What's In That Truck?

As we travel, we try to stop at every rest stop along the way. As we entered Riverside County, we realized that there would be no more rest stops because we were entering a big city. We were stopping at the last one. We park on the side for trucks and trailers because we are nearly as big as they are, when we pull the car with the motorhome. While I waited for Dad and Becca to come back, a European "smaller" kind of truck pulled in beside us. The driver got out and shook his hands at the skies and wiggled all around. I thought "a strange little man in a strange little truck". He came back about the same time as Dad and Becca. As he pulled out ahead of us, I saw what he had in his truck. I wasn't ready to take a picture. Dad didn't even see him pull away. I thought I had missed a great opportunity. Then he passed us on the freeway. This time I got the shot.


I saw the driver check his load twice and neither time could I see what his load was.

Here is a close up of what the Big Red Pencil looked like.

A Big Red Pencil

Any ideas? Where is this Big Red Pencil going? Why did they make the pencil red? Why not a blue pencil or a yellow pencil? Have you learned how to estimate? How big is this pencil?

In what occupations would you use a red pencil? What are they going to do with this red pencil? If you have any ideas, put them in the comments.

I could see some mounting brackets attached to the bottom side of the pencil as the truck drove away. I could just see it going up the side of a building to advertise an accountant's office or maybe a Tax Preperation business. Dad said,"It could be for teachers. They use red pencils too."

Kailua II in Mesa!

Many of us have been to the Island Park home of Don and Marsha Heinz. They are now spending the winter "season" here in Mesa where they have purchased a house. When we touched bases they invited us to "a luau" at their son Grant's house. The Heinz family was much involved with our family. Maybe one day I should write about it and get input from my children. Short version--he served as our Bishop and later our Stake President. Gramma and I (and Jon) did media productions for him as the head of the Hawaii Sugar Planters' Assn. So we were happy to accept the invitation. Little did I expect a Kailua II Ward mini-reunion.

Here is Gramma with Grant, now a successful plastic surgeon who specializes in eye repair here in Mesa. When I first met him I was teaching at Kailua High School and he was a "rascal boy" there. Fun story--when we walked into his hotel lobby-size entrance to his home, we exchanged greetings and I asked him, "So, Grant you decided on this place because all of the large homes were taken?" He didn't miss a beat. He replied "Yes there were bigger places, but we liked this neighborhood"

This is Bridget (then Wilkes) who lived in Aikahi Park, near the Heinz's. She and Ramona were good friends. Gramma was Bridget's Mom's Visiting Teacher. She said,"Be sure Kelly sees this picture. We are Facebook friends"

I recognized Ken Schaub immediately from our early days in Kailua II. He and his brother were dashing young Marines. Ken went on the serve in the FBI and is now here with his beautiful wife Donna. Hasn't forgotten how to "shaka"

Do you recognize our Kainui Drive neighbors, the Austins? Bro Austin has passed away. Ruth lives with her son Allan, who was a rowdy friend of Grant's at Kailua HS

This is Jackie (used to be Heinz), the oldest daughter. She paid me a compliment, "You were the best Seminary teacher ever." She was a senior in that early morning class. I remember that class as a fun, vibrant group. So fun to see her again. She totally "channels" her Mom in many ways.

Grant, Allan and Stephanie (used to be Heinz). She attended BYU as a freshman, the same time as I began my graduate program there. We saw her on campus from time to time. She and her family live in Sandy. She was just visiting.

This is the first time I've seen Kanila Tripp in many years. Mom saw him in Kailua in '07. We were close to his Mom and family. Becca seemed to remember him. Of course she gravitates to the "hunky" guys, in Hawaii sometimes called the "Kanak's"

As the many families and children departed, there was talk of making this an annual event. Another funny story--As we were saying goodbyes, a little boy came up and gave me a hug and said, "Thank you for coming" I was surprised, "You're welcome. Who are you?" He said, "David" but no other explanation. I suggested, "You must be Grant's son" Pause, then he tentatively replied, "I think so". When I told Grant he admitted David was his son and explained, "He's a real comedian"

Good times in Mesa. We leave Tuesday. Mahalo for a fun aloha party.

Who is this??

Can anybody tell?

Gramma was given this family photo recently by her second cousin Susan, who is visiting here in AZ. Susan took this photo as we visited her home in Connecticut during our summer of '79 trip to the East Coast.

Give up? I'm holding Becca. Jon has MegPie and Gramma is holding Ganon, the Hunk. Sweet Kel is in the middle.

But our family was not yet complete. We were waiting on who? That's correct. Last but not least was Manda Panda (born in '81), who won't let us forget we didn't take her on this trip. By the way, this trip also annoys Megan. Her Mom says things like, "You've met Cousin Susan." Meg then says, "Is this on the same trip where I was six months old?" Mom then says, "You were there. I've got pictures"

Visit to the Moncurs

The other day we were invited to the Moncur's house for a barbeque. Here is Gramma with Sharan in front of their Gilbert home. They have retired here, not too far from the RV park. The house is custom built and very nice. They have a pool which interests Becca.

Jim Moncur and Papa near the front entrance. Notice the Reyn Spooner shirts--stylin' Hawaiian style

Sister Moncur is an accomplished artist. This painting of hers hangs in their house. Anyone recognize the location?

By popular demand here is a photo of Becca with her friend Alyssa Moncur

It is fun to visit these old friends from Hawaii. They have settled here and will be here when we come back next October.

Quilt project progress

Gramma has been taking quilting and appliqué lessons from a lady here in the park named Nancy. She is from Quebec and speaks French.

Here is how it looks as of this week. It requires very tedious handwork. The ladies in the sewing center are impressed that Gramma is tackling such a difficult first project.