Not A Routine Sunday

It was not our usual Sunday.  We attended church yesterday morning, serving during the first service and worshipping during the second.  Then it was home again, home again where we cleaned up the house a little and got ready for our evening guests.  We did not attend the Sunday Ice Cream Social as we usually do on a Sunday evening. 

Mike and Peggy are leaving us tomorrow morning (sniff, sniff, snivel, snivel) so we (Mike, Peggy, Randy, Terry, Judy, and I) had and evening meal of pulled pork, baked beans, chicken pesto, fruit, and coleslaw.  It was all yummy.  Then we sat around solving the all the world’s issues (that took 10 minutes – too bad common sense doesn’t reign in D. C.), talking about traveling, and laughing our way through the evening.  Special friends, great food, and good times, who could ask for more. 

We’ll see Mike and Peggy again in a couple of months in Maine; Randy and Terry will be joining us for a few days in Maine sometime during June or July.  We’re all looking forward to that gathering – you just know that there will be a nice lobstah stew as well as one of those huge lobstah rolls from Red’s Eats at that gathering.  Judy and I will be in Maine for three months this year so if any of you are heading that way, let us know and we’ll see if we can’t connect somehow.

So I guess that’s a wrap for today – Take Care Until Next Time - - - - - -

A Busy and Fun Day

The day started with Larry’s famous biscuits and gravy at the clubhouse.  Then Mikee and I got busy changing out the oil in Winne.  Mike and Peggy are “fixinto” to head out on Tuesday. :-( 

For lunch, Mike, Peggy, Judy, and I went to Stacy’s Old Time Drugstore where they have a real live soda fountain.  The men folk had Polish Dawgs while the ladies shared a tuna sandwich – we all had milk shakes.  That was fun and yummy to say the least.

We spent the afternoon taking a short nap and then playing with the new batteries, converter, and inverter.  Everything appears to be functioning properly except the charging voltage levels are about a half a volt lower than they should be.  I’ll need to check the output right at the converter itself.  If the output is correct there, then I’ll need to check all the connections between the converter and the batteries.  It’s really no biggie since there’s enough voltage to recharge the batteries, however, it may just take a little longer then it would otherwise.

At five-thirty we headed off to Fairhope for the Mardi Gras parade.  Wow, what a difference a year makes.  Last year it was soooooo cold that there was absolutely no way that we’d have even considered attending an evening parade in Fairhope.  It was 70* last night which made it a perfect night for a parade.  

Mardi Gras celebrations in Alabama are nice family affairs (not like the hoopla in New Orleans) which means lots and lots of kids at the parades.  It was a great parade and we loved seeing families enjoying the evening together.

 

They certainly had lots and lots of “throws”; enough so that everyone should have been able to have gotten something.  We came home with plenty of beads and a half dozen moon pies (which we don’t really care for).  A good time was certainly had by all.

Thus that brings another day to a close.  Take Care and God Bless - - - - - - -  

A Recuperating Day

After our midnight extravaganza the other night, we were pretty lethargic for most of the day yesterday.  We did just enough of our daily chores to get by and went into rest and relax mode from that point on.  It was a fantastic day with temperatures reaching 78*, so sitting out in our lawn chairs was the order of the day.  Even Alex got to join us a couple of times.  He says, “meow, meow, meow” which means, “thank you dad”. 

We did mosey on over to the clubhouse for Social Time and then Mike and Peggy joined us at home for frozen margaritas.  That brought us to dinner time and veg out in front of the TV time.  We crashed at around nine o’clock and managed to sleep through the night without another midnight party.

Today the wonderful weather is continuing.  This has been a great run, we’ve been seeing daily temperatures in the seventies for the past week and a half – keep it coming!!!  Other than some rain forecasted for Monday, it appears that seasonal temperatures will continue – Yay Groundhog!!!  Winter 2011 is dead!!!  Spring has sprung!!!

That is all good because Mardi Gras is in town and we should be getting good weather for attending events and parade watching.  It’s been too cold the past couple of winters to attend the evening parades in Fairhope which are the best in the area.  There is a lot planned here at the Plantation as well so we’ll have something to keep ourselves entertained over the next week and a half.

Then the countdown to departure begins.  We only have seven more weeks to get all of our pre-travel projects completed.  Then we’ll be on the move once again.

Take Care Until Next Time - - - - - - 

We’ll Get A “Charge” Out Of This

Okay, Judy and I hit the hay again at just before three this morning and now we’re up again.  So here’s the second post of the day.  Yesterday was a great day to complete a project which was accomplished along with Mikee’s supervision.  The project was finishing the battery upgrades to the rig.

Being that the “old batteries” were five and a half years old they needed replacement, however, it wasn’t a one for one change out.  We replaced the two twelve volt batteries with two six volt batteries.  There was another twist in the installation as well – the coach was originally designed for one battery, but we ordered it with two so the dealer installed a another battery box which they placed in a second location.  Then they wired the batteries together in parallel using undersized wire which we upgraded last year when we installed the inverter.

So, being that we wanted the batteries to be in one place, we built a new battery box that would accommodate both batteries using a cheap plastic box from Walmart.  We had enough cable length on the existing cables to support this new location, but we did have to add to the hose that ventilates the batteries.  Good old Home Depot had all the required supplies.  The project is now complete (a much “cleaner” installation if I must say so) with the new batteries fully charged and waiting for their “boondocking” test.  Another item scratched off the Ol’ Ta Do List.  The next project?  Redoing the cabinet under the desk.

Take Care Until Next Time - - - - - -

Reflections At Midnight

Here it is, twelve oh five at night and the whole flam damily is up and about.  Katie, Alex, Momma, and Dad – wide awake.  We were tired so we went to bed early last evening.  I guess the old axiom holds true; “early to bed, early to rise”. 

What to do?  What to do?  It’s too dark to go outside and wax the rig.  Everyone else in the neighborhood is sound asleep so it’s too early in the morning to put on some music and sit outside in our lawn chairs.  We don’t have any wood or else we could go outside and start a fire in our fire pit.  You know how that is?  “If I had some ham I’d have some ham and eggs if I had some eggs!!!”

Even our ‘puters are sleeping.  For some reason we are not getting a signal on our air card so we can’t even get online.  Hmmmmm, I have an idea – spend some time with the Lord!!!

