Happy New Year

Being in Florida where there are a lot of retirees I thought this clipart was appropriate.

I called the doctor’s office today about my stomach problems.  The nurse called back and said I should see my general practitioner (who is in Ohio); the Zometa they gave me couldn’t be causing it.  I love it when doctors are fools.   Maybe I’ll email my general practitioner.   I just wanted to know if side effects could take a month to show up.   I even went online and posted a question on a website.  No answers yet. 

It has been cloudy and drippy all day which made for shortened walks.   The lady who works here offered to take me to the store if I didn’t want to unhook the RV.  What a nice person.

Everyone have a wonderful New Year.  2010 – WOW

Later….

You Can’t Fool Water

10:30 a.m. Normally it takes 15 minutes for the water heater to heat the water warm enough for a shower, using just the hot water.  You can’t leave your RV water heater on all the time as it overflows.  But, when it has been a really chilly night, 15 minutes is not enough.  I found that out the hard way this morning.  And when you are in the shower it is too late to get out and turn the water heater back on.  Lesson learned – test the water temperature before you get naked.

I thought the RV was pretty level.  All I have to judge by is a round bubble level that sits by the driver seat in a cup holder.  But you can’t fool water.  The shower is not draining very well.  The last bit of water pools away from the drain.  A few scoops with my feet takes care of most of it, a couple of paper towels take care of the rest.

6:00 p.m.  Did two loads of laundry today and met a couple of ladies at the laundry room.  They have four washers and four dryers.   They are $1.50 each so two loads is $6.00.  One of the ladies works here.  It’s nice to chat with people you don’t really know.  Nothing much new, just relaxing and walking the dogs.

Later….

Propane Today

I ran out of propane in the night, of course it was the coldest night yet.  To get propane I had to drive to the tank which is behind the office.  I stowed things that might move around and partially closed this laptop computer and left it on the table.  After getting my tank filled and getting back to my site I opened the computer and found two letters missing, the P and the L.  Some furry friend had decided to try out that thing that occupies so much of the master's time.  Luckily the letters were not lost and  popped back on their spots.  Lesson learned, close computer all the way when I will be out of the RV.  I am guessing it was Teddy.

I did get a card for a dog groomer from the office.   Silly needs a grooming and the other two need toenails cut etc.

We tried the nature walk again today, not all the way as there is a large bull dog tied outside an RV at one end of it.  So we walked starting the other end about half way and then turned around and came back.  We did see wildlife.

The sign says Please Use Caution; Beware; Trails & Ponds Could have Alligators & Snakes.  Thank you.

All we saw was this large bird patiently waiting for a meal.  We couldn’t get very close but his reflection is giving him away. Of course, the dogs sniffed and probably know about a lot of other wildlife nearby.

This sign says: You might see many insects on this trail like bees, wasps, spiders, and maybe even a scorpion, but insects like those normally only bite when they feel they are in danger or you walk threw(?) their nest by mistake.  Now mosquitoes on the other hand will bite no matter what.  Female mosquitoes bite to survive, she needs blood so she can lay her eggs.  Did you know that male mosquitoes do not bite at all?  Protect yourself against mosquitoes by using insect repellent with these ingredients: Deet, Lemon Eucalyptus, or Picaridin.

I finally got around to doing some geneology this afternoon.   The time just flew.  It got up to 85 degrees in the RV before I noticed and turned on the fan.  The sun hits and it gets hot quickly as there isn’t much insulation.  It wasn’t really that warm outside. 

Later….

Monday

These pictures are in no particular order.  The first is the fountain in the pond.  The wind makes it go one way or the other.

 

My RV and my picnic table.  I have a nice size spot. There is no one on either side right now.  Even if the place fills up I will still have plenty of space.  They seem to be expecting a lot more people to come after the holidays.

The office which includes a laundry room and store and bathrooms.

There are cabins here, too.  Some are bigger than others.  This is one of the bigger ones.   Several of them are occupied. 

Almost everyone here has animals.  A lady was out looking for her white cat this morning.  He should be easy to spot with all the greenery.  The campground owner was a bit abrupt about keeping dogs on a leash.  I always do but apparently not everyone does.   

I’m still working on solving the upset stomach thing which comes and goes.  I think I have it solved and then it is back. 

I put my outdoor plastic rug outside the door today.  I used to have long nails with washers (to keep the nail heads from pulling thru the rugs mesh) to hold down the corners.  They are missing from my tool box.   I have no idea where they are.  So I will add some to the list.  I found some poor substitutes that may work if the wind doesn’t get too strong. 

Later….

New Campground

I found a campground just north of Lake City that has cable TV, WIFI, a working ladies room, a pull thru site, a pond with a fountain, and I get all the bars lit up on my cell phone.  Sure it costs a bit more but it is worth it.  I am back in this century.  They also have a list of rules and an office with a store and a nature walk.  We have been vegging out since we got here, watching TV and walking the nature walk.  There are signs warning about alligators and snakes on the nature walk.   We didn’t see any yet.

I will be here for a month and a week, probably.   This wasn’t the campground I had planned on going to, but that is okay.  I think this one is better.  A lot of campgrounds are putting individual electric meters on their sites.  This place hasn’t done that yet.  Those meters are expensive and I find it surprising that they could pay for themselves.

I’ll have pictures in a day or two.  Tonight I am a happy camper.

Later….

The Day After the Day After

It came to me in the night – my RV has wheels.  I am moving to another campground today.  Why wait until Tuesday.  I don’t need to stress of other people controlling my life.  Dave is ex-military and I have worked with many men who retired from the military.  They sometimes have a problem with control, as in controlling other people.   So when the internet comes on at 8:00 a.m., if it does, I will post this and be on my way.

Later….

Day After

The internet is down this morning so I will start this on Windows Live Writer.  The spell check on this program is different.  As you type, if it thinks your word is misspelled, it underlines it with a squiggly red line.   It doesn’t make any suggestions and  it always underlines contractions – like doesn’t until you put on the final t.

Chilly morning today and the place is very quiet.  I guess all the excitement of Christmas is over.  Even the dogs are kind of laid back. 

Okay, I’ve been chatting with real people who live here  and they tell me that periodically the owner turns off the internet and this is one of those times.  He has said he will turn it back on tonight at 8:00.   Too many people were downloading;   maybe he was too nice yesterday and had to make up for it today; maybe Santa didn’t bring him what he wanted for Christmas.   I have been in campgrounds before when the internet didn’t always work but it was because of a technical problem, not someone’s temper tantrum.  I’m looking forward to next Tuesday when I move to a different campground.

I am not without resources.  I called my daughter and asked her to call the owner to tell him she is worried about me since she has normally heard from me thru the internet by this time of day.  It is now 8:15.  We will see if that has any results.  If I stand outside and hold onto the barbed wire fence I can get minimal cell phone service. 

