The stealth blogger was here on 3/20/09. A day of celebration!! Married to the same wonderful woman for 38 years. Pushing on towards 50. Love you Marie.

BRIGHT LIGHTS IN THE DESERT

Last night we went to a dinner hosted by one of the vendors. We went to a beautiful house in the hills, located a short distance from the resort. It was a warm evening and as we sat on the patio eating our dinner we were entertained by a light show. This is a short sampling of the evening. Later in the evening (back at the resort), we had thunder (if I'd opened my eyes I would have probably seen lightning) and from the look of the resort patios this morning, plenty of rain.

Views from room 6347

Arrived in Tucson 1940, Saturday 9th. Picked up rental car and successfully found Starr Pass Resort. Checked in and found (once again) that the group rates relegate one to the least desireable rooms. Over-looking, 1) The River water-feature 2) A lovely and close-up view of an adjacent wing of the hotel (in a corner again) 3) And last but not least...how did those bare foot prints get etched into the carpet at the foot of the bed? Someone was also kind enough to leave the alarm clock programmed to go off at 11:30PM. We didn't sleep so well after that and are currently planning our nap time. So this morning we up-graded to the other side of the hotel with views of the city and the main swimming pool complex...much nicer.
We flew through or by a lot of thunder-heads coming into Tucson, but today is beautiful with several distant thunder-heads. We've made our run to Safeway for snacks and a couple of meals and it was already plenty cozy.

Fleeing the Crowds

Most normal people, often referred to as "snowbirds", migrate south to warmer climates during the winter months of the frigid north. In order to avoid this crowded migration, with its characteristic aromas of BenGay, AquaVelva and Channel #5, we choose to travel south during July and August. In this way, we flee the high 90s of Medford to spend quality time in the low 100s of Phoenix and Tucson. As one spends time in this environment, many opportunities for aerobic activities are provided as one dashes from one air-conditioned space to the next or lounges in the tepid waters of a luxurious pool or man-made "river". Photos will accompany the story of this epic journey.

Lunch at Maungaturoto

Yesterday I decided to take my mother, who is 86 and has the onset of dementia, out to lunch. It was a little treat for her. This is what we said to each other.
She asked, “Where is this place?”
“Maungaturoto.”
“Oh, that’s where your father was born.”
“I know. Well done for remembering that.”
“How long ago would that have been?”
“Eighty-six years ago, Mum.”
There were a few moments’ silence, and then she asked, “Where are we?”
“Maungaturoto.”
“Oh, that’s where your father was born.”
“I know.”
There was a few moment’s silence, and then she asked, “Is this place called Maungaturoto?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, isn’t that where your father was born?”
“Yes.”
“How long ago would that have been?”
“Eighty-six years.”
“That doesn’t seem right. I’m 86.”
“That’s right Mum. He was born in the same year as you.”
“No. He can’t have been.”
“Why not?”
“Because if he was my father, how could he have been born in the same year?”
“No. He was my father, Mum. Not yours.”
“Who was?”
“Tom.”
“Tom? Was I married to Tom?”
“Yes.”
There were a few moments’ silence, and she looked up from her food, and asked, “What’s this place called?”
“Maungaturoto.”
“Isn’t that where your father was born?”
“Yes, it was. Eighty-six years ago.”
“Was he the same age as me?”
“Yes.”
“Well, if your father was born here, where was my father born?”
“Cornwall, England, about 1890.”
“Really? I thought he was born here.”
“No. That was Tom. My father.”
“Your father? Was I married to your father?”
“Yes, Mum, unless you were kidding us all these years.”
There was a few moments’ silence, while she studied the restaurant with a slightly bemused look, and then she said, I’m a bit confused. Did you say your father or my father was born here?”
“My father.”
“And your father was Tom, is that right?”
“Well done, Mum, that’s right.”
I could see the relief on her face, and I asked her, “Now are you able to remember him?”
“I don’t think so,” she said. “I don’t remember living here anyway.”
“No, you didn’t live here. Tom was born here. You always lived in Auckland.”
“Well, if I was married to Tom, what was my father’s name?”
“George.”
“George? George is my brother’s name.”
“That’s right. Your father was also called George. George Prinn.”
“George Prinn? That’s my brother’s name.”
“That’s right. Your brother was named after your father.”
“That’s funny them both having the same name. Quite a coincidence.”
She sipped her cup of tea, and then she said, “Now, let me get all this straight in my mind. What was my father’s name?”
“George.”
“And what was your father’s name?”
“Tom.”
“And did we have children?”
"Yes. You had Ernie, Noeline and me
She looked at me in utter surprise, and said, “Did I? I can’t remember that.”
“Well, you did. Ernie died many years ago, Noeline is nearly 60 and I’m 57.”
“I feel awful,” she said. “It’s like a story you are telling me about somebody else. I just can’t remember all that. Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure, Mum. But don’t let it worry you. It was all a long time ago and it doesn’t matter.
“But I should be able to remember. It’s strange,” she said, “not being able to remember.”
All the time this conversation was taking place, I was trying to keep my voice from showing anger and frustration. Now I looked at my mother properly. I felt pity for her. It must be dreadful not to remember people who once meant all the world to you. I chastised myself for not having more patience at times like this and resolved to show her more love and understanding in the future.
Mum put down her cup, and asked, “What’s this place called?”
“Timbukbloodytoo,” I said. “Come on, Mum we’re going home.
Raewyn MacDonald

