Minerva Mendez Honkala

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

June 6-15, 2008 Trip to CA

It was a ten-day trip with Roger and Oneill to Northern CA. From Las Vegas we took the I-95 South to Barstow, Bakersfield, then to I-99 , then to Highway 50 East to Placerville, CA. We reached Placerville at around midnight as we passed by Sacramento to join some old friends at a Country Western Dance. It was a fun-filled evening meeting some old faces, then met Trudy, Steve, and Vicky at Al's house. It was a sad moment since Al had gone home the Wednesday before. Saturday afternoon was a memorial in Al's honor attended by family and close friends. On Sunday we went to Roger's non-denominational church in Sacramento for the church service. On Monday morning we brought our van to Julian's Automotive due to a fuel line leak. It was a rest day for Roger, however Oneill and I went around El Dorado County to visit some friends. We were able to get the van back on Tuesday afternoon, so we had another day of delay. Wednesday morning we proceeded to Sacramento to visit Roger's daughter Stacey and granddaughter Jade. We proceeded to Roseville that night to visit Susan and Bob.On Thursday we were supposed to travel to San Francisco with grandkid Jade, but the plans changed due to Jade's Friday's travel to Dakota with her Dad, so we spent the day shopping for her and went to a nearby park afterwards. On Friday we proceeded to the other places: Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Bodie Old Mining Town,Mono Lake in Lee Vinning, Bridgeport. We stayed for two nights in a hotel in Bridgeport, and the following Sunday proceeded home via Highway 395 passing Mammoth Lakes, Bishop, Beatty, then Las Vegas. The van overheated thirty miles before Las Vegas, had it towed, but we were able to go home safely. It was such a tiring trip but worthwhile since we saw a lot of scenic and historical spots in that part of CA.

LAKE TAHOE, CA

Mono Lake, Lee Vinning, CA

Yosemite National Park, CA

June 2008 Trip to Northern CA

Thursday, May 29, 2008

TODAY

APARTMENT 1083

August 10, 2006, the day I moved in
To this Camden unit called Oasis Springs
It's gated, it's secured from possible nuisances
Can be brought about by zombs and crizzies.

The place is nice the place is quiet
The people around are all abound
With all their needs with all their wants
I'm so happy I have one.

Roger's moving in September 07
For me was a great advantage
Around him happiness springs
His craziness and fondness
Makes me feel I'm the nicest.

Apartment 1083 still we're here
Our home, the home we've loved
Everyday as we look around
Peace, love, and quiet abound.

Monday, May 26, 2008

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Today, we remember the brave men and women who died in pursuit of freedom and democracy. We pray for the repose of their souls. We also pray for the safety of our men and women in uniform who are still out there fighting for freedom and democracy. To these men and women I dedicate this poem:

GOD BLESS OUR SOLDIERS

God bless our soldiers the men of courage best
God bless the men and women whose lives they risk for us
God bless the chosen few whose leadership prevails
And so our nation's safety, our health, our freedom roar.

God bless America the land you so much loved
The people who inhabited, this nation is our pride
The courageous men and women who's out to make them halt
The terrors deliberately committed, the acts of evil's mind.

God bless our soldiers the soldiers in foreign lands
God bless our soldiers whose sacrifices mount
God bless our soldiers raging war on Demon's camps
God bless our soldiers keep them safe and out of harm.

Heavenly Father, our Lord and our God
Bless our soldiers our cherished kind
Give them the wisdom they need so badly now
Send them Your Love, Your Guidance, Your Might!

God bless our soldiers, God bless them all
God cover them with trusts all around
Keep everyone of them under Thy great wings
Make them precise, concise and wise.

God bless our soldiers, we repeatedly ask
Make them safe till they finish their task
God bless our soldiers, we all humbly ask
Heavenly Father, we want them back.

by MMHonkala-from "Poems that Inspire"
C2004 Brainerd, MN USA