Just Like the Ole' Days in Highland

We have often reminisced about how things used to be when the kids were little.  One of the things we all seem to remember was summer nights out with the neighbors.  When things would cool off in the early evening, the kids would all head outdoors and start to play their night games.  You could always tell where they all were by all the noise, laughter and fun.  The parents would go out on the streets and start talking to the neighbors, and sometimes bigger groups would gather.  The evenings were not so much watching TV, hanging out with the computer, video games and such.  It was time for some real fun. 

Well, the ward has started what they call "walk-abouts".  Sounds a little Australian, don't ya think?  I missed it last month, as I was in Poland, but sounds like it was horrible weather with a huge windstorm, anyways!  I didn't think I would go because Spence doesn't like to walk much, but then I saw all the ward members starting to mingle, walk and gather.  It reminded me of the old Highland and I was excited and bugged Spence till he agreed and we went to the Fishes house.  But by the time we got there, the nummy rolls had been devoured.  In fact, the last one available was being consumed just as we arrived.  So we sat down and visited.  Before we realized lots of people came on foot, on bikes, skateboards, cars and whatever.  It was just fun to gather like we used to, even if the food was all gone. 

Brent and Carolyn and the Cooks came while we were there and we began to talk about the "Old days" when we weren't (old that is).  The kids were young back then and we would all head down to Palisades as a neighborhood and camp and swim and the men would golf and a good time was had by all.  We were thinking how would it be to all go there again with all the next generations that have somehow sprung up and all those kids.  We would have to reserve the entire park.  But it sounded fun, but the older of us could go to a bed and breakfast in Manti or thereabouts??  How does it sound??

Anyways, I think I like the walk-about.  Wouldn't mind doing it again next month when the next one is scheduled.  Kinda cool!  Everyone was visiting and the night couldn't have been a better one.

What the Grandkids Taught Me

So over the years, I have tried to get some exercise by walking.  The goal is to lower bp, get less fat, get in shape and be generally more healthy.  Lately the grandkids have noticed grandma's walking routine and decided they want to join and everyday the question "Have you gone on your walk yet?" comes out and if I haven't gone, they are gonna go with.  So we round up scooters, big wheels, bikes or whatever the tranportation of the day may be.  Well, I must start by saying when you take your grandkids, or kids with you, the exercise part of the walk really disappears and it is interesting what does appear.  First, one child is 3 miles ahead, while another is equally behind.  The one from behind finally catches up by running over the back of your feet with a big wheel or other instrument of pain.  But being the sweeties they are, they ALWAYS apologize and as you limp along you say "It's OK, honey, it only hurts a little."  The far away child returns and says, "look at this or look at that".  And so we stop and look at this and that and talk and laugh.  What do we look at?  Well, via my blackberry, so excuse the bad quality, here is what we see:

We see millions of ants having their breakfast, lunch or dinner...

We see "Kornblumen Blau" as Omi would say.

We see horses too, and we also smell them a mile away! 

We see the seagulls on their favorite roof top every day, literally hundreds of them.

And we see toadstool "nests"

They are a little gross...

And sometimes we decide to climb a tree or two!

So you see we spend lots of time looking and not so much time exercising, so this grandma will remain fat and happy.  But the key word here is "Happy".