[HI FRIENDS...BUT MY GOSH ITS BEEN AWHILE, PROBABLY HAVE TO "INTRODUCE" MYSELF ALL OVER AGAIN!! JUST THINK, (OR NOT)...I TURN 80 ON THE 25TH! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT, 8 DECADES. HAVE BEEN SO BLESSED THROUGH MOST OF IT, A FEW HILLS-T0-CLIMB ALONG THE WAY, BUT WHO HASN'T HAD THOSE. I AM THANKFUL, THIS THANKSGIVING MONTH...TO STILL HAVE REASONABLE GOOD HEALTH, AND FOR MY LOVING FAMILY, 4 SONS, 3 DAUGHTERS, AND 9 BRILLIANT GRANDCHILDREN, AND TWO "GREATS". IN EARLY SEPT. I TRAVELED UP TO SOUTH DAKOTA FOR THE WEDDING OF MY GRANDSON JAKE. OH MY FRIENDS, IT WAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING. I LOVED TO SEE ALL THOSE WONDERFUL YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE WEDDING PARTY, ALL BRIGHT AND HAPPY AND JUST SO DEAR. I THINK OUR WORLD WILL BE ALRIGHT IN THE FUTURE. JAKE IS A GRADUATE STUDENT AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY IN ECONOMICS, HIS LOVELY BRIDE ELIZABETH HAS GRADUATED DENTAL SCHOOL FROM THE U OF NEBRASKA, AND HAS FOUND A JOB IN GEORGETOWN. WHAT A SWEET WEEK END IT WAS FOR ME.IN EARLY DEC. I AM AGAIN GOING UP TO SOUTH DAKOTA, MY YOUNGEST SON TODD RUNS THE FAMILY RANCH, AND HE IS RECEIVING A NATIONAL HONOR FOR LAND CONSERVATION, SOMETHING HE HAS BEEN SO DEDICATED TO IN ALL HIS YEARS AS THE "HEAD MAN"! THE RANCH IS WHERE I RAISED MY FAMILY, AND THOUGH I THINK I HAVE SHOVELED ALL THE SNOW I NEED TO IN ONE LIFETIME...I STILL MISS THOSE WIDE OPEN SPACES...WELL, MAYBE NOT IN JANUARY! HOPE THE WEATHER COOPERATES BECAUSE I FLY THROUGH DENVER AND CATCH A VERY SMALL COMMUTER FLIGHT TO PIERRE, SD. MY DAUGHTER LYNNE WILL MEET ME IN DENVER AND WE WILL FLY THAT LAST LEG TOGETHER.IT WAS A REALLY "INTERESTING" SUMMER HERE IN THE ARIZONA DESERT, WITH A FEW HUGE DUST STORMS ROLLING THROUGH ETC. SOMETIMES CALLED "HABOOBS", BUT LETS STICK TO THE GOOD OLD AMERICAN JUST PLAIN DUST STORMS. WHATEVER YOU CALL THEM, THEY ARE QUITE SPECTACULAR. I AM QUITE IMPRESSED MYSELF WHEN I SEE THEM ON THE NEWS! BUT NOW WE ARE IN TO OUR BEST TIME, FALL AND WINTER, TEMPERATURES SO MODERATE, AND FLOWERS AND PLANTINGS BLOOMING. LOTS OF WINTER VISITORS BACK NOW, SAW LICENSE PLATES IN MY CONDO AREA FROM ALASKA, CANADA, OHIO, NEBRASKA, ILLINOIS AND MINNESOTA SO FAR. LOVE TO WATCH THEM OUT WALIKING, BIKING, AND JUST GENERALLY ENJOYING THEIR TIME HERE. NICE PEOPLE, ALL OF THEM. AS ARE ALL OF YOU, I DO HOPE THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS HAVE BEEN KIND TO YOU, AND IF NOT...BETTER DAYS AHEAD. STAY WELL AND WARM, AND DON'T SLIP ON ANY ICE!]

HI FRIENDS...BUT MY GOSH ITS BEEN AWHILE, PROBABLY HAVE TO "INTRODUCE" MYSELF ALL OVER AGAIN!!  JUST THINK, (OR NOT)...I TURN 80 ON THE 25TH!  I CAN'T BELIEVE IT, 8 DECADES.  HAVE BEEN SO BLESSED THROUGH MOST OF IT, A FEW HILLS-T0-CLIMB ALONG THE WAY, BUT WHO HASN'T HAD THOSE.  I AM THANKFUL, THIS THANKSGIVING MONTH...TO STILL HAVE REASONABLE GOOD HEALTH, AND FOR MY LOVING FAMILY, 4 SONS, 3 DAUGHTERS, AND 9 BRILLIANT GRANDCHILDREN, AND TWO "GREATS".
  
IN EARLY SEPT. I TRAVELED UP TO SOUTH DAKOTA FOR THE WEDDING OF MY GRANDSON JAKE.  OH MY FRIENDS, IT WAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING.  I LOVED TO SEE ALL THOSE WONDERFUL YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE WEDDING PARTY, ALL BRIGHT AND HAPPY AND JUST SO DEAR.  I THINK OUR WORLD WILL BE ALRIGHT IN THE FUTURE.  JAKE IS A GRADUATE STUDENT AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY IN ECONOMICS, HIS LOVELY BRIDE ELIZABETH HAS GRADUATED DENTAL SCHOOL FROM THE U OF NEBRASKA, AND HAS FOUND A JOB IN GEORGETOWN.  WHAT A SWEET WEEK END IT WAS FOR ME.

IN EARLY DEC. I AM AGAIN GOING UP TO SOUTH DAKOTA, MY YOUNGEST SON TODD RUNS THE FAMILY RANCH,  AND HE IS RECEIVING A NATIONAL HONOR FOR LAND CONSERVATION, SOMETHING HE HAS BEEN SO DEDICATED TO IN ALL HIS YEARS AS THE "HEAD MAN"!  THE RANCH IS WHERE I RAISED MY FAMILY, AND THOUGH I THINK I HAVE SHOVELED ALL THE SNOW I NEED TO IN ONE LIFETIME...I STILL MISS THOSE WIDE OPEN SPACES...WELL, MAYBE NOT IN JANUARY!  HOPE THE WEATHER COOPERATES BECAUSE I FLY THROUGH DENVER AND CATCH A VERY SMALL COMMUTER FLIGHT TO PIERRE, SD.  MY DAUGHTER LYNNE WILL MEET ME IN DENVER AND WE WILL FLY THAT LAST LEG TOGETHER.

IT WAS A REALLY "INTERESTING" SUMMER HERE IN THE ARIZONA DESERT, WITH A FEW HUGE DUST STORMS ROLLING THROUGH ETC.  SOMETIMES CALLED "HABOOBS", BUT LETS STICK TO THE GOOD OLD AMERICAN JUST PLAIN DUST STORMS.  WHATEVER YOU CALL THEM, THEY ARE QUITE SPECTACULAR.  I AM QUITE IMPRESSED MYSELF WHEN I SEE THEM ON THE NEWS!   BUT NOW WE ARE IN TO OUR BEST TIME, FALL AND WINTER, TEMPERATURES SO MODERATE, AND FLOWERS AND PLANTINGS BLOOMING.  LOTS OF WINTER VISITORS BACK NOW, SAW LICENSE PLATES IN MY CONDO  AREA FROM ALASKA, CANADA, OHIO, NEBRASKA, ILLINOIS AND MINNESOTA SO FAR.  LOVE TO WATCH THEM OUT WALIKING, BIKING, AND JUST GENERALLY ENJOYING THEIR TIME HERE.  NICE PEOPLE, ALL OF THEM.

AS ARE ALL OF YOU, I DO HOPE THE PAST SEVERAL WEEKS HAVE BEEN KIND TO YOU, AND IF NOT...BETTER DAYS AHEAD.  STAY WELL AND WARM, AND DON'T SLIP ON ANY ICE!

JEAN-AZ/LUVTHATAJ

[HI FRIENDS, ITS BEEN A WHILE! ENJOYING CATCHING UP WITH YOU AS BEST I CAN. ITS NOT NEWS FOR SURE THAT ITS BEEN A VERY, VERY HOT SUMMER HERE IN THE DESERT...DO THEY REALLY NEED TO KEEP TELLING US THAT ON THE WEATHER NEWS??? LIKE WE CAN'T TELL? BUT I MUST TELL YOU, I OPENED UP MY LIVING ROOM BLINDS VERY EARLY THIS MORNING, AND I WISH I COULD SHOW YOU HOW LOVELY THE SCENE WAS...THE SUN WAS HITTING "MY" PALO VERDE TREE OUT FRONT AND JUST BATHING IT IN A SOFT GOLDEN LIGHT, NOT THE HARSH WHITE, WHITE SUN THAT COMES LATER, EVERYTHING WAS JUST GLOWING. WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR, IT WAS ALREADY WARM OF COURSE, BUT THERE WAS THAT HINT OF COOLER MORNINGS ON THE WAY. MY GOODNESS, IF I HADN'T STILL BEEN IN MY NIGHTGOWN, I WOULD HAVE VENTURED OUT AND SAT ON THE PATIO JUST TO SOAK IT ALL IN. WON'T BE LONG NOW, I WILL HAVE TO HOSE DOWN MY CHAIRS AND TABLE OUT THERE, EVERY TIME A DUST STORM ROLLS IN THEY ARE COVERED. ANYHOW, THAT LOVELY SCENE, EVERYTHING SO QUIET AND STILL, LIKE A BLESSING, YOU KNOW??HAVE HAD TO HAVE SOME MEDICAL TESTS, RESULTS WITH DR. IN A COUPLE DAYS, YOU KNOW HOW THAT GOES. BUT AT LEAST MY BONES ARE GETTING STRONGER, HOW ABOUT THAT!GOING TO GRANDSON JAKE'S WEDDING UP IN SIOUX FALLS, SD, THE END OF NEXT WEEK. HE IS GETTING HIS DOCTORATE IN ECONOMICS AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, AND HIS BRIDE, LIZ, JUST GRADUATED FROM DENTAL SCHOOL. YOU REMEMBER THAT SONG.."A KISS FOR LUCK AND THEYRE ON THEIR WAY..." IT WILL BE A VERY FAST TRIP FOR ME, THE TRAVEL PART I'M NOT SO MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO...FLY THROUGH DENVER BOTH WAYS WITH A RATHER LENGTHY LAY-OVER COMING AND GOING. NO DIRECT FLIGHTS YET FROM PHOENIX TO SIOUX FALLS, BUT MAYBE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. NOW, IF THEY COULD JUST GET ONE BETWEEN PHOENIX AND RAPID CITY, BECAUSE "WEST RIVER" IS WHERE I WANT TO ROAM! I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER THE FEEDER PLANE FLIGHTS FROM DENVER IN TO PIERRE WILL BE OPERATING THE WAY THE AIRLINES ARE CUTTING BACK, BUT SINCE IT IS THE CAPITOL CITY MAYBE THEY WON'T ELIMINATE THAT, WHO KNOWS?? DECIDED AFTER A BIT OF SHOPPING THAT I DO NOT NEED ANOTHER GRAMMA-OF-THE-GROOM WEDDING OUTFIT...I WILL WEAR WHAT I WORE TO GRANDSON JOHN'S WEDDING, WILL NEED NEW SHOES FOR IT THO, THE ONES I WORE WERE EVIDENTLY FOR SOMEONE ELSES FEET, BECAUSE THEY SURE DON'T FIT ME NOW. ANYHOW, I EXPECT TO DANCE WITH MY HANDSOME SONS AND GRANDSONS AT LEAST ONCE! NOW YOU ALL STAY WELL, COOL, AND DANCING...SEE YOU SOON..]