9:37 p.m.

I just got back from the office to ask about the internet service.  He, Dave Dunn, admitted he had turned it off and it would only be on from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

I used their phone to call my daughter to emphasize me need for the internet.  This is stupid.   I did get him to turn it on --

This is a rant ---- sorry.

Later….

Merry Christmas

Found this picture on a clipart site.  This is what it’s all about.  

Of course, there is also the food…..

Eyes on the food guys ---  on the table ---  ham and turkey and 2 kinds of dressing and gravy and much much more.

There is also the decorations…

I have  forest of Christmas trees on my refrigerator.

Good friends and lots to eat. 

Hope everyone had a wonderful day.

Later….

Christmas Eve

All is quiet except for the neighbor and his friend who are sitting around a fire pit with no fire and getting roaring drunk.  They offered me some “nature” which turned out to be pot.  Needless to say I turned them down.  Then they started telling  racial jokes.  I was just trying to get past them to take the dogs for their evening walk.   I tried to be polite but it wasn’t easy.  We finally got past and had our walk.  I guess everyone celebrates in their own way. 

I have decided my belly ache and other symptoms are probably side effects (should that be affects?  I can never figure that out) of this new pill I am taking,  aromasin.  It seems to start about 3 hours after I take the pill.  What’s a little nausea  and belly ache if the meds are doing some good.  I’ll mention it to the Dr. at the next appointment.  In the meantime I will eat light meals more often and take stomach soothing over the counter stuff that seems to help.   I try not to read all the side effects of meds before I take them as I am suggestible and might think I had them just because I read about them. 

I will be moving next Tuesday to another campground.  I won’t miss my next door neighbor at all.  Wonder why he rides a bicycle to the store?  Maybe he LOST HIS LICENSE? 

The solution to the shower that won’t drain was to put a sign on the door saying “out of order – use the men’s room”.  Glad I can use my own shower safely now since I got some vinegar to remove the soapy film from the floor.  

I just reread this and it sounds like I am grumpy.  Hmmmm.

I hope someone gets some pictures of my Great-grandsons when Santa comes to their door this evening.  

Merry Christmas to all.

Later….

People and Dogs

Nothing much today.  I did laundry and chatted with a very nice gentleman.  It turns out Sandy had wanted me to meet him.  I hate it when people try to fix other people up with other people who don’t want to be fixed up.   Anyway, we chatted.  He has had an interesting life, lived in Key West for several years and raised birds, etc. 

A few evenings ago Teddy laid at my feet, under the table and whimpered and cried.  So I got him out and inspected him and found he had an ear infection.  He has had this before and I still have the medicine.  It involves pulling out some hair for visibility, cleaning out his ear with Q-tips, and putting a few drops of medicine in the ear.  This takes some time as he squirms, it must hurt.  After two evenings of this extra attention, Red got under the table and started whimpering.  Now she does not get ear infections.   I got her out and gave her some attention anyway.  She is a pretty good faker.  I tried not to make it too much fun for her.   Animals are great entertainment.

Later….

I’m A Winner!

I won the weekly prize drawing at pogo.com !  It’s amazing.  It’s $250.00.  Many times I have wondered if people really won those drawings, now I know.  Merry Christmas to me.  I’m thinking about using it to pay for a few expensive days at a beach campground before I head home.

This morning on our early walk I heard a donkey or burro doing his HEEHAW thing.  Haven’t seen him.

The sky.

This is one of the several cabins they have at this campground.  They arrive on wheels then get set up.  I haven’t seen inside one but they look really cute.

Later….

Shopping Day

An early morning walk has its rewards. 

We went to town today.  That just involves unplugging from the electricity, stowing the electric cord, and driving away.  Of course, I have to put a lawn chair over the sewer connection so I can see exactly where it is and not drive over it. 

First I instructed the GPS to take me to the address of the Goodwill Store I had found on the internet.  It wasn’t there.  So I found a place to turn around and headed to Walmart. 

I think everyone had the same idea about waiting until today to do their shopping.  I could barely get into the parking lot.   When I got ready to go in I couldn’t find my list that I’ve been making for several days.  Since I bring my “house” with me it had to be here somewhere.  I finally found it, I don’t even remember where.   Carts were at a premium but I found one with a bumpy wheel.  I found everything on my list and even added a six pack of beer, Killian’s Irish Red to be exact.  

I thought about venturing around town but realized that I was already tired so I headed home, after a very short walk with the dogs in Walmart’s parking lot.

The picture below is of the last 3/4 mile of the road to the campground.  It is packed sand and very bumpy.  It is also pretty.   I go about 10 miles an hour on this part of the road.

This morning there was some frost on the ground.  Last night I finally remembered the electric blanket that my Sister gave me a couple of years ago.  It’s just a small one but my bed is a small one.  Both myself and the dogs appreciated it last night.  Sometime in the night it got turned off but it had done it’s job.

I had help from the owner’s granddaughters on this evenings walk.  They walked the dogs with me and when we got back they came right into the RV.  Then they started climbing into the overhead part and asking for juice and asking what would happen if I got locked out.  I told them I had a key hidden.  Then one of them went nuts wanting to know where the key was.  I told her the only reason someone would want to know that was if they wanted to rob me.   KIDS!!!!!     I thanked them for helping me when they left.

Later….

P.S.  They fixed my water connection while I was gone and I didn’t get to see the handy man get squirted – darn.

Why does the Chicken….

Why does the chicken crow at midnight, or 2:00 a.m.?  He is a gorgeous fellow and came closer when I called.  Raised on a farm I can surely remember how to call chickens.  Of course the goats came too.   Don’t know how to call goats as we never had any.  I think maybe he wants some hens and that could be making him not sleep well.  He doesn’t always crow in the night but now and then I hear him.

This goat is on top of their hill, all by himself.  Do goats play king of the hill?  

Today was clean or else day.  Two dogs were sick in the night which involved getting up and letting them out quickly.  It could be a dog version of what I’ve been having.  I vacuumed and swept and scrubbed.  Does anyone wake up and say “oh goody, it’s cleaning day”?  I don’t think so.  Other people had the same idea.  One fellow was hosing off his trailer and, inadvertently, his bulldog.  She didn’t seem to mind at all. 

I have used my shower only once on this trip.  I found that something, maybe shampoo, had spilled in the shower and made the floor very slippery, dangerously slippery.  So I have scrubbed it twice and am still not satisfied enough to use it again.  I’ll pick up some vinegar next shopping trip.  That will kill the soap and make the shower safe again.   I’ve been using the campground’s shower and it leaves a bit to be desired.  I mentioned the fact that the shower drain doesn’t work to Sandy and she got right on the men to fix it as if it overflows it goes into their home.  It does give me feet a good soaking. 

