Power of the 90 Gallon Garbage Can - Taking the frustration and making it a success

Salt Lake City changed its neighborhood cleanup this last
summer and some didn't get the message.  Looked at this for
months - Note the overflowing small can

I served on the Salt Lake City Council for 16 years, and each of those years, discussed the garbage fees charged to residents in the city.  A number of years ago, the city added smaller garbage cans to allow homeowners the opportunity to not have the full size 90 gallon can.  For many, the logistics were easier, since they didn't really fill the larger can.  Staff made the arguments that if people had the smaller can, they would recycle more.  In fact pricing favored the smaller cans as an incentive for people to switch, which in their theory would cause them to recycle more.

I believe in recycling, often that can is full and I take advantage of neighbors cans to make sure all my cardboard gets out.  However year after year, I made the argument that in the pricing, there is a fixed cost to collection, regardless of the size of the can and the weight potential should be the variable pricing.  However for many of those years, the 90 gallon can took the bulk of the pricing as an incentive to shift.  I often made the argument that if you shifted the bulk of people over, then the  cost would have to be made up in the smaller cans and that would be a big shift for many of those users after they had been shifted to the smaller cans.  I always lost out in the discussion, and in the scope of life, if you have to take a loss, that's one I can handle.

Salt Lake City Garbage Can Fee Schedule

More often than not, I see users of small cans with overflowing garbage, which in reality isn't much less than what I typically put in my 90 gallon can, yet I pay more.  Then came last summer.  Salt Lake City changed its neighborhood cleanup methods.  It's fair to say, the new method got off to a poor start, leaving many garbage piles through the neighborhood for much of the summer.  I tried myself to schedule a time, but it was out months, and on top if that, my truck wasn't running and I didn't have an easy way to haul things off to the dump.  I decided to exercise the power of the 90 gallon garbage can!

I had renovated my back yard, installing new new pathways with pavers.  I had trimmed back trees, including removing an apple tree for a neighbor and discovered that if I cut things up in smaller pieces and placed them in my brown or green waste cans or systematically placed discarded items in the 90 gallon can, they went away!  In fact, I had a quest last summer to see if I could avoid personally going to the dump and take full advantage of my 90 gallon can.  Just last week, I threw away a chair and a small cupboard that was introduced to my mallet.  I am always careful to not make it too heavy, but if it fit in my 90 gallon can, it was as good as gone.  I ended up last year, not ever using the neighborhood cleanup or making a trip to the dump for personal needs, yet it's fair to say, I threw a number of things away.

While I am not sure the pricing is still equitable, I've learned to live with the disparity and with my new found success of disposal simply say, "Power to the 90 gallon can!"

Playhouse has new siding and the girls have grown up!

Years ago, with the help of my brother-in-law Bill Nielsen, we built
this playhouse for our girls.  We recently put on vinyl siding to
improve the looks and help preserve it

We have been working super hard this last month doing improvements to our backyard that we've wanted to do for a while, motivated by our hosting a dinner gathering for some friends and their recent finalization of their adoption of a wonderful little boy.  It was one of those things, where one project led to another and then to another and a few thousand dollars into it, we have added some wonderful features to our backyard.  One of those improvements was the siding of our girls playhouse, which was originally built out of wafer board, and painted.  The years had taken it's toll on both the paint and the wood, but we not only wanted to keep it, but also have a place that one day our grandchildren could come and play.  We originally built it, so that at 6'10" I come come to "dinner" or visit my girls without having to bend my head.  It proved to be a wonderful gathering place for multiple girls, giving each of them their space to play.  Our oldest now teaches elementary school and is looking for her first home, our youngest is a semester or so away from her associates degree at a local college.  Memories we seem to be able to hold in the context of their time, but everything else tends to grow, which is a good thing.

Today, which is Father's day, is also the 7th anniversary of the beginning of my blog.    My first blog was about my feelings as a father and while I didn't know if anyone would read my blog, I have been pleasantly surprised at the results.  That first blog, continues to find its way into my top 10 blogs from time time, reminding me that there are other dads who may a feel the same inadequacy as a father as we struggle to do our best.

I have also been interested to see that the most widely read blogs are about family, mine in particular.  I didn't really start it out that way, but I have on occasion written about the people who mean the most to me.  Of particular note, is the fact that one of the pieces I wrote about my wife on Mother's Day has become the most popular. 

While most of my audience is from the United States, it has reminded me that the questions or thoughts I have, may have interest elsewhere. In the end, I mostly write for myself.  I am grateful that others are interested.  It has given me an outlet to share thoughts and impressions and even on occasion pass along my review of a local business or something I thought was interesting or helpful.  Carlton's Corner always has a place for my girls to come back to, whether or not it's in the playhouse!  I am very fortunate to be their father and the wonderful blessing they have been in my life.  Thank you to those who take the time to read on occasion and whether I know you or will get to know you, you have also blessed and made my life better.

Big Guys with Ties - Keeping it together

Solution not even imagined by the manufacturer!

