In 1975 I was stationed at Ramstein AFB in Germany. I occupied a space in the NCO barracks with a friend named Rusty. We had many adventures, but the one I will share was a telling one of how darkness can obscure the obvious.
Rusty, Matthews and I always took a path from our barracks to a Chinese restaurant and the theatre on the other side of the base. We traveled this path at blazing speed at many different times of the day. This time was to be different. As we headed for a night out, we ran helter skelter down the path in the dark of night. This was a path surrounded by tall pines, with very little light from street lights or the moon. I was in the lead, Rusty just behind and Matthews pretty close to him. As I hit the middle of the path, I was knocked for a loop by a tree that had fallen across the path sometime that day. I did my best to yell to the other guys and warn them, but the next thing I knew they had both hit the tree and landed right on top of me...how many times we had run that path and never an obstacle in our way...just a simple act had made the difference...well we picked our selves up, banged up a little, dusted our selves off and went on our way. Did we give it another thought to warn others of impending injury...not then? How many times do we go through life, just walking the same old path, not paying attention to what can loom in the darkness. When those pitfalls are placed before us, to we blindly fall over, injure ourselves...spiritually and physically...do we strive to pay attention to the promptings of not just relying on what is always in our path, but to be aware of what can fall in our paths. Beware of your fallen trees....you will never know when they might trip you up.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Why a ’98 TALON is like life
Sometimes the door you want to open will not, no matter what the effort. But if you back off, have a little patience, observe and try again with a different approach, it will open.
When a head gasket blows, there is considerable angst, a lot of steam to blow off and a matter of knowing how to solve the problem. So it is with anger. A cooling off period after the initial blow up, and solving the situation with help from prayer.
Sometimes the heat doesn’t get as warm as I would like and I need to put on more layers, be patient, endure the winter cold in the knowledge that spring will eventually come. When new people you come in contact with don’t “warm up” to you from the beginning, it will take the layers of time, and love to persevere and wait for them to realize just you are like a breath of fresh spring air.
I love this car, no matter the trials it has for me. I do my best to take car of it in the hopes it will get me down many a road in the future. How are your daily travels going? What different obstacles are placed in your way. Reflect with us. Please.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
15 minutes to spare? Here’s some ideas…
Take a walk with your spouse
Long distance call to a relative
Say a prayer and then listen quietly for an answer
Take a break from home stuff to play with the kids
Read a short story to someone
Make a daily journal entry
Take the time to blog
Look up an ancestor
Get in touch with someone from the past on social media
Write a letter
Write a thank you note
Exercise hard
Eat some fruit, s l o w l y
Clean your room
Google something you don’t know
Donate old clothes to a shelter
Enjoy a PBJ sandwich & milk with you kids
Write a love note to your spouse or a loved one
Sit down and really listen to someone without speaking
Bet you have some interesting things yourself…let me know and post them
PS 15 minutes is how long it took me to jot this down
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Holiday Greetings text
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all from the Epperson's,
Tim, Pennie, and Spencer
This has been a couple of eventful years for us here. 2 grand daughters in
the space of a few months. Alex and Megan brought us Alexis Lee, and Levi
and Alyssa, Aubrey Liana. With their boys that means 6 grandkids, Isaac,
Eric, Brodie and Conner, Alexis and Aubrey. They are all doing well.
The year 2010 has brought much more news. Alex has joined USARMY, active
duty and will report for basic in February 2011. Gone for at least 3 months.
Plenty in store for his family this next year, that Eagle Scout rank bumped
him to an E-3. Megan is doing well and looking at staying busy (read 3
kids!) while Alex is gone...plenty of service opportunities there. Wonderful
kids, great parents looking to the future...Brodie loves all books and is
such a talker and known for those blue eyes. Conner is the dancer and such a
charmer. Lexie has us all eating out of her hand and is a little princess.
So grateful we have these three so close. What a chance to see their little
faces change.
