Adventure!

Last week I left the warm southwestern US for an unnamed northwestern state.

A sibling had major surgery with a long recovery period, so it is my turn to visit and be helpful.  The drive took 3 long days and was really nice, once north of major cities.

Needless to say, I've seen a lot of snow in the last 5 days.  Fortunately, the roads were dry and without ice when I went through the potentially nasty passes. Much more snow here than I expected. It's really beautiful, as long as you aren't shoveling or driving in it.

I'm gaining much more appreciation for the winter posts from Patrice Lewis and Enola Gay!

The areas near the Grand Canyon were spectacular, and I have a few pics of the rocks that I'll try to post. Unfortunately I also have several videos of the inside of my car with audio of me swearing while trying to take landscape photos (not videos!!!) with the new traveling device. New technology is getting the best of me right now.

LESSON LEARNED: When traveling thru Utah, plan your overnight stops and have reservations. On some roads, motels are few and far between.  Small towns usually have nice Mom and Pop operations but no national chains. The M&P spots are usually a nice change of pace and are well-kept and reasonably priced.

THANKS, CONNIE, FOR THE PICTURE TIP!!!  It works!!

Tablet Shmablet

We decided that rather than take my laptop when we travel, we should have a tablet.  I found a good price on a well-rated 10 inch tablet. We have access to wi-fi in the places we're most likely to use it, so no full-time Internet cell service subscription was needed.  That made a big difference in cost.

Well, the darn thing makes me crazy. If you don't have tiny pointed fingertips, you either don't trigger what you're trying to see or you accidentally select the thing next to it that you don't care about -- or at least that's what's happening to me. I check my web e-mail and keep ending up in the DRAFTS folder.  I may try the stylus route (not required for this model) but then it's one more complication -- the opposite direction of where we're heading.

My poor, Dear Husband (who is much techier than I am!) has rescued me more than a few times. Actually, he rescued the tablet from becoming an expensive Frisbee.  He's pretty good with it -- magic touch. He can make that sow's ear into a silk purse every time.  I hope to develop the magic touch soon, too. Otherwise this thing may become a paperweight, or more likely, the sole domain of DH!

Happy 2013!!

Happy 2013! Hope you all had a pleasant and peaceful day.  Also wishing you a good year ahead.  It may be a year for simple pleasures and savoring the abundance we already have in our lives.

Sorry about the lack of posting lately. We've been busy with family, which has helped me work out of a seasonal blues thingy. A few years ago I lost both parents during the holiday season, so it's likely related to remembering that. They were good people who lived long and good lives. 

It was an interesting Christmas this year. We had a wonderful, almost full house for Christmas eve with adult children, spouses, significant-others and grandbaby! The little one is about 16 months old, so was really fun to have around. Having the kids here was so nice, but the time went so quickly. I received more than I needed, but was especially pleased with some fresh oranges from Arizona and a sweet (nicely framed!) picture of the grandbaby.

I've no real insight today, but will be setting out on an adventure later this week. I will share more as it unfolds, especially if I find any meaningful insight to pass along.