Moved up to flow with "Grandpa Is An Eagle".

So, it's Sunday, and a granny's thoughts lightly turn to dealing with the now and the hereafter. The following is from a thread I started on another forum, which may lose some/all of its contributions soon, so I determined that 'now' is a good time to save some of what I like to my blog. I do hope that enough people read this to bring about their comments on my viewpoints, and to express what they are experiencing.


LIVING IN THE LIGHT
Copyright
9/05

We've all read and talked a lot about the transition from this earthly life into another spiritual one--we sometimes refer to it as 'going into the light'.

I've been involved in some discussion the past few days, which I've come to think is about 'Living In the Light'. First a bit of background about where I am coming from on this.

I was always big into life on another plane--in my young years I bought deeply into 'heaven', 'limbo', 'purgatory' and 'hell' (is my Catholic up-bringing showing?) As I grew to a more sentient being, I started giving up the ingrained biblical and Catholic teachings, probably because I wanted to be 'shown' not 'told' what spiritualism and life hereafter might be. My family was large, and they have died, one by one, through the years, each with the promise that they would come back to 'show' what we survivors should expect. So far, their secret remains with Houdini.

Now, at 69, I find I am moving even farther away from a 'life hereafter', and more to the fact that we just shed these mortal bodies and slip back into the ALL that is neither spiritual nor physical, but just IS. Regrettably it is not a place where we will be united with those who have gone before--in any physical or mental manner. Nor will we even 'remember' anything of this life. All the more reason to suck up every precious moment we have with each other 'now'. I see more proof of that than any other explanation of 'going into the light', that has ever been presented to me, simply because anyone/thing that really knows by experiencing our ultimate end, has never breached the divide.

That is the basis for my thoughts. I know everyone does not agree, but that's OK---it is one of my ways of 'Living In The Light'.

I've written elsewhere that I am very emotionally involved with the problems and care of the growing numbers of aged in our society. It's not just because I am 69--because I have always been the glue to keep family and friends connected and aware of what is happening in our lives. I'm just that way. In the past 10 years or so, my emphasis has been on the disturbing problems that dementia, fixed incomes, depression, and just plain lonesomeness turn up between the aging and aged, and their children who are also caring for the grandchildren.

It's not new---it has always been there, but there is just more of it--and it appears to me that in a growing number of cases, our ways of handling it--our ability to cope--has taken a turn more toward setting grandma/pa out on the ice - finding relief in their deaths, rather than holding precious the time we have with the person who put up with our dirty diapers, our tantrums, our selfish whining, on our way to our transition to adulthood. Why can we not use the moments (and that is all there are) we have left to 'living in the light', for none of us know the time of our ultimate destinies?

I'm not suggesting that it is wrong to use nursing homes, or hospices on the occasions where our own health or financial circumstances prevents personal care. I'm just saying that we can always afford to give our needy ones love, dignity for the years they gave more than they received, and some dedication to the time which they so dearly seek, on their way to whatever awaits us all.

If we do not do the things we consider 'hard' for our loved ones--those things that may interfere with our daily routine--even for the short haul that we can--what can we expect when our time comes? Will we sit in a chair, letting the phone ring in a household that will never answer our call, thinking about what we 'should' have done? Will we mourn our chance of Living In The Light, while we contemplate if there IS, indeed, a Light to go to at the end of our narrowing tunnel?


There then was quite a bit of discussion about how a family's life can be ruined by the care of an elderly member, because of dementia, Alzheimers, and other factors--but mostly those dealing with mental deficiencies. The following are snips from some of my responses to those very credible discussions.

I agree with you, my friend--people can get very obnoxious in their senility. My mother was runover roughshod by her 2nd husband, and as she got older, sicker, he did everything in his power to keep her family from her. He was a horrible example of inhumanity. We found out his first wife suffered even more, because there was no one to protect her. However, I never gave up the fight to stay close to, help and love my mother. I am forever grateful that I 'Lived In The Light' with her. It was hard, but necessary for me to have that memory.

I had an aunt pass away with extended personality disorders, ending in dementia--after 50 YEARS of unhappiness, at the age of 70.

Then there was my aunt who lived with me, (sisters) with the same problems. She stayed here for 6 years before my husband and I turned up with heart problems and had to put her in a nursing home. It was a great place (Boulder City Hospital, long term care unit, for those who might have a need--I highly recommend it) and I visited her often and brought goodies for all those old folks, especially those who never had a visitor. She passed away in her sleep a year and a half ago.

