to catch up to his car jump inside and stop it. Amazing!

Me, I went on home, doing as they say, pondering this event in my mind. I knew that I for sure had a very active GUARDIAN ANGEL.

Letter from Neil

2011-04-05T07:39:00.001-07:00

Dear Family March 31, 2011

Here it is the end of March one forth of 2011 is gone and I’m not sure I have any thing to show for it. But wait that is not true, we have added two great grandsons to the clan. They are Alexander Murray and Benjamin Frampton. There mothers are doing well and so are the boys.

With some warm weather predicted it is time to start thinking about getting out of the house. I did go to the nursery the other day and pick up some seeds and fertilizer. So as soon as the soil dries out enough I will try to get some things planted. I notice that the black currents have already leaved out so I guess the other trees and shrubs will soon follow. I decided to attend the Wards talent night this last Tuesday. It was kind of fun to watch those who were brave enough share their talents. The young people seemed to have fun doing their skits. The Bishop is a Physics Professor at the Y. He did a demonstration with a cone shaped device that created a magnetic field and an aluminum ring. He demonstrated what would happen to the ring at room temperature and then what would happen when the ring was cooled well below 0. At room temperature the ring just went three or so feet in the air where when it was freezing cold the device sent the ring with a bang to the top of the ceiling. It was kind of interesting.

At this time everyone seems to be well and I hope this note finds all of you well

Love,

Neil

Story Time -- Something different - Food

2011-03-06T06:46:00.000-08:00

By Neil R

During the time that I used to visit with my Uncle Lee when he was at the assisted living home in Bountiful I used to take with me the book “To My Children’s Children” and ask Uncle Lee the questions found in this book. I recall one day the questions were about food. When I asked him to tell me about the best meal he ever had he told me this story.

He had been up in the forest, with my mother and Dad, cutting, snaking and loading logs that were needed at the farm. Due to the fact that the length of time they were in the mountains exceeded their food supply they were without food for a day or so. As I recall Lee said Dad had bought a loaf of bread from some other loggers who was in the area. He said this was all the food they had for a day or so. He said the best meal that he ever had was the meal his mother had waiting for them when the got home.
I was just wondering, do you remember a best meal or do you have a favorite food?

Here are some I thought of:
As far as a favorite meal is concerned, it seems that I have had so many that they all kind of run together. Here however are a few of my favorite foods.
1) Grandmother Atta Murray’s carrot pudding.
2) The dry bean soup grandmother Atta Murray used to prepare
3) Mother’s and Ella’s rice and raisin pudding. I guess I remember Mother’s being so good because she was always able to make it with real cream
4) I still remember and like bread pudding.
5) Your cannot beat a good roast and mashed potatoes with lots of gravy.
6) I always liked Mother’s chicken dinners, you know like the one we took with us to Las Vegas
7) I never did like greasy food but I did like Katie’s soup.
8) I always liked “Murray style” milk toast. I must admit I never tried the Winkler or Rogers’ version. I will have to do that the next time I have some home made bread.
9) And Ice cream – The kind we used to make. I think the best part about this was getting the ice and turning the ice cream freezer.
10) The relish mother used to make. Help me find the recipe.
11) Bread and milk with honey.
12) Wilmer Murray style macaroni and cheese
13) Fresh cherries, watermelon, peaches, apricots, peas, corn on the cob, new potatoes and peas and etc.
14) And oh yes Home Made Bread right out of the oven with plenty of butter and honey
Any how I would be interested in your list. I would bet it is similar to mine.

Lavora, Darrell, and ice cream

John Tucker--Trout, etc.

Letter from Neil R

2011-03-06T06:42:00.002-08:00

Dear Family February 22, 2011

Hi everyone, have you noticed? The days are getting longer. But then before you get too excited about spring and warm weather coming I have notice on the news where it is still 11 degrees below 0 in the Basin. I bet those living out there noticed. It brings back memories of the years we lived in Myton. I remember days of 40 below. I thought we had it bad until John Richards, Ella’s brother in law, told of the days he and his family lived in Myton. After listening to some of his experiences I decided that I had it good. When Ella and I was planning marriage her dad took the opportunity to tell her of a night he spent in Myton. I do remember there was a garage in town where they had a big stove that they kept a fire in all night and for a fee you could park your truck in that garage for the night. I guess George with several others had parked their trucks inside with the hopes that they would be better able to start them the next morning. George told Ella the next morning the only trucks that would start were the ones by the stove. They had to pull all of the others to get them started. You know, in the winter time each time I start my car, I think of my dad. He sure would have appreciated the cars of today where you just have to turn the engine over once and it starts. In that day, however, the ice skating was great. As I remember, on the old ox bows, it seemed you could skate for miles.

Since the big snow storm we had the last of December, up until now, it has been dry. The past week or two we have had one storm coming in after another. It looks like there are a few more lined up to come in this week. One good thing about snow storms this time of the year the snow soon melts. I hope this note finds everyone well and looking forward to a kite flying March.

Love,

Neil

It gets cold in the basin

From Anna and Wilmer Murray’s Journal February 2011

2011-03-06T06:42:00.001-08:00

Monday, February 25,1980

A very beautiful day. We were awake at 2:30 A. M. It was hard to go back to sleep but did, partly. Was up at 4:30 just as we wanted to sleep again. I called Fred; he was up, dressed and had his glass of milk. Soon we were on our way. Virginia backed out so we got Fred, Ruth, Leah and Sadie. No one was at the Church so we came back for my shoes. By that time Bernice and the Bishop and Elaine were there. Charlie soon came and we were on our way. The Bishop is a good driver. Not one of us thought to take the address that Lela gave us, so the bishop had to stop at a phone both to know where to go. Boy Heber really has the snow. We met all eight Bingham Boys and their wives also Beatrice’s sisters, Erma and Elva. Beatrice was beautiful in death as she was in life. The funeral was wonderful. LaVor seemed to be taking things well. Sherrie and Carolyn made us all feel special and invited us back to eat with the family. We appreciated this very much. Soon we were on our way home. We arrived home about 4:00 P.M. tired out. Clyde called for Boyd’s phone number, (He) said he was having to sell his cows today and had to invest his money somewhere. We went to bed at 7:00 P. M. Crocheted on Ada’s doll.

Grandma Anna

2011-02-13T20:37:00.001-08:00

Well family, I was just reading Grandma Anna's patriarchal blessing and something really stood out to me that I just want to share--there's a part that mentions that because of her faithfulness, her posterity (me and you) will grow up in the knowledge of the truth as fatted calves in the stall.

I am so grateful for Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa's faithfulness in this gospel--because of them, my grandfather has a strong testimony of the church and raised my father in that knowledge. Now I am the blessed recipient of knowledge and light and truth.

I am so grateful for the example and faith of my grandparents, and I realize the importance of living a faithful, righteous life, so that I can continue this tradition of faith and my posterity will continue to grow in righteousness.

I love you all and am so grateful we are a family forever!

-Natalie

Dear Murray Family

2011-02-07T11:35:00.001-08:00

Dear Murray Family,

I just put Jerry on the Airporter so that he could make his way to the Oakland Airport and then on to Salt Lake where Allison will pick him up and take him to our Provo home. Jerry and another friend, John Torrens, are going back to Salt Lake to visit an old friend, a former skiing buddy, bishop and stake president. His health is going downhill pretty fast, so Jerry and John wanted to get in a good visit with him. Also, Jerry and Neil will be finishing up the details on the sale of the Myton House. A BIG thank you to Neil and to members of his family who have had work parties out to the Myton House several times working on the house and yard. We wouldn't have been able to keep the house for as long as we have, without them.

Jerry and I have completed a month of our Church Service Mission at the CA Santa Rosa Mission Office. This certainly is not an MTC Mission, but we do get to live in our home and serve at the same time. We are a bit overwhelmed right now learning our responsibilities, but hopefully, we will feel comfortable with what we are doing soon. Right now, we are going into the Office 3-4 days a week, which makes for 8-9 hours each day, with commute time added in. We just attended an All-Mission Conference last Monday. Elder Kearon, of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy and Pres. Boyd K. Packer's nephew, member of our Area Presidency, were our speakers. We didn't think we were going to have any "perks" with this mission (other than living in our own home), but this certainly was a very spiritual and inspiring conference and good to gather with all the missionaries in this mission. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen very often.

I hate to boast...but...we have had the most spectacular weather here in Northern CA for about two weeks now. Who needs Hawaii, the Caribbean, Florida or Palm Springs when you can go off to work in the morning without even a sweater or jacket? I am just wondering if this will prolong our winter into spring so that we won't have all the beautiful spring weather we usually get from the middle of February through June. It does make us hang our heads a little when we think of those of you who are suffering through the snow and cold of the Midwest and Utah. It might help you to feel a little better when you think of all that we have to put up with to live here in California like higher prices, lots of liberalism, Nancy Pelosi and Barbara Boxer!

As for our family: Lisa and Bob are all moved into their beautiful new home in Morgan Hill. Well, there may be a room stuffed with boxes of things they don't know where to put or they just haven't gotten around to yet. Lyle has a temporary job that will hopefully turn into a full-time job that hopefully will turn into another full-time job that will fully provide for his family. Our family appreciates all those who have been fasting and praying for Lyle. Susannah and Kevin are STILL patiently waiting for a baby to adopt. Jerry and I know how it feels to have to wait so long when you want a baby so much. Please keep them in your prayers and your eyes and ears open to their cause. Jenn is going to the Caribbean this month and we get to granddog sit Nikki for about ten days. She has started another semester and is taking Physics. Allison is away more than she is home. In March she will come back to California for Austin and Michael's baptisms and then be happily on her way to Ireland with a couple of friends. Pretty soon she will have out-traveled her parents!

We surely love and appreciate all of you! We'd love to hear your family news on this blog. We enjoyed Christmas cards from many of you this year and we are still basking in the "warmth" of our Nauvoo Family Reunion last August. Take care and have a good February!

Love,

Marylyn (and Jerry)

Story Time!

2011-02-03T07:21:00.000-08:00

Story Time -- Mt Logan Survey

By Neil R

One responsibility, as an employee of the Soil Conservation Service, was to assist with the snow surveys during the winter months. At that time we had five sites that we were responsible for. This story only involves one, Mt Logan. On this day the task of doing the survey on Mt Logan fell to me and Jim Carly. Jim was one of our Soil Scientists. Our job, whether we wanted to take it or not, was to make the hike to the top of Mt Logan and do the snow survey at the top. Since this was a walk on snow shoes all the way up you had to leave before the sun came up and you knew that you were not going to be home until after dark in the evening. I had been on this survey a number of times before so I was well acquainted with the hike. Everything went quite normally that morning. Jim and I arrived at the trail head at the determined time and began our assault on the mountain. It was generally a nice day for this type of activity. We got to the summit at about noon. We had been able to cross the slide area with out any problem, ( In time past two of our people had been caught in a snow slide at this location) had eaten our lunch and completed the survey. As a rule, on our return trip, once we left the summit we very seldom followed the trail back down the mountain but rather would take a short cut down the slopes by sliding on the back of our snow shoes. This day as I came to the first slope I paused and surveyed the area below. It was in the spring of the year, about March or even April, and there had been a lot of snow melt take place. This would be the last survey made for this water year. So, there were a lot of rocks sticking out of the snow below. As I looked I had already made up my mind that the slope was to dangerous to slide on. The chance of hitting one of the rocks below was very good. I had decided not to take the short cut and go back down the trail when Jim sat down on the back of his snow shoes and down the slope he went. As I stood there and watched about half of the snow on the slope followed him down. As I watched, Jim missed all of the protruding rocks and after a while came to a stop. It looked like he had came through okay so I found a likely spot and sat on the back of my snow shoes and down the slope I went. What snow had not slid off with him followed me and it seemed no matter how I tried to avoid a big rock below I was destined to hit it. I was going pretty fast and had no control over the direction I was going and yes, I collided with that rock. And, yes, it hurt. As a matter of fact it hurt very badly. I was not too fast getting up and when I did Jim said, “You are bleeding”. Well, here I was up on a mountain, miles from any one, and the only way to go was down. So, down we went. Needless to say we did not slid on our snow shoes anymore that day. ( or ever for that matter) We just walked down those slopes with every step hurting. Jim had a bad knee and by the time we got to the truck we were both hurting. When I got home I had to lay on my stomach and let Ella examined the damage to my sit down. She cleaned it up and put a bandage on it.

The next day when I went to work and Jim and I related our story, Boswell, my supervisor sent me to our government Doctor. I remember when I went in to see him his nurse was there with him. He told me to show him the problem. I said not with her in here. (She was in our Ward) She left the room and I took down my pants. He had me lay on the table and proceeded to take off Ella’s bandage. I guess she had used a lot of tape to make it stick. The doctor wanted to know who fixed it, I told him my wife. Then he wanted to know what she had against me. Yet to face, were the days of sitting or trying to sit while the wound healed and to write the accident report and tell how I hurt my sit down. All this was very interesting indeed.

Letter from Neil R

2011-02-02T17:40:00.000-08:00

Dear Family January 20, 2011

This would be a good time to thank everyone for the cards, letters, e-mails and gifts received from you. Thanks so very much. It is always fun to get those cards and letter that have pictures of your family. What beautiful families. I put them in an album and that way by turning the pages fast I can watch your family grow up in kind of motion picture sort of way. For those of you who would remember the “Big Little Books”, well like flipping the pages of the “Big Little Book” and watching the action figure in the corner of the page.

It seems like January is, in many ways, a slow month because, due to the cold we pretty much stay inside and work at keeping warm. I guess if we were wise like the birds we would go south. I would guess the one thing that would be of interest is the process we are in of selling the property in Myton. I must admit it has been and is a hurtful decision but after weighing all of our alternatives we felt it best to move in this direction. While we will not be getting top dollar for the property we can have some peace of mind knowing that it will be in the hands of a family that loved the Myton homestead almost as much as we do and we can be sure they will care for it as we would have done. After all they are the ones that have been taking care of it for the past fifteen years.

We did consider keeping the property and having the buildings taken down. This would have reduced our expenses but we would have still had the maintenance of the property to take care off and we would probably have still looked to the Dennis to do this work. The other thing we looked at was fixing the house up as near as possible to current codes and then listing it for top dollar and while waiting for it to sell rented the property. Since property in Myton is, at present, taking a lot of time to sell the renting thing would probably go on for some time. From experience I have learned that most renters take but give very little

So looking at all of our options we felt it best, to do like Mr. Cederquest used to say, cut our losses and move on.

And life will go on with lots and lots of grand memories. And so goes the month of January 2011

Love,

Neil

From Anna and Wilmer Murray’s Journal January 2011

2011-02-02T17:39:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, January 9,1980

Finished typing Anna’s history. It doesn’t look much better but will have to do. Picked up Fred to go to town. Dropped off Anna’s history to Shirley Mortensen then went over to renew our certificate at the bank. We added our savings to it making it $1,900.00 and put it on a 2 ½ year with 10.15% interest. There goes our rug or trip to Panama. Anyway Sister Talbot will be down to Panama until after March. Maybe we can go after the baby comes. Charlene called to tell us they have a sweet little boy. She sounded great. (Fred got a nose bleed while we were in Roosevelt)

Thursday, January 10, 1980

We don’t have much snow but we really had wind and it’s like summer. Today is John Tucker’s birthday. I intended on calling but waited too long so just went on working on the Mucukluk. Have John’s finished and will soon have LaVora’s done. Now I must get Charlene’s baby’s quilt done. I decided I better get the clover leaf on and send it to Boise so sister Talbot can take it to them, I will call her tonight. She wasn’t home so will try in the morning. And I forgot, Beverly Urisk called and said she would be at Afton Lewis’ getting her hair done at six.

From Anna and Wilmer Murray’s Journal December 2010

2011-01-10T15:15:00.000-08:00

Monday 22, 1980
Still beautiful weather. I worked on the quilt binding today, got it cut, pressed and sewed on the machine. Darrell called this evening to tell us Mrs. Butcher passed away this morning. It really upset us as we thought she was better. They are having her funeral Wednesday at noon. Maybe we will go back with Neil when he comes tomorrow. We called LaVora, Neil and Dewey to tell them about it.
Tuesday 23, 1980
It is still beautiful weather. I did not get much done on the quilt today. Neil came about one thirty. Then Ross and Velma came. I called to see what Darrell and JoAnn thought about us coming out with Neil. Only Jodi was home. Shortly after, JoAnn called back, she said to stay home and take care of Dad. We felt that they were always here when we need them and when they need us we can’t go. So we have really been mixed up.
We had a good visit with Neil, Ella, Ross and Velma. Ross is a good comforter. Soon Neil and Ella were on their way home. Neil said they would go to the funeral tomorrow. Ross and Velma visited a while longer. We really enjoy them and hated to see them go,
Katherine Abegglen and her blazer boys came caroling and brought us a box of goodies. Ardis Davis brought a plate of goodies too. They visited a while with us and our company. We have good neighbors. John Urisk brought some shale for out yard. They tried to keep it a secret but Dean and Ramona came and Dad asked who was out in the yard. Then we went out. Wade was helping his dad.

