December 27, 2005

Fresh oranges right from the source.
I hope you all enjoyed Christmas with your family and friends as I did. My family visit was a last minute idea and came about when my son called from Daytona where he and his family were visiting his inlaws. I explored several options for traveling across Florida but the best and least expensive way was to drive the 4 1/2 hrs. My next hurdle was to find a pet sitter for Bash. I found a couple in the yellow pages who were bonded. I called and immediately had a good feeling about them. They arrived at Bearfoot on their twin motorbikes dressed alike in yellow jackets. I liked them as did Sebastian. So early saturday morning I was on the road across FL. I enjoy driving and took Hwy 17 north to I 4 East. Going through the heartland of FL is a pleasant experience. Many orange groves and roadside stands selling strawberries as well as citrus fruit. Hundreds of cattle too. Actually, FL has more cattle than any other state in the US.
We had a great time driving around looking at the "tacky" lights in the area. It was a time of sharing and laughter with great food and drink. There were three grandmothers there (two grandma's and one great grandma), 2 children, my son, his wife and her parents. They have a large home on 3 acres on a cul de sac. Great place for the children to play and bike. We all attended a neighborhood party Saturday night and opened presents on Sunday morning. After a delicious brunch, my daughter-in-law made a fabulous roast beef dinner later in the day. Between stuffing ourselves, we went for long walks. I left monday morning and since it was still a holiday, the traffic was light. I was back at Bearfoot with Bash by 1 p.m. He was very happy to see me. I biked 18 miles this morning with the bike club. I needed to work off all that yummy food. Took down the Christmas decorations and defrosted the refrigerator today too.
We continue clear and sunny here. High 40's in the morning and 60 - 70 during the day. Looks like the temps will be back up in the 80's very soon though.

December 21, 2005

Now for the birth of Light! Yeah! It is not bad here in Florida but when living up in the northern states, darkness seems to come earlier and combined with the cold, it makes living more challenging. We can now look forward to seeing the changes in the length of the day in about a month. Important to increase the Light in your life with candles and those delightful decorative lights we string around the yard and the inside of our homes and places of worship.

It is cool here in Naples but after three days of cloudiness, we are seeing the sunshine again. Bashey and I have a flock of Morning Doves perched on the roof of the little house next to us. We enjoy the cooing sounds they make. I have been trying to find a suitable dog groomer for Bash especially since his day at Doggie Beach. He is a huge curly, fuzzy ball of fur and snarls. His fur just bulks up when he has been in the water. We did have a grand time though. He reminds me of a shy youngster on the beach with all the racing, playing dogs. He runs out for a short distance and then retreats back to my side where he peeks out at the splashing, barking frenzy. He chased leaves out in the water until he would begin to float, then he frantically retreats. Definitely not a swimmer.

I am officially a Florida resident now. Both vehicles are registered and insured in Florida. Got that all completed yesterday. Although my mail will still go through my forwarding service in VA. I think this is a good move tax wise but time will tell.

Biking was fun yesterday. Our group went to Bearfoot Beach in Bonita Springs and then stopped on Vanderbilt Beach Rd on the way back for a Christmas party at one of the members condo. Lots of warm friendship and sweet goodies. I spotted a man's bike along the way with a for sale sign on it so for $10 I bought a bike for my friend, Ralph. It does need some tlc but I think it will be a fine starter bike.

Hope you are enjoying a warm cuppa something - Have a happy day!

December 16, 2005

Yours truly catching snowflakes on Third Avenue down town.

I wanted to post a few photos of the park here in Naples. We have a palm tree right by our window.

December 16, 2005

Last day of school for VA kids until after New Years. I don't notice many kids in this neck of the woods. Seems like mostly whitehairs like me. Action is picking up though due to the Christmas rush. Our bike club is going strong - Pelican Pete Peddlers. We are having new shirts made to identify the members as we travel. We generally complete a 16 - 20 mile circuit which almost always takes in a half hour browsing for shells on one of our fabulous beaches. The beaches by the way appear to be unaffected by the storms in this area. Of course, who knows what the quality of the water in the Gulf is. Temp right now in the Ocean is 70. Temp outside in the air is 85. I have to tell you a story - The other day my friend and I were heading up to Bonita Springs which involves a right turn on Rt. 41. It is right on red here and there are 4 lanes. We swung out on the inside lane making a right turn. There was a car aways back but otherwise no traffic. Before we knew what had happened, the car that appeared to be way back pulled up alongside of us, rolled down the passenger side window and out popped a whitehaired grandmotherly looking woman who promptly shoved her middle digit of her right hand out the window at us. She looked so angry that it made me laugh but then I thought how sad. Not the end of the story. We stop at the next light, they pull up next to us and with a voice so loud and angry that it would have caused fear in the hearts of the 101st Airborne Div. of the USA, she shouted "Go Home". Well that brought about howls of laughter from my friend and I. Chances are we are as "home" here as she is and without the tourist business in FL, they would be paying a state income tax plus the loss of tremendous revenue. I ponder on what makes people that angry and especially this time of year when we are espoused to spread love and peace on earth good will towards men. Think we can hang that one on Pres. Bush?? Doubt it. People are angry at their relatives, their friends, their gov't, their cars, and also their computers so I don't think there is much help for them other than to smile when you are the receiver of their wrath. Is that "turning the other cheek" do you suppose? Does turning the other cheek mean one could possibly "moon" the angry motorist? Now I am fantasizing. I am being taken out to dinner tonight to celebrate an early Christmas since my friend is to be away for a few weeks up in the scary white north. Bash and I will struggle along here in the sunshine. Hope your day is special and without any "digital" waves coming your way. Blessings ----

