That’s it . . .

 Why I can’t sleep 

Frustrated

Road trips are fun . . .    except when plans are interfered with.

1)  Check air pressure light came on July 16 in Wisconsin.

I drove to an oil change shop because many of them check things like that. 

The first place basically ignored me so I Googled another shop and got the grand tour, almost all the way around the Milwaukee Brewers baseball stadium.

I had the oil changed and they checked the tire pressure.

One was a little low.

This morning, in Colorado, the light came on again.

I wish the light would say which tire.

We found a tire shop in Brush, CO that checked the pressure and found one a little low.

They were pretty busy, but freed a guy up to do it.

No charge.

Then we went on our merry way.

Wanting to be certain all was good, we stopped at a location of the tire company that sold us the tires.

They found a small screw in the tire and repaired it.

2)  Weather, for the most part, hasn’t been much of an issue.

We had a little rain one day in Wisconsin.

It was breezy the day we drove along the Mississippi River in Iowa . . .   there were whitecaps.

Omaha had rain and thunder, then it was humid at the zoo.

From Omaha westward we hit some showers and saw some tremendous clouds . . .    there was one brief downpour.

Today, as we approached Denver we were hit by numerous rain showers.

The lines in the road virtually vanish when the pavement is wet.

But the real frustration is that the weather forces us to put off, once again, traveling through Rocky Mountain National Park. 

We could chance it, but the threat of thunder storms, and the possibility that the road might be closed at the summit again, gives us pause.

So we’ll wait until another time.

Besides, it takes some of the rush out of our trip. 

So, it’s a stretch, but there is a small upside. 

infinitesimal

Then there’s the frustration with Blogger messing with my posts.   . . . the previous one in particular 🤬

About time

 

Friday cat

 

60?

Yeah, that long ago, I joined the Navy on this date in 1961.

It was a Friday and it was hot in San Francisco when 13 others and I took the oath to “preserve and protect .”

When we were done with that we were told we were on our own, free to do pretty much what we wanted until evening, when we were to catch an overnight train to San Diego.

I can’t remember what what I did.

I just remember how unusually hot it was.

Monday update

The excuse for our excursion is done.

Signed, sealed, and delivered.

The couple were married on Friday afternoon and the wedding reception was over sometime early Saturday morning.

They are now ensconced in a hotel at Cancun.

The real reason for our trip, to enjoy time with far flung family is still happening, at least until Wednesday,  when we’ll load up the car and head west, traveling different roads, mostly, than our easterly trek. 

Sometime I will have to post pictures.

But not using the current device or my cellphone.

There’s a koi pond where we’re staying.

I have a photo on this device.

Blogger cannot find it.

grrr!

Friday cat

 

Friday cat

 

Uh, oh!

Found out today you are supposed to urinate on a jellyfish sting, not a jelly stain. Sorry lady at waffle house....just trying to help.

Some gratitude

In the aftermath of the passing of my mother in law and the gathering of family to say good-bye, there's been a winding down which has included some drama and suspense all of its own.

Some family went off to San Francisco to sightsee and forgot about the predators who inhabit those areas frequented by tourists.

Some precious items, including a purse with ID, credit cards, and other family members Social Security Cards (don't ask because I have no idea) were placed in the trunk of the rental car whilst they sauntered through Golden Gate Park.

There might have been some cash, too?

Upon their return to the vehicle they found two rear windows broken and the rear seat removed from the car.

The chances of recovery are very slim.

This event created much excitement, along with the drama, because they were to depart the following morning very early.

Without ID it is nearly impossible to travel by air.
They just did make their flight home.

Thursday, another family member, who was helping to sort through the myriad of "collectibles" in Mumsy's sitting room [another story], was bitten by, probably, a spider.
It was not a Black Widow and we don't have Brown Recluse Spiders in California not matter what you may have been told.

His right hand, at the base of the index finger began to swell up.

No amount of soaking in Epsom salts, nor ingestion of antibiotics seemed to help more that to prevent the spread.

Finally, after consultation with a medical professional of his acquaintance, it was determined to visit an emergency room. 

This was two days later and the day before he was to depart.

Four plus hours, two IV antibiotic infusions, and some minor hand surgery rendered him able to come back here to rest and observe.

The next morning it was determined he is well enough to travel.

Meanwhile . . .   we received word that MB's stepmom, my 'other' mother in law, who everyone calls Nana or Nan for short, had been taken by ambulance to the hospital because of bleeding, source unknown.

We had already scheduled a visit with her, which, of course, had to be cancelled.

So we sat on pins and needles for two days.

Sunday arrived.

MB and I went to church.

When we got home we loaded luggage in the car and traveled to the Bay Area, first stopping at the hospital for an attempted visit with Nan, who was presently indisposed, and on to San Francisco International Airport.

After the drop-off at the airport we stopped to visit MB's aunt, Nan's sister.

First off, because it's nearby.

Secondly, to find if there was any further news.

So . . .   while we were there Nan called on Face Time and we all got to visit.
By that time it had been related that the source of the bleeding, which had remained somewhat of a mystery for two days, had been discovered and remedied.
The visit was short because Nan was tired, but everyone felt better afterward.

Tomorrow, we've one more trip to the airport.

Again to SFO, but we shall have the house to ourselves for a day or so.

Then, unless something comes up, we leave to attend MB's  "ready made" granddaughter's wedding in Wisconsin.

We've a house sitter to train in the meantime.

We will be driving and plan a side trip or two in each direction.

The usual suspects will be here on Fridays and maybe a post or two otherwise.

I got to spend some time talking to Nan last weekend

continuing . . .

 

Friday cat

 

It's been documented

 

Moving along

The past few weeks have seen more than a few emotional swings.

In case you missed it, my mother in law, died last week.

It was not unexpected.
She had been in the hospital for a close to two weeks and had been sent home to hospice primarily so visitors were not limited to her son, daughter (my wife), and her pastor (her grandson).

I purposely have not counted how many came to see her, but they came from as far away as Cairo, Egypt; Florida, by way of Maine (don't ask); Nebraska, Wisconsin, Washington state, Arizona, Colorado, and all parts of California.

They ranged in age from three years (because I'm not counting the unborn) to 79 years.

Which means I wasn't the oldest.
We had as many as eight staying here, in our house, and others staying at neighbors and in nearby hotels.

Everyone was well fed.

Each family group took on preparing meals for a day.

They did it voluntarily, without being asked.

All but the last two, the Egyptians, have left for home.

Everyone who wished to said good-bye and told her they loved her.

Last Saturday was the memorial service so nobody had to come back again. 

The church was full.
Then we all celebrated here life here at the house, telling the stories we don't relate during a eulogy.

The house is full of flowers.

This . . .

. . . and nine other arrangements.

All is now calm.