The last time I posted anything was about "baby, light my fire" and boy did I not realize the truth to that statement. You see, I got married on Thursday and henpecked on Friday.
We'll start with the getting married part. Judy arranged for her minister to marry us in his office Thursday afternoon and then we needed to get ready for the Texas Boomers Christmas rally that was starting on Friday. When we told people we were getting married, they all had two questions, what is Judy wearing (nobody was interested in what I was wearing) and who is going to be at the wedding. So ya'll know, Judy wore a nice pair of slacks with a blouse and jacket with a pearl necklace. She was beautiful. I would tell you what I wore but since that was several days ago, I don't have a clue. It was just us, the minister and a witness from the office. No big deal.
We went back to Judy's and starting getting things ready to go to the rally the next day. We did take a break and go to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Carrabba's. I hadn't been to the Woodlands location for several years and was surprised that one of the assistant mangers that had been there was now back and remembered me. Carrabba's is well known for their good food and their outstanding customer service but you'll never believe this, they have one of the best steaks in Texas. I always have a filet and it's always prepared to perfection. Of course being a "use to be regular", they provided us with a complementary shrimp scampi appetizer that was a meal in itself. I don't know how they can do it, but somehow I only managed to pay for about seventy five percent of the meal. They didn't charge for the wine, dessert or coffee. Now you know why we go back often.
Friday morning was time to load the motorhome for the rally. The weather was threatening but so far so good. We got to the rally grounds, checked in and started setting up. Its nice to push a few buttons a be level and the slides extended. The next project was getting the Christmas decorations put up...here is where the henpecked part comes in. I've never put up Christmas decorations in my life. I'm not sure I've even ever helped. But here I am, stringing lights, arranging candy cane lights, getting the snow man at just the right spot to hold our "just married" sign, wreaths hung on the motorhome and the big red bow Judy had made attached to the front of the motorhome. It was fun. I can't believe I just typed that! It was all worth it though. We won first place.
The rally was great. Its always fun being with our Texas Boomer friends and of course meeting and making new friends.
Sunday morning, we packed up a drove back to the Conroe house. We stayed there until Monday afternoon and then headed to the country. We left fog and drizzle in Conroe and arrived in the country to blue skies. Each morning we get up early, have coffee and then dress in warm clothes for a walk around the property. Oh boy, on these cold brisk mornings it feels so good to breathe in that cold dry air. We usually walk for about forty five minutes, unless we spot something that we want to just stop and admire. The birds have been awesome. American gold finch, chipping sparrow, yellow bellied sapsucker, dark eyed junco, pine warbler, and eastern bluebirds by the hundreds. Its really fun to study the different behaviors birds have.
We'll be going back to Conroe tomorrow. We'll have Christmas with my children and grand children Friday night at my son Craig's house. That should be fun. Deb is making shrimp creole and Judy is making coconut cream pie and two different kinds of cookies. Yum! I can't wait to see all those grand kids and of course their parents.
Blessings to all.....
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Oh baby, lite my fire...
Yep, gets your attention doesn't it. Its not that fire I'm writing about, its a real wood smoking wood burning fire in my fireplace.
Most east Texans practice this well know little secret when building fires...use the east Texas pine knot. Have you ever used a piece of pine knot to start a fire? If not, you are in for a treat, just don't catch the chimney on fire. You can buy "flat wood" from places like L. L. Bean for some outrageous price or you can do what we east Texans do and go for a nice peaceful walk in the woods and gather it on your own. I scavenge pine knots two different ways. First, find a pine tree that a wind storm blew over say sometime last year. That way it won't still be green or old enough that the termites have eaten away the best parts. Side note...I once had a neighbor in the country tell me, "if you lay a board down while you go eat lunch, the dang termites will invade it and you'll have to cut another one". But then again, thats another story, back to the pine knots. Second choice is to find a stump where a pine once stood. Maybe a stump left during logging, that would be the preferred one. Then you just take your saw and cut it off near the ground, hopefully this will leave you with a 6-8 inch log. Perfect. When you get through strolling around in the woods taking in God's handy work, go on back to the house and I use a double bit axe to split off little "sticks" from the log. You want to get the heart of the log. That's the center that still has lots of pine sap in it. It may even still be a little sticky, thats okay. You just want that good golden color and boy does it smell good too. You want them to be about the size of my index finger, so the next time we shake hands be sure an check out my fingers.
Now comes the fire building part. Get you one or maybe two of these sticks and place them on the grate in your fireplace. I usually add a few pieces of other kindling and then some nicely seasoned firewood. My choice is red oak. Strike you a match and not like we use to see in the movies on the butt of your jeans, strike it on the striker part of the matchbox please. Lite those little pieces of pine knots and stand back to admire your fire building skills. Once those knots get burning you'll get a roar going up the chimney and thats why you can't use too many or you'll burn the house down. And I don't need anybody blaming me for a house fire.
So now you know about pine knots. If you are ever near the country place and I still live here (on and off), drop in and we'll go pine knot looking. A word of caution however, if you go walking through the country place with me you may start negotiating to buy it before we get back to the house and get a fire built.
Blessings to all....
Most east Texans practice this well know little secret when building fires...use the east Texas pine knot. Have you ever used a piece of pine knot to start a fire? If not, you are in for a treat, just don't catch the chimney on fire. You can buy "flat wood" from places like L. L. Bean for some outrageous price or you can do what we east Texans do and go for a nice peaceful walk in the woods and gather it on your own. I scavenge pine knots two different ways. First, find a pine tree that a wind storm blew over say sometime last year. That way it won't still be green or old enough that the termites have eaten away the best parts. Side note...I once had a neighbor in the country tell me, "if you lay a board down while you go eat lunch, the dang termites will invade it and you'll have to cut another one". But then again, thats another story, back to the pine knots. Second choice is to find a stump where a pine once stood. Maybe a stump left during logging, that would be the preferred one. Then you just take your saw and cut it off near the ground, hopefully this will leave you with a 6-8 inch log. Perfect. When you get through strolling around in the woods taking in God's handy work, go on back to the house and I use a double bit axe to split off little "sticks" from the log. You want to get the heart of the log. That's the center that still has lots of pine sap in it. It may even still be a little sticky, thats okay. You just want that good golden color and boy does it smell good too. You want them to be about the size of my index finger, so the next time we shake hands be sure an check out my fingers.
Now comes the fire building part. Get you one or maybe two of these sticks and place them on the grate in your fireplace. I usually add a few pieces of other kindling and then some nicely seasoned firewood. My choice is red oak. Strike you a match and not like we use to see in the movies on the butt of your jeans, strike it on the striker part of the matchbox please. Lite those little pieces of pine knots and stand back to admire your fire building skills. Once those knots get burning you'll get a roar going up the chimney and thats why you can't use too many or you'll burn the house down. And I don't need anybody blaming me for a house fire.
So now you know about pine knots. If you are ever near the country place and I still live here (on and off), drop in and we'll go pine knot looking. A word of caution however, if you go walking through the country place with me you may start negotiating to buy it before we get back to the house and get a fire built.
Blessings to all....
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Tis the season with a reason...
Thanksgiving feasts are over, my pants are tighter and I'm sure my cholesterol level has increased but what matters is we are coming up to the season for celebration of our Saviour's birth.
There has been so much said and it seems much more than usual this year about not using the word "Christ" in any advertising, greetings or any sort of commercial endeavours. What ever the ACLU wants to do they seem to do without much opposition. Christmas is my second most favorite holiday with Easter being first of course. For any that read this that aren't Christians, Easter is when Jesus rose from the tomb and ascended into heaven. All this just so we (thats all we) can be forgiven our sins and also have everlasting life. If you believe that, you too will have everlasting life.
It saddens me that we can't celebrate Christmas like we could just a few short years ago. I truly believe when Madalyn Murray O'Hair was able to have prayer banned in the classroom, the demise of our country began. That's also about the time teachers began to have less ability to teach because they had no discipline. My, my. Where will it end?
Pretty lousy blog...I guess blogs are suppose to be more about where I ate breakfast, who I saw a Wally World or if I got my hair cut today. Toast, Rusty and no, I didn't get a hair cut. What I did however, was awaken about 6 and got a head start on the day. Since we are back at the country house, the moonlight was bright enough to illuminate any deer or heaven forbid a hog. That's always nice to wake up to. We went for a long walk around by the hugging trees, the rubber band frog place and the quiet forest. It was such a beautiful morning. The quietness here is deafening sometimes. We didn't see any deer but a lot of tracks...including the dreaded hog. I know they are part of God's creation, but I don't get it. Destructive suckers!
We've had four people look at the country place and all are still interested. Three are looking for a weekend place and one for full time residency. All four are cash buyers. I'm pretty sure that none of them got money from Obamanation or his henchmen so I guess they did it the old fashion way, earned it. Of course thats pretty unique in today's time. Maybe these prospects will get into a bidding war. That would be nice.
I told my friend Johnye the other day, when Judy and I build our house, it will be my fifth last house I was ever going to build and by golly, its going to have it all. I want an outdoor cooking and entertainment area complete with a fireplace and air conditioning. No and I mean no, swimming pool. We have some unique and beautiful antique furniture that we want to build the house around. Do you remember a TV commercial where the couple met with their architect and handed him a kitchen sink faucet and said, "design around this", thats what we are going to do.
Its beginning to get cool again in the house so I need to go bring some firewood up to the porch and get ready to build a fire. We had a great fire last night and tonight we get to enjoy another with company. Judy is making stew and cornbread for dinner. Yum! I helped...peeled potatoes, onions, carrots and it seems like something else but I can't remember right now what it was. I just hope it was suppose to go in the stew.
Remind me to tell you about pine knots some day.
Blessings to all of you and please remember, it is a season with a reason.
There has been so much said and it seems much more than usual this year about not using the word "Christ" in any advertising, greetings or any sort of commercial endeavours. What ever the ACLU wants to do they seem to do without much opposition. Christmas is my second most favorite holiday with Easter being first of course. For any that read this that aren't Christians, Easter is when Jesus rose from the tomb and ascended into heaven. All this just so we (thats all we) can be forgiven our sins and also have everlasting life. If you believe that, you too will have everlasting life.
It saddens me that we can't celebrate Christmas like we could just a few short years ago. I truly believe when Madalyn Murray O'Hair was able to have prayer banned in the classroom, the demise of our country began. That's also about the time teachers began to have less ability to teach because they had no discipline. My, my. Where will it end?
Pretty lousy blog...I guess blogs are suppose to be more about where I ate breakfast, who I saw a Wally World or if I got my hair cut today. Toast, Rusty and no, I didn't get a hair cut. What I did however, was awaken about 6 and got a head start on the day. Since we are back at the country house, the moonlight was bright enough to illuminate any deer or heaven forbid a hog. That's always nice to wake up to. We went for a long walk around by the hugging trees, the rubber band frog place and the quiet forest. It was such a beautiful morning. The quietness here is deafening sometimes. We didn't see any deer but a lot of tracks...including the dreaded hog. I know they are part of God's creation, but I don't get it. Destructive suckers!
We've had four people look at the country place and all are still interested. Three are looking for a weekend place and one for full time residency. All four are cash buyers. I'm pretty sure that none of them got money from Obamanation or his henchmen so I guess they did it the old fashion way, earned it. Of course thats pretty unique in today's time. Maybe these prospects will get into a bidding war. That would be nice.
I told my friend Johnye the other day, when Judy and I build our house, it will be my fifth last house I was ever going to build and by golly, its going to have it all. I want an outdoor cooking and entertainment area complete with a fireplace and air conditioning. No and I mean no, swimming pool. We have some unique and beautiful antique furniture that we want to build the house around. Do you remember a TV commercial where the couple met with their architect and handed him a kitchen sink faucet and said, "design around this", thats what we are going to do.
Its beginning to get cool again in the house so I need to go bring some firewood up to the porch and get ready to build a fire. We had a great fire last night and tonight we get to enjoy another with company. Judy is making stew and cornbread for dinner. Yum! I helped...peeled potatoes, onions, carrots and it seems like something else but I can't remember right now what it was. I just hope it was suppose to go in the stew.
Remind me to tell you about pine knots some day.
Blessings to all of you and please remember, it is a season with a reason.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Too much to do and too much time to do it...HUH?
What a whirlwind since my last post. Prospects looking at the country house. Beginning to prepare Judy's house to put on the market, getting prepared for thanksgiving, getting my house in shape to move from, buying wedding rings, arranging for Pastor Alan to perform the wedding, getting rid of things at the country I won't move, buying Christmas presents and on and on and on.
There's plenty of time, we just need to prioritize and organize. Well, thats what I keep telling myself anyway. Lets see. I'm waiting on a call from the realtor. A prospect looked at the place last Monday and brought his wife back today for a noon appointment. It's now after 3 and not a word. Did they not show? Are they still there? Are they deciding how much to offer? Heck, I don't know. Maybe they just went ahead and moved in. I hope they'll make sure the cats have food. You know, a person could get themselves in a knot pretty quickly over this kind of stuff. I think I'll change the subject!