More New Automobiles !!

Nana's got TWO new cars !! Sorta...Kinda...Well really, Nana has

gone green with two electric automobiles. Cutting edge...save

the planet...low carbon footprint...loving and caring for

"mother earth"...etc. blah blah blah.

P.S. If you read the police reports and happen upon a report

about a grandma driving a small pink electric vehicle without

current registration and licenses....remember...you read about

it here first.

Nissan Altima

Poppa's got a brand new car. WooHooo!!

BATHROOM PHOTOS etc,

By popular demand, here are photos of our recently almost completed guest bath remodel. It's hard to get a sense of the whole remodel in a few photos. I purposely have not shared any images of the DualMax Toto Supreme since it will soon be gone and replaced by a more conventional Toto.
I have been struggling with managing the photos located on two cameras, two PCs and three different photo software packages...trying to get all of the photos downloaded to one of the three software options. I believe that I have just succeeded. Therefore, sooner or later, I will now be able to edit our NZ photos, upload them (to Picassa) and invite y'all to view them....soon or maybe later.

REMODELING REDUX

I've been taking a lot of flak from my blog fans about lack of new material, blah, blah, blah. Since everyone is probably on the edge of their seats, waiting for news about THE remodel, I will fill you in....with the rest of the story. The new cabinets, the granite counter and the new tub were all installed by the end of the first week. The past three weeks have centered around the need to get the tile set (tub surround and floor) so that the plumber could return to install the hardware (shower, sink & toilet). I remind you that our deadline was May 30 due to the arrival of friends from NZ. There was the delay in the arrival of some of the tile, broken trucks, bad backs, short work days and long lunch breaks. However, the last of the tile was installed on the 29th, the plumber returned to install the fixtures...but... All went well until the installation of "The Toilet" began. Not any old toilet but a water saving, two-volume flushing, sleek and beautiful Toto Supreme. They are used all over Asia and New Zealand. The installation took three hours and the plumber said that if we installed another, there would be additional charges for time and aggravation. Toto...this isn't Kansas anymore and I will never hear Dorothy call her dog and have quite the same pictures dancing through my head. The installation was further extended by attempts to adjust the Toto in order to successfully flush one very small toilet paper section using the "#1 flush". Needless to say, there is a larger flush whose name shall I shall leave to your imagination. We had seen a demonstration of a similarly engineered toilet, flush 12 tennis balls and a small stuffed bear in less than a second. Ours was struggling with a much smaller challenge.
The morning of the 30th saw yours truly, installing the new shower doors until about noon. Drilling through tile (six holes) is not for the faint hearted or weak. Every muscle in my body came into play, leaning on the drill and trying to will the drill bit through the tiles. The last step was calking around the doors and then having to wait 24 hours to let it properly cure. So Sunday morning our guests could finally use the shower, the Toto seems to be functioning and behaving properly and all is well. Well, almost. In a week, we begin work on the other bath. A new adventure to look forward to, but as they say, "no pain, no gain". Films at eleven.

Remodeling

How do these things begin? How do they obtain a life of their own? It usually starts with just some new paint...or a new floor. The new floor is then leads one to look more closely at the adjoining tub. Maybe we should find out what it would cost for a new tub...and maybe a new tub enclosure. Well, since we're going to have a new tub then we certainly need new shower doors and rather than plastic shower enclosure, wouldn't tile look better?...something to compliment the new floor? And since we're ripping up the floor, it's a good time to replace and upgrade the toilet to match the tub. Wait!!! If we are replacing the floor, the tub, the tub surround and the toilet, can we possibly leave the counter and sink in its old and ugly state? Noooooooo ! So now we have moved on to a granite counter..beeeaauuutuiful...with an appropriately new sink and faucet...priced a "moderately" price faucet lately? Ok...where were we? We've replaced almost everything in the bathroom and placed a beautiful new granite counter top on a 20 year old cabinet. Oh the inhumanity!! How can we possibly been so thoughtless? We can't leave that cheap and well worn cabinet to sully the brand spanking and new everything else? Let's review. We've replaced everything in the the guest bath. And it feels so good and looks so good. We've upgraded. Guests can use the bathroom once again without signing a waiver of liability. Now the difficult and challenging part...we have to move beyond the "plan" and begin and acutally begin the remodel. (Donations are gladly received but are not tax deductable). Oh yes, it's May 2 and we have guests coming from New Zealand on May 29th....can anyone recommend a good Port-a-Potty rental service?

