Classic Rock.....

Let me explain...One day Cari asked me why I don't do much with our sons.  I said, I do plenty with Doug and Todd, ask them. Cari and I were both turning 50 that January.  It was right before Thanksgiving and I was trying desperately to think of something that would be really classy for her and also to prove to her that my sons and I have a tight relationship.  We secretly got together and in 4 hours recorded this Classic Rock masterpiece.

I'm still working out the bugs on this idea.  A record album coffee table.  It's harder to build than it looks.  But in this one I put all the old records that I grew up with.  It's fun to look at it and go back in time playing almost every song over in your mind.  Those were the days.

Until We Meet Again....

Leah Tanner Cardon
June 28, 1919-July 16, 2011

Leah Tanner Cardon, 92, of Farmington, a lifetime resident of San Juan County, passed away of natural causes on Saturday, July 16, 2011. She died peacefully in her home, with characteristic dignity and grace, surrounded by members of her loving family. Leah was born June 28, 1919, in Kirtland, the third child of Donald and Mamie Taylor Tanner.

In spite of losing her mother in a tragic accident when Leah was 9 years old, she flourished in the small town atmosphere of Kirtland, supported by many relatives and friends.

When her father married Ruth McGee, the family moved to Allison, Colo., where he operated a flour mill. Leah continued her education in Allison until she reached the 9th grade. In order to finish high school, she moved back to Kirtland, where she lived with her beloved Aunt Peg and Uncle Hugh Foutz and their family.

In 1937, she graduated with honors from Central High School. As was the case with most Central High students, the educator who made the greatest impact on her life was Mrs. Grace B. Wilson. From Mrs. Wilson, Leah gained a life-long love of literature and the cultural arts, which she passed on to her children.

In 1940, Leah served as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Eastern Canadian Mission. She later attended the business college in Albuquerque.

Shortly after the end of World War II, on April 3, 1946, she and Robert M. ""Bob"" Cardon were married in the Idaho Falls Temple. Leah and Bob were married for 54 years. Together, they raised a family of eight children. This proved to be her greatest mission in life. She was an extraordinary mother and grandmother. Her posterity love and honor her name and her example.

Leah was a good citizen, avidly involved and interested in the welfare of the country. She served as an outstanding and well-loved teacher in the LDS church. Leah particularly enjoyed teaching teenagers within the Seminary Education system.

Leah was a blend of humor, intellect, modesty, courage, and deep personal spiritual strength. A friend to all, especially to the elderly, she served wherever she saw a need. Her quiet ""behind the scenes"" acts of service have left a legacy that will never be forgotten.

Leah was preceded in death, on July 25, 2000, by her husband, Robert M. Cardon; and, on Jan. 13, 1991, by her son, Robert D. (Butch) Cardon; her parents, Donald and Mamie Taylor Tanner, brothers, Wayne, Harold, Halworth and Tommy Tanner; sisters, Marie Tanner, Helen Tanner Stradling and Ramona Tanner; maternal grandparents, Elmer Franklin Taylor and Mary Steele Taylor; paternal grandparents, Joseph Baldwin and Nora Foutz Tanner; and one great-grandchild, Luke Cardon.

Leah is survived by her sons, Doug Cardon and wife, Jan, Sam Cardon and wife, Tammy, Jim Cardon and wife, Cari; daughters, Pam Jones and husband Wes, Diane Smith, Kathie Kempton and husband, Greg, and Peggy Avery and husband, Ron; brothers, Colin Tanner, Dave Tanner, Jim Tanner and Steve Tanner; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Richardson; sisters, Ann Tanner and Donna Tanner; 39 grandchildren, 68 great-grandchildren and five on the way; and many dear friends.

Friends and family may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 22, at Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington.

Funeral services for Leah will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 23, at The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, 400 W. Apache St., Apache Building, with Chris Herman conducting.

Leah will then be interred next to her husband at the Kirtland-Fruitland Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Leah's grandsons, Garrett Jones, Adam Cardon, Matt Smith, Cardon Kempton, Paul McPherson, Tyler Cardon, Doug Cardon and Nathan Kempton.

Honorary pallbearers are Leah's other grandsons Mike Jones, Ben McPherson, Jess Smith, Dallas Smith, Jacob Smith, Michael Smith, Matt Cardon, Luke Jones, Todd Cardon, Taylor Kempton and Ethan Richardson.

The Cardon family wishes to thank Northwest New Mexico Hospice and Home Care for the kindness shown to their mother.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made in Leah's memory to Northwest New Mexico Hospice, 608 Reilly Ave., Farmington, NM 87401.

