Saturday, June 16 through Saturday, June 30: Summer Activities and Projects

The backyard water feature and flower/green accents are full and beautiful. The water feature circulates water and provides the birds with relief in the heat. The weather is abnormally hot for our 6,762 foot elevation.

Tom headed out on Saturday to meet up with his son, Jon. Jon is hiking the 2,650 Pacific Crest Trail. Since the Sierras had melting snow, Jon jumped ahead on public transportation --- to the trail south of Mt. Shasta. He hiked south to the Donner Pass near Truckee. Tom is going to pick Jon up there, and drive him south to Kennedy Meadows. He will then hike north in the Sierras. Safe travels, Tom!

After Tom left, I went to an appointment at Route 66 Nails and Spa. Will does nice pedicures and I was overdue!

Sunday was the final day of the Arizona Cowpuncher's Rodeo in Williams. That afternoon, I met up with Jan, Libby, and Gus in the grandstands and enjoyed several of the events.

This was the 40th year of this particular rodeo. I have walked through the rodeo grounds over the years, but this was the first time I paid the $5 admission.

There was an afternoon procession with the American flag and the singing of the national anthem.

I watched three events --- calf roping, ribbon roping, and bronco riding. Calf roping was something I have seen before.

Ribbon roping was different. It involves a team --- a cowboy and a female partner. The female partner takes the ribbon off the roped calf and runs back to the gate with the ribbon.

The final event I watched were the bucking broncos. Some amazing cowboys!

The rodeo was a fun afternoon diversion. It was also a time to wear my cowboy boots and my cowboy hat.

After the event, I realized that my boots are very old and uncomfortable. I guess it is time to finally get some new ones!

Tom met up with Jon on Monday. They spent the first night in Sparks, Nevada. But, before heading there, Tom took a picture of Jon at Lake Tahoe. He has already lost about thirty pounds! Jon has been on the trail for three months.

Williams Pickleball is expanding to another day of play --- Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am. With my weekly Highland Meadows Ladies Group breakfasts at 9:00 a.m, it will be an "eat and run" day. We are able to play indoors at the Middle School/Elementary School gymnasium again. The wind can be too strong this time of year for outdoor play.

On Thursday, Home Depot is delivering the materials for Ron Cook and his team to fix the back fence. They secured the privacy fence.

Fortunately, Home Depot was prompt in delivering the fence repair order. It was delivered to my neighbor whose property is closer to the repair area.

Friday was a busy day. Ron and his team arrived at 8:00 a.m. to begin the fence project.

I then drove down to Mesa --- over a three hour drive --- to pick up my trailer. The end cap has been repainted and looks great! Thank you, Forest River!

There were no incidences driving home. Tom had returned from his California trip, and he helped me back the trailer back into the RV barn.

The other happening on that day was the death of conservative commentator, Dr. Charles Krauthammer. He was an extraordinary man, with such wit and intelligence!

A month ago, Tom and I purchased two tickets to an event called "Bearizona After Dark." It is an event that only occurs three times a year. Last year, by the time I decided to go, all the tickets had been sold. They limit attendance to 65. Tonight was the night --- cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at the Canyonlands Restaurant, "up close and personal" jaguar training, paint art provided by some smaller animals, an evening Wild Ride Bus tour in the drive-thru park, and a flashlight walking tour in Fort Bearizona.

The jaguar and the jaguar exhibit is amazing!

Tom and I enjoyed a new bear sculpture at the entrance of the gift shop.

The resident skunk performed an artistic feat with water-soluble paints.

Sunday was church for me and then pickleball for me and Tom. On the gymnasium courts, we decided to tape off a second court for future play.

Monday, Tom asked to take me to breakfast. We decided to try a restaurant that is primarily opened for breakfast and lunch --- Old Smokey's. The food was good, but the service was poor. The server had more guests than she could handle!

Ron and his crew finished the fence project. They did a wonderful job!

June 27 would have been Richard's 80th birthday. On this date last year, my gardener Troy planted some small aspen trees in my backyard. Here are the trees on June 27, 2017.

And now, look how they have grown and flourished! Just one year later...

A summer neighborhood potluck dinner is on track to take place at Dee and Greg's home on the golf course. The theme is southern cooking, so Tom took charge of our contribution. He made black-eyed peas and cheesy grits.

Both were a hit with the southern ham entree. The evening was perfect and about 30 neighbors enjoyed the evening.

The dogs had a lazy Saturday afternoon. They love to lounge in the reading room when I am on the computer.

Habitat for Humanity in Williams had a fund raiser that night --- with Grand Opry Hee Haw theme. Neighbors Jan, Elaine, Libby, and Gus were going. So, Tom and I decided to attend. It was small town hokey, but that is where we live!

It was a nice way to conclude the month of June!

Friday, June 1 through Friday, June 15: Routines, Mesa Drop-Off, Family, and One Year Together

Tom started a new project. His faucet in the master bathroom was not working properly. Tom had replaced it about a year ago, but something broke and the hot water was not coming through. Amazon Prime had a replacement part for about $40.00 and sent it in two days. It worked. Good job, Tom!