December 10, 2005

Christmas must be drawing nearer as more and more lights and decorations go up around this park. It begins to look more like the Richmond tacky light tour all the time. A friend and I went down into Naples proper Thursday evening and as we walked and/0r danced along 3rd avenue amongst the people, the snow began to spurt out from the street lights. The fun was in watching the little children standing under the falling snow. Some of the parked cars actually had an accumulation on them. Of course there are also many lights there as well. It was all quite magical. We had gone over to the Naples Pier earlier in the evening to watch the sunset which is a nightly ritual in that area. People just seem to appear from everywhere just before the sunset, striding along with the purpose of seeing the sun set in a spectacular blaze. Today it is a bit cloudy and threatening but then the sun comes out brightly for a hour or so. A trip to the beach was planned but has been postponed. I have been biking quite a lot but want to mount a rack on the back for carrying things so went to two bike stores to compare prices. Hope you enjoy these photos of the area.

December 5, 2005

Hello from Naples, FL. Made it in here Saturday night after dark. Some you know I don't usually drive after dark but I had little choice. I was ready to leave Lazy Days in Tampa at 1:30 p.m. for the 160 mile trip south but when I went to plug my car lights into the back of the MH, the plug didn't fit. Turns out the service people put another manufacturers plug on my cord and the MH has a different manufacturer - They were not compatible! Back over to the service bay for us.
We never left until 2:45 p.m. I put the cruise control on 55 mph since I have this little digital read out which advises what my gas mileage is. When I boosted it up to 65, the gasoline consumption goes down to 5 and 6 miles per gal but at 55, it reads about 9 and 10. I have lots of power and I really like the braking that comes from the Allison Transmission. I realize that I need to pull everything out again here in Naples and give a bunch of stuff away. Funny thing about downsizing - it is an ongoing process. Moving once a year is tough on this old body but really good for clearing out the debris. Bashey and I like our space. He was not too happy today since I bathed him in the outdoor shower. There is lots of dirt, mud, sand and stuff from the hurricane (Wilma) that tore things up quite a bit here. A white dog in this type of environment is like a white mop. He now sports his Christmas scarf around his neck. I have some Christmas touches and will add a small tree today I hope. I also want a poinsetta plant. I have some lights to put up but my MH will be pale compared to the others here in the park. Some of them would qualify for Richmond, VA's tacky light tour that happens every here at this time downtown. Such a fun thing to do with good friends. I will miss that. And I missed the Madrigal Dinner at PHS with my daughter. Grandson Trav plays the trumpet in the pagent and granddaughter, Anna serves. There are always sacrifices along this road - these are the really tough ones. I miss my family a great deal and wish I could somehow just teleport to their homes right through the blizzard. Maybe Santa Claus and the reindeer led by the infamous Rudolph would give a lonely grandma a ride north. Wouldn't hurt to ask!

November 29, 2005

Here are some shots of the interior of the new Bearfoot. BF is in the service bay today getting some additions and servicing. Bashey and I awoke to an ankle deep pond surrounding our MH this morning. I complained and we were given another site right next door. It is a hassle to pick up and move but I did it late today. I had tied Bashey to the picnic table on the "wet" site while I moved the coach and car. When I went over to get him, he had taken advantage of the black mud and rolled in it. Yes, ears, eyes and all down his back and one side. He looked so proud of himself. I was too tired to take his picture. I gave him an immediate bath outside. Now he looks disappointed.

November 28, 2005

Here are the outside shots of the new Bearfoot. I will post some interior ones when it stops raining. I went to my closing this afternoon and when I came out of the building, it was pouring. I waited for the shuttle bus but was getting so wet, decided to walk and at least get closer to home if I was going to get drenched. Well, the lightning was flashing and it rained harder as I neared the Crown Club area (this is where the top of the line, million dollar motorhomes are shown). I jumped into a 45' Beaver, dropped my umbrella at the door and stood on the carpet for a few minutes while I dripped off and took a good look around at my surroundings. Wow! That one would be nice if one wanted to live in the lap of luxury. Those motorized homes are unbelieveably beautiful and well appointed. I stayed for awhile and began to fantasize about falling asleep like goldilocks only to be discovered after the storm. It grew dark and I wanted to be home with Bashey so left in the rain and ankle deep water. A Knight in damp work clothes camp along in a golf cart chariot and offered me a windy, wet ride home. The good part is the rain is warm. Our little old MH looked very good to me. A glass of wine, warm dinner and jammies felt superb. More later--

