January 14, 2016

            There has been travels galore over the past few weeks. Mike and Mary Ann Jepsen went to San Jose, CA, for the holidays with their daughter Annie and Steve Earl. After a good week of warmer temperatures it took the courage to return home. On the way they delivered their granddaughter back to school at BYU in Provo, UT.

            Richard and Vickie Free have been hither and yon, but no cruises this time. They have been to Hawaii, to Arizona, and Colorado. Closer to home they spent some time in St. George, UT. They have also had visits from their children: Jacob and RaNette Free and children from Pinedale, WY, and Heidi and Brendan Brown from Logan.

            Layne and Karen Erickson and Paul and Terrie McKay and family gathered at the home of Bryan and Shannon Erickson in Mt. Sterling, UT. This is a first since Bryan's family have relocated with his job as CEO at Sunshine Terrace in Logan.

            Larry and Mary Jean Rasmussen were happy when their son JR and Elaine Rasmussen and their family came up from Ogden. Nothing like getting some grandparent moments during the holidays.

           Sandy Wylie entertained a close friend from the warm temperatures of Texas. Felicia Paskize flew up from Cameron, TX, for a few days in the snowy north country.

            Twin daughters of Ben Keller dropped in for a visit with Ben and Marie. Becky and Josh Oliverson and Stacey and Josh Westover all live in Pocatello. Yes, both girls married a Josh.

           From Almo, ID, Juliana Packer bought her little girl, Cedar, for a grandparent visit with Liesa and LaRon Baird. Great-grandparents are Lana and Ivan McCracken, who had great fun with Miss Cedar.

           Shawn and Callie Beardall and their four children kept the home of his parents, Kent and Tammy Beardall, full of action for a few days. Shawn is a firefighter in Spanish Fork, UT.

            This is a case of “too many irons in the fire” for the blog this week. Two days late, not a bery good way to begin 2016.

          Owls must like with the winter months. Their night time conversations punctuate the dark as they chat back and forth across our valley. They may stay pretty secluded during the daytime but when the sun goes down and the hillsides sparkle in the moonlight they become rulers of the sky. Their favorite perches include barn tops and yard lights as well as trees as they survey the territory for any unwary creature to add to their menus. Owls hold a special place in this writer's heart.