Flat Stanly in Sedona

We went to church today, then left for an afternoon in Sedona, the magnetic center of the universe. Along with us were our two offspring and a flat friend by the name of Stanley. The kids took up room and cost me money, but we had a great time laughing and, as usual, making fun of me. Stanley took up no space, cost me no money, but he did not say much; he just sat there in my wife's purse with that happy face on him, constantly waving. He was oblivious to what was going on and still he was having a great time.

We stopped in Sedona at Bell Rock and Jim took Stanley's picture looking like he was holding Bell Rock. Stanley, in his usual way, was more than happy to pose for others that wanted his picture in their vacation shots. We laughed about Stanley, and we made some new acquaintances.

We told Stan that Sedona is known for UFO sightings and so he wanted to see a UFO. We could not really stay to wait and hope for a real one, so we stopped in a little shop just inside of Sedona where there is a replica of what an alien spaceship might look like. Stan just had to have his picture taken with the "Alien".

While he was doing this, I listened to a conversation in the store between the shop keeper and a customer. They discussed the idea that Sedona has an area similar to Area 51 outside it which houses UFOs and has been the site of many encounters with alien ships and happenings where an alter dimension (Ala Fringe

) has happened.

As a matter of fact, if you take a close look to the right of Stan in the picture, you can see the shadow of someone watching him! (Cue Twilight Zone music here)

On the way home, Stanley almost got to experience a high speed wreck when we were traveling down the I-17. We were going about 75 miles per hour passing another car, and were just about to get even with it. In my rear view mirror, I spied an orange Pontiac Solstice coming up on us at an extremely high speed. I thought he would slow down, but he didn't. He tried to pass us on the right and then made a move to go between us as if we were on a NASCAR track. There was not enough room and only dropoff to either side. I slammed on the breaks, and the Jerk (sorry, it got me riled just thinking about it) whipped in front of us, almost clipping the right front of our car and causing a pile up. I layed on my horn, flashed my lights, but, (get this) he put his hand out the window and waved!!!! And where is DPS when you need them?

Anyway, the day was relaxing for the most part and certainly enjoyable. If Flat Stanley did not have a good time, he certainly did not say anything.

doughnut

Flat Stanley and the Border Patrol

I went this weekend to Tucson. We stayed at a wonderful Radisson Hotel near the airport. But that is not what this is about. Today is about my travels with a friend, Flat Stanley.

Flat Stanley was sent to me by my great-nephew Alex Sanders who lives in Hannibal, MO (you know, the "Show Me" state.) His class is doing a project with their reading of the book, Flat Stanley. Stanley Lampchop is flattened in his sleep one night by a bulletin board given to him by his father. Stanley survives, but he now gets to go on some great adventures because he can be mailed to people. Alex mailed Stanley to us, and we have been showing him around Arizona.

This weekend we went to Tombstone and looked around "The Town That Wouldn't Die." We had a great time, and I was amazed at how many people there knew who Stanley was, and were more than willing to hold him while we took their picture! I felt like I was escorting some kind of celebrity around.

Stanley had is picture taken next to cowboys, stagecoaches, buildings, and even cactus. Folks were very accomodating, with one cowboy even recognizing Stanley as we walked down the sidewalk and insisted on getting his picture taken with him! A shopkeeper posed with him, and another put Stanley inside a pair of cowboy boots... We laughed with total strangers all day.

On our way back to Tucson, we had to stop at a Border Patrol barricade. We were certain that we would have trouble proving that Stanley was an American Citizen and we thought that he might get detained and possibly deported. As we pulled up to the officer and rolled down our windows, he asked, "Are you all American Citizens in the car?" We said we were, but we were not sure about our passenger. The officer quizzed us, "Can I see your passenger?"

I held up Stanley, and the officer got a big smile on his face, and exclaimed, "Stanley! It is good to see you!" We had no problem, and Stanley had his picture taken with the Border Patrol.

On Monday, Stanley is going with me to the Arizona Capitol Historic Museum as I talk to them about volunteering as a docent. I am sure we will have a great time. Next weekend, Stanley is going to Sedona so he can see the Red Rocks and maybe experience the magnetism of the vorteces up there!

Oh, and Alex, I have to tell you that we are going to a Suns game, so he will probably learn to like purple instead of that green the Celtics wear!

Uncle Doughnut