Friday, February 22, 2013

OUR LAST MORNING DESERT WALK WITH AUNT JEAN:((

DSC_0002

First thing I do upon awakening every morning is to peer out the window scanning the sky for stars.  Lots of stars visible this morning so knew we were going to start the day under sunny skies.  For me, that is always encouraging.  And, especially this morning because it would be our last desert walk with Aunt Jean.

DSC_8390

IT WAS A 2 HAWK MORNING WALK

It was with mixed feelings as Aunt Jean, Kelly, Pheebs & I headed through the old cowboy gate out into the desert.  Jean leaves Saturday morning & we will be on the road to Surprise Arizona before the sun is up.  A Blue Shuttle Van will pick her up where it dropped her off a couple short weeks ago at the Golden Corral.

DSC_0028

 DSC_0008 DSC_0017

Jean has said several times, this will be her last trip west & I couldn’t help but think of that as we ambled along our familiar morning trail for the last time.  Jean loves the big rock formations in the desert so we spent time walking amongst & marveling at the wondrous forces of nature.  So nice seeing Jean enjoying herself walking amongst the rocks. 

DSC_0015

OUR VERY MUCH MOST FAVORITE INTREPID EXPLORER

Health issues are a concern now, the long flight was difficult, & the cold weather really took it’s toll.  But, we have to look on the bright side.  Having Aunt Jean come west for the past 2 years has been a great adventure for all of us.  How nice it has been watching her enjoy herself.  The Jeep rides, the rock scrambles, great suppers, the chats, morning coffee, evening ‘Dragon’s Den’ television, afternoon snoozes, a campfire, play times with the Pheebs, bird watching, & my personal favorite…morning desert walks.   The list goes on.   I asked Jean what her favorite time was in the past couple weeks, & as expected, it was the day we Jeeped ourselves out to House Rock.  Nearby was a formation of rocks she had seen on our header picture before coming west this year.  And, it was those rocks she most wanted to see.  Jean’s favorite moments can be found here at, A PERSONAL TRIUMPH FOR AUNT JEAN:))  Adventures & memories we will all have with us forever. 

DSC_0027

Rest of our day was quiet.  In fact, so quiet that I missed part of it.  Rare for me to sleep during the day but sleep I did for awhile this afternoon.  Jean & I had talked for quite awhile about years gone by & reminisced about our old home town of Tavistock Ontario.  People we had remembered, family members past & present, school teachers old enough to have taught us both, future plans, hopes & dreams, & just about anything we might not have a chance to talk about again.  Our conversation was as enjoyable as it was sad.

DSC_0011

At some point in the afternoon Jean attempted a crossword puzzle & it put her to sleep.  I pulled out my Chevy Chassis manual to look up a few things & I was gone too.  Nothing puts me to sleep faster than trying to read something.  My eyes quickly tire & my body soon follows.  The ingredients on a corn flakes box could have me unconscious in minutes.

DSC_0023

Woke up just in time to haul myself out of my chair, put my hat on, & join the ladies heading out the door for supper.  It was a short trip to Nichols West.   Jean really enjoyed her Shrimp & Kelly enjoyed her Spring Rolls & Beet salad.    

IMG_0648 

JEAN CHECKS THE MENU AT NICHOLS WEST       

DSC_0007

GROANER’S CORNER:(( 

521873_506828429370167_76190963_n

-------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- "If having a soul means being able to feel
love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals
are better off than a lot of humans."
(James Herriot)
- The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails -William Arthur Ward
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right now...AL.
- It is not so much having nothing to do as it is not having the interest to do something....AL.

11 comments:

  1. Lovely blog tonight, Al - sweet memories that will last forever - wishing Aunt Jean a safe flight home!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your Aunt Jean is amazing. I hope
    I am that spunky and fit when
    I am her age. You all have lots
    of great memories.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love the last picture of you all together. It's wonderful that she was able to see you house, and get to know the desert in your back yard.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think many of us have enjoyed the visit from Aunt Jean. She is an amazing woman when you think of how well she gets around and the energy she has for walking, rock scrambling, etc.

    For the last two years when I planned my trip to New York and points east, I have said "this is probably the last time I'll make this drive" I'm saying it again this year, and I hope I'm still saying it 5 years from now. So you just never know....

    ReplyDelete
  5. Right now its probably the last time she will come.... But by next year when she has forgotten the cold and yearns for the good times, she may well come back... I wouldn't just assume its over.....

    ReplyDelete
  6. So nice that you were able to enjoy Aunt Jeans company for the last two years in Arizona.
    And I have learned never to say never, things have been know to change.

    ReplyDelete
  7. It is sooo important to listen to our elders and the stories they tell..I often wish I had taken a tape recorder to Uncle Jr.'s...I still could, but he isn't as "reflective" as he once was...Savor those moments with Aunt Jean...Who knows, maybe you and Kelly can go her way next year!! Florida is warm, Al..just sayin'.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great last picture of the 4 of you amongst the rocks!!! Good memories...

    ReplyDelete
  9. Bittersweet.

    I'm with Aunt Jean. I can't do a crossword without napping. No idea what there is - probably the strenuous thinking.

    I've been pretty impressed with her rock climbing and general locomotion.

    Yes, this has been a cold winter. Maybe it won't be so easy for her to resist next year. Does she visit you in Ontario during the summer?

    ReplyDelete

  10. What a terrific vacation out West for Aunt Jean .....She is amazing ..... Lucky you having such a wonderful Auntie !!!!
    What a treasure ...... And may I report, it is currently a balmy 81 degrees here in Sarasota today so Aunt Jean's arrival home will be toasty ...... I'm sure she will be savoring the memories for a long, long, time !!!!!
    Just never know, Sir Duke and I may be out on a walk and run smack into Aunt Jean along the way...Sure hope so.....
    WELCOME HOME, Aunt Jean !!!!

    ReplyDelete