Sunday Ride

Sunday I was invited by Rob and Stefani for a horse ride in the Wenatchee foothills. Rob is a friend from 20 years ago so it was a catch up on old times.  It is so great to get a break from my work and spend a warm sunny day overlooking my American home town. The valley below was as beautiful as the snow covered mountains above. I even ran into one of 'me ol mates', Rufus Woods on the trail,  It's almost like I belong here.  Second photo is Rob and I and last shot is me stuck between the twin peaks, Stef and Jackie.  Am I lucky or what!  I got to jam a bit with Stef who is an outstanding singer and guitar player.  I love my home in London but these are the kind of friends that will bring us back here to live.  Thanks to the Johnson family, you're the best.

The Builder

That's me setting slate in the downstairs at our Lake Chelan house.  What used to be a respectable career is now a trade that is mostly unemployed.  I've done it all from the concrete to the roofing and everything in between but if this is your only means of income you could be in trouble.  Take a good look, it's not a pretty sight with a sore back, knees, bad hearing, and busted knuckles.  That's not even the worst of it.  Without a good education today, you'll wake up looking at some scank that's so ugly she could stop a clock and guess what,  that's the best you'll ever do.  All your friends will come from low places but they are the most fun,  I know because I've met um all.  Stay in school not only to have a better chance in today's job market but that's where all the babes are.   I got lucky 30 years ago working as a journeyman pressman before being a general contractor.  With only 2 years of college, I had something to fall back on, but the building market was hot and I always had work. Those days might be gone.

CT Scan

My sunny Arizona day started out with a routine check-up with the Urologist, AKA Dr. Big finger.  I really don't like this day or the Doctor but it's important.  So he does the usual degrading thing to me, then he says I think we need to check your bladder with a scope. OK fine with me lets do it.  What!  you're going to stick it in where?  YIKES!  Now I'm scared, I thought the worst was over.  So there I am with nothing on and in comes the nurse. Without so much as a smile or a kiss she washes my boys with with some kind of iodine and of course I don't have my camera. Next comes the scope, dam that thing is huge and I'm sweating now.  In it goes then the Doctor says "does your back hurt". You are kidding right?  With tears in my eyes I said hell no, but my pee hole is killing me.  He sees small kidney stones, so I'm sent to get a CT scan and ex ray of my bladder. I am then forced to put on this 'one size fits all' monkey suit that made me look like a sack of door nobs, shown here.  I have never had kidney stones and my back doesn't hurt, but I have been stripped from a lifetime of pride and dignity in about 2 hours. The CT scan showed all clear and all OK.  I wonder how many people pass kidney stones and don't even know it.  Red wine might be the answer.

Gramps

Yup that's me.  What a great visit with my two grand daughters Kiana and 5 week old Alexandra.  There is never enough time it seems but you just make the most of what you got.  It does bring back fond memories of when we brought those tiny infants home from the hospital starting our own families.  I am very proud of Brent and Sandra, they are wonderful parents with only one exception.  You just gotta turn on the Country Music if you want your children to be well educated and successful.  Kiana is 5 years old and I learn her modern pop music like  Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, and Adele, so we can sing together a bit.  That's OK for a while but kids today really need to learn the only two kinds of music that matter.  Country & Western. 

Best friend Bogey

Today Gene, Sara, Brooke and I, said goodbye to our faithful Cairn Terrier Bogey here in Arizona.  He had recently developed health problems and loss of his sight.  It was his time to go and he took part of my heart with him.  I laid my head on him in his last moments and told him he wouldn't hurt any more and I loved him.  Bogey was born in Seattle Washington in November 1998 and arrived that Christmas as a gift for our daughter Brooke.  He lived in Wenatchee Washington for 3 years then moved to Arizona with us in 2001. Bogey  stayed in Arizona with Brooke when Julie and I moved to England in 2007.  In 2009 he retired in Mesa Arizona on a golf course with friends Gene and Sara.  He did live out his last few years in fine style chasing his ball at 'yappy hour' each evening with the locals, and taking Gene and Sara for daily walks.  What wonderful friends to take care of our family pet in his final years for us.  We will never be able to repay you both.  Bogey was the only living soul in my life who was always happy to see me with no exceptions...Bless you buddy...show um your tricks in dog heaven.