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……

July (Again)

We are in the small town of Del Norte again, leaving the heat of Fremont County behind. Although it's been cool and rainy at home ever since the day we left! That's okay, when it's 100 over there, it will probably be about 80 here. Last night the low was 47 degrees. Good sleeping weather!

We initially left home June 21 and headed to our usual 4th of July camping with all the family. We had two daughters and families who were not able to attend this year. Boy we missed them. Carol and Randy are in Albuquerque where he is working, Emily is with them. Jamie,

Shawn and Jarred didn't have a way or didn't want to come up. I wish they would all get their own camping gear, they are adults now and needs to take charge of their own lives! But we sure missed them. Katie came up when she wasn't working, but she has her own vehicle and tent. Beth and Mark couldn't come, his mother (Alice) fell and broke her ankle and had to have surgery on it so they had to stay and take care of her. So we are hoping that all will be up there next year! Rick, James and Kip McCormick came up one day, as did John and Linda McCormick. Rick came up one other day also. It was wonderful having some of the extended family up there! Every year we take a picture, in this one of course, Katie was missing and we could have had the valley McCormick's in it too.

Every year my feelings become stronger, as the day comes for everyone to leave, we are left behind and it becomes harder every year to see them all leave. Even though we (for the most part) all live close - this annual event has become to dear to me, and the years have flown by with this being about our 15th year of doing this. I know that the next 15 years will find Tom and I much older! I also know how short these years can be, and it makes me sad. It's something I would like to spend eternity doing, all my family, together, in this small forest park, playing, eating, laughing, napping and just enjoying each other.

As we sit over here in Del Norte, I enjoy spending time with my cousin - I also was always able to spend days with my aunt, but she died this past winter. Her husband is here, and we get to see him. What a nice family they are also. I am very much at home in Del Norte, is it because this is where I was raised, my grandparents lived here, my great-grandparents homesteaded here, or is it deeper? I just feel like this is where I should be. My poor husband doesn't share these feeling of love for this community!

So until next time...