HI FRIENDS, ITS BEEN A WHILE!  ENJOYING CATCHING UP WITH YOU AS BEST I CAN.  ITS NOT NEWS FOR SURE THAT ITS BEEN A VERY, VERY HOT SUMMER HERE IN THE DESERT...DO THEY REALLY NEED TO KEEP TELLING US THAT ON THE WEATHER NEWS???  LIKE WE CAN'T TELL?  BUT I MUST TELL YOU, I OPENED UP MY LIVING ROOM BLINDS VERY EARLY THIS MORNING, AND I WISH I COULD SHOW YOU HOW LOVELY THE SCENE WAS...THE SUN WAS HITTING "MY" PALO VERDE TREE OUT FRONT AND JUST BATHING IT IN A SOFT GOLDEN LIGHT, NOT THE HARSH WHITE, WHITE SUN THAT COMES LATER, EVERYTHING WAS JUST GLOWING.  WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR, IT WAS ALREADY WARM OF COURSE, BUT THERE WAS THAT HINT OF COOLER MORNINGS ON THE WAY.  MY GOODNESS, IF I HADN'T STILL BEEN IN MY NIGHTGOWN, I WOULD HAVE VENTURED OUT AND SAT ON THE PATIO JUST TO SOAK IT ALL IN. WON'T BE LONG NOW, I WILL HAVE TO HOSE DOWN MY CHAIRS AND TABLE OUT THERE, EVERY TIME A DUST STORM ROLLS IN THEY ARE COVERED.  ANYHOW, THAT LOVELY SCENE, EVERYTHING SO QUIET AND STILL, LIKE A BLESSING, YOU KNOW??

HAVE HAD TO HAVE SOME MEDICAL TESTS, RESULTS WITH DR. IN A COUPLE DAYS, YOU KNOW HOW THAT GOES.  BUT AT LEAST MY BONES ARE GETTING STRONGER, HOW ABOUT THAT!

GOING TO GRANDSON JAKE'S WEDDING UP IN SIOUX FALLS, SD, THE END OF NEXT WEEK.  HE IS GETTING HIS DOCTORATE IN ECONOMICS AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, AND HIS BRIDE, LIZ, JUST GRADUATED FROM DENTAL SCHOOL.  YOU REMEMBER THAT SONG.."A KISS FOR LUCK AND THEYRE ON THEIR WAY..."  IT WILL BE A VERY FAST TRIP FOR ME, THE TRAVEL PART I'M NOT SO MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO...FLY THROUGH DENVER BOTH WAYS WITH A RATHER LENGTHY LAY-OVER COMING AND GOING.  NO DIRECT FLIGHTS YET FROM PHOENIX TO SIOUX FALLS, BUT MAYBE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.  NOW, IF THEY COULD JUST GET ONE BETWEEN PHOENIX AND RAPID CITY, BECAUSE "WEST RIVER" IS WHERE I WANT TO ROAM!  I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER THE FEEDER PLANE FLIGHTS FROM DENVER IN TO PIERRE WILL BE OPERATING THE WAY THE AIRLINES ARE CUTTING BACK, BUT SINCE IT IS THE CAPITOL CITY MAYBE THEY WON'T ELIMINATE THAT, WHO KNOWS??  DECIDED AFTER A BIT OF SHOPPING THAT I DO NOT NEED ANOTHER GRAMMA-OF-THE-GROOM WEDDING OUTFIT...I WILL WEAR WHAT I WORE TO GRANDSON JOHN'S WEDDING, WILL NEED NEW SHOES FOR IT THO, THE ONES I WORE WERE EVIDENTLY FOR SOMEONE ELSES FEET, BECAUSE THEY SURE DON'T FIT ME NOW.  ANYHOW, I EXPECT TO DANCE WITH MY HANDSOME SONS AND GRANDSONS AT LEAST ONCE! 

NOW YOU ALL STAY WELL, COOL, AND DANCING...SEE YOU SOON..

jean-az/allALANalways

[HI FRIENDS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND CONCERN, BUT I AM REALLY JUST FINE. STAYED PRETTY MUCH INSIDE FOR A DAY OR TWO, AS THE DUST JUST HUNG IN THE AIR. IT DIDN'T SEEM TO HURT THE OUTSIDE PAINT JOB, MAYBE THAT'S WHY THEY PAINT EVERYTHING BROWN DOWN HERE! MY GOSH, WOULDN'T IT BE AWFUL IF A STORM LIKE THAT HUNG AROUND FOR A DAY OR TWO LIKE SNOW STORMS DO, THIS THING JUST CAME BARRELING THRU AT ABOUT 60 MILES AN HOUR. HAD SOME RAIN LAST NIGHT, AND I WOULD SURE LIKE IT IF YOU COULD SEND MORE OUR WAY.MY SON CURT'S HOUSE IN SOUTH DAKOTA, THE PIERRE AREA, STILL HAS WATER INSIDE IT. DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THE WATER WILL RECEDE TILL LATER AUGUST. HE HAS REACHED IT BY BOAT A TIME OR TWO, AS I MENTIONED THEY JUST BUILT IT, AND WERE ONLY IN IT 8 MONTHS. THEIR SON JAKE IS GETTING MARRIED SEPT. 4TH, SO I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE TRIP UP TO SIOUX FALLS FOR THAT. JAKE IS GETTING HIS PHD FROM GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, AND HIS LOVELY BRIDE JUST GRADUATED FROM U OF NEBRASKA IN DENTISTRY. SO THAT WILL BE A HAPPY TIME FOR ALL OF US IN SPITE OF THE FLOODING OF THE MISSOURI. LOOKS LIKE WE WILL MISS OUR ANNUAL BASEBALL WEEK-END IN MY HOME TOWN OF MINNEAPOLIS THIS AUGUST. JUST TOO MUCH TO DEAL WITH THIS YEAR. I REGRET MOST NOT BEING ABLE TO MAKE OUR STOP AT FT. SNELLING MILITARY CEMETERY TO LEAVE FLAGS AT MY BROTHERS MARKERS. WALLY, MY OLDEST BROTHER, WAS A NAVY PILOT AND LOST AT SEA, SO ONLY HAS A MEMORIAL MARKER, BUT AT LEAST IT IS SOMETHING THAT SAYS HE WAS HERE. TOOK ME A LONG TIME TO GET THAT DONE FOR HIM. ANOTHER BROTHER, DOUG, IS BURIED THERE, AND AN UNCLE FROM WW1. TWO OTHER BROTHERS ARE BURIED IN MILITARY CEMETERIES, ONE IT FT. SMITH AR. AND ANOTHER NEAR CHICAGO. GEE, I MISS THEM ALL, BUT WAS I EVER LUCKY TO HAVE THEM. I WAS QUITE THE ENVY OF MY GIRL FRIENDS GROWING UP! I GUESS NOW YOU KNOW WHY I AM SUCH A PROUD FLAG WAVER. IN FACT, AFTER THE DUST STORM, I REPLACED THE FLAGS I HAVE ON THE PATIO WITH NEW ONES. NO DUSTY, TATTERED ONES HERE!! THE BOY SCOUTS COLLECT AND DESTROY THE OLD ONES IN THE PROPER WAY. THE ALL STAR GAME IS HERE THIS YEAR. I'LL WATCH SOME OF IT ON TV, BUT THERE AREN'T ENOUGH OF MY BELOVED TWINS ON THE ROSTER TO SUIT ME! SHOULD BE FINE FOR THE PLAYERS, THE STADIUM ROOF CAN BE CLOSED AND AIR COOLED. YOU ALL BE WELL AND HAPPY!]

HI FRIENDS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND CONCERN, BUT I AM REALLY JUST FINE.  STAYED PRETTY MUCH INSIDE FOR A DAY OR TWO, AS THE DUST JUST HUNG IN THE AIR.  IT DIDN'T SEEM TO HURT THE OUTSIDE PAINT JOB, MAYBE THAT'S WHY THEY PAINT EVERYTHING BROWN DOWN HERE!  MY GOSH, WOULDN'T IT BE AWFUL IF A STORM LIKE THAT HUNG AROUND FOR A DAY OR TWO LIKE SNOW STORMS DO, THIS THING JUST CAME BARRELING THRU AT ABOUT 60 MILES AN HOUR.  HAD SOME RAIN LAST NIGHT, AND I WOULD SURE LIKE IT IF YOU COULD SEND MORE OUR WAY.
MY SON CURT'S HOUSE IN SOUTH DAKOTA, THE PIERRE AREA, STILL HAS WATER INSIDE IT.  DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THE WATER WILL RECEDE TILL LATER AUGUST.  HE HAS REACHED IT BY BOAT A TIME OR TWO, AS I MENTIONED THEY JUST BUILT IT, AND WERE ONLY IN IT 8 MONTHS.  THEIR SON JAKE IS GETTING MARRIED SEPT. 4TH, SO I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE TRIP UP TO SIOUX FALLS FOR THAT.  JAKE IS GETTING HIS PHD FROM GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, AND HIS LOVELY BRIDE JUST GRADUATED FROM U OF NEBRASKA IN DENTISTRY.  SO THAT WILL BE A HAPPY TIME FOR ALL OF US IN SPITE OF THE FLOODING OF THE MISSOURI.
 
LOOKS LIKE WE WILL MISS OUR ANNUAL BASEBALL WEEK-END IN MY HOME TOWN OF MINNEAPOLIS THIS AUGUST.  JUST TOO MUCH TO DEAL WITH THIS YEAR.  I REGRET MOST NOT BEING ABLE TO MAKE OUR STOP AT FT. SNELLING MILITARY CEMETERY TO LEAVE FLAGS AT MY BROTHERS MARKERS.  WALLY, MY OLDEST BROTHER, WAS A NAVY PILOT AND LOST AT SEA, SO ONLY HAS A MEMORIAL MARKER, BUT AT LEAST IT IS SOMETHING THAT SAYS HE WAS HERE.  TOOK ME A LONG TIME TO GET THAT DONE FOR HIM.  ANOTHER BROTHER, DOUG, IS BURIED THERE, AND AN UNCLE FROM WW1.  TWO OTHER BROTHERS ARE BURIED IN MILITARY CEMETERIES, ONE IT FT. SMITH AR. AND ANOTHER NEAR CHICAGO.  GEE, I MISS THEM ALL, BUT WAS I EVER LUCKY TO HAVE THEM.  I WAS QUITE THE ENVY OF MY GIRL FRIENDS GROWING UP!  I GUESS NOW YOU KNOW WHY I AM SUCH A PROUD FLAG WAVER.  IN FACT, AFTER THE DUST STORM, I REPLACED THE FLAGS I HAVE ON THE PATIO WITH NEW ONES.  NO DUSTY, TATTERED ONES HERE!!  THE BOY SCOUTS COLLECT AND DESTROY THE OLD ONES IN THE PROPER WAY. 

THE ALL STAR GAME IS HERE THIS YEAR.  I'LL WATCH SOME OF IT ON TV, BUT THERE AREN'T ENOUGH OF MY BELOVED TWINS ON THE ROSTER TO SUIT ME!  SHOULD BE FINE FOR THE PLAYERS, THE STADIUM ROOF CAN BE CLOSED AND AIR COOLED. 