Christmas! Its time to celebrate the birth of Christ and not get caught up in the other stuff. I pray daily and thank God for the blessings I receive and yesterday started some shopping for the grand kids. I had asked my children what the grand kids would like...mistake, big mistake. My son Craig was actually proactive and sent me a message about what Sarah and Allison's interests are...oh my. Sarah wants the Barbie RV set and Allison may not get anything after I saw what the RV set cost. I called Craig while standing in the toy aisle hyper ventilating. What were you thinking Craig? I told him he should get Sarah's rich grand parents to buy it and he informed me thats why he gave that item to me. Blah!!!!!! Yes, I bought it.
I then moved on to shopping for Lance. What in the world happened while I wasn't looking with Legos? Holy cow, they are expensive! Obamanation should be pleased with my one man economic stimulus activity. Heck, I'm not even going to claim a deduction for these gifts like Tim Geithner and most of the congressmen and senators probably will. Sorry for that rant.
Still haven't heard from the realtor. I can see it now. Packing during the Christmas holidays. Praise God I have a home to pack and the ability to have another.
Blessings to all of you...
There's plenty of time, we just need to prioritize and organize. Well, thats what I keep telling myself anyway. Lets see. I'm waiting on a call from the realtor. A prospect looked at the place last Monday and brought his wife back today for a noon appointment. It's now after 3 and not a word. Did they not show? Are they still there? Are they deciding how much to offer? Heck, I don't know. Maybe they just went ahead and moved in. I hope they'll make sure the cats have food. You know, a person could get themselves in a knot pretty quickly over this kind of stuff. I think I'll change the subject!
Christmas! Its time to celebrate the birth of Christ and not get caught up in the other stuff. I pray daily and thank God for the blessings I receive and yesterday started some shopping for the grand kids. I had asked my children what the grand kids would like...mistake, big mistake. My son Craig was actually proactive and sent me a message about what Sarah and Allison's interests are...oh my. Sarah wants the Barbie RV set and Allison may not get anything after I saw what the RV set cost. I called Craig while standing in the toy aisle hyper ventilating. What were you thinking Craig? I told him he should get Sarah's rich grand parents to buy it and he informed me thats why he gave that item to me. Blah!!!!!! Yes, I bought it.
I then moved on to shopping for Lance. What in the world happened while I wasn't looking with Legos? Holy cow, they are expensive! Obamanation should be pleased with my one man economic stimulus activity. Heck, I'm not even going to claim a deduction for these gifts like Tim Geithner and most of the congressmen and senators probably will. Sorry for that rant.
Still haven't heard from the realtor. I can see it now. Packing during the Christmas holidays. Praise God I have a home to pack and the ability to have another.
Blessings to all of you...
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
I'm coming down...
I've been on an adrenaline high most of the day and now I'm paying for it. Exhaustion!
The realtor came back out this morning and we finalized the listing. He brought one of his associates with him that has a client who is looking for place about like ours. Just my dang luck, this place will sell immediately and then what will I do...the nearest bridge is already occupied with a small family of beavers. Oh well, I'll cross that bridge when and if I get there.
I rode them around the property in the Suzuki and what a morning to be out. The temp was mid 60's with a breeze out of the north, just right. The sun was shining brightly on the leaves as they fluttered in the wind and the sound of the birds singing and the squirrels chattering, it again reminded me of how much I love and will miss this place.
He took gads of pictures to put on the web and also they have nationwide magazines that will have all the homes in. I sent him some pictures of the huge and many deer that were in my yard about this time last year. Oh my! Sigh!
As they were about to leave, I asked if they would join me and Judy in prayer. I prayed just a simple prayer to thank God for letting me use this place and asked that He send a buyer that will love, enjoy and take care of it as much as we have. You all do know don't you, its not ours, its God's and we are just the stewards of it. I hope I've been a good steward.
We are back in Conroe and Judy is in a whirlwind around the holidays coming. My goodness, she doesn't have her thanksgiving "stuff" displayed and the dinnerware on the dining table is for fall not thanksgiving. I suggested paper plates in something white would be appropriate all year round. Wrong! Hey, it makes her happy and it does look nice so why not. I hope she doesn't get around to reading this til after thanksgiving.
Well, thats my story for today and I'm sticking to it.
The realtor came back out this morning and we finalized the listing. He brought one of his associates with him that has a client who is looking for place about like ours. Just my dang luck, this place will sell immediately and then what will I do...the nearest bridge is already occupied with a small family of beavers. Oh well, I'll cross that bridge when and if I get there.
I rode them around the property in the Suzuki and what a morning to be out. The temp was mid 60's with a breeze out of the north, just right. The sun was shining brightly on the leaves as they fluttered in the wind and the sound of the birds singing and the squirrels chattering, it again reminded me of how much I love and will miss this place.
He took gads of pictures to put on the web and also they have nationwide magazines that will have all the homes in. I sent him some pictures of the huge and many deer that were in my yard about this time last year. Oh my! Sigh!
As they were about to leave, I asked if they would join me and Judy in prayer. I prayed just a simple prayer to thank God for letting me use this place and asked that He send a buyer that will love, enjoy and take care of it as much as we have. You all do know don't you, its not ours, its God's and we are just the stewards of it. I hope I've been a good steward.
We are back in Conroe and Judy is in a whirlwind around the holidays coming. My goodness, she doesn't have her thanksgiving "stuff" displayed and the dinnerware on the dining table is for fall not thanksgiving. I suggested paper plates in something white would be appropriate all year round. Wrong! Hey, it makes her happy and it does look nice so why not. I hope she doesn't get around to reading this til after thanksgiving.
Well, thats my story for today and I'm sticking to it.
Blessings to all...
Sunday, November 8, 2009
A weekend to remember...
Yep!
We went to a Texas Boomers "rv" rally this weekend in Belville; ate too much, laughed way more than I should have and proposed down on one knee to Judy in front of the whole group.
It was great to be amongst friends and well wishers for this momentous occasion. I still remember some of the first couple rally's I attended when if you weren't there with friends you were kind of left to figure it out on your own. That's okay. I was able to figure it out and now try to make sure that the today newbies don't have the same experience. Whew...glad to get that off my chest.
Other than proposing to Judy, the most important and meaningful thing that happened was Mike asked me to pray before dinner Saturday night. What an honor and privilege. Judy and I hold hands and pray before every meal whether we're at McDonald's, at home or the Ritz. It was such an honor and I hope we can continue to offer grace before each meal.
Thank you father for this weekend and continue to lead us in the right direction.
Blessings to all...
We went to a Texas Boomers "rv" rally this weekend in Belville; ate too much, laughed way more than I should have and proposed down on one knee to Judy in front of the whole group.
It was great to be amongst friends and well wishers for this momentous occasion. I still remember some of the first couple rally's I attended when if you weren't there with friends you were kind of left to figure it out on your own. That's okay. I was able to figure it out and now try to make sure that the today newbies don't have the same experience. Whew...glad to get that off my chest.
Other than proposing to Judy, the most important and meaningful thing that happened was Mike asked me to pray before dinner Saturday night. What an honor and privilege. Judy and I hold hands and pray before every meal whether we're at McDonald's, at home or the Ritz. It was such an honor and I hope we can continue to offer grace before each meal.
Thank you father for this weekend and continue to lead us in the right direction.
Blessings to all...
Thursday, November 5, 2009
A sad day for our country....
We're in Conroe preparing for the weekend rv rally with our friends.
Judy and I spent the afternoon shopping and getting my car scrubbed. I have a great place that is next door to where my body shop was in Conroe that does hand wash for twenty dollars and they make it look great. We also bought Christmas flowers for Jim and Alyce's grave sites and shopped for the pot luck dinners for the rally. Its so great to have Judy to share things with and we continue to talk about our future together.
When we got home this afternoon, Judy's daughter called with the news of the killings in Killeen at Fort Hood. Amy's husband is army and he had called Amy telling her of the carnage. Keith has some men stationed at Fort Hood and was getting calls from people trying to find out information, but of course he didn't know any more than what was on the news. I'm so sorry for all the dead and injured family and friends.
Friends...what is going to happen to this country? We need to pray diligently for this country and its leaders.
Blessings to all...
Judy and I spent the afternoon shopping and getting my car scrubbed. I have a great place that is next door to where my body shop was in Conroe that does hand wash for twenty dollars and they make it look great. We also bought Christmas flowers for Jim and Alyce's grave sites and shopped for the pot luck dinners for the rally. Its so great to have Judy to share things with and we continue to talk about our future together.
When we got home this afternoon, Judy's daughter called with the news of the killings in Killeen at Fort Hood. Amy's husband is army and he had called Amy telling her of the carnage. Keith has some men stationed at Fort Hood and was getting calls from people trying to find out information, but of course he didn't know any more than what was on the news. I'm so sorry for all the dead and injured family and friends.
Friends...what is going to happen to this country? We need to pray diligently for this country and its leaders.
Blessings to all...
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Got you guessing, don't I...
I love it. I posted on Facebook yesterday that the realtor was coming in a few minutes. Wohoo! Things then got dicey.
The realtor did arrive yesterday and actually two minutes early. This realtor specializes in farm and ranch properties and seemed duly impressed with our property. Yeah right, each listing is impressive for a realtor. The problem I have is that I'm overbuilt for Anderson county. There aren't enough properties to get comparable on.
I'm going to start over and tell you about yesterday and how God is at work in our life. I called my forester's office around 8:30 yesterday morning and was told he was out in the woods. Now where else would you expect to find a forester? I asked her to have him call me either at home or on my cell and then asked Judy to tell Mike, the forester, to call back around noon because I was headed out to the woods myself. Well low and behold, I'm puttin down the road on the tractor not aware that Judy is running behind me because Mike is on the phone. She couldn't out run the Kubota, especially since I was in 2nd gear and motoring right along. Dang, I love that tractor more than my son Mike does for sure. Anyway, by the time she got back to the house Mike (the forester) was turning around in the drive and looking for me. A big ole orange tractor is pretty easy to spot even in the woods. He found me in short order. I explained that I needed to know the value of the timber on my property because I would be putting it on the market. Mike has been my forester since my late wife and I bought this place and he knows how much we and now me and Judy love it. We stood in the road leading to the house next to those pines we planted five years ago talking about my place and then we began to give God the thanks for all He has done for me and and my family. We stood there just taking it all in and then Mike asked if we could pray. Of course! We stood there, two big men holding hands and giving thanks to God for this land. Mike prayed that we will be able to find a buyer that will love and take care of this land just as I've tried to do. You must understand. Its not ours, its God's and we are just stewards of the land. I explained to Mike that I had always known it wasn't mine, it was just mine to take care of and my goal was to leave it better than I found it.
Mike suggested a realtor for me to contact. I couldn't wait to get back to the house and share with Judy how things were falling in place. Man, God is awesome. I called the realtor, the owner of the company, and he asked if he could come out that afternoon at 3. Sure! God's at work and I certainly don't want to be the one to get in the way. I've already said he got here right on time. He's going to get with Mike and come up with a realistic price for the house, land and timber and have it ready for us to make a final decision on the asking price.
Judy and I are going back to Conroe Wednesday and then to an RV rally in Belleville over the weekend. We'll come back to the country Monday because God has also been working on a place for us in Athens. That's a completely different story but rest assured, God is working in our lives unbelievably. I just wish I was a better typist and an even better story teller. I have a head full of stuff and its just so difficult to put in in words.
I'm still struggling with my grand daughter Lauren's e mail about missing the smell of the country. The grand children don't know pops is going to sell "the country" with the quiet forest, the hugging trees, the rubber band frogs, the ....
Blessings to all...
The realtor did arrive yesterday and actually two minutes early. This realtor specializes in farm and ranch properties and seemed duly impressed with our property. Yeah right, each listing is impressive for a realtor. The problem I have is that I'm overbuilt for Anderson county. There aren't enough properties to get comparable on.
I'm going to start over and tell you about yesterday and how God is at work in our life. I called my forester's office around 8:30 yesterday morning and was told he was out in the woods. Now where else would you expect to find a forester? I asked her to have him call me either at home or on my cell and then asked Judy to tell Mike, the forester, to call back around noon because I was headed out to the woods myself. Well low and behold, I'm puttin down the road on the tractor not aware that Judy is running behind me because Mike is on the phone. She couldn't out run the Kubota, especially since I was in 2nd gear and motoring right along. Dang, I love that tractor more than my son Mike does for sure. Anyway, by the time she got back to the house Mike (the forester) was turning around in the drive and looking for me. A big ole orange tractor is pretty easy to spot even in the woods. He found me in short order. I explained that I needed to know the value of the timber on my property because I would be putting it on the market. Mike has been my forester since my late wife and I bought this place and he knows how much we and now me and Judy love it. We stood in the road leading to the house next to those pines we planted five years ago talking about my place and then we began to give God the thanks for all He has done for me and and my family. We stood there just taking it all in and then Mike asked if we could pray. Of course! We stood there, two big men holding hands and giving thanks to God for this land. Mike prayed that we will be able to find a buyer that will love and take care of this land just as I've tried to do. You must understand. Its not ours, its God's and we are just stewards of the land. I explained to Mike that I had always known it wasn't mine, it was just mine to take care of and my goal was to leave it better than I found it.
Mike suggested a realtor for me to contact. I couldn't wait to get back to the house and share with Judy how things were falling in place. Man, God is awesome. I called the realtor, the owner of the company, and he asked if he could come out that afternoon at 3. Sure! God's at work and I certainly don't want to be the one to get in the way. I've already said he got here right on time. He's going to get with Mike and come up with a realistic price for the house, land and timber and have it ready for us to make a final decision on the asking price.
