Wild Wren Survives in Dryer Vent

I started hearing strange noises in my laundry room yesterday, and woke up this morning to loud scratching noises. We live in rural mountainous desert location, and I was sure it had to be a field mouse. I decided to investigate and discovered it was a small bird that had become trapped inside our dryer vent! I was able to keep him safe inside the vent after removing it from the dryer and the outside ventilation, and I successfully released him from our balcony. He quickly flew off and perched himself happily in a comfy tree across the street.

First Week at the New Job

I started my new job last week. I spent part of my first day cleaning off the hand-me-down furniture. I have upgraded from cubicle life to an office on the 3rd floor in Salt Lake City...with a door and view (sort of)! I was given an old desk, grimy chair, and semi-matching furniture. It was all quite disgusting. I'll spare you the details. It was kind of interesting ripping out papers yellowed by age that were taped on the inside of my desk. It looked like the last time the desk had been used was about 15 years ago. Other than that, the new job has been totally awesome so far! My boss is in Phoenix and my trainer is in Las Vegas. I've included a video below so you can see my new digs:

Thinking of Grandpa

(Top Center Photo: A young Dell Holbrook pictured, on the far right, with his father and brothers, ca. 1925)

It's unfortunate that most of the people in my life never met my grandfather, Dell Holbrook. July 7th, 2010 marks 100 years since he was born.

The following is an excerpt from his obituary, posted at the Deseret News in 1995:

"Dell (Delbert) Holbrook age 84 died Saturday March 4, 1995 in Bountiful.

"He was born July 7, 1910 in Bountiful, the son of Jonathan and Rosabelle Simon Holbrook. He married Marie Crittenden December 20, 1940 in Salt Lake City. Marriage solemnized December 15, 1962 at the Logan LDS Temple.

"He was active civilly. Veteran World War II, served 145th Field Artillary Retired from Bountiful Fire Department as the Fire Chief in 1972 after 37 years service. Bountiful businessman for 30 years. He was a master mechanic and machinist for Remington Arms. Served 10 years with the Davis County Sheriff's office. Charter member of the Bountiful Jeep Posse. He was a High Priest in the Bountiful 9th Ward.

"He was raised on a farm and appreciated all of natures creations, especially his family and grandchildren. He will be remembered by all as a friend to those who needed a friend, under any circumstances.

"Survivors include: his wife Marie, [4 sons]; 17 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Precdeded in death by parents, four brothers and seven sisters."

His charisma and strength of character is something of legend, and we all base our values and carry ourselves according to the example he set. He was well known and respected in the community. He didn't say a lot, but everyone will agree, when he spoke...you listened, because he had something important to say.

Many of us Holbrook's get our leadership and athletic skills from grandpa. He was one of the first class presidents at Davis High School. He was an athlete back when football players only wore a flap of padded pigskin on their heads.

He was quietly charitable, and loved his grandkids. However, he wasn't the type to express his love openly, except in rare circumstances when he took a particularly unique liking to you. One of my fondest memories of grandpa was when he told me he loved me. He simply did not say the words "I Love You" very often. I also remember when he dusted off and gave me his electrum (or nickel silver) compass and pen calligraphy set. He told me it was an item that meant a lot to him, and he knew of my artistic disposition. He told me he had saved his money to purchase the set and use it in school sometime around the Great Depression.

Listen to my grandfather's testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ, as recorded in 1976 on cassette tape for my dad while my dad served an LDS mission in Washington, D.C.: