1 Say again!

Schools have been back in session for more than a month now. How well did you pay attention in your English classes? We thought it would be fun to have some word play with this marvelous language we call English. A friend at work shared these with me.

A man's home is his castle, in a manor of speaking.

Dijon vu - the same mustard as before.

Practice safe eating - always use condiments.

Shotgun wedding - A case of wife or death.

A man needs a mistress just to break the monogamy.

A hangover is the wrath of grapes.

Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?

Reading while sunbathing makes you well red.

When two egotists meet, it's an I for an I.

A bicycle can't stand on its own because it is two tired.

What's the definition of a will? (It's a dead give away.)

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

In democracy your vote counts. In feudalism your count votes.

She was engaged to a boyfriend with a wooden leg but broke it off.

A chicken crossing the road is poultry in motion.

If you don't pay your exorcist, you get repossessed.

With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress.

The man who fell into an upholstery machine is fully recovered.

You feel stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.

Local Area Network in Australia - the LAN down under.

Every calendar's days are numbered.

A lot of money is tainted - It taint yours and it taint mine.

A boiled egg in the morning is hard to beat.

He had a photographic memory that was never developed.

A midget fortune-teller who escapes from prison is a small medium at large.

Once you've seen one shopping center, you've seen a mall.

Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead-to-know basis..

Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.

Acupuncture is a jab well done.

2 Quote of the month

A general conference of this Church is a remarkable occasion indeed. It is an institutional declaration that the heavens are open, that divine guidance is as real today as it was for the ancient house of Israel, that God our Heavenly Father loves us and speaks His will through a living prophet.

— Jeffrey R. Holland

3 This month in our family

Lyle's family

Wed, Oct 19: Shawn Burdett's birthday
Fri, Oct 28: Nathan & Amber Thomas married 2006
Sun, Oct 30: Randy's birthday

Gail's family

Sat, Oct 15: Destiny Harned's birthday
Fri, Oct 21: Joshua's birthday
Sun, Oct 30: Jeremy Harned's birthday

Kay's family

Sat, Oct 8: Chad's birthday
Mon, Oct 10: Kay & Claudia married 1963
Thurs, Oct 13: Claudia died 2005
Sat, Oct 15: Talia's birthday
Wed, Oct 19: Andrea McAllister's birthday
Fri, Oct 28: Andrew born and died 1966
Mon, Oct 31: Jaxson's birthday

Gene's family

Sun, Oct 23: Gena Tully's birthday
Sat, Oct 29: Bobbie Real born 1974

Ray's family

Wed, Oct 5: Jordan Reher's birthday
Mon, Oct 10: Collin DeMartini's birthday
Thurs, Oct 13: Christian Reher's birthday

Dean's family

Sat, Oct 1: Mary Oveson's birthday
Tues, Oct 4: Peter Challis's birthday
Tues, Oct 4: Margaret Hodson's birthday
Thurs, Oct 27: James born 1999
Fri, Oct 28: Meghan's birthday
Fri, Oct 28: Christopher & Camilla Taylor married 2004
Sat, Oct 29: Eleanor Hodson's birthday

Dale's family

Sun, Oct 30: Kaidi Jensen's birthday

Jackie's family

Mon, Oct 31: Jackie Sayer's birthday

Everybody!

Sat, Oct 1: General conference
Sun, Oct 2: General conference
Mon, Oct 10: Columbus Day observed
Tues, Oct 11: Full moon (Hunter's moon)
Mon, Oct 31: Halloween

4 Bits and tidbits

Uncle Bill dies 
Uncle Bill (William L. Batt, 1921-1911) died at age 90 on Wednesday, September 21, in Spokane. Bill was the only son of William and Hazel Batt, a younger brother of Dorothy Cleverly and Ruth Batt, an older brother of Berniece Palmer. His funeral was scheduled in Spokane for Friday, September 30. Bill was the second of his siblings to die. Dorothy died in 1982, nearly 29 years ago. Ruth lives in a care center here in Bountiful and no longer recognizes anyone, even her children.. Berniece, who lives in Tooele, was planning to travel with a daughter-in-law and a son to Spokane for the funeral.

Bill's obituary appeared in the Spokesman-Review:



"Of Spokane, Washington, passed away September 21, 2011.

"He was born January 19, 1921, in Milo, Idaho and is the son of the late William B. and Hazel Batt. He graduated from Utah State University in 1943. On June 7, 1943, he was married to Martha Jean Call in the Salt Lake Temple in Utah.

