Monthly Archives: January 2016

Road Trip: the long way to Disneyland, part 1

disneyland“I love road trips,” Jerry says. “Out on the open road, driving through the desert where everything is charmingly barren and the cactus stand erect and look happy.”

I agree with Jerry, the desert has a lonely charm of beauty with creosote bush, prickly pear, cholla and saguaros framed by slate-blue mountains~and not a human in sight.

The charming barren Sonoran desert

The charming barren Sonoran Desert with happy, erect cactus.

To pass the time we reminisce of past trips. “Remember the Bed and Breakfast that served us a muffin the size of a marshmallow?” Jerry asks.

Death, Eyeballs, and Other Things That Amuse Me

1. TV commercials that ask if you or a loved one suffered death after taking such-and-such medication.
“Hello? Law Offices? Yes, I took Invokana and died. I’d like to file a claim, but please don’t put me on hold. I need to get back to the Godiva chocolate and strawberry cheesecake buffet we have every Tuesday here in heaven.”

"Yes, that's right, I died. I saw your commercial and want to file a claim."

“Yes, that’s right, I died. I saw your commercial and want to file a claim.

2. The coffee cups Jerry and I got for Christmas, given to us by our wonderful sister-in-law who knows how to choose the perfect gift.

Jerry's cup.

Jerry’s cup.

My cup. You see why it makes me smile?

My cup.

What I Learned From the Not-So-Good Things in 2015

"In this life we cannot always do great things. But we can do small things with great love." ~Mother Teresa

“In this life we cannot always do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” ~Mother Teresa

Flat Tire
Jerry and I didn’t have a care in the world as we rode down the street in our ancient, yet still running very nicely, Ford Explorer. Mainly, we didn’t have a care since the car’s AC kept us cool. The heat outside could sizzle eggs on the sidewalk, should anyone want to try it. Suddenly…Bam! Ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump. “We have a flat,” Jerry announced and pulled the car over, got out and began to change the tire, kneeling on the soft, melting-to-a-boil asphalt. “Do you want help?” I asked while silently thinking, pleeeze-say-no. Jerry said, “No, I’ve got it.” Suddenly out of nowhere a man in a pickup truck pulled up behind us. “Need help?” he called out. Jerry thanked him and said he had it under control. “You sure?” the guy asked. Jerry assured him all was well. I realized then, no matter how much we hear on the news of terrorism, murders, and general hatred between various groups, kindness for humankind still exists. A stranger in a pickup offered to sweat in 100-plus degrees in order to help Jerry, and for no other motivation than kindness. After all, what else could it be? We didn’t post a sign on the road stating that anyone who helped us would get ten bucks. read more