In memory of Traci Davis

Kathy & I attended the memorial service in Casa Grande for her niece Traci who passed away on October 22nd 2009. The service was held in a store front church in the old part of town. The service was interesting to say the least, leave it to Traci to find a place to worship the lord that is reminiscent of the old southern black churches. Replete with the traditional fancy hats and go to meetin dresses for the older ladies and the close to hoochie clothes for the younger women. The music was LOUD, the lyrics repetitious. There was plenty of the prerequisite jumping up & down, swinging of arms & laying on of hands.

Evidently we didn't get the memo that the memorial service was scheduled to be part of the regular church "Service" and at the end of the service at that. We were there to support Bob, Traci's significant other so everything was OK. It was strange that no mention was made of Traci until the memorial part of the service but if Bob was happy we were happy.

Kathy's sister Gene & her husband Thom were there as was Gene's son Graig & his wife. Bob's sister sat next to him & her husband helped with the service delivering the eulogy. I don't know how long Bob & Traci have been attending service there but it was obvious that they are well liked. I hope Bob continues to go there for fellowship and support, Casa Grande is an easy place to blend into all the lonely souls.


I don't have a photo of Traci on my computer, I'll find one and edit this post to include it. I'll try to find one that has Bob & Traci. Traci has been estranged from her family for some time now, only recently reaching out to Gene. Traci had been in & out of the hospital due to illness related to Hep C & prior substance abuse issues. Like Kathy said "Looks like everything finally caught up with her." It's good to know that Traci is no longer in pain & can rest now.

In Loving Memory Of Clara Belle Clark 09.27.09

I am saddened to let everyone know that Clara passed away this afternoon. She has been struggling with breathing issues for awhile now. It increased with the hot weather and we were hopeful that she would make it through to cooler temps, but alas was not to be. I brought her in the house because she was breathing harder then usual and her tongue was very purple.

After awhile she wanted to go back outside and that is where I found her a little while later. She was unable to get up or respond to her name. I tried to pick her up to bring her inside but she was in too much pain. We have an area on our land referred to as "The Pet Cemetery", it is peaceful, shady and out of the way where they won't be disturbed.

I sent a picture message to everyone but have learned that not everyone can receive them so I am putting the three pictures I took of here today, a little while before her passing. She is much loved and will be very missed. I know she is not in pain any more, she's up there chasing all those critters she dreamed about.

You brought us great joy and happiness, we love you and miss you Clara Belle, good night, sleep in peace. Luv Dad

Miss Olivia spotted in New River

Yes it is true, Miss Olivia visited New River, AZ recently. She came to visit Grandma & Grandpa, everyone thinks she was here with mom & dad for a job interview for mom, but we know she brought them so she could get through the airport faster. She is as beautiful as ever and after some time with Grandma & Grandpa, she hung out communicating with her cousin Hayden, uncle Josh & JJ. She visited with some of moms friends too but there wasn't much time.

I guess she must have had itchy feet because she decided to hit the road for El Peso to check in with her peeps there. I'm sure Great Grandma, Grandma & Grandpa were very happy to see her & those hangers-on Elizabeth & Albert. I hear through the grapevine that she is back in Portland in her new digs. Taking it easy, letting mom & dad tag along on walks & trips to the stores, as well as the various entertainment venues around town. She even gets to spend some time with uncle Sam (not the guy with beard & stove pipe hat).

Rumor has it that she may be back in the desert for turkey season. I want to see if she will "gobble up" Grandpas turkey dinner. Smashy tatters everywhere I say!

Home Again

I'm glad I was able to spend some time with Albert, Elizabeth & then Olivia. Portland is certainly a beautiful place, strange but beautiful. I'm not sure how I feel about the naked people riding around on bicycles though. I was able to see the big waterfall before I left, very beautiful. It would be nice to have some of that water here. Kathy says she had lunch with Sam this afternoon, says he is still looking for a job, hope he gets one soon. Albert's mom is arriving this evening to lend a hand with Olivia, I can just imagine how spoiled Olivia will be by the time Kathy & Albert's mom get done.

I've been home for a week now, still getting caught up with all the stuff that piles up. Father's Day was very enjoyable. Josh was able to come from Tempe, Hayden was here with JJ. We had barbecued ribs & smashed spuds, yum yum. Family time is so very important, especially now a days. We have been through our share of ups & downs but it is all worth it.

Waiting for Miss. Olivia in Portland.

Well here we are in Portland awaiting the arrival of Miss Olivia. We have been all over town seeing the sights, walking, walking, walking. Yesterday Elizabeth was having contractions fifteen minutes apart for a good part of the day, nothing so far today though. Kathy & Elizabeth are geocaching,there are a couple of geocachs around the neighborhood, they found one the other day, now they are out looking for the other.

Kathy & I were able to meet with Sam & his girlfriend on Monday. We think he is looking way too thin, thankfully we were able to get him some things he needed. We hope he is able to get a hold of his life, get a job & have a good life. It is hard to see someone you love in the situation Sam is in. We rode the train from the mall were we met up with him, taking a nice walk back to Albert & Elizabeth's.

I must say it is hard getting used to the schedule around here, everyone stays up until all hours. Albert doesn't get home until late so I guess that has a lot to do with it. It really doesn't matter as long as the family is together. I must say I don't miss living around a lot of people, the noise, traffic, etc. The garbage truck came around @ 3:45am & then again at 7am, whats up with that???. Today the landscape guys were out in force.

It was reported that it was going to be high temps around here today, estimated to be in the 80's, omg!!!!!!! It really is nice right now, when we went to the Rose Festival on Saturday, it was maybe in the 80's and everyone was complaining about how hot it was. I wonder how they would do in Phoenix.

People I want to slap.

I say bring out all the people at AIG that are reported to get the $160 million in bonuses, make them run the gauntlet of all the people that have lost their jobs, homes, savings and lets face it, futures, to be slapped in the face as they are doing to them. If the "Bonus Seekers" can survive having the crap slapped out of them by that many people, then they have done something that warrants a bonus. Because lets face it, every time one of those financial "folk" gets paid above what the common men & women have to live on, it is an insult to us all. Why should they have the ability to fair better in these troubled times, then those of us that are the backbone of this country. We have been lied to long enough, when is enough enough.