Much more efficient new handle (from Lowe's) on the newly built drawer under our new cook top and new paint job on the air vent underneath. Oh yeah ... new red dish towels too! Lookin' good!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
ELEVEN DAYS AND COUNTING ...
Being a bit superstitious (just a tiny little bit … one can’t be too careful) I rarely blog about what we are going to do (aka plans!) but I will make an exception so that anyone who has been hoping for almost three months to drop by and say “Hi” and hasn’t made it yet, will know … it is now or not again for two years. TWO YEARS!!! Did I say “two years?” Yup! That is Joy and Phil’s newest proposal as it has sat on the back burner and coagulated for the past six months. South then east and up through the Midwest; Niagara Falls and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (Mackinac Island and that magnificent Bridge) are calling my name; then, on to the eastern seaboard and south again—slow and steady—stopping and smelling the roses—conserving fuel by inching our way over and back ... up and down; Washington DC (maybe my favorite city in our country) at a crawl and peeking in the nooks and crannies of the USA. My dream trip!
For a very long time I have been covertly creating a notebook in WORD which includes the sights and sounds, tourist traps and ... off the beaten path attractions in every state as I hear or read about them. This little tome will come in very handy now that the powers that be have put this idea into motion. We have seen many of the most famous sights (and will check out some of those again) but this trip we intend to slow way down and finagle our way into the heart of America. We will search out places to park our Penny the Pace by a lake, river or larger body of water where Phil can fish and I can write; where we can drive the back roads and meet the people who are the backbone of this country. Using our “Carmen” (Garmin GPS), we will ferret out local garage sales; check out flea and farmer’s markets, sample food in local eateries often unknown to travelers, meander through county fairs and whoop and holler at any rodeos we come across. My top sources for these locations have been other RVing bloggers who are traveling and sharing their experiences. The magazines we receive from all our membership travel/camping clubs are also filled with ideas and our favorites, the Food and Travel channels takes us vicariously to many wonderful places we might look up as well. Of course, we are looking forward to visiting family and doing a little genealogy digging along the way. Look out folks, here we come!
Again, we have had a busy week. Phil and Les arrived home on Monday after a very successful and enjoyable week of fishing. Lester’s grandson, Sam, (14 years old) was with them and a fine time was had by all three of these fishing fellows. I worked on my picture framing project and we went to Wal*Mart to pick up a prescription and replenish the pantry. Our dear friends, Joan and Charlie dropped by for the afternoon on Tuesday and we have tentatively planned getting together again in the next week for dinner. I cleaned and organized the pantry on Wednesday and dug out the dinette where everything without a permanent home seems to accumulate when we hunker down for any extended length of time and I started the chore of washing the inside of Penny’s windows.
On Thursday I finished my framing project and we drove to Olympia and delivered the new (to her) computer to sister, Dixie. Phil got it set up in her living room and now she will have her grandson, Andy come over and transfer software and programs from the upstairs computer to this one. I gave her my former 17” flat screen (which you may recall was beginning to act up and I replaced not too long ago). We hope it will last a while longer because it takes up so much less room and with Dixie’s vision problems it is much easier to see. Before we leave, I will also give her my four year old but very reliable HP 3 in 1 printer as I have been wanting a new one for some time now. Phil received a phone call from his doctor regarding his blood work up. The statins he has taken over the past couple years have all caused him some muscle discomfort so he had stopped taking them after a week or so. However, as a result, his cholesterol level is too high so medication is a must and he will keep trying until he finds one that he can take without complications.
We worked on cleaning and polishing Penny’s cab area and dashboard on Friday. We also washed the inside of the windshield and the side windows and he has replaced her water line filter and gas line filter and marked those chores off his list. Then Phil cleaned out the bed of The Lone Ranger in preparation for loading. Yesterday, our sweet granddaughter, Sara finally came by and spent the afternoon and we took her out to dinner with us. We had a great visit and she has promised to come back again before we leave. It seems like yesterday when she was born and she will be 21 years old in just a couple days! Whew! That was our week and here are few pictures …
For a very long time I have been covertly creating a notebook in WORD which includes the sights and sounds, tourist traps and ... off the beaten path attractions in every state as I hear or read about them. This little tome will come in very handy now that the powers that be have put this idea into motion. We have seen many of the most famous sights (and will check out some of those again) but this trip we intend to slow way down and finagle our way into the heart of America. We will search out places to park our Penny the Pace by a lake, river or larger body of water where Phil can fish and I can write; where we can drive the back roads and meet the people who are the backbone of this country. Using our “Carmen” (Garmin GPS), we will ferret out local garage sales; check out flea and farmer’s markets, sample food in local eateries often unknown to travelers, meander through county fairs and whoop and holler at any rodeos we come across. My top sources for these locations have been other RVing bloggers who are traveling and sharing their experiences. The magazines we receive from all our membership travel/camping clubs are also filled with ideas and our favorites, the Food and Travel channels takes us vicariously to many wonderful places we might look up as well. Of course, we are looking forward to visiting family and doing a little genealogy digging along the way. Look out folks, here we come!
Again, we have had a busy week. Phil and Les arrived home on Monday after a very successful and enjoyable week of fishing. Lester’s grandson, Sam, (14 years old) was with them and a fine time was had by all three of these fishing fellows. I worked on my picture framing project and we went to Wal*Mart to pick up a prescription and replenish the pantry. Our dear friends, Joan and Charlie dropped by for the afternoon on Tuesday and we have tentatively planned getting together again in the next week for dinner. I cleaned and organized the pantry on Wednesday and dug out the dinette where everything without a permanent home seems to accumulate when we hunker down for any extended length of time and I started the chore of washing the inside of Penny’s windows.
On Thursday I finished my framing project and we drove to Olympia and delivered the new (to her) computer to sister, Dixie. Phil got it set up in her living room and now she will have her grandson, Andy come over and transfer software and programs from the upstairs computer to this one. I gave her my former 17” flat screen (which you may recall was beginning to act up and I replaced not too long ago). We hope it will last a while longer because it takes up so much less room and with Dixie’s vision problems it is much easier to see. Before we leave, I will also give her my four year old but very reliable HP 3 in 1 printer as I have been wanting a new one for some time now. Phil received a phone call from his doctor regarding his blood work up. The statins he has taken over the past couple years have all caused him some muscle discomfort so he had stopped taking them after a week or so. However, as a result, his cholesterol level is too high so medication is a must and he will keep trying until he finds one that he can take without complications.
We worked on cleaning and polishing Penny’s cab area and dashboard on Friday. We also washed the inside of the windshield and the side windows and he has replaced her water line filter and gas line filter and marked those chores off his list. Then Phil cleaned out the bed of The Lone Ranger in preparation for loading. Yesterday, our sweet granddaughter, Sara finally came by and spent the afternoon and we took her out to dinner with us. We had a great visit and she has promised to come back again before we leave. It seems like yesterday when she was born and she will be 21 years old in just a couple days! Whew! That was our week and here are few pictures …
I read about this idea on another blog. Unfortunately, I cannot remember where to give them credit as it was quite a while ago. These are the inexpensive plastic stand up frames-turned upside down and slid into the crease where the top of the slide meets the ceiling. Easily taken down when the slide comes in and what fun to display favorite photos!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
CHORES AND CHASING AROUND!
