Last Week in California

Wow, what a week. I thought I knew Southern California, but 30 years away, with just short
visits can not keep the familiarization current. When we flew into LA-X, we got a car, and began our treck to Arcadia. It was rush hour, and it took over 2 and 1/2 hours to get there.
and that was without freeways. Have you ever been confussed? Well, I was. A freeway had
two entrances, one west and one east...only the directions seemed to be in different directions
than the signs. Indigen (native) folks know that the 913 freeway goes to this city or that city,
which is a far cry from the impression a foreigner (alien) gets. So-o we left LAX and began to go north on Sepulveda.... that street used to go into San Fernando Valley , and may still, but
somehow the streets seemed to indicate our closing in on the Beach area.... And Cuver city
seemed the wrong way to go when we wanted Huntington and the area near the Race Track.

Then Soperhill, and Century seemed to be next to each other... now remember, it has been 30 years since I've lived there, and things change. Then there is the other freeway, the 27-3 which goes up and down, and not in any direction.....

My Sister was angel. She made maps with highlined directions... Hoo Booy - we were able to get from one place to another.... visited with my grandson and his wonderful lady. He took us to near the center of LA, and we went to the 1st French Dip Sandwitch shop in the State ? or
perhaps the West coast ? I forget which..

Seriously, we had a fantastic time, and enjoyed ourselves. To finish out the trip, we went to Disneyland in Buena Park..... without kids....? ...Yep, withjust ourselves and us old one's had
a great time.... There is anew CALIFORNIA area we had no idea was there... The wife did not
want to go to any parachute dropping, so we settled on a Big Wheel with gondola's on it... just
like the old Fair Wheel... only with swinging baskets - not for those with funny stomach's.
And there was the Indiana Jones Ride. It was nice to hear my wife laugh a lot. Another ride
was the "Soaring over California" at least I think that was the name.... what a great ride that was...

There was only one problem area.... I put the claim check for our car on the rental car counter, when looking for the paper work for the rental, and forgot to put it back in my wallet. So when we got off the Jet in Sea Tac - and went to the parking lot, we had no claim check, with the words - "No car will be released without this claim check." The guys at Park and Jet, were great. I did not have to walk bare foot on hot coals, or go anything ... they were understanding, but they did snicker, when I told them where the claim check was.....All in all,
we had a great time.....

23 March 2010

Today, we think of our 5th child whom was born on this day and
this month- He will tell you the year, if he wants, not I.

Life is so great. Mother had us buy a book, "The Survivors Club."
It is by Ben Sherwood. We have been (I should say,) I have been
reading it, and 3/4 finished. The book has opened my eyes to
see why I have had such a charmed life. Why I am still living
and why I am so upbeat most of the time. You may argue,"that
is not true."

Over the years, I have been extreamly lucky. The book tells me
that it is a state of mind, and that the way one looks at what
happens around him/her - and the way it affects him/her, is
not as important as what he/she thinks about what is happening.

Wed, our next day, we will be flying to California. We are to see
my Sister, with whom we can stay, and visit with my Brother
while there. We were to celebrate the birthday of Ann's uncle
Charles. This will not be possible, as her Uncle Gene is in the
hospital in Columbus and his kidneys have failed. So Charles
will be in Ohio, when we are in California. And, yes the child in
me wants to go to the Magic Kingdom... so we will be there for
two days. When we return, we will have pictures and I think,
stories... we will visit some of our former friends - from 1960"s
through 1976. If they are still there, and alive.

Back to today- I am getting rid of some of my things - at my
age, I do not need so much. I will get rid of my old lawn mower
for I have a self propelled one, that has a key starter. And I will
be going through all my treasures in the Garage, with an eye
toward getting rid of many of those items, I have not used for
many years.. I will keep the snow shovel, and some of the tools
that can be used, but the yard is about how we want it, now.

