Stories
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One of the biggest challenges facing a parent is to help their children take responsibility or ownership of whatever they are involved in. This could include a team, organization, society and especially their family. I’m not the greatest teacher when it comes to a selfless work ethic around the house. According to my brother, who hired my son to help him with his development business, my son didn’t even know how to properly use a shovel or rack. I guess I should have had him dig up the front lawn a couple of times to get the hang of it. Instead I let my brother pay him to learn under his tutelage.
The best way to say it is that our children are spoiled brats – they didn’t learn some of the normal family duties because we just did it for them. We know some parents that require their kids to do their own laundry, this just seems like a way to wreck your clothes so you would have to buy some new ones. Our teenage daughter thinks that if you happen to be starting the car – you might as well go to the mall to get...
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During a short family vacation to Hagerman Valley west of Twin Falls, Idaho, we visited the many sites that the area has to offer. But would you expect to find huge alligators swimming in an outdoor pool in March? That is exactly what you can expect at Leo Ray's Fish Processors, Inc. fish farm.
During my first visit to see the alligators a few years ago I walked up to the chain link fence that separates humans from alligators declaring to my family , “Wow, look at the huge alligators!” I was looking at the ones in the pond, and they thought that I meant the 12-foot alligator against the chain link fence at my feet. Needless to say, I almost had a heart attack! Thank heavens that it did not move and I put some distance between us.
The fish farm began raising alligators in 1994 to eliminate the 7000 pounds of dead fish a day and 15 million pounds of waste. This way a profit can also be made from selling alligator meat and skins. This was taking your garbage disposal to a new level of "green" recycling....
(0 votes)Photos courtesy Gordon Anderson with appreciation for permission to use in this post: Fire doesn’t strike in my home town very often, at least structure fires don’t. When they do occur, it’s an event so in-frequent that it leaves a lasting memory. I can remember a fire that I watched when I was very young. I remember my mom loading us in the car and we drove the few blocks to watch the fire department battle the flames. My dad was on the department back then. Maybe mom went to keep an eye out for him and see if he was okay, more than to watch the struggle. Now I am a member of the department. I think my wife feels that same way even though she doesn’t make her way to watch – she just worries from a distance. A memory that stands out is the last time our town experienced the loss of a home to fire. Almost 4 years ago, the slumber of many a firefighter was interrupted to answer the call. A home in our sleepy little community was burning, its occupant alerted to the dangerous situation... (1 votes)
Have you ever pictured holding a funeral for your child? A funeral fraught like so many others with grief and sorrow and heart break for the person departed, but unlike others, a funeral fraught with grief and sorrow for all of the dreams that will never come true. If there was anything you could do to prevent such a heart-wrenching moment you would, wouldn’t you? Wouldn’t you do anything to never have to say good-bye to a child that has only begun to live?
The Centers for Disease Control reports that the leading cause of death among young children is “unintentional injury”-the majority of these? Car accidents: car accidents in which the majority of those same children weren’t buckled into a car seat, or even just a seat belt. We teach our children about strangers, we put sunscreen on them so they won’t get skin cancer, and we cut up their food so they wont choke. As parents we try to do our very best to ensure that they have long, healthy, happy lives. Why is it we are so lax about seat belts? “It’s just... (2 votes)
My husband's birthday falls on the first day of Autumn. To celebrate, we decided to go for a motorcycle ride. We headed out from Logan and soon were riding towards Grace, Idaho. Now we have made this trip more times than I can remember, but this time it was different. We turned at the crossroads at Grace, and instead of turning right to Soda Springs, we turned left towards a new area and adventure.
We came across a town called Bancock, then started seeing signs about a town called Chesterfield, Idaho. It stated that it was a historical town. We rode into Chesterfield, and were very surprised. Chesterfield is located at the base of the Chesterfield Mountains. Here we found a town that had been established in 1880, along the Old Oregon Tail in southeast Idaho. Mormon settlers came to that area and started a settlement, using the land for crops. Within a couple of years, a number of families were living in the area.
