Phoenix

We arrived in Phoenix yesterday and are enjoying the warmer weather and the sunshine.  The locals say it's too cool as it's in the lower 60's, but I'm in sandals so it's good enough for me.  And all the clean cars.  We got ours washed yesterday as it looked very out of place with the dirt we had carried with us from back home.  We had an opportunity to pick a fresh lemon off a tree and it's the biggest lemon I have ever seen.   The tree was full of them.   Amazing what can be done with a little sun and heat.

Provo

We have now been in Provo since Tuesday evening and BJ is finishing up his lathe classes today.  He has been learning a lot and enjoying the experience along with less than a dozen other men.  Yours truly has been spending the time reading and shopping.  There is a mall within walking distance so I spent the day there yesterday...you can tell I don't get much mall experience!  I was thinking about having an afternoon latte and commented to one of the store clerks that I did not see any coffee places around, unlike the Seattle area where there is an espresso shack on every corner.  He had to really stop and think and thought he "might" know where one is located up the street aways...really?  Amazing how different all the states are.  Last night, on the recommendation of our pastor, we headed out to find the Sundance Resort, created by Robert Redford.   This was a bit of trip up into the mountains and the entrance was poorly marked and we drove forever out of the way until we found someone to ask.   It was worth the trouble as the dinner was wonderful when we finally found the place.  It is very rustic and filled with Redford photos.  Apparently, this is a skier's paradise.  One of the wait staff simply beamed telling us about the black diamond runs with powder up to your waist.   I realized my skiing days are over when all I could think about was being cold and wouldn't a lovely beach be more fun.  Speaking of powder, the difference between snow here and back home is quite amazing.   It takes VERY dry air to make powdered snow and that also creates VERY dry skin and stuffy noses.  I decided I could not live here.   The scenery is breathtaking with high mountains all around and tomorrow we head further south to try to get away from the next storm that arrives Sunday, predicted to dump 1-2 feet of snow in the mountains.   But, hey it will be light and fluffy!

The "Eyes" Have It

For Nikolai's first birthday, I did another grandchild drawing.  Since I have done one of the other two kids, I did not want the 3rd kid to feel slighted.  Sometimes the 3rd kid gets fewer of everything and it's bad enough wearing all those hand me down clothes as my second daughter will attest to!!   I realize how few photos I have of myself as a very little girl.  Everyone is busier as a family grows and there is less time to record stuff.  Recently my sister sent me some very old, glass slides she found among my deceased aunt's things and it was so fun to see some photos of when I was about 3 or 4.   What a difference it is in today's world of easy picture taking.  So now that the grandchildren each have a drawing, I am no longer going to be hogging their wall space.  It has been so fun to do and I have learned much along the way.  I have realized how important the eyes are and that they need to be perfectly round, very hard to do free hand.   So I bought a circle template with a zillion circle sizes and I finally can get the eye and pupil to look somewhat normal.   Not good to see square or oblong eyes.  So here's to you, our precious Nikolai, you are more perfect than any drawing can show.

January Blast

Our January "Blast" had nothing to do with snow this year.  It was all about family.  We just got home from Minnesota and it was so wonderful to be present for our grandkids' family birthday celebration.   Between Jan. 14 and Feb. 4 they all have a birthday and we had so much fun.  There are too many pictures to post on this blog so I uploaded them to Shutterfly for all to enjoy.  This picture is very special to me as I think it's the first time that we have all three grandkids, 7, 4 and one, sitting relatively squirm free together with BJ and I.  Great memories to last a long time. 

"Enchanted" With Opera

OK, I realize you may be getting tired of my postings regarding opera but we attended our third opera today, "The Enchanted Island".  It was simply spectacular.  The voices, the costumes and the set, plus intermission interviews with some of the singers, one of whom was Placido Domingo made for an incredibly entertaining afternoon.   The audience was really into it today...I mean our local audience and BJ and I get a big kick out of our local audience applauding when none of the performers can hear them.  I guess applause is as much for the entertainer as for the entertained.   So this will end my expounding on this issue but if this type of opera exposure comes to your neighborhood, treat yourself as I am living proof you can learn to have an appreciation for something that previously attracted no interest.   Now I wonder what else there is out there that I have poo pood along life's way.

Buried

We have gotten about 7 inches the last couple days and that's before the bigger storm tonight.   We'll probably have to put chains on the truck to get out of our driveway.   We have a snow plower on retainer this year for the mountain road and he has already plowed twice so that should help when all starts to change over to rain.   Our snow here is notorious in that once it gets packed, it becomes a skating rink.   So frequent plowing should at least get us to the bare dirt sooner than usual.   Hmmm...I think I will check the temperature in Arizona for future reference.

Hooked On Opera

Yesterday was our second opera that we attended via the big screen, in HD and with subtitles, live from the Met.  We saw "Faust" and it was magnificent.   I must say, I'm a bit ashamed of myself for always resisting opera but in all fairness to me, this is such a special way to watch it.  I love the subtitles, they help make it so personal as this one is in French and my French is about as good as my Italian.   "Faust" goes back to the 1500's and it's understandable that it has had such staying power.  The ageless story of good over evil appeals to all generations.   Yesterday, the auditorium was almost full and I expect the word will spread on the island that this new type of show is the best bang for your buck.   Two more weeks until the next one.   We are already excited.