Musings

Good Morning Whoever is out there . . .

I returned on Friday from my southern California trip where I spent every evening attending Little League All-star practices (grandson Zac) and Pony League All-star games (grandson Cole). Being out every evening was very tiring for someone who is an early to bed and early to rise person. But, it was fun spending so much time with all of my grandsons and my daughter. There was only one day that was not spent with them. With so much time spent with them my only time with other family came because my sister Norma was so gracious as to let me stay with her. Like staying with my mother when she was alive, being at Norma's gave me time with her in the later evenings and some mornings. All-in-all a very nice trip.

Grandson Zac, the catcher!

While in San Diego three more icons of the entertainment field died, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson. Last summer it was George Carlin. I have to say that the latter affected my life more. I respect the career and influence Jackson had, but was never a fan. Farrah was known to me in what I would call my prime, but she was not my favorite "Charlie's Angel." Ed Mc Mahon of the three was, possibly, more "in my life." For years I watched Carson and he was an important part of that. What these deaths impressed on me the most is the passing of time and that we all will make it to that point, some of us sooner than later.

Along with this theme two of the three films I had seen while on my trip dealt with aging, death, and the aftermath. Michael Caine in "Is Anyone There" was great study of an aging magician forced to live in a home for the elderly. We watch a deteriorating man develop a relationship with the young son of the proprietors of the home. It is a very good film. The second cinematic endeavor was the French film, "Summer Home," with Juliett Binoche (one of my favorites). It is about the death of three sibling's mother (who we see at the beginning) and how they deal with her memory and the material things she leaves behind. Again, another good film I would recommend. Last of the three was "Land of the Lost," which I saw with my grandsons. Do not waste your time and money. It is possibly the worst I've seen all year.

Yesterday, daughter Natasha and I saw "My Sister's Keeper." It has not gotten great reviews, but we liked it. It is not a real "upper" in some respects, but is the chronicle of a family dealing with the illness of their oldest daughter. Cameron Diaz gives a great dramatic performance as the mother.

That is about it for the moment. I am back in my Flagstaff routine until the middle of next month's foray to see three plays at the Utah Shakespearian Festival in Cedar City. That is my contribution to the President's stimulous package. I got my $250 in my social security account and bought the tickets. The way I see it I am stimulating the economy as well as supporting the arts.

Adios!

My Mom

Good Morning,

It's been a while. I haven't felt much like writing anything and have been contemplating "bagging" this whole blogging thing. First of all, it is just a bunch of drivel that I end up communicating, unlike my younger daughter's blog which is witty and thoughtful. I only wish she could find a way to make money doing it. She has always been a very good writer. Secondly (thought I forgot there was a "first" here didn't you?), my friends Bob and Cindy, especially the latter, who got me started on this, have quit doing theirs.


Today, mostly I wanted to give some recognition to the third anniversary of my mother's death. Shirley Ruth Lewis is on my mind everyday of my life and I miss her greatly. In her 82 years she lived a very full life. Being born in 1923, she experienced the great depression as a little girl and teenager. In her late teens during WWII she worked as a "Rosey the Riveter" in the aircraft plants of San Diego, California. She had five children, four of us members of the "babyboom" generation. About half way through her life she became a painter, oil and watercolor. This brought her and us pleasure.


Yesterday Natasha, her granddaughter, and my youngest, told me that I have seemed different since she died, more morose, grumpy, and unhappy. That may be true to a certain extent. My mother was a great force in my life. But she lives on in our memories, and her children, grandchildren and great grand children. There will always be some of her in all of us. However, we miss you Mom!


Ciao

Flagstaff!

Hey All,

As many of you already know I am back in Flagstaff. It will be my first summer here. When I retired from teaching and moved here eight years ago I was on my cycle of going to the Tetons to do my ranger thing every summer. This caused me to be gone by May and back sometime late in September. Due to some personal issues I resigned my new ranger position in Yellowstone for this summer. So . . . I'm back.


Along with attempting to settle some of those issues that brought me back I'm going to try to do some things that I haven't been able to do in the past 10 years of rangering in the summers. The first thing on the agenda looks to be a short backpacking trip into "the canyon" (Grand that is) next week. My friend Keith, with his family, has graciously invited me to join them on a trek to Phantom Ranch. Although I am definitely not in backpacking/hiking shape will try to do the 17 miles (in 3 days) to mark my new status. Have not done a canyon trip in about five years. We use to do up to five a year in the "old days." I am in "gym shape," which is different, but should help some.