Golden Years

One of the constants in this life is change. The only things that don’t change are God and His Word. But in the here and now, we can pretty much rely on another change or changes coming around the very next corner. We feel that some changes are good and perhaps a few are even great, but when the change shakes our comfort zone, the adjustment period is often filled the five stages of grieving because it involves the loss of what was and an adjustment to what is not yet fully known. What was may have been lousy but we had managed to move it into our comfort zone. During the Golden Years (which is somewhere near the end of the rainbow), and event called retirement usually comes along (at least in our society) and with retirement, comes change. Change that requires adjustments, some considered good or maybe even great, along with others that wobble our comfort zone and for a time, create uneasiness. When one half of a couple enters retirement, the relationship takes on a different flavor and for a time, adjustments are made as a somewhat different relationship begins to grow and take shape. We are in the process of making such an adjustment…as Marie transitions from hardworking, loyal, professional, underpaid and underappreciated employee to hardworking, loyal, underpaid and appreciated wife, grandmother, interior designer, house-painting, power-washing, lawn-mowing retiree. Ahh….the Golden Years.

My Fan Club

I have received feedback from many of my blog fanclub members that I have not been sufficiently active in posting new entries on my blog. I confess...this being a new exercise, I am having difficulty in posting new information or entries on a regular basis with topics around everyday events. For a year, long, long ago, I did daily entries in a journal for a writing class.
This feels like a similar exercise. However, like many other "exercises", what is needed is discipline and motivation.
What motivates me? One of the things that motivates me is a desire to pass on to my grandchildren some of the habits, skills, interests and activities that are a part of who I am.
Toward that end (and with ulterior motives), I have enrolled Ryan in golf lessons and we have been participating for the past two weeks. He seems to be interested and enjoying the lessons. My next target will be Aaron. My goal in this endeavor is to pass on an interest in a lifelong activity that can be enjoyable, healthy and valuable. My ulterior motive is to build a new generation of golfing "buddies". One of my challenges is finding people to golf with on a regular basis. Who better than grandsons and perhaps granddaughters. My family is very important to me. My grandchildren are a part of who I am. Beyond genetics, I have the opportunity to pass on to them, a part of who I am. Tennis anyone? Or if you'd rather, tabletennis? While I like to teach, I like nothing better to win while teaching.

What Next?

The request has been made for me to continue this blog for the next four years. When I began this excercise, I didn't think much beyond the run up to and the experience and events of our NZ vacation. Those asking that I continue the blog are extremely important to me....so It's going to be difficult and probably sporadic, but I will keep it going for the next 4 years. I appreciate the fact that I have two loyal readers and for that reason I will continue this blog. It will become more eclectic because I have many strong opinions, diverse interests, a Biblical world view stacked upon a desire to inform and educate. I keep many of my musings, thoughts and opinions to myself, but since one of the purposes of a blog is to express oneself, that is what I will attempt to do. Fortunately or unfortunately, I love to laugh and more pointedly, to make people laugh. Sooooo, many of my posts will be couched in humor or at least be humorous to me. Therefore, you have been warned and should be prepared for most anything.

Journey's End

We've been home almost a week and we are still recovering from the return journey. Traveling east (or returning home from a fabulous vacation) seems to be a much more difficult adjustment than the trip to the destination. We hit the ground running in Auckland but having been in a fog much of the time since returning. It gets a bit better each day. We would like to return to New Zealand in two years. Special thanks to Ken and Patty for the great care they gave our pets. Thanks to Kelly, Shane and kids for picking us up at the airport, visiting the dogs, chasing the vermin, decorating with flowers and having fresh food for our return (and removing all the dead things from the frig). Thanks to Kristen and family for being there to greet us and visit for a time. Until next time....

PACIFIKA FESTIVAL

Today we attended the Auckland Pacifika Festival at Western Springs (Te Wai Orea-Lake of eels). We roamed around for 30 minutes looking for a parking spot and when we finally got onto the grounds of the park, we found out why...there were thousands in attendance. Auckland is the largest polynesian city in the world and most who have left the islands to live in New Zealand, were in attendance at the park (or so it seemed). While there, we found the Prime Minister of New Zealand (Helen Clark) in attendance and accosted her in order to get a picture. Also pictured is a part of the mass of humanity in attendance...also pictured is a large blow up can of corned beef. I believe that it is one of the traditional foods of Samoa.