November 27, 2005

These two photos are of Oriental, NC and the Neuse River.
As of today, it looks like this Bearfoot journey will now be located in an '03 Dolphin LX MH which is 34' long. It is much more spacious than the current Bearfoot which is 36' long due to wider slide out rooms. It looks new and is very clean. Very low mileage and seems to have been kept well. I took pictures yesterday but the coaches are parked very closely together so until I pull it out into the camping area where we do the moving exchange, I may not get wonderful pictures. It has full window awnings which look unused. I have awnings on my current MH and they have saved me running the AC and offer a great deal of privacy. As part of the deal, they are putting on a power pak patio awning, driving side window shades and a wash, wax and buff to the outside. They clean the carpets and the upholstery as part of the deal too. They are great here about fixing anything one can find wrong with the coach. Now it gets down to getting the coach into a service bay, getting the work done, moving in and heading down to Naples by Dec. 1st or 2nd. My resevations down there begin on the first but I may be a day late. Lots to be done in the next few days.

The weather here remains lovely. Hate to tell you northerners that but 'tis very nice.

November 25, 2005

These are two photos of Lazy Days Rally Park in Tampa. You can see Bearfoot parked pretty much by ourselves. Then one shot of just one row of what they have to offer. It has been a long day looking at rv's, driving them and going over financial stuff plus I just finished doing my laundry which had begun to spill outside on the patio since the hamper wouldn't hold any more. I am still undecided but my expectations are evolving due to financial considerations. Driving these beautiful coaches is a kick though. Today I drove a 37' diesel out on the back roads to see how it handled. The sales lady and I got talking and we missed our turn and ended up driving for an hour and a half. Then I had to find a place on this very narrow road to do a u-turn. Beautiful coach though. I have met and talked with many people since arriving here. Many of them in need of my spiritual guidance.

November 23, 2005

Happy Thanksgiving to all from me and Sebastian! I am truly blessed to be safely parked at LazyDays Rally Park in Tampa, FL as of yesterday. Bashey and I left Myrtle Beach the day before yesterday with hopes of reaching the FL/GA border that night but we left late from the beach. There were heavy storms all night and morning. At 9:00 a.m. it was still pouring and blowing actually rocking Bearfoot from side to side. I decided to sit tight for the day, just hunker down. Bashey went out on his rope and took a quick tinkle but that was it for him. By 10 a.m., the sun was breaking through and even though the wind was blowing, I decided to make a break for it. There was some wind and rain throughout the day but most of the trip was on US 17 which is protected from the wind. It began to get dark and I was beat - we pulled into a nice little campground between Brunswick and Savannah. But we didn't sleep well because the wind picked up more in the night and we were parked under an oak tree that was dropping it's acorns on the roof. We left at 7:45 a.m. in the morning for the long haul to Tampa. 274 miles for me along with sore shoulders and hands from wrestling this 11 ton house on wheels in the winds. Holding the rudder so to speak without a break. We stopped for gas but not for long. I came down I 95 (yuck) to A1A just inside of FL and then picked up 301 which is a great road (don't tell anyone) Yes, there are some speed zones but I like that since it gives me a break, time to drink my water, grab a stick of gum, change the music, put on chapstick or just look around. We came in the back way to Seffner which is where Lazy Days is located. They gave us a warm welcome, a super spot, free breakfasts and lunches as long as I am here plus a free daily paper delivered to my door. There is a heated pool, hot tub, Cracker Barrel, Camping World store, cable tv, phone, wireless internet and a tram to take you anywhere in this huge complex. There are 2000 units here for sale, a 50 bay service area and the friendliest people you could ask for. All the units, new and used, are open with the keys in them so you can start 'em up if you wish. I drove two today with my personal salesman, Brent. Tomorrow, no one is working here so we have the place to ourselves. The fee to stay here this time of year is minimal. It is RV viewing paradise. The weather is super, I hate to tell you that but this is Florida after all. I will try to take some pics to post. We plan to sleep in tomorrow and have roasted chicken, mashed sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce and mud pie for dessert. Bashey is having some of the feast too but he is having vanilla frozen yogurt for dessert.

In our family, we have a tradition of forming a circle before dinner where everyone recites what they are thankful for. Some read something or play music, draw pictures while others articulate their gratitude beautifully. There is always laughter and tears. Like the year, granddaughter, Emily blurted out that her mother was pregnant. None of us had guessed. This year, I will not be with them in their circle of thanks but if I were, I would have a long long gratitude list. I hope all who read this post take a moment or two to think about your blessings. Eat lots of turkey and cranberry sauce. May God bless you and your loved ones.

November 19, 2005

A shot of the Richmond Va marathon finish as the runners are wrapped in foil blankets. What an exciting day it was! Watching my daughter run the 26 mile course which crossed the James River twice and wrapped around the entire city ending in Shockoe Bottom on the old cobble stone streets. It was a beautiful warm sunny day too. She came in 1700th out of a field of 4500 runners. The second picture is of Bearfoot parked in my daughters back yard in Rockville, VA. I left there last monday for Alliance NC and then on to Myrtle Beach today. The weather in NC was clear and cold with a brillant full moon. It was 28 when Bash and I got up this morning. Much warmer down here on the Ocean. We can hear the crashing waves from inside Bearfoot. Bash was overjoyed when he spotted the ocean. He loves to run into the waves and race up and down the sand. I have high speed wireless in the MH right at my site for a fee of course. Also have cable tv and a telephone. Not bad digs! Monday we will head for the FL border for a night and then on to Tampa where this Bearfoot will become another one.

