tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66144998223091147922024-03-27T01:12:33.741-05:00Wandering AmericaDarrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.comBlogger924125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-35822233287792014732013-08-22T09:12:00.001-05:002013-08-22T09:22:05.928-05:00Wrapping It All Up<p>Well, this is it.  We have finished our 2013 Loop of visiting and sightseeing.  Now we’re onto our new life at Rainbow Plantation.  We’ll be making decisions about whether or not to build a small house, finishing Judy’s Shed for her crafting, a little landscaping here and there, and what our future travels will look like.  We are looking for a small motorhome that will enable us to travel the “back roads” and do short trips from Summerdale.</p> <p>When we last posted we were in Holly, Michigan building a bridge over the Pond Koi (the goldfish pond).  From there we headed north to Petoskey, Michigan to visit with John and Della (Judy’s brother).  Other than purchase some fresh produce and a whole bunch of steaks at our favorite butcher’s, we didn’t do anything special.  </p> <p>Next it was off to Mecosta, Michigan for a week and a half stay at Ray and Pat’s.  We had the U joints replaced in the truck and then did a couple of visits with our son in Grand Rapids.  Brian wanted to go to the beach and Judy and I were due for a beach fix so we drove over to Grand Haven to walk out to the lighthouse.</p> <p>We found a parking spot in the Park right at the foot of Main Street and began hoofing our way out to the lighthouse.  This flower garden was along the way, Judy loves her flowers.  We’ll have to work on getting one established on our lot at Rainbow Plantation.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-64cClWt6RyU/UhYb9EmtXZI/AAAAAAAAIr8/Ir2mhoCeKBs/s1600-h/DSCF0266%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0266" border="0" alt="DSCF0266" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qlBpqDO3Lv4/UhYb9xTXaLI/AAAAAAAAIsE/y0v_RMdr-xw/DSCF0266_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="339" /></a></p> <p>Grand Haven is Coast Guard town U.S.A..  Each year, on August 4th, there is a big celebration on the birthday of the U. S. Coast Guard.  Here are some photos of the Coast Guard Station at Grand Haven.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TNDF71b9feM/UhYb-ciOJDI/AAAAAAAAIsM/uioSXSBNMBg/s1600-h/DSCF0259%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0259" border="0" alt="DSCF0259" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mC4RYzzKxZI/UhYb_PE0rQI/AAAAAAAAIsU/6SJLYwjD-vo/DSCF0259_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="339" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4EI7H8_DAl8/UhYb_jw4aGI/AAAAAAAAIsc/eYnh0795W7Q/s1600-h/DSCF0260%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0260" border="0" alt="DSCF0260" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2q8r-YWqk7o/UhYcAFYEz0I/AAAAAAAAIsk/eK1xfjeoYPI/DSCF0260_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="339" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-op7WO6zY0so/UhYcBJE4eqI/AAAAAAAAIss/TMCWJ9jurns/s1600-h/DSCF0261%25255B20%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0261" border="0" alt="DSCF0261" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Z3PETS8eguk/UhYcBv2mD2I/AAAAAAAAIs0/Pl0zCxSriDQ/DSCF0261_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="375" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8aAFlaVOBc0/UhYcCcOm1uI/AAAAAAAAIs8/yRTulTAKi6A/s1600-h/DSCF0257%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0257" border="0" alt="DSCF0257" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YrUjS5P3H9Q/UhYcC5elSSI/AAAAAAAAItE/Blitw7VRZB0/DSCF0257_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="374" /></a></p> <p>The causeway to the lighthouse runs right next to the State Park.  The park was packed with RVs parked right on the shoreline.  We didn’t think to snap any pictures of the campground, but here are a couple along the causeway.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-K_5Y49bjqIU/UhYcDp6GeHI/AAAAAAAAItM/SWTzYGft8kA/s1600-h/DSCF0248%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0248" border="0" alt="DSCF0248" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pXTG5HEpZQo/UhYcER1H9YI/AAAAAAAAItU/HVo8XAvrfaA/DSCF0248_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="339" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R0qFZUMupP8/UhYcE4IaBjI/AAAAAAAAItc/ZuOw6Bp4Y5A/s1600-h/DSCF0253%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0253" border="0" alt="DSCF0253" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qAKjYKRlPp8/UhYcFi-TGLI/AAAAAAAAItk/1qmfHwJBfwk/DSCF0253_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="341" /></a></p> <p>On our way back we encountered this ketch making its way out to sea (or should we say out to lake?).</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3Q_LJ_oqUZM/UhYcGG1mrlI/AAAAAAAAIts/YlD1oIc5GAI/s1600-h/DSCF0265%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0265" border="0" alt="DSCF0265" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ATxBZYMtR3I/UhYcGsS_TTI/AAAAAAAAIt0/C8bwQ4Anfl4/DSCF0265_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="339" /></a></p> <p>And, here is a picture of Mom and Dad with our oldest son, Brian.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ge7pSAuHEvY/UhYcHR1J0nI/AAAAAAAAIt4/upDp0MjCNh8/s1600-h/DSCF0263%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0263" border="0" alt="DSCF0263" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3uqhdBhH12Q/UhYcHzIQlOI/AAAAAAAAIuA/-3j9VIVIx3g/DSCF0263_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="339" /></a></p> <p>My back began acting up a couple of days before we were to leave, but we packed up the house and headed out anyway.  We drove south to Don and Gloria’s in Kokomo, Indiana where we spent a couple of days at the fairgrounds.  While in Kokomo we visited the Automobile Museum.  I limped along in much pain, but the tour was well worth it.  We were surprised at the role Kokomo played in the early days of automobile manufacturing.  </p> <p>From Kokomo we continued south to Grandma’s RV Park in Shepherdsville, Kentucky where we met up with Norm and Linda.  They had their granddaughter, Lily, with them; a cute precocious little four year old (and she’s real good at being four).  The five of us went to El Napol Mexican Restaurant for a mighty fine meal.  It was good to see our neighbors again; they were heading home to Rainbow Plantation on Friday.</p> <p>Next on the agenda was a munchkin fix in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.  We stay at Cedars of Lebanon State Park while in the area (it’s nine miles from Matt and Jackie’s house).  The agenda was soccer practice and soccer games.  Here’s the team!!!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UcFdOJ8pN2U/UhYcIjUCVFI/AAAAAAAAIuM/PjhnXT_L-gI/s1600-h/DSCF0291%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0291" border="0" alt="DSCF0291" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iVxksg399c8/UhYcJbinSFI/AAAAAAAAIuU/mfBvqVc_J0w/DSCF0291_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="339" /></a></p> <p>And here’s the star player!!!  (Grandpas tend to be bias)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J55X6-NNrCE/UhYcJ4gm_BI/AAAAAAAAIuc/bf5pYwenJTg/s1600-h/DSCF0278%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0278" border="0" alt="DSCF0278" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5TnGUuecQZU/UhYcKQiIU9I/AAAAAAAAIuk/-FXH5reOOPE/DSCF0278_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="339" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ugCsuC2pVrs/UhYcKy03oiI/AAAAAAAAIus/KBUvVZSyjIU/s1600-h/DSCF0283%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0283" border="0" alt="DSCF0283" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tFSV65vpyOI/UhYcLiDUl1I/AAAAAAAAIu0/yq5wyOOx-4o/DSCF0283_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="339" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EgzAlsgVWEE/UhYcMBgHxkI/AAAAAAAAIu8/wTXJ2AVRk8M/s1600-h/DSCF0290%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0290" border="0" alt="DSCF0290" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fHzkvd5ALNg/UhYcM2SCpHI/AAAAAAAAIvE/sK7z48PlNa0/DSCF0290_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="339" /></a></p> <p>And, we’d be remiss if we didn’t include a picture of the support team – Radek and Catia!!!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fJPBlU_81sU/UhYcNS4CiNI/AAAAAAAAIvM/iTGQC8jZvvY/s1600-h/DSCF0297%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0297" border="0" alt="DSCF0297" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XUEih4WgoDw/UhYcOFCOwLI/AAAAAAAAIvU/oI7rjOMijZo/DSCF0297_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="251" height="374" /></a></p> <p>Saturday evening we worshipped at World Outreach Church and Sunday morning we attended the Armchair Church to worship at COTES (Church on the Eastern Shore).  Armchair Church is where we stay home in our recliners and watch the service on the internet.</p> <p>COTES is no longer COTES.  The name has been changed to reflect the ministries of our church.  It is now 3 Circles Church.  Acts 1:8 commands us to spread the Gospel in Jerusalem (Locally), Samaria (Regionally), and to the Ends Of The Earth (Globally).  Those are the three circles of influence of our church.  We have the main campus in Fairhope where we provide for the needs of the community through evangelism, medical support, counseling, and discipleship.  We also reach out to the regional area by establishing multiple campuses.  And lastly we have established ministries in Bethlehem, Haiti, Honduras, Costa Rica, and several other locations around the world not to mention the missionaries that the church supports as well.  So the new name better fits the mission of our church as we follow Jesus’ command. </p> <p>Monday we took the plunge and drove the entire eight and a half hours back to Rainbow Plantation.  Fortunately my back didn’t act up too badly while driving.  It bothers me the most when I’m standing – I can sit or I can walk (for a ways), but I cannot stand for more than five minutes before the pain becomes unbearable.  I’m going to give it the rest of the week and if it doesn’t get better, then it’s off to see the “saw bones”.  Anyway, here’s our “Welcome Home Guys” picture.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-af7ILlhpjy4/UhYcOniXkHI/AAAAAAAAIvc/Stj2bCi1-6I/s1600-h/DSCF0300%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0300" border="0" alt="DSCF0300" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-myVqMVfdT4E/UhYcPRxlZNI/AAAAAAAAIvk/zZUpCjA09hg/DSCF0300_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="339" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uFuLDKHnuTo/UhYcP8okPOI/AAAAAAAAIvs/ewmJO-ancBo/s1600-h/DSCF0301%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0301" border="0" alt="DSCF0301" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_pLntHsUlrw/UhYcQp2bRKI/AAAAAAAAIv0/Xq55HyrOEz4/DSCF0301_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="228" height="339" /></a></p> <p>Well, there you have it.  Our travels for 2013.  We have no further traveling plans for this year, however, we may attend a rally in late October, who knows.  We know that we’ll most likely be in Murfreesboro for Christmas, but will probably not take the RV.</p> <p>It was back in the fall of 2003 when we first started talking about fulltime RVing.  In July of 2006 we sold our home and moved into our custom built Cedar Creek fifthwheel.  The following October we took to the roads and have been traveling ever since.  Our travels did not turn out the way we had anticipated in that we are a family centered couple.  Therefore, we spent most of our summers traveling “up north” to visit kids, grandkids, and close relatives.  That didn’t leave us enough time or money to venture out west the way we’d planned.  But, even still, we are satisfied with our ability to see family more often than we ever did while w*rking for a living.</p> <p>We will continue to travel in the future and still hope to make some trips out west, but it will be in the “vacation mode”; that is, no more than a four to six weeks at a time.  We plan to break “the loop” up into two trips, probably one to Michigan in the spring and one to Maine in the fall.  Hopefully we’ll get one more trip squeezed into the matrix in order to take in some of the beauty out west; only time will tell.  In any even, that’s it for Wandering America – I hereby surrender my quill.</p> <p><font size="4"><em><strong>May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love<sup></sup> of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. </strong><font size="2">(2 Cor 13.13)  </font></em></font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-25739704729329665942013-07-29T18:30:00.001-05:002013-07-29T18:30:55.420-05:00The “Bridge Over The River Kwai”<p>Well, maybe, the “Bridge Over The Pond Koi” in that there is no river.  In further thinking about it, it’s actually the “Bridge Over The Goldfish Pond” as there are no Koi fish in the pond either.  Here’s the background.</p> <p>Warren and Shirley have built a nice patio deck with a pavilion over it next to their gold fish pond in the backyard.  A couple years ago, Warren was talking about building a bridge across the pond.  Last year, when he mentioned it again, I told him that we’d spend an extra day or two at their place this year so I could help him build the bridge.  So he purchased a couple of treated 2 x 12s by 20 feet long and some five-quarter decking boards last fall to let them cure in his barn over the winter months.</p> <p>The first thing we had to do was cut a sixteen foot arch out of the 2 x 12s.  Then we glued and screwed the cut out portions to the top the 2 x 12s which provided the arched beams for the bridge.  After some reinforcements were added, we hoisted the bridge frame over the pond, squared it up, and leveled it off.  Once the beams were secured, we began installing the decking boards.  Viola, the “Bridge Over The Goldfish Pond”.  Another fun project behind us.  By the way, the bridge is twenty-two feet long. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fiIUxjW4dco/Ufb7I5AgXFI/AAAAAAAAIrE/C_62UzHb0ls/s1600-h/DSCF0218%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0218" border="0" alt="DSCF0218" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_4tkprHN7gA/Ufb7JTxYcHI/AAAAAAAAIrM/t4IyE_KpRNU/DSCF0218_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="473" height="317" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LrfO92fptQY/Ufb7J_ma_ZI/AAAAAAAAIrU/_iyYfOGgDmk/s1600-h/DSCF0224%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0224" border="0" alt="DSCF0224" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9NigQhYm2TA/Ufb7KafVPjI/AAAAAAAAIrc/mdrkTGghCwM/DSCF0224_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="473" height="316" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Q-mMRCWqK7k/Ufb7K1UHUcI/AAAAAAAAIrk/XhD6Odi_vB4/s1600-h/DSCF0221%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0221" border="0" alt="DSCF0221" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wRQSY5Xo0u0/Ufb7LsP1XqI/AAAAAAAAIrs/Tw7ntSqdkBA/DSCF0221_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="473" height="316" /></a></p> <p>Now we find ourselves planted at Magnus Park in Petoskey, Michigan.  This is where we set up camp last summer while we workamped at Hearthside Luxury RV Resort.  We’ll be here for several days while we get our fangs sharpened (our dentist is in this area) and visit with Judy’s Brother, John, and his wife, Della.  We were supposed to get a site next to the water, but somehow we got bumped.  But, there aren’t any really bad sites here when it comes to proximity to the water.  This is a small RV Park (75 sites) and the area next to the water is open to everyone so every site has access to the shore front.</p> <p>It was another uneventful travel day with us arriving before two PM.  After setting up the rig, we ventured out to get something “tweat”.  Applebee’s 2 for $20 filled the bill and, as luck would have it, Monday is draft beer for a buck and quarter day – why that’s cheaper than “pop” (as they call it in Michigan).   The meals were good and filled the bill considering we had only dined on two pieces of toast for breakfast somewhere around eight o’clock.</p> <p>Next, after getting home from stuffing our faces, we took a hike about the park and sat on the beach for awhile.  That has to be right at the top of our favorite things to do.  We’ll be carrying our lawn chairs, Nooks, and a beverage of choice to the beach a couple of times while we’re here.  Why go sightseeing when there’s a beautiful bay to sit on and enjoy the ambiance of the waves washing ashore and the seagulls squawking in the background.</p> <p><font size="4"><em><strong>The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love<sup></sup> of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. </strong> <font size="2">(2 Cor 13.13)</font></em></font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-27172879818649845042013-07-24T18:10:00.001-05:002013-07-24T18:10:40.991-05:00Amish Country Ohio Style<p>It was over the river and through the woods to Scenic Hills RV Park we went.  Actually, it was over many rivers and through a lot of woods.  We, also, experienced that “Pennsylvania Appalachian Mountain High” (how about that, John Denver?) as we passed over the highest point on I-80 East around mile marker 110 in Pennsylvania (2250 feet above sea level).  It began raining just before we hit Akron and it continued to drizzle as we passed through Canton (“Hi” National Football Hall of Fame), made our way across route 39, and “set up camp” at Scenic Hills.  Then it burst forth with pouring down rain.  </p> <p>The rain didn’t stop us though. “Feed Me” showed up so we backtracked a few miles to the Der Dutchman Restaurant in Walnut Creek. The Special Of The Day was smothered chicken with two sides and butterscotch pudding. They use nothing but the finest Amish grown chicken that is fed NO preservatives or by-products. Along with the chicken, we had “smashed” taters with gravy, green beans, and Amish stuffing with gravy. Everything was ummm, ummm good.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J-oTV9vWZZw/UfBefdkvsrI/AAAAAAAAIl8/E7mZXWuh0n4/s1600-h/DSCF0171%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0171" border="0" alt="DSCF0171" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7zmTHH1_S38/UfBegPnZzKI/AAAAAAAAImE/NSZddHTYF8o/DSCF0171_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="307" /></a></p> <p>Here’s our site at Scenic Hills and Judy’s sign.  She just had to have a picture of this sign – quite appropriate for Amish country.  By the way, you can “double click” any picture to see it in full size.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-c0QW6A94khY/UfBehWl9dwI/AAAAAAAAImM/MrQM2wfzhIU/s1600-h/DSCF0216%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0216" border="0" alt="DSCF0216" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LkniaKL3rh4/UfBeh_ULlZI/AAAAAAAAImU/ueoND1NzysA/DSCF0216_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ouMUzYVh63E/UfBei-MS4zI/AAAAAAAAImc/eSp4bCaEq28/s1600-h/DSCF0178%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0178" border="0" alt="DSCF0178" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-B_AuAjcJAtg/UfBejglqXuI/AAAAAAAAImk/o4qNbzusXR0/DSCF0178_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a></p> <p>Our Monday outing was to Miller’s Fabric, Keim’s Hardware, Lehman’s, and Heini Cheese.  