Mesa 4th of July

 

July 4, 2026

Quiet Celebration

 

While others played, picnicked,

and watched fireworks,

I stayed quietly inside,

listening to music and stories,

recovering after my hospital stay

and thanking God for our country--

just Him, my family and me.

Thank You God for my country,

my family and all that You provide.

Mesa back to Lori and Eli's

 

July 3, 2026

Thankful

 

I’m thankful for Lori taking care of me.

Taking off work to spend time in the hospital.

Clarifying what the doctors told me.

Playing Canasta and helping me to the bathroom.

 

I’m thankful that this didn’t happen

While I was in the UK.

I’m thankful I had a wonderful trip.

 

I’m thankful that the stroke was small

And I’m pretty much back to normal.

 

I’m thankful that I was discharged.

 

I chose a GIF,

a cute white kitty

doing the Macarena,

to describe how I felt

being released

from the four-day stay

in the hospital

that ended my vacation.

 

Mesa Baywood Hospital

 

July 2

 

Unexpected Tour

 

We went to Scotland

And toured castles, some in ruins.

We went to England’s Lake district

And heard the ducks sing their tunes

 

In Wales, we toured the gardens,

Rode a train, ate some food.

I avoided the blood pudding,

Though they said it’s very good.

 

This all was in the plans

For the trip to the UK,

But what I didn’t expect

Was at Mesa for a stay.

 

I woke up rather dizzy,

With my head off kilter.

My daughter said your pulse is low.

In the hospital, you’ll get better.

 

So there I was in an MRI

With a board for a bed,

Listening to the bangs and clangs

To see if something’s in my head.    

 

I was poked and prodded

All through my four-day stay

I’m bruised like I’ve been fighting

An evil enemy all day.

 

Then I’m walking down the hallway

With gown flapping in the breeze.

And I’m sure that all that showed

Wasn’t just my knobby knees.

 

Tomorrow I’m headed home

And then a new trip is in store

But I pray next time I’ll skip

The hospital’s four-day tour.

Mesa Banner Hospital

 

July 1

Sam

 

His name was Sam

He was an old man

Hobbling along with his cane

He gave me a gift

Gave my spirit a lift

And joy I could not contain

 

An Afghan, crocheted

Volunteers had made

With loving kindness and prayer

Red, white and blue

So soft and new

I’m glad they showed that they care

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.

 

 

 

From Scotland to England

 

June 23, 2026

Lakes, Ducks and Getting Lost

 

We left the town of Oban

and stopped at Gretna Green,

 

Years ago, young people in England,

instead of getting permission

from their parents as was the law,

eloped across the border in Scotland

where the legal age was sixteen.

 

Still today, people get married in Gretna Green,

and statues around commemorate romantic love.

 

We settled in a hotel in Keswick England

 then walked through the town to the lake.

 

Gathered on the ground-brown beach and brick walk,

flocked greedy ducks and geese awaiting handouts

from friendly Lake District tourists.

 

The evening sun rays and a bit of blue sky

peeked through billowy gray and white clouds.

The hungry birds squawked and quacked.

 

I stared wistfully at the little rowboats,

but I was outvoted. Maybe next time.

 

On the way back, my travel friend and I shopped

and got lost until an English gentleman

stopped his hedge trimming and gave us directions.

 

Later we walked a country path

admiring the fields, trees, setting sun

and distant mountains.

The Hebrides, Scotland

 

June 22, 2026

Mull and Iona

 

I had never been to the Hebrides,

And I was eager to go.

We boarded a ferry boat.

It was pleasant as it was slow.

 

We landed on the island of Mull,

Then loaded up on the bus.

Lavon and I sat top front,

Which was lucky for us

 

Through green hills, lakes and rocks,

There seemed to be a code,

on how traffic maneuvered

on the narrow, one-lane road.

 

Then we took another ferry

To the Island of Iona,

Scotland’s birthplace of the Church.

It had its own persona.

 

Stone walls lined the roads,

Along with colorful flowers,

Old stone buildings, an ancient church,

That spoke of higher powers.

 

We watched the boats sail on the bay

As we waited for the boat.

Then back to Mull and Oban

With Jan’s story while we were afloat.

 

It was a satisfying day

Which we finished off with dinner.

Touring the isles of the Hebrides

Was certainly a winner.

Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Ben Nevus

 June 21

What I did on the First Day of Summer

 

The mysterious Loch Ness monster,

Something we didn’t see,

Though we floated above its home

O so merrily.

 

It’s there we went to Urquhart castle.

It was quite a sight.

But it was all destroyed on the count

To keep from the Jacobite.

 

We drove by Ben Nevus.

In Scotland, it was the tallest.

But to these Coloradans, it looked closer

to the smallest.

 

We drove quite a ways

To Oban,

Played some games

And turned up the fan.

 

We slept well that night

Now we’re on the go

We’ll be headed to the Hebrides

To see what it will show.

 

Pitlochry/Inverness Scotland

 

Lots of Walking

June 20, 2026

 

Walked to Tummel River

100 stone steps uphill

 

Found the trail

From the evening before

 

Gem shop—heather to gems

Bought a necklace

 

Culloden battlefields

Heard audio in hearing aids

 

Cairnes and big trees

Snapped pictures

 

Inverness

Gateway to the Highlands.

 

Time for bed

14,196 steps

 

I’m bushed!