Saturday, December 31, 2005
Monday, December 26, 2005
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Saturday, November 19, 2005
This weeks guest writer - Maggie Silk
What a trip part II
Although Indonesia is the world’s most populous Islamic country, all of the main religions of the world have been grafted onto its traditional religions. A series of Hindu kings ruled much of the islands from central Java during the 5th through 9th centuries. Around the 15th century, Moslem religion came to Indonesia, and the Hindu-Javanese sovereigns and their followers escaped to Bali. Bali is now a traditional Hindu-Buddhist island, which incorporates indigenous traditions and beliefs into its culture and religion.
Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, going back 5000 years, but Hindus believe that their religion is without beginning or end and is a continuous process even preceding the existence of our earth and the many other worlds beyond. It is called Sanantana Dharma or the Eternal Religion. Some call it a fellowship of religions from its liberal absorption of the faiths of others. It has few dos and don’ts and offers different spiritual paths to different types of people. There is great freedom of worship, tolerance and poetry. People say that the Balinese people have reached self-content and that when asked what heaven is like, they would say, just like Bali, without the worries of mundane life.
The island of Bali is famous for its green forests, rich flora, rice fields, sandy beaches, volcanic mountains and Bali-Hindu culture. The coastal area where we visited is primarily Bali-Hindu, with many deities and festivals. The soul of the Balinese is in their religion; and their art, music, dance and theater are performed mostly to appease and please the gods and goddesses. We had arrived for Kuningan, a day of prosperity marking the end of Galungan, Bali’s most significant ritual when good defeats evil. On this day, Balinese celebrate with colorful festivals at their temples. However, there are always anniversary celebrations going on at one temple or another throughout the year.
On Saturday, I took pictures of the Alam Jiwa hotel grounds and adjoining rice fields, savoring the beauty and peace of the surroundings. We watched farmers planting rice and heard them shooing birds away. However, ducks are herded into the rice fields each day to fertilize the crop and then returned to the hotel grounds in the evening. I envy their growing season of 12 months of the year and four successive rice crops. Statues of gods and goddesses were adorned each morning with offerings of fresh flowers and fruit. Since the climate is always warm and balmy, the hotel rooms are open to the outside air. There was open space between the walls and the ceiling, and lattice-woven rattan covered windows and shaded the bath. After breakfast on the terrace, Zane read to Zee from a book of Balinese fables, which he seemed to really enjoy!
Following our visit to the Monkey Forest and shopping in Ubud, we returned to the hotel for an afternoon nap, drawing mosquito netting around our beds. When I awoke, it was dusk and I could hear the amplified voices from a nearby temple of a monk praying in his native tongue alternating with another monk chanting to the beat of drums. The frangipani-scented breeze wafted through the room, joined by the smell of incense coils, which are placed on hotel terraces each evening. I lay still for a long, long time savoring the sacred sounds and smells and thinking that I must be in heaven.
We were fortunate that our driver, Wayan, was available during the weekend to show us more of the island and tell us about the local culture. He offered to take us to a local festival that evening, and he and his wife arrived to dress us in appropriate clothing for admission to the temple. The event was similar to an American community festival with lots of good things to eat and entertainment. Vanessa and Zane bought Teletubbies masks to greet trick or treaters at their apartment building on Halloween. Bali’s most famous spectacle is the Kecak dance, and girls are trained in traditional dancing from the time they are very small. We joined the community in watching a performance by girls of all ages in full costume and makeup.
On Sunday, Wayan picked us up at the hotel for a tour of other areas of Bali, beginning with a drive through terraced rice paddies and small villages. There are temples at every residence, every office building, every location in the community, and then the large, ornate community temples where people gather. Women carry offerings on their heads to the temple, and almost everyone is in colorful traditional dress. We saw many artisan shops throughout the beautiful countryside, and the village of Kintamani gave a view of the active Mount Batur volcano. Lake Batur is the largest lake in Bali and the panoramic vistas are spectacular.
