Sunday, April 23, to Friday, May 5: House Guests, Welcome to Medicare, and Cinco de Mayo!

My truck and travel trailer needed to be washed. The two week trip to Palm Desert and back took its toll. So, off Becky went --- rub a-dub-dub.

Becky attended church again at First Baptist Church of Williams. She has never been affiliated with a baptist church, but her great grandfather --- William Shelton --- was a Southern Baptist minister. Becky likes Pastor Joe. He is a dynamic speaker and his messages are upbeat and thoughtful. It will be her little secret that she drinks alcoholic beverages!

For several years, the flagpole in front of Becky's home has not worked properly. It was designed to rotate the flag and keep it from rolling up in the wind. Becky finally tackled this project. She lubricated it with 3-in-1 oil and it did the trick!

Becky got the house ready for her next house guest. That means vacuuming and mopping the Italian marble floor. Bette Carlson used to work with Becky and Richard at Zion Lodge. She was the Human Resources Manager in 2004 --- and Richard was her assistant.

Bette had never seen the town of Williams. So, Becky made BLT sandwiches for lunch and they headed to downtown Williams.

That night, Becky cooked up the final bag of Trader Joe's Cioppino and augmented it with her last piece of sockeye salmon from Costco.

Wednesday was set aside for a trip to the Grand Canyon. Becky walked the dogs twice before she and Bette left for the canyon at 8:15am. This time of year, the crowds are beginning to arrive. Becky especially likes to avoid the tourists from the two trains that arrive from Williams at noon. Becky parked in her special parking lot by Bright Angel Lodge. The canyon continues to be beautiful.

Becky was asked by a young NYC couple to take a photo. They were trying to replicate a photo image they had. It involved balloons attached to a piece of drift wood. Becky asked them if she could borrow the prop for some photos of her and Bette. Nice!

Becky and Bette walked along the rim for about an hour. They even purchased similar tops at the El Tovar gift shop. Both were on sale!

That night, Bette bought filet mignon steaks at Safeway and Becky barbecued them. They also had oven roasted baked potatoes. Yum!

Bette left early Thursday morning. She was heading back to her home in Steamboat Springs. Bette now spends three months of winter in Tucson. Before she left Williams, Bette took a photo of Becky, the dogs, and Becky's Dalmatian pajamas.

That evening, Becky rented La La Land at the Safeway Redbox. She had seen the movie on the big screen New Year's Day in La Quinta. It was fun to see it again!

Friday morning, Becky prepared lox, bagels, cream cheese, and a blueberry and strawberry fruit salad. Friends of hers, Gloria Gordon and her husband David King, were stopping by to have breakfast. Gloria was a friend of Becky's in Los Angeles --- through the Organization of Women Executives. In 2009, Gloria and David retired from So. California and moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. They had just begun a six week road trip from their home in Santa Fe to Arizona, California, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah.

It was a very nice visit. They left at 11:30 am to their first California stop in Yucca Valley. David has a family member there.

Friday night, Becky drove to Flagstaff for a concert by the Flagstaff Master Chorale. Becky is not a big fan of choral music, but her neighbor, Shaula Watson, is a member of the group. This was the last concert of the season. The theme was American Masterpieces --- with all the composers being American. Becky did like the medley from Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story.

Becky drove a second day to Flagstaff on Saturday. She was supposed to have a facial on Friday, with Sue Kelly. Sue had some work done on her home in Flagstaff, so the appointment was moved to Saturday.

Becky went to First Baptist Church on Sunday. On the last Sunday of the month, there is a Community Worship service that rotates from church to church. This one was at the new location of the Calvary Chapel. Becky decided to go that night. Dinner was event served afterwards!

On Monday, May 1, Becky decided to take the dogs on a little trip. Happy May Day! At about noon, she and the dogs proceeded up Highway 64 to the town of Valle. Then, she turned right onto Highway 180, and headed toward Flagstaff. About 20 miles north of Flagstaff, Becky stopped at the Kendrick Park Watchable Wildlife Trail. She had not been there --- or on Highway 180 --- in five or six years! She and the dogs strolled through the 1 1/2 mile loop. It had some great views of Mt. Humphreys.

