Just A Gigantic Bathtub

Tanner went to the hot springs the other day. It was icy outside and he was very cautious. He could see the steam coming off the water as he walked toward the hot pots in his swim shorts. It was a strange scene. I think he was wondering what he was doing out in the cold with only shorts on. He resisted as I pushed him to enter the pool. He wouldn't put his toes in, I had to force it. Once he felt the warmth of the water he slowly eased in. After that, he walked around the huge, chest deep bathtub with awe and excitement for two hours. He had his big cup, he dumped a lot of water and got smiles from several other people in the big bathtub.

CRYSTAL HOT SPRINGS

One Hoop At A Time For Hailey

She is 19. She just climbed another step on the ladder of life; An Associates Degree from Weber State University. The degree itself is just another step. It is almost useless yet it will help Hailey get into the very competitive WSU Radiology Program. It helps her become one of the 30 students accepted in 2019 (out of over 300 applicants). Getting this degree was just one of the hoops Hailey jumps through to get her career started. She doesn't need it to get a Bachelors, she needs it for brownie points, she needs it to show that she is invested. Will she use Earth Science, Political Science, Library Science, Anthropology, Art History for her future career? Nope. Will she get an additional Associates Degree in Health Science? Yup.....

Hailey also has certificates as a CNA, EMR, BLS. All hoops to jump through to become competitive. Even now, as she waits to be accepted into Radiology, she is taking additional classes to become an LPT (Limited Practice Radiology Tech). Then she can take basic x-rays in a clinic setting in case she doesn't make it into the Bachelors program. We will know by April.

Dave says she's going too fast. I say "get the education out of the way, get a good job, meet like-minded people and then travel, travel, travel." Not the other way around.

 Study supplies: potted plant, sunflower seeds, calculator and books, lots of books

Seattle's Best

There was this moment when I felt a flood of wonderment. It was when I walked into the Ronald MacDonald House near Seattle Children's Hospital. I immediately understood that there are people out there in the world "catching" those who are "falling".  The Ronald MacDonald Charity gives grieving parents a place to crash, a place to feel safe, a bed to sleep in while their child is receiving treatment for cancer. Cancer sucks. It is a long haul. Months. Away. From. Home.
My sister is a mother. Her 16 yr old daughter has Leukemia. Both are in a strange place, far from family. They are succeeding. Bone marrow transplant is working. Both are feeling better. They are going to come home after six months of riding a terrifying rollercoaster.

I am glad there are good people who know when to fill a void.

Families of critically ill children need to know that there are nurses, doctors and "givers" who are committed to supporting their loved ones....I know that my sister and niece are getting the best Seattle Children's has to offer. I am so relieved.

Ahh, The Harvest

Fresh tomatoes right off the vine! Corndogs straight from the corndog bush! Life is truly magical.

2018 Another Cali Experience

    The Hosenfeld family loves San Clemente.  For the fifth time we returned to the familiarity of  the pier, the walking bridge over the tracks and the horn of the MetroLink commuter train as it buzzes along the beach every 30 minutes. It seems like the whole family just comfortably settles in.
After a couple of days of relaxation, when my mom can no longer "just sit around", we do the annual Newport Beach bike ride. No vacation can ever be complete without a bike ride. Right Mom?

And then for something totally new this year we went sea kayaking in San Diego.

 Thanks mom and dad for another great stay in our favorite house on our favorite beach.

My Favorite Arches

Natural rock formations are as mind blowing to me as space travel is.  I get how it works but WOW. Seeing a massive, free standing, sandstone arch seems so "unnatural". And the fact that these phenomena are common and practically in my back yard is so cool! I've been to Arches National Park many times and every time I return I'm just as "wowed".

 CORONA ARCH

 DELICATE ARCH

 DOUBLE O ARCH

LANDSCAPE ARCH

Life's Scars

From time to time (I mean ALL the time) I look at my arms and legs in the big standing mirror in my room. Man, I look rough! Scars all over. But then each scar reminds me of the moments that make me feel alive. Ankle scars from biking (or tripping). Knee scars from climbing rocks (or tripping). Elbow scars from yard work (or tripping). And a big 'ol thigh scar from a human bite. WHAAA?

5 days post Tanner

                                                 

5 months post Tanner

These scars are forever. But I'm not sad. I'm happy that I can live such a special life. A little bit of ordinary and a lot of oddities which make a good balance.