Ok, I've written about some pretty strange things, but none quite so personal and challenging as my ties! When your are tall like me (6'10") and a pretty long torso, it's hard to keep my front and back part of my ties together.  I wear a suit at least five days a week.  On top of that I speak to different congregations weekly as Stake President of the Salt Lake Rose Park Stake in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or speak in my role as Regional Development Director for Salt Lake County and its always embarrassing to look down and find my tie going two different directions. I think after 40 years of wearing a tie, I finally found a solution that I don't think was in the minds of the manufacture, 3M when they marketed the product.

The problem you have at my height, is that the back part of the tie, doesn't go long enough to match up with anything that can hold it.  I've tried tape, both regular and double stick - doesn't hold.  I've had well meaning friends give me tie clips, but if you placed them where you would need them they would be two inches below the tie knot.  I had some ties custom made abroad, but very expensive and frankly didn't hold up well.  Those ties they sell in Men's clothing stores that say "extra long", well maybe if you're 5'8", but not for real tall men.  Silly as it sounds, those "extra long ties" are the ones that are just leaving me 3" to 4" on the backside when tied.

A few months ago, my wife Cathy purchased for me four different kinds of Velcro tabs or dots.  Some were super heavy duty and while they stayed on the tie permanently, they were also nearly impossible to line up afterwards and usually took three or four times to tie them to come close.  Made it very difficult to untie the tie because you had to work around the Velcro surfaces.  And if you pulled them off, left a very sticky mess.  But they did hold the tie together.

Demonstration on how the Velcro dots hold the
tie together

Then I tried the Scotch Create Fastener Dots.  They are fairly inexpensive, and do hold to the clothing.  However the beauty is they come off fairly easily if I just peel them off the tie with little or no residue.  I realized for the small cost and constant frustration of trying to line up the more robust Velcro dots, that I could just place these dots on for the day, it held my tie together and at the end of the day, I just peeled them off and threw them away and untied my tie like I normally do.  My days are often 14 hour days and they stay together most of the time without any extra effort on my part.  At age 52, can I tell you how liberating this was to me!  How normal it made me feel and most importantly how I didn't have to cover up for my tie becoming like an upside down V when talking to a crowd or just a co-worker.  I'm sure they are available in craft stores, if they were smart, a big and tall store, but save yourself the time and get them on Amazon.com and have it shipped to you in two days.  Now it doesn't solve the myriad of problems in the rest of my life but for now, my ties are keeping it together!

#LightTheWorld with Luminaries tonight in Rose Park

This evening will conclude the Rose Park Stake's efforts in the #LightTheWorld effort as we follow the examples of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  After much preparation, dedication and sharing of personal testimonies, this evening, we do an outward example of that effort by placing luminaries in front of our homes and also sharing it with neighbors.  It is a small gesture that represents a much larger commitment as we share our testimonies with others.  I've written about it earlier in this blog, but invite any who are interested to join us.

Thursday evening, we invited members and neighbors alike to come to a wonderful event held in our parking lot of our Church Building that included music, propane fire pits for warmth as well as food. We not only were able to interact with each other but to also pick up a kit for the creation of 10 luminaries to place in front of our homes.  We likewise encouraged those taking them to also take one to share with a neighbor.  This was an idea, that came from our Stake's Cultural Arts specialist last year, Joni Astorga.  When she presented the idea, I questioned it somewhat, but then realized it was exactly the right way to end a month long effort.  She was receptive to the spirit and the Lord knew I was too set in my ways!  We learned a lot on the production side of things since last year, and while we were challenged with rain on Christmas Eve (when does that ever happen in Utah!), I was very touched by the faith of the members of the Rose Park Stake.

If you happen to live nearby and would like to participate, feel free to stop by my home or give me a call.  Or better yet, ask your neighbor, who is a member, if you can have one too.  We have some extras and would love to have them used.  The weather looks more encouraging and most of all, with our without luminaries, our light shines as an example of that commitment to follow his path.  Merry Christmas to you, Carlton.

#LightTheWorld - What's really important in life when it's all said and done

I've written about my father, Robert M. Christensen but when I looked at this particular video, it reminded me of a wonderful dream he had shortly before his death that I included previously, but felt I wanted to share it again.  It continues to have deep meaning to me when I let the things of the world hold me down, I'm reminded time and again, what truly matters.  The older I get, (I turn 52 later this week), the more I am reminded what I can't do without, my family, my faith and my service in God's kingdom.  Sometimes after the pettiness of politics or undertow of the workplace, I come back to a place that says, this is what I want in the end.  I am grateful for employment and the opportunity to provide for my family and hopefully take care of Cathy when I'm gone, but in the end, it's the items in this dream that really matter.