There was an Aspen grove that the dogs especially liked.

Two items arrived in the mail on Monday. One was a replacement hitch receiver cover with the words "Life is Good." Becky had a previous one, but it had become very worn.

The other item was a 23andme saliva collection kit. Becky decided that it would be fun to find out the genetic make-up of her genes.

At the Friday night Master Chorale concert, Becky was invited to attend a Tuesday breakfast at the Wild West Junction. It is an informal weekly breakfast with many of the ladies who live in Becky's Highland Meadows subdivision.  Becky went and had breakfast with six local women. She had a nice time.

On Wednesday, Becky had her annual cancer skin check in Flagstaff. Her former doctor had moved out of town, so she met with Dr. Sara Risner at Northern Arizona Dermatology. Dr. Risner said that all looked good. It was the first time Becky used her medicare card and insurance supplement card!

Becky stopped at Warner's Nursery. Richard had always wanted an Aspen tree planted on their property. He loved watching the quaking leaves. Becky decided it was time to buy and plant an Aspen in honor of Richard. Becky was not impressed with what she saw at Warner's. And, the service person was not very helpful.

Becky decided that it was best to call her gardener and landscaper, Troy Mortensen.  She texted Troy and he replied that he would be happy to help.

On Thursday, Becky met up with a friend who lives in Sedona. They had arranged to meet at Buffalo Park in Flagstaff. It was a nice day and they hiked through some of the park that also doubles for part of the Arizona Trail. Lunch at Pato Thai is always tasty!

Becky got a call from Williams Veterinary Clinic. Kelsey was supposed to get her teeth cleaned the next morning. Apparently Dr. Jacoby had an office accident, and the appointment had to be changed. When Becky woke up on Friday morning, she decided that she needed to do something fun for herself. She walked the dogs for about 40 minutes and then she drove to Flagstaff to play pickleball at the Aquaplex. Becky had only once played indoor pickleball --- about ten years ago! The two hours of pickleball was a good workout at 7,000 feet elevation.

Today was Cinco de Mayo. On her way home, she stopped at Safeway to buy a miniature four pack of prepared Margarita bottles. Viva Cinco de Mayo!!!!

Tuesday, April 11, to Saturday, April 22: Enjoying Friends, Family, and Finally Back to Williams

Becky had lunch on Tuesday with Diana and Howard Handwerker. Becky worked with Howard in the early and mid 1990s at First Interstate Bank in Los Angeles. Diana and Howard moved to Rancho Mirage in July of last year. They have a lovely home in the San Marino community. Howard still telecommutes in his role at Amalgamated Bank & Trust and has responsibility for union relationships representing $13 billion dollars of assets under management.

Tuesday night was a full moon. It is called the pink moon. Not that the moon is pink, but the Native Americans named it because, at this time of the year, pink flowers blossom.

Becky had lunch plans to drive to Menifee, California, to visit and have lunch with Bev Newhouse. She looked at the weather forecast and decided to board the dogs at The Grand Paw instead of taking them with her. Becky dropped off the dogs Wednesday morning and drove the 80+ miles to Menifee. Bev is the surviving spouse of one of Richard's long term clients, Dr. Newhouse. But, Becky got to know them very well too. They were motorhome owners and would come and visit Becky and Richard. They visited them at Zion, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and Wilderness Lake Thousand Trails.

Becky and Bev had a fun lunch together at Applebee's. Can't go wrong with such a varied menu. Thank you, Bev!

Becky drove back to the desert and picked up the dogs. They were tired from all the activity at the Grand Paw. Becky fed them, walked them, and poured them into the travel trailer. She took a little nap too. She had dinner plans with two Delta Gamma sorority sisters --- Salli Middleton and Barbee Carver --- and Salli's husband Carl. Barbee lives on Bainbridge Island, but has a second home in La Quinta. It was wonderful seeing Salli and Carl a second time in one week!

Becky was invited to attend a Passover/Last Supper Service and Dinner at Coachella Valley Christian Church. The invitation came from the pastor, Stephen Sloat, and his wife Karen. How much fun to see them twice in one week!  Becky used to attend the Leonard and Barbara Bernstein First Night of Passover when she and Richard lived in Los Angeles.  Some time ago!

