Well we went to the land of sunshine last week. I'm sure the person who wrote that phrase must have been thinking of the liquid variety. We were in the Phoenix-Mesa-Goodyear-Buckeye Arizona area during what must have been the monsoon of the century! I had packed only warm weather clothes and a thin jacket, so I froze most of the time. It was actually warmer up home, and of course I didn't bring an umbrella!
Our purpose for the trip was to look at possible winter-escape our Pacific Northwest cold, rainy season home. A real estate salesman had six homes in Buckeye (west valley) for us to look at. There were some great buys but we didn't get any of them. Some needed appliances replaced, or they were missing all together. After counting the costs of maintaining two homes we decided to look at other options.
The rain poured down all day and all night--about seven inches over two days. The desert ground doesn't soak up rain like a thirsty sponge, it either sits there on top and forms BIG PUDDLES, or it runs to the nearest low point in the terrain. I was expecting to see a Noah's Ark type boat in one of the yards. Behind Mike's home there is a park carved out of a bowl shaped depression which was now an outdoor swimming pool. In the accompanying pictures which we took on our visit there last year, imagine the water level up past the top line of bushes and you will see where the water line extended. The TV weather man remarked that he had watched his pool fill up, overflow and was heading towards his patio.
When we stopped to look at the 5th house, I looked out the side windows on both sides of the house to see a 6-inch swiftly running stream headed for the street. It was like living on an island. Several major highways were closed up north from Sedona to Flagstaff, where they got nine feet of snow! Buildings with flat roofs had to be shoveled off to keep them from collapsing.
The next day it had stopped raining (except for one quick hailstorm we were caught outdoors in) so we drove Mike's van over to Mesa (east valley) to visit Merle's brother and wife. We all went to a great restauranr--but I forgot the name of it. They live in a manufactured home park. It is a gated community with a pool, recreation building and activities for seniors. We got a list of homes for sale in the park and drove around looking at them. They were all 14-feet (single) wide models with attached Arizona Rooms built on. I had one serious objection to them. The rooms were so small you could barely turn around in them, especially the bedrooms. The park had other perks such as paying for the utilities with the lot rent, and most of the sale homes were fully furnished, but having once lived in a small single-wide trailer at Fort Devens, I could not down-size that far from our 4-bedroom house.
The next day we located a fairly new park near Buckeye called Buena Vista. It had double-wide manufactured homes, so we got the list of those for sale, and a nice saleswoman showed us several. The size was much more to my liking, all were quite new, and all were unfurnished. This park was still being developed. There was a pool but no community organization or activities. At either park we would have to pay the taxes. The costs are different at every park. This park landscaped every lot. The first park let the residents do their own landscaping.
So we put our plans on hold for a couple of months. Merle thinks he wants to drive down there about the end of March (because this is the best time to bargain for homes on sale). We want a double wide in a gated community, as it will provide security while we are up north. There are about 110 parks in the Phoenix-Mesa area, and Merle is a pretty good wheeler-dealer. Stay tuned for further developments.
P.S. My knees didn't hurt while I was in Arizona, but Merle's sciatic nerve still bothered him.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Ode to the Sun
This was originally written Jan 30, 1994 - by Lois Kullberg
Where have you been my absent friend?
Could you not come, my heart to mend?
Thick fog surrounded earth and sky,
Both day and night 'til I could cry.
But now I sing my morning song,
Your face is back as I walk along
The streets are bathed in warmth and light,
The birds sing songs of sheer delight.
I walk along the avenue,
Little blossoms peeping through,
The greenest grass, thr bluest sky,
The fairest day of all, says I.
An early morn in early Spring,
My joy is full, my soul does sing,
'Twas it not for feeling shades of gray,
I would not feel so grand today!
Where have you been my absent friend?
Could you not come, my heart to mend?
Thick fog surrounded earth and sky,
Both day and night 'til I could cry.
But now I sing my morning song,
Your face is back as I walk along
The streets are bathed in warmth and light,
The birds sing songs of sheer delight.
I walk along the avenue,
Little blossoms peeping through,
The greenest grass, thr bluest sky,
The fairest day of all, says I.
An early morn in early Spring,
My joy is full, my soul does sing,
'Twas it not for feeling shades of gray,
I would not feel so grand today!
THE LADIES' LUNCHEON
The topics of conversationat at our ladies' lunch today,
covered symptoms, signs and pills, plus woes of yesterday.
We talked of operations, and which doctor we should see,
For throats, or eyes, or age spots or gastroentology.
One had feet still aching, or was it a back or a head?
Who cares? Substitute your own complaint right here instead.
My joints are sore, my feet are cold, but I am not getting old.
