On our trip to Glendale Az to attend a couple Dodger Spring Training Games we elected to use Uber for all travel rather than rent a car. Having never experienced Uber before we were pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to use and how relatively inexpensive it was. If we are ever allowed to travel again in the future I doubt we would ever rent a car again. Uber is the only way to go.

The most positive thing about each Uber ride experience was getting to chat with each driver. Each one is too much to comment on, however one in particular stands out to me. A middle aged Black Women, when asked her Country of Origin, proudly stated Africa. She went on to tell us how she came to end up in Glendale/Phoenix Az. She, her 4 kids, and her mother escaped during the uprising/war in her African Country to a neighboring Country, where they spent 10 yrs in a refugee camp. Finally they were approved to immigrate to America. They have been here many yrs now, all have become citizens. Her oldest just turned 21. She works driving Uber 12 hrs. a day, six days of the week. She had never driven a vehicle before coming to America, (she was an excellent driver) nor did she speak any English, (her English was perfect). She couldn’t say enough about her new country (America) and was so grateful for the Welcoming she has found here. I was touched as she spoke of her life.

A personal Note:

I freely admit that through the yrs I have had a bit of a racist view of ‘Black’ and their difference to my ‘White’ surrounding. Meeting this African Women and listening to her speak about her experience in trying to come to America, how hard she is working to provide for her family now that she is here, how proud she is not only still of her native country but also of her new home, America, all within the short span of a Uber ride, changed me and my views on Race. This woman does not know what kind of an impact she had on the fare she hauled, but I do, and I thank her for it.

On March 14th 2026 Kathleen and I flew to Phoenix Az so as to attend two Spring Training Games. The first one on March 15th at 1:05 p.m. at the Camelback Stadium between the Dodgers and Rangers. Dodgers Won. The second one on March 16th at 1:05 p.m in the same stadium between the Dodgers and Brewers. Dodgers Won.

Both days were extremely hot sitting in our seats in the Arizona Sun. We were prepared with the sun hats, the sun screen lotion, etc, but the heat was almost unbearable, and in fact was unbearable on the second day as we and all other 6,000 fans retreated for whatever shade we could find around the 5th inning.

As 81 yr old’s I think we handled the trip very well. We learned how to use Uber (more on that later), and milk the system as all 81 yr olds should be allowed to do. We had excellent meals out each night, we navigated a few unexpected hoops we had to jump through, and survived the whole experience. For that, I think we deserve a participation trophy.

More Than A Dream

In the Winters of 06-07 and 07-08 Kathleen and I headed off to La Penita/Lo de Marcos Mexico in our beautiful 40′ diesel pusher motor coach we called “tininthewind”. Newly retired and wanting to enjoy life. Research came first. Our use of the internet helped as we reached out through social media at the time. Question we put out was to see if anyone was familiar with doing what we wanted to do? We got an answer from a gentleman who said yes, for several years, he and his wife driving a pick-up and pulling a 5th wheel camper, would set off to spend the winter in La Penita, Mexico. I typed back to him and asked if it was safe and possible for us to do it. He said, yes, but typed back saying it was “the scariest trip he and his wife made”. That raised my eyebrows, and I immediately asked him to elaborate. He said, “well, we are Canadians, and we have to go through the lower 48 to get there”. Through him we eventually met up with about 20 Canadian couples in Tucson Arizona and then caravanned our way down 1,300 miles into Mexico and the town of La Penita and the Pacific Shore Beaches. The following year, 07-08 we did the same but opted for a little more opulent surroundings in Lo de Marcos about 10 miles from La Penita. The friends that we made, and the adventures we experienced during those winter months in the Tropics, would take a book of 1,000 pages and a zillion pictures to explain to you why those were some of the best years of our lives. There were challenges for sure back in the day but the rewards were an experience few would ever have.

Now, fast forward 18 yrs. On March 1st-6th 2026 to celebrate the month of my 81st birthday Kathleen and I are returning to the areas previously experienced. We are flying from Seattle, Wa. to Puerto Viarta Mexico, renting a car, and staying at a nice little resort in Rincon de Guayambitos, Mexico just a few miles south of La Penita. Our flights round trip for both will be $900.00, our lodging at the resort for 5 nights will be $304.00 total, and our car rental totals $293.85 with all the extra insurance coverage. We will eat out most meals and I would doubt that our total trip will excede $2,000.00

The following are just a few of the pictures from 18 yrs ago of those friends mentioned, some adventures from back then, other towns and beaches visited and memories. Sadly many of those friends are not on this side of the sod anymore, and those that are, we are not in touch with. We look forward to visiting the sites and towns that we became so familiar with those 18 yrs ago.

Note: We did cancel the above trip out of abundance of caution due to much unrest in that area of Mexico. Instead we elected to fly to Phoenix AZ., and attend a couple Dodger Spring Training games. A post reflecting on that trip may be accessed by finding it on this site.

I have always wondered what I could give my Grand-kids that I haven’t already given them throughout life?

Over the years I have secured a music collection I believe is second to none anywhere on this planet. Is it a collection that most likely is from one who loves ‘Country’ but also a lot of unique mp3’s that are hard to come by.

I just ordered 5 ( I-pods ) and loaded my whole collection ( 1036 mp3’s )on each one. Granted, I only have 4 legitimate Grand-kids, but Mason has a pretty serious girlfriend, Erica, who Kathleen and I adore so she will get one also.

