Obituary
Grandpa Poppers
Saturday, October 25, 2014
William Bernell Barrett - My Brother - March 11, 1939 to October 3, 2014
Obituary
Monday, November 23, 2009
Carters day with Granparents
individual Granchildren. Carter came and spent Friday night and most of
Saturday. Friday night we had pepperoni pizza and took in a late movie(8pm
start). We saw Planet 51. It was very entertaining and Carter stayed
awake through the whole show, while Grandma, having a long day of service
and shoppong with Kelly, fell asleep.
Saturday morning Carter woke up at about 6:30 and started putting puzzles
together. We had pancakes for breakfast, wrestled, played video games,
played chess, played a little basketball, went to 5 Guys Burgers and Fries
for lunch, painted a ceramic Dragon (to be fired this week), played
battleship, and played more chess. It was lots of fun. I want these
experiences with all of my Granchldren.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
A Favorite Christmas Present from my Childhood
As a child of about 8 or 9 years old, we did not have video games. Our play was imaginary but exciting. The two primary types of programming in movies and on TV were Westerns and War Movies. Every young boy would imagine himself a cowboy or even a gunslinger. One of my favorite gifts of all time was a matching set of Mattel Shootin' Shell 45 cap pistols. These were very authentic revolver like pistols that had spring loaded shells with plastic bullets. A cap was placed on the rear of the casing. As a realistic revolver, 6 shells could be loaded. When the shells were loaded, the gun could be fired either by pulling the trigger, or by fanning on the oversized cocking mechanism. A firing pin would strike the cap and make the bang sound, and the plastic bullet would be launched through the barrel about 15 feet with some accuracy. Such guns would never be tolerated today. They were way too realistic. But that was a different time.
In my imagination, I would face down another gun slinger and draw. I was pretty good. I would even imagine myself participating as my favorite song would come on the radio El Paso by Marty Robbins. Of course it was the gun fighting that was the attraction, not the girly stuff.
In one of my favorite episodes of Bat Masterson one of the characters pulled out a small derringer (small concealed single shot gun)
My Shootin Shell holster came with a belt buckle, that had a derringer as part of the design. When you would stick out your stomach, the derringer was released and would swivel out and fire one of the shootin' shell bullets. THIS WAS THE COOLEST THING EVER!!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
The Small Plates of Dennis
From the Book if Jacob Chapter 1 of the Book of Mormon
1 FOR behold, it came to pass ....wherefore, Nephi gave me, Jacob, a acommandment concerning the bsmall plates, upon which these things are engraven.
2 And he gave me, Jacob, a commandment that I should awrite upon bthese plates a few of the things which I considered to be most precious; ....
4 And if there were preaching which was asacred, or revelation which was great, or prophesying, that I should engraven the bheads of them upon these plates, and touch upon them as much as it were possible, for Christ’s sake, and for the sake of our people.
Like Jacob, it is my wish to write and share with my family and my posterity the important spiritual and sacred experiences of my life.
- That they may know that I have a testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and of his role in the loving plan of our Father in Heave to help us to become like him and have all that he has.
- That they might know of the spiritual experiences that have built that testimony
- That they may see how I have learned and do continue to learn of my Father in Heaven and his plan for us and how it relates to our lives.
These are the more sacred experienced of my life as I remember them and as they currently occur. A private blog will permit me an easier media than engraving it on plates or even writing them on paper. I pray that as you receive these words, that you will take the time to consider them for yourself and prayerfully consider their value and truthfulness.
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would aask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not btrue; and if ye shall ask with a csincereheart, with dreal intent, having efaith in Christ, he will fmanifest the gtruth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may aknow the btruth of all things.
I also ask that since they are sacred to me, that you not share them with just anyone. My references to scriptures you may share freely, but my experiences should not be shared without permission
Friday, September 5, 2008
Reuniting Family
In August I had a very special experience. I was reunited with my sister, Jo Ann twice, and once with two of her children, and their children.
On my First Visit, JoAnn and her husband, Clarke Sharar drove down to Ontario, CA to meet for a late lunch. It was really great seeing her again. I was shocked by here spiked hair style, since she always has such curly hair, and Clarke was very friendly and outgoing. I promised that I would return and bring Linda.
