THE KING OF TORTS: JOHN GRISHAM

This is one of those easy reads, where half way through you have the sneaking suspicion that you have read this novel a couple of years ago.  But it does not stop you from going on, still wondering why this seems familiar.  And I cannot tell you if I have read it before or not.

In this fast, easy read,  Clay Carter, a nothing lawyer in the Public Prosecutor's office, ends up being chosen, by whom and for what reason we are not sure, to head a suit holding a drug company responsible for the complications from their drug.  He listens to his insider, does as he is told, and ends up reaping millions of dollars literally overnight.  Things only get better for him and the few people whom he brings along.  He starts to run around with the big boys, making more and more millions, buying a house, a jet, an vacation home on the Caribbean, all the result of his chance connection.  The only thing missing is the girl her loves, one Rebeca Mc Kay, daughter of an obnoxious Senator whom Clay hates.  Just before his good fortune, of course, he breaks up with Rebecka and her parents because he's such a failure in their eyes.

He ends up starting a law firm with his class action suits, makes over a 110 million bucks in a year, becomes famous in DC as the King of Torts though he always had second thoughts about the rightness of what he is doing, basically low balling his clients monetary rights, by putting them in a class action suit, then setting with the drug company, making himself millions, his clients sometimes as little as 50 grand.  The virtue of the book is we get to see how ruthless and vulgar the big cat tort lawyers can be, as they scramble to assembly class action suits.  Everything seems fine until it isn't.  Clay goes one step to far, loses a law suit, unheard of usually, as drug companies settle.  And a number of the old clients, especially those who lost their jobs when he refused to settle with a cement company in a small town in PA, attack him outside his house in DC, blaming him and his law firm for losing their jobs.  We see how the effects of law suits effect the little guy in this case.  As we expect, Clay loses everything, the jet, the beautiful  girl, the villa, his office, and his home but gets the girl, Rebeca Van Horn, in the end.  He leaves town with Rebeca, his last flight on his corporate jet and that's the last we hear from them.

Two Soccer Games in Kansas City

With Nick and Marlena 

Jean and Tom and family

Jean and Tom

Nick's Taller than Mom

It's sunny and cool this morning in Lee' Summit, about 42 degrees, same as Chautauqua, with a high of 68, quite a difference from the past few days in Scottsdale, where the highs hit 100 degrees. It's actually late for me, as I got up at 7:30 and no one is yet up at  8:10.

We left Scottsdale yesterday at 8:00, flew to KC, around two and a half hours, picked up our car at the airport and drove home to Tommy's through the city.  We got back around 2:30 and Marlena and Mary had just gotten home from a field trip.  Perfect timing.  Nick got home a short time later, so we were able to enjoy the kids on Friday because we left so early.  I shot some hoops with Tom and Nick and the girls prepared Tom's favorite dinner, lemon chicken, with rice and garlic spinach.  Jean, Evie's sister also was able to come over for dinner, which was fun since we had not seen her since last year at this time as she had spent most of the past seven months either in Scottsdale or in Texas with her daughter Jennifer and grand children.  She looks great, keeps very busy with her friends here in KC, golfing and going on outings with her 'culture club,' like a visit to the art museum, with drinks later at bar with a transvestite review.  She said it was great fun and it sounds like my kind of place.  Dinner, as usual, was great and we had no leftovers as Tommy continually went back for seconds and thirds.  Jean stayed till dark, invited us over for dinner at her house on Sunday.  We all started watching the latest Tom Cruise movie, but were so tired we went to bed half way through.  Maybe we can catch the rest today.

Today, there's a kite fair just down the street at the Longview College campus grounds and Marlena has soccer game at 3:00, Nick one at 5:00, so we will go out to dinner after Nick's game in Kansas because Nick has his game there, about 35 minutes from Lee's Summit, MO, Tom's home.

