Me and Hound

I miss her so much.

Wind is blowing WEST. Time to go.

At Painted Desert & Petrified Forest National Park

Winslow, AZ airport hanger.  Brandi had to see what was inside there, so she scaled the wall and looked in!

Brandi getting her Indian Fry Bread Fix in New Mexico.

A rest stop along Interstate 40.  Serious Tornado country.  It was quite the 'shelter'.

Moonshine stop, in the Smoky Mountains.  haha

Family Cemetery in Tennessee 

Well, I'm on the move again.

Back on the road.  'Come what may'.

I feel both joy and sadness.  I love the open road.  It's where I feel I can breath, and think clearly.  This trip is joyful to have Brandi travel with me. But I am very sad, not to have my dog, REMI WITH ME.  but we'll  make some stops along the way and see some things I haven't seen before.  Our first stop was at the top of the beautiful Smoky Mountains and into TENNESSEE  and to our FAMILY Cemetery.  Middleburg, TN.  My grandparents and great-grandparents are buried there, along side many other relatives.  It was a nice feeling, being there.  Among so many family members.  I imagine that we'll all be happy to see and meet each other on the other side, as well.

Next Stop, was MEMPHIS.  We went down to the famous BEALE STREET.  Home of Louis Armstrong, B.B. King and many other jazz, blues, and R & B legends performed.  There's still live music, restaurants, and things to see and hear.  The Mississippi River runs right along side of it.

Then it was on to, ARKANSAS.  Not a whole lot to see, but a long way to drive into 

OKLAHOMA.

This is where I came up with a NEW NAME for my sweet little BRANDI.

"HAG-A-THA" 

"THE ROAD RUNNER"!

When this girl has an itinerary in her head, look out!  She is not stopping to see trivial things if it interferes with her time schedule.  Here's her rules for stopping.  You don't stop unless you accomplish 3 things.

1. GAS

2.  PEE

3.  SNACK

And you better do all 3 FAST!

Now, if you have to pee, and we don't need gas?  You better know how to hold it, or wear your depends, sister!    I think her motto should be 'GET IN, HANG ON, AND SHUT UP!" haha

After driving through Oklahoma we stopped at the World Famous BIG TEXAN STEAK HOUSE.

In AMARILLO TEXAS.

IT was BIG! and the steaks were HUGE.

Next day, it was on to Albuquerque, NEW MEXICO, where Brandi got her Indian fry bread fix.

Then on into ARIZONA, where we BRIEFLY stopped at the PETRIFIED FOREST AND PAINTED DESERT National Park and took a couple pictures.

We got into Winslow for the night and on Saturday, spent the day with David, and then arrived at our final DESTINATION;  MESA. 

It was a great trip, and I wouldn't have made it in 3 days without

"The Road Runner".

I got to add places to map that I hadn't been to before, and now I'm here in AZ for a little while, until the wind, picks up, and blows me another direction again.  And it will.  It always does.

A little summer update

Matt and his friend put on a great 4th of July Party. 

Food, Family, Friends, and Fireworks.

Big Fireworks!! (professional fireworks)

 Lexi continues to excel in music.

She performed at an event at that church.  This was her first time

in front of a live audience.  She has a voice, guitar, piano, teacher who is really encouraging and good.

 Anna.  My little 'Squirrel'.

Full of energy.  She is doing swim team and anything else that keeps her moving.

I'm still recovering from my neck/back surgery.

I'm trying to remain positive.  I still have pain, but not the kind that I was having.  I'm hoping to be back on the golf course by November, and back to the gym this month.

I have a lot more I would like to write about, but haven't. I don't have internet at my house so I'm limited on how much time and data I have.

Paintings by David....Enjoy

 RAVEN

Painted by David Paulson

 ELK

by  David Paulson

CARDINAL

Painted by David Paulson

Ronald Curtiss Beals "Ya done good."

 Yep.  That's my Boy.

I am so proud.  He worked so hard for this.

He had a goal and stuck with it.

 I can't express how proud I am of these two.

With much hard work, families, and sacrifice, these two,  worked so hard to get these college degrees. 

 I also want to recognize JEN, for all her love, encouragement, and support.  It was a team accomplishment.  They made many sacrifices along this journey.  Thanks Jen for all you do.

The apostle Paul taught;

 So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. Galatians 6:9 

Way to Go 

RONALD CURTISS BEALS,

(as Grandpa would say,)

"Ya done good."