Quarantine Chronicles

 Miniature Portraits and paintings were a favorite gift idea in the 17th century.  These paintings would be created and given when loves ones went away to school, war or when a daughter married.  They were portraits or of favorite pets or objects.

This morning my family and I are gathering at noon via Zoom app to share our thoughts and feelings about the recent article in the Ensign by our Prophet Russell M. Nelson.  If you would like to read and ponder on his words, you can access it here  A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT RUSSELL M. NELSON. The reason why we are gathering is because my dear friend Rachel Sebra, shared her testimony of the prophet and what she said brought me peace and hope.  Her selfless effort to share her thoughts brightened my hope.  Thank you Rachel:) And so it goes:  We share our faith and hope and the trickle effect can make a profound difference in the lives of others.  Isn't it wonderful how we can gather virtually and participate in discussions that lift and raise our hopes.  I would like to challenge you to download the article and annotate it.  Look for passages that are powerful and inspiring.  Choose a passage that you loved in particular and share below in ...

   is one of my favorite films of all time.  A sweet story set in France where neighbors battle competing for customers and restaurant rights, develop an unlikely friendship.  This is one of those films that you can see again and again.

The William Carlos William Apology Poem Created Battle of Poems in The Stowell Clan Group Chat! I dedicated my poem This is Just to Say  to my big brother Scotty D. I left one last spoonful of Haagan Daz in your pint. I'm sure you were looking forward to having it for your evening treat. Forgive me, it was delicious-- so creamy and sweet Please dispose of the carton when you are done . Which prompted a response: Here is my poem in response to the shocking confession of my sneaky little sister: You are not forgiven, not yet at least. For I relish my icecream as a special feast if its forgiveness you seek to lighten your guilt You'll first have to tear down the wall between us you've built Oh, my sweet little sister who I use to trust without ever a waver It seems has pulled off the great ice cream caper With great sorrow - Scott To Which I replied At least it is off my Chest! Finally...

Over the course of these last few years, I have heard my Savior and my Heavenly Father more clearly than ever in my life. The message has been simple--Love. All we need to do is love. Love ALL of His children the way He loves them-- unconditionally. Any ill feelings we have toward any one of our spiritual brothers and sisters, toward any one of our Heavenly Father's children, is not of Him. We are commanded John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye alove one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." Do Not Judge-- Have you taken the time to reflect on how you physically feel when you are passing judgement on others? Guaranteed you feel uncomfortable. You could feel angry, sad, disgusted, or hurt. There is a commandment "Thou shalt not judge" for a purpose: to keep us from feeling the negative effects of judgment. The truth is, we can't be judging and love someone at the same time. When we judge, we inevitably ...

"This Is Just To Say"  by William Carlos Williams I have eaten the plums that were in the icebox and which  you were probably  saving for breakfast Forgive me they were delicious so sweet  and so cold. This Poem by Williams is an apology, yet, he really isn't sorry he did it.  We know this because he makes the effort to describe the benefits of eating them in the last stanza.  Your poetry idea is to write your own apology poem.  Write about doing something that you really aren't sorry you did.  The first stanza should be a description of what you did, the second stanza admitting how it affected the other person and the final describing the benefit of the action you are apologizing for.   This poem idea comes from a book called "Rose Where Did You Get That Red" by Kenneth Koch.   Here are a couple of ours This Is Just to Say by RDH I have wasted too much time today...

The goal of this fun activity is to draw a simple figure using one continuous line. Paul Klee once said, "Drawing is taking a line for a walk." enjoy your walk. Allison Amezcua Sarah Amezcua Harper Owen Stewart Stacy Heath Richard Heath Cannon Stewart.