Scottsdale to Kansas City, Via Southwest

The Petkovsek sisters and their husbands

With Dad and Dot

Crazy Hostess Claire

Henry and Claire's daughter Becky with her Friend Denise

Hiking in Sonoran Desert

View From Dad and Dot's yard

Claire and Evie

I am up at 5:00 because we are leaving for the airport at 6:00 and Laura has kindly volunteered to take us there.  It is pitch black, just a lightness above the mountain top as the sun does not rise for another hour.  We have had a great few days here and every time I come I think we should have stayed longer.  But, I think it's just about the right amount of time for staying with Dad and Dot because having lots of people around takes it toll on them, especially Dot who likes her routine and quiet, like us all.

Henry and I hiked the Mc Dowell mountain trails again yesterday morning; Evie decided to stay home and relax with her Dad, Dot and Laura.  We ended up walking on a couple of different trails, a little over an hour total, one being the Nature Preserve, where they had signs and information marking  all the habitat in the desert, both animal and plant.  It was a .3 miles loop, with stops along the way with lots of information, perfect for grade and middle school kids to enjoy.  We took another short loop that took us up the side of the mountain, just right for someone who does not or cannot walk too far at one go.  Then, we headed off on another trail, through scrub mostly, enjoying the landscape, especially the rocky runs for the water when it rains.  We saw lots of people on the trails, even mountain bikes, though it would be a tough ride as the trails are filled with rocks, making it quite bumpy.  When we left about 9:30, people were still streaming in even though it was already in the 90's.

We relaxed at home with the family, had lunch, until about 3:00 when we went over to Claire and Henry's to enjoy the afternoon, swim, and have a cookout on our last night here in Scottsdale. We had pineapple strawberry daiquiris to start the afternoon off, then appetizers, a few beers, lots of swimming and sun.  For dinner, Henry cooked burgers and dogs and Claire made potato salad , beans, and sides for the burgers, all delicious.  We finished off the evening with some rousing games of bean bag, Evie being the two time winner, of course.  It was a great day, fun for all of us because of the wonderful hospitality of the Kartagener's. Before we left, we packed things up, so we were ready to go in the morning, as we will have to leave by around 6:00 or 6:30 in the morning to catch an 8:00 flight.

Final Day In Scottsdale, Alas

Saquaro Cactus

View from Pinnacle Peak

Pinnacle Peak

2889 Feet Above Sea Level

Ravine at Pinnacle Peak

Saguaro Lake

Evie and Claire

Up early again, at 5:30, though I have awakened at 3:30 each of the last two mornings, then struggled to go back to sleep til 5:30.  The sun has not risen yet though it's light, the mountains shrouded still in shadows.  There's a bit of a chill (56 degrees) in the air and already a couple of people have walked or run by the back yard. Also six quails, their head feathers bobbing, are scratching in the stone, looking for food, making their inimitable call.  I did not realize it but the sun rises earlier here in Scottdale than Chautauqua, 38 minutes difference, rising at 5:52 and it sets earlier as a result.  I was also curious about the elevation of Scottsdale from our hike yesterday on Pinnacle Peak where the highest elevation of the hike was 2888 feet.  Well, Scottsdale is at an even lower elevation than Chautauqua, coming in a 1254 elevation compared to lake's 1310 elevation.  The sun just peaked out over the hills to the east, blinding me as I take my picture.

6:08 PST

My brother in law, Henry, came over this morning again at 8:00 as were walking another famous hike, the Pinnacle Peak, about a half hour ride from our house.  It was another beautiful day and by the time we got there, about 8:30, the parking lot will full so we ended up parking on the street. Again, an architecturally interesting building greets us, with lots of shade, tables for eating, and rest rooms.  The hike is more like a climb, up this huge mountain of rocks, basically, a series of switch backs, as you head up the mountain.  There are amazing views as you walk, of all sides, mostly of wealthy gated communities with their green, immaculate golf courses, and homes that blend into rocky moutainous landscape.  As we walked, signs identified many types of plants which covered the side of the hills though few were yet in bloom, as it was not yet peak season.  We went about half way, about 35 to 40 minutes up, the same coming down.  It was also much more crowded than yesterday's hike because it's more spectacular.  All sorts were on the trails, mother's with kids, retirees, lots of younger guys and gals running, the gamut of the intrepid though it was a safe walk, with fences and rails where it could have been dangerous.  We took our time, read most of signs and it ended up being an enjoyable walk, with little difficulty if you didn't try to push it.  We didn't!