Shelton weather: At 8 a.m. it was 64 degrees. There are no clouds in the pretty blue sky and summer has been teasing us these past five days. However, starting Monday RAIN is forecast for the next week. I knew there was no reason to get excited ;-)
Are you a reader? I cannot imagine my world without books. Of course, there is no room for a library on board our Penny the Pace. So, since we have been in Shelton, I have been taking advantage of my Timberline Library card (that I have had for many years) and reading every book mentioned in a magazine, on TV, on line or talked about by others that has some importance to me, with a special interest right now in anything historical or biographical. Our library allows it’s patrons to browse their catalog online, order the books they want on line and we are notified online when our books are ready for pick up. Then, we can go in, pick them up from a special shelf and check ourselves out electronically as we go out the door. It is a very convenient system that is extremely user-friendly. Sometimes I will be reading four books at a time and it will be a sad thing for me to lose that convenience when we start traveling again. Then I will go back to finding and using “Used Book Stores” wherever we are parked as most of them will give you credit on your next purchase when you return books. Of course, I have a new MP3 player (loaded with books thanks to my brother-in-law, Walt) that I still have to learn how to use but just have not taken the time since we have been in Shelton this summer. That will be top priority once we are on the road again.
This past week has flown by … probably because I have been checking off a formidable “to do” list written by me, just for me. Some of these things have been on the list for a long time. So, while my sweetie and his best pal, Lester have been camped out and lolling about in a small boat on a lake in the wilds near Randle, WA these past six days having the time of their life, I’ve been gettin’ ‘r done! They are expected home some time today, most likely tanned, tired and full of fish stories.
My chores included a pile of mending and ironing, cleaning the refrigerator, reorganizing the pantry, doing some redecorating and framing a stack of pictures I have wanted to put up in Penny for several years. Embellishments to Penny’s décor have been sorely lacking but finally after all this time it dawned on me that Penny is my home and it was past time for some TLC. Getting a pedicure and a manicure was on my list and I also made some promises that needed to be kept. I marked off an important one when I drove north and spent some quality time with my Aunt Beverly in Seattle. Several times before I have said I would come and spend the day with her and sort through her genealogy pictures and paperwork—but it never happened. So, at long last that “to do” was accomplished and she has shared some really good stuff with me (I knew she has some grand goodies) which I will scan and copy then return to her before we head south. We got so involved, it was too late to drive home so I ended up sleeping in her guest room and came home the next morning.
Aunt Bev’s guest bed was very comfortable and I slept well but for some reason, I woke up with terrible back pain and was in a lot of distress very quickly. Taking two aspirin did nothing. I barely made it back to Olympia where I stopped at my sister, Dixie’s house. She gave me a potent pain killer (she has quite the assortment after five surgeries and many sessions of rehab. Finally after several long hours, I got some relief. However, I was wiped out by the time I got home and went to bed early. This morning my back was fine—who knows what that was all about—I have never had a one-day back ache in my life!
Phil marked off one of his big-time “to do’s” from his list before he left. He removed the old four burner w/oven gas range and installed a brand spanking new three burner range top. It is a beauty. We have a wonderful, gently-used Microwave/Convection appliance and have NEVER used the oven in the range for anything but storage. So, we hired a carpenter and had a lovely, deep drawer built to fill in the space and I love it! It is amazing how much stuff can hide out in there, be out of sight and safe to travel. We also purchased and Phil installed new roll-up blinds for four of Penny’s windows. Her old ones were pretty worn out. My picture project has some tweaking left to do so I will wait to share the pictures next week when it is completed.
Are you a reader? I cannot imagine my world without books. Of course, there is no room for a library on board our Penny the Pace. So, since we have been in Shelton, I have been taking advantage of my Timberline Library card (that I have had for many years) and reading every book mentioned in a magazine, on TV, on line or talked about by others that has some importance to me, with a special interest right now in anything historical or biographical. Our library allows it’s patrons to browse their catalog online, order the books they want on line and we are notified online when our books are ready for pick up. Then, we can go in, pick them up from a special shelf and check ourselves out electronically as we go out the door. It is a very convenient system that is extremely user-friendly. Sometimes I will be reading four books at a time and it will be a sad thing for me to lose that convenience when we start traveling again. Then I will go back to finding and using “Used Book Stores” wherever we are parked as most of them will give you credit on your next purchase when you return books. Of course, I have a new MP3 player (loaded with books thanks to my brother-in-law, Walt) that I still have to learn how to use but just have not taken the time since we have been in Shelton this summer. That will be top priority once we are on the road again.
This past week has flown by … probably because I have been checking off a formidable “to do” list written by me, just for me. Some of these things have been on the list for a long time. So, while my sweetie and his best pal, Lester have been camped out and lolling about in a small boat on a lake in the wilds near Randle, WA these past six days having the time of their life, I’ve been gettin’ ‘r done! They are expected home some time today, most likely tanned, tired and full of fish stories.
My chores included a pile of mending and ironing, cleaning the refrigerator, reorganizing the pantry, doing some redecorating and framing a stack of pictures I have wanted to put up in Penny for several years. Embellishments to Penny’s décor have been sorely lacking but finally after all this time it dawned on me that Penny is my home and it was past time for some TLC. Getting a pedicure and a manicure was on my list and I also made some promises that needed to be kept. I marked off an important one when I drove north and spent some quality time with my Aunt Beverly in Seattle. Several times before I have said I would come and spend the day with her and sort through her genealogy pictures and paperwork—but it never happened. So, at long last that “to do” was accomplished and she has shared some really good stuff with me (I knew she has some grand goodies) which I will scan and copy then return to her before we head south. We got so involved, it was too late to drive home so I ended up sleeping in her guest room and came home the next morning.
Aunt Bev’s guest bed was very comfortable and I slept well but for some reason, I woke up with terrible back pain and was in a lot of distress very quickly. Taking two aspirin did nothing. I barely made it back to Olympia where I stopped at my sister, Dixie’s house. She gave me a potent pain killer (she has quite the assortment after five surgeries and many sessions of rehab. Finally after several long hours, I got some relief. However, I was wiped out by the time I got home and went to bed early. This morning my back was fine—who knows what that was all about—I have never had a one-day back ache in my life!
Phil marked off one of his big-time “to do’s” from his list before he left. He removed the old four burner w/oven gas range and installed a brand spanking new three burner range top. It is a beauty. We have a wonderful, gently-used Microwave/Convection appliance and have NEVER used the oven in the range for anything but storage. So, we hired a carpenter and had a lovely, deep drawer built to fill in the space and I love it! It is amazing how much stuff can hide out in there, be out of sight and safe to travel. We also purchased and Phil installed new roll-up blinds for four of Penny’s windows. Her old ones were pretty worn out. My picture project has some tweaking left to do so I will wait to share the pictures next week when it is completed.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Same-O … Same-O! Easy going week ...
Quick note: If you have a slow Internet connection, it may take a few minutes to load the slide show albums. Hopefully, it will not take too long because even though it is a little extra work, I sure enjoy showing you more of the pictures we take and I hope you like it too.
Shelton weather report: At 8:30 am it was 60 degrees outside my window. I could see patchy blue sky with an excess of low fluffy white clouds. There have been a few warm days, mostly cool nights and too much rain so if you ask me how I’m enjoying summer in Washington State, I would have to say, “What summer?” In my opinion, summer should equate to hot weather … day and night and sunshine that warms you to the bone. When and if that happens in this part of the country everyone starts worrying about water rationing so most locals are very happy about this weather. Personally, since we retired I have learned to love the heat—I miss it and I am antsy to travel south where it lives. I want to get back into my shorts and sandals and put these long pants, socks and jackets where they belong—in storage!
Sister report: Well, she must be doing well and keeping busy as I have not heard one word from Dixie except through mutual friends so I am going to assume that “No news is good news.” Robin called to tell me she has pretty much decided to go ahead with follow-up radiation treatment and also that she had a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack … if you want to know more, Google: TIA stroke) about three weeks ago. All the usual tests were done and her doctors found if anything at all, there was only minor muscle tissue damage. I experienced one in January of 2002 and did not suffer any long-term damage either unless you count the anxiety I have lived with since learning it is considered “a warning of future stroke.” Robin’s doctor increased her daily aspirin intake from 81 mg to a full size aspirin which is what I take as well. We truly believe the aspirin is what saved us from “the big one” (as Red Fox used to say) since stroke is prevalent in our family history. Question: Are you taking your aspirin?
Last Sunday was our great granddaughter Carly’s big celebration of her ninth birthday (actually on the fifth) and a great time was had by all. Along with her many friends, we met at Chucky Cheese in the mall in Olympia and watched as the group of nine-year-olds went berserk on the many machines before and after settling down for a few minutes while ice cream cake was consumed and presents were opened. Phil manned the camera and took over 150 photos working hard to catch Carly at a standstill but she was so busy, it was difficult to get a good shot. I have saved you from that barrage and only picked a few for a small side show here.
We have been working on our “to do” list a bit at a time but because we are both pretty laid back … it is coming along slowly. Oh yes, quick note on the computer saga. Phil finally got through on the phone number we had for the seller and he agreed to reimburse the cost of fixing the computer (we are getting an estimate now) within reason. I’ll keep you posted.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Learning something new!
I have learned how to make a video of our still albums with Photo Story 3, a free download from Microsoft. If I had a microphone for our computer I could even narrate the pictures. I couldn't wait to share the moonscape type landscape around Phil's fishing hole with you. It is less than two minutes long and I don't think it can be enlarged or if it can, I haven't learned how to do it yet. This is going to be fun because I have lots of pictures I have never shared because there were too many over the past four years. Stay tuned for more adventures of Phil and Joy!
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Rhetoric, NPRA Rodeo, County Fair, goats, and Carly fix!
Look out dear readers. I am feeling a bit philosophical this morning. Not totally clear about the definition of that word, I just looked it up. Re Wikipedia: “Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems concerning matters such as existence, knowledge, truth, justice, beauty, validity, mind and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing these questions (such as mysticism or mythology) by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on reasoned argument.” I know this is a travel blog but it is also a personal “shout box” for the writer who just happens to be me. So if you are not interested … stop reading now and come back next week. Possibly, I will be over my introspective compulsions by then but I will make no promises.
The other day one of my friends and fellow blogger, George (a link to his blog is on my blog) wrote the following: “Yesterday I watched the movie, "A River Runs Through It." This is a wonderful story about a family living their life in Montana in the early 1900s. The father is a minister, and in one of his final sermons he says, "And so it is that those who live with us and should know us, elude us. However, we can love them completely, without understanding! When I hear these words, I am a bit sad. Because I want to know those that I love completely. And I want them to know me. But the minister is right! That knowing is soooooo elusive!”
In my opinion, this line from the movie that George is quoting, although written as dialog for the character who happens to be a minister is not about believing in a higher power and all I could think once I read it was, “how true, how true!” It is a reflection of humans and the way they live their lives and fortunately for many—those who stay hidden within themselves—completely knowing someone is not a prerequisite for loving them. In fact, I believe in some cases, if we knew another person totally it might prevent those feelings from coming to fruition. I know I have always said my life is an “open book” but I also harbor subterranean and sinister secrets that when known could possibly for some, render Julie Joy totally unlovable.
Is my clandestine motivation for writing my mother’s biography and when finished with her story, writing my own … a way of testing our family? If so, the key question of the test would be: Will you still love us when you really know us? So, is that the true reason these tomes are unfinished to date? Is it the honest cause for my lack of time spent at the keyboard? But, then again, I sometimes wonder if you are appalled and uncomfortable will I care? `I’m not sure how I feel about that one but I am convinced, my mother held on to a lifetime of memorabilia (much of it especially telling of her seamy side) so that her story would be written. In fact, I have positively concluded she was planning on writing it herself but the effort was sidetracked by her alcoholism and untimely death from lung cancer.
Okay … so much for that exploratory rhetoric! Again, we had a busy week. Last Sunday we spent the afternoon at the Mason County Fair and enjoyed the NPRA Dodge Rodeo with our great granddaughter, Carly. So full of energy, she ran this old Nana “to ground” but Papa held up pretty good. Of course, he IS younger than me you know. My cousin, Buster who is formerly from Pt. Townsend, WA and now lives in Nevada came north for some medical tests with his doctors. We met on Tuesday at Little Creek Casino for lunch then came home to Penny the Pace for another hour or so of visiting. It is always good to see him and get caught up on all the news.
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I have been working with my genealogy trunks, (Gloria and Les have loaned me space to work in their basement) sorting and repacking what will head down the road with us when we start moving south again. Phil and Les went out on Thursday for a day of fishing on Phillips Lake and that day I went to the hospital for a chest x-ray. As an ex-smoker I like to get one every couple years. The next day I went back for my yearly mammogram and will hope for good news regarding both from my doctor in the near future. On Saturday, we went garage saling and found a very nice bicycle at a reasonable price for daughter, Bobbie to give to her granddaughter, Carly for her birthday. We are celebrating her ninth a couple days early at Chucky Cheese’s Pizza parlor today at three o’clock. I think I’ll take earplugs along just in case. Next week I will have pictures of the birthday party today,
Sister update: Both doing well. Robin has pretty much totally recovered and is debating any further action considering quite possibly “the so-called after surgery (which was 100% successful in removing the cancer cells) treatment could well be worse than the disease.” Dixie is working on learning to walk again which is an uphill struggle but she is determined.
Here are some images of happenings during our past week.
These goats (must have been over 100 of them) were hired to clear out the brush and blackberrys on this piece of land along WA hiway 3 right in town. In just a few days they did a pretty good job. The goat keeper (herder?) was parked nearby with his 18 wheeler-sleeper and big goat hauling trailer the whole time they did their work.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Family, friends, food and foolhardiness ...
Shelton weather: At 7:30 am it is just 58 degrees and cloudy. They are forecasting some morning showers but so far, nothing here. This afternoon it is supposed to get up to the low 70s but no more rain. It did shower some yesterday a.m. but the wet stuff was gone by the time I got up … late … at 9:30 am. Phil was long gone, checking out the Saturday garage sales. At ten o’clock he called me and I quickly got dressed. He picked me up and we met friends, Gloria, Les, Andy and Millie at the Little Creek Casino for a great buffet breakfast. We sat around until nearly noon drinking coffee and visiting afterward. Then the fun began …
Phil and I went to a parking lot flea market out by Spencer Lake when we left, where we were promptly ripped off due to my stupidity – here is the back story.