While Judy looked around in Miller’s Fabric, I walked down the street to a market to get some freshly squeezed coffee and then I walked back and sat in the Amish rockers on the front porch to watch the cars go by.  Judy found some fabric and a pattern that seemed to make their way to the truck.  Keim  Hardware was impressive, but we didn’t have need of anything in there, however, we “poked” around in there for awhile.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ns9R38HBfDI/UfBekRYPFGI/AAAAAAAAIms/_2VH0fsy5es/s1600-h/DSCF01794.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0179" border="0" alt="DSCF0179" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q7Eb0AxsXdg/UfBek7PRpnI/AAAAAAAAIm0/FX5jJUS0_6A/DSCF0179_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BtRp85aV1Mg/UfBemQk7N2I/AAAAAAAAIm8/rI5m8eoKBVY/s1600-h/DSCF01834.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0183" border="0" alt="DSCF0183" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hhR4yw6N3Q0/UfBemyR_7ZI/AAAAAAAAInE/T206434WQHE/DSCF0183_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a></p> <p>Then we headed north to Kidron, Ohio which is home to Lehman’s which is an old fashioned type of hardware / houseware kind of place.  A meat tenderize (hammer type) and a bag of Amish popping corn left with us.  Keim’s was an impressive hardware store, but Lehman’s was a lot more fun.  Lastly, we stopped at Heini Cheese factory where you can spend time testing the wares before making a purchase.  We bought some garlic cheddar cheese and some teriyaki beef sticks.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uajdNO42DlQ/UfBenkYSZHI/AAAAAAAAInM/VWszdD04YoY/s1600-h/DSCF01874.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0187" border="0" alt="DSCF0187" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O4PQoU1PhC4/UfBeoWK9o-I/AAAAAAAAInQ/5G__IwmK9QU/DSCF0187_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NHcKxyDktCY/UfBepbnWTvI/AAAAAAAAInc/GvqBybPSji8/s1600-h/DSCF01854.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0185" border="0" alt="DSCF0185" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jQ1zHLOsOwA/UfBeqBx-lgI/AAAAAAAAInk/yr1uOGTA3ls/DSCF0185_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a></p> <p>On our way home we stopped at Troyer’s Market for a loaf Amish bread to make some turkey sandwiches.  Three and a half hours was enough for one day – a sandwich, a nap, and some reading rounded out the afternoon.  </p> <p>On Tuesday we got an early start and made our way back to Der Dutchman for some cream sticks that were highly recommended by <a href="http://here4now.typepad.com/">Paul and Margery</a>.  They were right, the cream sticks were scrumptious.  We journeyed across the street to The Carlisle gift shop.  This is a unique building, both inside and out.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Dem93MfDrVo/UfBeq6GVpeI/AAAAAAAAIns/boFsbpj7-X4/s1600-h/DSCF01724.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0172" border="0" alt="DSCF0172" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4EDkC-_7cHA/UfBerg9PDoI/AAAAAAAAIn0/Uf_p9CXUgqs/DSCF0172_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JW8cJo4_LCw/UfBesbErZJI/AAAAAAAAIn8/WFd5fl4VpfI/s1600-h/DSCF01914.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0191" border="0" alt="DSCF0191" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5uxnYZn-IbQ/UfBes0-VZFI/AAAAAAAAIoE/YH6OKvICdeg/DSCF0191_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a></p> <p>Being in Amish country, we wanted to see some of the Amish farmland so we drove the back roads to Sugarcreek.  Here’s what we found.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WnwrlqzEUpg/UfBetm05RyI/AAAAAAAAIoM/cy3Pfdm89cg/s1600-h/DSCF0174%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0174" border="0" alt="DSCF0174" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nEa9dbFf_VA/UfBeuE6v_SI/AAAAAAAAIoU/J7A-S1PLKSI/DSCF0174_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ojH_0-Og77o/UfBevN7sm2I/AAAAAAAAIoc/bdWea4Mf7jI/s1600-h/DSCF0175%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0175" border="0" alt="DSCF0175" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3Jq8y6d_M-Y/UfBevjCoW9I/AAAAAAAAIok/2c2nRFfpWoo/DSCF0175_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ytoG1Ay3XsQ/UfBewVRFWCI/AAAAAAAAIos/z2yOTDyhKYQ/s1600-h/DSCF01884.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0188" border="0" alt="DSCF0188" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CRR3Nu0NTmU/UfBexNH13PI/AAAAAAAAIo0/WlsiWCt5PH0/DSCF0188_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TaZoLR5aOy8/UfBexvbqLbI/AAAAAAAAIo8/KS8FJUtwLYA/s1600-h/DSCF0194%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0194" border="0" alt="DSCF0194" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4AB_c2Nu_cc/UfBeyZB-8cI/AAAAAAAAIpE/_UEA-bOTq88/DSCF0194_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4Rz1iIPwegI/UfBezMoMa4I/AAAAAAAAIpM/Jr37UA911tM/s1600-h/DSCF01984.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0198" border="0" alt="DSCF0198" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1YHYxOae4bA/UfBeznZ8sWI/AAAAAAAAIpU/wZ70BMbDXLo/DSCF0198_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ox4kNYKvKf8/UfBe0VBgO_I/AAAAAAAAIpc/oIynlwqAPdI/s1600-h/DSCF0201%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0201" border="0" alt="DSCF0201" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Dr1mmHV6sRY/UfBe05rThOI/AAAAAAAAIpk/fGk4vRzobQ8/DSCF0201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a></p> <p>Sugarcreek is a cute little village with a Swiss influence.  The highlight of the village is the time piece in the center of town.  On the half hour a band comes out of the Cuckoo style house and plays a number while the couple on the left dance.  Once they finish, they all go back inside the huge clock.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l6lHMLgNKpU/UfBe1nztNPI/AAAAAAAAIps/hiseoPns6kg/s1600-h/DSCF0207%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0207" border="0" alt="DSCF0207" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7kylC-RlxAM/UfBe2FELrZI/AAAAAAAAIp0/gPNfQWrxnFY/DSCF0207_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AqH-FOi8e0M/UfBe2_f-3cI/AAAAAAAAIp8/6CuxeuXJqSM/s1600-h/DSCF02044.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0204" border="0" alt="DSCF0204" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vAvyT0A5F7Q/UfBe3YHFzAI/AAAAAAAAIqE/ROdgfpculYc/DSCF0204_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a></p> <p>On our way back home, we stopped at the Coblentz Chocolate Company to get something for our “sweet tooth” and Walnut Creek Cheese, another huge emporium with tons of stuff; similar to Lehman’s only on a slightly smaller scale.  There’s also a grocery store in there so we purchased a couple boneless pork chops, some fresh mushrooms, and a gravy mix for our dinner.  We had planned to go to Chalet in the Hills for some Jaegerschnitzel, but I decided that I would make our own and I must say, it was scrumptious and a whole lot cheaper.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fknvd7SgZ1M/UfBe4A-auWI/AAAAAAAAIqM/Agkm2L_1w-M/s1600-h/DSCF02114.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0211" border="0" alt="DSCF0211" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7RHwh5SYDtw/UfBe4nsGR7I/AAAAAAAAIqU/UM7RVtyUKR4/DSCF0211_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RX-Pv6Wj7_U/UfBe5kq-CEI/AAAAAAAAIqc/nGoakxHwoZU/s1600-h/DSCF01924.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0192" border="0" alt="DSCF0192" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cnTdmkil4AE/UfBe6QNf0dI/AAAAAAAAIqk/yy6d2gAjRQk/DSCF0192_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a></p> <p>Now here’s something that you don’t see everyday.  It’s a mother deer nursing her lamb.  I took this picture in the field that was right across the road from our campsite.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MrH2vs5j8Ss/UfBe7OEEPaI/AAAAAAAAIqs/ggz0MVQomlE/s1600-h/DSCF0170%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0170" border="0" alt="DSCF0170" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ca_BItAU_w8/UfBe73F4GrI/AAAAAAAAIq0/Msrhuz2zTHo/DSCF0170_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="343" /></a></p> <p align="left">So we’ve been good little tourists and visited lots of shops, spent some money, and took lots of pictures.  The economy here in Holmes county, Ohio is a little healthier.  Now it’s onto Judy’s sister’s in Holly, Michigan.</p> <p><font size="4"><strong><em>May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. <font size="2">(I Thessalonians 5:28)</font></em></strong></font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-26520355589069183372013-07-20T07:59:00.001-05:002013-07-20T13:27:18.112-05:00The Rileys Of Connecticut<p>My mom was one of ten children (actually eleven but one died in infancy) of Frank and Mildred Riley of Monroe, Maine.  The Riley Clan, generally speaking, was a close knit family.  During the period of my adolescence there would be annual family gatherings.  Early on the gatherings would take place on the beaches of Lake Saint George.  In the later years they would be held at my G’Pa and G’ma’s home at City Point (or Head of the Tide) in Belfast.</p> <p>Now you can only imagine the amount of people with a family of ten children and all their offspring coming together:  <u>Bernice</u> (Bunny) and Alton with 2 kids, <u>Adah</u> and Ralph with 3 kids, <u>Edna</u> and Tom with 9 kids, <u>Clyde</u> and Marge with 4 kids, <u>Fred</u> and Ioma with 3 kids, <u>Doris</u> and George with their 2 brats (that be us), <u>Eunice</u> and Dale with 2 kids, <u>Walter</u> and Bobbi with 3 kids, <u>Howard</u> and June with 4 kids, and <u>Lewis </u>and Carlene with 3 kids.  Add that all up and their would be over 55 people if everyone showed up.  Wow, that meant a lot of little Indians (Rileys) running loose.  What could possibly go wrong with that?  </p> <p>Now, leap forward to November and the traditional family Thanksgiving meal.  Can you imagine having that tribe holed up in your house for a huge feast.  Throw in a couple of katts and a dawg for good measure and I’m surprised that that house ever survived the attack.  There would be people eating at tables, eating on the floor, sitting on the “what not” shelf, sitting in every conceivable position in the living room, and, don’t hold me to it, but I think Grandma Riley used to eat in the bathroom with the door closed while sitting on the throne and praying for her sanity to return.  I think I begin to see why the family gatherings began to ebb away to a final end.</p> <p>Anyway, after all of that introduction, we engaged, once again, in a Riley Family reunion.  This time it was with the Clyde Riley family in Litchfield, Connecticut.  Tim with his children Ellen and Mike, Cheryl and John, Rob and Bonnie and Rob’s son Eric (his son Chris couldn’t make it), Glenn and Ann Marie with their two sons Brett and Scott, and, of course, Aunt Marge.  The event was a going away gathering for Tim’s son Mike who graduated from high school this year and is going on a two year mission trip.  Judy and I were on hand to ensure that mayhem didn’t breakout, but you can be sure that if more than two Rileys gather together for more than five minutes mayhem will breakout and it did.  What fun to be there with The Rileys Of Connecticut.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QxFM4-X8jJc/UeqJt-r2J8I/AAAAAAAAIlU/-jJinBM-NOI/s1600-h/DSCF01614.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0161" border="0" alt="DSCF0161" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MNjm0jULcW4/UeqJutwsVgI/AAAAAAAAIlc/SBHv-dqmpyg/DSCF0161_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="257" /></a></p> <p align="center">Ann Marie, Judy, Cheryl, Bonnie, Ellen, Marge   </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U_7aT2YPMdA/UeqJvCbVliI/AAAAAAAAIlk/yf7XxXtNy5w/s1600-h/DSCF01664.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0166" border="0" alt="DSCF0166" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z0hEYpfaT4M/UeqJv5Xn3YI/AAAAAAAAIls/svZ90jwG4Lg/DSCF0166_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="257" /></a></p> <p align="center">Scott, Mike, Rob, Me, Glenn, John, Tim, Brett, Eric</p> <p>What’s next, Mrs. Landingham?  Tomorrow we’re heading for Amish Country with a one night stop over in Pennsylvania, but first we have to endure a cold front moving through the area later today which could spell some vicious thunder storms.  Oh well, what will be, will be.  It certainly has been hot for the New Englanders – pretty much the same weather that we left in Alabama a little over a month ago.  They will welcome the relief from the heat wave of 2013.</p> <p><font size="4"><strong><em>May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. <font size="2">(I Thessalonians 5:28)</font></em></strong></font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-23923358686981215062013-07-19T14:58:00.001-05:002013-07-19T15:02:17.677-05:00Visiting Litchfield, Connecticut<p>Litchfield, Connecticut is a quintessential New England borough located in the upper northwestern part of the state. It was founded in 1719 and grew to be an industrial town.  During the American Revolution it became an important center for the Army Commissariat.  </p> <p>It was during the period following the Revolution that many of the fine colonial houses were remodeled and expanded.  Many of the lovely federal houses were built within the Borough and nearby villages assuming their present format.  Most of the industry is all gone today, but Litchfield is still known as one of the prettiest places in the Country to reside. </p> <p>We didn’t do a tour of any of the historical houses (of which there are many) as it was just plain too hot, maybe next time.  However, here are some photos of downtown Litchfield which is a pretty little town (or borough as they call it) built around a nice shady park where we tended to hang out to escape the heat.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AU9CTmRWDG0/UemaKxtll3I/AAAAAAAAIf8/vAw4KIDUICc/s1600-h/DSCF01149.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0114" border="0" alt="DSCF0114" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fvUwtRzI1Ww/UemaLnFGKUI/AAAAAAAAIgE/gBOCMqEsp-0/DSCF0114_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="288" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4kRDfd9vFck/UemaMJY9IRI/AAAAAAAAIgM/7aCU-WynUkM/s1600-h/DSCF01175.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0117" border="0" alt="DSCF0117" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c-dOS0EtvMQ/UemaMjQYpuI/AAAAAAAAIgU/ZzPUuXNplRQ/DSCF0117_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="218" height="288" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9UJMGuwWhCs/UemaNFK-21I/AAAAAAAAIgc/O5CouoiTw8A/s1600-h/DSCF01245.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0124" border="0" alt="DSCF0124" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8TygGM1gmGQ/UemaNqq7v5I/AAAAAAAAIgk/vdIdAGeM1CU/DSCF0124_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="216" height="288" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9gHnN1Ds4XI/UemaOFqHS9I/AAAAAAAAIgs/t698cn4sHm4/s1600-h/DSCF01224.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0122" border="0" alt="DSCF0122" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6tBafydWmFs/UemaOoRbkrI/AAAAAAAAIg0/1dC-0sXX3mc/DSCF0122_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="288" /></a></p> <p><b>Tapping Reeve</b> (October 1, 1744 – December 13, 1823) was an American lawyer and law educator. He opened the Litchfield Law School in Litchfield, Connecticut, the first school to offer a comprehensive legal curriculum in the United States.  He later became the Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court.</p> <p>The Litchfield Law School was established in 1784.  By the time the school closed in 1833, over 1,100 young men from throughout the country had attended, many of whom went on to have significant influence on political, economic, and legal development of the United States during the antebellum period. </p> <p>The influence of the Law School students on American politics is largely unknown. Two students went on to become Vice-President, Aaron Burr and John C. Calhoun; three students sat on the Supreme Court of the United States; six served as U.S. Cabinet members; ninety-seven students, more than 10%, later served in the United States House of Representatives and twenty-eight were United States Senators. </p> <p>These alumni played major roles in every important national political issue of the pre-Civil War period. At the state level, 15 alumni were elected governors of states and territories. Large numbers served as state senators and representatives and many were city and county office holders. Others became prominent in fields such as education, religion and the arts.  And now you know why there are so many lawyers in Washington – it’s all Litchfield’s fault.  The pictures below are of the Reeve’s Home, The School, and the Classroom.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bPjVeTz63FU/UemaPMCkghI/AAAAAAAAIg8/aI5vMM8AnDA/s1600-h/DSCF010610.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0106" border="0" alt="DSCF0106" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dF-zEwYM0bA/UemaPjjAITI/AAAAAAAAIhE/-T9I1SwCtf8/DSCF0106_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="478" height="323" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I8xeTVwy-gA/UemaQCl7AvI/AAAAAAAAIhM/vFnaObE4YOc/s1600-h/DSCF01079.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0107" border="0" alt="DSCF0107" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TdvNUbVJJfQ/UemaQtonYBI/AAAAAAAAIhU/mBzG1mNzQwc/DSCF0107_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="478" height="322" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-z5x283hyGXY/UemaRJLeeJI/AAAAAAAAIhc/tzwzlB1ip5A/s1600-h/DSCF01089.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0108" border="0" alt="DSCF0108" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AiUE15so-nA/UemaRj7bqMI/AAAAAAAAIhk/AReKTycDtOo/DSCF0108_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="478" height="321" /></a></p> <p>The Shrine of Lourdes in Litchfield was constructed 50 years ago fashioned as a replica of the Lourdes Grotto in France. It is located on 170 acres of wooded land. The Grotto is complimented by a newly renovated and restored Way of the Cross that winds its way through the hillside overlooking the grotto. Shrines to St. Joseph and St. Jude help make this a inspirational place of prayer. The Shrine has been a ministry of the Montfort Missionaries since 1958. This is a place of prayer, peace and celebration for all people.