Quote of the Day: “What’s the meaning of goodness if there isn’t a little badness to overcome?” Anne Revere in National Velvet, 1944
Exercise Log: Patti, Jen, Sue O., Sue B., Kathy E. and I started from my house then walked to Tanner Park via the overpass bridge and then back home. 8 miles! My legs were getting tired! It was so great to be out, very few cars on this holiday and cooler due to the cloud covering. This treatment has been more difficult due to the Nuelasta shot. I have had a lot of muscle pain and tiredness. Especially painful in the evening and night. I’m so happy that it’s the last time I’ll have to have chemo or the shot. I’m also noticing that my brain has been more affected by this chemo- hard to recall things I would normally remember!
We went up to Lamb’s Canyon where my Dad, Boyd, and Linda have built a new cabin on the same land that the original cabin was built. On our way, I dropped Joe and Alex at the trailhead at Elbow in Millcreek Canyon. It’s a steep trail, around 4 miles, that comes out in Lamb’s Canyon. Lamb’s Canyon is a narrow, densely forested canyon. It is so green with beautiful flowers going up the slopes. There were blue bells, red and blue penstemon, balsam root, small dainty yellow flowers and even the dandelions bordering the road look pretty in the canyon. It’s such a small, windy road that you are afraid you will run into another vehicle at every corner. We have been going to Lamb’s Canyon since I was born. My paternal Grandmother, Tink, loved the canyon and purchase a cabin, I think, in the 20s or 30s. When I was young, it was the biggest treat to get to go up to the cabin, just 30 minutes from the city and always 10-15 degrees cooler. The woodsy smell outside the cabin will be forever imprinted on my memory. The cabin always felt cool and dark inside too. There were these great orange couches that lined the walls, antelope and deer on the walls and cards and chips to play with. It had a big fireplace and I must have spent a lot of time there because I remember well the old fashioned kitchen with all it’s appliances, vases on the mantles, carpet and bedding. It also had an outhouse down the trail a bit. I remember also one particular night that we stayed over and my Dad told us the scariest stories. It was such a scary place to be during the night, all dark and foreboding, no where to run for help, and heaven forbid you had to use the outhouse!!!
When I came home, there was a beautiful plant and card from my dear friend, Laurie Fox. I have missed Laurie so much- we were just talking about her yesterday as we walked with such fondness and admiration. Laurie used to live in our neighborhood but moved to Arizona about 10 years ago. Her son, Garrett, was born just days before Taylor and along with Steven Forsberg were inseparable as children. Laurie wrote: “Whether near or far our friendship is special! … May faith and hope be with you in your trial. Sending lots of love to you!” Laurie has always been such an amazing example to me- she is one of the most selfless people I know, having learned service early as she helped to take care of her mother who was diagnosed with MS when Laurie was a little girl. She was such an incredible influence on Taylor also- he loved being in her home and feeling her kindness. Garrett and Taylor entered the MTC for their missions on the same day.
Scarlet Gilia in Lamb’s Canyon
Your Dad and I enjoyed your memories of the old cabin. I had forgotten many of the things you remembered. I remember the dish of candy that always seemed to be on the fireplace mantle and Tink’s spaghetti cooking in the kitchen. Things are always more fun when you’re a kid.
All this time I never knew you had a cabin up Lambs. We do too. My mom spent all her summers up there as a child. You’ll have to ask your family if they know the Jacobsen Cabin up there. My great grandfather built it YEARS ago. Same kind of memories that you are talking about. As you know, the road just barely opened up there, and our cabin just barely opened. Beautiful place…lots of memories.
The flower in Millcreek Canyon is called Scarlet Gilia. It looks spectacular when growing near blue penstemon. The flowers in Lambs Canyon are in full bloom and beautiful.