Hope you are warm and able to see the full moon.

November 17, 2005

Hi to all my blog readers! I have been having some difficulty posting (so what else is new?) But I am in New Bern, NC at an internet coffee house. This is a lovely city at the confluence of two powerful rivers, the Neuse and the Trent. It is a city made up of numerous retirees and was voted best city for retirees back a few years ago. I often thought of locating here but the frequency of the hurricanes discouraged me. We are parked in a friend's drive about 24 miles east of here close to Oriental, NC, sailing capital of the east coast. I lived in this area for many years and still have friends here. The weather has been terrific - open window sleeping weather - until last night when a cold front came in. Now it is blowy and cool and getting colder right through the weekend. I plan to pull out on Sat. morning for Myrtle Beach.

I dropped my beautiful Diva Kayak off at the orginal boat builder this week to be restored. I have had it since early '98 and it has seen a lot of water under it's hull plus a few mussel shells and stones. I will miss it this winter but think maybe I will purchase a small plastic one to toodle around the creeks in FL with. I came down with my bike on my bed since I don't want it out in the weather hanging on the ladder off the stern of Bearfoot. It is kind of a nuisence but since it is new, I put up with the inconvenience. Luckily, my friends have let me put it in their shed.

Tomorrow is the 45th birthdate of my eldest daughter. She just ran her first marathon in Richmond, VA and finished 1700th in a field of 4500 runners. I'd say that was really good. I am very proud of her accomplishment. She has trained hard for over a year. Not an easy task with a full time job, a family and large home.

I cannot post pics from this site since the power is low but will promise to do so a.s.a.p. Bashey and I went out for a walk along the harbor yesterday and I took some shots.

May the warm sunshine be on your back and joy in your heart.

November 10, 2005

Back at Panera Bread again but a different location. The wind is blowing hard from the NW bringing in more seasonable weather. We have had fantastic warm weather for two weeks so I guess we are due for some "autumn" weather. I came out of my daughter's yard today to Mechanicsville once again for the second new windshield replacement. I had help backing the entire length of their drive and access road early this morn. My grandson came out to spot for me. There is no place to turn around but other than being hit with a few branches, I got out ok. I waited alongside the road for about an hour until the worst of the rush traffic was gone, then headed out I 64 to I 295. Takes about 45 mins to get there. I made reservations at Americamps tonight so that I can dump my tanks and avoid driving back in heavy night time rush traffic. Americamps is just off I 95 and Rt. 1 in Ashland. It is only about 15 mins from Mechanicsville. I went to an RV dealer today and looked at some units but there was nothing that really rang my bell. We are gearing up for the Richmond Marathon on Saturday. Weather looks good. I will leave on monday, the 14th and probably will stay the night in Chocowinnity, NC so I can browse at Crisp's RV Center before rolling on to Alliance, NC where my friends, Judi and John live. I will stay in their yard for about 4 days, see old friends and then go to Myrtle Beach for 2 days. Sebastian and I love that beach in south Myrtle near Murrell's Inlet. He loves the ocean. Then off to FL border or in that general area for one night, on to Tampa the next day to hang out and shop for a new MH for a week before going on to Naples. Inspite of the problems with the present Bearfoot coach, we are having fun as you can see by the photo of Bashey.

More November 6, 2005

More pics of foliage here in VA taken yesterday on my 12 mile bike ride. Went to church today with my family and afterwards we visited a nursing home with the ME Youth group to sing to the residents. It was lots of fun singing the old hymns plus some new youthful songs (which I didn't know). Many memories connected to those old hymns since my mom and I used to sing duets at funerals and sometimes a wedding (rare). My daughter was lay reader in the morning service, something she does quite often as well as assisting with the communion service. She read the 23rd Psalm from my grandmother's bible which I had given her awhile ago. A memorable day!

November 6, 2005

I am seated in a cozy booth at Panera Bread in Short Pump, VA. It is 7:45 p.m. on a sunday night. I decided the only way to get the blog published and the photos uploaded was to come in here since the phone modem at Lisa and George's is so weak. This is really nice since I am enjoying a lovely supper while typing. Their cheddar cheese and broccoli soup is great. We just toured the marathon route all over Richmond awhile ago. I am awestruck to think that my daughter will be able to run 26 miles all over the City, across the James River twice and end up at Shockoe Slip downtown. It will be an exciting day on Saturday. I am parked in my daughter's yard in Hanover County. I am so close to their back door that I can fall out of my door and into their garage. It is nice there parked under huge, ancient oak trees that as of today started dropping their leaves like snowflakes. All night long, Bashey and I heard the leaves tumbling on the roof. He barked from time to time and once I heard something walking through the leaves right around the motorhome. I lifted the shade to take a peak but the moon was dark and I couldn't see a thing. I think it was a deer. I've moved my departure time up to the 14th of Nov. because I want to get to FL, Tampa to be exact, as soon as possible. I will want to look at MH's and negotiate a trade. Since my reservations begin Dec. 1st Lake San Marino in Naples, I need about a week of lee time. I have some commitments with friends in Oriental, NC, where I lived for several years and will keep those but am cutting out Thanksgiving. I know it will be a sad day for me but I feel I must stay focused on the job at hand which is to trade this Bearfoot for another stronger better one. So Bashey and I will be on the road soon. Here are some more photos of my train ride and the foliage here in Goochland.

