Tucson Turmoil

It has been a sad week in this part of the world. One week ago, as you know, there was an American tragedy in Tucson, a couple of hours south of where we are. As you can imagine, the press in this small state was filled with little other news. Then when it was announced that Obama would be attending the Wednesday (1/12/11) memorial, whatever national press wasn't already here, came.

When Wednesday evening rolled around I almost didn't watch the memorial on TV. I thought I'd had my fill of sad news, especially about the little nine year old who was among those gunned down. I was watching Channel 3, a local TV station, when the memorial was about to start. I thought about finding something else on TV. I also thought about going to one of the national press channels to see the memorial. I'm glad I did neither.

I stayed with the local channel. They gave a terrific hometown treatment to what was a very hometown event. Aside from Obama, this "local flavor" made this even more memorable for me. You may have heard some or all of Obama's speech. History may find that this was his finest hour. By the time he finished, I felt that we had been close to a historical event.

Having spent 35 years in Hawaii, I know "local" when I see it. This memorial was held in The University of Arizona's basketball arena. My first "local alert" came with who was conducting the meeting. With a TON of political heavy weights sitting in the front row of folding chairs, including the AZ Governor, the University President conducted. He did OK, although he didn't welcome Obama, but that got my attention. Next, the opening prayer/blessing was assigned to a very nervous UA Professor of Indian descent who came to the podium with a fist full of feathers. He felt it necessary to give a lengthy explanation to the blessing he was going to give. I sat straight up. This made me think of Hawaiian blessings given at such ceremonies. I enjoyed the blessing. I'm not sure of who put the agenda together, but it felt like it was put together before Obama had committed to come. The UA student body president spoke and then Daniel Hernandez, also a UA student and an intern to Giffords. He was close to her when she was shot and he administered aide, helping her to hang on until help arrived. The AZ Gov. Jan Brewer spoke briefly, and it wasn't until then that anyone at the podium recognized the presence of Obama. I was very impressed with Janet Napolitano, Homeland Security Secretary. Her talk was ended by quoting a lengthy passage from Isaiah. At the end of the scripture, she walked from the podium. I was stunned. I cheered "Alright Janet!" Then US Attorney General Eric Holder followed and quoted from the New Testament. I applauded. Why am I shocked that our government leaders are reading the scriptures? I should have written down the scripture references. Does anyone remember? None of the newspapers I read the next day commented on any of the things I am writing about tonight. No surprise.

Obama took his turn and delivered a speech, with humility and his usual poise, that seemed to me to say all of things that needed to be said, and left out all of the things best left out at this occasion. He ended with "...and may He bless the United States of America!"

Good job, Punahou boy.

Organ Stop Pizza

Today, January 11, Mom, Becca and I went on a field trip to a pizza place here in Mesa with 100 of our Valle del Oro buddies

It has a funny name "Organ Stop Pizza"

because it features a big Wuritzer organ.

and we received an organ concert while we ate

Around the walls there are many instruments which the organist plays from his elaborate key board. Mom with her musical training pointed out the various tricks of the skilled organist.

The organ rises dramatically at the beginning of the show. It rotates slowly around, and at the end, it descends into the pit.

After the concert Mom purchased a CD by the organist. He poses here with the girlies.

It was a fun adventure. Mom plans to write her own memories of the day.

Mesa Snow!

Yes folks. The BIG news yesterday here "in the valley" as they call it--snow flurries! It lead the evening news. Becca and I were parking at Walmart when the rain sprinkles became snow flakes. It caused no little stir. A mother with three little girls were walking to their car. The girls began laughing, dancing, twirling with palms out to catch a flake. People stopped cold, so to speak, and whipped out cell phones to take photos and/or call family. Of course it didn't stick, but it continues to be chilly and windy. They predicted record lows last night and tonight. News reporters cautioned people to protect the "3 P's" -- pets, plants and pipes.

Of course we have been in Idaho and Utah with bone chilling cold. These conditions make us smile. Mom called from the motorhome and said, "It is snowing here!!". She was in her studio working on the computer when the wind outside was causing noise so she put up the curtain and saw it. She heard yelling as old people came out of their RVs to watch the first snow in Mesa in four years. Funny. These people are from Quebec.

These photos are actually the morning frost on the Saturn. The snow flakes were gone before the camera could catch them. We just have the fun memories. (Fun because it is now going to warm up and stay warm for the winter)

Gifts from Rigby

Presents arrived here in the desert from the frozen north. The Reynolds family picked the perfect gifts. They sent Becca a Walker Texas Ranger shirt. How did they know??

And they sent to Gramma and Papa a 2011 calendar, personalized with different photos each month of all of the Reynolds children, and Amanda and Eric. There is a little discussion over who gets the calendar. To avoid dispute, Papa gets it on the odd days, because he is odd. Gramma gets it on the even days because she is so even tempered--at least that is how she explained the system to Papa.

The Auswanderers are touched by the thoughtfulness of the Reynolds family. Mahalo nui loa!

Joy in our Posterity

On December 18, 2010, the John Connelly Clan gathered in West Valley Utah at Jon and Cathy's house for a reunion. Here are all 36 of us around the Christmas tree. Mom, Becca and Papa have seats of honor in the center. They are surrounded by the five married Connelly children with their spouses and their 23 cumulative children.

As the family group was breaking up, Cathy said something like, "Wait! All of the children gather around Mom and Dad for a picture." Thanks to her thoughtfulness we have this photo of all 23 of our grandchildren. What a treasure! What joy in our posterity!

Every face tells a story. Kevin, 21 years old in February, senior among the cousins, stands to the left of the tree with such a pleasant smile. He is next to Stephanie in red, who has a radiant smile on her face. One of my favorite stories is between the two youngest. Macy, on my lap, was not enthusiastic about sitting for another photo, expresses her feelings. TJ, on Gramma's lap, looks over with concern at cousin Macy. Won't it be fun watching those two grow up as young relatives?