Well, the weather in Moscow is certainly more predictable than the market. It zoomed ahead 900 points yesterday (just another trillion up; now we will wait for the 'down'). We have no snow in the forecast until November 7. It is still in the forties and fifties. This time last year it was very cold and it had already snowed before we arrived in early October. We have been told that during unusually warm winters there has been little evidence of snow until the first of January. We can only hope!
We have been accepted at the hotel where we will be having the Interim Mission Presidents' Seminar in February. I cannot disclose it at this moment, because I am not ready to reveal it to some who frequent this blog. Let me just say that this is a very Russian hotel. We had to prepare a letter of introduction and it had to be signed and stamped (we have told you before, Russians are big on stamps!!) by our officials so that it could formally accepted and signed by the hotel's general manager. We must have met their standard! When we do make our announcement, sometime in the not too distant future, I will post some pictures. I am sure you will be impressed.
Did I mention that I had to buy a hard drive to backup my computer? Thankfully, I was able to buy a standard American brand that I should be able to use on any computer (320 gigs). My computer has been acting up lately. Two times it failed to boot. But with a prayer and gentle kick, I got it start both times. Now I just leave it on all the time. Maybe that's where they got the term "boot-up a computer!" Oh well, we have been praying over this computer for months now. The screen started to flicker while we were in the MTC. Thankfully, I was able to get a monitor, so I have avoided that problem for the time being.
We had FHE with the Masons and the Irelands last night. It was a small group, but we had a yummy chocolate cake with mounds of cherry filling and ice cream. It made me a believer, once again, that it is time to go on a diet. Today is day one and I have been perfect!!
Another mission blessing... David Nearon has a bad knee that has been ailing him for sometime. The cold weather and soon the snow and ice would have been a real challenge. So he has booked a driver to go to and from the office. There is just enough room for four!! Guess who the other two are? Thanks David and Linda.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Senior Adventures: The Gorky House Museum and the Pushkin House Museum
This is a catch up post from our trip to the Gorky House Museum, the Pushkin House Museum and a little walk by the Kremlin and Red Square. The next sequence was the taken outside in the courtyard where we found the photography display of Michael Kenna (the following week).
Our little group with Chuck Johnson accompanying us during his visit to Moscow.
Fall colors in the courtyard of the Gorky's Home.
The famous stone staircase in the Gorky House, with a most unusual lamp!!
Chris taking a picture of Sam and Narene.
Two kids that happened to have become seniors, sitting illegally on the stone staircase. (We didn't know until after the picture was taken!)
Beautiful wooden door carvings and appliques.
Close up of applique.
Chuck, also having an unauthorized rest on the staircase!
On our way to the Pushkin House Museum, we spotted a number of interesting sights. This first one was an unexpected monument (of whom we never did find out); stuck on the corner of an apartment building.
The other night at FHE, we identified a number of memories that we would take back with us from Moscow. One was crumbling cement...everywhere!! We were also warned early on to be careful of falling objects when you walk next to buildings. You can see why! And this is one of their newer buildings.
Typical Russian glitz applied to a strip mall!
Babushka dancing for a coin with her husband playing the accordion. She was still dancing a couple of hours later when we came back down the same road! (very slowly!)Pushkin lived on Old Arbat street in a very nice home. He wrote many things, but he is beloved for his children's fairytales. Here are a few pictures from inside the home.
Pushkin statue.
Large room for social events.
One of many interesting lamps.
This man is using the same type broom as the babushkas are using today...600 years later (a painting hanging in the home).
Our little touring group, less the Masons. Where are the Masons!!?Later that day we headed for Red Square, which is just about a mile from Arbat.
Along the way we spotted this guy with a Russian size hat.
Then when we got to the fountains we saw these two flirting with one another. 
They suddenly realized they had been caught, so donned their shades so that they wouldn't be recognized!! Our last pictures of the fountains between Red Square and the Kremlin. They will be turned off shortly due to freezing weather. They won't be turned back until until after our departure.
For Seniors Only: SERENITY OR SENILITY
Wisdom my father-in-law found on the internet:
Just before the funeral services, the undertaker came up to the very elderly widow and asked, 'How old was your husband?' '98,' she replied. 'Two years older than me.' 'So you're 96,' the undertaker commented. She responded, 'Hardly worth going home, is it?'
Reporters interviewing a 104-year-old woman: 'And what do you think is the best thing about being 104?' the reporter asked. She simply replied, 'No peer pressure.'
