Thursday, 3. December 2009, 07:50:25
I left off in my previous post about the time I arrived in Arkansas. It was a long and interesting flight, so I was a bit surprised that the airlines had lost my luggage. Or left it resting in LA.
So, to continue... I had been picked up by my Uncle and we had a good catch up the night I arrived. It was late but sometimes, you just have to ignore the exhaustion and enjoy the company. The following morning I awoke to a very nice Southern Breakfast. Biscuits fresh out of the oven (scones for you people in the southern hemisphere) and hot sausage gravy (ok, white sauce for you southern hemisphere friends...). What a great way to be welcomed back.
We then proceeded to do little things around my Uncle's house until the time finally arrived to head to my mother's house. The hour and a half drive seemed to go on forever, both because of the last 36 hours on a plane and being uncomfortable, and the excitement of being home and seeing my mother. Keep in mind, she didn't know I was coming home, but was expecting my Uncle and Aunt to come for a Thanksgiving lunch. We were met by my mother at the carport door and my sister Sue at the front door. I stayed in the car and was surprised that my sister wouldn't wave at me. Apparently, the tinting on the windows was dark enough she couldn't see me inside the car waving at her. My Uncle and Aunt both went to the back of the Van to gather the food my Aunt had prepared, so I exited the van and both my sister and my mom came running out to the Van to greet me. After a few long hugs, and several loud screams, we moved inside and began exchanging numerous stories about the trip, the journey, what they had suspected, etc...
We had a great meal prepared by very experienced hands, and then began to sit around really catch up. We had several hours of laughter and sadly my Uncle and Aunt had to return back to thier home. After a short goodbye, we settled in for a great Thanksgiving. My mom contacted my daughters by cell phone and asked them to come out to see her today. She was met by some resistance, but was quite persistant. My oldest Daughter Louise was actually on her way back from Dallas with her boyfriend and was scheduled to eat Thanksgiving dinner with her mom at 7 PM. She told my mom that she wouldn't be able to leave till 8:30 or 9:00, but mom told her that it was ok, she would be up... Laura said she couldn't come out, since she had to get up early in the morning. Although mom tried to persuade her to come out, Laura said she couldn't.
What seemed like hours finally passed and we heard Louise in the driveway. I tried to act calm, but it was just an act. Louise came in and saw me sitting calmly (yeah, right) at the table, and froze for a short moment. Then we both went to the other, and the hug was amazing. Her boyfriend was told by someone at the table, that I am her dad. After a few tears together, we sat down together and had a great catch up. I met her boyfriend for the first time and Jason seemed like a nice young man and very respectful. I saw the love between them and I was proud.
Shortly after we sat down, we heard another car in the driveway, and I was surprised to see my next older daughter Laura and her husband (Chris) come in the door. They had decided that my mom had insisted enough, there had to be a good reason, and they had guessed that I was home. As they came in, I saw my granddaughter (Sarah, 5) for the first time. She didn't know who I was, but she is a very friendly little girl and within minutes, I was not only getting to know my granddaughter, but I was also witnessing for the first time, the maturity of Laura. She had matured from a rebelious young lady, to a very impressive mother of a very energetic young lady...
I also witnessed my son in law Chris and what a good father he is with Sarah. If I had been scheduled to leave the next day, it would have been worth the journey. It was awesome seeing the maturity and love in this family, the commitment of my daughters to thier partners, and seeing first hand that they are loved in return. I have been able to spend some time with Sarah, and although she likes to make rules for everything, we have had a couple very good wrestling matches and even an opportunity to see her at her gymnastics class.
On Friday after my Wednesday night arrival, my mother and I went to Carlisle Arkansas to see my Aunt's family that was celebrating Christmas after having a great Thanksgiving together on Thursday. I caught up with cousins that I hadn't seen in over 20 years, met family members and friends from everywhere. Unfortunately, it was too short, and we had to return after only a few hours... but it was good catching up with family even if only for a short time...
I have been able to catch up with a few others since I arrived home, but every minute away from my daughters and Sarah are painful. Sue (my sister) has tried to keep me busy while the others are not available and we have had a really good catch up as well. I haven't done any hunting, and probably won't since the great state of Arkansas wants $300 for a non resident hunting license. I have seen several deer, and have enjoyed a few rainy days since my arrival. We are having a big Family get together this Saturday with all my sisters and their families coming home except for my oldest sister who is living in Utah. I do suspect that she is going to surprise me as I have surprised my mom and daughters, but it is probably just wishing. My third daughter (Linda) doesn't think she will be able to attend, but it seems like everyone else will be here.