Levi and Alyssa and brood have made the change of address from Spanish Fork
to Orem. Great opportunity and very close commute for Levi. Great house and beautiful and spacious backyard, with basement apartment for added income.. Alyssa is teaching piano lessons. Wasn't it just the other day she was sitting down for HER first lesson...... I regress in memory...Isaac started Kindergarten this year and Eric loves pre-school...so that leaves
Aubrey with Alyssa alone most of the day... nine months old and already walking! We only get to see them a few times each year but they are memorable times, outdoors and enjoying Utah together. Those boys love the outdoors.
Spencer turned 16 this year and a personality explosion happened. Ordained
a Priest. He's doing very well in school, went on 2 scouting Hi-adventures (Matagorda
Island off the Texas coast, and Teton Base in Wyoming). Monsoon storms to
whitewater rafting and a lot of traveling. He just became an Eagle
Scout...yes! Will wait for his brother to come back from basic to have the Court of Honor.
He loves going on team-ups with the missionaries. Seems to have
grown a foot recently. He loves working out, playing video games and teasing his mom. Seminary is our start of the day, and we usually end the night talking before bedtime. His passion is swimming and hard work in construction. Has much ambition in that field. Plenty of
friends and loves the church social scene, very involved on the Stake level.
Pennie is now involved in the Cub scouting side of life as a Den leader.
The boys love her, can you blame them..... Still making 4:30am wake up call
for work at Collection, Etc. Etc, Etc, etc..... She has plenty to do with 6
grandkids and so many projects around the house.
The house...storms the last couple of years have had us put on a new
roof, trim the trees, get rid of unwanted evergreens and try and keep the
fence up. The pool will need a new liner this year but is needed, as we love
all to hang out here in the summer months.
Well, that leaves me 30 years at The Eagle, will move to a new assignment
this year sometime in the News department working on the Presentation Team.
Outsourcing some positions in our department made me look around and was
presented with this opportunity. Started a part time job at the local Arena
this year and am having a blast working the concerts and events. Still
involved a little in scouting, okay a lot scouting, with Council and
district levels and our troop on the committee. Love the outdoors and is my
escape, but really paid the price this summer with the Hi-adventure to
Texas ended up in a battle with old oyster shells and it led to 15 stitches
in my hands. Nice birthday present.
We love you all; wish the merriest of Christmas and a very happy 2011 NewYear. The Gospel is true and so are our friends.
Tim, Pennie, and Spencer
This has been a couple of eventful years for us here. 2 grand daughters in
the space of a few months. Alex and Megan brought us Alexis Lee, and Levi
and Alyssa, Aubrey Liana. With their boys that means 6 grandkids, Isaac,
Eric, Brodie and Conner, Alexis and Aubrey. They are all doing well.
The year 2010 has brought much more news. Alex has joined USARMY, active
duty and will report for basic in February 2011. Gone for at least 3 months.
Plenty in store for his family this next year, that Eagle Scout rank bumped
him to an E-3. Megan is doing well and looking at staying busy (read 3
kids!) while Alex is gone...plenty of service opportunities there. Wonderful
kids, great parents looking to the future...Brodie loves all books and is
such a talker and known for those blue eyes. Conner is the dancer and such a
charmer. Lexie has us all eating out of her hand and is a little princess.
So grateful we have these three so close. What a chance to see their little
faces change.
Levi and Alyssa and brood have made the change of address from Spanish Fork
to Orem. Great opportunity and very close commute for Levi. Great house and beautiful and spacious backyard, with basement apartment for added income.. Alyssa is teaching piano lessons. Wasn't it just the other day she was sitting down for HER first lesson...... I regress in memory...Isaac started Kindergarten this year and Eric loves pre-school...so that leaves
Aubrey with Alyssa alone most of the day... nine months old and already walking! We only get to see them a few times each year but they are memorable times, outdoors and enjoying Utah together. Those boys love the outdoors.
