November 22, 2015—Pima County Fairgrounds, Tucson, Arizona

November 22, 2015—Pima County Fairgrounds, Tucson, Arizona

Every year, as we get nearer and nearer to the desert of Arizona, our children begin to fret.  Hm-m-m!  I wonder why?  Today, this e-mail came.  It will give you just a sample of the tight rein they try to keep on the six of us.  It usually doesn’t work, but they just keep trying.

    Dear Bill, Raymonda, Dwight, Sheila, Todd and Bonnie,

    I have been elected to represent the children of the Danes, Meeks and McAllister's.  OK,  I      actually  drew the short straw. Anyway....it is time for our annual talk.  Not the talk that         you parents had with us as children at the age of 12,  but equally as necessary.

    That being said,  here goes......   When the six of you get together, common sense has a     way of conveniently vanishing.  Yes, we know that it is fun to go off roading and tearing         through the Arizona countryside without abandon, but please do so at a rate of speed         that doesn't strip the trees of their leaves.  Please, please, please use caution when         poking around for a particularity hard to locate geocache.  Let's be more clear.              Raymonda, that means you.  As for you other five, you've all done it and been lucky.          Let's not push that luck, ok?  To avoid choking while eating due to excessive laughter,         especially if Dwight is wearing sunglasses, please cut your food  into small pieces and         chew thoroughly.  Better yet, maybe you should stick to yogurt and applesauce when         more than three of you are gathered together.

    We love you dearly, but good grief, you might be the death of us.

    Stay safe, have fun (within reason) and enjoy your friends.

    Love,

    Lorri

So we have been warned.  We’ll see if any of us listened!