Gila Bend

Gila Bend, located on I-8, was a stage stop along the overland stage route, starting in 1858. Then in 1879, it was a depot for the railroad. Gila Bend got its name because it was at the point on the Gila River where the river made a sweeping 90-degree bend to the west. This was noted by many travelers, who sometimes called it the Big Bend or Rinconada.

The real reason for mom and I traveling to Gila Bend was to eat at the Space Age Restaurant, which was built in 1963. It looks like a UFO landed on the roof. Inside the restaurant is a gift shop that sells the usual items such as coffee cups, t-shirts etc. The walls had pictures of fighter jets, astronauts, NASA photos of Apollo and shuttle missions. I would prefer a more kitchy atmosphere. The food was all right.

There was not much to see in Gila Bend but we did find the cemetery, which is the place Lulu looks forward to the most. This time two little dogs were enjoying the space as well.

In the Florence cemetery, I was surprised to see chairs at the gravesite; lounge chairs, kitchen chairs, bar stools etc. It was inviting. Pull up a chair, sit a spell, and contemplate. This was the first cemetery I have been too that had so many chairs. In Gila Bend, there was only one with a chair.

Space Age Restaurant and Hotel

 

  

  

  

The Pioneer Cemetery

 

  

  

The last headstone refers to the following:

Knowing others is intelligence;
knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
mastering yourself is true power.

If you realize that you have enough,
you are truly rich.
If you stay in the center
and embrace death with your whole heart,
you will endure forever.

Interested?  Click here to read more.

What Would You Do If You Only Had a Short Time to Live?
Post written by Leo Babauta.
zenhabits

It’s hard, from within the storm of every day life, to see things with real perspective, to know what’s important and what’s simply pressing on our consciousness right now, demanding attention.

We have people emailing us for information and requesting action, we have phone calls and visitors and a long to-do list and a million chores and errands to run and all of the slings and arrows of our daily reality … and yet, what is important?

Ask yourself this: if you suddenly found out you only had 6 months to live (for whatever reason), would the thing in front of you matter to you?

Would those 20 emails waiting for a response matter? Would the paperwork waiting to be processed matter? Would the work you’re doing matter? Would the meetings you’re supposed to have matter? Would a big car and nice house and high-paying job and cool computer and mobile device and nice shoes and clothes matter?

I’m not saying they wouldn’t matter … but it’s important to ask yourself if they would.

What would matter to you?

For many of us, it’s the loved ones in our lives. If we don’t have loved ones … maybe it’s time we started figuring out why, and addressing that. Maybe we haven’t made time for others, for getting out and meeting others and helping others and being compassionate and passionate about others. Maybe we have shut ourselves in somehow. Or maybe we do have loved ones in our lives, but we don’t seem to have the time we want to spend with them.

When was the last time you told your loved ones you loved them? Spent good quality time with them, being in the moment?

For many of us, doing work that matters … would matter. That might mean helping others, or making a vital contribution to society, or creating something brilliant and inspiring, or expressing ourselves somehow. It’s not the money that matters, but the impact of the work. Are you doing work that matters?

For many of us, experiencing life would matter — really being in the moment, finding passion in our lives, seeing the world and traveling, or just seeing the world that’s around us right now, being with great people, doing amazing things, eating amazing food, playing.

These are just a few ideas … but what would matter to you?

I highly recommend that you spend at least a little time now, and regularly, thinking about this question … figuring out what really matters … and living a life that shows this.

How do you live a life that puts a great emphasis on what matters? Start by figuring out what matters, and what doesn’t. Then eliminate as much as you can of the stuff that doesn’t matter, or at least minimize it to the extent possible. Make room for what does matter.

Make the time for what does matter … today. Put it on your schedule, and don’t miss that appointment. Make those tough decisions — because choosing to live a life that is filled with the important stuff means making choices, and they’re not always easy choices. But it matters.

Spend time with your significant other, show them how important they are. Take the time to cuddle with your child, to read with her, to play with her, to have good conversations with her, to take walks with her. Take time to be in nature, to appreciate the beauty of the world around us. Take time to savor the little pleasures in life.

Because while you might not have only 6 months to live, I’m here to break the news to you: you really do only have a short time to live. Whether that’s 6 months, 6 years or 60 … it’s but the blink of an eye.

The life you have left is a gift. Cherish it. Enjoy it now, to the fullest. Do what matters, now.

 Froggi Donna sent me the following via email without realizing how much it touched me. It came at a sad time in mom and I's life, we lost our dear friend Tuesday. Take a few minutes and give someone a call and while you are on the phone let them know how much you appreciate them.  More importantly, try to do it in person.

Good Time Charley

A co worker or should I say ex co worker had a fondness for dogs. She would take in the unwanted even though she was on a strict budget. She could say no and always kept her dogs down to a manageable pack.

