This is getting toward the end

Now don't get excited; not the end of the world, the end of the road, nor the end of things.  It is merely the end of vacation or nearly.  I will be leaving Portland on the 5th.  After a stop in Eugene for lunch with friends and an overnight with a friend in Roseburg, I will be off to Fresno, Ca.  I stayed there last summer on the way home.  The Hampton Inn is easy to find, clean and a nice free breakfast is offered. I won't attempt to get home from Fresno.  My next stop will be Kingman for another night.  Really didn't want to spend the money but I was just too tired last year when I tried to make it in just one overnight.
Fun times haven't come to an end.  Yesterday we spent the day at a coach friend of Brian's.  Wonderful family who specialize in authentic Mexican food.  I felt I was back in Dayton enjoying the hospitality of all my friends who worked for the cannery.  Hispanic friends are some of the best you can have.  I pray I can be as happy as they made us feel yesterday. 
Today is another BBQ day.  Ashley and Taylor have friends coming so there will be at least 10 here to enjoy the day. 
Tomorrow Brian has suggested the horse races.  Neither of my grandkids have been and Brian remembers how much fun he had in Dayton when we all went to the races.  In Dayton you could go to the paddock and see the horses and jockeys up close.  Don't know if it works that way here as it is probably bigger and more sophisticated. 
We were just going through memorabilia that I brought with me from Billings that belonged to my mother.  Lots of pictures and letters.  I was wondering how archiving of memories will work in the future.  Memories sticks just don't seem the same but, for this generation, it will be just what the doctor ordered.  Glad my son still finds these things I shared with him relevant. 
There isn't quite as much material recorded from this trip as I had hoped.  I'm lazy and find myself reading a book rather than writing one of my own.  Perhaps, if I live up to my promises, I will try to put whatever I did record into a comprehensible and interesting rendition.   

Keeping up

If only I would keep up.  Talk about being lazy, that's me.  This could all be part of my long awaited life story but every time I think about writing I think how boring it would be.  Who wants to know all the details I'm willing to share.  Oh, oh, that is the key.  If I was willing to share, this could be a best seller.  Guess I'm not quite ready for that yet.  How can I feel that after 70 years I can't reveal the deepest of secrets.  I would be ashamed of some of my behaviors over the years but also proud that I have had Christ in my life all my life even when I didn't realize he was there.  Now that I know how much he loves me and that I'm forgiven there shouldn't be anything I can't share.  My children might be happy that I can tell them things.  What do you suppose Dr. Laura or Ann Landers would advise?  Well, you know what, I'm going to continue to keep some things to myself.  Most of what I have done would maybe be silly in comparison to what children are doing today.  I'm so sorry that our society has deteriorated so terribly.  Using the word Fuck is so degrading to me.  We used shit damn SOB just as much.  What is worse.  My words take the Lord's name in vain, not the F-word.  When I get back to Arizona I plan to organize my time and include guitar, writing and more volunteer work.  Please God help me to remember this post. 

Taking Time

Using a laptop is new for me.  Not trying to excuse my neglect in blogging but it has been harder for me than just going into my office, sitting down and typing what is on my mind at the time.  While traveling I find myself thinking about cute or informative comments I could make but by the time I get somewhere where I can use this communicative tool it just doesn't seem that important anymore.  This weekend I'm at Michelle's by myself so should give me some time to hit ya'll with some tribble. 
Alexis is getting to the age where she prefers to play with her friends and gramoo is not so limber anymore that I can sit on the floor and play Pet Shop with her.  Actually gramoo isn't a whole lot of fun anymore.  Probably need therapeutic counseling to address how to have a long distant relationship with a grandchild.  I've written letters, sent gifts and talked on the phone.  Phone calls don't go well because gramoo has a hard time finding open ended questions.  Oh well, I raised good kids who are raising good kids...my work here is done. 
Living in Arizona has increased my desire to pursue my faith.  Jesus Christ is front and center and, as long as this is true, my family will continue to prosper and have love in their hearts for me and all people. 
Michelle and I have had fun going wine tasting and only wish my adopted daughter, Kristi could be with us.  Kristi and Michelle would keep me laughing.  They are both such great people. 
I miss the newspaper.  This generation seem to get all their news via the internet and I still like the feel of a newspaper and the spreading out of the paper reading each section.  I generally read every word because I drink a pot of coffee while reading and get interesting topics to discuss while I'm at the fitness center.  My routine of visiting the fitness center is missed.  I enjoy going at least 3 times a week.  It makes me feel so good and helps me to not be depressed. 
Counting blessings is something I have trouble with.  I have to be reminded that there are so many people out there who have terrible afflictions who rise above it.  Watching a boy right now who is 8 years old and has prosthetics on both hands and both feet.  A blood disease caused his limbs to be amputated.  He is happy and working with other amputee kids helping them to realize their potential.  Please God, help me to not wallow in self-pity.  Help me to help someone else. 