Dot making Potica with Evie and Laura

We were back by 10:00, to help Dot begin making her speciality, potica, a Slovenian nut roll that we all love.  She made the dough,  Evie and Laura ground the nuts, and we had to wait till late afternoon for the dough to rise, to begin assembling the rolls and baking them.  Claire stopped over, to see if we wanted to take a drive to Saguaro Lake, about a half hour away.  Evie and I decided to go, as we had to wait for the dough to rise.  It was an interesting ride out, through Fountain Hills, a large suburb to the east and north of Phoenix.  The ride skirted rocky mountains and desert scrub until we began to hit these huge rock formations, took a right, drove down the road a mile in to the Tanto National Park, and suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, was this blue lake, surrounded by huge mountains of rock.  As drove down to the lake road, we could see the Salt River Dam, off to the right, a restaurant and marina at the bottom of the road.  The lake was about two or three miles across, sort of the body, with a tail that went an extra six or seven miles, for a total of 10 miles in length.  Henry took us to a couple of other parking areas, where campers or hikes can access either the river, to swim or tube, or the trails, for hiking.  Again, it's an amazing natural area for those who love the outdoors.  It took us a couple of hours to get there and back.  We went to Claire and Henry's for a swim, some relaxation, before returning home to help with the making of the potica.  When we walked in, we could smell the first batch baking and Evie ended up helping with the rolling and putting together of the eight nut rolls, three prune rolls and two poppy seed rolls.

Dinner at George's Chinese Restaurant in Scottsdale

For dinner, we decided to go out to the local Chinese restaurant called George's, a fun place which we have been too a couple of other times.  We shared our meals, all  good, as Ed told George his jokes.  We headed back to the house around 8:00. watched the last hour of American Idol with Claire and Henry and Laura, then most of us went to be  around 10:00.

Sunny, Hot, Blues Skies in Scottsdale

Mc Dowell Sonoran Preserve

Enjoying the Morning

Only in Sierra Club Territory

Evie and her Fa

Laura and Claire

Dinner at Claire and Henry's

The Pool Gals

Up at 6:30, to a room filled with light, turned on the coffee, walked outside, scared away all the birds in the yard, mostly quail and mourning doves, settled down in my chair after pouring my coffee, to enjoy the morning dawn.  The  sun is up over the horizon to might right, slowly enveloping the hills to my north, partly in shadows, with light.  They are brown, with tuffs of green, and some kind of bush or cactus.  There's a bit of delicious chill in the air,  knowing what's coming later in the day.  Right now it's a perfect 53 degrees, but will jump to the mid 90's by this afternoon.

We had a great morning walk yesterday with Henry, through the Mc Dowell Sonoran Preserve, a series of paths up into the hills, of varying lengths, modest degrees of difficulties.  When we arrived at the parking lot, it already had 25 or 30 cars, as it's a popular spot for people living in the area.  There's an entrance with rest rooms, maps, water, and any info you might need for the walk.  We took a path for about thirty five minutes, up a mountain, so that we had an amazing view to the south, of  Phoenix.  The path was gradual, so we were able to walk it easily, with a few stops for water, though some people were running it.  If we had continued, we would have made a loop around the mountain and it would have taken over two hours.  As it was,  our hike took us a little over an hour and that was enough, as we were getting hot even at 8;00 in the morning. The trail is mostly dirt, sand, and rock, with various types of cactus and bushes dotting the landscape to the left and right, creating a southwestern kind of beauty I love, such a contrast to the green of Chautauqua.  The contrast of the brown, mostly rocky landscape, with the verticals of cactus, create an interesting silhouette against the blue sky, the mountain side.  There is something restful about it, a simplicity, a lack of color and complexity, that settles the mind.  As we walked, we met lots of hikers, mostly women at this time of the day, some running, some walking dogs, some with other women, all with water bottles or hydration packs, enjoying the morning.  By the time we returned, the parking lot was full.  On weekends, Henry mentioned it's almost impossible to find a place to park unless you get there very early.