The Butchers and Murrays

Santa

Family update--Adventure at Aspen Grove!

2011-01-07T23:00:00.000-08:00

Dear Family December 31, 2010

Here it is the end of December and the end of the year and we are ready to start a New Year so Happy New Year everyone.

I would assume that everyone’s past month has been very similar to mine. We shoveled snow, shopped for Christmas, had Christmas Eve dinner and celebrated Christmas day etc. It is always good to be with family and it is epically nice this time of the year.

We made our usual trip to Aspen Grove. I think all of the family was there except for Van, Marc, Cami, Jordan and Joshua. It seems Marc needed to work and of course Joshua is on his mission. Things went pretty much the same as usual except that we added a slide presentation, Aspen Grove 1984 – 2010, which Reed and his family prepared and showed. Experiencing the presentation was a time when one needed to have tissues handy. Then we took an hour or so to let anyone, who wished, share a few thought with the group. Needless to say that this was another tender time as everyone remembered their grandmother and expressed their appreciation for the Aspen Grove experience.

When we went up the canyon on the 27^th the roads were bare and clear. On the 28^th we had a warm day with the sun shining, which made for an enjoyable day. The morning of the 29^th, however, everything changed as a storm moved in. For a while we were snowed in. This is the first time, on our last day at Aspen Grove that it has been storming like this as were leaving, so this was something new. What an opportunity, just think of the stories we can tell and they, depending on ones imagination, can only get better with age. It was not until in the afternoon, when we were getting down to our last steak and everything that they decided to dig us out. Then we had an interesting trip down the canyon. First I got to close to a snow bank on my right and got stuck. A kind couple, who Reed and Kerry had asked to watch for us stopped and helped. They and my grandsons soon got me going again. Then by cell phones we learned that they wanted us to turn in at Sun Dance so the emergency vehicles following us could pass. This we did and while we were turning around in there my grandsons decided to drive my car out of the canyon. We, however had not gone far until we found our selves behind a long line of cars. Here we leaned that a big tree had fallen across the road and as it went down it took the power lines with it. We were told that it was going to be a couple of hours before they could get the tree moved. So there we set in the snow storm talking to everyone up and down the road as well as our families at home. (Interesting invention, these cell phones.) I’m sure it did not take that long for soon they had the road open and we were able to continue down the canyon. Now, just think, couldn’t one with a little imagination really come up with a good story like: (You know how we were going down the canyon in our covered wagons and the sleet falling was as big as a baseball and the weight of snow on the pine trees was causing them to fall all around us causing our animals to go crazy and then alas one fell across the road in front of us stopping our progress. So now here we are, with our singe blade axes, chopping away at the tree in an effort to move it. I’m afraid we will be here for the night ---“) .Anyhow, a few of us, Brad, Brytni, Bridger, Lincoln, Kevin, Rebecca, Doug and my self, finished of the day with a meal at Chuck A Rama. It was a wonderful day and wonderful adventure and best of all I was with the very best people.

I hope this long note finds everyone well and in good spirit..

Love. Neil

Abby, Marie, Neil, Karly, and Mariel

Story Time -- Things are not always what they seem By Neil R

2011-01-07T22:56:00.001-08:00

In the November story time item I mentioned that during the years I was in elementary school at Myton, as second and sometimes the only source of income, the folks took in borders. At first it was construction workers and then later school teachers. Over time these arrangements led up to some interesting and choice experiences. It seems, at times, we had three or four teachers staying at our house and two or three others that stayed at Zirker’s and had their meals at our house. Over time we became quite attached to most of these people. As a matter of fact they became like family. It seems that the time I’m thinking of there were three teachers staying at our house, two women and one man. It seems, when there was free time, the borders, including mother and dad, would sit around the dining table and play games. One game that was popular was Chinese checkers. Anyway to get on with the story there was this one night, after mother and dad and the rest of the family had gone to bed that the teachers, I think Helen, Thelma, Hazel and Purcell, were still at the table playing games, talking or just being young adults. Fast forward to the next morning when mother and dad got up there in the middle of the table was the water pitcher with a note in the top with the word written on it “contaminated”. Well mother took this personally. She thought they, and Helen in particular, was saying that mother was not adequately cleaning her dishes etc. This thought that mother did not keep a clean house built up in mother’s mind until she was, well very angry and she was seriously planning on asking Helen to move out. Mother must have mentioned her feelings to one of the other teachers because she, and I think it was Hazel, told mother “Oh Anna, Purcell drank out of that pitcher and that is why Helen put the note in the pitcher with the word Contaminated”. Ooops

Update

2011-01-07T12:07:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who fasted for Lyle and his family. Just to update everyone, he has been working at a temp job, so hopefully this will be able to help out and until bigger and better things occur! Thanks for keeping him in your prayers!

Grandma and Grandpa

2011-01-07T12:04:00.000-08:00

Groom's Name: Wilmer Murray

Groom's Birth Date: 18 Aug 1902

Groom's Birthplace: Vernal, Utah

Groom's Age:

Bride's Name: Anna M. Winkler

Bride's Birth Date: 30 Aug 1906

Bride's Birthplace: Ferron, Utah

Bride's Age:

Marriage Date: 08 Dec 1923

Marriage Place: Uintah, Utah

Groom's Father's Name: James B. Murray

Groom's Mother's Name: Atta Ashby

Bride's Father's Name: Herman J. Winkler

Bride's Mother's Name: M. Verona Gardner

Groom's Race: White

Groom's Marital Status: Single

Groom's Previous Wife's Name:

Bride's Race: White

Bride's Marital Status: Single

Bride's Previous Husband's Name:

Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M74682-5

System Origin: Utah-EASy

Source Film Number: 481105

Reference Number: 1162

Collection: Utah Marriages, 1887-1966

Jerry Murray Family

2011-01-07T11:55:00.000-08:00

Jerry Murray Family

While in Utah we took two trips to Myton to do a little work on the house. On one trip we noted there was an oil rig on the old farm. So we drove over to it. There it was as big as life. It was sitting on the 20 acre field where I have cut a lot hay. We were back out in Myton about ten days later so I thought we should go check it out again, and to our surprise, it was gone. It looked like it had been moved up on the north Myton bench. Our thought of getting rich quickly vanished.

We have been home for nearly two months and have been working at the house and spending some time helping at the Mission Office. They have us doing apartment inspections - Not the funnest task as we find that some missionaries are better housekeepers than others. Marylyn is the sergeant of arms and the master inspector. I just make sure she gets to the apartments on time.

We had Allison here for Thanksgiving for a short visit and then she was off to Morgan Hill to stay a few days with Lisa and Bob. We only had a small group for Thanksgiving for a change as Susannah, Kevin , Allison, Jennifer and her dog represented the family. On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, we had the grandchildren and their parents. We ate too much and spent too many days eating. I guess that is what Thanksgiving is all about.

The Bishop asked me to be in charge of the ward Christmas party. It was a lot of work in a short amount of time. However, the ham was great and there was a lot of food. The only problem was that the High Priests provided pumpkin pies but no whipped cream. A rather dry dessert.

As soon as the party was over we headed down to Morgan Hill to help Lisa and Bob get unpacked in their new home. It is a new home but they have found there are a few problems with the house as it foreclosed before it was finished. They purchased it as is and so are responsible for fixing all the little items the contractor did not finish because they were not paid - like the gas outlet for the dryer did not have shut off valve ( a dad project). No code for the gate opener - still researching. One of the five bath room showers only has hot water - a major plumbing problem and a major leak in the sprinkler system. We were able to stop the leak but it will have to be fixed in the spring. A few other problems like trying to determine what all the light switches control. Other than that, it is a great house. We were there for five days and all tuckered out. It was good to be home in our small house where we did not have to walk so far to get from one end of the house to the other.

We will be picking Allison up tonight from the airport to spend Christmas with us and then she will head down to Lisa's to spend another few days. She just returned from an exciting trip to Prague and a side trip to Austria. She has become our world traveler. Jenn is off to Hawaii for Christmas. Lyle and family will join us here on Christmas morning to open presents. Susannah and Kevin are spending Christmas with Kevin's family this year. We will go to Lisa's after Christmas to work on their house some more.

Merry Christmas to all of you! We love remembering our time in Nauvoo with lots of the Murray family. Thank you again to the Tucker Family for making it all happen.

Just a side note regarding Neil's lunchroom story about me…Mom had been asked to work in the lunchroom and I was only 5 years old and she had no babysitter for me. She worked out an agreement with the principal that I would go to first grade at age 5, and that is the reason I was eating at the school lunchroom. Neil was right…Mom made sure that I cleaned up my plate because none of us would eat the "stuff" Neil brought home to the pig disposal!!!

Letter from Neil R

2010-12-01T19:32:00.000-08:00

Dear Family November 24, 2010

Once again we come to the end a month and it is time that I wrote a note for the blog. It is always a challenge to know just what to write about, mainly I guess, because at this time of the year there does not seem to be that much going on in my life. Let’s see, I could tell you about my back ache or the leaves coming off my mulberry tree or Brandon taking his scouts for an outing at our house in Myton or the fact that winter is now here or ---.
Yes, last night, ahead of the storm which did not happen at our house, the cold front, which did happen at our house, caused the leaves to decide to detach them selves from the mulberry tree. As they did so the wind distributed a lot of them up and down the street to my neighbors. I’m sure they appreciated my contribution. Anyhow when morning came there was still a pile of them in the middle of the street so I took my blower and rake out and went to work. Soon, with the help of the neighbor we had them corralled and in the bag.
Brandon took the scouts from his Ward, which is in our Stake, out to the Myton homestead for a service project. You know when he was asking me if he could do this I did not realize that these kids all live in apartments and seldom if ever have and opportunity to experience such a large area with out bounds. I guess they raked leaves and could not help but jump and play in them before bagging them. I guess from all reports that they had a ball.
Also included with this note is a story time item that I hope Jerry does not mind me telling. As I was writing it I realized that it was all from my point of view and stories Jerry has told me so if you have a different point of view please let me know and we can make the appropriate change in the future.
In the mean time I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Love You, Neil R

Winter in Buckeye 1957

Winter in Hyrum about 1965

Story Time--Garbage

2010-12-01T19:30:00.001-08:00

Story Time -- Garbage
By Neil R

It seems that the talk shows on radio spend a lot of time discussing School lunch programs and the unhealthy eating habits of our school children. While Jerry was here we also took the opportunity to discuss, from days gone by, our school lunch experiences. Now, myself I never did eat school lunch at the elementary nor do I remember what we did for lunch while we attended school at Las Vegas. We however, must have had a lunch period because I can remember the activities we had after lunch. Jerry, however, had lunch room experiences at Myton. As I recall after we returned form Las Vegas Dad worked out here on the front for about three years while the family continued to live in Myton. It seems that Mother either had the opportunity or took the opportunity to work in the lunch room and teach school. When mother taught it must have been the first grade because she got permission to take Jerry to school with her. Jerry was but five or less at the time. So, for how many years I don’t know, Jerry was under the watchful eye of his mother both when she was working in the lunch room and teaching in the school room. Now I know just a little bit about Jerry’s plight due to this situation because when I was in school at Myton Elementary my teachers were living at our house. This put me in an interesting situation where there was not a thing I could do without Mother knowing about it. This is the term my Mother always used on me “Neil, that does not become you”. Well back to Jerry, and we will just talk about the lunch room here and save the school room for another time. It seems in that day, even though they had wonderful food they still had the challenge of getting the children to eat their food. I guess it is because as children we let our eyes do the tasting. As a result a lot of the food ended up in the garbage can. Well it seems that mother would monitor what her son did or did not eat. According to Jerry, mother was continually sending him back to clean up his plate. Well, like I found in life, people, and in this case the children, soon came up with an innovative way to solve Jerry’s problem. One of Jerry’s friends, I guess it was a friend, said to Jerry “Put the food you do not want to eat on my plate”. This is what they did. The friend would discard the food in the garbage and walk out and Jerry with a clean tray would also be allowed to leave and I’m sure mother was really pleased with her son who no longer wasted any of his food.
Now just a little side note, in those days the food disposal unit, as we know it, had not as yet been invented and I’m not sure it’s invention was a good thing, but we did have a disposal available to us. It was called a pig. When mother was working at the lunch room, to help her, in the morning before school I would go to the lunch room and start the fires in the cook stoves and in the evening I would go to the lunch room and get the garbage can which was always full and bring it to our house. What would I do with it? I would feed it to our disposal unit. I must say that pig never did turn up its nose at this offering and he or her was a very healthy pig.

Dinner Time at the Murray’s

Our Disposal Unit

From Anna and Wilmer Murray’s Journal November 2010

2010-12-01T19:26:00.001-08:00

Thursday 1, 1979

We went up to the landfill to dump our cans. Visited with Ralph Ive and told him we would call George Merrett about his cat not starting. We went out to Clyde’s, then rushed back to get ready to go the funeral of Allen and June Roper who were killed when their Jeep rolled of the mountain. We forgot to call George,

The funeral was big and a nice one. We saw Garn and Barbara Gilbert and Grant and Syble Peel. He sang, “I need thee Every Hour”. We saw Bernard Winkle, Velma and Ross, Verona, Bud and Doug Holgate, sat by Lola Jones, Mary Dump and Merion Monson.

Don Brokaw called to say they were going to the Temple in Bobbie Kynenston’s place. They will pick us up at 9:30 tomorrow. So I pressed Dad’s robe and packed out clothes to go to the Neil’s or the Darrell’s. Called Ella, she is down with the flu but said
she is better. Then called Darrell’s. Dad said he didn’t want to stay out there but we decided we would. We went to bed early.

Friday 2, 1979

We were ready when Don and Dorelda came and we were soon on our way. We had a good trip out, no storms. We ate our sandwiches as we were going down Daniels Canyon. They ate theirs in Provo Canyon. We went to the 12:20 session and the 2:00 session. They were enjoyable. Then we went to eat and then to the sealing. Superintendent Law was our officiator. He was Superintendent when the Myton School was built. We sealed 160 children to parents. There were two couples besides us. We had just started good when Hallis Hullinger came in with a young couple who had a sealing to perform. So we witensed the sealing of the Spanish boy’s great grandparents. He and his wife were proxies and his step father and Wilmer were the witnesses. During the sealing I had a great felling in my breast, I’m sure it was being accepted. This was while I was proxy for a child. When we were through Brother Law said these dead people could have been right in the room.

We had to wait for our lockers. I got dressed first so went to call Neil. He wasn’t home but Ella said to wait there for him. When I talked to Dad he said lets go home. So we called Ella back, she seemed disappointed. Don would have taken us to Neil’s but Dad is getting like Grandma Winkler, he wants to be home. We arrived about 9:45. Lester called to see if we wanted to kill the lambs tomorrow. I talked to Raija, she and Perry are there. Called Darrell’s, Darrell says they will come next week to get their lamb.

Mother and Dad - Myton

LaVora, Dad and Mother - Orem

My first post!!

2010-11-11T17:55:00.001-08:00

Well it's taken me way too long to post on this blog...but since the weather has been getting colder recently, I've finally broken out my winter apparel.

I love my warm winter socks! Aunt Charlene custom made these socks to fit my feet. They are comfortable and warm, but most of all they remind me of a fantastic aunt who loves me a lot--so much that she made me awesome socks.

I love you, Aunt Charlene!

And I love the whole Murray family!

History: A story about LaVora and Clyde: School Days

2010-11-02T14:51:00.000-07:00

This took place in about 1933 or 1934

There used to be a school house at Altonah. As a matter of fact there was at one time a fair sized town. There was at least two stores, a gas station, church house, a school, a cheese factory, a Post Office, etc.

Probably all or at least most of the Murray children went to school there. This town of Altonah was located about two miles or so south east of where we used to live. The most I remember was when I used to go for the mail when living with Grandmother and Grandfather Murray during the summer months. At any rate the story as I remember it as told by LaVora.

To get to school, in the summer, LaVora and Clyde used to ride a horse named Twin. Uncle Boyd was the proud owner of this horse but it seems that one time or another all of us have ridden him. LaVora said that Grandfather Murray used to see that she and Clyde were on Twin, then he would take the rope that was tied around Twin’s neck, make a half hitch knot and slip it around Twins nose and hand the rope to the children. This rope with the loop on Twin’s nose was their means of guiding the horse. We used to use this concept quite a bit in place of a bridal and bit. I’m sure the reason why Grandfather used it was so that the horse would not have to stand all day at school with a bit in his mouth. For when the children would get to school they had a little enclosure, a corral, they would put Twin in, close the gate and go to school.

LaVora said she used to worry about Twin standing in the corral all day without food or water. But when they got out of school Twin would still be there waiting for them. LaVora said she and Clyde would push and lead Twin up to the pole fence then climb up on the pole fence and then climb over on to Twin’s back. I can just see them going through this procedure. I would guess they at that age was just about as tall as the under side of Twin’s stomach. So not being tall enough to reach Twin’s nose, they would not be able to put the loop on his nose and once on the horse they could not reach the rope that was still on the ground. No need to worry, however, Twin knew the way home and where there was no way for them to control him there was only one place he wanted to go, Home! So they, having no control would just sit back and go along for the ride.

