Judy flew back to Florida on Saturday. She sent a message to say she finally got warm. It was in the 40s and 50s in Idaho and California. The two days after she left were very nice.
April 16: Yesterday we had a get together with nephew, Mark and his family - really like his wife, Kirsten. Their twins are darling. Alissa and Ron have a huge chess set on a board in the living room and Mark is teaching Eli to play. Oh, the intensity of this little five year old as he thought about his moves. Vera has been shown the rudiments of the game but doesn't seem too interested. I think Mark gets better looking as he gets older. He brought a bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne for all of us to share. Can't say I thought it tasted that good. Of course, I only had one sip, maybe if I had had a little more. Too much Asti Spumonti in my past!
Mary Lou, Lisa, Nichol and Nichol's 18 month old little boy also came. Nathaniel shows that he has Epperly genes. Nichol is expecting another baby boy in June. She is prettier than I've ever seen her.
Alissa's friend, Jan and her husband Greg were also here. Plus Lissa and Ron's four boys and several of their friends. A house full but a nice mix of people. I shared family recipes, ribs simmered in beer and then grilled; cheese potatoes made with velveeta - I haven't used velveeta since Vern died - and Lissa made a pineapple upside down cake. She also made the family pizza recipe on Saturday night. Did a good job.
Lissa and I went out to the company's Aqueduct field this morning. It is beautiful and about 20 minutes from her house. The plants are all lined up in rows, different colors. It looks like a quilt. We then passed acres of white iceberg roses, amazing!
Tuesday, April 16: Well, I'm on the move again. Heading home this time Lissa brought me to catch the train in Riverside. No station, just benches outside. The train was late but I got on in time for supper. I sat with the most interesting lady. She teaches at a college in Flagstaff. She teaches a class on how economics affect southern Africa. She works with farmers there in Africa part of the year. Very interesting! She became an activist against apartheid in 1963 - she must have been just out of school. She knows Nelson Mandela and hosted him when he visited Los Angeles some years back. So, she asked me what was my profession. I told her I had none, I was a stay at home mom who volunteered. When I got back to my cubicle, I began to think about the great work she is doing and has done and what have I accomplished. Was feeling pretty blue.
This morning I realized what I have done is raise amazing women, made a home, collected wonderful friends and have the most brilliant grandchildren. Not a bad feat!!And best of all I have had an opportunity to meet people who are making a difference in the world and appreciate them.
A little while ago we stopped in Albequerque. What a pretty city. It looks like every skyscraper matches all the others. Some adobe colored and some Siena. Even the very modern blend in. It looks like a decorator put it all together.
In 1990, when Vern retired, we took a trip west and we got to Albequerque at the time of their annual balloon festival. We just lucked into seeing it. A very good memory.
We're going up higher into the mountains to the Raton Pass. Been over it by car. This land is bleak with a scrubby looking trees. A trickle of water in arroyos. Once in a while you see a colorful complex on the horizon. It is a Casino. The Native Americans have gotten back at the palefaces by getting their money. Ah, revenge is sweet.....and profitable.
We passed through Las Vegas, New Mexico which has one of the last of the Harvey House Hotels. Very close to the tracks. Those hotels and restaurants helped build the West.
I woke up in the night, probably some place in Eastern Colorado or Nebraska and you cannot believe the stars in the sky. How great is our God and His universe.
Took a shower in the bathroom/shower combo while the train was parked at Kansas City. The combo is the type you see in travel trailers. I love K.C. Vern grew up there, brother Russ lives there now. Lots of good memories in Kansas City.
Sue and Steve had taken my car to Galesburg the night before and when I arrived on the 18th at noon, I got in and headed home. I am so glad I had this opportunity to travel this way. I doubt with the way things are going in my life, that I will do it again, but if anyone who reads this considers this form of travel, it's the best way in my estimation.
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