2-28-11

 Martin: Went to the funeral of an old neighbour, Bill Woodman, who lived around the corner from our place. He was born the year the Great Depression started. This is the old part of Woronora cemetery.

Me: Harley and I were running a real estate errand in Chandler today and came across a field of sheep. Harley was keeping an eye on these two just as they were on her.

2-27-11

 Martin: Caught the 8am train yesterday morning for the 90 minute train trip to the air show down the coast and the train was already quite full. Luckily we managed to get seats but we were in different parts of the carriage. It was overcast most of the time and very warm. A lot of people and a good day, though tiring. We left before it ended so we wouldn't be in the crush at the rail station when a lot of people would have turned up at around the same time. In the advertising they were trying to convince people to use the train instead of driving and it was very effective. A shame they didn't add a few more trains to the timetable. Would you believe it, we went all the way down there, only to meet our neighbour who lives across the road. He went down mainly for the classic cars that they had on display at the air show as he restores cars. He was heavily involved in motor racing before he retired and for many years he used to be the starter for the premier long distance road race in Australia held at Bathurst in October. Above photo: The Spitfire at the air show. It did a number of low passes. Probably the best sounding prop plane ever built.

Me: It rained through the night which made for a fresh, clear and cool day today. Some of the mountain tops in the valley were even displaying snow this morning. Very rare! Tonight Harley and I were walking some holes on the back nine when she suggested taking a shadow shot. Fun idea, Harley.

2-26-11

Martin: Boys at El Mercado Spanish Deli in Mortlake/Breakfast Point. They had finished their bocadillos (Spanish rolls) before I even had the camera out.

Me: I drove out to the the White Tank Mountains this morning to do a mountain bike race. Cloudy and cool temps made for great riding conditions. I felt good and did well. 1st place!

2-25-11

 Martin: From the airshow. Ok, how close do you think they came?

Me: Harley and I recieved an awesome care package from Bob's mom today! The box was filled with goodies: apricot jam (my favorite), yummy slab apricots (the best apricots ever), chocolate covered blueberries, assorted chocolate fruit and a big doggie treat for Harley. Harley loves opening boxes from Grandma 'cause she knows there is always a goodie for her. Thanks, Pat!

2-24-11

Martin: Tennis anyone?

Me: I brought home some beautiful glass pieces handed down to me from my mom. The vase and candlestick holders were wedding gifts to my mom's parents from my grandfather's parents (both of whom were born in Denmark). The blue lovebirds were a gift to my parents for their 50th wedding anniversary. They're all really pretty and I like having them to look at.

2-23-11

Martin: Daniel's photo of a very noisy possum.

Me: Harley and I took a nice walk on the golf course this evening. Here we are overlooking the resort. The island is a tee box for hole #1. Resort time-share condos are on the left (the fitness center & pool we use is just out of view to the left of the condos), hotel rooms are in the center and resort lobby, restaurant and golf shop are in the building on the lower right.

2-22-11

Martin: Daniel after his tennis lesson this afternoon.

 Me: I took this photo yesterday evening when I was flying into Phoenix but it's still representative of today. Bob is currently flying to Florida for flight training with Citation Air. He got lucky enough to be upgraded to first class which will make the long flight more comfortable. Harley and I miss him already!

2-21-11

Martin: Frangipani (plumeria) in the back garden on a wet morning.

Me: One more hug before heading to the airport. Glad I made it to Iowa to spend time with my mom. I love you, Mom.

2-20-11

Martin: Daniel feeding one of the rainbow lorikeets this evening after dinner. Some are tame but others are still too hesitant to be hand fed. This particular bird stayed on his knee for over five minutes until he had finished off the bit of bread. The lorikeets eat very slowly as they only nibble very small pieces.

Me: Mom and I went to Elk Horn to attend church at the Salem Nursing Home with my uncle Warren (Waz), mom's brother; his wife, Gudren and my aunt Janet (on left), my mom's sister. My mom has two other sisters; Mary in Le Mars, IA and a sister, Sonja in Omaha, NE. This afternoon mom and I went to a Religious Arts Museum and then to visit my dad's grave at the Elk Horn cemetary. 

2-19-11

Martin: Managed to mow the back lawn before it started sprinkling late this afternoon.

Me: Here I am driving the New Holland tractor with my brother, Monte. We're on the "old farm" where I grew up until 4th grade.

2-18-11

 Martin: Where I was parked at a job this morning. I liked what someone had done with the extra 'E' on the sign. Probably the owners of the house that the sign is located in front of. 

Me: Me; Jaime (my niece), Emily (Jaime's mom), Caedrian (Jaime's baby boy), Nancy (SIL, married to my 2nd oldest brother, Curt). Pic taken at Nancy's house in Des Moines just before we left to go shopping for a bridesmaid dress for Jamie and a mother of the bride dress for Emily for Janna's wedding in Arizona this April. I'm off to a music concert now at our local church in Atlantic. My brother, Brent and his wife, Nancy from Rochester will be there too (they drove down from Rochester MN this evening).

2-17-11

 Martin: Storm building up towards the north in the afternoon over where I was working.

