Random Pictures of Samuel Brooks Jr. (1934-2016) and my Mom (taken by Brian Morris)

Donovan Mitchell, drawn by my son

Juanita Brooks Photograph Collection

Click here.

Puns 3

Would you rather wrestle in the ring or strike a goose? Either way it's going to be a smack-down.




To those who have a deep understanding of breaking into computers, I hack-knowledge you.


I don’t like my cosmetology teacher. She won’t let me do makeup work.

I asked the dry cleaners why they ironed my clothes twice, but they wouldn't tell me. I know they're repressing something.

If I had to name an indoor stadium where it was customary to make fun of Latin dancing, I would call it the Mock Arena.

Looking back on the way I used to drive my car, I'd have to say that I didn't use the rear-view mirrors like I should have, because things were out of focus. I guess hindsight is 20-20.

I'd like to pay tribute to Caesar for the monetary system he came up with.

My math teacher is constantly changing the genetic structure of his curly hair. No one can explain the perm mutations.

I have a child-doctor friend named Petey, who is gradually losing his effectiveness. I call it Petey-attrition.

Why do we always wait to RIP on people after they are dead?

Social Fragmentation and Social Isolation quote

"I am constantly using this column to argue that social fragmentation and social isolation are the fundamental problems afflicting America today."

- David Brooks, in "Where American Renewal Begins" (July 26, 2018)

Mormon Tabernacle Choir - European Tour 1955 - Gerrit and Musa Van Tussenbroek

Gerrit Van Tussenbroek (1910-1990) and Musa Van Tussenbroek (1911-1997) were both members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. In 1955, the Choir made its first international tour ever, performing in Europe. At that time, Gerrit was the assistant to the president of the choir, Lester F. Hewlett. The event was such a big deal that Warren John “Jack” Thomas, general manager of the tour, published a book about the tour.

A few years ago my father, Samuel Brooks Jr. (1934-2016) gave me a copy of that book:

(click on each photo to enlarge it)

The book mentions or shows Gerrit and Musa several times (at that time, Musa was not yet a member of the Choir, but would join later). In this first picture, Gerrit is bottom center:

 These pages mention Gerrit and Musa:

In this picture, Musa is on the far left:

And in these two pictures, Gerrit and Musa are on the right and near the back:

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Fast forward to 2018: Yesterday I was at the Deseret Industries in West Jordan when I came across this book with three vinyl records in it: 

This was an actual recording of the Choir's performances during the tour of 1955! Somewhere in that cover photo is my own grandfather!

The front cover photo was subsequently replicated when the Choir again toured Europe in 2016:

My particular copy was signed by J. Spencer Cornwall, who was the director of the Choir at that time. The inside cover indicated that these were recordings of their 1955 European tour:

I have digitized each record and posted them to Youtube. You can hear a recording of Gerrit singing with the Choir! Listen to each recording below:

• Side 1: Glasgow 
• Side 2: Cardiff, London, Amsterdam
• Side 3: Scheveningen, Copenhagen
• Side 4: Berlin, Wiesbaden
• Side 5: Bern, Zurich 
• Side 6: Paris

This has been an exciting discovery! 

Samuel Brooks Jr. (1934-2016) in Australia, 30 August 1955

Be One: Celebration of the the 40th Anniversary of the Revelation on the Priesthood

This evening I attended the "Be One: A First Presidency Celebration of the the 40th Anniversary of the Revelation on the Priesthood" at the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake. I went there because my inner heart told me to go, even though I didn't have a ticket. I went there, not knowing if I was even going to get in. Well, I did get in, and the standby ticket given to me placed me about 15 rows from the front. The show was amazing. I felt deep feelings of compassion and sympathy for those of the African race, and the difficulties they have been through. I wept through much of it. There was great music, clapping, singing, dancing, and story telling. I saw celebrities there, including Jabari Parker of the Milwaukee Bucks, Alex Boye, Gladys Knight, and Governor Gary Herbert. Our prophet, Russell M. Nelson, was also there, along with the entire First Presidency and most of the 12 Apostles. 

Here is the show:


(If you go to 1:52:13, you will see me in a white shirt and wearing a couple of leis, in the center, sort of in the back.)


And here are some pictures of the event.

 This was right before the show, when most of the 12 Apostles were seated. I love them.

 Governor Herbert

 The prophet and his wife are on the right hand side, coming up the steps.

 The prophet is shaking hands with some of the performers

A lady named Lindsay wore a Nigerian outfit

 Jabari Parker, member of our church, and current player for the Milwaukee Bucks

 Jabari Parker and Apostle Rasband

 Elder Rasband and Jabari Parker

Elder Rasband and Jabari Parker

 Elder Rasband and Jabari Parker

 Lindsay

 The "Be One" Choir, whose conductor was Gladys Knight

The "Be One" Choir

Governor Herbert again

50 Art Squares

Recently my daughter was commissioned to paint 50 squares for a neighbor whose daughter was having a birthday. It took my daughter about a month to paint them all, each one with a different theme. (Click on the first one, then toggle through using the arrow keys.)