Better photographers than me

I'm posting some photos of our recent gathering at my house. Unfortunately, none of the photos are mine. I found a Sony digital camera with a Carl Zeiss lens on it at a thrift store for $20. I was going to sell it, but Cameron was interested. So I sold it as is to him for $20. Big mistake. His camera takes great photos. Here are some of them. Also, I've included a photo that was published on the cover of the latest edition of Phoenix magazine taken by your cousin Mitch Arnett (Wayne's son). It's of Havasupi Falls. He also takes better photos than me. That makes three, Chea, Cameron and Mitch. I think I'll stick to music.

NTSB report Sept. 17, 1964 Photo of Plane type

NTSB Identification: Unknown14 CFR Part 91 General Aviation Event occurred Thursday, September 17, 1964 in CIBOLA, AZAircraft: BEECHCRAFT K35, registration: N348B
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FILE DATE LOCATION AIRCRAFT DATA INJURIES FLIGHT PILOT DATA F S M/N PURPOSE----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-0750 64/9/17 CIBOLA ARIZ BEECHCRAFT K35 CR- 0 1 0 NONCOMMERCIAL PRIVATE, AGE 47, 355 TIME - 1245 N348B PX- 2 1 0 BUSINESS TOTAL HOURS, 96 IN TYPE, DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL OT- 0 0 0 NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. NAME OF AIRPORT - ARNETT STRIP TYPE OF ACCIDENT PHASE OF OPERATION STALL: MUSH TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB PROBABLE CAUSE(S) PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED FACTOR(S) PILOT IN COMMAND - PREMATURE LIFT-OFF FIRE AFTER IMPACT

Graduation Speeches and Moon over Cibola

Today marked an incredible milestone in my life. Actually, this past week was one of the most eventful filled times I can remember. If I can be permitted to review the events -- wait it's my blog and if you don't like it go somewhere else. If it doesn't turn out good, I might go somewhere else, too.

Backtracking from today on back, here's what happened. My wife "the facilitator of happiness'', gave the faculty speech today at the Desert Ridge Junior High Promotion Ceremony. She has been as nervous about this as anything she has ever done. Many of you know, she really can't pray in public, let alone speak in public, due to her soft heart and tendency to become emotional. There have been many times during family prayer she would speak so softly that Chad and I couldn't hear her. We would inch closer and closer while she whispered and cried softer and softer. At length, both Chad and I would have our ears right next to her mouth waiting to hear an Amen. We have become used to it and have had some fun with it over the years. But, she is terrified to speak in public, yet she married a man with A.S.S. and has a son with it also. Remember, this is also a woman who cries at Supermarket Grand Openings.

Needless, to say, giving the speech was tramatic for her. Her sister, Donna, and I went to hear it and we both concur it was incredible. She was animated, charming, disarming and the speech was perfect. No longer will I worry about her shyness. It was as if she found some deep, dark A.S.S. to draw upon.

That's my Pammie!

Backtracking further to earlier in the week, we ventured the 112 degree heat back to the homeland of Blythe and Cibola. It was perfect weather for the trip. It would be easy to tell the kids about the heat, but they got to experience it firsthand. Here are some plans on what to do with the photos and stories told. No, Heidi, I'm not yelling. Lacy has set up a new blog where we will post some photos and life history excerpts, etc. It will tell the story for our next generation Arnett's of our Cibola experience. In addition, there will be a DVD movie made through a collaboration of several individuals with interviews, snippets of the trip we took and an actual script. It won't be of Baby Boomerang quality, but it will be an appropriate multi-media history of the Howard and Ethel Arnett family. It will be called, " A hat and a rose". That's all I can say for now. This will be for our family only, not to leave others out, but some of the jokes and humor may be esoteric in nature. I have asked for the help of Chea, Lacy, Ryan, Cameron (I'm asking now), Jessica, Candy and Kensie (I'm asking now). It will include an all original musical score based on our experiences then and now and feature some familiar voices. Each family member will be included (somewhat like the James Gale book, but better) and there will be recent photos of entire families. It really should be done and needs to be done. We have the resources and skills necessary to do this, so we will.

So, now I backtrack once again to Cameron's ordination. It was a great experience not only for him, but for us all. I know Cameron appreciates all who could attend. I know this sounds corny and maybe even irreverent, but I found myself looking around to see if just maybe I was in tune enough to see some grandparents there. I didn't and I wasn't, but I felt as though I should look. It was that kind of spirit that was there. Cameron, I know you don't read these blogs, but you have come along way and set a good example for others in our family. Way to go, Sobrino.

So, backtracking even further, all of this was looked over upon by a full moon. Thanks DevHoyo for showing me how to turn off my flash.

Eating Crow, Looking up at Snakes!

It appears as though I owe an apology to my nieces, Dana Joy and Lacy Lee (that's right Lee) named after me. I hereby declare to the world that I was wrong and am humbled by their recently running and completing the Ogden Marathon. I, Jeffrey Lee Arnett, born in New Mexico and raised in Blythe, California do hereby admit that they are women of valor. I didn't think they could do it. I didn't think they should do it. I didn't know why anyone would want to do it, but they did it and I with pride now give them full credit for their accomplishment and own up to my stupidity. I feel so low that I have to look up to see the belly of a rattlesnake. They are my heros, winners in life and winners in my heart.

Two college scholarships!

It appears as though I won't be the only college scholarshipped athlete in the family anymore. The attached letter says it all.

Cibola update!

Okay here's the deal. Cameron is going to be ordained on the evening of the 19th at my house. All are invited, however, if you can't make that event take it up with Cameron. I suggest his immediate family make it, like his mom, dad, etc. Cousin Wendy and Colby have graciously offered the use of their house for those coming from out of town. Bedding will be scarce so you might want to bring a sleeping bag, etc. It will be hot here so maybe just a sheet...jk. I learned that term from someone text messaging me. Anyway, my pool is available to all that need it except on Sundays. A bath, however, is acceptable on Sundays. Tuesday, the 20th of May, we are planning to convoy via I-10 to Blythe where we will then head to the home of Malcom and Dondra which is by the old Union Feed Yards. They have graciously offered their home for us to meet at, eat some lunch that we will have bought on Lovekin Ave. and then consume. We will then have a short instructional meeting to detail our trip to Cibola. It's only about a 20 minute drive from there, but we will be stopping along the way for photo opportunities like the Colorado River Feed Yards, the bridge, Baseline road, the Cibola Natl. Wildlife Refuge bldg. to view a map of our old place, the Bishop's place, and then the corral and shack, the bulldozer, Williams old place, the canal, the newer bridge, the fish and game place, the runway and crash site and if possible the old river. Of course, will be also be seeing our old house on 7th street. Chea will be taking professional pictures, but all are encouraged to take photos, etc. She has asked that we be at the site later for some better evening light opportunities.

Now, for those of you that would like to leave earlier on the 20th to see other things in Blythe, etc. I will provide a map to Malcolm's house to meet. I know HB and Larry and Kathleen will want to see some other things. Remember, Aunt Kathleen has as many or more memories than the rest of us do in Blythe and Dana should remember some things also. She was so cute and loved to be tickled in Blythe. Kathy, let me know if you would like to go into your old house. I can call the family that lives there and see about it. I might want to go earlier myself to do some fishing, but only if someone would like me to be their fishing guide. Let me know.

Candy, please post of send my any photos you have of Cibola. I know you sent my one with mom being pregnant by the canal. I am putting together a booklet with photos and descriptions to show our history in Cibola.

The most important pieces to this puzzle will be to hear the stories told by Cliff, HB, Larry me and Candy. They will all differ and will all be self-centered, because we all have ASS. But, if we can we will piece together a history of our life in Cibola. It will be hot, very hot for those of you from Utah. Come prepared with air conditioning in your cars and water. It should be fun, if not fun, it will be hot for sure. But, that is really the essence of what Cibola is all about.