February 2012 - McClintock, Robert & Susan

This past January was another quiet month for The McClintock.

Word was sent out that our local Church Cannery is to be closed.  It is an institution in Sacramento. Many Christian denominations have used the cannery as well at the wards and stake and have been grateful for it.  Grandpa Woodward conducted then Governor Ronald Reagan through this Church cannery in the 1970s when he was Stake President. Maybe he will comment on it in a submission.

A cousin, Louise Porter Stanton, has found and shared with me some Condie family history.  Among her findings are these two pictures. It is our hope that we will work together to make the histories and journals of our ancestors available digitally so that you all may profit from reading them. The lives of our righteous ancestors inspire us to do the best we can, just as they tried to do.

In one picture is Minnie Johnson and Joseph Condie.  Grandma Woodward was named after Minnie. Grandma's grandfather, Joseph Condie, was called in to bless Grandma Woodward when she was just a baby sick with pneumonia.  The other picture is of Gibson Condie.  Yes, THE Gibson Condie who helped rescue the Martin Handcart Company.  Also in the picture is one of his sons, John (a younger brother of Joseph Condie), a daughter, Mary Jane Condie Wickel, and two other unnamed daughters.  Enjoy!

Have a lovely February.

The McClintock

Joseph and Minnie Condie

January 2012 - McClintock, Robert & Susan

Greetings Family,

This McClintock LOVES, LOVES, LOVES Christmas decorations and lights!! Not that the McClintock's house is an outstanding example of Christmas decor and design, but this McClintock appreciates a tasteful assembly of lights and reverence for the season. So, in keeping with said enthusiasm for exterior Christmas lights and decorations a quest was undertaken to find and document the City and State Christmas trees. Sadly, the City Christmas tree was adversely affected by an unseasonable gale that blew through town just a couple of days after cranes and elves hoisted the tree into place. The state Tree, however, must have been born under a special Star (no pun intended) because it did not suffer the same fate as the City tree. One night, early in December, with camera in hand, this McClintock went in search of the elusive government agency 'Christmas' trees. The attached pictures will prove that, yes Virginia there is STILL a Santa in government office.

Another Christmas thrill was having Emily and Justin spend Christmas in Carmichael. Emily came in a couple of days before Justin. What fun to have the house filled with activity and exuberance not initiated by an enema. There was the mandatory evening trek to view the Fabulous Forty Avenues' holiday decorations and to verify that the 'government' trees were will standing. Then Christmas day arrived and a 92 year old Grandma Anna was very eager to get to 'presents' long before the rest of the church-going family was able. (Some days can be tough on 92 year old grandmothers.)

Lastly, a mention of the neighbors whose holiday decoration enthusiasm is excessive yet effective in warding off potential thieves. The decorations are so extravagant as to attract Looky-loos to the street. Increased traffic results in increased Sheriff patrols. Increased Sheriff patrols scares off would-be holiday thieves. The 'Home Alone' sticky/wet Bandits will never have a chance as long as our neighbors LOVE decorating for Christmas.

Have a wonderful start to a new Year. Let's compare notes in 2013 about the Mayan's prediction. (Didn't they read the old testament? Guess not.)

Love, The McClintock

December 2011 - McClintock, Robert & Susan

Happy Holidays Family,

November went by swiftly. Some of us are just boring enough to not have anything of interest to share with the family.  Grandma Anna has been slowly slipping further into the ill effects of Lewy Body Disease.  She has since left behind reality.  A couple of years ago Aunt Susan was able to help Anna assemble a short life sketch. It is a valuable window on a person history that Anna can no longer recall.

In 1999 Alexis and Arianna visited in Sacramento.  They and the McClintock women had a wonderful time visiting Old Sacramento, Sutter's Fort, and Coloma, CA the site of the discovery of Gold in California.  Recently Aunt Susan came across those photographs.  Some are posted on Aunt Susan's Facebook page but she shares two today with the monthly Family Newswire submission.  These show the Woodward girls sitting at the base of Sutter's Mill where gold was discovered in 1848 in Coloma, CA.   (The Cannon boys should remember this location because they whitewater rafted from here several times with their dad in days gone by.)

