Howdy!

  

Howdy!

Some know me very personally but many just glance in the direction of this page now and again. So here is my run down. I’m a seasoned gent that on occasion has some time on my hands. I’ve been call a bunch of names but Hun, Papa, and Crazy Soul are my favorites. I’m a Christian and love God with most of my heart. The part of my heart that isn’t placed on God is reserved for my wife. So ya do get a dose of I love her and relationship gooey stuff in there. After almost three decades together we are well connected with each other.  I have walked a path with recovery from darkness and addiction. I counsel many in changing their path of life for the better. I have moved around some but at present live in a small house by a Hollar just a short hop from some grand kiddies. I like to spend time in the outdoors and play with the peeps we call the crazies. Yes, I like a good laugh now and then too. Every now and again I post from my blog some thoughts and some stories with maybe just a little bit of McManus style of embellishment. So, enjoy. Feel free to share with those around you.

Forgiveness and Time.

This is a post from a Facebook page in the Cedar City area. I have copied and pasted it with the originators permission. RE: Fire burning in Iron and Garfield counties of Utah. The following post is by a resident of Brian Head, Utah.

Kim Mayne:

I have been out of my home now as an evacuee for a week tomorrow. These are my thoughts, My heart breaks for those who've lost homes, for those who won't enjoy family time in the precious mountains this year, for the firefighters who give there all and the families who go without during that time to support them, for the children who just want to go home and the adults too but mostly my heart breaks for a world with no forgiveness. Yes, there should be consequences, some natural as this person has to live with this, and perhaps monetarily and maybe even lawfully but let me remind everyone that he who is without sin, cast the 1st stone. In no circumstance, is it right for us to be the judge, that is up to the proper authorities and ultimately to our maker. I have never met the person responsible, I do believe that things could have been done by the proper agencies that would have decreased the odds of this disaster and my family is suffering but hate and judgement will not bring back our homes, our forest, our playground. It will not bring peace, but do you know what does? Forgiveness and Time. The land will heal, homes may be rebuilt, and new memories made, it is my prayer that we ALL find this healing.

My Thoughts:

In times of adversity we can become better or bitter. Hopefully we become better people and can put our best foot forward and be kind, understanding, and forgiving. I am saddened by the situation because of the places that will be so ever change that hold memories of myself and many but knowing that we can move forward with hope for better and that we are alive and pray for those effected as well as those that fight the flames and smoke to save what they can. I may add that many walk through more than one crisis in life and yet they have a good outlook of what can be out there for them and others. Often when disasters strike it draws people together in helping others. Forgiveness is not easy and yet it is a part of what makes us better. Be grateful, forgiving, and share good whenever possible because the world needs better not bitter. Choices always have consequences whether they be good or not so good. Yes, there will be a time when justice must be paid but hopefully there will be mercy present to balance justice. Many there are that say “blame this” and “blame that” but there are so many factors that we can best let it go. I am reminded of a situation a few years back with a similar situation. A good person was also engaged in clearing land and the control of the situation was lost. They as with many others could never imagine the extent of the reach of the consequences until later. Bad things happen to good people. My family has at times been displaced for various reasons and it is trying and heart breaking. I thank those that in times of crisis reach out to others with shelter and help.

 Pray for others that they too can find peace in the storm and that the storm may find a calming. Pray for those with broken hearts and lives to heal. Pray for understanding. Pray for those that walk in the fires of life to keep us safe. I have in days past also walked among the smoke and flames and I hope and pray for the souls that work to tame that Beast. I have read of many that have given to others in bad situations, thank you! It shows us all humanity is there. Having life coached people for many years and worked with them to make changes in their life for the better when they have made not so good of choices I leave these thoughts. “God grant me the serenity to except the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.” “Joy isn’t found in riches and gold but knowing you have lifted another”- Unknown

*Thanks Kim Mayne for in spite of adversity looking for the silver lining!

Twenty-nine priceless years!

Twenty-nine priceless years!