The ride usually went like this. First there was the stop at the canal where Twin took care of his thirst and then he would head straight for home with the rope dragging along behind. They must have been all of 6 years old. This is the way it was done in the good old days on the farm in Altonah.

Up date - August 21, 2000

While riding with LaVora and John after visiting Perry and Raya on the 6 August 2000. LaVora was telling of her school days in Altonah. Following the time that Grandfather and Grandmother Murray’s home burned they rented a house in the town of Altonah. While going to school during the week LaVora would stay in town with her Grandparents. On Friday after school let out she would walk the two miles home and spent the week end with her family. Can you visualize a six year old, now days, being allowed to walk two miles alone with out anyone knowing about it?

Boyd and Twin

From Anna and Wilmer Murray’s Journal October 2010

2010-11-02T14:48:00.000-07:00

From Anna and Wilmer Murray’s Journal October 2010

Thursday, October 11, 1979

This morning, Dad cut sweet peas all day. I pulled some beets and put them on to cook. Fixed some rice to go with the chicken soup. It was good. Slade and Even come over to play. I’m too sleepy to write. I have had cramps all day. Had the trots and vomited. Really don’t fell sick only cramps off and on. I finally took some peptibismol, that helped. I meant to go to Relief Society this evening but didn’t have enough ambition, so I tied on the quilt after getting it on the frames. We went to bed early.

Darrell called and said they would be here tomorrow and to meet them at eleven O clock to go after wood.

We finally received a letter from the Jerry’s. They received Susannah’s pictures okay.

Friday October 12, 1979

We are still having wood hauling weather. Tomorrow would be Deward’s fifty fifth birthday. We were awake at 4:15. I wrote to the Jerry’s and then went down to get the chicken out of the deep freeze and thaw it out and fix it. I cleaned up a little and made a sheet cake. After breakfast I fixed tomatoes, cucumbers and sandwiches. Before we knew it the clock said 10:15 so we rushed through the dishes and were on our way to meet the Darrell’s. We stopped for gas in Duchesne. No one was at the turn off so we went to the Strawberry River turn off. No one there either. I mended my gloves on and finished them befor anyone showed up. Finally after waiting half an hour a brand new Dodge Truck drove up and honked. It has a club cab so everyone had room. We were looking for a little red car or a blue ford. Soon we were at the wood place and had a load on. We ate our lunch on the back of the new truck. Then carefully loaded a couple of big sticks on, being very careful nor to scratch the new body. Darrell had a rug in the bottom. Little Jon rode to the woods with us. He is so cute. He also rode home with us and worried because his dad was out of site. He was afraid his Dad was going to fast and a cop would get him. Darrell had tried to split one of the big pieces of wood but couldn’t get it onlyu a few chunks. He got all the wedges in and couldn’t get them out. By the time we got here they, he and jeff had the log unloaded and split. We unloaded the wood and I tied on the little quilt for a while. Then started supper. Dad and Darrell dug strawberry plants. Then after we ate they were on their way back home. Surely hated to see them go.

We cleaned up the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. Called to see if Sister Balford wants to go to Vernal with me tomorrow to the D.U.P. convention or not. She doesn’t, so I called Thema Perry. We talked for some time. Soon we were in bed and fast asleep after a good day.

Dad and Mother Going for a load of wood abt October 1979

Pictures from Neil

2010-11-02T14:46:00.001-07:00

The Hunters about 1949 Jerry, Dewey and Neil – Ella took picture

Logan, Utah Shawna, Kerstin and Sharon abt 1960

Dear Family

2010-11-02T14:43:00.001-07:00

Dear Family October 29, 2010

This month, like many before it, has gone by fast leaving in it’s wake many fond memories. It was fun having LaVora, Jerry and Marylyn here. While they were here we attended the Temple, shared meals, picked apples and grapes, dried apples, and tripped to the Basin. They have returned home now and I was glad to receive word of their safe arrival. It leaves it a little lonely but there is still plenty to keep me busy.
While they were here Jerry picked my apples and helped me pick the grapes. So all the time LaVora was here she was helping me do apples. She wanted me to do the grapes too but I decided that I would do them later. I should have taken her up on her offer because they, the grapes, started to spoil by the time I got to them. I however salvaged them and they are now in the bottles in the form of juice. I only have a few apples left I have been wondering if I want to dry them.

We were able to attend the Provo and Timpanogos Templs. It is always nice to attend the Temple with family. It seems they have made a few changes in the Temples. There is not as much carpet as there used to be. Maybe the tile is easer to keep up.

For the trip to the Basin Jerry decided to go by way of Wolf Creek Pass. It is always a nice drive because there is lots of beautiful country to experience. I was a little disappointed because when I told Marylyn to watch for the Elk, there wasn’t any. They were gone. We stopped at the Bluebell Cemetery. While there Jerry did a little pruning on the bush by Grandmother and Grandfather Winkler’s grave. Before going to Myton we stopped at the Frontier for dinner. Yes, we all had a scone with our meals.

I hope this note finds everyone well.

Love,
Neil

We're Going to Need a Bigger Bed!

2010-10-28T14:32:00.000-07:00

Lisa and Lyle's kids got together for a cousin's weekend!

Story Time

2010-10-28T14:29:00.001-07:00

Story Time

Some Things I remember September 12, 2010

This past month I have had the privilege of having member of Dewey and Beverly’s family pay me a visit. First it was Erricka and Bruce with their children Danelle and James. Then it was Tahnee with her room mate. While Bruce and Erricka were here Bruce wanted me to tell a story on Dewey that he could, after embellishing I’m sure tell their family about Dewey. My answer to this was of course Dewey was always a good boy who never gave anyone a hard time after all I’m sure Dewey could tell better stories about me so it is better not to start some thing that one could not finish. I did however tell Erricka and the children a few things that I remembers and I would like to tell one here that I’m sure Dewey after reading my account will want to finish it or tell the same story from his point of view. After all he experienced it.

There was one time in my working career that I drove a mail truck between Salt Lake and Vernal. On that route I had to stop at all post offices along the way. There were Park City, Heber City, Duchesne City, Myton City, Roosevelt City, Fort Duchesne, Gusher and Vernal. After I finished the run at Vernal I would pick up some empty bread cartons and return to Myton which finished my trip. On this particular morning when I pulled into the Myton Post Office and took what they called the Way Pouch into the Post Office some one said to me “How is your brother”. Now I had been on the road and in Salt Lake the day before and most of the current day and so, we did not have cell phones, had no contact at all with what had been taking place at home. So needles to say I just about panicked. To see what was going on, before leaving Myton, I made a quick trip over to the Seed Plant where mother and dad were working to see what was going on.

For some years now Dad had been first working for The Globe Seed and Feed Company and now Moody Brothers Seed Company as a seed broker. One of his responsibilities was managing what we referred to as the Seed Plant. Over these years it had provided first me then Dewey, then Jerry and I’m sure Darrell a job at the plant as mill operators.

At this particular time Dewey was running the mills during the night shift. I think his friend LeRoy Tehonie was keeping him company. The elevators in the upper story where the cleaner we called the clipper was located were run with one electric motor with a main belt to a shaft that had several wheels, one for each elevator, and belts from each shaft wheel to the elevators wheel. From time to time these belts would dry out and start to slip on the wheels. When this would happen we would climb a ladder to where we could reach the belt, with the system running, and apply some belt dressing. This was done with a tube, containing a dressing, about nine inches long and had a diameter of about one and one quarter inches and in a way operated like a ladies lip stick tube. That is as one use the material in the tube they could expose more by pushing the dressing up the tube.

This night Dewey making the determination that the belt needed some dressing was in the process of applying the dressing when some how, we assume, an article of his clothing got caught between the main wheel and the belt. This as I understand whipped Dewey up over the top of the wheel between the ceiling and the wheel and the slammed him to the floor below and this was not a short distance. This was what the people at the Post Office were referring to when they asked “How is your brother”. We were happy that LeRoy was with Dewey that night and was able to summon help. Over this event Dewey spent a few days in the hospital. He was probably very fortunate as I do not think there were any broken bones. Following this event all of us were much more careful when applying dressing to the belts.

From Anna and Wilmer Murray’s Journal September 2010

2010-10-28T14:28:00.000-07:00

From Anna and Wilmer Murray’s Journal September 2010

Friday, September 14, 1979

LaVora was up first this morning. Dad made a fire in the fireplace again. We all pitched in to the peaches and got one batch processed before it was time for LaVora to go on the bus. We waited for about half hour for it to come. All to soon she was on her way home. We really enjoyed having her home. We also enjoyed Shawna. Whe is a very sweet granddaughter

We finished the peaches and sorted the pears, rested for a while then went up to the workshop at the ward. Brother and Sister Alexander were the guest speakers. There were a lot of survival displays out. My part was Home Made Soap. LaVora made a master copy for me before she left and Dad took me up to LaRae Murphey’s this afternoon to get copies make to give out to night. They had sandwiches made with sprouts for greens. They were good. We were home in time to hear the news before going to bed

Saturday September 15, 1979

It is still cool, we took our fruit down stairs and sorted out our storage down there. We are short on caned milk. About ten A M we decided to get a load of wood. That is too late in the day as it got too hot. We got tired too soon. We ate our lunch , traveled and were home at four P.M. I had to hurry to be ready to go to the all Women’s fireside. Sadie came at about six. The meeting was wonderful. I told Sadie to keep me awake but she didn’t do a very good job as I fell asleep and didn’t hear all of President Kimballs message. Guess we worked too hard today.

LaVora called to tell us they had a good trip home and made it in time for the fireside. She said Neil and Ella saw them off on the plane. She also said she enjoyed our trip to Bluebell through the cedars and Clay Basin.

Darrell called to tell us they wouldn’t be here until Sunday. We love to have them come but wish they could come on Saturday.

Dad and Mother in the Corn Field – Myton - 1963

Pictures from Neil

2010-10-28T14:26:00.000-07:00

Dewey – Arizona Feb 04

Marylyn, LaVora and Neil – Arizona - Feb. 04

Our sister Arizona Feb. 04

Jerry and Dewey - Arizona Feb. 04

Neil Update

2010-10-28T14:21:00.001-07:00

Dear Family September 24, 2010

It once again is that time of the month when I should be thinking newsletter. The month has gone by so fast that I really have to think to remember if I did or accomplished anything worth while. Lets see now, there was a work day at Myton, not much rain in September, trying to be a ward mission leader, Jerry and Marylyn are back in Utah, Tahnee and her room mate spent a night with me and Deward, with may others received the silver Beaver Award.

I think Charlene has reported on the activities at Myton. We did a lot of cleaning, blind hanging and tree and shrub trimming so that now we have a lot of stuff to haul away. I have been trying to find out from Myton City when they are planning City clean up day. So far all I got from them is “we have not discussed it”. I did find out, however, that the period when it is legal to burn ends October 15.

My, this has been a dry summer. We did get a fair rain, maybe two tenths of an inch, Wednesday, I think. It was welcome to us and I’m sure the people in the Harriman area, where they had the big bush fire, appreciated it. For those who do not know this fire started at camp Williams due to machine gun practice. They were fortunate that only two or three homes were lost, but that fact does not help those who lost homes.

I’m still trying to figure out what a Ward Mission Leader is supposed to do. I have been doing a lot of visiting and just about have a handle on where people live and rather or not they are members. I kind of decided that part of the job was to growl at people. I tried this in Ward Council meeting last month. I’m not sure it did any good but then it may be a good way to get released.

Jerry and Marylyn stopped in, I guess, a week ago. They were on their way to CostCo’s. Then last Thursday they stopped by and took me to the Temple with them. It was a good session and I think for once I was able to stay awake.

I also had house guests a week or so ago. Anneli’s daughter, Tahnee and her room mate were here for a night. They told me they were lending moral support to one of their friends who was getting married in the Timpunogos Temple.

On the seventeenth we were able to spend most of the afternoon at the Provo Tabernacle as we attended the B S A Silver Beaver awards program. The speaker was Coach LaVell Edwards and we were pleased to witness Deward’s receiving the Silver Beaver Award. It was a long but rewarding experience.

All in all it has been a good month.

Love, Neil

A MEMORY OF CHRISTMAS

2010-10-28T14:20:00.000-07:00

A MEMORY OF CHRISTMAS
LOCATION WAS MYTON UTAH
YEAR WAS ABOUT 1943
BY NEIL R. MURRAY

MARCH 27, 1994

Some times we, in our family setting like to ask our grandchildren questions concerning a current activity. There was such a time this last Christmas, Dec. 25, 1994 as Ella and I visited with our grandchildren. I asked the grand children if they could think of a Christmas that was outstanding to them. The grandchildren were coming up with times like the Christmas that we spent at the Aspen Grove Lodge. This was a Christmas where we rented one of the lodges at Aspen Grove and spent Christmas eve and Christmas day there. Along with Christmas we spent some fun time in the snow. At any rate as I listened to their most remembered Christmases I could not help but think back to my own younger years. This is not as easy as one may think.

{(Note to neil from neil) This event was a post LasVegas item. After returning from Vegas Dad went to work for the Renyolds Constution Company based in Springville Utah. Dad was having an operation to repair a hernia . Two as I recall. My mother gives an account of this in her history of Dad.}

There did not seem to be one that I remembered as outstanding but there was one that did stand out. This one was a Christmas that we children were home alone. It seems like it was the year that dad was operated on for double hernias. For some reason the took place in Springville, Utah. I'm not sure but I think this was also the time when Jerry was quite ill. LaVora became quite concerned when Jerry started to talk out of his head. He was saying something like this, "it's under the bed in the basket". LaVora soon dispatched me to sister Giles for help. This good sister accompanied me back to the house to see if she could see what Jerry's problem might be. She must have put our minds as ease. At any rate we retired for the evening.

This Christmas morning found our house without power. This meant that there was no heat as well as no lights. You know the big thing on Christmas morning is to get up early, before daylight to see what Santa brought. Well since our folks were not at home what Santa left was what ever the folks had left for LaVora to put out for the younger children. None-the-less this is the only Christmas that I can remember trying to open the gifts from our uncles, aunts and grandparents while in bed and with no lights. One of the gifts that I remember receiving was form Aunt Grace. it was a boy scout first aid kit.

None-the-less after what seemed like a long wait the sun came up so that we could see our way around. I dressed and found my way down stairs and outside to the fuse box. After a little checking I found that for some reason one of the fuses had blown. I soon found another and it was not too long before the house began to get warm and we could really enjoy the things we got for Christmas.
I remember when dad and mother came home they brought LaVora and I each a pair of ice skits. I remember trying them out on the canal that runs past the farm that used to belong to W. E. Broom. These are the ice skates that Reed had hanging over his mantle.

One thing that I remember most was that after Mother and Dad got home all of out trials were soon forgotten.

I met some other boys. S

Pictures from Neil

2010-10-28T14:17:00.000-07:00

August 2010 Nauvoo Ill Stacy and LaVora

Aug 2010 Dish washers Nauvoo Ill

Our bell ringer Bridger Nauvoo Ill Aug 2010

Carthage Ill Aug 2010

From Anna and Wilmer Murray’s Journal

2010-10-27T10:40:00.001-07:00

From Anna and Wilmer Murray’s Journal

Monday, August 4 1980

Everyone survived the night. Jerry and the youngsters prepared the truck and loaded for the fishing trip. They left about 10:30. After they had gone we discovered they hadn’t taken the spare tire. So we put it in the car and thought we might catch them at Bud’s. We went up thee Ioka lane as far as the old Benson place and gave up and came back to Bud’s and ask if they had stopped there. We weren’t sure where they were going. We were just ready to come home to worry, when they drove up. They had discovered they didn’t have the tire. We tried to get them to have some lunch but they decided to go on. I worked on my Visiting Teaching lesson for tomorrow night and ask Marylyn to help me. It was surely quiet around there with just little Jennifer. I made pies. Something went wrong with my crust. It isn’t so good. I worried about Jerry trying to fish and take care of five youngsters. But I ask Heavenly Father to protect then and calm me down. He answered.

Tuesday, August 5, 1980

About all we did was prepare meals and work on the lesson. We fixed supper and were about ready to go to Relief Society when our fisherman returned. The lesson went over fine. Then Marylyn and I excused ourselves and came home to feed our family. Della Kynaston brought us some corn. Bless her heart. So we had corn with our supper. Jerry enjoyed it. Soon everyone was in bed. It was too hot upstairs and the girls found a worm in the quilts they had in the hills. So we fixed them a bed in our room on the floor. Lisa wanted to hear about Deward’s death. So I got my Honor Badge book out and read to them about the family that I had written about each member. It was nearly mid night before we finished. So we had our prayer and went to bed. Jerry came down to see what was going on.

Darrell Kay - Yellowstone River - Utah 1959

Dear Family July 2010

2010-10-27T10:30:00.001-07:00

Dear Family July 2010

Three cheers for Travis and Steve and all others who had a part in arranging and carrying out our Family Reunion at Nauvoo. I guess when I stop and think about it that would include everyone. Anyhow I thought it was a huge success and I was so happy that my family and I were able to be a part of it. Thanks again to everyone. Our trip home was a good one and at home we essentially found everything as we had left it. So it was not long after we got home that we were back to taking care of our family and home responsibilities.

