Our New Bedroom. . . .

We finally finished redoing our bedroom. I don't think we would have

been been able to accomplish this without Trey's help. He helped

George move the furniture and he removed the popcorn from the

ceiling, textured and painted it. He also did all of the high ladder

work such as removing and reinstalling the ceiling fan and the high

up painting.

Rhonda was my interior designer when it came to choosing colors

and the valance for the blind. To save money, we tried to use accent

pieces we had. We also decided to not replace the blind for the sliding

patio door. Since it was pink, I worried about that, but the colors

we chose and the valance Rhonda found, tied it together beautifully.

We used lamps we already had in our bedroom. George repainted

the design with colors to match the walls. You would think that I

chose colors to match the dolls, flower arrangement, and floral

picture. I didn't. I chose the colors I wanted and they just happened

to compliment my accent pieces. I was amazed and happy at how

they blended so perfectly with each other.

Years ago, Kathy painted each of Leo's sisters a floral picture

featuring our favorite colors. Over the years, her picture has hung

in several different homes we have had and it looks nicer on this

wall than any of the others.

Rhonda brought me the beautiful Furga doll from Italy years ago.

I had always admired my siter Theresa's Furga dolls and was

delighted when she brought her to me. She didn't know I had

always wanted a Furga lady doll. We kept Brinton while she

was in Italy. It was 1984. He was just a little guy, 15 months old.

The boy and girl C & R Dolls on the dresser, were a gift from

Theresa in the early 1980s. The flower arrangement was made

by Donna Sperry who is a dear friend and was Relief Society

President when George was Bishop of the Alpine Ward. She made

it for his office. The plaques are in recognition of the hours and

service I have rendered to the Phoenix Zoo since I became a

volunteer there in 1991.

The picture above the bed is a limited edition lithograph of a

painting done by Ruby, the Phoenix Zoo's painting elephant.

It is titled "Midnight". I have had it since just after Ruby died

and had never framed it to hang. This was the perfect time.

George hand tooled the leather picture of Ruby to hang by it.

It was done from a photo taken of Ruby just after she had

completed a painting. The raised trunk was always her

signal that the painting she was working on was finished.

Dick George was the Zoo's photographer at that time. He

wrote and illustrated a book about Ruby after her death.

So, our new bedroom is decorated with things that are near

and dear to my heart and make the room seem even more

special to me. I think it all blended together in a very

attractive way.

"My Worst Nightmare Come True!". . . .

When I started my blog and chose not to make it private, I have had
nightmares that someday someone would read it and be offended by
something I said, either about them or information I posted, that
they did not deem to be correct.

Two weeks ago, that nightmare came true. I went to my mailbox early
in the morning and found a small parcel there. I thought, "Hmmm, I
am not expecting anything, I wonder what this is?"

I looked at the return address and it said it was from Roscoe Wilkes.
My heart almost stopped and I broke out in a cold sweat wondering
what my long ago District Attorney would be sending me. When I
opened it, there was a letter and a book. Knowing that I had written
about Roscoe in at least two of my blog stories, my hands were
shaking so bad I could hardly focus to read the letter. I found myself
thinking, "Oh no, could Roscoe have someway found my blog and
did I say something to offend him."

It is a very gracious, very fun, letter. Never-the-less, I could not
wait to go to my blog and read the stories that included him, and my
heart was pumping big time. I couldn't imagine saying anything that
would offend him as I had nothing but the utmost admiration for him
and he taught me so much in the few times that I was called to his
office to assist him. Still worrying, I read and reread, what I said.

Finally George said to me, "Ina, quit worrying so, the things you said,
rather than offending Roscoe, probably made him feel good." So
Roscoe, if you read this, thank you for the letter. I loved it and I love
what you said about my family. I appreciate you taking the time to
write me. Do you think maybe it is the "Teddy Bear" side of you
that did this? I was immediately transported back to those days
when I was a wide eyed young girl working at my first important job
as a secretary to County Clerk, Esther Rollins and completely in
awe of Lincoln County District Attorney, Roscoe Wilkes.

Thank you for sending me your marvelous book. I have read it,
and some of the stories more than once. It is a very delightful
read. It is a wonderful bit of history of Pioche and Lincoln
County and I now have my own personally signed copy.

And now, being a glutton for punishment, I am going to push my
luck a bit farther and and include your letter in this post. That
is because it mentions members of mine and George's families in
a most positive way and will be a fun addition to the family history
I am attempting to write.

Roscoe's book is titled :

HIGH DESERT TALES
from the Not So Wild West

The cover features a wonderful picture of Pioche's No. 1 Mine.
To all of you who grew up in and loved a small town, and those
of you who just visit or read about them, I highly recommend this
book. It is a delightful, nostalgic read.

A letter to Ina Mae and George from Roscoe Wilkes:

Hi Ina Mae and George,

Browsing the internet, I discovered your writing about growing up
in a small town and enjoyed it, as I too experienced that privilege
in Pioche. One can even enjoy towns smaller than Pioche and
Panaca in story in the enclosed book.

Yes, I am the "Teddy Bear" who made little girls quake in their
boots then. And am also a "close" friend of brother Jim (Leo) and
an admirer, classmate and friend of sister Theresa, proud to have
her as our valedictorian, an honor won fair and square.

Count me as presumptuous in sending you the book, back cover by
daughter Karen, classmate of your cousin Terry, forward by sister
Kathryn. Son in Law did the cover and niece, Mary Duffin Stasak
typed it all, she is a first rate court reporter. So, it is a family affair.
Please, George and you read the stories then favor me with your
evaluation, good or bad.