Judy and I are going back to Conroe Wednesday and then to an RV rally in Belleville over the weekend. We'll come back to the country Monday because God has also been working on a place for us in Athens. That's a completely different story but rest assured, God is working in our lives unbelievably. I just wish I was a better typist and an even better story teller. I have a head full of stuff and its just so difficult to put in in words.
I'm still struggling with my grand daughter Lauren's e mail about missing the smell of the country. The grand children don't know pops is going to sell "the country" with the quiet forest, the hugging trees, the rubber band frogs, the ....
Blessings to all...
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Interestingly enough...
First...what the heck caused all the underlining and other weird stuff to my last post? Cyber gecks apparently got involved, but then who cares.
Judy has been here all week and we spent several days exploring our options on finding a "less maintenance" home site. Its been fun and exciting. I love to design, plan and build homes. As I told Judy this morning, this will be the fifth "last" home I've built. I never imagined I would be so willing to leave the country where my late wife and I spent so many years enjoying the wonders we often found here.
Judy and I spent most of our time discovering a unique development near the east Texas town of Athens. Now for those of you that aren't familiar with this town, you're certainly familiar with one of the great inventions to come from this quaint little town. The hamburger was invented here. I don't remember when but I do recall it was invented around the time of one of the world's Fair's by a local entrepreneur. Of course the sandwich was a huge success for the vendor at the fair.
Back to the development. Its a gated 2200 acre reserve just east of Athens. The reason its gated? They actually have deer, elk, zebra and some other wildlife that freely roam the reserve. We had to slow and move to the edge of the road several times because zebra decided to take a hike down the center line of the road. The lots are 2 acres and up in size...much more manageable. Of course we've just begun to look.
My feelings did get a little dicey today about leaving the country place when I got an e mail from Lauren, my 7 year old grand daughter. She wanted me to know she was missing me and she missed how the country smells. I guess even to "city" kids, there is something to be said about country living.
Blessings to all....
Judy has been here all week and we spent several days exploring our options on finding a "less maintenance" home site. Its been fun and exciting. I love to design, plan and build homes. As I told Judy this morning, this will be the fifth "last" home I've built. I never imagined I would be so willing to leave the country where my late wife and I spent so many years enjoying the wonders we often found here.
Judy and I spent most of our time discovering a unique development near the east Texas town of Athens. Now for those of you that aren't familiar with this town, you're certainly familiar with one of the great inventions to come from this quaint little town. The hamburger was invented here. I don't remember when but I do recall it was invented around the time of one of the world's Fair's by a local entrepreneur. Of course the sandwich was a huge success for the vendor at the fair.
Back to the development. Its a gated 2200 acre reserve just east of Athens. The reason its gated? They actually have deer, elk, zebra and some other wildlife that freely roam the reserve. We had to slow and move to the edge of the road several times because zebra decided to take a hike down the center line of the road. The lots are 2 acres and up in size...much more manageable. Of course we've just begun to look.
My feelings did get a little dicey today about leaving the country place when I got an e mail from Lauren, my 7 year old grand daughter. She wanted me to know she was missing me and she missed how the country smells. I guess even to "city" kids, there is something to be said about country living.
Blessings to all....
Monday, October 26, 2009
Is it time to move on?
I have a beautiful place, just what my late wife and I wanted some ten years ago. One hundred thirty five acres, ten acres of coastal bermudagrass for horse quality hay, a five acre lake with bass, catfish and crappie, a twenty acre mature pine plantation, another ten acres planted in pines six years ago, and the rest in mixed hardwoods with multiple springs feeding a nice flowing creek. Today, the trees are brilliant with their fall colors and will soon shed those colors for a stark contrast to the coming winter skies.
I've talked here about my house and how it is a great refuse for Smooch and Lovey, the two queen cats. I ask you. How many cats do you know that require, much less deserve, a four bedroom-four bath house? Each night during the winter, they both look forward to curling up by the fire in the living area and knowing that when that fire dies, there will be another waiting for them in the master bedroom. Spoiled rotten cats! Well, I've had it! Change is in the wind.
When we got back from out last great adventure we both knew what waited for us--work! The grass didn't quit growing, the trees didn't quit dropping limbs, the herbicide still was needed along the fence line, the flower beds needed tending and on and on and on. I used to enjoy spending eight hours a day on the Kabota tractor mowing, disking and grading. It was relaxing and fun. It has now turned to work and not as much fun. My oldest son loves to come here once or twice a year and spend those same eight hours a day on the Kabota and enjoying it like I used too. I think its time to move on.
Judy has a similar problem, if not worse. She doesn't have the acreage I have, but her place is pristine and that's the way she intends to keep it. Just try to maintain six acres or so like its a country club, that's her place. So this is what we're thinking--sell both and down size.
We of course want to stay in Texas and would like to be someplace with some seasons. So we're beginning our search and if you would want a grand place in the country or a more pristine home closer to the city, you need to let us know.
Blessings to all......
I've talked here about my house and how it is a great refuse for Smooch and Lovey, the two queen cats. I ask you. How many cats do you know that require, much less deserve, a four bedroom-four bath house? Each night during the winter, they both look forward to curling up by the fire in the living area and knowing that when that fire dies, there will be another waiting for them in the master bedroom. Spoiled rotten cats! Well, I've had it! Change is in the wind.
When we got back from out last great adventure we both knew what waited for us--work! The grass didn't quit growing, the trees didn't quit dropping limbs, the herbicide still was needed along the fence line, the flower beds needed tending and on and on and on. I used to enjoy spending eight hours a day on the Kabota tractor mowing, disking and grading. It was relaxing and fun. It has now turned to work and not as much fun. My oldest son loves to come here once or twice a year and spend those same eight hours a day on the Kabota and enjoying it like I used too. I think its time to move on.
Judy has a similar problem, if not worse. She doesn't have the acreage I have, but her place is pristine and that's the way she intends to keep it. Just try to maintain six acres or so like its a country club, that's her place. So this is what we're thinking--sell both and down size.
We of course want to stay in Texas and would like to be someplace with some seasons. So we're beginning our search and if you would want a grand place in the country or a more pristine home closer to the city, you need to let us know.
Blessings to all......
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Goings on in the country...
I have a situation that is most alarming. I have a doe that I'm beginning to think wants to move in with me.
I ran some errands this morning and when I came home she was standing in my yard. I got within about 30 yards when she decided to throw her tail up and show me her white side. Now its not that uncommon to see deer hanging around but this one came back in about an hour. That's not common. Judy saw two does walk by Saturday morning and then a little spike buck showed up. He had the most unusual markings I've ever seen. On his right, not that that's relevant, side he had a big white splotch. Probably twelve inches wide. Very odd, don't you think?
Its that time of year that hunters are getting ready to go to the woods in hopes of seeing and killing that dreamed about trophy buck. I use to be one of them. I guess I grew out of it. What I do remember all to well-once you pull the trigger, the fun is over and the work begins. I wonder what hunting license cost now? One less thing to spend money on I guess. Please understand, I'm not against hunting and its much better than what they are doing in some Kentucky counties. The deer population is so great and therefore there are many car accidents with the deer they are bringing in coyotes to try and control the population. We keep messing with mother nature and the good Lord is the only one that knows for sure what a mess of things we're making. My daddy taught me many years ago about jerking around with mother nature.
Al Gore is of course doing his part to convince us that we are messing with her and soon we'll all have to move to the Rockies or our feet will stay wet. I wonder if Houston will take on the look of Venice, Italy? It might be fun going down Main St in a gondola with some red neck singing opera. See Al, there could be another way for you to make a buck. You just need to get the gondola franchise in Houston and other major metropolitan areas. Do I see another Nobel prize for Al...maybe in economics? Dang, I may be on to something here...gondolas in Houston. Of course, I think it will be four or five thousand years before the waves start lapping up on One Shell Plaza...if it ever happens.
Can you tell, I've had way to much free time on my hands today. I have more fun things to write when we're on the road.
Blessings to all...
I ran some errands this morning and when I came home she was standing in my yard. I got within about 30 yards when she decided to throw her tail up and show me her white side. Now its not that uncommon to see deer hanging around but this one came back in about an hour. That's not common. Judy saw two does walk by Saturday morning and then a little spike buck showed up. He had the most unusual markings I've ever seen. On his right, not that that's relevant, side he had a big white splotch. Probably twelve inches wide. Very odd, don't you think?
Its that time of year that hunters are getting ready to go to the woods in hopes of seeing and killing that dreamed about trophy buck. I use to be one of them. I guess I grew out of it. What I do remember all to well-once you pull the trigger, the fun is over and the work begins. I wonder what hunting license cost now? One less thing to spend money on I guess. Please understand, I'm not against hunting and its much better than what they are doing in some Kentucky counties. The deer population is so great and therefore there are many car accidents with the deer they are bringing in coyotes to try and control the population. We keep messing with mother nature and the good Lord is the only one that knows for sure what a mess of things we're making. My daddy taught me many years ago about jerking around with mother nature.
Al Gore is of course doing his part to convince us that we are messing with her and soon we'll all have to move to the Rockies or our feet will stay wet. I wonder if Houston will take on the look of Venice, Italy? It might be fun going down Main St in a gondola with some red neck singing opera. See Al, there could be another way for you to make a buck. You just need to get the gondola franchise in Houston and other major metropolitan areas. Do I see another Nobel prize for Al...maybe in economics? Dang, I may be on to something here...gondolas in Houston. Of course, I think it will be four or five thousand years before the waves start lapping up on One Shell Plaza...if it ever happens.
Can you tell, I've had way to much free time on my hands today. I have more fun things to write when we're on the road.
Blessings to all...
Friday, October 16, 2009
Home sweet country home...
We decided to come home a few days early from our latest adventure. We had a grand time. Meeting up and traveling with old friends is always fun and just seeing this great earth God has given us, what more could you ask. Judy and I often remark to each other that too many people never really "see" the grandeur of our country.
We spent six days doing the Trace from Nashville down to Jackson...about 300 miles. Now folks that's the way to travel. I think one day we did less than fifty miles but we sure saw some good sites. We're already thinking about our spring sojourn back to Kentucky. I can't imagine how beautiful it is in the spring. The grass may really be blue.
We arrived back in the country after almost 2500 miles around four yesterday and unloaded only the essentials, whatever that may have been. I remember now, sloppy Joe's for dinner. As you may recall, we cooked several meals and froze them to make eating easier on the adventure. Of course this time, we didn't plan on Ms Edith feeding us quite so good. I'm still enjoying the coconut cookies she sent us away with.
Shortly after unloading (10 minutes), we had to get in the Suzuki and drive around the place. The red berries on the yaupon are unbelievable. Some of the trees, (sassafras, dogwood, sweet gum, hickory) are just beginning to show their color. Roxie headed to the lake, after all, she hasn't had a good swim for maybe two weeks. Now the bad news. The dang sticker burs are awful. Green, purple and the dreaded black. Roxie managed to get several in her coat and even though she got them in her feet, she can still run pretty good on two legs. Crazy dog.
This afternoon the weather is so beautiful we decided to walk around the place and look for deer rubs. You know, where they rub their antlers on a tree to get the velvet off. We found several in the pine plantation or as my two oldest grand daughters have aptly named it...the quiet forest. I'm thinking about setting the game camera up to see if I can get a picture of one rubbing his antlers. Wouldn't that be cool? We've spent a lot of time on the porch since arriving back at the country house just enjoying the scenery. As I've probably told you too many times before, when I walk out onto the porch, I've got a ten acre hay meadow on the right...well heck, I'll just post a picture.
We spent six days doing the Trace from Nashville down to Jackson...about 300 miles. Now folks that's the way to travel. I think one day we did less than fifty miles but we sure saw some good sites. We're already thinking about our spring sojourn back to Kentucky. I can't imagine how beautiful it is in the spring. The grass may really be blue.
We arrived back in the country after almost 2500 miles around four yesterday and unloaded only the essentials, whatever that may have been. I remember now, sloppy Joe's for dinner. As you may recall, we cooked several meals and froze them to make eating easier on the adventure. Of course this time, we didn't plan on Ms Edith feeding us quite so good. I'm still enjoying the coconut cookies she sent us away with.
Shortly after unloading (10 minutes), we had to get in the Suzuki and drive around the place. The red berries on the yaupon are unbelievable. Some of the trees, (sassafras, dogwood, sweet gum, hickory) are just beginning to show their color. Roxie headed to the lake, after all, she hasn't had a good swim for maybe two weeks. Now the bad news. The dang sticker burs are awful. Green, purple and the dreaded black. Roxie managed to get several in her coat and even though she got them in her feet, she can still run pretty good on two legs. Crazy dog.
This afternoon the weather is so beautiful we decided to walk around the place and look for deer rubs. You know, where they rub their antlers on a tree to get the velvet off. We found several in the pine plantation or as my two oldest grand daughters have aptly named it...the quiet forest. I'm thinking about setting the game camera up to see if I can get a picture of one rubbing his antlers. Wouldn't that be cool? We've spent a lot of time on the porch since arriving back at the country house just enjoying the scenery. As I've probably told you too many times before, when I walk out onto the porch, I've got a ten acre hay meadow on the right...well heck, I'll just post a picture.