Spencer turned 16 this year and a personality explosion happened. Ordained
a Priest. He's doing very well in school, went on 2 scouting Hi-adventures (Matagorda
Island off the Texas coast, and Teton Base in Wyoming). Monsoon storms to
whitewater rafting and a lot of traveling. He just became an Eagle
Scout...yes! Will wait for his brother to come back from basic to have the Court of Honor.
He loves going on team-ups with the missionaries. Seems to have
grown a foot recently. He loves working out, playing video games and teasing his mom. Seminary is our start of the day, and we usually end the night talking before bedtime. His passion is swimming and hard work in construction. Has much ambition in that field. Plenty of
friends and loves the church social scene, very involved on the Stake level.
Pennie is now involved in the Cub scouting side of life as a Den leader.
The boys love her, can you blame them..... Still making 4:30am wake up call
for work at Collection, Etc. Etc, Etc, etc..... She has plenty to do with 6
grandkids and so many projects around the house.
The house...storms the last couple of years have had us put on a new
roof, trim the trees, get rid of unwanted evergreens and try and keep the
fence up. The pool will need a new liner this year but is needed, as we love
all to hang out here in the summer months.
Well, that leaves me 30 years at The Eagle, will move to a new assignment
this year sometime in the News department working on the Presentation Team.
Outsourcing some positions in our department made me look around and was
presented with this opportunity. Started a part time job at the local Arena
this year and am having a blast working the concerts and events. Still
involved a little in scouting, okay a lot scouting, with Council and
district levels and our troop on the committee. Love the outdoors and is my
escape, but really paid the price this summer with the Hi-adventure to
Texas ended up in a battle with old oyster shells and it led to 15 stitches
in my hands. Nice birthday present.
We love you all; wish the merriest of Christmas and a very happy 2011 NewYear. The Gospel is true and so are our friends.
Holiday Greetings
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all from the Epperson's,
Tim, Pennie, and Spencer
This has been a couple of eventful years for us here. 2 grand daughters in
the space of a few months. Alex and Megan brought us Alexis Lee, and Levi
and Alyssa, Aubrey Liana. With their boys that means 6 grandkids, Isaac,
Eric, Brodie and Conner, Alexis and Aubrey. They are all doing well.
The year 2010 has brought much more news. Alex has joined USARMY, active
duty and will report for basic in February 2011. Gone for at least 3 months.
Plenty in store for his family this next year, that Eagle Scout rank bumped
him to an E-3. Megan is doing well and looking at staying busy (read 3
kids!) while Alex is gone...plenty of service opportunities there. Wonderful
kids, great parents looking to the future...Brodie loves all books and is
such a talker and known for those blue eyes. Conner is the dancer and such a
charmer. Lexie has us all eating out of her hand and is a little princess.
So grateful we have these three so close. What a chance to see their little
faces change.
Levi and Alyssa and brood have made the change of address from Spanish Fork
to Orem. Great opportunity and very close commute for Levi. Great house and beautiful and spacious backyard, with basement apartment for added income.. Alyssa is teaching piano lessons. Wasn't it just the other day she was sitting down for HER first lesson...... I regress in memory...Isaac started Kindergarten this year and Eric loves pre-school...so that leaves
Aubrey with Alyssa alone most of the day... nine months old and already walking! We only get to see them a few times each year but they are memorable times, outdoors and enjoying Utah together. Those boys love the outdoors.
Spencer turned 16 this year and a personality explosion happened. Ordained
a Priest. He's doing very well in school, went on 2 scouting Hi-adventures (Matagorda
Island off the Texas coast, and Teton Base in Wyoming). Monsoon storms to
whitewater rafting and a lot of traveling. He just became an Eagle
Scout...yes! Will wait for his brother to come back from basic to have the Court of Honor.
He loves going on team-ups with the missionaries. Seems to have
grown a foot recently. He loves working out, playing video games and teasing his mom. Seminary is our start of the day, and we usually end the night talking before bedtime. His passion is swimming and hard work in construction. Has much ambition in that field. Plenty of
friends and loves the church social scene, very involved on the Stake level.
