Spring Has Sprung In Our Backyard
Wind, wind, and more wind here in Arizona. It’s been howling like a snow-filled night in Alaska. Even the coyotes have been howling at night. I feel like I might wake to fifty feet of snow or something. Dan has had to powerwash the driveway twice now, as our corner lot accumulates tons of debris and sand. What a nightmare.
During the last windstorm, (a few weeks ago) we had over forty rolling tumbleweeds in our yard. Yesterday, the winds began all over again, and it’ll take us two days to clear our yard of the trash, wash the outside furniture, etc. Our vehicles have a quarter inch of fine sand on them. Fun time! So, Dan’s outside, powerwashing the yard, and I’m inside trying to do ten loads of laundry in one day. Guess, I don’t have a whole lot to complain about, but I hate fine-grained dirt. It seems to find its way into the house . . . and into the smallest of cracks. Sooo much for living in the Arizona desert.
Going down to the Mayo for my scans on April 10th . . . . It’s a long drive to Phoenix, then a long day of blood work, doctor appointments, and scans of my entire body. Not to mention the gunk I have to drink. I just LOVE that dye! I always gear my mind up for my visits, and just do them! Go from A to B to C and get it over with. I receive the results of the blood and scans the same day . . . so will write any updates to my ongoing leukemia saga when I get them. My sweet oncologist is always the last on my list to see. He’s a ray of hope and sunshine in an otherwise stressful, dull, and boring day.
On the positive side of life, Danny and I leave for vacation on the 15th of April, and return around May 15th. We’re driving to the East coast, and returning through Canada to Arizona. On the way over, we’re going to make a stop in Nashville to visit family and friends, then onto Connecticut and business. Then North to Maine to visit both our Moms. After returning to Arizona, we’ll rest for a few weeks, then off to Washington State for the Grand-girls high school graduations. More than likely, I’ll have a lot of amusing fodder for my BLOG as we’re taking the two Shih Tzu’s on the 6000 mile (round trip) to the East Coast and then back to Arizona. We have a house sitter for our home while we’re away, and she offered to doggy sit, but I want to take them on the little adventure. It’ll probably be my last long road trip as I’ll more than likely begin chemo this fall, and who knows where “that” journey will lead. Danny loves his road trips. Me . . . I love a jet and the Hilton Hotels, but he is part trucker in his genes (I think), so I’m indulging him one more time.
My broker returned to China a few days ago to begin the process of wrapping up the funding for the Land Of I (my children’s television show). I may have to fly to China in June sometime, so Dan and I both have passports in order. The shows investor is in Beijing China, and it’ll be a really unique experience to see the City of Beijing and the countryside. I’ve never been to China, and look forward to it. My partners for the children’s show in China are connected to the Chinese Children’s Network, so I feel very honored to be able to reach so many children with the Land Of I show and it’s characters. Imagine reaching that amount of youngsters with a show I created with my imagination and a solid team of friends and family backing me up. The show will be sold “into television stations” worldwide, but when I began writing children’s books, and then compiled the characters from my books into a television show, I never dreamed we’d be broadcast in China and all their affiliates. WOW! What a humbling experience and journey that’ll be! I can’t wait! The Land Of I is a moral and value animated show for kids ages 1-8. The show is based upon character books I’ve written over the past forty years. The pilot show won 6 Emmys for Best New Youth Programming, and remains relevant and true to its roots of goodness and sweetness for children. I’ve never deviated nor wandered away from the initial core of the common sense values I was raised with in our small Maine community. “Do under other people, what you’d want them to do unto you.” In other words . . . “treat people like you’d like to be treated!” I try and live by that motto. I think for the most part, I’ve been successful. I’m not saying we must be Pollyannaish or fool hearted, but I do try and treat people fairly and with dignity and sincerity.
Will catch you all later with more news and updates. For now, Jaye Bartlett