Now that daylight saving time is here I am almost asleep at this computer. Dawn in the desert brings an alertness to silence and the gradual awakening of a bird, or a dog, or distant cows in their corral. The red rock crevises and shadows fall away gradually to growing lighted clouds and individual sun rays that shoot across the valley. More green on the mesquite trees, some budding under dry leaves of last years lantana, and yellow buds force their way atop leaning cactus. Utah agave and mormon tea appear to have survived again.
We plant less these days and Ed has become the major gardner, overviewing the drip system, the plants that have wintered over under the garage window and those that must be replaced outside. A cold, cold winter was 2012. For the state as an entirety and don"t mistake this as a complaint. Water reservoirs need what little moisture this cold and dry snow has given. Snowplows, snow blowers, shoveling and spreading salt and sand were a major factor in our move south. Some visitors came over the last two weeks to get respit from the clogged northern Utah air and repeated snowstorms. Brother Gary and his wife Julie, and following them, daughter Pat, granddaughter Lisa and great grandchildren Jude and Leland Forester. Jude is a thriving running young man who can be both a challenge and a joy. His little brother, all smiles and chuckles, is content and quiet. We found a grand play ground over on Dixie Drive. Whoever planned the site for children must have brilliantly noted the fire station directly across the road. It may have been wash day for the fire trucks that pulled in and out of that station all shiny and bright. A great safety factor for climbing kids and a major attraction for them to watch. So much fun for us all.
Sometimes the mailbox nearby makes up somewhat for the lonesome aches that begin as I watch their cars pull away and hear the gravel crunch as they back away from the house. Today was a marvelous surprise. Among the huge, normal amount of travel brochures and envelopes was a very large manila folder addressed to me. Not a free lunch offer for attending and investment seminar as I first thought, but a pulitzer prize winning story from a new writer, undoubtedly talented, imaginative and bright. Ava, Ava, Ava. Her first production at age 8. The Girl Who Loved Music , illustrated and also
written by her for me, and "she hopes I like her story. " Like it? I treasure it! Her story has a plot, a protagonist, action, emotion and a conflict resolution. The happy ending while a fantasy reflects every young performers wish for stardome. Not at all bad for budding author.
We have four great grandsons, Slade, Cruse, Jude and Leland. Ava is (to this point) the only girl and she also helps guide and play with the boys. She is incredibly talented and I am so proud of her. One can only hope that these years for us will be filled with all that these youngsters can produce. The boys chase geccos and bunnies when they are around the desert. We are thinking a miniature horseshoe pit and over to the Sand Hollow pool as they visit again. They keep everyone of us on their toes and their knowledge of computers, phones and ipads amazes us. Getting older is a gift that keeps on giving.
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