In January of this year, my uncle (their brother) passed away with some blood disorder--but he too had ever increasing dementia for the previous 6 years. He leaves his wife, 85--who knows you when she sees you, but forgets you were there, or what was said 5 minutes after you are out of sight. She is worse every week, luckily my cousin is a doctor and she is still at his home.

So, there is a distinct history of experience in my lifetime with dementia. I am not anywhere near a professional in the field, I only know that I kept them happy with goodies, visits, hugs and old family stories, which they seemed to remember once they get into memory lane. So far, they have passed on from heart disease before they are totally incapacitated with dementia.

It is hard watching them disintegrate; near the end my mother thought I was HER mother, and didn't always recognize me. But I still got on the plane every month and went to PA to spend a week with her (monster wouldn't let me take her here).

You know there was a story I heard about an old fellow who was rushing through some haircut, or whatever, and said he had to go see his wife. When asked if they were going out, he said, no--that he visited her every day for lunch in the nursing home, she had Alzheimers. He further said that she was in the final stages and didn't know anybody.

"Then why do you go, if she can't remember you?" he was asked.

"Ahhh, but 'I' remember HER," he replied.

Brings tears to my eyes every time I remember that story.

Quotes:
"To live life distraught with worry, sleepless, terrified, because you are it, the main and possibly only caregiver in a relative's life?"

"I fully expect to go to a home."

my words

It is not the plan to be the main and only caregiver in anyone's life to the point of being worried sick with the burden. We live in times where there is excellent help both to your home or places of professional care which can ease the way somewhat. They can't get rid of all the sorrow of seeing your loved one in such dire straits, but they can help with the physical burden, allowing you to give more of your energies to the emotional, supportive work.

Living in the Light is about being together, touching; communicating; saying all the things that need to be said, doing all the loving that needs to be given, and washing away all the bad feelings of the past, 'before' we are separated forever by the big divide. That to me, would make it easier for the loved one to 'let go', and a greater comfort for the partner In The Light, so that there would be no sleepless nights of "I wish".

It is more about partnering through the process, rather than the actual physical care. It is about being strong enough to stay the course through moments and sights that are emotionally and physically upsetting to you--never taking the easier way and just staying away from those times. I really don't think there is a lesson to be learned by just 'walking away' when you cannot do anything physically, or emotionally. We gain strength and courage by sticking in there, even though it hurts. Of course, IMO.

I agree with some of you in this, though-- I don't ever want to be seen as a 'burden' to my family. However, I also do not want to be tucked away into some home, just because I am older. Not that I would mind a home--I've already told them just to make sure I have a computer, plenty of books, and lots of playing cards, since my eyes are not good enough for needlework anymore. And I darn well better see one of them walking through the door with my Sunday Pasta Dish at least every week! lol

However, my real plan, with any luck, will be to remain and die in my home. With my family history, it will probably be the ticker that stops, and after a certain age (210) heheheh, I don't want any tubes and drugs getting in the way of my peaceful exit -stage right.

I sure would like a few moments time for us all to be together, though--just one more time, and then the kiss goodbye. Lights Out.


Life is a ball.....
Dance or be a wallflower!

More about the Living In the Light discussion:

In the end, sort of, --after a comment that we shouldn't be discussing 'now', but time 'is' (more about what 'is' is, ) I shared this concept of the NOW of Living in the Light:

(Quote Comment)
"I understand that what I am experiencing "now" is all that is true. What happened before is nonexistant and what happens next is nonexistant."

(My Response)
Well, my friend--here is what IS, (IMO).

SIXTY-NINERS OF NEVADA follows in the next posting, complete with photos of some of our adventures. A time when we were true PARTNERS LIVING IN THE LIGHT
<

Life is a ball.
Dance or be a wallflower!

DAY ONE
We're Off!
(In more ways than one...)

It was what Rich wanted for his 69th birthday--a trip to test his staying power and driving skills after his two years of heart attacks and procedures. For quite a while he didn't want to go anywhere, do anything that would take him away from the doctors, but in the past six months, he has been working on strengthening himself both physically and mentally, and now he was 'ready'. Me? I have ALWAYS trusted him and I was more than happy to put my 69 years in his hands.

