MERRY CHRISTMAS - 2024

MERRY CHRISTMAS – 2024

What a year!!  New knees for three in our extended family – Tom’s sister, my sister, and ME!  But just before my new knee we were looking for a place to park in winter that we could continue to afford and which would be closer to the doctors, hospital, and PT needed after the scheduled new knee -  A lot in a subdivision of RV folks perhaps?  While driving around looking for new FOR SALE signs I spotted a blooming cactus and asked Tom to back up so I could get a photo.  It was one that I had not seen before! The owner of the property was outside (waiting for his REALTOR to come and list his property!)  It was an Easter cactus I was told later and this was “coincidentally” GOOD FRIDAY!  When I asked his price – I mentioned that it was more than we had intended to spend but could we see the Park Model on a small lot totally landscaped with pavers and ROCKS, and of course cactus?  We BOUGHT the blooming cactus and the four year old fully furnished home and moved in a month later, just five days before my new knee!!   Great place to recuperate - just fifteen minutes from PT three times a week.  And as soon as I graduated we were ON THE ROAD AGAIN.

               OUR loop for this summer and fall included several family members needing moral support due to OPERATIONS including our son Allan who had been having back problems causing “no feeling in his legs” as well as breathing problems, and had lost weight in the past two months!   It was a puzzle but in all the testing someone noticed an enlarged, cancerous kidney.  As ALLAN said, “Well, I have two of those, get it out of there.”  So we were encouragement for his daughter Amy as she helped him deal with all the “befores.”  And everything worked out well so NOW he is back to the leg problem and the COPD that they discovered in all the testing before the surgery.  Thank you Jesus for the answers to our prayers for Allan, our sisters and brother Byron who had a triple bypass!!

               We did enjoy seeing the Weathers families at a Celebration of Life and a Celebration of NursePractitioner training completed -  a niece who is now seeing patients in Yuma Colorado, where she has been a nurse for ten years!!  We also enjoyed seeing Ryder our youngest GREAT grandson in KS where his dad works on Chinook helicopters for the USARMY.  They had moved off base to a home they purchased in Junction City.  We went to a Pumpkin Patch with the family, and pumpkin patches are NOT what they used to be when the farmer laid out the pumpkins and you picked and purchased one.   This was a day’s entertainment for the entire family complete with food to purchase.  What fun!!

               We were hunkered down in La Junta Colorado for six days waiting out a snow storm which deposited 8 inches of snow on our steps TWICE, accompanied by high winds!   But we were in a secure location and not out on the highways and byways with those folks who “had to get somewhere?”  We prayed that they made it safely!!  So we ended up at Congress AZ  before Thanksgiving, however, we also had a second look – a second thought – as to just what was going to go in the UHAUL out of the shed in son Tom’s “back 40!”  Our WINTER PLACE in AZ is only twice the size of our COUGAR, obviously the dining room table and even four chairs were NOT going to fit!!  So we headed off to Tuolumne CA for Thanksgiving and loading of the UHAUL!!  While there we were pleasantly surprised that our son had PLANNED to drive the said UHAUL but had to fly back on Monday to get back to WORK!!  All is well that ends well!!  It only took us oldsters a week to recoup. 

               The HOLIDAY provided great time with our two sons and most of their offspring.  Kathleen was prevented from coming due to the winter weather in Boise and between her and us!!  But she promised to come down to Arizona on an airplane sometime soon, just not on a HOLIDAY!!  Smart Lady!!  We enjoyed AUTUMN colors in Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico (which included a visit with our former Strawberry neighbor) And it was still gorgeous in California when we arrived for Thanksgiving!!  GOD is a magnificent artist and we are so thankful for eyes to see!!

               We hope you had an exciting year whether you put 13,000 miles on your vehicle as we did, or just enjoyed a peaceful and relaxing year close to home!  May GOD bless your Holidays and each day of 2025!! 

 Love  Tom and Martha

 

AMAZED

The terrain in the Mojave Desert of Southern California is amazing:  volcanic origin, sandstone and some place called appropriately Granite Mountain!!  The layers repeating from horizon to horizon and then SPLASH something totally unexpected a cinder cone and lava flow from millennia ago!   The names of the dry washes are inspired Dry Creek, Eidelweiss Arroyo, and Helmet Wash.  Who were these people who christened these desert places with names from their childhoods, or after their favorite Uncle from Germany?

It made us wonder if geology is still being taught in maybe the third or fourth grade; it seems that the types of rock – Sedimentary. Metamorphic, and Volcanic – were terms that Tom and I have known FOREVER!!   I still remember the volcano built of plaster of Paris and then when hardened the teacher poured vinegar in the cauldara and added baking soda!!  It had to have been fifth grade.  Mr. Shulmann would have done an impressive demo like that!!