Big Sky-Montana

Such beauty; don't think I have ever seen as much beauty as from Billings to Missoula.  The Continental Divide, the headwaters of the Missouri, rock formation and just the memories of playing cowboy and Indians with my brother, Jerry.  Before that term became politically incorrect, we play and played and had no feelings about good Indians, bad Indians, good cowboys or bad, we just played.  The rimrocks have scrub trees at the top and we would lay behind a mound of dirt and pretend we were about to be attacked.  All the western movies of Tom Mix, The Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers, Gene Audrey and Hopalong Cassidy could have played their roles better than we did.  "Those were the days"
And, as I entered the motel tonight, I saw me and Taylor 15 years from now.  I'm bent, carrying a cane, salt and pepper hair and walking at .001 miles per day or less.  Taylor is patient, kind and carrying on a conversation with me.  There is a time for everything under the sun. 
Two tiny pills plus a couple more helped me to lose 5 pounds today.  3 pounds at Albertsons in Billings and 2 more at Butte.  I was lucky.  I may have lost a few more at most inconvenient times if you know what I mean.  Guess I have to be more careful when I take laxatives.
Plan to leave here tomorrow by 9:30 or earlier so that I can be in Richland by dinner.  Take care, my friends, 

Talk about a Mover

And I don't mean Mover and Shaker...I mean moving between houses.  I love my relatives and my friends and I'm so happy they love me but I really wish they could come visit me at one location.  Because I show hospitality in Maricopa of course they want to reciprocate.  I'm thrilled but can't get my toothbrush to dry out because it gets packed away wet every couple days.  Does it sound like I'm complaining, yep, it does.  Forgive me, we are having a super good time with lots of laughs from different phases of my life.  Brother and sister stories, HS friends reminiscing and sister-in-law stories of my older brother.  It is getting late though and I was up at 6:30 to be in church at 8:00.  Emanuel Baptist Church with a western swing band playing the old time version of "I'll Fly Away" plus several other tunes to put a smile on my face and a rhythm in my soul.  It has been a great day.   

No AC

Air conditional isn't something many people in Billings Montana find necessary.  My brother being one of them.  The humidity is anywhere from 25 to 40 percent and since Arizona has "dry" heat I'm suffering.  Been a little sick to my stomach for the past few days so looking forward to changing venues to my other brother's house.  Dale past away a few years ago but his wife and I are close and she will use the air.  Not a low as I would like but good just the same. 
It has been a great trip thus far.  Probably a little too much eating out but that sort of comes with the territory, right?  Last night friends took us to a very nice steak house and because I had only had my smoothie I was starved.  Had ribeye steak, loaded baked potato and Caesar salad.  Couldn't eat all of it but sure did make a dent in it.  I love it. 
Today I have been reading most of the day.  Jerry is working, Bobby played bridge this morning and is now with the friend who is accompanying her to China in October.  She could have asked me but honestly I'm glad she didn't.  14 hours on a coach flight to China doesn't really appeal to me. Almost like a slow boat to China.   My trip to Israel was 13 hours and I would go again in a minute.  But for some reason, China does not have much of a pull for me.  I'm sure it will be very interesting but it is a tour and more that 20 people are going. 
I'm really tired.  My oldest and wife are celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary at the end of the month and my youngest will be 40 in November.  Memories, memories.  So many things I would have done differently but Jesus tells me everyday not to look at the past or future.  Only today is my gift.  I love all of you who may read this and so many more who do not.  I'm thinking of a creative writing class when I get back to Maricopa.  We have a new community college 5 minutes from my house and writing is something I enjoy doing.

Two Months from Home

Yes, Maricopa by September 12th or before.  Right now I plan to be home by 9/10.  Gosh, how that date seems to stick in my mind.  September 11 will always be an important date.  Since that time so many bad things have happened.  Maybe because of 9/11 all acts of terrorism or natural causes make a major impact on me.  Shootings, hurricanes, tornados, wild fires they all result in death and destruction.  Where are the happy times?  My thankfulness is with the young who have such aspirations for the future.  God is so good giving youth hope and faith, if only in themselves, to continue what has been so graciously given them to protect.  I question my faith as I have concern for my children and grandchildren.  Will they find happiness in family and friends, keeping them close and overlooking shortcomings.  It is definitely my prayer that Jesus be a part of their lives. 
Tonight is not particularly happy for me.  I am not feeling well.  My stomach hurts and I have a headache.  Bobby and Jerry are going to a V8 Ford party tomorrow and I'm invited to attend but think I will stay home and just stay quiet.  The humidity is 40 or more and it is taking me awhile to acclimate.  Ya'll know about our Arizona "dry" heat. 
Take care, my friends and Angel.  Angel, I think you are the only family who may read these once in a while.