Beautiful Weekend/Beautiful “Greats”

Yesterday we celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ, at our church. It was a beautiful and moving service.

We also now have the newest pictures of our great-grandchildren – numbering four. How incredible is technology?

My dad always called his great-grandchildren his “Greats” – in my opinion, a very fitting designation. Our Greats are an extraordinary gift to us! How thankful I am to be privileged to live to old age, no, what I really mean is “to the mature years” and to have the privilege of holding my beautiful great-grandchildren in my arms.

Over the years I have prayed for my children and grandchildren, and now my great-grandchildren that they will come to know and love my Risen Savior. That is my utmost desire.

So now a little great-grandma bragging! From youngest to oldest:

Newest Great, Sophia Alexandra Fuller (four months), is dwarfed by the big Easter Bunny

Great, Sawyer Brent Walker - Mr. Happy Guy (six months), is the only boy.

Great, Emma Ruth Powers (one year), at church in her Easter outfit.

Great, Olivia Jean Walker (three and a half), ready to attend Easter service.

What To Do On Monday (WTDOM)

Daughter’s (Coleen) flight arrives at Denver International Airport at 8:15 this morning. So, since we will already be in the city, it seemed a great idea to stay for the day. Denver has lots of attractions, but Denver has a problem with Mondays.

Coleen suggested visiting the Molly Brown House Museum. Molly was a colorful figure in history, so that sounded like a great idea! Problem: Closed Monday.

I thought we might eat at the White Fence Farm. Problem: Closed Monday.

A visit to Red Rock Amphitheatre would work well into our schedule. Problem: Mountain snows in the forecast.

Maybe the Governor’s mansion? Problem: Tours just in the summer.

Okay, so Denver has a great Art Museum. You’ve got it! Closed Monday.

Clyfford Still Museum? Since you may not know, I’ll tell you. He was an artist. “Abstract Expressionism” is the term most often used to describe his works. Even after his death, he is still an “in” guy. The museum is closed on Monday.

But we outsmarted those who are attempting to wipe Monday off the calendar in Denver. At the Denver Botanic Gardens, we will admire the beauty and have lunch in one of the nice restaurants there. Then we will head out to explore the 16th Street Pedestrian Mall. (No doubt they could not figure out how to close an outdoor mall – even on Monday). Following the mall adventure, we will stroll around Denver’s Historic district. Finally, we will end our day at Casa Bonita to be entertained and eat Mexican food.

Hello, Denver! In spite of the fact that you are not Monday friendly, we WILL have a good time.

Coleen at the top of Pikes Peak, July 2011.

Letter to Tissue Box Designer

Dear Tissue Box Designer,

One of life’s little frustrations for me is dealing with your non-functional tissue container. Just pulling the first tissue through the little oval on top of the box tells me that something is lacking in the design of this product. The “first tissue” usually turns out to be a handful, all wrapped together as one. Further attempts to remove tissues from the box also produce disappointing results. Just last week, three tissues tore into thirds as I pulled them from the box and often, when I remove what appears to be the last of the tissues, I need to “go fish” for a remaining stack at the bottom of the box. This action brings me back to my first complaint as, once again, a handful is given up.

This world if full of products that are functional. Thus, I have to conclude that there are people in the world of manufacturing who actually understand design. For example:

• My coffee pot will turn itself on and brew my coffee while I sleep, awakening me to the wonderful fresh-brewed aroma.
• My toaster pops the bread up when it is perfectly browned according to my pre-selected setting.
• Responding to a slight tug, my storage bags are delivered, one at a time, into my hand.
• My shower cleaner works with the touch of a button and it gives me a fifteen second warning that, interpreted, says, “Get out of the shower, now!”
• When I so desire, my garage door will open before it even comes into view.
• With the touch of a few buttons, my oven will turn on and cook my roast while I listen to my minister’s sermon on Sunday morning. It also will clean itself while I go shopping.
• The name and number of the person calling me by telephone displays on my TV screen. Thus, I do not need to pick up the phone to discover that the call is a political pitch.
• My furnace switches on when the room temperature drops below the preset temperature on the thermostat.
• Popcorn produces perfect white puffs in my microwave when I push the smart button that has been pre-programmed for popping corn.
• My mixer will knead a batch of bread while I chop veggies for stew.
• My clothes dryer can be set to dry all kinds of fabrics without damage to any of the fibers.
• My washer senses the size of each load and adjusts the amount of water it uses accordingly.
• Coolest of all, my sis has a vacuum that she programs to do her floors while she is away from home. Said vacuum knows it must avoid objects and skillfully skirts around each.

Are there ever glitches when using these products? Of course, but not on a daily basis! So my question is, Tissue Box Designer, why is it so difficult to conceive a tissue box that dispenses the tissues in a manner that provides customer satisfaction?

Sincerely,

Frustrated Tissue User