6-6-07

Bash and I just went outside here in Harpursville, NY for a walk before supper and I thought I had lost my hearing. I did a double take until I realized it was quiet here. The last time I was in a quiet, traffic free area was a month ago in Crystal River, FL. It is truly beautiful here with long views off to the Eastern mountains and many tiered ponds that are stocked. I had to make three passes at this site though. Not a good thing to be doing when one is totally exhausted. I just couldn't find a spot that was level enough. My rear wheels were lifted off the ground at one point and the slide out wouldn't open. I have an automatic leveling system and it said the slope was too great. I finally got it on the third try of going around the block. It is very wet here too due to heavy rains last night. These sites are all grass.

Each spring when I pass this way on my way north, I rant and I rave on the condition of I 81 through PA. But I realize it symbolizes the rents and tears in our very fabric of life in the USA. Our entire infrastructure is falling apart because the states and the federal gov't don't have enough money left over from the war in Iraq to repair our streets and roads. I saw road workers out all the along the road patching those ugly patches from last year. It is like a poor person who has to patch the patches on her clothes. This is a tattered and poor country thanks to the Bushites. I normally don't write about politics but I find I have a great deal of anger as I witness first hand the destruction of this Country by a handfull of greedy, self serving people who only wish to pad their own pockets. Meanwhile, each day we hear the casualty reports. 3500 as of today. What a milestone and for what? We still haven't punished the one responsible for 9/11 but we have managed to position ourselves in the middle of a civil and religious war that is not about us.
I guess you can tell I am really beat, huh?

Good news! The sun is shining, the sky is clear and it is getting cold. We have frost warnings here for tonight. Then by late tomorrow it will be in the high 90's. Global Warming?? Where is it?? See An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore if you have not already seen it. Fascinating! Be prepared to cry though.

Here is a photo of yesterday afternoon as I prepared supper in Gettysburg. The sunlight was very beautiful. The wine was real good too.

I have renewed my comittment to write a book about women rv'ers. I hope to bring a sense of humor to my experiences on the road. Amsterdam Camping World tomorrow to purchase a surge protector. I would love to spend the extra and buy a Garmin GPS too. The Hokie Bird is strapped into the Navigator seat but he just sits there and looks very fierce. No help there.

June 5, 2007

Hi from Gettysburg, PA. I am posting the attached photo so you can see first hand how we campers truly “Rough It Smoothly”. Bash and I arrived earlier today to take a walk in the most incredible weather we have experienced in months. It is about 78 degrees but there is no humidity and the wind is blowing a clip. The light is much different since it is not filtered through all that humidity. I opened the bedroom windows and was immediately drawn to a large patch of sunlight on the down comforter. Having driven for over 4 hours, I couldn’t resist placing my tired body in the middle of that patch of sunlight. Just like Garfield, I was paralyzed. Bash climbed in next to me and we took a most delightful nap.

The trip was a bit slower than usual since we found lots of construction delays. But let me tell you the thought of being stuck on I 95 which was blocked for over 7 hours today from a 4 truck crash early this a.m. made any 10 minute delays we experienced, a walk in the park. I did stop this morn on the way up Rt. 1 to have my Blue Ox hitch checked by one of the techs at RV Repair of VA. The nuts seemed a bit loose to me. But all is well

I just met a special woman while walking Bash. Walking Bash brings me in touch with many people that I might not be drawn to without his extroverted presence. It’s funny - I was a bit piqued at the management here because they gave me a site out near the main highway which can be noisy. Then a hour or so later, another big rig pulled in across from me. The woman got out to walk their two dogs and we met. She teaches Hospice online and is also a Laughter Specialist. Death and dying plus laughter therapy. I can’t think of two better subjects to teach people. She is thinking of writing a book about her on the road experiences. I feel more encouraged to do so too. Initially, my intention was to keep a journal which is the purpose of this blog in order to write a book or a series of articles for single women Rvers. I have many stories to tell since 2004.

