Home From The Hills, Part 2

Up we got at daybreak, drove around the Badlands a bit, had our Indian Frybread with blueberry sauce, and then off we went to the Black Hills to see the Rushmore National Monument.  After that, we headed straight for Wyoming and Devil's Tower.

The boys hiked to the bottom of the tower, but did not attempt an ascent.  As you can see, the weather was gorgeous, the view was impressive, and a good time was being had by all.

For the rest of the day, our main goal was to reach our motel in Sheridan, in order to have a full day for sightseeing the next day.  Good thing we gave ourselves daylight for that, because Sheridan had a lot of construction going on the roads, and much of the street that our motel was on was completely closed off to traffic - it took a while to find our stopping place!

The next morning, we took off for the Bighorn Scenic Byway, which goes past Shell Falls and then over the spectacular Granite Pass.  On our way up it was snowing, which frosted the trees and landscape beautifully.  

At the top, the snow stopped, and we were able to get out and really take in the view.

Gradually the clouds cleared, and we enjoyed spectacular views of the Bighorn Mountains as we passed through them.  

  

So it was a very nice day as we got to the lovely town of Cody, Wyoming.  We easily found our motel, the Cody Cowboy Village, which was our favorite of the motels we stayed at on this vacation; the gal at the desk (we're pretty sure she never sleeps) was helpful and extremely friendly, the rooms were spacious and cozy and immaculate, and the boys loved the spa/hot tub!  Our motel turned out to be right next to the Cody Cattle Company, and that was right next to the place where they hold the Cody Nite Rodeo.  So we figured we were set - we'd have dinner and a show next door, and then head for the rodeo.

Well, we got the dinner and show.  But unfortunately while we were settling in at our motel, the rain started up in earnest.  It turned out that Wyoming has been getting the same generous precipitation this spring that the Badlands had been getting.  Unfortunately, along with the green grass, they've also been getting mud - and since the Cody Nite Rodeo is not in an enclosed space, slippery mud can be a serious issue for the horses.  So we found that for once, our plans had gone somewhat awry - the rodeo for that night was cancelled, for only the third time in the long memory of the fine people at the restaurant and motel.

We comforted ourselves with the fact that our next day's plans didn't require the rain to stop, and settled ourselves snugly into our comfy beds for a good night's rest - probably not a bad idea in any case, since by then I had developed a rotten cold.

The next morning we said our goodbyes to our room and our hostess, and headed over to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, an impressive building holding several separate galleries, each devoted to their own collection.  All of us enjoyed the exhibit dedicated to the history of Buffalo Bill and his exploits, but we each had our own favorite gallery.  Handsome Son loved the firearms museum, which covered the history of American firearms from the Revolution through the World Wars.  I particularly enjoyed the display of western art, including some wonderful paintings and sculptures by such luminaries as Charles Russell and Frederick Remington.  

Finally we tore ourselves away, and headed towards the east gate of Yellowstone National Park, which had been closed the day before, but was now open.  We quickly discovered why there were so many closings of roads and of Yellowstone gates:

Still, we drove through Yellowstone without incident.  Well, without unpleasant incident.  We had incidents involving bears and wolves and other forms of (somewhat damp) wildlife, which was a thrill for all of us.

We also spent nearly two hours touring around the hot springs and geyser basin area of the park.  We arrived at Old Faithful just as it finished erupting, so we had 90 minutes or so to kill before the next eruption.  Luckily they have paved a path around the area, so that those of us confined to scooters and wheelchairs could gawk at all the points of interest, of which there were many.

I thought this looked like the face of a cranky old man squinting up into a cold sky...

We got back from our tour just in time to see Old Faithful erupt in a very satisfying way, and then off we went, heading towards our hotel in Jackson Hole.  But first we had to get something to eat, since it was dinner time and we hadn't eaten since our early brunch.  On our way through the Teton Mountain range, we stopped at Jackson Lake Lodge's Mural Room, where we ate an excellent (although not cheap) meal while gaping at the gorgeous scenery displayed through their panoramic picture windows (click the link to see the view from the windows - that isn't a painting, it's what you actually look at as you eat).

