Why my site is called "Let it Melt"

I have two primary purposes for my blog. The primary purpose is to share with my family and friends some pictures and activities of shared interest. My secondary purpose is to share my unsolicited views on a variety of current events. In this case, global warming.

Do I believe that man has an impact on the warming of the climate? Well, maybe. Or, even probably. If so, thank goodness for it. I say, let it warm up and melt what's left of the ice sheets at the poles. So what if it is warming up. The alternative is devastating: A 3,000 foot tall ice sheet marching its way down Madison Ave in New York or here in Topeka Kansas. The last Ice Age did just that. There are granite bolders the size of cars in the Topeka area that were transported all the way from Canada and dropped here when the ice sheet stopped on our doorstep. Long Island New York is a massive glacial dumping ground of sand, gravel and bolders from the last ice age. Long Island Sound was a fresh water lake until the sea rose nearly 300 feet at the end of the ice age. According to the National Geographic in an issue dedicated to Global Warming, the earth for the past 1,000,000 years has spent about 80% or more of its life in the deep freeze of global cooling. Global warming episodes over the past million years have been the exception, not the rule to life on earth.

And yet, that is exactly what the hysteria of Global Warming alarmists would have us ignore or forget. If we can stave off what is an inevitable global cooling, then thank goodness for it. I for one don't relish the idea of a wall of ice crusing south and crushing everything and everyone in its path.

Let it melt baby!

Mom's 80th Birthday

I spent a great weekend in Provo with my extended family, sans brother Glenn who was home sick. We were celebratining my mother's 80th birthday. On Saturday the girls arranged for her to spend the day at various locations so that each of her three generations had special time with her. At the end of the evening we gathered at Virginia's for the traditional birthday cake and a video of Mom hanging out with family in various poses.

This first picture is of mom sharing some personal experiences with her grandchildren over breakfast at my sister Julie's home. (Thanks Scott and Julie for hosting!) We had waffles with strawberries, whipped cream and a variety of syrups, along with bacon and sausages. Everyone did get all they needed or wanted.

We hung around long enough that some grandkids decided go right in for "second breakfast". The grandkids in attendance included: David, Rebecca, Brett, Breanne and Eddy, Scott and Megan, and Kevin. The next picture is of some of them noshing breakast.

After breakfast many stayed and chatted for an hour or so, then they drifted off to their busy Saturday activities. Scott and Megan had to get home to get their kids ready for the great-grand children's lunch with mom. They were going to the bowling alley for lunch in Heber City. I don't have pictures of that. Maybe Christie has a line on those pictures. Mom has copies of "traditional" photographs we can add if there aren't any digital ones available right away.

That evening for dinner we went to Little Italy in Provo. This was for mom and dad and her children. Little Italy is a small Italian deli with a room for meals. Rachel Ray would like it, they don't short you on the garlic. I had a spicy concoction, don't remember the name. Several others had the Lasagna. We just enjoyed the time together talking and enjoying something we rarely get to do: The siblings getting time together with mom and dad. Here is a picture a waiter was gracious enough to take for us.

We all made our way over to Virginia's and Brent's home for Birthday cake. There was a chocolate cake with strawberries and a glaze toping, and a coconut cake. See below for a couple of pics. I especially like the one with the kids all standing around and admiring the cakes!

The great grandkids got into the act when Mom asked them to do the honor of blowing out the candles. Virginia then put on a great digital slide show and video show, with accompanying music. The music really fit the occassion...Virginia, what were the songs? Help!

While I was worried that such a long day with non-stop going here and there with lots of rich food would be too much, I was wrong. Mom and Dad outlasted everyone. They still have it! Thanks Julie, Virginia and Christie for taking on the planning and the implementation. I really enjoyed the trip. It was too short, but worth it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!