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-r-NNn_CLQd8/UemaSJV2gbI/AAAAAAAAIkQ/xEWVlCayn3I/s1600-h/DSCF0125%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0125" border="0" alt="DSCF0125" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lXU6lz70mmM/UemaStPwkrI/AAAAAAAAIkY/3uPeqCqwru0/DSCF0125_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="234" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y7haKDVePsY/UemaTLaNlbI/AAAAAAAAIkg/FQX5q4o7zrg/s1600-h/DSCF0126%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0126" border="0" alt="DSCF0126" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ySFXgR7pnoY/UemaTqzAiKI/AAAAAAAAIko/yvTVXk7sauw/DSCF0126_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="234" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4X4Cyxq7KtA/UemaUQjPxsI/AAAAAAAAIkw/lctc0FhY0O8/s1600-h/DSCF0131%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0131" border="0" alt="DSCF0131" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-N4fskHKo-9I/UemaU_iH7WI/AAAAAAAAIk4/nNWBzGxjMYw/DSCF0131_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="233" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4JU-GONU3_U/UemaVpEvccI/AAAAAAAAIlA/BPf2SMjbxW8/s1600-h/DSCF0133%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0133" border="0" alt="DSCF0133" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RNmtnWnmjpQ/UemaWCXVs5I/AAAAAAAAIlI/4KZcvasXrbc/DSCF0133_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="233" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aOyEHV9tI8o/UemaWtAhiMI/AAAAAAAAIis/CbFxefr3Sws/s1600-h/DSCF01367.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0136" border="0" alt="DSCF0136" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6bf2JRtZtxc/UemaXL_zhhI/AAAAAAAAIi0/1wluGQ5DxrU/DSCF0136_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" height="267" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X_cLgbeiJ2s/UemaXia0JYI/AAAAAAAAIi8/lYx2ekVokG0/s1600-h/DSCF014011.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0140" border="0" alt="DSCF0140" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WAZLipVFpwc/UemaYHqqy6I/AAAAAAAAIjE/HxaOd2Jg4XY/DSCF0140_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="206" height="266" /></a></p> <p><font size="4"><strong><em>May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. <font size="2">(I Thessalonians 5:28)</font></em></strong></font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-46959397968334616552013-07-16T17:30:00.001-05:002013-07-16T17:38:15.880-05:00Gunkholing Part II<p>Gunkholing is a strange and little known term. It is used in the nautical world, that loosely describes the act of dipping in and out of small inlets, coves, and rivers that are in shallow water.  Most people think of Gunkholing as a style of cruising local shores.  Boats from kayaks, shallow draft sail and power boats, and catamarans are ideal types of water craft to get into tiny, little known waters.  We like to expand the definition of Gunkholing to encompass interesting places that are off the beaten path and that are accessible by vehicles other than boats.</p> <p>Having expounded on all of that, on Sunday afternoon Mike, Peggy, Judy, and I did some gunkholing in and around Harpswell.  </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kf1dWVBhz1A/UeXJR-SHsrI/AAAAAAAAIc0/0LEJZVhnIps/s1600-h/DSCF0071.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0071" border="0" alt="DSCF0071" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ffrYpCQv30U/UeXJSbJX0rI/AAAAAAAAIc8/dMiVHFhU1Vs/DSCF0071_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="225" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KUdIWDV69oU/UeXJTDtZYvI/AAAAAAAAIdE/fChH1-IEV-Q/s1600-h/DSCF0072.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0072" border="0" alt="DSCF0072" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tfR0WiGSiwc/UeXJThvwxsI/AAAAAAAAIdM/8ZJml-91E4A/DSCF0072_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="225" /></a></p> <p>The highlight of our day was a new find; the Giant Stairs which are located near the end of Bailey’s Island.  Here are the pictures of the stairs and the coastline in that vicinity.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TodsYq0LhVU/UeXLIUblUaI/AAAAAAAAIdU/sF_1eDOEuFE/s1600-h/DSCF0077%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0077" border="0" alt="DSCF0077" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oAndsAtCIgE/UeXLI9KgXFI/AAAAAAAAIdc/nJT1BKc-8wU/DSCF0077_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="224" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Leri2CoxJlo/UeXLJkcAJuI/AAAAAAAAIdk/8z1fzohAhtc/s1600-h/DSCF0078%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0078" border="0" alt="DSCF0078" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EFdcis2tXAk/UeXLKQ-5ItI/AAAAAAAAIds/W4kJe3eb8iM/DSCF0078_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="225" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Cw9lCkWkjGw/UeXLLPfa5TI/AAAAAAAAId0/2SLTl6xYAZU/s1600-h/DSCF0083%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0083" border="0" alt="DSCF0083" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--Ix1xOtfhtI/UeXLLg9ZwSI/AAAAAAAAId4/28DMTTVdzA4/DSCF0083_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="225" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b93L3tfB9tM/UeXLMLWiu0I/AAAAAAAAIeE/mtkg9hL9Tbk/s1600-h/DSCF0080%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0080" border="0" alt="DSCF0080" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ODuE5xudFWs/UeXLMrLUVGI/AAAAAAAAIeM/X9ypTcarGWA/DSCF0080_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="224" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ce_R3q_1eZg/UeXLNSrnupI/AAAAAAAAIeU/l7zy_IfXnXk/s1600-h/DSCF0082%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0082" border="0" alt="DSCF0082" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NibRUY59jVo/UeXLN51sXTI/AAAAAAAAIec/FLSowtlQgO0/DSCF0082_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="225" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CLITXxxvL88/UeXLOsQhOJI/AAAAAAAAIek/HzyD8xhd6tM/s1600-h/DSCF0084%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0084" border="0" alt="DSCF0084" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AQ0A3Efpn7I/UeXLPCNbfCI/AAAAAAAAIes/ryluzFWlPCQ/DSCF0084_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="224" /></a></p> <p>We ended the day at Len’s Fish and Chips for a birthday meal of fried haddock, one of my favorites.  So that pretty much iced my natal day celebrations.  Here’s a birthday picture of the birthday boy and his bride on their outing to the seashore to collect sea shells.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zCIkrfHJcTU/UeXJU48o6jI/AAAAAAAAIbc/14gXeKW8Ubk/s1600-h/DSCF007514.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0075" border="0" alt="DSCF0075" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c3JM8Z-4BhU/UeXJViKaXjI/AAAAAAAAIbk/bjmDGjUqH-s/DSCF0075_thumb11.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="359" /></a></p> <p>Monday was a shopping day to L. L. Bean’s.  We had a coupon that was about to expire plus another seventy dollars worth of coupons.  Judy has been wanting some new bath towels, but she wanted to see them before ordering.  They turned out to be exactly what she wanted so two bath towels, two hand towels, and two wash clothes followed us out of the store.  </p> <p>We did a “drive by” of South Freeport while we were in the area and then made tracks for home.  Mike and Peggy joined us for another dinner together; this time it was an early birthday dinner for Mike since we won’t be there on his real birthday which is Friday.  Judy and I had saved up a couple pounds of Royal Red Shrimps that we steamed and served with melted butter along with some fried rice and asparagus sprinkled with olive oil, garlic salt, and shredded parmesan cheese.  Mike and I shared a blueberry cheesecake birthday cake.  Do we know how to live right or what?</p> <p>Today, Tuesday, I managed to get a hair cut at Pete’s Hair Shop and then we went to breakfast at the Kopper Kettle Café.  Three must do’s whenever we are in the Topsham area is to get an Italian sandwich at Michaud’s Market, get a hair cut at Pete’s, and have at least one breakfast at the Kopper Kettle.  Once our tummies were full and we had that nice warm feeling, we proceeded to pack up the house, hitch up the mule, and head in the southwesterly direction.  Our 2013 season in Maine has come to an end.</p> <p>We are now at Wilderness Lake Campground in Willington, Connecticut.  It’s a nice campground right on a cute little pond.  Actually, they own the land all the way around the pond and there are canoes on the pond for us to use while we’re here.  On top of that, they give a 50% discount for Escapees.  We are going to stay for two nights for a little decompression time.  What does that mean?  I don’t know, but I’m willing to find out.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-63RtSKkLX1M/UeXJWqQqFkI/AAAAAAAAIe0/1M7Pz47UfS8/s1600-h/DSCF0091%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0091" border="0" alt="DSCF0091" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yOjQlYwieCk/UeXJXMxsXpI/AAAAAAAAIe8/yER-5HMZS7I/DSCF0091_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="225" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-f5As841QMQc/UeXJX6nOaWI/AAAAAAAAIfE/q-cZn4TzlQg/s1600-h/DSCF0099%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0099" border="0" alt="DSCF0099" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gcJDyX30Y_E/UeXJYUs8uEI/AAAAAAAAIfM/y1OLd31oPfQ/DSCF0099_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="224" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Em5GWvUDQFY/UeXJZKcK_8I/AAAAAAAAIfU/hWeQNuvFMjo/s1600-h/DSCF0101%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0101" border="0" alt="DSCF0101" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-C_6gvmteIPk/UeXJZ6Ju-RI/AAAAAAAAIfc/NYSTwURPSTM/DSCF0101_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="224" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y4VnWpPEecA/UeXJapSEzTI/AAAAAAAAIfk/wIdwrMSeGrQ/s1600-h/DSCF0102%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0102" border="0" alt="DSCF0102" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0dTFa8kUFBQ/UeXJbC_lYFI/AAAAAAAAIfs/vgFUzlvSx1o/DSCF0102_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="225" /></a></p> <p><font size="4"><strong><em>May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. <font size="2">(I Thessalonians 5:28)</font></em></strong></font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-43192821757205077212013-07-11T13:08:00.001-05:002013-07-11T13:08:38.198-05:00All Good Things Must Come To An End<p>Why?  I don’t know, but it seems that it is so.  It seems like just yesterday we were anxiously awaiting the arrival of all our kids and grand kids to join in with my brother’s kids and grandkids for the first ever Patterson Family Reunion.  And now, just as we knew it would, it has all come to pass and is in the Patterson Legacy History books.  It was a fun time with several get togethers along with some sightseeing trips thrown in.  </p> <p>The weather didn’t fully co-operate in that it started out cool and rainy then snapped over to hot and humid.  Temperatures hit the high nineties for several days in a row with high humidity.  Keep in mind that the average Mainer (or Maineiac, which ever you prefer) doesn’t like anything over seventy-five degrees (actually preferring the high sixties to even that).  </p> <p>Us southerners realized right away that we can tolerate those temps down south because everywhere we go there is air conditioning.  Not so in Maine.  Being frugal, Mainers (or Maineiacs, which ever you prefer) won’t spend money on a contraption that you only use for a few days a year.  Why waste good beer money on something like that?  But, all in all, we made the best of it and enjoyed having everyone sweating together in one place at the same time.  </p> <p>After all of our offspring made it back to their barns and were safely tucked away in their stalls, we, Mike, Shauna, Judy and I, decided to go gunkholing yesterday.  Being a Downeast Mainer (or Maineiac, which ever you prefer), it’s pretty much obligatory that you be intimately familiar with the towns along the coast.  Mike and I realized that we had never visited Owls Head Lighthouse or Port Clyde, Maine; places pretty much in our own backyard.  So we piled into the Subaru, the vehicle of choice for a true Mainer (or Maineiac, which ever you prefer), and pointed our noses in a southwesterly direction making our way along the coastline, through the great metropolis of Rockland, and onto Owls Head.</p> <p>It was an overcast and foggy day, but it made for some interesting pictures.  Here are some pictures from the lobstermen’s docks in Owls Head and from the Owls Head Lighthouse.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BT2xr7iUl80/Ud70UHmYj9I/AAAAAAAAIVs/98kq05jVIHo/s1600-h/DSCF00406.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0040" border="0" alt="DSCF0040" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UUqHtsaR6ZA/Ud70U2gJIpI/AAAAAAAAIV0/oDgEEvOZnsE/DSCF0040_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="241" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kbETQiQvYRY/Ud70VVYwwRI/AAAAAAAAIV8/QlgODTLpH7o/s1600-h/DSCF00376.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0037" border="0" alt="DSCF0037" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z06ekf6kkdQ/Ud70VxCzHwI/AAAAAAAAIWE/zJmMlL-7x-M/DSCF0037_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="241" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-j8vPe77Ego0/Ud70WLKT0dI/AAAAAAAAIWM/pzl4UnR04JI/s1600-h/DSCF00013.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0001" border="0" alt="DSCF0001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xXxqNEI1FTo/Ud70WsKcXZI/AAAAAAAAIWU/YtWu54xegoo/DSCF0001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="240" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SWPHIabS7DU/Ud70XAf-w1I/AAAAAAAAIWc/nDyjfTEA5f0/s1600-h/DSCF00053.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0005" border="0" alt="DSCF0005" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9a9LeLUMxqc/Ud70XhbM0OI/AAAAAAAAIWk/m4I5y4dpYv4/DSCF0005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="241" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Cw8HzTNLFEQ/Ud70YPGpO-I/AAAAAAAAIWo/jWBNYFJXdmg/s1600-h/DSCF00083.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0008" border="0" alt="DSCF0008" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VJsR5RoPpZs/Ud70YvoKQXI/AAAAAAAAIW0/dZGJh2btJzc/DSCF0008_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="241" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aXOi-g2tTIc/Ud70ZO6PG7I/AAAAAAAAIW8/F5CE2u8kiD4/s1600-h/DSCF99836.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9983" border="0" alt="DSCF9983" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_PcJtqCxy1A/Ud70ZvrqYdI/AAAAAAAAIXE/K50otYmkgmU/DSCF9983_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="240" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-trlq5xjCALc/Ud70aJkxt_I/AAAAAAAAIXM/QruW9gQok80/s1600-h/DSCF99866.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9986" border="0" alt="DSCF9986" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/---WTpMK5OsE/Ud70avtJJhI/AAAAAAAAIXU/IwtPFDolas4/DSCF9986_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="241" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xmulr6nLsZA/Ud70bNeXbzI/AAAAAAAAIXc/BmwDeDbpJuw/s1600-h/DSCF99886.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9988" border="0" alt="DSCF9988" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ggja1Kk_4Ic/Ud70bv7WCBI/AAAAAAAAIXk/FV9ak3O5j4g/DSCF9988_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="241" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m9NadsBbe9s/Ud70cFDoBAI/AAAAAAAAIXs/Whe9KWGB1ek/s1600-h/DSCF99998.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9999" border="0" alt="DSCF9999" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-irJq1aKuMjA/Ud70cmoYmQI/AAAAAAAAIX0/Qar2KpuJsSw/DSCF9999_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="241" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JyV75_9vKvM/Ud70dImrxSI/AAAAAAAAIX8/CDm1RH6SYEo/s1600-h/DSCF00153.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0015" border="0" alt="DSCF0015" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8XaC7gxzc9I/Ud70fjcbF2I/AAAAAAAAIYE/MQ3BposkkuQ/DSCF0015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="240" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Rxg7yTFvv_8/Ud70gLRA4MI/AAAAAAAAIYM/R2bWA07DS6g/s1600-h/DSCF00147.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0014" border="0" alt="DSCF0014" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6ON58sMBijg/Ud70gsI6TvI/AAAAAAAAIYU/UarjPqvFh18/DSCF0014_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="241" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xWQWu70_cNE/Ud70hJIrACI/AAAAAAAAIYc/gAOSPKXUGq4/s1600-h/DSCF00173.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0017" border="0" alt="DSCF0017" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IOou3av0FtA/Ud70hlNdJWI/AAAAAAAAIYk/ArzXFNRuT0U/DSCF0017_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="240" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5eaz4f5-9kA/Ud70iAhHjDI/AAAAAAAAIYs/DrKygyT8GNs/s1600-h/DSCF00223.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0022" border="0" alt="DSCF0022" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8NiQ7HbQ6EY/Ud70in-7SBI/AAAAAAAAIY0/5HlKXggUFyI/DSCF0022_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="288" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1yIESufJxMg/Ud70jPjeDCI/AAAAAAAAIY8/lDUxPggV8V8/s1600-h/DSCF00323.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0032" border="0" alt="DSCF0032" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vzeZnwv3lFs/Ud70jiU28pI/AAAAAAAAIZE/PVbh_IWDIpY/DSCF0032_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="288" /></a></p> <p>It wasn’t long after departing the Lighthouse that “Feed Me” showed up so we stopped at the Owls Head General Store where we were able to get some lunch “Sammies”.  Mike and Shauna had a special Grilled Cheese sandwich with pesto and tomatoes while Judy and I partook in a great Tuna Melt sandwich with onions, tomatoes, and cheese.  We all agreed that our lunch was ummm, ummm, good.  The General Store also has some great Burgers endorsed by the Food Network as among the “best burgers” in the U. S..  Also, Owls Head has to have one of the most colorful Post Offices in the country; it’s definitely unique.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-06UzQs7zTuc/Ud70kCoJL7I/AAAAAAAAIZM/gxw2_VuZRSM/s1600-h/DSCF00433.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0043" border="0" alt="DSCF0043" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b9iLd-ta3GA/Ud70kqurYBI/AAAAAAAAIZU/DFcIN0wX_AE/DSCF0043_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="241" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bqrzWtbEs6I/Ud70lCRqvNI/AAAAAAAAIZc/fd0ShldusLA/s1600-h/DSCF00423.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0042" border="0" alt="DSCF0042" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZEnxE3cGWUA/Ud70lvKX-BI/AAAAAAAAIZk/GqUnrGD24tk/DSCF0042_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="240" /></a></p> <p>Next we continued south to Port Clyde.  It’s a cute little town, but has limited parking and not a whole lot to see; the General Store would be the highlight.  We all agreed that we can strike that off our Bucket List and will most likely never return.  Deal or Dud?  The verdict is still out.  It’s certainly not a deal, but probably not entirely a dud, especially if you were there to take a boat tour or the ferry to Monhegan Island.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q-3oRSbRclc/Ud70mI6Xg8I/AAAAAAAAIZs/J8AkURTgn3g/s1600-h/DSCF00503.