YOU ALL BE WELL AND HAPPY!

jean-az/allAlanalways

[HI FRIENDS, MY, HASN'T THIS BEEN A MONTH SO FAR OF GRAND (?) ADVENTURES. THE EXPECTED PAINTING OF OUR EXTERIOR WALLS HERE AT THE COMPLEX, STARTED ONE MORNING A FEW DAYS AGO WITHOUT ANY WARNING..I WOKE TO THE SOUND OF BROWN PAPER MASKING ALL THE WINDOWS..AND DOORS, CHATTERING PAINTERS..AND I WAS PAPERED IN! COULDN'T EVEN GET OUT TO GET MY BELOVED MORNING PAPER. THAT TOOK SEVERAL HOURS. THEN, A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, THE SAME THING, BRIGHT AND EARLY, THE PATTER OF LITTLE PAINTER FEET AS THEY TAPED ME IN AGAIN..THIS TIME FOR THE TRIM..TRIED TO LOOK OUT THE PEEP HOLE, THOUGHT I WAS BLIND BECAUSE THEY HAD TAPED IT OVER, TOO. I CAN'T GET UP EARLY ENOUGH TO BEAT THEM. AGAIN, THIS TIME I REALLY WANTED TO GET OUT AND DO SOME ERRANDS, NAMELY GROCERIES, SO WAITED A BIT, THEN JUST BUSTED OUT. LIKE FROM ALCATRAZ OR SOMETHING, SAME WITH MY GARAGE DOOR, IT WAS TAPED OVER AND PAINTED TOO..BUT I GOT THE DOOR UP WITH MUCH TEARING AND SCREECHING AS THE PAPER AND TAPE CAME LOOSE, BUT BY GOSH I WAS FREE! DIDN'T DAMAGE THE PAINT BECAUSE DOWN HERE EVERYTHING, AND I MEAN EVERYTHING DRIES IN AN INSTANT. THEN GUESS WHAT...THE HUGE DUST STORM THAT I WAS OBLIVIOUS TOO, MY UNIT IS KIND OF TUCKED IN A CORNER, SO I JUST THOUGHT, "GEE, ITS A LITTLE WINDY..." NEXT MORNING I WENT OUT TO GET MY PAPER, AND EVERYTHING, AND I MEAN EVERYTHING WAS BROWN. I THOUGHT, NOW THAT'S REALLY A SLOPPY JOB OF PAINING, ITS ALL OVER THE SIDEWALK...TILL I REALIZED IT WAS BROWN POWDER...AS FINE AS BABY POWDER, ONLY BROWN, NO GRAINS OF SAND, JUST PURE DUST. WHEN IS SAW THE PICTURES ON TV, IT SCARED THE STUFFING OUT OF ME! COULDN'T SEE ANY OF THE MOUNTAINS AROUND AT ALL, AND THAT IS STILL HANGING IN THE AIR. THE AIR QUALITY CONTINUES TO BE JUST NASTY. THEY TELL US OLD CODGERS TO STAY IN AND AVOID IT, SO ITS LIKE PAINTERS ALL OVER AGAIN. I DO GET OUT AND ABOUT THO, BUT IN SHORT BURSTS. IT WON'T CLEAR UP TILL WE GET SOME DESPERATELY NEEDED RAIN. CHANGED THE AIR FILTER ON MY AIR CONDITIONER AS SUGGESTED, CAN'T REALLY SAY IT WAS TOO BAD. HAVEN'T NOTICED ANY MORE DUST THAN USUAL INSIDE....I THINK OF A BIT OF DUST AS "PROTECTIVE COVERING" ANYWAY, BUT YOU SHOULD SEE MY WINDOWS...BETWEEN THE PAINTING AND NOW THE DUST STORM, I DON'T KNOW IF ITS DAY OR NIGHT. AFRAID TO HAVE THEM WASHED UNTIL THIS MONSOON SEASON IS OVER, BECAUSE THE WAY MY LUCK HAS BEEN RUNNING LATELY IT WOULD STORM AGAIN THE NEXT DAY. THANK GOODNESS I DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH A SWIMMING POOL!WELL, I'VE WHINED ENOUGH. YOU ALL STAY COOL, DRY, AND UN-SEALED IN, ME, I'VE GOT MY MINNESOTA TWINS TO DEAL WITH, DON'T YOU THINK I'VE DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB OF MANAGING THEM LATELY??]

HI FRIENDS, MY, HASN'T THIS BEEN A MONTH SO FAR OF GRAND (?) ADVENTURES.  THE EXPECTED PAINTING OF OUR EXTERIOR WALLS HERE AT THE COMPLEX, STARTED ONE MORNING A FEW DAYS AGO WITHOUT ANY WARNING..I WOKE TO THE SOUND OF BROWN PAPER MASKING ALL THE WINDOWS..AND DOORS, CHATTERING PAINTERS..AND I WAS PAPERED IN!  COULDN'T EVEN GET OUT TO GET MY BELOVED MORNING PAPER.  THAT TOOK SEVERAL HOURS.  THEN, A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, THE SAME THING, BRIGHT AND EARLY, THE PATTER OF LITTLE PAINTER FEET AS THEY TAPED ME IN AGAIN..THIS TIME FOR THE TRIM..TRIED TO LOOK OUT THE PEEP HOLE, THOUGHT I WAS BLIND BECAUSE THEY HAD TAPED IT OVER, TOO.  I CAN'T GET UP EARLY ENOUGH TO BEAT THEM.  AGAIN, THIS TIME I REALLY WANTED TO GET OUT AND DO SOME ERRANDS, NAMELY GROCERIES, SO WAITED A BIT, THEN JUST BUSTED OUT. LIKE FROM ALCATRAZ OR SOMETHING,  SAME WITH MY GARAGE DOOR, IT WAS TAPED OVER AND PAINTED TOO..BUT I GOT THE DOOR UP WITH MUCH TEARING AND SCREECHING AS THE PAPER AND TAPE CAME LOOSE, BUT BY GOSH I WAS FREE!  DIDN'T DAMAGE THE PAINT BECAUSE DOWN HERE EVERYTHING, AND I MEAN EVERYTHING DRIES IN AN INSTANT.  THEN GUESS WHAT...THE HUGE DUST STORM THAT I WAS OBLIVIOUS TOO, MY UNIT IS KIND OF TUCKED IN A CORNER, SO I JUST THOUGHT, "GEE, ITS A LITTLE WINDY..." NEXT MORNING I WENT OUT TO GET MY PAPER, AND EVERYTHING, AND I MEAN EVERYTHING WAS BROWN.  I THOUGHT, NOW THAT'S REALLY A SLOPPY JOB OF PAINING, ITS ALL OVER THE SIDEWALK...TILL I REALIZED IT WAS BROWN POWDER...AS FINE AS BABY POWDER, ONLY BROWN, NO GRAINS OF SAND, JUST PURE DUST. WHEN IS SAW THE PICTURES ON TV, IT SCARED THE STUFFING OUT OF ME! COULDN'T SEE ANY OF THE MOUNTAINS AROUND AT ALL, AND THAT IS STILL HANGING IN THE AIR.  THE AIR QUALITY CONTINUES TO BE JUST NASTY.  THEY TELL US OLD CODGERS TO STAY IN AND AVOID IT, SO ITS LIKE PAINTERS ALL OVER AGAIN.  I DO GET OUT AND ABOUT THO, BUT IN SHORT BURSTS.  IT WON'T CLEAR UP TILL WE GET SOME DESPERATELY NEEDED RAIN.  CHANGED THE AIR FILTER ON MY AIR CONDITIONER AS SUGGESTED, CAN'T REALLY SAY IT WAS TOO BAD.  HAVEN'T NOTICED ANY MORE DUST THAN USUAL INSIDE....I THINK OF A BIT OF DUST AS "PROTECTIVE COVERING"  ANYWAY, BUT YOU SHOULD SEE MY WINDOWS...BETWEEN THE PAINTING AND NOW THE DUST STORM, I DON'T KNOW IF ITS DAY OR NIGHT.  AFRAID TO HAVE THEM WASHED UNTIL THIS MONSOON SEASON IS OVER, BECAUSE THE WAY MY LUCK HAS BEEN RUNNING LATELY IT WOULD STORM AGAIN THE NEXT DAY.  THANK GOODNESS I DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH A SWIMMING POOL!

WELL, I'VE WHINED ENOUGH.  YOU ALL STAY COOL, DRY, AND UN-SEALED IN, ME, I'VE GOT MY MINNESOTA TWINS TO DEAL WITH, DON'T YOU THINK I'VE DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB OF MANAGING THEM LATELY??

jean-az/allALANalways

 

[HI FRIENDS, HAD SOME COMPUTER GLITCHES (AGAIN), AND FINALLY GRANDSON SPENCE HAD A WEEK END HOME FROM COLLEGE (ASU) AND GOT ME UP AND RUNNING AGAIN...I THINK. HE ALWAYS ADDS SOME NEW AND WONDEROUS THING HE THINKS HIS GRANNY SHOULD HAVE..AND IT TAKES ME AWHILE TO FIGURE IT OUT! HOW ABOUT MY MINNESOTA TWINS!!! THEY WERE 16 GAMES BEHIND FIRST IN THEIR DIVISION, JUST 2 WEEKS AGO..AND NOW THEY ARE ONLY 6 AND A HALF...AND COMING ON STRONG. DON'T I LOVE TO SEE MY BOYS CHASE EACH OTHER AROUND THE BASES AND CROSS HOME PLATE. WOW, WHAT AGONY I WAS GOING THRU THE FIRST OF THE SEASON WHEN IT WAS JUST MISERABLE BASEBALL. BUT GIVE THEM SUCH CREDIT, LOTS OF INJURIES TO THEIR MAJOR PLAYERS, AND THEY HAVE MANAGED A PATCHWORK LINEUP OF YOUNGSTERS THAT ARE PLAYING STRONG NOW. LOVE MY "BOYS OF SUMMER." HOPE WE CAN GET UP TO MY HOMETOWN OF MINNEAPOLIS TO SEE THEM PLAY IN AUGUST. ITS BEEN AN ANNUAL WEEK-END GATHERING FOR ME AND SONS AND GRANDSONS FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW.AND SPEAKING OF YOUNGSTERS, ISN'T THAT YOUNG IRISHMAN RORY MCILROY A BREATH OF FRESH AIR?? WHAT A BEAUTIFUL GAME HE DELIVERED AT THE US OPEN. AND SUCH A PLEASANT, LOVELY PERSONALITY. I HOPE HE WILL ALWAYS HANG ON TO THAT JUST PLAIN NICE-NESS. THERE IS TOO OFTEN A SHORTAGE OF GENTLEMAN IN PROFESSIONAL SPORTS. I'LL BE WATCHING YOU, RORY!!!AS MOST OF YOU MAY REMEMBER, MY SON CURT'S HOUSE WAS IMPACTED BY THE MISSOURI RIVER FLOODING IN SD, THE PIERRE/FT PIERRE AREA, WHEN I WAS UP THERE FOR GRANDSON QUINN'S HI-SCHOOL GRADUATION. 3 FEET OF WATER IN IT NOW, AND ONLY REACHABLE BY BOAT. LATEST UPDATE FROM CORPS OF ENGINEERS IS THAT THE WATER WILL REMAIN AT THAT LEVEL TILL AUGUST. THEY WERE ONLY IN IT 8 MONTHS, AND I'M THANKFUL I GOT TO SEE IT FOR THOSE FEW DAYS, THEIR DREAM HOUSE. DISASTERS EVERYWHERE, HERE IN AZ FIRES CROPPING UP ALL OVER, AND SOME PEOPLE RETURNING ONLY TO ASHES. BLESS THEM ALL.GOING TO BE 113 DEGREES TODAY THE WEATHER MAN SAYS. WHEN I LOOK OUT THE FRONT ROOM WINDOWS, I CAN TELL THE SUN IS WHITE HOT, BELIEVE ME YOU NEED A BOTTLE OF WATER IN YOUR HANDS AT ALL TIMES. IF I HAVE ANY ERRANDS TO RUN I DO IT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE, EVEN THO YOU GO FROM AIR-CONDITIONING TO AIR CONDITIONING ETC...ITS THAT SHORT DASH IN BETWEEN THAT CAN GET YOU!I HOPE ALL OF YOU ARE DOING WELL, STAYING COOL/WARM, WHATEVER SUITS YOU BEST.]

