Tracie's World

It's been 10 years now since we lost my dear friend Craig, and we all still miss him.  He, along with my buddies Randy and Dave, was one of the first people I met when I hit town. He moved me into my first apartment, worked on my car, and in general took care of not just me, but all the rest of us. In celebration of what would have been his birthday, his kids Brad and Julie gathered all the old friends for a memory party.  It was so wonderful to see them, and the great people they've become.  And as always, so great to be with my compadres from the Roosevelt Ward, which doesn't happen all that often. I'm sure Craig was beaming down from above. Craig with his kids Mark Christensen, Carol Christensen, Rex Hale, Heather Doney, Me, Dave Carlson, Karen Robinson, Brad Davis, Julie Davis  Heather Doney, Anita Hallman, Joe Hallman, Me, Brad, Julie, Karen Robinson Randy Manning, Karen Robinson, Brian Irving, Janeal Irving, Jacob Irving, Brad  Joe Hallman, Anita Ha...

January - other than the New Year, it's not really a month I'm a fan of.  It's freezing cold outside, the college football season is over, and baseball Opening Day is still 3 months away.  The NFL playoffs are in full swing, but other than that, between now and April 1, all I'm left with is basketball. Yuck. Now, don't get me wrong. I love to play basketball. In fact there was a time when it was my favorite sport.  I mean, me and my bandana head are legendary in the annals of Young Adult ward basketball.  But basketball on TV, now that's another story altogether.  Seriously - unless you have the Year of the Jimmer, the college game is totally lame - 2 halves, and nothing but zone defenses.  BORING!   And then there's the NBA - which everyone knows is totally rigged.  I mean, when's the last time you saw a superstar get called for a foul, let alone saw one playing fundamentals? Hello - last I knew, taking more than 2 steps to the basket was ...

This year, I spent Christmas in Tucson with my brother's family.  It was a perfect opportunity to visit with them and the kids, as well as bask in a little sunshine, which had been pretty much non-existent here.  It was awesome.  We had a terrific Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and we also managed to fit in some tourist-y things, such as going out for Sonoran Hot Dogs (which I'm convinced is the food of the Gods), visiting the San Xavier Mission and the Pima Air and Space Museum, and taking a walking tour of downtown Tucson. With my Sonoran HotDog - wrapped in bacon and covered with beans, onions, jalapenos, cheese, and mayo. YUMMO! With my niece and nephew at Mission San Xavier, the oldest mission in Arizona A P51 Mustang - used by the US Air Force in the South Pacific during World War II A B17 "Flying Fortress", used by the US Air Force in bombing runs over Europe in WWII At the Mormon Battalion Memorial statue in downtown Tucson Picking a contraband orange ...