A Sad Day

It is with great sadness that I begin my blog today. A dear friend & former co-worker, Marilyn, lost her husband, Dan, to a heart attack last evening. He was only 59. He was a very talented woodworker & I will always treasure the little 3D wooden sign he & Marilyn gave Bill & I for our camper. Please keep Marilyn & her children Kurt & Sara in your prayers this week.

On a lighter note, here are some pictures of our morning yesterday playing shuffleboard. There weren't as many playing yesterday, but we had a great time anyway. This is the first time I've pulled to play against my hubby. Look at that scoreboard! Yes, he had to pay me a nickel. Such a lot of fun, entertainment & exercise for just a nickel a game! We were playing on this end of the first court. Our opponents were Hermell on the right (from Canada & a curling player) & Dick on the left. Sorry the picture is so dark. The sun was BRIGHT! Our end gets the sun, the other end the shade on this side of the courts
When you play Courts 8-16, most of it stays sunny the whole time. But we rotate back & forth until many more players get here in the next couple of months.
Here Sharyn is giving it her shot - keep it out of the "kitchen". That's a -10!
WOW! I'm 15 points ahead of Bill! He had two 10's & a 7 & I knocked him out every time! He doesn't like to lose, but he had to pay me the nickel. The other end of the board looks rather bad too. 21 to -2! I ended up winning the nickel from Bill.
This is looking down the courts. There are 8 on each side.
Cleaning up after the game. The good wax & the gutter wax.
Butch sweeping. See the Usery Mts. in the background.
Notice how shiny the ones not in use are. Bill has been helping clean them in the early morning hours this week. The Superstition Mts. in the background make a beautiful place to play.
Today we played on the far end courts. Quite a few. I even beat Camilla's brother, Tom this morning. Poor guy had the bad side of a bad court. Then I had Francis telling me where to shoot & he was a great coach. I think the score ended up 35 to 7. I made a nickel the first game! But then I lost to Frank the 2nd game. Bill won the 2nd game with a -6 & -8. His opponent landed in the kitchen the last frame. What fun we had!

Since today is Wednesday, it's wash day again. But since it's such a nice day at least I can get in the pool again.

Got an email from Bill's brother, Denny, & sister-in-law, Gloria, that their grandson, Austin, is playing hockey. Pretty good for a 10 yr. old. This is his 5th year playing. Here is part of the article from the Dunkirk newspaper:

"Youth Hockey
NCCYHA Squirt

Team III 6, Cazenovia Chiefs 2

Mike Meredith continued his scoring ways for Team III with a hat trick followed by a pair of goals from Seth Schrader.

Korey Gee netted one for good measure.

Jarrett Parks was credited with the lone assist.

Alex Majka, Taylor Mattoon and Austin Lewis played strong defensively, while Ben Turner earned the win between the pipes."

That's about all the activities for this week. Bill played pool & poker & did pretty good at the poker last night & yesterday afternoon.

So, until next time...........The Traveling Cardinal's

I've Been S L A C K I N G Again!

I haven't had much chance to sit & write on the blog this past week. Always seem to be running here or there.

We've played cards a couple of nights, gone out for supper a few times and just general running out to the store to shop.