That is until Charley came along.

Charley was a beagle, 10 years old, and had spent all of those years in a wire cage. He was a sperm donor not a pet until he was rescued. Due to his age and the fact that he could not be housebroken the future seemed bleak for Charley. Until the co worker stepped in.

When she discovered that all of his teeth were rotted she came to me for help. I am a sucker for puppy dog eyes and sad stories. It was amazing how well Charley came back from having all of his teeth extracted. He became almost puppy like. I became a part of Charley’s life through stories she shared with me over coffee.

Even though Charley was restricted to just the rooms with tiled floors he had a great life. He had the full run of the basement, was allowed outside in the fenced yard, and had lots of geriatric puppies to play with. Even though he had his vocal cords removed at the puppy mill, he was able to make small funny noises to show his happiness. When he wagged his stumpy little tail his whole body would just vibrate.

Beagles are hunting dogs. They lock in on their prey and chase it. Not all beagles dig but those that do it is a great pastime. Charley escaped. She let him outside and he went to his “private” area and finished digging the hole and off he went. I am sure if he could bark he would have been singing as he ran through the woods. For the first time in ten years he was free.

His owner though was devastated. She search and search and search for him. She contacted neighbors, the police, and the animal shelter and after two days she was losing hope. How can a voiceless, toothless, almost deaf dog survive in the woods? It was the third day that she received a call from her neighbor, he had found Charley.

Charley was thrilled to see his owner, he made his funny noise, his whole body was vibrating, and he was giving away his kisses for free.

Charley was a changed puppy after that. He had a new spring to his step, he never attempted another escape, and he spent his remaining two years with the person that adored him. After he passed she received the usual condolences. When someone said “you gave him the best two years of his life,” she replied, “the best time of his life was those 2 ½ days when he was free to roam, chase rabbits, and was allowed to be a dog.”

Another puppy mill in the state of Washington, 1500 dogs predicted. Here is the link.

Grandkids

 

  

  

  

Jaeda and Hayden

Florence, Superior, and Coolidge Az

 

Road Trip!

Mom and I decided to take a drive today to Florence Arizona. I believe it is the fifth oldest town in Arizona. Instead of taking the interstate we decided to take the route that Tom Mix took. On October 12, 1940, he was, spending some time in Tucson, and on his way home to Florence he came upon constructions barriers at a bridge that had been washed away by a flash flood. A work crew watched as he was unable to brake in time and his car slid into a gully. It wasn’t the crash that killed him instantly; it was a large aluminum suitcase.

The marker reads “Whose spirit left his body on this spot and whose characterization are portrayals in life served to better fix memories of the old west in the minds of living men.”

For those that don’t know Tom Mix was a silent film actor starring in more than 300 westerns films. He was a true cowboy both on screen and off.

We spent the day exploring cemeteries and just enjoying the ride.



Don't Worry I Will Protect You From The Mean Dog!



Saw This Thought Of You Hannah








Beautiful Scenery

Superior Arizona

 

 

At the entrance of most cemeteries is a sign which has all of the rules listed.  We always read these rules to see if Lulu can come in.  As always we pick up after her and if it is fenced she is free to roam.  She has been trained to stay close to me and bunny rabbits scare the weebies out of her.  She is not a chaser. 

Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery

The Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery’s benediction:

“Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around... when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen. Say Amen.”

A Race Based Benediction... hmmm

To take a quote from Obama Inauguration Speech: "On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.”

Obviously Obama and Lowery are not on the same page, judging from the smile from President Obama during this "benediction" he approved of Rev Lowery speech.  It is going to be a scary 4 years folks.

Is That A Broomstick Or Are You Happy To See Me

I don't have much to blog about but I told a family member I would continue and keep on.  I am just babbling.

My oldest child is a correctional officer at a minimum security prison.  He has never been assaulted in five years, then a few days after his 5 year anniversary he was.  He doesn't talk about his job much but once in a while  something slips. I am so happy he transferred out of that department.  What I find amazing is what prisoners hide and no the prisoner on the news didn't have a broomstick in his pants.  It was another incident and in this incident this prisoner had a whole different version of pulling out a can of whoop ass.

On the lighter side....My sister is considering writing her "memoirs."  She had read an article in Readers Digest and decided to give it a try.  Being the family historian I would recommend this to everyone.  I sent my grandmother a book titled "Tell Me About Your Life, Grandma" and even though she hated it, she filled it out.  It is a family treasure.  Since my sister was having a hard time starting, I recommended that she purchase a book similar to the one I sent Granny and just fill it out.  Then she said I need to do the same.  The sad thing is I have no long term memories.

None whatsoever.