I decided that it was time to find an audiologist in Flagstaff. Since moving to Williams, I have not had a hearing provider. It was important that whomever I chose supported my Oticon hearing device. Two years ago, there were no Flagstaff audiologists with Oticon products. Now, there are three. Yay! After calling several of these entities, I found that I need a referral from my primary care provider. Appointment made!

Tom was sorting some of his boxes and came across several CDs that had photos from 2006 North Rim. This was the season that Tom and I met. Tom doesn't know who took the photos, but there were two photos of the two of us. Both were taken on the 4th of July. One was in front of the General Store --- getting vehicles ready for the parade. I am in the foreground and Tom is in the background wearing a maroon tee shirt.

The second photo was taken in the evening. Tom and I are talking in the Employee Dining Room. I wonder what are we talking about???

There was also a photo of me and some of the other employees. No Tom in this photo.

Cheri at the Mesa Camping World sent me an email. The trailer decals were in. So Tom, the dogs, and I took the trailer down to Mesa on Wednesday, June 6. It was going to be a hot day there, so we got an early start. But, it was still over 100 degrees. Very hard on the dogs!

Tom's brother, Mike, was coming for a visit. He left Martinsville, Indiana, on Tuesday. He has a new puppy, Sheena, who is only 7 weeks old. She is a mixed black lab and is traveling with him. He arrived before noon on Thursday. This is the first time I have met Mike. He is 13 years younger than Tom --- turning 58 on June 27. Funny. July 27 is Richard's birthday.

Mike recently had a hip replacement. He works for an Indiana power and light facility. While on a medical leave of absence, Mike wanted to take a road trip.

Little Sheena is very cute. We introduced her to the three Dalmatians. All went well, but I had to use a water sprayer to teach Libby and Kelsey to be tender with the puppy. Ramsey was not a problem.

Sheena is not yet potty trained, so she spent a lot of time with her "daddy" Mike on the back patio or in her crate.

On Friday, we left the dogs at home and headed to the South Rim. This was Mike's first visit to the Grand Canyon. So, we had to take the "sign" photo, for sure!

The weather was beautiful. Highs in the low 80s. We walked along the rim trail from Bright Angel Lodge to the El Tovar Hotel. At the El Tovar, we had lunch in the dining room. Nice view!

Since puppy Sheena was left in her crate, we decided to head back home within five hours. But, before we left, we needed the obligatory photo of two brothers!

In 2005, Mike lost his right arm in a plant accident. It is amazing how well he has adjusted to his missing limb. He was right-handed, so he had to learn to use his left hand and his left arm.

Saturday morning, Tom and I went over to the Williams Elementary/Middle School outdoor tennis courts. We purchased some blue tape to create a pickleball court on one of the tennis courts. This way, if we play outdoors, there are appropriate lines.

Unfortunately, painters tape is not good on concrete. The lines do not stick for an appropriate amount of time. Darn!

In the afternoon, we took Mike to Bearizona. We took the 2:00 p.m. Wild Ride Bus Tour. We arrived early to get seats up near the driver. It worked out perfect. The animals were very active.

The bears were walking around.

We even saw a baby bison who was born only a few days ago.

Of course, we needed the obligatory bear photo --- but this time Mike was being eaten by the bear --- a first!

Mike asked to take us out to dinner Sunday night. He wanted to thank us for his enjoyable visit. Mike selected the Branding Iron Restaurant at Wild West Junction.

I had not been there for five years. Reviews are not great. Mike and I had St. Louis Style Ribs and Tom ordered a smoked beef brisket. After dinner, Tom swears that the brisket was not smoked and it was pork, not beef. I guess we will not be going back to that restaurant again! But, thank-you, Mike!

Sheena and Mike left early Monday morning. I estimate that they pulled out around sunrise --- 5:00 am.

It was a fun visit!

My truck's mileage hit 326,000. It is time for Jiffy Lube Oil Change service. Flagstaff, here we come! Tom and I headed to Flagstaff on Tuesday, after my attendance at the Highland Meadows ladies breakfast at El Corral Restaurant.

Sandoval Tires suggested that I have my tires rotated after my next oil change. So, on Wednesday, I took the truck over to J.P. at Sandoval Tires. It was a quick in and out!

Tom has been having some allergy discomfort from all of the pollen. My sister Wendy has become an expert in purchasing air purifiers that work. Her youngest daughter, Kerry, is highly allergic to many things in the environment. I texted Wendy and she responded quickly with a link to Rabbit Air units. She said that they are somewhat pricey, but work great. After conferring with Tom, we ordered one from Amazon. We went with a model that works in space up to 625 feet. That should cover our master bedroom. The unit arrived and it seems to be helping Tom.

Tom and I took our two female Dalmatians, Kelsey and Libby, on a walk through town. Ramsey, being older, was enjoying a nice nap at home. The day was Thursday, June 14. Flag Day! The main street was decorated beautifully!

Well, we did it! June 15, 2018 --- twelve months since Tom and I have been together. We made it the four seasons and celebrated with some pre-dinner champagne.

Then, a lovely dinner at a favorite restaurant, the Red Raven.

And, we enjoyed songs and music by Omar at the Kachina Lounge of the Best Western Plus in Williams.