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0050" border="0" alt="DSCF0050" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ml_6hvRc7do/Ud70mpPKKgI/AAAAAAAAIZ0/jZ2v1riSx2o/DSCF0050_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="241" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jJn-N2sjZCM/Ud70nMZHtYI/AAAAAAAAIZ8/LOaCc_JQ7EQ/s1600-h/DSCF00553.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0055" border="0" alt="DSCF0055" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8ZqevSP-_LI/Ud70nqULmkI/AAAAAAAAIaE/Eh2k2C0z4BY/DSCF0055_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="240" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y-SMfY8PPrk/Ud70n6OM-YI/AAAAAAAAIaM/T19VO5G0iJQ/s1600-h/DSCF00573.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0057" border="0" alt="DSCF0057" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hWimM1SDbJU/Ud70oZyaWQI/AAAAAAAAIaU/1Q3WN1UtaDU/DSCF0057_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="240" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fDeaIP2ysa8/Ud70o-OIGyI/AAAAAAAAIac/F4arn088CGU/s1600-h/DSCF00613.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0061" border="0" alt="DSCF0061" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9YcloZiTBgg/Ud70pRoWgZI/AAAAAAAAIak/BdBRNvQ9-UE/DSCF0061_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="240" /></a></p> <p>This morning we made tracks back to Topsham, Maine where we’ll spend a week licking our wounds and resting our wary bones.  The rig will get a wash job, we’ll do some grocery shopping, Judy will visit a quilting shop in Bath, we’ll make a run to Trader Joe’s, spend time with Mike and Peggy, and celebrate a couple of birthdays.  Did I say rest our wary bones?  That may very well remain to be seen.  You’ll just have to check in later to see if that really happens.</p> <p><font size="4"><strong><em>May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. <font size="2">(I Thessalonians 5:28)</font></em></strong></font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-11870708096025240462013-07-06T10:45:00.001-05:002013-07-06T11:08:10.166-05:00The “Out-tah State-tahs” Have Arrived<p>Yep, the Patterson tribe has invaded the Pine Tree State from several different states out west (when you’re in Maine all other states are out west).  There will be twenty four “Pattersons” at the first ever Patterson Family Reunion at the “Old Patterson Homestead” in Belfast, Maine.  </p> <p>Also included will be my mother’s sister, Eunice, and her daughter with her husband, her grand daughter, and her son and his wife (a lot of “hers” in this sentence) which will round out Friday’s big event to 30 humaniods.  The katts are going ballistic.  With all these youngins running to and froe, they have tucked their tails between their legs and retreated to the high ground (that is, the bedroom). </p> <p>Way back when Hector was just a pup, the Riley clan, my mother's family, would have a family reunion every summer and we would all congregate at a beach on Lake Saint George.  This year’s gathering is reminiscent of days gone by.  The only thing missing will be the big kettle of steamed clams.  Back then clams were a “freebie”, you just had to dig them.  Today they are a delicacy and you have to give an arm and a leg plus the shirt off you back and one month’s Social Security just to get a peck of them.</p> <p>The strategic plan is to do the meals at the homestead right in the driveway and then the kids will do outings from here while “moms/grandmas and dads/grandpas” (namely Mike, Shauna, Darrell, and Judy) get the fixings ready for the next feeding frenzy.  I can see that we needed to invest in a brewery, this crew can certainly go through the beer.  Fortunately the kids have been stocking the cooler with all sorts of beer / alca-pop.</p> <p align="left">Okay, so here it is.  A few group photos of the Darrell Patterson clan minus our son Brian.  Put your cursor over the pictures to see the inscriptions.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pqyo1k80fD0/Udg7X9z3ZnI/AAAAAAAAIS0/wdHc5Un3gSw/s1600-h/DSCF98854.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="The Clan" border="0" alt="DSCF9885" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vA9sJCCDKfI/Udg7YnpcTSI/AAAAAAAAIS8/i5zprMutdJY/DSCF9885_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="319" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fbbGtSxCQVE/Udg7ZMqyEBI/AAAAAAAAIUk/J83B99UoP-8/s1600-h/DSCF98801%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="G'Pa and G'ma with Grand Kids" border="0" alt="DSCF9880" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R4gQUscQFJw/Udg7Z1ulh8I/AAAAAAAAIUo/cjBJgGs97Og/DSCF98801_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="343" height="456" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GQSJfd1nUko/Udg7aSBYIsI/AAAAAAAAIU0/e42SURsSjNY/s1600-h/DSCF98591%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="The Marc Patterson Family" border="0" alt="DSCF9859" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q_f-Rq8RZLc/Udg7awmRoFI/AAAAAAAAIU8/HdYmd4Ax9GE/DSCF98591_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="307" height="406" /></a>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iEDdjWrQ2UU/Udg7b_wJUtI/AAAAAAAAIVE/_Qym3GptgYA/s1600-h/DSCF98691%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="The Joel Fortner Family" border="0" alt="DSCF9869" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PnmEiZuPDNY/Udg7caV9VqI/AAAAAAAAIVM/eKGtcQAWLRU/DSCF98691_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="406" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LceStU48i_s/Udg7c2H0Y9I/AAAAAAAAIVU/gHlTzNOKL3g/s1600-h/DSCF98761%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="The Matt Patterson Family" border="0" alt="DSCF9876" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-r6R1Bel4Eg0/Udg7dtQJXcI/AAAAAAAAIVc/o6ie1PjIi1E/DSCF98761_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="307" height="406" /></a>  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HXj72YjstaM/Udg7eSNA8tI/AAAAAAAAIUE/RzRFKA8SNGA/s1600-h/DSCF98824.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="The Grand Kids" border="0" alt="DSCF9882" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YjlLUjB3a-Y/Udg7fPOLTcI/AAAAAAAAIUM/CIGfflO8ssM/DSCF9882_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="307" height="406" /></a></p> <p align="center">And here’s a group picture of the Mike Patterson clan.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OvEjcH_I7g8/Udg7f3XGJzI/AAAAAAAAIUU/13qiOK-5cvg/s1600-h/DSCF99215.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="The Mike Patterson Clan" border="0" alt="DSCF9921" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eud78vKAPhk/Udg7gsK7REI/AAAAAAAAIUc/28yx9CHcwY0/DSCF9921_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="344" /></a></p> <p align="left">Of course, we have “a ton” more pictures of all the goings on over the past three days, but that will have to wait until we catch a minute to glean out the good from the bad and the ugly.  It was just a matter of snapping as many pictures as we could possibly snap in hopes of catching a few good ones.  We’re, also, copying all the photos from each of our children’s cameras as well as my brother’s so we’ll have well over a thousand pictures to go through.</p> <p align="left">Happy Trails Until Next Time.</p> <p><font size="4"><strong><em>May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. <font size="2">(I Thessalonians 5:28)</font></em></strong></font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-37871093807945332322013-06-30T12:33:00.001-05:002013-06-30T12:33:13.952-05:00A Serene Setting<p>Here we are backed in quite snuggly under the maple trees.  It’s a tight fit, but with a little maneuvering and a shoe horn we are able to slide in there.  It’s kind of hard to get a picture of the whole rig through the trees.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zp90m9EPffs/UdBrwFFWPQI/AAAAAAAAIRc/JE4WSX271w8/s1600-h/DSCF97196.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9719" border="0" alt="DSCF9719" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Lb0nziK8Qf0/UdBrw419IDI/AAAAAAAAIRk/7KrcLlhR7lc/DSCF9719_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="336" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YDdp2tBxl_I/UdBrxyW4LkI/AAAAAAAAIRs/bxtl1kO7Fx8/s1600-h/DSCF97206.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9720" border="0" alt="DSCF9720" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vnpw2NgQXqM/UdBryQFtbWI/AAAAAAAAIR0/r1i_BDIEi3Q/DSCF9720_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="336" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jXEyUL1TchY/UdBrzOoN1EI/AAAAAAAAIR8/2DUxYRFkH9I/s1600-h/DSCF97216.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9721" border="0" alt="DSCF9721" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aJs0EqJ2O8U/UdBrzv4jLbI/AAAAAAAAISE/Nko1o0-i89Q/DSCF9721_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="337" /></a></p> <p align="left">The katts like it here under the trees.  Their two favorite spots are here in Belfast and at Ray and Pat’s in Mecosta, Michigan.  I guess it gives them a sense of “serenity now” being tucked away in the woods.  Here’s a picture of our sweet little kitten, Alex, with his Momma.  Notice the smile on his face – yes, he’s just a little kitty all twenty pounds of him.  In the meantime, Katie enjoys sitting inside and looking out the window.  Her favorite perch is on the back of the sofa; silly kitty.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k4CIiBjoIWo/UdBr0Z7T8QI/AAAAAAAAISM/AnbqUCGbs84/s1600-h/DSCF97244.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9724" border="0" alt="DSCF9724" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kQatwNVqe54/UdBr02vd6aI/AAAAAAAAISU/M9GbC-elMmc/DSCF9724_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="307" height="406" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FDjI8olQVow/UdBr1mCnriI/AAAAAAAAISc/hz5m0Ooc_-E/s1600-h/DSCF9728%25255B1%25255D%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9728" border="0" alt="DSCF9728" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bMBqMkaS40s/UdBr2E9VXPI/AAAAAAAAISk/Cjc2CwS7ksc/DSCF9728%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="306" /></a></p> <p align="left">On Wednesday afternoon the kids and grandkids will begin rolling in.  Mary and family from Virginia.  Shawn and family from Massachusetts.  Marc and family from New Hampshire.  Matt and family from Tennessee.  And Angie and family from Maine.  Counting grandparents there will be twenty four of us at the first ever Patterson Family Reunion.  Unfortunately, our son Brian from Michigan will not be able to attend.</p> <p><font size="4"><strong><em>May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. <font size="2">(I Thessalonians 5:28)</font></em></strong></font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-81102459904054545242013-06-27T17:27:00.001-05:002013-06-27T17:27:17.292-05:00We’re Up And Running<p>We did a long haul all the way from the KOA Jonestown, Pennsylvania to the Topsham Fairgrounds, Maine.  It was a little over nine hours.  The main reason we decided to “do it” in one fall swoop was because it was only one o’clock when we arrived at our Connecticut destination.  Add three and a half hours and we wouldn’t have to get up for another travel day.  Plus it would give us a little more time to repair the broken leveling jack.</p> <p>Upon our arrival at the Fairgrounds, Paul and Linda Odom made their way over to greet us.  Paul and Linda were our neighbors in the ERPU lots at Rainbow Plantation and are currently staying at the fairgrounds.  We’ve managed to “bump” into them several times over the past few years – Once at Raccoon Valley in Tennessee, Once at <b>Shipshewana </b>in Indiana, as well “at home” in Summerdale, Alabama.  After finding a level area to park without unhitching, Mike and Peggy showed up to chauffeur and treat us to a fine scallop dinner at Len’s in Brunswick.  Paul and Linda joined in with us.  It was a great meal with great company – thanks guys for a wonderful travel day meal.</p> <p>This morning I removed the leveling jack from the rig.  Mike showed up and escorted me and the jack to Mikee’s Lube Change, RV Repair, Shed Construction, and Custom Machine Shop.  The problem was a broken pin.  Because of the location of the pin in the jack, I don’t think it had anything to do with pushing the rig backwards on the jacks.  Mike and I had to do considerable work to get the pin out of the shaft, but the repairs are made and the front of the coach will go up and down again – we’re up and running.  If you’re going to live this fulltime lifestyle, you’d better get adept at making on the road repairs.  It always helps to have friends who have mechanical abilities, lots and lots of tools, and a shop strategically located along the way.</p> <p>Judy and I treated Mike and Peggy to a shrimp scampi pizza lunch at the Cabin Pizza in Bath, Maine.  This is a pizza made with a white garlic sauce, mozzarella cheese, and topped with shrimp.  The pizza, along with a couple of Sam Adams, is nothing short of one scrumptious meal.  We returned to Mike and Peggy’s for a couple hours of visiting before saying “see ya in a couple of weeks”.   We’ll be back in Topsham sometime around the middle of July.</p> <p>The weather dude is calling for some nasty weather for tomorrow.  It’s only about an hour and a half from here to Belfast, but that will mean taking down and setting up camp in pouring rain.  We may end up staying put right here for another day – only time will tell.  So tune back in to see when we set up camp in our Belfast digs.</p> <p><font size="4"><strong><em>May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. <font size="2">(I Thessalonians 5:28)</font></em></strong></font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-36607985672704515542013-06-25T17:30:00.001-05:002013-06-25T17:30:49.421-05:00It’s All About The Grand Kid<p>Almost all about the grand kid, but first, we arrived at Prince William RV Park (formerly Travel Trailer Village) and got assigned to a site.  It was the same site that we had last year when we were there.  That means that we crammed 10 pounds of RV into a 5 pound site.  I had to park “kitty corner” in the site to keep our back end from hanging out into one street and our front end from sticking out into the other street.  The site was level side to side but was much higher in the front than the rear.  Which caused us to have to raise up the front in order to unhitch the truck and then lowering it almost to the ground to get level.  Keep in mind that the right front jack is not working and we had to use a hydraulic bottle jack on that side.  We couldn’t get perfectly level but were close enough so that we could put the slides out.  </p> <p>In order to hitch up, we had to let all the air out of the air hitch and air ride system on the truck, jack the front of the rig as high as possible, and back under real slow while the weight of the RV forced the springs on the truck to compress.  Once hitched up, we had to recharge air hitch and air ride system on the truck.  It took about an hour to get everything ready to roll.  It would be a bear on a rainy day so we’ve decided not to unhitch again until we get to Belfast.  </p> <p>We’re cutting our stay here in Pennsylvania short and making our way to Topsham Fair Grounds where we’ll remove the jack.  Then we’ll take it to Mikee’s Lube Center, RV Repair, Fence Building, Shed Construction, and House Painting Emporium (also home of Peggio’s Fine Italian Restaurant – pronounced Pee-Gee-Oo’s) to repair the jack.  It will probably remain there while we make our way to Belfast for a couple of weeks.  We’ll be back in Topsham for another week later on so we can reassemble and reinstall the jack at that time.</p> <p>Okay, now onto “It’s All About The Grand Kid”.  Mr. Josiah has grown like a little weed since last September.  As you can see, he’s up on his hind legs.  Not walking yet, however, the day is close at hand when he forgets to hold on and just walks away.  Baby proofing is taking place all over his humble abode.  Grandpa helped install a gate at the bottom of the stairs; he may not be walking but he doesn’t hesitate one iota when it comes to climbing up the stairs.</p> <p>See Grandma, I told you I could do it!!!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ymKKGwpxzC4/UcoZ3B6LXDI/AAAAAAAAIO0/2cLi910L5AY/s1600-h/DSCF756212.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7562" border="0" alt="DSCF7562" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hPxycbT_L4I/UcoZ32NBQuI/AAAAAAAAIO8/E24gUrjdyCo/DSCF75621_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="356" /></a>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r4b8jvw_neM/UcoZ4cOpTuI/AAAAAAAAIPE/UjTZWxbH0oI/s1600-h/DSCF756312.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7563" border="0" alt="DSCF7563" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-scwotqMIVFg/UcoZ5JlTfXI/AAAAAAAAIPM/gXfKaTGvO3U/DSCF75631_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="269" height="356" /></a></p> <p>“Peek-A-Boo Grandma!!!” as he pulls the rug over his face.  Alex the katt does the same thing thinking that if he can’t see us, certainly we can’t see him.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7Dzc89IjzcA/UcoZ6MbRnqI/AAAAAAAAIPU/TzZAGScTjTo/s1600-h/DSCF756512.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7565" border="0" alt="DSCF7565" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I1RdipItBRw/UcoZ7PsdayI/AAAAAAAAIPc/jSMjK5_lTb4/DSCF75651_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="356" /></a></p> <p>Did you ever know of a little boy who didn’t like to be tossed around?  He loves to rough house with dad.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dWnLAEDy5zw/UcoZ7haJrjI/AAAAAAAAIPk/Y_Q8nFmM3Js/s1600-h/DSCF757812.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7578" border="0" alt="DSCF7578" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_nqmOaGg6js/UcoZ8b7d8qI/AAAAAAAAIPs/zme7rMJgLo0/DSCF75781_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="356" /></a>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D5F6qjMFoOc/UcoZ9tAmS-I/AAAAAAAAIP0/WWY50hvz9qs/s1600-h/DSCF969012.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9690" border="0" alt="DSCF9690" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gLsrGI9a0rc/UcoZ-Fjf7YI/AAAAAAAAIP8/LzX9ze66_M0/DSCF96901_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="269" height="356" /></a></p> <p>Here he is subdued with mom, or is that being subdued by mom?  He didn’t stay there long – things to do, places to go, people to see!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JPThcvPuIgE/UcoZ-l4AieI/AAAAAAAAIQE/_q5c3gNLEHY/s1600-h/DSCF969711.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9697" border="0" alt="DSCF9697" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VseaNfyHH-w/UcoZ_6rTotI/AAAAAAAAIQM/Xy0OiOH771E/DSCF96971_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="306" /></a></p> <p>And here he is with a couple of proud Grandparents.  He’s not sure about this guy dressed in purple trying to imitate Barney, but Grandma gets right into the toy box and plays well with others.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NE3_1USh1n4/UcoaAkAG5BI/AAAAAAAAIQU/gyOo5ec-eOo/s1600-h/DSCF758212.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7582" border="0" alt="DSCF7582" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iJ0TbNBaR6w/UcoaBdzdorI/AAAAAAAAIQc/6rWuRVpIO4E/DSCF75821_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="307" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1sNsTgrMg8o/UcoaCfJwxEI/AAAAAAAAIQk/4vqjGcFalns/s1600-h/DSCF970714.