Three old guys are out walking. First one says, 'Windy, isn't it?' Second one says, 'No, it's Thursday!' Third one says, 'So am I. Let's go get a soda.'
I've sure gotten old! I've had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement, new knees, fought prostate cancer and diabetes. I'm half blind, can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine, take 40 different medications that make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts. Have bouts with dementia. Have poor circulation; hardly feel my hands and feet anymore. Can't remember if I'm 85 or 92. Have lost all my friends. But, thank goodness, I still have my driver's license.
I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape, so I got my doctor's permission to join a fitness club and start exercising. I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors. I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour. But, by the time I got my leotards on, the class was over.
An elderly woman decided to prepare her will and told her preacher she had two final requests. First, she wanted to be cremated, and second, she wanted her ashes scattered over Wal-Mart. 'Wal-Mart?' the preacher exclaimed. 'Why Wal-Mart?' 'Then I'll be sure my daughters visit me twice a week.'
My memory's not as sharp as it used to be. Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
A man was telling his neighbor, 'I just bought a new hearing aid... It cost> me four thousand dollars, but its state of the art. It's perfect.'> 'Really,' answered the neighbor. 'What kind is it?' 'Twelve thirty', he replied.
It's scary when you start making the same noises as a coffee maker.
An elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number of years. He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for a set of hearing aids that allowed him to hear 100%... He went back in a month and the doctor said, 'Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased that you can hear again.'>The gentleman replied, 'Oh, I haven't told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to the conversations. I've changed my will three times!'
It can't get any better than that. I can hardly wait...social security...medicare...great-grandchildren (will we remember their names?!)
Just before the funeral services, the undertaker came up to the very elderly widow and asked, 'How old was your husband?' '98,' she replied. 'Two years older than me.' 'So you're 96,' the undertaker commented. She responded, 'Hardly worth going home, is it?'
Reporters interviewing a 104-year-old woman: 'And what do you think is the best thing about being 104?' the reporter asked. She simply replied, 'No peer pressure.'
Three old guys are out walking. First one says, 'Windy, isn't it?' Second one says, 'No, it's Thursday!' Third one says, 'So am I. Let's go get a soda.'
I've sure gotten old! I've had two bypass surgeries, a hip replacement, new knees, fought prostate cancer and diabetes. I'm half blind, can't hear anything quieter than a jet engine, take 40 different medications that make me dizzy, winded, and subject to blackouts. Have bouts with dementia. Have poor circulation; hardly feel my hands and feet anymore. Can't remember if I'm 85 or 92. Have lost all my friends. But, thank goodness, I still have my driver's license.
I feel like my body has gotten totally out of shape, so I got my doctor's permission to join a fitness club and start exercising. I decided to take an aerobics class for seniors. I bent, twisted, gyrated, jumped up and down, and perspired for an hour. But, by the time I got my leotards on, the class was over.
An elderly woman decided to prepare her will and told her preacher she had two final requests. First, she wanted to be cremated, and second, she wanted her ashes scattered over Wal-Mart. 'Wal-Mart?' the preacher exclaimed. 'Why Wal-Mart?' 'Then I'll be sure my daughters visit me twice a week.'
My memory's not as sharp as it used to be. Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.
A man was telling his neighbor, 'I just bought a new hearing aid... It cost> me four thousand dollars, but its state of the art. It's perfect.'> 'Really,' answered the neighbor. 'What kind is it?' 'Twelve thirty', he replied.
It's scary when you start making the same noises as a coffee maker.
An elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number of years. He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for a set of hearing aids that allowed him to hear 100%... He went back in a month and the doctor said, 'Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased that you can hear again.'>The gentleman replied, 'Oh, I haven't told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to the conversations. I've changed my will three times!'
It can't get any better than that. I can hardly wait...social security...medicare...great-grandchildren (will we remember their names?!)
Sunday, October 26, 2008
FHE at the Ireland's: Don't Quit, Keep Playing
I have a number of posts to catch up on. This first entry is from Narene Ireland, which she shared at Family Home Evening on Tuesday. She sent a copy to all of the seniors and I have posted this for you to enjoy.
Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted a friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her.
Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked "No Admittance." When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing.
Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."
At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing."
Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was mesmerized.
That's the way it is with our Heavenly Father. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't exactly graceful flowing music. But with the hand of the Master, our life's work truly can be beautiful.
