Our Visit to Miami

We are in Miami visiting our daughter, Tara and son-in-law, Kevin. The humidity and heat has been rough on them. They can't wait to get back to the Michigan winters.

On Saturday Jake went to the junior prom, you will have to ask him about the details. But here is a Picture.

Did you all know that I got a new wheelchair. It is adjustable for playing basketball and tennis. I have not got out yet, but I have talked to my former tennis friends and they are up for it.

Yeah, so soon I will be out on the court. See those anti tip bars and the back. Well I now know how important they are.

I took them off to roll around the house. But I went outside and did not think anything of it. Mom and I set up a new ramp through the sliding glass door. Well, I went right up it and totally went over backwards and smacked my head on the patio. I yelled and Jake and Mom came running. There was no real injury, but it did hurt. The anti-tipping bars were put back on immediatly.

Not to worry, Mom did not run and get the camera first, this is a recreation.

I forgot to mention my big ride. I know you have all been anticipating this.

Well I finally left the safety of the court. I rode for about an hour. A friend, Aaron Picker, from the ward had a day off and we went for a ride. We rode on the bike trail from Montrose to B.T. Collins Park(under the power lines). Then up Willow Creek back to home. There were some good hills to overcome. Aaron gave me a push on some of them. I managed the others.

The trail has some tight turns at the bottom of some of the hills. They were a little scary, since turning is still a skill I need to work on. Also this bike flies down the hills, it is smooth and fast.

I think this is going to be very fun. I have already talked to two people about a trip to Sacramento, about 25 miles.

Well, does the confusion ever stop.

I took Jacob out to get his tuxedo for the junior prom. We had a great time, until we were rear-ended. Everyone is fine, not to worry. Our car, the BMW, has some scratches on the rear bumper, the other car was trashed. It was a toyota. I guess German superiority wins.

I am headed to Phoenix on May 6 to drive back with Wendy and Company. Ben and Wendy got an internship at Folsom Intel for the summer. Yeah!!!
Right now everything is going their way. The internship was moved from Portland to Folsom. Members in our Ward are taking an Intel sabbatical and they want Ben and Wendy to house sit (free rent). Our ward is moving are meeting schedule to 9 A.M.(perfect for a mother of two).

Mom and I are planning a trip to Miami this summer. But for the most part we will be home. Thanks to Jake and summer school.

We have been working on Jake's eagle project a little. The river rock wall around the new marquee at Sutter Middle School will be beautiful. He still has to finish his camping merit badge too. We have less than six months to go. Any encouraging words would be appreciated.

Well hear it is, Spring, are we sure glad of the weather we live in.

After being in Michigan for a few weeks I now realize how spoiled I have been. As beautiful as the snow covered landscape was, I like Folsom just fine. Trees are blooming like popcorn. The hills are green. Only the allergy sufferer's are complaining. It is perfect weather to go for a bike ride!

Oh, did I mention I have a new bike. Or hand-cycle as it is better known. I had the maiden voyage, and pictures will be posted.

It was quite an ordeal to get started. I had Mom help me get in. It only took 10 minutes. We will find some way to shorten that. Most of the delay is that right now my hip is out and so getting down was very painful. But a little pain can not stop me. Getting out even took longer. I think the idea of pain just kept me in my seat. I finally just tumbled out. Again we will have to work on the logistics of this.

We went out to the court and I felt like a kid just learning to ride my first bike. Mom even held on to be a little and would give me a puch now and then. We are both looking forward to riding together, but it will be a little while before I am ready.

Evan with 24 gears peddling was harder than I expected. I went around the top of the court a couple of times before I stopped. The turning was difficult also. A new skill I will have to learn.

I also found out that the seat needs to be adjusted because my legs interfered with the peddling. There is about 10 inches of adjustment, more than enough. As things progress I will update all on my hand-cycle skills.

Who is that guy?

It's nice to be home!

Does traveling ever get old? Yes, when you do it alone.

It was very fun to visit everyone in Seattle, Ypsilanti and Oklahoma, but it is nice to be home. No, I do not have any current travel plans. I will be home for the indefinate future.

Oh, there are a few things to do while here. A couple tax returns to do, a few businesses to help and maybe some recording to do. Yes recording. Some of you know that I purchased a mixer so I can transfer all my old albums to disc. Brings back memories of rocking out. So if you notice some youthful changes in me, you will know why.

I am still looking for the perfect routine to keep myself productive, busy and out of Mom's hair. So far I have tried many things, none have really grabbed me yet. The tasks high on the priority list are: Temple Work, Geneology work, helping the small businesses, recording, and some kind of money making adventure.

I am going to unload a couple of cars, probally the Porsche and Crown Vic. . Mom and I are talking about trying to live with two cars. I am going to look at putting hand controls into the BMW so I will have the station wagon I wanted. Mom has sure enjoyed driving it for someone who says they do not care about cars.

I know this is a little disjointed, but I wanted to get something posted since it has been so long. I will get some pictures up as soon as I figure it out