Trolls and Spam

I have changed the settings for commenting...anyone can still comment, and there is still no moderation.  What has changed is that anyone commenting will have to use word verification (catchpas) because I am growing tired of all the stupid spam "comments" popping up....I know catchpas are annoying, but so is spam......love, Tara

A new home in Arizona

The trip to Fort Huachuca in the Black Dodge van was a bit uncomfortable to say the least but there were also good moments. The kids along with Val and I were sick with croup. Fort Huachuca is quite laid back. We were able to get on the post as civilians with just our drivers licenses for ID. They have a gun range which is open to the public with ID and registration. Leaving Huachuca, we were stopped at a Border Guard check point. Their primary mission was to check for terrorist activity (radiation/dirty bombs)and of coarse illegal aliens. Our vehicle set off their radiation detector. It turns out I was omitting Thallium 201 from a stress test I took the week before. On the way down we stopped at Meteor Creator, it was well worth going out of our way.

The kids taking a break on the way.

 

Crossing the Grand Canyon. A far cry from Alaska.

Val and I went to Bisbee, an old Copper town south west of Ft.Huachuca. Notice the excited Copper man.

Copper High School diplomas

The Douglas Mansion

 Gussy and Fran checking out a piece of the meteor that created Meteor Creator

 Meteor Creator is 50,000 years old.

We spent a couple days with Brad and Tyler. We had a meal at BLD where Tyler worked. We also had dinner one night at one of their friends home. The weather was cold. Brad had to cover his garden one night while we were there.

 Brad has a really nice garden. He has become one with the earth.

Here is his 3 stage compost system.

Heading home, Flagstaff just ahead. We drove straight through and got home at 4:30am.

 

Steak&Potatoes with sour cream on New Years Eve

It has been years since I have had a Steak & Baked potato. I promised myself I would eat them on New Years Eve. I have gone overboard with my fat free, cholesterol free diet since my last heart attack. Needless to say I am a skinny little ass battling a viral infection. My goal is to eat a more healthy diet, meaning more healthy fats and get my weight up to 170lbs.  I guess that is my New Years resolution. Happy New Year!!!!!

The Childhood CLAW

 On Christmas Eve, after Dad was defeated at 99 (a card game), he quietly retreated to the living room where all of Will’s Birthday and Christmas toys were strewn about.  He located a lighted, electronic drawing pad.  Blaine had been doodling on it earlier and I assumed my dad was adding his two cents to the “high” art.  Upon discovering my father lost in creative wonder and thought I inquired, “What are you drawing?”  He said, “Oh, I don’t know? What should I draw?”

Chad’s ears perked up from the kitchen and he exclaimed, “Oh dad, you have to draw the craggy claw coming up out of the swampy mire!” (Maybe not those exact words, but something to that nature.) I whole heartedly agreed that our father positively had to draw the strange and sinister claw from our childhood!

I do not know how many times dad has freehanded this creepy sketch.  I am positive he has drawn it on the backs of countless Sacrament Meeting programs, in coloring books, and on the arms of (I’m sure) each and every one of his own children. I know the drawing graced my right shoulder more than once.  We love you Dad!

A life reduced to Bird Watching. It's not that bad.

Up to this point the weather has been very cooperative. Julia and I have missed very few days of walking the Snake River Green Belt this winter. We have taken special interest in the water fowl as the weather changes. The Canadian geese have become a nuisance it seems because you are always stepping in their shit or tripping over them.  And the Mallard ducks have reduced themselves to the welfare way of life. We call them dole ducks. Varieties of interesting ducks come and go through out the winter. Here are pictures of some preeminent ducks we have spotted, ENJOY!! 

Small turn out for Thanksgiving

This may be the smallest turn out we have had at granny's for Thanksgiving. A sure sign the economy has turned sour. No one can afford the gas to get here. There was no short supply of food.

 

Blaine & Dawn wore attire they purchased while in India. Blaine provided a slide show and travel log of their trip to India. It was a fantastic tour.

 Will settled on Teddy Grams for his Thanksgiving feast.

 Carving the Turkey became a serious matter.

 These people just showed up, Val must have invited them.

Remembering Family Travels on Thanksgiving

I can't remember all the cars we have had in this family. They are a part of our legacy as a family and Americans. Here is a Collage of cars(similar to the ones) we had as a family, where we traveled as a family on Thanksgiving and other holidays. Some we wrecked and others merely wore out. I am sure I left a few out but all are memories of our past and present days.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!