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9707" border="0" alt="DSCF9707" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uxwqfB_XKqE/UcoaD9S7j4I/AAAAAAAAIQs/8sPiL-l-0l0/DSCF97071_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="231" height="307" /></a></p> <p>Next, we can’t leave Belle the granddawg out of the picture.  The first picture is of Belle washing her face like a katt – that broke me up.  And another picture of Belle with Grandma.  Belle is not exactly in love with Josiah, but does tolerate him as he crawls all over her and pulls her fur.  Good Dawg U!!!!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gqEubea9m-4/UcoaEXpSjxI/AAAAAAAAIQ0/V94wjuUbHUM/s1600-h/DSCF971411.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9714" border="0" alt="DSCF9714" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iB87TESYCuA/UcoaEzxPt_I/AAAAAAAAIQ8/SR6Bbdb_pkM/DSCF97141_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="307" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ff6THs5Gl2Q/UcoaFdQUKkI/AAAAAAAAIRE/Q3oPwHTPaM8/s1600-h/DSCF971611.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9716" border="0" alt="DSCF9716" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dxfztxco3tk/UcoaGM19_CI/AAAAAAAAIRM/Ra70oxuboL0/DSCF97161_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="231" height="307" /></a></p> <p>Randy and Terry came for a visit.  As always, it’s fun to get together with them.  They are spending the summer in Pennsylvania at a campground in Dover which is about an hour away from where we are at Lickdale Campground.  By the way, Lickdale Campground is now a KOA Jonestown and has increased their fees about ten bucks a night.  Anyhow, Dover is where Randy and Terry’s granddaughter Reagan lives with her parents.  Next time we pass though this area we’ll need to find a place a little closer to Dover to stay for several nights, that way we can visit, visit, visit with Randy and Terry until our little hearts are content.  Also, we’re hoping that they’ll be able to spend some time on our lot at Rainbow Plantation this coming winter.</p> <p><font size="4"><strong><em>May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. <font size="2">(I Thessalonians 5:28)</font></em></strong></font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-18991505858367197712013-06-21T17:58:00.001-05:002013-06-21T17:58:13.466-05:00Prince William Forest<p>Okay sports fans, here we are at Prince William Forest in Triangle, Virginia.  No hits, no runs, no errors; in other words, it was an uneventful travel day.  But here’s a picture of the RV on its crutch.  Neat, huh? </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aiOEFkIQsfU/UcTZPAtZciI/AAAAAAAAIN4/Z9EtQebIM_8/s1600-h/DSCF96864.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9686" border="0" alt="DSCF9686" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IdlHtPO2v3U/UcTZRyd8TrI/AAAAAAAAIOA/Uh5KCneuOnI/DSCF9686_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WOI8zqgl3AM/UcTZkLiQO6I/AAAAAAAAIOI/mkFwzg37HAI/s1600-h/DSCF96854.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9685" border="0" alt="DSCF9685" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-461emUrArR4/UcTZpc3ko5I/AAAAAAAAIOQ/ccUGzSLJnNo/DSCF9685_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a></p> <p>It was a little bit of work to level the rig using a bottle jack on one side and the leveling jack on the other, but we accomplished it.  The big question is, “Will we be able to raise the front of the coach high enough to get the truck back under it?”  I had to let all the air out of the air bags to unload it.  I think we’ll manage considering that we have another bottle jack to use if necessary.</p> <p>Anyway, we arrived and managed to get all set up by two o’clock, however, it was a five hour travel day – a violation of the 4-2-2 Rule (No more than four hours traveling, in by two, and stay for at least two nights).  Once we got everything ready for living, it was onto lupper.  This afternoon’s fair was a homemade garlic sauce chicken pizza with mushrooms and sweet vadalia onions.  Yum, yum.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cYG-_sksK7Y/UcTabSPSOfI/AAAAAAAAIOc/nS1nSnHIbtM/s1600-h/DSCF96894.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9689" border="0" alt="DSCF9689" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h6Y_YyUcJps/UcTagSsxcuI/AAAAAAAAIOk/rnFOWu7hsi0/DSCF9689_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="307" /></a></p> <p>Then we began gathering some tourist information for our itinerary for Joel and Mary’s visit tomorrow.  There’s the National Museum of the Marine Corps at Quantico and possibly a half hour drive to Fredericksburg.  Time will only tell what the four, eh five (can’t forget grandson Josiah) will decide to do.  Somewhere along the way, eating will be involved – isn’t it always?</p> <p>Today has the longest daylight hours of the year and tomorrow night will be a “Super Moon”.  So lots of astrological stuff going on this weekend.  Maybe we’ll see a falling star to make a wish upon.  Hope all y’all have a great weekend.</p> <p><font size="4"><strong><em>May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. <font size="2">(I Thessalonians 5:28)</font></em></strong></font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-13892540247189051432013-06-20T15:50:00.001-05:002013-06-20T15:50:25.739-05:00A Nice Visit and On The Road Again<p>Yesterday, Wednesday, Gene and Judi Curp drove over from Maryville to visit us and go out to lunch.  We drove up the road a piece to Golden Girls Restaurant.  They have lunch specials for six bucks (well $5.99).  Broasted Chicken, Ham, Roast Beef with gravy is on everyday’s special, but there is, also, a daily special – Wednesday was Chicken and Dumplings.  Each entrée comes with two sides that you get to choose.  So, you can get out the door for twenty bucks a couple; that includes drinks, tips, taxes, and title.</p> <p>It was good to see Gene and Judi again.  I think we first met them at Rainbow Plantation back in the winter of Oh-Eight.  We’ve been bumping into each other at least once or twice a year ever since.  Like all good RVing family members, we pick up right where we left off and talk as if it has only be a few days since we last saw each other.  Gene and Judi love backpacking and hiking.  They have hiked a lot of the Appalachian Trail.  Now that they live in Maryville, TN they spend a lot of time in the Smoky Mountains.  I’d love to see all the sights that they see; only if I could get a car in there – I know, “the hill is your friend!!!”</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1tdhXpg117w/UcNrC0AklII/AAAAAAAAINg/0J4LKflFSd8/s1600-h/DSCF36415.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF3641" border="0" alt="DSCF3641" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HO8m2TYTk4c/UcNrENxl8UI/AAAAAAAAINo/wnBpTeLNI-k/DSCF3641_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="277" /></a></p> <p>So this morning we slowly arose to get a leisurely start to our travel day.  We only had about three and a half hours of travel time so there was no need to hurry.  But, as we were preparing the rig to leave, the right front jack failed.  While hitching up I misaligned the truck to the trailer hitch and it forced the RV back about four inches with the jacks down.  Mistake number one was that I had failed to put the wheel chock in place when we unhitched on Monday which left the rig “free to roam”.   Once we got hitched up, I pulled forward about an inch in hopes of relieving some of the pressure on the jacks (not sure if this was a good idea or not).  Anyway, the left front jack raised properly while the right front started to raise and then broke a shaft or a shearer pin and the foot dropped back to the ground.  </p> <p>What to do, what to do?  In the end, we tied the jack foot in place, dumped all the tanks, and meandered down the highway heading for points north.  Once we get to Maine, I’ll remove the jack, disassemble it to see what the damage is, and make the repairs.  It may take a few days to get replacement parts, but we’ll just play that by ear.  In the meantime we are limping along like a three legged dawg.  We’ll have to use our hydraulic bottle jack to assist in raising and lowering the coach.  </p> <p>We made it within three miles of our exit in Virginia when traffic came to a stand still.  There had been an accident on I-77 which intersects with I-81.  It must have been a doosy since traffic was backed up for at least three miles on I-81 North (I-77 exits I-81 about a mile further down the road).  Fortunately it only took us about twenty minutes to travel that last three miles.  </p> <p>We got a nice long/level site at Fort Chiswell RV Park so we didn’t need to unhook the truck.  Who knows what we’ll encounter tomorrow when we arrive at Prince William Forest Campground.  Their sites are small and unlevel – both side to side and front to back.  It maybe impossible to get the rig level (it has to be relatively level to put the slides out).  We’ll just have to see and deal with it then.  Good Grief, Charlie Brown!!!</p> <p><font size="4"><strong><em>May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. <font size="2">(I Thessalonians 5:28)</font></em></strong></font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-72026831228977322942013-06-18T07:32:00.001-05:002013-06-18T07:32:40.596-05:00“Movin’ On Up To The East Side”<p>We did it, we wrapped things up in Middle Tennessee and now we’ve managed to “move on up” into the Appalachian Mountains in “the East Side” of Tennessee.  Yesterday we loaded up the wagons, broke camp, and made our way eastward. After crossing into the “International” Eastern Time Zone we ventured on for another hour arriving at the Escapees Raccoon Valley RV Park at about quarter ‘til one EDST. We dropped our landing gear, put some vittles into the frying pan, and let them simmer on the stove for awhile. We ate lupper around three and lounged around for the rest of the day playing on our computers, doing a little reading, and watching some tele. Not a real adventuresome day, but a good day none the less. We just love it when a plan comes together. </p> <p>Saturday was a laid back morning followed by an afternoon cookout at Matt and Jackie’s house.  Then we all attended the Saturday Evening Service at World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro.  Pastor Jackson had a great sermon on Fathers.  </p> <p>Sunday Grandma and Grandpa assumed babysitting duties while Matt and Jackie had an afternoon at the movies.  Those little munchkins were exceptionally well behaved for the “Old Folks at Home”.  Radek and Grandpa even took a little nap; Radek in his bed, Grandpa in the recliner.  </p> <p>Radek, AKA Huck, loves all kinds of sports as long as there’s a hockey stick involved.  Baseball?  Hit with a hockey stick.  Football?  No passes here, just whack it with a hockey stick.  Basketball?  Yep, you guessed it, use a hockey stick to move the ball along.  Soccer?  Well now, he does manage to discard the hockey stick and use his foot for this one.  Anyway, that’s why Grandpa calls him Huck – it’s short for hockey puck.  Here’s a few pictures of Radek being, well, being Radek.  He’s all boy, that one.  Place your cursor over the picture for the caption.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-phVjkQRbsTk/UcBTVyrxaMI/AAAAAAAAIMI/bek9b6MTGXc/s1600-h/DSCF75463.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title=""Radek, Look At Grandma So She Can Take Your Picture"" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LzB83I774yQ/UcBTWcuRPwI/AAAAAAAAIMQ/Zu3znCeMdaw/DSCF7546_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="218" height="288" picture??="Picture??" smile="smile" so="so" grandma="grandma" can="can" take="take" your="your" /></a>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Cwnp3sT2EXI/UcBTWtkeNDI/AAAAAAAAIMU/EDFC-yt1rtI/s1600-h/DSCF75433.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="The Farmer In The Dell" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iAk-s9MBnQg/UcBTXFRMAtI/AAAAAAAAIMc/kuiUk37PfGo/DSCF7543_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="288" dell??="Dell??" farmer="farmer" in="in" the="the" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EiHLf8uHY9Q/UcBTXp7HyLI/AAAAAAAAIMo/qrFOg7Rq2AE/s1600-h/DSCF75504.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="The Lad Hates Wearing Shoes" border="0" alt="The Lad Hates Wearing Shoes" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lUjNLFEEyks/UcBTX5_Ag-I/AAAAAAAAIMw/uMF3uAUoHVc/DSCF7550_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a>  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Exp7Yj9ESFM/UcBTYRhEk-I/AAAAAAAAIM4/iVRuuR-dXmU/s1600-h/DSCF75554.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Radek "Helping" His Sisters - NOT!!! War is about to be declared." border="0" alt="Radek " src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YHsuUe_e_Ps/UcBTY6R_J2I/AAAAAAAAINA/83roinJIBRM/DSCF7555_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" sisters?="Sisters?" helping?="Helping?" his="his" /></a></p> <p>It’s always tough to leave the rugrats behind, but knowing that we’ll be seeing them again in Maine for the Patterson Family Reunion on July 5th made it a little bit easier this time.  Also, another grand child fix is in the making for this up coming weekend.  We’ll be getting to see Josiah in his native element.  We were there for his birthday, but he’s now pushing the big “one-oh” as in ten months.  Here’s a Father’s Day picture of him that I stole from Joel’s facebook.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pQDHzuIO9Uo/UcBTZdXzoHI/AAAAAAAAINI/OrouIGofHOQ/s1600-h/Josiah---10-Months5.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Josiah - 10 Months" border="0" alt="Josiah - 10 Months" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6ACnWNgAdKQ/UcBTZ3OqkKI/AAAAAAAAINQ/kNWMkyiUV74/Josiah---10-Months_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="313" /></a></p> <p>Today we’ll visit the local Wally World to resupply the larder and who knows what else.  It’s a rainy day so most likely it will be a “stay at home and play inside” kind of day.  Tomorrow Gene and Judi are stopping by for a get together, but more on that later.    </p> <p><font size="4"><strong><em>May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. <font size="2">(I Thessalonians 5:28)</font></em></strong></font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-81742185907962348072013-06-15T10:02:00.001-05:002013-06-15T10:02:16.109-05:00“Eat Mor Chikin”<p>Well Ol’ man, how’d ja make out?  We picked up the girls at 1030 hours and headed for the uncivilized portion of Murfreesboro otherwise known as “Stones River Mall”.  First stop was Toys R Us where we managed to bag a Christmas gift for Rocco.  By the time we finished up there, it was time for lunch.</p> <p>“We eat at 11:30” says grand daughter Catia.  Judy and I dodged a bullet because there was no mention of Chuck E Cheese.  Grandpa and Grandma had thought that we’d take the girls for a nice dining experience at Demos Family Restaurant (one of our favorites), but the girls had other ideas.  “Chick Fil-A, we want Chick Fil-A” (Eat Mor Chikin).  Being that Judy and I had never experienced that fine emporium, we relented.  Ummm, let me say this about that!  Oh never mind, it’s fast food with a playground and lots and lots of moms with their darling little brats running about footloose and fancy free so no comment is necessary, but the girls were ecstatic so that’s all that counts.  Dang, we forgot to take the camera.</p> <p>After an exquisite meal at “Eat Mor Chikin”, we moved onto our next endeavor – katt supplies.  A stop by PetSmart and that item was quickly scratched off the list.  Then we went on a hunting expedition through the mighty jungle of Penney’s, Sears, and Ross’s in search of those elusive pair of slacks.  These things are becoming quite extinct, ya know.  All I can say is, “Slacks 10, Judy 0”.  All they seem to sell anymore is “hip huggers” and the only one that’s going to hug my wife’s hips is me.  We’ll keep “hunting” as we travel along the way and maybe, just maybe, we’ll bag a pair of slacks somewhere between here and Maine.</p> <p>Now we never did “shop for shoes” since ice cream captured the imagination of two little girls.  When “they” fixate on something as alluring as ice cream, all else falls by the wayside.  So, grandma being the smartie that she is, decided that it would be best (cheaper and a whole lot less messy) to purchase some ice cream at the grocery store and make a bee line for the campground.  Let’s hear it for grandma.  She saved the day.</p> <p>We had bought Catia a couple of craft kits for her birthday.  Matt and Jackie attempted to work with her but couldn’t figure it out so Catia brought one of the kits with her so Grandma could teach her.  In the meantime, back at the ranch, Kalina, disguised as a little girl, managed to entertain herself with her Leapster and prancing about the campsite.  Here are a couple of pictures.  Oh no, we don’t have a pole dancer in the family do we?</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3o2q69HNv-s/UbyBmrveonI/AAAAAAAAIJg/FItpwjrazAU/s1600-h/DSCF75024.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7502" border="0" alt="DSCF7502" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-p86KTk92nz8/UbyBnIf8PhI/AAAAAAAAIJo/efQs7uhicME/DSCF7502_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qU_g0k8Z7xk/UbyBoejChFI/AAAAAAAAIJw/BIHMkR6Pwfs/s1600-h/DSCF75044.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7504" border="0" alt="DSCF7504" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--tRusU8OAZE/UbyBo7fCGBI/AAAAAAAAIJ4/WE2uphNo6iU/DSCF7504_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-m0JhcCO5GfI/UbyBqcbiF9I/AAAAAAAAIKA/ulWU2BL1j20/s1600-h/DSCF75074.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7507" border="0" alt="DSCF7507" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IOheDjY33bM/UbyBr4LmQSI/AAAAAAAAIKI/SpM_FP_Bq5Y/DSCF7507_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OjJXbH8lkxg/UbyBtOdGFEI/AAAAAAAAIKQ/KjMGvUXSnrM/s1600-h/DSCF75174.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7517" border="0" alt="DSCF7517" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8h9qGQkjsAk/UbyBt0jo3ZI/AAAAAAAAIKY/Wjvo-ewcD88/DSCF7517_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a></p> <p>Next it was off to the playground.  When ever the girls visit Grandpa and Grandma’s house here at Cedars of Lebanon they just have to go to the playground.  It’s a great place to spend some time and watch the kids burn off some energy that they have sucked right out of us Grandparents.  First the slide, then the swings, next the monkey bars, and finally the jungle gym.   Then they do it all over again, and again, and again.  We took them home with their eye lids drooping.  Yay for our team!!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O6rZUMjkGFo/UbyBvs72YqI/AAAAAAAAIKg/hsEB0vHf9gY/s1600-h/DSCF75368.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7536" border="0" alt="DSCF7536" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AZZOkx1b-lY/UbyBwtOOKWI/AAAAAAAAIKo/KG_yVHVK5kg/DSCF7536_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nqaJaYBMtgs/UbyByqzZYqI/AAAAAAAAIKw/FiAkLlodScc/s1600-h/DSCF75348.