Zona

Thirty three years after I did, my youngest graduated from high school. What was kinda cool is that our robes were the same color. (purple) I feel bad for him and my other kids in that Canadian high schools are so lame compared to American high schools. What makes me extra proud is that Robert had to do his last semester in Lehi because the government would not let me stay in Canada the extra 4 months so that he could graduate with all his friends.

Today is Mother's Day in Bolivia

The mother of my children is with her mother as her condition worsens by the day. Her sisters and our niece, all mothers as well, are in the house trying to maintain a certain level of sanity as a parade of visitors drop by to say good-bye to my mother-in-law. I have spoken to my mother-in-law and told her that I love her very much and that I will never be able to do enough for her.

Later this evening my daughter, her husband, and my niece will arrive to be here for my youngest child's high school graduation on Friday. It will be a houseful of laughing kids but my mother-in-law will always be in our minds.

So I go outside this morning to get the newspaper and I discover that the neighborhood has been invaded by flag planting patriots. It's Memorial Day. I wonder if I get to keep the flag. Maybe I'll toss it into the garage to see if they notice.

I was hoping you would call

is what Maggie told me last night. Her voice told the story and I tried my best to cheer her up just a little. They are trying to make her mother as comfortable as possible and prepare the food that she wants to eat. The strict diet has been tossed aside as everyone has come to the same conclusion. A doctor has finally told them what they have suspected for some time now. My mother-in-law would not survive the strain that dialysis would have on her. She is just too weak and has other debilitating conditions.

The arrangements have all been made and it's just come down to waiting. They are expecting a parade of family which will add considerably to their burden. In Bolivia, visitors arrive, and must be attended to. Must be offered tea or coffee and sometimes time their visits at meal times.

At this point I feel that I will be traveling upon hearing of my mother-in-law's passing. Just hearing my wife tells me that I will be needed. I will go to take care of what needs to be taken care of and then attempt to cast some of this burden off my wife and have it lightened before we leave Bolivia. Like all loss, it will be time to move on and live again.

Don't tell Maggie but there's a dog in the house.

The guy is here to make our 30-day-trial water softner system permanent and his chihuahua goes everywhere with him. It's a warm sunny day so of course the dog can come in versus sitting in the van. Conroy and Sabrina are chasing it everywhere so maybe it thinks the van wouldn't be a bad idea right now. It's a very well tempered dog and has enjoyed outrunning the kids.

The guy needs to cut a hole in the basement of the ceiling to find the water lines. I heard a "nope" and I know these houses are put together funky so maybe he needs two holes.

Earlier today I went to the motor vehicle dept and got Utah plates for the car. Showed the lady the Washington registration, gave her my address, walked with her to verify the vin, paid and voila', Utah plates.

Then I walked across the hall to get my driver's license. That was a failure because they want to see my social security card and I don't carry that thing around.

Oh well, My AZ license dosen't expire until 2023 so maybe I'll keep it.

We have heaven

I was sitting on my front porch listening to the birdsong and enjoying the breeze. Most of the families in the neighborhood are young. Families like we were 15 years ago. Kids ride by on bikes and glide by on scooters and a backyard BBQ wafts it's way to me in the early evening.

I love it here. I really do.

Calgary and Vancouver were nice but now I own the home so there's no landlord. We're on a hill so there's a spectacular view. All of the stores are over the hill and down the road so the speed limit for miles around me is 35 and there are no traffic lights. Down the street from me there is Village Pizza and it's kinda costly but they make their own dough and we support the neighbors every now and then. There's a sandwich shop as well. Then there's a Mexican restaurant that's actually pretty decent. I drop by every now and then for a tongue burrito.

Yes, you read that right.

They have Mexican popsicles, or "paletas" that are very good as well as a wide variety of phone calling cards for their Latin clientelle. They also have the special phone lines for sending money south to family throughout Latin America. They don't forget their gringo customers though, as there is a sign on the menu board indicating that the sides of beans and rice may be substituted with french fries or salad.

Close to the end of a good day and a 700 mile drive

I drove past the salt flats yesterday and discovered some great photos

My mother-in-law was on the edge of death just a couple of days away but is now improving. We're cautiously optimistic. She will need dialysis from here on out but she is gaining the strength she needs to be able to survive that ordeal.

I wished my wife a happy mother's day then I kissed her and hugged her and told he I loved her. Then she turned to walk through the security checkpoint and board a flight to Dallas that would lead to a flight to Miami then a flight to La Paz where her mother lies in a hospital bed slowly slipping away.

Everyone calls my mother-in-law Mamita Mary. Magaly and I support her mother financially and whenever Mamita Mary talks to me on the phone she breaks into tears thanking me for all I have done for her.

Mamita Mary has done far more for me than I will ever be able to do for her. She bore and raised the very reason for my existance and everything I am. She entrusted me with the child who would become the mother of my children.

I do not want Mamita Mary to go but I am sure it will not be too long now before I get a phone call that leads me through the security checkpoint and a flight to Dallas that takes me to a flight.....

I was paired up for my round today with Bobby Magruder. Bobby is in town for the US Golden Gloves Championships. He heads the region surrounding Washington DC. Bobby was one of the best people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting on a golf course. We were instant friends and the comments he made on my game showed me that he is the absolute right person to be working with young boxers. What is really amazing is that Bobby, back in the day, fought Sugar Ray Leonard on three occasions. Bobby went the distance with Leonard in all three fights. Bobby lost on two split decisions and one unanimous decision. You know, there just aren't many guys around who can say they went the distance with Sugar Ray Leonard. Bobby and Leonard remain friends to this day and play golf together whenever they can.

Bobby sank this birdie putt.

I don't know what it is but old cemeteries just bring out something in me. I want to know who these people were. How the mourners felt. Was it raining? Does anyone come by anymore? Is there anything left of them beneath the marker or has the earth completely reclaimed them?

So many thoughts that I enjoy pondering as I walk through and say hello to each of them. I feel more reverent in cemeteries than I ever have in church.

So I got this new lens I ordered. Took it out for a spin. This here is an uncropped photo to give you an idea of what it does. I was standing about four feet away from this larger than life sized statue.

Yep, I think I'll keep the wide angle thingamabob

Six hours at my nephew's graduation from Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. I had to get there early because mom wanted to hear President of the LDS Church, Thomas Monson speak. So we got there at 9 for the 10:30 start and got out of there at 3. As you can see, I found a couple of interesting shots. I always seem to find something good when I'm not looking very hard.

The whole thing started with the presentation of the colors by the ROTC and the singing of the national anthem. I have no idea why. I was kinda surprised that there was no prayer. Musta been a church/state separation thing but after I hear the national anthem I expect to see a ball game and grab a hot dog.

So my mom arrived Tuesday and Wednesday we drove out to Price, Utah to see some friends from the 'hood in Douglas that we hadn't seen in about 40 years. Then we took the back road through the hills over to Manti because mom wanted to see the temple. This road over the mountains requires chains from October to May but we were lucky in that it was dry. Very cool drive through Utah's coal mine area.