Location, at
Home, CA
So many
things have happened since I last posted.
We went
camping for 4 days, my father passed away on June 28th, we made a
quick trip to Wisconsin for the funeral, and the solar water heat is still not
complete.
The passing of
my father was not unexpected as he was 99 1/2 years old. I had calling my sister every day while we camped
but it was still a shock when he passed. I spent the next few days trying to
get airline seats so Clyda and I could fly back for the funeral.
I had
previously booked a flight for September to visit my parents and family
members. Now I needed to change that flight and find new flights for last
Tuesday. I called American Airlines reservations and was offered a “compassion
fare” for less than a normal last minute fare would have cost. They also
changed my Sept flight into the July flight without any rebooking fee. I did
have to pay $25 to talk to reservations.
The real
problem was finding available seats as all the flights were almost fully
booked. In fact, we had to return on Friday July 6th as all seats on
Saturday were full.
Tim had
somewhat the same problem from Houston to Chicago. It cost him a lot of money
for his flights.
We really
appreciated Tim coming to the funeral. He did the driving for most of the trip.
We also got
to meet a lot of cousins, nieces, and nephews. It is too bad that it takes a
funeral to bring families together.
The weather
was terrible with terrific heat the whole time. Fortunately, we stayed inside
most of the time. The day of the funeral was not too bad except for the short
time at the cemetery.
On our drive
back to Chicago on Friday the temperature was 103 with a heat index of 110
degrees. I told Clyda that it felt just like our days at China Lake, CA when we
were first married.
All in all,
everything worked out. The family met after the funeral at my mother’s Assisted
Living facility and did all the thank you cards. That was a big help.
Our flight
back didn’t get in until 11 PM and by then we just collapsed.
Our apricot tree was just loaded with fruit this year.
A huge zucinni plant in our small garden.
The pole beans are over 8 feet tall.