Did you know that He loves you?  He loves you with a love that is far beyond anything that we can ever imagine.  His love for us is as our love for a child (again, only greater than we could ever imagine).  In His love for us, He wants to spend time with us.  Imagine, the creator of the entire universe wanting to spend time with little ol’ me!!!  Unbelievable!!!  Incomprehensible!!!

It’s only right that we fear an awesome and mighty God, but we can rest assured that that awesome and mighty God really loves us and only wants the best for us.  His laws are only meant to bring good things into our lives.  It was never His intent to keep us from the best that this life has to offer.  Do not steel.  Can you imagine how good it would be for all of us if no one stole?  Do not kill.  Can you imagine how great this life would be if no one was ever murdered?  Do not commit adultery.  Can you imagine how much happier a place this would be without infidelity that breaks hearts and brings pain?

Yep, “Jesus love me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so!”  Jesus is God’s answer to my sin problem.  His Son took my punishment so that I could have eternal life instead of eternal damnation.  God’s love for me is so great that He was willing to let His own Son die in my place so I could be with Him forever and ever.  Would I let my own son or daughter die for someone else’s disobedience?  I think not!!! 

God’s love for me is sooooo amazing and yet I don’t even think about it most of the time.  I just go on living in my own little world with little to no time for God in my life.  Shame on me!!!  Jesus said to love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul, your mind, and your strength.  In light of God’s love for me, that’s the least I can do. 

Reflection is definitely good for the soul.  Maybe I should get up every night at this time, it’s a great time for reflecting.

Good News and Good Night!!!      

Yesterday, . . .

Yesterday flew by faster than prunes through, well, grandma.  Before we knew it, we were stuffin’ our faces at our 242 Group gathering last night followed by a trip home, History Detectives, and beddy bye time.  Judy had attended her Bible Study yesterday morning while I “stood to home” and washed the black streaks off the rig.  I, also, pulled the old batteries out of the rig and got things ready for the new batteries.

A nap snuck it’s way into the early afternoon and then a little sitting outside enjoying this wonderful weather.  At four o’clock we attended the Social Time at the clubhouse and returned home to prepare our contribution for our home group pot luck dinner – baked spaghetti.

Hopefully our new batteries will be in and ready for pick up today.  We are replacing two 12 volt group 24 batteries with two Trojan 6 volt golf cart batteries.  The old batteries are now five and a half years old and lose power quickly while extending the leveling jacks and running the slides out.  Also, we should be able to get eight to ten hours of “boondocking” (living off the grid with no hookups) before they’ll require recharging.

We, along with everyone else, have been watching the fuel prices escalate.  It always amazes me how fast they increase the cost of fuel (they don’t even wait for the next delivery to their tanks) and how slow they reduce the cost (they wait for the next four or five deliveries to their tanks).  It’s called gouging, but our do nothing legislators don’t have a clue:  they never did have a clue and won’t be getting a clue anytime soon. 

We’ve only had forty years to end this dependence on foreign oil.  I predict that in forty years from now it still will not have happened.  Thanks Jimmy for creating the totally useless Department of Energy that has managed to accomplish little of nothing but squander thirty five years of tax dollars.  Do ya think it is time for Gummint Reform?  Don’t forget to vote in 2012!!

Okay, enuf of that little rant.  It’s back to the 2011 budget to recalculate the impact of the projected fuel increases as it will affect more than just the cost of diesel fuel – a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.  Do we see more hunkering down in our future?  Or, heaven forbid, a J-O-B?  Where’s Maynard G. when you need him?  W-E-R-K!!!!!!!  Perish the thought!

Somehow we’ll make ends meet; it’s just that we want the ends to overlap a little (actually a whole lot).  We’re debt free and that gives us options.  That, also, makes us richer than over 90% of our fellow Americans.  Thank you Lord, for it is by His grace that we find ourselves in that position.

May The Good Lord Keep You And Bless You Until Next Time - - - - - -   

An Evening At The Pops

Nothing like a dinner out and an evening with good music.  As those of you who follow Guiler Travels know, our good friend, and close family member, Randy Guiler plays in the Baldwin Pops Band.  So Terry, Mike, Peggy, Judy, and I attended one of their concerts last night in Fairhope after the six of us stopped by Big Daddy’s Grill for another great dinner.

First of all, Randy played the trombone for the Red Skins Marching Band for umbteen million years waaaay back when.  Now, while “camping out” at Rainbow Plantation he volunteers, along with 63 others, in the Baldwin Pops Band. 

The Baldwin Pops was formed back in 1997 and has been providing free concerts throughout Baldwin county ever since.  The Band consists of members from all walks of life whose common thread is their love of music and their desire to perform and entertain.  They perform all types of music: Classical, Broadway, Big Band, Dixieland, Jazz, and Marches.

After arriving at the Fairhope Civic Center we noticed many of our Plantation neighbors already seated.  The five of us sat with Butch and Jean right behind Don, Elaine, Doug, Anna, Bob, and Judy.  ‘Twas a great evening out spending time with some of our wonderful Rainbow Plantation “family”.  Who says us Keenagers don’t know how to “get down” and have a good time?

May The Good Lord Keep You Until Next Time - - - - - -

Finally

Finally we did something else besides hangout at the Plantation.  Yesterday we (Mike, Peggy, Judy, and I) drove over to Gulf Islands National Seashore.   

On our way to the National Seashore, we stopped at one of the beaches in the Alabama Gulf State Park which was just on the east side of the bridge crossing the channel that leads into Bayou Saint John.

Leave it to a Mainer to find a rocky shoreline right in the midst of a sandy beach.

 

Peggy and I managed to get our feet wet in the refreshing 55* water, however, we had to be careful that the tar balls didn’t get us.  There were signs and workers all along the beach warning about tar balls – we didn’t see any.

We continued onto the National Seashore and toured the Perdido Key Area which is just over the Alabama/Florida border.  The Seashore is divided up into two districts – the Florida district and the Mississippi District.  Their claim to fame is the world’s whitest beaches.  While there, we walked the Perdido Key Discovery Trail where we stumbled onto an osprey sunning himself at the top of a dead tree.

Our friends in the north county have been having a lot of fun in the cold weather while plowing snow.  Well, here we are in the 70’s and plowing sand.

Here’s Mike and Peggy relaxing along the trail.  Mikee says, “Feed Me!”  So we made our way to Bubba’s Seafood House.  Doesn’t hold a candle to Big Daddy’s though – IMO!!!

 

We ended our outing with a stop at the Orange Beach Waterfront Park.  A real pretty serene place with great views across Wolf Bay.