I guess all of the children and school teachers in our family are preparing for the 2010 – 2011 School year. At least I note that Charlene is, so I expect to soon lose my borders as she will be taking them back to school as well. I guess the proper term, however, is roomers since Charlene is taking care of their meals which amounts to a half dozen crickets or so a week. I just provide the space.

I’m still trying to figure out how to be a Ward Mission Leader as the lessons just seem to just keep passing over my head. I guess this next week I get to help present the ward mission plan. This should be interesting.

Bruce and Erricka and their two children, Danielle and James, stayed with me for a day or so. They were here to enroll Danielle into B Y U. They spent a day in Salt Lake visiting the many places of interest there. While they were here I got them to help me with some family history information concerning their families. This did not seem to be difficult for them as they have these i- pod things, that I don’t understand, that has everything in the world on them. The one Bruce has is also a global positioning device, interesting.

Again thanks for everything, Love, Neil

John and LaVora’s home – Price, Utah

2010-08-19T14:18:00.000-07:00

From Anna and Wilmer Murray’s Journal

2010-08-19T14:17:00.000-07:00

Friday, July 4 1980

LaVora called this morning. John talked to us too. I awakened Kerstin. – We picked peas and dug some new potatoes. We shelled one bucket of peas and called Ruth to come get some for their dinner. So she came here and shelled her. We had a nice visit. We shared the potatoes too. We cooked a chicken and Ruth brought us ½ of her angel food cake. We had a good dinner. Mark went to Price to the golf tournament. Spent the rest of the day resting. We went to see how Virginia Smith is. She looked very ill, but said she was better. – We called the Deweys to see if Dewey Wilmer made it home OK. Beverly, Merrissa and Anneli were the only ones home. He arrived home yesterday.

Saturday, July 5 1980

I received my check from the census. It is $391.02. We picked two dishpans full of peas. Kerstin came to help us shell them. We had some for dinner then froze the rest. It made a nice bag full.

We went to Roosevelt to get Dad a hair cut. Went to see Alice and Ada. Visited a little then went to visit Lia while we waited for the Baptismal. Several days ago Glade Perry ask us to go see him baptized. It was nice. The Ivies were there. One of Ralph Ivies grandsons was baptized too. We received a card from Kim Murray. He said they were having fun. I thought the card was from Kim Kessler.

Arizona in February

2010-08-19T14:16:00.000-07:00

Dear Family July 2010

2010-08-19T14:14:00.001-07:00

It seems that July is about spent and before we know it we will be complaining about it being too cold, so for now let us enjoy the heat, all 103 degrees of it. Now let me see, what have I accomplished this month. Actually the month of July had been a stay at home month. This gave me the time I need to take care of my small garden, fruit trees and family and church responsibilities.

The peas and cherries are harvested and I just picked the last black current for this year this morning. I had a good crop of peas, a fair crop of currents but not many cherries. I think it was too cold for the bees to do their job this spring when the trees were in bloom. Deward, however, had a good crop so we concentrated on saving then from the little worms. I think we did a fair job. We could have probably bought a lot of cherries for what the bait cost. The next thing I’m concentrating on is the apples. I have been spraying them diligently every seven days. Come October we will see if it did any good.

This past Sunday I had the opportunity of being a speaking companion to the High Councilor. The High councilor was my former Stake President. I was his executive Secretary for several years. The Assigned talk was “building on our Ancestral Heritage”. For sentimental person like me it was a challenging assignment. But I got through it. It was nice to have Van and Charlene in the audience to give me moral support. There follows a line from my talk, “When I told my son the subject of my talk he suggested that I wear a Kilt.” I think this may have been interesting to some of the people at least I think I heard someone laugh. They were probably visualizing what I would look like.

Now that assignment is finished maybe I can relax just a little and start thinking about the trip to Nauvoo. Hope to see many of you there.

Hello Murray Family!

2010-08-19T14:09:00.000-07:00

Here it is August already...can't believe how fast time flies by! Here is a brief rundown on our family: Lisa, Bob, Kyra and Austin have made the move from S. CA to the SF Bay Area. They are living in a Marriott Residence Inn while waiting to buy or build a home in Morgan Hill. Lyle is still looking for a job in Information Technology, so if any of you hear of any job openings, please keep him in mind. We just enjoyed an early birthday party for Michael, turning 8, and Andrew, turning 2. Baby #5 will join our family in November. Susannah and Kevin are anxiously awaiting a baby to become available to adopt. If any of you know of a young woman who is planning to give her baby up for adoption, please contact our family. Jennifer's next class, Physiology, started this week. We had such fun spending Wednesday afternoons with her and her dog, Nikki, this summer. We did a lot of walking and visiting dog parks. Allison is holding down the fort in Provo, but has done a lot of traveling this summer to China, S. CA and Nauvoo. We are looking forward to being her "roommates" again when we are in Utah for the months of September and October.

The Murray Family Reunion in Nauvoo was terrific! Many thanks to Travis and all of LaVora's family for putting it all together for us to enjoy and remember for the rest of our lives. Many memories were made that we will cherish. We missed all those of you who couldn't attend this year and just have to tell you that you missed a VERY Special and unique family event. It was just wonderful being in Nauvoo where so much early Church history took place. You could really feel the faith and sacrifice of the Prophet Joseph Smith and those early Saints. Our ancestor, Stephen Markham, a bodyguard to the Prophet, was very much a part of the history of that place. I can't explain to you how wonderful it was to be in the Nauvoo Temple with so many of our Murray family. The feeling was overwhelming! That temple is so beautiful! The Nauvoo Pageant was amazing, as well as our time at Carthage and all the other Church history sites. We loved seeing the Mississippi River flowing by and know it was a big part of the Saints' lives back then. I wish that more of our family could have been there to experience what Susannah, Kevin, Allison, Kyra, Jerry and I saw and felt. We were even able to endure the heat and humidity because of the experience we were having.

It is so much fun having our family reunions in different places. How about Oregon next time...??? Thank you, Neil, for being so faithful about keeping us all informed on the Murray Family Blog. You are wonderful!

Love you all,

Marylyn and Jerry

Kerosene Range

2010-07-08T09:46:00.001-07:00

(The picture below is a Kerosene Range – Mother (Anna) cooked on one similar to this one when we lived in Las Vegas – Of course ours was a later model – note the removable oven on top)

From Neil

2010-07-08T09:46:00.000-07:00

Dear LaVora June 26, 2010

This past week I received an e-mail from Jane, Uncle Boyd and Aunt Ardis’ daughter. As I read it, I could not help but be grateful for the time Boyd and I was able to spend together while working on the Altonah Cemetery. It was good to be able to get reacquainted with my Uncle Boyd and Uncle Lee. It was good to hear from Jane and to learn something about what is going on in their lives.

As for me I guess one might call me a gardener of a sort. My crops, however, are limited to apples, cherries, peas and currents. I guess I’m a generous person because I share with the birds and bugs. Maybe “share” is not correct for between the bugs and birds they have claimed the cherries and they have their eyes on the apples. The birds and I are challenging each other to see who gets the most currents. The peas, they are three feet high and growing. And yes the birds like these too. Oh well Mother said her father, our grandfather Winkler, used to say he raised enough for him and the birds too. I guess that is alright but I did not expect them to bring all of their friends and relatives.

Have a good month.

Love, Uncle Neil

My pea patch June 29, 2010

From Neil

2010-07-08T09:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Family May 30, 2010

Interesting, here it has been a month since we returned from Hawaii. “My how time goes when you are having fun” One might say, we experienced a small part of what life is like on the island of Maui. I’m really happy that Jerry and Marylyn gave us the opportunity for this experience. There was the sea, the sunset, the beaches, the impromptu church service, the people, the pineapple, the oat meal cereal, the games, the winding roads with miles of “Vista Grande”, the Sugar Museum, the air port were Jerry had to look for us, the sugar cane fields, the volcano that put us on top of the world in all its windy grandeur, the great meals, our outstanding driver and cooks and the wonderful family we were with. What a great vacation. Thank you, Jerry, Marylyn, LaVora, Dewey and Beverly. And now it is back to reality.

Since I have been home things have been moving pretty fast here as well. I have been able to attend a pre wedding bar-be-cue, the Wedding and the wedding reception for Rebecca and Douglas. I’m sorry Rebecca, I still see you as a little girl getting lunch for your grandpa. I must say that all of these events were wonderful and one of the things that make it wonderful was that the family was able to be there, in the temple and at the reception. It was another great experience. I’m sure Ella was and is pleased.

And with all of this wonderful things going on I find it still rains, snows, gets cold, wind blows and the sun shines, the peas still grow and the apples trees still set in Utah in the month of May. It has been a good month. I hope yours has been as good or better.

Love,
Neil

China Trip Link

2010-07-07T15:39:00.000-07:00

If anyone wants to read my post on my trip to China...just click on this link: China Trip

Can't wait to see everyone in Nauvoo! It is coming up so fast!

Love,
Allison

I Remember My Grandmother Atta Ashby Murray Part lV

2010-07-07T15:37:00.000-07:00

Grandmother was always kind to me as I think she was to everyone. To me she was a beautiful lady and I loved to be with her. There were times when I would help grandmother shell peas. I recall as we shelled the peas grandmother would tell me stories about my father. Everyone who knew my father was aware of his love for flowers. It seems that as dad would be riding his horse, Old Jimmy, while taking care of the cows, dry stock or other duties, he would see these Indian paints or flower. He would stop Jimmy and dismount so the he could pick a bouquet of flowers for his mother. I guess more than once as he would be picking the flowers old Jimmy would get away from him and go home. Grandmother said she would see Jimmy come home with out a rider and eventually here would come Wilmer walking home.
LaVora tells of Grandmother remembering when she was planning on marriage she was concerned that after she was married that she would not have a bed as good as the one she had at home. I guess her bed at home had a down mattress. I would guess after she was married it was quite a while before she had a bed as good as the one she had at home. I say this because of the stories Uncle Lee told about their straw ticks they slept on. He said they changed the straw every fall after they finished thrashing the grain. He said a new straw tick, until your got it broke in was hard to stay on top. He said you would keep sliding off.
Grandmother’s father was a lover of horses as was grandmother. I guess Grandfather Ashby had some beautiful horses and I understand that he treated them very well. From what I understand this was a hard change for grandmother because Grandfather Murray never did have the facilities to care for the horses that Grandfather Ashby had. I understand that this was a bit of an irritant for grandmother. In Grandfathers defense, however, in the east end of the barn where we milked the cows there was a place for horses and at times I saw horses in the barn.
LaVora would tell of the times when grandmother went to gather the eggs, which of course was an everyday thing. At times, there were those hens that were in their season of wanting to start a family. In preparation for this event the hen would start laying and hiding her eggs. She would do this until she would accumulate a number of eggs and then she would sit on them so that the eggs would stay at a certain temperature and in time baby chicks would start to develop. I guess Grandmother tried to have some control over this chicken nature thing and would seek out the nests and collect the eggs from under the hen. The hens were not too happy about this egg napping and would pick Grandmother when she would lift them from their nest and take the eggs from under them.
I recall one Thanksgiving when for some reason all of the family was gone except for Dewey and myself. I don’t know where the folks were but I do know that Dewey and I were left to take care of things around the place. I don’t recall how old we may have been but what I do remember is that my Grandfather, Grandmother and Clyde showed up at the house with a full blown Thanksgiving dinner so that Dewey and I would not be alone. So that day we had Thanks giving dinner with our Grandparents and Clyde. I have always thought that was real grand of them to be concerned about us two little grandchildren who were all alone for Thanksgiving. As I recall it turned out to be a wonderful day.

Then there was the first time we noticed grandmother’s legs failing her. There were grandmother and other members of the family outside, to the north of the house, standing close to where the cistern was located. It seems we were getting ready to go some place, probably to Roosevelt, when for no apparent reason grandmother fell. I think Clyde caught her and we helped her up as she exclaimed, “These crazy legs of mine”. This was the beginning of a problem that only got worse. Grandfather took grandmother too many Doctors and Clinics but I’m not sure whether or not the Doctors ever diagnosed the problem. By the time they moved to Taylorsville the problem had progressed to the point that she needed our help when ever she tried to walk. She always expressed her appreciation when ever we assisted her.

William Ashby Family

A typical farm yard of 1920 s

(By NRM - 6-14-10)

From Anna and Wilmer Murray’s Journal

2010-07-07T15:30:00.001-07:00

Saturday 7, 1980

I called Jeanie and awakened her. I wanted to report my time that I put in Friday. I told her about Harold Groves. Dad tried to get the pump to go and it was just a little stream. So he said we would have to go to Basin Builders to get another set of fixtures. After we got a few more things done we went over and picked up the things. Dad was too tired to do anything about it as we had hoed in the garden all morning. So he went to sleep. Paul Self was over by the Reed trailer so I called him over. He primed the pump and got a little bigger stream and told me to put dough around the pipe where it goes into the pump. Then he went home. I made the dough and put it on. Alice Hayden was here watching me. Boy it did the trick. The water really flew. We were happy that Dad didn’t have to do all that work over.

I called Mrs. Rogers to see if Van and Charlene had arrived. They hadn’t. But they came about five O’ clock. We fixed supper and made beds. Van and I put the baby bed in our room. Soon we were all settled for the night. I was the last to go to bed as I baked the bread. Van had the heel of one loaf with butter and honey on it.

Sunday 8, 1980

We all went to church. (I was up first as I wanted to pick some flowers to take up, and get dinner on to cook.) Sacrament meeting was Pam Brokaw’s farewell meeting. It was nice. I forgot my purse so couldn’t give her any money. So after meeting I came down to get it. Louse Roberts had forgotten her purse too. So she rode down with me to get it. We enjoyed La Rue Lambs lesson and Floy Johnson gave a good Relief Society lesson too. I forgot my flowers so Dad and I went back to them. Charlene and Van set the table and put the carrots on. Soon we were enjoying our dinner. They had to put the dishes all in the dishwasher before they could go. Soon, they were on their way. We enjoyed them so very much. Hope they come back soon. Little Marc liked me from far away. He cried if I took him but would laugh at me while his mother had him. He is such a lovely baby. After they left we had a little nap. Jeanie Brown couldn’t find Harold Groves Census paper so Dad and I went up at five o’clock and I made a new one. La Dene was really nice. She is having a new house made soon and wants us to come to the Home Warming.

We went to visit Fred Todd, his daughter Nancy and her husband, Doug. Then we went over to tell Paul Self how well the dough worked on the pump. Alice Hayden came over and I told her I found another loaf of whole wheat bread. This was after Charlene left.

I Remember My Grandmother Atta Ashby Murray Part lll

2010-07-07T15:27:00.001-07:00

I remember grandmother preparing the meals. In those days there were not deep freezers like there are today. So when grandmother was going to have a chicken dinner she would send one of the boys to get a chicken from the chicken coop where you needed to catch the chicken and prepare it so that grandmother could cook it. (I could go into some detail here but I will save it for some other time.) The number of chicken you would catch depended on how many people there was going to be to dinner.
I remember Grandmother and the other women in the family in the bramble patch picking what ever was in season. It might be raspberries, gooseberries, currents, etc or all of them. I think this was one of the times when the women in the family did their visiting and catching up on what was going on in their lives and the lives of their families.
I remember grandmother drying the apricots. The apricots that were grown on the trees at the farm were not large. Actually they were quite small but yet they were tasty. I remember picking these and grandmother putting them on a sheet and covering them with some netting and then hanging them between the lines on the close line to dry. The netting was to keep the flys off of the cots as well as keep the birds form eating them.
I remember the day I got hurt when banging two hammers together and a piece of the steel from one of the hammers flew off and hit me in the neck. I remember grandmother comforting me while she cared for my wound. Grandmother was a very kind person. As Ella wrote once, Grandmother always referred to the boys as “little men” (or man). It was generally, “her little man”
I remember this one day when she was going to a Relief Society meeting. I recall she was all dressed up, I did not see her dressed up very often, but this day she was. I recall the boys or grandpa had Old Twin saddled and ready for her to ride to her meeting. As I recall the thing that interested me that day was that she rode side saddle.
Grandmother must have always been active in Relief Society and was loved by all of the sisters. I recall an event that Uncle Boyd told me happened when he was a sealer at the Provo Temple. I guess in the sealing sessions, he and probably all of the sealers, tell a little about themselves before the session gets under way. This day, after the sealing session, a sister came up to him and said “Oh you are Sister Murray’s little boy”

Grandmother always took care of the things that went on in the house and I have seen her feeding the chickens but I do not recall her ever being in the stable or caring for any of the morning and evening chores. Yet I recall being with Clyde in the mountains getting out poles for fences on the farm and coming home late at night and when we got there all of the work was done and everyone was in bed. So when it was necessary grandmother also milked cows and fed the life stock.

