Going Home

 We left Arizona a little earlier than usual this year because Kurt and Amy were moving into their new/old house and we wanted to be able to help them with some painting and whatever else they came up with.

Before we left, we found this little fella in our back patio.  Now it's not unusual to see these little geickos runing around but after I took his picture, we discovered he was dead.  I'm not sure what it was that stopped him dead in his tracks.  I dried him out in the sun for a couple of days and then put him in a little container so I could bring him home to our Miss Katie who LOVES lizards.  He made the trip all the way to Washington in good condition but boy, did he stink when we opened the container.

 These are the views we had from our windshield going home in Arizona and New Mexico.  Aren't they beautiful?

 A cross on a hill.....

 Snow!!!

 

 In Columbia, Kansas we visited the National Orphan Train Museum and it was very nice.  Over 300,000 orphans were transported from the streets and orphanages of New York City to the Midwest.  Each child was given a suitcase such as the one below and that is all they had in this world with two changes of clothes.  One outfit they wore each day on the train and they had one "fancy" outfit to wear when they arrived in a town that had organized "give aways".  The children would be brought into a church or townhall and lined up for potential parents to take.  Many of these children were never adopted but just made their homes with the families.  They were to be fed and cared for and sent to school.  For some children, it was a new life but for some others, it was almost slavery.

There was another component that was connected with a newborn/young child orphanage in New York City.  People could "request" a child of a certain age and even a certain color of hair and eyes.  The orphange would attempt to match them up with prospecivet parents.  The prospective parents would be sent a letter with a number on it and a patch with the matching number would be sewn in the child's clothing. These children were all adopted by the parents, which was one of the conditions.

If you are ever in the area, it's a very interesting small museum to go to.

 

That's it for today.  Happy 4th of July!!!

 

Love to all,

Gramma and MOM

The Most Wonderful 2015 Graduate in the World!!!!

HOLLY

 

Anyone who knows me, knows that Miss Holly holds a huge part of my heart and has since the day the nurse handed her to me 18 years ago!!! 

 

What an honor to be able to be in Lynden for all of the festivities.  We were able to be there for her Awards Night where she received the award for female Orchestra student of the year, her senior presentation (on ice cream), a quick violin recital and the church service honoring the seniors.

 

 

This is Holly's special Senior Service at church.  There were four seniors and each was able to choose their favorite hymn or praise song.  Holly's song was "In The Garden" - a favorite of mine and a favorite of her great-Grandpa.

 

 

 

Here she is: 

You can't see her chords on her pictures but she had a blue and a gold cord for National Honor Society and Honors Student.

Congratulations, Sweetheart

 

Love to all,

A Proud Gramma and MOM

Happy 4th Anniversary

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, KURT AND AMY

 

We wish you many more years with much love, joy and happiness. 

Have a GREAT day!!!

Love to you both,

MOM & DAD

 

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for the beautiful flowers my dear husband has planted for me to enjoy in our backyard.  The lilies are so vibrant again this year.  Peter even cut some for me to enjoy on my table.

We just returned last Saturday from five days on the road with this handsome young man.  Chase was such a fun kid to have along as we visited Yellowstone Nat'l Park, the Japanese Internment Camp and Devil's Tower.  Thanks for being so awesome, Chase!!!  (I know the museum was a little boring but you hung in there.)

Love to all,
Gramma and MOM

Basketball

 

Last week I received a text from Linda D asking if I was going to watch the lunar eclipse at 5:00AM  one morning.  I told her no way - I'd be sleeping but I woke up just before time for the eclipse so I got up.  What a dummy - I was the only one that was up here in our park so here I am out in the middle of the street in my bathrobe and camera ready to catch the momentous occasion.  I took a picture of the moon just before the eclipse but my pictures of the actual eclipse show nothing but black.  So here's a picture of the moon just before the lunar eclipse last week.  Hope you're impressed.

 

 

 For the last two years, dad and I have watched the last couple of college basketball games from the Final Four.  This year it was exciting because we could root for Wisconsin since we have lots of friends from there.  Since Marv and Judy don't have cable, they came to our house to watch it.  What a disappointment when Wisconsin lost in the last 8 minutes or so. 

 As you both know, every Thursday morning we have coffee and donuts/rolls and various people in the park contribute money toward the rolls and they announce special occasions.  I had reserved last Thursday to commemorate dad's 71st birthday since I was too late to do his 70th last year.  A dear   98 1/2 year old friend of ours brought this gift for dad Thursday afternoon.  She said she just had to give him something and this was all she had in the house that would "do" as a gift.  We have had her to dinner the last two years and she is just a delight.  She walks over a mile every day and brings her cane along so use as an exercise stick.  She said maybe dad would like to share his gift with me so I have it hanging on the cupboard door.

 

That's it for today.  Had another call from the sweetest granddaughter in the world last night.  Found your dress on the internet this morning, Holly.  I really like it and can't wait to see it on you.

 

Love to all,

Gramma and MOM

L

Wild Flowers

The flowers are amazing here in Tucson this winter/spring.  These bushes was just outside the Burger King and were full of blossoms.

 

 We were on our way to Mesa for a picnic with friends from Sioux Falls and these pictures were taken of the flowers along the roadside.

 Dad took the camera with him on his bike ride yesterday morning and took the following pictures along the bike path.  Aren't they beautiful?

 I believe this is a Palo Verde tree - they are all over and all in full bloom.  I have never seen them this full before.

It's another beautiful day here in Tucson - a little warm in the sun but there's a very nice breeze out there.  Think I'll go take a nap in my swing.  Wanna join me?  I have a rocking chair out there just waiting for someone to come and sit and visit.

Have a good week!!
Love to all,
Gramma and MOM

Company from Minnesota

When we went to the big Swap Meet in Mesa, dad found something he couldn't live without.  It's a lazer light show for our patio.  It is so fun to sit in the living room with the door open and listen to the park residents stop and talk about the lights.  It has been a fun thing - good buy,Dad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two of the dearest friends anyway - good friends through thick and thin!!!

 

 We are so blesssed to have these two couples as friends.  Even though we don't get to see any of them on a regular basis, we seem to be able to "pick up" right where we've left off.  I'm not sure there's anything I couldn't share with these two ladies.  I love them both dearly!!  It was so great to have the Goff's visit Tucson, even though I was sick the second day they were here.  (Thank goodness, I think I am finished with the "crud".  Still have the cough but no longer have the achey, tired feeling!)

Every year Linda and I say we're going to get together more often in the winter and we do see each other more than we do during the rest of the year but it never seems like enough.  Oh well, I'll be happy with the times we do have.

Have a good week, my dear family.  I had the awesome privilege of talking with my wonderful granddaughter on the telephone tonight - how I love that girl.  Study hard this week, Miss Holly.

Love to all,
Gramma and MOM