Next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You can hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing." Feel His loving arms around you. Know that His strong hands are there helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces.
Remember, God doesn't call the equipped. He equips the called. And He'll always be there to love and guide you on to great things. [Title and Author Unknown]
Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted a friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her.
Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked "No Admittance." When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing.
Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."
At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing."
Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was mesmerized.
That's the way it is with our Heavenly Father. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't exactly graceful flowing music. But with the hand of the Master, our life's work truly can be beautiful.
Next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You can hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing." Feel His loving arms around you. Know that His strong hands are there helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces.
Remember, God doesn't call the equipped. He equips the called. And He'll always be there to love and guide you on to great things. [Title and Author Unknown]
Monday, October 20, 2008
Careful Who You Listen To...
Elder and Sister Shepard donning Sister Yorgesen's handmade caps for the Russian orphanage! (or trying to stay optimistic in turbulent economic times!!)
The following statements lead me to believe that the economic malaise that we are in will end on its own timetable...not the timetable espoused by the media, pundits, or political hacks.
September 1929
“There is no cause to worry. The high tide of prosperity will continue.” –- Andrew W. Mellon, Secretary of the Treasury.
October 14, 1929
“Secretary Lamont and officials of the Commerce Department today denied rumors that a severe depression in business and industrial activity was impending, which had been based on a mistaken interpretation of a review of industrial and credit conditions issued earlier in the day by the Federal Reserve Board.” –- New York Times
December 5, 1929
“The Government’s business is in sound condition.” –- Andrew W. Mellon, Secretary of the Treasury
December 28, 1929
“Maintenance of a general high level of business in the United States during December was reviewed today by Robert P. Lamont, Secretary of Commerce, as an indication that American industry had reached a point where a break in New York stock prices does not necessarily mean a national depression.” –- Associated Press dispatch.
January 13, 1930
“Reports to the Department of Commerce indicate that business is in a satisfactory condition, Secretary Lamont said today.” – News item.
January 21, 1930
“Definite signs that business and industry have turned the corner from the temporary period of emergency that followed deflation of the speculative market were seen today by President Hoover. The President said the reports to the Cabinet showed the tide of employment had changed in the right direction.” – News dispatch from Washington.
January 24, 1930
“Trade recovery now complete President told. Business survey conference reports industry has progressed by own power. No Stimulants Needed! Progress in all lines by the early spring forecast.” – New York Herald Tribune.
March 8, 1930
“President Hoover predicted today that the worst effect of the crash upon unemployment will have been passed during the next sixty days.” – Washington Dispatch.
May 1, 1930
“While the crash only took place six months ago, I am convinced we have now passed the worst and with continued unity of effort we shall rapidly recover. There is one certainty of the future of a people of the resources, intelligence and character of the people of the United States – that is, prosperity.” – President Hoover
June 29, 1930
“The worst is over without a doubt.” – James J. Davis, Secretary of Labor.
August 29, 1930
“American labor may now look to the future with confidence.” – James J. Davis, Secretary of Labor.
September 12, 1930
“We have hit bottom and are on the upswing.” – James J. Davis, Secretary of Labor.
October 16, 1930
“Looking to the future I see in the further acceleration of science continuous jobs for our workers. Science will cure unemployment.” – Charles M. Schwab.
October 20, 1930
“President Hoover today designated Robert W. Lamont, Secretary of Commerce, as chairman of the President’s special committee on unemployment.” – Washington dispatch.
October 21, 1930
“President Hoover has summoned Colonel Arthur Woods to help place 2,500,000 persons back to work this winter.” – Washington Dispatch
November 1930
“I see no reason why 1931 should not be an extremely good year.” – Alfred P. Sloan, Jr., General Motors Co.
June 9, 1931
“The depression has ended.” – Dr. Julius Klein, Assistant Secretary of Commerce.
August 12, 1931
“Henry Ford has shut down his Detroit automobile factories almost completely. At least 75,000 men have been thrown out of work.” – The Nation.
The market didn't hit bottom until 1932.
The Shepard's Are Coming to Texas!
No. We are not coming home early!!