After returning home we spent another quiet evening of reading and relaxing before turning in for the night.  Here’s a final picture of my bride enjoying her day out.

May the Good Lord Bless You And Keep You Until Next Time - - - - - -  

Special People

We have to be some of the most fortunate people in the whole wide world.  It’s a serendipitous thing when very special people come into your life.  Most people have this happen to them from time to time, however, we seem to be blessed with this phenomenon taking place on a daily basis.

After returning home from serving and worshipping at church, we had a visit from Allan and Jeanne whom we met for the first time in the fall of 2008.  We have been “bumping into them” ever since and it was nice to see them again (remember, we visited them in Florida a few weeks back).  We hope to see them again before the end of the year and may get to spend some time with them in Maine during the summer of 2012.  Thanks for stopping by guys. 

Last night during the Ice Cream Social at the clubhouse the Rainbow Plantation habitants recognized one of our “family” couples, Norm and Linda Payne.  As most of you know, Norm and Linda were fulltime RVers for ten years before purchasing land and building a home here at the Plantation.  They have been an extremely giving couple over the years by assisting many, many people.  We have considered them our Fulltiming Mentors and were truly honored when Norm informed us that we were not friends, we were family.  You’ll find both of them very active in all aspects of the daily life here at the Plantation.  It was a recognition well deserved – thanks, again, Norm and Linda for being you.

Also, last night at the Ice Cream Social we met another wonderful couple – Chuck and Sue Cooper.  They have been fulltimers for ten years and are active with SOWERs, a Christian volunteer group that we are in the process of joining.  It was nice to meet them and getting to know them.  We hope to spend a little more time with them before they leave for a SOWERs project.

On top of all of that, we sat with Mike & Peggy and Randy & Terry enjoying a nice dish of Bunny Tracks and Tin Roof ice cream.  We are indeed truly blessed with so many friends who have become as close as family.  Friends are more precious than fine gold which makes us among some of the richest people in the world.  Did I ever tell you that the best part of this life style is the people you meet and the friends you make?  Maybe once or twice.

May God Bless And Keep You Until Next Time - - - - - -

A Great Day

So, another day, another get together.  This time Randy and Terry hosted the event at their house.  Being that some of us are hunkering down in an attempt to replenish our emergency funds, we’ve be going from house to house sharing meals together rather than spending a lot of money eating out.  Terry prepared a nice ziti dish with garlic bread and a salad.  It was yummy (thanks Terry) and, as always, the fellowship was just the best.  Last night’s topic surrounded things to see and do as we travel about this wonderful country of ours.

We never left the reservation yesterday, but did get in our walk, washed off black streaks off the rig as well as completing the inside chores, and sat outside enjoying the sun and accomplishing some reading.  And, yes, Mister Alex joined us outside for a while as well.  Purr?  I guess he purred!!!  He was wide eyed and smiling all the while he was outside sitting in my lap.  Cute katt, remarkable feline!!!  Just don’t tell him he’s a katt, he doesn’t know that.

So, what does today bring?  Church, a special visit, more socializing, and Ice Cream Social.  Another seven weeks and we’ll be on the road again, but in the meantime we are going to attempt a few “day trips” around L. A. and Florida.  Plus another trip to Big Daddy’s for some more grilled shrimp – Ooooo, those are good enough to write home about.

God Bless Until Next Time - - - - - -

Another Fine Day In The Life

Yesterday was a run errands type of day.  Katie and Alex insisted that we go to PetSmart to pick up another bag of Blue Spa Indoor Formula katt food.  We were running low and they were getting a little concerned about the prospect of having empty bowls.  They’re smiling now.  We, also, had some other things to pick up along the way, but still managed to get back home by about 12:30.

Mike and Peggy and Judy and I made an afternoon run to Camping World to pick up some new lawn chairs.  We wanted the “director’s chairs” that have a table attached to the side and CW had them on sale for thirty-two bucks.  While we were there we kicked the tires on a few motorhomes.  I wished I’d been born a little richer and not quite so handsome!!! 

Anyway, we brought our four new chairs home (one for each person) and tried them out with some frozen margaritas in hand.  Yep, we’re satisfied customers with both the chairs and the margaritas – thanks Dortha for that wonderful recipe.

At four o’clock we all journeyed over to the clubhouse to attend the Escapees Social Time and Don and Gloria’s 50th Wedding Anniversary party.  There was cake, coffee, and mixed nuts available so we had a reverse dinner (that is, dessert first then dinner).  Judy and I made our way home and, being that neither one of us felt like cooking, we called out for pizza.  The pizza wasn’t all that good, but at least we didn’t have to skin it or cook it. 

After a little reading, we hit the hay early bidding farewell to another fine day in the life.  We slept like a couple of babies enjoying that new mattress pad – oh so snuggy buggy warm.  To quote Doug and JoAnn, “Life is Good!!!  RV Life is Better!!!”   

God Bless Until Next Time - - - - -

Just Living The Life

“And the beat goes on!”  That is the warm sunny days continue.  This has been just great.  Shorts, t-shirts, and sandals are the uniform of the day.  Yep, we can handle this kind of weather just fine. 

Judy had a successful day on her fabric hunting trip – she bagged her limit and was home before dark.  Now she has some more “basket weaving” projects to work on.  I managed to get a couple of small items crossed off the “Ol’ Ta Do List”, assisted a couple of people with their Nook setups, and visited with Mike for a while.

Mike and I made a run to All Star RV and Camping World to pick up a few minor items and then it was martini time.  From Mike and Peggy’s we attended the four o’clock social hour.  Peggy invited us over to join them for dinner.  She had made a nice corned beef dinner with all the fixings and it was just great.  Thanks Peggy.

Judy and I spent the rest of the evening just chatting, watching Bones, and heading to bed.  I woke up at 11:30, just in time to tune into the Joys of Painting – Bob Ross breaks me up.  “A happy little tree lives just about here!” or “The fence runs right through here.  We don’t know where it goes and we don’t care!”

We want to take this time to welcome Nilda to our blog.  She asked why we chose a heated mattress pad over an electric blanket.  They had to replace their electric blanket after they attempted to use it with their inverter and burned up the controls.  There’s a warning for you – if you are running your modified sine wave inverter, do NOT use your electric blanket or heated mattress pad.  For some reason they are incompatible.