A smart aleck grandmother, me, bought some blue mouth wash that shows up if you haven’t done a good job brushing your teeth for our trip to Gettysburg back in June.  Now that is the only mouthwash I have.  Serves me right. 

Hopefully tomorrow will be shopping day.   Should I get some mouthwash?  Naaaaa

Later….

Up to Snuff

  OK I have been inspired to figure out how to link.  Click on the word link and it takes you to an explanation of “Up to Snuff” .   Or here is another one just to prove I figured out how to do it.

  This information was supplied by the Sister (capitol S Sister – an old family joke) of the man I called dumb.  He wasn’t really dumb but he sure could be aggravating at times.    She was inspired to find the origins of the saying. 

This morning I really wasn’t ready to get up but three furry friends insisted.  I knew I wasn’t fully awake when I picked up the eye drops and held them to my ears and nose before remembering they were for my eyes.   A brisk walk soon woke me up.

After a rainy day yesterday the sun is out even though there is a chill in the air.

My stomach is still iffy so have gone to the meds.  This getting old isn’t easy.   I have put off shopping for a couple more days.  Don’t want to fight the last week-end before Christmas shoppers.  I always have a plan B for when I don’t want to shop.  

Just now convincing Red dog that peacocks are not for chasing is enough.  Once I get back in the pine trees I sometimes drop the leashes and let the dogs run.  They love it.  The place I am going next has a fenced dog run.   Those are always good for sniffing where other dogs have been and they usually have a park bench for dog people.

Chatted with some neighbors yesterday and let the kids pet the dogs.  The dogs are a great ice breaker.  I tell people they look like a Walt Disney movie about the happen.  Got some tips on where to shop.  I have identified a Goodwill store in town and have entered it into the GPS for our next outing.   You never know what you might find. 

Later….

Almost up to Snuff

Whatever that saying means.  I got into trouble once for using a saying that I didn’t know what it meant.  I told my husband he was dumber than a bank mule.  When he asked what that meant I had to admit I didn’t know.  So I wrote a letter to my parents, back before communication was like today.  My Father told me that a bank mule was one who pulled the boats up the Erie Canal after they had floated down.  They didn’t have to know gee or haw, just pull forward.  That is pretty dumb for a mule.   So if anyone knows what “up to snuff” means I hope it isn’t nasty.

Our morning walk was just after sunrise.  The sun was hitting the bottom of the clouds in the picture below.

Eating regular food tonight after a day of being very careful with the diet.  Even took a shower and got human.  But I have put toilet paper on the shopping list.  I know, TMI, (Too Much Information according to my daughter).

It seems my granddaughters car has a bad transmission and she needs it to get to school.  So my daughter, Lory,  borrowed my car and lent her car to the granddaughter.  It is probably good for my car to be run while I am gone and school is a priority.  Lory’s email to me about their week was one disaster after another.  Her car takes a programmed key that costs $50 some dollars.  The only one she has is taped together.  They were locking Christmas presents in the trunk when the key came apart.  They managed to fish out the part that they needed to get home but are afraid to try to unlock the trunk with it.  So Santa will bring a new key and before Christmas they hope.  Their Christmas tree keeps falling over – there is a 2 1/2 year old and a 1 year old in the house.  Nuth said. 

I seem to remember one year we nailed the tree to the wall.   It was a “found in the woods” Charlie Brown kind of tree anyway.  Did anyone else go shopping for the worst tree they could find?  They were all beautiful when we got done decorating them.

The weather is supposed to be cool and rainy tonight and tomorrow.  Internet service isn’t very good in the rain.  Maybe the signal can’t dodge the raindrops.  So if I don’t post, don’t worry.

Later….

Figuring things out.

One thing I have figured out --  dogs normal temperature is 101 or 102.  So we always feel cool to them since our normal temperature is 98.6.   That’s why they like to cuddle even more on hot days.  There aren’t really perverse.

Another thing I have figured out – you have lived a full year before you are one year old.  So I have already lived my seventieth year before my seventieth birthday.  This could take the sting out of those birthdays with a zero on the end.

Maybe next I’ll figure out why the rooster who lives here crows in the middle of the night.  Maybe he is blind or has dreams.

There is way too much time to figure things out here with no TV to watch.  

My stomach is still yuck today.  I am sticking to tea and crackers and cheese made from rice.  A little sugar in the tea helps with energy.  I have meds for this but have heard it is sometimes better to let them run their course.  Tomorrow will be enough, then meds come out.

Tuesday

Another beautiful day today but it’s going to be Florida’s version of cold tomorrow, high 68. 

The picture below shows one of the cabins they have to rent here.  Mostly they are rented long term by people who work in the area.  That’s my RV on the far right.

I am supposed to be parked on the other side of the electric and water connection but it is impossible to get level there so I pull in on the other side.  The man in the trailer next door asked if I was angry at him.  I said no, I just come and go and hate to have to drive up on blocks to get level.

The other problem is the water faucet.  As you can see it makes a fountain when turned on.  So I fill my fresh water tank and then disconnect until I need more water.  I mentioned this problem to the owners yesterday. They immediately decided to ask their resident handy man to check it real close when he turns it on.  That’s only fair as I got a face full of water the first time I turned it on.

As you can see in the background of this picture, my neighbors across the way have quite a setup.  They have lots of birds in cages outside, wrapped in cloth covers.  I’m not sure why.  I have spoken to them but haven’t had to nerve to ask. 

Yesterday while visiting the Sandy and Dave, Sandy said she had been sick the day before.  Today I made a couple of very rushed trips to the bathroom.  Chicken soup for supper.   I’m sure I’ll feel better tomorrow.   Sure hope it’s nothing the dogs will catch. 

Later….

Another Nice Day

It was a bit foggy this morning but it burned off later in the morning.  We took our usual walks and since it was nice we met some of the other residents and chatted, mostly about dogs. 

I spent an hour or so visiting with the owners, Sandy and Dave.  I got an invitation to Christmas dinner which I graciously accepted.  They are super people who bought this place a few years ago and are a bit overwhelmed. 

Received a package from family which I will keep from opening until Christmas.  I am a bah-humbug sort of person.  Part of the reason I run away from home this time of year is due to the stress of the holidays.  That and the weather.  It is always who is having what where and who will be able to be there when and why not.  This way I do my own thing and noone has to worry about me. 

I'm about done with my second Vince Flynn novel.  I'll be ready for a slower paced book after this.  I think my nephew, Rich, would like this author.

Later....

Beautiful Day

Since I mention the bad weather I have to talk about the day today. I sat outside in a lawn chair and read a book this afternoon. I had the dogs by me on leashes. Some preteen age girls came by and walked - more like ran - the dogs for me. They went and got a book about dogs and we looked at the different possibilities of breeds that Red might be. Two of the girls are the granddaughters of the owner and one was visiting here.
Yesterday morning I stepped away from the breakfast table for a moment and when I came back my hormone blocker pill was gone. I suspect Teddy as he is always worried about food and is quite bold about the table. I have been watching him for effects. He has been trying to eat grass all day yesterday and today. He has also been having dreams more than usual. Hmmmmm. I plan a trap for him. I carry alum powder as it stops bleeding if doggy toenails get cut too short. I plan to leave a cracker well powdered on the table, turn my back, and see who has a puckered mouth. I have used this before to stop a dog from killing birds in the back yard. Of course the assumption is that the dog is smart enough to learn from it.
No pictures today, I was too relaxed.

Later....

Peacocks and Goats

 

Peacocks eating cheerios.  I haven’t seen the turkey yet.  Maybe she went back home.

Four goats with spiky horns. 

This is the path we walk several times a day.  The road is sand.  Those trees were about three feet tall in 2006 when I was here before.  Now they are at least 10 or 12 feet tall.  That little white thing on the left is a park bench.

This is a desperate way to open a can.  I do like canned peaches.  Sure glad I got a can opener.

It is raining today.  We got in our morning walk before it started but I think our noon and afternoon walks will be with a raincoat and boots.

My sister found a solution to using Windows Live Writer to upload the blog.  It had something to do with the pictures not having a place to go.  Every picture I have on this blog is at Picasa Web Albums.  Just had to make a new album on there for Windows Live Writer to use.  Sisters are great when they are younger and more patient to look up things for me.

One thing I had forgotten about Florida was how salt collects moisture from the humidity.  It clogs up the holes in the salt shaker. 

Later….

The picture problem is solved so look out. I had this all entered into Windows Live Writer but it wouldn't upload so I get to do it again. It kept giving me error 403 whatever that is. The local connection was down last night and just barely got back up this morning.
I made it to my tire/brake appointment on time yesterday in spite of not having an alarm clock. I set the old head alarm and made it fine.
The picture below was taken in GA when I had the spare tire put on. That dark spot under the missing wheels is brake fluid.

This picture is yesterday in a proper garage, Tire Mart of Lake City, FL. We arrived at 8:00 a.m. and they were working on it from 8:25 till 1:00. Their computer said a speed sensor in the back wheels was not working so they put a new one in. After a test drive didn't turn off the brake warning light they crawled under and found a wire that had been chewed by a rodent. I said @#$% squirrels as they replaced the wire. That finally fixed the problem. Since it wasn't the sensor they took out the new one and put the old one back in and marked the new one off my bill.

I can't say enough good about these guys, they were patient and polite and persistent, all the things you want in a garage. I do have a few things to say to Adventure RV in Springboro, OH as they told me everything was okay with the wiring under the RV.

They convinced me that nine year old tires, apparently the originals, were worse than worn out tires so I bought four new ones for the back. The front ones were replaced a three years ago in Texas.

After all that I groaned and paid the bill and headed home to take a nap and fix supper. That's meat loaf, carrots, over cooked broccoli, (I like it like that) and applesauce.

Tomorrow I may have pictures of goats and peacocks. WooHoo.

Later....

Run Around Day

Got to the drug store, Radio Shack, Walmart, two tire places, and the Dr's office.
Got my prescription at the drug store.
The picture problem was solved at Radio Shack, I bought another connection for the disk from the camera to go into. Now I should take some pictures, haven't been taking many due to the problem.
Walmart supplied everything from people food to dog food. The dog food rang up as $2.00 instead of $20.00, so they gave it to me for $18.00. They said they have a new man matching the prices with the bar codes on the items. I just couldn't keep my mouth shut about it - oh well, honesty is the best policy.
I have an appointment for tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. (ouch) to get the brakes and tires looked at. The first place I stopped couldn't handle the RV and sent me to another place.
I got my Zometa at the Dr's office. This place is a lot smaller than the Dr I go to in Dayton. The man they called in at the same time they called me was telling the nurse about how he felt 2 days ago and yesterday morning and last night and this morning. They had him talk to the Dr. and he came back and sat down and said he would take his medicine. They used something to numb where they were using a needle on him. Never heard of that before.
It rained some on the way home and the wind was at it again. It's supposed to be nasty tomorrow.
The tire place told me to drop off the RV for a few days and they would get to it. I told them that if they couldn't get it done in one day I could just plug into their electricity and spend the night. That's when they picked the 8:00 a.m. time so I couldn't say no. I hate it when I get caught like that.
The dogs were walked at the campground, the drug store, Walmart, and the Dr's office as well as when we got back to the campground. Are they spoiled or what.

Finished reading The Shack. It's a good book but very intense to read. I've started on another Vince Flynn book now.

Later....

Tuesday

I know I'm taking pills to block my hormones but I still have a sense of humor. I ate lots of Dove chocolate today. Two of the fortunes were the same- "Don't stress - think, and this too shall pass." (See posting for Nov. 25) One of the other ones was "Celebrate the small victories in your life."

Teddy got a trimming today. I found several burrs embedded in his fur. He lost most of the plumes on his legs and feet and part of his mustache. He is very patient about the grooming sessions unless I pull too hard. I think I took about a pound of hair off him. Red got a burr in her foot on our evening walk. She finally stopped and laid down and let me get it out. She is very independent and slow to trust anyone or anything.

Just another day in no TV or phone paradise. Tomorrow will be busy with shopping and Dr's appointment. Since I'll be moving the RV anyway I will take the opportunity to dump the waste tanks.

Chatted online with my niece last night. She is a guard in a Federal prison now and worked her first shift this week. She can handle it, good for her.

I have subscribed to the Obama joke of the day. If anyone else is interested let me know. Nothing like a chuckle to end the day.

Later....

Monday, Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Day

This is starting to sound like a weather report. The sun was out most of the day but our 4:30 walk turned into a run in the rain. Good exercise.

I worked on washing the RV today. I used my window washer with the extension handle. The front above the windshield got scrubbed and dripped down onto the clean hood. Duh. The driver side got it and most of the back and a bit of the passenger side. I know, I caused the rain again. At least the rain that drips down now is not leaving brown streaks.

The problem with downloading my pictures has been diagnosed with a little advise from the computer guru. It is the drive I put the camera disk into that is malfunctioning. I just got that last spring. The computer sees the drive but can't see that there is a disk in it. So we have another errand added to the list - a computer store.

I researched a place to get the brakes and tires looked at. I posted on the local craigslist and asked for someone to advise me. We will see if I get any responses. I couldn't post in the automotive section as they required phone confirmation, guess it's for businesses. So I posted in rants and raves. Northern Florida must be a pretty contented place as there are very few rants on there.

Time to feed to beasts ----

Later....

