Thankful

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I just want to say how very thankful I am to have had two of the greatest people as parents. Mom loved this holiday and that has been passed on I'm sure to each of us. Dad loved Christmas. Remember how he was the one who was in charge of decorating the tree and how very proud he was when it was finished.
This world is so full of pain right now, but I can rest in the love of my family. Thank you all. We are blessed to have each other.

kris

NEW LOOK (good? bad?)

Hey everyone, just trying out a new look for the family blog, let me know if you like it, and if you don't... let me know!

As you may know, this layout doesn't have the upper right navigation bar that allows you to go to your dashboard, or write a new post... but on the left of this post. there is a "click here to write a new post" link, if you clike it, it takes you to the "New Post" area.

Hope you all are doing great, and hope to hear more great stories, with the Holidays ahead, I know we are all busy, but now is a great time for family, and a great time to share great memories.

So feel free as always to share your memories with us all!

Love you all, Nick

Missing Grandma Moody

I've been thinking a lot about Grandma Moody lately. I'm not really sure why, but I've been missing her so. Jonathan and I were talking the other night about our grandparents and Grandma Moody was forefront in my mind. I was trying to tell him a bit about her and for as much as I remember of her I still couldn't say whole lot. I was truly saddened by the fact that she passed away when I was so young, because some memories do fade. Some are so vivid and alive in my memory and yet some are so vague. I'm sad that I didn't get to grow up with her and get to know her better.
However, it's fulfilling for me to know that even though I didn't get to grow up knowing much of her, she knows who *I* am. She may not have been physically here with me, but she's seen me grow and become who I am today. And I may not have had much time spent with her here on earth, but I have had such a wonderful part of her in my life: My mom. My mother is such a great example to me of who Grandma Moody was. And for that I am grateful.
I'm so happy we have this blog! It lets me see so much of who we are as a family and as individual people that I otherwise wouldn't have known.

I LOVE THIS FAMILY!!!!!

Mom - The Hostess

Last weekend I had invited some friends from my church for a Sunday dinner. As I was preparing it (meatloaf, red potatoes, and green beans cajun style), my thoughts turned to mom and the gift she had in entertaining people. Now keep in mind, I do not cook too often but memories flooded back and I became my mom for that afternoon. It was important to me to make sure everyone invited was comfortable in my home, that the table (although small with mismatched dinnerware)was properly set, and that I was ready to serve in any way needed. I remembered mom and I felt like mom.
You know the old saying "I've become just like my mom" was never so true but in a very positive way. I am so thankful that it was important to mom to teach us to respect those around us. What an awesome mother we had, don't you think? Now if I can just consistently save and wash out the bread bags I would be set, oh and fold the tin foil for later use.

From Amber

I'm posting this for Amber.
She originally wrote this as a comment to the picture I posted of mom getting wet with a hose. It is definately something that should be front and center.

I was dusting the other day and came across a shelf stocked with photo albums and such. My dusting ended THERE as I stopped too long and began browsing through the album my Mom gave us kids for Christmas a few years ago of clippings from Grandma Moody's column articles...Inez Sez and the like...Before long I was deeply engrossed, now not just standing near the shelf, but plopping down on the nearby couch and delving in...Papa and Mama Pyland stories, political opinions, news of Delta, stories and poems and musings of motherhood and children and jams and jellies...Being on a free summer schedule for a few weeks yet and my children happily playing spy and Monopoly and Checkers upstairs, I was treated to a long afternoon of hearing Grandma's "voice." Before I knew it, it was 5 pm (I had begun dusting after lunch!) I woke up out of my dream world of Delta days gone by, wiped away a few tears, and got up to begin my evening/dinner routine with my own little ones...yet somehow feeling quite different...a new perspective upon my shoulders and feeling close to family though still far away...a continuing of tradition...a recognition of the part of my life that I now see came from my Grandma and my Mom...Thanks Mom for sharing the memories and spending the hours to give me that book so I could know Grandma and Mama and Papa Pyland so much more...not just pictures...part of me as I am a part of them...FAMILY...

Love, Amber

Christ pictures for SALE!!

Hey Everyone. Christmas is around the corner, and like every year, we are gearing up on selling some prints of Christ, they are 16 by 20 inches and we are now accepting orders.



For More informaition on the print, and for prices, visit: My Website

UNKA BOB CONTINUED

Hi everyone,
First off, I want to tell you how sorry I am that I got the message from Diane all mixed up!!!! I am so happy that I was wrong, but we all went through a very emotional day on Sunday. I cried my eyes out! and still get emotional just thinking about it!
However, I did hear from Bob last night and he is doing as good as can be expected!
He did tell me that it's a good thing that he is a Marine. They have a saying (and I probably have this wrong) but it says something like.
Pain is good. Bad pain is better and Excruciating pain is ecstasy. He said he is definitely in Ecstacy!!!! so we all know how he is feeling!
He was still joking etc. so cute.
Anyway, I thought if you would like to call him and leave a message (he doesn't answer his phone too ofton) or would like to write a card, here is the info you need.

his cell phone number is 619-929-8907
and his address is:

Robert Riding
12030 Redcliff Ct
San Diego, Ca 92131

Love you all and please forgive me for the big boo boo!!!:)
Aunt Myrna/ Mom/ Sister/etc etc etc

Unkabob

I'm sure most of you know by now that Uncle Bob, Aunt Diane and the girls could use our prayers right now.

Please join us all in a family fast for them next Sunday.

Because he broke his hip. And because we'd love for there to be nothing to be so freaked out about as we all were yesterday. ;)

Love to all.
xoxo

Leona

I was at Walmart last night and a woman walked in front of me that looked exactly like Leona! she walked like her, her hair was the same, it was very eery and it made me miss her so much. What a lovely lady she was. I enjoyed her so much and still think of her alot. I have also had that same experience at the Temple. It will be great when we all are together again and can just enjoy each other and my time is swiftly coming!
I am now 57 and really can't believe it. Even when I write 57 it seems like I am talking about someone other than me. I mean, I still feel 18! My body however, is not cooperating! But my mind will just not accept that I am getting close to 60!
love you all
mom/aunt Myrna

Mom

I don't know who took this picture of mom, nor who it was that decided to get her wet, but I remember mom's feelings toward getting wet like this. She HATED it. She would tell me that she could not breathe, and therefore became anxious. Maybe she told me because I was guilty at one time or another of spraying her with the hose. I recall that now that I think of it. We lived outside of Delta. I also think I had to pull weeds all that day.

Mint anyone?

I'm eating Andes Candies and missing Grandpa and Grandma Riding. :) I loved sneaking those out of his little candy jar, although I'd always look up after grabbing a couple of them and Grandpa would just look down at me from his chair and wink. :)

The Drive

Saturday at around three in the afternoon, Daniel and I decided to venture out of the house and take a little drive.
It was a beautiful day, the sun shining; although the clouds were also starting to team together.
Not knowing where we were wanted to go, we set out for Lake Shore and upon coming to the junction; we had a decision to make. Turn south and head for Benjamin, turn right and head for Palmyra, or straight ahead to West Mountain. We chose the latter.

