It's a Jolly Holiday!! 30 May 2016

My Sweetheart texted me greetings this Memorial Day--what a great way to start my day! I am grateful for his service as well as that of all other veterans.

I had the pleasure of Skyping with my Arizona family members today--Rosie is excited that she will start art camp tomorrow, along with Grace.  Rosie and Cami already spent some time this vacation having private art lessons.  Rosie showed me the birthday card she made for her dad, and the belated birthday card she created on a tablet today. I sure enjoyed seeing Starr and the two children.

I decided to rearrange my apartment furniture this morning before setting out on an adventure with my Cuban friend.  This was precipitated by needing to clean the microwave. While I am grateful that the microwave in my apartment was not put on the kitchen table, putting it on top of the refrigerator was not the best choice either.  One of the mission "rules" is do not fall--therefore, do not climb.  Therefore, the microwave needed to come down. I have to admit, I did climb up to get the microwave down, but it now resides on the end table which I moved into the kitchen.  The desk is now at a 90 degree angle to its original spot with the table up against it. The living room is now about five steps from the bedroom instead of one step. I think this design will work better for me.

My daughter suggested that in addition to showing my Cuban sister how to find State Street, we might like to go to a botanical garden [and she reminded me where I might have put the Missouri Botanical Garden card I brought with me:)], since her membership level has reciprocal admission.  I called ahead to Red Butte, the closest gardens to us, and I could get us in for free.

The Red Butte Gardens are at the University of Utah in the foothills of the mountains to the East.  Not only did we get into the gardens for free, but we got a free, unscheduled tram ride with a tour guide.  Claudia, a volunteer, informed us that the last scheduled tram tour had a full load, but she would take us herself.  Another couple was also able to take the tour with us.  Claudia told us about so many of the plants we enjoyed, along with some of the history of the gardens.  I definitely recommend visiting the Red Butte Gardens.

Our next objective was to find Trolley Square, a shopping and entertainment center situated within renovated 1908 trolley barns.  We did find it, but we were not planning to actually go inside.  Our next goal was to find Welfare Square.  Although I had gone there a few weeks ago, I did not remember exactly how to get there, but we did find it.  Today, being a holiday it was closed.

Since we had gotten a late start, so it seemed appropriate to find some food.  One of the big warehouse stores was closed for the holiday, but the other was open, so we bought a few things, and had something to eat.

Then we took a ride all the way out to Sandy, looking for a bank we both remembered seeing.  We did not see the bank, but we enjoyed the ride, and I learned where places are located.  So, we had a jolly holiday together.

I am now enjoying two versions of my very favorite hymn which Gregory sent to me today.  The version by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is the most powerful vocal rendition I have ever heard. It brings tears. You can enjoy it by accessing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y8Z_7jcwTU&feature=em-share_video_user

At https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OdUBvB3Ots&feature=em-share_video_user you can view and listen to a powerful instrumental version of this wonderful hymn.  The visuals are awesome and are from NASA's astronomy picture of the day archive. http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix....
What a beautiful way to end my day.