Hot and Humid!

Afternoon Folks,

As per the title above, it has been pretty warm and humid here in Flagstaff, AZ. When I was young growing up in San Diego, I loved this kind of weather and have to say I never noticed the humidity. But, after about 35 years in the Arid Zone whenever we get to the "Monsoon" season here the relative moisture in the air gets to me. I am not fond of heat either. My ideal "warm" temp would be about 60 degrees. However, my favorite season is winter. I love it when we start to get those freezing nights in the fall.

Technically speaking, it is still summer (and feels like it), but kids in Flagstaff have started back to school. Northern AZ University begins their Fall semester next week. It is difficult to believe that for most of my life the calendar was marked by semesters, first in grade school, Jr. High, and High School, then after the Army (3 years), 8 years at university and 27 years teaching college. Even far more difficult to fathom is the fact that it has been 10 years since my retirement from academia. It took several of those years to adjust to not going back to school (work) in Fall. The lack of what Spring Break use to mean was another time adjustment.

Now it is difficult to see those divisions of the year as a reality in my life. Each chapter of life feels like a different lifetime. When I look back at when I was a young soldier in the early 1960s it hardly seems real to me. It is amusing to contemplate in your own life how time itself, and how it is broken down, is just a social construct.

On top of all that we are constantly redefining our past life in terms of what is important to us now. A sociologist by the name of Peter Berger called this "Alternation, or redefining our biography." In addition, we selectively remember the past as well. An author whose name escapes me said he kept journals throughout his life. He came-up with what he thought was a "novel" idea but in reviewing these journals from his younger days he found that it was not a new idea. If we all kept journals we would probably discover more of our "real" past, not our reinterpretation of it.

Well, these are some of my musings for a warm Arizona mountain afternoon . . . as for films . . .

Last week I went to Sedona to see Ann Hathaway's new film, One Day. I thought it had some promise but was not very good. Since returning to AZ the best one that I have seen lately is The Help. The acting and the story are very good. While in San Diego I viewed Cowboys and Aliens with my grandsons. They liked it but I found it somewhat boring and overly long. In that venue (s. cal) Sarah's Key was extraordinary with Kristin Scott-Thomas giving an excellent performance in a French film about the round-up of Jews by the french during WWII. The story went back and forth through time telling the story of Sarah and her escape and the journalist's attempt to uncover it. Crazy, Stupid Love was an entertaining film that I enjoyed. I walked out of Tree of Life because it was so "overdone" in trying to be "Artsy Fartsy" and into Captain America, which I had not planned on seeing but was pleasantly surprised. It too was entertaining, at least for its genre.

That's it for the moment here in Northern Arizona. Until next time, Adios Amigos y Amigas!

Almost . . .

Hey Folks,

I "almost" did a posting last month after I returned from Yellowstone late in the month. Upon beginning the blog I realized I did not have much to say. I resigned my job there and returned to Flagstaff. There were many factors involved and have decided not to go into them. However, I wish to say my boss, Candice, was great, so that was not a factor in the decision.

Yesterday I returned from a trip to San Diego County to visit family and that went well, at least the family part. I have to say that as much as "Zoners" like San Diego I dislike it intensely, too many people and the traffic is horrible. They say, "but it so beautiful over there." My usual reply is that it was "beautiful " when I was growing up there. I know that no place stays the same but the main problem everywhere seems to be people and development. There are so many places where I grew up that were filled with canyons and open spaces we played in that are now paved over and filled with "strip malls" and more housing.

I had a discussion at my gym about all this with some "older guys" this morning. I guess we sound like a bunch of old geezers bitching about the "modern" times and wishing that things had not changed. It may be part of getting older and harkening back to the past more and more. I told them I wondered if my grandsons would be saying the same thing in about 50 years.

Change today is moving at an ever increasing pace. New media makes us instantly aware of things it took days and weeks sometimes to discover. We know too much . . . our grandkids know too much but are not literate. No one wants to read books and use their imagination. On this recent trip I had this discussion with my 12 year old grandson Cole. He seems bored if things are not happening around him all the time, especially this summer. I said why don't you read a book. Further, I said reading was one of my main escapes when young (actually, it still is). His reply, which echoes my other, and older grandson Zac, " I don't like to read." The "Kindle" and other such devices have been invented to attempt to capture readers again but if my grandsons are any sample of the population, this will not be successful.