It had been awhile since I had seen West Mountain. It is a beautiful area made more beautiful by the recent rains. Several new homes dressed the mountain. I suggested we should just keep driving and go around Utah Lake. He was game.

We passed Sandy Beach and the wind was starting to pick up as evident in the wave runners on the lake. Continuing on, we decided to pull over at a spot that looked like a great place to observe the beauty we were in the middle of.

Small white capped waves beat against the reeds and although we noticed minor debris from human occupancy (pop can, and what looked to be a piece of clothing that, without my glasses, I tried to imagine as the dried remainder of a snakeskin. Daniel cleared that up.), we didn’t let it deter us from the beauty of our Creators’ creation that we were now experiencing. By now the clouds were thick and almost black with it’s surety of rain. This just added to the dramatic scene. We made the determination, we would come again with camera in hand.

We jumped back into the jeep as the rain started coming and headed around the lake.
At this time the mountains were no longer visible and eventually we headed into what looked like the outskirts of a town. "Where are we mom?", Daniel asked. “Probably just outside of Lehi, I believe”, was my confident reply. I knew we were eventually going to be somewhere in N. Utah County. As we passed one building Daniel said, “Mom, that building read 'Genola Water Works' ”. "WHaaaaaaaaaat?" "Are you sure Daniel? Do you remember turning left to go south rather than going right”?......................................

Without the aid of the mountains to give us some direction, I lost some of my confidence. Not that I didn’t know where Genola was geographically and I could get us home, but how on earth did we get here and which direction were we now headed? Driving on a well-kept road, we just kept going, but which way? Was I taking us further south, or maybe west toward, I don’t know, Eureka? Somewhere between the laughter and unsettling in our stomachs (maybe just mine), Daniel pointed to the navigation compass that comes standard in most vehicles (duh….). “We’re going south”?
What a relief....................more laughter.

With that enlightenment, we made our way through Genola, into Payson, then Salem, and finally home.

We laughed. What a great drive.

My Visit to Delta

Last weekend my inlaws were going to Delta for a wedding reception and wanted to know if we would come along. I was excited to go back to Delta cause I hadn't been back for a really long time. When we first drove into town all the good memories came flooding back. We went to the reception and I talked to a couple of little old ladies and asked if they knew any of my gramparents. They knew all of them. I loved chatting with them and hearing their stories of my sweet grammas. One of the ladies I talked to knew Gramma Leona really well and even was in a club with her and went to the ball games with her. She told me that she was one of those people that made everyone feel special. It was nice to hear that, because that is also how I have always felt about Gramma. I also heard how Gramma Moody was such a wonderful woman in the community. It was fun to go to Delta and remember the past and our sweet gramparents that have passed on. It made me miss them, but also just made me thankful to have had them in my life.

Someone get me out of here!!

I have tried twice to make a comment regarding another person's post, just to make a small comment, and I think I have been quite creative in my observations. HOWEVER!!!, when I try to post the comments, they disappear into netherworld and I am frustrated because all the energy went for naught but my own amusement. Would someone please let me know how to submit a comment to another person's post? There is a little drop down box that apparently I don't have a clue about which one I am supposed to select. Ah well.....I move forward....

I am sharing a FEAR story...although not my greatest fear....

I am newly in the post of librarian at my school. This summer I have been changing some things around in the library and my office in particular.

I listened to Ender's Game this summer while cleaning and re-arranging my office in the library.

I was moving from one room to another while cleaning and filing stuff. The narrator for Ender's was male at that point and so hearing the male voice was companionable as it was later in the day and I thought I was on my own. I had forgotten that earlier in the week I had requested the custodian to come drill a hole in the brick mortar for a picture to be hung.

As I moved from the brightly lit work room into a small, darkened connecting hall to the office, I walked smack into two men who were back-lit by the windows of the library, their faces in shadow, who were carrying weapons er, tools. I screamed a mighty scream and all three of us jumped back wards. The head custodian, after I quit screaming and he and his younger assistant quit laughing, said, "Didn't you hear us talking?" I had heard the male voices and just assumed it was part of the narration of Enders Game. I am sure it will be a while before the young kid looks at me without laughing. The lead custodian would hold it over my head.... but he jumped as far back and yelped as much as I did, so I think I'm safe from him.

I think this is Bob's fault. He used to scare me all the time! Myrna and Kris, it wasn't just you two he tormented. I have several tales to tell ( :

Thoughts on Bob and Inez

My parents never, ever, gave up on helping young people...or old people...or anyone for that matter. There were times when they took people to the city cafe and bought them a meal because they were in our town, had gone into their place of business to see about work, and confided in mom their stories.

However, they did not bring them home, because they were wary about strangers as well. I asked my dad once why they bought people a meal, for total strangers, if they weren't sure about their character. Dad said that "Helping others doesn't mean you give them access to your treasures". He meant us kids because frankly, we were not that well-to -do.

One time they gave our dog to a family passing through. It was a puppy (little golden haired spaniel and something mix) that we'd only had for about a week. This family was moving from Indiana (or Iowa) to California and their dog had been killed at a rest stop. The children were devastated. Mom knew we could get another pup much easier than those parents would be able to ease the sorrow of the children on the move. Our own sorrow at losing the pup after a week was secondary. We survived the loss, and we did get another spaniel within the week. I had great parents.

My dad used to tell me that if I ever wanted to smoke or drink, to please let him be the person that gave me the first 'taste'. RIGHT! I finally asked him one day to let me have a sip of his beer. He gave me the can, I took a sip, and that is the one and only time I ever tasted beer. (At least on purpose. I used to sneak one and rinse my hair with it, he wasn't appreciative). It was the nastiest tasting stuff and a great learning experience, because if peers ever tried to pressure me, I KNEW I didn't like it and would never have said yes. Smoking, well, I had to breathe the second hand stuff and smell like it, so it was never something I wanted to try as a teen. (However, as an eight year old, I was pressured by two thirteen year old twins to 'take' some of my folks cigs and we'd go smoke them). I took a whole carton, not just a pack, a carton! Because after all, these girls were five years older than me and 'liked' me. We went up into the sand hills behind our house in Colorado and smoked that entire carton. I have NEVER been so ill in my life. When I got home I couldn't get the taste out of my mouth, or off of my clothes. I took a bath, brushed my teeth 'til my gums bled, ate green apples and then brushed again, more apples, etc. I was truly miserable and as green as the apples, I know this because many years later, I asked my mom if she ever wondered about where the carton of cigarettes had gone. She was pretty sure of when and where they went, she said , "You were ill for two days after they disappeared". I asked why she or Dad didn't accost me or ground me or something. She said, "We figured you'd been punished enough." And I had been. Great teachers to know WHEN the lesson has been taught. Sometimes, I resent their passing because you younger "Ridings" don't get to hear their wit and wisdom. They were good parents.

Seriously, if I don't post another thing for weeks, it's because I have HOMEWORK. I have to get an endorsement for the librarianship and am involved in online classes YIKES!! I do love all of you and am so glad to be a part of this family. The picture I posted was from a family reunion in the South last year. I'll try and find one of some more family and get them posted. We are blessed to have had the heritage we enjoy.

just a small questionare/help.