Our last destination before going to the airport was the tourist area of Kuta, where the terrorist bombings took place in October of 2002 and again on October 1, 2005. Wayan explained how devastating and offensive these acts of violence were to a people who honor peace and love. A drive by the nightclub sites was sobering with memorial wreaths laid for those who were killed and a banner calling for no more violence, not for any reason. Just a few blocks away are beautiful beaches where a Hindu procession passed among the sunbathers and surfers. And across the street, the Hard Rock Café extolled a fitting quote for a land which affirms the law of karma: “And in the end, the love we take is equal to the love we make.”
We returned to Jakarta that evening and the next night made our way back to the airport. As we passed the flower stalls and bajajs (neighborhood taxis), I tried not to focus on leaving my dear ones. But as Zee gave me a final smile and I hugged Vanessa goodbye, the tears flowed. It was truly a magnificent two and a half weeks with everlasting memories.
This year has been incredible, and I’m beginning to believe that life begins at 60!
To see pictures click here: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/pictures;jsessionid=EEA37A00E183767A22B08FB70C38989F?a=67b0de21b333acea4586&sid=8IauGTRq3cuuA
Although Indonesia is the world’s most populous Islamic country, all of the main religions of the world have been grafted onto its traditional religions. A series of Hindu kings ruled much of the islands from central Java during the 5th through 9th centuries. Around the 15th century, Moslem religion came to Indonesia, and the Hindu-Javanese sovereigns and their followers escaped to Bali. Bali is now a traditional Hindu-Buddhist island, which incorporates indigenous traditions and beliefs into its culture and religion.
Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world, going back 5000 years, but Hindus believe that their religion is without beginning or end and is a continuous process even preceding the existence of our earth and the many other worlds beyond. It is called Sanantana Dharma or the Eternal Religion. Some call it a fellowship of religions from its liberal absorption of the faiths of others. It has few dos and don’ts and offers different spiritual paths to different types of people. There is great freedom of worship, tolerance and poetry. People say that the Balinese people have reached self-content and that when asked what heaven is like, they would say, just like Bali, without the worries of mundane life.
The island of Bali is famous for its green forests, rich flora, rice fields, sandy beaches, volcanic mountains and Bali-Hindu culture. The coastal area where we visited is primarily Bali-Hindu, with many deities and festivals. The soul of the Balinese is in their religion; and their art, music, dance and theater are performed mostly to appease and please the gods and goddesses. We had arrived for Kuningan, a day of prosperity marking the end of Galungan, Bali’s most significant ritual when good defeats evil. On this day, Balinese celebrate with colorful festivals at their temples. However, there are always anniversary celebrations going on at one temple or another throughout the year.
On Saturday, I took pictures of the Alam Jiwa hotel grounds and adjoining rice fields, savoring the beauty and peace of the surroundings. We watched farmers planting rice and heard them shooing birds away. However, ducks are herded into the rice fields each day to fertilize the crop and then returned to the hotel grounds in the evening. I envy their growing season of 12 months of the year and four successive rice crops. Statues of gods and goddesses were adorned each morning with offerings of fresh flowers and fruit. Since the climate is always warm and balmy, the hotel rooms are open to the outside air. There was open space between the walls and the ceiling, and lattice-woven rattan covered windows and shaded the bath. After breakfast on the terrace, Zane read to Zee from a book of Balinese fables, which he seemed to really enjoy!
Following our visit to the Monkey Forest and shopping in Ubud, we returned to the hotel for an afternoon nap, drawing mosquito netting around our beds. When I awoke, it was dusk and I could hear the amplified voices from a nearby temple of a monk praying in his native tongue alternating with another monk chanting to the beat of drums. The frangipani-scented breeze wafted through the room, joined by the smell of incense coils, which are placed on hotel terraces each evening. I lay still for a long, long time savoring the sacred sounds and smells and thinking that I must be in heaven.
We were fortunate that our driver, Wayan, was available during the weekend to show us more of the island and tell us about the local culture. He offered to take us to a local festival that evening, and he and his wife arrived to dress us in appropriate clothing for admission to the temple. The event was similar to an American community festival with lots of good things to eat and entertainment. Vanessa and Zane bought Teletubbies masks to greet trick or treaters at their apartment building on Halloween. Bali’s most famous spectacle is the Kecak dance, and girls are trained in traditional dancing from the time they are very small. We joined the community in watching a performance by girls of all ages in full costume and makeup.