Pennie is now involved in the Cub scouting side of life as a Den leader.
The boys love her, can you blame them..... Still making 4:30am wake up call
for work at Collection, Etc. Etc, Etc, etc..... She has plenty to do with 6
grandkids and so many projects around the house.
The house...storms the last couple of years have had us put on a new
roof, trim the trees, get rid of unwanted evergreens and try and keep the
fence up. The pool will need a new liner this year but is needed, as we love
all to hang out here in the summer months.
Well, that leaves me. 30 years at The Eagle, will move to a new assignment
this year sometime in the News department working on the Presentation Team.
Outsourcing some positions in our department made me look around and was
presented with this opportunity. Started a part time job at the local Arena
this year and am having a blast working the concerts and events. Still
involved a little in scouting, okay a lot scouting, with Council and
district levels and our troop on the committee. Love the outdoors and is my
escape, but really paid the price this summer with the Hi-adventure to
Texas ended up in a battle with old oyster shells and it led to 15 stitches
in my hands. Nice birthday present.
We love you all; wish the merriest of Christmas and a very happy 2011 NewYear. The Gospel is true and so are our friends.
2010 Retrospect
2010 retrospect...The simple joy that Pennie brings to me when she just says my name.....so thankful for the times that Conner says Papa and puts his arms out to me, when Brodie wants me to read to him, the smiles I get from Lexie. When Isaac calls me on his own just to talk, Eric's teasing me and speaking Spanish over the phone. When Megan will call to ask me to watch the kids. That I have children that are grown and have memories of traditions and joy. That Alex has the desire to improve himself and commit to serving his nation and the world. That Alyssa will call just to talk to her dad. When my kids say "I love you to dad". For Levi taking such good care of his family. That I have Vera in my life. That I can still call my parents and just talk... That I have a loving Heavenly Father that knows who I really am, and a Savior, even Jesus Christ, that has died for me...that I can rely on the Holy Ghost for guidance...that I really do have wonderful friends..that my siblings still love me, regardless of my actions...that I am employed, have a wonderful home and food on the table...that I really do like to serve others..that I have 2 sons that are Eagle Scouts, despite the odds... for a wonderful wife that I love and inspires me to be better...for the simple act of forgiveness and repentence...that Alyssa and Megan desire to be good and loving mothers...for my great health..for my talents that I strive to continue to improve upon...the loss of friends and what it has taught me about appreciation..so much to be thankful for and looking forward to what 2011 will bring. Cherish your loved ones and hold them close.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Celebrate the journey
I saw that my daughter posted something about her Anniversary to Superman and as I reflected the time, I could still see her sweet face looking up at me and screaming bloody murder, because her mom had left me with her alone....if I saw my face from that vantage point I would also...she was so young and so was I ...where was I going with that...so her reflection made me think about my Anniversary. 30 years at The Wichita Eagle. Wow! Have I seen changes. From paste up of the paper to all digital imaging. The Linotype to computer age. From over 700 employees to 450. I have been acquainted with over 6 different Publishers and Ad Directors, 2 different corporations, count less friends that have come and gone. Marriages, children, divorces....earth shaking world and local events. Shameless self-promoting of my family....and myself in ads, TV and billboard. My kids will never forget the photo shoots that brought them fortune and fame....at least their friends chuckles and an occasional trip to Taco Bell. What a journey...and the best is yet to come....new ventures and exploration of my abilities. Abilities and talents that have led to garnering over 100 various advertising and marketing awards. Some even international. I have been blessed to have enjoyed all of this. But change is on the horizon.... I will post more later. Many friends have traversed these waters and found the adversity and struggles have forged strength. 30 years and counting...did I mention the 5 weeks of vacation every year.....be grateful for what you have and don't stumble in the challenges that you will face ahead... celebrate your journey as I do mine. Has yours been affected lately by the economy?
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