Hey everyone, this is Nick, I'm in the process of writing a "book" or something, but i needed some input.

what it is, is a book on how there are 4 things in our lives that work together to help you in life.

1) physical: being fit, as well as healthy
2) Mental: being mentally fit, by taking care of what's needed
3) Emotional: this is our relationships with others family/friends
4) spiritual: our relationship with Heavenly Father.

The purpose of this book is to be able to see how all four quadrants, rely on each other; Think of them as table legs. In life as we stack things on our table, we need strong support to be able to hold it all, so when one of those things starts to weaken, the other 3 need to compensate for the weakened leg, and as we keep adding things to the top of the table, it gets harder for all 4 legs, thus, the table breaks and we break. So you can see how it's important for all 4 legs to be equally strong.

I am going to break it down even further, into sub categories, but I just wanted to get some input from you all, maybe even some stories or circumstances as to how the 4 legs are in your own life.( if you don't want to post it, you can email me, just let me know)

Take me for instance; while on my mission, i struggled with some depression(mental), as I continued I began to feel very lethargic, and not wanting to really do anything(physical), my mission companion had to really work hard as if he wasn't already, but I wasn't doing anything, and it was really affecting our relationship(emotional), and not to mention, i didn't read one single scripture for days, i just sat and stared(spiritual). See how these all work together? by not taking care of my mental "leg" all of my other legs had to work harder, and they weren't strong enough either to pick up the extra slack.

So as you can see. it is very important to be able to work on all 4 aspects, as well as all the other things, but I just wanted to get a heads up as to how you all feel about it, and if you once again, have any input.

Please let me know of any ideas.

Love you all,
Nick

Seven Years......

Can you believe it's been that long???

I thought I'd share this with all of you.  I wrote it the day of Grandpa's funeral.  It's a mixture of everything I saw and felt that day.  I've been missing him so much today.  

*GRANDPA*

I feel your presence on the breeze

I smell your scent among the flowers

I feel your gaze across the sunset

I know you whipser with every drop of rain that falls

I know, someday, we'll walk the clouds together

that is my motivation,

that's what makes me believe.

And when I cry

You comfort me

I hear your voice through a wink of your tender eye

and with your smile,

sweet and simple.

As I wait for you,

I know you wait for me.

And this is why I sense your care

along this path.

And the beautiful river sends your callings to me.

I can feel your comfort,

I can feel your love,

I can feel YOU.

I love your touch,

your every caress I sense on my cheek.

If you believe in me,

I can do anything.

Til I see you again,

Wait for me.

*Cassie Buck Player* 

more stuff!!

my biggest fear is that I would not be able to get back into this blog!! But it looks like I made it so I have no more fears.
There is nothing quite like climbing up on a silo in late August or early September and looking out to the west, toward Nevada. Seeing the mountains, Swasey and Notch Peak - always there and recognizable - comforting. (I knew those mountains well, had spent days out there with friends, Young Men, my dad, Boy Scouts, and with my grandpa as he delivered fuel to isolated farms and towns out west. Sinbad Springs, Antelope Springs, Painter Springs, Amise Valley, Marjum Pass are all more than mere names to me - I had explored and camped in each place.) Often at that time of year, late summer, the thunderclouds would build up over those western mountains - the House Range. There would be a fine breeze (maybe even a wind) blowing in from the west and after watching carefully you would be rewarded by seeing some spectacular lightning, a great show, and shortly you would hear the thunder clap. But the best of all was to see the rain falling way out there, it's about 50 miles out to that particular range of mountains, and then to eventually smell that same rain, coming in on that same breeze, and bringing with it the sweet and delicious scent of new mown hay and sagebrush!! I had that experience frequently when I worked for Wallace Holman out in Sutherland between my sophomore and junior years of high school - summer of 1961. (Wow, that is a long time ago - it has gone fast!). It was a strange summer for me, to have that job with the Holmans', in Sutherland and Delta only about six miles away but I did not go home for three months, even for the weekends, even for church - I went to the Sutherland ward with the Holmans! I don't remember if I ever even bothered to ask why I could not go into Delta - I don't remember if my parents came out there to see me or if I even saw my sisters all that summer. I was only six miles away and I was there to work and I might just as well have been in Kansas!! Very strange!!
For whatever reason (maybe I was a delinquent!), working in Sutherland that summer for the Holmans, turned out to be a blessing for me because I will always have that wonderful memory of the smell of rain on sagebrush and new-mown hay - the memory of which has sustained me many times over the years when I found myself in tight places, places like Vietnam.

As a Child?

Nothing could be more frightening than this; even if it happened to me as an adult. Still shaken by it all.((((0))))

I was in my bedroom looking for some arrows (“authentic” indian arrows) I had purchased at the Delta Motel. I could have sworn I placed them on top of the very high bookcase in my bedroom.

While I couldn't stand on my tiptoes and see if they were there, I could get on my bed and more than likely see them very clearly.

As I got onto my bed, I jumped just a bit to see if they were way back in the back, and just as I jumped again, **Boom Boom*

I felt the stinging pain on the back of my head certain that I had been shot (You see; squirmy, shifty looking characters had earlier been to my house trying to sell me their best cleaning agent).

Nick heard me cry out in my pain and came into my room asking what had happened. "I've been shot", I cried holding my head waiting for the blood to start flowing.

Nick had a look on his face that I couldn't quite describe, but as I looked up from my bed, I heard the whirr of my ceiling fan………………...

Strange but True

Frightening Video

For those of you who didn't know this, about every Summer I would go down to Cedar City and spend a week with Sarah and she would come and spend a week with me in American Fork. (Great times by the way ) :)
Well one year they showed me this extremely disturbing home video. It was of Robert in the extremely early morning stumbling around with nothing but a pail to hold on to. He wasn't acting like himself and I wasn't even sure he was fully awake. He seemed to be in some sort of daze......

Oh wait, that wasn't scary.....



THAT WAS FREAKING *HILARIOUS*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For anyone who remembers this video (which would most likely be the Petersen's) you HAVE to go into further detail about how he was acting cause I am still laughing my guts out remembering that video of him going out to milk the cow. SO VERY FUNNY!

Greatest fears

The Boogey man was my greatest fear growing up. My brothers made it worse by grabbing my feet while hiding under my bed. Getting of my bed I would try and jump off of it and land as far as I could away from it and then take off running. I was sure he lived under there! Also dead legs- I feared those too! thanks to my mean brothers that would sneak up and give a good one when you least expect it!

What haunts me....