We spent a bit more time at the lodge, just looking out the windows and pottering about on the veranda, but eventually we had to head towards our lodgings.  Jackson is a tourist town, so I suppose there is some sort of logic to the street layout, but we were only starting to figure it out by the time we left.  Luckily, you can get a free map of the town at any of the many restaurants or hotels - we suggest you do so sooner rather than later, if you plan to visit.

As it was, we were pretty tired and slightly cranky by the time we found our hotel, so the boys were grateful for a stint in the hot tub, and then we all just fell into bed.  The next day we were up early and raring to go - and go we did, to Jenny Lake, a jewel gently set in the exquisite frame of the surrounding Teton Mountains.

The boys left me lounging in comfort at the charming Jenny Lake Lodge, where I had a delicious lunch and then curled up in front of the cozy fire in the lounge (have a visit with the concierge if you are lucky enough to stop there - she is from the Twin Cities, and represents the best of Minnesota Nice).  

Meanwhile the guys took the ferry from the Visitor Center to the mountainous side of the lake, and from there they had a 3.5 hour hike and Guy Bonding Session around the rim of the lake - they also bonded with some very bold marmots and other smallish woodland critters, and saw a black bear at what was luckily a more comfortable distance.

After their long hike, the guys were happy to get back to Jackson Hole for a stint in the hot tub, a short nap, and a very generous serving of ribs from Bubba's BBQ.

The next day was largely devoted to rest, hot tubbing, doing the laundry, and looking for a hat for Scott. In the evening, however, we went to the Bar J Chuckwagon for a traditional cowboy supper and a truly impressive music and comedy show by the Bar J Wranglers.  We had a great time, and fell into bed that night full to the gills with food and entertainment.

Up at 4am, packed our gear into the van again, and it was time to hightail it for home.  But we still had time along the way to see more wildlife, gawk at the sights...

... and get ourselves in a minor scrape or two.  About one mile outside the gates of Yellowstone, we (meaning 'I') locked ourselves out of the car, and were informed by the gift shop personnel that the rangers did not feel obligated to help anyone who was outside of the boundaries of the park proper.  Great.  The nearest locksmith or patrol car would have to come from Cody, at least an hour's drive away.  Luckily I talked Impatient Spouse out of his 'let's break the windshield' idea; after a bit of a struggle with a wire hanger, Impatient Spouse's handy Leatherman, and with the help of a passing Cheesehead (we Midwesterners have to stick together), we were able to break into our own van and get back on the road in fairly short order.**

Off we went again, and got past Cody with no further incidents... until we hit Shell, at which point we discovered that the highway we were on was closed further up, there were no alternate routes open, and we had to turn around and go back.  But we are nothing if we are not flexible (when forced to be so), so we backtracked to Greybull, went south instead of north, and took a great big loop around the higher areas of the Bighorns in order to get back up to I90.  A less scenic and much less direct route, but luckily the lower climes allowed for faster speeds, so although we added a lot of miles, we didn't add too much time to our trip.  By nightfall we were safely ensconced in our motel in Wall, SD, home of ubiquitous signage and thus the famous Wall Drug.  

Up at a more reasonable 6am the next morning, well in time for breakfast and ice water at Wall Drug, then off for another long stint of driving.  Handsome Son took over the driving near the Minnesota border, just in time to spend more than three hours traveling with a spectacular thunderstorm that was heading towards the Twin Cities.  He handled the stresses of straight-line winds and nearly zero visibility with grace, and we safely arrived at home by nightfall.  

Goodbye and thank you, Wyoming and South Dakota.  It was wonderful to meet you - we hope to visit again some day!

** For what are probably obvious reasons, I'm not entirely certain this is a good thing, even though it allowed us to get on our way with minimal delay and expenditure.  Let me point out, also for obvious reasons, that our van is more than ten years old and is a very basic model - the only semi-valuable thing in it is my similarly old and battered wheelchair scooter, which we got from a pawn shop at a very very low price, for good reason.  I'm just sayin'...

Home From The Hills, Part 1

We weren't sure I was going to make it, right up until the day before we left.  But finally the hip was painful-but-functional, and at 4am we packed up the van and took off for our little vacation in South Dakota and Wyoming.  Wagon, ho!!

Scott took care of the first major stretch of driving, and then Handsome Son took a nice long stint, leaving his dad the last bit before we pulled into our first destination: the Badlands.