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7534" border="0" alt="DSCF7534" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LJkbiQHWgxE/UbyBzmH6-XI/AAAAAAAAIK4/64fniZEUt7E/DSCF7534_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a>  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PAmwUtHDcaE/UbyB0wlqrmI/AAAAAAAAILA/6K_7xmN5kXs/s1600-h/DSCF75318.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7531" border="0" alt="DSCF7531" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-USB71Hlr3rk/UbyB1-pep-I/AAAAAAAAILI/YFssYH0PMZE/DSCF7531_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NcR_gXosWBI/UbyB3SSeJqI/AAAAAAAAILQ/q2G-V7pgSOE/s1600-h/DSCF75268.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7526" border="0" alt="DSCF7526" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WFViYkDj8JM/UbyB4NU3_EI/AAAAAAAAILY/wjemLtQkujM/DSCF7526_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8A89kuM1-n0/UbyB5__wc8I/AAAAAAAAILg/uzM9i1Tdo3w/s1600-h/DSCF75214.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7521" border="0" alt="DSCF7521" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KMhZS5Flk9E/UbyB6_mh-AI/AAAAAAAAILo/vp-qroQboNs/DSCF7521_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zhShTaXMFHk/UbyB83E_JGI/AAAAAAAAILw/wD6g_VTc5Nw/s1600-h/DSCF75384.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7538" border="0" alt="DSCF7538" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JHcNhGHWXks/UbyB9n2n9HI/AAAAAAAAIL4/i0hY6mO0hhM/DSCF7538_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="270" /></a></p> <p>Matt and Radek joined us for a hot dawg and bean dinner.  Wow, Chick Fil-A for lunch and hot dawgs and beans for dinner; we’re really living high off the hog now.  Diet?  What diet!!!  Radek played noisely around the house while a subdued Catia continued working on her craft project and a worn out Kalina played games on her Leapster.  The day slowly ground to an end with fun having been had by all.  What a great day, It’s all about Grandkids, ya know?</p> <p><font size="4"><strong><em>May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. <font size="2">(I Thessalonians 5:28)</font></em></strong></font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-59620228601093601132013-06-13T21:16:00.001-05:002013-06-13T21:16:40.644-05:00A Good Start<p>Well, the first leg of our journey has been completed.  It went off without a hitch; uh, that’s not entirely true – we did have to “hitch up” before we headed out.  But it was an uneventful travel day none the less.  However, it was a long day.  We prefer the 4-2-2 rule; drive no more than four hours, be off the road by two, and stay two nights, but we always make the trip from Rainbow Plantation to Cedars of Lebanon State Park in one eight and half hour drive.  Just gotta get those hugs from the grand munchkins.</p> <p>We arrived at C of L at 3:45, set up camp, rustled up some grub, and then headed over to see the grandkids.  There will be more pictures of the little rascals later, but here’s a couple of pictures showing us tucked snuggly into our site.  Can you see why it’s named Cedars of Lebanon State Park?  We are “camping” in amongst the cedar trees here in Lebanon, Tennessee.  It’s hard to see the site through the trees!!!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WP79ryj6lW0/Ubp8x0_OpYI/AAAAAAAAII4/jpcS0dLcx0w/s1600-h/DSCF9673-001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9673-001" border="0" alt="DSCF9673-001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MJ1TGR0pTzY/Ubp81njyM-I/AAAAAAAAIJA/1hPbKL240tc/DSCF9673-001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qC1Rp7Kfq-I/Ubp88x-xO7I/AAAAAAAAIJI/Kl_aWmTgQ0w/s1600-h/DSCF9674-001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9674-001" border="0" alt="DSCF9674-001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Xx5Dm3ZJCnw/Ubp9A2V79lI/AAAAAAAAIJQ/AYlQP57vbLU/DSCF9674-001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a></p> <p>We came home early and sat outside enjoying the cooler temperatures (78* – sure beats the mid nineties) with a nice cup of freshly squeezed coffee.  I know I’ve told you this before, but here it is again; I enjoy being next to my wife sitting next to me.  Isn’t that something?  After 40 years (the last seven of which we have lived in an 8 by 38 foot tube) and we still like being together.  We’re still sharing our “puppy love”.</p> <p>Tomorrow will be a fun outing with our grand daughters.  We’re taking them shopping (Catia asks if can we go shopping for shoes?  Is that a typical eight year old girl, or what?) and then out to lunch.  Grandpa knows where there is a Chucky Cheese (he calls it Yucky Cheese).  That ought to keep the two of them settled down for five or ten minutes.  (Shopping for shoes!!!!  How ridiculous!!!)  </p> <p>Actually we’re shopping for Grandson Rocco’s Christmas gift, some katt supplies, and some slacks for Grandma.  I suppose we’ll let Catia look at ONE (notice the emphasis on one) pair of shoes.  Yeah, right – I don’t think Grandpa, with three girl humaniods, stands a chance.  Do you?</p> <p>Tune in next time to see how Dear Ol’ Grandpa fairs.</p> <p><font size="4"><strong><em>May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. <font size="2">(I Thessalonians 5:28)</font></em></strong></font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-29277429810073922502013-06-09T16:41:00.001-05:002013-06-09T16:48:17.869-05:00Random Thoughts On A Rainy Day<p>Today we got an unexpected reprieve from doing chores.  It is pouring down rain outside.  So, being that we had to play inside, we just sat back in our recliners sipping tea and coffee and reading in our Nooks.  </p> <p>A while back we had purchased the e-reader edition of the Chronological New Living Translation Bible.  It’ not necessarily the best translation for studying, however, it is very “readable” and reads more like a story than some other translations plus it puts events in a chronological order.  For example, while reading through the book of Acts it brings other books into the historical timeline so that by the time you get to the end of the book of Acts, you’ve read most of the rest of the New Testament right up to Revelation.  For studying, both Judy and I prefer the New American Standard Bible.</p> <p>Anywhoo, we can download books from our Public Library onto our Nooks as well.  I enjoy John Grisham novels, but we’ve discovered a Christian author, Robert Whitlow, who also writes legal novels.  We both like books that stay away from profanity, explicit sex scenes, and blood and guts.  Judy likes Debbie Macomber books and even I read through the Cedar Cove series.  Another good author is Jan Karon with the Mitford series.  Also, a fun series is the “Cat Who” books by Lilian Jackson Braun.  Even as we travel, we enjoy taking time to read; especially if we can find a nice quiet beach somewhere to plant our lawn chairs (Belfast City Park, here we come) and sit a spell.</p> <p>The next three days will be a hustle-bustle of activity around the Patterson household.  Things need to be put into “travel mode”.  Other than an oil change, most of the “stuff” on the “Ol’ Ta Do List” has been crossed off.  The wax on / wax off is just about finished; just the top half of the front cap needs to be done.  In order to do that, I have to put the step ladder in the bed of the truck and back up to the rig.  It will be about an hour’s worth of work and then we can cross that off the list as well.</p> <p>We can’t wait to see the munchkins once again – It’s all about grandkids, ya know.  Family is our main reason for traveling this summer.  We’ll do a little sight seeing along the way, but this year it’s going to be mainly visiting.  We plan to be back to the Plantation by the end of August or the first of September, but who knows.  We’ve been known to change our plans on a whim and do something entirely different.  All our plans are carved in Jell-O. </p> <p>One of the main reasons for being back at Rainbow Plantation is to get Judy’s shed converted over to a quilting studio.  Also, I want to enclose the “lean to” making it into a sunroom so I can leave my painting “stuff” set up.  Plus, it will be a nice place to spend time with the Lord in the early morning.  We’ve ordered a couple of bathtubs for the backyard so we can sit in them and watch the sunset (we’ll only spend about three hours, or so, in them because I don’t want to seek immediate medical attention for anything lasting more than four hours).</p> <p>I guess the main purpose of this entry is to get back into the habit of posting blog entries.  We used to post something everyday, then it was a couple times a week, then once or twice a month, and then nothing.  So, anyway, we are about to embark on a summer trip so watch for us as we are Wandering America.  We’re coming soon to a neighborhood near you.</p> <p><font size="4"><strong><em>May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. <font size="2">(I Thessalonians 5:28)</font></em></strong></font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-8041574573940744082013-06-04T19:45:00.001-05:002013-06-04T19:45:32.644-05:00Wow, It’s Been A Long, Long Time Coming<p>Gee, have I ever gotten lazy – in posting a blog entry that is.  We have been hunkering down at Rainbow Plantation doing the things that homeowners normally do (even though our home still has wheels).  Slowly, slowly we’ve been striking items off the “Ol Ta Do List” in count down to our departure day.  In a little over a week we’ll be “hauling anchor” and heading out for a summer full of travel and visits.  </p> <p>Our first stop, as always, will be in Tennessee to have a grandchild fix.  It’s way over due, we haven’t seen those little imps since Christmas.  After a short stay in the Murfreesboro area, we’ll head east for a short travel day to Raccoon Valley (Escapee Park) to meet up with RVing buddies Gene and Judi Curp.  </p> <p>There’s slightly over a million of us crazy people out here who live and travel fulltime in our RVs.  Judy and I have made lots and lots of friends along the way and it’s always nice to meet up with each other here and there as we are traveling.  Gene and Judi are now “off the road” (that means they have moved back into sticks and bricks), but they still have their RV and will travel from time to time.  I guess you could say that we are “off the road” as well since we now own our lot here at Rainbow Plantation and spend more time here than on the road. </p> <p>Alexandria, Virginia is the home of our youngest grandson and his parents.  We’ll, of course, be making a stop by there for another grandchild fix.  It’s been way, way, way too long since we last saw him on his birthday in September.  He’s now eight months old and on the verge of taking off on his hind legs.  Wow, time does fly by.</p> <p>Next we’ll spend a little time hanging out in Pennsylvania to spend a day, or so, with Randy and Terry (more of our RVing family).  Randy and Terry were doing a workamping stint in Bonifay, Florida this winter so we were able to get together with them several times over the past few months.</p> <p>We’ll continue making our way northeast and eventually end up in Belfast, Maine where Matt, Jackie, and kids (from TN); Mary, Joel, and Josiah (from VA); and Marc, Amie, and kids (from NH) will show up for a family reunion on the 5th of July.  My brother’s kids and grandkids will be joining us as well as other relatives who live in the area.  It will be the first time in several dawg years that the Pattersons have all been together at one time.</p> <p>While in Belfast, we’ll be sure to look up Gary and Millie, who are the campground managers here at Rainbow Plantation each November through May.  They are originally from Rockland and will be spending time with Gary’s sister in Belfast this summer.  I’m sure that Mike and Peggy will show up from Topsham for a day trip sometime while we’re in Belfast, but we’ll be spending a week in their neck of the woods later in July.</p> <p>Okay, here’s where things get a little murky.  Somewhere in the plans is a stop by in Litchfield, Connecticut to visit with my aunt Marge and cousins on our way to Michigan.  We’ll be visiting our son as well as Judy’s sister and brother in Michigan toward the end of the summer.  Of course, there are more RVing friends, Ray and Pat in Mecosta, Michigan, where we’ll stay for about week or so.   </p> <p>There is talk of a trip to Ashville, NC,  Charleston, SC, and Savannah, GA on our way home with a stop over in western Georgia to visit with Mike and Gerri (more RVing friends who are now also “off the road”).  Or, there’s also a pie in the sky plan to travel west from Michigan with Mike and Peggy.  That would take us through South Dakota (Mount Rushmore), to Yellowstone National Park, then turn south to Zion National Park in Utah, and then onto the Grand Canyon before heading home.  Anyone have a quarter to flip?  In any event, come September (or October), you’ll find us back at Rainbow Plantation sitting on our front porch in our rockers – the “Old Folks At Home”. </p> <p>Well, there you have it for now.  Maybe I can get on schedule and do more timely updates as we are traveling this summer.  You’ll probably have to indulge a Grandpa spinning a few yarns about the grandkids, but we’ll be sure to post some pictures of the scenery along the way as well.  So, hang in there, we’re about to “head ‘em up and roll ‘em out”.  In the meantime, it’s “wax on, wax off” as we continue to ready the coach for travel.</p> <p><font size="4"><strong><em>May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. <font size="2">(I Thessalonians 5:28)</font></em></strong></font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-34943210934008196932013-02-22T08:56:00.001-06:002013-02-22T08:58:44.141-06:00“It’s About Time”, Update!!!<p>Wow, time just goes flying by.  We’ve kept ourselves busy with lots of busy work, but not a whole lot newsworthy.  As you know, we moved onto our lot on the 1st and on the 2nd I trimmed all the trees along the driveway side in preparation for arrival of our company.  </p> <p><a href="http://maineiacsinmotion.blogspot.com/">Mike and Peggy</a> arrived on the 3rd of the month so the first item of business was to upgrade the hookups here at the Patterson Lower Alabama Rainbow Plantation RV Annex Resort.  With a couple of trips to Home Depot and some “Emmanuel” labor we had the 50 amp power upgrades and the satellite sewer dump installed.  Then we focused on leveling the shed and installing the hurricane anchors.  The big upgrade is to remodel Judy’s Studio, however, our budget is groaning so we’ll have to hold off on that for awhile <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" alt="Sad smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bmtn62FySD0/USeGoGwMAQI/AAAAAAAAIAE/ZiGeB2P-Q48/wlEmoticon-sadsmile2.png?imgmax=800" />.</p> <p>Here’s a photo of our rigs parked at the Patterson Lower Alabama Rainbow Plantation RV Annex Resort located just around the corner from Norm and Linda Payne’s Lower Alabama Rainbow Plantation RV Annex Resort.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DPDP0PiBfLw/USeGonxeaEI/AAAAAAAAIAM/c7s3rn67rTk/s1600-h/DSCF964611.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9646" border="0" alt="DSCF9646" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RNe_wNvCL-Y/USeGpZsEc6I/AAAAAAAAIAU/GPJjr1yNm1o/DSCF96461_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="319" /></a></p> <p>Not everyone has been busy with the upgrades; someone has to supervise and make sure that the katt nap schedule is strictly adhered to.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KOlmIO5sARQ/USeGpxASlJI/AAAAAAAAIAc/Fpb_0hXrpG0/s1600-h/DSCF733011.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7330" border="0" alt="DSCF7330" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-47X3Esldhb0/USeGqrlYEXI/AAAAAAAAIAk/orALcI9WTy0/DSCF73301_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="339" /></a></p> <p>Mardi Gras came early this year leading to merriment, mayhem, and misbehavior.  Each year a King and Queen are chosen to oversee all of the festivities.  On Friday, the 8th, we have a kickoff dinner at the Rainbow Plantation Clubhouse.  Dessert is the King Cake, in our case cupcakes, and whoever finds the baby in their cupcake becomes the King and Queen.  Well, guess what I found in my cupcake?  You guessed it, yours truly became King and Linda Payne became Queen.  Here are a couple of pictures of the royalty along with their Pages.  This year’s theme was the Roaring 20’s so our Pages did well to play the part.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zLpOcnAeehk/USeGrO4sMiI/AAAAAAAAIAs/elbEbmetpfQ/s1600-h/DSCF738111.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7381" border="0" alt="DSCF7381" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6CpcSq-9JxY/USeGr9cxMGI/AAAAAAAAIA0/ZYnkDqGMjoI/DSCF73811_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="225" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ag3ft3SnD9c/USeGsuz1DjI/AAAAAAAAIA8/DEOH-bqSoAU/s1600-h/DSCF738211.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7382" border="0" alt="DSCF7382" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eHth-17GVlw/USeGtcWyzcI/AAAAAAAAIBE/ATjn07NMx_0/DSCF73821_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="225" /></a></p> <p>The King and Queen were chauffeured around in nice chariots – the King had a Mustang convertible while the Queen had to suffer in a Thunderbird convertible.  We would arrive in our chariots for each day’s event/s and make our entrance with much revelry, rambunctiousness, and bead throwing.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-d6rwXu62W8s/USeGtyPwtKI/AAAAAAAAIBM/49JL8tEmHX4/s1600-h/DSCF73954.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7395" border="0" alt="DSCF7395" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iGWkZWUa3JQ/USeGu-uKKsI/AAAAAAAAIBU/9NK0huLjPRk/DSCF7395_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="225" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7JOOrY35POA/USeGvR8UuXI/AAAAAAAAIBc/vIJDjJV2x6c/s1600-h/DSCF74474.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7447" border="0" alt="DSCF7447" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l4aYwgE9nEk/USeGv616cGI/AAAAAAAAIBk/XR1dgnobNXc/DSCF7447_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="224" /></a></p> <p>There were plenty of skits presented for the pleasure of the King and Queen, not to mention that the King and Queen performed plenty of antics themselves.  Here the Royal Teddy Bears were paraded onto the stage.  These Teddy Bears were born right on the premises of the the Plantation.  One of the ladies has a “Teddy Bear” class where both men and women make their very own bear.  Note Judy and Bear all decked out for Mardi Gras in the second picture.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3O8t4xUB8D4/USeGwcROh0I/AAAAAAAAIBs/qY24Dhf5Nqw/s1600-h/DSCF73871.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7387" border="0" alt="DSCF7387" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-imvyessmnJs/USeGxHKrMLI/AAAAAAAAIB0/IuL9cDQx8TQ/DSCF7387_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="225" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EfcNT-ZbsDc/USeGx83m2-I/AAAAAAAAIB8/CaKSeD_pIxs/s1600-h/DSCF73937.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7393" border="0" alt="DSCF7393" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3EO3F8eLRDI/USeGyYHtlAI/AAAAAAAAICE/1ITsodDwlxs/DSCF7393_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Here’s a couple more pictures of the fun and costuming.  