I don't know where this fear developed, but it is something that STILL gets to me to this day. I HATE the idea of being watched. I absolutely, positively CANNOT sleep with the closet door, the bedroom door or the window open. Well, let me rephrase, if it's a gap bigger than about four or five inches I can handle it, cause in my mind I feel that I would be able to see if someone was standing there watching me.
I know it's sounds lame, but picture this if you will. You're all settled down in your bed, lights are all off, not a sound to be heard, you're all snuggled up in your pillow and you're safely tucked in your covers. Or are you? Suddenly you hear the tiniest whisper, so your head pops up to look about. Nothing's there, all is as it was, except.....the bedroom door is open the tiniest of bits. Was it like that before? You couldn't say. You don't remember, and your brain is racing to figure out whether you shut it all the way or if the door being slightly ajar was your own doing. But, no, it couldn't have been you. It had to have been someone else... Right? Could someone have climbed into your house, gone creeping down the hall, to stop at your door and stare at you? Someone with perhaps a plain white eye and the tiniest dot of pupil? Someone with stretched scarring all around that massive eye? Someone who's skin is beyond wrinkled that it just sags, and their teeth all rotted and decayed so their mouth is nothing but a dark hole with sharp, yellow bits here and there? Someone drooling as they take short, shallow breaths which whisper into your darkened bedroom? All while they watch you? Could this possibly be?
Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm here to tell you that yes, yes, it COULD possibly be....in the life and times of me. I absolutely psych myself out, which happens when you have an overactive imagination, but is it not completely creepy??!!?! It gives me the shivers. YUCK-O!!!!
So my way of dealing with this issue is to tuck the covers up and around my head, leaving only enough room to breathe, of course, and turn my back to the side of the bed. Because, obviously, if I can't see them, they can't see me, right? RIGHT??? Right. That's what I thought. :)

My fears are positively more psychological than anything else, but I also remember being very afraid of our "spider bathroom" to which Bethany mentioned earlier. I was afraid they would always creep into my bedroom and just wait there for me. I remember one time I saw this dark spot on my wall and I knew, I KNEW, it was a big ol' spider. It had to be. So I actually got up the courage to kill it myself. I call it courage, but perhaps it was the lesser of two fears. I weighed my options. I could kill the spider myself or I could call out to my parents or siblings to kill it for me, even though they would most likely be super upset that I was even awake when I should've been asleep ages ago. So, kill the spider myself was what won out. I reached down the side of my bed, grabbed my sister's shoe ( I would *never* use my own shoe to kill a bug. Gross.) and *WHACK*!!!!!!! I heard this loud crunch.....NOT. A spider. I saw this dark spot move up and up and up my wall. Wait a tic...I had JUST whacked that sucker hard and it was STILL moving? That made me freak out even more and finally I called to my siblings because I had this hard-shelled spider moving around my room and it couldn't be killed. They came in to rescue me (they were only mildly irritated) and it turns out....... It was a june bug. :) HAHA!!!!!!!!!!! So from then on, June bugs sicked me out too.

Greatest Fears - Bethany Style

Holy smokes, where do I even begin?? I was so gullible as a child (well, I suppose I still am, though I prefer the term "trusting") and I was just such an easy target.

I remember a hole in the wall of our front room - the doorknob had rammed into the wall a few too many times and left a hole just big enough to put the tip of your finger through. I thought spiders lived in there, and I'm pretty sure all three of my older brothers verified it for me at one point or another. I avoided that thing like the plague.

There was also a hole in the ceiling of our downstairs bathroom from water that had leaked near the shower. Every time I stepped into the shower, I was ducking, leaning away from and looking like an idiot trying to keep away from that thing. Spiders lived there, too, you know. I was sure of it.

Then, the Petersen girls were staying at our house for a week or so, and TiNille told me a ghost story about a doll that came to life every night and eventually killed it's innocent girl owner. I was holding my very favorite doll, and she told me it LOOKED JUST THAT LIKE ONE!!! I nearly died crying from fright. I'm pretty sure my mom wasn't too thrilled with this one, as I never played with that dolly ever again. (I'm over it now. Love you, TiNille!)

I don't think I was ever really afraid of the boogey man or monsters in the closet (that I can remember), mostly just spiders, dolls and clowns.

Which reminds me, Stephen King's "IT" ruined me for life. I was so stupid to watch that show (over and over, no less) when I was a tweenager (I swear it was because I thought the kid who played the main character was so cute! What are they doing casting such cute boys in a show young girls should not be watching?!!). Sewer drains and showers were both incredibly difficult for me to maneuver for a long, long time after that whole phase.

I'm sure there is much, much more, but these are the things that first came to mind.

And Nick, I don't mind having this blog public. Anyone who may stumble upon it wouldn't know what in the world we were talking about in the first place! Love you all!

Greatest Fears

Myrna,
I hope you don't mind that I put this under a new post rather than a comment. Love this post. I thought you were the brave one and now here I find out that you were as frightened as me. I also know now that Bob was behind so much of this. Of course, I was afraid of Steve Kelly too and so many more.

From Myrna
First of all, Love the photos Courtnie. Thanks so much. As to my greatest fears. Well the one thing that I was truly scared of was the closet in our room (Kris and mine) there was this opening covered up by a board in the ceiling. I was sure there was something up there and of course Bob would validate my fears. I think that is where Kris and I got so paranoid about the boogey man. (from Bob!) Also, I was very afraid of mentally ill people, because that was for real! One night, Lynette came into my room, (can't remember if Kris was there or not, I don't think so) Anyway, she was acting mentally ill big time! Bent over and walking wierd and making horrible gutteral sounds. I was so scared that I called for my Mom. Well, there was mom behind her, just laughing her head off. I still remember this and couldn't beleive that my mother would not protect me! I DID NOT think it was funny in any way and was very put out that they did that to me! Funny your memories and what sticks into your mind, That is why seeing Physcho (remember that movie) just absolutely scared the socks off me! That last view with that son turning around in that chair, I still remember. Didn't like that movie at all, but had to watch it at a sleeping party. ugh (If you haven't seen it, be prepared to be scared!)
Aunt Myrna

May 26, 2009 11:28 AM

Boogey man

The boogey man was definitely the most frightening thing I remember. We lived outside of Delta and I had an overexcited imagination. I didn't dare sleep alone and I knew the boogie man was under my bed. I would turn the light on and put the covers just up under my eyes so I could see if anything was coming to get me. I didn't even dare let one of my limbs fall to the side of my bed for fear the boogie man would get me. I grew up with a lot of different fears, not exactly sure where they came from but now I am so greatful to a God who takes away our fears.

May 24, 2009 1:26 PM

My Greatest fears!!

first off; notice the question at the top of the page? you all should answer these, because it is a great way to remember things as well as let all of us get to re-know each other.
The question: what were my greatest fears as a child?

I remember that I used to be terribly afraid of the Stay Puff'd Marshmallow Man from the movie Ghostbusters. I used to also be afraid of the movie "Three men and a baby" because My sister used to tell me there was a ghost on it, and would pause the movie at the point in which the ghost made his cameo.

I have always been very much afraid of heights, and the "normal" stuff, I know my mom has tried to take blame/credit for them, but i think i've probably done that to myself.

~I know this question is a fun one, so I'm anxious to see everyones answers!

Love you all,
Nick

P.S. let me know if you all want to make this a private blog, or if you are all fine how it is.

How to Post a blog!!

