Painful reminders to treasure all those you love

By Carolyn Tate and Maizie Harris Jesse

Special to the Appeal

Life is ephemeral. Smoke curling up a chimney from a winter's fire. A wisp of cloud floating on a summer's day. Tendrils of fog wrapping a lamppost on a San Francisco evening. All transitory. All beautiful, in their own way.

A young girl, Kyra Conway of Carson City, died Tuesday, overwhelmed by an illness that came on suddenly the week before. Brianna Denison, finally found on Friday in a field in southeast Reno, strangled by a mad man. One day, they were here. Then, unimaginably, gone.

There are no words, no imagery, no explanations that have been given, that make their loss, in any way, acceptable.

Kyra, we know, lived her life loved, by her mother, Danielle, her brother, Mitch, her grandmother, Norma, and many other relatives and friends. We assume it is the same in the Denison family. They will be achingly missed.

Their time is over. Now it's time to show your love to the families, and support them in any way you can. We think they would like that.

There is an account set up for Kyra at Greater Nevada Credit Union (#868378) to help with the family's expenses, if you care to donate. Her family has had more than their share of troubles, since her mom, Danielle, has been in treatment for colon cancer. Bless them all.

Two other lovely ladies, Muriel Gamble and Peggy Thompson, also passed away recently, as did Terry Clore, a former Carson High School football player and sports enthusiast. Muriel, was a wonderful wife, mother, teacher and great friend. Peggy, mother of five sons, was a great mom, and was married to the late Fallon Justice of the Peace, Larry Thompson. Terry, at 61, was much too young.

Treasure all those you love and let them know it ... you never know when they may be taken from you.

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Now for some "happier news:" Pat Josten and Carol Scott went to Reno the other day to help film the ABC series "Wife Swap." No, they weren't the wives being "swapped," but were teaching some of the kids on the show "acting lessons." We'll let you know when it airs.

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One of our readers asked us why the city put big letters on the site of the "poop pond" building when they are so short of money. It reads, "Carson City Waste Water Rehabilitation Plant" and gives the address in smaller letters. He thinks it probably cost a bundle, and wonders why they spent the money that way. Anyone? Another reader wants to know if the streetlight on Fair Way is blinking dimly at night because it's a signal from aliens to the city fathers. Who knows? We like that one.

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George Partee said he heard about a man "who decided to check out churches from coast to coast to see what was going on. He started out in San Francisco, went to Seattle, Minneapolis, and many other cities. In many of the churches, he found a golden telephone, with a sign that said, '$10,000 a minute.' He asked the pastors about it and was told he could talk directly to God if he paid the fee. However, when he got to a church in Winnemucca, the sign over the golden phone said, '35 cents a minute.' Flummoxed, he asked the pastor, 'Why the difference?' 'Well, son,' the pastor replied, 'Nevada is God's country, so it's a local call.'" Well, of course.

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Todd Bishop gave a Valentine's toast at Mallard's the other night: "May Valentine's be great in '08!" Hear, hear. Let's hope the other holidays are great, too. Their Valentine's dinner was great.

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The American Association of University Women is hosting its 9th annual "Feast of Chocolate," on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Nevada State Library and Archives on Stewart Street. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. What a delicious treat ... and all proceeds go to local scholarships and their educational foundation. Call 267-4515 for yummy details.

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A big happy birthday to Kathleen Thompson on the 22nd. She and George Washington share a birthday; however, she's a LOT younger. Don't forget, stamps go up a penny to 42 cents on May 12. And "When You Comin' home, Red Ryder," is showing at the BAC for two more weekends (883-1976) ... a forceful play (for adults only), showcasing a dynamite set. Congrats. And it was sure nice to see Hugh and Ellen Smith there to see their grandson, Jeremy Zutter, perform. We think Hugh tells Jeremy he's responsible for all his talent (snicker, snicker).

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The Carson Tahoe Regional Healthcare Auxiliary will hold its 14th annual "Cowboy Jubilee and Poetry" for two shows at the Community Center on March 8 at 4 and 8 p.m. This year, the Quebe Sisters, Rodney Nelson and the venerable Sourdough Slim will be featured. Call Delsye Mills at 883-1532 for details. St. Teresa's is holding its 5th annual "Crab Claws for a Good Cause," on March 7, at the church from 6-11 p.m. It's $40 apiece, and there will be music for dancing by the Red Dugan Ramblers. It's for adults, and information can be obtained by calling 882-2079. Lots of fun. And the "Vagina Monologues," will be held March 7 and 8 at the Plaza Conference Center, on S. Carson St. at 8 p.m. to benefit Advocates to End Domestic Violence; $15 each, 883-0438 for details.

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We've heard this one before, but love it just the same (thanks to Jesse Winchester): "Franklin Roosevelt endured long reception lines at the White House and he wondered if anyone really paid attention to what anyone said while in line. He decided he would try an experiment, and say to everyone, 'I murdered my grandmother this morning.' The guests responded with, 'Marvelous. Good work. We are proud of you, Bless you, etc.' It was not until the end of the line, that the ambassador from Bolivia actually heard what he'd said. Baffled, the ambassador replied, 'I'm sure she had it coming.'"

• Carolyn Tate and Maizie Harris Jesse are longtime Carson City residents. Write to them at editor@nevadaappeal.com.