On Sunday, Wayan picked us up at the hotel for a tour of other areas of Bali, beginning with a drive through terraced rice paddies and small villages. There are temples at every residence, every office building, every location in the community, and then the large, ornate community temples where people gather. Women carry offerings on their heads to the temple, and almost everyone is in colorful traditional dress. We saw many artisan shops throughout the beautiful countryside, and the village of Kintamani gave a view of the active Mount Batur volcano. Lake Batur is the largest lake in Bali and the panoramic vistas are spectacular.
Our last destination before going to the airport was the tourist area of Kuta, where the terrorist bombings took place in October of 2002 and again on October 1, 2005. Wayan explained how devastating and offensive these acts of violence were to a people who honor peace and love. A drive by the nightclub sites was sobering with memorial wreaths laid for those who were killed and a banner calling for no more violence, not for any reason. Just a few blocks away are beautiful beaches where a Hindu procession passed among the sunbathers and surfers. And across the street, the Hard Rock Café extolled a fitting quote for a land which affirms the law of karma: “And in the end, the love we take is equal to the love we make.”
We returned to Jakarta that evening and the next night made our way back to the airport. As we passed the flower stalls and bajajs (neighborhood taxis), I tried not to focus on leaving my dear ones. But as Zee gave me a final smile and I hugged Vanessa goodbye, the tears flowed. It was truly a magnificent two and a half weeks with everlasting memories.
This year has been incredible, and I’m beginning to believe that life begins at 60!
To see pictures click here: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/pictures;jsessionid=EEA37A00E183767A22B08FB70C38989F?a=67b0de21b333acea4586&sid=8IauGTRq3cuuA
Saturday, November 05, 2005
V and Zee are NOT going to Ethiopa
V and Zee were scheduled to go to Addis Ababa, Ethiopa for a meeting today but due to an impending war with Eritrea and over 40 people dead in Addis the meeting has been called off...phewwww. They don't make flak jackets small enough.
After a long day of surfing and catching "Bomber" waves Zee and I decide to get down with the locals. Zee was a bit baffled by the whole beach procession, but I explained to him that they were on their way to a cremation ceremony. The umbrellas are shading the dead body. Mom and Grandma are pictured in the far distance while riding some gnarly waves.
Happy BALI-oween
Whooaaa! Scary stuff. Yep, Momma and baby teletubbie Zee terrorised the locals with their masks for Halloween. Fortunately no one got hurt...physically...No better way to create new tales for the locals.
Zee finds the reading amusing
Zee has a laugh as Dad reads him Balinese fables. "Wow Dad, those are fantastic!" shouted Zee. "Almost as good as those stories you and Mom made up to tell me the other night...."
When in Bali...the Kuningan Festival
We were fortunate to take part in one of the most celebrated festivals called Kuningan in Bali. One is always expected to wear traditional garb when entering the Hindu temples...Although Zee appears to be feeding on Daddy's chest hairs and trying to breathe he told me to say that he thoroughly enjoyed the festivities.
Gunung Batur
Vanessa, Grandma Maggie, and Zee strike a fine pose in front of the sacred Volcano Batur on the island of Bali.
Momma and Zee Splish Splash Takin' a bath in Bali
V and Zee get all cleaned up for the big festival called Kuningan in Bali.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Thursday, August 11, 2005
The Birth of Zee
The Birth of Zee
By Daddy D
It is Wednesday August 3rd, and Vanessa, her Mom, and I are at a regular visit with our certified nurse midwife, Gail, in Silver City, New Mexico. “Vanessa, let me check your cervix, have you been feeling any contractions?” Gail asked. “Only mild menstrual-like cramps.“ Vanessa replied. “Vanessa, you are already 3 cm. Are you sure you’re not feeling any contractions? Your cervix is 80% effaced and I can feel your water bulging. I think you could have this baby tonight.” We all look at each other astounded. Gail told us to go to the hospital in a few hours and get Vanessa hooked up to monitor contractions. Long story short -- since Mule Creek, the place we are nesting, is an hour drive away, we ended up staying in “Silver” for two days waiting for active labor to start.
