Peter's Mid-week....

OK... not a full week since the last entry but a lot has happened (work excepted).  Here are a few shots.  The snow shot is what I woke up to on Monday morning so no flying on that day.  Tuesday morning, I was set to be there at 6:30 when my instructor called from the airport at 6 saying that the wings were completely covered with ice so no go on that day.  But by Tuesday afternoon, it was cleared off...cleared off so much that a work mate invited me to go sailing with him after work on Utah Lake and it was gorgeous! Warm, sunny, very light wind and very enjoyable.  I rode my bike down to the marina and then home after with a large three-quarter moon rising. 

So Wednesday morning, flight conditions were perfect! Wind was calm, cool and the plane just jumped right into the air.  I went "under the hood" soon after takeoff and flew a sequence of turns and climbs for about 20 minutes and when I took off the goggles, we were at the south end of the great Salt Lake, right over Tooele (see shot-the lines are the prop captured as the image sensor catches it in a sweep).  We circled and then flew back towards Elberta and did a quick pass through the area, looking for the new city of Jerusalem that is supposed to be under construction out there somewhere for a movie set.  No luck....just the big Church owned pig farm and dairy.  Coming back to the airport it was picture-perfect approach and landing.  Only 6.8 hours to go before I can be covered by insurance without an instructor.

Then, tonight was Scouts and we started on the Cycling merit badge with a 10 mile ride.  That was up to Bridal Veil Falls and back.  As usual, we had a couple of boys that were right at the front, pushing all the way and a couple that didn't make it.  Only one close call as one of the boys dumped his bike when his kickstand came lose and caught his pedal.  He missed the rocks and landed in the dirt so no broken bones!

The big question on my mind right now is...well all the questions that weren't answered when Lost ended this week!  Six years of wondering and I still don't know what it all means!  Saw an interview with the cast and another with the writers...I don't think anyone knows! One described it as a Rorschach test--the show's meaning is whatever meaning you ascribe to it.  Anyway....Lost put Move Networks on the map with online viewing and now that it's done, we'll see what happens to Move!

Peter's Week

I'm driving home from work Tuesday and get a call from a Brother Roli.  "Brother Clegg, President Savage would like to visit you in his office at 8:30 p.m. tonight.  If you could come for an informational interview...and bring your wife." I hesitated a bit and said, "I'd be glad to do that but I want to make sure that you have the right guy.  First, I don't know any President Savage and second, I don't have a wife.  Are you sure you have the right person?"  "Are you Peter Clegg at 801-368-6874?" he asked.  "Yes."  "Well this is the number and name that President Savage gave me," he said.  "Can you come in?"  We talked a little more and after I ascertained that it was a BYU stake and Orem East Stake was a feeder stake for leadership there, I concluded that it must be legitimate.  I went in for what was a very good interview and have been called to be the Ward Clerk to Bishop Paul Johnson who was in the River Ridge II Ward.  I only know him indirectly through my friend Jim as he is his wife Amy's brother-in-law and Jim has told me about him.  But I do know his councilors Spence Woolley and Dennis Harding and our High Council rep is Russell Gray.  It will be an interesting experience I'm sure.  Timing is interesting as I was just thinking that I would  be spending at least every other weekend in Idaho, at least through the summer. Oh well.

I took the BMW in to the shop.  The battery had gone dead and when I charged it and started the car, there was no heater, windows, air conditioning, or other electronics.  Turns out, you are supposed to drive it every 2-3 days and if you don't, the battery goes dead.  Then when it restarts, it comes up in safe mode and only essential systems work--minimal life support!  Also the top wasn't working.  So while it's been in for a week and they loaned me brand new 2010 BMW 328ix.  The picture of Frank is him driving it during lunch. 

Friday night, I met Steve & boys at the Harley shop for hamburgers (see shots) and later Krispy Kreme doughnuts.  They came down to cheer Shannon on in a race Saturday morning but with a steady drizzle of rain and 50 degrees, no race.

Last week, I noticed a bird on the tail of the airplane and inside the tail could see some sticks.  I got one of those little tools like Dad has that extends little metal fingers when you push a button and used it to start pulling twigs out.  A few clumps emerged and suddenly, here was an egg shell! So Saturday morning, I pulled a couple of the inspection panels to check it out...a full on nest with starling eggs! (see pics).  Fortunately, they were well below any of the control mechanisms. As Anna would say, "You dirty bird!"

Peter's Week

Many of you know my friend Willy and I've mentioned his 'suck marrow' license plate--it's a saying for getting the most out of life (Thoreau).  Well, yesterday was a suck marrow day.  I got up at six and at seven, I was at the Provo airport, preflighting the plane.  As we taxied to the ramp line I asked my instructor, Mickey, "Where should we go today?"  "Where do you want to go?" she replied.  "Idaho?" I asked.  "Sure!"

