HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL,
Again it has been a while, but I have an excuse. Seems the aggressive aleve taking for my arthritis was not good for my stomach, which caused me to have a bleeding ulcer. After trying to tough it out for a couple of weeks I had to cry "uncle" and seek medical help. I spent five days in hospital, but, am now home safe and sound. May not have been quite so bad if I had not popped 4 of them every morning on an empty tummy, duh. So bare in mind, "Do as I say not as I do". Anyway, all is good now.

Bob and I are anxiously awaiting Cook and Chet. They are flying here tomorrow for a few days, then the three of us are going to work our way back to Nampa via Las Vegas. We hope to do some shopping there for Christmas before heading on north. It is a busy time of year as you all know and as usual I am way behind and not the least bit concerned about that. Will be fun to get into the kitchen with the kids and make all the goodies. Just thinking about the smells and laughs brings a smile to my face. Tis the best time of year. Bob will be flying up to Nampa the 22nd to join in the fun.

I wish joy and happiness for all of you and look forward to seeing everyone.

I think I may have been slightly remiss in keeping all informed of the adventures in the desert, so here is the latest. After a day of cleaning out the garage and filling the back of the Jeep with goodies of every kind and description, Bob settled in for the night planning to take said goodies to the Legion for the annual yard sale on Sat. He went out yesterday morning only fo find the Jeep wouldn't start. Strange eminations from lights and horn, but, no motor. Deciding the battery was low he hooked up battery charger only to find that it registered 0. Now everyone who lives in the desert knows batteries are only good for about 3 years, regardless of how many miles you put on car, or even if it is always stored in garage. Sooo, he decided to take it out, load it into my car and take it and have it checked. After much ado and to do, borrowing tools from friend Terry, because of course bolts are metric, he finally got it out and into my car. Off to the parts store. Sure enough said battery is DEAD!!! so he bought the only one in town that fits his Jeep, loaded it in my car. Now as he is starting to leave, low and behold, my Altima won't start. So going into the store again he borrows a tester for my battery only to find it too is DEAD!!! Needless to say they just happen to have battery for car and would be happy to lend him tools to replace my battery, because, of course I don't happen to carry tools of that nature in my car. After about 3 hours and much cussing and $300 we are both proud owners of new batteries.

In the I meantime made arrangements to go to the Legion with friend Debbe for "burger night" prep. And of course being Vets day there was an inordinate amount of activity which put us somewhat behind. Sooo we imbibed a little, took in the concert the high school band put on for the Vets. and waited for the kitchen to clear. Bob had made it through a shower and came ready for something to ease the heat he had suffered through all day. We finished the day with hamburgers and booze, then returned home to enjoy the spa and festive lights and fire in fire pit.

Not a jack o lantern, but, a lovely candle

A gardenia Bob planted for me finally bloomed the first time on my birthday. It has been a wonderful one.

Yes, here I am again on terra firma after having a SUPERB day!! I got to take that special ride that I had listed on my "bucket list". It was a great day to do anything, and especially this. The pictures are a little more in sequence if you start at the bottom ( haven't mastered that problem yet) with the glider behind the tow plane. Then just a close up of the glider without and with me. The pilot is a great guy who was very informative. He gave me a crash course in the controls then told me not to touch them. The towing part was the least fun, noisier and a little rough. Reason being that the tow plane goes faster so there is kind of a dragging feeling, if that makes sense. Once we were free it was the most liberating feeling I have ever had, only the sound of the air passing and going slow enough to really take in the views. When catching thermals it feels like someone is lifting the seat and the opposite is true when it goes away. This is toward the end of the season so the "lifts" were few and far between. The pilot was impressed at how calm I was, asked if I had spent much time in small planes, told him only ones with motors. He did some tight curls in the thermals he said he wouldn't do if I had been uptight. Didn't tell him I wasn't smart enough to be afraid. The only thing that I gave a thought to was the landing and only because, as you can see, I was right in the nose. It was a smooth landing and I would jump at the chance to do it again anytime.

This is a story of how I learned to keep my eyes open when walking in the early morning. Yesterday I started out with a smile on my face and a song in my ear, when as I crossed the street in front of the house I nearly stepped on a SNAKE coiled on the warm pavement. Little did I now I could learn the "levitated side step" dance so quickly. It is a sure way to wake you up to your surroundings. After completing my walk, I came back by to see the critter had been run over and that there were no rattles on the snake.

As in the way of Mother Nature, later in the day the turkey vultures were cleaning up the mess. Not often one can get up close and personal with these great birds.

Just another day in the desert. Open invitation, come on down.

Okay, once again it has been a while, but, do I have some exciting news. "Honey Bob" surprised me with a "STUPENDIS" birthday gift. Go ahead try and guess. Think flight jacket, goggles, silk scarf around neck. Give up? How about a flight in a glider!!! It has been one of the things on my to do list along with going up in hot air balloon, going on sail boat, both of which i have done. I'm soooo excited!!! Will have full report when I get back.