Cody's promotion ... to 1st Grade

Sometimes, as grown-ups, we make things for kids...I don't know...more grown-up, than a simple event.
My grandson, Cody, advanced from Kindergarten to first grade the other day and the school calls it a "PROMOTION". It's like a job promotion or a higher rank in the military, or something. When he entered Kindergarten from Day Care, they had a "GRADUATION". I realize it a celebration of his advancement in knowledge and aging, but cap and gowns in Day Care? Of course it all has changed a lot since I and even our kids were in school. No matter...I am proud of Cody and Emily and Nicole and our three grand kids in Florida too, as a Grandfather should be. They keep me smiling and happy. And I love to be a Grandfather. They are a joy beyond belief.
The program the school put on was really special. This was the last song. You got to love the sunglasses.

A new Adventure to the East

On April 18th, Nancy and I embarked on another adventure to...CHINA. Yes, the country many of us grew up watching over our shoulders. The country of Mao, and the Red Army. Well, it's not as bad as I once thought. It is changing FAST! It is a beautiful country that is changing quickly toward capitalism and opening its doors to all. There is still a little of the old China visible. Maybe a little more or less than we know.
Besides the battle with an exploding population, very visible pollution problem and cooping with massive traffic expansion, China will treat you well.
Our trip was a 12 day whirlwind taste of some major cities and cultural emulsion into the Chinese history from past to present. Our guides were extraordinary. From the Forbidden City, to the enormous graves of the Terra Cotta Warriors, to the Vegas style dinner theaters, (and my highlight)a walk on the Great Wall. China was the last place I thought my lovely wife could convince me to go, but I loved it. Yes, I complained about the crowds and the Chinese food, but HELL, I was in China. Cities with 27 million people and not the flair for cooking western foods. Thank God for McDonald's and KFC spotted everywhere. Yep, commercial capitalism is doing VERY well in China. I guess we have polluted the world with that.

Rescue the Rescuers

This is not a new story. It is happening all around the country, not only in Arizona. Legislators want to cut our (firefighter retirees) pensions, cut our COLA (and we do not get Social Security), which equals to about 1/3 of my income. We did not cause the economic down-turn, but now we are the target. And we are not the only ones...teachers, Police and many other state workers. But, if a legislator serves for 4 years, they get the Medical insurance paid for life. Mine cost me $800 a month. They get a pension which NO ONE can touch. Mine is managed by the Legislature.
Maybe I should run for office.

Day Trip to Mt. Ord

Nancy and I love to explore. So, today we drove to Mt. Ord, which about 100 miles from home. It was toward Payson but we turned off about 40 miles from Payson onto a dirt road. It's narrow, and steep, but beautiful. We probably got 95% up the mountain before we came to a lot of snow and ice, so we had to turn around. It was still worth it.
Nancy and I yearn for the old days when we had a 4X4 Jeep to explore the back roads. I can see another project vehicle in the future!
Anyway, it was great day trip for Nancy, me and Scooter. Plus, we explored Rio Verde and Needle Rock before coming here. What a day!
After more than 34 years in Arizona, we are still amazed at the beauty in this state.

3rd Annual camping trip with friends & family

It is so fun to get together with friends and family and go camping, whether it be in a RV or tents. I guess it's just to do something together that we have in common.
Three years ago, Nancy and I rediscovered one of Arizona's biggest lakes and the campground they built since we were there some 30 or so years ago. So Nancy thought, what fun it would be to invite friends and family members there for a weekend of chat, hiking, boating, biking and sitting around a campfire. It has been great ever since. This year was not so widely attended, but just as fun. The final night after our Pot-Luck dinner, and we were ALL fat and happy. The girls caught-up, the guys checked out some odd camping vehicles (see the photo of ALL the toys near us), the kids made mud pies, and the five dogs played too. And I just chilled. I love camping.

Snow on the mountains

Last night, we had a rainy front move through and the temps dropped into the 30s at our house. But on the mountains around us (at about 3000 to 4500 ft.) it got colder, as you can see. We desert rats do not see this often, unless we travel north into the high mountains. Of course, it does not last long. But it's pretty to look at... as long as I do not have to shovel or scrape it.

Hail or Snow?

We, in the central desert part of Arizona don't get much hail or snow. But lately, we have. We knew we were going to get a considerable amount of rain yesterday and today, but never figured in this. In about 24 hour period, the VALLEY OF THE SUN (HA! HA!)received nearly 3/4 inch of rain and this stuff. I am NOT complaining. I know our friends and relatives in the east are getting a lot worse. Have fun shoving. Ours will be gone in 30 minutes.