I can barely remember what happen a year ago let alone 45 years ago.  All of my childhood memories come from other sources and when I hear stories of my childhood I am fascinated.   I just can't believe I did this or that, or said this or that, or ate this or that.   My mother told me last night I ate a box of chocolate ex lax and had to have my stomach pumped.  I was AMAZED.  "I ate what?" 

Was I born with a brain deficiency?  No, no, no don't answer that.  I have my sister and mother to tell me all about myself and I need to be writing their stories about me down because I won't remember them next year.  That is why pictures are so important to me.  I can look back and say, "I was there."  I don't know why I was there but I was there.

Laundry

Last night my sister called and I decided to curl up on the bed during our conversation.   Lulu came back to check on me and on her way back to the living room she decided to help out with the chores.  As I sat there, talking to my sister, I watched Lulu sort the laundry.  She made a little pile for the shirts, , then a little pile for bras, then a little pile for socks....The funny part is this; my laundry basket is small enough for her to jump in and out of, it is also collapsible when you push down on the side...  You should have seen her expression.

Tucson Animal Rescue

One of the topics of discussion between my mother and myself this month was “should we get a sibling for Lulu?” After weighing the pros and cons, we decided to find a sibling.

I was not aware of how difficult it is to get a dog. Even if we wanted a big, black dog, it would still be difficult if not impossible. I can understand the adoption fees because it does take money to take care of a dog. What I don’t understand is the mountains of paperwork, home studies, home visits before and after adoption. I can adopt a child before I can adopt a dog.

I had children and I would prefer a dog – no offense Hannah and Scott, Rusty would agree with me.

Anyway I found someone that agreed to meet me in a park today at 5:30. This way Lulu can meet her future sibling and this would give mom and I a chance to interact with our future companion. Well, we were stood up. I think the reason for this is I refused to have a home visit done. I feel if we lived in a house and not a motor home we would stand a better chance.

During the drive home we decided that if we should come across another dog, like we did with Lulu, we will consider it. Tucson Animal Rescues are just too invasive and there is just too much paperwork.

Lulu had a great time today. We went over to the house to visit with Scott and Bernie. Bernie has been under quarantine for kennel cough and we haven’t seen him in 10 days. He is a different dog. Lulu and Bernie started playing and running throughout the house, chairs were being knocked over, they would jump on and off the couch - they were having a grand old time. They were until we put a stop to them tearing up the few pieces of furniture inside the house. We then went to the park at 5:00, so she was able to spend an hour and 15 minutes, walking and singing and sniffing and checking the p-mail.

It was a disappointing day for us and a grand day for Lulu.

Papa Doctor

Hannah - Papa Doctor is Granny's husband, his father was William Alma Richardson, his grandfather was William Alma, and his great grandfather was Ebenezer.  The name "Alma" is prevalent in Richardson genealogy, on the male side.  It is one of the books that make up the Book of Mormon.

Out of all of the names in our genealogy, there are some that I find interesting. Knowing your interest in names and their origins, Hannah, I know you will be searching for unusual names when you receive the family history. One of the names is Benoni.  Benoni is of Hebrew origin, and its meaning is "son of my sorrow". Further research on Benoni shows that he died in infancy.

Mourning is another name that creeps in our family tree.  I have seen Mindwell, Buena Vista, Virtue, Prudence.... 

Hannah your were named after your gg grandmother.  That is what a name is... a gift.  We all know what happens when you open a gift on Christmas and it is a fruit cake.  A name is also a story, a history lesson.... it is needle and thread that keeps the quilt pieces together. 

Names and origins of my family
Hannah - In Hebrew, the name Hannah means- Favor; grace.
Scott - In Scottish, the name Scott means- Scottish; wanderer..
James - In Hebrew, the name James means- He grasps the heel. Supplanter.
Hayden In English, the name Hayden means- the rosy meadow.
Jaeda - orginated as an Arabian name means goodness
Isabel-  In Spanish, the name Isabel means- consecrated to god. In English - my God is bountiful; God of plenty
Jane - In Hebrew, the name Jane means- Gift from God

I loved what Vanna White said when she was pregnant and asked what name she was going to give her child, she said "I don't know, I haven't met him yet."

And Now It All Makes No Sense

I started the genealogy before the internet, in the days of snail mail. Each nugget of information that came in the mail led to another clue, another name, and it satisfied that “detective” in me. Now it is just googling a name and even though I am satisfied that my sources matches up with many others it doesn’t satisfied the detective in me. Sometimes a new name, a new member of the family will be added with verification but it is all too easy.

There is one name in my family’s history that has no history. She is my great grandmother on my father’s side of the family. She is just a name. All of the letters, emails, and googling turns up empty. I can find her on the census but she disappeared after the 1910 census. Her husband is there but she is not. I cannot find her death records either.