The Oregon Trail passed through the town and the settlers helped out travelers who had...
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I woke up early this morning and decided to get up and start the day off by looking pretty or at least presentable. With the precision of a beautician, I applied my makeup. After all, I had just bought the most expensive kind at my beauty salon. After spending extra time with the details, this is what I saw in the mirror. The foundation hadn’t lived up to its promise of providing flawless skin tone, even after two heavily applied coats. I could see ever flaw in my skin, and some that weren’t there before I started. My blush looked like I was getting ready for a clown convention, not the sun kissed look it had promised. My finely applied mascara on my eyelashes had clumped and I had missed the lashes in a couple of spots and applied it to my face and eyebrows. Whatever happened to the long, lush eyelashes of my youth? Now its time for the eyebrow pencil application. Are they kidding? No one has eyebrows this color, and how did all those stray hairs get there? Big bags under my eyes were still way too...
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Life with an angel...sounds just heavenly, doesn't it? It does have its amazing, heavenly moments,but there are also moments that seem much more like hell than heaven.
Maybe I should explain what an angel is. An angel is the affectionate term used to refer to a person who has Angelman Syndrome (AS). It is a rare genetic condition that is characterized by developmental delays, lack of speech, seizures, difficulty walking, and a happy nature (sometimes inappropriate laughter).
The heavenly moments come from the happy nature these children have. They love completely unconditionally, and they love everyone in their life. They love you regardless of whether or not they (or you) are having a bad day. They see the world from a prespective that enables them to see the good in everyone and everything. They have a laugh that is absolutely infectious and can lighten the mood in any room. These are the heavenly moments.
Then there are the hellish moments. Some may think it is when you get the diagnosis. Yeah, that is...
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What happened to me? I ask myself as I peer over my newspaper at the kids playing in the sandy playground on this beautiful summer afternoon. “Why can’t I find joy in the simple pleasures of life like these two kids?” I watch as the two young boys carelessly run to and fro, guarding their imaginary castle against a ferocious dragon that I can’t see. I am certain these two knights aren’t only seeing the dragon they are fighting, but surely they can feel the heat of the fire coming out of the dragon’s mouth, and smell the foul breath that is the result of many knights being devoured.
I used to be able to experience such things. I remember being with my friend as a child in a wooded area behind his house looking for garter snakes. Except, we weren’t really behind his house looking for pet garter snakes, we were deep in the jungles of Africa, searching for deadly anacondas that had been attacking local villages. I remember being able to feel the sultry heat of the jungle, and smell the rotting carcasses in...
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Much time, effort, and funding have been spent (including by the Mormon Church) in searching for the site for Book of Mormon events (why would the Church pay millions if it wasn't important to find?). To date, no convincing evidence has been found. The most popular site is currently Mesoamerica. Scientist Dr. Ralph A. Olsen, has researched for many years and proposes an alternative site. The following points are SOME of the advantages of HIS theory over the MesoAmerican one in Central America (HIS has them, MesoAmerica does not) :
> 1. A peninsular setting. > 2. Accessibility for inexperienced landlubbers on home-made barges. Way back then, experienced sailors rarely travelled out of sight of land. > 3. Orientation is southward into the sea. > 4. Major seas on the east and west. > 5. Narrow and long neck of land (1 1/2 days to walk across it. MesoAmerica is FAR TOO wide for anyone to walk across, not to mention the thick jungles). > 6. A major river running northward in the Land Southward. > 7. Explosive type volcanoes... (0 votes)
Hello everybody.
