Today Amanda and I ran away for a quick visit to Manchester. There was not much on the agenda. We stopped in Gee Cross and visited Claire Martinez, mostly unannounced while she was cooking.
Claire Martinez and Paul Ross
We visited the Arndale Shopping Center, Manchester Cathedral, Manchester Town Hall, Old Trafford (Manchester United football grounds), Market Street, and the Trafford Centre (glorified shopping mall). Amanda was able to pick up her British copy of the first Harry Potter book.
Manchester City Hall and Albert Monument
Inside Manchester Cathedral
Old Trafford, home of Manchester United
Trafford Park Mall
Staircase in Trafford Park
Amanda Ross at Waterstones in Trafford Park
This evening, the Gore’s organized a bit of a get together for some of the members of the Eccles (now Swinton) Ward. It was very, very kind of them to do this for us. There were several families who came and it was wonderful to catch up with them. Leslie Walsh, Bob and Joan Wood, Alan and Margaret Griffin, Vincenzo and Dawn Santi, Alex and Gloria Brown with their son Nathan, and the Gores. They all had such wonderful things to say to us, about me, and it was great to catch up with them.
Margaret Griffin, Paul and Amanda Ross, Alan Griffin
Dawn Santi, Paul and Amanda Ross, and Vincenzo Santi
Joan Wood, Paul and Amanda Ross, Rob Wood
Amanda Ross, Leslie Walsh, Paul Ross
Kevin and Jean Gore treated us to a pub dinner this evening. It was really good food. They also treated us to a roast duck dinner last night. Each family has treated us very well, and provided great meals. We certainly appreciate their generosity.
Tomorrow we head to Birmingham, the day after to Milton Abbas. Don’t know when I will be able to get back on.
Just a quick and short update. I uploaded photos from Scotland this morning. I hope you find them interesting. We will see how many more photos it will let me upload for the month.
We are now staying with the Gore family in Walkden. We arrived later than anticipated after a day of visiting in Runcorn. We attended church in the Runcorn Ward at the local community center since their building burned down a while back. It was good to see so many people and that we received such a hearty welcome. We did go visit a number of families while there. A couple of which include the Campbell (and Young), Fleming, McWilliam, Johnson, Byrom and more. A couple of families were not home so we did not visit with them. It was sure good to be back in Runcorn, despite the fact that you have to drive around in circles to get anywhere you want to go. Busways might be spectacular, but at the sacrifice of the drivers!
Wall at Halton Castle
Saturday we made another trip into Liverpool. The only thing really to mention is that we got lost and had lunch with Gheorghe and Claire Simion family. Gheorghe was one of my mission companions. We spent nearly four hours with him and his good wife. It was convenient he lives in Liverpool now as he was originally from Romania. It was a great meeting.
Amanda and Paul Ross with Gheorghe and Claire Simion in Liverpool
We are off to Hyde and Disley today. Here are a few photos of our visit of this somewhat storybook place.
Logan Tabernacle looking north on Logan Main Street
This photo was shared on a social media website a time back. It struck me. The Cache County Courthouse cupola on the left and the Logan Tabernacle on the right.
I previously shared comments of memories in this tabernacle. Here are some of those comments.
The Logan Tabernacle is where I attended Stake Conference for all the years I attended Utah State University. I graduated from Logan Institute of Religion in this building. I recall Dad pointing out that my hair was getting thin from his vantage point on the balcony. I was sustained in this building and spoke at a Stake Conference. I sat at the feet and heard the teachings of H. David Burton and Vaughn J. Featherstone, as well as our own Stake Presidency, Thomas Cherrington, James Jenkins, and Roger McEvoy. I still remember some of their talks. I recall entertaining visiting British guests, like the Byroms and Gores, in this building. Moreover, this building had historical significance to the area and my own ancestors in the valley.
Logan Tabernacle July 2020, Aliza Ross on the right
The morning of 26 July 2020 I awoke at a motel in Logan, Utah, with my four children. We were on the last day of a trip where Amanda had the weekend to pamper herself. Since we were in Logan, I took the kids around to some of the sites that were important to me. I am not including any of the graveyard pictures that I have shared earlier in visiting the resting sites of family members. This was the same trip we stopped to visit the Paris Tabernacle.
Hiram, Aliza, Lillian, and James Ross on the steps of the Logan Tabernacle in July 2020
The Logan Tabernacle is where I attended Stake Conference for all the years I attended Utah State University. I graduated from Logan Institute of Religion in this building. I recall Dad pointing out that my hair was getting thin from his vantage point on the balcony. I was sustained in this building and spoke at a Stake Conference. I sat at the feet and heard the teachings of H. David Burton and Vaughn J. Featherstone, as well as our own Stake Presidency, Thomas Cherrington, James Jenkins, and Roger McEvoy. I still remember some of their talks. I recall entertaining visiting British guests, like the Byroms and Gores, in this building. Moreover, this building had historical significance to the area and my own ancestors in the valley. In those years, I had numerous councilors, including David Ackerman, Tyler Buswell, David Moss, Jon Phillips, and Guy Schauerhamer. Secretaries were the amazing Kalynne Call (now Jensen) and Jessica Pollard (now Westerberg).
