life goes on

You never know what tomorrow may bring. But that's life, and sometimes death. Just lost my oldest living relative the other day. She was my mom's oldest sister. She was two days short of being 96. Mom's been dead over twenty years, but I still remember the feeling of losing the closest one in one's life. Got to visit with her last year. Had a great couple hours reminiscing of the old times back on the farm in Nebraska. I think we both enjoyed the visit.

Next in line would be my dad, who's about nine months younger than she. He's hangin' in but gong down visibly in the last few months. Soooo enjoy today, it' s all you have! And those relationships? can't beat them. They're what makes life enjoyable.

Will make about a twelve hour drive to the graveside funeral next week of my Aunt. Hope to see some on my long lost cousins as well as friends, since she's being buried in the family plot near the home town that I grew up in. Who's heard of Ovid, Colorado?

Til next time. Herc

Many months passed, lot of activities. With medical team in Yanzasa, Ecuador in May. Good trip, lot of patients. One happened to be a thirty five year old lady, who , obviously, for me, had originally been part of the Saraguro indian group, where we used to live and work in the seventies. I asked her where she was born, she said Saraguro. I said that I lived there in the seventies with my family. She quickly asked,, "what's your name?" I answered Dr. Kime. She exclaimed , you delivered me! " My mother was older, and having trouble birthing me, then the unbilical cord came out. She went to the clinic, you delivered me by ceserian section. I'm here because of you!"

Always fun to hear stories like that one.

We came to Pagosa after returning to the states, and have been here until now. Ready to go back to Az. in a week. Had a great summer. All but Dan and his family made it for the fourth week, parade, floats, horses, then fireworks watched from our deck. Played basketball with the old geysers, twice a week when in town. Leg better, can now shoot off both legs, and jump better!

Nancy and I had a good hiking week. Four nights in a tent, melodrama in Creede, hot springs in Idaho Springs, then on to Lonnie's for a couple days, and on to Scott's, watching him run the Pike's peak marathon.

Had some sun lakes visitor's for a few days too. Getting colder, only up to 61 degrees F. today.

These old bones ready for warmer clime.

Planning a trip to Ecuador again for about three weeks. One week in the foundation in Cuenca, a few days on the Coast with a medical team, and a few days seeing patients in Quito.

Still plan to play softball with the seventies, at least for their tournaments. Plan to spend Christmas in Okla. with Julie and family. Janice and Scott, with families may come too.

still luvin' it.

New year, new president -jan.,09

Good trip to Ecuador in September and October. Started playing softball again. Slowly able to move and use my left leg, though still have back pain and some weakness in left leg. Joined 70's team, played in three tourneys before Christmas. Last one in Las Vegas. Hit 700 , my best tourney, though didn't win the tournament.
Had a good Christmas in Az with Scott and three kids, and Janice, Troy and boys. Had a few days in Oceonside,Ca. Spent an evening with my little brother and his friend. Now back into Softball had two tourneys. Had the flu, so didn't do too well.
Trying to get lined up for a sugical trip to Yantzasa, Ecuador with Dr. Chas. Bruerd. Went with him on two previous trips to Papua New Guinea and Ghana Africa.
My oldest bro, Lynn is here now for a few weeks, stays in the winter. Two of his four daughters are coming in a couple weeks to see him, with their families. My youngest bro is coming too, on his way back from a Hawiian cruise.
Plans, ya , a few, other then the Ecuador trip, hope to go visit our youngest, Dan and family again in Orlando, then spent a two or three week period in Okla.. with Julie and family. Then on to colorado.
Still lovin' it. Herc

end of summer in colorado-o8

Had a nice week with Dan, Cynthia and the three girls, Maria, Mc Kenna, and Erica. Six,four, and two year olds. Florida just had Fay(hurricane) pass through, awaiting a few more. Our highlight other then Dan's family, was a trip to the gulf at Madera and St. Pete beach, and visit to the grave site of N's parents. Then on the final day a parade at Disney with Michael Phelps the main attraction, as he made his first appearance after winning a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olynpics in swimming.
Didn't get my usual hiking in this summer, cause of my back surgeries, but slowly improving. Had a good two or three mile hike today. Also played hoopsters a few times with the old dudes. Ha!
Getting colder, fall is in the air, only 39 this a.m at about seven. To Az next week, softball board meeting, then to Ecuador for about a month. Janice and familly will join us the last ten days. Janice was there as a little girl. Went as a three year old, left when about ten.
Sign off time again.
Herc

colorado again

More water se fue. Had second back surgery end of Feb with micsrolaser tecnnique, worked on four levels. Now thee and a half months later 70 % improved, but doubt I'll run much again. May rule out senior softball, at least on the more competative level. Have started small hikes. Did the Wolf Creed snow hike for Fathers' day. Have seen a few animals too. A red fox in our yard that was strolling by when a deer under our patio spotted him and chased him down the mountain. Sorry I didn't get video, it happened too fast. It would have been cool to put in here on the blog.
Had a nice Okla visit with Julie and family. Saw Ryan and Cody play baseball a couple times, heard them in concert two times, once in our old digs in Madill. Got to spend some good time with Halle too. She slept over two nights too. Worked on our little tin house in Ada, and even took a trip to Branson, Mo for the 48th anniversery. Saw two good shows, the "twelve Irish tenors" and the Gymnastic group from China.
No. one son arrives this week with wife and kids for a few days. Says they'll climb a 14er, but think I'll have to pass this time. In a couple more weeks Janice and family will come up to escape the heat of Az., and a visit too. Enjoyed Ethan's baseball games in Az before coming up here. He, like Ryan, pitched some too.
Future plans include another trip to Ecuador in October, and plan to take Ryan with us. Nothing else for now. Will update before soooo much time passes this time. Herc

2008 lotta water passed under de bridge!

already'08. time flies. had back surgery in nov., didn't do much good, so will probably need more in a month or two. sure puts a crimp in the active life.
Had good times with three kids and their families over the holidays. they grow soooo fast, means i'm older too! plans on hold for more trips due to the back situation. hope to know soon. have a chance to go to albania. would like to go, and help out. never been in that part of the world.
got to enjoy every day, never know how many more you get. lost my dad mid november, he was almost 96. had a good life. retired over thirty years.
well will hang it up for today, and not wait soo long for the next installment. herc

new plans

Enjoying colorful Colorado. Little hiking couple days ago up to about 11 plus thousand feet. Saw a marmot, rabbit, few birds, and a few humanoids too. Things look better and little clearer at that altitude. Quite a panorama, and watching a summer thunderstorm develop and slip off to the other side of the pass. Makes you feel a little younger and more alive.
Next day visit by no. one son back from a harley cycle trip to Las Vegas with wife. No worse for the wear after hot 107 degree temp in Arizona being hailed on, rained on , and many changes of clothes to meet the climate changes.. And what did we see that next afternoon, but a big beautiful black bear in out back yard eating on some berries. More pictures to pass on to the grand kids, with the Africa ones. Well time to check out the ball games. Tilllllll lattterrrr........