Over the past two weeks, I have been discussing, with my parents, the possibility of their moving to Texas. They had put up their home for sale in California to move Sacramento to be closer to their doctors. They have about a 60-mile journey over HWY 49 to get to the hospital. That's when we began exploring the ultimate alternative...moving to Texas. They were immediately receptive to the idea; the only real hurdle was transferring their healthcare plan, but that was easier than we thought. They can transfer at any time, as long as the change is precipitated by a move; otherwise changes can occur only once a year, during a specific enrollment period.
They are leaning toward living in Heritage Ranch, an all adult community that is about 2 miles, as the crow flies, from our house. We have found a number of nice properties that will meet their needs for about 60 to 70 percent of what they should sell for in California. That will give them enough extra cash to take care of the increase in property taxes.
Homes are not selling too fast right now in California, however. In the right market I don't think their house would last a week, but so far, they have only shown the property a few times. If it doesn't sell in the next few weeks, they will pull it off the market and put it back on in the spring. We would love to be home to help them out when they actually make the move.
In Moscow, I was given an assignment to teach Preach My Gospel, during Sunday School. Preach My Gospel is an awesome manual that missionaries use to learn how to be effective missionaries. I didn't know too much about this publication before we were called to be missionaries, but it turns out to be a great member resource as well.
There is no lesson manual. I will need to figure out how I am going to teach the material myself. There are 13 Chapters in the book. There are two great sections on how to improve teaching methods. Other subjects include basic doctrines to teach and how to use the Book of Mormon. There is even one lesson dedicated to how to manage your time.
I have two weeks to figure out my lesson plans, and with over 200 pages of information to cover, hopefully, I won't have too much time to watch this crazy market!
Over the past two weeks, I have been discussing, with my parents, the possibility of their moving to Texas. They had put up their home for sale in California to move Sacramento to be closer to their doctors. They have about a 60-mile journey over HWY 49 to get to the hospital. That's when we began exploring the ultimate alternative...moving to Texas. They were immediately receptive to the idea; the only real hurdle was transferring their healthcare plan, but that was easier than we thought. They can transfer at any time, as long as the change is precipitated by a move; otherwise changes can occur only once a year, during a specific enrollment period.
They are leaning toward living in Heritage Ranch, an all adult community that is about 2 miles, as the crow flies, from our house. We have found a number of nice properties that will meet their needs for about 60 to 70 percent of what they should sell for in California. That will give them enough extra cash to take care of the increase in property taxes.
Homes are not selling too fast right now in California, however. In the right market I don't think their house would last a week, but so far, they have only shown the property a few times. If it doesn't sell in the next few weeks, they will pull it off the market and put it back on in the spring. We would love to be home to help them out when they actually make the move.
In Moscow, I was given an assignment to teach Preach My Gospel, during Sunday School. Preach My Gospel is an awesome manual that missionaries use to learn how to be effective missionaries. I didn't know too much about this publication before we were called to be missionaries, but it turns out to be a great member resource as well.
There is no lesson manual. I will need to figure out how I am going to teach the material myself. There are 13 Chapters in the book. There are two great sections on how to improve teaching methods. Other subjects include basic doctrines to teach and how to use the Book of Mormon. There is even one lesson dedicated to how to manage your time.
I have two weeks to figure out my lesson plans, and with over 200 pages of information to cover, hopefully, I won't have too much time to watch this crazy market!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
A Wild Week on Wall Street or If You Have a Sweet Tooth, You Might Be a Moscovite!
The ups and downs of Wall Street continued this week...up 970 points and then down 800 points over the next two days...then up and down and up and down. Most daily swings were more than 500 points. It was interesting to watch. The "bailout" has shown little evidence of priming the credit markets so far.
I read an interesting article comparing the Buffett/GS (Goldman-Sachs) deal with government/9 bank deal. You may have already thought of this, but don't you think it is interesting that Buffett was able to get a better deal with a 5 Billion dollar infusion to GS than the government could get with a $250 billion infusion to the 9 strongest banks in the country?
I am concerned that the government is only exacerbating the problem by increasing the money supply and lowering interest rates. The last thing we need is for the government to stimulate consumer spending when consumers should be curbing their spending and paying off their debts.
If I was addressing members of the church that are drowning in debt, I would tell them to forgo present consumption. (Live on less than you earn.) Stop using credit cards as a revolving credit account, stay home and read to your children, cancel the cable, stop going to movies, stay away from restaurants (except Brinker International, of course!) buy clothes you need, not the ones you want, get one more year out of your tired automobile, if possible. Skip the family vacation and get creative with the family in town. Do day trips and save...perhaps thousands of dollars. Hunker down and see what you could live on if you had to.
