Exemplary Behavior

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How many times have we let others  rule our emotions? Do we allow it to happen often?

In an October 2006 Conference talk, And Nothing Shall Offend Them, Elder David A. Bednar commented:

"When we believe or say we have been offended, we usually mean we feel insulted, mistreated, snubbed, or disrespected. And certainly clumsy, embarrassing, unprincipled, and mean-spirited things do occur in our interactions with other people that would allow us to take offense. However, it ultimately is impossible for another person to offend you or to offend me. Indeed, believing that another person offended us is fundamentally false. To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else.

"In the grand division of all of God’s creations, there are things to act and things to be acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:13–14). As sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, we have been blessed with the gift of moral agency, the capacity for independent action and choice. Endowed with agency, you and I are agents, and we primarily are to act and not just be acted upon. To believe that someone or something can make us feel offended, angry, hurt, or bitter diminishes our moral agency and transforms us into objects to be acted upon. As agents, however, you and I have the power to act and to choose how we will respond to an offensive or hurtful situation."

It took me a long time and all the strength that I had to figure this out for myself. The desire to talk back or give an insult for an insult is too strong. To let go of the 'natural man' in us takes courage, determination and a strong desire to become a better person for yourself, your loved ones and especially the Lord.

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Fun Times

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Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live

Anonymous

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A few weeks ago we spent a week in Alaska, as part of a cruise. In one of our excursions our guide gave us some advice that I'd like to share with you here.

Advice from an Alaskan Bear

Live Large

When Life Gets Hairy, Grin and Bear It

Live with the Seasons

Take Good Long Naps, and

Always Look After Your Honey.

It's so simple, to just smile when things don't go your way, enjoy the moments each season brings, take care of your body and take care of your partner. It's a straight forward philosophy.

What are your thoughts on the matter? Agree or disagree?

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Sticking It Out

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Sometimes something (anything) will bring up to mind a well of memories and emotions. It could be a smell, a sight or sound. In the following story, Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve is reminiscing about an outing with his young son, when they went to a baseball game. Years later, Elder Perry’s son gifted him with a signed bat. This story is taken from Making Memories, printed in the Ensign, August 1993:

"We arrived home at 2:30 A.M. I wasn’t at my best in the meetings the following day, but I had a lasting memory to cherish. Now a piece of wood, a baseball bat, stands in the corner of my office to remind me of a father-son relationship filled with so many great memories.

"I remember taking a little child from his mother’s arms and carrying him to the front of the congregation of Saints and there giving him a name and a father’s blessing. …. I remember how important it was on his eighth birthday when I could take him into the waters of baptism and then bring him out, again exercising the priesthood, allowing me to confirm him a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Four years later came another memory, for then I was serving as a member of the bishopric, and I was empowered to use my priesthood to place my hands on his head and confer the Aaronic Priesthood upon him and ordain him to the office of a deacon.

"So it went, on through the priesthood offices of teacher and priest. He reached the great age of nineteen, and now I found myself holding the office of a stake president. I was now able to assign myself to confer the Melchizedek Priesthood upon my son and ordain him to the office of an elder. Then came the thrill of setting him apart as a full-time missionary and sending him off to Japan to serve the Lord.

"Shortly after he returned from a successful mission, I was called to be a General Authority. With that call, the sealing power was conferred, and some five years later my son and a beautiful young lady were kneeling before me in the holy temple, and I was sealing them together as husband and wife for time and for all eternity.

"It doesn’t stop there. The two of them were soon on their way east to New Haven, Connecticut, to attend school. One night I received a telephone call from my son. He said, 'Dad, how fast can you make it to New Haven?' I asked him what the problem was. He said, 'No problem. I’m being called into the bishopric on Sunday, and I want you to ordain me to the office of high priest.' So I went to New Haven to make another unique memory.

"A few years later I returned from a stake conference assignment and received another telephone call. My son told me, 'Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has just called me to be a stake president. He knows our history. He said he would not dare put his hands on my head to set me apart to the new office. Can you drive to Provo and set me apart?' What great memories of a father-son relationship this piece of wood holds for me!”