From the Autobiography of Robert M. Christensen:

"On my first visit to the hospital in August of 1975, after being informed that I had a potentially terminal illness, I lay thinking over my life, my future and my family. A remarkable vision was given to me at that time. I first saw a large pile of goods, and I recognized them as my own physical possessions. With them were other worldly goods which I dealt with every day in my work at ZCMI. Suddenly, they disappeared from my view, and I did not feel the slightest desire to look for them or to inquire as to where they went. My vision then showed me three things: one was my righteous family, the second was my knowledge, understanding and testimony of the restored gospel, and the third was the work that I had accomplished in the building up of the kingdom of God. Then, as though the person were standing at my side, a voice spoke to me and said, “This is what life is all about. That’s all there is that is important. That’s all there is to life.” I was then filled with a very comfortable feeling that the Lord had accepted my work and my life.

I want my family always to remember this story, and to place their values on the spiritual rather than the material things. I hope they will live their lives in such a way that theirs will be the riches of eternity. I want my family to know that I know with all my heart that God lives and is willing to bless us constantly through our lives, and that he wants each of us to succeed in living the gospel so that we can return and live with him in the Celestial Kingdom. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior and Redeemer of mankind, that he is the Lord of this earth and that he stands at the head of this church today. He reveals his will to his prophets and to every righteous priesthood holder and member of the church who seeks for divine guidance.

I have a great belief in the Holy Ghost, and on many occasions in my life, the power of the Holy Ghost has descended upon me and given me the knowledge and help which I needed in accomplishing the Lord’s work. I believe that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church upon the face of the earth. And it is only by membership in the church that we can receive the ordinances of salvation and the principles and doctrines which are needed for entry into the celestial kingdom. I believe in living prophets and that as members of the church, we need to follow the living prophets. While we glean much wisdom and guidance from the prophets of old, it is the living prophets who show us the way to go today. I leave this testimony for the guidance of my family, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

#LightTheWorld - A Testimony of the Book of Mormon

While serving as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fukuoka Japan during 1985-86, I was assigned to a suburb of Fukuoka, in an area known as Ijiri.  I was serving as a zone leader when they asked me to speak and bear testimony at a fireside for new or investigating members.  

Pondering what I might say, I knelt down and prayed, asking the Lord for help.  I was timid about it, that while conversant, my Japanese was certainly not the best.  I had spent 9 months previously working in the mission home as Financial Secretary, and speaking opportunities were not quite as abundant.  As I knelt to pray, I saw a picture in my mind of the Japanese Book of Mormon.

Japanese Book of Mormon

 I had a very distinct feeling that I should testify of it, and when I finished my prayer, got up to write down a few thoughts, so that I could remember what I needed to say.  As I began to write, a very distinct impression came to me and a voice which said, "A testimony comes from the heart, not a piece of paper" to which I replied, "but you're not giving it in Japanese".  However I knew if I trusted in the Lord that when the time came, I could speak.

A few days came and the meeting started, and my turn came to speak, I held the book in my hand and began to testify of its truthfulness. (It of course fit in one hand, mine are pretty large!) I felt the words flow from my mouth in a manner that I never had before and spirit guided me in the words that I should say. My companion later remarked to me that he had never heard me speak like that before and a few weeks later, during a testimony meeting, a member commented how she had been in that meeting, heard the testimony and had chosen to read the book again.

More important, I was reminded how the book is true.  How I love it's teaching as it is another testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ and that by reading it, we become closer to him and our Heavenly Father.  As we do so, the Holy Ghost will testify to you of its truthfulness, to which I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

#LightTheWorld Fast Offerings - A way to respond to the Savior's call to feed the poor

There are many wonderful ways to respond to the Savior's call to feed the poor.  Many organizations do much good in answering needs around the world.  One of the most simplest and cost effective ways, is through a monthly opportunity, known as Fast Offerings.  In the Old Testament's book of Malachi 4:8-10 it reads:

8 ¶ Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

We often think of it just as tithing, but the Lord expects us to do more.  However in doing it, he offers an incredible blessings and promises.  In a true fast, we abstain from eating two meals in a 24 hour period and offer the equivalent of that cost of food (or more if we choose) as an offering to our Church's Bishop to use in caring for the poor as he sees fit and within guidelines set by the Church.  Through coordinated systems, offerings are first used in our local congregation and if there is more than needed, used elsewhere.  In some cases, if the needs are greater than donations, the Bishop can use excess fast offerings from other congregations in the needs of his own.  It's a beautiful system where you look to your own resources, that of family, and then food and basic necessities.  Much good comes from it, and most if not all families at some point are blessed from it, but certainly in giving to others.

A friend of mine, Bishop Dean L. Davies gave a wonderful address in General Conference a few years ago about both the responsibility and blessing of the the Fast, which I've included above.

There are those not of our faith, who are helped as well as donations to the Humanitarian Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints go worldwide, including communities locally who are suffering from disasters and other challenges.  Those donations, while separate, also aide in the challenge issued by the Savior and can be made here.

Tomorrow is Fast Sunday, and today I made my donation for fast offerings as well as the Humanitarian Fund in preparation of that day.  How grateful I am for both the opportunities and blessings that come from such a sacred opportunity and charge from the Savior to care for the poor.  It's not the only way I choose to do it, but it is without question, divinely inspired and a blessing in my life.