Nobody here misses television or the movies. We do allot a little entertainment budget to buy theater tickets (once a quarter) and museum tickets (twice monthly, at least).
Today, we went to the Space Museum only to find that it is closed for remodeling. There was plenty of statuary and history inscribed on the outside of the building though to make it an interesting visit. We know enough history and Russian to know that the inscription under the date 1957 was about the coup the Russians pulled off, when the Soviet's sent Sputnik into space, taking the lead in the space race.
I read an interesting article comparing the Buffett/GS (Goldman-Sachs) deal with government/9 bank deal. You may have already thought of this, but don't you think it is interesting that Buffett was able to get a better deal with a 5 Billion dollar infusion to GS than the government could get with a $250 billion infusion to the 9 strongest banks in the country?
I am concerned that the government is only exacerbating the problem by increasing the money supply and lowering interest rates. The last thing we need is for the government to stimulate consumer spending when consumers should be curbing their spending and paying off their debts.
If I was addressing members of the church that are drowning in debt, I would tell them to forgo present consumption. (Live on less than you earn.) Stop using credit cards as a revolving credit account, stay home and read to your children, cancel the cable, stop going to movies, stay away from restaurants (except Brinker International, of course!) buy clothes you need, not the ones you want, get one more year out of your tired automobile, if possible. Skip the family vacation and get creative with the family in town. Do day trips and save...perhaps thousands of dollars. Hunker down and see what you could live on if you had to.
Nobody here misses television or the movies. We do allot a little entertainment budget to buy theater tickets (once a quarter) and museum tickets (twice monthly, at least).
Today, we went to the Space Museum only to find that it is closed for remodeling. There was plenty of statuary and history inscribed on the outside of the building though to make it an interesting visit. We know enough history and Russian to know that the inscription under the date 1957 was about the coup the Russians pulled off, when the Soviet's sent Sputnik into space, taking the lead in the space race.
After that we went to an exhibition of Michael Kenna's black and white photograpy. We found a little courtyard with shop areas that was charging 100 roubles a piece to get in. They said the the gallery we were looking for was closed. So we just walked around the courtyard, not having to pay. Then Sam stumbled into a building with a number of interesting art sculptures and another studio with a number of interesting black and white photographs. Then, a little while later we discovered another studio...which happened to be the exhibit we were looking for. It was very interesting and it didn't cost us a rouble!
The girls haming it up!!
Later, we went to McDonalds for lunch and then we headed for the Mayakovskaya metro stop, where we hoped to find the Mayakovskaya Museum. At this point I was leading the group, only to find that I remembered it wrong. The Mayakovskaya Museum is at the Lubyanka metro stop. We decided at that point we would pick the museum up on another day.
We ended the day at the Mason's home for cake and celebration of Rene's birthday, which was yesterday.
This has been a week of desserts. Here is the list of culinary delights that have passed from our lips to our hips; Homemade pies from Sister Curbishley, Apple-Cranberry, Lemon Meringue, Banana Cream that were for FHE. The next day we had Apple-Cranberry tarts and an eight-layer honey cake that Sister Nechiporova made (it was her birthday). Later that day we ate pumpkin cookies with chocolate chips that Chris had made the night before. The next day, Acia showed up with homemade Carrot Cake. Somewhere along the way, Marina showed up with the best watermelon of the year, so far. At Russian Club, Narene treated us to ice cream on top of fudge brownies, and lastly the cake at the Mason's. I need a 40-day fast!!
More later...Chris is calling.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Wall Street's Worst Week EVER!
When I get home in the evenings, the markets open in the U.S. I watched most of the market action this past week, except when I was at FHE or studying Russian with the other seniors. The only word to describe it was 'brutal'. The G7 meeting revealed more than what was written on their summary document...nobody knows how bad the economic crisis is and nobody really has a plan to fix things. On a brighter note, they are willing to try just about anything. On a dimmer note, it just shows how desperate the situation really is.
So, we will hold our breath and see what happens this week. Here is a summary of what I remember:
1. Goldman Sachs traded at $75 a share on Friday. They are supposed to be the brainiacs of Wall Street. In fact it was touted at the beginning of this crisis that they had made big money betting against what they were selling to their clients! They were just a few months ago trading at $250 a share. That's a loss of 70 percent of their stock value from peak to trough.
2. At one point on Friday, the Dow was off over 6,000 points or 42 percent of its 52 week high, which, by the way, was one year ago to the day!
3. I own municipal bond funds that are now paying over 9 percent tax free dividends. You guess how much they had to fall for this to be the case!
4. Some stomachs will turn when September statements are read, but that won't seem so bad when compared to the first week of October!
To get my mind off the markets we had meetings all weekend long. Saturday started off with a YSA Conference Planning Committee Meeting. Young Single Adult representatives from all over the Area convened in our conference room for their first planning meeting. Three joined by video conference and one by telephone conference. I was their technical support person. I just worked in my office while they had their meeting. Their only need was an extra set of dry markers for the white board.
We watched General Conference last weekend, but saw the re-broadcast of the Priesthood Session on Saturday night. Chris went over to Sister Yorgesen's to learn a new crochet stitch, while Brother Yorgesen and I were at church. Unfortunately, Chris's glasses weren't up to the task and she had to abandon the plan. The stitches were just too small to see. But it was not all a loss, the Yorgesen's invited us for dinner! Pork chops, scallopped potatoes and homemade pudding. A nice way to end the day.
On Sunday, I catered lunch for the Area Council Meeting and served as scribe during the meeting. I served a Russian salad that I have learned from the sisters in our office and it was a big hit. We also had sandwiches (different cured meats and cheese), potato chips, cookies, sliced apples and fruit juice. They will remember the lunch a lot longer than they will remember the meeting minutes! This was the first meeting with the Area Presidency since they returned from General Conference.
Tonight we spoke with Nick and Lore, Sarah, Eden and Zack. We left messages for our friends Gil and Debbie, Chris's Dad, and Jason. We spoke with Jessica yesterday. My mom and dad are next. Chris's mom and Jack are in Maine.
I hope we all have something to celebrate by the end of next week. It would be enough to know that the sky is not really falling!
So, we will hold our breath and see what happens this week. Here is a summary of what I remember:
1. Goldman Sachs traded at $75 a share on Friday. They are supposed to be the brainiacs of Wall Street. In fact it was touted at the beginning of this crisis that they had made big money betting against what they were selling to their clients! They were just a few months ago trading at $250 a share. That's a loss of 70 percent of their stock value from peak to trough.
2. At one point on Friday, the Dow was off over 6,000 points or 42 percent of its 52 week high, which, by the way, was one year ago to the day!
3. I own municipal bond funds that are now paying over 9 percent tax free dividends. You guess how much they had to fall for this to be the case!
4. Some stomachs will turn when September statements are read, but that won't seem so bad when compared to the first week of October!
To get my mind off the markets we had meetings all weekend long. Saturday started off with a YSA Conference Planning Committee Meeting. Young Single Adult representatives from all over the Area convened in our conference room for their first planning meeting. Three joined by video conference and one by telephone conference. I was their technical support person. I just worked in my office while they had their meeting. Their only need was an extra set of dry markers for the white board.
We watched General Conference last weekend, but saw the re-broadcast of the Priesthood Session on Saturday night. Chris went over to Sister Yorgesen's to learn a new crochet stitch, while Brother Yorgesen and I were at church. Unfortunately, Chris's glasses weren't up to the task and she had to abandon the plan. The stitches were just too small to see. But it was not all a loss, the Yorgesen's invited us for dinner! Pork chops, scallopped potatoes and homemade pudding. A nice way to end the day.
On Sunday, I catered lunch for the Area Council Meeting and served as scribe during the meeting. I served a Russian salad that I have learned from the sisters in our office and it was a big hit. We also had sandwiches (different cured meats and cheese), potato chips, cookies, sliced apples and fruit juice. They will remember the lunch a lot longer than they will remember the meeting minutes! This was the first meeting with the Area Presidency since they returned from General Conference.
Tonight we spoke with Nick and Lore, Sarah, Eden and Zack. We left messages for our friends Gil and Debbie, Chris's Dad, and Jason. We spoke with Jessica yesterday. My mom and dad are next. Chris's mom and Jack are in Maine.
I hope we all have something to celebrate by the end of next week. It would be enough to know that the sky is not really falling!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Baba Yaga
The other day when I was looking on the internet for the story that I shared about Heaven and Hell, I came across a character in Russian literature, called Baba Yaga. She is a frightful woman who likes to eat little children!!!! Yes, the ladies in our office confirm that when they were little girls and when they were being bad, their mother's would threaten them, that if they weren't good, Baba Yaga would come and eat them up!!