On Friday, after no progress, we drove back to Mule Creek frustrated but determined not to induce labor.
“Zane, I think it’s time,” said Vanessa at 1:35 AM. The time between the contractions was 2 minutes and each contraction lasted about a minute. I bolted out of bed and was eager to get on the road. Vanessa’s Mom had heard us and was up and ready to go. I had the car going and Vanessa and I got in while Ted (Vanessa’s step Dad) drove ahead to open the gate along the dirt road to let us out. Once on the paved highway, I drove like the wind trying to get the Pathfinder over 100 mph. My greatest fear was of hitting an elk or deer in the dark of night as Vanessa focused on her breathing. Vanessa’s Mom trailed us in another vehicle.
Happily, we arrived at the Gila Medical Center in record time. At this point my blood pressure began to normalize and my heart slowed.. Vanessa was hooked up to the monitor to check the baby and the nurse checked V’s cervix. “You’re at 5cm,” she said. Now I knew this was it. Vanessa wanted to walk a bit so we took a stroll and chatted. Vanessa would pause every now and then to deal with the contractions and then press onward.
We returned to the room and I curled up with Vanessa in her bed and her Mom reclined in a chair. We all fell asleep. At 4:30 AM the nurse came in to check Vanessa’s cervix. “You are now at 8cm,” she said to Vanessa wide-eyed. I couldn’t believe this. I had heard and read stories of women who were in so much pain at 5 cm that they were begging for an epidural and Vanessa hadn’t even let out a whimper. I also knew that this meant that we were beyond the point of an epidural even if we decided we wanted it. Vanessa seemed undaunted and the three of us dozed off again. An hour later Gail, the midwife, interrupted our respite and checked Vanessa’s cervix once again. “You’re 9 cm”. “Whoa!” I thought. “We are close”. Vanessa just nodded stoically.
Not long after that Gail said, “Well Vanessa, your water hasn’t broken yet so if you are ready I will break your water to speed up the process.” Vanessa took a deep breath as we looked at each other and nodded. She was focused and didn’t show any outward signs of stress or concern. She was just breathing and concentrating on the task at hand. After the water was broken, Vanessa once again wanted to walk. Gail looked at Vanessa with mild surprise. We walked around a bit more and periodically stopped during a contraction. Vanessa would wrap her arms around me as if we were slow dancing until the pain subsided. We then returned to the room for the big event.
At 9:30 AM Vanessa began pushing. She was very methodical and deliberate. There were several options for pushing positions. There was the traditional lie down and push position, which didn’t make sense to Vanessa. She tried it a few times but it wasn’t very satisfying. Then there was the use of the birthing bar, an inverted U-shaped steel bar, that was situated over the bed. Vanessa was able to put both her legs up in a splayed position on the bar. A sheet was then draped around the top of the bar and Vanessa used this to pull herself upward toward the bar while pushing. But the most effective method was the squatting position. In this position the bottom portion of the bed was lowered and Vanessa was able to squat while holding the top of the bar.
After 2 hours of pushing I couldn’t believe her strength. She had been squatting and pushing and her legs were trembling with exhaustion. Through all of this Vanessa never uttered a cry and the attending nurses and midwives were amazed. I could now see a portion of the baby’s head. Gail and I kept telling Vanessa that she was getting closer but I was surprised that Vanessa didn’t tell us both off. I likened it to someone telling you that the finish line to a marathon is close; you are exhausted and feel as if you can’t go on. No end is in sight -- but this is one marathon you can’t stop, walk, or quit. The only thing I could do at this point was to help pull her up to the bar, continue to encourage her, and wipe the sweat from her brow. Gail looked at me and said, “I would hire Vanessa for any job, she has an amazing attitude.”