HI FRIENDS, HAD SOME COMPUTER GLITCHES (AGAIN), AND FINALLY GRANDSON SPENCE HAD A WEEK END HOME FROM COLLEGE (ASU) AND GOT ME UP AND RUNNING AGAIN...I THINK.  HE ALWAYS ADDS SOME NEW AND WONDEROUS THING HE THINKS HIS GRANNY SHOULD HAVE..AND IT TAKES ME AWHILE TO FIGURE IT OUT!
 
HOW ABOUT MY MINNESOTA TWINS!!!  THEY WERE 16 GAMES BEHIND FIRST IN THEIR DIVISION, JUST 2 WEEKS AGO..AND NOW THEY ARE ONLY 6 AND A HALF...AND COMING ON STRONG.  DON'T I LOVE TO SEE MY BOYS CHASE EACH OTHER AROUND THE BASES AND CROSS HOME PLATE.  WOW, WHAT AGONY I WAS GOING THRU THE FIRST OF THE SEASON WHEN IT WAS JUST MISERABLE BASEBALL.  BUT GIVE THEM SUCH CREDIT, LOTS OF INJURIES TO THEIR MAJOR PLAYERS, AND THEY HAVE MANAGED A PATCHWORK LINEUP OF YOUNGSTERS THAT ARE PLAYING STRONG NOW. LOVE MY "BOYS OF SUMMER."  HOPE WE CAN GET UP TO MY HOMETOWN OF MINNEAPOLIS TO SEE THEM PLAY IN AUGUST.  ITS BEEN AN ANNUAL WEEK-END  GATHERING FOR ME AND SONS AND GRANDSONS FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW.

AND SPEAKING OF YOUNGSTERS, ISN'T THAT YOUNG IRISHMAN RORY MCILROY A BREATH OF FRESH AIR??  WHAT A BEAUTIFUL GAME HE DELIVERED AT THE US OPEN.  AND SUCH A PLEASANT, LOVELY PERSONALITY.  I HOPE HE WILL ALWAYS HANG ON TO THAT JUST PLAIN NICE-NESS.  THERE IS TOO OFTEN A SHORTAGE OF GENTLEMAN IN PROFESSIONAL SPORTS.  I'LL BE WATCHING YOU, RORY!!!

AS MOST OF YOU MAY REMEMBER, MY SON CURT'S HOUSE WAS IMPACTED BY THE MISSOURI RIVER FLOODING IN SD, THE PIERRE/FT PIERRE AREA, WHEN I WAS UP THERE FOR GRANDSON QUINN'S HI-SCHOOL GRADUATION.  3 FEET OF WATER IN IT NOW, AND ONLY REACHABLE BY BOAT.  LATEST UPDATE FROM CORPS OF ENGINEERS IS THAT THE WATER WILL REMAIN AT THAT LEVEL TILL AUGUST.  THEY WERE ONLY IN IT 8 MONTHS, AND I'M THANKFUL I GOT TO SEE IT FOR THOSE FEW DAYS, THEIR DREAM HOUSE.  DISASTERS EVERYWHERE, HERE IN AZ FIRES CROPPING UP ALL OVER, AND SOME PEOPLE RETURNING ONLY TO ASHES.  BLESS THEM ALL.

GOING TO BE 113 DEGREES TODAY THE WEATHER MAN SAYS.  WHEN I LOOK OUT THE FRONT ROOM WINDOWS, I CAN TELL THE SUN IS WHITE HOT, BELIEVE ME YOU NEED A BOTTLE OF WATER IN YOUR HANDS AT ALL TIMES.  IF I HAVE ANY ERRANDS TO RUN I DO IT AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE, EVEN THO YOU GO FROM AIR-CONDITIONING TO AIR CONDITIONING ETC...ITS THAT SHORT DASH IN BETWEEN THAT CAN GET YOU!

I HOPE ALL OF YOU ARE DOING WELL, STAYING COOL/WARM, WHATEVER SUITS YOU BEST. 

jean/az/allALANalways   

[FRIENDS, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND CONCERN FOR THE FLOODS ALONG THE MISSOURI RIVER IN PIERRE/FT PIERRE SD, AND THE IMPACT ON MY SON'S HOUSE. WE CAN ONLY WAIT, BUT IT DOES NOT LOOK HOPEFUL, I AM SO GLAD I TOOK SO MANY PICTURES WHILE I WAS THERE. THEIR DREAM HOME. MY GOODNESS, AREN'T MY TWINS HAVING A STRUGGLE THIS SEASON, I HAVE TRIED ALL THE MANAGING SKILLS I HAVE TO TURN THEIR LUCK AROUND, BUT I GUESS IT IS JUST ONE OF THOSE SEASONS THAT COME ALONG EVERY SO OFTEN, SORT OF SORTS OUT THE REAL FOREVER FANS FROM THE ONLY GOOD TIMERS! SO MANY INJURIES TO KEY PLAYERS, AND I WATCH THE YOUNGSTER FILL-INS MAKE TOO MANY ERRORS. BUT I'M WITH "MY BOYS" THRU THICK AND THIN.WASN'T THE ROYAL WEDDING A JOY?? I WAS IN WISCONSIN AT MY NIECE'S FOR IT, GOT UP AT ONE IN THE A.,M BECAUSE I WAS STILL ON "ARIZONA TIME" TWO HOURS BEHIND THEM. WOKE UP MY NIECE...AND SHE TOLD MY IT WOULDN'T START THERE TILL 3 A.M. HOW WE GIGGLED OVER THAT....WENT TO BED 4 TIMES THAT DAY!!! IT WAS JUST A LOVELY, LOVELY RESPITE FROM ALL THE BAD NEWS FOR A CHANGE, THOUGHT KATE WAS JUST STUNNING, AND WHAT A HANDSOME COUPLE THEY MAKE. I WISH THEM ALL GOOD THINGS ALWAYS, AS I DO ALL YOUNG COUPLES STARTING OUT THEIR LIVES TOGETHER. ENGLAND IS IN MY GENES...AND SWEDEN ON MY DAD'S SIDE. BUT I AM FIRST AND ALWAYS, AMERICAN. IF YOU NEED THE FLAG WAVED, I'M YOUR GAL, AND PROUD OF IT. DID YOU SEE "THE KINGS SPEECH", I THOUGHT IT WAS MARVELOUS, SO GLAD IT AND COLIN FIRTH WON OSCARS.YOU ALL STAY WELL, HIGH AND DRY AND SAFE. KEEP THE GOOD THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR ALL THOSE GOING THRU SUCH TIMES AT THE HANDS OF MOTHER NATURE,]

FRIENDS, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND CONCERN FOR THE FLOODS ALONG THE MISSOURI RIVER IN PIERRE/FT PIERRE SD, AND THE IMPACT ON MY SON'S HOUSE.  WE CAN ONLY WAIT, BUT IT DOES NOT LOOK HOPEFUL, I AM SO GLAD I TOOK SO MANY PICTURES WHILE I WAS THERE. THEIR DREAM HOME.
 
MY GOODNESS, AREN'T MY TWINS HAVING A STRUGGLE THIS SEASON, I HAVE TRIED ALL THE MANAGING SKILLS I HAVE TO TURN THEIR LUCK AROUND, BUT I GUESS IT IS JUST ONE OF THOSE SEASONS THAT COME ALONG EVERY SO OFTEN, SORT OF SORTS OUT THE REAL FOREVER FANS FROM THE ONLY GOOD TIMERS!  SO MANY INJURIES TO KEY PLAYERS, AND I WATCH THE YOUNGSTER FILL-INS MAKE TOO MANY ERRORS.  BUT I'M WITH "MY BOYS" THRU THICK AND THIN.

WASN'T THE ROYAL WEDDING A JOY??  I WAS IN WISCONSIN AT MY NIECE'S FOR IT, GOT UP AT ONE IN THE A.,M BECAUSE I WAS STILL ON "ARIZONA TIME" TWO HOURS BEHIND THEM.  WOKE UP MY NIECE...AND SHE TOLD MY IT WOULDN'T START THERE TILL 3 A.M.  HOW WE GIGGLED OVER THAT....WENT TO BED 4 TIMES THAT DAY!!!  IT WAS JUST A LOVELY, LOVELY RESPITE FROM ALL THE BAD NEWS FOR A CHANGE, THOUGHT KATE WAS JUST STUNNING, AND WHAT A HANDSOME COUPLE THEY MAKE.  I WISH THEM ALL GOOD THINGS ALWAYS, AS I DO ALL YOUNG COUPLES STARTING OUT THEIR LIVES TOGETHER.   ENGLAND IS IN MY GENES...AND SWEDEN ON MY DAD'S SIDE.  BUT I AM FIRST AND ALWAYS, AMERICAN.  IF YOU NEED THE FLAG WAVED, I'M YOUR GAL, AND PROUD OF IT.
DID YOU SEE "THE KINGS SPEECH", I THOUGHT IT WAS MARVELOUS, SO GLAD IT AND COLIN FIRTH WON OSCARS.

YOU ALL STAY WELL, HIGH AND DRY AND SAFE.  KEEP THE GOOD THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR ALL THOSE GOING THRU SUCH TIMES AT THE HANDS OF MOTHER NATURE,

jean-az/allALANalways
 

[FRIENDS, BEEN AWHILE I KNOW...JUST RETURNED 2 DAYS AGO FROM A TRIP TO SD FOR GRANDSON QUINN'S HI SCHOOL GRADUATION...BEST OF TIMES AND WORST OF TIMES,,,NOW MY SON CURT AND HIS WIFE KIM'S NEW HOME IS IN GREAT DANGER OF BEING LOST TO THE FLOODING ON THE MISSOURI RIVER BETWEEN PIERRE AND FT. PIERRE. JUST BUILT THEIR DREAM HOME...BEEN IN IT ABOUT 4-5 MONTHS, ITS TRULY BEAUTIFUL. THEY HAVE SAND-BAGGED AND BUILT LEVEES, WE EMPTIED OUT THE HOUSE OF EVERYTHING, WITH THE HELP OF KIND PEOPLE WHO JUST WALK IN THE DOOR AND SAY "WE'RE HERE TO HELP", STRANGERS, NEIGHBORS (WHO WE GO TO HELP THEM, TOO), JUST SUCH GOOD PEOPLE. I CAME HOME THURS NIGHT PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY EXHAUSTED, BUT I'LL GET RESTED UP OK. MESSAGE ON MY ANSWERING MACHINE THAT MY SISTER IN LAW (83YRS) FELL AND BROKE HER PELVIS, BUT I TALKED TO HER (SHE LIVES IN FT. SMITH, AR) AND SHE SOUNDS STRONG AND READY FOR REHAB. WE ARE A TOUGH BUNCH OF "OLD BROADS." PLEASE, DEAR FRIENDS OFFER A PRAYER NOT JUST FOR MY DEAR, DEAR SON AND FAMILY, BUT FOR ALL THOSE SO AFFECTED BY ALL THE TRAGEDIES LATELY. THANK YOU!!!]