Those who wish to send condolences to the family may do so at www.danielsfuneral.com.

Leah's services are entrusted to Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington, (505) 325-8688.

Mom

1919

My Mom is 92.  She is hanging in there but fading.  Your parents have to move on eventually, everyone does.  So why is this so difficult?  I think I know.  Because she is such a beautiful person.  One of a kind.  She is my anchor.  My master teacher.  No-nonsense.  Devoted.  She seemed to sense who needed her attention and compassion, the most at the time.  She would move slowly from one person to the next "He who is in the service of their fellow man."  She has great wisdom.  She knows how to do everything in the right way.  My four sisters said that their efforts combined doesn't come close to what Mom could do alone.  A blend of humor, intellect, modesty, courage, and deep, personal, spiritual strength.  She is great and noble.

My Grandad Cardon died on Christmas day 1961.  I was two.   Dad told me all about him.  He said he wished I could have known him in his prime of life.  I feel like I know him pretty well from Dad's stories.  Now I have the same wish for my Grandsons.  I wish they could have known my Mom in her prime.

You come to the realization that her crowning legacy left for you is that she showed you how to live.  It reminds me of this quote, "Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words."-St. Francis of Assisi.

And you wonder how you can ever come close.  You think over and over in your deepest personal thoughts.  Thank you, thank you, thank you Mom... and when the time comes, you wish her a safe journey to the other side. My greatest desire for her is to be accompanied by the finest angels God has to offer.

Front  L-R-Jim, Mom, Kathie
Back L-R-Peggy, Doug, Pam, Sam, Dianne

Sneak-Peek

I am a trend setter.  Like a palm reader or a psychic, I can see the future with certain things.  This has nothing to do with high fashion.  Most days my clothes are covered with sawdust, paint, dirt etc. I've tried coveralls.  They don't work for me.  My friend Rusty is the only guy I've ever really noticed who dresses good. (Except my friend Tiger,he dresses good too.) I've asked Rusty sometimes how to dress.  He is very talented in many things.  He puts on coveralls when he gets serious about working on stuff.  That's why I tried them.  I guess it's my body shape.  After about 3 hours I feel like I'm walking around in a really wet diaper. 

Anyway, if you don't believe me about being a trend setter, ask Cari.  Wait a minute, let me ask her first.
I did.
She said, "Don't say you're a trend setter. That is really embarrassing.  Just say that some things you think might become popular all of the sudden start appearing in stores and magazines."

I'm thinking (Well, what do you call that?)

OK, just to test my psychic abilities, I'm going to share with you one of my ideas that I haven't seen out there yet.  If this secret turns out to be a trend, I'll share some additional secrets later.

Secret #1

Re purposing very old doors into bookcases, the possibilities are endless, I'm building some right now, in progress.

My Tools

I've been buying tools from the beginning.  I would acquire some tools as each project came about.  I have tools now for most things.  Can you ever have enough?  You get attached to some tools.  For example, I have a square bought in 1982 in Danbury, Connecticut.  I have used it on every project since.  I have an older model belt sander that I hope will last forever.  Because of the way the handle is shaped, I can hold it in one hand, and perform many tasks quickly.  I bought a newer model, not realizing they had changed the design of the handle.  I tried it, and it now sits mostly in his place in the hall of shame cabinet, watching his productive, happy cousin.  When your tools work well, when they are oiled, sharp, clean, and accurately set up, there is no other feeling like it.  

Which brings me to this part of the story.  The library room is 800 miles from my garage.  Can you build well with portable equipment?  I'm here to tell you I think you can. 

My Traveling Tool Kit

 This isn't the greatest set up, but it is what I have at the moment. 

I'd like something that works a little better. 

 Perhaps someday I will...my life isn't over yet.

Tools

Exquisite Example of 19th-century tool-chest craftsmanship.

Massachusetts piano maker, Henry Studley built his magnificent tool chest over the course of a 30-year career at the Poole Piano Company.  The chest lived on the wall near his work bench, and he worked on it regularly, making changes and adding new tools as he acquired them.  It holds some 300 tools, so densely packed that three strong men strain to lift it.  It is just 9" deep, 39" high, and about 19" wide.  Studley was well into his 80's before he retired from the piano company.  Before he died in 1925, Studley gave the tool chest to a friend.  That man's grandson, Peter Hardwick, loaned the chest to the Smithsonian in the late 1980's and later sold it to a private collector in the Midwest. 

I found this information in a great book, "Treasure Chests"