All of the sudden, Gail started to focus on the baby’s heart rate monitor which made me extremely nervous. Something wasn’t quite right. The baby’s heart rate was dropping. I was concerned for both Vanessa and the baby. We wanted a natural birth and I feared a complication might mean a C-section or something else – something bad. I stared at Gail and she asked the nurse that an oxygen mask be placed on Vanessa. Gail could tell I was nervous and she told me she wanted to get more oxygen to the baby. I became even more nervous when both nurses continued to stare at Gail and the monitor as the heart rate remained low. Because of her calm and confident presence and also due to the fact that Gail has been a midwife for 26 years, I felt she had it under control. Suddenly the pulse became stronger and I was able to breathe once again. Vanessa continued to reach out for my hand signaling me to pull her up to the squat bar as the contractions started again. My eyes remained fixed on the heart rate monitor.
Gail could tell Vanessa was worn out and I was amazed she was able to keep squatting as long as she had. “Vanessa,” said Gail, “I see no reason to do anything different as long as you can keep going, but there is an option of using a vacuum to help the process.” This is something Vanessa and I had read and talked about. It was not something that we wanted to do. Vanessa just shook her head, reached out for my hands, and continued to push.
And push she did!! I watched the baby’s head crown. I watched as my beautiful wife, with hardly any energy left at all, gave everything she had to have our baby as naturally as possible. The baby’s head finally popped out and I had my gloves ready to cut the cord when I suddenly realized why the baby’s heart rate had declined earlier. The cord was rapped snuggly around his little neck. Gail said we needed to cut the cord quickly and signaled Vanessa not to push. I think my heart stopped at this moment as I watched Gail reach for the clamps and scissors. Vanessa held her breath. She looked as if she would pass out. There was not a cry from the baby yet as his little head just remained still. After the cord was cut Gail told Vanessa to push! And wham……there I was catching this slippery beautiful baby boy and placing him on his gorgeous Momma’s chest as he let out the cry of life. I choked up as I saw my wife hold our new baby boy and I was elated to know that both of them were healthy, safe, and well.
I was also very proud to be the new father of Zee Michael Dickey, born Saturday August 6rh, 2005 at 11:54 AM and the lucky husband of Vanessa Conrad Dickey – No words can describe an experience of this magnitude.
By Daddy D
It is Wednesday August 3rd, and Vanessa, her Mom, and I are at a regular visit with our certified nurse midwife, Gail, in Silver City, New Mexico. “Vanessa, let me check your cervix, have you been feeling any contractions?” Gail asked. “Only mild menstrual-like cramps.“ Vanessa replied. “Vanessa, you are already 3 cm. Are you sure you’re not feeling any contractions? Your cervix is 80% effaced and I can feel your water bulging. I think you could have this baby tonight.” We all look at each other astounded. Gail told us to go to the hospital in a few hours and get Vanessa hooked up to monitor contractions. Long story short -- since Mule Creek, the place we are nesting, is an hour drive away, we ended up staying in “Silver” for two days waiting for active labor to start.
On Friday, after no progress, we drove back to Mule Creek frustrated but determined not to induce labor.
“Zane, I think it’s time,” said Vanessa at 1:35 AM. The time between the contractions was 2 minutes and each contraction lasted about a minute. I bolted out of bed and was eager to get on the road. Vanessa’s Mom had heard us and was up and ready to go. I had the car going and Vanessa and I got in while Ted (Vanessa’s step Dad) drove ahead to open the gate along the dirt road to let us out. Once on the paved highway, I drove like the wind trying to get the Pathfinder over 100 mph. My greatest fear was of hitting an elk or deer in the dark of night as Vanessa focused on her breathing. Vanessa’s Mom trailed us in another vehicle.
Happily, we arrived at the Gila Medical Center in record time. At this point my blood pressure began to normalize and my heart slowed.. Vanessa was hooked up to the monitor to check the baby and the nurse checked V’s cervix. “You’re at 5cm,” she said. Now I knew this was it. Vanessa wanted to walk a bit so we took a stroll and chatted. Vanessa would pause every now and then to deal with the contractions and then press onward.
We returned to the room and I curled up with Vanessa in her bed and her Mom reclined in a chair. We all fell asleep. At 4:30 AM the nurse came in to check Vanessa’s cervix. “You are now at 8cm,” she said to Vanessa wide-eyed. I couldn’t believe this. I had heard and read stories of women who were in so much pain at 5 cm that they were begging for an epidural and Vanessa hadn’t even let out a whimper. I also knew that this meant that we were beyond the point of an epidural even if we decided we wanted it. Vanessa seemed undaunted and the three of us dozed off again. An hour later Gail, the midwife, interrupted our respite and checked Vanessa’s cervix once again. “You’re 9 cm”. “Whoa!” I thought. “We are close”. Vanessa just nodded stoically.