Another Lazy Day - No Rain

Didn't get properly dressed until about noon. I sleep in a sweat suit so that is still appropriate for an early morning walk with the dogs. The only accomplishments today were washing dishes and a load of laundry. There is a combination lock on the laundry room so I had to ask for the numbers. There is one washer and one dryer, non-commercial type. You put a dollar in the box each time you use a machine.

I took a nice long nap this afternoon. Tomorrow I have to get organized.

I'm reading a book called The Shack by William P. Young that my sister sent me. I can only read so much of it at a time as it takes some absorbing. On the cover it is compared to Pilgrim's Progress. Do I get credit for having read that book when I finish The Shack? It's a very deep book and well worth reading.

Tomorrow it's supposed to be in the 70's so I look forward to that. Maybe I'll get one thing done or possibly even two.

Later....

Saturday

See I even know what day of the week it is - doesn't matter that I had to check the Internet to find out. The sun came out this afternoon and that helped a lot. Our morning walk was taken while wearing a raincoat and boots. It's supposed to be in the 70's next week. Yeah!

On our walk this evening we ran into the owner, Sandy, and her rottweiler, Baby Girl, at the back of the pine trees. Baby Girl was not on a leash and came running toward us with her hackles up. I dropped three leashes and backed away from the possible frey. Red was the only possible problem. She growled and I did the dog whisperer thing and Sandy called Baby Girl and it was over. Whew.

When we got back to the RV we found a 3 foot snake skin on the ground. Someone said it was from a racer snake and they aren't poisonous. They took it to play a joke on someone. Ha Ha.

I bought some generic cheerios and found them to be lacking so I fed some to the peacocks this morning. They gobbled them up. Peacocks make strange noises, like a hoot. I don't think they can be very smart, their heads are so small. I may try the not-cheerios on the goats next.

I have a lead on a computer whiz, I just need to corner him now. Maybe tomorrow. I also found the washer and dryer so that is another project underway soon. Also need to dump and where I am parked I can't quite reach the dump spot so there is another short move in the works.

Lots to do just existing while run away from home.

Later....

Rainy Lazy Day

We dodged raindrops for two short walks today. It seemed cold until I looked at the temperature back home. It has been in the 50's here today, no wind, and pretty steady rain.
I didn't want to get out of my nest this morning so the two smaller dogs got the big dog after me and I was soon up.
I have played on the computer and spent a good while trying to figure out why my computer can't see the camera disk. I downloaded Kodak's Easyshare, I have asked the help feature, I have even said a few harsh words -- all for no success. The computer makes a little noise when I plug in the disk so it knows it is there but I can't get it to look at it. I need a computer guru. If it stops raining tomorrow I'll ask around the campground.
I know I washed part of the RV yesterday but it really didn't need to rain ALL day.

Later....

Lazy Day

The sun struggled to get this morning and finally made it, a bit weak, but out.
Since we are parked a different direction the dogs are confused. They sniffed everything as if they had never been here before. I could see where the rain had washed the sandy roads and we made new tracks in them.

I did get the energy to take a dishpan of water and a rag and wash one layer of dirt off the truck part of the RV. Saw where something had chipped the paint in a couple of spots. I know I had some touch up paint but can't find it now.

More walks and a nap - this is the life. Going to have to find a brake/tire dealer sometime soon. The brake light still comes on. The most disturbing part is the exclamation point under the word "brake", and the red color isn't reassuring either. Maybe I'll ask the owners of the campground for a name of a good dealer.
It's supposed to be chilly tonight. I might have to turn on the furnace.

Later....

Florida Rain

Somehow there is no rain storm quite like they have in Florida.  It comes down in buckets and there is no where for it to go.  Luckily we  were back to the campground before it hit.  While at the Dr’s office I heard them say we were under a tornado watch and kids had been sent home from school.  The wind was bad on the way home.

I was surprised that I liked the doctor today, a Dr. Khan, who doesn’t appear to be from India.  Built like a fire plug and he even has a slight sense of humor.  He said they have a machine that can do both the CAT and PET scans together.  I think he was trying to drum up business. 

I  located a CVS pharmacy and made sure I could get my prescription filled next week when I go for the Zometa. 

While I was in civilization I used my cell phone to make a reservation for next month at another campground that has cable TV and WIFI.

And most important of all, I got a can opener! 

When I got back to the campground I pulled in on the other side of my electric box instead of backing in.  I have to back in or out, it doesn’t really matter which to me.  Now I am almost perfectly level which feels much better when walking around inside. 

All in all a very productive day.

My thermometer that tells the outside temperature is in a state of rebellion, sometimes it works but not always. 

Always Something

There is always something, isn't there? Whether it's a house or a car or an RV - or a computer. My laptop cannot seem to see my camera memory card, so no pictures can be downloaded.

We have been doing a lot of walking and reading. There is no TV and no phone, and very difficult to get level, just the internet and books and rest. Really a nice change for a while. I think one month will be enough. There is another campground nearby that offers cable TV and free internet for just a bit more a month. So next month we will move.

There is a pine forest, planted in rows at the back of the campground and we walk thru that every morning and afternoon. There are peacocks wandering around. They tell me to male disappeared for a while and came back with a lady turkey. They expect a batch of either peakeys or turcocks any day now. That should be interesting.

There are also four goats in a nice big fenced area. The dogs are in awe of them and do not bark at them. The goats are in awe of the dogs also and retreat to stand on top of a sand heap when we visit.

Tomorrow we go to meet the doctor here. I also want to find the drug store and let them know I will be wanting my prescription next week. The doctors office sent me a bunch of papers to fill out. Mostly the papers are about money. I have some questions about that and should get the answers tomorrow.

My aged and well used can opener quit working. I opened a can with a bottle opener, very jagged edges but it worked. I'll try to find a new one tomorrow - there is a Walmart here too.

Later....

Arrived - Lake City, FL

We arrived in good shape Saturday evening about 5:00 p.m. The trip was good, well, mostly good. We left home about 9:00 a.m. Friday morning. Got through Cincinnati with no problems, it was a no work day. Stopped that night in northern Georgia at a Walmart. I shouldn't have been surprised that the parking lot was still almost full - Black Friday shoppers. There was room at the back under a light pole, my favorite place to spend the night at Walmart. I went inside and did a little shopping, when I came out 3 other RV's were pulled in so I felt better.

We got a real early start Saturday, the GPS said we would be there by 2:00 in the afternoon. Atlanta was busy, with a lot of traffic and a lot of exit only lanes and merging traffic. I tried to go with the flow of traffic which was often over the speed limit. No one wants to drive behind an RV so I got passed a lot.


The brake light had been coming on after about an hour of driving for some time. I got to worrying about it being something actually heating up in a wheel. I was hoping it was just a bad connection. I had asked the RV repair people to check it and they said there was no problem.