I arrived home from Wyoming a week ago today. It was a nice trip up, and I was happy to see my friends in Grand Teton Park. I did not have enough time to meet anyone at the new job other than my perspective boss, Peter. He seemed like a very nice guy. But I have to admit, it is a relief to be home, even with the aforementioned personal issues that needed to be dealt with. Probably, I could have gone back up to the job once things were settled here, but really did not have the will to do that. And who knows, the same, or similar issues could flair up again and I'd feel obligated to return. In the mean time, my plan is to make short forays out of Flag throughout the summer. Early next month I will try to head over to San Diego County to see my grandsons play some Little League Allstar games.


Movies: Daughter Natasha and I went to see Angels and Demons last Friday. It is supposed to be the prequel to the DaVinci Code but they have made it into a sequel. Both books were very interesting in their twisting and turning plots. The first film was OK if you had read the book. The second Angels was a better "put together" film but not stellar. Tasha noticed that they had left out one of the minor stories that had taken up about 4 chapters in the book. The romance angle that was prominent in the book between the two main characters was deleted as well. Again, I would recommend it as summer "escapist" fare,


Adios Amigos y Amigas

Yellowstone!

Good Evening All,

(By the way, this is not Yellowstone to your left, but is the Tetons as they looked the other day)

After an interesting week on the road I am ensconced in my very humble abode at Grant Village in Yellowstone National Park. This will be my "home" for next four months. Pretty fancy eh?

The first part of the week I spent a night in "beautiful" Bountiful, Utah where I had a sumptuous breakfast at Paradise Bakery & Cafe. From there I pushed on to Jackson, Wyoming and spent a night there. This was what I use to do when Bob and Cindy Henry still lived here. On Thursday I headed up to spend the night at "Old" Ranger Bob's at Colter Bay in Teton Park. Friday I headed up to this habitation site where my new boss introduced me to the area. Upon moving my stuff in I headed back down to the Teton.

I spent some time with my friends at the Colter Bay Visitor Center which was in the final stages of preparation for opening to the public on Saturday. Colter Bay VC traditionaly opens on Mother's Day weekend for the season.

It has been a tradition for we in that park to go to the opening night of Signal Mountain Lodge and Restaurant. They serve the most "kick ass" Margaritas there of anywhere I know. Bob and I met up with his daughter Katie, son-in-law and grand-kids to have piles of "Signal's" famous Nachos (and of course a couple of Margaritas). We had a great time.

Saturday I went to town to pick-up a few items that had not been brought with me. You always forget something, or find you need more than you initially thought you did . The drive in is always so beautiful this time of year with snow on the Teton Range. I reflected quite a bit on how much I will miss working here and being close to my friends. Now I must think about starting over once again tomorrow in a new place with new folks.

Movies: I saw two films in the last week before setting-up here at Grants Village, both in Jackson. The first Wolverine, the X-Man thing. It was not something I normally would have gone to see but did not have much choice in the current offerings. It was OK for what it was, but not for me. I caught the new Star Trek film on Friday when it came out. I have to say I liked it. It goes back to the beginning when all the characters were young and just starting out. It made me reminisce to back in the 60's when I was in college and the first one's came out. At any rate I'd recommend it.

Adios from Wyoming and Yellowstone!

On the Road Again, Well, Almost!

Good Morning Folks,



It has been warm in Northern Arizona and this apartment, that I abhor, is hotter than the outside temps. Most of you would think those temps are pleasant and comfortable, in the low 70s, high 60s, but I find them too warm. It seems I am leaving for parts north not a minute too soon.



Tomorrow I head out for my first day's goal, beautiful downtown Bountiful, Utah. I like to get a bit north of Salt Lake City my first day. Besides, there are relatively new Starbucks, Paradise Bakery & Cafe and a Costco (last one I will see for awhile) there. Second day I should be in Jackson, WY where in past years I would stay a couple of days with Bob and Cindy Henry. Of course that is no longer possible since they moved to Goodyear in AZ. Not only that, Bob is working in Alaska now. And, my move to Yellowstone from the Tetons after 10 years is the big change for me. It is funny how everything can change in such a short amount of time. Oh well, it seems to be the way of the world. We all just have to "march on."



