In Which My Mom Stops Traffic...

It's after 2 am, so what's the best cure for insomnia? Starring at a phone. :P Heh, yeah...

Today was interesting. A good chunk of the city was without electricity. Got some fast food with my Mom, and as we approached a major intersection none of the lights were working. Several lanes in all directions doing a sort of free for all instead of treating the intersection like a four way stop. Made me super nervous, but we got through it.

After parking under a tree to eat, we observed another intersection, also not working. Not as big as the first, but still large with three lanes in each direction plus cross traffic. Soon an elderly gentleman in a nice suit approached the crosswalk pushing the button, while a young 20 something girl on the other side did the same. For several minutes we watched the chaos of cars crossing, beeping, several going each spontaneous turn, but not stopping.

The two individuals kept pushing the walk button, not realizing all the lights were blank. My Mom got out of the car, talked to the gentleman, and then put her hands up, waving while yelling "Stop!" several times, going into the crosswalk. Everyone thankfully stopped, and the two individuals were finally able to cross. That was crazy, and my Mom was so brave.

Soon after we rescued a couple family members without electricity, and it was interesting going across town, some intersections with working lights while others remained down. 

This afternoon I got to play several rounds of Long Shot the Dice Game. Really enjoying it!! Played it now with 5, 2, and 3, and the game works great regardless of the play count. Though I haven't played a full 8 player game yet, nor have I tried the solo mode. Maybe I should post about some of the games I'm enjoying. It's a winner so far! A good balance between strategy and luck with many options. 

Also, yesterday I rode the ski lift at Sundance with my parents. A little bitter sweet as the last time I did it my grandparents were alive, and they were with us. But the turning autumn colors were so gorgeous. They're still gorgeous!! The leaf change hasn't finished yet, and the daily ski lift is only running a few more days.

Anywho, it really is late.

Last weekend was General Conference for the Church of Jesus Chist of Latter-Day Saints. Oh my goodness, all the talks were wonderful. I've listened to President Nelson's talk, "Overcome the World and Find Rest" three times now. There's so many treasures in it. Did you know President Nelson is 98 years old!!!!!!? So many people are worried this was his last conference, but I'm staying hopeful. I hope he makes it to 100!! But that talk really is wonderful. Other favorite talkes were Elder Bednar's, "Put on Thy Strength, O Zion," and Elder Gong's, "Happy and Forever." All the talks are up on YouTube under the General Conference channel. So many good talks. I'm hopeful for the future. :0) Every thing is crazy, a lot of scary stuff happening, but there's still goodness in the world and miracles, too.

 

While taking my family home tonight, power restored, the person ahead of us in the drive through paid for our meal. How amazing is that? :0) So nice.

Have a good day. Hope you can see some Autumn colors this weekend!! :D Or around town, autumn is happening everywhere. Heh, it is late. :P

Sarah

Visiting Virgin Utah and Getting My Fortune from Pappy

Okay, he's kinda creepy, but not as creepy as that alien from the fortune machine in Primm Nevada.

 

"You have not been wise with your money lately. It is important to reward yourself for your hard work, but you must learn that saving your riches now will pay off in the future. 'A fool and his money will soon part.' Remember this next time you receive a sum of money and try to manage it wisely."

 

That's just really good advice. 

Also, can you imagine someone asking where you're from, and you answer, "I'm from Virgin Utah..." As of 2020 there were 707 people who had that honor. Okay, in all honesty Virgin River Gorge is absolutely gorgeous, and the Virgin River goes through Zion national park as well. It's the main river actually, and the water that's walked through while hiking The Narrows. So, so beautiful.

The Virgin Trading Post is a place I've passed several times but never stopped, so this last time it was nice to finally have my curiosity explored. Well, it's a typical tourist trap with standard souvenir offerings. The kinda place that's fun checking out at least once, and it's good enough. Though, I'm a sucker for a good ol' tourist trap. :D

The beautiful Utah desert.