Who says we “Keenagers” don’t know how to have fun!!  It was five days frolicking, fun, and fanaticism.  Finally the King and Queen are dethroned and next year’s theme is announced; Flower Power – remember the late sixties and early seventies?  It ought to be a lot of fun.  Can anyone say “Tie Dye?” </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jo8bFgdTXrA/USeGzFogCHI/AAAAAAAAICM/5u3pHhrafQw/s1600-h/DSCF7436.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7436" border="0" alt="DSCF7436" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zfWhf8rZ54A/USeGz6JU1EI/AAAAAAAAICU/q_aDS0BGynQ/DSCF7436_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="225" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cmkEgBoXWc8/USeG0RyRElI/AAAAAAAAICc/q13BRsKmEjg/s1600-h/DSCF7443.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7443" border="0" alt="DSCF7443" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zW_4ey5Qudc/USeG1D1hv2I/AAAAAAAAICk/RhgF5ggLKIY/DSCF7443_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="225" /></a></p> <p align="left">Many moons ago I promised to show some of Judy’s crafts (once Christmas was over).  Well, Christmas is long gone and I’ve still not done what I said I would, so here are some samples of her crafts.  You saw the Teddy Bear above, but her major “craft” is quilting.  Here are some of her past and present quilts.  The first two are grandchildren quilts.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fS2EJMyGm9w/USeG2To7lWI/AAAAAAAAICs/-G4FDeRbmrw/s1600-h/DSCF398913.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF3989" border="0" alt="DSCF3989" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qN0wd932ONo/USeG280DxAI/AAAAAAAAIC0/kMrh0jQIACQ/DSCF39891_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="240" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uo5_-vWa73s/USeG3qeggtI/AAAAAAAAIC8/oKXlJe_HSEE/s1600-h/DSCF399613.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF3996" border="0" alt="DSCF3996" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sebKzFs9gyI/USeG5BIiNcI/AAAAAAAAIDE/FMZW6ax1Sx4/DSCF39961_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="240" /></a></p> <p align="left">The number quilt was for baby Josiah’s birth and the second is a decorative table mat.  There’s lots and lots of different types of quilting that can be done for decorating around the house.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TRBCaUrrK_Q/USeG5naMvdI/AAAAAAAAIDM/3qUNbOgMm3w/s1600-h/DSCF719057.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7190" border="0" alt="DSCF7190" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pgPsEcD7VDI/USeG6PUGLRI/AAAAAAAAIDU/phe0HP6Mt9Y/DSCF7190_thumb54.jpg?imgmax=800" width="226" height="269" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MtgBH0Wq978/USeG6nbPUBI/AAAAAAAAIDc/Z4B50fMWdOM/s1600-h/DSCF41074.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF4107" border="0" alt="DSCF4107" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ijMy8dBsKnw/USeG7c3cv6I/AAAAAAAAIDk/x3ksTlfTFvY/DSCF4107_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a></p> <p align="left">Then, of course, there’s the quilts for us.  Here I am, with thumb in mouth, napping with my “man quilt” and Judy with her “scrappy quilt of many colors”.  The top of her quilt has been finished, it just needs the batting and backing applied and the quilting completed.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xiXGWS7K4cM/USeG7zklm6I/AAAAAAAAIDs/bv178obhUkQ/s1600-h/DSCF57873.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF5787" border="0" alt="DSCF5787" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ujkf2zUnYgE/USeG8cN4WCI/AAAAAAAAID0/uMeyPIpnYY0/DSCF5787_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="218" height="288" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dEU8i98uYyA/USeG85FG-9I/AAAAAAAAID8/BUCAYYLSQiE/s1600-h/Judy20Quilt20021413.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Judy%20Quilt%200214[1]" border="0" alt="Judy%20Quilt%200214[1]" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PbUcoFvuhnM/USeG9ar01BI/AAAAAAAAIEE/vMY0IEqGPOM/Judy20Quilt2002141_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="287" /></a></p> <p align="left">Other craft projects include crocheting (here is a blanket for Rocco with Alex inspecting the quality) and knitting (a ruffle scraf),</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DsHqjRAJZO4/USeG-LqUjbI/AAAAAAAAIEM/_adskeZMlVI/s1600-h/DSCF54943.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF5494" border="0" alt="DSCF5494" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f2iYNM07cxU/USeG-3BDrjI/AAAAAAAAIEU/KgV0zJbmy6k/DSCF5494_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="287" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rCIfyblU2V4/USeG_Y2c-NI/AAAAAAAAIEc/L8VZ4O42Uak/s1600-h/DSCF72973.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7297" border="0" alt="DSCF7297" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eCft-B3aKzc/USeHAMCZtpI/AAAAAAAAIEk/r6erUt8qjY0/DSCF7297_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="218" height="288" /></a></p> <p align="left">some pillow cases for the grandkids,</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zb5xCFdT9Mw/USeHAi-0upI/AAAAAAAAIEs/bdn88eZzQvI/s1600-h/DSCF3982.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF3982" border="0" alt="DSCF3982" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eqgcb3kgNdE/USeHBHnyjiI/AAAAAAAAIE0/c5Wj4M-Wyaw/DSCF3982_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="240" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NKS7P8Urs_s/USeHCBxv01I/AAAAAAAAIE8/3VaZayW3hjY/s1600-h/DSCF39834.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF3983" border="0" alt="DSCF3983" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zBNvBz-atX0/USeHCixmBfI/AAAAAAAAIFE/rb6kIcvciXk/DSCF3983_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="240" /></a></p> <p>and beaded jewelry of different types and styles.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jvUq9h11z9o/USeHDesx-gI/AAAAAAAAIFM/T29dMG4pwnc/s1600-h/DSCF409511.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF4095" border="0" alt="DSCF4095" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lwjKPT5eoOo/USeHD_akLpI/AAAAAAAAIFU/TR98aYiY5SM/DSCF40951_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vVNT6Ne3kvY/USeHEX4JSTI/AAAAAAAAIFc/BXVONk56O2g/s1600-h/DSCF410111.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF4101" border="0" alt="DSCF4101" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ImbwzE2ATN4/USeHFHbyLgI/AAAAAAAAIFk/9_XOAGu04o0/DSCF41011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-m8CZ2wLwAzA/USeHFoLE0YI/AAAAAAAAIFs/YmmsLIcuV6U/s1600-h/DSCF410211.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF4102" border="0" alt="DSCF4102" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-frbzl0Bq0Mk/USeHGLONhdI/AAAAAAAAIF0/CvneloxH-YU/DSCF41021_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v2oa7CzPpp4/USeHG9lKozI/AAAAAAAAIF8/QhhsDN_t3Ws/s1600-h/DSCF410411.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF4104" border="0" alt="DSCF4104" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-m9GaIBLTlJs/USeHIF4w0RI/AAAAAAAAIGE/Ph4oosNKblM/DSCF41041_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SBM2lWZY6ys/USeHIwbPn8I/AAAAAAAAIGM/RzqIxeRsDLs/s1600-h/DSCF410611.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF4106" border="0" alt="DSCF4106" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NIHPpgSFoXM/USeHJWJnfaI/AAAAAAAAIGU/oqavbvGs7d0/DSCF41061_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a></p> <p>Then there are other sewing projects such as various types of tote bags, purses, baby mats, etc..  As you can see, Judy can stay quite busy with her crafts; it keeps her “off the streets and out of trouble”.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GG8voWxiMRk/USeHKO48NZI/AAAAAAAAIGc/Zm9Nk5sopV0/s1600-h/DSCF732411.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7324" border="0" alt="DSCF7324" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bipk3L_ZEB0/USeHKjuwpKI/AAAAAAAAIGk/qXrrvkldBrw/DSCF73241_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jFy-hiw6YSQ/USeHLBsZmaI/AAAAAAAAIGs/8dnjNIDhb6g/s1600-h/DSCF65164.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF6516" border="0" alt="DSCF6516" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DafFmhPrdkY/USeHLrlASAI/AAAAAAAAIG0/5PpLnbZxpN8/DSCF6516_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="269" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q9-ApfAx0Lg/USeHMStB8vI/AAAAAAAAIG8/4LOSlGYloNI/s1600-h/DSCF959511.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9595" border="0" alt="DSCF9595" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sREQtu3cJOE/USeHM2HA-8I/AAAAAAAAIHE/pcbLwt3lklY/DSCF95951_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cfxc_6SfsI8/USeHNnbmaoI/AAAAAAAAIHM/udO5AZOe-y8/s1600-h/DSCF952811.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9528" border="0" alt="DSCF9528" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0fokliwu9aI/USeHOTPks9I/AAAAAAAAIHU/CFRMUkWnLwE/DSCF95281_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a></p> <p>We have been enjoying Mike and Peggy’s company.  My brother, Mike, and his wife, Shauna, will be stopping by for a visit next week.  Then Randy and Terry will be heading our way for a short visit in early March.  We love visitors.</p> <p>One last thing, I had to do It.  I had to breakdown and buy a lawn mower.  Yep, being a land owner does have some draw backs, however, I really don’t mind a little yard work here and there (put an emphasis on the word little).  It will give me something to do which will keep me “off the streets and out of trouble”. </p> <p>Well, thar ya have it, as you can see, we are still well and alive in Lower Alabama.</p> <p><font size="4"><strong><em>May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. <font size="2">(I Thessalonians 5:28)</font></em></strong></font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-36907261463230907262013-02-01T17:14:00.001-06:002013-02-01T17:23:42.138-06:00A Tour Of Our Home Sweet Home<p>Today is the day that we finally took possession of our “new to us” lot in Rainbow Plantation.  Judy and I rode our bikes over first to look everything over before we brought the RV over.  When we arrived at our site, this is what we found.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o3nAe4b9JAE/UQxMFIuwViI/AAAAAAAAH80/pRQGFLk1uDA/s1600-h/DSCF96261.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9626" border="0" alt="DSCF9626" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kH-7Cz1Zs-0/UQxMF9uR5GI/AAAAAAAAH88/LpKs4oZldg4/DSCF9626_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="287" /></a></p> <p>We are now living just around the corner from Norm and Linda Payne.  Don and Gloria Martin (Norm’s sister) are parked on their lot so the pranksters were busy awaiting our arrival.</p> <p>This is what our lot looks like with no one parked on it.  As you can see, there is plenty of room for us to build a nice little cottage style home in the future (probably sooner rather than later).  It’s a half acre lot.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TrUCdcTKFto/UQxMGT-kBgI/AAAAAAAAH9E/QHD5SAozreQ/s1600-h/DSCF9627.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9627" border="0" alt="DSCF9627" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Xt5lkar-Xe0/UQxMGwLWKbI/AAAAAAAAH9M/TEDi2nHK65Y/DSCF9627_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="287" /></a></p> <p>Here we are, all set up and starting our daily living routine.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--mdwn84TY1E/UQxMHZiodOI/AAAAAAAAH9U/vKmAqBUdKxY/s1600-h/DSCF9629.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9629" border="0" alt="DSCF9629" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dOpF9W9sJeg/UQxMH6lKOYI/AAAAAAAAH9c/8sKDkeOOqVM/DSCF9629_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="288" /></a></p> <p>And here are some photos taken from the patio around the neighborhood; looking to the left, looking oblique left, looking straight ahead, and looking oblique right.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6jjioG15kYQ/UQxMIl-yzeI/AAAAAAAAH9k/zQsCHYTl06I/s1600-h/DSCF9633.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9633" border="0" alt="DSCF9633" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RIA_P-sIppg/UQxMJW4JGII/AAAAAAAAH9s/gkRj6U3SqlI/DSCF9633_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="224" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lOdJyAiJAhI/UQxMJ9LUblI/AAAAAAAAH90/Q54dvZmxQ-s/s1600-h/DSCF9634.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9634" border="0" alt="DSCF9634" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-M4xvTdLnTTY/UQxMKaXsWHI/AAAAAAAAH98/RGiI4rONJ5g/DSCF9634_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="224" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NVvZYGnENS0/UQxMK8SZb9I/AAAAAAAAH-E/dwagqDz3Ex0/s1600-h/DSCF9635.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9635" border="0" alt="DSCF9635" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WrpIHm13TOE/UQxMLp3UouI/AAAAAAAAH-M/0LbwuKdzraw/DSCF9635_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="224" /></a>  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1mqPJBx1P1I/UQxMMLo93fI/AAAAAAAAH-U/W_0UM3sIEJ8/s1600-h/DSCF9636.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9636" border="0" alt="DSCF9636" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eC3--ai7ums/UQxMMg_tglI/AAAAAAAAH-c/omtnb-QMGyY/DSCF9636_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="224" /></a></p> <p>And now for a few shots of the backyard taken from our dining room window.  The shed with the extended roof will become Judy’s craft room.  We’ll have another patio off that shed where our barbeque grill will set (just as soon as we buy one).  The little shed will be for yard equipment.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UyE5rjw5Iwo/UQxMNdWqglI/AAAAAAAAH-k/zuCGUbDLm34/s1600-h/DSCF96424.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9642" border="0" alt="DSCF9642" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HPbO0UhDcaA/UQxMN2NvFcI/AAAAAAAAH-s/3uJiQFiBycY/DSCF9642_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="225" /></a>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5_VIBOcW04M/UQxMOjRGiYI/AAAAAAAAH-0/rIS11XNslFQ/s1600-h/DSCF96414.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9641" border="0" alt="DSCF9641" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Zw97ZziPr0E/UQxMPI4zFBI/AAAAAAAAH-8/M8aL3E160RU/DSCF9641_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="224" /></a></p> <p>Dick and Pat stopped by delivering some balloons to celebrate the occasion – thanks guys.  Here’s a shot of our patio with the balloons flying high.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l_0MBuLlAQw/UQxMPxeWUCI/AAAAAAAAH_E/QEsk-QlydlQ/s1600-h/DSCF96434.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF9643" border="0" alt="DSCF9643" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r6JMvaAuKz0/UQxMQnJ3xHI/AAAAAAAAH_M/KiCE58HEuXo/DSCF9643_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="287" /></a></p> <p align="left">As you can see, we’ll be right nice and comfy in our new site “down home”.  So, if you ever get down by the bay, drop in!!!  In the meantime, we’ll try to be a little more faithful in updating our blog, but don’t hold your breath waiting for the next blog entry!</p> <p><font size="4"><strong><em>May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. <font size="2">(I Thessalonians 5:28)</font></em></strong></font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-52515949248040827792012-12-31T09:13:00.001-06:002012-12-31T09:13:19.569-06:00Twenty-Twelve Wrap Up<p>Well, this is it.  Hard to believe that 2012 blew by as fast as it did.  The only thing that seemed to drag on and last forever was the Presidential campaign – thought it would never end.  Twenty-Twelve began with us right here at Rainbow Plantation.  We enjoyed the functions at the clubhouse and worshipping at our church.  In February the Maineiacs showed up to help us celebrate Mardi Gras.</p> <p>March found us on the road with Mike and Peggy.  We visited New Orleans for a little sightseeing and to sample a muffaletta sandwich.  We made a stop by our home (Rainbow’s End in Livingston, Texas), before spending a couple of weeks in the Hill Country of Texas.  The main attraction was San Antonio where we toured the Alamo, walked the River Walk, and partook in a tasty Mexican dinner.  Trips were made to Fredericksburg to visit the Pacific War Museum and to sample some German dishes at Der Lindenbaum, the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall, and Bill’s Barbeque in Kerrville.  Let us not forget that HUGE hamburger and a HUGE serving of onion rings at Alamo Springs; that meal lasted two days.</p> <p>From the Hill Country we returned to Rainbow’s End for a couple of days and then it was off to Vidalia, Louisiana where we stayed at Riverview RV Park and dined at Nikki’s Restaurant (ooooo, that crawfish etouffee was some ol’ scrumptous).  Vidalia is just across the river from Natchez, Mississippi.  We took the carriage tour of Natchez, visited the Barber of Natchez Museum, and, of course, ate at the Pig Out Inn.  Upon leaving Natchez Mike and Peggy headed north on the Natchez Trace and we headed south to return to Rainbow Plantation but, first, we made a stop by Bonifay, Florida to visit Randy and Terry.</p> <p>We stayed at the Plantation for three weeks before heading out once again for our summer travels.  First stop was Cedars of Lebanon State Park in Tennessee for a grand kid fix.  Then we spent a couple of days at the Escapee’s Raccoon Valley before heading for Mt. Airy, North Carolina for a walk down Main Street Mayberry to visit Andy, Barney, and friends.  I got a haircut at Floyd’s Barber Shop from the same barber who cut Andy’s hair when he lived there.  Don and Jenny drove over from Mountain City, Tennessee to visit us for a day.  After doing a little sightseeing, we stopped by Snappy Lunch for one of their famous Pork Chop Sandwiches.</p> <p>Next stop was Bull Run Regional Park so we could visit with Joel and Mary in Alexandria, Virginia.  From there we made tracks to Maine to spend time with my brother, Mike, and his wife Shauna as well as Mike and Peggy.  Then we headed west with a stop in Litchfield, Connecticut for a visit with my aunt Marge who lives with my cousin Cheryl and her husband John.  My other three cousins, Tim, Robbie, and Glenn showed up as well.</p> <p>From Connecticut we continued heading toward Michigan.  As we entered the Ohio turnpike we noticed smoke rolling out of the RV; it turned out to be a seized wheel bearing.  Fortunately there was a truck / trailer repair facility within seven miles of our location so we were able to limp along slowly to get there.  We ended up spending the night in their parking lot and they got us in the first thing in the morning.  We were on the road again by 11 o’clock and made it to Shirley and Warren’s about seven hours later.</p> <p>Our friends, Ray and Pat, have a nice RV site in Mecosta, Michigan where we spent a week before heading off to Petoskey to workamp at Hearthside <a href="http://www.hearthsidegrove.com/">Grove Luxury Motorcoach Resort</a>.  While in Petoskey, Matt, Jackie and kids came up for a vacation.  While they were there, Mike and Peggy stopped by for a visit as well.  We had a great week with all our visitors from a far.  