Grandmother was always so kind to me as I think she was to everyone. To me she was a beautiful lady and I loved to be with her. (By NRM – 5-20-10)

From Anna and Wilmer Murray’s Journal

2010-07-07T15:26:00.001-07:00

Saturday 17, 1980

I worked in the raspberries, meant to get the ironing done but didn’t. Oh, I finished the binding on the quilt before I did anything. We went gathering asparagus. We really found some good ones. Dad got caught in the fence and had to shed his sweater. He said he called but I didn’t hear him. LaVora called this evening. Stacy was going to the Junior Prom. Wish we could have seen her. I crocheted a little before going to bed. I don’t know if Dad will feel like going to conference tomorrow or not.

Sunday 18, 1980

Dad said he would try going to conference. Sister Roberts called for a ride. The other widows went with Sadie. We enjoyed conference even if Dad did get tired. Keith Mortensen found us seats in the Chapel. When we came out we could not find the car. Doctor Condie told us to wait until everyone left then we could find it. I told Dad where it was but he did not think so. But we went the way I wanted to go and there it was. Dad was really tired so he rested remainder of the day.

Dear Family

2010-04-26T15:01:00.002-07:00

Dear Family April 23, 2010

I’m sending you this note a little early this month due to my up coming departure for Hawaii. Up to this point most of the month has been spent getting things ready for the summer gardening and the watering system. I have had a hose or two to replace and a sprinkler head or two to replace. I must say my muscles are not used to this work and the getting up and down. They, my muscles, are sure complaining and otherwise letting me know that I have been doing some activities that I have not had to do for a while. My lawn is growing like crazy and I have not been able to cut it because my mower is at the repair shop getting a tune up. By the time I get home from Hawaii I will have a good crop of grass.

Say, that was a great rain storm we had Tuesday. That will sure help things grow. My peas are up and growing but as yet I have not dared set out the tomato plants Reed gave me. These plants are out growing their containers.

We, Jason, Brian and I made a trip to Myton last Saturday. While there we decided to burn the ditch bank off. This got kind of interesting. Just when we got the fire going a wind decided to come up and help the fire along. There was a time when it might have got away from us, but I stood my ground like a good fireman and stopped it before it burned up the bridge and maybe half of Myton. I don’t think Brian wanted me to set any more fires but I did. This time however, with more control. I hope this message finds everyone well. Next time I will tell you all about my trip to Hawaii.

Do take care,

Love,

Neil

Grandmother Atta Murray – Things I remember Part II

2010-04-26T15:01:00.000-07:00

Grandmother would always say, “Eat this or that so that it will stick to your ribs.” Grandfather would always say, “Now make out a meal”. Then after breakfast as soon as what grandmother would need for her day was retrieved, like wood for the cook stove and anything she might need from the potato pit that day, the work in the field started. Depending on the time of the year it could either be planting, weeding, mowing hay, hauling hay, shocking grain or herding the cows. By the time noon came it was easy to see why grandmother admonished us to eat enough to last us until noon. Because by the time noon came around there was not much left sticking to our ribs. We were pretty gaunt. The noon meal was always the big meal of the day. It seemed like grandmother always had a feast. On the farm this meal was always referred to dinner. The evening meal was always referred to as supper. The evening meal was generally the lightest meal of the day. Anyhow when we finished dinner it was always customary to rest our dinner. This generally took about an hour and then it was back to the fields. You always stopped the work in the fields when it was time to take care of the milking and evening chores. Then you would go through similar steps in the evening as we had done that morning and then as soon as the evening chores were done it was time for supper.

When I think of my Grandmother Atta Murray, I see her in a print dress and she always wore an apron. She wore her hair in a bob on the back of her head. I have seen her with her hair down and can remember her combing it in the evening. It seems as though there was always some time in the evening after supper and the dishes and all chores were done when I guess there was what one would call leisure time. These were the times when I always saw grandmother quilting or sewing. Grandfather would be at the table with his reading glasses on and under the coal oil lamp reading the scriptures or paper. The children were probably involved in reading a book, paper or playing a game like Monopoly. It seems like the game of Monopoly has been around forever. My mother told us that when the girls were home and it was time to clear the dishes from the table and wash them Grandfather would say to the girls “Come Sarah! Come Margaret!”

I remember grandmother always cooking and cleaning. She was always busy. Sunday, of course was the Sabbath and this is the day we took care of the necessary chores and then went to church. At that time there was a church building in Altonah. At this chapel I can remember helping pass the sacrament and being with the folks. Probably the last time I was in this chapel was at Gary’s funeral. This would have been in the fifties when our Deward was a baby. That was a very hard day. Gary was Uncle Claude and Nada’s first child. He was drowned in the canal that ran through grandfather’s farm.

From Anna and Wilmer Murray’s Journal

2010-04-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

Friday April 11, 1980

(Justin’s Birthday) Cold, Work again. I Worked from 8:15 to 8:45. Part of this was taking my report to Jeanie. She lives in the house Dad and I admire. It is built against the hill in the rocks. We had to wait a while for her to come home. (While we waited) We made out my time sheet for her to send off. Then I worked from 6:30 to 8:45. Would have done one more (farm) but couldn’t get the people to answer the door.

LaVora called to see if Dad had gotten word of the Silver Beaver yet. Brother Heaton said it was official and to bring Dad’s picture for the paper.

Saturday April 12, 1980

A beautiful day! Dad gives out when he goes to do the yard. So Archie came and finished tilling the garden, then he (Dad) and I finished cleaning the yard.

At 2:30 we went to the hospital to have Dad’s blood pressure checked. It is fine, but Dr. Shup told him he would call to see if he should take another water pill.

Dad received his official word about his Silver Beaver. So we went to Heatons to pick up tickets. We bought eight but probably need more. We had a letter from Alice.

Jerry and Marylyn News

2010-04-07T10:44:00.000-07:00

Hello Murray Family!
I guess it is my turn to write and I'm hoping that this is finding you all doing well. I'd like to hear from more of you on the Murray family blog! Neil does a great job keeping us up-to-date on his family and keeping us in touch with Grandma and Grandpa with interesting pictures and tidbits of information.
We have our reservations to the Murray Family Reunion in Nauvoo, so we hope that we will see many of you there. We are also looking forward to spending some time in beautiful Maui the end of this month.

Jerry and I (mostly Jerry) are painting the inside of our house, so this pretty much takes up our time during the day. We are hooked on "24" and "Dancing With the Stars", so that is our entertainment. Each morning we try to do indexing of 100 names. The days seem to come and go too fast.
We enjoyed General Conference and Easter! We had the Lyle Murray family over the day before Easter; and Susannah, Kevin, and Jenn over for Easter dinner. Lisa and family are on vacation in Nevada, Grand Canyon and Arizona while Kyra and Austin are out of school for Easter vacation. Allison went to Pocatello with her roommate for Easter. Susannah and Kevin just returned from a wonderful trip to Niagara Falls and Palmyra, so they are really doing Church history trips this year as they will be at the Nauvoo reunion with us. I just thought I would tell you that we have the six cutest grandchildren ever!
Happy Spring everybody. Stay healthy and well!
Love,

Marylyn (and Jerry)

Lately For Allison

2010-04-05T19:59:00.000-07:00

Hello Family!

I hope everyone is happy and well. I figured it was about time for me to turn in an update! Things I've been up to recently...I went with my roommates down to Southern California and we had a lot of fun with Lisa's kids and going to Disneyland. I also booked my flight to China...my friend and I leave on May 9th! I can't wait! I attended the Color Festival in Utah. Mom and dad were freaked out that I would get all that color all over their house. I'm going to going to say if they were right or not! :) Last night I got back from Pocatello, my first time there! I went with my roommate to her parent's house up there for Easter/Conference. We had a great time. Anyway, I hope everyone is doing well!

Dear Family

2010-04-05T19:51:00.000-07:00

Dear Family March 27, 2010

Hello to everyone, from my little part of the world. From here I have had the opportunity to experience warm and cold days, snowy and rainy days and all of the usual things that happen in the month of March. With all of this going on I managed to spade my little garden area, have managed to have my trees pruned and the limbs hauled away. The leaves are coming out on the current bushes, the buds are swelling on the cherry and apple trees and the lawn is getting green and as a result I can see nothing but a lot of work. The thing that keeps me going is the thought of the harvest in the fall.

Around the 12th of March we managed to get all of the family together, those who were available and wanted to go, and attended the Disney on Ice – Worlds of Fantasy. This turned out to be a fun activity. The show was good but it was more fun to watch the facial expressions and gestures of the little ones and the young at hearts. That made it all worth while. We were pleased that it could happen at a time when those members of the family living out of State could be here with us. Our family filled two complete rows. Like the man said who sold me the ticket, “Your can have your own cheering section.” And we did.

Well I’m getting to the point where I’m thinking about Hawaii since it is now less than a month before departure date. I hope I can have most of my yard work done before we go, but right now the weather is not being very cooperative. I’m not sure if it is just conference week end or if winter is back or both. I wanted to put dormant oil on my fruit trees this week end but it looks like it is going to snow and rain all week end. Then it is cold too. Oh, things will work out, they always do, one way or another. I hope all is well with your families. Do take care.

Love, Neil

Jerry LaVora Dewey Neil Darrell

Pictures From Neil

2010-04-05T19:49:00.000-07:00

4th of July 1960, Is there someone it the picture that you recognize?

Do you know what this is and what it was used for?

Story Time Part I

2010-04-05T19:43:00.000-07:00

Some things I remember

A Typical Farm Yard of the 20 s

A day on Grandfather and Grandmother’s farm went something like this. You were up early in the morning, I would guess around four or five. Then the first order of business was to put hay in the stalls for the cows and then to bring them into the stable where each cow was locked in what we called a stanchion. Then it was time to milk. It seems like there was around 12 to 14 or so cows to milk. There was this one old gal that liked to kick, so grandpa always milked her. I still recall the ritual he went through to get ready to milk her. He had a rope that he would put around one of her legs and then put the other end around a board on the side of the barn wall and pull her leg back and until it was about straight. Then he would sit down and milk her. Clyde and I, by time he was finished with her, had most all of the other cows milked. Once the milking was done there were the calves to feed and the milk to separate. Then once all the chores were done it was time to go to breakfast. It seemed like we always had to take some milk to the house. While we were taking care of the animals, grandmother was getting breakfast. As I recall there was always Milk, all-bran muffins, whole wheat or cracked wheat cereal, eggs and in grandpa’s house I’m not sure whether there was bacon or not. Then before we started to eat, we would all kneel and Grandfather would give the payer. Once when Uncle Boyd and I were staying at the old homestead when we were working on the sprinkler system at the Altonah Cemetery I remarked to Uncle Boyd how I liked to listen to Grandfather pray and I was trying to remember the word he used as he started the payer. Uncle Boyd said “I will never forget” Then he repeated the words “Our Father Who Dwells in the Heavens ----.”

From Anna and Wilmer Murray’s Journal

2010-04-05T19:27:00.000-07:00

Wednesday March 5, 1980

Nice day, but it clouded up at evening. I washed this morning and hung out the clothes. We were going to rake but Dad said it is too cold. About eleven I called Fred to go with us to Roosevelt. He is really tired. He works to hard in the yard. We shopped for cloth and bats as Penny’s were having a Sale. When we got home I sewed and pressed the star quilt. It is all ready to be marked. Neil came to stay with us. After supper the phone rang. It was Jerry. They have a baby girl and all is well. He said the little quilt is in Customs yet. He has a job in San Francisco when he comes home. We called LaVora, she was asleep, we had a nice chat. Then we called the Darrell’s. Neil called Ella and then we called the Dewey’s. Everyone was pleased about the new addition to the Murray Clan.

Dear Family

2010-04-05T19:25:00.001-07:00

Dear Family February 24, 2010

Just a line or two to let everyone know that I’m still around. There has not been a lot going on other than the usual things like church meetings, reading, planning or day dreaming and once in awhile watching the Olympics.

As far as my church calling, I’m still trying to figure out what it is that I should be doing. I have been reading a book that Reed gave me. It is titled “He Restoreth My Soul”. It is a rather sobering read. I find the author quite fascinating. In the evening I have been watching some of the Olympics. I have seen quite a bit of the ice skating competition. I find it quite interesting how easily they glide around and do all of their, sometimes scary moves. I used to think I was doing good to just stand up on a pair of ice skates. Oh well we had fun. As far as the day dreaming is concerned, what I’m thinking of is warmer days. This has been a cold winter. But then to keep from feeling sorry for myself I just take note of the temperatures in the Basin. Then, like the girl says in “The Sound of Music”, I don’t feel so bad.

As I noted last month it was my intention to write somewhat about my Grandmother Atta Armelia Ashby Murray. In preparation for my self assigned topic I had conversations with LaVora and Charlene. Each had a lot of memories to share. LaVora and I of course first hand and Charlene’s through the eyes and memories of her Grandmother, our Mother Anna Mary Winkler Murray. For this month we have included Charlene’s writing about her thoughts and feelings and Testimony. I hope everyone enjoys her account.

Love, Neil

Monday, February 08, 2010

2010-04-05T19:24:00.000-07:00

There is a beautiful painting of Emma and Lucy Smith entitled “More than Just Friends” by Liz Lemon Swindle. When I first saw the painting I considered another role of Emma Smith, that of daughter-in-law. Given the many opinions of her that have been reported in religious education settings throughout my life, I sometimes had a negative view of her. I knew that it was not my place to judge and yet I often wondered why she did not remain true to the faith and gather her family in a safe refuge.

All it took for me to be justly reproved was to suffer just a small part of what Emma experienced. When my sister gave birth to a stillborn daughter and I followed a few years later with a grievous miscarry, my thoughts turned to Emma. I knew the grief and sorrow I felt for my sister and the emptiness I carried in my soul for children that would never be. How must it have been for Emma? She lost so much more than I and had no stable home to call her own. What anxieties must she have felt each day of her life when mobs disrupted her places of abode with constant threats and physical harm to her husband?

There was one person who was a constant throughout her life and that was Joseph’s mother, Lucy. Records show that Emma and Lucy were true and beloved companions. Lucy loved Emma dearly and that love was returned by Emma who cared for Mother Smith throughout her life.

I wanted to be a witness of that loving relationship. I wanted to know how it worked, and why it worked.

Often I have pondered these thoughts without realizing that I had role models much closer to me than I realized. I had a portrait very much like Emma and Lucy in Anna and Atta. I was blessed with a close and comfortable relationship with my Grandmother. We chatted freely about many topics. I had so much fun getting to know my Grandma.

I loved to listen to her tell me stories about my Great Grandma Murray. I didn’t know my Great-grandmother, but I knew about her from listening to my father recount his experiences with her. I knew how dear she was to my father and somehow it seemed natural that she was also dear to my grandmother. It took me a while to figure out that great Grandma Murray was my Grandma’s mother-in-law. When Grandma and Grandpa

were first married Great Grandma “took me in right away and loved me as a daughter.” Grandma talked about when they lived near one another in Altonah how Great Grandma would meet them at the close of a long day “with a chicken all dressed out” because she knew that they would be tired and hungry. Grandma talked of working in the garden with Great-Grandma and of being busy with church service during those days in Altonah.

Great Grandma was there for the dark painful days when death visited Grandma and Grandpa and robbed them of their beloved son. Great Grandma was there to care for them with a gentle hand and share their unspeakable grief.

When Grandma and Grandpa moved to Myton it was hard for them. “I missed her so much,” Grandma said.

At the close of my Great Grandmother’s life she came to be with Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma told me how disease had robbed Great Grandma of her mobility and how she helped to bathe her and gently rub lotion on her “poor little body”. Other family members had attempted to feed Great Grandma prior to her coming to stay with Grandma and Grandpa and Grandma told me that she found food caked on the roof of her mouth. Grandma cleaned her mouth out and helped her eat broth which she could more easily swallow.

My Grandma always cried when she told me about the last night of Great Grandma’s life. Great Grandma was in the upstairs bedroom and it was getting dusk. Grandma went in to make sure that Great Grandma was comfortable. Grandma said that she seemed frightened, so she remained in the room with Great Grandma to comfort her. Great Grandma said, “Blind, Anna.” Grandma, thinking that the sinking sun was bothering her eyes, pulled the blind down. When Grandma recounted the story to me she said, “It wasn’t until after she died that I realized she was trying to tell me that she couldn’t see; that she was blind.” Then my Grandma wept. She too was blind, and she knew better than anyone how frightening that must have been for her mother-in-law.

In my opinion there could not be a more pure picture of what a mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship is than Anna and Atta. I have never read accounts nor heard stories of my Great-Grandmother from anyone who knew her who didn’t testify of what a remarkable, faithful daughter of Zion she was. I am so glad that I knew her through my Grandmother’s eyes. Eyes that couldn’t see things of mortality at the last, but eyes that help me see the “sweetest soul that ever walked the Earth.”

I believe that my Grandma loved her mother-in-law so dearly for at least two reasons. 1) They both loved Wilmer and 2) My Grandmother had a remarkable loving relationship with her own mother, Martha Verona.

Atta Armelia (Back row)

William Ashby Family

Pictures From Neil

2010-04-05T19:19:00.000-07:00

There is a big red bull on the hill, it eats & eats & Never gets full. What is it?