Oh, it was both wonderfully familiar and magically different!  In the autumn of two years ago, the grass was golden and blended beautifully with the weird and wonderful rock formations.

This spring, however, the rangers tell us that there is more green in the Badlands than there has been in living memory.  Imagine, pools of water in the Badlands!!

It was different, but it was still beautiful, and we all were very happy to be there.  We stayed for two nights at Cedar Pass Lodge - the cabins were very small and basic, but there was a/c and very comfortable beds, and the view was gorgeous.  What more could you want?  Not much, obviously...

Well, you might want some Indian Fry Bread.  The Cedar Pass Lodge has a little cafe, where at night they have taco fixings on fry bread, and in the morning they have fry bread with a wonderful blueberry sauce.  Not bad at all...

You also might want to attend the Night Sky talks at the ampitheatre near the campgrounds - a fun presentation is followed on clear nights by the opportunity to use some very nice telescopes, so that you can gape at distant galaxies and nebulas and planets.  We didn't get the opportunity to use said telescopes this time around, but we did get a spectacular view of a close-passing storm - I've never seen pink lightning before!

On the day after we arrived - and after eating our fry bread and blueberries, of course - we drove through the Badlands Loop, and then spent time driving around the Black Hills.  

Between driving on the Needles Highway and the Iron Mountain Road, we stopped for a wine tasting and wonderful lunch at the Prairie Berry Winery.  Then off we went for more Eye Candy.  Along the way we met some old friends...

And some new ones...

And basically spent our time feeling at one with the universe.

Then back to Cedar Pass for the night.  What a wonderful time we were having!!

to be continued...

In My Easter Bonnet...

We had a lovely Easter.

We started out with an Easter Breakfast with Handsome Son and his new girlfriend, who was delightful.

I wore a truly exuberant Easter Bonnet, with all the frills upon it.  It was truly impressive.

Later in the afternoon we went to my cousins' house for lots of chatting, a bit of stuffing our faces with delicious goodies, a few games of Bocce Ball in the spring sunshine for those who could do such things (there was lots of laughing, which was wonderful), and the obligatory group photos.**

In front of the Easter Bonnet there is Lovable Sister and Charming Parent; in the middle - next to the Easter Bonnet - there is Handsome Son (who has enough hair for both of us) and Beloved Husband; and in the back - peering out from behind the Easter Bonnet, which apparently likes to chew up the scenery - is the other Charming Parent.

The Easter Bonnet had a grand time.  I did, too.

**And I mean 'obligatory' quite literally.  Cousin Mary was very forceful in rounding us up and making us stand still, in all our squinting glory.  It wasn't an easy job, but she was determined.  She'd make a fantastic General.  Thanks, Mary - we grumped about it at the time, but we're awfully grateful for the photos now!!
And many, many thanks to Mark and Polly for hosting the event.  You pulled it all together brilliantly, as always - we never take that for granted.  I am very, very lucky to be part of your family!

Las Vegas Is Awesome, Part the Last

You thought I forgot, didn't you?  But no, I do intend to finish our tale...

Last we saw our intrepid explorers, their message light was mysteriously flashing.  It turns out that the reason my cousin - my only gal cousin, who lives in Reno and whom I hadn't seen in twenty years - hadn't answered my messages previous to our trip was that she was in Europe at the time.  But now she had returned, and was wondering if it would be okay if she flew out to see us for a day?

Okay?  It would be fabulous!!

So although the lovely Elizabeth had to leave before dawn, our sorrow was leavened by the knowledge that we were going to breakfast with my fabulous cousin, Christiane.

We met in Paris, and nearly immediately found ourselves in Venice.  Well, in the Venetian, at any rate... as you can see from the photo, the wind blew us everywhere that day!

Inside, we watched 'street performers' and listened to the singing of the gondoliers, and visited a few of the more spectacular shops.  I have a thing for masks, and there was a shop entirely devoted to that art form.  I could have stayed there all day...

But we did eventually tear ourselves (me) away, and headed back out into the wider world.  We visited quite a few hotels, and visited Tussaud's, where Scott was able to flirt with one of his favorite Pushy Broads.

My cousin, who hosts a political talk radio show, was able to offer her skills where they were most needed...