The only thing that will bother me about departing Flagstaff this Spring is leaving behind my lovely daughter Natasha. By the time I get back she should have moved back to a big city (maybe even Paris and/or London). I will have to resume our distance relationship of before. It will be good for her to get back "out there" after a year's respite in the mountains. One good thing that happened for her while she was here was that she was able to get back on stage.







Movies: Have only seen one dreadful film since last I blogged. I have to say that i was desperate and wanted to use the last of my theater gift card. Matthew McConaughy, who I thought had great promise as an actor in his first films, has sunk to doing really mundane "romantic" comedies for the past few years. I like good one's of this genre such as When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, etc. But, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past is not even close to those. There are a couple of laughs but overall it is not worth the money (good thing I had a gift card).




This does not bode well for the beginning of the summer movie season. Summer is usually the worst in it's "pap for the masses," especially the newer generations of brainless folks. I hold out hope for a few gems here and there this summer, but guess it is good that I will be much more isolated where stationed in Yellowstone and will, in all probability, not get out to see as many.





The next Flagstaff Mountain Curmudgeon blog will come from Wyoming.



Adios Amigos y Amigas

Age?

Good Evening,

I know this is a rare "later in the day" blog for me. It seems appropriate since I have been thinking a lot about the aging of the world around me. Of course this doesn't apply to me, or does it? Check out this picture of me in better days (1988). I know it seems a bit narcissistic of me but I just cannot believe the difference. I definitely do not look like this now.

.

One of the things that got me on this subject was observing actors I haven't seen in a while when they appear in something now. When I see them it is hard for me to believe how old they have become. It seems my mind keeps them the age they were when last I saw them in something. Not only that but many of the icons of the past in entertainment keep dying off. Don't get me wrong here, I am not depressed about it. It just seems to "sneak up on you."

My darling youngest daughter just finished her successful run in Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors." I commend her performances. Now I would mention my other daughter as well in these pages but she does not want her or my my grandsons presented in these pages. I must respect her wishes for privacy, but am as proud of her in her life as well. Both daughters are the best things that have happened to me in my life.

My focus of late has been on trying to get myself ready to move up to Yellowstone for the next 4 months. I have about 8 days before I hit the road and am getting more and more excited (and anxious) about being a Yellowstone Ranger. Afterall, it is the oldest and first national park in the world. To keep with with the above theme of "aging," never did I, in my younger years, think that I would be a ranger, much less in Yellowstone. It does not eclipse my having taught anthropology in a college for 27 years, but hell, it's up there.

Movies: Have seen two pretty good films lately. State of Play, a film based on a BBC America mini-series was pretty good. Russell Crowe, Ben Aflick, Rachel McAdams and Helen Mirren were very good in this political thriller. As a movie it was good however, if you get to see the Brit mini-series it is better. Of course six and a half hours is better amount of time to tell the story. The other film I viewed last Friday, The Soloist. Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Fox are excellent in this true story. I highly recommend both, the latter especially.

Ciao Amigos y Amigas

Spring is here, Warm Days and Snow?

Good Morning,



Spring has been here in Flagstaff for a few weeks but this morning, April 11th, I woke up to this:

I love the beauty of snow and it is much less a hassle than rain. But, alas, this snow should be gone by noon as the temps are due to rise and by tomorrow, into the 50s.

Last evening I went to the "Theatrikos" production of Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors, which happens to have my lovely youngest daughter, Natasha as the female lead. It is the second time that I have attended a performance. Last Sunday, for the matinee, my friends Marc and Carol Hammond, along with another old friend and colleague, Edith Baker, came up to see it and Tasha. The production is wonderful. Richard Burt who plays Dromio in two parts is excellent and a standout. The whole cast does a great job. Even though I may be somewhat biased, Natasha is excellent as well. My friends agreed and we all simultaneously thought the same thing, she would be great as Kate in Taming of the Shrew.

Much of my time lately, besides my usual routine, has been spent organizing for my four month move up to Wyoming the first part of May. My thoughts have been on planning new ranger programs and on the myriad of lists I have all over the place that remind of what needs to be packed and procured for the trip. In additon, I have been thinking about my friends, the Henrys, and their monumental drive from the Phoenix area to Talkeetna, Alaska, about 3700 miles. Bob will be there for up to four years and I cannot imagine the stuff he and Cindy will have to pack in the back of their Toyota Tundra truck. I wish them well and hope to visit in early Sept. when my duty is done in Yellowstone.

As for movies to report on . . . the pickings have been "slim to almost none." It is a good thing I had Shakespeare to tide me over.

Adieu!