Wednesday, February 20, 2013

A Rare Occurrence

Apache Junction, AZ  High 46  Low 33

Winter arrived in Arizona with lots of rain and snow. Yes, snow. The Superstitions were covered with snow today and it was down low on the sides of the mountain. This is definitely a very rare occurrence. Snow has been seen on the top of the mountain but not like this.

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There must have been 100 cars out there with people taking pictures of the Superstitions.

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Scottsdale was covered in snow. The kids were loving it and the weather people were just hyped on TV. A lot of natives were excited about the snow but those of us who come from the north, couldn’t work up that kind of enthusiasm.

Here in Apache (Petticoat) Junction, we had rain and rain and more rain. But the storm has now moved on through and has just left the cold weather behind.

The weather folks have been telling us that a lot of what was seen in downtown Phoenix was not really snow or hail but was graupel. (This was a new term for me.)

Graupel, also called soft hail or snow pellets, refers to precipitation that forms when super cooled droplets of water are collected and freeze on a falling snowflake, forming a 2–5 mm ball of rime. Strictly speaking, graupel is not the same as hail or ice pellets, although it is sometimes referred to as small hail.

Whatever it is called, it was white and cold.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Good News

Apache Junction, AZ   High 72  Low 43 

Oncology (from the Ancient Greek onkos (ὄγκος), meaning bulk, mass, or tumor, and the suffix -logy (-λογία), meaning "study of") is a branch of medicine that deals with cancer.

Meet Dr. Michael Gordon, Jim’s Oncologist.

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When you first learn that you or someone you love have a cancerous mass, your brain seems to shut down and you move on autopilot. Trying to find an oncologist that you trust with your life is an overwhelming experience. (And it is as much my life as it is Jim’s.)

We were very blessed because Jim’s regular doctor knew Dr. Michael Gordon and referred us to him. He was definitely an answer to our prayers. He has been with us through every step of our journey with cancer.

Today he had more good news for us. Jim’s scans came back clean. No signs of cancer.

However, the fear and anxiety before the follow up appointment consumes your days and nights. The relief after talking with Dr. Gordon is almost beyond words.

We will do this cycle all over again in May. At that time we will also celebrate our one year anniversary of being cancer free.

To celebrate – Jim went fishing. (Did you really expect anything else?) John went with him today. John celebrated his 90th birthday this year and is going strong.

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John caught one small fish that went back in the water to grow up. The guys had a wonderful time and will be going again.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Finally – Internet

Apache Junction, AZ  High 71  Low 49

Heard Dad’s truck pull in

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We didn’t realize that the Verizon wifi gadget needs to be updated on a regular basis and we were about 10 updates behind. We also found out that it’s battery had been overcharged and when that happens the battery swells up. And guess what – it doesn’t work properly when that happens. The Verizon store doesn’t stock the batteries so off to Batteries Plus and $43 later, we have a new battery.

Now I’m hoping to be able to stay on line long enough to at least read some blogs.

Jim went fishing three days last week. Several guys in the park are lined up to go with him whenever he heads out and they are all having a wonderful time.

Monday night was our cribbage group. We may be small in number but we sure do have a lot of fun.

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Mom! Dad’s not sharing.

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On Friday, Vern and Polly came over with Vern’s welding machine to fix our hitch for us. This is the bar he welded onto the capture plate.

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Now I can quit worrying about the capture plate bolts being sheared off. Even if that were to happen again, the bar would stop the trailer from moving around like it did in Quartzsite.

After Vern finished up we took them to Elvira’s for lunch. We hadn’t been to Elvira’s since they remodeled the restaurant. The food was still excellent and the remodel job was fantastic. Lots of bright colors.

Vern

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Polly

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I forgot to take a picture of Spike all dressed up for Valentine’s Day. The wind we had was pretty hard on him. He got knocked down a couple of times.

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Going

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Going

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Gone

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That about sums up our week. We’ve had a few gorgeous, sunny days but another storm is moving in Tuesday night and it’s going to be cold and rainy on Wednesday.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Happy Valentines Day

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I’m hoping your day is filled with love, happiness, and health.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

WIFI

Apache Junction, AZ  High 58  Low 39

My WIFI has to go to the hospital. It is broke and needs lots of help. I’ll try to catch up with everybody sometime soon.