Here is a little background I found on the internet:
In Russian folklore there are many stories of Baba Yaga, the fearsome witch with iron teeth.
She is also known as Baba Yaga Boney Legs, because, in spite of a ferocious appetite, she is as thin as a skeleton. In Russian that's: 'Baba Yaga Kostianaya Noga'
In some stories she has two older sisters, who are also called Baba Yaga, just to confuse you!
Her nose is so long that it rattles against the ceiling of her hut when she snores, stretched out in all directions upon her ancient brick oven.
Not being a boringly-conventional witch, she does not wear a hat, and has never been seen on a broomstick. She travels perched in a large mortar with her knees almost touching her chin, and pushes herself across the forest floor with a pestle.
Whenever she appears on the scene, a wild wind begins to blow, the trees around creak and groan and leaves whirl through the air. Shrieking and wailing, a host of spirits often accompany her on her way.
Being a somewhat secretive lady, (in spite of all the din she makes,) she sweeps away all traces of herself with a broom made of silver birch (what are brooms for anyway?).
She can also fly through the air in the same manner.
Baba Yaga lives in a hut deep in the forest. Her hut seems to have a personality of its own and can move about on its extra-large chicken legs. Usually the hut is either spinning around as it moves through the forest or stands at rest with its back to the visitor. The windows of the hut seem to serve as eyes.
All the while it is spinning round, it emits blood-curdling screeches and will only come to a halt, amid much creaking and groaning, when a secret incantation is said. When it stops, it turns to face the visitor and lowers itself down on its chicken legs, throwing open the door with a loud crash.
The hut is sometimes surrounded by a fence made of bones, which helps to keep out intruders! The fence is topped with skulls whose blazing eye sockets illuminate the darkness.
When a visitor enters her hut, (not too often) Baba Yaga asks them whether they came of their own free will, or whether they were sent. (One answer is the right one!)
Thankfully, she appears to have no power over the pure of heart, such as Vasilisa and those of us who are 'blessed' (protected by the power of love, virtue, or a mother's blessing.)
Baba Yaga rules over the elements. Her faithful servants are the White Horseman, the Red Horseman and the Black Horseman.
When Vasilissa asks her who these mysterious horsemen are, she replies: 'My Bright Dawn, my Red Sun and my Dark Midnight.'
Amongst her other servants, are three bodiless and somewhat menacing pairs of hands, which appear out of thin air to do her bidding. She calls them "my soul friends" or "friends of my bosom" and she is more than a little reticent about discussing them with Vasilisa.
Another strange character who served as a herdsman for Baba Yaga is the sorcerer Koshchey the Deathless. Read all about him here.
And here's a mystery for you: While she is giving instructions to Vasilisa, Baba Yaga mentions that 'someone spiteful' had mixed earth in with her poppy-seeds.
What could she have meant? Could Baba Yaga possibly have an enemy? Would anyone dare to risk incurring her wrath?
Of course, this is a children's fairy tale and she never does actually eat a child, but the threat is always there. As you watch the video clip, Baba Yaga is the old hag who lives in a house that is set upon chicken legs and twirls around in the forest. You won't need to understand Russian to get the gist of the tale.
I think the funniest part about this video clip is when one of old babuskas smacks another one in the face with a rope. It makes the three stooges look tame. You may want to preview this clip, before showing it to the kids. But I think the older ones will get a kick out of seeing an old Russian fairytale.
This clip is from one of the truly beloved movies that all of our office personnel watched when they were kids. Baba Yaga was not unlike the witches in Disney's Sleeping Beauty, Snow White or the wicked witch in the Wizard of Oz, except Baba Yaga is more humorous.
This second clip shows a man with the head of a bear. He has been cursed because he so vain, due to his previous good looks.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Heaven or Hell?
A person was talking with God about Heaven and Hell.
"Come," said God. "Walk with me, and I will show you Hell."
And together they walked into a room of cold, rough stone. In the center of the room, atop a low fire, sat a huge pot of quietly simmering stew. The stew smelled delicious, and made the person's mouth water. A group of people sat in a circle around the pot, and each of them held a curiously long-handled spoon. The spoons were long enough to reach the pot; but the handles were so ungainly that every time someone dipped the bowl of their spoon into the pot and tried to maneuver the bowl to their mouth, the stew would spill. The person could hear the grumblings of their bellies. They were cold, hungry, and miserable.
