Working Out & Weaving Lessons

Jutta Engelhardt in the gym Phoenix, Arizona

This is not Jutta’s first visit to the gym during this trip; we’ve been here nearly every day we are in Phoenix. We’d noticed that my mother-in-law was having trouble getting herself out of chairs and sometimes required a few goes before she had the momentum to lift herself up. So, I’d decided to drag her whining and complaining to the gym to get her into shape for some promised reward but didn’t give her an idea of what that would be. I’m hoping she’ll be ready for the big adventure by the end of the month as we have reservations booked for the surprise event.

Jutta Engelhardt on the Navajo Loom learning to weave in Mesa, Arizona

Hey, Jutta’s only 73 and seems able to learn new tricks so why not go for broke? Here we are in Mesa, Arizona in the back room at Fiber Factory with Sharie Monsam teaching Caroline and her mom Navajo Weaving. My mother-in-law will have just over 4 weeks to complete the rug she’ll be taking home complete, or else!

Drum Circle

Jutta Engelhardt at a drumming class in Phoenix, Arizona

This trip has been nothing if it’s not been about pulling Jutta into our everyday life. Her other vacations to America are typically jam-packed with travels that run her down, this time we wanted to run her down with activities that are a part of our normal routine. Not that we go to drumming workshops all the time…

Caroline Wise and Frank Thompson at drumming class in Phoenix, Arizona

…but if we did, it would only be with Frank Thompson as he’s got this down. Frank, Caroline, and I worked together nearly 10 years ago in a computer manufacturers business.

Farm Life for Jutta

Jutta Engelhardt at Tonopah Rob's Vegetable Farm in Arizona

That’s Jerry Roberts on the left, Rob Lazzarotto in middle, and of course my mother-in-law Jutta Engelhardt on the right. The team is preparing onions for the weekend market.

Jutta Engelhardt at Tonopah Rob's Vegetable Farm in Arizona

While Rob and Jerry are off tending to other tasks, Jutta is cleaning up the oranges.

Jutta Engelhardt at Chile Acres in Tonopah, Arizona

Before leaving the Tonopah area, we stop in on Jimmy and Celia at Chile Acres where Jutta lends a hand to bottle-feed a kid. I don’t this German lady ever imagined going to America and spending so much time on farms.