Ole joyful's change of scene

17 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
17 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
17 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 used to recommend to clients (and others - mostly anyone who would listen) that they have a 3 - 6 months worth of wage income in a financial cushion, in case of layoff, emergency or other need ... and in the volatile economy and employment situation we've seen in recent years, more like 9 months' worth to a year's usual income in the cushion. And to some I said that I didn't always have such myself, but had a credit card whose balance owing I paid in full every month, and a fully secured line of credit at the bank (with interest rate level below what they charge on unsecured lines) which I'd draw on to pay off the credit card in full monthly, then save strenuously to retire the debt owing on the line of credit as soon as possible. I want my savings working for me ... not my debts working for someone else or another entity. When I have that ... I say that part of my work is producing nothing (current result) for me. Wait a minute ... since I've been retired, I'm not "working", right? Oh, well ... part of the pension goes to pay someone or an agency whose money I used temporarily. I want it working for me ... or one of the charities/churches that I choose to support. ole joyful
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lydia1959
17 years ago
Sounds like you are having a great time! Sedona is on my "to see" list!
foggyj
17 years ago
Glad you're having a good time. You're in beautiful country over there.
caroline94535
17 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
17 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
17 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_
17 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
17 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
17 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
17 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
17 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
17 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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