Before I go very far, I want to wish all our Veteran's a Belated Thank You! I did email out a thank you to most all in my address book. If I forgot you, I'm sorry, it wasn't intentional. We are so thankful for all you have done both in the past & the present. You make us proud & we are so blessed because of your bravery & courage. Below you can see our new flag pole we bought in Michigan this past summer. Because of David's welding work, we are able to fly it every day (that the weather is good). We are proud to show our colors & support our troops. When Mark leaves at the end of the year for his 6-7 month tour of duty at sea, we will fly our Navy flag. Beautiful against that blue sky isn't it?
These were the flags displayed by the park for Veteran's Day & the week for each of the branches of service, including Canada.
A Veteran's Day luncheon was enjoyed by all the Vets & their significant others. Many stories were told by anyone who wanted to tell them.
Here the Activities Director was making her speech.
Gene has been busy building a ramp for Tom. He got the project all done & it really looks nice. He did a beautiful job & I'm sure Tom is going to love not having to walk up those steps. He can drive his little cart right up to the door. Now Phyllis might be a little edgy because she lost a "little - very little" of her party space. Maybe that will be incentive for us not to eat so much since that was where the food tables went! LOL
This is our Clean Home & Truck after this side got washed & waxed. I didn't have my sign & my little flags back out when I took this picture. No oranges on our tree this year either!
This is Faye & Gene's trailer. Looks really nice with all the fall decorations. He has been a real sweetheart to help us out with some projects too. He fixed my shoe rack so it's almost level & doesn't slide around in the closet. Works great! Thank You Gene!
For the last 2 days I have been shopping for a new bathing suit. Now wouldn't you think that this being a "snowbird" area & mostly retirees, that they would keep a supply of bathing suits around for all these people who live where there are pools & you can swim 365 days a year????? Ya Right. Well, if they did have any, they were for young babes that still have a body for a bikini. I lost my 2 piece body a long time ago! I finally was directed to a store called Ma's Swimwear in Mesa. What a selection!! A whole store full. Even had a clearance rack. I tried on 8 suits at an Outlet store in Apache Junction on Wed. - no luck. I tried on about 5 from the clearance rack at Ma's - no luck. Now, would you believe I found 2 on the "regular price" rack that were the same style & name brand that I have & they fit me perfectly! Okay, so I had to pay the big bucks, but I bought them both. Even bought a bottle of concentrated soap to wash them with that gets that nasty chlorine out! Maybe I won't have to wear a "see through" the rest of the season!

Bill and I started playing shuffleboard this past Monday. We played Mon., Tues. & Wed. It is really a lot of fun. Poor Roger & Camilla were after us all last season to play & we were just plain lazy I guess. But we found we really enjoy it. So hurry up & get here guys. Maybe we can win a nickel from you! I'm still a little confused on the score keeping when there are only 3 of you on a court instead of 4, but I guess we'll get the hang of it sooner or later. So now I've squeezed that in among my exercising in the mornings. Thursday (yesterday) was the first day of Scratch Art classes again. It was fun to be back together again. We have 2 new gals starting off this year. I know we will grow as more gals return.

Today there was no computer club meeting so Bill & I made plans to go see the Nation's Capitol Christmas Tree that is touring Arizona before it makes the long trek to Washington, DC. The following are pictures taken from the time it was picked out & then cut on Nov. 9th from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest headquartered in Springerville, AZ. That is about 200 miles from where we are.

Cranes getting ready to cut the tree & lay it in the cradle on the bed of the truck (especially made) for transporting the tree.
Loading the tree
Making sure branches are secured to prevent them from breakage.
This was today's schedule for the tree.

Friday, November 13	Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce 576 W. Apache Trail	9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
	Florence Main Street Park 121 E. 22nd St.	1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
	Oro Valley Oro Valley Market Place 11875 N. Oracle Rd.	4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

If you read the information I inserted after the pictures, you can gain a wealth of information about the tree, how big it is, how it is kept watered, information about the decorations made by the people of Arizona, etc.

This trailer will haul all the decorations made. If you click on the picture you can see the red ribbon wrapped around the state of Arizona. The picture is beautiful.
The line to "peek in the door". One on each side of the truck.Everyone who wanted could sign the banners - one on each side of the truck & one on the back.
This was the top of the tree inside the truck
Here Bill is taking his peek
Now that's a Big MACK!
Here I am up on the stepladder signing our names. Well, not really. I had already signed it before, but forgot our last names. So this nice forester let me go back up an add our last name. I reached as far to the top as I could.
I'm not sure what this little boy will remember of this Day in History - the tree or the cookies! One of the churches in the area provided the cookies & coffee at the Chamber of Commerce for everyone. The cookies were delicious too. Not homemade, but very good!
About Capitol Christmas Tree 2009

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree 2009 will travel from its origin in the White Mountains of Arizona to Washington, D.C. On November 30, 2009 the 85-foot Blue spruce will be presented to the United States Congress. The first time Arizona has ever given the annual Christmas tree to the U.S. Capitol, this historic project is delivering not only a tree taller than a 7-story building, but nearly 10,000 handmade ornaments and 80 companion trees that will be placed in offices throughout the Capitol Complex in federal offices, congressional and senate offices, as well as the US Supreme Court.

