Mesa Banner Hospital, PA "enclosed"

 June 30, 2026

 

Enclosed

 

I woke up at one AM

With the room spinning around.

I walked like the town drunk.

Bradycardia was profound.

 

Admitted to the hospital,

I was ordered an MRI.

In a cold room, on a stiff board,

They were trying to find out why.

 

I fought claustrophobia

As they wheeled me in the tube.

They played Despicable Me

As the minions were pursued.

 

My back was sore and hurting.

Didn’t know how long I’d last.

The MRI with all its noise

Certainly wasn’t fast.

 

They learned I had a small stroke,

But I was not to fear.

The problem I experienced

Was in my inner ear.

 

So now I am unenclosed

And breathing and walking better.

I’m in Phoenix at one hundred ten,

No longer in need of a sweater.

 

 

Mesa

 

June 29, 2026

First Day Back in USA

 

Post-trip laundry

One hundred six, stay inside

Read trip journal

Back in Mesa

 June 28, 2026

Back with My Family

 

Eli picked me up

A good meal at Cracker Barrel

Slept for ten hours

From Caernarfon to Manchester to Dublin to Boston to Phoenix to Mesa

 June 27, 2026

A Longer Day

 

Up at six in Caernarfon,

And we left Wales at nine.

We drove to Manchester, England

Airport in lots of time.

 

We went through the airport process

And waited by our gate.

For the hour flight to Dublin,

We had to calmly wait.

 

The flight to Dublin was delayed.

We opted for some lunch.

Though we would miss our connection,

No panties in a bunch.

 

In Dublin we formed a long line,

For those who missed our flight.

Boarded a bus for a hotel.

Yes, it seemed only right.

 

But before I could go relax,

To Boston, they sent me.

Seven more hours of flying,

Nice flight and a movie.

 

Then things took another bad turn.

Overnight at airport.

This makes three times in last six months.

Do I do this for sport?

 

Six AM, on my way again,

Between two men, my seat.

My backpack fit as advertised,

But no place for my feet.

 

This was a new kind of torture,

While I dozed and awoke.

Continually in discomfort,

A time when no one spoke.

 

At last, we made it to Phoenix,

And waited to deplane.

Flying UK to USA,

Eight hours, we did gain.

 

So up most of forty hours

Coming from the UK.

The delays and misconnections

Make a very long day!

Last day in Wales

 

June 26, 2026

Pleasant Day in Wales

 

We all met at nine

Rode in the van a long way

Tried to get good pics

 

Stonewall-lined highway

Greens and rocks of rolling hills

Clear blue sky of Wales

 

A round shimmering lake

embraced by two green hills

reflect the pale blue sky

 

White sheep, dark bushes

Dot the emerald green foreground.

Puffy clouds like sheep

 

Went to woolen mill

A weaving demonstration

Beautiful products

 

Did some shopping there

Wales dragon, Wales fridge magnet

Woolen hat—family

 

Welsh Cymru for Wales

Learned it is pronounced Kum ree

From the nice cashier

 

Drove to Betws-y-coed

It’s pronounced bet oos uh coyd

Had to look it up

 

Two river boulders

Cooling off with rocks around

A hot day in Wales

Lavon and I shopped

Found Santa pulled by dragons

Christmas ornament

 

Went down in the depths

Rough going in the slate mines

And rougher stories

 

To work in the mines

Virtually a death sentence

Heroes of that time

 

Dinner at restaurant

But must we talk politics?

Concentrate on beef

 

Last game of Splendor

Squeezed everything in suitcase

Goodbyes tomorrow

Second Day in Wales

 

June 25, 2026

Feeling at Home in Wales

 

Usual breakfast

An early walk by the bay

Walk to train station

 

Train clackity-clacks

Through rolling green hills of Wales

Never mind the heat

 

A lone tree, like a sentinel

Perched upon a slate cliff

Looks out over the Welsh valley

 

A shiny red and beige train

Meanders through lush greenery

As curious tourists snap photos.

 

Ninety-five degrees

So glad to see Snowdonia

Hello Porthmadog

Large stone rectangles

Spread across expansive lawn

Roman fort remnants

 

Afraid to get lost

Tagged along with Lloyd/Lisa

Caernarfon Castle 

 

A squawking sea gull

Protesting the passers by

Nest by castle stairs

 

Up spiral staircase

Admired the seaside view

Carefully back down

 

Back to the hotel

Cooled down in a cool shower

Lavon and I walked

 

Phone booth, new red paint

Now, just a UK landmark

And so be careful!

 

May have other use

For wandering, homeless vagrants

In need of toilet

 

Delicious dinner

We had fun playing Splendor

I will miss Lavon

England to Wales

 June 24, 2026

First Day in Wales

 

Woke up at six in Keswick England

of the Lake District. Ate the usual,

except pancakes instead of a muffin.

We drove through miles of scenery,

green hills, rock walls, trees and lakes,

with occasional sheep and Highland cows.

 

We drove to the Bodnant Gardens in North Wales.

At lunch, I had a ham and cheese toastie,

their name for grilled sandwiches or paninis.

We started out on the garden walk,

snapping pictures of beautiful flowers,

but searching for a restroom cut our time short.

 

We drove for another hour to North Wales.  

There’s a train from Caernarfon to Porthmadog,

where I had spent a few days, years ago.

Found out it’s pronounced Port Mad-dig.

We walked in town and about roasted.

They were having record heat, in the nineties.

 

We met the group for dinner by the port.

I had delicious bass and sweet potato fries.

The chili yogurt sauce was too spicy for me.

Lavon and I walked back to our room,

settled in, played games and crashed.

We walked 10,600 steps that day.