Late Summer Days in Show Low!

Bill drove us all out to see a beautiful area in his bus route, in a neighboring small town. A great drive and walk in such a pretty area!
See this little plant of sunflowers?.....

Well, these gorgeous flower fields are filled with millions and millions of them! These photos don't really do them justice, either. Glorious views!!! Bill said they were even better the couple days before---he wanted to show them to me before they got any less glorious!

Another view...

This is my new absolute favorite photo of Bill and HoneyBear!!!!

" Wow! What animal made that stuff I just rolled in? It was great!"

(Sometimes we think our dog is such a sensible, but frilly-girl, then she goes and does something totally dog-like!)

"Please, please, PLEASE let me go visit those pretty cows---I think they are what made that wonderful stuff I just rolled in! If I can get closer to them, maybe I can roll in some FRESH stuff, not just the dried-up stuff here"................. See the trying to be patient smile on Bill's face? OK, so enough of this. First, walk her thru the tall grass to get some of the smell off, then get back in the car and drive a little farther away . Whew! Didn't actually get any photos of the cows, tho.............pity. A very pastoral scene. Or pasture-al. Hee, hee, heee.

A late summer tradition here is sharing your garden produce with your friends and neighbors. This zucchini, from our former home teachers, tho, should win some kind of prize!!! Anyone want to guess how many batches of zucchini bread this one will make? Our tomatoes are ripening rather late, as we planted late. This year, our next door neighbors made sure we got to enjoy some of theirs----mmm, yummy!

We couldn't resist taking this photo----Is she making sure we don't put away her favorite toy till she is done resting? Or is she making sure she is ready to play the instant we are?

Back to work for Bill!!! Show Low schools started August 11th. Here he is in one of his bus-driving shirts. He misses the kids from his old route, but has really enjoyed this new group of students. There are less trouble-makers, and more ages on his new route. One little girl brings him a flower every morning! And he has only had to write one ticket so far. On a couple days at the beginning of the year, some happy dogs thought that they could just keep going anywhere with their kids like they did all summer! One even made it to the back of the bus before Bill could catch him!!! A funny story, but Bill worried about the drivers all stacked up behind the bus on the 260, wondering what was taking so long!!! You might notice Bill has some new lenses for his glasses, that don't get dark in the sun. They were prescribed and made by a different dr and company, and they are giving him fits!!! They have corrected the double vision he was dealing with, but he now can't read road signs as well, has had frustrations trying to get it resolved, and to have the insurance pay,.....well, we sure hope he gets some new ones soon that work. He switched drs cuz of the insurance, is considering going back to the old one who knew what he was doing the first time, even if full price has to be paid... Anyway, that is what is going on with Bill.

Back to work for Diane, too. These first few weeks, it has only been one-day-a-week in a Holbrook school, doing Occupational Therapy with High Shcool children who have disabilities. I also signed a contract to do 2 days a week in Chinle, on the Navajo reservation---that will be an adventure! It will start in a week or two. We are thankful there is a company car available to do all the extra driving. We have been so blessed. This job offer came just in time---finances have been worrisome, as they have for so many. Our prayers have truly been answered. We didn't get the "close to home" part, but at least the "please more work/income" part was answered yes. With the Special Services Consortium, therapists typically work a few years on the reservations before having opportunities for closer-to-home contracts. So, we shall see. We are also thankful that 3 days qualifies me to get health insurance benefits. Living without has been worrisome, too. Right now I have a head/chest cold, everyone gets a turn when you work with schools. I wasn't able to keep it away from Bill, tho, as he seems to be coming down with it. At least we have the long weekend to re-coup! Ah, such is life! For the most part, life is good.