I'm new to this site and just wanted to use it I guess. Maybe for the wrong purposes, and if I am I hope someone lets me know so I don't bother anyone. I came to Logan in August 2004 to study at USU and play hockey for them as well. So I did, for four great years, til I graduated in August 2008, and I had to go back home. I'm from Sweden, and it was hard to find employment, so hard that I had to leave Logan and come back home to work. And so I have for almost a year straight now. Gained some real experience. Now I have been wanting to come back to Logan, but the only way to do that for me, is to find an employer who will sponsor me for a VISA or Green Card. I realize this is very expensive for employers and it sucks to be in my shoes. I know I can always get married and such, but that's just too big of a step for me. If I'm out of line, posting something like this on here, please let me know and I won't do it again. I'm not here to bother people with my problems, only looking for an opportunity. Thanks. (0 votes)
InTech Collegiate High School is Cache Valley's early college charter school with an emphasis on math, science, and engineering. As a public school, Intech has no tuition or GPA requirements. To learn more about InTech, please attend one of our Information Sessions held each Wednesday night in February at 6 pm, at 1787 North Research Parkway in North Logan. You can also visit our website at www.intechchs.org or give us a call at 753-7377.
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In my short life, I have had the opportunity to work for 9 different companies in many different positions. I consider the last 4 positions/companies my 'professional career.' In my professional career, I have found that companies are a lot like people and especially like the people who own/run them - imagine any person, then imagine working for a company that personifies them - scary in some cases. While I have somewhat enjoyed each position that I've held, I have enjoyed working more for one company more than the rest. It turns out that I am not alone - people have been here for years...
My current employer is what a previous employer claimed to be: the Employer of Choice in Cache Valley. What makes a company an Employer of Choice? Well, let me start off by stating what an Employer of Choice isn't. It isn't a mission statement that isn't adhered to. It isn't raising insurance co-pays because, "no one has a $15 co-pay anymore." It isn't telling some of your best employees, "You better fix this, 'cause... (2 votes)
A child is being brainwashed when one parent does or says something in an attempt to undermine the child’s relationship with the other parent. Brainwashing children can be subtle (one parent minimizing the existence of the other by erasing any reference to him/her in conversation or photos) or overt (“Your father doesn’t love you he doesn’t send me enough money to take care of you!”). Brainwashing is sending the child a message that says, in effect: “You and I are allies against the world. We are best buddies. I wish you didn’t have to be with that other parent, but there’s nothing I can do about it—you and I are victims of a system that wrenches you away from me and that forces me to share you with the other parent. Someday you’ll be old enough to choose where you want to live,and I just know you’ll choose my house. Brainwashing or programming children is usually done to convince the child that one parent is better and more loving than the other. Parents who excessively demonize the exspouse want their view...
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I was recently out and about a couple weeks ago with camera in tow when I noticed a storm coming in just as the sun was rising. I decided to start clicking away and when I got home realized what I had taken. Upon noticing how odd/beautiful some of these pictures were I decided to get some professional opinions from friends on a forum based website (monstermuleys.com) to see what their take was on these pictures I randomly took. Needless to say some were very positive while some just downright condescending. I am by no means a professional photographer but wouldn't mind trying my hand at it sometime. A lot of the people I have showed these photos to said who took it. You should see the strange faces i get when i tell them i did. It is one of utter disbelief that someone who hates reading instructions on how to use certain products can take such awesome pictures but yet not know how to change the batteries with out having his wife show him how.
On your next trip out take your camera with you you will be surprised... 
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The New Year has come and like most people, I made many different resolutions. And again, like most people, I resolved to be healthier and maybe if I am lucky lose a little weight while I am at it! I wanted to share some tips I have picked up along the way. I hope that they are useful to you!
