on the rim

A break from Star Child. So you bring a friend to church.  As you walk into the chapel, you greet people, you introduce your friend, and then find that pew you always sit on.  As you sit down you look up at the song board for the meeting.  You remind yourself of each song, and then you see it.  284.  284?  What hymn is that?  You don't remember singing it.  So you sit down, with your friend, and while waiting for the meeting to begin, you look up the hymn.   You have worked hard to get your friend to come, and then you see it:  "If You Could Hie unto Kolob" For some reason, this masterpiece by W.W.Phelps is seldom sung.  It pushes the mind to look past the finite, to try to grasp what lies beyond.  Most people of faith believe in life after death, or some sort of eternity.  It was rearranged for the 1985 hymnbook, and the result was a hymn whose lyrics match the tune.  So here it is; 1. If you could hie to Kolo...

Number 3 in the Star Child Series.  Doug Stewart's work speaks for itself. Disclaimer, Not doctrinal, at least the setting for the song.  It does introduce some interesting ideas.  The concept of agency however is accurate.  Notice that each predicament is led by some conjugation of the verb "choose" Chuck is teaching his future children while still in their pre-earth life.  He is teaching that there are all sorts of traps, snares, and other enticements awaiting spirits as they come to earth.  It is a teaching to remind them that they are indeed " Called to walk in high places " (the song title)  We are nobility.  Offspring of our Heavenly Father.  Do you see yourself in any of these places?  If so, (I do) then ask whether that is the best for you, or  the best you can do?  It is rhetorical, of course.  Have you ever felt like you are better than what you are, or maybe that you deserve better?  We are given our co...

Continuation of the Star Child series.  This song is my favorite.   What love can do .  Harold has gotten engaged to Mitzy, who was so shy, that she couldn't look anyone in the eye, and has blossomed like a rose.   Wally is down, as Marie has shunned him, and he doesn't know what to do.  Harold breaks into the song: Love for a day, can blow the clouds away Yes that’s what love can do it’s true Love, and a smile, it can make life worthwhile Yes, that’s what love can do, what love can do. Now some say, we never change, yet flowers bloom in the rain And people do the same, when there’s love So give all you can, it’s part of the plan, And see what love can do, what love can do They then have a discussion, where Harold teaches a very important truth.  Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder, and given that when that beauty is recognized, it often manifests itself to all.  Who hasn't noticed the radiance of someone that is loved? ...

Doug Stewart is a master songwriter.  He wrote the lyrics for Saturday's Warrior, Star Child, and the magnificent Threads of Glory Pageant.  And on and on.  I wanted to talk about Star Child, and I will be over the next little while highlighting a few songs.  I know.  Boring to you, maybe.  Not to me, and with so few reading anymore, I can write for myself.  But maybe, someone will read the words, not mine, the lyrics, and be touched by them. If you are saying "what is Star Child?"  Well, it is an LDS musical from the 70's, a continuation for a couple of characters from Saturday's Warrior.  The main characters are: Chuck , the star. son of a good active LDS family that has lost his way, caught up in the perils, oh wait, that is a different song. Is Marie's boyfriend through high school.  He rebels, and then towards the end, repents, feeling he needs to do something, be becomes a missionary, sent to find ... Larry , Chuck's best frie...

As cool as it would have been to be Blazing Saddles, it wasn't. The Orpheum theater originally opened in 1921 as a movie theater, as well as live plays, vaudeville, and other activities.  The beauty of the restoration is amazing.  no stepped down floors, just a slope down to the screen/stage.  Hardwood floors are beautiful, as are the plaster decorations that are being replaced.  Red velvet curtains, mid 1900s light fixtures, and a balcony.  The seating was modern minimalist, and while they didn't rock, they did have cup holders ( a good idea with a slanted floor) Throughout the year, they have performances of various types, as well as movie classics.  (Rocky Horror is playing in October, probably won't go to that.)  An amazing venue, on a beautiful downtown walkway.  Not exactly sure why I haven't gone to walk along Main, as it is tree lined, with lots of shops, as well as a variety of food choices.  It really is cool, and I always see l...

If you love summer, then you may disagree with the post, but that is okay.  No, it is not political.  It is about how the seasons continue to move. Of course we have passed the solstice, so the days are getting shorter.  Today was hot.  But not as hot as last week, and the highs this week are supposed to be lower.  Low humidity makes the days bearable.  Temperatures themselves mean little.  But today, I saw a few small green acorns on the ground.  The sun is moving to the south, and fall shadows are starting to appear. When I leave this wonderful place, I think that there are many things that will be missed. I will miss getting away from the greenbelt, and admiring the natural desert, of sage and juniper.  It is, to me, the most beautiful place on earth.  Underneath it all, the Snake, and its pulse of underground springs, and rivers, providing irrigation, electricity, and beauty. Today was the first day that we had the smell of f...