I will try to keep you informed, so we all hope you have a great Thanksgiving if you haven't already celebrated it, or that you did have a great Thanksgiving if you have already celebrated it. Merry Christmas to everyone and I hope you holiday is as happy and joyfull as mine....
David
Tuesday, 1. December 2009, 12:13:23
Let me begin, by saying hello to everyone that is taking the time to read this. After a lot of effort and planning, and a very unlikely quick sell of my house, I have purchased a plane ticket to the United States. It was very well done actually, in that only a very select few had any knowledge of my trip, or even the selling of my house. So the plan began:
I contacted my Uncle Thomas, who eagerly agreed to pick me up at the airport at 11:00 PM on Wednesday night, the day before Thanksgiving. He also contacted my mother to see what she had planned for Thanksgiving Day. Although she had told me that she would be going to her sister's house to spend Thanksgiving with them, and I had organized for my Uncle to take me there, she had decided not to go anywhere. So my Uncle suggested that since him and my Aunt were not going to spend Thanksgiving with anyone, they would drive down to my mother's house and have Thanksgiving lunch with my mom. So mom began to prepare the big turkey and dressing meal, not aware that I was coming home from New Zealand.
Well, as all plans go, there were several small snags in my plan. First, the plane leaving New Zealand at 6:30 AM didn't. In fact, after we all boarded the plane, there was a small electrical problem in the cockpit. Something about a light that wouldn't go out. This turned out to more likely be a problem with one of the engines. Do you have any idea how much insecurity is created by an announcement that they are having problems starting an engine on an aircraft that you have already boarded and are scheduled to fly on for the next 5 hours over an ocean? hummmmmmm
Finally after about 45 minutes, the crew had everything sorted (except my concern) and we departed. Luckily, we had a bit a layover in Melbourne Australia (about 5 hours) so there was very little concern about catching the next flight to Sydney. Well, after the delay in Melbourne, I was quite surprised to find out that the airlines would wait for 2 passengers to board. So, we left Melbourne about 20 minutes late as well, but that was ok as I really looked forward to this flight. I was the only one in the 4 seats in the middle of the plane, so I was really looking forward to laying down in the empty seats and catching up on my sleep. Did you know you could fly from Melbourne to Sydney in just 65 minutes??? The most comfortable flight of all my flights on this trip, and it was shorter than every flight. It was even shorter than any of my layovers.
After a very long 15 hour flight to LA, I welcomed the walk through customs and security. I also welcomed the chance to take off my boots and trade them in on the sneakers in one of my checked bags. Ahhh.... very nice indeed. So after a very quick trip through customs, and security, I departed for my connecting flight to Denver. No, that isn't a typo. I went from LA to Denver (on my way to Little Rock). I had a nice time in Denver, enjoying some of the more "American" meals while I waited for my next flight. Meals like, salsa and chips, popcorn, and nachos. It is hard to find good mexican food in New Zealand, pretty hard in Denver too as it turned out...
The trip ended in Little Rock, shortly after 11:30 PM, after yet another delay working on the plane. I was very relieved to see my Uncle and Aunt at the airport, and would have enjoyed seeing my luggage at some stage, but that had to wait... about 48 hours. Yep, they lost my luggage. Probably not "lost" so much, as resting in LA. I was quite surprised to find out it takes 40 hours to get the luggage from LA to Little Rock, but I guess it really wasn't a big priority.
I will try to catch up in the next few days, the events that followed beginning Thanksgiving Day.
Monday, 18. May 2009, 03:24:21
Last June I was invited to "give" someone a ride on my Harley. I jumped at the chance to give the lady a ride, whom I found out was 62 years old and always wanted to ride on a Harley. Neither her husband nor she actually rode motorcycles, but it has always been a dream even as a little girl. One of her sons contacted one of the motorcycle clubs that I belong too and asked if it could be arranged. She had been battling a medical problem and didn’t look to have much longer and that is how I was invited to participate.