As Aldous Huxley wrote in the 1930s, it's "A Brave New World." It does not seem to be a world I like very much. I know everyone will survive and adapt to it and that there will be "pockets of resistance," but it is not my world. It becomes more and more difficult to relate to the world as it has become. Probably that is the evolution of becoming older and realizing that you are not much of a factor in "the world," if you ever were. In all probability it is the reason why elderly Inuits (Eskimos) went out on the ice to die, and Plains Indian elder males did the same, or staked themselves out to die in battle. This is not to say that I plan to do anything like this . . . None of us knows where we will end up or, how.

I realize this has not been an up-lifting blog, but just felt like "blasting out there" a bit. At this point, since I get no comments on these things, I do not know if this is being read by anyone "out there." It is kind of like Bob Dylan's old song title, "Blowing in the Wind."

Cheers all!

"Old Faithful," the Inn that is!

Good Afternoon You All,

I am sitting in the Old Faithful Inn about 39 miles north of where I reside in the Park. This my "Ranger Sunday," Saturday to you all. My reason for coming here today is to get some exercise by walking the Geyser Basin, relax in the Inn, and be able to use my broadband. As I said before, or at least think I did, I get no coverage at the south entrance. Oh yeah, I must not forget the "pulled pork sandwich and mac & cheese I had at the Lodge. Had to do the walk to earn it.

This job as a "Gate Ranger" is much tougher than I first thought. Now that I have come close to mastering the cash register and the shift reports, it is the 9 hour days that are killing me. Plus, I only sleep about 6 hours a night. I feel exhausted most of the time. I

do get into the minuscule gym we have as much as I can (did some weight training this morning before leaving) but am pretty worn out after work. Most trails in the park are either still under snow or closed for bear foraging until July. Thought about hiking a bit in the Tetons, but there are a couple of Grizzlies with cubs in the places I would most likely frequent. That is the reason I came here to walk the 2+ miles of boardwalks for exercise.

ON my 3 day "weekend" last Thursday through Saturday I went to Jackson one day and to Bozeman, MT. over night the next two. My friend Cindy (Mooselee) Henry went with me. We "shopped until we dropped," as the saying goes. The only thing missing was my friend Ranger Bob (the younger), her husband. However, he was with us in thought and conversation. On our way out of Bozeman we stopped off to see our mutual friend and artist, DG House. She was having and "Open House" at her studio. It was nice seeing her. She is just so effervescent and congenial. It looks like Bozeman will be a destination for me at least a couple more times this season.

I have another 3 day weekend next week and need to figure out a place to go. I cannot sit down at the south entrance in my quarters for those days. Would love to go to Lander and visit Ron and Brooke Chesley but Ron is still in AZ dealing with some medical stuff. I am considering a possible trip to Cody over night. It would not be my first choice but have not been to the Buffalo Bill Museum in a few years, and there is a "Super Wal*Mart" and "Sierra Trading Post" outlet store there. It is nice to have the 3 days off every other week but it is difficult to figure out what to do with those days if it is not reasonable to do much hiking with all the snow and bear closures.

Tasha and Jason are doing well in Okinawa. They are going out and getting more exercise. She is on a strict regimen of varying forms of exercise, yoga, and concocting healthy recipes. Tasha may have some acting opportunities coming up but I will let her tell folks about that. I am happy that they are happy and doing so well.

Niece Kelly and her daughters Olivia and Ava are moving to Colorado to join her sister Kimberley and her family in the "Rocky Mountains." It will be fun to be able to visit both of them in one place again. Dennis, my nephew-in-law (Kimby's husband) has gotten her a good job, so Kudos to him! It is an exciting new adventure for them and I wish them well.

Movies: So far have only seen a one since my last blog. I have foregone both the new Pirates & Hangover II because of some bad reviews and a lack of desire to see them. Yesterday I went to Speilberg and Abbram's new film, Super 8. It was a very satisfying and enjoyable movie hearkening back to ET, but a bit darker.