ARIZONA’S GIFT

• Arizona’s tree is about 125 years old. That’s longer than Arizona has been a state!
• The Forest Service recommends 6 to 8 trees for selection. However, the U.S. Capitol Architect makes the final selection and determines which tree will be the official Capitol Christmas Tree.

ROAD TRIP TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

• Arizona’s tree will travel throughout the state visiting nearly 24 cities and towns before it journeys to Washington, D.C. The Arizona state tour will take about 10 days.
• The Capitol Christmas Tree 2009 will make frequent stops across the nation on its way to Washington, D.C., escorted by federal officials. The national tour will take about another 10 days.
• The tree will travel on a double flatbed truck. Placed on its side, it will rest in a custom cradle that supports the branches, preventing damage and maintaining the tree’s perfect shape.
• A caravan of approximately 12 vehicles, including two semi-trucks, will escort the tree east. The Capitol Christmas Tree 2009 will travel more than 3,000 miles during its three-week tour.
• The base of the tree is fitted with a plastic bladder filled with fresh water nightly. The tree will absorb about 65 gallons of water each day throughout its trek to Washington, D.C.
• A full-sized semi-truck will be needed to transport all the ornaments delivered to Washington, D.C.
  
  TRIMMING THE TREE

• The children of Arizona will make the 5,000 ornaments used to decorate the tree. The ornaments will be 9 to 12 inches tall and must be made to withstand 3 weeks of harsh winter weather.

• An additional 1,000 ornaments will be made for the 75 companion trees displayed throughout the Capitol.

• About 10,000 LED Christmas lights are strung throughout the tree.
  

• It takes more than a week for the U.S. Capitol Architect and his team to decorate.

• The Capitol Christmas Tree is topped by the same single star ornament used each year.

• The tree will be placed into a hole nearly five feet deep and actually cemented into place.

• Although Capitol Christmas trees are varied heights, when installed they can be no taller than 65 feet. The Capitol landscape crew does not have a basket crane taller than that!

Now that's quite a story. We look at the beautiful tree on the grounds of the Nation's Capitol every year at Christmas & we never realize how much work & preparation goes into getting it there. The weight of the tree is about 6,000 lbs. Two men & an army - now I'd like to see the pictures of them putting up the tree in DC.

Another evening out to eat, 8 of us played Hand & Foot (the women won tonight! Ya!) so the evening is about over.

Yesterday I called my grand kids in Virginia Beach because I was worried about them & the terrible storm they were having. Everyone was holding their own & kids were doing well. They lost electricity while I was talking with Samuel, but I called back a few minutes later & Samantha answered on another phone, so guess it was okay. The pictures we watched on the Weather Channel made us so glad we weren't still there camping at the campground in Virginia Beach, nor at Bar Harbor in Maryland. If you remember the "High Tide" pictures from Sept., you'll remember we had water up under the trailer then & it wasn't even a storm! Tomorrow we will check on the other grand kids in Maryland to see how that family fared.

Congratulations to Renee. She was selected to become a regular rather than a substitute Cafeteria Worker at the elementary school next to the boys school. Then after she finishes her work there, she goes to their school to volunteer doing odd jobs for classrooms. I'm happy she now has a regular job & her days & time will coincide with the boys school days.

Today was Bill's sister's birthday. Happy Birthday, Carolyn. Hope you had a great day. On Veteran's Day, Randy celebrated his birthday. A Happy Belated Birthday to you too. (Well I did send you an e-card so I guess I didn't forget, just haven't blogged!)

Tomorrow is our grandson, Hunter's, birthday. Have a great day & a Happy Birthday, Hunter. We love you & good luck with your basketball try outs!

We had an email from Mark this past week & he got stuck in France because of bad weather, but he did get to visit the beaches of Normandy. That gave him some time to contemplate the bravery of those who served before him & the sacrifices they made. He was upset because they were suppose to have been back to Norfolk by the 10th. Now with the storm, he won't be able to pull in probably either. The ocean probably looks like a shipyard. During hurricanes & tropical storms with high winds, the ships are sent out to sea to avoid any damage while in port. Pray for our boys. If they are riding rough seas, they probably need them!

