JACKRABBIT POOL

the JACKRABBIT POOL

was a constant.

chelle reserved the row of lounge chairs

at first dawn.

rest and relaxation

fun in the sun

catch up and laughs with the fam

pictutres and photos of everything

manicures, pedicures and easter toes

water to drink, water for play

poolside service...

i was fit to be queen

or at least

princess quite a lot.

with rick

enjoying the golf perks.

i had no one to discourage me

from

T. T. B. F. S.

(trying to be funny syndrome)

and i had my best audience...

my nephews. 

the JACKRABBIT POOL...

therapy for the soul

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ONLY ONE

“in all the world ONLY ONE”

jw marriott’s camelback inn

bears an imprint

upon entrance

to this little piece of paradise

“in all the world ONLY ONE”

yes

ONLY ONE camelback...

where time stands still.

there, a large clock 

with hands that never move

remind guests

to be present,

live in the moment,

do not let a minute slip away

and for one week...

time would do just that,

stand still.

 for moments in time

to be recorded.

one need not wonder,
the happenings
that unfold
while the clock is still...

MULTIPLE BIRTHDAYS CELEBRATED

MUMMY MOUNTAIN

treasures of all kinds

a reunion of sorts

with

birthday celebrations

being the highlight.

happy birthday uncle bill !

happy birthday debbie !

magicians, line dancing,

a barbecue and

daffodil cakes.
beginning at dusk,

it became the perfect setting for

one golden evening.

WORSHIP

in the local church

there, a familiar face before me

belonging to one of my student’s mom

from a long time ago.

on this sabbath,

we are surrounded by the lovliness

of spring

and God’s great and wondrous creations

the POOL

swimming of course,

for rest and relaxation

orange freeze

orange freeze

orange freeze

and orange freeze
onion rings
homemade chips
smoothies of every flavor

creative nail art,

visiting,

laughter,

reading,

napping,

welcoming the embrace of the sun’s warmth.

lovely RITA'S

delicious food

puff pastry

ambiance

and conversation with those held dear

and yet another

birthday celebration

LO-LO'S

fried chicken and golden waffles

for true southern cookin’

i hunkered down for 

cheese grits

and service with a smile

“what.?!?..you’ve never heard what does the fox say?”

the SPA

breathe in beauty

breathe our stress

breathe in sunshine

breathe out snow

PEORIA VENTURE
allie's basketball game
at her brand new school

followed by
the home tour on
tonopah drive
and a delicious meal
by camille.

MALL

“but mom, do we have to bring her?”

for more mannequin madness

hats

hats

hats

socks
and to

pick on ridiculous aunt
while singing
"haaapppppeeeeeee"

NOTORIOUS

for their burgers,

but the salmon salad

was divine.

notorious 
for carrying my camera,
i left it charging
and so...
no pics !

the DESERT CANVAS

sunsets, spectacular views,

a tapestry of wonders
 glorious

spellbinding

reflective

brilliant

poetic

LAUNDRY

GRANDMA'S TREAT
to
paradise bakery

while the gents

off to priesthood session

for a spiritual feast.

GIFTING for souveniers

FAMILY

meetings and gatherings

a hunting we will go,

a hunting we will go

for treasure?

for gold?

for memories?

for EASTER EGGS.

and do not be surprised

if you find one from previous years

faded candy wrappers

covered in dirt

and one golden egg

containing big bucks

and more birthday wishes

to

allie

and

jesus

what do you do when time stands still ?

TREASURES ON MUMMY MOUNTAIN

the years i have vacationed

to camelback inn,

have often included an evening

on 

MUMMY MOUNTAIN.

north of the quaint casitas,

is a charming old town.

wooden plank buildings 

resembling something

one would see in a

john wayne western

barbershops, banks, taverns, milnery and more

stood on good arizona clay dirt.

guests come dressed in western attire.

bandanas and hats are provided

just in case...

my uncle bill and cousin debbie

extended an invitation

to join them in a celebration

of THEIR birthdays

on

MUMMY MOUNTAIN

one could hardly refuse such an event 

and so i put on jeans,

tugged on the boots,

grabbed my western wear

and

discovered my

 TREASURES on

MUMMY MOUNTAIN

dinner consisted of:

green salad

jalapeño corn bread muffin

or dinner roll

melons in jalapeño syrup

roasted corn

savory baked beans

and

juicy

steak, hamburger, chicken or hot dog

barbecued on the grill

dessert:

popsicles

ice cream treats

lava cake

daffodil cake

no one leaves the mountain hungry.

a fantastic magician was hired

to entertain

a couple instructed

a variety of line dances

such as boot scootin' boogie.

participants danced

observers watched and sometimes laughed.

children played

and searched for gold.

adults visited

through

the golden dusk of 

an amber sunset

until the darkened night

revealed it's

sparkling diamonds.

