Ole joyful's change of scene

15 years ago

My change of scene ... or so I thought ... was to avoid snow for a few days, though daughter had warned me to bring warm clothing, as there may be snow at the Grand Canyon. En route to Jerome, where there was an old copper mine, now a tourist trap, she saw snow on the mountains, so I had some warning (it's an uphill journey from Phoenix, at under 1,000 feet above sea level, to the 6,000 foot marker that we passed near here). Then, as we approached Flagstaff, there was snow on the ground and in the ditches. As we checked in to the motel, there was a pile of snow in front of the car, and the first handful that I picked up was pretty well ice, but I found some soft snow and threw a snowball at her. As we checked in to the motel, there was some discussion of who qualifies for childhood, then who qualifies for being in second childhood ... and daughter allowed as how it's fathers who throw snowballs at daughters!

As we passed through Sedona, a tourist centre, she said that there's reputed to be some energy vortexes in the vicinity ... but I found that I didn't feel any more energetic when I was there than before ... or since, for that matter.

But, when one's retired, I guess that there aren't a lot of demands that one be full of energy, are there? Though, I guess it's true of that as regarding other of life's capabilities ... that one must use it ... or lose it.

I thought that I was going to get a free ride to Arizona ... as daughter bought return flight ticket to AZ (total bill less than $300.) plus bus ticket to Detroit, so I thought that I was going to get free ride ...

... but it cost me $15.00 to check my bag!

I said that I was going to kid her about it being a return ticket ... that it was apparent that she didn't want to put up with me, long-term ... and someone asked whether the return portion of the ticket was dated ... it was!

She met me last night at the airport, I had a great sleep, fun-filled breakfast ... we visited an old coppermine (at Jerome), are overnighting in Flagstaff, and bound for the Grand Canyon tomorrow.

We had a really great discussion on a whole host of life's issues (got most of the world's problems solved, I think) in the car on the way up today.

I'm having a ball: daughters are a great blessing!

Wish me continued good fortune, please.

And I wish the same for all of you!

ole joyful

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Comments (13)

kathyg_in_mi
15 years ago
Glad you made it all in one piece! How about a pic of you and DD?! Enjoy the warmth while you can and give your DD a big hug from all of us at the KT. (for putting up with you)
Kathy G in MI
carol_in_california
15 years ago
Enjoy the view at the Grand Canyon!
I am glad you are getting to spend time with your daughter.
Arizona is a beautiful state.
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I still agree with our traffic act ... that it's a privilege ... to drive on the public highway. Any person has a right, wearing a seat belt or not, to drive any vehicle, licensed or not, passed mechanical/emissions test or not, on private property ... but only if s/he owns it. Or has the owner's permission ... which makes that situation a "privilege" that must be granted, doesn't it? How would you like to have me tell you that I have a right to drive my car on your driveway? farm? In our area, a youth can only drive on the public road initially if s/he can pass a test showing that s/he knows many of the traffic laws ... and only if accompanied by a licensed driver, for some time, until s/he has proved her/his capacity to operate a vehicle within appropriate parameters (which until that time does not include driving on an expressway, or driving between midnight and 5 a.m., or with more than one other youth in the car, or with any trace whatever of alchol on his/her breath) at which time s/he is granted an unrestricted licence (except can't have more than 0.08% of alcohol on his/her breath). And if s/he transgresses those parameters, the privilege will be withdrawn ... for a period. In fact, I don't have a right to drive any vehicle on the highway, as is. When I purchase a vehicle, it must pass certain mechanical tests and limited emission tests before the government allows me to put a licence plate on it, and if I am caught driving it on a public road without a licence plate, I have some serious consequences to face, regardless of whether I possess a driving licence. Actually, if I don't pay a fee before my birthday next year, the "right", "privilege" or whatever we choose to call it, will expire, and if I put it on the road the next day, there'll be consequences that I won't like (if I'm caught by certain designated persons policing the rules). Plus, every couple of years, it must re-pass an emissions test and if it doesn't, they won't accept my fee in order for me to continue to exercise my "right" ... "privilege" ... whatever ... to continue to operate it on the public roads (but I can operate it on my own farm, even if it doesn't pass the emissions test). If it's been through an accident and an evaluator assesses that it has suffered structural, rather than merely cosmetic damage, I will not be allowed the "right" ... "privilege" to continue to have a licence on it. But this issue is beside the point ... my suggestion here was that everyone choose to make a distinct effort to re-evaluate and most likely upgrade their driving knowledge and skills. Probably we upgrade our computers oftener than re-evaluate/upgrade our driving skills. But the choice not to re-evaluate/upgrade our computer will hardly ever be responsible for someone's death or serious injury, whether that of others or our own. ole joyful
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Well, olejoyful - it must feel great to be missed by so many caring people! I for one am delighted you feel up to gardening which I consider A1 therapy for anyone. If I lived closer and your friend was unable to have lunch with you, I would surely try to worm my way in as I love good food and wonder what you two usually eat when you get together. Bless you, and please continue to feel better every day.
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Recent changes in ole joyful's lifestyle.
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A slight reduction in the warfarin, according to my hematologist, and altered after I had some antibiotics prescribed following the camera angling into the bladder (quite a few varying camera angles, actually). Thanks for the info about the cranberry juice, as I've been using it, trying to take a glass some time before breakfast, to let it get some good work in, as well as at other times. Will have to ease off some. Some more blood since yesterday, but my retired doc. relative tells me not to worry unless I feel light-headed (no comments, please) or otherwise a bit off, for the weekend ... if so, head to emerg.. I asked her whether, if I smiled pretty, I could drag her kicking and screaming out of retirement for about 5 min. - she smiled as she said, "O.K.". ole joyfuelled ... with some fuelling help from cranberry juice
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There's nothing wrong with free expression of opinions. Some people get a little to worked up over little things but that's okay with me. So long as comments there, as here, remain non-personal I'm a denizen of the double yellow lines in the middle, I don't have a lot of affection for either of the two major parties nor their leaders. Both sides have plenty to be criticized about and blamed for. Outrage has taken the place of engagement and compromise. Whether justified or not, there were plenty of Republicans who were unhappy with Obama and what happened during those years. And with Clinton. Is anyone more right or more wrong? Maybe, but it doesn't matter, because criticism of the opposition is what rallies supporters. Less so than in countries with parliamentary governments but here too, how the country stays on an straight course is by having periodic changes from one party to another. More extreme things get changed every so often or changed back to how they were before being changed, it's not a bad thing. In the meantime, obsessing over details or events really doesn't do much. Vote for the candidates you like and don't expect them to do much once in office. There are some exceptions, good and bad.
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lydia1959
15 years ago
Sounds like you are having a great time! Sedona is on my "to see" list!
foggyj
15 years ago
Glad you're having a good time. You're in beautiful country over there.
caroline94535
15 years ago
I'm happy to know you're having a good time. Your daughter is a very fortunate lady!