November 1, 2005

Well, Sebastian and I have been tricked rather than treated. We spent last night in Bearfoot parked behind Colonial Glass in Richmond. Kind of a spooky place after dark. Bearfoot has had two broken windshields in two week period. Not a misprint, 2 windshields, both the same side. Both from stress fractures. It seems whoever owned Bearfoot before must have had trouble with the frame and kinda cobbled it up so they could sell it. Their cob job worked for me for 6,000 miles. I have decided to fix the glass, drive it to LazyDays RV repair in FL and trade it for something newer. I thrashed it around and around in my poor brain all weekend and after some sleepless nights, have decided I really love this way of life. I want to continue so therefore, I need a nice dependable rolling home. I even considered downsizing in the camper department and buying a small home in the mountains. I will eventually buy a home in the mountains of VA but not for awhile. I still want to live the gypsey life. Being with my family or should I say being "next to my family" since I park in their yards has been grand. I want to continue doing this for as long as I am able. While I was in Waynesboro visiting a friend over the weekend, I got to join my dear friends, Wendy and Janet for a tour of the current exhibit at the Kluge Ruhe Museum in Charlottesville. We then went to the Twisted Branch Tea Cafe for lunch which was lots of fun. The artwork at the museum which is all done by aboriginal artists some very current, gives one a birds eye view of life in Austrailia much of it from women's prospective. The landscapes convey a feeling of tapestry in vivid primary colours. Perfectly wonderful. Sunday, my friend Ben and I took an excursion train ride from Verona northward towards Harrisonburg and then returned. The autumn colours were spectacular. Lots of folks came out and line the tracks to wave at us and we blew by. I mean literally blew. The whistle was lusty and loud and often. Such fun! Here are a couple of pics. I will post more tomorrow.

October 26, 2005

The oil painting is one of mine done in Middletown springs, VT. I thought it would bring some cheer today. Patrick Henry HS Marching Band photo.
Happy Birthday to Joseph D. Don't give up on me all you faithful blogger readers. I have just had a busy week with Bearfoot repairs and other stuff. Had the windshield repaired only to finally park back in Goochland 3 days later and have the windshield crack again in the same spot. Indicates there is a problem and this is stress related. See even motorhomes are undergoing intense stress and feeling fractured. HA! Not funny actually. It is going in to the shop again tomorrow for several days. Bash and I are moving out, going to stay with a friend in Waynesboro, then sunday stay with family here in Goochland. I will pick up Bearfoot on Monday but don't know what the verdict or the treatment will be. The way I look at it is that it is my home. I have had a home for many years, a permanent wooden structure that is and there are always problems that have to be faced, some of them expensive. This repair will still be less than putting out a chunk of change as a down payment on a newer one, at least at this time. The song from Mama Mia comes to mind, "Money, money, money". I will do whatever I need to do and follow wherever God directs me. It is just kind of a wait and see attitude that comes with this type of trust and service to a Higher Power. On a lighter note, I went to see my granddaughter's dance/choral performance the other night at her high school. They wowed us as they always do with their expertise and beautiful creativity. I will miss their Christmas concert but there will be a video available on CD. One thing about the schools in this area, they push and support the arts with their hearts and their pocketbooks. Everything is first class. Much of the funding comes from very willing parents. I am going over to a friends house today to sit with Paw who is housebound. My friend needs a bit of toodle on her own time from being a constant caregiver. He is lots fun, likes to play games and take walks. It is a beautiful crisp fall day here in VA. Gratitude comes to mind as well as prayers for those who are less fortunate.

October 21, 2005

I have included a pic of the James River where I biked the other day. This is the PHHS marching band in competition at Hanover HS in VA. What a beautiful day it was. They received an Excellent award.
I am sitting in a Panera Cafe where it is warm and dry. We awoke to a cool rain. Sebastian and I spent the night at Americamps since I had the windshield replaced yesterday on Bearfoot. It looks great. I dragged out of bed early again this morning to decamp in order to drive the rig up the road to an RV repair shop where I left it along with a lengthy list. Most of the stuff on the list is diddly piddly stuff that I can't do myself but the main thing is getting the furnace to start. I think the pilot light is out and I don't know how to light it. I need to learn these things in order to save money. In the meanwhile, Bashey is sitting out in the car while I am in here trying to pick up my mail. It seems my server is having some difficulty on a national level so I am out of luck. I am carefully monitoring Wilma the hurricane as she proceeds to do her thing. I have family in the Keys and the place where we winter, Naples, appears to be in the direct path. As we biked around last year, we remarked about how sad it would be to have a large hurricane come in there. The landscaping and the beach front is lovely. Just up the beach a few miles is the devastation from hurricane Charlie over a year ago. People are still living in FEMA trailers in that area. This year is certainly an exception to the historic weather rules and I wonder if there will be more storms after Nov. 1st. I may hang out in NC longer than I had anticipated if it appears that way. I will try to post some pics today. Hang in there---