On the way back, we stopped at Einstein's for some bagels, then Henry dropped us off and we relaxed with Dad and Dot, then had lunch on the porch.  We stayed at their house till about 2:00, then headed over to Claire and Henry's to enjoy their home, pool, and wonderful hospitality.  Henry literally met us with strawberry daiquiris and we lazed about the pool most of the afternoon, occasionally snacking on chips and guacamole, jumping in the pool, braving the sun for a few minutes, and just enjoying the leisure of a Tuesday afternoon in Scottsdale with little you have to do.  The good life.  Claire and Henry's home is very southwestern, a large courtyard around the pool, a couple bedrooms, a kitchen and family room, even a mother in law suite off the pool called a cacita, or something like that.  It's so cool and comfortable, both inside and  out, that it was hard to believe it was in the 90's.  I can see why they stay here a good part of the year.

For dinner, Claire made Spanish rice, salad, an various sides to go along with tortillas, as Henry grilled chicken breasts and marinated  skirt steak for dinner, all great and very filling.  We could hardly get up from the table, we were so full.  We, then sat outside, enjoying dusk and early evening sky, the night slowly cooling and then headed home around 9:00 after a great day.  More of the same today, I hope.

On the Way to Claire's Home

As I sit here finishing my coffee, the quails have become braver, are pecking in the stones about 15 feet from me, looking for bird seed or some of yesterday's veggies.  I love the hanging feather from the heads of the males, curving slightly over their foreheads.  Why are males always the most attractive of the various species?  The mornings around here are surprisingly quiet, the only sounds of birds and occasionally, traffic off to our right, on the major boulevard, about a quarter mile away.  Also, an occasional runner or walked will go by, just beyond Dad and Dot's yard, as there is a nice walking path which follows the aquedcut which brings most of the water to Phoenix, from both the Colorado River and the moujtains of California.

Scottsdale Morning Without a View For A Bit!

Dinner  on Ed and Dot's Patio with Claire and Henry

The Happy Couple

My View at 5:45

My View at 6:45

Well, I am in Scottsdale, with Grandpa Ed and Dot.  It's 5:45 and I  am up reluctantly but also expectantly until I walked into the living room to find that Ed has put down the metal door, blocking the view of the mountains through their patio doors!  Rats!  I was up, with my light pull over, expecting to have my coffee outside on their patio, watching the sky lighten over the mountains.  It's not to be until someone gets up because I am not sure how to open the door and don't want to wake anyone by doing it.  So I sit here, in my darkened living room, waiting for the break from my walled in prison.

Yesterday could have been a nightmare, as our flight was delayed a couple of hours.  We got to the airport early, by an hour at least, boarded the plane on time, buckled our seats, then were notified by the pilot that they had discovered a gas leak on one of the wings and we all had to disembark immediately.  They were pretty good about keeping us update and trying to get us to Phoenix.  They put us on a place three hours later, that had come in with passengers from Dallas, so instead of getting there at 2:00, we got there at 5:00, not the worst scenario but annoying.  We were happy that the leak was discovered on the  ground, however, as the plane had come in from Tampa.

Claire, Evie's sister, was waiting for us at baggage claim, so we did not get lost, a possibility since the Phoenix Airport is huge, putting the likes of Cleveland and Buffalo to shame.  Henry was waiting in the car, so we threw our bags in the trunk and within twenty minutes, we were at Ed and Dots.   How nice to be picked up and chauffeured home.  Claire was thoughtful enough to bring water, a couple of cold beers, and  Henry!  What a sister in law. They have been here since November, loving the weather, the change of pace from their home on Long Island.