Whats amazing, its still this green except for the trees in the distance are beginning to change color. Supposedly, we can see about eight miles to that ridge in the distance. I'll have to publish some pictures when the color really gets good.
Hope everyone that's reading this is doing well and enjoying the beautiful weather. I've already got a huge fire built for tonight in the outside fire pit. S'mores anyone?
Blessings to all...
Monday, October 12, 2009
Looking for Elvis and other musings...
We decided to stay in Tupelo another day to check out the neighborhood. It was a wise decision.
We were awakened about 2 am with a nice rain falling on the roof of the motorhome. Its almost as good as rain splattering on a tin roof...don't you think? It rained gently all night so we were slow to get going this morning and Roxie was pleased. During a break in the rain I took her for a walk around the park this morning, even though she was reluctant to leave the warmth and dryness of the motorhome but she acquiesced and followed me with a spring in her gait. We didn't encounter much of interest until we saw the yellow winged blackbird at one of the bird feeders at the office. It was pretty cool to see one so close.
Time for adventure. We went to Elvis Presley's birthplace. It's a little two room house, maybe 600 square feet, that his father Vernon built with a $185 loan from a local doctor. Three years later Vernon was convicted of writing a hot check for $4 and sentenced to six years in prison. He only served eight months but the doctor foreclosed and thats when the the Presley family packed up and moved to Memphis. I hope the doctor lost his butt and lived long enough to see Elvis and his family be on top. It was fun to sit in the pews in the same church that Elvis and his family attended all those years ago. I still can't believe he died in 1977 and that it seems only a few years ago.
The leaves continue to change and the colors become more brilliant each day. Only will the sun in the morning show the brilliance God has given us to enjoy.
Heading south in the morning for sure. Hey, we had Mexican food today for lunch. Me and the waiter decided it was Miss-Mex and not Tex-Mex. Pretty bland for us Tex-Mex lovers.
Blessings to all...
We were awakened about 2 am with a nice rain falling on the roof of the motorhome. Its almost as good as rain splattering on a tin roof...don't you think? It rained gently all night so we were slow to get going this morning and Roxie was pleased. During a break in the rain I took her for a walk around the park this morning, even though she was reluctant to leave the warmth and dryness of the motorhome but she acquiesced and followed me with a spring in her gait. We didn't encounter much of interest until we saw the yellow winged blackbird at one of the bird feeders at the office. It was pretty cool to see one so close.
Time for adventure. We went to Elvis Presley's birthplace. It's a little two room house, maybe 600 square feet, that his father Vernon built with a $185 loan from a local doctor. Three years later Vernon was convicted of writing a hot check for $4 and sentenced to six years in prison. He only served eight months but the doctor foreclosed and thats when the the Presley family packed up and moved to Memphis. I hope the doctor lost his butt and lived long enough to see Elvis and his family be on top. It was fun to sit in the pews in the same church that Elvis and his family attended all those years ago. I still can't believe he died in 1977 and that it seems only a few years ago.
The leaves continue to change and the colors become more brilliant each day. Only will the sun in the morning show the brilliance God has given us to enjoy.
Heading south in the morning for sure. Hey, we had Mexican food today for lunch. Me and the waiter decided it was Miss-Mex and not Tex-Mex. Pretty bland for us Tex-Mex lovers.
Blessings to all...
Sunday, October 11, 2009
I'm really depressed...
We're in Tupelo, MS, Elvis' birthplace, having a great time and seeing some beautiful fall colors. At the rate we are moving down the Trace it may take 7 or 8 days to make it to Natchez, MS.
Now to the depressing facts of this trip. I just loaded some pictures and saw one of me and Judy sitting on a tree that had fallen across a glistening stream...I about died. I look obese. I mean really, its not the clothes, its not the angle, its not the way I'm sitting...I'm getting fat. Of course there is no logical reason other than I'm eating a big breakfast every day (biscuits, cream gravy, bacon, eggs), a nice lunch and then finishing the day off with a grand dinner. I don't get it. What could it possibly be? I'm walking a lot, really. Maybe thats just increasing my appetite. I seem to be hungry most of the time. Dang it...I do not want to get fat. Get? Heck, I'm fat all ready.
Okay, enough of the pity party. The great adventure is going great. We've continue to stay in some really good parks and met a lot of nice people. The leaves are unbelievable in color. Reds, yellows, purples but the Halloween oranges are the most brilliant. Oh yeah, we've seen maybe 30 - 40 turkeys along side the road. Of course we did see the one deer...dead in the ditch.
Since we're in Tupelo, we are going on a fact finding mission. The rumor around here is that Elvis really is still in the building. We'll see!
We'll continue south in the morning on our Great Adventure.
Blessings to all...
Now to the depressing facts of this trip. I just loaded some pictures and saw one of me and Judy sitting on a tree that had fallen across a glistening stream...I about died. I look obese. I mean really, its not the clothes, its not the angle, its not the way I'm sitting...I'm getting fat. Of course there is no logical reason other than I'm eating a big breakfast every day (biscuits, cream gravy, bacon, eggs), a nice lunch and then finishing the day off with a grand dinner. I don't get it. What could it possibly be? I'm walking a lot, really. Maybe thats just increasing my appetite. I seem to be hungry most of the time. Dang it...I do not want to get fat. Get? Heck, I'm fat all ready.
Okay, enough of the pity party. The great adventure is going great. We've continue to stay in some really good parks and met a lot of nice people. The leaves are unbelievable in color. Reds, yellows, purples but the Halloween oranges are the most brilliant. Oh yeah, we've seen maybe 30 - 40 turkeys along side the road. Of course we did see the one deer...dead in the ditch.
Since we're in Tupelo, we are going on a fact finding mission. The rumor around here is that Elvis really is still in the building. We'll see!
We'll continue south in the morning on our Great Adventure.
Blessings to all...
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
What day is it anyway????
Or does it even matter? Of course to us it really doesn't because we are not on much of a schedule any more. Since leaving Ms Edith, we haven't needed to be any place at any particular time. I do miss those wonderful meals she prepared with love for us though.
We left the state park this morning and drove southwest to Louisville and then south to Nashville. We are now tucked in our site just off the lake and covered in trees. As we drove south today, we could see how the trees were showing their colors as brilliant as ever. The sumac and dogwoods are my favorite dark reds while the maples have that Halloween orange color. The Lord does such good work and as you know, we don't give Him much to work with.
We stopped and did some more antiquing today...didn't buy anything. But its always fun. I'm on a mission to find a lamp globe to go on my mothers "Gone with the Wind" lamp. I'll find it yet.
We are staying at a Corp of Engineers (COE) lake in Nashville for the next two nights. It is a beautiful place. Lots of trees and mostly lots of space. Ten bucks a night is hard to beat also. I have friends that love to go to the "resort" campgrounds with lots of concrete, a swimming pool and some kind of activity. I think thats great if thats what you like but for us it would be like living in an apartment. Except that the months they have special events, they would raise your rent. I understand its capitalism but its not my cup of tea (party).
When we drove into Nashville today, we passed the Titan's football stadium. They could have stayed in Houston, played in Rice stadium and saved themselves a lot of moving expense. Of course, thats just my opinion. Tomorrow we are going to Andrew "ole hickory" Jackson's house; not for dinner or anything, just for a look see. I want to go by the Grand Ole Opry just so I can say I did. And for my son Craig...I didn't go to one show in Branson so let me have this one little pleasure.
We're back to the central time zone and my body clock is a little on the fritz so I think I'll check it to you till maybe tomorrow.
Blessings to all of you....
We left the state park this morning and drove southwest to Louisville and then south to Nashville. We are now tucked in our site just off the lake and covered in trees. As we drove south today, we could see how the trees were showing their colors as brilliant as ever. The sumac and dogwoods are my favorite dark reds while the maples have that Halloween orange color. The Lord does such good work and as you know, we don't give Him much to work with.
We stopped and did some more antiquing today...didn't buy anything. But its always fun. I'm on a mission to find a lamp globe to go on my mothers "Gone with the Wind" lamp. I'll find it yet.
We are staying at a Corp of Engineers (COE) lake in Nashville for the next two nights. It is a beautiful place. Lots of trees and mostly lots of space. Ten bucks a night is hard to beat also. I have friends that love to go to the "resort" campgrounds with lots of concrete, a swimming pool and some kind of activity. I think thats great if thats what you like but for us it would be like living in an apartment. Except that the months they have special events, they would raise your rent. I understand its capitalism but its not my cup of tea (party).
When we drove into Nashville today, we passed the Titan's football stadium. They could have stayed in Houston, played in Rice stadium and saved themselves a lot of moving expense. Of course, thats just my opinion. Tomorrow we are going to Andrew "ole hickory" Jackson's house; not for dinner or anything, just for a look see. I want to go by the Grand Ole Opry just so I can say I did. And for my son Craig...I didn't go to one show in Branson so let me have this one little pleasure.
We're back to the central time zone and my body clock is a little on the fritz so I think I'll check it to you till maybe tomorrow.
Blessings to all of you....
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
What day is it?????
We have been very busy enjoying the beautiful "blue grass of Kentucky" area. This is a much more beautiful state than I remember, but then again I was 11 or 12 the last time I was here and all things looked different through those eyes.
I'm sure we've seen enough white board fencing to encircle the state of Texas and leave enough left over to build a nice house with stables. I can't help but think what an arduous task it would be painting those suckers ever few years. I guess if you can afford those fences you don't have to worry about the upkeep.
We visited the Kentucky Horse Park yesterday and saw some majestic horses and saw memorials to the likes of Man of War, Seabiscuit, Secretariat and many others. I learned many interesting facts about the different horse breeds and was reminded of things that I had long forgotten even though I grew up owning and taking care of a horse. All horses are claimed to have been winners for various reasons. Seabiscuit had a big heart. Visualize this...Man of War had a twenty eight foot stride. Twenty eight feet from front to rear hooves. They had it marked and that is a huge stride. It was fun to stand and rub a Thoroughbred horse that has won over two million dollars and to see the mighty Belgium's, the Appaloosa (no two are a like) and the prize sight was the Shire. It was a noble and magnificent horse bred for the knights to ride when slaying the dragons. I'm joking of course, but this horse was bred for only supreme duty in England during the day of the knights.
This park will be used next September and October for the world equestrian Olympics and are they spiffing the place up. They are in the process of painting some of those white fences by
pulling a wagon around with a fifty five gallon barrel of paint on it and two men each with an airless paint gun. I sure was thankful it was them because I would be pulling a Tom Sawyer if it had been me over there with a paint brush in my hand.
The state park we're at is beautiful. I took Roxie for a walk last evening and just as I approached the dumpster, a whitetail deer jumped from behind it...fifteen or maybe twenty feet in front of use. The deer was scared, Roxie was looking for a good chase and I was thinking about having to clean myself up. It all worked out okay.
We've spent the day antiquing and I've found some treasures. The prices up here make me want to bring cargo trailer up and take a trailer load home. The furniture is unbelievably less expensive than at home.
We're packing up in the morning and going south to Nashville to meet up with Chuck and Maggie for a trek down the Natchez Trace. We'll spend at least two days in Nashville before going south.
This has been a great trip except for the snobs with their high dollar coaches we encountered early on. We're looking forward to a trip over to Red Bay, AL for a tour of the Tiffin RV plant. I hope I get a chance to meet Bob Tiffin while there. Even though I don't own one of his units, I'm a great admirer of him and his products. Maybe someday I'll buy one of his motor homes.
We are having dinner at home tonight after saying our goodbyes to Ms Edith last night. She fixed a wonderful meal with maybe the most delicious corn bread I've ever eaten. She also sent us away with frozen fresh green beans, peas and too many kinds of cookies, fudges and on and on. I think she was afraid we'd starve before we got back to Texas.
Next reports will be from Nashville.
Blessings to all...
Note: I've published a web album and sent to several, if you didn't get it and want it , let me know.
I'm sure we've seen enough white board fencing to encircle the state of Texas and leave enough left over to build a nice house with stables. I can't help but think what an arduous task it would be painting those suckers ever few years. I guess if you can afford those fences you don't have to worry about the upkeep.
We visited the Kentucky Horse Park yesterday and saw some majestic horses and saw memorials to the likes of Man of War, Seabiscuit, Secretariat and many others. I learned many interesting facts about the different horse breeds and was reminded of things that I had long forgotten even though I grew up owning and taking care of a horse. All horses are claimed to have been winners for various reasons. Seabiscuit had a big heart. Visualize this...Man of War had a twenty eight foot stride. Twenty eight feet from front to rear hooves. They had it marked and that is a huge stride. It was fun to stand and rub a Thoroughbred horse that has won over two million dollars and to see the mighty Belgium's, the Appaloosa (no two are a like) and the prize sight was the Shire. It was a noble and magnificent horse bred for the knights to ride when slaying the dragons. I'm joking of course, but this horse was bred for only supreme duty in England during the day of the knights.
This park will be used next September and October for the world equestrian Olympics and are they spiffing the place up. They are in the process of painting some of those white fences by
pulling a wagon around with a fifty five gallon barrel of paint on it and two men each with an airless paint gun. I sure was thankful it was them because I would be pulling a Tom Sawyer if it had been me over there with a paint brush in my hand.
