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Caption Competition #6

March 18, 2010 by rickety 8 Comments

Sarah behind bars

Sarah behind bars at The Aquarium at Moody Gardens

I took this photograph in March at The Aquarium at Moody Gardens on Galveston Island, Texas. Amidst all the fish tanks and displays was this cage so my daughter Sarah agreed to create my next caption. This picture will be easier to write a caption for than the last competition so go ahead and stun us with your creativity and wit.

Rachel holding NASA chocolate

Rachel holding NASA chocolate bars

The first prize (Kaysville and environs only) is a Johnson Space Center 3oz almond milk chocolate bar. The motto “Failure is not an option” is printed on the wrapper along with the famous NASA logo. Second prize is a smaller milk chocolate bar with the image of the space shuttle blasting off into space. A sight that you now will only see on chocolate bars and old newsreels.

For the judging I will ask my readers to vote on one or more of the captions written for this Caption Competition #6. Those writing captions can also vote. And yes, you can vote for your own caption though all the world will know you absolutely have zero social skills.

Even if you are not local we will be totally spaced out to hear from you. However, we cannot mail prizes because importing this space age chocolate from Texas brought our budget crashing to earth.
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Filed Under: Competition, Sarah Tagged With: Chocolate, Nasa

Caption Competition #5

February 27, 2010 by rickety 10 Comments

Spring Break

Paul occupies himself during spring break

This photograph was taken during Spring Break of March 2004. My son Paul is the one that appears to be holding up one gigantic rock. It will be interesting to read the captions you come up with because I can’t think of any right now.

Rachel eating Turkish Delight

Rachel eating Turkish Delight

The first prize (Kaysville and environs only) is a 51 gram Fry’s Turkish Delight bar. Turkish Delight is the addictive confection to which Edmund Pevensie succumbs in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis. Sales of Turkish Delight rose following the theatrical release of the film version of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. This is your chance to find out what Turkish Delight tastes like and if it is really addictive.

Rachel agreed to model the Turkish Delight. After eating one bar she wanted to also eat the bar that has been reserved for first prize. Perhaps these Turkish Delights are addictive after all. Well now, write a caption at your own risk.

The judging of this latest competition passes from Judge Jill to Judge Jake. I expect we will run the competition for two weeks. Even if you are not local we will still be delighted to hear from you. However, we cannot mail prizes because there is no money left in the budget. Turkish Delights don’t come cheap you know.

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Filed Under: Competition, Paul Tagged With: Turkish Delight

Caption Competition #3

January 24, 2010 by rickety 13 Comments

Steven and Adelaide eating corn
There are a lot of possibilities for funny captions whenever there is a photograph of Steven. Here Steven is at his parents’ home for Sunday dinner with his wife Adelaide. Submit your captions and I will update this post with the winning lines.

Jill holding sweetearts

First prize are Sweetheart Cookies, beautiful model not included

The first prize (Kaysville and environs only) was going to be a big bar of Hershey’s chocolate. But that got ate. Jill came up with a one pound bag of Stauffer’s Sweethearts Cookies as the prize. Just in time for Valentines Day.

Caption Competition #2 Winners

As judges, mine and Jill’s captions were excluded from the competiton. Thank you all for the funny captions.

The first place winner, Ken, I do believe is not local so the prize passes to the second place caption. However, Derek, who lives in Texas is not local either so the prize goes to the third place entry. And Darrell is definitely local — he lives in the same ward as I do.

First — “Grandad, I don’t want to frighten you but there’s a Giant Shredded Wheat right behind you.” Ken
Second — “You stole the Thin Mints?!” Derek
Third — “Grandpa, I can’t believe how bad our outfits clash!” Darrell
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Filed Under: Adelaide, Competition, Steven

Four Simple Ideas For Keeping A Daily Journal

January 15, 2010 by jake 4 Comments

Jake with JournalThough I keep a journal now, it has not always been a part of my life. I always thought of journal writing as something that is done for my children, or grandchildren. Planning on writing for these future generations, I systematically rationalized myself out of writing in my journal thinking that the events in my life were too trivial to write to about.

My journal consisted of an entry once every few months, but sometimes going years between writing. One day on my mission I read an old Ensign article about the anniversary of Wilford Woodruff’s birth. President Woodruff is known in part for his journal writing, so there were several quotes in the article about journals. One impacted me deeply, encouraging children to start keeping journals early in their lives. He said:

“If my young friends will begin to do this and continue it, it will be of far more worth than gold to them in a future day.” (Journals: “Of Far More Worth than Gold”, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff, 132)

Knowing gold to be of great value, I knew that to truly be rich in my life I must keep a journal.

