Reno and More

Anna and Rob made a quick trip to New Mexico to look at houses and schools. The kids are super self sufficient, but Lucy had some AP tests looming large and she was relieved when we were able to head that way for a few days. I actually love shopping, cooking, and driving the "bus." So this was good fun.

Treats from Utah

Up extremely early to schlep Rob and Anna to RNO

This girl is a kick in the pants

Bella and I checked out Thomas Creek, which is running
high with spring runoff and LOTS of rain

The chokecherries are about to pop

I was happy to accompany Louisiana to her NHS induction

Brilliant girl!

Lucy gave me a tour of Galina and I got to see her paintings on display

Clara entertained the troops

Spring in the Sierra Nevada foothills

I can always count on Anna for a great hike

This one was up along Whites Creek

Such a wonderful spot

It's always sad to say goodbye

We came home on 10 May, and on the 11th we were invited to Katiana's Naturalization Ceremony at the Federal Court House in Salt Lake City. Afterwards Jeremy feted us at Tucano's in the Gateway Center near the courthouse. It was a really nice day and we genuinely appreciate being included.

Freshly-minted US citizen

Katiana, Jeremy, Lexi, Landon, and Christian Goff

Katiana and the Taylors

Lunch at Tucano's (Jeremy's parents, the Goffs, on the left)

So, we have enjoyed a pretty great week, but that's all for now.

OXO

D.

March to May 2016

The most exciting thing (literally) that has happened has been going on in my brain. A horrible falling-into-the-wall  bout of vertigo set off my panic attacks and anxiety after years of relative calm. The vertigo turned out to be benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) which I managed to fix with a maneuver I learned on the internet. But the anxiety and panic continued. So I enlisted the help of a neurologist and some generic Prozac, and had several sessions with a therapist. I canceled our trip to Texas and worked on my head instead. The good news is that after a month and a bit, I am feeling quite normal. The meds probably helped and I learned some great strategies for coping. So apart from that, life has continued much the same as always.

 Out for a walk at sunrise

 Greek food after a bench shopping in SLC

 Gelato!

 Spring on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail

 Dinner and ice cream with Ronny, Eva, and Heidi Daniels,

former home teachees

 New leaves in Rock Canyon

 Beautiful light on a splendid spring morning

 Family dinner at the Taylors

 Friday night out with Katy and Evy

 Chokecherries in bloom on the foothills

Sunrise over Timp

That's all for now.

OXO

D.

What The...?

I find it hard to wrap my brain around the fact that I have completed 70 years on this beloved planet. I always thought when I read of someone dying at this age, it was fine because they "had lived a good long life." Forget that nonsense!

This year the celebration lasted for a couple of days. On Saturday, 26 March, Kris and I loved seeing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat again at the Hale Center Theater. It is a clever play and I love the music. Afterwards we were to meet Uncle and Annie at P712 for supper. Kris ran in Target on the way and seemed to be dawdling. We arrived at the pizzeria just after the appointed hour and I spied Stephen and Ann in a far corner. I approached and began to push the table next to theirs closer when "SURPRISE!" greeted my unsuspecting ears. I turned around to see a happy group of family seated at a large table behind me. I was gobsmacked! After dinner everyone gathered back at the festively-decorated house for cake and ice cream and presents. The kids all chipped in and ordered me a Timothy Richards model of the door at 10 Downing Street in London. I recognized the box and  became genuinely giddy. Sunday 27, the actual date, was Easter and I cooked lamb and made a coconut cake.

Monday, 28 March, was Vernon Christopherson's funeral. He died from a blood infection contracted while having a knee replacement. He hasn't been super well and strong and he just couldn't fight the infection. Uncle Rod spoke, representing the "Group," and hit a home run.  That evening we had a mini Boynton reunion since Chip and Sandy were in town.

 How on earth did I get here?

 Good fun


What a surprise

People I love

The revelers

A birthday squeeze with ballons

 "Foo"

 

I was genuinely elated by this gift 

 

I LOVE these beautifully-crafted models

 The "Group" gathered at Vern's funeral

 Post-La Casita with the Boyntons

 Little squish was intrigued by the Easter flowers

Thanks to everyone for making this watershed birthday celebration just perfect. Emily deserves special thanks for all her efforts. I love you all, and that's all for now.

OXO

D.

No Snow in This Canyon (Day Three)

On the morning of 25 March, we were disappointed to realize that we had been staying at a Holiday Inn, not a Holiday Inn Express: no free breakfast! So we loaded the cars and headed to McDonald's in Anna's car for a breakfast that was not quite to everyone's taste. Heading straight north we arrived at Snow Canyon State Park. The beautiful canyon is named for Lorenzo and Erastus Snow, early Mormon guys, not for the cold meteorological phenomenon. Regardless, the place is spectacular. We spent the morning hiking the Pioneer Names Trail and Hidden Pinyon Trail, and playing in the Sand Dunes. I channeled Grammy and the gods redirected our path back to the second hand dress shop where Lucy Jane acquired a fantastic costume to accompany her presentation on Queen Elizabeth II.  The kiddos dropped me off back at the hotel where I picked up our car. I headed home, and they headed south to Arizona via Las Vegas.

 Early morning light was beautiful

 The Whiterocks at the north end of the park

 Everywhere you point your camera is photo-worthy

Louisiana and me

 Bouldering is Us

 Anna captures monkeys, Lucy spies scenery

A paucity of pioneer names, but great traveling companions

 Treckers on the move

Tell us a story...in a general-authority voice

 Coolish in the shade

 Perfect in the sun

 The Hastings ladies

 Bitchin lichens 

 Red and green

 The end of the Hidden Pinyon Trail

I was there too

 Unbounded energy

 Digging to China in the Sand Dunes

 Lucy will rock ERII

Bye bye, love ya

This was a great trip and I am grateful to Anna for the invitation and encouragement to join in. Thanks to her for all her great management. That's all for now.

OXO

D.