I don’t know when this will post but I have composed it in Word. Tomorrow we will be on Beldon Hill near Binghamton, NY. We have visited there each year on our northward trip. It has a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains. Wide open meadows and many ponds. I dare say it is one of Bash’s favorite spots. We plod onward.

June 1, 2007

I am still basking in the sweetness that comes from spending special time with good friends. I had lunch a a super restaurant just off I 64 near my former home. Two dear friends drove over from Staunton and Charlottesville to dine with me. Bash went too but stayed in the car in a shady spot nearby. He had a vet appt. this afternoon so rather than drive all the way back to Ashland, I took him along. He was fine sleeping in the front seat of the car. We had an incredibly delicious Sweet Red Pepper Crab Bisque that stole the show. Then we split sandwiches. If that wasn't enough, we shared a home made Creme Brulee. The sugar on the top had been carmelized with a torch and the custard was very light. Yum! We parted with the promise of spending more time together in the fall when I return. I have several other friends in the VA mountains that I haven't been able to connect with in over a year. I have lots of catching up to do in the fall.

I am very excited and grateful to see the rain moving into Florida and Georgia. I mentioned in my previous blogs how dry it was and the many fires I saw as I rolled up through that area. They may get 5" out of TS Barry.

Good news this morning. The insurance company called to say they would cover my loss all but the deductible. Sigh!! That worry gone. Now it is time to begin checking air pressure in the tires of Bearfoot as well as the car (toad). I need to go out to NAPA and pick up some oil and coolant just in case I need a little. I have already added coolant. The hot weather and the mountains combined to make Bearfoot need a bit of fluid. That old Diesel thrives on heat but it does need to drink occasionally.

Went to my Granddaughter's broadway show choir spring concert last eve. What a thrill to experience the talent of this new generation of high school students. I do believe that they have evolved over the years as I have watched. The talent is of a quality nearing professionalism and in some cases is over the top. The American Idol's are right here in our back yard. Most of the kids in this group which is approximately 80 students are going on to pursue music degrees.

Bash checked out at the vet's with a blue ribbon health check. He has gained a couple of pounds. We think that is due to the new very healthy food I am feeding him. I thought I was feeding him the best for the last 5 years but he kept getting ear infections. I blamed them on the groomer not drying his ears but turns out it was an allergy to corn and wheat. We switched to Nutro which is even more expensive but it doesn't have any corn or wheat. It is made with brown rice, chicken, lamb, veggies and fruits. He likes it but the vet said he is utilizing more of his food now, therefore the weight gain. I cut him back. Gee, I wish someone would cut my good food back when I gain weight.

I will post again before we the big wheels roll again on Tues.

May 30, 2007

My time here in the Commonwealth is winding down. Seeing friends, family and doctors. Yuck! But necessary not just at my age but at every age. I only pass through this area twice a year. I tend to stay longer in the fall. I am not as eager to go further south in September. I have not been able to connect with many friends on this trip due to the repairs I had to make but will do so on the flip side.

I found this quote sometime ago and wanted to share it with you. "Nothing is dead for sure, for it is I, not my bones that endure." I like it very much.

I am expecting a dear friend from the past for lunch today. I put the tablecloth on the picnic table under my awning. I think we will eat out there since it is cool until about 4p.m. when the sun comes in there. The temps here now are higher than normal at about 88 degrees late in the afternoon. No rain in sight. I am trying to get an appointment for Bash to have a bath and clip before we go north next week. He is wearing a little bit of everywhere we have been since his last bath which was in Tampa over a month ago.

We had a Prevost coach come in here last night that was 45' long but almost 14' high and hauling a huge Hummer. The whole thing was brand spanking new which we don't always see with a Bus. Very often they are older and have been refurbished since they are almost indestructable. This also has two huge slide out rooms. The compartment doors underneath are taller than I am. The windshield goes all the way to the top of the coach. It looks like a two story. They had a difficult time getting in here without hitting branches. She said they were headed to Westpoint Academy. I can't imagine who they could be or why they would want something like that. The whole package is well over a million dollars. Even if I had the money, I wouldn't want it.