Darrell Kay Murray

From Anna and Wilmer Murray’s Journal

2010-04-05T19:15:00.001-07:00

Monday, February 11, 1980

It is still cold. – Made several trips up and down the stairs for exercise. Then caught up on this writing. I have been neglecting it. It is so hard to remember back, I get my days mixed up. That was one of the goals I had set for myself, but get too involved with other things. Will try to do better. Worked on the little quilt. Had to make the one ruffle all by hand. Ruth called to tell us Senior Mortensen died. Still no letter from Jerry’s. Received one from LaVora with a $-- check for the dolls and Valentine. So we called them. Had a good visit on the phone. LaVora is like Travis said, “a Perfect person”. Dad and I enjoy each other so much.

Tuesday, February 12 1980 (my mother’s birthday)

Cold but a very nice day. I called LaVora again this morning I had a question on my mind and I wanted to tell her what a good person she is. They were not awake. John answered, it was about 5:30 a m here so it would be six thirty there. Dad took me to Relief Society. I offered the prayer in prayer meeting. Sisters Verda Campbell and Reva Allred were Stake visitors.

California Murrays

2010-02-10T21:46:00.001-08:00

February 2010

It is nice to have Allison back from being MIA so she can remind us to provide an update on our family activities. Marylyn and I have been taking a few weeks off to relax and stay out of the rain. It has been raining almost every day for the past few weeks.

While it has been raining we have tried to do a few things in the house we have been putting off over the years. So we have removed all the wallpaper from the bath rooms and will start on the dining room when Marylyn can get me motivated to do so. The walls are so high that I keep thinking that the wall paper looks fine to me. I am having a hard time getting Marylyn convinced of that. One thing I have found is that things take a lot more time than they use to, and sometimes I end up doing things twice because of mistakes I make. We plan to paint both bathrooms and then move on to the other rooms in the house when time permits.

The past two weekends we have turned our house into a dog kennel. Jennifer has taken a few trips and asked us to take care of her dog while she was gone. She said it was too cold outside for the dog so it ended up sleeping in the laundry room. I do not remember ever having to take a dog for a walk so it could do its duty. What we do for our kids! I have made it clear to her that we have enough animals around here that our children have dropped off (Allison and Jennifer have both dropped off cats we have been taking care of for the past 12 years) and will only take care of her dog, Nikki, for short periods of time. She keeps telling me that I like her dog so much that I want to get one. NOT SO!

I think that Marylyn mentioned last month that Lyle and family have moved into their new house and seem to have settled in. We were there a week or so ago and found that they are doing very well. Lyle is working on the fence so their new puppy can have a yard to run around in. I assume that Lyle is getting accustomed to his new commute back and forth from Suisun to Petaluma. The kids like school and keep busy doing home work. Michael still is able to beat me on all the games he gets me to play on their wii.

We hear from Susannah almost every day during her commute home from work. She has unlimited minutes on her cell phone so I assume it makes the time go by much faster as she fills us in on what crazy thing happened that day at work. We are going over to their ward in Sonoma to have a crab and pasta feed for our Valentine presents to each other. I guess I will take some lettuce and make myself a Crab Luis. Susannah and Kevin have the wii networking set up so that the cousins and aunts and uncles can play games with each other even though they live at different ends of the state. That has been fun for them.

As you all know, it is hard to keep up with Allison and her trips. She is at Lisa's now taking care of Kyra and Austin while Lisa and Bob take a business trip. She is looking forward to her trip to China in May. It has been doing a lot of raining down in S. CA too, but so far Lisa and Bob's house is okay and their pool hasn't run over. They don't need to take a vacation anywhere…all they need to do is go out in their backyard and enjoy.

Things are nice and green in Petaluma and I have to cut the lawn about every two weeks-- provided it does not rain. Not too sure if it is worse to have snow or rain.

Neil's tales about the Uintah Mt trips and people getting lost brought back a few memories. It was nice to get the whole story on Neil getting lost.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Jerry (and Marylyn)

The Jeff Murray Clan

2010-02-07T19:35:00.001-08:00

Hi-

Our daughter McKenna recently completed all of the requirements to earn her YW medallion. She also just recently got her driver's permit and must log 100 supervised hours behind the wheel before she can attempt to get her license. We hope that she catches on so that she can drive herself across town to seminary next year. :-)

Our son Zack just took a first place ribbon in his school's science fair. His project will be entered into a multi-school science fair held at UNLV in March.

Jeff has been learning to play the bagpipes on a practice chanter, and recently got his actual bagpipes. (Now he can really blow the neighbors away) He plans to play with the fire department's pipe and drum band.

Hope everyone is happy and healthy.

The Jeff Murray Clan

From Anna and Wilmer's Journal

2010-02-07T18:12:00.001-08:00

Sunday, January 6, 1980

We went to all Church meetings and enjoyed them. Lester came down about five o’clock. I thought he was coming for dinner but he didn’t stay. We had round steak, baked potatoes, beets, salad and ice cream for desert. Tried to get Fred to come but he had company. We really enjoyed Lester’s little visit. I believe LaVora called, but can’t remember just which day. She is so good about calling. I worked on my Visiting Teaching lesson for Tuesday.

Monday, January 7, 1980

We didn’t do anything out of the ordinary today. Dad got his wood in and I crocheted. Oh, I worked on my Visiting Teaching Lesson again today.

Tuesday, January 8, 1980

I decided to make handouts for my lesson. Dad fixed breakfast. The Bishop was at our Prayer meeting this morning and visited the Visiting Teachers message and Relief Society meeting. He looked tired. Hope he didn’t overdo. My lesson, with the help of Heavenly Father went over well. LaRae gave the In-service lesson first as Linda forgot to have her do it in Prayer meeting. So that set the pattern for my lesson. I thanked her for helping and then went on into the lesson. Floy Johnson is the new Spiritual Living Teacher. She gave a good lesson. Dad came back for me. Crocheted the rest of the day and typed Anna’s history over.

From Neil

2010-02-07T18:02:00.001-08:00

Sage Brush

January 25, 2010

Dear Family

Well one thing that I can say is that winter continues. This past week has been one of one snow storm right after another. Sunday, however the sun came out and gave us a nice sunny day. There has been much going on with two weddings and two new arrivals. Reed and Kerry went back to Pennsylvania to see their new granddaughter and Angela and Amber returned from their honey moons. Angela was showing us her cruse pictures last night. She had a DVD where they were playing with the dolphins. It looked like they were having fun. Me, I did get around to booking a couple of flights to Hawaii in April where LaVora and I will hook up with Jerry, Marylyn, Dewey and Beverly for a few days. It will be nice to spend some time together. I think we have also finally got things squared away for our trip to Nauvoo. So I do hope to see everyone there.

As Near as I can tell, from LaVora’s Point of View or the Rest of the Story
It seems that after the ring episode on the shore of the lake, LaVora assuming that Neil had gone back to camp, which she could see from her vantage point, went on her way back to camp, probably the long way which took her to where Uncle Lee was working. I guess that since it was such a nice day that she was “moseying along” enjoying everything around her. I can see her checking out the flowers, interesting rocks and the lichens on the rocks. Upon reaching the place where uncle was he inquired of her “Where is Neil?” to which LaVora answered, “He went back to camp.” To which Uncle Lee said to her “You had better go check.” Whether or not LaVora hastened her pace as she went to camp I would not know but upon reaching camp and mother not seeing Neil with LaVora I would guess, one could only imagine what must have gone through mother’s mind. As LaVora said it had only been about six months since they had lost Deward. So the anxiety level must have been pretty high. LaVora said, “I went and hid as the search began.” She said that she could hear mother calling for Neil and the men who were searching trying to get her to be quiet so if Neil was calling they could hear him. At the conclusion of the successful search LaVora said, “I was hiding so that they had to spend a little time finding ne”. But soon all were together again and in a day or two things had returned to normal except that perhaps Neil’s cruising range was now probably somewhat limited. At this point in my writing the words my father spook to Jerry one evening in the Uinta mountains when Jerry and one of the other scouts had been lost and had eventually found their way back to camp and as they were bedding down for the night, Dad said to Jerry, “Sure beats sleeping under a sage brush.”

Next: Grandmother Atta Armela Murray

Hello From Marylyn

2010-01-14T14:33:00.001-08:00

Dear Family,

Well, I can't let Allison and Neil be the only ones in the family to respond to Allison's request for family articles for the Murray Family Blog, and besides, I think it is my turn as Jerry wrote last.

Happy 2010 to everyone! In most ways, 2009 was a good year for our family, but hopefully 2010 will be even better. We wish you all good health and much happiness.

Jerry and I are looking forward to a week in Maui, HI for a Murray brother/sister reunion. We will be staying at our timeshare in Maui during the week of April 24th to May 1st. We hope to introduce them to the beauties of that island and just relax and soak in the warmth of the climate and people.

We have already made our flight reservations for the Murray extended family reunion in Nauvoo and are looking forward to a week of visiting Church history sites and spending family time with those of you who are also coming. Our family will be represented by Susannah, Kevin, Allison, Kyra (Lisa's daughter), Jerry and me. We hope to see many of you there! Thank you, Travis, for making this reunion possible!

Jerry has been in Provo for the last week and a half getting our basement there ready to pass inspection - which, as of this morning, has passed. Jerry is such a wonderful handyman, and his family surely do appreciate his many talents and his ability to work hard and long. Susannah and Kevin have made sure that I haven't been too lonely while he has been gone.

Lyle, Jean and family have moved into their home in Suisun City, CA. It was a lot of work as it was a real fixer-upper, but due to the efforts of many, it is now very livable and is perfect for them right now. A new little puppy joined their family for Christmas.

It was nice to have Allison here with us for Christmas. She even stayed longer than usual. Allison is the one who talked us into renting the two basement bedrooms in the Provo house out to two of her friends. I'm already looking forward to spending September and October in all the beautiful fall colors of the mountains and canyons.

Susannah and Jenn both passed the classes they were taking last semester and so are both one step closer to getting into new programs and eventually new occupations. We congratulate them!

Love to you all,

Marylyn

MIA

2010-01-14T12:11:00.002-08:00

Hello Family Members!

I've been a little MIA lately, sorry for that! I went to Italy at the end of October through the start of November, and then headed to Colorado and after that was Southern California. Then headed home to Northern California for Christmas. I've also been helping a couple friends move into the basement of mom and dad's house out here in Provo. Hopefully 2010 will be a little less hectic!

I'm really looking forward to going to Nauvoo this summer and seeing all of you there!

From Neil

2010-01-14T12:11:00.001-08:00

Dear Family,

As another year comes to an end I must say that, in spite of all that is going on in this old world of our, I'm indeed grateful for my many blessings. We had a great many events leading up to Christmas and many following. With the exceptions of a few of our family members who were many miles away from us, our family spent two nights at the Aspen Grove Lodge again this year. This year, however, we had what one would call deluxe accommodations. The layout was similar to what we used to have at Snowshoe Lodge where we could be all together under the same roof. It was nice and like I told our family members, they are a bunch of hams. Reed and Kerry always bring up several games, which they did again this year. One was called "You Can't Trust a Pirate" They were not satisfied with just playing the game...they had to make like pirates. I think that was Melissa's idea. They had us all in stitches. Of course there were other games that were just as much fun. Neil J brought his Wii. Before the day was over they had all mastered the ski jump. From time to time they also found time to play in the snow. All in all we had great time. It was a little hairy coming home in the snow storm but with common sense and careful driving everyone got home O.K. The next day Reed called to say that Nathan and Nicole's daughter arrived about 1:30 that morning. She is Katie Linn and weighed 8 lbs 3.5 oz. and was 21 inches long. Good sized baby. Mother, father and child are doing well.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their gifts of goodies and especially the gift of Love.

Do take care. Love,

Neil

Story Time: Lost

During the days that followed I would guess that LaVora and I had time to explore the area within limits, while Mother was cooking and Dad was at work. On this one day I remember LaVora and I were out walking. LaVora had a ring that she was kind enough to let me wear. I'm not sure where she got the ring, probably in a box of Cracker Jacks. There used to be prizes in Cracker Jacks. At any rate as we walked, we were going along the shore of what seemed to me at the time to be a big lake. I think LaVora's timing was a little off...just a little...for as we walked along the lake shore she decided that she wanted me to return the ring. I must have thought the ring was pretty nice and wanted to wear it a little longer. LaVora, however thought I had worn it long enough and insisted, probably physically that I return it. The result was that I threw the ring as far as I could out into that big lake. This did not make LaVora any too happy, as she immediately thumped me, turned and left for camp. Now, since I had been deprived of the ring and had been disciplined by my big sister, my protector, I was crying, feeling bad, and was left alone on the shore or dam of the big lake.

I guess after a while, maybe a few seconds, crying, and for obvious reasons not wanting to get too close to LaVora, I went on what I thought was my way back to camp. Only problem was, I went the wrong way. I soon found myself surrounded by big tall pine trees. I'm not sure how long I wandered, but it must have been for quite a while. As I recall the sun began to set, for I got back to where I could see the sun shining on one of the streams we had crossed when we came into the area. Needless to say I was pretty scared and was crying in earnest by this time.

In the mean time LaVora had returned to camp. I guess, from what Mother said, she said nothing and was just playing around camp doing her own thing without a small brother in tow. Mother said she asked LaVora "Where is Neil?" To which LaVora said, "I don't know. Didn't he come back to camp?" Well, needless to say this started a small boy search. That was one time that I really brought the wheels of progress to a halt. I guess it was not long before all the work on the dam had stopped and everyone was looking for Neil.

As I mentioned, I was crying and still walking away from camp when I heard Mother call me. Of course being a very lonely little boy and wanting in the worst way my Mother, I answered her. I'm sure my crying alone would have led them to me. I can remember to this day these two men coming around in front of me. One of them picked me up. It was then that Mother cam on the scene. The man who was holding me handed me to Mother. I can never remember it feeling so good to be in my Mother's arms.

The rest of the summer there was rather uneventful except for one or two other items that are still a part of my memory.

I can remember this one day they were setting off a charge of dynamite. It runs in my mind that we had been told to stay back beyond a certain place. Uncle Lee and I were standing beyond that location and I can still see this other man standing up several feet in front of us. When the blast went off it blew rocks into the air striking the man in front of us on the head. There were some small pieces of rocks that rolled up almost to our feet.

Journal

2010-01-14T12:04:00.001-08:00

From Anna and Wilmer Murray's Journal

Thursday, November 15, 1979

We went to Relief Society this morning. I was going to the Social Relations but got stuck in the Mother's Education. The class leader was well prepared but I can't believe they have as many children problems as they brought out. Dewey is making little cradles for the Bazaar. They are really cute. He also worked on the house.

In the evening they went to Errika's School Concert. We stayed here, tried to crochet but went to sleep. So we were just going to bed when they come home. Dewey came up and visited for a while. I called Ruth this morning.

Friday, November 16, 1979

Here we are awake again at 4:00 A. M. Dad is back to sleep and I'm writing. Wish we would stay asleep for another couple of hours. It sounds like it is raining. We haven't seen the sun since we came here. No storm, just overcast all the time. I guess I had better write Neil. We made little covers for the cradles Dewey made for the Bazaar. I crocheted one.

Saturday, November 17, 1979

We got the letter off to Neil and Ella. We all went to the Bazaar. It did rain all night. Beverly sold the dolls and two cradles. We had noodles for dinner. Erricka didn't like hers so I ate mine and hers. They were made by the Chinese friends where we went when Dewey Wilmer graduated. I made another afghan for the cradles. Finally we were home again. We were sleepy at six but did stay up to listen to Lawrence Welk. I'm making a dress for another doll. I'll have to wait until I can get another head before picking a doll for the dress. I figured out how to start the pattern Erricka is making her shawl like. We had a letter from Ella telling that Sharon lost her baby on the 14^th.

Where is this and who is in the picture?

Where is this?

This is a sand stone stream bed - What do you see in this picture?

From Neil

2010-01-14T11:53:00.001-08:00

Dear Family

It seems that interest in the news letter has dropped off, but since I have put the second part of my story together I thought I would send a copy. We had a good Thanksgiving, day and meal. By the time the day was over most of the family had been here. The 24^th of November we had an addition to our family. Sharon and Brian's son, Brandon's wife gave birth to girl. She weighed six pounds and was nineteen inches long. Mother, daughter and Father are doing well. For now most of the family seems to be well. Me, I guess, like everyone else this time of the year, I'm working on getting ready for Christmas. It seems like we go along thinking it is a long way off but then all of a sudden here it is upon us. Then we run like mad to catch up. I understand LaVora had an enjoyable time in Arizona. At lest, for a while, she was where it was warm, but then all we need to do is wait a few months and it will be warm here too. Do take care and we will be in touch.

Love, Neil

Story Time - Water Storage

The farmers found that by selecting some of these larger lakes they could cut down into the natural dam, install a head gate and an outlet pipe and then by building the dam higher they had themselves a water storage area. Water stored in these lakes was held back for summer release.