My big project was to build a bird house, and it is almost finished
so now I will put it up, near our bird feeder. I fixed it so the
squirels can not get to the food.... so, now something is getting into
the bucket we have at the outside of the back door-- for some days,
we found it knocked over and the recycling follage, on the floor of
the deck... i put a couple of drops of fuel on it, to discourage those
animals brought there by smell.... but that is only a temporary
fix.

As stated above, Life is Good. I married above me, and so "My" life
has been superb... and satisfying. I love my wife, of almost 50 years,
and each of my 7 (or so) children.... each has made a great life for
themselves... some may not think so, but from my aged view, it is
so.

may GOD our FATHER bless each of you whom read this tome..that
you may have a rich and happy life. Remember, it is not the value of
things, - but the value of relationships and good times.

Wow, all this from an "Oldguy."

Almost as good as new

Tonight, the 8th of March is 2 months post op.. and my new knee feels a
part of me...without too much discomfort. What a blessing. Of course
there is the pat down at the Airport to look forward towards. some
fat guy using a wand and then rubbing my legs and arms...ugh.

This year we look forward to having 27 grandkids. Sometimes it is a
full time job just to keep up. For exmple, this last weekend, we were
at our lodest girl's home. she was celebrating having one of her girls
home to participate at a wedding of a near by friend. Present at the
gathering were three of our greatgrandsons.. Rider,Ethan,and Eli.

At first one or two were shy, but after a few minutes,two ignored me
and the third crawled all over me, and acted as if we were good friends
which was a great thing for me. At first you try to do right in the
raising of hour kids. Then along come the grandkids.. one cannot be
as involved, nor comment , not be uneven in the time, attention,or
presents here. You just evaluate what you taught your children,
and see if they got the message you were teaching. It is too late for
you to do any correction.. the die is cast. Hopefully, as in my case
the kids handle their children (and their grandchildren) well.

As we approch our 50th year of marriage, we look forward to seeing
our 27 grandchildren, and 5 greatgrandchildren - handle well that
which our FATHER in heaven expects them to handle.

I guess what I am saying,is that Life is good. Somehow, my children
are going to be just great.

Now, as for what I have written, no I have not made any mistakes
as to the numbers I have posted- that is, I really have no idea about
the greatgrand children yet.

Ann had a problem, and we had it checked, and she is O.K. If any-
thing happened to her,I have no idea how I would cope.. She is
my life. She helps me plan whqt to do, and when to do it.

We do have a problem... we got a new High def. TV and have
Comcast putting the channels on it...but, how do we play our
CD movies, or our VHR movies. How do we record the TV
we waqnt to watch later? We are SO technicaly challanged.

Please Call or E-mail and let us now how to program or system.

More later, if the creek will rise, and the Good Lord gives us
the time.

14 March

Wow, just 2 days after Dorothy, my mom's 98th anniversary of birth... How I
wish she had stayed with us. then again, I feel young, what with a new knee,
a new hip, and someparts removed.....why shouldn't I feel young ?

Neat is being accepted by my great grandsons, and playing with them.
You see, the grandkids are all getting grown up and married...
thank goodness some of them are yet young.

Soon we will not have 3 missionaries out ! Two are comming home in the
next few months. What changes we may see in RL, and in J. Andrew is not
a greenie now, but is still in his first part.... RL and J will be getting on with
their lives.

FATHER has been kind to our family. We have been truly blessed, and
cared for in the past, and also at this time.

Say, I need help in this family search... our ancester, Julia Ann Bass
was born in Boone Co. Missouri in 1840. Her mother Lucy and father
were from Virgina. the difference in ages is great..... Eli was born in
1775, and Lucy was born in 1805. Julia was born in 1840. She married
GGGrandfather in 1858 in Missouri, and they lived in that area all their
lives.. If you want to help, I'll send you the info..so you can look also.

Brother Joseph was told that this work is so important, that if not
done, the creation of the world would have been for nothing.

On another matter cousin Diana Campbell Zemp was on vacation
in Australia, and was put in the Hospital in a state of unresponsiveness
... She is now comming out of it. Prayses be. Our families should
always pray for each other, and be kind to all. We love you - one and all.

Well, that's it for now... LOVE YA