Memories are worth making and having. We should spend our time making lasting memories. We wish you a good time with your family on this Memorial Day.

As always we welcome your comments.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday 30 May, click here.

About Mothers

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We’re coming up on that all important day of the year: Mother’s Day. The day that if you don’t remember, you’re certainly in big trouble.

I’d like to share something that President Thomas S. Monson (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint) said in his talk Behold Thy Mother. He mentioned four different mothers:

1-      “‘Mother forgotten’ is observed all too frequently. The nursing homes are crowded, the hospital beds are full, the days come and go—often the weeks and months pass—but mother is not visited. Can we not appreciate the pangs of loneliness, the yearnings of mother’s heart when hour after hour, alone in her age, she gazes out the window for the loved one who does not visit, the letter the postman does not bring?

2-  Men turn from evil and yield to their better natures when mother is remembered. A famed officer from the Civil War period, Colonel Higginson, when asked to name an incident that he considered remarkable, said that there was ... a man whom everybody like, ... absolutely free of dissipations. One night at a champagne supper, when many were becoming intoxicated, someone in jest called for a toast from this young man. The man arose and declared: 'Gentlemen, I will give you a toast which you may drink as you will, but which I will drink in water. The toast is 'Our Mothers.' Instantly a strange spell seemed to come over all the tipsy men. They drank the toast in silence. The lamp of memory had begun to burn, and the name of Mother touched every man's heart.

3-  Let us turn to 'mother blessed.' For one of the most beautiful and reverent examples, I refer to the Holy Scriptures. In the New Testament of our Lord, perhaps we have no more moving account than the tender regard of the Master for the grieving widow at Nain.

4-  Finally, let us contemplate 'mother loved.' One certain way each can demostrate genuine love for mother is to live the truths mother so patiently taught. Such a lofty goal is not new to our present generation. In the times described in the Book of Mormon, we read of a brave leader named Helaman who did march in righteous battle at the head of 2,000 young men." 

I've been taken by the story of the stripling warrior mothers for a very long time. I remember reading it again and again, thinking that I wanted them to be a model to me. In fact, my son knows that if someone were to ask me what my favorite scripture in the Book of Mormon is, there's no doubt which one I'd choose.

Of course we all want to be in the last group. Do you think the Lamanite mothers just sat around and waited for their sons to grow up to be righteous men, or maybe they taught them from the time they were very young?

As always we welcome your comments.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday 2 May, click here.

Spring Planning

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Awake, thou wintry earth -
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!

~Thomas Blackburn, "An Easter Hymn"

We seem to wait for things to happen to us. For example: we wait to get married, or to start a family, or for the right opportunity to come our way. We wait for the right moment to make a proposal (of any kind).

We also can’t wait for spring to come. And this year it gives the impression that Mother Nature is holding on to spring and wants to keep Old Man Winter out a bit longer.

What are your plans for the next few weeks of enjoyment before we get the full blast of summer?

I’ve been so involved with our remodel, which is finally over by the way, that I haven’t gone outside to start any plantings yet. But I’m ready now.

There’s so much to do: weeding, turning soil over, planting, and then more weeding.

I’m also getting ready for all those beautiful spring weddings coming our way. I love to see all those young couples starting their lives together. They seem so alive and fresh, so new.

Let’s see, what else is out there? Oh yes: going to the park, getting out for a run or bicycle ride, and don’t forget the yard/garage sales where you can get great finds. And the kids start their outdoor sports again.

Spring is a great time of the year, a renewal of sorts. Let’s enjoy it while we can.

As always we welcome your comments.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Wednesday 20 April, click here.

Mourning a Loss

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For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Matthew 6:21; 3 Nephi 13:21

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I was watching the news and they showed a bit about Japan. They showed people going through the rubble among the destruction of buildings and homes and looking for things they can salvage. They clean them and itemize them, so they can eventually bring the owner and his pictures or other items together again. The gentleman that was giving the interview seemed choked up at some point, while trying to explain why he and his crew (all volunteers) are doing this.

Then they showed a refugee in another area. She’s been displaced from her home, having to leave everything behind to save her life. She said that she hopes that there would be something for her to pass on to future generations when she leaves this life.