I stopped at a Subway for a sandwich, got a foot long so it would be for lunch and dinner on a busy day of driving. I was sitting in the RV in the parking lot eating 1/2 the sandwich when there was a knock on the door. A man wanted to talk to me about my back tire. I went out to talk to him and his buddy. He said the one tire was wobbling when I drove in and he could fix it at his shop just one exit back north of there. I told him I would think about it. Was I being scammed?

I got back in the RV to find that my 1/2 sandwich had been consumed by my furry friends. They all looked guilty so they all got yelled at. Luckily I had put the other 1/2 in the frig. Plan B.

I got to thinking about the brake light and the tire and decided to maybe let him take a look at it. After they got their lunch I got out and said they could take a look at it and told them about the brake light. Before I knew it they had a jack under my RV and had the tire off, right there in the parking lot. The back wheels are duals, as they took off the inside tire on that same side they saw brake fluid dripping down.

Of course, they said I needed 4 new back tires at $150. each and I said no. We had a little discussion and I decided they should fix the brake fluid leak and put my spare tire on instead of the worst one they took off. They wouldn't take a check and they couldn't take a credit card and it was Saturday afternoon. They kept offering to take me to an ATM machine and I refused (were they out of their minds?). I felt a little trapped sitting there with my tires off.

They did the job I asked and I paid cash which was agreed on before they did the work. So I was either royally scammed or saved from a major accident by Murphys Auto Repair, I-75 exit 92, Arabi, GA. I guess I will choose to think they were honest men and they did me a favor by noticing that tire.

You have seen those pictures of plumbers with their head under the sink, taken from behind? Well, an overweight mechanic on his back, head under an RV is another whole picture. I didn't take it, his buddy was watching me. The whole thing took about 2 1/2 hours. After that we made good time through construction in south GA. I even passed some people poking along.

So far I've only found deodorant to be missing and that was easily fixed, Walmart.

We have had a leisurely day today taking walks and a nap. I'll post some pictures another time.

Later....

It's going to happen

There were times during the last couple of weeks that I didn't really think I was going to get to run away from home this winter. There were times I wasn't sure I even wanted to put out the effort. But now that the day is tomorrow and I am as ready as I'll ever be I am excited about it.

Even tethered to doctors offices it will be fun and everything will be okay. I have a campground in mind near Lake City, FL. I even have an alternative campground near there if the first one doesn't work out. There always needs to be a plan B.

I had a great Thanksgiving dinner at my daughter and son-in-law's home. Nine people were there and we pretty well destroyed that turkey along with all the fixings.

My Grandson ran in the 5 mile turkey trot race this morning and finished at an average of 9 minutes per mile. The only hard part was he and his Mother finding one another after the race. There were at least 7000 people running through the streets. The times were kept by a gizmo attached to each runner's shoe and read by other gizmos that they ran by at three check points along the route. Amazing.

So tomorrow morning we do all the last minute jobs and pack the last minute items and drive away. I will not post again until I find a WIFI connection. I hope that will be Saturday night in Florida.

Later....

Funny

A book I read recently suggested that when you get your fortune cookie you add the words "in bed" to the fortune. I get my fortunes inside the wrappers of Dove chocolates. Most recently I have found "Embrace Life..." and "Go ahead, have another..." .

It might be just as funny to pick any place like "at the mall" or "in the kitchen" but somehow "in bed" is the funniest.

Later....

Getting There

The countdown is going okay, not great, but okay. Someone gave me several Vince Flynn books to read on my trip. Since I finished and returned my library books last Saturday I started one of the books, just to see if I would like them. Well, now I am captured by this suspenseful writer. And to top it off I saw Vince Flynn interviewed by Glen Beck on Saturday. He is dyslexic and cannot read aloud or spell very well. He must have a very good editor.

So between reading a few pages and remembering to pack laundry detergent and reading a few pages and writing down the number of prescriptions and - oh yes - put in dog toys and heart worm pills and reading a few pages, and putting in the skillet cover for making meat loaf on top of the stove (I have no oven) and mailing packages - well, you get the picture.

I still plan to leave Friday morning, but it may not be early. I know I will forget something, that's a tradition. I just hope it is something easily found at a Walmart.

Of course the dogs have figured out that something is in the wind and watch anxiously out the window every time I carry something out to the RV.

Later ....

Countdown

The lists of lists are growing instead of shrinking. I got the RV plugged into electricity yesterday. The tool box is checked and a few things need to be added. The refrigerator isn't on yet but a list has been made for its contents.

Went to the antique barn Friday and hugged everyone goodbye.

Christmas gifts are being bought, wrapped, and prepared for mailing.

Clothes are being sorted. Had to check the weather for the destination to remind myself that I won't need turtle neck tops there.

Teddy got a bath this morning. Needless to say, he hates baths. He smells a lot better now. Don't know what he got into.

I find myself turning from one thing to another without making progress. I call that spinning. That's when I have to stop and do something else for a while, like post on blogspot.

A bit more shopping today and then get down to it and get it done.

My grandson is running in a five mile Turkey Trot race on Thanksgiving day. It's lots of fun. Many people wear costumes for this race. I'm sure he will have a good appetite for dinner.

Later....

Books and Stuff

I have been making lists and checking them twice - no I'm not Santa - just getting ready to run away from home for 3 months.

Today I went to the Salvation Army Thrift Store to look for paperback books to read while away. I found several. They have changed how they price books at that store. They base the price on the original price on the book. I refuse to pay for than $1.50 for a used paperback so some of my choices went back on the shelf. Of course, I had to look for items to put in my space at the antique barn. I found a Fenton 2nd, a small vase. The vase is perfect but the artist messed up the painting on it. I guess they had to learn how somehow.

Today there was news about this "area"s mayor. The police and FBI raided his office and confiscated his computer to check it for pornography. Someone turned him in and his home was searched Nov. 5. Being out of the local gossip loop I knew nothing about it till today when it hit the news. I guess we have it all - right here in the area.

After several phone calls my medical records have been faxed to a doctor in Florida near where I will be staying. I have an appointment there Dec. 2nd so that gives me a time frame for getting there. I have even programmed the doctor's and the campground's addresses into my GPS.

I have stocked up on dog heart worm pills and flea drops - major expense. I also have a box of 100 doggie doodoo bags from Walmart. My raincoat and rubber boots stay in the RV. Just need dog food and have to remember to take their dishes out right before we leave.

Last night my two daughters and I went out to celebrate Lory's birthday. Forty six years ago tonight I had my first child. They carded her when she ordered a drink. It made her evening. Then the waitress said they had to card everyone as they had gotten into trouble for serving alcohol to someone underage. Oh well, it was still fun. She got her gift of a camera and took pictures of her food before and after she ate. Her sister took a video of her eating. A good time was had by all.

Later....