We spent a couple of days planning on what to bring with us, packing & shopping for 'goodies', and carefully filling our couple of bags with both warm and cold weather clothing. It was still 'summer' in Las Vegas, though not those killing triple digits, but we'd be going uphill to about 6000 feet and we knew that would be 'chilly' to say the least. Rich checked the car vitals and filled the tank---at $2.799 a gallon--the going price here then.

Finally, about 7:00 on the morning of October 7, 2005 (for the record) we stowed the gear and headed out. Of course, our first stop was about a mile away at Einsteins for a Bagle & Schmear, and decaf. Yes, I know--our lives have a lot to do with eating, and you'll hear more of it later on! However, Einsteins has the ultimate in Bagle service, both quality and pricewise. We didn't want to pass that up for who knows what on the lonely highways we would be taking. In case your're interested, I chose the Everything Bagle and Rich had the Pumpernickle--both extra toasted. Yummy!

Breakfast over, we threaded our way through early morning traffic near the strip, and finally turned off on to US 93, heading north. Our ultimate destination for the day was Ely, NV, where I had made reservations for the night at the historic Hotel Nevada. We'd stayed at Best Western and Motel 6 in Ely many times, but I'd always had my eye on the rustic old hotel, and I thought this was as good a time as any to have that adventure.

After you turn off the divided highway outside of Vegas, you find yourself on a two lane road--of excellent quality and very easy driving because it is a lonely road, not traveled much. After a hundred miles or so, you come to the town of Alamo. Alamo sits at the top of a hill and it is the first 'pit stop' for taking on gas and getting rid of the gas caused by the bagels. Seemingly in the middle of nowhere, you find a place that offers clean facilities, a deli, a small eating place, a pizza/fried chicken facility, a grocery/sundry store for the locals (wherever they are hiding) and the usual 7-11 type drinks and snacks. Rich decided to gas up a bit there---the price was $2.69. Wheeee, I thought, gas is going to be cheaper up north! Dum de dumm dummy.

A bit up the road, after leaving Alamo, we took the turn-off to The Extra Terrestrial Highway heading out to Rachel, NV--our first stop on the trek of the sixty-niners. Have you heard about Rachel? Does the fact that it is on The Extra Terrestrial Highway mean anything to you? Be prepared.

After another 60 miles or so, through beautiful winding hills that rose to 3000 feet, enclosed by six to seven thousand foot mountains, dipping around and down into valleys and back up again (this was our first time through this area--breathtakingly beautiful!) we leveled off on a bit of a plateau and ahead of us we could see in the near distance, framed against the blue sky,



Rich reached over and grabbed my knee and said, "Prepare for landing, tighten seatbelt, secure all 'stuff'." We were excited!

When we finally pulled off the road onto a rough gravel 'parking' area, we just had to stop and take some pictures of this:



Notice the feeling of emptiness, the mountains interspersed with flat 'landing areas' in the background. No wonder they get so many "visiters", hmmmmm?

We decided to forego our lunch goodies in the cooler and stop in there for lunch. They advertise their Aleinn Burger all over the state--and as long as they cooked the alien well, so we wouldn't get any strange diseases, we were game. (Well, not REAL game, I hoped. Didn't want the next delicacy to be 69er hot dogs.)

We walked up a ramp and through the door of The Little Aleinn, and believe it or not it had customers. I think they were humans but those aliens are tricky, you know?

As usual, Rich & I made straight for the restrooms---yes, they had them, aliens must have bodily plumbing, too. See how much you learn on an adventure!

When we came out and took a seat at one of the 6 tables (the bar sat 8) a friendly middleaged lady wearing an apron over her jeans and t-shirt came around and slapped down a bill of fare in front of us. Sure enough, the Aleinn Burger was front and center, but I was feeling 'soupish' and asked what the soup was. "Beef vegetable," was the answer. Sounded good to me, so I got that and a hot dog. Rich opted for the burger.

While the waitress took the order back to another middleaged gal in the kitchen (which you could see through the large doorway), the guys at the bar finished their lunch and left. Rich & I had been looking around the place, and he thought it was a good opportunity to take some pictures, which he did. The following is the bar--notice all the pictures, etc. There is even a place where all the foreign money of the worlds that have been used to pay there are framed. I didn't have time to look for Mars Money.