I have been trying to bring my sister, Dixie into the modern computer world for a very long time. She has an old one (donated by sister, Robin when she upgraded years ago) but is not on the Internet and she has no idea how to do anything and is barely able to retrieve e-mail from her free account. Computers scare and frustrate her and without one on one instruction, nothing is going to change. I had hoped to resolve that this year.
Since Dixie broke her hip she has not been able to go upstairs (where the computer is located) once she did come home on weekends. Fortunately, they have a second master suite on the main floor where she and her husband, Paul have been sleeping since she was released from the nursing home. Yesterday, at the flea market I found a two/three year old Compaq for $100 that the vendor swore worked fine. I thought, “Great! We can install this one downstairs and start teaching her some basics.” Impulsively, (which is so NOT my style) I convinced Phil to buy it and the seller said with a straight face, (since we were in a parking lot without electricity) he would guarantee it and give us our money back if it didn’t work.
To make a long story short … we came home, Phil and Les put it all together and you guessed it … it didn’t work. We quickly drove back to the flea market to get our money back and again, you guessed it … that fellow was long gone. The phone number he gave me goes immediately to voice mail, and again, you guessed it … it isn’t set up, and I only have his first name … “Tony.” Do I feel stupid … well, what do you think? Phil has refrained from telling me “I could have told you as much” – bless his heart! I guess he knows I feel bad enough already without any help from him. We are thinking about what to do next and will go to the sponsor of the flea market to see if they can identify this guy and if not, maybe we will take it to a computer shop for an estimate to get it running. Stay tuned, we haven’t yelled “uncle” yet!
Last Sunday we had a wonderful family get-together (more than 30 of us) for food and catching up on all the latest news at niece, Tammy’s home in Olympia. Getting the whole bunch of us together for a picture was a real test of my patience but I will share a couple of them in spite of the obvious lack of cooperation. Why are most people so afraid of the camera?
Phil and I both had our eyes examined (I said EYES—not heads but maybe I should rethink this after my recent fiasco) last week. He has a bit of a pressure problem in one eye and my cataracts are to the point where surgery could be done but they told me I could put it off for another year if I so decided (I do) … maybe two (they weren’t so sure about that) so we will see. Phil will go back in a week or so for another pressure check and if there is no change, will get drops for his eyes.
Phil and Les got out on the lake one day for their usual catch and release marathon and I went on a shopping trip in Olympia while he was gone; got some good bargains and had a great time.
Today, we are taking nine-year-old, great granddaughter, Carly to the Mason County Fair and Rodeo. I love small town fairs and the rodeo and I hope she enjoys it too. I will tell you all about it next week.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
I PLAN ON LIVING FOREVER--SO FAR, SO GOOD!
Usually, my blog ramblings stick to the things we have done in the prior week but today I am going to wander off the usual path and do something different. Please do not think I have slipped a cog … I haven’t … but feel free to comment. I will be interested in your feedback.
After watching a Barbara Walter’s special on ABC a few weeks ago titled: “How to Live to be 150” (or something like that) I made up my mind. Since then, when I share my intent to live to be 150 years old, family and friends laugh at me. That’s okay. In my life I have experienced much scoffing for my radical and/or nonconformist ideas—so what else is new? I have outlived one child (not something I suggest to anyone) and would be extremely happy if my remaining two offspring were still of this world when I throw in the towel. However, since they do not endorse my belief in longevity to that extent that is highly unlikely. Here are just a few of my reasons for making this decision:
1. Unlike some who welcome going to their chosen afterlife; I really do appreciate and love the life I have now … thank you very much!
2. Good, bad or indifferent, curiosity about the future of the world blazes in my brain.
3. As a serious genealogist, I want to meet and hug my descendants.
4. The beauty and history of the United States is too big to embrace in one short lifetime so extending my stay just makes sense.
5. My “Life list of things to do” is not getting any shorter … every time one thing gets done, two things get added.
6. After all the bad habits I have given up (some more than once) … I want to prove it worked and gain from my pain.
Now, back to our regular programming …
This past Monday the three sisters and their spouses were invited to a special dinner at Tammy’s house. In the past, Dixie has hosted the event each year but as you know, she has endured a formidable hitch in her git-a-long and although she is home at last, hosting a dinner was not going to happen so our wonderful Tammy stepped up and filled in for her mom. Somehow, neither Phil nor I remembered to take pictures! However, it is probably just as well … you have no doubt seen enough pictures of sisters, Robin, Joy and Dixie lately. I am sure they are weary of the practice as well.
We finished up our efforts at daughter, Bobbie’s house. There is much left to do but with her house full of people (hopefully chipping in), it will get done eventually. Phil and I must now concentrate on our own list of chores in order to finish up before we head south in early September. Phil and Les managed one day of fishing last week and we spent an afternoon at the laundromat getting the hamper emptied. We also washed our bigger throw rugs and were pleased with the results (thanks for the suggestion G).
On Friday and Saturday we spent several hours going to garage sales. The weather was dreary on Friday but on Saturday, the sun came out and the day was beautiful.
Note: Double click on the slide show to enlarge the picture then click on the link called View album. Once that screen opens, click on the link called slide show for a full screen view of the pictures.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Handyman Phil is back to work!
Weather report: at 8 am it is 68 degrees in Shelton and the sun is shining. Now this is more like it! I suppose it certainly could be considered “perfect” weather and the reason people live in the northwest … for these two or three days a year … only kidding (I think)!
You may notice a slightly different look to Backroad Chronicles this week. I have wanted to add a list of our favorite links for some time but my former template was not capable of that feature (it was an old one). So I upgraded to this new format and added three of my daily reads. Just click on them and you can check in on our friends who write almost daily and are fun to travel along with. Two are full time Rvers and one is a part time traveler but her daily life is very interesting even if she isn’t on the road. Our profile has dropped down the page a ways but the most disturbing was losing our hit counter. I will eventually put one back on but have not taken the time so far.
My daughter Bobbie bought a new (to her) house the end of December, 2007. It was the buy of the year in Mason County but as you might expect, it needed (and still needs) some serious fixing up. However, even so it is a wonderful house and in an excellent location (Remember: location, location, location!) Wanting to take advantage of our being in Shelton, Bobbie took some vacation time this past week and Phil and I have been donating a bit of sweat equity to her bottom line. Phil has concentrated on her third bedroom which will be her office. He has been painting (many coats because the former resident’s child used the walls of this room for her artistic canvas—with permanent markers) and installing upgraded trim and baseboard molding.
I have been helping her shop for miscellaneous goodies at Wal*Mart (it is hard work but someone has to do it) and doing some rearranging and organizing for her. The plan was to get her office ready to go before she returns to work tomorrow but as usual—the best laid plans, etc. etc.—so we still have lots of work to do and will continue helping her next week while she is at work. Of course, along with Bobbie working on her projects every spare hour, her fiancé, Bob and son, Joe have been putting in many hours as well so a lot is getting done. With imagination, the end result is obvious and wonderful but because of all the boxes stacked up everywhere and furniture in disarray, living with the renovation is beginning to rattle this new homeowner. Hopefully, we can clear a few paths for her before we are finished.
