Picto Diary - 13 to 16 January 2024 - Flute and Pipe Organ for Elaine
Above: Elaine Jorgensen. Images on funeral program. Ephraim, UT. 13 January 2024.
We rose early in time to drive through not terrible, but blustery, weather to reach Ephraim by 10:00 AM.
Above: Fourth Ward LDS Chapel, Ephraim, UT. 13 January 2024.
TIMDT, The Monk, and Diana. Luncheon for friends and family of Elaine Jorgensen following funeral and interment at Ephraim cemetery. We see The Monk periodically, but we hadn't seen Diana for several years. It's sad that it sometimes takes a death to bring together old friends. We also were glad to see some of The Monk's kids, Dan, Jr., Amy, and John Henry. I asked Dan Jr.'s boy, Oscar, 17, what his plans were. He said he didn't like high school, so he left and got a GED. He is now training to be a diesel mechanic. I was impressed! In Salina, UT, where he lives, is a large diesel truck center off I-70. Peterbilt, Freightliner and all the big truck manufacturers have sales and service facilities there. The data says, that if this kid is successful, he'll be making $250K a year by age forty as a diesel mechanic. Oscar's is not a bad life strategy when "guys who know how to do stuff" are becoming in increasingly short supply and where there is an oversupply of college graduates who can't find a job. We were also glad to see Brent P., Dan's nephew. Brent was running Conseco Industrial Bank in Salt Lake City, in the early 'aughts when he arranged to have both The Monk and Mwah (sic) join the bank as directors.
Most important of all was a wonderful goodbye to Elaine. A true saint. Flute accompanied by piano was wonderful, skillfully performed. Hymns were backed by a pipe organ played by a woman who knew what she was doing. There is nothing better than the fulsome tones of a pipe organ with all stops activated! While most LDS chapels have electronic organs, pipe organs are rare. Elaine, a consummate musician and music educator was well served by the music at her funeral service. All five of Elaine's children gave superb talks about their mother.
Above: Apex cap. Ephraim, UT. 13 January 2024.
Christmas present from Koessler and Portland.
You have to admit, it was good living at the apex. I'm glad to have this cap as a reminder.
Above: Casablanca Hotel and Casino. Mesquite, NV. 14 January 2024.
Out and about on the Duc.
Slot. $100 in, $171 out. I had to get $ for gas and lunch, what? I have a system, you know. TIMDT went to the spa in St George. What else was I supposed to do? Stay home?
Above: Cedar Pocket, Arizona. 14 January 2024
Out and about on the Duc.
The road here is the Virgin River Gorge section of I-15, purportedly one of the costliest per mile freeway sections in the US. Another costly freeway section is east of Glenwood Springs, CO on I-15. It is a 1200-foot drop in elevation from St. George, UT (2700 feet) to Mesquite (1500 ft). Distance between St. George and Mesquite, via I-15 is forty miles. Las Vegas is eighty miles south of Mesquite, via I-15.
Above: Bishop's. St. George, UT. 15 January 2024.
Good morning!
Above: Old Highway 91. Washington County, UT. 15 January 2024.
Out and about on the 'Wing.
'Wing is more than two years old Only 4500 miles. Original tires look to have another 2000 or so miles on them. A smooth, powerful ride. 1800cc, six-cylinder, 130 horsepower. My 1964 VW beetle engine was 40 hp! I was glad to be able to get both Ivins-based motorcycles out for a spin on this visit.
Above: Sprinter. Just off Red Cliffs Parkway. St. George, UT. 16 January 2024.
For third time in my twenty years of owning a diesel-powered vehicle, I put unleaded gas in the tank. And the last time was fifteen years ago! We had started to return to Park City from Ivins. TIMDT called friend K, who lived nearby. K picked up TIMDT and took her to our Ivins home where TIMDT picked up the Porche Cayenne and drove back to this spot. We transferred stuff and Freddie from the van to the SUV, and had the van towed to Mercedes St. George. We lost an hour, but we were able to drive the three-hundred miles to Orem in time for a late lunch at P.F. Chang and make our estate planning appointment at the McCollough law firm, in Orem, at 3:30 PM. Re van faux pas: Fixing this problem could cost $1000. I believe I am being punished for gambling on Sunday (see pic above of Duc at Casablanca Hotel and Casino in Mesquite, NV).
Addendum:
Rocky rocks! Glad she is part of our discussion group.
Nathans,
Massapequa, NY
Ditto. Her contributions always pithy and reasoned.