Aunt Helena

With gentle time-worn grandmother arms she welcomed me into the family. The first time I met Dean's Great Aunt Helena she had just purchased herself a brand spanking new Macintosh computer.

Being that Aunt Helena was around seventy years old at the time, and the Mac was new to the world...I was instantly intrigued by her brave advance into technology.

Helena Dorothea Daniels Brown Watson born in 1915, passed away this summer at the very young age of 96. Funeral services for this remarkable woman were held just a few short blocks from where she was born and where she lived most of her life. After introductions to some of Aunt Helena's family the day of the funeral, I found it illuminating to see just how much my immediate family resembled Helena's...

from the red hair to the thousands of freckles! But it wasn't just the physical characteristics that were similar, there was the gardening, love of learning and literature, work ethic, and family values. 

Aunt Helena was the seventh and last child born to parents Jethro and Emma in the old rock house on Farr West Drive. Her parents instilled in her the value of hard work, importance of education, and resilience in adversity. After moving away from home for the first time in her young adulthood, Helena met the love of her life...Odell.

Helena and Odell were living the American dream raising five daughters and twin sons, when tragedy struck. Helena's husband whom she affectionately called "her Watsoni" passed away from leukemia...a "downwinder". Catastrophe often defines a person whether for good or bad. In Helena's case...true character emerged. 

While raising seven children as a single mother, Helena earned a bachelors degree, a masters degree, and became the only woman Principal in the county. Character and strength...I tell you! In her spare time...she gardened, studied genealogy, and wrote poetry. Her career as a teacher and educator spanned decades and her influence is still felt among so many of her students even today. Aunt Helena was a woman of the ages who left an indelible mark on the world.

Helena second from the right, posing here with her sisters. Dean's grandmother is on the left.

While Aunt Helena wrote a volume full of poetry, perhaps my favorite is the one she wrote for 19 year old Dean.

 Dean O. Garlick
(written January 1979)

Born of goodly parents
In good old Farr West town,
Dean O. grew up happy
With friends that gathered 'round.

He liked his country living,
Farms and pastures on each side,
Where the rugged, rocky mountains
Hem in the valley wide.

He roams the fields together
With dog, Rufus, and his gun.
He likes to shoot at pheasants
As through the grass they run.

He loves to go out fishing
And climb Uintah Mountains high
Where the trail is rough and dangerous
Up near the clear blue sky.

With aching bones and blisters
His most challenging hike did make
From the beautiful Beaver Mountains
Over into Rainbow Lake

Skiing is a favorite sport,
Dean rides the slopes with skill.
For two years he'll miss these things.
Ah yes, I'm sure he will.

Chasing 'round in his loved Jeep
Dating girls and such,
These sacrifices he'll learn to make
For this he loves so much.

His family all will miss him
And his ever hungry face.
There will be more food for Rufus
If he eats at Dean O's place.

Handsome Henry

Oh sweetness that is six month old handsome grandson Henry,

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways!

I love thee to the oceanic depth of those sparkling blue eyes.


There and back along the length of those stunningly long eyelashes.

 I love thee for the soft gurgling giggle that says "So happy to meet you...whomever you are"!

I love thee for long soulful glances manifesting wisdom beyond your years...or rather months.

For that extraordinary sense of peace...my heart belongs to thee.

A tisket a tasket is that Henry in my basket?

Brilliance...

charm...

and uncommon concentration.

I love...just the essence and the very miracle of thee!

Oh dreamy days of babyhood are all yours sweet Henry...


What's this...a hijacking of Henry's photo shoot by Olivia?

It looks that way doesn't it?

And yet it only seems perfect, that where Henry is...Olivia is not far away!

because these two have an everlasting love of brother and sister.

Ah yes, now where were we...I love thee Henry, with all my Nana heart!

Gettin' Jiggy With It 2011

How did you spend your Jiggy Day...here is how The Garlick Press spent ours!

Traditionally, Jiggy Day begins with breakfast at Angie's restaurant and girlfriends. I imagine this Jiggy Day breakfast tradition will carry on for years...someday to include spouses and children!

All of these beautiful girls have started their freshman year of college...I'm just so proud of them!

Then it's a quick stop for roses and giant bags of candy...why giant bags of candy you ask? I don't know...it just seemed a good idea at the time. The agenda on Jiggy Day is whatever makes you happy and feel good!

After meeting up with our favorite little people Olivia and Henry...we pack EVERYBODY into the car and head out for a day filled with adventure.

We always visit the cemetery...it's a source of peace and comfort for all of us.

Olivia was fascinated by all of the items left by friends and family. We delight in finding wonderful surprises left for our girl.

Shhh...babies sleeping in the car...

Be very quiet.

Arriving at Beaver Mountain, the ski resort is under a blanket of fall snow and colorful leaves.

Bundling up babies and Daddy...

and Mama too!


Knowing when we left home, there was most likely snow at the top of the mountain...I encouraged everyone to dress warm and wear good hiking shoes. I knew we would most likely have to hike at least part of the way up to the monument. Apparently everyone listened to me but me...these are my open clogs...awesome for hiking in snow!

Olivia wriggled and wiggled out of her daddy's arms wanting to play in the snow.

Autumn weather likes to tease us here...throwing in a little early winter just to keep us on our toes.

As expected, we were able to drive most of the way to the top of the ski resort. But once the snow got too deep, we had to hike the rest of the way.

Nature is so incredible.

Baby girl Olivia could have sat in that snow all day and played and played...she loves snow!

And finally...a glimpse of Jocie's monument at the top. 

If you have a self-timer on your camera...you must learn how to use it, as I love this photo. Only the addition of lawyer girl would have made it better. Missed you Dione!


And it was so cold at the top...the chill in the air reminded me of ski weather.

By the way, it snows nearly every year on Jiggy Day...so I wouldn't plan an outdoor event on this day if you live by The Garlick Press.


Papa and Henry carefully make their way back down the steep summit trail to the warm car parked below.

I imagine Henry has no idea why we are at the top of a mountain in chilly weather...but someday he will!

It was Cassandra who suggested we attempt this adventure today...even though the snow and cold temperatures put the kibosh on our picnic at the top!

With inches of snow already on the ski slopes...Chet was getting pretty excited just thinking about using those new skis of his waiting at home.

Papa and Olivia attempt to make snow angels. It was hard for Olivia since she was basically wearing a sleeping bag...Baby in a Bag!

Told you she loves snow!

And while we were off hiking to the top of the mountain...girlfriends Sid, Lindsay, and Autumn had other plans for reaching great heights to celebrate Jiggy day.

They jumped out of an airplane! Can you believe that? Seriously...are they the most amazing girlfriends or what?

After their skydiving adventure, the girls couldn't wait to come tell us all about their high-flying antics through the clouds.

Jiggy day was a completely full day...with a few tears, but mostly tons of love! We basked in each other's memories of Jocie and celebrated a girl who celebrated life every single day of hers.