“Family and the Covenant” sculpture at Logan Tabernacle with James, Aliza, Hiram, and Lillian Ross in July 2020
Of course we had to stop at Dentist Office. 655 Darwin Avenue #6, Logan, Utah 84321, was my apartment for several years. That upper right room window was above my bed for those years. I shared a photo of it from 2012 previously. I also listed some of the poor unfortunate souls who also had to reside in close proximity to me!
Hiram, Aliza, Lillie, and James Ross in front of the Dentist Office on Darwin Avenue.
The next stop included the Logan Institute of Religion. This building is harder to capture in a picture with all the new apartment complexes so near the front of it. What was known then as the oldest and largest Institute of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I don’t know if that still holds true. I attended the Institute before my mission and when my Mom disowned me, I knuckled down and took a dozen or so Institute credits. I can attribute much of my religious underpinnings and knowledge to this time. Some of the teachers that profoundly touched me included John Fowles, Rhett James, and Michael Cooley. After the mission, various teachers, including Gene Van Shaar (who I also knew in Springfield, Missouri at what was then Southwest Missouri State University).
Aliza and Hiram Ross at Logan LDS Institute
Of course we had to make a stop at the David B. Haight Alumni House. The history of this location I have shared before. Suffice it to say, I kissed my future wife for the first time here and also asked her to marry me in this same spot. The large painting of David B. Haight is no longer hanging in the lobby inside these doors.
Hiram, Lillian, James, and Aliza Ross at David B. Haight Alumni House in July 2020
Having jumped from the Dentist Office, to the Institute, to the Alumni House, it was obviously easy to jump to Old Main. On the walk over, I snapped this picture of the Logan Temple. Since it was Sunday, we couldn’t get inside the fence so we just drove by it.
Logan Temple in July 2020
Old Main was the home of my college, then the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS). I attended most of my major classes in this building. I knew this building like the back of my hand.
Lillian, Aliza, and Hiram Ross at Old Main of Utah State University in July 2020
I have stood in that tower overlooking the valley a number of times, usually a locked door confines you to the round windows. I have shared some historical photos of the building.
Lillie, Aliza, Hiram, and James Ross at the flower beds in front of Old Main.
I have also shared how my own family contributed to the building of this iconic building.
Lillie, Aliza, Hiram, and James Ross on west steps of south Old Main in July 2020
The photo above is interesting due to the silly children, but also the red sandstone that came from the Nuffer Quarry near Mapleton, Idaho. Both the pillar and stones in and under the brick. Of course, a visit to Old Main Hill for a child would not be complete without rolling down the hill. I also noticed how many of the old huge trees have now left the hill.
Old Main Hill in July 2020
The trip to Logan was memorable for the kids and I recalled many memories from my time attending. Maybe Amanda can attend at a future time. Logan holds fondness and great memories for me. Now we have some more.
Today Amanda and I ran away for a quick visit to Manchester. There was not much on the agenda. We visited the Arndale Shopping Center, Manchester Cathedral, Manchester Town Hall, Old Trafford (Manchester United football grounds), Market Street, and the Trafford Centre (glorified shopping mall). Amanda was able to pick up her British copy of the first Harry Potter book.
This evening, the Gore’s organized a bit of a get together for some of the members of the Eccles (now Swinton) Ward. It was very, very kind of them to do this for us. There were several families who came and it was wonderful to catch up with them. Leslie Walsh, Bob and Joan Wood, Alan and Margaret Griffin, Vincenzo and Dawn Santi, Alex and Gloria Brown with their son Nathan, and the Gores. They all had such wonderful things to say to us, about me, and it was great to catch up with them.
Kevin and Jean Gore treated us to a pub dinner this evening. It was really good food. They also treated us to a roast duck dinner last night. Each family has treated us very well, and provided great meals. We certainly appreciate their generosity.
Tomorrow we head to Birmingham, the day after to Milton Abbas. Don’t know when I will be able to get back on.
Just a quick and short update. I uploaded photos from Scotland this morning. I hope you find them interesting. We will see how many more photos it will let me upload for the month.
We are now staying with the Gore family in Walkden. We arrived later than anticipated after a day of visiting in Runcorn. We attended church in the Runcorn Ward at the local community center since their building burned down a while back. It was good to see so many people and that we received such a hearty welcome. We did go visit a number of families while there. A couple of which include the Campbell (and Young), Fleming, McWilliam, Johnson, Byrom and more. A couple of families were not home so we did not visit with them. It was sure good to be back in Runcorn, despite the fact that you have to drive around in circles to get anywhere you want to go. Busways might be spectacular, but at the sacrifice of the drivers!
Saturday we made another trip into Liverpool. The only thing really to mention is that we got lost and had lunch with Gheorghe and Claire Simion family. Gheorghe was one of my mission companions. We spent nearly four hours with him and his good wife. It was convenient he lives in Liverpool now as he was originally from Romania. It was a great meeting.
I am not really sure what to write. My life feels like there is so much going on at the moment I would not know where to start. I feel like singing a little Johnny Cash and “I’ve been everywhere.”
