The New Kind of Blog for the Year

Those of you who continue to follow this blog now and then will, of course, notice that the entries have slowed down to a near trickle.  This isn't caused by a lack of desire to continue to write and to share photos with you, but our life has, at least temporarily, changed to a more sedentary lifestyle with less traveling and more day-to-day living around our residence.  Mind, I am NOT complaining since now I have Buzz Lightyear and Peter Pan to fill my day as Grandpa!   I am even now and then entertained by my grandchildren's parent too, dressing up as an "80s" couple.

Four generations living under one roof has been, so far, a better experience than any of us were first inclined to think, a melding, even for a year, of three sets of family routines, expectations, and energy levels.  A split floor plan helps!  Kevin, Louise and Floyd also gained some additional (and hopefully, more economical) piece of transportation.  We found a really nice, lower miles mini-van - yes, an Olds.  What we know we will save on gasoline costs will more than cover the payments and it will give us the freedom to explore the region and take day trips.

It looks like dad is now accepted to start attending an adult care center through the assistance of the VA, since he is a Korean War veteran.  We had visited the Center last month as their guest which included lunch.  Dad was so impressed by the potential of value-add to his life that he has been regularly asking about the facility and when he might start attending.  It appears that his first day will be next week.

Change of subject.  Earlier in the month of July, Louise, Dad and I took a day trip to Yarnell, AZ, a small community of perhaps 1,500 people 45 minutes south of Prescott on State Highway 89.  We had driven through this little town before and had noticed several antique shops lining the one main drag through town.  We had also noticed a couple of small cafes.

To get to Yarnell we needed to first travel through a non-incorporated town called Skull Valley.  Don't worry, it is not as bad as the name implies.  Instead of the mental vision of a desert town, the onclave is actually in a fertile valley with some field sub irrigated.  We stopped next to the general store to look over the three or four tables that made up the Farmer's Market, locally produced fruits and vegetables.  The selection was sparse but the conversation was plentious!  We then toured the genuine old time general store.   We found locally raised beef for sale, which we plan to gain some cuts at a later time.  We gathered ourselves, entered our new-to-us driving machine and headed down the road in search of antiquing.   We drove through the little town of Yarnell scoping out our prospects and stopped at three different stores.  The first, I was tempted (but did not succumb) to purchase a couple of vases, covered by  gold (24K claimed) drip glazes.   The second store we were welcomed into a Far East extravaganza of older items.   I talked with the proprietor and discovered that during the slow season when it got cool he would travel Asia in search of further items.   Recently widowed, his plans are put in abeyance while he mourns the loss of his second wife, this one of 20 years.   The third shop was run by a vivacious widow who describes herself as very happy to be single and live her life in Yarnell.  She spoke of her regular attendance to the town's pride and joy, The Shrine of St. Joseph of the Mountains.   Giving us simple directions to cross the street and drive one mile down the road, we discovered a wonderful and peaceful gem for spiritual reflection.   Having not a camera in hand and not having much time to be able to spend walking the Shrine, we decided to leave it for another day outing.   When we return to the site, my intent will be to share the pictures of this beautiful site and my impressions of it.

Well that is about it for now!   I hope my readers are having a great summer!   Don't worry about me getting bored or lacking entertainment.  Send me an email at 2horsesoutback@ gmail and let me know how you are doing.   See you next time!

The oldest, Tristin, my oldest grandchild, turned four years old last week.   He graduated from a car seat to a booster!  Big time change.

Happy July 4th from Prescott Arizona

This past Saturday, the Freedman Family, the Dick Family and the Richards family, all four generations descended onto the town square to see one of the best parades we have ever experienced; very much small town Americana at its best, all 2 1/2 hours in duration. It was evident that the parade was a full community event, multi-generational and diverse in its entries.

A special attraction was the bagpipe entry

Arizona joined the Union in 1912.  Prescott was the Arizona Territory's first capital, although Chino Valley just north of Prescott also claims the same designation

Everyone seemed to enjoy their time and many folk in the parade stopped briefly for my inquiring camera

Old cars abounded, so did large-to-scale trailers of submarines and ships; something I had not seen outside of museums

The Prescott and the quad town region has plenty of horses

The old downtown, recently in the national news because of four old-time businesses that were severely fire damaged, enjoys a rich history; in fact, the church we visited this past Sunday was the nineth church in the Arizona Territory and the very first baptist church located on the block just east of the square.  At the same time of its establishment, the Territory had 500 saloons.

Yes, Arizona also has mountain men!

A scene of the crowd of thousands lining the street

A year ago, Louise, my dad, Floyd, and I were enjoying a 4th of July parade in Wascilla Alaska.  It is interesting how life continues to unfold, having no idea at that time or for serveral months following, that we would be temporary residents of Arizona living with one of our daughters and her family.  I suppose you could say we are now official snow-birds!  We wish all of you a happy holiday and a safe and enjoyable summer.