Life Notes in the Margin

Flexibility is the answer to some of life's challenges. The weather didn't permit our scheduled three day backpacking trip to the Grand Canyon so we went to the alternate plan, a three night stay at Casa Sedona, a B&B in Sedona, Arizona. The bed won the award for the most uncomfortable in my experience. It felt like a well worn refrigerator box. The breakfasts were just ok. however, it still beat sleeping in the rain and snow for three nights with overnight lows in the 20's. We had a great dinner at the Cowboy Club in Sedona. Great food.

We got weathered out with temps in the teens at the rim with rain and snow in the forecast. the permit was for three nights along the Tonto trail. We went to the alternate plan which involved a regular bed and indoor plumbing at a B&B in Sedona. it was the right choice. it would have been a miserable, wet and potentially dangerous experience. Maybe we'll try again in fall 2010.

Grandpa, I'm glad we got to spend some time together during my visit to Wisconsin in December 2007.  I'l remember your love for gardening and how you were especially proud of your roses.  You took special effort to make sure I got to tour your garden when we visited in the summer.  I was very sad to hear about your death this week but I celebrate your long life well lived.  You were loyal to the same company for all of your working life.  You persevered raising seven children on a single paycheck.  Today's parents can't make it on two incomes and struggle with 1.9 children on average.  I remember driving to Rhinelander as kids to vacation at your trailer.  We'd spend hours picking blueberries and walking the railroad tracks behind your property.  You loved your Meister Brau.  Now you are free of the pain you suffered in the last few years of your life.  You've found relief from the biggest pain you experienced lately, the...