Even with our days spent helping out at Bobbie’s house, we found time to go garage-saling and found some bargains for her and a few bargains for ourselves. Our size and load capacity definitely control our purchases but it is sure fun to shop for someone else. Phil and Les have managed to get out to the lakes fishing a couple times this past week. Phil says the fish are getting wise to them and the last couple times out have been a bit more elusive. Les bought a new gasoline motor for his 12 ft. aluminum boat and compared to the little electric motor they had been using, they can practically ski behind the boat now. Guess what? Now the boat rides are much more fun for our big boys.
Question of the day: What is the name of the first novel written on a typewriter?
Answer: Tom Sawyer about 135 years ago. We have come a long way in a very short time!
You may notice a slightly different look to Backroad Chronicles this week. I have wanted to add a list of our favorite links for some time but my former template was not capable of that feature (it was an old one). So I upgraded to this new format and added three of my daily reads. Just click on them and you can check in on our friends who write almost daily and are fun to travel along with. Two are full time Rvers and one is a part time traveler but her daily life is very interesting even if she isn’t on the road. Our profile has dropped down the page a ways but the most disturbing was losing our hit counter. I will eventually put one back on but have not taken the time so far.
My daughter Bobbie bought a new (to her) house the end of December, 2007. It was the buy of the year in Mason County but as you might expect, it needed (and still needs) some serious fixing up. However, even so it is a wonderful house and in an excellent location (Remember: location, location, location!) Wanting to take advantage of our being in Shelton, Bobbie took some vacation time this past week and Phil and I have been donating a bit of sweat equity to her bottom line. Phil has concentrated on her third bedroom which will be her office. He has been painting (many coats because the former resident’s child used the walls of this room for her artistic canvas—with permanent markers) and installing upgraded trim and baseboard molding.
I have been helping her shop for miscellaneous goodies at Wal*Mart (it is hard work but someone has to do it) and doing some rearranging and organizing for her. The plan was to get her office ready to go before she returns to work tomorrow but as usual—the best laid plans, etc. etc.—so we still have lots of work to do and will continue helping her next week while she is at work. Of course, along with Bobbie working on her projects every spare hour, her fiancé, Bob and son, Joe have been putting in many hours as well so a lot is getting done. With imagination, the end result is obvious and wonderful but because of all the boxes stacked up everywhere and furniture in disarray, living with the renovation is beginning to rattle this new homeowner. Hopefully, we can clear a few paths for her before we are finished.
Even with our days spent helping out at Bobbie’s house, we found time to go garage-saling and found some bargains for her and a few bargains for ourselves. Our size and load capacity definitely control our purchases but it is sure fun to shop for someone else. Phil and Les have managed to get out to the lakes fishing a couple times this past week. Phil says the fish are getting wise to them and the last couple times out have been a bit more elusive. Les bought a new gasoline motor for his 12 ft. aluminum boat and compared to the little electric motor they had been using, they can practically ski behind the boat now. Guess what? Now the boat rides are much more fun for our big boys.
Question of the day: What is the name of the first novel written on a typewriter?
Answer: Tom Sawyer about 135 years ago. We have come a long way in a very short time!
Sunday, July 06, 2008
TAKE TIME TO SMELL THE ROSES!
After a week of much rain and even some thunder (I heard it) and lightning (I didn’t see any but the weather prognosticators said we would have some) next week looks much better. Not real hot but sunny and pleasant for the next seven days. This forecast is better for Penny as not only has she sprung a leak that needs attention (remember I was worried that would happen) but Phil is trying to put a coating of wax on her. Rain will not help him accomplish either chore. As I begin to write the blog at 8 am it is only 58 degrees with a high but solid cloud cover. This is the kind of weather where a soft chair and a good book call my name but more often than not, the “to do” list has other plans.
We have been living full time in our Penny the Pace for three years and nine months and last Sunday I made a big bowl of potato salad and after weeks of salivating over the idea, mixed up a meat loaf. I divided the mixture putting half in the freezer and baked the other half in my convection/microwave. Both endeavors were delicious but since it had been years since I made either one, I had to rummage around in my brain for the recipes. There was a time when I was a pretty good cook but I am definitely rusty and since I only get the urge to make a meal sporadically I’m afraid it will continue to be a struggle. Of course, I made enough potato salad for a small army (Will I ever learn to cook for two?) so we shared some with Les and Gloria.
And, speaking of our dear friend, Gloria, she spent two days and one night in the hospital last week. After an abdominal cat scan and many bags of intravenous antibiotics, she still isn’t back to normal but hopefully on the mend. If the physicians fail to get a handle on this chronic condition—she is fearful that surgery is in her future and like most of us does not look forward to that prospect. Get better soon girlfriend!
Our little Lone Ranger went in the shop last Wednesday and received two new front tires. These are the first replacements since we bought the truck in 2003 and although the old ones still looked pretty good, considering our tentative plans for the next couple years, it was time.
On Saturday morning, we had a quick but wonderful visit from my granddaughter, Megan and her husband, Joshua. They are here from Longview visiting friends in Shelton for the weekend. It has been nearly a year since we’ve seen them and as I mentioned a few months back and you can see from the pictures she is five months pregnant. Our newest and second great grandbaby is a boy and he is due the 2nd of November. They have picked out a name and it is my great pleasure to announce he will be called Sean Liam. This choice made me very happy because my son who passed away in 1993 was also named Sean but back then, my immature and convoluted judgment decided it should be spelled Shawn. This was back in 1955 and I honestly believed it would be easier for him in school to have a phonetic spelling. Shortly after my Shawn was born, in 1957 Sean Connery burst upon the cinematic stage and very soon—(of course), after James Bond, Agent 007, everyone knew how to spell Sean!
Saturday, we spent the afternoon and evening visiting family and commemorating great nephew, Andy’s 19th birthday at his parent’s home in Olympia. As usual, my niece Tammy pulled out the stops and had enough food including grilled hamburgers and hot dogs so that no one went away hungry. Another party is planned in two weeks for an even bigger get together without any particular theme to celebrate some extended family time.
We have been living full time in our Penny the Pace for three years and nine months and last Sunday I made a big bowl of potato salad and after weeks of salivating over the idea, mixed up a meat loaf. I divided the mixture putting half in the freezer and baked the other half in my convection/microwave. Both endeavors were delicious but since it had been years since I made either one, I had to rummage around in my brain for the recipes. There was a time when I was a pretty good cook but I am definitely rusty and since I only get the urge to make a meal sporadically I’m afraid it will continue to be a struggle. Of course, I made enough potato salad for a small army (Will I ever learn to cook for two?) so we shared some with Les and Gloria.
And, speaking of our dear friend, Gloria, she spent two days and one night in the hospital last week. After an abdominal cat scan and many bags of intravenous antibiotics, she still isn’t back to normal but hopefully on the mend. If the physicians fail to get a handle on this chronic condition—she is fearful that surgery is in her future and like most of us does not look forward to that prospect. Get better soon girlfriend!
Our little Lone Ranger went in the shop last Wednesday and received two new front tires. These are the first replacements since we bought the truck in 2003 and although the old ones still looked pretty good, considering our tentative plans for the next couple years, it was time.
On Saturday morning, we had a quick but wonderful visit from my granddaughter, Megan and her husband, Joshua. They are here from Longview visiting friends in Shelton for the weekend. It has been nearly a year since we’ve seen them and as I mentioned a few months back and you can see from the pictures she is five months pregnant. Our newest and second great grandbaby is a boy and he is due the 2nd of November. They have picked out a name and it is my great pleasure to announce he will be called Sean Liam. This choice made me very happy because my son who passed away in 1993 was also named Sean but back then, my immature and convoluted judgment decided it should be spelled Shawn. This was back in 1955 and I honestly believed it would be easier for him in school to have a phonetic spelling. Shortly after my Shawn was born, in 1957 Sean Connery burst upon the cinematic stage and very soon—(of course), after James Bond, Agent 007, everyone knew how to spell Sean!