New License

Friday I went to the state office to renew my drivers license. I was right behind an older woman who walked with a cane. One of those canes with four parts at the bottom - and she was having trouble reading the eye chart even with her glasses on. I had to use my glasses but had no problem reading the chart.

I made a comment to the clerk that I appreciated the fact that they take away your old license with the old picture on it before they show you the new picture. No one wants to really see what 4 years have done. The clerk had no sense of humor but other people chuckled.

After our pictures were taken the lady with the cane and I sat and waited for our new licenses. We shared our new pictures with one another and I was shocked to find she was a year younger than I am! That was a shocker. I am grateful that I am as able to be active as I am.

While at the license office a young man came in with a little boy. The little boy had a very skinned up face. There was a case in the news earlier in the week about a 5 year old boy riding in the back of a pickup truck. The truck's driver was drunk and he hit a tree, the boy flew out. This was the boy. The man with him was talking about it and the boy was looking uncomfortable being talked about. I told him he was one tough kid and he grinned. He showed me where they had stuck him with needles. He said he didn't even say ouch. I told him he was allowed to say ouch. By the way, the boys mother has been charged with child endangerment and has lost custody of him. I don't know who the man was with the boy, maybe a family member or a foster parent.

Who knew a trip to renew a drivers license could be so exciting and informative.

Later....

Results

Today I had the appointment with the doctor to get the results of last weeks tests.

I am still stable. That's the good news. The doctor wants to change the hormone blocker pills I am taking so I got a new perscription. No new tests until March. I'll have to be back by then. I'm sure winter will save a few blasts for me when I get back.

Now I get to plan for my winter run-away-from-home. I need to get my driver's license renewed and get new stickers for the vehicles - all will be due before I get back. And I need to find a doctor there for the every four weeks treatment and get my records sent there. And I need to be sure the campground I go to has WIFI so I can stay in touch.

The RV has been checked out. The ABS brakes don't work but I don't like them anyway. There will be a lot to do and I don't plan on leaving until after Thanksgiving anyway.

FUN FUN

Later.

Living in an Area

When ads on TV try to target this area I live in they mention the neighboring towns and then add "and the ********* area". That's how I know we are an area.

Last night as I was getting ready for bed I heard police sirens and fire truck horns and sirens so I went to look out front to see where they were headed. The first police car made the turn toward the school buildings.

All the school buildings are together from kindergarten to high school and they are just around the corner from my house. After the police car came a fire truck blasting away. Then came two yellow school buses. That explained everything. They had won a football game. Someone had called ahead and had the police and the fire trucks meet them and escort them to the school. More fire trucks and police cars followed and lots of cars blowing their horns. I found my keys and pushed the panic button to start my car alarm going so I could share in the celebration.

That's the fun of living in an "area". Bet that doesn't happen in bigger towns. It somehow makes up for the times I get angry at the place. Like the time I called the police about charity money not going where it should. I got a call back from a minister, who was also the fire marshal, who was the minister where the money was supposed to go, who was banned from counciling couples due to his reputation with women.

We have it all in this area.

Later.

Laptop Healthy Again

Picked up my laptop from the shop Thursday and today I finally got around to turning it on. It works great. I am back onto the genealogy thing with papers spread out all over the counter.

Blank census forms are great to have so I can read the headings with a magnifying glass and try to figure out what I'm looking at. Even the blank forms are interesting. In 1820 the only names written down were the head of the household, the men, everyone else just got counted by the age range they fell into, there were columns for "Slaves" and "Free Colored Persons", no names just a count of how many were in an age range, like under 14, between 14 and 26 etc. Not much political correctness back then. Only free white men had their names recorded.

We've come a long way baby!

Later

Friday at the Antique Barn

Spent all day today at the antique barn where I have space. It is only open on Friday and Saturday and it is a co-op, the people who have space to display their items work the desk and keep the place clean, etc. I even sold a few items last week-end. A lot of dealers from other antique shops come there to buy things to put in their space at shops in other locations. The dealers at the barn are all friends and have known one another for a very long time. It's hard to get any work done when you have to catch up on all the news with your friends.

Yesterday was the PET scan, it takes 2 hours total. The first hour is a nice nap with warmed blankets covering me while the radioactive sucrose finds the "bad" cells and lights them up. The second hour is laying on a tray and slowly sliding into a tube. It starts at my feet and when it gets to my hips the arms have to go up over my head. When it is all done it takes a moment to get the arms working again. Also I have to keep my eyes shut and imagine green pastures as I have a little claustrophobia. Not fun but not a big deal.

Now the hard part, waiting for the results next week. Most of our lives we seem to be waiting for something. Life happens while we wait.

Later

After Scan

Okay I survived the CAT scan. Doesn't take long, first a weigh-in and blood pressure and blood test. Then lay on a tray, get an IV of IVP (contains iodine which I am allergic to). Then hold your breath while the tray slowly slides you into and out of a donut shaped thingy, with your arms over your head. 30 seconds is the longest time for holding your breath. There is a couple of silly faces that show you when to hold your breath as well as a voice that tells you, and there is a countdown on a digital readout above your head.

Now I need a nap as I am crashing from the hepped up part yesterday.

All done till Thursday when I get the PET scan. Need to drink 48 ounces of water tomorrow and not do anything strenuous - I can handle that prep.

I voted on the way back from the doctor's office. Now I need to go to the library which has shortened hours because of the budget crunch. I voted for a new tax to pay for the library. The politicians like to cut the things most visible to the public. They certainly would never cut their own salaries. Try picturing a table surrounded by elected officials voting to cut their own salaries. Never happen.

Later

Hepped Up

I am hepped up on Prednisone for my CAT scan tomorrow and my laptop with all the geneology data is at the shop (it isn't in any real danger - just it can't see the WIFI connection since I downloaded some updates to *&%$# Vista) and I'm supposed to be drinking chalky Barium Sulfate Suspension tonight - fool thing says Berry Smoothie on the label - like REALLY.

So I will vent on here for everyone to see. I have to take the Prednisone because I am allergic to the IVP - stuff they inject during the scan. I also take a pill one hour before the test and drink another "Berry Smoothie" 1/2 hour before the test. That is tricky since I live 1/2 hour drive from the place, and need to arrive 15 minutes early - etc. I will be drinking and driving.

The PET scan is Thursday. Here is more than you ever wanted to know about this stuff. The PET scan is flat, 2 dimensional. They inject radioactive sucrose in my veins for that and then wait an hour so it can go to any area that is wanting sugar, like the cancer cells or any area that is inflamed. So if something shows up on that they have to look at the CAT scan to see exactly where it is. I get these tests every 6 months or so.

I fool them by only taking 1/2 pills of the Prednisone. I'm not that allergic! I just get a few hives if I take nothing.

Then I wait for the results of these tests to see if I am going to be able to take a trip this winter or if they will want to change my treatment in some way.

