1 A psalm of praise

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

— Psalms 100:1–5

2 Quote of the week

"Gratitude is a divine principle. . . . Regardless of our circumstances, each of us has much for which to be grateful if we will but pause and contemplate  our blessings. . . . Our lives are blessed in countless ways."

— Thomas S. Monson

("The Divine Gift of Gratitude," Ensign, Nov. 2010, 88)

3 This week in our family

Our family's calendar for the next two weeks

Sat, Nov 20: Ivard died 1988
Sun, Nov 21: Clifford Rankin's birthday [Gail]
Mon, Nov 22: Dean & Claudia married 1972 [Dean]
Mon, Nov 22: Keisha's birthday [Dale]
Thurs, Nov 25: Thanksgiving Day
Fri, Nov 26: Cade & Rebecca Hoff married 1994 [Dean]
Sun, Nov 28: Melissa's birthday (Chad's wife) [Kay]
Wed, Dec 1: Next issue of newsletter published

If ever we are missing anyone's birthday or anniversary, please let us know.

4 Bits and tidbits

Lyle's family
Lyle called on Tuesday, November 9, to report that he was leaving that day to fly to Seattle to visit with his kids in Washington. Doug was getting married on Friday, November 12. Lyle was going to be staying with Stan's family and Terry's family until after Thanksgiving. His kids didn't want him to be driving that far, plus he probably wasn't really up to it after his recent surgery (he had four stents put in).

Kay's family
On Monday evening I spoke with Kay to wish him a happy birthday. It had been a good day, he said. He had heard from his children and from Jerry, who had kindly called him that morning. He and Karen had spent much of the day digging Christmas decorations out of storage and starting to decorate for the holidays. They had gone into town and had lunch at the Red Lobster.

For the Thanksgiving weekend Kay and Karen plan to drive to northern Utah next Wednesday and spend the holiday at Andrea's place. All of Kay's children who live in Utah, except Rhett, will be together for Thanksgiving dinner. Rhett and Celeste will be going to be with Celeste's father.

Kay works two mornings a week, from 6:00 a.m. until noon on Thursdays and Fridays, as an ordinance worker in the St. George Temple.

Dean's family
Claudia and I flew to St. Louis on Thursday, November 4, rented a car, and drove the two and a half hours to Robert and Rachael's place in Harrisburg, Illinois. We were there to meet our newest granddaughter, Eleanor Adelia Hodson, who had been born the previous week on Friday morning, October 29, in Evansville, Indiana. Paul and Eliza and their two boys also made the seven-hour drive from Atlanta to spend the weekend with us. They returned home to Georgia Sunday evening. Claudia and I flew home to Utah Tuesday afternoon.

For the past while I have been publishing the newsletter weekly—sort of—with some gaps here and there occasioned by travel or sickness. I have decided that beginning this month I am now going to publish every other Wednesday. So there will yet be three more issues between now and the end of the year: December 1, December 15, and December 29.

5 Our family 50 years ago

Excerpts from the November 1960 diary of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915–1982). The full text of her diary can be found online at Dorothy's Idaho Diaries and is updated daily, exactly 50 years to the day after it was originally written. The family at the time lived on a 40-acre farm in the Deer Flat area south of Nampa, Idaho.

Thurs, Nov 17.  Gene did chores & him, Ray & I ate & They went to Nyssa to play Gails team basket ball & I went to bed. When Dean, Dale & Jackie came from Primary Dean fixed them something to eat. Gene stayed over to Gails after game.

Fri, Nov 18.  I came home from work. Ray didn't go to school. He helped me & I made 4 apple pies, & 8 cinnamon rolls & he poped corn & we baged up 6 bags of carmel corn & 11 of green mother goose corn & got it all ready to take to bizzar then I went to bed for 1 1/2 hrs then at 4: Ray, Jackie, & I took stuff to church to bizzar & Ray stayed to help. Ivard did chores & took Kids in to church & they ate & saw show & had fish pond.

Sat, Nov 19.  Ray took Kids & went to school Karnival & opening of new Scism lunch room building. He won cake.

Sun, Nov 20.  I came home from work & went to bed. Ivard took Kids to sunday school. I got up at 2:45 & Gail & Lynda had brought Gene home. Ray had made hambergers.

Mon, Nov 21.  I came home from work & took Dean to school. Dale was sick & didn't go.

Tues, Nov 22.  Jackie & I went to relief society. We came home at 12:30 & went to bed at 1:. They were through with beets when we got home & Ivard was in with last load. They didn't do very good, too weedy. Ivard - Gene & Ray went to Caldwell to play ball. Kay called at 11: & I went out by Kings & got him.