We all experience loss at some point in our lives. Sometimes it is very close, like when we lose parents or siblings. Sometimes it is very personal, as when we lose a close friend. Sometimes it is shocking, like when we see others go through a tragedy. In any case, we as people experience mourning.

What makes some people cope better than others?

I believe that in most cases, regardless of our personal religious beliefs, the gospel of Jesus Christ will bring comfort and peace to our souls. He even promised:

                "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4

What strikes me the most about the story I mentioned above is the fact that those people interviewed were talking about things lost. Do we give more importance to the things that will perish, no matter how much we spend trying to make them permanent?

Let me give you an example: I love scrapbooking. I have been doing it for nearly 16 years now. I love the way those books I made for my kids look, showing how wonderfully I manipulated the paper and pictures to showcase a cohesive look.

However, just recently (about a year or so ago) I picked up digital scrapbooking. I learned to use Photoshop, I have a digital camera, and I can do wonders. Do you know what convinced me to make the change? The fact that the companies that sell photographic paper affirm that their paper can hold the images for close to 200 years. Who wouldn’t want that? It’s for posterity, right?

My kids tease me a lot about my pictures and ask to choose between something (whatever) and my pictures. I always pick my pictures. They know how important they are to me. They’ve never asked if I’d choose between them and the pictures.

I hope they know that my family takes priority over anything else in my life.

As always we welcome your comments.


To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Wednesday 13 April, click here.

Personal Touch

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Jean Knight Pace is a busy mother of four children. But on January 1, 2011, she challenged herself to feed her family of six on just $6 a day for the whole year. She outlined her "Rules" for budgeting, cooking, and eating and put them in writing. She also created a blog called The Tasty Cheapskate and began sharing her success, her mistakes, her lessons learned, and, best of all, her recipes. She's also challenged others to join her as fellow Tasty Cheapskates and on her blog you'll find their ideas too. Jean Knight Pace holds a BA in music and an MFA in creative writing from Colorado State University. Jean, her husband, and 4 kids--ages 8,6,3, and 1 live in southern Indiana.

Web: http://tastycheapskate.blogspot.com/

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With all the feelings involved in troubled marriages, there's consolation to know that we have direction from our Church leaders. Here's a Mormon Message entitled 'Marriage and Divorce.'

 As always, we welcome your comments.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 21 March, please click here.  

Inspiration

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I liked this so much I thought I’d share it here with all of you. Justine, at Segullah posted it. It's cute:

THE DODGE

-I comes into the bedroom crying.

-I: “-J hit me!”

Justine: “Why’d she hit you?”

-I: “Just because I wouldn’t answer her question! I wouldn’t answer her so she whacked me! It’s not fair! She needs a punishment, right?”

Justine: “So, what’s -J going to say if we ask her?”

-I: “I don’t know. I just wouldn’t answer her mean, nasty question, so she hit me!”

Justine: “What did -J ask you?”

Long pause.

Justine: “-I, what did -J ask you?”

-I: “Well, she asked me why I spit at her.”



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Trials and Blessings

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Long before this mortal existence, when we were just spirit, we made the choice to come to Earth and receive the blessing of a body of flesh and bones. We knew what that decision entailed: good times and not so good times. We knew that we were going to go through the whole gamut of human experience. We also knew that there was going to be hope, and that our brother, the Only Begotten of the Father would come to rescue us. We may forget at times, when we go through a hardship, but it’s good to be reminded of His love.

Please enjoy this video from Mormon Messages, about the Atonement of Jesus Christ.



To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Wednesday, 26 January, please click  here.

