Desert Living

This country of ours is so unique in that there is so much diversity. Not a provocative sentence I know but a continuing education and appreciation for us. While we hear of ice, snow, subzero temperatures in the Midwest we are experiencing dry air and warm temperatures. The seasons exist here in Arizona but the differences are not as great as other areas of this vast country.

RVICS has guidelines for us to follow. One of them is that we tour some interesting happenings in the area close to our work and Friday is suggested for tour since we all get done working for the week at 11:30 on Thursday. Some union we work for, right? We are on the tour committee so Friday we planned a tour to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The pictures of cactus are not unique to any of us but they still were interesting as the tour guide helped us understand their place in the whole range of living plants. Obviously the desert does not look very colorful right now but this plant still has some violet flowers on it. Welcome change from the pale green plants, sand and sage brush covering the rest of the Arboretum. We hope to go back when more of the plants are blossoming.

The tour was good but the dinner afterwards was just as much fun. Thursday we had scouted out the town of Superior to find a good place for the group to have lunch on Friday. We found the Los Hermanos Mexican restaurant and ate there. The staff was so kind and helpful to us. Then we noticed that they had a Tortilla Factory in the back room. We could walk right back and see the tortillas being made. A young man wanted me to take pictures on Thursday so on Friday I had the camera and took pictures of him and others. It was such a great treat for us to make this fun connection. Friday they were photographed by several more cameras and they laughed for each one. Almost more fun than the whole arboretum tour. By the way, the food was delicious and pleasing. The restaurant is advertised as authentic but how would any of us know if that is true or not.?

Saturday we usually have to ourselves. We ended up at a huge Sam's store. We didn't need a huge amount of items and that is good because when we live in an RV we really have to throw out as much as we come home with in order to keep some sense of organization in such a small area. You would be amazed at how I can pack and repack to get groceries in our cupboards.

We continue to do patching, painting, restoring, organizing, and whatever else needs doing. they are very appreciative of our help.

This morning we went back to the Hope Community Church in Gilbert. We enjoy it and find it interesting to see so many people from back home. And we understand not near all the snow birds go to this church. We plan to get more involved by going to a get-together of snow birds and church people next week Also to help with packing boxes for needy children. We are feeling well and handle the work quite well also. Internet is a pain at times and that is frustrating. However, we do get on everyday one way or another and who could fault us for wanting to keep up with such things as yesterday getting the news of another great granddaughter in Loveland, CO. Elissa, Linda and Chris's daughter, gave birth to a baby girl, Sophia, and she joins sister Kenley and Dad Mike. What a blessing!

Blessings and love to you all, Dad and Mom Marilyn and Wilmer

Memories

Yesterday we celebrated our 57th wedding anniversary. We reminisced about the many blessings we have had through those 57 years. We started with the extremely cold temperature that day back in 1954. Thought about our families doing so much to make the day so memorable. Mom and other relatives worked long and hard on the decorations in the church. They probably do not add up to the fancy stuff (expensive) they have now days but we thought it was pretty nice. The lunch at the reception was done up right by 2 dear ladies who knew how to fix good tasting food. The wedding picture was taken in the afternoon at a studio - so much for the groom not seeing the bride in her wedding dress before the wedding. Can't say that it dampened our spirits or our life. So many more things we recall but especially how simple things were. One RVICS gal said when she saw our wedding picture, "looks like this was taken in another era". So? We have been truly blessed by a supportive family and siblings and that is our most precious gift. One son named our blog site "golden foxes" and yesterday one daughter called us "crazy kids". Yes, we answer to both of those and probably live up to them most of the time. So glad to have that kind of relationship so they feel free to use those titles. What a blessing the family has been and is to us.

Our "callings" in life have been varied and for that we are also grateful. We have tried to support one another in various endeavors and that has made for many interesting ventures, the one we are in now is certainly no exception. Thanks to each one of you for the contribution you made to make our years so blessed.

We are now in Mesa, AZ working at Sunshine Acres. We have worked one week and will continue here until the end of Feb. As I always say, each project is so different. This one takes boys and girls who must leave their home for reasons like poverty, abuse, educational disadvantage or something similar. They come to school here and live here. Ten or twelve boys or girls live in a residential home with house parents. The residential houses are extremely nice. Evidentally the camp has a good support system and that donor base donates an unbelievable amount of money and merchandise. The homes are all furnished with those donated goods. Much that is donated is new but has been used in a model home and cannot be sold. What they cannot use in the homes, machine shop, chapel, etc. is sold through the warehouse or boutique. I must spend some time (money) there before we leave this place. Beautiful stuff.

Our work here is similar to all over. Paint here and there, wash scuffs from the walls, lay a little carpet (yes I and another gal did that) - she thought I put so much glue on that it would seep through the carpet, it did not and it does stick. Men do maintenance work at well. Replace fixtures, wire new light fixtures, paint the dining room in between meals times for the kids, etc. We have 6 couples and interesting how the talents mesh so we make a complete whole - at least we think we do.

The sky is beautiful from the RV court as you can see but I have learned to take it while it is nice because 5 minutes from now it will be different.

This morning we went to a Reformed Church in Gilbert just a few miles from here. I was astonished at how many people were from NW Iowa and mainly Sioux County. We and Floyd and Joyce Davelaar from Rock Valley and who are on our project went together. Great service. Talked to people we hadn't talked to for years. Many of the "snow birds"do volunteer at Sunshine Acres a day a week or so and they volunteer other places too.

We are very comfortable here and looking forward to the next 7 weeks. Hope you are all well, over the colds that are going around, done with snow vacations, and all that good stuff. Our love goes out to you and if you could fit in a weekend in Arizona this winter be sure to stop at Sunshine Acres. Love you all,

Mom and Dad Marilyn and Wilmer or just plain Pa and Ma as we are often called.