Well, that's all the news for now. So until next time............The Traveling Cardinal's

What Beautiful Weather!

Today was wash day, but that's okay, I don't mind getting that chore out of the way. It's my social time as well as work time. Besides, 2 or 3 loads a week, done within 1-1/2 hrs. is only a speck out of my week. Now I want you to know that 1-1/2 hr. includes hanging some of those clothes on the line & drying in the hot sunshine & getting the ironing done too. And I still had time to sit with my feet in the pool & visit! Can't beat it!

After taking the clothes home & putting them away (gosh it was nice not having to stop & iron when I got home!), Bill & I rode our bikes back down to the Club House. Today was the Welcome Back Party for the park. The lunch of BBQ pork sandwich, coleslaw, baked beans, bread pudding with whiskey sauce, beer or soda was provided by the park & prepared by Taylor Ray's restaurant. Bill & I have ate there several times. It's similar to a Perkin's Restaurant back home. The staff here at the park served 660 people within 25 minutes. Now that is organized! The Activities Office, the Office Staff, Maintenance & Housekeeping were all directing, serving & cleaning up. Everyone did a fantastic job! Thanks, Superstition Sunrise RV Resort for our lunch today.

Here are some shots of the party served on the patio & eaten inside the ballroom, & outside wherever you could find a place to sit. This was one half of the room.
This is the other half of the room.
This was the alcove off the ballroom. Bill is talking with Gene, Faye, Ruby & Jim.
This is outside on the patio. The staff is now getting their chance to eat. Bob, the man in the middle, is our favorite maintenance guy. He's the one that helps us park our trailer! Thank you, again, Bob. I did pay him back with homemade cookies though! He said the hug was enough thank you, but I thought he deserved more than that!
Those eating in the side yard by the patio.
Some were fortunate enough to sit out on the patio, but then there weren't any seats left inside (where it was cool) for the entertainment.
Some even opted to eat pool side. Look at the blue sky!
These are some shots of friends & acquaintances here at the park.
Ralph & Norma
Eloise - She makes the best beet dish for our Thursday Night BBQ Pot Luck. Can't wait for that to start.
Carol & Dave I. We are partners in crime for the Thursday Night BBQ's. Dave keeps us in line & hopefully those of us who worked last year can take turns setting up this year. We are always looking for more volunteers. It's an easy job & everyone helps to clean up so that's not a problem.
Our neighbor Jim. You know those Seniors, they just won't hold still. Picture turned out a little blurry so I had to cut off his wife Ruby! Sorry, friend. You wouldn't have wanted to see that one!
Cleata & Larry
Audrey & Don
After lunch was done, the park provided entertainment for us too. The first part was 3 guys doing comedy. You know the Improv type, some was funny, some was so-so. Not my favorite type of entertainment.

The second part was by 2 of the 3 Branson Brothers. They sang country, gospel & Christmas. They will be performing at Fiesta Fountain here in the Valley during the Christmas season. They are from Branson.

By this time Carol was getting thirsty. I don't think I've ever seen her do this & it was only 2:00!! Dave said take a picture of that! She was thirsty, but she never did drink it all.
We got our trailer washed professionally yesterday. They did a great job & NO SPOTS this year. We waxed one side of it yesterday morning after I came home from exercise & today when we came home from the party, I did the part under the hitch. Since it was overcast & the sun wasn't shining, it wasn't quite so bad. I didn't do the other side though. I may have to do that a little at a time as the sun shines on that side all day long, morning until night.

The following pictures are some I just want to share with you. Since I've been looking at other people's pictures on Face Book, I've gotten to copy & keep a couple of precious memories on my computer.