That's about it from rainy/snowy, but sometimes sunny Yellowstone National Park. They say some my favorite trails like Mt. Washburn, will not be "hikeable" until the end of July to first part of August. It is going to be a short season for hiking this year. By-the-by, have been here a little over month now . . . almost 4 to go! I kind of miss my condo and Flagstaff.

Cheers All

Snowy Spring in Yellowstone Park

Good Morning Folks from the "Old Faithful" Inn,

I had to come up here to do my blog as we have no cell phone or personal internet coverage where I work at the south entrance to Yellowstone. It is my first trip up to the "Inn" this season as Craig Pass, the primary route here was still blocked with snow last week when I had my first days off.

The mountains of Wyoming have had 162% of normal snow fall this year and it is still pretty high on the sides of the road. When we moved into our apartments they had to bring in a "Bobcat" to clear a path. It is pretty incredible up this way right now. I love it!

The new job at the gate checking entry passes is nice because I get to sit down, not as much pressure on the "ol" back as standing for hours in a visitor center. The complicated part is learning all the different categories of visitors and translating that to the myriad of keys on the cash register. We sell so many different kinds of passes, and the real complexity is figuring out the commercial groups entry permits. The good part is that most people pay at the Tetons entrances, and since you get two parks for the price of one, that is nice! We just check to make sure they paid and give them the map and paper for Yellowstone.

One of the great things about being here is seeing my friends here in Wyoming. "Old Ranger" Bob and I went to Jackson on a "Geezer" shopping spree yesterday. Although, I did not see a film we had a good time. When first I got here was able to make our traditional "opening of Signal Mt. Lodge" Margaritas and Nachos fest with friends Darlene and Mike. I spent some time visiting with my friend Laine Thom (as well as others) at the Colter Bay Visitor Center, where I worked for 9 years. Today I am up at Old Faithful to spend the day with Cindy Henry, another old friend. It is too bad her husband Bob is up in Alaska. We had many good times together in this park.

As for my new acquaintances in my new position, I like those that have come in so far. I really like my boss, Candice. She is probably the best supervisor that I have ever had (so far). She is very patient and understanding in training us as well as just being a good person. My apartment mate, Jeff is a good guy and somewhat of a "geezer" too being 59, another good call by our boss, putting us together. Our apartment is only a couple of years old and Candice gave us the two bedroom, two bath place. Accomodations make up for the isolation we have at the Snake River Ranger Station (south entrance).

Movie update: I have seen two in Jackson since my arrival. The first, Thor, was kind of fun. I would normally not have gone to this one but read a couple of fairly good reviews plus, Kenneth Branaugh (Brit Shakespearean actor/director) directed it. It is a fantasy/super hero movie. The second was Bridesmaids, Kristin Wigg (she also co-wrote the script), who I love. It is billed as a female Hangover, but that is an oversimplification. Although I enjoyed that film, I think besides being very funny (and gross in some places) it has some depth to the story of the main protagonist's point of view. Plus, it is more a female view of life. I liked it a lot.

In addition, I want to send tidings, and get well wishes to my niece Kimby who will be having surgery this week.

Well, that's about it from here. I have go meet Cindy for a bountiful breakfast buffet here at the Inn.

Cheers all, until we meet again, here in this blog or else where in person, e-mail, or Facebook.

Back and Gone Again . . . Soon!

Good Afternoon Folks,

My trip to southern Cal went really well a couple of weeks ago. I got to see most of my family members (not sister Marlene, nor niece Ashely Louise, mores the pity). But I spent quality time with daughter Tania, son-in-law Steve, and the three grandsons. I got to see Pony league baseball games of Zac, Cole, and Torin, and in addition, one of Cole's basketball games. Of course I spent the nights at my sister Norma and her husband Scott's house. So, did get to have quite a bit of time with them as well. One evening, our youngest brother Russell came over and we had our usual riotous time together. Since Scott is new to the family, I don't know if he quite understands us all yet but seems to enjoy being with us. He is a great guy. Norma did well this second time around.