And we generally just enjoyed ourselves as much as it seems possible to do.  We ended the day by taking my cousin to 'our buffet', and rolled back to the hotel sated and entirely ready to soak in our wonderful tub.

After breakfast with my cousin the next morning, we dropped her off at the airport and headed out into the countryside.  This time we went to the Valley of Fire, which we absolutely adored.

I was extremely proud of myself, since I managed to climb all the way up the several flights of stairs going up to the petroglyphs.  Totally worth the pain, I must say!

Scott, on the other hand, took things a bit easier...

Generally, we had a fabulous time.  We hit Hoover Dam briefly, just as the sun went down, and then back we went for dinner (guess where) and spent the rest of the evening taking in the breathtaking show Le Reve.

Home again, home again, the next morning.

Have to say, love doing the tourist thing - at least, love it the way we do it.  I can't imagine better companions, and there isn't a single thing that I wish I had skipped or traded for something else.  We had a fabulous time, as we always do.  The only thing that could improve the experience is to have it again!!

Christmas Flash Mob!!!

I love flash mobs... at least, I love the artistic sort.

Hopefully you love them, too, because I'm about to subject you to one.  My thanks to the wonderful Violet Hoarder for pointing this particular bit of joy out!

Las Vegas Is Awesome, Part the Fourth

On our first full day in Las Vegas, we decided to just do a general tour of the town, so the three of us (myself, the husband, and the beautiful Elizabeth) toddled off for our first adventure.

Well, the two of them toddled.  I scooted in my rented wheelchair.  I was a bit of a terror at first - electric wheelchairs are not necessarily as easy to steer as one might assume, and Las Vegas is surprisingly wheelchair-unfriendly.  They have lots of escalators and moving walkways and elevated walkways so that you can get over streets, but wheelchairs are (quite reasonably) not allowed on the first two, and the elevators to the latter are not always as convenient or as roomy as one could wish.  Most doors were very narrow - barely wide enough to scrape one's chair through if it was aimed exactly right - and in most cases there were no electric door-openers, so that one had to have a companion to open the door in order to gain entrance at all.  And that's if you can actually find the elevators or stairless doors - Caesar's Palace, for instance was pretty much impossible to get into.  I'm sure there must have been one door that wasn't flanked by stairs, but we walked completely around it and were unable to find it.

That said, I'm very glad I rented a chair, as I wouldn't have gotten more than a block otherwise.  As it was, we walked from Mandalay Bay to Caesar's Palace, and all points in-between.  We saw lions,

and we saw Lions...

We saw large impressive sights,

And sights that were more inspiring close-up...

At the end of the day, we did find that Las Vegas does have at least one handy wheelchair-friendly service, which is their handicapped taxi fleet - it was cheaper and faster to get a wheelchair-accessible taxi to take us all back to our hotel than it would have been for us to take the monorail.

That night we took Elizabeth to the buffet at Studio B, which was counted a great success.  Once again we waddled back to the hotel, completely sated and ready for bed.

The next day was spent in exploring Las Vegas' surrounding environs.  After picking up picnic fixings at Whole Foods, we took off in our rented car.  First we went to the mountainous desert area of Red Rock Canyon.

It was a beautiful day.  Scott got a chance to commune with a few wild burros, Elizabeth was able to pick up quite a few educational brochures for her kids at the visitor's center, and I was able to take lots and lots of photos, to which I will not subject you, faithful readers.  Let's just say that it was gorgeous and fascinating, and leave it at that.

We also went to the top of Mount Charles,

which Scott was able to navigate without anyone being overly concerned for life and limb.

All in all, it was a perfectly lovely day.  

We arrived back at the hotel, satisfied, but a bit sad to know that our friend was going to be gone when we got up in the morning.  Luckily for our spirits, the message light was flashing on our phone, and we were about to get a wonderful surprise...

to be continued!

Las Vegas Is Awesome, Part the Third

Okay!  Yesterday I discovered that I could use the charge cord from our Playstation to get the photos out of my camera and onto my computer.  So here is another portion of my report on our vacation in Las Vegas:

We had some major glitches getting into town.  On one hand, the husband had some problems making it to the gate on time for departure (whew!) and we had some major problems with the car rental agency - on the other, we were met at the plane's exit by a person bearing a sign with my name on it and a wheelchair, and then whisked to the shuttles through a complex route that I never would have been able to figure out on my own, but that saved us tons of time (thanks, Levon!)