Stephen officiated the service with the help of several other clergy members from the community. It was Stephen who cooked the lamb that was served for dinner. The entire evening was really special!

On Friday, Becky played her final day of pickleball and bagged all of the dog food for Ramsey's, Kelsey's, and Libby's two night stay at The Grand Paw Pet Resort. She also admired the new throw rug she purchased at the Palm Desert Street Fair the previous weekend. It fit perfectly on the travel trailer's floor in front of the island counter.

Saturday, Becky took the dogs to The Grand Paw. It turns out that her sorority sister, Barbee Carver, takes her dog to that facility as well.

The Coachella Valley Music Festival started this weekend. It is held on the polo fields very near the pet resort. Street signs lined Jackson Street with no parking signs. The only nearby exception were the cars of The Grand Paw employees.

Becky headed back to the travel trailer and finished packing for the weekend. She drove the 120 miles to her sister Carrie's home in Coto de Caza. Carrie and her husband, Brent, are hosting Easter the next day. They had some new outdoor cushions made for their patio furniture and needed to run errands to pick them up. On the way, Brent noticed a sign that required a photo with Becky. Not her company, but certainly her name!

The teak furniture company where the cushions were ordered was very nearby.

That night, Becky, Carrie, Brent, and niece Lauren had dinner on the patio and enjoyed s'mores for dessert.

The next morning was the 9 am Easter service at Saddleback Church. This is the church of Christian Evangelist, Rick Warren. He is well known for writing "The Purpose Driven Life."  Some friends of Carrie and Brent arrived early and saved seats. Karen and Rick Hacker had seats for them in the center --- five rows from the outdoor stage. Amazing! There was Rick Warren in the flesh.

After the Easter service, Carrie and Becky ran a few more errands and then headed back to the Carroll home to prepare for the 20 guests that would be arriving at 1 pm. Three of Becky's six siblings attended, Brent's mother and brother, first cousin Steve Boggs, and all of the significant others and grown children.

It was a very nice gathering. The kitchen photo is of niece Katelyn, sister Carrie, and sister Wendy. The company was perfect, the food was delicious, and the drinks flowed. Becky realized that she had not been in Carrie's home for almost four years. Becky really liked staying at Casa Carroll and she enjoyed the whole Easter weekend. She might make it an annual event!

Early Monday morning, Becky headed back to Palm Desert. She stopped at the RV Resort to put her clothes back in the travel trailer. Then, she picked up the dogs at The Grand Paw. The dogs are always tired when they come back from a multi night stay at a pet resort.

Becky packed up the trailer, hitched the truck, and Team Dalmatian were heading back to Williams. She pulled out of Thousand Trails at 10:45 am. Perfect start for a 340 mile travel day.  But, it will be nice to be home!

Becky arrived in Williams about 3:30 pm. She decided to back the trailer in a different way --- to take advantage of the direction of the driveway. The trailer glided in easier, but Becky forgot about a blind spot and hit a side rain gutter on her house. The trailer was fine, but she now had a boo-boo rain gutter. Oh, well!

Tuesday was a great day to unload the travel trailer and get ready for house guests, Pat and Bill Wheeler. Pat and Bill are on their way to Michigan to see children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  They arrived Wednesday morning and invited Becky to breakfast at Pine Country Restaurant.

Becky asked Bill if he could look at the rain gutter boo-boo. He did. But, it was acknowledged that the piece of gutter was broken beyond repair.

It was a beautiful day in Williams. Becky knew that her truck and travel trailer really needed to be washed. So, out came the bucket, rags, and hoses. The truck got the first wash. Then, the travel trailer. Rub-A-Dub-Dub!

Pat and Bill are planning to go on a motorized rafting trip down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon next May, 2018. It is a belated wedding anniversary trip, as they will be celebrating 50 years of marriage in November this year. Pat and Bill asked Becky if she would like to join them. Well, YES! Going down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon has always been on her bucket list. So, some of Thursday was spent looking at the various options for this trip. One was selected --- a 7 day trip from Marble Canyon/Page --- to Whitmore Wash/Lake Meade. "Book it Danno!"