In the midst of our Science questions we stopped for a driver change at Ludlow, nearly two-thirds the way between Needles and Barstow.  As we walked back from the trailer to the pickup the three motorcycles whizzed up the access ramp to I-40, having made their stop at the Mobil Station or possibly the DQ . And our eyes could NOT believe what came next – a white car Hell Bent DOWN the access.  I guess they missed the freeway OFF RAMP and decided on a whim that perhaps if they went fast enough they could use the ON RAMP instead.  It took a few minutes to realize that they had in fact done such a STUPID MOVE and lived to tell about it.   In 80,000 miles in the past five summers we have never seen such blatant disregard for the safety of the others on the road.  Yes, there were multiple semis parked in the wide spots on either side of the ON RAMP and the IDIOT did not hit anyone.  Now we know why we pray for safety on the road and the safety of the Road Professionals, the truck drivers who pull the long distance runs on the crowded freeways of the country.  We have several friends who do this for a living, GOD BLESS and PROTECT THEM!!

Oh, we have seen our share of "crazies" who zig and zag and pass us to take the next off ramp less than a quarter mile away.  People who get frustrated with us "foreigners" - our license plates say South Dakota - who actually travel at the posted speed.  In California pulling a trailer requires a speed of 55 even on a 70 mph freeway!!  EXCEPT if you are a commercial trucker with a trailer OR a Class A motorhome with a "toad" or a toy hauler out back.  

WELL, that was about all the excitement for today and for us oldsters,  that was more than enough excitement!!  Safe travels and PRAY every day!!  

 

TO GO OR NOT?

We are in southern Colorado waiting for a "FIRST WINTER STORM" to pass in THREE WAVES.  Checking south and west we are all experiencing the same thing - high winds, rain or snow or "winter mix" and indecision.  The neighbor across the way with the 5th wheel opted to take off this AM when the sky was blue and there was no wind.  He had followed us down from Rapid City SD a day later than our excursion from Cabellas RV PARK at Sidney Nebraska.  His destination was Amarillo Texas.  Being retired and not making reservations in advance is advantageous!  The refrigerator is full, the propane tanks are full, and the campgroud here is NOT Full.  Great combination; and this a not only a safe option but an affordable parking spot.

The drive down from Rapid City was uneventful except for a touristy stop at Alliance Nebraska to visit "CARHENGE" a fun "side of the road" attraction.  We had whizzed by on the way from Scottsbluff to Rapid City several times but never jogged over on the paved county roads to check it out.  This trip we did!!  The whole community has gotten involved in this unique "art venue" - old cars upended to imitate Stonehedge in England.   

Jim Reinders and his brothers had a family reunion in 1987 and in just 6 days created this assemblage and dedicated it on the Summer Solstice June 21, 1987 - beating the ancients in England by 9,999 years and fifty one weeks!!

Since that time others have added their own spin on this roadside artistic endeavor with welded benches, birdbaths, an AUTOGRAPH CAR, and finally a universal flat grey paint job to unify the massive yard art made of autos!!

It certainly is UNIQUE just like the scenery and the people of this great country of ours.  

GOD BLESS you one and all!! 

SECTIONS and SECTIONS

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Still HEALING!

TIME rushes on!  And I have no idea what we have accomplished in the last 7 weeks!!  Watered plants here at son TOM's, trimmed roses with him on one Sunday afternoon.  I had asked for a bucket for the trimmings and he supplied!   A large machine with bucket ready for the rose trimmings and a helping hand as well!!  

I managed to tweek my new knee by doing aerobic maneuvers in the pool with our grand daughter.  Only set me back two months on the REHAB.  New knees are not as flexible as the original equipment!!  Dr. John said to wear the knee brace for a couple of weeks at night to avoid any unintentional side moves while asleep.  And do NOTHING that I was not doing in the PT in Arizona.  No water aerobics moves like jumping jacks, frog kicks, and definitely no kick boxing in the pool!!   TOO SOON OLD, too late smart!!

We took the GMC to get the squeeky brake replaced and Tom ordered the fancy disappearing running boards that son Allan had been recommending for two years.  I didn't feel that I needed it but did notice Tom lifting his "climbing in foot" by pulling on the jeans!! And we hoisted ourselves in using upper body strength and the hand hold provided.  MONKEYS we were.  The new running boards disappear into their protective box mounted to the frame of the pickup.  UNTIL they didn't appear when we opened the door yesterday!!  I had asked what would happen if they quit while out on the ROAD?  Would we be locked in or locked out?  We found out just a day before our scheduled departure for parts unknown.  We have two collapsible step stools on board so Tom found a green strap to attach to his since he had to fold and deposit mine in front of my seat.  So after he was in place in the drivers seat, he "hand over handed" the green strap and folded his and handed it to me to secure.  We are a good team and the next stop I actually collected my stool with my toe through the opening on the side of the stool, folded and deposited it in front of my seat without his assistance!!