Once we got to our hotel, there was still a bit of confusion.  Our 'non-smoking' room was right next door to the hotel's meeting rooms, so that smoke still permeated the hallways and adjoining rooms.  So we had to go through two long waits in order to get a room that wouldn't make me sick - and then the bellhop brought up the wrong wheelchairs, and it took a while longer in order to get that straightened out.

But once all that was taken care of, we were able to enjoy the luxury of our surroundings.  We stayed at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay (yes, that's how it's spelled), a very swanky all-suite hotel at the end of the strip, next door to the Luxor.

View from our living room window

View from our bedroom window

Inside everything was made of marble and glass (including our walk-in shower, in our bathroom with the television that we could watch as we soaked in our luxury-bath-salted tub). 

The lobby level was set up like a high-end art museum, and surrounding the hotel was a beautiful temple and fountain area in which to spend quiet time contemplating our cleverness in finding a great place to stay.

Ohhhhhhmmmmmmm...

I had also cleverly researched the area, so we knew where to go for dinner - Studio B in the M Resort Spa Casino, which has often been voted the best buffet in Las Vegas.  For good reason!  Over 200 entree choices later (no, we didn't have them ALL, but we tried!), and stuffed full of their entirely fabulous desserts, we waddled home to greet our lovely friend Elizabeth, who joined us for the next two days of our trip.

To be continued...

Why Can't We All Just Get Along?

My new roommates have taken to fighting constantly, and it's driving me batty.

It doesn't help that the heating ducts create a magnifying resonance to their voices, so that I can hear them swearing at each other very clearly from nearly anywhere in the house. 

I guess it's their business if they want to beat up on each other (I can hear the blows falling), but it would help if they weren't so da*ned shrill.

I wish the cat would put a stop to it, but she's old and deaf, and sleeps right through the altercations.

Sometimes I hate winter.

Stupid mice.

Las Vegas Is Awesome, Part the Second

I do intend to tell you about our vacation, but at the moment I can't find my camera's USB cord, so I can't download photos, and what's the point of a vacation report without photos?

In the meantime, I will show you a bit of footage from the show we saw.  I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Las Vegas - the music was decent, the sets and costumes and performers were amazing.

So.  Le Reve, at the Wynn Hotel & Casino.  A fabulous time was had by all!

Las Vegas Is Awesome, Part the First

We are back from our little vacation. Now we need a big vacation in order to recover from our little vacation.

I'm going to start with a nap.

Wish me luck.

October Is A Good Month

October is my favorite month. The leaves turn colors, the weather is suitable for all things woolen, the air is crisp and so are the apples... what's not to love?

Not only that, but there is Halloween/Samhain. Not to mention my 21st wedding anniversary. And my sister Jana's and brother Joel's birthdays (happy birthday to yooooooo... love you guys!!)

From now until the first of the coming year, it's Holiday Madness - Hooray!!

AND October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Non-GMO Month. Please link to information on both issues, if you aren't aware of them already. They are critical to your health and the health of those you love. Take action where you can, educate where you can, get involved where you can.

Have a wonderful autumn, everyone!!

State Fair!!

The delightful husband and I went to the Minnesota State Fair yesterday.









Yup, we're a sedate and understated group of folks here in Minnesnowta

If you want lovely photos of the sorts of things we saw, you can visit my talented fellow blogger, the Violet Hoarder.

I couldn't take photos, because I can't shoot photos and drive at the same time. I'm clumsy that way.

Yes, we finally wrestled out the scooter, assembled its various (heavy) parts, swore at it a little when it kept refusing to actually move, and finally managed to get it going. Once we nudged it into life, it worked like a charm, and I had a lovely time puttering along in my little machine.

We went to the crafts displays, of course, and to the agriculture, dairy, home improvement, education, and merchandise mart buildings. We puttered over Machinery Hill. We saw James Wedgewood's fun ventriloquist/comedy act,


we saw (as we have done every time we've gone to the State fair in the last 19 years) Sean Emery's juggling/unicycle/comedy act,


we went to the Lumberjack competition/show.