I believe Art Wimsatt is George's younger brother, am I correct?
Art was star on my 8th grade basket ball team in the late 40s. I was
a Pioche teacher. Enclosed also is an "ad" and a "news article"
hopefully to appear in the Lincoln County Record on Aug 26 and
Sept 2, sent as information to you. Don't know if you have gone for
publication of a book, in my experience it entails more stress than an
old timer needs and costs a bundle.

At soon to be 93, with thanks to favorable genes and modern
medicine, I am still vertical, driving in heavy traffic if need be,
doing my own cooking and laundry (no enjoyment) and eyeing
lonesome widows, lost two wives, 30 years with each, both from
cancer. Now being pampered by two daughters and enjoying one
granddaughter one great grandson, a sister 91, and a loyal niece and
her husband.

Would love to hear from you.

My Best, Roscoe

And he signed his name in the beautiful script that I remember from
so very long ago. There is something in the distinctive flourish with
which these District Attorneys sign their name. I always love to see
my brother Leo's (Jim) signature on any correspondence I receive.

Words Of Wisdom From A Wise And Spiritual Man. . . .

Lois Stewart Wadsworth and James Allen Wadsworth

Last Sunday was Fast and Testimony meeting. As I sat listening

to the testimonies that were being borne, I couldn't help but reflect

that as people prioritize the things in their life that are of the most

importance, the things that make them the happiest, some of them

list the material things; possessions, trips taken, and events that

give them instant excitement and entertainment. I didn't share

my testimony and that is not a good thing, but I found myself

hoping that I would never lose sight of what a "true testimony"

really is.

I remembered something I had read a few months earlier that

my father wrote at the end of his life history. In this history, he

shared some of the things he had accomplished in his life that he

considered important enough to make a difference in the lives of

his fellow men. I am proud of these accomplishments, but it is

what my father said at the end that touched my heart. His

children, grand children, great grandchildren and great great

grandchildren need to read this. It is a beautiful legacy left by

a truly wise and spiritual man. It follows:

"Now at 77 years of age and my health not too good, I have been

compelled to give up most of my public work. I am not entirely

satisfied with what I have done. Yet I look back over my life's

work and feel that I have few regrets. I can still attend some

meetings and perhaps do a little talking and discussing, and in

this way still keep up with what is going on and still do some good.

I would not have you think that what I have related is what has

been best in my life. Far from it. The greatest thing in my life has

been my wife and our family; the joy, satisfaction, and happiness I

now have with my wife and family, which now gives me

great grandchildren. I am a thorough believer in God and in his

Son, Jesus Christ. I believe that God is the spirit Father of

every man born in this world, that Adam is the Father of all men

in mortality. We were taught and instructed in the Spirit World

by God the Father and Jesus Christ, his Son.

There is definitely a pattern and a purpose in life, which is to

serve God and keep his commandments, that we might grow

and become like Him. When God created Adam "in his own

image". and gave unto him an helpmate (woman Eve), that it

was for the purpose of bringing children "like unto God" into

this world, all of the spirit children of our Father and Mother,

which art in Heaven. The body and spirit perfected consti-

tute the soul of man. When Adam ate of the forbidden fruit

in the Garden of Eden, he became as God, "knowing good from

evil. His eyes were opened". But Adam had disobeyed,

knowing by the commandment of the Lord and sin came into

the world, the greatest of which is death. Up until Adam broke

the first commandment, everything was peace and serenity.

There was now enmity among all the creatures God had

created "to dwell upon the earth."

As men were born upon the earth, they were to do as Adam

did. They were to take unto themselves a wife and bring

children into the world, the greatest blessing, privilege, and

commandment ever given to man. Now, since these children

had been born into a sinful, ignorant, and cruel world, unless

something was done, man would be lost in sin forever. So,

the Father gave His only Begotten Son, "that whosoever

believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting

life." Jesus was crucified and took upon himself the sins of

all mankind; those now born, those who were born before

he came, and those yet to be born, even as many as there

were and are, spirits in heaven.

So, Christ was born, crucified, buried and resurrected so

that these wonderful things could come to us (men); a

resurrection, to come from the grave; to take our sins

away from us; to give us our agency, and to give us the

Gospel of Jesus Christ through which we might work out

our Salvation in his Kingdom.

Now, I firmly believe what I have written above and have

an abiding faith in these things. So, when I took my wife,

I understood what, at least to a certain degree, was my (our)

mission and purpose in this life; to bring children into this

world and to accept all the responsibility belonging thereto.

When I took my sweetheart to be my wife to love, cherish,

and protect, to be the better part of me, to be one with me

through love and sorrow and to furnish her a home filled

with love, to feed and clothe her and the children she gave

me, I entered upon the greatest career, responsibility and

commandment in all of the whole world. The greatest, the

grandest, of most importance in the church, the nation or

in the whole world. I put myself in a position to have more,

and do more, than it is possible to get in any job, position, or

way, to be had in the world."

Taken from "A brief history of James Allen Wadsworth,

son of Nephi John and Eliza Jane Terry Wadsworth"

In an article published in The Church News in August,

1982, celebrating 65 years of marriage for Lois Stewart

and James Allen Wadsworth, Dad said this, "We

respect each other rights, privileges, and ambitions. We

share each other's love, joys, and sorrows."

Dad died less than a year after this article was published

and three years later, Mom went to be with him. I miss

them so much and can not wait to see them again.

How thankful I am that my Father in Heaven loved me

enough to send me to earth to this wonderful couple to

be my earthly parents and that they loved me enough

to bring me into this mortal life, born under the

covenant, and sealed to them throughout eternity.