The weather over in San Diego County was sunny and warm the first half of the trip but turned to low clouds and chillier temps for the last half. I heard it cleared up again after I left. Such is life. But, as I said, it was a good trip.

Since returning to Flagstaff I have been attempting to get everything organized for the five months I will be moving up to Yellowstone to work. I leave the day after tomorrow and talked to my boss up there today. She said they are bringing the "front-loaders" in early this week to clear paths in the snow for us to get to our quarters and park our cars. The snow drifts are up to roof level, about 10 feet. She said bring warm winter clothes. I told her that I love winter and already have packed for that contingency. I am looking forward to a new challenge in my life. This job should afford that.

The winds have been pretty constant here in Flagstaff for about 3 weeks, anywhere from 15-30 mph, with gusts much more at times. It is driving most folks here a little crazy. However, it has been sunny. It will probably be fierce driving across the open spaces of the Navaho reservation on my way to Utah, Idaho, then Wyoming.

I saw three pretty good films while in southern Cal (one's that will never get to Flag). They were Win Win (4 stars), with Paul Giamatti, The Conspirator (4 stars), a Robt. Redford directed film based on the trial of Mary Surrat, accused as conspirator in Lincoln's assassination, a French film, Potishe (3 1/2 stars), with Catherine Deneuve. Before the trip I viewed Source Code (3 stars), which I found fairly good, as well as being surprised by Fast Five which turned out to be very entertaining (3 stars). I have no idea what films are in my future for the usually dismal summer season. Capt. Jack Sparrow will be back as will the usual parade of big budget CG films.

As I can, I will try to report back to those of you who still follow this blog. I have no cell phone coverage where I will be living, nor personal computer service, other than government ones. I will have to drive out on my days off to stay in touch. However, will be able to check e-mails on the gov't computers (no blogs or streaming).

Ciao All. Have a great rest of the Spring/Summer, and I will return to my beloved Flagstaff in the Fall!

I'm Up, So What the Hell . . .

Good Very Early Morning Folks!

I awakened at about 3:30am this morning and could not get back to sleep. I peered out my bedroom window and low and behold, SNOW. Not just a little bit of the white stuff but a fair amount. As I sit here two hours later, it is still snowing. I love the stuff but I have taken off the ski racks from my car and stored the skis. There was even a week and a half of weather that put me into my short sleeve shirts.

Most people in Flagstaff have been ready for Spring. They do not want snow. Funny thing is, this has been a very light winter compared to last. In fact, I was only able to cross-country ski about 1/4 as much as last winter. What most of these folks say is that they would rather have rain (which is what we got yesterday, with a little sleety snow). My preference is snow over rain. You can brush off the white stuff but rain can soak you. At any rate, the snow will not last, forecast for Monday is temps in the 60s again.

But, speaking of all of this, I am down to less than a month before my departure for the job in Yellowstone. Why do I mention this at this point? Well, they have had a ton of snow up there this winter and are still getting pounded with it. I will break into winter-like weather again when I get there early in May. We always had errant snow storms in May when I worked in the Tetons, sometimes in June as well. I imagine the snow on the sides of the road near the south entrance to Yellowstone will have been plowed to the level of about 6-8 feet and that they will have to use a front loader to make pathways to our quarters. I love it!

The last couple of months I have had two physical exams, one through the VA and the other a "Welcome to Medicare" physical with my new non-VA doctor. In addition, this week, I had a colonoscopy. Next week my dental check-up is on the agenda. So far, everything looks good. I seem to be in excellent health, all things considered. All of this, along with getting my car serviced has gotten be going in my 65th year, and ready to leave for 5 months in Wyoming.

Before heading north I am going west to southern California next week to visit family. I am anxious to see my daughter, grandsons and sisters. The boys are getting older and taller and I am feeling more "Gramps-like" everyday. My hope is to spend some quality time with them, but with Zac being 14 and Cole 12, they may have other interests that will not coincide with spending too much time with a "geezer." Oh, they will be happy to see me but will race off to be with friends shortly after greeting me. That is only to be expected. Perhaps Torin, the youngest will be more amenable to being with Gramps.