This first picture was posted by the little boy on the left, Eddie. His sister, Lacy, is shown with him. He graduated with my daughter Renee. They lived in the house next to where we used to camp when our kids were little. You can see a couple people riding bikes - that was the campground & we were right on the corner to the left. If you look at the cute little girl with the ringlets in the lower right corner, that was my sweetheart, Renee. No, the ringlets weren't natural; they were put up in rags to make the curls. She was a pretty patient little gal.
Now this is my sweetheart when she got married! No, no ringlets. I don't think she would have let me! LOL 10-1/2 years go already! Wow, time sure does fly!
Friends Kathy and Tina
Now Kathy on the left above, is the one that posted the wedding pictures. I don't ever remember seeing this picture until she posted it on Face Book. Hmmm. Pretty handsome guy I'm smooching.
Renee dancing with her Dad.Today my niece, Dee, sent me pictures of her dad (my brother-in-law, Bob) & her sister (my niece, Donna) & their birthday celebration this past weekend. Bob turned 81 & Donna turned 51. Sorry Donna, but the closer you get to retirement, you don't care who knows how old you are & you start to become proud of that age! Glad you had a great party.
This is just one of my favorite pictures that was in an email I got a long time ago. Just kind of sweet.
So, until next time........................The Traveling Cardinal's

Happy Halloween 2009

The night is almost over, the ghost & goblins have retired for the night, so as I sit here & update my blog, I hope everyone had a Happy, Safe Halloween.

From My Pumpkin to Yours
There was a Halloween Dance here at the park tonight. Bill & I went down to check out the costumes & try & take some pictures. The lighting is not very conducive to taking pictures, so I'm sorry some are blurry.

This was the 1st place couple.
Neighbors, Stu & Carol
Danny & ?
3rd place in front & 1st place behind
2nd place on left & pirates are Brian & Cathy (exercise leader)
More of the parade
So you can see, no matter the age, there is a little bit of kid in all of us.

On our way home I had to go to Gene & Faye's door to scare them. They told me to take Bill on a walk down the street to see this little guy. Gene was walking this morning before daylight & the little guy almost scared the pee right out of him. So he said I was the 2nd one to scare him today.
So back to our little abode, to play catch up. Bill is sleeping in the recliner, old movie is playing.

I went to pool today (it was beautiful today!) & Bill played poker. On my way to the pool I noticed Dave & Carol were here. They arrived from Iowa last evening. Carol came to the pool & we spent time catching up.

Last night we went out for supper with Jim & Ruby, across the street, who arrived Thursday from Washington. The neighborhood is slowly filtering in.

Tomorrow we will go to church & catch up with friends that we haven't seen yet.

Tomorrow a new week begins, a new month and hope all of you on Daylight Savings Time remembered to turn your clocks back before you went to bed. Now we will only be 2 hrs. behind you.

So, until next time..................The Traveling Cardinal's

We Haven't Blown Off The Map - Yet

Well, as I said, the 2nd day of exercise was a challenge! Today, I'm sore. Not as bad as I thought, but that hour yesterday was WORK! That 5# ball kept getting heavier & heavier by the time the hour was up. Good thing we get Wed. & Thurs. off before going back on Friday!

Today I washed clothes. It was so great to hang those sheets out. The wind is blowing today, but not as bad as yesterday. Below you can see the before (taken last evening before supper) and the after - today, of Superstition Mountain. It just plain disappeared in all the dust. Bill washed the truck yesterday & today I dusted it! The wind was so strong last night it tipped our little table over with the Cast Iron Grill on it right upside down. I tried the grill this morning & couldn't get it to work. Bill messed with it this afternoon, maybe it will work now. If not I guess we'll have to go shopping again.

No Mountain.................

Now it's back.....

Just a touch of home. As you can see it's all gravel, stone, dirt. There is no planting here & no weeding either!
I got this email from my special friend, Judy, today & I thought I'd share it in my post for the day. It was cute & says a lot! Well Judy, I played with this & cut & pasted & changed font sizes & it still does what it wants. So if there is something in large print, don't be offended, this crazy site sometimes does whatever it wants to.

H A P P Y A U T U M N!!!

The 7 Ups!

1. Wake Up !!

Decide to have a good day.
'This is the day the Lord hath made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.'
Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up !!
The best way to dress up is to put on a smile.
A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
'The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.
Man looks at outward appearance,
but the Lord looks at the heart.'
I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up!!
Say nice things and learn to listen.
God gave us two ears and one mouth,
so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.