Pauanui Birthday

We spent 4 days at brother Dennis's vacation home in Pauanui. Additional friends and family also came. The first two days were beautiful and as is the pattern, we then had a day of wind driven rain. However, because the low tide was to later in the morning, we waited until the bad weather arrived to go out in search of tua tuas (a small shell fish that lives in the sand, in the surf and is best found at low tide). I believe that it is a distant relative of the snipe. Before the wind and rain blew us off the beach, we (not me) found a total of three small shelled animals. Fortunately, we had purchased 2-3 kg of mussels on the way to Pauanui, so we were able to feast on those.

Had my birthday celebration Saturday evening with NZ friends and family. This week we will not be traveling anywhere, so we will spend time seeing Auckland sites by bus. Next Saturday, Sandra will have a barbecue for all celebrating birthdays in March and April. The photos document my birthday party, the beach at Pauanui and those love-birds, Rocco & Rosie.

HALF FULL or HALF EMPTY?

Our time in NZ is about half gone. Were off to another beach house (brother Dennis) tomorrow. We hope to go out a charter fishing boat one of our days there. Perhaps to catch a marlin...or a shark. There is not room to display all of the photos we've taken and I won't have the time to figure out how to insert a slide show on this blog until after I return. So you'll have to be satisfied with teasers. The country is so incredibly picturesque, I have to exert self control not to use up my 4 GB memory card. Anyway, the photo is of yet another beautiful harbor at Manganui. Everywhere you go here, there is the coast, a bay, sandy beaches and in between rolling green hills. I'm camped at a Starbucks posting this entry. Burger King, McDonalds, Subway, KFC are most everywhere....we may import everything from China, but we export healthy food everywhere.

MARIE'S KATAIA BIRTHDAY - 2/22/08

Today (NZ time), is Nana Marie's birthday. We awoke in Kataia to winds of 30-40 mph and sideways rain…and it continues . The locals would say the weather has “come up custard”. We stayed the night at Bill and Rosaline’s (Rachel’s parents) house. It was built in 1912 and is about 75 yards from Rob and Rachel’s house. They have 150 acres that they currently raise cattle on. The cattle are exported to America to make hamburgers for our fast-food industry. I believe that we are still going to Cape Reinga on Sunday. Tomorrow (weather permitting) we are going to what I would call a county fair. Rob and Rachel’s girls , Beverly and Katie, will be entering some produce from the garden into competition. Above is Rocco on the Kaipara Harbor. Also note the promised fish photos (evidence).

KATAIA, NZ - 2/21/08

Greetings from an internet cafe in Kataia. We just arrived from Kelly's Bay and two days of fishing (see photo of fresh snapper). We spent our first weekend looking around Auckland (photo of Auckland harbor) and traveled to Kelly's Bay on Monday with brother John where we met brother Bob with his boat. 42 snapper ($42/KG in the shops) in 2 days of fishing...great fun! This weekend we will travel to Cape Reinga which is the northern most point in NZ and drive most of the way back to Kataia on 90 Mile Beach (literally a 90 mile long beach that cars and tour buses drive on). The weather changes hourly from warm and humid to drizzling and humid. I will get one more entry posted before leaving Kataia. The photo on the left is Kelly's Bay and on the right is Auckland Harbor looking toward Sky City (downtown). I have temporarily misplaced the photos of the snapper and will try to include them in a future post

Arrival!!

We arrived safely and an hour early in Auckland, Friday the 15th at 0410, Auckland time. The photo shows Rocco and Rosie (with traveling companions) waiting patiently at the San Francisco airport. They had not bothered to purchase tickets and were fortunate not to have been discovered in Steve and Marie’s carry-on luggage. The north island has been in a drought for much of their summer, so it was no surprise that it was raining when we arrived and rained off and on for much of the day.
Finding internet connectivity is not going to be as convenient as I had hoped. An internet café within walking distance of brother John’s is apparently no longer in business. So I can go to Sandra’s and plug in or go to some other internet cafes in Takapuna (about a 10 minute drive). Monday we head to Kelly’s Bay and the batch (fishing cabin) for some snapper fishing after which we will travel to Kaitaia to visit Rob and Rachel on the farm. We are hoping to make a side trip to the Bay of Islands, coming or going, to take a cruise on a friend of a friend’s yacht. It’s good to have friends who have friends (with yachts).
Today has dawned bright and clear and the ladies are going “shopping” and I will tag along to find the internet. Films at eleven.