Son Tom sent a text this morning - since we are waiting to hear from the GMC dealer that they have solved the problem - that we could use his pickup and where the key was located.  He had appeared last evening as we were dropped off by the shuttle driver with wrench in hand to help with last minute tightening and crawling under the trailer to check the connections there.

Son Allan, lost a kidney - cancerous as it was - but called last Wednesday with GREAT NEWS the surrounding areas and the glands came back as clear!!  So that "cancer baby" as he called it had not spread!!    IT did however weigh in at THREE POUNDS;  I GOOGLED the weight of a normal kidney - just over a quarter pound!  THINK THREE cartons of butter at one pound each!!  So Allan is doing his rehab at Wyatt and Amy's ranch house in Moccasin;  he has the place to himself from 7 AM to 8 PM as Amy works and then Lane, age 6 1/2 and first grader, has football practice while little sister is at daycare and then part of the large group of watchers at the football practice.  His team has won all of their Saturday games so far and he seems to be more observant of the action on the field and enjoying being part of the TEAM.

Ashleigh and I have been walking our one mile loop on days when it is not 100 degrees.  On those days we often hop in the pool.  But since we moved our doctors to Arizona this past winter, no doctor's appointments!  We drove to Pinecrest on a Saturday when we first arrived seven weeks ago and decided it was WAY TOO BUSY.  The list of fixes that Tom wanted to accomplish on the rig have been taken care of.  The excess baby blankies have been delivered to the Pregnancy Center,  the blankie for the neighbor's baby due in two weeks was finished and delivered just a day before he was born.  We were handed a Thank You card literally as they left for the hospital; they thought we were leaving ASAP.  Mom and baby are doing well even if two weeks early.  And Ashleigh's friend - Montana - is now a "big sister."

That is all the news that is fit to print, as they say in the publishing business.  ENJOY each day with gratitude.

 

IT JUST TAKES TIME

WELL,  we are now past the 3 month mark on the new Right KNEE, and it is starting to feel normal.  At least the new knee is no more painful than the old left knee: but am I ready to have the second knee replacement?  NO!!  Even if I have already met the deductible for 2024.  I think that I will take some Collagen, that seems to be the current MUST HAVE supplement.  But why I need six tablets a day I have no idea;  whether all at once or staggered through the day,  it still seems to be a lot and since my pill tray only has AM and PM...

It also took time to get from Highway 50 east bound to Highway I-80 west bound.  We missed our California Loop this Spring and had some family events in Colorado so went directly to Colorado hoping to find COOL.  And when we left AZ the monsoons were just beginning as well as the triple digit weather.   So we were in Colorado during a rare this summer cooling period and enjoyed the COOL in the Rockies at Buene Vista on the Arkansas River.  We were tourists driving down to Royal Gorge through the Arkansas River Canyon one of the days we were there.  A canyon that neither of us had explored; a tourist attraction that neither of us had seen as kids growing up in Colorful Colorado!   It was a good day.  We were amazed at the number of zip lines and the number of rafting companies!!  I guess we have spent the forty-one years managing businesses on Sonora Pass Highway and haven't spent much time exploring OTHER touristy pass times.  Also skiing was "our thing!" Not water sports; and we certainly did not need adventure while running a business in the mountains.  Keeping the books balanced and the WORK done, was adventure enough, no need for a zip line!   Possibly a "line of credit?" LOL!!

Since there was NO RUSH in getting to California - no events on the horizon - we kind of meandered on Highway 14 to Steamboat Springs and discovered that they were having a Pro-Rodeo that weekend.  No wonder we stayed in a mowed field next to the KOA in Craig!  And then were able to move to a full hook up spot for a couple of nights.  Next stop Vernal UT - Dinoland - for several nights and a swim!  We decided to skip Wendover and went to Wells NV and a small RV Park where we even put the outriggers on the corners due to a GUSTY WIND forecast for that night and MORE RAIN.  We had warned that we were bringing the AZ monsoons with us and at least one sprinkle at each stop on the Colorado tour!!  One of the days near Mount Princeton and Buene Vista CO we had a series of thundershowers - three or four.

Stopped to visit with some FIRST COUSINS in Silver Springs NV, east of Carson City.  Perfect timing since their RV spot was occupied by a grandson and his father the night before and they had an event the following day, but by that point we were anxious to complete the westward push so ate our breakfast and hooked up to try and miss the wind that was forecast for that day!

I drove from Carson City over Carson Pass, then Tom took over for the downhill to Jackson CA.  Stopped there and I got the last turn on the well known road to son Tom's.  He had come down Hiway 4 and arrived home 4 minutes before we drove in.   Just in time to assist by directing Tom's backing into the space between house and garage!!  Then he went off to finish some work yet that day and we got all hooked up and organized, the rug put out,  the rocking chairs set up and all the paintings hung on their hooks!