And to mark the important highlight of early December, Aunt Susan shares a picture of the Bluebird Restaurant in Logan, Utah.  Grandpa and Grandma Woodward were honored there at their wedding luncheon on December 6th 1944. (You math mavens will quickly compute how many years ago they were married.) Grandpa Milton Woodward's poem about his appearing in his vest without his coat was written as a result of this important luncheon.

Love to all,

The McClintock

Alexis and Arianna at Sutter's Mill

November 2011 - McClintock, Robert & Susan

Aunt Susan

I am so sorry I missed October, and now here it is November.

Time is rushing by.  Not much to report from the Carmichael land grant.

So glad to read your submissions and follow up on Facebook.

I love the pictures that are submitted…the children are just springing up like weeds in the family.

Isn't that great!  We have such a terrific family.

Here is wishing you all a fine Thanksgiving holiday.

The McClintock

September 2011 - McClintock, Robert & Susan

How could it be September already?! 

Kevin came to Sacramento this August and the those of the family still living in Sacramento were able to go to church together, have a nice family dinner together, and visit together.  It was a wonderful time…together.  

Emily was in Washington D.C. during the east coast earthquake and survived. (Justin said he never felt it in Boston)  Emily and Justin were in Boston when Hurricane Irene hit and survived.  Zack and Josh survived the first day of high school and seminary. Grandpa survived the summer.  Zack and Grandpa's garden survived the unseasonable weather deliciously. 

There is little else to report from The McClintock.  Periodically a local cat is allowed in the attic to flush out a squatting rat.  Occasionally a confused skunk shows up for dinner with the feline 'pride' at the McClintock residence.  Plums and peaches are picked and stored. The Temple recommend is current and well used. The ward is growing. Old friends are shrinking.  And Facebook continues to be an entertaining novelty.  

That's it from Carmichael.
The McClintock

August 2011 - McClintock Robert & Susan

July was more interesting that expected.  Aunt Susan went back to Los Angeles to visit Emily and Justin one more time before they left for Boston. It was an eventful trip and one Aunt Susan is so glad she made.  In fact, on Sunday, Aunt Susan and the Ekins attended Kimber's ward instead of the UCLA ward.  When Aunt Susan introduced herself and Emily in Relief Society, Aunt Susan made mention that they were related to Kimber Scott.  The sound of acknowledgment from the Sisters was highly satisfying to Aunt Susan. It meant that Kimber was still known in her ward  and any concerns about her testimony or activity can be brushed aside. Aunt Susan wonders if Kimber got back home in time for Carmageddon. (The folks in the southland do have some interesting ideas about what is important.)

Rocco was a bit of handful, according to Emily, the day the movers came.  He set up such a fuss Justin and Emily had to sit with him in a closet while the movers removed the furniture and boxes from their apartment.  Oh, nay.  Aunt Susan can not even image how Rocco stood the trip across country yet again.  If you recall, the week the Ekins drove across country they drove into the worst heat wave in the Midwest and East Coast in a decade. 

Pioneer day went well in this neck of the woods…nothing like the celebration in Utah but still a decent commemoration.  Grandpa and the boys returned from a glorious trip to Utah on that day but they were not greeted with Pioneer parades or bands. Aunt Susan was eager to hear the particulars and Grandpa obliged.  It occurred to Aunt Susan that Jilina was able to meet her very own Great-Grandfather because of that trip.  Grandpa will probably give you a more accurate recounting of just how well they got along and why.

This McClintock wishes all the rest of the family a reasonably interesting rest of Summer.

July 2011 - McClintock, Robert & Susan

What a terrific June The McClintock had. There was no spring so the Carmichael land-grant jumped into hot weather briefly.

A visit to Idaho/Utah to fix Grandma's Church Family History information brought enlightenment, inspiration, and tons of fun.
Kristy and Susan found themselves on the wrong city Trax train at 10 o'clock at night. Instead of heading for Sandy they found themselves up at the U of U, which no loyal BYU grad
would ever want to do without a bevy of other BYU folk about. (Sorry Kelly.) They eventually got headed back on the right train. How did it happen you asked? See the next paragraph!
Visiting with Kristy, Todd, Kelly, and Jilina can best be described as a 'gab fest'. Visiting with Aunt Ina and Uncle Eldon can best be described as a Woodward-style 'gab fest.' Visiting with Aunt Bonnie was very touching and a Nielsen-style 'gab fest.' Visiting with Aunt Clarice, Uncle John, Tom, Jill, Bill, and Louise was an all out Nielson-Condie Curse 'gab fest.' Catching up on family news and seeing the spirit work in each one's life cannot be
described, but The McClintock can invite you to inquire, through the spirit, regarding the commission and results of the journey.

