Elon and Tess Visit

Elon and Tess came to visit on Sunday and stayed overnight. Elon is doing quite well (he has full custody of Tess) and Tess is an absolute delight! She is only three but as bright and quick as a seven year old! She can hear a new song and sing it right back to you -- is very observant and loves to go for a walk with 'grandma'; pick flowers and play with Ellie's stuffed dogs. We had such a good time with both of them. They may come back in July and stay with the Ivies so that they can see Angie and family and Donna and family. We hope so.

Arizona Blooming

The Arizona Desert is blooming and beautiful. We just returned from a week's stay in Cave Creek, Arizona with Bud and Helen. We enjoyed the company, the cactus and the interesting sites in the area. We also had good visits with Bob and Nancy Redd and with Richie, Angie and Mylie!

Where Are My Books ???

I love my books...Many of my favorite books I've loaned out to people....I USED to loan them out but I don't do it to often any longer because too many of them have never found their way back home! (Examples: Atlas Shrugged, The Doll House, Laughing Boy, Life and Death in Shanghai, Little Shepherd of the Hills - an old fashioned book but the author wrote it while boarding at my Grandma's house in Bluff, To Kill a Mocking Bird - and there are lots more I haven't got back! Shame on those who borrow and don't return.

Right now I'm reading Milton's Paradise Lost - and most of it I love. I love this passage in Book 4: Raphael speaking to Adam (before the fall):
"Son of Heav'n and Earth attend: That thou art happy, owe to God, that thou continu'st such, owe to thyself. That is, to thy obedience;....be advis'd, God made thee perfect, not immutable; and good he made thee, but to perservere he left in thy power, ordain'ed thy will by nature free, not overrul'd by Fate inextricable, or strict necessity;
"Our voluntary service he requires, not our necessitated, such with him finds no acceptance, nor can find, for how can hearts, not free, be tri'd whether they were willing or no......"

Catching Up With Spring

It has been a crazy Spring as everyone knows who reads our family blogs. My three creative and wonderful daughters have kept you up on what has happened. A quick review: the wonderful trip to Jordan, Israel and Egypt and then the devastating and traumatic attack on our precious grandson, Max. Two or more weeks were spent in agonizing worry about him as he suffered thru two major operations, pain, confusion and misery. We thank the heavens and all the friends and family members who called, wrote, fasted and prayed with us. He is now recovering at home, back in school and doing threpeutic exercises once a week in Grand Junction. Miracles have happened and true friends and family have shown their concern and love.

On The Bluff Bench

On the Bluff Bench Joseph found a new (to me at least) cliff flower cave. He brought us over the rocks to see it but wouldn't go near it himself! He is allergic to cliff flowers (unbelievable!) Ellie retrieved ten precious little blooms for me which made me happy! Joseph also discovered an arch - or is it an illusion? Hmmmm, you decide!

Ten Thousand Dollar Rock !

I found a $100,00 rock. Scoff if you want...just wait till I get it on e-bay and you'll say "Oh, my gosh! She did!" Yeah, as soon as I find that article I read a while back about Bluff being the center of the world - and show the picture of the rock I found there, along with a synopsis of the article, I'll sell that rock and pocket $10,000! No, I'm not going to post the picture of the rock here on my blog..yet; but here's a picture of the center of the world...uh, Bluff.

Israel Trip

It's been three months or so since I tried to blog. As you know, friend and a few family members from reading each other's blogs, a lot has happened since. Max's
injuries top-most concern. We were able to be with him, Dave and Jeanne, for five or six days - we're home now and Joni and Kevin are with them. Max has suffered
greatly - lots of pain - hours of surgery - confusion - fright - all of those things and more. My heart aches for him and his parents but we are happy with his progress and know he will be okay in a few weeks. Two major sugeries and a possibility of another lighter one. He is a wonderful young man and we love him so much.

Our Israel-Jordan-Egypt trip was wonderful, inspirational and fun. None of us has had much time to post, print or admire our photos but soon we will. I really want to show you a couple of the very first photos I took when Jeanne and I hiked the Petra canyon early the first day....So if I can remember how to do it, you'll see them with this short writing. I'll not be home or have access to internet for another week. Love you my dear family and Shahara!