July 31, 2009 and summer is on the downslide. The days are getting noticeably shorter, evenings come sooner and dawn comes later. We have been so fortunate to be able to go to Albuquerque to spend a couple days with Carol and Randy – and we all left the same day. Randy being sent home and we headed back to Del Norte! We went through such incredible country going down and coming back up. Going down, we went through Chama, NM, down Hwy 84 to Hwy. 96 to Hwy.550 down to Albuquerque. The best part was Hwy 84. Coming back, wow, took 550 back up to Hwy 4 which goes past Jemez Indian Ruins, Jemez National Monument, Valles Caldera, and Bandelier National Monument. All spectacular. Worth spending two or more days going through, we went too fast!

Tom’s older sister, Peggy, had to have emergency surgery again today. She constantly seems to build up scar tissue and plugs her up. I think this is the 4^th surgery she has had because of this problem, just in the last 5-6 years. Always before, we have been with her but this came on her so fast, we just waited it out here. Our daughters were there as was Tom’s younger sister. She scares me, last surgery we came so close to losing her. About 2 days after surgery, she crashed and ended up on a ventilator in ICU for about 2 months. Her doctor said he had never had anyone so critical pull through. But because of all this, they developed a real good relationship, and he really does care about her as a person. And this time she had signed a “no ventilator” thing – which we don’t agree with! She has very weak lungs, and that is what shows problems first - usually. But she almost always has complications following surgery so hope this time will be different.

We are looking forward to going home for a bit this coming week, if only for 3 days – it will be good to see everyone. That is the worst part, not being close to our family.

Until Next Time……