Accompanying this submission is a picture of Aunt Bonnie in the Logan Nursing home and a picture of Grandma Corene's school which has been moved to the corner of the Preston city park and awaits renovation into a museum. (I don't think Grandma would particularly like that designation but
since she is on the other side with some of her school mates, who knows..they might be cheering.)
Also attached is a picture of Emily and Justin during the McClintock's visit with them on Memorial Day Weekend.

Aunt Bonnie is entirely dependent upon the nursing home to feed, bath, cloth, and move her. She can move forward and backward in a sitting position and that's it. She turns the pages of books and magazines with her tongue. While we were visiting with her sweet tears flowed and we had to 'mop her up' as she described it. You can call her and visit on the phone, which she loves. To do so one must tell the Nursing Home staff to put on her phone head-set.

The remainder of June was the usual church work, yard work, house work, and work-work.

Here's wishing you all a happy July.

The McClintock

Aunt Bonnie and Aunt Kristy

Emily and Justin visiting

Onida Stake Acadamy

June 2011 - McClintock, Robert & Susan

"June is Busting out all over" at least so wrote Rogers and Hammerstein for the musical 'Carousel'.

June holds special interest for this McClintock. The Telephone was invented in June. Charles Dickens died in June. The Battle of Midway was fought in June. The flag of Sweden was adopted in June. The G.I. Bill was signed into law in June. Kentucky and Tennessee were admitted as the 15th and 16th states into the Union in June. Superman came to be in June. Helen Keller died in June. The Beatles released the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Cub Band LP in June. Police chased O.J. Simpson's white Ford Bronco in June. Brigham Young was born in June AND………..tah-dah……..so was Emily! What more is there to say about June?

Oh, as far as May was concerned May was pretty much a bust for this McClintock. Osama was slain. Grandma Anna was diagnosed with Lewy Body Disease. Aunt Susan sang a brilliant solo in the Valley Choral Society's Spring concert series. Zack gave his first-ever talk in Sacrament meeting. The home garage underwent a major clean-out. And The McClintock went down to Los Angeles to visit Emily and Justin on Memorial Day Weekend. Just a ho-hum month.

Love you all!

The McClintock

May 2011 - McClintock, Robert & Susan

Is it May already?


After reading about all the talent in the family (ranging from exquisite cake decorating to masterful illustration) Aunt Susan tried her hand at cookie design. The Stake Baptism Fireside was scheduled for the middle of April and the children turning eight in the next few months were invited to get a preview of what Baptism looks, feels, and tastes like. After several failed batches of cookies in the shape of an eight, Aunt Susan hit upon a terrific solution to the problem of a creative and tasty refreshment for the Fireside. She went to her local bakery and ordered them. Problem solved! There is something to be said for the talent of 'problem solving' wouldn't you agree?



Enjoy all the May flowers. April surely did its thing by 'showering' profusely throughout the month.



Love to all,

The McClintock

April 2011 - McClintock, Robert & Susan

March is March. Basketball games, fussy weather, daylight savings time, and, as you know, the month in which Uranus was discovered 230 years ago, in 1781. Considering how may jokes have developed over the years about the planet I think King George III of England turns over in his grave every time the anniversary rolls around.

March started out with some serious business. I had occasion to sit for two hours in the waiting room of the courthouse while waiting for my turn at the teller window. Isn't the term "Teller" rather out of place in a house of law? It connotes one who is a cashier. Ah! I'm wrong, it does apply. In most houses of law the sound of money is louder than the sound of justice.

On another note, it was fun to return to Beehives this month. I had occasion to teach those darling girls about storytelling. Of course Grandpa should have been the one called upon but while preparing for the lesson it struck me that Grandpa came from a family tradition of storytelling. His 'tall tales' are actually a developed talent that have entertained and instructed us our entire lives. I have decided that Grandpa is not the hyperbolist, of which I have accused him, but a skilled color-commentator of life. I think BYU needed Grandpa's "commenting" skills after the Florida game. I'm sure the outcome of the game would have sounded much better coming from Grandpa than the national sports pundits and the gloaters in my office. (Sigh!)

