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.

Pondo the Great Story Teller

Pondo

The Longest Day

The Longest Day
by Kathleen M. Brosius

       An expression one conveys, when a story is told, tells a lot about a
man.  As I sit here at my computer, and if I close my eyes, I can see him—
my father sitting in his chair. Someone may have just congratulated him on
a small accomplishment. He would have sluffed it off, his reply, “Oh,
somebody would have done the same thing sooner or later.” This gentle
man rarely took credit; instead, he most likely would turn the conversation
to a “little story,” as he put it.
       The one story he told, that did give him and his partner credit, was
the evening the two attended the wake of one of their fishing cohorts. After
a lengthy day of checking box-traps, Pondo and his buddy, John Crowley,
decided it was getting too late to go home and clean up, so they trudged
up to the back door of their fallen friend’s home. As the widow met them at
the door, they apologized for not changing their clothes. Their clothing was
wet, wrinkled and smelled of fish. The only thing on them that was of any
order was their hip boots, which were neatly gathered and strapped just
below their knees.
       The young widow grabbed the two men and hugged them, tears
spilling from her eyes. “You old rascals,” she cried. “I wouldn’t want you to
come see my husband off any other way.” She pulled them into the parlor
and showed them off to relatives and friends.
       Another story frequently told was the day Pondo—my father, his
brother Pede, and their dad were working at Minipark, a spot of land along
the Minnesota Slough, where a few old buildings housed all the fishing
gear. Pede and Grandpa spotted a bull snake. Grandpa May hated
snakes. Pede picked the snake up by the tail and began swinging it around
in the air, hoping to snap off the snakes head. The tail snapped off instead,
sending the rest of the snake flying. Grandpa, in horror, watched as the
snake sailed right toward him. With a twinkle in his eye, Daddy continued
his story of how he’ll never forget the look of terror in his father’s eyes
when that old snake wrapped itself around his neck.
       When my dad was about to tell a story, I could always tell if it was
going to be a sad story, when tears would form; or a funny story, when a
gleam would radiate from his eyes and his face would beam with joy. Either
way, the emotion always chocked him up.
       Every time a wedding would come around, Daddy told the story of
someone whose wedding was on December 21, the shortest day of the
year, which would be followed by the longest night. And then with a chuckle
and that twinkle, Daddy would say something sly and just off-color enough
to cause our mother to sharply say, “Oh Pondo,” and shake her head. I can’
t remember whose wedding or what year, but I remember that chuckle and
that twinkle.
       Daddy had quite a following. Pals from up and down the Mississippi
River, would bring a six-pack and spend hours with him sitting out back
surrounded by piles of fish nets. Whether he got some of his stories from
other story-tellers or whether he actually experienced at least part of his
stories, he knew how to tell them. One story, beloved by his children,
grandchildren, and great grandchildren, was about an old alligator that lived
in a hole in the basement. We never did see Oscar, but if the story was
true, he’d be a giant of a reptile today.
       *The two longest days of my life were the days that our parents died.
By the time, the day of each of their passing ended, I had lost my voice
because there were so many people who I needed to call.
Copyright 2016

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.