Three decades ago, I saw this dark-haired and dark-eyed beauty in a large hallway in little old Manti, Utah. Wow has life changed with a six pack of kids and a small band of grand kids. We have now lived in about a dozen places together. We have flown scared, climbed hills, an extended boat trip, dropped into canyons and crags, and fallen ever deeper in love with each other. We have learned a lot about each other over the years but more about ourselves and why we do what we do. Yes, I’m hard to deal with. I’m kind of like a deck of cards with no Aces and a lot of One Eyed jacks. She has put up with me just the same. She’s no quitter and has pushed the limits of life a lot. She pushes me to be better than I see myself. We have been back to the great hall many times since that day and we were married in that fine structure in June of nineteen eighty-eight. One of the girls she worked with a few years ago was helping her try to make a negative type picture of that building for an artistic project. The girl thought for sure it had to be a castle in Europe. When the girl heard we had been married there, she was in shock and thought it must have cost a fortune. I add it was the most priceless place to be married in the world, but there are many of those priceless places in the world that are amazing also.

Many things have changed for me over the years, from less fly-off-the-handle to I say less of what just pops in my head. I have learned that filtering lots of things can end many a bad situation. I have learned to talk to others instead of closing off and bottling things up. I have a soft spot for the underdog and the down trodden. I love adventure as shown by the crazy pack of six kids we have and all the places we have visited. Been many places a cell phone is useless yet unwanted also. The best places I have been are always with my number one Cheerleader (yeppers I found a cheerleader). Yes, I have had her fuming mad at me and love me profusely all in the same day.

She’s like a fine box of chocolates with gold leaf on the box. She is always full of surprises. Every now and then she still manages to scare the critters loose in me. She can best me in so many ways but we have fun just the same. I think she is getting more at ease with the chapter of life we are in now. She likes little hugs and kisses from those little ones that call her Nana. She claims that I didn’t remember that we danced with each other one night not long after we had met first the first time but I was a bit stunned from a lot happening. Then I moved in a few doors down from her and she claims I kind of stalked her some, but I was hooked so what can I say. Secretly at the time, she says now, she was intrigued some.

Some of the super road trips have included stops for some very tasty food in some of the most unique places. You might be surprised the cool places out there that we have visited once or twice. Still many to add to the list of places still to find and dine at.

Lots of adventures in the twenty-nine years we have been married and the plus part of that before we said “I do”. I’m not say’n we are perfect but we are perfect together. We still have a large bucket list of things to do together and yes, I have to get some of the promises in for her before I even think about push’n some daisies up. So, here’s to another basket of fun years of adventure. I’m sure we will think of more to add to the bucket list and maybe we will do a few fun things that we have done many times before again. 

She is the Mama of Six awesome kids!

     Yeppers! She is the Mama of Six awesome kids and many others that see her as Mom. I know she down plays herself but she is like a fine diamond ring. The value is so priceless that it and her cannot be compared to anything else out there because there is nothing that comes even remotely close to her. She has the distinction as a tough one but has had to be at times to keep a few teenagers on a path going forward and uphill. Also, she is very loving and has one of the warmest hearts any mother could ever be given by the Great Creator. For many of the world that have ever crossed life’s path in some way with her they know that she cares a lot about seeing people become what God sees in them. Just like many in the world, we all struggle with beating ourselves up and even down. We too often try to feed ourselves the lie that “I don’t add up.” She more than adds up and stands out. Yes, she isn’t so much a big fan of being in front of a camera but I love to see the smile in her dark and beautiful eyes. I love to see her smile when she is surrounded by her kids and the countless others that bring out the smile in her. Start with the six and add them all up and she has a well-stocked house full of very awesome and special accomplishments. 

     Granted I haven’t been much help in a lot of the training of the kids but I am grateful to have the best of the best in a parenting companion for me. She has so many cool names she is called by the six and a few others. They call her Mother, Mom, Mama, Mamita, Grandma, and Nana. I’m sure Mama and Nana are the names that she hears and loves best, but she has many more that some very dear peeps call her or have called her that listing them is kind of hard. No one affects us in our lives quite as much as the mothers, grandmothers, and aunties in our life. Please friends don’t compare you or yours to any one because God made the women of the world different so we could help each other in so many ways and every one of them are extremely special. This awesome mother of six has so many talents that are not seen by the world and in many ways should be, but the kids in her life know some of those awesome things. She is a diamond in so many ways that to know where to start counting would be hard to do without missing some along the way. So, Happy Mother’s Day to the Mama of Six that has effected not just six and others but me in so many ways. 