"And now," God said, "I will show you Heaven."
Together they walked into another room, almost identical to the first. A second pot of stew simmered in the center; another ring of people sat around it; each person was outfitted with one of the frustratingly long spoons. But this time, the people sat with the spoons across their laps or laid on the stone beside them. They talked, quietly and cheerfully with one another. They were warm, well-fed, and happy.
"Lord, I don't understand," said the individual. "How was the first room Hell; and this, Heaven?"
God smiled. "It's simple," he said. "You see, they have learned to feed each other."
Given at our devotional today by Lidia Samaykina.
Well the past two days have been dominated by the economic turmoil in the U.S. Down 777, up 435!! What a week. Last night the Senate passed their version of the Rescue Package. Now it is back to the house.
In the office, we have been quitely working on our processes.
Two days ago we discovered a big issue associated with our upcoming EEA Broadcast. I learned more about satellite infrastructure than I ever cared to. It seems that we have three different satellites that transmit to the Europe East Area, across 11 time zones. There are probably more than 50 satellite dishes. We have to determine which satellite will transmit to which building (not all buildings have satellite capability), across all 11 time zones to produce a schedule so that the saints will show up at the right time. Add to that Daylight Savings Time goes off at 2:00 a.m the night before, in some, but not all locations, because some locations were never on it. Give me a break!!!!!!
We are still struggling to get our calendar published so that Mission Presidents can read it online. I won't go into the details, but we have been working on this since the last week in August!! We think we have a solution. We prepared an email yesterday, that needs to be approved, then we can send it out and hopefully, within a week we can accomplish our objective.
Yesterday, we had a watermelon feed in the office. This was our fourth one this season. The Russian's love watermelon. This morning we had it again!!!
Never a dull moment in Moscow. Stay tuned. Tomorrow I will introduce you to Baba Yaga (accent on the last ga).
"Come," said God. "Walk with me, and I will show you Hell."
And together they walked into a room of cold, rough stone. In the center of the room, atop a low fire, sat a huge pot of quietly simmering stew. The stew smelled delicious, and made the person's mouth water. A group of people sat in a circle around the pot, and each of them held a curiously long-handled spoon. The spoons were long enough to reach the pot; but the handles were so ungainly that every time someone dipped the bowl of their spoon into the pot and tried to maneuver the bowl to their mouth, the stew would spill. The person could hear the grumblings of their bellies. They were cold, hungry, and miserable.
"And now," God said, "I will show you Heaven."
Together they walked into another room, almost identical to the first. A second pot of stew simmered in the center; another ring of people sat around it; each person was outfitted with one of the frustratingly long spoons. But this time, the people sat with the spoons across their laps or laid on the stone beside them. They talked, quietly and cheerfully with one another. They were warm, well-fed, and happy.
"Lord, I don't understand," said the individual. "How was the first room Hell; and this, Heaven?"
God smiled. "It's simple," he said. "You see, they have learned to feed each other."
Given at our devotional today by Lidia Samaykina.
Well the past two days have been dominated by the economic turmoil in the U.S. Down 777, up 435!! What a week. Last night the Senate passed their version of the Rescue Package. Now it is back to the house.
In the office, we have been quitely working on our processes.
Two days ago we discovered a big issue associated with our upcoming EEA Broadcast. I learned more about satellite infrastructure than I ever cared to. It seems that we have three different satellites that transmit to the Europe East Area, across 11 time zones. There are probably more than 50 satellite dishes. We have to determine which satellite will transmit to which building (not all buildings have satellite capability), across all 11 time zones to produce a schedule so that the saints will show up at the right time. Add to that Daylight Savings Time goes off at 2:00 a.m the night before, in some, but not all locations, because some locations were never on it. Give me a break!!!!!!
We are still struggling to get our calendar published so that Mission Presidents can read it online. I won't go into the details, but we have been working on this since the last week in August!! We think we have a solution. We prepared an email yesterday, that needs to be approved, then we can send it out and hopefully, within a week we can accomplish our objective.
Yesterday, we had a watermelon feed in the office. This was our fourth one this season. The Russian's love watermelon. This morning we had it again!!!
Never a dull moment in Moscow. Stay tuned. Tomorrow I will introduce you to Baba Yaga (accent on the last ga).
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