'He who guards his lips guards his soul.'
Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!!
. . . for what you believe in.
Stand for something or you will fall for anything.
'Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time,
we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good...'
Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up !!
. . to the Lord.
'I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me'.
Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up !!
. . for something higher.
'Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not unto your own understanding.
In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.'
Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up !!
. . your Prayers.
'Do not worry about anything; instead
PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING.'
Philippians 4:6

A POSITIVE THOUGHT

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring, and a sunrise every morning.
Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen.
He could live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.
What about the Christmas gift He sent you in Bethlehem ;
not to mention that Friday at Calvary .
Face it, He's crazy about you.

I thought this was mighty special, just like YOU.
remember . ...
God answers Knee-Mail!
Wishing you a Blessed Day!!

We are just trying to keep warm on this sunny, cool day. Bill just went back down to check on the pool players & I'm drinking a Cherry Chocolate Latte. It's only 59 deg. outside, but suppose to be back up in the 80's in a couple of days. I can stand that. Did have to wear jeans & a sweatshirt today though. No sun bathing today.

Tomorrow I probably won't post anything so I just want to say "Happy Birthday Bob". We miss you & being Thursday, we could have played cards. Hope you have cake & company! Also, Happy Birthday to Bev.

So, until next time.............The Traveling Cardinal's

First Day Back to Excercise Class

Oh, my, I forgot I had those muscles & I think my legs weigh 50 lbs. each! I decided I had to do some serious "getting in shape" so may as well get out of bed & exercise at 8 AM 3 days a week (Monday, Tuesday & Friday). If it doesn't do any good in the next 6 months, I'll retire from that too!

Seriously, we have a great time & our leader, Cathy, is fun & focused. I need her! She tells you when to breath in, breath out & counts at the same time! A real leader. Tomorrow we use the 5# weight ball. Now tomorrow or Wed. I might say something different!

Chris, Noreen & Cindy in the office were excited to see me this morning. They all had to come out of the office & give me a hug. That makes you feel good to get such a "welcome back" from them. Of course, they know I stop & visit & pick on them all year. I think they miss us all.

It was a beautiful day today. We got our rent & cable paid for the next 3 months & ready to have fun & enjoy. Bill went to play cards this afternoon & I went to the pool. They were all kidding me about just getting here & laying around the pool already. I said if Bill could play, so could I. But they must remember, I don't leave my home closed up for 6 months at a time so I keep mine pretty much cleaned up all year. Although it does need a good housecleaning (walls, ceilings) & outside. But that will come in a day or two. Suppose to cool down a couple days.

While I was at the pool, Phoenix's local TV Channel 3 came to do a shoot about the park. They were using the angle about the economy & how it effects Apache Junction businesses & if it will be better this year than last. The cameraman came out to the pool & told everyone he was going to take some shots of them in the pool. Our neighbor down the street, Stu & his wife Carol were in there along with our exercise leader, Cathy & her husband Brian. Well he took pictures & then interviewed Stu (whose birthday was today - Happy Birthday Stu!) He asked him if he spent money here in town & where. Stu said, restaurants, Walmart, restaurants, Walmart. Then they interviewed Cathy. After he left, Carol said they should have sent him to talk to me about our ordeals & I said, Oh no, we've had enough problems parking that rig for 2 days, that's enough publicity for me. Well, these clips were on the 5 & 6 o'clock news tonight. He showed guys playing pool, those in the pool, a lady sitting by the pool & then oh, my gosh!!! There I was laying in all my glory in a bathing suit reading, on TV!!! I never knew he was taking those pictures. At least I wasn't looking at the camera!!

Tonight I went to buy some flowers to put in pots in front of the trailer along with my pumpkin we got yesterday. Doesn't seem possible Halloween is here already.

Well, nothing special to write about except the above & to let everyone know we are all doing well & it is gorgeous weather.

I received this this past week & I really love it. It makes me look at myself, like myself & smile at myself:

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less grey hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself.. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging..

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50, 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love .. I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful.
But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken.. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or a pet is lost.

But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning grey, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).

So, until next time............The Traveling Cardinal's

We are Finally AZ Home!