"William served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He continued his service in the National Guard and retired as a colonel. Mr. Batt served on the Spokane City Council and owned a construction company in the Spokane area.

"He is survived by his five children, William C. Batt, Leslie Krogh, Deborah Meyers, Rod Batt and Bradley Batt. William is also survived by his 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Jean Batt, his wife of 63 years, passed away in 2006.

"A memorial service will be held at 10:00am Friday, September 30, 2011, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 401 W. Regina in Spokane, Washington. The interment will take place afterward at Greenwood Memorial Terrace."

Family reunion and a wedding
A Cleverly family reunion was held in Idaho on Friday and Saturday, September 9-10, in connection with Ronnie and Brittany's marriage. Our thanks to Gene's daughter Kimberley, who generously put the reunion together. On Friday evening, September 9, some 26 family members gathered at Kim and Bob Ellis's lovely, large home in Homedale for dinner and visiting:

From Lyle's family: Lyle, and Randy and two of his boys

From Gene's family: Gene and Cheryl, Kim and Bob Ellis and two children (Michael and Misty), Gena and Jason and two children, Bobbie and three daughters, and Ronnie

From Dean's family: Dean and Claudia

From Dale's family: Dale and LeAnn, Keisha and Micah

And a cousin (daughter of Lee and Sybil Cleverly): Nancy Smith Cleverly

Some of Lynda's family had originally indicated they would be coming, but Lynda was involved that weekend in Brigham City's Peach Days, one of the big events of the summer she is involved in, so no one from her family ended up coming. Kay and Karen were unable to come because they were in Oklahoma following the death of Karen's mother. And everyone thought Rex and Jackie would be there, but they were not.

Jerry and Jim joined us the next evening for Brittany Michelle Faught and Ronald Gene Cleverly's wedding on Saturday evening, September 10. The ceremony was held in the Sandstone Event Center in downtown Nampa. The reception, a sit-down dinner, was held in the basement of the center following the ceremony.

Earlier that day Claudia and I, Lyle, and Dale had a nice three-hour visit with Jerry and Jim at their place in Boise.

And off to serve our country
Lyle's granddaughter Sunshyne Kersker (daughter of Doug and Marina) reports that her husband Josh left September 4, deploying to Afghanistan. He will be back in May or June. Our best wishes to him as he serves his country. Sunshyne, who lives in San Antonio, has gone back to school full time to become a registered veterinary technician. Both of the girls are in school: Adria is in the fifth grade (the last year of elementary school in Texas), and Hannah is in Kindergarten. Sunshyne is still their Girl Scout leader, and they are working on the bronze award for Adria's junior troop. She will bridge to Cadettes this year. Hannah is starting her first year as a Daisy.

5 Our family 50 years ago

Excerpts from the October 1961 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 Montana Avenue in Nampa, Idaho.

Sun, Oct 1.  Gene got up & went to Nyssa to church all day at Owyhee ward. Wasn't any sunday school on account of General conference. We listened to it & played Scrabble. Ivard, & Kids went to church & Jackie & I went to bed.

Mon, Oct 2.  We had supper & Dean did chores. Ray came home from school & went to work & went to Mutual from there. Gene didn't go, he had to go out & do Wally's chores. Ivard - Jerry & Dean went to Mutual.

Tues, Oct 3.  Went to relief society at 10: a wonderful lesson by Ruth Butler. Theology - a very inspireing testimonial. I came home & took Jackie to her dance lesson, came home and run the grapes through Ivard had cooked & bottled 9 qts juice.

Thurs, Oct 5.  Ivard killed & cleaned 2 chickens.

Fri, Oct 6.  Ivard went to Burley to game. I listened to foot ball game we won 20 to 18. Half the broadcast was Gene. Ivard got home at 12:30. Gail, Lynda & Kids went too.

Sat, Oct 7.  Ivard went back to work first time since June 11.

Mon, Oct 9.  Kids didn't have to go to school today, teachers Institute. Dean did chores & went to Mutual with Jerry & Ray.

Tues, Oct 10.  I came home from work & went right to bed. I got up at 12:30 & took Jackie to dance practice. Dean went to Givens to swimming party. Gene fixed dinner & baked potatoes & fixed peas for dinner & he went to work at 3:50. Ivard had a batch of apples peeled & I bottled 9 qts.

