The Chard Yard: May 2011

Monday, May 30, 2011

Thomas in Heber

On Friday we drove two hours to see Thomas the Tank Engine, who came all the way from the Island of Sodor to visit his friends in northern Utah. We found him at the Heber Valley Railroad, along with Sodor Island Railroad Director, Sir Topham Hatt. Gavin and I took a 20-minute ride on Thomas while Brandon and Vivian hung out with the other visitors. After the ride, Gavin enjoyed the various activities, including playing with toy train sets alongside other Thomas enthusiasts, and getting a James tattoo on his cheek. We waited in line to have our picture taken with Sir Topham Hatt, but when it was our turn Gavin decided he was no longer a fan. The same thing has repeatedly happened with the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus. Afterward we drove down to Sandy to stay the night with Larissa and Blake Bennett, and enjoyed a tasty BBQ dinner with them and Hayley Coombs and Ben Brown.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Today, tragically, our sweet Little B passed from her Earthly life into the next.

We miss you already, Brody, but find comfort in knowing

that you are now free to roam the world as you so passionately wished.

The universe is your cow pie.

Dogsong 2 ~ The Be Good Tanyas

Out in the trees, dirt on our knees

We laid him down forever

And on that hill there it was still

As in the ever after

He lays his rest we knew it best

To lay him down so gently

And now he sleeps where moss does creep

And no more is he with me

The birds did cry, and so did i

To think of life so lonely

And in their song I heard it long

What sadness, and what beauty

Your friend is gone, but you live on

In life you loved him fully

But now little streams and forests dream

And all is made more holy

Hyrum Getaway

Last weekend we were fortunate enough to be visited by friends from all over. Pete and Gloria made the Chard Yard their first stop on their journey from southern Utah to Montana to visit Gloria's daughter. Sean and Emily drove up from SLC with a very special visitor: Sean's mom Jane, who was visiting from Texas. What a treat to have them all at our house at once - and with the sun shining, no less!