I want to share this photo of Red Hot Pokers I took in the mountains of TN. I didn't know what they were until my friend told me. They are amazing plants. I went for a sleep over with a dear friend here the other night. Bash went with me. We were walking outside admiring her gardens when I spotted a bright yellow bird in the bush. Turned out it was dead. Apparently, the victim of hitting a window glass. We took it inside, got out the books, measured it and admired the beauty of it. It was a Yellow Breasted Chat. Very, very lovely. Very sad to have that happen.

Have a wonderful Wednesday. Hump day, right? I guess it is for all the working folks.

A tribute to the Hokies

Driver and Navigator aboard the Bearfoot V in line for repair last week.

May 28, 2007

Prayer and honor to our troops everywhere!!
I am sitting outside watching Live on my outdoor TV (A TV that was mine but loaned to my granddaughter who really didn't use it) and receiving free WiFi from some good soul nearby. Whoever it is shut down for the weekend. I was desolate but they are home again and turned on. Thank you! I went for a nice bike ride this morning in the nearby industrial park. It was quiet since they are all off today. I have been transporting my several plants that I had in FL all winter. Everywhere I have stopped, I move them outside. I have been here a week and noticed this morning some large ants on the picnic table near the plants. Upon moving the plants, a nest of ants was revealed undernearth. I shook them out and swept them away but am still a bit squeamish about having had them in the shower during the trip. If they were there, they must have stayed put since I haven't seen them before. The question is what to do with them now?

I want to share my photos of the Pow Wow at the Chickahominy and Mataponi grounds southeast of Richmond down on the Mataponi River where Chief Powahatan reined in the 17th century. Capt. John Smith and Pocahantas also spent time there. It is powerful sacred ground. The pictures I have are of the fancy dancers. Their costumes are very meaningful and personal. I also have a video/audio of the drumming but not sure I can share on this site.

May 24, 2007

I am electrified! After 3 days in the repair shop (you should see the labor chg)and much stress later, it looks like Sebastian and I are back in business, whatever that is. I am purchasing a surge protector for the entire coach from Camping World as soon as I get to Manassas, VA where they have a center. I am trying to avoid the shipping chg. I just faxed all the receipts to my insurance carrier. I have a $500 deductible. Finding an appropriate TV was very challenging since the TV in there was 7 yrs. old and they don't make them in that shape or size any longer. I ended up buying one of those skinny things on a pedestal for way more than I wanted to pay. The tech's anchored it down and modified the cabinet so it looks fine. Then along comes the satellite dish tech and he tells me he wishes I had called him first since he could have put in a larger TV for me. Why is it that always happens? It feels very good to be back in our home and being able to use it fully. We are camped out at the Americamps. I am frantically trying to raise funds by selling off a bunch of stuff in my storage unit. This is a job that has needed doing for sometime anyway. I am using Craig's list on the web. I have run into one guy who is trying to pull a scam. One has to be cautious. He wanted me to clear a check for $3200 through my bank for a refrigerator that I have priced at $500. Some people would fall for that scam. I reclaimed a flat screen TV that I had loaned to my granddaughter here since she never uses it and it was just collecting dust. I put it outside in a compartment that is equipped for such. I find it very pleasant to sit outside under my beautiful mauve, blue, white and grey awning with my best friend, watching TV. On the weekend a friend and I are going to a Pow Wow nearby. I am looking forward to it. It has been awhile since I have just kicked back and had fun. By the way, my overworked angels did it again. The electrician said if I had been touching any metal in the coach or outside, I would have been electrocuted. Same for Bash. As I hooked my car to the coach to tow it to Ashland for the very first time on this coach, I noted a great deal of play in the hitch and sleeve. As I hooked up the run-away cables, the hitch slipped out of the sleeve. It was not inserted all the way and even though the pin was locked it there, it was not in the holes where it is supposed to be. Those Beloved Angels again! The ride out was very narrow and winding with school buses coming and going but we went slow and were fine. I am going to write an article for some of the popular camping magazines on the use of a surge protector since I have had first hand experience. I have some pics on the camera that I wanted to share with you but haven't downloaded them yet. I will browse now and if I find a suitable one, I will share it with you.