Personal Touch

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This month Personal Touch celebrates Christmas with a special series on the Life and Miracles of Jesus Christ. To gain a deeper understanding of the miracle of the Savior's birth, we begin with an interview with gospel scholar Paul Thomas Smith. Paul wrote the text in the new book, This Is The Christ: Art by Carl Heinrich Bloch. Within its pages, readers see the Danish artist's masterpieces depicting the life of Christ and find Smith's explanations of the events, their history, and scriptural background. This Is The Christ coincides with Brigham Young University's Museum of Art exhibit of Bloch's artwork, The Master's Hand, which runs through May 7, 2011. Paul Thomas Smith has taught for the Church Educational System and served on the Institute curriculum writing committee; he was also a faculty member at the Joseph Smith Academy at Nauvoo, Illinois, and arranged for tours to Church historic sites in seven states. A charter member of the Florida Mission, he has served on several Church writing committees and in various callings. He and his wife, Gail, currently serve as ordinance workers at the Bountiful Utah Temple. Paul is a service missionary for the Historic Sites Division of the Historical Department, is a docent for the Museum of Church History, and records for the Utah State Library for the Blind.

Web: http://moa.byu.edu/index.php?id=1809

 

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We all know of Santa Claus and that he brings presents to children on Christmas. No matter how you feel about his involvement with the holiday, he’s here to stay, and he’s been a staple for a very long time. Let me share his story with you today.


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 Nicholas lived in a village in a country that today is Turkey. He was the son of a wealthy family, and became a monk at a young age. One of the stories told of him says: “In the not too distant city of Myra, the Bishop of the church passed away. As the authorities of the church assembled to consider his replacement, Nicholas was there. The man considered wisest amongst the authorities had a dream and was visited by a heavenly messenger. He inquired of the angel "Who should the new Bishop be?" The angel said that if the gathered authorities would just wait by the door of the church they should select the first person named Nicholas to walk through the doors. The church authorities had their answer, and Nicholas had his miracle and was named the youngest bishop of the church ever on record.”
 

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 As a bishop, he continued to help others, and was known for defending those who could not defend themselves.
During the Middle Ages, life was hard and dreary, so people tried to mitigate their existence by celebrating with feast days named after popular saints. The word holiday comes from holy day, which were days set aside by the Catholic church to honor their saints. With time, the feasts came to be a combination of secular and religious activities.


One story is worth mentioning: there was a father with three daughters. They were so poor that he couldn’t afford a dowry for any of them. In the middle of the night, Nicholas came to their help and left a small bag of gold coins (some people say through an open window, others down a chimney). In any case, he did it three times for each one of the girls.

Nicholas died in 342 AD. He was very popular for his acts of kindness, was canonized and became the patron saint of children.



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From those times, Saint Nicholas, “SaintNiclaus”, Santa Claus, was seen as a fatherly figure dressed in bishop’s clothes. It wasn’t until the late 19th or early 20th century that he was transformed into the jolly old elf that we all know now.

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Some of us can bring up the fact that Santa is part of a very commercial holiday. Some of us can say that it’s fun for the kids. I like the story that depicts Santa kneeling in front of the baby Jesus. I think that brings it more into perspective. Yes, we can go out and buy presents, in moderation, since baby Jesus was given presents, and we all love to show our appreciation for others. But shouldn’t we hold in our hearts the spirit of giving throughout the year?

I’ll leave you with the quote from Dickens: “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”

Sources here, here and here.

To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 6 December, please click here.

Personal Touch

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In our Personal Touch with Rebecca Cressman segment, she interviews Daniel Bishop, the Storyteller who loves stories of all kinds. Whether he's spooking campers around a fire, spinning a yarn of the high seas, telling a tale of magic or mayhem, or expounding on a story of self discovery, he's always expressing his passion for the oldest of all entertainments- the story. Daniel shares this passion around the region at festivals, schools, resorts, libraries, private residences, and more. Using only voice and gesture, Daniel draws upon his training in theatre at Utah State University to captivate the imagination. Daniel lives in the beautiful Bear Lake Valley where he enjoys telling stories to his wife and two children, who are his biggest fans. If you are interested, visit his website at http://www.danielbishopthestoryteller.com/fairytalesandfolklore.html



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 Rachelle Christensen wrote her article “Halloween: Celebrating the Fun in This Holiday.” She tells us that she loves all the activities this time of year brings, not just the scary and spooky. In her words: “When I think of Halloween, the first images that come to my mind are not goblins, witches, and spooks. Instead I think of hayrides, frosted pumpkin cookies, and beautiful fall leaves.” She blogs at Rachelle’s Writing Spot.



