Sunday, April 05, 2009

ALL OVER THE BOARD THIS WEEK!


Texarkana, Arkansas weather: At 7:30 am, it is 68’f and it has sprinkled a bit. There are clouds and some wind gusts but all that is supposed to go away starting about noon. Yesterday and the day before were beautiful!

Seems to me …

What we have seen in Texas and Arkansas so far is mega infrastructure construction; freeways, bridges, railroads, malls and more. Yes, when we travel along the back roads into the small towns there are definitely signs of prosperity in reverse but hasn’t that always happened with time passing? The folks who started these small-town enterprises (a store, a garage, a grocery, a gas station, etc.) 20-30-40 years ago have grown old or died and any surviving offspring are not interested in continuing the family business. They have moved on to bigger cities, higher paying jobs and better opportunities for their children. There are no takers when for sale signs go up and so the building gets boarded up and the owners either walk away, move away and/or eventually die. Businesses that survive are on the “Historic Register” and even they are often beyond restoration by private parties and have to be adopted by the city or the county. Many wonderful old buildings are now museums or visitor centers and maintained by the historical society or the city/county budget. My point is that what Phil and I formerly considered signs of a so-called depression in the past couple years appears to have evolved in our minds as signs of commonplace extinction.

So ... it seems to me that what we are seeing is the normal order of aging and time marching on. What do you think?

Is it just us? Every time Phil and I leave our Penny, we forget something! Usually it is yours truly, forgetting the maps or the camera or my bottle of water or the grocery list. If I remember everything then Phil forgets his phone or his jacket or the outgoing mail! I would guess that nine times out of ten, we have to turn around and go back to retrieve all our stuff. I’m beginning to think we have crossed a threshold into senility because even when I really work at it, that one time we get it right seems harder to achieve as time goes by. Please tell me if someone else has this problem and if you have solved the problem, share your secrets, okay?

Putting it mildly, we LIVE for your comments! We love hearing from you and getting feedback about the things we see and do. If you don’t want to join Blogger just sign in anonymously but be sure to sign your first name so we know who wrote the comment!

Until next time …

10 comments:

  1. Even the cities are losing the face of Small Business. It's a shame actually to see where the trend of the Economy is headed. We have so much to offer as individuals, but seem to have been sold out by our leaders & corporations. We baby boomers are starting to hit retirement age and the number of retirees is going to grow quickly.

    Glad we live in our Bus and didn't get "caught up" in huge debt. As long as we can keep our health all should end well.

    Keep up the blogging... Conversation is important to the soul. Carol & Tom

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  2. 40 years ago when Brownie and I would go back and forth across TX we would love going thru the small towns. As the years went by, and the interstate took over, we would take turns sleeping. The last time we went thru we tried going on the old roads and found the same thing you did, it's just not the same.

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  3. Debby Holloway3:53 PM

    Make a list of things you need to take with you and post it some where. p.s. I am 54 and forget everything if I do not write it down. Love, Debby

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  4. Hey, I see that you are in Arkansas. Are you coming to TN next? Let us know, we still having a parking spot for you.

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  5. I'm most happy to comment. I agree with your assessment that it's the natural nature and cycle of things. We're in a point in time that an older way of life is dying off, like you said being replaced by the new normal.

    I'm glad to see you're in Arkansas. Our retirement property is just outside of Hot Springs. You should visit there, it's a very cool town.

    - Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife

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  6. Hi Joy, we love going on the back roads to places. My oldest brother Steve and his wife only travel on the back roads or rural highways if they can. They disdain the busy freeways. I hope you have a great week.

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  7. We almost forget to comment! Yes, we nearly always have to come back for the phone, dark glasses, map book, something. You aren't alone, and it ain't senility, it's just repetitive senior moments! So there!

    Those small towns, especially in the Midwest, often have great RV parks in them, sometimes with full hookups, sometimes just electic. The price is always reasonable, sometimes just a donation in a "silent ranger," sometimes even free. We spent four nights in a city park in Anadarko, OK, with 30 amp electric and water, right by a small river. Although it was supposed to be a fee park, there was no place to pay a fee, and no one came to collect! You can get "Don Wright's Guide to Free Campgrounds" in both Eastern and Western editions, probably at Camping World or on-line.

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  8. Carol and Tom: In some ways losing the past or "the old days" is sad but even though life was simpler, it sure wasn't any easier and I wouldn't want to go back there for anything. We love our freedom to travel around America with all the comforts of home thanks to technology and the truth is either we jump on the progress bandwagon or we get run over. So many people who resisted change were and will continue to be trampled in the race.

    Thank you for reading and a big hug for your comments!

    Sharon: Since Phil and I have never traveled the backroads before (always in a hurry and always on the interstates), it is still all new to us and there continues to be much to see when we slow down and really look around.
    Thank you so much for reading and commenting! Love hearing from you (and reading your blog too!!!)

    Debby,
    Hi sweet girl, thanks for the good advice. I'll try it! Also, thank you for leaving a comment, we love hearing from you!

    Margie,
    I answered your question. Did you get my e-mail?

    Suzanne,
    The "new normal" is a great way to put it. I have stopped whining about how sad it is to lose the old ways and am concentrating on embracing the new which I am very happy to be a part of.
    We are on our way to Hot Springs on Wednesday for a week. Are you at your retirement property? Send me an e-mail if there is some way we can get together!

    Thank you so much for reading my blog and leaving your comment. It is really appreciated. BTW, I read your blog nearly every day! Will be more diligent about leaving my comments as well.

    Nikki,
    Hi cuz!! Good to hear from you and thanks for leaving a comment. Sounds like we are all related, huh? Hate those interstates even though sometimes they are a necessary evil!

    Jerry and Suzy,
    Appreciate the solidarity and knowing we are not alone. I'm going to try a checklist posted in a conspicuous place as our niece, Debby suggests. Will let you'all know if it works.
    Yes, looking for city parks or "free" places to hang out for a week are always part of our routine. Searching for our next camping spot in the area we are heading for is a big part of the fun of the way we travel. We have online websites by the dozen, books, as well as all of our member parks to peruse as we move along.
    Thanks for leaving a comment! Like I always say, we really love hearing from you.

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  9. No, unfortunately I'm in northern Illinois right now. I WISH I was in Hot Springs. Don't miss the tour of the historic bath house. My friend is one of the tour guides. Have lunch at McClard's barbecue. That's a must. Have fun. I'll be looking forward to seeing your adventures.

    - Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife

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  10. I have the worst habit of forgetting to put my partial plate in, so that when we get to a restaurant I have teeth with which to eat. So, my hubby has finally taken to asking me this question every time we leave the trailer "Do you have your camera, SD card, and teeth?" At least now he asks me.

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