#1. Drink more water. Unless you are consciously thinking about it, you most likely are not getting enough water. Try using a container that measures your water (like a sports bottle), and drink at least 64 ounces a day. #2. Eat on a smaller plate. This really does trick your mind into thinking that you are getting the same amount of food. #3. Park on the far end of the parking lot when shopping. Take the stairs. Walk more. Try for 30 minutes a day. There are many other tidbits and tips out there from may different sources. I was told by a personal trainer that people should be eating 6 times a day as well. He said that if you keep all 6 meals at about the same calorie amount, that you will keep your metabolism... (1 votes)Today, as I was taking the ornaments off our Christmas tree, I became very sentimental. As I placed each ornament in its respective box, it reminded me of someone I knew or some place that I had visited. Our family, made up of three individual families, has a Christmas tradition. Each year a member of one of the three families is assigned to read a Christmas story. The story can be a religious story or a fun story. Along with the tradition, the person telling the story gives each family an ornament that goes along with the story. This year it was my granddaughter that read the story. She chose a story about a very creative young girl who brought the spirit of Christmas into her very poor family. Her ornament to the families was a small Christmas tree to represent the special tree that the young girl had created using special crayons. These special ornaments adorn our Christmas tree each year and remind us of all the stories that have been told over the years. Then there are the ornaments that my husband... 
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When I was a kid growing up Christmas was not a fun time. Starting on the last afternoon of school, I was put to work doing house cleaning. My mother didn’t care about the cleanliness of our house during the whole year, only at Christmas. I would be expected to wash walls, remove wax from the floor, and clean, clean, clean, all the way until Christmas Day. No fun Christmas Eve activities for us.
Come Christmas Day, I received my usual PJ’s and a small toy. After opening our meager presents, my step-father and mother would take my half-brothers to see their “grandmother.” I was not allowed to go, because she wasn’t my grandmother. I would spend most of Christmas by myself. My two brothers were in the service and never came home for Christmas. Afterwards, my half-brothers would come home loaded down with new toys, new clothes, new everything. My step-father would proceed to get drunk, which would cause my mother to get in a fight with him. I was always glad when Christmas was over. Oh come on now, don’t... 
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Let us BELIEVE! The United States has a very diverse cultural makeup. Let us just believe in what we choose to and celebrate accordingly. We should have Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Speech. But if we say Merry Christmas some people are offended. In the work place we are told not to say Merry Christmas, but instead use Happy Holidays. I say let the spirit of giving and loving be our December holiday no matter what name individuals call it. Be tolerant and understanding that we live in a very diversified country. If you expect others to be tolerant of your beliefs, then be just as tolerant of their beliefs as you want them to be of yours.
December holds many holidays celebrated by many different culturals around the world. People have taken the celebration of the birth of Jesus and made a Christmas that fits their own country. Christians celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. To Christians the Advent meant the four weeks leading up to Christmas. Advent means arrival. There was a generous bishop... (0 votes)
As a big fan of Christmas, I look forward to the big day with excitement, anticipation and a little dread ('cause it all comes to an end.) I've often wondered why people would try to find out what their gifts were before the big day. I've wondered why adults would buy their own gifts. I've wondered why some people don't like Christmas. I still wonder why we expect children to have a list, why we think it's absurd they want so much, yet as adults we want more (and probably have a list) and if we write down our list, we expect to get everything on it. I've wondered why people get upset that they get gifts (I know they think, "This isn't what I wanted!" but something is better than nothing, isn't it?
With Christmas just a few days away, I still wonder why I never buy my wife what she asks for. I put a lot of thought into what to get her, and sometimes I'll buy a few little things that she wants, but when it comes to the major gifts, I guess I go out on a limb in an attempt to surprise her. Some Christmases... 
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In our community we have a wonderful woman we'll call "Ms. J.F". This dear of a lady, Ms. J.F, was the hostess of an exciting Christmas party for several children in our neighborhood. My son was invited and I attended with him. With a child not yet of school-age, this was his first real Christmas party. He was delighted, to say the least, and his excitement only grew as he entered the home of Ms. J.F, as he beheld the Christmas tree dripping with colorful candy canes. The home was filled with the spirit of Christmas and the sounds of excited children. Ms. J.F gathered the children around and told the story of the First Christmas (with the input of the kids of course!). She made sure to remind the children that they are all her friends, and gave each child a gift. The oohs and ahhs filled the air, and the delight on the faces of the children was truly priceless.