October 18, 2005

Wow, the month is zipping by. Soon we will be headed further south to FL. I notice that there is a chance that the new hurricane, Wilma may come in over Collier County which is Naples and Bonita Springs where we hang out all winter. It is so beautiful there. The landscaping is incredible. It will be very sad indeed if the storm tears it all up. I for one will be praying for gentleness as it comes ashore. I biked for 11 mies today down to the James River at Maidens and back. It was a perfect fall day although the temp did go up to 80 this afternoon. While I was biking, Sebastian was being groomed and coiffed. He looks very handsome tonight and the best part is - he is clean. We will be out for two days and one night as we have our windshield replaced and some repairs made. Lots of festivals in VA during the fall months. A few of us are going to a wine festival nearby at one of our local wineries on Sat. and then to a coffee house Sat. night to hear some great jazz. I took some pics of the River this morning which looks much healthier since we had rain than it did a couple of weeks ago. I will try to post them. I also have some good shots of the marching band at PH highschool last Saturday. Another great day watching those talented kids compete on the field.

Enjoy life to the fullest. love, laugh, sing and dance. Also, be gentle with yourself, this glorious planet and your loved ones. Happy leaf peeking.

October 12, 2005

I think today is actually Columbus' birthday so happy, happy........
Still drizzling here so not able to wax Bearfoot as planned. We do have an appt. to have our windshield replaced next week in Mechanicsville, VA.

Please take a peek at my other blog site which is for the purpose of showcasing my artwork.

www.castleandcobwebgallery.blogspot.com

The Castle and Cobweb Gallery was my original gallery name many years ago in Castleton,VT. I had a sign that I designed on slate inlaid into a board and batten sign board. I will have to find a picture and post it.

Happy birthday to me - I had a bone density test yesterday, second one in 3 years. Looks like I need to begin taking Fosamax which will hopefully help restore some of the strength to my hip. Up to this point, I have been fortunate and have not had to take medications on a regular basis. I receive the botoxin injections for spasms in my eyelids, Blepharospasm. I received those injections yesterday too. Been doing that for almost 8 years every 3 or 4 mos. Otherwise, I enjoy excellent health but I guess time is beginning to catch up with me. Like so many Americans, I don't have any prescription insurance. The drug companies charge a great deal for the meds and I may wait until I can obtain the Medicare Prescription card. Still have to pay, but not as much.

Looks like it is clearing enough for me to begin waxing "my house". Later.........

October 11, 2005

I hope this cheers you. I did this painting in Whortonville, NC where I lived for a number of years. It is a large watercolour.
I finally got a few paintings put on the other blog site. I had stored all the paintings on a disc and needed to upload them on this computer. Peace and serenity seem fleeting since I discovered a very large crack or spider web crack in my passenger side windshield on Bearfoot. Now I have to make arrangements with a glass company to replace the windshield. It is a big piece of glass and not everyone can do it. I don't know how it got there. My theory is that there might have been a small crack from a stone on the road and then the expansion and contraction of the window caused it to branch out. One positive note will be that I get to pump out my tanks and have my ac thermostat repaired while we are out. I was wondering if I was going to be able to live aboard for 6 weeks without dumping. My use is a minimum since I go up to my host's house to shower etc. The other disturbing news is that there are hundreds of hickory trees here and they are all pelting my car and the motorhome. Well, they have dented the car in several places. The last time I parked here in the Spring, my car was damaged by a hail storm. I don't think I am going to bother with the insurance company on this yet. I received the botoxin injections yesterday and am hoping I will be able to drive when the time comes to move Bearfoot to the repair place in Mechanicville. In the meantime, we have had lots of much needed rain. It is still raining after several days of it. I am going to start waxing Bearfoot today while it is still not raining. I heard a story from one of my children about my daughter rescuing a downed airplane pilot in the Atlantic Ocean off Newburyport, MA. I have yet to hear the story from her lips but she is certainly my heroine. The waters there are very icy all year round. I've been reading and watching more tv than I usually do due to the weather. Bashey and I sneak in a walk when we can dodge the rain drops. One thing I have found with these blog sites is that all my friends and family read my news and then that's that. I don't receive any news back. Don't forget to write and fill me in.

October 6, 2005

It is raining here at last. We are 12" down from our yearly rain total in VA. Thanks to Tammy, the lates TD. The storms do bring much to our planet even though there is sometimes destruction.
It is very warm and humid though. Typical for our area. I am slowly, ever so slowly, working my way down my "to do" list while I am sitting quiet here in Goochland. Catching up with old friends and just generally enjoying the down time. I wanted to use this opportunity to post some photos of autumn for your enjoyment:

Recent photos

Jefferson Baths Gazebo. The water is a constant 90 degrees straight from Mother Earth. Beaver Dam on Lake Robertson, VA. My faithful partner riding shotgun and on the trail.