Both Dad and Dot seem good, happy to see us, I hope, though I know any change is often difficult and upsetting to anyone, more so if you are ninety three.  Dot had dinner ready for us, roasted pork with assorted side dishes and a salad.  Claire and Henry stayed as well, and we had an enjoyable meal, sitting outside on their patio, sipping wine, catching up on the gossip, enjoying being with each other after almost a year.  Claire had made dessert, amazingly tasty lemon squares, with lemons from their trees, the size of small grapefruits.  About 8:00, Claire and Evie dropped Henry off at home and went to pick up Laura at the airport, as she was arriving at 8:30.  I stayed home with the parents and we chatted a bit and watched a crime show on TV until Laura and Evie arrived, about 9:30.

It's great of Laura to come and stay for the week and I know it's a strain for her as she is currently undergoing chemo again and the last thing she wanted to do was fly up here.  But she did.  What a women!  She is her usual self, upbeat and tough, ready to deal with anything life throws her way.  Last year, when we visited, she also came up, so we have lots to look forward to this week, with both her and Clarie and Henry, as well as Dad and Dot.  The last time we were together like this must have been in the summer of 2009 for Dad and Dot's going away party at their Euclid home.

Finally, Claire  knows Evie and I have enjoyed hiking this past winter from our blog, and she and Henry have enjoyed  hiking some of the trails around Scottsdale.  So this morning, at 8:00, Henry is coming over and he, Evie and I are going to hike for about an hour on the Mc Dowell Sonoran Preserve, a web of  trails near by.  We are anxious to hike it, but I wonder how we will deal with the heat as neither Evie nor I much like hiking when it's hot.  Anyways, it's the start to a great day, a great week, with our family here in Scottsdale.

Off To Sunny and Hot Scottsdale(90's) For the Week

Tommy's family

With the Grandchildren

Granny with Marlena and Nick

The Prodigy

Up around 6:40 and Nick was already downstairs and ready for school.  He was eating a blueberry muffin and watching ESPN on the tube.  Obviously, his school starts early, so he catches his bus around 6:55, his first class is at 7:30.  All research suggests that kids his age really are not awake and ready to learn until about 9:00 in the morning, that early classes are very unproductive.  Wake up Lee's Summit, don't let buses determine school learning.  It is a lovely day outside, the wind has died down mostly, the sun's out and it's cooler (49 degrees), in the 60's later, a perfect day here in Lee's Summit.

Decorating Easter cookies, A Week late

Yesterday, we relaxed here in the morning, took a brief walk with Bella but it was so windy, it was not fun.  We had potato pancakes, steak, and eggs for breakfast, a trucker breakfast, as Nick called it.  We devoured the left overs from Friday night, a great way to start the morning.  Mary's parents came over around 1:00, and we sat and chatted with them until we went off to the Piano Store for the Marlena's piano recital.  There were about 25 kids on the docket, the room filled with parents and friends.  It went fairly quickly, fortunately, and it was fun to watch the kids perform, even if we didn't know them.  The singers were a bit painful at times, the pianists and guitarist more bearable and Marlena, of course, was magnificent, a prodigy, my granddaughter.  The highlight was a young boy who played the guitar and sang American Pie.  He had the best voice of the group and played the guitar with aplomb, despite his age.  It was as much fun watching his parents and grandparents as it was him, they were so proud.

After the recital, we went off to BW 3 for wings and things.  It's Nick's favorite place.  Most of us got wings, though Evie's salad was too hot to really enjoy.   Unfortunately, the service was poor, the wings not up to the usual, so it was not as much fun as we had hoped.

The cookies

We went home for an hour, relaxed by watching The Red Balloon, which Marlena loved, then Tom, Nick, Evie, Tom's father in law, and I went off to Nick's basketball game in Kansas, about thirty minutes away. This is a new team for Nick, made up mostly of kids from his junior high school.  They played at a huge public school, with two large gyms, both of them filled with teams and fans on a Sunday night.  They even charged admission to the games, a first at this level.  Nick's team lost in the last minute by one point.  Nick played well, has improved both defensively and offensively and fit in well with the team.  I kept my yelling at a minimum with Evie's help.

We got home around 9:30, watched some TV and went to bed before 11:00, tired and ready for sleep.  A good day.