Wed, Nov 23.  I'm off until Sunday nite. I came home from work & Kay took Kids to school & I hurried & made 5 pumpkin pies & Kay took 2 of them to school for Kids Thanksgiving dinner. Gene didn't go to school, he picked a load of corn. Jerry rode up from Utah with Verl Cleverly & Kay & Kids went in & picked him up at 6: Ivard killed & cleaned a turkey & cut Kays hair.

Thurs, Nov 24.  I got up at 8: & made biscuits & cooked eggs & had grapefruit & we ate when Gene got chores done. Kay took Gene in to ball practice at 9:45 & he went over to Caldwell to be interviewed by President Isin for mission. When Kay & Gene got home at noon we all got ready & went over to Gails to Thanksgiving dinner, Turkey & all the trimmings. sure good. The Blanch's were there too, 19 of us.

Fri, Nov 25.  I put a turkey in oven & washed & iorned all morning. Ivard had to be at Small claims court at 10: about a bill we owe co-op. Kay went to hospital & had a blood test to go on mission. Ray went selling the Xmas centerpieces he makes & Dean made a cranberry Jello salad & I made dressing & cooked yams & when the guys came home ate our Thanksgiving dinner & Ivard & I, Jerry & Kay went over to Nyssa Stake House to Pete Bryce & Mair Bair's wedding reception had fun dancing.

Sat, Nov 26.  I got up at 5: A.M & fixed Kay a lunch & took him in to catch the bus for Rexburg. He had to be back for conference to be interviewed by general athority. The bus was an hr. late. Jerry & Ray went selling Rays Xmas centerpieces then Ray came home & made 3 more & went & sold them.

Sun, Nov 27.  I made turkey soup for supper & we ate when Ivard & Kids got home. Mother called about 10: from Idaho Falls to say aunt Pearl died, Mother sold her place.

Mon, Nov 28.  real frosty this morning, could hardly scrape it off car windows. I came home from work & Jerry changed beds & did the washing & made some cranberry sauce & cranberry bread. Gene did chores then I took Gene -  Ray & Dean to Mutual. Court of Honor & Dean pinned 2nd class badge on me.

Tues, Nov 29.  Jackie & I went in to relief society conference & work day. droped Jerry off at unemployment office, he didn't find any work. Had good dinner. I had bath & packed bag & cought 8:30 traine for Salt Lake.

Wed, Nov 30.  I got in Salt Lake at 7:30 A.M & called Ruth & Ray but they were already to work so I called Ruth C. & she came & got me & we visited awhile & I changed & at 10:30 she took me up to Bountiful Mortuary & I met Mother & them. We stayed there until 11:45 then went to Bountiful 4th Ward to Aunt Pearl Batt Hulse's funeral. they are takeing her to Rigby to bury tomorrow. We went back to mortuary awhile then up to my cousins Beth Hulse Pearce & then Ken, Bern. & Mother took me down to Ruths & I changed & they droped me off at Deseret Book store on their way home to Grantsville at 5: I bought a few things & walked 4 blocks down to U.P. Station & got a mag. & read until 7:30 P.M. when I cought train for home.

6 What in the world

Football rankings
Boise State (with a 9-0 season thus far) is ranked 3rd in the AP, USA Today, and ESPN polls, and 4th in the BCS Standings. Following two weeks of losses, Utah (now with an 8-2 record) dropped in the polls to 23rd in the BCS, 24th in the USA Today, and 25th in the AP. Oregon and Auburn are 1st and 2nd in all the polls.

New handbooks
On November 13, the Church held a worldwide leadership training broadcast for stake and ward priesthood and auxiliary leaders to introduce the new Church handbooks. The archived broadcast is available for viewing at a link on lds.org

7 A final word

How easy it is in times of ease and pros­perity to forget the Giver of all good things in our lives.

The Lord warns us: "And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments" (D&C 59:21).

Abraham Lincoln said essentially the same thing in these words: "We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in number, wealth, and power as no other Nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multi­plied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the de­ceitfulness of our hearts, that these bless­ings were produced by some superior wis­dom and virtue of our own. Intoxi­cated with unbroken success we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God who made us.

"It behooves us, then, to humble our­selves before the offended power, to con­fess our . . . sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness" (Abraham Lincoln, Man of God, John Wesley Hill, 391).

Though written a century and a half ago, these words fit our situ­ation to­day as much or more so than they did in 1863. Let us be grateful. Let us keep His command­ments. Let us, as the ancient pro­phet urged, "live in thanks­giving daily" (Alma 24:38), not just at Thanksgiving time but every day of our lives.

The reminder is timely. It was reiterated by our living prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, in his main address on Sunday morning of general conference. "A grateful heart," he said, "comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for his blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives" ("The Divine Gift of Gratitude," in Ensign,  Nov. 2010, 89).