A photo of the MT Laurel in the Smokies on our hike. Apologies to all my friends that I had intended to visit this trip in VA but it doesn't look like there will be time. I hope to spend a month here in the fall.

Be grateful for Life, Love and Joy,

May 17, 2007

Someone just said to me that they thought I was really an unlucky person. Actually, the truth of the matter is that I feel like the luckiest person in the whole world. I can see to drive, I can ride my bike, breathe fully, move without pain, sleep with Sebastian and worship my Creator God. I have many friends all over the continent and a big family. So what if my son-in-law plugged my coach into a connection that zapped my tv, microwave/convection, vcr and Dish receiver? That will all be fixed eventually. Yes, it did happen yesterday. I am in town today to see about getting it all repaired and replaced. Thank God, my computer was plugged into a surge protection device. It fried that device but saved my lap top. I will move over to Americamps where I usually stay when in this part of the world.

I am going biking right now. Like I said, I am lucky, lucky, lucky. I never forget the year I spent unable to do anything much. I did kayak throughout that year. I lived directly on a beautiful estuary to Pamlico Sound in NC. I had a dolly for my kayak and was able to wheel it to the water's edge to launch. I would climb into it and begin to sing. Singing gave me sight therefore I sang songs I knew and made up songs. Sometimes I cried with the grief that I felt for what I perceived I had lost. It was a time of tremendous "IN SIGHT" rather than out sight. A time of learning and expansion. I spent much time in deep prayer and meditation for all those who were blind like me but didn't know it. Now I can say no matter what happens, I am the luckiest person I know and I am filled with the joy of this life.

Blessed Be, Donna and Sebastian

A few more shots of VT

May 12, 2007

I am in Ashland, VA as of 6 p.m. tonight. I spent last night on the Blacksburg, VA Campus of Virginia Tech with my grandson. We dry camped in one of the parking lots. We walked all around campus last night and early this morning. I took many pictures of the memorials and the impressions of VT after the April 16th tragedy. The strength, dignity, faith, hope and forgiveness of the thousands who have signed the memorial boards under the tent and left notes around each of the Hokie Rocks near the first memorial garden was created the night of the shooting, impressed me deeply. The strong vortex of prayer created on this campus will have an impact on the world.

I visited the campus bookstore and bought a Hokie flag and some bumper stickers. Those of you who know me well know how much I like that stuff. It feels really good to be "home". Tomorrow after church with my family, I will move the coach from this campground into their driveway for the next 3 weeks. I have projects galore ahead. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy my impressions of the VT campus today as each school graduated and the students were leaving. Maybe the media left too. Hope so!

May 10, 2007

Hi from Townsend, TN. Picture of yours truly at the Lily Farm. Having a great reunion with my dear friend whom I haven't seen in two years. We have been hiking, talking, hiking, talking, eating and hiking. What a great area! I really like it here. I went for a long bike road tonight on a lighted 11 mile trail they have here. There are tunnels for getting across the road to the sidewalk and shops on the other side of the street. We have discovered a need here though. There is no dark chocolate in Townsend, TN. But we did find a great coffee shop with yummy scones and muffins as well as great coffee. I am ready to roll over the mountains tomorrow to Blacksburg, VA. Plan to sleep in one of the parking lots then carry my grandson's stuff home the next day. His parents are coming to pick him up but I can help carry the stuff. Having done this duty many more times than I can count for 4 girls, I think I can handle it. The weather is wonderful here although hotter than I thought it would be. There is a fire burning up on the mt. nearby that has been burning for days since a lightning strike.