Saturday, we spent the afternoon and evening visiting family and commemorating great nephew, Andy’s 19th birthday at his parent’s home in Olympia. As usual, my niece Tammy pulled out the stops and had enough food including grilled hamburgers and hot dogs so that no one went away hungry. Another party is planned in two weeks for an even bigger get together without any particular theme to celebrate some extended family time.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
SUMMER TIME and the livin' is easy!
Shelton weather: The sun is shining brightly; as I start composing my blog, it is almost 60 degrees at 7:30 am and the forecast is for 90 degrees today. Yesterday the temp topped out higher than that and while Phil and I basked in the delicious warmth—all the WA natives were melting! The weather people are saying it will stay sunny through Wednesday then the dreaded rain comes back. We will enjoy this brief reminder of what summer is supposed to be (and of course, hope for more) while we can.
It has been a busy week. Phil has been working on his “to do” list for our Penny, going to some garage sales looking for e-bay treasures and even managed to get in a couple fishing trips with Les to local lakes. He also spent some time assisting him with projects that were accomplished a lot faster with two guys and that second set of muscles was much appreciated by our friend. Phil also had a doctor’s appointment for his yearly battery assessment of his Pacemaker. Everything checked out perfectly. He will go in for a physical in a few weeks complete with blood work.
My week was a lot less physical but I did have a visit to discuss my bi-yearly blood work (very good) and my medications (no changes) with my doctor. Now we both need eye exams and I have appointments for my yearly mammogram and a chest x-ray which I like to have every few years or so because I am an ex-smoker and my mother died much too young from lung cancer.
Sister update: Dixie came home from the nursing care facility on Monday. She is managing pretty well but the carpeting in her living room and bedroom makes it more difficult to maneuver the wheel chair. She will no doubt develop some more upper body strength as long as she has to use it. Of course, it may also encourage her to use her walker more which is a good thing. The more time she spends on her feet, I’m sure the sooner she will be able to walk unaided. Robin and Walt arrived in Olympia on Thursday for a few weeks in the northwest. No news yet on any continued treatment for her when she returns to California.
I am teaching myself how to insert a slide show into my blog and going back into my pictures to find some interesting albums to share with you. It is always a difficult task to choose just one or two pictures to include in my blog when I have so many good ones I would like to show you. This will solve that problem and I hope you like them as much as I enjoyed taking them!
It has been a busy week. Phil has been working on his “to do” list for our Penny, going to some garage sales looking for e-bay treasures and even managed to get in a couple fishing trips with Les to local lakes. He also spent some time assisting him with projects that were accomplished a lot faster with two guys and that second set of muscles was much appreciated by our friend. Phil also had a doctor’s appointment for his yearly battery assessment of his Pacemaker. Everything checked out perfectly. He will go in for a physical in a few weeks complete with blood work.
My week was a lot less physical but I did have a visit to discuss my bi-yearly blood work (very good) and my medications (no changes) with my doctor. Now we both need eye exams and I have appointments for my yearly mammogram and a chest x-ray which I like to have every few years or so because I am an ex-smoker and my mother died much too young from lung cancer.
Sister update: Dixie came home from the nursing care facility on Monday. She is managing pretty well but the carpeting in her living room and bedroom makes it more difficult to maneuver the wheel chair. She will no doubt develop some more upper body strength as long as she has to use it. Of course, it may also encourage her to use her walker more which is a good thing. The more time she spends on her feet, I’m sure the sooner she will be able to walk unaided. Robin and Walt arrived in Olympia on Thursday for a few weeks in the northwest. No news yet on any continued treatment for her when she returns to California.
I am teaching myself how to insert a slide show into my blog and going back into my pictures to find some interesting albums to share with you. It is always a difficult task to choose just one or two pictures to include in my blog when I have so many good ones I would like to show you. This will solve that problem and I hope you like them as much as I enjoyed taking them!
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
ODD AND ENDS; THIS AND THAT ...
Shelton weather: At 8:30 am it is up to 60 degrees. Six days of sunshine are in the forecast … with a couple days in the 70s and maybe even the low 80s. Okay! That’s more like it!
I actually wore shorts and sandals for the last two days and look forward to a few more days in the same wardrobe. So … I’ll keep you posted.
My thanks to the readers who left comments last week. Your thoughts are most welcome and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your interest in my blog and our great adventure. I wish there was some way to thank you individually (off line) but blogger protects your privacy and does not include your e-mail address when publishing your comment. That is of course, a good thing and leaves me with only the recourse of thanking you publicly so ... THANKS again!
Another busy week including lunch with daughter, Violet and her husband, Fred in Belfair; dinners with friends; dropping by to see daughter, Bobbie at work; Phil going to garage sales; doing laundry; having my blood drawn in preparation for my yearly doctor visit next week; Phil cooking another spectacular spaghetti dinner to serve at Gloria and Les’s house for dinner and a card party with my sister, Dixie and her husband, Paul.
That’s right! Dixie is feeling better every day and continues to get out and about in her wheel chair. It looks like if all goes as planned, she will be released from the nursing home on Monday. She is somewhat melancholy about leaving all of her newly gained friends that work at the facility but she is also excited about being at home during the remainder of her recuperation. Since I am the only non-card player in the group (I do not have a drop of competitive spirit in my soul and only play for the camaraderie), it was (as usual) a fun evening and Gloria was the big winner of the night.
Phil and Les managed a day out fishing this past Friday and as usual, they ‘knocked them dead” so to speak. These guys obviously figured out how to find the big ones and I have been teasing them about the lack of challenge. My thoughts are that they should learn how to fly fish but so far – they are not amenable to my ideas.
Phil and I rarely make plans more than a few weeks ahead at any one time but I will tell you a little secret. We are playing with the idea of heading to the eastern half of the USA next spring and although it is still only in the earliest stage of our travel planning, the seed has been planted. Of course, we will need clean bills of health from our doctors and will have to resign ourselves to missing a summer here in Shelton with our friends and family but if we decide it is “a go” I'm sure everything will fall into place. We have even had positive feedback from some family members saying they might join us for a week here and there. The high gas prices, the weather including heat waves, hail storms, floods, tornadoes and probably hurricanes all add a less than positive approach to our travels however, we refuse to let these negatives keep us from continuing our great adventure.
No pictures this week but here are some THOUGHTS FOR TODAY:
Three essentials to happiness in life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. (Nick Russell-Gypsy Journal-6-22-08)
There are two types of roads in our country. One is under construction and the other is under repair.
Yesterday is experience, tomorrow is hope, today is getting from one to the other.
May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live.
A penny saved is a government oversight.
And my favorite:
A gossip is one who talks to you about others; a bore is one who talks to you about himself; and a brilliant conversationalist is one who talks to you about yourself.
I actually wore shorts and sandals for the last two days and look forward to a few more days in the same wardrobe. So … I’ll keep you posted.