October 2, 2005

Jefferson baths dating from Thomas Jefferson's time in Warm Springs, VA. He bathed here too. My precious navigator riding shotgun and a shot showing some of his attack wounds.

Sounds like we have more foliage color right now than Vermont has. That is the report I am getting from my grandson, Will in Florence, VT. Today my eldest natural grandson, Patrick is celebrating his 18th birthday. Wow! It seems like just yesterday we were caught in an intense early autumn blizzard that finally dumped 2 feet of snow on the fully leafed out trees, knocking them down along with power lines. That was Oct. 4, 1987, the day Patrick was born. Next one in line for the big 18 is Travis, my VA grandson. He turns 18 in February, just 5 mos. after Patrick. I went with Travis' family yesterday to Monticello HS marching band competition. If you have never been to a marching band competition or demonstration, you need to go at least once. What a thrill to watch HS bands perform in perfect synchonization and play beautifully at the same time. They practice and drill constantly. Our band, Patrick Henry High received an award of Excellent. It was a lovely fall evening sitting on the stands with the sun setting. The previous evening, I joined my family at the PHHS football game at home where Travis and the marching band were performing as well. Attended church this morning at the United ME Church of Goochland. They have a new young pastor who really impressed me. His overriding message is Love. All those biblical rules and the last of these is LOVE. I wonder if we are finally getting it. I hope so. I watch people helping people - not just white's helping blacks or rich helping poor in the Gulf Coast States and I smile. The message is clear, the path is open before us - now we need to walk it. I am putting some new photos on this page, hope you enjoy them as I did taking them. Also watch for my new blog site showcasing my paintings.

September 30, 2005

Photo is of windjammer on Seneca Lake in New York State. I can't believe it is the last day of September already. I have been in black out with no cell service and no computer availability so haven't been able to post. I moved from Lake Robertson, VA on Sept. 26th to the KOA in Charlottesville, VA. I thought it would be better but surprise, surprise - it was more isolated there. I realized at these times how much I depend on being able to communicate with the outside world. I may be a hermit but I need to touch my family and friends through electronic means when I am unable to do so in the physical. Sebastian seems to be fully recovered although still showing his scars. My back is a bit better and the flash-back images of the event have ceased. Time will be our medicine. We are parked in Goochland at my friend's home, the Sumners. It is good to be "home". Goochland looks and feels great! The weather is splendid fall weather although it is supposed to get hot again and remain so throughout October. I have a long "to do" list for this month. All the personal maintenance stuff, car stuff, exchangeing clothing from storage unit to and from MH, banking, voting and catching up with my VA family. Starting tomorrow actually! Travis is part of a marching band competition in Charlottesville tomorrow night. I will ride over with Lisa and family. I enjoy hearing the HS bands especially the marching bands. They are very colorful, energetic and play lots of brass which is my personal favorite. VA spends a great deal on their music programs. They don't cut out their arts programs as they do in other areas. The quality of the music performances is evidence of what has been invested by the schools and by the parents. Travis, my grandson in VA, is a gifted trumpet player and as a senior will go on to do something with his music. I am very pleased to find that our family has another trumpet player upcoming in Joe - yes, that is Joe the green bean planter. Now that makes 3 trumpet players altogether. We also have a drummer and a singer. We have a combo!!
The leaves have begun to color and fall here in Virginia. It is very dry this fall. We are actually down about 11" from our expected rainfall for the year.
I fretted for a few days about climbing back up the mountain from the KOA to I 64 to make the easterly trip to Goochland. Route 20 was steep and curvy in parts from Monticello down to the campground, a distance of 7 miles or so. But Bearfoot scooted up those hills hell-bent-for-election on Thursday. I guess he wanted to get to Goochland too. I don't know if I mentioned it in my previous post when I wrote of the problem with the battery knife switch being disengaged causing Bearfoot to quit while underway but I have a problem opening Bearfoot's hood. I felt embarrassed when my son asked if I had opened the hood after the incident as we are trouble shooting on the phone. I felt like a somewhat inadequate female when I confessed that no I had not opened the hood. I need to explain that opening the hood is a totally exhausting endeavor for me. It takes all my strength in both hands, arms and feet since I brace my feet on either side of the latch release. If it is a hot day, forget it - if I manage to get it open, I have to lie down for an hour afterwards. Well, since the incident, I am making a concerted effort to open the hood more often hopefully to "wear it in" or something like that. I have to muster my will before approaching it and then declare loudly, "you will open!!" It does after a herculean effort on my part pulling and bracing. Part of me wishes, the machine of Bearfoot would just run from service to service without my ever having to look "in there" but it doesn't seem to work that way. Happy Fall to all my loyal readers-