Have lots of fun!
joyfulguy
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, all ... I had about 2 hours of sleep on Thurs. night: had to vacuum, wash kitchen floor, as landlord checking furnace (frozen pipes no fun: expecting temps. near zero for a few days) and feeding the cats, etc.

Had a good sleep last night, had some trouble getting to sleep now (but should be, as they don't reduce motel fees if one sleeps only half the night).

The ex- used to say that I could sleep any time and any place.

Oh, well ... that was then. But I usually have little difficulty getting to sleep. Clear conscience, I've heard.

Anyway - have a lovely weekend, all ... what's left of it.

Don't know whether daughter brought camera ... but the neighbours gave me a one-roll camera as a going-away present ... so I'll have to get some to share.

I brought some that Iva Mae picked off of the Kitchen Table of my trip last summer to share with Kathryn.

ole joyful
OklaMoni
15 years ago
Sounds like a heII of an expensive trip! LOL

Take some pictures of the Grand Canyon in snow... I haven't been there yet in the winter.

Enjoy your time with your daughter! Those girls (daughters) are special.

Moni
kathy_
15 years ago
Oh now you have me jealous. I love Arizona.
Jerome was a big favorite of mine.
You should have hung around Sedona (beautiful place!!). I walked up to a supposed vortex and felt nothing but a nutty lady walked up and went flat on her back.
I think the vortexes bring a lot of money into the area. That's the only vibes I felt.
Flagstaff is one of my favorite places. Did you know there is a "native American" skiing area up the mountain? They won't make their own snow so they depend on the weather for a good season.
If they would find a vortex or two maybe they could attract more tourists.
Don't let anyone ride you down the canyon (lololol).
Gosh you make me want to go back to Arizona.
Have a great trip.
ronf_gw
15 years ago
It sounds like you're having a fantastic time.
Will you be heading back to Phoenix?
Are you into plants?
If you answerd yes to these two questions then check out the Boyce Thompson Arboretum about an hour east of Phoenix near Superior. It is one of the best arboretums in the Southwest. JMHO.
Enjoy the special time with your daughter.

Ron
Vique_Pa
15 years ago
I love to read your posts, Olejoyful. You have a great personality and I like the way you put things. You entertai n me. Have a great day. Vique
chisue
15 years ago
Whew! I am SO relieved that the world's problems have been dealt with. Glad you got that out of the way to free up time for FUN. Don't let any fun leach off into those vortexes.

Friends once retired to Prescott. We visited. I loved it. DH loves the Cubs and Bears of Chicago more. Turned out he was right. Friends later moved to be nearer a big city with its better medical facilities...after most of the homes in their brand new neighborhood (in the pines) burned. Their house was spared because it was near that of a neighbor who was a gun nut, with a basement full of ammo. The fire department was aware and took precautions against that house going up (literally).
grammahony
15 years ago
I love Arizona too. Especially now that it's so stinking cold and snowy here. 5Â° and just had a couple of inches of snow last night.
Enjoy your visit with your DD. They are special.
Leslie
joyfulguy
Original Author
15 years ago
Visited the Canyon on Sun., a bit chilly, but quite a few clouds, so somewhat less interesting for taking pictures.

They say that some of the rocks are over 100 million years old, and that it took the river about 8 million to dig that trench down the more or less 5,000 feet. Such a variety of formations and colours. And average width 10 mi., but widest about 18 mi. - and over 225 mi. long.

A fabulous place.

So much for some claiming the world to be about 6,000 yrs. old.

Came home Sun. night, Kathryn to bed early, up about 6 to co-ordinate people training laid-off workers in webinars, in the Eastern time zone. I checked Phoenix maps and attractions, thought of going to library but didn't. Read a book, "The Joy of NOT Being Married", by Ernie Zelinski, from Edmonton, while sitting near busy daughter. Some thoughtful ideas related to the lives of singles, whether original or retreaded. He also wrote, "The Joy of NOT Working", dealing with various issues relating to people who have been laid off, or retired. An opportunity for a wholesale re-evaluation of life ... good idea to be prepared, etc. A concept that comes close to Kathryn's profession.

It must be tough to be opimistic, vivacious and perky in a gathering of people whose spirits are lower than a snake's belly in a wagon track. Wearing.

We had dinner on Monday evening with Kathryn's good friend from several years ago when she first lived here - who loaned us the laptop that I'm using now.

Kathryn bought an attractive 3-br. condo in the northern area of Phoenix in the late spring and is enjoying it: a major reason for the trip was for me to see it.

Good wishes for the rest of the week.

ole joyful

Ole joyful's change of scene

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