The state park we're at is beautiful. I took Roxie for a walk last evening and just as I approached the dumpster, a whitetail deer jumped from behind it...fifteen or maybe twenty feet in front of use. The deer was scared, Roxie was looking for a good chase and I was thinking about having to clean myself up. It all worked out okay.
We've spent the day antiquing and I've found some treasures. The prices up here make me want to bring cargo trailer up and take a trailer load home. The furniture is unbelievably less expensive than at home.
We're packing up in the morning and going south to Nashville to meet up with Chuck and Maggie for a trek down the Natchez Trace. We'll spend at least two days in Nashville before going south.
This has been a great trip except for the snobs with their high dollar coaches we encountered early on. We're looking forward to a trip over to Red Bay, AL for a tour of the Tiffin RV plant. I hope I get a chance to meet Bob Tiffin while there. Even though I don't own one of his units, I'm a great admirer of him and his products. Maybe someday I'll buy one of his motor homes.
We are having dinner at home tonight after saying our goodbyes to Ms Edith last night. She fixed a wonderful meal with maybe the most delicious corn bread I've ever eaten. She also sent us away with frozen fresh green beans, peas and too many kinds of cookies, fudges and on and on. I think she was afraid we'd starve before we got back to Texas.
Next reports will be from Nashville.
Blessings to all...
Note: I've published a web album and sent to several, if you didn't get it and want it , let me know.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Short, but oh how sweet...
We got to the state park in Crittenden, KY yesterday afternoon and after getting set up, we went over to Ms Edith's (Judy's Mother) for introductions and a great down home country meal complete with homemade bread, peach pie and cheese cake.
After a great visit, we went back to the park around 9 o'clock and I think we were the only site that didn't have campfire for the evening. It was in the low fifties, perfect weather!
We've had a great day today. We all went down to the "river" (Ohio) to buy apples...freshly picked. I actually watched them unload the wagons, wash them and package them for sale. They had every apple I've ever seen or heard of. Judy bought yellow delicious. When was the last time you bought a bushel of any kind of apples for ten dollars? My, my. They still had tomatoes on the vine and the basket we bought looked delicious.
We're going back to the campground to watch the Texas Aggies vs Arkansas tonight. Dang, I wish I'd gotten a campfire ready in the day lite. Oh well, we'll watch it inside without a fire or if we're lucky we'll get invited over to another site to sit by the fire.
Going to one of Judy's aunt's for a "Kentucky princess" barn party. That's what they call Judy. I haven't been to a Kentucky barn party before, but Judy assures me we'll be fed well. Who would have thunk it?
Well I thought it was going to be short and sweet!
Blessings to all....
PS. I've got to write a complete post on the horse farms we have seen, including Calumet Farms. The fencing alone has to cost millions, seriously.
After a great visit, we went back to the park around 9 o'clock and I think we were the only site that didn't have campfire for the evening. It was in the low fifties, perfect weather!
We've had a great day today. We all went down to the "river" (Ohio) to buy apples...freshly picked. I actually watched them unload the wagons, wash them and package them for sale. They had every apple I've ever seen or heard of. Judy bought yellow delicious. When was the last time you bought a bushel of any kind of apples for ten dollars? My, my. They still had tomatoes on the vine and the basket we bought looked delicious.
We're going back to the campground to watch the Texas Aggies vs Arkansas tonight. Dang, I wish I'd gotten a campfire ready in the day lite. Oh well, we'll watch it inside without a fire or if we're lucky we'll get invited over to another site to sit by the fire.
Going to one of Judy's aunt's for a "Kentucky princess" barn party. That's what they call Judy. I haven't been to a Kentucky barn party before, but Judy assures me we'll be fed well. Who would have thunk it?
Well I thought it was going to be short and sweet!
Blessings to all....
PS. I've got to write a complete post on the horse farms we have seen, including Calumet Farms. The fencing alone has to cost millions, seriously.
Friday, October 2, 2009
I'm so blessed...
We're currently "camped" at the "My Old Kentucky Home" state park home that allegedly inspired Stephen Foster to pen the lyrics to that song while passing through on his way to New Orleans. Its a grand home and I'm sure the lush golf course that surrounds it was not here in 1853 when Foster made his trek through here.
I must go back a few days now. In my last post I mentioned that we were going to visit Branson. My, My. I was right...I've never seen so many old people in one place in my life. If you don't have a walker, cane, wheel chair or motorized scooter, you better stay home. There's lots of "entertainment" venues here. Did you know Andy Williams is still alive? I guess Branson is like the proverbial elephant burial grounds and is where all the old entertainers go to live out their final days. We didn't take in any shows and by the looks of the traffic, the crowds are slim. Maybe when I'm older and "more" feeble, we'll come back and Judy can push me around in a wheelchair. I don't know, maybe the view will be better sitting in a chair. Needless to say, Branson didn't have anything to offer us in particular.
We left Table Rock lake Wednesday morning and arrived at Lambert's, home of the throwed rolls, in Ozark, Mo just in time for lunch. We stopped here on our first great adventure several months ago and again we enjoyed the good food.
Since we left Table Rock lake a day early, we're really taking our time getting to Judy's mothers in Crittenden, KY. We found a great state park on Lake Wappapello near Poplar Bluff, MO. Typical of state parks, the sites were spaced out and we even had a couple of deer show up before we left. Roxie loved being able to run and mostly being able to swim in the beautiful lake. I built a campfire that we both enjoyed sitting around watching the flames dance to the night sounds.
The dogwoods are in full color and the sumac is ablaze. The gums are turning their brilliant yellow. The oaks are still being hard headed.
Oh, I almost forgot! The campground host was warning me about the "narrow" bridge that crosses the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. And boy are they narrow, especially when driving a 38 ft motorhome pulling a car. We could see the bridges towering over the rivers from several miles away. Now this is when me and the Lord get just a little tighter. I'm saying my little prayer and suggested Judy do like wise. I suppose she already had, but you can't risk it. Well we pulled up to that mighty, albeit a very narrow bridge, and what do you think? Traffic was moving at a snail's pace because there were two huge farm tractors (combines) slowly crossing the bridge and they took up the whole width. Yeehaw, God comes through again for Jim and Judy. Now we've made it across the ole muddy and all we have to do is get over the Ohio. No problem. Its at least a foot wider, the bridge that is. Everything is going fine till we get off the bridge and meet an eighteen wheeler rounding a curve on the approach to the bridge and quickly I realized his rear wheels are over the dividing line by more than a foot. What does a person do? Stop!! Shoot, after it was all said and done, we probably had at least an inch or so to spare.
We'll be leaving here later this morning, even though the Makers Mark distillery is just down the road along with Jim Beam and head on to Ms Edith's. She's been cooking for several weeks in preparation of our visit. She did tell Judy yesterday that she wasn't baking the yeast bread and making the fresh peach pie until today. Yum-yum.
I don't know when I'll post again, busy eating you know, but until you hear from us again... blessing to all of you.
I must go back a few days now. In my last post I mentioned that we were going to visit Branson. My, My. I was right...I've never seen so many old people in one place in my life. If you don't have a walker, cane, wheel chair or motorized scooter, you better stay home. There's lots of "entertainment" venues here. Did you know Andy Williams is still alive? I guess Branson is like the proverbial elephant burial grounds and is where all the old entertainers go to live out their final days. We didn't take in any shows and by the looks of the traffic, the crowds are slim. Maybe when I'm older and "more" feeble, we'll come back and Judy can push me around in a wheelchair. I don't know, maybe the view will be better sitting in a chair. Needless to say, Branson didn't have anything to offer us in particular.
We left Table Rock lake Wednesday morning and arrived at Lambert's, home of the throwed rolls, in Ozark, Mo just in time for lunch. We stopped here on our first great adventure several months ago and again we enjoyed the good food.
Since we left Table Rock lake a day early, we're really taking our time getting to Judy's mothers in Crittenden, KY. We found a great state park on Lake Wappapello near Poplar Bluff, MO. Typical of state parks, the sites were spaced out and we even had a couple of deer show up before we left. Roxie loved being able to run and mostly being able to swim in the beautiful lake. I built a campfire that we both enjoyed sitting around watching the flames dance to the night sounds.
The dogwoods are in full color and the sumac is ablaze. The gums are turning their brilliant yellow. The oaks are still being hard headed.
Oh, I almost forgot! The campground host was warning me about the "narrow" bridge that crosses the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. And boy are they narrow, especially when driving a 38 ft motorhome pulling a car. We could see the bridges towering over the rivers from several miles away. Now this is when me and the Lord get just a little tighter. I'm saying my little prayer and suggested Judy do like wise. I suppose she already had, but you can't risk it. Well we pulled up to that mighty, albeit a very narrow bridge, and what do you think? Traffic was moving at a snail's pace because there were two huge farm tractors (combines) slowly crossing the bridge and they took up the whole width. Yeehaw, God comes through again for Jim and Judy. Now we've made it across the ole muddy and all we have to do is get over the Ohio. No problem. Its at least a foot wider, the bridge that is. Everything is going fine till we get off the bridge and meet an eighteen wheeler rounding a curve on the approach to the bridge and quickly I realized his rear wheels are over the dividing line by more than a foot. What does a person do? Stop!! Shoot, after it was all said and done, we probably had at least an inch or so to spare.
We'll be leaving here later this morning, even though the Makers Mark distillery is just down the road along with Jim Beam and head on to Ms Edith's. She's been cooking for several weeks in preparation of our visit. She did tell Judy yesterday that she wasn't baking the yeast bread and making the fresh peach pie until today. Yum-yum.
I don't know when I'll post again, busy eating you know, but until you hear from us again... blessing to all of you.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Take lemons and make lemonade...
This is the only suspension bridge in Arkansas and is still usable.
It appears this covered bridge goes no where. We stumbbled upon the bridge after visiitng Eureka Springs and while looking for a grist mill. The grist mill was quite a find. Fresh stone ground corn meal and flour, wow.
The weather is great. It's warm, mid 70's during the day and in the 50's at night. Purty neer purfect, as they say back home.
We continue to watch the beautiful osprey fish in the afternoon and the bald eagle fish at sunrise. I wonder where he goes after he fininshes fishing? There is a large group of blue birds that visit each morning and afternoon. We saw the northern flickers again this morning down by the lake. The mist coming from the lake was grand this morning also.
Today we're going to take a drive around Table Rock Lake and visit Branson for a little look see. We hear there's bus loads of blue hairs arrive there daily. We'll see.
Blessings to all....
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Hotsy totsy my foot...
Hotsy totsy place is an understatement. There's probably 25 million dollars in "motor coaches" here. Its not my cup of tea or cup or anything else. We were going to stay until Thursday but will be leaving Wednesday morning.
I took Roxie for a walk this morning before going to church and spoke to four people and by golly, I finally got I think a grunt from one man. I'm not sure he was acknowledging me are just had gas. I'm going with the benefit of he was being friendly in his on way.
We are parked in a beautiful spot over looking Table Rock lake. Judy was up photographing a beautiful sunrise and watching an eagle sitting in a tree near us. As soon as we get someplace with good Internet connections, I'll post more pictures.
The trees are beginning to turn. The dogwoods are getting the dark purple, the maples a bright red and the sweet gums that beautiful yellow. When we "leave" here, we'll travel through southern Missouri, Illinois into Kentucky. We should run into some great fall colors on that leg for sure.
Blessings to all...
I took Roxie for a walk this morning before going to church and spoke to four people and by golly, I finally got I think a grunt from one man. I'm not sure he was acknowledging me are just had gas. I'm going with the benefit of he was being friendly in his on way.
We are parked in a beautiful spot over looking Table Rock lake. Judy was up photographing a beautiful sunrise and watching an eagle sitting in a tree near us. As soon as we get someplace with good Internet connections, I'll post more pictures.
The trees are beginning to turn. The dogwoods are getting the dark purple, the maples a bright red and the sweet gums that beautiful yellow. When we "leave" here, we'll travel through southern Missouri, Illinois into Kentucky. We should run into some great fall colors on that leg for sure.
Blessings to all...
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Pictures for ya'll
Being on my air card down in the swamps of east Texas made posting photos time consuming. We're now at this hotty toddy swanky place. I feel like the Clampett's in Beverly Hill's. Thats okay, I'll put my Boomer pink flamigos out and I'll feel better.
I did want to show you a nice picture of some east Texas art.
Friday, September 25, 2009
That's okay; we're still having fun...
We left the country house yesterday morning in a steady rain and it never got less than steady until we got almost to Caddo Lake State Park, where we'll be for the next two days.
We got "set up": I connected a water hose up and connected the electric supply while Judy does the automatic leveling, extends the slides and puts the rug down. It takes less than five minutes. Now thats the way to go camping.
We walked over to the lake and Judy took some pictures of one of the most unique lakes in Texas. It was a natural lake until they decided in the 50's to dam it to control some of the downstream flooding. It 25000+ acres of cuts, sloughs and canals. A person (me) could easily get lost in short order.
After a drive down to Uncertain, Tx for a quick look see, we headed to Jefferson to do some antiquing. They have it all, from real and I mean real junk to some truly beautiful antiques. After sampling a co-zillion varieties on jellies, jams and preserves, we bought a jar of huckleberry jam. It was so good on crackers but as we found out this morning, its better on biscuits. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, as Andy Griffith would say. That was it. Didn't find another thing we had to have.
