“These simple words are a poor
vessel in which to carry such Earthly wonders.” (Abigayle)
June 8, 1999
Another glorious day - another gift from my Heavenly Father. Everything I am, everything I have, every drop of knowledge and wisdom, every moment of hope and joy, and yes… every single teardrop is truly a gift. And I am happy; happy no matter what this life on Earth may hold in store for me. I am content; content in the knowledge that I need not understand… as I am only human; born of man and limited by Earthly constraints. I am honored to serve and honored to love. After all, I am royalty…I am a child of God.
After much prayer and reflection, I finally realized why I was to remain here in Parker. It’s time to take my message to a much larger audience and the best way to do that is via the Internet. There are just a couple of small problems with that plan though… One, I know absolutely nothing about computers. And two, I don’t even own a computer. But those are merely “speed bumps in the road”, (solvable problems). I decided to get a job here in Parker and earn the money I need to buy a good computer. While I’m doing that, I’ll use the time it takes to learn how to use one (and design a website). And what better place to accomplish that goal than on an Indian Reservation in the Arizona desert where I’ll have a chance to experience yet another completely different way of life. After all, learning is living… Right?
So, (lucky me) it just happened that they were almost finished building a beautiful new Indian casino/resort here on the Colorado River (Blue Water Resort), and I was fortunate enough to get a job serving food in the Fine Dining restaurant, (which is yet another unbelievable story for my book). How blessed can I possibly be? Just picture it… one tall, slender blond in a world of dark heavyset people who make NO BONES about HATING the Whites. Just to make it even more of a challenge, I hadn’t served food since high school, nor did I have an address, car or telephone. Apparently, I really was supposed to be here… because for some unexplainable reason, I got one of only THREE full-time/full-benefit food serving positions in the Fine Dining restaurant. Now I’ll be able to earn the “computer” money I need, plus I’ll have a chance to make some new friends here on the reservation and gain a better understanding of the Indian point of view. Perhaps by working day after day right alongside them, they’ll see that we Whites aren’t so bad after all. Boy, now there’s a real turn-around. For the first time in my life, I am actually among the unpopular minority and I must admit, it’s a very enlightening experience. (But then, I always did love a challenge)
Because the Blue Water Resort is located a mile outside of town, (and I have no car), I was thrilled to find out that they have an RV park right next to the resort. (Walking distance!) That’s where I’m living right now and it’s beautiful. The Colorado River runs right by my front door so I borrowed a little 2-man raft and now I get my exercise by rowing around the river (among all the speed boats - who probably think I'm crazy). I can’t believe how hot it is here! 100 degrees is a cool day… and Summer is just beginning. Thankfully my air conditioner seems to be working fine, (so far - knock on wood). Didn’t I mention something in an earlier entry about wondering what it would be like to spend a summer in the Arizona desert? Well, here I am...about to find out.
I sure am glad I have my bicycle though. It’s a candy-apple red 1951 Western Flyer with a big basket on the front. With the town of Parker being so far away, I’m lucky to have a bike to ride to town several times a week. That’s mainly because no one drinks the water here, so every few days I have to haul a couple of gallons home on my bicycle, (not to mention groceries and other sundries). It's like a scene directly out of the Wizard of Oz. Sometimes I have three or four bags hanging from each handlebar. I always leave early in the morning (at first light) and try to get back before it gets too hot. Between riding my bike, working as a food server and rowing my little raft, I sure am staying in shape. (Not bad for a grandma!)
I’ll keep in touch. (Be sure and check out the two pictures at the bottom of this page.)
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First Picture: This is a picture of the Blue Water Resort where I am working. I took it from the air while enjoying a tour of the desert with a friend. My RV is parked about 1/4 mile further along the river (from the bottom left corner), and it's a beautiful walk to work!
Second Picture: This is the view from my kitchen table. I have a little patio with a picnic table and a view of the beautiful desert mountains in the distance. (They're sure different from my Oregon Mountains - but still awesome in their own special way.
