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I am one of those people who picks stuff up off the ground.  Pennies?  Sure!  But, I’m more interested in odd items that others would likely consider garbage.  On our recently traveled 2400 mile road trip, we had to stop a number of times (potty breaks are a definite must when traveling with four legged companions) and treasures were keenly discovered in a variety of elevations!  Colored glass fragments, bottle caps (rusty and not), a lock washer (thanks Russ!), black bullet cases, a chain link fence remnant (ya, really) etc, etc.  After seeing us return from hiking the nearby hills every morning with the dogs during our visit, the dear and delightful Doris bestowed unto me this particular cholla stick she had discovered on a camping trip about 15 years ago in Ajo, Arizona and reconfigured into a walking stick! I loved the shape of it as well as the fact that it is lightweight and flexible!  Desert living is a little foreign to me and the ...

I’m not talking about the spoiled rotten kind on TV from New Jersey, Atlanta, New York, Alabama, Dallas, Las Vegas... or wherever they live.  I’ve never bothered to watch those programs.  Those housewives are spoiled, narcissistic women who do nothing but shop, argue, go to lunch and have their hair, boobs and nails done.  The housewives I’m cheering on are the ones who rarely exist anymore. The housewives I’m talking about are the ones some of us grew up with - the really amazing ones that we called Mom. She got married to her one and only love right out of high school.  During those first years, they discussed the possibility of children and he told her that he hadn’t grown up with Super Dad as a role model; his mom had worked as well and he wanted a different scenario for their children.  His hope was that she would stay at home and make sure the kids felt safe and taken care of.  She was happy and willing to take on that challenge. The housewi...

If you knew my Dad, you’d never describe him as a gambler.  He would play Poker, Pit & Rummoli when we celebrated holidays with friends.  Oh, and we did go to Longacres to take a chance on the ponies one time, but for the most part, wagering was not Dad’s thing.  With that being said, you might be intrigued to learn that he actually bet his entire life on some baseball games!   The 1959 World Series! Dad starting college Talk about serendipity!  Mom’s older brother, Ed, and Dad both hit Inglewood, California that same weekend.  By chance, they both chose the same boarding house for college back in February of 1957 and a few days later decided to get their own two-bedroom place on La Tijera Blvd with a couple of other fellas.  Three of the guys were enrolled in the mechanics side of the school, and Dad was the group’s engineer.  They all shared rides to campus and learned about life going to school and living together as ...

I don’t remember particular specifics about the pregnancy.  No morning sickness.  No strange cravings for odd combinations of food.  I was as round as a basketball and felt as clunky as the Bare Traps we had worn in high school.  I was scared of how it would all happen; The Birth itself.  Books and instructors, your friends and your family can tell you what it will be like.  The Miracle of Life is an incredible event.  Truly, that’s what it is.  If you have experienced it, you’ll understand a little better than if you have not.  That moment when a new life swooshes forth.  With a slap on the back and the cry that follows; everything else is a whirlwind.  Incredible!  This new life is one that you created, and is one that you will always love and cherish.  No matter what. His Story began in the PNW.  Unexpected but tremendously anticipated!  Joining a big brother only a little over two years older.  T...

Our world is taking us on a ride in the fast lane.  Everything is a blur.  We are in such a hurry to get to our destination that we don’t even take the time to look at the passing roadside anymore.  We are in a race to get “there”, but really, where are we heading? A lot of times we get on the road and head right over to that left hand lane, even if we can’t get up to the required speed.  Unknowingly, we slow down those behind us.  It might be the lane that we think we want to be in; the lane we deserve to be in (?) without realizing what is expected while there?  Perhaps those pages in the instruction manual were missing when we were handed the book?  Not sure if life comes with an instruction manual?  We probably didn’t all read the same book anyway? Over time, we learn the rules.  Do we have what it takes?  Would it be easier to avoid it all together?  In general, we are all capable of being there, but we need to kn...

"Whatever your heart desires" she overheard a man say as she stepped out of the elevator after work that night.  She didn't look around to see who had said it or to whom the words were being spoken to, she just kept moving forward.  What was it that her heart desired? she wondered as she walked out the front door of the building and into the brisk twilight toward her car.  In her younger years there had always been a desire for something; some certain, but unspecified thing. Looking out into the dark, starry night as Mr. Moon started to come up over the other buildings and cast a soft champagne glow on the city, she turned the headlights on, backed up and started her trek home.  There was a little twinkle here and there as the sky started turning midnight blue and enveloped her surroundings the further away from work she drove.  After a day like today, a tranquil evening was definitely needed - she desired that; an evening to reflect on the days events with...

I opted to play hostess to yard sales this summer in order to let go of product I had received from The Company over the years.  They didn't want to pay to ship any of it back then pay other people to restock it, so every Friday and Saturday for a whole month, I set up my garage like a mini store.  I put out signs, opened my garage doors & had the opportunity to meet wonderful people, start new relationships and enjoy tremendous conversations.  When no one else seemed to be on their way that last weekend, I picked up my signs, closed up my doors & sighed.  I put the leftovers in boxes and neatly labeled each one.  When I taped up that last box I cried; it meant closure and it meant time to move forward.  That was also the moment I realized that I'm at a crossroads in life.  Kids grown and living on their own.  A house that's too big for the two of us.  Ready to step into a new role, but, at the same time, unsure of what direction t...