"Provo Ground, this is Mooney Niner Niner Echo Whiskey at the north ramp with information Bravo.  We will be departing to the north east, flying towards Heber." We taxied to runway 13 and at 73 miles per hour, lifted off the runway, retracted the wheels and soon settled into a steady climb at 105 mph.  Gear up, propeller adjusted and the air was smooth as glass.  No other traffic and by the time we reached the mouth Provo Canyon, we were at 8500 feet...a safe elevation to fly up the canyon.  A few minutes later we were passing the back side of Timpanogos (see photo) and by the time we reached Deer Valley, we were at 12,000 feet and on a straight course for..."Is that called Teegert?" Mickey asked.  "No, it's Tigert airport in Soda Springs," I said.  "He was the doctor there and I think delivered a few of my siblings."

I'm still working on instrument time so went "under the hood" which means I put on these goggles that have the top half of the frame blurred out so I can only see the instruments in the plane.  Constant scan looking at attitude indicator, altimeter, heading, compass, airspeed indicator, tachometer, manifold pressure and oil and fuel gauges.  Glancing out from underneath, I could see Bear Lake in the distance caught a sighting of Logan.  Still lots of snow in the mountains.

About Preston, I took off the goggles and could see Sherman Peak straight ahead.  Since I had been looking forward to doing a fly by of the house since we got the plane, I course corrected to just in front of Soda Peak and started the descent.  It was only a matter of minutes from Preston to Lago and even with the throttle way back, we were pushing red line speeds at 192 mph.  The day was absolutely fabulous for flying--completely clear, calm and cool.  We circled the house a few times until Kent & kids, Dad and Mom came out and waved then flew to Grace and straight down the runway.  Then climbed 500 feet and flew on in to Soda, over a glass smooth and sky reflecting Alexander Reservoir. All the smoke and steam from the plants was floating straight up so no wind.  I had only intended to circle but we did a quick pit stop with a picture perfect landing coming in from the south at Soda.  Tigert has the shortest and narrowest runway I've been on in the Mooney and it took most of it to stop without much brake pressure. 

We turned around, and took off to the south, turning out and over the pass by the TV towers.  By the time we were over the house, we were up at 9,000 feet on our way to 11,500 for the flight back.  A little more hood time on a heading straight for Heber.  Passed Beaver Mountain up Logan Canyon, then Pineview Reservoir and were soon over Jordanelle. Little puffy clouds had popped up all over since we had left and we navigated around a couple but the canyon down into Provo was clear of clouds.  Again, descending at good speed, we came over the Orem house at 9000 feet and were in contact with the tower where we got instructions for a left down wind on runway 13.  Boost pump, cowl flaps open, gas on the right tank, landing gear down, mixture rich, prop forward, seat belts set and we were on final for landing.  Easy in with a bit of a bounce on landing but good.  From take off to touch down, one hour and eleven minutes! 

All those years and years of driving that route - from 1973 when I first went to BYU until last week.  I've gotten used to it but now, it's as if there's a new secret passage opened up and suddenly I'm free! It was cool to fly over the Bob Young place (which I've been calling Tranquility Base in my notes and folders).  Eyed a possible runway through the fields west of the house.  Mickey, my instructor even noted how beautiful it was up there and what a nice place it was.

Anyway, back home (Orem home...now need to differentiate!) I worked some on the cars.  They are both completely clean and waxed right now and look great.  All yard work was done on Friday night so I actually just pulled out the lawn chair and napped in the sun for a few minutes.  Robert Pearson called to see what I was up to the rest of the day as he was tending kids while Kimmie was gone.  "Don't asked me what I'm doing the rest of the day--ask me what I already did!" He was excited to hear about the flight.  He also is biking and challenged me to join him on a bike trip over the Alpine Loop in a couple of weeks so I got out the road bike and pedaled up to South Fork.  Again, a most beautiful day and perfect for riding. 

Then back home to change and pick up Marni, a work mate of Shannon's, in Salt Lake.  We met Steve and Shannon for dinner at CPK (California Pizza Kitchen) and a movie at the Gateway.  Great time! Afterwords, we drove by Marni's new house as she's been looking for some time for a place for her and her big dogs.  It's a very cute home up in the Harvard-Yale area with a nice back yard and a good fence. 

Home by midnight...feel into bed and right to sleep! A great suck marrow day!

The rest of the week has been ok. We know that you can't experience sweet unless you know bitter...so some of work contributed to me having a fantastic Saturday and weekend! I won't go into detail but it appears from our execs that there is now an effort underway to find a suitor for the company...someone that would keep it intact and still help to fulfill the vision of providing live channels through the Internet. For me, the job is week to week and right now, I just want to get Tranquility Base taken care of before making any big changes.   

Anyway, great to talk to most of you at one time or other during the week! 

Love to all!
Peter

Frank's Art

http://techmarketingink.com/photos/Franks_art/

Paula Graduates!

Hey all... most of you were there but here's a pic of the happy graduate! Also, Sunday night of me holding little Ryan.  And, a few of Frank's early art projects along with a couple of Gavin's.

Here's a YouTube video of the graduation....  watch it in HD!   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTKzOSvS2NM

Invitation to Paula's Graduation - This Saturday, 10 a.m., Holt Arena

Hi All!