Before Bill & I went out for supper with Don & LaVon on Friday night, they took us to introduce us to our neighbors. They were a couple they are friends with that were staying a week & then heading to the Phoenix area to work on a mission project. They are called Sowers. This is their "big rig truck"! Wow! You will notice it is called The Clydesdale. He said he used to pull his trailer with a smaller truck he called "The Mule". But it couldn't quite do the job so he had to buy a bigger truck & he calls this one The Clydesdale. What a hoot!
This is the emblem on their truck. Sowers means Servants on Wheels Every Ready. If you click on the picture you can see the Bible verse Gal. 6:7 & the seeds being sown spell Jesus. I love this emblem! May we all be Sowers in one way or another in our lives with whomever we meet & wherever we are. "Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." Gal. 6:7
The big truck - with the scooter for running "small errands". Can you imagine going shopping & having to park this???
Saturday morning before we knocked on Don & LaVon's door to say goodbye, we took a walk in the Cactus Garden. It covers approx. 5 acres. It is so beautiful & peaceful & it wasn't even in bloom!
Each person on the outside row of the park takes care of that section of the garden behind their trailer. There are some really unique things there. I loved this little old car & trailer. Click on the picture & see the design in the dead tree stump with the barbed wire hanging on it. Beautiful.
Even without the flowers, the cactus have their own special colors, shapes & characteristics.
Now these aren't flowers, it is just the left over pods after the flowers. Can you imagine how beautiful it was when it was in full bloom?
This is the welcome sign on the front of Don & LaVon's 5th wheel. They are such a sweet couple. Fun to be with!
LaVon's bougainvillea bush.
We got to their trailer just as LaVon was getting up (Gosh I wished I would have had that camera ready, LOL). Don had been up since 6 but let his lovely wife sleep in. Isn't he the best? Well, I know another one that's good too. Bill let's me sleep in all the time.

Anyway, we said our goodbyes & then pulled out. We were heading to Camping World in Mesa to have a new awning put on our trailer. Our appointment was for 11am. We got there a little after 10 & were there until almost 5pm. A long day sitting around, but I took a book to read, my Sudoku puzzle book & kept busy going between sitting in the sun outside & sitting in the AC cold customer lounge.

Everything went fine & we left there and arrived at our Arizona Home, Superstition Sunrise RV Park a little after 5. After giving Faye & Gene hugs, it was time to take the bike off the back, cover the neighbors orange tree so it wouldn't scratch the trailer again & then back that monster in. Gene had laid out wood strips so we could use that as a guide. We told Gene he could go ahead & back it in. He did pretty good, but couldn't get the front lined up with the back. We have to be as close to the cement slab as we can (but wanted to leave room for our flag pole holder David made us). Well, Gene worked at it. Then I got in & worked at it. Got it a little straighter, then finally Bill got in & finished it. What a job. But by then it was dark & the truck was jackknifed & we couldn't move it without getting out of line again. So Gene said just leave it. He went to get some cones to mark off where the truck stuck out into the street & we got up this morning, unhooked, lined the truck up straight with the trailer, re-hooked & made the necessary adjustments to be where we needed to be. What a job. With a 8' bed, a crew cab & a 40' trailer, it makes for a trying job. We just don't have enough room to jog it around. But we are here & here we re going to stay until April 24th!

After everything was done this morning, I took off for a bike ride while Bill showered. Got to see who was here & who hasn't arrived yet. Stopped & talked to Shirley, then Audrey & Don. Finally I ended up back at Faye & Gene's where Bill already was. We talked then played a game of Hand & Foot until it was time for the Cardinal's game to start. They wanted to watch the game. Oh, by the way, the guys beat us, but not by much. It was a very close game!

It was Gene & Faye's 5th anniversary last Thursday. He bought her 2 doz. beautiful roses & a new ring he got while they were on their cruise a few weeks ago. He is so sweet & good to her. They make a wonderful couple. There isn't a thing they wouldn't do for anyone. Gene is busy building a ramp at the trailer that Phyllis & Tom rent. They talked about it last year & now it will be done when they get here the middle of Dec.

This is the hibiscus that Faye has on her patio. It's has beautiful huge flowers.
You can see the size of the flower by looking at the pot that it's in! A pretty color too.
Well, that about wraps up our last couple of days. I need to finish up so Bill can read the newspaper.

So until next time...............The Traveling Cardinal's