We had a great dinner and decided to watch a DVD...I fell asleep about twenty minutes in to the movie and it was a funny movie. I guess I was tired or maybe I was preparing for later in the night. About, not about, at 1:35 this morning I heard the fan stop and considered what king of problem did that mean. About, and this time it really is about, thirty minutes all kinds of traffic driving through the cg and I soon realized it was the power co-op guys checking the lines. Sure enough, about 45 minutes later they found a tree that had fallen across the line and that does bad things to switches, fuses and breakers, not to mention breaking the the power cable. Since it was back up in the "woods", they had to wait until day light due to safety issues to repair it, which they promptly did.
This is just a commentary on my part and has nothing to do with our great adventure, but... My country house is service by Houston County Electric Co-op, this was the Panola-Harrison Electric Co-Op, and these folks give the best service in the world. You want to know why? Because they are our neighbors, friends and/or relatives. We can put a face on these men and women. Try that with one of your big city power suppliers. I can call my co-op and not even have to talk to a machine. Seems I usually talk to Johnny but I saw in the latest co-op magazine that he was retiring. I'm sure going to miss talking to him but there will be somebody just as good and just as capable to help the next time I need them in the middle of the night. Makes you wish you lived in the country doesn't it? Back to our great adventure.
We awoke, again, this morning to a grand day the Lord has given us. I took Roxie for a walk in the woods and then Judy and I took her down to the lake for the first time. She thought it looked like a fine swimming hole, but I don't know, looks like a gator lake to me. Judy took several more pictures. One particularly neat one was of a Belted Kingfisher that was busy diving into the lake for breakfast. We took a country drive and found a rookery of White Ibis...oh my goodness. There must have been hundreds of them. We saw mature, immature and juvenile. Wow, what a neat find.
We are meeting some friends for mexican food tonight. It may be our last chance for real tex-mex for a few weeks so we better take the opportunity
We will be leaving early in the morning for that swanky place I keep telling you about on Table Rock lake in north east Arkansas. Don't worry. I didn't bring my tux so I'll just to go with what I brought. I never have tried setting up with a coat and tie on....
Blessings to all....
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
We're at the starting gate...
We're standing on ready and should be on the road by 9 in the morning to begin our next Great Adventure. By the end of this trip we will have logged about 12,000 miles this year and visited 18 states on our Great Adventures. I guess that is what retired people are supposed to do anyway.
The good Lord has blessed us in so many ways and one that I can reflect on now was the intelligence and desire to work hard and earn enough money to be able to retire at a relatively early age and live a fantastic life...as far as I'm concerned. We are just trying to enjoy the freedom and the motorhome as much as possible until comrade Obamanation and his henchmen take it from us in his share the wealth program. And did you hear today how he proceeded to sell Israel out. Of course if you only watch the state run media news, you'll never hear his pontification at the UN today. Only a select few or maybe only Michelle and the Chicago mafia know what his true polictical agenda is...and God.
We need to pray diligently for our country that we are losing a little of daily. Our grand children will possibly never know this wonderful country we had as young adults. They will certainly have to pay dearly for the mistakes made during the comrade Obamanation's tenure...however long it may be.
Sorry for the political tirade but I'm just afraid we're going down the tubes and my liberal friends think all is well with our country. I pray for them also.
Next blog will be during the first day of our Great Adventure, if you don't hear from us tomorrow its because we're busy hunting down Bigfoot in the Caddo Lake area.
Oh yea, we got our flu shots yesterday. Oink, oink!
Blessings to all....
The good Lord has blessed us in so many ways and one that I can reflect on now was the intelligence and desire to work hard and earn enough money to be able to retire at a relatively early age and live a fantastic life...as far as I'm concerned. We are just trying to enjoy the freedom and the motorhome as much as possible until comrade Obamanation and his henchmen take it from us in his share the wealth program. And did you hear today how he proceeded to sell Israel out. Of course if you only watch the state run media news, you'll never hear his pontification at the UN today. Only a select few or maybe only Michelle and the Chicago mafia know what his true polictical agenda is...and God.
We need to pray diligently for our country that we are losing a little of daily. Our grand children will possibly never know this wonderful country we had as young adults. They will certainly have to pay dearly for the mistakes made during the comrade Obamanation's tenure...however long it may be.
Sorry for the political tirade but I'm just afraid we're going down the tubes and my liberal friends think all is well with our country. I pray for them also.
Next blog will be during the first day of our Great Adventure, if you don't hear from us tomorrow its because we're busy hunting down Bigfoot in the Caddo Lake area.
Oh yea, we got our flu shots yesterday. Oink, oink!
Blessings to all....
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
One day and two nights to go...
We're ready. I know there will be those last minute items to pack, but for the most part we're just waiting to go.
First stop will be Caddo Lake and check out Big Foot for our friends Dianne and Randy. They will be camp host there next summer. I promise to check for Big Foot...if Roxie is leading the way.
The cool front came through this morning and brought some nice rain and much cooler temps. It rained on and off most of the day but we did get a break long enough for us to take a nice long walk around the property. We didn't see any fresh hog tracks. Maybe, since I put the trap out they moved on. I can only hope. We walked past that big old persimmon tree and some of the fruit had fallen to the ground so I had to take a sample. It was ripe. Sweet and juicy. We walked through the pine plantation looking for rub's. That's a tree a buck deer is using to rub the velvet from his horns. We tromped around out there dodging the poison ivy and bull nettle and never did find a rub. That's okay though because it was enjoyable to be walking around in the woods.
Roxie is so much fun to watch when we're out walking. She is in continuous motion, and thats not slow motion, checking for scents. When she picks one up, whether it be a rabbit, squirrel, raccoon, deer, hog or worst, she starts yelping to let us know she's on a trail. We always hope she doesn't get too friendly with mister skunk. Yep, she has done that and I'm here to tell you, that's a bad, really bad situation.
I talked with Mike, my oldest son, today and told him I'd put air in the Suzuki tires yesterday. My goodness. Eight pounds and twelve pounds is all that was in each front tire. After inflating to thirty pounds, it sure drove easier. Now understand, this is the same Suzuki that Ashlyn, my nine year old...oh ten today granddaughter has been driving around the country place for a couple years. Bless her little heart and more her little biceps for having to man handle that little truck. It sure drives easier Ash, thanks to pops for airing up the tires. Now she can concentrate on getting to third gear...yes, its standard transmission and even though she can barely reach the pedals she has mastered the clutch.
Roxie is curled up on one couch, Smooch is plastered to my hip and who know where that scaredy cat Lovie is. All is well. God loves me and my family and He loves you too, I hope you know that.
I can see it now, a boring day tomorrow but boy just wait til Thursday morning and we are off on our third great adventure of the year.
Blessings to all...
First stop will be Caddo Lake and check out Big Foot for our friends Dianne and Randy. They will be camp host there next summer. I promise to check for Big Foot...if Roxie is leading the way.
The cool front came through this morning and brought some nice rain and much cooler temps. It rained on and off most of the day but we did get a break long enough for us to take a nice long walk around the property. We didn't see any fresh hog tracks. Maybe, since I put the trap out they moved on. I can only hope. We walked past that big old persimmon tree and some of the fruit had fallen to the ground so I had to take a sample. It was ripe. Sweet and juicy. We walked through the pine plantation looking for rub's. That's a tree a buck deer is using to rub the velvet from his horns. We tromped around out there dodging the poison ivy and bull nettle and never did find a rub. That's okay though because it was enjoyable to be walking around in the woods.
Roxie is so much fun to watch when we're out walking. She is in continuous motion, and thats not slow motion, checking for scents. When she picks one up, whether it be a rabbit, squirrel, raccoon, deer, hog or worst, she starts yelping to let us know she's on a trail. We always hope she doesn't get too friendly with mister skunk. Yep, she has done that and I'm here to tell you, that's a bad, really bad situation.
I talked with Mike, my oldest son, today and told him I'd put air in the Suzuki tires yesterday. My goodness. Eight pounds and twelve pounds is all that was in each front tire. After inflating to thirty pounds, it sure drove easier. Now understand, this is the same Suzuki that Ashlyn, my nine year old...oh ten today granddaughter has been driving around the country place for a couple years. Bless her little heart and more her little biceps for having to man handle that little truck. It sure drives easier Ash, thanks to pops for airing up the tires. Now she can concentrate on getting to third gear...yes, its standard transmission and even though she can barely reach the pedals she has mastered the clutch.
Roxie is curled up on one couch, Smooch is plastered to my hip and who know where that scaredy cat Lovie is. All is well. God loves me and my family and He loves you too, I hope you know that.
I can see it now, a boring day tomorrow but boy just wait til Thursday morning and we are off on our third great adventure of the year.
Blessings to all...
Monday, September 21, 2009
Dog gone it...
Wonder what that meant? I'm not sure but I can tell you this, me and Ms Judy are exhausted. Even though we didn't start working until 8:30 or so, we certainly got a lot accomplished today.
I started the day by cutting several cedar trees to put around the bird feeders so they will have a refuse from the hawks.
Judy came out and found me on top of the motorhome with soap and water hose. Well, the top gets dirty too, I said. Of course after washing the top I had to continue the process and wash the sides...38 feet down each side plus the front and back. Whew! Got it washed, the food in the refer/freezer and the pantry. Its nice having so much room to pack and store things in a motorhome. We have about fifteen dinners in the freezer and that doesn't include the steak, chicken and pork ready to go on the grill. We still have a couple bays underneath for extras if needed.
Two days to go and the anticipation continues to grow. Tomorrow I'll finish loading my clothes, Judy is finished. We will go shopping tomorrow for the "junk" food stuff...oh boy! I'll load my pair of shorts and a couple tee's and be ready. Oh no, I'll have to pack some hotti totti clothes for that swanky place we're going to with Bud and Jan. Maybe I can sweet talk Judy in to starching and ironing my overalls...what do you think?
I'm tired and pray you all had a glorious day and it was as productive as ours.
Blessings to all....
I started the day by cutting several cedar trees to put around the bird feeders so they will have a refuse from the hawks.
Judy came out and found me on top of the motorhome with soap and water hose. Well, the top gets dirty too, I said. Of course after washing the top I had to continue the process and wash the sides...38 feet down each side plus the front and back. Whew! Got it washed, the food in the refer/freezer and the pantry. Its nice having so much room to pack and store things in a motorhome. We have about fifteen dinners in the freezer and that doesn't include the steak, chicken and pork ready to go on the grill. We still have a couple bays underneath for extras if needed.
Two days to go and the anticipation continues to grow. Tomorrow I'll finish loading my clothes, Judy is finished. We will go shopping tomorrow for the "junk" food stuff...oh boy! I'll load my pair of shorts and a couple tee's and be ready. Oh no, I'll have to pack some hotti totti clothes for that swanky place we're going to with Bud and Jan. Maybe I can sweet talk Judy in to starching and ironing my overalls...what do you think?
I'm tired and pray you all had a glorious day and it was as productive as ours.
Blessings to all....
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Here piggy, piggy...
Ain't trapped no hog yet. But its for dang sure the crows are getting fatter. I'm so bothered. I "run the trap" and get nothing but crows cawing for more corn and now the leaf cutter ants are carrying off the corn too. Ya'll probably don't have a clue what a leaf cutter ant is, do you? They will strip a plant of its leaves or needles overnight if you don't kill'em. Of course the tree hugger liberals had the only product known to kill the ants taken off the market a few years ago. Typical for the liberals...save the damn ants and lose the forest. I'm sure they think the ant will grow up and vote democrat.
Don't worry, I'll trap those suckers yet. The hogs that is. If I don't trap them before we leave for our great adventure, I'm going to dump enough corn in the trap that the crows will have to put an all points bulletin out for help to eat it. Of course I hope I trap some hogs while we're gone and they have to stay in the trap for several weeks without food or water. Cruel? You betcha, you should see what they did to my yard last year. They can wallow in that trap for days till the buzzards come calling for all I care. Can you tell I don't like hogs?
On a more positive note, the day was beautiful. Judy and I took a walk this morning and admired God's creation. And a hog wasn't one we admired. The pines have already dropped their first needles of the fall season and the persimmon tree is just waiting for the first frost to ripen its fruit. If you eat the fruit too early it will give you a bad pucker. We did see several fresh hog tracks as well as some good deer tracks. I was able to show Judy the difference in the tracks and she was soon pointing out to me, "here's a small deer track" or "man, that's a big hog". I think she's becoming a country girl quicker than I had expected.
We took Roxie for a Suzuki ride this afternoon and even though Roxie gave up and came home, Judy wanted to stay out so I boastfully showed her all the "hard" work I had done this week. You know, riding on the tractor doing all that manly stuff. I think she was impressed.
We start tomorrow getting ready to leave for our great adventure in earnest. Our clothes are pretty much "stored" in the motorhome and really only need to put the frozen and fresh foods in the refer/freezer. I will make sure the tires are at the correct inflation. I've already checked the oil in the genset and engine so all thats left is a good wash and we're set. We gave the inside a good cleaning last week. Please let me know if you think of something I've missed.
I pray you all had a restful weekend.
Blessings to all....
Don't worry, I'll trap those suckers yet. The hogs that is. If I don't trap them before we leave for our great adventure, I'm going to dump enough corn in the trap that the crows will have to put an all points bulletin out for help to eat it. Of course I hope I trap some hogs while we're gone and they have to stay in the trap for several weeks without food or water. Cruel? You betcha, you should see what they did to my yard last year. They can wallow in that trap for days till the buzzards come calling for all I care. Can you tell I don't like hogs?
