Checkin' in . . . again
Good morning! I hope you're all doing well and healthy. Just thought I'd see what everyone has been up to. My road trip to Colorado was great. I got to spend time with our son, Steve, and my sisters and brother. Steve drove up to Colorado Springs from Phoenix and couldn't get over how "cool" it was there. If memory serves me correct, they've had a string of record setting 100 degree days. It has been very dry in Colorado this summer and there was quite a bit of smoke in the air from forest fires.
We got to do some hiking and camping, which was a sober reminder to me that I'm not 18-years old anymore. It took me several days to acclimate to the altitude. My brother, who is 62-years old, is an avid mountain climber, runner, and biker. He's like a mountain goat! I had to remind him on several occasions that I'm a flat lander and 10 years his senior. Despite him running my little old legs into the ground, we had a great time. When I left, I had pretty much made up my mind that I was going to drive straight through. ( I stopped in North Platte, NE on the way out, which was almost 800 miles.) Sixteen hours and 1,081 miles later I arrived home safely. I only stopped for gas and to use the restroom. As of this writing, my posterior hasn't yet fully recovered.
My next trip is to Indiana in 2 weeks for our 53rd boot camp reunion. We normally have it in June, but had to cancel it because of COVID-19. After that, I'm off to Fort Wayne, IN the second weekend of October to spend some time with some of my Marine Corps buddies.
I don't know about any of you, but I've been struggling with all that's going on in our country right now. Sometimes it seems as if we've gone mad. I've quite watching the news because it's too depressing. Fortunately, I attend a Veterans Support Group every couple of weeks, which has been very helpful. When I start feeling down, my thoughts always go back to LZ Margo and how blessed I am. Despite all the craziness, I'm alive and well.
Again, I hope you're all doing well. You're in my thoughts and prayers. Have an awesome day and God Bless. Semper Fi
Steve
Likewise I'm sorry to hear 'bout the puppies. They are real part of your family. So the loss is intense. Knowing they're sick and getting the chance to say goodbye is most helpful. 'Bout fifteen (15) years ago a friend with a Golden Retriever who would jump all over me when I visited called and told me to come over and say goodbye to him, he was making his final trip to the Vet the next day. I went over, sat on the couch and he looked @ me, slowly trudged over, put his front paws on my knees and brought his head close. I looked down and he gave me a kiss, then went back to his bed. He died after everyone went to bed that night; never made it to the Vet. I cried. Such a sweet fella. Really smart too.
On a positive note, hope it's positive @ least, how is that little one who was sick two (2) years ago? I never heard so she's still in my prayers.
Semper Fidelis!!!