There, I feel better already. My life is controlled by doctors and I am really grateful for that most of the time. Just now and then I get impatient about it.

I relegated Red and Teddy (30 lb. dogs) to their kennels (cages) last night so I could sleep better. I've been tossing and turning and sometimes they fall out of bed (single size). Silly never tries to invade the bed until I am out - unless I don't get up early enough - then I find a 65 lb poodle standing over me and she has very bad breath. The time change has them all confused but they will adjust pretty fast.

Later

Sister Visit

Oct 13!!! My sister, Linda, came to visit. I picked her up at the Cincinnati airport in the RV. The RV wouldn't fit into the parking garage so I waited in the "cell phone lot". Linda had found a map of the airport and figured it out for me. It worked wonderfully. She called when she arrived and I drove to pick her up. I only had to go around the airport twice to find her. There are way too many lanes and terminals at that airport.

We drove straight to our old home area and set up in the local campground. We went out to dinner with our brother and his wife that night. The next morning we headed to visit our Aunt Ellen who is 101 years old. She is at home with help. One of her main helpers is our cousin, Hellen, she is only 78 years old. Since Aunt Ellen has always loved dogs, she still has an elderly pooch, we brought the dogs in for her to pet.

That's my back and Hellen is holding Silly's red leash.

This is the siblings, Chuck, me, and Linda, in the order of our age. Chuck is telling his wife how to take the picture.

We stayed a couple of nights in the camper and visited several cousins. Then we decided to head home since the weather turned nasty. We visited my two daughters and their homes and talked and had a few gin and tonics. We even visited a museum. The picture above is 4 generations - left to right - me, my granddaughter, Charlotte, my daughter, Lory and that's Jaryen on Charlotte's lap.

Linda's visit got me going on genealogy again. I get interested in fits and starts. I have a new program to enter the data into and am trying to figure that out. Anything to keep from cleaning house.

Later

Grooming and Eye Drops

It is grooming time for the dogs. The first two pictures are "before" pictures. Teddy seems to only have one eye and no matter how often I comb and brush him he looks like an unmade bed. He gets knots in his fur like a long hair cat, no hair balls but he spends a lot of time trying to fix himself. There are ears in there somewhere and a cute face. Of course Silly always needs grooming, being a poodle. She is a special problem to the groomers as she is white and her metal tags stain her fur. They pointed out she was the only white poodle they groomed. I always give them a good tip in the hope they will be patient with her. I took them to two different groomers. There is one I can walk to but she only takes small dogs, so that's where Teddy went.

The "after" pictures show that Teddy has eyes and ears and a funny face. Red, who doesn't go to groomers except to get her nails cut, is checking out the new looking dog to see if he smells like someone she knows.

Silly is proud of being pretty. She got an extra short top on her head as I had tried to trim it with scissors and made a mess of it. That's okay as it will last longer before we have to go again.

Now, about eye drops. I have had dry eye for a couple of years and have fought the eye drops every time. Having to hold my eye open with one hand and trying to put drops in with the other hand became ridiculous. I finally got the idea of putting the drops in the outer corner of my eye instead of the inner corner. My unwilling eye can't see it coming so it doesn't blink. I don't even have to take my glasses off to do it now. I do it more often now and don't mind a bit. That's my household health hint for the week.

Later

Dogs and Naps

Sometimes I crash on the couch for a nap. Teddy likes to join me. As you can see he likes to lay on his back the same as me.


Of course that brings on a fit of jealousy from Red and Silly. (Ignore the stupid look on my face.)

So there are very few naps with dogs around.

Lory was here to take the pictures. She has been in the process of moving and had stored some items in my garage. She stopped by the pick up a load of her things and caught me trying to nap.

Night time isn't much better. At least Silly knows she is too big to get on the couch or bed with me. She waits until I get up and then grabs my spot.

Not much happening except I am finding MY stuff as Lory moves hers out.

Later....

Small Town Parade

The local festival was this week-end. The parades in this town go right by my house. I have learned from experience that if I stay on my porch they don't throw so much candy at me. Sometimes they throw it anyway but they can't hit me. When it lands in the grass it makes a mess after the lawn is mowed so I have to go pick it up. If it lands in the street there is no chance of getting it safely as the traffic that has been held up for a half hour by the parade is very impatient to get going and they run over it. Parents have to hold onto their children as they watch the lollipops get crunched under the wheels of an 18 wheeler. The kids throwing sometimes get tired of throwing at the parade watchers and start throwing it at the float behind or in front of them.

Anyone can be in the parade. The picture below is a group of senior citizens who do dance routines. They call themselves the Wrinkle Review.

I told you anyone - even a dog. Of course there were politicians, Shriners in little cars running in circles, a float for the barber shop and the beauty shop etc....

But the best part for me is the band that leads it all as you will see in the video below. One of the best parts of my high school years was playing in the school band. I can even get all misty about high school bands.

Later

Bluegrass Festival

My daughter gave me a ticket to a local Bluegrass festival and today was the day. I thoroughly enjoyed the day. It was hot but there was a lot of trees and a slight breeze which made the heat bearable.


In this group in the picture above, the man on the left sitting down was in the hospital a week ago. He came and he sang and he played.

A good time was had by all. Apparently this annual festival grew out of a family reunion on the farm. People come and camp for several days for it. Now it is open to the public but not very publicized. After the professionals stop playing at night the amateurs get started and it goes on until VERY late - or maybe early in the morning. My grandson is having a very good time with his guitar and has decided he wants a banjo now.

I took a short video and posted it on www.youtube.com (search on katbulue). The problem is I did this on my new laptop that uses Vista and good old Vista decided to shut down as soon as the video was uploaded so I didn't even get a chance to label it or put anything in about it. But that could be a good thing because I didn't have any one's permission to put it on there so maybe no one will see themselves and object. If anyone has any hints as to why Vista periodically shuts down please let me know. Or maybe I should read some instructions?

Later

Visit and Water

A visit from a world traveler! I met my sister, Linda, at the airport to see her during her two hour layover. We had a really nice one hour visit. I assume she made the connection to her next flight.

Then the day came for the water work to happen. I've been borrowing buckets of water for almost a week now. This job involved an excavator to do the digging, a person to do the tap into the city water main, a plumber to hook things up, city employees to install the meter, and the gas people to repair the gas line the excavator hit. They agreed to disagree about whose fault that was. I'll stay out of that one.

The finished front yard is not pretty. There is a dirt speed bump where I back up to turn around. Maybe I'll be able to smash it down with my car. One of my holly bushes may survive but the holly hocks are gone. They tell me the county will have to take out the old well head and seal it up and that fee will be for me to pay. Considering the whole thing cost about 3 times what I thought it would.....

The end result is -----------WATER. Ignore that sink full of dirty dishes, it has been a week after all.