On a more positive note, the day was beautiful. Judy and I took a walk this morning and admired God's creation. And a hog wasn't one we admired. The pines have already dropped their first needles of the fall season and the persimmon tree is just waiting for the first frost to ripen its fruit. If you eat the fruit too early it will give you a bad pucker. We did see several fresh hog tracks as well as some good deer tracks. I was able to show Judy the difference in the tracks and she was soon pointing out to me, "here's a small deer track" or "man, that's a big hog". I think she's becoming a country girl quicker than I had expected.
We took Roxie for a Suzuki ride this afternoon and even though Roxie gave up and came home, Judy wanted to stay out so I boastfully showed her all the "hard" work I had done this week. You know, riding on the tractor doing all that manly stuff. I think she was impressed.
We start tomorrow getting ready to leave for our great adventure in earnest. Our clothes are pretty much "stored" in the motorhome and really only need to put the frozen and fresh foods in the refer/freezer. I will make sure the tires are at the correct inflation. I've already checked the oil in the genset and engine so all thats left is a good wash and we're set. We gave the inside a good cleaning last week. Please let me know if you think of something I've missed.
I pray you all had a restful weekend.
Blessings to all....
Friday, September 18, 2009
Hog, hogs and more hogs...
It didn't occur to me until I almost drove over it...I have a hog trap.
I forgot my game camera was taking pictures the entire time I was working. I believe it took something like 16-18 pictures. You can see where they are rooting the ground under the feeder. I set it yesterday and so far the crows have eaten about five pounds of corn and no new hog tracks to be seen. It will take a few days for my scent to go away and then they'll be back. Dang things.
More steady rain showers this morning...thank you Lord.
This will be a busy next few days for us as we finalize our next Great Adventure. Judy and I have been cooking and freezing meals so it will be easier to prepare dinners when we're out and about. After a hard day of serious looking around, cooking dinner is not on top of the list. As a matter of fact, it didn't make the list but we do have to eat.
Just as a preview, we will leave the country house Thursday morning for two nights at Caddo Lake State Park. A truly unique and beautiful lake. http://www.caddo-lake.net/
We will leave Saturday morning and meet Bud and Jan (our Lubbock, TX) friends at Outdoor Resorts in northeast Arkansas for six days. Its one of those swanky kind of places...so Bud says.
From there its north to Springfield and the "home of the throwed rolls" restaurant. http://www.throwedrolls.com/
Then its St Louis, Louisville and up to Crittenden, KY for a visit with Judy's mom, Ms Edith and her new beau. John, the new beau, is taking us to dinner at some resturant he supplies (sells) his homemade wine. Ever Friday night is date night at this restaurant. Never double dated with a mother before...have I lost my mind?
We are then meeting Chuck and Maggie, some of our Texas Boomer friends in Nashville for a trek down the Natchez Trace. http://www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm
We should be home in 3-4 weeks...closer to four I'm sure.
So...does that wet your appetite to own an RV? Thought so. I get to sleep in my bed each night and not worry about who has been sleeping or worse in my bed.
Blessings to all.....
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Is fall coming?
Oh goodness, the weather is delightful. We're continuing to receive much needed rain and its the kind of rain that is a soak-er, not one of those well known frog stranglers we sometimes get. And the temperature is in the high 60's. I noticed once last night the temp was 63. Could we be having an early fall? Oh wait, we have global warming so it can't be so. It must be a figment of my imagination.
Between lite rain showers yesterday, I was able to get some heavy duty mowing completed yesterday. You know, things like the roads leading to the house, the highway right of way that the state never seemed to gotten to this year and of course the fence line on the road frontage. We east Texans are kind of particular as to how our land looks, at least from the road.
I spread (manually) fifty pounds of winter rye grass along the roads so when we get back from our next Great Adventure we should have some nice green grass and something for the deer to munch on this winter. Did you catch the "manually"? That's one piece of equipment I don't have to pull behind the Kubota tractor...a seed/fertilize spreader. Oh well, a little walking and pushing a spreader is probably good for me. Ha! A neighbor always says, "if it ain't got a seat, don't need to work with it". Of course he has a lot more money than me.
I saw another one of those nasty feral hogs yesterday...no gun with me of course. It was a big boar, maybe 250-300 pounds and had that razorback hair sticking up several inches. Let me back up. Before Judy left yesterday, we had our regular session of coffee on the porch before day light. Roxie was very skittish and would not leave my side, much less the porch. After sunrise I realized why. Fresh hog tracks were all over the area where the flag pole is. Ya'll know exactly where I'm describing, right? Suffice to say, one hundred feet from the porch. At one time I thought I smelled them..yep, they stick like heck.
Its raining again this morning, how nice.
BTW, what do ya'll think of our tax dollars supporting prostitution through the community activist group ACORN? Of course if you don't listen to conservative talk shows on the radio or watch Fox News, you won't have a clue what I'm talking about. How sad!
Blessings to all...
Between lite rain showers yesterday, I was able to get some heavy duty mowing completed yesterday. You know, things like the roads leading to the house, the highway right of way that the state never seemed to gotten to this year and of course the fence line on the road frontage. We east Texans are kind of particular as to how our land looks, at least from the road.
I spread (manually) fifty pounds of winter rye grass along the roads so when we get back from our next Great Adventure we should have some nice green grass and something for the deer to munch on this winter. Did you catch the "manually"? That's one piece of equipment I don't have to pull behind the Kubota tractor...a seed/fertilize spreader. Oh well, a little walking and pushing a spreader is probably good for me. Ha! A neighbor always says, "if it ain't got a seat, don't need to work with it". Of course he has a lot more money than me.
I saw another one of those nasty feral hogs yesterday...no gun with me of course. It was a big boar, maybe 250-300 pounds and had that razorback hair sticking up several inches. Let me back up. Before Judy left yesterday, we had our regular session of coffee on the porch before day light. Roxie was very skittish and would not leave my side, much less the porch. After sunrise I realized why. Fresh hog tracks were all over the area where the flag pole is. Ya'll know exactly where I'm describing, right? Suffice to say, one hundred feet from the porch. At one time I thought I smelled them..yep, they stick like heck.
Its raining again this morning, how nice.
BTW, what do ya'll think of our tax dollars supporting prostitution through the community activist group ACORN? Of course if you don't listen to conservative talk shows on the radio or watch Fox News, you won't have a clue what I'm talking about. How sad!
Blessings to all...
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Musings from the country...
We drove back to the country place yesterday afternoon through some torrential rain. That's good.
There was only about an inch of rain in the rain gauge and both hummingbird feeders looked like they had been sopped with a biscuit they were so dry. The other bird feeders were still okay but we filled them anyway.
It seems that the hummingbirds have been replaced by butterflies. Judy was trying to take some pictures while Roxie was biting at them and Smooch was swatting them. I don't think she ever got any really good pictures. Next time and without the help from the dog and cat will probably be better.
We went for a Suzuki ride to check out the rest of the place and saw that the hogs had been at work under at least one of the feeders, which was quickly confirmed back at the house. We had a good picture of a big boar that had visited the feeder at 7:15 that morning.
When we got back to the house Smooch was busy guarding something in the flower bed...not a good sign. Sure enough, Mr Snake was lurking under the ferns. Without hesitation, I grabbed the sharp shooter shovel out of the Suzuki and made "waste" of a coral snake that was about 24 inches long. I didn't realize those things got that big! Now the question; my mother always said snakes travel in pairs but I choose to believe that is an old wives tale.
On a side note. We drove down to Galveston Sunday after church and found those people have made a remarkable recovery. I did notice the parking lots for the cruise ship were about half empty and thats not a good sign.
We're sitting on the porch listening to the rain lightly fall and the drops dripping from the roof are making a soothing noise. Occasionally some hummingbirds fly by for a quick refuel on their way to South America. Ain't that amazing! South America! Judy looked in her hummingbird book the other day and we learned that their heart rate is something like 200 beat per minute. And that heart can't be much larger than a small pea.
I go to the doc today for my test results and I pray other than my cholesterol being out of whack I'm healthy.
I think I'll sit and listen to the rain for a while.
Blessings to all....
There was only about an inch of rain in the rain gauge and both hummingbird feeders looked like they had been sopped with a biscuit they were so dry. The other bird feeders were still okay but we filled them anyway.
It seems that the hummingbirds have been replaced by butterflies. Judy was trying to take some pictures while Roxie was biting at them and Smooch was swatting them. I don't think she ever got any really good pictures. Next time and without the help from the dog and cat will probably be better.
We went for a Suzuki ride to check out the rest of the place and saw that the hogs had been at work under at least one of the feeders, which was quickly confirmed back at the house. We had a good picture of a big boar that had visited the feeder at 7:15 that morning.
When we got back to the house Smooch was busy guarding something in the flower bed...not a good sign. Sure enough, Mr Snake was lurking under the ferns. Without hesitation, I grabbed the sharp shooter shovel out of the Suzuki and made "waste" of a coral snake that was about 24 inches long. I didn't realize those things got that big! Now the question; my mother always said snakes travel in pairs but I choose to believe that is an old wives tale.
On a side note. We drove down to Galveston Sunday after church and found those people have made a remarkable recovery. I did notice the parking lots for the cruise ship were about half empty and thats not a good sign.
We're sitting on the porch listening to the rain lightly fall and the drops dripping from the roof are making a soothing noise. Occasionally some hummingbirds fly by for a quick refuel on their way to South America. Ain't that amazing! South America! Judy looked in her hummingbird book the other day and we learned that their heart rate is something like 200 beat per minute. And that heart can't be much larger than a small pea.
I go to the doc today for my test results and I pray other than my cholesterol being out of whack I'm healthy.
I think I'll sit and listen to the rain for a while.
Blessings to all....
Friday, September 11, 2009
Hummingbirds
Judy took almost 100 pictures of the hummers today. So far we've narrowed it down to 80. Those suckers are amazing acrobats. She has them right side up, up side down, moving backwards and mostly drinking. They dart so quickly, there is no way to be able to count them. It was so cool to see dozens hovering at the feeder and then the oak tree being literally covered with them. The chirping noise was loud enough that even I could hear them. I once stood close to the feeder and could feel the air off their wings. How neat is that?
I just looked over and Judy is still editing the photos. God blesses us with all these creatures and we need to remember to give Him the thanks.
Blessings to all...
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Another day in the country...
I'm going to need a cash infusion if these hummingbirds don't head on to South America soon. It appears they will drink about a quart of nectar every four hours or so. Well, they are either going to have to go someplace else for a handout or starve because I'm heading south this morning for a few days.
Did you watch and listen to the talking head last night? Or should I say the reading head. At one point I actually thought the man was going to look into the camera and talk to me, nay; he has to read everything he says it seems.
I'm not getting up tight today about Obamanation but did you see Sheila Jackson Lee last night? She looked like she was wearing a kite.
What a mess this nation has gotten into in such a short period of time. I know God has a plan and I also know He has a time schedule. I've thought about reading the book of Revelations again but I remember how it ends. Red armies will appear along with the antichrist. Our Chinese bankers seem to be red and well you all know who the antichrist is...
Blessing to all....
Did you watch and listen to the talking head last night? Or should I say the reading head. At one point I actually thought the man was going to look into the camera and talk to me, nay; he has to read everything he says it seems.
I'm not getting up tight today about Obamanation but did you see Sheila Jackson Lee last night? She looked like she was wearing a kite.
What a mess this nation has gotten into in such a short period of time. I know God has a plan and I also know He has a time schedule. I've thought about reading the book of Revelations again but I remember how it ends. Red armies will appear along with the antichrist. Our Chinese bankers seem to be red and well you all know who the antichrist is...
Blessing to all....
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Fearless hummingbirds...
Here at the country place its just me, Roxie, Smooch, Lovey and about a co-zillion hummers. Judy left early today for Conroe to take care of some business and wait on UPS to deliver her camera thats been in for repairs.
I do have some news of a personal nature to share with all of you. I went today for a much needed and much overdue physical and while be examined the doc heard and I felt a heart palpitation. No, not the kind I got when baby Dunkette came up missing but rather a real flutter of the ole ticker. So now I'm wearing a twenty four hour heart monitor to record the goings on of said ticker. This same situation happened many years ago and I had all kinds of tests including a heart cath and they never found nor could they duplicate the "flutter" again. Maybe we'll find out this time whats causing this unusual activity. Sure hope it doesn't include another look around the heart...from the inside.
I had an exciting thing happen this afternoon. I was replenishing the hummingbird feeders and they were not being very patient. As I was trying to rehang one of the feeders, two hummers perched and started drinking and one landed on the back of my hand. I'm standing here looking eye ball to eyeball with three hummers that aren't 12" from my face. I stood frozen for what seemed like forever when finally one that had perched got his fill and the one on my hand took its place. How exciting! Another blessing from God.
I pray everyone had a fun and of course safe Labor Day weekend and ladies, don't forget, no more white till Easter.
Blessings to all...