Apparently we could all be a little more grateful than we have been—both to our gracious God and to family, friends, and associates who bless our lives in so many ways.

A happy Thanksgiving to you all.

1 Election results

Sixteen years ago, during the midterm elections of 1994, the Republicans gained control of the U.S. House of Representatives. It was in the middle of Bill Clinton's first term as President. And it was the first time the Republicans had held a majority in the House since 1954, forty years earlier.

By the time I went to bed last night, it appeared history was again repeating itself. The Republicans were projected to regain control of the House in the middle of Barack Obama's first term. (Some, of course, would hope to insert here his only term, but we will have to leave that to the future to determine.)

The Tea Party movement certainly had a marked influence on yesterday's outcomes, as well as broad unease about the economy and widespread and deeply felt concern about the overall direction our country is headed.

According to an early report in the New York Times, "California voters rejected a ballot initiative on Tuesday that would have legalized marijuana for recreational use. . . .

"Across the country, voters in dozens of states weighed in not just on candidates but on all matter of issues large and small, more than 150 of them in all. In Rhode Island, voters decided not to change the name of the state, which is officially 'Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.' Arizona put an end to affirmative action programs. Oklahoma made English its official language. There were municipal initiatives as well, including a zany one in Denver that called on the city to set up a 'extraterrestrial affairs committee' to look into UFOs.

"In Washington state, voters rejected an initiative creating the state’s first income tax, exclusively on individuals who earn more than $200,000. . . . In Massachusetts, voters endorsed wiping out the sales tax for alcohol, but rejected rolling back the 6.25 percent sales tax to 3 percent.

"Three ballot measures in Colorado that would have cut the state income tax and sharply restricted government borrowing and property taxes for schools were overwhelmingly defeated. Voters also rejected an antiabortion amendment to the Colorado Constitution that would have conferred rights 'to every human being from the beginning of the biological development.'

"In Arizona and Oklahoma, voters approved measures aimed at preventing President Obama’s health care legislation from going into effect. Colorado voters rejected a similar measure."

2 Quote of the week

Ben Franklin, already into his 80s and the senior statesman at the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, made the following observation concerning the newly adopted Constitution that has now survived for more than two centuries.

"Our new constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."

— Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

3 This week in our family

Our family's calendar for the next two weeks

Thurs, Nov 4: Andrew's birthday [Dean]
Thurs, Nov 4: Vince & Mary married 2006 [Dean]
Fri, Nov 5: Liz's birthday [Gail]
Fri, Nov 5: Angie's birthday [Gail]
Sun, Nov 7: Fast Sunday
Sun, Nov 7: Dayvis's birthday [Lyle]
Mon, Nov 8: Michael Duay's birthday [Gail]
Tues, Nov 9: Paul Challis's birthday [Dean]
Tues, Nov 9: Garrett Reher's birthday [Ray]
Wed, Nov 10: Nevaeh Jennavieve Peterston's birthday [Lyle]
Thurs, Nov 11: Kay & Karen married 2006 [Kay]
Thurs, Nov 11: Veterans Day
Mon, Nov 15: Kay's birthday [Kay]

If ever we are missing anyone's birthday or anniversary, please let us know.

4 Bits and tidbits

Lyle's family
Tami Riley posted Monday on Facebook that she is having her gall bladder removed next week on the 8th. We wish her well.

Gail's family
We do not know all the details, but on Saturday Angie posted on Facebook: "What an eventful week this was! Michelle and her babes were here. Zander broke his mommy's nose (Michelle), and my mom broker her leg on Thursday. She will be seeing the doc on Monday and then we will know when she will have surgery. What a silly old girl. She forgets that her body is a lot older than her mind."

Gene's family
We did not know Kimberley had been in the hospital, but she also posted on Facebook on Saturday: "I am so glad to be out of the hospital. Five days is way too long! On the good side, I will be fine (well, maybe a little crazy for 30 days). No cancer. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Love ya."

Dean's family
Rachael gave birth to Eleanor Adelia Hodson last Thursday, October 29, in Evansville, Indiana. Little Eleanor weighed 6 pounds 8 ounces and was 19 3/4 inches long. Mother and baby are doing fine, but they did not get to return home until yesterday, November 2, because of the baby's low blood sugar. Claudia and I leave tomorrow to go visit them in their southern Illinois home (hence no newsletter will be published next week).

Jackie's family
Sunday was Jackie's birthday. I called her that afternoon to wish her a happy birthday. She said that Jeff and Jolene had come to visit from Emmett and were fixing Sunday dinner for her.

5 Our family 50 years ago

Excerpts from the November 1960 diary of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915–1982). The full text of her diary can be found online at Dorothy's Idaho Diaries and is updated daily, exactly 50 years to the day after it was originally written. The family at the time lived on a 40-acre farm in the Deer Flat area south of Nampa, Idaho.