More coming later -

May 9, 2007

Cheerio ,from high in the mountains of the Great Smoky Mountains, so named by the Cherokee people who settled and managed to stay here inspite of the gov’t pushing them out on what is now called the Trail of Tears. The mts. here often have a blue mist rising up from the gorges and valleys. As many of my readers know from following along with Bearfoot on previous trips, I have been in WiFi blackout from time to time. I seem to be in that place now so am writing this in Word and will transfer it. I arrived here yesterday, the 8th, about noon. I only drove 62 miles yesterday but had made 295 miles the day before. That was the day I came through Atlanta, GA. If you glance at a map of GA, you will note that there is a huge web or vortex of roads which translate to traffic there. There are not many easy ways around it. It is like all roads lead to Atlanta unless you go to Alabama. I had wonderful advice from friends who have made the trip. I left Forsyth, GA at 9 a.m. and went through the Big A at 10 a.m. on Monday. You have to watch the lane changes, the Exit onlys, the merging traffic and of course, the big rigs all around you. I could feel all the prayers that were coming from friends and loved ones who knew where I was. It took just about an hour to go through which is actually good time. I kept the cruise control pegged at 55 mph which is the speed limit through much of it. I continued on as though I wanted to get as far away as possible ending up with 285 miles on the odometer. I was exhausted and sore everywhere. I do admit to singing that haunting song, “Jesus take the Wheel” for some of that trip. My dad was a trucker. He often rides in the passenger seat with me, stub of an unlit cigar stuck in the corner of his mouth.

In Forsyth, I stayed at a tiny campground out in the hills owned by Cherokee people. They make hand carved and painted walking sticks and canes very reasonably priced. I bought two; one for me and one for my friend Marte who lives in the Great Smokys now. We haven’t seen one another in over two years. What a reunion we had yesterday! We plan to hike today in the mts. Yesterday, my lower back went into spasm for awhile making hiking impossible. We hung out, looked at photos and just generally caught up on all that we have experienced in the time we have been apart. She has driven 35,000 miles during that time and moved 7 times. I am going to post a photo of Bearfoot V camped Crystal River, FL and another camped in Forsyth, GA. I also hope to download a shot of the master camper sleeping in. It has been in the mid-forties here in the a.m. About 59 in the MH. Since we have spent five months in hot weather, some of us get a bit chilly even though we have fur.

Live, dance, love and shout for the Joy of it!

May 6, 2007

.Hi loyal readers,
I am writing this in Word Perfect since I just lost my WiFi connection. I am in Forsyth, GA, red dirt country. I am one hour south of the big one, Atlanta. Will leave tomorrow a.m. about 9 a.m to make it through with the least resistance. (I pray). What a lovely trip I have had thus far. I did make an error and turned on Rt. 41 from Rt. 300 too early. Managed to find several mean RR crossings and narrow roads with little villages from time to time. Rt. 300 was fantastic as was Rt. 19 reported yesterday. I would come back south this way. I will let you know about Atlanta after tomorrow. Spoke with my dear friend, Marte, that I haven’t seen in over 2 years today to tell her I would see her in a couple of days. I am very excited. This campground I came in called L & D RV campground in Forsyth, GA is plain but as I entered the office I was astounded by the group of hand carved, hand painted canes and walking sticks there for sale. These are Cherokee people. What a gift to be here. I bought a walking stick for $20. Made of dogwood. He had some jewelry I would give my eye teeth for but NFS. This experience brought me right back to the Earth and to the belief system I have practiced for many years. I am very grateful to be here. Tomorrow I go on to the TN border before going to Townsend, TN to camp.

RV, the new Bearfoot Coach, is running well. Bought my first tank of fuel today at $2.67 per gal. If I had cash, I could have saved 6 cents. The diesal pumps were lined up with self plus 4 trucks with huge long trailers housing horses. As I glanced at the people pumping fuel, I realized we were all women drivers. Cool! They were all blondes and better looking than me, younger too.