JoAnn and I JoAnn and Clarke Sharar
Only about three weeks later, Linda and I were able to travel to Santa Barbara again for some training. Linda and I drove to Palm Desert and stayed two nights and spent one entire day with JoAnn and her family. We had lunch with two of her daughters Tanya and Christina and their children, Nicholas and Mitchell (Tanya's) and Sydney and Samantha (Christina's).
JoAnn, Christina,Samantha, Sydney, Linda Dennis Tanya Tanya with Mitchell,(Nicholas was sleeping),Christina with Samantha and Sydney
I was overwhelmed by their openness and acceptance of an Uncle and Great Uncle they had met only once or less. I felt totally guilty for being so self involved for years. They seemed anxious to know family members. I realized that there was a real hole in my life, and that we had left a hole in their life also. For all of these years, they had a knowledge that they had family members out there, but had a large gap. Visiting with them, made me realize that I missed years of loving these beautiful Nieces and Great Nieces and Nephews. That my children had missed out on knowing and loving their wonderful cousins. Likewise, Tanya and Christine had missed out as well.
I will not make this mistake again. I am very grateful for the opportunity to meet them once, and intend on getting to know them better. I am starting by sharing this blog and those of our family (below) with JoAnn who can share it with her daughters. This will give them an opportunity to get a glimpse in to the lives of their extended family. I will a couple are open to invited members only, so I will ask them to invite JoAnn and as I get e-mail addresses Sonya, Tanya and Christina.
I love my immediate family that has been extended with sons and daughters in law and grandchildren. I also love my sister an her children and grandchildren that I am just beginning to know. I am sorry I cheated us out of all of this time.
My Family and their Blogs
My oldest daughter - Emily Mcammon and her husband Shane - Adana Turkey
http://mccammonblog.blogspot.com/
My second daughter - Kelly Babcock and her husband Mike
http://thebabcockchronicals.blogspot.com/
My oldest son - Scott Barrett and his wife Jentry - Lincoln, Nebraska
http://cumulativerecord.blogspot.com/
My third daughter - Ellen Wheat and her husband Kevin
http://mini-wheats.blogspot.com/
My youngest - David Barrett - Nicaragua - It is hard to get a picture of him without him pulling a face.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Happy Fathers Day
Yesterday was Fathers day, but today I received the cards in the mail. Of course Linda gave me her cards on Fathers Day, and I did get calls from all of my children that were able (David of course does not get to call on Fathers day, only on MOTHERS day). I thought I would share the cards with everyone.
Mom gave me two cards:
- One plays "Just the Two of Us" song over and over, like she has to remind me that we are empty nesters and no one lives near by. We were sooo lonely we went for a 4 hour drive with "Just the Two of Us" - Mom was really tolerant in riding on mountain roads that shook her arm and shoulder.
- In the other card she tells me that if she hadn't married me she could have found someone else to drive nuts, but that she is nuts about me.
Kevin and Ellen take the Crude Award. Of course it fits right in with our family humor.
Kelly and Mike sent the Mid-life Crisis card. However, my mid life crisis was 10 years ago. I am now in declining life panic mode.
Madison, Carter and Brooke sent the Gramp Award card. I really like how Brooke made me look nice and thin and with lots of hair. That is so nice!
All I can say is Linda, Emily, Kelly, Scott, Ellen, and David make me look like a great Dad. Keep it up! I know that you were all great spirits and it was a blessing to receive all of you in my family.
My Tag Response
Liam here are the answers to your questions
4 Places I go over and over:
1. My office upstairs in our home
2. Home Depot
3. Church
4. The Airport
4 who email me:
1. Over 100 from many people at work a day.
2. Elder David Barrett
3. Linda
4. A lot of weirdos on the Internet who send SPAM
4 Of my favorite foods:
1. Chocolate chip mint ice cream
2. RASBERRIES AND BLACK BERRIES
3. Stone crab claws in Florida
4. Tacos al Pastor in Mexico
4 Places I would rather be right now:
1. On a clear mountain stream fly fishing
2. In Turkey with the McCammons and my grand children that I miss soooooo much!
3. Anywhere with my children and/or grand children (Turkey, San Antonio, Logan/Lincoln, Rexburg, Nicaragua?
4. Riding my bicycle on a quiet road either going downhill or with a wind to my back
4 Movies I watch over and over again:
1. Back to the Future
2. Meet the Parents
3. Harry Potter 4
4. The Incredibles
4 People I am tagging:
1. Kevin Wheat
2. Ellen Wheat
3. Emily McCammon
4. Jentry Barrett