You know how at times something is right in front of your eyes, but you don't register it? I was sitting, looking around the room, and noticing more (mostly senior) couples who dropped in to look around the gift shop and have lunch, when I looked right to the left of my chair. I almost jumped a foot, and Rich roared with laughter when I saw this!:



I just had composed myself when 'lunch' arrived. What can I say? Aliens on deserted highways don't cook any better than any other tourist trap. Rich's 'burger' had been pre-cooked and came on an untoasted, imitation of 1/2 a hoagy bun--which was cold, just the burger, no lettuce etc. There was a catsup & mustard squeeze bottle on the table, though. $4.50 with a pack of chips. His 'decaf' was a cup of hot water and a pkg of sanka. I guess all the travelers out that thar way drink the reeeeaaaal thing.

My soup was.....interesting. I think it was made the day before, or week before. It was beef broth, the vegetable was a couple of pieces of carrots, a lump of potato and some strands of chopped cabbage. They must have beat the cow through the broth with a whip, because it left a couple of whispy strands of its hide in the 'broth'.

My 'hot' dog, was not. There is NOTHING that irritates me more than when a place lists, 'hot' dog, 'hot' beef/turkey, 'hot' soup and it isn't HOT! Sigh. Well, my diet pepsi turned out just right. I always order it with lots of ice and lemon. They didn't have lemon, but she brought a can of diet and a glass full of ice---mix your own, get it right, eh?

So, we ate, chatted with the folks, looked over the 2nd hand books they gathered to sell to seniors for $.25-.50 (all dust covered) and hit the restrooms one more time before we left. It was worth the botched lunch---the adventure and finally seeing Little Aleinn, the only time in our 28 years in NV! I don't regret a minute of it.

I notice that the pictures are making this a long loading time, so I'm going to split it up into more segments.


Life is a ball.....
Dance or be a wallflower!

DAY ONE
A Night In Ely, NV Out on the road again after leaving Rachel, NV, we drove until we met and took the Route 6 N interchange to Ely, NV. The ride was pleasant and beautiful. Soon we were looking at the familiar outskirts of Ely and drove on into town, then into downtown and checked in at the Hotel Nevada--our lodgings for the night. On the way in, we noticed different gas prices listed. We found that $3.04 was the cheapest in town, and made a note to gas up there on our way out to Cave Lake.

We checked into the hotel about 4 p.m., so there was still enough daylight for us to take a run out to Cave Lake--our usual fishing spot in Ely, though we didn't take gear this time. We had traveling and sightseeing on our minds (well, Rich's mind--I'M ALWAYS partial to fishing...but it was his birthday trip.)

The drive down through the mountains to the lake was fabulous, as always. As we turned into the recreation area proper, the lake was reflecting back the blue sky and the wavelets in the wind sparkled like diamonds. But as soon as we got out of the car, we found out that the wind was c~o~l~d. Cave Lake was going into hibernation. There was no one fishing, no campers in the campsites, in fact, we were the only car in the area. I guess it will be busy again as soon as the lake freezes over. It is a big ice-fishing spot.

We got back into the car and drove down to where we could pull off and watch the waterfall from the lake runoff, and we had something to drink and some fruit. Lunch hadn't been too 'friendly' to Rich's blood sugar, I guess and he needed a pickmeup.

The sun was starting to sink, so we drove back to Ely, freshened up and about six o'clock we walked across the street to The Jail House Restaurant--a place we usually eat when in Ely, there and the Chinese place which is excellent. We opted for fish and chips English style--which like the King's English is prone to be disappointing at times. This was. I think the fryer oil was one day past dump time. But the clam chowder was good, and the chips weren't bad--it was just that the fish was more batter than fish. $9.95 a dinner. I guess I'm spoiled by The Hush Puppy here in town. THAT is an adventure all its own, when it comes to eating fish!

We wandered back to the hotel and fiddled around with the slots for an hour or so, then headed up to our "celebrity suite" (Hank Thompson's room on a visit there). I sure as heck hope Hank was a tiny guy! Here is what greeted us on the front of our room door.



The room right next to us in the alcove was The Ingrid Bergman Room. Now I can't for the life of me imagine what Ingrid Bergman would have been doing in Ely, NV--let alone staying at the Hotel Nevada! However, in that day, she may have been making a movie or something nearby and that was the best the north had to offer.