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 In the same line of thought, we have an article written by Jennie at Segullah, where she talks about all the candy you can get at Halloween time in her article C(12) H(22) O(11). There are different schools of thought (apparently) about how to handle all the candy that your children get. Some parents let them keep all that they get; others have a different approach.  I’ve heard a mom say that she lets her children eat all they can that night, and the rest she confiscates and throws away. At my house we go through all the candy they get, and I end up with what they don’t like, you know, the ‘bottom feeders of the candy world: Tootsie Rolls,’ in Jennie’s words.

Here’s a craft that you can make over and over, using the same concept for different holidays. It comes from The Idea Room, contributed by Amy. All you need is a glass brick, a picture printed on vellum, and a string of lights. However, if you had one of those digital cutting machines, you can cut a similar shape out of vinyl and stick it on the glass.


To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 25 October, please click here.

Fruitful Parables

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Definition of PARABLE:

specifically : a usually short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude or a religious principle

(from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary)





Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen, author of Trapped, blogs at the website of the same name. Ronda wrote her article “The Parable of the Strawberry,” and mentions life in a farm. She talks of hay, farm animals and strawberries, and shares with us her insights on something seemingly as simple as goats and strawberries. It’s a good story, take time to read it.

At Segullah, contributor Catherine A. wrote her article “Parable of the Grape Tree.” She tells us how her children found the ‘grape tree’ in their backyard, and then she ponders about the things that we neglect in our hurry to get on with our busy lives. Do we do things the same way? Do we neglect the important things to take care of the immediate?

Mormon Foodie John Newman shares with us a recipe his mom used to make: “No-Cook Peach Pie.” It’s very easy to make, just follow the instructions. Enjoy it with family or friends, or make it for a new neighbor.


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To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Wednesday, 13 October, please click here.

Personal Touch

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 “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30)

In our Personal Touch with Rebecca Cressman segment, she interviews M. Kirk Dougher, who is a clinical professor of counseling psychology and the director of the Counseling and Career Center at Brigham Young University. He helps clients change their behavior specializing in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy which guides people to better understand how addictive, anxious, depressive, or stressful thoughts influence our actions and how our thoughts, images, emotions, and memories can be perceived as what they are, not what they appear to be. Dr. Dougher has appeared on many episodes of BYU TV’s Living Essentials program educating the audience on the principles of mindfulness, self-awareness, and committed change to develop healthy thinking and behavior. Kirk Dougher and his family live in Utah County.

At ‘Mormon Doc’, Kevin Gardner, MD, has written for us his article “Depression and the Gospel.” In it, he first gives us clues on how to identify depression, then goes on to tell us the different kinds of depression there are, and how it can be treated. It’s an in-depth article, but it doesn’t drag and it gives hope, which is so important with this subject. Do you suffer from depression, or know someone who does? Is it hard to see them suffer while they go through life, trying to deal with it? If you do, give hope, offer prayer, and just love them.

One type of depression is what’s called Post Partum Depression (PPD), and it has given plenty of incentive for talks, and a lot of women from celebrities to regular folk have taken sides about it. There’s an article at ‘Segullah.com’ that was written by Laura Hilton Craner, it’s called “That Girl.” Ms. Craner talks about how she looks like the one that sits behind you in church. She says: “You know, the one with three kids who usually wears a jean skirt and button-down shirt that sits behind you in Relief Society. I also take a little white pill every morning to keep the crazies at bay.” She goes on to mention that a few months after she got married, she and her husband decided to get pregnant. She tells us that she spent a lot of time in bed during her pregnancy, and goes on to tell with detail how she felt after she had her baby. You have to read her account; it’s heartbreaking to know that she’s not alone going through this illness. It’s comforting to know that we have not only the know-how, but also the technology to make the medications needed to balance this illness.

From an address delivered at Brigham Young University in 1982, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave this talk “For Times of Trouble.” He is telling us about one thing that Satan uses, in Elder Holland’s own words: “I wish to discuss it because I know of nothing Satan uses so cunningly or cleverly in his work. I refer to doubt—especially self-doubt or discouragement, and of despair.” He teaches us how to defeat despair, saying: “The scriptures teach that preparation—prevention—is perhaps the major weapon in your arsenal against discouragement and defeat.” And let’s not forget that we also need courage to keep going. Read his talk, is very encouraging and full of hope.