Even though I felt then that I must keep a daily journal, it took almost a year to be able to get into the habit. Earlier attempts to write in my journal daily always failed — usually ending up with me becoming discouraged. The rule that enabled me to keep a journal is this: Keep it Simple. Every time I didn’t want to write in my journal it was usually because I would write too much, or I thought too deeply, or I thought nothing of importance had happened that day.

The Solution?

These four ideas will enable you to keep a daily journal:

  1. Keep it short and simple.
    Two or three sentences is a good journal entry. Write more when you feel the need. Also, don’t feel daunted by playing catch up on your entire life between entires — just fill in the details when the background is needed.
  2. Write what you did each day.
    Things that are common I usually mention in a single sentence: “School, work, watched a movie with my family.”
  3. Write what you feel.
    I often also offer any feelings I might have about my life, the events that transpired that day, and especially gratitude for blessings received.
  4. Make the choice.
    About I year ago I decided I would always write something — even if I got home late or thought I didn’t have anything to say. I often found I had more to say once I started writing.

Even with short entries, I have already noticed the value of my journal. Often at nights after writing I will flip back through the entries investigating how I came to feel as I did. I can easily recognize what I did before to resolve it. Especially, I have seen the strength I have received from following other gospel principles such as when I made an extra effort to go to the temple, or a day that I was especially grateful for other people in my life. Reading my journal revives the feelings felt that day, and offers me great wisdom in how to handle the events currently transcribing in my life.

Keeping a short journal makes it easy to start a daily habit of writing. Even with simple entries, insights into past events allows you to see progress and receive strength. In a year of writing, my journals are already “worth more than gold.”

Filed Under: Jake Tagged With: Journal

New Home In Layton

December 2, 2009 by rickety 3 Comments

Steven, Adelaide and Aurora's new home.

Steven, Adelaide and Aurora's new home.

If you are a friend of Steven and wonder why he has not been online much in the last two days here is the explanation. Steven and Adelaide have purchased a home in Layton. Jill and I helped them move in today a few hours after closing. Two of Steven’s brothers and two of his cousins were also heavily involved in the move. To unload the refrigerator two of Steven’s friends kindly assisted.

Steven and Adelaide are very deserving home owners having worked and saved hard for this day. We are all very happy for them.
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Filed Under: Adelaide, Steven Tagged With: Home

Steven Celebrates Birthday At Lone Star

November 12, 2009 by rickety 1 Comment

In November Steven celebrated his birthday with a meal at the Layton Lone Star Steakhouse. Well big deal y’all may be thinking. But for us it was a chance to get together, take some photographs, and eat some great food. Steven loves steak so he came to the right place. For family and friends who weren’t there, here are a few photographs.

Jill and I were taking the photographs so we were out of the picture. Click on the images for greater resolution.

Steven with his Lone Star provided birthday cake.

Steven with his Lone Star provided birthday cake.

Steven's wife Adelaide and daughter Aurora.

Steven's wife Adelaide and daughter Aurora.

Aurora was happy to be there.

Aurora was happy to be there.

Steven's brother Paul.

Steven's brother Paul waiting for his food.

Steven's brother Jake and Rachel.

Steven's brother Jake and Rachel.

Sarah, Steven’s sister, is in Texas where the real steak is. Steven’s brother Daniel is in Mongolia eating goat stomach.
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Filed Under: Steven Tagged With: Birthday

Jake Skydives in Ogden

August 22, 2009 by jake 7 Comments

My son Jake called us today from the Ogden Skydiving Center. He said come quickly to watch him skydive. We arrived as his plane was taking off. Here is his account.


Jake tandem skydiving over Ogden

Jake tandem skydiving over Ogden

Invitation To Skydive

Matt Hall invited me earlier this week to go skydiving, it is one of those things I have always wanted to do in my life so I answered “Yes” without hesitation. After thinking I added, “If my grades are good enough to keep my scholarship.” Matt picked me up and we arrived and we signed up with the group. In order to fly I had to sign a liability contract, initialing every paragraph and also writing a statement saying I understood that I might be seriously injured or even die. The instructor gave the first time jumpers a few tips: crouch by the door and don’t hold on to anything; put your head slightly back and let the instructor jump; after leaving the plane make sure you arch by pushing your hips forward and bending your legs back; when landing hold your legs out in front so you can glide to a stop.

Why Am I Doing This?

Skydive Ogden plane.

Matt and I got assigned to the last of four plane rides, so I was able to see a few jumps before I went up. My jump buddy suited me up and we were the first into the plane. The plane took off and circled along the mountains climbing to about 11,500 feet. When over the airport once again, they opened the plane and the first few people dived out of the plane. That is probably the only time I thought, “I am crazy, why am I doing this?” But it quickly passed.