I have noticed a corollary to something my now deceased friend, John, told me after he retired. He said, and I have mentioned this before, "once you retire it is like you become invisible," or words to that affect. But, it is not only retiring that makes you invisible, it is getting older as well. I have noticed that most people ignore seniors as they do the "homeless." It may be one of the reasons that many in this grouping become so outspoken, they just want to be seen/recognized. Many younger people just want us to fade into the background. We are considered to be a hassle to have around. I remember when I was much younger how we kids could not wait to see my grandpa, but my mother always dreaded their visits. Some may feel we should just go out on the ice and wait for death as they did in many Inuit (Eskimo) cultures in the past. Don't count on it folks, there are way more "Baby Boomers" than the rest of you!

I guess that is enough of a "Geezer rant" for now. As for movies since last we met in these pages, I cannot say they have gotten much better, but I persist in going to them. It is part of my nature. However, I did see a couple I liked. The Lincoln Lawyer with Matthew McConnaghy was a pretty decent legal thriller. Limitless was not too bad either. Battle LA was more a live action video game but somewhat entertaining if you suspend reality and think of it as fantasy. Paul was amusing but some people made the mistake of taking children to it. The humor is a bit raunchy for that demographic. I liked Source Code with Jake Gillyanhall and Megan Monhaghn. The film was interesting and the acting was good. Yesterday I went to see Hanna, and even though Cate Blanchett, one of my favorite actors was in it, it was not a good film.

Thats about it from Snowy Flagstaff.

Cheers everyone!

What?

Spring is almost here Folks!

What? I am not ready for that. We had a nice 6-8" snow storm (depending what part of town you are in) here in Flagstaff last Sunday. I got a couple of days of XC skiing. But, it immediately warmed up all this week. Even though night time temps are still below freezing, it has been in the low 50s most days. Some mornings I leave for the gym and it is 10-25 degrees. By the time my workout is concluded, a couple of hours later, it is 48 and going higher. After the abundance of the white stuff last winter, I am little "bummed" with this winter's production.

I received word from my new boss in Yellowstone that I had successfully passed my background investigation so am indeed officially accepted to work there this late spring/summer/early fall. That is good news but did not really think I wouldn't pass the check. It looks as though, unless something unforeseen happens, I will be leaving beautiful downtown Flagstaff around May 4th and returning in early October.

I am quite looking forward to the change in my life. Afraid that I may have been getting a little "stale" of late. Of course, it was usually the case in the Tetons when I worked there that by the time August rolled around, we were all chomping at the bit to get home. Be that as it may, I love the Greater Yellowstone area, and the opportunity to be there for that long period of time. In addition, it is very nice to see my few friends who still work in the Tetons.

Not much else has been happening here. Tuesday was my middle grandson Cole's 12th birthday and next Monday is my lovely youngest (Tasha) offspring's 30th birthday. It is difficult to believe that my daughters are in their 30s and 40s. Where did the time go? For a person who never desired children I love them dearly and cannot conceive that they would never have been in my life. So Happy Birthday to Cole and Natasha!

Speaking of B-Days mine passed by with a bit of snow on the ground and a nice Mexican dinner made for me by an old friend, Ruth DeBoard. She even made me a homemade cherry pie, always my favorite instead of cake. All-in-all, it was a nice 65th birthday as I fade into "geezerhood."

Movies: Since last I blogged, I have seen a few more films during this period where the releases are usually the ones that would not make anyone's best films list (with very occasional exceptions). However, I continue to go to the movies. It is in my blood, or at least maybe my psyche. The Unknown with Liam Neeson and Diane Krueger was a fairly fast paced international thriller. It is one of my favorite genres and I liked this film even though one has to suspend logic/reality for some elements of the plot. I had great hopes for Hall Pass, well probably not "great hope," but at least a bit of expectation as it was a Farrelly Brothers film, but it was crap. The film I viewed today was much better and interesting. Again, it was one that there needed to be a bit of suspension from reality but it was a fantasy that asked us to look at the idea of "fate." Plus, it was a nice love story. The Adjustment Bureau, with Matt Damon and Emily Blount (I love her), is not an extraordinary film, but highly entertaining.

That's about it from here in Northern Arizona.

Adios Amigos y Amigas