We usually go to the Coliseum to see the horse riding competitions, but those weren't scheduled for that day (drat!), and by the time we were done with the Lumberjacks (and done flirting with the darling baby next to us in the stands), we were pretty much pooped and decided to call it a day. We usually go on the Old Mill ride, but didn't this year because of the delicate state of my hip. We usually go to the animal barns and see some of the judgings, but didn't have time - we would have gone to those if we'd had the time and money to go to the fair again, but no such luck.

Still we did enough and saw enough to have a very pleasant day, indeed!

Well... of course, that wasn't everything. You don't go to the State Fair without eating food that is really, really bad for you! Our food choices were primarily chosen by dint of what coupons were in the State Fair Blue Book (on sale near the Snelling gate and elsewhere, $5 for tons of coupons that save you $2 or more on various food items and a few other things, a good deal if you plan to eat at the fair - and who doesn't?) Plus a few traditional items, because it isn't the State Fair without the traditional stuff.

We were determined to do our share over the 8 hours we were there, so we split an order of... hmmm, let me see:

A London Broil sandwich (steak, sauteed onions and mushrooms, melted cheese - Scott ate most of this, nearish the main gates on Snelling Ave. - can't remember exactly where)

A frozen apple cider stick (I ate most of this over the next hour - an excellent deal at $1 in the agriculture building)

Crab cakes (food building)

Onion rings (outside food building)

Garlic fries ('garden' area outside the food building)

Root beer (just about everywhere)

A Fudge Puppy (small waffle curled around a stick and coated with extremely dark chocolate, sprinkles, and a dollop of whipped cream - I had a bite and it was good but gluten-filled, so Scott ate the rest)

Of course we split a malt from the dairy building (strawberry rhubarb, yum!). And Scott can't go to the Fair without getting Tom Thumb donuts just as we're leaving, because that is Tradition (and because he LOVES Tom Thumb donuts). I took one for the team, and had donuts, too. Because I am self-sacrificing that way. (Tell Scott to quit all that snorting, it's extremely rude)

So as you can imagine, we went home stuffed, and did not eat a single thing for the rest of the day. It was an extremely bad day nutritionally, but delightful gastronomically!

We also purchased a tie-dyed shirt for each of us, and a cup holder for my scooter (which came in very handy - now if I can find a comfortable seat cushion, we're going to really be in business...)

Another wonderful day at the Great Minnesota Get Together!



For those of you who wonder what it is like living in a wheelchair:

Navigation does get a little frustrating in crowded conditions like the fair, because your head is more-or-less at the level of people's rear ends (which is a pleasant view or an interesting one, depending on the rear in question), and people don't tend to look at that level when they are wandering around and gawking at things. Or, perhaps more importantly, when they are backing away after gawking at things. Or, perhaps most importantly, whilst clutching their (third?) beer and walking around while gawking at things (evidently when you have a beer in your hand and you are walking in a crowd of folks on the street, the most fascinating thing about the fair is the sky). Which means that people tend to become challenging road hazards, either backing directly into you or stumbling blindly into the space 2 inches in front of your bumper - it simply isn't possible to stop that quickly, folks, no matter how slowly one is going.

People often don't seem to realize that wheelchairs/scooters are not able to navigate as quickly to avoid sudden potential collision situations as a person on foot. When the crowd parts to reveal a person in a wheelchair or scooter directly in front of you, the person in a scooter or wheelchair can not just step sideways in order to avoid you. And they need a bigger space to slip into than a standing human being needs. It really is simpler and kinder if you would step out of the way, rather than taking a territorial stance.

Display cases and counters are designed for an eye level and reach that is a couple feet above the eye and reach level of a person in a mobility device, so it's pretty hard to see or reach certain things. That makes sense, and there is nothing that can be done about that.

But keep in mind that getting to a counter to buy something can be very difficult, especially if one is expected to reach up to get something from a highish counter. If you see someone struggling with that issue, please feel free to offer your help - it's a small service, but an appreciated one.

It is difficult to get close to the display cases, and to get the right angle so that one can see whatever good stuff there might be at eye level. If there are crowds milling around in front of the case, it becomes nearly impossible. If you see someone in a wheelchair waiting to get a chance to get near a display case, please step aside to leave some clear space. There is a good chance that they are waiting out of courtesy, not wanting to scrape anyone's shins or run over their feet with the heavy equipment - an exchange of courtesy is a good thing, and makes everyone's day a little brighter.