My father, as I understand it, was the Foreman over the construction of one of these dams in what is known as the Timothy Basin. I also recall that Dad was what they called a power man. (This of course is another story) This area was known to me all of my life as the Timothy Lakes. I'm not sure how many summers, by this time; these men had been working on this dam. I can only assume that it was more than one. As mentioned earlier the lakes are within the wilderness area and there were no roads in the wilderness area so all of the equipment and supplies were taken in by pack horse. (Wrong! When riding with Uncle Boyd, to the Altonah Cemetery in 1998, he told me tales of himself driving a loaded wagon into the Timothy Basin, Anyhow -)

This one summer Father decided to take Mother and us kids with him. The kids at that time consisted of LaVora and me. It is unclear in my mind as to how long we were there but I would think that it was more than a month. When we left our place in Altonah we were on saddle horses and of course were leading some pack horses. I rode with Dad on his horse, old Herb. Dad had placed a pillow over the saddle horn and I sat in front of Dad on that pillow. LaVora, I assume, rode with mother. Where she was a little older she probably rode behind mother. At any rate this was our transportation to the Timothy Lakes, where we would make our home for the next while. I don't remember too much about the trip, only I do recall crossing some streams as we rode along. My folks tell me that by the time we got to our camp site I had worn a hole in the pillow where it had been rubbing against the saddle horn.

I have often wondered about Dad and Mother's farm. Like, who took care of it while we were gone? I can only guess that Grandfather, Grandmother and some of my Uncles and Aunts inherited the job. I can remember that Uncle Leland was at the camp with us. The farmers who owned a share of the water that was to come from the lake, furnished labor, equipment, horses etc. to pay their share of dam construction cost. I assume that this was one of the reasons why Dad, Lee and Boyd were there. Dad was working off his assessment and Lee and Boyd were working off Grandfathers assessment.

I can remember that while Mother was there she cooked for the crew of men that worked on the dam. She used what we called a camp stove. The stove was made of a light gage steel and its dimensions were some thing like 16 inches deep by 24 inches long and 12 inches high. It had a fire box and an oven. The stove was in the tent and the chimney went through, a metal support, in the top of the tent. Mother, among other things, would bake pies in the oven. We have a picture where the men are sitting in a circle eating their evening meal. I'm sitting at the right of my uncle Lee and LaVora is on his left. Dad is sitting across from us. I assume that mother is taking the picture. (Next month – Lost)

The Dam in 1943

Building The Dam in 1932

Dinner Time At Camp 1932

Journal

2010-01-14T11:31:00.001-08:00

From Anna and Wilmer Murray's Journal

Tuesday, October 13, 1981
Cool but nice day. No frost and no rain. (Deward's 57^th birthday if he had lived) I was reading in the Ensign this morning when the phone rang. It was Neil, he and Ella were ready to go to the Temple. He told us he was released, Sunday, October 11 from his Bishop assignment after 10 years and nine months. (9 years and nine months) He is now on the High Council and assigned to the Stake Farm. Dad ask him what they raised on the farm and he said milk, sour cherries and apples. Neither he nor Ella are too happy with the change. He has been a good Bishop and keeps close to his Heavenly Father.

It is too wet and muddy to do anything outside. We went for the mail, listened to the 12:00 o' clock news and were going to watch Big Money Movie but I remembered I had put ammonia in the oven so I could clean it. So Dad watched off and on and told me what was going on. Just before I finished the oven Ruth called to see if I wanted to go to the Institute class. We hadn't had dinner as Dad only wanted an apple and a glass of juice. I hurried to fix a little to eat and get ready. Sadie came just as we were ready to eat. So I grabbed a sandwich and we were on our way.

The class was good, especially the film on the Washington D.C. Temple. The subject was on early missionaries of the church in 1829 and 1830. Katherine Richens gave a report on Orson Hyde. When she told of the bag of gold given Orson when he was sent to dedicate the Holy Land, I ask if they wanted to know the name of the man who gave the money to Orson. I told them it was Joseph Ellison Beck Wilmer's great Grandfather. Then she told of the Blessing Orson ask for the man who gave the money. He blessed him that his posterity would not be rich but would never want and would never leave the church.

We were home by eight o'clock. Dad and I watched the show "Callie and his Son" and the news then off to bed.

Do you know any of these Men?

Do you know what this is? Extra points if you know where it is?

Where is this?

This is one horse power. Moab Utah

From Neil

2010-01-14T11:07:00.001-08:00

October 27, 2009

Dear Family
This past month has gone every bit as fast as the others and like the others it has been both a good month and a challenging month. The good part was the time we were able to spend with family and the challenging part was due illness in the family.

It has been great having Jerry and Marylyn here for the past two months and for LaVora's short visit. We were able to spend time with each other at three temples, Chuck A Rama, Myton, Jerry and Marylyn watching "Miss Potter" and eating their good food and a number of pleasant drives. While at Myton we did a lot of work, as usual, and after a nice lunch at the Frontier Café we even got to spend some time with Uncle Clyde and yes we did get to relax just a little. The temples we visited were the Provo, Draper and Oquirrh. Thanks for a pleasant and fun time, LaVora, Jerry and Marylyn

On the other side of the coin we had some anxious days as Nicole and Abby were ill. Nicole spent several days in the hospital with some painful problem that the doctors were never able to diagnose. She is home now feeling much better for which we are thankful. Our Abby had a bout with viral meningitis. She was a very sick girl for a while. Reed told me that she was able to return to school Monday.

Except for the fact that his mail seems to be getting lost, things seem to be going well for our missionary, Joshua, who is serving in Florida. He tells us, he think the reason he is not getting his mail is because the government is confiscating it for grandpa's jelly.

Love, Neil

Story Time

The High Uinta's

This bit of history took place at a time when the horseless carriage was really coming into its own. Yet there were areas of the country where there were no roads. As a matter of fact, where this event took place (I say this with tongue in cheek) there are no roads to this day. That's because now, as then, the area known as the High Uinta's has and was set aside as a Wilderness area.

When the homesteaders came to the Uintah Basin they found an area similar in appearance to what the Salt Lake Valley area must have been to the pioneers when they first entered that valley. (Grandmother Atta Armelia Murray said "All you could see was sage brush and Indian Tepees") They found the soil, where they planned to farm, in and around the Altonah area quite sallow and very rocky. The water supply for the area depended entirely on snow melt from the snow pack that accumulated, during the winter, in the Uinta Mountains. The amount of water that a settler would receive depended on their decreed water right. It simply amounted to the fact that "first in time, first in right." Since the Indians were in the area first they owned the first water right. This meant that the settlers could only file on what was known as flood or high water. On a good water year the water in the stream would stay at high water stage into August. On bad water year when the snow pack was light the high stream flows would dwindle until the homesteader's water right was either nonexistent or gone by the last of June. This would mean that even in a good year they probably only got one good cutting of alfalfa hay, a light yield of grain and as a rule no corn.

As the settlers could only use a small part of the flood or the high water that ran off in the spring the bulk of the water ran on down stream and in time ended up in the Ocean and later in Lake Mead. So the settlers in an effort to make their water right more nearly meet their crop growing period looked for ways to store some of the flood and high water so they could hold it back and then release water from the storage areas when needed.

In the Uinta Mountains there were and are many lakes. Many of these lakes were formed by glacier activity. The glaciers as they grew would push ahead of them, depending on their size, mounds of rock, silt, sand and other materials. Then at that time when the area where the glaciers were, began to warm (global warming I guess) and the ice began to melt, the glacier would recede. As it did the glacier left the mound of rock and soil it was pushing. This would form a terminal moraine or sort of a dam. These areas or terminal moraines became many of the lakes of the Uinta Mountains. (Next month – Water storage)

A view from King's Peak

Lake Atwood - Uinta Mountains - on way to Kings Peak

Hi From Charlene

2009-12-01T12:27:00.000-08:00

Hi!

Happy Halloween! We hope that all is well with everyone.

We are happy to have the harvest gathered in. Van bottled

28 quarts of peaches and 28 quarts of grape juice. We didn't have

many apples this year, so we just ate what we did have right off

the tree.

Marc just received his results for his Step III exam. He did well!

Now he will be a licensed physician. He is relieved to be at this

point in his training.

We took a short trip to visit with Marc and his family last month.

Jordan had a T-ball game which was more like "Bunch Ball" but

fun, nonetheless. We also were able to enjoy the Primary Program

Marc was able to come just long enough to hear Jordan say his

part and then scoot back to the hospital.

School is going well for me. So far, so good. There have been

several cases of H1N1 flu in my class. We just keep crossing

our fingers that I don't catch it and bring it home.

We love all of you!

Charlene

News From Jean and Lyle

2009-10-08T09:29:00.001-07:00

Hi All! We hope this finds all of you well. The main purpose of this letter is to inform everyone that we opened escrow on a home yesterday. We are planning on closing escrow no later than November 5, but we are hoping that it will be a week or so sooner than that (as soon as we can get the mortgage, which can take a couple of weeks, they have to do the home appraisal and everything). The current plan is that we will be moving, in the next two weeks, temporarily into Mom and Dad Murray's home until we can get our new home painted and make a few repairs. We think we'll be at Mom and Dad's about a month. So, the long and the short of this is, we're planning on moving to Suisun City, CA by early December 2009! love,the Lyle Murray Family Oh, btw, for those of you who might want to know- The home is a 4/2.5 on .15 acre. It is 1890 sf (we are currently living in 925 sf). It appears to be a nice, clean neighborhood. The house is about two blocks from an elementary school and the public library. We are EXTREMELY excited, although sad to be leaving Penngrove School and immediate family. We'll not be too far away though!

What is This?

2009-10-08T09:27:00.001-07:00

Anyone Remember This Hill?

2009-10-08T09:26:00.000-07:00

Do you know who these people are?

2009-10-08T09:25:00.000-07:00

From Anna and Wilmer's Journal

2009-10-08T09:19:00.001-07:00

Thursday, September 13, 1979

This Journal was given to me by our son Neil and his wife Ella and family. I finished my 1971-79 Diary yesterday; dad gave me for Christmas December 1978. LaVora is here with us. She washed the upstairs windows inside and outside. I washed the curtains from our room. They come out beautifully. LaVora put one back while Dad and I hung the others on the line. I meant to bring them in before we t to Roosevelt but forgot.
We went to do a little shopping then went to see Alice, as it is her birthday today. She is 82. No one was home, so we left our card and the ones Alice and Thelma Mathews gave us to give to her, and went through the cedars to Bluebell. This road always has many memories. We pointed out to LaVora where we had the camp wagon where we spent the first months of our marriage herding goats for Uncle John Ashby. Then we stopped to see Verona, but she wasn’t home. (We) stopped at Ronnie’s Store, Velma had gone home but we did see Bruce and one of Gary’s girls. No one was home at Bernard’s or Velma’s so we went on to Altonah through Clay Basin. It had been a long time since LaVora had gone that way. We visited with Lester and then came back home. My curtains had blown partly off the line but were ok. LaVora wanted to put up the peaches Clyde brought last night but I told her there was another day. She has worked so hard to help us before she goes back home. We really love and appreciate her. Wish she didn’t have to go back so soon. Dad made a fire in the fireplace. We visited and had a snack while we enjoyed it. I don’t write so good while I’m in bed.

Story Time From Neil

2009-10-08T09:18:00.001-07:00

Back in the good old days when we were very young and lived in Altonah our home was what mother referred to as the John Ashby home. It was a two room house with one room serving as the kitchen and dinning area and the other room serving also as multi purpose room. It was our bedroom and our living room. It was years later that I found out that there were such things as a couch and a big chair etc. The furnishings in this room consisted of a bed which we referred to as the day bed. That is in the daytime it folded up so that it served as a couch. At night it folded down so that it was a bed. I remember in those days that LaVora and I slept on camp cots. Then, too, we did not know that a clothes closet was a part of the bedroom. But we did know about wardrobes. It seemed that in that day Sears and Roebuck or Montgomery Ward made and sold about everything. The wardrobe was one of those items. It was merely a portable clothes closet. As I recall along with the daybed we had this wardrobe. Then, too, it really was not very big.
In that day we also lived on the Ute Indian Reservation. Most of the Indians lived to the south and east in what was known as White Rocks and Myton areas. There were this two Indians that lived up to the north of us, From time to time we would see them riding by on their way from or to town. Their names were Two Horn and Tu Rouse. I use to listen to the adults tell about when the Altonah Pioneers (Grandfather James B. Murray and others) were building the Farmers Canal from the Yellow Stone River to their farms that from time to time Two Horne or Tu Rouse would take a few shots in their direction. These kind of stories put just a little bit of fear in a child’s mind. I recall this one day when LaVora and I were home alone and we saw these Indians riding up the road. We became quite frightened for we were sure they would come in and scalp us. We looked for a place to hide. It was the wardrobe. Like I say it was not very big but it was big enough for two frightened children to hide in. We were quite relieved when they rode on by without stopping.

From Neil

2009-10-08T09:17:00.000-07:00

September 26, 2009

Dear Family

Where has this summer gone? It seems like it just passed me by. I did, however, get a trip or two to Myton as well as a trip to Idaho and a picnic up Provo Canyon. Oh, yes, I got the opportunity to speak in sacrament meeting.
As you know the trips to Myton were work projects. Over the past two years the trees and other vegetation regrowth has about turned our place into a jungle. After three trips and after several members of the family were turned loose with trimmers, pruners and chain saws there are not as many trees etc., now as there was. Dewey, Jerry and I spent a day in Myton. We did a lot more cutting and clearing. Jerry got on the chain saw, Dewey got on the weed trimmer and I got pair of pruners. We added to the pile of tree limbs. Now we need to find a time to go out and haul them off. While we were out there I had planned on treating Dewey and Jerry at the Frontier but Jerry brought each of us a Hershey bar. This got us by until we got back to Orem and we all went to the Sizzler for Dinner. Curtisy of Dewey and Beverly.
It has been nice to have Jerry and Marylyn close by and Dewey and Beverly stayed with me for a few days. While Dewey and Beverly were here we frequented the restraints a number of times. This one day Jerry and Marylyn took us to a camp ground up Provo Canyon for a picnic. The camp site they choose had lots of trees and a nice stream of water running past our picnic sight. It was really a present afternoon. Then all too soon Dewey and Beverly were gone. Jerry and Marylyn say they will be here until the end of the month or until it snow which ever comes first.
And, yes, I did get to speak in Sacrament meeting two weeks ago. When it came my turn to speak the member of the Bishopric conducting held up five fingers which meant “you can take five minutes.” I told the congregation that I felt like I was on the High Council again. So much for my opportunities, but you know, I did not mind.
Bruce and a friend stopped in last Saturday. It was good to see him. I’m glad he was able to take a few minutes with me.
Do take care.
Love, Neil

Jerry and Marylyn News

2009-10-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

Hello Murray Family!I guess everyone is tired of sending in news to Allison for the Murray Newsletter Blog, since the only ones we hear from, lately anyway, is Uncle Neil, and our family. Maybe we should do this just "whenever" someone has some news they want to share with the family (just my suggestion) and then we won't feel under any pressure. It's been fun though, Allison, and thank you very much for your awesome efforts. And, a big thank you to Neil for giving us such fun and interesting things to read and figure out!September in Utah was fun and October in Utah looks very promising. We have taken some beautiful canyon drives to see the Fall colors. This is a beautiful place to live in the Autumn! We will be going back to Petaluma the end of October, but we have enjoyed our visit with Dewey and Beverly, visiting with Neil and look forward to LaVora's visit for a week on the 15th. Jerry is busily engaged in our basement putting up the molding and door trims. We are doing the temple work for a Murray family from Ireland. We don't think they are related to us, but a friend did the research and asked us if we wanted to do their temple work. Neil and Jerry put a lot of work into a rental agreement for the Myton house and then sent it to our possible renter. We haven't heard back from him, so maybe the terms were too tough. Those boys are pretty rigid about how they want their old home treated! Maybe we will be on the lookout for a new renter.News flash from our family: Lyle and Jean are buying a fixer-upper house in Suisun, CA - about an hour from Petaluma. We sure will miss having them just across town, but it is a good thing that they will be putting money into a home of their own instead of down a black hole. Their Michael turned 7years old and Andrew turned 1 yr. in September. Have I ever told you how cute our six grandchildren are?!?!Jerry and I are getting together with the senior couple missionaries we worked with in the MTC International Office. I went to lunch the other day with four of the sisters and we had so much fun catching up. Jerry and I hope to attend a session in the Draper and the Oqquirh Temples before we go back to Petaluma.Well...that's about it for this month. We hope you are all healthy, happy and busily engaged in worthwhile things. Happy General Conference weekend!With love,Marylyn (and Jerry)