Hey everyone, sorry it's taken so long on the requests about how to post a blog. we've been a little busy but.. hopefully life is getting back on track. Anyway, some of us are struggling on how to post on this great blog, so i thought I would make a simple post on how to blog, and post a new post.

first off, make sure you are at http://ridingswritings.blogspot.com

click the Links for instructions

1. first step
2. second step
3. third step
4. fourth step

Hopefully this works, and good luck!

Hey Lynette, join us. we're having fun. I know you are busy, but we would love to hear from you.


See Bob dance. See Diane dance. Dancing is fun. We love to have fun.

The Print

Dad and Mom had such a love for words and what an impact that had on my life. I recently watched the movie '7 Pounds', and although the film was touching, I lost track of everything in the movie when the Printing presses were shown (I will not go into the movie storyline, for those who have not seen it.).
Floods (literally floods) of memories came to mind and I hope by the YouTube clip,(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2rUVH1HGSE&NR=1)you get an idea of the sounds that Bob, Lynette, Myrna, and I grew up hearing.
Even the smells of the Chronicle came to mind. The mind is a wonderful thing.
Sometimes I am overwhelmed with memories and don't have the words to speak (wouldn't mom have fun with that one).

stuff!!

I cannot believe it - I'm in (I think!) I just sent an email to Nick asking for help and then started tinkering around and somehow got to this spot - I'm so proud of myself!!
First of all - I absolutely love Delta Utah and am so grateful I grew up there in a rather benign, sheltered atmosphere and raised by loving parents. Three wonderful sisters were there to help me also - great girls all of them - I know mom and dad had their hands full with me so fortunately Lynette, Myrna, and Kris were all relatively "worry free" for their parents. Mom would frequently say, "Bob Jr when you grow up, if that ever happens, and get married, if that ever happens, I hope you have all boys - just like you!" Well somehow I did get older - I guess I've never really "grown up" - but, to mom's chagrine, we had all girls - YUK!!
What a precious place is old dirty, dusty, dank, dreary, dry, Delta - I have nothing but great memories of that place. Hunting, fishing, camping, exploring the west desert and some nefarious activities in and around Delta that perhaps I can comment on in the future.
Well I am at work and cannot write much more now but hopefully I will be able to duplicate whatever I did to get into this "posting" site and write some more later.
unkabob

Oops! Leona

I'm on a roll today and just have to write something about Leona.
How could you not love Leona? She was one sweet woman and I loved going to visit her. She was fun, alway game to do whatever anyone wanted to do! When she and daddy got married, of couse I was apprehensive.
I mean, she wasn't my mother! We lived in Montana at the time and Dad and she came to visit for some of their honeymoon. I loved her right off. she was so easy to be around. And my kids just absolutley adored her.
She always remembered every birthday, holiday etc. I remember her sending pj's for all the kids for Christmas until they got so many grandkids that it wasn't possible. But she never forgot the kids.
She was so good to Daddy. he wasn't always easy to live with especially when he lost his voice (who could blame him!) But she was patient with him. She loved her coke. I remember she would have to go after one every day and she had alot of friends.
She and Daddy's home was so comfortable and I remember they always had peanuts for the kids. They would go straight for them every time.
I remember when Daddy was dying and he was in the front room. All of us kids had gathered to see him one last time and to plan the funeral. She politely just moved her chair back from the bed and let us move our chairs up close to our Dad and reminisce. She just sort of stayed in the background that long night and let us cry and laugh. I thought that was so compassionate. She just instinctively knew that we needed time with him like that and she gave it freely.
She came to so many of our kids weddings except Sarah's because she wasn't around. I remember her at Robert and Melanie's wedding. and more especially at Cassie's wedding. she just sort of sat in the background, but Jim loved to visit with her. Oh I miss her so much!
I remember she would be at every missionary farewell and report she could get too. She was a true Grandmother in every sense of the word.
I still miss her and always will.

Love Aunt Myrna

Leona Anderson Riding

Grandmom Riding

I remember Grandmom Riding so well. she was so pretty even at an older age. She would give us 2 dollar bills for our birthdays, which I am doing with my grandchildren. Great idea and the kids love it.
She was a wonderful cook. I loved going to her house and watch her color TV. She insisted on being called Grandmom not Gramma. don't know why?
She loved to show us of all her travels. Her and Grandad traveled alot after they retired. Europe, Hawaii, Samoa, Rome and she would bring back lots of pictures.
In her later years, she lived in that assisted living building that used to be the hospital. She was so funny. She loved chocolate and Uncle Kennard wouldn't let her have very much. well, that irked me, because I think when you get over 90 yrs old, you should have all the chocolate you want! So I mailed her a big box of chocolates. So there!
Any time you would go visit she would touch her toes for you and tell you she doesn't need glasses. She also said that Joseph Smith appeared to her and told her that she didn't need to pay tithing any more! so cute.
You could tell, she was losing it, but she was still healthy. she told me of the day Grandad died. He had been mowing the lawn and doing alot of outside work. He came in and showed her how to clean the fireplace etc. which she couldn't understand as it was summer time.
Anyway, they sat down to watch football (which she absolutely loved!)
and his head hit her shoulder and he was gone. He'd told her earlier that he didn't think he had too much time left. What a blessing, I hope I go that way. I loved her candy at Christmas. She would put a big box together for us and she was some cook! She was a very beautiful, kind woman. That''s how I remember her.
One of the last times I saw her was at the Delta Cemetery on Memorial day. she was showing anyone who would listen to her that she could touch her toes. She also would go up to random people and ask them "do you know me?" I"m Ardella Riding ,and off she would go with all her stories.
She was such a cute old lady. Lots of pizazz!
Anyone else with some memories of this wonderful woman???

Love you all Aunt Myrna

ps-Amera, just wanted to thank you for the suggestion as to find out who wrote what blog. Also good luck on the new baby. I think Kris said it's a girl! When is she due???

Mama Pyland

Okay, now I'm switching from the Riding side to the Pyland side. Short post, but I remember when mom and I were in Arkansas and Mama Pyland was in the hospital. She was a little disorientated and looking in the mirror, she said, "who's that old Indian standing over there"? I also remember the hairs on her chinny chin chin. Oh please my children...........................don't leave me in a hospital bed with hairs on my chin. Love ya forever...............

Kris

Weekly question 01

my memory of my oldest relative has to be about Great Grandma Riding. I loved going to her house, because that meant all those really non-tasty candies i could eat. see's I think they were. I also remember she had the most uncomfortable couches that seemed to be really itchy, like a real stiff fabric... you'd think that the older someone gets the more comfy their furniture would get? it's like rigamortis set in on her couches. I remember seeing her once at the grocery store, and helping her find orange juice and for some reason, she really remembered that, and always reminded me of it.

PLEASE READ THE POST BEFORE THIS ONE.

Fresh ideas for Old memories

So I've been thinking of making our family blog a little more post/comment friendly.. I think I will try to write a new question every week that will encourage us all to post their own memories, sort of a weekly topic. I will try to post weekly and please please remind me if I forget.. but i will think of some good questions weekly that will spark our memories of the history of our family.

This week, my question to us all is:

WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT YOUR OLDEST RELATIVE(S) THAT YOU KNOW PERSONALLY?