My thanks to the readers who left comments last week. Your thoughts are most welcome and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your interest in my blog and our great adventure. I wish there was some way to thank you individually (off line) but blogger protects your privacy and does not include your e-mail address when publishing your comment. That is of course, a good thing and leaves me with only the recourse of thanking you publicly so ... THANKS again!
Another busy week including lunch with daughter, Violet and her husband, Fred in Belfair; dinners with friends; dropping by to see daughter, Bobbie at work; Phil going to garage sales; doing laundry; having my blood drawn in preparation for my yearly doctor visit next week; Phil cooking another spectacular spaghetti dinner to serve at Gloria and Les’s house for dinner and a card party with my sister, Dixie and her husband, Paul.
That’s right! Dixie is feeling better every day and continues to get out and about in her wheel chair. It looks like if all goes as planned, she will be released from the nursing home on Monday. She is somewhat melancholy about leaving all of her newly gained friends that work at the facility but she is also excited about being at home during the remainder of her recuperation. Since I am the only non-card player in the group (I do not have a drop of competitive spirit in my soul and only play for the camaraderie), it was (as usual) a fun evening and Gloria was the big winner of the night.
Phil and Les managed a day out fishing this past Friday and as usual, they ‘knocked them dead” so to speak. These guys obviously figured out how to find the big ones and I have been teasing them about the lack of challenge. My thoughts are that they should learn how to fly fish but so far – they are not amenable to my ideas.
Phil and I rarely make plans more than a few weeks ahead at any one time but I will tell you a little secret. We are playing with the idea of heading to the eastern half of the USA next spring and although it is still only in the earliest stage of our travel planning, the seed has been planted. Of course, we will need clean bills of health from our doctors and will have to resign ourselves to missing a summer here in Shelton with our friends and family but if we decide it is “a go” I'm sure everything will fall into place. We have even had positive feedback from some family members saying they might join us for a week here and there. The high gas prices, the weather including heat waves, hail storms, floods, tornadoes and probably hurricanes all add a less than positive approach to our travels however, we refuse to let these negatives keep us from continuing our great adventure.
No pictures this week but here are some THOUGHTS FOR TODAY:
Three essentials to happiness in life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. (Nick Russell-Gypsy Journal-6-22-08)
There are two types of roads in our country. One is under construction and the other is under repair.
Yesterday is experience, tomorrow is hope, today is getting from one to the other.
May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live.
A penny saved is a government oversight.
And my favorite:
A gossip is one who talks to you about others; a bore is one who talks to you about himself; and a brilliant conversationalist is one who talks to you about yourself.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
THE SUN IS SHINING ... HELLO GORGEOUS!
Weather report in Shelton, WA: THE SUN IS SHINING! It is 58 degrees with a forecast of 70 degrees today. It may not last but for the moment, I am elated …
Happy Father’s Day to all my male readers with progeny. I sincerely hope your offspring mark the day in some way so you know they have given you at the very least a moment’s thought. The younger generations, in spite of all the new-fangled “time saving” conveniences always seem to have so much on their plates these days it is often difficult for a parent to get a minute of their time. And, speaking of fathers … I would like to offer my condolences to his family and dedicate my blog today to Tim Russert who at only 58 years old passed away this past Friday. His “Meet the Press” was one of my regularly watched Sunday morning TV shows and I cannot imagine who will fill his shoes. Of course, I did not know the man although I felt as if I did after reading his books and watching him on television for so many years.
It has been a busy week and Phil and Les managed to get a full day of fishing in this past Thursday. They caught and released some really big ones in Lake Kokonee (lower Lake Cushman) and Phil says it is a very beautiful lake. He was gone all day and I drove to Olympia to do some shopping then met Gloria, my sister Dixie and her husband Paul for lunch at Little Creek Casino. Dixie who is getting more mobile every day had a dentist appointment that morning in Shelton and we enjoyed visiting in a more “ordinary” setting than the nursing home. She is doing very well and hopes to be able to go home in a couple more weeks. For now, she will continue to use a walker and wheel chair as she builds her strength toward the goal of walking unassisted.
On Friday, Phil outdid himself and stirred together probably the best pot of homemade, spaghetti meat sauce he has ever made! Gloria has a love affair going with Phil’s spaghetti and he is duty bound to prepare this treat for her ASAP when we arrive in Shelton. We had a glorious feast which included Gloria’s tossed green salad and roasted garlic ciabatta bread and Phil gave Gloria the leftover sauce to freeze for later. It seems all the best times together with family and friends revolve around food—is it any wonder this country has a problem with obesity? I know my mother equated love with food and visa versa so taking pleasure from her deliciously prepared meals was a big part of my formative years. At almost 70 years old, after a life of overeating, yo-yo dieting and gaining and losing thousands of pounds, I think I have finally discovered the solution which is of course, simply put … moderation … in all things especially food. I wish you luck my friends!
Yesterday was another special day filled with much loved family, food and fun. Phil and I drove to Puyallup to spend the day at our Aunt Elaine’s condo with her sister, Aunt Beverly, her son, Casey and daughter, Shannon. You will remember Elaine from our months in Yuma where she spends several months each winter. The ladies had prepared a special lunch for us which we all enjoyed. She is also suffering in the cold temperatures and we commiserated together! Chilly weather aside, it was a very special, mutual admiration filled day
Happy Father’s Day to all my male readers with progeny. I sincerely hope your offspring mark the day in some way so you know they have given you at the very least a moment’s thought. The younger generations, in spite of all the new-fangled “time saving” conveniences always seem to have so much on their plates these days it is often difficult for a parent to get a minute of their time. And, speaking of fathers … I would like to offer my condolences to his family and dedicate my blog today to Tim Russert who at only 58 years old passed away this past Friday. His “Meet the Press” was one of my regularly watched Sunday morning TV shows and I cannot imagine who will fill his shoes. Of course, I did not know the man although I felt as if I did after reading his books and watching him on television for so many years.
It has been a busy week and Phil and Les managed to get a full day of fishing in this past Thursday. They caught and released some really big ones in Lake Kokonee (lower Lake Cushman) and Phil says it is a very beautiful lake. He was gone all day and I drove to Olympia to do some shopping then met Gloria, my sister Dixie and her husband Paul for lunch at Little Creek Casino. Dixie who is getting more mobile every day had a dentist appointment that morning in Shelton and we enjoyed visiting in a more “ordinary” setting than the nursing home. She is doing very well and hopes to be able to go home in a couple more weeks. For now, she will continue to use a walker and wheel chair as she builds her strength toward the goal of walking unassisted.
On Friday, Phil outdid himself and stirred together probably the best pot of homemade, spaghetti meat sauce he has ever made! Gloria has a love affair going with Phil’s spaghetti and he is duty bound to prepare this treat for her ASAP when we arrive in Shelton. We had a glorious feast which included Gloria’s tossed green salad and roasted garlic ciabatta bread and Phil gave Gloria the leftover sauce to freeze for later. It seems all the best times together with family and friends revolve around food—is it any wonder this country has a problem with obesity? I know my mother equated love with food and visa versa so taking pleasure from her deliciously prepared meals was a big part of my formative years. At almost 70 years old, after a life of overeating, yo-yo dieting and gaining and losing thousands of pounds, I think I have finally discovered the solution which is of course, simply put … moderation … in all things especially food. I wish you luck my friends!