Most of us jumped at the chance and it was decided that instead of riding on a Harley, riding in a pack of Harleys would be so much better. So we arranged for about 12 bikes to ride to her house and pick her up on Sunday for a short ride through town and out to a local area popular for bikers since the road out was so pleasant to ride. I probably should stop here and explain that when a biker refers to a road as a good ride, it usually means very few straight stretches and lots and lots of curves. This road was very popular and on even given Sunday where the weather is permitting, literally thousands of bikes go out and back…
I was at the local Harley Shop the Friday before the ride and was asked by one of the organizers of the ride if I was going to use the Harley Davidson Ultra Classic that I was drooling over for the ride that weekend. I hadn’t thought about it, but when it was suggested to the Harley Dealer, they gladly loaned it out for the weekend. It was a Pearl Black Harley Davidson Ultra Classic totally loaded. As you can see from the photos, a bike to really drool over. Rolling Thunder Motorcycles was glad to see it used for that purpose and were very generous in allowing it to go out…
So Sunday finally arrived and the group met at the designated spot for the ride to begin. We then proceeded over to her house, following her son that was leading in his car. We didn’t know where she lived, so when he pulled up in front of a house and parked, we all made a U-turn and parked on the opposite side of the street. Georgina’s sister was in on it and was keeping her busy on the phone while we all parked and removed helmets, gloves and jackets. Her husband was interrupting the phone conversation to get her to look out the window at all the Harleys parked on the street. As they were fussing over the beautiful bikes, her son went into the house and explained to his mother that the bikes were there to give her a ride. I think this may have been the first time her husband realized he was going to get a ride as well.
After several minutes of trying on different and various articles of clothing with tears of joy streaming down her face, we were finally ready to take her outside and let her choose which bike to ride on. Again, as you can see from the photos, she was very happy to sit on the Ultra Classic. After a few pictures for prosperity, we all climbed aboard and headed through town and out toward Akaroa. The ride out was very nice. The weather was very pleasant with the sun shining and the wind very calm and the traffic was very light as well. The ride progressed with laughter coming over my shoulder and tears of joy still visible in the mirror. We were about half way back in the pack so the rumble was everywhere. It wasn’t a deafening rumble, but more of a stand up and take notice rumble, the sound that only a Harley makes.
In one of the few straight stretches, the pace was pretty slow at about 100 k’s and hour (62 miles per hour) so I moved over on top of the center line and began to weave in and out around the dashed lines in the middle of the road. First, only a mild one or two swerves, but encouraged by laughter, we did this many times for as long as we could. I didn’t realize the husband on the bike behind us was not too comfortable with it, but Georgina loved it…
We arrived at our destination, only to be met by her family who had gathered and prepared a picnic lunch for us. All of us… Family, friends, bike riders and even a very nice desert after the meal. Most of us were eager to get back on the ride, since the day was so perfect for it and we eventually went over one of the passes and some of the summit road. But as you know, all good things must end and soon we found ourselves back at their house and reluctantly gathering up all the gear that had been loaned and hugs all around from a very gracious and appreciative woman.
As you can see from my pictures, my life isn't bound by my Harley Davidson Road King, but it certainly is made a lot more enjoyable from its use. It has even made a few other people’s lives more enjoyable. It was an honor to be involved and I wouldn’t even be able to begin to put a value on the experience. Not only hers, but being a part of her experience as well.
Unfortunately, Georgina passed on March 27, and my last visit to her house her husband showed me the photo board from her funeral. Beginning when she was a newborn, to the time she graduated and had her sons, down to the more recent days. The final picture on the board, brought a smile to my face that will be hard to erase. It was a picture of her, dressed in motorcycle gear, sitting on the Harley that Rolling Thunder had so graciously loaned us.
Friday, 20. February 2009, 05:24:41
I am on Facebook, and I have just been chatting to some of my friends from High School. They are planning the 30 year reunion. It just doesn’t seem that long ago. So, where did the time go? And how did we actually NOT stay in touch? With today’s technology, and all of our faster ways of getting things done, where did all the time go? We can do our banking in seconds (oopss, sorry for the break, I had to transfer so money), can call anywhere in the world on our computer, we can email instead of sitting down and writing a long letter, and wait for 7 days for it to get to where it is going and still, we just don’t have the time to stay in touch. Now with instant messages, that seem almost instant, we are too busy to even log on and see if anyone has “instantly” messaged us in the last few days…
This seems to be a great idea, meeting up with those you went to High School with but why does it take a 30 year reunion to make you feel justified in saying hello. There are even pictures posted, from the glory days of HS. Pictures from 30 years ago… where did they come from?