There was one thing that wasn't a problem for me, because I still can hobble very short distances and although it involves some pain, I can wait in line. But the fact is that there is often a LONG waiting line for the women's bathrooms, and if there is a handicapped stall, there is usually only one. If someone shows up in a wheelchair, ladies, please give her room to go in ahead of you (so that she doesn't endanger anyone's feet or legs in trying to do the start-and-stop thing in line) and let her have the next shot at the handicapped stall, even though it means that you will have to wait one extra turn. Remember that she cannot use any other stall, so without that courtesy her wait could be significantly lengthened. If you can't do it out of kindness, do it because you realize exactly what her eye-level perspective is on you - do you really want her examining that particular aspect for an extended period, close up and personal?

Fourth Memories

I'll tell you about our 4th of July weekend tomorrow (or so), but today I will share a memory. I know that usually I try to respect the Offspring's privacy and dignity, but for now I will reveal a memory that is at the forefront of my mind today...

The kid was very sensitive to sound from babyhood, but by age 5 or 6 he also loved the idea of things blowing up, and he loved bright lights. So we decided to take him to the fireworks display for the Fourth.

At that time, there was a huge display that took place over the Capitol Building in St. Paul, and we found a tall hill hidden behind a public building about a mile away from our house that provided a perfect view of the festivities. Not only could we see the Capitol fireworks display from that vantage point, but in the distance we could see earlier displays going off in many of the far-flung suburbs. This kept our impatient wanderer properly entertained while waiting for the Main Event.

It also evidently left him unprepared for the percussive sound of the larger, closer fireworks. As soon as the first explosion sounded, Bren immediately through his blanket over his head and refused to even peek out for the rest of the display.

But our little performer was still exactly who he has always been; after the first few minutes, after each explosion there would be a pause, and then from the darkened depths of the fabric heap came a tiny piping, "Oooh!! Aaaaah!"


Happy Independence Day, dear readers. I hope your memories are as sweet as mine, and your enjoyment of the day as deep.

Home From The Holiday

The vacation was on the whole fabulous, other than the hours spent in Urgent Care for the massive inner ear infection (and the Whale Tour that I couldn't go on because of the same). But that is a quibble, really, because for the most part it was lovely.

We went to Monterey,






then to Morro Bay,

then San Simeon,













and then Santa Barbara - oh, yeah, that's totally me -



then back again to Monterey

and Carmel.















I got a US Open At Pebble Beach shirt for Scott, so that he can watch the Open in style. I took about a billion photos, got run over by a horned lizard, and mom survived the Thunder Cloud Of Bees.

We communed with humpbacks
(too close to get into the screen)






and talked to seals

and ogled otters.


We got to experience a Stormy Sea,


but most of the weather was glorious...
and California smells *wonderful* (being carpeted with flowers at the moment).


But the two best things aren't things I could photograph.

One being the joy of spending a wonderful day of laughter and exploration with kindred spirits, Roberta and Richard. R & R are both fellow bloggers we've connected with in the past couple years; they share with Mom the experience of having lived in Scotland, and they share with Scott and I the experience of dealing with this ravening monster within, terminal cancer.

Once again, my experience of meeting online friends in person was everything I could have hoped for. They were sweet (Roberta) and funny (Rich) and incredibly kind, warm, and accommodating under rather trying conditions (having to work around my medical shenanigans). Mom and I knew they were interesting, likable folks from their blogs and correspondence - but now we know for a fact that they are also supremely lovable. It's nice to confirm one's own good taste in friends!

The other thing - the very best thing of all - was having the opportunity to spend ten whole days with my mom, just going where the wind blew us and doing as we pleased, gathering memories to tuck into our hearts and warm us in the hard times that will inevitably come. It's been a tough road we've walked together in the past sixteen months; being able to take this gentler, joyful journey was a tremendous gift. Mom's intention was to give me the opportunity to be near the ocean again, since it was the only item on my Bucket List. That, in itself, was a great kindness. But the real treasure was in being able to just be with her - to Just Be, together.

Thanks, Mom. I love you.