What little I know of her came from Granny. When she first married her husband they made a trip to Nevada so she can meet his family. The visit didn’t go well and her memories are not positive. Knowing as much as I do about her husband, my grandfather, who I called Papa Doctor, I can understand the visit going wrong. He was arrogant and cold and all flash. What I know is she owned a diner in Nevada, she was rude, and trashy, her kids were rude, and her new husband was just as bad.

New husband? Who was he, what is his name, did he have kids? Once again my search turned up nothing and she slipped away into a folder titled “Thornton.”

I received an offer to join a newspaper archive for free for two weeks and after making sure it was legitimate, I joined. That is when I pulled her file and started calculating, estimating her age and birth date based on her husband’s information. I thought I came up with a reasonable estimate of her date of death. I searched all of the Nevada’s newspaper under her maiden name and married name and came up with nothing. I knew her first husband died in Idaho so I tried that state and when that failed I decided to use her residences listed on all of the censuses. When I typed in “Mary Thornton” in the Utah’s newspaper search, I hit pay dirt.

And now it all makes no sense.

Mary Thornton Bishop, 63, Dies
Native of Oxford Idaho Succumbs At Home In Ogden

According to her obit she married Charles Bishop, June 30 1919. The only reference to her first husband was the following blurb, “She was married to W. A. Richardson in 1887, who died.”

In 1919, W. A. was very much alive and living in Idaho. He was worthless with a tendency to drink a bit and lived hand to mouth but he was very much alive.

She found her faith again after her marriage to Mr. Bishop, rejoined the LDS Church and was an auxiliary member of the Master Plumbers Association.” She lived a quiet, stable life in Ogden and she was never an owner of a diner in Nevada. Her first husband, W. A. couldn’t hold a job let alone own and operate a diner. I can’t find anything that says he lived in Nevada.

Who did you meet in Nevada, Granny? Why did Papa Doctor suddenly become interested in his family after he written them off and reinvented his life? I am sure she met someone that might be a family member, possibly a sibling, but she did not meet Mary. There is a slight possibility that W. A. was there but he never remarried.

As usual, a mystery solved leads to another mystery. Fortunately her obit and death records lists her parents and now I have some detective work to do.

Week In Review

My favorite daughter, Hannah Jane and her beau, Robert came for a visit.  I was able to see my two grandpuppies, Rose and Ella and they did alright with romping through the desert.  They had a few close encounters with the cacti but that didn't curb their enthusiasm.  Lulu was thrilled with having canine companionship this week and she bonded tightly with Ella.

It was also a rare moment for me to have two of my children together for Christmas. Robert and Scott did all of the cooking.  Two men and a grill and what a wonderful combination!  We feasted on salmon, steaks, ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs, and then we had grilled apples, veggies, s'mores, pineapple.... if it was in the fridge it went on the grill and came off of the grill delicious. The five of us gained 20 pounds this week.

We went to the usual places, Mt. Lemon, Catilina State Park, Biosphere, and did a lot of window shopping at 4th Street and Main Gate.  Two of the best places to do a little window shopping because with the prices you can't do anymore.... unless you hock the farm and give up your first born child.

We also went to the college for the Photograph Exhibit.  Scott and Hannah immediately went off on their own because there is nothing more embarrassing than looking at a bunch of naked people with your mother.  Let me tell you, and the kids agree, that was GOD AWFUL.  Three generations of women stark naked and peeing on a rock is not art and neither is a dozen uncircumcised men.  If I want to see naked I will pick up a magazine or watch TV.  Some of the folks in the pictures looked like they just came into puberty.  I had nightmares for a week.

We also celebrated Christmas the minute Hannah and Robert walked through the door. We are not a family that can wait when presents are wrapped and sitting under the unChristmas Tree.  The minute we displayed them nicely we waited long enough to oh and ah and then it was mayham!


Friday morning, Audrey, flew in to join us.  Audrey is Robert's mother and is a braver woman than I.  Robert drove her up Mt. Lemon so she can have the experience of 70 degree weather becoming 20 degrees.  I would have been in fetal position in the back seat of the car.  I am getting over my fear of mountains but I will never get over my fear of snow and ice.  That is something I can do without. It was a wonderful visit.

 

 

Greetings From Lulu

This week has been GRRRRREAT!  Lulu had a wonderful visit from Rose and Ella.

 

But her heart belonged to Ella......

 

She shares!

 

Rose found out that Arizona has plants that bite!

 

Lets get a close up of her nose.

 

Poor Baby.

 

The only bad part of the week was getting a bath.

 

With all the puppy love going on this week, Scott decided to get him some.  Meet Bernie people.  He is a Lab Chow mix.

 

I think he is a keeper.

 

I know Lulu is.