Wed, Oct 11.  I came home & got ready & went to relief society work day, me & Jackie, at 10: They had it today on account of no school yesterday. We had a real good dinner & I worked on dish towels. Ivard had apples peeled & I bottled 15 qts. Took Ray to work. Dale went to cub scouts. Jerry went away.

Thurs, Oct 12.  I came home from work & went to bed I was so tired. When I woke up Ivard had the rest of apples peeled and I got up and made 8 apple pies & a big bowl of salad & cooked port stake & squash. Kids went to Primary & Dale to little legue practice.

Fri, Oct 13.  I got up this afternoon and made chilli for after the game. Put 5 pies in freezer that I made last nite. We ate & Gene went to ball game at 7: We went at 8: & Gail, Lynda & Glen Ward came & set with us. Borah beat us 41 to 12. Gene made a 67 yard run for one of our T. D. he was the whole game. He got his front tooth broke off.

Sat, Oct 14.  Gene got home from Nyssa & Ivard took him to dentist, Dr. Lee, & he put a silver cap on his front tooth he broke last nite in game.

Sun, Oct 15.  Gene & Ray went to church at Owyhee & didn't come home until after I'd gone to work. Jerry & Dean went to Priesthood & Sunday school & Jerry came & got Dale & Jackie for sunday school. Dean did dishes & I made some no-bake cookies. Dean milked. Jerry - Dean & Dale went to church.

Tues, Oct 17.  I came home from work & went to bed & never did get up & go to relief society. I got up at 2:30. I cooked supper & we ate when Jerry came. Ray was to work. I took Dale up to rodeo Park for little legue game. He came home with his coach.

Fri, Oct 20.  Ivard, Ray, Gail & Lynda went to foot ball game & Dean & Dale tended Kids. I listened to game on radio. We beat Pocotello 7-6. I got up when they got home & had pie & icecream.

Sat, Oct 21.  I got up & washed cloths nearly all day. I feel awful. About 3: Jerry & Gene sneaked their sunday cloths out & went to Nyssa for week end. Ray worked all day. Ivard & Kids fixed bikes all morning. Gene went up to school & got in Whirl pool for his sore leg. Plant was down for 3 days, didn't have to work.

Sun, Oct 22.  Ray & Dean went to priesthood & sunday school & Ray came home & got Dale & Jackie. When Kids got home we had dinner. Ivard went to work at 3:45.

Mon, Oct 23.  I iorned most of day. I still don't feel good. Ray came home from school & went to work. Dale went to ball practice in Raine, came home soaked. Dean milked. Jerry, Gene, Ray & Dean went to Mutual.

Tues, Oct 24.  Jerry got up & took Ray to Seminary, does every morning. I didn't go to relief society, too much to do today. I went back to work at 11: [p.m.]

Wed, Oct 25.  I came home from work & went to bed. no fuel oil & no money. I gathered up wood & made a fire in fire place tonite to warm up place. I got up at 12: & got ready & took Jackie to her dancing lesson, borrowed a heating pad from Mrs Kotter for Genes sore leg (muscles). Dale came home from school & went to Cub scouts. He had to furnish the treats & bought them on the way.

Thurs, Oct 26.  Came home from work & went to bed. cloudy & rainy all day.  Got Ivards Ins. check & got some fuel oil & made a fire & got warmed up, havn't had one for 2 days. Ivard bought a roast & came home & cooked it. I didn't sleep very good today, cold.

Fri, Oct 27.  I came home from work & messed around. Went to bed at 10:30 but Kept getting woke up. Gene came home for lunch & he left for Twin Falls about 2: with team. He didn't even take his suit, his leg too bad. They got beat 10 to 0, He got home at 1: A.M. Jerry tok Ray to Adrians home comeing game then Ray stayed the week-end with Gail.

Sat, Oct 28.  Gene left for Nyssa at 8: for week end. Ivard got up & did chores, he doesn't feel good. Dale & I went up town & got Jackies birthday presents & Dale some school things. We ate dinner at 3: & Ivard left for work at 3:45. Dean cleaned his bed room & the front room & Kitchen & did dishes & chores. Dean poped us some corn. My nite off.

Sun, Oct 29.  Ivard got up & did chores & had a bath & came back to bed, he has stomach flue. Jerry - Dean & Dale went to Conference. I had a bath & Jackie & Kids came home & took us to Conference. Ivard didn't feel like going. It was real good, Gordon B. Hinckley was up.