FRIENDS, BEEN AWHILE I KNOW...JUST RETURNED 2 DAYS AGO FROM A TRIP TO SD FOR GRANDSON QUINN'S HI SCHOOL GRADUATION...BEST OF TIMES AND WORST OF TIMES,,,NOW MY SON CURT AND HIS WIFE KIM'S NEW HOME IS IN GREAT DANGER OF BEING LOST TO THE FLOODING ON THE MISSOURI RIVER BETWEEN PIERRE AND FT. PIERRE.  JUST BUILT THEIR DREAM HOME...BEEN IN IT ABOUT 4-5 MONTHS, ITS TRULY BEAUTIFUL. THEY HAVE SAND-BAGGED AND BUILT LEVEES, WE EMPTIED OUT THE HOUSE OF EVERYTHING, WITH THE HELP OF KIND PEOPLE WHO JUST WALK IN THE DOOR AND SAY "WE'RE HERE TO HELP", STRANGERS, NEIGHBORS (WHO WE GO TO HELP THEM, TOO), JUST SUCH GOOD PEOPLE.  I CAME HOME THURS NIGHT PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY EXHAUSTED, BUT I'LL GET RESTED UP OK.  MESSAGE ON MY ANSWERING MACHINE THAT MY SISTER IN LAW (83YRS) FELL AND BROKE HER PELVIS, BUT I TALKED TO HER (SHE LIVES IN FT. SMITH, AR) AND SHE SOUNDS STRONG AND READY FOR REHAB.  WE ARE A TOUGH BUNCH OF "OLD BROADS."  PLEASE, DEAR FRIENDS OFFER A PRAYER NOT JUST FOR MY DEAR, DEAR SON AND FAMILY, BUT FOR ALL THOSE SO AFFECTED BY ALL THE TRAGEDIES LATELY.  THANK YOU!!!
jean-az/allALANalways

[HI FRIENDS AND HAPPY EASTER ONE AND ALL!! I HOLD ALL OF YOU IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS THAT ARE IN THE DANGEROUS TORNADO ZONES, HOW DEVASTATING THAT CAN BE. SHOVELING SNOW IS ONE THING, BUT PICKING UP THE PIECES AFTER A TORNADO IS FAR, FAR WORSE. MY GOODNESS, HAVE I NOT HAD A STRUGGLE WITH MY BELOVED MN. TWINS SO FAR...UNTIL TODAY!!! I JUST KNEW ONCE THEY GOT BACK HOME FROM THAT MISERABLE ROAD TRIP, IN THEIR FRIENDLY PARK, THEY'D PICK IT UP, AND TODAY WAS JUST GREAT, 13 TO 3, AND GOOD PITCHING AND HITTING. THEY HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH SO MANY INJURIES AND SICKNESS, BUT THINGS WILL TURN AROUND NOW. YOU KNOW ME, I LOVE "MY BOYS"!!I WILL BE HEADING FOR DOOR COUNTY ON WEDNESDAY...FOR THE BIG WEDDING FESTIVITIES ETC. MY NIECE AND I PLAN TO BE UP AT DAYLIGHT TO TAKE IT ALL IN. I WILL HAVE A TIARA, WHITE GLOVES AND PEARLS (AND A BATHROBE) SO YOU CAN'T TELL ME FROM THE QUEEN (LOL). WE ARE GOING TO A NEARBY ENGLISH INN FOR DINNER THAT EVE. YOU KNOW WHAT?? AREN'T WE ABOUT DUE FOR HAPPY NEWS FOR A CHANGE? I HEAR ONCE IN AWHILE SOMEONE COMPLAIN ABOUT ALL THE COVERAGE, AND I SAY, WHATS WRONG WITH A FAIRY TALE NOW AND THEN. THE WORLD GIVES US PLENTY TO CRY OVER, LETS TAKE THESE NICE THINGS AND RUN WITH THEM. A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG COUPLE, AND I WILL ENJOY EVERY BIT OF IT! ( PS. THE TIARA IS FROM WAL-MART, AND THE WHITE GLOVES LENT TO ME BY A FRIEND. THIS IS THE GOOD OLD USA, AFTER ALL, WHERE ANYONE CAN BE QUEEN FOR A DAY!! I HAVE "THE WAVE" DOWN PERFECT.) WE'LL HAVE SOME LAUGHS ALONG THE WAY.BEEN WATCHING "DANCING WITH THE STARS", AND REGRETTED SEEING BOTH SUGAR RAY AND PIA VOTED OFF. BOTH HAVE SUCH PLEASING PERSONALITIES, WHILE A CERTAIN WHINING/ATTITUDE-PROBLEM INDIVIDUAL IS STILL THERE. THE GAL FROM CHEERS HAS HAD A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR OVER THEIR VARIOUS FALLS AND SHOE FALLING OFF STUFF, THATS WHAT I LIKE TO SEE.NOW YOU ALL STAY UPRIGHT AND SHOES ON NO MATTER WHAT MOM NATURE THROWS YOUR WAY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE WEATHER WILL BE LIKE IN WISCONSIN WHILE I'M THERE, BUT I'M PREPARED FOR MOST ANYTHING. JUST NOT A TORNADO.]

HI FRIENDS AND HAPPY EASTER ONE AND ALL!!  I HOLD ALL OF YOU IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS THAT ARE IN THE DANGEROUS TORNADO ZONES, HOW DEVASTATING THAT CAN BE.  SHOVELING SNOW IS ONE THING, BUT PICKING UP THE PIECES AFTER A TORNADO IS FAR, FAR WORSE.
 
MY GOODNESS, HAVE I NOT HAD A STRUGGLE WITH MY BELOVED MN. TWINS SO FAR...UNTIL TODAY!!!  I JUST KNEW ONCE THEY GOT BACK HOME FROM THAT MISERABLE ROAD TRIP, IN THEIR FRIENDLY PARK, THEY'D PICK IT UP, AND TODAY WAS JUST GREAT, 13 TO 3, AND GOOD PITCHING AND HITTING.  THEY HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH SO MANY INJURIES AND SICKNESS, BUT THINGS WILL TURN AROUND NOW.  YOU KNOW ME, I LOVE "MY BOYS"!!

I WILL BE HEADING FOR DOOR COUNTY ON WEDNESDAY...FOR THE BIG WEDDING FESTIVITIES ETC.  MY NIECE AND I PLAN TO BE UP AT DAYLIGHT TO TAKE IT ALL IN.  I WILL HAVE A TIARA, WHITE GLOVES AND PEARLS (AND A BATHROBE) SO YOU CAN'T TELL ME FROM THE QUEEN (LOL).  WE ARE GOING TO A NEARBY ENGLISH INN FOR DINNER THAT EVE.  YOU KNOW WHAT??  AREN'T WE ABOUT DUE FOR HAPPY NEWS FOR A CHANGE?  I HEAR ONCE IN AWHILE SOMEONE COMPLAIN ABOUT ALL THE COVERAGE, AND I SAY, WHATS WRONG WITH A FAIRY TALE NOW AND THEN. THE WORLD GIVES US PLENTY TO CRY OVER, LETS TAKE THESE NICE THINGS AND RUN WITH THEM.   A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG COUPLE, AND I WILL ENJOY EVERY BIT OF IT! ( PS. THE TIARA IS FROM WAL-MART, AND THE WHITE GLOVES LENT TO ME BY A FRIEND.  THIS IS THE GOOD OLD USA, AFTER ALL, WHERE ANYONE CAN BE QUEEN FOR A DAY!!  I HAVE "THE WAVE" DOWN PERFECT.)  WE'LL HAVE SOME LAUGHS ALONG THE WAY.

BEEN WATCHING "DANCING WITH THE STARS", AND REGRETTED SEEING BOTH SUGAR RAY AND PIA VOTED OFF.  BOTH HAVE SUCH PLEASING PERSONALITIES, WHILE A CERTAIN WHINING/ATTITUDE-PROBLEM INDIVIDUAL IS STILL THERE.  THE GAL FROM CHEERS HAS HAD A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR OVER THEIR VARIOUS FALLS AND SHOE FALLING OFF STUFF, THATS WHAT I LIKE TO SEE.

NOW YOU ALL STAY UPRIGHT AND SHOES ON NO MATTER WHAT MOM NATURE THROWS YOUR WAY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE WEATHER WILL BE LIKE IN WISCONSIN WHILE I'M THERE, BUT I'M PREPARED FOR MOST ANYTHING. JUST NOT A TORNADO.

jean-az/allALANalways

[HI DEAR FRIENDS, I AM EAGERLY AWAITING 4PM THIS AFTERNOON...BECAUSE I WILL GET TO SEE MY TWINS PLAY THE RED SOX ON THE MLB CHANNEL!!! GUESS YOU KNOW I SIGNED UP ALREADY FOR THE MLB PKG REGULAR SEASON, THE ONLY WAY I CAN HOPE TO SEE MY TWINS PLAY DOWN HERE, BEING "DIAMONDBACK" COUNTRY. AND OF COURSE, AT THE SAME TIME, WOULDN'T YOU KNOW, U OF AZ PLAYS CONN IN THE COLLEGE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT, SO I WILL HAVE THE" FASTEST THUMB IN THE WEST", GOING BACK AND FORTH! SATURDAYS ARE MY" MERRY-MAID" DAY WHEN I TRY TO DO MOST OF MY WEEKLY CLEANING STUFF, SO I REALLY WHIZZED THRU IT TODAY SO I WON'T HAVE ANYTHING LOOKING AT ME WAITING MY ATTENTION. MY PLACE ISN'T VERY BIG, AND I LIVE ALONE, SO ITS USUALLY PRETTY EASY. JERI, MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR SISTER AND FAMILY, AT SUCH A DIFFICULT TIME FOR ALL OF YOU. OH DEAR, FOR ALL OF YOU WHO ARE DEALING WITH GRIEF AND LOSSES AND WORRIES, MY HEART JUST GOES OUT TO YOU . AT MY AGE, I'VE SEEN PRETTY MUCH ALL OF IT, AND I CAN ONLY SAY THAT TIME AND FAITH ARE THE ONLY HEALERS. AND EVERYONE WALKS HIS OWN PATH THROUGH THAT EXPERIENCE. WHEN I THINK OF THOSE I HAVE LOST, AND I DO SO OFTEN, I REMEMBER THE LOVE, AND THE SWEET TIMES. AND HOW THEY CAN STILL MAKE ME SMILE. ITS NOT EVER "FAIR", IT JUST IS WHAT IT IS. ALSO JERI, I WOULD LOVE TO PUT A PICTURE ON OF MY ROYAL WEDDING MOMENT!! HAVEN'T EVER BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT, NOT A COMPUTER WHIZ AT ALL, BELIEVE ME. I'M GRATEFUL I CAN JUST GET ON AND VISIT WITH YOU ALL ONCE IN AWHILE!! WE WILL HAVE ALOT OF FUN, FOR SURE, AND YES, I AM BLESSED TO HAVE SUCH DEAR NIECES AND NEPHEWS AS WELL AS MY CHILDREN AND "GRANDS". NO, I WON'T BE IN LONDON OF COURSE, BUT IN DOOR COUNTY, WISCONSIN, WHERE LAURIE AND HER DEAR HUSBAND STEVE LIVE. ITS BEAUTIFUL THERE, AND I AM HOPING THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS WILL BE OUT AT THAT TIME. OH, BY THE WAY, LAURIE TOLD ME SHE FOUND ME A TIARA...AT WALMART!!! NOW, WILL I BE "STYLIN'" OR WHAT? AND YOU KNOW...WITH ALL THE TURMOIL AND TRAGEDY IN THE WORLD, HOW NICE IT WILL BE TO ENJOY A TIME OF, HOPEFULLY,...HAPPYILY-EVER- AFTER! THEY ARE A LOVELY COUPLE.WE HAVE HAD SUCH GLORIOUS WEATHER LATELY, IN AND AROUND THE 70'S. WISH ARIZONA COULD JUST HOLD THIS THOUGHT FOR THE NEXT 6 MONTHS OR SO, BUT I'M SURE THE THERMOMETER WILL BE DOING ITS DESERT THING ONE OF THESE DAYS. YOU ALL ENJOY WHEREVER YOU ARE, HOPE YOU ARE SOON PLANTING/ENJOYING FLOWERS ETC. ITS BEEN A LONG WINTER, HASN'T IT, FOR SO MANY OF YOU. BE WELL AND WARM!]

