Friday, April 20, 2012

     Once upon a time I told some of my grandkids a folktale that included some Water Buffalo leaving their droppings in holes in the road so people wouldn't trip in them. It's just a sweet little tale that brings on the giggles. Yesterday those same grandkids went for a walk with their momma. Along the way Hadley observed there were a lot of horse droppings in the road. To which her little sister, Madison, declared, "I put those there so you wouldn't step in the holes!"
     Okay, as a grandma I obviously love this exchange. Why? They remember the story, thus they remember me. (That's always good.) Plus, what began as a folktale will now evolve into a family story. It will be one of the oft-told tales that brings smiles to faces for years to come.
       
     That's why I tell, teach, preach, and demonstrate story.

     I love the organic way story swirls and weaves around us. In my mind the demarcation between folktale and family lore is fuzzy at best. We learn, remember, cherish, and reflect best through story. We honor the past and inspire the future through story. Recent studies have even identified that metaphor embeds more deeply into the memory center of our brain than simple data.
   
     That's why I tell, teach, preach, and demonstrate story.

     Last week I was blessed to spend some time with some Family Historians. They've dedicated their existence to researching and documenting the lives of the past. Their pride in their heritage and yearning for others to share their passion is palpable. Yet, I saw pain in their eyes. Somewhere along the way the story of the research has overshadowed the story of the people. What we were able to discuss and understand together is the simple fact that focusing on the stories of the people they have researched will embed the memories of those loved ones deeper than all the historical data they find. The dates are important because they bookmark significant stories from real life. But the stories are what make the dates important.
   
     That's why I tell, teach, preach, and demonstrate story.

     So, I have a challenge for you.

Simply making memories with Oobleck!
     Go through the day with story seeking eyes. Recognize those little moments that swirl around you are the stuff story and memory and family history are made of. Observe it, reflect on it, record it, and celebrate it.

     In other words - Cherish the memories!


Tuesday, April 03, 2012

Titanic Teas

Titanic - simply say the word and the mind conjures up countless thoughts and images.

So much was learned from this epic disaster. My grandma was ten years old when it happened. You wouldn't think a  little girl in Magna, Utah would even remember such a thing, but she clearly remembered the News Boys on the corner selling the Extras that proclaimed the news of the calamity. "It changed everything," she'd say, "We all looked at the world differently."

The Stillwater Est. 1997 recognizes that the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic merits some form of commemoration and reflection. Step into this 1898 home and you're instantly transported to a different time and life style. The Stillwater provides the perfect backdrop for these customized evenings of historical reflection.

I am delighted to be a part of this 1st Class experience at the historic Stillwater. I'll be sharing some inspiring stories and insights from survivors of the Titanic disaster while the Stillwater offers up the ambiance and some tasty morsels from the menu of the Titanic.

Revisit history while creating your own unique memories today!

Check out this news story about the Titanic Teas: http://www.localnews8.com/news/30822173/detail.html

Book a Titanic Tea with the ones you love by calling:
208-200-4473.
Miss Tonia will be happy to accept your reservations.