Whirlwind Trip and Home

1.  We do love road trips.  Last weekend, we drove to Arizona.  A trip to Phoenix from coastal California takes us from Santa Monica Mountains into metro Los Angeles, past the San Gabriel Mountains, through the Coachella Valley (Palm Springs) and then into the Arizona desert.  That's a whole lot of climate changes in one day.  We passed peaks with a little bit of snow still on them.

 We blew past the acres and acres of wind mill farms.  Then we whizzed into sand and cactus country.

One small bonus was the spring flowers blooming along the highway.  One doesn't usually connect flowers with desert, but even a tiny amount of rain will cause the desert flowers to bloom.

2.  The main reason we drove a total of fourteen hours on California and Arizona highways was to spend a couple of days with The New Boy.  His mama was busy being a bridesmaid in a wedding so we took charge of The New Boy's entertainment.  It turned out that we spent most of our time in parks, playing.  This was his request.  We also went for a swim.  At least, HE went for the swim.  We watched.  The water was NOT WARM.  Arizonans don't heat their pools in the winter or spring.  It was lovely to have that time making memories with him.  And his mama.

Here he is making his fierce face and posing with his favorite drink, Starbuck's ice water and the paper sword with which he defended his territory.

3.  Also, our oldest, Son #1 and his wife live in Phoenix so we shared many hours with them.  When you don't live near your family, you treasure every moment.

4.  The Professor and I are good road trip buddies.  He loves to drive.  And he's a good driver.  Usually, I sprawl sit in the passenger seat and read or knit.  Once in a while, we'll talk, but mostly, we're quiet.  I'm thankful we are congenial companions.

5.  I have begun meeting again with my artist friends group.  We are reading through the book A Million Little Ways by Emily P. Freeman.  I've barely begun reading, but I think it's going to be a favorite.

I'm keeping up with my Lent gratitude journal.  Three simple sentences each evening which sum up my thankful heart.  I'm thankful too for Susanne's faithfulness in leading us in Friday Fave Fives.

Deep breath.  It's Friday.  I'm ready for the weekend.  My plans are simple--just being home to do the usual weekend stuff.  I'm looking forward to it.  What are your plans?