As I read about and view your various accomplishments I feel blessed to be part of a family that just keeps on growing and glowing with talent!

Love to all,

The McClintock

(Included is a self-portrait from a day spent taking pictures in Roseville, north of Sacramento by about 10 miles.)

March 2011 - McClintock, Robert & Susan

February started out with Justin and Emily visiting for a weekend when Emily and Justin came to Berkeley for more MBA considerations. They did not bring Rocco.  It appears that poor Rocco could not take one more long-distance car ride after traveling all the way across the country twice last year.  We didn't get a report on how the Kitty Hotel accommodations were received by Rocco but no news is good news, right? 

Uncle Kevin reported last month that Ward Conferences were and are occupying his Sundays and the same is true for Aunt Susan.  There must be some church rule that Ward Conferences have to be executed during the first half of the year north of the LA Basin longitude. But Aunt Susan couldn't find that rule in Part 2 of the new handbook…it must be in Part 1
.
Allergies have ramped up this month. The feathery yellow flowers of the Acacia tree are doing their best to afflict and torment.  Speaking of torment, Aunt Susan spent a few hours on a Saturday in February with 'America's Got Talent" wannabes.  The producers of the NBC show sought for talent (that definition is used loosely) by running auditions in Sacramento.  The television station hosted the auditions and Aunt Susan's department was in charge so Aunt Susan spend several hours corralling and wrangling talent hopefuls.  For those interested in how this was done: the hopefuls had ninety seconds to stand before a camera and "do their thing".  Their audition was recorded on a min-dvd.  The mini-dvd was then packaged up with the other audition recordings and sent to the producers of the show.  That's it.  If a hopeful muffed their audition there was no starting over, no correcting their mistake for a clean restart, no back-button, no rewind, no erase.  There were approximately 400 auditions and some pretty outrageous costumes.  The most memorable audition was the flame-thrower guy who could not understand why the Fire Marshall absolutely refused to permit him to light-up his act.  The most stupid audition was the unicycle kid who crashed into a fifteen foot wall of glass because he couldn't steer.

To all a Happy up-coming March.
Love,
 the McClintock.

February 2011 - McClintock, Robert & Susan

January, in Aunt Susan's world, included an evening of nighttime photography in Old Sacramento, a brief afternoon of taking pictures in the dreary foothills, and trying to capture phantom images in the fog at a cemetery. (Pictures of a cemetery in the fog are not spooky…….just lifeless!)

It was another quiet month. Love all your Facebook contributions; especially the fabulous pictures of the children, and Aunt Carol's tales of the third grade are memorable! Recently Aunt Susan spent three days at the television station discarding a single file drawer full of old files. The task could have taken two minutes to simply remove the folders and place them in a trash can so that the filing cabinet could be removed, but once Aunt Susan realized the significance of the contents of the drawer she took a different approach. The file folders contained examples of Aunt Susan's work from 1977 through 1993. Rather than simply toss them out Aunt Susan decided to retain samples of her work for posterity. (It was also a reminder that once computers entered the television station things changed for Aunt Susan.) Uncle Bob taught Aunt Susan most of what she knows about computers, therefore, when computers came along Aunt Susan became increasingly involved with training her department personnel about the use of their computers and developing computer related systems to increase the efficiency of the department. Unfortunately it also meant Aunt Susan became less and less involved in the creative nature of the work. This is not to suggest that computers are bad. Aunt Susan loves what the digital age has brought to the world: the Church website, online scriptures, online audio of the scriptures, online conversations about the scriptures, church genealogy access, church videos, church worldwide assistance, and worldwide communication of the Church's message, our family on Facebook, Twitter, Buzz, and THIS BLOG SPOT!

Love to All, the McClintock.

January 2011 - McClintock, Robert & Susan

What makes the New Year new? One digit! We left 2010 behind and now we will date everything 2011.

The latest from the McClintock is that there is not much to report. December in Carmichael was rainy. January in Carmichael is rainy. Emily made Bill O'Rilley's top ten list as he reviewed the most notable news stories of the year 2010. And those of us living east of I-5 can rest easy now that Gov. Schwarzenegger has reduced the manslaughter sentence of a former California Speaker's son. (I don't know about those on the west side of I-5, though.)