This is to give you an idea how 'small' everything was. Rich and I laugh and told the family that it was the only bathroom we'd ever 'visited' where you could go potty and brush your teeth at the same time. I call this picture "tiny toidy".



It gets better! Rich went in to take a shower first at bedtime, and when he came out he said, "Don't you EVEN take a chance showering here--you'll have a heart attack!" Well I said, "Pshaw". And then I went into the bathroom to find these:





The 'room' had a queen size bed, that chair you see in the picture, and a view of the Jail House Casino Restaurant across the main street. At least the temperature was room controlled. The dresser was HUGE. It sat right against the wall in front of the bed. To get to the window, or other side of the bed, there was a space about twelve inches to squeeze through. I'd never make it full frontal, and I had to suck in my breath as I edged through sideways to set the air conditioner! We decided that no-butt Rich would sleep on that side. We both get up during the night, and I already had one bruise from not sucking in deep enough!

We finally settled into bed, it tilted a bit toward the middle, but that made it more friendly. We closed the light and drifted off about midnight.


Rattle Rattle at my door.

It's 6 a.m. Rich sits up as I'm looking bewilderdly around and says, "What the.....?" I replied that it was too damn early for the cleaning lady.

I'd put the safety latch as well as the security bolt on the night before, but sure enough, the door was being jerked hard against the bolt, someone was trying to get in. I jumped over to the door and looked through the space, then said "What the hell do you want? This room is occupied."

A little old lady with white hair (and it wasn't me) had a key in the door and was saying it was her room. "Not until checkout at 11 a.m." I said in my strongest chinny chin manner. "How did you get a key?"

"Well, they gave it to me downstairs."

"Better go down and check. This room is paid for and slept in."

"I'm sorry," she said.

"So am I."

And she walked away.

Now I sat and thought about it for about 10 minutes and then I called the desk. Some yo-yo with crapola for guest courtesy whined "Yeah, yeah, I know. She was down here complaining. Someone gave her the wrong key, but it wasn't me and there's nothing I can do."

"Well, I said, "Has it occurred to you how dangerous a 'mistake' like that can be? What if it was someone inclined to do damage? What if it happened when we weren't IN our room, but our things were here? There would have been no safety bolt to stop entry."

"Lady, it just happened...nothing I can do, and it wasn't my mistake."

Well, I let it go. We dressed and went down to check-out and have breakfast. I did the check-out while Rich got us a table for breakfast. So I got to see Mr. (Not My Problem) face to face. Same conversation, same result. I was going to write the company when I got home, but it just seemed like a waste of time. Next time (if there IS one) I'll wear my two-guns.

The good thing? I called ahead for the reservation and was quoted $50--it was a Friday night. I put a credit card hold on the room. When Rich checked in and got his receipt, it was $39.95. Not bad for an adventure in the old north west.


Life is a ball.....
Dance or be a wallflower!

DAY TWO
INTO THE COLD

As we ate our breakfast at the Hotel Nevada in Ely, (oatmeal and English Muffin for Rich, French toast for me) early on the morning of October 8, 2005, we discussed what our day's journey would be. I'd already made 'held' reservations at the Days Inn in Elko, NV. We knew that it was pretty much a straight shot and that we should be there quite early.

Breakfast finished, we went out to the already loaded car. The air hadn't warmed up much since we'd carried our things out earlier, and it was pretty brisk with a bit of wind. We were glad that we had dressed in layers of medium weight sweat clothes and over jackets for when we were out of the car. We knew, though, that come noonish the jackets would not really be needed, at least on that day. The car was already gassed up on the trip back from Cave Lake the night before, so we drove right through the main drag of Ely and headed out toward Highway 93 NW, which would eventually bring us into Elko.

Ten miles or so from Ely we entered the town of McGill, the site of the haunted house featured in THE CLARK COUNTY HORROR story that can be read on this site or on its website. It was already about eight a.m., but not even a dog could be found sniffing around its favorite tree or bush. The old man with the rifle wasn't on his porch...he'd either done the deed or was hiding behind the drapes in one of the ramshackle hovels along the main road. We didn't stop to explore, because our son, Phil, had told us it was "A Bad Place".