C'est Fini,

Sarah :0)

Last Moments at Disneyland for a Long Time

Exactly a week ago I was at Disneyland, waiting to watch the Tiki Room show.  Such a cute little show, all animatronic with classic Sherman songs. It was the last attraction I visited before heading down Main Street USA for a little shopping and heading out of the park, catching that last view of the castle.

The Dream Key annual pass I've been enjoying for about a year expires in a few days, and my Mom and I decided not to renew.  We've been spoiled this year, and I've been to Disneyland so many times that it's a little embarrassing to admit.  Six trips in all, visiting during all the seasons and weather. All the decorations and special shows. Sometimes a break is needed so the magic remains for something so loved.

Too much of a good thing can be too much, and I want the enchantment to remain strong.  That and the fact that Disneyland is so stinkin' expensive! The extra discounts on food and merchandise, plus free parking, helped with the inflation, but overall those trips add up.

All during last week I just took everything in, as if it could be my last. Saying goodbye to each little thing I love. Okay, I plan on visiting Disneyland again in the future!!  Just don't know when, and life is unpredictable, especially these days.

It's been announced that Magic Happens, the parade that started just before the shutdowns in 2020, is coming back Spring 2023. The Disney Parks YouTube page put up a video of the parade, and I watched that thing on loop during the pandemic. The music is so good!!!! Like, I'm listening to it right now and it's just so happy.

"I don't want the public to see the world they live in while they're in the Park. I want them to feel they're in another world." ~ Walt Disney

This quote is everything, and going to the parks this last year exemplified an escape from this world, healing from the shutdowns, revisiting loves from my childhood, and discovering new favorites.

 

I discovered that watching the fireworks from Galaxy's Edge is awesome! Loud, but really cool.

But there's so much I love about Disneyland. So much. It's everything. And I'm already missing it. Gah! Watching Disneyland YT videos isn't helping. :P

Hopefully it won't be terribly long until my next visit, but then it could easily be a year or two, or more. I'm thankful for all these trips. I'm thankful for all the magic. :0)

Sarah

 

P.S. Remember, "You don't need wings to take flight. Magic don't stop at midnight... " ~ Magic Happens

Why I Believe the Earth is Round

Heh, hmmm, so this could be a little controversial...

To put it simply, last night I went down a tiny rabbit hole on YouTube. Mainly the research revolved around earthquakes. Fun fact, both the Sept. 11 Papua New Guinea earthquake and the Sept. 19 Mexico earthquake were magnitude 7.6.  That can totally be coincidence (not being sarcastic). Also fun fact, Mexico has had earthquakes on Sept. 19 between a 7-8 magnitude not just this year but also 1985 and 2017. That can also be coincidence, but it's kinda wild.

So down the rabbit hole I went, and found a video from a couple days ago from this guy who charts earthquakes and stuff. Suddenly he was talking about recently discovered ancient Star Forts in America, lost civilizations, some kind of energy thing, and islands spaced exactly 14,000 miles from eachother with pentagon like shapes. It was passed midnight, so that's what I understood. But every now and then he would hint at questioning our earth not being round, and wondering if it might be some kind of dish shape, because, "They're not telling us everything. They're not releasing the pictures." Or something like that. Then many in the comments were wanting his calculations on a flat earth map. His name is Dutchsinse if you want to look his videos up.

It was late, I may have incorrectly heard him.

But quite a few in the comments were mentioning the flat earth, and my mind was spinning.

Here are a couple reasons I believe the earth is round: 

The first is the cruising industry. Pre-covid it was popular for some cruise lines to put out a "cruise around the world" itinerary. They'd do the Panama canal. Visit Hawaii and the Polynesian Islands. Go hang out in Asia and Russia for a bit. Head down to New Zealand and Australia, and all around the world visiting so many countries, cities, and islands. It's the sort of thing I dream about, and I went through a phase studying the different schedules, time frames, days at sea, and the crazy prices. (You can buy a house with how much these trips cost, and that's before excursions... for all those places... 0_0) Looking at the timeframes, distance, days at sea between places, and so forth... the around the world cruises couldn't keep those schedules or time frames if the world was flat or dish shaped.