HI DEAR FRIENDS, I AM EAGERLY AWAITING 4PM THIS AFTERNOON...BECAUSE I WILL GET TO SEE MY TWINS PLAY THE RED SOX ON THE MLB CHANNEL!!!  GUESS YOU KNOW I SIGNED UP ALREADY FOR THE MLB PKG REGULAR SEASON, THE ONLY WAY I CAN HOPE TO SEE MY TWINS PLAY DOWN HERE, BEING "DIAMONDBACK" COUNTRY.  AND OF COURSE, AT THE SAME TIME, WOULDN'T YOU KNOW, U OF AZ PLAYS CONN IN THE COLLEGE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT, SO I WILL HAVE THE" FASTEST THUMB IN THE WEST", GOING BACK AND FORTH!  SATURDAYS ARE MY" MERRY-MAID" DAY WHEN I TRY TO DO MOST OF MY WEEKLY CLEANING STUFF, SO I REALLY WHIZZED THRU IT TODAY SO I WON'T HAVE ANYTHING LOOKING AT ME WAITING MY ATTENTION.  MY PLACE ISN'T VERY BIG, AND I LIVE ALONE, SO ITS USUALLY PRETTY EASY. 

JERI, MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR SISTER AND FAMILY, AT SUCH A DIFFICULT TIME FOR ALL OF YOU. OH DEAR, FOR ALL OF YOU WHO ARE DEALING WITH GRIEF AND LOSSES AND WORRIES, MY HEART JUST GOES OUT TO YOU .  AT MY AGE, I'VE SEEN PRETTY MUCH ALL OF IT, AND I CAN ONLY SAY THAT TIME AND FAITH ARE THE ONLY HEALERS.  AND EVERYONE WALKS HIS OWN PATH THROUGH THAT EXPERIENCE.  WHEN I THINK OF THOSE I HAVE LOST, AND I DO SO OFTEN, I REMEMBER THE LOVE, AND THE SWEET TIMES.  AND HOW THEY CAN STILL MAKE ME SMILE.  ITS NOT EVER "FAIR", IT JUST IS WHAT IT IS.

ALSO JERI, I WOULD LOVE TO PUT A PICTURE ON OF MY ROYAL WEDDING MOMENT!!  HAVEN'T EVER BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT, NOT A COMPUTER WHIZ AT ALL, BELIEVE ME.  I'M GRATEFUL I CAN JUST GET ON AND VISIT WITH YOU ALL ONCE IN AWHILE!!  WE WILL HAVE ALOT OF FUN, FOR SURE, AND YES, I AM BLESSED TO HAVE SUCH DEAR NIECES AND NEPHEWS AS WELL AS MY CHILDREN AND "GRANDS".  NO, I WON'T BE IN LONDON OF COURSE, BUT IN DOOR COUNTY, WISCONSIN, WHERE LAURIE AND HER DEAR HUSBAND STEVE LIVE.  ITS BEAUTIFUL THERE, AND I AM HOPING THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS WILL BE OUT AT THAT TIME.  OH, BY THE WAY, LAURIE TOLD ME SHE FOUND ME A TIARA...AT WALMART!!!  NOW, WILL I BE "STYLIN'" OR WHAT?  AND YOU KNOW...WITH ALL THE TURMOIL AND TRAGEDY IN THE WORLD, HOW NICE IT WILL BE TO ENJOY A TIME OF, HOPEFULLY,...HAPPYILY-EVER- AFTER!
THEY ARE A LOVELY COUPLE.

WE HAVE HAD SUCH GLORIOUS WEATHER LATELY, IN AND AROUND THE 70'S.  WISH ARIZONA COULD JUST HOLD THIS THOUGHT FOR THE NEXT 6 MONTHS OR SO, BUT I'M SURE THE THERMOMETER WILL BE DOING ITS DESERT THING ONE OF THESE DAYS.  YOU ALL ENJOY WHEREVER YOU ARE, HOPE YOU ARE SOON PLANTING/ENJOYING FLOWERS ETC.  ITS BEEN A LONG WINTER, HASN'T IT, FOR SO MANY OF YOU.  BE WELL AND WARM!

jean-az/allALANalways

[HI FRIENDS, TIME TO TRY TO "CATCH UP" WITH ALL OF YOU! I DO HOPE THAT SPRING IS SPRINGING WHEREVER YOU ALL ARE. I CHECK THE PAPER EVERY DAY FOR MY BELOVED HOMETOWN, MINNEAPOLIS, DENVER WHERE TWO OF MY GIRLS LIVE, AND RAPID CITY IN SD, CLOSEST I CAN GET TO THE AREA WHERE THE RANCH IS, AND L.A. WHERE DOUG IS. ITS NOT EVEN VERY ACCURATE, I GUESS! THE HORROR IN JAPAN BLOTS IT ALL OUT, DOESN'T IT. I SO ADMIRE THE WAY THE CITIZENS THERE ARE HANDLING IT, LONG LINES FOR THE BARE ESSENTIALS, BUT ORDERLY AND PATIENT. I WONDER IF WE WOULD DO AS WELL, I LIKE TO THINK SO. I TRUST WE WILL BE, AS WE USUALLY ARE, FAST AND FIRST WITH ALL THE AID THEY NEED. THE NUCLEAR THING IS VERY SCAREY, NO MATTER HOW CLEVER WE GET, MOTHER NATURE HAS A WAY OF REMINDING US JUST WHO IS REALLY IN CONTROL. IF ANYTHING GOOD CAN BE SAID TO COME OF IT, AT LEAST IT WIPED CHARLIE SHEEN OFF THE NEWS FOR A WHILE. ON A HAPPIER NOTE, I SIGNED UP YESTERDAY FOR THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PACKAGE ON TV, SO I CAN BEGIN WATCHING MY MINNESOTA TWINS AS SOON AS OPENING DAY. IT WON'T BE LONG NOW AND WE'LL HEAR THE SOUND OF BATS, BALLS, AND CHEERING. HOPE TO GET UP TO MPLS AGAIN THIS SUMMER WITH MY BOYS AND GRANDBOYS TO SEE A COUPLE OF GAMES. WE ALWAYS HAVE SUCH A BALL.SAY, DID YOU KNOW I HAVE AN INVITATION TO THE ROYAL WEDDING??? MY NIECE LAURIE IN DOOR COUNTY CALLED A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND SUGGESTED I COME FOR IT...WE WILL GET UP AT 4AM, TAKE IN ALL THE FESTIVITIES, NAP LATER, (HER CONCESSION TO MY ALMOST-80-YEARS) AND GO TO AND ENGLISH INN FOR DINNER!! NOW IS THAT A DEAL OR WHAT?? I AM BRINGING WHITE GLOVES, PEARLS, AND A TIARA (TOYS R US) FOR MY OFFICIAL PICTURE....IN MY BATHROBE, HOWEVER, GETTING ALL DRESSED UP AT 4AM??? NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. I AM PRACTICING MY "ROYAL WAVE". SHOULD BE GOOD FOR A GIGGLE OR TWO! HOPE IT REMAINS WARM AND SUNNY WHERE EACH AND ALL OF YOU ARE, STILL NOT QUITE MORNING COFFEE ON THE PATIO WEATHER HERE, BUT SOON, MORNINGS STILL A BIT NIPPY, OR MAYBE ITS JUST MY "OLD BONES".BE WELL AND HAPPY!]

HI FRIENDS, TIME TO TRY TO "CATCH UP" WITH ALL OF YOU!  I DO HOPE THAT SPRING IS SPRINGING WHEREVER YOU ALL ARE.  I CHECK THE PAPER EVERY DAY FOR MY BELOVED HOMETOWN, MINNEAPOLIS, DENVER WHERE TWO OF MY GIRLS LIVE, AND RAPID CITY IN SD, CLOSEST I CAN GET TO THE AREA WHERE THE RANCH IS, AND L.A. WHERE DOUG IS.  ITS NOT EVEN VERY ACCURATE, I GUESS!  THE HORROR IN JAPAN BLOTS IT ALL OUT, DOESN'T IT.  I SO ADMIRE THE WAY THE CITIZENS THERE ARE HANDLING IT, LONG LINES FOR THE BARE ESSENTIALS, BUT ORDERLY AND PATIENT.  I WONDER IF WE WOULD DO AS WELL, I LIKE TO THINK SO.  I TRUST WE WILL BE, AS WE USUALLY ARE, FAST AND FIRST WITH ALL THE AID THEY NEED.  THE NUCLEAR THING IS VERY SCAREY, NO MATTER HOW CLEVER WE GET, MOTHER NATURE HAS A WAY OF REMINDING US JUST WHO IS REALLY IN CONTROL.  IF ANYTHING GOOD CAN BE SAID TO COME OF IT, AT LEAST IT WIPED CHARLIE SHEEN OFF THE NEWS FOR A WHILE.
 
ON A HAPPIER NOTE, I SIGNED UP YESTERDAY FOR THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PACKAGE ON TV, SO I CAN BEGIN WATCHING MY MINNESOTA TWINS AS SOON AS OPENING DAY.  IT WON'T BE LONG NOW AND WE'LL HEAR THE SOUND OF BATS, BALLS, AND CHEERING.  HOPE TO GET UP TO MPLS AGAIN THIS SUMMER WITH MY BOYS AND GRANDBOYS TO SEE A COUPLE OF GAMES.  WE ALWAYS HAVE SUCH A BALL.

SAY, DID YOU KNOW I HAVE AN INVITATION TO THE ROYAL WEDDING??? MY NIECE LAURIE IN DOOR COUNTY CALLED A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND SUGGESTED I COME FOR IT...WE WILL GET UP AT 4AM, TAKE IN ALL THE FESTIVITIES, NAP LATER, (HER CONCESSION TO MY ALMOST-80-YEARS) AND GO TO AND ENGLISH INN FOR DINNER!!  NOW IS THAT A DEAL OR WHAT??  I AM BRINGING WHITE GLOVES, PEARLS, AND A TIARA (TOYS R US)  FOR MY OFFICIAL PICTURE....IN MY BATHROBE, HOWEVER, GETTING ALL DRESSED UP AT 4AM???  NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.   I AM PRACTICING MY "ROYAL WAVE".  SHOULD BE GOOD FOR A GIGGLE OR TWO!

HOPE IT REMAINS WARM AND SUNNY WHERE EACH AND ALL OF YOU ARE, STILL NOT QUITE MORNING COFFEE ON THE PATIO WEATHER HERE, BUT SOON, MORNINGS STILL A BIT NIPPY, OR MAYBE ITS JUST MY "OLD BONES".