Driving safely out of McGill, we switched on the XM radio in the car and listened to varied music programs as we drove on another 65 miles or so, with nary a gas station, store or rest stop of any kind. In another ten miles, Rich turned into a shanty of a roadside restaurant, gas, 'motel' area. Just ahead was the 93 turnoff to Elko, and if we thought the past 70 miles were Godforsaken, the remainder would put it to shame! So, two people who take pressure pills in the morning don't go very far without needing 'facilities' and it looked like this was it!

As we walked closer to the place, we could see that the little huts that represented the 'motel' were all boarded up. I wonder why? We stepped through the door of the shop, and there were some sundries around the walls, a cold drink dispenser, and a small 4 seat bar with a grill for sandwiches, etc. I had already told Rich, "We can't just use the restroom, so buy some chips" (any excuse!). There was one man sitting at the bar, and a woman who wouldn't see fifty anymore was tending the store.

As I headed toward the ladies room (they actually had separate restrooms!) I smiled at her and said, "It's sure a long distance between restrooms out here!"

"Blame that on the idiot men who built this damn road," she replied.

"Uh oh" I thought.

When I came out, she was capping a large coffee (real stuff) for Rich--who will use any excuse to fall off the decaf wagon--and handing him a medium bag of Lays. He paid cash--you didn't REALLY think they accepted credit cards, did you? As we were leaving, two more cars pulled in, all with silver headed occupants. They should have called the place the Sr. Citizen Pit Stop!

Out of the parking lot we rode a few feet down the road and took the 93 turnoff to Elko. Our road time was peaceful and devoted to listening to music and discussing our lives over our 69 years. Do you ever wonder where all those years went, until you talk them over again?

We pulled into Elko about 1:00 p.m. Luckily our room was ready for occupancy and we got right in. We were a bit tired, so we put away our clothes for the two day stay, and I took the shower I didn't dare take in Ely. This one was 'wonderful' It had the variety of streams shower head, and the pulsating beat of hot water on my neck and shoulders was heavenly.

Refreshed, I took out the plastic table cloth we'd brought in case we picniced along the way, and laid it out on one of the double beds. Next I unpacked the sandwich meat and cheeses we'd boxed in plastic and put into the insulated cooler along with frozen bottles of water. Everything was icy cold! In another insulated bag we'd brought mustard, pickles, crackers, instant decaf, sweetner, ceramic mugs, paper plates, silverware and napkins. We'd brought some buns and bread enclosed in another plastic box. There was also a box with some grapes, oranges and a couple of bananas.

We actually were fixed pretty good for breakfast and lunches for the next couple of days. There was a microwave in the room, and we could make coffee and heat things until the cows came home. Our room rate of $114 for two days, two people, first floor, no smoking, 2 double beds - included continental breakfasts. And we had plenty of 'fixings' for the 2 days lunches.

Once we finished lunch and cleared off, Rich thought he'd take a bit of a walk. I was bushed and said, "Seeya," then crawled under the covers and nestled into a very comfortable bed. Well, I don't think I turned over to 'find my spot' once before Rich was back. "It's colder out there than it looks," he said.

I don't think you get people with any thinner blood than those who have lived in Las Vegas for 28 years. It's a fact of life! Soon he had crawled into the other bed, popped on his CPAP, and was out like a light. We both slept until 5 p.m.!

When we awoke, we knew we should get some dinner. Rich is on a diabetes medication regime, that makes it necessary to eat three times a day. We checked out the 'yellow pages' and decided that a medium pizza and salad would do it for that night, so we went to The Pizza Barn, which described itself as 'best in town'. Well, the alternatives were Pizza Hut and Dominos---now tell me what kind of an adventure is THAT?

Barn was a good description. Though I couldn't find any horses, the place was packed with people having kids' parties, and dates, and older folks enjoying their pizza. It was very good, but we shied away from the salad. They had a salad bar and it looked a bit 'iffy' to me, so we just got the large pizza instead of the medium. We slowly ate our way through our pizza and people watched, which is always fun.

After we ate, we took a ride up to the other end of town and back, and we noticed that there was a nice park right across the street from our motel. Elko is a pretty western town, with several casino hotels, and some restaurants and whatever businessess glued it all together.

We were back in the room about 9:30 and after laying out the clothes we would wear on our mountain adventure on day three, we watched some TV, and I of course, had to read for a while. Soon though we were off to a very wonderful night's rest.


Life is a ball.....
Dance or be a wallflower!