Number 9...Number 9...Number 9...

Judging by todays leading picture you may think that this blog is about Florence Nightingale.

It's not.

True it is a Florence Nightingale picture.
True Florence Nightingale was an amazing Nurse.
True Florence Nightingale was a good person to be admired by boys and girls alike.
As it turns out, today's blog is not about Florence Nightingale but instead it is about the artist who painted this beautiful picture.

Who is this artist you ask???

May I present to you, making her first Daily Item solo appearance: (drum roll please)

Penny May Hope!!

Today is Penny's birthday and you guessed it...she is nine years old!! Penny is a wonderful, thoughtful, sweet, kind, funny, smart and beautiful daughter. Not to mention a fabulous artist! We are so lucky to have such an awesome young lady in our family.

Below are scenes from Penny's birthday party.

On behalf of the Daily Item: Happy Birthday Penny May!!

The Fox and the Headend Tech

While migrating from G16 to AMC18 we found ourselves trying our best to tune in the proper transponder. Knowing that our azimuth was correct and verifying our connection to the LNB, we again double checked our spectrum analyzer to verify the dish has been peaked. Indeed it was...

On our way into the Headend/MTC Cliff noticed a little furry friend watching us. Cliff beckoned the animal closer with a hostess donut long enough for us to get a few photos.

Incidentally, our digital muxes were located at 105 degrees and service was restored.

Prophetic President

“We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; … 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 all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. … 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.” (Hill, p. 391.)

The Great Onion Ring Blog of 2008

My son Brent has been doing some cooking lately. On Mother's Day he cooked the family roast beast with great raves and reviews. My son's new piqued interest in Chemistry class in unison with desires to eat has created a phenomenon here at the Hope house. That phenom is Brent cooking. And what's phenomenal is that he's doing it quite well. I found him on the computer today looking up "onion ring" recipes. After finding the right one (with all the ingredients that we had in the house without going out to buy more) Brent made his way to the kitchen to work his magic. Using his mother as "chief consultant" and me as the "onion cutter upper guy." Brent spent the next 30 minutes cooking a batch of fantastic tasting onion rings. Then...much to my astonishment he shared!!!

Nice job Brentie!!

Nature Abounds on The Big Wood River

"Eventually all things merge into one...and a river runs through it" (Maclean)



Lots of beautiful things to see here in the Wood River Valley. On yet another hike, Jessica took these pictures. She has a keen eye and I enjoy looking at her photographs. As always Click on the photo to enlarge.


An old mine location just outside of town. This is of course "The Gem State!"

Melancholy Wednesday

I stayed home today with Penny because she was sick. That got me looking at pictures and, "poof" I entered the Melancholy Zone. Those of you that go there know what I mean. Seeing pictures of our old homeland took me back and made me miss being there. Here's a picture of Sarah at one of our favorite places back home. Been there?

Happy Mothers Day!

Mother's day was nice. In this picture we have Sarah, Mom, Jessica and Brent. Brent cooked a nice roast for dinner. Here we see him cutting up the vegetables. Yum!

OK. Here's here's the answer to yesterday's post. The Indian Head design (that is my new name) is located on the Buick Chieftain. This is a 1952 Buick Chieftain that we stumbled across on one our hikes. Pictured next to this car is the lovely Jessica Hatch!

This question was answered correctly by David and Krysten Butterfield!! Let's give them a big "dailyitem" round of applause. If you get a chance go to their excellent blog at: http://butterfieldkids.blogspot.com/

The artist formerly known as "Brent"

Years ago the artist formerly known as "Prince" found a cool design that he would forever be known as. Today I have found my "design." Call me this from now on: The guy formerly known as "Brent" and when you see this design...think of me.

Seriously...

Brent, Jessica and I were on a hike and came across this cool item. Tell me what this is and what is from and you will win a gazillion (and I mean it this time) dollars.

Climb Every Mountain!!

This afternoon, Penny, Brent, Jessica and I climbed to the top of the hill behind our house. It was quite a climb and it required a great deal of huffing and puffing! Penny, Brent and Jessica are looking down on our neighborhood. Directly between Brent and Jessica's heads' you can see our yellow house.

Let's give a great big gnarly "Daily Item" round of applause to this man. Who bravely climbed the huge mountain on bad Achilles.

(You know the drill: Click on the pictures to enlarge them)

Hunting Wolverines whaddya think!??

Lets give a big "Daily Item" round of applause to the Wood River High School "Lady Wolverines" softball team! Last weekend they won the district IV crown. Tomorrow they head off to play Pocatello for seeding in the State Tournament which begins next Thursday. Click on the photo to enlarge and see if you can find Sarah Hope. Let me give you a hint...She's the one that is Crazy Beautiful!



My sweet daughter Jessica is in town to visit us. How sweet it is when our daughters come to visit. Jessica is so artistic and takes lovely photographs. Here is an example of her handiwork.

Our Own Private Idaho!

13 miles south of Sun Valley Idaho is the town of Hailey Idaho. I commissioned my boys Brent and Jake (one box of milk duds) to climb to the top of a local hill and take pictures of this fair town. We live directly left of this picture near the mountain. This picture is looking NW. Click on the picture for high detail!


Saturday we drove 7 miles west of Ketchum in search of a local hot springs. Brent, Penny and Jake found it bubbling up out of the creek bed. (Click on picture to enlarge)


Last week we drove up to Stanley Idaho. Stanley is located about 70 miles to the north and is noted for being one of the coldest locations in the continental USA (lower 48). Salmon and Steelhead make the long trip from the Pacific Ocean to this area every year. We stopped at a local fishery and saw a bunch of huge fish! (Click on picture to enlarge)

A Dazzling Urbanite In The Old West

Before:

After:


Quite the contrast for me in the last 10 months. Adjustments have had to be made to be sure. I wondered how I would handle the differences in living space and I have come to realize some things about myself. My presence here reminds me of a line from a famous western parody.

Jim asks Sheriff Bart, "What’s a dazzling urbanite like you doing in a rustic settling like this?"




(top picture taken by fellow dazzling urbanite and little brother Jeremy Rigby; bottom picture taken by Zed)