Blog update

Hey everyone, this is Nick, it has come to my attention that some of our older generation have been wanting to participate, but lack the know how as to how to post. if you are reading this and you feel that you are that person. I am sorry, and I love you!

i am going to make a little step by step as to how to post:
first off, you need to send me your email so I can add you to the list so you can post. My email is nick-jarvis@hotmail.com and you can ask me any questions as well.

1) when you log on, you will be able to access the "new post" feature of the blog. just click the new post button and start blogging,
2) write what you want to write, and don't forget to add a title.

~as you write, the blog will automatically save the blog, so if you forget to publish it it's okay, it should save it. but when you are done, just push the publish post. and you are done!

Now.. if this is too difficult, don't worry, you can always email me your story that you want to post and I can always post it for you, if that is easier, that is totally fine.

Hope everyone is doing well, can't wait for some future riding reunion!!

Love you all,
Nick

Little Brass Bell

Oh, how I long for that little brass bell. The little brass bell that mom used to signal me she needed something. It could’ve been to help her sit up straight, or maybe change the channel on the television, or perhaps just to know I was close by. It was at night that I heard that bell the most. Seemed like I would just doze off and there is was. Usually she needed to try and “tinkle”, most of the time that too was a failed attempt. How she must have hated relying on someone else to help her with such a private thing. But there was that bell. I can’t tell you how often I wanted to hide it. Now as I write, I am once again missing my mother. Maybe it’s the whole Mothers Day thing coming up, but she is definitely on my mind. When mom died, I wanted that little bell buried beside her and that is what I did. Oh, how I long for that little brass bell.

Happy Mothers’ Day

Love, Aunt Kris

By the way, I forgot to clarify something. I did pinch my sister and I hope she has forgiven me and that she knows how very much I love her. Siblings!!!!!!!!
Where on this earth would we be without family.

Now It's My Turn

Okay, now that you all have had a chance to read Myrna's fabrication of me pinching her and the scars (Myrna, what were you thinking?) she says she carries, I must say that well, it just is not true. Granted, I did throw a good temper tantrum, and my being the youngest of four, I was forgiven much. However, really Myrna, "scars"? I have feelings you know.
In all honesty, my siblings would probably tell you I was the spoiled one. I think I just got away with stuff. Mom did tell me once that I cleaned windows better than anyone. Was it the truth or was it a motivator, it makes no difference. I like to think I can motivate my children as mom did me. What do you think kids?
I do agree with Myrna in her description of mom and dad and I agree that I miss them both terribly; some days more often.
I'll write more another day, but I am so happy for this blog and the opportunity to share and learn about family.
Love, Aunt Kris................................................"scars"?

Yes, I copy/pasted Myrna's comment.

I wanted this post front and center rather than in the comment section. Great post Myrna (Jim or Jackson or whoever you are today). thanks,



Today is Daddy's Birthday. (April 30) Loved that man. He was so pleasant and so good to me growing up. There are so many memories I have. Growing up in Delta, going to Grandmom and Grandads every sunday Night to watch Walt Disney ( They had the color Tv) In fact, in my memory, they were the first ones to have a color TV in Delta, That might be wrong, but that is my memory. Staying outside late at night and playing games with the neighbor kids not ever worrying about anything or anyone. Bob and Lynette were 7 yrs and 5 yrs older than me and watching them. I remember Lynette getting ready for dates and watching her hoping I would be as pretty and vivacious as she was when I grew up. Putting up with Bob. He was such a tease. I loved his music and loved to listen to it. (Kingston Trio was my favorite)a He was a fun brother.
Kris and I shared a bedroom and I always thought her side was messier than mine. We fought quite a bit. In fact I still have scars from when she pinched me! She was quite a pincher. we get along fine now, but growing up was a different story.
Going to the sandhills alot and just playing there with The Daltons and the Munsters. We would have picnics there. Also Oak city Canyon. So fun. We kids would challenge each other to see who could sit in the creek the longest. That was one cold creek! I remember Mom having a News Years day party every year and having black eyed peas and corn bread. Yum! She would cook ALOT of black eyed peas!
I remember Christmas. I loved that time of year. Mom would decorate so much and Kris and I would help. We always had popcorn balls, cookies and nuts on the coffee table and of course Christmas music going all the time. That must be why I love Christmas music so much! I start listening to Christmas music by July usually.
I remember going to the Chronicle and working along side Dad single wraping the papers that would be sent each week. I never really thought of it as a chore as I got to be with my Dad. He was usually happy and I was always happy to be around him. I remember my mom out front talking to everyone, so efficient. I was so proud of them both and I thought we were the best family in Delta!
Daddy loved to dance and he was so good. I remember at his funeral, there were so many women that came up to me to tell me that he was such a good dancer. He would come to my Junior Prom and Senior Prom and always dance with me and I could follow him so easily. He really was a great dancer.
I would have sleep overs and Dad and Mom would go to the back bedroom and just let us girls have the run of the house. Very good parents. I loved them. I never once heard either of them ever swear and say anything negative of anyone. Never. they were such good examples of that.
Mom was always in charge of 4th of July festivities and we always had a float from the Chronicle. she was also in charge of the Christmas festivities. I remember her making tons of home made musterd and delivering it.
Well, those are some random memories of my parents and siblings. Loved my life. They were great parents, not perfect, but just what I needed. I was so proud to be a Riding.
Love you all
Myrna K

April 30, 2009 10:34 AM

Is it Just me??

Or does anyone else want to hear more from our parents on this blog?? Come on old timers!! share some memories!!!!

Love you all.
Nick

Does any one else...

Sometimes get a whiff of Delta air?? maybe it's dairy air, or to some I'm pretty sure it's more like derriere.. but sometimes i get a good smell of my memories of Hinkley/Delta area and it really makes me breath in deep and let it out with a bit smile!

Just a thought.

Grandpa Riding

From the Millard County Chronicle, July 26th 1979

For Bethany Buck
by Grandma Sarah Inez Moody

I was sitting on God's knee. And, He was telling me about the beauties of a life on Earth despite its trials and tribulations. He asked me did I want to go to Earth and I answered, "yes, oh, yes." And I continued that I would like to go to Earth on July 11th, 1979.

"And, my child, who would you like for your parents?", He asked me.

Now that is a big question. I pondered that one, for Earth parents have much to do with one's returning to our Heavenly Father. And I looked Earth over carefully.

And I looked and looked. Earth is filled with many people, some of whom would make excellent parents. But, I wanted the very best. God gave me a few hours in which to continue looking at Earth.

And, finally. Finally, I saw this marvelous Earth Family in Orem, Utah. And I watched them for several more hours. I saw this very handsome Earth Father who works hard to provide. I saw this beautiful Earth Mother who also works hard to keep the Earth Home going smoothly. And I saw six happy and beautiful Earth Children. There was Kimberly, Arienne, and Tamara. Just beautiful Earth Children. Then I looked a little closer and saw Joshua, Zackary, and Gabriel. And they were happy Earth Children, also. As I continued to watch this Earth Family, I saw all of them getting into their best clothes and going to church. I saw how well behaved they were in His Church and came to my decision.

