Saint David Arizona, Sunday, January 11, 2004.
Holidays, 2003
Christmas 2003 was celebrated by our usual Christmas Eve dinner and gift exchange with family and friends. Among this years celebrants were: Ken’s sister Barbara who is visiting from Joa Passao Brazil; Ken’s brother, Don and wife Linda, their son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Jeanne and their daughter, Katie from Arizona; a cousin` Richard and his wife Wanda from Santa Clara; my nephew, John Baum, his wife Alice and daughter, Stephanie; our good friends and extended family members, Phil and Sheri. Our dearest daughter, Terri, our very special son, Gary, his sweet wife and our daughter-in-law, Marci, their children and our favorite grandchildren, Lauren and Sean, completed our two-table ensemble of twenty. While Ken and I, as host and hostess cannot speak to the merits of the parties success or failure, for us, it was a rare and especially happy time. We wished that all of our special family and friends near and far could have joined us but for the blessings of those that were here, we were especially grateful.
After a dinner served by and assisted in by all the esteemed guests, gifts were presented to the younger members of the assembled party and a version of generic gift exchange was observed for the adults. After an enjoyable and active session of barter and exchange Cousin Richard brought out the guitar and the group participated in a medley of Christmas carols that sometimes got “off key” but, nevertheless, enthusiastically rendered. Daughter Terri observed that we were evidence as to why there are no members of the Burns family acclaimed for their singing ability. Her observations notwithstanding, we all joined in and no one had to be embarrassed because they did not have the voice of a professional. Our memories of this wonderful celebration will remain with us always.
Christmas day was spent reviewing old photos and movies, visiting and, in short, relaxing after the festivities of the night before. Friday was a “clean up” and “reboot” day and on Saturday, we hosted a brunch for the California Gray (Ken’s mother’s side of the family) cousins who were available. As always, it was a wonderful day of visiting, relaxing and, for those who remembered and enjoy an old Gray tradition, old-fashioned sour dough buckwheat pancakes were the “featured” entrée. Mind you, as one whose taste buds have never fully acclimated to this particular dish, other options were provided though I am not sure that I was completely successful in providing the appropriate “fare” for a true brunch. However, I thought that the holiday feasting had probably left most of us suffering from “caloric intake” and adjusted my menu accordingly.
On Monday, the 29th, we packed up the RV and made our way to Desert Hot Springs where the “siblings” enjoyed visiting their childhood roots, and touring the old haunts of their youth. They visited the Palm Desert Historical Society and shared with the historians their memories of the desert of the 40’s and 50’s when the valley consisted mostly of cactus, jack rabbits, coyotes, lizards (also known as chuckwallas),sand and solitude. Ken’s family moved to the Palm Desert area in the mid 1940’s and spent their winters there until the late 70’s when they sold their last desert property and became full time Arizonians.
We saw the New Year in with our good friends, Ken and Marian Herbert and enjoyed the music and singing accomplishments of a fellow RV’er who entertained us with his renditions of many of the “oldies but goodies”.
On Saturday, January 3, we departed Desert Hot Springs, said goodbye to Don and Linda, who had to return to their structured and “employed” way of life and traveled with Barbara to Emerald Cove on the Colorado River. There, we spent three days enjoying the quiet solitude of that river oasis. Ken and Barbara visited Lake Havasu and attended the movie “LORD OF THE RINGS” (Part 3) while I relaxed and enjoyed the river view. I was barely able to stay awake through part 1 and didn’t through part 2 so I didn’t feel I was ready to endure yet another experience. Both Ken and Barbara returned to the RV excited about the presentation and acclaiming its virtue as worthy of ones viewing pleasure. Barbara did admit that there were a lot of battles contained in the presentation and that tends to dissuade my viewing interest.
On Wednesday we moved on into Phoenix and enjoyed the evening with Mike, Jeanne and Katie. The next morning, we drove to Tucson and spent two days touring the Tucson area with a stop off at the ruins at Casa Grande National Monument at Coolidge Arizona and touring Saguaro National Park, the desert museum and downtown Tucson. On Saturday, Barbara visited a former Brazilian missionary and long time friend in Tucson while Ken and I shopped and ran some errands. We arrived here at Saint David, located near Benson Arizona, late yesterday but early enough to enjoy a steak dinner with entertainment provided by a local “cowboy” with an 18-string guitar. What he may have lacked in prime time talent, he made up for in his enthusiasm and knowledge of the songs and their history.
Sunday, January 11th, we awakened to the sounds of raindrops on the roof and the day has been overcast with sprinkles on and off throughout the day. Ken and Barbara are off to Tombstone to tour the sights, relive the “gunfight at Okay Carrole” and will undoubtedly complete their oversight with a visit to Boot Hill. I have been there, done that and I am perfectly content to ramble on via this resource and let them do their thing.
Our best to all of you and drop me a note as your time permits. Happy New Year.