I am kicked back in my recliner with a glass of wine watching Tiger in NC. This is a rough life! I apologize for lack of photos but I guess I am lazy since I am moving northward quicker only staying one night in one place. Almost stayed in the Walmart tonight but it looks like showers and I was thinking about the noise of the genset running the AC and all that stuff. Decided to splurge – Ha Ha. Each night so far, the fees have been $20. That is a Good Sam parks with the discount. Not bad for pull throughs with full services.

My gauges on my tanks are not working correctly. Anyone have any suggestions for the best way to deal with it? I know the gauges always quick working even on the new coaches early on. There are some additives that are supposed to help. Does anyone have experience with that sort of product? I have been emptying them each day. Maybe I should not do so and let the liquid build up to slosh a bit. Let me know what you think. More later--

May 5, 2007

Sebastian and I are in Thomasville, GA tonight. What a lovely road trip we had up Rt. 19 from Crystal River, FL today. Hardly any traffic and very few lights. Four lanes divided and nice rolling hills. Hot and dry though. Had a sprinkle or two but didn't last. It is very dry here in GA. They may have more fires. Coach ran great but I can't get my jacks system to work. They were working fine until the Lazy Days guy worked on the brake lights yesterday. He told me he had to unhook the jacks to get to the brake lights. I think he forgot to hook them back up. It may be something I can fix myself if they talk me through it.

Tomorrow I will get pretty close to Atlanta, campout and go through on I 75 Monday. I wish I could have made it on a Sunday but that is not going to happen. I will go through at the least busy time and pray it will be ok. I guess I'm stuck with I 75 after that until I get near Maryville, TN where I want to spend a couple of days visiting a dear friend I haven't seen in a couple of years. From there on to Blacksburg, VA to visit my grandson.

Will keep you all posted. Hopefully, I will have WiFi most of the way. So far, so good.

May 4, 2007

Hi Blog readers from Crystal River, FL. Got in yesterday, dropped my kayak off at an acquaintance's home for storage 'til I return. I am sad but had no way to carry it without the roof of the car. Then discovered my brake lights were not working. I called Lazy Days Mobile road service. The repairman came tonight and after about 4 hrs., found the source of the problem. The four-ways were shorting everything else out. It was hard to find since it was buried deep in the mass of wires under the dash. Now all is working and I am ready to leave tomorrow a.m. northward. I still haven't decided on I 75 or a secondary road. I won't know until tomorrow when I pull out of here. Must pray on that decison tonight. It is a weekend so I 75 may not be too bad.

It is beautiful here. Some rolling hills and lovely rivers. Quiet and cooler too. Not far from Lady Lake, Gloria. I am listening to the crickets right now as I finish this post and head for my lovely nest. Please keep Bash and I in your thoughts and prayers for safety. I will post whenever I am able to find WiFi.

With blessings from
Donna and for Sebastian who hasn't learned to write yet.

April 27, 2007

Here is the current home of the Bearfoot Journey. I closed on the deal today. It is older, has character, is cozy and in in great shape. It is a millenium coach so this particular paint job was ony available in 2000. It is white, grey, dark blue and mauve, very feminine looking. I plan on leaving Brandon on the 3rd of May. I will let all you Virginian readers know when I will be in your area as I roll up through the mountains. I have always returned via the coastal route but this time I plan to explore the mountain route. It hard for me to believe I will be home in VA before Mother's Day. Bash and I did something different tonight. I rode the bike and he trotted alongside on the leash. It was good exercise for him and fine for me because my legs and arms are very tired from the lifting and moving. This was the easiest and less hurried closing and moving that I have ever done since they let me do it at my leisure, one car load at a time. But no matter, it is still a stressful experience.

April 25, 2007

Still here, yes siree! Thanks be to God. I am feeling good, well into self-healing and feeling peaceful. Bashey and I have been living with my Lazy Days Angels in the Brandon, FL area since the first of April. I have purchased a motor home for us to continue our journey wherever it takes us. Purchase and delivery have gone along smoothly and it looks like we will be hitting the road about May 4th. I am sooooo eager to be with my family and friends in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, New York, Vermont and Massachusetts. I will be there eventually!!