Not long after that Gail said, “Well Vanessa, your water hasn’t broken yet so if you are ready I will break your water to speed up the process.” Vanessa took a deep breath as we looked at each other and nodded. She was focused and didn’t show any outward signs of stress or concern. She was just breathing and concentrating on the task at hand. After the water was broken, Vanessa once again wanted to walk. Gail looked at Vanessa with mild surprise. We walked around a bit more and periodically stopped during a contraction. Vanessa would wrap her arms around me as if we were slow dancing until the pain subsided. We then returned to the room for the big event.
At 9:30 AM Vanessa began pushing. She was very methodical and deliberate. There were several options for pushing positions. There was the traditional lie down and push position, which didn’t make sense to Vanessa. She tried it a few times but it wasn’t very satisfying. Then there was the use of the birthing bar, an inverted U-shaped steel bar, that was situated over the bed. Vanessa was able to put both her legs up in a splayed position on the bar. A sheet was then draped around the top of the bar and Vanessa used this to pull herself upward toward the bar while pushing. But the most effective method was the squatting position. In this position the bottom portion of the bed was lowered and Vanessa was able to squat while holding the top of the bar.
After 2 hours of pushing I couldn’t believe her strength. She had been squatting and pushing and her legs were trembling with exhaustion. Through all of this Vanessa never uttered a cry and the attending nurses and midwives were amazed. I could now see a portion of the baby’s head. Gail and I kept telling Vanessa that she was getting closer but I was surprised that Vanessa didn’t tell us both off. I likened it to someone telling you that the finish line to a marathon is close; you are exhausted and feel as if you can’t go on. No end is in sight -- but this is one marathon you can’t stop, walk, or quit. The only thing I could do at this point was to help pull her up to the bar, continue to encourage her, and wipe the sweat from her brow. Gail looked at me and said, “I would hire Vanessa for any job, she has an amazing attitude.”
All of the sudden, Gail started to focus on the baby’s heart rate monitor which made me extremely nervous. Something wasn’t quite right. The baby’s heart rate was dropping. I was concerned for both Vanessa and the baby. We wanted a natural birth and I feared a complication might mean a C-section or something else – something bad. I stared at Gail and she asked the nurse that an oxygen mask be placed on Vanessa. Gail could tell I was nervous and she told me she wanted to get more oxygen to the baby. I became even more nervous when both nurses continued to stare at Gail and the monitor as the heart rate remained low. Because of her calm and confident presence and also due to the fact that Gail has been a midwife for 26 years, I felt she had it under control. Suddenly the pulse became stronger and I was able to breathe once again. Vanessa continued to reach out for my hand signaling me to pull her up to the squat bar as the contractions started again. My eyes remained fixed on the heart rate monitor.
Gail could tell Vanessa was worn out and I was amazed she was able to keep squatting as long as she had. “Vanessa,” said Gail, “I see no reason to do anything different as long as you can keep going, but there is an option of using a vacuum to help the process.” This is something Vanessa and I had read and talked about. It was not something that we wanted to do. Vanessa just shook her head, reached out for my hands, and continued to push.
And push she did!! I watched the baby’s head crown. I watched as my beautiful wife, with hardly any energy left at all, gave everything she had to have our baby as naturally as possible. The baby’s head finally popped out and I had my gloves ready to cut the cord when I suddenly realized why the baby’s heart rate had declined earlier. The cord was rapped snuggly around his little neck. Gail said we needed to cut the cord quickly and signaled Vanessa not to push. I think my heart stopped at this moment as I watched Gail reach for the clamps and scissors. Vanessa held her breath. She looked as if she would pass out. There was not a cry from the baby yet as his little head just remained still. After the cord was cut Gail told Vanessa to push! And wham……there I was catching this slippery beautiful baby boy and placing him on his gorgeous Momma’s chest as he let out the cry of life. I choked up as I saw my wife hold our new baby boy and I was elated to know that both of them were healthy, safe, and well.
