The Prius is running strong. I have now traveled about 37 miles. Let see you Iron Butt riders keep up up with me on a trip. Usually I do more miles than this on a weekend, but this weekend has been very busy. We had a celebration this weekend that our Stake put together. It was fantastic. July 24th we celebrate as Pioneer Day. They had music, crafts, food and even some shade. It seemed as if it was our hottest day of the year. It felt like it was 105 degrees. Actually it was only 102 degrees with some humidity. I am not really complaining, because it gets a lot hotter in many other places. I hope that next year that it is cooler. As long as I am healthy it won't matter anyway. There are many things worse than hot weather. Besides, that is one of the reasons I live here, I prefer warmer weather to colder weather. Anyway, I digress...
Today, at my house it was 107 degrees at 5:00 p.m. As we drove the Prius to our church and back. The air conditioner was surprisingly very cold in the Prius. It is evident that my last car, a 2005 Lincoln LS, had a better ride in every way. So why does a person buy a car that isn't as comfortable. Gas at $4.50 a gallon last summer made me aware that although I did not like the gas prices, I still enjoyed driving. Work was going to be a necessity that would always be there. I can't control those fuel prices. So I wanted to get a car that would make me feel better every time the car would need to be refueled.
I have wanted to get a hybrid for a while now. Almost leased one of those Saturn EV-1's, but I had never leased a car and wasn't sure about doing so with an electric car. An electric car would be my ultimate choice. I did not want to wait a couple more years for the electric car to come. Maybe the electric car will be here before 2012, but who knows.
The hybrid has been out and seems to be reliable. I will let everyone know my actual gas mileage, repairs, joys, and pains. Working out the cost ratio to a gas engine only automobile versus a hybrid engine doesn't balance out for me. It seems as if you have to go thousands of miles to break even when you buy the hybrid. Still, I took the jump. I wanted to see for myself.
I want to close today with a birthday wish for my 13 year old son and a thought for my nephew. Everyday I will try to end with something positive. I told him I would email him an uplifting message everyday when school starts. He is a senior this year and is planning on attending Sacramento State University after he graduates.
He, like all of his cousins are very special spirits. It is my desire that they will always remember where they came from, why they are here, and where they are going...
Sounds familiar...
Jacob, how delightful it has been since you came to our home. Like your siblings, you have an honest and pure heart. You are truly a pleasure and a joy. Everyday and every night, I thank our Heavenly Father for what wonderful children we have been blessed with to have during our journey through this world. Jacob, as with Noah, I was not able to be with you on your birthdays this year. I hope these occasions are rare. I love you very much and hope that you had a great birthday celebrating it with your cousins, aunts, and uncles in Sac Town.
Matthew, most of my future postings might not mention your name, but they will all be meant for you...I Love you Man...
First Prayer, Then Action - And after I, Enos had heard these words, my faith began to be unshaken in the Lord; and I prayed unto him with many long strugglings for my brethren, the Lamanites. And it came to pass that after I had prayed and labored with all diligence, the Lord said unto me: I will grant unto thee according to thy desires, because of thy faith. Enos 1: 11-12
"We get on our knees and we ask the Lord to help us live in obedience to His commandments. We get on our feet and resolve to be better people than we were when we knelt down. Our beliefs will govern our actions. God help us to be those who are not faithless, but believing."
Gordon B. Hinckley from his book, Stand A Little Taller.