April 17, 2007

The day after a tragic event at VT. My family and I am very grateful that my grandson who is a freshman cadet at VT is ok. There were a few hours of concern since we didn't hear from him. We had a prayer hot line going for him for a couple of hours and then for those parents and families who were going to get a call that their loved one was injured or deceased. I don't know why our youngest, our brightest and best are being murdered throughout the world. It would be easy to pin it on the war-like energy of the current administration but these events were occuring before this president took office. It is interesting to note that in the rest of the world the young people are killed by adults when the incidents occur in schools. In this country, we have young people killing young people. I am very sad in my heart and in my soul to be living in this time where I witness the tragic loss of these young people with so promise and so much to live for. I do believe that all things happen for a reason. In these cases as well as when I hear the daily death toll from Irag, I cannot grasp the reason why. This event will bring about changes in our campus security. The war death don't seem to be bringing any changes in our foreign policy.

One thing I know, there will be a brighter day. God promises us that in every rainbow we see. Here is a photo of a new day in FL.
God be with you.

April 15, 2007

I hope everyone has their taxes done. I know it is necessary pay-up time but I have never liked this time of year. Mine are done. I did them myself with Turbo Tax. But I am always a little nervous about doing them correctly. Of course, having someeone else do them is the same worry, it just seems separate somehow. I suppose it is more of a lack of confidence in my skills in the math department but Turbo Tax does it all, just put in the numbers.

I wanted to post some shots of the wild peacocks that roam the streets here. I suspect they are mating now since the males are "dressed" in their full regalia and there is a great deal of noise. If you zoom in on the photo you can really see the male. The one I shot was standing right in front of the door to a lovely home. They sit on the lawns and the roofs of the homes here. I also watched a huge flock of hundreds of giant white egrets land in the trees here by the pond. They spent the night and then moved on. We have a chorus of frogs that sing an acoustic beat in the evening hours. This morning amidst the tornado warnings, we had a strong wind driven thunderstorm with heavy rain. The air has cooled somewhat which actually feels good. We will prepare the Allegro elder coach (1983) for a trip over to Rally Park at Lazy Days for the pet rally coming up this week. I am going to man the camper and the dogs to demonstrate the invisible dog fence.

Here are the pics - Enjoy!

April 14, 2007

Here we are in the Tampa Bay area. We are near Brandon actually. I am having fun finding my way around the area. My friends here have loaned me a car which enables me to explore and also to help grocery shop etc. They both work long hours. It is misty and cooler today. It sounds like we will have some more rain which is still much needed. This is the rainy season in Florida too. The pool temp is 82 but I still haven't been in. I would rather ride my bike. I had fun yesterday exploring the Fishhawk Ranch area. Lovely facilities and community.

We had started clipping Sebastian and did get his back looking acceptable but yesterday I stopped at a pet salon yesterday and made an appt. for monday for a real bath and clip. We are going to participate in a Pet Rally at Lazy Days later this month. I want him to look clean and well cared for. He is such a good boy. He fits in here with two larger dogs but his poor eyes are right at tail wagging level. I watch him close his eyes tight when he is near their back ends.

I am grateful to hear from many friends who left Florida earlier this month and are now safely back home. God speed! My prayers are with all who are on the move.

There is a huge flea market north of here. I have been thinking of making a trip up there but don't think the weekend is the time to go. I have a feeling it will be very crowded. I miss attending the many concerts and musical festivities in Naples as well as the dear friends who shared those activities. There is definitely a let down after being involved with numerous activities that involve friends. I hear of it in all the emails I am receiving. We share these feelings of transition. I have found the best thing to do is to honor what you are feeling and how you express it. Gradually moving into your "home" activities and family. Resting when you need it and mild exercise.

I thought I would leave you with a smile. The photo of the beer chickens was taken about a week ago. They were delicious!