*Papa’s cheesy taters*

*Papa’s cheesy taters*

9x13 pan

1 ½ lbs. O’Brian style hash brown potatoes frozen

2 jars GF or Classico alfredo sauce

24 ozs Sour cream 

2 lbs. Colby jack cedar cheese (save ¼ of cheese for toping when nearly done)

½ onion fine diced

2 teaspoons pepper

Sautee the onion. Mix ingredients in large bowl. Spread in pan. Bake at 375 to 400 degrees for 45 minutes. Top with remaining cheese. Continue baking for 10 t0 20 minutes. Best if served with Papa’s favorite meat loaf. If you have family and friends like Papa you should consider an extra pan of taters so that Papa’s first house rule can be adhered too. “If you leave hungry it is your own fault”. You can sub some cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup and a cup of milk rather than the Alfredo sauce. If you’re like Papa and have a Dutch oven or three it is a nice summer classic. Cooking tip: The cheap and easy one use pans and oven liners make cleanup up a cook’n dream. Enjoy!!

What a question!

Some sobering thoughts this morning as I read an article about kid (26 is a kid to me) that left this life from the chains of addictive destruction. It always hits home for me considering the path of addictive chains that held me once. Not too long ago I had the opportunity to speak to a group of teens at a fireside (Church meeting) about life and the choices that we have. I have had many of these opportunities over the years but this time a during a question asking moment a great question was asked. “What is it that keeps you from going back to those destructive things in your life?” How would anyone else answer this question? Because it brings up a hundred more why questions.  

So here it goes. *I didn’t like me. I didn’t like who I was and why I was and I don’t want to live that way anymore. *I didn’t feel free. I didn’t feel free to make good choices and to be able to think freely about those choices. *I though God hated me. I have come to know and feel good about the relationship I have with my Higher Power/God and I now know that he loves me. *I love my life. I love my life and know many persons in the world that also love me. *I did see a purpose in life. I did feel that me being around changed anything for any one. Now I know that even if I change the world for only one person it has meaning and that meaning changes things for me also.

I fully enjoy the opportunity to talk to people that may be in doubt, questioning their purpose in life and hurting in their life. “I’m not interested whether you’ve stood with the great. I’m interested whether you’ve sat with the broken.” Many of the great persons we know in history like Gandhi, Mandela, Christ, and others showed their greatness the most when they sat with the down trodden, the lowly of heart, and those who could in no way repay them. If we lift others where we can the world changes for good. Lift others and spread goodness to the world.

If your one of those chained by things in your life or you know personally someone who is take hope. There is a way to change if there is desire, faith, and a wiliness to do so. Feel free to message me if your one of those people out there. If by chance you’re a person who has broken free from them great. I commend your doing so and if you are willing to share with me your story I would love to hear it. Sharing the victory of breaking those chains with others not to brag by any means but to show others that there is hope and good things can and do happen in the world. God loves us and knows us personally. We need to always remember God is in control, even when we can't see his plan and we should be still and know it will work out. God bless!

Rice Lasagna recipe

For some that already know us we have some family favorites that are on the gluten free side and a few that my family will let me share.

Rice Lasagna

Ingredients:

Servings:
8
Units: US | Metric
3 cups cold cooked rice
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
2 beaten eggs
1/2 cup cottage cheese
8 ounces low-fat ricotta cheese
32 ounces spaghetti sauce
1 cup cooked ground beef
Directions:

1
Add eggs and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese to rice. Set aside.
2
Combine 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and cottage cheese. Set aside.
3
Add sauce to meat mixture, heat.
4
Spoon 1 cup rice mix into pammed glass pan, cover with 1/2 of cottage cheese mix, 1/3 sauce and 1/2 ricotta. Repeat, topping with sauce and 2 tablespoons grated parmesan.
5
Cook 20 minutes at 375 degrees. Cook longer if it is in a dense pan.
6
If desired, you can freeze and bake at a later date.