Yesterday was another special day filled with much loved family, food and fun. Phil and I drove to Puyallup to spend the day at our Aunt Elaine’s condo with her sister, Aunt Beverly, her son, Casey and daughter, Shannon. You will remember Elaine from our months in Yuma where she spends several months each winter. The ladies had prepared a special lunch for us which we all enjoyed. She is also suffering in the cold temperatures and we commiserated together! Chilly weather aside, it was a very special, mutual admiration filled day
Sunday, June 08, 2008
DON’T WORRY—BE HAPPY!
This Sunday morning, I’m working on my new Microsoft ergonomic keyboard. I like it but trust me, getting used to it will take some time. Another new keyboard, you ask? Yes, when you buy cheap (as I have—several times) the paint on the keys wears off quickly if you spend a lot of time writing. I am a “touch” typist but sometimes I use one finger to edit and have discovered my eyes need help to find what my fingers can find all by themselves … hence, the new keyboard. To add to my learning curve, I have a new 19 inch monitor that makes me feel like I’m looking through a magnifying glass because the Times Roman 12 is so big! I thought I needed new glasses but this monitor might change my mind. I do love it!
We are in Shelton and safely set up in our favorite RV Park—the back yard of friend’s Gloria and Lester’s house. My computer is wired into their high speed internet (Wow! What a rush) but poor Phil is still working his laptop off our router and satellite Internet which is much faster than dial up but still slower than high speed. With our best friends only a few steps away, we have full hookups and at the push of a button a choice of satellite or cable TV—what more can we ask? I’m glad you asked—we would really appreciate some sunshine (it is the 8th of June after all) but I am doing my best not to whine today—honest I am!
Shelton has some big pluses for us—many of them about food but of course, for Phil it means the chance to go fishing with his best pal for the elusive rainbow trout that abounds in the many lakes in Mason County. They both practice catch and release so the guys can spend the day and fish until their arms go numb or their stomachs growl for food—whichever comes first. Our children and grandchildren are all close enough to see often and we have already started to take advantage of that fact as you will see in the pictures below.
This Sunday morning, I’m working on my new Microsoft ergonomic keyboard. I like it but trust me, getting used to it will take some time. Another new keyboard, you ask? Yes, when you buy cheap (as I have—several times) the paint on the keys wears off quickly if you spend a lot of time writing. I am a “touch” typist but sometimes I use one finger to edit and have discovered my eyes need help to find what my fingers can find all by themselves … hence, the new keyboard. To add to my learning curve, I have a new 19 inch monitor that makes me feel like I’m looking through a magnifying glass because the Times Roman 12 is so big! I thought I needed new glasses but this monitor might change my mind. I do love it!
We are in Shelton and safely set up in our favorite RV Park—the back yard of friend’s Gloria and Lester’s house. My computer is wired into their high speed internet (Wow! What a rush) but poor Phil is still working his laptop off our router and satellite Internet which is much faster than dial up but still slower than high speed. With our best friends only a few steps away, we have full hookups and at the push of a button a choice of satellite or cable TV—what more can we ask? I’m glad you asked—we would really appreciate some sunshine (it is the 8th of June after all) but I am doing my best not to whine today—honest I am!
Shelton has some big pluses for us—many of them about food but of course, for Phil it means the chance to go fishing with his best pal for the elusive rainbow trout that abounds in the many lakes in Mason County. They both practice catch and release so the guys can spend the day and fish until their arms go numb or their stomachs growl for food—whichever comes first. Our children and grandchildren are all close enough to see often and we have already started to take advantage of that fact as you will see in the pictures below.
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However, one of the unrivaled aspects of being here is eating our favorite foods. A small example is the freshly made onion rings at the Ming Tree, blueberry pancakes (served all day) at the Pine Tree, the lunch buffet at Little Creek Casino and broasted chicken and Jo’s (with their unprecedented dip) from Bob’s Tavern. When we travel we are always trying to find some place that can best them but so far, that has not happened. Of course, the clean air—washed by millions of gallons of rain water on a regular basis—makes for minimal dust and much less pollen which does not hurt our feelings in the least. We have both stopped sneezing and that is nice after a winter of dry, dusty air in the desert.
Penny the Pace received a clean bill of health in Albany. With only a lube, oil and filter plus new latches on the fridge and freezer our wallet took a much lighter hit than on our visits the past three years and we were on our way in 24 hours with big smiles on our faces. The mechanics at McKay’s Trucking and RV Repair told us she is in great shape for her age which was music to our ears. We knew it in our hearts but it is always nice to hear it from the experts. You rock Miss Penny and we love you!
Penny the Pace received a clean bill of health in Albany. With only a lube, oil and filter plus new latches on the fridge and freezer our wallet took a much lighter hit than on our visits the past three years and we were on our way in 24 hours with big smiles on our faces. The mechanics at McKay’s Trucking and RV Repair told us she is in great shape for her age which was music to our ears. We knew it in our hearts but it is always nice to hear it from the experts. You rock Miss Penny and we love you!
Our pretty Penny the Pace ready to leave the Osprey Point RV Park in Lakeside, Oregon.
I will never understand why most of the interior sites face away from the water. We had a great view of the lake out the rear bedroom window and a better view of the bathrooms out the front window.
Was the park designed for only 5ers? Go figure!
Sunday, June 01, 2008
SOGGY DAY IN OREGON
It is raining. Misting is a better word I suppose but whatever you call it … it is wet and the sort of weather I remember well in the northwest. This is the reason we travel south for most of the year—to escape the cold and sogginess. It is the first of June and still no sign of summer up in this corner of the USA. I need to dig out my cold weather clothes but oh yes, I forgot … I no longer have any! Tomorrow we travel inland from the coast. Maybe the weather will improve and yes, I’d like a little cheese with my whine!
We have had a busy week and took hundreds of digital photos. I wish I could share them all with you but I think it would be a long day at the rate Blogger loads my pictures. The panoramas along Highway 101 in California and Highway 1 as well as the coastal country of Oregon are filled with unsurpassed ocean vistas. When the sun is shining it takes your breath away and it seems you can see all the way to Hawaii! However, I must say it is a great place to visit but I would not want to live here. Not having researched the number of sunny days per year for the northwest coast, I cannot prove it but I would wager they are few and far between. No longer this Washington girl’s cup of tea—but here we are and here we will be—for several months at the very least. We can hear the woods and the rain calling … it is saying, welcome back! Brrrrr!
We have had a busy week and took hundreds of digital photos. I wish I could share them all with you but I think it would be a long day at the rate Blogger loads my pictures. The panoramas along Highway 101 in California and Highway 1 as well as the coastal country of Oregon are filled with unsurpassed ocean vistas. When the sun is shining it takes your breath away and it seems you can see all the way to Hawaii! However, I must say it is a great place to visit but I would not want to live here. Not having researched the number of sunny days per year for the northwest coast, I cannot prove it but I would wager they are few and far between. No longer this Washington girl’s cup of tea—but here we are and here we will be—for several months at the very least. We can hear the woods and the rain calling … it is saying, welcome back! Brrrrr!
Destroyed in a flood in 1964, this memorial to the Douglas Memorial Bridge is located a couple miles downstream from the new bridge on the old Redwood Highway. In the Army at the time, Phil was there for a couple weeks but his company was sent down from Fort Lewis in Washington and stayed longer to build a ferry that would accomodate the traffic until a new bridge could be constructed.
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