And then I was thinking about the International Space Station. Pretty sure they can verify the proper shape of the Earth. Goodness, the ISS couldn't stay in orbit if the earth was flat. Not to mention videos of going over the earth. About a month or so when I was leaving one of my brothers home, we went outside right when the ISS was passing overhead. The sun had recently set, and though it was dark the curvature of the earth allowed the sun to reflect brilliant light off the Space Station. It was so cool to watch as it sped overhead. That would only work if the earth was round.

Anywho, that's what I've been thinking about all morning and what I was thinking about in-between dreams last night. All the planets in our solar system is round. The moon is round. And what about the tides?

Heh, yeah, putting this to rest and going to go think about other things. Though the idea of ancient star fort civilizations is pretty cool. And wouldn't a cruise around the world be so much fun? Well, before the pandemic when each country didn't have their own set of requirements for entering in regards to health.

So, fun times. 

Sarah

“What are men to rocks and mountains?” ~ Jane Austen

This is the last week of Summer, but the trees in the mountains are already starting to change color. Just a little bit. These next few weeks are my favorite. It's starting to cool down. Pumpkin snacks are now starting to be sold. Autumn is bliss.

Yesterday I went on a little drive up the mountains to see the start of the magic. The ocean is nice and all, but rocks and mountains hold a special charm.

Sarah :0)

The Oscar Meyer Wienermobile Keeps On Moving

This photo was taken last weekend while on the San Bernardino CA mountain pass during a downpour. And what a joy it was to see the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile braving the storm! 

Honestly I can't remember exactly how many times I've seen the Oscar Mayer mobile, but only the first instance stands out clear. It was elementary school during recess, in Porterville CA, overlooking the field that led to the highway.  I use to just look out to the highway some mornings, wishing to travel the road, or just wanting to escape. The field that led to the All-American highway, sitting in front of the Sierra Nevada foothills. And one day, while daydreaming, the Oscar Meyer mobile coasted down the highway out of sight. Seeing the giant hot dog was magical. A wonderful departure from the mundane. 

That was many, many years ago. There was an article sometime back calling for hopeful drivers to apply, and it was cool knowing the Wienermobile was still a trucking. They must not drive in Utah, or maybe I'm never in the right place to see them.

Kinda Silly, but it was nice seeing the Oscar Meyer mobile. With all the change in the world. The craziness of the last two years. Everything we've been though. That hot dog truck of the past is still going. It's nice seeing that something so nostalgic is alive and well.

Sarah

 

The Problem with Witchcraft...

Midnight Mormons did a series of episodes where they visited Moon's Rare Books in Provo. It's a cool little store that I've been to a couple times. Before the pandemic Reid Moon was in his store, in the back room, and my Mom and I got to go back there, along with other costumers, and see some of the things in the vaults. Marie Antoinette's bible was a highlight. And Reid let my Mom and I hold in our palms the prototype for the ring, the one ring to rule them all, from the Lord of the Rings movies. So, so cool.

Back to the videos. In one episode Reid Moon brought out books on Witchcraft and demons, books from around the 1500's or so that started the witch trials and caused so many problems. Sad, crazy stuff. But it got me thinking and remembering...

There's a chance I'm somehow related to Nathaniel Ingersoll (1632 - 1718) who's tavern/home the first Salem witch trial was going to be held, the famous one with Sarah Good and all that. His children on many websites say they're unknown, but distant family keep stating that Sarah Ingersoll, who married James Emerson, is Nathaniel's daughter. I don't know. I don't want the connection, so the lack of proof is good with me. Then I found he might be a great uncle, but I lost that reference, so that might not be true. Okay with that as well. The joys of family history!!!! Oh the ambiguities!!!

During that research time I did delve into the Salem Witch trials a little, and it's crazy stuff. There were a lot of politics, accusing people of witchcraft for personal gain. But could there be real playing around with dark forces? With the stuff I've witnessed, which I've never sought, I'll never rule out the possibility. And honestly, I personally think it's foolish to do so. 

