Any Where, Any Time

When one of your kids lives on one coast and one lives on the opposite coast, the chance to visit with both of them is rare. Our daughter has been working in Japan since January. Our son and daughter in law generously offered me a ticket to go see her (with our son) and of course, I jumped at it. Japan was never on my list of places to see before I die, but I am so glad I went! We mostly saw Tokyo but it was enough.

I have to back up a little to say that about 2 weeks before the trip, I managed to screw up my knee. Not the knee that was screwed up last winter, the other one. I thought it would right itself (with the help of a cortisone shot) and I would be good to go. Not so much. At the last minute, my friend Jane offered me the use of a collapsible cane. My first reaction was 'no way, I don't need that!' but I took it anyway. Good thing, I never would have made it to the hotel, let alone out to sightsee, without it.

My kids both did a good job of masking their horror at the sight of me gimping along. They took good care of me and we saw alot of wonderful sights. When my knee wouldn't go any farther for the day, they put me in a cab (Tokyo cab drivers are amazing!! fearless, helpful, really nice people) and I went back to the hotel. They came back a bit later with vending machine treats (beer, sake, sandwiches, you name it, you can get it out of a vending machine there) and moral support. They called me 'House' and tried to find the easiest routes to places we wanted to go, including finding escalators and elevators.

The best part of the whole adventure of course was the time I spent with the two of them. They are such great, amazing people.

I hope to have a few more pictures for a future post. Between the cane and my being forbidden to take pictures.... I didn't end up with very many of my own, but I will get some from the kids and post them. Why, you ask, were you forbidden to take pictures? Well, at this point in my life, I need 'readers' for everything. I put them on just under my sunglasses so I can see while still being protected from glare...... apparently I look even dorkier than usual....

The Cat on the Mountain

Each year here in AZ as Spring arrives a mountain lion appears to creep down the Superstition Mountains just east of our southern hideout. It is the result of the setting sun and the terrain. It last for a week or so until the sun sets to far north.

If Only Remembering Was Enough

An 80% scale replica on the Vietnam War Memorial was set up here in Apache Junction this weekend. On the spur of the moment I and a couple of friends visited the display. I have visited the Memorial in Washington DC several times and three or four of the traveling replicas and each time I am struck by something which leaves me to ponder. This time as I paused to view each panel I began notice the "JR"s following some of the names. There are no names on this memorial that are more valuable than any other, but the "JR"s made me think of the loss to each family each and every name represents. There were other displays on the grounds with the names of others who have also lost their lives in subsequent conflicts. If remembering was enough there wouldn't be so many.

Books Books and More Books

This morning I rode over to the Phoenix State Fairgrounds with another woman from the park. This was the second day of the huge annual booksale. I went mostly to look, although I am all in favor of used books. We were there maybe two hours and I bought.... nothing. There were lots of books and lots of people buying lots of books (as in shopping carts FULL of books) but nothing cried 'take me with you' so I got out unscathed. I'm sure there were way more people buying way more books on Saturday. Jane has tried going on Saturday before and says there is a line to get INTO the parking lot as well as into the huge building where the books are. Oh, and if you want a shopping cart to fill with books..... you have to take a number (picture #3) and the nice man will call your number when he has a cart available.

The booksale is for the benefit of local non-profit organizations and is staffed by mostly (I think) volunteers who, as usual with volunteers, are some of the most patient people on earth.

We stopped at a place called 'My Florist' for lunch. Jane had been here before and I would be happy to go back. The building did used to be a flower shop at one time, hence the name.

Heart Attack on a Bun

Went to lunch today at the Heart Attack Grill in Chandler AZ. There are only five items on the menu. These are four hamburgers and french fries. There are also a verity of beverages including Coca-Cola from Mexico (pure cane sugar) and beer. I think our friend Scott like it. Here are some photos of our cook, waitress, and Scott which will speak louder than anything else I can say.

What Happened?

I thought maybe I should add a post just so you don't think Dave has buried me out in the desert (although somedays he might be justified :~D ) . He has joined a couple of groups where he 'goes and does' which gives me 'alone time'. Anyone who is retired and living in a small space will tell you, that can be a rare thing indeed. You know the old joke 'Retirement: Half as much money, twice as much husband' ... or wife I suppose. Having said all that, I can't imagine having this adventure with anyone else.

So last week it was in the 80's and sunny. Last night we had wind and rain and look what I found on the mountain just east of our park this morning!! Of course snow is a big damn deal down here, the news stations send out crews to do stand up in front of a snowy street and then make them do snow angels..yikes. This morning we have a bit of blue sky, some wind and mostly dry pavement.

Pima Air & Space Museum (Tuscon, AZ)

Visited the museum with a few of our motorcycle friends and took a handful of pictures. The museum includes planes and rockets spanning the history of flight. Most of the collection is war birds from WWII to the present, including Russian, British, and a few others. The first photo is of a Super Connie, the second the sad remains of a Catalina flying-boat, third another B-17, and the last is a USN C-1, similar to one I rode in in 1972 from the P.I. to Da Nang, South Vietnam and on to the USS Enterprise.