I left the party feeling very happy and thankful that we have such a wonderful woman in our neighborhood. I know that the true meaning of Christmas... 
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Several weeks ago I saw an advertisement in The Herald Journal about Disney on Ice and their 100 year celebration. With three young kids, I knew I must get more information about it, so I contacted The Herald Journal. I found out that by donating canned food or a frozen turkey, I could be the proud recipient (and cool Mom) of free Disney on Ice tickets. What better way to spend a fall afternoon?
After purchasing the turkey and two dozen canned food items, I took my son and daughter with me to deliver the food to The Herald Journal offices. When my 4 year old had the tickets in his hands, he was overjoyed and could hardly contain himself. I had explained to him that by donating food to help others we were in turn receiving these tickets so we could have fun as a family. When the day arrived, we drove to Ogden and boarded the Frontrunner train for the ride to Salt Lake City. The ride on the train was our first and was very enjoyable and affordable. Upon arriving in Salt Lake City, we boarded Trax for... 
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Do you have a cell phone addiction...or is it just an unhealthy and dangerous obsession?
There is a new religion out there. It's the worshipping of the almighty cell phone. People put it before their jobs, before their family, before safety and before common sense. No matter where you look nowadays, it seems that most people have a cell phone. As you walk through stores and public places it seems that people are talking to themselves. Oh yeah...they are using a bluetooth headset and are actually talking to someone on the phone! Sometimes I actually believe that they are talking to me. It is hard to tell. When I see my rural mail carrier talking on the cell phone while delivering the mail, police officers talking on their cell phones while on duty, truck drivers trying to steer their large trucks around a corner with one hand because the other has a cell phone in it, I can't but think that they are not doing the job that they are paid to do. How can they when they are devoting their attention to talking... (2 votes)
You know, life is not always as it seems. Looking at my sweet little four-year-olds face gives me such joy, but my heart also breaks. She is a tormented child. I would say OCD personality type/anxiety disorder, but that's my diagnosis as a mom. She is always, always, always worrying. It started with potty training when we talked about germs and washing our hands. "What? There are germs?" Instant obsessive hand washer. We talked and reaffirmed and talked and reaffirmed and we got past it. But it has consistently moved from one thing to another for the past couple of years. And then it started to interrupt life. Every five minutes she had to come tell me something that she was worried about. She couldn't play, we couldn't go anywhere..not without the constant whispers in my ear. So I started researching a bit and seeking out help. Some things help and some things don't and no matter what I do, she has her ups and downs. This past week, my husband was out of town and perhaps this is what set her off, I don't really...
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I was bummed to see that the Herald Journal did not post that my husband and I had our first child. We asked at Logan Regional that it be posted. There were lost that were in the hospital that week. However, due to some unknown reason HJ did not post. So here it goes.
Addyson Marie Bushman was born November 6th. Weighing 5 lbs 4 oz and 19 inches long. Proud parents Kevin and Marnie Bushman. (0 votes)
One day I found myself sitting in class on the USU campus, listening to a teacher talk about how amazing cloning animals is, when I asked myself, “When I finish my business major, and get a high paying corporate job running a high rise office in New York City, will I ever need to know this information?” As I reflected upon this idea, my thoughts turned back to a previous thought I had a couple of years earlier when I was declared as an animal science major. At that time I was sitting in a class, listening to a teacher talk about how amazing calculus is when I asked myself, “When I finish my animal science major, and get a job as a high paid veterinarian for a prestigious horse facility, will I ever need to know this information?”
This really made my mind start thinking, which isn’t always a good thing. I thought, as of right now, I want to learn about the world of business, and my advisors signed me up for a biology class, yet when I wanted to learn about the world of biology, my advisors suggested I sign... |
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