Now, to answer her question.  Waaaay back when Judy and I wore younger people’s clothes, we had an electric blanket.  We both have a tendency to “kick the blankets off” when we get warm.  I woke up one night with my feet burning; some how the blanket had gotten kinked and was overheating. 
The blanket was so hot that I couldn’t even put my hand on it.  We got rid of it and would never own another one.

A mattress pad lays flat on the bed and, being under you, should never get kinked.  Its not meant to be a heating pad, but does provide nice gentle heat similar to a heating pad.  We bought ours from Amazon.com for $65 (that included free shipping).  It has only been on the bed for two nights, but has already become a new best friend.

Take Care And God Bless - - - - - - 

Happy Katts

Boy, are we ever enjoying this weather that is hanging around us down here on the Gulf Coast.  This is what we retreated to Rainbow Plantation for in the first place.  Finally, nice sunny warm weather so we can lounge around outside buffing up our tans.

Another significant event that took place yesterday was the arrival of Judy’s new heated mattress cover.  You turn that baby on about an hour before beddy bye time and you have a nice snuggy warm bed to slip into.  My baby woke up this morning rested with no aching bones.  We should have bought one of them thar things many moons ago.  The only thing that I can say now is, “Don’t let your home leave without it!!!”  :-)

Over the past five years of fulltiming we’ve been asked several times about where we keep our katt box.  When we sat down with the RV designer we brought our katt box with us.  We took it upstairs on the frame and set it down where we wanted it and then had them build the RV around it.  That made life a lot easier as it can be a problem to find a place to locate a katt box in most RVs.

Now, the real answer is that we have a space up in the bedroom between the end of the dresser and the wall that separates the bedroom from the bathroom where a large covered katt box just slides in.  Other friends have placed the katt box in the clothes closet and leave the door open just enough for kitty to gain access.  Then another solution that we have heard of is placing the katt box between the recliners under a small table and draping a table cloth over it.  “They” do make nice looking furniture that houses a katt box, however, the key is to find room enough to place it in your livingroom.

Further, speaking of katts, we feed our babies premium katt food with no by-products or glutens (Blue Spa for indoor katts by Blue Buffalo).  Also, we use bottled water when traveling away from Rainbow Plantation.  We are going to upgrade our drinking water filtration system this spring to eliminate the need for bottled water.  Those efforts help to minimize katt box odors as well as maintaining happy kitties.

I’m not sure exactly what’s up for me today.  I guess I’ll have to consult the “Ol’ Ta Do List” to get my marching orders.  Judy and nineteen other women from the quilting group are heading for Pensacola to rampage and pillage a couple fabric stores – Lord have mercy!!!

God Bless Until Next Time - - - - - -

Nooks And Books

I’m going to start this morning by answering a couple of questions from yesterday’s comments.

John:  Yes, Judy and I are using our public library to borrow ebooks for our Nooks.  The three top Ereaders are the Kindle, the Nook, and the Sony Ereader.  You cannot download Adobe EPUB books (which is what most public libraries use) with a Kindle, but can with the Nooks and the Sony Ereaders.  Go to Overdrive.com, input your zip code, and click on the little arrow.  That will open up another window that will list the libraries in your area with Ebooks to loan.  Hopefully your library will be on the list, if so, click on it and it will bring up another window which is the site where you will be able to borrow the library books.  Save that site to your favorites. 

You can scan the website looking for your favorite authors, titles, etc..  There is an “advanced search” mode where you can further refine your search.  They have both Adobe EPUB and Overdrive Audio Books.  You’ll need your library card and your PIN in order to borrow books.  Also, you’ll need to download some software to your computer which you can do once you’re logged in.  You’ll download the books to your computer and upload them to your Nook.  Be sure to read your instruction booklet for the Nook and be sure to “Eject” every time before disconnecting your nook from the computer.

If, even after you follow the instructions, you get a “Device Not Activated” message on your Nook when you attempt to open a downloaded book, then email me (wandering.america at yahoo.com – be sure to use the @ in place of the “at”) and leave me your phone number so I can call you and walk you through the correction process.  It took me over six hours to figure out how to get around this issue.  Happy Reading!!!!

Margery:  I’m reading the King and Maxwell series by David Baldacci.  There are only four books in the series and they have been a fun read.  I do NOT enjoy books with lots of profanity and in depth sex scenes so Baldacci, Grisham, and Patterson have become some of my favorite authors.  I finished book number three in the series last night – that’s two books in five days.  Normally I like to “savor” my books and not speed read them, but you can’t renew ebooks from the library so I had to read them quickly or else go back on the waiting list for book three.  Good books are like fine wine, they are to be sipped and enjoyed not gulped down.

Well, the weather around here has been just like we like it.  It got up to 74* yesterday before all was said and done.  After a shopping trip to Wally World, we spent some time sitting outside and reading.  We attended the four o’clock social and then returned home for dinner, reading, NCIS, and more reading.  The weather dudes are calling for another seven days of this seventy degree weather so it is time to jump back onto the Ol’ Ta Do List and knock off a few more outside chores.

God Bless Until Next Time - - - - - -

Oh, Give Me A “Brake”

With yesterday being such a beautiful day, it was time to strike an outside task off the Ol’ Ta Do List so the truck now has new brake pads on the front wheels.  Mike, my expert mechanic friend, gave me a hand and it was surprisingly easy – a lot easier than the last time I changed out brake pads.

Mike, Randy, and I made a morning run into Foley’s Home Depot and Lowes so Mike could pick up some water hose supplies and then we stopped at NAPA so I could buy some new brake pads.  By the time we returned home, it was time for lunch.  Then Mike and I got started on the brake pad change out.  It only took us a little over an hour to do the job leaving me some time to sit outside and read for awhile while Judy was at crocheting.

Being the wonderful husbands that we are, Mike and I took our brides out to Olive Garden for a Valentine Day’s dinner.  We all had different entrees along with the bottomless salad bowl and endless bread sticks.  It was all yummy and we all left satisfied with full bellies.

Judy J. and I spent the rest of the evening playing on our computers and reading some more.  Why all the reading?  Well, I’m reading a series of books and had put books 2 and 3 on hold.  Book 3 showed up before book 2 so I held off reading it hoping that book 2 would show up before I had to return book 3 which it did.  With Ebooks you only get two weeks to read a book without the ability to renew it.  So, to make a long story short (too late for that), book 2 finally showed up leaving me six days to read both book 2 and book 3 – book 2 was 444 pages long while book 3 is 384 pages long.  Therefore, I sped read book 2 and am now finishing up book 3 which is due back tomorrow.  Didcha follow all of that?  Good, now it’s onto book 4.

