Rowing in Central Park

For 12 dollars an hour you can rent a rowboat on one of the lakes in Central Park. After three days of trying to get there, the Cutler Family finally "gave it a go".

Rachel is a natural born rower/wave maker, surprisingly strong, yet with a tendency to veer a little off kilter.

Many years of cardboard boat racing on Tempe Town Lake, trying to lead his troop to a win and not sink too soon, has made David an expert rower!

.

Allison and Ian were very very busy somewhere far off
in the Bronx.

Daniel didn't show up, we guessed he was too busy with his
friends.

.

Keith somehow had a knack for "rocking the boat".

I seemed to do best when just hanging on trying not to get
capsized into the murky water.

Does any of this sound familiar? metaphorically speaking
perhaps?

After a while, Keith and I convinced them to let us out onto a nearby rock. We then enjoyed watching them go it alone, and try to row at the same time, thus seeing them paddle in circles!

That is them in the top photo, in the blue and purple clothes, as seen from our distant viewpoint. They didn't paddle in circles. They actually did very well, maybe even better, without us in the boat.

It was just about perfect

in New York
City.

Politcal video

I am so glad the theme of conference was, for me at least, "Hope in Perilous Times", 'cause this stuff really scares me.
Click on this link and view the video.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1815825713/bctid1819819843


We really have to stand up and protect the family! It is in real danger. Voting in AZ and California is happening this election. This video adresses that issue and uses experience of just one family in Massachusetts.

"only" 102 degrees

Okay so it is "only" 102 degrees outside. There is no such thing as only 102 degrees!
It is hot no matter how you figure it!!
I am in serious need of fall weather! It has always been my favorite season and there is none of it here in this,this,-- DESERT!

I have been running Mom to her Doctors appointments and lab tests and flu shots and pharmacy runs and Ensure buying and fast food drive thru and etc. to get her ready for me to be gone to New York City, and I just come home fom them all sweaty and irritable, and, and, and, Arghhh!

I hear New York is 70 degrees and has leaves of all different colors.

Allison had lunch outside! (imagine being able to do that!) under one of those trees!
I really miss the Rocky Moutains.

The following photos were not taken here.

Here I come Allison!
See you in Philly tomorrow! Oh, and I am bringing a few family members with me too.

More Trains

Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time
running around shouting that he’s been robbed.

The fact is that most putts don’t drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise.

Life is like an old time rail journey…delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed.

The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.

Jenkins Lloyd Jones

I Love Conference.

I wanted Conference to go on and on and on.

Hope in perilous times!

Were you all crying with the story of the little boy gathering the cows on"Ol'Banner"?
Every one of the messages, really every one, was good-great.
You can see the change in President Monson, I think, as the mantle of the Prophet settles on his shoulders.
He is - yup, I have to say it- awesome.
(I also loved the show on him that was just after conference. I hope some of you got to see that too.)

An End in Site?

We did not have to run the AC all night last night!
I know, but I can't sleep and scream into my pillow if it is sweaty.
It stayed below 80 degrees! I even sat outside this morning to study and opened all the doors and windows. Fresh air is a beautiful thing.
The relentless heat is diminishing!
maybe.
The light at the end of the tunnel could be the headlight of an oncoming train.

Robin in the Desert

Robin Kendall, my dear friend from Colorado, came to visit for a couple of days. (We claim sisterhood) Her family was with her too at first. She has two children on missions, Sister Jaimee Kendall, one of Allison's good friends, and Elder Devon Kendall. Two at the same time! Jared, a very tall quiet one, is at home in high school and learning to drive. Ted, her husband is good friend too, it was so good to see them! Dustin, her oldest son, served his mission here, Spanish speaking, and is a legend to this day.

We took a drive up the Apache Trail to a place called Tortilla Flat, an old stage stop where the pavement ends, with a populaton of 6. They have no phone service of any kind there. People find that totally astounding.