Hello From Jean and Lyle

2009-10-08T09:08:00.000-07:00

Hi all! I hope this finds you well. We are good but BUSY! Michael is in second grade and is doing well. He's one of the top readers in his class and is learning double digit addition, carrying tens, and studying geology and lifecycles in science. His improvement just from last year to this (we only have a 5 week break summer.....) is astounding! Izabella is in kindergarten this year and she LOVES it. She burns through her 4 to 6 pages of homework in about 20 minutes and asks for more. Anytime she brings home any kind of paperwork she tells me "guess what mommy, I got more homework today!" If its only informational papers for me she gets SO disappointed. She is learning phonics and doing well. She has learned the letters a, b, m, n, r, s, t- their sounds and names, and she is already figuring out how to spell words by sounding them out (like cat, sat, bat, hat, ran, can). We have a dry erase easel in the living room and she'll just spend 30 minutes sounding out and writing different words. She is learning her numbers 1 through 10 and doing many creative art projects that she loves! Penngrove is so awesome!!!!! The teachers have been wonderful and both sets have allowed me to bring all the kids in once a week to help in the classroom (Michael's room for about 40 minutes in the morning on Fridays and a little over an hour in Izabella's classroom on Wednesdays). I'm also doing the book orders for Michael's class this year. If feels so good to help out the teachers. They are amazing and underpaid. Their dedication and commitment, I just can't say enough about them!!!! Kathrynn is as mischievous and hilarious as ever. She speaks very concisely and will tell you exactly what you should and shouldn't be doing. She is now waiting very impatiently to start school herself. If you ask her what her or anyone else in the family's name is she will very clearly tell you Daddy, Mommy, Michael Blaine Murray, Izabella Jeanne Murray, Kathrynn Heather Murray, and Andrew Lyle Murray. She doesn't say just their first name, its the whole thing. She likes to help me out and she also does very well independently. She loves to color and play imaginative games. You'll find her quietly in the living room playing with her toys (mostly animals, she LOVES animals, she usually walks around saying, "I love your doggy, I love the kitty", as a matter of fact, that's what Kathrynn is saying most of the time, she LOVES everything, or she hates me, but you know, that goes with the mommy territory, they love you and they hate you, laugh or cry, there's no in between.....). Andrew is not quite walking yet but he climbs everything. If he can't climb onto it he'll push a stool or chair (even from another room) up to it so that he can climb it. He gets on and off the beds, couches, and chairs in the kitchen. He can't get onto the kitchen counter, but he can push the chairs up to them so that he can reach the entire thing. No really many signs of walking. He will stand up by himself, but he doesn't like to do it. He will walk along things, and push things from room to room standing up, but no walking by himself. All the other kids were walking by now, but I'm not too worried about it. I can hardly keep up with him on all fours, I don't know what I'm going to do when he's running on two!!! Andrew is still the happiest baby in the whole world. He is also the most loved. The kids will squabble, usually Kathrynn being the odd "man" out, but everyone LOVES Andrew. The kid is going to be spoiled rotten, even if I don't do it the kids will (and I'll be hard pressed to not spoil him myself, he melts me, I'm putty in his 1 year old hands.....). He is talking a little, you know, dada and mama, and he's into everything. Lyle is well, work is stressful but its work and we're all VERY glad he has a job in these rough times. I'm good and busy just trying to keep everyone fed, clean, caught up with their homework, keeping the house clean (and of course Lyle helps with ALL these things too) and getting everyone to where they are supposed to be mostly on time. By the way, Michael had perfect attendance last year, and no tardies. Thanks to Lyle making breakfast and lunches, the kids working with us to get to school on time, no illnesses (amazing!), he was one of 15 kids in the entire student body of 320 that accomplished that. He's already missed 1.5 days this year because of illness, but neither he nor Izabella have any tardies, and tomorrow is the day of our first three week break! Where does the time go! Well, I hope this finds you all well. Sorry that its been so long since I've written. I'm swamped!!! I love you all, and the rest of the family does too. Thank you for your love, support, and tolerance. We miss you! love,jean and family

Oh, I forgot, Lyle got up early on Michael's bday day, even though it was a school/work day, and made homemade pancakes from scratch (you know, home ground whole wheat flour and all the other ingredients) for the family, that's the photo of Michael and the Micky Mouse pancake. No offense to all you all, but I really do have the best husband in the whole world. Thanks to Jerry and Marylyn. I don't think my kids will appreciate, at least until they are trying to have families of their own, and perhaps not even then, how great their dad is. Thank you Lyle. I love and appreciate you, and the whole world should know it! :) Thanks to all you husbands, grandfathers and fathers, you'll never really know the influence you have on your kids, but they take on many of your character attributes and they look up to you so very much! love,jean

Murray Reunion 2010!

2009-09-24T21:11:00.001-07:00

Greetings!

I hope all is well with the Murray Family. We had a great visit with Dewey and Beverly when they came down for Zach and Karlee’s wedding.

I have finally heard from Camp Nauvoo. Unfortunately, most of the week I requested was taken up by the church.

So, I ended up reserving 4 Nights. Saturday July 31, and August 1, 2, 3. We check out of the camp by noon on the 4th.

I know that this is not what we originally planned, but I hoping that it is still early enough that it will still accommodate everyone.

Please let me know your thoughts about the dates and if you are planning to attend.

Lots of Love,
Travis

Austin and Kyra Fisher's First Day of School and Ball Game

2009-09-18T11:02:00.001-07:00

Hello From Jerry

2009-09-15T13:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Family-

We have been working on the yard and trying to keep the deer, squirrels and gofers out of the garden and walnut tree here in Petaluma. The garden was starting to produce when we left to go to Utah . I guess I raised a garden for the animals and the kids as I do not think we will get much from the garden this year.

Marylyn is happy to be back in Utah so she can visit her family and live in her house. She is looking forward to all the Fall colors on the mountains and canyons. We went on a picnic up the Provo Canyon with Dewey, Beverly and Neil the other day and we could see that the trees are starting to turn even though it is still rather warm. We enjoyed our time with the Neil and the Dewey's.

We are back in Utah staying with Allison in our Provo House. It seems strange to be here and not serving a mission. We have a lot of time on our hands, although I still have lots to do in the basement. We will just probably keep working on it every time we come back to Utah.

We just returned from our semi-annual trip to Montana with our friends the Lewis’ and the Buchan’s. We spent a week with them in their cabin next to West Yellowstone . We had a great trip but the fishing stunk. I was able to hook a few, but was never able to get them into the boat. That was about all we could complain about as the rest of your time was peaceful and restful. We took in a play at West Yellowstone and went to see Old Faithful . It was not too faithful as it was over a one half hour late. It did give us time to eat our lunch.

This past week we have been out to Myton to do a little clean up on the place and see if we can rent it. I think we have some one who will rent if for a year. Just need to get a contract to him and get the money out of him. .

A rather slow month for the Murrays.
Love,
Jerry (and Marylyn)

Allison's Life

2009-09-11T14:11:00.000-07:00

Hello Family!
Just a quick update. I think it was last month that a friend and I were able to attend the temple open house. It was beautiful inside and out! What a great experience to have! I hope everyone who could was able to make it out there!

I was also able to get together with a group of old friends and have dinner with my old bishop and his wife. It was great getting together again! We're planning on having a ward reunion at the end of the month, so I'm looking forward to seeing even more people from my past!

I hope everything is going well for everyone else! Dewey and Beverly are here for a little bit and I was bugging them about posting something on the blog and they said their computer has been down! I hope that is the reason why I haven't heard from lots of my cousins for the blog! :)

Joseph Elison Beck Story

2009-09-11T14:09:00.001-07:00

There follows a letter, concerning Joseph Ellison Beck, sent to me by my daughter Sharon. Due to the length of the prayer I’m only going to include a part of it. If anyone would like the full prayer please let me know and I will send it to you. Neil

Dad,Here is the story that I found in a book about pioneer women. I found it under Hannah Forsyth Beck.Joseph Ellison Beck"...He first heard the gospel at a street meeting conducted by Apostle Orson Hyde who was on his way to Palestine to dedicate the land as a gathering place for the Jews. He was impressed by the elder's message and determination to fulfill the mission assigned to him. At the close of the meeting Joseph stepped to the front of the crowd and handed the speaker a wallet containing money and departed without letting his identity be known, only asking to be remembered in the dedicatory prayer on the mount of Olives, which he did."
(The following is a part of the dedicatory prayer mentioning grandfather Beck.)
PRAYER OF ORSON HYDE ON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES "O Thou! who art from everlasting to everlasting, eternally and unchangeably the same, even the God who rules in the heavens above, and controls the destinies of men on the earth, wilt Thou not condescend, through thine infinite goodness and royal favor, to listen to the prayer of Thy servant which he this day offers up unto Thee in the name of Thy holy child Jesus, upon this land, where the Son of Righteousness set in blood, and thine Anointed One expired."Be pleased, O Lord, to forgive all the follies, weaknesses, vanities, and sins of Thy servant, and strengthen him to resist all future temptations. Give him prudence and discernment that he may avoid the evil, and a heart to choose the good; give him fortitude to bear up under trying and adverse circumstances, and grace to endure all things for Thy name's sake, until the end shall come, when all the Saints shall rest in peace. ---------------------------------------

"Do Thou also look with favor upon all those through whose liberality I have been enabled to come to this land; and in the day when Thou shalt reward all people according to their works, let these also not be passed by or forgotten, but in time let them be in readiness to enjoy the glory of those mansions which Jesus has gone to prepare. [PARTICULARLY DO THOU BLESS THE STRANGER IN PHILADELPHIA, WHOM I NEVER SAW, BUT WHO SENT ME GOLD, WITH A REQUEST THAT I SHOULD PRAY FORM HIM IN JERUSALEM. NOW, O LORD, LET BLESSINGS COME UPON HIM FROM AND UNEXPECTED QUARTER, AND LET HIS BASKET BE FILLED, AND HIS STOREHOUSE ABOUND WITH PLENTY, AND LET NOT THE GOOD THINGS OF THE EARTH BE HIS ONLY PORTION, BUT LET HIM BE FOUND AMOUNG THOSE TO WHOM IT SHALL BE SAID,'THOU HAST BEEN FAITHFUL OVER A FEW THINGS, AND I WILL MAKE THEE RULER OVER MANY."]"O my Father in heaven! I now ask Thee in the name of Jesus to remember Zion, with all her Stakes, and with all her assemblies. She has been grievously afflicted and smitten; she has mourned; she has wept; her enemies have triumphed, and have said, `Ah, where is thy God?' Her Priests and Prophets have groaned in chains and fetters within the gloomy walls of prisons, while many were slain, and now sleep in the arms of death. How long, O Lord, shall iniquity triumph, and sin go unpunished? ------------------------------------------- And all the glory and honor will we ascribe unto God and the Lamb forever and ever. Amen."

On the top of Mount Olives I erected a pile of stones as a witness according to ancient custom. On what was anciently called Mount Zion, [Moriah?] where the Temple stood, I erected another, and used the rod according to the prediction upon my head. -----------------------
May grace, mercy and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, rest upon you all from this time, henceforth and for ever. Amen. Your brother in Christ, ORSON HYDE
JOSEPH ELLISON BECK - HANNAH FORSYTH MARGRET FRANCENA BECK - RICHARD MURRAY JAMES BECK MURRAY - ATTA ARMELIA ASHBY JAMES WILMER MURRAY - ANNA MARY WINKLER LOVE YOU DAD,SHARON

Where is this?

2009-09-11T14:07:00.000-07:00

What are these two items?

2009-09-11T14:06:00.000-07:00

Name These People....

2009-09-11T14:04:00.002-07:00

From Anna and Wilmer Murray’s Journal

2009-09-11T14:04:00.001-07:00

Friday, August 8, 1980

I hacked out the big weeds on the road by Davis’. Ardis and Iris had cut the lawn sometime before but these weeds were too big for the mower. I worked a while then laid in the shade to rest. Soon I had them down. It looks better. Dad cut grass in the ditch. I also quilted some during the day and paid the bills. Fred came up to have me tell him about his Insurance papers.
Neil and Ella came. We visited then went to Roosevelt to change their garments for new style ones. Ella bought some for their families. I bought one pair to try. But Dad didn’t want any. We stopped for them to visit Fay at the L & L. While we waited we saw a mounted deformed lamb. It had one head, eight legs, and two hind parts with a tail on each end. The one hind part was right under the head. One lamb seemed perfectly formed with the other in the front. Soon Ella and Neil were gone too. Sorry they missed Jerry and the family.

Monday, August 18, 1980

It is Wilmer’s 77th birthday. I wanted to go to see how his blood is but he didn’t want to go. He didn’t get even a card from me, but I made him a good dinner and a chocolate sheet cake. This is what he wanted. He received a card from Grace and one from Verona. Also made two apple pies and put them in the deep freeze. Dad weeded a while, while I picked currents. I picked a few ears of corn for Kay Dennis and gave her some cucumbers and took some cucumbers to Doris. Velma and Ross called Wilmer and sang happy birthday to him. Then Sara and Claude called him. Ruth just called and wants some corn. We had just settled down to sleep when Darrell called for Dads birthday. Dewey called. It was nice to hear from all of them. I wonder how the Jerry’s are coming.

Story Time From Neil

2009-09-11T14:01:00.000-07:00

When we first moved to Myton the property was completely fenced with an inner fence enclosing the area where the house is located. There were three gates, a small one on the south side or in front of the house and two on the north side of the house. One of these two gates on the north was a large double gate opening into the barn and the area north of the house. Then, there was another small gate opening into the area where the house is located. The land to the west is where we kept our live stock. I don’t remember a lawn any where on the property. The first summer we were there it seems that dad tried to grow watermelons on the ground east of the house. Then the following year we decided to plant a lawn. As you well know there is a lot of work that goes into the preparation for a new lawn. First you work the ground to develop a good seed bed. Then after you sow the lawn seed, so as to help maintain the moisture for the seed to germinate, we covered the area with straw. Then you need to keep the planted area wet by frequently watering with the hose until the small grass seed germinates and sends its root down into the soil. Well we had gone through this process and the grass was beginning to show green shoots above the straw cover. Things were going well and our potential lawn was looking nice.

In those days, out of necessity many people kept a few live stock especially a milk cow. We were no different. I don’t remember how many cows we had at that time but I do remember we had old Black. She was a good sized holstein, that filled a fourteen quart bucket at each milking. She had on her head what I would call a perfect set of horns and was a smart old gal.

Before I become the family cow herder we had what I called the town herder. It was a young man by the name of Joe Tanner. Each morning he would start picking up animals in old town and work south picking up people’s cows, who wanted him to herd their cows, as he went. I think our animals were his last pick up before he drove them into the vacant areas south of town to graze.

As it turned out Joe was human and due to neglect of duty or something he let that herd of cows get away from his kind care and keeping. In other words, he lost them. Well old Black took command of the herd and led them, all of them, back to our place, and with her perfect horn she opened the south gate and led that bunch of animals, and there was not just a few, onto our new straw covered wet lawn. I’m sure you have heard of sheep foot rollers; well we had cow foot rollers. There was four cow feet on each animal. It seemed like for years there was these deep hoof tracks all over our new lawn.

From Neil

2009-09-11T13:53:00.000-07:00

August 31, 2009

Dear Family

In our family August was a month of highs and lows. We had a sad event take place in Ella’s family that was a downer but yet there were a few bright spots as well. Thank Heavens for that. It is like I used to tell Ella, when I was Bishop and when I returned home from whereever I had been, and she reported to me the things that had happened while I was away, if at least half of the report could be good news or at least positive, we could make it through the challenges that come with the job.
The first of the month Ella’s sister, Vera’s son, Michael and his wife Myrna’s son, took his own life. He left a wife and a young son. I think they had only been married since 2003. It was a very tragic thing. Death is always difficult to deal with but a situation like this is even harder.
The rest of the month went by with us watering and mowing lawns and other related things. The 29th, however, we did step things up a little and make our way to the Myton homestead to do a little clean up. There was a great representation from all of the families. We cut, trimmed, pulled and piled weeds, trees and shrubs. I also cleaned the sprinkler heads that I could find. I was surprised that there were a few heads that I did not find. I guess that means that I will have to make another trip to locate them after Amanda waters and locates the heads for me. I just hope they are still there. After our labor we made our way to the Frontier Café and had dinner. Yes, we even had scones. On the way home Deward had to drive up the Ioka lane to the Revola dugway and then drive through Arcadia. It was a good day. Today, however, I’m feeling some muscles that I guess I have not used for a while.
Sunday, Dewey and Beverly stopped in for a few minutes. They were on their way to Arizona. Jerry and Marylyn came just as they were leaving. So our visit was quite short. Jerry and Marylyn went to church with me. The visit with them was short but it was a quality visit.
I hope everyone is well, Love you

Neil

From Reed

2009-08-17T12:04:00.000-07:00

Just a little update from us. Last Friday Nathan graduated from BYU in Chemical Engineering. Saturday morning Nathan and Nicole packed up and left for Penn State where he will be studying Nuclear Engineering. We are happy for their new adventures but is does seem a little unfair since they are expecting our first grandchild in December. Kerry has already figured out the flight plans and travel arrangements.

Reed

Pics From Jerry's Birthday Weekend!

2009-08-06T15:26:00.000-07:00

Newest Grand-dog

2009-08-06T15:23:00.001-07:00

I adopted a a dog and her name is Nikki. She's a pretty calm dog, I actually walk faster than her when we go out!

Love,

Jennifer