Many years ago my aunt who practices Wicca and calls herself a white witch, brought my Grandma, another aunt, my Mom, and I to a witchcraft store in Salt Lake Valley. My aunt said she was taking us to a geology rock store, but didn't tell us what the store really was.

In one room there was a cafe and people doing tarot cards at tables. I didn't notice this fact, my Mom told me later along with my other aunt who verified. As observant as I am, I saw the people, but didn't see what they were doing. Honestly, I was being protected. There was a full wall of apothecary items in jars. Books on the subject, spells and other whatnots. I walked past the ouija board and didn't see it, that is until I was on the other side of the room near the check out as my aunt who took us there was buying something.

Many years before in High School at church girls camp, I met this girl who told me a story, relating an experience where her friends were playing ouija, but everytime she entered the room the board wouldn't work, so she wasn't allowed to be there.

When I noticed this board at the store, next to the entrance, there was a mother and daughter using it. The daughter was finished and it was the mothers turn, which is when I started watching. Everytime I watched it wouldn't move, and this mother was getting frustrated. When I looked at my family, away from the board, the pointer thing moved, then when I looked back it stopped. This happened several times until the mother exclaimed, "Why did it work for you? It's not working!" And they left.

Was there anything to all that? Was I the reason that board wasn't working? Is it just fun and games? Or is there something else at work? Something sinister?

About a decade ago my Dad got me this book on energy psychology, all about being happy, as a way to help me with my depression. He heard the author interviewed on Coast to Coast.  The book actually did help. There was this grounding breathing technique that did wonders. So I ordered another one of his books off Amazon. It was all about helping with moods and stuff while doing these tapping movements on the body. I got the book, had it in my car, and then it disappeared from my car when I got home. Looked everywhere, the book was nowhere to be found. Never made it inside the house, and never saw it again. I took the book out of the packaging, looked at it, and never saw it again. I don't lose books. I'm very careful with them. 

But then, a while later, I was watching magicians on You Tube. This one guy did freaky things, but this time he was simply having a few people stand next to eachother, eyes closed. He would touch one person and asked another person where they felt it, and the second person felt where the first person was touched. Meanwhile I noticed the magician was doing a tapping pattern on these people, and in the middle of the act he casually said it was black magic. I froze then, thinking of the book that disappeared, wondering if those body tapping techniques in that book was tied to black magic. Suddenly I was glad the book disappeared and I never got the chance to open it.

I got other little stories, but I personally think there are forces in this universe beyond sight. And I do believe there is a light and a dark.

Watching my Grandpa R do pendulum readings while visiting him made me realize how it was a replacement for prayer. Wanting to know what to do and what might happen is a replacement for faith. I realized while in my young 20's that I would always put the priesthood and the gift of the Holy Ghost first. I would rely on promptings and prayer. Satan has his imitation priesthood, and I want nothing to do with it. Is there a gray area in between? That I don't know. I'm relying on faith.

Sarah

I Turned Antique Coins Pink!!!

I feel so foolish!!!

So, I've been getting into board games. And one of the fun things to do with board games is bling them up. Metal coins. Wooden meeple upgrades. Stickers. 3D printed assets or figures. Etc. Etc. Etc. So many possibilities.

Many months ago, as in before the end of last year... :\ ... I got Obsession. A game about Victorian romance. I haven't learned how to play it, but so many people online rave how fun it is. On Board Game Geek the game has an 8.3 rating. That's REALLY high

 

So, before even learning how to play with it I thought it would be nice to upgrade to metal coins. Well, no gaming coins fit, and the set many people buy for this game was sold out. If gaming coins can't be found, why not use authentic British coins instead? Onto Ebay I went, and found pences and shillings. Why not?

The problem with old coins is that they're dirty and smell. Why not clean them?!! (Which all coin collectors shudder at, because that diminishes their value). I found a vinegar and salt technique. The instructions said not to use a glass bowl, as plastic is better. What did I do? Use a glass bowl. And then left the coins in the solution for nearly an hour!!!

They turned pink!!!!!  The sides pressed against the glass were the most pink!!!! I ruined antique coins. Some of theses coins lived through WWII. They survived a World War, amongst other things, and in 2022 I turned them pink! How pathetic is that??!! 

