![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOgA9dikBBMoZPSVmCJql1r3Fa4fod9QgwuWgebSeGjtPedI_cDAvrZ7kuxmweRaqIPIKAFRNchccX5kkWSNDSZsBeFLOgzoHencqzKRcd3MwGFMrTuUNWXLa4pVcTmSyneDUBHIZ0lSi/s400/P1300015.JPG)
Mesa was filled with bright blue skies and bright green palm trees. I soaked up these colors and now I'm trying to figure out how to decorate a room, or paint a picture or revamp some part of my life to include these bright, glorious colors.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MNaVtLM_f8iLKH4LRkg2iB-CX_pVw6EtJwl4ziZLzPQ_1BFCAlRdrc-D506RlvrdjEnrcijqnMyyFuzp-PUe9gt5x0BxFlDZAjY2f0qUooubZ5jWhq94oXXw-Lo9R0LqoOtE1KgkKEK0/s400/P1310057.JPG)
We got to watch this guy for a while, painting the bluffs ahead of us. I would love to try this one day...to set up an easel, to squirt out a rainbow of colors and play with paints while soaking up some sunshine. It just seemed like a very happy, content
past time.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilrojm23yrJeEC8LqaBXcCzaqxovvIo_Plulro2E40QmSDe-XCiFcZ7VWR_oTkUkMCrOrpdWdb2y2QaDYWN1u2nqkBbS4Fud4DlJrQjp3AdbyrECjlkmBi-8Qw0rai2sbchTX6cAmFsflB/s400/P1310045.JPG)
We had a family picnic in the desert and honestly this is the best part of a trip to Mesa: family time. My grandma has been going to this place, Venture Out, for over 30 winters. And now my folks go for part of the winter, as do my aunts and uncles Jan and Don and Wayne and Judy. It's basically a family reunion every winter that goes on for weeks at a time. Everyone rides their bikes or golf carts from place to place, involved with stained glass or wood working or card games or Bible studies or stamping groups and it makes for one dreamy picture of retirement
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQWrc3px9wgdeKZRWIyhS_0cH1rNfiZE837p8cZ8-gob3IWvOu0BJcgj2JVL6Hz6XUpJJs5lfahPCEGYyjbRJlx7guIXvj323C5Mp7OhhmjL_6gzdKJs6x-vnekdHeLlHhsCnY5WLLQwwA/s400/P1310042.JPG)
Yes, this is my dad going to church on Sunday morning, ready to hop on his bike in his suit and tie.