BE WELL AND HAPPY!

jean/az allALANalways

[HI FRIENDS, JUST GOT BACK FROM A TRIP TO WALGREEN'S AND WHILE WAITING FOR A PRESCRIPTION MET AND TALKED TO TWO FOLKS FROM MY HOMETOWN OF MINNEAPOLIS! ALL GLAD TO BE OUT OF THE SNOW. WE HAD A GRAND-OLD-CHIN-WAG, DONCHA KNOW. AS WE ALL SHUFFLED OUT CLUTCHING OUR PRESCRIPTION BAGS, I WONDERED IF ONLY SICK ONES CAME DOWN HERE, OR MAYBE WISE ONES...OR JUST OLD ONES. ONE FELLOW SAID HE TRADED IN HIS SNOWBLOWER FOR A GOLF CART. GREAT TRADE, I SAY! TOO WORRIED TO EVEN VISIT THE WEATHER CHANNEL THIS MORNING, DON'T WANT TO THINK OF MY DEAR ONES DEALING WITH MORE WINTRY WEATHER. HANG IN THERE, ALL OF YOU, SPRING IS COMING, IT ALWAYS DOES.JERI, I MUST CONFESS THAT MY "PATIO PLANTS"...INVOLVE JUST ONE, THATS HOW LAZY I AM. HAD A BUNCH OF THEM BEFORE I MOVED TO THIS COMPLEX, BUT THEY HAVE SO MANY NICE FLOWERING BUSHES ETC, AND LANDSCAPE SO NICELY, I FIGURE LEAVE IT TO THE PRO'S. MY THUMB HAS NEVER BEEN TERRIBLY GREEN, ANYWAY. MORE AND MORE BIRDS SHOWING UP, INCLUDING THE DEAR HUMMINGBIRDS. A FEW STAY AROUND ALL YEAR, BUT OTHERS JOIN THE PARADE ABOUT NOW. I COULD BIRD WATCH...AND READ, FOREVER.]

HI FRIENDS, JUST GOT BACK FROM A TRIP TO WALGREEN'S AND WHILE WAITING FOR A PRESCRIPTION MET AND TALKED TO TWO FOLKS FROM MY HOMETOWN OF MINNEAPOLIS!  ALL GLAD TO BE OUT OF THE SNOW.  WE HAD A GRAND-OLD-CHIN-WAG, DONCHA KNOW.  AS WE ALL SHUFFLED OUT CLUTCHING OUR PRESCRIPTION BAGS, I WONDERED IF ONLY SICK ONES CAME DOWN HERE, OR MAYBE WISE ONES...OR JUST OLD ONES.  ONE FELLOW SAID HE TRADED IN HIS SNOWBLOWER FOR A GOLF CART.  GREAT TRADE, I SAY!  TOO WORRIED TO EVEN VISIT THE WEATHER CHANNEL THIS MORNING, DON'T WANT TO THINK OF MY DEAR ONES DEALING WITH MORE WINTRY WEATHER.  HANG IN THERE, ALL OF YOU, SPRING IS COMING, IT ALWAYS DOES.

JERI, I MUST CONFESS THAT MY "PATIO PLANTS"...INVOLVE JUST ONE, THATS HOW LAZY I AM.  HAD A BUNCH OF THEM BEFORE I MOVED TO THIS COMPLEX, BUT THEY HAVE SO MANY NICE FLOWERING BUSHES ETC, AND LANDSCAPE SO NICELY, I FIGURE LEAVE IT TO THE PRO'S.  MY THUMB HAS NEVER BEEN TERRIBLY GREEN, ANYWAY.  MORE AND MORE BIRDS SHOWING UP, INCLUDING THE DEAR HUMMINGBIRDS.  A FEW STAY AROUND ALL YEAR, BUT OTHERS JOIN THE PARADE ABOUT NOW.  I COULD BIRD WATCH...AND READ, FOREVER.

BE WELL![/b][/size]

jean-az/allALANalways

[HI FRIENDS, NOW, DO I NEED A LIFE OR WHAT?? JUST COUNTED ABOUT 34 (MORE OR LESS) RAINDROPS ON MY WINDOW PANE...STILL WAITING HOPEFULLY FOR A DESERT RAIN THAT AMOUNTS TO SOMETHING. GUESS IF THATS ALL NATURE CAN DO FOR US, I BETTER GET MY WATERING CAN AND HAND WATER MY OUTDOOR PLANT. THEN I SAW ON THE WEATHER CHANNEL ANOTHER WINTER STORM IN THE MIDWEST AND ON EAST...AGAIN. SO I JOLLY WELL BETTER QUIT COMPLAINING! NO MOVIE TODAY WITH MY PALS, JUST NOTHING WE WANT TO SEE, SO THEREFORE...I'M COUNTING RAINDROPS. HOPE YOU ARE ALL MUCH BETTER OCCUPIED.]

HI FRIENDS, NOW, DO I NEED A LIFE OR WHAT??  JUST COUNTED ABOUT 34 (MORE OR LESS) RAINDROPS ON MY WINDOW PANE...STILL WAITING HOPEFULLY FOR A DESERT RAIN THAT AMOUNTS TO SOMETHING.  GUESS IF THATS ALL NATURE CAN DO FOR US, I BETTER GET MY WATERING CAN AND HAND WATER MY OUTDOOR PLANT.  THEN I SAW ON THE WEATHER CHANNEL ANOTHER WINTER STORM IN THE MIDWEST AND ON EAST...AGAIN.  SO I JOLLY WELL BETTER QUIT COMPLAINING!  NO MOVIE TODAY WITH MY PALS, JUST NOTHING WE WANT TO SEE, SO THEREFORE...I'M COUNTING RAINDROPS.  HOPE YOU ARE ALL MUCH BETTER OCCUPIED. 
jean-az/allALANalways

[HI FRIENDS, HOPE YOU ALL ARE READY FOR SPRING...ITS JUST AROUND THE CORNER (THEY TELL ME). TODAY IT IS CLOUDY, WINDY...AND I AM SO HOPING FOR SOME RAIN HERE IN THE DESERT, SO FAR I HAVE COUNTED ABOUT A HALF DOZEN DROPS ON MY WINDOWS, C'MON MAMA NATURE, YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT!! HARRIET, I DO HOPE YOU WILL SOON BE COMPLETELY MENDED, FROM TEETH TO YOUR SORE TOE, NO FUN AT ALL. YOU ARE A YOUNGSTER COMPARED TO ME, AND EVERY MORNING I WAKE UP AND WONDER..."WELL, WHAT'S WORKING TODAY, ARE ALL THE PARTS MOVING??? SOMETIMES YES, SOMETIMES NO! I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THE BASEBALL SEASON, SOME TEAMS ARE HERE FOR SPRING TRAINING, BUT OF COURSE MY BOYS, THE TWINS, TRAIN IN FLORIDA. I WILL SIGN UP FOR THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PKG ON TV SOON, DON'T WANT TO MISS A PITCH OR A HIT NICE TO HEAR ABOUT THE RONNIE DUNN CONCERT, HE IS AN AMAZING SINGER, AND HIS "I BELIEVE" VIDEO IS AN ALL TIME GREAT. I ALWAYS ESPECIALLY ENJOYED KIX BROOKS INTERVIEWS, A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR. I WISH BOTH OF THEM THE VERY BEST.GUESS WHAT? MY NIECE LAURIE, WHO LIVES IN DOOR COUNTY, WI, CALLED AND SAID, "AUNT JEAN, I'M CALLING TO INVITE YOU TO A WEDDING.." I WAS STUNNED FOR A MOMENT BECAUSE I COULDN'T THINK WHO WOULD BE GETTING MARRIED, AND THEN SHE SAID "WILL AND KATE!" PRINCE WILLIAM AND HIS KATE OF COURSE. SHE SAID "WE'LL GET UP AT 4AM, WATCH ALL THE FESTIVITIES, TAKE A NAP LATER ON, AND GO OUT TO AN ENGLISH LODGE FOR DINNER". NOW I ASK YOU, IS THAT A "WEDDING PLANNER" OR WHAT? AND..I WON'T HAVE TO WEAR A FANCY DRESS AND SHOES THAT HURT, EITHER. WE'LL BE ALL COMFY FRONT ROW CENTER IN ROBES AND SLIPPERS. WE BOTH LOVE STUFF LIKE THAT, HOPEFULLY A HAPPY GRAND OCCASION. AND MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, IT WILL BE CHERRY BLOSSOM TIME IN DOOR COUNTY, TOO. ITS TIME FOR SOME LOVELY NEWS FOR A CHANGE, ISN'T IT. HER DEAR HUSBAND STEVE WILL PROBABLY SLEEP THRU IT ALL, BLESS HIS MALE HEART. BUT WE WILL HAVE A GRAND "GIRL TIME". I WILL GET MY TRAVEL PLANS IN ORDER SOON. AND ANOTHER GREAT AND HAPPY MILESTONE IN MAY, WHEN MY GRANDSON QUINN GRADUATES FROM HIGH SCHOOL, IN SOUTH DAKOTA, AND HEADS FOR COLLEGE. WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?? THEN..IN SEPTEMBER, GRANDSON JAKE WILL BE GETTING MARRIED TO HIS LADY LIZ. I WILL SURELY HAVE TO TAKE PLENTY OF VITAMINS!!!I HOPE YOU EACH AND ALL HAVE SOME HAPPY PLANS IN THE MAKING. AND KEEP WELL AND WARM EVERY DAY,]

HI FRIENDS, HOPE YOU ALL ARE READY FOR SPRING...ITS JUST AROUND THE CORNER (THEY TELL ME).  TODAY IT IS CLOUDY, WINDY...AND I AM SO HOPING FOR SOME RAIN HERE IN THE DESERT, SO FAR I HAVE COUNTED ABOUT A HALF DOZEN DROPS ON MY WINDOWS, C'MON MAMA NATURE, YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT!!
 
HARRIET, I DO HOPE YOU WILL SOON BE COMPLETELY MENDED, FROM TEETH TO YOUR SORE TOE, NO FUN AT ALL.  YOU ARE A YOUNGSTER COMPARED TO ME, AND EVERY MORNING I WAKE UP AND WONDER..."WELL, WHAT'S WORKING TODAY, ARE ALL THE PARTS MOVING???  SOMETIMES YES, SOMETIMES NO! 

I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THE BASEBALL SEASON, SOME TEAMS ARE HERE FOR SPRING TRAINING, BUT OF COURSE MY BOYS, THE TWINS, TRAIN IN FLORIDA.  I WILL SIGN UP FOR THE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PKG ON TV SOON, DON'T WANT TO MISS A PITCH OR A HIT
 
NICE TO HEAR ABOUT THE RONNIE DUNN CONCERT, HE IS AN AMAZING SINGER, AND HIS "I BELIEVE" VIDEO IS AN ALL TIME GREAT.  I ALWAYS ESPECIALLY ENJOYED KIX BROOKS INTERVIEWS, A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR.  I WISH BOTH OF THEM THE VERY BEST.

GUESS WHAT?  MY NIECE LAURIE,  WHO LIVES IN DOOR COUNTY, WI, CALLED AND SAID, "AUNT JEAN, I'M CALLING TO INVITE YOU TO A WEDDING.." I WAS STUNNED FOR A MOMENT BECAUSE I COULDN'T THINK WHO WOULD BE GETTING MARRIED, AND THEN SHE SAID "WILL AND KATE!" PRINCE WILLIAM AND HIS KATE OF COURSE.  SHE SAID "WE'LL GET UP AT 4AM, WATCH ALL THE FESTIVITIES, TAKE A NAP LATER ON, AND GO OUT TO AN ENGLISH LODGE FOR DINNER".  NOW I ASK YOU, IS THAT A "WEDDING PLANNER" OR WHAT?  AND..I WON'T HAVE TO WEAR A FANCY DRESS AND SHOES THAT HURT, EITHER. WE'LL BE ALL COMFY FRONT ROW CENTER IN ROBES AND SLIPPERS.  WE BOTH LOVE STUFF LIKE THAT, HOPEFULLY A HAPPY GRAND OCCASION.  AND MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, IT WILL BE CHERRY BLOSSOM TIME IN DOOR COUNTY, TOO. ITS TIME FOR SOME LOVELY NEWS FOR A CHANGE, ISN'T IT.   HER DEAR HUSBAND STEVE WILL PROBABLY SLEEP THRU IT ALL, BLESS HIS MALE HEART.  BUT WE WILL HAVE A GRAND "GIRL TIME".  I WILL GET MY TRAVEL PLANS IN ORDER SOON.  AND ANOTHER GREAT AND HAPPY MILESTONE IN MAY, WHEN MY GRANDSON QUINN GRADUATES FROM HIGH SCHOOL, IN SOUTH DAKOTA, AND HEADS FOR COLLEGE.  WHERE DOES THE TIME GO??  THEN..IN SEPTEMBER, GRANDSON JAKE WILL BE GETTING MARRIED TO HIS LADY LIZ.  I WILL SURELY HAVE TO TAKE PLENTY OF VITAMINS!!!