My mind is clear, I feel so young; my mem-ries are full of fun.
Meeting challenges of life with Botox and surgery,
Can make me look more glam-rous, but do I want to be?
No regrets are in my way, I earned my wrinkles and locks of gray,
I'll wear them as a badge of pride, 'til I make it to the other side!
covered symptoms, signs and pills, plus woes of yesterday.
We talked of operations, and which doctor we should see,
For throats, or eyes, or age spots or gastroentology.
One had feet still aching, or was it a back or a head?
Who cares? Substitute your own complaint right here instead.
My joints are sore, my feet are cold, but I am not getting old.
My mind is clear, I feel so young; my mem-ries are full of fun.
Meeting challenges of life with Botox and surgery,
Can make me look more glam-rous, but do I want to be?
No regrets are in my way, I earned my wrinkles and locks of gray,
I'll wear them as a badge of pride, 'til I make it to the other side!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Of Princesses and Queens
This is a story about a princess. All girls like princess stories. Almost all girls dream aboout being a princess. When Jewel was born the kingdom of Mormonia rejoiced. King Albert and Queen Carollee thought she was the most beautiful and smartest baby in the kingdom. Her father called her his little princess but Jewel was her true name. By the time she was two she had long blonde curls and she could name all the letters on her stacking blocks, which really pleased her parents. But she was getting a little bit spoiled by all the attention. By the time she was four she had learned if she stamped her foot and put a bit of a pout on her face, that she could almost always get her own way.
One Christmas when she was about six years old, Princess Jewel came out into the great room to see a sparkling Christmas tree shimmering in silver and gold with colored lights blinking in blues and reds and golds. There was a beautiful white angel at the top of the tree. Jewel's eyes widened as she looked around the room. There were presents everywhere. There was a baby doll sitting in a doll's high chair. There was a pair of ice skates. There was a toy train puffing its way around the base of the Christmas tree. Choo, choo, it sounded as it puffed its way up an incline and over a tiny bridge. There were still more presents--an easel with a whiteboard on one side so that Jewel could develop her artistic talents, and there was a beautiful red velvet dress she would wear to Christmas services at the church.
When Jewel went to school she had lots of friends. She was always chosen first when they played dodge ball, because she was very quick, and could jump out of the way of an oncoming ball. She could jump through double-dutch jump ropes without getting caught. She was very good at Hopscotch too. She could jump through all the spaces without stepping on a forbidden line.
One thing Jewel liked to do was play dressup with her friend Rosalie. They would put on elegant gowns made from lace or satin curtains. They wore long white gloves, jeweled purses, bracelets and earrings, and high heels! They also wore little furlike stoles around their shoulders, and each wore a sparkling tiara on top of her curls. They danced and dreamed of their future knights or princes when they grew up.
I said she had lots of friends. It was true that she shared things with them, but there was another girl who was jealous of Jewel and she started telling lies about her and teasing her. And slowly her friends began to leave her alone. But that was okay with Jewel. She had lots of books and toys and even a bicycle so she found lots of interesting things to do by herself.
When she got a little older she was still very smart in her classes. She blossomed into a lovely young woman. Her mother made her nice clothes to wear, and she learned how to sew them for herself. She loved to sing as she worked. Jewel thought, "Now people will like me because I have some nice clothes to wear, and they look good on me." Jewel took dancing lessons. She was light on her feet and the boys began to notice her. They asked her to dance, and she filled up the entire dance card. She had a special partner whom she liked to dance with. They flowed together and they began dancing floor show numbers at the most important balls and other celebrations.
It was the custom in the kingdom of Mormonia to have a special ball each spring, when all the young women eighteen years and older were to be honored at such a dance. From among the young ladies one would be selected by the judges to be a queen over the ball. There were six young women to be honored including Jewel. "Surely, I will be chosen to be queen of the ball. I am already a beautiful princess, and my escort is a dashing prince. The judges will recognize this right away."
The night of the ball Princess Jewel wore a lovely white tulle and taffeta gown. Her knight (escort) was her favorite dancing partner. They made a handsome couple. Halffway through the ball the music stopped and it was time for the big announcement. They brought out a royal crimson velvet robe trimmed with gold tassles and a crown of white carnations. Each of the six girls was introduced and asked to answer a question. Then the judges huddled together briefly. The master-of-ceremonies was handed a white card with the name of the Queen of the Ball printed on it.