I do have some news of a personal nature to share with all of you. I went today for a much needed and much overdue physical and while be examined the doc heard and I felt a heart palpitation. No, not the kind I got when baby Dunkette came up missing but rather a real flutter of the ole ticker. So now I'm wearing a twenty four hour heart monitor to record the goings on of said ticker. This same situation happened many years ago and I had all kinds of tests including a heart cath and they never found nor could they duplicate the "flutter" again. Maybe we'll find out this time whats causing this unusual activity. Sure hope it doesn't include another look around the heart...from the inside.
I had an exciting thing happen this afternoon. I was replenishing the hummingbird feeders and they were not being very patient. As I was trying to rehang one of the feeders, two hummers perched and started drinking and one landed on the back of my hand. I'm standing here looking eye ball to eyeball with three hummers that aren't 12" from my face. I stood frozen for what seemed like forever when finally one that had perched got his fill and the one on my hand took its place. How exciting! Another blessing from God.
I pray everyone had a fun and of course safe Labor Day weekend and ladies, don't forget, no more white till Easter.
Blessings to all...
Monday, September 7, 2009
Not much to say...
We awoke this morning and discovered baby Dunkette was gone and a nasty note had been left. I would post a picture of the note but we're so hurt. The culprits cut words from magazines so as not to leave handwriting clues or finger prints for the note. I'm concerned that because we left her outside all night that someone called CPS. Maybe comrade Obamantion sent one of the many czar's for her. He does have enough henchmen to take care of that sort of thing.
We had a fantastic get together this weekend and arrived home to the country safely. Judy is leaving "early" for Conroe in the morning and I already miss her.
We have begun to finalize our next adventure plans. Currently, Chuck and Maggie will meet us in Nashville for a trek down the Natchez Trace. We've only done a portion of the Trace and we're truly looking forward the the complete trip.
Blessings to all...
We had a fantastic get together this weekend and arrived home to the country safely. Judy is leaving "early" for Conroe in the morning and I already miss her.
We have begun to finalize our next adventure plans. Currently, Chuck and Maggie will meet us in Nashville for a trek down the Natchez Trace. We've only done a portion of the Trace and we're truly looking forward the the complete trip.
Blessings to all...
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Rally...Day 2
The griddlers did a fine job of giddlling the pancakes this morning and the fruit was particularly good. However, when Rich volunteered he had helped make it by opening cans I was less impressed. It tasted better than canned fruit.
We spent the day visiting with others and watching as Steve and Richard replaced tires and repaired plumbing that was destroyed when the tire lost its tread. We may see Richard on TV soon. He bought those tires from Discount Tire about a year ago and he's not satisfied so I think he's going to take the tire back and throw it through the window. I'm trying to discourage him but he's pretty much made up his mind. Hopefully Mary can talk some sense into him.
We had the Chinese raffle and the silent auction after dinner...what fun till the brunt of the fun turned to me and Judy. For those of you not familiar with the process, you bid on "wrapped" items and then unwrap them in front of the crowd. As I recall, the first item I won was a nice three piece condiment service. That was nice. Then Judy got into the bidding action at the auction. She won, went to the front of the group unwrapped her gift...an EPT kit, oh my! She came back leaned over and told me, "I haven't had a hot flash like that in years". Well, needless to say, that prize set the theme for silliness and fun for the rest of the night. My next win was an insulated drink bag which Mike immediately decided must be a diaper bag. Things are really getting heated up now. Judy was scared to bid on anything now. Not me! I continued to bid till the Victoria's Secret Bag went on the auction block and I knew that would be a coveted prize. Yea for me! With the winning bid I excitedly tore into the bag to find a small box that contained a really nice ceramic wind chime...all I could think of and of course say,"oh look Judy, a mobile for the crib".
We just hope everyone enjoyed the evening as much as we did. Leaving the rally hall with all our loot, we quickly concluded that even though it was at our expense, it was a great night for all. We both had a headache from laughing so hard and so much.
My gosh, I almost forgot. The mexican fiesta pot luck dinner was better than fantastic and who ever made the cheesecake sopapillas has a real winner for a dessert. Its too bad we can't find a restaurant that have those kinds of dishes.
Blessings to all.....
Edit to this Blog...Guess what we found outside the motorhome this morning? Let the games begin.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Life is sweet when the Boomers meet...
We are back in the motorhome after a great afternoon and evening visiting with friends and eating. We Texas Boomers are world renown for our culinary extravaganzas and our gift of gab.
We have several new members and they seem to be really nice people, well except for maybe Wayne but I guess he's just on a learning curve. Retired Marine, nuff said. I think he was a sergeant, or a major or maybe even a general or somebody of importance anyway. We're parked next to he and his gracious wife Earlene and when we first met me he asked if I would move my motorhome as he was expecting some nice people to show up...its been steadily down hill since. I'm of course joking, they seem to be a really nice couple and have been traveling now for some time.
I met two other newbie couples and knew one was okay right off the bat, he was wearing a nice new Kubota cap but the other man, God bless his soul, was wearing a tu cap. I told him right off that the only orange I liked was on my Kabota tractor. I'll be dipped though, he came back for dinner was and still wearing it. Newbies...what do you expect? I guess we all have learning curves to deal with.
Tomorrow is the pancake breakfast. Madame Boomer has organized this down to a tee. We have griddles and griddlers to griddle so all we will need will be girdles should we eat too much. Tomorrow evening is the mexican fiesta.
The day wasn't totally uneventful. Steve and Barb had a blowout on the inside dually and Richard and Mary had a blowout on their trailer. We all certainly hope this is not an omen of things to come.
The weather is great and we are looking forward to another great day tomorrow.
Blessings to all.....
We have several new members and they seem to be really nice people, well except for maybe Wayne but I guess he's just on a learning curve. Retired Marine, nuff said. I think he was a sergeant, or a major or maybe even a general or somebody of importance anyway. We're parked next to he and his gracious wife Earlene and when we first met me he asked if I would move my motorhome as he was expecting some nice people to show up...its been steadily down hill since. I'm of course joking, they seem to be a really nice couple and have been traveling now for some time.
I met two other newbie couples and knew one was okay right off the bat, he was wearing a nice new Kubota cap but the other man, God bless his soul, was wearing a tu cap. I told him right off that the only orange I liked was on my Kabota tractor. I'll be dipped though, he came back for dinner was and still wearing it. Newbies...what do you expect? I guess we all have learning curves to deal with.
Tomorrow is the pancake breakfast. Madame Boomer has organized this down to a tee. We have griddles and griddlers to griddle so all we will need will be girdles should we eat too much. Tomorrow evening is the mexican fiesta.
The day wasn't totally uneventful. Steve and Barb had a blowout on the inside dually and Richard and Mary had a blowout on their trailer. We all certainly hope this is not an omen of things to come.
The weather is great and we are looking forward to another great day tomorrow.
Blessings to all.....
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Where did the time go????
We came back to the country place Tuesday and yes the cats were madder than heck again. Especially Smooch because she's the one that doesn't understand she's an indoor cat, she loves being outside. It takes her a couple days to stop gripping. Now Lovey on the other hand is like me, make me mad and I may not talk to you for a while. Lovey is in the same place each time we come home to the country; centered under the king size bed. She won't won't come out for a day or so just to prove a point. Whatever her point might be. They are both happy now but what they don't know is we are leaving early in the morning for a RV rally with our Texas Boomer friends and won't be back till late Monday. They'll get over it, I hope.
And look who moved into the neighborhood while we were gone. They probably range in weight from 75 lbs to 150 lbs and if they keep eating my $6/bag corn, they will be bigger than that soon. I have pictures taken as early as 9pm with those suckers at the feeder. Oh, and the feeder is only about 150 yards from the house. Its just the trials and tribulations of country living.
It does remind me of the trip we took with friends this spring to Big Bend and the Davis mountains when the javelinas would practically come to the door of the motorhome. One night I got up to check because Roxie was going nuts and one was trying to get in my car, so I thought.
Enough of this mindless writing, I've got to get back to loading the motorhome. I put a good coat of wax on the front this morning because if my worse fears are what I think, the love bugs are back. Judy cleaned the leather couches, the pilot and copilot seats (thats RV talk for the driver and passenger seats) and I got nose prints of the inside of the windshield. Now I wonder where those came from?
Blessing to all... and have a safe an fun weekend doing whatever it is that makes you happy.
And look who moved into the neighborhood while we were gone. They probably range in weight from 75 lbs to 150 lbs and if they keep eating my $6/bag corn, they will be bigger than that soon. I have pictures taken as early as 9pm with those suckers at the feeder. Oh, and the feeder is only about 150 yards from the house. Its just the trials and tribulations of country living.It does remind me of the trip we took with friends this spring to Big Bend and the Davis mountains when the javelinas would practically come to the door of the motorhome. One night I got up to check because Roxie was going nuts and one was trying to get in my car, so I thought.
Enough of this mindless writing, I've got to get back to loading the motorhome. I put a good coat of wax on the front this morning because if my worse fears are what I think, the love bugs are back. Judy cleaned the leather couches, the pilot and copilot seats (thats RV talk for the driver and passenger seats) and I got nose prints of the inside of the windshield. Now I wonder where those came from?
Blessing to all... and have a safe an fun weekend doing whatever it is that makes you happy.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
An honor I failed to obtain...
This story actually began in January of this year when I went to an RV rally for the first time in Cut-in-Shoot, TX, yes that is a real town just east of Conroe, and met a really cool family.
I first met Larry when I walked by his RV and he was working on his portable satellite system. I joked around with him quite some time even to the extent that if he didn't cut that 75 foot tree down, he would never get a signal. At that time I also met Trey, he and Vicky's youngest son. Trey immediately made friends with Roxie so I just handed over her leash to him. Seems I did that every time I saw him the rest of the weekend. He had fun with Roxie and she quickly realized he was more energetic than I am.
Sometime Saturday night while standing around the campfire I met Landon, Vicky's son from a previous marriage. Seventeen years old but much more mature than those years should allow and we fell into a conversation about various topics. I soon learned he was in Boy Scouts and had been working on his Eagle project. I shared with Landon my disappointment that I never completed the "work" for my Eagle. If you aren't familiar with scouting and the work that goes into getting the Eagle, you've got an awakening. Only an elite group of scouts ever obtain this honor. Anyway, back to Landon. Quite honestly, I usually don't connect with kids but then again I quickly concluded that Landon was far from being a kid, even though he was seventeen. Later that evening I learned from Larry that Landon was kind of "stuck" working on his Eagle so I asked Larry for permission to have a scout to scout talk with him. He agreed and we did.
Understand this, you get one shot at the Eagle. One you have to be a scout and two you have to be under eighteen. No matter how much I want to be an Eagle Scout now, it ain't gonna happen.
I encouraged Landon in every way I could to complete his project and shared my disappointment that I never completed my work for the Eagle.
I again saw Landon in about May and he assured me he was working on his Eagle, along with sports, along with a great deal of invlovment in his church and of course the dreaded school work. We didn't talk as much about scouts but I think he understood how I felt.
Hallelujah, praise God! This past Sunday, Vicky posted on Face book that Landon was currently at his Eagle review. A couple hours later. "We have an Eagle Scout in the family". What an accomplishment. I'm so proud of and for Landon. Get this, Sunday night he posted on Face book, I start college classes tomorrow. He's a senior in high school. We all need to remember his name...Landon Sneed. We'll hear it again.
Oh, as far as I know, Larry is still working on his satellite system.
Blessings to all.....
I first met Larry when I walked by his RV and he was working on his portable satellite system. I joked around with him quite some time even to the extent that if he didn't cut that 75 foot tree down, he would never get a signal. At that time I also met Trey, he and Vicky's youngest son. Trey immediately made friends with Roxie so I just handed over her leash to him. Seems I did that every time I saw him the rest of the weekend. He had fun with Roxie and she quickly realized he was more energetic than I am.
Sometime Saturday night while standing around the campfire I met Landon, Vicky's son from a previous marriage. Seventeen years old but much more mature than those years should allow and we fell into a conversation about various topics. I soon learned he was in Boy Scouts and had been working on his Eagle project. I shared with Landon my disappointment that I never completed the "work" for my Eagle. If you aren't familiar with scouting and the work that goes into getting the Eagle, you've got an awakening. Only an elite group of scouts ever obtain this honor. Anyway, back to Landon. Quite honestly, I usually don't connect with kids but then again I quickly concluded that Landon was far from being a kid, even though he was seventeen. Later that evening I learned from Larry that Landon was kind of "stuck" working on his Eagle so I asked Larry for permission to have a scout to scout talk with him. He agreed and we did.
Understand this, you get one shot at the Eagle. One you have to be a scout and two you have to be under eighteen. No matter how much I want to be an Eagle Scout now, it ain't gonna happen.
I encouraged Landon in every way I could to complete his project and shared my disappointment that I never completed my work for the Eagle.
I again saw Landon in about May and he assured me he was working on his Eagle, along with sports, along with a great deal of invlovment in his church and of course the dreaded school work. We didn't talk as much about scouts but I think he understood how I felt.
Hallelujah, praise God! This past Sunday, Vicky posted on Face book that Landon was currently at his Eagle review. A couple hours later. "We have an Eagle Scout in the family". What an accomplishment. I'm so proud of and for Landon. Get this, Sunday night he posted on Face book, I start college classes tomorrow. He's a senior in high school. We all need to remember his name...Landon Sneed. We'll hear it again.
Oh, as far as I know, Larry is still working on his satellite system.
Blessings to all.....
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