There have been a few Church calling changes for the McClintock. Aunt Susan is no longer choir director or Gospel Doctrine teacher. However, that does not let one off the hook when it comes to reading and studying the weekly Sunday School assignment nor does it mean one can sleep in on Sunday morning and skip choir practice. Aunt Susan is back in Stake Primary and loving it. This time she has no administrative assignment. Some church members joke that one receives a church assignment in order to grow and if one does not learn the necessary lesson the assignment comes around again. (No speculation, please.)

Well, best wishes for a grand new start to a new year. Oh, and of course, much love to the Family!

The McClintocks

December 2010 - McClintock, Robert & Susan

November was an eventful month even though it wasn't intended to be.

Aunt Susan spend the first weekend in November with Carol in Fresno. Mel was scheduled to be in Sacramento on the same Weekend. Carol and Susan enjoyed visiting...visiting...visiting...visiting...soccer...visiting...visiting...visiting...visiting. That weekend Anika bestowed upon Aunt Susan the highest compliment known to womankind. Not quite understanding how a "Great" Aunt fits into the picture of Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandfathers, and Grandmothers, Anika decided that "Great Aunt Susan" was better off as "Grandma Susie." Thank you to the angels above for such a kind "grand-niece."

The second weekend Aunt Susan stumbled during the night and fell into the corner of a box on top of a pile of boxes. The result was a puncture wound just above the left eye that wouldn't stop bleeding (skull wounds are like that.) Luckily the eye was not affected (though Aunt Susan's pride was.) However, with the eye bandaged up like a war wound Aunt Susan attended the Church's World Wide Training session at her stake center and had to answer the embarrassing questions: "What happened?", "You did what?", "How did that Happen?". The skeptically raised eyebrows were enough to add insult to injury.

Aunt Susan traveled with Aunt Carol to Utah to support Kristy during her time of sadness and loss. However, the trip was sort of an adventure in itself. Aunts Carol and Susan traveled via the "you are now free to move about the country" airline: Southwest. They didn't know how the seating and boarding system worked and so made up a few rules of their own. By the time they made the third leg of the four-part flight they understood how to end up at the front of the plane and disembark ahead of all those that thought they had snagged the best seats. (If you ever want to travel with panache...work with Aunt Carol!) The Aunts arrived between snow storms. Aunt Carol took a look at Aunt Susan' pitiful shoes and they promptly found low-cut boots designed for snowy Utah weather. The day of the funeral tried to be gloomy and "loom-y" with snow filled clouds and typically cold Utah winds but when it was time to Dedicate the grave the sun came through and the two "California" Aunts respectfully stood through the Dedication without too much shivering.

AND....and....and...Aunt Susan got to see the sweet new arrival to the Bessey household. (Well, yes many of you were there too.) However, going to the hospital to see Alexis and her new baby also meant Aunt Susan got to see big sister Maija and cousins Emma and Charlotte. (A first...since they all live in cities other than Sacramento.) Pictures just don't do justice to Elven-like "cuteness" but it is the best we have so it will have to do.

Thanksgiving at the McClintock house was in fact very quiet. Three old boring people did sit at the table and stare at each other during the meal as was prophesied in the November newsletter. In addition to a quite Thanksgiving meal, earlier in the week Aunt Susan uneventfully passed the Thirty-Year marriage mark.

May the Good Lord bless us all this upcoming month with good hearts and good humor!

Love,
The McClintock

November 2010 - McClintock, Robert & Susan

November already?!

Aunt Susan made a trip to Utah over General Conference weekend and had a joyous visit with all members of the family living there there.

The rest of the month was pretty much on cruise control with not much else to report. However, the local water district decided that water users need to pay more of "their fair share" and have hooked everyone up to water meters. There was some difficulty understanding the expectations of the water district's newly installed water meter and the home owner's responsibility to turn on the faucet when water is wanted. The front and back lawns nearly died during the learning period and were rescued just in time when October rain showed up. Silly water meter jokes have found a resurgence among the homeowners of the little community of Carmichael this month.

We have avoided colds and flu thus far and still have all our toes and fingers. Thanksgiving festivities are not nearly as joyful at our house with just three old boring people staring at each other across the table but Aunt Susan will report on it nonetheless in the next newsletter. (There might be something unexpected come along along...one can only hope.)