That’s it for now.  God Bless Until Next Time - - - - -   

Gumbo Sunday

Mikee made gumbo!!  What?  A Mainer making gumbo?  Yep, it happened just as I said and Randy, Terry, Peggy, Judy, and I can testify to it as the five of us got to sample some of the concoction.  And it was yummy, yummy, ummmm, ummmm, oh so gooood!!!

The day began with us attending church where we serve on the Connection Team during the first service and attend the second service.  The Connection Team is made up of over a hundred people who man the kiosk, coffee bars, greet people at the entry doors, hand out bulletins at the sanctuary doors, assist with communion, and take up the offerings.  With twelve to fifteen hundred people attending three different services, it takes a lot of people working together each Sunday.

On our way home we made a pit stop at Wally World and then spent the afternoon lounging outside and reading.  At four thirty we made our way over to Mike and Peggy’s, where Randy and Terry joined us, for the gumbo, a garden salad, and some bread (thanks Mike and Peggy).  From there the six of us landed at the clubhouse for Ice Cream Sundae Sunday where we (or maybe I should say Terry, Peggy, and Judy joined by Gloria and Linda) livened the meeting up just a little with plenty of fun and laughter.  A great ending to a wonderful day.

Just a thought for the day.  Jerry and Carol wrote on our comments yesterday that - “Relaxing can be hard werk!!”  I think they are right, we may have to let up on it just a little before we wear ourselves out.

God Bless Until Next Time - - - - - - 

A Pot Luck Dinner

Well, we did get outside to spend sometime enjoying the sunny weather, but we never left the reservation.  After our daily walk we stopped for coffee and a visit with Mike and Peggy.  A plan was hatched for a pot luck dinner and then we strolled back home where we spent the rest of the afternoon.

Randy and Tonya, friends from our workamping days at Lake George Escape, stopped by for a short visit. 

They were in town for a wedding of some other workamping friends and thought it would be nice to catch up with us.  It was really wonderful to see them and we were so glad they thought about us.

Judy and I spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing (one would think that we must work awfully hard considering all the relaxing that we do) and reading.  Mike and Peggy joined us at 1730 hours for the afore mentioned pot luck dinner.  We had meatloaf, baked spiced potato wedges, twice baked potatoes, and a nice garden salad.  The guys enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine while the ladies sipped on their water. 

After they left, we slipped into our jammies and it was back to ‘puters, reading, and relaxing (there we go, all tuckered out once again).   The mattress was screaming for attention so we hit the hay at around 2100 bells which capped off another eventful day at the Plantation.

Take Care and May God Bless,

Finally, Warm Weather

“What is nothing honey, Alex?”  That’s the Jeopardy answer to the question, “Whatcha do yesterday?”  So thar ya have it.  “Nutin’ Honey!!”  Not sure what we’re up to today, either.  But we can tell you that it is going to be a great day out there, so it will be time for us to get outside, if for no other reason, just to kick some of the stink off. 

Finally, L. A. (Lower Alabama) is in the warm up mode.  It is starting out cold (28*) this morning, but will be moving toward a high of 58* this afternoon with each following day getting warmer and warmer.  “They” are saying 70’s by Thursday – that’ll be “Ooh Soo Goood!!! 

So, what to do, what to do?  We can always find a little something on the “Ol’ Ta Do List”, but it might be nice to just go on a day trip somewhere.  We’ll have to see what some of the neighborhood kids are up to; maybe they can come out and play and help us find something to do.

Take Care Until Next Time - - - - -

Slow Day At The Plantation

‘Twas cold and overcast outside so we hunkered down inside for the day.  But, good news, the weather dudes are calling for a warm up beginning today with temperatures in the 70’s next week – Yay Groundhog.  Maybe an early spring afterall.

Mike needed a new light bulb for his outside light which I happened to have on board.  So we hand delivered the light over to their “house” and had a short visit along with martinis before heading over to the clubhouse for the four o’clock social time.  Then it was home for dinner, reading, Bones, and bed.  A real low key day.

It’s time to get onto the next project.  That would be changing out the house batteries.  Our old batteries lose most of their charge after running the slides out and leveling the coach.  Once the project is done, we’ll have “more power”, Tim.  But the new batteries will be larger than the old ones, so I will, also, need to install a new battery box as well as make up a new cable harness.  Then I’ll need to move onto replacing the brake pads on the front wheels of the truck (the rear ones were done a couple of years ago so they are fine).

How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time!!  How do you get rid of a “Ta Do List”?  One item at a time!!  However, you will eventually run out of elephant meat, but a “Ta Do List” seems to have no end.

May God Bless Until Next Time - - - - - -          

The Clambake

It was June of 1973 and I was taking my new bride home to “Meet The Folks”.  As you know from our “About Us” page, I had met Judy in Traverse City, Michigan in 1971 and we began dating in the fall of 1972.  Somewhere before the end of that year I asked, “Wilt Thou?” and she wilted.  So in the spring of 1973 we became one and have been that way ever since.

Anyhow, back to the story.  We took our first trip together to the great Pine Tree, Chickadee, Vacationland State of Maine.  Being a flatlander, Judy had never really experienced seafood until that voyage east.  By the end of the first week she was more than ready for the pot roast dinner that my dad had prepared for a Sunday’s meal.  She had “et” steamed clams, fried clams, clam chowdah, fried shrimp, fried haddock, fish chowdah, and fried scallops not to mention lobstah and lobstah stew.  Needless to say, she had eaten seafood until it was coming out of her ears.

My new bride was beginning to wonder if Mainers ate anything but seafood.  Two facial expressions that I’ll never forget was when she met her first boiled lobstah and when she saw that pot roast come out of the oven after a week of seafood - Priceless!

Well, somewhere thrown into that two week trip was a boat ride out to Flat Island for a good old fashioned New England clam bake right on the seashore.  There was always a large entourage whenever a clambake was in the making.  The Brown’s, the Cassida’s, the Cobb’s, and the Patterson’s would round up their boats and make tracks (or should I say “make waves”) toward Flat Island which is just outside of Seal Harbor located on Islesboro island.  It is about a 12 mile trip from Belfast Harbor so it would take around an hour and a half (or three beers) for the cruise.  Arrival on the island was scheduled for just before low tide which is the best time to start digging clams.