"Brothers and Sisters, I am pleased to announce that the second runnerup is Maggie White." The audience applauded and Jewel approved the selection by also clapping. A white corsage was pinned on Maggie's shoulder and her escort led her toward one of the thrones on the stage. "And now for the first runnerup, Princess Jewel." Her look was a cross between shock and disappointment. She smiled and waved bravely to the audience while her corsage was pinned on her shoulder, and she ascended the steps to the stage to take her seat at the other side of the queen's throne. Her eyes were stinging with disappointment and she barely noticed when the queen of the ball was announced as Paula Parker. Jewel couldn't believe that it was Paula. She was already as old as 23. "This was supposed to be for 18-year olds," she thought. Paula was decked in the royal robe and the crown of white carnations was placed on her head. She danced the first dance with her beau and was escorted to the throne in the center of the stage. Some little children carrying flowers sat around the base of the throne. She then called out that the refreshments would now be served. Maggie and then Jewel offered their congratulations as they sat smiling on their thrones.
Jewel asked to go home as soon as the audience began dancing again. She went to find her coat. One of the judges stopped her by the coatroom. "I know you were disappointed tonight," she consoled with a hug. "The judges awarded the honor to Paula because she was older. You will have other chances, but this was her last time to receive such an honor." Jewel nodded her head in agreement but inside she was crying. She thought, "It isn't fair. I should have won."
Jewel did become the queen the very next year, but it was years before she could let go of the resentment she felt toward the judges--especially the judge who tried to explain to her. Over the years, Jewel came to understand first, that she had been very self-centered and proud. Secondly, she recognized the wisdom of honoring all girls equally, and not placing one above the others. When she got older still, she felt ashamed that she had been so vain, and she sent a note of apology to the woman judge whom she had resented for so long. When she became an old woman she finally realized that she, needed to learn humility from the experience. And, when she entered the Spirit World at the end of her life, she had truly learned this lesson. She also knew that her destiny was to become a real queen in a real kingdom, and she had learned how to succor her people!
One Christmas when she was about six years old, Princess Jewel came out into the great room to see a sparkling Christmas tree shimmering in silver and gold with colored lights blinking in blues and reds and golds. There was a beautiful white angel at the top of the tree. Jewel's eyes widened as she looked around the room. There were presents everywhere. There was a baby doll sitting in a doll's high chair. There was a pair of ice skates. There was a toy train puffing its way around the base of the Christmas tree. Choo, choo, it sounded as it puffed its way up an incline and over a tiny bridge. There were still more presents--an easel with a whiteboard on one side so that Jewel could develop her artistic talents, and there was a beautiful red velvet dress she would wear to Christmas services at the church.
When Jewel went to school she had lots of friends. She was always chosen first when they played dodge ball, because she was very quick, and could jump out of the way of an oncoming ball. She could jump through double-dutch jump ropes without getting caught. She was very good at Hopscotch too. She could jump through all the spaces without stepping on a forbidden line.
One thing Jewel liked to do was play dressup with her friend Rosalie. They would put on elegant gowns made from lace or satin curtains. They wore long white gloves, jeweled purses, bracelets and earrings, and high heels! They also wore little furlike stoles around their shoulders, and each wore a sparkling tiara on top of her curls. They danced and dreamed of their future knights or princes when they grew up.
I said she had lots of friends. It was true that she shared things with them, but there was another girl who was jealous of Jewel and she started telling lies about her and teasing her. And slowly her friends began to leave her alone. But that was okay with Jewel. She had lots of books and toys and even a bicycle so she found lots of interesting things to do by herself.
When she got a little older she was still very smart in her classes. She blossomed into a lovely young woman. Her mother made her nice clothes to wear, and she learned how to sew them for herself. She loved to sing as she worked. Jewel thought, "Now people will like me because I have some nice clothes to wear, and they look good on me." Jewel took dancing lessons. She was light on her feet and the boys began to notice her. They asked her to dance, and she filled up the entire dance card. She had a special partner whom she liked to dance with. They flowed together and they began dancing floor show numbers at the most important balls and other celebrations.
It was the custom in the kingdom of Mormonia to have a special ball each spring, when all the young women eighteen years and older were to be honored at such a dance. From among the young ladies one would be selected by the judges to be a queen over the ball. There were six young women to be honored including Jewel. "Surely, I will be chosen to be queen of the ball. I am already a beautiful princess, and my escort is a dashing prince. The judges will recognize this right away."
The night of the ball Princess Jewel wore a lovely white tulle and taffeta gown. Her knight (escort) was her favorite dancing partner. They made a handsome couple. Halffway through the ball the music stopped and it was time for the big announcement. They brought out a royal crimson velvet robe trimmed with gold tassles and a crown of white carnations. Each of the six girls was introduced and asked to answer a question. Then the judges huddled together briefly. The master-of-ceremonies was handed a white card with the name of the Queen of the Ball printed on it.