Of course, as you can guess, we did a little dining out as well.  Out to Lunch for breakfast, the Pier for lunch (both in Harbor Springs), and the Pizza Palace in Mackinaw City.</p> <p>The “job” wasn’t bad and the people were very nice, however, we ended up leaving early to return to Tennessee for babysitting duties while our daughter-in-law attended school in Chattanooga for her new job.  The highlight of the year was a trip back to Virginia to be on hand for the birth of grand child number seven; Josiah Everette Fortner.</p> <p>Then we turned our faces homeward with a couple of stops along the way.  First to Raccoon Valley just north of Knoxville, Tennessee so we could visit Gene and Judi in their new home and then to La Grange, Georgia to visit with Mike and Gerri.  We stayed at a COE park on West Point Lake which is right on the border of Alabama and Georgia and had a fantastic site.  Mike and Gerri visited us at the campsite for a Honey Grill Chicken dinner and some good old fashioned Bocci Ball.  </p> <p>After a six hour travel day from there we were back in our stall here at Rainbow Plantation.  Jim and Ellie hosted us for a travel day meal and Norm and Linda hosted us for a day after travel day meal.  It was good to be home after almost six months on the road and to be with our RVing family once again.  We arrived “home” at the end of September and have stayed put since catching up on a lot of “Ta Do” items.</p> <p>Now it’s onto 2013.  We’ve outlined most of our travel plans for the New Year.  We’ll be making the TN, VA, ME, CT, MI, TN loop again only this year we’ll only be gone for less than three months.  Tentatively, we may take a short trip with Mike and Peggy to Savannah, Georgia for our fortieth wedding anniversary and we would like to spend Christmas with Joel and Mary in Virginia.  It all depends on the good old budget; right now it looks very tight and we’ll have to make a judgment call after our illustrious elected officials get done arm wrestling each other.</p> <p>So, for now, we bid you a Happy New Year and May God Bless - - - - - - - -  </p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-18115486251982713092012-12-24T06:01:00.001-06:002012-12-24T06:01:39.583-06:00It’s All About Jesus<p align="left"><font size="7"><font color="#ff0000"></font></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ff0000" size="6" face="Comic Sans MS"><em></em></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ff0000" size="6" face="Comic Sans MS"><em>“Happy birthday, Jesus</em></font> <br /><font color="#00ff00" size="6" face="Comic Sans MS"><em>I'm so glad it's Christmas</em></font><font color="#00ff00"> <br /></font><font color="#ff0000" size="6" face="Comic Sans MS"><em>All the tinsel and lights</em></font> <br /><font color="#00ff00" size="6" face="Comic Sans MS"><em>And the presents are nice</em></font><font color="#00ff00"> <br /></font><font color="#ff0000" size="6" face="Comic Sans MS"><em>But the real gift is You</em></font></p> <p align="left"> <br /><font color="#00ff00" size="6" face="Comic Sans MS"><em>Happy birthday, Jesus</em></font><font color="#00ff00"> <br /></font><font color="#ff0000" size="6" face="Comic Sans MS"><em>I'm so glad it's Christmas</em></font> <br /><font color="#00ff00" size="6" face="Comic Sans MS"><em>All the carols and bells</em></font><font color="#00ff00"> <br /></font><font color="#ff0000" size="6" face="Comic Sans MS"><em>Make the holiday swell</em></font><font size="7"><font color="#ff0000"> <br /></font><font color="#00ff00" size="6" face="Comic Sans MS"><em>And it's all about You”</em></font></font> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"><font size="6" face="Comic Sans MS"><em></em></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffff00" size="6" face="Comic Sans MS"><em>“Jesus Is The Reason For The Season!”</em></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffff00" size="6" face="Comic Sans MS"><em>Hope you will be enjoying the day with friends and family which is God’s second gift to us</em></font><font color="#ffff00" size="6" face="Comic Sans MS"><em>.</em></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ffff00" size="6" face="Comic Sans MS"><em>Judy and I are wishing a very . . . .</em></font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Comic Sans MS"><em> </em></font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Comic Sans MS"><em><strong><font size="7"><font color="#00ff00">Merry</font> <font color="#ff0000">Christmas <font color="#00ff00">To</font> <font color="#ff0000">Everyone</font></font><font color="#00ff00">!</font></font></strong></em></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ff0000"></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#00ff00"> </font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-88216891752056708182012-12-18T07:44:00.001-06:002012-12-18T07:48:32.802-06:00Deck The Halls . . . .<p>“‘Tis the season!”  The time of family, friends, festivities, and fun are upon us.  Also, and most importantly, is the reminder that God loved us so much that He sent His Son to earth, in the form of a baby, as a sacrifice that would redeem us back to Himself.  Yep, it’s paramount that we keep our focus and be thankful for all that our Heavenly Father has done on our behalf; after all, Jesus is the reason for the season.</p> <p>So, we deck the halls with boughs of holly and rejoice in all our blessings.  Here are a couple of pictures of our house “all decked out”.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_Jv8a9UF8DI/UNBzEjIZxBI/AAAAAAAAH4w/MfPhpMBJXLg/s1600-h/DSCF72845.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Oh Tannenbaum, Oh Tannenbaum" border="0" alt="DSCF7284" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TPxbl9v1XIQ/UNBzFaJRhVI/AAAAAAAAH44/SDlE7jZrvM0/DSCF7284_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="257" height="406" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CutK4DpZw9s/UNBzF7xx3PI/AAAAAAAAH7Q/oI3-qV_R6qA/s1600-h/DSCF72861%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="I See The Light/s" border="0" alt="DSCF7286" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6gMr6vd8or4/UNBzG9V2FTI/AAAAAAAAH7U/-bg9PAygTpw/DSCF72861_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="225" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-boDBg-UgPpk/UNBzHS007mI/AAAAAAAAH7Y/I68cAe2ml04/s1600-h/DSCF72901%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="You Light Up My Life" border="0" alt="DSCF7290" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0BPhD9Xpf_c/UNBzH5j6EhI/AAAAAAAAH7c/Vl5LlrtMwAM/DSCF72901_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="225" /></a></p> <p>And, of course, here are some pictures of our greatest blessings in this life time.    And, yes, we can still share Santa Claus with our grand children as a symbol of love and giving.  God <strong><u>gave</u></strong> his Son and He asked us to <strong><u>give</u></strong> our love – <strong><em>“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment. <sup> </sup>And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”</em></strong></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PtDe4zHJWnY/UNBzIfsi2tI/AAAAAAAAH5g/ZjrltNv4rME/s1600-h/Briana-and-Santa8.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Briana and Santa" border="0" alt="Briana and Santa" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xuwJ_iD2yuc/UNBzI2tFZcI/AAAAAAAAH5o/EfQ4FlI3wus/Briana-and-Santa_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="256" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2TJ_obr6I2M/UNBzJ-IvofI/AAAAAAAAH7g/skPQCRsmAFQ/s1600-h/Lola-and-Santa1%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Lola and Santa" border="0" alt="Lola and Santa" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ggVXy9bSvgc/UNBzKriGz3I/AAAAAAAAH7k/xTzNhaxXPz8/Lola-and-Santa1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Y1Fa1Ixu8zU/UNBzLNdktrI/AAAAAAAAH7o/deM6SpTjBMM/s1600-h/Rocco-and-Santa1%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Rocco and Santa" border="0" alt="Rocco and Santa" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p2Au-oY-8gA/UNBzLx4wFYI/AAAAAAAAH7s/-8Pa5CLM3Iw/Rocco-and-Santa1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3PtYdHdWjXQ/UNBzMeHYhuI/AAAAAAAAH7w/qLGBASzVXFE/s1600-h/Catia-Kalina-Rocco-and-Santa1%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Kalina, Catia, Radek, and Santa" border="0" alt="Catia, Kalina, Radek, and Santa" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cMi7iUQwOdM/UNBzNWzNhYI/AAAAAAAAH70/tYuORvToJNo/Catia-Kalina-Rocco-and-Santa1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="268" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Midovt3lhp4/UNBzOPKa9AI/AAAAAAAAH74/ni2cVoNh4WQ/s1600-h/Josiah-and-Santa1%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Josiah and Santa" border="0" alt="Josiah and Santa" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--nr3ATRzecA/UNBzPAI5XFI/AAAAAAAAH78/yl0A906zyMM/Josiah-and-Santa1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="203" height="268" /></a></p> <p align="left">And, we can’t forget our fur kids who also bring us lots of joy throughout the year.  Katie is sitting next to the tree while Alex is staring at her.  I see trouble on the horizon.   Meow Christmas Y’all!!!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZASh_9z3t8s/UNBzPyx2DgI/AAAAAAAAH6w/ZOqUBq0IBLE/s1600-h/DSCF030416.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF0304" border="0" alt="DSCF0304" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6jjm-3_mI0s/UNBzQuivEAI/AAAAAAAAH64/X1C2CmbawOQ/DSCF0304_thumb13.jpg?imgmax=800" width="307" height="406" /></a>  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OzOdtQdYneQ/UNBzRfkMH7I/AAAAAAAAH7A/dzJZeD2Dyoc/s1600-h/DSCF72958.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCF7295" border="0" alt="DSCF7295" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7MxiD_aTCG4/UNBzSNZuDsI/AAAAAAAAH7I/LL7e9kDsti0/DSCF7295_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="305" height="406" /></a></p> <p align="left">One last thing, our old <a href="http://www.wanderingamerica.com/">Wandering America</a> website will disappear come January as we are not going to renew the host service or maintain the domain name.  We haven’t updated the website since January of 2010 since we are now using the Wandering America Blog instead.  Just letting you know in case you are interested in taking a last look at the web site before it goes away.</p> <p align="left"><font size="4"><strong><em>May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. <font size="2">(I Thessalonians 5:28)</font></em></strong></font></p> <p align="left"></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-25692521651227624992012-12-17T07:12:00.001-06:002012-12-17T07:12:40.935-06:00In Remembrance<p>This will be a somber Christmas across America in lieu of what took place in Newtown, Connecticut. The folks of that community are devastated and in deep mourning over the loss of their children. The rest of us in this nation are saddened as we mourn with them. Let’s try to forget the name of the perpetrator and remember the names of each of the victims while we pray for their families. They can use all our love, prayers, and support at this time of their grief. There will be a moment of silence at 11:00 AM this morning. Set your alarms (computer, phone, watch, or whatever) to remind you to stop what you are doing and read through the names of these loved ones in remembrance.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E7p2egTVcHQ/UM8aRIvx0cI/AAAAAAAAH30/MWhHP-Z_c0E/s1600-h/60920_498452926861319_379398234_n1_t%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="60920_498452926861319_379398234_n1_t" border="0" alt="60920_498452926861319_379398234_n1_t" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DkeA7p7LGsg/UM8aR41tqbI/AAAAAAAAH38/CBXZF2K3TjQ/60920_498452926861319_379398234_n1_t_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="506" height="382" /></a></p> <p align="left">And, let’s not forget to pray for our country. Our leaders need to stop fighting God and start leading this nation back to Him, it really is the only true solution to our nation’s ills.</p> <p><strong><em>“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” <font size="2">2 Chronicles 7:14</font></em></strong></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6614499822309114792.post-23611189881640879042012-12-12T09:27:00.001-06:002012-12-12T09:27:21.767-06:00It’s About Time<p>Oh my, it’s been two weeks since I last posted – wow, ‘mmy bad!!!  Sheesh, I guess I’ve gotten lazy, so it’s about time to update the blog.  We haven’t been all that busy, but have been sort of living day by day doing the same ol’, same ol’.  Judy has been doing a lot of sewing projects and attending her activities at the clubhouse.  We both have been doing a lot of reading, one of our favorite pass times.  </p> <p>The big thing has been getting ready for Christmas.  This year we fell behind the power curve and didn’t get our Christmas shopping done early.  Normally we try to acquire all the gifts and leave them behind as we visit the kids throughout our summer travels.  But this year, being that we w*rked in northern Michigan, that didn’t happen.  Yesterday we spent forty-eight bucks for shipping costs - yikes!!    That and Alabama sales tax of 10%, it behooves us to reinstitute our old “Johnny Appleseed” plan of scattering presents across the land as we travel.</p> <p>About a week and a half ago, on a bright sunshiny Friday afternoon, we joined together with Jim and Ellie at Big Daddy’s to bid fare thee well to Paul and Margery.  They pulled up stakes and headed south for the winter; well, further south than we are.  It’s been nice to have them here at the Plantation for the past couple of months.  They worship with us at our church whenever they are in town and we are going to miss their smiling faces each Sunday morning.  We’ll especially miss Freeway, their pooch – he’s a real cutie patootie.  They’ll be coming back to the Plantation this spring (once the weather warms up <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6m87r3X2ywM/UMiiNq-860I/AAAAAAAAH1g/1zTks0TLKfc/wlEmoticon-smile2.png?imgmax=800" />) so we’ll be looking forward to their return. </p> <p>A new eatery has opened in Perdido Beach called The Gulf which is located right next to the Perdido Pass (a waterway connecting Perdido Bay to the Gulf of Mexico).  The Gulf is a whole new concept in that the buildings are made up from shipping pods.  It has a limited menu that you order from at the window and then your order is delivered to your table which sits outside with panoramic views overlooking the Gulf and the Pass.    </p> <p>One day last week eight of us (Jim, Ellie, George, Joanne, Keith, Roberta, Judy, and I) ventured southward for lunch at The Gulf.  The food is not that special, but the ambiance is nothing short of spectacular, so for that reason alone we’ll come back again.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OFPDeTuWwpo/UMiiOe9WAqI/AAAAAAAAH1o/7B9ykC4OXlE/s1600-h/100_3973-13.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Keith, George, Joanne, Ellie, Judy, Darrell, and Jim. Roberta is standing behind the camera." border="0" alt="100_3973 (1)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7cXM-sK09uM/UMiiPEjphqI/AAAAAAAAH1w/EGXcT4OYpZY/100_3973-1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="287" /></a></p> <p>After we filled our bellies with burgers, we went for a romp on the beach and partook of some of The Gulf’s fine beach furniture.  A lazy day in the sun.  <font size="2">(you can place your cursor over the picture to identify the culprits)</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IykpH7O-LUQ/UMiiQGeBhLI/AAAAAAAAH14/lqxq0OV136w/s1600-h/100_3975-13.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Joanne and George" border="0" alt="100_3975 (1)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zO3cFBBvwmc/UMiiQkkHthI/AAAAAAAAH2A/0nDFLNfMyq4/100_3975-1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="224" /></a>  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lmijECOXqxI/UMiiRN1Yv0I/AAAAAAAAH2E/XTMY2w0lyIk/s1600-h/100_3979-13.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Roberta and Keith" border="0" alt="100_3979 (1)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ALOugKuw6y0/UMiiR0OefbI/AAAAAAAAH2Q/jAwIOSyt3U8/100_3979-1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="224" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eAr34xUwjGU/UMiiScfH_5I/AAAAAAAAH2Y/IoW8xjrMW7U/s1600-h/100_3982-13.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Yours Truly" border="0" alt="100_3982 (1)" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3mD3-uTGxvk/UMiiTKmOLOI/AAAAAAAAH2g/YB7Y40nnnF0/100_3982-1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="224" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-He_S7clts-M/UMiiTt_10bI/AAAAAAAAH2o/d_4odR06lxE/s1600-h/100_3983-13.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Ellie and Jim" border="0" alt="100_3983 (1)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dbdkV26iy78/UMiiUnRL4QI/AAAAAAAAH2w/Nj1t7AlxxgI/100_3983-1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="224" /></a></p> <p>After lunch we migrated a little further east along Perdido Beach to the Alabama Florida line to visit the fine emporium known as Florabama.  It’s a rambling old facility that houses a gift shop, several bars, a restaurant (as such), dance floors, and, yes (heaven forbid), holds church services on Sunday.  It sits right on the line with half of it in Florida and half of it in Alabama, hence the name.  It’s one of those places that you’d most likely only visit once unless you escorted someone else on a visit.  While we were there, we had our picture made by one of the Florabama employees (and a fine representation of us delinquents it is).</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-q3PB1vJ302w/UMiiVDIVjNI/AAAAAAAAH24/OAgenx42aYg/s1600-h/100_3985-13.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="George, Joanne, Keith, Roberta, Judy, Darrell, Jim, Ellie" border="0" alt="100_3985 (1)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-N9neJUpZatI/UMiiV-FghEI/AAAAAAAAH3A/lWmO-hcLsG4/100_3985-1_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="288" /></a></p> <p>From there we headed back to George and Joanne’s house at the Plantation for some cake and ice cream.  No, it wasn’t anyone’s birthday, but cake and ice cream always fills the bill.  What a fun afternoon we all had.  And we look forward to a few more before Keith and Roberta head for Arizona and relinquish the keys to their property to Judy and me (we’re buying their lot here at Rainbow Plantation). </p> <p>I must confess, that I haven’t been doing diligence to the Ol’ Ta Do List and it’s growing quite unruly.  Judy had a bout with bronchitis and that slowed us down for the better part of a week and now the Plantation is getting into the swing of the Christmas season (more about that in our next post) so the list will just have wait a little longer.  That will leave many, many projects lying ahead of us.  With any luck, they’ll all be behind us before we begin our travels next spring. </p> <p align="left"><font size="4"><strong><em>May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. <font size="2">(I Thessalonians 5:28)</font></em></strong></font></p> Darrell and Judy Pattersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16019560018434119445noreply@blogger.com0