Bill wears a lot of hats. Becky had a master bedroom closet with almost a dozen of Richard's hats. She asked Bill if he would be interested in taking some of Richard's hats. Out they came and Bill selected six of them. Becky knew that Richard was smiling down from heaven --- as he and Bill had a wonderful friendship over the past thirteen years!

Pat and Bill headed out early Friday morning. It is always a great time visiting with them!

Ramsey, Libby, and Kelsey had an appointment at the Williams Veterinary Clinic. Becky decided to get them vaccinated against rattlesnake bites. The booster is a two step process. They had the first shot five weeks ago, so they needed their second shot. Kelsey also needed her monthly anal gland expression procedure. She is such a champ!

Becky walked the dogs before heading off to a hair appointment in Flagstaff. While in Flagstaff, Becky picked up her favorite Thai food at Pato Thai Restaurant. While waiting for the order to be ready, she wandered into a nearby clothing store and a striped woolen top begged her to be bought! Done!

Saturday was a lunch date with Stephanie and Joe Hap. Joe has been lymph node cancer free for over a year. But, he has to get checked out every 5 weeks in Flagstaff. Since they live in Prescott, they drive right through Williams each and every time. Becky introduced them to Kick's Restaurant this time. Joe has five more visits over the next year --- so they will get to know many of the restaurants in Williams! Becky is very lucky!

Thursday, March 30, to Monday, April 10: Taking Care of Herself and Off to the Desert

Becky had a wonderful 90 minute massage with Natanya at her place in Williams --- God's Gift of Healing Hands. The last time Becky saw her was in November. Natanya told Becky that she had made significant progress in the healing process since then. Becky felt it too.

The next day, Becky made an appointment to have a pedicure at the new Vietnamese 66 Nails and Spa. Her attendant was Henry. He did an adequate job and Becky took advantage of the grand opening 30% off. But, Henry does not comprehend or speak much English. Sometimes location, location, location is more important!

Earlier in the week, Becky's next door neighbor, Jim, invited Becky to go to the local Grand Canyon Brewery on Friday night. He called Becky a day or two later to advice her that he had a longtime girlfriend who lives in California and he did not want to feel like he was stepping out on her. Becky told Jim no problem and they would pay dutch. What was funny is that Becky never even imagined Jim as her type. It was just nice to be an adult and go out for dinner and some adult beverages.

Becky read in the local paper that the small town of Ash Fork was hosting a series of Saturday afternoon events at their little museum. The program on April 1st was Mary Jane Coulter. Becky loves this lady. She was the architect for the Fred Harvey Company and was responsible for La Posada in Winslow, Hopi House and Bright Angel Lodge at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, and Phantom Ranch in the Grand Canyon.  What Becky did not know is that it was not just a program, it was a 90 minute play --- almost a one woman show entitled "A Woman By Design." It captivated Becky. The actress was exceptional! What I find!

Sunday was spent getting the travel trailer ready for the next day's road trip. Refrigerator was loaded, Becky's clothes were hung up, dogs' food and toys were set-up, etc. Becky even connected the trailer to the truck for any early departure.

But, Monday morning, it was evident that Ramsey was very sick. On Saturday, he got ahold of a plastic zip lock bag with his Rimadyl chewable prescription medication. Becky only noticed the torn up bag on Sunday.  She called her local vet who said he that on overdose like this might be deadly. So, Becky called Canyon Pet Hospital and secured an appointment. Fortunately, they were not terribly busy! She unhooked the trailer and drove Ramsey to Flagstaff.

The good news is the blood work showed that one kidney was elevated and one kidney was below normal. The veterinarian sent Becky and Ramsey home with four different medications. It was expected that Ramsey would feel better in a day or two. He also had to be placed on a bland diet. Becky was back in Williams by 11:00 am and left for Emerald Cove RV Resort near Parker, Arizona by 1:00pm. Back on track!

Becky arrived at the RV resort on the Colorado River around 5:00 pm. It is a very nice park. The attendant selected a nice pull through site for her and the dogs. The Colorado River can be seen through the front window of the large slide.