Mon, Oct 30.  Got letter from Kay. Kids got home from Nyssa just in time for school, Ray missed Seminary. Ivard feels awful - stomache flue. Roto-Rooter came & pumped 2 loads out of septic tank, $30. Johnson Electric came to see about hooking up dryer & we will have to rewire & put in new panal, $125. I went to bed at 4: & Dean got supper then Jerry, Gene, Ray & Dean went to Mutual haloween Party.

Tues, Oct 31.  Jackie was 5. Jackie got birthday card & $1. from Mother. I came home from work & read paper, made cinnamon apple, Jello salad & baked beans for supper. I went to bed at 11: & got up at 2: & we went & Pd. place & got Jackies birthday cake & icecream, picked Dale up at school. Ivard went to work & Dale went to his last little legue ball game. I made 2 meat loaves & when Jerry came we had Jackies birthday supper.  baked beans, Jello salad, cottage cheese, meat loag, olives & potatoe chips & cidar Jerry Bought. We didn't even cut cake, fancy haloween decorated one, or have any icecream, every one was too full. Dean, Dale & Jackie went Trick or treeting after we opened her presents. 6 pr. pantys, 5 pr anklets, 3 dollars, coin purse, 2 books, paint book, crayons, tablet, sewing card & dance bag for her things.

6 What in the world

The 181st semi-annual conference of the Church convenes in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday morning, October 1. The general sessions begin at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. MDT on both Saturday and Sunday, and are widely broadcast on television and radio in Utah and surrounding states, over the Church satellite system to stake centers and other meetinghouses worldwide, on BYU-TV wherever it is available, and on the Internet. The general priesthood session begins at 6:00 p.m. MDT Saturday evening and is broadcast to stake centers and other meetinghouses worldwide.

7 A final word

These have been an interesting past couple of weeks. First, I was diagnosed with thrush, a painful yeast infection in my mouth and throat. The apparent cause is the multiple courses of antibiotics I've been on throughout the year for a chronic sinus infection. One that just won't go away. Antibiotics apparently wipe out the good kind of bacteria the body needs to prevent such things as yeast infections.

Second, our son Michael's basement flooded. Again. Other times the cause has been their four-year-old Ethan. This time it was a combination of a drenching rainstorm and a tennis ball stuck in the downspout of the rain gutter just above the window well where the water cascaded into the house. (There's probably a life lesson in that small ball creating such havoc, but that's a topic for another time). Could Ethan have gotten a tennis ball on the roof? A question worth pondering.

But I digress. Michael and his two oldest boys were not back from an overnight Scout camp out when we discovered the flooded basement. I helped Shauna move a large entertainment cabinet so we could pull the wet carpet up, thinking at the time I should not be lifting this heavy thing. I partially dropped my end and fell backward against the wall behind me. Two days later I woke up with excruciating back pain that has continued unabated pretty much since then.

Meanwhile, and third, a CT scan of my sinuses revealed that my chronic sinus infection was likely being caused by teeth or the roots of teeth or some such scenario. So off I go to a dental specialist, who confirms what appears to be a problem and schedules a root canal on a tooth right next to the one that he did a root canal on last January. What fun times!

And then Uncle Bill dies in Spokane. And I cannot make it to the funeral because plane tickets on such short notice to such a place are prohibitively expensive. And a car ride is out of the question because of the back pain. You simply can't get there from here.

And then our neighbor across the street from us, a man we've know for the past thirty-plus years, also dies. And all of this in just a little over a week. So, I figured there must be some lessons in all of this. And this is what I concluded:
 
Trials and tribulations are a standard part of life. I think it was meant to be that way. Like exams and assignments in school, we may not like to face them, we may dread the deadlines they impose, but they're what help us learn the subject at hand.

As a wise man once taught, "No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude, and humility. … It is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire" (Orson F. Whitney, quoted in Faith Precedes the Miracle [1972], 98).

My trials this week are largely incident to my growing older. And to my own stupidity. I realize some people carry far greater burdens. Dealing with debilitating illnesses and the loss of loved ones come readily to mind. Life is simply not for wimps.

Responded to properly, trials and tribulations help us grow. They stretch and expand us. They teach us patience. They teach us compassion and empathy. They help us, as the mere mortals we are, the ones who whine and complain and evade and backslide, stiffen our backs (ouch!) and strengthen our resolve and eventually grow toward our real potential. We are godlings, and our destiny, if we can pass the tests of life successfully, is to become like our heavenly Parents. That's what this whole thing is all about, after all.