Flat Island is exactly that, flat with not a single tree in sight.  It is a relatively small island (not even a half of a mile to walk all the way around it) and is covered with bushes that are used by gulls, ducks, and other sea birds for nesting purposes.  There is one beach area where, at low tide, you can dig clams until your heart’s delight.

Each boat would bring the essentials for any good clam bake; clam hoes, clam rollers (that’s what you put your clams in while digging), large pots, lots of buttah, and plenty of beer.  There would be lobstahs and crabs on board as well as “con” on the cob, potato salad, coleslaw, and potato chips; and did I mention plenty of beer?

Several of the men folk would man the clam hoes before the tide changed while everyone else formed a search party to round up as much driftwood as possible to set fire to.  The pots would be filled with clean ocean water and seaweed would be gathered to cover the pots with once the clams, crabs, and lobstahs were placed, ever so gently, into the boiling pots of water.

We didn’t take any lawn chairs with us so the cooking fires would be established near logs that had drifted up onto the beach.  The logs and blankets spread out on the beach would be as the seating arrangement for the day.  Next the potato chips and other munchies would be broken out to help fill the void while waiting the clams, crabs, “con”, and lobstahs to finish cooking.  Buttah would be melting on the side.

Finally one of the chefs would call out the long awaited words, “Dinner’s On!!” and, Oh My Goodness!!  There’s absolutely nothing better than an Old Fashioned New England Clam Bake Dinner right on the seashore.  (Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my computer screen!)

   

Before you knew it, everyone had eaten their fill, the tide was flooding in, and it was time to pack up the boats and head home.  After another 12 miles back to Belfast Harbor, our day had quickly come to an end. 

Wow, what great memories I have of growing up on Penobscot Bay.  Many of those people have passed on now, but they certainly knew how to make the most out of a day at sea.  Hopefully, before I get too much older, I can make one more trip to Flat Island, if for no other reason, to just sit there and soak in the memories of the good times shared on that beach during ages past.

Take Care and May God Bless Until Next Time - - - - -

The Breaking Of Bread

Mike, Peggy, and Winne arrived safely and was tucked nicely into their stall by four o’clock.  Fortunately they managed to escape some of the coldest weather this winter in the Northeast with temperatures heading for minus 12 degrees.  Tha-tha-that’s cold folks.

Judy and I hosted the traditional travel day dinner for them along with Randy and Terry in attendance.  Knowing how much Mikee enjoys his “chowdahs”, I went to the beach real early in the morning, at low tide, and dug two pecks of clams.  After shucking them and peeling up a bunch for freshly dug ‘taters, I prepared a special George Patterson New England Styled Clam Chowdah.  As a side, we had a delicious garden salad made with several varieties of freshly picked vegetables. 

My mother always served hot out of the oven yeast rolls with dad’s clam “chowdah” so, in honor of her, Terry baked up a fresh batch of said rolls which we served heaped with country fresh “buttah”.  Boy, that was a feast fit for a king!!!  You could just smell the fresh salt breeze and hear the waves breaking onto the rocky shoreline with the sea gulls squawking in the background. 

After everyone left, and the dust settled, I watched a couple of art shows on PBS.  One was a lady doing a painting with water colors and the other was The Best Of The Joys Of Painting with Bob Ross.  I enjoy watching him create “Happy Little” paintings.  It takes me about two weeks to paint what he accomplishes in a half hour.  I really don’t care much for his paintings, but do enjoy watching his technique.   I can’t wait for it to warm up so I can get outside to paint.  I need just a tad bit more room then I have in the house and, besides that, I tend to be a little bit (a whole lot) messy.

So, those were the highlights of the day.  Other than that, we had spent the rest of the day just doing the routine things; housekeeping, getting in our daily walk, reading, etc.. 

Take Care Until Next Time - - - - -

Weight Reduction And The Arrival

Another day, another walk.  Yep, we’re doing better about getting out for our daily walk.  We need to keep it up.  Also, we are eating good food, now all we have to do is adjust the serving sizes (downward that is).  Maybe, just maybe, we can drop a few pounds, but don’t hold your breath.  The economy will probably do more to help us lose weight than anything.  Between the rising prices and the incredible shrinking products we’ll be cutting back our portion sizes alright.

Anywhoo, it feels good to be out and getting some exercise.  We have become sort of, kind of slugs.  I have probably read thirty books in the past three months and that requires logging in a lot of recliner time.  Good for the brain and staving off dementia, but not so good for the muscles and staving off heart disease.

Yesterday I donated my Total Gym to the clubhouse.  To use it on our site, I would either have to set it up each time or leave it outside under a tarp.  The thought is that once it is set up in the clubhouse I might just go and visit it once in a while. 

They, also, have a nice Nordic Track elliptical over there as well.  Now all I have to do is muster up enough energy to waddle my pudgy little body over there and spend twenty minutes on the elliptical followed by some upper and lower body exercises on the Total Gym then my “girlie figure” just might reappear.  The missus (and my doctor) wants me to be 99% fat free.  So between the economy and the exercise room at the clubhouse I just might be able to get a start on working on that goal.

Well, they did!!  Mikee put the peddle to the meddle and Winne broke the Snow Barrier.  Today Mike and Peggy will point Winne in the direction of Rainbow Plantation – Yay Team!!!  They have been in search of the Fountain of Warmth and by week’s end will have discovered it; at least it will be the Fountain of Warmth to them (we are still looking for it – thinner blood, ya know).  We’re looking forward to seeing them once again and will have the traditional travel day dinner on the stove awaiting their arrival.

Take Care Until Next Time - - - - - -

Super Bowl Sunday

Well, thar ya have it!!!  The Packers rule and the Steelers drool.  And another football season comes to an abrupt end.  There was a Super Bowl party at the clubhouse, but we find our recliners much more comfortable than the folding chairs so we only stayed for the pre game stuff and then came home to eat pizza and watch the game.  Besides all that, I don’t just sit with my attention totally focused on any game; I generally read.

Speaking of reading, I finished John Grisham’s book The Appeal last night.  I really didn’t like the ending, however, it was true to life.  I like a nice warm ending with the good guys winning, but that’s not the case in this book.  But, the ending was true to life and realistic in today’s world; more often than not  the villain wins. 