Love to all,

The McClintocks

October 2010 - McClintock, Robert & Susan

Dear family,

A couple of months ago our very own Grandma Anna created a new dietary delicacy. It is simply called the Corky English Muffin. That's right, an English Muffin made out of cork. Whomever suggested that when one enters into the sunset of life clever and innovative ideas flee, simply did not run across some like Anna.

One morning Aunt Susan went to the kitchen to prepare Anna's breakfast. A trail of suspicious material led from the dining table toward the nearby kitchen. On the table were the remains of a cork coaster. The coaster appeared to have been broken in half and one of the halves was broken in to smaller pieces. There appeared to be teeth marks on one of the coaster halves while the other smaller bits and pieces appeared to have been chewed and then discarded. The trail leading to the kitchen was more mysterious. The pieces on the floor were definitely cork but did not appear to fit with the pieces on the table. Counting all the remaining cork coasters revealed that the original number of coasters remained - but one. Where did the extra cork pieces come from? Why was Anna dining in the dead of night on a cork coaster. And, even more mysterious, do nightmares accompany cork consumption?

As of this moment none of the other residents of the McClintock household have the courage to try the Corky English Muffin creation. However, a visit to Ikea uncovered a Cork Trivet that is twice the size of the McClintock Cork Coaster. Might over-dosing on the Cork Trivet be the answer to discouraging a Cork fetish? (On second thought a huge Cork Trivet not be such a good idea since there has been no reliable data regarding the effect of the cork coaster on the digestive tract.)

Life can have lots of interesting and humorous moments. Let it be known that odd dietary pursuits come from the paternal side of the McClintock-Woodward bloodline. McClintock-Woodward off-spring can be assured that the Woodward side can be counted on to consume garden variety nutrition...especially when it comes time for the off-spring's mother and father to be considered "advanced in age."

Love to All,

The McClintocks

September 2010 - McClintock, Robert & Susan

The month of August has had its ups and down. One of the ups was surgery for Uncle Bob to straighten his septum. After some consultation with his doctor it was decided that straightening his septum would help him breathe better during sleep and might help reduce the number of infections he experiences over the course of a year. After a false start the surgery was finally performed and the results were deemed successful. Uncle Bob's recovery went well and he is hopeful that the sinus swelling that he still experiences will soon go away.

Another upside to August was the visit of Kristy and Carol; both were in Sacramento at the same time. There was great fun visiting and reminiscing amongst the sisters. Grandpa joined in and a good time was had by all...even Zack, and Josh checked in occasionally on the confab.

Aunt Susan gave a number of the sisters in her stake a tour of the KCRA television studios. This group of sisters meet once a month for lunch in downtown Sacramento. It was decided that a slight alteration in the monthly routine might be in order. They seemed just as enthusiastic about the tour as any Aunt Susan has given. It was a fun time.

This was a terrific year for Aunt's Susan's old-world baby plums. The tree limbs were heavy with fruit. After a full day over a hot stove the result was 17 jars of Plum Jelly. Now, for those not initiated in the fine art of Jelly production, the feat of 17 jars is quite amazing. One does not just pick, pit, and process the fruit. One filters the fruit several times through cloth that has been woven to just the right size. That means the weave cannot be too tight or too loose. Too tight and the juice never passes through. Too loose and too much flesh joins the juice. The filter bag has to be hung above a pot while the juice slowly drips into a receptacle. (FYI...there are no contraptions on the market for hanging jelly bags for dripping. Great Great Great Grandfather Lowe would be proud of his posterity’s ingenuity.)

These plums are about the size of a Brach's Malt Ball. The pit inside the plum is about 1/3 its size. It takes six times as many plums to produce a jar of jelly as those using the standard Santa Rosa sized plum. (Too much information? Well, just stick with it a few more lines.)

If the fruit is not properly hydrated during the year, the weather too extreme, the ground too cold or warm, the bees too lazy, the ladybugs too few, the earth worms too sluggish, the Squirrels or Crows too many; the result is a poor harvest and tasteless fruit. This year it was plentiful and perfect. One learns a lot from time spent in and with nature. One could let the fruit fall or one can experience the joy of work's lasting reward. Isn't Father's plan glorious?