I was also very proud to be the new father of Zee Michael Dickey, born Saturday August 6rh, 2005 at 11:54 AM and the lucky husband of Vanessa Conrad Dickey – No words can describe an experience of this magnitude.
Friday, July 29, 2005
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Today my friend finally showed up with his crew. As fortune would have it he was working on a project with a team about 20 miles East of here and stopped in on his way home. He is shown here with lipstick trying to attract some local hummingbirds as he put sweet nectar into his mouth and waits patiently for them to eat out of his mouth – at least that is what he told me to write here.
I stopped by the post office to pick up some packages and was treated like royalty. The woman working in the small office got up out her seat and shook my hand. “It is such a pleasure to meet you, “ she said. I thought she had me confused with someone else – but I did confirm it was me. I love small towns!!!
Vanessa had to work today so didn't get to play with me. She gets no maternity leave (sigh) so has to work until she goes into labor.
I stopped by the post office to pick up some packages and was treated like royalty. The woman working in the small office got up out her seat and shook my hand. “It is such a pleasure to meet you, “ she said. I thought she had me confused with someone else – but I did confirm it was me. I love small towns!!!
Vanessa had to work today so didn't get to play with me. She gets no maternity leave (sigh) so has to work until she goes into labor.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Mule Creek, New Mexico
We are now in frontier country, Mule Creek to be precise. It is a town of 100 people and 61 miles NW of “Silver” city. It is a wonderful place to be and we chose it because Vanessa’s Mom and Step Father have recently retired here. We are now just breathing in the clean mountain air getting ready for the big day.
We have been here three days. We drove to Silver (an hours drive) away and had a meeting with the midwife. All is well. On the way home we were hit by rain and almost stymied by flood waters that crossed the road, but our 4X4 made it with ease as we passed the onlookers who waited until the waters lowered. I just hope it’s not raining when Vanessa goes into labor.
My good friend was supposed to visit us today but I fear he was flooded in and unable to get here.
We are now in frontier country, Mule Creek to be precise. It is a town of 100 people and 61 miles NW of “Silver” city. It is a wonderful place to be and we chose it because Vanessa’s Mom and Step Father have recently retired here. We are now just breathing in the clean mountain air getting ready for the big day.
We have been here three days. We drove to Silver (an hours drive) away and had a meeting with the midwife. All is well. On the way home we were hit by rain and almost stymied by flood waters that crossed the road, but our 4X4 made it with ease as we passed the onlookers who waited until the waters lowered. I just hope it’s not raining when Vanessa goes into labor.
My good friend was supposed to visit us today but I fear he was flooded in and unable to get here.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Today was quite an eventful day. We woke up and had a nice breakfast with my Aunt, parents, and Dave and Chu. After breakfast we drove from Prescott to meet my friend and his family who now live in Anthem, AZ. It was a quick meeting over lunch and then coffee and we were once again back on the road toward Phoenix in order to drop off Dave and Chu at the airport. After making the drop Vanessa and I headed for my sister’s house to visit with her and my niece and nephew. We had a nice cookout and visited before jumping back in the car and heading East to Globe, Arizona (about 2 hours) where we stopped by to visit more friends and had enjoyed some more coffee and pleasant conversation. After the visit we were on the road once again headed for New Mexico. We finally arrived at approximately 10:30 PM.....sweet dreams.
Monday, July 25, 2005
What a great time we had with our friends Chuya and Dave who came to visit us from Washington D.C. Vanessa and I picked them up in Phoenix and showed them around my University and had lunch at our favorite little resto in Tempe. We then drove North to Prescott to spend some quality time at my parents house that sits in the mountains bordering the national forest. The trip was wonderful and we took Dave and Chu to their first ever Professional Bull Riding Competition with a live country band afterward. Dave liked it so much he even bought a hat! Yee haw! We hiked, cooked out, and visited the mining town of Jerome, and the famous Red Rocks of Sedona, Arizona. We even visited the Montezuma wells before these city slickers had to get back home. It was hard saying goodbye.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
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