 

Sunday, February 10, 2013

A Picnic

Apache Junction, AZ  High 56  Low 40

We got Paul to the airport yesterday with no problems. That is always a good thing. So he is in New Zealand enjoying warm summer weather. While we are here in AZ and still having our cold weather. The wind has calmed down and the rain has gone on its way. The end of this week looks really promising.

Today was the Montana State Picnic at Pioneer Park in Mesa. Dianna, Judy and Don (sister and hubby) and Jim and I decided we’d go check it out. There were probably about 150 folks there.

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This picnic has been ongoing since 1944 and in all that time it has only been rained out once. You sign in under the county you lived (or live) in and maybe there are names of others on that list that you might know.

There was absolutely no one that either Dianna, Judy, Don, Jim or I knew. Rather hard to believe. Especially since I lived in four different counties. You would think Jim or I would know somebody.

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It was almost warm out in the sun but in the shade it was cold and I was sure glad I had my coat.

Talked to a few folks. Had a hot dog and then headed for home. Don’t think we’ll go again.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Another Happyism

Apache Junction, AZ  High  58  Low 37

“The main reason I play Bingo is to get me up off my butt so I don’t just sit in my room and read.”

She loves to have her picture taken.

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Aunt Happy just cracks me up. We stopped in to visit with her and she needed us to pick up some items for her at Walgreens. She told us that when we came back she probably wouldn’t be there because she would be upstairs playing bingo. We talked a bit about playing bingo and she was rather upset because she hadn’t won the big pot of $6 or $7 for quite awhile.

She also told us about when my Uncle Don died. They had just returned from the Panama Canal on Thursday and Don’s 74th birthday was on Saturday. A friend had a birthday party planned for Don so they enjoyed the party and Don was pretty tired when they got home. The next morning he went out to get the paper and was sitting at the table. Happy was in the bedroom when she heard a noise and went out to see what it was. Don had a heart attack and died before the paramedics could arrive. She has been on her own for over 25 years now.

We also stopped to see my sister and the four of us went to Panda Express for lunch.

Jim’s done some more fishing and as soon as the weather improves, he’ll be out on the water again. Caught about a 2 pound large mouth bass and this one he brought home because Cam and Lois wanted fish for dinner.

Thursday night we went out to dinner at Romano’s Macaroni Grill with Paul and Dianna and Evelyn. Had a fun time and the food was wonderful. However, the place is noisy and conversation was almost non-existent because you couldn’t hear across the table. Cold Stone for dessert.

Tug harder Dad.

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Paul leaves today for Australia and New Zealand for two months. We’re taking him to the airport this afternoon.

The weather has turned windy and cold and rainy. Hopefully by the end of the week we’ll have some sunshine and warmer temps.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

To Fish or Not To Fish

Apache Junction, AZ  High 72  Low 50

fishing Not even a question at our house. Jim was like a little boy at Christmas time when he was getting ready to go fishing Monday. And it makes no difference if he catches anything or not. As long as he’s on the water in his boat, he is happy and content. He always says that’s why they call it fishing and not catching.

He did catch one small fish which he threw back to grow up. The boat ran perfectly after we bought a new battery for it. The sun was shining. A great day.

I sat outside with the girls and read and visited with folks that came by

Yesterday, Marv went fishing with Jim. Three of the guys here in the park went out and bought four month fishing licenses so Jim is going to have lots of company this year.

Marv caught himself a nice fish.

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And no they didn’t bring that one home either because it was the only one they caught. Lots more fishing in Jim’s future.

 

Friday, February 1, 2013

Last Campfire

Quartzsite, AZ  High 68  Low 39

MOM!! – tell Skittlez she has to share the sunshine with me.

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We decided it as time to head back to Apache (Petticoat) Junction so Jim could get his fishing pox cure. The warmer weather is making him really sick, or so he tells me.

We went out to Plomosa Road to say goodbye to all the gang that had moved out that way.

Went to the Palo Verde Cafe for lunch. Jim’s sandwich was huge.

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One last strange picture – the giant fishing pole and fish.

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We also drove by some guys flying remote control airplanes. Since Jim really wants to get into this sport, we stopped and he got to visit with the guys and learn some new stuff.

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When we got back to our campsite, Jim built us a campfire and John and Nan joined us as we watched another beautiful desert sunset and made our plans to meet in the future down the road.

Nan and John

                     

                       The End

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