Daffodil Days, think Spring

Daffodil Days are coming to our small town of Albert Lea. Next Thursday the big sale is on. Monies collected from this sale go to the Cancer fund. I am always happy when the daffodils go on sale because I know spring is right around the corner. Daffodils also bring back fond memories of my grandma, Stella. When grandma was alive that was always my special gift to her at the beginning of spring. I would bring the daffodils to the high rise for her and as the years went by to the nursing home. She was always delighted to get them and of course the visit from me was more than welcome. My grandma could converse on any subject you brought up well into her 90's. We had many very amusing conversations about the president, the current mayor and nursing home residents and staff. She loved listening to Billy Graham and other tv evangilists when she couldn't attend church. She loved reading the Inquirer and always seem to know what the most current celebrity was up to. Grandma would always want to give us something whenever we came to visit, so she would save up the banannas she won at bingo and give them to Billy, Angie and Brandy and of course she always had a few sugarless candies tucked away for them. When I was about 10 years old, grandma taught me how to polka. We used to polka around the kitchen with the radio turned up high and she could make the best chocolate cake and fried chicken. Grandma didn't have an easy life. She raised three children on her own. She went to work as a cook in the wee morning hours. She never complained about the hard life she lived. She found joy in the simple things of life. She taught me to do your best with what your are given. She taught me to think of others and she taught me to dance...........

Did I mention how beautiful the daffodils are? You buy them in bunches and place them in a vase of luke warm water and they slowly begin to bloom until you have the most beautiful bouquet of shimmering yellow sunshine rays that you have ever seen. They can bring a ray of sunshine to anyone!

I have been sick over the weekend so no workouts for me. I am back at work today so we will see how I feel when I get home. To all of you training "keep on running!"

The Trip, 10 exciting days of wonder and SUNSHINE!

On February 7, Bill and I flew into Vegas at 10:30 and just as we expected it was 72 degrees already, rented our car and drove to Laughlin. Laughlin was a delightful 74 degrees and we walked the river walk as soon as our suitcases hit the Colorado Belle motel room floor. We ate a buffet dinner with Italian, Mexican, Chinese and an all American cuisine for the great price of $5.99. The next day started out with the outdoor hot tub and a dip in the pool. It was a thrill to be outside in a pool the 1st part of February. A few of the hotel guests joked and said we must be from the midwest or polar bears. Then, we drove 40 miles to Topock AZ. to visit Bill's brother (Dave and Carol) and spent 4 days with them. They were the most gracious hosts and we had a great time with them out on the desert with the cacti and surrounded by mountains. While there, we toured an old ghost mining town in Oatman AZ. which is about 3,800 feet in elevation. The mining town was fun and mule roamed freely throughout the streets and it takes you back to the old western days with a real show down gun fight. It was beautiful in this area with beautiful views of mountains and ravines. We stopped on top of one of the mountains at a scenic outlook and about 500 feet below was a tribute to the area residents relatives whose ashes had been put to rest in this area. We went to Lake Havasu to see the London Bridge and took a boat ride over to the California side and back. That night we visited with Dave and Carol's friends at their home they were renting in Lake Havasu and had supper with them. The next day we took off for Sedona, were on mountain tops 8,700 feet in the air and did hair pin curves. My husband is quite the driver and made the drive much easier with his excellent driving skills. We went through a little city called Jerome that is built right in the mountain side with 5,400 feet of drop offs. Sedona is beautiful! Lots of red mountains and pines and breathtaking views of the valleys and rivers. Just before Vegas we took in Hoover Dam and Lake Mead and then we ended up in Vegas for the last 3 days. Food was great in Vegas and we had prime rib, steak & lobster and lots of shrimp cocktails. We had a great time but nothing compares to the splendor of the works of the Lord in the mountains and riverways throughout our trip! It was quite a vacation and it is good to be home! Now back to the running!

The Trip Out West

At 10:30 tomorrow morning we will be arriving in the Las Vegas Airport and we are hoping that we will be 60 degrees warmer than we are here in Minnesota. Tonight we stayed with Barry and Angie and since we brought the Nordic Track up here, Angie and I even got in a little workout. Our trip out west starts with renting a car in Vegas and driving to Laughlin for 2 days and then heading to Dave and Carol's for a few days of sight seeing in Arizona and then back to Vegas for 3 days.

Our son Bill will be doing an interview with the Mayo Clinic tomorrow from 3:30 - 5:00. We know he will ace the interview. Say a prayer for them to see what an assset he will be to the company!

I am looking forward to a nice relaxing 10 days and getting some running done while in the warmer weather. Will keep you posted during the trip if I get close to a computer. For those of you in training keep on running...................................