"I want to belong to that Earth Family, Dear Heavenly Father. I want that Family."

And God honored my decision.

"Nearer My God, to Thee"

Music is my only way to deal. It's the only way I am able to handle things. What an amazing emotional relief it is to sing, hum, play or listen to something that has such profound meaning at a certain place and time. What a blessing.

I was fortunate enough to take time off school to be with Grandpa Riding at the hospital in Provo. I couldn't imagine being anywhere else. Just to be able to sit with him, talk to him, sing little things to him here and there. As pained as he was, he showed such elation for the things I shared with him. My grades, subjects in school I enjoyed, making student council and the things I would be in charge of. He was especially excited about me planning dances. He wanted me to teach the foxtrot. :) Sadly, I was never, nor am I now, any good at dancing. You can imagine, I was sorry to disappoint. :) I spent two days with him and STILL it was not enough. It would never be enough. My mom and I tried to see him as much as possible.

The last time I saw Grandpa Riding was June 3, 2002. He was in a hospice bed in Delta and my mom, Tam and I had gone down to be with him. Aunt Myrna and Uncle Jim were there as well, and I think Aunt Kris was there too. Well, as much time as I had spent with him, nothing was able to prepare me for the scene before me. Here was a man so strong. So full of integrity. So kind and generous. So tender. A man filled with such love and pride for his family, friends and country. In a body so weak. So frail. So fragile. And yet his strength was shining through. What an amazing man.

I held onto his hand that night, talking gently, humming softly, and when I sang a line or two of "More Holiness Give Me" I felt a light pressure on my hand. The smallest squeeze...to let me know he was aware. I felt urged to go on. I felt the need to prolong his calm, this peaceful feeling of love that filled his home. "Nearer My God, to Thee" sprung to my lips and I sang. Quietly and humbly I sang these words softly in his ear by his bedside:

Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee!

E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me,

Still all my song shall be, Nearer, my God, to Thee;

Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee!

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,

Darkness be over me, My rest a stone;

Yet in my dreams I'd be, Nearer, my God, to Thee;

Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee!

There let the way appear, Steps unto Heav'n;

All that Thou sendest me in mercy giv'n;

Angels to beckon me, Nearer, my God, to Thee;

Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee!

Then with my waking thoughts, Bright with Thy praise,

Out of my stony griefs, Bethel I'll raise;

So by my woes to be, Nearer, my God, to Thee;

Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee!

Or if on joyful wing, Cleaving the sky,

Sun, moon, and stars forgot, Upward I fly;

Still all my song shall be, Nearer, my God, to Thee;

Nearer, my God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee!

The Spirit, so strong, washed over me. Covering me in the most powerful feeling. I was overwhelmed with profound, divine love. It stayed with me. It stayed with him. I could feel the presence of it all night. This song, every meaning within it, was my way of grieving for my grandpa and what a beautiful feeling it is for me to know that my singing it was a comfort for him as well.

I share this story, not to get the tears flowing (although, let's be honest, I AM Lynette's daughter, and the tears are flowing freely), but to share with all of you, a moment that has been engraved in my memory and held so dear to my heart. How blessed I am to have been taught so much by a man I had never heard speak. Who taught me more by his example than words could have done justice. I miss him dearly. I only hope I can be as great an example as he was to me.

*Cassie Player*

Photographs and Memories...

Grandpa Riding

I have many memories of my sweet little grandpa. I remember him that way because he was always shorter than me for most of these memories except for a few vague earlier ones. There was a certain feeling in Grandma and Grandpa Riding's home that I can't quite describe although I'm certain you all know what I am referring to--a mixture of particular smells, sounds, and feelings that bring me back to them.

After Grandpa passed away someone brought out a huge bag full of his hat collection and I chose a few to take home--a tweed English style cap and an orange "I love beer" hat in particular. The English style cap smelled like Grandpa for at least five years afterwards and whenever I missed him too much I'd take out that hat and bury my nose in it, closing my eyes and pretending I was sitting in his living room with the muffled sound of a football game in the background. My oldest daughter Emelie has now taken over the hat because it's stylish again today. I was happy to pass it on to her so that she could have a part of Grandpa too.

The last time I visited Grandpa when he was still semi-healthy was just a few weeks after my third daughter, Erin, was born. A month or so afterwards he was taken to the hospital up in Provo. But at this visit he was walking around and Grandma Riding was on the couch with a hip injury. He was so adamant about making sure Erin had a quarter collection with her imprinted name on it like her two older sisters had. Despite the obvious effort it took him, he got the quarters out then and there and made her one before we left. Making sure all of his grandkids and great-grandkids were included in his interests was so important to him and I know it made all of us feel so special to him to be included in his $2.00 bill tradition, and then later his quarter collection.

I remember him asking me about my husband Rob, who hadn't come with me on this visit. He had always been excited that Rob had served in the Navy and had had long conversations with him on previous visits, through the help of his notepad, about Rob's Navy experiences. He was happy to have a grand-son-in-law who could appreciate his admiration for his son's Naval accomplishments. He was so proud of his son and never let a chance go by on our visits without whipping out Uncle Bob's Navy photos and sharing his admiration. He was a proud daddy that's for sure!

The last time I saw my Grandpa before he passed away was two days before at his home in Delta. I had driven down from Orem, where we were living at the time, with my sister Tinille, and my mom met us in Delta. I think either Aunt Lynette or Aunt Kris were there too, and of course Grandma, but I was too distraught inside to remember all the details except for one particular experience. A hospice nurse had come by to help Grandpa change his bedsheets. Grandpa was very obviously in deep pain. It was very hard to see Grandpa in so much pain and we were all gathered together in the corner of the livingroom in tears, some of us having to leave the room.

The nurse asked for some help moving him, and I stepped forward to help lift his head and shoulders. For some reason in those few moments I was able to put my grief aside and be a pillar of strength for Grandpa as he lied there in pain. I held his hand and leaned down near his face and said, "Grandpa, it's Amber, do you hear me?" He squeezed my hand in response. "I love you Grandpa, you can get through this, okay!" He squeezed my hand again, and we kept eye contact as I lifted up his shoulders. It might be seven years ago, but that moment will be frozen in time for me as I think on it, for it was a moment when I saw my Grandpa not just as my Grandpa and I as his granddaughter, but as another spirit who was in deep physical pain and our spirits connected as he leaned on my strength for a moment. He was my brother and I was helping him through this temporary pain, and a glimpse of our eternal spirits together overcame every fear I had as our hearts connected.

Grandpa is still there close in my memories, and will stay there as I reflect on his life, learning from the example he left for me. He was loved by many people in Delta. He was a great man, one I've tried to learn more of from hearing other's experiences with him. He was a handsome man and a cute "Italian-looking" gramps as he got older. He valued honesty and honor, integrity, and concern for others. He lived his life with zest, humor, and commitment. And he detested hypocrisy. When he felt strongly about something, he was adamant to have it happen. I remember one time Jan'l, Tinille, and I visited Delta and went out to dinner with Grandpa at that resturant with the big bull on top of it (Steakhouse something?). We were about to order typical chicken and he put his foot down: We were going to have steak! We came to a steakhouse and we weren't going to eat chicken! I've also heard stories of how committed he was to buying local and supporting Delta's community. He was an excellent example of how to be involved in and support our communities and neighborhoods.