I HOPE YOU EACH AND ALL HAVE SOME HAPPY PLANS IN THE MAKING.  AND KEEP WELL AND WARM EVERY DAY,

jean/az (allalanalways) 

[HAPPY FEBRUARY EVERYONE!!! ITS A SHORT MONTH, AND ONE STEP CLOSER TO SPRING. BEEN WATCHING THE GOLF TOURNAMENT OFF AND ON TODAY, OUR FREEZING WEATHER HAS THROWN IT A BIT OFF SCHEDULE, REALLY FRIENDS, IT GOT VERY, VERY CHILLY...BUT AS LONG AS I DON'T HAVE TO SHOVEL ANYTHING I WON'T COMPLAIN, SO MUCH, MUCH WORSE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, AND I DO HOPE THAT ALL OF YOU SHOVELING AND SHIVERING WILL STAY SAFE AND WARM. JERRI, YOUR WORDS ARE SO KIND, THIS IS JUST A WONDERFUL CHANCE TO" VISIT" WITH ALL OF YOU.I LIKE THE IDEA OF MANY OF YOU STOCKED UP ON PLENTY OF GROCERIES, BOOKS, DVD...ETC. I AM A DEDICATED HUNKER-DOWNER, MYSELF, ALWAYS FIGURE IF I HAVE A GOOD BOOK OR TWO AT HAND, ALL WILL BE WELL! I CAN'T YET ENJOY MORNING COFFEE ON THE PATIO, WAY TO CHILLY, IN FACT ALL I CAN DO THE LAST FEW MORNINGS IS UNCOVER MY PLANT OUT THERE I TRY TO KEEP FROM FROSTING. BUT THAT WILL COME ALONG TOO, ONE OF THESE FINE DAYS. THE HOME DEPOTS AND SUPERMARKETS ARE DISPLAYING LOTS OF FLOWER PLANTINGS ETC. ALWAYS SUCH A CHEERFUL SIGHT.THOUGHT I WOULD JUST SKIP THE SUPER BOWL THIS TIME, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO ALL OF YOU WHOSE TEAMS ARE IN IT THIS YEAR. IT WILL DEPEND ON WHETHER I CAN PERSUADE SOMEONE TO GO SEE "THE KINGS SPEECH" WITH ME AGAIN. WHAT THEY DON'T KNOW WON'T HURT THEM! HAVE A GOOD TIME TOMORROW WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE TO DO! STAY SAFE AND DRIVE CAREFULLY.]

HAPPY FEBRUARY EVERYONE!!!  ITS A SHORT MONTH, AND ONE STEP CLOSER TO SPRING.  BEEN WATCHING THE GOLF TOURNAMENT OFF AND ON TODAY, OUR FREEZING WEATHER HAS THROWN IT A BIT OFF SCHEDULE, REALLY FRIENDS, IT GOT VERY, VERY CHILLY...BUT AS LONG AS I DON'T HAVE TO SHOVEL ANYTHING I WON'T COMPLAIN, SO MUCH, MUCH WORSE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, AND I DO HOPE THAT ALL OF YOU SHOVELING AND SHIVERING WILL STAY SAFE AND WARM. 
JERRI, YOUR WORDS ARE SO KIND, THIS IS JUST A WONDERFUL CHANCE TO" VISIT" WITH ALL OF YOU
.
I LIKE THE IDEA OF MANY OF YOU STOCKED UP ON PLENTY OF GROCERIES, BOOKS, DVD...ETC.  I AM A DEDICATED HUNKER-DOWNER, MYSELF, ALWAYS FIGURE IF I HAVE A GOOD BOOK OR TWO AT HAND, ALL WILL BE WELL!  I CAN'T YET ENJOY MORNING COFFEE ON THE PATIO, WAY TO CHILLY, IN FACT ALL I CAN DO THE LAST FEW MORNINGS IS UNCOVER MY PLANT OUT THERE I TRY TO KEEP FROM FROSTING.  BUT THAT WILL COME ALONG TOO, ONE OF THESE FINE DAYS.  THE HOME DEPOTS AND SUPERMARKETS ARE DISPLAYING LOTS OF FLOWER PLANTINGS ETC.  ALWAYS SUCH A CHEERFUL SIGHT.

THOUGHT I WOULD JUST SKIP THE SUPER BOWL THIS TIME, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO ALL OF YOU WHOSE TEAMS ARE IN IT THIS YEAR.  IT WILL DEPEND ON WHETHER I CAN PERSUADE SOMEONE TO GO SEE "THE KINGS SPEECH" WITH ME AGAIN.  WHAT THEY DON'T KNOW WON'T HURT THEM! 

HAVE A GOOD TIME TOMORROW WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE TO DO!  STAY SAFE AND DRIVE CAREFULLY.

jean-az/allALANalways

[HI GOOD FRIENDS! I HAVE TO SHARE WITH YOU A CHEERFUL PHONE CALL I JUST RECEIVED FROM MY GRANDSON JAKE WHO IS STUDYING AT GEORGETOWN UNIV. IN D.C. HE WAS WALKING HOME TO HIS APARTMENT THRU THE SNOW, AND SINCE HE GREW UP ON THE PLAINS OF SOUTH DAKOTA, IT WAS A LARK. HE TOLD ME THAT JUST A DAY OR TWO BEFORE DURING A BIG SNOWFALL, ABOUT 300 PEOPLE SHOWED UP IN DUPONT CIRCLE (A PARK IN THE MIDST OF THE CITY MUCH LIKE CENTRAL PARK IN NY), AND A HUGE SNOW FIGHT BROKE OUT, A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL. I SAY, "THAT'S THE SPIRIT!! 50 YEARS AGO I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO BE IN THE MIDST OF IT. LEAVE IT TO THE YOUNG TO "TAKE A SAD SONG AND MAKE IT HAPPY", AS THE BEATLES WOULD SAY!SPEAKING OF SAD SONGS, I AM JUST GRUMPY ENOUGH TO TOTALLY PASS ON THE SUPER BOWL THIS YEAR. IS IT POSSIBLE FOR BOTH TEAMS TO LOSE?? MY LOYAL AND BRUISED VIKING HEART WON'T ALLOW ME TO ROOT FOR THE PACKERS, AND I DON'T CARE FOR THE ANTICS OF "BIG BEN". SO THEY WILL JUST HAVE TO MUDDLE ALONG WITHOUT MY SAGE ADVICE. SO THERE.I READ I DELIGHTFUL BOOK, "KEYS TO THE CASTLE" BY DONNA BALL, AND SAW A TRULY MARVELOUS MOVIE THIS WEEK END, "THE KINGS SPEECH". I LONG AGO GAVE UP ON BOOKS IN THE SO CALLED "ROMANTIC" GENRE, BUT THIS ONE CAUGHT MY EYE, AND WAS A REFRESHING CHANGE FROM THE USUAL. AND THE MOVIE WAS SO BEAUTIFULLY ACTED BY THE ENTIRE CAST, BUT MY FRIENDS, ANYTIME I CAN PAY TO SEE COLIN FIRTH, I'M THERE.SUE, I DO HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR BRIEF STAY HERE IN THE DESERT, ITS NOT QUITE AS WARM AS WE ARE USED TO, BUT WHEN I SAY THE TEMPS HAVE PLUNGED INTO THE 60'S , FORGIVE ME! GLAD TO SHARE OUR SUNSHINE WITH YOU!TIME TO GO SEE WHAT CALAMITIES AWAIT ME ON THE EVENING NEWS, BUT IN THE MEANTIME, YOU ALL KEEP WELL AND WARM, DRIVE SAFELY AND CAREFULLY, THIS CAN BE SUCH A TREACHEROUS TIME ON THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. I SHIVER FROM MEMORY, THINKING ABOUT IT.]

HI GOOD FRIENDS!  I HAVE TO SHARE WITH YOU A CHEERFUL PHONE CALL I JUST RECEIVED FROM MY GRANDSON JAKE WHO IS STUDYING AT GEORGETOWN UNIV. IN D.C.  HE WAS WALKING HOME TO HIS APARTMENT THRU THE SNOW, AND SINCE HE GREW UP ON THE PLAINS OF SOUTH DAKOTA, IT WAS A LARK.  HE TOLD ME THAT JUST A DAY OR TWO BEFORE DURING A BIG SNOWFALL, ABOUT 300 PEOPLE SHOWED UP IN DUPONT CIRCLE (A PARK IN THE MIDST OF THE CITY MUCH LIKE CENTRAL PARK IN NY), AND A HUGE  SNOW FIGHT BROKE OUT, A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL.  I SAY, "THAT'S THE SPIRIT!!  50 YEARS AGO I WOULD HAVE LOVED TO BE IN THE MIDST OF IT.  LEAVE IT TO THE YOUNG TO "TAKE A SAD SONG AND MAKE IT HAPPY", AS THE BEATLES WOULD SAY!

SPEAKING OF SAD SONGS, I AM JUST GRUMPY ENOUGH TO TOTALLY PASS ON THE SUPER BOWL THIS YEAR.  IS IT POSSIBLE FOR BOTH TEAMS TO LOSE??  MY LOYAL AND BRUISED VIKING HEART WON'T ALLOW ME TO ROOT FOR THE PACKERS, AND I DON'T CARE FOR THE ANTICS OF "BIG BEN".  SO THEY WILL JUST HAVE TO MUDDLE ALONG WITHOUT MY SAGE ADVICE.  SO THERE.

I READ I DELIGHTFUL BOOK, "KEYS TO THE CASTLE" BY DONNA BALL, AND SAW A TRULY MARVELOUS MOVIE THIS WEEK END, "THE KINGS SPEECH".  I LONG AGO GAVE UP ON BOOKS IN THE SO CALLED "ROMANTIC" GENRE, BUT THIS ONE CAUGHT MY EYE, AND WAS A REFRESHING CHANGE FROM THE USUAL.  AND THE MOVIE WAS SO BEAUTIFULLY ACTED BY THE ENTIRE CAST, BUT MY FRIENDS, ANYTIME I CAN PAY TO SEE COLIN FIRTH, I'M THERE.

SUE, I DO HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR BRIEF STAY HERE IN THE DESERT, ITS NOT QUITE AS WARM AS WE ARE USED TO, BUT WHEN I SAY THE TEMPS HAVE PLUNGED INTO THE 60'S , FORGIVE ME!  GLAD TO SHARE OUR SUNSHINE WITH YOU!

TIME TO GO SEE WHAT CALAMITIES AWAIT ME ON THE EVENING NEWS, BUT IN THE MEANTIME, YOU ALL KEEP WELL AND WARM, DRIVE SAFELY AND CAREFULLY, THIS CAN BE SUCH A TREACHEROUS TIME ON THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.  I SHIVER FROM MEMORY, THINKING ABOUT IT.

jean-az/allALANalways