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To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 9 August, please click here.

Personal Touch

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Today, we’re talking about adoption. I know that some of us have gone through one (my family included), and I know of the spiritual blessings that can come from receiving this temporal one.

In our Personal Touch with Rebecca Cressman segment, she interviews Tom and Stephanie Colligan. Tom and Stephanie write a blog, Tom, Stephanie and Krista, for expectant parents and anyone who wants to know how they feel about adoption. And, they share their adoption story with teens and adults in their community as board members of the West Valley Chapter of Families Supporting Adoption, a group sponsored by LDS Family Services that advocates on behalf of birth parents and adoptive families. They’ve been friends since the 7th grade. During the early years of their marriage they became frequent visitors to an infertility clinic before deciding that adoption was the best option for their family.

Our first article was written for us by Lauri Pendleton. She’s a dear friend, and decided to share her adoption experience with all of us. Lauri has three adopted children, and she tells us how she and her husband went about adopting a baby, how they connected with friends, and how they used resources available to all of us. She also has great advice: “If, during the process, the birth mother is asking for contact you do not feel comfortable with or would probably not follow through with, do not be afraid to voice your concern.”

Next, Michele H. Mirabile, a contributor to Segullah.com, shares her own experience with adoption in her article named “Full Circle.” Her point of view comes from the fact that she was the birthmother, and had to make the decision to give up her baby. Read through her heart wrenching account, especially when she says: “My bishop said: Adoption is a selfless act, one that will bless the lives of another family and allow you to go on with your own.

“My heart told me he was right, but I hated myself for being so gutless, so mortal. Though it eased my mind to ponder the joy my sacrifice would give others, I feared losing my child would rip a chasm in my soul that would never heal.”

Our last entry is from “LDS Blogs” and is entitled ‘Adoption: An Inspired Principle.’ Its author is Cindy B, and she mentions the Church’s position on adoption, as follows: “Children are entitled to be raised by parents who honor marital vows and who can provide love and support. Adoption can be a great blessing for many children who are born without this opportunity.” Having gone through the whole process, I can testify that this statement is true. We adopted our baby daughter ten years ago, and having met her birthmother, we know that our meeting was one of the tender mercies that the Lord grants unto us every once in a while.

 
To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 12 July's, please click here.
 
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Personal Touch

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In today's Personal Touch interview by Rebecca Cressman, she talks to Teresa Tuck who is the Executive Director of Friday’s Kids Respite, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening families of children with special needs. Every Friday night, hundreds of Teresa’s volunteers offer consistent, responsible, and compassionate respite care for children who are challenged with Autism, Down syndrome, brain damage, Epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy, in addition to various rare genetic conditions. Teresa Tuck has been involved in the non-profit sector for over three years. Take time to listen to this inspiring interview, it will open your eyes to what some people are doing to bring  help to parents looking for a needed respite.

Our friend, and regular contributor Barbara Salsbury, writes for us in "Three P's in a Pod" her article "Aphids and Attitudes." Barbara found the little bugs in her precious plants that she'd been nurturing for a while to transplant to her vegetable garden. Read her account of the thoughts that the experience brought to her.

The next article was written by Emily Milner for Segullah.com. The article is "Daily Bread", and it's mostly about food. I know that there are cultures that add different types of bugs into their meals,and to them, they are a delicacy. However, in my opinion, it's an acquired taste. Now, this story is a very honest tell of how this lady felt when she found a little added flavoring to her rice.

Our last entry comes from John Newman from "Confessions of a Mormon Foodie." He's giving us some ideas on "How to Store Flour." Have you tried to be obedient and decided to start your food storage, only to find that all your flour got the weevils? Well, it happened to us, and if we'd known what to do, we could have gone without replacing the whole lot like we did. Live and learn, I guess. Just read John's advice, it's good and sound.


To view a copy of the Neighborhood News for Monday, 7 June's, please click here.