It definitely reminds one to look back at the photos and cherish the memories of those we loved (and hated) from that time. Memories are not on your hard drive, but in your heart and mind. I am beginning to feel the joy of being alive. Again…
Friday, 6. February 2009, 04:39:27
I was surfing the net last night and found some very interesting things. Not strange or weird, but really something that you can read and contemplate. So, when I found this one, I knew it was the one to post on my blog… so go on, finish what you started and be happy.
I am passing this on to you because it definitely worked for me
today, and we all could probably use more calm in our lives.
Some doctor on television this morning said that the way to achieve inner
peace is to finish all the things you have started. So I looked around
my house to see things I'd started and hadn't finished and, before
leaving the house this morning, I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a
bottle of shhhardonay, a bodle of Baileys, a butle of vocka, a pockage
of Prunglies, tha mainder of bot Prozic and Valum scriptins, the res of
the Chesescke an a box a chocolets. Yu haf no idr who gud I fel.
Peas sen dis orn to dem yu fee ar in ned ov inr pece.
Friday, 26. December 2008, 12:07:55
At Christmas you seem to get into the mentality of remembering all those people who have fallen in the last year. I just watched a link from TCM about the stars whose lights have dimmed this year from my sister's blog, and thanks to her post, I think of all the ordinary people that have passed without such a public tribute. Great people, who struggled without complaint and made sacrifices, but where is their tribute?
Who mourns for the departed soul of the man whose whole life was made up of giving to others? Not his $1million donation to help a foster home or an orphanage, but his lifetime of earnings given a little at a time to help those around him. And which is more generous, giving a million dollars to a charity and keeping 7 million, or giving $140 from an account, when there was only $155 in the account to begin with? Not saving the money and using what little is there to help others, is a pretty magnificent accomplishment in my opinion.
There are literally hundreds of thousands of those heroes throughout this great land. Men and women that have struggled to accomplish the everyday task of keeping the kids safe, and fed, through a very difficult economy and uncertain times. But is it harder now that it was 20 years ago? I think not. Life is more convenient and fast paced than before. Before, we had time to sit down and eat together. Very busy houses may have only had Sunday morning breakfast together, but most still had time and a reason to sit down during the evenings and have a meal. I can remember in our house, mother cooked, we all ate and then one or all of my sisters did the dishes. I remember how special we all felt when we actually installed our first dish washer.
But back to the man that did so much for us. He wasn’t always home in the evenings or even in the mornings when we got up, but he did work hard and kept the family fed (not the same as Jed Clampett). He also kept a roof over our head and a good house to live in. I don’t ever remember the electricity being turned off because he hadn’t paid the bill or anyone coming to the house to repossess anything.
I do remember numerous hunting trips, fishing trips and family camping trips. He wasn’t the greatest dad in the world, but I don’t really know of anyone better. He showed us he loved us by many things that he did. Work was his most obvious way. He was a provider, and he provided for us without thanks on so many occasions. He also showed us by supporting us in what we liked to do. My oldest sister (and she is really old) loves teaching music to her students and gets paid to do what she loves doing. He supported her in her learning, her music and a lot of her first experience was music that she heard him and a few others playing on their steel guitars. No, you haven’t heard any recordings of their works and there are no gold albums laying around with their names on them, they were just ordinary people that loved having a good time and couldn’t afford to go see the big names. Of course one reason they couldn’t afford it was the little rug rats (that means kids in case you don’t know the terminology) that were running around under foot and breaking things while the men tried to play their music.
I can also remember late night ping pong (table tennis) tournaments that were played for the championship of the world in our carport, with bugs attracted by the lights landing on the table and playing a shot off the wall just to keep everyone interested. And I remember basketball games that got called on the account of darkness instead of not starting because he was too tired or too busy. He was a hard working man that still had time to play basketball until dark when he was home. I can also remember the times we started to roof our own house, with the neighborhood boys standing by until dad decided it was too calm to work today, knowing the lake surface was smooth as glass and we couldn’t miss this great opportunity to do some skiing. Work called on account of “GOOD WEATHER”. I bet not many people can remember such a great reason for calling work off.