So more a couple of thoughts on a variety of issues.
I am learning more and more there is only so much some people can be helped. I have a friend, Kevin, who says he cannot find a job. I have now given him over 4 different job opportunities and he isn’t willing to do much. Granted, it might not be the perfect fit, but why not jump in until you find something better. I guess there is always the benefit of sitting and home and hanging out with the family. The money doesn’t run forever (at least, for most of us). I thought he was interested enough in a job that I set up an interview with the two individuals doing the hiring. He went and brought his wife along for the interview. Why not bring your mother too? How far should one go in trying to reach out and provide opportunities to another?
There is another friend, Dustin, who has been tending a car for me for several years now. He offered and I was happy to have his help while I was away to Virginia, Missouri, and all my other travels. I went over to take a look today and it broke my heart how terrible of condition it is in. I know it is free, I appreciate the watchful eye, but I think I may have done better leaving it sitting in my own backward. Then it would have been more friendly dirt, less rusty water, and mice who belong to the family. I don’t know if the neglect is what really bothers me but rather the questions I posed of whether or not everything was okay. Did I need to pay him for some upkeep, did I need to help with expenses. The answer was always the same, “Nope, everything is taken care of.”
I was visiting with my boss, Doug Kelley, the past few days about the Catholic Religion. Particularly with the Pope’s visit to the United States and his news noted attempt to try and bring the US Catholic portion in line. My boss, a self proclaimed “Roman Catholic with a little R” said the real issues he has with Pope Benedict is his apparent desire to undo Vatican II. Primarily the fact that with Vatican II the church was less authoritarian and the congregations could really take on responsibility and serve on another. It is always the Father out doing all the good while everyone sat around. Now the Pope is diverting the church back to the authoritarian mode and he is very frustrated. My first thought is he should definitely take a look at the LDS. If he wants a congregation that serves on another, I don’t know of a better church. We talked some about Mormonism and I even gave him a Book of Mormon. He was thrilled and said he would read it soon. I very much hope he does. The sooner the better. I won’t be around him for years to finally discuss and talk about it when he does read it.
I have been accepted to Oklahoma City University Law School. I really like this option. It takes me back to the center of the country, I get to live in another area I never lived, and in some cases another culture. We are still waiting to hear from some other law schools for which I may be interested. There certainly is no rhyme or reason to why schools accept or reject applicants. I have acceptance to schools better than others that rejected me according to some ranking systems. We shall wait and see.
In sitting down one morning to breakfast with Marie Lundgreen, she asked me what I thought about the relationship with her and the sister. This Sister seems to have a relationship which may be similar in many ways with my own full sister. The giving of great opportunities are not only rejected, they are turned back on you in a negative way as trying to interfere in their life. Where credit or help is given, not only are they taken, but no recognition or appreciation is given. In one case with my own sister, my willing to help her out cost me a vehicle and several thousands of dollars. What is one to do? Marie and her sister, over a period more than double my sister and me, has been more extreme. In some instances the help offered cost thousands of dollars, and then it was all rejected part and parcel. Even after acceptance was agreed upon and all the effort expended, then the gift rejected. What is one to do? How much should we extend ourselves to help those, especially family, where it seems to do more harm than good? Nobody likes to be taken advantage of in any way. I do think I am magnanimous, but is there a point where you should take your efforts elsewhere? What happens when you know later the sister is being kind and nice just to get something more? Forgive but not give the gift? Is that possible?
Dad and Jan have been called to serve for two years in the Twin Falls Temple when it opens. This is an exciting opportunity. It will be a calling close to home, the privilege of officiating in the House of God, and the spiritual blessings that only come from the Temple. I hope and pray the couple days a week they serve will not cost him his job. I guess it doesn’t really matter. We are all in the hands of the Lord of the Harvest. Dad and Jan have been called and they will give their all to serving. As anyone does so, everything always works out. We don’t know how, it just does. The same has been very evident in my life.
I had dinner with Kevin and Jean Gore from Walkden, Lancashire, England. What a joy it was to meet up with friends from within the England Manchester Mission. Just like the sons of Alma after meeting up after all those years, nothing has really changed in the relationship. Why, because we all live the gospel. As we keep our hearts in tune with the Savior, we cannot help but find ourselves in tune with others who are seeking to do the same. We enjoyed a great meal and discussed a wide variety of topics. I thank God for how kind and generous he has been in my life. There are so many great and noble people I have the privilege of association.
Work continues very well. There are some things in the pipeline which will do great things in expanding the production of Magnesium Hydroxide at the Paul Plant. It is just a matter of getting everything lined out and ready to go. There are a host of equipment opportunities and I am sure there are many more. We have met with a couple of engineering firms lately all of who are interested in our equipment and services. There are some tremendous opportunities. I hope we can get them on line before I possibly leave for law school.
I know this post has been a bit more negative. I just needed to vent I think and relieve the concerns I have. The future is so unknown, you try to help others out and they don’t want the help (such a fine line between meddling and genuine service), and the desire to anxiously engaged. What comes next?
Sagacity 