Happy Easter

It's Easter Sunday -- the earliest I can remember. It's also the first weekend of spring. The pansies survived the winter, the tulips and daffodils are poking their leaves through the cold soil.

Willie and I have had a few days for spring break which has meant sleeping in, eating out, and just chilling. It's been nice . . .

March madness continues -- b-ball style that is --- and guess what, one of my bracket sheets is in first place in the Petersen household. I can't believe it! I really know nothing about the records, seeding, and all that stuff.

Sunday Dinner --

honey baked ham and yummy potatoes

asparagus and pineapple-lemon fruit salad

veggies and dip

hot rolls and honey butter

dessert -- to be announced

Have a nice day!

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad -- 57 Years

Fifty-seven years ago today, March 19, 1951, my parents were married in the Salt Lake Temple. Then Elder Harold B. Lee (a good friend of the family) officiated. Dad was just about to graduate in mechanical/civil engineering from the University of Utah, and Mom was working full time as an administrative secretary for Salt Lake Knitting. They had a nice reception at the Yale Ward and then they were off to Las Vegas for a short honeymoon. It was spring break at the "U" so that meant back to school when the honeymoon ended. A few months later, Dad was drafted and reported to Fort Lewis, Washington for basic training and then Fort Ord, California for additional training. Fortunately, Dad was assigned stateside for his tour of duty in the military, and Mom was able to join him at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. I think the years in New Jersey were some of the best -- time together, away from family, totally on their own. Neither Mom nor Dad hesitate to share their New Jersey experiences.

My parents have had a good, strong marriage largely celebrated by hard work, church and community service, their eight children and their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses, and great-grandchildren. (Mom would argue that all of her grandchildren are "great-grandchildren.") In my fifty plus years, I have never heard Dad make an unkind or curse remark or comment to Mom. However, on occasion Mom has set Dad straight on a few issues, but nothing serious -- that's just the way she is. They are awesome examples to all of us -- I think we number fifty now.

An end to a great season . . .

The 07-08 "Wolverine" b-ball season came to an end last night. They lost to a pretty mediocre team 20-18. It was the lowest scoring game of the season. Sometimes the stars just line up for the other team.

Willie's had a great season. He is a tough and very consistent player. Now it's time for practicing b-ball outside with the neighborhood team and getting ready for basketball camp, scout hikes and bike rides, summer swimming, scout camps, and then football. Next year's b-ball season will be here before we know it, and hopefully it will include some time on the junior high team.

Willie is a great kid -- he is also very smart. He has yet to get any grade lower than an "A" and his citizenship is top notch. My only complaint about this kid of mine is that he is a picky eater. Oh well ---

Washington, DC Temple on TV

Here I am watching the news on FOX-DC and the weather comes on. The weather person remarks on the beautiful March evening we are having and points out the beauty of the "Mormon" Temple view from the beltway. How about that!

In the Nation's Capital --

I am in Washington, DC for an education -focused national policy seminar. This is the sixth time I have attended this seminar in the past eight years. It's always a very rewarding and positive experience. I am with 10 or so educators from Utah. The seminar format is basically the same each year, however the topics and issues are dynamic (to say the least). Where this is a Presidential election year, Congress is currently waiting around for new leadership before key education issues like "No Child Left Behind" and "Perkins Funding" are resolved. So, in the meantime, our role at the policy seminar was not as critical this year as in the past.

Our group met yesterday (Monday) afternoon with Dr. Troy Justesen, "The" Assistant Secretary of Education (Office of Vocational and Adult Education). We had an excellent discussion with him about the status of education in Utah and what's on the horizon for CTE (Career and Technical Education) nationwide. Today (Tuesday) was our day on Capitol Hill. We met with Rep. Jim Matheson and Sen. Bob Bennett this morning and then met with staffers for Rep. Chris Cannon and Sen. Orin Hatch this afternoon. Sen. Hatch had planned to meet with us however, he was called out to an emergency "intelligence committee" meeting and did not return. Watching the news later this evening -- it was reported that a key military intelligence officer stepped down this afternoon, so I guess that's where Hatch was. I opted out of a meeting with Rep. Bishop this year. He is much too arrogant and obnoxious for me.

So, what did we have to say in these meetings -- basically we thanked each congressional office for their support for Career and Technical Education for Utah. Each year our State Office of Education gets about $15.0 million from the Federal Government just for this area of education. It may not seem like a lot for a state-wide program of services, but it goes a long way in serving students. In addition, we focused our discussions on the importance of CTE funding for the future and the importance CTE has for the economy overall in Utah. Utah now ranks 24th in the number of college graduates among adult workers --- most workers have technical certification or less than a bachelor's degree to meet the high demand for skilled workers in Utah. Such training is supported in part by Federal funds.

So, that's my political science sharing for the day. This was the first year for me to visit the folks at the US Department of Education. Our group was given some sound advice by the folks there on how to go about getting specific "school counseling and guidance" language into Federal law. We'll see what happens in the years ahead.

Washington, DC is one of my all time favorite places to visit. Usually, I have a family member with me -- maybe next time.

(P.S. I saw Sen. Ted Kennedy from a short distance. He was in a committee hearing we peeked at from a hallway in the Dirksen Building. Also, Mayor Ralph Becker was in Rep. Cannon's office at the same time we were. He got in to see Cannon, we didn't. I did get a chance to talk with the Mayor for a few minutes.)

March 9, 2008 Happy Anniversary Haley and James

I can't believe it's been a year since Haley and James' wedding. It was a great day! You have accomplished a lot in your first year and we are all very proud of you both!

Family --

I am taking a few risks with this blog post--
Not sure why --
Here it goes --

I am so thankful for my family . . .
I love each one individually for the joy and happiness they send my way. I could go on and on about my feelings and thoughts for each one -- but instead, just a few words to point out some of their unique characteristics (intended only to copmpliment):

Karl -- good dad and husband, faithful and down to earth, never uses foul language, valiant in the Church -- family-minded
Annie -- Elliott's mother, Ross' wife, capable and competent, artistic and sophisticated -- politically-minded
Haley -- James' wife, efficient and perceptive, musical and intellectual -- service-minded
Willie -- fine young man, insightful and sensitive, skilled and determined -- sports-minded,
Ross -- Elliott's dad, Annie's husband, articulate and enthusiastic, enterprising and bold -- information-minded
James -- Haley's husband, precise and dedicated, courageous and resourceful -- education-minded
Elliott -- my grandson, curious and cautious, charming and adorable -- ???

I could easily interchange or vary the names and characteristics -- feel free to add to or delete from --