AGAIN, GOD was Good, providing a spot to park each night and often, like in HEBER CITY Utah a lovely space with tree and grass, our choice of two pools, and paved hiking trails around the park with over 100 spaces and rigs of all sizes!  I actually kept their brochure for a future trip through that part of Utah!

While "Time waits for no man", using your patience and allowing healing to come at a slow pace will get it done in TIME.

THE LITTLE COUNTRY CHURCH

I went on line and found what appeared to be a small country church – grassy area all around, a view of the foothills, three crosses on an elevated hill.  Then we attempted to FIND IT!!   We got to a place where we could see A CHURCH with a cross, but no road leading to it.  So we proceed up this main road in the “small subdivision” only to find two more subdivisions.   Finally, got to a main road that apparently went into one in the general direction we needed to take.   Lo, and behold,  there was a sign at the stop sign three roads in saying to turn here for the Grace Community Church.  We did and when we arrived five minutes before 11 AM we found the parking lot full and no folks wandering about.   We parked in the overflow field and walked toward the front; the friendly gentleman at the door explained that for two months in the summer they have a combined service at 10 AM. So Tom was right we were arriving just in time for the benediction. 

Well, not quite.  We were served Communion there in the vestibule along with some “hanger outers” drinking coffee and the friendly greeter.  Then followed the server into the worship space and someone noticed us and slid over so we would have two chairs together.   The worship team did an extended LAST SONG and THEN the pastor gave the benediction.   Several folks apologized that we had missed the worship service, saying “but come back next Sunday at 10 AM, we would love to get to know you!”  We explained that we were RVers with over 60,000 miles on our tripometer and we were moving on in the morning.   But we did in fact participate in Communion and the last song before the Benediction, so we were BLESSED to have FOUND the little church out in the field that I had seen on the internet not knowing it was at the edge of TWO subdivisions.

We FOUND our friends on 4^th of July for their BBQ here in Colorado Springs.  What did we do before MAPS programs and GPS?  Their small subdivision in an older part of “the Springs” is a half acre and in a lovely cared- for area off Academy Drive.   The food was delicious and the company included their son, whom we had not seen since he was a teenager learning to ski at Dodge Ridge.  He is the age of our son Tom.   His two sons dropped in for the food and then were off to a baseball game.   So we DID have something to do far from home on the Holiday thanks to the generosity of our OLD FRIENDS from early marriage, thanks to keeping tabs via Christmas Letters and now Facebook!

We FOUND a car wash since we were running early on 4^th of July.   And true to the OLD SAYING the truck has had sprinkles at least each day since the wash!!   

Come Saturday we FOUND the County Roads leading from Falcon, where we are parked, to Castle Rock.  One of those County Roads went through Peaceful Valley in an area known as the Black Forest, where Tom remembered the FROZEN camping trip with the Boy Scouts.  That was NOT PLANNED as a WINTER CAMPOUT and Tom’s Dad realized the “freak storm” in AUGUST had isolated the troop and put them in danger.  This was BEFORE cell phones.  So Dad rousted the county road crew chief and got them to plow the foot of snow from the road into the camp, so the parents could get to the boys.  The Scoutmaster’s battery was so cold it would not start his vehicle, so someone jumpstarted his pickup.  Amazing that Tom recognized the area BEFORE I saw the sign for the Camp!!  I guess memories are like that!

 We FOUND the Memorial Service we were looking for yesterday, at the very eastern edge of Castle Rock.  BOY, has that small town grown since we were kids; of course that was seventy years ago!  Our friend from those early years of marriage had just been talking about the MISTAKES our generation had made in allowing unrealistic building codes to proliferate so that a family starting out CANNOT afford a house because the houses have four bedroom and three baths on a full acre with a two car garage.  AND there are no 2 bedroom, 2 bath homes with a one car garage for the seniors who do not want to check into an assisted living  situation.  So by the time we no longer NEED all that space, we have acquired too much STUFF to even consider a 2 bedroom home if there was such a thing.  Unrealistic expectations.  And those are passed down to the next generation who expect to move from college to an apartment or condo – where you only own the air between the walls – and then to one of those four bedroom, three bath houses on at least an acre, possibly three so they can each have a bedroom and a DOG or a HORSE.

This world is not my home, I’m just a’passin’ through.  My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.  The angels beckon me from HEAVEN’s open DOOR and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore. – OLD COUNTRY GOSPEL SONG

So why are we planning to take a UHaul from California to Arizona with “our treasures” to keep us company for our remaining winters in Arizona? 

GOOD QUESTION!   Maybe we will FIND the answer soon?