September 21, 2005

Back at the Black Dog Cafe again in Lexington using their wireless connection. Not much time to write however since Sebastian is sitting in the car. It is very hot here and even though I parked in the shade, I dont' want to leave him alone for a long while. We had another traumatic event on Sunday. We were making our rounds in the campground when a huge Akita dog leaped out of a camper and attached Sebastian. They wrapped around me and knocked me down with the leash. I was screaming in helpless ness. I just wanted to get that dog off Bashey. The owner came out in barefeet and somehow got the dog off. Bash was bitten several times in his rump and hind leg. I took him to the vet and they sedated him so they could shave the hair and clean the wounds. He is going back to the vet today since his leg is swollen and the bruise is very bad. Poor little guy, he would never be the aggressor. He didn't even fight back. I think he also felt upset since he saw me go down and he couldn't protect me. I am sore and briused but will be fine in a few days. The campground is very quiet right now because it is off season. Actually, it is quite lonely and a little scary at night. This is a State Park so it is remote. We are in the middle of a drought and the water level in the Lake is low. I took the kayak down once but got slime all over it so haven't been back. I do love to hike the trails around it but am waiting for Bashey to be able to go with me. I plan to leave here Sept. 29th and hopefully attend a Native American teaching with a Mohawk elder on the way back to Goochland. I will be in Goochland on Oct. 1st or 2nd. I am eager to see my VA family too. Photo is of Watkins Glen. Note to cousin, Marion. The grapes are being harvested right now in the Finger Lakes Region. The lake photo is of Lake Robertson where I am camped out now. The adventure continues--

September 15, 2005

For those of you who ask "where the heck is she"? I am in Lexington VA posting while sitting in the Black Dog Cafe on Nelson St. Bearfoot is parked at the state park in Collierstown, Lake Robertson. We arrived here a day early on the 13th. I started working as the park host the following day. It is very quiet up there at this time of the year except on weekends so I am not exactly worked to death. I did help plant mums this morning though after cleaning the comfort stations. The site I have been given is really nice. It is protected under a canopy of trees and since it is very hot here, it is a blessing to be shaded. We have a tiered area down to the fire pit. I sat by the fire last night until time to crawl under the covers. It does get cool at night here in the mountains. I had my first scary experience on the trip down Route 15 through PA. Of course, there is no way around the steep PA Allegany mts. You gotta go over 'em somehow! US 15 is really a great road though. There is not nearly the volume of traffic as on I 81. But it does climb up and over and then drop down through some snaky passes. Trucks like me, gear down to save our brakes. It was breathtakingly beautiful coming down the mountains on sunday. I took 180 which is a beltway and pulled over on the shoulder to take a quick break. Bearfoot wouldn't start. Nothing! I have an aux start switch on the panel so I used it and he started up. Well, I knew somethiing was wrong but went on for another 5 miles or so when he quit again only this time while underway at 55 mph. There are no brakes or power steering - the most hopeless feeling in the world esp. driving 11 tons of vehicle not counting the tow car. My mind was crystal clear though as I reached with my left hand to hold down the aux start switch, while my right hand shifted to neutral, then quickly turned the key to the start position. It is a good thing I was going in a straight line. He started right up and we were in business again but I knew I had to stop somewhere. I came off the ramp at a Citgo station in New Columbia, PA. , called my roadside assistance service. They were very kind but couldn't get a tow for me until monday but they wanted to be sure I was safe for the night where I was. I put in a call to my son, Matt, in Vermont, left a message and lay down for a nap. He called a couple of hours later and began troubleshooting, something he does very well. He said he felt it had to be in the knife switch I have on one battery. He also said I had to open the hood!!! I don't like to open the hood and always put it off since it takes superwoman powers to open it. It is always frustrating and upsetting. But I did open it after pulling, tugging and saying words that my daddy taught me. Sure enough, there was that knife switch opened without any connection at all. I closed the connection and Bearfoot started right up. Thank you Matt!! By that time, it was late and I was exhausted so I went to a campground just down the road to spend the night. Candy Hill it is called, sounds pretty doesn't it but next door is a livestock auction house. The poor young veal cattle called all night for their mother's. Couldn't wait to get out of there. I went straight through to Lexington on I 81 which was not too bad. The surface is much better in VA than in PA. I am going to try to post some pics of the Grand Prix in Watkins Glen but don't know if there is enough power here to do so. I went out in my kayak yesterday afternoon on Lake Robertson. Saw some huge snapping turtles and 3 of the largest crows I have ever seen. Wildflowers are lovely this time of year and plenty of butterflies. More later ---

Sept. 10 at Watkins Glen Zippo Vintage Grand Prix

If you love cars as I do, you think you died and went to heaven. Thirty thousand people gathered here in this little mountain town in NYS yesterday for the annual Vintage Grand Prix Race. It coincides with the harvest of the grape at the numerous vineyards located high on the hills sloping down to Lake Seneca, one of the Finger Lakes. The wine is superb! I had lunch yesterday at a Vineyard Cafe. Roast beef ribs done outdoors on a grill, served on a crisp, crunchy sesame hard roll with a horseradish/ mustard sauce. I accompanied it with their wine, a cabernet. To finish the meal, I indulged in a grape cream pie. I had never had anything like it before and would really like the recipe. Wow! Sebastian was allowed in the restaurant with me since I was eating on the deck overlooking the Lake. He is such a good dog. Just lay down under my table. I don't think anyone even knew he was there. I want to post pics but this wireless service here will not allow me.