"Brothers and Sisters, I am pleased to announce that the second runnerup is Maggie White." The audience applauded and Jewel approved the selection by also clapping. A white corsage was pinned on Maggie's shoulder and her escort led her toward one of the thrones on the stage. "And now for the first runnerup, Princess Jewel." Her look was a cross between shock and disappointment. She smiled and waved bravely to the audience while her corsage was pinned on her shoulder, and she ascended the steps to the stage to take her seat at the other side of the queen's throne. Her eyes were stinging with disappointment and she barely noticed when the queen of the ball was announced as Paula Parker. Jewel couldn't believe that it was Paula. She was already as old as 23. "This was supposed to be for 18-year olds," she thought. Paula was decked in the royal robe and the crown of white carnations was placed on her head. She danced the first dance with her beau and was escorted to the throne in the center of the stage. Some little children carrying flowers sat around the base of the throne. She then called out that the refreshments would now be served. Maggie and then Jewel offered their congratulations as they sat smiling on their thrones.
Jewel asked to go home as soon as the audience began dancing again. She went to find her coat. One of the judges stopped her by the coatroom. "I know you were disappointed tonight," she consoled with a hug. "The judges awarded the honor to Paula because she was older. You will have other chances, but this was her last time to receive such an honor." Jewel nodded her head in agreement but inside she was crying. She thought, "It isn't fair. I should have won."
Jewel did become the queen the very next year, but it was years before she could let go of the resentment she felt toward the judges--especially the judge who tried to explain to her. Over the years, Jewel came to understand first, that she had been very self-centered and proud. Secondly, she recognized the wisdom of honoring all girls equally, and not placing one above the others. When she got older still, she felt ashamed that she had been so vain, and she sent a note of apology to the woman judge whom she had resented for so long. When she became an old woman she finally realized that she, needed to learn humility from the experience. And, when she entered the Spirit World at the end of her life, she had truly learned this lesson. She also knew that her destiny was to become a real queen in a real kingdom, and she had learned how to succor her people!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Another "Forever Friend"
They buried one of my friends yesterday. She could have been on my list of "Forever Friends" that I wrote about last month, but wasn't. I didn't go to see her a couple of weeks ago, knowing how sick she was with cancer--probably because I want to remember her as the healthy, cheerful person I have always known.
Our relationship hasn't been as close as it once was, but I never had the courage to tell her the real reasons. One was the strong perfume she usually wore, which choked me up in an allergic way, and the second reason was her small fluffy white dog, whom she dearly loved and brought with her just about every place she went. I really hate little yapping dogs jumping all over me (with the exception of Annie). I wonder if we would have been closer if I had not wanted to spare her feelings???
So goodbye friend, Carole. I'll remember the plays we went to together, the visits we made to other women in our ward, your teaching me to paint ceramics and make 3-dimensional pictures--especially the pansies-- (I got one of those pictures at the garage sale your daughter held at your old home). I'll miss not seeing your home decorated for Christmas every year. It was one of the best. And I'll miss the talks we had about men.
I remember when you went to the temple for the first time. I was so happy for you! With our ties to Southern Alberta I wondered if we could be related--I still think we could be. Most of all, I'll miss your cheerful smile and the hug you gave me the last time I saw you.
Until we meet again, you will be on my list of "forever friends" whom I hope to meet again in the hereafter.
Maybe I was wrong to avoid seeing her when she was ill, I guess I should have, but I will always remember her.
Our relationship hasn't been as close as it once was, but I never had the courage to tell her the real reasons. One was the strong perfume she usually wore, which choked me up in an allergic way, and the second reason was her small fluffy white dog, whom she dearly loved and brought with her just about every place she went. I really hate little yapping dogs jumping all over me (with the exception of Annie). I wonder if we would have been closer if I had not wanted to spare her feelings???
So goodbye friend, Carole. I'll remember the plays we went to together, the visits we made to other women in our ward, your teaching me to paint ceramics and make 3-dimensional pictures--especially the pansies-- (I got one of those pictures at the garage sale your daughter held at your old home). I'll miss not seeing your home decorated for Christmas every year. It was one of the best. And I'll miss the talks we had about men.
I remember when you went to the temple for the first time. I was so happy for you! With our ties to Southern Alberta I wondered if we could be related--I still think we could be. Most of all, I'll miss your cheerful smile and the hug you gave me the last time I saw you.
Until we meet again, you will be on my list of "forever friends" whom I hope to meet again in the hereafter.
Maybe I was wrong to avoid seeing her when she was ill, I guess I should have, but I will always remember her.
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