Here's wishing all a happy start of the School year.

The McClintocks.

August 2010 - McClintock, Robert & Susan

Dear family,
This past July Aunt Susan had a most disturbing experience.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Council organizes an event that takes place once a month called Second Saturday. Local artists can display their artistic work for the public to view after normal business hours. Because most local artists do not have a storefront to display their work many local businesses agree to let the artists use the local business as a display venue. The local business hopes the public will remember them or their goodwill and return to patronize the business, while the artist hopes the viewing public will seek out the artist for the work or talent they display.

Uncle Bob brought a number of his photographs to display at an auto body shop and then he and Aunt Susan decided to see what some of the other businesses had to show. By degrees, they walked into the most spiritually hideous place Aunt Susan had ever experienced. Rowdy people were milling around on the fringes but as one got further into the mass of revelers, those living spiritually empty lives congregated in greater numbers using the cover of the "mob" to sink lower into depravity with lewd dancing, contorting, and giving themselves over to the "moment". It was quite frightening. One could taste and most definitely feel the evil that reigned there. The Holy Spirit left us and the true nature and danger of the situation became quite apparent.

There is most certainly safety in the counsel of the Prophets to be in harmony with the spirit in order to heed his warnings. Had Aunt Susan been more alert to the spirit and less concerned about pleasing her companion's interests she might have been spared the experience. One might fall back on the old adage “Live and Learn" but that doesn’t cut it in better circles.

On a lighter note....the joint garden that Aunt Susan is tending is doing great! The vegetables that have been harvested and eaten are delicious! The weather has been agreeable most days and the Pioneer Day celebrations were great fun...because family was around and the children were having.

Grandma Anna is still slipping but she wakes every morning with determination to have the best day she possibly can.

Love to all,
The McClintocks

July 2010 - McClintock, Robert & Susan

Hi Family,
My, oh my. June started out on rather an unusual note.

One of our cars was "egged" overnight one weekend. What made the incident so irritating was the fact that the very car that was the object of the assault had been hand-waxed that very day. Uncle Bob's quick thinking cleaned up most of the muck so that it didn't become scrambled egg later that day while sitting in the church parking lot. The smell of cooked egg is still with us whenever riding in that car. Over the last several weeks Aunt Susan has found more egg; on the bottom of the front door, on the front window screen, on the post near the front door. It's not that the "eggers" came back its just that we didn't find all the egg that day because it was Sunday and we were on our way to church when it was discovered. We can report that egg allowed to cook and dry in the sun is REALLY hard to clean up after the fact.

The rest of the month has been quiet. Maybe the Independence Day Holiday will give us more to talk about next month.

Love to All,
The McClintocks

June 2010 - McClintock, Robert & Susan

Hi Family,
McClintocks are still drawing air and taking up space...as we used to say in the Sixties. And -- we are finally well.

Emily and Justin visited us for a weekend this month and we had a very sweet time with them and Rocco. Beware! Justin and Emily have added more extensions to their game, Dominion, and are determined players. If invited to play with them, think twice.

Uncle Bob has been working with the C.K. McClatchy High School Reunion Committee. He was invited to take the commission by his good friend Bevan Richardson, Uncle Gary's cousin. Uncle Bob built the website for the Reunion committee and has spent hundreds of hours scanning, cropping, and optimizing Senior pictures from their 1960 year book and then posting them to the Reunion website along with many other facets of the website. It looks wonderful and the committee are quite pleased.

A bit of trivia for you. C.K. McClatchy was the son of James McClatchy the founding editor of the Sacramento Bee, est. 1857. The McClatchy company also publish the Modesto Bee and the Fresno Bee. By 2008 the McClatchy company was the third largest newspaper publisher in the United States with 30 daily newspapers in 15 states and 150 non-newspaper publications. The McClatchy's also owned television and radio stations. The mascot for all of the McClatchy enterprises is a bee which was commissioned from Walt Disney studios and drawn by Disney artist Hank Porter. The newspaper bee's name is Scoopy. The AM radio bee was Gaby. The FM radio bee was Flutey. And the Televison bee was Teevy. (Just the stuff water cooler conversations are made of.)

Why would any of you be amazed that Aunt Susan would know this minutiae! Doesn't everybody?

Hope you had a terrific Memorial Day holiday.

The McClintocks