Here I am

Finally back at a big size keyboard where I can type along and not hunt and peck like I have to do on the iphone, which was the only electronic device I connected to during the past three weeks. It was a nice break but now I’m pretty out of touch with my cyber friends. I’m certain I’ll be back with this time-wasting behavior soon.

So I’m sorry I didn’t look at the Flying Horseshoe Ranch over more carefully. However since I now know your motive for urging me to check it out fully, we can work on a more extravagant Memorial Day site. I think there are many nice lodgings around Leavenworth but they were always too expensive for our group. Did you like Camp Angelos? It was also expensive but close to Portland which could be nice. So far I haven’t check with many Johansons but a few seem to find Brooks acceptable though no one is especially enthusiastic. Hey, if they know we can choose a gifted site there may be plenty of suggestions.

Linda and I flew out of Seattle so I visited with Peyton and Walker for a few days. They are getting so grown up and spent every day I was there dressing and undressing in Halloween costumes. Lucas and Miles were very excited to show me their carved pumpkins last night. Grandma is very excited to have this holiday almost over.

The hiking in Sedona was great although the first day I was very apprehensive. We had chosen a level 5, which meant participants must be in good health, mobile and able to participate in 3-5 hours of physical activity per day, the equivalent of walking up to five miles at a 2.5-mph pace over uneven ground. The first day was hot and dusty and I was pleased when the hike ended but the days got better and we had a great time hiking on slick rock, which is really gritty sandstone. There were 18 of us in the group of mostly folks in their 60’s and we kept a steady pace. Linda, my photographer, will be posting some of her 400 photos soon.

After our hiking we drove to the Grand Canyon for lunch and then on to Las Vegas. Linda’s nephew, Konan lives there and we had visited him in San Jose, Costa Rica several years ago. He now has a wife and more importantly a large boat se we were entertained with a day on Lake Mead. The following day we drove back to Phoenix and had dinner with Lochan and his grandparents and mom. He is a cutie and his grandma had him show off his visual tracking ability with some flash cards. He is keeping them all enthralled and Ronna babysits every day.

My mom was sleeping when I saw her yesterday. I think she sleeps most of the time and doesn’t seem to have any vision though when I ask her she says she sees me. She did sing a little when the group was singing “Oh Susannah”.

Do you have your Trick or Treat items ready to distribute?

Writing

It is nice to write to you but most of the time it is hard to get started. I seem to prefer a few games of Solitaire. We have colder weather these days and that means time to put away the hoses and lawn furniture so we can make room for snow. The big highlight of week was Lucas’ 7th birthday. He is grown up now or at least he thinks so and so do I. He is even a Cub Scout and waiting patiently to shoot a BB gun and a bow and arrow like the sign-up brochure promises.

McKenna also had a birthday the same day as Lucas. Diana made a special cake and the kids spread piñata candy everywhere. Diana and I had already discussed Memorial Day 2010 as she received notice from Washington State Parks that we are granted Brookes Memorial near Goldendale if we decide to book it by 11-30-09. Camp Angelos near Portland and Flying Horseshoe Ranch near Cle Elm have also been suggested. Both are available for our designated weekend but they are considerably more expensive than a state park. Maybe you can generate some suggestions and comments.

My mom went to the hospital this week but stayed only a few hours. She is doing pretty well again and has started eating but not walking. She smiles at me some when I’m trying to recite a few bible verses we once memorized as children. You know she is a very strong person.

It was great to get some comments to the last posting and especially from such astute thinkers as Shizuo and Leslie yet. Really it is amazing that anyone reads this stuff. I am going out to work on building a new trail on some park land near here this morning. Maybe it is too cold in Chicago to work in the park?