A major event this weekend as Paula graduates from college!  Anyone is welcome and many of us are very excited to attend to celebrate with her in this major accomplishment.  Sub sandwiches will be served after at Stuart's clubhouse.  If you want to bring something, chips, dessert, veggies, drinks are fine.  Look forward to seeing many of you.

Attached is a retrospective review of her experience....enjoy!

The Board of Trustees, The Faculty

 and the Graduating Class

 of

 Idaho State University

 announce the

  Commencement Exercises

 For

 Paula Dawn Clegg Webb

 

Bachelor of Arts Degree

in

English

 

 Saturday, the eighth of May

 Two Thousand and ten

 at ten o'clock in the morning

 Holt Arena

 Pocatello, Idaho

 

You are cordially invited to attend the graduation.  There will be a luncheon afterwards at Stuart's club house.

Larsen Goes to Prom

Here are some pictures of my beautiful prom date and myself. We went to a gymnastics place in pocatello in the morning, ate a delicious breakfast, and played some lazer tag. It was so much fun.  After the trip to pocky, i took a nap for an hour and cleaned up my ride to the dance.   I sported a suit from my good bother-in-law (steve) that looked quite shnazzeee!    It was dark brown with pink pin stripes to match her dress; we looked pretty dang good together. Thanks Steve...it got a lot of complements. For the night, we enjoyed a nice dinner at a cabin one of my friends has a connection with; very nice place for a prom dinner.  After that, we went to the prominade and put our groove on at the dance.  Mom and Dad Webb also threw in some dance moves for a few minutes until they were escorted from the dance floor.  It was pretty funny.  Anyway.... It was a great way to cap off my high school dance career :) I love you all

 

Larsen

FW: Ben Cleggs

 

Hyde Park Cleggs

It has been an eventful last month and we should probably write more often just so we can keep track of things.   Thanks for everyone’s prayers and concern for Janet.   It started out as a trip to Disneyland with a stop off in St. George.  She started feeling sharp pains in her stomach and before the night was over we were checked into the hospital with a ruptured appendices and a gall bladder gone bad.   The surgery went well, but she was pretty much down and out in the hospital until the following Friday.   Looking back we realize we were blessed in a lot of ways.

·         It happened in Utah where our IHC insurance which only works on certain doctors and hospitals would work.

·         We had Janet’s Parents condo to base out of so we didn’t have to pay for a hotel.

·         The place was pretty much empty so the kids had the run of the street and pool with no worries.

·         We had everyone out of school so we didn’t have to keep the crazy schedule we do normally.

·         She was able to get a two for one and her gall bladder was in pretty bad shape.

·         And perhaps the biggest thing was that I didn’t have to go stand in line at Disneyland.   

I think there is always the point in every trial where you wonder, Why us?  But assuming the natural laws of nature and the normal unfolding of the cause and affect of things, we feel very blessed.  

Now we are back into the normal routine and Janet is doing great except for she has to be pretty cautious about what she eats.   A quick update on the family (This is mainly for Mom & Dad so don’t feel like you need to read it).

Megan is home for the weekend but is going to go spring at BYU.  She was looking for housing and found a place, and when we started looking it turned out to be right across the hall from Janet’s old apartment.   So far BYU has been a great experience for her and we hope it continues to be.

Wyatt had his Junior prom and had a lot of fun.   He had is band festival and they did really well.  It is always amazing to me the level of music that these high school bands can put out.

Lindy is in everything under the sun.  Piano, Volleyball, track and Voice lessons.  She gets up every morning at 5:15 on her own to practice piano.   She seems to enjoy the challenge and so far she has been able to hold it all together.  She was invited to be one of the performers at the piano awards and did really well on her last competition.

Dawsen is the doing well in piano and pretty much read the whole Percy Jackson series of books on Vacation.   He is the night games organizer and each night we don’t have school the next day we have about 20 kids here playing night games.  They mobbed Wyatt’s prom group date when they showed up.

Tanna is doing great in soccer, piano and tumbling.  She is getting so big and loves borrowing her big sisters stuff.  She thinks its pretty cool she wears the same size shoes as Megan.  She and Dawsen sang in a choir which Craig Jessop directing the other night.  It was pretty impressive.

Andie is our comedian and keeps things pretty active and loud.  It is great to watch her and Tanna be such good friends with the occasional sister fights over clothes. 

Brooklyn is now 5 and for her birthday she got ducks for herself and her three older brother and sisters.  Not sure where that will end up but I have promised myself that I will not take over the feeding and cleaning like I have with every other animal we have ever owned.  If they die they die.  Right?

There was a night while Janet was still in the hospital and I took the kids to Iceberg for ice cream shakes.  As we sat outside on a picnic table in the warm night air, the kids were laughing and joking with each other.  I looked around at the Sun burnt faces and the tangled hair and realized how lucky I was to be a part of this.  And how grateful I was for their mother, not for keeping their hair combed and putting on sunscreen and cooking their meals, but for teaching them to laugh and be friends with each other.

Best regards                                                                              

 

Ben