MUMMY MOUNTAIN

has never failed

in delivering

it's glorious treasures...

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FIFTY WAYS TO DO FIFTY

FIFTY ways to do FIFTY

1.  hit the snooze at least three times...maybe four

2.  put a screen shield on your brand spanking nifty FIFTY i phone 5s

3.  take my morning “walk”and feast upon the word of christ

    (the one thing I missed 11 years ago...exercise on the stationary bike)

 4.  sing happy birthday to noah and record it on the old cam...

5.  make noah a birthday breakfast of french toast and stick a candle in it

6.  pass on the black and white granny sweater for a more hip purple one

7.  don the princess sparkle crown earrings...treat me like royalty, 

why? i am ½ century young

8.  blast it ! remember i forgot to charge and activate the phone

    (say out loud “get out of your head and into your heart...no raptors allowed”

    make sure noah’s favorite pants are washed and what only semi dry???)

9.  take a birthday photo of the birthday boy as he hurries out the door in his semi dry pants

    with his little debbie birthday treats (also celebrating FIFTY years) and

    be thrilled the house is a mess...it is actively lived in

10. bask in the fact that last year’s snow has melted into a balmy 45 degrees at 8:55 a.m.

11. make plans for a “triple double” birthday party at grandma garffs

grandma hart-double digit birthday (3/4 century plus one)

moi double-digit birthday (1/2 century)

noah double-digit birthday (1/10 century plus one)

12. thank the ela angels for acknowledging my special day,

     put on the birthday crown and try not blush as the birthday song is sung

     and have someone take a picture.

 13. accept the uncompliment with a smile from my new besty “i love to poke your arms

     because they are so jiggly”

14. take my calcium, my vitamins, my probiotic

15. break time...check out all the FIFTY nifty FIFTY plus FIFTY more

iphone cases

16. disrupt Mrs. O’s class...nice deflection “let’s all sing to Mrs. G !”

17. sit in a corner with multiple students writing essays on the movie verses book “the outsiders”

    (perfect, a chance to reconnect with the crushes of my younger years...matt dillon,

     ralph maccio, patrick swayze... and tom cruise???? who knew?)

18. hang out in the pride class and discover what  “a BEAUTIFUL Person is!!!!!”

19. attend a department meeting sweetened with deliciously delectable homemade

     chocolate cupcakes

20. receive and open a gift of sunshine--”PRICE”less...especially the wound bandages

     (savor a sunshiney card from little miss sunshine)

21. relish in a sweet email and birthday wish from a childhood friend

22. delve into "ersperanza rising" accompanied with a documentary on “surviving the dust

     bowl” someone knew I am an active wannabe storm chaser.

23. a birthday wish from kjar plastic surgery...am i the new target audience FIFTY and

older? are they trying to recruit me?

24. hear about the short awaited proposal...congratulations friend

25. hit the floor for a code black with 8 students

26. review area and perimeter and then apply it to a dining table...what do i know about that?

     very little.

27. google 11  11’s to commemorate noah’s special day

28. activate my nifty FIFTY iphone with the tutelage of the techno savvy

29. remind students of the appropriate use for a measuring stick

30. quality time with noah during traffic over memories of his birth

31. pause a moment to capture a beautiful sky and sunset on film

32. battery exhausted...no not now...we’ve just arrived

33. remember the nifty FIFTY gifty i received has a camera...i am safe

34. oops i guess i only set up the iphone (  allow rick the grand opportunity of activating mine)

35. celebrate the news of nathaniel’s acceptance to BYU as well as the eagle scout   

     announcement that arrived, andrew’s win of the pinewood derby and all the cars bryan helped

     with... placed, and a week of birthday bashes (grams, paul, peter, stephen, noah, mallory and

     moi)

36. lovely ladies present a little compact mirror with words reminding me

    i was born to be queen

37. show and tell my new crown of candles and sing a little ditty

38. let noah have a chance to look like lady liberty

39. have the traditionally annual mother son birthday photo

40. now the grandparents birthday person photo

41. visit with grandma garff

42. hug and kiss grandma garff

43. tell her things we used to do together...remember to read “a place far away”

44. climb up in her bed and massage her head and listen to her breathe

45. dine on moochies and meatballs thanks to my handsome hubby

46. sing happy birthday to the “triple double”

47. open cards from mom and dad… "MMMooommm DDDaaaddd...the computer is my gift”

48. one last memorable moment as a family with grandma garff

49. open presents from chelle…”WICKED !” Are you kidding me?

 50. be grateful for a happy day