Friday, November 20, 2009

Clara's Birthday!

Clara turned 2 yesterday. I planned my business trip so I could return in time to celebrate her birthday with the family. It’s hard to believe how quickly time flies. So we ended up going to an indoor play structure and playing for almost 2 hours. Then, while at the restaurant waiting for our dinner, we went around the table and each said something about Clara that we appreciate. We ended up going around the table 2 or three times, and there were still lots of things we hadn’t said. It’s fun to spotlight a member of the family like that and reflect as a group on why that person is so special to us. We then came home for the cake & gifts ceremony.

Little girls are so fun to celebrate a birthday with. They are so IN-TO it. And Clara, she was so sweet, climbing on her new little tricycle. She’ll be riding that around the house for months. She also got a few clothes and special items. She was just so darned happy with the attention and gifts. It was a good day.

Arizona trip

I spent 4 days this week in Arizona on business. I spent most of the time in Phoenix, but also had to travel 200 miles northwest to the town of Kingman. I saw one very peculiar thing while driving back. 2 workers on the side of the highway actually hosing down a cactus. I don’t know if they were cleaning it, watering it or just giving it some good old-fashioned love and attention. What the devil were they doing? Hhhmm. I also noticed how many cacti were propped up by man-made supports (boards and such, kind of like how you might prop up a weakened plant in your yard). I was just surprised at how many of these I saw. I wonder if the cactus population is endangered, or that’s just typical to see cacti being held up by man-made structures.

Arizona has a very deserty landscape for sure. And I will admit, it was nice to get out of the Portland November rain for a few days, but returning home was so gratifying. This place I live, the Portland area, has its own unique, majestic power. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so I’m not going to make a statement on that. Everywhere is beautiful in its own way. But I sure am an Oregon boy!

While there, my rental car was a Chrysler 300 (touring edition). I was previously skeptical of the whole “hemi” marketing and all. So it had something to prove to me. But I tell you what, that car grew on me. By the end of the 4 days, I was sad to give it back. It could get up and move when & how I told it to. And on the long trip to Kingman, the cruise control was impressively accurate, even on hills. Summary, the 300 is a nice ride. I have become a convert.

On the return flight home, we flew directly over the Grand Canyon. It looks really cool from the air. I bet it is even more amazing from the ground. I hope to visit there with the family some day soon.