No, there were never parades in his honor or memorials on TV for him. He was a simple man with simple pleasures. He believed in being faithful to his wife and honoring the vows he took many years ago. He wasn’t always easy to understand, or to get along with, but I believe that he tried to be fair in everything he did and in every deal that he was involved in. I never heard him lie and doubt anyone else did either. I miss hearing him play the piano, not a composer of accomplished musician, but a man that loved music and tried to learn what he could. I remember watching cartoons as a kid and seeing him reading an encyclopedia. Not because we didn’t have other books, but simply because he liked to feed himself knowledge instead of trash.
I still remember his love for Paul Marriott (I think that is spelt right) and the songs, “If You Leave Me Now” and “New Kid in Town” by Chicago (I think). I remember his stern hand when I smarted off to him, or cutting a peach limb when I had done wrong. I also remember ….
NO, I will leave those for me. Memories that rush in like a flood after a heavy rain when I simply stop long enough and remember anything about him. This is not a national tribute, or a broadcasted memorial, only a son remembering…
I love you dad, and you are missed.
Thursday, 25. December 2008, 09:16:44
Well, it is almost 2200 hours (10:00 pm) on Christmas Day and it has been a very unique day. I am still waiting for my divorce to be final, should happen in the next 10 to 15 days. But it was today, 7 years ago that I married a kiwi girl (yes, on Christmas Day) and that has been shredded and destroyed for two years. A weird law I think, you can get married in a couple days, but to be divorced, you have to live apart and seperate for two years. Then, if both agree, you can file for divorce and it will be over in another month. Basically, that is 25 months to get divorced if both agree. In my case, she filed without my consent so it takes the two years, then you have to serve papers on the other person, which could take as long as you want. My consent would have meant simply calling me and getting me to sign the papers as well.
I think she decided to file about 2 months later than she could have, which I took as a bit of a compliment since she wasn't in an outrageous hurry to file. But was suprised that she didn't want to get my signature, so she filed singly. This required an additional three weeks from the day I was served with papers. Then the month begins, so it takes a tad longer, to get to the same ending. It should be noted that while you are living apart and as a single person, you are independantly free to do what you want. Date, money, etc... so you are truly seperated.
Anyway, not sure why I went that way, but the weather here today was a bit gray. Clouded up late yesterday evening, and the southerly hit causing the temperature to drop. Yes, southerly is cold here, in the southern hemishpere. It was pretty cool, with a bit of rain later in the morning and cleared off pretty well later in the day. I did a lot of gardening, and for those that don't know me, well, that is not something that I do regularly. I weeded one of the greenhouses and watered the cucumbers and lettuces while I finished bagging the kindling from the tree that I had cut down. I also took the time and effort to move the rest of the bigger limbs that had been cut into firewood and stacked by the drive by the fence.
There were no Christmas Trees, no lights or ornaments, no presents to deal with today. I just enjoyed sleeping in, hearing the neighbor girls playing and laughing outside and getting up when I wanted and doing whatever I felt like doing. It is a bit sad when you are this far away from home and family, having a holiday that has been centered around family in the past. But here it is, after 10 now, and I have survived. Miss my girls, miss my sisters and I miss my mom. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a great New Year.
Sunday, 14. December 2008, 10:07:19
I have BegunWell, I have read another informative post from my oldest sister and it made me realize two things. First, this only works if you do a blog. Second, it was definately time to do a blog. This caused a few problems for me, since I didn't have a clue where to begin. So here it is, the first Entry.As a trips coordinator for a local dive club, I have had a few very nice opportunities to get out and do some diving in spots that I had heard about from other divers. This has been great and I have developed my skills at catching spiney rock lobsters (we call them crays here). Some of the photos I will try to attach are photos of Dive Club Trips around the area and some of the catches for the day.
As you could probably tell from my profile, I am an American and have been living in New Zealand for the last 7 years. I enjoy the easy access and great accessibility of the outdoors here. From great walking tracks that have been so well developed that some even have wheelchair access, to beaches that are only minutes from where I live, the outdoors here is very inviting. I must warn however, that the seasons here change very rapidly and a short outing can turn into a serious misadventure in literally minutes. This became very obvious while I was on the Search and Rescue Team for the NZ Red Cross.
WIDGETIZE