Thurs, Nov 3.  Kids got home at 1:30, teacher meeting - Dean & Dale. I got up at 2:15 & took Kids & went to bank then took Kids to Primary. I felt so bad I had Ray call in & lay me off.

Fri, Nov 4.  Got note from Kay. I got up & helped Kids off to school. I did 6 qts cauliflower & put in freezer & Jerry made a German choclate cake & I frosted it then at 1: Jerry, Jackie & I went to Caldwell & took our 7 Gold Strike books & 6 green stamp book & got Xmas for Kids. took Jackie to see toys in Sears & drug Store. Gene did chores & went in to game, beat Boise 22 to 6. The rest of us went over to Owyhee ward to home comeing party & programe on Jerry. Ivard & I had to talk.

Sat, Nov 5.  I got up at 8: & fed guys. Ivard didn't do beets today. He watched game & fixed car & water & drain. I went to bed at 6:30 but never did get to sleep. Kids came in then Gail Lynda & Kids brought Jerry home & it was so noisy. Ray made pop corn & had mess all over.

Sun, Nov 6.  I came home from work & went to bed. Gene & Ray went to a meeting before priesthood. Ivard - Jerry & little Kids went to priesthood & sunday school.

Mon, Nov 7.  Jerry - Gene & Ray went to Mutual.

Tues, Nov 8.  I came home from work & Ivard was home & in bed. There wasn't any water so I got him up while I got ready he took pump motor off & I took it to town to be fixed & went to relief society work day. I made a rose corsage for bizzar. We had a real good dinner. At 6:30 Ivard & I went over to Homedale church to Stake genelogy Turkey banquet. It was sure good. We got home at 10:15 I laid down 1/2 hr. & went to work at 11:

Wed, Nov 9.  Kennedy got president of U.S, demo.

Thurs, Nov 10.  I got up at 3: & took Jackie in to Primary. Put a big pot of beans in oven to bake all nite. Ivard & I went over to Bishop Madison's to genelogy meeting.

Fri, Nov 11.  Kids took Dean selling Xmas cards & Jerry borrowed his money & went to Utah about 2: I got up at noon & Ivard & I went to Caldwell to last foot ball game of Season. Nampa won 27 to 6. Gail was to game & went home & got Lynda & Kids & came over & Ray tended Kids & we went bowling. Ivard & I won both games & didn't have to pay.

Sat, Nov 12.  Ivard got bumped & is now on extra board. Ivard went to work at 3:30. At 6:30 I took Gene in to John's to stay all nite & go to Stake dance. I went to show "Psyco," pretty good. My nite off.

Sun, Nov 13.   Wrote Lyle 14 page letter Ray took Kids & went to priesthood & sunday school. This afternoon I made some no-bake cookies & Ray made some cracker Jack pop corn. I wrote Lyle all afternoon.

Mon, Nov 14.  didn't mail Lyles letter, no stamp

Tues, Nov 15.  First Snow storm. mailed Lyles letter. Ray went ward teaching. Jackie & I went to relief society. It snowed hard all morning & most of afternoon but melted tonite. Ivard laid off & went to Father & Sons foot ball banquet.

Wed, Nov 16.  Mrs Schroll came selling Avon for about an hr. & I bought $17. worth for Xmas.

6 What in the world

Giants win World Series
This year's World Series began Wednesday, October 27, and ended Monday, November 1, with the San Francisco Giants winning 4 games to 1 against the Texas Rangers in the best-of-seven series. It was the Giants' first World Series win since 1954.

Utah moves up in polls
Utah, ranked 5th in this week's BCS standings, showed up 6th in the AP Top 25, the USA Today, and ESPN's polls. Boise State was ranked 4th in the BCS standings, 3rd in the USA Today poll, and 2nd in both the AP Top 25 and ESPN polls. Oregon was ranked 1st in all four polls.

7 A final word

If you're a normal, sane person, then you probably agree that it's nice to have the political wrangling and contention over for a season. Of course, there are still the pundits who will have all the answers as to why this candidate or that lost the election or as to why this measure or that failed at the ballot box.

But for now, let's put the boxing gloves away and all be Americans for a while.

As a matter of principle, I happen to believe the Constitution of the United States was inspired of God. Under the umbrella of that inspired document, our whole system works, for better or worse, insofar as we care to abide by the foundational principles that undergird it and insofar as we elect honest, wise, and good people to administer it. And while there seem to be notable exceptions on both sides of the aisle, I have come to conclude that neither of our political parties has any monopoly on honesty, wisdom, or goodness.

I think, by and large, we pretty much get what we deserve.


Please note: There will be no issue of the newsletter next week. Expect one again in two weeks (on Wednesday, November 17).