So church, an afternoon walk, Ice Cream Social, pizza, football, and reading comprised our Super Bowl Sunday.  Now the DOW (Dear Old Wife) says I need to get back to the “Ol’ Ta Do List”.  We only have a couple of months to clear off the list before the wheels on the rig go ‘round and ‘round.  So today I’ll reach into the Job Jar and see what my next project will be. 

Take Care Until Next Time - - - - - -

A Sunny Sunday

Well, here ‘tis.  Another Sunday morning.  And not just any Sunday morning.  It’s Super Bowl Sunday!!!  But, the Patriots aren’t playing – boohoo.  I think we’ll root for the Packers since we have more friends in that part of the world.  However, even long before the kickoff, we’re gonna go to church and root for Jesus.  Yep, we always look forward to Sunday mornings.

Yesterday the sun finally made it out.  It was nice to see our old friend once again.  We’ve missed him over the past couple of days and Judy J was getting a real bad case of cabin fever so made a a quick trip out and about.  It was still chilly so we hunkered down inside once we returned home.

Last night we had a impromptu pot luck supper at Randy and Terry’s along with Dick and Pat.  Chilly, mac and cheese, and a garden salad.  It was a fun “chat” and “chew” with lots of “chuckles”.

The Maine Escapees have made their escape.  They “broke the Snow Bearer” yesterday and will enter the enchanted southland today by arriving at Raccoon Valley.  Thanks to all of you for your breath of warm air northward yesterday.  Hopefully we’ll be seeing Mike, Peggy, and Winne arriving at Rainbow Plantation real soon.

That’s All Folks; Take Care Until Next Time - - - - -

The Magnificent Three

Wow, unbelievable!!!  The Magnificent Three, Mike and Peggy and Winne, have escaped again.  Mikee. with his hack saw in hand. cut their way through the Ice Bars setting them free once more.  The Freeze King attempted to freeze Winne in place, but the Good Fairy God Mother of the South Wind breathed just enough warm air into Winne’s nostrils (carburetor) so that she could roar to life.  So at oh-dark-thirty yesterday morning, while the Winter Hounds were still asleep, they slipped out of the Maine Winter Prison System making a bee line for warmer weather.  Fortunately the Wick Witch of the Northwest has temporarily run out of Snow Demons, however, she is working hard to recruit some more.

By sundown the three of them came slip sliding into their Jerzee hideout where food and Hugs From Grand Children was snuck in.  Winne has made friends with Mr. John Deere Backhoe and may need his help this morning to slide out of the Jerzee hideout before the Warden of the Jerzee Snow Slammer realizes that they are back in his territory.  Their plan is to head Southeast around Washington, D.C. (they know that there is a lot of hot air there) and make their way just far enough south to be out of the reach of the WWNW’s new Snow Demons. 

Now, we’re asking that all of you in the Southeast please face Northeast and breathe heavily sending warmer weather their way (those of you in the southwest please hold your breath as it’s waaay tooo cold over there).  May the Force Be With Mike, Peggy, and Winne.  Hope to see the whites of your eyes real soon – we’ll leave the light on.

Well, “enuf” of that.  Judy and I had another day inside as it was raining and raining and raining yesterday, and then it rained some more.  On top of that, it was a chilly damp day so Judy made me some nice hot chocolate chip cookies, what a woman, while I worked on our portfolios. 

Our 401Ks have returned to 95% their highs so I moved the money into a more “conservative” investment strategy.  I had them invested very “aggressively” which caused them lose almost 50% of their value when the bottom fell out in the fall of 2008.  So, what can I say, hot out of oven chocolate chip cookies and money in the bank, what more can give you a nice warm feeling on a chilly damp day?

Other than that, we spent time reading and just piddling around the house.  Katie and Alex napped off and on, wanted some loving attention every so often, and played with their toys.  They don’t like thunder and they were restless as a couple of those storms passed over head.

Oh yes, I “stood” in my PJs all day long.  Judy felt the need to put on real clothes, but I wanted to remain comfy just in case a nap wanted to sneak on board.  So I guess that’s it for today. 

Be sure to Take It Easy Until Next Time - - - - -

A Stroll Down Memory Lane

It was mid morning and the sun was shining brightly over the South Harpswell shoreline.  There was still dew on the ground with the vibrant smell of a fresh salt breeze permeated the air.  It was the summer of 1959 and we were spending time at Dad and Mom’s good friend’s, Ronnie and Vi’s, summer cottage.

We, my Dad, Ronnie, my brother Mike, and I, were readying the boat for a day of fishing on and around Harpswell Sound, Cundys Harbor, Sandy Cove, Gun Point Cove, Bailey Island, Mackerel Cove and Potts Point.  Dad and Ronny liked to get underway just before low tide so we would be in position when the tides changed as you can catch more fish on an incoming tide.

A cooler was loaded with plenty of beer for Dad and Ronnie along with plenty of Crush Orange Soda for Mike and me.  There were sandwiches as well just in case someone might get hungry.  That would be mainly Mike and I as beer, cigarettes, and fishing would keep Dad and Ronnie occupied for most of the day.

The boat was about a sixteen foot open skiff with an 18 horse power outboard motor attached to the stern.  Certainly not the kind of boat for deep sea fishing, but plenty good enough for trolling in and around the various bays, coves, and sounds surrounding Orr’s and Bailey Islands.  I realize that there are a lot of beautiful places all across this country of ours, but none are any prettier than along the rugged coast line of Maine.

Dad was an avid fisherman and had plenty fishing poles, lures, etc. for all types of fishing.  This time our four fishing poles were outfitted for mackerel fishing.  That meant heavy gauge fishing line with five or six fishing lures strung onto it. 

Being the devoted fisherman that he was, Dad hardly ever returned to shore without some fish.  It was said of him that he could smell the fish and he always had the right equipment on board for whatever type of fish we might encounter during a fishing trip.

Once the boat was loaded and we were all onboard, we made our trek across Harpswell Sound, under the Cribstone Bridge that connects Orr’s and Bailey Islands, and onto Cundys Harbor where we would wet some lines. 

 

From Cundys Harbor we would troll our way back around the point to Sandy Cove, into Quahog Bay, and onto Gun Point Cove. 

We would then fish along the eastern shores of Orr’s and Bailey Islands, round the point at Lands End and cruise into Mackerel Cove.  Once we found ourselves on the east side of Bailey Island we often encountered large sea “rolls”.  One minute you would be on top and could see for miles, the next you were down between the rolls and could only see water all around.  Not necessarily for the “faint of stomach”, if you know what I mean.

