The Storyteller | Mary Vee

Amid all the terrible news, the sorrow, and grief, I thought we could just take a break and hear about something good. Something kind. Something that should be expected but often isn't. I woke at the 00 early Tuesday hour to make breakfast for hubby, then prep for coffee duty at our MOPs program. Every other Tuesday MOPs (moms of preschoolers) is held at our church. This is a relaxing, laughing, chatting with adults, networking, have an awesome time for moms of birth to preschool age children. And the moms love it. Usually mom's bring in a breakfast food to share. I've often thought how difficult it is for them to get up, get all their munchkins ready, load them in their car seats, drive to the church, then cart the kids, diaper bags, and the breakfast food inside. Wowsers. But they all do it.  At this very moment I'm listening to their friendly chatter in the other room. This meeting, though had a wonderful surprise.  The p...

Photo by Mary Vee, Gates Pass, Tucson The last two nights, hubby and I drove to Gates Pass in Tucson, AZ to see the sunset. We aren't from the area and had no clue this mountain pass drew hundreds of people and their cameras at this hour. Photo by Mary Vee Hut where we stood on left, Boulder we used to climb to the hut. Gates Pass, Tucson  Young and old climbed the massive rock structures searching for the best seat for the night's event. It reminded me of the ancient amphitheaters filling with crowds waiting to view an evening entertainment. To get to Gates Pass, drive west of the city and make sure your front window is spotless. The reason isn't so much the spectacular view, which will be seen once the car is parked. When driving with a coating of desert sand on the window heading into the west, the sun's powerful rays bounce off the coating like a spotlight in your eyes. Photo by Mary Vee The peak at Gates Pass, Tucson Follow...

Preplanned trips offer an enormous amount of security. Hotels are firm. Routes chosen. Time schedules organized.  This week we are hitting the road. Those of you who have been with Let's Talk know how much I love to travel. We had airline tickets and chose to cancel them, (in time to get our money back).  Chuck the routine. Toss out the plans. Let our hair down and go.  We'll collapse the back seats of the minivan for a flat surface. Set up the army cot. Stuff baggage under the cots. Pack the camping stove and hot pot along with groceries. Then take off. There is something about the thrill of flexibility. We have our destination, AZ. But how we get there, and how long it'll take will be the variable. Yeeee Haw!! I found out there is a Dorothy house in the western Kansas. I doubt the town is called, Oz. I'd like to stop there. Moon crater is another spot we'd like to check out. We're heading southwest. If you have any ideas where we can...