Each individual, Mason, Erica, Maddie, Zak, and Ellie, may choose to just throw the device into a junk drawer and not bother checking it out, but who knows, just maybe one or more of them will like what it has to offer.

One thing for sure, they will have something that no one else on this planet has. 1036 mp3’s that are as unique as I have been in life. I do hope they will consider it a treasure.

Summer was in full blown mode, as all our flowers were looking good and our strawberry experiment was on track. But, I was experiencing fatigue and a bit of short breath when working in the back yard. A little complaint to Cardiologist and an Echo Cardiogram was done. It showed that I was experiencing severe Aortic Valve Stenosis and the valve was leaking much more than usual. I was told I could be a candidate for a valve replacement via catheter placement rather than open heart. The prep was begun and on Aug. 12th, 2024 I had the procedure done by Cardiologist Dr. Saidi, at St. Michaels, in Bremerton. Overnight in hospital and I went home to recover. During this TAVR procedure Dr. Saidi was not able to access my Aorta/Heart area via a catheter insertion up the Right Femoral Artery ( avenue of choice ). He did get the procedure done by other routes and before withdrawing the catheter decided to have a look below using a contrast media he filmed the blockage in my right femoral artery which showed a 99% block. A Vascular Surgeon, Dr. Kira Long was consulted and plans to have that artery cleaned out was set in motion. On October 7th 2024, the endarterectomy was performed. Again an overnight in the hospital, and then home to recover which is what I am doing at the moment. This recovery has been a bitch. At age of 79 this is the first time my body has been ‘cut’. The discomfort from this incision has been painful, taking the pain meds perscribed has caused extreme constipation and I have been feeling lousy.

Update:

In Summary, the TAVR procedure I would do again as I guess my new aortic valve is functioning as it should. Have I seen any improvement in my fatigue issue or short of breath. A little perhaps, but very little. Have I seen any improvement in circulation to my right leg after the endarterectomy, I am not sure. Once I get to feeling better I can better access my progress. Time will tell.

Update:

It has been several weeks now and my incision is healing and allowing me to be a little more comfortable with movement. My increased stamina on the treadmill is impressive. I still feel as though I have not improved as I should with my getting winded and needing the rest often. We will see how that progresses going forward. For now I am over all satisfied.

Update: Several months now and my over-all outcome from the TAVR procedure seems to me that I show very little if any improvement from the valve replacement when it comes to my breathing. I still seem a little short of breath on exercised. The cleaning out the junk in my Femoral Artery however has been a total success and I am extremely pleased. I can walk some distance now and not feel the fatigue that I had prior to the procedure. Improving every day.

It is not secret that my spring, summer, and fall are all about flowers. I seem to come up with new ways to enjoy the flowers, growing them to just plain enjoying them as they blossom and spill out over the edge of the container.

20 specialty cans planted with various flowers that can cascade out of the planter have been fun to have hanging on the fence and on deck posts as well. They do require frequent watering but have been so pretty. Looks like a could use a new chair soon.

These two repurposed hose reels and an added cedar planter box to make it look like a covered wagon has been part of my annual look for quite some time. I always enjoy seeing what each years planting will bring.

I am 77 yrs old and soon to hit 78 and reflecting on the past becomes increasingly important to me. As I sit here typing my thoughts today I am well aware at this very moment

my youngest son and his wife are flying off to Washington D C on both a business and pleasure trip.

I visited Washington D C once but for the life of me I can’t remember when or how. All I remembered of the trip, and it is very vivid in my memory bank, I visited the Vietnam Memorial, and I do believe it was the only site I did visit or at least remember.

Back in my latter high school days as a member of 43 in my graduating class we had a basketball team that was pretty good. Iowa did not have a class system ( A, B, or C ) for ranking so a school representing a town of about 600 and surrounding farming area progressed through year end tournaments to eventually compete against bigger and bigger and bigger school systems. Our pride was that we made it to State Tournament having won District, then Regional, and finally on to State. My bride and partner of today was Kathleen, one of three cheer leaders. I was part of the five starters and our bench was not very deep. Those from our followers who didn’t make the trip to Des Moins were glued to the radio as we advanced through State Tournament play only to be let down just a little as we lost in the finals both our junior and senior years. I remember the welcome home when our bus load of players and a bus load of fans were led down main street by the town fire truck and town police car with sirens blaring and lights flashing. Pride in the eyes of those lining the street for us who had gone so far.

Now back to Washington D C. I remember walking up to that Vietnam Memorial and seeing that sad but awesome display of names by the thousands of deceased soldiers, all in alphabetic order, chiseled out in that one contiguous black slab of stone. As I carried my piece of paper and pencil I found the name I was looking for.

David Mueller, was our point guard from that Iowa Basketball Team. He was the shortest player of any of us standing only about 5′ 6″ but he made up for his height by amazing skills as a leader of the team. He could feed the ball to any of us who got open for a shot like non other. David lost his life after being drafted for Vietnam shortly after we graduated High School. It was reported that he drowned while crossing a river in the Mecong Delta of the Vietnam Jungle

I placed my paper over his name, and rubbed with the pencil so as to record it on the paper, I remember tears streaming down my cheeks. It was probably one of the most emotional memories that I have from my past.

Funny how events of today trigger thoughts and memories from ones past, both happy and sad. Travel Safe Bill and Heidi. I am thinking of you today.