From Mackerel Cove we would make our way back across Harpswell Sound toward Potts Point and then back along the shoreline of South Harpswell.  Absolutely beautiful!!!  You can use Google Maps to see a map of the area and follow our trip; just type in “Harpswell, Maine” (we started out from Stover Cove across the Sound from the Cribstone Bridge that connects Orr’s and Bailey Islands).

Now, for the fishing part (and this is not just any fish story).  Remember I said that the lines were outfitted with five or six lures?  Well, as we trolled along we would pick up a few mackerel here and there.  When we reeled in our lines it was not unusual to have two or three mackerel on.  However, should we hit a school of mackerel, which we often did, then we became busier than a one legged sailor in a butt kicking contest.  All four lines would load up with mackerel  as fast as you could get the lines back in the water.  That day we pulled in seventy some odd fish in a matter of fifteen to twenty minutes.

Dad always knew how to find the schools, he just watched the porpoises and followed them to the fish.  The boat would be loaded with fish flopping all over the floor.  There certainly would be fish for dinner that night; if you like mackerel, that is.  It’s an oily fish which is loaded with omega 3’s and good for you, but it needs to be fried just right in order to taste good.  Dad was the man!!!  ‘Twas yummy. 

Dad, mom, and Ronnie are all gone now, but these fond memories will linger on for as long as I live.  Vi still owns the cottage in South Harpswell and hopefully Judy and I will get to see her this summer – that would be a very special encounter for this once young “old salty”.

I hope you enjoyed this little trip down memory lane as much as I did.  Take Care Until Next Time - - - - - -

Brrrrrrr, Grrrrrrr

Today is going to be a PJ day, for sure.  The weather is calling for a “Wintry Mix” which, down here in the Southeast, means a combination of freezing rain, sleet, and just plain cold weather.  The temperatures won’t even get out of the thirties all day so, yep, today is definitely going to be a PJ day.

I’m lucky that my girl friend stayed over last night and is here to enjoy the PJ day with me.  She was up at Oh Dark One Hundred and had the coffee made before I rolled out of bed; good girl, remarkable woman.  Also, I have two little kitties to cuddle in my lap and help keep my knees nice and warm – “Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty”.  Whoops, they don’t know that they are kitties; “Come here Alex, come here Katie!!”

All I know is that we need to find a campground closer to the equator for the winter.  Lower Alabama just ain’t getting it done.  It appears that the entire United States is getting colder each winter, it must be that Global Warming “thang”.  Winter can be pretty, but it brings cold with it and neither Judy nor I do cold very well.

So, what will we do today?  Well, for one thing, we’ll both probably do some (a lot of) reading.  Judy has her Bible Study to work on and I have my Bible reading to do.  Then we might work on some of our basket weaving endeavors.  Miss Judy has a scarf to make while I have a painting that needs a few additional brush strokes added to it.  Both of us have some “paperwork” things to take care of as well.  And, as always, there’s the routine chores that need to be done. 

Sheesh, before we know it, it will be beddy bye time again and we will not have gotten everything done.  Even on a nasty “stay inside” day we have more than enough to keep us busy.  How, oh how, did we ever find time to w*rk?

Take Care Until Next Time - - - - -     

Winter Is Over (Almost)

A sigh of relief goes up from the northeastern states.  It seems that Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow, therefore winter will end tomorrow (or the day after).  Not soon enough for our friends locked away in the Maine Winter Snow Prison. 

Mike and Peggy are screaming “Uncle”.  As many of you know, they  had to return to Maine due to the death of a close friend.  Now they are trapped in the Maine Winter System Prison again while Winne sits in the driveway with her tailpipe between her tires.  The mean ol’ Wicked Witch of the Northwest has sent so many Snow Demons to the northeast that things are looking mighty bleak for our part time fulltime RVing friends.  Peggy is asking for all of their friends down here in the Southern parts to send the Fairy God Mother of the South Wind to their rescue. 

Mikee has his hack saw in hand and is looking for his snow chains for Winne so that they make a Prison break and attempt another escape from the clutches of the Maine Winter.  However, the Maine Snow Prison Warden is keeping a close eye on them since they already escaped once.  This time, if they get free again, I’m sure they’ll make a direct run toward the southeast without lingering long in Snow Country; after all, Enuf is Enuf already!!!!!  May the Force Be With You, Mike and Peggy.  You can check out their progress on their blog Maineiacs In Motion.

Speaking of winter storms, we down here in Lower Alabama dodged another bullet.  This huge storm moving from west to east passed over us with only a few thunder showers that lasted a couple of hours.  It was overcast for most of the day yesterday, but the temperatures stayed in the high 60’s.  However, the storm did leave cooler weather behind as it passed over with temps in the high 40’s for today.  At least we’re not shoveling any “Partly Cloudy” out of our driveways.

Judy and I finished off yesterday by going to the Social Hour, having dinner, and watching some television.  I couldn’t seem to get to sleep last night so I got up and watched The Joy Of Painting with Bob Ross which was on at 11:30.  I finally dozed off around one o’clock.

What’s up for today?  Not sure but we’ll think of something – we don’t lack for things to do.  If you’re bored while here at Rainbow Plantation then it’s your fault.  We have fifty some odds events going on every week at the clubhouse plus the Ol’ Ta Do List.

Take Care Until Next Time - - - - -   

Early Start, Late Entry

Wow, here it is 2:30 in the afternoon and I’m just getting around to doing the journal entry.  “Didcha sleep in?”, you may query.  Nope, actually we got an early start on the day.  We arose and decided to get out of the house real early to go to Uncle Wally’s so we could replenish the larder before our other activities kicked in. 

We managed to get home and unload the truck just in time for me to get to my painting class.  Here’s the start of my next painting.

There’s a “Quiet Little Lake” in front of the mountains and a “Happy Little Tree” growing up on the right side of the picture – can you see it?  Probably some clouds will show up along with a lot more trees growing on the mountains and around the lake.  Maybe a cabin will locate itself in the painting as well.  We’ll just have to see what else crops up as the painting progresses.   

By the time I returned from painting, it was time for lunch and then a nap snuck up and hit me behind the head.  So here we sit at 2:30 in the afternoon with the wind blowing and the weather threatening a real downpour.  I thinks me just might go to my Nook and read while Judy is playing on her ‘puter and watching Dr. Oz.

So that’s it for now, see ya tomorrow (morning, I hope).