The next morning, Becky took the dogs to one of the dog parks at the resort that has beach access. Dalmatians are not known for swimming, but Libby did put her paws/feet in the water. Ramsey could care less.

That afternoon, Becky ran some errands in the town of Parker. She bought some new cable for the DirecTV satellite dish. She wasn't able to get DirectTV at her site, even though there were no obstacles preventing reception. One end of the cable looked frayed. She also bought a new water hose. One of the hoses had some sort of blockage.

The next morning, before heading to Palm Desert, Becky walked the dogs around the perimeter of the RV park. Not surprising, they ran into one of the wild burros that roam the area.

It was an easy 150 drive from Parker to Palm Desert. Becky texted her friend, Ranger Linda, when she was ten minutes from the park gate. Linda is always so helpful in helping Becky get a suitable site for her travel trailer. Thousand Trails is always first come, first serve, but the season is slowing down and there were many sites available. Becky decided to be closer to the pool and family lodge this time. Thank you, Linda!

At site 113, Becky was having difficulty getting DirecTV reception. Her neighbor mentioned that she should probably put the dish behind her trailer. It worked! DirecTV came in loud and clear.

Becky's friends, Salli and Carl Middleton, live in Seattle but rent a place in Bermuda Dunes for the entire month of April each year. On Thursday morning, Becky was invited to drop by and visit. She has known Salli and Carl since her first year at UCSB --- 1970! Salli was in the same female dorm and they both pledged Delta Gamma. Carl was one of Salli's brother's best friends at USC. Salli and Carl began to date and they married in 1973. Becky was one of the bridesmaids.

Friday morning, Becky tasked herself to drop off 17 of Richard's pants to the Angel View charity in Sun City. It was not without incident. Becky was trying to adjust her truck's position in a parking spot in front of the thrift store drop off. Unfortunately, a fellow named Steve in a black Ford Fiesta, was trying to drive behind the truck. Becky's bumper hit his car. Insurance and contact numbers were exchanged. There was no damage to Becky's truck.

Barbara Coad and friend Judy Wenker arrived Friday afternoon. Several months ago, they rented one of the Palm Springs Thousand Trails cabins for two nights. The cabin they reserved was brand new --- two bedrooms with all of the amenities. Becky joined them for adult beverages and then they drove to Le Donne Cucina Italiano for their 6:45 pm reservations. This was the same restaurant where Becky and Barbara celebrated the new year on December 31. Obviously, it made an impression.

Saturday morning was the College of the Desert Street Fair in Palm Desert. Barbara, Judy, and Becky decided to head over there and stroll up and down the rows of vendors. Becky and Barbara bought wide rim Scala hats and Becky and Judy bought cute house rugs.

Lunch was Mexican food at a local Palm Desert Highway 111 restaurant called Casuelas. Judy had been there before, but it was a first for Barbara and Becky. The food was very tasty!

Returning back to the RV Resort, Becky walked the dogs and took a one hour nap. She had a casual high school reunion that night and needed some rest. The high school reunion was hosted by Rob Ukropina. It was a reunion of three classes from San Marino - '70, ''71, and '72. Rob and his wife Joyce own a 2nd home in La Quinta at PGA West.

The reunion was nicely done. Rob and Joyce's home is gorgeous. Many of the attendees were not people that Becky knew well, but she fit in well.

It was great seeing Bev Blize Nickerson. Becky's sister Wendy was supposed to come, but she woke up to an eye blood vessel breakage.

Becky spent Sunday morning with Judy and Barbara. Their two bedroom cabin was really cute. They left Palm Desert at check-out time, 11:00 am.

Becky had a fun day playing pickleball Monday morning with some of the ol' gang --- Larry Parks, Jim Portzer, and Travis.

Monday concluded with dinner at Mario's with Karen and Stephen Sloat. When Richard was alive, it was a ritual to dine with the two of them. Karen was Richard's former secretary at his Century City law firm in the 1980s. She later went to law school and has been practicing for twenty years. She was recently inducted as the president of the Coachella Valley Bar Association.