Past Memories

Today as the nation mourned the death of Ted Kennedy, my eyes filled with tears again just as they did in November 1963. Today, just as then, I'm proud to be American. Watching the rain falling in Boston was also a blessing as it proved that global warming is pretty much isolated to Arizona. ( My attempt at levity) Kristi's baby shower was fun. Little "Tiger" Newman is going to be pretty much decked out in the latest styles. Tiger will always be my nickname for this poor little guy who will have to be a tiger to withstand all those girls. Didn't finish this post yesterday and now I have something weighing more heavily on my mind. How can a pastor preach that he hates President Obama. Disagreeing with his policies is american but hating someone who has been created and loved by God just goes against everything I believe as a Christian. Shame on this pastor who could be creating violence on our streets.

Lightbulb moment

Ford Motor Company use to have an advertisement that showed a lightbulb turning on that was to illustrate, "Wow, I should buy a Ford." Oh no, now my whole thought process is turning to advertisements. "Wow, I could have had a V8". "It doesn't taste like Fiber" Hopefully this blog doesn't give you your full day's supply of fiber. Anyway, it occurred to me this morning why my Christian friends here seem so much more "Christian" than my friends up North. Here's a hint. The temperature here will be 113 tomorrow. It will be 75 and raining in Portland. Just ponder on that while I finish unloading the dishwater and drinking another two 16 oz glasses of water.

To Do Lists

And writing on this blog was one of the "2-do's" for today. If 2 of the 2-do's are completed it will be quite a successful day. Actually since returning from the Northwest doing anything is a struggle. This was particularly true Friday-Sunday. After unpacking the suitcase there were little piles everywhere. Tons of pictures developed at Walgrens. What am I going to do with all of these? Finally by Sunday I had thrown away 3/4's of them and arranged creative memory pages to reflect each phase of the trip. Sometime over the next two weeks the pages will be completed and put into the album which will clear the dining room table to be ready for the jewelry party. Oh yes, another one of those times when my mouth started going before my brain was engaged. It will be good! (keep telling yourself that, gramoo) Guess to make one of these glamorous events successful, it will be necessary to send out 40 or 50 invites so that 10 might show up. Since there are less than 10 people in my "we'd love to go to gramoo's way out in Maricopa and spend money we don't have" list, the refreshments will have to be spectatular. The invitations should go out this week, stay tuned. Thanks, Aline for a great lunch today.

Tears for Alexis and for gramoo

The doctor has prescribed the drops for her eyes that are to help prevent a tear in her retina. Michelle was a bit frustrated when I talked to her because putting drops in a 6 year old's eyes is not easy. She did text me today and said she had accomplished the first time. She is to have the drops twice a day for the rest of her life or until something else is developed. I'm trying not to worry and to just trust God. If you could add Michelle and Alexis to your prayers I would so appreciate it. We seem to be in the middle of a storm right now. The TV went out and the wind is blowing like crazy. Pray there is a torrent of rain on the way.
Just one more thing. Don't make your massage therapist angry because, the thumb and index finger of just one hand can hurt, maime and kill. Was on the table for an hour today and fortunately she doesn't have any animosity toward me. She is really good and I feel better tonight. A couple good nights of sleep and I should be back to getting things done. There is a full day of activities tomorrow. T-2 at 8:30, birthday party by noon and a "I'm closing my second hand bookstore in Maricopa" cocktail party Saturday evening. So sorry to see another business closing in Maricopa. She had a great store.

The Eyes have it

Today it is hard to concentrate until I hear from Michelle.  She and Alexis and Mark are in Spokane to have another evaluation on Alexis' eyes.  The pressures behind her eyes are very high and can cause her retina to tear.  Dependent on the Doctor's findings she would have to begin putting drops in her eyes which would hopefully avoid the tears.  Is tear spelled tear or tare?  Gosh, English is hard.  When I get home one of the things I will put on my "To Do List" is study my Spanish.  It is much easier than English.  Maybe Spanish should be America's primary language.  Now that may get some comments.  Thanks, Kristi.  Took a walk today because I feel like I have gained at least 10 pounds.  Can't bring myself to get on a scale and won't until I have been home for two weeks working out and lifting weights.  If the temps stay at 111 perhaps I can sweat away 5 of those pounds.  Well, all of you great friends and relatives, probably by the time you read my next entry, I will be back in Maricopa.  LOL  

Oregon Coast

Headed that way this afternoon.  Back in Portland by Sunday.  Saw a great movie yesterday, Julie and Julia or it could be the other way around.  Anyway, it inspired me to write on my blog.  Never can tell who might be reading it.  See you sometime after the 20th.  Looking forward to being home and in my own bed.  

Time for Poetry

There is a time when families divide and begin to flow as rivers seeking their own direction.  Tributaries striking out with and against the current leading to the great ocean of life.  

The tide comes in bringing laughter, joy, love.  

Low tide brings tears, sadness, hate. 

 Scraps of what could have been litter the shore.  

A family member kneels beside a lone beach chair and remembers times of yesterday when the only thing that mattered was the touch of mother's hand.  

gramoo/2009

It's Raining

How sweet it is!!  The windows are open and the smell is terrific.  Seems unnatural to have days and days of sunshine here.  Now if the rain just stops after a day or two.  Never seem to have it all do we?  The chiropractor did me good.  Feel better and hope to sleep well tonight.  Have my ticket home purchased and will be arriving in Phoenix on the 20th.  If any of you want to come pick me up that would be great.  I'll buy you lunch.  Plane gets in around 1:00pm.  My friends are planning a get together on Monday and that will probably be the end of my travels.  Did want to go to the beach one more time but don't think that will happen.  Love all of  you and God bless.  

Time To Catch Up

It has been way too long since this has been brought up to date.  The computer was not cooperating while I was in Kennewick, WA.  No excuses so here's the latest.  Returned to Portland on Friday with Michelle and Alexis.  Had to have the rental car back by Saturday.  It has been great being here where the weather is how is should be in August in Portland, Oregon.  Highs in the 70's and lows in the 50's.  Ahh, such great sleeping weather.  My neck and back are beginning to bother me so tomorrow I have an appointment with Angel's chiropractor.  If you are reading this Dr. Webster, want you to know you are one of the reasons I am anxious to get home.  Actually I'm still looking at two weeks here.  Relatives who live in Tillamook Oregon are expecting me plus I have Portland friends to see also.  After checking the temps in Phoenix, perhaps a couple of weeks will make the difference between miserable and tolerable.  When I get home, I will publish the photos from Glacier, the Blackhills, Billings and the Oregon coast.  Ashley and I had a wonderful time together into Billings.  She flew home to Portland on the 18th of July and then a high school friend and I spent two and a half days in South Dakota.  Very beautiful and just as spectacular as Glacier Park except in a much different way.  The spirituality of the Crazy Horse Monument filled that distance that sometimes occurs between heaven and where I am.  Love loving God so much and being thankful.