That just made me really depressed, for months, until I watched a Chateau Dairies episode on YT where a jar of three pence coins were found, which are the coins I turned pink.  So I went to Ebay and bought another set.

And I vow never to clean these. Let them be.

Though check out how clean and shiny this 1944 coin is! So pretty.

Oh the stories these coins can tell.

Sarah :0)

(I really need to learn how to play that game... :\ )

(Heh, I honestly have a lot of games I need to learn how to play... ehhhh..... but my shelf of shame is really pretty. Though the games I have sat down to learn have been fun.)

Trying a Japanese Raindrop Cake

Several months ago my Dad got my Mom and I a combined birthday gift: A year getting Bokksu boxes. A Japanese snack box.  We share them, and a lot of snacks come in pairs so they're easy to split. Our first box was the April Sakura box, which was so much fun. And each box that has followed have had a variety of really nice snacks, both sweet and savory.  

When starting I thought the sweet snacks would go first, but it's been the savory snacks! The black sesame snacks are so good, as are miso snacks. Suddenly my mind is forgetting flavor terminologies! The fishy snacks haven't been so good, apart from those Osaka octopus snacks which are delicious.

The latest box has a Raindrop Mochi Cake. According to the description these snacks have become very popular.  Honestly, I hadn't a clue what to expect.

The mochi cake really does look like a raindrop!! Looking like water.

The mochi jelly was sweet. And when putting on the soybean powder or the syrup the taste... I haven't a clue how to describe it. Sweetly soyish. There's a reason I'm not a food commentator. Eating this snack was fun. I liked picking it up with a fork and making it jiggle. The taste wasn't one of my favorites, but it was still really nice trying such a unique snack.

Have a great day!! :D

Sarah

(Japan, I miss you!)

My DNA Changes Again!! 0_0 ... :P, just another Ancestry Update

Another Ancestry Update = Another Existential Crises. :P

Heh, no, it's all good and funny. I got more Scottish! Up from like 19% or so, can't remember. My English was around 30% last time, and now it's split with Germany. And I've still got 2% Welsh.

 

I'm pretty much dominant Celtic. I really need to watch documentaries on the Celtics. Watched one once, and all I gathered from it was how obsessed Celts were with black magic. Is that the reason I'm so spiritually sensitive and attacked?

 

(Actually, I have a really weird story. In my mid 20's I went to the temple to do baptisms. In my room there was a small table, and when I came home the glass top from this table was on the floor. On top of this table I displayed four fairy figures, but now these figures were spread around my room, one against a wall with another under a bookshelf, the others spread in between.  So many things on these fragile figures could have broke, but the only thing that broke, on all the figures, were the wings. No one in my family did it, and I trust them. My Dad is a miracle worker with super glue and fixed them. This experience always freaked me out, but I put it in the back of my mind... until doing research on Celtic Fairy tales for the podcast last year, and after listening to a book on the subject, and realizing how connected those old Celt beliefs were tied to black magic, I thought of my broken fairies, and how only the wings broke, scattered beyond physics from one end of my room to another. Something out there was mad at me for going to the temple and wanted to scare me. I'm stronger than that. I got rid of that table many years later when, late at night, a crystal was knocked off. I heard shuffling around my room, which stopped when I turned on the light and picked up the crystal. I wasn't paralyzed, so it wasn't sleep paralysis.  Yup... fun stuff. Is it any wonder I sleep with a night light!!?)

Back to DNA! 

This update seems more trustworthy than the last. My Mom got her Scottish back! A whole 9%. She's 7% Welsh, and now has German at 10%, which is completely new. Her English went down.

It seems that some of the previous English percentages contained German, that are now easier to detect.

 

A newer feature is the parental breakdown of inherited DNA. In the pie chart it says Parent 1 and Parent 2, but since my parents DNA has been done I can figure who each parent is, and assigned them as such.

 

My Dad is 56% English, which was a huge surprise.

 

Anywho, I'm still going through all the results.

Fun stuff. :D

 

 

 Sarah