I love my Grandpa Riding for all that he was and all that his life taught me.

--Amber Lynn Petersen McKenna

Grandpa & Grandma Moody

Some memories I have of Grandpa & Grandma Moody was when we would stay the night over at their house. It was TiNille, Amber and I and we would have tomato soup and Ritz crackers with Sunny Delight for lunch. We always loved playing outside with Dum Dum the german shephard, and playing on the haystacks. Sometimes we would drive into town, which was an adventure. I loved the smell of the house, Grandpa's pipe, and Grandma's lotion. I used to try and sneak some cookies from the cookie jar. She would catch me and slap my bum telling me to wait til after dinner. I also remember every night they would watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeapordy.
Grandpa would teach us songs as we sat on his lap. My favorites being "Turkey on Grandpa's farm" (I wish I remembered all the words now), "She'll be coming around the mountain" and his famous melody "Yankee Doodle", and other songs with it. To this day I have taught that song to my kids, and I always remember his train tooting.
I remember the Coca Cola ladies in her kitchen, (pictures on the wall) and the anchovies Grandpa would put on his pizza. (yuck!) I think I could describe every square inch of their house to someone if they wanted to know. :) The brown accordian type doors as we would go into our beds. I loved the comfort and love I felt there.
They were so wonderful and so much fun to be with. I miss them so much. I still picture them sitting in their house, it really isn't a reality that they are gone. I guess it makes it easier for me. There are so many other wonderful memories, Thanksgivings, and the walks, I loved being at their house. I love them so much, and will always cherish the memories.
After Grandma passed away, Mom and I went to go clean for Grandpa. I could feel her presence there so strongly. I was cleaning down by the TV room and kinda skimming past things. I will never forget the strong feeling of her telling me to clean the window sills, and stop being so lazy. :) She was a strong woman, with lots of love that she gave to all her grandchildren. I learned many things from her. I am so thankful for our grandparents, for their love.

Great Grandmom Riding

How much do I love my Great Grandmom? I'm sure all of you know how much love I have for her as you all have the same. What an inspirational woman being able to live so long by herself without anyone there to take care of her. I loved going to her house and if I think about it I can still smell how inviting her house was. It was really hard when it was time to put her into a home, and even then she was still in an apartment living by herself.

I'm sure all of the memories I have everyone has because if grandmom was anything she was proud! I would love everytime I went there she would remind, and show, us how she could still touch her toes! And she really could! It was just amazing to watch her and how I wished I could do that! (still do!!) She would also tell me of her amazing trips she had gone on, she was really able to see some interesting places, I believe Samoa was one?

Grandmoms love for her family was infectious. I was never able to meet Grandad but she would tell me stories and I could just picture him there with her. Her love for her children and grandchildren was so strong, how she could always remember everyone was beyond me. But there they all were pictures posted all over her wall. My mom and I used to joke that grandmom was the only one allowed to call Daniel, Danny. He was her Danny boy. I think back to her now as a grownup and just hope that I have as much perserverance and love that she did. What an amazing, beautiful woman. I miss her very much.

Memories of Grandma Leona

As most of us younger generation of grandkids, our memories of our grandparents have seemed to fade, as we try to grasp onto those memories, I am so grateful that there are so many older cousins and aunts and uncle to remind us of those great memories that we so desperatly need to have in our hearts..

As we lived in Delta, we were able to spend a lot of time with Grandma and Grandpa Riding, as well as Grandma and Grandpa Moody. I remember as a student at Delta north Elementary, I took full advantage of Grandma Leona's kindness, when I would call her telling her that i wasn't feeling too good, and she would always show up with a bottle of Sprite to help "settle" my stomach.. I remember Grandma Leona's love and kindness for me, she always took great care of me and as my memory isn't as great as others, I will always remember the love i have for my Grandma Leona.

I remember one time not too long ago.. maybe 4 or 5 years ago, I stopped on the freeway to help an elderly woman with a flat tire near Springville. As i tried to comfort her nerves I made small talk, as I got to know her, I found out that she was great friends with Grandma Leona, and it was so good to share stories of them as I fixed her tire.

Once again, I will always love Grandma Leona, and I know she knows that.


Remember, this blog is also to post about memories of us growing up, getting to know each other in that way is a great way to learn about each other.

His Hands...

When Grandpa was taken to the hospital for last time, I had received a phone call that he had been taken to the Hospital in Delta. I drove like a mad woman and just as I turned the corner in Lynndyl, I passed an Ambulance. I knew it was Grandpa. I called the hospital and they said that he was still there. So I kept driving. I was prompted to call again. I did, and this time was told that he had been taken by ambulance to UVRMC.

I turned the car around and drove to Provo. I was able to see him for a few minutes and spend some time with him. The next day after work I drove down to Provo again to spend time with him. After I spoke with him for a few minutes, I realized his skin was so dry on his hands, arms and face. So I looked around for lotion. Just then, one of Grandma Riding's sons came in. I told them I had to run an errand and I left them to have some time with him.

When I returned they were gone. I had purchased some decent lotion and I washed Grandpa's face and then hands and applied lotion to both. As I rubbed the lotion into his beautiful hands, the hands that had held me lovingly so many times, the hands that had taken mine and given me a slight squeeze over the years as he mouthed his words, I realized ... after all these years, that I have his hands. I have never liked my hands until that day. And now I love them, and I get to think daily of how much I love him.

Hailey - Hale - Hero

I don't know if any of you know this, but Hailey was named in honor of Grandpa Riding. She remembers him, which is amazing because she was very, very little when he passed away.

A couple of years ago, Mike, Hailey (5 years old at the time) and I were driving in the car and I told her about it. I told her that her daddy and I couldn't agree on a name to save our lives, and that finally, we decided to use family names so we could just agree on something. I chose her Great-Grandpa Riding because he was a wonderful man who I loved very much. His name was Robert Hale Riding. I told her that "Hale" means "Hero", and that even though he died when she was very young, he watches over her and I know that he helps her to make right decisions.

She was so amazed and so touched. She told me and Mike to plug our ears so we couldn't hear. I faked, of course, so I could hear what she was doing. ;)

She looked out her window, and in a soft, tender voice, she started talking to Grandpa. She whispered, "Dear greatest, greatest, grampa, I didn't know I was named after you. I know you can't talk, but I know you help me. I love you so much and you mean so much to me. Thank you, greatest, greatest grampa. You are a hero. I love you so much."

I felt Grandpa smiling down on us that moment.

here's the deal

Hey everyone. i made this little blog so that the whole familly can put in their two cents on our riding family history, there's so many stories that need to be shared, and stories that are made everyday.  I think it will be a good place for us all to share our memories and whatnot.

I want to set it up so that you can all post on it, so send me your email addresses to nick-jarvis@hotmail.com and i will add you, that way you can all participate! plus, send me more family members that you think would enjoy this. 

love you all,
Nick Jarvis


nick-jarvis@hotmail.com