Me: Here is the farm I grew up on from 4th grade through highschool. My Mom and Dad lived here and farmed until 1996. At that time my Dad semi-retired and my folks moved into town (the home where my mom lives now). My brother Monte, wife Emily and their family moved onto this farm in 1998 and continue to live and farm there today. Monte still farms our old homestead where I & most of my other siblings were born. Monte & Emily's 5 children are now grown. Janna, their oldest, lives in Arizona and their youngest is a sophmore in college.

2-16-11

 Martin: Red Bottlebrush (Callistemon) flowering out front.

Me: Rod (my oldest brother), Ryan (Rod's grandson, my great-nephew, Mom's great-grandson), me & Mom in Des Moines at my nephew (Reggie) & niece-in-law's (Laura) home. Saw where Reggie worked and visited a bit with my SIL Nancy before driving back to Atlantic in the fog.

2-15-11

Martin: Went outside yesterday evening after sunset to check why the light coming in the windows was unusual - pink sky.

Me: I made it to Iowa. Here's mom and I in front of her home in Atlantic. I'll be visiting family over the next 5 days. It's currently sunny and mild so much of the snow is melting. Mom and I are going out to eat at her favorite town restaurant (Westside Diner) now. Wish you were here, Bob!

2-14-11

Martin: Here's a pic of the Valentine's Day card I made for Ruth. Hardest part was finding a bit of spare cardboard. It is intentionally out of square and it's not the angle of the shot.

Jane: Picking out a box of chocolate "for my husband" (wink) for Valentine's Day.

Thanks for being my Valentine, Bob!

2-13-11

Martin: Caught in the rain. There were three webs in the back garden this morning.

Me: Still painting. Now working on the ceiling. Needed a tall ladder for the job.

2-12-11

Martin: The pomegranate in the back garden is in flower once again - the possums can hardly wait.

Me: Bill, James, Bob, Heidi  and I drove to the other side of the valley to mountain bike the White Tank Mountains. We didn't start riding until 10:30am so no need for arm warmers, vests or long fingered gloves. Sunny and 70.

2-11-11

Martin: Experimenting with some close-up work.

Me: Harley and I went garage saling this morning. We usually find a treasure or two but not today. Maybe next time.

2-10-11

Martin: Some puffy 'mountains'  looking west from our front door before sunset last night. Thought there would be a thunderstorm but it didn't develop.

Me: Helping my niece taste test cupcakes for her wedding sounded like a great idea. 8 cupcakes later and I'm thinking NOT. The first two cupcakes were delicious though. :-)

2-9-11

Martin: Crowd of visitors in the garden tonight.

Me: On my way out of the gym this morning I snagged some of the old gang (ex co-workers) who are still working at The Arizona Grand (AKA The Pointe) these days. L toR: Abram has been working there since 2003 as a valet (towel/locker room attendant), I began working there part-time in 1992 as an aerobics instructor and then in 1997 full time as Activities Coordinator for the fitness center members and resort guests. Deidre began as a waitress at one of the resort restaurants in 1995 and then transitioned to the Spa & Salon and is now working as Spa and Salon Coordinator, Bill was hired in 1992 as the Aerobics Coordinator and he was the one who hired me in 1992. Over the years Bill added Spa & Salon Manager to his job title and after that he also became the fitness center manager. He was my boss for many of the years I worked at The Pointe. Wendy, my friend since 2000 taught a few water areobics and running classes until 2009. Now she often meets me at the gym to either swim or lift weights with Bob and I. Linda is a massage therapist in the spa and has been since 1997. She also works at the fitness center front desk. Maribel has been a valet since 2004. She attends to towel service & locker room, always with a smile. Anyway, great folks from "Pointe Days".

2-8-11

Martin: Had some company on the paint job today.

 Me: You can tell we're back in Arizona. Saguaros greeted Harley and I on our trail run this morning. 

2-7-11

Martin: One of the chores for the day before heading out.

Me: Home again and it's good to see our girl.
Harley says "Where have you been?!?!?"

2-6-11

Martin: Change in the weather and temperature. At least we can sleep at night.

Me: No biking today. Instead we packed up and headed to Coronado Island where we enjoyed a pecan sticky bun & and hot chocolate on the patio of the Hotel Del Coronado. We had a really nice 4 days in San Diego!

2-5-11

Martin: Mangrove trees on the water's edge with gum trees up the hills along the local Woronora River - from a short walk this morning.

Me: Today we took it easier on the bikes. Bob rode 60 miles and I rode 30 up the coast. Spent a good bit of the afternoon relaxing on the beach. This evening Bob and I took the beach cruisers out for a sunset ride along the boardwalk and followed it up with a yummy seafood dinner. 

2-4-11

Martin: Took a pic of the kids cricket match going on in the park next door to the tennis courts where Daniel was playing in Bonnet Bay - still having a game and it's over 40 degrees out there! 

Me: Just got back from a 70 mile biking day that took us to the top of Palomar Mountain (home of Palomar Observatory). Was a tough ride with 8,000ft of climbing. Gorgeous views. Planning to do a shorter ride tomorrow so we can get in some beach time.