The other jumpers jumped rather quickly and without incident. When my time came I did as I was instructed and we did three flips out of the plane and then stabilized. My jump buddy showed my how to steer as we were free falling, and steering around I enjoyed the view and the feeling. It was just about the same as flying in a plane except there is no plane and the ground gets big really fast.

It Was A Blast

The instructor pulled the ripcord and we quickly jerked to a slow fall. After a few seconds he gave me the ropes and showed me how to control the chute. It was a blast going left then right and diving — I could even feel some G’s as I make the chute turn as tight as possible. Once we got closer to the ground the instructor took the ropes and glided us in close. There were already two people on the landing grass, so my instructor yelled, “Look out!” and glided us between the two. We quickly vacated the grass so people behind could land.

Flying around thousands of feet in the air is a blast! I hope to be able to do it again soon.


Paul, Jake's brother, waiting by the hangar.

Paul, Jake’s brother, waiting by the hangar.

Jake's skydiving plane takes off.

Jake and Matt’s skydiving plane takes off.

Skydiving photographer comes in first to land.

One of the skydiving photographers comes in first to land.

Jake near the end of his first skydive.

Jake near the end of his first skydive.

Jake lands from his skydive.

Jake lands from his skydive.

Matt and Jake receive skydiving certificates.

Matt and Jake receive skydiving certificates.

Rickety signature

Filed Under: Fun in Utah, Jake, Recreation Tagged With: Ogden, Skydiving, Utah

Green Jell-O Filled Orange Wedges

June 19, 2009 by rickety 3 Comments

Green Jell-O filled orange wedges

Green Jell-O filled orange wedges

When Paul is not making arc-welders from microwaves he can be seen preparing treats for the Young Single Adult Ward Barbecue. His treat of choice is Jello-O jigglers. At the last YSA party Paul put bacon in his Jell-O jigglers. Fortunately for about everyone concerned Paul is out of bacon and so instead he is making Jell-O filled orange wedges. He got the idea from instructables. The blog Traditionally Modern Designs also likes Orange Jello Slices. They are easy to make:

  1. Cut the oranges in half and clean out the guts.
  2. Place the empty orange halves in 12oz. paper cups.
  3. Fill orange halves with Jell-O and refrigerate (use green Jell-O if you live in Utah).
  4. Place oranges face down and cut in half. Serve on a pretty tray.

Jell-O is the official state snack food of Utah and apparently Utahns have the highest per capita consumption of Jell-O in the world.


Using a gutted orange as a green Jell-O mold

Using gutted oranges as green Jell-O molds

Turn the orange on its face to cut in two

Turn the orange on its “Jell-O face” to cut in two

Closeup of the green Jell-O filled orange wedges

Closeup of the green Jell-O filled orange wedges

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Filed Under: Food, Paul Tagged With: Jell-O, Oranges, YSA

Past Pictures: Daniel Campaigns for Student Body Officer

March 31, 2009 by rickety Leave a Comment


Vote Dan Willoughby poster on a wall of Davis High School

Dan’s poster on a wall of Davis High School

Today in the Past Pictures series I also have moving pictures. In 2007 Daniel ran for Student Body Officer at Davis High School. This is his campaign video which was a big factor in his being elected. If you do not see the video in your feed reader, try here. The inside of Davis High was awash in campaign posters (3.4 Mb image). Dan’s poster is on the railing, 16th from the left.

Elected with Daniel was Danny Anderson, Alex Gerrish, Steve Pitcher, Jon Rose, Mitch Steed, and Cam Turnbow. Notice that these are all young men. The theory goes that the Sophomore girls are the major voting block and so one should produce your campaign video to appeal to them. You also might want a great campaign manager like Daniel had in his older brother Paul.

.

Previous Past Pictures

Past Pictures: Who’s The Dame?
Past Pictures: Hill Aerospace Museum
Past Pictures: Temple Site
Past Pictures: A Double Blessing
Past Pictures: My Parents
Past Pictures: Richard At Eight
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Filed Under: Daniel, Past Pictures

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Who is this Rickety?

Rick at homeI'm Rick Willoughby. I live in Utah, a retired Software Engineer. I'm a Mormon, married with 5 children and 12 grandchildren.

I emigrated from England in my late twenties, bringing with me one small suitcase and a few dollars. I appreciate the opportunities America has given me and the friendliness of the people to new citizens.

I blog about my family as well as politics, religion, finance, technology, and other topics.

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