Dear Friends and Family,
As our second Christmas here in New Mexico approaches I reflect upon the year we had.
It was not one of our easy years this year that is for certain.
Right after the winter and it warmed up to work the land we spent the entire spring and most of the summer clearing the land. It took 5 months to cut down and break the weeds in half; 6 to 9 feet tall weeds, with my bad balance, standing in the back of the truck, smashing weeds down. It was a sight to see.
We took a break for Timmy’s 30th Birthday. As he and Rachel came down here to visit. I made a 30th Birthday Bash video. I cooked up a storm. On the night they arrived I made homemade triple meat pizza and raviolis. The next morning for breakfast I made crepes. Then we went bowling at the only entertainment place in town. For Lunch that day we had the Famous Blake’s Lottaburger. And for dinner my wife made her famous taco bake. And on his birthday Monday March 13th we hung out around the homestead and land. I taught him the basics of the Okinawan spear, and later we had a huge grill out with brats and steaks.
It was one heck-of-a Birthday Bash.
We were sad to see them go, but it was back to work for us. As we had the weeds left around the trees to clear. To clear the last loads of weeds, we rented a trailer to hook to the back of the truck. We had the truck and trailer both loaded full of weeds.
Finally the land was cleared.
We had a pretty fun summer. As we drove towards home in Illinois to visit for my Dad’s 80th Birthday Bash. We explored our new state of New Mexico a bit.Our first stop was Santa Fe to see the miraculous staircase at the Loretta Chapel.
It was truly amazing and it turned out to be the highlight of the trip.
Our stop in Colorado Springs did not go as expected; we did not get to see the Dinosaur Museum due to a problem at the hotel. They would not accept our cat Trixie who bared the drive home with us, she was a good girl along the way.So we drove around to find another pet friendly hotel that accepts both cats and dogs. By the time we found one and checked in, it was too late for the Dinosaur Museum and all the things we had planned in Colorado Springs. So we focused on the drive home to Moline Illinois, instead. In Moline, our first stop was actually in Iowa City to go to the Perkins for a piece of pie, then we got a Hardees Biscuit, and then drove by the Old House in Moline, the new owners made a lot of changes.I am happy we sold it to them, they really fixed it up nice.
The first night at home we invited Tammy, Kent, Scott, and Jenifer to have dinner with us at the Las Agaves.
The second day we spent it at the White Water Junction Water Park.
We saw some of our friends there, all but Norman. Even with my bad shoulder I rode the slides, did the drop slides,
and did my tai chi in the water.
We saw Ken’s Grave, had Harris Pizza, and hung out again with our son Tim and his fiancée Rachel the third day. That night was my Dad’s 80th Birthday Bash. We had a blast at the bash! It was nice to see everyone.
And we left to head back to our new home here in New Mexico the next day.
Now as Christmas we reflect on our year, in our memories of Kenny we had, and in the world. With the wars in Ukraine, Israel, the raise of hate, mass shootings, and the divisions in this country and abroad, it is hard to find the peace and the true meaning of Christmas, which is to have peace on earth and good will toward man. Let us have that hope we shall. +
